23rd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
September 9/10
SUNDAY SCRIPTURE – QUESTIONS TO PONDER
~ Have you ever offered fraternal correction to another? How did it go?
~ What do you think Paul meant when he said that “love is the fulfillment of the law”?
~ How have you experienced the presence of Jesus in the midst of the Christian community?
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091023.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 9/10 (and Monday, September 11 – Friday, September 15)
SATURDAY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION will take place tomorrow, 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. .
SECOND COLLECTION this weekend is for Parish Utilities. Please be as generous as your means allow. Thank you for your generosity!
PSR ENVELOPE FUNDRAISER: This weekend kicks off our 2nd Annual Envelope Fundraiser for PSR. Check out the display of envelopes at all the Church exits. (Remember how beautiful they were last year!) Each envelope has a different dollar amount on it. Choose which envelope(s) you want to fill. Place the dollar amount marked on the front in the envelope & place it in the collection basket next week. You may also drop it off or mail it to the parish office. Please make checks payable to St. Polycarp Church (In the memo, clearly write Envelope Fundraiser). The beautiful artwork on the envelopes was done by our PSR students. If you choose to keep the envelope for a keepsake, feel free to place the dollar amount in a different envelope.
ST. POLYCARP PARISH ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT AND BUFFET DINNER takes place this Sunday, September 10th. Good luck. Enjoy the 19th hole. Hit ’em long and straight. Hit ’em straight and far. May the fores be with you. Play well. Enjoy the Dinner! God Bless!!!
9/11 Monday, September 11th, is Patriot Day. Please take a moment or two on Monday to say a prayer for all who lost their lives or whose lives changed forever on September 11th.
BLESSED VIRGIN MARY SODALITY: The Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality invite the women of the parish to our first meeting of the year this coming Monday, September 11th, at 11:30 am. The meeting starts with the Rosary followed by a light lunch with a belated birthday celebration for Our Lady (the nativity of the BVM is Friday, September 8th). A short business meeting will follow as we plan out the coming year. Please join us in our devotion to the Blessed Mother.
MARIAN PILGRIMAGE – COME RIDE THE BUS WITH US! Saturday, October 7th. Sister parishes, St. Dennis and St. Polycarp invite you to attend the Diocese of Wilmington’s Marian Pilgrimage with Bishop Koenig at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. Travel by luxury motor coach. Register now to save your seat! See the Bulletin for more information or contact Barbara Kaczorowski at (517) 507 – 9311 or visit https://saintpolycarp.org/weekend-update-september-2-3/
PSR FIRST CLASSES: Mark your calendars!!! Important dates!! Parish Picnic …Sunday, September 17 after 10:30am Mass. Before classes begin, come meet our PSR Team at our Parish Picnic. Come and enjoy lots of food and activities for all ages! What a fun way to kick off the year! Hope to see our PSR families there! PSR Classes Begin … Sunday, September 24th at 9 am for grades P/K-4 & Tuesday, September 26th at 7 pm for grades 5-8. First day classes are for both parent and student. We will begin the new year by gathering in Church. Visit our web page to view this year’s calendars! https://saintpolycarp.org/religious-education/
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
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: We’re getting there! As you know, we’ve reached our PLEDGED goal! Congratulations! Currently our very generous parishioners have pledged $63,460.88, that is 105.77% of our goal. Of that $50,677.80 has been collected. Those who pledged and are making payments, receive reminders from the Diocese. 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. 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.
Have you participated in the Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal? The 2023 Shining the Light of Christ campaign invites us to share our faith and live the gospel teachings. Our parish invites everyone to participate. Help our parish to Shine the Light of Christ throughout the community. Pledge forms are located in the pews and at the doors of the Church. Please return your pledge form and participate at any level. The Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal offers a tremendous opportunity to unite as a parish family and support the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of so many throughout our diocese. 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 16/17
CATECHETICAL SUNDAY: The Blessing of Catechists will take place on Sunday, September 17th at the 10:30 am Mass.
ANNUAL PARISH PICNIC: We are having a PICNIC at St. Polycarp NEXT SUNDAY! Calling all cooks! Have you decided yet on what side dish you will be bringing to our Annual Parish Picnic next Sunday, September 17th, after the 10:30 am Mass? Your food should be pre-cooked and brought to the picnic in disposable containers. We can provide serving utensils. We will gather outside, behind the rectory, for Fellowship, Food, and Fun. Do not forget to bring a chair to relax on. Tell the kids there is a Bounce House too! If you have any questions, please call Kathy Curlett at (302) 222 – 9326 or Joyce Tolson at (302) 448 – 9678.
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.
THE ANNUAL FORUM: This year’s Annual Forum will be held on January 21st following the 10:30 am Mass (not in September).
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.
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.
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/
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 9th, Learn about the life and ministry of Blessed Carlo Acutis. 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:
Dear Lord,
As our students begin a new school year,
I pray that you will keep them in your care.
Send your Spirit to open their minds
to all that is true and beautiful and good
Help them to see the gifts and talents
you have given them and to use them well.
Help them to grow in knowledge and wisdom.
Help them to be kind to others
and lead others to be kind to them.
Give their teachers patience and understanding
and help them teach what is just and true.
Send your angels to guide and guard our
children and to keep them from all harm.
Open their young hearts to your presence
and enfold them in your peace and protection.
Hold them in the palm of your hand
and bring them home safely at day’s end.
Amen.