December 9, 2025
The next Information Bulletin is Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. The submission deadline is due Thursday, Dec. 11, at 4:30 p.m. Thank you!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.
Bishop Persico calls the diocese to pray for new bishop
As Bishop Persico celebrates his 75th birthday, he has shared a Prayer for a New Bishop. Beginning the First Sunday of Advent and continuing until a new bishop is appointed, we invite you to pray with us for the one whom the Holy Father will send to shepherd our Diocese of Erie.
The prayer will be offered at Mass after the Communion Rite, and at parish meetings and gatherings. Parishes that have not yet received their prayer cards should contact their dean.
#iGiveCatholic preliminary results are in
The Catholic Foundation is happy to announce preliminary results for #iGiveCatholic. Through Dec. 4 at 8:15 a.m., $453,732 was raised by 1,520 donors for 94 organizations in the Diocese of Erie. As a reminder, all organizations have until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9, to enter offline #iGC gifts to their dashboard, and online giving remains open as well. Due to the extended period to add those gifts, the Catholic Foundation will announce final totals after Dec. 10. Stay tuned to the Catholic Foundation Facebook page and the Diocese of EriE-news for updates. Contact Elizabeth Rathburn with questions at erathburn@cfnwpa.org or 814-824-1257.
St. Mark Catholic Center to eliminate P.O. Box 10397
To create a consistent way of contacting the offices at St. Mark Catholic Center, the use of SMCC’s P.O. Box 10397 is being eliminated. This transition process is expected to be completed by March 31, 2026. All mail should be sent to the physical address:
St. Mark Catholic Center
429 E. Grandview Blvd.
Erie, PA 16504-2603
Your prompt attention to this matter and your support in ensuring a smooth transition is appreciated. Please notify any of your constituents who utilize the post office address to update them of the change. A draft of a letter regarding this matter to those constituents is attached for your convenience. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Jim Tometsko at St. Mark Catholic Center at 814-824-1111.
Attention pastors and staff involved in creating batches in Ministry Platform
Please watch for an email from Pat Barron addressed to your business manager. This message includes important end-of-year financial guidelines. Be sure to review the email carefully with anyone responsible for creating batches in Ministry Platform to ensure your parish remains compliant with IRS regulations.
CSA goals and instructions
The 2026 Catholic Services Appeal (CSA) parish goals have been finalized and are attached for review. Also, attached is a separate sheet explaining the currently constructed CSA formula. The billing system will once again use the same four payment schedules: April 30, June 30, Sept. 30 and Dec. 31. For questions about your individual goals, please contact Pat Barron at 814-824-1168.
Managing spam in Microsoft Outlook
Keeping your inbox clean and secure is easier than you think! The attached handout walks you through the simple steps to mark unwanted emails as spam in Outlook, whether you’re using Outlook on the web, the desktop app or Outlook Classic. You’ll learn how to use Sweep to quickly clear clutter, manage Junk Senders to block repeat offenders, and take advantage of the Report Phishing and Spam tools to protect yourself and others. With these tips, you’ll be able to stay focused on the messages that matter most.
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.2026 Catholic Services Appeal (CSA) CSA Calculation Review St. George Lessons and Carols readings and carols Young Adult Christmas Party Service of Lessons and Carols at St. Peter Cathedral Go Tell It: A Shepherd’s Journey Christmas Program All Saints Spirit of Christmas concert Michigan Youth Mission Trip Managing spam |
Christmas Events at Saint George Parish, Erie
- Lessons and Carols Music and Readings
On Sunday, Dec. 21, St. George Parish, 5145 Peach St., Erie, is hosting an evening of scripture readings and carols from 7-8 p.m. Fr. Brandon Feikles will give the homily. The readings will be from Creation to the birth of Jesus with carols sung to compliment the readings. Music provided by: Daniel and Emily Cabanillas and friends. Fellowship to follow in the Multipurpose Room. See the attached flyer for more details.
- Young Adult Christmas Party
On Monday, Dec. 22, Saint George Parish, 5145 Peach St., Erie, is hosting a Young Adult Christmas Party. The event is open to those who are 21-40 and will be held in the Saint George School gym from 6:30-8:30 p.m. There will be a hot chocolate bar, games, cookies and fellowship. Bring your best Christmas cookies to share. Please bring your kids! Childcare and activities will be provided by the confirmation students. See the attached flyer for more details.
Service of Lessons and Carols presented by St. Peter Cathedral Choir
The Choir of Saint Peter Cathedral, 230 W. 10th St., Erie, will present A Service of Lessons and Carols on Sunday, Dec. 21 at 4 p.m. This service is an adaptation of the Festival of Lessons and Carols at King College, Cambridge, celebrated annually on Christmas Eve. Saint Peter Cathedral's service, like the liturgies that inspired it, begins and ends in prayer. This year's musical selections feature several favorite congregational Christmas carols and anthems. Please consider making this a part of your family's annual Advent/Christmas tradition. Admission is free and all are welcome to attend. A flyer is attached.
Pro-Life Breakfast
Reservations are available for People for Life’s 48th Annual Pro-Life Breakfast. The event will be held at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center on January 17. Doors will open at 8 a.m., and the program—with a buffet-style breakfast—will begin at 9 a.m. Lydia Taylor Davis, national spokesperson and social media coordinator for Students for Life of America, will be the special guest speaker. The cost is $30 for regular reservations and $22 for ages 3-12. Younger children are welcome to attend at no cost. Childcare for all ages will be available. Reservations, due by January 11, can be made online at www.peopleforlife.org/january2026 by calling 814-882-1333 or by mailing or hand-delivering the payment with names and a return address to People for Life, 1625 W. 26th St., Erie, PA 16508.
March for Life Bus Trip
For the 53rd year in a row, People for Life is welcoming residents of the Erie area to travel together to the national March for Life in Washington, DC. The 2026 March will take place on Friday, January 23. The bus, or buses, will leave Erie at 11 p.m. on January 22 and return around 1:30 a.m. on January 24. The cost is $70 a seat. Help with the cost, provided by local donors, is available to those who request it. Get all the details by visiting www.peopleforlife.org/january2026 and www.facebook.com/marchforlifebustrip, by calling 814-882-1333 or by visiting People for Life headquarters at 1625 W. 26th St. in Erie.
Lessons and Carols
St. Boniface Parish, 9367 Wattsburg Rd., Erie, will host their annual Lessons and Carols service of prayers and hymns to celebrate the true meaning of the season. This service will take place Sunday, Dec. 14, at 4 p.m., in the church. All are welcome.
Go Tell It: A Shepherd’s Journey Christmas Program
St. Gregory Thaumaturgus Parish, 136 W. Main St., North East, presents 'Go Tell it: A Shepherd's Journey.' on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 2 p.m. The program tells the story of Fr. Ferrell Briody's journey to North East for the first Mass at St. Gregory Church on Christmas Eve in 1875, with music and narration.
The concert features St. Gregory’s two choirs and special guests who will sing classic favorites along with other songs you will be sure to enjoy. We are excited to have students from St. Gregory School joining us as well. This concert is free and open to the public, however, a free-will offering will be collected to support Project Love. See the attached flyer for more details.
Spirit of Christmas Concert
On Monday, Dec. 15, All Saints Parish, 11264 Rt 97 N, Waterford, is hosting a Spirit of Christmas concert featuring the Millcreek Area Community Band and the All Saints Youth Choir. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the All Saints Youth Choir performing at 6:15 p.m. and the Millcreek Area Community Band from 7-8 p.m. Light refreshments to follow. This is a free concert, but free will offerings will be accepted.
Living Rosary at Sacred Heart Church, Erie
On Friday, Dec. 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Sacred Heart Parish, 816 W. 26th St., Erie, will be celebrating The Living Rosary. This will be followed by fellowship after in the auditorium.
Michigan Youth Mission Trip
Catholic Heart Work Camp is conducting a Youth Mission Trip to Montague Michigan June 14-20, 2026. Students in 8th to 12th grade from St. Gregory’s Parish in North East, St. James Parish in Erie and the Parishes of Meadville will be leaving from St. Mark’s in Lawrence Park via passenger vans. Students from all parishes are welcome to join. Adults with clearances are welcome as volunteers. Lodging will be at an air-conditioned high school. Three meals will be provided along with group snacks. A $120 deposit is required with the remaining balance paid by fundraisers. The first fundraiser will be a bingo on Jan. 24 at St. James Place, 2622 Buffalo Rd., Erie. For more information, please see attached flyers or contact Mary Shchouchkoff at 814-873-0492 or Mshchouchk@yahoo.com.
There are no classifieds this week.
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