January 31/February 1, 2026
4th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
~ How do today’s readings help you consider that a humble disposition is central to the Christian Life?
~ Why would humility play a role in accepting your calling?
~ Which beatitude do you identify with the most?
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020126.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, January 30 – Friday, February 6
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.
BVM SODALITY SOUP & BAKE SALE this weekend, Saturday, January 31 and Sunday, February 1, following Masses in Mother Drexel Hall. Stop by to pickup some delicious soups and tasty treats!
THE SECOND COLLECTION this weekend, January 31/February 1, is for our Parish Utilities. Thank you for your support.
FAITH WITH FRIENDS: Sunday, February 1 – CANCELED.
THE VOCATION CHALICE : February 1 – Theresa DiMeo will receive the Vocation Chalice for a week of prayer for vocations.
MONTHLY BREAKFAST: POSTPONED – NO BREAKFAST THIS WEEKEND. The Brother Vincent Knights of Columbus Pancake breakfast has been rescheduled to Sunday, February 15.
There will not be an Agape this Sunday.
CHOCOLATE! CHOCOLATE! PSR CANDY SALE EXTENDED! : The ice and snow have put a wrench in our Candy Sale! We APPRECIATE those who have already ordered, but some weren’t able to do so due to the weather! Don’t miss out! We extended the deadline to order chocolate bars! February 1st is the last day to place your order! Use this QR code or drop a paper form in the collection basket or drop box! Forms can be found at the Church doors.
ATTENTION ALL EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION: We will be Meeting Monday, February 2nd at 6:30 pm in Mother Drexel Hall for training and preparation for recommissioning. It has been mandated by Bishop Koenig and the Diocese of Wilmington that recommissioning take place every 2 years. Check your inboxes for all the details including the exciting new procedure starting Easter Sunday.
NO MASS at St. Polycarp on Tuesday, February 3 or Wednesday, February 4.
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. We do not have a priest available to celebrate 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!
Our Parish Secretary reached out to all those who had requested Mass Intentions for those two days. All intentions have been moved to another date/time. The monthly intention for our Purgatorial Society has been transferred from Wednesday, February 4 to Wednesday, February 11 at 8:30 am.
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 4 PM Mass on February 21, 2026. Catering by the Smyrna Diner.
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 may/may 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
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.
NEXT WEEK: Friday, February 6 – Friday, February 13
THE BLESSING OF NEW DRIVERS (any age) will take place at Masses on Saturday, February 7, and Sunday, February 8.
BUILDING FAITH AND FAMILY SOCIAL: Are you ready for some football? Join us in the Hall next Sunday, February 8, after Mass for a bite to eat, faith sharing and games at our BFF Social. Come check us out! We always have a lot of fun together! Which team are you rooting for in the Super Bowl? St. Polycarp is always Team Jesus – Because God’s Love Never Fumbles! 
UPCOMING:
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
ANNUAL FORUM: The Pastoral and Finance Councils will meet soon to identify possible dates for rescheduling our Annual Forum. Please know that we remain committed to sharing our accomplishments and our responses to the Dream List as soon as possible. Our parish calendar is quite full, and we want to ensure we select a date that works well for all involved.
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 palm 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.
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 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. Tune-in this week to meet Catholic Forum’s new host and Diocese of Wilmington’s Communication Director, Hannah Dell.. 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 –
LITURGY COMMITTEE:
Mission Statement: The purpose of the Parish Liturgy Committee is to promote quality worship in the parish under the guidance of the pastor (Diocese of Wilmington – Guidelines for Parish Liturgy Committees). Since liturgy is essential for the expression and celebration of our faith, we need to embrace, nurture and educate the assembly where it is needed. This formation will bring the parish to a fuller understanding of the mysteries of God and to the growth of a more active participation of the people.