28th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
October 14/15
SUNDAY SCRIPTURE – QUESTIONS TO PONDER
~ When have you depended on God to act as your shepherd, protecting you and giving you courage?
~ What difference has it made to you to rely on God instead of your own strength?
~ How do you hold back from God’s invitation to relationship?
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101523.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.
PARISH WEBSITE: Visit: www.saintpolycarp.org/.
WEEKLY PARISH BULLETIN: CLICK HERE . (New Bulletins are posted on Fridays.) Meet Pastoral Council member Neda Biggs in this weekend’s bulletin!
BULLETIN OVERFLOW: There’s always information that doesn’t fit in our Bulletin – Bulletin Overflow – CLICK HERE
THIS WEEKEND, October 14/15 (and Monday, October 16th – Friday, October 20th)
ROSARY RALLY: Tomorrow, Saturday, October 14th, at noon. Depending on the weather, the rally will be held either outside at the Blessed Virgin Mary statue or inside the Church. Please join our parish as well as thousands of Catholics, to publicly pray the Rosary during this annual event. Mary asked us at Fatima to pray the Rosary daily for peace in our world and peace in our families. All are welcome to come pray as a witness to our faith.
ST. JUDE CHILDREN’S RESEARCH HOSPITAL BIKE-A-THON: Our annual St. Jude Bike-a-thon is this Sunday, October 15th, at 1:00 pm. Please consider coming to watch our students ride their bikes to raise money for the sick children at the hospital. If you are able, please consider giving a donation to help us reach our goal of $4000.00. We will be collecting after both Masses this weekend.
BOSCOV DISCOUNT PASSES – Your $5 shopping pass buys a full day of 25% Off Discount Shopping and a chance to win fabulous door prizes! If you missed purchasing your $5 pass at the doors after Mass earlier this month, it’s not too late to purchase one. Contact either Jill Mercer at (518) 795 –7579 or MaryLois Barnas at (302) 388 – 3332. Profits from this sale helps Brother Vincent Columbiettes support their many charitable activities. The event is Tuesday, October 18th, at any Boscov store.
BIRTHRIGHT’S ANNUAL BOTTLES FOR BABIES FUNDRAISER: Throughout the whole month of October, “Respect Life month,” Birthright of Delaware hosts its Annual Bottles for Babies Fundraiser. Baby bottles will be available at all of the Church doors during the month. We ask you to please take as many bottles as you would like .Fill the bottle with loose change, cash or a check then please read the insert, fill it out as neatly as possible (if you chose to do so for a Tax credit). Return the bottle(s) at the end of October or sooner. Checks should be made payable to Birthright of Delaware. The proceeds benefit pregnant women and their babies. Thank you for your willingness to support and choose life!
CHRISTMAS AT SEA: Throughout October, the Seaman’s 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, and full size items such as soap, shaving cream, deodorant, etc. Collection boxes will be in the hallway. Monetary donations will be used to purchase items to fill the boxes and can be made through Faith Direct: https://membership.faithdirect.net/events/org/831 Please contact Tracie Bruno with any questions: (302) 242-4150. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
PSR CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT FUNDRAISER:
Check out this weekend’s Bulletin insert for information about this year’s ornament sale or CLICK HERE
DIRECTORY COORDINATOR: The Pastoral Council is looking for a parishioner to coordinate the preparation for a new directory for Saint Polycarp. Our last directory was published in 2018 and we understand there may be an interest in producing a new directory. Please contact Kathy Curlett at (302) 222 – 9326 if you are interested.
NEEDED – NEW MINISTRY SCHEDULER: We are currently looking for someone to take over the scheduling of our ministers for the Weekend Masses and Holy Days of Obligation. This person must have good PC organization and computer skills. If you think you might be interested in this position, please call Frank Patton at (302) 508-5268.
2023 FAITH AND CHARITY CATHOLIC APPEAL: UPDATE: We extend our heartfelt appreciation to each and every one of you who have already contributed to our parish Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal. 196 donors pledged a total of $63,938.55. We are $3,938.55 above the $60,000 goal in pledges. $55,068.09 (91.78%) has been collected, leaving $4,931.91 to still be collected to reach the $60,000 goal. Please remember to follow through with payments on your pledges. 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. We invite those who haven’t yet had the opportunity to give to the Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal to join us in spreading the spirit of gratitude. Envelopes can be found at the doors of the Church.
To learn more about the Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal, visit www.cdow.org; click “Giving” then “Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal,” or simply scan this QR code with your cellphone.
RESTROOMS: Please remember that the old bathrooms are now single occupancy use. (Don’t forget to lock the door.)
NEXT WEEKEND, October 21/22 (and Monday, October 23rd – Friday, October 27th)
EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION MEETING – Saturday, October 21st at 9:00 am in Mother Drexel Hall. All EMs are expected to attend to stay in compliance with the Dioceses of Wilmington requirements. Bring your coffee or tea and see the new changes we will be making.
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. Next Saturday, October 21st at the 4 pm Mass – Maureen Naylor:
QUARTER AUCTION: St. Polycarp’s Parish & Family Life Ministry will be holding its 1st Quarter Auction on Friday, October 27th, 2023. No need to purchase a paddle in advance or to register in advance (but this does help us in knowing how many we can expect). Just come have fun! All are welcome. Doors will open at 5 pm, auction starts at 6 pm. Proceeds raised will benefit Parish operational expenses and Ministry needs. All-in Paddles may be purchased in advance or at the door for $45 (Cash only). Regular Paddles may be purchased for $5 each. 50/50 Tickets will be available (Cash only). Concessions will be available (Cash only) for sale sponsored by Brother Vincent Columbiettes, Please, no outside food or beverages. If you have any questions or would like to purchase an All-in Paddle, contact Darlene Sanphy at (302) 270 – 3915 or Deanna Lail at 302-535-2957 or deannasanphy@yahoo.com
UPCOMING
FAITH & FATIMA: Come join us on Sunday, October 29th as we hear “Faith & Fatima, Stories From the Heart”, by presenter Alice Reiss Israel.
The Blessed Mother appeared to three children in rural Portugal in 1917, calling on the world to repent and say the Rosary. On July 13th, she showed them a vision of hell to reveal the suffering caused by sin, and gave them the “Fatima prayer” and asked that it be said at the end of every decade of the Rosary: “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy”. Almost no-one believed the children. But Our Lady promised a miracle. On October 13th, the “Miracle of the Sun” happened: the Sun danced, and was witnessed by 70,000 amazed people, including skeptics and scientists.
Alice Reiss Israel’s father witnessed that miracle and it changed his life. Alice’s life is also marked by faith in Fatima and she is coming to share her story with us on Sunday, October 29th, after Mass. Please join us!
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 everything 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 Novena of Masses 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 during these special Masses. Extra envelopes will be available at the church entrances.
BEGINNING NOVEMBER 7th, weekday Masses at St. Polycarp will be celebrated at 7:30 am on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Weekday Masses at St. Dennis will be celebrated at 9:30 am on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. (No 8:30 am Masses) In conjunction with the National Eucharistic Revival, the addition of weekday Masses will allow greater opportunity to receive the Eucharist. Come join us! A wonderful way to start your day! Weekend Masses remain the same.
ONGOING
SACRISTAN NEEDED: We are still in need of someone to step forward to serve as sacristan. Sacristans have the duty to arrive early to the Church in order to unlock the doors and prepare the Church for Mass. Becoming a sacristan would be a great way to learn more about our beautiful liturgy and become more involved in carrying it out. No previous knowledge is required. If you are interested, please contact the head sacristan Adam Bauer at ajpd.bauer@gmail.com.
SATURDAY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION at St. Polycarp will take place monthly at the Vigil Mass for the Second Sunday of the month. November 11th & December 9th. Eucharistic Adoration at St. Dennis Church (Galena MD) will take place on the Fourth Sunday of the month following the 8 am Sunday Mass. Sundays, October 22nd, & November 26th.
TUESDAY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: Tuesdays from 9 am to 8pm in the Chapel. We are still in need of people to fill in when others are ill or cannot attend. Do you have one hour to spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament on an occasional basis? Call Cheryl Thomas at (302) 363 – 0404 or email her at salcrest7@gmail.com. All are welcome to stop in and adore Jesus between 9 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. October 21st at the 4 pm Mass – Maureen Naylor: October 29th at the 10:30 am Mass – Christy Earl. For more information visit https://saintpolycarp.org/vocation-chalice/
CONNECTED IN CHRIST (ADULT FAITH FORMATION) meets every Tuesday at 9:30 am in the Parish Library – ALL are welcome. Please join us. If you have any questions, please call Cookie Ruane at (302) 540 – 6429.
FAITH WITH FRIENDS (ADULT FAITH FORMATION) meets the first Thursday of every month at 6 pm in Room 7. Everyone is invited. Questions? Contact Ashley Wilson at 302.535.4118.
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.
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
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!
BULLETIN SPONSORS: 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!
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
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
EWTN: ewtn.com
FROM THE DIOCESE:
CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIO: Saturdays at 1:30 pm on Relevant Radio 640AM. On Saturday, October 14th, Explore clergy & religious wellness with David Shellenberger. CLICK HERE You can listen online at cdow.org/CatholicForum, or by searching “Catholic Forum” on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or Amazon Music podcasts. “Like” Catholic Forum on Facebook at facebook.com/CatholicForum @CatholicForum.
LET US PRAY: The Angelus
The Angelus, a prayer with roots back to the 13th century, is a Marian devotion that is traditionally recited three times a day, usually at 6 am, noon, and 6 pm. Each recitation includes three Hail Marys with antiphons and responses in between each. The genius of this devotion is that it focuses on the Incarnation, an essential mystery of our faith. (What is the Incarnation – that the Son of God, retaining His divine nature, took to Himself a human nature, that is, a body and soul like ours.)
The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Behold the handmaid of the Lord:
Be it done unto me according to Thy word.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
And the Word was made Flesh:
And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God,
that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray:
Pour forth, we beseech Thee O Lord,
Thy grace into our hearts;
that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ,
Thy Son, was made known
by the message of an angel,
may by His Passion and Cross be brought
to the glory of his Resurrection
through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen.