October 12, 2020
The next Information Bulletin is Monday, October 19, 2020.Deadline for submissions is Thursday, October 15, at 4:30 p.m.
Email your Information Bulletin items to the editor.
Priests’ Fall Day of Recollection
Priests are reminded to RSVP for the Fall Day of Recollection on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Immaculate Conception Parish in Clarion. Father Nicholas Rouch and Father Mark O’Hern will speak. Reservations are due Oct. 14. Please use the postcard you received in the mail or contact Maria Caulfield at mcaulfield@ErieRCD.org or 814-824-1130.
Pastors asked to review diocesan directory for changes
Pastors and parish office personnel are asked to closely review the email sent Sept. 28, 2020, regarding the diocesan directory. Pastors need to review and approve any updates to their parish information before it is submitted to the Office of Communications for inclusion in the 2021 directory. Parishes are asked to respond by Oct. 16, 2020.
New marriage preparation retreat option
The Marriage and Family Life Office of the Diocese of Erie is happy to offer a new, completely online, community-focused option for marriage preparation beginning in 2021. The Mentor-Cohort option takes place over four weeks in a small group with one or two mentor couples and engaged couples. It includes private time for couples to discuss and grow, space in a small community to process and wrestle with significant themes, and direct instruction from Dynamic Catholic’s Better Together program. For more information, dates and a profile of couples for whom this would be a benefit, please see the attached flier or visit https://www.eriercd.org/familylifeoffice/mentor-cohort.html.
Virtual respect life conference planned this month
Join the Social Justice & Life Office for a respect life virtual conference via Zoom on Oct. 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hear from four speakers, including Sister Norma Pimentel, MCJ, one of Time magazines 100 most influential people of 2020, and Ashley Feasley, director of policy with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. They will discuss such issues as consistent life ethic, immigration justice, racial justice and advocacy. Participate from the comfort of your home with family and friends or join your parish community and livestream together. To learn more about the speakers and/or to register for the event, visit www.ErieRCD.org/socialjusticelife/virtualconference.html. Registration deadline is Oct. 21. Questions can be directed to Patrice Swick, director of the SJ&L Office at pswick@ErieRCD.org. Parishes are asked, if possible, to post this information on their parish website, Facebook page and church bulletins. For convenience, see the attached flier for distribution.
Third #iGiveCatholic training offered
The Catholic Foundation will offer an #iGiveCatholic Zoom training on Oct. 13 at 1 p.m. Learn tips on how to personalize your #iGiveCatholic profile and how to market the initiative to your constituents. You must pre-register at https://form.jotform.com/202365179850156.
Missionary Cooperative Appeal Collection
Bishop Lawrence Persico thanks all pastors who conducted a Missionary Cooperative Appeal Collection in their parishes. The proceeds from this optional collection are now due and should be submitted to the Office of Diocesan and International Missions through Oct. 31, 2020. All proceeds will be divided equally among the 35 missionary groups that are counting on our help this year.
Adobe Flash Player reaches end-of-life on Dec. 31, 2020
Adobe Flash Player always has been targeted by hackers and malware authors. As a result, Adobe plans to aggressively cut off support on Dec. 31, 2020. At that time, Adobe not only will stop providing updates, but it also will remove all Flash Player download links from its website. (Important note: Your ability to make and open PDF files will not be affected by the demise of Flash. Adobe Flash Player, Adobe Acrobat Pro and Adobe Acrobat Reader are separate applications. Only Adobe Flash Player is being retired.) Additionally, Flash-based content will be blocked from running in Adobe Flash Player after Dec. 31, 2020. This suggests that Adobe has added or plans to add a so-called “time bomb” in the Flash Player code to prevent users from using it starting next year. Browser-makers are scheduled to remove the actual code that supports Flash from their browsers in late 2020 or early 2021. If you use an application that requires Flash, contact the vendor now to determine the next course of action.
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.
AttachmentsMarriage preparationVirtual respect life conference
|
PW Protected Attachments:Clergy and Department Heads click here to login.Marriage preparation Virtual respect life conference |
Erie parish to hold pro-life holy hour
St. Stanislaus Parish, E. 13th and Wallace streets, Erie, is holding a pro-life holy hour Oct. 18 at 2 p.m. All are welcome to pray before the Blessed Sacrament for a greater respect for life. Please wear masks. Questions? Please call 814-452-3395.
Order your Christmas wreath now
The Mercy Center for Women in Erie is conducting its annual wreath sale through Nov. 6. Twenty-two-inch Noble fir wreaths are available for $30 each. To order online, go to https://www.mcwerie.org/about/wreath-sale or call 814-455-4577.
Rest and renew at Bethany Retreat Center
The Bethany Retreat Center in Frenchville invites people to take a day or days of personal retreat to focus on self-care. How are you taking care of yourself spiritually, physically and emotionally? 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 to keep you and our staff safe. 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. Available dates are Nov 3-7, 2020, and Dec 8-12, 2020. Space is limited. For further details, go to www.bethanyretreatcenter.org.
Contemplative attitudes through the practice of Centering Prayer
A retreat based on David Frenette's book, The Path of Centering Prayer, will be held at Bethany Retreat Center in Frenchville Oct. 25-29. Presenter Doug Laplante will focus on the contemplative attitudes that are discussed in this essential book. The retreat includes silence and Centering Prayer. Such qualities as simplicity, gentleness, letting go, resting in God, embracing, and integrating one’s experience of prayer into one’s daily life are paired with guided meditations. Register today at www.bethanyretreatcenter.org.
Catholic’s divorce healing program offered
The Catholic’s Divorce Survival Guide (CDSG), a 12-week group program, will be held online beginning Oct. 14. The program will run Wednesdays from Oct. 14 to Nov. 18, and finish Wednesdays from Jan. 13 to Feb. 17. All sessions will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. A link to join the online video conference will be sent to participants when they register. The cost is $20 for the book/journal. Many topics will be addressed through DVDs with experienced presenters and with men and women who have felt the pain of divorce. For more information and/or to register, call Kate at 814-824-1261 or Tim at 720-775-9986, email familylife@ErieRCD.org or go to www.eriercd.org/familylifeoffice/sdm.html.
Chastity education director needed
The Office of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Erie is seeking a part-time director of chastity education. For details about the position and how to apply, go to https://www.eriercd.org/employment.html.