Fully Engaged September 2022

Quarterly Newsletter


(320) 258-7611 www.getfullyengaged.com

Fully Engaged Website Updates

We continue to improve functions on our new website to make it more "user friendly." The feedback we have received from you and your couples has been valuable.


Our newest project is to streamline the process to "Add a couple" and the engaged couple's process in completing the necessary information when they take the inventory on-line. The process for adding a couple should be completed in the next week or so.


If you have any ideas or feedback for us, please send us and email or call us.

Add mentor couples to the Quarterly Newsletter list

Send their name(s), email address and which parish they serve to: ccodden@gw.stcdio.org.

Comparison Percentages - Up-Date

Comparison percentages are now available for both English & Spanish result printouts.  


This includes an overview or "Summary" comparing ALL the statements on the inventory and the couple's agreement with the preferred answer. 


The "Differences" section was eliminated from the list, since there is no preferred answer to compare it to. 

New Video Resources Available

Communication Cross


In the Communication Section of the Couple's Workbook, a communication technique is offered. It promotes good listening skills, teaches the importance of rephrasing what your spouse just said and how to ask clarifying questions for better understanding.


An 18 minute video demonstration on this effective method is now available on the Facilitator Resource page under "Communication Tips." Instead of using "the Floor," mentioned in the video, we use the Communication Cross to remind them that Christ is always with us and to enter this discussion in a prayerful way knowing we have with His peace and grace to guide us.

For web page with video links, click here

Second Marriage & Blended Family

Video Series


To assist Facilitators working with Second Marriage and Blended Families, we went to the experts. In conversational format, we interviewed two members of the Tribunal Office at the Diocese of Saint Cloud about what they see in their work with those seeking an annulment.  


Fr Matthew Crane, J.C.L and Theresa Wyburn, J.C.L. graciously shared their insights. In short 6 to 9 minute segments, this 7 part series explores various topics referred to in the Fully Engaged Inventory. Topics include: realistic expectations, finances, role of stepparent, couple's needs vs children's needs, legal battles, maneuvering holidays and more.


To view, go to the button at the right and scroll to Blended Families or Second Marriages. 

Other New Resources

Intimacy & Cohabitation


The USCCB's ForYourMarriage.org website continues to post articles and research regarding issues that impact engaged couples. Check out this new article "Intimacy & Cohabitation."

Nuptial Blessing


Another possibility for an opening or closing prayer for sessions with the engaged couple is the Nuptial Blessing. The beautiful words of the Nuptial Blessing are worthy of meditation beyond the wedding ceremony. While there are three forms of the prayer, the first option can be found  on our Facilitator Resources page under "Prayers."  

For Your Marriage Website

Amoris Laetitia


During this past year, in preparation for the World Meeting of Families in Rome, Pope Francis asked the whole Church to reread and study his Apostolic Exhortation, Amoris Laetitia: On Love in the Family. The staff of Fully Engaged found Pope Francis' words compelling and uplifting for us, pinpointing so many areas of our lived experiences as married persons, offering to us advise and counsel.


As we studied the document again, we felt Chapter 4: Love in Marriage, was especially rich and thought provoking. We also knew that if our engaged couples would read the catechesis, insights, and wisdom offered, it could explain more to them about the rich teachings of the Church.


While the Facilitator Guide has short quotes from Amoris Laetitia throughout, Chapter 4 is available in PDF form on our Facilitator Resources page of the website under "Church Documents," which can easily be printed out for the couple to read.  


Chapter 4 begins with an exegesis of 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7, a very popular reading at weddings, "Love is patient, love is kind..." emphasizing the need for good communication skills, forgiveness, and especially our service to others. This could be assigned as supplemental reading for the couple when discussing the Division of Labor, Communication and Conflict Resolution Sections of the inventory.


The second section of Chapter 4 is "Growing in Conjugal Love," stressing the total self gift we are to each other in the marriage bond, highlighting the joy and beauty of living out the promises made in the marriage vows. Suggested supplemental reading for the Catholic Identity Section.


The third section "Passionate Love," accentuates that our sexuality is a gift from God and "What is morally good or evil is what we do on the basis of, or under the influence of, a given passion." (no. 145) Pope Francis discusses the need for self-mastery and setting limits on our emotions so we can discover "the nuptial meaning of the body and the authentic dignity of the gift." (no. 151) Suggested supplemental reading for the Intimacy Section.


The fourth section is "Transformed in Love" concludes Chapter 4 with a look into the future. Suggested supplemental reading for the Sacrament of Marriage Section.

Amoris Laetitia Chapter 4

Training Opportunities

Fully Engaged Pre-Marital & Convalidation Inventories are offering New Facilitator Webinar Trainings via Zoom. 

 

The cost for the webinar is $25 per couple which includes the couple taking the pre-marital inventory and receiving the results. Each couple will need a Pre-Marital Preview Package which is $45 plus shipping and handling. To register, click here (español) or contact Jill at (320) 258-7611 or jill.svihel@gw.stcdio.org. Please register at least 10 days prior to the class.


The following options are available: 

English

  • Saturday, October 1, 2022 – 10 am to 4 pm EDT
  • Saturday, December 3, 2022 – 10 am to 4 pm EST


Español

  • Sábado 10 de septiembre de 10 am a 4 pm EDT
  • Sábado, 12 de noviembre de 2022 de 10 am a 4 pm EST


A Few Tips:

Fully Engaged Manual Scoring


Upper Right Hand Box: Please complete the upper right hand corner box with your parish information. With the volume we process, we want to ensure we are accurate on sending the results to you.


Please ensure couples are completing all the entries.

Answer Sheets


Answer sheets were revised last year. Below are the links to the up-to-date answer sheets. It helps us if you use the newest version when we are entering your couple's information.


English Premarital

English Convalidation

Spanish Premarital

Spanish Convalidation


New Tutorial for Couples


Some engaged couples are not reading the instructions on taking the inventory and try to bypass certain sections of the inventory. Due to this fact, we developed a tutorial for them.  The link can be found on several pages of our website or click here.

Resending Welcome Link

  • To resend the Welcome email to the Engaged Couple, go to your dashboard, click on the desired Couple's ID


  • Click on the person’s email address (not the Edit button)



  • Click on “Resend Welcome Email”

English & Spanish Bookmarks


Since the Couple's Workbooks now have the Bookmark inside the back cover, we have a supply of the separate bookmarks no longer used. If you would like these to use as Facilitators, let us know when you are placing an order, and we will send them to you for shipping costs only.

Thank you for your commitment to forming couples for the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.

Chris Codden

Director

ccodden@gw.stcdio.org

      320-250-9778


 Jill Svihel

Coordinator

Jill.svihel@gw.stcdio.org

      320-258-7611


Dawn Gohmann

Clerical Support

dgohmann@gw.stcdio.org

(320) 258-7617