February 26, 2024
The next Information Bulletin is Monday, March 4, 2024.The deadline for submissions is Thursday, February 29, 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.
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.
‘Peace Must Begin with Me’ chosen as theme for Catholic Sisters Week 2024
Fifty-two weeks a year, women religious inspire the rest of us as they stand with the poor and immigrants, teach children, fight injustice, heal the sick, share spirituality, empower women, defend the planet, promote peace, create community, offer hope and so much more. Now an official component of Women’s History Month, Catholic Sisters Week, celebrated March 8-14, 2024, gives us all a time to remember their work, which began in our region in 1852, a year before the diocese was founded. Honor the sisters by reflecting on their theme: “Peace Must Begin with Me.” Downloadable resources for parishes to use can be found at www.eriercd.org/csw.html.
2024 Catholic Services Appeal update
With Commitment Sunday behind us, the administrative offices of the Diocese of Erie thank everyone for the good work they have done to promote giving to this year’s Catholic Services Appeal (CSA). Pastors and parish staff are asked to use their parish leadership handbook for follow-up suggestions. Those resources can also be found online at: https://www.eriercd.org/Catholic-Services-Appeal-CSA-Materials.html. Please contact Julia Cooney at 814.824.1253 or jcooney@cfnwpa.org to request additional CSA supplies or with any questions.
2025 Special collections schedule now available for parishes in the Diocese of Erie
The 2025 special collections schedule is attached. Please use this schedule when ordering collection envelopes for your parish(es). Feel free to contact the Chancery at 814.824.1126 with any questions.
Parishes and diocesan offices are invited to apply for Faith Formation Grant funding
Are you involved in planning or implementing a faith formation project for your parish? Are you planning a parish mission or faith formation special event in the summer or fall of 2024 or in spring of 2025? Is your faith formation programming in need of a technology upgrade? Consider applying for a Faith Formation Grant from the Catholic Foundation of Northwest Pennsylvania to help fund your project. Applications are now being accepted. For more information and to read the grant guidelines and criteria, go to the following web page: https://www.cfnwpa.org/grant-seekers/faith-formation-endowment-guidelines. Questions? Contact Julia Cooney, operations director, at jcooney@cfnwpa.org or 814.824.1253.
2024 Mother-Daughter Teas announced
Mark your calendars for one of the two annual Mother-Daughter Teas hosted by the Virtue & Integrity Education Office. The first tea is set for April 21 at St. Mary Church, 315 Church St., St. Marys; the second is April 28 at Saint Mark Catholic Center, 429 E. Grandview Blvd., Erie. Both will run from 1 to 4 pm. These special events are designed for girls ages 10 and above and their moms. Topics to be discussed include the emotional and physical changes of puberty and strengthening the parent-child bond through adolescence. For more information and to register, visit: https://www.eriercd.org/chastity/tea.html. See attachment for a graphic suitable for publication in parish bulletins.
Diocesan pilgrimage to the National Eucharistic Congress
Join the Diocese of Erie on a pilgrimage to the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis July 17-21, 2024! Deadline to register is April 17. Tens of thousands of passionate Catholics will experience an outpouring of grace on a scale this generation has never seen. Catholics from every corner of the U.S. are planning to attend this transformative gathering at the historic 10th National Eucharistic Congress, and you are invited to represent our diocese at this pivotal moment. You’ll enjoy world-class teaching from some of the most trusted Catholic voices in the United States. Come encounter and worship Jesus in a new way and be anointed to share those graces with our community when you return home. More than ever, you will be proud to be Catholic and excited about the future of the church in America.
The pilgrimage includes:
- NEC Congress Pass (5 Days)
- 4 nights’ accommodations in Indianapolis
- Continental breakfast (pending final hotel assignment)
- Roundtrip transportation from Erie/Warren/West Middlesex to Indianapolis via deluxe motorcoach
- Daily transportation to the congress
- Gratuities payable to motorcoach driver.
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 http://ErieCatholic.org/careers.
PW Protected Attachments:Clergy and Department Heads click here to login.Office for Divine Worship newsletter Special collections schedule Mother-Daughter Teas Eucharistic Congress flyer Lent University Crown/Fryburg/Lucinda parish mission Benedictine Lenten vigils Father John Dear to speak |
St. Jude Parish offers online Lent University opportunity
Register for Lent University from St. Jude Parish, Erie. Classes and seminars are open to everyone, regardless of parish. We are delighted to be working with local churches to make this Lent extraordinary! Lent University provides chances for service, spirituality and social companionship. Laity lead the majority of the classes, which focus on specific gifts and features. Learn more about Lent University at www.saintjude.church/lentu. A graphic, suitable for bulletins, is attached.
Course in spiritual direction available
In response to the growing need for trained, competent and faithful Catholics to guide those who desire a closer relationship with God, this program is now being offered: Road to Emmaus is a two-year program, rooted in Catholic theology, to provide the knowledge and skills for individuals seeking to offer spiritual direction. Those who are interested can go online at http://rdtoemmaus.com or email Dr. Jan Satterlee at jansat101@gmail.com.
Music ministry of Notre Dame Parish, Hermitage, offers two Lenten opportunities
- An evening of prayer and music with David Kauffman, Sunday, March 3 at 6:30 pm. David Kauffman of San Antonio, Texas, a well-known musician and composer of such pieces as Be Still, Behold, the musical “Moses and the Burning Within,” and the Mass of Renewal, is returning to Hermitage for an evening of prayer, reflection and music. “Your Heart Knows the Way Home” is the evening’s theme. There is no charge for the event, although a free-will offering will be taken.
- Taizé prayer, Thursday, March 14 at 7 pm. The choir and folk group of Notre Dame musicians are hosting a Lenten Taizé prayer gathering, a time of quiet in the midst of the holy season of Lent and warmth in the midst of cold nights. Taizé prayer began in eastern France where people of all faith backgrounds gather to pray to be a sign of reconciliation among divided Christians in a world in need of peace. It is composed of light, gathering around the cross, song, Scripture and silence. All are welcome for this one-hour gathering on the Fourth Sunday of Lent, free of charge.
Fish and pierogi dinners available at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Erie
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, 1553 East Grandview Blvd., Erie, is offering fish and pierogi dinners on Fridays, March 8 and March 22, from 4 to 7 pm. Adults: $5.00; kids (ages 7-12): $7.00; six & under are free. Take-outs available as well as a 50/50, mini craft fair and bake sale.
Parishes in Crown, Lucina and Fryburg offer mission
The partnered parishes of St. Mary in Crown, St. Joseph in Lucinda and St. Michael in Fryburg invite you to their parish mission. Together, they are hosting Dr. Ray Guarendi on March 10, 11 and 12. Dr. Guarendi is a Catholic father of ten adopted children, a clinical psychologist, author, professional speaker and national radio and television host. His radio show, “The Doctor is In,” can be heard on 500 stations and Sirius XM channel 130. His TV show, “Living Right with Dr. Ray,” can be seen on EWTN Global Catholic Network and is aired in 140 countries. Topics and locations include:
Sunday, March 10 – St. Michael Church, 18765 PA-208, Fryburg: Parents and Grandparents: Standing Strong
Monday, March 11 – St. Mary Church, 117 T-627, Crown: Marriage: Men and Women
Tuesday, March 12 – St. Joseph Church, 112 Rectory Lane, Lucinda: Faith: The Logic of Being Catholic
Admission is free. A flyer suitable for publicizing the event can be found in the attachments.
Benedictine Sisters of Erie offer monastery tours/supper/Lent vigil
Tour the monastery of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, 6101 East Lake Road, Harborcreek, on Saturday, March 9 at 4 pm. Following the guided tour will be supper with the sisters in the monastery dining room, as well as a Lent vigil at 7 pm in the chapel. Reservations are needed for the tour and dinner because space is limited. Visit https://eriebenedictines.org/spirituality/lent-tour-reservation-form.html or call Michelle at 814.899.0614, ext. 2507 by March 1 to RSVP. All are welcome to attend the Lent vigils on the remaining Saturdays during Lent — March 2, 9, 16 and 23 at 7 pm in the monastery chapel with no reservations necessary. See attached flyer.
Father John Dear to speak at Mount St. Benedict Monastery, Erie
Save the date: On Friday, April 5 at 7 pm, peacemaker, author and Nobel Peace Prize Nominee Father John Dear will speak at Mount St. Benedict Monastery about his new book and life's work: The Gospel of Peace: A Commentary on Matthew, Mark, and Luke from the Perspective of Nonviolence. It is the first-ever commentary on the synoptic Gospels from the perspective of active nonviolence in the tradition of Gandhi and Dr. King. In this original work, Father John walks us through every line of the three synoptic Gospels pointing out Jesus' practice and teachings on nonviolence, peace and universal love and his invitation to follow him. See attached flyer.
Our Lady of the Lake KOC members offer Chance of a Lifetime tickets
Tickets for the April 27, 2024, Chance of a Lifetime drawing by the Knights of Columbus are now available from any member of the Knights of Columbus Council 6191 at Our Lady of the Lake Parish, 128 Sunset Drive, Edinboro. A $5.00 donation gives ticketholders 16 chances to win one of 16 prizes ranging between $1,000 and $15,000. The drawing will be held in King of Prussia, Pa., but winners need not be present. Proceeds benefit the Pennsylvania State Council Scholarship Program and the Our Lady of the Lake Council. Tickets can be purchased at the parish Lenten fish dinners, Fridays March 1, 8, 15 and 22 from 4:30 pm until sold out.
Catholic Foundation seeks marketing director
The Catholic Foundation is seeking a marketing director to lead the development and implementation of activities related to marketing, communications, and events for the foundation in collaboration with other staff and its board of directors. The Catholic Foundation is the only community foundation in northwest Pennsylvania guided by Catholic values. For the full job description and details on how to apply, visit https://www.cfnwpa.org/employment. Applications will be accepted through March 8, 2024.
If I.B. attachments do not open, click here to download the latest Acrobat Reader. If problems persist, email Kathy Papalia or call 814.824.1184.
If your email address or your status for receiving the Information Bulletin changes, please notify the Office of Communications so that we can update our mailing list.
To access the Information Bulletin online, visit www.ErieRCD.org and click on Information Bulletin under the News and Information drop-down menu. As with the email version, pastors and department heads will still need to enter their password to access secure information.
If you would like to unsubscribe to the Information Bulletin, please notify the Office of Communications and type “unsubscribe” in the subject line.