April 7, 2025
The next Information Bulletin is Monday, April 14, 2025.The deadline for submissions is Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.
The Diocese of Erie Information Bulletin advertises and promotes activities and events sponsored by diocesan entities such as parishes, schools, religious communities and groups. The IB is unable to advertise or promote activities or events not sponsored by such entities. Submissions may run a maximum of two editions. The administrative offices of the diocese reserve the right to edit submissions.
Email your Information Bulletin items to the editor.
Planning ahead: Due to the Easter holiday, the deadline for submissions during Holy Week will be Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. The Saint Mark Catholic Center offices are closed from April 17-21. The next IB will be shared in the late afternoon of Tuesday, April 22. Thank you!
April edition of Jubilee Journey: Pilgrims of Hope available now
The attached April edition of the Jubilee Journey: Pilgrims of Hope newsletter is now available. To recognize the Jubilee Year 2025, this newsletter – suitable for printing in parish bulletins or using in faith formation classes – provides both informative and interactive elements for children and adults. Each edition celebrates the monthly jubilee events recognized the Vatican and brings readers along for a spiritual pilgrimage. The April edition is attached, and previous editions can be found at https://www.eriercd.org/holyyear2025.html.
If your parish or group is hosting a jubilee event, going on a pilgrimage or recognizing the Holy Year in a special way, we would like to know! Please send information to ibeditor@ErieRCD.org.
Ministry Platform announces a free volunteer management enhancement
Volunteer Connect is an optional enhancement to Ministry Platform designed to make organizing, scheduling and managing volunteers easier than ever. Volunteer Connect helps interested parishes simplify scheduling with an intuitive, user-friendly experience; improve communication with automated request emails and one-click responses. MP describes Volunteer Connect as a more efficient way for volunteer coordinators and team leaders to manage and schedule volunteer teams, while also providing an intuitive experience for volunteers themselves to see and respond to upcoming volunteer assignments. MP’s content team has put together detailed how-to guides so you can hit the ground running. You can find it here: https://help.acst.com/en/ministryplatform/help-topics/life-apps/volunteer-connect. Join MP for a Volunteer Connect webinar on April 24 at 2 p.m. Sign up whether you can attend or not, so you get a recording of the webinar. Register here: https://acst.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gJa9q5rUSHSg4GSrnm2y-A#/registration.
Staying Safe Online
Social media can expose personal information, so it's crucial to review privacy settings and control who sees your posts. Be cautious with friend requests from strangers and avoid sharing sensitive data publicly. Regularly update passwords and enable multi-factor authentication. Stay alert for suspicious links or offers. Promote responsible sharing and report any suspicious activities to maintain a safe online community. Educating ourselves about social media safety aligns with our values and fosters trust. Keep safe on social media with this guide from the NSA guide: https://media.defense.gov/2021/Sep/16/2002855950/-1/-1/0/CSI_KEEPING_SAFE_ON_SOCIAL_MEDIA_20210806.PDF.
Webinar Recap: Enhance Your Parish’s Financial Health Through Online Giving:
Missed our recent webinar on online giving? No worries! We covered why parishes should consider online giving, the importance of ongoing promotion and introduced MP e-giving—a new service from ACST in partnership with Vanco—that integrates into Ministry Platform. Why switch to MP e-giving? No monthly fees! Unlike other vendors, MP e-giving offers a cost-effective solution to enhance your parish's financial health. Online donations flow directly into Ministry Platform with no need to re-key or manually import transactions. Text-to-give allows people to donate on the fly—even pay for their Lenten meals without the need to swipe any cards. Watch now and learn how to make the most of online giving for your parish. Feel free to share this video with your finance council members: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XXhMRJwo0jw3Q1q6Tp5APNb-n9bTYibi/view?usp=sharing.
April Issue of the Young Adult and Youth Newsletter
The attached copy of the Young Adult and Youth Ministry newsletter is designed for anyone interested in or involved with Young Adult and Youth Ministry within our diocese, particularly those in leadership roles. Its goal is to provide informative, supportive, and uplifting content to encourage and strengthen our ministry community.
Job openings in the diocese
See the classified section below for the latest position openings. Here’s a quick link to diocesan, school and parish jobs: https://www.eriercd.org/employment.html. For Erie Catholic School System jobs only, go to https://www.eriecatholic.org/about/careers.
PW Protected Attachments:Clergy and Department Heads click here to login.April edition of the Jubilee Newsletter April issue of YAYN International Pilgrim Virgin Statue Tour Catholic Charities Bingo Book Study: Forming Intentional Disciples Our Lady of Fatima Shrine Bus Trip Faith on Fire “Greater Things” spring luncheon Heart to Heart Sacred Saturdays |
International Pilgrim Virgin Statue Tour
The International Pilgrim Virgin Statue Tour is coming to the Diocese of Erie May 1-10. This amazing experience is sponsored by the World Apostolate of Fatima and Our Lady’s Blue Army, Mercer County Division. The world-famous statue was sculpted according to the specifications of Ven. Sister Lucia, seer of Fatima, and by Jose Thedim, the Michelangelo of Portugal. The statue was blessed by Ven. Pope Piux XII on May 13, 1947. She was named the Pilgrim Virgin Statue known as “Weeping Madonna.” To see all of her stops, please see the attached tour schedule. For more information, please contact Tina Scoccia at 724-877-0987.
Catholic Charities Bingo
Catholic Charities is holding a Bingo Night at the JPT Event Center, 2319 W. 38th St., Erie, on Friday, April 25. Take a shot at winning great prizes like designer purses, electronics and cash. Enjoy a fun-filled evening while supporting a good cause. All proceeds go toward Catholic Charities programs. Tickets are available at: https://bit.ly/ccbingo2025. For more information, contact Tina at 814-824-1260 or tespin@ccincerie.org. Check the attached flyer for details.
Book Study: Forming Intentional Disciples by Sherry Weddell
The Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Conference room, 100 Penn Ave. Mercer, will be the setting for a book study on Saturdays in June (7, 14, 21 and 28) from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Registration deadline is April 28. The cost, which includes book and a study guide, is $20. Participants are asked to read the book and use the study guide in advance of the first session. The discussion will be thematic rather than chapter by chapter. See attached flyer.
- Register: https://ihmercer.org/forming-disciples/
- Facebook Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FFD44AAVb/
Our Lady of Fatima Shrine Bus Trip
Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Harborcreek is planning a bus trip to Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Lewiston, New York, on Saturday, May 31. In addition to a presentation by shrine staff, there will be an opportunity to explore the extensive grounds which include outdoor Stations, Rosary, Avenue of Saints, several chapels and a gift shop. We will join the shrine community for the Vigil Mass of Sunday. The cost of transportation is $65. Deadline for non-refundable reservations is April 27 (or as soon as bus is filled). Space is limited. See attached flyer for details.
Faith on Fire! “Greater Things” luncheon
Discover how faith affects the brain on Saturday, April 12, from 9:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Faith on Fire is hosting a “Greater Things” spring luncheon at the St. Joseph Bread of Life Center, 147 West 24th St., Erie. Dr. Jaqueline Phillips will be presenting on faith, prayer and the human brain. Cost is $10 when choosing the no food option. Lunch options are chicken salad or Italian sandwich for $14 at the door or $12.50 in advance. Please see the attached flyer to read further details or register.
Basket and Cash Bingo
Sperry Hall at Our Lady of Mercy Parish, 837 Bartlett Rd., Harborcreek will be hosting Basket and Cash Bingo fundraiser on April 12, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Doors open at 10 a.m. Proceeds benefit the 2025 youth mission trip to Bowling Green, KY. Tickets are $20 for 12 games and can be purchased at the Our Lady of Mercy office or by calling 814-392-6517.
Catholics Returning Home
The Epiphany of the Lord Parish in Meadville is conducting a free series of informal listening sessions, titled “Catholics Returning Home,” on six consecutive Wednesday evenings beginning April 23, at 6:30 p.m. at St. Mary of Grace Church, 1085 Water St., Meadville. The series is an invitation to Catholics who have been away to renew their relationship with the Catholic Church. These listening sessions will be conducted in a support-group format, with updates on the Catholic faith. Former returned Catholics or converts will facilitate the evenings. Everyone is welcome. For more details, call 814-336-1112.
Heart to Heart: Sacred Saturdays
The first installment of the Heart to Heart series will take place on Saturday, May 10, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, 100 Penn Ave., Mercer. The morning will begin with 9 a.m. Mass, followed by breakfast and a speaker presentation in Gallagher Hall, concluding at 11:30 a.m. The featured speaker will be the Very Rev. Andrew Boyd, V.F., pastor, presenting on Mary Our Mother. This free event is open to the public; goodwill offerings will be accepted. Registration is appreciated to assist with food preparation. For more information, please view our Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/share/162kEFMy8p/. See the attached flyer for additional details.
Hello, Dolly! At Mercyhurst Prep
Mercyhurst Prep Performing Arts Department proudly presents Hello, Dolly! The show will run April 10, 11 and 12, 7-10 p.m., and Sunday April 13, 2-5 p.m. at the MPS Performing Arts Center, 538 East Grandview Blvd., Erie. Tickets are available at the door one hour prior to curtain and are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and $5 for students. MPS students are free.
Sunrise Holy Saturday Hike
A sunrise reflective walk will take place at Browns Farm, 5774 Sterrettania Rd., Fairview, on Holy Saturday, April 19, to contemplate Christ in the tomb. The walk will begin at 6 a.m. and conclude by 8 a.m. Participants are encouraged to bring a rosary, a snack to break the fast and dress warmly. Morning prayer will be prayed along the trail. All are welcome; participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. For questions, contact Sarah.beaver@olp.org. See the attached flyer for additional details.
Coordinator of Faith Formation – Joint Position
The parishes of St. John the Evangelist, 1001 Main St., Girard, and Holy Cross, 7100 W. Ridge Rd., Fairview, are seeking a shared Coordinator of Faith Formation. These two parishes combined their faith formation programs several years ago and now work collaboratively to serve their parish families. The parishes are currently seeking support with the implementation of the Edge, Purpose, and Spiritual Mentoring programs. Ideal candidates will have a college degree in education, theology or a related field, along with experience in parish-based faith formation. To apply, please send a resume and references to both of the following addresses: Pastor@stjohngirard.org or Office@holycrossfairview.org.
Easter items for sale at Benedictine Gift Shop
The Benedictine Gift Shop, located at 139 Church Street in St. Marys, PA, is fully stocked and ready for Easter and Sacrament Season! Whether you're looking for the perfect gift for a loved one's special day or seeking religious items, we’ve got you covered. Stop by and discover a wide selection of meaningful gifts that are sure to inspire. We’re open Tuesday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit us today or call 814-781-1019 for more information. Your one-stop shop for all things religious!
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