SUNDAY SCRIPTURE – QUESTIONS TO PONDER
~ How can your parish help members unite with the poor?
~ How does your parish welcome people with genuine concern?
~ What good fruit is being produced this Advent as you prepare to welcome the Lord?
(Pastoral Liturgy)
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120422.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 . BULLETIN OVERFLOW: Bulletin Overflow – CLICK HERE
THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION – A Holy Day of Obligation.
Thursday, December 8th, is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
MASSES FOR THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
St. Polycarp: Wednesday, December 7 at 6:30 pm & Thursday, December 8 at 8:30 am
St. Dennis: Thursday, December 8 at 8:30 am & 6:30 pm
Readings for the Immaculate Conception: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120822.cfm
(There will be a collection at all of the Masses for the Immaculate Conception. Thank you!)
FROM OUR BROTHER VINCENT COUNCIL #7517 – KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FUNDRAISER – TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO ORDER if you would like to receive your treats for Christmas! You can help our Knights as they work to help our church and community by purchasing these premium nuts, gourmet confections and sweet and savory snack mixes. They make great gifts. Orders shipped right to your door! A portion of every product sold benefits Brother Vincent Council #7517. This fundraiser continues, so you can still order. Please support your Council. To order visit https://council-7517-kofC.terrilynn.com
THIS WEEKEND, DECEMBER 3/4 (& week of December 4)
Our Giving Tree Committee coordinates the Christmas gifts for needy children in our community. Please return gifts to the Parish Hall no later than Sunday, December 4th. Questions? Contact Fran Walls at (302) 653 – 1450. Thank You!
COME ONE – COME ALL! COLUMBIETTES COOKIE WALK 2022: After Masses this weekend!
Homemade cookies lovingly baked by our Columbiettes!
Many varieties to tickle your taste buds! One dollar per bag!
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD takes place this Sunday, December 4, during the 10:30 am Mass. All children ages PreK – 4th grade are welcome to join us. Children will be called to come forward before the First Reading. They will return to you after the General Intercessions. All catechists and assistants have a cleared background check. If you are interested in helping with this ministry, please contact Erica Taylor at (302) 653-4101.
The BLESSING OF SODALISTS will take place this Sunday, December 4th, during the 10:30 am Mass.
THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: This Sunday, December 4 at the 10:30 am Mass – Brink Family. Please arrive 15 minutes before your Mass time and pick up materials in the sacristy.
AGAPE: Come join us this Sunday, December 4th, following the 10:30am Mass for Agape. We gather together to enjoy food, fellowship and fun!
CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS: The PSR Christmas Ornaments have arrived and they are BEAUTIFUL! If you ordered an ornament, you can pick it up at this Sunday’s Agape.
If you wished you had purchased one, but missed the deadline, you’re in luck! We will be selling ornaments at the Agape too.
Come check them out! Ornaments are $15. As always, thank you for supporting PSR.
SECOND COLLECTION this weekend is for the Retirement Fund for Religious. Aging religious need your help. Senior Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests have offered their lives in service to others — educating the young, comforting the sick, and seeking justice for the oppressed. Today, many are frail, elderly, and in need of assistance. Your gift to the Retirement Fund for Religious helps to furnish medications, nursing care, and other necessities. Please give generously to today’s second collection. For more information, visit cdow.org/ReligiousRetirementFund or RetiredReligious.org
PARISH APPRECIATION DINNER ~ Planning Meeting – December 7: Mark your calendars! We have been waiting several years, but the Parish Appreciation Dinner is back. The Pastoral Council is planning a celebration for Saturday, February 18, 2023, after the 4 pm Mass. Check the bulletin and weekly updates for more information. Our first planning meeting is on Wednesday, December 7th, at 5 pm, in the library. Please contact Kathy Curlett (kathleencurlett19@gmail.com), if interested in attending this first meeting. We are looking forward to honoring our parishioners who volunteer in the many ministries here at Saint Polycarp Parish.
THE SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY – 2022 ANNUAL CHRISTMAS GIFT PROGRAM: Our St. Vincent de Paul Society members are asking Parishioners, if they are able, to please donate a turkey or ham. Gift cards are also greatly appreciated; however, the maximum dollar amount is $30.00. On Thursday evening, December 8th, from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, kindly bring your frozen turkey, ham or gift card to St. Polycarp’s Church Parking Lot. If anyone knows of anybody who would like to have a turkey, ham and/or gift card please call Saint Vincent de Paul at (302) 264 – 6630. Saint Vincent de Paul members will deliver the turkeys and gift cards to children and families on Saturday, December 10th, between 9 am and 12 noon. You must be home to receive these gifts.
CHRISTMAS FLOWERS & NOVENA
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. 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.
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.
SIGNAGE COORDINATOR NEEDED
Are you looking for an opportunity to serve our parish and help fellow parishioners navigate our campus? The Pastoral Council is searching for a volunteer to coordinate the Parish Signage project. This person will work with Father Jim and the Pastoral Council to assess the signage needs for our campus and to facilitate the implementation of this project. If interested, please contact Kathy Curlett at kathleencurlett19@gmail.com.
EARLY SUBMISSION DATES FOR THE WEEKLY BULLETIN: Early submission dates have been set by our bulletin publisher for the holiday season. All submissions that you would like to appear in the bulletin will need to be submitted earlier. These dates seem weeks away but they will be here before we know it. Plan now and submit early. Bulletin Date December 18, submit by noon Monday, December 5; Bulletin Date December 25, submit by noon Friday, December 9; Bulletin Date January 1, submit by Thursday, December 15; Bulletin Date January 8, submit by December 28th.
NEXT WEEKEND, DECEMBER 10/11 (& week of December 11)
The BLESSING OF USHERS and GREETERS will take place next Sunday, December 11th, during the 10:30 am Mass.
DEANERY ADVENT PENANCE SERVICE will be held on Thursday, December 15th at 7 pm, at Holy Cross Church in Dover.
Several priests will be available to hear confessions.
St. Polycarp:
Saturday, December 24 at 4 pm
Saturday, December 24 at 9 pm
Sunday, December 25 at 10 am
St. Dennis:
Saturday, December 24 at 4 pm
Saturday, December 24 at 6 pm
Sunday, December 25 at 10 am
UPCOMING/ONGOING
BREAKFAST WITH JESUS: Sunday, December 18th following the 10:30 Mass in the hall. Come enjoy “Breakfast with Jesus” and share the blessings of the season with each other as we await the coming of our Lord! Hosted by our wonderful Knights of Columbus! There will be photo opportunities for all! Hope to see you there!
COME TO THE BROTHER VINCENT CHUCK WAGON! Tickets for the January 14th Dinner and Show, sponsored by the Brother Vincent Knights of Columbus and the Columbiettes, are on sale this weekend after Masses at the Church exits. The show features The Legends of Country Music – Sean Jamison and Jenna Young with Country Music. Tickets are $40.00 each. Tickets may be purchased by check (made payable to Brother Vincent Council), by credit card through Faith Direct CLICK HERE, or by using this QR code. 
CHANGE THE WORLD: BECOME CATHOLIC! Is there someone you would like to invite to explore the Catholic faith – someone unbaptized, or baptized in a non-Catholic Christian tradition? Do you know someone who needs Confirmation and/or First Eucharist? Perhaps, the Catholic faith can fulfill their desires for a closer relationship with Our Lord. Then, the RCIA process is for them. Please contact Deacon Frank Weber for more information. DeaconFrank@saintpolycarp.org or leave a message with the Parish office at (302) 653-8279.
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.
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.
THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: Please 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/ December 4 at the 10:30 Mass – Brink, December 18 at the 10:30 Mass – Bobeck
VIA CRUCIS: (The Way of the Cross – Lent 2023)The Via Crucis was first presented in St. Anthony of Padua Church in 1933. It was revived in 1961 and has been presented continuously from 1961 to the present. All grade-school age to college-age boys and girls are welcome to participate.. The presentation is open to participants from any parish. Bring along your friends and relatives as well! NEW VIRTUAL SIGN-UP BEGINNNING —December 16th, 2023 AT stanthony.viacrucis@gmail.com. Please include name, age and contact information. For more information CLICK HERE
IS THAT YOU, FR. JIM? If you receive emails or texts from Fr. Jim asking for favors 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.
Have you had the opportunity to dive into FORMED? To sign up visit www.formed.org. Type in our Parish zip code (19977) and follow the steps to sign up or you can use the QR code below. Take advantage of your free subscription to FORMED! Enjoy thousands of hours of quality Catholic content! 
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 the December 3rd episode, author Susan De Bartoli will talk about her book, “Welcoming the Christ Child with Padre Pio”. 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:
The symbolism of the Advent wreath is quite beautiful. The circle of the wreath, with no beginning or end and made with evergreens, represents eternity and the everlasting life found in Christ.
The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent whose progressive lighting expresses the expectation and hope surrounding the coming of the Messiah. There are different systems of considering the four weeks. For example, Week 1 evokes the patriarchs and the virtue of hope. Week 2 recalls the prophets and peace. Week 3 recalls John the Baptist and joy while Week 4 presents the figure of Mary and the virtue of love. 
Week 2. Light the first and second purple candles
Scripture Reflection: “And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” Luke 2:4-7
Pause for reflection
Advent Wreath Prayer: Dear Jesus, you entered our world on Christmas as the Prince of Peace. This Advent, as we strive to become the-best-version-of-ourselves, fill us with a deep and abiding peace. Help us share that peace with everyone we encounter, especially those who need it most. Amen.
https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/advent/advent-wreath-prayers.html