March 31, 2025
The next Information Bulletin is Monday, April 7, 2025.The deadline for submissions is Thursday, April 3, 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.
2025 Pontifical Collection for the Holy Land
Please find attached Bishop Persico’s letter introducing the 2025 Pontifical Collection for the Holy Land, which supports the ministry of the Franciscans of the Custody of the Holy Land. These Franciscans have the unique responsibility to care for the Holy Places as well as for the “Living Stones,” the Christians living there. It is vital that we support Christians living in the Holy Land, in order to maintain a Christian presence in the very land made holy by the life, death and Resurrection of Jesus. More information can be found at https://myfranciscan.org/good-friday-2025/.
This collection is traditionally taken on Good Friday (April 18) but may be taken at any time between Palm Sunday and Divine Mercy Sunday, inclusive. Parishes are asked to publicize this collection in a significant way beginning the weekend of April 5-6.
Holy Week Mass times needed!
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 Holy Week 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.
Help your parishioners stay connected
The Office of Communications distributes a weekly email newsletter to parishioners who sign up to receive it. This newsletter provides updates about our diocese, the Catholic Church nationwide and worldwide and includes special messages from the bishop or other important information. We encourage you to spread the word by sharing the attached image in your parish bulletin and on your social media pages. Additionally, we welcome photos and stories from your parish! If you have an inspiring story to share, please send it our way—we love highlighting the good works happening in our diocese. To sign up for the e-newsletter, visit https://bit.ly/Dioenews – or scan the QR code within the attached image. Please note: If posting on social media, be sure to include the link in the post content.
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.
Missionary Cooperative Plan-Appeals 2025
The Mission Office would like to let pastors and parish administrators know that over the next few weeks you will be receiving a call from your annual Missionary Co-op missionary to schedule their 2025 visit. Since missionary visits are slated to begin in May, please set dates with your assigned missionary as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Indira Suarez in the Mission Office at isuarez@eriercd.org or 814-824-1231.
Microsoft Publisher to be retired in October 2026. Switch to Canva for free.
Many US parishes have switched to Canva for their Sunday bulletins. Visit https://www.eriercd.org/ParishPlaceGraphics.html for a Sunday Bulletin template developed by our intern last December. Canva is an online graphic design tool for creating brochures, programs, social media posts, presentations, posters, videos, logos and more through their incredible template library. Apply for Canva Pro nonprofit here: https://www.canva.com/canva-for-nonprofits/. Rough instructions for getting through the approval process can be found here: https://eriercd.org/images/informationalbulletin/53b94f81b956a4d40a0e173d2af13646.pdf. Canva training can be found here: https://www.canva.com/designschool/courses/.
AttachmentsPontifical collectionHelp parishes stay connected Office for Divine Worship monthly newsletter Sunrise Holy Saturday Hike Heart to Heart Sacred Saturdays
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PW Protected Attachments:Clergy and Department Heads click here to login.Pontifical collection Help parishes stay connected Office for Divine Worship monthly newsletter Sunrise Holy Saturday Hike Heart to Heart Sacred Saturdays |
The Musical Passion Play
St. Michael Parish, 85 N. High St., Greenville, is presenting The Musical Passion Play at Lateran Hall on Saturday, April 5 at 6 p.m. It is free and open to the public. Bring a friend and share the experience. There is a cookie reception afterward with a variety of baked goods to enjoy.
Hello, Dolly! At Mercyhurst Prep
Mercyhurst Prep Performing Arts Department proudly presents Hello, Dolly! The show will run April 10, 11 and 12, 7-10 p.m., and Sunday April 13, 2-5 p.m. at the MPS Performing Arts Center, 538 East Grandview Blvd., Erie. Tickets are available at the door one hour prior to curtain and are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and $5 for students. MPS students are free.
Sunrise Holy Saturday Hike
A sunrise reflective walk will take place at Browns Farm, 5774 Sterrettania Rd., Fairview, on Holy Saturday, April 19, to contemplate Christ in the tomb. The walk will begin at 6 a.m. and conclude by 8 a.m. Participants are encouraged to bring a rosary, a snack to break the fast and dress warmly. Morning prayer will be prayed along the trail. All are welcome; participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. For questions, contact Sarah.beaver@olp.org. See the attached flyer for additional details.
Heart to Heart: Sacred Saturdays
The first installment of the Heart to Heart series will take place on Saturday, May 10, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, 100 Penn Ave., Mercer. The morning will begin with 9 a.m. Mass, followed by breakfast and a speaker presentation in Gallagher Hall, concluding at 11:30 a.m. The featured speaker will be Very Rev. Andrew Boyd, V.F., pastor, presenting on Mary Our Mother. This free event is open to the public; goodwill offerings will be accepted. Registration is appreciated to assist with food preparation. Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/162kEFMy8p/. See the attached flyer for additional details.
Easter Treat Sales in Sharon
Two Sharon parishes are offering delicious Easter treats:
- St. Joseph Parish, 79 Case Ave., will host a bake sale featuring Easter bread and cherry cheesecake pies on Palm Sunday weekend—April 12 and 13—after the 5:15 p.m. Vigil Mass and the 11 a.m. Sunday Mass. Items are $10 each. Please note: no pre-orders will be accepted.
- St. Anthony Parish, 804 Idaho St., is holding an Easter bread sale with the following options: plain bread ($7), raisin bread ($8) and pogach ($5). Pickup is Wednesday, April 16, from 4–6 p.m. at the Sherman Ave. entrance. To order, call Linda at 724-866-7488 or Marilyn at 724-813-5440.
Coordinator of Faith Formation – Joint Position
The parishes of St. John the Evangelist, 1001 Main St., Girard, and Holy Cross, 7100 W. Ridge Rd., Fairview, are seeking a shared Coordinator of Faith Formation. These two parishes combined their faith formation programs several years ago and now work collaboratively to serve their parish families. The parishes are currently seeking support with the implementation of the Edge, Purpose, and Spiritual Mentoring programs. Ideal candidates will have a college degree in education, theology or a related field, along with experience in parish-based faith formation. To apply, please send a resume and references to both of the following addresses: Pastor@stjohngirard.org or Office@holycrossfairview.org.
If I.B. attachments do not open, click here to download the latest Acrobat Reader. If problems persist, email Kathy Papalia or call 814.824.1184.
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To access the Information Bulletin online, visit www.ErieRCD.org and click on Information Bulletin under the News and Information drop-down menu. As with the email version, pastors and department heads will still need to enter their password to access secure information.
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