Welcome
Update: October 25, 2020
Bishop Persico has issued an update on protocols for the diocese. We have the option to use the lay ministry of lector as well as sending Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist to the homebound. We were given the option of utilizing lectors when we returned to public Masses on June 22, 2020.
In order to have the Extraordinary Ministry of the Eucharist, there are three guidelines from the bishop. The first is that the EME must be willing without coercion to go into peoples' homes. Secondly, the homebound must be willing to receive the EME. Thirdly, masks must be worn by the EME and only a short visit can be permitted. We will work on this in the upcoming weeks to implement the update for both parishes.
Christmas is rapidly approaching. Just walk into stores and see for yourselves! This means that we are in the process of planning for the Advent and Christmas Liturgical Seasons now. Christmas decorating of churches will begin on Sunday, December 20th and through the week, following the logistics from Christmas 2019. Whatever protocols apply will be followed!
St. Bonaventure Church no longer has an organist (as of Easter 2020). Harriet Carfley, music director at St. Timothy Church, has graciously offered her time and musical talent to provide music for the 4:30 pm Christmas Vigil Mass at St. Bonaventure Church. The parts of the Mass will be cantored by Jim Baird. The Gloria must be sung along with the other parts of the Mass. We will have hymns by memory unless we are permitted to place the 2021 Missalettes/Songbooks in the pews by Christmas.
Caveat for both parishes: Pews may remain sectioned off through this year. 62 seats are available at St. Bonaventure Church while 74 seats are available at St. Timothy Church. There will only be two Christmas Masses like last year: the 4:30 pm Christmas Vigil on the 24th of December and the 8:30 am Mass on Christmas Day. We will be able to utilize the social halls for possible overflow of people, but only 25 people may be in the church social halls at any given time.
-----
St. Timothy Church will be having five sections of sidewalk replaced by the side of the social hall next to the church alley. Josh Wallace Masonry will be the contractor. The areas are dangerous and need replacement before winter. The project should begin Monday, October 26, 2020. We have learned that "band aids" (quick, inexpensive fixes) may help in the short run, but eventually more damage is incurred and more costly.
-----
The Blessed Mother statue and area in the Gathering Space at St. Timothy Church will become the Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine sometime in the near future. The statue will be raised up and secured to the height of the wainscoting. A three-tier fountain will be inserted in large, painted rocks which will serve as the landscaping view. The present wooden cross will be removed from the area and stored safely.
-----
Bishop Persico has continued to dispense Roman Catholics in the Diocese of Erie from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation during the COVID-19 crisis. YOU MAY DECIDE TO PARTICIPATE IN A DAILY MASS INSTEAD OF A SUNDAY MASS. IF ILL OR FINDING IT VERY HARD TO MANEUVER BECAUSE OF AGE OR ILLNESS, PLEASE WORSHIP FROM HOME AT THIS TIME. IT IS AS IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE TO KEEP OUR YOUNGEST PARISHIONERS SAFE AS WELL.
-----
Sanitizing Stations in our churches are part of the norm now. Please avail yourselves of this safety measure when you enter and exit church. The ushers will make sure this is done. Masks will have to be worn in church as well. If you are not willing to wear a mask, then please remain home and watch Mass on television or Facebook streaming.
-----
The Sacrament of Penance is offered 4 days a week, Monday through Thursday and Saturday mornings at St. Timothy Church for the present time by appointment only. Parishioners from St. Bonaventure Church and St. Timothy Church may call the office and set up a time with Father Steve Collins for confession. Masks must be worn and there will be distancing between the priest and the penitent at the selected site at the Church. The Office phone number is 814-236-1845. Thank you!
Parish Staff
Mrs. Ronda Hamilton, Office Manager
Mrs. Terri Clarkson, Faith Formation Leader
Mrs. Jill Test, Director St. Timothy Pre-School
Rev. Stephen Collins, Pastor
St. Bonaventure
461 Main Street
Grampian, PA 16838
814-236-1845
Mailing Address: 306 Walnut Street, Curwensville PA 16833
Sunday Mass: 11:00 AM
(Confessions at 10:30 AM)
St. Timothy
306 Walnut Street
Curwensville, PA 16833
814-236-1845
Saturday Vigil: 4:30 PM
(Confession at 4:00 PM after COVID-19)
Sunday Mass: 8:30 AM
sttimothychurch@atlanticbb.net
Mass Schedule & Intentions
Mass Schedule & Intentions
Mass Schedule & Intentions
Mass Intentions for the week beginning October 26 through November 1 , 2020
St. Timothy Church
Monday, October 26, 2020:
Fr. Steve Collins & All Clergy
by A Friend
St. Bonaventure Church
Tuesday, October 27, 2020:
Norm McCracken
By Barbara McCracken
St. Timothy Church
Wednesday, October 28, 2020:
Rose & Andy Evanko
by John Evanko
St. Bon
Mass Intentions for the week beginning October 26 through November 1 , 2020
St. Timothy Church
Monday, October 26, 2020:
Fr. Steve Collins & All Clergy
by A Friend
St. Bonaventure Church
Tuesday, October 27, 2020:
Norm McCracken
By Barbara McCracken
St. Timothy Church
Wednesday, October 28, 2020:
Rose & Andy Evanko
by John Evanko
St. Bonaventure Church
Thursday, October 29, 2020:
For the People
St. Timothy Church
4:30 pm Saturday, October 31 2020
Andrew Nowacki
by Mary & Stan Derrick
8:30 am Sunday, November 1, 2020
Mary Rumsky Kephart
by The Rumsky Family
11:00 am Sunday at St. Bonaventure Church
Jim, Jimmy & Dixie Polites
by Carol Polities
Mass Schedule & Intentions
Faith Seeking Understanding
Dear Father Steve: At what part of the Mass must I be present in order to have met my Sunday obligation?
Answer: If one misses the proclamation of the Gospel, one may only make a spiritual communion instead of receiving the Eucharist at the Mass. This is true no matter what may have detained you.
Dear F
Faith Seeking Understanding
Dear Father Steve: At what part of the Mass must I be present in order to have met my Sunday obligation?
Answer: If one misses the proclamation of the Gospel, one may only make a spiritual communion instead of receiving the Eucharist at the Mass. This is true no matter what may have detained you.
Dear Father Collins: Are separated or divorced Catholics who have not remarried outside of the church welcome at church?
Answer: YES! In fact, they remain under obligation to participate in the Sunday Mass. Even those remarried outside of the church have a responsibility to God to attend Mass although they may not receive the Sacraments until their marriage is blessed. Reception of the Sacrament of Confession is excluded from the prohibitions to the Sacramental Life of the Church.
Father, when I looked at my First Communion picture from 1957, I saw youngsters on the steps of the church who had received their First Communion. Sadly, when I went to visit the homestead in another state, there were two parishes together and no young people for their First Communion. What is happening?
Answer: We are trying to live in the past. We compare apples with oranges. These are trying times today. Communication is swift. Our society wants everything now. Suffering is to be alleviated at all costs so that unting the sufferings to Christ no longer may make sense. People lack gratitude to God for the gift of life and all the trimmings which come with the gift. People are habitual. Sports is much more important than the spiritual life. There is less fear of God. Common sense is hiding. More people think they can be spiritual without being religious. When this becomes true, let me know. We can rewrite the Sacred Scriptures to meet our human rationale. It is sad, but it is now in the hands of the Holy Spirit. Maybe we needed to be chastised by God. It is perplexing. It can be very depressing!