Worldwide Marriage Encounter is inviting all married couples on Maui and their families to a “Celebration of Marriage” lunch and more, May 3, in St. Theresa Church hall in Kihei.

The family-friendly event, which begins at 11:30 a.m., followed by a meal at noon plus games, prizes and fun, also marks the 40th worldwide anniversary of the organization that celebrates matrimony through inspiring weekend retreats.

The event, a first for Hawaii, was conceived as a way to celebrate the movement and matrimony itself.

Claudine Perry who, with her husband Brian, is very active in the organization, said that Maui’s Marriage Encounter couples “had been thinking about ways to come together.”

The island has about 20 couples in three active “love circles” — groups of Encounter couples who extend their original weekend experience by getting together on a regular basis.

Maui also has more than 200 Maui couples in the organization’s database who have made at least one weekend. Invitations have been sent to all of them, Perry said.

Marriage Encounter presenting couples from Oahu and Kauai are also expected to come.

But any married couple is invited — Catholic or not, having made a Marriage Encounter or not.

And it’s free.

The gathering will honor this special relationship with spouses, children and others in the community. Besides lunch, and wedding cake for dessert, the celebration will include games, prizes and opportunities to make friendships and renew old ones.

The event will award the couple who have been married the longest, the couple who made the earliest weekend, and the newest married couple, Perry said.

Those planning to attend should call Rocky and Rosie Johnson by April 27 at 385-9408 or 385-8049.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter’s mission is to assist couples in living intimate and responsible relationships by providing them with a Catholic “experience” and ongoing community support.

The only Marriage Encounter weekend scheduled this year on Maui is Sept. 12-14 at the Maui Beach Hotel.

For more information about Worldwide Marriage Encounter and the Maui weekend, go to www.lovemoredeeply.org.