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Dear TLI Family,
Today, I am reflecting on a journey that felt both grounding and unexpected. Returning from the Holy Land on Saturday, I am deeply grateful for the blessing of joining a delegation of Catholic influencers invited to witness the reality of the region firsthand. Walking the steps of Jesus while learning about the area has brought the multiple conflicts of the region into a completely new light. One thing is clear: situations here are never black and white, but filled with endless intricacies. Standing where Our Lord walked and taught amidst a time of global uncertainty, polarization, and a desperate hunger for authentic truth was sobering, to say the least. What a profound gift I received!
Compared to the past, the paths in the Holy Land are now quiet, stripped of the usual throngs of tourists. Yet this very quietness allowed for an intimate and piercing encounter with the roots of our faith. Consider the olive grove of Gethsemane, where Christ surrendered entirely to the Father's will amidst agony, or the shores of the Sea of Galilee and the Mount of Beatitudes. Every stone whispered of a radical call. Jesus did not form His disciples to remain sequestered in comfort, but sent them instead to transform a broken world.
Today, we see the erosion of the family, the public sidelining of objective truth, and increasing friction in civil square discussions. These trends reveal the tangible cost of vacant leadership. When Catholic professionals step back from positions of influence, those spaces do not remain neutral, but are swiftly occupied by voices devoid of transcendent faith, hope, and love.
This is why the work of Tepeyac Leadership is so critical. Our formation is not merely about professional advancement or checking academic boxes, but rather stands as an urgent spiritual mobilization. Whether you serve in healthcare, education, law, business, or government, you are called to bring the light of Christ directly into the arenas where societal decisions are forged. We cannot continue to compartmentalize our faith. Instead, the world needs courageous lay leaders who anchor their decisions in Catholic Social Doctrine and the timeless wisdom of the Gospel.
Now back home, my heart turns with great anticipation toward our upcoming global gathering, THL2026, taking place in Mexico City this October 22 to 24. Under the mantle of Our Lady of Guadalupe, we are preparing to unite Catholic leaders from across borders, languages, and professional fields. This gathering spans our growing communities across continents.
Let us take courage from the sacred places where our redemption was won. Let us reject the temptation toward a scarcity mindset or retreat and instead step boldly into the public square with charity, integrity, and intellectual rigor.
Thank you for your steadfast dedication to our shared mission. I have prayed for you, our TLI family, at every encounter I had with the holy sites of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Nazareth. I continue to pray for each of you and your families.
Sincerely yours 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.
Ad: Tepeyac Leadership’s Leadership for the World is a $2 million, three year mission to form lay Catholic leaders for the public square. Without formation, others fill the void. Will you step in or step aside now, when it matters most?
