August 22/23
21st SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
~How has your faith been strengthened by the successors of St. Peter, past or present?
~ Who do you say Jesus is?
~How do you give witness to who Jesus is in your daily life?
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082326.cfm
DAILY BIBLE READINGS: https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
LIVE-STREAMING FROM ST. POLYCARP: Visit https://www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE for live stream at 8:30 am, Tuesdays & Wednesdays and 4 pm on Saturdays & 10:30 am on Sundays. (Once at the site, click on “Live”.) Live stream from the Cathedral of St. Peter can be viewed on the Diocesan YouTube channel (DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON – LIVE STREAMING) at https://www.youtube.com/user/DioceseofWilm
PARISH WEBSITE: Visit: www.saintpolycarp.org/.
WEEKLY PARISH BULLETIN: CLICK HERE . or use this QR code. Previous bulletins can also be viewed. (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 or use this QR code. Visit Bulletin Overflow to learn more about Pope Leo’s Encyclical and the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage!
MANY HANDS, ONE MISSION: A 50-YEAR LEGACY: 100% of your donations stay within the Diocese of Wilmington! Thank you for your support of this year’s appeal.
Thanks to your generosity, our goal of $61,500 in pledges has not only been reached but surpassed! Pledges total a very generous amount of $70,662.32!!! We still have not reached our goal in money collected. As of August 17, $57,095.59 has been collected. It is important that everyone follows through with payments on pledges. Once we reach our goal in money collected, we will receive 50% of the money collected over the goal.
Every donor matters. If you have never participated in the Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal, or if it has been five years or more since your last gift, please consider participating this year. Once our parish reaches its goal (paid pledges) 50% of these gifts will be returned to support parish needs. In addition to the standard rebate, we receive when we go over goal (paid pledges).
To donate online, visit www.cdow.org, click
Donate → Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal,
or scan this QR code to participate.
THIS WEEK: Friday, August 21 – Friday, August 28
MOVIE NIGHT! Don’t miss out. There will be a variety of treats as well as popcorn and candy that moviegoers always look forward to. Our next Movie Night will be in the Library tomorrow, Saturday, August 22, right after the 4 pm Mass. Treat yourself to a short movie, great snacks, and fun conversation with fellow parishioners. Come to the office door under the portico. See what the growing interest is all about!
The Brother Vincent Knights of Columbus and Columbiettes are having their Officer Installation Ceremony, tomorrow, August 22, following the 4 pm Mass. Brother Vincent Council invites our parish family to attend this wonderful event, as they are Blessed into their officer positions. Please attend and show your support to a ministry that gives back so much to our parish family and community. Light refreshments to follow in the Parish Hall.
C.A.L.L.ing CATHOLICS WITH QUESTIONS – CATHOLIC ADULTS LIFE AND LEARNING:The Topic for our next C.A.L.L. meeting is the Mass part 2. Come join the discussion on August 27, at 6:30 pm in classroom # 7. Please enter through the PSR entrance. We meet the second and fourth Thursdays of each month.
IT’S PICNIC TIME AT ST. POLYCARP! Save the date to join your fellow parishioners for our Annual Parish Picnic on Sunday, September 20, after Mass.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: Our Parish School of Religion (PSR) offers religious education classes for grade PK – 9. REGISTER NOW! Visit https://saintpolycarp.org/religious-education/ for more information or contact our Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE), Erica Taylor, at dre@saintpolycarp.org or (302) 653-4101. Forms are also located in the black drop box under the portico and in the wall rack in the hallway near the sacristy. You can also use the QR code below. 
THE PRAYER CHAIN MINISTRY NEEDS YOUR HELP! We are in need of someone to take over maintaining and sending out prayer requests to those in our prayer chain. This importantt ministry has a long history and its mission has always been to efficiently communicate requests for prayers to a faithful network of parishioners who will pray for your requests. This ministry needs YOU!
If you would like to become one of our “prayers” or would like more information about maintaining our prayer requests, please contact Cookie Ruane 302-540-6429. Thank you!
SAVE THE DATE for this fun event—our upcoming annual St. Polycarp Quarter Auction on Sunday, November 15, 2026. Doors will open at 3 pm, auction starts at 4 pm. We are accepting donations for auction items – please contact DEANNA LAIL dlail14@comcast.net or 302-5335-2957 More details coming soon!
WANTED! FRESH SUMMER FLOWERS FOR OUR ALTAR: If you have beautiful summer flowers in your yard, please consider donating some fresh flowers for use on our altar. Contact Delia Lim at 973-865-4203 or after Sunday or weekday Masses if you would like to contribute flowers.
THE WEEK OF Friday, August 28 – Friday, September 4
THE BLESSING OF PROFESSIONAL STAFF will take place at Mass on Sunday, August 30.
LET US PRAY FOR A BLESSED & SAFE NEW SCHOOL YEAR: Please join a group of our parishioners and members of the Wesleyan Church immediately after Sunday Mass on Sunday, August 30, to pray for a blessed and safe new school year. Please gather at the front door of Smyrna Elementary School, by the corner of School Lane and Kent Way at about 11:30 am. Church members praying at the nearest school is an initiative of the Smyrna-Clayton Ministerium.
UPCOMING
SEPTEMBER SECOND COLLECTIONS:
September 5/6 – Parish Utilities
September 19/20 – Parish School of Religion (PSR)
September 26/27 – Share in the Spirit
THE BLESSING & INSTALLATION OF PASTORAL & FINANCE COUNCILS will take place at Mass on Saturday, September 19.
THE BLESSING OF CATECHISTS & ASSISTANTS will take place at Mass on Sunday, September 20.
PRIESTHOOD SUNDAY is Sunday, September 27.
CRAFT FAIR!!! Save the Date: October 3, 2026, from 9 am – 2 pm (Rain Date October 10, 2026) at Saint Polycarp Church. Craft Fair with over 35 vendors, including food. Come out to browse the many vendors and stop by our Veterans booth where you can support our Veteran men and woman by bringing new items (sock, underwear, toiletries, etc.) to drop into supplied boxes. Please help a Vet!!! This wonderful event is sponsored by Brother Vincent Council KOC and Columbiettes. Flyer and more information to come! (We are still accepting vendors, see below.)
SAINT POLYCARP CHURCH FALL CRAFT FEST – Saturday, October 3, 2026, 9 am – 2 pm. CALLING ALL VENDORS – Vendor setup 7 am – 9 am (No vehicles in vendor area after 9 am) Outdoor spots: 10’x10’ – $35.00 10’x20’ – $65.00 Indoor spots: 10’x10’ – $45.00 10’x20’ – $85.00 Tables – $25.00 (no electricity), Electricity – additional $10. Knights of Columbus will have lunch items for sale during the event. Contact: Mike Cunningham at 302-379-8952 or mikec923@yahoo.com for event application. Rain Date: October 10, 2026
FROM THE DIOCESE
CATHOLIC MEN OF DELMARVA: ATTENTION MEN FROM THE DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON, YOU’RE INVITED.
The Catholic Men of Delmarva Inaugural Conference
Saturday, October 3, 2026, 8 am – 5 pm,
Saint Mark’s High School, Wilmington, Delaware
“Authentic Masculinity” – Fellowship * Music * Speakers *Confessions * Mass with Bishop Koenig
REGISTER TODAY: DelmarvaCatholic.org
Cost: $45.00 for adults. $25.00 for students. The students have to be of high school age in order to attend.
Visit www.formed.org.
Type in our Parish zip code (19977),
Click on St. Polycarp Church then enter your name and email address!
You can also scan this QR code.
NEW EPISODE – We encourage you to watch Active Participation from the FORMED series Elements of the Catholic Mass. Use this link https://app.formed.org/app/videos/573431?cid=115599 or scan this QR code to view this short and informative episode.
Is there someone you know who would like to explore the Catholic faith – someone unbaptized, or baptized in the Catholic or another Christian tradition? Do you or someone you know need the Sacraments of First Eucharist and/or Confirmation? The Catholic faith can fulfill their desire for a closer relationship with Our Lord by participating in the OCIA process. Please contact Deacon Frank Weber for more information: DeaconFrank@saintpolycarp.org or leave a message with the Parish office at 302-653-8279.
When receiving the Blessed Sacrament at Mass, please consume the Eucharist in front of the Priest, Deacon, or Eucharistic Minister prior to stepping away. It is not permitted to walk away with the Blessed Sacrament, take it back to your pew or leave Church with Jesus in your hand. When approaching the altar to receive Holy Communion, please approach with reverence (folding hands and being in a prayerful spirit) and after receiving the Sacrament. Remember, it is the Body and Blood of Jesus that you just received.
We kindly request silence in the Church before Mass. We are in the presence of the Lord, and many of us are praying and preparing our hearts for the celebration of the Eucharist. Please be respectful of our time in prayer.
HOLY COMMUNION TO THE SICK AND HOMEBOUND – Do 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.
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: Saturdays: September 12, October 10. November 7. December 12.
TUESDAY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: Tuesdays from 11 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 11 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.
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP (Pathway to Peace) meets on most Fridays at 5:30 pm. Please contact the parish office if you are considering joining us. 302-653-8279 or office@saintpolycarp.org.
CONNECTED IN CHRIST (ADULT FAITH FORMATION) meets every Tuesday after the 8:30 am Mass in the Parish Library – ALL are welcome. We begin with prayer, then watch a video, usually from FORMED and follow up with a discussion. We close with prayer by 11 am. Come and share your faith with us. Any questions, call Cookie Ruane, 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.
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!
SCAM: If you receive emails or texts from Fr. Jim asking for favors, gift cards or gifts or asking you to return his email because he has a favor to ask of you, please ignore and delete. They are not from Fr. Jim. If an email looks suspicious and you’re not sure, give the office a call. Fr. Jim has never/will never solicit donations or favors in this manner. He will not ask you to email Church directories.
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 through 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 Boyardee 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!
LET US PRAY:
2026 Faith & Charity Appeal Prayer
TOGETHER IN HOPE
Loving and merciful God,
You are the source of our hope and strength.
In this season of renewal, we come before You as a community,
united in faith and bound by love.
Pour out Your Spirit upon us,
that we may grow together in hope,
lifting each other up with generosity and compassion.
Guide us as we support the mission of our Church,
bringing Your light to those in need,
nurturing faith in the hearts of our youth,
and building a future filled with promise.
May our sacrifices today ensure a Church that flourishes tomorrow.
Grant us the grace to give with joyful hearts,
knowing that in You, we find the courage to serve.
We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.
USEFUL LINKS:
WEBSITE: www.saintpolycarp.org.
BULLETIN: https://www.jppc.net/onlinebulletins/301template.pdf
BULLETIN OVERFLOW: https://saintpolycarp.org/this-weeks-bulletin/
YOUTUBE CHANNEL/LIVE STREAM: https://www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/SaintPolycarpCatholicChurch/
ST DENNIS CHURCH: http://www.stdennischurch.org 153 N. Main St. Galena, MD 21635 410-648-5145
ST DENNIS CHURCH LIVE STREAM: https://www.youtube.com/@stdennisparish_galenamd/streams
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. Published every other week.
CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIO: Listen to Catholic Forum each week. The Catholic Forum podcast on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music podcasts and YouTube.com/DioceseofWilm debuts every Wednesday at 12:00 pm and on Relevant Radio 640 every Saturday afternoon at 1:30 pm. More information is available at https://cdow.org/ministries/catholic-forum-podcast-radio-program/.
EWTN: ewtn.com
ONLINE GIVING: Please consider becoming an e-giver. It is easy to make your weekly or one-time contributions in support of the Parish. CLICK HERE to sign-up or you can text “Give” to (302) 202–2251 or use this QR code.