TEC: 25 Years and Still Growing

By Sharrie Cinnamond

On Sunday, November 11th, the Western KY TEC family celebrated its 25 years of ministry to the youth of our Diocese. We gathered at Christ the King Parish Hall in Madisonville to renew old acquaintances, reminisce, and meet new friends. Fr. Larry McBride was the principal celebrant in a Mass of Thanksgiving as we remembered those who paved the way with their vision and faithful support. Pictures of the past weekends brought back memories of the fun we shared. The pot luck dinner gave us a chance to catch up on the lives of those we had not seen in a while.

As we look back on these years, we are grateful and amazed at all that has happened. We have had 139 weekends impacting the lives of approximately 3600 youth and 400 adults in Western Kentucky. In 1983 we hosted the National Convention with over 500 people in attendance. Many of our leaders have played key roles in the leadership of the National TEC Conference and helped write the original manual and revising it in recent years. Leaders from our Center have helped other dioceses begin their programs in Evansville, IN, Atlanta GA, Chicago, IL, Shreveport, LA, and even in Germany and , most recently Lithuania.

We have many hopes for the future of our TEC Center--
* That TEC will continue to be around as a gift of faith for future generations of youth in our Diocese, supported by a strong adult faith community.
* That, as a Center, we will continue to refine our vision of who we are and where we are going, always keeping a strong spiritual component in all that we do.
* That our present organization can be transformed into one that is more efficient and effective in meeting our needs.
* That we find ways of meeting the need for formation and training for our leaders, both the youth and adults who give so willingly of their time and talents.
* That each of us may continue to grow in faith as we travel together into the future.

In commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of TEC and in joyful gratitude of one of our founders, Western Kentucky TEC announces The establishment of

A scholarship Fund in honor of Rev. Bob Willett

This Scholarship Fund will help sustain the ongoing ministry of Western KY TEC by providing funds to help those who cannot afford to make a weekend and training for our leaders. Donations can be sent to:

The Rev. Bob Willett Scholarship Fund

c/o Western KY TEC

600 Locust St.

Owensboro, KY 42301

It was right that we celebrated all that has been and look forward to what is yet to come. As a commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of TEC in the Diocese of Owensboro, we are pleased to announce the creation of a Scholarship Fund in honor of Fr. Bob Willett, one of our founders and a great supporter of TEC. In doing so, we give thanks for the great treasure of TEC that he brought to us in 1976.