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, F 8:30 a.m.*

Confessions before daily** Mass; Saturday 4:15 p.m. or by appointment.

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.

Third Sunday of Lent † March 24, 2019

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.

Saints Peter and Paul Church 106 Third Street - Towanda, Pennsylvania 18848-1798

Phone: 570-265-2113 FAX: 570-265-2114

E-mail: stppp@epix.net Website: sspeterandpaulchurch.net

Pastor: Rev. Edward L. Michelini

*Wednesdays of Lent 5:30 pm;

no Wed. morning Mass

**Mondays of Lent:

5:30-6:45 “The Light is On for You”

(Confessions)

These things happened as examples for us,

so that we might not desire evil things, as they did.

Do not grumble as some of them did,

and suffered death by the destroyer.

These things happened to them as an example,

and they have been written down as a warning to us,

upon whom the end of the ages has come.

Therefore, whoever thinks he is standing secure

should take care not to fall.

1 Corinthians 10: 6, 10-12

Saints Peter & Paul CCD

Sundays 9:15-10:30 in St. Agnes School

Apr. 7: First Communion Parents’ Meeting

St. Agnes School

Fish Dinner - Friday, April 5 JFK Hall

More information on p. 5 of this bulletin.

Rice Bowl - Encounter Christyan

Christyan DhathCroos is from a farming village in Sri Lanka,

but he spend half of his life in India. He and his family fled there during Sri

Lanka’s civil war. He was only 4 years old when they left. When he re-

turned to his homeland 16 years later, Christyan was 30, and the family farm

was in shambles. He and his father found their fields covered in trees and

filled with rocks. Now with a wife and family to provide for, Christyan

needed help.

For a refugee, returning home after so many years can be challenging. That’s why CRS is helping

Christyan and others like him to rebuild their lives. That means helping to clear overgrown sections of farm-

land and ensuring those farms have access to water. Christyan is now growing rice, pumpkin and peanuts..

Because of the assistance from CRS, Christyan can give his family things he never had.

Things like education. Because his family was always fleeing violence during the war, Christyan

never completed school. “I want to make sure my three children are educated,” he says. “That’s my dream.”

Christyan’s dream is coming true. With the profits from the family’s farm, Christyan

can send his 4-year-old son, Godwin, to a private Catholic preschool. Christyan isn’t

just teaching his family that they can achieve their dreams with the help of a good educa-

tion—he’s also making sure they understand the importance of helping others. “When

we had nothing, CRS came and helped us, and now we have what we need. We should

help others too.”

Pentecost Sunday - June 9, 2019 - Confirmation

This year, and in the foreseeable future, The Sacrament of Confirmation will be conferred on Pentecost

Sunday in the local parishes within the Diocese of Scranton. This is a change from previous years. Also,

Confirmation will now be held in our parish each year, rather than once every three years—a much nicer

arrangement for students, parents, teachers, and parish. Keeping in mind the fact that Confirmation will be

held on Pentecost Sunday, it seems more reasonable to plan to begin this Pentecost/Confirmation liturgy at

10:30 am rather than our normal 11 am.

Soup Spoons

Anyone interested in a dozen or so soup spoons is asked to place a note in the collection basket with your

name, phone number, and how many you want—free of charge. It is less expensive to give them away that to

ship them back. No kidding, this is a true story and a true offer.

Campaign Care Kicks Off This Week

Did you miss Campaign Care last year? Yes, we all did, because there wasn’t one in 2018. We did not

languish for a year merely “resting on our laurels” after having accomplished so much in the recent past, how-

ever; instead, we were going about determining the most important current needs of the parish, and investigat-

ing possible solutions. Now having a reasonable plan of action in place, and a budget, the proposal has been

mailed out to the parishioners for your perusal. We ask for your prayerful consideration of how you can help

the parish move forward financially to accomplish these goals. Pledge cards in your mailing offer a flexible

way to pay, and the pledge fulfillment period will be up to two years, if you so choose. If you didn’t receive a

Campaign Care letter, please let us know at the parish office: 570-265-2113 or email stppp@epix.net.

St. Mother Teresa of Kalkata

Seeking the face of God in everything, everyone, all the time, and his hand in every happening.

This is what it means to be contemplative in the heart of the world. Seeing and adoring the presence

of Jesus, especially in the lowly appearance of bread, and in the distressing disguise of the poor.

Liturgical Ministers Mar. 30-31 Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist Sat.Vigil 5 pm: Bob Pyznar Sun.8 am: Murray O’Donnell 11 am: Tricia Bryington Lectors: Sat. Vigil 5 pm: Rob Grimes Sunday 8 am: Matt Tavani 11 am: Laurie Young Altar Servers: Sat. Vigil 5 pm: Jack Tavani, Connor Babcock Sunday 8 am: Max, Lara & Dalila Vega 11 am: Sam Tavani, Katherine West, Matthew Weinman Hospital & Personal Care Home: Murray O’Donnell Bradford County Manor: Sonia Huff

Mass Intentions - March 23 - 31

Sat. Vigil 5 pm: Rose & Jim Lenox (Family) Sun. 8:00 am: Our Parishioners 11:00 am: Rita Bustin (Mary Bustin) Mon. 8:30 am: Rose & Jim Lenox (Ray & Geri DePaola) Tues.8:30 am: Rev. Joseph J. Mattey (Fr. Ed 10:15 am: John & Evelyn Berda Mass at Personal Care Home Wed. 5:30 pm: James Nalisnick (Barbara Wywiorski) Thursday: No Mass Fri. 8:30 am: Hollenback & Mahoney Families (T.E. Hollenback)Sat. Vigil 5 pm: Catherine Driscoll (Charles Driscoll) Sun. 8:00 am: For the Victims of abuse by priests of our Diocese 11:00 am: Our Parishioners

Offertory March 10, 2019 Ash Wednesday $ 495.00 Church in Eastern Europe $ 467.28 Sunday Offering $ 4,635.00 Special Envelopes $ 115.00

Thank You for your Generosity

Second Collection

The Easter Flowers Envelopes will be taken up this weekend. The annual diocesan collection for Catholic Relief Services will be taken up next weekend.

Altar Care March Chair: Donna Brown

Mar 30 - Week 5: Cindy Barrett

Diane Ward, Laurie Young

Counters Mar 25: Team A

Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta

The Light is On for You!

On all the Mondays of Lent,

the Sacrament of Reconcili-

ation is available throughout

the Diocese of Scranton.

Come between 5:30 and

6:45 pm here at Saints Peter & Paul. Thank you!

Holy Week Liturgies

Altar Servers and Ushers are asked to sign-up for the

various liturgical services during Holy Week. Father is

trying to get a head start for coverage in this Holy Sea-

son: Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, the

Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday.

Sign up sheets are on the table in the rear of the

church.

Deanery Penance Services - Begin Next Sunday

Sunday March 31, 2019 2 pm Wyalusing 4 pm Dushore

Sunday April 7, 2019 2 pm Canton 4 pm Towanda

Sunday April 14, 2019 3 pm Sayre

The Church in Eastern Europe

The USCCB Subcommittee on the Church in Cen-

tral and Eastern Europe funds projects in 28 coun-

tries to build the pastoral capacity of the Church and

to rebuild and restore the faith in these countries

oppressed by czars, radical communism, horrendous

crimes against humanity, and revolutionary, civil,

and world wars. Under communism, organized reli-

gion was opposed in favor of atheism to overthrow

the power of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Your parish contribution of $467.28 will be

used to support seminaries, youth ministry, social

service programs, pastoral centers, church construc-

tion and renovation, and Catholic communications

projects. Thank you, and God bless you.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Next weekend we will take up the annual collection for

Catholic Relief Services. Your support for this collec-

tion gives aid to victims of persecution and natural dis-

asters, provides legal services to poor immigrants, and

advocates for the powerless. Through your generosity,

six separate Catholic agencies help Jesus in the disguise

of the vulnerable refugee, the immigrant family, and

the poor and marginalized. Please prayerfully consider

contributing to the CRS collection next week.

Special collection envelopes are in the rear of

the church this week, along with CRS flyers. Be sure

to mark you name/parish envelope number on that spe-

cial envelope for contribution credit.

Penance

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

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; Tori Barton; Christine Bedford; Rosie Beale; Gus Branish; Carol Brubaker; David Walsh Brubaker; Ric Campbell; Chris Cole; Beth Coleman; Patricia Coleman; Monica Curtis; Margaret DeMarco; Patricia Dibble; Mary Theresa Dorsey; Rachel Dugan; Stephanie Duggan; Margaret Dunkle; George Emery; Helen Finlan; June Gormley Goodrich; Sally Groff; Linda Hilscher; Evelyn Hoff; Glenna Hoffman; Billy Hollenback; Linda Hollenback; Mary Ann Jorgenson; Polly Karschner; Adam Kelly; Timothy Leo Lenox; Annette McClure; Deany McGarrigle; Mickey McGarrigle; Sharon Mahaffey; Nate Miller; Paul Moran; Ethan Neuber; Charles Palmer; Jean Perry; Kathleen Lenox Reider; Cindy Robinson; Fr. Richard Rojas; Mary Ann Schram; Eugenia Serpe; Mackenzie Kempner Taylor; Ed and Barbara Ulatowski; Reed & Rozz VanDerlyke; Maria Van Haute; Lani Wood; Bart Young, and

4 Special Intentions.

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

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. Towanda PA

Greensautomart.com

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

XXXXXXXXXX5

376 Leisure Drive

Towanda, PA

Phone 570-265-7302

Fax 570-265-5065

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 _____________

Jesus said:

“But I tell you,

if you do not repent, you

will all perish as they did.!” Luke 13: 3

CALENDAR Mark Your Calendar at Home

Small Groups will continue to meet during Lent

LENT - Check our Website for 2019 Lenten Programs and Details

Monday, Mar. 25: Deadline to register for Men’s Conference for the subsidized fee The Light is on for You 5:30-6:45 pm (Confessions) Wednesday, Mar. 27: 11:45 am Lenten Ecumenical Luncheon @ Methodist Church; Pastor Jira Albers 5:30 pm Mass; light supper afterward (no morning Mass) Friday, Mar. 29: 1:30 and 7:00 pm Stations of the Cross Saturday, Mar. 30: 9 am Breakfast at Bishop’s, Ulster Sunday, March 31: Deanery Penance Services - 2 pm Wyalusing; and 4 pm Dushore Monday, Apr. 1: The Light is on for You 5:30-6:45 pm (Confessions) ` Wednesday, Apr. 3: 11:45 am Lenten Ecumenical Luncheon @ Methodist Church; Pastor Damian 5:30 pm Mass; light supper afterward (no morning Mass) Friday, Apr. 5: 4-8 pm Fish Dinner @JFK Hall (see article below) 1:30 and 7:00 pm Stations of the Cross Sunday, Apr. 7: Deanery Penance Services - 2 pm Canton; and 4 pm Towanda Monday, Apr. 8: The Light is on for You 5:30-6:45 pm (Confessions) Wednesday, Apr. 10: 11:45 am Lenten Ecumenical Luncheon @ Methodist Church; Fr. Ed Michelini Hosted by SSPP Parishioners 1-3 pm: Widows’ Support Group in Grotto Hall 5:30 pm Mass; light supper afterward (no morning Mass) Friday, Apr. 12: 1:30 pm Living Stations of the Cross by St. Agnes Students 7 pm Living Stations of the Cross Saturday, Apr. 13 8:30 am Women’s One-day Retreat, Wyalusing (See p. 5) Noon lunch @ O’Brien’s, Waverly Palm Sunday, Apr. 14: Deanery Penance Service - 3 pm Sayre Monday, Apr. 15: The Light is on for You 5:30-6:45 pm (Confessions) Tuesday, Apr. 16: Chrism Mass 4 pm St. Peter’s Cathedral, Scranton (see p.6) Wednesday, Apr. 17; 5:30 Mass; light supper afterward (no morning Mass) April 19-22: The Sacred Triduum

Lenten Wednesday Evening Mass As in past years, the parish offers the opportunity to attend an evening Mass on Wednesdays during Lent, at 5:30 pm. (There will be no morning Mass on Wednesdays). A light supper will be provided after each Mass. Parishioners volunteer to bring soup, salad, or sandwiches for each week; please sign up the prior week for the following Wednesday on the volunteer sheet or call Nancy 570-721-1062.

Friday Fish Dinners The St. Agnes PTG and the St. John Neumann Assembly of the Knights of Columbus will offer fish dinners on Friday, April 5 in JFK Hall. Menu: baked haddock, homemade mac & cheese, coleslaw, rolls, butter and beverage. Price: Adult $10; Senior citizen $8; Child $7; under 5 FREE; special pricing for families of 4+. Come and enjoy a great meal, friendly fellowship, and help out St. Agnes and the Knights. Take-outs also available. Please leave your name, phone number and number of meals requested, by calling 570-772-6524.

Lenten Regulations Abstinence from meat: Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all Fridays of Lent, all Catholics who have

reached their 14th birthday are obliged to abstain from eating meat. Fast: All Catholics over 18 years of age to the beginning of their 60th year are obliged to fast, which means to take only one full meal and two smaller meals, unless dispensed or excused.

Fasting - Praying - Almsgiving

FORMED Our parish has a subscription to “FORMED” which is providing special resources for Lent. To access and register free of charge to you:

Login to: www.formed.org 1. Click on (bottom right on Screen): then Register (sign up using Parish code) 2. Enter Parish Code RZ8ZR8 (case sensitive) and your e-mail address Complete your record for our parish.

Check it out – good stuff for all ages! Study, watch, listen to, or read about: the Faith, the Saints, Bible Study, the Sacraments, Devotionals, Movies, Documentaries, Talks, Books; for adults or children; English or Español.

Annual Anniversary Celebration Invitation— Is 2019 your Special Anniversary Year?

His Excellency, the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, and the

Office for Parish Life, wish to invite couples celebrating their 25th or 50th wedding anniversary in 2019 to a

diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass on Sunday, June 30. The event includes a 2:30 PM Mass at St. Peter’s

Cathedral, followed by a reception. Requests for an invitation, along with a mailing address, should be made

through your parish before April 2. Contact Parish office 570-265-2113 or email stppp@epix.net.

Men’s Convocation: April 27, 2019 “What is Truth?”

Parish-provided bus transportation and subsidized registration fee (by March 25) together total only

$15 to enable men of the parish to spend an exhilarating and inspirational Saturday among the likes of Father

Philip G. Bochanski, Dr. Ray Guarendi, and Doug Barry. See our church bulletin board, or

www.BeAManConference.Com. Registration Forms are in the rear of the church; give it to Fr. Ed, Jerry

Schram, Greg Steele, or the parish office with payment ASAP to reserve your seat on the bus.

Chrism Mass

All the faithful of the Diocese are invited to attend the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. Peter in

Scranton on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, at 4:00 p.m. At this Mass, priests from throughout the Diocese will be

renewing their priestly promises before the Bishop; and the oils to be used for the sacraments of Baptism,

Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick and Holy Orders will be blessed. Participation in the Chrism Mass is a

beautiful way to pray for and support the priests of the Diocese. For reserved seating, please call Diane Frank-

lin in the office for Parish Life at 570-2-77-2213 ext. 1103 or email Diane-Franklin@dioceseofscranton.org.

2019 Catholic Women’s Conference - June 22

As many of you are aware, the 1st Catholic Women’s Conference was launched in connection with the

Diocesan Anniversary year in 2018. Continuing this year, with the overall theme of “Refresh Your Faith,” the

committee is pleased to announce this year’s 2nd Annual Catholic Women’s Conference on Saturday, June 22,

2019. With a focus on “Come to the Well,” this year’s conference will be hosted at the University of Scran-

ton. The day will be filled with faith, hope and joy for Catholic women of all ages.

The program includes: speaker, Teresa Tomeo, syndicated Catholic talk show host; Jill metz, artist and

personal faith witness; and Sr. Mercy Marie, Sister of Life. The Nashville music group, “His Own,” will again

provide music ministry.

Ladies, mark your calendar, and watch for more information in future bulletins.

Women’s Retreat - April 13, 2019 A one-day Women’s Retreat will be hosted by Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish at St. Mary’s Church in Wyalusing on April 13, 2019. The theme of this year’s retreat is “The Four Last Things: Death, Judg-ment, Heaven and Hell.” Fr. Pio Mandato and Sister Theresa May will be our co-presenters for this event. A time of prayer and fellowship with other women, the retreat will include Mass, an opportunity for Sacramental Confession, and Eucharistic adoration, followed by a Healing Service with Saint Pio’s glove. Please join us at 8:30 AM for this all-day event. Lunch will be available; however, we are not able to accommodate special dietary restrictions. A freewill offering will be accepted. To register, please contact Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish office at 570-746-1006