THE DEDICATION OF THE LATERAN BASILICA
~ The angel showed Ezekiel the waters flowing from the temple. These waters are made fresh. Do you believe that the water which flows from the sanctuary will bear good and fresh fruit?
~ Do you realize that you are a temple of God and that God dwells within you?
~ Do you believe that God will raise you up at the end of time?
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110925.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”.) Please note: At times the live-stream fails to work. We apologize for the inconvenience. Live stream from the Cathedral of St. Peter can be viewed on the Diocesan YouTube channel (DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON – LIVE STREAMING) at https://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.
IMPORTANT UPDATE – 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!
WELCOME FRANK COLETTA! We are delighted to welcome Frank Coletta as our new Financial Manager! Frank brings with him more than 40 years of experience in management and leadership. After relocating from Rhode Island, Frank and his wife, Susan, joined our parish this past summer. He is eager to put his professional skills to work in support of our parish’s mission and ministries. Please join us in giving Frank a warm welcome as he begins this new chapter of service with us!Frank can be reached at the parish office 302.653.8279 or financialmanager@saintpolycarp.org
THANK YOU, LAURA! As we welcome Frank into his new role, we also take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you to Laura Pajerowski, who has served as our Financial Manager for the past three years. Laura has been a true team player throughout her time on our parish staff. While we’ll certainly miss her, we’re excited to see what new adventures lie ahead for her. Please join us in wishing Laura all the best as she moves on to her next chapter!
THIS WEEK: Friday, November 7 – Friday, November 14
HAPPY 38th ANNIVERSAY FR. JIM! TODAY, November 7, is Fr. Jim’s 38th Anniversary of his Ordination to the Priesthood. Thank you, Fr. Jim, for answering the call to the priesthood! Thank you, Fr. Jim, for all you do to share God’s love and mercy with us through the celebration of the sacraments and providing opportunities for Eucharistic Adoration. Thank you, Fr. Jim, for all you do to strengthen and deepen our faith. THANK YOU!
May God grant Fr. Jim the strength, grace, good health and patience as he continues to shepherd two parishes! Please remember Fr. Jim in your prayers today and everyday.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION takes place Saturday, November 8, following the prayer after Communion at the 4pm Mass.
SECOND COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND, NOVEMBER 8/9: Due to a schedule error, the 2 collection this weekend is for The Triennial National Collection for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. Due to this change, the second collection for the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which was originally scheduled for November 8/9, will now be held on November 15/16. We appreciate your generosity and understanding.
THE VOCATION CHALICE : November 9 – Ashley Wilson will receive the Vocation Chalice for a week of prayer for vocations.
CALLING ALL FAMILIES! We are kicking off our Family Youth Social Group this Sunday, November 9, after the 10:30 am Youth Mass. All are invited! We have a new name for our group – BFF – Building Faith and Family !!! Join us in the hall for lunch, formation and fun!
PARISH COFFEE: There will be a coffee in the library on Tuesday, November 11, after the 8:30 am Mass. We will have lots of sweet treats, a short video, and lively conversation with fellow parishioners. See you there!
CHRISTMAS AT SEA: Now through November 9, the Christmas at Sea ministry will be collecting donations to create “ditty boxes.” The items will be placed in plastic shoe boxes and wrapped by our Confirmation students. Our Girl Scouts will then deliver the boxes to the Seaman’s Center of Wilmington around Thanksgiving. This is truly a Corporal Work of Mercy that we can all partake in. We are collecting gloves, hats, scarves, socks, playing cards, and full-size items of toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shaving cream, deodorant, shampoo, and hand lotion. Collection boxes will be in the hallway. Monetary donations will be used to purchase items to fill the boxes and can be made by placing an envelope marked “Christmas at Sea” in the collection basket, or by dropping the envelope off at the parish office. Please contact Tracie Bruno with any questions: 302-242-4150. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
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.
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.
NEXT WEEK: Friday, November 14 – Friday, November 21
SECOND COLLECTION, NOVEMBER 15/16, is for the St. Vincent de Paul Society (originally scheduled for November 8/9). We appreciate your generosity in helping those in need throughout our community.
MOVIE NIGHT IS ALMOST HERE: Why not plan to attend the next Movie Night on Saturday, November 15, after the 4pm Mass in the hall. You’ll enjoy an interesting movie, great refreshments and lively conversation with fellow parishioners. See you there!
QUARTER AUCTION – NEXT SUNDAY!!! Mark your calendars for St. Polycarp Church’s 3rd Annual Quarter Auction NEXT SUNDAY, November 16, Doors open at 3 pm. Auction begins at 4 pm.
🕒 TIME’S RUNNING OUT! Don’t miss your chance to be part of this incredible night of fellowship, fun, and faith. ✨ VIP TABLES AVAILABLE! ✨Get the best seats in the house with special perks and table service — perfect for families, friends, or ministry groups!
🎁 ITEM ANNOUNCEMENT – YOU COULD WIN:
✅ One FREE Month of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Training
✅ Dinner at Bally’s Royal Prime Steakhouse 🥩
✅ Tickets to a Queen Entertainment Show 👑🎶
✅ Plus TONS of gift certificates from local favorites around town!
⏳ Don’t wait — this event WILL sell out! Contact Deanna Lail at 302-535-2957 for more details.
UPCOMING:
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.
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, November 8, December 13.
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 9 – Ashley Wilson
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, we meet Diocese of Wilmington’s associate superintendent of schools, Ms. Carol Ripken. 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/.
A PRAYER FOR PRIESTS
Gracious and loving God, we thank you for the gift of our priests.
Through them, we experience your presence in the sacraments.
Help our priests to be strong in their vocation.
Set their souls on fire with love for your people.
Grant them the wisdom, understanding, and strength they need to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
Inspire them with the vision of your Kingdom.
Give them the words they need to spread the Gospel.
Allow them to experience joy in their ministry.
Help them to become instruments of your divine grace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns as our Eternal Priest.
Amen.
~ USCCB