March 16, 2026
The next Information Bulletin is Monday, March 23, 2026. The submission deadline is Thursday, March 19, 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 Foundation Spring Grant deadline is Monday, March 30
Have you started your application yet? The Catholic Foundation of Northwest Pennsylvania will accept applications for Education and Faith Formation Grants through Monday, March 30. Are you planning a parish mission or faith formation special event in the summer or fall of 2026? Are you planning a new religious education or faith formation project for your parish or Catholic school? Are your parish lay ministers, lay staff, or youth planning to attend a conference, workshop or retreat this summer or fall? Is your school or faith formation program in need of updated technology? Your project may meet the criteria for one of these grant opportunities. Education: www.cfnwpa.org/grant-seekers/education-grant-guidelines Faith Formation: https://www.cfnwpa.org/grant-seekers/faith-formation-endowment-guidelines. Questions? Contact Julia Cooney, Operations Director, at jcooney@cfnwpa.org or 814-824-1253.
OCP Parish Grants Now Open for 2026
OCP is accepting applications for the 2026 Parish Grants, which provide financial support to help strengthen parish worship through liturgical and music-related projects. All Catholic parishes in the U.S. and eligible campus ministries are invited to apply (except those that received a grant last year). You do not need to use OCP products to apply for this grant. Grants may be used for hymnals and worship materials, music and equipment needs, multicultural ministry resources, digital tools and liturgical or musical training opportunities. Application deadline: May 30. Use this link https://ocp.org/en-us/parish-grants for full details and the online application (available in English and Spanish).
Help us share Easter Mass times
If you haven’t done so yet, and your parish is hosting Easter services, please send times and location to RPapalia@ErieRCD.org. The Diocese of Erie is gathering Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday Mass times to be shared on the diocesan website. Thank you for ensuring that all who seek to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ can find a place to worship.
Pontifical Collection for the Holy Land
Please find attached Bishop Persico’s letter introducing the Pontifical Collection for the Holy Land, which may be taken at any time between Palm Sunday (the weekend of March 28–29) and Divine Mercy Sunday (the weekend of April 11–12). Parishes are asked to publicize this collection in a significant way the weekend prior to the collection. Parish resources, including a pulpit announcement and graphics, are available online at: https://www.eriercd.org/holyland.html.
Diocese of Erie releases clergy appointment list
The Most Rev. Lawrence T. Persico, bishop of Erie, has appointed several clergy throughout the Diocese of Erie to new assignments. Appointments are traditionally made near July 1. This year, the diocese welcomed two new international priests: The Rev. Festus Okoye and Rev. John Nwankwo from the Diocese of Ekwulobia, Nigeria. This opened the opportunity for some additional changes to priest assignments, always a thoughtful and deliberate process to ensure the pastoral care of our faithful. The appointments were shared with affected parishioners at Masses during the weekend of March 7-8.
The full list of clergy assignments released this week can be found at https://www.eriercd.org/news/News-releases.html or attached.
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.Pontifical Collection for the Holy Land Diocese of Erie Clergy Appointment List Montague Mission Trip Bingo Community Workshop Bible in a Day Seminar Food Pantry Volunteers Needed |
Vacation Bible School Landing Page
The Diocese of Erie Communications and Advancement Office is creating a central landing page featuring Vacation Bible Schools across the diocese. This page will allow families to easily see what opportunities are available in their area and will be promoted through diocesan social media, Diocese of EriE-News and Faith magazine.
To include your parish program, please send the following information for any Vacation Bible School planned at your parish this summer:
- Parish Name
- Location (City/Town)
- Theme
- Dates and Times
- Contact Information (name, email and/or phone for registration)
You can simply reply to Annie Moks with the details. If you have a flyer or graphic, feel free to include that as well. Once compiled, the page will serve as a shared resource for families across the diocese looking for summer faith formation opportunities for children.
Montague Mission Trip Bingo
Join the St. James Mission Trip team for a Bingo Fundraiser on Saturday, April 25, at St. James Place, 2622 Buffalo Rd., Erie. Doors open at 11:00 a.m., with bingo beginning at noon. Admission is $20 for 12 games, plus three special games. A Chinese auction and other games of chance will also be available. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Proceeds benefit the Mission Trip to Montague, Michigan, taking place June 14–20. See the attached flyer for additional details.
Neighborhood Art House Art History Evening Series
The Neighborhood Art House, 201 E. 10th St., Erie, will host a series of Art History Evenings beginning Thursday, March 26, from 6–8 p.m. Jamie Borowicz will open the series with a lecture and discussion on Renaissance artwork. There is no charge to attend, though donations are encouraged. Preregistration is required. Register at: https://www.neighborhoodarthouse.org/events/details/art-history-evenings.
Community Workshop: Singing Burleigh in Sacred Spaces of the Community
Mercyhurst University’s Walker Recital Hall, 501 E. 38th St., Erie, will host the 10th Anniversary Harry T. Burleigh Spirituals Festival Community Workshop on Thursday, March 26, from 5–6:45 p.m. This free community workshop is open to members of all local churches and faith communities. See the attached flyer for more information.
Bible in a Day Seminar
Immaculate Conception Parish, 715 Main St., Clarion, will host a one-day seminar, See the Story of Scripture Come Alive, on Saturday, March 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This free event welcomes all, with donations accepted. Lunch is available for a $15 fee. For more information, contact Linda Summerville at 814-226-8433 ext. 203 or lsummerville@icclarion.org. See the attached flyer for additional details.
Food Pantry Volunteers Needed
St. Martin Center, 1701 Parade St., Erie, is in need of volunteers to assist with their food pantry. Hours of service Monday-Thursday are: 8:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and/or 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. 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. Please contact Alma with any questions: 814-452-6113 or info@stmartincenter.org.
Catholics Returning Home
The Epiphany of the Lord Parish in Meadville is conducting a free series of informal listening sessions, titled “Catholics Returning Home,” on six consecutive Wednesday evenings beginning Apr. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Agatha church office, 353 Pine St., Meadville. The series is an invitation to Catholics who have been away to renew their relationship with the Catholic Church. These listening sessions will be conducted in a support-group format, with updates on the Catholic faith. Former returned Catholics or converts will facilitate the evenings. Everyone is welcome. For more details, call 814-336-1112.
Anawim Ministries Retreats
The Bethany Retreat Center, 1031 Germania Rd., Frenchville, will be hosting multiple retreats designed to nurture the soul, and offers a peaceful place to listen, rest and enjoy spiritual guidance and quiet reflection. There is a Directed Silent Retreat, 8 Day Centering Prayer Retreat, an Introduction to Centering Prayer Zoom Session and Virtual Centering Prayer option. For more information on any of these events, please visit: https://www.anawimministries.com/retreats.
There are no classifieds this week.
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