2nd Sunday of Lent
“This is my chosen; listen to Him.”
Visit our home page to view Reconciliation, Holy Week & Easter Schedules. www.saintpolycarp.org
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031322.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/.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
St. Polycarp – 7 pm on the Fridays in Lent in Church (and live streamed).
St. Dennis – 5 pm and 7 pm (Hispanic) on Fridays in Lent
Remember, Fridays in Lent are obligatory days of abstinence from meat for those age 14 onwards.
THIS WEEKEND, MARCH 12/13
THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: Saturday, March 12 at the 4:00 pm Mass – B. & J. Watson – Please arrive 15 minutes before your mass time and pick up (or drop off) materials in the sacristy.
IMPORTANT NOTICE – SECOND COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND: Parish Utilities and Special Collection for the Church in Easter Europe – Especially Ukraine
Our regularly scheduled second collection this weekend is for Parish Utilities. Please make sure to use your envelopes to contribute to Utilities. All of the loose donations in the second collection will go towards helping the Church in Eastern Europe – especially Ukraine. (See below.) Please be as generous as your means allow. Thank you for your assistance in taking care of our parish utilities and the people of Ukraine.
The people of Ukraine need our help! Bishop Koenig has asked that all parishes in the Diocese of Wilmington conduct a special collection this weekend, March 12/13 to aid the Church in Eastern Europe – especially Ukraine. There is great risk of additional suffering both within Ukraine and for those who may flee to neighboring countries for safety. Additionally, you may help by making a secure on-line donation to Catholic Relief Services (CRS) at www.crs.org. Thank you for your generosity.
COOKIES! Girl Scout Troop 547 will be selling Girl Scout Cookies outside the FRONT DOORS only, after both Masses this weekend. (If it rains, they will be in the hall.)
PSR GRADES P/K – 4, Sunday, March 13 at 9am, in person classes.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD will take place this Sunday, March 13th during the 10:30am Mass. All children ages PreK-4th grade are welcome to attend. Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLoW) is a worship experience geared especially for their age level. Children will be called to come forward before the First Reading. A catechist and assistant will lead the children to the hall. They will return to you after the General Intercessions. All catechists and assistants have a cleared background check. CLoW mirrors the worship experience of the larger community in an engaging and interactive style. This opportunity allows children to hear Scripture in words they understand and to share their own understanding of God’s Word. Whether or not your child has attended before, we hope you take advantage of this opportunity by attending the 10:30 am Mass this weekend and having your child join us! It’s heart-warming to hear how the children respond to God’s Word.
THE BLESSING OF ALTAR SERVERS AND SACRISTANS will take place this Sunday, March 13th, at the 10:30 am Mass.
CRS RICE BOWLS: Please pick-up a rice bowl as you leave Mass today. Rice bowls can be found on the tables at the doors of the church. Rice bowls are returned to Church at the end of Lent. Each Lent, Catholic families across the country unite to put their faith into action through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Through CRS Rice Bowl, families learn about how our sisters and brothers across the globe overcome hardships like hunger and malnutrition, and how through Lenten alms, we have the power to make the world a better place for all. For more information, visit crsricebowl.org.
THE WEEK OF MARCH 13
PSR GRADES 5-8, Tuesday, March 15th at 7pm, in person classes.
NEXT WEEKEND, MARCH 19/20
The BLESSING OF PRAYER GROUPS will take place on Saturday, March 19th, at the 4 pm Mass.
UPCOMING/ONGOING
DO YOU LIKE YOUR LIFE BUT CRAVE A LITTLE TIME FOR YOURSELF? The Brother Vincent Columbiettes invite the ladies in the parish to our 2022 LENTEN RETREAT being held on Saturday, April 2nd, from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm. Mass at 8:30am with the Retreat following immediately after in Mother Drexel Hall. The topic of the retreat is Reflections on the Seven Sorrows of Mary. Come away from the busyness of life for a day of spiritual enlightenment and discover the voice of God who longs to speak to your heart. Sr. Miriam Catherine NEVINS O.P. will be our presenter this year. Contact: Maureen Robinson at (302) 653 – 4654 or send an email to bragh1@comcast.net Please RSVP by Monday, March 28th.
PASTORAL COUNCIL – The annual Pastoral Council elections are approaching. We are seeking candidates to fill open positions for the new term. The Pastoral Council meets monthly. This is a wonderful opportunity to work with and for our parish community. If you or someone you know would like additional information please contact Angela Gibson (302) 270 – 4100 or starrinhaven@yahoo.com.
RECONCILIATION MONDAY – April 11th: Bishop Koenig, after consulting with the Priests’ Council, has decided to launch Reconciliation Monday in our diocese. Held on the Monday of Holy Week, every parish will offer Confessions from 3 to 8 pm. Pastors with multiple churches may not be able to have each church covered during that time. Here at St. Polycarp, on Monday, April 11th, Confessions will be heard from 3-5pm (Fr. Gerres) and then from 6-8pm (Fr. Jim). Visit our home page to view Reconciliation, Holy Week & Easter Schedules. www.saintpolycarp.org
EASTER MASS REMEMBRANCE: Easter is the greatest celebration in the Catholic Church because it is the completion of the Holy week that ends with the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus was raised from the dead, and by that He conquered sin and death. Living or deceased, the best gift you can give a loved one is the gift of the Mass. Please use the Easter Mass Remembrance envelope to enjoin your friends and family in our MOST HOLY CELEBRATION.
EASTER FLOWERS: The Easter Flowers, particularly the white lilies with their large white trumpet flowers, proclaim that spring is upon us and they symbolize hope and new life. Add to the beauty of our church during this joyful season by using your Easter flower envelope to help us proclaim that Jesus has risen!
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.
THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: Please sign up to take home the Vocation Chalice for one week. Call or text Alice Gaston 302-670-7924 to sign up. Each week a family will receive the Vocation Chalice at Mass and take it home with the promise to “pray for vocations” during that week. The family should place the chalice in a prominent place in their home and gather together each day to pray for the awareness of vocations. At the end of the week, the family will bring the chalice back to church so the next family can take it home. A booklet will accompany the chalice that has prayers and instructions. We need your prayers and for you to sign up. See the Bulletin for schedule. Sunday, March 27th – G. Burns; Sunday, April 10th – Netz Family.
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 receipts months old in!
Thank you to our Bulletin advertisers! We appreciate your support!
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
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 640. Ukrainian Catholic Priest, Fr. Volodymyr Klanichka, will be the guest on the March 12th Catholic Forum program/podcast. Listen online anytime at cdow.org/CatholicForum, or by searching “Catholic Forum” on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or Amazon Music podcasts.
LET US PRAY: Irish Blessing – Happy St. Patrick’s Day – March 17th
