Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) is a specially designed weekend of shared experiences within a community of teens and young adults (age 17/high school junior through age 30). Older adults also participate in the weekend.
TEC is specifically designed for those who are searching for deeper meaning, purpose, and hope in life and who want a true relationship with God and a community of believers. TEC’s primary goal is to enable youth to encounter Christ.
Through TEC, you are able to:
- have time to reflect and to share,
- encounter Jesus Christ, risen and alive today,
- learn more about the Catholic Church.
- meet others and share a faith journey with other teens and young adults,
- and much, much more!
Mission Statement
Believing that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the core message of our Christian faith, we offer to youth and young adults the opportunity to encounter and integrate this Paschal Mystery at a time of passage into young adulthood.
TEC is a recognized movement of the Roman Catholic Church, offering to youth and young adults an experience of the Paschal Mystery of Jesus. Through evangelization and catechesis, this intergenerational movement facilitates spiritual growth of youth and young adults with a community of adult mentors. TEC calls forth one’s goodness for service in the Church and world.
Board Members
You can use the emails provided below if you know who you wish to contact.
| Spiritual Director | Fr. Tim Kalista |
| Chairperson | Nick Naugle |
| Adult Rep 1 | Sara Lanzola |
| Adult Rep 2 | Sam LoFaso |
| Facilitator | Tina Cerha |
| Treasurer | Katherine Komar |
| Secretary | Angie Arumpanayil |
| Registrar | Megan Thomas |
| Young Adult Reps | Desi Gould, Kyle Kiffer |
| Youth Reps | Becca Ciarrone, Ian Kelly, Catherine Popik, Matt Shaniuk |
Staff
| The Pelican | Desi Gould |
| Community Event Organizers | see young adult reps, above |
| VIRTUS Policies | Nick Naugle, Fr. Tim Kalista |
| VIRTUS Records | Sam LoFaso |
| Tech Issues (mailing list, etc.) | Grant Winney |
History of TEC
While North Coast Spirit TEC was born in April of 1988, the first TEC retreats were held in Lansing, Michigan over 40 years ago. Students on college campuses are often pleased and surprised to find friends from TEC communities from around the country. A complete history of the origin of TEC can be found on the TEC Conference website. Here’s another nicely written, in-depth explanation of TEC.
Also, if you’ve got some time and want to see what’s going on with TEC communities all over the country, take a look at this great list of TEC sites assembled by the TEC Conference.
