February 7/8, 2026
FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
~ How do you care for those in need?
~ When was the last time you shared your faith with others?
~ Does the light of your faith shine dimly or brightly? Why?
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020826.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
THIS WEEK: Friday, February 6 – Friday, February 13
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION will take place this Saturday, February 7, following the prayer after Communion at the 4 pm Vigil Mass. Spend some extra time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
OLD PALMS may be brought to Church and placed in the baskets at the doors of the Church.
These palms will be burned for ashes.
THE BLESSING OF NEW DRIVERS (any age) will take place at Masses this Saturday, February 7 and Sunday, February 8.
PSR CANDY SALE: Good News! The chocolate bars have arrived! You can pick up your order in the hall after Masses this weekend. This fundraiser was a success because of you! Thank you so much for your support!
BUILDING FAITH AND FAMILY SOCIAL is after Mass in the Hall this Sunday! Join us for a Super Bowl Sunday Fun Day! No matter what team you are rooting for – Always remember that St. Polycarp is Team Jesus – Because God’s Love Never Fumbles! Lunch, faith sharing, and fun games will be served! See you there!
HELP NEEDED FOR MARCH & APRIL: Our parish is looking for someone to assist in the care of the sacred linens (purificators, corporals, and a few small towels) for the months of March and April. If you can help for these two months, please contact Monica Haven at 302-233-4147 or monicahaven@verizon.net
JOB OPENING – ST. DENNIS PARISH SECRETARY: St. Dennis Church in Galena, MD is looking for a full time Parish Secretary. This ministry is responsible for the smooth operation of the parish office and reports to the Pastor. General qualifications are proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Publisher), and excellent communication abilities. Please send your resume to Father James D. Hreha at fr.hreha.stdennis@gmail.com.
SOUND SYSTEM: The new equipment for our sound system has been ordered. Once it arrives, the work will be able to be scheduled. We now have temporary speakers in place that are used when the sound system fails. Special thanks to our readers and cantors for speaking/singing louder and to everyone else for keeping noise to a minimum except when praying and singing!!!!
LIVE STREAM: Due to the failure of the sound system, our live stream does not have sound. Live stream Mass from St. Dennis Church is on Sundays at 8 am https://www.youtube.com/@stdennisparish_galenamd/streams. Live stream Mass from the Cathedral in Wilmington is on Sundays at 9:30 am. https://www.youtube.com/@DioceseofWilm/streams
NEXT WEEK: Friday, February 13 – Friday, February 20
THE VOCATION CHALICE : February 15 – The Carannante Family will receive the Vocation Chalice for a week of prayer for vocations.
CHILI and HOMEMADE CORNBREAD SALE: Please support our Knights of Columbus Brother Vincent Council #7517 – February 14 and 15 immediately following Mass in Mother Drexel Hall for their chili and cornbread sale. Cost: $10.00 for each quart container of chili, $1.00 for each serving of cornbread.
MONTHLY BREAKFAST: On Sunday, February 15, the Brother Vincent Knights of Columbus will be hosting a Pancake breakfast following the 10:30 Mass.
Menu: Pancakes (3), Scrambled eggs, sausage patty, toast, coffee, tea, orange juice, water. (Menu subject to change each month.)
Price: Adults $7.00, Children 6 years and older $5.00, Children 5 years old and under eat for free! Family of 4 or more $20.00
Please help the Knights help others by supporting our monthly breakfasts!
OFFICE CLOSED: The office will be closed on Monday, February 16 in observance of Presidents’ Day.
LENT BEGINS, FEBRUARY 18, 2026
Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving
ASH WEDNESDAY MASSES WITH DISTRIBUTION OF ASHES: Wednesday, February 18 at 8:30 am and 7 pm
SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKES! The Knights of Columbus will be serving their traditional Shrove Tuesday pancakes prior to the burning of the palm on Tuesday, February 17, in Mother Drexel Hall, from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. All are welcome. (No cost! Donations accepted.)
PALMS TO ASHES: Please join us on Tuesday, February 17, at 7 pm for the burning of the palms. The service begins in Church and ends with the burning of the palms outside, weather permitting. All are welcome to attend.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS will take place in the Church at 7pm on Fridays in Lent, beginning February 20.
UPCOMING:
ASH WEDNESDAY COLLECTION will be taken up at both Masses on Ash Wednesday. Thank you for your stewardship.
PARISH APPRECIATION DINNER: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2026: Due to limited seating for our Appreciation Dinner on Saturday, February 21, 2026, we are no longer taking online reservations. Please call Kathy Curlett at 302-222-9326 to check availability. We look forward to seeing everyone who has reserved their seats. Doors will open after the 4pm Mass on February 21, 2026. Catering by the Smyrna Diner.
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.
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.
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: February 7, March 7, April 11 and 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. February 15 – Carannante Family; March 1 – Christopher & Elvira Johnson; March 15 – Charm Sloven
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.
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!
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.
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. Tune-in this week to learn about Nuns Against Gun Violence when Sister Patricia Millen, OSF, is the guest. 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/.
OUR PARISH –
CHRISTIAN FORMATION COMMITTEE
The Mission of the Christian Formation Committee at Saint Polycarp Church is twofold. First, it is to guide those who provide catechesis and evangelization to the community so that all programs of this parish are consistent with the teachings and beliefs of the Catholic Church. Second, it is to present to the Pastoral Council proposals for new programs and for changes to existing programs, with the goal of enriching catechesis and evangelization in the parish.
The Christian Formation Committee is comprised of the following ministries:
Adult Faith Formation
Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Girl Scouts
Parents Reps.
Parish Library
Parish School of Religion
O.C.I.A.
Sacramental Programs
Youth Ministry