New Ecclesial Leadership Team for CNMI

Last night, Mike & Jeanne Emry, the Section 12 Leaders for the CNMI Chapter of the Worldwide Marriage Encounter, facilitated the Discernment process, whereby the new Leadership for the CNMI ME Community was chosen. Approximately 30 ME community members participated in the selection process.

A big Congratulations goes to Vince & Hilma Castro and Father Isaac Ayuyu for their commitment to serve the CNMI ME Community for the next two years. And, we would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Charles & Cathy Cepeda and Father Ike for their past 2+ years of love & service to our community. Our strong supportive community looks forward to the next Weekend, scheduled October 23-25, 2009 and the continuing enrichment programs such as Steps Along the Journey and Steeper Steps.

Vince & Hilma Castro, Father Ike, Jeanne & Mike Emry

Thank you, Vince & Hilma, for stepping up to become our new leaders. We love and support you!

Spring Marriage Encounter Weekend Starts Tonight!

The Spring Marriage Encounter Weekend begins tonight at 6pm at the Saipan Grand Hotel. ME is pleased to welcome the Section 12 leaders: Mike & Jeanne Emry to be one of the Presenting Couples for this Weekend! Other presenters include Jess & Anicia Sonoda, Julian & Marcia Calvo and Father Isaac C. Ayuyu.

The ME Weekend is truly a time for the couple to learn about ways to enrich their marriage through intimate communication. Some people may think that registering for the Weekend signals a troubled marriage, but in reality, it means that the couple cares enough about their spouse to enhance their marriage and take it to another level. Remember when you first met your spouse and you were so in love with that person? Well... that romance can be re-kindled and we've witnessed hundreds of CNMI couples who complete the Weekend feeling like newlyweds. At ME, we believe that marriage is a lifetime journey and an investment that money can't buy.

At the Steps reunion last Saturday, we got together at the home of Rex and Clarie Kosack to get together with other couples who just completed or on their way to complete "Steps Along The Journey", the 10-week session that immediately follows the Weekend. These couples were encountered in November 2008 and the Facilitators/Co-Facilitators include: Rex & Clarie Kosack, Jun & Linda Pangelinan, Jess & Anicia Sonoda, Vince & Hilma Castro, Russ & Kanae Quinn, Jeff & Sonia Camacho and Sean & Barbara Maycock (not pictured).

The Sonoda's & Castro's group all watched the movie, "Fireproof" and created T-shirts that read, "My Marriage Is Fireproof". www.fireproof.com

We look forward to the Reunion on Thursday, April 2, 2009 at the Saipan Grand Hotel.

For any questions, please contact Russ & Kanae Quinn @ 287-0318.

CNMI Marriage Encounter

The CNMI Marriage Encounter Community is pleased to introduce its newest members to the M.E. Community. Seventeen happy couples completed the Weekend on Sunday, November 16, 2008.

Don & Jeanette Boltz from California, Charlie & Esther Keone from Guam, Charles & Cathy Cepeda and Father Ike Ayuyu formed the presenting team for the Weekend.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter offers a weekend experience designed to give married couples the opportunity to learn a technique of loving communication that they can use for the rest of their lives. It's a chance to look deeply into their relationship with each other and with God. It's a time to share their feelings, hopes and dreams with each other.

The emphasis of the Marriage Encounter weekend is on the communication between husbands and wives. The weekend provides a conducive environment for couples to spend time together, away from the distractions and tensions of everyday life, while encouraging them to focus on each other and their relationship.

It's not a retreat, marriage clinic, group sensitivity, or a substitute for counseling. It's a unique approach aimed at revitalizing Marriage.

This is a time for you and your spouse to be alone together, to rediscover each other and together focus on your relationship for an entire weekend. Every marriage deserves that kind of attention!

For information on the upcoming Weekend scheduled for March 27-29, 2009, please contact John & Vicky Mafnas at 285-8454.