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.

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

*except Jan. 18-22, 2016

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 Baptism of the Lord † January 10, 2016

. . . a voice came from heaven,

“You are my beloved Son;

with you

I am well pleased.”

Luke 3: 22

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This weekend is the PTG monthly fundraiser

breakfast from 8-11 AM in JFK Hall—

fabulous food at family-friendly prices.

CCD

Sunday 9:15 am in St. Agnes School

Jan. 10: classes resume

Jan.17: no class (holiday weekend)

Jan. 24: Classes all meet in church

Parish Dates To Remember

Jan 10: CCD Classes resume

: St. Agnes PTG Breakfast 8-11 am in JFK Hall

: Social Activities Planning Grotto Hall after 11 Mass

: un-decorate the church after 11 am Mass

: Youth Group 6 pm in JFK Hall

Jan 11: Lenten Preparation @ St. Boniface Wmspt 6:30 pm

Jan 17: No CCD class (M.L.K. Holiday weekend)

Jan 17: Bradford County Rally for Human Life 2 pm @

Courthouse followed by prayer service, reception @ SSPP

Jan 18-22: No weekday Masses

Jan 18: Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, office closed

Jan 22: March for Life, Washington, DC

Jan 23-24: ARISE Sign-Up Weekend

Jan 24: CCD classes meet in church

: Youth Group 6 pm

Jan 25: Scranton Ecumenical Celebration @Cathedral 12:10 pm

Jan 28: ARISE Season 2 Leaders Workshop 6 pm; All welcome

Jan30: Breakfast For Life @ Montrose; RSVP 570-278-4500

Jan 31: Catholic Schools Week Kickoff (details at left)

St. Agnes School

From the Youth Group

Kick-off for the 2016 Year for our Youth Group happens at

6 pm Sunday, January 10. Come join the fun and help to

plan the exciting activities and events you want this year,

and bring a friend.

Is 2016 your Wedding Anniversary Year?

His Excellency, the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera,

D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, and the Office for Par-

ish Life wish to invite couples celebrating their 25th or

50th wedding anniversary in 2016 to a diocesan Wedding

Anniversary Mass on Sunday, June 5. The event includes

a 2:30 PM mass at St. Peter’s Cathedral followed by a re-

ception. Requests for an invitation, with a mailing ad-

dress, should be made through your parish office before

March 7.

Catholic Schools Week

Sunday, January 31st- Catholic Schools Week Kickoff (all

events take place at the school unless otherwise noted)

10am-2pm Book Fair & Promise Tree Silent Auction

10am-12pm Open House & Student Pre-registration

for 2016-17

11am Children's Mass & Choir at

SS. Peter & Paul Church

12pm-1pm Community Brunch

1pm-2pm Childrens "Olympic Games"

All events open to the public

ARISE, Shine,

for Your Light Has Come

Season II of ARISE Together in Christ

will take place during this Lent. There

will be six faith sharing sessions that

invite us to “Change Our Hearts.”

The first session reflects on the central call of Ash Wednes-

day to conversion, both as turning away from and as turn-

ing toward something/someone.

Over the following 5 weeks, we will explore the

meaning of lifelong conversion via the great symbolic

themes of the Lenten liturgy: being transfigured; our thirst

for God; living as children of light; and changing our hearts

of stone to hearts of flesh. Our concluding session leads us

into Palm Sunday and Holy Week. It’s a perfect way to

make this Lent something special for God and for YOU.

Sign-Up Weekend is January 23rd & 24th. We

hope you will join us and experience the most Holy, Spirit-

Inspired Lent of your Life!

Contact Mike Boyek, Christina Fleury, Kathie

DeWan or Sharon Kaminsky for any questions, or check

our website and FaceBook for more information at:

www.AriseTowanda.weebly.com or

www.facebook.arise.towanda.pa

Second Annual Catholic Men’s Conference

April 23, 2016 Dr. Scott Hahn from Franciscan University and

Monsignor Charles Pope from the Archdiocese of Wash-

ington DC will be the main presenters at the Sec-

ond Annual Catholic Men’s Conference on April 23,

2016 at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

The theme for the Conference is “Jesus Christ, The

Face of True Manhood.” There will be opportunities for

Eucharistic Adoration, the celebration of the Sacrament of

Reconciliation as well as devotional prayers. Additionally,

exhibitors will be offering a full array of Catholic books,

CDs and DVDs, and presenting ministry opportuni-

ties. Fathers, sons, grandsons and friends are all most wel-

come to attend.

Men set some space aside in your busy schedules

to attend this Conference. Those who attended last year’s

conference felt that the day was very beneficial. More de-

tails will follow, but mark your calendars now.

Liturgical Ministers Jan 16 Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharistic Sat.Vigil 5 pm: Marilyn Miller, Bob & Jackie Pyznar Sun. 8 am: Rose Powers, Hank & Louise Schelter 11 am: Donna Brown, Wendi & Gary Raupers Lectors: Sat. Vigil 5 pm: Mary Alice Demangone Sunday 8 am: Chris Sullivan 11 am: Anne Leone Altar Servers Sat. Vigil: Aaron Barry, Natalee & Xavier Watson Sun. 8 am: Max & Lara Vega, Emma Morgan 11 am: Katherine West, Mason Hartmann, Warner Dorman Musicians Sat. Vigil 5 pm: Sunday 8 am: George Dzus, Theresa Sparrow 11:00 am: Joe Dorsey, Jim Hoffmann Hospital & Personal Care Home: Mary Alice Demangone Bradford County Manor: Mary Pfeffer

Altar Care 1/16/16 Kathy Becker

Michelle Snell, Helen Santiago

Collection Counters 1/11/16 Team B

Mass Intentions Jan 10—17 Sat. Vigil 5:00 pm: Patrick J. Barrett, Jr.,

(John & Chris Sullivan)

Sunday 8:00 am: James Rittell (The Family)

11:00 am: Our Parishioners

Mon. 8:30 am: George & Andoretta Girio (Art & Libby Girio)

Tues 8:00 am: Dolores Shuck (Piechocki’s)

Wed 8:30 am: Robert Moyle (Jack & Mary Lou Allis)

Thursday No Mass

Fri. 8:30 am: James Christini (Bob Zettlemoyer)

Sat. Vigil 5 pm: Michael Yanak (Barbara Yanak Wywiorski)

Sunday 8:00 am: Our Parishioners

11:00 am: Marla Brennan (Mother, Edith Brennan)

Offertory December 25-27, 2015

Christmas Collection $ 15,783.90

Sunday Offering $ 4,368.00

Special envelopes $ 197.00

Thank you for your generosity!

Second Collection This week is Aid to Education, for the Catholic Schools

including our own St. Agnes; next week will be for Insur-

ance and Taxes.

Parish Contribution Credit

Anyone wanting an additional January 2016 contribution

to be credited to the 2015 tax year should get it to the

office by January 17, 2016.

The best way for us to tabulate your contribu-

tions is through the parish envelope system; call the

office 265-2113 or email stppp@epix.net to request a

box of envelopes for 2016.

Tuesday Mass at 8:00 AM

Please note that Tuesday morning Mass will be at 8:00 am

instead of 8:30 am.

Fr. Ed Will be Away

Fr. Ed will be away from Wednesday, January 13,

through Friday, January 22, 2016. He is asking that the

Tuesday Mass on the 12th be moved up to 8 am rather

than 8:30 am—Thank You!

Fr. Vincent Langan will celebrate weekday Mass

at 8:30 am on Wednesday January 13, Friday January 15,

and the Sunday, January 17, 2016, Masses at 8 & 11 am.

Fr. Joseph Kutch will celebrate the 5 pm Mass on

Saturday January 16, 2016. Please welcome both visiting

priests—Fr. Langan and Fr. Kutch – I appreciate their assis-

tance in being at SS Peter & Paul while I am away.

Looking Ahead

There will be no weekday Masses from January 18—22,

2016, while Father is away. January 18 is the Martin Luther

King, Jr., holiday and the parish office will be closed that

Monday; collection counters scheduled Tuesday Jan. 19.

The Baptism of the Lord – January 10, 2016

Christmas Decorations

This Sunday after the 11 am Mass we are in need of assis-

tance in taking down and storing the Christmas decorations

as we begin Ordinary Time. There are a number of big

items that need some parishioners with strength and little

items that need parishioners with ingenuity. Many hands

make lighter work, so if you can offer any time to help it

will be greatly appreciated – contact Mary Kay Ward or just

show up. No experience necessary! Pizza and something to

drink will be offered when the job is done.

2016 Men’s Spring Cursillo and

2016 Women’s Spring Cursillo

As we enter 2016, it is time to more seriously consider

making a Cursillo in 2016. The dates for a Spring 2016

areas follows: Men’s Cursillo — February 25028, 2016;

Women’s Cursillo—April 14-17, 2016.

Please speak with either John Demangone, Rob Grimes,

Barbara Krauss, Christina Fleury for additional infor-

mation; other information and applications are on the table

at the entrance to the church.

Wedding

Next Saturday, Fr. Joseph Kutch will preside at

the Sacrament of Matrimony to be celebrated by Tabitha

Dessa and Morgan Gardner at 1:30 pm in SS Peter &

Paul Church.

Bradford County Rally for Human Life

Sunday, January 17, 2016

The Bradford County Pennsylvanians for Human Life is

organizing the Rally for Life in Towanda, on Sunday

January 17, 2016 at 2 pm in front of the Bradford Coun-

ty Court House followed by a Prayer Service in Saints

Peter and Paul Church and a reception in Grotto Hall –

the church basement. If you are interested in participat-

ing in the rally or helping with the Prayer Service or re-

ception please contact Marie Seibert (570-265-3122).

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_

Mary Allen; Anonymous Request; Anonymous Special Intention; Christine Bedford; Gus

Branish; Edith Brennan; Julia Brown; David Brubaker; Patricia Coleman; Robert Coles; Joan

Cowles; David Conklin; Sue Daly; John Thomas Demangone; Patricia Dibble; Mike Dunkle;

Richard J. Finnegan; Mike Gambal; Jim Grimes; Sally Groff; Ann Thompson Haglich; Evelyn

Hoff; Glenna Hoffman; Billy Hollenback; Linda Hollenback; Betty Johnson; Adam Kelly; Joyce Kuykendal; Timothy

Leo Lenox; Connie Leone; Frank Lindsey; Sharon Mahaffey; Mary Ellen Marshall; Marie McCauley; Deany Mc-

Garrigle; Debra McGovern; Joe Miksis; Mary Miksis; Steven (Nate) Miller; Mary Lou Muchichko; Jim Nalisnick;

Charles Palmer; Mary Paquette; Joe Perechinsky; Bev Place; Matt Pritchard; Alex Rabago; Delia Rabago; Kathleen

Lenox Reider; Yolanda Rossi; Rita Sasso; Richard Schmieg; Mary Scioscia; Ed Slocum, Jr.; Jerry Smith; Joanne Smith; Marie Smith; Robert Spaulding; Paula Stover; Mackenzie Kempner Taylor: Ed & Barbara Ulatowski; C.

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

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 157 507 West Pine St. Canton PA 17724 Athens PA 18810 570-673-5180 570-888-0297 or 570-364-5799 Fax: 570-888-4142 Fax: 570-673-5780 patrick@barrettathenspa.org 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

sor

Maryott-Bowen Funeral Home Inc.

570-265-2272

217 York Ave., Towanda PA 18848

James A. Bowen

Funeral Director, Owner / Supervisor

ADVERTISE HERE

Call 570-265-2113

stppp@epix.net

Join Us In the Spiritual Renewal of Our Parish! Lent 2016

Please visit us at: www.ARISETowanda.weebly.com Like us on FaceBook at: www.facebook.arise.towanda.pa

FOR ALL YOUR LEGAL NEEDS DUVALL, REUTER & PRUYNE 14 Park St. Towanda PA 18848 570-265-2115 www.pruynelaw.com Quality Legal Services Since 1969

James A. Pruyne, Esq. Christopher S. Bradley, Esq.

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Let us start with “To Feed the Hungry”

The most obvious understanding is to help provide for the bodily needs of those who do not have

enough to eat. We are constantly aware of people locally and internationally who are in this situation, and

we have assisted them through TACO, Heifer International, the Diocesan Annual Appeal, Catholic Social

Services, our Lenten Rice Bowls, etc. We can continue to reach out in this manner.

Another consideration is to personally, and through discussion to participate as a family, in identify-

ing with those who are hungry. We can do without on a particular day, or from a particular favorite item.

We can begin to identify with the hungry through our sacrificial fasting, of doing without. In essence, we

hunger so that we can feed the hungry. An interesting example: we go out to eat, we would like a steak; in-

stead, we settle for pot roast and give the difference to the waiter/waitress as an increased tip. Consider the

possibilities: what do you think?

Pro Life Activities – Looking Ahead to Washington, D.C.

This coming year on Friday, January 22, 2016, buses organized by Elmira, New York Notre Dame High

School and Bradford County Pennsylvanians for Human Life will be departing at different times and places for the

March for Life in Washington, D.C. The parish has already been contacted concerning SSPP parishioner participa-

tion and parish funding support for these buses. If you have any interest in participating in any way in this year’s

March for Life in Washington, D.C. on Friday January 22, 2016, please contact Marie Seibert (570-265-3122). or

Fr. Ed (570-265-2113) ASAP.

Jubilee Year of Mercy

Over the course of this Jubilee Year of Mercy, we will try to enrich our

understanding of Catholic Spirituality and of Mercy.

We have refrigerator magnets with the Spiritual and Corporal Works of

Mercy as a place to begin our understanding,

What are the Works of Mercy; what do they mean and how can we live them?

The Spiritual Works of Mercy are:

To convert sinners

To instruct the ignorant;

To advise the doubtful;

To comfort the sorrowful;

To bear wrongs patiently;

To forgive injuries;

To pray for the living and the Dead.

The Corporal Works of Mercy:

To feed the hungry;

To give drink to the thirsty;

To clothe the naked;

To shelter the homeless;

To care for the sick;

To visit the imprisoned;

To bury the dead.

175th Anniversary Committee Report

This past week, the 175th Anniversary Committee has drawn up a Calendar of Events for the 175th Parish Anni-

versary Year (see next page) with dates and times included As you can see, there will be an interesting variety of

events and activities or attend or contribute time and talent to, and enjoy, throughout the year-long celebration.

The Commemorative Booklet is in the process of being written, and will include the listings of all the Busi-

ness Sponsors and Patrons for the anniversary activities, along with a narrative of the history of the parish from its

beginnings. An invitation list is being prepared for honored guests for the Anniversary Dinner.

The much-requested new Parish Directory is in the works; photography sessions for the Directory are now

scheduled for the second week of September and second week of October, 2016. We hope to include EVERY

ONE in this new directory, so please plan to be included.— plan to pose for a picture at a designated time to be ar-

ranged during those weeks. Appointments will be set up later in the year, before September.

The parish history Deck of Cards will soon be delivered; sign up today on the pre-order forms on the table

in the back of the church; price is $8 each deck. We will arrange pickup on a weekend after Masses, or from the

office at your convenience. They will remain available for purchase later, as long as supply lasts.

History, Heritage, and Handing-On What God has Given to

Us

Saints Peter & Paul Parish 106 Third Street - Towanda, PA 18848-1798

Phone: (570) 265-2113 – Fax: (570) 265-2114

Email: SSPeterandPaul175@yahoo.com

www.sspeterandpaulchurch.net

Calendar of Events

March 13, 2016 11:00 Mass - Reenactment of the Towanda St. Patrick’s Day Irishmen’s march

that led to the establishment of Saints Peter and Paul Parish

May 14, 2016 5:00 PM - Mass SS Peter & Paul Church - Music by FULL ARMOR Band

7:00 PM - FULL ARMOR Concert at JFK Hall (St. Agnes School)

May 30, 2016 9:00 AM - Memorial Day Mass and Refreshments

at SS Peter & Paul (James Street) Cemetery

June 26, 2016 11:00 AM - 175th Anniversary Mass with Main Celebrant Bishop Joseph Bambera

12:30 PM - Social & Hors D'oeuvre Hour at JFK Hall (St. Agnes School)

1:30 PM - 175th Anniversary Dinner at JFK Hall (St. Agnes School)

August 14, 2016 100th Anniversary Celebration of Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto (Third Street)

Procession and Blessing to follow the 11:00 AM Mass

12:30 PM Ice Cream Social on the grounds around the Grotto

September 5, 2016 11:00 AM Labor Day Mass at State Road Cemetery

-------------------- PREVIEW OF COMING EVENTS - MORE DETAILS TO COME! ---------------

Fall & Winter 2016 Parish Directory Pictures—Time Capsule Burial — Choir Concerts

January 2017 Celebration of Catholic Schools Week

April 2017 Organ Concert

May 2017 History Fair —Closing Concerts

May 29, 2017 Memorial Day Mass and Re-Dedication of Early Graves

at SS Peter & Paul Cemetery