International TEC

In 1965, high school teacher Fr. Matthew Fedewa (Diocese of Lansing, MI) realized his seniors weren’t responding to the traditional retreat models being employed. However, he realized their real need for an authentic encounter with Christ as a compliment to his classroom efforts. Inspired by the Cursillo movement, Fr. Matt responded to this need by applying some of the principles that he was learning in summer courses at the Loyola Institute for Pastoral Studies in Chicago. He designed a retreat experience focused on the Paschal Mystery that would provide a personal and lived experience of the essentials of the Catholic faith.

Fr. Matt handled the theological and spiritual aspects of the retreat while Sr. Mary Concetta, RSM (Dorothy Gereke) worked out the practical details. The experience had a deep and lasting impact on Fr. Matt’s students. A living community grew out of the retreat, supporting and mentoring the young people who were now embracing their faith.

This three-day weekend, which Fr. Matt called “Teens Encounter Christ,” quickly began attracting the attention of other dioceses and sparked a movement that still burns brightly today, over 50 years later.