PSR CHOCOLATE SALE– Tuesday, January 21st
The World’s Finest Chocolate Sale begins on Tuesday, January 21st. Mark your calendars now for the PSR Chocolate Sale! Buying chocolate and eating chocolate is for a Great Cause – the Catholic Faith education of the young in our parish (our Parish School of Religion)! You can purchase these chocolate bars (almond, crisp, caramel,dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and wafer) by stopping by the parish office.
ANNUAL RESPECT LIFE NOVENA – Tuesday, January 21st, through Wednesday, January 29th
The Annual Respect Life Novena, begins on Tuesday, January 21st, and continues through Wednesday, January 29th. Get daily intentions, brief reflections, and more. Sign up at www.9daysforlife.com!
BLESSED VIRGIN MARY SODALITY ANNUAL SOUP AND BAKE SALE – Saturday, January 25th, and Sunday, January 26th
Our Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality will be selling homemade soup and baked goods after Mass on Saturday, January 25th and Sunday, January 26th. The soup will be $8 per quart. The various cakes, cupcakes, and cookies will be priced as marked.
Delicious! Yummy! Superb! Tasty! After feeding your spiritual hunger by receiving Jesus in the Eucharist at Mass, it will be time to feed your physical hunger with soup and baked goods.
PARISH APPRECIATION NIGHT – Saturday, February 8th
Time again for our Parish to say “thank you” to its many volunteers. If you are active in a church organization or serve in any ministry, the parish would like to invite you to a parish appreciation evening in the parish hall on Saturday, February 8th, following the 4 pm Mass. Seating is limited, RSVP REQUIRED. Call or email Joan O’Drain at (302) 659 – 5317 or busylady39@comcast.net with your name, phone number, and what organization/ministry you are involved with.
*The deadline to register is Monday, January 27th.*
S.A.C.R.E.D. 2020 ADULT CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION DAY 20TH YEAR! – Saturday, February 29th
Who? Any Catholic who wants to gain new insights into the rich meaning of our faith.
What? A day of fascinating sessions/presentations.
When? Saturday, February 29th. Arrive between 8 am and 9 am to sign in and have a light breakfast. The day will conclude by 3 PM or stay for a Wine and Cheese social afterwards! The snow date is Saturday, March 6th.
Where? Salesianum School, 1801 N. Broom St., Wilmington (about 45 minutes from St. Polycarp). Carpooling can be arranged.
How? Registration opens Saturday, December 14th at 6:00 pm. If you are part of the Parish School of Religion, contact Erica Taylor, CRE to let her know you want to register. All other interested parishioners: Go to https://sacred.salesianum.org/registration; $40 if paid by Friday, January 31st; $45 on or after Saturday, February 1st. Contact Peggy O’Connor, Christian Formation Committee, if you need any assistance or have questions at Peggyo52@aol.com or (973) 220 – 1026.
PHILADELPHIA FLOWER SHOW AND THE READING TERMINAL MARKET – Thursday, March 5th
The Brother Vincent Council of the Knights of Columbus is sponsoring a bus trip on Thursday, March 5th, to the Philadelphia Flower Show and the Reading Terminal Market (just across the street from the flower show). The cost of the trip is $75.00 per person (includes deluxe coach bus, driver tip, and flower show ticket). Shopping and dinner on your own at the Market. (Payment plan is available.) Leave St. Polycarp at 8 am and return by 6 pm. To book your seat contact Joan O’Drain at (302) 659 – 5317 or busylady39@comcast.net.
ST. DENNIS:
SOUP SALE FUNDRAISER – Sunday, February 16th, and Sunday, March 15th
St. Dennis will be selling HOMEMADE soup! $8.00/quart. Pre-Orders are appreciated.
February 16 – Chicken Noodle & Tomato
March 15 – Maryland Crab (vegetable) & Tortilla
You can also pre-order Robin’s Famous Apple Cakes and Chocolate Chip Cookies ($4.00 per cake and $5 per bag of cookies). Send orders to stdennischurch@aol.com or cathyliz59@gmail.com.
ELSEWHERE:
KEVIN WELLS AT ST. JUDE THE APOSTLE CATHOLIC CHURCH – Tuesday, January 21st
Kevin Wells, will be speaking at St. Jude The Apostle Catholic Church (152 Tulip Drive, Lewes, DE 19958) on Tuesday, January 21st, at 1 pm. Kevin Wells is a former Major League Baseball writer and the author of two books (The Priests We Need to Save the Church and Burst, A Story Of God’s Grace When Life Falls Apart). For more information, media, articles, and interviews, visit https://thepriestsweneed.com/.
MARCH FOR LIFE – Friday, January 24th
The March for Life is this Friday, January 24th. Please pray for All Life. You may consider watching the March for Life and other life programming on the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN). Visit www.ewtn.com for more information and times of events.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR CONSECRATED LIFE – Saturday, February 1st
You are invited to join Bishop Malooly and the religious women and men of the Diocese of Wilmington for a Mass to observe the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life on Saturday, February 1st, at the Holy Family Church (15 Gender Road, Newark, Delaware) beginning at 5 pm. RSVP to bbeatson@cdow.org or call (302) 573 – 3124. This event is sponsored by the Office for Religious, Diocese of Wilmington.
RETROUVAILLE: REDISCOVER THE LOVE IN YOUR MARRIAGE – Friday, February 21st, through Sunday, February 23rd
Tens of thousands of couples have healed their marriages through Retrouvaille (Retro-VIE). If you know anyone who could benefit from this program, please pass this on. Couples learn to build communication skills and to increase intimacy. This program provides help for marriage problems, difficulties, or crises. The next program begins the weekend of February 21st – February 23rd at the Family Life Center in Malvern, PA. Another weekend will be held in April. For more information, or to register, visit www.HelpOurMarriage.org or call (215) 766 – 3944 or (800) 470 – 2230. All inquiries are strictly confidential.
DELAWARE STATE COLUMBIETTES’ ANNUAL CHINESE AUCTION – Sunday, February 23rd
The Delaware State Columbiettes will be hosting their annual Chinese Auction on Sunday, February 23rd, from 2 pm to 5 pm at St. Jude the Apostle Parish Life Center (152 Tulip Drive, Lewes, DE 19958). Tickets are $20.00 per person and include a buffet luncheon. There will be many fabulous gifts as well as raffles, gift baskets, and a 50/50.
Please respond by Friday, February 14th, and send a check to Debra Petka, 30 Freedom Drive, Dover, DE 19904. Make the checks payable to Delaware State Columbiettes.
THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS 15TH ANNUAL CATHOLIC YOUTH CHESS TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP – Saturday, February 29th
The Annual Catholic Chess Tournament Championship will be at St. Anthony of Padua Grade School Cafeteria, Wilmington DE, on Saturday, February 29th. This tournament is open to students in Grades K-8 who attend Delaware Catholic Elementary Schools or Parish Religious Education Programs. All entries must be received by Saturday, February 22nd. There is NO onsite registration. For questions, contact Felix Spitelle (302) 658 – 2713 or fspitelle@yahoo.com.
WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER – Friday, March 6th, through Sunday, March 8th
Give yourself and your spouse time away from everyday responsibilities and listen to that special someone who loves you! Enrich your relationship by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend on March 6th – March 8th (Friday – Sunday) in Rehoboth Beach, DE. For more information visit our website at www.wwme-delmar.org or to register for the weekend, please call Tony and Linda Massino at (302) 220 – 9833.
SIGHT & SOUND’S LIVE SHOW OF “JESUS” COMING TO THE BIG SCREEN! – Tuesday, April 7th, Thursday April 9th, and Saturday, April 11th
“Filmed in front of a live audience, Sight & Sound’s spectacular original stage production is now coming to the big screen — nationwide! Experience the greatest rescue story of all time as the Bible comes to life in movie theaters for a special Easter event.”
The Sight & Sound Theatre’s “Jesus” is being released in movie theaters for three days in April. The show will be playing in the AMC Dover 14 theater (Dover Mall) during Holy Week on Tuesday, April 7th, Thursday April 9th, and Saturday, April 11th.
Go to: https://www.fathomevents.com/events/sight-and-sound-jesus/theaters to purchase tickets. Do not hesitate as these tickets will sell out quickly.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES
Catholic charities needs your help to warm up winter! As temperatures start to decline, Catholic Charities is preparing to Warm Up Winter for its most vulnerable neighbors by collecting new and “gently used” blankets and other bedding, coats, hats, and gloves at each of its office locations now through the end of January 2020. Catholic Charities will freely distribute donated goods through its various programs.
Donors can bring their coats and blankets to any of the following Catholic Charities locations and receive a tax deduction receipt:
Main Office (2601 W 4th Street, Wilmington 19805, 302 – 655 – 9624)
Bayard House (300 Bayard Avenue, Wilmington 19805, 302 – 654 – 1184)
Thrift Store (1320 E. 23rd Street, Wilmington 19802, 302 – 764 – 2717)
Marydale Retirement Village (135 Jeandell Drive, Newark 19713, 302 – 368 – 2784)
Kent County Office (2099 S DuPont Highway, Dover 19901, 302 – 674 – 1600)
Sussex County Office (406 S. Bedford Avenue, Suite 9, Georgetown 19947, 302 – 856 – 9578)
Casa San Francisco (127 Broad Street, Milford 19968, 302 – 684 – 8694)
Seton Center (30632 Hampden Avenue, Princess Anne 21853, 410 – 651 – 9608)
Staff at all locations will accept donations between the hours of 9 am and 4:30 pm. Monday through Friday.All donated blankets and bedding, coats, and other clothing items should be clean, in good condition, and ready to use. Keep in mind that Catholic Charities staff cannot clean, mend, or repair items, and merchandise not fit for distribution must be discarded at Catholic Charities expense
LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), administered in Delaware by Catholic Charities, is now taking applications for the 2019 – 2020 heating season. The application process runs from July 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020. This federally-funded program assists low-income Delawareans who need help in meeting home energy costs. LIHEAP makes payments directly to home energy suppliers. The LIHEAP benefit is based on a household’s income, size, and type of fuel.
You may be eligible for assistance if your total household income falls within income eligibility guidelines. For example, a household of 4 can have no more than $50,325 in annual household income (before taxes).
In order to qualify, you must make an appointment with a Catholic Charities office for a personal interview. Regular office hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
In Kent County, call (302) 674 – 1782.
In New Castle County, call (302) 654 – 9295.
In Sussex County, call (302) 856 – 6310.
ST. POLYCARP REMINDERS:
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD
Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) will begin on Sunday, September 22nd. CLOW is a special sharing provided weekly at our 10:30 am Masses. Following the opening prayer, children in Grades Pre-K through Grade 4, are invited to be dismissed to the hall (or library) to share the Word using their own images and words. The children return following the intercessions. No pre-registration is needed, simply send them with the 2 leaders when invited! Our leaders have had background clearances in accordance with the diocesan For Sake of God’s Children directives.
REMINDER ABOUT THE PARKING
Please do not park in front of the dumpsters on Monday through Friday. This prevents the Waste Management Collection and the Recycling Collection from being picked up. Thank you for your cooperation!
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?