January 13, 2025
Due to Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the next Information Bulletin is Tuesday, January 21, 2025.The deadline for submissions is Thursday, January 16, 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.
Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion
It’s time to register for the 2025 Rite of Election/Call to Continuing Conversion Liturgy. One liturgy will take place at St. Peter Cathedral, 230 W. 10th Street, Erie, on March 9, at 3 pm. The second liturgy will be held at Holy Spirit Parish, St. Catherine of Siena Church, 118 S. State Street, DuBois, on March 16, at 3 pm. All parishes must RSVP, even those who do not have any catechumens or candidates. Register using the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/4rLwrszwED. No registration form will be sent in the mail. Please complete the form by Feb. 14. Contact Mary Hickin with questions at mhickin@eriercd.org.
2025 Help Spread the Faith collection for Catholic Communications
Please find attached Bishop Persico’s letter introducing the 2025 Help Spread the Faith collection, taken the weekend of Jan. 25-26, 2025. Parishes are asked to publicize this collection in a significant way on the weekend of Jan. 18-19.
Jubilee Journey: Pilgrims of Hope newsletter January edition is now available.
The January 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 – provides both informative and interactive elements. Tailored to offer a spiritual pilgrimage and a sense of hope within the diocese, the newsletter will engage with diocesan ministries, feature concise content for all ages and highlight significant jubilees and special Masses. This publication offers valuable resources for faith formation, homilies, schools and parishes. The January newsletter Jubilee Journey: Pilgrims of Hope is attached for your parish bulletin. The December edition is also attached in case you missed it! For more information, visit https://www.eriercd.org/holyyear2025.html.
New Give Page on ErieRCD.org
We’re excited to announce a new Give Page with expanded giving opportunities! You can now support vital areas like our seminarians, faith formation programs, Catholic school educators, retired priests in the Bishop Michael J. Murphy residence and more. By sharing these new giving opportunities with your parishioners, community and networks, you help strengthen the foundation of our diocese, ensuring these essential ministries continue to thrive and touch countless lives for generations to come. For details or to make your gift, visit our website or scan the QR code today: bit.ly/DioNWPAgive.
9 Days for Life Novena: Jan. 16-24
9 Days for Life is a novena for the protection of human life. Each day’s intention is accompanied by a short reflection and suggested actions to help build a culture of life. View the daily webpages of the novena or download it as a PDF here: 9-days-novena-printable.pdf.
October Count
Each October, attendance numbers are taken at Sunday Mass in all parishes in many dioceses for what is known as the October Count. While not scientific, these numbers provide valuable insight into Mass attendance patterns. Attendance can fluctuate for various reasons. These numbers offer parishes a helpful perspective on the practice of the faith within the diocese. Bishop Persico has asked that the numbers be released so that parishioners have a clear picture of what is happening in their parishes and in the diocese. Please see the attached document for the 2024 October Count.
Mission Office Collections Funds reminder
Pastors and administrators: If you have not already done so, please submit the funds from the World Mission Sunday 2024 collection, as well as the collection for the Church in Latin America to the Mission Office as soon as possible. In general, the proceeds of these collections should be sent to the Mission Office soon afterwards so that funds can be forwarded to the Pontifical Mission Societies national office before the end of the year. If you have any questions, or need any assistance, please contact Indira Suarez in the Mission Office at isuarez@eriercd.org or 814.824.1231.
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.Communications collection Jubilee Journey: Pilgrims of Hope December newsletter Jubilee Journey: Pilgrims of Hope January newsletter October Count Comfort through Grief ministry Silent women’s retreat DuBois Central Catholic Open House Shenango Valley Guiness and God series Pilgrimage to Italy information session St. Peter organ dedication |
Comfort Thru Grief ministry resumes meetings
St. Joseph/Bread of Life Parish Community Comfort Through Grief ministry’s next presentation will be on Monday, Jan. 27, with registration starting at 5:30 pm. These meetings will be held on the 4th Monday of every month at St. Joseph, upstairs in the multipurpose room, 147 W. 24th Street, Erie. The speaker will be T.A. Walkiewicz and her topic is "Comfort Through Hope." For more information, email dulcibarb@aol.com. See the attached flyer for more details.
Prepare for Lent with Women's Silent Retreat
The Spiritual Family The Work will sponsor its annual women's retreat from February 28 - March 1, at Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center. Further information and details for registration may be found on the attached poster.
DuBois Central Catholic School open house
DuBois Central Catholic School will be hosting its open house on Sunday, Jan. 26, from noon to 2 pm. This is a great opportunity to meet teachers and staff, receive information on kindergarten enrollment, enjoy some snacks and have pictures taken with superheroes! A flyer with more details is attached.
Shenango Valley Catholic Young Adult presents Guinness & God: a 3-week speaker series
The Shenango Valley Catholic Young Adult ministry invites young adults (ages 18-39) to enjoy great food and drink, meet new friends and have faith-filled conversations. The series will be held at the Hickory Bar & Grille, 1645 N. Hermitage Road, Hermitage, starting at 6:30 pm. Join Father Jamie Power (Jan. 28), Dr. Keith Lepak (Jan. 30) and Father John Miller (Feb. 06) for appetizers and spiritual nourishment. Please RSVP to Gabby Herndon at 724.301.6127 (phone/text) or via email youthforChrist@DioceseofErie.org. For a bulletin-friendly flyer, please see attached.
Cathedral Prep Legacy Gala
Join Cathedral Prep for their Legacy Gala on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at 5:30 pm at the Bayfront Convention Center, 1 Sassafras Pier, Erie. This memorable evening honors Libby Felix Waltman '03VMA, Jim Rutkowski Jr. '79 and the Don '49 & Mary Ann Fessler family for their embodiment of faith, family, excellence and tradition. Proceeds support vital financial aid and scholarships and the opportunity to participate in the Tuition Angels program, helping to provide a Catholic education to many youth in the Erie area. For more details or to secure your reservation visit www.CathedralPrep.com/LegacyGala, or contact Jimmy Smith at Jimmy.Smith@CathedralPrep.com.
A Jubilee Pilgrimage to Italy information session
Join us for an informational session on the Jubilee Pilgrimage to Italy. Father Mike DeMartinis and Belinda Held, the travel organizer, will be speaking on Sunday, Jan. 26 at St. Patrick Parish, 130 East 4th Street, Erie, after the 10:30 mass. Refreshments will be provided. All are welcome. For those who can’t attend in person, a Zoom option is available. To receive the Zoom link or to RSVP please email JubileePilgrimage25@gmail.com or call Belinda Held at 724.679.7450. The informational flyer is attached to include in parish bulletins.
Pre-Lenten retreat
The Office of Virtue & Integrity Education of the Diocese of Erie is sponsoring a Pre-Lenten retreat on Friday, Feb. 28, through Saturday, March 1, at St. Thomas More House of Prayer, 365 Hill City Road, Cranberry. The retreat master for the weekend will be Father Chris Beran. The retreat will focus on the strength, beauty, wisdom and goodness of God’s plan to bring us back to him. The last day to register is February 21. For more information and to register, visit https://www.eriercd.org/chastity/retreat.html. Questions? Call or email Cassondra at 814.824.1216, cdragone@eriercd.org.
Saint Peter Cathedral Organ dedication concert featuring Nathan Laube
Please join us for a musical afternoon to celebrate the dedication of the restored Casavant Opus 3353 Gallery Organ and newly installed Casavant Opus 3953 Sanctuary Organ at Saint Peter Cathedral, 230 W. 10th Street, Erie, on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. The Organ Dedication Concert featuring Nathan Laube begins at 4 pm. Admission is free.
For the greater part of the last decade, Saint Peter Cathedral, Erie, has undergone extensive restoration on the interior and exterior. The final phase of the interior restoration saw the removal and restoration of the main organ, as well as a long-held dream of furnishing the Cathedral with a sanctuary organ. For more information, please visit: https://stpetercathedral.com/calendar/organ-dedication-concert-featuring-nathan-laube/.
There are no classifieds this week.
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