September 14, 2020
The next Information Bulletin is Monday, September 21, 2020.Deadline for submissions is Thursday, September 17, at 4:30 p.m.
Email your Information Bulletin items to the editor.
2020 Peter’s Pence Collection
Pastors and administrators will find attached Bishop Lawrence Persico’s letter introducing the 2020 Peter’s Pence Collection, scheduled the weekend of Oct. 3-4. Parishes are asked to publicize this collection in a significant way on the weekend of Sept. 26-27.
Norms for participation of Catholic institutions in the political sphere
Election Day is fast approaching. The Diocese of Erie would like to make all Catholic institutions aware of the norms governing their participation in the political sphere. Attached are the latest norms promulgated in 2016 by Bishop Lawrence Persico. These have the force of particular law for the Diocese of Erie. Also attached are the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference’s 2020 political activity guidelines and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ social media guidelines. Please contact the Chancery at 814-824-1130 with any questions.
Parish offertory recovery
With fewer than four months left until the end of the year, is your parish concerned with how its offertory is doing? Catholic Foundation staff members recently attended two webinars on the topic of parish offertory recovery during this pandemic. These webinars were hosted by Prenger Solutions Group and Our Sunday Visitor, in collaboration with the International Catholic Stewardship Council. The Catholic Foundation is pleased to share fundraising best practices and a sample pastor letter (both attached) to consider sending to parishioners. Remember that the Catholic Foundation also can assist a parish increase its offertory by accepting online offertory gifts on behalf of the parish. Just go to www.mycatholicfoundation.org and select online offertory.
Clergy appointments
Please see the attached clergy appointments by Bishop Lawrence Persico.
Job openings in the diocese
See the classified section below for current 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.
PW Protected Attachments:Clergy and Department Heads click here to login.2016 norms for participation in the political sphere PCC political activity guidelines USCCB social media guidelines 2020 Peter’s Pence Parish offertory advice Parish offertory pastor letter Clergy appointments Confirmation retreat registration and permission form |
Rosary March will be held at St. Jude and also live-streamed
The annual Rosary March, celebrating the anniversary of the Blessed Mother’s appearance at Fatima, will be held Oct. 11 at 3 p.m. at St. Jude the Apostle Church, 2801 W. 6th St., Erie. Rosary, homily and Benediction will be held inside the church, but also will be live-streamed at www.stjudeapos.org. The World Apostolate of Fatima is sponsoring the event. For more information, contact John Walsh at 814-868-1100.
Introduction to Centering Prayer at Bethany Retreat Center
Sourced from the depths of Christian contemplative tradition, Centering Prayer has emerged as a life-changing prayer practice for those who embrace it. Its purpose is to foster a deeper intimacy with Christ through the silence and stillness of contemplative prayer. Learn more about this method of prayer and/or renew your practice Sept. 25-26 at the Bethany Retreat Center in Frenchville. Participants may attend in-person or via Zoom. Register online at www.bethanyretreatcenter.org.
Virtual confirmation retreat offered
A virtual, five-session confirmation retreat — called “Baptized to be God’s Witnesses as Priest, Prophet and King” — is offered two separate times this fall by the Bethany Retreat Center in Frenchville. Sister Suzanne Thibault, CA, will be the presenter. The retreat entails five Zoom sessions, including process material for candidates and sponsors to work on together. It’s an opportunity to explore the connection of baptism and confirmation, as well as the topic of growing in the Catholic faith beyond confirmation. This is a confirmation retreat approved by the Faith Formation Office of the Diocese of Erie. The registration form is attached. The first session is Sept. 27, 30 and Oct. 4, 7 and 11; registration deadline is Sept. 21. The second session is Oct. 25, 28 and Nov. 1, 4, 8; registration deadline is Oct.19. Sessions begin at 8 p.m. and last 30 to 45 minutes each. Participants receive a certificate of completion when the retreat is over. For more information, contact Sister Suzanne at bethanyyouthcenter@gmail.com. The cost for the retreat is $15 per person.
Discover your personal archetype at Bethany workshop
Come to the Bethany Retreat Center in Frenchville Oct. 2-3 for the Language of the Soul workshop aimed at discovering your personal archetype. Participants will learn practical tips for engaging in their own archetypal survival patterns to nurture and comfort themselves and others. Ask about the option to join from your home via Zoom. Register at www.bethanyretreatcenter.org.
Small-group Marian retreat planned in October
Join St. Francis Xavier Parish in McKean next month for a 33 Days to Morning Glory small-group retreat that focuses on being transformed into a saint through a relationship with Our Blessed Mother, Mary. During six weekly sessions, participants will read about and reflect on four great Marian giants: St. Louis de Montfort, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Teresa of Calcutta, and St. John Paul II. A 30-minute video also will be shown. Participants can choose to join a small group that meets once a week on Saturdays, beginning Oct. 17 (as a pre-session), or Mondays, beginning on Oct. 19, (with the final meeting being a post-session on Nov. 23). If anyone is interested in making the retreat but would rather do it from home, purchase a book and participant packet for $29.95. For more information and/or to register for the in-person retreat (by Sept. 21), contact Irene Schneider at 814-476-7657, ext. 7, or at evangelization@stfrancissaviermckean.org.
Principal position open at St. Gregory Catholic School
A principal position is open at St. Gregory Catholic School in North East for the 2020-21 school year. For complete details, go to https://www.eriercd.org/employment.html.
Positions available at St. Martin Center in Erie
St. Martin Center in Erie has openings for a donor relations specialist, a trauma case manager and teachers for its Early Learning Center. Find complete details at https://www.stmartincenter.org/who-we-are/careers.html.
Administrative assistant needed at Diocese of Erie
The Diocese of Erie’s Clergy Personnel Office is seeking a full-time administrative assistant. For details on the position and how to apply, go to https://www.eriercd.org/employment.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.
Music director needed at St. Joseph/Bread of Life Community
St. Joseph/Bread of Life Community Parish in Erie is seeking a part-time music director who would be responsible for the development, promotion and growth of the music program of the parish community. Qualified candidates must have the experience and ability to lead both traditional and contemporary styles of worship within the Catholic liturgy. Mostly flexible hours and duties primarily on Saturday and Sunday. The position is under the supervision of the pastor. If interested, call the parish office at 814-452-2982.