KIERNAN: Called to Serve... Welcoming ECHO apprentices to Galveston-Houston

Four ECHO apprentices are serving in the Archdiocese: (left to right) Ryan Murphy, Zaneta Raymond, Antonia Bihan and Paul-Mark O. Eroma. (Photo courtesy of University of Notre Dame)

Many of our Texas Catholic Herald readers know what it means when the calendar hits August in Houston. The temperatures are peaking, and hurricane season is once again upon the area.

If you are not a native Texan, do you remember your first experience of a Texas summer? Well, four special young adults are about to discover this firsthand — the apprentices from the University of Notre Dame’s 21st and 22nd ECHO cohort.

The ECHO Program and the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston have deep roots since the partnership began back in 2005. Over the past 20 years, the Archdiocese has hosted more than 65 apprentices who have served in over 22 parishes. These young men and women have gone on to become professionals in parish youth ministry, directors of faith formation, working for Catholic Charities, Catholic high school religion teachers, campus ministers and even Archdiocesan staff. 

What exactly is ECHO, you might ask? The word “ECHO” in Greek means “to witness,” and the ministry of catechesis can be defined as “echoing or witnessing the faith from one to another.” These young men and women participate in a two-year program during which they earn a master’s degree in theology from the University of Notre Dame, participate as members of parish staff involved in catechetical ministry and live in an intentional faith community. All these components strive to build up the next generation of ministry leaders for the U.S. Church.  

The Archdiocese is delighted to welcome the apprentices from ECHO 21 and 22 cohorts.  
Ryan Murphy is from Millbrook, New York. He attended Iona College and has a degree in digital media production. He has also spent time in campus ministry and missionary work. Murphy is excited to draw closer to God and to become more effective in helping others to as well. His placement for his apprenticeship is at Prince of Peace Catholic Church with Deacon Robert Trahan as his mentor.      

Zaneta Raymond is from Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology from St. Xavier’s College and has ministry experience in catechism and discipleship training. She is excited to bring her service and creativity to the American Church. Raymond will be serving the community of St. Edward Catholic Church in Spring with Annette O’Driscoll as her mentor.      

Antonia Bihan is from Santiago, Chile. She has an undergraduate degree in law from Pontifica Universidad Catolica and has ministry experience as a catechist and campus minister. She looks forward to transmitting the faith and being a source of joy. Bihan will be apprenticing at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church under the guidance of her mentor, Molly Smith.      

Paul-Mark Eroma is from Ibadan, Nigeria. He has an undergraduate degree in philosophy from the Seminary of Sts. Peter and Paul. He has served in a variety of parish ministry roles and looks forward to serving wherever is needed with passion and enthusiasm. Eroma will be serving the community of Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church with Linda Watso as his mentor.       

Please join us in welcoming these apprentices to our Archdiocese, engaging with them as you see them around and keeping them in prayer. May God bless their time here, their ministry, and we look forward to seeing what this new group of catechetical leaders will bring to our local Church. ​
 
Matt Kiernan is the associate director for Sacrament Preparation of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis.