“ECHO" (Encountering Christ in Others) of Cape Cod is a Catholic community-based experience initiated by a weekend retreat. It focuses on the living presence of Jesus Christ encountered in others and self. As they enter their adult life, the ECHO program awakens teenagers to the three basic areas of:
· Identity (Who am I?),
· Integrity (Where am I?) and
· Vocation (Where am I going?),
then it helps them formulate their own individual answers to these three questions.

WHAT?
An ECHO weekend is a time set aside to be with the Lord and His people. It is a time of listening, worshiping, praying, and rejoicing. This is in a warm, supportive, and open atmosphere. On an ECHO weekend young people experience the goodness of the Lord within themselves and within others.

WHO?
The ECHO weekend is open to all High School juniors and seniors. Younger students are advised to wait until they have been confirmed. College freshmen and sophomores may also participate. A team of highly trained priests, adults, and young people conducts the ECHO weekend. The Catholic Church of the Diocese of Fall River endorses ECHO.

WHY?
The purpose of the ECHO weekend is to deepen the relationship between the young person, Jesus and the Church community. It is a relationship, which was begun in the Sacrament of Confirmation. ECHO affords the opportunity for young people to experience God’s love for them in a profound and often surprising way. It assists them to prepare for a life of faith in a world sometimes hostile to Christian values.

WHERE AND HOW?
The ECHO weekends are being held at the Craigville Conference Center in the town of Barnstable. The offering for room and board is $100.00. Applications for an ECHO may be obtained from an adult or young person involved in the program. Many rectories and Religious Education Centers also have applications. A person who has already experienced an ECHO must sponsor each applicant. The sponsor assists the participant with follow-up activities. These activities include weekly meetings held at all areas of the Cape.

WHEN?
Each ECHO weekend begins on Friday night and ends on Sunday night. Participants are expected to be present the entire weekend. Weekends are usually held for young women in November, January and March and for young men in December, February and April.

Please call the Parish Office at 508.775.5744 if you are interested in ECHO, or send an email to ministries@olvparish.org.

For on line general information, see:
www.echoofcapecod.org