My name is Jo Ann Pandolfi-one of the newest members of the Family Life Commission. I am married to Jim Pandolfi for 28 years and we have two children - Nick, 23 and Jessica, known as Jessi, 22.

Both Jim and I are from Buffalo, New York area. We became a couple after getting involved with YOUNG LIFE, a non-denominational teenage outreach group in high school. We both attended Buffalo State College and later went on for graduate degrees. We married in August, 1977. In August 1978, we packed everything that could fit in our two unairconditioned Toyotas and left Buffalo and our extended families behind. Mind you, I was the oldest of seven and Jim was one of two, so this was a tremendously difficult decision to make.

We have been members of St. Mary Magdalen for 16 years. At first, we attended a variety of Christian based churches and were searching for the right church for us as a family in which to become involved. St. Mary Magdalen won the prize. It was the most Spirit- filled church around! Although it is a very big and one can get lost, we soon found our niche. Our children have received the Sacraments here and we all have been involved with various parish retreats and the Family Life campouts. We feel so blessed to call it home.

We just attended the World Wide Marriage Encounter Weekend in Orlando and found it a profound experience. It has already greatly impacted our married lives. We will be taking on the representation for Marriage Encounter on the Family Life Commission and in our Parish. We will try to keep you informed about upcoming weekends and events in Encounter. We hope that you will one day consider attending this weekend yourself. It is so worthwhile. If you have any questions about it, please feel free to call upon us.

I pray that both Jim and I can continue to become involved with this special, unique Spirit filled church and continue to contribute our gifts to the Family Life Commission