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To: Priests
From: Fr. Pedro Poloche, director, Office of Ongoing Formation of Priests
Dear Brothers,
Registration is open for our first clergy study day of 2026—AI 101: “Artificial Intelligence and the Mission of the Church.” The event will take place on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at the Chancery from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This initiative is designed to help clergy thoughtfully engage with one of the most rapidly evolving realities of our time. It is essential that we understand not only theological and pastoral matters but also the technological and cultural forces shaping the lives of the faithful. This session will provide clarity and discernment around artificial intelligence (AI), exploring its development, ethical and theological implications and its potential uses in the Church’s mission—from evangelization to administration. Watch the informational video here.
AI—when rightly understood and ordered—can become a tool to support pastoral outreach, homiletics, catechesis and organizational life. We will examine the origins of AI, reflect on key ethical questions and explore technologies such as ChatGPT-5, Copilot, Gemini, Gamma, Suno and Magisterium AI. Most importantly, this session will be a space for discernment, helping us evaluate how these tools might aid us in our ministry.
Our facilitator is Saúl Oñate Pérez who is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in human and family development at the University of Saint John Paul II, while simultaneously completing a bachelor’s degree in psychology at UNITEC University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of the Seminary of Guadalajara, Mexico, and a master’s degree in family sciences from the University of Saint John Paul II, and four years of theological studies at the University of Guadalajara. His professional formation includes advanced training in couples and family therapy through the Gottman Institute. In addition, he has pursued training on various AI platforms—including Cursive AI, ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, Gamma and Suno and Napkin, while integrating modern tools with therapeutic and educational practices. Saúl currently serves as the director of faith formation at Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic Church. He is a husband and father of six.
We hope you’ll join this timely conversation.
To register, please email Amanda Hailey at ahailey@archatl.com.
