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.

Fourth Sunday of Easter † April 26, 2015

Pastor: Rev. Edward L. Michelini

Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep . . .I must lead, and

they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd.

John 10: 11,16

ST. AGNES SCHOOL CCD Every Sunday

Classes 9:15 in St. Agnes School

Apr. 26: First Communion Banner-making 2 pm Grotto Hall

May 8: First Communion Retreat Day

May 15: First Communion Practice 6 pm

May 16: 10 am First Communion Mass

Parish Dates To Remember

Apr 26: 2 pm First Communion Banner-making Grotto Hall

Apr 28: 5:30 pm 175th Anniversary Committee Grotto Hall May 5: Diocesan Regional Pastoral Leadership Meeting May 11: ARISE informational in Grotto Hall 6 pm (food@5) May 13: 7:00 pm Vigil Mass for the Ascension May 14: Ascension Thursday Masses 8:30 am, 12:10 pm May 16: First Communion 10 am Mass June 14: Sonestown Hotel Dinner, War Museum, and Red Barn Antiques* Jun 27: Parish Feast Day Picnic @ Mt. Pisgah Aug 2015: tentative 2-day National Shrine and Smithsonian Trip to Washington DC* *reservations call Nancy 570-721-1062

The faculty, staff, administration and students of St. Agnes

School wish to gratefully acknowledge the following do-

nations:

In memory of Mr. Howard Kerr, by: Ms. Mary

Farley, Mr. & Mrs. Edmund Ulatowski, Ms. Marylin Gar-

ris and Ms. Helen Finlan;

In memory of Mrs. Margherite Chiola, by: Towan-

da TOPS PA0836 and Mr. & Mrs. Edmund Ulatowski.

Questionnaires — Please Return

During the past two weekends questionnaires

(yellow and white) where distributed to parishioners of the

parish. Please complete those questionnaires and return

them to the appropriately colored boxes at the entrance to

the church. Your responses will be very beneficial to the

PPC in planning for the coming year and in our dialogue

with Bishop Bambera when he is here for a regional meet-

ing of parish representatives.

The meeting will be held with the Bishop on

Tuesday May 5, 2015 in Grotto Hall. The discussions will

center upon personal service to/within the Church and var-

ious visions of future parish leadership structures.

The Destiny Africa ‘I Am Loved’ 2015 Tour!

This multi-talented children’s choir has toured the UK,

Belgium and the US during the past five years and deliv-

ers an amazing heartfelt experience of joy and hope! The

choir will be traveling all the way from the Kampala Chil-

dren’s Centre, Uganda, to perform in the US from April to

July 2015. Do not miss this glorious opportunity to hear

and see these amazing performers! We would love to have

more people enjoy the exuberance and excitement these

children bring! See/hear this group at the Keystone Thea-

ter in Towanda on Tuesday, May 5, 2015, at 7 pm; tickets

$10. Go to destinyafrica.org or bcrac.org for more infor-

mation.

Papal Visit Bus Trip in September

Without fifty people signed up, the parish did not fill a bus

for the Diocesan pilgrimage. To arrange transportation to

the event we need a firm number of people signed up

ASAP. It is very important that anyone who wants trans-

portation to Philadelphia for the visit of Pope Francis in

September to be sure and sign up THIS WEEK on the

sheet in the back of the church, or call the office 570-265-

2113 or Wendi Raupers 607-427-4916.

ARISE Together in Christ

Come and See !

The parish will have an informational meeting about the

ARISE program COMING SOON to our parish. The

program aims to bring our parish community together to

encounter Christ and deepen faith. Everyone is welcome

to attend on Monday, May 11, to learn more about the pro-

gram and process, beginning at 6 pm (food will be availa-

ble at 5 if needed) in Grotto Hall.

T.A.C.O. Food Pantry

During 2014 the pantry served a total of 3,190 families

totaling 7,519 individuals. We also served 1,083 Elder

Share/Fresh Express clients. This was our busiest year in

the pantry’s 31 year history.

Donations such as yours make all of this possible.

We give thanks to be n such a generous community.

Thank you for your recent food donation; it is very appre-

ciated and helps to make our mission successful.

There is a box in the vestibule of the church for

donations of unexpired food staples.

Catholic Home Mission—Arizona

The diocese of Tucson, Arizona covers an area of more than 43,000 square miles. Parish communities are separated by

vast stretches of desert, so that providing basic ministries to each parish presents a real challenge. For example, priests

living in Tucson must travel to parishes in the nine surrounding counties, which requires a one to five-hour drive. The

diocese serves a large population of Spanish-speaking Catholics, including many workers traveling from Mexico. Be-

cause of the mobility of the Hispanic community, it is difficult to reach them with catechesis and sacraments. The dio-

cese also serves four extremely poor Native American reservations, one of which has only two priests serving 24,000

people.

With help from a Catholic Home Missions grant, the diocese was able to provide materials for basic catechesis,

outreach to the Hispanic community, and a ministry program for deaf children and their families. The grant was also

necessary to support the priests who work on the reservations, who would be unable to continue without this assistance.

Liturgical Ministers May 2 - 3 Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharistic Sat. Vigil 5 pm: Wendi & Gary Raupers, Sharon Kaminsky Sunday 8 am: Barbara Grimes, Rose Powers, Greg Steele 11 am: Kathy Joyce, Mary T. Jurnack, Barbara Wywiorski Lectors Sat. Vigil 5 pm: Patti Meredith Easter Sunday 8 am: Deb West 11 am: Karen Stroud 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: Joel Christian Easter Sunday 8:00: am: George Dzus, Marie Seibert 11:00 am: Hospital & Personal Care Home: Murray O’Donnell Bradford County Manor: Sonia Huff

Altar Care 5/2: Geri DePaola,

Wendy Manchester, Trudy Ventello

Collection Counters Apr 27: Team A

A Sanctuary Lamp burns this week for:

1. John Finlan (Helen Finlan & Family)

Mass Intentions Apr 26 - May 3 -

Saturday Vigil 5:00 pm: Joe Ritsko (the Family)

Sunday 8 am: Our Parishioners

11 am: Rose Lenox (Joan & Alice Grenell)

Mon. 8:30 am: Jim Christini (Jack & Mary Lou Allis)

Tuesday No Mass

Wed. 5:30 pm: Dorothy Finnegan (Helen M. Barrett)

Thurs. 8:30 am: Lisa Poisson (Sharon Wilson)

First Friday 8:30 am: For the Intentions of

Mike & Margaret Dunkle and Family

10:15 am: Michael Wilcox (Jim Lenox)

Mass at Bradford County Manor

First Saturday 8:30 am: Dan Bryington

(Tricia Bryington)

Saturday Vigil 5:00 pm: Fred Gerrity (the Family))

Sunday 8 am: James Walsh (the Family)

11 am: Mary Homan

(Francis and Lucille Watkins)

Offertory April 12, 2015

Sunday Offering $ 4,597.86

Mother’s Day $ 801.00

Special Envelopes $ 55.00

Thank you for your generosity.

Second Collection.

This week, the annual Catholic Home Missions Appeal

will be taken up. Next week will be the monthly Diocesan

collection for the Care & Education of Priests.

FIRST FRIDAY AND SATURDAY

April 30-May 1 this week, the First Friday and First Satur-

day Masses and devotions are scheduled as usual, with ado-

ration beginning on Thursday morning in Grotto Hall after

Mass about 9 am. Consider spending an hour with Jesus; a

sign-up sheet for specific hours is on the table in the rear of

the church. Any other time, drop in as you are able for this

special opportunity for private prayer and meditation.

Friday 2:40 pm: Rosary in the church followed by

Benediction and closing of Eucharistic Adoration.

Fr. Barron’s “Catholicism” Program Schedule

The next episode of “Catholicism” will be presented this Wednesday April 29, 2015. Each of these Episodes

can be viewed individually; this is not a cumulative program—all are welcome!

Mass is held at 5:30 pm instead of 8:30 am, followed by a light dinner, then the “Catholicism” program is from

6:45-8 pm. The following Wednesdays will be used:

April 29, 2015 A Vast Company of Witnesses: The Communion of Saints

May 6. 2015 The Fire of His Love: Prayer and the Life of the Spirit

May 20, 2015 World Without End: The Last Things

Catholic Home Missions Collection

Many dioceses right here in the United States do not have

enough priests and trained lay ministers to serve their par-

ishes. These dioceses are known as home missions. The

Catholic Home Missions Appeal will take place this week-

end in the second collection, and supports these dioceses by

funding essential ministries, including seminary education

and lay ministry training. Please be generous in this appeal

and share your resources to strengthen the Church at

home. Read the Arizona article on page 2 of the bulletin

for an example. For more information, pick up a flyer in

the back of the church, and a contribution envelope.

Cursillo Spring 2015

Please continue to pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit for

the women who made a Cursillo this past weekend and for

the men who made their Cursillo in March 2015.

Thank You!

Grace Connection

The Grace Connection would like to thank SS Peter and

Paul parish for their continued support and generosity. In

2014, Grace Connection was able to help 637 clients,

many of whom were elderly in need of help with utilities

and fuel. The quilt fund-raising project the parish so gen-

erously supported, raised $1,850. Grace Connection is in

need of creative ideas for fund raisers, and pop-top food

cans. Grace Connection is located in the basement of

Trinity Lutheran Church and is open on Mondays and

Thursdays 1-4 pm. Phone 570-268-0431.

No Tuesday Mass This Week

Fr. Ed will not be here for Tuesday morning Mass; instead

there will be a Thursday morning Mass at 8:30 am. Apr 30.

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; Ruth Young; Elsie Zurn; also Felis, Grace, Venus, Zaida, Edna, Rita & Tita.

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

Parish Bulletin Advertisers

We thank those businesses and individuals who have placed an ad in our parish bulletin. We ask parishioners to thank

these individuals and to use their companies. This week, we especially acknowledge

Leslie Wizelman, Certified Elder Law Attorney in Wysox and Wyalusing

Anyone wishing to advertise in the parish Bulletin should contact the parish office 570-265-2113 for more information;

the pricing is very reasonable.

Men’s Religious Life Discernment

"Attention, single Catholic men 18-30: The Knights of the Holy Eucharist, a community of consecrated brothers dedi-

cated to fostering reverent devotion to Our Eucharistic Lord, invite you to discern your vocation at their House of For-

mation, located at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama. Learn more: knights.org."

Diocesan Annual Appeal - Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

You may have read the article in the April 2, 2015 issue of the Diocesan Newspaper, The Catholic Light, in

which our parish was part of a feature concerning pledges to the 2014 Diocesan Annual Appeal. The article indicated

that 54% percent of the SSPP parish community made a pledge and that the parish for the past three years has exceeded

its parish Goal – this year the parish has pledged $34,372 toward a goal of $33,000.

Thank you for your generosity and concern for those who are in need throughout the Diocese. It is nice to see

the article, but even more satisfying, is to know that people’s lives have been changed by the assistance we have provid-

ed – may God continue to bless the parishioners of Saints Peter & Paul – Towanda.

If anyone would still like to make a donation, there are 2014 Diocesan Appeal envelopes at the entrance to the

Church – no gift is too small or too large.

Good Shepherd Sunday - World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Today the Church throughout the world prays for vocations. Please make a special effort today and this week to ask the

Lord for more vocations to the priesthood and religious life!

Please pray for the priests who have ministered to us throughout our lives, both living and deceased.

Please encourage your children, grandchildren, or other young people to consider a vocation as a priest or religious

brother or sister.

Pray a rosary for more young men and women in our diocese to respond to God’s call.

Join the Invisible Monastery. Go to the international web site, invisiblemonastery.com and pray for vocations. It

was inspired by a Vatican document urging Catholics to “organize an ‘invisible monastery’ in which many persons,

day and night, are committed to continuous prayer for priestly vocations.

Prayer for Vocations

God our Father, You made each of us to use our gifts in the body of Christ.

We ask that You inspire young people whom you call to priesthood and

consecrated life to courageously follow Your will.

Send workers into Your great harvest so that the Gospel is preached, the

poor are served with love, the suffering are comforted, and Your people are

strengthened by the Sacraments.

We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Word of Life

“I pray that at every level a general commitment to support the family will reappear and be strengthened, so that today

too—even amid so many difficulties and serious threats—the family will always remain, in accordance with God’s plan,

the ‘sanctuary of life’.” ~Pope Saint John Paul II, The Gospel of Life (Evangelium Vitae, no.6)

© 1995 Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used with permission.

Feast Day of Saints Peter & Paul 2015

Plans are being made to celebrate our Parish Feast with a Parish Picnic on Saturday June 27, 2015 at Mt. Pisgah

State Park – same location as last year (pool pavilion). Please reserve the date and mark your calendars. Activities are

being planned for the morning and afternoon as well as picnic lunch foods. Everyone in the parish is invited and anyone

interested in assisting should contact Nancy Barrett (570-265-2113). Activities include: swimming, playground, fishing,

hiking, kite flying, etc.

A sign-up sheet will be available later this month. It should be a great day!

Parish Pastoral Council Nominations

Current Members:

Brandon Dickerson, Kara Eberlin, , Robert Grimes, Mary Theresa Jurnack, Mark Kocan, Paul Manchester,

Barbara Wywiorski, Christine Sullivan, , John Ullo, Larissa Vega and. Kathy Joyce

Council Members Presentation:

A member of the parish council will speak at the Masses this weekend April 26, 2015 describing the

Parish Pastoral Council.

Parish Pastoral Council Nominations:

It is time for the parish to consider new members for the Parish Pastoral Council who can continue the

good work that has been accomplished so far. PPC members John Ullo, Mark Kocan and Paul Manchester

will complete their terms of office this July 2015. There is a need to nominate and select three (3) new mem-

bers to the PPC. Nomination is open to all members of the parish and can be done by self-nomination or by

another member of the parish.

Please strongly consider your interest in serving the parish in this capacity, speak with a current or for-

mer PPC member, and consider either a self-nomination or accepting a nomination.

“Our Call to Servant Leadership”

As Bishop Bambera and Pope Francis have indicated, as Christians, God calls us forward to be of hum-

ble service to one another. Our parish needs Christian servant leadership to assist in making decisions about

our parish life and growth as a community of believers. Every parishioner is asked to identify parishioners in

the Saints Peter & Paul community who could enable us to develop our parish sense of Word, Worship, Com-

munity, and Service.

Leadership characteristics include the following:

- A desire for spiritual growth in themselves and in the parish

- Enthusiasm about the future direction of our parish

- A willingness to listen, to speak honestly, and to work toward consensus

- The ability to inspire and empower other to delegate

- Flexibility and openness with people and ideas

Please list the names of parishioners whom you consider to have the gifts for Parish Pastoral Council Leader-

ship. Self- nominations are welcome. All nominees will receive a call to inform them that they have been

nominated and to ask them to participate in an information session to ask question and discuss the activities of

the PPC. They will have the option to remain in or to withdraw from the selection process.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Please Complete & Detach -- return in collection basket by May 10, 2015)

Identification Form for Leadership as a Parish Pastoral Council Member

I, ___________________________________, (your name optional) suggest that the following parishioner/s

be invited to consider leadership ministry through service on the Saints Peter & Paul Parish Pastoral Council.

I will continue to pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in this selection process.

NAME/S of person nominated:________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________