The photos below give you a glimpse of what happened on the TEC 286 Catholic retreat, but the photos can’t possibly represent all of the laughter, faith-sharing, music, and camaraderie we experienced. The 11 young adults came to the retreat ready to participate, and the volunteers came ready to serve. The result was powerful! Special thanks to our Spiritual Directors Father Kevin Ripley of the Diocese of Green Bay Vocations Office and Deacon John Bundra, Senior Deacon at Nativity of Our Lord Parish. Also, thanks to team leaders Craig Majeski, James Steinike, and David Weddig. By word and example, they led our three-day faith journey that filled us with God’s goodness.
Intergenerational Community of Volunteers
The TEC 286 leaders worked with an intergenerational team of volunteers. We were blessed with high school students, college students, and adults of all ages. One volunteer traveled from Nebraska to work the TEC retreat with her mom. Jane and Katelyn shared beautiful stories about their family’s love, resilience, and trust in God. We also had three husband-and-wife volunteers on the team. I know that each one appreciates having a supportive spouse who helps them grow in faith. TEC 286 was blessed to welcome 6 first-time volunteers to the retreat, 5 high school students and one college student who started her spring break at TEC 286. Their helpfulness, eagerness, and faithfulness were so inspiring. The director said he never had to ask twice to accomplish the tasks at hand. Everyone pitched in to help make the retreat a success.
Overcoming Obstacles Prior to the Retreat
“Nonchalant” was one of the buzzwords on TEC 286. We got a good laugh when this small groups incorporated “nonchalant” into its group name. Leading up to TEC 286, we had moments that were not nonchalant. Anchor of Hope TEC had several obstacles to overcome which added some uncertainty to our prep. The first uncertainty was about the venue. Two weeks before the retreat, we were still questioning whether St. Joseph, a former Catholic school in Green Bay, could host us again. But it all worked out, and we are thankful we have an entire school available for our retreats. The second uncertainty related to registrations. We were blessed with an abundance of volunteers (Praise the Lord!), but very few TECites. In the end, 11 young adults participated in the weekend retreat.
Prayerful, Fun Group of Young Adults
We couldn’t have asked for a more open, prayerful, and fun group. These 11 young adults made us realize that we don’t need 20 or 30 retreatants in order to have an awesome retreat experience. God touched the hearts of these 11 and the team of volunteers in a profound way. We’ll keep inviting high school students and adults to spend a TEC weekend with Jesus, and we’ll keep praying for more to say Yes to TEC retreats. But in the end, whether we have 10, 20, or 30 TECites doesn’t matter as much as whether we all grow closer to Christ because of our retreat experience.
So Thankful for God’s Blessings on TEC 286
What will the buzzword be at TEC 287 in November 2026? Sign up, and find out for yourself if “nonchalant” makes a return appearance. TEC 286 overcame some huge obstacles, and we are so thankful to everyone who contributed to its success. Special thanks to the Catholic Foundation of the Green Bay Diocesefor its financial support. Most of all, we thank God for all His blessings before, during, and after TEC 286.
Photo by Beth Relyea Photography. Mural by Tessa DeMeuse
Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble hearts as we prepare for our TEC weekend. We thank You for the gift of this time to seek Your presence and to deepen our relationship with You and bring others closer to you. Pour forth Your Holy Spirit upon us, O Lord, that we may open our minds and hearts to Your divine will. Grant us the grace to listen attentively to Your word, to reflect deeply on Your love, and to respond with faithful hearts to Your call.
Bless our retreat with the light of Your guidance and the warmth of Your love. May it be a time of spiritual renewal, healing, and transformation. As we journey together, may we grow in unity and love, supporting one another in faith and in truth. We entrust this Novena and our retreat into the hands of our Blessed Mother, Mary. Through her intercession, may we be drawn closer to Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever Amen.
Saint of the Day: St. Carlo Acutis
Carlo Acutis (1991–2006) was an English‑born Italian teenager whose deep love for the Eucharist and remarkable skill with computers made him one of the most unique modern witnesses of the Catholic faith. Raised in Milan, he taught himself programming and web design, using those gifts to build a major online catalogue of Eucharistic miracles and Marian apparitions. Known for his kindness, simple piety, and desire to bring others to God, he served as a young catechist and inspired several conversions. Diagnosed with acute leukemia at age fifteen, he offered his suffering for the Church and the Pope before his death. The Church recognized miracles attributed to his intercession, leading to his beatification in 2020 and canonization in 2025, making him the first millennial saint. Today, he is widely honored as the patron saint of the Internet, computer programmers, and youth, often called “God’s influencer” for the way he used technology to evangelize.
Reflection
Carlo Acutis reminds us that holiness is not reserved for the extraordinary. It is found in the ordinary lived with love. He didn’t perform dramatic feats; he simply used the gifts he had, especially his passion for technology, to point others toward Jesus. His devotion to the Eucharist grounded everything he did, giving him a joy and clarity far beyond his years. Carlo challenges us to consider how we use our own talents, screens, and daily routines. Do they draw us closer to God and to others or distract us from what matters? His life invites us to embrace holiness in the digital age, to choose virtue over vanity, and to let our faith shine naturally in the spaces where we already live, work, and connect.
Prayer
Oh God, Our Father, thank you for giving us Carlo, a life example for the young and a message of love for everyone.
You made him become enamoured with Your Son Jesus, Making of the Eucharist his “Highway to Heaven”. You gave him Mary, as a most loving Mother, and, with the Rosary, you made him a poet of her tenderness. Receive his prayer for us.
Above all, gaze upon the poor, whom he loved and helped. Grant for me too, by his intercession, the grace that I need … And make our joy fulfilled, placing Carlo among the Saints of your Church, so that his smile may shine again for us in the glory of your name. Amen
Intentions
Through the intercessions of the Saints, we pray for TEC 286.
The team that they stay open to the Holy Spirit in their lives before and during the weekend- we pray.
The Tecites attending or thinking about attending. That the spirit moves their hearts to be open to the TEC weekend. – We Pray·
(Feel free to add any special intentions you would like prayed for) – We Pray
Heavenly Father, in Preparation for this retreat we lift our hearts in gratitude for Your boundless love and mercy. We thank You for the graces and blessings bestowed upon us during these days of prayer and reflection.
With humble hearts, we invoke the intercession of the saints who have accompanied us on this journey. Saints who have gone before us, lighting the path with their faith and devotion: Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us St. Joseph, Pray for us St. Therese of Lisieux, Pray for us. St. Padre Pio, Pray for us Servant of God Fr. Walter Cisek, Pray for us St. Maximilian Kolbe, Pray for us Our Lady of Champion, Pray for us St. Christopher, Pray for us St. Carlo Acutis, Pray for us
Through their intercession, may we be strengthened in our faith and inspired to live lives of holiness and service.
Lord, bless our TEC retreat with Your divine presence. May it be a time of profound encounter with You, of healing, renewal, and transformation. Fill our hearts with Your love, that we may return to our daily lives as witnesses of Your grace, carrying the light of Christ to all we meet. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble hearts as we prepare for our TEC weekend. We thank You for the gift of this time to seek Your presence and to deepen our relationship with You and bring others closer to you. Pour forth Your Holy Spirit upon us, O Lord, that we may open our minds and hearts to Your divine will. Grant us the grace to listen attentively to Your word, to reflect deeply on Your love, and to respond with faithful hearts to Your call.
Bless our retreat with the light of Your guidance and the warmth of Your love. May it be a time of spiritual renewal, healing, and transformation. As we journey together, may we grow in unity and love, supporting one another in faith and in truth. We entrust this Novena and our retreat into the hands of our Blessed Mother, Mary. Through her intercession, may we be drawn closer to Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever Amen.
Saint of the Day: St. Christopher
Saint Christopher is a legendary Christian martyr whose name means “Christ‑bearer.” Though his historical existence is uncertain, stories about him began circulating as early as the 6th century and spread widely through the Middle Ages. The most famous tradition tells that, after converting to Christianity, Christopher devoted himself to helping travelers cross a dangerous river. One day he carried a small child who grew impossibly heavy; the child then revealed Himself as Christ, explaining that Christopher had carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. Because of this, Christopher became venerated across the Christian world and is honored as the patron saint of travelers, transportation workers, sailors, drivers, athletes, bachelors, and those facing storms or other dangers. His image—often a giant carrying the Christ Child—became one of the most recognizable symbols of protection.
Reflection
The story of St. Christopher invites us to consider how ordinary acts of service can become extraordinary when offered to God. Christopher didn’t set out to be a hero; he simply used the strength he had to help others. In doing so, he discovered Christ in the very people he served. His legend reminds us that we, too, “bear Christ” when we carry one another’s burdens—especially when the weight feels heavy. St. Christopher challenges us to live with courage, humility, and a willingness to serve, trusting that God often reveals Himself in the simple, unseen acts of love we offer each day
Saint Christopher is often depicted in art with a staff and the child on his shoulders, symbolizing his role as a protector during travels. His narratives include themes of conversion and miraculous acts, such as healing a king who persecuted him. Despite the Catholic Church’s removal of his feast day from the liturgical calendar in 1969 due to a lack of verifiable history, many Catholics continue to honor him through medals and statues, reflecting his enduring significance in popular devotion. Thus, the legacy of Saint Christopher lies not in confirmed historical details but in the faith and belief that he inspires among believers across the centuries
Intentions
Through the intercessions of the Saints, we pray for TEC 286.
The team that they stay open to the Holy Spirit in their lives before and during the weekend- We pray
The Tecites attending or thinking about attending. That the spirit moves their hearts to be open to the TEC weekend. – We Pray
(Feel free to add any special intentions you would like prayed for) – We Pray
Heavenly Father, in Preparation for this retreat we lift our hearts in gratitude for Your boundless love and mercy. We thank You for the graces and blessings bestowed upon us during these days of prayer and reflection.
With humble hearts, we invoke the intercession of the saints who have accompanied us on this journey. Saints who have gone before us, lighting the path with their faith and devotion: Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us St. Joseph, Pray for us St. Therese of Lisieux, Pray for us. St. Padre Pio, Pray for us Servant of God Fr. Walter Cisek, Pray for us St. Maximilian Kolbe, Pray for us Our Lady of Champion, Pray for us St. Christopher, Pray for us
Photo credit: The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion
Opening Prayer: Sign of the Cross
Heavenly Father, We come before You with humble hearts as we prepare for our TEC weekend. We thank You for the gift of this time to seek Your presence and to deepen our relationship with You and bring others closer to you.
Pour forth Your Holy Spirit upon us, O Lord, that we may open our minds and hearts to Your divine will. Grant us the grace to listen attentively to Your word, to reflect deeply on Your love, and to respond with faithful hearts to Your call. Bless our retreat with the light of Your guidance and the warmth of Your love. May it be a time of spiritual renewal, healing, and transformation. As we journey together, may we grow in unity and love, supporting one another in faith and in truth.
We entrust this Novena and our retreat into the hands of our Blessed Mother, Mary. Through her intercession, may we be drawn closer to Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Saint of the Day: Our Lady of Champion
While walking along a trail in the woods, Adele saw a lady dressed in white, standing between two trees believed to be a maple and hemlock. Although the mysterious woman stayed silent, it left Adele wondering what sort of encounter it may have been. When Adele told her family, they believed her but thought perhaps it was a soul in purgatory visiting this earthly life asking for prayers.
A few days later, on what is believed to be Sunday, October 9, 1859, Adele walked to Mass with her sister and a friend. The church was 10 miles away from home, but Adele made the journey every Sunday, no matter the weather. Along the same path, Adele saw the mysterious lady standing in the same spot between the two trees. However, Adele being the only one to see her, she and her companions continued their journey to Mass. After Mass, Adele spoke to her parish priest, and he instructed her that if the lady appeared to her again to ask the question, “In God’s name, who are you and what do you want of me?”
On her journey home, Adele saw the lady for the third time. As she and her companions approached the hallowed spot, Adele could see the beautiful lady, clothed in dazzling white, with a yellow sash around her waist. Her dress fell to her feet in graceful folds. She had a crown of stars around her head, and her long golden wavy hair fell loosely over her shoulders. The lady had such a heavenly light around her that Adele could hardly look at her face. Overcome by the light, Adele fell to her knees and said, “In God’s name, who are you, and what do you want of me?”
The lady replied, “I am the Queen of Heaven who prays for the conversion of sinners, and I wish you to do the same. You received Holy Communion this morning and that is well. But you must do more. Make a general confession and offer Communion for the conversion of sinners. If they do not convert and do penance, my Son will be obliged to punish them.”
Adele’s companions, unable to see Our Lady asked, “Adele, who is it? Why can’t we see her as you do?” “Kneel,” said Adele, “the Lady says she is the Queen of Heaven.”
The Blessed Lady gazed kindly upon them, saying, “Blessed are they that believe without seeing.” Then, looking toward Adele, the Queen of Heaven asked, “What are you doing here in idleness while your companions are working in the vineyard of my Son?”
“What more can I do, dear Lady?” asked Adele, weeping. “Gather the children in this wild country and teach them what they should know for salvation.” “But how shall I teach them who know so little myself?” Adele said. “Teach them,” replied her radiant visitor, “their catechism, how to sign themselves with the sign of the Cross, and how to approach the sacraments; that is what I wish you to do. Go and fear nothing, I will help you.”
Then, wrapped as it were in a luminous atmosphere, Our Lady lifted her hands as though she were beseeching a blessing for those at her feet. Slowly, she vanished from sight, leaving Adele overwhelmed and prostrated on the ground. This was the simple beginning of Adele’s mission to become a teacher for the Lord and the Blessed Lady.
~Apparition story provided by the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion
Reflection
This message is a message to us all “Gather the children and teach them what they should know for salvation” but this message is not just for kids but all children of God. It is all of our responsibilities to show those around us in action and word how to live a moral life and invite them into the church and teach them. This beautiful shrine also has ties to the Peshtigo fire which exemplifies not only protection with spiritual warfare but also threats we face in the physical world. The protection of the site and those sheltered there is a symbol to us not only of the faith these people had but the true power of Jesus’ salvation keeping them safe from harm. So now we to must take these words to heart, “teach them” as we live out our faith in life, what are we teaching those in our lives about our faith?
Prayer to Our Lady of Champion
O Dear Lady of Champion, you revealed yourself as the Queen of Heaven to your servant Adele. You gave her a mission to pray for the conversion of sinners, to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to others, and to prepare the children for the reception of the sacraments. I trust that as you called Adele to holiness, you are calling me, in my station in life, to live a holy life, devoted to Jesus Christ with the help of your maternal love. I bring before you now my worries and anxieties. I abandon my attachments to them and place them at your feet. I ask you to hear the deepest longings of my heart as I pray most earnestly for Anchor of Hope TEC 286. Dear Lady, you told Adele and you say to all of us, “Do not be afraid; I will help you.” Help me now as I place this intention with complete confidence and trust.
~Official prayer composed by Most Reverend David L. Ricken, Bishop of the Diocese of Green Bay. Modified for Anchor of Hope TEC
Intentions
Through the intercessions of the Saints we pray for TEC286:
The team, that they stay open to the Holy Spirit in their lives before and during the weekend- We pray
The Tecites attending or thinking about attending. That the spirit move their hearts to be open to the TEC weekend. – We Pray
(Feel free to add any special intentions you would like prayed for) – We Pray
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, in preparation for this retreat, we lift our hearts in gratitude for Your boundless love and mercy. We thank You for the graces and blessings bestowed upon us during these days of prayer and reflection. With humble hearts, we invoke the intercession of the saints who have accompanied us on this journey, saints who have gone before us, lighting the path with their faith and devotion:
Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us
St. Joseph, Pray for us
St. Therese of Lisieux, Pray for us.
St. Padre Pio, Pray for us
Servant of God Fr. Walter Cisek, Pray for us
St. Maximilian Kolbe, Pray for us
Our Lady of Champion, Pray for us
Through their intercession, may we be strengthened in our faith and inspired to live lives of holiness and service.
Lord, bless our TEC retreat with Your divine presence. May it be a time of profound encounter with You, of healing, renewal, and transformation. Fill our hearts with Your love, that we may return to our daily lives as witnesses of Your grace, carrying the light of Christ to all we meet. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen
Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble hearts as we prepare for our TEC weekend. We thank You for the gift of this time to seek Your presence and to deepen our relationship with You and bring others closer to you. Pour forth Your Holy Spirit upon us, O Lord, that we may open our minds and hearts to Your divine will. Grant us the grace to listen attentively to Your word, to reflect deeply on Your love, and to respond with faithful hearts to Your call.
Bless our retreat with the light of Your guidance and the warmth of Your love. May it be a time of spiritual renewal, healing, and transformation. As we journey together, may we grow in unity and love, supporting one another in faith and in truth. We entrust this Novena and our retreat into the hands of our Blessed Mother, Mary. Through her intercession, may we be drawn closer to Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever Amen.
Saint of the Day
St. Maximilian Kolbe was born in 1894 in Poland. When he was 12 years old, he had a vision of the Virgin Mary which influenced the rest of his life. Mary came to him holding two crowns. One was white, which was a sign of the purity of the priesthood. The other crown was red, which was a sign of martyrdom. Kolbe accepted both. He was ordained a priest in 1918 and founded monasteries in Poland, Japan and India. For many years, he operated a religious publishing press and during World War II, published many anti-Nazi publications. At the monastery, he provided shelter for refugees of the war and is credited with hiding 2,000 Jews from German persecution.
In 1941, the monastery was shut down, and Kolbe was arrested by the German Gestapo and taken to prison, then to the Auschwitz. When several men were chosen to face death by starvation to warn prisoners against escaping, Kolbe volunteered to take the place of a man with a family. In his final days, Kolbe led the other prisoners in prayers to the Blessed Mother. He died on August 14, 1941. He was canonized in 1982.
Reflection
St. Maximilian Kolbe is a saint of our time who showed great courage. By sacrificing his life to save another, he showed us how to give graciously without considering the cost. The story of Kolbe patiently and prayerfully awaiting death in a concentration camp gives us the confidence that we can face any trials in life. We simply must place our struggles into the hands of our ever-present, loving God. Kolbe’s deep faith, especially his devotion to the Blessed Mother, sustained him through times of unbelievable suffering – suffering that no person should have to endure.
St. Maximilian Kolbe is an inspiration to us today.
Thankfully, few of us are called martyrdom like Kolbe was. Yet through baptism, we all received the same call to holiness as he did. We are called to persevere in faith, despite the obstacles, and courageously step forward at every moment of our lives to act as Christ would.
Intentions
Through the intercessions of the Saints, we pray for TEC 286.
The team that they stay open to the Holy Spirit in their lives before and during the weekend – We pray.
The Tecites- That those attending or thinking about attending. That the spirit moves their hearts to be open to the TEC weekend. – We Pray·
(Feel free to add any special intentions you would like prayed for) – We Pray
Heavenly Father, in Preparation for this retreat we lift our hearts in gratitude for Your boundless love and mercy. We thank You for the graces and blessings bestowed upon us during these days of prayer and reflection.
With humble hearts, we invoke the intercession of the saints who have accompanied us on this journey. Saints who have gone before us, lighting the path with their faith and devotion
Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us St Joseph, Pray for us St Therese of Lisieux, Pray for us. St Padre Pio, Pray for us Servant of God Fr. Walter Cisek, Pray for us St. Maximilian Kolbe, Pray for us
Through their intercession, may we be strengthened in our faith and inspired to live lives of holiness and service.
Lord, bless our TEC retreat with Your divine presence. May it be a time of profound encounter with You, of healing, renewal, and transformation. Fill our hearts with Your love, that we may return to our daily lives as witnesses of Your grace, carrying the light of Christ to all we meet. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble hearts as we prepare for our TEC weekend. We thank You for the gift of this time to seek Your presence and to deepen our relationship with You and bring others closer to you.
Pour forth Your Holy Spirit upon us, O Lord, that we may open our minds and hearts to Your divine will. Grant us the grace to listen attentively to Your word, to reflect deeply on Your love, and to respond with faithful hearts to Your call.
Bless our retreat with the light of Your guidance and the warmth of Your love. May it be a time of spiritual renewal, healing, and transformation. As we journey together, may we grow in unity and love, supporting one another in faith and in truth.
We entrust this Novena and our retreat into the hands of our Blessed Mother, Mary. Through her intercession, may we be drawn closer to Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Saint of the Day: Servant of God Fr. Walter Cisek
Fr. Walter Ciszek, S.J. was an American Jesuit priest who secretly entered the Soviet Union during World War II to minister to persecuted Christians. Arrested as a supposed “Vatican spy,” he spent five years in Moscow’s Lubyanka prison and fifteen more in Siberian labor camps. Despite brutal conditions, he continued to live his priesthood in hidden ways, celebrating Mass in secret, hearing confessions, and offering spiritual strength to fellow prisoners.
His writings, especially With God in Russia and He Leadeth Me, have become modern spiritual classics. Ciszek’s life is significant because he shows what radical trust in God looks like when everything else is stripped away. His cause for canonization is underway, and he is remembered as one of the most powerful witnesses to faith, perseverance, and surrender to God’s will in the 20th century.
Reflection:
“The tension you feel before talking publicly is something that you cannot control entirely. Yet this nervous tension should not so influence you as to interfere with your thinking. The consciousness that you are doing the right thing and doing it solely for God should be the force penetrating every word you say. Of course, you have limitations, and in the course of the talk, you will make blunders, saying something not exactly as you should have, or even praising yourself publicly, which is humiliating. Yet all these insufficiencies, shortcomings, and defects are so human that, in some way or another, they will always manifest themselves in your speech. But to feel discouraged by this, or to be too touchy about committing them, is a sign of pride and a sin against God. The faults you have, and which you may commit, not deliberately and maliciously but because of your frailty and limited intellectual capacity, should be a source of true humility and a cause for betterment.” Personal Reflections Written April 29, 1964 (With God in America pg.51)
Intentions:
Through the intercessions of the Saints, we pray for TEC 286: · The team that they stay open to the Holy Spirit in their lives before and during the weekend- we pray. · The Tecites- For those attending or thinking about attending. That the Spirit moves their hearts to be open to the TEC weekend. – We Pray · (Feel free to add any special intentions you would like prayed for) – We Pray
Heavenly Father, in preparation for this retreat, we lift our hearts in gratitude for Your boundless love and mercy. We thank You for the graces and blessings bestowed upon us during these days of prayer and reflection.
With humble hearts, we invoke the intercession of the saints who have accompanied us on this journey. Saints who have gone before us, lighting the path with their faith and devotion: Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us St. Joseph, Pray for us St. Therese of Lisieux, Pray for us. St. Padre Pio, Pray for us Servant of God Fr. Walter Cisek, Pray for us
Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble hearts as we prepare for our TEC weekend. We thank You for the gift of this time to seek Your presence and to deepen our relationship with You and bring others closer to you.
Pour forth Your Holy Spirit upon us, O Lord, that we may open our minds and hearts to Your divine will. Grant us the grace to listen attentively to Your word, to reflect deeply on Your love, and to respond with faithful hearts to Your call.
Bless our retreat with the light of Your guidance and the warmth of Your love. May it be a time of spiritual renewal, healing, and transformation. As we journey together, may we grow in unity and love, supporting one another in faith and in truth.
We entrust this Novena and our retreat into the hands of our Blessed Mother, Mary. Through her intercession, may we be drawn closer to Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Saint of the Day: Padre Pio
Padre Pio was a peasant from the Apulian region of Southern Italy. He became a Capuchin Friar and was frequently referred to as a “living saint” partly because he had the wounds of Christ on the Cross for almost 50 years. Besides having the 5 wounds of Christ called the stigmata, Padre Pio had the gift of “reading souls” and he could “bi-locate,” which means he could literally be in two places at the same time!
Padre Pio heard many confessions, including one in 1947 when he heard the confession of a young Polish priest named “Karol Wojtyla” and declared that this priest would one day be Pope. Padre Pio endured much suffering. He said his suffering was so that sinners might believe in God and that the world might be saved.
“Pray, hope, and don’t worry” is one of Padre Pio’s famous quotes, but my favorite quote from him is taped on my computer desk at home and it says, “Do not be worried that the time of trial is so long. We can only reach salvation by crossing the stormy sea, which constantly threatens to overwhelm us. Calvary is the hill of the saints, but from it we go on to another hill called Tabor, the Mount of Transfiguration.”
Padre Pio’s feast day is September 23.
Closing Prayer:
Lord Jesus we ask you to accompany us on TEC 286. We surrender the weekend to your Holy will. Help us to “pray, hope, and don’t worry” like your servant St. Padre Pio taught us. As we plant the seeds of Faith into the hearts of your children this weekend through the talks, the new friendships made and the scripture verses shared, please journey with us up the Mount of Transfiguration. Help us Lord to be transformed into the holy Saints that you have called us to be.
Intentions:
Through the intercessions of the Saints, we pray for TEC 286 · The team that they stay open to the Holy Spirit in their lives before and during the weekend- we pray. · The Tecites- For those attending or thinking about attending. That the spirit moves their hearts to be open to the TEC weekend. – We Pray · (Feel free to add any special intentions you would like prayed for) – We Pray Heavenly Father, in preparation for this retreat, we lift our hearts in gratitude for Your boundless love and mercy. We thank You for the graces and blessings bestowed upon us during these days of prayer and reflection.
With humble hearts, we invoke the intercession of the saints who have accompanied us on this journey. Saints who have gone before us, lighting the path with their faith and devotion:
Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us St. Joseph, Pray for us St. Therese of Lisieux, Pray for us. St. Padre Pio, Pray for us
Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble hearts as we prepare for our TEC weekend. We thank You for the gift of this time to seek Your presence and to deepen our relationship with You and bring others closer to you.
Pour forth Your Holy Spirit upon us, O Lord, that we may open our minds and hearts to Your divine will. Grant us the grace to listen attentively to Your word, to reflect deeply on Your love, and to respond with faithful hearts to Your call. Bless our retreat with the light of Your guidance and the warmth of Your love. May it be a time of spiritual renewal, healing, and transformation. As we journey together, may we grow in unity and love, supporting one another in faith and in truth.
We entrust this Novena and our retreat into the hands of our Blessed Mother, Mary. Through her intercession, may we be drawn closer to Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Saint of the Day: St. Therese of Lisieux (patron Saint of Anchor of Hope TEC)
St. Terese was born in France as the youngest of 9 children. Her mother died when she was just 4 years old. On Christmas Eve at the age of 14, she had a conversion of heart which eventually confirmed her calling to religious life. She became a Carmelite nun at age 15, yet even in the religious life, she doubted the existence of God. She chose to focus her ministry on love, and she was very aware of her littleness. She shared “…I want to seek out a means of going to heaven by a little way, a way that is very straight, very short and totally new.” She thus developed her “Little Way” as a path to holiness. This path emphasizes trust in God and His mercy, a childlike love and doing all things with great love. She believed that her short life of 24 years was just beginning for God, and she promised to spend her heaven doing good on earth. Her final words were ones to live by: “Oh, my God, I love you!”
St. Terese lived her life according to the “Little Way.” Just as she did, we must acknowledge our littleness compared to God’s greatness. It is only through God that we can accomplish great things, yet those great things can also be simple and small. To follow St. Terese’s example, we must filter all that we do through the lens of love. We can each change the world if we treat others with love and kindness and bring a positive attitude to all that we do. This will bring a deep joy to our world that God wants for all of us. May we all be open to living the “Little Way” in our own lives and following the beautiful servant example of St. Terese. ~Amanda Gerrits
Prayer
O Little Therese of the Child Jesus, please pick for me a rose from the heavenly gardens and send it to me as a message of love. O Little Flower of Jesus, ask God to grant the favors I now place with confidence in your hands . . (mention in silence here) St. Therese, help me to always believe as you did in God’s great love for me, so that I might imitate your “Little Way” each day. Amen
Intentions
Through the intercessions of the Saints we pray for TEC 286
The team, that they stay open to the Holy Spirit in their lives before and during the weekend- we pray
The Tecites attending or thinking about attending. That the spirit moves their hearts to be open to the TEC weekend. – We Pray
(Feel free to add any special intentions you would like prayed for) – We Pray
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, in Preparation for this retreat we lift our hearts in gratitude for Your boundless love and mercy. We thank You for the graces and blessings bestowed upon us during these days of prayer and reflection. With humble hearts, we invoke the intercession of the saints who have accompanied us on this journey. Saints who have gone before us, lighting the path with their faith and devotion:
Mary, Mother of God- Pray for us
St. Joseph – Pray for us
St. Michael the Archangel – Pray for us
St. Francis Xavier- Pray for us
Our Lady of Champion- Pray for us
St. Therese of Lisieux- Pray for us
Through their intercession, may we be strengthened in our faith and inspired to live lives of holiness and service.
Lord, bless our TEC retreat with Your divine presence. May it be a time of profound encounter with You, of healing, renewal, and transformation. Fill our hearts with Your love, that we may return to our daily lives as witnesses of Your grace, carrying the light of Christ to all we meet.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen
Sign of the Cross Heavenly Father, We come before You with humble hearts as we prepare for our TEC weekend. We thank You for the gift of this time to seek Your presence and to deepen our relationship with You and bring others closer to you. Pour forth Your Holy Spirit upon us, O Lord, that we may open our minds and hearts to Your divine will. Grant us the grace to listen attentively to Your word, to reflect deeply on Your love, and to respond with faithful hearts to Your call.
Bless our retreat with the light of Your guidance and the warmth of Your love. May it be a time of spiritual renewal, healing, and transformation. As we journey together, may we grow in unity and love, supporting one another in faith and in truth.
We entrust this Novena and our retreat into the hands of our Blessed Mother, Mary. Through her intercession, may we be drawn closer to Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Saint of the Day. St Joseph, Foster Father of the Son of God
As you will see in the Litany of St. Joseph, he carries many titles, some seem fitting or simple, and others like “terror of demons” may seem a little unorthodox for this man of few words. However one title bestowed on Joseph seems to fit him perfectly on the surface but holds so much more meaning as we look deeper into it. That title is Foster Father of the Son of God. Yes, Joseph was not the father of Jesus but played the earthly male role model of Jesus’ early understanding of what it was to be human. This role may seem contractual to us today but in Latin this title is called Filii Dei Nutricie, translated meaning “Nurturer of the Son of God.”
As St. Peter Julain Eymard said, “Saint Joseph’s dignity springs from his privilege of being the legal father of the Incarnate son of God here then is a man who the son of God calls father one who he Jesus serves and obeys and before whom he kneels for a parental blessing.” Joseph was Chosen to be the loving protector of not only Mary but also Jesus, but not only them, his loving protection is also extended to all of us, the Church, the Community, Joseph is too our foster father who we should learn from, talk to, and emulate.
Reflection
One of my favorite pictures of St. Joseph is him in a wood shop with a child Jesus. I love to sit and look at it and imagine the conversations these two had. Much like our own lives. When we are working in the garage, kitchen, garden or anywhere with loved ones. Some of the talk is about the chores we are doing, but then they can turn serious, comical, or just a peaceful silence in each others presence. We may never know how good of a wood worker Jesus was but I think we can all imagine the conversations that could have come forth in that shop. Faith, Family, Morals, work ethic.
Joseph could have been the one to show Jesus who those in most need of his later ministry was. He could have taught him how to debate, or how to have those real connections with those he ministered to. Jesus could even have remembered these lessons and time with his foster father and brought those same moments to the children he ministered to, knowing the example he was given was needed in their lives. Take a moment and picture Joseph in his shop with the child Jesus talking, what are they talking about? And what lessons are you learning from being there with them?
Litany of St. Joseph
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us. Holy Mary, pray for us. St. Joseph, pray for us. Illustrious son of David, pray for us. Light of patriarchs, pray for us. Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us. Chaste guardian of the Virgin, pray for us. Foster father of the Son of God, pray for us. Watchful defender of Christ, pray for us. Head of the Holy Family, pray for us. Joseph most just, pray for us. Joseph most chaste, pray for us. Joseph most prudent, pray for us. Joseph most valiant, pray for us. Joseph most obedient, pray for us. Joseph most faithful, pray for us. Mirror of patience, pray for us. Lover of poverty, pray for us. Model of workmen, pray for us. Glory of home life, pray for us. Guardian of virgins, pray for us. Pillar of families, pray for us. Solace of the afflicted, pray for us. Hope of the sick, pray for us. Patron of the dying, pray for us. Terror of demons, pray for us. Protector of Holy Church, pray for us. Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord! Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord! Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us! V. He made him the lord of His household, R. And prince over all His possessions.
Let Us Pray O God, Who in Thine ineffable Providence didst vouchsafe to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thy most holy Mother, grant, we beseech Thee, that he whom we venerate as our protector on earth may be our intercessor in Heaven. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
Intentions
Through the intercessions of the Saints we pray for TEC 286
The team, that they stay open to the Holy Spirit in their lives before and during the weekend- we pray
The Tecites- That those attending or thinking about attending. That the spirit move their hearts to be open to the TEC weekend. – We Pray
(Feel free to add any special intentions you would like prayed for) – We Pray
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, in Preparation for this retreat we lift our hearts in gratitude for Your boundless love and mercy. We thank You for the graces and blessings bestowed upon us during these days of prayer and reflection. With humble hearts, we invoke the intercession of the saints who have accompanied us on this journey. Saints who have gone before us, lighting the path with their faith and devotion:
Mary, Mother of God- Pray for us
St. Joseph – Pray for us
Through their intercession, may we be strengthened in our faith and inspired to live lives of holiness and service. Lord, bless our TEC retreat with Your divine presence. May it be a time of profound encounter with You, of healing, renewal, and transformation. Fill our hearts with Your love, that we may return to our daily lives as witnesses of Your grace, carrying the light of Christ to all we meet.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen
Sign of the Cross Heavenly Father, We come before You with humble hearts as we prepare for our TEC weekend. We thank You for the gift of this time to seek Your presence and to deepen our relationship with You and bring others closer to you. Pour forth Your Holy Spirit upon us, O Lord, that we may open our minds and hearts to Your divine will. Grant us the grace to listen attentively to Your word, to reflect deeply on Your love, and to respond with faithful hearts to Your call. Bless our retreat with the light of Your guidance and the warmth of Your love. May it be a time of spiritual renewal, healing, and transformation. As we journey together, may we grow in unity and love, supporting one another in faith and in truth. We entrust this Novena and our retreat into the hands of our Blessed Mother, Mary. Through her intercession, may we be drawn closer to Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Saint of the Day
From a Catholic perspective, the Virgin Mary holds a unique and exalted place in salvation history. She is honored as the Mother of God because she gave birth to Jesus, who is fully God and fully man. Her Immaculate Conception—being conceived without original sin—allowed her to be a pure vessel for Christ. Mary’s fiat (“Let it be done to me,” Luke 1:38) at the Annunciation demonstrates her perfect obedience to God’s will. She remained a perpetual virgin before, during, and after the birth of Jesus. Throughout His life, she played a crucial role, from nurturing Him in Nazareth to interceding at the Wedding at Cana, where Jesus performed His first miracle at her request (John 2:1-11). At the foot of the Cross, Jesus entrusted Mary to His disciple John, symbolizing her spiritual motherhood over all believers (John 19:26-27). Catholics also believe in her Assumption—that she was taken body and soul into heaven—and recognize her as Queen of Heaven.
Meditation on the wedding at Cana
The miracle of the wine was great, but greater still was the miracle of Mary’s persuasiveness. It seems that God wanted to demonstrate the strength of her influence. Despite Jesus’ words—“My hour has not yet come”—His plans seem to yield to Mary’s will. Who must Mary be in God’s eyes to hold such power? The Incarnation came through Mary’s plea, the Birth as a reward for her longing, and now the hour of His public manifestation is also brought forth by her. If He was incarnated, born, hidden for 30 years, or began His public ministry—it was all through Mary. The Son of God does nothing without her. Are you not amazed by God’s will to associate Mary with His works?
If this is so, your salvation and holiness must also come through her. Entrust yourself to Mary with confidence, just as she entrusted everything to her Son. She had not yet seen His miracles, yet her faith was unwavering.
Throw yourself into Mary’s arms without fear. Show her your needs, for she lacks nothing—and neither will you, if you turn to her for help.
– Mary Mondloch, TEC volunteer
The Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen
Intentions
Through the intercessions of the Saints we pray for TEC 286:
The team, that they stay open to the Holy Spirit in their lives before and during the weekend- We pray
The Tecites- Those attending or thinking about attending. That the spirit move their hearts to be open to the TEC weekend. – We Pray
For all members of the TEC community, that they still feel the spirit working in their lives to be Christ for others. -We Pray
(Feel free to add any special intentions you would like prayed for) – We Pray
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, in Preparation for this retreat we lift our hearts in gratitude for Your boundless love and mercy. We thank You for the graces and blessings bestowed upon us during these days of prayer and reflection. With humble hearts, we invoke the intercession of the saints who have accompanied us on this journey. Saints who have gone before us, lighting the path with their faith and devotion:
Mary, Mother of God- Pray for us
Through their intercession, may we be strengthened in our faith and inspired to live lives of holiness and service.
Lord, bless our TEC retreat with Your divine presence. May it be a time of profound encounter with You, of healing, renewal, and transformation. Fill our hearts with Your love, that we may return to our daily lives as witnesses of Your grace, carrying the light of Christ to all we meet.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen
