Marriage Encounter in the Filipino Perspective celebrated its silver jubilee in the archdiocese with a “United in Love” dinner dance gala at The Castaway restaurant in Burbank Feb. 16.

Acknowledging MEFP couples in the commemorative booklet, Archbishop José Gomez wrote that he hopes their ministry will continue to grow and offered congratulations to the group on their new name: Marriage Encounter and Family Movement of California (MEFM-CA).

“Since the institution of the family is under attack in our current society, I commend you for this new name, which will increase awareness to the importance of strong marriages and solid families for the building up of the Civilization of Love,” wrote the archbishop.

“As MEFP has expanded to become the Marriage Encounter and Family Movement of California, your ministry to married couples has become increasing important,” said Joan Vienna, archdiocesan director of the Office of Family Life, in her commemorative booklet remarks.

“Helping married couples to understand and deepen their faith, and to grow in their love for one another and their families, is a mission that you have embraced throughout the past 25 years and it is through this mission that you will continue to evangelize the People of God and help to strengthen our Church.”

For more information on MEFP-MEFM,

contact the archdiocesan Office of Family Life, (213) 637-7228.