6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

 Rejoice and be glad; your reward will be great in heaven.

READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND:  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021322.cfm

LIVE-STREAMING: Visit https://www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE for live stream at 8:30 am on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 4 pm on Saturdays. If you are interested in being involved in this ministry, please email Lisa at lisa.titus@saintpolycarp.org or Judy at communications@saintpolycarp.org.

PARISH WEBSITE: Visit: www.saintpolycarp.org/.

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To help control the spread of covid-19, particularly the Omicron variant, it is highly recommended that masks be worn during all Masses and while inside all buildings. Please sanitize your hands upon entering.  With the exception of devotionals (Flame of Love, Divine Mercy, Eucharistic Adoration, Confessions, Mass) committees/ministries will not be meeting in-person. We will keep you informed of any updates from the Diocese.

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THIS WEEKEND, FEBRUARY 12/13

The BLESSING OF NEW DRIVERS will take place tomorrow, Saturday, February 12^th at the 4:00pm Mass. Key Chains for these new drivers (any age) will be blessed and distributed at Saturday’s Mass. Upon entering the church, let the usher know that you are there for the blessing. They will give you the key chain.

WORLD’S FINEST CHOCOLATE:  Our chocolate has arrived just in time for Valentine’s Day. If you ordered chocolate, it will be available for pick-up in the hall 1/2 hour before and 1/2 hour after the 4pm and 10:30 am Masses this weekend.

 

PSR GRADES P/K – 4, Sunday, February 13. No in-person classes. Lessons will be posted on PSROnline. 

THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: February 13th – The Marshall Family – Please arrive 15 minutes before your mass time and pick up (or drop off) materials in the sacristy.

 

THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 13

PSR GRADES 5-8, Tuesday, February 15th. No in person classes. Lessons will be posted on PSROnline. 

 

NEXT WEEKEND, FEBRUARY 19/20:

THE BLESSING OF PARISH MINISTRIES will take place next weekend – Saturday, February 19th at the 4pm Mass and Sunday, February 20th at the 10:30am Mass.

PSR GRADES P/K – 4, Sunday, February 20 – RETURN TO IN PERSON CLASS. 9:00 am. All online lessons should be completed from previous weeks.

 

THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 20:

OFFICE CLOSED – Monday, February 21st.

PSR GRADES 5 – 6, Tuesday, February 22 – RETURN TO IN PERSON CLASS. 9:00 am. All online lessons should be completed from previous weeks.

ST. POLYCARP – Feast Day, February 23rd

DELAWARE STATE COLUMBIETTES VIRTUAL BASKET AUCTION FUNDRAISER – Sunday, February 27, 2022 at 1 pm on Zoom
There will be dozens of wonderful baskets to take a chance on.  Tickets may be purchased by sending a check made payable to Delaware State Columbiettes with your name, email and phone number, to Arlene Brown, 87 Paige Place, Felton, DE 19943 (amb550@hotmail.com). We will email you your ticket number and the Zoom information prior to the event if you would like to attend.  If you cannot attend, we will contact you if you win!  TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED BY Wednesday, February 23^rd!  We look forward to having you join us for a fun filled afternoon.

UPCOMING/ONGOING

PALMS TO ASHES
St. Polycarp – 7 pm on Tuesday, March 1^st
St. Dennis – 5 pm on Tuesday, March 1^st

ASH WEDNESDAY MASSES (with distribution of ashes)
St. Polycarp – 8:30 am and 7 pm on Wednesday, March 2^nd
St. Dennis – 7 pm on Wednesday, March 2^nd

STATIONS OF THE CROSS
St. Polycarp  – 7 pm on the Fridays in Lent beginning March 4th
St. Dennis – 5 pm and 7 pm (Hispanic) on Fridays in Lent beginning March 4th

CHANGE THE WORLD: BECOME CATHOLIC! If you know someone who is looking for a new beginning and wants to learn more about the Catholic Church, “personally invite” them to our RCIA sessions, Monday evenings at 6:30pm. The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is for individuals who are unbaptized, baptized in other faith traditions or Catholic adults wishing to receive Confirmation and Holy Eucharist and seeking full membership in the Catholic Church. We are all called to share the “Good News” and you can make a difference by simply asking! Please contact Deacon Frank Weber for more information at DeaconFrank@saintpolycarp.org or leave a message with the Parish office at (302) 653-8279.

THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: Please sign up to take home the Vocation Chalice for one week. Call or text Alice Gaston 302-670-7924 to sign up.  Each week a family will receive the Vocation Chalice at Mass and take it home with the promise to “pray for vocations” during that week.  The family should place the chalice in a prominent place in their home and gather together each day to pray for the awareness of vocations.  At the end of the week, the family will bring the chalice back to church so the next family can take it home.  A booklet will accompany the chalice that has prayers and instructions.  We need your prayers and for you to sign up. See the Bulletin for schedule. February 13th – Marshall Family

REDNER’S MARKETS 1% SAVE-A-TAPE FUNDRAISER: Turn your food shopping into cash for our parish. Simply be sure to obtain and scan your Redner’s Rewards Card each time you shop. Save your whole receipt. Bring your receipts to the Parish Office or put them into the collection basket. There is no expiration date – you can turn receipts months old in!

Thank you to our Bulletin advertisers! We appreciate your support!

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USEFUL LINKS:

WEBSITE: www.saintpolycarp.org.
BULLETIN: https://www.jppc.net/onlinebulletins/301template.pdf
BULLETIN OVERFLOW: https://saintpolycarp.org/this-weeks-bulletin/
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/SaintPolycarpCatholicChurch/
ONLINE GIVING: Please consider becoming an e-giver. It is easy to make your weekly or one time contributions in support of the Parish.  For more information and to sign up for online giving, visit  faith.direct/DE831
ST DENNIS: http://www.stdennischurch.org
DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON – LIVE STREAMING https://www.youtube.com/user/DioceseofWilm
THE DIALOG: http://thedialog.org/  Newspaper of the Diocese, copies available as you leave Church or online

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FROM THE DIOCESE:

CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIO:  Saturdays at 1:30 pm on Relevant Radio 640. On the February 12, 2022 episode of Catholic Forum, get an update on the diocesan phase of the Synod 2021 – 2023 when Father Glenn Evers and Ms. Arlene Dosman are interviewed. Listen online anytime at cdow.org/CatholicForum, or by searching “Catholic Forum” on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or Amazon Music podcasts. 

LET US PRAY:  Happy Valentine’s Day

Love is patient and kind,
It doesn’t envy or boast
and it’s never proud.
Love is not rude or selfish,
It doesn’t get angry easily,
or keep track of wrongs.
Love doesn’t delight in bad
things but it rejoices in the
truth. Love always protects,
trusts, hopes and perseveres.
Love never fails.

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

 I will give thanks thanks to You, O Lord.

READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND:  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020622.cfm

LIVE-STREAMING: Visit https://www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE for live stream at 8:30 am on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 4 pm on Saturdays. If you are interested in being involved in this ministry, please email Lisa at lisa.titus@saintpolycarp.org or Judy at communications@saintpolycarp.org.

PARISH WEBSITE: Visit: www.saintpolycarp.org/.

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To help control the spread of covid-19, particularly the Omicron variant, it is highly recommended that masks be worn during all Masses and while inside all buildings. Please sanitize your hands upon entering.  With the exception of devotionals (Flame of Love, Divine Mercy, Eucharistic Adoration, Confessions, Mass) committees/ministries will not be meeting in-person. Please check with your ministry chairperson for virtual links.

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THIS WEEKEND, FEBRUARY 5/6

WORLD’S FINEST CHOCOLATE:  LAST TIME TO ORDER THIS SUNDAY! All candy bars must be ordered and paid for ahead of time.  Deadline to order is February 6th. Order forms  are available at the doors of the church, in the drop box or you can Click here to print an order form. Please return forms along with payment to the black drop box under the portico or in the collection basket at Church marked PSR Chocolate Sale. Make checks payable to St. Polycarp PSR. To place your order online (Using credit card, debit card or bank account) CLICK HERE   As always, thank you for your support of our PSR!

PSR GRADES P/K – 4, Sunday, February 6. No in-person classes. Lessons will be posted on PSROnline. 

THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: February 13th – The Marshall Family – Please arrive 15 minutes before your mass time and pick up (or drop off) materials in the sacristy.

SECOND COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND: Catholic Home Missions.  Nearly 40% of dioceses in the United States and its territories are considered mission territories because they are unable to fund essential pastoral activities needed in their communities.  Your support funds religious education, seminary formation, lay ministry training, and other programs that build vibrant faith communities right here in the United States.  Please be generous.   www.usccb.org/home-missions.

THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 6

TAX LETTERS: If you would like a tax donation letter, and have not received one, please contact the parish office.

PSR GRADES 5-8, Tuesday, February 8th. No in person classes. Lessons will be posted on PSROnline. 

Bishop Robert Barron’s series “THE CREED”. Connected in Christ’s presentation of Bishop Barron’s ‘The Creed’  Tuesdays, at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom. If you wish to receive a link to this six-week program, please email Peggy O’Connor at peggyo52@aol.com.

NEXT WEEKEND, FEBRUARY 12/13:

The Blessing of New Drivers will take place on Saturday, February 12^th at the 4:00pm Mass. Key Chains for these new drivers (any age) will be blessed and distributed at Saturday’s Mass. Upon entering the church, let the usher know that you are there for the blessing. They will give you the key chain.

 

UPCOMING/ONGOING

DELAWARE STATE COLUMBIETTES VIRTUAL BASKET AUCTION FUNDRAISER – Sunday, February 27, 2022 at 1 pm on Zoom
There will be dozens of wonderful baskets to take a chance on.  Tickets may be purchased by sending a check made payable to Delaware State Columbiettes with your name, email and phone number, to Arlene Brown, 87 Paige Place, Felton, DE 19943 (amb550@hotmail.com). We will email you your ticket number and the Zoom information prior to the event if you would like to attend.  If you cannot attend, we will contact you if you win!  TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED BY Wednesday, February 23^rd!  We look forward to having you join us for a fun filled afternoon.

CHANGE THE WORLD: BECOME CATHOLIC! If you know someone who is looking for a new beginning and wants to learn more about the Catholic Church, “personally invite” them to our RCIA sessions, Monday evenings at 6:30pm. The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is for individuals who are unbaptized, baptized in other faith traditions or Catholic adults wishing to receive Confirmation and Holy Eucharist and seeking full membership in the Catholic Church. We are all called to share the “Good News” and you can make a difference by simply asking! Please contact Deacon Frank Weber for more information at DeaconFrank@saintpolycarp.org or leave a message with the Parish office at (302) 653-8279.

 

THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: Please sign up to take home the Vocation Chalice for one week. Call or text Alice Gaston 302-670-7924 to sign up.  Each week a family will receive the Vocation Chalice at Mass and take it home with the promise to “pray for vocations” during that week.  The family should place the chalice in a prominent place in their home and gather together each day to pray for the awareness of vocations.  At the end of the week, the family will bring the chalice back to church so the next family can take it home.  A booklet will accompany the chalice that has prayers and instructions.  We need your prayers and for you to sign up. See the Bulletin for schedule. February 13th – Marshall Family

REDNER’S MARKETS 1% SAVE-A-TAPE FUNDRAISER: Turn your food shopping into cash for our parish. Simply be sure to obtain and scan your Redner’s Rewards Card each time you shop. Save your whole receipt. Bring your receipts to the Parish Office or put them into the collection basket. There is no expiration date – you can turn receipts months old in!

 

Thank you to our Bulletin advertisers! We appreciate your support!

---

USEFUL LINKS:

WEBSITE: www.saintpolycarp.org.
BULLETIN: https://www.jppc.net/onlinebulletins/301template.pdf
BULLETIN OVERFLOW: https://saintpolycarp.org/this-weeks-bulletin/
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/SaintPolycarpCatholicChurch/
ONLINE GIVING: Please consider becoming an e-giver. It is easy to make your weekly or one time contributions in support of the Parish.  For more information and to sign up for online giving, visit  faith.direct/DE831
ST DENNIS: http://www.stdennischurch.org
DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON – LIVE STREAMING https://www.youtube.com/user/DioceseofWilm
THE DIALOG: http://thedialog.org/  Newspaper of the Diocese, copies available as you leave Church or online

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FROM THE DIOCESE:

CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIO:  Saturdays at 1:30 pm on Relevant Radio 640. On the February 5, 2022 episode of Catholic Forum, we learn about the deadly tornadoes that hit Kentucky in December, when guests are Patricia and Wayne Williams, both Mayfield, Kentucky physicians. Listen online anytime at cdow.org/CatholicForum, or by searching “Catholic Forum” on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or Amazon Music podcasts. 

LET US PRAY:   

Lord, it’s likely that sometime today
someone will push my buttons
challenge my good will
misread my intentions
tick me off
try my patience
rattle my cage
judge me in haste
test my kindness
or do all of the above…

Give me the grace I’ll need at such times
to respond with patience
to trust and accept
to listen carefully
to reach out in peace
to be fair and just
to anticipate goodness
in all my words and deeds…

I know this is a lot to ask, Lord,
but I need your help
to do for others
as I’d have them do for me…

Amen.

– Rev. Austin Fleming

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

 
Let your face shine on your servant. Save me in your merciful love.

READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND:  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/013022.cfm

LIVE-STREAMING: Visit https://www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE for live stream at 8:30 am on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 4 pm on Saturdays. If you are interested in being involved in this ministry, please email Lisa at lisa.titus@saintpolycarp.org or Judy at communications@saintpolycarp.org.

PARISH WEBSITE: Visit: www.saintpolycarp.org/.

---

After receiving new recommendations from the diocese, our Pastoral Council, Liturgy Committee and our staff came to the consensus with the following recommendations:
To help control the spread of covid-19, particularly the Omicron variant, it is highly recommended that masks be worn during all Masses and while inside all buildings. Please sanitize your hands upon entering.  With the exception of devotionals (Flame of Love, Divine Mercy, Eucharistic Adoration, Confessions, Mass) committees/ministries will not be meeting in-person. Please check with your ministry chairperson for virtual links.

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HERE I AM LORD! Calling all transplants! Were you a Eucharistic Minister of Holy Communion in another parish? Are you ready to resume your stewardship as a Eucharistic Minister? A small group is already forming to begin their ministry here at St. Polycarp Church. If you were commissioned as a Eucharistic Minister of Holy Communion in the past and are ready to serve here, please contact Cindy Kennedy at kennedy078@msn.com or (302) 653 – 7525 ASAP. One small meeting is all it takes to resume your ministry.

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THIS WEEKEND, JANUARY 29/30

PSR GRADES P/K – 4, Sunday, January 30. No in-person classes. Lessons will be posted on PSROnline. 

THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: January 30th – The Brimson Family – Please arrive 15 minutes before your mass time and pick up (or drop off) materials in the sacristy.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS POLAR BEAR PLUNGE for SPECIAL OLYMPICS:  If you missed last weekend’s collection, you can still support this event by placing your donation in an envelope marked Polar Bear Plunge or Special Olympics and then placed in the collection basket or the black box under the portico. Checks should be made out to Knights of Columbus-Brother Vincent Council.  Please make all donations by Sunday, January 30th.  Thank you for your generous support.

WORLD’S FINEST CHOCOLATE:  Once again, our PSR is selling World’s Finest Chocolate Candy Bars!  All candy bars must be ordered and paid for ahead of time.  Deadline to order is February 6th. Order forms  are available at the doors of the church, in the drop box or you can Click here to print an order form.) Please return forms along with payment to the black drop box under the portico or in the collection basket at Church marked PSR Chocolate Sale. Make checks payable to St. Polycarp PSR. To place your order online (Using credit card, debit card or bank account) CLICK HERE   As always, thank you for your support!

 

THE WEEK OF JANUARY 30

TAX LETTERS: Tax letters were emailed earlier this month. If you did not receive a tax donation letter, and would like one, please contact the parish office.

PSR GRADES 5-8, Tuesday, February 1st. No in person classes. Lessons will be posted on PSROnline. 

Bishop Robert Barron’s series “THE CREED”. Connected in Christ’s presentation of Bishop Barron’s ‘The Creed’  Tuesdays, at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom. If you wish to receive a link to this six-week program, please email Peggy O’Connor at peggyo52@aol.com.

BLESSING OF CANDLES will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 2^nd, at the 8:30 am Mass.  Parishioners are asked to bring any candles they wish to be blessed with them that day.  Please keep your candles with you in the pew and hold them up when Fr. Jim does the Blessing.  A table will be set up in the Sanctuary showing the different candles used in our Parish.

NEXT WEEKEND, FEBRUARY 5/6:
SECOND COLLECTION: Catholic Home Missions

UPCOMING/ONGOING

The Blessing of New Drivers will take place on Saturday, February 12^th at the 4:00pm Mass. Key Chains for these new drivers (any age) will be blessed and distributed at Saturday’s Mass. Upon entering the church, let the usher know that you are there for the blessing. They will give you the key chain.

CHANGE THE WORLD: BECOME CATHOLIC! If you know someone who is looking for a new beginning and wants to learn more about the Catholic Church, “personally invite” them to our RCIA sessions, Monday evenings at 6:30pm. The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is for individuals who are unbaptized, baptized in other faith traditions or Catholic adults wishing to receive Confirmation and Holy Eucharist and seeking full membership in the Catholic Church. We are all called to share the “Good News” and you can make a difference by simply asking! Please contact Deacon Frank Weber for more information at DeaconFrank@saintpolycarp.org or leave a message with the Parish office at (302) 653-8279.

THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY:  Each week a family will receive the Vocation Chalice at Mass and take it home with the promise to “pray for vocations” during that week.  The family should place the chalice in a prominent place in their home and gather together each day to pray for the awareness of vocations.  At the end of the week, the family will bring the chalice back to church so the next family can take it home.  A booklet will accompany the chalice that has prayers and instructions.  We need your prayers and for you to sign up. Call or text Alice Gaston 302-670-7924 to sign up. See the Bulletin for schedule.  January 30th – Brimson Family, February 13th – Marshall Family

REDNER’S MARKETS 1% SAVE-A-TAPE FUNDRAISER: Turn your food shopping into cash for our parish. Simply be sure to obtain and scan your Redner’s Rewards Card each time you shop. Save your whole receipt. Bring your receipts to the Parish Office or put them into the collection basket. There is no expiration date – you can turn receipts months old in!

 

Thank you to our Bulletin advertisers! We appreciate your support!

 

---

USEFUL LINKS:

WEBSITE: www.saintpolycarp.org.
BULLETIN: https://www.jppc.net/onlinebulletins/301template.pdf
BULLETIN OVERFLOW: https://saintpolycarp.org/this-weeks-bulletin/
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/SaintPolycarpCatholicChurch/
ONLINE GIVING: Please consider becoming an e-giver. It is easy to make your weekly or one time contributions in support of the Parish.  For more information and to sign up for online giving, visit  faith.direct/DE831
ST DENNIS: http://www.stdennischurch.org
DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON – LIVE STREAMING https://www.youtube.com/user/DioceseofWilm
THE DIALOG: http://thedialog.org/  Newspaper of the Diocese, copies available as you leave Church or online

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FROM THE DIOCESE:

CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIO:  Saturdays at 1:30 pm on Relevant Radio 640. On Saturday, January 29, 2022 episode of Catholic Forum, we kick-off Catholic Schools Week with an interview with St. Mark’s High School President,  Listen online anytime at cdow.org/CatholicForum, or by searching “Catholic Forum” on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or Amazon Music podcasts. 

LET US PRAY:   A Prayer to be Merciful  (St. Maria Faustina)
Help me, O Lord, that my eyes may be merciful, so that I may never suspect or judge from appearances, but look for what is beautiful in my neighbors’ souls and come to their rescue.
Help me, that my ears may be merciful, so that I may give heed to my neighbors’ needs and not be indifferent to their pains and moanings.
Help me, O Lord, that my tongue may be merciful, so that I should never speak negatively of my neighbor, but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all.
Help me, O Lord, that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deeds, so that I may do only good to my neighbors and take upon myself the more difficult and toilsome tasks.
Help me, that my feet may be merciful, so that I may hurry to assist my neighbor overcoming my own fatigue and weariness. My true rest is in the service of my neighbor.
Help me, O Lord, that my heart may be merciful so that I myself may feel all the sufferings of my neighbor. I will refuse my heart to no one.
May Your mercy, O Lord, rest upon me.

Amen.

 

 

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

 
Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart find favor before you, O Lord, my rock and redeemer.

READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND:  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012322.cfm

LIVE-STREAMING: Visit https://www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE for live stream at 8:30 am on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 4 pm on Saturdays. Please bear with us as we work through the challenges with our live streaming. If you are interested in being involved in this ministry, please email Lisa at lisa.titus@saintpolycarp.org or Judy at communications@saintpolycarp.org.

PARISH WEBSITE: Visit: www.saintpolycarp.org/.

---

With the rising number of covid cases and after receiving new recommendations from the diocese, our Pastoral Council, Liturgy Committee and our staff came to the consensus with the following recommendations:
To help control the spread of covid-19, particularly the Omicron variant, it is highly recommended that masks be worn during all Masses and while inside all buildings. Please sanitize your hands upon entering.  With the exception of devotionals (Flame of Love, Divine Mercy, Eucharistic Adoration, Confessions, Mass) committees/ministries will not be meeting in-person. Please check with your ministry chairperson for virtual links.

---

HERE I AM LORD! Calling all transplants! Were you a Eucharistic Minister of Holy Communion in another parish? Are you ready to resume your stewardship as a Eucharistic Minister? A small group is already forming to begin their ministry here at St. Polycarp Church. If you were commissioned as a Eucharistic Minister of Holy Communion in the past and are ready to serve here,
please contact Cindy Kennedy at kennedy078@msn.com or (302) 653 – 7525 ASAP. One small meeting is all it takes to resume your ministry.

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THIS WEEKEND, JANUARY 22/23

BLESSING OF LECTORS will take place tomorrow, January 22nd at the 4:00pm. Mass.

RITE OF ENROLLMENT FOR FIRST EUCHARIST, for those children who will be receiving Jesus for the first time in the spring, will take place on Sunday, January 23rd, at the 10:30 am Mass.

PSR GRADES P/K – 4, Sunday, January 23. No in person classes. Lessons will be posted on PSROnline. Please check your email for important information from Mrs. Taylor.

SECOND COLLECTION this weekend is for Parish Utilities.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS POLAR BEAR PLUNGE for SPECIAL OLYMPICS collection to support this event will take place at the Church doors this weekend after both Masses.          
More than ever Special Olympics still needs our support.   If you miss this weekend’s collection at the doors, you can still support this event by placing your donation in an envelope marked Polar Bear Plunge or Special Olympics and then placed in the collection basket, the black box under the portico, or mailed to St. Polycarp Church, 55 Ransom Lane, Smyrna DE 19977.  Checks should be made out to Knights of Columbus-Brother Vincent Council.  Please make all donations by Sunday, January 30th.  Thank you for your generous support.

WORLD’S FINEST CHOCOLATE:  PSR kicks off its biggest fundraiser of the year this weekend!  Once again, we are selling our World’s Finest Chocolate Candy Bars!  All candy bars must be ordered and paid for ahead of time.  Order forms are inserted in this weekend’s bulletin. (Or Click here to print an order form.) Please return forms along with payment to the black drop box under the portico or in the collection basket at Church marked PSR Chocolate Sale. Make checks payable to St. Polycarp PSR. To place your order online (Using credit card, debit card or bank account) CLICK HERE   As always, thank you for your support!

 

THE WEEK OF JANUARY 23

TAX LETTERS: Tax letters were sent out this past Tuesday to all whose email we have on file.  If you did not receive one, and would like one, please contact the parish office.

PSR GRADES 5-8, Tuesday, January 25th. No in person classes. Lessons will be posted on PSROnline. Please check your email for important information from Mrs. Taylor.

Bishop Robert Barron’s series “THE CREED”. Connected in Christ’s presentation of Bishop Barron’s ‘The Creed’  Tuesdays, at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom. If you wish to receive a link to this six-week program, please email Peggy O’Connor at peggyo52@aol.com.

THE WEEK OF JANUARY 30

BLESSING OF CANDLES will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 2^nd, at the 8:30 am Mass.  Parishioners are asked to bring any candles they wish to be blessed with them that day.  Please keep your candles with you in the pew and hold them up when Fr. Jim does the Blessing.  A table will be set up in the Sanctuary showing the different candles used in our Parish.

THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: January 30th – The Brimson Family

UPCOMING/ONGOING

CHANGE THE WORLD: BECOME CATHOLIC! If you know someone who is looking for a new beginning and wants to learn more about the Catholic Church, “personally invite” them to our RCIA sessions, Monday evenings at 6:30pm. The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is for individuals who are unbaptized, baptized in other faith traditions or Catholic adults wishing to receive Confirmation and Holy Eucharist and seeking full membership in the Catholic Church. We are all called to share the “Good News” and you can make a difference by simply asking! Please contact Deacon Frank Weber for more information at DeaconFrank@saintpolycarp.org or leave a message with the Parish office at (302) 653-8279.

THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY:  Each week a family will receive the Vocation Chalice at Mass and take it home with the promise to “pray for vocations” during that week.  The family should place the chalice in a prominent place in their home and gather together each day to pray for the awareness of vocations.  At the end of the week, the family will bring the chalice back to church so the next family can take it home.  A booklet will accompany the chalice that has prayers and instructions.  We need your prayers and for you to sign up. Call or text Alice Gaston 302-670-7924 to sign up. See the Bulletin for schedule.  January 30th – Brimson Family, February 13th – Marshall Family

REDNER’S MARKETS 1% SAVE-A-TAPE FUNDRAISER: Turn your food shopping into cash for our parish. Simply be sure to obtain and scan your Redner’s Rewards Card each time you shop. Save your whole receipt. Bring your receipts to the Parish Office or put them into the collection basket. There is no expiration date – you can turn receipts months old in!

 

Thank you to our Bulletin advertisers! We appreciate your support!

 

---

USEFUL LINKS:

WEBSITE: www.saintpolycarp.org.
BULLETIN: https://www.jppc.net/onlinebulletins/301template.pdf
BULLETIN OVERFLOW: https://saintpolycarp.org/this-weeks-bulletin/
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/SaintPolycarpCatholicChurch/
ONLINE GIVING: Please consider becoming an e-giver. It is easy to make your weekly or one time contributions in support of the Parish.  For more information and to sign up for online giving, visit  faith.direct/DE831
ST DENNIS: http://www.stdennischurch.org
DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON – LIVE STREAMING https://www.youtube.com/user/DioceseofWilm
THE DIALOG: http://thedialog.org/  Newspaper of the Diocese, copies available as you leave Church or online

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FROM THE DIOCESE:

CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIO:  Saturdays at 1:30 pm on Relevant Radio 640. On Saturday, January 22^nd tune-in to hear an interview with the co-founder and co-president of Catholic Women in Business, Elise Crawford Gallagher.  Listen online anytime at cdow.org/CatholicForum, or by searching “Catholic Forum” on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or Amazon Music podcasts. 

LET US PRAY:   January 22: Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children

Heavenly Father, Creator of all Life,
We thank you for the gift of Life that you have given to each of us. You have made us Your children, and filled us with Your Holy Spirit.
We turn to You now, Our Father, to ask for Your protection for our unborn brothers and sisters. We pray that mothers and fathers will place the Life of their unborn children above their own needs and wants. We pray that family and community members will offer their support for unborn children. We pray that the well-being of both mother and child will be the focus of all health care workers. And we pray that government leaders will seek ways to uphold the dignity of human life.
We place all these prayers before you through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Amen.

 

THE PARISH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED, MONDAY, JANUARY 17, in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

 
Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.

 

READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND:  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011622.cfm

LIVE-STREAMING: Visit https://www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE for live stream at 8:30 am on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 4 pm on Saturdays. Please bear with us as we work through the challenges with our live streaming. If you are interested in being involved in this ministry, please email Lisa at lisa.titus@saintpolycarp.org or Judy at communications@saintpolycarp.org.

PARISH WEBSITE: Visit: www.saintpolycarp.org/.

With the rising number of covid cases and after receiving new recommendations from the diocese, our Pastoral Council, Liturgy Committee and our staff came to the consensus with the following recommendations:
To help control the spread of covid-19, particularly the Omicron variant, it is highly recommended that masks be worn during all Masses and while inside all buildings. Please sanitize your hands upon entering.  With the exception of devotionals (Flame of Love, Divine Mercy, Eucharistic Adoration, Confessions, Mass) committees/ministries will not be meeting in-person. Please check with your ministry chairperson for virtual links. PSR classes will be determined before classes on the 23rd/25th. (This week’s PSR classes, January 16/18, are already scheduled to be posted online.) Thank you.

THIS WEEKEND, JANUARY 15/16

PSR GRADES P/K – 4, Sunday, January 16. As scheduled, no in person classes. Lessons will be posted on PSROnline..

SECOND COLLECTION this weekend is for the Catholic University and Catholic Communications.

TAX LETTERS: The office is working on the tax letters for your 2021 donations.  There will be an email sent out sometime during the coming week with the pertinent information.

THE WEEK OF JANUARY 16

PSR GRADES 5-8, Tuesday, January 18th.  As scheduled, no in person classes. Lessons will be posted on PSROnline..

Bishop Robert Barron’s series “THE CREED”. Connected in Christ’s presentation of Bishop Barron’s ‘The Creed’ begins this Tuesday, January 18th at 10:00 a.m.  via Zoom. If you wish to receive a link to this six-week program, please email Peggy O’Connor at peggyo52@aol.com.

9 DAYS FOR LIFE: JANUARY 19-27, 2022. Sign up at https://www.respectlife.org/9-days-signup  to receive 9 Days for Life, the U.S. bishops’ annual Respect Life novena, January 19-27. Receive the daily prayers by email or text message in English or Spanish.

THE NATIONAL PRAYER VIGIL FOR PRO-LIFE ACTIVITIES will take place from Thursday, January 20 through Friday, January 21 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. Tune into EWTN (online on your laptop or television) for live coverage of the 2022 MARCH FOR LIFE including:
Opening Vigil Mass at 5:30 pm (followed by Holy Hour for Life) on Thursday, January 20^th from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception; Closing Mass at 8 am on Friday, January 21^st, from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Complete coverage of the March for Life at 9:30 am on Friday, January 21^st from Washington, D.C. https://www.ewtn.com/tv/watch-live
To find what channel EWTN is on your television, use https://www.ewtn.com/tv/channel-finder.
For more pro-life information, visit this website: https://www.ewtn.com/prolife/
For additional information, please visit https://www.usccb.org/national-prayer-events-for-life or  https://www.nationalshrine.org/event/2022-national-prayer-vigil-for-life.

NEXT WEEKEND, JANUARY 22/23

BLESSING OF LECTORS will take place on Saturday, January 22nd at the 4:00pm. Mass.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS POLAR BEAR PLUNGE for SPECIAL OLYMPICS collection to support this event will take place outside at the Church doors next weekend after both Masses.          
This year’s Polar Bears will be in-person and virtual this year due to the ongoing pandemic.  More than ever Special Olympics still needs our support.   So no matter how you Plunge, what’s most important is that you Plunge in support of 4,200 Special Olympics Delaware athletes. Our Knights of Columbus will once again be collecting donations to support this annual plunge. The Polar Bear Plunge/Special Olympics collection will take place this weekend, January 22-23, 2022.  Your generous donations should be placed in an envelope marked Polar Bear Plunge or Special Olympics and then placed in the collection basket, the black box under the portico, or mailed to St. Polycarp Church, 55 Ransom Lane, Smyrna DE 19977.  Checks should be made out to Knights of Columbus-Brother Vincent Council.  Please make all donations by Sunday, January 30th.  Thank you for your generous support.

UPCOMING/ONGOING

CHANGE THE WORLD: BECOME CATHOLIC! If you know someone who is looking for a new beginning and wants to learn more about the Catholic Church, “personally invite” them to our RCIA sessions, Monday evenings at 6:30pm. The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is for individuals who are unbaptized, baptized in other faith traditions or Catholic adults wishing to receive Confirmation and Holy Eucharist and seeking full membership in the Catholic Church. We are all called to share the “Good News” and you can make a difference by simply asking! Please contact Deacon Frank Weber for more information at DeaconFrank@saintpolycarp.org or leave a message with the Parish office at (302) 653-8279.

THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY:  Each week a family will receive the Vocation Chalice at Mass and take it home with the promise to “pray for vocations” during that week.  The family should place the chalice in a prominent place in their home and gather together each day to pray for the awareness of vocations.  At the end of the week, the family will bring the chalice back to church so the next family can take it home.  A booklet will accompany the chalice that has prayers and instructions.  We need your prayers and for you to sign up. Call or text Alice Gaston 302-670-7924 to sign up. See the Bulletin for schedule.  January 30th – Brimson Family, February 13th – Marshall Family

REDNER’S MARKETS 1% SAVE-A-TAPE FUNDRAISER: Turn your food shopping into cash for our parish. Simply be sure to obtain and scan your Redner’s Rewards Card each time you shop. Save your whole receipt. Bring your receipts to the Parish Office or put them into the collection basket. There is no expiration date – you can turn receipts months old in!

 

Thank you to our Bulletin advertisers! We appreciate your support!

 

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USEFUL LINKS:

WEBSITE: www.saintpolycarp.org.
BULLETIN: https://www.jppc.net/onlinebulletins/301template.pdf
BULLETIN OVERFLOW: https://saintpolycarp.org/this-weeks-bulletin/
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/SaintPolycarpCatholicChurch/
ONLINE GIVING: Please consider becoming an e-giver. It is easy to make your weekly or one time contributions in support of the Parish.  For more information and to sign up for online giving, visit  faith.direct/DE831
ST DENNIS: http://www.stdennischurch.org
DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON – LIVE STREAMING https://www.youtube.com/user/DioceseofWilm
THE DIALOG: http://thedialog.org/  Newspaper of the Diocese, copies available as you leave Church or online

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FROM THE DIOCESE:

CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIO:  Saturdays at 1:30 pm on Relevant Radio 640. On the January 15, 2022 episode, tune-in to learn about Saint Norbert and the Norbertine Fathers, when the Right Reverend James B. Herring, O.Praem, Prior of the Immaculate Conception Priory in Middletown, Delaware, is the guest. Listen anytime at cdow.org/CatholicForum or search Catholic Forum on Apple, Spotify or iHeartRadio podcasts.

LET US PRAY:

TENDER JESUS, so meek, so mild, teach us to be like You in all our ways. Teach us kindness, gentleness, generosity, and to be giving, forgiving, loving and caring. Teach us to follow in Your humble footsteps. Guide us to the place You want us to be, take control. Mold and shape us into the brilliant beings we were always destined to become. I pray these in Your most holy Name, Amen.