24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
And calling the multitude together with his disciples, He said to them:
If any man will follow me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091221.cfm
LIVE-STREAMING: Visit https://www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE for live stream. (or visit our webpage www.saintpolycarp.org and click on the picture of the altar ) Masses may also be viewed at a later time.
ONLINE BULLETIN: https://www.jppc.net/onlinebulletins/301template.pdf
TODAY WE SAY GOODBYE to our Parish Secretary, Teresa Cariello. We wish Teresa and her husband, Angelo, the best as they relocate. We appreciate Teresa’s dedication to her ministry of Parish Secretary and for enriching our parish with her constant faith and dedication to ministry here at St. Polycarp. We also thank Angelo, for his dedication to setting up and maintain our live streaming. We pray that God will guide them in their new adventure. You will be missed.
SECOND COLLECTION: This week, September 11th and 12th, the Second Collection will be for our Parish Utilities. Your generosity is appreciated.
THE PRINTED WEEKLY BULLETIN: This week’s Bulletin will be available as you leave Mass this weekend; however, they have been printed from our office. As usual, you can view this weekend’s Bulletin online at https://www.jppc.net/onlinebulletins/301template.pdf
Please read the following note from our Bulletin publisher:
“As you may know, our production facility was severely impacted by flooding caused by Hurricane Ida last week. We are very sorry to inform you that you will not be receiving a bulletin this week. We were operational for a period of time, however additional issues were uncovered due to the printing equipment being exposed to water. We have been working around the clock since Saturday and anticipate that we will be fully operational by next week. Your online bulletin is available this week as always. We sincerely appreciate your understanding and well wishes.”
ST. POLYCARP’S 2ND ANNUAL STEAK DINNER AND GOLF TOURNAMENT.
Golfers and diners will be enjoying this fun event this weekend, Sunday, September 12th.
GOOD LUCK & KEEP IT IN THE FAIRWAY!
The RCIA is the process by which such individuals become full members of the Catholic Church. You can make a difference! If you are aware of someone who is looking for new direction in their life, perhaps they will find their way in the Catholic Church. You can… change a life by “personally inviting” them to one of our upcoming RCIA Inquiry sessions on Monday evening, September 13th and 20th. Other sessions will take place on successive Monday evenings, for all you wish to commit to the RCIA process. These sessions take place in the Parish Library at 6:30 PM. Again, these sessions are for those unbaptized, those baptized in other Christian traditions, or adult Catholics who have not been confirmed. You can make a difference in someone’s life… by simply asking! For information, please contact Deacon Frank Weber at DeaconFrank@saintpolycarp.org or leave a message with the Parish office at (302) 653 – 8279.
NEXT WEEKEND, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH
WELCOME BACK MASS: We welcome back all of our parish families on Sunday, Sept. 19th at the 10:30 a.m. Mass. There will be a Welcome Back Blessing for our parish families. Then, afterwards, join us for food and festivities at our Annual Parish Picnic.
CATECHETICAL SUNDAY: a blessing for all of our catechists and those who assist them, will take place next Sunday, Sept. 19th at the 10:30 a.m. Mass. We are hoping all of our catechists and those who assist them plan on attending!
OUR ANNUAL PARISH PICNIC! Our annual Parish Picnic will take place on Sunday, September 19th following the 10:30 am Mass. We invite all parishioners to join us! Hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries and bottled water will be provided. We ask that you bring your own sides and any additional beverages for you and your family. An inflatable obstacle course will be set up for you to enjoy. Hope to see you there.
HAPPY 
RETIREMENT FR. MAST! Father Mast will be celebrating his last Mass at Saint Polycarp before he retires to Florida, on Sunday, September 26, 2021, at 10:30 am. Please join us after Mass in Mother Drexel Hall for food and fellowship. If you have any questions or would like to assist in the planning, please call Kathy Curlett at 302 222 9326.
WEEKDAY MASSES: Beginning Thursday, September 30th and Friday, October 1st, there will be no 8:30 am Daily Mass on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. There will be 8:30 am Mass on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Weekend Masses will remain the same: 4 pm on Saturdays and 10:30 am on Sundays.
REGISTRATION FOR PSR: PSR classes begin on Sunday, September 26th for Grades P/K – 4 and on Tuesday, September 28th for Grades 5-8. Make sure you keep an eye on your email for information and calendars from Mrs. Taylor.
Our PSR offers religious education for children in pre-kindergarten through ninth grade. Sacramental preparation is offered for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation. Visit https://saintpolycarp.org/religious-education/ for more information and to register. Registration Forms are also available in the black drop box under the portico. Questions? Contact our Coordinator of Religious Education, Erica Taylor at 302-653-4101 or dre@saintpolycarp.org
PARISH SECRETARY: We’re looking for someone to embrace the ministry of Parish Secretary. Are you part of God’s plan for our parish? Or will God prompt you to be His messenger and prompt that person to come forward. Either way, God’s grace will take care of the rest. Interested candidates should email their resume to Fr. Jim. A job description is available upon request. “This is a full time position, with a comprehensive benefits package, that includes a retirement plan that is quite literally heavenly.”
BACK-UP LITURGICAL MINISTRY SCHEDULER: The Liturgy Committee is in need of back-up personnel for their various ministries. They need someone to fill-in for Frank Patton who schedules the Liturgical Ministers for the various Masses. The back-up would fill in if Frank were to get sick, etc. Frank is willing to teach that person how he does the scheduling. Scheduling is usually done on a monthly basis. If you are interested, please contact Kathy MacDonald at (302) 653 – 8976, Linda Mood at (302) 653 – 6852, or see Kathy and Linda after Mass.
CREATE BEAUTIFUL CARDS! TODAY IS THE LAST CALL TO PLACE YOUR ORDER! The Brother Vincent Columbiettes would like to invite you to join them for a fun activity at 10 am, on Thursday, September 23rd, as they create Christmas note/greeting cards in the Hall. The price is only $15.00 per kit, which includes all the supplies (paper card stock and embellishments as well as envelopes) necessary to make three Christmas note/greeting cards similar to the ones below. This event is open to anyone who would like to join us. Contact Anna to reserve your spot and order your kit. All orders must be placed and paid for by Friday, September 10th. Please make checks payable to Brother Vincent Columbiettes and mail to: Rosemary Battistoni, Financial Secretary 1515 Bon Ayre Circle, Smyrna, De 19977. The kits will be available at the class. Questions? Contact Anna Skinner at (302) 508 – 5369 or by anna.skinz@gmail.com. Come meet Phoebe Bird, our StampinUp Instructor extraordinaire!
MEMORIAL BRICKS: Before you know it, the leaves will begin falling the kaleidoscope of colors will be here, and then, in no time at all, Winter will arrive. 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
CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON MARIAN PILGRIMAGE with Bishop William Koenig at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C. September 25, 2021, 10AM-4PM https://saintpolycarp.org/marian-pilgrimage/ Tune in tomorrow to Catholic Forum/Relevant Radio (1:30 pm on Relevant Radio 640) to learn about the upcoming Marian Pilgrimage to the Basilica Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. when Fr. Brian Lewis, pilgrimage coordinator and pastor of St. Jude the Apostle in Lewes, is guest. Listen anytime at cdow.org/CatholicForum.
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 tune in to learn about the upcoming Marian Pilgrimage to the Basilica Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. when Fr. Brian Lewis, pilgrimage coordinator and pastor of St. Jude the Apostle in Lewes, is guest. Listen anytime at cdow.org/CatholicForum or search Catholic Forum on Apple, Spotify or iHeartRadio podcasts.
LET US PRAY: NEVER FORGET
Dear God, we remember before you today those whose lives were lost in the catastrophic events of September 11, 2001, and for all those whom we love but no longer see. We give thanks to you for the selfless courage of those brave souls who ran into burning buildings and who labored in the rubble; may their courage be to us a witness of what is possible when we are guided by love and dedication to our fellow human beings.
We pray today for the continued healing of all those suffering emotional and physical scars. May your spirit breathe new breath into clouded lungs, new life into troubled minds, and new warmth into broken hearts, so that all may feel wrapped in your loving embrace. May we move from suffering to hope, from brokenness to wholeness, from anxiety to courage, from death to life, from fear to love, and from despair to hope.
Guide our feet into the way of peace. Inspire us with hope in the gift of shalom and salaam. May we receive this gift, so that we might become instruments of your peace in this world, knowing all people as equally loved, lovingly created, children of God.
Amen.
Taken from: https://www.xavier.edu/jesuitresource/online