October 16, 2023
The next Information Bulletin is Monday, October 23, 2023.The deadline for submissions is Thursday, October 19, 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.
CSA assessment spreadsheet
Attached is the 2024 Catholic Services Appeal (CSA) assessment spreadsheet for all parishes in the Diocese of Erie. Due to the new CSA initiative spearheaded by Our Sunday Visitor, parishes are receiving CSA assessments much earlier than in previous years. Our billing system will once again use the same four-payment schedules as in the past: April 30, June 30, Sept. 30 and Dec. 31. The formula used to calculate CSA assessments is the same formula as used in previous years. Questions or comments related to individual assessments should be directed to Patrick Barron, director of parish and school financial services, at 814.824.1168.
Masses for peace
Please see the attached letter from Bishop Persico encouraging peace in Israel, Ukraine and other parts of the world. Also included with the bishop’s letter are designated Masses for Various Needs and Occasions, sample intercessions for the Universal Prayer and the Prayer for Peace by Pope Francis. Should you have any questions, you may direct them to Father Matt Kujawinski at 814.824.1270 or email mjkujawinski@eriercd.org.
Bishop Persico announces Weekend of Prayer for Pastoral Planning
The weekend of Nov. 11-12 has been designated by Bishop Persico as a weekend of prayer for Pastoral Planning across the Diocese of Erie. As with every endeavor we undertake, prayer must be at the center of our efforts. By calling the people and clergy of the diocese together to pray with and for each other, it is our hope that the Holy Spirit will permeate our minds and hearts to embrace possibilities never considered and to walk the path of faith without fear. Guidance from the Office for Divine Worship for the weekend is attached. Contact Maripat Grant in the Office for Divine Worship at mgrant@eriercd.org or 814.824.1271 with any questions.
Ministry Platform training
Attention Pastors: The next Ministry Platform New MP User Boot Camp is Oct. 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Boot camps are designed for anyone on your staff who is new to Ministry Platform or existing users who would like to attend a comprehensive training. Boot camps take users from zero to basic proficiency over the course of a four-hour session. This boot camp features training, walk-throughs, hands-on activities, group discussions and plenty of Q&A time. Participants will acquire skills in a range of functions, including updating and editing family profiles, tracking attendance and marking significant milestones, identifying group memberships and their individual members, pinpointing event participation and registrants, utilizing the MP email system, and generating essential reports and views. The registration deadline is Oct. 17 at 5 p.m. Visit https://acst.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcuf-Gtpj8qHt1Xp25C7Vr_W1UGanaI5y0O#/registration to sign up.
Customizable website banners
Attention parishes: If you are looking for customizable banners for your diocesan-hosted website for the upcoming holiday season, please check out our selection found here: https://www.eriercd.org/ParishPlaceGraphics.html. This season, please give your attention to the feather party, Christmas market and Christmas Mass times banners. Graphics are designed to work with the Diocese of Erie website system but may work for websites from other developers. Instructions for downloading and using the graphic can be found at the top of the website.
World Mission Month
October is World Mission Month, and World Mission Sunday will be celebrated throughout the diocese on the weekend of Oct. 21-22. Mission Sunday promotional materials have been mailed to all parishes. Mission Sunday envelopes are available by request from the Mission Office. The Mission Office is offering support to any parish that would like to hold a special mission celebration on that weekend. Please contact Indira Suarez at isuarez@eriercd.org or 814.824.1231 for more information or ideas for parish celebrations.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month
The IT office at the Diocese of Erie would like to make you aware that October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Week 3: Could that beyond-belief animal video you just liked and shared have been too good to be true? The combination of social media and AI-generated content has made major sharing platforms a prime hunting ground for scammers and cybercriminals. All the more reason to keep your wits about you and think twice before you share. That’s why our next offering for Cybersecurity Awareness Month is all about social media. In this video, we’ll cover the popularity of social media and its risks as well as the crafty ways cybercriminals target their victims. Learn more here: https://www.eriercd.org/ncsm.html.
International Catholic Stewardship Council newsletter
The Catholic Foundation is happy to share the attached October 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.CSA assessment spreadsheet Masses for peace Day of Prayer for Pastoral Planning ICSC Newsletter (English) ICSC Newsletter (Spanish) St. Jude pasta dinner Bethany Retreat Center activities Engagement in the Public Square Bingo bash |
Pasta dinner
St. Jude the Apostle Parish in Erie invites you to a pasta dinner on Oct. 22 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the St. Jude School gym, 606 Lowell Ave, Erie. Each pasta dinner is priced at $17 and includes your choice of meatballs or chicken parmesan. An early bird special for takeout will be available on October 21 from 4-7 p.m. The event also features basket drawings, corvette tickets and much more. See flier for details.
Bethany Retreat Center activities
The Bethany Retreat Center in Frenchville is hosting several activities and retreats this fall, including a Thanksgiving pie sale, drumming retreat, icon writing workshop and many others. See attachment for full list of events, or visit www.bethanyretreatcenter.org.
Engagement in the Public Square
The Benedictine Sisters of Erie invite you to attend Engagement in the Public Square: A Spiritual Practice, a presentation by Mary Novak, executive director of NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice. This free event will be held on Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul, 134 W. 7th St., Erie. See attached poster. If you have any questions, contact Michelle Scully at mscully@eriebenedictines.org.
Cathedral Prep open house
Cathedral Prep’s open house for middle school boys and girls will be held on Oct. 29 from 12 to 3 p.m. Guided tours will include interactive classroom demonstrations, a look at Prep’s esports lab, visual arts studios, music studios, dance studio, engineering workshop and fitness center. Students can learn about the academic paths, including MedPath and the Gannon Scholar program. Students in attendance will be entered in a drawing for tuition discounts. Cathedral Prep is located at 250 West 10th Street, Erie. Please call 814.453.7737 ext. 3 with questions.
Pro-Life Holy Hour
St. Stanislaus Parish is hosting a Pro-Life Holy Hour on Oct. 29 at 2 p.m. at the church, 516 E. 13th St., Erie. This special hour of prayer is open to everyone and focuses on fostering a greater respect for all human life. Special intentions include a variety of urgent causes, from victims of human trafficking to those facing terminal illnesses. This event is sponsored by the St. Stanislaus Pro-Life Community and aligns with October's Respect Life Month. Come unite in prayer for these critical issues.
Bingo bash
The Maria House Project invites you to its bingo bash on Nov. 12 at the JPTF Events Center, 2319 W. 38th St., Erie. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m., and bingo games will start at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online for $30 in advance or for $35 at the door, covering all regular games and the jackpot. Additional attractions include a basket raffle, 50/50, and instants. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own food and beverages, although Passalinqua's Pizzeria is attached to the hall for those wishing to purchase food. For further details, please visit www.mariahouseproject.org. See flier for additional information.
Overnight retreat
Join the Catholic Rural Ministry for the Walking Together on our Christian Journey overnight retreat at Olmsted Conference Center, 17 E. Main St., Ludlow, from Nov. 16-17. Rates are $65 for double occupancy and $75 for single occupancy. A $20 registration fee is required and should be sent to Catholic Rural Ministry, 7 Pulaski St., Oil City, PA 16301, by Nov. 1. For any questions or needs for scholarships, contact Sister Tina Geiger at srtinag@gmail.com. The retreat is led by Sister Marian Wehler, O.S.B., and Sister Tina Geiger, R.S.M.
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