February 12, 2024
Due to the President's Day holiday, the next Information Bulletin is Tuesday, February 20, 2024.The deadline for submissions is Thursday, February 15, 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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All are invited to take part in the interim phase of the Synod on Synodality
Many parishioners from the Diocese of Erie participated in parish-level listening sessions during Phase I of the Synod on Synodality held in the winter of 2021-22. Following the international gathering in Rome last fall, synod organizers now are asking dioceses to cultivate additional dialogue before its planned October 2024 session. The Diocese of Erie is therefore facilitating additional opportunities to deepen and broaden their prayerful reflection. Sessions — open to all — will be held via Zoom in the diocese on Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 8 pm, Thursday, Feb. 29 at 10 am, and Tuesday, March 5 at 12 pm. Registration is available at https://forms.office.com/r/47PyuTyARs. Please see the attached infographic for a quick overview of progress to date. More information about the synodal process and its history in the Diocese of Erie can be found at https://www.eriercd.org/synod.html.
Catholic Foundation spring Education Grant opportunity
The Catholic Foundation of Northwest Pennsylvania’s spring Education Grant cycle is now open. Applications are being accepted through March 18, 2024. Is your parish planning to bring in a presenter for a parish mission or Advent program? Are you planning a new religious education or faith formation project for your parish or Catholic school? Are your parish lay ministers or lay staff planning to attend a conference, workshop or retreat this summer or fall? Is your school or faith formation program in need of updated technology? Your project may meet the criteria for this grant opportunity. Review the guidelines and criteria at the following web page: www.cfnwpa.org/grant-seekers/education-grant-guidelines. Questions? Contact Julia Cooney, Operations Director, at jcooney@cfnwpa.org or 814-824-1253. To read about our most recent group of grantees, go to https://www.cfnwpa.org/news/catholic-foundation-announces-2023-fall-grant-awards.
Dates adjusted for February and March St. Mark Seminary Auxiliary meetings
The dates for the next two meetings of the St. Mark Seminary Auxiliary have been updated since the publication of the February edition of Faith magazine. All are welcome to attend the gatherings beginning with a 7 pm Mass at St. Mark Catholic Center, 429 E. Grandview Blvd., Erie, on Tuesday, February 13, and Tuesday, March 12. Mass will be followed by fellowship with the seminarians and a short business meeting for the auxiliary, an organization that has long provided support for students at St. Mark Seminary.
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.Synod chronology All Saints Lenten fish dinners St. George Soup, Salad & Soul Blessed Sacrament Lenten fish dinners St. Luke Lenten fish dinners Holy Hour graphic St. Luke series on raising children St. Martin Center Best Coffee graphic Seeking the Heart of God in Scripture and Art St. Eulalia Women’s retreat |
Bethany Retreat Center offers Lenten series on prayer
In prayer, not only do we call out to God, but God endlessly calls out to us, enfolding us in mercy, drawing us close in love. Yet prayer can be daunting. We may not be sure where to begin or how to continue. In Prayer, Biblical Wisdom for Seeking God, Michelle Franci-Donnay explores what Scripture teaches us about prayer with insightful commentary on three key passages. The voices of the psalmist, St. Paul and Jesus are guides in this rich volume on one of the most essential topics of the spiritual life. Join Sister Ruth Ann Madera, CA, on the following Sundays: February 18, 25 and March 3, 10 and 17 at 4 pm at the Bethany Retreat Center, 1031 Germania Rd, Frenchville. Books will be provided. RSVP: 814.263.4855.
St. Joseph Parish, Force, offers fish/shrimp Lenten dinners
Fish/shrimp dinners will be available at St. Joseph Church, 17764 Bennetts Valley Highway in Force on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14, and every Friday through Good Friday, March 29, from noon to 6:30 pm or until sold out. Dinners include choice of haddock fish or fantail shrimp, choice of potato, coleslaw, salad or soup, and bread and drink. Cost is $15; take-outs and limited delivery available. Join us as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of our annual Lenten dinners.
Fish dinners available at All Saints Parish, Waterford
All Saints Parish, 11264 Rt. 97N in Waterford, is offering Lenten fish dinners February 16 and 23, March 1, 8, 15, and 22 from 4:30 pm to 7 pm. Cost is $15 for adults, $5 for children under 12 and toddlers will eat for free. Choose from baked or fried whitefish, baked potato or French fries, coleslaw, roll & butter, applesauce, coffee, juice, water and homemade desserts. Takeout available by calling the parish at 814.796.3023 after 4:30 pm on Fridays. Flyer attached.
St. George Parish, Erie, hosts Lenten series: Soup, Salad and Soul
Join St. George Parish, 5145 Peach St., Erie, as they host their 16th annual Lenten series: Soup, Salad and Soul on Tuesday evenings during Lent. Mass begins at 5:15, followed by a meal of homemade soup and salad, after which a guest speaker will be featured. The lineup this year includes Father Jason Feigh on Feb. 20, Father Ross Miceli on Feb. 27, Father Marc Stockton on March 5, Father Chris Beran on March 12 and seminarian Joe Preston on March 19. Dinner begins at 6 pm in the school cafeteria. This is a free event, however donations are always accepted. Flyer attached.
Lenten fish dinners at Blessed Sacrament Parish, Erie
Mark your calendars for the Lenten fish dinners at Blessed Sacrament Parish, 1626 West 26th St., Erie, scheduled for Feb. 16, March 1 and March 15, 4:30 to 7 pm. Take-outs available or order ahead for curbside pickup at: https://kofc278.square.site/fish-dinner. See attached flyer for details.
St. Luke Parish, Erie, offers Lenten dinners
St. Luke Parish in Erie is hosting Lenten fish dinners on Feb. 16 and 23 as well as March 1 and 8 from 5 to 7 pm in the St. Luke Café, 421 E. 38th St., Erie. Please see the attached flyer with more details suitable for bulletin use.
Our Lady of the Lake Parish, Edinboro, announces Lenten dinners
The Knights of Columbus Council 6191 of Our Lady of the Lake Parish, 128 Sunset Drive, Edinboro, is sponsoring Lenten fish dinners on February 16 and 23 as well as March 1, 8, 15 and 22. The dinners are available from 4:30 pm until sold out. Drive-thru only, although seating as well as self-serve water, iced tea/lemonade and coffee will be provided for those who would like to dine in the OLOL Social Hall. $12 cash or credit. Dinners include baked or fried fish, baked potato, mac and cheese, green beans, coleslaw, roll and cookie. Please use the Sunset Drive entrance from Rt. 6N. Every 25th vehicle will receive a coupon for a free dinner and each week, one lucky winner will receive a $50 gas card from Country Fair.
Parishes plan Holy Hour for National Eucharistic Revival
Please join Deacon Dave Jacquel and the parishioners of St. Mark Parish, Lawrence Park, and Mount Calvary Parish, Erie, for a Holy Hour for the National Eucharistic Revival on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 3 pm at Mount Calvary Church, 2022 East Lake Rd., Erie. A graphic for bulletins can be found in the attachments. Questions? Please call the office at 814.899.3000 or email: office@smmc.church.
St. Luke Parish, Erie, offers free sessions on raising children in today’s society
Do you have questions that preoccupy you? We have compiled specific topics for each age group. Our knowledgeable speakers will be concise. Especially in today’s society, there is such competition for our children’s attention. Any useful tool is an asset for a child’s mental, emotional and spiritual health. We welcome you to join us for any or all parts of this free parenting series. Visit the St. Luke Parish website at www.stlukeerie.org for more information or see the attached flyer. The events will be held at St. Luke Church, 421 E. 38th St., Sundays at 2 pm.
February 18: Part 1 – Infant to age 5
March 20: Part 2 – Grade School Years
April 14: Part 3 – High School Years
Parents, grandparents, adoptive parents, legal guardians and caregivers who have a role in a child’s life are invited.
Support St. Martin Center at Erie’s Best Coffee event
St. Martin Center, an affiliate agency of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Erie, has scheduled its signature fundraiser, Erie’s Best Coffee, for Sunday, Feb. 25 from 11 am to 2 pm at the Ambassador Banquet & Conference Center, 7794 Peach Street in Erie. Enjoy this family friendly event with kids’ activities, a photo both, live music, a gift-card raffle and more. Sample coffee from a variety of vendors and join celebrity judges in voting for your favorites in several categories. Tickets are $15; children 12 and under are free. Purchase tickets at the door or in advance at all Erie Federal Credit Union branches or through www.smcerie.org. (Graphic available in attachments for use in bulletin announcements.)
Bethany Retreat Center hosts retreat, Adoration and Benediction Feb. 25
Are you looking to deepen your spiritual relationship with the Lord? If so, this Lenten event at Bethany Retreat Center, 1031 Germania Rd, Frenchville, may be just what you’re looking for. Join us on February 25 for a retreat on prayer and finding God in the silence followed by Adoration and Benediction with Father Mark Mastrian. Dr. Jan Satterlee will present prayer as communication with God, providing examples of prayer and unpacking the three expressions of prayer: vocal, meditative and contemplative. Visit www.BethanyRetreatCenter.org for details on this chance to pause in the busyness of the world, to take a breath and reflect on the living God of creation.
St. Francis Parish, McKean, presents: Seeking the Heart of God in Scripture and Art
On Friday, March 1, St. Francis Parish, McKean, invites all to a meditation on the scriptural roots of the Sacred Heart devotion and an introduction to the visual development of the devotion in Christian art. Ann Schmalstieg Barrett, a Pittsburgh-based artist inspired by Catholic thought and devotion, will present her talk at 6:30 pm. Other events include First Friday adoration from 8 am to 6 pm with Benediction at 5:50 pm followed by a Lenten dinner. There is no charge for the dinner but please RSVP to the parish at 814.476.7657, ext. 7, so appropriate plans can be made. Schmalstieg’s art can be viewed on Instagram @annschmalstieg_art. Please see attached flyer for details.
Catholic Rural Ministry in Oil City offers Lenten book discussion on Zoom
Mary T. Malone’s Four Women Doctors of the Church will be the subject of a series of Lenten discussions led by Sister Tina Geiger, RSM, and Sister Marian Wehler, OSB, of Catholic Rural Ministry in Oil City. All are cordially invited to the discussions on Zoom scheduled for Wednesdays, March 6, 13, 20 and 27. Register by email at srtinag@gmail.com or by phone at 814.677.2032. Books are available at both OrbisBooks.com and Amazon. Featured are Sts. Hildegard of Bingen, Catherine of Siena, Teresa of Avila and Therese of Lisieux.
Women’s retreat
The St. Eulalia Women’s Retreat, open to all women, will take place on Sunday, March 17, 2024. This spiritual gathering will focus on Understanding the Prayers of the Mass, presented by Father William Barron from the Moshannon Catholic Churches of Clearfield County.
Retreat Schedule:
2:30 pm: Welcome in the Gathering Space
3:00 - 5:00 pm: Presentation in the church
5:00 pm: Optional dinner in the Parish Center ($15)
6:00 pm: Eucharistic Adoration with an opportunity for confession.
Reservations can be made by contacting IVSKAS@zitomedia.net or calling 814.274.7732. Additional information is available at www.steulalia-stgabriel.org. The reservation deadline is March 1. Please make checks payable to CDA and submit with the reservation form in the collection basket. See the attachment for the registration form.
Part-time music minister, St. Gregory Thaumaturgus Parish, North East
St. Gregory Thaumaturgus Parish in North East is looking for a part-time music minister responsible for maintaining a comprehensive music ministry that supports parishioners in singing and being brought into deeper union with Christ. Among the main responsibilities are: Providing organ/piano music for weekend Masses as well as funerals, weddings and other special occasions; directing the choir and assisting with the direction of the youth choir; coordinating and preparing cantors and instrumentalists; planning for weekend liturgies; preparing the monthly worship aid and more. Must have or obtain appropriate clearances. For the full job description and details on how to apply, visit https://www.eriercd.org/employment.html.
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