March 25, 2024
Due to Easter, the next Information Bulletin is Tuesday, April 2, 2024.The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, March 27, at noon.
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.
Bishop Persico adds Solemn Intercession for peace to the Good Friday Liturgy
With the continued hostilities in Ukraine, the Middle East and other war-ravaged areas, Bishop Persico directs the intercession in the attachments be included in the Good Friday Liturgy.
Good Shepherd Collection for retired diocesan priests
Pastors and administrators will find attached Bishop Persico’s letter introducing the 2024 Good Shepherd Collection for retired diocesan priests. Parishes are asked to publicize this collection in a significant way on the weekend of April 13-14.
Clergy invited to transitional diaconate ordination
All priests and deacons are invited to the ordination of the next transitional deacons, Brandon Matthew Feikles and Michael Christopher Scanga, on Saturday, April 13, at St. Mark Seminary. Please see attached invitation for details. The public is invited to watch the event via livestream at www.youtube.com/@eriediocese/streams.
Invite One Back initiative
Envisioned as an initiative for the Easter season, the Invite One Back resources are designed to help parish leaders reach out to parishioners who have not returned to Mass since the pandemic. The Office for Divine Worship recommends the resources available at: https://www.eucharisticrevival.org/invite-one-back.
Faith Formation Grant application deadline is Tuesday, April 2
The Catholic Foundation of Northwest Pennsylvania is accepting applications for its Faith Formation Grant opportunity through April 2. Are you planning a new parish faith formation project or program? Have you realized a need in the past year for increased online or digital resources for faith formation? Catholic parishes and departments of the Diocese of Erie can apply for grants for parish and/or diocesan based Faith Formation projects. Go to the following link to learn more: https://www.cfnwpa.org/grant-seekers/faith-formation-endowment-guidelines. This is the only Catholic Foundation Faith Formation grant cycle in 2024. Questions? Contact Julia Cooney at (814) 824-1253 or jcooney@cfnwpa.org.
Webinar on the Eucharistic Revival and the Synod
All are welcome to participate in a webinar on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, from 12 - 1:30 pm ET. Bishop Daniel Flores and Bishop Andrew Cozzens will lead a discussion of how the ongoing work of the Synod and the Eucharistic Revival complement each other. Please use this link to register: https://usccb.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FJBySdAGTo2Ha7RiVgrJJw#/registration.
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 April 3, 2024, at 6:30 pm at St. Brigid Church, 383 Arch 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.
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 April newsletter is attached.
Creating banner images for your website
PowerPoint, with its beautiful slide background presentations and themes, makes creating a banner for your website easy and eye-catching. Follow these instructions: https://www.eriercd.org/images/pdf/computer/ParishPlaceGraphics/createbannerPowerPoint.pdf.
Music directors invited to sing for ordination Mass
Corey Spacht, music director at St. Peter Cathedral, Erie, invites all music directors in the Diocese of Erie to participate in an upcoming diocesan liturgy with the Cathedral Choir. The 2024 priestly ordination Mass is on Friday, May 24 at 7 pm, with the choir call at 5:30 pm. Please see the Call for Vocalists attachment for details.
Deadline approaches for diocesan pilgrimage to the National Eucharistic Congress
Join the Diocese of Erie on a pilgrimage to the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis July 17-21, 2024! Deadline to register is April 17. Tens of thousands of passionate Catholics will experience an outpouring of grace on a scale this generation has never seen. Catholics from every corner of the U.S. are planning to attend this transformative gathering at the historic 10th National Eucharistic Congress, and you are invited to help represent the Diocese of Erie at this pivotal moment. You’ll enjoy world-class teaching from some of the most trusted Catholic voices in the United States. Come encounter and worship Jesus in a new way and be ready to share those graces with our community when you return home. More than ever, you will be proud to be Catholic and excited about the future of the church in America.
The pilgrimage includes:
- NEC Congress Pass (5 Days)
- 4 nights’ accommodations in Indianapolis
- Continental breakfast (pending final hotel assignment)
- Roundtrip transportation from Erie/Warren/West Middlesex to Indianapolis via deluxe motorcoach
- Daily transportation to the congress
- Gratuities payable to motorcoach driver
Adult Pricing: $1,129 Triple/Quad; $1,329 Double; $1,829 Single. Questions? Email eriedeac@gmail.com or call Jo at 724.699.3340. Flyer attached to use as a bulletin insert, to hang up or distribute. Be there when God moves!
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.Intercession for Peace Good Shepherd Collection letter Diaconate ordination invitation Office for Divine Worship April newsletter Call for Vocalists Eucharistic Congress flyer Father John Dear flyer Benedictine retreat flyer: Between the Dark and the Daylight Benedictine eclipse event |
Peacemaker/author Father John Dear to speak at Mount St. Benedict Monastery
On Friday, April 5 at 7 pm, peacemaker, author and Nobel Peace Prize Nominee Father John Dear will speak at Mount St. Benedict Monastery about his new book and life's work: The Gospel of Peace: A Commentary on Matthew, Mark, and Luke from the Perspective of Nonviolence. It is the first-ever commentary on the Synoptic Gospels from the perspective of active nonviolence in the tradition of Gandhi and Dr. King. In this original work, Father John walks readers through every line of the three synoptic Gospels pointing out Jesus' practice and teachings on nonviolence, peace and universal love, inviting us to follow him. Flyer to promote the event is 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.
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.
Diocese of Erie seeking communications director
The Diocese of Erie is seeking candidates for the position of director of communications. The director of communications is responsible for managing and directing the necessary resources to evangelize and to enhance understanding and love for Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church in the thirteen counties of Northwestern Pennsylvania. In this position, the director serves the bishop, senior leadership of the Diocese of Erie as well as clergy by providing counsel regarding communication strategies and managing the reputation of the diocese, including parishes and schools, with engaging internal and external communication initiatives. For a more detailed announcement and job position profile, please visit https://www.eriercd.org/employment.html.
Free baby grand piano for your rectory, church or parish community center, (5ft x 5ft x 3ft). Contact Matt Burns at 814.449.9723 or burnsmatthewp@gmail.com ASAP.
St. Martin Early Learning Center hiring two teachers
Minimum requirement of a CDA, but a degree in education or related human services is preferred. Pay: up to $20/hour depending on degree level. Applicants can send a resume to elcresumes@stmartincenter.org or apply at www.smcerie.org.
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