September 15, 2025
The next Information Bulletin is Monday, September 22, 2025.The deadline for submissions is Thursday, September 18, 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 World Mission Sunday collection
Please find attached Bishop Persico’s letter introducing the 2025 World Mission Sunday Collection, taken the weekend of Oct. 18 and 19. Parishes are asked to publicize this collection in a significant way on the weekend of Oct. 11 and 12.
October Count to begin
The October Count starts Oct. 4. 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. 14. Contact Kathy Papalia at 814-824-1184 with any questions.
Deadline approaching for Catholic Foundation Education Grant opportunity
Catholic parishes and schools are invited to apply for an Education Grant from the Catholic Foundation of Northwest Pennsylvania. Already this year, funding has been granted to support a wide variety of faith formation and technology projects and programs throughout northwest Pennsylvania. Don’t miss this opportunity! Your project may be a good match for this grant. Read more at https://www.cfnwpa.org/grant-seekers/education-grant-guidelines. Contact Julia Cooney at jcooney@cfnwpa.org with any questions. The deadline to submit an Education Grant application is Monday, Sept. 22.
Special report: Pope Leo XIV canonizes two young saints
Faith Catholic has released a special bulletin insert celebrating the canonization of Saint Carlo Acutis and Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati, two young Italian witnesses of faith who continue to inspire the world. We invite you to share this insert with your parish community as we rejoice in the church’s newest saints. The insert is attached and ready to be included in your parish bulletin.
Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15 – October 15
The Diocese of Erie Communications & Advancement team, in collaboration with the Missions Office, has created materials for parish bulletins, websites and social media to help celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Let us come together and lift up our Hispanic parishioners, especially the faith community of Saint Stephen/San Esteban Parish in Erie, our diocesan home for Hispanic ministry. Download the prayer card attached.
iGiveCatholic yard signs and donation envelopes available
#iGive Catholic yard signs and donations envelopes are available for all eligible participating Catholic schools, parishes and ministries. Each organization may request up to two yard signs and as many envelopes as they would like. The envelopes are ideal for donors who are unable to make online gifts or those who make large gifts and would like to avoid associated credit card fees. To place an order, contact Elizabeth Rathburn at the Catholic Foundation of Northwest Pennsylvania at erathburn@cfnwpa.org or 814-824-1257.
Microsoft Office 2016 and Windows 10 ending support in October
Microsoft has announced that Office 2016 will no longer offer support starting on October 14, 2025. Once Office ceases to receive security updates from Microsoft, it can become a source of attack for malicious individuals. If you need Microsoft Office, email it@eriercd.org or call Kathy Papalia at 814-824-1184. The cost is $40 per person per year. To determine which version of Office you are currently using: Open Word > Click File > Click Account on the bottom left. You should see a column entitled “Product Information” that will specifically list the version of Office you are using.
At the same time, Microsoft has also announced that it is ending support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Ensure your parish isn't left running unsupported software. Parishes running unsupported software are vulnerable to significant security risk and potential compliance violations. To learn more about preparing for the Windows 11 upgrade, visit https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/can-i-upgrade-to-windows-11-14c25efc-ecb7-4ce6-a3dd-7e2e24476997
Faith Formation catechist training: Collaborative in-service
This training covers all topics required for the annual catechist formation. Parish leaders are encouraged to have their catechists attend in place of hosting separate mandatory sessions. The training is offered in each Vicariate from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with lunch provided on the following dates: Eastern Vicariate on Oct. 12, Northern Vicariate on Oct. 19 or Western Vicariate on Oct. 26. Register online: https://forms.office.com/r/7KstHtBTtw.
Creating annual event templates
Let parishioners know about your upcoming Pet Blessing by sending them an email through Ministry Platform. We have created a Pet Blessing email template for your use. Once you create your own template, you can re-use it every year. Click this link to download instructions: https://www.eriercd.org/images/pdf/computer/mp/specialeventsemail.pdf. If you would like to see email templates for other common parish events, email it@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 https://www.eriecatholic.org/about/careers.
PW Protected Attachments:Clergy and Department Heads click here to login.World Mission Sunday Saint Acutis and Saint Frassati insert Hispanic Heritage Month Comfort through Grief Ministry Lament: An Opening to Hope Taste of Poland Oktoberfest 31st Annual Rosary March Sips and Sings fundraiser |
PA March for Life — Monday, Sept. 22
Reminder: The PA March for Life takes place on Monday, Sept. 22 in Harrisburg! We invite you to highlight this historic event with your parishioners. Graphics are available on our parish resource pages here and here. The Communications and Advancement Office, in collaboration with Social Justice and Life of Catholic Charities, has prepared resources to help parishioners participate from home through prayer, advocacy and support for pro-life organizations. Visit https://www.eriercd.org/pamarch.html for details.
Comfort through Grief Ministry
St. Joseph/Bread of Life Parish will host the Comfort through Grief Ministry at the parish Community Center, 147 W. 24th St., Erie, in the upstairs multi-purpose room. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., with the program running from 6:15 to 8:00 p.m. The next session will be held on Monday, Sept. 22, and will feature guest speaker Susan Yurkewicz. Her presentation, Great is His Faithfulness, will reflect on the ways our Catholic faith provides strength and guidance for those journeying through grief. Please see the attached flyer for details.
Erie Crop Walk
The 50th Annual Erie CROP Walk will take place on Sunday, Sept. 28. You can help fight hunger in our community by walking with the team sponsored by Emmaus Ministries, 345 E. 9th St., Erie, or by making a donation to support their efforts. This year’s walk has a special goal of raising $100,000 in honor of its 50th anniversary. To learn more or ask questions, call Emmaus Ministries at 814-459-8349, or visit events.crophungerwalk.org/crophungerwalks/event/eriepa.
Lament: An Opening to Hope Prayer Service
Mount St. Benedict Monastery, 6101 East Lake Rd., Erie, will host a special prayer service of lament and hope on Friday, Oct. 3, at 7 p.m. in the monastery chapel. The Mercyhurst University Liturgical Dance Ensemble will take part, helping to express the prayer through movement alongside music, chant and spoken word. Rooted in the Old Testament, the prayer of lament acknowledges the sorrow we experience in a world marked by suffering and injustice and, when shared communally, leads us to renew our hope and trust in God’s faithfulness and promise. This service offers all pilgrims of hope an opportunity to lift their voices and hearts together. See the attached poster and event link for more details.
Taste of Poland
St. Stanislaus Parish, 516 E. 13th St., Erie, will host its annual Taste of Poland Dinner on Sunday, Oct. 5, from 12 to 5 p.m., with takeout also available. The meal will include pierogi, sausage, golabki, mashed potatoes and gravy, kupusta and bread with butter, at a cost of $16 for adults, $6 for children ages 6–12 and free for those under 5. Czarnina and frozen pierogi will also be for sale, along with a large bake sale, theme basket auction, special raffle baskets and a 50/50 raffle. All proceeds will benefit St. Stanislaus Parish. Please see the attached flyer for more information.
18th Annual Oktoberfest
St. Luke and Mount Carmel Parish, 1552 E. Grandview Blvd., Erie, will host its 18th annual Oktoberfest on Friday, Oct. 3, from 5 to 11 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 4, from 12 to 11 p.m. Admission and parking are free. The festival will feature authentic German food, a beer and wine tent, live music, a kids’ fun zone, a wiener dog race, a Bavarian coffee house, games of chance and more than 150 theme baskets. Guests will also have the opportunity to enter a raffle for the chance to win a 2025 BMW Roadster or $50,000.
All Shook Up Musical
Cathedral Preparatory School, 250 W. 10th St., Erie, will present All Shook Up, a hilarious and heartfelt musical featuring Elvis Presley’s greatest hits including Heartbreak Hotel, Hound Dog, Don’t Be Cruel and Jailhouse Rock. Performances will be held in the H. David Bowes Auditorium on Thursday, Oct. 9, Friday, Oct. 10, and Saturday, Oct. 11, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 12, at 2 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door for $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and $5 for students (cash only).
31st Annual Rosary March
The 31st annual Rosary March will take place at St. Peter’s Cathedral, 230 W. 10th St., Erie, on Sunday, Oct. 12, beginning at 2 p.m. Sponsored by the Diocesan World Apostolate of Fatima and the Legion of Mary, participants are invited to gather outside the cathedral at 1:45 p.m. to march and pray the Rosary through downtown Erie, while the Rosary will also be prayed simultaneously inside the cathedral. A prayer service will follow at 3 p.m., with Bishop Lawrence Persico presiding.
Sips and Sings Karaoke fundraiser
Catholic Charities Counseling & Adoption Services will host a Sips and Sings Karaoke Fundraiser at South Shore Wine Co., 1120 Freeport Rd., North East, on Friday, Oct. 17, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The cost is $50 per person and includes hors d’oeuvres and wine sampling. Tickets can be purchased using the QR code on the attached flyer.
Bags and Bourbon Bingo
The Kennedy Catholic Family of Schools is hosting a Bags and Bourbon Bingo on Saturday, Oct. 11 with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. in the Kennedy Catholic High School gymnasium, 2120 Shenango Valley Fwy, Hermitage. Enjoy an evening filled with exciting bingo games, amazing designer bags, bourbon prizes, charcuterie, a cash bar, a 50/50 raffle and so much more! General Admission tickets are $35 per person, VIP tickets are $50 per person. Gather your friends, mark your calendars and join us for a night you won’t forget. Tickets will go fast—you won’t want to miss this! To purchase tickets, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/yc6tf8yr
World Apostolate of Fatima seeks leadership positions
The Diocese of Erie World Apostolate of Fatima is inviting candidates to apply for future leadership positions within this lay apostolate. Open roles include president, vice president and additional board members. Training will be provided by those currently serving in these positions, with an expected time commitment of approximately 2–4 hours per month. This voluntary service calls for strong organizational and interpersonal skills, along with a sincere dedication to promoting the Fatima message and fostering Marian devotion throughout the diocese. Interested individuals are asked to submit a brief letter of interest including name, address, city, phone number, email and a summary of qualifications to: Fr. Jerry S. Priscaro, Diocesan Spiritual Director for the World Apostolate of Fatima, P.O. Box 984, Erie, PA 16512-0984. For more information, please contact Father Priscaro at 814-464-6913.
Elk County Catholic School System is Now Hiring: Preschool Aide (Part-Time)
St. Marys Catholic Elementary School, 114 Queens Rd., St. Marys, is seeking a kind, dependable and enthusiastic preschool aide to support teachers and help nurture the hearts and minds of young learners. This part-time position is offered during the school year, with hours Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The aide will assist in the classroom with daily routines and supervision, while helping to provide a safe, loving and faith-filled environment for children ages 3–5. To apply, please email your resume and a short statement of interest to Debbie Slay at slayd@eccss.org. For more information, visit https://eccss.org/jobs/
Pray for our Nation Signs
Pray for our Nation yard signs have been generously donated by Mr. James Toohey Sr. and are available free of charge for anyone wanting to put them in their yard, business, etc. The purpose simply being to pray for the happiness, peace and strength of our nation. Please email: amoks@eriercd.org if you’d like to receive one.
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