March 11, 2024
The next Information Bulletin is Monday, March 18, 2024.The deadline for submissions is Thursday, March 14, 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.
Catholic Charities releases annual report
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Erie recently sent its yearly Impact Report to donors. The report, found in the attachments, summarizes all the good works they accomplished in 2023.
Financial assistance available to parishes through OCP
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press) provides direct financial assistance to Roman Catholic parishes across the United States through its annual OCP Parish Grants Program. Since its inception in 2001, it has provided nearly $3.45 million to parishes in the U.S. The Parish Grants Program is open to all Roman Catholic parishes and campus ministries (that can demonstrate a consistent Mass schedule throughout the year,) even if they do not use OCP as their liturgical music source. If your parish has a need for something that would enhance the worship experience, apply at https://ocp.org/en-us/parish-grants.
Communications Office requests times for Holy Week and Easter Masses and services
Holy Thursday’s Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Good Friday services, and Easter Vigil and Easter Mass times for all parishes in the Diocese of Erie will be available in one place on the diocesan website at www.ErieRCD.org, making it easier for people to find information about parish celebrations throughout the diocese. Parishes are asked to please copy/paste and send the following information to Rich Papalia in the Communications Office by March 15 at rpapalia@eriercd.org:
- Parish name:
- Parish town:
- Parish contact:
- Parish contact email:
- Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper:
- Good Friday Service:
- Easter Vigil Mass time:
- Easter Mass time(s).
Pontifical Collection for the Holy Land
Please find attached Bishop Persico’s letter introducing the 2024 Pontifical Collection for the Holy Land. Please note that this collection is mandatory and in the Diocese of Erie may be taken up anytime between Palm Sunday and Divine Mercy Sunday, inclusive. The traditional day for the collection is Good Friday. Parishes are asked to publicize this collection in a significant way on the weekend prior to the collection in the parish.
Catholic Foundation Spring Education Grant deadline is Monday, March 18
Have you started your application yet? Monday, March 18, is the deadline for Catholic schools, parishes and diocesan departments to apply for Spring Education Grants. Grant requests up to $20,000 are being accepted. Are your parish lay ministers or lay staff planning to attend a conference, workshop or retreat this summer or fall? Are you planning a new religious education or faith formation project for your parish or Catholic school? Is your school or faith formation program in need of updated technology? Your project may be a good fit for the foundation’s Education Grant opportunity. Review the guidelines and criteria at the following link: https://www.cfnwpa.org/grant-seekers/education-grant-guidelines. This is the first of two Catholic Foundation Education Grant cycles in 2024. Questions? Contact Julia Cooney at (814) 824-1253 or jcooney@cfnwpa.org.
International Catholic Stewardship Council newsletter
The Catholic Foundation is happy to share the attached March 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.
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.Catholic Charities Impact Report Pontifical Holy Land Collection letter ICSC newsletter/English ICSC newsletter/Spanish Benedictines for Peace Good Friday Pilgrimage Eucharistic Revival Holy Hour graphic Annunciation and Eclipse event at St. Francis, McKean Benedictine Blackout: Solar eclipse event Between the Dark and Daylight: Benedictine retreat |
Benedictines announce 2024 Good Friday Pilgrimage for Peace
Benedictines for Peace is sponsoring the Good Friday Pilgrimage for Peace on Friday, March 29, beginning at 11 am at St. Peter Cathedral, 10th and Sassafras streets in Erie. “Stations of the Cross and the Suffering of War” is the theme of this year’s contemporary stations which will include stops throughout the city of Erie to pray at places “that connect us to or remind us of the sufferings of many living in the horror of war today.” Between stops, participants walk in silence. See the attached flyer for details or view the event on Facebook at https://fb.me/e/gF1N25Ekf.
St. Mark and Mount Calvary parishes host Holy Hour for the Eucharistic Revival
Please join Deacon Dave Jacquel and the parishioners of St. Mark and Mt. Calvary parishes in Erie for a Holy Hour for the National Eucharistic Revival on Saturday, March 23 at 3:15 pm at St. Mark Church, 695 Smithson Ave., Erie. Questions? Please call the office at 814.899.3000 or email: office@smmc.church. Graphic suitable for bulletins is attached.
McKean parish hosts Annunciation/eclipse celebration
St. Francis Xavier Parish, 8880 Main St., McKean, invites all to join them in celebration of both the Annunciation and the solar eclipse on Monday, April 8. (The Solemnity of the Annunciation will be celebrated liturgically on April 8 because March 25 falls during Holy Week.) The event begins with praying the Office of Readings at 1 pm. See attached flyer available to help promote the event.
Benedictine Blackout: A Spiritual Solar Eclipse Experience
Join the Benedictine Sisters of Erie at Mount Saint Benedict Monastery, 6101 East Lake Road, and Glinodo Center, just across the road, on Monday, April 8, to celebrate the 2024 total solar eclipse as it passes over Erie. Lakefront viewing and eclipse glasses will be offered for all guests. Aspects of the event are planned for all ages: a retreat, evening prayer, happy hour, art experiences, environmental activities and more. Some activities require pre-registration — please visit www.eriebenedictines.org/eclipse for full schedule, details and registration. Contact Michelle Scully (mscully@eriebenedictines.org) with any questions. Poster attached.
Between the Dark and the Daylight: Benedictines offer morning retreat on eclipse day
The Benedictine Sisters of Erie are offering a retreat based on Sister Joan Chittister’s book, “Between the Dark and the Daylight: Embracing the Contradictions of Life,” on Monday, April 8, the morning of the total solar eclipse. Join them for the retreat, and then stay to view the eclipse. Pre-registration is required. Cost is $40 and includes lunch. Find a poster for the retreat in the attachments.
Tickets available for St. Mark Seminary Auxiliary annual card party
The St. Mark Seminary Auxiliary will hold its Annual Card Party on Thursday, April 18 at 6 pm in the St. Mark Seminary gym, 429 East Grandview Blvd., Erie. Doors will open at 5 pm. A light meal will be served. Evening includes grand prizes, gift auction and more. For reservations, please call Kathy at 814.440.3406 by Tuesday, April 9.
Dr. Edward Sri to speak in neighboring diocese
The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown will host two presentations by Dr. Edward Sri on April 19 and 20 in the Mount Aloysius College Athletic Convocation and Wellness center, 7373 Admiral Peary Hwy, Cresson, Pa. Admission is free, but registration is required at www.dioceseaj.org and a free-will offering will be accepted at the door. The event was created “as a dynamic event to lift, encourage and inspire Catholics during the Eucharistic Revival.” Men, Women and the Mystery of Love, and When you Pray: Trust, Surrender and Transformation, designed for high school and college students as well as young adults, will be offered Friday, April 19 from 7 to 9:30 pm. Three additional talks: Into his Likeness: be transformed as a disciple of Christ, When you Pray: trust, surrender and transformation and Vibrant faith in a secular age will be presented for the general public on Saturday, April 20 from 9 am to noon. Please direct all questions to Sister Linda LaMagna, CCW, at llamagna@dioceseaj.org or call Sister Linda at 814.742.7894.
Folding chairs for sale
Our Lady of Peace Parish, 2401 W. 38th St. in Erie, has 220 standard beige all-steel folding chairs for sale. They may be used for cafeterias or conference rooms. $5 per chair or take them all for $900. They are being sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Inquiries? Call Cynthia in the church office at 814-833-7701 x 0 or Cynthia.berarducci@olp.org.
Camp Notre Dame seeks staff
Camp Notre Dame is still on the lookout for people to work on staff this summer. If you or anyone you know are looking for a fun yet fulfilling job this summer, visit www.campnotredame.com to fill out an application today! We are also still in need of an office manager as well as a food service manager for the summer. Applicants for these positions should send a resume to office@campnotredame.com.
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