St. Polycarp Parish
135 Ransom Lane, Smyrna, DE 19977-1617
WE ARE HERE TO SERVE YOU
Office Hours: 9:30 am - 3 pm weekdays
(302) 653-8279
[email protected]
www.saintpolycarp.org
diocesan website: www.cdow.org
BECAUSE WE SEE CHRIST IN YOU
Rev. Thomas A. Flowers (Fr. Tom), Pastor
Patricia Freedman, DRE, 653-4101
Bernadette Baker, Administrative Assistant
and Bookkeeper
Betty Sloven, Secretary, 653-8279
Lori Vien, Daybreak Counseling, 222-0517
Jack Molyneau, Finance Council
Tom Hopper, Facilities Rentals, 653-2314
The Academy at St. Polycarp
(Pre-School)
499 W. South Street
Nancy Koska, Director, 653-1496
WE CELEBRATE THE EUCHARIST
5 pm Saturday, 8 & 10:45 am Sunday
(4 pm Nov. - Feb.) (10 am June - August)
8:30 am weekdays (except Thursday)
10:30 am Tuesday, DE Home for Chronically Ill
WE FORM ADULTS & YOUTH IN FAITH
Christian Formation Office, 653-4101
Judy Lamborn, DRE’s Assistant
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
St. John Bosco Home School Study Group
Alison Seewald, 378-7198
ChristLife includes three 7-Monday programs
Christ Renews His Parish weekends for men & women
WE CELEBRATE FORGIVENESS
Confessions 3:30-4:30 pm Sat. or by appointment in
Fr. Tom’s office. No matter how long you may have
been away, you are always welcome back!
Image of St. Polycarp is from an original oil painting
by Sean Faust which hangs in Mother Drexel Hall
WE WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
We will be happy to meet with you in our office or register
you over the phone. You must attend Mass weekly for us to
certify you to stand as a godparent for Baptism or a sponsor for
Confirmation. Working adult children living with parents should
receive envelopes. We mail contribution envelopes and have
two collections every Sunday for diocesan & parish ministries.
WE GATHER FOR PRAYER
Eucharistic Adoration in St. Ann Chapel, 9 am – 9 pm Tuesday
Sacred Heart Devotions, 9 am 1st Friday • Cenacle of Our Lady, 1st Friday, 9:30 am.
Divine Mercy Devotions, 3 pm Friday, September-May
BVM Sodality
Knights of Columbus
Br. Vincent Council
Columbian Squires
4th Deg. Assembly
Columbiettes
Phyllis Ortiz
678-1212
Our Parish Mission
We, are a welcoming Roman Catholic family
of faith, a thankful, holy people sent forth
from our celebration of the Eucharist to walk
in faith, live in hope, and act with love for God
and one another. Through our ministry we
embrace the poor, the suffering, and the lost.
As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are committed
to justice and peace through prayer, Christian
formation the New Evangelization, and
stewardship.
Bud Whitlock 659-6962
Rich DeZao
677-1999
Rich DeZao
677-1999
Mary Lou Bush 883-2705
Holy Cross Elementary
St. Thomas More Prep
674-5784
697-8100
Diocesan Vocation Office
Rev. Dave Kelly
www.CalledByTheLord.com
378-5800
Help With Pregnancy
Post-Abortion Help
698-9311
472-0649
[email protected]
Day Break Counseling Lori Vien
222-0517
Improve Mail Delivery: Use the ZIP + 4
1883
5th Sunday in Ordinal Time
February 8, 2015
From Our Pastor’s Desk
In grade 5, at Richardson Park Elementary, we ceased beginning our school day with
the Lord’s Prayer and no longer opened our
assemblies with the 23rd Psalm. During my
2nd year at the University of Delaware, “Easter
break” became “Spring break.” Although we
didn’t realize it, these were the tremors
preceding an earthquake of assault on our
Christian identity as a nation.
Some changes are harsh and obvious,
like replacing “Happy Holidays” for “Merry
Christmas.” Others are more subtle & easily
missed, like secularization of Feb. 14 as “Valentine’s Day.” I make it a point to wish folks a
“blessed St. Valentine’s Day!”
Like many courageous Christians facing death, Valentinus inspired hope by words
of loving concern he wrote to those who
feared his martyrdom. Awaiting execution, he
sent messages of encouragement to others.
Today’s custom of sending a note of friendship
to your “Valentine” is believed to be a reflection of his actions.
Will you buy a big box of chocolates for
your beloved? Will you search for just the
right stuffed animal for a special one? Will
you find yourself in a floral shop, purchasing
flowers for your “Valentine”? If you are talking with a close friend or relative, or even just
a cashier, surprise him or her by saying,
“Happy SAINT Valentine’s Day!”
Fr. Tom
I have been asked frequently if I know
my next assignment. I met with the Personnel
Committee on Tuesday to discuss openings in
various parishes. I probably won’t know where
I’m going until sometime in May. Changes will
most likely take effect sometime in mid-June.
LITURGY
Bread & Wine for the Eucharist Today are
given for our parents, grandparents, siblings,
cousins, neighbors, and friends who taught us
the meaning of love.
The Roman Martyrology includes 2 men
named Valentine, both of them beheaded on
the Flaminan Way--one at Rome, the other at
Terni, 60 miles from the capital. The Roman
priest named Valentine died c. 269, during a
persecution by Claudius the Goth. The other
Valentine, listed in the Martyrology of St.
Jerome, was allegedly bishop of Terni.
It’s unclear if the 2 men were actually
the same person. Some historians suggest
that the bishop may have been taken to Rome
to be martyred. Pope Julius I built a basilica
on the Via Flaminius, 2 miles from Rome, over
the sepulcher of a Valentine, whose cult is
attested to by a 4th century inscription. Various popes are recorded has having done restorations to the building.
Our Sanctuary Lamp in Church burns to honor
the One above all others Whom you choose to
be your “Valentine,” our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our Sanctuary Lamp in St. Ann Chapel burns
for all those with physical afflictions of the
heart and those whose hearts have been
broken by sorrow or betrayal.
Readings Next Sunday: Leviticus 13:1-2, 4446, Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 11, I Corinthians 10:3111:1, and Mark 1:40-45
Musicians Next Weekend: Linda on organ (4
pm), Roxanne on harp (8 am), & Richie on
guitar (10:45 am)
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PAGE TWO
PARISH & FAMILY LIFE
Masses & Prayer
Mon., Feb. 9
8:30 Joseph Orlando --Gerald & Linda Mood
This Week in Our Parish
Tues., Feb. 10
St. Scholastica, Virgin
8:30 Joseph Orlando
--Angel & Al Grasso
9 am Eucharistic Adoration (St. Ann Chapel)
10:30 Michael Kaminski
--Jane Hickman
Today sign-ups for 40 Days for Life, 8 am Rite
of Acceptance, 9 am PSR (gr. 1-4) &
2nd Gr. parent meeting, 10:45 am
baptism at Mass, gr. 3 & 4 at Mass
and PSR P/K, 6 pm Confirmation
Wed., Feb. 11
8:30 Betty Gruwell
Mon.
12:30 pm Academy, 6:30 pm K of C
1st & 2nd Degrees
Tues.
9 am adoration in chapel, 10:30 am
DHCI Mass, Noon Smyrna-Clayton
Ministerium, 12:30 pm Academy, 6:30
pm R.C.I.A., 7 pm PSR (Gr. 5-8), 8 pm
outdoor burning of palms
Wed.
8:30 am & 12:30 pm Academy, 6:30
pm Radiance of Joy
Our Lady of Lourdes
–Theresa Devine
Thurs., Feb. 12
8:30 no Mass
Fri., Feb. 13
8:30 Phoebe & Wm. Dunn & Family --Terri
3 pm Divine Mercy devotions (chapel)
Sat., Feb. 14
Sts. Cyril & Methodius
2:30 Reconciliation
4 pm George E. Dunn
--wife, Terri
6th
Sun., Feb. 15
Sunday in Ordinal Time
8 am Madeline Dickinson
--Dellingers
10:45 Missa pro Populo
Let’s Pray for the Sick
Week I
Darrin Tanis, Marie Carney,
Eleanor Hartnett
Week II Rev. John Riley
Week III Deborah Oset, Karen McKenna,
Gerald Wong, Margaret Walters,
Dave Brown
Week IV Diane Harman
Week V
Bobby Bullins, Anthony Lennon,
Lewis Blood
Week VI Shannon Leone, Iolanda Zikowitz,
Sam Everage, Diane Bethard
Let’s Pray for Our Deceased
Deacon Wm Maloney (Sun.), Fr. George Kelly
(Tues.), Msgr. Jos Sweeney (Wed.), Frs. Edward
McAteer & James Richardson (Fri.), and Frs.
Andrew White & Francis Kenney (Sat.)
Thurs. 8:30 am & 12:30 pm Academy, 3 pm K
of C state dinner & meeting
Fri.
8:30 am Academy, 9 am Altar Guild II,
12:30 pm Academy & set-up for Bingo
3 pm Divine Mercy
Sun.
8 am Rite of Sending, 9 am PSR (gr. 14), 10:45 am baptisms at Mass, Noon
wedding validation, 1:30 basket Bingo
Marriage Moments…
You have almost a week to think about how to
celebrate Valentine’s Day (Luckily, it’s before
Lent so chocolate is a possibility). Better yet,
choose one favor a day to surprise your
beloved with. Your love is a daily act, not just
one day a year.
Parenting Pointers…
“It is easier to build a child than to repair an
adult.” (Marilyn Krock, Caring Family
Resources) Think about this the next time
you’re tempted to say, “Later, dear” or “Can’t
it wait” or “We’ll do it tomorrow (or next
week)”.
301
PAGE THREE
CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Don’t Miss Out On Our Trip to D.C.! Next week
we’ll send info to The Dialog & local papers
inviting others, so don’t delay. Check for $50
made out to “St. Polycarp” marked “trip” on
the memo. We’ll leave at 6 am for St. Matthew’s Cathedral for Mass & time to see
magnificent mosaics. Then it’s the National
Museum of Women in the Arts for a 60-item
exhibit of images of Our Lady from the Vatican, the Louvre, the Uffizi Gallery, & elsewhere. Enjoy a modestly-priced lunch at their
café. Our last stop is Hillwood, former home
of Marjorie Merriweather Post, with French &
Russian art, including Faberge eggs. Price includes bus, driver tip, & admission to both
museums, with escorted tour at Hillwood. We
anticipate returning to Smyrna around 5:30
pm. Get your reservation to Bernadette, 6538279.
SOCIAL CONCERNS
From the Seamen’s Center of Wilmington…
Bring It Home…
St. Valentine’s Day has become a holiday filled
with outward signs of love. We are called to
share the Good news with others, not only
with what we do but also by how we speak,
think, and pray. take the Scriptures and Bring
It Home this week by sharing your faith freely
and lovingly with others.
STEWARDSHIP
4th Sun. in Ordinal Time $ 5,736
the Needy $1,743
Poor Box $ 250
A Rebate From the Annual Catholic Appeal
arrived this past Sat. amounting to $1,715.03.
Bishop Malooly extends his deep gratitude
and a pledge of his prayers for you.
Dear Father Flowers:
Thanks so much for your contribution of clothing to the Seamen’s Center of Wilmington
The mariners enjoy receiving the generous gifts
offered by the community and seem especially
appreciative that people they have never met
remember them. It is amazing to see how
quickly these donations leave the building and
how proud the seafarers are of their new
possessions. Again, thank you!
Joan Lyons, Executive Director
Our parish is very grateful to Lil Fambach for
continuing the work her late husband, Chuck,
began many years ago in responding to the
annual appeal for Christmas gifts by the
Seamen’s Center. Many of us have had relatives & friends serve in the Navy, the Merchant Marines, & other seafaring groups.
Thanks to all of you who respond so generously to reach out in love to people you will
never meet in this life!
Next Weekend’s 2nd Collection is the annual
collection for Black & Native American Missions in the U.S. Taken up by our bishops
since the 1880’s, donations to this cause will
assist those who are working in some of the
poorest parishes & missions in our nation. We
are truly grateful for your giving!
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PAGE FOUR
Our Long-Awaited Vestments have arrived. A
new funeral pall (the cloth placed over the
coffin as a reminder of Baptism) and a cope
(the cape used for Benediction, processions,
and for Baptisms & Weddings outside of
Mass) were lovingly and reverently made by
the Poor Clare Sisters in Wilmington. Our
sincerest thanks to Sharon & Mike Gismonde
for donating the pall (draped over the Communion rail) and an anonymous parishioner for
donating the cope (hanging on the side wall).
Feb. 22 DE State Columbiettes Annual
Chinese Auction 2-5 pm at The Rookery
North, Milford $20 per person. Tickets must
be purchased by Feb. 16th Call Judy 302-2703047. Wonderful afternoon planned, good
food, fabulous gifts, raffles & lots of fun!
Feb. 27 Philadelphia 76ers Present Gospel
Night Post Game Concert with Marvin Sapp.
Tickets from $100 - $25. Call 215-558-2780
for more information.
There Was No Winner of the 50/50 on Feb. 1
(#153). Today’s jackpot is $133. Proceeds
from our weekly 50-50 defrays some of the
cost of our Parish School of Religion. (Tuition
covers only a portion of the huge expense of
running our very professional and very
pastoral program.)
HAPPENING ELSEWHERE
Feb. 15 Catholic Forum of the Air 10:05 am,
1150AM WDEL & www.wdel.com. Hear Diane
Householder, Community of Mary, 23rd order
of Discalced Carmelites, Kate Meire, Minister
of St. Clair Secular Franciscan Fraternity will
discuss 3rd Order communities.
Mar. 21-22 Red Bird Mission Craft Fair at
Asbury UM Church on Mt. Vernon St. 9 am - 2
pm on Sat. and 8 am - 12:30 pm on Sun.
Jewelry, baskets, ornaments, aprons, pottery,
woven place mats, note cards, trivets, wood
carvings, clothing racks, magnets, napkin
rings, creating economic opportunities for
people of the Appalachian Region.
Feb. 13 & 14 Two Great
Shows playing at St.
Elizabeth’s
Performing
Arts
Center.
Sister’s
Easter Catechism: Will My
Bunny Go to Heaven? &
Til Death Do Us Part: Late
Nite Catechism 3 - $30
per person. 302-6523626 for tickets.
Trips With Our Diocesan Priests
Shrines of France with Fr. Brian Lewis, June
8-16. Paris, Vezelay, Nevers, Paray-le-Monial,
Ars, Lyon, Lourdes, & more! Air/and or land
only. 999-0211 or [email protected].
Spain & Provence with Fr. Ed Aigner. Cruise
the Rhone River in scenic South France. Trip
begins June 27 in Barcelona, Spain. Includes
Arles, Lyon, and more. Includes all tours and
beer/wine with meals. Mary Grubert, (800)
275-0935 or [email protected]
Alaska Cruise in August with Fr. Aigner.
Details available soon.
Portugal, Estoril Coast, Azores & Madeira
Islands, Nov. 6-18, with Fr. Tom Flowers.
Fatima, churches & castles, scenic villages,
volcanic lakes, pineapple & tea plantations,
botanical gardens, waterfalls, & hot springs,
and more! Vacation for Catholics, (888) 8788187 or [email protected] or 6538279
301
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Bridge Way
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Owner & Operator
Decks & Designs
Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Renovations & Additions
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302-653-3466
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Board Certified Pediatricians
Vicenta P.G.-Marquez, M.D.
Ma Caridad P. Rosal, M.D.
Jennifer C. Liquido, M.D.
(302) 653-6174
FAX (302) 653-6029
Board Certified Internist
Rufino V. Rosal, M.D.
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Blanca Ocampo-Lim, M.D.
(302) 653-1669
FAX (302) 653-9563
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