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"Today, I Must Stay at Your House"
We just returned home from Lyon, France, after attending the annual International College Meeting conducted by the ERI (International Leading Team). As shared in the last issue of the Magnificat, an ERI college consists of the ERI leading team, Super Region Responsible Couples, and Region Responsible Couples. These meetings are an opportunity to pray, gain different perspectives, offer mutual support, celebrate our successes and offer fraternal friendship. Just as our base team meetings help sustain our growth in holiness by mutual support and exchange of ideas, the International College serves that same purpose for those who have said "yes' to responsibility for a Super Region or a Region.
The theme of this College was "Today, I must stay at your house," taken from Luke 19:1-10. Each day, we meditated on this scripture from a different perspective. Just as Zacchaeus needed a different perspective (so he climbed the sycamore tree), we need different perspectives in the Teams Movement to understand and see how the Holy Spirit is moving. It was a wonderful experience to share our lived Teams experiences with 22 countries and 15 spiritual counselors in five different languages. In the meeting room each day, we were sitting with Brazil. In front of us were the couples and spiritual counselors from Syria, Poland, India, Lithuania, and France . Behind us were couples and spiritual counselors from Belgium, Lebanon, Argentina, Spain, and Columbia. Across the aisle were couples and spiritual counselors from Togo, Italy, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, and Canada. This was a beautiful international event! Each day from Monday, July 21 through Saturday, July 26, we attended Mass, participated in schools of prayer, and joined various workshops, sessions, and meetings.
A particular highlight was having the opportunity to visit Ars, France on Thursday and the home parish of St. John Marie Vianney. We began the day with Mass in the church with St. John Vianney entombed next to us. Our spiritual counselors then offered the opportunity for us to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the very church that St. John Vianney heard over 80,000 confessions a year! It was a truly humbling, yet awe-inspiring, opportunity.
One evening we were able to participate in karaoke night! With 30 couples and 15 spiritual counselors from 22 countries represented in multiple languages and cultures, music and our faith unite us. We all sang and danced with much more enthusiasm than talent, but isn't that the point of karaoke?!
Most importantly, we came away from this College Meeting with a direction from the new ERI leading team, a renewed mission, and much spiritual food for the journey ahead. This is an incredible ERI team with many fresh ideas and a tremendous love for the Movement and all of you!
ACTION REQUIRED - Website Member Portal Registration - ACTION REQUIRED
Please visit the new website, www.teamsofourlady.org, and Member Portal. More resources have been added to the Member Portal. You must register to access the Member Portal. If you have not yet registered (only 13% of you have), please search your email from May 24, 2025 (or later) for an email from noreply@teamsofourlady.org. This email has the link and instructions for you to register and establish a password. If you have any questions, please contact technology@teamsofourlady.org.
Once registered, we need everyone to log-in and check out your personal contact information in the new Teams database. You will be able to make any necessary changes to your contact information through the Member Portal. You will also be able to see the contact information for your base team. Additional resources (Resources page) will be added in the near future as they become available.
In addition, you may also make your financial contribution(s) to the Movement once you are signed into the Member Portal. Those of you who previously had automated, electronic donations set up in the previous system will need to restart these in the new system. It is important for all of us to contribute to keep the Movement moving! Consider making your suggested "one day's wage" annual contribution in the new platform.
Virtual Training Opportunities
Please take advantage of some great virtual training opportunities coming soon. If you are asked to be (or have discerned becoming) an Information Couple, Pilot Couple, Liaison Couple, or the Responsible Couple of your team, please say "yes." The USA Super Region will be hosting the following virtual trainings to accommodate as many people as possible. You must register to receive the Zoom link to attend. The trainings will also be recorded and available in the Member Portal of the website for reference.
Responsible Couple Training - Sunday, August 17, 2025, from 2:00 - 3:30 pm CDT (central daylight time) Click here to register to attend
Information Couple Training -Sunday, September 7, 2025, from 2:00 - 3:30 pm CDT (central daylight time) Click here to register to attend
Pilot Couple Training - Sunday, September 14, 2025, from 2:00 - 3:30 pm CDT (central daylight time) Click here to register to attend
Liaison Couple Training -Sunday, October 5, 2025, from 2:00 - 3:30 pm CDT (central daylight time) Click here to register up to attend
National Mixed Teams Night - August 23, 2025
This event is only 3 weeks away!!! Please register (Click Here) and mark your calendars to attend this year's National Mixed Teams Night held virtually for the entire USA Super Region. This is an excellent opportunity to meet other couples across the USA as well as Trinidad and Tobago. You must register in order to receive the meeting packet and Zoom meeting invitation. Registration will close on Friday, August 8, 2025. Do not delay!!!
2025-2026 Teams of Our Lady Study Topic “Love is Much More Than Love”
The new 2025-2026 Study Topic is currently in print production and should be shipped to your mailboxes by the end of August (for those that pre-ordered). If you did not pre-order a hard copy, we did print a few extras that can be ordered through materials@teamsofourlady.org. These will be on a first come, first serve basis. Once the printed copies are distributed, the book will only be available electronically. The new study topic is now also uploaded onto the website for all to access electronically. Currently, we only have English and Spanish uploaded as we are still awaiting the final version of Portuguese.
This year's topic entitled, “Love is Much More Than Love” is a compilation of writings by Fr. Henri Caffarel which the ERI has prepared to accompany next year’s theme: “Called to Live in Communion With Our Spouse.” The study topic is available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French. Thank you to those teams who pre-ordered their copies! We received a tremendous response!
August 2025 Prayer Service
Please find the August Prayer Service prepared by Fr. Eli Lopez, USA-SR Spiritual Counselor, reflecting on the theme of the ERI College Meeting taken from Luke 19:1-10.
We continue to lift all of you up in prayer. Our Lady, Queen of Teams, pray for us!
Peace, Greg & Melanie
