Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

A new bishop has been named for the Catholic Diocese of Erie. 61-year-old Monsignor Lawrence Persico will succeed Bishop Donald Trautman, who resigned when he turned 75 on June 24, 2011, according to church protocol. Pope Benedict XVI made the announcement today. Persico will come to Erie from the Catholic Diocese of Greensburg and will be installed as bishop on Oct. 1. http://www.eriercd.org/default.htm The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Most Rev. Donald W. Trautman, bishop of Erie, has appointed Msgr. Charles A. Kaza, pastor of St. Tobias Parish in Brockway and vicar for the Eastern Vicariate of the diocese, to serve as a second vicar general for the Diocese of Erie. The new position was created because Msgr. Robert J. Smith, who has served as vicar general since 1990, underwent heart surgery earlier this month. Msgr. Smith will remain in his position as well. “I have visited with Monsignor Smith and want to assure people he is on the mend and we expect a full recovery,” Bishop Trautman said. “But with the travel on my schedule this fall (including the mandatory 10‐day Ad Limina visit to Rome in early December) and after consultation with the Priests Council, I felt this was a prudent measure.” A vicar general assists the bishop in the areas of diocesan governance, and along with the bishop oversees the operations of the administrative cabinet, diocesan departments and agencies and matters pertaining to clergy personn...

Many of the Sisters of St. Joseph were in Bradford Sunday as part of their continuing yearlong celebration of their 150th anniversary of serving the Erie Diocese. A Mass celebrated by Father Leo Gallina, pastor of St. Bernard's Church, was followed by a reception in the parish center. The sisters are visiting communities in which they ministered throughout the years to reconnect with the people they served. Pictured, left, Kristen Tate Luther poses with Sister Mary Rachael McGuire, one of the most beloved teachers at Bradford Central Christian High School. Pictured, below, the reception honoring the sisters hosted by the St. Bernard's Catholic Women's Club. Personal note: When you hear me enunciate "our" (instead of pronouncing it like "are") that's because of Sister Rachel. ("because" of Sister Rachel, not "becuz")