SAINT PETER AND SAINT PAUL, PRAY FOR US! Parish Office Hours Closed: Please call or email

The Parish in the heart of the Endless Mountains Serving Bradford County since 1841

Pentecost Sunday † May 31, 2020

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

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

E-mail: stppp@yahoo.com Website: sspeterandpaulchurch.net

Pastor: Rev. Edward L. Michelini

GREEN PHASE

LIMITED RE-OPENING

“Green Phase” Conditions, Limitations,

and Opportunities are described on the

Bulletin Insert Today.

See Updates on Website

sspeterandpaulchurch.net

No Reason to Miss Mass

MASS TIMES - TV and Online

8:15 Daily (including Sunday) with Bishop Robert Barron at wordonfire.org Daily 8 AM, Noon, and 7 PM on EWTN television station

Sunday 8 AM and Noon on EWTN television station

Weekdays 12:10, 3:30 and 7 PM on CTW television; on website www.dioceseofscranton.org; and streaming on Diocesan Facebook, twitter, instagram, and youtube. Saturday Vigil 4 pm on CTW television and Diocesan website www.dioceseofscranton.org; and streaming on Diocesan facefook, twitter, Instagram and youtube

Sunday 10 am on CTW and Diocesan website www.dioceseofscranton.org; and streaming on Diocesan Facebook, twitter, Instagram and youtube

Weekdays 9 AM livestream at TheDivineMercy.org Facebook page

Weekdays 7 pm in Spanish livestream at LaDivinaMisericordia (Official) facebook page

When the time for Pentecost

was fulfilled, they were all in

one place together. And suddenly

there came from the sky a noise like a

strong driving wind, and it filled the

entire house in which they were.

Then there appeared to them

tongues as of fire,

which parted and came

to rest on each one of them.

And they were all

filled with the Holy Spirit

and began to speak in

different tongues, as the Spirit

enabled them to proclaim.

Acts 2: 1-4

Transitional Deacon Ordinated On Saturday, May 23, 2020, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera ordained seminarian Mark De Celles a Transitional Deacon at 10 am in the Cathedral of Saint Peter. Please keep our new Deacon De Cellas and the other seminarians of our Diocese in your prayers as they journey towards the priesthood.

Grateful for our kindness!

During the past two months, parishioners in the parish have come forward to help others in the com-

munity to get through some difficult Pandemic times. The parish has given away a collectively substantial

amount of money to: small businesses, organizations, and individuals. We are printing some of the responses

that we have received below.

“Thank you so much for the gift you sent me. SSPP parish is very generous. I hope that all are doing well

and staying healthy.”

“Our ministry wishes to say a huge thank you for your very generous donation. We ask for your

continued prayers as we go forward in these challenging times. What a blessing! Thank you for this amazing

blessing – Thank You.”

“Thank you so very much for your generosity. You don’t realize how this has helped my business.”

“I am sincerely thankful for your generosity and your thoughtfulness.”

For Making Possible the above, I Thank You Parishioners for your concern and generosity now, as well as in

the past years.

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

St. Agnes School Yard Sale and Chicken BBQ

St. Agnes School will hold a Yard Sale and Chicken BBQ on Saturday, June 13, 2020, on the school

grounds. The yard sale includes lots of household and game items, equipment, and other treasures.

The Chicken BBQ will be available from 11 am to 12 noon so it is strongly advised to pre-order the

Chicken BBQ for pick-up that morning – 400 halves are being prepared at a cost of $7.50 @ half.

St. Agnes School Chicken BBQ – Pre-Order Saturday June 13, 2020 11 am – 12 noon

Complete and mail in or drop off to the School Office or call the office 570-265-6803 Name ____________________________ Phone ______________ E-mail _______________________ Estimated time of pick-up between 11 am – 12 noon _____ in the church parking lot. Only 440 halves are available. Each half is $7.50. All proceeds go to St. Agnes School Everything (chicken, materials, preparation) is being donated to the school. I would like to pre-order ________ BBQ Chicken halves @ $7.50 Chicken Total $ _______ Optional Donation to purchase a new school furnace $ _______ Final Total $ _______ Cash or checks made out to St. Agnes School with the Memo: “Chicken BBQ”

Parish Ministry Schedules will resume gradually. Lectors will resume this weekend, May 30-31. the May

Altar Server Schedule has been distributed (notify the parish office if your didn’t get one) and also resumes

this weekend, May 30-31. As usual, find a substitute if you are unable to serve. Other ministries should

watch for announcements or call your group coordinator with questions. Persons of vulnerable age or health

need to notify your coordinator of that to be removed or temporarily replaced.

Ministers June 6-7:

Lectors: Mary Alice Demangone, Chris Sullivan, Laurie Young

Altar Servers: Lilli & Lylah Bride; Kate, Sara, Jimmy Burrowes; Elias, Wil & Ben Shrawder

Mass Intentions May 30 - June 7 *Weekend Masses only by Reservation

Saturday Vigil 5 pm : Mother’s Day Intentions Sunday 8 am: Rev. Joseph F. Sica 11 am: Eileen Daum (Jim Hoffmann Family) Mon, 8:30 am: Jean Farley (Patricia McGovern) Tues. 5:00 pm: Jim & Rose Lenox (Family)) Wed. 5:00 pm: John Daly, Sr. (Geri Daly) Thursday: No Mass Fri. 12:10 pm: Steve Esposito (Seibert Family) First Sat. 8:30 am: Jack Corbett (Thomas E. Hollenback) Saturday Vigil 5 pm: Joe Ritsko (Aggie Ritsko) Sunday 8:00 am: Father’s Day Intentions 11:00 am: Jean Farley (Bob & Ann Murphy)

Offertory May 17, 2020 Sunday Offering $ 2,249 Cemeteries Mowing $ 360 Special Envelopes $ 575

Thank you for your generosity.

Mailed, Delivered & Automatic Payments Appreciated

A Sanctuary Lamp burns this week for:

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The Birthday of the Church

On the day of Pentecost when the seven weeks of

Easter had come to an end, Christ’s Passover is

fulfilled in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit,

manifested, given, and communicated as a divine

person: of his fullness, Christ the Lord, pours out

the Spirit in abundance.

On that day, the Holy Trinity is fully re-

vealed. Since that day, the Kingdom announced by

Christ has been open to those who believe in him:

in the humility of the flesh and in faith, they already

share in the communion of the Holy Trinity. By his

coming, which never ceases, the Holy Spirit causes

the world to enter into the “last days,” the time of

the Church, the Kingdom already inherited though

not yet consummated.

We have seen the true Light, we have received the

heavenly Spirit, we have found the true faith: we

adore the indivisible Trinity, who has saved us.

. . . The mission of Christ and the Holy Spirit is

brought to completion in the Church, which is the

Body of Christ and the Temple of the Holy Spirit.

This joint mission henceforth brings Christ’s faith-

ful to share in his communion with the Father in the

Holy Spirit. The Spirit manifests the risen Lord to

them, recalls his word to them and opens their

minds to the understanding of his Death and Resur-

rection. He makes present the mystery of Christ,

supremely in the Eucharist, in order to reconcile

them, to bring them into communion with God,

that they may “bear much fruit.”

Thus the Church’s mission is not an addi-

tion to that of Christ and the Holy Spirit, but is its

sacrament: in her whole being and in all her

members, the Church is sent to announce, bear

witness, make present, and spread the mystery of

the communion of the Holy Trinity...

~ Catechism of the Catholic Church 731-32,

737-38

Pentecost Sunday* - May 31, 2020 We pray that all may enjoy a Blessed Pentecost Sunday – the celebration of the sending of the Holy Spirit to us, the Church. Let us continue to be open to the presence and the gifts of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Let us ask the Holy Spirit for aid to live in/by His spirit and wisdom. This weekend May 30-31, 2020 we begin to celebrate weekend Masses again as a parish community. Masses will be celebrated at our normal times of 5 pm Vigil, Sunday at 8 am and 11 am. However, there are numerous guidelines (see more details in the bulletin insert and our parish website) which we will need to follow during this COVID-19 pandemic. *In honor of the Holy Spirit, wear “Red” today, even at home!

Congratulations – Baptism #1 Congratulations to Anton and Jennifer Vatnitsky upon the Baptism of their daughter, Eliveveta, on May 20, 2020. The parish offers our prayers for and congrat-ulations to the Vatnitsky family. May God continue to bless you and the sponsors, Daniel and Donna Dougherty from Sayre.

Congratulations – Baptism #2 The parish community also offers it congratula-tions to and prayers for Adam and Cara Ives upon the Baptism of their daughter, Amora Lea Ives, on May 30, 2020. The God-parents were William Burke and Karley Traver.

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 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_

Art Badger; Nancy Barrett; Josie Beale; Gus Branish; Donna Brown; Carol Brubaker; Tom Burger; Angela Burke; Rosie Burlington; Chris Cole; Beth Coleman; Patricia Coleman; Jon Curtis; Monica Curtis; Margaret DeMarco; Patricia Dibble; Mary Theresa Dorsey; Rachel Dugan; Stephanie Duggan; George Emery; Helen Finlan; Christina Fleury; Sally Groff; Linda Hilscher; Eric Hodgdon; Evelyn Hoff; John Hoffman, Sr.; Billy Hollenback; Polly Karschner; Annette McClure; Deany McGarrigle; Mickey McGarrigle; Sharon Mahaffey; Nate Miller; Paul Moran; Ethan Neuber; Irma O’Keeefe; Jean Per-ry; Cindy Robinson; Mary Ann Schram; Eugenia Serpe; Pastor Rachel Stahle; Charmaine Stempel; Mackenzie Kempner Taylor; Ed and Barbara Ulatowski; Prairie Rose Upton; Barbara Westfall; Sharon Wilson; Joe Zak; and 5 Special Intentions.

OTTAVIANI OPTOMETRY

1932 GOLDEN MILE RD 55

MAIN ST

P.O. BOX 599 P.O.

BOX 505

WYSOX PA 18854 WY-

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

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 _____________

CHRISTINA FLEURY

Attorney Elder Law & More

517 Main St. ~ Towanda

570.265.6000

www.ChristinaFleury.com

Green, Green, It’s “Green” They Say - but “Proceed with Caution” - Message from Father Ed

Governor Wolf declared that Bradford County would move to phase “GREEN” on Friday May 29, 2020. Bishop Bambera has provided new revised guidelines for the reopening of our parishes and the celebra-tion of the Sacraments during our adjustments to COVID-19. How this translates to SSPP Parish is as follows:

1. The top priority is personal and community health and safety. It is a matter of protecting us from others

and protecting others from us. If you are sick, “Stay Home, Get medical advice and Get better.” If

you are in a high risk category, or have underlying health issues, take extra precautions in interacting

with others – stay home away from those who may unknowingly be infected as much as possible.

Bishop Bambera has indicated that the obligation to attend a weekend Mass has been suspended until further notice.

2. As you prepare to come to Mass, prepare yourself mentally to celebrate and receive the Word of God in

the scriptures, prayers, and the Eucharist. Remember to bring a mask, some hand sanitizer, some dis-

infecting wipes, and to use the restroom at home before you travel – use each as you feel needed. If

you are sick, please stay home.

3. When you arrive at church, everyone is required to wear a mask (unless a medical issue excludes

one from wearing a mask) and to maintain social distancing; if you need to cough/sneeze please

cover your mouth with a tissue or your sleeve: DO NOT use your hands. Before and after each

Mass, we will need to sanitize the church appropriately.

4. Masses are now open to 25% of occupancy rather than 25 people. Normal parish weekday attendance

indicates we can handle social distancing with 25% occupancy so we no longer need to make a reserva-

tion for our weekday Masses. Weekday Mass times have changed (see #5 below).

However, we normally have much more than 25% occupancy on the weekend Masses so we do

need to make reservations for our weekend Masses. If you have a computer, go to http://

tableagent.com and register as a new user. Follow the directions by the date and make a reservation.

As another reminder, we needed to remove all the worship aids and the holy water because of

the possible transmission from the virus.

5. Mass Schedule: Monday 8:30 am Tuesday & Wednesday 5:00 pm Friday 12:10 pm

Saturday 5:00 pm Sunday 8 am and Sunday 11:00 am

We will continue to follow this day/time schedule through the month of June – except June 29 -30, 2020 when Fr. Ed will be away in Virginia. We are also going to video the Saturday 5pm Mass and broadcast this Mass on Sunday. You are able to view this Mass from the parish website – https://sspeterandpaulchurch.net

6. Reservations: Being limited to 25% of occupancy and appropriate social distancing needing to be

maintained, the weekend Masses may create an attendance scheduling challenge. Use the reservation

system for attending the weekend Masses. Possibly consider coming to Mass during a weekday,

especially on Tuesday and Wednesday at 5 pm if you are not able reserve a weekend day/time..

Using the reservation system, you will be able to reserve a place throughout the month. Please be

respectful of other’s desire, as well as your own desire, to come to a weekend Mass.

For Reservations, you can go to https://tableagent.com/scranton/sts-peter-and-paul/ and create an account — then follow the directions to make and cancel reservations.

Or, if you are not computer savvy or do not have access to a computer, or would prefer to use a phone, CALL Kathleen 570-364-5996 ONLY on Thursday or Saturday between 12-3 pm and provide her with the date and number of people in your party who would like to attend Mass sitting together.

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7. Arrival: The church will be open about 30 minutes prior to Mass. You need to wear a mask and to social distance at least six feet – if you wish, use a wipe or hand sanitizer as appropriate. When you arrive, you will be greeted by a parishioner at the ramp door who will acknowledge your presence, and someone will remind you of finding a designated pew. The floor is marked with a green strip and there will be a bow with flower at the pews designated for people to use. If you would like to light a candle, please do so before Mass and please continue to social distance. Please use the bathroom only in an emergency.

8. Communion: Please come forward using the side aisles to receive Holy Communion. Prefera-bly, receive Holy Communion in the hand to avoid complications with possible contamination of the priest and others. For Example: Receive communion Host in the hand, stand in place and move the mask so as to place the Host in your mouth before replacing mask and moving back down the middle aisle – there will be plenty of time for you to do this.

9. Departure: Before departing, leave the kneelers down and the pink paper indicating that the pew was used on the pew. Please use the door or doors on your side of the church in exiting. Those on the Baptis-mal side should use the doors in the center or Baptismal (cry room) side; those on the tabernacle side should use only the ramp door. If you are not able to manage stairs, please sit on the tabernacle side of the church. We are asked to maintain social distancing (six foot separation) inside and outside the church. Trash baskets are at the entrance doors of the church for anything you would like to discard (do not leave in pew).

10. Donations: The collection will not be done in the normal manner, but donations can be made by placing your envelope(s) in the marked long palm branch boxes located by the entrance/exit to the church. There will be one on each side as you exit/enter the church. Thank You!

11. Obviously, this is a very challenging, fluid, scary time for everyone. All people do not view this Pandemic in the same light, and we are very dependent upon the professionals who are trying to make sense and policy to protect people’s lives – health and wellbeing. We also come to realize that others are not perfect as we are perfect – we trust / hope that they are trying their best. We can pray for each other and be thankful for the many people in the medical profession who have put their lives in harm’s way to assist others.

12. Parishioner health and well-being is a critical element in this fight against COVID-19. The parish needs your help in preserving wellness for all of us. IF you are sick, have underlying health issues, are in a high risk category, or are nervous about attending for fear of being infected – an ounce of prevention is a pound of cure. (My word Edward, you sound like Mom. How did that happen?) This is the reason that the church needs to be sanitized every time we celebrate Mass or that someone uses the church. If you would like to assist for a brief time after Mass, please volunteer ahead of time to do so — you can contact Kathie DeWan at 570-265-3231 to express your intentions. And Thank You!

The Sacraments: At this time, anyone interested in going to the Sacrament of Reconciliation can call Fr. Ed at the parish

office 570-265-2113 and make arrangements. At present we need to figure out a way of maintaining “Social Distancing” if we used the normal procedure. We are trying to schedule First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Baptisms and entry into the Church.

“Yellow Zone into Green Zone” is a “learn by doing experience” and we have probably not covered every-thing in this writing, and modifications will need to be made as we move forward in this – we will see what works and what needs to be improved this week. A major concern is making certain that the church is sani-

tized before and after Masses. Let us continue to pray for each other! ~ Father Ed

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From the Bishop’s Office May 26, 2020 . . I have recorded a new video message for our faithful people that I encourage you to share through your normal communication methods. This video includes the reopening and capacity information for all counties and a reminder that the Sunday Mass obligation remains suspended and vulnerable individuals should remain at home for their own safety.

You can access the video at the following link: https://youtu.be/kjExFj9oeZU

Faithfully yours in Christ,

†Joseph C. Bambera Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L.

Bishop of Scranton

FROM REMEMBERING

Crystal Babcock Alphonsus & Leona Mattingly, Keith Mattingly,

John & Geneva Glasscock

Pat & Joane Barry Barry and Magee Families

Christine Bedford Hilfiger, Hollenback and Driscoll Families

M. Boyek Mr. &Mrs. M. Casey; Mr. & Mrs. L. Boyek

Gus Branish Peake, Branish, Mallow and Tekely Families

Carol J. Brubaker & Charles Brubaker David W. Brubaker

Patricia Bryington All Living and Deceased of Members of the Paquette,

Ager, Bryington, and O'Steen families

Mr. & Mrs. Ed Branish Branish and Peake Families

Jerry & Ann Burke Our Parents

Maryrose & Tom Burlington John & Helen Bendik

M/M Walter Burrowes Jr. Walter Burrowes, Sr., Martha Burrowes,

Julius Wilbur & Lery Zettel

Mary F. Bustin James, Mary, Rita, Bob and Ed Bustin

Lucille Christini Christini and Tubach Families

Anne Cowling Mary Gwin & Tom Cowling

Mary Alice & John Demangone Deceased members of Burchill & Demangone Families

Chuck & Di Dewing Lyle & Betty Morris

Margaret Dunkle Dunkle Family

George & Chris Dzus Joseph & Lydia Dzus

M/M Thomas R. Finan, Sr. Deceased Members of Finan & Thibault Families

Christina Fleury Robert Fleury

Ed & Sue Flynn Deceased Members of Flynn and Mott Families

Richard & Sharon Frank our daughter Nicole Frank DeFrancesco

Margaret Frawley Leonard & Jane Frawley

Theresa & Terry Fulda Fulda and Terascavage Families

Sue Geissler Tom Geissler, Rocco & Marion Saldutti and

Mary Heding

Connie Gerrity Gerrity and Servello Families

Joan Grenell Alice M. & John F. Grenell

Barbara Grimes Deceased Family Members

Rob Grimes Family Gary Raupers, Sr.

Bob Herda Fries and Herda Families

Sylvia Hilfiger Hilfiger, Driscoll and Hollenback Families

Hollenback Family Hollenback & Mahoney Families

Sheri & Bill Jampo Jampo & Mastrangelo Families

Mary Theresa & David Jurnack

Sharon & Phil Kaminsky Mary & Stanley Kaminske, Wallace & Irene Ward

Paul & Lena Kingsley Paul Kingsley II

Darleen Kipp Mary & Michael Hritz

Sasha Kone Sandy Fritsch

Kathryn LeStrange Deceased LeStrange Family Members

Jill Llewellyn Deceased husband Harlan J. Lewellyn

Maria Luciany

Patricia McGovern Tom McGovern

Marilyn Miller Deceased members of the Miller Family

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Muzzy

Arlene Nalisnick Family Jim Nalisnick

Murray & Julie O'Donnell Austin H. Seymour

Piechocki Family Audrey Sansbury

Bonnie Russell

M/M Richard Santangelo Our Parents

Helen Santiago & Michele Kate Snell and John Snell

Jerry & Mary Ann Schram Alexander Pilewski and Jerome Schram

Seibert Family Bob & Grace Walsh

Susanna Seibert The Seibert and Walsh Grandparents

Mary Alice Sullivan Bill & Anne Sullivan

Dr. Lawrence & Gwendolyn N. Tama Sr. Rose deLima Moran, RSM

Familia Vega Amalia Salas

Lucille R. Watkins Mary Homan and Rose Shaffer

Sharon Wilson James J. Sullivan, Vivian Sullivan White, Lee Sullivan,

and James Jones

Kathleen Woods My loved ones and our Parish Family

Thank you all from the Parish