21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
I am the way, the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father, except through me.
John 14:6
SUNDAY SCRIPTURE – QUESTIONS TO PONDER
– Do you understand that each Christian is to spread the Gospel?
– How has someone helped you when you have lost heart while experiencing suffering or trials?
– What difficulties make the door to Christ a narrow one for you?
Pastoral Liturgy: July/August 2022
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082122.cfm
LIVE-STREAMING: Visit https://www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE for live stream at 8:30 am on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 4 pm on Saturdays.
If you are interested in being involved in this ministry, please email Lisa at lisa.titus@saintpolycarp.org or Judy at communications@saintpolycarp.org.
PARISH WEBSITE: Visit: www.saintpolycarp.org/.
WEEKLY PARISH BULLETIN: CLICK HERE . BULLETIN OVERFLOW: Bulletin Overflow – CLICK HERE
Read this weekend’s Bulletin for notes from the Pastoral Council Meeting on August 10th.
THIS WEEKEND, AUGUST 20/21 (& week of August 21)
TOMORROW, SATURDAY, AUGUST 20th FOLLOWING THE 4:00 PM MASS – DEDICATION OF THE GIVING, GROWING GLORIFYING LANDSCAPE PROJECT
The Pastoral Council and Liturgy Committee invite you to join us as Father Jim blesses our beautiful new plantings. Photographers will be on hand to take photos and Mr. Softee™ will provide ice cream cones and cups. We look forward l to seeing you there. 
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ADULT FAITH FORMATION: THE WILD GOOSE. The Connected in Christ group meets on Tuesday, August 23rd, after the 8:30 am Mass in the library. We will continue with Fr. Dave Pivonka’s talks on The Wild Goose. This week, we will be viewing Session 2 – The Breath of God. If you are unable to attend, why not follow this series on Formed.org. If you have any questions, please contact Cookie Ruane (302) 540 – 6429.
PSR REGISTRATION: We offer religious education classes for children in Pre-K through Grade 9, Sacramental Preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation. We also offer Intermediate Sacramental Prep (ISP) for older children who have not yet received sacraments. Students must be registered prior to the beginning of classes. Use the QR code to register or visit https://membership.faithdirect.net/events/org/831
For information on how to register or to print a paper form CLICK HERE
CAN YOU HELP? Parish School of Religion (PSR) With PSR plans underway for the Fall, we need your help in filling a few positions. Are you able to dedicate some of your time to help us grow and complete our PSR team? We’d love to welcome you to our PSR family! If God is calling you, contact Erica Taylor, CRE at 653-4101 or at dre@saintpolycarp.org.
Currently we need:
–Catechist & Assistant for Grade 3 (Sunday morning)
–Assistant for Grade 8 (Tuesday Evening)
–Desk Assistant (Tuesday Evening)
PSR WISH LIST: Our catechists are committed to teaching and helping our children grow in love and faith by donating their time all year. Our catechists also donate their own money for supplies throughout the year. Please consider helping them out by purchasing an item or two from their wish list below. Items can be dropped off Monday-Friday at the parish office between 9 a.m. & 3 p.m., anytime in the bin under the black drop box, or after Masses in the marked bins under the coat racks near the bathrooms, across from the hall.
-Plastic Pencil/Supply Boxes (see picture above) – approx…8”x 5”x 2”, Plastic Folders with pockets, Card Stock…white and color, White Poster Board (11×14), Colored Pencils, Crayola Crayons(24ct.), Small Paper Clips, Boxed Tissues, AA Batteries
-Monetary Donations & Gift Cards (Walmart, Target, Staples) are always appreciated
NEXT WEEKEND, AUGUST 27/28 (& week of August 28)
BLESSINGS: The Blessing of Athletes will take place next Sunday, August 28th at the 10:30 am Mass.
CHEER ON THE GOLFERS! If you can’t come to St. Polycarp’s 3rd Annual Golf Tournament, how about sending the golfers your cheers? We’ll be back on August 27th and 28th at the doors of the church. Donation is only $5 per square. Come with your wishes!
LESS THAN A MONTH AWAY! SAVE this Date—Sunday, September 11, 2022 for St. Polycarp’s 3rd Annual Parish Dinner and Golf Tournament at Links at St. Anne’s in Middletown, DE. Golf Tournament starts with lunch at 12:30 pm with Tee Off at 1 pm. Buffet dinner at 6 pm with golfers, friends, and parishioners from St. Polycarp. You don’t have to golf to join us for dinner! (Buffet dinner is $40.00 per person.) Register by September 7! CLICK HERE for more information or contact: Dennis Skinner at papadskinz@yahoo.com (302) 981-8743 or Anna Skinner anna.skinz@gmail.com (302) 883-5647 Register online at https://bit.ly/3HckNKW
CHANGE THE WORLD: BECOME CATHOLIC! INQUIRY SESSIONS will take place on August 29, September 12. Is there someone you would like to invite to explore the Catholic faith— someone unbaptized, or baptized in a non-Catholic Christian tradition? Do you know someone who needs Confirmation and/or First Eucharist? Perhaps, the Catholic faith can fulfill their desires for a closer relationship with Our Lord. Then, the RCIA process is for them. Please invite them to one or all of our Inquiry Sessions that will take place on August 29 & September 12, 2022. Sessions take place in the Parish Library at 6:30 pm. Please contact Deacon Frank Weber for more information or to let him know that you will attend a session(s) You can reach him at DeaconFrank@saintpolycarp.org or leave a message with the Parish office at
(302) 653-8279.
UPCOMING/ONGOING
SUMMER WEEKDAY MASSES: Tuesday through Friday at 8:30 am.
CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON – 2022 FAITH AND CHARITY CATHOLIC APPEAL: We continue to need your help. Presently we need $4525 to reach our goal. Pledge cards can be found in the pews and at the doors of the church. Thank you to those who have already contributed to this year’s campaign. Participants who pledged to the campaign will receive monthly payment reminders mailed directly from the diocesan Development Office. Please mail all payments in the self-addressed, return envelope provided with your pledge reminder. To learn more about the Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal, visit www.cdow.org; click “Giving” then “Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal”, or simply scan this QR code with your cellphone.
Your generosity in supporting this campaign enables the diocese to do the work of our Lord.
When our parish collects its goal amount, we will receive 50% of contributions over the assigned target.
In the past, the generosity of our folks has enabled us to do many projects around the campus.
SHARE THE HARVEST: The Share The Harvest table is now under the Portico. This allows our parishioners to share their abundant yield from their gardens with their Church family. All are welcome to share and receive. Thank you to those who have shared their veggies!
GIRL SCOUTS is about so much more than the cookie. This program provides girls with opportunities to learn new skills in art, science, sports, and leadership. Our girls are active in community service projects, striving to make the world a better place. Girls in grades K-12 are welcome to join. Meeting times for our troops that meet at St. Polycarp will be Thursdays, from 6-7, starting in October. For more information, please contact Tracie Bruno at Tracie.Bruno@comcast.net
Have you had the opportunity to dive into FORMED? To sign up visit www.formed.org. Type in our Parish zip code (19977) and follow the steps to sign up or you can use the QR code below. Take advantage of your free subscription to FORMED! Enjoy thousands of hours of quality Catholic content! 
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 process down the aisle to the priest who will have the pyx in his hand and let him know you need a gluten-free host
THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: There is no summer break for the need to pray for vocations. Please consider signing up to host the vocation chalice in your home for a week. Text or call Alice Gaston at (302) 670 – 7924. For more information visit https://saintpolycarp.org/vocation-chalice/
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!
BULLETIN SPONSORS: 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!
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
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:
CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIO: Saturdays at 1:30 pm on Relevant Radio 640AM. On tomorrow’s episode, Saturday, August 20th, Kristen Van Uden from Sophia Institute Press will discuss the new book, “The Wrath of God: How to Read the Signs of the Times and Recognize the Evils of Our Age,” by theologian, Fr. Livio Fanzagia. 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.
MARRIAGE MOMENTS: Sunday, August 21: Sometimes our deficiencies can show the power of God working in us. How does your beloved lift you up when you feel low?
PARENTING POINTERS: Sunday, August 21: As children grow older they often balk at doing “religious” stuff with their family. Be creative about inviting your children into faith experiences. Ask what THEY think would be a meaningful way to “serve the Lord.” It might seem crazy, but try it once.
LET US PRAY: St. Bartholomew, Apostle – August 24
Oh, Jesus, Saint Bartholomew’s greatest desire was to know the truth. When first informed about You, his initial reaction was, “How can anything good come from Nazareth?”
But as soon as he met You, he wanted to become one of Your disciples. You said of him, “Here is a man in whom there is no deception.” I ask him to pray against the deceptions that are influencing me and the people I know. Help us to experience Your affirmation when we are honest, give us courage to resist lying as a means of self-protection, and inspire our minds to recognize the truth when we hear it. Saint Bartholomew, pray for us. Amen.
catholicreadings.org