FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
SUNDAY SCRIPTURE – QUESTIONS TO PONDER
~ What signs of God’s covenantal faithfulness have you experienced in your life?
~ How will the journey of these forty days change your heart?
– What do Jesus’ words “Repent and believe in the Gospel” mean to you this Lent?
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 – at St. Polycarp
Fridays in Lent at 7 pm
ST. DENNIS CHURCH (GALENA, MD): Stations of the Cross – Fridays in Lent at 5 pm and 7 pm (Hispanic)
RECONCILIATION:
Saturdays, 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm at St. Polycarp
Sundays, 7:00 am – 7:30 am at St. Dennis
Deanery Lenten Penance Service – Thursday, March 21st at 7 pm at Holy Cross, Dover (Several priests will be available to hear confessions)
Reconciliation Monday, March 25th – Monday of Holy Week
3 pm – 5 pm at St. Polycarp
6 pm – 8 pm at St. Polycarp
3 pm – 5 pm at St. Dennis
6 pm – 8 pm at St. Dennis – (Fr. Oscar – Hispanic & English)
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021824.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 17/18 (and Monday, February 19th – Friday, February 23rd)
THE PRECIOUS BLOOD: We begin this first weekend of Lent with a return of The Precious Blood. We are truly thankful for this blessing and for the many people who have come forward to serve as Eucharistic Ministers. Distribution of The Precious Blood will only be at the 2 stations by the railing (one near the ambo, the other near the sacristy door).
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD: will take place this Sunday at the 10:30 am Mass. CLOW 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. Children will be called forward before the First Reading and will return to you after the General Intercessions. Our catechists and assistants have cleared background checks.
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/
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 Masses this weekend, Saturday and Sunday February 17th and 18th in Mother Drexel Hall.
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 (Sudoku, Find a Word, etc.) stuffed animals, cookies, crackers, hand lotions, books, socks and handmade crafts.
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.
THE PARISH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19th in observance of Presidents’ Day
ST. PATRICK’S DAY: March 17th at 2pm. Our Parish & Family Life Ministry would love to have you walk in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade with our banner and float to represent our Church, St. Polycarp. If you are not able to walk in the parade and have time to help decorate a float we would appreciate your assistance! Please contact Chairperson Deanna Lail at dlail14@comcast.net or 302-535-2957.
NEXT WEEKEND, FEBRUARY 24/25 (and Monday, February 26th – Friday, March 1st)
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 next Sunday, 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!
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.
UPCOMING
LENTEN RETREAT: Saturday, March 2nd, 2024 following an 8:30 am Mass. Brother Vincent Columbiettes will be sponsoring a Lenten Retreat right here at St Polycarp Church on Saturday, March 2nd, 2024. Everyone is invited to attend an 8:30 am Mass and then come to the retreat. It is entitled: FATIMA Miracle of the Sun Crossroads. It will identify two different paths that were taken after seeing the sun dance at Fatima. Our presenter, Alice Reis Israel, will once again bring her incredible remembrances of Fatima this time, via Zoom. We will begin at the crossroads and identify two paths taken which will help all of us understand our own spiritual journey. There is no charge for this retreat, but we will be accepting donations. Coffee and danish will be provided before the retreat and a light lunch afterward. We welcome everyone to take this spiritual journey with us. Contact Anna Skinner anna.skinz@gmail.com for reservations 302 883 5647.
March’s Agape will be held Sunday March 24th (not March 3rd) in conjunction with the Easter Egg Hunt by the Knights of Columbus. More details to come. .
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
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, 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 CHURCH: http://www.stdennischurch.org 153 N. Main St. Galena, MD 21635 (410) 648-5145
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 17th, episode Fr. Sandy Pocetto, OSFS will be the special guest, author of “Lenten Journey with Jesus Christ and St. Francis De Sales”. 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:
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.
“THE CHAIR”: The series tells the story of the Catholic Church in America today. It highlights each bishop, his cathedral, and important aspects of the diocesan history. You can access the series here – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPu38Ui5dTDIXL2dAlmSBBROUBx6DMGVK. To view the episode about our Diocese visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEjo2GtH-dM&t=51s
LET US PRAY:
