March 17, 2025
The next Information Bulletin is Monday, March 24, 2025.The deadline for submissions is Thursday, March 20, 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.
St. Mark Catholic Center to eliminate P.O. Box 10397
To create a consistent way of contacting the offices at St. Mark Catholic Center, the use of SMCC’s P.O. Box 10397 is being eliminated. This transition process is expected to be complete by March 31, 2026. All mail should be sent to the physical address:
St. Mark Catholic Center
429 E. Grandview Blvd.
Erie, PA 16504-2603
Your prompt attention to this matter and your support in ensuring a smooth transition is appreciated. Please notify any of your constituents who utilize the post office address currently to update them of the change. A draft of a letter regarding this matter to those constituents is attached for your convenience. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Jim Tometsko at St. Mark Catholic Center at 814-824-1111.
Help us share Easter Mass times!
As we prepare to celebrate the joy of Easter, the Office of Communications is gathering Easter Mass times to be shared on our website. If your parish is hosting Easter services, please send the Mass times and location to RPapalia@ErieRCD.org. This will help those who don’t regularly attend church easily find a Mass time for the holiday, providing an opportunity to share the Good News and bring more people to Christ. Thank you for ensuring that all who seek to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ can find a place to worship.
Catholic Charities 2024 Impact Report
Catholic Charities is pleased to share this year’s Impact Report. The report is all about the difference we made together! Thanks to Catholic Charities’ amazing supporters, food, shelter, counseling and emergency relief can continue to be provided to those who need it most. Attached, you’ll find inspiring stories, key highlights and real numbers that show how we’re changing lives every day.
Catholic Foundation Spring Grant deadline is Monday, March 31
Have you started your application yet? The Catholic Foundation of Northwest Pennsylvania will accept applications for Education and Faith Formation Grants through Monday, March 31. Are you planning a parish mission or faith formation special event in the summer or fall of 2025? 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. There have been some changes to guidelines and criteria. Please review carefully. Education: www.cfnwpa.org/grant-seekers/education-grant-guidelines Faith Formation: www.cfnwpa.org/grant-seekers/faith-formation-endowment-guidelines. Questions? Contact Julia Cooney, operations director, at jcooney@cfnwpa.org or 814-824-1253.
Seminary Discernment Weekend
Considering the Priesthood? Young men in high school, college or beyond who are open to exploring the call to priesthood are invited to a Seminary Discernment Retreat over Palm Sunday weekend, April 12-13, at St. Mark Seminary, 429 E. Grandview Blvd., Erie. This retreat offers a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of seminary life, discernment and the priesthood in a supportive and prayerful environment. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. To participate, contact Fr. Scott Jabo, Vocation Director, at 814-824-1198 or SWJabo@eriercd.org. Learn more at www.erievocations.org.
Young Adult and Youth Ministry newsletter
The Young Adult and Youth Ministry newsletter is designed for anyone interested in or involved with young adult and/or youth ministry within our diocese, particularly those in leadership roles. Its goal is to provide informative, supportive and uplifting content to encourage and strengthen our ministry community. Please see the March issue that is attached.
24 Hours for the Lord
24 Hours for the Lord is a Lenten initiative introduced by Pope Francis that encourages 24 hours of Eucharistic adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, inviting the faithful to experience God’s mercy. It typically takes place on the Friday and Saturday before the Fourth Sunday of Lent, with churches worldwide offering extended opportunities for prayer and confession. Below you will find two parishes with events scheduled. Are you hosting a 24 Hours for the Lord event? If so, please let us know and we can share: IBEditor@ErieRCD.org.
Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Mercer:
Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, 100 Penn Ave., Mercer, invites all to two special opportunities for prayer and reflection. A Praise and Worship Holy Hour will take place on Thursday, March 20 at 7 p.m. as part of the Year of Eucharistic Mission, offering a chance to encounter Christ. The parish is also hosting 24 Hours for the Lord from Saturday, March 21 to Sunday, March 22, a powerful event focused on experiencing God’s love and forgiveness while deepening one’s faith journey in preparation for Easter. Participants are encouraged to sign up for an hour of adoration from March 21 at 9 a.m. through March 22 at 8 a.m. Registration is available in person at the parish and online at www.ihmercer.org/24-hours. See the attached flyer for more details.
Diocese of Erie and St. Peter Cathedral
24 Hours for the Lord will be held at St. Peter Cathedral, Erie, again this year. The 24 hours of adoration and confession will begin after the 5:15 Mass on Friday, March 28th and conclude with the 4pm Mass on Saturday, March 29th. See the attached flyer for details. PRIESTS in the greater Erie area are asked to consider taking at least an hour to hear confessions at St. Peter Cathedral during the 24 Hours for the Lord. You should have received a letter in the mail to this effect with the possibility of signing up for a confession hour. You may also sign up by contacting Sr. Kathleen at sr.kathleen@olp.org or 814-218-9400.
Official Catholic Directory Administrative Fees
The Official Catholic Directory (OCD), with the approval of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has instituted a $10.00 annual fee for every primary entity (e.g. parish, ministry etc.) listed in the directory, effective immediately.
The contact of record for each entity should have received a notification email on March 4. Payment is due by April 30, 2025. It can be made via the OCD website here: 2025 Edition - Admin Fee – The Official Catholic Directory. Please enter the same email address that you use for your OCD listing.
Entities who choose not to pay the fee will be printed as a “restricted listing.” Only the name will be printed, with no contact information or sub-entities. See examples here: Restricted Listing Sample – The Official Catholic Directory. A restricted listing does not remove your tax-exempt status.
A restricted listing may have a negative effect on grant funding and other applications which require you to show proof of tax-exempt status. If you ever use a copy of your page in the OCD to prove tax exempt status, you are encouraged to pay the fee and keep your full listing.
Please direct questions to Maria Caulfield in the Chancery at 814-824-1130 or mcaulfield@eriercd.org.
Are you traveling to Rome for the Year of Jubilee?
Do you or someone you know plan to make a pilgrimage to Rome this year? Or have you already gone? We would love to highlight your journey and share it with others in the diocese. If you’re traveling independently—outside of the diocesan pilgrimage in October—please reach out. Share your photos and experiences with us so we can inspire others on their own faith journey. Email AMosier@ErieRCD.org to share your story.
Pastors and business managers from parishes NOT already using Vanco
Please join us on Thurs., March 27, at 11 a.m. to discover online giving features with Ministry Platform and Vanco! Learn how these tools can help your parish foster a culture of generosity and ensure the financial sustainability of your mission. Don't miss out on this opportunity to enhance your parish's giving experience! Please feel free to invite appropriate Finance Council members. This webinar would be appropriate for parishes who do not currently provide an online giving option to parishioners, as well as parishes who use an online giving merchant other than Vanco. Register here: acst.zoom.us/meeting/register/j2VfmMGhS627daOe1HguEw#/registration.
Cybersecurity for tax season: protect your identity and refund
Tax season brings enough stress without adding scammers to the mix. But the reality is that criminals ramp up attacks in the first few months of the year, often impersonating the IRS or trusted services like H&R Block. Learn more about how to stay safe this tax season here: www.staysafeonline.org/articles/tax-season-security-tips.
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.PO Box address letter template Catholic Charities Impact Report YAYM Newsletter 24 Hours for the Lord parish information Knights of Columbus Coffee Fellowship Bowl- A-Thon Neighborhood Art House workshops Mercyhurst Boys Basketball Camp Year of Hope Bus trip to Lancaster Mercy Terrace Apartment seeks Executive Director |
Knights of Columbus Coffee Fellowship
The Knights of Columbus Council #403 will be hosting The Coffee Fellowship on Tuesdays and Thursdays after 9 a.m. Mass. This faith and fellowship gathering will be held at St. Bernard’s Gallina Hall, 95 E. Corydon St., Bradford. There is no cost to attend, but donations are welcome. For more details, see the attached flyer.
Grief Ministry
The next Comfort Through Grief Ministry meeting will be held at St. Joseph Church Bread of Life Community Center, 147 W. 24th St., Erie. The gathering will take place in the upstairs multi-purpose room, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. and the program running from 6:15 to 8:00 p.m. On Monday, March 24, guest speaker Joyce Covatto will present "Can Sadness and Peace Coexist? A Catholic Perspective." Visit https://www.eriercd.org/Grief-Ministry.html for more details.
Bowl- a-Thon
The Prince of Peace Center invites you to the Strike Out Poverty Bowl-a-Thon at Thornton Hall Bowling Lanes, 667 Thornton Ave., Sharon, on Sunday, March 30, starting at 12 p.m. Registration is $30 per bowler and includes three games, shoe rental, an event t-shirt, lunch and refreshments. For more information, call 724-346-5777 ext. 140 or see the attached flyer.
Upcoming workshops at the Neighborhood Art House
The Neighborhood Art House, located at 201 E. 10th St., Erie, is offering two upcoming six-week daytime workshops for adult students. These classes are free of charge and include all materials. They will take place on Thursday mornings from March 20 to May 1, from 9 a.m. to noon, with no class on April 17. The workshops include Signs of Spring with Jonilee Klusko and Observational Drawing with Alex Strasser. Additionally, a one-time evening workshop, the Felted Pod Workshop with April Cox, will be held on Thursday, April 10, from 6 to 9 p.m. This class has a $20 fee. For more details, see the attached flyer.
Cathedral Prep musical
Cathedral Preparatory School in Erie presents West Side Story with performances at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 3; 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 5; and 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 6. An additional performance will take place on April 30 at 2 p.m. at the school’s H. David Bowes Auditorium, 250 W. 10th St., Erie. Tickets are available at the door for $10 for adults, $7 for senior citizens and $5 for students (cash only).
2025 Laker Legends Scholarship Gala
Mercyhurst Preparatory School proudly presents the Laker Legends Scholarship Gala, the school’s largest annual fundraising event, celebrating individuals who exemplify the Mercy Core Values while raising vital scholarship funds for students. This year’s Laker Legend Honorees are Tom Reisenweber ’02, Michael Miele ’03, Kathy Donovan and Courtney Sullivan ’04.
This special evening will take place on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Mercyhurst Preparatory School. Visit https://www.mpslakers.com/gala/ for more details.
Mercyhurst University boys’ basketball camp
The Mercyhurst University Basketball Camp provides an opportunity for young athletes to develop their skills, build confidence and compete in a structured and supportive environment. The Individual Camp, open to boys entering grades 3-12, and the Little Laker Camp, designed for boys entering grades K-2, will take place from July 28 to August 1 at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. A $10 discount is available for early registrations submitted before May 1, as well as for families, employees and Little Laker members. For more information or to register please see the attached flyers, visit https://mercyhurstmenbasketball.totalcamps.com or contact Joe Causgrove at jcausgrove@mercyhurst.edu.
Soup, Salad & Soul
St. George Parish cafeteria, 5145 Peach St., Erie, will be the setting for the 2025 Lenten Soup, Salad & Soul dinner. This is a five-week Lenten event that will feature a different priest each week. They will be sharing their “Eucharistic Overtones” and reflecting on how they have grown in their priestly ministries. Mass will be at 5:15 p.m. followed by dinner at 6 pm. Speakers to follow: March 11, Fr. Phil Oriole; March 18, Fr. James Gutting; March 25, Fr. Leo Gallina; April 1, Msgr. Robert Brugger; April 8, Fr. Vincent Cieslewicz.
Year of Hope bus trip to Lancaster
Holy Redeemer Parish, located at 11 Russell St., Warren, is hosting a two-day bus trip on May 6-7. The trip includes transportation on an Anderson Coach bus, one-night lodging at the Lancaster Marriott, a live performance of NOAH at Sight & Sound Theatre, lunch on Tues., daily Mass, visits to three Year of Hope pilgrimage sites and an evening in historic Lancaster for shopping and dining. The total cost is $350 per person for double occupancy or $442 for single occupancy, with installment payments available and the full balance due by April 7. Reserve your spot with a $100 deposit by emailing synergyff@outlook.com. Checks should be made payable to Holy Redeemer Church and can be placed in the collection basket or mailed to the church. See the flyer for more details.
St. Mark Seminary Auxiliary annual Card Party
The annual St. Mark Seminary Card Party will be held Thursday, April 24 at 6 p.m. at the St. Mark Center Gymnasium at 429 East Grandview Blvd., Erie. The doors will open at 5 p.m. Admission is $10 and includes a light meal. The evening includes grand prizes, a gift basket auction, a money tree and more. For reservations, please call or text Erin (814) 440-5885 by Friday, April 11. Please pray for the vocation of our seminarians.
Executive Director position at Mercy Terrace Apartments
The Mercy Terrace Apartments is seeking a new Executive Director. This position is responsible for all matters that affect the continued operations of Mercy Terrace Apartments, both of its residents and facilities, with an understanding and appreciation of the Mission of the Sisters of Mercy. For further information, please read the attached job description and resume submission.
Volunteer Needed
The Office of Faith Formation is looking for a volunteer person to lead a new ministry of sensory-friendly faith formation meetings once per month in the Erie area. Responsibilities would be to plan and lead students and their families in a Bible story, information session about our Catholic faith, or a Sacramental preparation meeting. Materials would be provided. This would occur on a Sunday once per month and would work with your availability. Please contact Mary Hickin for more details at mhickin@eriercd.org or (814) 824-1222.
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