Merry Christmas, Lovers!

A warm and gracious thank you to the Sonoda/Thornburgh family for hosting the 2010 ME Christmas in Love Party last night. What a wonderful gathering filled with love, laughter, food, drinks, games and dancing! The decorations and setting were unbelievably gorgeous! A special thank you to Tom, Erica, Seiji, Jessica, Mark, John, Carol, Linda, Jun, Jake and Jackie!

Spending an evening with the ME family is always marked with absolute fun! Merry Christmas!

Don't forget to RSVP for the ME Christmas in Love Party!

Hi everyone,

Please RSVP at kanaequinn@yahoo.com to let us know if you can attend the Christmas in Love party at the Thornburgh's in Gualo Rai on Saturday, December 4, 2010. You won't want to miss the cocktails from 5-6pm and dinner, games, dancing from 6-9pm!

Let's celebrate Christmas, our ME community and the love for all!

Marriage Encounter Christmas Party on December 4th

Hi everyone!

Let's celebrate Christmas together on Saturday, December 4th at the Thornburgh's in Gualo Rai (5-9pm)! It's a time to thank the Lord for our marriages and families in addition to reuniting with the ME community and sharing an evening together. Let's eat, drink and be merry!

We'll also have a potluck, white elephant gift exchange (used or new with $10 limit) and lots of fun! It is for Couples only! Please RSVP Russ & Kanae Quinn by 11/30 to kanaequinn@yahoo.com!

World Priests' Day on October 31st

Dearest Couples,


This is just a reminder that World Priest Day is this Sunday, October 31.


If you have not started to romance your priest/pastor, it's not too late. Start today! Here are some ideas:

1. Send a card to your parish priest or bishop telling them what their sacrament and/or friendship means to you.
2. Introduce yourself and family to your priest or bishop you have not met.
3. Invite a priest or bishop you know, or do not know, to breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
4. If you invite them to dinner, you may make it a candle-lighted dinner with china, linens, and maybe soft music. Be creative! Kids could be included in this too! Let the kids help set the table and prepare for his arrival. Or make it a down home barbecue or something unique and special to your family
5. Send them flowers or a balloon bouquet.
6. Invite them on a family picnic and pick them up if possible.
7. If you know a priest or bishop out of town, give them a call; send a note, flowers, balloon bouquet.
8. Bake them cookies, etc. (Kids love to get involved).
9. Have the kids color a picture for them or write them a letter.
10. Invite them to your home.
11. Go on an outing together, such as a dinner and a play, concert, bowling, movie, hunting, fishing, golf, tennis, etc.
12. Be creative and have fun with this special event. Let us know what you dreamed up to honor priests so that we can pass on the ideas.


More information available at: http://wpd.wwme.org

Love,


Vince & Hilma

World Priests Day on October 31

World Priest Day to be celebrated on October 31st

Worldwide Marriage Encounter is sponsoring World Priest Day on Sunday, October 31, 2010, which coincides with the Serra Club’s Priesthood Sunday. World Priest Day focuses on celebrating the ongoing affirmation of priests and building of relationships between couples and priests. The mission and purpose of World Priest Day is to celebrate and affirm the men who commit their lives to the Lord and the Church through the Sacrament of Holy Orders. It is an opportunity for Encountered couples to thank, affirm and share their love and support for priests/pastors.

It is designed to be a day or several days to rejoice in the Sacrament of Holy Orders. On this day, or during the week preceding or following it, Encountered couples across the country are encouraged to develop one or several activities to affirm priests. This will be a unique occasion for reaching out to priests. Go to wpd.wwme.org for ideas that you can use.

Couples of other faiths are also encouraged to do the same for their priests/pastors.



Here are some suggestions couples can do to thank and affirm their priests/pastors: START TODAY!!!


1. Send a card to your parish priest or bishop telling them what their sacrament and/or friendship means to you.
2. Introduce yourself and family to your priest or bishop you have not met.
3. Invite a priest or bishop you know, or do not know, to breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
4. If you invite them to dinner, you may make it a candle-lighted dinner with china, linens, and maybe soft music. Be creative! Kids could be included in this too! Let the kids help set the table and prepare for his arrival. Or make it a down home barbecue or something unique and special to your family
5. Send them flowers or a balloon bouquet.
6. Invite them on a family picnic and pick them up if possible.
7. If you know a priest or bishop out of town, give them a call; send a note, flowers, balloon bouquet.
8. Bake them cookies, etc. (Kids love to get involved).
9. Have the kids color a picture for them or write them a letter.
10. Invite them to your home.
11. Go on an outing together, such as a dinner and a play, concert, bowling, movie, hunting,
fishing, golf, tennis, etc.
12. Be creative and have fun with this special event. Let us know what you dreamed up to honor
priests so that we can pass on the ideas.

Weekend Reunion this Thursday!

Wilma, George & Tanya
More ME couples!
Two generations of presenters: The Thornburgh's & Sonoda's
Bishop Camacho & the Castro's The Weekend Coodinators: Van Dam's & Hosono's
Dearest Lovers,

The Weekend was a success thanks to everyone in the community that chipped in one way or another. Special thanks goes to the Weekend Coordinators, Co-coordinators and supervisors. GREAT JOB!!!!

Please join us at the Weekend Reunion this Thursday. Your couple power will be shining bright as we invite the newly encountered couples into our community & to sign up for our STEPS along our journey program.


EVENT DETAILS:

Venue: Saipan Grand Hotel, Seaside Hall

Date: Thursday, October 14, 2010

Time: 6:00 PM Sharp

Misc: Pot-Luck (Bring a dish to share)


GET YOU RED HOT M.E. SHIRTS
There are only a few left so get them for the reunion!

XXL - $20 each

XL - $18 each

L - $18 each

M - $18 each

S - $18 each

Please contact Russ & Kanae Quinn at kanaequinn@yahoo.com

ME Weekend Planning Meeting Tonight at Saipan Community School

Please NOTE: Meeting Venue will be at Saipan Community School
-------------
Hello Lovers,

We are only 9 days away from our weekend. Crunch time begins!
First off Jake and I want to thank everyone that has been coming to meetings and planning and working hard. Thanks for all the support you guys! We really couldn't do/plan this weekend without you!
This coming Thursday (tomorrow night) will be our last Thursday meeting. Next Thursday will be the Enrichment night for the weekend!
Please come and help finalize all the last details!
There is a change in the meeting - please note:
Thursday, September 30, 2010, at 6:30pm
it will be at SAIPAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL - CLASSROOM 6.
Please call or let any other ME couples that you know of the changes! Thank you!
If you have any questions or need directions, please call either Jake (285-9272) or Jackie (285-4653)
See you soon lovers!!!
Love,
The Van Dams

The GIft of Love

Who doesn't enjoy receiving gifts of love? If you know of any married couple who has not yet been encountered, inviting them to the next ME Weekend is THE gift of love! It's something tangible that you can give a couple to not only enrich their marriage but the lives of all their loved ones. ME is unique in that it allows couples to dig within themselves to discover how much in love they are with their spouses, even after 5, 10, 20, 30, years of marriage. The true secret to a healthy and loving marriage is excellent communication and that is the essence of Marriage Encounter.

If you're interested in inviting a friend, please feel free to have them contact Jake & Jackie Van Dam at 285-9272. Registration is still ongoing for the Fall Weekend scheduled fo October 8~10, 2010 at the Saipan Grand Hotel. The cost is $50 per couple and includes two nights' accommodation, all meals and materials. What a deal! There is no better gift to give any couple than ME!

Weekend Recruiting

Dear ME Community,

Now is the time to talk to you friends and family members about the opportunity of the upcoming Weekend Marriage Encounter from 8~10 October 2010 at the Saipan Grand Hotel. It's a gift you are giving someone else to enjoy an even better relationship with our spouses through enhanced communication.

Over the years, we've had many friends who joined and are thankful for the experience.

Please contact Jake/Jackie Van Dam at 285-9272 or Russ/Kanae Quinn at 287-0318 for more information!

Weekend Planning Meeting Tonight & Pulpit Talk

(From our Weekend Co-coordinators, John and Carol Hosono)


Lovers,

We are recruiting couples for October 8-10 Weekend. Please let us know if you need us to email you the registration forms. To expedite the registration, please call your couples and fill out the form for them. After that, you may forward the forms to the Castros, the VanDams or Vicky Mafnas.

Also, we are recruiting couples for Pulpit talks. Please email Carol H. at prideof90@gmail.com if you are interested in doing one (or two, or three). Any help we can get will be a big one!! Just let us know the church and time...we'll send out the dates we can start once Pale Ry confirms with us.

Keep that spirit alive and see you all tomorrow for our weeklies! If you can't make it to our meetings, please try to make it to the Greet-In. We will be sending out the Weekend schedule at a later date.

God Bless,

The Hosonos

STONE

TWO FRIENDS WERE WALKING
THROUGH THE DESERT .
DURING SOME POINT OF THE
JOURNEY, THEY HAD AN
ARGUMENT; AND ONE FRIEND
SLAPPED THE OTHER ONE
IN THE FACE

THE ONE WHO GOT SLAPPED
WAS HURT, BUT WITHOUT
SAYING ANYTHING,
WROTE IN THE SAND,

TODAY MY BEST FRIEND
SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE .

THEY KEPT ON WALKING,
UNTIL THEY FOUND AN OASIS,
WHERE THEY DECIDED
TO TAKE A BATH

THE ONE WHO HAD BEEN
SLAPPED GOT STUCK IN THE
MIRE AND STARTED DROWNING,
BUT THE FRIEND SAVED HIM.

AFTER HE RECOVERED FROM
THE NEAR DROWNING,
HE WROTE ON A STONE:

'TODAY MY BEST FRIEND
SAVED MY LIFE'

THE FRIEND WHO HAD SLAPPED
AND SAVED HIS BEST FRIEND
ASKED HIM, 'AFTER I HURT YOU,
YOU WROTE IN THE SAND AND NOW,
YOU WRITE ON A STONE, WHY?'

THE FRIEND REPLIED
'WHEN SOMEONE HURTS US
WE SHOULD WRITE IT DOWN
IN SAND, WHERE WINDS OF
FORGIVENESS CAN ERASE IT AWAY.

BUT, WHEN SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING GOOD FOR US,
WE MUST ENGRAVE IT IN STONE
WHERE NO WIND
CAN EVER ERASE IT'

LEARN TO WRITE
YOUR HURTS IN
THE SAND AND TO
CARVE YOUR
BENEFITS IN STONE.


Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Get Ready for the next ME Weekend on Oct 8~10, 2010!

Dearest Companions on the Journey!

It's that time once again to invite couples to make a Marriage Encounter Weekend. The next weekend is scheduled for October 8, 9 & 10 at the Saipan Grand Hotel. There is just over a month left to invite couples so let's pull out all the stops and get those couples registered today!

For those couples that just made their weekends last spring or fall, take out your weekend workbooks and look on page 63. You will find the list of couples that you wrote down to invite to a weekend. Call them up and invite them today!

Registration forms can be downloaded at our website at www.cnmime.org or by clicking here.

You can turn in the registration forms at the weekend planning meetings or to Jake & Jackie Van Dam (285-9272), John & Vicky Mafnas (285-8454) or Vince & Hilma Castro (287-8089)

The next planning meeting is on September 9 at at the Van Dams' house in Gualo Rai. Click here for map.

Love & Hugs,

Vince & Hilma and Father Ike

A Great Back to School BBQ

Thank you to all the families that joined us on Saturday, August 28th at Pak Pak Beach in San Antonio for a Marriage Encounter BBQ and reunion. There was of course fantastic food, wonderful company and a nice afternoon with our ME family. Special thanks to Jun for bringing his big grill and for cooking the ribs and chicken! Yum! We look forward to the next reunion...

ME BBQ at Pak Pak Beach Today!

Dearest ME Family,

It's almost the end of summer and for some, school has already begun. We wanted to get the ME Community back together for a nice, casual BBQ/Picnic down at Pak Pak Beach in San Antonio. Please bring a dish to share, some drinks and your families! We look forward to seeing you there.

Love,
Russ & Kanae
Community Pillar

Congratulations, Step 10 Complete!

Our Steps group completed the 10 session journey last night with fun, food and wine! Thank you to Justin & Hee Jae Mariano, our co-facilitators, Bill & Angela Santos, Ralph & Diann Torres and Dick & Sarah Brostrom. We thank you for your commitment, enthusiasm and love during these wonderful dinners. We look forward to continuing the journey this evening with Steeper Steps!

ME BBQ on August 28th & Weekend Planning Meeting this Thursday

MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER SPECIAL EVENTS!!

ME REUNION

Our Community Pillar ~ Russ and Kanae Quinn have come up with a great end of summer event! An AWESOME ME Family Reunion BBQ to be held on Saturday, August 28, 2010 from 12 noon to 5pm at Pakpak Beach just south of PIC! This is a great family event ~ so bring your spouse! Bring your kids! Bring some food and/or drinks!!

See this link for the picnic details! http://cnmime.org/maps/bbqinfo.pdf

See what others are bringing and add to the list by following this link for a menu listing! http://www.luckypotluck.com/potluck/MEBacktoSchoolPotluckBBQ

SEE YOU THERE!



WEEKEND PLANNING MEETING THIS THURSDAY - AUGUST 19, 2010


Lovers,

Please don't forget the next planning meeting at 6:30 pm THIS THURSDAY at the NEW Van Dam residence in Gualo Rai (Click here for a Map).

Bring your journals, some food to share, any ideas and suggestions you may have and most importantly, your M.E love!!

Thank you Jake and Jackie!

See you soon lovers!

Pillar Meeting Tomorrow Night!

The CNMI chapter of the Worldwide Marriage Encounter will be holding its leadership meeting tomorrow night. If you are a pillar, please come to the Quinn's at 6:30pm and bring a dish to share!

We look forward to seeing everyone again and sadly, we must say farewell to the Aguon's.

Steps Ongoing

A few of the Steps groups concluded prior to the summer break and we congratulate them for their speedy completion. We are tackling Step 7 tonight and Step 8 on Monday. The Steps concepts are invaluable. Not only do they remind us of how we should treat others (not only our spouses), they also provide a great sense of belonging to a wonderful set of friends who, over the 10 sessions, become an extended part of our families. We now have many "Steps" children that we frequently encounter at various events around island.

For those who have not yet been encountered, the next ME Weekend is from 8-10 October. Should you have any questions about the Weekend, feel free to email me at kanaequinn@yahoo.com.

God bless & Happy 4th of July!

Step 1 - Feelings are Neither Right Nor Wrong

We started Step 1 with our newest group last night and thoroughly enjoyed the evening where we broke bread together, talked about how each couple met, did a 10/10 and then studied the first concept of Steps, "Feelings are neither right nor wrong". Although I have studied this numerous times, I am reminded that it's always good to review and understand it so that my head and heart can appreciate its essence.

We were also happy to celebrate one couple's 2 year anniversary with a decadent chocolate cake! The Steps program is awesome and I highly recommend it to each encountered couple.

STEP 10 Complete!

The CNMI Marriage Encounter is pleased to graduate the first 2010 class of the Steps Along the Journey Program. The Quinn/Jimenez/Mister group consisted of four new couples.

We are thankful to the Mister's for their contribution as co-facilitators for the journey!

Nikolina and Ed Gechig have embraced all the Steps.
Becky & Mark Robles celebrate their 1st wedding anniversary today. Congratulations!

Sisi & Ray Alvarez are utilizing the concepts and feel the ME love!

Bina and Gordon Marciano share their new communication skills with all of their family members.

We also thank Father Ryan Jimenez for contributing his time and love to ME.

Tonight, we start Steeper Steps so the journey continues!

An Amazing Weekend!

At the Reunion on Thursday evening, Bishop Camacho honored ME's Section 12 Leaders with a special appreciation plaque, thanking Mike & Jeanne Emry for their untiring love & devotion to the CNMI Chapter of the Worldwide Marriage Encounter. Bishop Camacho was the first encountered priest for the CNMI and is committed to preserving marriages for CNMI residents.

Our extended family~ Bill & Angela Santos with their 4 lovely children. Bill & Angela joined the Weekend and loved it! We are thrilled for them!
Dick & Sarah Brostrom were joined by their three beautiful teenagers. It is fantastic to see more of our friends participate in ME.

Ed & Nikolina are our Steps kids. What a wonderful couple!

Congratulations to the 28 newly encountered couples. We strongly encourage you to enroll in the Steps Along the Journey Program to further enhance your Weekend memories.

From Ben & Cathy Sawer

Sunday, March 21

Dear ME Family,

Greetings in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit who is the author and preserver of marriage. God is the one who started it and who offers us resources like ME and His Spirit working through others and in our own hearts to make it successful. We congratulate you in committing to your weekend. We just finished praying for you last night (our morning). A couple did the same for us 39 years ago at our first weekend!

We trust that the Lord Jesus will become increasingly real to each of you as you strive to be the spouse that God intends you to be. Be humble and ready to admit that you cannot do it alone. Love and be loved by your Creator who promises to always be there for you even when you struggle or are lonely in your marriage. He can and will do miracles sometimes when we have no hope. Trust Him.

Cathy and I send our love.

God has and will bless you for honoring Him in your commitment to each other.

Dr. Ben & Cathy Sawer

Marriage Encounter Weekend this Friday ~ Sunday!

The CNMI Marriage Encounter Weekend will be taking place at the Saipan Grand Hotel from March 19~21, 2010. We encourage all Encountered Couples visit the Grand Hotel for meals, greet in and greet off to support the ME Community. Please come and see your ME family!

Countdown for the next Weekend on March 19~21

Hafa Adai M.E. Lovers!

Our hearts are filled with joy and excitement as we announce that as of today, we have confirmed 19 couples for the March 19~21 weekend! We thank our M.E. Community for working hard to bring in these recruits! Please continue your quest in trying to confirm more couples as we are all aware that not all of them make it to the weekend. Keep in mind that our target is 25 couples.

Our last planning meeting was truly heartwarming. Having the opportunity to spend time with those couples who have been a part of the M.E. family for many many years is not only encouraging to us but brings so much inspiration into our marriages! Thank you for your presence and support! Please don't forget to come to tomorrow's final planning meeting!

Meeting Date: Thursday March 11, 2011
Meeting Time: 7:00pm
Venue: Tony & Linda Yarobwemal's Residence in Koblerville
(Please call Tom at 287-9205 or Erica at 285-6372 for directions)
Special thank you to the Y's for your kindness in opening up your home to us!

In line with our M.E. tradition, please bring a dish to share if you are able.
Agenda for the meeting will include committee updates and discussion of needs from each committee.

Please don't forget to bring any registration forms and payment to the meeting! Although the deadline was announced earlier, new registrations are still welcomed.

Finally, we ask all recruiting couples to take time to romance your recruits from now up until the weekend. Sometimes new couples tend to get "cold feet" as the weekend nears. Many times, all it takes is for recruiters to answer their questions and provide support to ease any nervous feelings. Since recruiting couples already have a trusting relationship with their recruits, they are most suited for the job of calming their fears and helping to prepare them for a truly magnificent weekend!

We love you, M.E. Family, God Bless You, and we look forward to seeing you at tomorrow's meeting!

Countdown to March 19~21....9 days!

M.E. Prayer Vigil

Dear M.E. Lovers!

The next M.E. Weekend is soon upon us and we need volunteer couples to pray for every hour from Friday through Sunday for the candidates, presenters and priests.

Please follow the access link to sign up for a specific time to help make the next Weekend a success:
http://www.wwmeprayerscroll.org/files/PrayerScroll.asp?Table+1968GMT=10

If you have any questions, please contact John & Divina Jenkins at 670-256-5385 or email: johnanddivina@yahoo.com

Luau of Love Tonight at PIC!

Dear Lovers!

The CNMI Marriage Encounter is organizing the Luau of Love Cocktail Party tonight at PIC's Seaside Grill from 6:30-9:30pm tonight!

The price is $22 per person or $44 per couple and includes food, open bar, games, dancing and raffles.

This is a great opportunity to invite prospective couples for the next ME Weekend, scheduled at the Saipan Grand Hotel on 19-21 March 2010. We look forward to welcoming another 20-25 couples to enhance their marriages through ME.

Tickets for tonight are available at the door. See you then!

ME Weekend Registration foms are available on http://cnmime.org/

World Marriage Day Mass This Sunday

Hafa Adai, M.E. Family!

As you may have heard, this Sunday, February 14, 2010, was proclaimed World Marriage Day by Lt. Governor Eloy S. Inos. The Most Reverend Bishop Camacho also sent his message regarding World Marriage Day.

To celebrate this prodigious occasion, all Encountered Couples and Families are encouraged to attend the World Marriage Day Mass (see details).

Presiders: The Most Reverend Bishop Thomas Camacho & Reverend Father Ryan Jimenez

Location: Mt. Carmel Cathedral, Chalan Kanoa

Time: 9:00 am

Suggested Attire: Wear your M.E. shirts

If you need shirt, the red M.E. Shirts are available for purchase from Mark & Jenni Aguon. You can contact Jenni at 287-9742. If you want the shirts for the mass, please contact Jenni before Saturday at noon. Shirts are $18 each and XXL are $20 each.

Get ready for lots of M.E. Hugs. We'll see you there.

Love & Hugs,
Vince & Hilma Castro

ME Weekend Planning Meeting Tonight

Hello lovers!

Please show your support to help with the ME Weekend Planning Committee Meeting tonight at 7pm at the NMPASI bldg on Middle Road.

As usual, please bring a dish to share and registration forms for your new recruits.

If you can't make it tonight but have registration forms, please email the Thornburgh's at maniekka@yahoo.com or tomthornburgh@gmail.com.

We also need help for the World Marriage Day Mass this upcoming Sunday and planning for the Luau for Love (aka Valentine's Ball).

We look forward to seeing you there!

Vince & Hilma Castro

To Love is a Decision

CNMI Marriage Encounter Weekend

Date: March 19-21, 2010

Venue: TBA

Hafa Adai CNMI M.E. Family,

May your homes be filled with the graces of our Lord this New Year! The time has come to begin preparing for the March 2010 Marriage Encounter Weekend. The weekend will be held on March 19, 20, and 21. The venue is still being negotiated. We are writing to invite all ME Couples to join us for the first preparation meeting scheduled for this Thursday, January 28, 2010 beginning at 7:00 p.m. at NMPASI. (NMPASI is located on Middle Road, south of Pacific Medical Center or North of Gualo Rai Intersection). It has been said by many before that miracles happen during an ME weekend! Your help and support will indeed ensure that these miracles happen once again! We hope to see you there!

Remember to please begin recruiting couples! Our goal is to encounter 25 couples this weekend! Registration forms will be sent to you shortly!

Should you have any questions, you may contact Tom at 287-9205 or Erica at 285-7372. We send you our love and prayers and wish you all a wonderful week! May God Bless our M.E. Community and may we always "Love one another as God has loved us".

Love and Prayers always,

Tom & Erica Thornburgh

March 2010 Weekend Coordinators