January 27, 2025
The next Information Bulletin is Monday, February 3, 2025.The deadline for submissions is Thursday, January 30, 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.
2025 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 2025 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 2025 CSA. Contact Julia Cooney with any questions at 814-824-1253 or jcooney@cfnwpa.org.
Confirmation Liturgy Information
There are several updates to Confirmation Masses in 2025. Thoroughly review the Confirmation Liturgy Packet that is attached. If you have any questions, please contact the Office for Divine Worship at 814-824-1271.
International Catholic Stewardship Council newsletter
The Catholic Foundation is happy to share the attached February edition of the International Catholic Stewardship Council newsletter (English and Spanish versions are available). Pastors and parish staff are encouraged to read and share this publication with their parishioners, using all or parts of it for their parish bulletin, with credit to the author/source.
Microsoft Publisher is going away effective October 13, 2026.
In most instances, Microsoft will reach remove the software from your device on that date. You should use the next 21 months to decide whether to delete Publisher files or convert them to other formats. Microsoft Word would be appropriate for simple documents. Parishes who use Publisher for their Sunday Bulletin may wish to follow the lead of parishes from across the country who are moving to Canva. The diocese will be developing a Sunday Bulletin template to share with parishes who decide to switch to Canva. If you haven’t already done so, every parish should sign up for Canva Pro for free through their non-profit program: Canva is an online graphic design tool. Create brochures, programs, social media posts, presentations, posters, videos, logos and more with Canva’s incredible template library. Apply here https://www.canva.com/canva-for-nonprofits/ Rough instructions for getting through the approval process can be found here: https://eriercd.org/images/informationalbulletin/53b94f81b956a4d40a0e173d2af13646.pdf. Canva training can be found here: https://www.canva.com/designschool/courses/.
2025 CSA informational webinar
Pastors and parish staff are invited to attend a webinar on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. to launch the 2025 Catholic Services Appeal. This one-hour session, hosted by the Diocese of Erie and the Catholic Foundation in partnership with Our Sunday Visitor, will open with prayer led by Bishop Persico. The webinar will cover key components of the 2025 CSA, including the introduction of a centralized follow-up letter. Registrants will receive access to the webinar recording and slides after the session. Click the link to register for this informative event: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/9202294843437823574.
2025 Lenten Practices
Please find attached the 2025 Lenten Practices notice from the Chancery.
Pastors and parish staff: Use Ministry Platform to share Lenten events with parishioners
The Ministry Platform team encourages pastors and parish staff to keep parishioners informed about ash distributions, Lenten dinners and events and Holy Week Mass and service times by sending emails through Ministry Platform. To assist you this Lent and Easter, the team has prepared several email templates. After creating your own template, you can access and reuse these resources year after year. Visit this link to download the instructions. For additional email templates for other events, please contact kpapalia@eriercd.org.
Diocesan Statistics
Attached please find the most recent statistics for the Diocese of Erie. They may also be found online at https://eriercd.org/the-diocese.html. Questions may be directed to Maria Caulfield at 814.824.1130 or mcaulfield@eriercd.org.
IRS mileage reimbursement rate change
Please note the IRS Mileage Reimbursement Rate has changed effective Jan. 1, 2025. The IRS Standard Mileage Rate has increased to 70.0 cents per mile. This is an increase of three cents from the 2024 rate of 67.0 cents per mile. You will find the updated “Expense Report 2025” form at https://www.eriercd.org/finance/IRS-mileage-reimbursement-rate-2025.html. The form incorporates the new IRS mileage rate. You can begin using this form for mileage expenses incurred in 2025. If you are going to continue using an older excel version of the Expense Report, make sure that you update your spreadsheet to incorporate the new IRS rate of 70.0 cents a mile.
Celebrate the Year of Jubilee! Share your Events with Us
Is your parish or school celebrating a special event related to the Holy Year of Jubilee? The Office of Communications would like to help share the joy and highlight your events on our communication platforms. Whether it’s a special Mass, a themed faith formation event or a significant community celebration, we want to know about it. Please submit details of your jubilee events, including dates, locations and a brief description, to ibeditor@eriercd.org. We look forward to celebrating together!
Tips to avoid being hacked
The New Year is the perfect time to focus on resolutions and cultivating positive habits. This year let's commit to building lasting cyber-safe habits! A common security myth is that you don’t have anything a hacker would want. In reality, you do. Hackers want to control your PC to send spam, distribute malware, or help launch a denial-of-service attack. Hackers want your identity to be used for identity theft and fraud. And hackers want your money. Most attacks are automated. Hackers simply seek out and compromise all vulnerable systems. Here are some tips to help keep you secure this year: https://enableministry.com/2024/07/10/the-10-commandments-of-cybersecurity/.
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.ICSC Newsletter in English and Spanish 2025 Lenten practices Diocese Statistics Prince of Peace housewarming kits St. George Penance series Spaghetti dinner St. Bartholomew Sharpsville Free day retreat at Our Lady of Mercy Cash Bash Family Honor Confirmation Liturgy Packet |
Prince of Peace Center to distribute housewarming kits
Prince of Peace Center, 502 Darr Ave. Farrell, PA, is set to launch its community service initiatives in 2025 by distributing housewarming kits to individuals and families who have previously been unsheltered or are fleeing domestic violence. These kits are generously provided by Catholic Charities, Inc. of the Diocese of Erie, of which Prince of Peace Center is an affiliate agency.
The housewarming kits contain essential items for various areas of the home. Bedroom necessities include new sheets, a comforter and pillows; kitchen essentials contain dishes, glassware, silverware, a can opener and pots and pans; and bathroom items consist of bath towels, cleaning supplies and toilet paper. In collaboration with employees from Primary Health Network, the kits will also include medicine cabinet essentials to compliment the other items. To add a personal touch, each kit will feature a “God Bless This Home” sign, helping recipients feel more settled in their new living spaces.
For more information, please contact Sarah Worthington at 724.346.5777 ext. 120 or via email at sarah.worthington@princeofpeacecenter.org. See attached flyer for more information.
St. George Parish to host February Penance series
Every Thursday in February, St. George Parish, 5145 Peach St., Erie, will be conducting a different theme during the penance series. The first kicks off on Feb. 6, 2025, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with Fr. Brandon Kleckner with a discussion on penance, bring your questions. The following week, Feb. 13, 2025, from 7:00 to 8:45 is Movie Night featuring the movie I Confess. This will be held in the Saint George School multipurpose room. Thursday, Feb. 20, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. will have Fr. Patrick Smith from the Archdiocese of Washington D.C. speaking on the sacrament with Confessions to follow. The last week, Feb. 27 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. will wrap up the series with a Holy Hour followed by fellowship in the Saint George School multipurpose room. See flyer for details.
St. Stanislaus Parish Super Bowl Sunday pancake breakfast
On Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, St. Stanislaus Church, 516 E. 13th St, Erie, will be hosting a Super Bowl Sunday pancake breakfast from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Cost is $6 per person and includes: Pancakes, sausage, coffee or tea and orange juice. Please join us for 9 a.m. Mass before the breakfast.
Spaghetti dinner at St. Bartholomew Church, Sharpsville
St. Bartholomew Church, 311 W. Ridge Ave., Sharpsville is holding its famous homemade spaghetti dinner on Feb. 2 from 12 p.m.-4 p.m. at the parish social center, 311 W. Ridge Ave., Sharpsville. Tickets: $12 adults, $8 for kids 10 & under. Dinner includes homemade pasta, sauce and meatballs, fresh Italian bread, spumoni ice cream and salad. Live Italian music by Sam Tonelli. Also featuring 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. Please see attached flyer for more information.
Food distribution volunteers needed
St. Martin Center, 1701 Parade St., Erie, needs Food Pantry volunteers (18 yrs of age or older). We’re looking for dedicated volunteers to help in our food pantry. Whether you have a few hours a week or just one day a month, your time can make a huge impact on families in need. Hours needed are: Monday through Friday, 8:45 a.m. –12:15 p.m. and 1 p.m.– 3:30 p.m.; Contact Wanda at 814.452.6113 ext. 227 or Stacey ext. 208.
Free day retreat at Our Lady of Mercy
A free Sanctus retreat will take place on Saturday Mar. 1 beginning with a breakfast at 8:30 a.m. and concluding with 4:30 p.m. Vigil Mass. This will be held at Our Lady of Mercy Church, 837 Bartlett Rd, Harborcreek. Meals are included. To register, please complete the bottom portion of the flyer and return it to the Religious Education office or in the collection basket by Feb. 16. For any questions, please contact Irene at 814.899.6132 or by email at: ilucas@ourladyofmercychurch.org. See flyer for registration.
Cash Bash fundraiser
St. Gregory Thaumaturgus Parish, North East, invites you to its Cash Bash on Feb. 1, 2025, in the St. Gregory School Gym, located at 140 W. Main Street, North East. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., with drawings starting at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy food, drinks and games throughout the evening! Tickets are $25 for an in-person Party Pass and $15 for a Go Virtual ticket. Both options include entry into the drawings all night. The event will also be live-streamed on their Facebook page. For more details, contact the rectory or school office, or email chansenff@roadrunner.com. See the attached flyer for additional information.
Family Honor weekend retreat for adults
St. Mary’s Catholic Church Parish Center, 325 Church Street St., St. Marys, PA, will be hosting a weekend retreat course for adults: “Understanding the Mystery of the Human Person”. This retreat runs from Friday afternoon Mar. 21 to Saturday Mar. 22. This course provides a Catholic framework on the truth and meaning of sexuality, love and family. For more information, please contact Jean 814.594.7405 or the Family Honor office 803.929.0858 or email: info@familyhonor.org. See flyer for more information and to register via the QR code.
St. Martin Center’s free financial and home buying courses
The Financial Wellness Series will take place on Feb. 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at St. Martin Center, 1701 Parade St., Erie. This class will provide tools for tracking and managing expenses, including how to prioritize spending when there isn’t enough money to pay all bills in full and on time. After the class, participants can schedule a one-on-one, confidential session to organize their budget, review their credit and receive personalized tips.
The Pre-Purchase Home Buying Series is scheduled for Feb. 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at St. Martin Center, 1701 Parade St., Erie. This class is designed to simplify the process of buying your first home, reviewing available assistance programs and explaining the paperwork involved. It is recommended for those with a FICO score of 580-680 who are planning to purchase a home within three to six months.
All classes are free and open to everyone, but registration is required. To register, call 814-452-6113 ext. 206 or email housing@stmartincenter.org.
Our Lady of Mercy spaghetti dinner & gift basket auction fundraiser
Join us for a delicious spaghetti dinner on Feb. 2, 2025, at Our Lady of Mercy, 837 Bartlett Rd., Harborcreek. Enjoy special pre-sale pricing of $14 for a full plate or $8 for a half plate when you purchase your tickets by Jan. 30. Door pricing will be $15 for a full plate and $9 for a half plate. Tickets are available now in the parish office Monday through Thursday from 8 am to 3 pm and in the gathering space after all weekend Masses. You can also reserve tickets by calling 814-899-5342.
New this year, choose between meatballs or chicken parmesan as your entrée. Your dinner includes your entrée choice, refreshments, a side salad, Italian bread and a cookie. Early Bird take-out, served ready to heat, will be available on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, at 5:30 pm. Don’t forget to try your luck at our gift basket auction, benefiting the Religious Education Department. For more information, visit www.eriercd.org/OLMercy-spaghetti-dinner.html.
Xtreme Xposure: An Interactive Murder Mystery Dinner
Join us for an evening of clues, comedy and delicious food at Blessed Sacrament School, 2510 Greengarden Blvd., on Feb.7, 8, 28 and Mar. 1, 2025. Doors open at 6 pm, and the show begins at 6:30 pm.
Get ready to help solve the mystery of Who Killed Otto Fokus during Xtreme Xposure! Tickets are $35 and include the show, a chance to win prizes, a catered dinner by Serafin’s, soft drinks, draft beer, wine, dessert and coffee. Proceeds benefit the Erie School District FIRST Robotics Team, Bids for Kids (supporting Make-a-Wish, Erie Shriners and Boys and Girls Club) and the Blessed Sacrament Knights of Columbus.
To order tickets, use the Xtreme Xposure Ticket Link or email kingal3423@gmail.com. Please note, a $2.00 processing fee applies to all tickets. Don’t miss this unforgettable night of fun and fundraising.
Office of Faith Formation
The Diocese of Erie is seeking an energetic and faith-driven leader to serve as the Director of Faith Formation for Catechesis and Sacraments. He/she will be a part of the ongoing development of a collaborative vision for life-long faith formation in the Diocese of Erie. He/she will report to the Executive Director of Faith Formation. For best consideration, please apply by Feb. 22, 2025. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. See links for full position profile and job application form below Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, references and a signed and completed job application form in one of two ways: 1) Email all materials to: hrinfo@eriercd.org. (Application form must be completed, signed and scanned.) 2) Mail to HR, Attn: Faith Formation search, 429 East Grandview Blvd., Erie, PA 16504.
Please refer to the link below for more details: https://www.eriercd.org/employment.html.
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