30th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
~ If the Lord hears the cry of the poor, what is to be your disposition to people in need?
~ Do you need to bring your broken heart or crushed spirit to God?
~ What attitude do you bring to prayer?
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102625.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.
2025 FAITH AND CHARITY CATHOLIC APPEAL – TOGETHER IN HOPE: Congratulations! We’ve reached our goal in PLEDGES! 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 has increased to $58,518. 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!
THIS WEEK: Friday, October 24 – Friday, October 31
OFFICE CLOSED: The Parish Office will close at Noon on Friday, October 24.
SILVER ROSE PILGRIMAGE: October 25, 2025, immediately after 4 pm Mass. Please join the Knights of Columbus, in this Rosary centered devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe. This ceremony honors the sanctity of life, promoting the dignity of all human life. Contact: Mike Cunningham with questions at 302-379-8952 or mikec923@yahoo.com
ST. JUDE BIKE-A-THON COLLECTION AT DOORS THIS WEEKEND: Our annual St. Jude Bikeathon was a success! We had beautiful weather and a great turnout of participants and volunteers! We need your help to reach our goal of $5000! We will be collecting donations after Mass today at all the doors! Any support is greatly appreciated!
AN INVITATION! Come celebrate the saints! Inviting ALL parishioners of St. Polycarp! Come join us at our annual All Saints Day Parade Trunk or Treat on Sunday, October 26, at 9 am! Watch our PSR students march as saints or join in on the action and hand out treats! Reserve a spot today! Contact Erica Taylor at 653-4101 or dre@saintpolycarp.org for more info.
FAITH WITH FRIENDS: Canceled – Sunday, October 26, due to the Saints Parade and Trunk or Treat!
THE VOCATION CHALICE : October 26 – Jesse and Nichole Netz will receive the Vocation Chalice for a week of prayer for vocations.
CHRISTMAS AT SEA: From October 25 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.
PSR’s CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT FUNDRAISER has begun! Ornaments are just $5. For information and order form, click here or use this QR code. 
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 at these special Masses. Extra envelopes are available at the church entrances.
BIRTHRIGHT’S ANNUAL BOTTLES FOR BABIES FUNDRAISER – Throughout the month of October, “Respect Life month,” Birthright of Delaware hosts its Annual Bottles for Babies Fundraiser. Bottles are available at the doors of the Church. Please take as many bottles as you would like. Fill the bottle with loose change, cash or a check. Please return the bottle(s) by Nov. 2. Proceeds benefit pregnant women and their families.
ALTAR SERVERS: If your child expresses a desire to serve Jesus and St. Polycarp Parish at the altar and if they have received the Sacrament of Holy Communion, please contact: Fran and Jim Walls at Cell Phone- 302-359-9152 and Email- SmyrnaWalls@gmail.com There will be training for new altar servers this Fall.
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.
DO YOU PLAY A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT? WE NEED YOU! 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.
OCTOBER IS MONTH OF THE HOLY ROSARY
“Go to the Madonna. Love her! Always say the Rosary. Say it well. Say it as often as you can! Be souls of prayer. Never tire of praying, it is what is essential. Prayer shakes the Heart of God, it obtains necessary graces!” – St. Padre Pio
Have you prayed the Rosary this month?
NEXT WEEK: Friday, October 31 – Friday, November 7
ST.DENNIS CHURCH’S CHRISTMAS CRAFT & VENDOR FAIR- Saturday, November 1, from 9 am to 2 pm.
St. Dennis Church (154 North Main Street, Galena, MD)
There will be arts and crafts, lunch with Santa in his workshop, Christmas gifts for all ages, silent auctions, raffle tickets, as well as cakes, pies, cookies made by the parishioners! Lunch will be served all day. For more information contact Jim at 717-575-1235.
ALL SAINTS’ DAY November 1 – A Holy Day of Obligation
Mass Schedule – The Solemnity of All Saints
St. Polycarp – *Saturday, November 1 at 8:30 am
St. Dennis -*Saturday, November 1 at 8:30 am
* Because All Saints’ Day falls on a Saturday this year, this Solemnity is still a “Holy Day” but the obligation to attend Mass is removed. This Mass does not satisfy the attendance of the Sunday Mass obligation.
ALL SOULS’ DAY
Mass Schedule – All Souls’ Day
November 2
St. Polycarp – Saturday, November 1 at 4 pm & Sunday, November 2 at 10:30 am
St. Dennis – Sunday, November 2 at 8 am and 11 am (Hispanic)
COME GROW IN FAITH WITH FRIENDS! Faith is stronger with friends! Come join us for Faith with Friends on Sunday, November 2, at 9 am in the library.
Bring a friend – you’ll be glad you did.
UPCOMING:
QUARTER AUCTION COMING SOON! Mark your calendars for St. Polycarp Church’s 3rd Annual Quarter Auction on 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.
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 8th, 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. October 26 – Jesse & Nichole Netz; 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’s guest is Marion Amberg, author of the new faith-travel book, “Incredible Catholic America: Smallest, Tallest, Oldest, Oddest.”, writer and podcaster Lauren Enriquez, will discuss ways to help those with ADHD get more out of Mass. 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/.
October is the Month of the Rosary.
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy,
our life, our sweetness and our hope.
To thee do we cry,
poor banished children of Eve.
To thee do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate,
thine eyes of mercy toward us,
and after this our exile
show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving,
O sweet Virgin Mary.
October is Respect Life Month – USCCB A Prayer For Life:
Father and maker of all, you adorn all creation with splendor and beauty, and fashion human lives in your image and likeness.
Awaken in every heart reverence for the work of your hands, and renew among your people a readiness to nurture and sustain your precious gift of life.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen