Connections

In February 2004 the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Subcommittee on Youth and Young Adults hosted a forum of leaders in youth and young adult ministry. This national forum launched the opportunity for a conversation that led to a meeting which quickly led to a weekend retreat that took place in July. Janet Drey, the director of the National TEC Conference, and Mark Moitoza, the director of youth ministry for the AMS, initially spoke about the spiritual needs of young adults in the military. Janet has worked with many military leaders (active duty, retired, government service employees, and civilians) who have shared their gifts to encourage the experience of TEC at various military communities.

Teen's Encounter Christ (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. In the military TEC has stood for both Teens Encounter Christ and Troops Encounter Christ. Adult mentors have prayerfully discerned positive ways to encourage youth and young adults in the military to more deeply experience the presence of Christ within their own lives and within the life of the Catholic Church.

The weekend gathering welcomed leaders who had extensive experience with TEC on military installations over the past 30 years. Twenty people were invited and participated in this first TEC Military Committee Gathering at the Washington Retreat House July 9-11, 2004. These participants attended at their own expense to share their gifts, prayers, and vision. They were invited by Janet Drey, Mark Moitoza, Bill and Mary Pokorny, and Greg Hiebert to participate in a new discussion.

Throughout the weekend the committee spent much time reflecting upon the many ways that TEC encourages presence in the individual spiritual life and within the community of the Catholic Church. This process allowed participants to consider the possibilities of evangelization and catechesis more profoundly. Dorothy Gereke, who was present at the very first TEC retreat in 1965, said “This military committee gathering is a historic step for the National TEC Conference. The people in the military who have been involved with TEC are dedicated to prayerfully build up the Catholic faith.” Dorothy, who is 80 years young, traveled from Florida to participate in the weekend.

CH (LTC) Joseph Hannon who has been involved with TEC at Ft Drum, New York; Heidelberg, Germany; Ft. Sill, Oklahoma; and Ft. Stewart, Georgia, said “I think TEC holds great promise for young adult ministry in the military. It is very attractive to young soldiers when they hear about it through their motor pools and through their chaplains.” There was much discussion about the positive benefits that the TEC movement has already shared throughout the military.

At the same time awareness for developing a more responsive group to meet the specific needs of TEC leaders in the military arose. To that end an executive committee was formed. Their first order of business will be to invite active duty representatives from each branch of the Armed Forces. Together they will examine ways that they can pursue a new vision. That new vision is to meet soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, and their families where they are in their faith journey; to build and sustain community; and to both challenge one another and grow in Christ.

The AMS director of youth ministry addressed this group highlighting the development of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Mark spoke about Archbishop O’Brien’s initiative to launch a pilot program for peer-to-peer ministry in the near future. This launch continues to build on the archbishop’s vision to reach out to young adults throughout the military. A healthy exchange of ideas helped to encourage this vision and collaborate with the ministry of TEC.

We look forward to a renewed relationship with the National TEC Conference Military Committee. The executive members and the committee members have many gifts to offer. The AMS Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry is grateful for this resource of committed adults willing to serve and share ministry where they are invited. These combined efforts help to reach young adults at different levels in their journey of faith. This realization along with new training from the National TEC office opens the opportunity for faith development and renewal across the armed forces.