December 6, 2021

The next Information Bulletin is Monday, December 13, 2021.
Deadline for submissions is Thursday, December 9, 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 submission.

Email your Information Bulletin items to the editor.

#iGiveCatholic preliminary results are in
The Catholic Foundation is happy to announce preliminary results for #iGiveCatholic. Through Dec. 2, $289,403 was raised by 1,487 donors for 95 organizations. As a reminder, all organizations have until 11:59 p.m. EST on Monday, Dec. 6, to enter all their offline #iGC gifts onto their dashboard. Because of this year’s deadline extension, the Catholic Foundation will announce the remainder of the prize winners and final totals on Dec. 7. Stay tuned to the Catholic Foundation Facebook page and the Diocese of EriE-news for updates. Questions? Contact Kathy Grisier at 814-824-1236 or kgrisier@cfnwpa.org.

International Catholic Stewardship Council newsletter
The Catholic Foundation is happy to share the December edition of the International Catholic Stewardship Council newsletter available at https://bit.ly/3obXOrD. 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.

Communications Office requests parish Christmas Eve, Christmas Mass times
Having Christmas Eve and Christmas Mass times, as well as livestream information, all in one place on the diocesan website makes it easy for the public to access this important information. Therefore, the Communications Office of the Diocese of Erie asks each parish to provide the following information by today, Dec. 6. Updates can be made to the site after that date, but it will be launched with the information available on Dec. 15. Please submit the following:

Parish name
Parish town
Parish contact person
Parish contact person email
Parish contact person phone
Christmas Eve Mass times
Christmas Day Mass time(s)
Which Masses will be livestreamed?
The URL where your livestreams will be posted (Please include the actual URL so visitors to the website just have to click on it.)
Restrictions or accommodations in place, such as the need for reservations or the plan for an overflow location with livestream availability
The phone number or email to make reservations, if required.

Note: For convenience, copy and paste the above questions and provide your answers in an email to Anne-Marie Welsh, director of communications, at amwelsh@ErieRCD.org.

Third article on key terms for the Synod on Synodality
Attached is the third 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; two 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.

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.

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.

Attachments

Synod key terms, #3
Young adult silent retreat

Parish Bulletin Announcements

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Synod key terms, #3
Young adult silent retreat

Christmas anticipation service offered at Erie church
The Legion of Mary at Our Mother of Sorrows Parish in Erie is presenting a Christmas anticipation prayer service at St. Casimir Church, 629 Hess Ave., Erie, on Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. Take a step back from the pressing concerns of the season to slow down and — in prayer, silence, song and reflection — anticipate and celebrate the coming of the Lord.

Prayer service for immigrants scheduled Dec. 10
Erie Network Advocates, the Diocese of Erie, Benedictines for Peace, the Sisters of St. Joseph, the Sisters of Mercy, The Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul and others are sponsoring a prayer service, titled “Prayer Service for Immigrants: The Injustice of Title 42,” on Dec. 10 from 4:30 to 5 p.m. at Perry Square, in front of the stage on State Street. Title 42, originally designed to protect public health, is now being used to expel migrants at the border without giving them a chance to apply for asylum.

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.

“Catholics Returning Home” listening sessions offered in Meadville
The Epiphany of the Lord Parish in Meadville is conducting a free series of informal listening sessions, titled “Catholics Returning Home,” on six consecutive evenings beginning Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. at St. Brigid Church, 383 Arch St., Meadville. The series is an invitation to non-practicing Catholics to renew their relationship with the Catholic Church. These listening sessions will be conducted in a support-group format, with updates on the Catholic faith. Former non-practicing Catholics or converts will facilitate the evenings. Everyone is welcome. For more details, call 814-336-1112.

Teacher needed in Clearfield
St. Francis School in Clearfield is seeking a full-time, permanent third-grade teacher. For full details on the position and how to apply, go to https://www.eriercd.org/employment.html.

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.

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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