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Mass Schedule

St. Polycarp, Smyrna DE
(302) 653-8279
Saturday – 4:00 pm
Sunday – 10:30 am
Weekday Mass – 8:30 am, Tuesday & Wednesday
Confessions – Saturdays, 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm

St. Dennis, Galena MD
https://www.stdennischurch.org/
(410) 648-5145
Sunday – 8:00 am
Sunday – 11:00 am (Spanish)
Weekday Mass – 8:30 am, Thursday & Friday
Confessions – Sundays, 7:00-7:30 am

 

DE Home for the Chronically Ill (DHCI):
Communion Service – 3rd Tuesday at 10:30 am
Pinnacle:
Communion Service – 1st Wednesday at 1:15 pm

Parish Contact

55 Ransom Lane,
Smyrna, Delaware 19977

Parish Office : (302) 653-8279
Email: office@saintpolycarp.org

Religious Education: (302)653-4101
Email: dre@saintpolycarp.org

St. Patrick’s Day Parade March 17 2024

Thank you to our Parish and Family Life Ministry and all those who helped represent St. Polycarp at this year’s town St. Paddy’s Day Parade! 

Weekend Update March 16/17

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

SUNDAY SCRIPTURE – QUESTIONS TO PONDER
~ Jeremiah speaks of a time when all will come to know God.  What does it mean to you to know the Lord?
~ What does obedience to Christ look like in your life?
– Is there anything you
‘re being invited to let go of to follow Christ more deeply?

 

FASTING AND ABSTINENCE: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics.  In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.  For members of the Roman Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59.  When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal.  The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Roman Catholic Church from age 14 onwards.         ~USCCB

Stations of the Cross and Benediction – at St. Polycarp
Fridays in Lent at 7 pm  (No Stations of the Cross on Good Friday.)

 

ST. DENNIS CHURCH (GALENA, MD): Stations of the Cross – Fridays in Lent at 5 pm and 7 pm (Spanish) (There are 7 pm Stations on Good Friday)

RECONCILIATION:
Saturdays, 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm at St. Polycarp (No Confessions on Saturday, March 30th, Holy Saturday.)
Sundays, following 10:30 am Mass through March 24th.
Sundays, 7:00 am – 7:30 am at St. Dennis (No Confessions on Easter Sunday.)

Deanery Lenten Penance Service – Thursday, March 21st, at 7 pm at Holy Cross, Dover  (Several priests will be available to hear confessions)

Reconciliation Monday, March 25th, – Monday of Holy Week
3 pm – 5 pm at St. Polycarp    (Fr. Herring)
6 pm – 8 pm at St. Polycarp     (Fr. Jim & Fr. Hynes)

3 pm – 5 pm at St. Dennis  (Fr. Jim)
6 pm – 8 pm at St. Dennis  (Fr. Oscar – Spanish & English)

PLEASE NOTE:
Corrections to previously announced times:
The Easter Vigil Mass at St. Polycarp will begin at 7:30 pm, not 8:00 pm
Easter Sunday Masses at St. Dennis are 8 am, 9:30 am (not 10:00 am) and 11 am

PLEASE ALSO NOTE:
Easter Sunday Masses at St. Polycarp are celebrated at 8:00 am and 10:00 am

Holy Thursday – Thursday, March 28th
Mass of the Lord’s Supper at St. Dennis – 7 pm
(No Mass at St. Polycarp)

Good Friday – Friday, March 29th
Passion of the Lord at St. Polycarp – 3 pm

Holy Saturday – Saturday, March 30th
No Confessions either Parish
Easter Vigil at St. Polycarp – 7:30 pm

Easter Sunday – Sunday, March 31st
St. Polycarp at 8:00 am and 10:00 am
St. Dennis  at 8 am, 9:30 am and 11 am (Spanish)


READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND:  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031724.cfm

LIVE-STREAMING: Visit https://www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE for live stream at 8:30 am, Tuesdays & Wednesdays and 4 pm on Saturdays

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

WEEKLY PARISH BULLETIN: CLICK HERE  (New Bulletins are posted on Fridays.) Thank you to all of our weekly bulletin sponsors for your support during the year! Your support has not gone unnoticed by our parish community and is so appreciated!

BULLETIN OVERFLOW: There’s always information that doesn’t fit in our Bulletin Bulletin Overflow – CLICK HERE


THIS WEEKEND, MARCH 16/17 (and Monday, March 18th – Friday, March 22nd)

BROTHER VINCENT KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS regret that they have to CANCEL the ST. PATRICK’S DAY Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner for next weekend..

 

SECOND COLLECTION this weekend is for our Parish Maintenance.

.CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD: will take place this Sunday at the 10:30 am Mass. CLOW is offered every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month during the 10:30 am Mass. This is a wonderful opportunity for children in PreK-4th grade. Children will be called forward before the First Reading and will return to you after the General Intercessions. Our catechists and assistants have cleared background checks.

THE RESPECT LIFE MINISTRY  is collecting items for Easter Baskets for patients at DHCI.  A box will be outside Mother Drexel Hall through this Sunday, March 17th. We were asked to go very easy on candy due to dietary issues.  The patients cannot do actual jigsaw puzzles.  However, items we can supply:  puzzle books (Sudoku, Find a Word, etc.)  stuffed animals, cookies, crackers, hand lotions, books, socks and handmade crafts.

 

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE – THIS SUNDAY: March 17th at 2 pm. Come cheer for St. Polycarp Church as we walk through the streets of Smyrna in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade! Better yet, come walk with us and represent St. Polycarp in the parade. Walking with us – meet us at 1:30 pm in our Church Parking Lot. WEAR GREEN! Questions? – Contact Chairperson Deanna Lail at dlail14@comcast.net or 302-535-2957.

 

ANNUAL OFFERTORY REFLECTION: Reminder- Intentions of offertory giving are due March 17th.  Annual Offertory Reflection intentions are needed for the preparation of our Parish Budget, and we need everyone’s participation.  If you haven’t returned yours, please be sure to do so THIS WEEKENDThank you for your support! (Offertory Reflection Intention Cards can be found in the pews. Completed cards can be dropped in the collection baskets.)

 

THE DEANERY PENANCE SERVICE  will take place this Thursday, March 21st, at 7 pm at Holy Cross Church in Dover.
Several Priests will be available to hear confessions.

 

 

EASTER NOVENA MASS REMEMBRANCE:  Living or deceased, the best gift you can give a loved one is the gift of the Mass.  Please use the Easter Mass Remembrance envelope to enjoin your friends and family in our most holy celebration.

EASTER FLOWERS Proclaim that spring is upon us as they symbolize hope and new life.  Add to the beauty of our church during the upcoming Easter season by using your Easter flower envelope to help us proclaim that Jesus has risen!

 

EARLY BULLETIN DEADLINE: Submissions for the March 31st Easter Bulletin are due by the end-of-day THIS Monday, March 18th. Email all submissions to submission@saintpolycarp.org.

HOLY COMMUNION TO THE SICK AND HOMEBOUNDDo you know someone who is sick or homebound and not able to make it to Mass? We would love to give them the opportunity to receive Holy Communion in their homes. Please contact April Corrales at (302) 220 – 9616 or Lori Ostrowski at (302) 540 – 6522

READ THIS WEEKEND’S BULLETIN for updates from the following Ministries – Liturgy, Christian Formation & Finance Council. CLICK HERE FOR BULLETIN


NEXT WEEKEND, MARCH 23/24  (and Monday, March 25th – Friday, March 29th)

 

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord 
Next Sunday, March 24th  is Palm Sunday, the start of Holy Week, the holiest week in the Church’s calendar.

 

EASTER EGG HUNT & AGAPE  –  Next Sunday, Palm Sunday, March 24th  Brother Vincent Knights of Columbus will be hosting an Easter Egg Hunt for our youngsters and the March Agape, following the 10:30 am Mass on March 24th.  All children are invited to participate in the egg hunt. There will be prizes!
Children are asked to bring their own baskets! 

CALLING ALL CHOCOLATE LOVERS! Next Weekend, March 23rd & 24th, are your lucky days!!! We have a “Limited Supply” of bars we will be selling after both Masses next weekend. Look for us at all the doors. Bars are $1 each. Don’t miss out!!! Once they are gone…they are GONE. All proceeds benefit PSR.

 

SODALITY’S RAFFLE AT PALM SUNDAY’S AGAPE: Sodality is having a raffle on Palm Sunday, March 24th, at the AGAPE after the 10:30 am Mass in Mother Drexel Hall. Enhance your Easter Season celebration with a beautiful sculpted piece of art depicting the religious events from Palm Sunday (the 1st day of Holy Week) through the Ascension of Jesus (the 40th day after the Resurrection). This piece of art can be viewed on the table in the hallway near the Sacristy. The raffle tickets are 3 for $5.00 and will be sold only at the Palm Sunday Agape.

 

RECONCILIATION MONDAY: Our third annual Reconciliation Monday will take place on Monday, March 25th, from 3 – 5 pm and 6 – 8 pm, here at St. Polycarp and at St. Dennis. Not only will we have confession here in our church during that time, but all parishes in the diocese will be holding confessions. So if it is more convenient for you to go to another church closer to work, feel free to do so. Please invite those friends and family members who have been away from the Sacraments to take advantage of this opportunity. Visit cdow.org/ReconciliationMonday for more information.

 

LENTEN RICE BOWLS: Rice bowls are returned to Church at the end of Lent.


UPCOMING

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY: On Divine Mercy Sunday, April 7th and the vigil on Saturday, April 6th, please stay for about 10 minutes after Mass to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Literature will be provided so that you can follow along.

 


FORMED: A Catholic Art Show for KidsLooking for a new family activity this Lent? Help your children’s faith and artistic gifts grow through this series from the Augustine Institute: Drawing Closer to God: A Catholic Art Show for Kids. Join art teacher Ms. Kim as she teaches your family how to draw different scenes from the gospel story. Your children will also gain insights into Scripture as she shares the rich biblical background of each image they create. 

Use this QR code for A Catholic Art Show for Kids!

 

FORMED: Thanks to a very generous and thoughtful parishioner, our FORMED Subscription has been RENEWED for another year!  Please SIGN UP NOW and begin enjoying the abundant amount of Catholic content that FORMED has to offer! You won’t be disappointed! To gain full access to FORMED; follow these simple steps:
~Go to: www.formed.org or scan QR Code
~Enter our parish’s zip code (19977)
~Click on St. Polycarp Church
~Enter your name and your email address


ONGOING 

THREE YEARS OF ABUNDANT GRACE AND TRANSFORMATION – EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL

MISSION: To renew the church by enkindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.

VISION: To inspire a movement of Catholics across the United States who are healed, converted, formed, and unified by an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist—and who are then sent out on mission “for the life of the world.”

SATURDAY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION at St. Polycarp will take place monthly at the Vigil Mass for the Second Sunday of the month.  Eucharistic Adoration at St. Dennis Church (Galena MD) will take place on the Fourth Sunday of the month following the 8 am Sunday Mass – no Adoration on Palm Sunday.
Upcoming Saturday Eucharistic Adoration at St. Polycarp: Saturday, April 13th, Saturday, May 11th, Saturday, June 8th, Saturday, July 13th, Saturday, August 10th

TUESDAY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: Tuesdays from 9 am to 8 pm in the Chapel. Do you have one hour to spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament? Call Cheryl Thomas at (302) 363 – 0404 or email her at salcrest7@gmail.com. All are welcome to stop in and adore Jesus between 9 am and 8 pm in the Chapel on Tuesdays. Stay for 10 minutes, 1 hour…

 

THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: Please consider signing up to host the vocation chalice in your home for a week.  Families and individuals are encouraged to sign up! Text or call Alice Gaston at (302) 670 – 7924.  For more information visit https://saintpolycarp.org/vocation-chalice/

CONNECTED IN CHRIST (ADULT FAITH FORMATION) meets every Tuesday at 9:00 am in the Parish Library – ALL are welcome. Please join us. If you have any questions, please call Cookie Ruane at (302) 540 – 6429.


CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD:
Children’s Liturgy of the Word is offered every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month during the 10:30 am Mass. This is a wonderful opportunity for children in PreK-4th grade. It mirrors the worship experience of the larger community in an engaging and interactive style. They will listen to Scripture and engage in discussions about what they have heard at their age level. Children will be called forward before the First Reading and will return to you after the General Intercessions. Our lead catechist is Anna Skinner. She, along with her assistants, have cleared background checks.

GLUTEN FREE? Do you have an intolerance to gluten? If so, our parish offers gluten-free wafers to be consecrated for you. Please see our Sacristan 10 – 15 minutes before Mass and let them know that you need a gluten-free wafer put in the pyx. At Communion, please proceed down the aisle to the priest who will have the pyx in his hand and let him know you need a gluten-free host.

IS THAT YOU, FR. JIM? If you receive emails or texts from Fr. Jim asking for favors, gift cards or gifts or stating something similar to “I am currently busy in a meeting now, no calls so just reply to my email.”, please ignore and delete. If an email looks suspicious and you’re not sure, give the office a call.

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 in receipts months old!

THE SMYRNA/CLAYTON MINISTERIUM FOOD PANTRY is located downstairs at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 22 N. Union St., Smyrna. The pantry is open from 9:30 am to 10:30 am, Monday thru Friday.  Due to the increased need in the community, the Pantry is in great need of cereal, juice boxes or pouches, peanut butter & jelly, hamburger helper, tuna helper, canned tuna, sloppy joe sauce (Manwich), boxed spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, vegetable beef and chicken noodle soups, macaroni & cheese, and Chef Boy Ardee canned pastas. No canned vegetables or beans are currently needed.  Please, no expired items. Here at St. Polycarp we have bins under the coat rack in the hallway near the bathrooms to accept your donations.

BULLETIN SPONSORS: Thank you to all of our weekly bulletin sponsors for your support during the year!

                                                                               

 


USEFUL LINKS:

WEBSITE: www.saintpolycarp.org.
BULLETINhttps://www.jppc.net/onlinebulletins/301template.pdf
BULLETIN OVERFLOW
https://saintpolycarp.org/this-weeks-bulletin/
YOUTUBEhttps://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 CHURCH: http://www.stdennischurch.org        153 N. Main St. Galena, MD  21635    (410) 648-5145
DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON – LIVE STREAMING https://www.youtube.com/user/DioceseofWilm
FOR THE SAKE OF GOD’S CHILDREN: https://www.cdow.org/giving/fsgc/
THE DIALOG: http://thedialog.org/  Newspaper of the Diocese, copies available as you leave Church or online
EWTN: ewtn.com


FROM THE DIOCESE:     

BISHOP KOENIG INVITES YOU TO THE NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE ON JULY 17th-21st, 2024, IN INDIANAPOLIS, IN.  To read the letter of invitation,  CLICK HERE
BE THERE WHEN GOD MOVES: The 10th National Eucharistic Congress at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN.  
From July 17th–21st, 2024, thousands of passionate Catholics will gather for a transformative experience on a scale this generation has never seen. Whether you join us for one day or all five, the grace you receive will spill out into our community when you return home—deeply in love with the Eucharist and excited about the future of the Church in America. Visit EucharisticCongress.org to learn more about the event and explore the full schedule for each day. 

CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIOSaturdays at 1:30 pm on Relevant Radio 640AM. On the March 16th episode of Catholic Forum, learn the eastern roots of Irish Christianity with author, Connie Marshnner. CLICK HERE  You can listen online at cdow.org/CatholicForum, or by searching “Catholic Forum” on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or Amazon Music podcasts.   “Like” Catholic Forum on Facebook at facebook.com/CatholicForum @CatholicForum.


BULLETIN OVERFLOW: Visit Bulletin Overflow  https://saintpolycarp.org/overflow/ for details on the following and more!:

CABRINI:  Now through March 20th at limited theaters including Westown Movies in Middletown and Cinemark Christiana. The movie Cabrini, is based on the inspiring true story of a woman’s fight for humane treatment, better living conditions, and increased compassion for immigrant orphans at the turn of the 20th century. Cabrini follows Francesca Cabrini, an Italian immigrant whose heart and ambition helped her to build an empire of compassion for the least fortunate of New York City. Eventually becoming the first American saint of the Catholic Church, Cabrini devoted her life to fighting for the happiness and health for individuals in the margins of her society. Did you know that one of our classrooms/meeting rooms here at St. Polycarp is named in honor of Mother Cabrini?
EUCHARIST ENCOUNTER WEEKEND: St. Elizabeth Parish and School are honored to host the Eucharistic Miracles of the World Exhibit, collected and designed by +Blessed Carlo Acutis, from Friday, March 22nd  through Sunday, March 24th. For updates about the event, the full schedule and video, please visit https://steparish.org/.
SMYRNA-CLAYTON MINISTERIUM CROSS WALK: Good Friday, March 29th
DELAWARE STATE COLUMBIETTES’ LADIES RETREAT AT ST. JUDE PARISH IN LEWIS, DE on Saturday, April 13th.
A RACHEL’S VINEYARD CATHOLIC RETREAT Friday, April 19th – Sunday, 21st, 2024.  This retreat offers emotional and spiritual healing for anyone who has struggled with the pain of abortion.


LET US PRAY: Traditional Irish Blessing   

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

May God be with you and bless you;
May you see your children’s children.
May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings,
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.

May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home
And may the hand of a friend always be near.

May green be the grass you walk on,
May blue be the skies above you,
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May true be the hearts that love you.

 

Weekend Update March 9/10

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT
LAETARE SUNDAY – REJOICE!
The Fourth Sunday in Lent is known as Laetare Sunday.  The Lenten Season is more than half over. The celebration of the Easter Feast is drawing near –
the Church rejoices! Rose vestments are worn by the Priest. This rose color reminds us of joy in the midst of penance and anticipation

SUNDAY SCRIPTURE – QUESTIONS TO PONDER
~ How has the Lord been inviting you to deeper conversion this Lent?
~ How would you define grace?

– What does Jesus tell us about the reason He was sent into the world? How does that make you feel?

 

FASTING AND ABSTINENCE: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics.  In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.  For members of the Roman Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59.  When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal.  The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Roman Catholic Church from age 14 onwards.         ~USCCB

Stations of the Cross and Benediction – at St. Polycarp
Fridays in Lent at 7 pm  (No Stations of the Cross on Good Friday.)

 

ST. DENNIS CHURCH (GALENA, MD): Stations of the Cross – Fridays in Lent at 5 pm and 7 pm (Spanish) (7 pm Stations only on Good Friday)

RECONCILIATION:
Saturdays, 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm at St. Polycarp (No Confessions on Saturday, March 30th, Holy Saturday.)
Sundays, following 10:30 am Mass through March 24th.
Sundays, 7:00 am – 7:30 am at St. Dennis (No Confessions on Easter Sunday.)

Deanery Lenten Penance Service – Thursday, March 21st at 7 pm at Holy Cross, Dover  (Several priests will be available to hear confessions)

Reconciliation Monday, March 25th – Monday of Holy Week
3 pm – 5 pm at St. Polycarp
6 pm – 8 pm at St. Polycarp

3 pm – 5 pm at St. Dennis
6 pm – 8 pm at St. Dennis – (Fr. Oscar – Hispanic & English)

PLEASE NOTE:
Corrections to previously announced times:
The Easter Vigil Mass at St. Polycarp will begin at 7:30 pm, not 8:00 pm
Easter Sunday Masses at St. Dennis are 8 am, 9:30 am (not 10:00 am) and 11 am

PLEASE ALSO NOTE:
Easter Sunday Masses at St. Polycarp are celebrated at 8:00 am and 10:00 am

 

Holy Thursday – Thursday, March 28
Mass of the Lord’s Supper at St. Dennis – 7 pm
(No Mass at St. Polycarp)

Good Friday – Friday, March 29
Passion of the Lord at St. Polycarp – 3 pm

Holy Saturday – Saturday, March 30
No Confessions either Parish
Easter Vigil at St. Polycarp – 7:30 pm

Easter Sunday – Sunday, March 31
St. Polycarp at 8:00 am and 10:00 am
St. Dennis  at 8 am, 9:30 am and 11 am (Spanish)


READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND:  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031024.cfm

LIVE-STREAMING: Visit https://www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE for live stream at 8:30 am, Tuesdays & Wednesdays and 4 pm on Saturdays

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

WEEKLY PARISH BULLETIN: CLICK HERE  (New Bulletins are posted on Fridays.) Thank you to all of our weekly bulletin sponsors for your support during the year! Your support has not gone unnoticed by our parish community and is so appreciated!

BULLETIN OVERFLOW: There’s always information that doesn’t fit in our Bulletin Bulletin Overflow – CLICK HERE


THIS WEEKEND, MARCH 9/10 (and Monday, March 11th – Friday, March 15th)

TIME CHANGES THIS WEEKENDSPRING FORWARD!
Set clocks ahead one hour.
Don’t be late for PSR or Mass on Sunday!

 

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: Saturday, March 9th Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will take place at the end of the 4 pm Vigil Mass for the Second Sunday of the month, this Saturday, March 9th. Please plan to stay and spend some time with Jesus. Out of reverence for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, please do not leave while the host is being placed in the monstrance and until Fr. Jim leaves. When you do leave, please leave silently as others are praying.

SECOND COLLECTION this weekend is for Operation Rice Bowl. Operation Rice Bowl offers an opportunity to pray for and directly assist the poor in this country and overseas.

FAITH WITH FRIENDS – Join us this Sunday at 9 am! Sip on wisdom-infused coffee, donuts sent from the heavens, and sweet divine fellowship! We will gather in the library on the following Sundays – March 10th, 24th; April 14th, 28th at 9:00 am. What’s in the holy mix? 

 


GIRL SCOUT COOKIES
are coming this weekend! On March 9th and 10th our Girl Scouts will have cookies available for purchase after Mass. You can order them in advance, and we will deliver them to your doorstep! Money raised from Cookie sales help fund the activities that the girls do, such as camping, earning skills badges, and service projects. Donated cookies from St. Polycarp parishioners will taken to the Seaman’s Center of Wilmington, the same organization that we support with the Christmas at Sea program. We thank you in advance for your support and prayers for our girls. Cookie Link: https://bit.ly/49oRT78            Contact Tracie Bruno: Tracie.Bruno@comcast.net.

 

THE RESPECT LIFE MINISTRY  is collecting items for Easter Baskets for patients at DHCI.  A box will be outside Mother Drexel Hall through March 17th. We were asked to go very easy on candy due to dietary issues.  The patients cannot do actual jigsaw puzzles.  However, items we can supply:  puzzle books (Sudoku, Find a Word, etc.)  stuffed animals, cookies, crackers, hand lotions, books, socks and handmade crafts.

 

ST. PATRICK’S DAY: March 17th at 2 pm. Our Parish & Family Life Ministry would love to have you walk in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade with our banner and float to represent our Church, St. Polycarp. If you are not able to walk in the parade and have time to help decorate a float we would appreciate your assistance!  Please contact Chairperson Deanna Lail at dlail14@comcast.net or 302-535-2957.

 

EASTER NOVENA MASS REMEMBRANCE:  Living or deceased, the best gift you can give a loved one is the gift of the Mass.  Please use the Easter Mass Remembrance envelope to enjoin your friends and family in our most holy celebration.

 

EASTER FLOWERS Proclaim that spring is upon us as they symbolize hope and new life.  Add to the beauty of our church during the upcoming Easter season by using your Easter flower envelope to help us proclaim that Jesus has risen!

 

EARLY BULLETIN DEADLINE: Submissions for the March 31st Easter Bulletin are due by the end-of-day Monday, March 18th. Email all submissions to
submission@saintpolycarp.org.

 


NEXT WEEKEND, MARCH 16/17  (and Monday, March 18th – Friday, March 22nd)

UPDATE: BROTHER VINCENT KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS regret that they have to CANCEL the ST. PATRICK’S DAY Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner for next weekend..

 

EASTER EGG HUNT & AGAPE  –  Next Sunday, Palm Sunday, March 24th  Brother Vincent Knights of Columbus will be hosting an Easter Egg Hunt for our youngsters and the March Agape, following the 10:30 am Mass on March 24th.  All children are invited to participate in the egg hunt. There will be prizes!
Children are asked to bring their own baskets! 

 

SODALITY’S RAFFLE AT PALM SUNDAY’S AGAPE: Sodality is having a raffle on Palm Sunday, March 24th, at the AGAPE after the 10:30 am Mass in Mother Drexel Hall. Enhance your Easter Season celebration with a beautiful sculpted piece of art depicting the religious events from Palm Sunday (the 1st day of Holy Week) through the Ascension of Jesus (the 40th day after the Resurrection). This piece of art can be viewed on the table in the hallway near the Sacristy. The raffle tickets are 3 for $5.00 and will be sold only at the Palm Sunday Agape.

 

EARLY BULLETIN DEADLINE: Submissions for the March 31st, Easter Sunday, bulletin are due by the end-of-the-day on Monday, March 18th. Email submissions to submission@saintpolycarp.org


UPCOMING

RECONCILIATION MONDAY: Our third annual Reconciliation Monday will take place on Monday, March 25th from 3 – 5 pm and 6-8 pm, here at St. Polycarp and at St. Dennis. Not only will we have confession here in our church during that time, but all parishes in the diocese will be holding confessions. So if it is more convenient for you to go to another church closer to work, feel free to do so. Please invite those friends and family members who have been away from the Sacraments to take advantage of this opportunity. Visit cdow.org/ReconciliationMonday for more information.

LENTEN RICE BOWLS: Rice bowls are returned to Church at the end of Lent.


FORMED has a wonderful short video series, Bread of Life: The Eucharist in Galilee, that takes you through the beautiful scenery of actual places in Galilee where Jesus performed so many of His miracles. Dr. Tim Gray presents short, 6–10-minute videos, that constantly refer to the Old Testament to show how it foreshadowed Jesus giving us the Eucharist in the New Testament.  If you enjoy history these videos will be sure to pique your interest.

FORMED: Thanks to a very generous and thoughtful parishioner, our FORMED Subscription has been RENEWED for another year!  Please SIGN UP NOW and begin enjoying the abundant amount of Catholic content that FORMED has to offer! You won’t be disappointed! To gain full access to FORMED; follow these simple steps:
~Go to: www.formed.org or scan QR Code
~Enter our parish’s zip code (19977)
~Click on St. Polycarp Church
~Enter your name and your email address


WE NEED YOUR HELP!      ARE YOU BEING CALLED TO SERVE?

SOCIAL CONCERNS: The DHCI* ministry is in need of assistance to help Deacon Frank with the 10:30 am Communion Service on the 3rd Tuesday of the month. Type of assistance needed: help with bringing residents to the prayer area and set up. If interested, contact Pablo Resto at  pabloresto@msn.com or Anne Marie at theaterowl@yahoo.com . (*Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill, located in Smyrna)

BULLETIN BOARDS:  Thank you!  We have a volunteer!


ONGOING 

THREE YEARS OF ABUNDANT GRACE AND TRANSFORMATION – EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL

MISSION: To renew the church by enkindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.

VISION: To inspire a movement of Catholics across the United States who are healed, converted, formed, and unified by an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist—and who are then sent out on mission “for the life of the world.”

SATURDAY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION at St. Polycarp will take place monthly at the Vigil Mass for the Second Sunday of the month.  Eucharistic Adoration at St. Dennis Church (Galena MD) will take place on the Fourth Sunday of the month following the 8 am Sunday Mass – no Adoration on Palm Sunday.
Upcoming Saturday Eucharistic Adoration at St. Polycarp: March 9th, Saturday, April 13th, Saturday, May 11th, Saturday, June 8th, Saturday, July 13th, Saturday, August 10th

TUESDAY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: Tuesdays from 9am to 8pm in the Chapel. Do you have one hour to spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament? Call Cheryl Thomas at (302) 363 – 0404 or email her at salcrest7@gmail.com. All are welcome to stop in and adore Jesus between 9 am and 8 pm in the Chapel on Tuesdays. Stay for 10 minutes, 1 hour…

 

THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: Please consider signing up to host the vocation chalice in your home for a week.  Families and individuals are encouraged to sign up! Text or call Alice Gaston at (302) 670 – 7924.  For more information visit https://saintpolycarp.org/vocation-chalice/

CONNECTED IN CHRIST (ADULT FAITH FORMATION) meets every Tuesday at 9:00 am in the Parish Library – ALL are welcome. Please join us. If you have any questions, please call Cookie Ruane at (302) 540 – 6429.


CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD:
Children’s Liturgy of the Word is offered every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month during the 10:30 am Mass. This is a wonderful opportunity for children in PreK-4th grade. It mirrors the worship experience of the larger community in an engaging and interactive style. They will listen to Scripture and engage in discussions about what they have heard at their age level. Children will be called forward before the First Reading and will return to you after the General Intercessions. Our lead catechist is Anna Skinner. She, along with her assistants, have cleared background checks.

GLUTEN FREE? Do you have an intolerance to gluten? If so, our parish offers gluten-free wafers to be consecrated for you. Please see our Sacristan 10 – 15 minutes before Mass and let them know that you need a gluten-free wafer put in the pyx. At Communion, please proceed down the aisle to the priest who will have the pyx in his hand and let him know you need a gluten-free host.

IS THAT YOU, FR. JIM? If you receive emails or texts from Fr. Jim asking for favors, gift cards or gifts or stating something similar to “I am currently busy in a meeting now, no calls so just reply to my email.”, please ignore and delete. If an email looks suspicious and you’re not sure, give the office a call.

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 in receipts months old!

THE SMYRNA/CLAYTON MINISTERIUM FOOD PANTRY is located downstairs at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 22 N. Union St., Smyrna. The pantry is open from 9:30 am to 10:30 am, Monday thru Friday.  Due to the increased need in the community, the Pantry is in great need of cereal, juice boxes or pouches, peanut butter & jelly, hamburger helper, tuna helper, canned tuna, sloppy joe sauce (Manwich), boxed spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, vegetable beef and chicken noodle soups, macaroni & cheese, and Chef Boy Ardee canned pastas. No canned vegetables or beans are currently needed.  Please, no expired items. Here at St. Polycarp we have bins under the coat rack in the hallway near the bathrooms to accept your donations.

BULLETIN SPONSORS: Thank you to all of our weekly bulletin sponsors for your support during the year!

                                                                               

 


USEFUL LINKS:

WEBSITE: www.saintpolycarp.org.
BULLETINhttps://www.jppc.net/onlinebulletins/301template.pdf
BULLETIN OVERFLOW
https://saintpolycarp.org/this-weeks-bulletin/
YOUTUBEhttps://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 CHURCH: http://www.stdennischurch.org        153 N. Main St. Galena, MD  21635    (410) 648-5145
DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON – LIVE STREAMING https://www.youtube.com/user/DioceseofWilm
FOR THE SAKE OF GOD’S CHILDREN: https://www.cdow.org/giving/fsgc/
THE DIALOG: http://thedialog.org/  Newspaper of the Diocese, copies available as you leave Church or online
EWTN: ewtn.com


FROM THE DIOCESE:     

BISHOP KOENIG INVITES YOU TO THE NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE ON JULY 17th-21st, 2024, IN INDIANAPOLIS, IN.  To read the letter of invitation,  CLICK HERE
BE THERE WHEN GOD MOVES: The 10th National Eucharistic Congress at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN.  
From July 17th–21st, 2024, thousands of passionate Catholics will gather for a transformative experience on a scale this generation has never seen. Whether you join us for one day or all five, the grace you receive will spill out into our community when you return home—deeply in love with the Eucharist and excited about the future of the Church in America. Visit EucharisticCongress.org to learn more about the event and explore the full schedule for each day. 

CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIOSaturdays at 1:30 pm on Relevant Radio 640AM. On the March 9th episode of Catholic Forum, we talk to Deacon Tommy Watts, Diocese of Wilmington Chaplain to the Boy Scouts, and Phil Betley, Scoutmaster of Troup 285, sponsored by St. Elizabeth Parish in Wilmington, Delaware. CLICK HERE  You can listen online at cdow.org/CatholicForum, or by searching “Catholic Forum” on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or Amazon Music podcasts.   “Like” Catholic Forum on Facebook at facebook.com/CatholicForum @CatholicForum.


BULLETIN OVERFLOW: Visit Bulletin Overflow  https://saintpolycarp.org/overflow/ for details on the following:

CABRINI: Soon to be out in certain theaters beginning March 8.
EUCHARIST ENCOUNTER WEEKEND: St. Elizabeth Parish and School are honored to host the Eucharistic Miracles of the World Exhibit, collected and designed by +Blessed Carlo Acutis, from Friday, March 22  through Sunday, March 24. For updates about the event, the full schedule and video, please visit https://steparish.org/.
SMYRNA-CLAYTON MINISTERIUM CROSS WALK: Good Friday, March 29th
A RACHEL’S VINEYARD CATHOLIC RETREAT Friday, April 19th – Sunday, 21st, 2024.  This retreat offers emotional and spiritual healing for anyone who has struggled with the pain of abortion.
“THE CHAIR”: The series tells the story of the Catholic Church in America today. It highlights each bishop, his cathedral, and important aspects of the diocesan history.  You can access the series here – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPu38Ui5dTDIXL2dAlmSBBROUBx6DMGVK. To view the episode about our Diocese visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEjo2GtH-dM&t=51s


LET US PRAY:  St. John of God – March 8

Saint John of God, heavenly Patron of the Sick,
I come to you in prayer to seek your help in my present sickness.
Through the love which Jesus had for you
in choosing you for the sublime vocation of serving the sick,
and through the tender affection
with which the Blessed Virgin Mary placed upon your head
a crown of thorns as a symbol of the sufferings
you would undergo in the service of the sick
to attain to your crown of glory,
I beg you to intercede for me to Jesus and Mary
that They may grant me a cure,
if this should be according to the Will of God.

Amen.

Weekend Update March 2/3

SUNDAY SCRIPTURE – QUESTIONS TO PONDER
~ How have the commandments brought wisdom and spiritual refreshment to my life?
~ How have I experienced the mystery of the cross as a source of power?

– How zealous am I to protect time and space for prayer in my life?  Why?

FASTING AND ABSTINENCE: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics.  In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.  For members of the Roman Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59.  When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal.  The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Roman Catholic Church from age 14 onwards.         ~USCCB

Stations of the Cross and Benediction – at St. Polycarp
Fridays in Lent at 7 pm  (No Stations of the Cross on Good Friday.)

 

ST. DENNIS CHURCH (GALENA, MD): Stations of the Cross – Fridays in Lent at 5 pm and 7 pm (Hispanic) 

RECONCILIATION:
Saturdays, 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm at St. Polycarp (No Confessions on Saturday, March 30th, Holy Saturday.)
Sundays, following 10:30 am Mass through March 24th.
Sundays, 7:00 am – 7:30 am at St. Dennis (No Confessions on Easter Sunday.)

Deanery Lenten Penance Service – Thursday, March 21st at 7 pm at Holy Cross, Dover  (Several priests will be available to hear confessions)

Reconciliation Monday, March 25th – Monday of Holy Week
3 pm – 5 pm at St. Polycarp
6 pm – 8 pm at St. Polycarp

3 pm – 5 pm at St. Dennis
6 pm – 8 pm at St. Dennis – (Fr. Oscar – Hispanic & English)

Holy Thursday – Thursday, March 28
Mass of the Lord’s Supper at St. Dennis – 7pm
(No Mass at St. Polycarp)

Good Friday – Friday, March 29
Passion of the Lord at St. Polycarp – 3pm

Holy Saturday – Saturday, March 30
No Confessions either Parish
Easter Vigil at St. Polycarp – 8pm

Easter Sunday – Sunday, March 31
St. Polycarp at 8am and 10am
St. Dennis  at 8am, 9:30am and 11am (Spanish)

 


READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND:  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030324.cfm

LIVE-STREAMING: Visit https://www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE for live stream at 8:30 am, Tuesdays & Wednesdays and 4 pm on Saturdays

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

WEEKLY PARISH BULLETIN: CLICK HERE  (New Bulletins are posted on Fridays.) Thank you to all of our weekly bulletin sponsors for your support during the year! Your support has not gone unnoticed by our parish community and is so appreciated!

BULLETIN OVERFLOW: There’s always information that doesn’t fit in our Bulletin Bulletin Overflow – CLICK HERE


THIS WEEKEND, MARCH 2/3 (and Monday, March 4th – Friday, March 8th)

PILGRIMAGE CROSS: This weekend, our parish is hosting the Diocesan Pilgrimage Cross. This cross, a replica of the World Youth Day Cross given to young people by Pope John Paul II in 1984, is traveling throughout the Diocese of Wilmington as a reminder to all, especially young people, of our dependence on the cross for our salvation. This same cross will be carried through the streets of Wilmington on March 23rd, 2024 by our very own Confirmandi during the Diocesan Pilgrimage.


THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: This Sunday, March 3rd at the 10:30 am Mass, Betty Pingol will receive the Vocation Chalice.
Please consider signing up to host the vocation chalice in your home for a week.  Families and individuals are encouraged to sign up! Text or call Alice Gaston at (302) 670 – 7924.  For more information visit https://saintpolycarp.org/vocation-chalice/

SECOND COLLECTION this weekend is for the Catholic Relief & Church in Latin America.

 

March’s Agape will be held Sunday March 24th (not this Sunday, March 3rd) in conjunction with the Easter Egg Hunt by the Knights of Columbus. (See information below in the “Upcoming” section.)

 

FAITH WITH FRIENDS – Join us this Sunday at 9 am! Do you have the desire to dive into the divine but find yourself caught in the whirlwind of multitasking? Fear not, for the salvation of scheduling has arrived! Our new Faith with Friends began last Sunday. We will gather in the library on the following Sundays – March 3rd, 10th, 24th; April 14th, 21st, 28th at 9:00 am. What’s in the holy mix? Sip on wisdom-infused coffee, donuts sent from the heavens, and sweet divine fellowship! 

 

THE RESPECT LIFE MINISTRY  is collecting items for Easter Baskets for patients at DHCI.  A box will be outside Mother Drexel Hall February 17th through March 17th. We were asked to go very easy on candy due to dietary issues.  The patients cannot do actual jigsaw puzzles.  However, items we can supply:  puzzle books (Sudoku, Find a Word, etc.)  stuffed animals, cookies, crackers, hand lotions, books, socks and handmade crafts.

 

SYNOD DISCERNMENT LISTENING SESSIONS: Join Bishop Koenig in reflecting upon those things that encourage or hinder the Church’s mission and ways that we as a Church can be helped in our ability to live and proclaim the Gospel. Two listening sessions will be held in the diocese as part of the universal Church’s Synod of Synodality: RSVP today at cdow.org/synod.
Monday, March 4th, 6:30 pm at  Saint Margaret of Scotland, Glasgow, Del. or Monday, March 18th, 6:30 pm at Saint Francis de Sales, Salisbury, Md.

 

ST. PATRICK’S DAY: March 17th at 2 pm. Our Parish & Family Life Ministry would love to have you walk in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade with our banner and float to represent our Church, St. Polycarp. If you are not able to walk in the parade and have time to help decorate a float we would appreciate your assistance!  Please contact Chairperson Deanna Lail at dlail14@comcast.net or 302-535-2957.

 

EASTER NOVENA MASS REMEMBRANCE:  Living or deceased, the best gift you can give a loved one is the gift of the Mass.  Please use the Easter Mass Remembrance envelope to enjoin your friends and family in our most holy celebration.

 

EASTER FLOWERS Proclaim that spring is upon us as they symbolize hope and new life.  Add to the beauty of our church during the upcoming Easter season by using your Easter flower envelope to help us proclaim that Jesus has risen!

 

LENTEN RICE BOWLS: Please pick up a rice bowl as you leave Mass. Rice bowls are returned to Church at the end of Lent.

THE DIALOG: Newspaper of the Diocese – The newest edition is a available at the doors of the Church.


NEXT WEEKEND, MARCH 9/10  (and Monday, March 11th – Friday, March 15th)

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: Saturday, March 9th    Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will take place at the end of the 4 pm Vigil Mass for the Second Sunday of the month, next Saturday, March 9th. Please plan to stay and spend some time with Jesus.

SECOND COLLECTION next weekend is for Operation Rice Bowl.


GIRL SCOUT COOKIES
are coming! On March 9th and 10th our Girl Scouts will have cookies available for purchase after Mass. You can order them in advance, and we will deliver them to your doorstep! Money raised from Cookie sales help fund the activities that the girls do, such as camping, earning skills badges, and service projects. Donated cookies from St. Polycarp parishioners will taken to the Seaman’s Center of Wilmington, the same organization that we support with the Christmas at Sea program. We thank you in advance for your support and prayers for our girls. Cookie Link: https://bit.ly/49oRT78            Contact Tracie Bruno: Tracie.Bruno@comcast.net.

 


UPCOMING

BROTHER VINCENT KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION Saturday, March 16th, 5 pm in Mother Drexel Hall. Corned Beef & Cabbage or Ham & Cabbage, Potatoes, Green Beans, Salad. $15 per person or $25 per family, 4 max.  (Children under 12 free) Take outs available.

 

EASTER EGG HUNT & AGAPE  –  Palm Sunday, March 24th  Brother Vincent Knights of Columbus will be hosting an Easter Egg Hunt for our youngsters and the March Agape, following the 10:30 am Mass on March 24th.  All children are invited to participate in the egg hunt. There will be prizes!
Children are asked to bring their own baskets! 

 

EARLY BULLETIN DEADLINE: Submissions for the March 31st, Easter Sunday, bulletin are due by the end-of-the-day on Monday, March 18th. Email submissions to submission@saintpolycarp.org


FORMED: Thanks to a very generous and thoughtful parishioner, our FORMED Subscription has been RENEWED for another year!  Please SIGN UP NOW and begin enjoying the abundant amount of Catholic content that FORMED has to offer! You won’t be disappointed! To gain full access to FORMED; follow these simple steps:
~Go to: www.formed.org or scan QR Code
~Enter our parish’s zip code (19977)
~Click on St. Polycarp Church
~Enter your name and your email address

Don’t miss our video series Daily Bread: Discover the Eucharist in Scripture, on FORMED this Lent! Based on Dr. Brant Pitre’s acclaimed book Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist, this video series will radically transform your love for the Blessed Sacrament. Daily Bread: Discover the Eucharist in Scripture demonstrates that our understanding of the Eucharist dates back to the earliest Jewish Christians. Far from being a later invention of the Catholic Church, the Eucharist is the fulfillment of many Old Testament promises.


WE NEED YOUR HELP!      ARE YOU BEING CALLED TO SERVE?

SOCIAL CONCERNS: The DHCI* ministry is in need of assistance to help Deacon Frank with the 10:30 am Communion Service on the 3rd Tuesday of the month. Type of assistance needed: help with bringing residents to the prayer area and set up. If interested, contact Pablo Resto at  pabloresto@msn.com or Anne Marie at theaterowl@yahoo.com . (*Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill, located in Smyrna)

BULLETIN BOARDS:  We are looking for someone who will keep our Church bulletin boards up-to-date and add a few decorations to keep them eye-catching. The office will give you the up-to-date flyers to be posted. If you are interested, call or email Judy at the office: (302)653 – 8279 or communications@saintpolycarp.org


ONGOING 

THREE YEARS OF ABUNDANT GRACE AND TRANSFORMATION – EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL

MISSION: To renew the church by enkindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.

VISION: To inspire a movement of Catholics across the United States who are healed, converted, formed, and unified by an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist—and who are then sent out on mission “for the life of the world.”

SATURDAY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION at St. Polycarp will take place monthly at the Vigil Mass for the Second Sunday of the month.  Eucharistic Adoration at St. Dennis Church (Galena MD) will take place on the Fourth Sunday of the month following the 8 am Sunday Mass.
Upcoming Saturday Eucharistic Adoration at St. Polycarp: March 9th, Saturday, April 13th, Saturday, May 11th, Saturday, June 8th, Saturday, July 13th, Saturday, August 10th

TUESDAY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: Tuesdays from 9am to 8pm in the Chapel. Do you have one hour to spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament? Call Cheryl Thomas at (302) 363 – 0404 or email her at salcrest7@gmail.com. All are welcome to stop in and adore Jesus between 9 am and 8 pm in the Chapel on Tuesdays. Stay for 10 minutes, 1 hour…

 

THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: Please consider signing up to host the vocation chalice in your home for a week.  Families and individuals are encouraged to sign up! Text or call Alice Gaston at (302) 670 – 7924.  For more information visit https://saintpolycarp.org/vocation-chalice/

CONNECTED IN CHRIST (ADULT FAITH FORMATION) meets every Tuesday at 9:00 am in the Parish Library – ALL are welcome. Please join us. If you have any questions, please call Cookie Ruane at (302) 540 – 6429.


CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD:
Children’s Liturgy of the Word is offered every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month during the 10:30 am Mass. This is a wonderful opportunity for children in PreK-4th grade. It mirrors the worship experience of the larger community in an engaging and interactive style. They will listen to Scripture and engage in discussions about what they have heard at their age level. Children will be called forward before the First Reading and will return to you after the General Intercessions. Our lead catechist is Anna Skinner. She, along with her assistants, have cleared background checks.

GLUTEN FREE? Do you have an intolerance to gluten? If so, our parish offers gluten-free wafers to be consecrated for you. Please see our Sacristan 10 – 15 minutes before Mass and let them know that you need a gluten-free wafer put in the pyx. At Communion, please proceed down the aisle to the priest who will have the pyx in his hand and let him know you need a gluten-free host.

IS THAT YOU, FR. JIM? If you receive emails or texts from Fr. Jim asking for favors, gift cards or gifts or stating something similar to “I am currently busy in a meeting now, no calls so just reply to my email.”, please ignore and delete. If an email looks suspicious and you’re not sure, give the office a call.

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 in receipts months old!

THE SMYRNA/CLAYTON MINISTERIUM FOOD PANTRY is located downstairs at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 22 N. Union St., Smyrna. The pantry is open from 9:30 am to 10:30 am, Monday thru Friday.  Due to the increased need in the community, the Pantry is in great need of cereal, juice boxes or pouches, peanut butter & jelly, hamburger helper, tuna helper, canned tuna, sloppy joe sauce (Manwich), boxed spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, vegetable beef and chicken noodle soups, macaroni & cheese, and Chef Boy Ardee canned pastas. No canned vegetables or beans are currently needed.  Please, no expired items. Here at St. Polycarp we have bins under the coat rack in the hallway near the bathrooms to accept your donations.

BULLETIN SPONSORS: Thank you to all of our weekly bulletin sponsors for your support during the year!

                                                                               

 


USEFUL LINKS:

WEBSITE: www.saintpolycarp.org.
BULLETINhttps://www.jppc.net/onlinebulletins/301template.pdf
BULLETIN OVERFLOW
https://saintpolycarp.org/this-weeks-bulletin/
YOUTUBEhttps://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 CHURCH: http://www.stdennischurch.org        153 N. Main St. Galena, MD  21635    (410) 648-5145
DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON – LIVE STREAMING https://www.youtube.com/user/DioceseofWilm
FOR THE SAKE OF GOD’S CHILDREN: https://www.cdow.org/giving/fsgc/
THE DIALOG: http://thedialog.org/  Newspaper of the Diocese, copies available as you leave Church or online
EWTN: ewtn.com


FROM THE DIOCESE:     

BE THERE WHEN GOD MOVES: From July 17th–21st, 2024, thousands of passionate Catholics will gather for a transformative experience on a scale this generation has never seen. Whether you join us for one day or all five, the grace you receive will spill out into our community when you return home—deeply in love with the Eucharist and excited about the future of the Church in America. Visit EucharisticCongress.org to learn more about the event and explore the full schedule for each day. 

What: 10th National Eucharistic Congress
When: July 17–21, 2024
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN

BISHOP KOENIG INVITES YOU TO THE NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE ON JULY 17th-21st, 2024, IN INDIANAPOLIS, IN.  To read the letter of invitation,  CLICK HERE

CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIOSaturdays at 1:30 pm on Relevant Radio 640AM. On the March 2nd, episode of Catholic Forum, Fr. Burke Masters will discuss his book, “A Grand Slam for God” A Journey from Baseball Star to Catholic Priest.  CLICK HERE  You can listen online at cdow.org/CatholicForum, or by searching “Catholic Forum” on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or Amazon Music podcasts.   “Like” Catholic Forum on Facebook at facebook.com/CatholicForum @CatholicForum.


BULLETIN OVERFLOW: Visit Bulletin Overflow  https://saintpolycarp.org/overflow/ for details on the following:

CABRINI: Soon to be out in certain theaters beginning March 8.

25th ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE OF THE CATHOLIC MENS’S FELLOWSHIP OF MARYLAND Saturday, March 9th, at Saint Philip Neri Church in Linthicum (Maryland)

SMYRNA-CLAYTON MINISTERIUM CROSS WALK: Good Friday, March 29th

A RACHEL’S VINEYARD CATHOLIC RETREAT Friday, April 19th – Sunday, 21st, 2024.  This retreat offers emotional and spiritual healing for anyone who has struggled with the pain of abortion.

“THE CHAIR”: The series tells the story of the Catholic Church in America today. It highlights each bishop, his cathedral, and important aspects of the diocesan history.  You can access the series here – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPu38Ui5dTDIXL2dAlmSBBROUBx6DMGVK. To view the episode about our Diocese visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEjo2GtH-dM&t=51s


LET US PRAY:  Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions but in thy mercy hear and answer me. 

Amen.

 

Weekend Update February 24/25

ST. POLYCARP, OUR PATRON SAINT – FEAST DAY – FEBRUARY 23rd

Now may the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the eternal high priest himself, the Son of God Jesus Christ,
build you up in faith and truth and in all gentleness and in all freedom from anger and forbearance and steadfastness and patient endurance and purity.
                                                                                                                             (Polycarp)

ST. POLYCARP ON FORMED CLICK HERE

 

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

SUNDAY SCRIPTURE – QUESTIONS TO PONDER
~ What does it mean to you that we have a God who “did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us” (Romans 8:32)?
~ How have you received strength from God to face future challenges or difficulties?

– How are you being invited to listen more carefully to Jesus this Lent?

FASTING AND ABSTINENCE: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics.  In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.  For members of the Roman Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59.  When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal.  The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Roman Catholic Church from age 14 onwards.         ~USCCB

Stations of the Cross and Benediction – at St. Polycarp
Fridays in Lent at 7 pm

 

ST. DENNIS CHURCH (GALENA, MD): Stations of the Cross – Fridays in Lent at 5 pm and 7 pm (Hispanic) 

RECONCILIATION:
Saturdays, 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm at St. Polycarp
Sundays, 7:00 am – 7:30 am at St. Dennis

Deanery Lenten Penance Service – Thursday, March 21st at 7 pm at Holy Cross, Dover  (Several priests will be available to hear confessions)

Reconciliation Monday, March 25th – Monday of Holy Week
3 pm – 5 pm at St. Polycarp
6 pm – 8 pm at St. Polycarp

3 pm – 5 pm at St. Dennis
6 pm – 8 pm at St. Dennis – (Fr. Oscar – Hispanic & English)


READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND:  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022524.cfm

LIVE-STREAMING: Visit https://www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE for live stream at 8:30 am, Tuesdays & Wednesdays and 4 pm on Saturdays

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

WEEKLY PARISH BULLETIN: CLICK HERE  (New Bulletins are posted on Fridays.) Thank you to all of our weekly bulletin sponsors for your support during the year! Your support has not gone unnoticed by our parish community and is so appreciated!

BULLETIN OVERFLOW: There’s always information that doesn’t fit in our Bulletin Bulletin Overflow – CLICK HERE


THIS WEEKEND, FEBRUARY 24/25  (and Monday, February 26th – Friday, March 1st)

NEW FAITH WITH FRIENDS – Join us this Sunday at 9am! Do you have the desire to dive into the divine but find yourself caught in the whirlwind of multitasking? Fear not, for the salvation of scheduling has arrived! Introducing a new time for “Faith with Friends” – on Sundays in the library, starting this Sunday, February 25th at 9:00 am. What’s in the holy mix? Sip on wisdom-infused coffee, donuts sent from the heavens, and sweet divine fellowship! 

 

IT’S PRETZEL TIME THIS WEEKEND! The Knights of Columbus will be selling soft pretzels after Masses this weekend! Pretzels are $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00.

 

THE RESPECT LIFE MINISTRY  is collecting items for Easter Baskets for patients at DHCI.  A box will be outside Mother Drexel Hall February 17th through March 17th. We were asked to go very easy on candy due to dietary issues.  The patients cannot do actual jigsaw puzzles.  However, items we can supply:  Puzzle Books (Sudoku, Find a Word, etc.)  stuffed animals, cookies, crackers, hand lotions, books, socks and handmade crafts.

 

ST. PATRICK’S DAY: March 17th at 2pm. Our Parish & Family Life Ministry would love to have you walk in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade with our banner and float to represent our Church, St. Polycarp. If you are not able to walk in the parade and have time to help decorate a float we would appreciate your assistance!  Please contact Chairperson Deanna Lail at dlail14@comcast.net or 302-535-2957.

 

EASTER NOVENA MASS REMEMBRANCE:  Living or deceased, the best gift you can give a loved one is the gift of the Mass.  Please use the Easter Mass Remembrance envelope to enjoin your friends and family in our most holy celebration.

 

EATSER FLOWERS Proclaim that spring is upon us as they symbolize hope and new life.  Add to the beauty of our church during the upcoming Easter season by using your Easter flower envelope to help us proclaim that Jesus has risen!

 

LENTEN RICE BOWLS: Please pick up a rice bowl as you leave Mass. Rice bowls are returned to Church at the end of Lent.

SYNOD DISCERNMENT LISTENING SESSIONS: Join Bishop Koenig in reflecting upon those things that encourage or hinder the Church’s mission and ways that we as a Church can be helped in our ability to live and proclaim the Gospel. Two listening sessions will be held in the diocese as part of the universal Church’s Synod of Synodality: RSVP today at cdow.org/synod.
Monday, March 4th, 6:30 pm at  Saint Margaret of Scotland, Glasgow, Del. or Monday, March 18th, 6:30 pm at Saint Francis de Sales, Salisbury, Md.

THE DIALOG: Newspaper of the Diocese – The newest edition is a available at the doors of the Church.


NEXT WEEKEND, MARCH 2/3  (and Monday, March 4th – Friday, March 8th)

LENTEN RETREAT: Next Saturday, March 2nd, 2024 following an 8:30 am Mass.  Brother Vincent Columbiettes will be sponsoring a Lenten Retreat right here at St Polycarp Church on Saturday, March 2nd, 2024.  Everyone is invited to attend an 8:30 am Mass and then come to the retreat.   It is entitled: FATIMA Miracle of the Sun Crossroads. It will identify two different paths that were taken after seeing the sun dance at Fatima. Our presenter, Alice Reis Israel, will once again bring her incredible remembrances of Fatima this time through Zoom. We will begin at the crossroads and identify two paths taken which will help all of us understand our own spiritual journey. There is no charge for this retreat, but we will be accepting donations. Coffee and danish will be provided before the retreat and a light lunch afterward. We welcome everyone to take this spiritual journey with us. Contact Anna Skinner anna.skinz@gmail.com for reservations 302 883 5647.

March’s Agape will be held Sunday March 24th (not March 3rd) in conjunction with the Easter Egg Hunt by the Knights of Columbus. (See information below in the “Upcoming” section.)  No Agape on March 3rd.

 


UPCOMING

GIRL SCOUT COOKIES are coming! On March 9th and 10th our Girl Scouts will have cookies available for purchase after Mass. You can order them in advance, and we will deliver them to your doorstep! Money raised from Cookie sales help fund the activities that the girls do, such as camping, earning skills badges, and service projects. Donated cookies from St. Polycarp parishioners will brought to the Seaman’s Center of Wilmington, the same organization that we support with the Christmas at Sea program. We thank you in advance for your support and prayers for our girls. Cookie Link: https://bit.ly/49oRT78            Contact Tracie Bruno: Tracie.Bruno@comcast.net.

 

BROTHER VINCENT KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION Saturday, March 17th, 5 pm in Mother Drexel Hall. Corned Beef & Cabbage or Ham & Cabbage, Potatoes, Green Beans, Salad. $15 per person or $25 per family, 4 max.  (Children under 12 free) Take outs available.

 

EASTER EGG HUNT & AGAPE  –  Palm Sunday, March 24th  Brother Vincent Knights of Columbus will be hosting an Easter Egg Hunt for our youngsters and the March Agape, following the 10:30 am Mass on March 24th.  All children are invited to participate in the egg hunt. There will be prizes!
Children are asked to bring their own baskets! 


FORMED: Thanks to a very generous and thoughtful parishioner, our FORMED Subscription has been RENEWED for another year!  Please SIGN UP NOW and begin enjoying the abundant amount of Catholic content that FORMED has to offer! You won’t be disappointed! To gain full access to FORMED; follow these simple steps:
~Go to: www.formed.org or scan QR Code
~Enter our parish’s zip code (19977)
~Click on St. Polycarp Church
~Enter your name and your email address

Don’t miss our video series Daily Bread: Discover the Eucharist in Scripture, on FORMED this Lent! Based on Dr. Brant Pitre’s acclaimed book Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist, this video series will radically transform your love for the Blessed Sacrament. Daily Bread: Discover the Eucharist in Scripture demonstrates that our understanding of the Eucharist dates back to the earliest Jewish Christians. Far from being a later invention of the Catholic Church, the Eucharist is the fulfillment of many Old Testament promises.


WE NEED YOUR HELP!      ARE YOU BEING CALLED TO SERVE?

SOCIAL CONCERNS: The DHCI* ministry is in need of assistance to help Deacon Frank with the 10:30 am Communion Service on the 3rd Tuesday of the month. Type of assistance needed: help with bringing residents to the prayer area and set up. If interested, contact Pablo Resto at  pabloresto@msn.com or Anne Marie at theaterowl@yahoo.com . (*Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill, located in Smyrna)

BULLETIN BOARDS:  We are looking for someone who will keep our Church bulletin boards up-to-date and add a few decorations to keep them eye-catching. The office will give you the up-to-date flyers to be posted. If you are interested, call or email Judy at the office: (302 )653 – 8279 or communications@saintpolycarp.org


ONGOING 

THREE YEARS OF ABUNDANT GRACE AND TRANSFORMATION – EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL

MISSION: To renew the church by enkindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.

VISION: To inspire a movement of Catholics across the United States who are healed, converted, formed, and unified by an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist—and who are then sent out on mission “for the life of the world.”

SATURDAY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION at St. Polycarp will take place monthly at the Vigil Mass for the Second Sunday of the month.  Eucharistic Adoration at St. Dennis Church (Galena MD) will take place on the Fourth Sunday of the month following the 8 am Sunday Mass.
Upcoming Saturday Eucharistic Adoration at St. Polycarp: March 9th, Saturday, April 13th, Saturday, May 11th, Saturday, June 8th, Saturday, July 13th, Saturday, August 10th

TUESDAY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: Tuesdays from 9am to 8pm in the Chapel. Do you have one hour to spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament? Call Cheryl Thomas at (302) 363 – 0404 or email her at salcrest7@gmail.com. All are welcome to stop in and adore Jesus between 9 am and 8 pm in the Chapel on Tuesdays. Stay for 10 minutes, 1 hour…

 

THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: Please consider signing up to host the vocation chalice in your home for a week.  Families and individuals are encouraged to sign up! Text or call Alice Gaston at (302) 670 – 7924.  For more information visit https://saintpolycarp.org/vocation-chalice/

CONNECTED IN CHRIST (ADULT FAITH FORMATION) meets every Tuesday at 9:00 am in the Parish Library – ALL are welcome. Please join us. If you have any questions, please call Cookie Ruane at (302) 540 – 6429.


CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD:
Children’s Liturgy of the Word is offered every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month during the 10:30 am Mass. This is a wonderful opportunity for children in PreK-4th grade. It mirrors the worship experience of the larger community in an engaging and interactive style. They will listen to Scripture and engage in discussions about what they have heard at their age level. Children will be called forward before the First Reading and will return to you after the General Intercessions. Our lead catechist is Anna Skinner. She, along with her assistants, have cleared background checks.

GLUTEN FREE? Do you have an intolerance to gluten? If so, our parish offers gluten-free wafers to be consecrated for you. Please see our Sacristan 10 – 15 minutes before Mass and let them know that you need a gluten-free wafer put in the pyx. At Communion, please proceed down the aisle to the priest who will have the pyx in his hand and let him know you need a gluten-free host.

IS THAT YOU, FR. JIM? If you receive emails or texts from Fr. Jim asking for favors, gift cards or gifts or stating something similar to “I am currently busy in a meeting now, no calls so just reply to my email.”, please ignore and delete. If an email looks suspicious and you’re not sure, give the office a call.

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 in receipts months old!

THE SMYRNA/CLAYTON MINISTERIUM FOOD PANTRY is located downstairs at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 22 N. Union St., Smyrna. The pantry is open from 9:30 am to 10:30 am, Monday thru Friday.  Due to the increased need in the community, the Pantry is in great need of cereal, juice boxes or pouches, peanut butter & jelly, hamburger helper, tuna helper, canned tuna, sloppy joe sauce (Manwich), boxed spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, vegetable beef and chicken noodle soups, macaroni & cheese, and Chef Boy Ardee canned pastas. No canned vegetables or beans are currently needed.  Please, no expired items. Here at St. Polycarp we have bins under the coat rack in the hallway near the bathrooms to accept your donations.

BULLETIN SPONSORS: Thank you to all of our weekly bulletin sponsors for your support during the year!

                                                                               

 


USEFUL LINKS:

WEBSITE: www.saintpolycarp.org.
BULLETINhttps://www.jppc.net/onlinebulletins/301template.pdf
BULLETIN OVERFLOW
https://saintpolycarp.org/this-weeks-bulletin/
YOUTUBEhttps://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 CHURCH: http://www.stdennischurch.org        153 N. Main St. Galena, MD  21635    (410) 648-5145
DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON – LIVE STREAMING https://www.youtube.com/user/DioceseofWilm
FOR THE SAKE OF GOD’S CHILDREN: https://www.cdow.org/giving/fsgc/
THE DIALOG: http://thedialog.org/  Newspaper of the Diocese, copies available as you leave Church or online
EWTN: ewtn.com


FROM THE DIOCESE:     

BE THERE WHEN GOD MOVES: From July 17th–21st, 2024, thousands of passionate Catholics will gather for a transformative experience on a scale this generation has never seen. Whether you join us for one day or all five, the grace you receive will spill out into our community when you return home—deeply in love with the Eucharist and excited about the future of the Church in America. Visit EucharisticCongress.org to learn more about the event and explore the full schedule for each day. 

What: 10th National Eucharistic Congress
When: July 17–21, 2024
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN

BISHOP KOENIG INVITES YOU TO THE NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE ON JULY 17th-21st, 2024, IN INDIANAPOLIS, IN.  To read the letter of invitation,  CLICK HERE

CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIOSaturdays at 1:30 pm on Relevant Radio 640AM. On the February 24th, episode Author, Joe McGivney will discuss his book, “You’re a Miracle!: My Story of Alcoholism, Miraculous Healing, and God’s Infinite Power and Love.  CLICK HERE  You can listen online at cdow.org/CatholicForum, or by searching “Catholic Forum” on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or Amazon Music podcasts.   “Like” Catholic Forum on Facebook at facebook.com/CatholicForum @CatholicForum.


BULLETIN OVERFLOW: Visit Bulletin Overflow  https://saintpolycarp.org/overflow/ for details on the following:

25th ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE OF THE CATHOLIC MENS’S FELLOWSHIP OF MARYLAND Saturday, March 9th, at Saint Philip Neri Church in Linthicum (Maryland)
A RACHEL’S VINEYARD CATHOLIC RETREAT Friday, April 19th – Sunday, 21st, 2024.  This retreat offers emotional and spiritual healing for anyone who has struggled with the pain of abortion.
“THE CHAIR”: The series tells the story of the Catholic Church in America today. It highlights each bishop, his cathedral, and important aspects of the diocesan history.  You can access the series here – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPu38Ui5dTDIXL2dAlmSBBROUBx6DMGVK. To view the episode about our Diocese visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEjo2GtH-dM&t=51s


LET US PRAY:  TRANSFIGURATION

You were transfigured on the Mountain, O Christ God, showing Your Disciples as much of Your glory as they could hold. Let Your eternal light shine also upon us sinners, through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Giver of Light, glory to You.

Amen.