Celebrating World Marriage Day

Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME), the original faith based marriage enrichment program in the CNMI, announced today the island’s winners of the 2013 Longest Married Couple Project: Juan Mafnas and Mercedes Lizama Aguon of Saipan. They have been married 59 years as of Nov. 13, 2012.

Several nominations with couples married 50 years and over were received for this year’s project. The winners were honored at the World Marriage Day Mass at Santa Soledad Church in Kagman on Sunday, February 10, 2013.

"We are so pleased to honor and recognize Juan and Mercedes Aguon for their commitment to marriage," said Charles & Cathy Cepeda, the CNMI Ecclesial Team for WWME. The Cepedas joined Ecclesial Priest Father Isaac Ayuyu, who renewed the vows for the Aguon’s and all married couples in a special World Marriage Day mass.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter created the project to highlight marriage in the United States and its territories and to show young couples that marriage really can go the distance with true love and commitment. In Marriage Encounter, “To Love is a Decision” is the definitive motto.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter has been offering weekend experiences for over 44 years and is considered the original faith-based marriage enrichment program. The programs are continually updated to keep abreast of changes in society, and the next ME Weekend is scheduled for 19~21 April 2013 at the Kanoa Resort in Susupe. WWME has a presence in almost 100 countries, which makes it the largest pro-marriage movement in the world.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter offers married couples the opportunity to spend time together away from the busyness of the world to focus on each other. It offers tools for building and maintaining a strong, Christian marriage in today's world. To learn more about the Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekends online, go to wwme.org, or you can call 483-7000 for more information.

World Marriage Day - Search for the Couple Married Longest in the CNMI

World Marriage Day – Search for the Couple Married Longest

in the CNMI

Press Release

The CNMI Chapter of the Worldwide Marriage Encounter Community is joining other Marriage Encounter groups around the US in searching for the Couple Married Longest in the CNMI.

The Couple Married Longest search is being conducted in preparation for honoring  WORLD MARRIAGE DAY on Sunday, February 10, 2013.

If you have been married for over 50 years, or if you know of friends or relatives who have been, and both spouses are still living, please Email their names, phone numbers and wedding date to cnmiwmd@yahoo.com.  The deadline for all entries is January 31, 2013.  The winning couple will be notified and honored with a WWME World Marriage Day Certificate at one of the selected World Marriage Day Masses.

A Successful World Marriage Day

The CNMI Chapter of the Worldwide Marriage Encounter Community recently celebrated WORLD MARRIAGE DAY on February 7, 2009 at the American Memorial Park Amphitheater. As a historic ecumenical celebration with Father Ike Ayuyu, Father Ryan Jimenez, Pastor Greg Dickerman and Pastor Roger Abe, the CNMI Marriage Encounter Community and the public joined together as one to celebrate the sanctity of marriage and family.

The ceremony commenced with a song by Jenni Aguon, “The Greatest Gift of All”, followed by each of the priests and pastors reading scripture verses. Interspersed among the verses were testimonies from three couples: Rex & Clarie Kosack, Charles & Cathy Cepeda and Gonzalo & Linda Pangelinan who shared their stories about love and marriage. Next, followed the homily by Pastor Dickerman, the candle lighting and the renewing of vows.

Lastly, the large Muna clan witnessed Father Ryan bestow a special honor and blessing for Mr. & Mrs. Nicolas Muna, recognized as the Longest Married Couple in the CNMI. The Muna’s have been married for 66 years and are blessed with many children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The memorable event was a prelude to Valentine’s Day and the next Marriage Encounter Weekend, slated for March 27-29, 2009 at the Saipan Grand Hotel. For registration, please contact John & Vicky Mafnas at 285-8454 or Email: vbmafnas@yahoo.com.

World Marriage Day Proclamation Signing

On January 27th, Bishop Thomas Camacho and Lt. Governor Timothy Villagomez signed the World Marriage Day Proclamation for the CNMI. The Bishop has always been a strong advocate of Marriage Encounter and we are grateful for his strong support.

We look forward to the World Marriage Day Celebration next Saturday, February 7th from 4-6pm at the American Memorial Park Amphitheater. It's FREE and open to the public (all married couples).

See you there!