March 4, 2024

The next Information Bulletin is Monday, March 11, 2024.
The deadline for submissions is Thursday, March 7, 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.

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 services and Masses
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).

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 March newsletter is attached.

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.

2024 Catholic Services Appeal update
With Commitment Sunday behind us, the administrative offices of the Diocese of Erie thank everyone for the good work they have done to promote giving to this year’s Catholic Services Appeal (CSA). Pastors and parish staff are asked to use their parish leadership handbook for follow-up suggestions. Those resources can also be found online at: https://www.eriercd.org/Catholic-Services-Appeal-CSA-Materials.html. Please contact Julia Cooney at 814.824.1253 or jcooney@cfnwpa.org to request additional CSA supplies or with any questions.

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 10^th National Eucharistic Congress, and you are invited to represent our diocese 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 anointed 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!

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.

Attachments

Office for Divine Worship Newsletter
Pontifical Holy Land Collection letter 2024
Eucharistic Congress flyer
ICSC newsletter/English
ICSC newsletter/Spanish

Parish Bulletin Announcements

PW Protected Attachments:

Clergy and Department Heads click here to login.

Office for Divine Worship Newsletter
Pontifical Holy Land Collection letter 2024
Eucharistic Congress flyer
ICSC newsletter/English
ICSC newsletter/Spanish

Music ministry of Notre Dame Parish, Hermitage, offers Lenten opportunity
On Thursday, March 14 at 7 pm, the choir and folk group of Notre Dame musicians in Hermitage are hosting a Lenten Taizé prayer gathering, a time of quiet in the midst of the holy season of Lent and warmth in the midst of cold nights. Taizé prayer began in eastern France where people of all faith backgrounds gather to pray to be a sign of reconciliation among divided Christians in a world in need of peace. It is composed of light, gathering around the cross, song, Scripture and silence. All are welcome for this one-hour gathering at Notre Dame Parish, 2325 Highland Rd, Hermitage, on the Fourth Sunday of Lent, free of charge.

Fish and pierogi dinners available at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Erie
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, 1553 East Grandview Blvd., Erie, is offering fish and pierogi dinners on Fridays, March 8 and March 22, from 4 to 7 pm. Adults: $15.00; kids (ages 7-12): $7.00; six and under are free. Take-outs available as well as a 50/50, mini craft fair and bake sale.

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. 38^th 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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