The Message photo by John Rohlf
By John Rohlf, The Message assistant editor
The international Teens Encounter Christ retreat movement celebrated their 60th anniversary with their 2025 Encounter at the Diocese of Evansville Catholic Center and Sarto Retreat Center.
The TEC ministry celebrated 60 years since its first retreat in 1965. Members of local TEC communities met July 11-13 for three days of fellowship, resources, prayer and networking. There were 60 participants from 18 dioceses at this year’s TEC Conference, according to TEC Conference Executive Director Billy O’Regan.
“Participants commented to me that they felt spiritually fed, particularly by our keynote speaker, Steve Angrisano,” O’Regan said. “They also feel like they are going back to their home TEC communities feeling encouraged and armed with fresh ideas.”
The conference is held annually in different locations. O’Regan said they reached out over one year ago to see if Evansville would be a feasible location for the annual gathering and 60th anniversary celebration. It just happened to be on the year of the 60th celebration that they held the gathering in Evansville.
O’Regan stressed the people who operate Teens Encounter Christ in the Diocese of Evansville are super organized and balanced in their faith, and on fire with love of the Lord.
“Evansville made us feel so welcome,” O’Regan said. “And we are richer for having spent time with the southwestern Indiana TEC community who played host.”
During the gathering, participants heard from Angrisano, a Catholic composer, presenter and music missionary. They also gathered for liturgy, prayer, roundtable discussions, speakers, fellowship and other activities.
During the gathering, they also presented two individuals with the Heritage Award, which is the highest honor given by the TEC Conference. The award recognizes those who have an exemplary commitment to the TEC movement on the local, regional and international level. This year’s recipients were Joe LaScala of Belleville, Illinois; and John Ivas of Derry, New Hampshire.