September 2026 Monthly Letter

Effort Matters...

As we begin this new school year and some begin their new Teams of Our Lady year, let us reflect on effort.  With our favorite sports teams, we know that when the team focuses, practices, and puts forth their best effort, it garners better results.  We know also, that in Teams of Our Lady, our effort matters too.  Preparation for the monthly meetings (i.e. practicing the endeavors, reading the study topic, answering the discussion questions, etc.) is paramount to achieving fruitful sharing and discussion.  If we put forth our best effort, the Holy Spirit can do the rest and illuminate our team meetings.  As we begin this new year, go all in, put forth the effort, and watch the Holy Spirit work in your life and the life of your team!

The Team Meeting...Discussion of the Study Topic

Last month we talked about the deep pooling during the monthly meeting. This month we shift to the study topic.  Advanced preparation ensures that couples are prepared for this portion of the meeting. Reading, writing responses to the study questions, and discussing with your spouse all need to happen with enough time to then submit each spouse’s responses to the discussion couple. This will give the discussion couple time to read and synthesize a direction for the discussion at the team meeting. This preparation of the discussion can also occur with the Spiritual Counselor/Spiritual Companion of the team. This doesn’t necessarily mean reading or summarizing answers but finding points to get the conversation moving. It is important to allow participation from everyone and avoid a few monopolizing the discussion. If other parts of the meeting run long, this is where the meeting can and should get cut a bit short. Be sure to conclude the meeting with any business and wrap up with both The Magnificat and the Prayer for the Canonization of Venerable Fr. Henri Caffarel.  

Points to Ponder...

• How can we better prepare individually and as a couple for the meeting?
• How do we try to grow in our faith and spiritual life as new thoughts are presented in our study topic?

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

Thank you to everyone who pre-ordered the 2026-27 study topic, "History of Salvation, History of a People, of a Family."  We received a record number of pre-orders!  All books (English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French) have been printed and shipped.  If you haven't received your shipment, you should very soon.  The books are also available on the website in English, Spanish, and French.    

Some of you have asked about the cost of these books.  As part of your membership in Teams and your annual contribution, we are able to print and ship these to you at no charge.  However, the average cost for each book with printing and shipping is approximately $11.  We received a request for approximately 1,700 books.  This is a significant financial undertaking for our Movement but we want everyone to have access to the latest study topic material.

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 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.

Growth and Reorganization

As the Movement grows and expands across Sectors, Regions, and Provinces, the USA-SR must evaluate the boundaries of these Sectors and Regions to best serve the base teams. The USA-SR is excited to announce re-alignments in the North Province to accommodate the growth and expansion. With this re-alignment comes the introduction of the new East Central Region which will comprise the states of Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. The existing Lake Michigan Region and Midwest Region are being combined into the Midwest Region which will comprise the states of Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. The existing Central Region will now encompass Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska. The existing North Central Region will now encompass Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota. The map graphic depicts the four regions in the North Province: Central, East Central, North Central, and Midwest and the various states included in each region. The graphic also depicts the number of teams in Sectors (yellow stars) and number of teams in Pre-Sectors (gray stars). The North Province contains the most teams in the USA-SR with 237!

September 2026 Prayer Service

Please find the September Prayer Service prepared by Fr. Eli Lopez, USA-SR Spiritual Counselor, reflecting on Genesis 2:18-24. 

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