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!

Another Successful ME Weekend!

The CNMI Chapter of the Worldwide Marriage Encounter is proud to welcome 24 new couples into the ME Community. These couples spent the Weekend enhancing and enriching their marriages through deeper communication. Congratulations to all of the newly encountered couples and the entire ME community who tirelessly gave their time, love and support to make the Weekend a successful one.

As a reminder to all newly encountered couples...

The Reunion (final presentation) is this Thursday, April 2, 2009 from 6pm at the Saipan Grand Hotel's Seaside Hall. Please bring a potluck dish to share.

All ME Couples are strongly encouraged to attend as well.

Justin Mariano & Hee Jae Lee with friend, Ysabel Aguon

The ME Community

ME "Lovers": Roy & Ruth Sablan, Charles & Cathy Cepeda and Jeff & Sonia Camacho

Frank & Carol Demapan ~ will they be the next Weekend Coordinators in October?

CNMI Marriage Encounter Weekend

On Friday night, the CNMI ME Community came out in force to show their love and support to the 24 couples attending their Weekend Encounter at the Saipan Grand Hotel.

Father Isaac Ayuyu was the Presenting Priest, along with Mike and Jeanne Emry from California. Charles & Cathy Cepeda as the Ecclesial leaders, welcomed the Section 12 leaders to Saipan. This is their return trip to the Marianas.
Bishop Tomas A. Camacho speaks to all the new and encountered couples at the beginning of the Weekend. Jun & Linda Pangelinan did a fantastic job as the Coordinators!

Encountered Couples who are also Family:

JJ & Juanette Atalig, Peter & Natashia Tomokane, Dave & Nan Attao.

Perry & Leona Sablan and Evelyn & Newman Techur were some of the couples that helped throughout the Weekend.

Gary, Lynette & Dallas Camacho with "Uncle" Russ

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.

March 27-29, 2009 ~ the Next M.E. Weekend!

This morning, Vince & Hilma Castro and Russ & Kanae Quinn appeared on the Harry Blalock Morning Radio Show on KZMI 103.9 FM to invite listeners to register for the weekend. All married couples in the CNMI are eligible to attend. The Weekend allows couples to spend time together, focusing on communication in their marriage.

The cost is only $50 per couple for a 2 night stay and covers all meals on Saturday and Sunday at the Saipan Grand Hotel. For those who wish to attend but are unable to fund the $50, sponsors are available. Please contact Hilma & Vince Castro. Hilma:789-7881 and Vince: 287-8089. Email: hilmacastrome@gmail.com.

Valentine's Sweethearts Ball

On Saturday, February 14th, M.E. celebrated the holiday of LOVE, Valentine's Day at the Fiesta Resort & Spa. Jenni & Mark Aguon did a fantastic job organizing the event and approximately 45 couples (even non-encountered) joined in the fun!

Steps facilitators.... Kanae & Russ Quinn, Clarie & Rex Kosack, Sonia & Jeff Camacho.
ME is all in the family... Nen & Dave Attao, Juanette & JJ Atalig, Linda & Jun Pangelinan, Eric & Tania David, Wilma & George David, Natashia & Peter Tomokane.

Angie & Tyce Mister
Tony & Linda Y and Vince & Hilma Castro enter in the marshmallow eating/talking game.

The Briones' & Yumul's participate in the "licking the sugar off the donut" game!
The longest married couple: Roger & Teresita Abe (26 yrs) and

The shortest married Couple: Peter & Natashia Tomokane (1 yr)

Peter threw the garter for the guys to catch.
Teresita threw the bouquet!
The last "game" was to read loud the note cards that we all wrote,

expressing our love to our spouses. However, we chose the note cards at random

and laughed hysterically at some of them.

The next event is the ME Weekend from 27-29 March 2009 at the Saipan Grand Hotel.

The cost is $50 per couple for the weekend (includes accommodation and all meals). ME is for every couple who wishes to strengthen communication and intimacy in their marriage.

For registration, please email Vicky & John Mafnas @vbmafnas@yahoo.com or call 285-8454.

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.