THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
SUNDAY SCRIPTURE – QUESTIONS TO PONDER
~ Where in your life are you hesitant to follow God’s call?
~ Can you imagine leaving all that you know to follow God’s call?
~ Is there a habit or way of doing things that you would like God’s help changing?
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012124.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, JANUARY 20/21 (and Monday, January 22nd – Friday, January 26th)
ANNUAL FORUM: This Sunday, January 21, 2024, following the 10:30 am Mass. The Saint Polycarp Pastoral and Finance Councils invite you to attend our Annual Forum this Sunday, 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. Light refreshments will be served.
SECOND COLLECTION: This Weekend, January 20/21 – PSR (Parish School of Religion). This collection supports the education of our young parishioners by passing on our Catholic Faith. Please be as generous as your means allow. Thank you for your continued support of our PSR.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD: This Sunday, January 21st during the 10:30 am Mass. 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.
WHO LOVES CHOCOLATE? Our PSR is selling the World’s Finest Chocolate Bars again! Place your order soon. You can order through Faith Direct @
faith.direct/DE831 (click on EVENTS), fill out an order form (found at the doors of the Church or at the office) and place it in the collection basket or drop box, or simply use this QR Code.
PALMS: Palms from previous years are being collected! Please place your old palm in the baskets in the vestibule or under the coat rack in the hallway. The burning of the old palm (Palms to Ashes) will take place on Tuesday, February 13th. Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, falls on Wednesday, February 14th.
CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS: If you purchased a Christmas Ornament from PSR and have not picked it up, please stop by the office (M-F 9am to 3pm).
CALENDARS: 2024 Church Calendars are available at the doors of the Church or you can stop by the office to get one. A special thank you to Matthew-Bryson Funeral Home and Cremation Services for donating our yearly calendars!
2023 TAX STATEMENTS will be sent out via email the week of January 21st. If you do not receive one within a reasonable time frame, then please contact the office at (302) 653 – 8279.
Thank you for your patience and understanding!
BISHOP KOENIG INVITES YOU TO THE NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE ON JULY 17-21, 2024, IN INDIANAPOLIS, IN. To read the letter of invitation, CLICK HERE
NEXT WEEKEND, JANUARY 27/28 (and Monday, January 29 – Friday, February 2)
POLAR BEAR PLUNGE for SPECIAL OLYMPICS – Special Collection at the doors of the Church – Next Weekend: Thiis year’s Polar Bears will once again be in-person and virtual. More than ever, the Special Olympics still needs our support. So, no matter how you Plunge, what’s most important is that you Plunge in support of 4,200 Special Olympics Delaware athletes. The funds raised from the Polar Bear Plunge help Special Olympics Delaware provide people of all abilities uncompromising inclusion – in sports, school, social activities, healthcare, and employment. The Plunge will take place on Sunday, February 4th, at 1 pm in Rehoboth Beach. The Knights team that participates under the ‘Polar Knights’ include family members throughout the state, as well as, members from our local Brother Vincent Council.
Our Knights of Columbus will once again be collecting donations to support this annual plunge. The Polar Bear Plunge/Special Olympics collection will take place next weekend, January 27th and 28th. Your generous donations should be placed in an envelope marked Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics and then placed in the collection basket or handed 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. Please make all donations by Sunday, January 28th. 100% of all money collected goes to the Delaware Special Olympics. Thank you for your generous support
BVM SODALITY SOUP & BAKE SALE: Next weekend after Masses in the Hall. Please support the ladies in their annual fundraiser with purchasing baked goods and homemade soups. Thank you!
UPCOMING
FROM THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS: The Knights of Columbus, Our Lady Queen of Peace Assembly, is inviting the wives, including widows, of our 3rd and 4th degree Knights to enjoy dinner on Tuesday February 6th at 6:30 pm. The dinner will be held at St Polycarp, Mother Drexel Hall. Please notify Tom Boscher or Jack Barnas if you are able to attend.
PARISH APPRECIATION DINNER: Reserve your spot for the Parish Appreciation Dinner. If you are active in a church organization or serve in any ministry at Saint Polycarp Parish, the parish would like to show their appreciation by inviting you to the parish appreciation dinner. This year the event will take place on Saturday, February 10, 2024, following the 4:00 pm Mass. Seating will be limited, so reserve your spot today. You may make your reservations 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. https://forms.gle/TREWak6DL8JhndbA9
BLESSING OF NEW DRIVERS: Saturday, February 10th during the 10:30 am Mass.
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!
SOCIAL CONCERNS: The DHCI* ministry is in need of assistance. 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
THE MASS SETTING FOR ORDINARY TIME will be the Mass of Spirit and Grace (#925) and the Memorial Acclamation will be “When We Eat This Bread”.
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. The next Saturday Adoration is February 10th, 2024.
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/
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 10:30am 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: 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. Learn about the work of LaPlaza in Sussex County on the January 20th Catholic Forum podcast
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.
HAPPENING ELSEWHERE:
LET’S TALK HEALING – St. John-Holy Angels Parish, Newark
January 6, 13, 20, (not the 27th) & Feb. 3rd Snow date make-up Feb 10th, if needed.
Is Jesus still healing people today? Are these healings real, and do they last? How can we pray for healing? Can my broken heart be healed as well as my body? In her new book, Dr. Mary Healy answers these questions and more. Join St. John-Holy Angels Parish for an informal book study and conversation on the book, “Healing: Bringing the Gift of God’s Mercy to the World,” led by Terry Haar/aRise Healing Ministry. Discussions will be held at Holy Angels Church, 82 Possum Park Road, Newark, DE 19711, from 10 am-12 noon on each date. Use the San Damiano Center back entrance to the church. You do not need to attend all of the dates. You can check in for the reading assignments missed before each week you attend. Please read the first 66 pages prior to the first meeting. Coffee/refreshments provided. All interested are welcome. Free. Preregistration is required. (302) 731-2219 or arise@holyangels.net.
LET US PRAY: Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children (January 22nd)
