Weekend Update July 4/5

July 4/5

14^th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

~ How are you called to extend God’s reign of peace?
~ What is different about a life lived according to the spirit than a life lived according to the flesh?
~ What burden do you need to bring to Jesus so that you can experience more of his peace this week?

READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070526.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 & 10:30 am on Sundays. (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. Visit Bulletin Overflow to learn more about Pope Leo’s Encyclical and the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage!

 

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MANY HANDS, ONE MISSION: A 50-YEAR LEGACY: 100% of your donations stay within the Diocese of Wilmington!
Thanks to your generosity, our goal of $61,500 in pledges has not only been reached but surpassed! $69,261.32 has been pledged surpassing our goal in pledges by $7,761.32! Thank you for your support of this year’s appeal. Our Parish has collected 71.9% of the pledged amount. As of June 16, $49,816.07 has been collected leaving a remaining balance of $19,445.25, still to be fulfilled. It is important that everyone follows through with payments on pledges. Thank you for your support of this year’s appeal. Once we reach our goal in money collected, we will receive 50% of the money collected over the goal.

Every donor matters. If you have never participated in the Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal, or if it has been five years or more since your last gift, please consider participating this year. Once our parish reaches its goal (paid pledges) 50% of these gifts will be returned to support parish needs. In addition to the standard rebate, we receive when we go over goal (paid pledges).

To donate online, visit www.cdow.org, click
Donate → Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal,
or scan this QR code to participate.

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THIS WEEK: Thursday, July 2 – Friday, July 10

THE PARISH OFFICE IS CLOSED on Friday, July 3, in observance of the holiday!

ENVELOPE USERS – Unfortunately there is a delay again in the mailing of the July envelopes.  We sincerely apologize in advance for the inconvenience this may cause.  If you could please put your offering in an envelope with your name and address along with your ID # (if you know it), so that we can make sure it is properly accounted for. Thank you so much for your time and understanding in this matter. There is no second collection this weekend.
JULY SECOND COLLECTIONS:
July 11/12 – Parish Utilities
July 18/19 – Catholic University

 

THE VOCATION CHALICE : Sunday, July 5 –  Susan Morris will receive the Vocation Chalice for a week of prayer for vocations.

 

CALL – CALLing Catholics with Questions! Catholic Adults Life and Learning. A new adult group is starting at St. Polycarp answering questions of why Catholics do this. Our first topic will be “Why we do the Sign of Peace”.  Come join the discussion on Thursday, July 9, at 6:30 pm in classroom #4.  We will be meeting on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month.

 

 

We are disciples of Christ through our baptism and we are encouraged to lead others to a more meaningful relationship with God. 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 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. If interested, the parish will hold Inquiry Sessions in the parish library: July 22 at 1pm, July 27 at 6:30 pm, and July 29 at 1 pm. Please contact Deacon Frank Weber for more information: DeaconFrank@saintpolycarp.org or leave a message with the Parish office at (302) 653 – 8279.

 

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: Our Parish School of Religion (PSR) offers religious education classes for grade PK – 9.  Register now! Visit  https://saintpolycarp.org/religious-education/ for more information or contact our Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE), Erica Taylor, at dre@saintpolycarp.org or (302) 653-4101. Forms are also located in the black drop box under the portico and in the wall rack in the hallway near the sacristy. You can also use the QR code below.

 

WANTED! FRESH SUMMER FLOWERS FOR OUR ALTAR: If you have beautiful summer flowers in your yard, please consider donating some fresh flowers for use on our altar. Contact Delia Lim at 973-865-4203 or after Sunday or weekday Masses if you would like to contribute flowers.

 

LIBRARY BOOK CART: Have you visited our Library Book Cart near the Chapel entrance? Various and timely subjects can be found anytime you visit the office, the chapel or come in for a meeting. Please feel free to check out a book soon. Please DO NOT leave your donated books on the Library Cart. If you have books to donate, see Kathy Ursitti or Joyce Tolson.

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THE WEEK OF Friday, July 10 – Friday, July 17

SECOND COLLECTION NEXT WEEK, July 11/12,  is for Parish Utilities. Please be as generous as your means allow, especially during these summer months as we anticipate higher utility bills. Thank you.

 

Come celebrate America’s 250^th Birthday with us! You are ALL invited to attend the next BFF Social!
When: July 12^th after Mass
Where: Mother Drexel Hall
Agenda: Formation, Food, & Fun!
Bring your energy and game face! Lots of fun games & activities planned!

 

THE NEW 2027 MASS INTENTION BOOOK will open on Monday, July 13^th.  If you would like to have a Mass said, candle lit or bread and wine offered for someone, you can stop by the parish office or call Kathy, our Parish Secretary, Monday – Friday from 9 am to 3 pm or email Kathy at office@saintpolycarp.org. The maximum number of Masses/intentions you can request at this time is six per person since the availability of Mass intentions and offerings is limited.
Mass Intention ($10.00)
The Sanctuary Lamp may be lit for a week – Sunday through Saturday ($10.00)
Bread and Wine Offering for daily Mass ($10.00)
Purgatorial Society Enrollment for Mass intentions every 1^st Wednesday for one year ($25.00)

 

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UPCOMING

ATTENTION ALL MINISTRY LEADERS – SAVE THE DATE: Our Annual Parish Ministry Leadership Organizational Meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 29^th at 7 pm. Details will be in future bulletins but mark your calendar now!  If you are a current Ministry Leader and someone new will be taking your position, please let the new leader know about this important meeting! It is also important that you send a list of your new officers/leaders to communications@saintpolycarp.org as soon as possible.  Thank you.

 

 

SAINT POLYCARP CHURCH FALL CRAFT FEST – Saturday, October 3, 2026,  9 am – 2 pm. CALLING ALL VENDORS – Vendor setup 7 am – 9 am (No vehicles in vendor area after 9 am) Outdoor spots: 10’x10’ – $35.00     10’x20’ – $65.00     Indoor spots: 10’x10’ – $45.00     10’x20’ – $85.00   Tables – $25.00 (no electricity), Electricity – additional $10.  Knights of Columbus will have lunch items for sale during the event.
Contact: Mike Cunningham at 302-379-8952 or mikec923@yahoo.com for event application.   Rain Date: October 10, 2026

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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.

 

NEW EPISODE – We encourage you to watch Signs & Symbols from the FORMED series Elements of the Catholic Mass. Use this link https://app.formed.org/app/videos/573427?cid=115599 or scan this QR code to view this short and informative episode.

 

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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.

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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 spirit) and after receiving the Sacrament. Remember, it is the Body and Blood of Jesus that you just received.

We kindly request silence in the Church before Mass. We are in the presence of the Lord, and many of us are praying and preparing our hearts for the celebration of the Eucharist. Please be respectful of our time in prayer.

 

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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:  July 11, August 8, September 12, October 10. November 7. December 12.

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. June 21 – Chris Barber, July 5 – Susan Morris

 

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 1^st and 3^rd Sunday of the month during the 10:30 am Mass. This is a wonderful opportunity for children in PreK-4^th 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!

                                                                               

 

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