Contact: In Canada: James & Connie McNeill, 902-367-2061, renewmarriage@gmail.com; All other inquires: Dick & Diane Baumbach, 321-544-3440, dickanddiane66@bellsouth.net

QUEBEC CITY, Canada, May 11, 2015 /Christian Newswire/ -- Worldwide Marriage Encounter, the original faith based marriage enrichment program, recently selected a new Canadian leadership team.  The new Canadian leadership team is Ernesto & Ana Lilian Ayala of Richmond, British Columbia and Fr. Michael Basque of Wainfleet, Ontario.

"We are very pleased that Ernesto & Ana Lilian and Fr. Michael are leading Worldwide Marriage Encounter's efforts in the Canada. They share our vision to renew the Sacraments of Marriage and Holy Orders, and to help implement Pope Francis' Initiative on Marriage by supporting marriage enrichment programs in parishes across the country,"  said Scott & Karen Seaborn, the Worldwide Marriage Encounter North American Secretariat leadership team.
Ernesto & Ana Lilian have been involved in WWME since 1987. They have served in many leadership capacities at the local, regional and national levels. They have been married for 32 years.

Fr. Michael is presently assigned to St. Elizabeth's Parish in Wainfleet. He is also the Dean of the Welland Pastoral Zone and the Director of Vocations for the diocese of St. Catharines, Ontario. He has been active in WWME since 1997. He has served as a team priest in both Canada and the United States. Fr. Michael has ministered to God's people as a priest for 26 years.

"This is an exciting time to serve our movement and our Catholic Church" said Ernesto while Ana Lilian added that "it seems our entire Church is recognizing the urgency of promoting strong Christian marriage." Fr. Michael said, "I feel honored and privileged to be selected to lead with Ernesto & Ana Lilian. We hope to expand our programs in Canada. This is a blessed time for our country."

Worldwide Marriage Encounter recently celebrated its 47th anniversary and its presence in just under 100 countries makes it the largest pro-marriage movement in the world. In Canada, the movement is divided into six districts based on geography.  Ernesto & Ana Lilian and Fr. Michael will lead the Canadian portion of this worldwide movement.

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 Worldwide Marriage Encounter email renewmarriage@gmail.com, or go to wwme.org.
 
Canadian media inquiries should be directed to:
James & Connie McNeill 
renewmarriage@gmail.com
(902) 367-2061
All other media inquires should be directed to:
Dick & Diane Baumbach
(321) 544-3440 
dickanddiane66@bellsouth.net