28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
SUNDAY SCRIPTURE – QUESTIONS TO PONDER
– When have you asked God to heal you of an affliction?
– Did you remember to thank the Lord?
– Do you consider that you have a responsibility as a baptized person to give witness to God’s work?
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100922.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.
If you are interested in being involved in this ministry, please email Judy at communications@saintpolycarp.org.
PARISH WEBSITE: Visit: www.saintpolycarp.org/.
WEEKLY PARISH BULLETIN: CLICK HERE . BULLETIN OVERFLOW: Bulletin Overflow – CLICK HERE
THIS WEEKEND, OCTOBER 8/9 (& week of October 9)
THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: This Sunday, October 9 at 10:30 am Mass – B. Kaczorowski. Please arrive 15 minutes before your Mass time and pick up materials in the sacristy.
BROTHER VINCENT COLUMBIETTES are selling Boscov Passes again this year. Profits from these sales help Brother Vincent Columbiettes support our many charitable activities. The Columbiettes will be at the doors of the Church after Masses on the weekend of October 8/9. This event is Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at any Boscov store.
YOUR $5.00 SHOPPING PASS BUYS A FULL DAY OF
~ 25% Off Discount Shopping Pass
~ A Chance to Win Fabulous Door Prizes
Contact Beth Bishop at (845) 443-1799 or BishopLBV@aol.com; or ask any Brother Vincent Columbiette.
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS: Thank you to all the pets (and their people) who ventured out in the rain to come to be blessed! Our event was held inside due to the rain and wind. Each pet received a treat bag with a St. Francis of Assisi prayer card and medal as well as an appropriate treat for each pet. The door prize, a $20 gift card to Tractor Supply, was won by Taffy Titus.
To see pictures visit https://saintpolycarp.org/blessing-of-the-animals-2022/
PSR REMINDER: This week’s lessons will be posted on PSROnline. Please see the email you received for information. There are no in-person classes for Grades P/K – 4, Sunday, October 9. There are no in-person classes for Grades 5 – 8 Tuesday., October 11.
IS THAT YOU, FR. JIM? If you receive emails from Fr. Jim asking for favors 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. This applies to texts from Fr. Jim as well. One of our parishioners recently received a similarly worded text from “Fr. Jim” (of course it wasn’t Fr. Jim). Fortunately the person contacted the staff and then blocked the text.
NEXT WEEKEND, OCTOBER 15/16 (& week of October 16)
ROSARY RALLY: Please join the 2022 Rosary Rally. Our nation needs public prayer, repentance and conversion. We will be praying the Rosary on Saturday, October 15th, noon at Saint Polycarp Church outside by the statue of Mary.
SECOND COLLECTION NEXT WEEK: Parish Maintenance
The BLESSING OF MARRIED COUPLES will take place on Saturday, October 15th, at the 4:00 pm Mass.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD will be offered during the 10:30am Mass on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month. (October 16) All children ages PreK-4th grade are welcome to join us. 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. They will return to you after the General Intercessions. All catechists and assistants have a cleared background check. If you are interested in helping with this ministry, please contact Erica Taylor @ 653-4101.
ST. JUDE BIKE-A-THON: Our PSR program organizes a Bike-a-thon every year to raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which treats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. It is being held on Sunday, October 16, 2022 at 1pm (rain date is October 23). Our church, including both students and parishioners, raised over $3,500 last year! We are asking for your help to meet that goal once again. Please consider giving to this hospital where parents of very sick children never receive a bill. Donations will be collected at each exit after Mass on Saturday, October 15 and Sunday, October 16. Your generosity is greatly appreciated! Helmets are required. Donations may also be made online at http://fundraising.stjude.org/stpolycarp2022 Thank you in advance for your continued support.
UPCOMING/ONGOING
WEEKDAY MASSES: Tuesday and Wednesday at 8:30 am..
EXTRAORDIANRY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION: To coincide with the three-year National Eucharist Revival which began in June of this year, we will be holding a class on Saturday, 
October 22nd at 9:00 am for all people interested in the ministry of Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. This class is for Extraordinary Ministers of St. Polycarp who have not returned since pre-covid days, Extraordinary Ministers who have transferred here from another parish and new people who feel a love and desire for the Eucharist and want to be a part of this beautiful ministry. To attend you must contact Cindy Kennedy at kennedy-078@msn.com prior to this event to register and get further information.
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS AT SEA PROGRAM: Last year Saint Polycarp Parish was able to donate 50 “ditty” boxes to help the Seaman’s Center of Wilmington bring a little “Merry” into the Christmas of these crew members. This year we hope to donate even more. From October 1 through October 30, there is a collection bin in the hallway. Please consider donating the following NEW/FULL sized items: knit hats and scarves, winter gloves, warm socks, sewing kits, deodorant, hand lotion, soap, shampoo, shaving cream, disposable razors, toothbrush and toothpaste, combs, chapstick, playing cards. Monetary donations are welcome and will be used to purchase additional items to make certain each box is complete. Cash and Checks (payable to “St. Polycarp” should be placed in an envelope marked “Christmas at Sea” and can be put into the collection basket, or the black box located under the portico. We also have the option to accept donations through Faith Direct. If you have any questions, please contact Tracie Bruno by phone (302)242-4150 or by email Tracie.Bruno@comcast.net
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 are available at all the entrances to Church. We ask you to please take one or two bottles home. Please read the insert, fill it out as neatly as possible (if you chose to do so for a tax credit) then fill the bottle with loose change, cash or a check! Checks should be made payable to Birthright of Delaware. Return them at the end of October or sooner. Proceeds benefit pregnant women and their babies. On behalf of our mothers, Birthright staff and volunteers, we graciously Thank You!
2022 ST. POLYCARP CHURCH ORNAMENT FUNDRAISER: This unique glass Christmas Ornament is 3 1/4” in diameter and comes packaged in its own gift box for safe keeping. This year’s theme is “Eucharistic Revival” which was commissioned by the U.S.C.C.B. this year. Pictured on the ornament is St. Polycarp’s very own monstrance, altar, and crucifix. 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 $15 each ($18 with gold 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://forms.ministryforms.net/viewForm.aspx?formId=997e8e1e-67fe-4ece-afa8-58652f4d2d01
or scan this QR code 
CHANGE THE WORLD: BECOME CATHOLIC! Is there someone you would like to invite to explore the Catholic faith— someone unbaptized, or baptized in a non-Catholic Christian tradition? Do you know someone who needs Confirmation and/or First Eucharist? Perhaps, the Catholic faith can fulfill their desires for a closer relationship with Our Lord. Then, the RCIA process is for them. Please contact Deacon Frank Weber for more information. DeaconFrank@saintpolycarp.org or leave a message with the Parish office at (302) 653-8279.
CONNECTED IN CHRIST (ADULT FAITH FORMATION) meets every Tuesday at 9:30 AM in the Parish Library – ALL are welcome. Please join us. We are currently viewing and discussing the Wild Goose series about the Holy Spirit. If you have any questions, please call Cookie Ruane at 302-540-6429.
2022 FAITH AND CHARITY CATHOLIC APPEAL UPDATE: WE REACHED OUR GOAL! WAY TO GO ST. POLYCARP PARISH! You, our parish family, have been extremely generous in supporting our Bishop in the Annual Catholic Appeal. Thank you for your generosity and sacrifice in reaching our parish target of $60,000. The parishioners of St. Polycarp Church continue the noble heritage of supporting the Diocese and are an example to be followed! Now that we have met our target, ½ of the money over our target, will come back to our Church to be used for special projects here at St. Polycarp. Please remember the importance of submitting your payments for these pledges. If you have not participated in this Annual Appeal, we ask that you please consider supporting the diocese and St. Polycarp Church by pledging now.
Have you had the opportunity to dive into FORMED? To sign up visit www.formed.org. Type in our Parish zip code (19977) and follow the steps to sign up or you can use the QR code below. Take advantage of your free subscription to FORMED! Enjoy thousands of hours of quality Catholic content! 
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 process down the aisle to the priest who will have the pyx in his hand and let him know you need a gluten-free host
THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: Please consider signing up to host the vocation chalice in your home for a week. Text or call Alice Gaston at (302) 670 – 7924. For more information visit https://saintpolycarp.org/vocation-chalice/ October 9 at 10:30 am Mass – Kaczorowski.
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 tomorrow’s episode, Saturday, October 8th, Ms. Eileen Gaus will discuss the Diocese of Wilmington’s Footprints Ministry and the upcoming Mass (Oct. 14) and Wave of Light (Oct. 15). 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.
MARRIAGE MOMENTS: “Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” (Luke 17:19) Don’t be a stranger to your spouse. Say one new thing to thank each other for today.
PARENTING POINTERS: October is Respect Life Month. Respecting Life means valuing all human life-especially the lives of the weak, vulnerable, unborn, the poor even those with whom we disagree. With political speech becoming less civil, let children hear you speak respectfully even of those with whom you disagree.
LET US PRAY: Prayer for Peace by St. John XXIII, Pope – October 11
Lord Jesus Christ,
who are called the Prince of Peace,
who are yourself our peace and reconciliation,
who so often said, “Peace to you,”
grant us peace.
Make all men and women witnesses of
truth, justice, and brotherly love.
Banish from their hearts whatever might endanger peace.
Enlighten our rulers that they may guarantee
and defend the great gift of peace.
May all peoples of the earth becomes as brothers and sisters.
May longed-for peace blossom forth
and reign always over us all.
Amen.