August 11, 2025
The next Information Bulletin is Monday, August 18, 2025.The deadline for submissions is Thursday, August 14, 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 Catholic Education Collection
Please find attached Bishop Persico’s letter introducing the 2025 Catholic Education Collection, taken the weekend of Sept. 20-21. Parishes are asked to publicize this collection in a significant way on the weekend of Sept. 13-14.
2025 Catholic Foundation Fall Education Grant Opportunity
The Foundation’s Fall Education Grant cycle is now open and applications are being accepted through Sept. 22. Grants are available for funding towards a wide variety of religious education projects and ministry training/spiritual formation opportunities. Funding is also available for technology upgrades in schools and faith formation programs. Review the guidelines at the following link to learn more: https://www.cfnwpa.org/grant-seekers/education-grant-guidelines. Questions? Contact Julia Cooney, Operations Director, at jcooney@cfnwpa.org or 814-824-1253.
The Catholic Foundation has awarded $83,434 so far this year in grants to parishes, schools, and diocesan offices for a wide variety of projects and programs. Visit the following link to read about these grant awards: https://www.cfnwpa.org/news/cfnwpa-announces-2025-spring-grants.
Celebrate Respect for Life Month as a parish webinar offered by the USCCB
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is offering a free webinar on Thursday, Aug. 28, at 8 p.m. to help parishes prepare for Respect Life Month in October. During the session, USCCB staff will walk participants through the newly released 2025 Respect Life Month resources as well as the perennial Respect Life Month Action Guide. This introductory webinar is perfect for parish staff and volunteers. Whether you're just getting started or looking to enhance your parish’s outreach, this webinar will offer helpful tools and ideas to make a meaningful impact. Register online at https://usccb.zoom.us/webinar/register/3317540630501/WN_tYMeOBQ0SbiO0kyehGB6cw#/registration.
PA March for Life resources now available
The Diocese of Erie Office of Communications has created a resource page for the Pennsylvania March for Life happening this September. Whether you plan to attend in Harrisburg or participate from home, tools are available to help you get involved. A social media graphic, parish bulletin graphic and web banner are available on the parish resource page for download. Visit our March for Life page to learn how you can take part and help spread the word: https://www.eriercd.org/pamarch.html.
Identifying Cyber Threats
Cyber threats like phishing, malware and ransomware can harm our church community. Educating members helps them recognize scams and protect sensitive data. Regular training builds awareness and promotes vigilance. Learn more about common cyberattacks in this article from Microsoft: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/business/security-101/what-is-a-cyberattack.
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.
AttachmentsCatholic Education CollectionAn Evening of Hope (Maria House Project) Glinodo Goat Fest Three Women of Advent Retreat Comfort Through Grief Series
|
PW Protected Attachments:Clergy and Department Heads click here to login.Catholic Education Collection An Evening of Hope (Maria House Project) Glinodo Goat Fest Three Women of Advent Retreat Comfort Through Grief Series |
Catholics Returning Home Series
The Epiphany of the Lord Parish in Meadville is offering a free six-week series, Catholics Returning Home, beginning Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the St. Agatha church office, 353 Pine St., Meadville. These informal listening sessions welcome Catholics who have been away to reconnect with the church. Held in a supportive, group-style format, the evenings will be facilitated by former returnees and converts and will include updates on the Catholic faith. All are welcome. For details, call 814-336-1112.
An Evening of Hope
Our Lady of Peace Parish, 2401 W. 38th St., Erie, will host An Evening of Hope on Thursday, Aug. 14 at 7 p.m. The event features Allen Brown, a former “juvenile lifer” who spent 47 years in prison and now shares hope through peer advocacy and mentorship, and Tim Joncas, executive director of the Maria House Project, who will offer his perspective on recovery, hope and following God’s call to serve others. Light refreshments will follow the program. See the attached flyer for more details.
New Minister Cohort
An online cohort is available for new ministers—faith formation leaders, youth ministers, newly ordained priests and others—beginning their first or second year in parish ministry. Sessions will be held during two time options: 6:30–7:30 a.m. or noon–1:00 p.m. on five consecutive Tuesdays: Aug. 26, Sept. 2, 9, 16 and 23. Register at: https://forms.office.com/r/a1cszDXEbE.
Goat Fest
The Benedictine Sisters of Erie invite you to the third Glinodo Goat Fest, 6270 East Lake Rd., Erie, on Saturday, Aug. 23 from 1-4 p.m. Our friends from Let's Goat Buffalo and Rosemary and Pine will be on scene helping us clear out invasive species from Glinodo's creek side trail. This event is free, family-friendly, and open to all. Come see the goats working, and while you're here, join us for a storybook trail (from local author Heather Cash), nature art, games and snacks. Join us for this celebration of the Earth and our connection to it. See attached poster.
The Three Women of Advent: Connecting the Dots to Their Life, Legacy and Lessons
Join Sister Patricia McMahon, OSF, and Sister Theresa Schneider, OSF, for a retreat designed to help participants prepare their hearts for the coming of Christ. Reflect on the lives of Mary, mother of Jesus; Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist; and Anna, the prophetess who recognized the Messiah at the temple. The retreat is offered on two dates: Saturday, Nov. 22, or Wednesday, Dec.3. Both sessions run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The $40 registration fee includes the retreat and lunch. An optional companion book is available on Amazon but is not required to participate. Space is limited, and reservations are required by Nov. 7 for the Nov. 22 session and by Nov.18 for the Dec. 3 session. To register or learn more, call 716-754-7376, ext. 2.
Comfort Through Grief Ministry
On Monday, August 25, St. Joseph Church Bread of Life Community Center, 147 W. 24th St., Erie, will be the location for the next Comfort Through Grief speaker series. Fr. Steve Schreiber will be the guest speaker with his program entitled “The Church and the Priest in Times of Grief.” Doors open for registration at 5:30 p.m. Program runs from 6:15-8 p.m. All are welcome. See attached flyer for more information.
Internal job openings at Saint Mark Catholic Center:
Diocese of Erie Catholic Schools Office seeks Programs Coordinator
The Programs Coordinator is responsible for fulfilling the mission of Catholic schools by successfully managing and facilitating the federal and state programs for nonpublic schools in the diocese. This position is the liaison among the Catholic schools, school districts, Intermediate Units and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. For more information or to apply, please go to: https://www.eriercd.org/employment.html.
External job openings:
St. Martin Center seeks volunteers
St. Martin Center, 1701 Parade St., Erie, is looking for compassionate and dedicated volunteers to help support their food pantry. Whether you have a few hours a week or one day a month, your time can make a huge impact on families in need. Volunteer opportunities include:
- Sorting and organizing donations
- Packing food boxes
- Assisting with distributions
- Helping with pantry setup.
For more information or to sign up, contact Alma at 814-452-6113 ext. 215 or email info@stmartincenter.org.
If I.B. attachments do not open, click here to download the latest Acrobat Reader. If problems persist, email Kathy Papalia or call 814.824.1184.
If your email address or your status for receiving the Information Bulletin changes, please notify the Office of Communications so that we can update our mailing list.
To access the Information Bulletin online, visit www.ErieRCD.org and click on Information Bulletin under the News and Information drop-down menu. As with the email version, pastors and department heads will still need to enter their password to access secure information.
If you would like to unsubscribe to the Information Bulletin, please notify the Office of Communications and type “unsubscribe” in the subject line