21st SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
August 26/27, 2023
SUNDAY SCRIPTURE – QUESTIONS TO PONDER
~ How has your faith 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/082723.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.
PARISH WEBSITE: Visit: www.saintpolycarp.org/.
WEEKLY PARISH BULLETIN: CLICK HERE . (New Bulletins are posted on Fridays.)
BULLETIN OVERFLOW: There’s always information that doesn’t fit in our Bulletin – Bulletin Overflow – CLICK HERE
THIS WEEKEND, August 26/27 (and Monday, August 28 – Friday, September 1)
SMYRNA CLAYTON MINISTERIUM invites you to the Annual Prayer for Our Schools Night on Sunday, August 27th at 6 pm at any of the Smyrna School District Schools. Local pastors or one of the community’s church leaders will lead the prayer. Attend the prayer time and join in praying for our schools, students, teachers, staff, administrators and bus drivers. (What is the Ministerium? The Ministerium is an organization where local churches have joined together to serve those who live within the Smyrna School District area in a variety of ways.)
PRETZEL SALE for this weekend has been cancelled.
CHANGE THE WORLD: BECOME CATHOLIC! INQUIRY SESSION THIS MONDAY, AUGUST 28th! 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 know someone who needs First Eucharist and/or Confirmation? The Catholic faith can fulfill their desire for a closer relationship with Our Lord by participating in the RCIA process. If interested, the parish will hold an Inquiry Session on Monday, August 28th, at 6:30 pm.
Please contact Deacon Frank Weber for more information: DeaconFrank@saintpolycarp.org or leave a message with the Parish office at (302) 653 – 8279.
ANNUAL PARISH PICNIC: We’re having a PICNIC at St. Polycarp! Join us for Fellowship, Food, and Fun on Sunday, September 17, following the 10:30 Mass. Please bring a side dish to share and a chair to relax on. The Knights of Columbus will provide hotdogs and hamburgers. Water and Rita’s Italian Ice will also be available to everyone. If you have any questions, please call Kathy Curlett at 302-222-9326 or Joyce Tolson at 302-448-9678.
NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS: This past June, we entered the 2nd Year of the National Eucharistic Revival. This is the Year of Parish Revival. Last year was the Year of Diocesan Revival. The Year of Parish Revival will end with the culmination of the National Eucharistic Congress. This event will take place in Indianapolis, Indiana at the Lucas Oil Stadium from July 17th – July 21st, 2024. They are expecting approximately 80,000 people to attend. The cost per person is $375.00 (this does not include meals, lodging or transportation). If our parish can get 15 parishioners or more to attend, the cost drops to $299.00 per person. If you are interested in attending this magnificent event, please call Kathy MacDonald at 1-302-653-8976 and leave me a voice mail or see Kathy 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, use the QR code below or you can register by visiting https://membership.faithdirect.net/events/org/831
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 often use 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 am & 3 pm, anytime in the bins under the black drop box, or after Masses in the marked bins in the vestibule, and under the coat racks near the bathrooms, across from the hall. Thank you for your continued support of our PSR! Your support of PSR and the supplies you have already donated is so appreciated!
–Plastic Folders with pockets (no prongs) , Card Stock…white, White Poster Board (11×14), Small White Envelopes (6 3/4”), Disinfecting Wipes, Gallon Size Ziploc Bags, Boxed Tissues, Paper Towels, AA & AAA Batteries, Linens for Prayer Tables (At least 5’ x 4’ – Liturgical Colors; green, purple, white), Monetary Donations & Gift Cards (Amazon, Walmart, Target) are always appreciated.
IT’S ALMOST HERE!!! 
ST. POLYCARP PARISH ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT AND BUFFET DINNER – Sunday, September 10th
Golfing at Garrison Lake Golf Club, 101 West Fairways Circle, Smyrna, DE. $130 per individual golfer includes lunch, Green fee, Golf Cart, on course beverages including beer, complimentary gift bags, prizes for best teams, long drive/closest to pin, followed by a buffet dinner.
Not interested in golfing? No problem! Join us for a delicious Buffet Dinner for just $40.00 per person in Mother Drexel Hall at Saint Polycarp Church. For more information and registration, contact Dennis Skinner at papadskinz@yahoo.com or (302) 981 – 8743 and Anna Skinner at ANNA.SKINZ@gmail.com or (302) 883 – 5647. You can also scan the QR Code below or click on the following link https://saintpolycarp.org/st-polycarp-annual-golf-tournament-and-dinner-2023/
CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON – 2023 FAITH AND CHARITY CATHOLIC APPEAL: Congratulations! We’ve reached our PLEDGED goal! Those who pledged and are making payments, receive reminders from the Diocese. If we are to reach our goal in collected donations, it is important that everyone follows through with payments on pledges. Please mail all payments in the self-addressed, return envelope provided with your payment reminder mailings. Remember – Once our parish exceeds the $60,000 goal in paid pledges , we will receive back half of the money collected above the goal for projects around our campus. If your household has not participated, it’s not too late! Please prayerfully consider a donation and help Shine the Light of Christ throughout our Diocese.(Pledge cards can be found in the pews and at the doors of the Church.)
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.
DISASTER RESPONSE – WILDFIRES IN MAUI:
Help families recover from fires on the island of Maui. Make an emergency donation to Catholic Charities today to help provide lifesaving resources, and 100% of your gift will be sent where it’s needed most! CLICK HERE
NEXT WEEKEND, September 2/3 (and Monday, September 4 – Friday, September 8)
THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: Next Sunday, September 3rd, 10:30 am Mass – Irwin Family. (Please arrive 15 minutes before your Mass time to pick up, or drop off, materials in the sacristy.) Families and individuals are encouraged to 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/
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 – PARISH OFFICE CLOSED
FAITH WITH FRIENDS: Would you like to learn more about Jesus? Come learn more about your faith with friends. Thursday, September 7th, from 6 pm – 8 pm in Room 7. Looking forward to seeing you! Ashley Wilson (302) 535 – 4118. Join your friends for this Adult Faith Formation Opportunity.
UPCOMING
BOSCOV DISCOUNT PASSES – Brother Vincent Columbiettes will be selling Boscov Passes after Masses on September 30th and October 1st. Profits from these sales help Brother Vincent Columbiettes support our many charitable activities. If you miss us on September 30th or October 1st, feel free to contact either Jill Mercer at (518) 795 –7579 or MaryLois Barnas at (302) 388 – 3332. The event is Tuesday, October 18, at any Boscov store. Your $5 shopping pass buys a full day of 25% Off Discount Shopping and a chance to win fabulous door prizes!
QUARTER AUCTION: St. Polycarp’s Parish & Family Life Ministry will be holding its 1st Quarter Auction on Friday, October 27, 2023. Doors will open at 5 pm, auction starts at 6 pm. Proceeds raised will benefit Parish operational expenses and Ministry needs. Discounted advanced purchase of All-in Paddles will be $40 through Friday, September 15th. All-in Paddles will be $45 after Friday, September 15th. If you have any questions or would like to purchase an All-in Paddle, contact Darlene Sanphy (at (302) 270 – 3915 or darpete87@comcast.net) or Linda Montuori (at (302) 270 – 5347 or lindamontuori@yahoo.com). More information will be posted in future bulletins.
THE ANNUAL FORUM: This year’s Annual Forum will be held on January 21st following the 10:30 am Mass (not in September).
ONGOING
The SHARE THE HARVEST TABLE is now under the Portico. This allows our parishioners to share their abundant garden yield with their Church family.
All are welcome to share and receive.
SATURDAY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION at St. Polycarp will take place monthly at the Vigil Mass for the Second Sunday of the month. September 9th, October 7th, November 11th & December 9th. Eucharistic Adoration at St. Dennis Church (Galena MD) will take place on the Fourth Sunday of the month following the 8 am Sunday Mass. Sundays, August 27th, September 24th, October 22nd, & November 26th.
TUESDAY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: Tuesdays from 9 am to 8pm in the Chapel. We are still in need of people to fill in when others are ill or cannot attend. Do you have one hour to spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament on an occasional basis? Call Cheryl Thomas at (302) 363 – 0404 or email her at salcrest7@gmail.com. All are welcome to stop in and adore Jesus between 9 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 3rd, 10:30 am Mass – Irwin.
CONNECTED IN CHRIST (ADULT FAITH FORMATION) meets every Tuesday at 9:30 am in the Parish Library – ALL are welcome. Please join us. If you have any questions, please call Cookie Ruane at (302) 540 – 6429.
FAITH WITH FRIENDS (ADULT FAITH FORMATION) meets the first Thursday of every month at 6 pm in Room 7. Everyone is invited. Questions? Contact Ashley Wilson at 302.535.4118.
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.
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
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 Saturday, August 27th, Teresa Mull will tell us how to woke-proof our lives. 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.
LET US PRAY: Act of Hope
O My God, relying on Thy infinite goodness and promises, I hope to obtain pardon of my sins, the help of Thy grace and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer. Amen