For over two decades, families in the
CNMI have undergone positive, life-changing transformations through Marriage
Encounter (M.E.). How? It’s simple. M.E.
is based on offering married couples the gifts of enhanced communication,
renewed commitment and rekindled romance.
Marriage Encounter starts with a
Weekend at a hotel, away from everyday distractions, tensions and commitments
including work, children, relatives, sports and TV/multi-media. In our daily lives, we rarely spend enough
quality time with our spouses as our responsibilities to provide ends’ meet,
care for our children and elderly parents, overwhelm our schedules. The M.E. Weekend is a constructive and
personal experience offering married couples an opportunity to learn a
technique of loving communication that they can use for the rest of their
lives. It’s a time to share their feelings, hopes and dreams with each other.
The emphasis of the M.E. Weekend is
on the communication between husbands and wives. The Weekend provides a conducive
environment for couples to spend time together, encouraging them to focus on
each other and their relationship. It’s not a retreat, marriage clinic or
substitute for counseling. Couples are not required to share anything with
anyone else. It’s a unique approach aimed at revitalizing marriage so it truly
is a marriage enrichment program.
Honestly, the biggest reason couples
shy away from joining the M.E. Weekend is because they fear change. For many couples who have been married 10+
years, routine has set in, and life may seem dull and busy, yet
comfortable. Comfort is substituted for
passion and date nights are relegated to a special occasion, occurring once in
blue moon. Marriage is something that’s easy to join but often times
challenging to maintain. Many couples
don’t hesitate to put in an extra few hours at work for a big deadline or
project, or wake up early to watch that game on ESPN or practice a favorite
sport like golf, biking or baseball, but how much extra effort do they contribute
to the health of their marriages? It’s common sense that professional athletes
need to dedicate arduous training time to their sport in order to improve and
enhance their performance. If marriage is like a sport, how much time do husbands
and wives devote to the most important person in their lives to ensure that their
marriage relationships are in tip-top shape? Strangely, most people don’t think
that they need to work on their marriages. The reality is that all marriages
deserve the best.
The next CNMI M.E. Weekend is on
19~21 October 2012 at the newly renovated Kanoa Resort in Susupe. The cost is
$100 per couple.
Why do M.E.? (FAQ’s) Many couples are
naturally hesitant to join the M.E. Weekend because they are unfamiliar with
the program. Following are some answers to the most asked questions.
Q: Why should my spouse and I do M.E.
if we have a good marriage and have no problems?
A: M.E. is suited for all couples,
even for those who have good marriages because there are natural peaks and
valleys in the cycle of marriage. There will come a time when something happens
and you’ll both need to face that disillusionment together. With M.E.’s
communication techniques, you’ll be able to resolve those issues and get
through the hurdles, rather than sweep them under the carpet.
Q. Will we need to air our “dirty laundry”
in front of others?
A. No, not at all! Of course, couples
may share if they’re so inclined, but it’s not expected. In fact, M.E wouldn’t
exist if couples had to disclose intimate matters publicly.
Q. I want to do M.E. but my spouse
doesn’t. What can I do?
A. This is often the case where one
spouse is interested and the other is not. Explain that M.E. is just one
weekend away from home that you need to rejuvenate yourself and that you want
to do it for the health of your relationship.
Ask for it as a birthday/anniversary/early Christmas gift!
Q. How much religion is involved?
A. In Saipan, the CNMI Marriage
Encounter organization falls under the Catholic Church so there is a presenting
priest and the topic of God’s role in marriage is mentioned. The topic of religion does not overwhelm the
presentation.
Q. Do I have to be Catholic to
attend?
A. No, the Worldwide Marriage
Encounter requires that each Weekend be divided among Catholics and other
religions. Anyone is welcome, regardless of any church affiliation.
Q. Do I have to be married in a
church to qualify?
A. No, you do not need to be married
in a church. You just need to be legally married.
Q. Do I have to be married a minimum
amount of years?
A. Yes, the Worldwide Marriage Encounter
requires a minimum of two years of marriage.
Q. What is involved in an M.E.
Weekend?
A. Weekends begin on Friday evening
and end on Sunday evening. Two nights’
accommodation and meals starting Saturday morning are included.
Q. How much is it to join the M.E.
Weekend?
A. $100 per couple for two nights’
accommodation and six meals to help defray the costs of the Weekend.
Q. Will I have to change after I do
M.E.?
A. No, no one can make you change
unless you yourself want to. Typically, you will want to make some changes in
your marriage because of your deep love for your spouse.
Q. How can I join the next M.E.
Weekend?
A. Space is limited to 20 couples.
Submit an application form and payment to Lynn Muña at 287-2102 or
lbmuna@gmail.com.
