December 13, 2021
Due to early parish bulletin deadlines for Christmas, the next Information Bulletin is this Friday, December 17, 2021.
Deadline for submissions is Thursday, December 16, 2021, at noon.
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 submission
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#iGiveCatholic final results are in
The Catholic Foundation is happy to announce the final results for #iGiveCatholic. With all offline gifts tallied, $340,054 was raised by 1,653 donors for 95 organizations. Organizations that were fiscally sponsored by the Catholic Foundation will receive a check by the end of the year from the Catholic Foundation. To read more about the campaign, including prize winners and sponsoring business and individuals, visit https://www.cfnwpa.org/news/catholic-generosity-remarkable-for-igivecatholic. Questions? Contact Kathy Grisier at 814-824-1236 or kgrisier@cfnwpa.org.
Fourth article on key terms for the Synod on Synodality
Attached is the fourth article on key terms for the 2023 Synod on Synodality. Pope Francis has asked all of us to contribute our insights to this synod, the theme of which is “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission.” The diocesan phase is taking place this winter and spring. The Chancery has developed a series of educational articles concerning key terms that are important to the process. Parishes are asked to insert these articles in their bulletins in the coming weeks. There are a total of four articles in the series; three have been published in the Information Bulletin so far. One is published here each week for inclusion in parish bulletins. After the first four weeks, the series will be repeated for another four weeks. For information on this series, call the Chancery at 814-824-1130.
REEF grant opportunity
The Religious Education Enrichment Fund (REEF) of the Diocese of Erie has four grant cycles per year. Nearly $180,000 in REEF grants was awarded in 2021. The 2022 first quarter cycle deadline is Jan. 1, 2022. Three types of funding opportunities are available for individuals, parishes, schools and other diocesan-affiliated entities: 1) Leadership Training for professional education and training; 2) Creative Project for faith-based formation start-up projects; and 3) Ministry Training for conferences, workshops and non-degree certificate courses. Learn more and download the fillable applications at: https://www.eriercd.org/schools/reefgrants.html. Contact Kathleen Robbinson, REEF administrator, at 814-824-1220.
A thank-you and reminder regarding the Missionary Cooperative Plan
The Mission Office of the Diocese of Erie thanks all parishes that participated in the optional Missionary Cooperative Plan 2021. Any parishes that have not yet sent the funds collected for the Missionary Cooperative Plan are asked to forward them to the Mission Office as soon as possible. For any questions, contact Indira J. Suarez, director of the Mission Office, at isuarez@ErieRCD.org or 814-8241231.
Diocesan microsite regarding the Synod is launched
All information pertaining to the Synod on Synodality, including a downloadable prayer card, news releases, social media links and a direct link to the Vatican’s site on the same topic, can now be found at www.ErieRCD.org/synod.html. The site will be updated regularly.
Special appeal for retired priests, sisters
A special appeal featured in the December edition of Faith magazine supports retired diocesan priests and retired religious sisters of the Diocese of Erie. Bishop Lawrence Persico has given permission to the Good Shepherd Fund for retired diocesan priests and to the Office for Religious to promote this joint appeal. Due to the pandemic, contributions to retired priests and sisters have declined. Donations to this special appeal will support the faithful servants who have impacted the lives of so many people in the Diocese of Erie and beyond. To donate, please make a check payable to the Diocese of Erie and place it in the envelope provided in Faith magazine. Individual donations may be made to one or split between both the sisters and priests. Mail the envelope or drop it in the offertory collection at your parish. If you wish to use a credit or debit card, go to https://www.eriercd.org/RetiredSistersAndPriests.html. Pastors are asked to return envelopes, unopened, to Sister Nancy Fischer, SSJ, Office for Religious, St. Mark Catholic Center, 429 E. Grandview Blvd., Erie, PA 16504.
Note: This special appeal is in addition to the Retirement Fund for Religious Collection and the Good Shepherd Collection, which are held separately.
Cursillo weekends planned for men and women in the spring
The Erie Cursillo Movement is currently planning and accepting candidate applications for a Men’s Cursillo Feb. 11-13, 2022, and a Women’s Cursillo April 29 to May 1, 2022. Applications can be found at www.eriecursillo.org or by calling the Cursillo office at 814-824-1119. If interested, ask someone you know who has completed a Cursillo weekend to serve as your sponsor.
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.
AttachmentsSynod key terms, #4Young adult silent retreat
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PW Protected Attachments:Clergy and Department Heads click here to login.Synod key terms, #4 Young adult silent retreat |
Living Nativity planned at Erie parish
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, 1531 E Grandview Blvd., Erie, will hold its first Living Nativity on Dec. 19 from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Parking attendants will direct traffic. There will be a donkey and goats on-hand, as well as free hot chocolate. For more information, contact Sue Berdis at 814 825-7313, ext. 5.
Bethany Retreat Center offers retreats in 2022
Bethany Retreat Center in Frenchville has a variety of retreats planned for 2022. Go to www.bethanyretreatcenter.org to see what retreats are in the works. In addition, Bethany offers private retreats for groups and organizations and personal retreats for individuals wishing to get away for silence and solitude. To inquire, call 814-263-4855.
Special retreat opportunity for young adults between 19 and 35.
The Diocese of Erie is sponsoring a retreat Jan. 3-7 for college-age young people and young adults under the age of 35 at the Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center south of Sharon. Applications are still being accepted, but space is limited. For more information, contact either of the retreat organizers: Jillian Zaczyk (jzaczyk@eriercd.org) or Dave Roncolato (droncola@allegheny.edu). The application for the retreat can be found under Young Adult Ministry (Silent Retreat) at https://www.eriercd.org/youth/silentretreat.html. See the attached flier, which can be inserted in bulletins.
Principal position available
The Erie Catholic School System is seeking to fill the position of principal at St. Luke School in Erie. For details on the position and how to apply, go to https://www.eriercd.org/schools/Administrator.html.
Pews requested
Almakarim Islamic Foundation is looking for used or new pews. Please contact Mazin Alsahlani at 814-323-2503 (text message or call) or email malsahlani@hotmail.com.
Thank you from Boy Scout Troop 59
Boy Scout Troop 59 from Our Lady of Peace Parish, Erie, thanks all of those who contributed in any way to their recent Christmas garage sale. Please save regular items for the next garage sale, planned for June 11, 2022. For more information, contact Alyson Dana at 814-490-3493 or Alysondana81@gmail.com.
Women of Grace offers events
Women of Grace, an international apostolate, is welcoming Johnnette Benkovic Williams to Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Harrisburg for a one-day conference on April 2, 2022. At the same time, there is a Young Women of Grace Retreat offered for girls ages 12 to 17. For more details, contact Chris Arnold at carnold@womenofgrace.com or 717-379-6041.
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