Second Sunday of Advent
The Lord has done great things for us: we are filled with joy!
THE OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED ON THE HOLY DAY, THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, DECEMBER 8th.
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/12052021.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
THIS WEEKEND, DECEMBER 4/5
FIRST RECONCILIATION: PLEASE PRAY for our Parish children who will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time tomorrow morning.
SECOND COLLECTION this week is for the RETIREMENT FUND FOR RELIGIOUS. Elderly Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priest have offered their lives in service to others-educating the young, comforting the sick, and ministering to the less fortunate. Today, many are frail and need assistance. Your gift to the Retirement Fund for Religious helps furnish medications, nursing care, and more. Please give generously to today’s second collection.
THE BLESSING OF SODALISTS will take place this Sunday at the 10:30 am Mass.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD will take place during the 10:30 am Mass this Sunday. All children ages PreK-4th grade are welcome to attend.
BREAKFAST WITH JESUS: Please join us for a very special Agape this Sunday, December 5th following the 10:30 am Mass. Come enjoy “Breakfast with Jesus” and share the blessings of the season with each other as we await the coming of our Lord! A pancake breakfast hosted by the Knights of Columbus will be served. There will be photo opportunities for the children. Hope to see you there! The photo used on the flyer is the background that will be available for photos on Sunday. Breakfast with Jesus flyer CLICK HERE
COOKIES!! Please stop by the portico after Mass tomorrow, Saturday, December 4th or at the Agape on Sunday, the 5th and pickup some homemade cookies from Brother Vincent Columbiettes. The funds raised are returned to St. Polycarp over the year as our Columbiettes support various parish projects.
THE GIVING TREE: All gifts should be returned to the hall by this Sunday, December 5th.
PSR REMINDER: In person class this week for Grades P/K to 8. IMPORTANT:GRADES 5-8 – Check for an important email from Mrs. Taylor about this week’s upcoming class.
DEACON CHARLIE MEMORIAL ADVENT POSTER CONTEST: Mrs. Maureen Robinson and her family judged the 47 posters that were submitted. It was a difficult task! The family enjoyed seeing the talent of each and every entrant! See this week’s Bulletin for announcement of the winners!
WEEK of DECEMBER 5
HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION – DECEMBER 8TH – THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. Masses for the Holy Day are:
St. Polycarp: Tuesday, December 7th, at 6:30 pm and Wednesday, December 8th, at 8:30 am
St. Dennis: Wednesday, December 8th, at 6:30 pm
READINGS FOR THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120821.cfm
PSR REMINDER – GRADES 5-8: IN PERSON CLASS week. Check for an important email from Mrs. Taylor about this week’s upcoming class. You should have received the email on Thursday…
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TURKEY/HAM/GIFT CARD DROP-OFF AT ST. POLYCARP: Once again, it’s time for SVDP’s annual Christmas “Turkey Drive” to benefit our neighbors in need. Can you donate a turkey or ham? Gift cards are also greatly appreciated. ($30 maximum).DONATIONS – Drop off your donation at the St. Polycarp parking lot this coming Thursday, December 9th, 6:30 – 8:00 pm. If you know of anyone who would like to have a turkey, ham, or gift card please call the Saint Vincent de Paul Society at 302-264-6630. Saint Vincent de Paul members will deliver the turkeys and gift cards to peoples’ homes on Saturday, December 11, between 9 am and Noon. (Weather permitting.)
SODALITY ADVENT RETREAT: Saturday December 11, 2021 Mother Drexel Hall – 9:00 am -1:00 pm. Please join the Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality for an Advent Retreat. 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
WE NEED YOUR TIME AND TALENT ! We are looking for someone to help with the three bulletin boards outside of the church doors including the one under the portico. Do you have time to create a background for Christmas or stop by once a week to post flyers? Do you have time to do just one of the boards? If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Judy at communications@saintpolycarp.org or call the Parish Office at (302) 653-8279
LIVE NATIVITY: Ewell’s-Saint Paul United Methodist Church, Clayton, presents “A View-from-Your Car Drive-by Version of SILENT NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT – A LIVE NATIVITY on Thursday – Saturday, December 9th, 10th and 11th 6 pm – 8 pm. See the Bulletin for details.
NEXT WEEKEND, DECEMBER 11/12
THE BLESSING OF USHERS AND GREETERS will take place at the 10:30 am Mass next Sunday, December 12.
ST. POLYCARP 2021 CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT: 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 next weekend, December 11th and 12th. If you already placed an order, you will be receiving an email about pick-up times.
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 5th – the Brimson Family.
Got 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 Holiday 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
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 4, 2021, tune in to hear an interview with Kathleen Beckman as she discussed her new book, “A Family Guide to Spiritual Warfare.” 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 Two:
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.