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In an ongoing collaboration with the University of Notre Dame, three new Echo Apprentices began working in parish and ministry settings in the Diocese of Scranton in August. They include, from left: Kim Berning, who is working with King\u2019s College Campus Ministry; Katie James, who is working at Christ the King Parish in Archbald; and Veronia Hill, who is working at Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Pittston. (Photo\/Eric Deabill)<\/p>\n
SCRANTON \u2013 The Diocese of Scranton has welcomed three new Echo Apprentices as part of its ongoing collaboration with the University of Notre Dame.<\/p>\n
Now entering its third cohort in the Diocese, this unique two-year program allows the graduate-level students to combine academic studies with actual parish-based ministry, helping to prepare the young adult Catholics for leadership roles in the church. <\/p>\n
In August, Veronica Hill, Kim Berning, and Katie James all arrived in northeastern Pennsylvania from various parts of the country, bringing their faith and enthusiasm. <\/p>\n
Each of the new Echo Apprentices will be working in a parish or ministry setting and will be mentored by local clergy.<\/p>\n
VERONICA HILL<\/p>\n
Placement: Saint John the Evangelist Parish, Pittston
Hometown: Glendale, AZ
Home Diocese: Tucson<\/p>\n
With a background in biology and biochemistry, Veronica Hill brings a scientific mind and a missionary heart to her ministry.<\/p>\n
A graduate of the University of Arizona, Veronica has experience leading weekly Bible study programs and even spent last summer as a summer missionary in Philadelphia where she cultivated relationships with the homeless.<\/p>\n
She was drawn to the Echo Program for its unique combination of theology coursework and hands-on parish experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is meaningful to listen and learn in the classroom,\u201d she shared, \u201cbut to have the opportunity to teach in schools and work in parishes as part of our formation takes this degree to the next level.\u201d<\/p>\n
At Saint John the Evangelist Parish, Veronica is eager to explore many facets of ministry \u2013 from senior outreach and religious education to social justice projects.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe parish community has already made me feel so welcome and I cannot wait to see what the Lord has prepared for these next two years,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
KIM BERNING<\/p>\n
Placement: King\u2019s College Campus Ministry, Wilkes-Barre
Hometown: Lenexa, KS
Home Diocese: Kansas City<\/p>\n
Kim Berning arrives in the Diocese of Scranton with a robust background in ministry, accounting, and leadership. <\/p>\n
A graduate of Creighton University with degrees in accounting and management and a theology minor, Kim spent time with the Apostles of the Interior Life in Texas and Italy and has worked extensively with youth and family RCIA.<\/p>\n
\u201cI chose the Echo Program because it offers an opportunity for in-depth study and challenge, enabling Echo students to actively share what they learn,\u201d she said. \u201cI believe this program prepares students for a career in ministry, but more importantly it prepares students to embrace the vocation of ministry.\u201d<\/p>\n
At King\u2019s College, Kim is diving into a vibrant community of students and will be involved in guiding OCIA, leading retreats, assisting with liturgies, and mentoring through faith-sharing groups like Sisters in Faith.<\/p>\n
\u201cWorking with college students is a unique experience that I\u2019m enjoying,\u201d she said. \u201cThe King\u2019s community has been incredibly welcoming and it\u2019s exciting to join the campus ministry team as they move into a new space.\u201d<\/p>\n
Though she\u2019s new to Pennsylvania, Kim is already making the most of it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve loved exploring the culture, even taking a coal mining tour and discovering the area through hikes,\u201d she explained. <\/p>\n
KATIE JAMES<\/p>\n
Placement: Christ the King Parish, Archbald
Hometown: Webster, MA
Home Diocese: Worcester<\/p>\n
With a degree in computer science and a minor in mathematics from Champlain College in Vermont, Katie James is no stranger to logic and systems. But it is her heart for ministry and formation that led her to say \u201cyes\u201d to being an ECHO Apprentice.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter serving as a Totus Tuus missionary \u2013 a Catholic summer catechetical youth program \u2013 I discovered a deep desire to grow in my knowledge of God through the study of theology,\u201d Katie explained. \u201cEcho stood out to me because it combines rigorous theological study with hands-on ministry experience.\u201d<\/p>\n
At Christ the King Parish in Archbald, Katie will be focused on catechesis, youth ministry, and family faith formation. She is particularly passionate about meeting people where they are and helping them to encounter Christ in daily life. <\/p>\n
\u201cI am incredibly excited to be serving at Christ the King Parish,\u201d Katie explained. \u201cAs an early admit to the Echo Program, I spent over a year waiting to receive my diocesan and parish placement. During that time, I prayed intentionally each day for my future community members, mentor, and parish \u2026 I\u2019ve already seen so many of those prayers beautifully answered.\u201d<\/p>\n
Having driven past Scranton countless times on family road trips, Katie now finds herself happily settled in the very place she once simply passed by.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a bit surreal,\u201d she joked. \u201cI had no idea I\u2019d one day get to call this place home!\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In an ongoing collaboration with the University of Notre Dame, three new Echo Apprentices began working in parish…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":39649,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[178,180,179],"class_list":["post-39648","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-scranton","tag-scranton","tag-scranton-headlines","tag-scranton-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39648","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39648"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39648\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/39649"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39648"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39648"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39648"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}