February 6, 2023
The next Information Bulletin is Monday, February 13, 2023.The deadline for submissions is Thursday, February 9, 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.
2023 Lenten Practices
Pastors and administrators will find attached the 2023 Lenten Practices from the Chancery. Of particular note are the regulations for St. Patrick’s Day, which falls on a Lenten Friday this year. Please contact the Chancery with any questions at 814-824-1130.
Mass time websites for vacationers may have incorrect information
The following websites provide Mass times to travelers and others: masstimes.org, discovermass.com, parishesonline.com, catholicmasstime.org and ourcatholicneighborhood.com. These organizations may list out-of-date information for your parish. The Diocese of Erie does not directly authorize these sites to list its information. Parish staff are asked to regularly check information on these websites to ensure information is up-to-date and accurate for visitors to our area.
St. Mark Seminary and Diocese of Erie Vocations Office Facebook pages
St. Mark Seminary and the Diocese of Erie Vocations Office recently created Facebook pages. They can be found at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083214737933&mibextid=LQQJ4d and https://www.facebook.com/DioceseofErieVocations?mibextid=LQQJ4d.
Catholic Foundation spring Education Grant opportunity
The Catholic Foundation of Northwest Pennsylvania’s spring Education Grant cycle is now open. Applications are being accepted through March 20. Is your parish planning to bring in a presenter for a parish mission or Advent program? Are your parish lay ministers or lay staff planning to attend a conference, workshop or retreat — in person or virtually — this summer or fall? Are you planning a new religious education or faith formation project for your parish or Catholic school? Is your school or faith formation program in need of updated technology? Your project may meet the criteria for this grant opportunity. Review the guidelines and criteria at the following web page: www.cfnwpa.org/grant-seekers/education-grant-guidelines. Contact Julia Cooney with questions at jcooney@cfnwpa.org or 814.824.1253.
To read about our most recent group of grantees, go to https://www.cfnwpa.org/news/catholic-foundation-of-northwest-pennsylvania-awards-77-991-in-fall-2022-education-grant-cycle.
2023 CRS Rice Bowl Collection
Please find attached Bishop Persico’s letter introducing the 2023 Catholic Relief Services’ Rice Bowl Collection, taken up during Lent. Pastors and principals are asked to encourage participation in their parish and school communities.
Important 2023 Catholic Services Appeal update
The Catholic Services Appeal Commitment Sunday is Feb. 19. All parishes should receive all requested CSA materials by the end of this week. If you have not received your materials or if there is a problem with your shipment, please notify Julia Cooney at 814.824.1253 or jcooney@cfnwpa.org.
The CSA video is available this year as a digital download. Instructions for downloading the video as well as many other digital CSA resources can be found at the following web page: https://www.eriercd.org/Catholic-Services-Appeal-CSA-Materials.html. If you require a physical DVD of the CSA video, please notify Julia Cooney at 814.824.1253 or jcooney@cfnwpa.org and a DVD will be mailed to you.
Rite of Election
The Rite of Election will be held in person on Feb. 26 at 3 p.m. at St. Peter Cathedral, 230 West 10th St., Erie, and on March 5 at 3 p.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 118 South State St., DuBois.
Go to https://eriercd.org/faithformation/rcia.html to access all forms. The deadline is Feb. 10.
- All parishes must complete the 2023 Parish Information for Rite of Election form, even if you do not have any catechumens or candidates this year.
- Each catechumen and candidate must be registered separately.
- The Request for Faculty to Confirm form is available online. It must be completed if you have a candidate who is a baptized Catholic and is completing initiation (including confirmation) at the Easter Vigil. The document must be signed by the pastor and mailed to the chancery.
For help in completing electronic forms, contact Danielle Schoenfeldt, director of Faith Formation for Parish Support, at dschoenfeldt@eriercd.org or 814.824.1224.
International Catholic Stewardship Council newsletter
The Catholic Foundation is happy to share the attached February edition of the International Catholic Stewardship Council newsletter. 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.
PW Protected Attachments:Clergy and Department Heads click here to login.Lenten Practices 2023 Rice Bowl 2023 ICSC Feb. Bulletin St. Luke Eucharistic miracles presentation NFP Pre-Lenten retreat Mardi Gras Night Blessed Sacrament fish dinners Gen Z and Mental Health St. Elizabeth Eucharistic miracles presentation |
St. Luke Parish offers Eucharistic Miracles exhibit and presentation
All are invited to join parishioners at St. Luke Parish, 421 E. 38 St., Erie, on Feb. 12 at 1 p.m. for a free multimedia presentation, Eucharistic Miracles, by neuropsychologist Dr. Jaci Phillips. Come early or stay after to see a display of the miracles based on the work of Blessed Carlo Acutis, who researched and cataloged Eucharistic miracles recognized by the church that have occurred through the ages. The display will remain available through Feb. 19. Visit www.stlukeerie.org or call 814.825.6920 for more information. See flier for details.
The traveling Eucharistic Miracles exhibit is also available for other parishes in the Diocese of Erie to borrow. For more information or to schedule a time to host this exhibit at your parish or school go to https://stspeterphilip.com/miracles-exhibit.html or contact Amanda at eucharisticmiraclesexhibit@gmail.com.
NFP Pre-Lenten retreat
The Diocese of Erie Office of Faith Formation is sponsoring an NFP Pre-Lenten retreat with Father Dan Hoffman on Feb. 17-18 at the St. Thomas More House of Prayer, 365 Hill City Rd., Cranberry. The deadline to sign up is Feb. 10. Go to https://www.eriercd.org/chastity/retreat.html to sign up. See flier for details.
Mardi Gras Night
St. Francis Xavier Parish in McKean is hosting its 15th annual Mardi Gras Night on Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. at the St. Francis Xavier Parish Center, 8880 West Main St., McKean. The event is for anyone ages 21 and over. Cost is $20 per person which includes food and beverages. Raffles and cash giveaways will be available. See flier for details.
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Eucharistic miracles presentation
St. Elizabeth of Hungary in Smethport is hosting a free multimedia presentation, Eucharistic Miracles, by neuropsychologist Dr. Jaci Pillips on Feb. 19 at 3:30 p.m. at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, 307 Franklin St., Smethport. The event includes dinner and a discussion. RSVP at 814.558.2314. See flier for details.
Blessed Sacrament Parish Lenten fish dinners
Blessed Sacrament Parish in Erie is serving fish dinners on Feb. 24, March 10 and March 24 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. in the cafeteria, 1626 West 26th St., Erie. Dine-in and take-out service is available. See flier for details.
Eucharist: Food for the Journey
The DuBois Area Roman Catholic Churches will host the third of their five-part series, The Eucharist: Food for the Journey, on March 2 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at St. Mary's Church, 607 East Main St., Reynoldsville. Msgr. Charles Kaza will be the guest speaker with a reflection titled The Eucharist as Sacrifice. Each session consists of a reflection by a guest speaker, time for Eucharistic adoration, an opportunity for the sacrament of reconciliation, meditative music, activities for children and a light meal. The event is free of charge and open to the public. Funding for this series is provided by a grant from the Catholic Foundation of Northwest Pennsylvania.
Gen Z and Mental Health
The Office of Faith Formation is pleased to offer a live Zoom webinar with national speaker Steven Ellair of Springtide Research Institute and St. Mary’s Press, presenting Gen Z and Mental Health: What Faith Leaders Need to Know on March 9 at 7 p.m. Mental health is a top issue in the lives of young people. This presentation will give an opportunity for religious leaders, parents and other trusted adults to understand how faith can play an important role in combating the unfolding mental health epidemic. See flier for registration details. Call Mary Hickin for more information at 814.824.1222.
St. George 100-year celebration finale
St. George Parish in Erie is celebrating its 100th year anniversary on April 22 from 5:30 to 10 p.m. at the Ambassador Banquet & Conference Center, 7794 Peach St., Erie. The event includes a buffet, cash bar and dancing. The cost is $50 per person. RSVP by April 5 by contacting the St. George Rectory Office at 814.864.0622.
Knights of Columbus institute diocesan-wide prayer list; parishes invited to share the list
The Knights of Columbus are now collecting the names of people in need of prayer at councils throughout the Diocese of Erie. If you have any person in need of special prayers and grace, please contact a member of your parish Knights of Columbus Council. Council members request just names, no details of the specific intention. Parishes are invited to publish or post the list which will be shared in the Information Bulletin twice a month. All are invited to remember those on the Knights’ Prayer Hotline list in their prayers. The latest names added to this list are:
Ed S.
Baby A (8 Months old)
Supervisor
The Michael J. Murphy (MJM) Residence for Retired Priests is seeking a dedicated, organized, compassionate and professional individual to oversee the daily operations of the MJM Residence for Retired Priests. The qualified candidate will possess at least a high school diploma with at least three years prior experience in cooking/cleaning services, maintenance or hospitality management. For full position details and how to apply, visit https://www.eriercd.org/employment.html.
Assistant supervisor
The Michael J. Murphy (MJM) Residence for Retired Priests is seeking a conscientious, dependable, organized, compassionate and professional individual to provide housekeeping services to the MJM Residence for Retired Priests. The assistant supervisor will work collaboratively with the supervisor. The qualified candidate will possess at least a high school diploma with at least three years prior experience in cooking/cleaning services, maintenance or hospitality management. For full position details and how to apply, visit https://www.eriercd.org/employment.html.
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