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Courageous Yes

The call to leadership today is not reserved for a few. It is a call extended to all of us who have been entrusted with influence, whether in business, education, family life, or civic engagement.

The Annunciation reminds us that God often works through ordinary people who are willing to say yes in extraordinary ways.

Dear TLI family,

Happy Solemnity of the Annunciation! We are reminded of a moment that changed the course of history. In the quiet simplicity of Mary’s yes, the Word became flesh, and the world was forever transformed. It is a moment that speaks not only to our faith, but also to our responsibility as lay Catholic leaders in today’s world.

We are living in a time of deep cultural shifts. Across the United States and much of the West, we see both signs of confusion and, at the same time, a renewed openness to truth, beauty, and meaning. There is a growing hunger for something greater than what the world alone can offer. Many are searching, perhaps without even realizing it, for the person of Christ.

In this context, the mission of Tepeyac Leadership has never been more relevant.

At The Catholic Professional, we continue to explore what it means to lead with faith in the public square. Not in a distant or abstract way, but in the very real environments where decisions are made, where culture is shaped, and where lives are impacted. The call to leadership today is not reserved for a few. It is a call extended to all of us who have been entrusted with influence, whether in business, education, family life, or civic engagement.

The Annunciation reminds us that God often works through ordinary people who are willing to say yes in extraordinary ways. Mary did not have a detailed plan. She did not know how everything would unfold. Yet she trusted, and her openness became the gateway for grace to enter the world.

That same invitation is extended to each of us.

What does it mean to say yes in our own lives today? It may mean leading with integrity when it is easier to compromise. It may mean speaking truth with charity in environments that resist it. It may mean investing in others, mentoring, forming, and building communities rooted in faith and excellence.

We are also witnessing encouraging signs. There is a growing interest in Catholicism, particularly among young professionals and leaders who are seeking clarity and purpose. Many are rediscovering the richness of the Church’s teachings and the coherence of a life grounded in Christ. This moment presents a unique opportunity. But it also requires formation, support, and a clear vision of what authentic leadership looks like.

That is precisely what Tepeyac Leadership seeks to provide.

As we gather this Saturday for our Tepeyac Leadership Gala here in Phoenix, we do so with gratitude for all that has been accomplished, and with great hope for what lies ahead. This event is not only a celebration. It is a moment of renewal, a moment to recommit ourselves to forming leaders who will transform culture from within.

During the Gala, we will also be sharing an important announcement about the future of our mission. It is one that we believe will significantly expand our ability to form and support lay Catholic leaders across the country. We are excited to share this with you and invite you to be part of what comes next.

Above all, I ask you to join us in prayer.

Please pray for the success of the Gala, for all those who will attend, and for the continued growth of Tepeyac Leadership. Pray that we may be faithful to the mission entrusted to us, and that we may have the courage to say yes, as Mary did, in the moments that matter most.

Let us move forward with confidence, knowing that God continues to work through those who are willing to respond.

I look forward to being with many of you this Saturday, and I am deeply grateful for your continued support and friendship.

Let us pray with great enthusiasm for this weekend, and with joyful anticipation for what God has in store.

In Christ and Our Lady of Guadalupe,

Cristofer Pereyra

P.S. It’s not too late to register for the Tepeyac Leadership Gala. 😄

Last year, as guests arrived at the venue for the Tepeyac Leadership Gala, we asked them a simple but important question. Their answers were thoughtful, candid, and deeply hopeful for the future of our Church and our society. In the video below, you will see a compilation of their responses.

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