August 28, 2023
Due to the Labor Day holiday, the next Information Bulletin is Tuesday, September 5, 2023.The deadline for submissions is Thursday, August 31, 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.
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2023 Catholic Education Collection
Please find attached Bishop Persico’s letter introducing the 2023 Catholic Education Collection, to be taken the weekend of Sept. 16-17. Parishes are asked to publicize this collection in a significant way on the weekend of Sept. 9-10.
Start a Catholic men's fellowship group: Guidance available
The men of Saint George Parish in Erie have established a Catholic men’s fellowship group known as Roman Catholic Knight, meeting every Saturday morning for the past two years. They offer help to other parishes to start similar groups using an easy and effective one-page template. To learn more and find support in starting a men's fellowship at your parish, visit www.romancatholicknight.org or contact Matt Hersch at 814.566.3268.
Microsoft Office 365
Microsoft is ending support for older versions of Office 365, impacting users of older versions by no longer providing security updates. This leaves old software vulnerable to malicious code and hacker exploits. Clergy using Office 2016 or Office 2019 to check their eriercd.org email may begin experiencing difficulties reading emails after Oct. 2023. If you wish to upgrade to the newest version of Office for $36/year, or if you are experiencing difficulties, contact Kathy Papalia at 814.824.1184. Make sure to stay informed and take the necessary steps to keep your software secure and functional. Clergy experiencing problems accessing email after Oct. 2023, should upgrade or check their email here: http://outlook.office365.com.
2023 Catholic Foundation fall Education Grant opportunity
The Catholic Foundation has awarded $56,817 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/catholic-foundation-of-northwest-pennsylvania-awards-56-817-in-2023-spring-grant-cycle.
The foundation’s fall Education Grant cycle is now open, and applications are being accepted through Sept. 29. Is your parish planning to bring in a presenter for a parish mission or Lenten program? Are your parish lay ministers or lay staff planning to attend a conference, workshop or retreat in 2024? 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 at the following link to learn more: https://www.cfnwpa.org/grant-seekers/education-grant-guidelines. Contact Julia Cooney, operations director, with questions at jcooney@cfnwpa.org or 814.824.1253.
#iGiveCatholic registration now open
The Catholic Foundation is facilitating the annual #iGiveCatholic giving day campaign for the Catholic community of the Diocese of Erie on Nov. 28. Eligible parishes, schools and Catholic ministries should have received a registration email from Elizabeth Rathburn. Registration deadline is Nov. 3. The Catholic Foundation is ready to help your organization be successful with #iGiveCatholic. Contact Elizabeth at 814.824.1257 or erathburn@cfnwpa.org with questions.
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.
PW Protected Attachments:Clergy and Department Heads click here to login.Catholic Education Collection NFP family campout Garage sale Eucharistic adoration schedule Jesus & the Eucharist Study Taste of Poland Dinner National Eucharistic Congress pilgrimage Development director |
NFP family campout
Join the NFP family campout from Sept. 8-10 at Custaloga Town Scout Reservation, 7 Boy Scout Lane, Carlton. The weekend will include a Mass at 1 p.m. on Sunday, followed by a picnic. Reservations are needed for this special camping event. For more information and to RSVP, visit www.eriercd.org/chastity/campout.html. See flier for details.
Garage sale
Join St. Stanislaus Parish for a garage sale on Sept. 8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sept. 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The sale will take place at 517 E. 12th St., Erie. Don't miss out on the chance to find some treasures and support the parish. See flier for details.
Eucharistic adoration schedule
St. Francis Xavier Parish in McKean invites all to encounter Jesus through Eucharistic adoration. Opportunities for adoration are available at the church, 8880 Main St., McKean, on Tuesdays from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. with praise and worship from 8 to 9 p.m. and on first Fridays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Whether you seek silent contemplation, heartfelt connection, or guided prayer, these sessions provide a time to be present with God. See flier for details.
Jesus & the Eucharist Study
St. Francis Xavier Parish in McKean is hosting a free study on Jesus and the Eucharist as part of the Eucharistic Revival. The study is open to all, including Catholics, non-Catholics, youth, and adults. Sessions will be held on Monday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. (Sept. 18 to Oct. 30) and Wednesday mornings from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Sept. 20 to Nov. 1) at St. Francis Xavier Church, 8880 Main St, McKean. Attendees are encouraged to come to all sessions, or as their schedule allows, and missed sessions can be caught up online. To sign up or for more information, visit www.stfrancisxaviermckean.org or call Irene at 814.476.7657 ext. 7. See flier for details.
September retreats
Bethany Retreat Center in Frenchville has announced its schedule of retreats for September, offering a variety of spiritual and creative experiences. The lineup includes a couples retreat on love and marriage, a labyrinth walk, workshops on poetry inspiration and well-being, drum making, and a session on dealing with sudden loss. There's even a forest therapy retreat for those seeking a connection with nature. For more information or to register for any of these events, visit the Bethany Retreat Center online at www.bethanyretreatcenter.org or call at 814.263.4855.
Taste of Poland Dinner
St. Stanislaus Parish in Erie invites you to savor the Taste of Poland Dinner on Oct. 8 from 12 to 5 p.m. at the parish hall, 516 E. 13th St., Erie. Enjoy a traditional Polish meal featuring pierogi, sausage, golabki, mashed potatoes and gravy and kapusta. Take-out options are available. Adult tickets are $15, ages six–12 are $6, and children under five are free. The event also features czarnina and frozen pierogi for sale, a bake sale, a gift auction, a theme basket auction and a 50/50 raffle. See flier for details.
National Eucharistic Congress pilgrimage
Join the Diocese of Erie for the first National Eucharistic Congress in over 80 years. The Diocesan Eucharistic Adoration Committee is organizing a bus pilgrimage, departing on July 17, 2024, and returning on July 21, 2024. Watch for reservations opening in September, with buses departing from two separate locations within the diocese. All packages include events at the Indianapolis Convention Center and the closing Mass at Lucas Oil Stadium. See flier for packages and estimated pricing.
Development director
The Catholic Foundation of Northwest Pennsylvania is hiring a development director to join their dynamic team. They are seeking an organized, energetic professional who enjoys working on a wide variety of projects to further the mission, awareness and impact of the Catholic Foundation. For full position details and the application process, go to https://www.cfnwpa.org/employment.
Director of educational leadership
The Catholic Schools Office of the Diocese of Erie is seeking candidates for the position of director of educational leadership. The director of educational leadership is responsible for developing educational leaders at all levels for Catholic schools in the Diocese of Erie and assists the superintendent in setting high expectations, providing support and accountability. The ideal candidate will fulfill the mission of the Catholic schools by guiding school administrators in the overall management and implementation of curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices. For full position details and how to apply, visit https://www.eriercd.org/employment.html.
St. Martin Early Learning Center enrollment
St. Martin Early Learning Center (SMELC) in Erie, a program of St. Martin Center, is now enrolling ages infant through 4 years. SMELC is a quality center with a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Call Kelly at 814.454.1675 ext. 120 for enrollment information.
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