December 4, 2023
The next Information Bulletin is Monday, December 11, 2023.The deadline for submissions is Thursday, December 7, 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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#iGiveCatholic preliminary results are in
The Catholic Foundation is happy to announce preliminary results for #iGiveCatholic. Through Nov. 30, $370,692.10 was raised by 1,786 donors for 97 organizations in the Diocese of Erie. As a reminder, all organizations have until 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 5 to enter offline #iGC gifts into their dashboard. Due to the extended period to add those gifts, the Catholic Foundation will announce the remainder of the prize winners and final totals after Dec. 6. Stay tuned to the Catholic Foundation Facebook page and the Diocese of EriE-news for updates. Contact Elizabeth Rathburn with questions at erathburn@cfnwpa.org or 814.824.1257.
Mission Office collections funds reminder:
Pastors and administrators are reminded, if you have not already done so, to please submit the funds from the Missionary Cooperative Plan Collection 2023 as well as from the World Mission Sunday 2023 to the Diocesan Mission Office as soon as possible. In general, the proceeds of these collections should be sent to the Mission Office soon after the collection itself so that they can be forwarded to the missionary groups and the Pontifical Mission Society’s national office before the end of the year. If you have any questions or need any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Indira Suarez in the Mission Office at isuarez@eriercd.org or 814.824.1231.
Office for Divine Worship monthly newsletter
The Office for Divine Worship will be presenting a monthly newsletter to aid in preparing celebrations that will occur each month. The December newsletter is attached.
International Catholic Stewardship Council newsletter
The Catholic Foundation is happy to share the attached December edition of the International Catholic Stewardship Council newsletter (English and Spanish versions are available). Pastors and parish staff are encouraged to read and share this publication with their parishioners, using all or parts of it for their parish bulletin, with credit to the author/source.
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.ODW December newsletter ICSC newsletter Clothing Distribution Party Movie night Blue Christmas potluck Advent Lectio Monastery tour and Advent vigils O Antiphons of Advent Holy Hour Bible study program registration |
Clothing Distribution Party
The Community Outreach Group will host its annual Clothing Distribution Party on Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the St. Paul Center, 453 W. 16 St., Erie, adjacent to St. Paul Catholic Church. Attendees can obtain free clothing and coats and enjoy a complimentary hot lunch. Email Tim Nowakowski with questions at TimNow.CommOutrchGrp@gmail.com or text or call at 814.566-6435. See flier for details.
Movie night
St. Francis Xavier Parish will feature The Fourth Wiseman on Dec. 8. A Mass for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is scheduled for 6 p.m., with dinner and the movie following from 7-8:30 p.m. at the parish center, 8880 Main St., McKean. Attendees can RSVP by scanning the QR code in the attachment or visiting the website at www.stfrancisxaviermckean.org. For more information, contact Irene at 814.476.7657 ext. 7 or send an email to evangelization@stfrancisxaviermckean.org.
St. Andrew concert
St. Andrew Parish in Erie invites the community to Getting in the Christmas Spirit, a free public concert featuring Dave VanAmburg's The V Band. The festive event will be held on Dec. 10 at 2:30 p.m. at St. Andrew Church, 1116 West 7 Street, Erie. While admission is free, donations are appreciated, and all proceeds will go to Julia Hospice & Palliative Care.
Blue Christmas potluck
The St. Francis Xavier Parish Bereavement Ministry in McKean is sponsoring a blue Christmas potluck luncheon to remember and honor those who cannot be with us for the holidays. The event will be held on Dec. 14, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., in the Pie Room at St. Francis Xavier Parish Center, 8880 Main St., McKean. For more information, contact Joyce Traenkner at 207.735.3366. See flier for details.
Advent Lectio
The Benedictine Sisters of Erie are offering two reflective, interactive times of Advent Lectio that will invite participants to consider new doors that might be waiting to be opened. Sisters Ann Muczynski, Colleen Leathley and Anne McCarthy will facilitate the session which will include spiritual inspiration, prayer, reflection and sharing. The same session will be offered twice at the monastery, 6101 East Lake Road, Harborcreek. Consider attending on Dec. 13 from 7-8:30 p.m. or Dec. 16 from 3-4:30 p.m. Registration is required and donations are welcome. For more information and to register, email retreats@eriebenedictines.org or call 814.899.0614 ext. 2403.
Monastery tour and Advent vigils
Tour the monastery of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, 6101 East Lake Road, Harborcreek, on Dec. 16 at 4 p.m. Following the guided tour will be supper with the sisters in the monastery dining room, as well as an Advent vigil at 7 p.m. in the chapel. Reservations are needed for the tour and dinner because space is limited. Visit https://eriebenedictines.org/spirituality/advent-tour-reservation-form.html or call Michelle at 814.899.0614 ext. 2507. You are also welcome to attend all the Advent vigils each Saturday during Advent, Dec. 2, 9, 16 and 23 at 7 p.m. in the monastery chapel with no reservations necessary.
O Antiphons of Advent
St. Ann Church in Erie is hosting the O Antiphons of Advent presented by the Legion of Mary on Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. at the church, 921 East Ave., Erie. Take a step back from the pressing concerns of the season to slow down, and in prayer, silence, song, reflection and Adoration, anticipate and celebrate the coming of the Lord. All are welcome and encouraged to join. See flier for details.
Holy Hour
Please join Deacon Dave Jacquel and the parishioners of St. Mark and Mt. Calvary parishes for a Holy Hour for the National Eucharistic Revival on Dec. 16 at 3 p.m. at Mt. Calvary Church, 2022 E. Lake Road, Erie. Call the parish office with questions at 814.899.3000 or email: office@smmc.church. See flier for details.
Bible study program registration
Registration is now open for the next Our Lady of Peace Parish Bible study program, Daniel – a study of faith under pressure. All are welcome to learn through the lessons from the prophet Daniel. There are two sessions available: Tuesday nights from 7-8:30 p.m. beginning Jan 9 through March 5 or Wednesday mornings from 10-11:30 a.m. beginning Jan. 10 through March 6. The cost is $10 and includes the workbook and materials. The deadline for registration is Dec. 20. Call Mary Beth Whitman with questions at 814.833.7701 ext. 202. The registration form is attached.
Special retreat opportunity for young adults between 19 and 35.
The Diocese of Erie is sponsoring a five-day retreat for college-age and young adults under the age of 35 from Jan. 3-7. The retreat will take place at the Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center, 2067 Evergreen Rd, Pulaski, Pennsylvania. Applications are still being accepted, but space is limited. For more information, contact either of the retreat organizers, Jillian Zaczyk, at jzaczyk@eriercd.org or Dave Roncolato at droncola@allegheny.edu. The application for the retreat can be found at https://www.eriercd.org/youth/silentretreat.html.
Make a candle for Candlemas
St. Francis Xavier Parish in McKean, in partnership with Wicks & Wax Studio, invites you to Make a Candle for Candlemas Day. The candle-making sessions are available on Jan. 6 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. or Jan. 7 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Parish Center, 8880 Main St., McKean. The cost is $30. Additionally, join Adoration and Benediction on Feb. 2 at 5:50 p.m. To RSVP, contact Irene Schneider at 814.476.7657 ext. 7 or via email at evangelization@stfrancisxaviermckean.org. Visit www.stfrancisxaviermckean.org for more information. See flier for more details at https://www.eriercd.org/images/pdf/Candlemas Candle Making.pdf
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