5th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
SUNDAY SCRIPTURE – QUESTIONS TO PONDER
~ When have you felt unworthy to respond to God’s call?
~ How did you gain the courage to respond to what God was asking?
~ Has another person’s response to God’s call ever inspired you?
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020925.cfm
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. Please note: At times the live-stream fails to work. We apologize for the inconvenience. 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 . (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 WEEKEND, February 8/9 (and Monday, February 10th – Friday, February 14th)
EUCHARISTIC ADORA
TION will take place this Saturday, February 8th, following the prayer after Communion at the 4 pm Vigil Mass.
Spend some extra time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
THE BLESSING OF NEW DRIVERS (of ANY age) will take place this Saturday, February 8th, at the 4 pm Mass and Sunday, February 9th, at the 10:30 am Mass.
SUNDAE ON SUNDAY: All children in our parish are invited to enjoy a Sundae this Sunday, February 9th following the 10:30am Mass in the hall. A parent must attend with child. Come enjoy a Sundae on Sunday with us and play a game of bingo, too! See you soon!
Keep an eye out for monthly social themes! If anyone is interested in joining our Youth Group Team to help plan socials, contact Kathy Ursitti at ursitti@verizon.net.
THE SECOND COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND (February 8th and 9th) is for Black and Indian Missions and Home Missions. Today, nearly 40% of dioceses in the United States and its current and former territories are unable to fund essential pastoral work their communities need. Your support for this collection helps them meet their faith formation and sacramental needs. Please prayerfully consider how you can support this appeal.
For more information visit www.usccb.org/home-missions.
PARISH APPRECIATION DINNER: DON’T FORGET TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT! This is your last chance to reserve online for our Appreciation Dinner on Saturday, February 22nd, following our 4 pm Mass. Seating is limited, so Place your reservation today. The deadline is Sunday, February 9th. Seating is limited, so reserve your seats today using the link below or simply scan the QR code. Not a fan of online formats? Call Kathy Curlett at 302-222-9326 to reserve your seats. CLICK HERE or use this QR code:
DO YOU KNOW YOUR FAITH?
What teachings did Jesus present in the Sermon on the Mount from the Gospel of Matthew? (See the end of this update.)
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. Please just keep Him in your heart.
Please also remember, when approaching the altar to receive Holy Communion and returning to your pew after receiving, please do so with reverence (folding hands / in prayerful mode).
NEXT WEEKEND, February 15/16 (and Monday, February 17th – Friday, February 21st)
CHRISTIAN FORMATION COMMITTEE will be showing a very good short video, What Does My Personal Prayer Have to Do with Mass? Come to the hall immediately after the 4 pm Mass next Saturday, February 15th. We will be watching a short video (about 7 minutes) and serving snacks. Some parishioners have already viewed this video and highly recommend it. We don’t think you will be disappointed. This video is approved for all ages.
SOFT PRETZEL SALE: The Knights of Columbus will again be selling soft pretzels after Mass next weekend, February 15th and 16th.
Pretzels are $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00.
THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: Next Sunday, February 16th , at the 10:30 am Mass, Matt Garrity will receive the Vocation Chalice. 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/
ONGOING:
THE FACILITIES PLANNING COMMITTEE meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm in the hall. We are looking for parishioners with backgrounds in electrical, plumbing, carpentry, painting and other construction expertise needed for our project. If God has blessed you with a gift you can share, please contact John Irwin, Executive Officer of Facilities Planning at 740-317-3617.
PLANNING PRAYER: Please join our Facilities Planning Committee in prayer as we seek God’s guidance for updating our Parish kitchen. We will be praying the “Planning Prayer” immediately following the Prayer of the Faithful. Prayer cards will be available in the pews. We would encourage you to take one home and pray it there also. Do you know who is pictured on these prayer cards?
SATURDAY AFTERNOON BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP meets on Saturday afternoons at 1 pm in Room 8. Please contact the parish office if you are considering joining us. 302-653-8279 or office@saintpolycarp.org
VIDEOGRAPHERS NEEDED: Are you interested in helping to promote Saint Polycarp Parish? Do you have videography skills? The Pastoral Council is looking for someone to help us make a video to showcase our parish campus. Please contact our Executive Officer, Ken Eckard at kennetheckard9@gmail.com.
BULLETIN OVERFLOW
https://saintpolycarp.org/this-weeks-bulletin/
Use the link or QR code above to visit BULLETIN OVERFLOW for more information on the following:
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE DIOCESE
HB 140, THE BILL THAT WILL LEGALIZE PHYSICIAN-ASSITED SUICIDE IN DELAWARE was voted out of committee and is on the “ready list” to go before the full Delaware House of Representatives. We need your help to protect Delaware’s vulnerable citizens. For more information, and to send a customizable email to your Representative in Dover, visit cdow.org/stopassisteds.
HOLY CROSS HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION NIGHT AT CLAYTON FIRE HALL – Information session for prospective families on Wednesday, February 12th, at 6:30 pm at the Clayton Fire Hall meeting room.
RETROUVAILLE – Rediscover the love in your marriage – Next program is February 14th -16th
BASKET AUCTION – The Delaware State Columbiettes will be hosting a Basket Auction on Sunday, March 2nd, from 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm at St. Joseph Parish Hall, 371 E. Main St. in Middletown, DE.
VISITATIO! offers college-age Catholic women the opportunity for brief immersion experiences in various houses of the Little Sister of the Poor around the US. To view flyer CLICK HERE .
WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER – Learn tools to revitalize romance and deepen communication in your marriage. The next weekend is March 7th -9th, 2025 at the Brighton Suites in Rehoboth Beach.
RACHEL’S VINEYARD CATHOLIC RETREAT will be held the weekend of May 2nd – 4th. This retreat offers emotional and spiritual healing for anyone who has struggled with grief and loss from an abortion.
MEN’S RETREAT WEEKEND AT MALVERN RETREAT HOUSE will take place the weekend of May 16th – 18th.
XAVIER SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND provides free religious, spiritual, and inspirational reading materials in braille, large print and audio to blind and visually impaired individuals worldwide.
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
EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL – THREE YEARS OF ABUNDANT GRACE AND TRANSFORMATION – 2022-2025
National Year of Mission: July 17th, 2024–Pentecost 2025
MISSION: To renew the church by enkindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.
VISION: To inspire a movement of Catholics across the United States who are healed, converted, formed, and unified by an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist—and who are then sent out on mission “for the life of the world.”
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 8th, March 8th, April 12th, May 10th.
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/ Matt Garrity – February 16th 10:30 am Mass, Barbara Kaczorowski – March 2nd 10:30 am Mass
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 11am. 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.
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.
MEMORIAL BRICKS: Adding your MEMORIAL BRICK to the walkway of our Blessed Mother is a unique way to keep your memories alive. Honor family and friends! Share a favorite quote, and more! You can order through Faith Direct at: https://membership.faithdirect.net/events/org/831 
Scroll down until you see “Memorial Bricks” (you do not need to sign up for Faith Direct) or use this QR code or return your form with payment of $100 to St. Polycarp Church. Envelopes marked with “Memorial Brick” may be placed in the Offertory collection, mailed or delivered to the Parish Office (place in black box).
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. 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
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
FROM THE DIOCESE:
CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIO: Listen to Catholic Forum each week. This week, tune in to hear an interview with Susan Kirk Ryan and learn about the work of the Diocese of Wilmington Archive. 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/
Are you a Jeopardy watcher? Do you participate in Trivia Challenges?
Will you be able to answer the questions on religion?
Check this spot each week!
DO YOU KNOW YOUR FAITH? What teachings did Jesus present in the Sermon on the Mount from the Gospel of Matthew?
ANSWER:
THE BEATITUDES
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
These do come up on quiz shows! And of course you should be familiar with them as part of your journey of faith!