May 5, 2025
The next Information Bulletin is Monday, May 12, 2025.The deadline for submissions is Thursday, May 8, 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 International Needs Collection
Please find attached Bishop Persico’s letter introducing the 2025 International Needs collection, taken the weekend of May 24-25. Parishes are asked to publicize this collection in a significant way on the weekend of May 17-18. Please note that this weekend, May 10-11, is the Good Shepherd Collection.
Priesthood Ordination
All are warmly invited to attend the presbyteral ordination of Rev. Mr. Michael Scanga and Rev. Mr. Brandon Feikles on Friday, May 23. Please see the attached formal invitation from Bishop Persico for additional details. A graphic is also included and may be used to help share this joyful occasion through bulletins, newsletters or social media.
May edition of Jubilee Journey: Pilgrims of Hope available now
The May edition of the Jubilee Journey: Pilgrims of Hope newsletter is now available. To recognize the Jubilee Year 2025, this newsletter – suitable for printing in parish bulletins – provides both informative and interactive elements for children and adults. Each edition celebrates the monthly jubilee events recognized by the Vatican and brings readers along for a spiritual pilgrimage. The May edition is attached.
Conclave to begin Wednesday, May 7
The conclave will officially begin on Wednesday, May 7, when the College of Cardinals gather in Vatican City to elect the 267th Supreme Pontiff. The day opens with the Mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff at 10 a.m. Rome time (4 a.m. our time) in St. Peter’s Basilica. The faithful are encouraged to watch the Mass live on Vatican News' YouTube channel.
Expect the first smoke signal—black for no decision, white for a successful election—shortly after 7 p.m. Rome time (1 p.m. our time) on May 7. On the following days, smoke may appear around 4:30 a.m., 6 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. (EDT) but this is subject to change depending on the voting schedule. Stay up to date on key developments and learn more about the conclave process by visiting our website: www.eriercd.org/popefrancis.html.
*Please note that these times are subject to change. For the most current information, please visit our website or consult trusted Catholic news sources.
Knight News- 2025 Baby Bottle fundraiser
The Knights of Columbus in Erie and Crawford Counties are conducting their 4th annual Baby Bottle fundraiser. Your support helped provide five ultrasound machines and a mobile clinic to the Women’s Care Center of Erie. Since 2018, 702 women chose life after seeing their ultrasounds. Now facing a funding crisis, the Center relies on our help to continue offering pregnancy, parenting and adoption support.
Baby bottles will be available at church entrances on Mother’s Day weekend, May 10–11. Please take one and fill it with spare change, cash or a check. Envelopes will also be provided. Return bottles and envelopes by June 21–22, the weekend after Father’s Day. Thank you for supporting our mission to save unborn lives.
Help your parish stay engaged online – New graphics available!
The Diocese of Erie Communications Office has created a new set of social media graphics and website banners to support your parish’s outreach. These ready-to-use images can be posted on your social media platforms, websites, bulletins or Ministry Platform.
Graphics are already available for upcoming events like Mother’s Day, Memorial Day and Father’s Day. Additional designs for feast days and holidays will be added throughout the year. This resource is designed to help you engage your parishioners and share the Good News easily and consistently. Bookmark and revisit: www.eriercd.org/social-media-graphics.html and www.eriercd.org/ParishPlaceGraphics.html.
Parishioners, employees: Be cautious about sharing personal information
Scammers have been contacting parish staff and some parishioners posing as the pastor. This is a scam being perpetrated on parishes across the country. The only way to protect your co-workers and your parishioners from these kinds of scams is through education. Please include the attached notice in your next bulletin and forward it to your employees and volunteers to keep everyone safe from fraud.
Annual Missionary Cooperative Plan is starting soon
The Diocesan Mission Office is pleased to announce that the Missionary Cooperative Plan (MCP) is starting soon. The MCP is one of the ways that dioceses in the United States fulfill their canonical responsibility to support the Catholic Church’s evangelization outreach (canons 782, §2; 791). If you have not already done so, we would greatly appreciate your support of this important program by scheduling a weekend with your assigned missionary group as soon as possible so that we can finalize the coordination of the MCP appeals. Mission Appeals take place from May to September 2025. Missionaries are responsible for their own transportation and housing. Parishes may choose to offer transportation or housing but are not obliged to do so. Feel free to contact Mission Office Director Indira Suarez at isuarez@eriercd.org or 814-824-1231 with any questions.
International Catholic Stewardship Council May newsletter
The Catholic Foundation is happy to share the attached May 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 https://www.eriecatholic.org/about/careers.
PW Protected Attachments:Clergy and Department Heads click here to login.Ordination Invitation Ordination Graphic May Edition of Jubilee Newsletter Avoiding Scams and Fraud ICSC May Newsletter (English and Spanish) Embracing Hope and Healing St. Stanislaus Women’s Society Bingo St. Bartholomew VBS Steubenville Catholic Youth Conference International Needs Collection |
Women’s Retreat
The Catholic Moms’ Group and DuBois Central Catholic School are hosting a Women’s Retreat on Saturday, May 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at DuBois Central Catholic School, 200 Central Christian Rd., DuBois. The Holy Rosary: Origins, History and Contemplative Prayer through the School of Mary will be presented by Dr. Jan Satterlee. The cost is $20 and includes lunch. To register, email: CATHOLICMOMSDUBOIS@gmail.com or text 570-660-7552. You can also sign up in either of the church vestibules. For more information, go to Catholic Moms Group DuBois PA on Facebook.
Embracing Hope and Healing
The Virtue and Integrity Education Office invites you to view an important flyer available for Mother’s Day weekend. It offers guidance and support for parents navigating infertility or grieving the loss of a child during pregnancy or shortly after birth. While this topic is always relevant, we are sharing it especially in May—a time when many families may feel the weight of these struggles more deeply. We hope this resource brings comfort and connection to those in need.
St. Stanislaus Women’s Society B-I-N-G-O!
Join us for a fun-filled afternoon on Sunday, May 18 at St. Stanislaus Parish Hall, 516 E. 13th St., Erie. Doors open at 12 p.m. Games begin at 1 p.m. The $30 admission includes one booklet of bingo cards and a picnic lunch. Additional booklets are available for $5. Enjoy a basket raffle, 50/50 and special auctions throughout the event! Reserve your spot by calling: Jackie at 814-860-3208 or Alice at 814-825-0724.
St. Bartholomew VBS
Come to the Table Vacation Bible School is being held June 3-5 from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. at the St. Bartholomew Social Center, 311 W. Ridge Ave., Sharpsville. The cost is $20 for one student, $25 for two students and $30 for three students and includes lunch. This is open to any students entering first-fifth grades in the 2025-2026 school year. See attached flyer with QR code to register. Space is limited.
Men’s Retreat: To the Heights
Adult men (18+ and out of high school) are invited to a powerful 3-day, 2-night backpacking retreat in the Quehanna Wild area (near Parker Dam State Park) from Thursday, June 19 to Saturday, June 21. Retreat leaders - Father Ben Daghir, Father Luke Daghir and Ryan Sayers - wish to share their inspiration from Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati who loved hiking and the outdoors. The cost is $50, which includes meals, a retreat t-shirt and a Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati medal. Register by June 9 by visiting the Facebook page “To The Heights - Diocese of Erie” or online: To the Heights. Please email any questions to: totheheightserie@gmail.com.
Steubenville Catholic Youth Conference
Teens are invited to attend one of two life-changing Steubenville Youth Conferences at Franciscan University, 1235 University Blvd., Steubenville, OH. Conference dates are July 18–20 or July 25–27. Chaperones will accompany the group as they encounter Christ through dynamic worship, inspiring speakers, authentic community with thousands of other teens and a renewed sense of belonging and freedom from shame with a reminder they truly belong.
For more information, contact Mary Ann Shilala at mashilala@hotmail.com or see the attached flyer.
Seeking Part-Time Faith Formation Coordinator
St. John the Evangelist in Girard and Holy Cross in Fairview are seeking a joint Coordinator of Faith Formation to work part-time for both parishes. The two parishes combined their faith formation classes a few years ago. Currently we are looking for help with the implementation of the Edge, Purpose and Spiritual Mentoring Programs. Applicants should have a college degree in education, theology, or related field and some experience with parish faith formation. Please send a resume and references to both of the following addresses: Pastor@stjohngirard.org and Office@holycrossfairview.org.
Beloved Disciple Church seeking custodian
Beloved Disciple Church, 1310 Center St. Ext., Grove City, is seeking a part time custodian person to perform various maintenance duties and responsibilities in and around the parish buildings and grounds. Those interested can get an application and job description in the Parish Office during normal working hours Monday through Thursday. Phone inquiries are discouraged.
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