SAINT PETER AND SAINT PAUL, PRAY FOR US! Parish Office Hours

Monday-Thursday: 9 am to 3 pm

Mass Schedule

Vigil Mass

(Saturday) 5:00 p.m.

Sunday Mass

8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

Weekday Mass

M,T,W,F 8:30 a.m.

Confessions before daily

Mass; Saturday 4:15 p.m.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

SS. Peter & Paul Parish, a community of faith called by God to deepen

our relationship with Jesus Christ, serves the Lord by sharing our time,

talent and treasure. As disciples of Christ, we are called to bring Jesus

Christ to ourselves and others: our children, the sick, the poor, the fallen

away Catholics and those who need to hear God’s message of uncondi-

tional love and forgiveness. SS. Peter & Paul Parish is a beacon of light

rooted in Jesus Christ, passed on to his successor, our Holy Father the

Pope, and is guided by our local bishop to build the Kingdom of God on

Earth. It is our mission to shine the light of Jesus Christ in our world and

to spiritually enrich the individual members of the parish as well as the

larger community through word, worship, sacrament and service.

The Parish in the heart of the Endless Mountains

Established in 1841

SACRAMENTS

The Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated Sundays after the 11:00 a.m.

Mass. First time parents are asked to attend a welcoming session prior to

baptism. Godparents are asked to present a sponsor card. Please call the

parish office as soon as possible after your child’s birth to plan his or her

baptism.

The Sacrament of Marriage—engaged couples should notify the pastor

at least six months prior to their proposed date. Couples participate in a

preparation program.

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick—please call the parish of-

fice for visitation of the sick at home, in the hospital, or health care facili-

ty.

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is the official process used

by the Church to bring adults into the Catholic faith.

SPIRITUAL DEVOTIONS

The Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary

and the Divine Mercy Chaplet are prayed

in common before weekday Masses.

The Perpetual Novena of the Miracu-

lous Medal is prayed in common every

Monday after the 8:30 a.m. Mass.

Eucharistic Adoration is held from 9:00

a.m. on the Thursday preceding First Fri-

day until 2:00 p.m. on Friday in Grotto

Hall and the church.

Sacred Heart Devotions are prayed in

common after First Friday Masses.

Devotions to the Immaculate Heart of

Mary are prayed in common after the

First Saturday Masses.

Parish Prayer Line requests

Call Annette at 570-265-9691.

Seventh Sunday of Easter † May 17, 2015

Pastor: Rev. Edward L. Michelini

Jesus prayed . . . “Holy Father . . . now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world

so that they may share my joy completely. . . . I do not ask that you take them

out of the world but that you keep them from the evil one.” John 17: 11,13,15

Primary Election Day this Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Don’t forget to — VOTE !

CCD Every Sunday

Classes 9:15 in St. Agnes School

May 17: Last CCD Class @ school, but remember,

Mass is still @church every weekend!

Parish Dates To Remember

May 20: Spring Cleaning Work Bee @ church May 25: Memorial Day 9 am Cemetery Mass (or church) Deadline for payment for Papal Bus Trip May 26: 5:30 175th Anniversary Committee May 30-31: Missionary Visiting Priest at Masses Jun 6: Retreat in Wyalusing *see page 6 of bulletin June 14: Sonestown Hotel Dinner, War Museum, and Red Barn Antiques** Jun 27: Parish Feast Day Picnic @ Mt. Pisgah Jul 12-16: VBS “Camp Discovery” @ St. Agnes gym Jul 13: Diocesan Vocations Golf Classic Aug 8-9: National Shrine and Smithsonian Trip to Washington DC** **reservations call Nancy 570-721-1062

First Communion – Saturday, May 16, 2015

Congratulations to our 2015 First Holy Communion Class:

Novelle Brassfield

Emily Burrowes

Xhionne Jandoc

Hunter Johnson

Sean Lauber

Daisy Mitros

Savannah Persun

Mia Valentina Ramirez

John Paul Tavani Xavier Watson

We ask parishioners of the parish to

keep these children and their parents

in your prayers, that they may contin-

ue to grow ever closer in their rela-

tionship to Christ through frequent

reception of the sacraments of

Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist.

Vacation Bible School (VBS) – Camp Discovery

A summer Ecumenical Vacation Bible School will

again be held at St. Agnes School, JFK Hall, during the

week of July 12-16, 2015, Sunday evening through Thurs-

day evening from 6-8 pm. This year’s theme is “Camp

Discovery.”

Children grades Pre-school through 7th can come

to enjoy Bible stories, crafts, songs, food, activities and

friendship while discovering how to serve God and others.

Mark your calendars and save the date – Have Fun and

Discover!

Program organizers have been working to create

an enjoyable program and are looking for adults and teen-

agers to assist during part of, or for the entire program

week – Small Group leaders, Small group assistants, 1

Activity person. Please see Fr. Ed, Marie Seibert, or

Kathy DeWan for more details.

Sixth Annual Diocesan Vocations Golf Classic

Interested in golfing? Interested in

helping some young men study for the priest-

hood? How about combining the two and

forming a foursome to play in the Diocesan

Vocations Golf Classic! This year’s tourna-

ment will be held at Blue Ridge Trail Gold

Club on Monday July 13, 2015 – Captain & Crew.

Registration is at 10am/ Shotgun Start at 12 noon. See

Fr. Ed for a brochure. If you are not interested in play-

ing, but would like to help the program, make a check

out to Diocese of Scranton “Vocations Endowment.”

Thank you for your interest and support.

National Shrine Trip Planned

An overnight trip to the National Shrine in Washington,

DC, and also to the Smithsonian, has been proposed to the

parish Social Activities Committee, which is now planning

on the dates of August 8-9, 2015.

Transportation cost will depend on how

many people will be going. Please call

Nancy Barrett 570-268-0180 for infor-

mation and with your interest in going,

before May 23.

Grace Connection News

Grace Connection has helped 85 clients so far this year

with food and gas vouchers and utility shut-offs. They are

also distributing blankets and sleeping bags and mats to the

homeless.

The Board discussed fund raising options and also

exploring grant possibilities. They are accepting handmade

items for sale at their booth at craft shows to raise money

to help low income, needy and homeless in this area and

pop-top pasta meals and easily opened food items for the

homeless. Donations may be dropped off at the Grace

Connection office in the lower level of Trinity Lutheran

Church or contact _graceconncetion122@gmail.com or

570-268-0431. Grace Connection is open Monday and

Thursday 1-4 pm.

Papal Bus Trip Payment Deadline

All who have signed up for the September bus trip to the

Papal Mass in Philadelphia should have their payment in to

the Parish Office by Memorial Day. After Memorial Day,

the price will increase. If you have not signed up, we will

take names for a waiting list for any unpaid seats. Contact

Wendi Raupers 607-427-4916 or the Parish Office 570-

265-2113.

Liturgical Ministers May 16 - 17 Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharistic Sat. Vigil 5 pm: Brandon Dickerson, Joanne & Patrick Barry Sunday 8 am: Greg Steele, Murray O’Donnell, Barbara Wywiorski 11 am: Donna Brown, Ed Krauss, Charlene Garden Lectors Sat. Vigil 5 pm: Mary Alice Demangone Sunday 8 am: Mike Miller 11 am: Barbara Krauss Altar Servers Sat. Vigil 5 pm: Dillon Gallagher, Gary Raupers Sunday 8:00 am: Dominic & Luke Tavani, Emma Morgan 11 am: Hannah & Sam Tavani Musicians Sat. Vigil 5 pm: George Dzus, Marie Seibert Sunday 8:00: am: Gloria Nilsson, Theresa Sparrow 11:00 am: Joe Dorsey, Cindy Williams Hospital & Personal Care Home: Mary Alice Demangone Bradford County Manor: Donna Brown

Altar Care 5/23 Sheila Boyek,

Donna Brown, Barbara Branish

Collection Counters May 18: Team A

Sanctuary Lamps burn this week for:

1. James Walsh (Marie Walsh)

2. Joseph & Assunta Schuyler (Family)

Mass Intentions May 17 - 24 -

Sat. Vigil 5:00 pm: Dr. Charles Wolfe (Lee Ann Wolfe)

Sunday 8 am: Mother’s Day Intentions

11 am: Tom Geissler (Sue Geissler)

Mon. No Mass

Tuesday 8:30 am: Our Parishioners

10:15 am: Ann Kerr & deceased of the Edward &

Mary Barrett Family (M/M Joseph Barrett)

Mass at Personal Care Home

Wed. 5:30 pm: John & Evelyn Berda

Thurs: 8:30 am: Rose Lenox (Jake & Kathie DeWan)

Friday 8:30 am: Rocco & Marion Saldutti (Sue Geissler)

Sat. Vigil 5:00 pm: Joe Ritsko (Family)

Sunday 8 am: Mother’s Day Intentions

11 am: Intentions of Olga Mehalchick honoring her

93rd Birthday (Children & Grandchildren)

Offertory May 3, 2015

Sunday Offering $ 4,532.00

Nepal earthquake Relief $ 1,453.96

Care & Education of Priests $ 402.00

Special Envelopes $ 35.00

Thank you for your generosity.

Second Collection.

This week is the annual Catholic Communication Cam-

paign. Find information flyers and envelopes in the back

of the church this weekend; Next weekend, the annual

parish Cemetery Collection will be taken up.

Fr. Barron’s “Catholicism” Program

The final segment of Fr. Barron’s “Catholicism”

program will be this Wednesday, May 20, 2015. Each

Episode can be viewed individually. All are welcome!

Mass is held at 5:30 pm instead of 8:30 am, fol-

lowed by a light dinner, then the “Catholicism” program is

from 6:45-8 pm.

Mass Change May 18

There will be NO Mass on Monday morning, May 18;

there WILL be a Mass on Thursday, May 21.

Catholic Communication Campaign

This weekend we take up the collection for the Catholic

Communication Campaign (CCC). This collection com-

municates the gospel through Catholic social media activi-

ties and enriches our faith through podcasts, television,

radio, and print media. Please be generous in this week’s

collection and support this important work. Remember,

half of your donation stays in our diocese to support local

communication needs. The CCC is how we share our

experience of faith, worship, and witness. Envelopes and

information flyers are in the back of the church. For con-

tribution credit, put your name or parish envelope num-

ber on the CCC envelope.

Redemptorist Missionary Visitation

Rev. Lukasz Drozak, CSSR, a Missionary Redemptorist,

will visit our parish the weekend of May 30-31, 2015 to

speak about the work of his Congregation and to ask for

your assistance.

Please welcome Fr. Luke and be supportive of his

appeal. Thank You for your consideration and aid.

Memorial Day Cemetery Mass

Monday, May 25 is Memorial Day. Our annual Cemetery

Mass will be celebrated that day at 9 am at the James Street

Cemetery, weather permitting (otherwise in church).

Pentecost—wear RED

Next Sunday, May 24, we will celebrate Pentecost Sunday; as a visible reminder of the spirit of the Birthday

of the Church, when the Holy Spirit descended as “tongues as of fire” (Acts 2:3) upon the disciples, the priest’s vest-

ments will be red. Everyone is encouraged to wear something red to Mass next weekend.

Word of Life

“When God created each of us, He did so with precision and purpose, and He looks on each of us with love that cannot

be outdone in intensity or tenderness. Moreover, the Lord invites each of us to behold ourselves and each other with the

same wonder and awe.” ~ 2014-15 Respect Life Program flyer, USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities

RICHARD M. FARLEY CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT

———————————

521 MAIN STREET 570-265-4993

TOWANDA, PA 18848 FAX: 570-265-5996

e-mail: rmfarley@epix.net

Knights of Columbus TOWANDA COUNCIL, No. 3915

7 Poplar St., Towanda PA 18848

Meetings 2nd/4th Wednesdays at 7 pm

Contact: 570-265-2113

If you would like to join our parish, contact: SS. Peter & Paul Church—106 Third St.—Towanda PA 18848

Call 570-265-2113 or email stppp@epix.net

REQUEST FOR PARISH REGISTRATION FORM

Name ____________________________Date__________

Address_________________________________________

City,Zip _________________________Phone __________

ST. AGNES SCHOOL A Roman Catholic School of the Diocese of Scranton

Pre-K (3 & 4 Years of Age) to Grade 6 Middle States Accredited

(570) 265-6803 102 Third Street

Towanda PA 18848

www.edline.net/pages/StAgnes

570-268-7653 570-888-2202

Dandy Mini Mart

A dandy place to run for those extras!

Over 72 locations to serve you!

PLEASE THANK

these SPONSORS

Of our

Parish bulletin

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS_

George Allen; Mary Allen; Anonymous Request; Anonymous Special Intention; Christine

Bedford; Edith Brennan; Julia Brown; Otto Brown; David Brubaker; Robert Coles; Joan Cowles;

Sue Daly; John Thomas Demangone; Richard J. Finnegan; Mike Gambal; Eugene Gisler; Sally

Groff; Ann Thompson Haglich; Billy Hollenback; Linda Hollenback; Betty Johnson; Barbara

Korb; Joyce Kuykendal; Connie Leone; Frank Lindsey; Sharon Mahaffey; Mary Ellen Marshall; Joe Miksis; Mary

Miksis; Steven (Nate) Miller; Mary Lou Muchichko; Jim Nalisnick; Gloria Nilsson; Mary Paquette; Joe

Perechinskey; Bev Place; Matt Pritchard; Alex Rabago; Delia Rabago; Yolanda Rossi; Rita Sasso; Richard Schmieg;

Ed Slocum, Jr.; Jerry Smith; Joanne Smith; Marie Smith; Robert Spaulding; Paula Stover; Ed & Barbara Ulatowski;

C. Michael Vaughn; Kathleen Woods; Ruth Young; Elsie Zurn; also Felis, Grace, Venus, Zaida, Edna, Rita & Tita.

To add a name to this published Prayer List, call the office at 265-2113 or email your request to stppp@epix.net.

OTTAVIANI OPTOMETRY

1932 GOLDEN MILE RD 55 MAIN ST P.O. BOX 599 P.O. BOX 505 WYSOX PA 18854 WYALUSING PA 18853

PHONE: 570-265-6816 PHONE: 570-746-1610

SS. PETER & PAUL CEMETERY JAMES STREET - N. TOWANDA

2 AND 4 Grave Lots Available

Business Office: 106 Third St., Towanda PA 18848 570-265-2113

Barrett Law Offices Patrick J. Barrett, III

Attorney & Counselor at Law

21 Troy St. PO Box 157 96 Hayden St. Canton PA 17724 Sayre PA 18840 570-673-5180 570-888-0297 or 570-364-5799 Fax: 570-888-4142 Fax: 570-673-5780 barrettathens@cqservices.com. patbar.law@frontiernet.net

#1 in the #2 Business

Residential - Commercial

Oil Field

Monday – Friday 7 am – 5 pm

Weekends by Appointment

Pumping - Tank Installation

Tank Location - Broken Pipes

Repairs - Chemicals

Pump Repairs - Tank Replacement

A Community Funeral, Cremation, and Memorial Resource Service Owned & Operated by the Bowen Family

Providing Professional Services that Respond to Personal Needs

Complete Pre-Arranged Funeral Planning — Burial And Cremation Services.

Out-Of-Town Receiving and Transfer Service, Monument Service

www.bowenfuneralhomes.com

Bowen-Farr Funeral Home

570-258-3456

6 Gordon Farr St.—Ulster, Pa. 18850

Melvin A. Lovell

Funeral Director—Supervisor

Maryott-Bowen Funeral Home Inc.

570-265-2272

217 York Ave., Towanda PA 18848

James A. Bowen

Funeral Director, Owner / Supervisor

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

for Visiting Work Crews W/D, all utilities, central location:

6 bedroom 2 bath house furnished

www.edline.net/pages/StAgnes

570-265-6803

ADVERTISE HERE

Call 570-265-2113

ADVERTISE HERE

Call 570-265-2113

stppp@epix.net

175th Parish Anniversary: History, Heritage and Handing on what God has Given to Us

The plans for the 175th Anniversary of the parish are moving forward—more specific information will

follow in the bulletin and in the mail. Please review some of the activities below and plan to help and/or

attend. Keep your eyes and ears open and celebrate with us our History and Heritage as a Catholic Communi-

ty here in Towanda, and consider how we are called to Hand this on—these are our Three H’s.

The timeframe for the celebration will be from Pentecost 2016 through Pentecost 2017. Listed below

are the various events that are being planned:

1. May 15, 2016 Concert Pentecost Sunday Opening Celebration

2. May 30, 2016 Memorial Day Mass at James Street Cemetery

3. June 26, 2016 11 am Sunday Liturgy & Dinner Bishop Bambera main Celebrant

4. June 29, 2016 Feast of Saints Peter & Paul

5. August 15, 2016 100th Anniversary of the Parish Grotto & Ice Cream Social

6. September, 2016 Mass at State Road Cemetery

7. October & November, 2016 Thanksgiving/Harvest Dinner & ARISE Spiritual Renewal Program

8. February & March 2017 Mardi Gras Party & ARISE Spiritual Renewal Program

11. May, 2017 Tour of the Church / History Fair

12. May, 2017 Mass at James Street Cemetery – Recognition / Historical Grave / Marker

13. June 4, 2017 Concert Pentecost Sunday Closing Celebration

* Dinner program * Historical Booklet * New Parish Directory * Time Capsule(s) *

Light the Fire: Youth Rally

The summer youth rally for teens in 9th-12th grades will again be held Wednesday, July 1, 2015, at

Misericordia University in Dallas, PA. Registration opens at 9 am and the closing Mass will be at 7 pm. Light

the Fire is an energy-filled day with students from throughout the diocese gathering for a variety of activities,

presentations, music, prayer, and food. Music will be provided by Full Armor Band. Mike Patin will the be

main speaker throughout the day. Bishop Bambera will be the main celebrant at the Mass. See the posters in

the lobby of the church, and contact Brandon Dickerson 570-637-0756; Kathy Joyce 570-561-5687; Marie

Seibert 570-265-3122; or Fr. Ed 570-265-2113.

Parish Pastoral Council (PPC)

Thanks to everyone who thoughtfully proposed nominees for membership on the Parish Pastoral Coun-

cil; your nominations have been submitted to fill three Council positions, and the current PPC is now contact-

ing those candidates to determine if they would like to keep their names in nomination. Membership on this

Council is for a three-year term. Please continue to pray for our parish, the PPC, and for blessings upon this

selection process.

Names and pictures should be available next weekend in preparation for your vote.

Parish Picnic – Saturday June 27, 2015

Mark the date now for the celebration of two great Saints – Peter & Paul - and a great parish!

This year we are planning to celebrate our parish feast day (Feast of Saints Peter & Paul) on Saturday, June 27,

2015 at Mt. Pisgah State Park – Pool Pavilion. Same place as last year! Mt. Pisgah offers plenty of activities

as well as the ones the parish has planned. We have the pavilion from 8 am to 8 pm, so plan accordingly. Par-

ish activities will be in the morning and early afternoon with food designed surrounding noontime, see below:

9:00 -11:00 am Freestyle Fishing 1:30 – 2:30 pm Organized Games

10:30 -11:30 am Geo Caching Tug-of-War Potato Race

11:30 am - 1:30 pm Picnic Lunch Water Balloon Toss 3-legged Race

2:30 pm Kite Flying & Bubbles

Swimming 11am – 7pm, Boating, Hiking, Play Ground, Frisbee, Horseshoes, Fishing, etc. - Anytime ! To

help us in planning, Please sigh up early on the Parish Picnic sheets at the entrance to the church. Thank you!

Retreat Day in Wyalusing

A one day Retreat with Matthew Arnold- Saturday June 6th is being hosted by Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Parish at the St Mary of the Assumption worship site, 245 State St. (US Rt. 6) in Wyalusing. The retreat will

be led by nationally known Catholic speaker, Matthew Arnold and will be open to all at no charge. A free

will offering will be taken for Matthew’s expenses. Matthew Arnold is a lay Roman Catholic speaker, author,

and host of Shield of Faith on the Radio Maria Network; guest and host on EWTN; and has CDs, DVDs and

brochures through Lighthouse Catholic Media. For retreat details and registration, call 570-746-0106 or

email: olophpa@frontier.com.

Campaign Care

Last year the parish was faced with the daunting task of repairing the various Parish, School and Cem-

etery parking facilities and roadways. The cost was over $100K and Campaign Care 2014-2015 was/is a two

year program to meet those expenses. Through your generous gifts ~ $62K was raised with ~$42K outstand-

ing. If you would like to make an initial donation or a 2015 donation, please place your gift in an envelope

marked Campaign Care 2015 and place it in the collection basket or mail to the parish office – checks should

be marked SSPP 2015 Campaign Care.

Recycle Used Clothing

Trinity Lutheran (908 Main St., Towanda) has a collection shed in their south parking lot for used clothing,

shoes/sneakers, belts, purses, blankets, sheets, pillowcases, drapes and stuffed toys. These will be sent to

needy people all over the U.S. and the world through St. Pauly Textiles mission. Please place items in a tied/

closed plastic bag to keep them clean and dry before dropping off.

PLEASE, NO rags, scraps, pillows, toys or household goods; please don’t burden this mission with un-

wanted items that would incur time and expense to dispose of.

ARISE Together in Christ – Coming Soon to Our Parish

The parish, under the guidance of RENEW International and encouraged by the PPC, is undertaking a

program to strengthen the faith of parishioners of all ages – participants not only learn about the faith, but also

deepen their relationship with Christ and give witness with confidence to Christ in their lives. The program is

also focused to lead to a fuller and more active participation in the Liturgy. An informational meeting with

Anne Scanlan, ARISE representative, was held Monday, May 11. More information on this program as it will

incorporated into the parish will be forthcoming from Father Ed, other attendees, and in future bulletins.

T.A.C.O. Thanks

The Towanda Area Christian Outreach Food Pantry board of directors sends thanks to the parish for March

donations to the pantry. During the first quarter of 2015, they served 762 families totaling 1,807 individuals;

in addition, distributed 292 Elder Share and Fresh Express families. Due to generous donations they were

able to give each family during March a $25 gift card to Hurley’s for Easter. Your generosity helps so many,

and is much appreciated. There is a box in the lobby of the church for donations of unexpired staple food

items.

Grace Connection Thanks

“Thank you for your generous donation to Grace Connection. Your kindness is certainly appreciated by tthe

many families who turn to the ministry of Grace Connection when they are in need. We cannot express how

appreciative we are for you and your gift to us. Thank you and God Bless.” ~ Jeanne Douglas, Treasurer

SSPP parish Holy Thursday Collection donated to Grace Connection was a total of $572.

May 21: Feast of St. Christopher Magallanes

Fr. Christopher Magallanes was part of the Catholic Action Movement in Mexico, resisting the anti-Catholic Mexi-

can government. Despite great persecution, he established a seminary at Totatiche. Eventually, he was arrested,

tortured, and martyred. Pope John Paul II beatified the Cristero martyrs (Fr. Magallanes, 21 priests, and 3 lay com-

panions martyred between 1915-1937) in 1992 and canonized them in 2000. We celebrate their feast day this

coming Thursday, May 21. We remember their slogan: “Long live Christ the King and the Virgin of Guadalupe!”