Heart - Diocese of Erie

FAITH magazine / CSA 2010 / www.FAITHerie.com9do some of the same things, but theyalso have the chance to sit around afire pit and discuss everything fromtypical teen topics to thought-provokingmoral issues. It is an outlet forkids to be themselves and talk in a safeenvironment.“The kids are having fun,” saysDesio. “But they also are learninghow to be responsible and develop astrong moral character.”There is no cost for the program,but the teens are encouraged to helpwith the younger kids each morning,something they really enjoy doing.“They love it when the little kidswant to crowd around them,” saysAnnette. “It makes them feel neededand enables them to be responsible.”The Desios are pleased with theimpact the program is having on theirown sons, Angelo, who is12, and Dominick, whois 16. Dominick attendsreligious education classesin the evening with teenshis own age. He also volunteersat the morning classto help with the youngerkids, a habit he picked upfrom the Summer YouthProgram. Not only is hea good example to theyounger kids, but he enjoysthat leadership role andwould like to be a teachersomeday.As long as the CSA fundsare available to the parish,the St. Joseph SummerYouth Program willcontinue to nurture the spirits of thechildren and teens who attend. As forgetting the kids off the street and intodoing something useful with theirtime … mission accomplished!Using the Web to grow as a parishcommunitySt. Peter Cathedral is the motherchurch of the Erie Diocese. However,successful communication by meansof a Web site has eluded the parishuntil recently. Monsignor WilliamBiebel, rector at the cathedral, saysone of his long-term goals was tocreate a vibrant and effective on-linepresence. Over the years, different designswere introduced, but a successfulsite remained just out of reach.Eventually Msgr. Biebel, the pastoralcouncil and the finance councilsearched the needs of the parish communityto increase its viability in thecoming years.“With the help of some very talentedschool parents and our ownstaff,” Msgr. Biebel says, “we found away to create the present site, www.stpetererie.org. The process was tiedto hiring an advancement/developmentperson, Leslie Guelcher, whoassists us in both parish and schoolareas.”Guelcher’s expertise, combinedwith the professional management ofthe Web site, resulted in an effectivesite for the parish and school.“For our school parents,” saysGuelcher, “we have informationfor each class, including upcomingevents and daily homework assignments.Additionally, we provide aweekly newsletter that is available onthe site.” Parish schedules, bulletinsand the history of the cathedral alsoare posted on line. It’s a wealth ofinformation displayed in a bright,eye-catching presentation.The best part of having the newWeb site is the way it unites thelarge parish community. Having agood source of information at theirfingertips is important to the parishioners,as can be seen by the growingnumber of people who visit the siteon a regular basis.The new Web site would not havebeen possible without CSA funding.“Funds from the CSA helped us ina broad sense,” says Msgr. Biebel. “Wefinally were able to achieve both goalsof establishing an attractive Web siteand a development office. The overagefunds from CSA were put into thegeneral budget, and without them wewould not have even attempted thoseareas of growth.”Growing spiritually in large andsmall groupsDuring Lent, 25 groups of menand women will gather in prayerfulsmall-group settings to talk aboutbeing Catholic. They are part of theWhy Catholic? program offeredto St. Francis of Assisiparishioners in Clearfieldthrough the generosity of theCatholic Services Appeal.Why Catholic? is a six-weekprogram held twice a yearduring Advent and Lent forthree years. It is an adultfaith formation programbased on the Catechism of theCatholic Church.Monsignor DesmondMcGee, pastor of St. Francis,is pleased with his parish’sresponse to the Why Catholic?program.“We use the CSA fundsto bring the Why Catholic?program to St. Francis,” hesays. The spring 2010 session willcomplete the series for this parish.CSA monies also funded a parishretreat that took place at St. Francisin March 2007. Msgr. McGee wantedto enable his parishioners to growspiritually in both the small groupsetting of Why Catholic? and as a parishthrough a four-day retreat. Titled,“A Lenten Journey with Jesus,” the experiencerejuvenated the parishionersof St. Francis. Parishioner Peg Ingramattended the retreat.“I thought the talks were very good,”she says. Msgr. McGee agrees and isgrateful that the CSA funds were availableto make it all happen.