25th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
~ How can your parish help root out an injustice?
~ For whom do you pray each week?
~ Consider the choices that you made this week? Whom did you serve?
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092125.cfm
DAILY BIBLE READINGS: https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
LIVE-STREAMING FROM ST. POLYCARP: Visit https://www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE for live stream at 8:30 am, Tuesdays & Wednesdays and 4 pm on Saturdays. (Once at the site, click on “Live”.) Please note: At times the live-stream fails to work. We apologize for the inconvenience. Live stream from the Cathedral of St. Peter can be viewed on the Diocesan YouTube channel (DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON – LIVE STREAMING) at https://www.youtube.com/user/DioceseofWilm
PARISH WEBSITE: Visit: www.saintpolycarp.org/.
WEEKLY PARISH BULLETIN: CLICK HERE . or use this QR code. Previous bulletins can also be viewed. (New Bulletins are posted on Fridays.)
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!
BULLETIN OVERFLOW: There’s always information that doesn’t fit in our Bulletin – Bulletin Overflow – CLICK HERE or use this QR code
IMPORTANT REMINDERS: When receiving the Blessed Sacrament at Mass, please consume the Eucharist in front of the Priest, Deacon, or Eucharistic Minister prior to stepping away. It is not permitted to walk away with the Blessed Sacrament, take it back to your pew or leave Church with Jesus in your hand. When approaching the altar to receive Holy Communion, please approach with reverence (folding hands and being in a prayerful mode) and after receiving the Sacrament. Remember, it is the Body and Blood of Jesus that you just received.
2025 FAITH AND CHARITY CATHOLIC APPEAL – Congratulations! We’ve reached our goal in PLEDGES!
TOGETHER IN HOPE
As of September 8th, our parish has pledged $62,326.76! Our total amount collected towards the pledge amount has increased to $51,259.49. We’re waiting for updated information from the Diocese. 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. It is important that everyone follows through with payments on pledges. If you haven’t yet made a gift, no matter the amount, please prayerfully consider doing so today. Pledge cards can be found at the doors of the Church. You can also give online at www.cdow.org or scan this QR code with your cellphone. Thank you for your generosity and support!
THIS WEEK: Friday, September 19th – Friday, September 26th
SECOND COLLECTION this weekend, September 20th and 21st, is for our Parish School of Religion. Thank you for your generosity to this collection which enables St. Polycarp Church to provide the children of our faith community with an excellent religious education!
CATECHETICAL SUNDAY is this Sunday. Catechetical Sunday is a day to recognize, bless, and commission catechists—those who teach and pass on the faith to others. (See the insert in this weekend’s bulletin or CLICK HERE)
ANNUAL PARISH PICNIC: THIS SUNDAY, September 21st, after the 10:30 am Mass:
Annual Parish Picnic and Kitchen Open House – RAIN OR SHINE!
Please join us this Sunday as we gather for our Annual Parish Picnic! All donated food items should be ready to serve and brought to the church in disposable containers only. Do not forget to bring a chair and some cash for the 50/50. We are looking forward to gathering with you for Fellowship, Food, and Fun!
PSR MEET & GREET: All PSR families are invited to join the PSR Team and meet your child’s catechists at the Parish Picnic this Sunday!
Be sure to pick up a copy of the special 60th anniversary edition of The Dialog on your way out of Church this weekend. It is full of great news stories of the last six decades of service to the Catholic community of Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
FINANCIAL MANAGER POSITION at St. Polycarp Church
After three years of dedicated service, Laura Pajerowski will be stepping away from her role as Financial Manager to embrace the next chapter God has planned for her, one filled with family, faith and fulfillment. May God bless her for coming out of retirement to fill this role three years ago. We are thankful for her time and talent that she has shared so generously with our ministerial team. Her wisdom, dedication, and spirit will be treasured. She will be deeply missed. We wish her every blessing.
We trust that God will touch the heart of someone to respond to our need for a Financial Manager. Please spread the word, or perhaps it is you who He is calling! Interested candidates should have Financial Management, Accounting and Bookkeeping experience with the appropriate educational credentials or work experience. Above all, the person must be willing to work collaboratively with our team of Professional ministries to build God’s Kingdom here at St. Polycarp. This is a part time position. Inquiries should be sent to fr.hreha@saintpolycarp.org
DO YOU ENJOY SHARING STORIES AND CAPTURING SPECIAL MOMENTS? Our parish is growing and there’s a lot of information we want to share with everyone! We’re looking for additional folks of any age with a knack for sharing to help bring our church’s message to life online and in print!
~ Could you spend some time taking photos at parish events?
~ Would you be able to take short video clips at church events?
~ Would you serve our parish by posting updates and inspiration on Facebook? (We are currently without anyone for this position.)
~ Do you have an hour on Tuesday mornings to help with the weekly bulletin? (Must be skilled in Microsoft Word and use of email)
Whether you’re a social media pro or just want to help our parish, we’d love to welcome you into our media team! It’s a fun way to stay connected and help others stay informed and encouraged.
Interested? Contact Judy at the Parish Office 302-653-8279 or email communications@saintpolycarp.org. (Pictures and videos can be emailed to submission@saintpolycarp.org.)
DO YOU PLAY A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT? WE NEED YOU! Saint Polycarp Parish’s Music Ministry needs skilled instrumentalists for liturgies.
Your talents can help us avoid a shortage of musicians.
Contact Kathy Curlett at 302-222-9326 for more information.
The SHARE THE HARVEST TABLE is now under the Portico. This allows our parishioners to share their abundant yield with their Church family. All are welcome to share and receive. Thank you to those who have shared their veggies!
PLEASE QUOTE ME! “Who are catechists? They are people who keep the memory of God alive; they keep it alive in themselves and they are able to revive it in others.” Any idea who said this? (See the end of this weekend Update!)
PARISH SCHOOL OF RELIGION (PSR) – Religious Education Classes Grades PK – 9
STUDENTS MUST BE REGISTERED BEFORE THE FIRST CLASS!
Visit https://saintpolycarp.org/religious-education/ for information and/or to print the registration form or you can use this QR Code.
For more information, contact Mrs. Erica Taylor, Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE) at 302-653-4101 or dre@saintpolycarp.org
To view calendars for the upcoming year visit https://saintpolycarp.org/religious-education/
PSR – FIRST CLASS INFORMATION
At least one parent must attend the first class with the student.
PSR classes begin
Sunday, September 28th, at 9 am for Grades PK-4 (Church)
Tuesday, September 30th, at 7 pm, for grades 5-8 (Church)
Sunday, October 5th, at 9 am for our Holy Innocent Students (HIS) – Room 7
NEXT WEEK: Friday, September 26th – Friday, October 3rd
PRIESTHOOD SUNDAY will be celebrated next weekend. Remember to take time to thank Fr. Jim for his dedication and unwavering commitment to the priesthood and all he does for our parish. Pray that God continues to strengthen, protect and inspire him in his ministry.
SAVE THE DATE – Blood Drive – October 3rd, 2025 – 12 pm to 5 pm: Please consider donating your blood to help family, parish and community members. The Knights of Columbus Brother Vincent Council #7517 and Brother Vincent Council, Columbiettes, are hosting this wonderful way to give! A mobile unit will be outside, off the side parking lot. Look for more information in future bulletins! Contact: Mike Cunningham with questions at 302- 379-8952 or mikec923@yahoo.com.
THE SECOND COLLECTION next weekend – Share in the Spirit. Next week, 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, provide financial assistance to hundreds of deserving families who seek a Catholic education for their children but who cannot afford the full cost of tuition.
BROTHER VINCENT COLUMBIETTES FALL MUM SALE: Choose from a variety of vibrant, beautiful mums in different colors to enhance your fall decor while supporting Brother Vincent Columbiettes’ many charities. Mums will be available for purchase after Masses next weekend of September 27th – 28th. $13 per pot – 3 for $35. 11 inch pots. For pre-orders contact Darlene Sanphy at 302-270-3915 or darpete87@comcast.net
UPCOMING:
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS – SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5th, 12:15 pm. Bring your cats, dogs, birds, bunnies, turtles, goats, lizards, frogs, chickens, ducks, horses … This event is in honor of St. Francis of Assisi (patron saint of animals) whose feast day is celebrated on October 4th.
Meet outside on the lawn across from the front of the Church.
SILVER ROSE PILGRIMAGE: October 25th, 2025, immediately after 4 pm Mass. Please join the Knights of Columbus, in this Rosary centered devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe. This ceremony honors the sanctity of life, promoting the dignity of all human life. Contact: Mike Cunningham with questions at (302) 379-8952 or mikec923@yahoo.com
QUARTER AUCTION COMING SOON! 🎉Mark your calendars for St. Polycarp Church’s 3rd Annual Quarter Auction on Sunday, November 16th at 55 Ransom Lane in Smyrna! 📅 Regular paddles are just $5, All-in paddles $45 – paddle sales run through October 11th. Contact Darlene Sanphy at (302) 270-3915 or Deanna Lail at (302) 535-2957 to get your paddles today! 📞
Visit www.formed.org.
Type in our Parish zip code (19977),
Click on St. Polycarp Church then enter your name and email address!
You can also scan this QR code.
Is there someone you know who would like to explore the Catholic faith – someone unbaptized, or baptized in the Catholic or another Christian tradition? Do you or someone you know need the Sacraments of First Eucharist and/or Confirmation? The Catholic faith can fulfill their desire for a closer relationship with Our Lord by participating in the OCIA process. Please contact Deacon Frank Weber for more information: DeaconFrank@saintpolycarp.org or leave a message with the Parish office at (302) 653 – 8279.
HOLY COMMUNION TO THE SICK AND HOMEBOUND – Do you know someone who is sick or homebound and not able to make it to Mass? We would love to give them the opportunity to receive Holy Communion in their homes. Please contact April Corrales at 302-220–9616 or Lori Ostrowski at 302-540–6522.
SATURDAY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION at St. Polycarp will take place monthly at the Vigil Mass for the Second Sunday of the month. Eucharistic Adoration at St. Dennis Church (Galena MD) will take place on the Fourth Sunday of the month following the 8 am Sunday Mass.
Upcoming Saturday Eucharistic Adoration at St. Polycarp: Saturdays, October 12th, November 8th, December 13th.
TUESDAY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: Tuesdays from 11 am to 8 pm in the Chapel. Do you have one hour to spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament? Call Cheryl Thomas at 302-363–0404 or email her at salcrest7@gmail.com. All are welcome to stop in and adore Jesus between 11 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.
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP (Pathway to Peace) meets on most Fridays at 5:30 pm. Please contact the parish office if you are considering joining us. 302-653-8279 or office@saintpolycarp.org.
CONNECTED IN CHRIST (ADULT FAITH FORMATION) meets every Tuesday after the 8:30 am Mass in the Parish Library – ALL are welcome. We begin with prayer, then watch a video, usually from FORMED and follow up with a discussion. We close with prayer by 11 am. Come and share your faith with us. Any questions, call Cookie Ruane, 302-540-6429.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD: Children’s Liturgy of the Word is offered every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month during the 10:30 am Mass. This is a wonderful opportunity for children in PreK-4th grade. It mirrors the worship experience of the larger community in an engaging and interactive style. They will listen to Scripture and engage in discussions about what they have heard at their age level. Children will be called forward before the First Reading and will return to you after the General Intercessions. Our lead catechist is Anna Skinner. She, along with her assistants, have cleared background checks.
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. Fr. Jim has never/will never solicit donations in this manner.
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!
THE SMYRNA/CLAYTON MINISTERIUM FOOD PANTRY is located downstairs at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 22 N. Union St., Smyrna. The pantry is open from 9:30 am to 10:30 am, Monday through Friday. Due to the increased need in the community, the Pantry is in great need of cereal, juice boxes or pouches, peanut butter & jelly, hamburger helper, tuna helper, canned tuna, sloppy joe sauce (Manwich), boxed spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, vegetable beef and chicken noodle soups, macaroni & cheese, and Chef Boyardee canned pastas. No canned vegetables or beans are currently needed. Please, no expired items. Here at St. Polycarp we have bins under the coat rack in the hallway near the bathrooms to accept your donations.
BULLETIN SPONSORS: Thank you to all of our weekly bulletin sponsors for your support during the year!
USEFUL LINKS:
WEBSITE: www.saintpolycarp.org.
BULLETIN: https://www.jppc.net/onlinebulletins/301template.pdf
BULLETIN OVERFLOW: https://saintpolycarp.org/this-weeks-bulletin/
YOUTUBE CHANNEL/LIVE STREAM: 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 CHURCH: http://www.stdennischurch.org 153 N. Main St. Galena, MD 21635 410-648-5145
ST DENNIS CHURCH LIVE STREAM: https://www.youtube.com/@stdennisparish_galenamd/streams
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. Published every other week.
EWTN: ewtn.com
CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIO: Listen to Catholic Forum each week. This week, hear an interview with Fr. John Aurillia OFM, Cap, former secretary to Padre Pio and author of the book, “Dearest Soul: A Spiritual Journey with Padre Pio.” The Catholic Forum podcast on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music podcasts and YouTube.com/DioceseofWilm debuts every Wednesday at 12:00 pm and on Relevant Radio 640 every Saturday afternoon at 1:30 pm. More information is available at https://cdow.org/ministries/catholic-forum-podcast-radio-program/.
“Who are catechists? They are people who keep the memory of God alive; they keep it alive in themselves and they are able to revive it in others.”
~ Pope Francis