12th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
SUNDAY SCRIPTURE – QUESTIONS TO PONDER
~ When have you experienced the power of God in creation?
~ How have you experienced renewal in your heart since beginning to follow Christ?
~ Do you find it difficult or easy to trust in God’s protection during difficult times? Why?
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062324.cfm
LIVE-STREAMING: Visit https://www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE for live stream at 8:30 am, Tuesdays & Wednesdays and 4 pm on Saturdays.
We are experiencing some issues with our live streaming. We are trying to resolve these issues as soon as possible. The stream may not work for some Masses. Thank you for understanding. DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON – LIVE STREAMING https://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
FAITH AND CHARITY APPEAL – One Body, One Spirit in Christ: We’re waiting for new updates! Thank you to our generous parishioners who have participated in the Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal. As of the last report from the Diocese, we have received $59,418.52 in pledges, $2081.48 short of our goal of $61,500. $32,545.92 has been collected. It is important that everyone fulfills their pledges. Only 167 households have participated. Let’s strive to increase our parish participation and show the power of our community united in faith and charity. Every gift counts, no matter how small, and every act of kindness matters. Pledge envelopes are available at the doors of the Church.
Payment reminders will continue through December. Please mail all payments in the self-addressed, return
envelope provided with your mailing. Do not submit payments to the parish office or through the Offertory collection.
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.
THIS WEEKEND, JUNE 22/23 (and Monday, June 24th – Friday, June 28th)
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 know someone who needs 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 three Inquiry Sessions in the parish library:
Monday, June 24th, at 6:30 pm
Wednesday, June 26th at 11 am
Monday, July 1st at 6:30 pm
Please contact Deacon Frank Weber for more information: DeaconFrank@saintpolycarp.org or leave a message with the Parish office at (302) 653 – 8279.
THIS WEEKEND – SQUIRE CIRCLE FUNDRAISER COLLECTION AT THE DOORS: We are asking for your support by sponsoring the Squires annual fundraiser. The Squires will be at the doors of the Church this weekend following Mass. Funds from this annual collection are split between St. Polycarp and the State Police K9 Unit. (If you wish to make a donation by check please make the check out to ‘St. Polycarp Squire Circle’).
CHURCH ENVIRONEMENT: The Liturgy Committee is looking for new members to join the Environment team, which is currently being led by Delia Lim. If you are interested, please call Kathy Curlett at (302) 222 – 9326.
PARKING LOT is looking great! Please follow the traffic pattern indicated by the arrows.
THIS WEEKEND, JUNE 22/23 (and Monday, June 24th – Friday, June 28th)
ST. DENNIS PARISH FAMILY PICNIC THIS SUNDAY! CANCELED
DO YOU HAVE FLOWERS FROM YOUR GARDEN THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO BRING IN TO HELP DECORATE THE SANCTUARY and CHURCH? This would be a wonderful way to share your gardening talents in honor of God! Please call or email Dee Lim at 973-865-4203 or delial42@yahoo.com for details.
SQUIRE CIRCLE LOCK IN: The Squires are conducting their annual “Lock In” this Friday and Saturday, June 21st and June 22nd. The Squires will be here at the Parish from 7 pm Friday, the 21st until 7 pm on Saturday, the 22nd. The Lock In will conclude with the 4 pm Mass next Saturday to celebrate and install the new officers for the Columbian year.
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR OUR GOLFERS! Golf Tournament volunteers will be outside the doors of the Church this Saturday, June 22nd and Sunday, the 23rd after Masses accepting your $5.00 in support of our golfers. Every $5.00 gets you a square on our support sign to support our golfers. You can write whatever will fit in the square. Please bring some cash so we can fill up the signs. Thank you so much. All of the funds will go to St Polycarp Church.
IT’S ALMOST HERE! WILL YOU BE GOLFING & DINING WITH US? DINING ONLY?
ST. POLYCARP’S 5th ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT & DINNER: JUNE 30th, 2024
Garrison Lake Golf Club, 101 West Fairways Circle, Smyrna, DE.
$130 per individual golfer includes lunch, Green fee, Golf Cart, on course beverages including beer, complimentary gift bags, prizes for best teams, long drive/closest to pin, followed by a buffet dinner.
INTERESTED IN DINNER ONLY??? That’s ok. Join us at St. Polycarp Church for a delicious Italian Feast just $40.00 per person. It’s always a good time! For more information and registration, Dennis Skinner (papadskinz@yahoo.com (302-981-8743) Anna Skinner (ANNA.SKINZ@gmail.com) (302-883-5647) or use this QR code. CLICK HERE TO SEE FLYER
PARISH SCHOOL OF RELIGION (PSR) Religious Education Classes, Grades PK – 9
Registration is now open for 2024-2025. REGISTER BEFORE JULY 1 TO AVOID A LATE FEE. (Registering early helps us plan for the year ahead.)
Visit https://saintpolycarp.org/religious-education/ for information and/or to print the registration form or you can use this QR code.
First Grade Children – In order to be eligible for 2nd Grade First Reconciliation and First Eucharist, your child must complete 1st Grade PSR (or in another parish religious education program) or Catholic School. Register your first grader now!
Do you have an older child who missed receiving the sacraments? It’s never too late!
For more information, contact Mrs. Erica Taylor, Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE) at
(302) 653 – 4101 or dre@saintpolycarp.org
DELAWARE SENATE TO WEIGH PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE BILL – See article in this weekend’s Dialog https://thedialog.org/
Delaware is closer than ever to legalizing assisted suicide! It is an affront to our Catholic faith that calls for respect for life from conception to natural death! We need to help and support the elderly and physically and mentally ill in our community, not assist them in taking their own lives. We ask all Delaware Catholics to contact their Delaware State Senator to not support HB 140. Delaware legislators are coming to the end of their session on June 30th, and they currently have multiple bills for consideration for votes. These votes can occur any day before the session ends. For more information, and to send an email to your Senator, visit cdow.org/StopAssistedS. If you have already sent an email, please consider phoning them.
NEXT WEEKEND, JUNE 29/30 (and Monday, July 1st – Friday, July 5th)
SECOND COLLECTION next weekend, June 29 and 30, is for the Works of the Holy Father. The Peter’s Pence Collection supports the Universal Church and the work of the Holy See, including helping Pope Francis to carry out his charitable works. These works benefit our brothers and sisters on the margins of society, including victims of war, oppression, and disasters. Please be generous. Thank you for supporting this collection.
ST. POLYCARP’S 5th ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT & DINNER IS NEXT SUNDAY, JUNE 30th, 2024. Pray for good weather!
OCIA: Inquiry session will be held in the Library on Monday, July 1st at 6:30 pm.
OFFICE CLOSED: The office will be closed on Thursday, July 4th and Friday, July 5th in observance of the 4th of July holiday.
UPCOMING
DELAWARE KNIGHTS OF COULMBUS RAFFLE: The Delaware Knights of Columbus is sponsoring a raffle to benefit the charitable works and programs of the State Council. Five raffle winners will receive a $200 gift certificate usable at any production at Sights and Sound plus a $100 Visa gift card. Tickets are $10.00 each. The drawing will be September 8th, 2024 at the KOC annual State picnic. The Winner need not be present. Contact Jack Barnas for raffle tickets (302) 383 – 4175.
SAVE THE DATE: DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS IN OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND: On October 5th, 2024, our Diocese of Wilmington will be hosting the Eucharistic Congress at the Ocean City Convention Center. We will gather under the theme “The Eucharist: The Source and Summit,” an opportunity to come together as a community to reflect on and celebrate the central mystery of our faith. The Congress will feature an inspiring keynote address from Bishop Richard Henning of the Diocese of Providence. We will also have faith-based vendors, a variety of ministry showcases, and breakout sessions designed for different ages and interests. Plus, there will be ample opportunities for Adoration and Reconciliation as well as celebration of Mass. Please save the date and stay tuned for more details. We hope you can join us for this wonderful day of faith, fellowship, and renewal. Thank you!
BULLETIN OVERFLOW: Visit Bulletin Overflow https://saintpolycarp.org/overflow/ for details on the following and more!:
ST. DENNIS ANNUAL PARISH PICNIC: Sunday, June 23 at noon
IT‘S CARNIVAL SEASON: Check out the dates and locations of carnivals in our Diocese.
SAY NO! PHYSICIAN ASSISTED SUICIDE
NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS: The 10th National Eucharistic Congress at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN. From July 17th–21st, 2024
RETROUVAILLE: The Retrouvaille Program is for married couples facing challenges in their relationship. Upcoming programs: August 9th – 11th and October 4th – 6th, 2024 at the Family Life Center in Malver, PA
CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON (CDOW) EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS: On October 5th, our Diocese of Wilmington will be hosting the Eucharistic Congress at the Ocean City MD Convention Center.
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, July 13th, August 10th, September 7th, October 12th, November 9th and December 13th.
TUESDAY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: Tuesdays from 9 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 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 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: 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
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:
NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS – BE THERE WHEN GOD MOVES: The 10th National Eucharistic Congress at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN. From July 17th–21st, 2024, thousands of passionate Catholics will gather for a transformative experience on a scale this generation has never seen. Whether you join us for one day or all five, the grace you receive will spill out into our community when you return home—deeply in love with the Eucharist and excited about the future of the Church in America. Visit EucharisticCongress.org to learn more about the event and explore the full schedule for each day.
BISHOP KOENIG INVITES YOU TO THE NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE ON JULY 17th– 21st, 2024, IN INDIANAPOLIS, IN. To read the letter of invitation, CLICK HERE
FOR TRAVEL INFORMATION FLYER CLICK HERE
CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIO: Listen to Catholic Forum each week. On Saturday,, June 22nd, meet our new Transitional Deacon, Dennis Stameza, on this week’s Catholic Forum podcast. The Catholic Forum podcast on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music podcasts and YouTube.com/DioceseofWilm debuts every Wednesday at 12:00 p.m.; and on Relevant Radio 640 every Saturday afternoon at 1:30 on Relevant Radio 640. More information is available at cdow.org/CatholicForum and FaceBook.com/CatholicForum. CLICK HERE
LET US PRAY: Summertime!
Take time to claim your strength; they are gifts of God.
Take time to have fun; it’s God’s way of teaching you your strengths.
Take time to grow yourself; only you can grow you.
Take time to trust yourself; God trusts you.
Take time to be self-reliant; it is better than being dependent.
Take time to share with others; they will bless you, and you will bless them.
Take time to have hope, you are a child of God.
Let’s put ourselves into the hands of the Lord and pray that God will bless us and our families during the wonderful months of summer. May we all help make our home a place of relaxation, joy, love, peace and safety. May we be generous and considerate, not thinking only about ourselves, but helping others enjoy the blessings of summertime. Lord God, Creator of all things, guide our steps and strengthen our hearts, during these months of summer and vacation days. Grant us refreshment of mind and body. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
www.xavier.edu/