26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092621.cfm
LIVE-STREAMING: Visit https://www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE for live stream. Masses may also be viewed at a later time. As you may have noticed, our live streaming is not always working. If you have expertise in this area, please contact us immediately at the office. communications@saintpolycarp.org or 302.653.8279. We apologize for this inconvenience.
ONLINE BULLETIN: https://www.jppc.net/onlinebulletins/301template.pdf
CHECK YOUR SPAM FOLDERS: We are having some issues with families not receiving our emails. Please check your spam/junk folder.
OUR ANNUAL PARISH PICNIC! We had a great time sharing fellowship and enjoying some delicious burgers and hot dogs provided and prepared by the Knights of Columbus. Thanks you Knights! There was a bounce obstacle course which provided tons of fun for both children and adults! Pictures will be posted on our web page sometime soon.
We are looking forward to next year’s annual event! Mark your 2022 calendar now for the third Sunday in September!
2ND ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT AND DINNER: Parishioners, friends and members of our local communities experienced a day of fun, fellowship and great weather on Sunday, September 12th at the Maple Dale Country Club. Father Jim and Jack stopped by to offer a blessing before tee-off and visited with many of the 27 golfers. In the evening 84 diners enjoyed a great steak dinner, drinks and fantastic Kee’s Cupcakes. We had lots of laughs and everyone said they couldn’t wait for next year’s event.
If you weren’t able to join us this time, please keep tuned for information coming on next year’s date. (See the Bulletin for more!)
THIS WEEKEND, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH
PRIESTHOOD SUNDAY: This, Sunday, September 26th is Priesthood Sunday. Please bring the “Prayer for our Priests” (that was an insert in last week’s Bulletin) to Mass with you this weekend or pick up this week’s Bulletin as you enter Mass this weekend. The cantor will lead us in praying the prayer for Priests together. Remember to pray for vocations to the Priesthood as well as prayers of thanksgiving for all Priests. A great day to say thank you to Priests & Deacons!
HAPPY 
RETIREMENT FR. MAST!
Father Mast will be celebrating his last Mass at Saint Polycarp before he leaves for Florida, on Sunday, September 26, 2021, at 10:30 am. Please join us after Mass in Mother Drexel Hall for food and fellowship.
PSR FIRST CLASS FOR GRADES P/K – 4 BEGIN THIS SUNDAY, : PSR FIRST CLASS FOR GRADES 5-8 BEGIN THIS TUESDAY. At least one parent/guardian must attend with students. Sunday classes begin at 9:00 am; Tuesday classes begin at 7:00 pm.
Upon arrival, please use the double doors under the portico. You will be handed the Parent Handbook. If you have forms attached to the cover, they need to be completed and returned before you leave. . After receiving your handbook, students and parents/guardians will proceed into Church. (Please remember the Blessed Sacrament is present in the tabernacle.)
We are having some issues with families not receiving our emails. Please check your spam/junk folder.
SHARE IN THE SPIRIT: This weekend’s second collection is taken in support of the diocesan tuition assistance program. 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. If you are not prepared to contribute today, you may drop your contribution off at the parish office or place it in next week’s collection basket. For further information and on-line giving options, visit the Share in the Spirit website at www.cdow.org/sharespirit.html . We ask that you please generously support this week’s Share in the Spirit collection. God bless you for your ongoing goodness.
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 26TH
PARISH SECRETARY: On Monday, September 27th, we will welcome Kathy Watts as our new Parish Secretary. Please keep Kathy in your prayers as she begins this new ministry! Thank you to Maureen Robinson for temporarily filling this position and for guiding Kathy in her new role.
BEGINNING 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. There will not be any First Friday devotions in October.
The RCIA is the process by which such individuals become full members of the Catholic Church. We are called to share the “Good News” and you can make a difference by simply asking! If you are aware of someone who is looking for a spiritual and emotional change in their life, “personally invite” them to our RCIA sessions, taking place at the Parish campus on Monday evenings at 6:30 PM. Again, these sessions are for those unbaptized, baptized in other Christian or faith traditions or adult Catholics who are interested in receiving the sacrament of Confirmation. 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, OCTOBER 3
ROSARY: Please plan to join the Sodality in praying the rosary next Saturday, October 2nd at 3:25 pm, before the start of the 4pm Mass.
THE ANNUAL BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS will take place on Sunday, October 3rd, at 12:15 pm.
Meet outside across from the front of the Church on the front lawn.
BOSCOV’S DISCOUNT TICKET SALE-OCTOBER 2nd AND 3rd: The Brother Vincent Columbiettes will be offering Boscov’s Discount Tickets for a donation after the 4 pm Mass and the 10:30 am Mass next weekend.
AGAPE: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3rd Please come join your fellow parishioners on Sunday, October 3rd following the 10:30 am Mass for fellowship and light lunch in the Mother Drexel Hall. Our Agape will be hosted by the PSR. Hope to see you there!
WEEK OF OCTOBER 3
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.
ONGOING/UPCOMING
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
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, Ms. Kat Talalas, from the USCCB, will talk about Respect Life Month. Listen anytime at cdow.org/CatholicForum or search Catholic Forum on Apple, Spotify or iHeartRadio podcasts.
LET US PRAY:
PRAYER FOR OUR PRIESTS
Gracious and loving God,
we thank you for the gift of our priests.
Through them, we experience your presence in the sacraments.
Help our priests to be strong in their vocation.
Set their souls on fire with love for your people.
Grant them the wisdom, understanding and strength they need to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
Inspire them with the vision of Your Kingdom.
Give them the words they need to spread the Gospel..
Allow them to experience joy in their ministry.
Help them to become instruments of your divine grace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns as our Eternal Priest.
AMEN.