November 21, 2025
The next Information Bulletin is Monday, December 1, 2025.Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, the deadline for submissions is Tuesday, November 25, 2025, 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.
#iGiveCatholic giving continues through December 2
#iGiveCatholic Advanced Giving is off to a strong start! Donations can be made online through Dec. 2 at erie.igivecatholic.org or directly to a parish, school, or ministry by cash or check. Organizations may consider sending an email to supporters, posting a flyer at building entrances, posting a link to their organization on Facebook, or inserting a notice in bulletins or newsletters. Don’t be shy about asking your supporters to donate to #iGiveCatholic! This might be the giving opportunity that speaks to them. Contact Elizabeth Rathburn with questions at erathburn@cfnwpa.org or 814-824-1257. For graphics suitable for parish bulletins or social media, visit https://www.eriercd.org/social-media-graphics.html.
Final Edition of Jubilee Journey: Pilgrims of Hope Now Available—With a Special Message from Bishop Persico
The final edition of Jubilee Journey: Pilgrims of Hope is now available. Marking the close of our Jubilee Year 2025 series, this concluding newsletter features a special message from Bishop Persico. We would like to thank everyone who has journeyed with us throughout the year.
Created for easy inclusion in parish bulletins, faith formation programs and classroom settings, each edition of Jubilee Journey offers both informative and interactive elements for children and adults. Month by month, it has highlighted the jubilee celebrations recognized by the Vatican and invited readers to walk with us on a shared spiritual pilgrimage. The December edition is attached, and previous editions can be found at https://www.eriercd.org/holyyear2025.html.
Thank you for being part of this journey of hope.
USCCB Fall Plenary Assembly Recap
U.S. bishops, including Bishop Persico, recently gathered in Baltimore for the 2025 Fall Plenary Assembly, a meeting focused on strengthening pastoral ministry, addressing national concerns and renewing the church’s mission across the country. Key discussions centered on the dignity of migrants, updates to Catholic health-care directives and ongoing momentum from the National Eucharistic Revival and the synodal process. Archbishop Paul Coakley was elected president of the Conference and Bishop Daniel Flores as vice president. For a brief overview of the assembly’s major actions and highlights, please see the attached USCCB infographic or download it here: https://www.usccb.org/resources/November%202025%20Plenary%20Infographic.pdf.
Stay safe online this holiday season
Protect your hard-earned cash from the scammers and hackers that pop up every year. Read more here.
Hosting an Advent or holiday event?
We’d love to help spread the word! If your parish, school or ministry is planning a celebration, service or special gathering, please share the details so we can add it to our diocesan calendar. Invite others across the 13 counties to join you in this beautiful season of anticipation and joy. Send your event information to: IBEditor@eriercd.org.
Office for Divine Worship monthly newsletter
The Office for Divine Worship presents a monthly newsletter to aid in preparing celebrations that will occur in that particular month. The December newsletter is attached.
Diocese of Erie Liturgical Calendar
Attached is the Liturgical Calendar for the Diocese of Erie as prepared by the Office for Divine Worship. The purpose of the document is to provide all who are involved with liturgies (pastors, deacons, music directors, etc.) with as much information as possible for the celebration of the Sacred Mysteries. It does not replace the Ordo from Paulist Press. It does, however, provide much more information for liturgical celebrations in the Diocese of Erie. This is a “living document” that will grow and be refined each year. Any insights, corrections and suggestions are welcome as Liturgical Year 2026 unfolds. Please contact Maripat Grant at 814-824-1271.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Mass times are needed
Advent begins Sunday, Nov. 30. To help parishioners plan ahead, the Office of Communications & Advancement is collecting Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Mass times to feature on a dedicated page of the diocesan website. Please submit the following by Friday, Dec. 5:
- Parish name
- Parish town
- Parish contact person
- Parish contact person email
- Parish contact person phone
- Christmas Eve Mass times
- Christmas Day Mass time(s)
The page on our website will launch on Tuesday, Dec. 9. Note: For convenience, copy and paste the above categories and provide your information in an email to Rich Papalia, webmaster, at rpapalia@ErieRCD.org.
Scam Alert: Parish Directory Phishing Attempt
We’ve been made aware of a phishing attempt targeting churches. The scam involves an email that appears to come from a trusted parishioner—often someone in a leadership role, like a Finance Council member—requesting a PDF of your parish directory. Your parish directory is a gold mine to scammers. Be careful who you send it to. Learn more by reading the attachment.
Advent resources now available
Advent begins Sunday, November 30. The Diocese of Erie offers a variety of resources to help you celebrate in a meaningful way. Find graphics for social media, webpage banners and bulletin announcements on our resource pages, and explore family-friendly reflections and activities on our Advent microsite. Visit https://www.eriercd.org/advent.html to get started and journey with us through this sacred season.
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.December Jubilee Newsletter USCCB Fall Plenary Assembly Recap Office for Divine Worship Dec Newsletter Phishing Scams Advent Worship Music Concert at St. Joseph Community Prayer Service for the Jubilee of Prisoners Advent Vigils Answer the Call Lessons and Carols in Concert Community Outreach Group Annual Clothing Distribution Party Liturgical Calendar 2026 |
Advent Worship music concert at St. Joseph Parish, Warren
St. Joseph Parish, 600 Pennsylvania Ave. West, Warren, is hosting an afternoon of Advent Worship Music on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 3:30 p.m. in the church. The concert is free but a goodwill offering is appreciated. Come and be moved by the music of Anna, Joseph and Nathanial. See attached flyer.
Community prayer service for the Jubilee of Prisoners
Saint James Parish, 2635 Buffalo Rd., Erie, will host a Community Prayer Service for the Jubilee of Prisoners on Friday, Dec. 12, at 6:30 p.m., located at 2635 Buffalo Road, Erie, 16510. Please join us as Deacon Dave Jacquel leads the community to pray for prisoners, families affected by incarceration, those harmed by crime and violence, and for a justice system rooted in restoration. All are welcome. Please spread the word using the attached advertisement at your parish.
Activities at the Monastery of the Benedictine Sisters
Monastery Tour and Advent Vigils
Tour the Monastery of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, 6101 East Lake Rd., Erie. Join us for a guided monastery tour at 4 p.m. on Dec. 6, followed by supper with the sisters in the monastery dining room, then join us for the Advent Vigil at 7 p.m. in the chapel. Reservations are needed for the tour and dinner because space is limited. Click here or call Michelle at 814-899-0614, ext. 2507. You are also welcome to attend all the Advent Vigils, each Saturday during Advent on Nov. 29, Dec. 6, Dec. 13 and Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. in the monastery chapel with no reservations necessary.
Advent Lectio
The Benedictine Sisters of Erie invite you to an “Advent Lectio” to consider and give thanks for past, present and emerging rays of light in your life. Facilitated by Sisters Ann Muczynski and Colleen Leathley, this Advent lectio (sacred reading) encounter will include spiritual nourishment, prayer, reflection and sharing. Sessions will be held at Mount St. Benedict Monastery, 6101 East Lake Rd, Erie, on the following Thursdays, from 4 to 5:15 p.m.: Dec. 4, 11 and 18. Registration is required—register here or email retreats@eriebenedictines.org. Suggested donation is $10 per session. See attached flyer.
Answer the Call Lessons and Carols in Concert
St. Joseph Parish, 147 W. 24th St., Erie presents Answer the Call Lessons and Carols in Concert on Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. Fifty singers, musicians and narrators will present Answer the Call with original music and lyrics by Michael Malthaner. The concert is free and any donations collected will support the Kinship Ministries of Erie. See attached flyer for more information or call 814-490-8707.
Community Outreach Group- Annual Clothing Distribution Party
The Community Outreach Group will be holding its annual Clothing Distribution Party on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the St. Paul Center, 453 W. 16th St., Erie. Free clothing available for men, women and children. Free snacks and refreshments. All are welcome, no questions asked. For more information, please contact Tim Nowakowski: TimmNow.CommOutrchGrp@gmail.com or 814-566-6435. Please see flyer for more information.
OLP Boy Scout Christmas Garage Sale
The annual OLP Boy Scout Troop-59 Christmas Garage Sale will take place Dec. 6 and 7 from 8 a.m. until noon at the Our Lady of Peace School Cafeteria, 2401 W. 38th St., Erie. Drop-off nights will be Monday, Nov. 24, and Monday, Dec. 1, from 6-8 p.m. at the Our Lady of Peace Scout House on the corner of W. 38th and Pacific Ave. Donations from this Christmas decorations sale will benefit OLP/West Lake FD Troop-59 activities.
OLM Hosts A Merry Mercy Christmas
A Merry Mercy Christmas Christmastime extravaganza will take place Sunday, Dec. 14, from 1-5 pm. Our Lady of Mercy Parish, 837 Bartlett Rd., Harborcreek is hosting this event filled with food, vendors, music, crafts, games and Santa and his reindeer.
SMCC Housekeeping Position
St. Mark Catholic Center, 429 E. Grandview Blvd., Erie, is hiring a part-time Housekeeping position. This position will work a minimum of 20 hours a week in the seminary and residential units. For more information, please visit https://www.eriercd.org/employment.html.
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