November 20, 2023
The next Information Bulletin is Monday, November 27, 2023.Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, the deadline for submissions is Tuesday, November 21, 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.
2023 Retirement Fund for Religious
Please find attached Bishop Persico’s letter introducing the 2023 collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious, to be taken the weekend of Dec. 9-10. Parishes are asked to publicize this collection in a significant way on the weekend of Dec. 2-3. Also attached are pulpit and bulletin announcements for your use.
Office for Divine Worship: 2023 Christmas Mass norms from Bishop Persico
In 2023, Christmas Day falls on a Monday. Please refer to the attachment for direction from Bishop Persico regarding norms for Christmas Masses.
Diocese of Erie liturgical calendar
Attached is the liturgical calendar for the Diocese of Erie as prepared by the Office for Divine Worship. The purpose of the document is to provide all who are involved with liturgies (pastors, deacons, music directors, etc.) with as much information as possible for the celebration of the Sacred Mysteries. It does not replace the Ordo from Paulist Press. It does, however, provide much more information for liturgical celebrations in the Diocese of Erie. This is a “living document” that will grow and be refined each year. Any insights, corrections and suggestions are welcome as Liturgical Year 2024 unfolds. Please contact Maripat Grant at 814.824.1271.
Attached, please also find a liturgical preparation aid from the FDLC (Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions) for the seasons of Advent and Christmas. It contains a full presider’s text for The Order of Reconciling Several Penitents with Individual Confession and Absolution, readings, music suggestions and much more.
2024 Official Catholic Directory updates (Kenedy Directory)
The Official Catholic Directory, also known as the Kenedy Directory, lists every Catholic entity in the United States. It is used to confirm tax-exempt status for these entities under the USCCB group ruling with the IRS.
Parishes, schools, and other Catholic organizations must update their entries each year online. Tips for using the update system are attached.
Institutional representatives must log in to https://ocdedits.com/ to complete their updates for the 2024 Official Catholic Directory by Dec. 15. Contact Maria Caulfield with any questions at 814.824.1130 or mcaulfield@eriercd.org. You may also contact the publishers directly at ocdedits@nrpdirect.com.
#iGiveCatholic Advanced Giving continues through Nov. 28
The #iGiveCatholic advanced giving phase is off to a strong start! Donations can be made online through Nov. 28 at erie.igivecatholic.org or directly to a parish, school or ministry by cash or check. Organizations may consider sending an email to supporters, posting a flyer at building entrances, posting a link to their organization on Facebook, or inserting a notice in bulletins or newsletters. Don’t be shy about asking your supporters to donate to #iGiveCatholic! This might be the giving opportunity that speaks to them. Contact Elizabeth Rathburn with questions at erathburn@cfnwpa.org or 814.824.1257.
Ministry Platform Support holiday hours
Attention Ministry Platform users: Ministry Platform Support – including phone support and chat – will be closed on the following days:
- Thanksgiving: Nov. 23-24 (Diocesan offices will be closed as well)
- Christmas: Dec. 25-26 (Diocesan offices will be closed as well)
Ministry Platform Sacramental Management
The developers at Ministry Platform, in collaboration with several dioceses from across the US, have overhauled the sacramental tracking features of MP. The new tools will help streamline sacramental administration, including recording sacraments, preparing and printing certificates and finding a parishioner’s sacraments. To get your first glance at the new system, at least one MP user from each parish should attend the Sacramental Management webinar on Dec. 7 at 2:00 p.m. Join users of other dioceses as we master the art of sacramental management with Ministry Platform. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to streamline your processes and improve your overall sacramental administration. Audience: All SPOCs or end users that prepare or work with Catholic Sacraments.
Click https://acst.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_w71PAAK6RwaY0kpXQ4rJZA#/registration to register for this important event.
Christmas Mass times templates
Attention Pastors and Parish Staff: Let parishioners know about your parish’s 2023 Christmas Mass times by sending them an email through Ministry Platform. We have created a Christmas Mass Times template for your use. Once you create your own template, you can re-use it every year. Don’t forget to use the bake sale template to advertise your holiday bake sales. Click this link https://www.eriercd.org/images/pdf/computer/mp/specialeventsemail.pdf to download the instructions. If you would like to see email templates for other common parish events, email it@eriercd.org to let us know.
Communications Office requests parish Christmas Eve, Christmas Mass times
Having Christmas Eve and Christmas Mass times all in one place on the diocesan website makes it easy for the public to access this important information. Therefore, the Communications Office of the Diocese of Erie asks each parish to please provide the following information by Dec. 8. Updates can be made to the site after that date, but it will be launched with the information available on Dec. 15. Please submit the following:
- Parish name
- Parish town
- Parish contact person
- Parish contact person email
- Parish contact person phone
- Christmas Eve Mass time(s)
- Christmas Day Mass time(s)
Note: For convenience, copy and paste the above categories and provide your information in an email to Rich Papalia, webmaster, at rpapalia@ErieRCD.org.
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.Retirement Fund for Religious Bishop’s Letter Retirement Fund pulpit and bulletin announcements Norms for Christmas Masses 2023 FDLC Advent Christmas Kennedy Directory information Blessed Sacrament craft show Advent Art by Dark National Eucharistic Congress pilgrimage Liturgical calendar 2024 |
All night Adoration
Please join St. Francis Xavier in McKean as they honor Christ the King in this time of Eucharistic Revival for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for all night Eucharistic Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Nov. 25-26 from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., at the church, 8880 Main St., McKean. All are welcome to commit to a time by visiting their website at www.stfrancisxaviermckean.org and clicking “Come Adore Jesus Christ” to sign up for a time of your choosing. This is a great way to enter into this feast, the holiday weekend, and grow closer to our Lord. Please contact Irene Schneider, director of evangelization with questions at 814.476.7657 ext. 7.
Blessed Sacrament craft show
Mark your calendars for the fourth annual Holiday Craft Show at Blessed Sacrament Church, 1626 W. 26th Erie, on Nov. 24 from 12 to 5 p.m., Nov. 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Nov. 26 from 12 to 4 p.m. Come and explore unique holiday crafts and gifts! See flier for details.
St. Mary and St. Ann Christmas Holiday Craft Show
The perfect present is just waiting to be discovered at the Christmas Holiday Craft and Vendor Show. This event will be held on Dec. 1-2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the St. Mary Church Social Hall, 117 Lencer Drive, Crown. Admission is free. Dozens of tables will showcase handcrafted products, including holiday decorations, home decor, wooden toys, nativity sets, jewelry, apparel, wreaths and much, much more. The event also includes various home-based vendors. A soup and sandwich luncheon will be available for purchase. A gift auction, 50/50 raffle and the 12 Days of eating/shopping gift card raffle ($600 value) will also be held. Proceeds benefit the St. Mary Parish faith formation program.
Advent Art by Dark
Sacred Heart Parish in Erie presents a three-part Taize-style prayer service series called Advent Art by Dark this Advent on Thursdays from 7 to 7:45 p.m. at the church, 816 W. 26th St., Erie. Engage in contemplative prayer accompanied by Honest Advent artwork by Scott Erickson. This hybrid experience combines visio divina, an art gallery atmosphere, and a self-guided retreat, offering a unique addition to Advent traditions, focusing on embracing darkness with trust in the Light.
Themes for each evening are:
- Dec. 7: Light & the Cosmic Church
- Dec. 14: Light & the Global Church
- Dec. 21: Light & the Mother Church
Attendees will receive a packet of Advent prayer and reflection resources. The services welcome all resonating with diverse Christian traditions and those who appreciate art and meditation. While RSVPs are not mandatory, they are welcomed via Sacred Heart Parish’s Facebook event listings at https://www.facebook.com/SacredHeartErie/events. See flier for details.
National Eucharistic Congress pilgrimage
The Diocese of Erie invites you to join a historic pilgrimage to the 10th National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis from July 17-21, 2024, the first such gathering in 83 years. The Diocesan Eucharistic Adoration Committee is coordinating the journey, with two motorcoaches set to depart — one from Our Lady of Peace in Erie and another from Holy Redeemer in Warren, including a pickup at Good Shepherd in West Middlesex.
A flier is attached for distribution. Additionally, social media posts are available for download at https://www.eriercd.org/nec.html. Parishes are asked to disseminate this information through bulletins, notice boards, email blasts, and social media platforms. The diocese seeks widespread participation and encourages all to extend this invitation to parishioners. For inquiries, contact Jo Feeney by email at eriedeac@gmail.com or by calling or texting 724.699.3340.
There are no classifieds.
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