As we prepare for the upcoming election, please take time to read this Message from Bishop Koenig regarding 2024 Election.
31st SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
SUNDAY SCRIPTURE – QUESTIONS TO PONDER
~ What does loving the Lord with all your heart, mind, and strength look like in your life today?
~ How has your faith in God been a source of comfort and strength?
~ How do you prioritize your relationship with God?
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110324.cfm
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. DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON – LIVE STREAMINGhttps://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 or use this QR code 
Ever feel like someone you know or have met would make a good Priest, Sister, Brother or Deacon? If you’ve never spoken to them about it, the Called-By-Name program is your chance to lovingly nudge them to explore God’s calling. We encourage you to use the white response cards in your pews to nominate that person. Please place the cards in the boxes at each of the exits. You can CLICK HERE or scan the QR Code for a response card.
NATIONAL VOCATION AWARENESS WEEK: NOVEMBER 3 – 9, 2024
National Vocation Awareness week (NVAW) is an annual week-long celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to promoting vocations to the Priesthood, Diaconate, and Consecrated Life through prayer and education, and to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations.
As we celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week, we wish Fr. Jim a HAPPY 37th ANNIVERSARY! Fr. Jim was ordained into the Priesthood on November 7, 1987. Let us always be thankful and appreciative of Father Jim’s willingness to hear and answer faithfully God’s call to the Priesthood. Please pray for Father Jim as he continues to shepherd both parishes, St. Polycarp and St. Dennis (Galena, MD). Fr. Jim – We appreciate everything you do for our Parish! Thank you and may God bless you!
FAITH AND CHARITY APPEAL – One Body, One Spirit in Christ: Thank you to all those parishioners who contributed to the 2024 Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal. Our parish has achieved our goal in pledges and money collected. Our goal was $61,500 and we have now collected $61,878.08. Now that we have reached our goal in money collected, we will receive back half of the money collected above the goal. For years the generosity of our folks has enabled us to do parish projects with the funds we receive. For those who haven’t fulfilled their pledges, kindly remember
to send in your payments. Your generosity in supporting this year’s appeal once again demonstrates that you understand the mission of our Church. We invite those who haven’t yet had the opportunity to give to the Appeal to join us in spreading the spirit of gratitude. Envelopes can be found at the doors of the Church. You can also support the appeal online at www.cdow.org or simply scan this QR code with your cellphone.
THIS WEEKEND, November 2/3 (and Monday, November 4th – Friday, November 8th)
ALL SOULS’ DAY MASS, THIS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 8:30 AM, AT ST. POLYCARP
This Mass does not satisfy the attendance of the Sunday Mass obligation.
ALL SOULS’ DAY: Let us send our love and wishes to all those loved ones who are no longer on Earth hoping for peace and happiness. Time heals but it can never bring back the warmth and love of our dear ones who are no longer with us. The most powerful prayer we can offer for the holy souls in purgatory is to have the holy Mass said on their behalf. The All Souls’ Day Mass provides an opportunity for us to renew our hope in Christ’s promise of eternal life. Please use the All Souls Day envelopes to list the loved ones you wish to be remembered at this special mass. Extra envelopes will be available at the Church entrances.
ST. DENNIS CHRISTMAS CRAFT & VENDOR FAIR – THIS SATURDAY: Saturday, November 2nd, 9 am – 2 pm at St. Dennis, Galena, MD
This annual event features arts & crafts, lunch with Santa in his workshop, Christmas gifts for all ages, “12 Days of Christmas” decorations, silent auctions, raffle tickets, many vendors, and delicious treats. Lunch will be served all day. There will be cakes, pies, cookies, and other yummy goodies made by the parishioners of St. Dennis! New Vendors are welcome to attend, if you are interested, please call Jim at 717-575-1235.
DON’T FORGET – TIME CHANGES AT 2 AM THIS SUNDAY – Back one hour!
BIRTHRIGHT’S ANNUAL BOTTLES FOR BABIES FUNDRAISER: Now is the time to return the bottles. Bottles should be placed in the baskets near the doors of the Church. The proceeds benefit pregnant women and their babies. Thank you for your willingness to support and choose life!
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.
AGAPE: This Sunday – Come celebrate “God’s Love” as we give thanks for our Blessings as we join together for Agape this Sunday, November 3rd following the 10:30 am Mass. Hosted by the members of Pastoral Council.
CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENTS: Don’t forget to order Christmas Ornaments for just $5 to help support PSR. The ornaments you purchase will help us decorate the Christmas Trees that will be displayed in Mother Drexel Hall during the Christmas Season. Orders are due by Nov. 5. Order forms are available at the doors.
OUR GIVING TREE Committee coordinates the Christmas gifts for needy children in our community. We work closely with our Parish School of Religion and the Smyrna School District to identify children in need. The Giving Tree is set up inside the Main Entrance of the church with the children’s requests this weekend. Please purchase a gift for the child on the tag you choose and return it to the Parish Hall no later than Sunday, December 1st. Contact Fran and Jim Walls at 302-359-9152, if you have any questions. Thank you for your continued support and generosity!
THE FACILITIES PLANNING COMMITTEE has been established and 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. Our next meeting is Tuesday, November 5th at 6:30 pm in the hall.
EVENING BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP: The evening “Pathway to Peace” bereavement support group meets weekly on Thursdays at 7 pm in Classroom 8.
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.
GET EXCITED 🎉THE COUNTDOWN IS ON…ST. POLYCARP’S 2ND ANNUAL QUARTER AUCTION IS ALMOST HERE!
Sunday, November 17th! 🎯 Grab your paddles at https://membership.faithdirect.net/events/org/831, scan this QR code or contact Darlene at (302) 270-3915. Some of the items received from our local supporters include a “you pick 2 for a year” from Panera Bread, Meal Cards from Chick-fil-A and the items pictured below!
EARLY DEADLINES FOR DECEMBER & JANUARY BULLETINS: As we enter the busy holiday season, the bulletin is due earlier to the publisher because of expected delays in delivery time. All submissions will need to be submitted earlier than usual. PLAN NOW! If you are requesting to do an insert in December, please contact Judy at communications@saintpolycarp.org by November 18th. See this weekend’s bulletin for submission dates.
RESERVED PARKING SPOT: Help out the church with this annual fundraiser and Parish tradition of putting up a parking spot to the highest bidder! You will have the reserved spot (with your name on it) for one year. With winter weather coming, maybe you want a close spot for you or loved one (maybe as an early Christmas gift.) WHERE: Back parking lot by the brick wall around the HVAC unit, practically right under the portico! Please submit your bid amount by December 1st at 3 pm by emailing financialmanager@saintpolycarp.org with the Subject Line: “Parking Spot Bid” or dropping it in the collection basket or black drop box under the portico labeled “Parking Spot Bid” with your name & phone number on it. Besides individual bidders, Parish organizations or groups can consider putting in a collective bid for your group. All bids MUST be in writing.
NEXT WEEKEND, November 9/10 (and Monday, November 11th – Friday, November 15th)
SECOND COLLECTION next weekend is for the St. Vincent de Paul Society. “How much our hearts should be on fire with love for this ministry of assisting poor people and for devoting ourselves earnestly to it, because the need is so great, and God expects this of us.” – Saint Vincent de Paul
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: Saturday, November 9th, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will take place at the end of the 4 pm Vigil Mass next Saturday, November 9th. Please plan to stay and spend some time with Jesus. When you do leave, please do so in silence as others are praying.
THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: Next Sunday, Ashley Wilson & Family. For more information visit https://saintpolycarp.org/vocation-chalice/
HOLY CROSS HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION NIGHT AT ST. POLYCARP, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12: Holy Cross High School will be holding an information session for prospective families on Tuesday, November 12th, 6:30 pm – 8 pm, in Mother Drexel Hall. The session is open to families with students in grades 7 thru 9. Come learn about this new, independent, classical curriculum high school opening next fall in Dover! Questions? Contact Tom Fertal, President, at tfertal@hchs.org
UPCOMING:
SMYRNA-CLAYTON MINISTERIUM THANKSGIVING DINNER: The Community Thanksgiving Dinner will be held at Smyrna Elementary School the Sunday before Thanksgiving, November 24th, from 2 pm to 5 pm. Everyone is encouraged to come and enjoy the tasty dinner and the company of other community members. Church members are asked to donate pies and bring them to Smyrna Elementary School that day.
The yearly SMYRNA-CLAYTON MINISTERIUM INTERFAITH THANKSGIVING SERVICE will be held the evening before Thanksgiving, Wednesday, November 27, at 7 pm. This year it will be located at Asbury Methodist Church, with participation of pastors from local churches.
COME JOIN THE BROTHER VINCENT #7517 K of C & COLUMBIETTES on Saturday, January 18, 2025 from 5:30 – 9 pm in St. Polycarp Parish Hall. A fun filled night with dinner…show…dancing! Tickets $45. Call or email Anna Skinner at 302-883-5647 ANNA.SKINZ@gmail.com or Mike Cunningham at 302-389-8952 mikec923@yahoo.com. Look for the insert in next weekend’s bulletin!
BULLETIN OVERFLOW: Visit Bulletin Overflow https://saintpolycarp.org/overflow/ for details on the following and more!: (or use this QR code)
Help Wanted: Holy Family in Newark is seeking a full-time Administrative Assistant/Parish Secretary.
Xavier Society for the Blind: provides braille, large print, and audio materials in the Catholic tradition, free-of-charge, to blind/visually impaired people worldwide. To learn more visit xaviersocietyfortheblind.org or call 800-637-9193.
Annual Christmas Bazaar at Immaculate Conception Church, 452 Bow Street, Elkton MD. November 9th
Dancing to the Oldies: Msgr. Francis Desmond Columbiettes – St. Jude Parish Life Center, Lewes DE Saturday, November 16 from 5:30 – 10 pm. For details call Cathy 718-640-7885 or Grace 732-236-3878 or visit https://www.stjudelewes.org/dancing-to-the-oldies
Catholic High School Placement Tests: The Diocese of Wilmington will administer the High School Placement Test (HSPT) at our diocesan and parish high schools (Padua Academy, Saint Elizabeth High School, Saint Mark’s High School, Saints Peter & Paul High School) the third weekend in November. Register for the November 16/17 test at www.cdow.org/HSPT
2024 BISHOP’S 5K RUN/WALK: Saturday, November 23rd, 2024 Saint Mark’s High School Registration starts at 8am; Race begins at 9am . https://runsignup.com/Race/DE/Wilmington/TheBishops5K
St. Raymond Nonnatus Foundation Advent Retreat: Saturday, November 30th Daylesford Abbey, 220 S. Valley Road, Paoli, PA 19301 https://www.nonnatus.org/advent-retreat-2024.html
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, November 9th and December 13th.
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/ Sunday, November 10 – A. Wilson & Family; Sunday, November 24 – Willson Family , Sunday, December 10 – Lail Family, Sunday, December 29 – Netz Family
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:
CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIO: Listen to Catholic Forum each week. The Catholic Forum debuts every Wednesday at 12 p.m. This week, Ambassador Eduard Habsburg, Archduke of Austria, will discuss his new book, Building a Wholesome Family in a Broken World: Habsburg Lessons from the Centuries. 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 afternoons at 1:30. More information is available at cdow.org/CatholicForum CLICK HERE
LET US PRAY:
Lord God, as the election approaches,
we seek to better understand the issues and concerns that confront our state/country,
and how the Gospel compels us to respond as faithful citizens in our community.
We ask for eyes that are free from blindness
so that we might see each other as brothers and sisters,
one and equal in dignity,
especially those who are victims of abuse and violence, deceit and poverty.
We ask for ears that will hear the cries of children unborn and those abandoned,
Men and women oppressed because of race or creed, religion or gender.
We ask for minds and hearts that are open to hearing the voice of leaders who will bring us closer to your Kingdom.
We pray for discernment
so that we may choose leaders who hear your Word,
live your love,
and keep in the ways of your truth
as they follow in the steps of Jesus and his Apostles
and guide us to your Kingdom of justice and peace.
We ask this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
https://www.usccb.org