Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston (Echo 21 & 22)
Zaneta Raymond
Echo Class:
Echo 22 Parish Apprentice
Echo Placement:
St Edward Catholic Church
Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Hometown:
Mumbai, India
Undergraduate Institution & Area(s) of Study:
St Xavier's College, 2023
Psychology, Sociology
MA Psychology, St Xavier's College, April 2025
What are your favorite hobbies and activities outside of your ministry work?
I love music- listening, writing, composing. I enjoy being outdoors and hanging out with furry friends.
What attracted you to Echo and helped you decide to join the program?
Honestly, it is a program that GIVES. You receive an accredited MA Theology degree from Notre Dame, a chance to not only learn but also serve at a parish/school, a community of faith-filled youth like you, a team of spirit-led, dedicated, and caring staff who journey with you, a mentor and EFA who show you the ropes of service, and a chance to grow as a person.
What have you enjoyed most about your Echo experience thus far?
The wonderful people I've come across right from the Echo staff, to the seniors, my own batchmates, and of course the incredible Houston community including my mentor and EFA.
What kinds of things will you be doing at your Echo placement?
I am serving directly under my mentor who is the Director of Evangelization and Catechesis. I like to consider myself as a floater. I will be assisting with Adult Ministry (OCIA, Conf), Youth Ministry (Conf, Edge, Life Teen), and Children's Ministry (Sunday Formation, Sacraments) as well as closely working with Homebased Catechesis and serving the families that are a part of it.
What is the most significant thing you’ve learned in Echo?
Saying yes to God is not a one-time deal. You wake up every morning, say yes, and trust Him to take care of the rest. And He always does.
What do you hope to do after Echo?
I would love to integrate my learning of psychology and theology and better serve the Church back in my home town, or wherever the Lord calls me. The theme of synodality has always stayed with me and I hope to do my part to seeing it grow.
Antonia Bihan
Echo Class:
Echo 21 Parish Apprentice
Echo Placement:
Saint Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church
Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Hometown:
Santiago, Chile
Undergraduate Institution & Area(s) of Study:
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 2019, Law
Law School, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Enero 2021
Associate Lawyer, 2021-2024
What are your favorite hobbies and activities outside of your ministry work?
I love to exercise and go on walks to different trails, paint, cook and read.
What is your favorite quote, song, or image?
"Se tu sappessi" from Antonio Anasstasio, who was an Italian priest.
What attracted you to Echo and helped you decide to join the program?
I love the fact that we experience the Church in all of its faces. It can make you realize that it is complex and you live within it in all its humanity being able to center your faith in Christ.
What advice would you give to Echo applicants?
Pray and pray. And even if you are not sure, apply! The application helps you discern if Echo is the right fit for you. The application is tough but you learn so much about you and your relationship with God that I would recommend it to anyone!
Ogheneruona Paul-Mark Eroma
Echo Class:
Echo 21 Parish Apprentice
Echo Placement:
Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church, Houston
Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Hometown:
Delta State, Nigeria
Undergraduate Institution & Area(s) of Study:
University of Ibadan, 2017
Philosophy
What are your favorite hobbies and activities outside of your ministry work?
When I am not actively catechizing, I enjoy playing volleyball when you find me outside. Otherwise, I would be watching a lot of comedy movies/series. I am also intrigued by mystery and SciFi.
What is your favorite quote, song, or image?
My favorite quote (out of a thousand favorites): "Life is not worth living unless it is lived for others"-By Mother Teresa of Calcutta
What attracted you to Echo and helped you decide to join the program?
My first attraction was the learning+service combo. The beautiful way that Echo merges high-level theological and intellectual studies and the practical faith experience of people in the pews is phenomenal. I have always believed that the study of theology should better serve our faith life and Echo gives the platform to do just that. It is truly a gift to me and the Church.
What kinds of things will you be doing at your Echo placement?
I am the Coordinator of Home Based Catechesis (accompanying 100s of families weekly); and serving within the Religious Education (RE) Department for in-person RE. I will also be assisting the Youth Ministry occasionally with leading small groups of teens during Faith formation, and helping run training programs for their Core Teams; also, I will likely be serving with the OCIA group as well.
What is the most significant thing you’ve learned in Echo?
You are not alone. There are so many people to walk with and work things out with you. From your mentors to the energetic Echo staff, to your EFA, Diocesan leaders, and community members! Trust me, you are not alone.
What do you hope to do after Echo?
My hope after Echo is to remain in Ministry (whatever God wants that to look like). Aside from that, I'll be pursuing an MDiv or a PhD, with a long-term dream of specializing in formation and catechesis.