The first stage of the programme is called FOCCUS.

FOCCUS (Facilitating Open Couple Communication and Study)

Was developed in 1985 in the USA by B. Markey, Ph.D. and a team from Omaha Nebraska with the programme being revised in 2000.

The FOCCUS Instrument provides couples with an opportunity to explore their relationship. It is a tool to help couples name and work through issues before marriage.

The central themes are:

1.      Family Influences

2.      Career, finance, status, roles – balance between these

3.      Marriage as a process

4.      Communication/conflict

5.      Religion & Values

In the first session the couple is asked to respond individually to a non threatening set of 156 statements. The couple’s individual responses are then matched, and in the follow up session the couple has an opportunity to discuss the results in the presence of a third unbiased person or couple.

 The second stage of the programme is a choice of a) or b):

a) Diocesan Marriage Preparation Course

The variation in couples who want a Catholic celebrant to be part of their wedding ceremony has increased considerably over the past twenty years.

The Auckland Diocesan Marriage Preparation programme (2002) is currently  being re-written by Diane Strevens, to take into account the increase and to make connections with the changing New Zealand scene.

The original programme, developed by Les and Marieke Simmonds fifteen years ago still provides a sound basis for the new course, but some content and methods of presentation are being changed and updated.

Overall the course aims to present skills which enable couples to cope with the challenges of married life, and ideas which encourage couples to continue to enrich and nurture their relationship. Catholisism and the teachings of the Church are the context for the course content, recognizing that God is love, and the respect and love husband and wife show for each other is a sign of God’s love.