February 10, 2020
The next Information Bulletin is Tuesday, February 18, 2020, due to President's Day.Deadline for submissions is Thursday, February 13, at 4:30 p.m.
Email your Information Bulletin items to the editor.
Young adult Lenten retreat
The Office of Young Adult and Youth Ministry is offering a free, eight-week Lenten retreat Feb. 20 to April 9. This retreat will be offered in an online, small-group option, or in person or via Skype/Facetime individually. Register at www.ErieRCD.org/youth/. For more information, contact Jillian Zaczyk, director of the Office of Young Adult and Youth Ministry, at jzaczyk@ErieRCD.org. Feel free to use the attached flier to advertise this opportunity at your school or parish.
Seminary Discernment Weekend
Any young man who is a high school junior or older and is seriously considering applying to seminary is encouraged to attend the Seminary Discernment Weekend April 4-5 at St. Mark Seminary in Erie. The weekend is designed to assist young men to discern whether they might be called to diocesan priesthood, to familiarize them with the basic goals of seminary formation, and to help each individual determine whether he is ready to move forward with the application process. There will be presentations by seminary faculty and seminarians, informal interaction with seminarians, a tour of Gannon University in Erie, Liturgy of the Hours, Eucharistic Adoration, confession and Palm Sunday Mass. Accommodations and all meals are at no cost. For further information and/or to register for the weekend, contact Father Mike Polinek, vocations director, at 814-824-1202 or at mpolinek@ErieRCD.org.
Liturgy preparation aid for Lent, Easter Triduum, Easter season
The Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions (FDLC) makes available the attached liturgy preparation aid for Lent, the Easter Triduum and the Easter season. This aid contains a presider’s text for the Rite of Reconciliation, music suggestions, a summary of lectionary readings for Sundays and solemnities, preparation sheets for RCIA, Palm Sunday, the Easter Triduum and more. Please share this information with all those who might use it.
2020 Catholic Foundation grant opportunities
- Faith formation grants: Feb. 28 is the deadline for parishes and diocesan departments to apply for a faith formation grant from the Catholic Foundation. Please note that this is the only faith formation grant cycle in 2020. Are you planning a project that promotes lifelong faith formation or welcomes absentee or non-Catholics to church? To learn more, go to https://www.cfnwpa.org/grant-seekers/faith-formation-endowment-guidelines. Examples of grants awarded in last year’s application cycle can be found at https://www.cfnwpa.org/news/2020-faith-formation-grant-cycle-opens. For your convenience, guidelines are attached.
- Education grants: The application cycle opens Feb. 10 to apply for an education grant. Are your parish lay ministers or lay staff planning to attend a conference this year? Do you need technology for your parish or school? Are you planning a religious education or faith formation project? Learn more at https://www.cfnwpa.org/grant-seekers/education-grant-guidelines. For your convenience, guidelines are attached.
Catholic Services Appeal information
The Catholic Foundation of Northwest Pennsylvania is pleased to announce that the 2019 Catholic Services Appeal raised more than $5.6 million, nearly $1.4 million of which remained with parishes. As the diocese kicks off the 2020 campaign this month, let the Catholic Foundation know how it can assist you by calling 814-825-1253.
Mass time websites for vacationers may have incorrect information
The following websites provide Mass times to travelers and others: masstimes.org, parishesonline.com, catholicmasstime.org, ourcatholicneighborhood.com and discovermass.com. These organizations may list out-of-date information for your parish. The Diocese of Erie does not directly authorize these sites to list its information. Parish staff are asked to regularly check information on these websites to ensure information is up-to-date and accurate for visitors to our area.
Learn how to spot, avoid and report tech support scams
Tech support scammers want you to believe you have a serious problem, like a virus, with your computer. A three-minute video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THYmUx3ofJk explains how to spot a scam. Visit https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-spot-avoid-and-report-tech-support-scams for more information from the FTC on tech support scams.
Good for You Wellness Initiative
It’s not too late to participate in the Diocese of Erie’s Good for You Wellness Initiative. The program is available to full-time employees covered by the Diocese of Erie’s wellness plan. Just complete four easy steps to earn a $150 reward. Learn more at https://www.eriercd.org/wellness.html.
It’s no secret February is all about hearts — but not just the candy kind. It’s also American Heart Month, a time to focus on keeping families and communities free from heart disease, the No. 1 killer of Americans. The attached flier provides 10 tips to help individuals maintain a heart healthy lifestyle.
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.
AttachmentsYoung adult Lenten retreatLiturgy preparation aid Faith formation grant overview Education grant overview Heart health
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Searching for a pre-Lenten retreat?
Getting ready for Lent? Singles and couples are invited to a pre-Lenten retreat Feb. 21-22 at St. Thomas More House of Prayer in Cranberry. Retreat master is Father Dan Hoffman. For more information and a complete retreat schedule, visit www.eriercd.org/chastity and click on the retreat tile. Questions? Call or email Kate Wilson at 814-824-1261 or kwilson@ErieRCD.org. The retreat is sponsored by Chastity Education of the Diocese of Erie.
Gear up for Mardi Gras celebration
St. Francis Xavier Parish in McKean is hosting its annual Mardi Gras celebration Feb. 22 from 6 to 10 p.m. Admission only for those 21 and older. Tickets are $15 each. Cost includes pulled pork sandwiches, Smith hot dogs, jambalaya, beer, soda, snacks and a dessert table. A basket raffle and separate large item raffle will be held, as well as instant bingos and tip boards on numerous items. There will be $5 chances on two tickets to the Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitols game March 7 (seating is in the Captain Morgan Section). For admission tickets and/or Penguins chances, call the church office at 814-476-7657.
Register today for 22:32 Men
Attend 22:32 Men, a Catholic men’s conference sponsored by The Reason for Our Hope Foundation, on Feb. 29 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Peace Church, 2401 W. 38th St., Erie. More than 500 men from throughout the diocese and beyond are expected to attend. Grow in your relationship with the Lord through inspiring speakers and opportunities for prayer, Eucharistic Adoration and reconciliation, as well as Mass with Bishop Lawrence Persico. Bring a notebook, a Bible and an open heart. For more information and to register, go to www.2232Men.com or call 814-455-7364.
Plan to attend the Shadow Drama of the Stations of the Cross
Save the date for the contemporary Shadow Drama of the Stations of the Cross at Holy Cross Church, 7100 W. Ridge Road, Fairview, March 8 at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome to join this Lenten experience presented by the youth of the parish. For further details, go to www.hc-parish.org or call 814-474-2605.
Erie Catholic Preparatory School System seeks president
The Erie Catholic Preparatory School System (Cathedral Preparatory School, Villa Maria Academy and Mother Teresa Academy) is accepting applications for the position of president. For complete information on the system and the position, go to https://www.eriercd.org/employment.html.
Teacher, principal and president positions available
The following job openings are available elsewhere in the Diocese of Erie. For details, go to https://www.eriercd.org/employment.html.
- Full-time high school English teacher, Kennedy Catholic Family of Schools, Hermitage
- Principal, St. Michael Elementary School, Greenville
- President, Shenango Valley Catholic School System
- Principal, St. Gregory School, North East
Youth minister needed at Our Lady of Mercy, St. Mark
The parishes of Our Lady of Mercy, Harborcreek, and St. Mark the Evangelist, Lawrence Park, are seeking an energetic, creative person dedicated to working with teens as a youth minister. This is a full- or part-time position. For details, go to https://www.eriercd.org/employment.html.
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.