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

*No Mass 12/26;

12/29 Thursday 8:30 am

The Nativity of the Lord † December 25, 2016

For today in the city of David

a savior has been born for you

who is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2: 11

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.

St. Agnes School Parish Dates To Remember

Dec 25: Christmas Day Mass 10 am

(only the 10 AM Mass on Christmas Sunday)

Dec 26: No Mass; Parish office closed

Dec 29: 8:30 am Mass Thursday

Dec 31: Vigil Mass at 5:00 pm

Jan 1: Solemnity of Mary Masses at 8 & 11 am

No CCD classes

Jan.2: No Mass; parish office closed

Jan 3: RCIA 7 pm Grotto Hall

Jan. 5: 8:30 am Mass Thursday

Eucharistic Adoration begins 9 after Mass

Jan. 6: First Friday Mass 8:30 am

10:15 am Mass at Bradford County Manor

Jan. 7: First Saturday Mass 8:30 am

Jan. 8: St. Agnes PTG Breakfast postponed to Jan. 29

CCD Classes resume

Jan. 9: 175th Anniversary Committee 5 pm Grotto Hall

Saints Peter & Paul CCD Sundays 9:15-10:30 in St. Agnes School

Dec. 25—No class - Jan. 1—No Class

Upcoming Meetings in Grotto Hall

RCIA: Dec. 27 in Grotto Hall at 7 pm

Bible Study Program

Interest Sheet at the entrance to the church

At the most recent Parish Pastoral Council (PPC)

meeting, members indicated that parishioners are ask-

ing for Bible Study programs to continue while the

ARISE program is not in session. Responding to this

request, the parish is looking for three or four days/

times in which a program of this nature can be offered.

The PPC is hopeful that at least three days and times

can be established and that there would be 6-8 parish-

ioners that would be willing to facilitate these offer-

ings. Having multiple day/times would allow for in-

creased parishioner opportunity, and having facilita-

tors would make the program work efficiently. We

are looking to begin this program in January – if you

are interested please sign the Bible Study sheet at the

entrance to the church and indicate day/time and if

you would be open to facilitate a session.

The Super Raffle winners are announced as follows.

First Prize, Helen Finlan; 2nd, Ann Marie Bluhm; 3rd,

Todd & Karla Green; 4th-11th: Joyce Van Dusen,

Bruce & Rita Kennedy, Don Shaffer, Troy Guthrie

Clinic, Tonya Barnett, Joe McReer, Kim Long, Echo

Smith; 12th-21st: Henry Farley, April Whitbeck, Bob

Holcomb, Sheena Bride, Lindsay Lupher, Virginia

Bell, Brad Fassett, Kathleen Schmieg, Natasha Falsey,

Ryan & Kara Eberlin. Congratulations!

House Blessing

Anyone in the parish who would be interested

in having Fr. Ed come to their house to bless their

home is asked to contact the rectory 570-265-2113

with a January date and time that would be convenient

for Fr. Ed to visit your home.

Thank You for Providing the Parish Bulletin We are very grateful to the businesses that take an ad

in our parish bulletin, which cover the cost of our

weekly publication. Be sure to consult their ads on

the pack page; consider using their services whenever

you can; and when you see them, thank them for

their support of our parish.

Barrett Law Offices

Bowen Funeral Homes

Duval, Reuter & Pruyne

Bob Hugo

Richard M. Farley

JoAnne Kizer

Knights of Columbus

McGuire’s Septic

Ottaviani Optometry

Leslie Wizelman

Barbara Yanak

A Special Anniversary in 2017?

His Excellency, the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bam-

bera, 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 2017 to a diocesan

Wedding Anniversary Mass on Sunday, June 11. The

event includes a 2:30 PM mass at St. Peter’s Cathedral

followed by a reception. Requests for an invitation,

with a mailing address, should be made through your

pastor before March 13.

Don’t Forget to Get Your . . .

2017 Contribution Envelopes in the back pew

2017 Calendars in the back of the church

Matt Kelly’s book RESISTING HAPPINESS also in

the back of the church

Word of Life

“I came so that they might have life

and have it more abundantly.”

~ John 10: 10

Liturgical Ministers Dec. 31 - Jan. 1 Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist Sat. Vigil 5 pm: Brandon Dickerson, Joanne & Patrick Barry Sun. 8:00 am: Sonia Huff , Hank & Louise Schelter 11:00 am: Wendi & Gary Raupers, Kathy Joyce Lectors: Sat. Vigil 5 pm: Patti Meredith Sunday 8:00 am: Theresa Sparrow 11 am: Debbie West Altar Servers: Sat. Vigil 5 pm: Max & Lara Vega Sun. 8 am: Volunteers 11 am: Katherine West Musicians Sat. Vigil 5 pm: Murray O’Donnell Sun. 8 am: George Dzus, Marie Seibert 11 am: Joe Dorsey, Cindy Williams Hospital & Personal Care Home: Sonia Huff

Altar Care 12/31/16 Jackie Johnson

Linda Kocan, Todd Kilmer

Collection Counters 12/27 Team A

Mass Intentions Dec. 24 - Jan. 1 The Nativity of the Lord

Saturday, Christmas Eve

4:00 pm: Our Parishioners

6:00 pm: Our Parishioners

10:00 pm: Intentions of the Priest

Sunday, Christmas Day

10:00 am: Our Parishioners

Monday: No Mass

Tues. 8:30 am: Martha Wassel (Daughter)

Wed. 8:30 am: Pauline M. Geiger

Thurs. 8:30 am: Gloria Mras (Jacob Hoffmann)

Fri. 8:30 am: All living & deceased members of the

Paquette, O’Steen and Bryington Families

(Tricia Bryington)

Sat. Vigil 5:00 pm: Robert Bustin (Rita & Mary Bustin)

The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

Sunday 8:00 Our Parishioners

11:00 am: Intentions of Joe & Mary Dorsey

(Beverly) Offertory December 11, 2016

Sunday Offering $ 3,241.25

Retirement Fund for Religious $ 270.00

Special Envelopes $ 155.00

Thank you for your generosity!

Second Collection

The second collection this week is the Christmas Collec-

tion; next week will be for the Care & Education of

Priests.

Sanctuary Lamps burn this week for:) Anne & Bill Sullivan (Kathy & Mary Alice)

Lyle Williams (Robert & Shirley Barrett

James & Mary Bustin (Rita & Mary Bustin)

Mother Theresa of Calcutta

"Kind words can be short and easy to speak

but their echoes are truly endless."

Merry Christmas! This weekend is the last weekend of the year and the final bulletin for 2016.

Where did the time go? This weekend , however, we especially celebrate a more

important reality, the Incarnation—God making himself present to us in human

form, becoming like us in all things but sin.

As we enjoy the company of family and friends, as we give and receive pre-

sents, as we recall and share stories of people and events gone by, let us allow God

to place the story of his love for us into our hearts. Let us, in the days and years

ahead, live in imitation of Jesus and love as he loved.

Many events and activities have occurred in the life of our parish this past

year. We are extremely grateful for the blessings that God has provided our parish and for the dedication and

generosity of the parishioners of Saints Peter and Paul Parish.

May we be blessed with a Happy, Holy, Healthy New Year! Fr. Ed

You Definitely need to Check This Out - Spiritual Formation Opportunities

The parish has been able to negotiate access to Spiritual Formation materials covering a broad range of

topics and for all ages.. This access is on a trial basis for the month of December; we are working to extend

this access into January.

This is a great resource for kids and adults in the parish. Anyone in the parish can access this infor-

mation by going to the website; www.formed.org and entering at the Login use the following:

Email; demo @ formed.org with Password: Immaculate (case sensitive)

Fr. Ed is very interested in hearing what you think about these materials – one way or the other.

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

PLEASE THANK

these SPONSORS

Of our

Parish bulletin

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS_

Rosie Beale; David Walsh Brubaker; Kathy Campbell; Patricia Coleman;

David Conklin; Margaret DeMarco; Patricia Dibble; Joe Dorsey; Stephanie

Duggan; Margaret Dunkle; Mike Dunkle; Helen Finlan; Richard J. Finnegan;

June Goodrich; Jim Grimes; Sally Groff; Ann Thompson Haglich; Linda

Hilscher; Evelyn Hoff; Glenna Hoffman; Adam Kelly; Timothy Leo Lenox;

Connie Leone; Annette McClure; Deany McGarrigle; Mickey McGarrigle;

Debra McGovern; Sharon Mahaffey; Margaret Miller; Nate Miller; Charles

Palmer; Kathleen Lenox Reider; Eugenia Serpe; Craig Sullivan; Mackenzie

Kempner Taylor; Dennis Trask; Lani Wood.

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

Your Ad fits HERE

Call 570-265-2113

stppp@epix.net

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

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

“In the Footsteps of Christ” Season 4 Lent 2017

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.

1841– 2016

SS Peter

and Paul

Church