THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
SUNDAY SCRIPTURE – QUESTIONS TO PONDER
~ How open are you to the manifestation of God in your life?
~ Have you told others of times that God has been received in the ordinariness of life?
~ In what ways do you notice God’s light shining during this time of year?
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010525.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. DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON – LIVE STREAMINGhttps://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 
UPDATE: FAITH AND CHARITY APPEAL – One Body, One Spirit in Christ:
Our Parish has once again exceeded not only the amount pledged but also the amount collected!
As of January 2, 2025, our parish has collected $72,740.52 exceeding our goal of $61,500 by $11,240.52!!! Thank you to all our parishioners who contributed to the 2024 Appeal. Yo
ur generosity enables vital ministries across our diocese, including Catholic education, family life, and outreach to those in need. We will receive half of the money collected over goal. For years the generosity of our folks has enabled us to do parish 
projects with the funds we receive. Your generosity in supporting this year’s appeal once again demonstrates that you understand the mission of our Church. We have the most wonderful, generous parishioners here at St. Polycarp! We are getting so close to all pledges being fulfilled, only $440 away. For those who haven’t fulfilled their pledges, kindly remember to send in your payments.
THIS WEEKEND, January 4/5 (and Monday, January 6th – Friday, January 10th)
The Christmas Season began on Tuesday, December 24th with the Vigil Mass for the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord, and will end on Sunday, January 12th with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Merry Christmas!
BLESSED 2025 CHURCH CALENDARS are available at the doors of the Church. Thank you to Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home and Cremation Services for providing our calendars!
Come join us as we celebrate the New Year and the feast of the Epiphany this Sunday, January 5th following the 10:30am Mass in the hall with a light lunch, fellowship, and fun! All are welcome!
Did you purchase a Christmas tree ornament to support our PSR? The Christmas Trees in the hall are decorated with the ornaments. Join us for the Agape this Sunday, January 5th as we celebrate the Epiphany and see how beautiful the trees look! Ornaments can be taken home as you leave the Agape. Parishioner ornaments can be found on the two trees under the crucifix. PSR student ornaments are on the two trees near the corner. Mrs. Taylor will be at the Agape to help you find your ornament. As always, thank you for your support!
CAN’T FIND IT??? Be sure to check out our overflowing “Lost & Found” container. Our Lost & Found is located on the filing cabinet across from the bathrooms. There are also unclaimed jackets on the coat rack. Is one of them yours? All items not claimed by January 31st will be donated or discarded.
PSR CLASSES: PK/K – Grade 4 students return to class on Sunday, January 5th at 9 am. Grades 5 – 8 students return to class on Tuesday, January 7th at 7 pm.
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. Our next meeting is Tuesday, January 7th at 6:30 pm in the hall.
PURGATORIAL SOCIETY: The monthly intention for the Purgatorial Society has been moved to the second Wednesday of the month, January 8th. The Christmas Novena is the intention for January 1st; therefore, making it necessary to move the intention for the Purgatorial Society.
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 22, 2025, 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.
CLICK HERE or use this QR code:
Thank you, to all of the parishioners of St. Polycarp, who made this year’s Giving Tree Project possible. Each year we are touched by the outpouring of love and generosity you show to the children and families in our parish and community who need it the most. You made the Christmas season extra special for so many of our children and families and showed them that God loves them and we do too. God bless you all!
Another example of how generous our parishioners are!
NEXT WEEKEND, January 11/12 (and Monday, January 13th – Friday, January 17th)
THE SECOND COLLETION next weekend (January 11th and 12th) will be for the Catholic University and Catholic Communications.
THE SAINT POLYCARP ANNUAL FORUM: 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 12, 2025, following the 10:30 am Mass in Mother Drexel Hall. All are welcome. Light refreshments will be served.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: The First Saturday Eucharistic Adoration of 2025 will be next Saturday, January 11th. Make plans to start off the new year by spending time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. He’s waiting for you to come visit!
UPCOMING:
COME JOIN THE BROTHER VINCENT #7517 K of C & COLUMBIETTES on Saturday, January 18th, 2025 from 5:30 – 9 pm in St. Polycarp Parish Hall. A fun filled night with dinner…show…dancing! Tickets $45. Call or email Anna Skinner at 302-883-5647 ANNA.SKINZ@gmail.com or Mike Cunningham at 302-389-8952 mikec923@yahoo.com.
POLAR BEAR PLUNGE: 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 the weekend of January 18th and 19th after both Masses.
ONGOING:
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?
EVENING BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP: The evening “Pathway to Peace” bereavement support group meets weekly on Thursdays at 7 pm in Classroom 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.
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
ONGOING
THREE YEARS OF ABUNDANT GRACE AND TRANSFORMATION – EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL
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, January 11th, 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/ Sunday, December 29 – Netz Family
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. The Catholic Forum debuts every Wednesday at 12 p.m. This week, tune in to meet Fr. Sulvester Obumneme, Associate Pastor of St. Luke/St. Andrew Parish in Ocean City, MD. The Catholic Forum podcast on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music podcasts and YouTube.com/DioceseofWilm debuts every Wednesday at 12:00 p.; and on Relevant Radio 640 every Saturday afternoon at 1:30 pm. More information is available at cdow.org/CatholicForum CLICK HERE
LET US PRAY:
A Prayer for the Feast of Epiphany – Bless this Home
Lord God of heaven and earth,
You revealed your only Son to every nation by the guidance of a star.
Bless this home and all who inhabit it.
Fill us with the light of Christ that our concern for others may reflect your love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
https://lourdesprayerrequest.com/epiphany_prayer