THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts.
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030721.cfm
OUR LIVE-STREAMING has experienced some issues this past week. We ask for your understanding and patience as these problems are resolved.
LIVE-STREAMING: Visit https://www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE for all live stream. (or visit our webpage www.saintpolycarp.org and click on the picture of the altar ) All Masses are live- streamed. Masses may also be viewed at a later time.
BULLETIN: https://www.jppc.net/onlinebulletins/301template.pdf
DAILY MASSES are celebrated on Tuesday – Friday mornings at 8:30 am. Welcome back Fr. Mast.
BLESSING OF ALL PRAYER GROUPS: will take place this weekend, March 6th at the 4:00 pm Mass and March 7th at the 10:30 am Mass.
BLESSING OF ALTAR SERVERS AND SACRISTANS will take place the weekend of March 13th and 14th at both Masses.
SECOND COLLECTION this weekend is for the Church in Latin America.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS – FRIDAYS AT 7pm in Church. Join us in Church. Reservations not required. Also live-streamed.
FRIDAYS IN LENT are obligatory days of abstinence from meat.
CONFESSIONS: (Reservations are not required but masks are. Social distancing observed)
Saturdays – 2:30 to 3:30 pm
Sundays – following 10:30 am Mass on March 7, 14, 21 & 28
YEAR OF ST. JOSEPH: We will celebrate the Year of St. Joseph with a special prayer during Mass on his Feast Day, Friday, March 19 and during our two weekend Masses on March 20th and 21st. Year of St. Joseph Prayer Cards will be available in the pews, so that those who attend these Masses can participate in the prayer. You will also be able to take the prayer cards home with you as a “small gift” from the parish. For those who will be watching Mass from home, please join us in praying:
A Daily Prayer to St. Joseph
Hail Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To you God entrusted his only Son: in you Mary placed her trust: with you Christ became man. Blessed joseph, to us too, show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage, and defend us from every evil. Amen.
ST. JOSEPH ADOPTION NOVENA: Leading up to the Solemnity of St. Joseph on March 19th, join us in praying the St. Joseph Adoption Novena. Invoking the intercession of St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, we will pray the Lord blesses all who travel upon the path of adoption. Visit https://www.usccb.org/adoption-novena for the novena, which begins, March 10.
MEMORIAL BRICKS: The Gift of a Memorial Brick is a unique and memorable way to celebrate a special occasion,
honor family and friends, share a favorite quote and more! If you would like to become part of the walkway to our Blessed Mother now is a good time to do so! Order through Faith Direct at: https://membership.faithdirect.net/events/details/5644 (you do not need to sign up for Faith Direct), or return your form (available on our website or at the doors of the Church) with payment to St. Polycarp Church in an envelope labeled “Memorial Brick”. Please place the completed order form and a check for $80.00, made payable to St. Polycarp Church, in the envelope. You can place it in the Offertory collection, deliver it to the Parish Office (place in black box), or mail it to the parish office.
STONES FAITH GARDEN: Have you thought about the stone that you will paint for our Stone Faith Garden? Will you use words, images or both? Make this part of your Lenten journey. We will be providing guidance and suggestions on the best practices of rock painting. The finished stones will be brought to the Parish during the Easter Season – more information forthcoming.
BROTHER VINCENT COLUMBIETTES SWEEPSTAKES is your chance to win a $75.00 prize in July and help our auxiliary raise funds to help others at the same time. Every $10.00 you contribute to the sweepstakes earns you one chance for the winning drawing in July. For more information CLICK HERE
USEFUL LINKS:
RESERVATION INFORMATION FOR WEEKEND MASSES: To view information on how to make a reservation visit https://saintpolycarp.org/rservation-information/
WEBSITE: www.saintpolycarp.org.
BULLETIN: https://www.jppc.net/onlinebulletins/301template.pdf
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
THE DIALOG: http://thedialog.org/ Newspaper of the Diocese, copies available as you leave Church or online
MASSES DURING THE PANDEMIC: St. Polycarp Church is open for Masses with limited capacity. You must wear a face mask or covering that covers the mouth and nose at all times. Six-foot social distancing applies at all times. Restrooms will not be available. Reservations are required for the weekend Masses. A weekend Mass reservation reminder is emailed weekly and includes how to make a reservation. Once we reach capacity, no one else will be admitted. Thank you for your cooperation. Reservations are NOT required for 8:30am weekday Masses. The dispensation of the obligation to attend Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation issued March 12, 2020 remains in effect for the Diocese of Wilmington.
FROM THE DIOCESE:
CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIO: Saturdays at 1:30 pm on Relevant Radio 640. On the March 6, tune in to hear an interview with Rev. Mr. Michael Preston, a transitional deacon for the Diocese of Wilmington, who is slated to be ordained to the priesthood this spring. Catholic Forum is a production of the Office of Communications of the Diocese of Wilmington. Listen each Saturday at 1:30, on Relevant Radio 640 or via podcast below, or by searching Catholic Forum on Apple, iHeartRadio, and Spotify Podcasts.
LET US PRAY: Litany of St. Joseph (Composed by Fr. Paul Mast)
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 plans…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.
(Second of 4 stanzas)