FORMED Friday: July 12th - Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati: Man of the Beatitudes

Hello TEC Community and welcome to FORMED Fridays on the TEC blog! As some of you may know the diocese recently offered a one-year FREE subscription to FORMED which is a digital platform full of resources to help us grow in our faith including videos, talks, Bible studies, audiobooks, books, series such as 33-Days to Morning Glory and prayer guides - pray rosaries, sing the Divine Mercy chaplet or listen to reflections on the Sunday readings on the go. (Think CD/book racks in the back of church for FREE and on your smartphone, tablet or computer!!! They have resources for all ages and interests. On Go Day, we encourage you to Go Forth and share what you have received, but also continue to grow in your faith and relationship with Jesus. FORMED is a great resource to help you, so each Friday we will highlight an offering on FORMED that you might like to check out. (For those not sure how to access FORMED see info after our pick of the week.)

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati
Man of the Beatitudes
By: Fr Tim Deeter This talk reminds me that no matter where we or anyone else is in our lives are, God can use our lives for greatness, if we just remain open and ask for it (and ask for it on the behalf of others who for whatever reason aren’t asking for themselves.)
Let’s be real living the truths of Christ in the world is really hard. Modern culture says we are not loving, we are not caring, we are not ….. fill-in-the-blank. But Christ tells us not to fear and not to give up. In the life of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati we are given a great gift - a saint (well on his way) of modern times - who knew the struggle of living faith in the modern world, but not being controlled by the world. Blessed Pier Giorgio is known for being that person everyone wanted to hangout with, yet he stayed true to the truths of Christ and had a good time with his friends. Through his actions and life, he brought many to see the face of Christ. All this happened to a man who was raised in a family who barely practiced their faith.

Bonus in this talk - True story out of Detroit (you can still listen if you are from Ohio) Bryan was raised in a well-off family, captain of the basketball team, excellent student and good looking. In addition, he was also drinking, cursing, partying, and having sex. So it was a bit of a shock to all when he announced he was going to the seminary. In the seminary, he didn’t really change his behaviors til one day on retreat at the end of the first year Bryan had a conversion experience, which radically changed his life. To find out more listen to the talk.

Recommended by: Katherine Komar, Chairperson


In the coming weeks, more talks will be recommended by other board members AND community members are invited to also submit suggestions - we will work to provide a wide variety of suggestions. Suggestions submissions may be done here: FORMED suggestions

For those who aren’t sure what FORMED is check this out. To sign up you need your parishes code - some rolled it out around Ash Wednesday through Easter time. If you are not sure - my first recommendation growing up in a digital age would be to google “Formed” and your parish’s name. That might take you to a page with your parish link/directions on how to sign up. If you can’t find that I recommend you contact your parish office or your parish priest (for some of you this may be scary, but you can do it. - You aren’t asking for the moon - this was free for them and how encouraging for the staff and priests to know people are interested in growing in their faith!)

TEC in 2018

Northcoast Teens Encounter Christ experienced many wonderful things this past year! From Bishop visits, to members of the community having life-changing moments, there is much to be grateful for. Let's take a peek at some of the notable things that happened this past year...

Retreats:
TEC 119-122 welcomed 113 new members to the community! Of those members, 72 were teens, 23 were young adults, and 18 were adults. 

 

Board:
The TEC board also welcomed some new members this year. Please give a warm welcome to the new following members:

• Katherine Komar, Chairperson
• David Liptak, Treasurer
• Helena Marcic, Teen Representative
• Joe Krych, Teen Representative

The board will also be welcoming new members at the start of the new year. Those members are: 

• Erin Galla, Registrar
• Adam Savel, Young Adult Representative 
• Justin Hunkar, Facilitator
• Alicia Gresko, First Adult Representative

The board also had their first bonding outing at an escape room..... and lost! 

Community:

The community welcomed Bishop Perez to the TEC community over the summer at a FOP. Read about the visit here: https://www.dioceseofcleveland.org/bishop-tec2018/.

Below are some events that members wanted to share with the community:

• Katie Betters (Fraser)(TEC 109) got married to Mark Betters on November 24th of this year.

• Bryan Istenes(TEC 111) had a summer internship with the FBI and would like to pursue that as a future career.

• Jennifer Morgan (Ference)(TEC 108) and Daniel Morgan(TEC 109) wed on August 4, 2018.

•  Gabby Yatson(TEC 106) recently graduated from college with a degree in Phlebotomy and has a job lined up with the Cleveland Clinic main campus.

Most importantly, the TEC Community received hundreds of prayer requests that were gladly received and prayed for. We are truly blessed to have this family.

That's all for now. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Spirit of Tec 2018

On August 12, at our annual TEC picnic, the Spirit of Tec 2018 winners were announced. Each year,  through pray and discernment, the board selects three members of the community who have shown committed service to (or as) the youth and young adults of the Church, have contributed to the TEC ministry in a significant way, and who are witnesses of the Paschal Mystery in their daily lives. We are happy to congratulate Mary Wojciechowski, Tom Kurtz, and Mike Giulivo as the 2018 Spirit of TEC award winners. Below you can read the beautiful words that were written about each of our winner. Please congratulate Mary, Tom and Mike should you see them!

Mary Wojciechowski 

“When you know how much God is in love with you, then you can only live your life radiating that love.” This quote from Saint Teresa of Calcutta perfectly describes Mary Wojciechowski. She is a young women of great faith, radiating the love of Christ to everyone who encounters her. Mary assists the Northcoast Spirit TEC community, her parish, and the imprisoned with great devotion. She is always willing to help, offering her love, support, and prayers, no matter how busy she may be. Mary serves the NCS TEC community in many ways including working multiple TEC weekends and always being a helping hand, even though majority of her service will not be seen by others. Additionally, she lives out her faith both by being an active participant with Newman Campus Ministry and volunteering with parish youth ministry in our diocese.  Mary lives out the important message from Saint Therese of Lisieux which teaches us to “Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.” Mary is a radiating light of Christ in not only our community, but the greater Church as well. We are truly thankful for the gift of Mary. It is an honor for NCS TEC to present the 2018 Spirit of TEC award to Mary Wojciechowski."

Mike Giulivo 

"Most saints have a notable quote attributed to them. St. Joseph, husband of Mary, has no attributed quotes.  He is a man of quiet action, taking Mary into his home, protecting the holy family, and teaching Jesus in faith and trade.  This year’s Spirit of TEC winner, Mike Giulivo, has modeled his life after St. Joseph, quiet action, with dedication to faith and family.  Mike quietly serves as husband to the Facilitator. He has helped set up ever weekend and clean up from every TEC weekend. He helps sort and organize bins, shop for supplies, and do the laundry generated in each weekend. He is a family man, supporting his wife and children.  Mike leads and protects his family. The greatest role he has is of husband, father, and grandfather. He also encourages people around him to experience TEC. Mike embraces his OPEC status. He dives into whatever role asked of him, and makes the OPECs more comfortable opening up. He is a father figure to many teens on the retreat, and will check in and pray for them. In addition to his service to TEC, Mike is active in his parish, St. Charles Borromeo. He leads a men’s faith group and sings in the choir.  Mike is content to never be recognized and serve. He can often be heard saying, “It isn’t about me.” For his quiet action, NCS TEC is happy to recognize Mike Giulivo as Spirit of TEC winner."

Tom Kurtz

"Be hospitable to one another without complaining. As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace”. 1 Peter 4: 9-10. Tom Kurtz, a loving and participating member of North Coast Spirit Tec truly embodies the above bible verses. Tom has been a member of the TEC community for over 10 years, after he begrudgingly agreed to go on a retreat with the word “teen” in it after the urgings of his teenage son. Tom’s journey with TEC was just beginning after his initial retreat. Since then, he has worked 7 retreats, has introduced countless friends and family to TEC, and has played an integral role in serving the community through prayer and generosity in the forms of time, talent, and treasure. With his positive attitude and a personality that people gravitate towards, Tom continues to shine the light of Christ to the community whenever he is present. Outside of TEC, Tom is a daily mass attender, a devout rosary pray-er and a loving friend and father. He is a blessing to so many and through his selflessness and kindness, has changed many people’s lives for the better. It is with great joy to present the 2018 Spirit of Tec award to Tom Kurtz."

A Welcome Letter from Our Chairperson

Back in January, Katherine Komar became our new Chairperson for North Coast TEC. Since then, Katherine has been a wonderful re-addition to our Board and a co-leader of our community. 

See below a long awaited welcome letter that Katherine would like to share with all of us:

"Dear TEC community,

   Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed! What a joy it is to raise our voices in Alleluia once again! It feels like forever and no time since I became chairperson in January (sorry this is so late). I feel so honored and humbled to serve the community. In October 2002, I made TEC #59 as a senior in high school. The nerd I was had concerns about missing school on Friday to make the retreat, and ironically, it was my parents who were fine with my skipping class. However, the weekend was amazing and I was thrilled to have been there and be part of the community. Reflecting over my time in TEC, I was trying to decide my favorite part, but I couldn’t pick just one, so my two favorite parts of the TEC community these past 15 years, are the intergenerational family that is created and our devotion to our Eucharistic Lord. We come together from all walks of life, locations, ages and places on our spiritual journey to support each other and grow closer to God.  In a time when our culture tends to encourage the separation of the generations, I love how teens, young adults and adults come together. I still have fond memories of working a TEC where three grandmas came, because their grandchildren wanted to share what they had experienced. What a joy it was to see those ladies who were continuing to strive to listen to the Lord’s call in their lives! They witnessed for all - tecites and team alike - that the Christian life truly is a journey we live our entire lives. Central to that journey as Catholic Christians is the Eucharist. Whether it is on a weekend or at a FOP/XLT, making time to be present before Christ in the Eucharist is a priority in the community. Welcoming those who have never experienced adoration, coming back after a time away or regularly meeting Jesus in the Host, adoration is central to who we are and why we exist. How blessed it is to gather together and offer Him, who has given us everything, praise and thanksgiving, while also entrusting our pains, sorrows, struggles and wounds to Him who is the Divine Healer that He may provide help, whether directly or through others.

While I was working TEC 120, the Lord reminded me how truly blessed we are in this community. Throughout the weekend I was reminded of just how many people come together so others may encounter the risen Lord! We often think of how we share Christ when we are working and we do - how wonderful that we can be physically present to the tecites and walk with them. Yet, while working and maybe because when you are in charge you feel the pressure and responsibility a bit more, the Lord awakened in my heart such a gratitude for all those who serve from home on the weekend. I feel 100% confident saying, TEC wouldn’t be the same without you! The prayers and sacrifices of the community are felt so tangibly by those on the weekend. Whether people pray at work, school, home, the Die Day service, drop off forgotten supplies, help care for children, cover work shifts, and the plethora of other services done by those not physically present for the weekend it is that sacrificial love that makes TEC so blessed. The joy with which others undertake these “lower places” as Christ says in the Scriptures truly brings the greatest glory, for the team and tecites wouldn’t have the weekend they do without you. For, “Unless a grain of wheat falls

to the ground and dies, it remains, but a single grain. But if it dies, it bears
much fruit.” John 12:24 Thank you for embodying the Paschal Mystery, so that through death you and others may rise to new life!

Know of my prayers for each of you, your loved ones and intentions.

In Christ’s Love,

Katherine Komar, TEC #59"

Please keep Katherine in your prayers as she continues to minister to us as a faithful servant of Christ!!

Goodbye, Desi! ........ Hello, Katherine!

Goodbye, Desi! 

The TEC board and community would like to take this opportunity to extend a big THANK YOU to our now Chairperson Emeritus Desi Gould for her service to the TEC Community. Desi most recently served as chairperson of the NCS TEC Board. We wish her congratulations in completing a successful term of service. We are grateful to have served with Desi during her near decade of time serving as Young Adult Representative and Chairperson. We have truly learned from the best through her selfless dedication to others in this community. 

Desi worked incredibly hard alongside her husband Matt, demonstrating her commitment and dedication, which have not gone unnoticed. We all share admiration for her in her desire to uphold traditions of this organization and to consistently improve it in any way seen fit. We appreciate her devotion. 

We wish Desi good luck as she begins the next chapter of her life perusing higher education in counseling as well as raising her two beautiful children Maria and Joseph. We hope to see the entire family at many more events in the future.

May God continue to bless her and her family and we wish her nothing but the best for the true inspiration that she is. 

We thank you for your time, talents and treasure and we say THANK YOU for giving to The Lord!  

Sincerely,

The NCS TEC Board

Our Lady of Guadalupe- The Patron Saint of TEC

The gift of Wheat

Hello, Katherine!

The NCS TEC board would like to take this opportunity to extend a warm WELCOME to Katherine Komar, the newly elected Chairperson for NCS TEC Board. Katherine has been a devoted board member of this organization for quite a long period of time, and continues to lend her skills and talents now as she steps into the role of chairperson. We thank her for her willingness to serve this community in this new role. It is evident that Katherine has a heart of giving and a strong faith life. We look forward to her efforts as chairperson and the work that she will do for this community. 

Chairperson Katherine Komar with Chairpersons Emeritus Desi Gould and Nick Naugle

Please offer a prayer up for Katherine as she takes on this new role that she may serve the Lord gracefully during her term. Best of luck, Katherine!!

Sincerely,

The NCS TEC Board

NCS TEC Board at Dinner of Thanksgiving

Spirit of Tec 2017

Over the summer at our annual TEC picnic, the Spirit of Tec 2017 winners were announced. After much deliberation and voting, the board decided on 3 winners. Three incredible women. One adult, one young adult, and one teen. Board members were given the opportunity to write about why these faithful women of our community truly exemplified what it means to be the "Spirit of Tec". Below, please find our 2017 Spirit of Tec winners, and the words about them that are on each of their plaques. 

North Coast Tec's, "Spirit of Tec" 2017 winners:

Deb Werner

“For me prayer is a surge of the heart, it is a simple look towards Heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.” — Saint Therese of Lisieux     DebWerner has always found ways to consistently be available in love, prayer and service during both trial and joy. Despite the many hurdles, Deb has faced, she has always managed to take a phone call and be that listening ear. She has always found time to help with the latest TEC project or event, especially if it requires a craft. She is compassionate and honest. She continues to serve weekends, now even as a lay director.  Above all of this she has even taken on the demands as the Fundraising Coordinator of the NCS TEC board, which includes the facilitating of the annual TEC t-shirt. Deb is certainly dedicated. She has been mother, sister and friend to all of us. Shelives out her Catholic faith in tradition and spirit.  With a servant-heart she has embraced each of us with great love.  We have thankful hearts for the gift of Deb.  It is truly an honor to present the 2017 Spirit of TEC award to Deb Werner. 

Katie Fraser 

"Our Lord does not look so much at the greatness of our actions, or even at their difficulty, as at the love with which we do them." St. Therese of Lisieux once said this, and it rings true to the kind of person Katie Fraser is.  Although Katie has only been involved with the NCS TEC Community for a couple years, she has already made a loving impact. As someone who has overcome many versions of spiritual warfare in her life, Katie always comes out stronger and credits Christ and her Faith with her ability to overcome. Katie is a wonderful witness of her Faith and was made to have a servants heart. She is always willing to help, no matter how busy her life as a full time Youth Minister is. As a young adult who knows the struggles of growing up as a Catholic in today's world, Katie gives hope and promise to the teens, and even adults, who join the NCS TEC Community. Being one of her favorite saints, Katie deserves to be showered with roses from Our Lord through the intercession of St. Therese for all the good work she continues to do in the Church and in her life. Our 2017 Spirit of TEC award is Katie Fraser.

Gabby Yatson 

“Jesus is living next to you, in the brothers and sisters with whom you share your daily existence.” This quote from St. John Paul II perfectly describes Gabby Yatson. She is a young woman of faith who serves the NCS TEC community, her parish, and the pro-life movement with great devotion. The presence of Christ within Gabby is evident to anyone who meets her. She selflessly serves the NCS TEC community in many ways including working weekends and as a teen representative of the NCS TEC board. Gabby lives out the powerful message from St. Thérèse of Lisieux that taught us to “Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, thereby a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.” Gabby is well respected by all and lives out her faith each day.  It is an honor for the NSC TEC Community to recognize Gabby Yatson as our 2017 Spirit of TEC Award winner.

This, That, and the Other...

Weddings/Engagements/Ordinations

Chris and Alexandra Kelley(TECs 111 and 67) got married on October 1, 2016.

Josh and Kayla Lavery got married on April 21, 2017. Both made TEC 106.

PJ and Kristina Martin got married on June 10, 2017.

Carly Sidol(TEC 85) got engaged to her fiancé, Cameron on December 10, 2016.

Rev. Jim Cosgrove was Ordained to the Priesthood on May 19, 2017. His first assigment is at St. Christopher Parish in Rocky River.

Babies

Steven Bacher(TEC 73) and Mary Bacher(TEC 81) are delighted to announce the birth of their son! Kolbe Ignatius Bacher was born on Saturday, October 29th, at 2:36am. He weighed 6 pounds 3 ounces and was 19 1/4 inches long.

Patrick and Stephanie McCarthy welcomed the birth of their first child on November 19, 2016. John Patrick McCarthy was born at 6:04am weighing 6 pounds 11 oz and 18 inches long.

Jurell and Bridget Sison are expecting their first child this coming November 2017

Graduations/Jobs

Taylor Long(TEC 101) graduated this past May with a Bachelors degree in Psychology from Kent State University. She will be continuing her education to receive a Master's degree in School Counseling. 

Brittany Cermak passed her boards to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist in August 2016 and graduated with a Master's of science in nutrition from Case Western Reserve University in December 2016. She is now a Registered Dietitian at the Northeast Ohio Neighborhood Health Centers.

Lea Wilson(TEC 114) graduated from the Animal Care Program at the Medina County Career Center. She'll be applying to Tri-C to become a Veterinary Technician.

Bethany Clark(TEC 116) graduated from Walsh University a Bachelor's in Nursing and is employed at Summa Hospital.

Haley Wargo(TEC 110) graduated with a Bachelor's in Family Studies from Kent State in May of 2016. She plans to continue her education in social work or education.