This article originally appeared in the March 2025 issue of the Congregation of the Mission Western Province quarterly newsletter, The Vincentian.
Cyril (“Butch”) and Connie Eichhorn grew up in neighboring small towns in southeast Missouri during the 1960s. Connie was raised Catholic. Butch was raised in the Lutheran faith.
In 1972, the couple married, moved to the larger city of Cape Girardeau, and started their family. They joined St. Vincent de Paul Parish and eventually sent their two daughters to the parish grade school. In 1993, Butch joined the Catholic Church.
“As our kids grew up and took part in youth group and a lot of the Vincentian opportunities for service, Butch and I met more and more Vincentian priests.,” Connie recalls.
There was a certain genuineness and warmth that stood out to the Eichhorns as they got to know various Vincentian pastors and associates serving the parish.
“Growing up Catholic, you always felt you had to behave a certain way in front of priests,” Connie said. “You were guarded. There was a sense of awe and distance. But with the Vincentians, I felt like I saw the real side of the person –– not just the perfect or holy side.”
The Eichhorns have grown especially close to Fr. Joe Williams, C.M., recently elected Provincial of the Western Province of the Congregation of the Mission.
“Fr. Joe is a good, good friend,” Connie said. “He has baptized all five of our grandchildren and presided at our youngest daughter’s wedding. He’s even joined us on our family vacations.”
Now in their 40s, the couple’s daughters remain in touch with Fr. Ron Hoye, C.M., a leader in youth faith development across the U.S. as well as abroad and director of Catholic Teamworks.
The couple felt God had blessed them in many ways throughout their lifetime together, so when the opportunity arose to support one of the Vincentians’ projects in Kenya, they said YES. It was the beginning of making an annual commitment to support the Congregation.”
Having centered so much of their family life around the life of the parish, Connie believes the positive Vincentian influence in their girls’ lives is a big reason why both remain practicing Catholics today. “They felt comfortable in their schools, the relationships and the close church community … There was a real bond that our entire family developed that centered around St. Vincent’s.