“The love, energy, and enthusiasm our Echo apprentices give is contagious, as is their deep desire to serve in parish ministry,” Joanne DePasquale-Parent, Diocesan Leader for the ECHO Parish Track said. “Their inspiring presence has enlivened our pastors, parish catechetical leaders, pastoral staff, and parishioners of our Echo partner parishes. We are grateful and we give glory to God for the ECHO program and for the great blessing it is to us all.”
The eight ECHO students completing their service in the Archdiocese come from various regions of the country. This year’s apprentices are: Scott Becker, ECHO teacher at St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale; Heather Christman, ECHO teacher at Immaculate Heart Academy in Washington Township, Therese Douglass, ECHO teacher at Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair; Robert Hernandez, ECHO teacher at Hudson Catholic Regional High School in Jersey City; Giana Castelli,, ECHO Apprentice at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Ridgewood; Nicole Clermont, ECHO Apprentice at St. Peter the Apostle Parish in River Edge; Elizbeth Greenop, ECHO Apprentice at The Parish Community of St. Helen in Westfield; and Audrey Gyolai, ECHO Apprentice at Church of the Presentation in Upper Saddle River.
“I am a recent convert to Catholicism, so I never had the opportunity to serve in a ministerial role,” said Robert Hernandez on the McGrath Institute website. “ECHO allows me to continue my religious education and formation while also letting me give back a little to Christ who saved me.”
Father Stephen Fichter, Archdiocesan Episcopal Vicar of Education, welcomes guests at the ECHO luncheon on Oct. 12, 2022.
Following the reception, ECHO graduate students talk with Cardinal Joseph Tobin (center) and Tim Pisacich, Associate Director of Human, Communal, and Spiritual Formation for the ECHO Program (center, right).
Cardinal Joseph Tobin (center) poses with ECHO graduate students serving in the Archdiocese of Newark: (left to right) Scott Becker, Robert Hernandez, Therese Douglass, Heather Christman, Giana Castelli, Audrey Gyolai, Elizabeth Greenop, and Nicole Clermont.
Cardinal Joseph Tobin (center) poses with ECHO 18 Catholic school teachers and their mentors: (back row) Michael Bruno, St. Joseph Regional High School Principal and ECHO Mentor; Terrence Matthews, Hudson Catholic Regional High School Principal; Sarah Shutrop, ECHO Mentor; Lisa Pena, ECHO Mentor; Brother Christopher Hall, Assistant Superintendent of High Schools; (front row) Margaret Manning, ECHO Formation Assistant, Scott Becker, ECHO 18 Catholic school teacher; Robert Hernandez, ECHO 18 Catholic school teacher; Therese Douglass, ECHO 18 Catholic school teacher; Heather Christman, and ECHO 18 Catholic school teacher, and Kerry Carroll, Immaculate Heart Academy Principal.
Cardinal Joseph Tobin (center) poses with ECHO 19 Parish Apprentices and their mentors, including (left to right) Father Bob Stagg, Pastor at Church of the Presentation in Upper Saddle River; Michael Fusco, ECHO Mentor; Elizabeth Greenop, ECHO 19 Apprentice; Father Michael Sheehan, Pastor at St. Peter the Apostle Parish in River Edge; Eileen Hanrahan, ECHO Mentor; Nicole Clermont, ECHO Apprentice; Giana Castelli, ECHO Apprentice; Audrey Gyolai, ECHO Apprentice; Catzel LaVecchia, ECHO Mentor; Cathy Hunt, ECHO Mentor; Msgr. Ronald J. Rozniak, Pastor at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Ridgewood, and Stephanie Sonnick, ECHO Formation Assistant.