December 21, 2025
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
~ Each of us is called to be holy. How can you nurture that call?
~ As Christmas nears, what can you do to set aside space to notice the presence of God?
~ What circumstance in your life is calling you to trust in God?
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122125.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 – UPDATE
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. It is important that everyone follows through with payments on pledges. Thank you for your generosity and support! To read a Thank You from Bishop Koenig CLICK HERE
Goal = $61,500.00
Pledged to date = $64,851.76
# of donors = 186
Collected to date = $63,540.61 Thank you!!!
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 Sunday, December 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
(The Mass setting for Christmas is the Mass of Christ the Savior and the Acclamation is “Save Us, Savior”.)
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.
Collections:
December 20/21 – Offertory only, No Second Collection
December 24/25 – Christmas Collection
December 27/28 – Offertory only, No Second Collection
December 31/January 1 – Solemnity of Mary Collection
(Envelopes for Christmas Flowers / Novena may be placed in the basket at any time. The Novena of Masses for Christmas begins with the 4 pm Vigil Mass on December 24 and continues through the 10:30 am Mass on January 4.)
Thank you for your generosity throughout the year.
Saturday, December 20 – Friday, December 26
MOVIE NIGHT: Tomorrow, 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 this 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 this 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.
RECONCILIATION MONDAY – St. Polycarp Church and St. Dennis Church Monday, December 22, 3 pm to 5 pm and 6 pm to 8 pm.
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.
ANNUAL DEACON CHARLIE ROBINSON MEMORIAL ADVENT POSTER CONTEST: Look in this weekend’s bulletin to see the winning posters! All entries will be on display in the hall! Such creativity and Christmas Spirit!
You are cordially invited to join us following the 4 pm Christmas Eve Mass to watch our 1st graders bring to life our Nativity Pageant. The reenactment of the First Christmas will take place immediately following the Mass. This performance will surely put you into the Christmas Spirit.
THE OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED Wednesday, December 24 through Sunday, December 28. The office will be open from 9 am to 3 pm Monday – Wednesday, December 29 – 31.
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.
GET YOUR TICKETS NOW! 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.
December 28, 2025
THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY & JOSEPH
~ What will you do to honor your father and mother, as God states in the First Reading?
~ “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” As Christ asks you, what will you do to forgive and love one another today?
~ Do you listen to God and his angels? What are they asking you to do?
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122825.cfm
DAILY BIBLE READINGS: https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
Saturday, December 27 – Sunday, January 4, 2026
THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY, HOLY MOTHER OF GOD: A Holy Day of Obligation (and New Year’s Day).
Masses will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 31st, at 4 pm and Thursday, January 1st, at 10 am
This Holy Day of Obligation is a celebration of Mary’s motherhood of Jesus. It is fitting to honor Mary as the Mother of Jesus following the celebration of the birth of Christ. It is a reminder of the role she played in the salvation of humankind. The Blessing of Church calendars will take place at both Masses. Thank you to Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home and Cremation Services for providing our calendars.
THE OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED on Thursday, January 1 and Friday, January 2, 2026.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 4: The Christian Formation Committee and PSR will be sponsoring the January Agape on January 4 following the 10:30 am Mass. Please join us for food & fellowship as we kick off the New Year! Come learn more about what the Christian Formation Office offers and how you can get involved! We are always looking for new people to join us. We can do great things with more parishioner involvement!
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.
ADULT FAITH FORMATION – A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO GROW IN FAITH: Make 2026 a year of renewal! If you are seeking something meaningful for the New Year, come study the Source and Summit with us. It’s on FORMED and is about the Eucharist. Let’s uncover the richness of the Mass that so many are now finding. We meet every Tuesday in the Library after the 8:30 am Mass. We will begin on January 13. Any questions, call Cookie Ruane 302-540-6429
ANNUAL FORUM: SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2026 Mark your calendars! The Saint Polycarp Annual Forum will take place on Sunday, January 25, 2026, following the 10:30 am Mass. Come enjoy breakfast cooked by the Knights of Columbus and hear about our Parish accomplishments.
PARISH APPRECIATION DINNER: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2026 Mark your calendars! The Pastoral Council is planning a celebration for Saturday, February 21, 2026, after the 4 pm Mass. Registration will begin in January. Check the bulletin and weekly updates for more information. We are looking forward to honoring our parishioners who volunteer in the many ministries here at Saint Polycarp Parish.
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: January 10, February 7, March 7, April 11 and 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 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. Tune-in this week for the annual Catholic Forum Christmas show featuring Bishop Koenig’s Christmas message to the people of the Diocese of Wilmington and an exclusive report from Rome with EWTN’s Boglarka Sztancs! 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/.
The Catholic Forum weekend of December 27/28: Tune in to learn about the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales as they bring their year-long 150th anniversary celebration to a close, with Father Michael Newman, OSFS.
December 20/21
Advent Wreath Blessing: Fourth 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.
Read from Scripture: “And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11)
Pray the Advent Wreath Prayer for Week 4: “Dear Jesus, may the light of your love always shine in our hearts. As Christmas draws closer, we marvel at your great love for us. Let your love transform every aspect of our lives and touch everyone we encounter. Our hearts are open to you, Jesus. Amen.”
Reflect: What concerns, joys, worries, and prayers do you want to bring to Jesus this Christmas?
-dynamiccatholic.com
December 27/28
THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY & JOSEPH
JESUS, Son of God and Son of Mary, bless our family. Graciously inspire in us the unity, peace, and mutual love that you found in your own family in the little town of Nazareth.
MARY, Mother of Jesus and Our Mother, nourish our family with your faith and your love. Keep us close to your Son, Jesus, in all our sorrows and joys.
JOSEPH, Foster-father to Jesus, guardian and spouse of Mary, keep our family safe from harm. Help us in all times of discouragement or anxiety.
HOLY FAMILY OF NAZARETH, make our family one with you. Help us to be instruments of peace. Grant that love, strengthened by grace, may prove mightier than all the weaknesses and trials through which our families sometimes pass. May we always have God at the center of our hearts and homes until we are all one family, happy and at peace in our true home with you. Amen.
-Missionaries of the Holy Family