Priests in the Erie Catholic Diocese have been talking for weeks about the big changes ahead, as lay people prepare to assume a more active role in the church. It turns out they weren't kidding, as an article in the diocese's recent weekly newsletter says that more than 30 pastors and parochial vicars have accepted new assignments.

Bishop Lawrence Persico said the church faced six openings in pastorates across the diocese due to retirements and the death of one of the pastors. "Filling the positions created a domino effect, as each new appointment was considered," Persico was quoted as saying in the newsletter.

Thirty-five priests are transitioning to new duties, starting in July, and seven priests are changing residences due to change of assignment. Several of the larger parishes in the diocese will get new pastors.

For subscribers:More mergers part of talk about future of parishes in Catholic Diocese of Erie

With the change, the diocese will have 96 priests — a number that was not projected to be this low before 2023. "We know that within a decade, we will have about one-third fewer priests to cover our parishes," Persico said.

● At the recent Villa Maria Academy Baccalaureate Mass at St. Jude the Apostle Church, graduates were sponsored by relatives, teachers or friends. In one case, 1946 Villa graduate Audrey Guerrein Steinker sponsored her great-granddaughter, Ava Forsyth. It's a special tradition that hopefully will continue in some form as Villa merges with Cathedral Prep.

For subscribers:End of an era: Villa Maria Academy's final class closes door on school's storied history

More:What will happen to Villa Maria Academy's West Eighth Street home when students head to Prep this fall?

● Ron Sertz, the longtime coach and sports administrator who is recovering from a recurrence of cancer, took note of the recovery of the 1969 state championship basketball banner by alumni of St. John the Baptist School.

Sertz, who coached a state championship team at Sacred Heart School, recalled receiving a message that, after the school closed, banners and trophies from the display case were being thrown away. "I rushed down and was able to rescue them," Sertz said. "But now I'd like to find a good home for them."

Sertz is presently receiving daily radiation treatments at the Cleveland Clinic.

● Another member of one of Erie's greatest athletic families, the Carrs, has sadly died. Bishop Willie Carr, who starred in wrestling and other sports at East High, died May 31 at 74. He was a dedicated pastor who created a prison ministry that was widely copied across the state.

Willie Carr was followed at East by his brothers Fletcher, Joe, Jimmy, Jerry, Nate, Solomon and Michael, all of whom became big-time athletes.

More:NWPA Family Legacy Award: Erie Times-News, GoErie.com honor Carr wrestling family

● Longtime North East residents are pleased that the Freeport Restaurant will reopen, now that the Holdsworth family has sold the business to Red Letter Hospitality. My only hope is that the new owners will continue to make that delicious country sausage for which Freeport became famous.

More:The Cork, Molly Brannigan's owners buy Freeport Restaurant in North East

● The recent death of actor Ray Liotta reminded me of the low-key visit to Erie in the 1990s by the real Henry Hill, the mobster portrayed by Liotta in Martin Scorcese's "Goodfellas." Hill, as you might imagine, was a real character, but he loved Liotta in the movie and kept saying what a nice guy he was.

More:Ray Liotta, tough-guy star of 'Goodfellas' and 'Field of Dreams,' dies at 67

● Erie native Steve Scully is now hosting a new daily program on SiriusXM's bipartisan political channel. Scully took over the spot vacated by Chris Cuomo, and his show, "The Briefing with Steve Scully," airs from noon to 2 p.m. on SiriusXM's P.O.T.U.S. channel 124.

The longtime C-SPAN host is now the senior vice president at Washington, D.C.’s Bipartisan Policy Center. Scully recently met with a group from Erie’s Jefferson Educational Society, telling the members about his affection for his hometown.

● Speaking of the Jefferson Society, former Notre Dame College and. St. Bonaventure University President Andy Roth was recently honored at a reception there for the more than 100 "Book Notes" articles he has written for the group in the past two years.

Roth, a longtime professor and administrator at Mercyhurst University, is a scholar-in-residence at the Jefferson. He’s scheduled to speak at Chautauqua Institution later this summer.

● We’re heading into the heart of the local strawberry picking season, which means the fields will be crowded with people who love those juicy berries. A chilly spring delayed the season just a bit.

● Some local parents are irked by Rep. Mike Kelly's recent vote against addressing the infant formula shortage. Local Democratic politicians and parents recently gathered at Kelly's Erie office to protest the 16th District congressman’s vote.

● Erie Arts & Culture and the United Way of Erie County recently launched Purposeful Placemaking, a two-year commitment to create 50 murals along Erie's walking routes. The artwork will reflect the aspirations of neighborhood residents.

● When Baker Mayfield is finally traded or released by the Cleveland Browns, Progressive Insurance should film a commercial showing Mayfield locking the gate at First Energy Stadium.

Kevin Cuneo can be reached at kevin.cuneo1844@gmail.com.