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. or by appointment.

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 Serving Bradford County since 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.

Pastor: Rev. Edward L. Michelini

*Wednesday: No Mass

Thursday: 8:30 am Mass

Seventh Sunday of Easter † May 13, 2018

Parish Dates To Remember

May 13: Mother’s Day PPC absentee ballots available this weekend (see Fr. Ed) May 14: Parish office closed May 15: Primary Day - VOTE ! 10:15 Mass @ Personal Care Home May 16: No Mass Wednesday May 17: 8:30 am Mass on Thursday May 18: 6 pm First Communion Practice May 19: 10 am First Communion Mass May 19-20: PPC election of new members this weekend (see p. 5) May 21: PPC Meeting 6:30 pm in Grotto Hall (food@6) Jun 23: Women’s Conference (see p. 5) May 28: 9 am Mass @ Cemetery Memorial Day Parish Office closed May 31: Eucharistic Adoration beginning 9 am Jun 1: First Friday 8:30 am Mass 10:15 am Mass @ Bradford County Manor Jun 2: First Saturday Mass 8:30 am Jun 29: Parish Feast Day Jul 3-4: Parish Days at Mt. Pisgah Pool Pavilion Jul 31: Parish Day at Mt. Pisgah Pool Pavilion Aug 5-9: Vacation Bible School

Memorials for Elsie Zurn

Teen Bible Study and CCD Classes Meet Sundays

9:15—10:30 am @ St. Agnes School Friday, May 18: 6 pm First Communion Practice

Saturday, May 19: 10 am First Communion

St. Agnes School

Vacation Bible School 2018

Shipwrecked! is our theme for 2018 Vacation Bible

School. Mark your calendars for August 5-9, 2018,

6-8 PM. This year we will be at the Wysox Presby-

terian Church, with groups for students Pre-K

through 6th Grade. Teen and Adult volunteers are

needed: please contact Marie Seibert (570-265-3122)

for information.

It wasn’t all Greek (sandwiches) to me Many thanks to Alex Piechocki for a most interesting and informative program last week on the Holy Name of God. From the origins of the Hebrew alphabet, which was the first to spell the Holy Name of the One True God, to the documentation (“Titular” ) nailed to the Cross of Jesus, Alex spelled out a fascinating history. The most amazing part for me: that special Sign nailed to the Cross is still in existence today, and Alex kindly brought a replica of it for us to see and touch. It is written in Hebrew, Latin and Greek, and it says (as translated into English, of course) “Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews” in each of those three languages, just as the Bible tells us. The process of subsequent Greek translations of the Hebrew Scriptures, and later into English and other languages, gives one food for thought (his example was an actual Greek food: explaining why a subway is a gyro is a hero. It’s not in the ingredients; rather, it’s in the process —translation or meaning “subway” or the trans-literation or exchanging alphabet letters “gyro” AND approximating the original pronunciation “hero”). ~ (One Who Attended). No sandwiches were served . . .

It was about the

EXHIBITS

It was about the ICE CREAM

It was about the

SOCIAL

IT WAS ABOUT OUR

140TH ANNIVERSARY !

Traveling Vocational Statues - Whom will you invite: St. Peter or St. Paul? Sign-up sheets are on the table at the entrance to the church to reserve the statue of St. Peter or the statue of St. Paul to visit your home for a week at a time (your choice of dates) in order to pray: for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, and for the discernment of God’s vocational calling to each of us.

2018 Men’s Conference Recent reports from the nearly twenty (20) men of our parish who attended the Conference indicated that the speakers were terrific: especially Jesse Romero and Fr. Gaitley, who were captivating, and that the Conference was very good overall. Let us see what dates 2019 brings. Thanks to all who attended – next season , invite / bring a friend.

Saint Mother Teresa of Kalkata

Intense love does not measure, it just gives.

Liturgical Ministers May 19 - 20

Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist Sat. Vigil 5 pm: Crystal Babcock, Bob & Jackie Pyznar Sun.8 am: Sonia Huff, Hank & Louise Schelter 11 am: Barbara & Ed Krauss, Tricia Bryington Lectors: Sat. Vigil 5 pm: Robert Grimes Sunday 8 am: Anne Leone 11 am: Barbara Krauss Altar Servers: Sat. Vigil 5 pm: Gary Raupers, Dillon Gallagher Sunday 8 am: David & Marabeth Boardman 11 am: Elias & Wil Shrawder Hospital & Personal Care Home: Louise Schelter Bradford County Manor: Sonia Huff

Mass Intentions - May 12 - 20

Sat. Vigil 5 pm: Peter Brandenburg and Gerald Bride (Mary Brandenburg) Sun. 8:00 am: Our Parishioners 11:00 am: Mother’s Day Intentions Mon. 8:30 am: James Lenox (Mary Alice Sullivan) Tues. 8:30 am: Tom Geissler (Sue Geissler) 10:15 am: Anne Thompson Haglich (Marilyn & Michael Grogan) Mass at Personal Care Home Wednesday: No Mass Thurs. 8:30 am: Dr. Charles R. Wolfe (LeeAnn Wolfe) Friday 8:30 am: Rev. Robert J. Kelleher Sat. 10 am: First Communion students and families Sat. Vigil 5:00 pm: Rocco & Marion Saldutti (Sue Geissler) Sun. 8:00 am: Christine & Vincent Cavagnaro (George & Christine Dzus) 11:00 am: Mother’s Day Intentions

Offertory April 29, 2018 Sunday Offering $ 3,52600 Catholic Home Missions $ 536.94 Special Envelopes $ 195.00

Thank you for your generosity!

Second Collection This weekend is for the Catholic Communication Campaign (see article on p. 6); special envelopes are in the rear of the church—mark your name/contribution envelope number on that envelope or on your loose check for contribution credit. Next week will be for Aid to Education.

Sanctuary Lamps burn this week for:

Anne Sullivan (Kathy & Mary Alice) Mary Gwin Cowling (Anne Cowling)

Altar Care May Chair: Nancy Foley

May 19 - Week 3: Anne Cowling

Chris Sullivan, Mary Alice Demangone

Counters Tuesday, May 15: Team A

Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Catholic Home Missions (April 29) Appeal

Thank you for your generous support of the Catholic

Home Missions Appeal. SS Peter & Paul Parishioners

gave $536.94. Your contributions will help to strength-

en the church at home and to ensure that the Gospel is

spread across the United States. If you missed this

Appeal, it’s not too late to give! Just visit:

www.usccb.org/nationalcollections and click on the

“How to Give” link on the left.

No Mass Wednesday Yes, Mass Thursday

There will be NO morning Mass Wednesday this week;

there WILL be an 8:30 am Mass on Thursday instead.

Parish Office Closed Monday

The parish office will be closed this Monday, May 14.

Collection counters please report on Tuesday morning.

First Communion Recipients

The parish recognizes those who will receive their

First Communion this coming Saturday, May 19,

2018. As a parish, we continue to pray that you

will sense and respond to God’s infinite love and

care for you, especially each time that you receive

Him at Mass in Holy Communion.

Please continue to pray for these students,

and their families: Declan Anderson, Marley

Bride, Madeline Burrowes, Lucas De la O, Mary

Kate Eberlin, Noah Kilmer, Morgan Kone, Shane

Maghamez, Lincoln Nash, Ekaterina Vatnitsky,

Matthew Weinman, and Cale Woodburn.

2017 Diocesan Annual Appeal - Report - Rebate The parish received a letter from Bishop Bambera thanking the parishioners of the Diocese and of our Parish for your generosity to the 2017 Annual Appeal. The Diocese reached its goal of $ 5M and the parish of SSPP exceeded its goal, raising $43K. This past year, monies raised from the Appeal helped to locally support Hezekiah’s Hands and Grace Connection, as well as St. Agnes School, and various Diocesan -assisted parish programs. Also, the parish will receive 75% of the amount by which we exceeded our goal – this year ~ $7.5 K.

Primary Election Day Tuesday

Plan to VOTE on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, to select bet-

ter candidates for the upcoming fall Election.

Did you know . . . that the Easter Season ends on Pentecost? Say “Happy Easter” up until then.

. . . that the word “Pentecost” means “Feast of 50 Days” (after Easter for Christians; Passover for Jews)?

. . . that the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles on the Jewish Pentecost Feast Day? Because of which.

. . . that Pentecost is the Birthday of the Church? Say “Happy Birthday” next Sunday!

. . . that it would be nice to wear RED to MASS on PENTECOST to celebrate our BIRTHDAY ?

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 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

Please Remember in Your prayers_

Reese Aquilio; Nancy Barrett; Christine Bedford; Rosie Beale; Gus Branish; David Walsh Brubaker; Kathy Campbell; Ric Campbell; Liz Cartieri; Chris Cole; Patricia Coleman; Margaret DeMarco; Patricia Dibble; Rachel Dugan; Stephanie Duggan; Margaret Dunkle; George Emery; Mary E. Farley; Helen Finlan; June Gormley Goodrich; Sally Groff; Linda Hilscher; Evelyn Hoff; Glenna Hoffman; Billy Hollenback; Linda Hollenback; Polly Karschner; Adam Kelly; Timothy Leo Lenox; Greg Long; Annette McClure; Deany McGarrigle; Mickey McGarrigle; Sharon Mahaffey; Margaret Miller; Nate Miller; Charles Palmer; Jean Perry; Kathleen Lenox Reider; Fr. Richard Rojas; Eugenia Serpe; Sarah Sobolewski; Special Intention; Mackenzie Kempner Taylor; Two Special Intentions; Ed and Barbara Ulatowski; Maria Van Haute; Lani Wood; Bob Zettlemoyer .

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 and Counselor at Law

507 West Pine Street 21 Troy St. - PO Box 157 Athens, PA 18810 Canton, PA 17724 570-888-0297 570-673-5180 Fax: 570-888-4142 or 570-364-5799 patrick@barrettlawofficepa.com Fax: 570-673-5780 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

Brandon B. Allis

Funeral Director—Supervisor

Maryott-Bowen Funeral Home Inc.

570-265-2272

217 York Ave., Towanda PA 18848

James A. Bowen

Funeral Director, Owner / Supervisor

1841– 2016

SS Peter

and Paul

Church

Bob Hugo 570-265-6615

106 River St., Towanda, PA

Auto * Home * Life * Fin. Services

bob.hugo.bt7s@statefarm.com

~~Green’s Auto Mart, Inc.~~ Quality Used Cars at a Fair Price

1503 Golden Mile Rd. Wysox

570-265-AUTO(2886)

FAX 570-265-8149

Before You Pay ~ See Rick or Ray

865 Golden Mile Towanda Pa 18848

570-265-4479

EVERY MONDAY

Large Cheese Pizza

9.99

Happy Mother’s Day – This Sunday - May 13, 2018

The parish wishes to recognize all of our moms, whether they are living or deceased. We thank them for the gift of life in its many forms, and we ask God to bless and care for them today and all days. Moms, Grand moms, Great-grand moms, and Godmothers are asked to pick up a parish Moms Day “Thank You” gift after Mass today.

First Look Pregnancy Center and Endless Mountains Pregnancy Care Center

EMPCC will be hosting two fund-raising events to support their efforts:

“Pound the Ground for Ultrasound” 10K, 5K and Kiddie Runs on Saturday, May 26, 2018, at Riverfront Park

in Sayre; and the 24th Annual Golf Tournament Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at Towanda Country Club, Wysox.

See more information on the Church bulletin board, or Fr. Ed, if you are interested.

2018 Diocesan Vocation Golf Classic On Monday, July 9, 2018, at Blue Ridge Trail Golf Club, the Ninth Annual Diocese of Scranton Golf Vocations Classic will be held, benefitting The Vianney Endowment to foster vocations and to assist semi-narians within the Diocese. If you are interested in playing in this Vocation Classic please see Fr. Ed ASAP. We are attempting to establish a foursome from the parish for this event.

Future Events and Opportunities Please mark your calendars and seriously consider attending these events: Sunday May 13, 2018 Mother’s Day Saturday, May 19, 2018 First Communion Sunday May 20, 2018 Pentecost Sunday Monday May 28, 2018 Memorial Day - 9 am Mass at James Street Cemetery (weather permitting) Sunday June 17, 2018 Father’s Day Saturday June 29, 2018 Parish Feast Day – Saints Peter & Paul A celebration of our feast day will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday July 3-4, 2018, with picnic food, games at the Pool Pavilion, and access to the various facilities at Mt. Pisgah State Park. Tuesday July 31, 2018 Parish Day at Mt. Pisgah – Pool Pavilion - another opportunity to enjoy the Park Sunday – Thursday August 5-9, 2018 Vacation Bible School Sunday – Tuesday September 16-18, 2018 Parish Mission with Mr. Frank Runyon – The Story of Faith Saturday, September 22, 2018 Diocesan Pilgrimage to D.C. Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

Discover Notre Dame Day Come visit Notre Dame High School Grades 7-12 and “DISCOVER ND" Tuesday, May 22, 2018. Group tours will be offered between 9 am – 11 am and 1 pm – 3 pm. Meet Notre Dame faculty, staff, adminis-trators and representatives of the student body and have the opportunity to tour the school. Prospective families will have the opportunity to learn about academic offerings, the performing and visual arts programs, our co-curricular activities and athletic programs. An appointment may also be scheduled to discuss financial aid opportunities. Visit and see for yourself how a quality college preparatory education is affordable. Space is limited and registration for the tour is required. To reserve your spot, call Michelle Barkley at 607-734-2267 x321.

2018 Diocesan Women’s Conference Coming Up The Women’s Conference is scheduled for Saturday, June 23, 2018, from 8 am to 4 pm at the Byron Complex of the University of Scranton. The theme for this First Women’s Conference is “Refresh Your Faith!” Featured speakers and musicians include: Judy Landrieu Klein, Fr. Richard McAlear, the musical group “His Own,” Megan Murphy, and Bishop Joseph Bambera. Contact Teresa Ondrey 570-888-3751 for information, or look at the Diocesan website dioceseofscranton.org, or the parish bulletin board at church. The Early Bird parish subsidized cost is $25.

Primary Day – This Tuesday —May 15, 2018 Get out and vote – Primary Day is an important day because it will determine who will be on the ballot come November, 2018. Investigate the candidates in your party and make it a point to vote on Tuesday.

World Day for Social Communications— Sunday, May 13, 2018

This weekend of the World Day for Social Communications has been chosen by the United States

Council of Catholic Bishops for their annual Catholic Communications Campaign.

Catholic Communication Campaign

Through Internet, social networks, television, radio, and print, the Catholic Communication Campaign

(CCC) helps the Church spread the Gospel message through the media locally and nationally. This collection

will be taken up in the Diocese of Scranton the weekend of May 12-13.

Half of all donations to the CCC collected in each diocese stay in that diocese to support local communica-

tions needs, such as radio and television programming and diocesan publications.

In the Diocese of Scranton, these include The Catholic Light newspaper that is mailed to more than 50,000

readers;CTV: Catholic Television, which has a potential audience of 250,000 households; the Diocesan web-

site; News Briefing electronic newsletter; social media such as Facebook and Twitter; and interaction with pub-

lic media.

This campaign supports global, national and local communication efforts. For example, the Catholic Com-

munication Campaign collection supports projects in developing nations where the local Church lacks resources

to spread the Gospel message.

Catholic Communication Campaign funds have also made possible media campaigns supporting mar-

riage, family communications, service to others, and reconciliation, that reached millions on radio and televi-

sion. Other projects have included the acclaimed public television documentaries: Picturing Mary and

The Face: Jesus in Art.

Social Media— Suggestions for Christians

*Accompany People with Joy! Social media is a great tool to spread the Gospel. Use it to accompany others.

Follow the USCCB daily on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and share posts to spread the joy of our faith.

*Create Networks of Encounter: Behind the wires and screens are people. Use social media to share affirm-

ing stories and to encounter others. Be authentic and build community. Offer to pray for each other or share a

favorite prayer.

*Would I Say This in Person? If you get angry on social media, take a break to think about what you’d say

face-to-face. Is the comment loving and merciful? If you’re upset, don’t comment immediately. Walk away

from your device, and ask yourself what you’d say in person.

Congratulations Are In Order

At the PA HS Speech League State Championships at Bloomsburg University, Hannah Tavani and Meghan Mendler advanced to the Quarterfinals in News Broadcast-ing, and Whitney Madill went to Semifinals in Informative Speaking. Congratulations to each of you – we are proud of you.

Balloting for new members to the Parish Pastoral Council will take place next Weekend - May 19-20 – Pentecost weekend, just prior to each of the Masses. The following parishioners have kept their names in nomination: (Photos on parish bulletin board and also on ballot sheet)

Crystal Babcock Holly Bradley Gus Branish Anne Cowling Phil Kaminsky Sasha Kone Ed Krauss Cindy Lambert Al Ondrey Hank Schelter Marie Seibert Kathleen Woods

You will be asked to mark four (4) names for the three (3) vacant seats to the Council. If you know you will not be here next weekend, parishioners can get an absentee ballot from Fr. Ed today.

Parish Pastoral Council Meeting Monday Evening, May 21, 2018 in Grotto Hall at 6:30 pm – some refreshments will be available at 6 pm.

Next Sunday is Pentecost Sunday – Nice to wear Red !