[Editors note: This is better than it was, but I still need to bring in the pictures]
The TEC Times
May 2009
To Encounter Christ (TEC)
UPCOMING Atlanta EVENT :
TEC 35 Retreat:
June 26-28, 2009
At Emory University!
Mustard Seed “TECers” Encounter Christ via a Eucharistic Miracle
From Janice Givens, TEC 9, article
Last month, MSC had a fire in one of our homes in Jamaica called Martha’s House (see above picture 1). It was home to 32 children who were orphaned and HIV+ – All were safe due to the staff and neighbors quick response. The house was destroyed….except for the adoration room where the children and staff pray. It also was the room where Jesus was present and adored! The entire room and ciborium where the consecrated hosts were kept was untouched – no smoke no fire no damage whatsoever! You can see the inside of the adoration room (above picture 2) where a mission group that I was on in November 2007 put up a wall rosary of tennis balls for the kids to touch while they pray. The Bishop is trying to have the site declared a Eucharistic Miracle and Fr Gregory wants to try to preserve it as a physical reminder to his staff and the kids and the people of Jamaica that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist – Body, Soul and Divinity! Sometimes it is so good for us to hear of these stories just to validate what our heart and faith tells us is true! Thank you Jesus for this tangible sign!!
The Wedding and New Life of
Patricia (Jabaley) Partin
By Patricia Partin, TEC 23
I got married April 21, 2007 to Jeff Partin who is a wonderful person. As a matter of fact we just got off a cruise celebrating our 2 year anniversary! I can’t believe it’s been two years. We still live in Ellijay, Georgia close to both of our families. Jeff has a son, Jeffrey who lives with us full time. He will be 16 years old this June. I miss everyone so very much and can’t wait to hear from everyone. Hope you are doing well. Take care, Patricia Partin
“Kenifer” Wedding Day and Why
“October 11th Is a Special Day in ’08 & ’09″By Jennifer McMann, TEC 24, (and baby to be)
For many people, October 11, 2008 was a day to look forward to – The SEC rival Georgia Bulldogs and Tennessee Volunteers would take the field for an afternoon of exciting fall football. For Kenny McMann (TEC 31) and Jennifer (Kilfin) McMann (TEC 24), this day was one they had long awaited; Not because of a great football game, but because this was the day they would marry. Their nearly two-year courtship and engagement journey led them to an overcast Saturday morning adorned with fallen leaves, family who had traveled from afar and hopeful anticipation of the day and years that lied ahead. By the time the service began at 2:30, the clouds had given way to a gorgeous blue sky over St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Sharpsburg. Fr. Paul Burke, a friend of both Jennifer and Kenny, presided over the mass and gave a wonderful homily on marriage and family.
Many friends of the TEC community were there to witness and celebrate the joyous day; notably was groomsman and evangelist Rudy Schlosser. Other friends from the community were ushers, readers, musicians and all-night party people who wore out the dance floor with family from Canada and Ohio.
October 11th is once again a much anticipated day in this coming year as it is the due date of Baby McMann – we couldn’t have planned that if we tried! It was recently pointed out by friend and TECer, Bret Thoman, that October 11th is the Feast of St. Kenneth. Wow, there’s a saint who’s watching out for his namesake!
We’d like to thank all our friends in the TEC community for you prayers and support and a special thanks to those who missed the big football game to be part of our special day!
Prayers to all, Kenny & Jennifer (“Kenifer”) McMann
Liz Ryan Got Married on
April 18, 2009!
By Liz Ryan, TEC 28
(Once a TECer, ALWAYS a TECer)
I got married on April 18th in Sunset Beach, NC to Aaron Savage (of Tifton GA) .I thought I’d ring in to anyone who remembers me. Thanks!
Paula Womack’s Marriage of
May 26, 2001
And The Great Life That Followed!
By Paula Womack, TEC 11
I got married on May 26th, 2001. One of my bridesmaids passed out at the altar during the service!!! We have been married for 8 years this May. Our first anniversary we spent at Barnsley Gardens which was so nice but I was 5 days from being due with our daughter. Needless to say, it was nice but I would have chosen to go to Barnsley when I could enjoy the activities such as boating, golfing, swimming/laying out by the pool without a huge belly!!!!When Joey, my husband, proposed, we were at Canoe in Atlanta. My husband is very frugal so I knew something was up when he ordered the most expensive thing on the menu and continued to drink vodka/tonics. He seemed very nervous. During dessert which was out by the river, he kneeled on one knee. Very sweet! My advice, though, men you must talk to the parents prior to asking for her hand in marriage. My parents were hurt that they were not included in the plans prior to the big question.
Anna Catherine is 6 years old. Joseph is 3 years old. We recently experienced our first pet death. My daughter asked if she could bury my rosary bead with Sammy the Cat. It was pouring down rain, my husband dug a hole in the spot designated by my daughter, next to her playhouse. We eulogized the cat, cried…all the while, I saw my 3 year old standing on the porch of the playhouse, out of the rain (smart kid), staring at us. When he realized I was watching him, he pretended to be devastated and tried to cry as my husband, daughter and mother-in- law were doing. Later that evening, I was so touched by Anna Catherine’s prayers at bed time. She asked Jesus to take care of Sammy until she could one day be with him. She told him that his play toy was buried with him and to make sure he had it. It was a moment of feeling heaven on earth…I thought to myself, there is no better job than being a Mom and this is what I waited for so long in life! We tucked our daughter in, put my son to bed. As we told him goodnight, Joseph asked,”Mom, I still don’t understand why you had to put Sammy in the mud???” 
Kids are wonderful and so priceless!!! TEC was wonderful! It was a life-changing experience. While I do not get to see anyone from TEC because I live in Cartersville, work full-time, attend classes for a specialist degree and spend time with my family, I will never forget the friendships (Sean, Tammy, and so many others) made and the lessons learned. It was shortly after TEC that I met my husband. I think it took me realizing at TEC to be at complete peace with being 31 or 32 and not married, giving my life and focusing on Christ that HE finally got me to a place where I was ready to meet my husband.
Don Jeanne’s baby – Isabella Marie
By Don Jeanne, TEC 18
Royal Proclamation!!!!
Hear-ye!! Hear-ye!! Let it be known that on the 8th day of July 2008, an heiress of the family of Donald and Anita Jeanne was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and unto whom at the holy sacrament of baptism, her highness has been given the name, Isabella Marie Jeanne, in honor of Queen Isabella I “the Catholic” of Spain and Mary, the Queen of Heaven, on this 21st day of September 2008 Anno Domini at St. Paul of the Cross Roman Catholic Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Praise be to Jesus Christ!!!
Two More TECers to Be Married!
Steven Buckley, TEC 30, and Emily Bielawski, TEC 29, are engaged. They’re getting married in December 2009
My Best Friend(s) Wedding
Bryan, TEC 24, Marries Melissa, TEC 18
By Rudy Schlosser, TEC 16
So many people know Bryan and Melissa as one of the happiest newlyweds on this planet! This is what happens when two best friends get married. Well, as the “roommate” / “family friend” of these two, I can confirm that this LOVE is LEGIT and is FOREVER! How did this love get to be so totally awesome? JESUS, of course!
Since I have known both of them for about 5 years now, the three of us have had MANY fun times together like Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, birthday, and Elvis parties; roadtrips and plane trips; just hanging out with other friends, and many TEC retreats and TEC events. What impresses me so much about the two of them is the LOVE they show toward anybody – friends and strangers and even me. They truly live Jesus’ message about welcoming and then befriending a stranger (and in my case, a stranger who became a best friend).
At the end of June, 2008, Bryan kept leaving “funny” messages on my voicemail (even funny for him). This time I sensed his messages really meant something incredibly meaningful. When we finally talked, both Bryan and Melissa were on the phone and they simultaneously told me the exciting news: “We are Engaged!” Like many others, my first reaction was “well finally,” but I kept that to myself and just said, “Totally awesome. So when is the wedding?” Well, fast forward to February 7, 2009 – the day of Bryan and Melissa’s wedding. Of course, leading to this wedding were many fun bachelor and bachelorette parties (you’ll have to ask Bryan and Melissa about the details).
Like many Catholic weddings, Bryan and Melissa’s was TOTALLY AWESOME! Many Tecers were there. That was a testament to how much love they have for others TECers and vice-versa. Melissa was FOR SURE on cloud 9! She was oblivious to everything except for the love for Bryan (earlier that day, she was in a minor auto accident that she barely paid attention to – her car still has the “bruises to prove it). As for Bryan, I have never seen a groom “work” so much on his wedding. He performed in two bands as singer, guitarist, and sax player, hosted his wedding, ensured all guests and family members were ok, checked up on Cain, his dog, and even managed to spend time with Melissa. That is TRUE LOVE for his wife!
An Artist to Be:
Rockie Rombalski, TEC 28
I was accepted into Grad School for Art Education at both UGA and Kennesaw.
Milestone in the Labbe Family
By Larry Labbe, TEC 25
As some of you may know Nancy and I have a baby boy we named Ryan. The latest and greatest about Ryan is: On April 23rd 2009, Ryan William Labbe began to crawl.
SEEKING TEC White Softball Player: TEC White Softball is looking for players. It’s an established team with ACS and plays in the competitive bracket. Practice and “try-outs” will be in mid-May. Please contact me (Larry Labbe @ labbe315@aol.com) if interested
