"For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother
and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."
-Genesis 2:24

Sponsoring Couples are couples who have been married for a number of years and are willing to open their homes and share their time with a couple who is preparing for marriage with one of the priests at St. Michael’s. Each couple preparing for marriage takes an inventory called the FOCCUS (Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding & Study) which helps identify strengths and growth areas in their relationship. The Sponsoring Couple spends two or three meetings with the engaged couple, exploring with them all categories of the inventory (although the priest with whom the engaged couple are preparing will already have covered the categories of religion and spirituality).

Training for Sponsoring Couples is offered irregularly, usually in Fargo or Valley City, but if a number of couples express interest, we would hold a training session in Grand Forks. At the time of the training, the Sponsoring Couple also receives a manual to assist them in exploring the FOCCUS inventory with the engaged couple. And always, the priest preparing the couple for marriage is available to the Sponsoring Couple if they have questions or concerns.

If you are a couple married in the church who is interested in becoming a Sponsoring Couple contact:

Fr. Gerard Braun
(701) 772-2624
Click here to email Gerard Braun