24^th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 
September 16/17

SUNDAY SCRIPTURE – QUESTIONS TO PONDER
~ Are you quick or slow to forgive others who wrong you?  Why?
~ What might living for the Lord look like this week?
~ Have you ever been forgiven of something great?  What impact did that have on your own ability to forgive others?

 

 READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND:  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091723.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.

PARISH WEBSITE: Visit: www.saintpolycarp.org/.

WEEKLY PARISH BULLETIN: CLICK HERE .  (New Bulletins are posted on Fridays.) 

BULLETIN OVERFLOW: There’s always information that doesn’t fit in our Bulletin –  Bulletin Overflow – CLICK HERE

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THIS WEEKEND, September 16/17  (and Monday, September 18^th – Friday, September ^22nd) 

 

ANNUAL PARISH PICNIC THIS SUNDAY! We’re looking forward to gathering with you after this Sunday’s 10:30 am Mass for Fellowship, Food, and Fun! All donated food items should be ready to serve (already sliced or single servings) and brought to the church in disposable containers only. Do not drop off any food on Saturday, as the kitchen will be closed. Bring your food on Sunday only, before or after Mass.

CATECHETICAL SUNDAY: The Blessing of Catechists will take place this Sunday, September 17^th at the 10:30 am Mass.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD will be offered this Sunday, September 17^th during the 10:30am Mass.  All children ages PreK-4^th grade are welcome to join us. CLoW is a worship experience geared especially for their age level. 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. Children’s Liturgy of the Word takes place on the 1st and 3rd Sunday Sunday of the month.

SECOND COLLECTION this weekend, September 16^th and 17^th, will be for our Parish School of Religion (PSR).  Your generosity to this collection assists the Parish in providing the best religious education possible for our students.  Thank you!

HEARTSAVER CPR/AED TRAINING/CERTIFICATION CLASS at St. Polycarp Church, Wednesday, September 27^th, in the Hall at 11 am. Space for the class is limited and will be on a first come – first serve basis.  The cost is $50.00 per person. Checks should made payable to American Legion Ambulance 64. If you are interested in this “life-saving” opportunity, please contact Kathy Watts in the Parish Office at office@saintpolycarp.org or (302) 653 – 8279 on Monday through Friday from 9am to 3 pm. Registration is open until noon on Friday, September 22^nd.

PSR FIRST CLASSES: Mark your calendars!!! Important dates!! Parish Picnic …Sunday, September 17^th after 10:30am Mass. Before classes begin, come meet our PSR Team at our Parish Picnic. Come and enjoy lots of food and activities for all ages! What a fun way to kick off the year! Hope to see our PSR families there!  PSR Classes Begin … Sunday, September 24^th at 9 am for grades P/K-4 & Tuesday, September 26^th at 7 pm for grades 5-8. First day classes are for both parent and student. We will begin the new year by gathering in Church. Visit our web page to view this year’s calendars! https://saintpolycarp.org/religious-education/

 

PSR ENVELOPE FUNDRAISER: Check out the display of envelopes at all the Church exits. Each envelope has a different dollar amount on it. Choose which envelope(s) you want to fill. Place the dollar amount marked on the front in the envelope & place it in the collection basket next week. You may also drop it off or mail it to the parish office. Please make checks payable to St. Polycarp Church (In the memo, clearly write Envelope Fundraiser). The beautiful artwork on the envelopes was done by our PSR students. If you choose to keep the envelope for a keepsake, feel free to place the dollar amount in a different envelope. Thank you for your continued support of our Parish youth.

 

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: Our Parish School of Religion (PSR) offers religious education classes for grade PK – 9. Register now! Visit  https://saintpolycarp.org/religious-education/ for more information or contact our Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE), Erica Taylor, at dre@saintpolycarp.org or (302) 653-4101. Forms are also located in the black drop box under the portico, use the QR code below or you can register  by visiting https://membership.faithdirect.net/events/org/831

SACRISTAN NEEDED: We are still in need of someone to step forward to serve as sacristan.  Sacristans have the duty to arrive early to the Church in order to unlock the doors and prepare the Church for Mass.  Becoming a sacristan would be a great way to learn more about our beautiful liturgy and become more involved in carrying it out.  No previous knowledge is required. If you are interested, please contact the head sacristan Adam Bauer at ajpd.bauer@gmail.com.

CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON – 2023 FAITH AND CHARITY CATHOLIC APPEAL:  We’re getting there! As you know, we’ve reached our PLEDGED goal! Currently our very generous parishioners have pledged $63,460.88, that is 105.77% of our goal. Of that $50,677.80 has been collected.   It is important that everyone follows 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. Thank you to those who have already participated!
          27% of our households have participated in this annual appeal to help Shine the Light of Christ. If your household has not participated, it is not too late!   Please prayerfully consider a donation and help Shine the Light of Christ throughout our Diocese. The Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal offers a tremendous opportunity to unite as a parish family and support the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of so many throughout our diocese. To learn more about the Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal, visit www.cdow.org; click “Giving” then “Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal,” or simply scan this QR code with your cellphone.

SHARE IN THE SPIRIT: Next weekend, parishioners throughout the diocese will be asked to help make the dream of a Catholic education a reality for many struggling Catholic families.  Monies raised through this collection coupled with the diocese’s tuition assistance endowment provides financial assistance to hundreds of deserving families who seek a Catholic education for their children but who cannot afford the full cost of tuition.Through this collection, our Bishop is reaching out to believing and worshipping Catholics like you to assist him in ensuring the Catholic commitment to total education of our children does not fade away because people cannot afford it.  Church has the mission to educate and this mission directly affects the quality of life we experience as Catholics, all of us have a stake in Catholic education.

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NEXT WEEKEND, September 23/24 

PRIESTHOOD SUNDAY will be celebrated next Saturday, September 23^rd, and Sunday, September 24^th.Please keep all Priests (both current, retired and deceased), Deacons, and all men considering the call to the Priesthood in your prayers. This is a great weekend to say thank you to all of the priests who have touched our lives.

 

BLESSINGS: The Blessing of the Professional Staff will take place  next Sunday, September 24^th, at the 10:30 am Mass.

ALL ARE INVITED: The Brother Vincent Knights of Columbus, Columbiettes, and our Squires will be conducting member recruitment for this Columbian year after Masses next weekend, September 23^rd and 24^th.   Please come join us in the Hall to learn more about us and enjoy some refreshments and lite repast. All are welcome!

PSR BEGINS: PSR Classes Begin … Sunday, September 24^th at 9 am for grades P/K-4 & Tuesday, September 26^th at 7 pm for grades 5-8. First day classes are for both parent and student. We will begin the new year by gathering in Church. Visit our web page to view this year’s calendars! https://saintpolycarp.org/religious-education/

THE ANNUAL FORUM: This year’s Annual Forum will be held on January 21^st following the 10:30 am Mass (not in September).

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION AT ST. DENNIS CHURCH (Galena MD) will take place next Sunday, September 24^th  (the 4th Sunday of the month) following their 8 am Sunday Mass. 

 

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UPCOMING

RESTROOMS: The old bathrooms in the hallway outside of the Church will be getting some updates. The bathrooms will become single occupancy use. The partitions will be removed; chair height toilets and grab bars will be installed. There may be times that the bathrooms will be closed and you will need to use the bathrooms on the far side of the hall, near the classrooms or the bathroom in the cry room. We’ll keep you updated as to when this will happen!                Thank you for your cooperation.

 

BOSCOV DISCOUNT PASSES – Brother Vincent Columbiettes will be selling Boscov Passes after Masses on September 30^th and October 1^st.  Profits from these sales help Brother Vincent Columbiettes support our many charitable activities.  If you miss us on September 30^th or October 1^st, feel free to contact either Jill Mercer at (518) 795 –7579 or MaryLois Barnas at (302) 388 – 3332.  The event is Tuesday, October 18, at any Boscov store. Your $5 shopping pass buys a full day of 25% Off Discount Shopping and a chance to win fabulous door prizes!

 

MARIAN PILGRIMAGE – COME RIDE THE BUS WITH US! Saturday, October 7^th. Sister parishes, St. Dennis and St. Polycarp invite you to attend the Diocese of Wilmington’s Marian Pilgrimage with Bishop Koenig at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. Travel by luxury motor coach. Register now to save your seat!  See the Bulletin for more information or contact Barbara Kaczorowski at (517) 507 –  9311 or visit https://saintpolycarp.org/weekend-update-september-2-3/

 

QUARTER AUCTION: St. Polycarp’s Parish & Family Life Ministry will be holding its 1^st Quarter Auction on Friday, October ^27th, 2023. Doors will open at 5 pm, auction starts at 6 pm. Proceeds raised will benefit Parish operational expenses and Ministry needs. Discounted advanced purchase of All-in Paddles will be $40 through Friday, September 15^th. All-in Paddles will be $45 after Friday, September 15^th. If you have any questions or would like to purchase an All-in Paddle, contact Darlene Sanphy (at (302) 270 – 3915 or darpete87@comcast.net) or Linda Montuori (at (302) 270 – 5347 or lindamontuori@yahoo.com). More information will be posted in future bulletins.

 

NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS: This past June, we entered the 2^nd Year of the National Eucharistic Revival. This is the Year of Parish Revival. Last year was the Year of Diocesan Revival. The Year of Parish Revival will end with the culmination of the National Eucharistic Congress. This event will take place in Indianapolis, Indiana at the Lucas Oil Stadium from July 17^th – July 21^st, 2024. They are expecting approximately 80,000 people to attend. The cost per person is $375.00 (this does not include meals, lodging or transportation). If our parish can get 15 parishioners or more to attend, the cost drops to $299.00 per person. If you are interested in attending this magnificent event, please call Kathy MacDonald at 1-302-653-8976 and leave me a voice mail or see Kathy after Mass.

 

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ONGOING   

The SHARE THE HARVEST TABLE is now under the Portico.  This allows our parishioners to share their abundant garden yield with their Church family.  
All are welcome to share and receive.

SATURDAY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION at St. Polycarp will take place monthly at the Vigil Mass for the Second Sunday of the month.  October 7^th, November 11^th & December 9^th. Eucharistic Adoration at St. Dennis Church (Galena MD) will take place on the Fourth Sunday of the month following the 8 am Sunday Mass. Sundays, September 24^th, October 22^nd, & November 26^th.

TUESDAY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: Tuesdays from 9 am to 8pm in the Chapel. We are still in need of people to fill in when others are ill or cannot attend. Do you have one hour to spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament on an occasional basis? Call Cheryl Thomas at (302) 363 – 0404 or email her at salcrest7@gmail.com. All are welcome to stop in and adore Jesus between 9 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 at 9:30 am in the Parish Library – ALL are welcome. Please join us. If you have any questions, please call Cookie Ruane at (302) 540 – 6429.

FAITH WITH FRIENDS (ADULT FAITH FORMATION) meets the first Thursday of every month at 6 pm in Room 7. Everyone is invited. Questions?  Contact Ashley Wilson at 302.535.4118.

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.

 

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

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!

                                                                               

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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

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FROM THE DIOCESE:     

CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIO:  Saturdays at 1:30 pm on Relevant Radio 640AM. On Saturday, September 16^th,  Dr. Mary Healy will discuss her upcoming healing conference at Holy Angels Church in Newark, Delaware.   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.

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LET US PRAY:     Our Lady of Sorrow – September 15

Prayer from St. Bonaventure to Our Lady of Sorrows