With the world facing challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, the TEC movement has not been left unaffected. Beginning in March, TEC retreats have been cancelled across the country. These decisions protect the health of those involved, but they come naturally paired with disappointment and sadness. In an abundance of caution, many TEC centers have already cancelled upcoming retreats through summer and beyond, while others remain hopeful to resume retreats later in the year. We thank the local leaders who have prayerfully discerned these decisions, the teams who prepared and put forth so much effort into retreats that were cancelled, and everyone who has prayed for and supported TEC however they could during this time.
Despite these cancellations, we have seen the international TEC family unite in a unique way, reaching out and coming together virtually. Part of what makes TEC such a lasting experience is the intergenerational community supporting each other long after the actual retreat weekend has ended. While this is usually accomplished with in-person gatherings, check out just some of the different ways TEC centers have risen to the occasion to provide a sense of togetherness while apart:
- TEC New Orleans has hosted two virtual “sing-alongs” via Zoom with their TEC musicians, inviting the community to sing together from their own homes.
- Belleville TEC put together a three-day “virtual TEC weekend” on their private Facebook page, posting questions one might hear on a regular TEC retreat, sharing shortened talks and reflections, inviting the community to answer and reflect in the comments. They shared videos, pictures, and invitations to participate in unique ways at home that would correspond to activities done on TEC.
- TEC of Central Texas continues to host their weekly call-in rosary. Everyone is welcome to join in and pray the rosary over the phone with TEC friends from across the country. Check out this previous post for instructions on how to join if you want to add your voice to this rosary!
- North Coast Spirit TEC uses their Facebook page each week to share which local parishes are livestreaming Masses celebrated by TEC priests.
- Northwest TEC shared a video from one of their young adults offering words of encouragement to the community.
Many TEC centers, including Belleville TEC, Great River TEC, TEC of Central Texas, North Coast Spirit TEC, and Peterstown TEC, have used Zoom or other video conferencing tools to conduct all sorts of virtual gatherings. We’ve seen Bible studies, praise and worship sessions, virtual adoration, reunions, and calls just for chatting together.
“We don’t do [TEC] just so that we can have retreats; the retreats are what we do so that we can be community.”
Our TEC communities have managed to continue to come together, share their talents, celebrate Mass, sing, study, and be part of a community—all without leaving their houses. As Executive Director Billy O’Regan says, “We don’t do [TEC] just so that we can have retreats; the retreats are what we do so that we can be community.”
In March, Billy offered these words of encouragement from the Conference as we began to face closures:
To read more about a TEC priest’s experience with handling disappointment during COVID-19, click here.
To support the TEC Conference during this unprecedented and unpredictable time, click here. Monthly recurring donations are especially helpful to provide for TEC all year long, and we are truly grateful for each donation.
To stay connected and share prayer intentions with the international TEC family, click here.
Has your TEC community found a way to come together virtually? Let us know by emailing office@tecconference.org!
