December 7, 2025
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
~ 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?
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120725.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 three remaining Sundays in Advent: December 7, 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)
HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION: Monday, December 8th, is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This day is a Holy Day of Obligation. This day is also the Patronal Feast Day of the United States of America. Mass at St. Polycarp for the Holy Day will be celebrated on Monday, December 8, at 8:30 am. Mass at St. Dennis for the Holy Day is Monday, December 8, at 7 pm
THIS WEEK: Friday, December 5 – Friday, December 12
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/
PLEASE PRAY for our 14 parish children who will be receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time tomorrow morning.
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.
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.
COOKIE TIME! It’s that time of the year for the Annual Columbiette Cookie Walk! Come support the Columbiettes by purchasing some home baked cookies. Cookies will be sold in Mother Drexel Hall this Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7 following Mass.
AGAPE: Come join us as we gather together to enjoy “God’s Love” and celebrate our newly renovated kitchen! Brother Vincent Columbiettes will be hosting a delicious lunch, while enjoying fellowship and fun! Hope to see you this Sunday, December 7, following the 10:30am Mass.
THE VOCATION CHALICE : December 7 – Betty Sloven will receive the Vocation Chalice for a week of prayer for vocations.
The BVM Sodality – ADVENT RETREAT – Saturday, December 13, 2025 9:30 am – 1:30 pm – The members of the BVM Sodality invite you to an Advent Retreat in Mother Drexel Hall at St. Polycarp. The cost of the retreat is free but you will need to register by Tuesday, December 9, so we have enough lunch for everyone! Please call Betty Sloven at 302-547-8174 or email her at churchladybetty@gmail.com.
OFFICE CLOSED: The office will be closed on the morning of Wednesday, December 10. The office hours on Wednesday, December 10 are noon to 3 pm.
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.
RESERVED 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. Thank you to everyone who submitted a bid.
Enjoy the parking spot for another year, Deacon Frank!
THE GIVING TREE: Thank you, to all of the parishioners of St. Polycarp who made this year’s Giving Tree Project possible. Each year we are touched by the outpouring of love and generosity you show to the children and families in our parish who need it the most. You make the Christmas season extra special for so many of our children and families. God bless you all!
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.
NEXT WEEKEND: Saturday, December 13 – Friday, December 19
SECOND COLLECTION NEXT WEEKEND, 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 on Sunday, December 14, at 9 am in the Library. Share faith, hope, and friendship!
BFF (Building Faith and Family): 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.
UPCOMING:
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.
NEWLY RENOVATED KITCHEN: As we kickoff 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
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.
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. Thank you to all those parishioners who called the office this past week about receiving scam emails supposedly from Fr. Jim.
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 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, local author, Mike McGrew will discuss his picture book titled, “The Boy Who Would Be Santa”, 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: Second 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
Read from Scripture: “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) (Isaiah 9:2)
Pray the Advent Wreath Prayer for Week 2: “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.”
Reflect: What are your top three priorities as you prepare for Christmas?
-dynamiccatholic.com