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What is TEC?
Nearly every young adult who has made a TEC weekend has come back convinced that he or she has made a new discovery-that Christ is really alive today and that He lives in each of us. A tremendous revelation! This is the thrust of the spiritual weekend program that has come to be known simply as TEC. The TEC program is certainly not a new movement in the Catholic Church. The first TEC was held on October 9-11, 1965, in Battle Creek, MI., and inspired by Fr. Matt Fedewa. The first TEC here at St William’s was April 14-16, 1981. Since then enthusiasm among young people for this experience has grown rapidly despite today’s society not caring about right and wrong and lacking moral sensibility. We have just completed our 53rd TEC, and programs are available in and around most metropolitan areas of the United States open to young adults between the ages of fifteen and twenty-four, regardless of faith. TEC is an individual experience for everyone on the weekend, whether he or she is a seasoned team member or a first-time participant. |
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The Simplicity of TEC
TEC is a three-day weekend beginning on Saturday morning and ending Monday evening.
The TEC team consists of priests, deacons, nuns, lay adults, and teens who have previously participated in TEC weekends. Each new TEC starts Saturday morning by the weekend’s lay directors and the spiritual director (a priest or deacon). The candidates, as the new participants are called, then are assigned quarters and called to an ice-breaker session where they meet the other young adults and team members making the weekend. It sometimes resembles a campout, with sleeping bags and few of the comforts of home. But essentially the school building is transformed into a retreat, with time for individual reflection and prayer, religious music, both joyous and solemn with guitar accompaniment, plays an important part in emphasizing the theme, “Make a joyous noise unto the Lord”
Individual team members share their experiences of Christ as He lives and moves in their lives. The sacraments and their meaning in today’s church and in the lives of everyone present are also discussed. Group discussion and participation, chapel visits, sharing in the Eucharist, and the joy of just being yourself without social pressure or outside influences are all elements that go into making each weekend a quiet, personal experience.
TEC is a three-day weekend beginning on Saturday morning and ending Monday evening.
The TEC team consists of priests, deacons, nuns, lay adults, and teens who have previously participated in TEC weekends. Each new TEC starts Saturday morning by the weekend’s lay directors and the spiritual director (a priest or deacon). The candidates, as the new participants are called, then are assigned quarters and called to an ice-breaker session where they meet the other young adults and team members making the weekend. It sometimes resembles a campout, with sleeping bags and few of the comforts of home. But essentially the school building is transformed into a retreat, with time for individual reflection and prayer, religious music, both joyous and solemn with guitar accompaniment, plays an important part in emphasizing the theme, “Make a joyous noise unto the Lord”
Individual team members share their experiences of Christ as He lives and moves in their lives. The sacraments and their meaning in today’s church and in the lives of everyone present are also discussed. Group discussion and participation, chapel visits, sharing in the Eucharist, and the joy of just being yourself without social pressure or outside influences are all elements that go into making each weekend a quiet, personal experience.
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Mystery and Beauty
What makes the weekend so special? Just what is it that sends the young people home glorying in the love of the Lord and in the mystery that cannot be explained, but must be experienced. The weekend belongs to the Lord and He takes full control. Part of the initial beauty of TEC is the closeness of the team members. This closeness is immediately evident to all new participants. The team spends several weeks prior to the TEC weekend in preparation by sharing, praying, working of the physical necessities, and drawing closer to the Lord. Many adults and teens have said that one of the best things about the TEC program is that each candidate may follow up at a later date by becoming a member of the TEC team. This follow-up is a good opportunity to let your light shine. The goals of the TEC weekend are as simple as the makeup of the weekend itself, to become more aware that Christ lives in each of is, and to accept oneself and others as valuable creations of our Lord. |
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Your Special Light
Reactions to the weekend are as many and varied as the number of individuals participating but the Lord seems to weave one thread through the lives of all, that spark of light in each of us that is Christ.
Those who work for and with the TEC program have learned to see each candidate as an unlit candle waiting for Christ’s flame. Every young man and woman standing on the street corner, loitering in a parking lot, cheering at a ball game, leaning over a pool table, or enjoying their favorite rock concert is a potential TEC candidate. Each is beautiful in a very special way.
When the Weekend if Over
Although many miracles have been witnessed on TEC weekends across the country, TEC promises no such thing. Many young adults have found meaning and purpose for their lives and have returned home forever changed. Others have returned home to make the same mistakes and to live the same problems. But none have returned without having experienced some kind of inner change.
Team members receive dozens of letters from candidates who have completed a TEC weekend relating their experiences when they returned home, how they themselves have changed or how their lives have changed. They enthusiastically share their plans for the future, their joys and disappointments, and most of all their need to help others in some way.
Although much of what happens during the weekend is kept secret to heighten the surprise and joy of the retreat, throughout the weekend, each candidate will learn that religion is real and alive as they have fun and build relationships. They find that Christianity does not have to be dull.
One Tec’er said:
“You can’t describe in words how I felt during the weekend. It wasn’t anything I expected. I grew spiritually and became closer with my family and friends.”
“TEC is people.. the living Church”, said a sixteen-year-old high school student.” Now I know that God loves me too.”
Reactions to the weekend are as many and varied as the number of individuals participating but the Lord seems to weave one thread through the lives of all, that spark of light in each of us that is Christ.
Those who work for and with the TEC program have learned to see each candidate as an unlit candle waiting for Christ’s flame. Every young man and woman standing on the street corner, loitering in a parking lot, cheering at a ball game, leaning over a pool table, or enjoying their favorite rock concert is a potential TEC candidate. Each is beautiful in a very special way.
When the Weekend if Over
Although many miracles have been witnessed on TEC weekends across the country, TEC promises no such thing. Many young adults have found meaning and purpose for their lives and have returned home forever changed. Others have returned home to make the same mistakes and to live the same problems. But none have returned without having experienced some kind of inner change.
Team members receive dozens of letters from candidates who have completed a TEC weekend relating their experiences when they returned home, how they themselves have changed or how their lives have changed. They enthusiastically share their plans for the future, their joys and disappointments, and most of all their need to help others in some way.
Although much of what happens during the weekend is kept secret to heighten the surprise and joy of the retreat, throughout the weekend, each candidate will learn that religion is real and alive as they have fun and build relationships. They find that Christianity does not have to be dull.
One Tec’er said:
“You can’t describe in words how I felt during the weekend. It wasn’t anything I expected. I grew spiritually and became closer with my family and friends.”
“TEC is people.. the living Church”, said a sixteen-year-old high school student.” Now I know that God loves me too.”