January 22, 2024
The next Information Bulletin is Monday, January 29, 2024.The deadline for submissions is Thursday, January 25, 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.
CRS Rice Bowl for this Lent
Pastors and principals will find attached a letter from Bishop Persico concerning the CRS Rice Bowl collection for this Lent. Please communicate the information in the letter to your parishioners/teachers in time for them to prepare for this important collection. In the letter, you also will find resources to help enhance their Lenten experience.
2024 Lenten Practices
Please find attached the 2024 Lenten Practices notice from the Chancery.
Pastoral planning implementation guides
Two pastoral planning implementation guides are now ready for parishes: one for parishes that are merging, and one for parishes creating a new partnership. These guides were originally developed in 2016 and have now been updated for use with ongoing pastoral planning. The other guides in the series are in the process of being revised as well. These guides and other resources may be found at https://eriercd.org/planning-downloads.html.
If your parish was sent a draft version of an implementation guide, please discard it and use the new one going forward.
Rite of Election
It’s time to register for the 2024 Rite of Election/Call to Continuing Conversion Liturgy. One liturgy will take place at St. Peter Cathedral, 230 W. 10th St., Erie, on Feb. 18 at 3 p.m. The second liturgy will be held at Holy Spirit Parish, St. Catherine of Siena Church, 118 S. State St., DuBois, on Feb. 25 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/WKXD4bQVwy. No registration form will be sent in the mail. Please complete the form by Feb. 2. Contact Danielle Schoenfeldt with questions at dschoenfeldt@eriercd.org.
St. Patrick’s Day
In 2024, St. Patrick’s Day (March 17- Principal Patronal Feast Day of the Diocese of Erie) falls on the Fifth Sunday of Lent. In recognition of the importance of this day for the diocese, Bishop Persico directs that St. Patrick be observed liturgically — as a feast — (at daily Mass, recitation of the Divine Office, etc.) on Monday, March 18.
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.
Are you being called to serve as a permanent deacon?
The Diocese of Erie is launching a new five-year session for ten men seeking to study for and discern whether or not they are being called to this vocation. Those interested in learning more are invited to visit www.eriercd.org/deacons for details about basic prerequisites as well as the application process occurring this winter and spring. Participants will simultaneously earn a master’s in pastoral administration from Gannon University. Two mandatory inquiry sessions will be held at St. Mark Center in Erie the weekends of March 9 and 16, 2024.
Website banners
Attention parish staff: If you are looking for customizable banners for your diocesan-hosted website for the upcoming Lenten/Easter season, please check out our selection found at https://www.eriercd.org/ParishPlaceGraphics.html. Please note the Lenten services, Lenten dinner and Holy Week banners. Graphics are designed to work with the Diocese of Erie website system but may work on websites from other developers. Instructions for downloading and using the graphics can be found at the top of the website.
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.Rice Bowl letter 2024 Lenten Practices St. Patrick’s Day Office for Divine Worship monthly newsletter Reverse raffle Spaghetti dinner Retreat opportunity Pre-Lenten retreat Women’s retreat |
Reverse raffle
St. Stephen School in Oil City is hosting its 29th annual reverse raffle, with a chance to win a $1,500 grand prize on Jan 27 at 5:30 p.m. at the Seneca Volunteer Fire Hall, 3494 State Route 257, Seneca. The event will feature raffles, sideboards, drawings, bingo and more. Tickets are required in advance, and attendees must be 21 or older. Food and limited beverages, including beer, wine, soft drinks and bottled water, will be provided, with the option for guests to BYOB. Post-raffle, enjoy entertainment by DJ Posey. For tickets, contact St. Stephen School at 814.677-3035 or misti.kresinski@venangocatholic.org. See flier for details.
Spaghetti dinner
Support the Religious Education Ministry at Our Lady of Mercy Church, Harborcreek, with a spaghetti dinner fundraiser on Feb. 4 from 12-5 p.m. The event will take place at 837 Bartlett Rd., Harborcreek. Prices are $13 for a full plate and $8 for a half plate, with both sit-down and take-out options available. A limited number of tickets will be sold at the door, but to ensure a meal, it's best to purchase a ticket by Jan. 28. For credit card purchases, visit www.ourladyofmercychurch.org. The menu includes spaghetti, meatballs, salad, Italian bread and cookies. A gift auction also will be available. See flier for details. For further information, call 814.899.6132.
Retreat opportunity at Our Lady of Mercy Parish
Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Harborcreek is hosting the Sanctus retreat on Feb. 17, which offers a chance to step away from life's busy pace and dedicate time to God. This day-long retreat focuses on rediscovering God's love, reaffirming faith and deepening one's relationship with Christ through prayer, reflection, sharing and renewal. Meals are provided free of charge.
To register, fill out the attached form and return it to the parish office or place it in the collection basket by Feb. 1. For inquiries, contact Irene at 814.899.6132 or via email at ilucas@ourladyofmercychurch.org. Please note that space is limited.
Adult faith formation class at St. Peter Cathedral
Join the adult faith formation class titled What We Believe: The Beauty of the Catholic Faith on Feb. 8 and 15 at 7 p.m. in Synod Hall at St. Peter Cathedral, 230 W. 10th St., Erie. This class delves into the liturgical journey of Catholics through the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time, Lent and Easter, both as individual experiences and communal celebrations. The session will include a reflection on the Ash Wednesday ritual, emphasizing our mortality and the collective journey in seeking God’s mercy.
The class also serves as a preparation for Lent, offering insights into the sacraments and the Lenten pillars of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, underscoring their significance in the faith community. The sessions are free and open to all, with no registration required.
Pre-Lenten retreat
The Office of Virtue & Integrity Education of the Diocese of Erie is sponsoring a Pre-Lenten Retreat from Feb. 9-10 at St. Thomas More House of Prayer, 365 Hill City Rd, Cranberry. The retreat master for the weekend will be Father Kevin Barrett. The retreat focuses on the strength, beauty, wisdom and goodness of God’s plan to bring us back to him. For more information and to sign up, visit https://www.eriercd.org/chastity/retreat.html. Call or email Cassondra with questions at 814.824.1216 and cdragone@eriercd.org. See flier for details.
Retreat for women
The Spiritual Family The Work will host its annual retreat for women March 1-3 at Villa Maria Retreat Center in Pulaski, Pa. Father Nicholas Rouch, vicar general for the Diocese of Erie, will be the retreat master. There will be opportunity for spiritual direction and for confession. See the attached flyer for details. Contact Sister Josephine at erie@thework-fso.org or 814-384-0556 with questions. If cost is a deterrent for you, please contact Sister Josephine for help.
There are no classifieds for this edition.
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