The Anchor of Hope TEC (Together Encountering Christ) welcomed 21 into the community at TEC 285 on Nov. 14-16, 2025. We were blessed by the participation of 8 students from Weyauwega-Fremont High School. Most of the teens were members of St. Peter and Paul’s Confirmation class and youth group. Adding an international element to the retreat were six Global Outreach students, including a set of twins.
Volunteering at a TEC Retreat
A whopping 15 of the 21 said they are excited to come back and volunteer at a TEC retreat in the future. What a wonderful response! We can’t wait until March to welcome them back to experience this Catholic spiritual retreat in a new way. At TEC 285, four volunteers were first-timers, including three high school students who brought such energy and humor. The weekend wouldn’t have been the same without their “Yes” to the TEC community. Thank you!
Norbertine Priest as Asst. Spiritual Director
We also welcomed a new spiritual director to the retreat weekend. Fr. Christin Raj, a Norbertine priest and the pastor at St. Bernadette in Appleton, Wisconsin, was the assistant spiritual director. His vocations story kept our attention with all of its twists and turns. Growing up in poverty in rural India, Fr. Christin ran away from home as a teenager (returning after two weeks), worked as a welder (a job he really disliked), and eventually found the support he needed to further his education. These experiences helped him discern a vocation to the priesthood, and he’s been in the Diocese of Green Bay for several years. The TEC community thanks Fr. Christin for sharing his story and leading us in prayer.
Spreading the Catholic Faith
Thanks to Fr. Kevin Ripley, of the Diocese of Green Bay Vocations Office, who was the TEC 285 Spiritual Director. In his homily at Sunday Mass, Fr. Kevin spoke about “Go Day.” The three-day TEC retreat reflects upon Christ’s Paschal Mystery of dying, rising, and going forth. Die Day, Rise Day, and Go Day form the framework for our weekend retreat. Fr. Kevin said G and O are short for Get Out. He encouraged us to get out into the world and spread our Catholic Faith with others.
Join Us for TEC 286 in March
The weekend retreat was filled with activities that helped us grow in our Catholic Faith. Music, games, group projects, Sacraments, witness talks, prayer – and that’s just on the first day! What a blessed weekend away. It was a time to disconnect from the things of this world and grow as Catholic followers of Christ. Please join us for TEC 286 on March 20-22, 2025, at St. Joseph’s in Green Bay. Every TEC retreat is filled with wonderful prayer and faith-filled people. Register today.
