22nd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
September 2/3
SUNDAY SCRIPTURE – QUESTIONS TO PONDER
~ Have you ever felt like God duped you? When?
~ How are you offering your life as a living sacrifice to God?
~ What crosses are you carrying as you seek to follow Jesus?
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090323.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
THIS WEEKEND, September 2/3 (and Monday, September 4 – Friday, September 8)
THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: This Sunday, September 3rd, 10:30 am Mass – Irwin Family. (Please arrive 15 minutes before your Mass time to pick up, or drop off, materials in the sacristy.) Families and individuals are encouraged to 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/
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 – PARISH OFFICE CLOSED
PURGATORIALSOCIETY: First Wednesday of the month, September 6th, we pray for those who are enrolled in our Purgatorial Society. Mass at 8:30 am.
FAITH WITH FRIENDS: Would you like to learn more about Jesus? Come learn more about your faith with friends. Thursday, September 7th, from 6 pm – 8 pm in Room 7. Looking forward to seeing you! Ashley Wilson (302) 535 – 4118. Join your friends for this Adult Faith Formation Opportunity.
ANNUAL PARISH PICNIC: It’s almost time for our Annual Parish Picnic! Bring your family and a side dish to share with your friends at St. Polycarp on Sunday, September 17th, after the 10:30 Mass. The Knights of Columbus will provide hotdogs and hamburgers. There will be water and Rita’s Italian Ice for everyone. Hope to see you there!
Please join us for: Fellowship! Food! Drinks! Water Ice! Bounce House! And More!
If you have any questions, please call Kathy Curlett at 302-222-9326 or Joyce Tolson at 302-448-9678.
ST. POLYCARP AND ST. DENNIS CHURCHES invite you to attend the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington Marian Pilgrimage at the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC on Saturday, October 7th, 2023. Travel to and from the Basilica in luxury motorcoach. See the insert in this weekend’s Bulletin or CLICK HERE
NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS: This past June, we entered the 2nd 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 17th – July 21st, 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.
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
PSR CALENDARS: Visit our web page to view this year’s calendars! https://saintpolycarp.org/religious-education/
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: Congratulations! We’ve reached our PLEDGED goal! Those who pledged and are making payments, receive reminders from the Diocese. If we are to reach our goal in collected donations, it is important that everyone follows through with payments on pledges. Please mail all payments in the self-addressed, return envelope provided with your payment reminder mailings. Remember – Once our parish exceeds the $60,000 goal in paid pledges , we will receive back half of the money collected above the goal for projects around our campus. If your household has not participated, it’s not too late! Please prayerfully consider a donation and help Shine the Light of Christ throughout our Diocese.(Pledge cards can be found in the pews and at the doors of the Church.)
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.
NEXT WEEKEND, September 9/10 (and Monday, September 11 – Friday, September 15)
SATURDAY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION will take place next Saturday, September 9th, at the 4 pm Mass. Following the prayer after Communion, Fr. Jim will place the Blessed Sacrament (Host) in the Monstrance. The Blessed Sacrament is then incensed while the “O Salutaris / O Saving Victim” is sung. (Found inside the back cover of Breaking Bread.) Silent prayer then begins. (At this point, Fr. Jim leaves the Church. Please do not leave before Fr. Jim exits the Church.) Silent prayer then continues until 6. Maybe this time you can only stay until after Fr. Jim leaves. Then next month, maybe you can stay 5 minutes longer. When you leave, please do so quietly as others are praying to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. .
BEAUTIFUL ENVELOPES: Next Weekend kicks off our 2nd Annual Envelope Fundraiser for PSR. Our boards will be displayed next weekend after both Masses. Be sure to grab an envelope or two that catches your eye to help support PSR. Designs hand created by our Confirmation students!
IT’S ALMOST HERE!!! 
ST. POLYCARP PARISH ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT AND BUFFET DINNER – Next, Sunday, September 10th
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 30th and October 1st. Profits from these sales help Brother Vincent Columbiettes support our many charitable activities. If you miss us on September 30th or October 1st, 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!
QUARTER AUCTION: St. Polycarp’s Parish & Family Life Ministry will be holding its 1st Quarter Auction on Friday, October 27, 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 15th. All-in Paddles will be $45 after Friday, September 15th. 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.
THE ANNUAL FORUM: This year’s Annual Forum will be held on January 21st following the 10:30 am Mass (not in September).
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. September 9th, October 7th, November 11th & December 9th. 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, August 27th, September 24th, October 22nd, & November 26th.
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/ September 3rd, 10:30 am Mass – Irwin.
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!
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 Saturday, September 2nd, Learn about the work of the St. Vincent de Paul Society with Lynne Betts & Chuck Miller. 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.
LET US PRAY: A Prayer for Labor Day
Lord on this Labor Day,
we thank You for the blessing of work.
We ask for strength to complete each day.
We ask for rest when we are weary.
We ask Your guidance
for everyone seeking employment,
and we ask that
You be with those whose faces
we might never see
but who work tirelessly each day
for the good of us all.
Amen.
– from Our Sunday Visitor