Here’s the TEC Peace Song, written in the Omaha Diocese and used as well in the Des Moines Diocese of the Catholic Church for the Teens Encounter Christ movement. The program in the Des Moines Diocese was in the 1970s to the early 2000s.
Keep reading below to hear how the TEC Peace Song became so special …
Download the TEC Peace Song (right-click and choose “Save or Save As…”)
Or, just play the song below …
Over 40 TEC communities are still active in the U.S., the Bahamas, South America and Europe.
This was our theme song. We sang it at least twice during the weekend — and then whenever we thought we might like to while we were not on a TEC weekend.
What is TEC? Teens Encounter Christ. It was a beautiful creation; a program designed to introduce Roman Catholic high school seniors to the person of Jesus Christ.
The theme of the weekend is “Die – Rise – Go”. Each day of the retreat carries one of the themes. Ultimately, the weekend is all about how Jesus died, rose again and then went to the Father. He showed us His new life!
THIS was how Jesus showed US how to live our lives anew. Not only by believing in Him, which gives us life eternal, but by living for Him (and therefore, each other!) so we might have life to the full. Right here. Right now!
Die to ourselves and some of our selfish desires. Rise to a new life in Christ — with a promise to grow into who God designed us to be. And Go. Do it! Be a disciple and introduce others to the wonders of Christ in your life.
The team of adults share how their lives were changed. They share how they died to themselves and share how their discovery of God changed everything about their lives.
They related how they found the strength through Christ to rise again through their adversities and life-struggles.
Each ‘talk’ throughout the weekend is designed around that theme of Die, Rise and Go. Adults and students share bible passages and discussions around the themes. We take regular breaks and sing songs and play volleyball, or play cards and games.
Most of all, the weekend was designed to show the kids that they are not alone in this world, that they had a wonderful, beautiful large community of older and younger adult TECers to lean on — to cry on — whenever needed.
How the TEC Peace Song became so special …
This was demonstrated in the most beautiful way during the weekend. On Sunday afternoon while the students were in session with the adults, the larger community would gather at another location nearby.
When the students were taken to dinner, they saw that a band was setting up their gear (that was always amazing to see the rush of joy on their faces!!) and told they’d have a dance that night.
But what they DIDN’T know was that the larger community — including their best friends — was going to join them!! As dinner finished, the crowd rushes in. It was so incredibly beautiful. It was a huge rush of joy in the room as the students realized they were not alone!!
At the end of the evening, the entire room sings the TEC Peace Song. Absolute union with Christ and with each other.
We can do all through Christ who strengthens us. Philippians 4:13. Together we are stronger.
Please enjoy and spread far and wide.
Thanks,
Steve
Download the TEC Peace Song (right-click and choose “Save or Save As…”)
Or, just play the song below …
Steve, the Tec Peace song, ( sung in prayerful voice ). Holds a place in our hearts and lives. The hundreds of times we have prayed this song along side thousands of our friends we were move by the spirit of Christ’s Love in a way that will always be with us, as will those friends. Thank you for sharing that gift of prayer through the Tec Peace Song again. We will always remember , always be thankful and always be blessed. SURE DO !
Mike and Terri, I am so glad you found this!! I had to make sure that the TEC Peace Song and our memories around this had a home. It’s a testament to who Christ is in our lives and hopefully is an inspiration for others. SURE DO!