January 6, 2025
The next Information Bulletin is Monday, January 13, 2025.The deadline for submissions is Thursday, January 9, 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.
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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.
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.
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.October Count Communications collection Jubilee Journey: Pilgrims of Hope December newsletter Jubilee Journey: Pilgrims of Hope January newsletter St. Peter organ dedication Healing the whole person Being pilgrims of hope overnight retreat |
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/.
St. Francis Xavier Parish to host “Healing the Whole Person” course
St. Francis Xavier Parish will be hosting an eight-week course of the John Paul II Healing Center: “Healing the Whole Person”. This course will begin on Feb. 17 and will run every week until April 7. There will be two different opportunities to attend each week: Monday evenings from 6:30 pm to 8 pm or Wednesday mornings from 10 am to 11:30 am. Attending only one session per week is necessary. A $25 donation to cover the cost of the workbook is recommended. For more information, contact Irene at 814.476.7657, extension 7, or email evangelization@stfrancisxaviermckean.org. See the attached flyer for more details.
Overnight retreat: “Being Pilgrims of Hope Living Catholic Social Teaching”
Sister Marian and Sister Tina of the Catholic Rural Ministry in conjunction with guest speaker Elizabeth Slaby, director of the Office of Social Justice and Life, will be conducting an overnight retreat, Feb. 4-5, from noon to noon, at the Olmsted Manor Retreat Center, 17 East Main St. Ludlow, PA 16333. This retreat will focus on prayer, reflection, presentations and sharing. The registration deadline is Jan. 15, 2025, and can be done by emailing Sister Rita at srtinag@gmail.com with your name and phone number. A $30 non-refundable registration fee can be mailed to: Catholic Rural Ministry, 7 Pulaski St., Oil City, PA 16301. Total retreat cost includes: four homecooked meals, room and presentation. The fee is $60 each for a double room or $75 for a single. A flyer is attached for more information.
There are no classifieds this week.
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