Dear Friends in Christ,

Even though a number of us haven’t met each other, I recognize your names from signing thank you letters and marvel at how long so many of you have been faithfully supporting this mission.

It’s going forward in full gear. Just yesterday I returned from Peru where Bishop Scott McCaig and I did a week-long retreat for Peruvian priests. There were 72 of them there. Bishop Scott gave a homily each day and four of the main session talks, and I gave six of the main session talks. Bishop Scott and I have now done three of these priests’ conferences together in the last two years—one in Uganda, another in Cameroon, and now in Peru. And we’ll be in Uruguay together later this month doing another priest retreat. We try to prioritize responding to requests to do priest events as it is so vital to strengthen and support priests in their most important mission of reconciling souls to God and preaching the Gospel.

Many of them need encouragement because the mission today is suffering the influence of secular culture on virtually the entire world. Many of them also need encouragement because church attendance has dropped off significantly since Covid. Maybe only 3% of Peruvian Catholics go to Mass on Sundays! Knowing how to stay connected to Christ, and being reaffirmed in the importance of their vocations, the truth of the Scriptures, and the power of the Holy Spirit were all needs that the Lord helped us to meet during the retreat.

During the final session, both Bishop Scott and I turned to each other and said, “It was really worth it,” as we heard priests share what they received during the week. Some shared about how various parts of the Gospel message that they only “notionally” understood were now very real to them and were going to be important to their preaching. Others shared very personally about the retreat strengthening them in leading a life of holiness and continuing to struggle against weaknesses for the sake of the Lord and their people.

Thank you for your prayers and your financial support that allows us to continue serving priests and so many more.

On the last day of the week, we both gave talks at a day conference to 3,500 fervent charismatics. We were particularly touched by the hour-long Adoration session, during which the monstrance was carried through the vast arena and people made intimate, personal contact with Jesus in the Eucharist. During a “free day” between the priests retreat and the rally, we were able to visit the birth and death sites of St. Martin de Porres and St. Rose of Lima and venerate some of their relics. Very inspiring saints. Look them up!

And as our team expands so many things are happening at once. Rachel Herbeck was invited to lead ministry on the Good News Cruise. She led a Bible study in the mornings with different speakers joining her each day. They engaged in a fruitful study of Ephesians with the cruise participants.

Our youth outreaches hosted a worship night for the young men and women that they served this past week and had the largest gathering they have ever had for this event. Over a hundred young people came to worship God together.

Peter and Debbie Herbeck recently gave talks for a marriage event at a nearby parish that has worked with many members of our team before. This coming weekend, Peter and Pete Burak will be speaking at the Esto Vir Men’s Conference in Appleton, Wisconsin.

The Holy Spirit is moving powerfully in the Church around the world!

Grateful for you and inspired by you,

Ralph