Sts. Peter & Paul

About the Parish

Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church is a Catholic parish in Towanda, Pennsylvania, situated in the Endless Mountains of Bradford County. It belongs to the Diocese of Scranton and is part of the Sayre Deanery. Founded in 1848, the parish is one of the oldest in northeastern Pennsylvania and is twinned with a second worship site, Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Wyalusing. Its current pastor is Rev. Jose Joseph Kuriappilly, with Rev. Edward L. Michelini serving as Pastor Emeritus.

• Diocese: Scranton
• Deanery: Sayre
• Founded: 1848
• Pastor: Rev. Jose Joseph Kuriappilly
• Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Edward L. Michelini
• Second worship site: Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Wyalusing

History

Catholic life in Bradford County grew out of the Irish families drawn to work on the North Branch canal. Father O'Reilly gathered the faithful in Towanda and, in 1841, erected a plain wooden church on the site of the present building. He encouraged Irish laborers displaced when canal work halted to settle on cheap farmland, scattering Catholic families across the county. The parish was formally established in 1848. The original wooden church was taken down in 1869 under Father Toner, and the present brick Gothic structure on Third Street was completed under Father Charles F. Kelly and dedicated as Saints Peter and Paul's on December 14, 1879. A parish cemetery in North Towanda was consecrated May 24, 1883, and the parish was served for a time by the Sisters of Mercy teaching in its school.

• 1841 – Plain wooden church built on the present site by Father O'Reilly
• 1848 – Parish formally established
• 1869 – Wooden church taken down; brick Gothic church begun under Father Toner
• December 14, 1879 – Current church dedicated under Father Kelly
• May 24, 1883 – North Towanda parish cemetery consecrated
• Sisters of Mercy historically taught in the parish school

Our Staff

The parish is led by its pastor with the support of a Pastor Emeritus, a business manager, secretary, and office assistant. Staff can be reached through the parish office at (570) 265-2113.

• Rev. Jose Joseph Kuriappilly – Pastor
• Rev. Edward L. Michelini – Pastor Emeritus
• Anne Cowling – Business Manager
• Mary Pfeffer – Secretary
• Gary Allen – Office Assistant
• Nick Odegard – Secretary Emeritus

Mission Statement

The parish's mission statement describes SS Peter & Paul as 'a community of faith called by God to deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ,' called as disciples to bring Christ to children, the sick, the poor, fallen-away Catholics, and those who need to hear God's message of unconditional love and forgiveness. The parish sees itself as 'a beacon of light rooted in Jesus Christ, passed on to his successor, our Holy Father the Pope, and guided by our local bishop to build the Kingdom of God on Earth.'

Faith Formation & Sacraments

Faith formation is offered through the parish's CCD religious education program, Vacation Bible School, and a Youth Group, with preparation for the sacraments of Confirmation, First Communion (Holy Eucharist), and Matrimony. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) welcomes adults preparing to enter the Church, and Reconciliation is offered weekly before Mass and by appointment.

• Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)
• Religious Education – CCD
• Confirmation preparation
• First Communion / Holy Eucharist preparation
• Vacation Bible School
• Youth Group
• Baptism, Matrimony, Holy Orders, Anointing of the Sick

Parish Ministries & Service

A wide network of lay ministries and service groups support parish life and outreach to the wider community. Liturgical roles include Altar Servers, Lectors and Commentators, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Sacristans, Ushers, the Altar Care Committee, and a Music ministry. Parish life groups include the Knights of Columbus, Cursillo, Parish Pastoral Council, Parish Finance Council, Prayer Line, Widow's Support Group, Library, Building and Grounds Committee, and Collection Counters.

• Liturgical: Altar Servers, Lectors/Commentators, EMHC, Sacristans, Ushers, Altar Care, Music
• Service: Knights of Columbus, Cursillo, Funeral Luncheon Committee
• Council/Committee: Parish Pastoral Council, Parish Finance Council, Building and Grounds

Outreach & Charity

Saints Peter and Paul runs and supports several local outreach efforts addressing food insecurity, pregnancy support, and material needs throughout Bradford County and the Endless Mountains region.

• T.A.C.O. Emergency Food Pantry
• Child Hunger Outreach Partners
• Hezekiah's Hands
• Grace Connection
• Endless Mountains Pregnancy Care Center
• Camp F.L.E.A.

Spiritual Devotions

Beyond the regular Mass and confession schedule, the parish sustains a number of traditional Catholic devotions to deepen prayer life throughout the year.

• Rosary Devotion
• Stations of the Cross
• Eucharistic Adoration (First Fridays)
• Prayer Line

Parish Pastoral Council

The Parish Pastoral Council represents the members of the parish and serves in an advisory capacity to the pastor. Council members share their gifts and talents to improve and maintain the parish while ministering to the community.

• Chairperson: Sandy Kasenga
• Secretary: Rocky Finan
• Parish Finance Council representative: Laura Steele
• School representative: Kelly Wilhelm
• Members: Crystal Babcock, Tom Finan, Dave Jurnack, Anne Leone, Dick Meredith, Alex Piechocki, Jude Rábago, Marie Seibert, Greg Steele, Chris Sullivan

Contact & Practical Information

Parishioners can reach the parish office by phone, email, or in person during office hours. Weekly bulletins are available in church each weekend and online at the parish website; parishioners unable to attend in person may request a mailed paper bulletin. The parish has issued reminders that SS Peter & Paul does not phone to collect unpaid bills and that scammers have spoofed the rectory number.

• Address: 106 Third Street, Towanda, PA 18848
• Phone: (570) 265-2113
• Fax: (570) 265-2114
• Email: [email protected] (parish office); [email protected]
• Office hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
• Website: sspeterandpaulchurch.net
• Bulletin: available in church and online