February 17, 2026
The next Information Bulletin is Monday, February 23, 2026. The submission deadline is Thursday, Feb. 19, 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.
2027 special collection schedule for the Diocese of Erie
The 2027 special collection schedule is attached. Please use this schedule when ordering collection envelopes for your parish(es). Feel free to contact the Chancery at 814-824-1130 with any questions.
Catholic Foundation Spring Grant Opportunities
The Catholic Foundation of Northwest Pennsylvania’s Spring Grant Cycle is now open. Applications for Education and Faith Formation Grants will be accepted through March 30. Are you planning a parish mission or faith formation special event in the summer or fall of 2026? Are you planning a new religious education or faith formation project for your parish or Catholic school? Are your parish lay ministers, lay staff or youth planning to attend a conference, workshop or retreat this summer or fall? Is your school or faith formation program in need of updated technology? Your project may meet the criteria for one of these grant opportunities. Education: www.cfnwpa.org/grant-seekers/education-grant-guidelines Faith Formation: https://www.cfnwpa.org/grant-seekers/faith-formation-endowment-guidelines. Questions? Contact Julia Cooney, Operations Director, at jcooney@cfnwpa.org or 814-824-1253.
To read about our most recent group of grantees, go to https://www.cfnwpa.org/news/cfnwpa-announces-2025-fall-grant-awards
Office for Divine Worship monthly newsletter
The Office for Divine Worship presents a monthly newsletter to aid in preparing celebrations that will occur in that particular month. The March newsletter is attached.
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 complete 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 currently 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.
February Cyber Safety Tip
Scammers use emotional pressure—fear, urgency, sympathy and even AI?generated voices or videos—to push you into reacting quickly, especially during busy times like tax season. If a message feels unusually urgent, secretive or emotional, pause and verify it through a trusted method such as calling the person directly or checking an official site. Examples include fear?based tax scams (“Your return is under audit—respond in 2 hours”) and sympathy scams (“I’m traveling and had an accident; buy gift cards and don’t call”). Slowing down and double?checking can prevent costly mistakes.
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.2027 Special Collections Schedule Office for Divine Worship March newsletter P.O. Box address change for SMCC Word Made Flesh alter server retreat Sacred Heart Spaghetti Dinner Benedictine Monastery Tour and Lenten Vigils Behold! Mother/daughter program Sanctus Retreat Damascus Summer Camp flyer |
Word Made Flesh Altar Server Retreat
Word Made Flesh Altar Server Retreat will offer young altar servers a meaningful opportunity to deepen their love, reverence and understanding of the Mass. Participants will encounter Christ through engaging talks, Eucharistic Adoration and the Sacrament of Confession, while also meeting consecrated religious brothers and sisters and connecting with fellow altar servers from across the diocese. This free retreat will take place on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cathedral Prep, 250 W. 10th St., Erie, and St. Peter Cathedral, 230 W. 10th St., Erie. The event is open to altar servers in grades 6–12 throughout the Diocese of Erie. Bishop Persico will be present to offer a reflection. Dress code is Sunday attire. Please bring a water bottle.
Registration deadline is Feb. 21. For questions, email Fr. Brandon Feikles at bfeikles@stgeorgeerie.org. To register click here.
Sacred Heart Spaghetti Dinner
Sacred Heart Parish, 816 W. 26th St., Erie, will host its 73rd annual Spaghetti Dinner on Sunday, March 8, from noon to 5 p.m. Dinner tickets are $15 and include spaghetti, meatballs, salad, bread and butter and dessert. Children’s dinners (ages 10 and under) are $10. A bucket of meatballs and sauce will also be available for $10. The event will feature theme baskets, a bake sale and a 50/50 raffle. Both sit-down and takeout options are available. See the attached flyer for additional details.
Damascus Summer Camp
A week at Damascus Summer Camp at Summit Lake Camp, 7610 Hampton Valley Rd., Emmitsburg, MD, offers students in grades 6–12 the opportunity to step away from the distractions of daily life and experience high-adventure activities rooted in a high-adventure faith.
Camp sessions are scheduled for:
• High school students: June 14–19
• Middle school students: July 26–31
The registration deadline is Feb. 18. The cost is $400 — half of the standard $800 rate — made possible through the generous support of St. George Parish. Please see the attached flyer for additional details and registration information.
Monastery Tour and Lent Vigils
The Benedictine Sisters invite you to join them at 4 p.m. on March 7 for a guided tour of Mount Saint Benedict Monastery, 6101 E. Lake Rd., Harborcreek, followed by supper with the sisters. Guests are also welcome to remain for the Lenten Vigil at 7 p.m. Reservations are required for the tour and dinner. Please RSVP HERE or call Sister Katherine at 814-899-0614, ext. 2428. All are also welcome to attend the Lenten Vigils held each Saturday during Lent — Feb. 21, 28; March 7, 14, 21, 28 — at 7 p.m. in the monastery chapel. No reservations are necessary for the vigils.
Behold! Mother/daughter program
The Office of Virtue & Integrity Education is excited to offer Behold! a one-night, Christ-centered program for high school girls and their mothers focused on body literacy, cycle awareness and embracing God-given dignity.
Behold! will be offered at two locations:
- Sunday, Feb. 22 | St. Jude the Apostle Parish, 2801 W. 6th, Erie from 5-7 p.m.
Registration deadline: Feb. 17
- Sunday, March 1 | Sacred Heart Parish, 337 Center St., St. Marys from 5–7 p.m.
Registration deadline: February 24
The cost is $10 per student. This program is open to all high school girls and is designed to be attended together with their mother or female guardian. Registration: https://www.vancoevents.com/us/DOCH
Sanctus Retreat
Our Lady of Mercy Parish, 837 Bartlett Rd., Harborcreek, is hosting a Sanctus, day-long retreat on Saturday, March 7. The event begins with a continental breakfast at 8:30 and concludes with the vigil Mass for Sunday at 4:30. There is no cost for the day, but registration is required. To register, complete the attached form and mail it to Our Lady of Mercy or contact the parish at ilucas@ourladyofmercychurch.org or 814-899-6132. The deadline to register is Feb. 22. The retreat is open to any adult out of high school.
Divine Mercy Encounter retreat for March
DME 115 will be held March 27-29 at Saint Joseph/ Bread of Life Community, 147 W 24th St, Erie beginning at 10 a.m. Friday through 5 p.m. Sunday. We ask those attending to arrive between 9:30 and 10 a.m. The retreat is open to all, and the cost is $45 with a $20 deposit due to hold your spot. For more information on what the weekend includes, please visit: https://www.divinemercyencounter.com/about-us .
There are no classifieds this week.
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