Third Sunday of Advent
Rejoice in the Lord always: again I say rejoice!
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/12122021.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. Please bear with us as we work through the challenges with our live streaming. 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/. Don’t forget to checkout our BULLETIN OVERFLOW for information that doesn’t fit in our weekly Bulletin! Bulletin Overflow – Saint Polycarp Church
LIVE NATIVITY: Ewell’s-Saint Paul United Methodist Church in Clayton, presents “A View-from-Your Car Drive-by Version of SILENT NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT – A LIVE NATIVITY“ tonight and tomorrow night, December 10th and 11th, 6 pm – 8 pm.
Do You Have Someone on Your Gift List Who Has Everything? Happiness blooms where seeds of love and joy are planted. Give the gift of a memorial brick as a Christmas gift. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved except in memory. Order forms can be found at the doors of the Church or order through Faith Direct at https://membership.faithdirect.net/events/details/5644, (you do not need to sign up for Faith Direct). You can also CLICK HERE FOR ORDER FORM
THIS WEEKEND, DECEMBER 11/12
TOMORROW – BLESSED VIRGIN MARY SODALITY ADVENT RETREAT: Saturday December 11, 2021 Mother Drexel Hall – 9:00 am -1:00 pm. This retreat is open to all. Deacon Frank Weber will be the Retreat Master. Donut holes, coffee, tea, and orange juice will be provided in the morning. Please bring your own lunch
PSR GRADES P/K – 8: Online lessons posted this week. No in-person classes Sunday, December 12th; Tuesday, December 14th
ST. POLYCARP 2021 CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT SALE: Do you wish that you had ordered an ornament? You’re in luck! They turned out so nice that we ordered extras! Ornaments are $12 each and will be available for purchase after Masses this weekend, December 11th and 12th, at the doors of the Church. If you already placed an order and have not picked it up yet, stop by the front doors of the Church and we will have it for you. Do you wish you had purchased last year’s ornament? It’s your lucky day! We have two left for purchase.
THE BLESSING OF USHERS AND GREETERS will take place at the 10:30 am Mass this Sunday, December 12.
BREAKFAST WITH JESUS: Thank you to all who attended Breakfast with Jesus on December 5th. For those who had photos taken at the event, your pictures have been printed and will soon be available for pick up. Details coming soon.
WINNER OF PARKING SPOT – We have a winner! The highest bidder in our annual parking spot auction wishes to remain anonymous and would like the parking spot to go to Deacon Frank Weber in gratitude for his ministry here at St. Polycarp. Enjoy the parking spot for another year, Deacon Frank! Thanks to everyone who submitted a bid.
WEEK of DECEMBER 18/19
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD will take place during the 10:30 am Mass next Sunday, December 19th. All children ages PreK-4th grade are welcome to attend.
THE DEANERY PENANCE SERVICE will be held at Holy Cross, Dover on Monday, December 20th, at 7 pm. Various priests will be available to hear confessions. Need a refresher? https://saintpolycarp.org/reconciliation-refresher/
UPCOMING/ONGOING
CHANGE THE WORLD: BECOME CATHOLIC!If you know someone who is looking for a new beginning and wants to learn more about the Catholic Church, “personally invite” them to our RCIA sessions, taking place at the Parish campus on Monday evenings at 6:30pm. The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is for individuals who are unbaptized, baptized in other faith traditions or Catholic adults wishing to receive Confirmation and Holy Eucharist and seeking full membership in the Catholic Church. We are all called to share the “Good News” and you can make a difference by simply asking! Please contact Deacon Frank Weber for more information at DeaconFrank@saintpolycarp.org or leave a message with the Parish office at (302) 653-8279.
THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: Each week a family will receive the Vocation Chalice at Mass and take it home with the promise to “pray for vocations” during that week. The family should place the chalice in a prominent place in their home and gather together each day to pray for the awareness of vocations. At the end of the week, the family will bring the chalice back to church so the next family can take it home. A booklet will accompany the chalice that has prayers and instructions. We need your prayers and for you to sign up. Call or text Alice Gaston 302-670-7924 to sign up. See the Bulletin for schedule. December 19th – the Taylor Family. January 2nd – The Ruane Family
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 receipts months old in!
Thank you to our Bulletin advertisers! We appreciate your support!
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
THE DIALOG: http://thedialog.org/ Newspaper of the Diocese, copies available as you leave Church or online
FROM THE DIOCESE:
CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIO: Saturdays at 1:30 pm on Relevant Radio 640. On tomorrow’s episode, December 11, 2021, tune-in to hear an interview with seminarian Manuel Vaz Guedes from the Seminary of Saint Peter Wigratzbad in the German Alps, and hear samples from their new CD, “Sancta Nox: Christmas Matins from Bavaria. Listen anytime at cdow.org/CatholicForum or search Catholic Forum on Apple, Spotify or iHeartRadio podcasts.
LET US PRAY: AN ADVENT WREATH BLESSING
Dear Jesus, as we light the candle on this Advent wreath, may the light of your presence bring joy to our hearts. Bless our family and our friends, and be with all those who are in need this holiday season. Amen.
Week Three: (the rose candle)
Scripture Reflection: “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” Luke 2:20
*pause for reflection
Advent Wreath Prayer: Dear Jesus, help us focus on you during this busy season. May we stay aware of the joy you bring into our lives. We want to find you in the everyday moments and come with hearts of gratitude to your manger on Christmas. Amen.