January 12, 2026
Due to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday, the next Information Bulletin is Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. The submission deadline is due Thursday, Jan. 15, at 4:30 p.m. Thank you!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.
Email your Information Bulletin items to the editor.
2026 Diocesan Updates and CSA Parish Information Webinar
Pastors and parish staff are invited to attend a webinar to kick off the 2026 Catholic Services Appeal on Tuesday, Jan. 13, at 1 p.m. This 1-hour webinar hosted by the Diocese of Erie and the Catholic Foundation and facilitated by Our Sunday Visitor will begin with prayer led by Bishop Persico. During the webinar we will give an update of the 2025 Catholic Services Appeal and a look ahead to the 2026 campaign. In addition, the webinar will include an update from Father Chris Singer on the Diocese of Erie Episcopal Transition. Following the webinar, all registrants will receive access to the webinar recording and slides. Please click the following link to register for this 2026 Diocesan Updates and CSA parish information webinar: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/9067610174021899098.
CRS Rice Bowl Collection
Please find attached Bishop Persico’s letter introducing the Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl Collection, taken during the season of Lent (which begins 02/18/2026). Parishes are asked to publicize this collection in a significant way the weekend of Feb. 14-15.
NCSA AI deepfake warning
The National Cyber Security Alliance warns that deepfakes are becoming nearly impossible to detect. AI can already clone voices, fake videos and create convincing messages to trick people into sharing passwords or approving fraudulent payments. Trusting what you see online will no longer be enough. Any request involving money, credentials or urgent action must be verified through a second channel — such as calling the person directly or confirming in person. Double-checking will be essential to staying safe.
Lent and Easter information requested
Lent is approaching! Ash Wednesday falls on February 18, marking the start of the Lenten season. Many parishioners have asked for details on Ash Wednesday Mass times and ash distributions, and the Office of Communications & Advancement is compiling this information to share across the diocese. We’re also gathering details on Lenten dinners, fish fries and Easter Mass times to help connect our Catholic community. Please email your parish’s schedule to IBEditor@ErieRCD.org so it can be published on our website. Thank you for helping us spread the word.
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 https://www.eriecatholic.org/about/careers.
PW Protected Attachments:Clergy and Department Heads click here to login.CRS Rice Bowl Collection Pre-Lenten Retreat Answering the Call to Spiritual Leadership Comfort through Grief Ministry Series Thomas Merton event St. Gregory Cash Bash Michigan Mission Trip Parish Bookkeeper Position |
Pre-Lenten Retreat at the St. Thomas More House of Prayer
The Office of Virtue & Integrity Education of the Diocese of Erie is sponsoring a Pre-Lenten Retreat Friday, Feb. 13, beginning at noon and running through 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14, at St. Thomas More House of Prayer, 365 Hill City Rd., Cranberry. Our retreat master for the weekend will be Fr. Camello Ignatius. The retreat theme is “Formed by the Father. Strengthened by Prayer. Known by Love.” The last day to register is Feb. 9. For more information and to register, visit https://eriercd.org/chastity/retreat.html. Questions? Call or email Cassondra at 814-824-1216, cdragone@eriercd.org. See attached flyer to share details.
Cathedral Prep Legacy Gala
Please join us at Cathedral Prep’s 2026 Legacy Gala, “Rooted in Tradition, United in Mission.” Funds raised at the event go toward tuition assistance to help make a Catholic education affordable for more local families. The celebration will once again take place at the Bayfront Convention Center on Saturday, Feb. 7, from 5:30-10:30 p.m. Attire is cocktail/black tie optional, and live musical entertainment will be provided by the Chozen Few out of Cleveland.
Each year at the event, Cathedral Prep and Villa Maria Academy alumni are also inducted into the President’s Hall of Fame and honored for their unwavering dedication to the school’s mission and their commitment to the Erie community over the years. This year’s honorees include The Most Reverend Edward M. Lohse, JCD ’80, Nancy Neumaier Bird ’84VMA, and the Ehrman Family.
You can register online at www.cathedralprep.com/legacygala. If you’re unable to attend but are interested in participating in mobile bidding on the auction items, supporting the event through sponsorship, a Tuition Angel donation, or donation of an item to the silent auction or basket raffle, this information can also be found at the above website.
Answering the Call to Spiritual Leadership
Holy Spirit Parish, DuBois, is pleased to share this opportunity for those discerning a call to spiritual leadership. Individuals who feel drawn to accompany others in faith through prayer, listening and gentle guidance are invited to explore the Road to Emmaus spiritual ministry training program. This local formation experience is designed to support discernment and help participants walk alongside others on their spiritual journey. For more information, please contact Dr. Jan Satterlee at jansat101@gmail.com. The application is attached, and the deadline to apply is April 30. Additional details about the retreat are available at https://rdtoemmaus.com/retreats/.
Comfort Through Grief ministry meetings resume
St. Joseph/Bread of Life Parish Community Comfort Through Grief ministry’s next presentation will be on Monday, Jan. 26, with registration starting at 5:30 pm. Program from 6-8 p.m. This upcoming program will be “Finding Comfort From Reports of Near Death Experiences—The Catholic Perspective”. These meetings will be held on the 4th Monday of every month at St. Joseph, upstairs in the multipurpose room, 147 W. 24th Street, Erie. For more information, email dulcibarb@aol.com. See the attached flyer for more details.
St. Gregory Cash Bash
St. Gregory Parish and School are holding a Cash Bash on Saturday, Feb. 7, at the St Gregory School gym, 140 W. Main St., North East. There are two ticket options, Option 1, the Party Pass is $25 per ticket and includes entry into all 30 cash and door prize drawings including the last one for $500, admission to the party for food, beverages, games of chance and fun. Doors open at 6 p.m. Option 2 is virtual and are $15 per ticket and includes entry into all 15 cash prize drawings including the last one for $500 and an opportunity to watch the drawings live at: https://www.facebook.com/StGregoryThaumaturgus/. Proceeds to benefit St. Gregory Church and School. See attached flyer for information.
Mission Trip informational meeting
Saint James Roman Catholic Church, Erie is organizing a youth mission trip to Montague, Michigan, June 14-20.
Open to youth currently in 8th thru 12th grade.
Eligibility: Open to youth currently in 8th through 12th grade.
Cost: A $120 deposit is required (note: some sources mention $135) with the remaining balance to be covered by group fundraising.
Informational Meeting: Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.
Location: St. Mark the Evangelist Church 695 Smithson Ave., Erie, PA 16511.
Contact: For more information, contact Mary Shchouchkoff at (814) 873-0492 or email Mshchouchk@yahoo.com.
Thomas Merton event
On Saturday, Jan. 24 at 3 p.m., the International Thomas Merton Society is hosting a gathering at Our Lady of Mercy, 837 Bartlett Rd., Harborcreek. There will be a biopic film presentation on Thomas Merton followed by a happy hour. Merton was a great Catholic writer committed to monastic renewal, lay spirituality, Catholic social teaching, poetry and civil rights. Please see the attached flyer for more information or RSVP to Aaron Kerr at akerr@eriercd.org.
Parish Bookkeeper Position
Our Lady of the Lake Parish, 128 Sunset Dr., Edinboro, is seeking a qualified individual to be the parish bookkeeper. This is an ideal position for a newly retired CPA or bookkeeper accountant who is interested in part-time work. For more information, please see the attached flyer.
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