Fr. Francis Brendan Connors: returned to the Father on January 4th. Fr. Connors, the former pastor of Our Lady of Victory Church, with the help of Fr. Edward Correia, was responsible for bringing the ECHO program to Cape Cod in 1970.
Fr. Connors was the greatest supporter of ECHO; his encouragement of adults and teenagers to participate in the program was such a gift to all.
After suffering several debilitating strokes Father took up residence in Pocasset and assisted at St. John’s Church. He continued throughout his lifetime to support ECHO both financially and with his prayers. He was truly the suffering Christ, a holy man. ECHO has lost a true friend. Fr. Connors will be missed!
(Editor’s note: With the loss of Rita Goveia, Dick Paradise and Fr. Connors, ECHO really has a cheering section before the throne of God!)

Hats Off: to Pat Murphy for the outstanding eulogy at the Month’s Mind Mass for Dick. Pat, a senior at Boston College, witnessed to the gift of Echo and Dick in his life and challenged all present to reach out to others and to hold Christ as the most important value in life.

Accolades to the young people who brought such reverence to the beautiful liturgy.

SPECIAL THANKS: to Ann Vaughan who sent a very generous donation to ECHO in memory of Rita Goveia and Dick Paradise. “The ECHO community has lost two heroes who will be sorely missed.”

Special thanks to team and candidates of ECHO 227. Your deep sharing was a special gift to us all. Jesus was so present in your witnessing.
Also thanks to the palanca army for their tremendous support, especially to the coordinators Heidi Burchell, Tiffany Hanson, Kim Manning, and Mike Mahoney. Super Job!

ECHO 228 will begin on Friday, Feb.7th and the closing will be held at Our Lady of Victory Church in Centerville on Sunday Feb. 9th at 7 p.m. Plan to support the team and candidates with your palanca.

Once again we remind you that palanca means prayer and sacrifice, the lifting of our hearts and minds to Jesus asking Him to touch the hearts of the candidates and fill them with His Spirit.

The Palanca Room is located in the Barnstable Recreation Building on Main Street, Centerville and is open from 6:30 to 9p.m. Friday, and Saturday from 10a.m. - 8p.m. The Palanca Room is not open on Sunday. Please make sure all Palanca is there by 7p.m. Saturday so it can be sorted. Palanca may not be delivered by sponsors or family to Craigville.

The palanca room for this weekend will be run by Shelby Allen, Amanda Blanchette and Amanda Soares. Please support them with your prayers and presence.

The theme for the weekend is “You’ll Be in My Heart” from the song “You Are in My Heart” by Phil Collins. Please plan to join the young men of ECHO 228 as they celebrate the gift of Jesus in their lives:

Come, stop your crying I will be alright
Just take my hand and hold it tight
I will protect you from all around you
I will be here don’t you cry.
For one so small you seen so strong
My arms will hold you, keep you safe and warm
This bond between us can’t be broken
I will be here, don’t you cry
Cause you’ll be in my heart, yes, you’ll be in my heart
From this day on now and forever more
You’ll be in my heart, no matter what they say
You’ll be in my heart always

ECHO 228: Rector: Tim Acton, Inside Ass’t: Keith Caldwell, Outside Ass’t: Dana Marcotte, Spiritual Directors: Fr. Tom Frechette, Fr. John Murray, Deacon Lenny Dexter, Ideals: Harry Davis, Paschal Mystery: Fr. Tom, Witness to Paschal Mystery: Jon Porkka, Penance: Fr. John, Witness to Penance: Mike Mahoney, Community of Love: Paul St. Onge, Piety: Casey Cwynar, Choosing a Christian Life: Mark Delaney, Signs and Communications: Deacon Lenny, Marriage: Jack & Ellen Driscoll, Christ the Man: Dwight Giddings, People of God: Brian Guthrie, Confidence in Christ: Mike Rivet, Christian in Action: Matt Jones, Fourth Day: Tim Acton

ECHO 229: Rectora; Sharon Acton, Team: Annemarie Souza, Ruth Moore, Caitlyn Jones, Fr. Dick Roy, Danielle D’Olimpio, Fr. John Murray, Heather Eldredge, Susie Brown, Liz Eagan, Debbie Golden, Alice & Dave Doherty, Judy Walker, Maryellen Loucks, Kassie Moore, Jen Smith

Community News: Congratulations to newly engaged Pete Ginnetty to Lindsay Sullivan and Marc Powell to Breanna Dwyer, all from Barnstable.

Hats Off: to the reunion groups. The weekly programs have been challenging and very rewarding for all attendees. The sharing and depth of discussions have brought us closer to Christ. Thank you to all who work so hard to make these reunions so meaningful.

Hint: If you wish to deepen your own faith journey volunteer to run a program for your reunion. (Two or three can work together.)

Prayers: for Fr. Francis Connors, Dick Paradise, Rita Goveia, for Fr. Ed. Correia’s mother, for Peggy Carr (Lori Johnson’s mother), and Enrico Perella (Judy Perella’s father-in-law) who have all returned to the Father; for Antoinette Kamper (Brian Gundlach’s grandmother who broke her hip), for the homeless especially in this bitter cold, for the poor and the lonely, for our armed forces, and for peace in our world.

Remember Tuesday is ECHO prayer day!