Our Lord, Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
The Lord is King; He is robed in majesty.
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112121.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. Please bear with us as we work through the challenges with our live streaming. 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/. Don’t forget to checkout our BULLETIN OVERFLOW for information that doesn’t fit in our weekly Bulletin! Bulletin Overflow – Saint Polycarp Church
SMYRNA-CLAYTON MINISTERIUM FOOD PANTRY: We are once again collecting food items for the Smyrna-Clayton Ministerium Food Pantry. Bins for your non-perishable food donations are in the hallway outside of the Mother Drexel Hall. The pantry is in need of canned beef stew, canned chili, canned pasta, canned soup, and hot and cold cereal. Pop- top lids, if available. The pantry is no longer accepting coupons. Please no expired food. The pantry is now located at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Smyrna.
THIS WEEKEND, NOVEMBER 20/21
GO ST. POLYCARP FLAMES! Tomorrow, several of our parishioners will join Bishop Koenig for the Annual Bishop’s 5K run/walk. This year’s event will be held in person(St. Mark’s High School) and virtual. All proceeds benefit Catholic Charities outreach. Did you know that one out of every 10 residents of the Diocese receive at least one service each year from Catholic Charities? Represent our parish (live or virtual) by joining the St. Polycarp Flames team! Sign up at: https://runsignup.com/RaceGroups/35468/Groups/992871 If you would like to make a donation, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/Donate/DE/Wilmington/TheBishops5K
SECOND COLLECTION this weekend is for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. With this collection, you support programs that address the root causes of poverty and provide a sustainable future for those struggling across the country. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
THE GIVING TREE is now set up inside the main entrance of the Church. Help a child in need by choosing one of the tags and purchasing the requested gift. Gifts should be returned to the Parish Hall no later than December 5th.
PSR REMINDER: In-person classes this Sunday, November 21, for Grades P/K -4. Grade 3 families attend Mass together.
THE BLESSING OF MUSICIANS AND CANTORS will take place this Sunday, November 21st, at the 10:30 am Mass.
VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: This Sunday at the 10:30 am Mass – Norstrom Family
WEEK of NOVEMBER 21
Please do not park in front of the dumpsters on Monday through Friday. This prevents the Waste Management Collection and the Recycling Collection from being picked up. Thank you for your cooperation
PARISH OFFICE – HELP NEEDED: With the holidays quickly approaching, the parish office is looking for a few extra hands to help us out as a Front Desk Receptionist. Could you possibly consider helping us one morning (9 am to 12 noon) or afternoon (12 noon to 3 pm) a week or fill in as a substitute receptionist when needed? If you are interested, or would like more information, please call Kathy in the Parish Office at (302) 653–8279 or send an email to office@saintpolycarp.org. We are also looking for someone to help with the three bulletin boards outside of the church doors. Do you have time to create a background for Advent or stop by once a week to post flyers? If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Judy at communications@saintpolycarp.org or call the Parish Office at (302) 653-8279
PSR REMINDER – GRADES 5-8: NO CLASS on Tuesday, November 23. (No in-person class. no PSRonline assignment.)
ADULT FAITH FORMATION: Connected in Christ will be presenting a Scripture Study on Advent of the Savior – A Commentary of The Infancy Narratives of Jesus. Tuesdays, in Mother Drexel Hall, following 8:30 Mass. These infancy narratives of Matthew and Luke are an excellent Advent preparation for the coming of Christ, one “Who was, who is, and Who is to come” (Rev4:8). He who was born into our world through the maternity of Mary, also comes to us in countless ways, and will come to us again in the fullness of His Glory. There will be four sessions including an introductory session and three lessons. A suggested donation of $10 will help defray the cost of books.
NEXT WEEKEND, NOVEMBER 27/28
ANNUAL FALL CLEANUP – NEXT SATURDAY November 27th, 9 am – 1 pm. Are you ready to work off that Thanksgiving meal? Come join us for the Annual Fall Cleanup. Please bring a rake, blowers, gloves and your friends. Riding mowers that can vacuum up the leaves are needed. We need to clear the ground of leaves, branches, and debris. We appreciate any amount of time you are able to give. Great opportunity for Confirmandi volunteer hours. Light refreshments will be available. Please text or call Michael Pyle at (302) 423 – 9732 or email him at mjpyle58@msn.com so we can know how many folks to expect.
WEEK of NOVEMBER 28
RESERVED PARKING SPOT: Help out the church with this annual fundraiser and Parish tradition of putting up a parking spot to the highest bidder! PRIME PARKING SPOT! You will have the reserved spot in the back parking lot by the brick wall around the HVAC unit, practically right under the portico, with your name on it, for one year. With the winter weather coming, you will want to have that close spot for you or loved one (maybe as an early Christmas gift.) Please submit your bid amount by December 1st at 3pm by emailing lisa.titus@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.
UPCOMING/ONGOING
BREAKFAST WITH JESUS: Please join us for a very special Agape ON Sunday, December 5th following the 10:30 am Mass. Come enjoy “Breakfast with Jesus” and share the blessings of the season with each other as we await the coming of our Lord! A pancake breakfast hosted by the Knights of Columbus will be served. There will be photo opportunities for the children. Hope to see you there!
COOKIES!! Please stop by the portico after Mass on Saturday, December 4th or at the Agape on Sunday, the 5th and pickup some homemade cookies from Brother Vincent Columbiettes. The funds raised are returned to St. Polycarp over the year as our Columbiettes support various parish projects.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TURKEY/HAM/GIFT CARD DROP-OFF: Once again, it’s time for SVDP’s annual Christmas “Turkey Drive” to benefit our neighbors in need. Can you donate a turkey or ham? Gift cards are also greatly appreciated. ($30 maximum).DONATIONS – Drop off your donation at the St. Polycarp parking lot on Thursday, December 9th, 6:30 – 8:00 pm. If you know of anyone who would like to have a turkey, ham, or gift card please call the Saint Vincent de Paul Society at 302-264-6630. Saint Vincent de Paul members will deliver the turkeys and gift cards to peoples’ homes on Saturday, December 11, between 9 am and Noon. (Weather permitting.)
SODALITY ADVENT RETREAT: Saturday December 11, 2021 Mother Drexel Hall – 9:00 am -1:00 pm. Deacon Frank will be our Retreat Master. Open to our Parish. See upcoming bulletins for details.
CHANGE THE WORLD: BECOME CATHOLIC! Earlier this month, we celebrated All Saints Day, as we recalled those “living witnesses” who with joy and peace, show us what living the Catholic life can bring. As witnesses to Christ’s love ourselves, we pray to the saints, asking for their intercession for those who are discerning the call to join in full union with the Catholic Church. 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, taking place at the Parish campus on 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: 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. Call or text Alice Gaston 302-670-7924 to sign up. See the Bulletin for schedule.
MEMORIAL BRICKS: Now is a perfect time to add your Memorial Brick to the walkway of our outdoor Blessed Mother Shrine. We are truly blessed to have the opportunity to have our Blessed Mother looking down upon a memory of our loved one, a special occasion or just your family name. You can 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 (forms may be found at the Church doors) with payment to St. Polycarp Church in an envelope labeled “Memorial Brick”. You can also CLICK HERE FOR ORDER FORM
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
THE DIALOG: http://thedialog.org/ Newspaper of the Diocese, copies available as you leave Church or online
FROM THE DIOCESE:
CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIO: Saturdays at 1:30 pm on Relevant Radio 640. On tomorrow’s episode, November 20, 2021, tune in to meet Rev. Brad Martin and Fr. Michael Murray, two chaplains for the Wilmington Fire Department as they discuss their ministry and how the WFD are celebrating their 100th anniversary. Listen anytime at cdow.org/CatholicForum or search Catholic Forum on Apple, Spotify or iHeartRadio podcasts. Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have changed the guest line-up for the November 27, 2021 Catholic Forum program. The guest will no longer be (Fr. James Herring). On, November 27th, tune-in to hear an interview with father/son deacons, Walt and Brennan Ferris.
LET US PRAY:
O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you all my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day, for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, in reparation for my sins, for the intention of all our Associates, and for the General Intentions recommended for this month. Amen.