On Saturday, January 17, 2026, we experienced a deeply meaningful day at St. John’s University in New York. Under the title “The Future of Our Past,” the seminar brought us together to reflect, engage in dialogue, and deepen our formation around the major challenges of Catholic leadership in the contemporary world, approached from a historical, social, and profoundly human perspective.
The event was organized by the New York School of Catholic Leaders, in collaboration with the International Academy of Catholic Leaders, and with the support of Basilica Medical Management. The opening was marked by welcoming remarks from Father Aidan R. Rooney, Executive Vice President for Mission at St. John’s University, who emphasized the value of these spaces of integral formation and the university’s commitment to the Church’s evangelizing and social mission.
One of the central moments of the morning was the lecture “The Future of Our Past,” delivered by Dr. Mario J. Paredes, President of the International Academy of Catholic Leaders, who invited participants to view history as a living source of meaning for interpreting the present and shaping the future.
The reflection was further enriched by the contribution of Monsignor Luis Miguel Romero Fernández, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, who traced the past, present, and future challenges of the Church’s Social Doctrine.
Throughout the day, presentations by Iván Ernesto Gatón and María Alejandra Segura broadened the perspective on the historical, cultural, and social processes that our communities are experiencing today.
The gathering concluded with a group activity and the celebration of Holy Mass in the campus chapel, bringing to a close a day of formation, encounter, and hope, and reaffirming the importance of forming leaders with deep roots and an open outlook toward the world.