Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
~ As we come close to Advent, consider how God has delivered you from darkness to light?
~ Can you take time this week for a prayer of gratitude that, through Baptism, you are a child of God?
~ The second criminal rebukes the first for lacking fear of God. How do you practice reverence for God?
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112325.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”.) Live stream from the Cathedral of St. Peter can be viewed on the Diocesan YouTube channel (DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON – LIVE STREAMING) athttps://www.youtube.com/user/DioceseofWilm
PARISH WEBSITE: Visit: www.saintpolycarp.org/.
WEEKLY PARISH BULLETIN: CLICK HERE . or use this QR code. Previous bulletins can also be viewed. (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
IMPORTANT REMINDERS: When receiving the Blessed Sacrament at Mass, please consume the Eucharist in front of the Priest, Deacon, or Eucharistic Minister prior to stepping away. It is not permitted to walk away with the Blessed Sacrament, take it back to your pew or leave Church with Jesus in your hand. When approaching the altar to receive Holy Communion, please approach with reverence (folding hands and being in a prayerful mode) and after receiving the Sacrament. Remember, it is the Body and Blood of Jesus that you just received.
2025 FAITH AND CHARITY CATHOLIC APPEAL – TOGETHER IN HOPE: We are above our goal in pledges but we have not reached our goal in money collected. It is important that everyone follows through with payments on pledges. Thanks to the generosity of 185 donors, our parish has pledged $64,741.76! Our total amount collected towards the pledge amount is now $61,201.29. Once we reach our goal in collected donations, we will receive back half of the money collected above the goal for projects around our campus. Thank you for your generosity and support!
IMPORTANT REMINDER: If you receive emails or texts from Fr. Jim asking for favors, gift cards or gifts or asking you to return his email because he has a favor to ask of you, please ignore and delete. They are not from Fr. Jim. If an email looks suspicious and you’re not sure, give the office a call. Fr. Jim has never/will never solicit donations or favors in this manner. He will not ask you to email Church directories. Thank you to all those parishioners who called the office this past week about receiving scam emails supposedly from Fr. Jim.
THIS WEEK: Friday, November 21 – Friday, November 28
U.S. BISHOPS ISSUE A “SPECIAL MESSAGE” ON IMMIGRATION: See the insert in this weekend’s bulletin, use the QR code found below or CLICK HERE
CHICKEN & DUMPLINGS: Brother Vincent Council Knights of Columbus will be selling their Famous Chicken & Dumplings on November 22 and 23 following Masses in Mother Drexel Hall.
One quart $10; Buy 3 quarts, get the fourth one Free!
While you’re picking up your Chicken and Dumplings, stop by the Brother Knights recruitment table for literature and answers to your questions about becoming a Brother Knight!
THE VOCATION CHALICE : November 23 – James Sloven will receive the Vocation Chalice for a week of prayer for vocations.
FAIITH WITH FRIENDS: Find joy in faith with friendship! Join us this Sunday, November 23 at 9 am in the Library for Faith with Friends. Bring someone along!
OFFICE CLOSED: The Parish Office will close at Noon on Wednesday, November 26 and remain closed until Monday, December 1 at 9 am. Fr. Jim, Deacon Frank, Erica Taylor and all the staff wish you a happy and blessed Thanksgiving. We are thankful for all of our parish family!
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. Please purchase a gift for the child on the tag you choose and return it to the Parish Hall no later than Sunday, November 30. Contact Fran and Jim Walls at 302-359-9152, if you have any questions. Thank you for your continued support and generosity!
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 a loved one (maybe as an early Christmas gift.) Please submit your bid amount by November 28 at 12 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. Individual parishioners, as well as, parish groups are welcome to bid. All bids MUST be in writing.
THE SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY ANNUAL CHRISTMAS GIFT PROGRAM: If you would like to participate, please place gift cards (for grocery stores or Walmart) in an
envelope marked “St. Vincent de Paul” and drop it in the collection basket or the poor box. All gift cards are greatly appreciated; however, please note that the maximum amount per card is $30.00. Thank you for your generosity and continued support in helping those in need this Christmas season! If anyone knows of anybody who would like to have a gift card, please call St. Vincent de Paul at 302- 264-6630. St. Vincent de Paul members will distribute gift cards to children/families, senior citizens, and patients at Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill. Anyone who would like to join us in distributing the gifts, please contact Chuck Miller 302-270-4942.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SERVING AS AN EXTRAORDINARY MINISTER OF HOLY COMMUNION? Are you a Catholic living in harmony with the teachings of the Church? Are you at least 18 years old? Have you received the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation? Are you sufficiently mature to perform the duties of Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at Mass or to the sick and homebound? These are the qualifications needed to be considered for Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. If this is a ministry you feel God calling you to or if you have been an Extraordinary Minister at another Parish and would like to resume at St. Polycarp Church, please contact Cindy Kennedy at 302-653-7525 or kennedy-078@msn.com. Formation and training will be on Sunday, December 7, at 12 pm in the library. You must register prior to this date.
WE NEED YOU AND YOUR TALENT! DO YOU PLAY A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT? WE NEED INSTRUMENTALISTS!
Saint Polycarp Parish’s Music Ministry needs skilled instrumentalists for liturgies.
Your talents can help us avoid a shortage of musicians.
Contact Kathy Curlett at 302-222-9326 for more information.
NOVEMBER SMYRNA-CLAYTON MINISTERIUM EVENTS: The annual Thanksgiving dinner will be held at Smyrna Elementary School on Sunday, November 23, from 2 pm to 5 pm. This Community Thanksgiving Dinner is free to all. Take out meals will be available after everyone is served.
NEXT WEEK: Friday, November 28 – Friday, December 5
ANNUAL FALL CLEANUP: Saturday, November 29, 2025 9 am – Noon Come join us for the Annual Fall Cleanup.
We need you to help beautify the campus by clearing the ground of leaves, branches and debris. Please bring a rake, blowers, gloves and your friends. Great opportunity for Confirmandi volunteer hours. We welcome folks on riding mowers that can vacuum up the leaves. We appreciate any amount of time you are able to give. 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.
SECOND COLLECTION, NEXT WEEKEND, NOVEMBER 29/30 is for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. In the United States, over 11% of the population live in poverty. Through this collection, you support programs that address the root causes of poverty and provide a sustainable future for those struggling across the country. In addition, 25% of the funds we collect remain in our diocese to fund local antipoverty projects. Please prayerfully consider how you can support this collection. To learn more visit www.usccb.org/cchd.
UPCOMING:
AGAPE: Come join us as we gather together to enjoy “God’s Love” and celebrate our newly renovated kitchen!
Brother Vincent Columbiette’s will be hosting a delicious lunch, while enjoying fellowship and fun!
Hope to see you on Sunday, December 7, following the 10:30am Mass.
COOKIE TIME! It’s that time of the year for the Annual Columbiette Cookie Walk! Come support the Columbiette’s by purchasing some home baked cookies. Cookies will be sold in Mother Drexel Hall on Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7 following Mass.
THE VOCATION CHALICE : December 7 – Betty Sloven will receive the Vocation Chalice for a week of prayer for vocations.
The BVM Sodality – ADVENT RETREAT – Saturday, December 13, 2025 9:30 am – 1:30 pm – The members of the BVM Sodality invite you to an Advent Retreat in Mother Drexel Hall at St. Polycarp. The cost of the retreat is free but you will need to register by Tuesday, December 9, so we have enough lunch for everyone! Please call Betty Sloven at 302-547-8174 or email her at churchladybetty@gmail.com.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: December 13
THE VOCATION CHALICE : December 21 – The Carannante Family will receive the Vocation Chalice for a week of prayer for vocations.
WILD WILD WEST CELEBRATION hosted by Brother Vincent Knights of Columbus & Columbiettes. January 17, 2026. 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm DINNER & DANCE – Featuring Cowboy Charisma. Join us for a fun filled night! Tickets $45 Contact Mike Cunningham: mikec923@yahoo.com or 302-379-8952
Visit www.formed.org.
Type in our Parish zip code (19977),
Click on St. Polycarp Church then enter your name and email address!
You can also scan this QR code.
Is there someone you know who would like to explore the Catholic faith – someone unbaptized, or baptized in the Catholic or another Christian tradition? Do you or someone you know need the Sacraments of First Eucharist and/or Confirmation? The Catholic faith can fulfill their desire for a closer relationship with Our Lord by participating in the OCIA process. Please contact Deacon Frank Weber for more information: DeaconFrank@saintpolycarp.org or leave a message with the Parish office at (302) 653 – 8279.
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: December 13, January 10, February 7, March 7, April 11, May 9
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. November 23 – James Sloven, December 7 – Betty Sloven, December 21 – Carannante Family
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP (Pathway to Peace) meets on most Fridays at 5:30 pm. 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 11 am. 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. Fr. Jim has never/will never solicit donations in this manner.
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
CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIO: Listen to Catholic Forum each week. This week, Diocese of Wilmington Delegate for Religious, Sister Ann David Strohminger, OSF, will be the guest. 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/.
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the gift of life, for family and friends,
for the food we share, and the blessings we receive each day.
On this Thanksgiving, we remember Your goodness and mercy.
Help us to be mindful of those in need, to share generously, and to live with grateful hearts.
Bless our gatherings, O Lord, and may our gratitude draw us closer to You.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
