January 17/18, 2026
2nd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
~ 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?
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011826.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
IMPORTANT REMINDERS: 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.
As many of you know, Fr. Trader has been appointed Administrator of Our Mother of Sorrows Church in Centreville, MD and is no longer available to celebrate Mass with us. Finding a Priest to fill in when Fr. Jim is unable to be here is becoming increasingly more difficult.
The time has arrived when we do not have a Priest to celebrate Mass. As of now, we do not have a priest for Daily Mass on Tuesday, February 3 or Wednesday, February 4 while Fr. Jim attends the Priests’ Retreat Week. As a result, Mass will not be celebrated on those two days. We encourage you to still gather in the Church and pray the Rosary together. In addition, Daily Mass at St. Dennis will not be celebrated on Thursday February 5 or Friday, February 6.
Now more than ever, we ask everyone to pray for vocations to the Priesthood. Please also remember in your prayers Fr. Trader as he begins his new assignment, as well as Fr. Herring, Fr. Jackson, Fr. Hynes and the many priests who generously visit us to celebrate Mass. And as always, we pray for and thank Fr. Jim for answering the call to Priesthood!
THIS WEEK: Friday, January 16 – Friday, January 23
THE SECOND COLLECTION this weekend, January 17/18, is for our Parish School of Religion. Thank you for your ongoing support of our PSR as we pass on the Catholic faith to the youth of our parish. Your generosity is sincerely appreciated!
THE VOCATION CHALICE : January 18 – Sabrina Paulino will receive the Vocation Chalice for a week of prayer for vocations.
BLESSED CALENDARS are available at the doors of the Church. Don’t forget to pick-up one or two as you leave Mass this weekend!
SOUND SYSTEM: The new equipment for our sound system has been ordered. Once it arrives, the work will be able to be scheduled. We hope to have temporary speakers in place soon. Thank you for your understanding. 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 will 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
CALLING ALL CHOCOLATE LOVERS! PSR World’s Finest Chocolate Fundraiser has begun! Order forms can be found at the doors of the Church. You can also use the QR code below or order online at https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/83427c59-d747-4d22-89cf-adcea8db552c
Unfortunately, there is a change in price per bar from past years. They are now $2 a bar. We realize this is double the cost that we are used to but the cost is out of our control. This was the only option the company offered us (as the $1 bars are not available anymore). We just recently found out about the increase. This fundraiser is our biggest of the year! Thank you for your support. Your generosity is appreciated. It is delicious chocolate!
OFFICE CLOSED: The office will be closed on Monday, January 19 in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
2025 TAX STATEMENTS will be sent out via email on Tuesday, January 20. If you do not receive one within a reasonable timeframe, then please contact the office at 302-653-8279 and ask for Kathy. Thank you for your ongoing generosity!
NEXT WEEK: Friday, January 23 – Friday, January 30
THE SECOND COLLECTION next weekend, January 24/25 is for the Catholic Communications Campaign & Catholic University. Thank you for your support.
POLAR BEAR PLUNGE for SPECIAL OLYMPICS: Help support Delaware Special Olympics by donating to the Brother Vincent Knights of Columbus special collection at the doors next weekend, January 24 and 25, after Masses. 100% of all money collected goes to the Delaware Special Olympics. Please help support the 1000’s of Special Olympics Delaware athletes. The Plunge will occur on Sunday, February 1st at 1 pm in Rehoboth Beach. Thank you for your generous support.
FAITH WITH FRIENDS: Faith is better with friends! Come next Sunday, January 25 at 9:00 am in the Library for Faith with Friends. Bring a friend and be encouraged!
ANNUAL FORUM: SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2026 – Don’t miss your opportunity to share your ideas and dreams for our Parish. The Saint Polycarp Annual Forum will be held next Sunday, January 25, 2026, following the 10:30 am Mass. This is your opportunity to share your ideas and dreams for our parish and community. We will meet in Mother Drexel Hall. The Knights of Columbus will be serving breakfast – see below for details.
MONTHLY BREAKFAST: On January 25th, 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!
UPCOMING:
BVM SODALITY SOUP & BAKE SALE will be held following Masses on Saturday, January 31 and Sunday, February 1 in Mother Drexel Hall.
THE VOCATION CHALICE : February 1 – Theresa DiMeo will receive the Vocation Chalice for a week of prayer for vocations.
LADIES NIGHT OUT: Our Lady Queen of Peace Assembly is hosting a dinner for our ladies, at 6:30 pm on February 3, at St. Polycarp Church in Mother Drexel Hall. All wives and widows of 4th Degree Sir Knights are invited. 3rd Degree Knights, interested in joining our Assembly, are also welcomed with their wives. There is no charge for dinner. To ensure we can accommodate all, please make your reservation before January 27. St Polycarp Reservation Contacts: Jack Barnas 302-383-4175 Tom Boscher 302-740-9217
PARISH APPRECIATION DINNER: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2026: 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 at St. Polycarp Parish, the Parish would like to invite you to the Appreciation Dinner in the Parish Hall on Saturday, February 21, following the 4:00 pm Mass. The appreciation committee has been working to plan a wonderful, enjoyable evening. Seating is limited so reserve your seats today. You may make your reservation using this link https://forms.gle/9eTWfTFaksEHHnWC8 or simply scan the QR code below. Not a fan of online formats? Call Kathy Curlett at 302-222-9326 to reserve your seat.
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.
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: 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. January 18 – Sabrina Paulino; February 1 – Theresa DiMeo; February 15 – Carannante Family; March 1 – Christopher & Elvira Johnson; March 15 – Charm Sloven
WE NEED YOU AND YOUR TALENT! DO YOU PLAY A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT? WE NEED INSTRUMENTALISTS!
Saint Polycarp Parish’s Music Ministry needs skilled instrumentalists for liturgies. Your talents can help us avoid a shortage of musicians. Contact Kathy Curlett at 302-222-9326 for more information.
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. This week, author Mary Ruth Hackett will discuss her young adult book, Discernment of Spirits for Beginners.. 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 –
FINANCE COUNCIL
We, the members of the Finance Council of St. Polycarp Parish, recognizing that God requires us to act as good stewards of the treasure He generously provides to our Parish, humbly, and prayerfully, offer our gifts of time and talent to our Parish Community and Pastor as counselors in matters of Parish finances. Our mission is to maintain an ongoing financially sound Parish environment that supports all of the Parish ministries in their work, facilitates the achievement of the Parish mission, and provides ongoing financial guidance to the Parish Leadership.
Our Finance Council meets on the third Tuesday of the month.
For more information visit https://saintpolycarp.org/finance-council/