Monday, Oct. 26, 2009

Memorial Mass for the late Michael A. Saltarelli, bishop emeritus of Catholic Diocese of Wilmington: 7 p.m., St. Polycarp Church, 135 Ransom Lane, Smyrna. For more information, call the church office, 653-8279.

SMYRNA — Michael Boyd of Smyrna will be ordained a permanent deacon of the Catholic Church Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, in St. Margaret of Scotland Church in Glasgow. During the 9 a.m. liturgy, 15 men will receive the sacrament of Holy Orders through anointing with Chrism (consecrated oil) and the laying on of hands by the Most Rev. W. Francis Malooly of the Diocese of Wilmington, which includes Delaware and the nine counties of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Mr. Boyd’s pastor, the Rev. Tom Flowers of St. Polycarp Church, Smyrna, will vest him.

Mr. Boyd was born in Wilmington, and he and his wife, Pam, have four children. They are both employed at Christiana Hospital and live in Bombay Woods. Mr. Boyd’s talents as a computer specialist have proven invaluable to the parish staff. The Boyds direct a baptismal class for expectant parents and a program for initiating adults into the church. Mr. Boyd also works with the parish’s new Teen Club and the program for preparing adolescents for the sacrament of Confirmation.

Mr. Boyd has benefited from the example and advice of Charlie Robinson’s, the parish’s first permanent deacon, who continues in liturgical ministry and as an advocate for the annulment process. His formation during the past four years has included classes at St. Mark’s High School in Wilmington conducted by professors from St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana.

During his year of internship at St. Polycarp, Mr. Boyd has presided at Stations of the Cross and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, assisted at baptisms and weddings and contributed to various programs in Christian Formation. He has offered outstanding meditaions on several occasions, so, his first homily, during the 10:45 a.m. Mass on Sunday, Oct. 25, is greatly anticipated. "Father Tom" said, "Mike exhibits great skill as a preacher, with solid grounding in Church doctrine and a rich tapestry of references to church history and the lives of the saints.

CLAYTON — Frances Abernathy of Clayton was honored on Sunday by the Most Rev. Francis Malooly, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, with the Diocsean Order of Merit. Honors were given in St. John the Beloved Church in Milltown to one person from each of 56 parishes and more than a dozen mission churches in Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

The former Frances Willis was born in Nashville, Tenn., where she attended Immaculate Mother Academy, established by St. Katharine Drexel, whom Frances met. "It was the second building, since the Klan burned the first one," Mrs. Abernathy notes. She married Robert Abernathy, whose served in the U.S. Air Force brought them to Delaware. From Alaska to Florida, they welcomed 11 children into their lives as gifts from God.

When they moved to Clayton in 1971, they practiced their faith in the chapel at St. Joseph’s Industrial School in Clayton and at the then-new St. Polycarp Church, constructed on Ransom Lane in Smyrna. Mrs. Abernathy attends Mass daily and is a member of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality.

St. Polycarp’s pastor, the Rev. Tom Flowers, told the bishop that "Frances Abernathy overcame all the prejudice that greeted her and her late husband when they came to our community. She has a ministry of writing supportive notes to hundreds of people each year. Her gentle way and quiet joy are an inspiration to everyone."

REHOBOTH BEACH — "Rejoice in the Lord always!" is the theme of the 24th annual Charismatic Conference at Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, Oct. 2-4. The Most Rev. W. Francis Malooly, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington whose episcopal motto inspired this year’s theme, will open the gathering for 500 charismatic Catholics from nine states with Eucharist at 7 p.m. Oct. 2.

Keynote speaker that evening will be Johnnette Benkovic, a regular on Eternal Word Television Network and founder of Living His LIfe Abundantly, a Cathoic evangelization apostolate, and Women of Grace, and producer of TV’s "The Abundant Life." The evening will close with a candlelight procession to a small park adjoining the convention center.

On Oct. 3, Ms. Benkovic will speak again, and the Rev. Tom Flowers, pastor of St. Polycarp Church, Smyrna, and the Bishop’s Liaison for the Renewal, will celebrate Mass. The Rev. Albert MacPherson, OSA, will speak in the afternoon and lead a helaing service that evening, following a Eucharistic Procession led by Father Flowers.

A traditional prayer servcie on the beack will open Oct. 4 activities at 8:30 a.m. "Father Tom" will speak at 10 a.mm., and "Father Al" will preside and preach at an 11 a.m. Eucharist.

The cost of the weekend is $60, or $25 for Oct. 3 (Saturday) only. Contact Bernadette Baker, 653-8279, or polycarp135@yahoo.com.

SMYRNA — St. Polycarp Catholic Church will observe Patriot Day with a memorial Mass on Sept. 11. The Rev. Thomas Flowers, pastor, will preside. A retired New York City firefighter, Deacon Charles Robinson, will preach the homily and lead prayers for workers and students abroad, military personnel, Peace Corps workers and victims of persecution in Muslim, Hindu and Communist countries.

As permitted by military regulations, veterans are encouraged to wear medals earned in the service. A Knights of Columbus color corps from Our Lady Queen of Peace 4th Degree Assembly will post the colors and lead the Pledge of Allegiance. After a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., the precise time the first hijacked jet struck the World Trade Center, an entrance hymn will begin.

Following the liturgy, worshippers will gather in front of the church at Ransom Lane and South Street in Smyrna. Former Port Authority policeman Michael S. Megna will place a wreath at the base of the flagpole in memory of all who lost their lives at Ground Zero in New York, the Pentagon and Schwenksville, Pa. A 21-year veteran of the force, Mr. Megna worked at traffic control until the closing of the Holland Tunnel, then was present at Ground Zero. Clayton’s VFW Post 8801 will offer a 21-gun salute and "Taps." After singing "Amazing Grace," which has been called America’s second national anthem, participants will enjoy refreshments in Mother Drexel Hall.

In the evening, parishioners will other join area residents at 7 p.m. in front of the Citizens’ Hose Company’s station on Commerce St. Holding lit candles, they will hear the ringing of a memorial bell for fallen firefighters and the playing of bagpipes. Then, First Presbyterian Church of Smyrna will be host for the community’s seventh annual ecumenical service.

Mr. Megna also will speak at a social hosted by Brother Vincent Council of the Knights of Columbus at 7 p.m. Sept. 17, in Mother Drexel Hall. The public is invited to attend.

For directions or other information, contact the St. Polycarp Parish office at 653-8279 or e-mail st.polycarp@verizion.net.

SMYRNA — The 2009 French Boys Choir U.S. Tour will include a concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 7, in Mother Drexel Hall of St. Polycarp Church, 135 Ransom Lane, Smyrna.

Fourteen boys, ages 9-14, and four young men will present a one-hour concert with a 15-minute intermission. Free light refreshments will be served in the hall prior to the concert, beginning at 6 p.m. Programs and CDs will be on sale, and a collection will be taken to support the choir’s travel expenses as they journey along the East Coast.

Blessing and dedication of new altar of sacrifice by the Most Rev. W. Francis Malooly, Bishop of Wilmington: During the 5 p.m. Vigil after the homily, St. Polycarp Church, 135 Ransom Lane, Smyrna. Call 653-8279.

Sunday, June 14

Sixth annual outdoor procession celebrating the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ: 3:30 p.m., St. Polycarp Church, 135 Ransom Lane, Smyrna. Call 653-8279.

SMYRNA — Teens and pre-teens at St. Polycarp Parish, Smyrna, are conducting their sixth annual Diaper Drive, between Mothers Day (May 10) and Fathers Day (June 21). They are contacting local businesses to acquire diapers and wipes, in addition to those donated by parishioners every weekend.

All in-kind and monetary donations go directly to the Pregnancy Help Center, a non-profit in Dover, to help women with prenatal care, delivery and postnatal care. Gifts are tax-deductible, and checks should be made out to "Pregnancy Help Center."

SMYRNA — Radiance of Joy (journey of youth) is a new liturgical music ministry at St. Polycarp Church in Smyrna. Rehearsals are at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, and the group enhances worship with contemporary Christian hymns during the 5 p.m. Saturday vigil and the 1:45 a.m. (10 a.m. June-August) liturgy on the second and fourth weekends each month.

In consultation with their pastor, the Rev. Tom Flowers, who is the bishop’s liaison for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, members have put together a small booklet to supplement the missal and music issue.

Guitarists Rich Seewald and Sue O’Hanlon have been playing for many years. They have been joined by Brian Sarkissian and Richard Seewald Jr. on the keyboard and Drew O’Hanlon on drums. Drew and Richard also cantor, with Richard directing Selena and Michael Barnett, Andrew Gordon, Mary Beth O’Hanlon, Maron and Clare Benson and Kelly Ford.

Recruitment will take place Sunday, May 17, following the 11:45 a.m. Mass. Singers must be between 11 and 18; musicians must be at least 12 with some experience (and both Rich and Richard can help in this area).