July 2026 Monthly Letter

Freedom is Nothing to Take for Granted

As we celebrate the 250th Birthday of the United States of America, we reflect on how thankful and grateful we are to live in a country where we have fundamental rights and freedoms.  We are ever more aware of this as we visit with our Teams brothers and sisters from around the world.  One such couple, Youssef and Georgina Boutros, from Lebanon are a part of the International Leading Team (ERI) for Teams of Our Lady. They are a dynamic couple with a visible love for Christ and each other.  Please take a moment to read their testimony below and pray for our fellow Teams members throughout the world, particularly those in countries ravaged by war.

The USCCB consecrated the United States of America to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 11, 2026, as part of the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  May God bless America!

The Team Meeting...Prayer

Last month we talked about a simple meal with sharing around the table. This month we will move from feeding our bodies to the prayer portion of the meeting where we feed our souls. This part of the meeting should last about an hour. Do not short change this section! The prayer service has a form and fashion that is consistent and inspired. This video, shown at the 2024 International Gathering in Turin, beautifully illustrates the prayer portion of the meeting.

Let’s quiet ourselves…Be sure to quiet yourselves as you enter into this time of prayer. The table can be a lot of fun with sharing so it is important to switch to a more quiet, calm and reflective mode. Some teams might sing to bring calm or listen to a song. Just give some time to settle in silence before jumping right into prayer.

The Word of God…It is great for the team to know what the Scripture passage will be ahead of time. If you are in Teams material/study topics or if you are using Fr. Eli’s monthly prayer services, this is not an issue. Some people appreciate more time to reflect on Scripture than others. This is neither good or bad, just the way God made us. Sometimes reading through the Scripture a couple times is helpful. What is critical is giving some time for silent reflection. This can last roughly 5-10 minutes for everyone to gather their thoughts.

Personal Response to The Word…This is a personal response to Scripture in the form of a prayer. It is important that all team members understand that this is not a discussion or debate about the Scripture, but a prayer based on how the living and active Word spoke to you. This is one way we can enrich each other's experience by sharing what the Holy Spirit inspired in our hearts through reading of the Word. When listening to God’s Word it should touch our heart and soul as it is living and active.  Let the Word speak to you and respond to God with a prayerful response. 

"Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart." - Hebrews 4:12.

Prayer Intentions…This is a time for us to pray for what is on our hearts. Most teams pass a cross to indicate it is that person’s turn to pray. We conclude these prayers with “We pray to the Lord” and the rest of the team responds with “Lord, hear our prayer.” 

Prayer of the Spiritual Counselor or Spiritual Advisor…The Spiritual Counselor/Spiritual Advisor prays in rotation as a team member, but at the end of the intentions he/she may wish to end the prayer period by gathering the prayers and presenting them to God. 

Psalm (Liturgical Prayer)…To end the prayer section of the meeting a text may be chosen from a psalm, a favorite prayer may be chosen or a song may be sung. We also like to end in a concluding prayer that ties the time of prayer together from the Scripture reading to the Psalm.

Points to Ponder...

• How can we use the scripture for our next team meeting as part of our personal or couple prayer during the month?
• How can we participate in the meditation prayer and petition prayer during the meeting?
• Do we pray for each other during the month?

"History of Salvation, History of a People, of a Family"

Once again, we have a pre-order form available if you desire printed copies of the 2026-27 study topic for your team.  Our request is that you pre-order for your entire team or several teams in order to reduce shipping costs.  We do not want to individually ship a book to a single couple.  The books will be printed and shipped in August.  We will only print the quantity of books requested through pre-order.  Books will be printed in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.  Click Here to place your pre-order now.  The books will also be available on the website to download the electronic version for your use in all three languages.  Deadline to pre-order is July 12, 2026.

Letters from International Responsible Team (ERI)

We are excited to share with you two letters received from members of the International Responsible Team (ERI). The first letter is from Georgina and Youssef Boutros, Liaison Couple for the Central Europe and Middle East Zone.  This letter offers a profound testimony on how faith and marital unity can be sustained even in the midst of war and uncertainty. From Lebanon, they share with us how Christ has been their anchor, transforming fear into trust and their commitments within the Movement into a living witness of hope.  Click for English, Spanish, or Portuguese

The second letter is from Fr. Augusto Garcia, ERI Spiritual Counselor.  Fr. Augusto presents five key themes of the encyclical for discernment in the age of Artificial Intelligence: the magnificent humanity — wounded yet capable of love — that must never be replaced; truth as both a rational and relational value, built through honest dialogue; interior freedom, threatened by digital platforms, which calls for sobriety, silence and reflective study; the value of the experience of limits against transhumanist and posthumanist narratives, since the human person flourishes through limits; and the vocation to transcendence, which only God can fulfil through grace. The article concludes by recalling that Teams of Our Lady strive each day to belong to that magnificent humanity God dreamed of.  Click for English, Spanish, or Portuguese

Goals Update...

Please help us reach our goals and spread the word about the importance of registering and contributing. 

A movement declines toward death when its members stop thinking like builders and start thinking like tenants!"  - Fr. Henri Caffarel

2026 USA-SR National Mixed Teams Night

Mark your calendars!  The 5th annual USA Super Region National Mixed Teams Night is scheduled for Saturday, August 22, 2026.  The registration form is open.  We look forward to spending an evening with Teams couples from all around the United States as well as Trinidad & Tobago.  We will offer mixed teams in English, Spanish, and Portuguese depending on demand.  Register today and plan to join us!  Click the image to register.

2026 USA-SR Formation Opportunities

Mark your calendars!  Join couples from around the USA and Trinidad & Tobago for annual formation.  If these opportunities are not available in your Sector, please sign up to join these virtual sessions.  Click the appropriate formation box below to register to attend.

July 2026 Prayer Service

Please find the July Prayer Service prepared by Fr. Eli Lopez, USA-SR Spiritual Counselor, reflecting on Pope Leo's teaching on human relationships and John 15:12-17. 

We are praying for all of you!  Our Lady, Queen of Teams, pray for us!  Venerable Fr. Henri Caffarel, intercede for us!

Peace, Greg & Melanie