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.

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

Second Sunday of Easter / Divine Mercy Sunday † April 3, 2016

(Jesus) said to Thomas,

“Put your finger here and see my hands,

and bring your hand and put it into my side,

and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”

Thomas answered and said to him,

“My Lord and my God!” John 20: 27-28

Breakfast Next Sunday April 10

Next Sunday, enjoy a hot breakfast prepared by

the St. Agnes PTG in JFK Hall from 8-11 am. This month-

ly fundraiser for the school is held on the second Sunday

each month, a delicious way to begin the week.

CCD

Sundays 9:15 am in St. Agnes School

April 3 Classes resume

April 10: First Communion Parents’ Meeting @ school

Apr 24: 2 pm First Communion banner-making

Parish Dates To Remember

Apr 3: Social Activities planning after 11:00 Mass

6 pm Youth Group in JFK Hall

Apr 4: Vacation Bible School planning 7 pm Grotto Hall

Apr 4-15: St. Agnes clothing/shoe drive Fundraiser

Apr 6: Parish Directory Committee 10 am Grotto Hall

Apr 10: 8-11 am: St. Agnes PTG Breakfast

9:15 am First Communion Parents’ Meeting @ school

2:00 pm Mass of Anointing, reception afterward

Apr 14-17: Women’s Cursillo

Apr 17: World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Apr. 18-21: Convocation of Priests

Apr 23: Men’s Conference (bus from parish)

“Jesus Christ, Face of True Manhood”

Apr 24: First Communion Banner-making 2 pm Grotto Hall

St. Agnes School

Ronald McDonald Thanks

“Your willingness to make a difference in the lives of criti-

cally ill children and their families is heartwarming. Thank

you very much!” ~Ann Blugis, Ronald McDonald House

of Danville, Inc., acknowledging the food and household

items donated by our parishioners during the Pennsylvania

Farm Bureau Farmers Care Campaign coordinated here by

Diane Elliott in December.

Remembering Sister Mary Gratia Frawley

Sister Mary Gratia Frawley, R.S.M., died Sunday Febru-

ary 14, 2016 at Mercy Center, Dallas, PA. She was 101

years old. Grace M. Frawley was born September 22,

1914 in Overton, PA. She was a 1934 graduate of Saint

Agnes High School in Towanda; she received her Bache-

lor of Arts degree in Latin from Misericordia University,

and her Master of Arts degree from St. John University in

NYC.

Sister Gratia entered the Sisters of Mercy in Dallas,

PA, in 1935 and professed vows in 1937. During her long

career in education she taught in schools in the Diocese of

Harrisburg, Scranton, Brooklyn and Altoona-Johnstown.

She taught at Saint Agnes High School in Towanda for

several years. Two of her sisters, Christine and Cathe-

rine, also entered the Sisters of Mercy—Sister Mary Va-

leria Frawley and Sister M. Marie Jose Frawley both are

also deceased.

Will You Help Us Pray?

For many years the parish of SS Peter & Paul has

maintained a Prayer Line reaching out in support and peti-

tion to God in thanks, aid and assistance. Parishioners are

invited to join the Prayer Line. We are a group that offers

prayers for the requested intentions of others. Prayer can

help provide healing, guidance, hope, and peace for people

who are experiencing illness or other difficulties in their

lives. There are two ways to join:

On the Telephone Prayer Line, prayer requests are

communicated one member to another by phone. On the

E-Mail Prayer Line, one e-mail message is sent to all

members for each prayer request, so it is not necessary to

contact another member to pass it on. You do not have to

leave home to participate in the prayer ministry. If you

would like to become a member of either of these Prayer

Lines, or if you have an intention you would like us to

pray for, please call Annette Beaumont at 570-265-9691.

Please keep in your prayers our parishioners and

family members that are seriously ill or in nursing homes,

or confined to their home.

Parish Bible Program (PBP)

Some parishioners have indicated that they have

attended various Bible Study groups in the area and that

SSPP had a Bible Study group – 10-20 years ago. Fr. Ed is

investigating parishioner interest for forming a Parish

Bible Program within the parish. He is looking to have an

exploratory meeting(s) on a Sunday between the 8 and 11

am Masses to discuss among other topics: parishioner in-

terest, structure and method of Bible learning and review,

frequency and time of meeting, length of meeting time,

participant involvement, leadership roles, and any other

topic one may have concerning a PBP.

The exploratory meeting will be Sunday April 17,

2016 in Grotto Hall beginning at 9:15 am between the 8

am & 11 am Sunday Masses. If you cannot make this

meeting, but are interested, write your thoughts and send to

the parish office by Friday April 15, 2016. Thank you!

The Capuchin Sisters of Nazareth

The Capuchin Sisters of Nazareth will be hosting a ‘Come

and See’ Retreat Weekend for young women ages 16-30.

The weekend is April 22-24, 2016 from 4pm Friday to

11:30 am Sunday at the Sisters Convent in Williamsport,

PA. For more information and reservations, please call Sr.

Christina 570-7454-3334.

Congratulations Athletes

Gary Raupers has been recognized as the All-

Region’s boys’ basketball Newcomer of the

Year; Luke Tama was included on the All-

Defensive All-Region.

Congratulations, boys!

Liturgical Ministers Apr 9 -

Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharistic Sat.Vigil 5 pm: Brandon Dickerson, Joanne & Patrick Barry Sun. 8 am: Greg Steele, Hank & Louise Schelter 11 am: Barbara & Ed Krauss, Laurie Stroud Lectors: Sat. Vigil 5 pm: Patti Meredith Sunday 8 am: Barbara Wywiorski 11 am: Bob Gisler Altar Servers Sat. Vigil:5 pm: Gary Raupers, Natalee & Xavier Watson Sun. 8 am: Teddy Steele, Kate & Sara Burrowes 11 am: Hannah & Sam Tavani Musicians Sat. Vigil 5 pm: Joel Christian Sunday 8 am: George Dzus, Marie Seibert 11 am: Joe Dorsey, Jim Hoffmann

Hospital & Personal Care Home: Lee Ann Wolfe

Bradford County Manor: Mary Pfeffer

Altar Care 4/2/16 Sharon Miller

Diane Ward, Colleen Sullivan

Collection Counters 4/4/16 Team B

Mass Intentions April 3 - 10 Sat. Vigil 5 pm: Rocco Saldutti (Sue Geissler)

Sun. 8:00 am: Our Parishioners

11:00 am: Deceased Members of the Warenzak Family

(Bill & Kate Bride)

Mon. 8:30 am: Ray-Ray DePaola (Ed & Barbara Branish)

Tues. 8:30 am: Tita Cowan Torres (Jim Hoffmann Family)

10:15 am: John Wiegand (Sally Wiegand)

Mass at Personal Care Home Wed. 8:30 am: James Walsh (Margaret Lenox)

Thursday: No Mass

Fri. 8:30 am: Anne J. Sullivan (Helen Shaw)

Sat. Vigil 5 pm: Mary & Leon Brennan (Jeannette Kinney)

Sun. 8:00 am: Madeline Ledgerwood (Seibert Family)

11:00 am: Ed & Nell Bride (Bill Bride Family)

2:00 pm: Our Parishioners

Mass of Anointing

Offertory March 20, 2016

Sunday Offering $ 4,642.38

Special Envelopes $ 90..00

Thank you for your generosity!

Second Collection This week is for the Care & Education of Priests; next week

will be for the Aid to Education Collection.

A Sanctuary Lamp burns this week for:

Jack Cardene (Jackie and Garrett Johnson)

Anointing of the Sick

The Anointing of the Sick within Mass will be held on

Sunday, April 10 at 2:00 PM at SS Peter & Paul Church,

Towanda. This is a wonderful opportunity for those who

are elderly, infirm, suffering health or mental problems—

whether acute or chronic—or who just need a special

blessing. Attending this Mass will fulfill your Sunday ob-

ligation. If you or someone you know needs this special

anointing, please come join us. A social hour with refresh-

ments will follow in Grotto Hall. For additional infor-

mation or directions, please call Bob Pyznar at 570-297-

2586 or the parish office at 570-265-2113.

World Day of Prayer for Vocations April 17

The World Day of Prayer for Vocations is scheduled for

April 17, 2016. A special Diocesan Mass for Vocations

will be celebrated in Williamsport at 5 pm. The liturgy is

for families and individuals to pray for vocations and to

provide information concerning vocations in the church

and society. Parishioners interested in attending this litur-

gy are asked to contact Fr. Ed so that we can organize our

parish presence at this liturgy as we pray for vocations.

We also continue to ask parishioners to pray daily for men

and women to consider and fulfill service ministries with-

in the Church.

Congratulations to Joe Dorsey

As we continue to be aware of various

celebrations in our parish community, the

parish would like to extend its gratitude

and thanks to Joe Dorsey for his service

to the parish and the Church. Joe is be-

ginning his seventieth (70th) year as a

church organist. Consider that Sunday after Sunday, and

for many other liturgical functions during the year, Joe has

been inspiring and uplifting parishioners in prayerful mu-

sic. We thank you Joe, always kind and always faithful;

we are very appreciative.

Thank You for Your Generosity

As we continue to celebrate the Resurrection of

Our Lord (Easter) we would like to extended our thanks

and appreciation to so many people in our parish who

helped make this a beautiful and meaningful spiritual ex-

perience: Those who cleaned the church, donated to the

purchase of the flowers, those who arranged the decora-

tions and flowers, those who provided the music through-

out Holy Week, the altar servers, lectors, Extraordinary

Ministers of Holy Communion, the ushers, the sacristans,

those who organized and prepared the reception for those

entering the Church at the Easter Vigil, those that did all

the behind the scenes work, and those who attended and

actively participated in the Holy Week liturgies.

Thanks to all the parishioners for your generosity

to the parish at Easter and during the year. May God con-

tinue to bless you parish community.

RICE BOWLS

Parishioners that have Rice Bowl contributions are asked

to deposit their contributions into the Rice Bowl containers

at the entrance to the church. These containers will be re-

moved after the weekend liturgies on April 10, 2016.

Thank you for your assistance and generosity.

Cemetery Clean-up

This early Spring weather is telling us that it’s time to

clean up the cemetery. Any articles you have placed in

the cemetery should be removed by April 17. Thank you!

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; Kathy Campbell; Patricia Coleman; Robert Coles; Joan Cowles;

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

Helen Finlan; 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

McGarrigle; 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.; Joanne Smith; Marie Smith;

Robert Spaulding; Paula Stover; Craig Sullivan; Mackenzie Kempner Taylor: Ed & Barbara Ulatowski; C. Michael

Vaughn; Kathleen Woods; Ruth Young; Elsie Zurn; also Grace, 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

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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

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Call 570-265-2113

stppp@epix.net

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

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Parish Pastoral Council

Current Members:

Brandon Dickerson, Kara Eberlin, Robert Grimes, Mary Theresa Jurnack, Christine Sullivan, Kathy Joyce,

Barbara Wywiorski, Larissa Vega, Kathie DeWan, Jamie Rauscher, Mike Boyek and Ryan Maghamez.

Council Member Presentation:

A member of the parish council will speak at the Masses this weekend, April 3, 2016, describing the

Parish Pastoral Council and how this council enhances and supports the functioning of our parish.

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 by the PPC members these past several years. The PPC currently consists of 12 mem-

bers, FIVE of whom (Brandon Dickerson, Kara Eberlin, Robert Grimes, Mary Theresa Jurnack and Christine Sullivan)

will complete their three-year term of office this July 2016. 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 of former 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 humble ser-

vice 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 com-

munity who could enable us to develop our parish sense of Word, Worship, Community, and Service. “...please, don’t be

observers of life, but get involved. Jesus did not remain an observer, but he immersed himself. Don’t be observers, but immerse

yourself in the reality of life, as Jesus dd.” Pope Francis

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 others, 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 Leadership. 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 questions 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—APRIL 17, 2016)

Identification Form for Leadership as a Parish Pastoral Council Member

I, ________________________________(optional) suggest that the following parishioners be invited to consider leader-

ship ministry through service on the SS Peter & Paul Parish Pastoral Council. I will continue to pray for the guidance of

the Holy Spirit in this selection process.

NAME of the PERSON Characteristics I respect in this person

_______________________________________ ______________________________________________________

_______________________________________ _______________________________________________________

________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

Divine Mercy Sunday is Celebrated on the Sunday after Easter

The Divine Mercy Message and Devotion

The message of the Divine Mercy is simple. It is that God loves us—all of us.

And, he wants us to recognize that His mercy is greater than our sins, so

that we will call upon Him with trust, receive His mercy and let it flow through us

to others,. Thus, all will come to share His joy.

The Divine Mercy message is one we can call to mind simply by remembering ABC:

A. Ask for His Mercy. God wants us to approach Him in prayer constantly, repenting of our sins and asking

him to pour His mercy out upon us and upon the whole world.

B. Be merciful. God wants us to receive His mercy and let it flow through us to others. He wants us to extend

love and forgiveness to others just as He does to us.

C. Completely trust in Jesus. God wants us to know that the graces of His mercy are dependent upon our trust.

The more we trust in Jesus, the more we will receive.

This message and devotion to Jesus as the

Divine Mercy is based on the writings of St. Faustina

Kowalska, an uneducated Polish nun who, in obedi-

ence to her spiritual director, wrote a diary of about

600 pages recording the revelations she received

about God’s mercy. Even before her death in 1938,

the devotion to the Divine Mercy had begun to

spread.

The message and devotional practices proposed in the

Diary of Saint Faustina . . . are completely in accordance with

the teachings of the Church and are firmly rooted in the Gospel

message of our Merciful Savior. Properly understood and imple-

mented, they will help us grow as genuine followers of Christ.

Spend time to learn more about the mercy of God, learn

to trust in Jesus, and live your live as merciful to others, as

Christ is merciful to you.

~ © 2016 Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M.

To Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy with Rosary Beads

1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross, 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and The Apostles Creed.

2. Then on the Our Father Beads say the following:

Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son,

Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

3. On the 10 Hail Mary Beads say the following:

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

(Repeat step 2 and 3 for all five decades).

4. Conclude with (recite three times):

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world. ~ EWTN.COM

2nd Annual Catholic Men’s Conference – Saturday April 23, 2016

Conference information and sign-up at the entrance to the church! Dr. Scott Hahn and Monsignor Charles Pope

will be the main presenters, and Bishop Joseph Bambera will celebrate Mass in the afternoon. Location is King’s Col-

lege in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Cost for SSPP Parishioners is $15 which includes the conference, lunch and bus transporta-

tion – if your son(s) attend with you it will be $10 for each of them. Bus will leave Towanda at 5:45 am and should re-

turn about 5:15 pm.

For those who have already signed up or are signing up, please make your check out to SSPP – Men’s

Conference, put it in an envelope and place in collection basket or mail it to the rectory. Thanks!

2016 Spring Women’s Cursillo – Last Call

Several women from our parish will be making a Cursillo on April 14-17, 2016. Anyone interested in making a

Women’s or Men’s Cursillo is asked to take and review the Cursillo literature at the entrance to the church and to see

John Demangone, Barbara Krauss or Christina Fleury.

We ask all parishioners to pray that the Holy Spirit fill their hearts with His grace and inspire them, not only

during the Cursillo, but every day of their lives as well.