November 4, 2024
The next Information Bulletin is Monday, November 11, 2024.The deadline for submissions this week is Thursday, November 7, at 4:30 pm.
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.
Parish Boundaries
Every diocese is divided into territorial parishes. Pastors are responsible for every soul within their territory, just as the diocesan bishop is responsible for every soul within his diocese. In light of parish restructuring, Bishop Persico has clarified or revised the boundaries of each parish. Many parishes will be receiving a decree to that effect in the mail. Boundaries for all the parishes can be found at https://eriercd.org/bishop/parishboundaries.html. Questions may be directed to Maria Caulfield at 814.824.1130 or mcaulfield@eriercd.org.
CSA assessment spreadsheet
Attached is the 2025 Catholic Services Appeal (CSA) assessment spreadsheet for all parishes in the Diocese of Erie. Parishes are receiving CSA assessments much earlier than in previous years. This is due to our new working relationship with Our Sunday Visitor (OSV). OSV is spearheading our CSA initiative, and we are working within their new guidelines. As far as our billing system is concerned, we will once again use the same four-payment schedules as in the past: April 30, June 30, Sept. 30 and Dec. 31. This year’s CSA formula used to calculate assessments has been modified slightly to more accurately reflect the current financial conditions of the parishes. No parish within the 2025 CSA cycle, incurred more than a 5% increase over the 2024 CSA goals. Questions or comments related to individual assessments should be directed to Patrick Barron, director of parish and school financial services, at 814.824.1168.
October Count concludes
Attention pastors: the October Count has ended. Please visit https://www.eriercd.org/October-Count.html to download the form and instructions for submitting October Count figures electronically. The deadline for submitting your figures is Nov. 15, 2024. Contact Kathy Papalia through email at it@eriercd.org or by calling 814.824.1184 with any questions.
Parishioners and employees: Be cautious about sharing personal information
There has been an increase in scammers posing as pastors of parishes who reach out to parish staff and parishioners in attempted scams. This is happening nationwide. The best protection is to be informed and educate yourself and your parish on safety. Please include the following notice in your next bulletin and forward it to your employees and volunteers to keep everyone safe from fraud. Here is the suggested notice to be published:
A scam is being perpetrated across the country by malicious individuals preying on churches and members of the clergy. The scam plays on your sympathies or your natural inclination to be helpful. Here are some useful reminders:
- Any communication asking you to purchase gift cards should be considered a scam. You should always verify such requests by calling the parish directly.
- Don’t use phone numbers in fraudulent email.
- Always look for the parish’s official phone number found on our website or in our Sunday bulletin.
Personal data can be used by scam artists in fraudulent ways. Please be aware that the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie, its clergy and entities such as parishes and schools, will never solicit your personal or business information by any method unless initiated by you. Should you receive an unsolicited request for money or personal information – including a request for gift cards of any type – exercise extreme caution. Financial fraud like the gift card scam can be reported to the FTC here:https://ReportFraud.ftc.gov. To learn more, read this FTC article: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/avoiding-and-reporting-gift-card-scams.
International Catholic Stewardship Council newsletter
The Catholic Foundation is happy to share the attached November 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.CSA assessment spreadsheet ICSC November Bulletin in English ICSC November Bulletin in Spanish Fall dinner and quilt raffle Christmas market informational flyer Christmas market order form Palliative and hospice care informational meeting Turkey bingo flyer Thanksgiving bake sale flyer |
St. Michael Rosary Society to host fall dinner and quilt raffle
The St. Michael Rosary Society of St. Michael Parish is hosting a fall dinner and quilt raffle on Sunday, Nov. 10 from 11 am to 2 pm in their parish hall, 18765 PA-208, Fryburg. The dinner will feature turkey and ham with mashed potatoes, homemade stuffing, coleslaw and delicious desserts. Dinners cost $13 for adults, $6 for children and are free for pre-school age and under. Dine-in or take-out options are available. In addition to dinner, there will be a quilt and cash raffle featuring four prizes – 1st prize is a beautiful quilt handmade by members of the St. Michael Rosary Society; 2nd prize is $500 cash; 3rd prize is $300 cash; and 4th prize is $200 cash. All cash prizes are sponsored by Fryburg Sportsman’s Club.
Holy Trinity Annual Christmas market
Holy Trinity Parish Education Program presents its annual Christmas market on Dec. 20, from 4 to 7 pm, and Dec. 21, from 9 am to 12 pm, at the Holy Trinity Social Center, 650 East 23rd Street, Erie. Orders, which are due by Dec. 2, can be placed in advance as supplies will be limited during the market. Offerings include cookies, pierogi, nut rolls, sweet bread, oplatki and more. Credit cards are accepted. To order or for more information, call Liz at 814.722.0015 or visit www.holytrinityrc.org. Payment is required with all orders. See the attached flyer for details.
For anyone wishing to order from Holy Trinity Parish Christmas Market, there is an order form available. The order form is attached for parish bulletins.
St. Martin Center to host free series on home buying and financial wellness
The pre-purchase home buying series will be held on Nov. 7 from 2-6 pm at St. Martin Center, 1701 Parade Street, Erie. Join us for a class that explains and breaks down the complicated process of purchasing your first home. Learn how to choose a realtor, review the various home-buying assistance programs available and how to read the paperwork involved. We ask that those attending have a FICO score between 580-680 and will be ready to purchase within 3-6 months.
A financial wellness series will be held Nov. 11 from 10-12 pm at St. Martin Center, 1701 Parade Street, Erie. Come and join us for a class that will provide tools for tracking and managing expenses. We will look at how to prioritize spending when there isn’t enough money to pay all the bills in full and on time. After, schedule a session to organize your own budget, review your credit and get tips (one-on-one, confidential). All services are provided at no cost and are open to everyone!
Registration is required for all classes: please call 814.452.6113 ext. 206 to register or email housing@stmartincenter.org.
Palliative and hospice care information session
St. Francis Xavier Parish, 8880 Main St., McKean, is pleased to host a presentation on the benefits of choosing palliative and hospice care as we prepare for eternal life. All are welcome to attend this important session on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 6:30 pm. A flyer is attached for parish bulletins.
St. Anthony of Padua Parish to host turkey bingo
A turkey bingo will be held at St. Anthony Padua Parish, 804 Idaho St., Sharon, on Sunday, Nov. 10. Doors will open at noon with bingo beginning at 1 pm. The cost is $30 a pack, $35 for two packs and $40 for three packs. Each pack contains 20 games of regular bingo and five special games. There will be a 50/50, raffle baskets, turkey lottery tree and delicious food and desserts for sale. A $20 gift card will be awarded to the big winner of each of the 20 regular games. Please see a flyer appropriate for church bulletins attached.
Thanksgiving bake sale at St. Anthony of Padua Parish
St. Anthony Padua Parish, 804 Idaho St., Sharon, will be taking orders for a variety of delicious baked goods including plain pogach, plain bread, raisin bread and cinnamon rolls (with or without raisins). The deadline to place an order is Sunday, Nov. 24, with pickup Wednesday, Nov. 27, from noon to 3 pm. To place an order, please contact Launa at 724.342.2489 or Linda at 724.866.7488. Please see a flyer appropriate for church bulletins attached.
There are no classifieds this week.
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