Father Peter D. Menghini. arrived in Wellsboro last Tuesday. Please plan to attend a Welcome Reception which will be held next Sunday, January 27^th from 2:00PM – 4:00PM in the Parish Center Take advantage of this special opportunity to meet our new Pastor. Light refreshments will be provided.

FIRST COMMUNION PREPARATION – The first of three meetings for parents and students preparing for First Communion on May 5^th will be held today at 9:30AM in the Church. Parents will meet in the Church and students will gather in their classroom. Attendance at all of these sessions is an important part of the preparation for this sacrament.

Today is Ecumenical Sunday, when we celebrate the work God is accomplishing through many ecumenical agencies. Since the Second Vatican Council, we have grown in our acceptance of one another’s ways and we have sought common ground together. It is only by God’s hand, that we will realize the unity for which we pray. Unity is strengthened when Christians avoid passing judgments on each other, engage in honest dialogue to learn more about each other’s traditions, gather together often for common prayer and cooperate in carrying out any work for the common good of humanity. Today is an occasion to recall that, while our churches are united in baptism and while we recognize each other’s ecclesial community as a source of vitality and vision, we also recognize that we do not yet celebrate the fullness of Christian unity. Today we pray for the time when our full, visible unity may emerge by the power of the Holy Spirit.

LIFELINE! The traditional, humane pro-life ethic…sees every human life as valuable in itself. It offers loving acceptance and care to every human being, without distinction of size, shape, skin color, or self-sufficiency. It assumes that every life is worth living… The handicapped and the ages are here as much for us, perhaps, as for themselves. They are a challenge to our capacity for love and endurance. When we rise to this challenge, like muscles that grow strong with exercise, our societal capacity for mutual love and concern will also grow. (Rev. John Powell)

CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT APPEAL! Next weekend we participate in the special collection for the CCHD. For 28 years this national and local program has helped low income people help themselves. Each year the Campaign funds local projects that help people come together to solve community problems of unemployment, homelessness, and rid communities of drugs and violence. Thanks to parishioners’ contributions, last year 8 local diocesan projects received funding for these purposes. This annual allocation is the only source of CCHD funding. Your contribution next weekend will make it possible to continue this very important mission of the Church. Please be generous. There will be no second collection. Please use the envelope provided in your monthly packet or the special envelopes provided at all of the Church entrances. Informational flyers are also available.

Small faith sharing groups will meet once each week for the six weeks through Lent beginning the week of Sunday, February 10^th. The theme will be … CONVERSION. Please join in this important Lenten journey!

3^rd GRADE LITURGY – Next Sunday, the 3^rd grade class will participate in the 8:30AM Mass, under the direction their teacher and aid, Ginny and Laura Reindl.

Next Sunday, Jan. 27^th, Middle School and High School students will travel to the Corning Ice Skating Rink. Cost: $3.00/person (bring extra money for snacks). We will leave the Church parking lot at 12:00 (Noon) and return approximately 4:00PM. Questions? Mary Nance (Rectory: 570-724-3371).

R.C.I.A. – Mon., Jan. 21, 7:00PM, Parish Center.

SUPER BOWL SUNDAY & JAMAICA REUNION – Next Sun., Jan. 27^th at 5:00PM at the home of Roland & Betty Osborne. Bring a dish-to-pass and a friend. RSVP (Rectory: 570-724-3371)

CHANGE IN CONFIRMATION CLASS! Due to Super Bowl Sunday being a week later this year, the Confirmation Class originally scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 3^rd has been rescheduled for Sunday, February 24^th from 7:00PM – 8:30PM at the Parish Center.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION TEACHER/AID MEETING (Pre-School – 8)! All catechists and aids are asked to attend a short meeting in the Parish Center on February 3^rd from 4:00PM – 5:00PM. We will meet our new pastor, discuss upcoming events and talk about year-to-date, issues and/or concerns. Refreshments will be provided.

I.S.L.I. (International Student Leadership Institute) is scheduled for the weekend of February 22^nd – 24^th at Fatima Center in Dalton, PA. If you are interested in attending, please contact Mary Nance (Rectory: 570-724-3371). Pre-registration is required. Cost: $100.00/person (half of the cost to be paid by the Parish). Deadline: February 1, 2002.

HIGH SCHOOL RELIGIOUS EDUCATION - The six-week learning session for students in grades 9-12 will begin on Sun., Feb. 10^th at 7:00PM in the Parish Center. The sessions will be held on consecutive Sunday’s through March 17^th. All high school students are urged to attend.

Anyone interested in attending WORLD YOUTH DAY 2002 in Toronto is asked to contact Sarah Mountain (Rectory: 570-724-3371) before February 1st. Cost: $1,350.00/person (everything included).

END OF YEAR 2001 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS! Parishioners wishing to have a statement prepared for tax purposes are asked to contact the Parish Office. Statements will be prepared and mailed upon request.

Please pray for our sick.

LAST WEEK’S COLLECTION: Of 335 envelopes mailed, 183 families used envelopes and the following was contributed - $2,592.00 to Weekly Offering plus loose change and currency of $428.00 for a Total Weekly Offering of $3,020.00; Catholic Campaign for Human Development, $55.00; Adopt-A-Parish Program, $152.00; Building Fund, $185.00; Votive Candle Receipts, $16.00. REMINDER to all parishioners to utilize the envelope system provided by the parish. Use of the envelope makes it possible for us to post your contributions and prepare a statement for your general information and tax purposes at the end of the year. If you have questions or wish to request envelopes, please contact the Parish Office during regular business hours. Thank you!