October 19, 2020
The next Information Bulletin is Monday, October 26, 2020.Deadline for submissions is Thursday, October 22, 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.
Respect Life Virtual Conference planned Oct. 24
Join the Social Justice & Life Office for its 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 magazine’s 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 in church bulletins. For convenience, see the attached flier for distribution.
FDLC offers webinar on liturgical books
The Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions (FDLC) has been an integral part of liturgical formation for more than 50 years. It currently is offering free webinars. The next series of webinars (“The Liturgical Books”) will examine each of the Catholic Church’s official liturgical texts, focusing on structure, content and pastoral options. This will benefit parish musicians, youth ministers, catechists or anyone involved in liturgy. For more information, go to https://www.fdlc.org/formation.
Update the 2021 Official Catholic Directory (Kenedy Directory)
Beginning with the 2018 edition, the publishers of the Kenedy Directory implemented an online system for updates. Parishes, schools and other Catholic institutions must update their entries online. On Oct. 15, the Official Catholic Directory sent an email with update instructions to every organization that has given them an email address. A copy of that email is attached, along with some tips for completing the updates.
Institutional representatives should log on to https://ocdedits.com/login to complete their updates for the 2021 Official Catholic Directory by Nov. 13, 2020. Please contact Maria Caulfield with any questions at 814-824-1130 or mcaulfield@ErieRCD.org. You also may contact the publishers directly as explained in the attachment. (Note: This is not the diocesan directory; that must be updated separately.)
High school students invited to ‘Love Thy Neighbor’ experience
The “Love Thy Neighbor: Make a Difference at Home” experience is an opportunity for high school students around the Diocese of Erie to come together virtually and in-person (on your own) to learn about Catholic social teaching issues affecting our community, to build relationships with community organizations, and to be an impetus for change. It is a five-day experience, Nov. 15-19, for a flexible two hours a day. To register and/or for more information, go to https://www.eriercd.org/youth/lovethyneighbor.html.
#iGiveCatholic registration closes Oct. 30
The registration deadline to participate in #iGiveCatholic is Oct. 30. This ‘opt in’ process is different than last year. Register your parish, school or ministry at https://erie.igivecatholic.org/. Registration instructions and other helpful resources can be found at https://www.cfnwpa.org/giving-options/igivecatholic/igivecatholic-resources. Questions? Contact Michelle Basista at mbasista@cfnwpa.org or 814-824-1192.
Missionary Cooperative Appeal Collection
The Office of Diocesan and International Missions thanks all pastors who conducted the World Mission Sunday Collection in their parishes on Oct. 18. Parishes that have not yet taken this collection may still do so Oct. 25. Thank you for helping to address the financial need that exists in missionary territories throughout the world.
Face-to-face appointments now available at St. Martin Center
St. Martin Center, 1701 Parade St., Erie, is re-opening for face-to-face appointments on a limited basis. Please see the attached information that explains the latest schedule and safety efforts. This update applies only to St. Martin Center’s Parade Street site. Nothing has changed with the Early Learning Center, which re-opened in May.
Second Harvest offers free help applying for nutrition assistance
The Social Justice & Life Office of the Diocese of Erie encourages those in need of nutrition assistance to contact Second Harvest Food Bank of Erie for free assistance to apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Gabriela Kellogg, SNAP outreach coordinator, will assist with the pre-screening and application process, either over the phone or online at https://nwpafoodbank.org/. The goal is to reach low-income individuals, including those who are unemployed, underemployed, senior or disabled. For assistance, call 814- 459-3663, ext. 118, or email gkellogg@nwpafoodbank.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.
AttachmentsVirtual respect life conferenceKenedy Directory St. Martin Center
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PW Protected Attachments:Clergy and Department Heads click here to login.Virtual respect life conference Kenedy Directory St. Martin Center |
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.
Catholic Rural Ministry offers fall book discussions
Benedictine Sister Marian Wehler and Mercy Sister Tina Geiger of Catholic Rural Ministry are offering two book discussions beginning Oct. 20 and Oct. 22, either via Zoom or in person at St. Patrick School in Franklin. There are a limited number of tablets available for those who would like to learn how to use Zoom and do not already have a cell phone, laptop, tablet or PC. A supply of books also is available, or they can be downloaded online. Sessions will be held Tuesday evenings to discuss I’m Still Here (Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness) by Austin Channing Brown, and Thursday mornings and/or evenings to discuss A Spirituality of Aging: Using the Gift of Years, Growing Older Gracefully by Sister Joan Chittister, OSB, and What Does the Bible say About Old Age? by Father Ronald D. Witherup. Register by calling 814-677-2032 or emailing Sister Tina at srtinag@gmail.com. Free will offerings are accepted.
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.
Icon painting workshop
All are welcome to the Bethany Retreat Center in Frenchville Nov. 8-14 for an icon painting workshop. Immerse yourself in prayer and discussion while you paint an image of St. Paul with accomplished iconographer and teacher Mary Kay Laplante. People of all levels of artistic talent are invited to participate. The days will include class instruction and painting, personal prayer time, optional Centering Prayer, daily Mass and home-cooked meals provided by the Bethany staff. For more information or to register, go to www.bethanyretreatcenter.org.
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.
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