Starting Programs

Starting the program involves a step-by-step process.

1. Obtain Information
2. Experience a Program Presentation
3. Obtain Sponsorship Status
4. Present the Program
5. Establish a Steering Committee
6. Promote the Ministry.

PROCESS DETAILS

1. Obtain Information:

• Study the information on this website.
• Contact the Ministry Family Life Office, Board of Directors, or Regional Ministry Coordinators for assistance, guidance, and direction.
• Obtain Ministry Brochure, Ministry Book, and other ministry materials through this website (see Materials / Purchase Publications Section).

2. Experience a Program Presentation:

• Attend and participate in a program presentation. Ideally, those attending should include at least one married couple and clergy or religious.  They should be potential leaders for helping start the program.  This serves as training for starting the ministry.

3. Become a Sponsor:

• Complete and submit the Ministry Sponsorship form.
• Obtain approval from the Family Life Office of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe to sponsor the ministry.
• Obtain direction, guidance, and assistance from the Ministry Board of Directors.

4. Present a Program:

• Coordinate program start-up issues with the Board and Regional Coordinating Group or Advisory Council.
• Obtain (purchase) materials for the program presentation  (available throughthis website - Materials/Purchase ublications Section.
• Complete and submit the Program Notification Form (see Materials/Forms Section) for each program presentation.
• Identify leader and co-leader couples to organize the first program presentation.  These are usually couples who have previously experienced the program.  
• Complete and submit the Ministry Leadership form for the leaders, co-leaders, and others serving in leadership positions.
• Form a team for the program presentation.  The majority of the team couples/members and the spiritual director should come from the sponsoring parish/congregation.  Some speaker couples are sometimes provided through the Board and/or Regional Coordinating Group or Advisory Council.
• Some churches provide child care for married-couple program presentations.  The guidelines for child care vary from church to church.  The Archdocese of Santa Fe has guidelines for its parishes.  Information is available through the Family Life Office (see Contacts Section).
• After each program presentation, send a Program Summary form, a Roster, and program fee (when appropriate) to the Ministry Office.

5. Establish a Steering Committee:

• Form a steering committee within the sponsoring church.
• Each steering committee member completes and submits a Ministry Leadership Form.

6. Promote the Ministry:

• Develop a sustaining ministry.
• Promote growth of the ministry to other parishes/congregations.
• Stay updated and participate in the evolution of the ministry.
• Coordinate activities with the Board of Directors.

The Archdiocese of Santa Fe reserves the right to exclude individuals, groups or other entities from participation.