Sixteen Hawaii couples joined the more than 850 attending the 40th International Worldwide Marriage Encounter Convention at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario, Canada, June 27-29.

At the event, couples signed a banner entitled “Forever Yours,” promising a lifetime commitment to their marriages and affirming their belief in traditional marriage between a man and a woman.

The 5 by 8 foot banner also included a statement supporting the sacrament of Holy Orders.

In addition to the 850 couples attending the event were 250 children, 70 priests and several bishops.

Attending from Hawaii were Modesto and Aileen Cordero, Frances Cordero, Henry and Donna Hoeft, Andy and Nevis Delaveaga, Lee and Tanya Barbero, Hilton and Maria Unemori, Fred and Sandy Ballard, Jose and Mary Elizabeth Alvior, Patrick Alvior, Caitlin Alvior, Tim and Charlotte Linseigne, Will and Lucy Tungol, Brian and Claudine Perry, Jack and Ellen Cleghorn, Ed and Betty Coda, and Ron and Eunice Paglinawan.

A typical Marriage Encounter weekend starts on a Friday evening and end on Sunday afternoon. Participants hear presentations by a couple and a priest and later write their thoughts and feelings to share in the privacy of their room. There is no group discussion. On Oahu, weekends are held at St. Stephen Diocesan Center.