FOCCUS® hosts members of Mexican archdiocese for mutually beneficial exchange
Standing with the icon of St. Bridget of Sweden (patron saint of FOCCUS®) are, from left, Adriana and Geraldo Galván, Rosy Uribe, FOCCUS® Executive Director Sheila Simpson, Omaha Archbishop Emeritus George J. Lucas, Geraldo Uribe, FOCCUS® Ministry Director Father Michael Grewe, Father Juan Martin Melendez Alanís, and FOCCUS® Customer Service Representative Luisa Claus.
Geraldo Uribe explains the Monterrey archdiocese’s marriage ministry and their experience using FOCCUS® inventories.
Father Juan Martin Melendez Alanís, right, following arrival at FOCCUS® headquarters and presenting a gift – an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe – blesses the image along with Father Michael Grewe, FOCCUS® ministry director. Geraldo Uribe is in the background.
“We had a very productive, two-way discussion about how FOCCUS® can help the archdiocese expand its use of FOCCUS® inventories and about ways we can improve our products,” said Sheila Simpson, executive director. “It was very beneficial for both of us.”
Visitors included Father Juan Martin Melendez Alanís and two couples involved in marriage ministry for their archdiocese – Geraldo and Rosy Uribe, and Geraldo and Adriana Galván.
The Uribes have been involved in the ministry for seven years and became marriage ministry leaders in one area of their archdiocese last November, Rosy said.
Their archdiocese has been using the FOCCUS® inventories for 20 years, but of the approximately 12,000 marriages that occur annually in their coverage area of the archdiocese, only about seven percent of couples have benefitted through using the FOCCUS® pre-marriage inventory, Geraldo said.
So, the archdiocese has two broad goals – to reach more couples with FOCCUS® marriage and enrichment inventories and to expand their use beyond the Monterrey archdiocese, Rosy said.
To facilitate the effort, the Monterrey representatives sought to share their experiences and collaborate with FOCCUS® to optimize the usefulness and suitability of the organization’s inventories for their use in Mexico.
“First, we wanted to meet in-person everyone who is helping us to build this apostolate in Mexico and second, to share and grow together with the knowledge that we have picked up in Mexico and provide that feedback here, as well as gaining best practices for our apostolate,” Geraldo said.
Collaborating for Growth
The archdiocese is also seeking help to upgrade its FOCCUS® facilitator training, he said, and to work with FOCCUS® to resolve certain technical issues, such as improving Spanish translations, credit transfers, reporting and issuing of trainer certifications, and other administrative functions.
Simpson noted the value of receiving such feedback from customers and their ideas for improvements.
“I’m one level removed from the couples that use our inventories, so hearing the experiences of facilitators and couples is priceless and can drive changes to our products,” she said.
And the opportunity to form personal relationships with customers was also valuable.
“We’re no longer acquaintances,” Simpson said. “We now have a closer relationship and feel more invested in the archdiocese’s work with couples.”
Simpson extends an open invitation to all FOCCUS® customers wishing to confer in person at either the customer’s location or at FOCCUS® headquarters in Omaha to share their experiences, feedback and suggestions.
Contact:
Phone: 402-537-4706
Email: sjsimpson@foccusinc.com