EFS -  An Effective Father Seminar is a prayerful time for men (fathers/grandfathers) to come together to hear and share what God, their wives, their children and grandchildren expect of an effective father.  The experience is comprised of presentations, small group discussion and dialog.  Seminars are usually held on weekends beginning Friday night and closing Saturday afternoon.  We highly recommend inviting the spouses back on Saturday evening when we share on couples communication and what went on during the seminar.

The seminars are most often held at hosting parishes/churches and through diocesan family life offices.  Any father, perspective father, priest, or deacon can benefit from the event.  Often a grandfather will invite his sons and/or sons-in-law to participate as a family group.

While personally directed seminars continue to be available, now through the use of video/audio resources along with the text book Velvet & Steel, you can feel comfortable in facilitating an EFS yourself. The tapes lay out the talks and guide you through the small group discussions. You only need a prayerful approach and a 2 or 3 man core group to act as small group facilitators.  If this is a new type of activity for you, please be assured that directions are laid out with easy to follow instructions on the tapes. There are a number of ways for you and your group to hold your own seminar.  Here are a few examples you can implement using are textbook/video resources…

1.      Family Group – A grandfather with his sons and sons-in-law can come together for a proven experience of a lifetime.  Don’t panic Grandpa you can pull it off.

2.      Men’s Ministry Parish Groups – Can make this seminar a group activity.  It can be tailored to fit your regular gatherings.

3.      Diocesan Wide Program – A core group of men can provide this seminar experience as a ministry throughout the diocese.  We are available to help train your team.

4.      Individual Study – valuable, of course, but try to share the message with a friend.

EFS II – is an additional weekend experience for fathers and grandfathers in answer to requests by EFS participants for more small group discussion time. During this seminar lectures are held to a minimum.  Most of the time is dedicated to case studies based on real family situations.  Small group discussions lead to the formation of action plans. The dynamics are intended to develop and pass on communication skills that can be taken home. Prime candidates for EFS II are fathers and grandfathers who have attended the basic EFS seminar along with men currently involved in men’s ministries, prayer groups, Emmaus, and other kindred activities.

CPREP (Christian  PREP) (see photos left)  – our newest offering is a researched approach intended to help couples communicate effectively, work as a team to solve problems, manage conflicts, and preserve and enhance their love for one another.  Most married couples desire a satisfying relationship that will last lifetime.  Yet, among those marrying today only about 50% will end up staying together.  Among those who do not divorce, a fair percentage will end up “unhappily married”.  Research has shed light, not only on the greatest risk factors but also on the most promising avenues for couples to build and maintain a great marriage.  Can they learn how to avoid the pitfalls and develop their love for a lifetime?  Yes, if they work at it, they can.  The learning models employed by Christian PREP focus on teaching couples the skills they need.  We offer CPREP in various formats from ninety-minute introduction to a weekend experience.  CPREP can be valuable resource tool to help your parish’s families.

EFM programs are complimentary and can be held individually or as a series.  If you would like to consider bringing any or all of the above to your parish family please review the contact page on this website and give us a call.