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April 27, 2020

The next Information Bulletin is Monday, May 4, 2020.
Deadline for submissions is Thursday, April 30, at 4:30 p.m.

Email your Information Bulletin items to the editor.


Bishop Persico to livestream reconsecration of the Diocese of Erie to Mary
U.S. bishops will join the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops in reconsecrating the two nations to the care of the Blessed Mother under the title, “Mary, Mother of the Church,” on Friday, May 1, at 3 p.m. (EDT). Bishop Persico plans to do the same for the Diocese of Erie at 7 p.m. on the same day.

Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, will lead the prayer of reconsecration and has invited bishops to join in from their respective dioceses. He also asks that the invitation be extended to the faithful in their dioceses. The evening timeslot for the diocesan event will allow families, as well as those who are working during the day, to participate in this rare opportunity.

This week, details about both events and links to them will be announced on the diocesan website, www.ErieRCD.org, as well as through social media. This reconsecration follows the Latin American bishops’ council that consecrated Latin America and the Caribbean to Our Lady of Guadalupe on Easter.

Priesthood ordination on schedule
This year's priesthood ordination for the Diocese of Erie is still slated to take place on Friday, May 29. However, due to the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus and social distancing, its location has been moved to the St. Mark Seminary Chapel and will have only immediate family and essential clergy in attendance.

We will have further information about livestreaming the ceremony in May. If local, state and federal coronavirus guidelines are relaxed by that time, then some adjustment to this plan may be possible. Future developments could change these arrangements, but the current plan is that the ordination Mass will take place as scheduled. Please keep Deacons Kevin Holland and Joseph Petrone in your prayer as they complete their final ordination preparations.

Good Shepherd Collection helps retired priests
The annual Good Shepherd Collection for Erie diocesan retired priests will be taken up at all parishes the weekend of May 2-3. Suggested bulletin announcements are available now at https://www.eriercd.org/Good-Shepherd-Collection-materials.html. Also on the website is a promotion kit prepared by Msgr. Daniel Magraw, director of the collection. The kit will assist pastors and their office staff to effectively promote the collection. For questions or assistance, contact Msgr. Magraw at 814-456-0671 or via email at dmagraw@ErieRCD.org.

St. Mark Catholic Center to remain closed at least through May 8
St. Mark Catholic Center in Erie will remain closed at least through May 8 and possibly beyond, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The diocese is committed to monitoring the latest information available from reliable sources regarding the pandemic. Go to the diocesan website at www.ErieRCD.org for all of the most up-to-date information on the pandemic and its impact on the diocese.

This week’s fundraising best practices during the pandemic
Did you know that fundraising is never about the money? It is about relationships. The Catholic Foundation of Northwest Pennsylvania says that now, more than ever, your top priority should be communicating with your parishioners. Donors support organizations they feel connected to, so it is imperative that you nurture your relationships.

Consider calling your parishioners, sending them a letter, sending them an email, etc. Whatever works best for you. Include the following:

  1. A message that conveys your concern for their well-being and safety during this unprecedented time. (For example: It is our hope that you and your family are well during this time, and please know that you remain in our daily prayers.)
  2. Offer a brief summary of how your parish has responded to the crisis, what has changed, what the opportunities are for parishioners to get involved. (For example: As a parishioner, we want to share with you…)
  3. Focus on your parish’s mission and share your current needs. Here is where you can mention your CSA goal, current projects and priorities. (For example: During this unprecedented time, the need for our services within the community continues.)
  4. Close with a sincere thank-you for continued support. (For example: As a parishioner of [parish name], we can only do what we do because of you. We welcome your support as you are able and look forward to the time when we can be together again.)

Please let the Catholic Foundation know if it can help with any fundraising and CSA initiatives at this time. Reach out at any time to Lisa Louis at 814-824-1237 or llouis@cfnwpa.org or Michelle Basista at 814-824-1192 or mbasista@cfnwpa.org.

COVID-19 emergency relief effort continues
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Diocese of Erie is collaborating with the Catholic Foundation of Northwest Pennsylvania and Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Erie, Inc., to broadly offer support and promote Catholic giving for immediate needs. The intent is to encourage local Catholic giving with the ease of three online platforms:

  • A Community Relief Fund has been established through Catholic Charities, Inc., to support specific emergency outreach efforts through agencies, diocesan ministries and parishes. Pastors are welcome to apply for funds to provide direct assistance to those in need.
  • A Parish Offertory Support effort is being made with the assistance of the Catholic Foundation of Northwest Pennsylvania. This gives parishioners an opportunity to make their offertory donations online if they are not already set up to do so.
  • The #iGiveCatholic program in which our diocese participated last fall has been activated to facilitate online emergency fundraising. Many Catholic schools, parishes and ministries throughout the Diocese of Erie used this as a successful platform for a one-day online fundraising effort on Giving Tuesday 2019.

All three platforms can be accessed easily through the COVID-19 Relief Effort banner on the diocesan homepage, www.ErieRCD.org. Everyone is encouraged to share this information broadly through whatever channels of communication are available to them. Questions about these initiatives may be directed to the following:

  1. Parish Offertory
    Catholic Foundation, Lisa Louis at llouis@cfnwpa.org or 814-824-1237
  1. Community Relief Fund
    Catholic Charities, Ann Badach at abadach@ErieRCD.org or 814-824-1252
  1. #iGiveCatholic
    Catholic Foundation, Michelle Basista at mbasista@cfnwpa.org or 814-824-1192.

Resources available to parishioners during pandemic
In an effort to help parishioners who may not have access to the internet stay connected to their parishes during this time of pandemic and social distancing, the Faith Formation Office and the Social Justice and Life Office of the Diocese of Erie have created multiple resources for parishes. Parishes could print and place copies of some of these resources in their bulletins or have them available at the back of churches. See the attachments for the following:

  • a ready-made bulletin announcement that can be personalized
  • a printable guide for instructions on how to make Spiritual Communion
  • instructions for livestreaming.

For complete information on livestreamed Sunday and daily Masses in the Diocese of Erie, as well as additional inspirational resources, visit www.eriercd.org/inspiration.html. For questions or concerns, contact Deacon Steve Washek, executive director of the Faith Formation Office, at 814-814-1215.

Discounted antivirus software available through the diocese
New ESET Endpoint protection licenses are available for $13 per computer. The renewal price next year will be approximately $10 per computer. If you need antivirus software for your location, contact Kathy Papalia at kpapalia@ErieRCD.org or at 814-824-1184. If you purchased antivirus software through the diocese last year, please respond to the renewal authorization email that should be arriving shortly. The deadline for ordering/renewing is May 11, 2020.

Job openings in the diocese
See the classified section below for current position openings. Here’s a quick link to diocesan, school and parish jobs: https://www.ErieRCD.org/employment.html.



Attachments

Sample bulletin announcement
Instructions for livestreaming
Spiritual Communion
Young People Who Care program director
Red Door

Parish Bulletin Announcements


PW Protected Attachments:

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Sample bulletin announcement
Instructions for livestreaming
Spiritual Communion
Young People Who Care program director
Red Door


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There are no activities to announce this week.



Opportunity to purchase a gift certificate from Red Door
The Red Door School Uniforms and Team Specialists of Erie is selling gift certificates through May 3. See the attachment to learn how you can purchase a $100 gift certificate for only $70.

Young People Who Care, Inc. hiring program director
Young People Who Care, Inc., (YPWC), a Clearfield County nonprofit organization, is seeking a program director. See the attachment for full details.

Director of liturgical music/organist
St. Peter Cathedral in Erie is seeking a full-time director of liturgical music/organist. For complete details on the position and how to apply, go to https://www.eriercd.org/employment.html.

Church items available
Religious items from the former St. Joseph Church in DuBois are available to ecclesiastical entities, such as parishes, schools and religious communities. Pictures can be found at www.eriercd.org/mydioerie-cat.php. Scroll down to “3a Clergy” and log in.

Teacher, principal and president positions available
The following are job openings in education in the Diocese of Erie. For details, go to https://www.eriercd.org/employment.html.

  • Full-time high school English teacher, Kennedy Catholic Family of Schools, Hermitage
  • Principal, St. Michael Elementary School, Greenville
  • President, Shenango Valley Catholic School System
  • Principal, St. Gregory School, North East

Director of liturgy and music/elementary music teacher
Immaculate Conception Parish in Clarion is seeking a full-time director of liturgy and music/elementary music teacher. Competitive compensation package. For complete details, go to https://www.eriercd.org/employment.html. Interested candidates should e-mail a resume and letter of interest to Kim Kroh of the Liturgy and Music Task Force at KimKroh@comcast.net.

McKean parish hiring director/coordinator of parish evangelization
St. Francis Xavier Parish in McKean is hiring a full-time director/coordinator of parish evangelization. For a detailed description of the position and the application process, go to https://www.eriercd.org/employment.html.

Oil City parish hiring director/coordinator of faith formation
St. Joseph Parish in Oil City is seeking a director/coordinator of faith formation. This is a full-time, exempt position that reports directly to the pastor and supervises numerous volunteer catechists and parent volunteers. For information about the position and how to apply, go to https://www.eriercd.org/employment.html.