March 20, 2023
The next Information Bulletin is Monday, March 27, 2023.The deadline for submissions is Thursday, March 23, 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.
Email your Information Bulletin items to the editor.
Chrism Mass to be celebrated Monday of Holy Week
Bishop Lawrence Persico, together with the priests of the Diocese of Erie, will celebrate the annual Chrism Mass on April 3 at 1 p.m. at St. Peter Cathedral, 230 W. 10th St., Erie. During the Mass, the holy oils to be used for sacraments will be consecrated and blessed for distribution to the parishes of the diocese. The public is encouraged to attend.
Holy Week Liturgies Celebrated by Bishop Persico
Following are the Holy Week liturgies to be celebrated by Bishop Lawrence T. Persico at St. Peter Cathedral, 230 W. 10th St., Erie:
Palm Sunday 11 a.m.
Chrism Mass (Monday) 1 p.m.
Holy Thursday – Mass of the Lord’s Supper 5:15 p.m.
Good Friday – Celebration of the Lord’s Passion 2 p.m.
Easter Vigil (Saturday) 8:30 p.m.
The public is welcome at all liturgies.
Camp Notre Dame
Please see the attached letter from Camp Notre Dame requesting that parishes publish an announcement in their bulletin asking for applicants for the Camp Notre Dame 2023 summer staff.
REEF Grant Opportunity:
The second quarter REEF grant cycle deadline is April 1. The Religious Education Enrichment Fund (REEF) of the Diocese of Erie has three types of funding opportunities available for individuals, parishes, schools and other diocesan-affiliated entities:
1) Leadership Training – for professional education and training
2) Creative Project – for religious formation start-up projects
3) Ministry Training – for conferences, workshops and non-degree certificate courses
Learn more and download the fillable applications at: https://www.eriercd.org/schools/reefgrants.html. Not sure if your project would qualify? Contact REEF Administrator Kathleen Robbinson at 814.824.1220 or krobbinson@eriercd.org.
Faith Formation Grant applications accepted through April 3
Are you involved in planning or implementing a faith formation project for your parish? Are you planning a parish mission or faith formation special event in the fall? Have you realized a need in the past year for increased online or digital resources for faith formation? Consider applying for a Faith Formation grant from the Catholic Foundation of Northwest Pennsylvania. Catholic parishes and departments of the Diocese of Erie can apply for grants for parish and/or diocesan based faith formation projects. Grants requests ranging from $500 to $5,000 are being accepted now through April 3. Go to the following link to learn more: https://www.cfnwpa.org/grant-seekers/faith-formation-endowment-guidelines. This is the only Catholic Foundation Faith Formation grant cycle in 2023. Contact Julia Cooney with questions at 814.824.1253 or jcooney@cfnwpa.org.
Revised solemn intercession added to Good Friday liturgy
Bishop Lawrence Persico has made a revision to the Ukraine intercession in the Good Friday liturgy. Please see the attached document. Please note that this is the only added intercession this year.
2023 Good Friday Collection for the Holy Land
Please find attached Bishop Persico’s letter introducing the 2023 Good Friday Collection for the Holy Land. In 2020, the Presbyteral Council voted to make this collection a mandatory collection to be taken up sometime during the late Lent or early Easter seasons. It replaces, in part, the sale of olive wood items, which is now prohibited in the Diocese of Erie. The money from this collection is used to support the work of the Franciscans of the Custody of the Holy Land (Holy Land Franciscans) who have the unique responsibility to care for the Holy Places and the Christians living there. Parishes are asked to publicize this collection in a significant way prior to their collection. Please contact Sr. Kathleen Dietz at kdietz@eriercd.org or 814.824.1126 with any questions.
Communications Office requests Easter Vigil and Easter Mass times
Easter Vigil and Easter Mass times for all parishes in the Diocese of Erie once again will be available in one place on the diocesan website at www.ErieRCD.org. This makes it easy for anyone to find information about these celebrations at parishes throughout the diocese. The Communications Office requests that parishes send the following information by March 24:
- Parish name
- Parish town
- Parish contact
- Parish contact email
- Easter Vigil Mass time
- Easter Mass time(s)
The goal is to be as welcoming as possible for those who have not been attending Mass regularly or who do not belong to the parish. Please submit the information to Rich Papalia in the Communications Office at rpapalia@eriercd.org.
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.Camp Notre Dame letter Solemn Intercession Good Friday collection Seminary Discernment Retreat Holy Hour for Vocations Mysteries of the Rosary Diaconate Ordination Mother Daughter Tea Elementary school principal |
Seminary discernment weekend
Any young man who is in high school, college-age or older and who is interested in learning more about the seminary, priesthood or discernment, is invited to attend a seminary discernment retreat April 1-2 at St. Mark Seminary, 429 E. Grandview Blvd., Erie. There is no cost to attend. Those interested should contact Father Scott Jabo, vocation director, at 814.824.1200 or by email at seminary@eriercd.org. More information can be found at www.erievocations.org.
Holy Hour for Vocations
Please join Deacon Dave Jacquel and the parishioners of St. Mark and Mt. Calvary parishes for a Holy Hour for Vocations on April 1 at 3:15 p.m. at St. Mark Church, 695 Smithson Ave, Erie. Contact the parish office with questions at 814.899.3000 or email at office@smmc.church. See flier for details.
Mysteries of the Rosary series offered
Join St. Francis Xavier Parish, 8880 Main St., McKean, in an authentic encounter with Christ that leads to transformation and sanctification every Tuesday from April 11 to May 23 from 6:30-8 p.m. The Mysteries of the Rosary Series integrates deeply reflective insights on the life of Christ, theological truths, and captivating stories together with breathtaking scenery, illuminating sacred art and inspiring music. Filmed on location in the Holy Land, the rosary comes alive. To register, visit https://www.therosaryseries.com/, “Enroll as a Participant” and join the group using code ABFE6E. For more information contact Irene at 814.476.7657 ext. 7. See flier for details.
Diaconate ordination invitation
All priests and deacons are invited to the ordination of the next transitional deacon, Luke Andrew Daghir, on April 15 at St. Mark Seminary, 429 E. Grandview Blvd., Erie. Please see the attached invitation for details.
Mother-Daughter Tea
Mark your calendars for the annual Mother-Daughter Tea, hosted by the Office of Chastity Education and held in two locations in the diocese this spring. The first tea is set for April 16 at Immaculate Conception Church, 715 E. Main St., Clarion. The second is April 23 at St. Mark Catholic Center, 429 E. Grandview Blvd., Erie. This special event is designed for girls ages 10 and above and their mothers. Topics to be discussed include the emotional and physical changes of puberty and strengthening of the parent-child bond during adolescence. For more information, visit https://www.eriercd.org/chastity/tea.html.
Spaghetti dinner
The St. Nicholas Altar Rosary Society in New Bethlehem is hosting the St. Nicholas Annual Spaghetti Dinner on April 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Nicholas Church, 3028 Shannondale Rd., Mayport. Cost is $5 for children and $10 for adults.
Benedictine Gift Shop
The Benedictine Gift Shop, located at 139 Church St. in St. Marys, offers a range of religious articles, books/Bibles, gifts, and other items for Easter and sacrament needs. Visitors can find them on Facebook under the name BenedictineGiftShop. In addition, the gift shop features the St. Joseph Convent Heritage Room, which is dedicated to the history of the Benedictine Sisters. After visiting the gift shop, guests are welcome to tour the recently renovated 1886 Nativity of Jesus Chapel, which is located next to St. Mary's Church. The Chapel is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Gift shop hours are Tuesday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For tours outside of regular hours, visitors can schedule with the St. Mary's Parish office at 814.781.1019 or call Bonnie at 623.556.3160.
Elementary school principal
Butler Catholic School in Butler, Pennsylvania, is seeking a full-time principal for the 2023-2024 school year. The principal is responsible for implementing the policies and practices of the Diocesan Department for Catholic Schools. See the attachment for position details and how to apply.
Printer
St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Cambridge Springs is offering a free Konika Minolta Magicolor 4650EN printer complete with user guide. This is great for printing brochures and posters. It has been very gently used. Please call the office at 814.398.4234.
Administrative assistant for the International Missions Office/Chancery
The Office of International Missions and the Chancery Office of the Diocese of Erie are seeking a full-time administrative assistant. The candidate will possess at least a high school diploma with additional training in computers and business skills and with three to five years of experience as an administrative assistant. For position details and how to apply, visit https://www.eriercd.org/employment.html.
Fax machine
Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Erie is offering a free Brother Laser Fax, Super G3 33.6kbps fax machine. Anyone interested should contact the parish office at 814.899.5342 or at info@ourladyofmercychurch.org.
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