Teams College Meeting – the ‘Trini’ experience

By Anton and Vanessa Caby

The Teams of Our Lady marriage movement is ever-changing. In a rapidly moving world, the ability to discern opportunities and act on them is a powerful tool, especially when it comes to the charism of Teams.

It was during the International Gathering Event at Turin, Italy in July 2024 that the T&T Teams of Our Lady moved from the Transatlantic Super Region (managed by the UK) to the USA Super Region (US-SR).

The US-SR consists of the USA and Trinidad and Tobago. One intrinsic benefit of this change is the US-SR annual College Meetings and biennially Sector Couple Experience. The former is a meeting of all regional couples to discuss strategic matters for the Super Region. The latter is training used to develop the next cadre of leaders within the Super Region. We had the opportunity to represent Teams at both meetings between June 24-29, at Three Rivers, California.

Through the experience of representing T&T at our first Super Regional College Meeting and Sector Couple Experience, we discovered the immense value of making informed decisions, exchanging ideas, and applying international experiences to local contexts.

The gift of discerning: a key to growth

The ability to discern is not just a gift but a vital skill in today’s world. Whether it’s recognising trends in base Teams, identifying couples for leadership (through service) roles, or selecting the right training programmes that align with Regional or Sector needs, discernment helps guide decisions that lead to lasting success.

During our first regional meeting, we were reminded of the importance of using this discernment to say ‘yes’ to opportunities that can bring positive change. By being open to new ideas and experiences, we can adapt and grow both as individuals and as part of a larger, interconnected global Teams community. It is also important to know that God qualifies the called, not calls the qualified.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the meeting was the honour of representing Trinidad and Tobago. As we sat down with colleagues from other regions, we recognised the power of these collaborative, lived experiences.

The Regional College Meeting was more than just an exchange of knowledge—it was an opportunity to showcase the strength, culture, and unique needs of our nation. It also opened doors for us to forge relationships that will have a long-lasting impact on our future initiatives.

Exchanging experiences

In every exchange of experiences, there was a powerful sense of shared learning. We learned as much from others as they did from us.

The discussions focused on adapting sector-specific skills for our unique context in Trinidad, while also exploring global best practices. Through these dialogues, we realised that training isn’t just about local expertise—it’s about being open to learning and applying global knowledge in a meaningful way.

Taking US experiences and implementing them in T&T

One of the most valuable lessons came from the ability to bring the experiences of the USA into our own Trinidadian context. During the meeting, we had the chance to see how different sectors approach challenges in areas like awareness of the movement, and community engagement.

The success stories from the US-SR, particularly in tech and innovation, provided a blueprint for what could be implemented in Trinidad. With a focused strategy and an open mind, we can adapt these insights to build a more robust and dynamic Teams Community back home.

Feeling welcomed, building connections

Perhaps the most unexpected yet rewarding part of the experience was how warmly we were welcomed by other participants. The connections we made with couples and priests from different regions opened new perspectives, and the relationships formed have already started to bear fruit.

There is a unique value in connecting with others who share similar goals and passions, and the support and camaraderie felt at the event reaffirmed the power of collaboration in building a brighter future.