March 26, 2021

The next Information Bulletin is Tuesday, April 6, 2021, due to the Easter holiday.
Deadline for submissions is Thursday, April 1, 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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Note time changes for Triduum celebrations at St. Peter Cathedral
Times for the liturgical celebrations of Holy Thursday and Good Friday with Bishop Lawrence Persico at St. Peter Cathedral are: Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 5:15 p.m., and the Good Friday celebration of the Lord’s Passion at 2 p.m. Both events will be livestreamed and remain available for viewing on the homepage of St. Peter Cathedral, Erie, at https://stpetercathedral.com/. (Look for the “Livestream Videos” box at the top of the page.) Please note that, due to publishing deadlines, these changes are not reflected in the current issue of Faith magazine.

Free access to myParish App available for parishes in the Diocese of Erie
Many parishes in the Diocese of Erie have enjoyed using the myParish App, free of charge. This was originally made possible as a result of our connection to the national office that founded Faith magazine. The Communications Office is pleased to announce that parishes in our diocese will continue to enjoy this cost-free resource. Billed as “The App for Catholic Life Every Day,” it can be used for messaging, sharing bulletins, accessing daily Mass readings, news updates and much more. Find details at https://myparishapp.com/. Please contact Anne-Marie Welsh, director of communications, at amwelsh@ErieRCD.org if you would like additional information about getting started or maintaining the service.

CRS Rice Bowl online giving for Lent 2021
A diocesan online giving option for the Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl Program has been added for individuals or families in the Diocese of Erie. Parishes and schools participating in Rice Bowl can encourage giving through https://www.eriercd.org/ricebowl.html. Sixty percent of all Rice Bowl contributions support CRS’ humanitarian and development programs overseas, providing life-saving assistance and hope to our sisters and brothers around the world. The remaining 40 percent stays in our diocese to support local hunger and poverty prevention programs. Questions concerning CRS Rice Bowl can be directed to Patrice Swick, director of the Social Justice and Life Office, at pswick@ErieRCD.org.

Offertory reminders during the upcoming Easter season
The Easter season is a great time for parishes to send friendly reminders to parishioners about the need for offertory gifts. Here are some ideas:

If a parish livestreams Mass on Facebook, place a message encouraging offertory support and a link to your parish donation page in the comment section. If your parish website does not support donations, contributions can be made to your parish through a dropdown menu on the Catholic Foundation website at https://www.cfnwpa.org/online-offertory.
During livestreaming of Mass, mention offertory at the time it would occur during Mass; remind viewers that offertory is still important and can be made either online, by mail, or in person.
Use email, the parish bulletin and/or the parish website to thank parishioners for continuing their offertory giving. This also serves as a subtle reminder to continue giving.

REEF grant opportunity
The Religious Education Enrichment Fund (REEF) of the Diocese of Erie is accepting applications through April 1 for this quarterly granting cycle. Three types of funding opportunities are available for individuals, parishes, schools and other diocesan-affiliated entities:

Leadership training (for professional education and training)
Creative project (for religious formation start-up projects)
Ministry training (for conferences, workshops and non-degree certificate courses).

Learn more and download the fillable applications at www.eriercd.org/schools/reefgrants.html. Contact REEF administrator, Kathleen Robbinson, at 814-824-1220.

World Apostolate of Fatima-Erie plans expansion of Home Enthronement Ministry
Plans are underway to expand the Home Enthronement Ministry to each geographical region of the Diocese of Erie beginning in June. Thirteen Sacred Heart statues and 13 Our Lady of Fatima statues will be needed to provide one set for each of the priests/spiritual directors/lay coordinators who offer home enthronements in their respective areas. The purchase price for each statue is estimated at $160 each. Monetary donations may be made to the World Apostolate of Fatima-Erie, c/o John Kostrubanic, president, P.O. Box 311, Fairview, PA 16415. All donors will be recognized by name and city in an upcoming World Apostolate of Fatima-Erie newsletter and will be invited to a special Mass at Erie’s Sacred Heart Church on June 11 at 5:30 p.m. Bishop Lawrence Persico will bless all the statues.

Marriage Matters newsletter now available
Attached is the March edition of the Marriage Matters newsletter of the Office of the Tribunal and Matrimonial Concerns of the Diocese of Erie.

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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DuBois Central Catholic presents the Passion Play
Seventh-graders from DuBois Central Catholic will perform the school’s annual Passion Play at the school chapel on March 31 at 9:25 a.m. The performance can be viewed, at no cost, by going to www.nfhsnetwork.com and entering “DuBois Central Catholic” next to the word Browse. Scroll down and click on “Chapel.”

Good Friday Pilgrimage for Peace
The annual Good Friday Pilgrimage for Peace, sponsored by the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, will be offered as an online experience on April 2 at https://www.eriebenedictines.org/bfp. A downloadable PDF of the text of the readings at each station will be included online. The Stations of the Cross for this year’s pilgrimage will focus on racism and the many ways that racism intersects with other issues of injustice. Pilgrimage stops are at St. Peter Cathedral, City of Erie Police headquarters, School District of the City of Erie, site of proposed plastics shredding plant, Community Health Net, Emmaus Soup Kitchen, Social Security Office, Erie County Prison, and Mount St. Benedict Monastery.

Outdoor Stations of the Cross at Bethany Retreat Center
There will be a Good Friday outdoor Stations of the Cross walk beginning at the Prayer Center at Bethany Retreat Center in Frenchville. There will be prayer and a reading at each station, culminating at the top of the hill with the Resurrection Cross. Groups will be limited to 10 people and COVID safety precautions will be followed at all times. The first group will begin at 10 a.m.; more groups will be added each half hour as we reach the 10-person limit. There is no charge, but please register beforehand at www.bethanyretreatcenter.org or call 814-263-4855.

Deepen your Centering Prayer experience
Those who already have an established knowledge and practice of Centering Prayer are invited May 6-9 to a Centering Prayer retreat at Bethany Retreat Center in Frenchville. There will be extended prayer times (three to four hours per day) and input on deepening your Centering Prayer practice. The retreat will be in silence with time for personal reflection and renewal; Mass also is available. Enjoy a comfortable room, private bathroom and all meals during your stay. The cost is $298. Register at www.bethanyretreatcenter.org or call 814-263-4855.

Position open for director of curriculum, instruction and assessment
The Catholic Schools Office of the Diocese of Erie is seeking a collaborative, dedicated and organized curriculum leader to join the Catholic Schools Office team as the director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment (DOC). For the position profile and instructions on how to apply, go to https://www.eriercd.org/employment.html.

Student desks, chairs needed
Ss. Cosmas and Damian School in Punxsutawney is in need of student desks and chairs. All sizes are needed, but particularly desks and chairs for grades kindergarten through 2. To help, contact Heather Kunselman, principal, at heather.kunselman@sscdschool.com or 814-938-4224.

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