23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Praise the Lord, my soul!
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090521.cfm
LIVE-STREAMING: Visit https://www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE for live stream. (or visit our webpage www.saintpolycarp.org and click on the picture of the altar ) Masses may also be viewed at a later time.
ONLINE BULLETIN: https://www.jppc.net/onlinebulletins/301template.pdf
THE PRINTED WEEKLY BULLETIN: This week’s Bulletin may not arrive on time for Masses due to delayed delivery because of the flooding. You can view this weekend’s Bulletin using the link above for the Online Bulletin. To view the insert for this weekend’s Bulletin CLICK HERE (Note: This insert was emailed to parishioners on Thursday with the subject “Important Message from Fr. Jim”.)
FIRST SATURDAY: Tomorrow, September 4th. Please plan to join our Columbiettes tomorrow at 3:25 pm to pray the Rosary before the start of the 4pm Mass.
LAST CALL! ST. POLYCARP’S 2ND ANNUAL STEAK DINNER AND GOLF TOURNAMENT. Last call for reservations for our Parish Steak Dinner and Golf Event at the beautiful Maple Dale Country Club next Sunday, September 12th. We have lots of prizes and raffle items in addition to wonderful food and fellowship! We need your reservation by this Wednesday, September 8th. Tickets are NOT available after this date. The parish website and bulletin have details or contact Kathy Willes kdwilles@comcast.net (302)670-7330 or Larry Borgman lborgman007@gmail.com (302)389-6018. Please join us!
The RCIA is the process by which such individuals become full members of the Catholic Church. You can make a difference! If you are aware of someone who is looking for new direction in their life, perhaps they will find their way in the Catholic Church. You can… change a life by “personally inviting” them to one of our upcoming RCIA Inquiry sessions on Monday evening, September 13th and 20th. Other sessions will take place on successive Monday evenings, for all you wish to commit to the RCIA process. These sessions take place in the Parish Library at 6:30 PM. Again, these sessions are for those unbaptized, those baptized in other Christian traditions, or adult Catholics who have not been confirmed. You can make a difference in someone’s life… by simply asking! For information, please contact Deacon Frank Weber at DeaconFrank@saintpolycarp.org or leave a message with the Parish office at (302) 653 – 8279.
WELCOME BACK MASS: We welcome back all of our parish families on Sunday, Sept. 19th at the 10:30 a.m. Mass. This Mass coincides with Catechetical Sunday, where we bless all of our catechists; assistants; and volunteers who catechize the children and adults of our parish. Also, there will be a Welcome Back Blessing for our parish families. Then, afterwards, join us for food and festivities at our Annual Parish Picnic.
SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR ANNUAL PARISH PICNIC! Our annual Parish Picnic will take place on Sunday, September 19th following the 10:30 am Mass. We invite all parishioners to join us! Hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries and bottled water will be provided. We ask that you bring your own sides and any additional beverages for you and your family. An inflatable obstacle course will be set up for you to enjoy. Hope to see you there.
FROM THE PARISH OFFICE: There have been issues with our email delivery/receiving this week. If you were expecting a response from an email and have not received one, please call the office and leave a message. Please check your Spam Folder before calling.
BACK-UP LITURGICAL MINISTRY SCHEDULER: The Liturgy Committee is in need of back-up personnel for their various ministries. They need someone to fill-in for Frank Patton who schedules the Liturgical Ministers for the various Masses. The back-up would fill in if Frank were to get sick, etc. Frank is willing to teach that person how he does the scheduling. Scheduling is usually done on a monthly basis. If you are interested, please contact Kathy MacDonald at (302) 653 – 8976, Linda Mood at (302) 653 – 6852, or see Kathy and Linda after Mass.
REGISTRATION FOR PSR: PSR classes begin on Sunday, September 26th for Grades P/K – 4 and on Tuesday, September 28th for Grades 5-8. Mrs. Taylor will be emailing parents of registered students this week with more information. If you have not registered your child(ren), we need you to register today! We are finalizing plans for the year ahead and it is extremely important that we know how many children will be in each grade. Our PSR offers religious education for children in pre-kindergarten through ninth grade. Sacramental preparation is offered for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation. Visit https://saintpolycarp.org/religious-education/ for more information and to register. Registration Forms are also available in the black drop box under the portico. Questions? Contact our Coordinator of Religious Education, Erica Taylor at 302-653-4101 or dre@saintpolycarp.org
IS GOD CALLING YOU? Has God been quietly calling you to be part of the religious education of our parish youth? Maybe it’s time to contact our CRE, Erica Taylor, CRE at (302) 653 – 4101 or dre@saintpolycarp.org for more information.
Our PSR is still in need of an 8th Grade Catechist on Tuesday evening.
CREATE BEAUTIFUL CARDS! The Brother Vincent Columbiettes would like to invite you to join them for a fun activity at 10 am, on Thursday, September 23rd, as they create Christmas note/greeting cards in the Hall. The price is only $15.00 per kit, which includes all the supplies (paper card stock and embellishments as well as envelopes) necessary to make three Christmas note/greeting cards similar to the ones below. This event is open to anyone who would like to join us. Contact Anna to reserve your spot and order your kit. All orders must be placed and paid for by Friday, September 10th. Please make checks payable to Brother Vincent Columbiettes and mail to: Rosemary Battistoni, Financial Secretary 1515 Bon Ayre Circle, Smyrna, De 19977. The kits will be available at the class. Questions? Contact Anna Skinner at (302) 508 – 5369 or by anna.skinz@gmail.com. Come meet Phoebe Bird, our StampinUp Instructor extraordinaire!
SEASONS OF HOPE bereavement support group is centered on Jesus Christ and grounded in his healing wisdom, traditions, and practices of our faith. “Seasons of Hope” gives the bereaved an opportunity to come together to share god’s love. It provides a safe place to share thoughts and feelings. It also offers the knowledge that others are on the same grief journey and mutual support is given to each other. “Seasons of Hope” consists of 6 week sessions. Our next session begins on Thursday, September 16th, at 10:00 am. For more information and to register contact Diane Dellinger at ddellinger7377@outlook.com or Maureen Robinson (302) 423 – 6366. Registration is required.
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
CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON MARIAN PILGRIMAGE with Bishop William Koenig at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C. September 25, 2021, 10AM-4PM https://saintpolycarp.org/marian-pilgrimage/
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 tune in to hear what’s new at St. Mary Star of the Sea/Holy Savior Parish in Ocean City, Maryland. Find out when father John Solomon, pastor, is the guest. They recently published the book, “A Millennial in Paradise: Carlo Acutis,” by Father Will Conquer. Listen anytime at cdow.org/CatholicForum or search Catholic Forum on Apple, Spotify or iHeartRadio podcasts.
LET US PRAY:
Pope Francis has called for an annual World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation which was celebrated on September 1. September 1st marked the beginning of the “Season of Creation,” which lasts through the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi on Oct. 4.
Father of all,
Creator and ruler of the universe,
You entrusted your world to us as a gift.
Help us to care for it and all people,
that we may live in right relationship–
with You,
with ourselves,
with one another,
and with creation.
Christ our Lord,
both divine and human,
You lived among us and died for our sins.
Help us to imitate your love for the human family
by recognizing that we are all connected—
to our brothers and sisters around the world,
to those in poverty impacted by environmental devastation,
and to future generations.
Holy Spirit,
giver of wisdom and love,
You breathe life in us and guide us.
Help us to live according to your vision,
stirring to action the hearts of all—
individuals and families,
communities of faith,
and civil and political leaders.
Triune God, help us to hear the cry of those in poverty, and the cry of the earth, so that we may together care for our common home.
Amen.