TEC - Teens Encounter Christ
Focus of TEC
Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) is a youth encounter sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peoria. Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, and Christ lives in us and sends us forth with GOOD NEWS of God's Love for us. The weekend includes meditations on Faith, Prayer, Reconciliation, Eucharist, Discipleship and Love. There is time for reflection on se
rious questions of life. This encounter offers participants the opportunity of forming Christian Community. On TEC, the message of Christ reaches not only the intellect but also the heart. TEC is conducted by a team of approximately 25 people, including married and single men and women, high school and college students, priests, deacons, Sisters and Brothers. The team has met several times to plan the weekend and to form the bonds of Church Community. They have developed a spirit which invites each young person on TEC to live, think, listen, and pray together. Friendships are born, new avenues of charity are explored, a new consciousness of other persons is developed, and deeper appreciation of Christ's Love is realized. The TEC experience is a community dynamic encounter. The participants work together in small groups to discover themselves, to reflect on their relationship to one another, to Christ and their Church. The meditations are progressive to help them experience the Paschal Mystery of Christ. Just as Christ died so that He could rise to New Life, on Saturday and Sunday the young people go through the sometimes painful process of discovering themselves and the changes in their lives which can help them to grow in their relationship with Christ. As they see the possibilities of Christ, Church and Religious Identity more clearly in their lives, they begin to feel better - to rise with Christ. On Monday, they are sent forth, strengthened by the Holy Spirit. Background of TEC
TEC is the common name for Teens Encounter Christ. It originated in Lansing, Michigan in 1965. The program soon spread to many dioceses in the U.S., and came to Peoria in 1973. Since then, over 700 TEC's later, the program has expanded to six regional centers; Peoria, Quad Cities, Peterstown, Bloomington, West Central and Champaign. TEC is guided by the diocesan director, a diocesan board, and the six regional boards. The weekends are conducted by teams of lay adults, teenagers, priests, and religious leaders. Who Is TEC For? TEC is intended for young people age 16 through 20. It is ecumenical in that young people from all Christian faith backgrounds are welcome. It is best experienced when the young person is ready to begin looking at the direction they want their lives to take. Each weekend begins Saturday morning and goes until Monday evening. The cost for the weekend is currently $100.00, although inability to pay for the weekend should not be a reason for not attending (scholarships are available if needed). What TEC Is Not! It is not a weekend of one sermon after another. It is not just for Catholics. It is not a substitute for a teen's local parish or church. It is not an exclusive religious group. It is not a "retreat" in the traditional use of the word.
