July 6, 2021

The next Information Bulletin is Monday, July 12, 2021.
Deadline for submissions is Thursday, July 8, 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 submissions.

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St. Joseph Parish, Force, to host next stop in diocesan virtual pilgrimage
The virtual pilgrimage to the seven churches named for St. Joseph in the Diocese of Erie continues July 18 at St. Joseph Parish in Force. A pre-recorded Mass with Father Mark Mastrian, pastor, will be available through a link on the parish website at www.stjosephforce.org. The pilgrimage was initiated to celebrate the Year of St. Joseph announced by Pope Francis that will conclude on Dec. 8. A September date is being selected for the fifth stop in the pilgrimage at St. Joseph Church in Lucinda. Father Michael Polinek will offer the Mass.

International Catholic Stewardship Council newsletter
The Catholic Foundation is happy to share the July edition of the International Catholic Stewardship Council newsletter found at https://catholicstewardship.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/ICSC-Parish-Ebulletin_JULY-21.pdf. Pastors and parish staff are encouraged to read and share this publication with their parishioners, using all or parts of it for parish bulletins, with credit to the author/source.

Celebrate Natural Family Planning (NFP) Awareness Week with Bishop Lawrence Persico
Looking for family planning that is effective and respects your faith, your marriage and your body? Couples from around the Diocese of Erie are learning about a way of life that helps them work with God to grow their families or space children. Join other families in celebrating God’s vision for married love on July 25 at the 10:30 a.m. Mass at St. Jude Parish, 2801 W. 6^th St., Erie. Bishop Persico will officiate. Following Mass, all are invited to a picnic luncheon at Pine Tree Pavilion near Beach 9 at Presque Isle State Park. Drinks and dessert will be provided. For more information, go to www.eriercd.org/awareness-mass.htm. To read studies that verify NFP’s effectiveness and upcoming class schedules, go to https://www.eriercd.org/chastity/ or contact the Diocesan Natural Family Planning coordinator at 814-512-0818.

Diocese introduces Re-membering Our Sunday Story initiative
The Faith Formation and Communications offices of the Diocese of Erie, along with a committee including several pastors, have spent months coordinating an initiative to ensure that people feel welcome as they return to public worship. Over the next six months, the Re-membering Our Sunday Story effort will provide parishes with an array of resources, from prayer cards and bulletin announcements to social media posts and a pastoral letter from Bishop Lawrence Persico. Watch for information that features a new logo (see attached). All materials are part of an effort to make sure the return to parish life is transformative. A story about the effort can be found at www.nwpaCatholic.com.

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.

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Re-membering Our Sunday Story logo
Vacation Bible School

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Re-membering Our Sunday Story logo
Vacation Bible School

Take Back the Site vigil planned in Erie
The Sisters of St. Joseph, the Benedictine Sisters of Erie and the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas are organizing a Take Back the Site Vigil to remember Casey Nadolny who was killed on March 23, 2021. The vigil will be held at the intersection of Zimmerly and Zuck roads (near Country Fair) on July 7 at 5:15 p.m. Face masks are required for this event.

Award-winning author to lead retreat
Anne Kertz Kernion, the award-winning author of Spiritual Practices for the Brain, is returning to Bethany Retreat Center in Frenchville to lead a retreat July 16-18. As the world emerges from a difficult year, everyone can benefit from some time to nurture their brains and bodies. Participants will explore how certain breathing exercises can help us live in the present, manage stress, and increase focus, concentration and overall well-being. There also will be exploration of the latest in neuroscience research. The cost of the retreat is $235, which includes meals, accommodations and teachings. For more information or to register, visit www.bethanyretreatcenter.org or call 814-263-4855.

Our Lady of Peace to hold Vacation Bible School
Students in grades kindergarten through four are invited to attend the Aug. 2-6 Vacation Bible School at Our Lady of Peace Parish, Erie. For complete details and to register, go to www.olp.org/faith-formation/vacation-bible-school.

Grounded Grieving Retreat offered at Bethany Retreat Center
When you’ve lost a loved one, the grief journey can be lonely and exhausting. Consider attending the Aug. 6-8 Grounded Grieving Retreat at Bethany Retreat Center in Frenchville. Participants will share stories, engage in creative expression, spend time in nature and deepen into the place where grief is grounded. The retreat facilitator is Jackie Naginey Hook, a spiritual director, Life-Cycle celebrant and end-of-life doula whose work helps people find hope, healing and wholeness. The $235 cost includes meals, accommodations and all retreat sessions. For more information or to register, go to www.bethanyretreatcenter.org or call 814-263-4855. A commuter option is available.

Novena to Good St. Ann scheduled in July
All are invited to attend the 102^nd annual novena in honor of St. Ann July 18-26 at St. Ann Church, 921 East Ave., (E. 10^th and East Avenue). Redemptorist Father Dennis Sweeney from Washington, D.C., will be the guest preacher, confessor and celebrant for the nine days. Daily Masses will be celebrated Monday through Friday at 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.; Saturday Masses are 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.; and Sunday Masses are 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. The following special celebrations will be held at each Mass on the dates noted:

Coffee and donuts, St. Ann Social Hall, July 18
Anointing of the Sick, July 21
Blessing of religious articles, July 23
Blessing of children, July 24 and July 25
Blessing with relic of St. Ann, July 24, July 25 and July 26
Blessing of parents and grandparents, July 26 (Feast of St. Ann)

For more information, please contact Father Jerry Priscaro at 814-464-6913 or JsPriscaro@eriercd.org.

125th annual Frenchtown ham/chicken dinner
St. Hippolyte Parish in Frenchtown will host its annual ham or chicken dinner July 25 at the church, located on Route 27 in Guys Mills. There will be carry-out only, with designated pick-up times for each order. Meals must be pre-ordered no later than July 11. Dinner includes half of a barbequed chicken or a generous portion of ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, applesauce, coleslaw and dinner roll. Dessert includes a choice of apple or blueberry pie. All dinners include a bottle of water. The cost is $14 for adults, $12 for those 60 and older, and $10 for children. To pre-order, call 814-333-8464, 814-425-7024 or 814-967-3813, or email hamorchickendinner@gmail.com. There will be no festival games.

Sign up for Vacation Bible School at Our Lady of Mercy
Ahoy Mateys! Our Lady of Mercy Parish is proud to offer Treasure Island Vacation Bible School July 26-30 at the parish, 837 Bartlett Road, Harborcreek. This event is free and open to all adventurers ages 4 through entering sixth grade. For more information or to register, please see the attached flier/registration form. Adult volunteers are needed. Fill out the registration form or call Irene at 814-898-6132. Completed registration forms can either be dropped off at the church office or emailed to info@ourladyofmercychurch.org. Registration deadline is July 12.

Principal position available at St. Gregory Catholic School
St. Gregory Catholic School in North East is seeking to fill its 12-month, permanent principal position for the 2021-22 school year. For a job description and application process, go to https://www.eriercd.org/schools/Administrator.html.

Principal needed at Venango Region Catholic School System
The Venango Region Catholic School System in Oil City is seeking a principal for the 2021-22 school year. The deadline to apply is July 13, 2021. See a complete job description and the application process at https://www.eriercd.org/schools/Administrator.html.

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