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Dear TLI Family,
With the memories from my recent trip to the Holy Land still fresh in my mind, back in the United States I found plenty of turmoil in the world to talk about. But instead, I would like to focus on a story that brings me hope.
Amid headlines dominated by global conflict, division, and uncertainty, we often hear narratives suggesting that faith is in decline, that young people are walking away, and that the future of the Church is fragile. Yet, if we look closely, God is continually working in quiet, extraordinary ways, often in places where we least expect it.
I was deeply moved by an article published this week about the Diocese of Katsina in northern Nigeria. Created just three years ago in October 2023, this young diocese, led by Bishop Gerald Mamman Musa, has witnessed something remarkable: the number of its seminarians has doubled in a remarkably short period.
Consider the context. Northern Nigeria is a region that has faced severe trials, socio-economic challenges, and significant hardship for Christian communities. Human wisdom might suggest that such an environment would stifle growth and foster fear. Instead, the opposite is happening. A genuine vocational awakening is taking place. Young men are stepping forward, eager to offer their lives in service to the Church and their neighbors.
When asked to explain this awakening, Bishop Musa pointed not to complex human strategies, but to the deep roots planted by early missionaries and the vibrant, joyful faith of the local community. The gospel seed, planted in sacrifice, is bearing rich fruit today.
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The story serves as a powerful reminder for all of us in the TLI family. Hope is not an abstract concept; it is an active, living virtue grounded in the reality of God’s Providence. Renewal does not depend on favorable external circumstances or cultural comfort. It depends on faithful hearts willing to say "yes" to God's call, right where they are.
If a young diocese in a challenging country in Africa can experience such a vibrant awakening, what is stopping us from fostering that same spirit in our own corner of the world? As lay leaders, we are called to be catalyst for this very kind of awakening, in workplaces, parishes, and communities. We are invited to cultivate environments where faith is lived with courage, joy, and uncompromising purpose.
As we look toward the months ahead, I want to invite you to join us in bringing this vision closer to life. The Hour of the Laity 2026 (THL2026) is right around the corner. This will be a pivotal moment for Catholic lay leaders to unite, sharpen one another, and discern how we can better serve civil society and the Church in our time.
If you have been thinking about attending, please do not wait to register. Seats are filling up, and the momentum is building. Take this step today, commit to being part of this movement, and let us work together to be the signs of hope our world so desperately needs.
You can learn more and secure your spot today at our website.
In Christ and Our Lady of Guadalupe,
P.S. Join Archbishop José Gómez, Bishop Thomas Olmsted and Bishop Timothy Freyer for The Hour of the Laity 2026 in Mexico City. In the videos bellow you will see what they have to say about THL2026.
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