Transitional Priest prepping for deacons duty in Iraq ordained Father Richard Diocese now has Allen to serve as seven transitional chaplain and a deacons, page 3. member of active duty, page 4. www.ErieRCD.org BI-WEEKLY NEWS BULLETIN OF THE DIOCESE OF ERIE May 10, 2009 Church Calendar Events of the local, American and universal church Feast days Cathedral Prep hosts first-ever Erie Area Outreach Day Our Lady of Fatima St. Rita of Cascia By Jason Koshinskie FaithLife By the May 12 St. Nereus & St. Achilleus (martyrs of the Roman ERIE – The 650-plus stu- Numbers: dents, faculty and staff at Ca- military), St. Pancras thedral Prep weren’t in class- Cathedral Prep’s (martyred as a teenager) rooms or offices on April 24, Erie Area May 13 Our Lady of Fatima but they didn’t take that par- Cathedral Prep students surround one of school’s inaugural Erie Area Outreach Day. ticular Thursday off, either. Outreach Day their guests attempting a free throw shot More than 650 students, faculty and staff May 14 St. Matthias (apostle chosen to Instead, they spent the day April 23 at St. Andrew. Prep students hosted members volunteered at a number of non- replace Judas) giving of their time to oth- 650-plus students, faculty 50 guests from L’Arche and Erie Homes for profit agencies and ministries throughout ers and learning about things and staff Children and Adults at a fair as part of the the day. May 15 St. Isidore (patron of farmers that can’t be experienced in- and rural communities) side a school. Volunteering 5 hours each Museum, Erie Playhouse, 31. The theme for this year’s with,” said Father Mike De- Prep’s first-ever Erie Area (from 9 a.m. to noon and Erie Zoo, Second Harvest celebration was “Catholic Martinis, Cathedral Prep’s May 18 Pope John I (died in prison) Outreach Day had students 1 to 3 p.m.) Food Bank, Emmaus Soup Schools Celebrate Service.” director of Campus Ministry. reaching out to non-profit Kitchen, the Sisters of St. Jo- Every student, teacher, sec- “Then we had each group dis- May 20 St. Bernardine of Siena agencies and ministries 3,250-plus hours of seph Neighborhood Network retary and maintenance per- cern a project. They all talked (missionary, reformer, “Apostle throughout the city and be- volunteer outreach and others. son was randomly put into a about where they could fill a of Italy”) yond including Presque Isle The idea for an outreach small group. need and came up with some- State Park, Frontier Park, day began during Catholic “That way you have a thing that was important to May 21 Ascension of the Lord Tom Ridge Environmental tat for Humanity, Erie County Schools Week, which was ob- chance to be with people you May 22 St. Rita of Cascia (patron of Center, Asbury Woods, Habi- Historical Society, Children’s served nationally January 25- might not normally interact See SERVICE, page 3 the impossible) Catholic Services Appeal update Ascension of the Lord – May 21 (holy day of obligation) CSA ahead of last are within 80 percent of their parish reaches its assessment, goal, Hoag said. every dollar pledged over that This solem- year’s record total “With additional follow-up, amount stays within the par- nity, celebrated By Jason Koshinskie we’re confident more parishes ish for local projects. 40 days after FaithLife editor will be making their goal,” To date, parishes have col- Easter Sunday, he said. “We are encouraging lectively raised nearly $1.9 commemorates So far, the 2009 Catholic follow-up because there are million over goal to be used the ascension of Services Appeal is a success. past supporters who have not for parish projects, which is Christ into heav- More people are giving, yet contributed to the CSA more than the amount at this en, according people are giving generously this year. We know it’s a dif- point last year ($1.6 million). to Mark 16:19, and parishes are making their ficult economic situation. It’s To make a pledge or gift Luke 24:51 and goals. one of the other reasons we’re to the 2008 CSA, contact Acts 1:2. Also “I am very pleased with extremely pleased with these your parish office or the Erie known as As- the generosity of the people numbers.” Diocese’s Office of Steward- cension Thurs- of the diocese,” said Joseph Parishes also benefit from ship and Annual Appeals day, this feast Hoag, director of the dio- the appeal. Each parish is as- at 814.824.1192 or e-mail is a holy day of cese’s Office of Stewardship sessed a financial goal. Once a [email protected]. obligation. and Annual Appeals. More parishes are at or 2009 CSA results (through April 20) near goal than they were at Compares 2009 results with 2008 at the same point last year this point last year, Hoag (CNS photo) said. One-hundred and seven 2009 CSA 2008 CSA Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms throughout the dio- parishes or missions have ex- Pledges/gifts to date 20,407 19,331 cese. The month of May is devoted to Mary, the mother of ceeded their goal; 29 parishes Total $ pledged to date $5,433,175 $5,240,039 the Church, and is traditionally celebrated with a crowning Confirmations and missions are currently Final pledges/gifts To be determined 21,551 of Mary and praying of the rosary. below goal. Of those 29, 15 Final $ pledged To be determined $5,887,531 Holy Cross, Fairview – Tuesday, May 12 at 7 p.m. Our Lady Queen of the Americas, Conneaut Lake – Thursday, May 14 at 7 p.m. ‘I Have Chosen You’ Confirmation classes include Our Lady Queen of the Americas, Conneaut Lake; St. Philip, Linesville; and St. Peter, Conneautville. Students Holy Rosary, Johnsonburg – Friday, May 15 at 7 p.m. Confirmation classes include Holy reminded of Rosary, Johnsonburg, and St. Anne, Wilcox. God’s love at St. Tobias, Brockway – Saturday, May 16 at 11 a.m. Confirmation classes include St. Tobias, Brockway; Assumption of the middle school Blessed Virgin Mary, Sykesville; and St. Mary, Reynoldsville. youth rally St. Michael, Greenville – Sunday, May By FaithLife staff 17 at 9 a.m. Confirmation classes include St. Michael, Greenville, and St. Margaret, BRADFORD — “I Have Chosen Jamestown. You” was the theme for this year’s middle school youth rally, held at St. St. Peter Cathedral, Erie – Sunday, May Bernard School in Bradford on April 17 at 2 p.m. Confirmation classes include 18. St. Agatha, Meadville; St. Bernadette, “It was an opportunity to reinforce Saegertown; St. Brigid, Meadville; St. Mary the idea that our youth are indeed of Grace, Meadville; St. Hippolyte, Guys chosen by God,” said Father Steve Mills; Our Lady of Lourdes, Cochranton; and Schreiber, director of Youth and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mercer. Young Adult Ministry for the Erie Diocese. “They learned how impor- Our Lady of the Lake, Edinboro – Monday, tant they are to the church right now May 18 at 7 p.m. Confirmation classes include and that it’s a cause for joy.” Singer, songwriter and storyteller Jesse Manibusan (top right and above center) interacts with students at the Our Lady of the Lake, Edinboro; St. Lawrence, Featured was Jesse Manibusan, middle school youth rally April 18 in Bradford. Albion; and St. Anthony, Cambridge Springs. acclaimed singer, songwriter and sto- lar Kim Mooney, the principal, did an age, she said, but it’s important that home that St. Bernard students have ryteller who has appeared around the incredible job of hosting the event,” kids know they are each chosen and been invited back to share their poetry, Our Lady of Peace, Erie – Thursday, May country as well as at National Cath- said Father Schreiber. loved by God. Mooney said. 21 at 7 p.m. olic Youth Conference and World Mooney said the kids had a “won- “At that age, you can feel awk- “We also set aside time to help them Youth Day events. He was backed by derful experience.” ward,” Mooney said. “But that’s OK. walk through an examination of con- Beloved Disciple, Grove City – Friday, a team of young people from Gan- “Being together with different peo- God loves you at any age and any science,” said Father Steve, “and they May 22 at 7 p.m. Confirmation classes non University, Edinboro University ple, I think they found out that faith stage you are.” responded very well when we gave include Beloved Disciple, Grove City, and St. and Mercyhurst College as well as a comes in many different ways,” she In addition to Manibusan’s ses- them the opportunity for confession.” Columbkille, Stoneboro. handful of high school students. said. “Faith can be a vibrant and excit- sions, the students participated in a During the rally, longtime youth More than 170 young people regis- ing thing, as they saw with Jesse. And service project, creating decorations ministry leader Aaron Pfoutz of St. St. Joseph, Sharon – Saturday, May 23 at tered for the event, which was held in it can be explored and celebrated in an for the parish’s confirmation and area Marys gave a presentation on contem- 5:15 p.m. Confirmation classes include St. Bradford for the first time. upbeat way.” nursing homes. The decorations were plative youth ministry to the approxi- Joseph, Sharon, and Sacred Heart, Sharon. “St. Bernard Parish and in particu- Middle school can be a difficult so well received at one area nursing mately 40 adult leaders involved. By the Way..