June 23, 2025
The next Information Bulletin is Monday, June 30, 2025.The deadline for submissions is Thursday, June 26, 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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Emmaus Prayer
Our priests and deacons will be attending their annual Emmaus Clergy Convocation between June 23–27, 2025. This gathering is a time for spiritual renewal, fraternal support and deepening their love for Christ and his church. We ask that you keep them in your prayers throughout their time together.
Attached you will find The Emmaus Prayer, which may be shared with your parishioners in any way that fits your community, whether in the bulletin, on your website or via social media. Thank you for helping us support our clergy in prayer during these important days.
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 July newsletter is attached.
2026 Confirmation schedule
The 2026 confirmation schedule for the Diocese of Erie is now available and can be found in the attachment. Please contact the Office for Divine Worship at 814-824-1271 with any questions. If any changes are made in the confirmation schedule during the year, it will be updated at www.eriercd.org/bishop/worship.html.
Catholic Foundation Offers Catholic Social Ministry Grant Opportunity
The Catholic Foundation of Northwest Pennsylvania is now accepting applications for its Catholic Social Ministry Grant opportunity through July 28. Those eligible to apply for these grants are Catholic 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving people within the 13 counties of the Diocese of Erie, departments of the Diocese of Erie and parishes. Each organization must have programs supporting family ministries, justice and peace, respect life, parish social ministry, ministry to persons with disabilities or natural family planning. Grant guidelines and criteria can be found on the Catholic Foundation website at https://www.cfnwpa.org/grant-seekers/catholic-social-ministry-grant-guidelines-criteria.
Anniversary Masses: Erie & Brockway
The Diocese of Erie, with Bishop Lawrence Persico presiding, is hosting two special Milestone Anniversary Masses, one in Erie and one in Brockway, to honor couples celebrating their 25th, 40th, 50th, 60th or beyond wedding anniversaries. Please share this celebration with your parishioners, using the bulletin insert on our resource page for the Mass nearest you, and direct them to register now at https://www.eriercd.org/familylifeoffice/anniv.html. Social media graphics are also available on the parish social media resource page. For questions or assistance, contact Faye Froess, administrative assistant, at ffroess@eriercd.org or by phone at 814-824-1210. Thank you for helping us honor these couples and the Sacrament of Marriage!
Natural Family Planning Awareness Mass
Are you looking for a family planning method that honors your faith, strengthens your marriage, respects your body and really works? Couples throughout the Diocese of Erie are embracing Natural Family Planning (NFP), a way of life that invites God into the process of growing their families or prayerfully planning for the future. To explore the proven effectiveness of NFP or to register for a class, visit www.eriercd.org/chastity.htm or contact the diocesan NFP coordinator at 814-512-0818.
This year’s theme for National Natural Family Planning Awareness Week is Pursue a lasting love ...marriage, create hope for the future. Join us in celebrating God’s plan for married love at a special Mass with Bishop Persico on Sunday, July 20 at 11 a.m. at St. Peter Cathedral. A light reception will follow at Mother Teresa Academy Hall. Learn more at www.eriercd.org/awareness-mass.htm.
New contact information for Our Lady of the Lake Parish
Please update your records for Our Lady of the Lake Parish, 128 Sunset Drive, Edinboro. The new parish office email is: office@ololake.com and the parish finance office is: finance@ololake.com. Please delete the former email: ololchurch.office@gmail.com. If you have any questions, please contact the office at: 814-734-3113.
Staying Safe Online
With more people trying to access our phones without permission, it’s important to keep them secure, especially since we rely on them to stay connected with our church and loved ones. To protect your phone, use a strong password or fingerprint lock, download apps only from trusted sources like the official app store, and regularly update your phone and apps. Be cautious when using public Wi-Fi, as it can expose your private information. You might also consider installing a trusted security app for extra protection. These simple steps can help keep your phone safe and ensure you stay connected with your community. Find out more here: https://www.wizer-training.com/blog/how-to-keep-your-mobile-phone-more-secure.
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.Emmaus Prayer Office for Divine Worship Newsletter 2026 Confirmation schedule Milestone Anniversary Masses St. Mary Frenchville Picnic dinner order form Our Lady of Mercy VBS |
Join us for OL' MERCY FEST
Join us for a weekend of fun and community at Our Lady of Mercy, 837 Bartlett Rd., Harborcreek, starting Friday, July 11! From 5 to 9 p.m., enjoy a summer evening of live music, great food and drinks and plenty of camaraderie. Bring your family and friends; admission is free and everyone is welcome!
The night features live music from Roof Top Project, four amazing food trucks (Brady’s Chuck Wagon, Waffle Miracle, Tariq and Smiley’s Ice Cream), drink vendors including Erie Brewing, 6 Mile Cellars and Luminary Distilling, plus exciting games of chance like a beer pyramid, cash and bottle raffles, tip boards, instant bingo and a 50/50 drawing. Then, join us again on Sunday, July 13, for our annual BBQ Chicken Dinner; $15 for adults and $9 for children. Stick around for basket raffles, auctions and more fun throughout the afternoon!
St. Mary’s Church, Frenchville Picnic
St. Mary’s 155th Annual picnic will be held Sunday, July 20 from noon until 5 p.m. at 64 St. Mary’s Lane, Frenchville. Meals are takeout or eat in at the hall. You have a choice of BBQ or oven roasted chicken or ham, mashed potatoes/gravy, noodles, green beans, baked beans, coleslaw, pickled eggs/beets, roll with butter and dessert. The price is $18/meal. Pre-order dinner forms must be received and paid for by July 10. Please see attached form to order. Please call Dan and Diana Rowles with any questions at 814-263-4160.
Our Lady of Mercy Vacation Bible School 2025
Children ages 4 through those entering 6th grade are invited to join us for a week of fun at Vacation Bible School at Our Lady of Mercy, 837 Bartlett Road, Harborcreek, from July 28 to August 1. This year’s theme is “Make a Splash,” and VBS will be held Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Registration is free and simple. See the attached flyer for more information and to register. If you have any questions, contact Irene Lucas at ilucas@ourladyofmercychurch.org or call 814-898-4383.
Sisters Speak Out Event planned in Erie on June 24
The Sisters of St. Joseph of NWPA, the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, the Benedictine Sisters of Erie and Network Advocates of Western Pennsylvania invite you to a local “Sisters Speak Out: Prayer & Public Witness for Immigrants and a Just Economy” on Tuesday, June 24, from 1:00 to 1:30 p.m. Join them at the corner of 18th and Ash Streets (across from the Erie County Prison). Parking is available in the lot on the southwest corner of the intersection. For more information, visit www.eriebenedictines.org.
External job openings:
Faith Formation Coordinator - St. Joseph Oil City
St. Joseph Church is seeking a faith-filled individual to direct our K–9 Faith Formation program. Responsibilities include recruiting and training catechists; coordinating bi-monthly Sunday school sessions, sacramental retreats and parent meetings; maintaining regular communication with families and volunteers; and liaising with diocesan leadership as needed. This is a part-time position, with the potential to become full-time for a candidate who can also expand our youth ministry for grades 10 and up—adding social, service, educational and devotional activities. A third, optional tier—with additional compensation—would involve teaching theology at the nearby St. Stephen Catholic Grade School in Oil City. Interested applicants should contact Pastor Fr. Richard Allen at rjallen@eriercd.org.
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