2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
SUNDAY SCRIPTURE – QUESTIONS TO PONDER
~ Do you consider that you have a responsibility to be a light for others?
~ Is God’s will a regular consideration in your life?
~ What does it mean to keep God’s law in your heart?
(Pastoral Liturgy)
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011523.cfm
LIVE-STREAMING: Visit https://www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE for live stream at 8:30 am on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 4 pm on Saturdays.
PARISH WEBSITE: Visit: www.saintpolycarp.org/.
WEEKLY PARISH BULLETIN: CLICK HERE . BULLETIN OVERFLOW: Bulletin Overflow – CLICK HERE
THIS WEEKEND, JANUARY 14/15 (& week of January 15)
PSR CLASSES – ONLINE LESSONS THIS WEEK. No in-person classes for Grades PK-8 this Sunday/Tuesday, January 15/17.
CHURCH CALENDARS are available at the doors of the Church.
SECOND COLLECTION this week is for Catholic University and Catholic Communications.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD (CLOW) takes place THIS Sunday, January 15 during the 10:30 Mass. All children ages PK – 4th grade are welcome to join us. Children will be called to come forward before the First Reading. They will return to you after the General Intercessions.
THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: This Sunday, January 15 at the 10:30 am Mass – Hogrebe Family. Please arrive 15 minutes before your Mass time and pick up materials in the sacristy.
PARISH APPRECIATION NIGHT: Time again for our Parish to say “thank you” to its many volunteers. If you are active in a church organization or serve in any ministry, the parish would like to invite you to a parish appreciation evening in the Parish Hall on Saturday, February 18, 2023, following our 4:00 PM Mass. The appreciation committee has been working to plan a wonderful, enjoyable evening. RSVP REQUIRED. Seating is limited, so reserve your seats today using this QR code, the link below or by calling Kathy Curlett at 302 222 9326. https://forms.gle/kvRVfNUABkEVu4nj9
2022 Tax Statements will be sent out via email during the third week of January.
If you do not receive one within a reasonable timeframe, then please contact the office.
RESPECT LIFE: The Respect Life Ministry will have a guest speaker from New Day Pregnancy Center at our Tuesday, February 7th, meeting. If you are interested in attending, please email: eckard.margie@gmail.com. We need a head count by Friday, January 27th. Thank you.
The parish office is in need of volunteers to help out at the front desk on Wednesday mornings from 9 am to noon, and Friday afternoons from noon to 3 pm. If you are willing and able we would greatly appreciate your assistance in this ministry. Please contact Kathy Watts at the church office 302-653-8279 or via email office@saintpolycarp.org for further information.
FORMED: If you would like to learn more about Pope Benedict XVI, you will want to watch Benedict XVI – A Love Affair with the Truth. This video on FORMED explores Joseph Ratzinger’s early life in war-torn Germany, his early friendship and collaboration with Pope John Paul II, his rise to the Papacy, and his philosophy and life as a leader of the Catholic Church. https://watch.formed.org/videos/benedict-xvi-a-love-affair-with-the-truth
REMEMBERING POPE BENEDICT XVI: Make sure to pick up a copy of The Dialog as you leave Mass this weekend. This week’s edition contains a section
entitled “POPE BENEDICT XVI REMEMBERED”. Please keep Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in your Prayers.
NEXT WEEKEND WEEKEND, JANUARY 21/22 (& week of January 22)
POLAR BEAR PLUNGE for SPECIAL OLYMPICS: Our Knights of Columbus will once again be collecting donations to support this annual plunge for Special Olympics. Collection to support this event will take place outside the Church doors next weekend, January 21st and 22nd after both Masses. Your generous donations should be placed in an envelope marked Polar Bear Plunge or Special Olympics and then placed in the collection basket or given to one of the Knights and their families on your way out the door. (Checks should be made out to Knights of Columbus-Brother Vincent Council.) The Plunge will occur on February 5th at 1 pm in Rehoboth Beach.
The Blessing of Lectors will take place next Saturday, January 21st, at the 4 pm Mass.
STUFF THE TRUCK: January 21, 2023 10 am – 4pm at the First Presbyterian Church. Collecting: Supplies for Code Purple – hats, sweaters, long underwear, new socks in bags, gloves, sleeping bags, backpacks, etc.;Non-Perishable Food for the Smyrna-Clayton Food Pantry – Hot & cold cereals, Peanut Butter, Canned fruits, canned meats, canned vegetables, spaghetti sauce, etc.; Used Eyeglasses for re-use. CLICK HERE to see flyer
UPCOMING/ONGOING
SOUP AND BAKE SALE – BVM Sodality will be holding their annual Soup & Bake Sale following Masses the weekend of January 28 & 29. Please stop by Mother Drexel Hall to pick up some delicious soups & some tasty treats! Thank you for supporting the Sodality!
CHANGE THE WORLD: BECOME CATHOLIC! Is there someone you would like to invite to explore the Catholic faith – someone unbaptized, or baptized in a non-Catholic Christian tradition? Do you know someone who needs Confirmation and/or First Eucharist? Perhaps, the Catholic faith can fulfill their desires for a closer relationship with Our Lord. Then, the RCIA process is for them. Please contact Deacon Frank Weber for more information. DeaconFrank@saintpolycarp.org or leave a message with the Parish office at (302) 653-8279.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD (CLOW) takes place on the first and third Sundays of the month during the 10:30 am Mass. All children ages PK – 4th grade are welcome to join us. Children will be called to come forward before the First Reading. They will return to you after the General Intercessions. All catechists and assistants have a cleared background check. If you are interested in helping with this ministry, please contact Erica Taylor at (302) 653-4101. Next CLOW – Sunday, January 15th at the 10:30 am Mass.
THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: Please consider signing up to host the vocation chalice in your home for a week. Text or call Alice Gaston at (302) 670 – 7924. For more information visit https://saintpolycarp.org/vocation-chalice/ Sunday, January 15, 10:30 am Mass – Hogrebe Family; Sunday January 29, 10:30 am – Stephanie Roch
CONNECTED IN CHRIST (ADULT FAITH FORMATION) meets every Tuesday at 9:30 AM in the Parish Library – ALL are welcome. Please join us. If you have any questions, please call Cookie Ruane at 302-540-6429.
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.
FORMED: Have you had the opportunity to dive into FORMED? To sign up visit www.formed.org. Type in our Parish zip code (19977) and follow the steps to sign up or you can use the QR code below. Take advantage of your free subscription to FORMED! Enjoy thousands of hours of quality Catholic content!
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!
BULLETIN SPONSORS: 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!
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:
CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIO: Saturdays at 1:30 pm on Relevant Radio 640AM. On Saturday January 14th, learn about the new book, “The Prayer Book for Tired Parents” by Debbie and David Cowden. A 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.
LET US PRAY:
Father and maker of all,
you adorn all creation
with splendor and beauty,
and fashion human lives
in your image and likeness.
Awaken in every heart
reverence for the work of your hands,
and renew among your people
a readiness to nurture and sustain
your precious gift of life. Grant this through our Lord
Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in
the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God forever and ever.
Amen (USCCB)