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Weekend Update January 22/23
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.
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. 2nd, 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
FROM THE DIOCESE:
CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIO: Saturdays at 1:30 pm on Relevant Radio 640. On Saturday, January 22nd 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.
Weekend Update January 15/16
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 20th from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception; Closing Mass at 8 am on Friday, January 21st, 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 21st 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!
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
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.
Weekend Update January 1/2 2022
Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God – Holy Day of Obligation (see below*)
(New Year’s Day)
MASSES: Friday, December 31st at 4pm and Saturday, January 1st at 10:00am.
Our Church Calendars will be blessed at these Masses.

*The obligation to attend Mass has been removed but this day remains a Holy Day.
This Solemnity has been deemed important enough to be recognized as “Holy” and remains an important day to attend Mass. A great way to start a new year!
Blessings in the New Year!
The Epiphany of the Lord
MASSES: Saturday, January 1st at 4pm and Sunday, January 2nd at 10:30 am.
We have seen His star in the East, and have come with gifts to adore the Lord.
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010222.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/.
DIVINE MERCY: We will not gather to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet tomorrow, Friday, December 31st.
THIS WEEKEND, JANUARY 1/2
Don’t put those decorations away yet! The joy and wonder of Christmas is not limited to just Christmas Day but lasts for a period of time.
The Christmas Season begins with the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas – December 25th) and ends with the Baptism of the Lord, this year, January 9th.
Celebrate the true Christmas Season!
RECONCILIATION: There will be confessions on January 1st from 2:30-3:30pm.
VOCATION CHALICE: January 2nd – The Ruane Family
AGAPE: Due to the recent uptick in COVID cases in Delaware, the January 2nd Agape has been canceled. This decision was made with input from the leaders of both the Liturgy Committee and the Parish and Family Life Committee. We look forward to being able to gather safely with our parish family.
THE WEEK OF JANUARY 2
NO PSR JANUARY 2nd or JANUARY 4th. PSR CLASSES resume for Grades P/K – 4 on Sunday, January 9th at 9am (in-person). Classes for Grades 5-8 resume Tuesday, January 11th at 7pm (in-person).
NEXT WEEKEND, JANUARY 8/9
SECOND COLLECTION next week is for our Parish School of Religion. Thank you for your continued generosity in supporting the religious education of our parish youth
Bishop Robert Barron’s series “THE CREED”. Please join Connected in Christ on Tuesday mornings beginning January 11, 2022, at 9:15 am in Mother Drexel Hall to watch and reflect on Bishop Robert Barron’s series “The Creed”. Explore the meaning of “belief” and whether it contradicts reason, the creative love of God the Father, the shocking mystery of his Son’s Incarnation and the great drama of his Crucifixion and Resurrection, the life-giving power of the Spiritus Sanctus, or “Holy Breath,” shared between them, and the mystical reality of the Church, which calls all of humanity out of the world of sin to receive forgiveness and participate in Christ’s divinity—not only in the next world, but here and now. Bring your own coffee!
UPCOMING/ONGOING
LONG TERM PLANNING: The Finance Council here at Saint Polycarp Parish is looking towards the future with the development of a long-range plan. While we have always had an annual plan, the long-range plan will help steer and direct the parish for the next 3 – 5 years and longer. To help make this endeavor a success, we want to have several parishioners who would bring different viewpoints and perspectives and would be willing to actively participate in the 3 sessions we are anticipating. The sessions would take place on weekends for 2 – 3 hours. There will also be some prayer, reading and thinking to take place in between sessions. If you would like to participate or to learn more, please reach out to John Fcasni. He can be reached at john.fcasni@gmail.com or call or text him at (609) 529-1986.
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, taking place at the Parish campus on 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 2nd – The Ruane 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
FROM THE DIOCESE:
CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIO: Saturdays at 1:30 pm on Relevant Radio 640. Listen anytime at cdow.org/CatholicForum or search Catholic Forum on Apple, Spotify or iHeartRadio podcasts. Listen anytime to the Annual Christmas Program. On the Christmas episode of Catholic Forum, after news from The Dialog, we will hear Bishop William E. Koenig’s first Christmas message to the people of Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Christmas greetings from some of the great priests and deacons of the Diocese of Wilmington, a report from The Vatican, and some great Christmas music. https://catholicforumradio.libsyn.com/catholic-forum-dec-18-2021-annual-christmas-program
LET US PRAY:
Prayer for the New Year
Let us live each day in the most loving ways, the God-conscious way. Let us serve all who are in need, regardless of race, color or creed. May our year be filled with peace, prosperity and love. May God’s blessings shower us and bestow upon each of us a bright, healthy and peaceful new year. (adapted xavier.edu)
Weekend Update December 25/26
For unto Us a Child is born…
May the joy and promise of Jesus’ birth fill you with the spirit of hope and peace.
Merry Christmas.
CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE:
Christmas Eve – Friday, December 24th at 4 pm and 9 pm,
Christmas Day – Saturday, December 25th at 10 am.
There are still a few bags of Blessed Straw at the doors of the Church for parishioners to take home for their Nativities.
LIVE STREAM: Christmas Eve – Friday, December 24th at 4 pm and 9pm. (Can also be viewed at a later time.) https://www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE
(We are still experiencing some issues with our live stream, so please say a prayer that all goes well!)
Calendar notes: Reconciliation will not take place on Saturday, December 25th. There is no 4pm Vigil Mass (for Sunday the 26th) on December 25th.
THE PARISH OFFICE will close at noon on Wednesday, December 22nd and remain closed until 9 am on Tuesday, December 28th. The office will also be closed on Friday, December 31st.
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph – Sunday, December 26th – 10:30 am Mass (No 4pm Vigil Mass on Saturday, the 25th)
The shepherds went in haste, and found Mary and Joseph and the Infant lying in a manger.
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/12262021.cfm
FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY, Sunday, December 26th: Mass at 10:30 am only on Sunday the 26th. There is no Saturday, 4 pm Vigil Mass on December 25th.
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.
DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON – LIVE STREAMING https://www.youtube.com/user/DioceseofWilm
PARISH WEBSITE: Visit: www.saintpolycarp.org/.
THIS WEEKEND, DECEMBER 26 – 10:30 am Mass only
CHRISTMAS NOVENA REMEMBRANCE AND CHRISTMAS FLOWER OFFERING: Christmas is a time to reflect on the blessings of family and shared togetherness. We exchange gifts as an act of love and appreciation. Find the peace that only God can provide by enrolling all your loved loves, living and deceased, in the most powerful of all prayers, the gift of Holy Mass, or through a contribution towards the beautiful Christmas flowers. Please use the Christmas Novena Remembrance and Christmas Flower Offering envelopes as gifts to show your loved ones they have not been forgotten. Envelopes can be found at the doors of the Church.
WEEK of DECEMBER 26TH
DECEMBER 26TH: Don’t put those decorations away yet! The joy and wonder of Christmas is not limited to just Christmas Day but lasts for a period of time. The Christmas Season begins with the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas – December 25th) and ends with the Baptism of the Lord, this year, January 9th. Celebrate the true Christmas Season!
DIVINE MERCY: We will not gather to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet on Friday, December 24th or Friday, December 31st.
RECONCILIATION: Confessions will not take place here at St. Polycarp on Saturday, December 25th. There will be confessions on January 1st.
THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY MOTHER OF GOD (New Year’s): Masses will be celebrated on Friday, December 31st at 4pm and Saturday, January 1st at 10am. Our Church calendars will be blessed and available at these Masses.
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, taking place at the Parish campus on 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 2nd – The Ruane Family
LONG TERM PLANNING: The Finance Council here at Saint Polycarp Parish is looking towards the future with the development of a long-range plan. While we have always had an annual plan, the long-range plan will help steer and direct the parish for the next 3 – 5 years and longer. To help make this endeavor a success, we want to have several parishioners who would bring different viewpoints and perspectives and would be willing to actively participate in the 3 sessions we are anticipating. The sessions would take place on weekends for 2 – 3 hours. There will also be some prayer, reading and thinking to take place in between sessions. If you would like to participate or to learn more, please reach out to John Fcasni. He can be reached at john.fcasni@gmail.com or call or text him at (609) 529-1986.
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
THE DIALOG: http://thedialog.org/ Newspaper of the Diocese, copies available as you leave Church or online
FROM THE DIOCESE:
CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIO: Saturdays at 1:30 pm on Relevant Radio 640. Listen anytime at cdow.org/CatholicForum or search Catholic Forum on Apple, Spotify or iHeartRadio podcasts.
LET US PRAY:
Blessing of a Crèche
God of every nation and people,
From the very beginning of creation
You have made manifest your love:
When our need for a Savior was great
You sent your Son to be born of the Virgin Mary.
To our lives He brings joy and peace, justice, mercy and love.
Lord,
Bless all who look upon this manger;
May it remind us of the humble birth of Jesus,
And raise up our thoughts to him,
Who is God-with-us and Savior of all,
And who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Amen.
Weekend Update December 18/19
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Behold, a Virgin shall conceive and bear a son; and his name will be called Emmanuel.
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/12192021.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.
DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON – LIVE STREAMING https://www.youtube.com/user/DioceseofWilm
PARISH WEBSITE: Visit: www.saintpolycarp.org/. Don’t forget to checkout our BULLETIN OVERFLOW for information that doesn’t fit in our weekly Bulletin! Bulletin Overflow – Saint Polycarp Church
CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE:
Christmas Eve – Friday, December 24th at 4 pm and 9 pm,
Christmas Day – Saturday, December 25th at 10 am.
LIVE STREAM: Christmas Eve – Friday, December 24th at 4 pm, (Can also be viewed at a later time.) https://www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE
FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY, Sunday, December 26th: Mass at 10:30 am only on Sunday the 26th. There is no Saturday, 4 pm Vigil Mass on December 25th.
THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY MOTHER OF GOD (New Year’s): Masses will be celebrated on Friday, December 31st at 4pm and Saturday, January 1st at 10am. Our Church calendars will be blessed and available at these Masses.
THIS WEEKEND, DECEMBER 18/19
BLESSED STRAW: This weekend, bags of Blessed Straw will be available for parishioners to take home for their Nativities.
PSR GRADES P/K – 8: In person classes – Sunday, December 19th for Grades P/K – 4 and Tuesday, December 21st for Grades 5-8.
PSR GRADE 4 families attend 10:30 am Mass this Sunday, December 19th.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD will take place during the 10:30 am Mass this Sunday, December 19th. All children ages PreK-4th grade are welcome to attend.
CHRISTMAS NOVENA REMEMBRANCE AND CHRISTMAS FLOWER OFFERING: Christmas is a time to reflect on the blessings of family and shared togetherness. We exchange gifts as an act of love and appreciation. Find the peace that only God can provide by enrolling all your loved loves, living and deceased, in the most powerful of all prayers, the gift of Holy Mass, or through a contribution towards the beautiful Christmas flowers. Please use the Christmas Novena Remembrance and Christmas Flower Offering envelopes as gifts to show your loved ones they have not been forgotten. Envelopes can be found at the doors of the Church.
WEEK of DECEMBER 19TH
THE DEANERY PENANCE SERVICE will be held at Holy Cross, Dover on Monday, December 20th, at 7 pm.
Various priests will be available to hear confessions.
Need a refresher? See the insert in this weekend’s Bulletin or visit https://saintpolycarp.org/reconciliation-refresher/
ST. POLYCARP 2021 CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT SALE: Don’t miss out. We have five – 2021 ornaments left! If you are interested in purchasing an ornament, email Mrs. Taylor at dre@saintpolycarp.org or call (302)653-4101.
MEMORIAL BRICKS: Do You Have Someone on Your Gift List Who Has Everything? Give the gift of a memorial brick as a Christmas gift. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved except in memory. Order forms can be found at the doors of the Church or order through Faith Direct at https://membership.faithdirect.net/events/details/5644, (you do not need to sign up for Faith Direct). You can also CLICK HERE FOR ORDER FORM
THE PARISH OFFICE will close at noon on Wednesday, December 22nd and remain closed until 9 am on Tuesday, December 28th. The office will also be closed on Friday, December 31st.
DIVINE MERCY: We will not gather to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet on Friday, December 24th or Friday, December 31st.
RECONCILIATION: Confessions will not take place here at St. Polycarp on Saturday, December 25th.
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, taking place at the Parish campus on 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. This weekend, December 19th – the Taylor Family. January 2nd – The Ruane Family
LONG TERM PLANNING: The Finance Council here at Saint Polycarp Parish is looking towards the future with the development of a long-range plan. While we have always had an annual plan, the long-range plan will help steer and direct the parish for the next 3 – 5 years and longer. To help make this endeavor a success, we want to have several parishioners who would bring different viewpoints and perspectives and would be willing to actively participate in the 3 sessions we are anticipating. The sessions would take place on weekends for 2 – 3 hours. There will also be some prayer, reading and thinking to take place in between sessions. If you would like to participate or to learn more, please reach out to John Fcasni. He can be reached at john.fcasni@gmail.com or call or text him at (609) 529-1986.
DECEMBER 26TH: Don’t put those decorations away yet!
The joy and wonder of Christmas is not limited to just Christmas Day but lasts for a period of time. The Christmas Season begins with the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas – December 25th) and ends with the Baptism of the Lord, this year, January 9th. Celebrate the true Christmas Season!
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
THE DIALOG: http://thedialog.org/ Newspaper of the Diocese, copies available as you leave Church or online
FROM THE DIOCESE:
CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIO: Saturdays at 1:30 pm on Relevant Radio 640. On tomorrow’s episode, December 18, 2021, tune-in to hear Bishop William Koenig’s first Christmas message as Bishop of Wilmington and greetings from priests and deacons from across Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Listen anytime at cdow.org/CatholicForum or search Catholic Forum on Apple, Spotify or iHeartRadio podcasts.
THE DIALOG: Don’t miss the Christmas edition of The Dialog that will be available at the door this weekend. The first Dialog edition in the new year will be Jan. 14. The newspaper will not have a print edition on Friday, Dec. 31.
LET US PRAY: AN ADVENT WREATH BLESSING
Dear Jesus, as we light the candle on this Advent wreath, may the light of your presence bring joy to our hearts. Bless our family and our friends, and be with all those who are in need this holiday season. Amen.
Scripture Reflection: “And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11
*pause for reflection
Advent Wreath Prayer Dear Jesus, may the light of your love always shine in our hearts. As Christmas draws closer, we marvel at your great love for us. Let your love transform every aspect of our lives and touch everyone we encounter. Our hearts are open to you, Jesus. Amen.