31st Sunday in Ordinary Time
I love you, Lord, my strength.
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/103121.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. Please bear with us as we work through the challenges with our live streaming. If you are interested in being involved in this ministry, please email Lisa at lisa.titus@saintpolycarp.org or Judy at communications@saintpolycarp.org.
FOOD PANTRY – IMPORTANT NOTICE: Temporarily, we have suspended collecting food for the local food pantry. The Smyrna-Clayton Ministerium’s Food Pantry located at Asbury Methodist Church has closed. It will be re-opening sometime at its new location at St. Peter’s Church. Until it re-opens, we ask that you not leave food in the hallway bins. As soon as it reopens, we will collect once again. You have consistently seen the needs of our community and stepped up to help meet those needs.
PARISH WEBSITE: New pictures have been posted! Visit: www.saintpolycarp.org/category/photos/. Don’t forget to checkout our Bulletin Overflow for information that doesn’t fit in our weekly Bulletin! Bulletin Overflow – Saint Polycarp Church
THIS WEEKEND, OCTOBER 30/31
PSR REMINDER: Classes will meet in person this week.
ALL SAINTS’ PARADE “TRUNK OR TREAT”: Come out and enjoy our All Saints’ Parade, through the side parking lot) during PSR on October 31 at 9:00am. All children of the parish are welcome to attend. Children must dress as a saint and/or hold an object that represents their 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 will be an exciting way to celebrate All Saints Day!
ALL SAINTS DAY: VIGIL MASS FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS will be celebrated on Sunday, October 31 at 4pm. Because All Saints’ Day falls on a Monday, the obligation to attend Mass is removed but it remains a Holy Day. All Saints Day has been deemed important enough by the Church to be recognized as “Holy” and remains a great day to attend Mass whether at St. Polycarp, St. Dennis (All Saints’ Day Mass at St. Dennis is on Monday, Nov. 1st at 12 pm) or elsewhere. The question always arises “Can I attend the Sunday, Oct. 31st 4 pm Mass to fulfill the obligation for Sunday’s Mass?”. It doesn’t work that way. At the 10:30 am Sunday Mass on October 31st we celebrate the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time with the appropriate readings for the day. The 4 pm Mass is for the Solemnity of All Saints and we hear the appropriate readings for All Saints. So, no – the Sunday 4 pm Mass does not fulfill the Sunday obligation to attend Mass.
BIRTHRIGHT OF DELAWARE – BOTTLE FOR BABIES: Now is the time to return the bottles you took home and filled with loose change, cash, or checks. Place the bottles in the bins at all Church doors. Thank you for supporting Birthright!
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS AT SEA PROGRAM: The last day donations will be accepted is Sunday, October 31st. This annual program helps the Seamen’s Center of Wilmington deliver the gift of a Ditty Box for Christmas. St. Polycarp will be accepting donations, cash or check, throughout the month of October, to purchase the needed items. To donate, please put your cash or check (made payable to St. Polycarp) into an envelope and clearly mark “Christmas at Sea Program” on the front of the envelope. Place your envelope into the collection basket or the black box located under the portico. Questions? Contact Tracie at (302) 242 – 4150 or email Tracie.Bruno@comcast.net
WEEK of OCTOBER 31
CHRISTMAS PARADE – HELP NEEDED: Help Parish & Family Life represent St. Polycarp in the Smyrna/Clayton Christmas Parade being held Sunday, December 5th! Planning will be underway we are meeting on Thursday, November 11th at 6:30 pm in the Library. Bring any ideas you may have to make this a successful event! If you can not attend but would like to get information contact Deanna Lail at dlail14@comcast.net or 302-535-2957
NEXT WEEKEND, NOVEMBER 6/7
The ST. DENNIS CHRISTMAS BAZAAR will be held on Saturday, November 6th, from 9 am to 2 pm. in the Church Hall on Main St. in Galena. Crafts and baked goods will be available. Our BROTHER VINCENT COLUMBIETTES will be selling a new and exciting line of Christmas ornaments at the bazaar.
THE VOCATION CHALIC MINISTRY will reemerge next Sunday for the praying for vocations. Each week a family will receive the Vocation Chalice at Mass and take it home with the promise to “pray for vocations” during that week. The family should place the chalice in a prominent place in their home and gather together each day to pray for the awareness of vocations. At the end of the week, the family will bring the chalice back to church so the next family can take it home. A booklet will accompany the chalice that has prayers and instructions. We need your prayers and for you to sign up. Call or text Alice Gaston 302-670-7924 to sign up. November 7th at the 10:30 am Mass – The Wilson Family.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD (CLOW) during the 10:30am Mass on the first and third Sundays of the month. All children ages PreK-4th grade are welcome to attend. Masks must be worn. CLOW is a worship experience geared especially for their age level. It mirrors the worship experience of the larger community in an engaging and interactive style. This opportunity allows children to hear Scripture in words they understand and to share their own understanding of God’s Word. Children will be called to come forward before the First Reading. A catechist and assistant will lead the children to the hall. They will return to you after the General Intercessions. All catechists and assistants have a cleared background check. We can use your help! Become involved in this wonderful ministry which will be offered twice a month. If you are interested in helping, please contact our CRE at dre@saintpolycarp.org
PSR GRADE 8 STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES will attend Mass together on Sunday, November 7 at 10:30 am.
AGAPE: Come join us for Agape next Sunday November 7, 2021 following the 10:30am Mass.
BVM SODALITY: At next week’s Agape (Nov. 7th), Sodality will be having a Fundraiser, selling raffle tickets for Party Lite Candles to benefit Sodality activities. Tickets are $1 each or $3 for 5 tickets. Winners will be chosen at the Agape.
OPEN HOUSE: Have you ever “come to the other side” and strolled through our hallways, classrooms, meeting rooms, and chapel? Here is your opportunity! We are opening our doors on Sunday, November 7th, after Mass, during the Agape. Come check out the upgraded LED lights, new blinds, new classroom saint statues, icons, and flags. We are excited for you to see where our children learn about and listen to God’s Word, where information discussed at meetings comes to light, and where adults gather to socialize, comfort each other in time of need, and pray together. Hope to see you there!
2021 ST. POLYCARP CHURCH ORNAMENT FUNDRAISER: Last day to order is November 7. This unique glass Christmas Ornament is 3 1/4” in diameter and comes packaged in its own gift box for safe keeping. This beautiful ornament is also the perfect gift for friends or family that have moved out of the area. These ornaments are sure to become a cherished keepsake and heirloom. LIMITED EDITION – only $12 each ($15 w/Silver Hanger). Order yours now before they are gone! All proceeds benefit Parish School of Religion (PSR). Order forms are available at the doors of the Church, online at https://saintpolycarp.org/2021-st-polycap-christmas-ornament/, or you may order online using a credit card at https://membership.faithdirect.net/events/details/7693
ONGOING/UPCOMING
RCIA is the process by which such individuals become full members of the Catholic Church. We are called to share the “Good News” and you can make a difference by simply asking! If you are aware of someone who is looking for a spiritual and emotional change in their life, “personally invite” them to our RCIA sessions, taking place at the Parish campus on Monday evenings at 6:30 PM. Again, these sessions are for those unbaptized, baptized in other Christian or faith traditions or adult Catholics who are interested in receiving the sacrament of Confirmation. For information, please contact Deacon Frank Weber at DeaconFrank@saintpolycarp.org or leave a message with the Parish office at (302) 653-8279.
BISHOP’S 5K: Join Catholic Charities and Bishop Koenig on Saturday, November 20th, for the Annual Bishop’s 5K run/walk. This year’s event will be held in person and virtual. All proceeds benefit Catholic Charities outreach. Represent our parish (live or virtual) by joining the St. Polycarp Flames team! Sign up at: https://runsignup.com/RaceGroups/35468/Groups/992871 Contact Lisa Titus in the parish office if you have questions.
ANNUAL FALL CLEANUP: Saturday, November 27th, 2021, 9am – 1pm. See the Bulletin for details
RESERVED PARKING SPOT: Help out the church with this annual fundraiser and Parish tradition of putting up a parking spot to the highest bidder! Please . All bids must be submitted in writing by December 1st at 3pm. See the bulletin for details.
MEMORIAL BRICKS: Now is a perfect time to add your Memorial Brick to the walkway of our outdoor Blessed Mother Shrine. We are truly blessed to have the opportunity to have our Blessed Mother looking down upon a memory of our loved one, a special occasion or just your family name. You can order through Faith Direct at https://membership.faithdirect.net/events/details/5644, (you do not need to sign up for Faith Direct), or return your form (forms may be found at the Church doors) with payment to St. Polycarp Church in an envelope labeled “Memorial Brick”. You can also CLICK HERE FOR ORDER FORM
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 receipts months old in!
Thank you to our Bulletin advertisers! We appreciate your support!
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
THE DIALOG: http://thedialog.org/ Newspaper of the Diocese, copies available as you leave Church or online
FROM THE DIOCESE:
CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIO: Saturdays at 1:30 pm on Relevant Radio 640. On tomorrow’s episode, hear an interview with Dr. Larry Chapp, co-founder of the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Farm in Pennsylvania and get a preview of his November 4th presentation at the University of Delaware’s St. Thomas More Oratory. Listen anytime at cdow.org/CatholicForum or search Catholic Forum on Apple, Spotify or iHeartRadio podcasts.
LET US PRAY: ALL SOULS’ DAY – NOVEMBER 2
Prayer to St. Joseph for the Holy Souls (Our Lady of Solitude Monastery, www.desertnuns.com)
St. Joseph, reigning in Heaven with Jesus and Mary, intercede for the souls in Purgatory. Hear our prayers for family, friends, and loved ones who have faithfully loved and served Our Blessed Lord and His Blessed Mother in this life. Also turn your gaze to the soul in purgatory who is most forgotten. O Comforter of the Afflicted obtain the graces necessary so this soul can journey into Heaven to see the face of God, be reunited with family and friends, and to praise the Holy Trinity in the company of all the Saints for the rest of eternity. St. Joseph, when it is my time to give my soul to God, I beg for your blessed assistance and pray that you will be prompt in delivering me from Purgatory so that I can see Jesus and Mary and you face to face. Amen.