Father Chuck Gallagher's Legacy Fund for Worldwide Marriage Encounter!

Learn a little more about Worldwide Marriage Encounter ~ how it began and how you can participate.

The CNMI's next ME Weekend is 10~12 October 2014.

Contact CNMI Marriage Encounter at cnmime@gmail.com or 285-1168 for more information. You can turn your Marriage into a GREAT marriage!

"Love is not love, until you give it away."

Marriage Minute – To Love is a Decision

 Perhaps one of the most elusive concepts in marriage is discovering that love is not so much a feeling as it is something we do. That’s right, to love someone else is most often the result of a decision we make, a conscious choice, rather than a feeling from down deep inside. Perhaps an example would help clarify this concept.

 

Let’s suppose that being punctual is really important to Tom and not so much for Becky. Let’s say Tom & Becky have a dinner date with another couple and Becky is running late. Tom’s typical response might be to get agitated and he may even say something to reflect this agitation to Becky like, “You’re always late. Why can’t you try harder to be on time?” Most of us know how this is going to end – probably with a very unpleasant evening for both of them.

 

But what if instead of his typical reaction, Tom were to make a decision to step out of his normal pattern of behavior and make a decision to love Becky despite his irritation? He might choose instead to call their friends and let them know they’re running a little behind. He can then calmly turn to Becky and assure her that she has a few more minutes to finish getting ready as he’s already alerted their guests. This response is likely to generate more love and acceptance between them and make for a much more pleasant evening together. 

 

The decision to love, the response that does not always come naturally or easily, is one of the best ways married couples can develop greater trust, intimacy, and joy in their marriage. Making decisions to love over and over again in a marriage, leads married couples to lasting joy and unity. For more information on creating a joy-filled marriage, please visit our website:www.lovemoredeeply.org

Next ME Weekend Dates Confirmed: 10~12 October 2014!

Mark your calendars for the next CNMI Marriage Encounter Weekend... October 10~12, 2014 at the Kanoa Resort Saipan. A $100 non-refundable application fee includes 2 nights' accommodation, 5 meals and all materials.

Give the gift of love to your spouse by joining this special event that will not only enhance your marriage but your family's relationships as well.  If you've been married 2 years, 20 years or 50 years, the Marriage Encounter Weekend is for you!

For more information, contact Fall 2014 Weekend Coordinators, Russ & Kanae Quinn at 285-1168.

Mark Your Calendars! Next ME Weekend is June 27~29, 2014 at Kanoa Resort

Hafa Adai, CNMI!

June is historically a wedding month and many couples will be celebrating anniversaries.  How about a special anniversary gift that will spark romance into your life and provide you with beneficial communication tools for a lifetime? Join the next Marriage Encounter Weekend on June 27~29, 2014 at the Kanoa Resort Saipan!

ME is geared toward married couples and it's all about couple-time. When was the last time you truly sharing quality time with your spouse over a weekend, away from the kids, relatives and usual social engagements?  Give yourself and your honey a special time to re-connect and to learn invaluable communication techniques which will open your hearts and minds. Before the Weekend ends, you'll be back in that "honeymoon" stage.

ME is accepting a maximum of 25 couples, so please request and submit your application form and $100 payment to Frank & Leangie Reyes. Tel: 483-9778 or Email: lsreyes918@gmail.com.

Should you have any questions about the Weekend, please feel free to contact Charles & Cathy Cepeda, CNMI's Ecclesial Leaders at 483-7000 or csablancepeda@gmail.com.

Pre-HOM Bike Race on October 13, 2013 as ME's Next Fundraiser!

The next ME Fundraiser is on Sunday, October 13, 2013 as a way to defray costs for the November 8~10, 2013 Weekend. The cost for the entry is $10 and those who enter the Pre-HOM will receive a discount for the HOM! The HOM entry fee is $50 instead of $60.
For questions about the bike race, please call Russ & Kanae Quinn at 285-1168.
For the ME Weekend at the Kanoa Resort, please call  Joe & Reyna Saures at 287-4648.

To Love is a Decision: Next ME Weekend is November 8~10, 2013

Jay & Joyce Santos have been married 10 years and together, raise four beautiful children: Aysia, Myles, Dylan & Aya. Last October, the Santos' were encountered for the first time at the Kanoa Resort and that Weekend literally transformed their lives for the better! 

They were initially hesitant to attend, not knowing what they were getting themselves into, but they were relieved to learn that the 48 hours away from the usual busyness of life presented them a unique opportunity to spend that quality time together. In essence, they received the precious gift of time ~ time to re-discover each other as husband and wife.

Throughout the Weekend, they gave each other undivided attention without interruption. And, they were not required to share any of their personal details with any of the other couples. ME's Presenting Couples & Priest facilitated the discussions and the couples were there to learn better tools of communication.

Scroll forward 10 months and the Santos' are HAPPIER THAN EVER! Their love for each other and their kids shines radiantly. You can see it, hear it and feel it when they're together! They've made their marriage a priority through their decision to love.
How?
After the initial Weekend, they joined the post Weekend enrichment course called Steps Along the Journey. They completed that and the "graduate course" aptly named Steeper Steps.  Now, they've enrolled in the "5 Languages of Love" and continue to contribute to the CNMI Marriage Encounter Community.

Most recently, they volunteered to be the Co-Coordinators for the Fall Weekend scheduled for November 8~10, 2013. Yes, less than a year ago, they were not encountered. Today, they'll be organizing the next Weekend for new couples. They're truly "paying it forward" to provide other couples a chance to re-ignite their marriages and family life.

The Weekend accepts up to 25 couples. The cost is $100 per couple and includes 2 nights accommodation, 5 meals and all materials. To apply, simply call or email one of the Weekend Coordinators and they will provide you a form:
Jay & Joyce Santos: teedoffsaipan@gmail.com or 285-5466
Joe & Reyna Saures: reynasaures@gmail.com  or 287-4648

Don't lose this opportunity to strengthen your marriage. Do it for your spouse and your kids!

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.