August 17, 2026
The next Information Bulletin is Monday, August 24, 2026. The submission deadline is Thursday, August 20, at 4:30 p.m. Thank you!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.
Catholic Education Collection
Please find attached Bishop Persico’s letter introducing the Catholic Education Collection, taken the weekend of Sept. 19 and 20. Parishes are asked to publicize this collection in a significant way the weekend of Sept. 12 and 13. Promotional resources, including a flyer, bulletin graphic, bulletin announcement, social media graphic and other parish communication materials are available at https://www.eriercd.org/cec.html.
#iGiveCatholic 2026 Registration Now Open
The Catholic Foundation is facilitating the annual #iGiveCatholic giving day campaign for the Catholic community of the Diocese of Erie on Dec. 1. Eligible parishes, schools, and ministries should have received a registration email from Elizabeth Rathburn. Registration deadline is Nov. 1. The Catholic Foundation is ready to help your organization be successful with #iGiveCatholic! Contact Elizabeth at erathburn@cfnwpa.org or 814-824-1257 with questions.
Life Teen Diocesan Tour
Pastors, Faith Formation Leaders and Catechists are invited to meet representatives from Life Teen who support Edge and Purpose catechists nationwide to engage in a thoughtful conversation about forming youth. Hear from Edge and Purpose veterans about Confirmation preparation and receive resources for the 2026-2027 Confirmation year. Registration deadline is Sept. 3. Please see attached flyer for event dates and registration.
Parish Annual Reports are due
The Office of Financial Services has requested that all Parish Annual Reports must be filed on or before August 31. All reports are available at: https://www.eriercd.org/finance/# under Annual Parish Report. If you have any questions about completing the reports, please call 814-824-1180.
Word Made Flesh Altar Server Retreat – Parish Promotion
The Diocese of Erie invites all parishes to help promote the Word Made Flesh Altar Server Retreat, taking place Saturday, Oct. 17, at St. Tobias Parish, 1135 Hewitt St., Brockway. Bishop Persico encourages pastors, parish staff, youth ministers and altar server coordinators to invite students in grades 6–12 to participate in this free day of prayer, fellowship and formation. The retreat offers young people an opportunity to grow in their love for the Eucharist and deepen their understanding of the sacred role they serve at Mass. Please use the attached flyer and the parish promotional resources available here: https://www.eriercd.org/altar-resources.html. The retreat is free to attend. Registration is required.
Tip: A Quick Phone Call Can Prevent Fraud
Scammers are using new technology to imitate the voices and messages of trusted people. If you receive an unexpected request for money, financial information, passwords, or confidential data, do not rush to respond. Instead, contact the person directly using a phone number you already know and trust. Taking a few extra moments to verify a request is one of the simplest and most effective ways to stay safe online. This consumer-friendly article https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/04/fighting-back-against-harmful-voice-cloning explains how scammers can imitate someone's voice and what to do when you receive an unexpected call requesting money or information. This easy-to-skim handout https://www.ic3.gov/Outreach/Brochures/2025-ABA-Foundation-Deep-Fake-Infographic.pdf focuses on simple warning signs and protective actions. It includes reminders to stop, verify, and create family code words.
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.
St. Joseph Catholic School Golf Scramble
St. Joseph Catholic School, Warren, is holding their 15th annual golf scramble on Saturday, Aug. 22. The event will be held at Blueberry Hill Golf Club, 6258 Cable Hollow Rd., Russell. The cost is $320 per team and includes greens fee, cart, beverages and lunch. Registration begins at 8 a.m. with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. See attached flyer to register.
Maria House Project Bingo Bash
Maria House Project is hosting a Bingo Bash on Sunday, Sept. 13, at the JPTF Foundation Event Center, 2319 West 38th St., Erie. Doors open at 1 p.m. with bingo starting at 2 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door. This includes all the regular games and the $1000 jackpot game. There is a basket raffle, 50/50s and more. See the attached flyer for more information.
PA March for Life – September 21
Join Catholics from across Pennsylvania on Sunday, Sept. 21, for the Pennsylvania March for Life as we stand together in support of the dignity of every human life. Visit our website at https://www.eriercd.org/pamarch.html for event details, bus information and parish resources, including bulletin announcements, flyers and social media graphics.
St. Patrick Franklin Chicken BBQ and Carnival
St. Patrick Parish, 949 Liberty St., Franklin, is hosting a Chicken BBQ and Carnival on Sunday, Aug. 16, from 11:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. There will be a bouncy slide, carnival games, face painting, food and drink and raffle prizes. Cost for the BBQ dinner with sides is $15, dine-in, drive-thru or take out. Sponsored by Voyten Electric and Hartle Funeral Home. The dinner benefits the St. Patrick Youth Group.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux 150th Anniversary Events
St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish, 98 E. Corydon St., Bradford, is turning 150 years old as a parish. They are hosting a week of events and activities to celebrate this milestone. Please see the attached flyer that lists all the events taking place.
Zabawa Polish Fest
Holy Trinity Parish, 2220 Reed St., Erie, is hosting the 33rd Annual Zabawa Polish heritage festival Aug. 21, 22, 23. The event features authentic Polish food, bakery items and beverages, grand prizes, theme baskets and more. Polka Mass on Saturday, beginning at 5 p.m. with Bishop Persico and liturgical music by KOSMIX from Pittsburgh. Polish Heritage Mass on Sunday at 10:30 a.m., with Polish traditional hymns provided by the Holy Trinity choir. Free admission with additional parking and free shuttle service from the lot at E. 34th St. and Ash Streets. For hours and details on the daily bands, please visit: www.holytrinityrc.org or call 814-456-0671.
St. Gregory Thaumaturgus Bereavement speaker
St. Gregory Thaumaturgus Parish, 48 South Pearl St., North East, Circle of Hope Bereavement and Support Group is hosting an evening with Mr. Timothy Elkin. Mr. Elkin is from Elkin Funeral Home and will be speaking on Thursday, Sept. 3, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at St. Gregory Parish. The topic of discussion will be Procedures and planning for end of life, what to do and how to do it. This event is free and open to the public.
St. James Craft and Vendor Market
St. James Parish Social Hall (St. James Place), 2622 Buffalo Rd., Erie, is hosting the 5th Annual Fall Craft and Vendor Market. This will take place on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 13, from 12-4 p.m. The admission is free and there will be food trucks, a gift card auction and over fifty local vendors.
St. Peter Cathedral seeks Soprano Section Leader & Section Leader Substitutes
St. Peter Cathedral, Erie, is seeking to fill the soprano section leader position in the St. Peter Cathedral Choir. Interested candidates should hold (or be working towards) a bachelor's degree in music, have strong sight-reading skills and strong vocal production with flexibility in a variety of musical styles.
Substitute positions are also open for each choral section (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass). The same qualifications for Section Leader apply.
For additional details about how to apply and schedule an audition, see attachment or visit https://stpetercathedral.com/sacred-music/choral-section-leaders/.
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