Update from the Food Pantry
They are writing to you to give you an update on the Community Food Pantry. As you know, the pantry relies on the Ministerium and the community for support. They run food drives, get donations from schools and churches, and everything we receive goes directly to the Food Pantry. In addition to the food they collect, they now pass out hats, gloves, scarves, and coats that have been collected by students from Smyrna High School. Our giving community is so very generous.
They have a food pantry with a growing number of families in need. They have had an increase in recipients from families, singles and homeless. As our pantry grows so is the need for volunteers.
They are writing to you specifically because they are in need of more help. The volunteers pack food orders daily. They receive these orders from Social Services. Volunteers also pick up food from WaWa daily and bring it to the pantry to be put in the freezers. This all takes place anywhere from 9 am – 11am Monday through Friday. They run food drives during the year that we need help with collecting, sorting, and shelving food items.
They are also looking for volunteer Food Pantry Coordinators. The Coordinators are responsible for finding and scheduling volunteers, setting up food drives, helping with donations and keeping up with the pantry needs. Patti Tigani and Brenda Russillo have been running the pantry for over 8 years. It is time to pass on this responsibility. They feel there is more need for community involvement.
If you know of anyone who is interested in volunteering please call or email; Brenda Russillo at (302) 359 – 8488 or rrussillo16@comcast.net.
SPRING 40 DAYS FOR LIFE EVENT – Wednesday, March 6th, to Sunday, April 14th
The Spring 40 Days for Life event continues! 40 Days Dover represents the Delaware Right to Life Kent County Committee which is the sponsor of the 40 Days for Life Dover events. The 40 Days for Life is “Peaceful Vigil” focused for 40-days and is held outside an abortion facility or public place. This 40 Days for Life Dover Spring Event is the 22nd consecutive 40 Days campaign to be held in Dover. The Spring event begins March 6th (Ash Wednesday) and continues through Sunday, April 14th. Dover is formally registered with the international 40 Days for Life organization.
Everyone is welcome to participate regardless of how much time you have available to pray at the Planned Parenthood Clinic in Dover. Come join us as your personal time and schedule permit you to do so.
If you want to formally register your participation in the event, you may do so in three ways:
1. Online at www.40daysforlife.com/dover or
2. Online at www.40daysdover.com or
3. Email your name and comments to register@40daysdover.com
HOLY BOLDNESS: A JOURNEY THROUGH LENT WITH FOUR AMERICAN SAINTS – Sundays in March (10th, 17th, 24th, and 31st)
The Diocese of Wilmington is presenting a multimedia Lenten series titled, “Holy Boldness: A Journey through Lent with Four American Saints,” that will be distributed via digital video, radio broadcasts, and podcasts. Written and hosted by Fr. Rich Jasper, Associate Pastor of Saint Ann Church in Wilmington, the four-part series uses the lives and examples of four holy Americans to help individuals and families get the most out of the Season of Lent and prepare spiritually for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection at Easter.
Each 15 minute presentations will debut on Saturday afternoons at 5 pm during the first four weeks of Lent on the diocesan YouTube channel, YouTube.com/DioceseofWilm.
The next morning, the presentation will be included on Catholic Forum on WDEL and available via podcast at cdow.org/CatholicForum or by searching Catholic Forum on Apple, Spotify, or iHeartRadio podcasts.
The videos, podcasts, and additional Lenten resources are also available at cdow.org/lent.
OPEN HOUSE AT SAINT THOMAS MORE (STMA) – Wednesday, March 20th
The Spring Open House at Saint Thomas More Academy is on Wednesday, March 20th, from 5 pm – 7 pm. Come and learn what amazing opportunities your child can experience academically, socially, and through extracurricular programs at STMA.
If you are interested in spending a day at STMA or learning more about STMA, we encourage you to visit us in person or through our website, www.saintmore.org.
RACHEL’S VINEYARD RETREAT – Friday, March 22nd, to Sunday, March 24th
The Sussex Pregnancy Care Center is hosting a Rachel’s Vineyard retreat (Friday, March 22nd, to Sunday, March 24th) for anyone who is seeking deeper levels of emotional and spiritual healing regarding their own abortion(s) or their involvement with that of a friend or loved one. Please call Teresa or Rita at (302) 856 – 4344 for more information.
CATHOLIC MEN’S FELLOWSHIP ANNUAL CONFERENCE – Saturday, March 23rd
Theme: St. Joseph: Father / Protector / Provider “Becoming a Great Man of God”
Register now for the Catholic Men’s Fellowship 22nd ANNUAL CONFERENCE, Saturday, March 23rd, 8 am to 3:30 pm at St. Joseph Church Fullerton, Md. Speakers are Stephen K. Ray, Father James Cameron, O.P. and Father Charles (Chuck) Canterna. The Closing Mass is with Archbishop William Lori, Celebrant. For more details or to register, go to www.catholicmensfellowship.com, or call Al Wyllie 302-363-0878 (Holy Cross, Dover) or John Micek 443-988-2064. Space is limited, register now at the website. Onsite registration starts at 7 am at St. Joseph Fullerton.
LENTEN DINNER – Saturday, March 23rd
The Lenten Dinner is sponsored by Brother Vincent Knights of Columbus on Saturday, March 23rd, following the 4 pm Mass. The menu includes fish, mac ‘n cheese, green beans, stewed tomatoes, rolls/butter, and beverage. The desserts are compliments of the Columbiettes. Adults are $10, children under 12 are $5, while children under 5 are free. Enjoy some Lenten faith sharing time with others.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS SOUP AND CHILI SALE – Saturday, March 30th, and Sunday, March 31st
The Knights of Columbus will be selling Homemade Maryland Crab Soup and homemade Chili after the 4 pm Mass on Saturday, March 30th, and the 10:30 am Mass on Sunday, March 31st. Take out only. Buy one or both. The Maryland crab soup costs $10 (quart) while the chili costs $8 (quart).
GRIFFIN THEATRE PRESENTS GODSPELL – Friday, April 5th; Saturday, April 6th; Friday, April 12th; Saturday, April 13th
The Griffin Theatre will be performing the musical Godspell on Friday, April 5th ; Saturday , April 6th, Friday, April 12th; and Saturday, April 13th. Godspell is based on the gospel of St. Matthew. St. Polycarp parishioner David Fullerton will be playing the roles of John the Baptist and Judas. For ticket information and directions, visit: GriffinTheatre.org. Although the Griffin Theatre is a non-profit community theatre, there is a purchase price for the tickets.
The Deanery Lenten Reconciliation Service – Monday, April 8th
The Deanery Lenten Reconciliation Service is at Holy Cross Church, Dover on Monday, April 8th, at 7 pm. Consider experiencing the great sacrament of mercy (Reconciliation / Confession) during Lent! The Lent/Holy Week/Easter schedule can be viewed on our Parish calendar at www.saintpolycarp.org/calendar.
EASTER EGG HUNT – Sunday, April 14th
Once again, Brother Vincent Knights of Columbus will be sponsoring an Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday, April 14th, following the 10:30 am Mass on the St. Polycarp grounds. A fun activity for children of all ages to simply find the hidden eggs. Bring your basket to collect the eggs. Candy, Easter baskets, cookies, and other assorted goodies will be available. All are welcome!
LONGEST MARRIED COUPLE SEARCH! – Tuesday, May 14th
Worldwide Marriage Encounter is seeking nominations for the longest married couple in each state and the US. Please submit the name of the couple, their wedding date, where they currently reside as well as a contact phone or email address of the individual nominating the couple by email to bkberland@gmail.com, regular mail to Bryan and Karen Berland, 530 S. Academy, Guthrie, OK 73044, or by calling (405) 850 – 4274. Nominations can also be submitted at wwme.org. All entries must be received by Tuesday, May 14th.
WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER – Friday, November 1st, to Sunday, November 3rd
Try the Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend! This is a positive, simple, common sense experience for a husband and wife who want to put the “SPARK” back into marriage. The next Marriage Encounter Weekend will be November 1st – 3rd (Friday – Sunday) in Rehoboth Beach, DE. For information, visit the website at www.me-delmar.org or to register for the weekend, please contact Tony and Linda Massino at (302) 220 – 9833.
SHEPHERD PLACE NEEDS HELP!
Shepherds Place (1362 South Governors Ave, Dover) provides relief to families (women or men with children) who are in distress or dire economic situations without regard to age, race, creed, or sexual orientation. Shepherds Place has 30 beds in total, to provide short term (up to 30 days) emergency shelter during the day and nights. They will work to reduce the degree of homelessness in Kent County. Shepherds Place is in need of the following personal and household items:
PERSONAL ITEMS: Body Wash, Boys or Girls clothing – sizes 2 T and UP, Pull-Ups – diapers – size 6, Women’s (new) underwear – sizes 5 or 6 or 7, and juice box’s for kids.
HOUSEHOLD ITEMS: Bleach, Comet, Lysol disinfectant, Paper Towels, and Trash Bags – Kitchen size.
Items for Shepherd’s Place are collected here at St. Polycarp in one of the marked TUBS under the coat rack in the hallway, near the hall, and will be delivered to them when the tub is full. Thank you and God bless you for your generosity!
The LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROPGRAM (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program that assists low-income Delawareans with heating bills through direct payments to home energy suppliers. It is administered in Delaware by Catholic Charities.The LIHEAP benefit is based on a household’s income, size, and type of fuel. LIHEAP offers the following support:
Fuel Assistance Program – provides home heating assistance for eligible households who need help paying winter energy bills. LIHEAP does not pay for all heating costs. Eligible households receive one annual benefit.
Energy Crisis Intervention Program – when activated, ECIP provides assistance for eligible households in an emergency situation. This supplemental benefit can be in addition to the regular fuel assistance benefit.
Summer Cooling / Electric Assistance Program – helps eligible households by paying a portion of summer electric bills. Eligible households receive one annual benefit. The Program operates from June 1st – August 31st, if funds are available. Households must be approved for the Fuel Assistance Heating Program in order to qualify for the Summer Cooling Program.
LIHEAP Eligibility – you may be eligible for assistance if your total household income falls within income eligibility guidelines. For example, a household of four can have no more than $50,325 in annual household income (before taxes). To see if you qualify, make an appointment with a Catholic Charities office for a personal interview. Applications are accepted from July 2018 to March 2019. Call your local Catholic Charities office to make an appointment. Appointment hours are Monday – Friday, from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.
Kent County: (302) 674 – 1782
New Castle County: (302) 654 – 9295
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
REDNER’S 1% SAVE-A-TAPE FUNDRAISER
Turn your food shopping into cash for our parish. If you are a Redner’s shopper, we would welcome your participation. It is so easy! 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 just put them into the collection basket. There is no expiration date — even receipts months old can be turned in! Your receipts will generate cash for us. What a hands-down and effortless way to help St. Polycarp Church. For more information, contact Joan at (302) 659 – 5317.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Don’t forget to arrive earlier for Mass so that you won’t miss the announcements!
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR ADVERTISERS:
Thank you to our local advertisers who support our parish with their advertisement on the back page. Let’s support them, too! Have you checked them out lately! Thank you to J. Martin Orlando, MBA Realtor (REMAX); Smyrna Diner; Fletcher Plumbing; Bridge Way Family Restaurant; Smyrna Medical Associates; Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home; Faries Funeral Directors, Inc. and Nutrisystem for advertising with us!