21st SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
SUNDAY SCRIPTURE – QUESTIONS TO PONDER
~ How are you being invited to choose to serve God at this moment in your life?
~ How has God shown you his goodness in the past week?
~ How has Jesus been a source of surety when your faith has been challenged?
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082524.cfm
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. DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON – LIVE STREAMINGhttps://www.youtube.com/user/DioceseofWilm
PARISH WEBSITE: Visit: www.saintpolycarp.org/.
WEEKLY PARISH BULLETIN: CLICK HERE . (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
DIOCESAN MARIAN PILGRIMAGE IN NEW CASTLE. You are invited to join Bishop Koenig and parishioners from across Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore at the annual Diocese of Wilmington Marian Pilgrimage on Saturday, September 28th, 2024 beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Holy Spirit Church, 12 Winder Road, New Castle, Delaware. Come and hear keynote speaker, Father Sabastian White, O.P., Editor-in-Chief of Magnificat Magazine. The day includes morning Mass, Rosary, Confessions, Eucharistic Adoration and Vigil Mass at 4 p.m. Visit the over two-story tall stainless steel Our Lady Queen of Peace statue created by master sculptor Charles Parks, which is located next to the church. For more information, visit cdow.org/MarianPilgrimage or facebook.com/CDOWMarianPilgrimage. A great way to prepare your heart for the October 5th Eucharistic Congress in Ocean City!
DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS IN OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND: REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN. Join us for the Diocese of Wilmington’s Eucharistic Congress, which will take place on October 5th, 2024, at the Ocean City (MD) Convention Center. The theme, “The Eucharist: The Source and Summit”, invites us to deepen our understanding and appreciation of the Eucharist. The day will include a keynote address
by Bishop Richard Henning of the Diocese of Providence, faith-based vendors, a ministry fair, and breakout sessions tailored to various interests and age groups. There will also be opportunities for Adoration and Reconciliation. Register now for this spiritually enriching event! For additional information and registration, use this QR code or visit https://www.cdow.org/EucharisticCongress/
FAITH AND CHARITY APPEAL – One Body, One Spirit in Christ: Congratulations! We now have $66,255.52 in pledges from 189 donors. Of that, $52,012.65 has been collected. Keep up the good work folks! It is important that everyone follows through with payments on pledges. Once we reach our goal in collected donations, we will receive back half of the money collected above the goal for projects around our campus. It’s not too late to participate! If your household has not participated, we encourage you to
prayerfully consider participating in this annual event. Every gift counts, no matter how small. Pledge cards can be found at the doors of the Church. You can also give online at www.cdow.org; click “Giving” then “Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal”, or simply scan this QR code with your cellphone.
THIS WEEKEND, August 24/25 (and Monday, August 26th – Friday, August 30th)
ALTAR SERVERS NEEDED: If your child has expressed a desire to serve Jesus and St. Polycarp Parish at the altar and if they have received the Sacrament of Holy Communion, please contact: Fran and Jim Walls. Our contact information is: Cell Phone- 302-359-9152, Email- SmyrnaWalls@gmail.com. There will be training for new altar servers this fall.
FACILITIES PLANNING: The Facilities Planning Committee has been established and meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm in the hall. We are looking for parishioners with backgrounds in electrical, plumbing, carpentry, painting, and other construction expertise needed for our project. If God has blessed you with a gift you can share, please contact John Irwin, Executive Officer of Facilities Planning at 740-317-3617.
PSR WISH LIST! Thank you to those who have already donated. We are still accepting items if you are interested. Items needed include
– Plastic Folders with pockets (No Prongs)
– White Poster Board (11×14)
– AA & AAA Batteries
– Gallon Size Ziploc Bags
– Small White Envelopes (6 3/4”)
PARISH SCHOOL OF RELIGION (PSR) Religious Education Classes, Grades PK – 9.
Visit https://saintpolycarp.org/religious-education/ for information and/or to print the registration form or you can use this QR code.
First Grade Children – In order to be eligible for 2nd Grade First Reconciliation and First Eucharist, your child must complete 1st Grade PSR (or in another parish religious education program) or Catholic School. Register your first grader now!
7th and 8th Grade Children – In order to be eligible for Confirmation in Grade 9, your child must complete 7th and 8th Grade PSR (or in another parish religious education program) or Catholic School. If you have a 7th grader, now is the time to register!
Do you have an older child who missed receiving the sacraments? It’s never too late!
For more information, contact Mrs. Erica Taylor, Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE) at 302-653–4101 or dre@saintpolycarp.org
WE’RE HAVING A PICNIC AT SAINT POLYCARP! Join us for Fellowship, Food, and Fun on Sunday, September 15, following the 10:30 am Mass. Come and enjoy the Bouncy House, Face Painting, and a visit from Spiderman. Please bring a side dish to share and a chair to relax on. The Knights of Columbus will provide hotdogs, hamburgers, and French fries. Water and Rita’s Italian Ice will be available for everyone. We will be selling 50/50 tickets so bring some cash. 1 ticket–$1 or 25 tickets for $20.
NEXT WEEKEND, August 31/September 1 (and Monday, September 2nd – Friday, September 6th)
LABOR DAY, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2: The Parish Office will be closed for the Labor Day holiday.
UPCOMING
DELAWARE KNIGHTS OF COULMBUS RAFFLE: The Delaware Knights of Columbus is sponsoring a raffle to benefit the charitable works and programs of the State Council. Five raffle winners will receive a $200 gift certificate usable at any production at Sights and Sound plus a $100 Visa gift card. Tickets are $10.00 each. The drawing will be September 8th, 2024 at the KOC annual State picnic. The Winner need not be present. Contact Jack Barnas for raffle tickets 302-383-4175.
ROSARY RALLY – Saturday, October 12th, noon, at the Blessed Virgin Mary outside statue. Please join our parish as well as thousands of Catholics, to publicly pray the Rosary during this annual event. Mary asked us at Fatima to pray the Rosary daily for peace in our world and peace in our families. All are welcome as we publicly pray the Rosary at the Blessed Mother statue for our community to witness our faith.
BULLETIN OVERFLOW: Visit Bulletin Overflow https://saintpolycarp.org/overflow/ for details on the following and more!:
SUMMER MASS SCHEDULE for the Diocese of Wilmington: To easily find locations and times, go to thedialog.org/our-diocese/2024-diocese-of-wilmington-summer-weekend-mass-guide/
RACHEL’S VINEYARD CATHOLIC RETREAT: September 20th-22nd. This retreat offers emotional and spiritual healing for anyone who has struggled with grief and loss from abortion. Whether you are post-abortive or no someone who is, freedom awaits. Contact Nan Bernardo-Freeman at 302-463-7711 (call or test) or lucyminn929@gmail.com by September 6.
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY PARISH Invites you to join us on Friday, September 27th at 6:00 PM and/or 7:30 PM with author Philip Campbell.
5th ANNUAL OUTDOOR MARKETPLACE at St. Margaret of Scotland Church 2431 Frazer Road, Newark, DE on Saturday, September 28th, 2024 8am to 2pm, Rain or Shine. Vendors wanted For more information: 2024smaco@gmail.com
RETROUVAILLE: The Retrouvaille Program is for married couples facing challenges in their relationship. Upcoming program: October 4th – 6th at the Family Life Center in Malvern, PA
WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER: The next weekend is November 1st – 3rd , 2024 at the Brighton Suites in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. For information or to register visit our website http://www.wwme.org or call Tony and Linda Massino at 302-648-2228.
FORMED: Thanks to a very generous and thoughtful parishioner, our FORMED Subscription has been RENEWED for another year! Please SIGN UP NOW and begin enjoying the abundant amount of Catholic content that FORMED has to offer! You won’t be disappointed! To gain full access to FORMED; follow these simple steps:
~Go to: www.formed.org or scan QR Code
~Enter our parish’s zip code (19977)
~Click on St. Polycarp Church
~Enter your name and your email address
EXPLORE THE BEAUTY OF RELIGIOUS LIFE WITH YOUR KIDS! Join Marcam on an adventure as he visits the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia in Tennessee. Two joyful sisters guide Marcam through their motherhouse and chapel, offering a glimpse into the beautiful and dedicated life of a religious sister.https://watch.formed.org/videos/marcam-meets-the-nashville-dominicans-episode-11After watching this with your family, take a moment to discuss together the importance of religious vocations and the joyful dedication of those who serve God in this special way. *Special Note: For those of you who remember our former DRE, Patricia Freedman, Ms. Freedman was a valued and beloved member of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia in Nashville, TN from 1988 to 2011. Please consider watching this in her memory.
ONGOING
THREE YEARS OF ABUNDANT GRACE AND TRANSFORMATION – EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL
MISSION: To renew the church by enkindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.
VISION: To inspire a movement of Catholics across the United States who are healed, converted, formed, and unified by an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist—and who are then sent out on mission “for the life of the world.”
SHARE THE HARVEST: Would you like to share vegetables from your bountiful garden, garden plants or house plants that need to go to a loving home, flowers that could brighten up someone’s day or your harvest with others? 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.
DO YOU HAVE FLOWERS FROM YOUR GARDEN THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO BRING IN TO HELP DECORATE THE CHURCH? This would be a wonderful way to share your gardening talents in honor of God! Please call or email Dee Lim at 973-865-4203 or delial42@yahoo.com for details.
CHURCH ENVIRONMENT: The Liturgy Committee is looking for new members to join the Environment team, which is currently being led by Delia Lim. If you are interested, please call Kathy Curlett at 302-222–9326.
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 7th, October 12th, November 9th and December 13th.
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/ September 8 – Barbara Kaczorowski will take home the Vocation Chalice.
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 11am. 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.
IS THAT YOU, FR. JIM? If you receive emails or texts from Fr. Jim asking for favors, gift cards or gifts or stating something similar to “I am currently busy in a meeting now, no calls so just reply to my email”, please ignore and delete. If an email looks suspicious and you’re not sure, give the office a call.
MEMORIAL BRICKS: Adding your MEMORIAL BRICK to the walkway of our Blessed Mother is a unique way to keep your memories alive. Honor family and friends! Share a favorite quote, and more! You can order through Faith Direct at: https://membership.faithdirect.net/events/org/831 
Scroll down until you see “Memorial Bricks” (you do not need to sign up for Faith Direct), or use this QR code or return your form with payment of $100 to St. Polycarp Church. Envelopes marked with “Memorial Brick” may be placed in the Offertory collection, mailed or delivered to the Parish Office (place in black box).
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!
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!
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 CHURCH: http://www.stdennischurch.org 153 N. Main St. Galena, MD 21635 410-648-5145
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.
EWTN: ewtn.com
FROM THE DIOCESE:
CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIO: Listen to Catholic Forum each week. The Catholic Forum debuts every Wednesday at 12 p.m. This week, Dr. Joseph Hollcraft is scheduled to discuss his book, “Contemplating the Seven Sorrows of Mary”. The Catholic Forum podcast on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music podcasts and YouTube.com/DioceseofWilm debuts every Wednesday at 12:00 p.m.; and on Relevant Radio 640 every Saturday afternoons at 1:30. More information is available at cdow.org/CatholicForum CLICK HERE
LET US PRAY: St. Monica August 27
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
under the weight of my heartful burden, I turn to you, dear Saint Monica
and request your assistance and intercession.
From your place in heaven, I beg that you will plead before the Throne of the Holy One,
for the sake of my child, [Name], who has wandered from from the faith, and
all that we have tried to teach.
I know, dear Monica, that our children belong not to us, but to God,
and that God often permits this wandering as part of one’s journey toward Him.
Your son, Augustine, wandered, too; eventually he found the faith, and came to believe,
and in that belief became a true teacher.
Help me, therefore, to have patience, and to believe that all things — even this disappointing movement away from the faith — work ultimately to His own good purposes.
For the sake of my child’s soul, I pray to understand and trust in this.
St. Monica, please teach me to persist in faithful prayer as you did for your son’s sake.
Inspire me to behave in ways that will not further distance my child from Christ, but only draw [Name] gently towards his marvelous light.
Please teach me what you know about this painful mystery of separation,
and how it is reconciled in the re-orientation of our children
toward heaven.
O Saint Monica, lover of Christ and His Church,
pray for me, and for my child [Name], that we may acquire heaven,
joining with you, there, in offering constant and thankful
praise to God,
Amen.