Special to The Message
The international TEC retreat movement will come together for its annual gathering at the Sarto Retreat Center in Evansville July 11-13. This year, the ministry will celebrate 60 years since its first retreat in 1965. Members of local TEC communities will meet for three days of fellowship, resources, prayer and networking. Anyone 18 years of age or older involved with TEC, past or present, is invited to attend.
The gathering is coordinated by the TEC Conference, the organizing body for the international TEC Movement. Steve Angrisano, an internationally recognized Catholic composer, presenter and music missionary, will serve as the keynote speaker for the event.
During the 60th Anniversary Celebration, the TEC family will also present Joe LaScala of Belleville, Illinois, and John Ivas of Derry, New Hampshire, with the 2025 Heritage Award. The Heritage Award is the highest honor given by the TEC Conference, recognizing those who have an exemplary commitment to the TEC Movement on the local, regional and international level.
“It is very exciting to have this time together to celebrate 60 incredible years of bringing youth and young adults closer to Christ,” says Executive Director Billy O’Regan. “We’re also looking forward to continuing to share ideas about strengthening local TEC communities and keeping this movement growing.”
This event, also known as TEC Encounter, aims to serve the spiritual needs of attendees while providing resources to bring back to their local TEC communities. Participants are invited to gather for liturgy, prayer, round table discussions, speakers, fellowship and other activities to celebrate the great gift of TEC. Registration information and further details can be found at www.tecconference.org.
TEC (Teens, Together, To Encounter Christ), a Catholic movement of spirituality for older adolescents and young adults, was founded in Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1965. Focusing on the Paschal Mystery, TEC helps countless young people each year deepen their relationship with Christ and discern their vocation within the larger Church. The TEC Movement is affiliated with the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops through its Episcopal Moderator Bishop John C. Iffert, Bishop of Covington, KY.