September 9, 2024
The next Information Bulletin is Monday, September 16, 2024.The deadline for submissions is Thursday, September 12, 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.
2024 Missionary Cooperation Plan Reminders
As the end of the 2024 Missionary Cooperation Plan approaches, this is a friendly reminder from the Mission Office regarding the assigned missionary appeals:
- All missionary presentations should be concluded by the end of September.
- Please contact the Mission Office immediately if your assigned missionary group never attended their appeal date.
- If the appeal has already occurred, please send the check of MCP collection within 30 days of the presentation to the Mission Office at the Diocese of Erie with Mission Co-op included on the memo line.
- Please send the Check Remittance Form (attached) along with your MCP check.
October Count begins Oct. 5
Attention pastors: the October Count starts Oct. 5. 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.
Pet blessing template available
A new, eye-catching pet blessing template is now available for all pastors and parish staff. You can use this template in Ministry Platform to announce your upcoming pet blessing event to parishioners via email. To access the template created by the communications office, simply log in to Ministry Platform.
Did you know that once a template is created, it can be used every year? It can! Templates are more attractive than plain messages. They can include graphics and the text can be formatted. Please visit https://www.eriercd.org/images/pdf/computer/mp/specialeventsemail.pdf to download the instructions. A pdf is also attached. If you would like to see email templates for other common parish events, email kpapalia@eriercd.org to let us know.
Microsoft Office 365 is available to purchase at a low price
Attention clergy or parish staff: Get Microsoft Office 365 for the low price of $40 per person per year. Microsoft Office through the diocese includes the most up-to-date version of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Microsoft Access and Publisher as well as online tools like Microsoft Forms, Teams and Planner. Planner is project planning software. It can help you stay on track and manage all of your tasks, to-do lists, plans and projects in one place. Microsoft Teams is video meeting software to replace having to pay for Zoom. Microsoft Forms is a simple application that lets you create surveys, quizzes, polls and other types of forms. Get started with Microsoft Office today by contacting Kathy Papalia through email at it@eriercd.org or by calling 814.824.1184.
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.2024 Missionary Cooperation Plan Reminders Ministry Platform template directions Thoughts on a conversation with Antonia Acutis flyer When You Pray flyer Comfort Through Grief Ministry flyer Renee Majchrzak flyer |
1:38 Women’s conference offers mid-year refresher: Thoughts on a conversation with the mother of Blessed Carlo Acutis
As a follow-up to their springtime offering, the 1:38 Women’s Conference is offering a free, two-hour workshop led by Anne-Marie Welsh, longtime editor of Faith magazine and director of the Communications Office for the Diocese of Erie. She will share insights into the conversation she had with Antonia Acutis, the mother of Blessed Carlo Acutis, in preparation for an article published by Faith magazine. She also will reflect on her experiences praying with different saints. The two-hour event will include small group discussion (bring a friend!), time for quiet reflection and insight into several practical tools the church gives us to grow in our relationship with Christ through the saints. The workshop will be held on Saturday, Oct. 12 from 9:30 to 11:30 am at St. Francis Xavier Parish, 8880 Main St. in McKean. Open to women of all ages; poster attached. If your parish is interested in hosting the same workshop, contact Moe Trabold at the Reason for Our Hope Foundation, mtrabold@thereasonforourhope.org.
When You Pray: A clear path to a deeper relationship with God
A study on the journey of prayer will be held for those interested in learning more about praying. The study, When You Pray: A Clear Path to a Deeper Relationship with God, will be held at St. Francis Xavier Parish, McKean, on Mondays, Sept. 30 – Nov. 11 from 6:30-8 pm or Wednesdays, Oct. 2 – Nov. 13 from 10-11:30 am. For more information or to register for the study, contact Irene Schneider at 814.476.7657 ext. 7 or by email at evangelization@stfrancisxaviermckean.org. For more information, visit the parish website at https://stfrancisxaviermckean.org or scan the QR Code on the attached flyer.
Comfort Through Grief Ministry event
St. Joseph Bread of Life Parish, Erie, hosts Comfort Through Grief Ministry meetings every fourth Monday of each month. This month, the parish will welcome guest speaker Dawn Schaaf on Sept. 23 from 6:15 to 8 pm in the St. Joseph Parish Community Center, 147 West 24th St., Erie. Doors open at 5:30 pm. All are welcome. For more information, please see the attached flyer or contact Barb at 814.323.2806 or email dulcibarb@aol.com.
Women of Life presents Renee Majchrzak
Save the date for the next speaker for Women of Light on Sept. 9 at 6:30 pm at Our Lady of Mercy, 837 Bartlett Rd., Harborcreek. The speaker is a woman of great faith, Renee Majchrzak. Renee, the youth pastor for the CCC church on Bartlett Road, Harborcreek, and a fitness expert at the YMCA, she is a dynamic speaker, full of energy and humor. The talk will focus on her spirituality and leadership. There is no need to RSVP and the event is free. A flyer is attached with more details.
Save the date: Diocese of Erie Jesus Caritas Gathering
All priests are encouraged to save the date for the Diocese of Erie Jesus Caritas Gathering. This event will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at Our Lady of Peace, Erie, from 11 am to 4 pm. All priests are invited to attend for spiritual support and fraternity even if they are not in a Jesus Caritas group. Please contact Father Johnathan Schmolt at jpschmolt@eriercd.org if you are interested in attending.
There are no classified advertisements this week.
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