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TEC: A Catholic Movement of Spirituality for Older Adolescents TEC: A Catholic Movement of Spirituality for Older Adolescents TEC: A Catholic Movement of Spirituality for Older Adolescents TEC: A Catholic Movement of Spirituality for Older Adolescents &Young AdulYoung AdulYoung AdulYoung Adults ts ts ts
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ConferenceConferenceConferenceConference
Partners in MinistryPartners in MinistryPartners in MinistryPartners in Ministry
These religious communities offer continual prayer support for the TEC Movement. To have your religious community featured here and on the TEC Web site, contact (636) 933-9233 or [email protected].
Sisters of St. Francis of the Immaculate ConceptionSisters of St. Francis of the Immaculate ConceptionSisters of St. Francis of the Immaculate ConceptionSisters of St. Francis of the Immaculate Conception
The Sisters of St. Francis of the Immaculate Conception, an evangelical religious congregation of the Roman Catholic
Church in Peoria, Ill., are called to make God's compassionate presence known through vowed life in community. In prayer and
simplicity, they dedicate themselves to ministries of service.
Contact: Sr. Paula Vasquez OSF Address: 2408 W. Heading Ave., Peoria, Ill. 61604
Phone: (309) 674-6168 Email: [email protected]
Web site: www.westpeoriasisters.org
Sisters of Bon SecoursSisters of Bon SecoursSisters of Bon SecoursSisters of Bon Secours
Through God’s love in us, we are called to help people to wholeness and are compelled to alleviate human suffering in all forms especially in the sick, the dying and the poor. We bring to
all a message of God’s hope.
Contact: Sr. Pat Dowling CBS Address: 1525 Marriottsville Rd., Marriottsville, Md. 21104
Phone: (877) 742-0277 (toll-free) Email: pat [email protected]
Web site: www.bonsecoursvocations.org
Need to update your contact information? Want to make a financial contribution to support the TEC Movement’s outreach to Catholic young people?
Visit the main page of www.TECConference.org for more details!
Sisters of St. Benedict Sisters of St. Benedict Sisters of St. Benedict Sisters of St. Benedict
Do you yearn to seek God with all your heart? God may be calling you to be a Sister of St. Benedict. We value community,
hospitality, prayer and justpeace.
Contact: Sr. Anne DeMers OSB Address: St. Benedict Monastery,
620 Summit Ave., Crookston, Minn. 56716 Phone: (218) 281-3441
Email: [email protected] Web site: www.msb.net
Sisters of St. Joseph the WorkerSisters of St. Joseph the WorkerSisters of St. Joseph the WorkerSisters of St. Joseph the Worker
The Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker "proclaim to the world the peace which comes from the Father, the dedication witnessed to by the Son, and the joy which is the fruit of the Holy Spirit
through a life of prayer with a special devotion to our Eucharis-tic Lord and His Sacred Heart” (Vita Consecrata #25).
Contact: Mother Celeste Marie SJW 1 St. Joseph Way, Walton, Ky. 41094
Email: [email protected]
Web site: www.ssjw.org
The TEC Family at Past Congresses The TEC Family at Past Congresses The TEC Family at Past Congresses The TEC Family at Past Congresses
I n the November Communicator, Episcopal Moderator Arch-bishop Roger L. Schwietz OMI called the TEC Family to become “an intentional people of prayer” in preparation for
the 2008 Congress. This year’s theme, “A Prayer of Wheat,” invites each TEC member to transform themselves more deeply into “a people of the Paschal Mystery.” Amy Champion, 25, from Peoria, Ill. TEC gained a deeper appreciation of this mystery at the 2007 TEC Congress. “Last year’s event was a wonderful experience for our TEC community. It allowed us to share with others how we were diving deeper into the Paschal Mystery. TEC has been a huge part of my faith journey. I have met so many incredible people who have taught me what living the Paschal Mystery means. In August 2007, after years of discerning, I began RCIA classes to join the Church. This journey has been filled with so many amazing grac-es and blessings,” Amy explained.
Nic Hawley, 25, of Full Circle TEC, Kalamazoo, Mich., also gained insights about his faith by attending the Congress. “I enjoyed learning about Mary’s role as a disciple from the speakers. It was really amazing. The Congress was very eye-opening and helped me see the bigger picture of TEC. I am definitely looking for-ward to the Congress in Wichita. I’m going to World Youth Day in Australia right before and will get back just in time,” he said. Sr. Mary Judith Kovach DCJ, who traveled to last year’s event with Nic and Region 6 Coordinator Kathy Casey, agrees. “TEC, like the Body of Christ, is a living organism. For me, representing Next Generation TEC at the Congress was a real bonding of each individual TEC community with the head. Just as St. Paul states in Ephesians 4:16 and Colossians 2:19, we are held together like supporting ligaments for the purpose of building and growing together in love. I enjoyed every second of the Congress and I really hope to go again this year,” said Sr. Mary Judith, a
Will you join us at the 2008 Congress?
2006
2007
member of the Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus in Grand Rapids, Mich. Sr. Eileen Mohs OSB of Agassiz Valley TEC, Crookston, Minn., also appreciated reaching out to other communities at the Congress. “It was good for all of us to hear what is happening in the different TEC centers around the country. We know that we struggle with things locally, so it is good to know that we are not alone in our struggles,” said Sr. Eileen, a member of the Sisters of St. Benedict in Crookston. The Congress is an essential opportunity for the TEC Family to grow together - in both joys and trials. As Archbishop Schwietz wrote, “The theme for the TEC Congress, ‘A Prayer of Wheat’ is taken from the words of Jesus in Matthew 16:24: ‘Whoever wishes to come after me, must deny himself.’ This theme … is so central to the charism of TEC: … living out the Paschal Mys-tery. The process upon which we embark in following Jesus is not simply to embrace suffering—it is meant to lead us along the path of growth in love.”
~ By Mary Lovee Varni Spirit of St. Louis, Mo. TEC
TEC Communicator 7
TEC Family News TEC Family News TEC Family News TEC Family News &EventsEventsEventsEvents
Dear TEC Family,
G reetings from the Midwest! With spring’s warm weather approaching, another Lenten season has come and gone and the celebration of Holy Week and Easter has given us a sense of renewal and hope. As we
know, nothing is impossible with God. The challenges that lie before us at times seem insurmountable, but we know that as in the invitation to Mary at the Annunciation, we can face what we can’t imagine. Almighty God is on our side! As the Angel Gabriel spoke to Mary in Luke 1:29-30, “Do not be afraid.” Don’t let fear make you give up hope. Instead, remember the One who created you, the One who loves you is right by your side. Our TEC Family will be gathering Aug. 1-3 at the Spiritual Life Center in Wichita, Kan. During the next four months, we are all invited to prepare ourselves through prayer, Eucharist and almsgiving to receive what gifts the Lord has planned for us individually and as a family of faith. Then, like Mary, we can humbly place ourselves at His disposal. In prayer, as we give God room to be God, our all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving Father, you’ll begin to see great things happening in us and around us. St. Leo the Great once wrote, “God humbled himself, power became weak, and eternity became mortal.” A man, Jesus, died because He is a man, but was free of death because He is God. If God could manage all of that, He can handle the everyday challenges in our lives. Remember Matthew 6:8: “Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” So our prayer could be: “Father, you know me, I want to know you better, because nothing is impossible for you. Help me today to believe in you and your desire and ability to do good in all situations I believe to be impossible.” I look forward to seeing everyone at the 2008 Congress. The gift of your presence and that of your TEC community will be a blessing to our entire TEC Family.
SEE YOU IN WICHITA!
In Christ,
TEC Conference Executive Director
P.S.: Please keep the TEC Conference in prayer as we seek a full-time development director. Check out the ad on pg. 7. We also asked each ministry team chair to write a short summary about how their group is serving the TEC Movement. If you would like to join one of these teams, please contact the office at (636) 933-9233 or [email protected].
Nothing is Impossible with God Nothing is Impossible with God Nothing is Impossible with God Nothing is Impossible with God
TEC Conference LeadershipTEC Conference LeadershipTEC Conference LeadershipTEC Conference Leadership
TEC Movement Founders:
Fr. Matthew Fedewa, Minnesota + Dorothy Gereke, Florida
Episcopal Moderator:
Archbishop Roger L. Schwietz OMI, Alaska + Bishops Committee
Archbishop Alexander Brunnett (Seattle, Wash.) Archbishop Raymond L. Burke (St. Louis, Mo.)
Archbishop Elden F. Curtiss (Omaha, Neb.) Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory (Atlanta, Ga.)
Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl (Washington, D.C.) Bishop Paul S. Coakley (Salina, Kan.)
Bishop Emeritus Victor Balke (Crookston, Minn.)
* Leadership Team (not listed below): Janice Kilgore, Minnesota
Brian Mathiowetz, Minnesota $ Steven Polley, Kansas (chair)
Region Coordinators:
Kathy Doup, Kentucky, Region 5 ~ Kathy Casey, Michigan, Region 6 ~
Penny Wolf, Illinois, Region 7 Deacon Dick Venezia, Florida, Region 14 #
State Representatives: Billy O’Regan, Louisiana * Melissa Karrar, Michigan ~
Mary Kay Marzano, Wisconsin Jim Colby, Minnesota # David Walker, Kansas
Bonnie Haghirian, Missouri Dale Kreher, Nebraska $ Theresa Lutes, Alaska
Dorothy Gereke, Florida
(The following names are those not already listed) # Communications Ministry Team
Lisa Cusumano, Missouri Mary Lovee Varni, Missouri
~ Development Ministry Team Tom Lilly, Indiana (advisor)
Geri Moore, Illinois Mary O’Brien, Iowa
$ Finance Ministry Team Gary Przygoda, Missouri
+ Spirituality Ministry Team Fr. James Brown OAR, California Sr. Joy Connealy ND, Nebraska
Bishop Blase Cupich STD, South Dakota Janet Drey, Iowa
Dennis Kurtz, Minnesota Sr. Jacque Schroeder OSF, Illinois
TEC Conference Staff:
Ronald Reiter, Executive Director * ~ $ Bridget Mathis, Administrative Assistant
(Communicator Editor)
TEC Communicator 2
Image by Del Parson
IMMEDIATE OPENING: TEC CONFERENCE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
T he TEC Conference office (Teens Encounter Christ and related movements) is seeking a full-time development director with a minimum of three years
experience in development efforts with non-profit organizations. The ideal candidate should be a mature person comfortable working in a team-based environment and collaborating with a wide variety of adult leaders and volunteers. The candidate must also demonstrate the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. In addition, the individual should have a proven and reliable work record and possess strong organizational skills. Furthermore, he or she must live from a deep appreciation of the Catholic faith in his or her life as it relates to young people. Candidates with previous experience in the TEC Movement and youth ministry are preferred.
Preferred Skills and Abilities:
• Experience in public relations, communication, networking, volunteer management, organizational leadership, project management, strong verbal and written communication skills, publications development and database management.
• A proven record of and willingness to learn strategies for securing major financial gifts for the TEC Conference.
Position Requirements:
• Develop an organizational stewardship approach with our TEC Family.
• Coordinate an annual fundraising plan including; a major giving campaign, annual appeal and direct mail campaigns.
• Develop relationships toward major gifts and planned giving approach, corporate sponsorship solicitation and grant writing.
Send letter of application, resume, three personal and three
business references by April 21, 2008 to:
TEC Conference Search Process 114 S. 2nd St.
Festus, Mo. 63028 Phone: (636) 933-9233
Fax: (636) 933-9531 Email: [email protected] Web site: www.TECconference.org
New TEC Spiritual Directors and Congress DVD Series New TEC Spiritual Directors and Congress DVD Series New TEC Spiritual Directors and Congress DVD Series New TEC Spiritual Directors and Congress DVD Series
The two new TEC Conference DVD series are nearing completion! To pre-order, download the form at www.TECConference.org, or contact (636) 933-9233 or [email protected].
2007 Spiritual Directors Workshop Series 1. Role of the TEC Spiritual Director 2. Paschal Mystery Spirituality 3. Spiritual Processes of TEC 4. TEC & Youth/Young Adult Ministry
(Series prices is $200 [or $100 if your center was represented]; segments can
also be purchased individually)
2007 TEC Congress: “Mary: Our Guide to Perfect Discipleship”
1. Retreat (based on Mary’s example of prayer and discipleship) 2. Building an Adult Faith Community/ Community of Disciples 3. TEC: Creating Partnerships in the Church (Series price is $65, or $25 for each segment)
TEC Conference Office Items NeededTEC Conference Office Items NeededTEC Conference Office Items NeededTEC Conference Office Items Needed
May 2-4, 2008 Spaulding
Renewal Center Diocese of Peoria, Ill.
Contact: Penny Wolf at
(217) 489-2311 [email protected]
Aug. 15-17, 2008 Location TBD
Diocese of Owensboro, Ky.
Contact: TEC Conference (636) 933-9233
[email protected] www.TECConference.org/Cff.htm
We invite you to prayerfully consider donating one of the following items. Since 90 percent of the Con-ference’s annual budget consists of financial gifts from our supporters, we do our very best to keep our daily expenses down as much as possible. Before we budget to purchase any of the following items, we first wanted to ask the TEC Family for help.
• LCD Projector (for presentations at train-ing workshops and the annual Congress)
• Desktop and Laptop Computer (new or gently used for potential new staff)
• Desktop Color Printer (to cut down on outside printing costs)
For more details contact us at (636) 933-9233 or
Upcoming WorkshopsUpcoming WorkshopsUpcoming WorkshopsUpcoming Workshops
T EC first arrived in New Orleans in 1966, within a year of its founding in Battle Creek, Mich. A priest traveled to Battle Creek to experience a TEC retreat, and soon
afterwards, the first weekend was held in Louisiana. After a period of growth and more than 100 weekends, the movement became dormant in the 1970s. In 1982, the movement was re-founded and became an integral part of youth ministry in the New Orleans Archdiocese. For over 25 years, New Orleans TEC has offered about four retreats each year with TEC #102 scheduled for the end of June. TECites come from and return to all parts of southeast Louisiana for TEC retreats, planting seeds of renewal in multiple dioceses. In 1999, New Orleans became one of the first communities to host a Renewing the Vision (RTV) of TEC workshop, developed and presented by the TEC Conference. This weekend workshop inspired our community to revise the con-tent of our retreat experience to ensure fidelity to the original vision for TEC. It also opened a one-year process of study and prayer which helped us center our weekend on the Paschal Mystery and the encounter with Jesus. This process also brought our community into dialogue with TEC centers in other dioceses.
After years under the direction of a series of married couples, a core group was established in 1994. This group of eight to 16 leaders guided the movement and cared for the quality of each retreat weekend. In April 2007, New Orleans hosted a Com-munities of Faith and Follow-Through (CF&F) workshop and entered into a year-long process of developing a new leader-ship structure. We have just selected our new core team, which is comprised of four smaller ministry teams and a central leadership council. We enter into this process with open minds and hearts, hopeful that Christ will continue to call forth leaders from among us. A description of our new leadership vision is on the New Orleans Web site: www.tecneworleans.com.
In 2005, our TEC community and city were ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. We cancelled our November weekend and began the slow process of replacing most of our retreat sup-plies. We also faced extreme challenges because our commu-nity had become scattered all over the Untied States. A key to our recovery as a community has been the Paschal Circle gatherings, which are (at this time) purely social gatherings at a different person’s home on the first Friday of each month. These gatherings are so precious because they permit us to see each other and stay in relationship. Now, after a year and a half, 40 to 60 people are to be found at each monthly gathering. These efforts were encouraged and affirmed at the CF&F. On Oct. 13, 2007, New Orleans TEC gathered at Notre Dame Seminary to celebrate Eucharist and enjoy a meal in commemoration of our 25-year history, as well as TEC #100. The event was preceded by a great deal of work by the core group to locate disconnected community members, raise funds, locate archives and create a memorable celebration. Over 2,000 pictures were scanned in for a wonderful slide show and hard
bound book showcasing our history. Over 350 people attended the celebration from all generations—including our faithful Archbishop Alfred Hughes.
~ By Billy O’Regan TEC Louisiana State
Representative
3 TEC Communicator 6 TEC Communicator
Bridget Mathis Joins TEC Conference StaffBridget Mathis Joins TEC Conference StaffBridget Mathis Joins TEC Conference StaffBridget Mathis Joins TEC Conference Staff New administrative assistant brings many skills to position
H er positive attitude is one of the first things the TEC Conference staff noticed about Bridget
Mathis, the new administrative assistant. From designing newsletters to answering the phone, she performs all of her new duties with a smile. Bridget, from Festus, Mo., graduated from Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield in 1993 with a degree in information systems. She comes with a strong background in Web site building
and graphic design. Bridget has been happily married to her husband Kevin for 12 years, and they have four children: 11-year-old twins Brian and David, Katherine, 8, and Kimberly, 6. They are parishioners of Our Lady’s Parish, where their children attend school. “Faith is a very important part of my life and that of my family, which is why our kids attend Catholic school,” Bridget explained. “At Our Lady’s, religion is not just a subject, but a part of every class
they attend throughout the course of the day.” In addition to raising a growing family, she was a weekly volunteer in the school cafeteria. “Besides being able to see my kids more each day, it was also a great way to help out their school,” Bridget added. Parish life is also important to Bridget. She recently helped mark a milestone in Our Lady’s history by heading up the efforts to compile a 50th anniversary cookbook. It was around that time when she noticed TEC’s advertisement for a new administrative assistant in the parish bulletin. “I had worked with Ron (Conference executive director) once before when he served as our youth minister, so I decided to apply,” Brid-get said. “The one thing that has struck me since I’ve been here is how giving TEC members are of their time and talent. I’m also impressed with how genuinely nice and welcoming everyone is.” While she has never made a TEC retreat, her husband Kevin did as a high school student. Bridget looks forward to attending a local Spirit of St. Louis, Mo. TEC weekend later this year.
~ By Mary Lovee Varni Spirit of St. Louis, Mo. TEC
TEC Community Spotlight: New Orleans, La. TEC TEC Community Spotlight: New Orleans, La. TEC TEC Community Spotlight: New Orleans, La. TEC TEC Community Spotlight: New Orleans, La. TEC Bringing the light of Christ to Louisiana Catholic youth and young adults since 1966
“TEC first arrived in New Orleans in 1966. within a year “TEC first arrived in New Orleans in 1966. within a year “TEC first arrived in New Orleans in 1966. within a year “TEC first arrived in New Orleans in 1966. within a year of its founding in Battle Creek, Mich. A priest traveled of its founding in Battle Creek, Mich. A priest traveled of its founding in Battle Creek, Mich. A priest traveled of its founding in Battle Creek, Mich. A priest traveled [there] to experience a TEC retreat. Soon afterwards the [there] to experience a TEC retreat. Soon afterwards the [there] to experience a TEC retreat. Soon afterwards the [there] to experience a TEC retreat. Soon afterwards the
first TEC weekend was held in Louisiana. On Oct. 13, 2007, first TEC weekend was held in Louisiana. On Oct. 13, 2007, first TEC weekend was held in Louisiana. On Oct. 13, 2007, first TEC weekend was held in Louisiana. On Oct. 13, 2007, New Orleans TEC gathered to celebrate TEC #100. New Orleans TEC gathered to celebrate TEC #100. New Orleans TEC gathered to celebrate TEC #100. New Orleans TEC gathered to celebrate TEC #100. Over 350 people attended including our faithful Over 350 people attended including our faithful Over 350 people attended including our faithful Over 350 people attended including our faithful
Archbishop Alfred Hughes.” Archbishop Alfred Hughes.” Archbishop Alfred Hughes.” Archbishop Alfred Hughes.”
ABOVE: New Orleans TEC #1 BELOW: New Orleans TEC #101
(Photo source for both pictures: Billy O’Regan)
Are YOU Ready for the 2008 TEC Congress? Are YOU Ready for the 2008 TEC Congress? Are YOU Ready for the 2008 TEC Congress? Are YOU Ready for the 2008 TEC Congress?
Dear Brothers & Sisters,
L ast year, TEC Congress Co-Chair David Walker wrote: “The Diocese of Wichita TEC Community invites you to
join us as we host the 2008 TEC Congress. At the 2007 event, we realized that Mary is our guide to perfect discipleship. In 2008, we will continue our quest by reflecting upon the words of Jesus, "Whoever wishes to come after Me, must deny himself," and that is accomplished through prayer and sacrifice. Accordingly, our attempts to help others encounter Jesus Christ through TEC must begin by denying ourselves and putting Christ and others first, otherwise known as wheat. When we gather near the wheat fields of Kansas, the theme will be "A Prayer of Wheat." To further reveal the connectedness of the Holy Spirit between the 2007 and 2008 events, there is a chapel at the 2008 Congress venue, the Spiritual Life Center, appropriately titled, "Mary: the First Disciple." In just four months, we will all have the opportunity to come together again as a TEC Family for our third Congress…will we be ready? What? Why wouldn’t we be ready? What preparation is needed? The Wichita TEC Community is the one preparing right? Yes! And, they have invited us to join them in the preparation so
that it can truly be a family affair. Through our prayer and sacrifice—wheat—we can be better prepared to receive the grace that the Lord desires to offer us. Having just completed our Lenten preparation for Easter, we may not be of a mind to go for it again so soon. So, let’s think about it for a moment. St. Ambrose, great Father of the Church and teacher of St. Augustine, once wrote: “We have died with Christ. We carry about in our bodies the sign of His death, so that the living Christ may also be revealed in us. The life we live is not now our ordinary life but the life of Christ: a life of sinlessness, of chastity, of simplicity and every other virtue. We have risen with Christ.” And, what is “the sign of His death?” We know, of course it’s the cross: the daily dying to self revealing the love of Jesus—a love that our world and each person we meet so desperately needs every day. It is not an “ordinary life”—for every day in every situation, we are called to BE CHRIST in the world—to allow Him to live in us and through us by our lives of “sinlessness, chastity and simplicity and every other
virtue” that our Risen Lord can become known and loved by all. Impossible to live sinless lives you say?Well, of course it is if you think you have to do it by yourself! But, is anything impossi-ble for God? Be creative and enjoy this spring and summer’s pursuit of the holiness of God. Try to outdo one another in generosity of heart, mind and spirit. HAVE FUN DOING IT! See you all in Wichita!
Blessings and peace!
Sr. Jacque Schroeder OSF Peoria, Ill. Diocesan Spiritual Director
To have your TEC community featured in this regular column, please contact (636) 933-9233 or
Highlights of the 2008 TEC CongressHighlights of the 2008 TEC CongressHighlights of the 2008 TEC CongressHighlights of the 2008 TEC Congress
• Official welcome and Congress Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael Jackels, head of the Wichita, Kan. Diocese
• Witness speakers: • Dorothy Gereke, TEC Movement Co-Founder • Fr. John Lanzrath,
director of the Spiritual Life Center
• Fellowship with TEC members from communities throughout the U.S. and abroad • Daily prayer with the TEC Family • Agape dinner, awards ceremony and auction
T he Diocese of Wichita TEC Community is excited to host TEC members from across the country for the third annual TEC Congress: “A Prayer of Wheat.”
We’re anxious for you to sample that good ‘ole Kansas hospitality. Our TEC Congress Planning Ministry Team is moving right along. We have several sub-committees that are hard at work on all sorts of details including food, banners, decorations, prayers and most notably, people. Everyone on our team is busy contacting members of our community and asking them to assist with the Congress. Their service might take the shape of actual participation at the event, helping with the planning or most importantly, by offering the sacrifice of wheat. The Congress schedule has been finalized and includes dynamic TEC speakers, plenty of time for asking questions and sharing ideas with TECites from all over. The Spiritual Life Center is ready to renew the spirit of all those attending. All we need now is you.
Bishop Michael O. Jackels is the 10th bishop of the Wichita Diocese, which spans the entire southeast quarter of Kansas. We are a diocese deeply-rooted in stewardship and enjoy the blessings that flow from this stewardship way of life, i.e., our 41 current seminarians. The city of Wichita is home to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception that celebrates its 96th anniversary in 2008. The diocese is also home to the Spiritual Life Center, where the TEC Congress will be held. This beautiful facility was built in 1990 as part of the 140-acre Catholic Life Center complex. It was a vision of Bishop Emeritus Eugene J. Gerber to enhance the spirituality of the faithful throughout the diocese. The focal points of the Spiritual Life Center are the two chapels, “Mary: the First Disciple” and “The Blessed Sacrament Chapel,” which contains the cap-stone, a 300-million-year-old sandstone boulder taken from the geographical center of our diocese.
While you’re in Wichita for the 2008 Congress, we hope you take the time to explore our wonderful city. It’s home to Sedgwick County Zoo, with 2,500 animals and 500 species. Wichita’s museums are also world-class. Encounter hands-on exhibits at Exploration Place, the city’s premier science center,
or uncover the history of the world at the Museum of World Treasures. Take a stroll through the fragrant gardens of Bo-tanica, the Wichita Gardens. Delve into the Air Capital’s rich history at the Kansas Aviation Museum. Explore the wonderful heritage of the Kansas African American Museum and the Mid-American All-Indian Center. Baseball fans won’t want to miss the 74th Annual National Baseball Congress World Series, Aug. 1-15. In 15 days, you can watch 44 semi-pro teams from across the country play 87 games, including two nights of “Round the Clock” baseball.
~ By David Walker
Diocesan Program Coordinator, Wichita, Kan.
5 4 TEC Communicator TEC Communicator
Serving the TEC Family...Serving the TEC Family...Serving the TEC Family...Serving the TEC Family... Ministry teams offer spiritual, leadership, financial, development & communication support
Welcome to Wichita!Welcome to Wichita!Welcome to Wichita!Welcome to Wichita! Congress Planning Ministry Team prepares to welcome TEC Family at 2008 Congress
T he role and responsibility of the Leadership Ministry Team is to provide direct support to the executive director, TEC Conference staff and other ministry teams. Through monthly
conference calls, the team and executive director collaborate together in planning, directing and guiding the projects and events of the Conference. One of the biggest roles of the Leadership Team is to be the keepers of the flame and carriers of the vision of TEC. Every few years, members help plan a visioning and strategic planning session to discern God’s will for both the future of the TEC Movement and the Conference. This team and the entire TEC Leadership Council are called to be a reflective, discerning body for the Movement. For 43 years, the Holy Spirit has led the TEC Conference—though prayer and guidance—to be the guiding entity for the Movement.
~ Leadership Ministry Team Chair Steven Polley, Dodge City, Kan.
A t the heart of TEC is the Paschal Mystery of Jesus and the Spirituality Ministry Team keeps the Movement focused on this central truth of our faith. This group discerns and provides
ongoing formation opportunities. Through spiritual guidance, workshops and resources, the TEC Movement is offered a spirituality that touches young people and provides an environment of learning and ongoing faith formation for all who experience TEC. Currently, the Spirituality Ministry Team is adding new members and planning a meeting of the new team in the late spring. The focus of the gathering will be planning for future workshops, discerning what is needed by the Movement on all levels and creating necessary resources to keep the char-ism of TEC alive. Where is God leading us? What spiritual supports are needed to provide the best faith experience for our young people? What is our role as spiritual mentors? These are ques-tions that all of us need to address as we walk with the youth who come to TEC.
~ Spirituality Ministry Team Member Sr. Joy Connealy ND, Omaha, Neb.
T he current focus of the Communications Ministry Team is to respond to the needs expressed by local TEC communities. The team is creating or updating brochures and other
communication materials that can be used in reaching out to different target audiences: prospective participants, bishops, pastors and other clergy, religious, vocation directors, teachers, high schools and colleges, campus and young adult ministers, parents, families and others. Our end plan is to provide downloadable communication resources from the TEC Web site that can be adapted for local use. Most of these resources will have a space to insert the contact information of local TEC communities. Four new brochures will soon be available. We also help the Conference staff review and generate the Communicator and Stay Connected newsletters as well as compose other documents.
~ Communications Ministry Team Chair Deacon Dick Venezia, Islamorada, Fla.
T he Development Ministry Team is composed of development professionals, business people and individuals involved in various ministries. As volunteers, they share a passion
and commitment to sustain and grow the availability of TEC in the United States and throughout the world. Some are affiliated with TEC communities throughout the country, while others are members-at-large. The team meets monthly through phone conferences to plan, review and adjust the goals of TEC Conference development and recommends actions to the executive director and TEC Leadership Council. The group supports the executive director, when needed, with connections to potential supporters of TEC Conference. Between calls, the development ministry team provides suggestions and support to the staff in the area of development. In the past year, the development team has established and carried out goals, which include strength-ening relations within and beyond the international TEC family. Among the recent accom-plishments are: establishment of the TEC Conference Bishops Committee; awareness advertising in national publications; and the approval to hire a full-time development director this year.
~ Development Ministry Team Chair Geri Moore, Greenville, Ill.
T he Finance Ministry Team meets via a conference call at the beginning of each quarter. Dur-ing our conference calls, we review the previous quarter’s financial statement, comparing
the actual spending to what was budgeted. We also talk about any extraordinary expenses that have come up and how we’ll pay for those items. We’re very interested in the plans of the Devel-opment Ministry Team and how we can help fund any of the activities that they are planning.”
~ Finance Ministry Team Chair Dale Kreher, Bellevue, Neb.
THE WICHITA DIOCESE: WHERE STEWARDSHIP IS A WAY OF LIFE
ALL ABOUT WICHITA: THE SIGHTS & SOUNDS OF SOUTHEAST KANSAS
WELCOMING THE TEC FAMILY: The Congress Planning Ministry Team are looking forward to hosting the 2008 Congress:
“A Prayer of Wheat” at the Spiritual Life Center in Wichita.
