2nd SUNDAY OF LENT
SUNDAY SCRIPTURE – QUESTIONS TO PONDER
~ For this second week of Lent, could you work on putting your fears in God’s hands?
~ St. Paul tells the Philippians that their citizenship is in heaven. What does that mean to you?
~ How can you spend Lent listening to Christ?
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031625.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. (Once at the site, click on “Live”.) Please note: At times the live-stream fails to work. We apologize for the inconvenience. 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 . (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! NEW BULLETIN WEB PAGE: When you click on the link for the Bulletin, you will see a new look. You will see a picture of our current bulletin (click on it to enlarge). You will also find our past bulletins on this page. (Previously our past bulletins were found under “Bulletin Archives”. Now, the current and past Bulletins are all found on the one page. Try it! Use the QR code or CLICK HERE 
BULLETIN OVERFLOW: There’s always information that doesn’t fit in our Bulletin – Bulletin Overflow – CLICK HERE or use this QR code
THIS WEEKEND, March 15/16 (and Monday, March 17th – Friday, March 21st)
REMINDER: Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence from meat from age 14 onwards.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS AND BENEDICTION: Fridays in Lent at 7 pm, beginning tonight.
SECOND COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND will be for our Parish Maintenance.
MOVIE TIME: The Christian Formation Committee will be showing a Very Good Short Video entitled: How Silence Can Change Your Life. Come to the hall immediately after the 4 pm Mass this Saturday, March 15th. We will be watching a short video (less than 8 minutes) and serving snacks. Some parishioners have already viewed this and highly recommend it. It might “just change your life.”
THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: This Sunday, March 16th , at the 10:30 am Mass, Charm Sloven will receive the Vocation Chalice. 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/
ST. PATRICK’S DAY DINNER CELEBRATION: THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 16th from 4 – 6 pm.
Discounted advanced tickets will be available in the kitchen after Masses this weekend. – $20 per adult, $10 for children 12 and under. Brother Vincent Knights of Columbus St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Celebration takes place this Sunday March 16th, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM in Mother Drexel Hall. Corned Beef & Cabbage or Ham & Cabbage Potatoes, Veggie, Salad. $25 per person, $15 for children 12 and under, children under 6 are free.
SODALITY LENTEN RETREAT: Mary, the Mother of Mercy – Please register by March 16th.
The Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality is holding a Lenten Retreat on Saturday, March 22nd, from 9 am – 1 pm. (Doors open at 8:30 am.)
Join us for coffee and refreshments before the retreat begins. Our Retreat Master is Deacon Frank Weber. The theme for the retreat is “Mary, the Mother of Mercy”. There is no cost for the retreat, but we will have a Love Offering if anyone would like to contribute to help with the day’s expenses. Look for sign- up sheets on the Church bulletin boards or email Sherry Thomas at salcrest7@gmail.com to register.
ANNUAL OFFERTORY REFLECTION REMINDER ~ The Parish needs everyone’s participation in our Offertory Reflection Program to properly prepare our Annual Budget for the upcoming year. Please remember to return your Offertory Intentions by Monday, March 31st. Your support is greatly appreciated! Cards can be found in the pews.
ALTAR SERVERS NEEDED: If your child has expressed a desire to serve Jesus and St. Polycarp Parish at the altar and if they have received the Sacrament of Holy Communion, please contact Fran and Jim Walls. Our contact information is: Cell Phone- 302-359-9152, Email- SmyrnaWalls@gmail.com
CARING FOR GOD’S HOUSE: Many of you have been asking what renovations are being planned for the Church. The Church beautification includes: Replacing the three Presider’s Chairs, replacing the Baptismal Font, painting the placards under the Stations of the Cross and relocating the Crosses from above each Station to below the Station. Other areas being considered and depend upon cost include: refinishing the pews, painting the interior of the Church and bringing symmetry to the paneling.
DO YOU KNOW YOUR FAITH?
How many Books are there in a Catholic Bible? Bonus: How many books are there in the New Testament? How many in the Old Testament? (See answer at the end.)
TOGETHER IN HOPE: Join us in the spirit of hope and unity as we launch our 2025 Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal under the theme “Together in Hope.” Inspired by this powerful message, we are reminded that hope is the foundation of our faith and the light that guides us through all challenges. Our Appeal is an opportunity to come together as one community, embracing our shared mission to serve and uplift one another through the love of Christ.
This Appeal is not just a call for financial support; it is an invitation to actively participate in the shared journey of hope. Each contribution, no matter the size, is a meaningful step toward building a more connected, compassionate, and hopeful community. As we unite in generosity, let us embody the essence of being *Together in Hope*—a vibrant and faithful community bound by our commitment to live the Gospel message.
Help our parish demonstrate a strong level of active participation. We are all invited to be beacons of hope, supporting one another and our diocesan family on this sacred journey. “Together in Hope” An invitation to participate as a community in the 2025 Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal. Please respond by pledging a sacrificial gift to this vital campaign. To learn more about the Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal, visit www.cdow.org; click “Donate” then “Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal,” or simply scan this QR code with your cellphone.
NEXT WEEKEND, March 22/23 (and Monday, March 24th – Friday, March 28th)
SECOND COLLECTION NEXT WEEKEND will be for our Parish School of Religion.
UPCOMING:
DONATIONS NEEDED – PROM DRIVE: Looking to start spring cleaning? Start with your closet and Help Our Community!
The Columbiettes are looking for your clean/gently used prom dresses, suits/tuxedos and prom accessories (shoes, ties, tiaras etc.) for our Prom Drive. We are also collecting Communion dresses & suits for our Communicants. Please Drop off donations at the church doors on Saturday, March 29th, after 4 pm Mass.
PILGRIMAGE TO THE OUR LADY OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL BASILICA IN PHILADELPHIA: The Sodality is having a bus trip on Monday, April 7th. We are meeting in the parking lot of St. Polycarp at 7:30 am and should be back in Smyrna by 4 pm. The cost of the trip is $45, this includes: Seat on the bus, boxed lunch and a tour of the Basilica. Limited seating available. Please contact Betty to reserve your seat. churchladybetty@gmail.com or call/text 302-547-8174. Checks to be made out to St. Polycarp Church, “Sodality bus trip” in the memo.
ONGOING:
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.
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.
BULLETIN OVERFLOW
https://saintpolycarp.org/this-weeks-bulletin/ Use the link or this QR code visit BULLETIN OVERFLOW for more information on the following:
HOUSE BILL 140: We need your help to protect Delaware’s vulnerable citizens. House Bill 140, that legalizes physician-assisted suicide, was voted out of committee and is on the “ready list” to go before the full Delaware House of Representatives. For years, the Catholic community has joined advocates for the disabled and others to oppose this bill that not only is against Catholic teachings regarding the sanctity of life from conception to natural death, but also puts the lives of our most vulnerable citizens at risk. It’s time to stand up and make our voices heard! What is at Stake? HB 140 is government-sanctioned suicide. It can lead to a slippery slope, with vulnerable individuals — such as the elderly, disabled, or those experiencing depression —being pressured into choosing death over life. For more information, and to send a customizable email to your Representative in Dover, visit cdow.org/stopassisteds.
VISITATIO! offers college-age Catholic women the opportunity for brief immersion experiences in various houses of the Little Sister of the Poor around the US. To view flyer CLICK HERE .
RACHEL’S VINEYARD CATHOLIC RETREAT will be held the weekend of May 2nd – 4th. This retreat offers emotional and spiritual healing for anyone who has struggled with grief and loss from an abortion.
MEN’S RETREAT WEEKEND AT MALVERN RETREAT HOUSE will take place the weekend of May 16th – 18th.
XAVIER SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND provides free religious, spiritual, and inspirational reading materials in braille, large print and audio to blind and visually impaired individuals worldwide.
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
EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL – THREE YEARS OF ABUNDANT GRACE AND TRANSFORMATION – 2022-2025
National Year of Mission: July 17th, 2024–Pentecost 2025
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, 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/ Charm Sloven – Sunday, March 16th, 10:30 am Mass; Neda Biggs – Sunday, March 30th, 10:30 am Mass; Penny Gugliuzzo – April 6th, 10:30 am Mass.
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP (Pathway to Peace) meets on Saturday afternoons at 1 pm in Room 8. 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 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).
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?
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. This week, hear an interview with popular TV host and writer, Teresa Tomeo author of the new book, “Italy’s Shrines and Wonders: Discovering Sacred Spaces, Fascinating Places, and Destinations Off the Beaten Path.” The Catholic Forum podcast on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music podcasts and YouTube.com/DioceseofWilm debuts every Wednesday at 12:00 pm and on Relevant Radio 640 every Saturday afternoon at 1:30 pm. More information is available at https://cdow.org/ministries/catholic-forum-podcast-radio-program/
Are you a Jeopardy watcher? Do you participate in Trivia Challenges?
Will you be able to answer the questions on religion?
Check this spot each week!
DO YOU KNOW YOUR FAITH? How many books are there in a Catholic Bible?
ANSWER: A Catholic Bible contains a total of 73 books. There are 46 books in the Old Testament, 27 in the New Testament.
How many can you name? https://bible.usccb.org/bible