December 14, 2025
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
~ How does your parish help their members realize their mission to seek justice for the oppressed?
~ Which virtues have you tried to cultivate in yourself this Advent?
~ What good works do you see lived out in your community that tell of Christ’s presence in the world?
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121425.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. (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
IMPORTANT REMINDERS: 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 mode) and after receiving the Sacrament. Remember, it is the Body and Blood of Jesus that you just received.
2025 FAITH AND CHARITY CATHOLIC APPEAL – TOGETHER IN HOPE
THANK YOU to all those parishioners who contributed to the 2025 Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal. Our parish has achieved our goal in pledges and money collected for the appeal! Your generosity in supporting this year’s appeal once again demonstrates that you understand the mission of our Church. Now that we have reached our goal in money collected, we will receive back half of the money collected above the goal for projects around our campus. Thank you for your generosity and support! To read a Thank You from Bishop Koenig CLICK HERE
Goal = $61,500.00
Pledged to date = $64,771.76 (representing 105.32% of the parish goal) It is important that everyone follows through with payments on pledges.
# of donors = 185
Collected to date = $62,401.71
We invite those who haven’t yet had the opportunity to give to the Appeal to join us in spreading the spirit of gratitude. Envelopes can be found at the doors of the Church You can also support the appeal online at www.cdow.org
RECONCILIATION OPPORTUNITIES DURING ADVENT:
Confessions in Advent will continue to be heard on Saturdays from 2:30 to 3:30 pm. Confessions will also be heard following the 10:30 am Mass on the two remaining Sundays in Advent: December 14 and 21.
RECONCILIATION MONDAY – St. Polycarp Church and St. Dennis Church
Monday, December 22
3 pm to 5 pm and 6 pm to 8 pm.
St. Polycarp:
Wednesday, December 24 at 4 pm (Children’s Nativity immediately following)
Wednesday, December 24 at 9 pm
Thursday, December 25 at 10 am
St. Dennis:
Wednesday, December 24 at 4 pm
Thursday, December 25 at 10 am
Thursday, December 25 at Noon (Spanish)
ENVELOPES: The Office is aware that parishioners have not yet received their December Offertory Envelopes. These were mailed out at the normal time, as was the Christmas Schedule mailing, but delivery is now in the hands of the U.S. Postal Service. In the mean time, we kindly ask that you please place your donation in a sealed envelope with your full name, address and ID number (if known), and drop it in the collection basket. This will help ensure that your donation is properly recorded. Our apologies for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.
THIS WEEK: Friday, December 12 – Friday, December 19
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT BULLETIN OVERFLOW for information on a variety of events happening this month throughout the Diocese. Read more about the Veneration of a First Class Relic of Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, Wilmington, Delaware. https://saintpolycarp.org/overflow/
ATTENTION PSR! If it’s snowing Sunday morning, check your email or REMIND messages in the event we would need to cancel classes. A decision will be made by 7:30 am on Sunday morning. We will email/send REMIND messages if we cancel.
SECOND COLLECTION, DECEMBER 13/14 is for The Retirement Fund for Religious. Rising health-care costs and the absence of traditional retirement plans have placed significant financial strain on many religious communities. The Retirement Fund for Religious helps address this need, supporting more than 21,000 religious over the age of 70. Please prayerfully consider how you can support this collection. Please give back to those who have given a lifetime.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: Saturday, December 13: Following the prayer after Communion, Fr. Jim will place the Blessed Sacrament (Host) in the Monstrance. The Blessed Sacrament is then incensed while the “O Salutaris / O Saving Victim” is sung. (Found inside the back cover of Breaking Bread.) Silent prayer then begins. Plan on spending sometime with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament this Advent. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament continues for an hour. You do not need to stay for the entire hour. Spend some time with Jesus this Advent, as much or as little as you can, and when you are ready to leave, please leave quietly as there are people praying.
FAITH WITH FRIENDS: This Advent, prepare your heart in community! Faith with Friends meets this Sunday, December 14, at 9 am in the Library. Share faith, hope, and friendship!
BFF (Building Faith and Family): This Sunday, December 14. All families are invited to our Family Youth Social in the Hall after the 10:30 am Mass. Come check us out! Together, we
will enjoy a bite to eat before we engage in formation and fun. Bring the children! Let’s have some fun together all while learning more about our faith.
CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS: If you purchased a Christmas Ornament from PSR, you can find it on one of the Christmas Trees in the Hall. Thank you for your support. The trees look beautiful! Thank you for helping us decorate the hall as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus! Ornaments will be available for you to pick-up and take home after the Epiphany.
THE SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY ANNUAL CHRISTMAS GIFT PROGRAM: If you would like to participate, please place gift cards (for grocery stores or Walmart) in an
envelope marked “St. Vincent de Paul” and drop it in the collection basket or the poor box. All gift cards are greatly appreciated; however, please note that the maximum amount per card is $30.00. Thank you for your generosity and continued support in helping those in need this Christmas season! If anyone knows of anybody who would like to have a gift card, please call St. Vincent de Paul at 302- 264-6630. St. Vincent de Paul members will distribute gift cards to children/families, senior citizens, and patients at Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill. Anyone who would like to join us in distributing the gifts, please contact Chuck Miller 302-270-4942.
CHRISTMAS FLOWERS: Gifts are usually given at the birth of a child. Let us generously give the Holy Family beautiful flowers representing the intentions of our loved ones. Envelopes are available at the doors of the Church.
CHRISTMAS NOVENA: Christmas is a magical time of year for LOVE and PEACE and time to reflect and BELIEVE that God gave us His Son to be with us always.
There is much comfort in knowing that God loves us unconditionally. Share the joy of Christmas by adding all your loved ones to our Christmas Novena of Masses. Envelopes are available at the doors of the Church.
NEXT WEEKEND: Saturday, December 20 – Friday, December 26
MOVIE NIGHT: Saturday, December 20. You won’t want to miss this Movie Night. Besides seeing a short video, we will be treated to an interesting talk from a parishioner who was on the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Italy with the Bishop. There will also be great refreshments. Plan to attend on December 20 after the 4 pm Mass in the hall.
FAITH WITH FRIENDS: Take a pause in the busyness of the season. Join Faith with Friends on Sunday, December 21 at 9 am in the library. Bring a friend and join the gift of faith!
THE VOCATION CHALICE : December 21 – The Carannante Family will receive the Vocation Chalice for a week of prayer for vocations.
BREAKFAST WITH JESUS: Come Join us on Sunday, December 21 in Mother Drexel Hall immediately following the 10:30 am Mass .
This breakfast is hosted by the Brother Vincent Council Knights of Columbus.
UPCOMING:
NEWLY RENOVATED KITCHEN: As we kick off our new kitchen we want to make sure that those who utilize the kitchen are properly trained on the new equipment. We are having a training session for this specific reason on January 6th, at 6:30 pm for any and all member’s of our vast committee’s/ministries that intend on using the kitchen. Additionally, each committee should be sending at least one member. Please join us during this time.
WILD WILD WEST CELEBRATION hosted by Brother Vincent Knights of Columbus & Columbiettes. January 17, 2026. 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm DINNER & DANCE – Featuring Cowboy Charisma. Join us for a fun filled night! Tickets $45 Contact Mike Cunningham: mikec923@yahoo.com or 302-379-8952
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.
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.
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: December 13, January 10, February 7, March 7, April 11, May 9
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. December 7 – Betty Sloven; December 21 – Carannante Family; January 4 – Louise Peters; January 18 – Sabrina Paulino
WE NEED YOU AND YOUR TALENT! DO YOU PLAY A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT? WE NEED INSTRUMENTALISTS!
Saint Polycarp Parish’s Music Ministry needs skilled instrumentalists for liturgies. Your talents can help us avoid a shortage of musicians.
Contact Kathy Curlett at 302-222-9326 for more information.
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!
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/
ONLINE GIVING: Please consider becoming an e-giver. It is easy to make your weekly or one-time contributions in support of the Parish.
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.
EWTN: ewtn.com
CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIO: Listen to Catholic Forum each week. This week, Catholic country music singer and songwriter, Bradley Banning will be the guest and perform his original Christmas song. 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/.
Advent Wreath Blessing: Third Week
Dear Jesus, as we light the candle(s) 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.
Light the first and second purple candles and the pink candle
Read from Scripture: “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” (Luke 2:20)
Pray the Advent Wreath Prayer for Week 3: “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.”
Reflect: On a scale from 1-10, how would you rate your joy this Advent? How might God be inviting you to open yourself up to the joy of the season?
-dynamiccatholic.com