July 30, 2010
The Story of TEC
A family of God
Laura and Heid Litwiler pose for a photo. The sisters received the “Spirit of TEC” award for their dedication and service. (Photo courtesy Zoe Cannon) Click for a larger version.
By ZOE CANNON (Sacred Heart Church, Vincennes)
Last in a series
The family is the foundation of society. In it generations connect, helping one another to grow wise and to harmonize in both the spiritual and social aspects of life. “For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, sister, and mother.” Matt. 12:50 It is extraordinary to know that Jesus regards those who follow him as family. He wants to establish a relationship with us that is thick as blood. Our own families are not perfect, but Jesus is. This seventh and last article in the TEC series is about the spirit of family. Not just biological, but spiritual families, those brought together by a plan from God. The Teens Encounter Christ Movement generates just that; a family of faithful brought together by love of God with an intergenerational bond. What could be more perfect?
I was packing my car last Friday afternoon, July 23, to begin a four-day weekend with teens and adults from our diocese. Before leaving I stopped at the mailbox, on the front page of the “Message” was a big colored photo of the team for the “Teens Encounter Christ Weekend,” which I was about to attend. My excitement grew because I knew from the request with the picture that many people were going to be praying for the success of this weekend experience. Thank you everyone. Prayers went up and blessings came down. The theme for the weekend was “How Great Thou Art.” TEC # 74 was a hit!
From beginning to end, smiles to tears of joy, games and laughter to prayers and song, it was all about God’s love and some pretty good food too. Intergenerational bonding took on a whole new meaning for me, though I was not the only adult present, I do believe I was the oldest. There were 28 TECites, five adult observers, two young priests, two religious Sisters, a team of over 30 people who organized the weekend, and one amazing bagpiper, named John Smith. St. Mary Church in Ireland, where the weekend was held, was full of the Spirit. To confirm the value of family, the closing Mass for the weekend was on the day we memorialize Saints Joachim and Ann, the parents of Mary. They represent the many quiet generations who faithfully performed their duties, practiced their faith and established an environment for the coming of the Messiah.
Highlighted in this last article in the TEC series are Heidi and Laura Litwiler, members of a family who represent those who perform duties, practice faith and help create an atmosphere which bring young people to a place where they may encounter Christ. During the weekend these ladies were presented with a “Spirit of TEC Award,” which was established in 1990 to honor an individual’s dedication and service to TEC on a local or regional level. Since 1990, over 683 members of the TEC Family have been recognized with this annual award submitted by each local core team. This award is given to persons who live out the Pas-chal Mystery by contributing to TEC, committed to the Church, and generously serving youth. Heidi and Laura are teachers by profession and the epitome of the characteristics for a Spirit of TEC Award.
They made their first TEC together eight years ago in June 2002 with TEC # 44. Since then, they have worked many positions during the weekends: Resource, Wheatie, Co-Music Director, Co-Wheat Director, Sacristan, Assistant and Lay Director and Adult Leader. They serve on the TEC Core Group and plan “follow ups” to keep the youth connected after the weekend experience. Their older sister Mariah and younger brother Roy are also members of the TEC Commun-ity. The Litwiler family uses their love for music to praise God, at TEC, as well as their home parish, Our Lady of Hope in Washington, Ind.
Heidi said, “Throughout my TEC experience, I have seen the light of Christ, and that influences my faith life at home. It has confirmed my belief system, which was first presented to me by my parents and later through my Catholic education at Washington Catholic Schools where I now teach English and Spanish. I feel as though working TEC with my siblings and my mom has only made our bond stronger, while also acting as an example to those around us. Just this past TEC weekend, I had a TECite tell me that be-cause of the example of my sister, brother and me on TEC 74, she was going to go home and start trying to get along better with her own sister. It is things I hear like this that warm my heart and show me that what I am doing is God’s work. And that is why I stay involved. TEC is important, not just for me and my relationship with Christ, but for our Church. Our youth are the future of the Church, and while attending these TECs, I have met some AMAZING young people that give me hope for the future. These will be the people who will lead us into tomorrow, and with movements like TEC around allowing me to experience these beautiful young people, their spirits, and their fire for Christ, I’m simply amazed!”
Laura adds, “TEC helps me to realize my abilities of leadership and my desire to work with young people and teach. I am able to share this love for Christ as a science teacher at Resurrection School in Evansville. As I get ready to begin my third year at Resurrection, I know that it is because of TEC that I truly began to realize how God’s presence is so evident in his creation and all of the beauty of science. I feel so blessed to be able to share my love of science in a Catholic school, where I can share the wonders of nature and its laws so intricately made by God. I feel very blessed to be a member of a wonderful family. Sharing TEC experiences with my mom, older sisters, and younger bro-ther is great. Honestly, I have only worked on two TEC weekends without my family. It has been so special to be able to share such an important part of my faith with them!”
And speaking of family, there were three fathers, one mom and two other sisters on the weekend. Diane Verkamp surprised her son Jeff and registered as an adult observer to be with him for his birthday. Watching a mom spend a Christ centered weekend with her son on his 21st birthday speaks volumes about their family. Brian Gehlhausen and his daughter Bridget were the cooks for the weekend. Feeding 70 people three meals a day for three days is no small feat. But observing a dad make shamrock Jell-O jigglers for 70 people with his daughter was priceless. It was inspiring to see Sister “T” Gun-ter and Sister Sarah Yungwirth, Benedictine nuns from Ferdi-nand, interacting with the kids, eating Dilly Bars from Dairy Queen or singing with the guitar during liturgy.
Besides the many volunteers who come every TEC weekend to help in the tasks necessary to accomplish this encounter, there are two other fathers I would like to mention. Both were featured in previous TEC articles from the series. I mention them again because their witness as priests is important to the future of our Church. I watched them intermingle with the teens; one minute with a human foosball game or team building with a contest to create a costume from foil and tissue, or morning exercise with “Father Says,” and the next minute administering the Sacraments with the authority of Christ. The presence, humor and young age, of Father Jason Gries and Father Alex Zenthoefer are a true blessing and witness to the “real presence” of Christ to our young people. These priests and vocation di-rectors are reaching hearts and truly building a family of God. What a pleasure to witness their gift to TEC and our faith community; as priests they are the heart, soul and spirit for every Catholic family.