SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
SUNDAY SCRIPTURE – QUESTIONS TO PONDER
~ Is it easy or difficult for you to trust that God wants to heal you? Why?
~ Why does Jesus tell the leper to go and show himself to the priest? What lesson can we take from this for our lives?
– Has there ever been a time that God has done something so wonderful in your life that you could not keep it to yourself?
ASH WEDNESDAY- FEBRUARY 14th
Mass and Distribution of Ashes at 8:30 am & 7 pm
LENT BEGINS – a time of fasting, almsgiving, and prayer
ST. POLYCARP CHURCH:
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner – Tuesday, February 13th 5 – 6:30 pm
Palms to Ashes Service – Tuesday, February 13th, at 7 pm
Ash Wednesday Mass with Distribution of Ashes
Wednesday, February 14th, at 8:30 am and 7 pm
(The Ash Wednesday collection will take place at both Masses on Ash Wednesday.)
FASTING AND ABSTINENCE: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence. For members of the Roman Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Roman Catholic Church from age 14 onwards. ~USCCB
Stations of the Cross and Benediction
Fridays in Lent, beginning February 16th, at 7 pm
ST. DENNIS CHURCH (GALENA, MD):
Ash Wednesday Mass & Distribution of Ashes – Wednesday, February 14th at 5:30 pm (Hispanic) and 7 pm
Stations of the Cross – Fridays in Lent, beginning on February 16th at 5 pm and 7 pm (Hispanic)
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021124.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.) 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
THIS WEEKEND, FEBRUARY 10/11 (and Monday, February 12th – Friday, February 16th)
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: this Saturday, February 10th Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will take place at the end of the 4pm Vigil Mass for the Second Sunday of the month tomorrow, Saturday, February 10th. Please plan to stay and spend some time with Jesus.
BLESSING OF NEW DRIVERS OF ANY AGE: tomorrow, Saturday, February 10th, during the 4pm Mass.
LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR: Please join us in welcoming the Little Sisters of the Poor to our parish this weekend. At Jeanne Jugan Residence in Newark, DE the Little Sisters offer hospitality and care for needy elderly men and women. The Little Sisters of the Poor depend greatly on charity to carry on their mission to the aged and infirm. Any assistance you can give will help them provide for the needs of the elderly entrusted to their care. To learn more about the mission of the Little Sisters of the Poor see the website at www.littlesistersofthepoordelaware.org.
SHROVE TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13th – The Knights of Columbus will be serving pancakes and sausage in Mother Drexel Hall from 5 pm – 6:30 pm. All are welcome. (No cost. Donations accepted.)
PALMS TO ASHES – Will take place this Tuesday, February 13th.
The service begins in Church and ends with the burning of palms outside, weather permitting. All are invited! (Enjoy some pancakes and sausage and then join us for the burning of palms at 7 pm.)
MEMORIAL CANDLES: The white candles on the top row are Memorial Candles. The introductory fee will be $120.00 for a candle to be lit for one year continuously. The introductory fee is good until Ash Wednesday when the fee will be $150. A small memorial name plate will be placed in front of your candle, with the name of your loved one engraved on it. If you are interested in having one of these candles lit, please contact Kathy at the office. This would be a lovely way of remembering someone close to your heart. The $3 aqua votive candles can 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.
NEXT WEEKEND, FEBRUARY 17/18 (and Monday, February 12th – Friday, February 16th)
A NEW CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL IN KENT COUNTY – Bishop Koenig has given permission for a Catholic High School in Kent County. Please come for coffee, donuts and a short briefing about this exciting and important opportunity for our students following Mass next Saturday and Sunday February 17th and 18th in Mother Drexel Hall.
THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: Sunday, February 18th at the 10:30 am Mass – Dee Lim. 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/
LENTEN RICE BOWLS: Please pick up a rice bowl as you leave Mass. Rice bowls are returned to Church at the end of Lent. Through Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl, families learn about how our sisters and brothers across the globe overcome hardships like hunger and malnutrition, and how through Lenten alms, we have the power to make the world a better place for all.
UPCOMING
THE RESPECT LIFE MINISTRY will be collecting items for Easter Baskets for patients at DHCI. A box/bin will be outside Mother Drexel Hall February 17th through March 17th. We were asked to go very easy on candy due to dietary issues. The patients cannot do actual jigsaw puzzles. However, items we can supply: Puzzle Books (Sudoka, Find a Word, etc.) Stuffed animals, cookies, crackers, hand lotions, books, socks and handmade crafts.
IT’S ALMOST PRETZEL TIME! The Knights of Columbus will again be selling soft pretzels after Mass on February 24th and 25th. Pretzels are $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00.
NEW FAITH WITH FRIENDS! Do you have the desire to dive into the divine but find yourself caught in the whirlwind of multitasking? Fear not, for the salvation of scheduling has arrived! Introducing a new time for “Faith with Friends” – on Sundays in the library, starting on February 25th at 9:00 am. What’s in the holy mix? Sip on wisdom-infused coffee, donuts sent from the heavens, and sweet divine fellowship!
LENTEN RETREAT: Save the date for Columbiettes Lenten retreat. Saturday, March 2nd, 2024 right after an 8:30 am Mass. FATIMA : MIRACLE OF THE SUN
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! ARE YOU BEING CALLED TO SERVE?
SOCIAL CONCERNS: The DHCI* ministry is in need of assistance to help Deacon Frank with the 10:30 am Communion Service on the 3rd Tuesday of the month. Type of assistance needed: help with bringing residents to the prayer area and set up. If interested, contact Pablo Resto at pabloresto@msn.com or Anne Marie at theaterowl@yahoo.com . (*Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill, located in Smyrna)
BULLETIN BOARDS: We are looking for someone who will keep our Church bulletin boards up-to-date and add a few decorations to keep them eye-catching. The office will give you the up-to-date flyers to be posted. If you are interested, call or email Judy at the office: (302 )653 – 8279 or communications@saintpolycarp.org
ONGOING
THE MASS SETTING FOR ORDINARY TIME will be the Mass of Spirit and Grace (#925) and the Memorial Acclamation will be “When We Eat This Bread”.
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. The next Saturday Adoration at St. Polycarp is February 10th, 2024.
Upcoming: Saturday, March 9th, Saturday, April 13th, Saturday, May 11th, Saturday, June 8th, Saturday, July 13th, Saturday, August 10th
TUESDAY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: Tuesdays from 9am to 8pm 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 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/ Sunday, February 18th at the 10:30 am Mass – Dee Lim.
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.
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.
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.
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. 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 Boy Ardee 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: 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:
BISHOP KOENIG INVITES YOU TO THE NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE ON JULY 17th-21st, 2024, IN INDIANAPOLIS, IN. To read the letter of invitation, CLICK HERE
CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIO: Saturdays at 1:30 pm on Relevant Radio 640AM. On the February 10th, episode Deacon Craig & July Bickel will discuss how Retrouvaille can be a Lifeline for Married Couples. 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.
BULLETIN OVERFLOW: Visit Bulletin Overflow https://saintpolycarp.org/overflow/ for details on the following:
RETROUVAILLE: REDISCOVER THE LOVE IN YOUR MARRIAGE – February 16th – 18th (Friday – Sunday) at the Family Life Center in Malvern, PA.Tens of thousands of couples have healed their marriages through Retrouvaille.
ST. JOSEPH CHURCH (MIDDLETOWN) PRESENTS – “WAY OF THE CROSS” Sunday, February 18th 2024, 4:00 pm
MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER – March 1st -3rd, 2024 at the Brighton Suites in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Learn tools to revitalize romance and deepen communication in your marriage!!!
25th ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE OF THE CATHOLIC MENS’S FELLOWSHIP OF MARYLAND Saturday, March 9th, at Saint Philip Neri Church in Linthicum (Maryland)
A RACHEL’S VINEYARD CATHOLIC RETREAT Friday, April 19th – Sunday, 21st, 2024. This retreat offers emotional and spiritual healing for anyone who has struggled with the pain of abortion.
LET US PRAY: Our Lady of Lourdes (February 11th) – Prayer for healing
O ever-Immaculate Virgin, Mother of Mercy,
health of the sick, refuge of sinners,
comforter of the afflicted,
you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings;
look with mercy on me.
By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes,
you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary,
whence you dispense your favours;
and already many sufferers have obtained
the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal.
I come, therefore, with complete confidence
to implore your maternal intercession.
Obtain, O loving Mother, the grant of my requests.
(mention your petition)
Through gratitude for your favours,
I will endeavour to imitate your virtues,
that I may one day share your glory,
and bless you in eternity. Amen.