November 27, 2023
The next Information Bulletin is Monday, December 4, 2023.The deadline for submissions is Thursday, November 30, 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.
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.
Office for Divine Worship monthly newsletter
The Office for Divine Worship will be presenting a monthly newsletter to aid in preparing celebrations that will occur each month. The December newsletter is attached.
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.
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.
For parishes participating in #iGiveCatholic
The second #iGiveCatholic email should go out Nov. 28. An email template has been created for your use in emailing all adults with email addresses from Ministry Platform. Using MP to advertise special events through email is a great way to communicate with parishioners. Click https://www.eriercd.org/images/pdf/computer/mp/iGiveCatholicEmail.pdf for instructions. You can also contact Kathy Papalia by email it@eriercd.org or 814.824.1184 by phone.
Ministry Platform Support holiday hours
Attention Ministry Platform users: Ministry Platform Support – including phone support and chat – will be closed on the following days:
- 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.
International Catholic Stewardship Council newsletter
The Catholic Foundation is happy to share the attached December 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.
PW Protected Attachments:Clergy and Department Heads click here to login.ODW December newsletter Retirement Fund for Religious 2023 Norms for Christmas Masses 2023 Liturgical Calendar 2024 FDLC Advent Christmas ICSC newsletter Clothing Distribution Party Movie night Blue Christmas potlock Make a Candle for Candlemas |
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 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.
Clothing Distribution Party
The Community Outreach Group will host its annual Clothing Distribution Party on Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the St. Paul Center, 453 W. 16 St., Erie, adjacent to St. Paul Catholic Church. Attendees can obtain free clothing and coats and enjoy a complimentary hot lunch. Email Tim Nowakowski with questions at TimNow.CommOutrchGrp@gmail.com or text or call at 814.566-6435. See flier for details.
Movie night
St. Francis Xavier Parish will feature The Fourth Wiseman on Dec. 8. A Mass for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is scheduled for 6 p.m., with dinner and the movie following from 7-8:30 p.m. at the parish center, 8880 Main St., McKean. Attendees can RSVP by scanning the QR code in the attachment or visiting the website at www.stfrancisxaviermckean.org. For more information, contact Irene at 814.476.7657 ext. 7 or send an email to evangelization@stfrancisxaviermckean.org.
Blue Christmas potluck
The St. Francis Xavier Parish Bereavement Ministry in McKean is sponsoring a blue Christmas potluck luncheon to remember and honor those who cannot be with us for the holidays. The event will be held on Dec. 14, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., in the Pie Room at St. Francis Xavier Parish Center, 8880 Main St., McKean. For more information, contact Joyce Traenkner at 207.735.3366. See flier for details.
Make a candle for Candlemas
St. Francis Xavier Parish in McKean, in partnership with Wicks & Wax Studio, invites you to Make a Candle for Candlemas Day. The candle-making sessions are available on Jan. 6 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. or Jan. 7 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Parish Center, 8880 Main St., McKean. The cost is $30. Additionally, join Adoration and Benediction on Feb. 2 at 5:50 p.m. To RSVP, contact Irene Schneider at 814.476-7657 ext. 7 or via email at evangelization@stfrancisxaviermckean.org. Visit www.stfrancisxaviermckean.org for more information. See flier for details.
There are no classifieds.
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