November 2017 Volume 2, Issue 3 TEC Communications TECites Get the Paschal Mystery This time of year, I appreciate the fact that during my travels I get to see the beauty of the fall, the changing of the leaves, and the abundant harvests from the fields. The fact is, however, the beauty comes from the dying process. Just as TEC is centered around John 12:24, this time of year nature affirms and centers itself around the dying process and the beauty that can be found in embracing the transformation. On October 30, the dying process shocked our TEC program as Tony Scott suddenly and unexpectantly passed away. Tony had been involved with TEC as well as his wife, Patty who is on our TEC Council and his son Alex who has been very involved with TEC on teams and Fourth Day Fellowship. Although his death hit almost everyone in a very close and personal way, if you took the time to look there was also a beauty that made me very proud to be a part of TEC. Not only did the adults come and comfort Patty and Alex, but I was so impressed with the amount of young men and women who came to support Alex and just spend some time sitting with him in his grief and despair. I mentioned to these young men and women just how proud I was of them. As spiritual director you try to guide them in the ways of Christ and the beauty of the life of a disciple. Seeing their support, their tears, their comfort and their friendship for each other and especially for Alex, made me realize they are usually the ones that teach me. I looked at their level of dedication to their friend and it made me realize they get it. They truly get it! They were living out their faith by being there for their friend. Their attendance for Alex made him know just how much they cared. Out of such darkness, came a beautiful light in the form of these young men and women who decided to put their lives on hold for a moment, so they could suffer with their friend. To me, it was more beautiful than any fall landscape with it s bright and beautiful colors and it gave me such great hope to see such great faith in these young men and women. Inside this issue Pray for Scott Family... 2 Real Wheat... 2 Ward Family Fire... 3 Meet TECite... 3 Important Dates... 3 Advent... 4 New TECites... 4 Prayer Request... 5
Prepare for Advent: Pray for Scott Family We continue to pray and support the Scott family during this great time of loss, but we will also recognize that Tony would have noticed these beautiful gestures. So, as we prepare for Advent and the coming of our Lord, let us also pray for Tony and his family. Rest in Peace our friend. Deacon Aaron Hoste, Spiritual Director Experiencing Real Wheat Have you ever had an experienced where God provided you an opportunity to do some wheat out of the blue? You weren t planning on it but an opportunity was provided and the Holy Spirit urged you to partake? A few weeks ago, I attended the Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant Christmas Concert in Omaha, Nebraska with my best friend, Angie. It was a beautiful time celebrating friendship and the start of the holiday season. We were looking for a church near our hotel to attend Mass. We came across Holy Family Catholic Church, which was only a few blocks away. As we pulled up in front of the church, we both wondered if it was really a Catholic Church. It looked like a boarded up old protestant church building. There was nothing on the outside that led us to believe we were at a Catholic Church except the sign that read the name of the church. As we approached the door, we became even more nervous as there was a sign that said, Do not entered until after Nov. 11 due to extermination fumes. Well, we were past that date and so against every skeptical bone in my body, I opened the door. It looked sketchy. We saw a man asked where to go. He said, Up these stairs. We walked up the stairs, trying to block out the unappealing smell. We entered the body of the church where there were only about 20 pews. I looked around to find a clue that this was in fact a Catholic Church. I was looking for the tabernacle. I did not see one. I looked at Angie and she had that look that said, I think we are in the wrong place. Just then a man walked up to us and introduced himself to us. He was quite chatty. He explained that it was a very small parish only 45 registered members and they did not have an assigned pastor but the priests from Creighton University (Jesuit priests) took turns in offering the sacraments. Immediately, my skeptical fears began to disappear. Following Mass, we were invited to help the parishioners, some of whom are homeless, to make 300 sandwiches that would be served the next day to the homeless. A crew of volunteers are the labor and force behind Holy Family s Sack Lunch Program. Five days a week the crew gathers in the social hall to assemble sandwiches and pack lunches for those in need. So as I sat there helping make these 300 sandwiches, I thanked God that No. 1, I have a roof over my head; No. 2, I have easy access to food when I m hungry; and No. 3, I prayed for all those potential candidates of TEC 321. Those gathered are the epitome of what wheat looks like on a daily basis. Let s take a page out of the book of our friends in Omaha and remember to really do wheat for each other. God bless! Kimberly Souba 2
Wards Lose Everything in House Fire Bob and Lori Ward, members of the TEC Community, lost their home of more than 30 years to a house fire on Tuesday, Nov. 21. We are thankful that Lori, who was the only one home at the time, was able to get out safely and unharmed. How the fire began is unknown and still under investigation, according to news reports. A GoFundMe account has been set up to help the Wards replace their belongs and start over. If you would like to make a donation, please go to https://www.gofundme.com/4qpbkao or make a donation at Central Bank in Geneseo. Please keep Bob, Lori, and their entire family in your thoughts and prayers. Meet TECite: Kyle Milefchik Many people find it difficult to find the words to describe what TEC means to them or what it was they experienced on a TEC weekend. It s tough to describe to someone, said Kyle Milefchik, a student at Blackhawk College, who recently encountered Christ on TEC 319 in August. TEC opened my eyes to whole new relationships with people that were centered around Christ. The best part of the weekend is the feeling that you aren t ONLY building your relationship with God, you re also building it with others as well. God is so present in the weekend, and you truly feel it. The way the weekend is set up is perfect. You can t go in anticipating anything, but only hoping it s worth the time and effort, and at the need, you feel like it s 100x better than what you could ever hope for. The humbling, exciting, challenging, and genuine nature of the weekend is what made it particularly special for me, Kyle said. When asked what he would say to someone considering a TEC weekend, he said, TEC is such a beautiful and inspiring thing that will undoubtedly strengthen your relationship with God. It will open your eyes, give you a new respect, and bless you with new relationships with fellow God-loving people It s incredibly amazing. I recommend it to anyone with no relationship to a great relationship with God. Important Dates Dec. 2-4, TEC 321 (Boys) Dec. 9, SCT Mtg. 8 a.m. Dec. 11, Core Council Mtg. 7 p.m. Dec. 25, Merry Christmas Jan. 1, New Year s Day (Holy Day of Obligation) Jan. 6, SCT Mtg. 8 a.m. Jan. 7, First Team Meeting TEC 322 (Girls) If you have items you would like to have placed in the newsletter or suggestions you would like to see in the newsletter or on the website, please send an email to Kimberly Souba at: northwest.tec-newsletter@gmail.com. 3
Advent Begins Dec. 3 Sunday, December 3, 2017 will not only mark the beginning of Advent but it is also the beginning of the Catholic Church s liturgical year, which is a season that includes four weeks leading up to the celebration of Christmas, the birth of Christ. According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website, the Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ s second coming at the end of time and also to the anniversary of the Lord s birth on Christmas. There are many different Advent devotions that families participate in, including the Advent wreath and an Advent calendar to name a couple. An Advent wreath helps remind us about the meaning of the season and includes three purple candles and a rose colored candle, is lit on the third week of Advent in anticipation of Christmas. The purpose of an Advent calendar helps us enter into the season with daily activities. However, as the tradition as evolved through the centuries, an Advent calendar has become a means of eating chocolate candy. I personally encourage you to create your own Advent calendar as a means to incorporate wheat for the TEC program and all those involved. Perhaps instead of filling it with candy, fill it with an act of wheat for someone else as a suggestion for you to prepare spiritually for the birth of Jesus Christ. Ideas for Advent Calendar Visit someone in a nursing home Make Christmas cards for a shut-in Serve a meal at St. Joseph s Evening Meal Shovel snow for a neighbor Pray for those in need (Esp. in our TEC Family) Serve a meal, pray in the chapel, attend Hoot Mass for TEC 321 Welcome New TECites of TEC 320 Welcome to the TEC Family new TECites: Rachel Antuna, Michelle Bayer, Debi Becht, Mickayla Biagini, Taylor Groom, Tatum McDonnell, Sister M. Bernadette, Mary Mount, Megan Navaro, Cindy Osagie, Lauren Plumley, Courtney Stice, Jessica Stice, Katarina Vanderploeg, Victoria, Verbeck, and Natika Woods 4
Please Keep These Prayer Requests in Mind For the Pope and all leaders within the church that they will continue to be faithful witnesses to all. For our world leaders, especially here in the United States, that they will follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit and lead in the way of Truth. TEC #321 For Bob/Lori Ward who lost their home to a fire For continue recovery of health for Joe Di Ilulio. For Jean Edmonds daughter, Laura. For the family of Tony Scott on his unexpected death For all those who have died or are in the dying process, that they will feel the love of Christ and be open to His graces. Eternal rest grant unto them oh Lord and let perpetual light sign upon them. May their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen. 5