New name for Riverbend A-TEC!

by Father Dennis Labat

Riverbend A-TEC (Adults-Teens Encounter Christ), a retreat experience, has been present in the Diocese of New Ulm since April 1977. Since that first retreat in 1977 over 5,600 youth and adults have participated in this three-day retreat experience. On June 23-25 we will hold the 170th Riverbend weekend.

Youth who are 16 years old or a junior in high school or older are welcome to participate in this retreat experience. Young adults and adults have always participated in the retreats also. This retreat experience began as Riverbend TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) as a part of a National TEC Conference with the support of Bishop Raymond Lucker. In 1986 we changed our name from TEC to A-TEC adding the word "adult" to the name of the retreat. Adults have always been involved in the TEC weekend. The change in name was done in order to help adults feel more comfortable participating in the weekend.

The TEC Conference has been a growing support in the ongoing development and improvement of the TEC experience for TEC centers throughout our country and internationally. Riverbend has been affiliated with the TEC Conference for many years. In order to be in compliance with TEC Conference Riverbend A-TEC has changed its name to Riverbend TEC (Together Encountering Christ). Adults and young adults continue to be welcome. Together with the teens, all are invited to encounter Christ and grow in their faith.

For more information about Riverbend TEC check out its web site riverbendtec.org. Application forms are available from this web site. Also you may want to check out the web site for the TEC Conference at tecconference.org.

The schedule for the Riverbend TEC weekends has been set for the coming year:

RB 170 June 23-25, 2001 - Winsted

RB 171 Aug. 11-13, 2001 - New Ulm

RB 172 Oct. 19-21, 2001 - Winsted (Friday - Sunday)

RB 173 Nov. 24-26, 2001 - New Ulm

RB 174 Jan. 5-7, 2002 - Bird Island

RB 175 Feb. 16-18, 2002 - Winsted

RB 176 Mar. 16-18, 2002 - New Ulm

RB 177 June 22-24, 2002 - Winsted

RB 178 Aug. 3-5, 2002 - Bird Island

For application forms or more information contact Father Dennis Labat at 1400 6th St. N., New Ulm, MN 56073; or phone 507-359-2966 (office) or 507-723-4141; or email at dlabat@springfield-sanborn.net.