26th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
SUNDAY SCRIPTURE – QUESTIONS TO PONDER
~ How have you experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life?
~ In what areas of society is the Church called to offer a prophetic witness today?
~ What does today’s Gospel tell us about the level to which we should be willing to go to avoid sin?
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092924.cfm
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. DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON – LIVE STREAMINGhttps://www.youtube.com/user/DioceseofWilm
PARISH WEBSITE: Visit: www.saintpolycarp.org/.
WEEKLY PARISH BULLETIN: CLICK HERE . (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
DIOCESAN MARIAN PILGRIMAGE IN NEW CASTLE. THIS SATURDAY, September 28th, join Bishop Koenig and parishioners from across Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore at the annual Diocese of Wilmington Marian Pilgrimage beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Holy Spirit Church, 12 Winder Road, New Castle, Delaware. Come and hear keynote speaker, Father Sebastian White, O.P., Editor-in-Chief of Magnificat Magazine. The day includes morning Mass, Rosary, Confessions, Eucharistic Adoration and Vigil Mass at 4 p.m. Visit the over two-story tall stainless steel Our Lady Queen of Peace statue which is located next to the church. For more information, visit cdow.org/MarianPilgrimage or facebook.com/CDOWMarianPilgrimage. A great way to prepare your heart for the October 5th Eucharistic Congress in Ocean City!
NEXT SATURDAY – Join Us at the Eucharistic Congress: Source and Summit. Please join us on October 5th at the Ocean City (MD)Convention Center for The Eucharistic Congress: Source and Summit. This day of spiritual renewal is a perfect opportunity for all of us to deepen our understanding and love of the Eucharist, the heart of our Catholic faith. We also encourage you to invite a friend or family member to join us. Whether they are new to the Church or searching for a deeper faith, this Congress is a wonderful opportunity for us to share the richness of our Catholic tradition. Together, we can make this day a powerful opportunity for evangelization and to grow in our faith. To learn more and to register, please visit https://www.cdow.org/EucharisticCongress. Registrations for individuals and families will continue. (Parish and group registrations end on 9/27.)
Are you unable to attend the October 5th Diocese of Wilmington Eucharistic Congress? You can watch a live-stream of the opening remarks and keynote address at 10:00 a.m. and the closing Mass at 4:00 p.m. on the Diocese of Wilmington’s YouTube Channel – YouTube.com/DioceseofW. Watch live or anytime.
Register now for this spiritually enriching event! For additional information and registration, use this QR code 
or visit https://www.cdow.org/EucharisticCongress/
A special invitation from Bishop Koenig! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHcOBqsuV1o
To read about Bishop Richard Henning CLICK HERE
FAITH AND CHARITY APPEAL – One Body, One Spirit in Christ: 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. It’s not too late to participate! If your household has not participated, we encourage you to
prayerfully consider participating in this annual event. Every gift counts, no matter how small. Pledge cards can be found at the doors of the Church. You can also give online at www.cdow.org; click “Giving” then “Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal”, or simply scan this QR code with your cellphone.
THIS WEEKEND, September 28/29 (and Monday, September 30th – Friday, October 4th)
EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS PASSES: We have two parishioners who have registered for the Congress but are now unable to attend. Please contact the office if you would be interested in going in their place. Contact Judy or Kathy in the Parish Office 302-653-8279.
PRIESTHOOD SUNDAY will be celebrated this weekend; Saturday, September 28th, and Sunday, September 29th. This is a great weekend to say thank you to all of the priests who have touched our lives. Thank you Fr. Jim for all you do for our Parish! Please keep Fr. Jim and all Priests (both current, retired and deceased), Deacons, and all men considering the call to the Priesthood in your prayers.
BLESSINGS – The Blessing of our Professional Staff will take place this Sunday, September 29th, at the 10:30 am Mass.
BOSCOV’S DISCOUNT PASSES: Did you miss the sale last weekend? It’s not too late to purchase a pass for this special day of discounts! Profits from these sales help Brother Vincent Columbiettes support our many charitable activities. This event is Tuesday, October 22nd, at any Boscov’s Store. Your $5.00 shopping pass buys a full day of 25%OFF Discount Shopping and a chance to win fabulous door prizes! To purchase your $5 shopping pass, contact Darlene Sanphy at 302-270-3915 or MaryLois Barnas at 302-388-3332.
PSR FIRST CLASS: PSR Classes begin for grades PK/K – 4 this Sunday, September 29th at 9 am. for grades P/K-4. First day classes are for both parent and student. We will begin the new year by gathering in Church. Please enter under the portico. Visit our web page for more information and to view this year’s calendars! https://saintpolycarp.org/religious-education/ STUDENTS MUST BE REGISTERED BEFORE THE FIRST CLASS!
“ETERNAL REST: THE ART OF DYING WELL” – An evening grief support group will begin on Thursday, October 24, at 7 pm in Classroom 8. It will meet weekly.
In the weeks before the support group begins, a series from FORMED, “Eternal Rest: The Art of Dying Well”, will be shown at 7 pm on four consecutive Thursdays: September 26 and October 3, 10, & 17. These videos will be shown in Classroom 8. All are welcome to attend. This series is separate from the group support group. “Eternal Rest” presents the Catholic Church’s teaching about death and God’s response to it with wisdom and truth, gentleness and compassion, so we can think about and prepare for death in the light of Jesus Christ, the Author of life. Each week, after the “Eternal Rest” video and discussion, information will be given about the upcoming grief support group.
GIRL SCOUT MINISTRY: DO YOU KNOW A GIRL WHO WOULD LIKE TO JOIN GIRL SCOUTS?
We have troops that meet at St. Polycarp regularly on Thursday evenings for girls in grades Kindergarten through High School. Join us for an information night on October 3rd in the Mother Drexel Hall from 6pm-7pm. Girls will have the opportunity to experience a troop meeting, while parents learn more about the program. Please email Tracie Bruno with any questions. Tracie.Bruno@comcast.net.
OCTOBER IS RESPECT LIFE MONTH. The Catholic Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month during the month of October. The first Sunday of October (the 6th) is designated as Respect Life Sunday. Respect Life applies to all stages of life – from conception in the womb to the the end of life.
NEXT WEEKEND, October 5/6 (and Monday, October 7th – Friday, October 11th)
NO SATURDAY MASS, NO CONFESSIONS – OCTOBER 5th There will be no Saturday evening Mass on Saturday, October 5th, 2024. Bishop Koenig has asked that all Saturday evening Masses in the Diocese be cancelled that day so that Priests and parishioners can attend the Eucharistic Congress in Ocean City, MD. This does not lift the obligation to attend Mass that weekend. It encourages everyone to attend the Eucharistic Congress and takes into account that Priests throughout the Diocese will also be attending.
FAITH WITH FRIENDS: Join Us Sundays for Faith with Friends! Looking for a way to deepen your faith and connect with a wonderful community? Come and join us for Faith with Friends on Sunday mornings at 9:00 am, right before the 10:30 am Mass! Let’s start our Sundays off with joy, inspiration, and friendship! See you next Sunday, October 6th, in the Library!
AGAPE: Come join us next Sunday, October 6th, following the 10:30 am Mass, in the Parish Hall to enjoy food, fun and fellowship. Thank you to our PSR Catechists and assistants for hosting this month’s Agape’. We hope to see you there!
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS, NEXT SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6th at 12:15 pm. Bring your cats, dogs, birds, bunnies, turtles, goats, lizards, frogs, chickens, ducks, horses – all creatures great and small! Meet outside on the lawn across from the front of the Church. (In case of rain, please meet under the portico.) The Blessing of Animals is in honor of St. Francis of Assisi whose feast day is celebrated on October 4th. St. Francis is the patron saint of animals.
UPCOMING
ROSARY RALLY AT ST. POLYCARP – Saturday, October 12th, noon, at the Blessed Virgin Mary outside statue.
Please join our parish as well as thousands of Catholics, to publicly pray the Rosary during this annual event. Mary asked us at Fatima to pray the Rosary daily for peace in our world and peace in our families.
All are welcome as we publicly pray the Rosary at the Blessed Mother statue for our community to witness our faith.
DELAWARE STATE COLUMBIETTES invite you to their 2024 RETREAT. Come join a very special RETREAT on the “HISTORY & MYSTERIES” OF THE HOLY ROSARY on Saturday, October 26, 2024 in Saint Polycarp’s Mother Drexel Parish Hall, 8:45 am – 3:00 pm. Breakfast and Lunch will be served Cost: $15.00 RSVP: Anna Skinner 302-883-5647 Registration deadline is: Friday, October 18th. Our guest speaker will be Kathy Ebner MA. Kathy is the Spiritual Director at St Jude’s Church in Lewes, DE. She is a knowledgeable speaker on our faith and will lead us through a better understanding of the Mysteries of the Rosary.
QUARTERS IN, PADDLES UP! MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Join us for St. Polycarp’s 2nd Annual Quarter Auction on November 17th in Mother Drexel Hall. Doors Open at 3:00 pm Auction Kicks Off at 4:00 pm Bring your quarters and get ready for an afternoon of fun, bidding, and great deals! Don’t miss out on the excitement—it’s going to be a blast! See you there!
ATTENTION ALL 8TH GRADE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES: The Diocese of Wilmington will administer the High School Placement Test (HSPT) on the third weekend in November. For more information, please visit https://www.cdow.org/hspt/
BULLETIN OVERFLOW: Visit Bulletin Overflow https://saintpolycarp.org/overflow/ for details on the following and more!:
HELP SUPPORT THE EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS: October 5th in Ocean City MD
32nd ANNUAL CYO GOLF OUTING: Wednesday, September 18th , 2024, the Office for Catholic Youth, Young Adult, and Family Ministry will host the 32nd Annual CYO Joseph A. McNesby, Jr. Golf Outing.
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY PARISH Invites you to join us on Friday, September 27th at 6:00 PM and/or 7:30 PM with author Philip Campbell. 6:30 pm – Homeschooling History at Each Grade Level ; 7:30 pm – The Continuing Legacy of the Reformation in the United States
2024 DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON MARIAN PILGRIMAGE, Saturday, September 28th beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Holy Spirit Church, 12 Winder Road, New Castle, Delaware.
5th ANNUAL OUTDOOR MARKETPLACE at St. Margaret of Scotland Church 2431 Frazer Road, Newark, DE on Saturday, September 28th, 2024 8am to 2pm, Rain or Shine. Vendors wanted For more information: 2024smaco@gmail.com
RETROUVAILLE: The Retrouvaille Program is for married couples facing challenges in their relationship. Upcoming program: October 4th – 6th at the Family Life Center in Malvern, PA
ANNUAL FOOTPRINTS MASS. The Mass will be held on Sunday, October 20, 2024, at 9:30 am at St. John the Beloved Church in Wilmington, DE. A special invitation is extended to parents, grandparents, and siblings who grieve the death of a child as a result of miscarriage, stillbirth, abortion or early infant death.
WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER: The next weekend is November 1st – 3rd , 2024 at the Brighton Suites in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. For information or to register visit our website http://www.wwme.org or call Tony and Linda Massino at 302-648-2228.
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BAZAAR at Immaculate Conception Church, 452 Bow Street, Elkton MD. November 9th
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
ONGOING
THREE YEARS OF ABUNDANT GRACE AND TRANSFORMATION – EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL
MISSION: To renew the church by enkindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.
VISION: To inspire a movement of Catholics across the United States who are healed, converted, formed, and unified by an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist—and who are then sent out on mission “for the life of the world.”
SHARE THE HARVEST: Would you like to share vegetables from your bountiful garden, garden plants or house plants that need to go to a loving home, flowers that could brighten up someone’s day or your harvest with others? The Share The Harvest table is now under the Portico. This allows our parishioners to share their abundant yield from their gardens with their Church family. All are welcome to share and receive.
DO YOU HAVE FLOWERS FROM YOUR GARDEN THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO BRING IN TO HELP DECORATE THE CHURCH? This would be a wonderful way to share your gardening talents in honor of God! Please call or email Dee Lim at 973-865-4203 or delial42@yahoo.com for details.
CHURCH ENVIRONMENT: The Liturgy Committee is looking for new members to join the Environment team, which is currently being led by Delia Lim. If you are interested, please call Kathy Curlett at 302-222–9326.
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 9th and 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/
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 11am. 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.
MEMORIAL BRICKS: Adding your MEMORIAL BRICK to the walkway of our Blessed Mother is a unique way to keep your memories alive. Honor family and friends! Share a favorite quote, and more! You can order through Faith Direct at: https://membership.faithdirect.net/events/org/831 
Scroll down until you see “Memorial Bricks” (you do not need to sign up for Faith Direct), or use this QR code or return your form with payment of $100 to St. Polycarp Church. Envelopes marked with “Memorial Brick” may be placed in the Offertory collection, mailed or delivered to the Parish Office (place in black box).
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: 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
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
FROM THE DIOCESE:
CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIO: Listen to Catholic Forum each week. The Catholic Forum debuts every Wednesday at 12 p.m. This week, Jenny Krasta, executive director of the Maryland Catholic Conference will discuss Maryland’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment. The Catholic Forum podcast on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music podcasts and YouTube.com/DioceseofWilm debuts every Wednesday at 12:00 p.m.; and on Relevant Radio 640 every Saturday afternoons at 1:30. More information is available at cdow.org/CatholicForum CLICK HERE
LET US PRAY: October 2 – The Holy Guardian Angels
Angel of God,
my Guardian dear,
to whom His love
commits me here,
ever this day (or night)
be at my side,
to light and guard,
to rule and guide.
Amen.