As we prepare for the upcoming election, please take time to read this Message from Bishop Koenig regarding 2024 Election.
30th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
SUNDAY SCRIPTURE – QUESTIONS TO PONDER
~ How might God be leading people back to faith?
~ What has God done in your life recently that has filled you with joy?
~ How can you set aside time this week to quietly consider what you would like Jesus to do for you?
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102724.cfm
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. DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON – LIVE STREAMINGhttps://www.youtube.com/user/DioceseofWilm
PARISH WEBSITE: Visit: www.saintpolycarp.org/.
WEEKLY PARISH BULLETIN: CLICK HERE . (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
Mass Schedule – The Solemnity of All Saints, November 1 – A Holy Day of Obligation
St. Polycarp: Thursday, October 31st, at 5 pm (Vigil Mass) & Friday, November 1st, at 8:30 am
St. Dennis: Thursday, October 31st, at 7 pm (Vigil Mass) & Friday, November 1st, at 8:30 am
Mass Schedule – All Souls’ Day, November 2
St. Polycarp – Saturday, November 2nd, at 8:30 am
This Mass does not satisfy the attendance of the Sunday Mass obligation.
FAITH AND CHARITY APPEAL – One Body, One Spirit in Christ: Please remember to follow through with payments on 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. It is important that everyone follows through with payments on pledges. It’s not too late to participate! If your household has not participated, we encourage you to
prayerfully consider participating in this annual event. Every gift counts, no matter how small. Pledge cards can be found at the doors of the Church. You can also give online at www.cdow.org; click “Giving” then “Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal”, or simply scan this QR code with your cellphone.
THIS WEEKEND, October 26/27 (and Monday, October 28th – Friday, November 1st)
OCTOBER IS THE MONTH OF THE ROSARY & RESPECT LIFE MONTH. The Catholic Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month during the month of October. Respect Life applies to all stages of life – from conception in the womb to the the end of natural life. Take the time to pray the Rosary this month for life!
ALL SAINTS’ PARADE “TRUNK OR TREAT”: Come out and enjoy our Annual All Saint’s Parade this Sunday, October 27th at 9:00 am. Children must dress as a saint. Each child should wear a sign or tag saying what saint they are representing. After our Parade of Saints, the children will walk around to collect candy/goodies given out by the different ministries/committees and groups of our parish. This is an exciting way to celebrate All Saints Day!
FREE CHILDREN’S COATS! Winter coats, FREE to our children, will be available after Masses, in Mother Drexel Hall, this weekend, Saturday Oct 26th and Sunday October 27th. The coats are in youth sizes, 7 to 18, and will be distributed on a first-come basis.
PRETZEL TIME! The Knights of Columbus will be selling soft pretzels after Masses this weekend, October 26th and 27th. Pretzels will only be sold in Mother Drexel Hall. Pretzels are $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00.
RECRUITMENT DRIVE: Brother Vincent Knights of Columbus along with our Squires, and Columbiettes are conducting a recruitment drive this weekend after Masses. Why aren’t you a member of one of these organizations?? Come meet with us for coffee and donuts and join.
The SILVER ROSE pilgrimage will again come to St. Polycarp Church this Wednesday, October 30th after the 8:30 am Mass. Come join Brother Vincent Council in a rosary-centered service to Our Lady. Share the message of Our Lady of Guadalupe and promote respect for life by participating in this meaningful pilgrimage. Every stop the Silver Rose makes throughout the pilgrimage is a rosary-centered occasion for Knights, parishioners, and community members to pray for respect for life, for the spiritual renewal of each nation, and for the advancement of the message of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
BIRTHRIGHT’S ANNUAL BOTTLES FOR BABIES FUNDRAISER: Now is the time to return the bottles, or if you haven’t grabbed one yet, grab one and return next week! Bottles should be placed in the baskets near the doors of the Church. The proceeds benefit pregnant women and their babies. Thank you for your willingness to support and choose life!
CHRISTMAS AT SEA: Throughout October, the Christmas at Sea ministry has been collecting donations to create “ditty boxes.” October is almost over. If you are planning to contribute, please place your items of chapstick, comb, cough drops, deodorant, disposable razors, gloves, gum, candy, hand lotion, pens, stationery, playing cards, sewing kit, shampoo, shaving cream, soap, socks, toothbrush, toothpaste, hats and/or scarves in the collection boxes under the coat rack in the hallway. Please contact Tracie Bruno with any questions: 302-242-4150. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
THE DELAWARE HOSPITAL FOR THE CHRONICALLY ILL is having a beautiful FALL DANCE for the residents next month. To help with the fun, the staff at DHCI are seeking gently used dresses (need sizes Large, XL, 2XL – 4XL) and men’s buttoned down shirts (need sizes Large – 4XL) and ties. Drop off donations by November 1st at the Main Medical Building Lobby (the Prickett Building – the one with the flag pole out front). 100 Sunnyside Road, Smyrna. Help bring joy to the residents at their special fall dance! Questions? Contact Tina Wagner at 302-223-1011 or tina.wagner@delaware.gov
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 Mass 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 this special mass. Extra envelopes will be available at the Church entrances.
THE FACILITIES PLANNING COMMITTEE has been established and meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm in the hall. We are looking for parishioners with backgrounds in electrical, plumbing, carpentry, painting and other construction expertise needed for our project. If God has blessed you with a gift you can share, please contact John Irwin, Executive Officer of Facilities Planning at 740-317-3617. Our next meeting is Tuesday, November 5th at 6:30 pm in the hall.
VIDEOGRAPHERS NEEDED: Are you interested in helping to promote Saint Polycarp Parish? Do you have videography skills? The Pastoral Council is looking for someone to help us make a video to showcase our parish campus. Please contact our Executive Officer, Ken Eckard at kennetheckard9@gmail.com.
THE COUNTDOWN IS ON…QUARTERS IN, PADDLES UP! ST. POLYCARP’S 2ND ANNUAL QUARTER AUCTION IS ALMOST HERE! Sunday, November 17th. Don’t miss out on the fun—scan this QR code or contact Darlene at (302) 270-3915 to grab your paddles! Some of the items received from our local supporters include a “you pick 2 for a year” from Panera Bread, Meal Cards from Chick-fil-A and the items pictured below!
NEXT WEEKEND, November 2/3 (and Monday, November 4th – Friday, November 8th)
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.
AGAPE: Come celebrate “God’s Love” as we give thanks for our Blessings as we join together for Agape next Sunday, November 3rd following the 10:30 am Mass. Hosted by the members of Pastoral Council.
ST. DENNIS CHRISTMAS CRAFT & VENDOR FAIR: Saturday, November 2nd, 9 am – 2 pm at St. Dennis, Galena, MD
This annual event features arts & crafts, lunch with Santa in his workshop, Christmas gifts for all ages, “12 Days of Christmas” decorations, silent auctions, raffle tickets, many vendors, and delicious treats. Lunch will be served all day. There will be cakes, pies, cookies, and other yummy goodies made by the parishioners of St. Dennis! New Vendors are welcome to attend, if you are interested, please call Jim at 717-575-1235.
CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENTS: Don’t forget to order Christmas Ornaments for just $5 to help support PSR. The ornaments you purchase will help us decorate the Christmas Trees that will be displayed in Mother Drexel Hall during the Christmas Season. Orders are due by Nov. 5. Order forms are available at the doors.
BULLETIN OVERFLOW: Visit Bulletin Overflow https://saintpolycarp.org/overflow/ for details on the following and more!: (or use this QR code)
Xavier Society for the Blind: provides braille, large print, and audio materials in the Catholic tradition, free-of-charge, to blind/visually impaired people worldwide. To learn more visit xaviersocietyfortheblind.org or call 800-637-9193.
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Wilmington is now on Instagram! Follow us at @CatholicCharitiesDEWorldwide Marriage Encounter: The next weekend is November 1st – 3rd , 2024 at the Brighton Suites in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. For information or to register visit our website http://www.wwme.org or call Tony and Linda Massino at 302-648-2228.
Annual Christmas Bazaar at Immaculate Conception Church, 452 Bow Street, Elkton MD. November 9th
Dancing to the Oldies: Msgr. Francis Desmond Columbiettes – St. Jude Parish Life Center, Lewes DE Saturday, November 16 from 5:30 – 10 pm. For details call Cathy 718-640-7885 or Grace 732-236-3878 or visit https://www.stjudelewes.org/dancing-to-the-oldies
Catholic High School Placement Tests: The Diocese of Wilmington will administer the High School Placement Test (HSPT) at our diocesan and parish high schools (Padua Academy, Saint Elizabeth High School, Saint Mark’s High School, Saints Peter & Paul High School) the third weekend in November. Register for the November 16/17 test at www.cdow.org/HSPT
2024 BISHOP’S 5K RUN/WALK: Saturday, November 23rd, 2024 Saint Mark’s High School Registration starts at 8am; Race begins at 9am . https://runsignup.com/Race/DE/Wilmington/TheBishops5K
St. Raymond Nonnatus Foundation Advent Retreat: Saturday, November 30th Daylesford Abbey, 220 S. Valley Road, Paoli, PA 19301 https://www.nonnatus.org/advent-retreat-2024.html
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
ONGOING
THREE YEARS OF ABUNDANT GRACE AND TRANSFORMATION – EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL
MISSION: To renew the church by enkindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.
VISION: To inspire a movement of Catholics across the United States who are healed, converted, formed, and unified by an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist—and who are then sent out on mission “for the life of the world.”
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 9th and 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/
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 11am. 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.
MEMORIAL BRICKS: Adding your MEMORIAL BRICK to the walkway of our Blessed Mother is a unique way to keep your memories alive. Honor family and friends! Share a favorite quote, and more! You can order through Faith Direct at: https://membership.faithdirect.net/events/org/831 
Scroll down until you see “Memorial Bricks” (you do not need to sign up for Faith Direct), or use this QR code or return your form with payment of $100 to St. Polycarp Church. Envelopes marked with “Memorial Brick” may be placed in the Offertory collection, mailed or delivered to the Parish Office (place in black box).
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: 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
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
FROM THE DIOCESE:
CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIO: Listen to Catholic Forum each week. The Catholic Forum debuts every Wednesday at 12 p.m. This week, Bonnie Taylor and Louise Pfarr will discuss St. Jude the Apostle Parish’s new “Stephen Ministry.” The Catholic Forum podcast on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music podcasts and YouTube.com/DioceseofWilm debuts every Wednesday at 12:00 p.m.; and on Relevant Radio 640 every Saturday afternoons at 1:30. More information is available at cdow.org/CatholicForum CLICK HERE
LET US PRAY: ALL SAINTS’ DAY
Lord, as the Saints in Heaven adore You for eternity, I beg for their intercession. Saints of God, please come to my aide. Pray for me and bring to me the grace I need to live a holy life in imitation of your own lives. All Saints of God, pray for us. Jesus, I trust in You.