Connections...
We all make connections. We need connections. We connect with family, friends, professionals, our parish community, etc. We long to have these connections in which to share our experiences, our joys, our sorrows, our victories, and our struggles. God made us to be in communion and to connect with Him and each other. We touched on this last month as we reflected on John 15:5. This month we are inspired by Fr. Caffarel in Chapter 2 of this year's Study Topic, Love is Much More Than Love,
“Remember that we’re not made for solitude, and that God will always be at our side, helping us to find comfort and fulfillment both in our human relationships and in our connection with Him.”
As we conclude September and embark on the month of October, we reflect on the connections we made personally as well as in the Movement over the last four weeks. We began September with our immediate family, extended family, and many friends celebrating Melanie’s parents 55th wedding anniversary. It was such a joy and blessing to physically gather all together, young and old, and connect in praise and celebration for this momentous occasion.
Laredo, Texas
Trinidad and Tobago
We were invited to a regional retreat of all Teams couples in Trinidad and Tobago. This was the first opportunity for anyone from USA-SR to visit Trinidad and physically connect with Teams couples since T&T became linked to the USA-SR in July 2024. The weekend retreat focused on Luke 24:13-35 On the Road to Emmaus and the movements of the moods. We first reflected on the mood of the disciples as they journeyed away from Jerusalem toward Emmaus downtrodden and in despair. We reflected on what has or is causing us to despair into solitude and walk away from Jesus. First, we must recognize when we are walking away and not toward the home we have in Jesus.
How the disciples' moods changed to a sense of hope and wonder as Jesus walked with them and slowly revealed and connected the Scriptures for them. He was returning them home to Jerusalem. As a couple, we reflected that prayer, scripture, and good communication is what connects us and gives us hope and support for our faith journey. We see ourselves walking on that road together, but sometimes split apart. Fr. Caffarel has given us the Endeavors as the road map for our conjugal spirituality to connect and reconnect us and our relationship with Christ.
The mood then changed to excitement and the need to go out from Jerusalem and tell the world of the mighty power of God. We are called to go forth like the disciples with the fire of the Holy Spirit and spread the Good News to others we connect with in our families, friendships, faith communities, team, etc. We both left with a clear vision of ourselves, our relationship with Jesus, and how we are being sent. Thank you to our brothers and sisters in Trinidad for welcoming us so lovingly in Christian hospitality and allowing us to connect with you! You are a blessing and an example!
Formation and Expansion
Amidst the travels, we hosted virtual Information Couple Training and Pilot Couple Training via Zoom to assist our Region and Sector Responsible Couples with training for these roles. The ERI (International Leading Team) has asked the entire Movement to focus on formation and expansion throughout the world. We can’t expand the Movement locally without couples willing to serve as Information Couples and Pilot Couples. At the same time, we can’t have Information Couples and Pilot Couples without consistent formation and training. We were thrilled to see new couples join these trainings, connect with other Teams couples, and have a willingness to serve. Their “yes” strengthens the vitality and connectedness of the Movement in the USA-SR.
In these meetings, we connected with a couple from Shawnee, KS who expressed a desire to reconnect with the larger movement in the USA-SR. Following the promptings of the Holy Spirit, we made contact with this couple and arranged a time to meet in person in Kansas City since we had already made plans to travel there to visit our daughter at the end of the month. The Holy Spirit arranged a Friday morning mass and breakfast not only with this couple but with another couple from their team. It was a beautiful morning of prayer, sharing, and listening. We are so grateful for their willingness to reach out and connect with us and the larger Movement.
We are inspired by the connections (and re-connections) of this past month and those to be made next month and beyond!
ACTION REQUIRED - Website Member Portal Registration - ACTION REQUIRED
One way to connect is to log into your member portal on the website. The Teams of Our Lady member portal allows you to update your contact information, download retreat resources, view training videos, access Teams resources, and many other things only accessible to registered members.
Please take a few minutes, register, and log in. If you have already done so, THANK YOU! If you have not logged in, please read below.
Visit the new website (www.teamsofourlady.org) and Member Portal. "Member Only" resources are available only on the Member Portal. You must register to access the Member Portal. If you have not yet registered, please search your email from September 19 or 20, 2025 for an email from technology@teamsofourlady.org. This email has the link and instructions for you to register and establish a password.
Once registered, log-in to confirm your personal contact information or make any necessary changes. View the contact information for your base team and encourage each member to create a log-in and update their own information. Additional “Member Only” resources (Resources menu) will be added as new materials become available. Check back often!!!
If you have any questions, please contact technology@teamsofourlady.org.
Virtual Training Opportunities
The USA Super Region will be hosting a Liaison Couple Training to accommodate as many people as possible. All are welcome!!! You must register to receive the Zoom link to attend. The training will also be recorded and available in the Member Portal of the website for reference.
Liaison Couple Training -Sunday, October 5, 2025, from 2:00 - 3:30 pm CDT (central daylight time) Click here to register up to attend
The video recordings of the virtual Responsible Couple Training, Information Couple Training, and Pilot Couple Training held in August and September are now available to view under the "Resources" menu of the Member Portal.
October 2025 Prayer Service
Please find the October Prayer Service prepared by Fr. Eli Lopez, USA-SR Spiritual Counselor, reflecting on the second chapter of the new 2025-2025 Study Topic, “Love is Much More Than Love”.
We continue to lift all of you up in prayer. Go out and make connections! Our Lady, Queen of Teams, pray for us!
Peace, Greg & Melanie