16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing.
Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”
SUNDAY SCRIPTURE – QUESTIONS TO PONDER
– How are acts of hospitality a way of doing God’s work?
– The responsorial psalm speaks of one who “thinks the truth in his heart.” How does a pure heart reflect God’s love?
– When has the necessary activity in your life challenged your prayer life?
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071722.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.
If you are interested in being involved in this ministry, please email Lisa at lisa.titus@saintpolycarp.org or Judy at communications@saintpolycarp.org.
PARISH WEBSITE: Visit: www.saintpolycarp.org/.
WEEKLY PARISH BULLETIN: CLICK HERE . BULLETIN OVERFLOW: Bulletin Overflow – CLICK HERE
THIS WEEKEND, JULY 16/17 (& week of July 17)
THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: Saturday, July 16 at the 4:00 pm Mass – Janet Hovis – Please arrive 15 minutes before your mass time and pick up materials in the sacristy.
Have you had the opportunity to dive into FORMED? If not, take some time to do so. You won’t be disappointed!! 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!
ADULT FAITH FORMATION – CONNECTED IN CHRIST: Connected in Christ is an adult faith sharing group that meets weekly, on Tuesdays, after Mass, at 9:15 in the Parish Library. Come join us as we study from our new FORMED platform. For more information, please contact Cookie Ruane at 302-540-6429.
BUSINESS MANAGER: We trust that God will touch the heart of someone to respond to our need for a Business Manager. Please spread the word, or perhaps it is you who He is calling! Interested candidates should have Business Management, Accounting and Bookkeeping experience with the appropriate educational credentials. Facilities management, or a willingness to learn, is also a necessary component of the position. Above all, the person must be willing to work collaboratively with our team of Professional ministries to build God’s Kingdom here at St. Polycarp. Inquiries should be sent to office@saintpolycarp.org.
ATTENTION MINISTRY LEADERS! Annual Leadership Organizational Meeting will be held on TUESDAY, July 26th, at 7 pm in Mother Drexel Hall. Check your email for information about this meeting! Follow directions in the letter to RSVP by July 21st. Leaders (or leader representative) of all ministries need to be present at this meeting.
CHRISTMAS IN JULY:
You may be wondering what Christmas in July refers to. Well, the Liturgy Committee has come up with a Wish Book List for the following items to be purchased. They are as follows:
(2) 7.5 ft. Christmas trees w/bag Cost: $156.00
(2) 9.0 ft Christmas trees w/bag Cost: $209.00
(1) Silver Oxidized Ciborium Cost: $555.00
(1) 3 ft. x 5 ft. Papal Flag Cost: $73.50
If you would like to purchase or donate towards one of the above items, please make your check out to St. Polycarp Church and in the memo area, please indicate what your money is going towards. Thank you in advance for your purchase or donation! It is greatly appreciated!! The Liturgy Committee
CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON – 2022 FAITH AND CHARITY CATHOLIC APPEAL: We continue to need your help. The Diocese relies on the people in each parish to support the Diocese. NEW AMOUNTS: As of the latest report from the diocese, 90.55% of our goal has been pledged. Through the generosity of our parishioners, we have received pledges in the amount of $54,330! We are $5670 from our goal of $60,000.. We are hoping that those who have not contributed will consider giving and perhaps those who have given could possibly help us a bit more toward reaching our goal. Even the smallest donations will help those in need. Pledge cards can be found in the pews and at the doors of the church. Thank you to those who have already contributed to this year’s campaign. Participants who pledged to the campaign will receive monthly payment reminders mailed directly from the diocesan Development Office. Please mail all payments in the self-addressed, return envelope provided with your pledge reminder. To learn more about the Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal, visit www.cdow.org; click “Giving” then “Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal”, or simply scan this QR code with your cellphone.
Your generosity in supporting this campaign enables the diocese to do the work of our Lord.
When our parish collects its goal amount, we will receive 50% of contributions over the assigned target.
In the past, the generosity of our folks has enabled us to do many projects around the campus.
UPCOMING/ONGOING
SUMMER WEEKDAY MASSES: Tuesday through Friday at 8:30 am.
“DRIVE-THRU” BULL ROAST FUNDRAISER at St. DENNIS CHURCH – Saturday, July 30th
156 N. Main Street, Galena, MD
MENU – Delicious PIT roasted beef, ½ a fried chicken, 2 locally grown ears of corn on the cob, homemade potato salad, and 2 rolls with butter and a beverage for $25 per meal. St Dennis Bake Sale will also be available for purchasing your dessert as you exit the property. Advance ticket purchases are recommended as a limited number of meals will be prepared. Tickets may be purchased at St. Dennis before and after the weekend Masses OR By calling Jim Bricker at 717-575-1235. Pick up of meals with curbside service is on July 30th from 11am until 2pm. Please follow the directed traffic pattern.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR SATURDAY, AUGUST 20TH.
The Giving, Growing and Glorifying Landscaping Project will be dedicated after the 4 PM Mass on August 20, 2022. The Pastoral Council and Liturgy Committee invite you to join us as Father Jim blesses our beautiful new plantings. Photographers will be on hand to take photos and Mr. Softee will provide ice cream cones and cups. We look forward l to seeing you there.
SAVE this Date—Sunday, September 11, 2022 for St. Polycarp’s 3rd Annual Parish Dinner and Golf Tournament at Links at St. Anne’s in Middletown, DE. Golf Tournament starts with lunch at 12:30 pm with Tee Off at 1 pm. Buffet dinner at 6 pm with golfers, friends, and parishioners from St. Polycarp. You don’t have to golf to join us for dinner! (Buffet dinner is $40.00 per person.) CLICK HERE for more information or contact: Larry Borgman lborgaman007@gmail.com (302-38-6018) or Kathy Willes kdwilles@comcast.net (302-670-7330). Register online at membership.faithdirect.net/events/details/7142.
PSR REGISTRATION: Registration is now open for 2022-2023 religious education classes. We offer religious education classes for children in Pre-K through Grade 9, Sacramental Preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation. We also offer Intermediate Sacramental Prep (ISP) for older children who have not yet received sacraments. Please register early to help us plan for next year & registering early helps you save money! (See form for tuition rates. For information on how to register CLICK HERE
Homeschool parents or those who have children in Catholic school – If you have a child old enough to receive the sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Eucharist or Confirmation and are interested in information about our Parish School of Religion program, please contact our office at (302) 653 – 4101 or e-mail dre@saintpolycarp.org
IS GOD CALLING YOU? Every year our PSR looks to our parishioners to help us fill open positions and grow our PSR team. PSR is currently in need of
– Assistants for Grades 6 & 8 (Tuesday evenings)
-Two Desk Assistants & a Greeter/Hall Monitor needed for Tuesday evening
We need you to build God’s Kingdom! If you feel God calling you toward this ministry, please contact Erica Taylor, CRE at 302-653 – 4101 or dre@saintpolycarp.org. There’s no greater joy than giving back and being a part of something bigger than yourself!!!
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 process down the aisle to the priest who will have the pyx in his hand and let him know you need a gluten-free host
THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: There is no summer break for the need to pray for vocations. 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, Sunday, July 31 – Moss Family Please arrive 15 minutes before your mass time and pick up materials in the sacristy.
CHANGE THE WORLD: BECOME CATHOLIC! If you know someone who is looking for a new beginning and wants to learn more about the Catholic Church, “personally invite” them to our RCIA sessions, Monday evenings at 6:30pm. The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is for individuals who are unbaptized, baptized in other faith traditions or Catholic adults wishing to receive Confirmation and Holy Eucharist and seeking full membership in the Catholic Church. We are all called to share the “Good News” and you can make a difference by simply asking! Please contact Deacon Frank Weber for more information at DeaconFrank@saintpolycarp.org or leave a message with the Parish office at (302) 653-8279.
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. Meet Deacon Ben Feril from Immaculate Conception Parish in Elkton on the July 16th Catholic Forum program. 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.
MARRIAGE MOMENTS: Sunday July 17: It is summer and we expect to be hot. But, it can also prompt short tempers and lethargy. How do you and your beloved deal with heat? What about folks who can’s afford air-conditioning? Can you help someone for whom too much heat is more than inconvenient?
PARENTING POINTERS: Sunday July 17: Parents work hard – feeding, cleaning, working to support a family, etc. and it’s all necessary. But sometimes we need to let go of our “Martha” side of serving and working. Remember to take time to just play with your children too.
LET US PRAY: Prayer to St. Mary Magdalene – July 22
Saint Mary Magdalene,
woman of many sins, who by conversion
became the beloved of Jesus,
thank you for your witness
that Jesus forgives
through the miracle of love.
You, who already possess eternal happiness
in His glorious presence,
please intercede for me, so that some day
I may share in the same everlasting joy.
Amen.
Saint Mary Magdalen was one of the few who remained with Christ during His agony on the Cross. She visited His tomb with two other women and found it empty. It was to her that our Lord first appeared after His Resurrection. He asked her to announce His Resurrection to the Apostles.