This pre-conference institute is coordinated by national marriage ministry leaders, Andrew & Terri Lyke. The word “Arusi” is a Kiswahili phrase that means “marriage celebration.” The Arusi Marriage Institute focuses on marriage from an African worldview, i.e. valuing a marriage from within the context of the community in which it thrives.

This institute is for pastoral leaders, marriage preparation ministers, wedding coordinators, and married couples looking to enrich their sacramental life in the Church. Workshops will address the following:

• The state of modern marriage and how Catholic Teaching, when applied, can help couples beat the odds and succeed at marriage.
• Keys for sustaining a lifelong marriage and building a strong community;
• A parish assessment tool for a marriage-friendly parish;
• FOCCUS Pre-marriage Inventory facilitator training;
• Best practices for marriage ministry with a comprehensive look from cradle to grave;
• Strategies for effective marriage ministry from, parish and diocesan perspectives;
• A template for a parish-based marriage support ministry;
• An overview of the Arusi Marriage Retreat process for Christian Marriages.