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

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., March 28, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- For the second year in a row, the internationally known website About.com, which annually conducts its Readers Choice Awards, has named Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME) the winner of the Best Marriage Workshop category for 2013.

In the online voting that was conducted from Feb. 19 to March 19, 2013 an overwhelming number of votes were cast for the Worldwide Marriage Encounter program.  There were four other programs that were named finalists.

"It was wonderful to have been selected by voters as the winner of last year's contest, but to have been selected two years in a row is outstanding," said Ron & Judy Pekny and Fr. Rocky Grimard, the United States Ecclesial Team for Worldwide Marriage Encounter.

Jamie & Connie McNeill and Fr. John Juhl, the Canadian Ecclesial Team for WWME, added, "We know that there were many votes cast by individuals and couples who truly believe that Worldwide Marriage Encounter is the best marriage enrichment program available. We thank all those who voted for WWME."

Similar sentiments were echoed by Scott and Karen Seaborn and Fr. Tom Ogg, the North American Ecclesial Team for WWME. "When you think of all the excellent marriage workshops that are offered, to be named the winner of the Best Marriage Workshop category two years in a row is simply wonderful."

"As we said last year, the recognition Worldwide Marriage Encounter has received from the About.com Readers Choice Award is absolutely wonderful and we hope that couples from across the world will see how strong and vibrant the WWME weekend experience is for their marriages," said Tony & Cathy Witczak and Fr. Emile Frische, MHM, the International Ecclesial Team for WWME.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter has been offering weekend experiences for over 45 years and is considered the original faith-based marriage enrichment program.  The programs are continually updated to keep abreast of changes in society, and WWME now offers evening and half-day programs that are presented at parishes and other church facilities.  The weekend program, traditionally presented as an overnight experience at a hotel or retreat center, can also be presented at the parish where the couples return to their homes in the evenings.   WWME has a presence in almost 100 countries, which makes it the largest pro-marriage movement in the world.  In North America, the WWME programs are presented in English, Spanish, French, and Korean languages.

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 the Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekends online, go to wwme.org, or you can call 1-800-795-LOVE (English) and 1-800-599-AMOR (Spanish), or contact the WWME Office at (909) 863-9963.

Media inquires should be directed to:
Dick & Diane Baumbach (321) 544-3440  dickanddiane66@bellsouth.net
In Canada call (902) 367-2061 renewmarriage@gmail.com