David and Sue Shanahan (Courtesy photo)
Worldwide Marriage Encounter in Hawaii is offering an enrichment experience for couples and priests March 24-26 at St. John the Baptist Parish in Honolulu.
It will be the first Oahu experience where participants will go home each night, instead of staying overnight at a retreat center. Marriage Encounter experiences have often been presented in hotels or retreat centers.
“We are excited to offer this experience as an option for couples who prefer to go home each evening,” said David and Sue Shanahan, Hawaii’s Worldwide Marriage Encounter Executive Leadership Team. “Many couples simply feel most comfortable going home to fully absorb their weekend experience and focus on their relationship. Catholic priests are encouraged to attend as well.”
This format is more convenient for couples with younger children or evening responsibilities that are hard to get away from.
The first session will be conducted online via Zoom beginning at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 24, and the following sessions will be held 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 25 and 7:30 a.m. to approximately 4 p.m. Sunday, March 26 at St. John the Baptist School, 2340 Omilo Lane, Honolulu.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided on Saturday, and breakfast and lunch will be served on Sunday. Mass will be offered Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon. The application fee is $100 a couple.
“For more than 50 years, Worldwide Marriage Encounter has given couples the opportunity to spend time together, away from the often-hectic busyness of daily life, to focus on each other,” the organizers wrote of the event. “Three couples and a Catholic priest present the experience in a series of inter-related talks, giving couples tools to build and maintain strong marriages.”
The Marriage Encounter experience is also available to priests and religious. To learn more, visit hawaiiwwme.org or call (808) 839-0837.
WWME Hawaii also has upcoming experiences planned in June on the Big Island, in July on Maui, and on Labor Day weekend at St. Anthony Retreat Center on Oahu.
