August 2, 2021
The next Information Bulletin is Monday, August 9, 2021.
Deadline for submissions is Thursday, August 5, 2021, 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.
Remember to give to the Collection for the Church in Latin America
The Office of Diocesan and International Missions reminds everyone to contribute to the Aug. 14-15 Collection for the Church in Latin America. For many in Latin America and the Caribbean, a rising secular culture, difficult rural terrain and a shortage of ministers all present obstacles to practicing the faith. Your support for the collection provides lay leadership training, catechesis, priestly and religious formation, and other programs. Please be generous to this special collection.
Music directors invited to form choir for Chrism Mass
Attached please find a letter from Dr. Richard Rossi, music director/organist at St. Peter Cathedral, inviting parish music directors to participate in a choir for the Chrism Mass and other diocesan events. If interested, please complete and return the attached reply form.
Catholic Foundation shares tips on planned gifts
According to freewill.com, planned gifts are often rooted in values, making them an excellent match for giving that is faith-inspired. Bequests are a way for donors to make a large, meaningful gift — one they might not be able to make otherwise. It is an incredible way to make a lasting impact. Many planned giving donors like to make bequests in honor of a loved one. It’s one way to see their family or friends live on through the Catholic parishes, schools and ministries they loved. Here are other thoughts to keep in mind:
- Anyone who makes a will can make a planned gift to a nonprofit.
- Donors who are asked to include a gift to an organization in their will or trust are 17 times more likely to make a bequest than those who aren't asked at all.
- By simply asking, your organization could receive more donations and secure its future.
Consider including information on bequest giving in your next outreach to donors.
Obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days reinstated beginning Aug. 15
As of Aug. 15, 2021, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days will be lifted. As always, the obligation does not apply to those with serious illness or health risks, as well as their caregivers. Three documents are attached: Bishop Lawrence Persico’s statement, a letter to the faithful which Bishop Persico asks pastors to publish in bulletins or post on websites, and a joint statement from Pennsylvania bishops. These attachments also are available at www.eriercd.org/news/News-releases.html.
Catholic Foundation awards spring grants, announces fall Education Grant cycle
The Catholic Foundation of Northwest Pennsylvania recently announced that $44,511 was awarded through its 2021 spring grants. Faith Formation Grants and Education Grants were awarded in support of a wide variety of initiatives throughout northwest Pennsylvania. All the details and a list of awardees can be found at https://www.cfnwpa.org/news/catholic-foundation-awards-44-511-in-spring-2021-grant-cycle. The foundation will offer a fall Education Grant opportunity beginning Aug. 16, 2021. Please review the guidelines and criteria at https://www.cfnwpa.org/grant-seekers/education-grant-guidelines.
Samuel Group offered to young adults discerning their futures
The Vocation Office and the Office of Faith Formation for Young Adult and Youth Ministry will again host the Samuel Group, a discernment group for young adults ages 20 to 30. The Samuel Group is a seven-month journey that includes monthly gatherings at St. Mark Catholic Center, spiritual direction, prayer, talks, small group discussion and accompaniment. The goal is for each participant to grow in self-knowledge and to hear and respond to God’s call with an open heart. For an informational video and application details, go to https://www.eriercd.org/youth/samuelgroup.html. For further questions, contact Father Scott Jabo, vocation director, at SWJabo@ErieRCD.org or Jillian Zaczyk, director of Young Adult and Youth Ministry, at jzaczyk@ErieRCD.org. Applications are due by Sept. 1. For convenience, a Samuel Group flier and a suggested bulletin announcement are attached.
Free websites offered to parishes
The Diocese of Erie is pleased to offer free websites to all parishes. Forty-four parishes in our diocese already have taken advantage of this offer. Parishes can join at any time; everything is free, including set-up, ongoing hosting, migration of content from any existing website, training and support. This is a simple system that does not require a technical background in order to manage. Team members at the diocesan administrative offices are ready to help whenever necessary. If interested and to learn more, go to https://www.eriercd.org/parishplace.html.
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 http://ErieCatholic.org/careers.
AttachmentsLetter to parish music directorsForm expressing interest in Chrism Choir Samuel Group flier Bulletin announcement for Samuel Group
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PW Protected Attachments:Clergy and Department Heads click here to login.Letter to parish music directors Form expressing interest in Chrism Choir Bulletin announcement for Samuel Group Samuel Group flier |
Annual garage sale planned at St. Mark the Evangelist
St. Mark the Evangelist Church, 695 Smithson Ave., Lawrence Park, is holding its annual garage sale Aug. 11-14. Hours are Aug. 11 from 2 to 7 p.m., Aug. 12-13 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Aug. 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call the parish office at 814-899-3000, email office@smmc.church or go to www.smmc.church.
Benedictine Sisters offer virtual discernment retreat
The Benedictine Sisters of Erie will offer a virtual retreat beginning Aug. 18 to help seekers work through questions of discernment and vocation. The seven-session retreat will be offered via Zoom and an online forum. Sessions will include content to guide personal reflections and links to media and other resources. There will be opportunities for shared reflection. Registration is underway, with the first Zoom gathering on Aug. 18. There is no charge for the retreat. For more information or to register, go to https://www.eriebenedictines.org/retreat.
Evangelization training offered in Oil City
Thanks to a grant from the Catholic Foundation of Northwest Pennsylvania, St. Joseph Church in Oil City is hosting a Basic Evangelization Training Workshop on Aug. 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 111 Petroleum St., Oil City. The presenter is St. Paul Street Evangelization, a teaching ministry founded in 2012. Learn how to share your faith with confidence and love. Sign up at www.stpaulse.com/oilcity or call the church office at 814-677-3020, ext. 6. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for students. The fee includes a light breakfast and lunch.
Sign up for trip to Europe, Passion Play of Oberammergau
Deacon Denis and Mary Coan of St. John the Baptist Parish, Erie, Father Brian Vossler, pastor of St. George Parish, Erie, and Deacon Bob and Patty Ball, also of St. George, are organizing a trip to Europe in 2022. The Best of Poland, Prague and Germany tour will be July 6-16, 2022. It will include visits to Warsaw, Czestochowa, Krakow, Wadowice, Prague and Munich, including tickets to the world-famous Passion Play of Oberammergau. There is room for nine more couples and/or single travelers with a roommate. For more information, contact Deacon Coan at 814-431-9878 or Deacon Ball at 814-864-0622.
Fundraising/events coordinator needed
Venango Region Catholic School is seeking a fundraising/events coordinator for its two campuses: St. Stephen School and Venango Catholic High School, both in Oil City. See complete position details and the application process at https://www.eriercd.org/images/sections/schools/pdf/openings.pdf. Application deadline is Aug. 13, 2021.
Teaching positions available at Venango Region Catholic School
Venango Region Catholic School is seeking a part-time secondary art teacher and a long-term secondary math substitute. For complete details and the application process, go to https://www.eriercd.org/images/sections/schools/pdf/openings.pdf. Application deadline is Aug. 13, 2021.
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