March 8, 2021
The next Information Bulletin is Monday, March 15, 2021.
Deadline for submissions is Thursday, March 11, 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.
Email your Information Bulletin items to the editor.
2021 Good Friday Collection for the Holy Land
Pastors and administrators will find attached Bishop Lawrence Persico’s letter introducing the 2021 Good Friday Collection for the Holy Land, to be taken up on Good Friday, April 2. Parishes are asked to publicize this collection in a significant way on the weekend of March 27-28.
24 Hours for the Lord March 12-13
On March 12-13, the Diocese of Erie will celebrate 24 Hours for the Lord, an initiative of our Holy Father with an emphasis on adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the sacrament of reconciliation. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for the adoration of the faithful at St. Peter Cathedral, Erie, from 6 p.m. on Friday, March 12, through 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 13. Confession will be available throughout that time. Priests for Spanish language confession will be available on March 13 from 10 a.m. to noon.
Pastors are asked to post the attached flier in a conspicuous place and to invite their parishioners to participate in this time of prayer for relief from the pandemic and its effects, as well as for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life in the Diocese of Erie.
Diocese invites all to participate in virtual pilgrimage during Year of St. Joseph
Pope Francis has proclaimed a Year of St. Joseph in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the declaration of St. Joseph as patron of the Universal Church. In order to mark this event, the Diocese of Erie is hosting a virtual pilgrimage featuring livestreamed Masses from each of the seven churches in the diocese named for St. Joseph. The Masses will take place between now and the end of the year, with the first stop of the pilgrimage scheduled on the feast of St. Joseph on March 19 at 7 p.m. Father Larry Richards, pastor, and the people of St. Joseph Parish/Bread of Life Community invite everyone to participate in the Mass via Father Larry Richards’ YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/FrLarryRichards. Bishop Lawrence Persico will be principal celebrant for this first step of the journey. The second livestreamed Mass will be offered at St. Joseph Parish, Warren, on May 9 at 10:45 a.m. Watch for details about the rest of the events scheduled in the coming months.
Catholic Foundation offers faith formation grant opportunity
Are you involved in planning or implementing a faith formation project for your parish or diocesan department? 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 that focus on:
- Projects that promote life-long faith formation activities
- Projects that welcome absentee and/or non-Catholics into the church
- Projects that promote faith formation through technology
- Projects that provide spiritual support to families, singles, youth and young adults.
Grant requests ranging from $500 to $5,000 are being accepted through March 19. Review the attached document outlining guidelines and criteria or learn more at https://www.cfnwpa.org/grant-seekers/faith-formation-endowment-guidelines. This is the only faith formation grant cycle in 2021. Questions? Contact Julia Cooney at 814-824-1253 or jcooney@cfnwpa.org.
International Catholic Stewardship Council newsletter
The Catholic Foundation is happy to share the March edition of the International Catholic Stewardship Council newsletter, accessible at https://catholicstewardship.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ICSC-Parish-eBulletin_March-21_F.pdf. Pastors and parish staff are encouraged to read and share this publication with their parishioners. Use all or parts of it for parish bulletins, with credit to the author/source.
Diocese of Erie’s Good For You Wellness Initiative
Spring is in the air, but there is still time to take advantage of the Diocese of Erie’s Good For You Wellness Initiative. This program is for full-time employees covered by the Diocese of Erie’s wellness plan. All you have to do is to complete four easy steps to earn your $150 reward. Learn more at https://www.eriercd.org/wellness.html. It’s also Nutrition Month. It’s easy to use a busy lifestyle as an excuse for not planning meals wisely. To improve healthy eating, review tips at https://www.eriercd.org/images/pdf/wellness/31Days_wellness_EatOnTheRun.pdf.
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.
Attachments24 Hours for the LordFaith formation grant guidelines
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PW Protected Attachments:Clergy and Department Heads click here to login.Good Friday Collection for the Holy Land 24 Hours for the Lord Faith formation grant guidelines |
Bethany offers personal retreats
The Bethany Retreat Center in Frenchville invites people to take a day or days of personal retreat to focus on self-care. Days of renewal are offered for those who want to come for a day, overnight or a few days to join the Sisters of Anawim for prayer and daily Mass, reconciliation, home-cooked meals and to take walks on the grounds. COVID-19 safety precautions are in full force. If you do not reside in a COVID “hot spot,” are not experiencing any symptoms, or have not been around anyone exposed to the virus, you are welcome to come. Remaining available dates are April 27 to May 1, May 18-22 and June 15-19. Space is limited. For further details, go to www.bethanyretreatcenter.org.
World Labyrinth Day 2021
Celebrate World Labyrinth Day at Bethany Retreat Center in Frenchville on May 1. Spend the day learning about and walking the labyrinth, as well as visiting other stations of prayer and reflection, all while focusing on the theme of world peace, healing and restoration. Carmel Stabley, an advanced certified labyrinth facilitator, will lead the retreat. It begins at 9 a.m. and concludes at 5 pm.; lunch is included. For more information or to register, visit www.bethanyretreatcenter.org.
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.
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