February 3, 2020
The next Information Bulletin is Monday, February 10, 2020.Deadline for submissions is Thursday, February 6, at 4:30 p.m.
Email your Information Bulletin items to the editor.
Annual Conference for Priests scheduled in Philadelphia
Priests are invited to attend the ninth annual Conference for Priests (“The Future of Marriage”) sponsored by the Thomistic Institute July 21-23. Early discounted registration is due by March 31. See the attached flier for details or visit https://thomisticinstitute.org/events/conference-for-priests-2020 for more information.
Emails from Augustine Institute are legitimate
The Parish Evangelization Team of the Augustine Institute is emailing priests and others in the diocese, asking for input concerning issues critical to the Catholic Church today. Emails and phone calls from them are legitimate and may be answered at the recipient’s discretion. As always, though, please continue to use caution when responding to any online or telephone solicitation.
Lenten practices and regulations available
Please see the attached document for Lenten practices and regulations in 2020. Details on fasting and abstinence and special days during Lent are included, along with the time for the beginning of the Easter Vigil.
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. Registration can be found 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.
Rice Bowl letter from bishop
Pastors, administrators and principals will find attached Bishop Lawrence Persico’s letter introducing the 2020 Rice Bowl program to benefit Catholic Relief Services. Parishes and schools are asked to publicize this program in a significant way on the weekend of Feb. 15-16 and in the days leading up to Ash Wednesday.
CRS Rice Bowl now accepting orders for Lent 2020
Orders for Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) annual Rice Bowl program for Lent 2020 are now being accepted. CRS is in the process of updating its order information. If you wish to receive Rice Bowl materials for Lent 2020, you must place an order online by going to https://www.crsricebowl.org/ and clicking “order materials” or by calling 1-800-222-0025. If your order is not placed, either online or by phone, you will not receive Rice Bowl materials for Lent 2020. Materials are available in both English and Spanish. Questions can be directed to Patrice Swick, director of the Social Justice and Life Office, at pswick@ErieRCD.org.
2020 Catholic Services Appeal update
The Catholic Services Appeal is the annual fundraising campaign of the Diocese of Erie that supports the day-to-day work of the Catholic Church in our diocese. As parishes prepare for Commitment Sunday, here are some helpful hints for a successful CSA campaign:
- Promote the CSA in your bulletins, on your parish website and from the pulpit.
- Plan a parish project that will inspire people to give.
- Use the CSA video by putting a link on your parish website or showing it in your church prior to Commitment Sunday. (Access it at https://www.eriercd.org/Catholic-Services-Appeal-CSA-Materials.html or at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyjVgM7DB7w&feature=youtu.be.
- Thank people who give.
Some CSA materials are available at https://www.eriercd.org/Catholic-Services-Appeal-CSA-Materials.html or contact the Catholic Foundation at 814-824-1253 or jcooney@cfnwpa.org for additional materials.
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.
Diocesan directories have arrived
The Office of Communications has received its shipment of the 2020 Diocese of Erie Directory and is preparing a bulk mailing to those who already have ordered a copy. Directories are $25 each, plus $6.50 shipping, and may be purchased at https://www.ErieRCD.org/news/directory.html. For questions or to place an order by phone, call Brenda Williams at 814-824-1161.
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.
AttachmentsLenten practices, regulationsYoung adult Lenten retreat Prayer breakfast Holy Trinity Lenten Market
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PW Protected Attachments:Clergy and Department Heads click here to login.Conference for Priests Lenten practices, regulations Rice Bowl letter Young adult Lenten retreat Prayer breakfast Holy Trinity Lenten Market |
Men’s Conference less than one month away
Register now for the seventh annual Catholic Men’s Conference (22:32 Men) on Feb. 29 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Peace Church, 2401 W. 38th St., Erie. Enjoy fellowship and inspiring national speakers, including Dr. Ralph Martin, Chris Padgett and Father Michael Denk. There will be lunch, adoration and the opportunity for reconciliation. The event will conclude with Mass celebrated by Bishop Lawrence Persico. Discounts are available for groups of eight or more, as well as for university and high school students. For more details and/or to register, go to www.2232Men.com or call 814-455-7364. This conference is sponsored by The Reason for Our Hope Foundation.
Gannon speaker series features award-winning journalist
Gannon University’s College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences will present “Live Before You Die: A Semi-Autobiographical Presentation about Advocacy and Fighting for Justice” on Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. in the Yehl Ballroom, 124 W. 7th St., Erie. Award-winning writer and journalist Maria Karagianis will describe her experiences as a college student in Boston during the late 1960s demonstrations for women’s rights, civil rights and the Vietnam War. The event is presented by MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton, LLP, with sponsorship from the Erie Community Foundation.
Join another Take Back the Site vigil
A Take Back the Site prayer vigil will be held Feb. 5 at 5:15 p.m. at 307 Usonia Ave., Erie, in memory of Devin Harley Way, who was murdered there in January. Sponsoring the vigil are the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, the Sisters of Mercy and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania. All are welcome.
Benedictines for Peace to hold Silent Walk for Peace
The Benedictines for Peace in Erie will hold a Silent Walk for Peace Feb. 6 from 7 to 7:30 p.m., beginning and ending at the Blasco Library, 160 E. Front St., Erie. All are welcome to participate by walking slowly and silently, single file, remembering that the library encourages the community’s ongoing education, civic engagement and participation in the arts. Silent Peace Walks focus on peace in our hearts, our families, communities, the nation and the world.
Pro-Life of Mercer County to hold prayer breakfast
Pro-Life of Mercer County is holding its 18th annual prayer breakfast Feb. 15 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The deadline to purchase tickets is Feb. 7. See the attached document for further details about the event.
Order your special Lenten foods soon
Holy Trinity Parish in Erie is holding its annual Lenten Market, offering special Lenten foods for pick-up next month. See the attached flier for complete details about pre-orders and pick-up times.
Bulldog Boogie planned Feb. 15
Enjoy a fun evening of dancing and refreshments at the Bulldog Boogie at Blessed Sacrament Parish’s Geiger Hall, 1626 W. 26th St., Erie, on Feb. 15 from 7 to 11 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. The featured band is The Groove. The cost is $25 per person. BYOB. Snacks will be provided or bring your own. All proceeds benefit the Blessed Sacrament Scholarship Fund. Must be 21 to attend. For information and to purchase tickets, go to www.eriecatholic.org/bss or go to the school or parish office.
Attend Outdoor Adventures event to benefit L’Arche
L’Arche Erie will host its annual Outdoor Adventures Raffle on Feb. 15 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie. Pre-sale ticket prices are $20 each, or two for $30 (pre-sale ends Feb. 13). Tickets at the door are $20 each. Ticket and event information can be found at www.larcheerie.org or by contacting Sandie Wheeler at development@larcheerie.org or 814-452-2065. Admission includes food and beverages and a chance to win one of the 20 door prizes.
Searching for a pre-Lenten retreat?
Looking to get 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.
Mercyhurst University offers sacred music for Lent
The Mercyhurst University Concert Choir and Chamber Choir, conducted by Thomas Brooks, will present a concert of sacred music Feb. 23 at 4 p.m. in preparation for the Lenten season. The event will be held at the Walker Recital Hall on the E. 38th Street campus in Erie. Tickets are $6 for the general public; $3 for Mercyhurst students and staff and youths 12 and under. For more information, email dangelomusic@mercyhurst.edu or call 814-824-2394.
Lenten dinners held in Kersey
St. Boniface Parish, 355 Main St., Kersey, and its secondary church of Holy Cross, Route 219, Brandy Camp, will offer Lenten dinners on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 26, and every Friday during Lent, including Good Friday, April 10. The dinners at St. Boniface will be 4 to 6:30 p.m.; dinners at Holy Cross will be 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Carry-outs available at both locations.
Sheffield parish to hold fish dinners, 50/50s
St. Anthony Knights of Columbus at St. Anthony Parish in Sheffield is hosting Lenten dinners at the St. Paul Center, located on Route 6 in Saybrook, every Friday in Lent, from Feb. 28 to April 10 (Good Friday) from 5 to 7 p.m. Dinner includes haddock, sides, drink and homemade dessert. The cost is $10 per person. There is a 50/50 drawing each week. For more information, call 814-968-5915.
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.
Franciscan University to host symposium on G.K. Chesterton
The life and philosophy of Catholic writer G.K. Chesterton will be reviewed during a symposium March 20-21 at Franciscan University of Steubenville. Registration is $50 and includes speakers, breakout sessions and refreshments. Meals are not included. To register, visit the symposium registration page at https://bit.ly/2vm0fib.
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.
Retreat center assistant executive director needed
Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center (VMESC), a retreat center in Villa Maria, Pa., and a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary, is seeking a full-time assistant executive director. This person will serve on the ministry team of the center and will work collaboratively with the president/CEO in nurturing the growth and development of VMESC by helping to design and implement a variety of spiritual and educational programs, scheduling and welcoming hosted groups, overseeing youth programs and coordinating hospitality for all VMESC guests. A commitment to faith-based ministry is required, as well as executive leadership qualities and the ability to adapt to an ever-changing environment. Educational Credentials: bachelor’s degree required (areas might be theology, ethics, ministry or related disciplines); master’s degree preferred or combination of equivalent experience and/or education. Job description available upon request. Send resume to Sister Jane Marie Kudlacz, HM, at jmkudlacz@humilityofmary.org. For more information, call 724-964-8920, ext. 3267.