Welcome to Saints Peter and Paul Parish!

MASS SCHEDULE
Sunday:
8:00 AM
10:00 AM

Saturday Vigil:
4:00 PM
 Weekdays:
8:00 AM Monday, Tuesday, Friday

6:00 PM Thursday

8:00 AM Wednesday - Communion Service

Holy Days:
As scheduled
Confessions:
Thursdays at 5:00 PM
Saturdays at 3:00PM

400 South 4th Street
Philipsburg, PA 16866
(814) 342-1700

Fr. John Gibbons,  Administrator
Deacon Jerry Nevling
Jerry Craven, Director of High School Religious Education
Kristen Carter, Director of Elementary Religious Education
Laurie Wasilko, Office Manager
George Wasilko, Director of Maintenance


A LETTER FROM FATHER JOHN

July 21, 2021

Dear Fellow Parishioners,
 
I hope all of you are having a restful and relaxing summer.  I wanted to send all of you an update on our parish.  Bishop Mark and the rest of the Bishops in Pennsylvania have declared that the obligation to attend mass on Sundays will start on the weekend of August 14-15, 2021.  This is the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

We will continue to maintain social distancing in half of the church and masks will be optional.  I and the other Eucharistic Minister will continue to wear masks when serving communion.  Also, we will not be serving the precious blood during mass.
 
We continue to collect money for our parish Improvement Fund.  To date, we have a received $22, 012 towards our goal of $30,000.  This summer, we have spent $ 9,000 to reseal and line the parking lot.  Also, we spent $18,000 to have our air conditioning system repaired.  We also need to make some repairs to the outside garage that was damaged in a recent storm.  As always, I appreciate your generosity and support.
 
To help raise money for these repairs, we will be holding a fundraising bingo on Sunday, August 29th in the Parish Hall.  We need about 20 volunteers to help make this a huge success.  A sign-up sheet has been placed in the back of the Church. Marty Slifko will run the bingo. 
 
We plan on having CCD for all children from 1st  to 11th grade.  Grades 6-11 will attend on Sundays from 11:00 to 12:30.  Grades 1-5 will attend Sunday evenings from 6:00-7:30. Classes will be every two weeks and held on the same weekend.  We need a few more teachers so if you are interested in helping, please contact me via my cell phone at 814-935-3349 or email me at  frjohngibbons@gmail.com .
 
Financially, our parish is breaking even, in spite of the pandemic.  Again, I thank all of you for contributing each week.  We continue to give 10% of every Sunday offering to a local charity.  As we continue to give, God blesses us in so many ways.  Again, I hope you are having a wonderful summer.  I look forward to seeing many of you that have been away from the church these past few months.  We continue to take steps to ensure your health and safety.  If you still have any questions or concerns, please contact me at your convenience.
 
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. John

UPDATE ON COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS & DIRECTIVES – May 25, 2021


  • Mass Obligation still dispensed.

  • Masks are now optional.  Fr. John, Deacon Jerry and the Eucharist Ministers will first sanitize their hands and will wear masks when distributing communion.

  • Reception of Holy Communion on the tongue is now permitted.

  • The pews on the tabernacle side of the church will still be roped off.  The ropes have been removed from the organ side of the church.

  • Missalettes are in the pews.

  • The Holy Water Founts are filled with Holy Water.

  • Ushers will be collecting the Offertory, then the Gifts and the Offertory will be brought to the altar.

  • One altar server at each mass, if one is available

  • Mass parts will be sung beginning this weekend.

  • Sign of Peace has been restored.

  • Cantors will still be used at 4PM and 10AM masses.  The Choir plans on starting back up in the fall.

  • Liturgical Ministers will still be on a volunteer basis.

  • Lectors will still do both readings and the responsorial Psalm. Fr. John and/or Deacon Jerry will do the Prayers of the Faithful.

  • The Precious Blood will not be offered to the congregation.

SS. PETER & PAUL PARISH UPDATE


Dear Fellow Parishioners,

First, I want to thank you for your continued attendance at masses each week.  Unfortunately, we will have to continue our Covid-19 restrictions of wearing masks during mass and social distancing.  As our attendance continues to increase, we will have ushers at the 4PM and 10AM mass to help seat people.  We will continue to do our best to provide a safe and healthy environment for all of us.

            The parish is holding its own financially.  In the past 9 months, from July 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021, our revenue was $188,076.46.  Unfortunately, our expenses for the same period were $190,993.44.  We also received a PPP loan in the amount of $38,005 from Riverview Bank and that loan was paid off by the US Small Business Administration so that money is now ours and is in a savings account.  However, during 2020, we put off several improvement projects that need to be done this spring or summer.  The highest priority is to repair the air conditioning system.  Without getting into great detail, the one coil and the cooling agent need to be replaced so that we can keep the church cool ASAP.  Since we have to wear masks, we can’t wait any longer to make these repairs.  The total estimated cost is $15,000.  Next, we need to seal the church parking lot and driveways to prevent leaks.  Leaks would cause potholes to be formed which would cost much more to repair.  The cost to reseal everything and put down new lines is $10,000.  The other repairs are ongoing roof leaks in the church and garage.  These were fixed earlier this year at a cost of $2,500.  Also, the roof on the garage near the church hall was replaced last fall.  The cost was $2,500.  Thus, the total funds needed for these projects are $30,000. 

            In an effort to replenish the parish improvement account, we will be having a Parish Improvement Fund Drive.  The goal of this drive is $30,000.  Any and all contributions, from $1 and up, are greatly appreciated.  The Drive will run from May 9th till August 8th. I know these are difficult times for all of us, however, please try and help the parish in any way you can.  You can put money or a check in the monthly improvement fund envelope and put it in the collection basket.  You can also put your donation in an envelope and label it towards the improvement campaign.  We will keep track of all donations and record them in your annual contributions for tax purposes. Also, we will post a progress report each week similar to the posting for the 40 cans for lent campaign to show the ongoing results of the campaign.               

            As we continue to open our parish, we plan on having Vacation Bible School later this summer.  It may have to be a stripped down version compared to previous years but I feel it is very important to minister to our young people.  We will also be having our Fall Fest on October 24, 2021.  We will try to replicate the successful event we had in 2019. 

            Again, I can’t thank you enough for your ongoing support of Ss. Peter and Paul.  As Disciples of Christ, let us all do our part to continue to love God and love our neighbor, using our own unique gifts and talents to fulfill this most worthy mission.

 

Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. John Gibbons