Latest news with #LawrencePersico
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Vatican agrees to hear parents' case on Blessed Sacrament School
The Vatican has agreed to hear the case of Blessed Sacrament School parents who are fighting to keep the school open after the Diocese of Erie announced its closure on February 14. The decision by the Vatican to study the case comes after the Friends of Blessed Sacrament School hired a canon lawyer in late February to present their claims. BSS parents hire lawyer, petition bishop to revoke school closure The group filed these claims in March, seeking to overturn the diocese's decision, which they argue was made without sufficient transparency. 'It's mind boggling, but the fact that they would take the time to get back so quickly to us on our little recourse case here in Erie, Pennsylvania, that is amazing and it makes me proud to be Catholic,' said Dorothy Sexauer, a member of the Friends of Blessed Sacrament School. The Diocese of Erie announced the closure of Blessed Sacrament School, citing a data-driven decision by the Catholic school system. However, parents are requesting the release of the data used to make this decision. Bishop Lawrence Persico reaffirmed in a statement in March that there would not be a reversal of the decision to close the campus. Despite this, the parents remain hopeful that the Vatican's involvement might lead to a different outcome. EDP, Flagship City District announce downtown summer events The Vatican's letter to the group's canon lawyer stated, 'This Dicastery has received the hierarchical recourse you have made against the decision to close Blessed Sacrament School. The Dicastery has begun its study of the case and will respond according to the norm of law.' Dorothy Sexauer emphasized the unique community at the school, noting that it serves over 40 percent minority students and nearly 50 percent low-income students, providing them a secure and welcoming environment. While the group has not been given a timeline for a decision from the Vatican, the fact that their case is being considered is seen as a positive step in their efforts to keep the school open. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now All facts from this article were gathered by WJET/WFXP journalists. This article was converted into this format with assistance from artificial intelligence. It has been edited and approved by WJET/WFXP staff. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Erie Catholic Bishop Lawrence Persico, others remember Pope Francis
(This story was updated to accurately reflect the most current information.) When it was announced a dozen years ago that Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina would be the new pope, Erie Catholic Bishop Lawrence Persico's mouth opened in surprise. Like many watching that day, Persico wasn't familiar with the archbishop of Buenos Aires who was about to lead the Roman Catholic Church as Pope Francis. But now, having served under Francis and even met him, Persico described the pontiff as warm, a good listener and "a man of hope." The Erie bishop and local Catholics join those around the world in mourning the passing of Pope Francis, who died April 21, the day after Easter, at the age of 88. Details on local liturgies and prayer services for Francis were still being worked out. "With deep sorrow, we join the universal Church in mourning the passing of our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis," Persico said in a statement on the Catholic Diocese of Erie website. Persico went on to say that "Pope Francis was a beacon of hope in troubled times, a voice for the voiceless and a tireless advocate for the dignity of every human person." Persico was named Erie's 10th Catholic bishop by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012. Persico was installed as bishop in October of that year and five months later in March 2013 watched as Bergoglio was announced as the new pope following Benedict's resignation earlier that year. From 2019: Erie's Persico to meet with pope Persico, in an April 21 interview, told the Erie Times-News that he had an audience with Pope Francis during a 2015 visit to Rome for a school for new bishops. Persico returned in 2019 for his "ad limina" visit, a periodic trip to the Vatican that all Roman Catholic bishops are required to make. That second interaction was more of a conversation, with the pope in a chair and Persico joining other bishops from Pennsylvania and New Jersey in chairs lined on other side of Francis. "He knew all about the grand jury report in Pennsylvania because that was fresh," Persico said, referring to a landmark report on abuse in Catholic dioceses in Pennsylvania released in 2018 by the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office. Francis was direct in his discussions but always pastoral, Persico said. "He was very warm," Persico said in recalling that 2019 visit. "He obviously listened to us." He added that although Francis used an interpreter, he seemed to understand more English than people might have expected. The Erie bishop said it's hard to tell who the cardinals will pick to replace the first Latin American pope but it's less likely to be another priest from the Americas. Someone from Africa or Asia is a possibility, Persico said. Another priest in the 13-county northwestern Pennsylvania diocese recalled being in Erie with Persico when Bergoglio was announced as pope. "I vividly remember the moment Jorge Cardinal Bergoglio was announced as the new pope," the Rev. Andrew Boyd, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Mercer, reflected on the Erie diocese's website. "I was sitting in the auditorium at St. Mark Catholic Center, looking up this unfamiliar cardinal's name on my iPad when Bishop Persico asked to borrow it to gather more information as well. From that moment, I began praying for our new Holy Father." Boyd also said, "I am deeply grateful for Pope Francis' unwavering commitment to the Church and to each of us. No matter how big or small our role may seem in the life of the Church, he reminds us that we matter. His witness of humility, mercy and love challenges us all to live the Gospel more fully." Pope Francis proclaimed 2025 a Holy Year of Jubilee, themed "Pilgrims of Hope." Persico's statement on the Erie diocese's website said that Francis "shared with us his ideas for this year, saying, 'For all of us, may the Jubilee be an opportunity to be renewed in hope. God's word helps us find reasons for that hope.' "Through his teachings, writings and personal witness, Pope Francis demonstrated this hope by showing us the path of discipleship ― one that is rooted in prayer and nourished by the sacraments. He constantly reminded us of our call to be instruments of peace and mercy." Erie bishop: Pope Francis allowing blessings to same-sex couples doesn't condone marriage Persico went on to say that "as we prepare to welcome our next Holy Father, let us also commit ourselves to living out Pope Francis' vision of a Catholic Church that goes forth, reaching out to all with the tender love of Christ." He also encouraged Catholics to pray for the cardinals charged with the task of selecting Francis' successor. The 13-county Catholic Diocese of Erie had an average weekend Mass attendance of 27,629 as of October 2024. The average for the two Erie deaneries was 10,878. Catholics from the Erie diocese were among those who flocked to see Francis in 2015 when he visited Philadelphia. The pope spoke at a Mass and at a meeting of bishops Persico attended. Francis also went to Washington, D.C., and New York City on that trip. "Pope Francis, certainly in all the difficulties he experienced, he certainly was a man of hope," Persico said. The Episcopal Church's Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe, formerly bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania, said in a statement that Pope Francis was a powerful advocate for migrants and refugees and "transformed our theology of the environment and recognized the need for LGBTQ+ people to feel heard, seen and included in their church. We are likewise grateful for his emphasis on reconciliation and ecumenical dialogue, in which our church has participated through the Anglican-Roman Catholic Theological Consultation in the United States of America." Erie residents gathered at Saint Peter Cathedral at 230 W. 10th St. on April 21 to celebrate Mass at 12:10 p.m. and mourn the loss of Pope Francis. "I woke up this morning and browsed my phone and saw images of Pope Francis with his date of birth and then 2025," said Elizabeth Campbell, Saint Peter's Cathedral parish member. "I thought, what did I miss? I just saw him on the news yesterday. So I was surprised. "Of course we have to pray for him and for his soul. Then my mind goes to who will replace him and how can we pray for our next pope? I hope the next pope will be someone who can share God's message." Some people were shocked that the pope's death occurred so close to Easter. "The news was very sad, yet I was amazed that it happened so close to Easter," Saint Peter's parishioner Aaron Kerr said. "Our family has appreciated so much from Pope Francis and his writings on the environment... He's been a leader in caring for the poor and teaching the church how to do that in a more compassionate way." Staff reporter Nicholas Sorensen contributed to this story. Dana Massing can be reached at dmassing@ This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Pope Francis' life, teachings remembered by Erie Catholic priests
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Erie faithful gather for mass with Bishop Persico honoring Pope Francis
A sacred gathering allowed the community to come together to honor the late Pope Francis. Bishop Lawrence Persico of the Diocese of Erie hosted an official celebration for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis. It took place at Saint Peter Cathedral. Attendees prayed and reflected on the late pope's life and impact on catholicism around the world. The mass also served as an opportunity for the church to come together and pray before the cardinals go into conclave. 'I think there has been a very positive response in the sense of that there is concern, but there is also concern too that many are praying they are also praying for the cardinals that will have to elect the new pope,' the bishop said. 'I think he really encouraged us to look past just who's clearly part of our community, our families and kind of really dig deeper into that,' said Katie Duda, a parishioner. Pope Francis died the day after Easter, on April 21. He was 88 years old. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
ANNA Shelter looking for new home for 15 abandoned cats
Fifteen cats were rescued on the side of the road this weekend, and now a local animal shelter is looking to give those cats a home. On Saturday, the ANNA Shelter received a call from state police after finding a crate full of 15 cats on the side of the road. Bishop Lawrence Persico speaks on passing of Pope Francis The shelter's director said the cats were shivering, covered in their own feces and urine, and soaked after being left out in the rain. The ANNA Shelter team got right to work washing, feeding and caring for the abandoned cats, and now the shelter is looking for families to adopt. Nostrovia! Erie's Polish community celebrates Dyngus Day 'Adopting is the biggest thing because the more we get out, the more we can take in, and it just seems to never end. We've had people come in today bringing us cat food, cat litter, and certainly that helps. We already had close to 200 cats in the building,' said Ruth Thompson, ANNA Shelter director. For more information on how to donate or adopt from the ANNA Shelter, Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nostrovia! Erie's Polish community celebrates Dyngus Day
Easter may be over, but Erie's Polish community continued the celebration for one more day. Dyngus Day is always the Monday after Easter, and on Monday, the Erie community took the day to celebrate their Polish heritage. Bishop Lawrence Persico speaks on passing of Pope Francis Dyngus Day draws tens of thousands to the streets of Buffalo, New York, every year. And on Monday, Erie's Polish community gathered for a celebration of their own. The holiday has been celebrated in Poland for hundreds of years, but Polish-Americans have since taken it under their wing. 'It has kind of a two-fold to it. It's the celebration of Lent being over and the fasting being done, celebrating that, and it's also a big holiday in poland where the boys kind of chase the girls and they take the pussy willows and swat at the back of their legs to kind of tease them a little bit,' said Maria Wawrzyniak, secretary of Polish Falcons Nest 610 The Polish Falcons Club on East 3rd Street held its 28th annual Dyngus Day celebration on Monday, with hundreds of people showing up in red shirts to celebrate their Polish heritage. Community gathers to dedicate street to late Erie leader Those celebrating ate traditional Polish cuisine, caught up with old friends, and danced the polka as a live band kept the energy going. The good people here at the Polish Falcons Club gave us a little free sample to try; we got pierogies, some Polish sausage, that authentic Polish cuisine, but if you were looking for something to drink instead, this wasn't the only place around town that's celebrating Dyngus Day. Nostrovia Brewing on East Lake Road opened its doors early in the week to celebrate Dyngus Day, and the owner said the weather has held up for a successful holiday. 'It's been fantastic. The tables have been filling up, people have been celebrating, and a lot of cabbage rolls and a lot of kielbasa, a lot of good times, great music in the background.' 'We probably increased our food demand by about 6 to 10 times on a day like today,' said Jeff Lukasik, owner & brewer at Nostrovia Brewing Company. Lukasik said they're also releasing a new beer with the holiday called the 'Polonia Pale,' which is made from hops straight from Poland. And like it said in the brewery's name, those celebrating raised their glasses with a loud 'nostrovia,' which means 'cheers and to your health' in Polish. Erie Events 'Community Report' highlights event successes in 2024 Next up, the Polish community will be getting ready for their Polish Zabawa Festival coming up in August. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
