January 20, 2026
The next Information Bulletin is Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. The submission deadline is Thursday, Jan. 22, 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.
2026 Catholic Services Appeal
The Catholic Services Appeal is the annual fundraising campaign of the Diocese of Erie and is essential to supporting the day-to-day work of the Catholic Church in northwest Pennsylvania. The Catholic Foundation of Northwest Pennsylvania facilitates the CSA campaign for the Diocese of Erie. Materials for the 2026 CSA will begin shipping soon to parishes. When materials arrive, check to be sure you received what was ordered. Please watch for additional emails with important information about the launch of the 2026 CSA. Contact Julia Cooney with any questions at 814-824-1253 or jcooney@cfnwpa.org.
2026 Lenten Practices
Please see the attached notice from the Chancery on the practices and regulations regarding the Lenten season, which begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18.
Celebrate Catholic Schools Week
Catholic Schools Week will be celebrated Jan. 25–31, 2026. The Diocese of Erie Office of Communications & Advancement has created bulletin inserts, social media graphics, and other resources for parish use. Parishes are encouraged to highlight Catholic education through prayer, parish communications and by sharing diocesan CSW materials. For daily themes and additional ideas on how to celebrate, visit the NCEA website.
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 February newsletter is attached.
Input Needed – Parish Sunday Bulletin Survey
Microsoft Publisher will be retired this October and parishes across the diocese are beginning to explore new ways to create their weekly Sunday bulletin. To better understand how everyone is preparing for this transition—and to identify any support or resources that may be helpful—we are inviting parish staff to complete a brief questionnaire. Your input will help us gain a clearer picture of how parishes are navigating this change and what the overall needs look like as we move forward together. We appreciate your time and insight as we navigate the next 268 days: https://form.jotform.com/253016288669063.
CRS Rice Bowl Collection
Please find attached Bishop Persico’s letter introducing the Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl Collection, taken during the season of Lent (which begins 02/18/2026). Parishes are asked to publicize this collection in a significant way the weekend of Feb. 14-15. The Office of Communications and Advancement has prepared a landing page with promotional materials for this collection, including pastor announcements, bulletin inserts, graphics and talking points. These resources are available at: https://eriercd.org/ricebowl.html.
IT Security Awareness
- NCSA AI Deepfake Warning
The National Cyber Security Alliance warns that AI-generated deepfakes—including cloned voices, fake videos, and realistic messages—are increasingly difficult to detect. These tools are being used to trick people into sharing passwords or approving fraudulent payments. Any request involving money, login credentials, or urgent action should be verified through a second method, such as calling the sender or confirming in person.
- Scam Alert: Parish Contact List Theft
A phishing scam targeting parishes has resurfaced. Emails may appear to come from a pastor or trusted staff member and request a “PDF or Excel copy of the member directory.” Parish contact lists are highly valuable to scammers. Do not share directories without confirming the request directly with the sender. Learn more: https://eriercd.org/images/informationalbulletin/a11017edd1967c9e0f67db8754dd1045.pdf.
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.Lenten Practices Office for Divine Worship Feb Newsletter CRS Rice Bowl Collection Discover the Roots of Catholic Faith Our Lady of Mercy Spaghetti Dinner Pre-Lenten Retreat Comfort through Grief Ministry Series St. Gregory Cash Bash Michigan Mission Trip Parish Bookkeeper Position |
Discover the Roots of our Catholic faith
Learn about the major people, places and events of the first 500 years of Church history in this 10-week seminar. Seminars with morning and evening options begin Jan. 19 at 9:15 a.m. and Jan. 20 at 7 p.m. in the St. George Parish meeting room, 5145 Peach St., Erie. Cost is $22 and includes workbook and Early Church chart. For more information, see the attached flyer or contact: Anthony Ferralli to register: 814-864-2548 or tony@ferralli.com.
St. Bartholomew Spaghetti Dinner
St. Bartholomew Parish is holding its famous homemade spaghetti dinner on Feb. 1 from noon-4 p.m. at the parish social center, 311 W. Ridge Ave., Sharpsville. Tickets are: $12 for adults, $8 for kids 10 and under. Dinner includes homemade pasta, sauce and meatballs, fresh Italian bread, spumoni ice cream and salad. Live music by Sam Tonelli. Also featuring a basket raffle, bake sale, 50/50 and other raffles. For tickets call: 724-962-7130, email secretary@saintbartholomews.com or visit: https://www.wesharegiving.org/App/Form/d96ae2d5-9a5b-4111-8cb3-72ee30fbbef4. Tickets at the door are limited in number and a sellout is expected, pre-purchase is highly recommended.
Our Lady of Mercy Spaghetti Dinner
Our Lady of Mercy Parish, 837 Bartlett Rd., Harborcreek, will be hosting a Spaghetti dinner on Sunday, Feb. 1 from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Choice of entrée: Meatballs or chicken parmesan (pre-sale only), refreshments, side salad, Italian bread and cookies. Basket raffle to support the religious education department. Pre-sale price $14 for a full plate/ $8 for half. Door sale price $15 for full plate/ $9 for half. Sit down and to go options available. See flyer for details.
French Theme Dinner
Saint Hippolyte Parish will be hosting a French dinner on Saturday, Feb. 7, in the church social hall, 26012 N. Frenchtown Rd., Guys Mills. Cost is $20 per person, by advanced reservation only. Dinner will be served on the hour: 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m. This year’s menu includes: French Onion soup, salad greens with vinaigrette dressing, chicken cordon bleu, rice pilaf, roasted carrots and mousse for dessert, French bread and beverages. Reservation deadline is Jan. 24 and seating is limited. Please call Kathy at 814-573-6410.
Pre-Lenten Retreat at the St. Thomas More House of Prayer
The Office of Virtue & Integrity Education of the Diocese of Erie is sponsoring a Pre-Lenten Retreat Friday, Feb. 13, beginning at noon and running through 4 p.m. on Saturday Feb. 14 at St. Thomas More House of Prayer, 365 Hill City Rd., Cranberry. Our retreat master for the weekend will be Fr. Camello Ignatius. The retreat theme is “Formed by the Father. Strengthened by Prayer. Known by Love.” The last day to register is Feb. 9. For more information and to register, visit https://eriercd.org/chastity/retreat.html. Questions? Call or email Cassondra at 814-824-1216, or cdragone@eriercd.org. See attached flyer to share details.
Cathedral Prep Legacy Gala
Please join us at Cathedral Prep’s 2026 Legacy Gala, “Rooted in Tradition, United in Mission.” Funds raised at the event go toward tuition assistance to help make a Catholic education affordable for more local families. The celebration will once again take place at the Bayfront Convention Center on Saturday, Feb. 7, from 5:30-10:30 p.m. Attire is cocktail/black tie optional, and live musical entertainment will be provided by the Chozen Few out of Cleveland.
Each year at the event, Cathedral Prep and Villa Maria Academy alumni are also inducted into the President’s Hall of Fame and honored for their unwavering dedication to the school’s mission and their commitment to the Erie community over the years. This year’s honorees include The Most Reverend Edward M. Lohse, JCD ’80, Nancy Neumaier Bird ’84VMA, and the Ehrman Family.
You can register online at www.cathedralprep.com/legacygala. If you’re unable to attend but are interested in participating in mobile bidding on the auction items, supporting the event through sponsorship, a Tuition Angel donation, or donation of an item to the silent auction or basket raffle, this information can also be found at the above website.
Answering the Call to Spiritual Leadership
Holy Spirit Parish, DuBois, is pleased to share this opportunity for those discerning a call to spiritual leadership. Individuals who feel drawn to accompany others in faith through prayer, listening and gentle guidance are invited to explore the Road to Emmaus spiritual ministry training program. This local formation experience is designed to support discernment and help participants walk alongside others on their spiritual journey. For more information, please contact Dr. Jan Satterlee at jansat101@gmail.com. The application is attached, and the deadline to apply is April 30. Additional details about the retreat are available at https://rdtoemmaus.com/retreats/.
Comfort Through Grief Ministry meetings resume
St. Joseph/Bread of Life Parish Community Comfort Through Grief ministry’s next presentation will be on Monday, Jan. 26, with registration starting at 5:30 pm. The program is from 6-8 p.m. This upcoming program will be “Finding Comfort From Reports of Near Death Experiences—The Catholic Perspective”. 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. For more information, email dulcibarb@aol.com. See the attached flyer for more details.
St. Gregory Cash Bash
St. Gregory Parish and School are holding a Cash Bash on Saturday, Feb. 7, at the St Gregory School gym, 140 W. Main St., North East. There are two ticket options, Option 1, the Party Pass is $25 per ticket and includes entry into all 30 cash and door prize drawings including the last one for $500, admission to the party for food, beverages, games of chance and fun. Doors open at 6 p.m. Option 2 is virtual and are $15 per ticket and includes entry into all 15 cash prize drawings including the last one for $500 and an opportunity to watch the drawings live at: https://www.facebook.com/StGregoryThaumaturgus/. Proceeds to benefit St. Gregory Church and School. See attached flyer for information.
Mission Trip informational meeting
Saint James Roman Catholic Church, Erie is organizing a youth mission trip to Montague, Michigan, June 14-20.
- Eligibility: Open to youth currently in 8th through 12th grade.
- Cost: A $120 deposit is required (note: some sources mention $135) with the remaining balance to be covered by group fundraising.
- Contact: For more information, contact Mary Shchouchkoff at (814) 873-0492 or email Mshchouchk@yahoo.com.
Parish Bookkeeper Position
Our Lady of the Lake Parish, 128 Sunset Dr., Edinboro, is seeking a qualified individual to be the parish bookkeeper. This is an ideal position for a newly retired CPA or bookkeeper accountant who is interested in part-time work. For more information, please see the attached flyer.
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