FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
SUNDAY SCRIPTURE – QUESTIONS TO PONDER
~Do you look upon God as your rock or do you seek refuge elsewhere?
~ Mary surrenders her life to God when she says, “I am the handmaid of the Lord.” Are you willing to surrender any part of your life to God?
~What virtues might Mary have relied upon in answering God’s call?
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122423.cfm
LIVE-STREAMING: Visit https://www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE for live stream at 8:30 am, Tuesdays & 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
December 24th is both the 4th Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve.
No one Mass fulfills the Sunday obligation and the Christmas obligation.
MASSES FOR THE 4th SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Saturday, December 23rd at 4 pm
Sunday, December 24th at 10:30 am
MASSES FOR CHRISTMAS:
Sunday, December 24th at 4 pm and 9 pm
Monday, December 25th at 10 am.
You are cordially invited to join us for the 4pm Christmas Eve Mass and to watch our PSR 1st graders bring to life our Nativity Pageant. The reenactment of the First Christmas will take place immediately following the 4 pm Mass. This performance will surely put you into the Christmas Spirit.
READINGS FOR CHRISTMAS:https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122523.cfm
Fr. Jim, Deacon Frank, Erica Taylor, CRE and all the staff here at St. Polycarp wish you a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year!
May you be blessed with hope, peace and love this Christmas and in the New Year.
THIS WEEKEND, DECEMBER 23/24 (and Monday, December 25th – Friday, December 29th)
SEE ABOVE FOR THE MASS SCHEDULE FOR THE 4th SUNDAY OF ADVENT AND THE CHRISTMAS MASS SCEDULE
RECONCILIATION – St. Polycarp Church:
Saturdays from 2:30 – 3:30 pm & following the 10:30 am Mass on Sunday, December 24th.
THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: December 24th at 4 pm – Stephanie Roch. 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/
NATIVITY CRÈCHES FROM THE CATHOLIC CHURCHES OF DELAWARE AND MARYLAND’S EASTERN SHORE: Last Christmas, the diocese invited each of its 56 parishes and 18 mission churches to submit a photograph of their crèche to be included in the video that celebrates the 800th anniversary of the very first Nativity scene. In 1223, wanting to emphasize the humble circumstances of Jesus’s birth and to inspire the local people to more deeply appreciate the Christmas story. St. Francis of Assisi set up a live Nativity scene in a cave in the quaint Italian village of Greccio.
On Sunday, December 17th, 2023, a new video debuted on the Diocese of Wilmington’s YouTube channel. This video, produced by the Diocese of Wilmington, presents a montage of photographs of Nativity crèches from the Catholic churches of Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The video includes beautiful instrumental Christmas hymns as a background. Families are invited to watch the 12 ½ minute video together, discuss which scene they like best and why, maybe try to be the first to identify the scene from our parish. Visit www.YouTube.com/DioceseofWilm to view the video. (Pick-up a copy of this weekend’s Dialog as you leave Mass and check out the center page!)
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.
BE BRAVE, ANSWER THE CALL: Are you a Catholic living in harmony with the teachings of the Church? Are you at least 18 years old? Have you received the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist & Confirmation? Are you sufficiently mature to perform the duties of Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at Mass or to the sick and homebound? These are the qualifications needed to be considered for Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. If this is a ministry you feel God calling you to, please contact Cindy Kennedy at Kennedy-078@msn.com. Formation and training will begin early January.
NEW CANDLES: We hope that you have noticed the new candle stands in the back of the Church. They are electric candles, which are safer and do not create soot. The aqua votive candles ($3 each) are now available to be lit for your intentions. After you put your money in the slot, you just need to press the button in front of that candle. You must press and hold the button until it lights.
The white candles are memorial candles. These candles are available to be lit in memory of someone. The introductory fee of $120 includes the candle being lit continuously for a full year with a memorial name plate placed in front of that candle with the person’s name on it. This introductory fee is good until Ash Wednesday when the fee will be $150. If you are interested in having one of these candles lit, please contact Kathy at the office. (302) 653-8279 or office@saintpolycarp.org We hope you enjoy them.
CHRISTMAS NOVENA: Christmas is a time to reflect on the blessings of family and shared togetherness. We exchange gifts as an act of love and appreciation, but there is no greater gift we can give than the gift of the Holy Mass. Although a loved one may no longer be present to share this time with us, let us remember that, now more than ever, they rely upon us for their spiritual well-being. Please use the Christmas Novena envelope to show your loved ones they have not been forgotten. (Envelopes can be found at the doors of the Church.)
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. Please consider using the Christmas flower envelope to help us proclaim our joy as we rejoice in the birth of our Lord. (Envelopes can be found at the doors of the Church.)
EARLY DEADLINE JANUARY 7th BULLETIN: During the busy holiday season, the bulletin is due earlier to the publisher. All submissions that you would like to appear in the bulletin, need to be submitted earlier than usual. If you plan on having an insert, please contact Judy immediately. Insert deadlines are sooner than the deadlines listed below! ALL Submissions (including inserts or questions about inserts) should be emailed to submission@saintpolycarp.org. Judy can also be reached at the parish office (302) 653-8279. Bulletin for January 7th – Submissions due by December 26th end of day.
CONGRATULATIONS! 
2023 FAITH AND CHARITY CATHOLIC APPEAL: Thank you to all those parishioners who contributed to the 2023 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. 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 click “Giving” then “Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal,” or simply scan this QR code with your cellphone.
NEXT WEEKEND, DECEMBER 30/31,
Weekend Masses for The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph – Masses at 4 pm on Saturday, December 30th and 10:30 am on Sunday, December 31st.
THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY, HOLY MOTHER OF GOD (A Holy Day of Obligation) & New Year’s Day
Sunday, December 31st at 4 pm, Monday, January 1st at 10 am
The Blessing of Calendars will take place at the 4 pm Mass, on December 31st and at the 10:00 am Mass on January 1st.
UPCOMING
AGAPE: Come join us on Sunday, January 7th following the 10:30 Mass as we welcome in the New Year and celebrate the Epiphany of our Lord! Enjoy a delicious brunch, fellowship and fun! All are welcome.
ROCK AND ROLL TRIBUTE: Come join us on in the parish hall on Saturday, January 13th, 2024 to ROCK in the New Year. Brother Vincent Knights of Columbus along with our Columbiettes are sponsoring a ROCK AND ROLL TRUBUTE with an evening of dinner, show and dancing featuring Mr. Charisma! Tickets are $45. Contact Anna Skinner at ANNA.SKINZ@gmail.com or (302) 883-5647. Make checks payable to Knights of Columbus #7517, 55 ransom Lane, Smyrna, DE 19977.
INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW: WHY AND WHEN DO WE SIT, STAND AND KNEEL AT MASS? If you would like information on why we stand or sit or kneel during the Mass, please check out the following websites:
https://saintpolycarp.org/overflow/
www.formed.org: Explaining the Faith with Fr. Chris Alar – Part 6: Teaching Mass (Part 1); and Teaching Mass (Part 2)
www.eucharisticrevival.org: go to Blog: Do This in Remembrance of Me: A Step by Step Walk Through the Mass by Fr. Luke Spannagel (there are 52 Parts).
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
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
NEEDED – NEW MINISTRY SCHEDULER: We are currently looking for someone to take over the scheduling of our ministers for the Weekend Masses and Holy Days of Obligation. This person must have good PC organization and computer skills. If you think you might be interested in this position, please call Frank Patton at (302) 508-5268.
SACRISTAN NEEDED: We are still in need of someone to step forward to serve as sacristan. Sacristans have the duty to arrive early to the Church in order to unlock the doors and prepare the Church for Mass. Becoming a sacristan would be a great way to learn more about our beautiful liturgy and become more involved in carrying it out. No previous knowledge is required. If you are interested, please contact the head sacristan Adam Bauer at ajpd.bauer@gmail.com.
DIRECTORY COORDINATOR: The Pastoral Council is looking for a parishioner to coordinate the preparation for a new directory for Saint Polycarp. Our last directory was published in 2018 and we understand there may be an interest in producing a new directory. Please contact Kathy Curlett at (302) 222 – 9326 if you are interested.
ONGOING
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.
TUESDAY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: Tuesdays from 9am to 8pm in the Chapel. We are still in need of people to fill in the following openings 9:30 am, 10:00 am, 10:30 am; 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm and people to fill in when others are ill or cannot attend. 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 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/ December 24th, 4 pm Mass – S. Roch.
CONNECTED IN CHRIST (ADULT FAITH FORMATION) meets every Tuesday at 9:00 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.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD: Children’s Liturgy of the Word is offered every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month during the 10:30am 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.
SMYRNA-CLAYTON FOOD PANTRY: Due to 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 Boy Ardee canned pastas. Please, NO CANNED vegetables or beans are currently needed. Bins for your donations are located under the coat rack near the hall.
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 thru Friday. Here at St. Polycarp we have bins under the coat rack in the hallway near the bathrooms to accept your donations. Please, no expired items.
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. Hear Bishop Koenig’s Christmas message on the December 23rd Catholic Forum. 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.
HAPPENING ELSEWHERE:
LET’S TALK HEALING – St. John-Holy Angels Parish, Newark
January 6, 13, 20, (not the 27th) & Feb 3 Snow date make-up Feb 10, if needed
Is Jesus still healing people today? Are these healings real, and do they last? How can we pray for healing? Can my broken heart be healed as well as my body? In her new book, Dr. Mary Healy answers these questions and more. Join St. John-Holy Angels Parish for an informal book study and conversation on the book, “Healing: Bringing the Gift of God’s Mercy to the World,” led by Terry Haar/aRise Healing Ministry. Discussions will be held at Holy Angels Church, 82 Possum Park Road, Newark, DE 19711, from 10 am-12 noon on each date. Use the San Damiano Center back entrance to the church. You do not need to attend all of the dates. You can check in for the reading assignments missed before each week you attend. Please read the first 66 pages prior to the first meeting. Coffee/refreshments provided. All interested are welcome. Free. Preregistration is required. (302) 731-2219 or arise@holyangels.net.
LET US PRAY: