August 31, 2020
The next Information Bulletin is Tuesday, September 8, 2020, due to Labor Day.Deadline for submissions is Thursday, September 3, at 4:30 p.m.
Email your Information Bulletin items to the editor.
2020 Catholic Education Collection
Pastors and administrators will find attached Bishop Lawrence Persico’s letter introducing the 2020 Catholic Education Collection. Parishes are asked to publicize this collection in a significant way on the weekend of Sept. 12-13. The collection is the weekend of Sept. 19-20.
Catholic Education Collection support to parishes
Promotional materials and posters for the Catholic Education Collection, recently mailed to pastors and administrators, also can be found at https://www.eriercd.org/Catholic-Education-Collection.html. Please use this information to encourage support among parishioners. Remember that half of what is collected remains in parishes to support educational and faith formation programs.
Revised second collection schedule
Attached please find the revised second collection schedule for the remainder of 2020. Please note that the Peter’s Pence Collection has been moved by Pope Francis to the weekend of Oct. 4.
Catholic Foundation 2020 fall education grant opportunity
Are your parish lay ministers or lay staff planning to attend a conference, workshop or retreat next year? Are you planning a new religious education or faith formation project for your parish or school? Is your school or faith formation program in need of updated technology? Your project may be a good fit for the Catholic Foundation’s 2020 fall education grant opportunity. Consider applying soon. Applications are being accepted through Sept. 26. Go to the following link to learn more: https://www.cfnwpa.org/grant-seekers/education-grant-guidelines.
September priests’ retreat
Registration is open for the diocesan sponsored priests’ retreat to be held Sept. 14-18, 2020, at Good Shepherd Parish in West Middlesex. See the attached flier for more information. Please direct questions to Maria Caulfield in the Chancery at 814-824-1135.
Office for Religious thanks sisters for rural ministry in the Eastern Vicariate
The Office for Religious is sad to announce that Benedictine Sisters Phyllis Schleicher and Mary Hoffman are retiring from their position as directors of Catholic Rural Ministry in the Eastern Vicariate. For 21 years, they have served the people of Potter and McKean counties, providing help for those in need and offering spiritual enrichment opportunities to the parishioners of this area. The diocese is grateful for their ministry and the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, the Sisters of Mercy and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania are hoping to enable the outreach to continue. Any religious sister who might be interested in filling one of these positions or who wants more information may contact Sister Nancy Fischer, SSJ, at nfischer@ErieRCD.org or 814-824-1217.
Disposition of sacred items
Some sacred items that are no longer of service in a parish or chapel may be given to the Chancery for proper disposition. The Chancery is accepting (old or worn out) liturgical books, liturgical vestments (except albs) and liturgical vessels (i.e., chalices, ciboria, etc.) from parishes that no longer need these items. The Chancery is not accepting other items that include statues, pictures, hymn books, etc. If you have questions or wish to drop off items, please contact Sister Kathleen Dietz, FSO, kdietz@ErieRCD.org or 814-824-1135.
Missionary Cooperative Appeal collection
Bishop Lawrence Persico encourages pastors to conduct a Missionary Cooperative Appeal collection in the coming weeks. As a result of the pandemic, all 2020 MCP visits to our diocese had to be cancelled. Yet, financial need still exists in missionary territories. Bishop Persico has authorized an optional MCP weekend and second collection any weekend through the end of September. Pastors and/or deacons are asked to dedicate their homilies to explaining the church’s missionary responsibility. All proceeds will be divided equally among the 35 missionary groups that were invited this year. The Diocese of Erie hopes to provide some support to missionary groups that were counting on our help. Bishop Persico’s letter and homily notes are attached.
Celebrate milestone anniversaries
It has been a joy for the Diocese of Erie to recently honor through prayer and gifts those couples celebrating milestone anniversaries. All are invited to continue the celebration remotely. Strengthen your own marriage or vocation and give thanks for anniversary couples by visiting https://www.eriercd.org/familylifeoffice/ac.html. The site lists anniversary honorees along with their submitted stories and photos.
Special note for parishes using Parish Data Systems (PDS) software
Some parishes may be paying monthly support charges for PDS applications that they are no longer using. Check your most recent bill from PDS. Parishes are required to carry monthly support for Church Office at a cost of $39 per month. (Church Office On-Demand users pay $65.50, plus $6.50 per user.) If your invoice is more than $39 per month (or $65.50, plus $6.50 per user for On-Demand users), you are being billed for support on more than one application. This may be OK, but it’s not a bad idea to confirm the charges with PDS since the invoice may not include a detailed description of each support charge. Contact PDS at 877-737-4457 for a detailed description of your support fees. If you still have questions after talking to PDS, contact Kathy Papalia at kpapalia@ErieRCD.org or call her at 814-824-1184.
Love My Neighbor: Civility in Dialogue
Join the Social Justice & Life Office of the Diocese of Erie on Sept. 3 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom as Bishop Lawrence Persico and a representative of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development explore civil dialogue. As followers of Christ, we are called to bring the best of ourselves and our faith to the public square — and yet, many conversations have become filled with vitriol and harsh language. This presentation offers suggestions and insight on how to love our neighbors with whom we might disagree. Register for this event at: https://form.jotform.com/202113804687049. Questions may be directed to Patrice Swick, director of the Social Justice & Life Office, at pswick@ErieRCD.org.
Samuel Group: a new initiative for young adults discerning any vocation
Just because everyone else seems to think you are prepared for life as an adult doesn’t mean you aren’t wrestling with the big questions. Not to worry — you are not alone! The Vocations Office and the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry are collaborating on a new initiative called Samuel Group. Are you contemplating marriage? Wondering if you are being called to the priesthood or religious life? Samuel Group may be just what you need. Young adults ages 20 to 30 are encouraged to participate in 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. Space is limited.
Please visit www.eriercd.org/youth/samuelgroup.html for an informational video, directions on how to apply and a downloadable flier. For convenience, the Samuel Group flier is attached and may be shared. For further information, contact Father Mike Polinek, director of Vocations, at mpolinek@ErieRCD.org or Jillian Zaczyk, director of Young Adult and Youth Ministry, at jzaczyk@ErieRCD.org.
Microsoft Office deadline approaching
Microsoft Office 2016 for Mac users and Office 2010 for PC users will reach end of support on Oct. 13, 2020. Microsoft will no longer provide support for technical issues, fixes for problems or security updates for vulnerabilities. Using expired versions of Office will put your parishioners’ data at risk. Looking to upgrade Office or not sure what version you’re using? Email Kathy Papalia at it@ErieRCD.org or call 814-824-1184.
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. For Erie Catholic School System jobs only, go to http://ErieCatholic.org/careers.
AttachmentsMissionary Cooperative letter 2020Missionary Cooperative homily notes Samuel Group Estate planning seminar
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PW Protected Attachments:Clergy and Department Heads click here to login.Catholic Education Collection letter Revised second collection schedule Priests’ retreat Missionary Cooperative letter 2020 Missionary Cooperative homily notes Samuel Group Estate planning seminar |
Estate planning seminar scheduled at St. Peter Cathedral
The public is invited to attend an estate planning seminar featuring Erie attorney Thomas Hoffman at St. Peter Cathedral on Sept. 30. Register by Sept. 23 by calling 814-453-6677. See the attached flier for complete details about the event.
Blessed Sacrament fall festival will be Sept. 27
This year’s fall festival at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Erie will be done virtually on Facebook Sept. 27 from noon to 5 p.m. for a cash raffle. There will be a $500 drawing every half-hour from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Other prizes and times are: 3:30 p.m. for $1,500; 4 p.m. for $2,500; 4:30 p.m. for $3,000; and 5 p.m. for the grand prize of $5,000. Tickets are $5 each and are available at the parish office, located at 1626 W. 26th St., until Friday, Sept. 25. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Principal position open at St. Gregory Catholic School
A principal position is open at St. Gregory Catholic School in North East for the 2020-21 school year. For complete details, go to https://www.eriercd.org/employment.html.
Position available at St. Martin Center in Erie
St. Martin Center in Erie has an opening for donor relations specialist. Find complete details at https://www.stmartincenter.org/who-we-are/careers.html.
Administrative assistant needed at Diocese of Erie
The Diocese of Erie’s Clergy Personnel Office is seeking a full-time administrative assistant. For details on the position and how to apply, go to https://www.eriercd.org/employment.html.
Chastity education director needed
The Office of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Erie is seeking a part-time director of chastity education. For details about the position and how to apply, go to https://www.eriercd.org/employment.html.
Music director needed at St. Joseph/Bread of Life Community
St. Joseph/Bread of Life Community Parish in Erie is seeking a part-time music director who would be responsible for the development, promotion and growth of the music program of the parish community. Qualified candidates must have the experience and ability to lead both traditional and contemporary styles of worship within the Catholic liturgy. Mostly flexible hours and duties primarily on Saturday and Sunday. The position is under the supervision of the pastor. If interested, call the parish office at 814-452-2982.
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.