3rd Sunday of Lent
“Whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall.
Visit our home page to view Reconciliation, Holy Week & Easter Schedules. www.saintpolycarp.org
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032022.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/.
FACEBOOK: Help needed! We are looking for someone to take over posting to our Facebook page beginning in May. Do you know how to find appropriate material and schedule posts? We have from now until the beginning of May to help you get started! If interested, contact Judy at communications@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 19/20
PSR GRADES P/K – 4, Sunday, March 20 at 9am, in person classes. Make sure you see the handout your child will be bringing home this weekend regarding our Lenten Almsgiving Activity!
THE BLESSING OF PRAYER GROUPS will take place tomorrow, Saturday, March 19th, at the 4 pm Mass
CALLING ALL CHOCOLATE LOVERS! – LAST CHANCE!
We have a limited supply of the World’s Finest Chocolate that we will be selling after Masses this weekend at the doors of the church. Bars are $1 each.
Don’t miss out – when they’re gone…they are GONE!
PASTORAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS: The annual Pastoral Council elections are approaching. We are seeking candidates to fill open positions for the new term. The Pastoral Council meets monthly to provide input to Father Jim of the needs of our Parish, planning events such as the Picnic, annual forum, and ministry fair. This is a wonderful opportunity to work with and for our parish community. If you or someone you know would like information please contact Angela Gibson at starrinhaven@yahoo.com or call (302)270–4100.
THE WEEK OF MARCH 20
PSR GRADES 5-8, Tuesday, March 22nd at 7pm, in person classes. Make sure you see the handout your child will be bringing home on Tuesday evening regarding our Lenten Almsgiving Activity!
NEXT WEEKEND, MARCH 26/27
THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: Sunday, March 27th at the 10:30 am pm Mass – G. Burns – Please arrive 15 minutes before your mass time and pick up (or drop off) materials in the sacristy.
UPCOMING/ONGOING
LENTEN RETREAT – 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.
RECONCILIATION
Has it been a long time since your last confession? “Bless me Father for I have sinned. I forget what to say and how long it’s been since my last confession!” Always remember that the priest will help you through this Great Sacrament of Mercy. Don’t stay away because you forget the “how to”. Just bring your desire to be forgiven. Come renew & strengthen your soul! (You can also visit https://saintpolycarp.org/reconciliation-refresher/ and Examine your conscience
CONFESSIONS AT ST. POLYCARP are Saturdays from 2:30 to 3:30 pm. (No confessions on Holy Saturday, April 16th.)
THE DEANERY LENTEN PENANCE SERVICE will take place at Holy Cross Church, Dover on Monday, April 4th, at 7 pm. Several priests will be present to hear confessions.
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
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.
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! – Thank you to this week’s advertiser A-1 Kevin’s Landscaping 302-653-6246 / www.a1kevinslandscaping.com
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. Two Sisters of Life will preview their upcoming Lenten Mission on the March 19th Catholic Forum podcast. Listen online anytime at cdow.org/CatholicForum, or by searching “Catholic Forum” on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or Amazon Music podcasts.
LET US PRAY: Solemnity of St. Joseph – March 19th
Composed by Fr. Paul Mast a “Litany of St. Joseph”.
Joseph of Nazareth, husband of Mary, Intercede for us.
Joseph of Nazareth, foster-father of Jesus, Intercede for us.
Joseph of Nazareth, New Testament promise keeper, Intercede for us.
Joseph of Nazareth, capable woodworker, Intercede for us.
Joseph of Nazareth, sojourner to Bethlehem, Intercede for us.
Joseph of Nazareth, care-giver in Egypt, Intercede for us.
Joseph of Nazareth, seeker in Jerusalem, Intercede for us.
Joseph of Nazareth, family man in Galilee, Intercede for us.
Joseph of Nazareth, touched by many angels, Intercede for us.
Joseph of Nazareth, servant of God, Intercede for us.
Joseph of Nazareth, bless those who minister to unwed mothers, Inspire us to minister.
Joseph of Nazareth, protect those who seek a lost child, Inspire us to protect.
Joseph of Nazareth, care for those raising independent teenagers, Inspire us to care.
Joseph of Nazareth, befriend those who are friends of illegal aliens, Inspire us to befriend.
Joseph of Nazareth, encourage those who desire fatherhood, Inspire us to encourage.
Joseph of Nazareth, strengthen those who advocate family life, Inspire us to strengthen.
Joseph of Nazareth, sustain those who are believers in God’s dreams, Inspire us to sustain.
Joseph of Nazareth, reverence those who are obedient to God’s plan, Inspire us to reverence.
Joseph of Nazareth, guide those who desire intimacy with God, Inspire us to guide.
Joseph of Nazareth, nourish those who hunger for peace, Inspire us to nourish.
St. Joseph, a man of compassion, Pray for us.
St. Joseph, a man of justice, Pray for us.
St. Joseph, a man of contemplation, Pray for us.
St. Joseph, a man who reverences all life, Pray for us.
St. Joseph, a man filled with gentle strength, Pray for us.
St. Joseph, a man in solidarity with the poor, Pray for us.
St. Joseph, a man of hope for the unborn, Pray for us.
St. Joseph, a man of intercession for the holy innocents, Pray for us.
St. Joseph, a man with a spiritual life, Pray for us.
St. Joseph, a man centered in the love of God, Pray for us.
Let us pray:
Loving God,
In Joseph, Son of David, you have given us an example of one who is a true servant of your Word. As a faithful Jew, his life echoes obedience to the Law of Moses. As a faithful parent, he cooperates with the Virgin Mary in enabling Jesus to grow and fulfill his calling as teacher, prophet and king. As a gentle servant, he is a role model for all who desire a more loving and passionate relationship with you. In honoring Joseph, we honor your Son, Jesus, through whom you are given all glory and praise, today and every day, now and forevermore. Amen.
http://paulmast.com/Litanies.html