• 2022 Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal Update - As the 2022 Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal comes to a close, the diocese has provided us with a status of where SMM stands.  The number of donors who have participated in the 2022 appeal from SMM total 262.  The monies raised at this time total $152,130.00. The monies collected total $146,693.66.  The goal for the 2022 campaign was set at $158,000.00 for SMM.  The last chance to make a donation to the 2022 appeal is Wednesday, January 11, 2023 by the close of business. The best way to donate is to call phone the Development Office at 302-573-3120 and they can take debit or credit card information over the phone.  You can also pay via PayPal.

 

• Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI - We are saddened to hear about the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Saturday, December 31st. He died peacefully in his place of residence, the Vatican monastery, at the age of 95 and his last words, as recorded by his personal nurse, were "Lord, I love you!"  Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI served as pope from April 19, 2005, until his resignation on February 28, 2013. His legacy of love, trust, and compassion will endure long into the future of our global Church.  We have a tribute to the Pope on our altar at SMM.

 

• Epiphany Blessing Kits will be available at all weekend Masses on January 7 & 8.  They will include a home prayer and blessed hay and chalk to mark your house.  Live Streamed Mass for Epiphany weekend will be available Saturday at 4:30pm.  The part that oversees our sound for live streaming stopped working before Christmas. This issue should be resolved very soon. We apologize if the sound quality for this weekends stream is off.

 

• Merry Christmas from St. Mary Magdalen Parish! O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

 

• Holiday Hours - The Parish Office will be closed for Christmas / New Years beginning Thursday, Dec. 22nd at noon & will reopen on, Tuesday January 3, 2023.

 

• Our 2023 Calendars are in!  They are available at the church entrance, 2 side exits & the parish office.  Please help yourself. We thank Chandler Funeral Homes and Crematory for providing these calendars each year!

 

• Special Christmas Outreach - Looking to share some Christmas Spirit, we still have an opportunity to donate through our Special Christmas Outreach. The money collected will go to 2 local families in transitional housing in a 1 room motel for rent, groceries, and gift cards. Thank you for your generosity!

 

• Events the 4th weekend of Advent (Dec. 17 & 18):

     

• Decorate for Christmas - we are in need of volunteers to help decorate for Christmas on December 18th at 11am.  Pizza will be served. Sign up today!

 

• Christmas Confessions - Father Kirk will hold Christmas Confessions on Sunday, Dec. 18th after the 8:30am & 10:30am Masses in the confessional. 

 

• Candlelight Vespers - Thursday, Dec. 15 at 7pm The Music Ministry of SMM will present their annual Candlelight Vespers.  There will be no Daily Mass Dec. 15th.

 

• Events the 3rd weekend of Advent (Dec. 10 & 11):

 

• Bambinelli Blessing - Bring your Bambinelli, the baby Jesus from your Manger, on Sunday Dec. 11th at the 8:30am Mass for a special blessing that mirrors the one Pope Francis does in Rome. After Mass, we will host in the church hall a Bambinelli coffee and donuts, Knights of Columbus will be making pancakes, crafts, and there will be pictures with Santa as well by a photographer! No charge.

 

• Angel Gifts Due Back This Weekend - Thank you to everyone that took Angel Gift Tags.  Please provide the requested gift and bring it back to the altar wrapped with the angel gift tag TAPED ON YOUR GIFT by Sunday, Dec. 11th before the 10:30am Mass.  Late gifts will miss intended recipients.  Thank you to those that have volunteered to sort gifts that will be delivered to St. Pauls Church Monday morning.

 

• Volunteers Needed - We are in need of people to sign up to light the Advent Candle before Mass and help decorate for Christmas.

 

• December 9, 2022 - Today is Father Kirk’s birthday!  Be sure to wish him a Happy Birthday next time you see him.

 

• Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary - We will hold Mass on Thursday, December 8, 2022 at 8:30am Daily Mass with Father Kirk & 10am School Mass with Bishop Malooly.  All are welcome.

 

• Updates Coming in December - Our Capital Campaign Planning Study has come to an end.  We hope to provide a summary of the findings to parishioners come the 3rd weekend of December.  Our goal is also to present the church's financials at that time.  Thank you to those who have participated in our planning study either by coming in for an interview or completing a survey. Your input will go a long way in helping us effectively plan for the future of SMM.   (posted 11/17/22)

 

• Events the 2nd weekend of Advent (Dec. 3 & 4) - Join us for our Tree Lighting Ceremony in the parish garden after the 4:30pm Mass on Saturday, Dec. 3^rd.  Refreshments will be served.  Please RSVP to give us an idea of how many people will be attending.  We are in need of volunteers to help, sign up today!  You can still donate Angel Gift Cards online to help our St. Paul's families this Christmas; gifts due back to church Dec. 11 at the 10:30a Mass.  We will also hold Children's Liturgy of the Word during the 8:30am SundayMass.  (posted 11/29/22)

             

• Events the 1st weekend of Advent - If you ordered a Advent Wreath Kit they are availabe in the main vestibule.  We will have our Angel Gift Tags hanging in the main vestibule and gift card donations online to the families we help at St. Pauls Church. Our Remembrance Tree is up with our Remembrance Angels and we celebrate Christingle with kits at the side exits for children at the end of Mass.  (posted 11/21/22)

 

• Nov. 26 & 27 marks the 1^st weekend of Advent.  We have many upcoming activities at SMM and hope you choose to join us as we begin Advent together.

 

• Thanksgiving Day Mass - We will hold Mass on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday Nov. 24th, at 10am.  We will be distributing blessed bread we purchased from Serpes Bakery, 1 loaf per family.  (posted 11/9/22)  

 

• The parish office will be closing at 12pm on Tues. 11/22 & Wed. 11/23.  

 

• Advent Wreath Lighting - We are in need of families to assist with the lighting of the Advent wreath prior to our weekend masses.  Families will process in with Father Kirk to assist with lighting the wreath just prior to the start of mass.  This is a fun way for your family to be engaged in a special Advent tradition at SMM. Sign up online today or call parish office and we can sign you up.  (posted 11/14/22)

 

• New Sound System - We have replaced the speakers and sound system equipment that was electrically damaged during hurricane Ian.  This is a multi stage process, the choir loft and streaming equipment have yet to be done.  We will keep you updated as more improvements take place. (posted 11/21/22)

   

• Tree Lighting Ceremony - Join us for our very own Tree Lighting Ceremony in the parish garden after the 4:30pm Mass on Saturday, Dec. 3rd.  Refreshments will be served.  Please RSVP to help us prepare.  (posted 11/9/22)

 

• Advent Grab and Go Event - Order today your Advent Wreath Making Kits and pick up your bag on Sunday, Nov. 27th from 9 to 11am on the rectory lawn.  Volunteers needed, sign up online today; service hours given.  (posted 11/9/22)

 

• Advent Decorating - We need your help decorating the church for Advent!  On Saturday Nov. 26th starting at 11am to 2pm.  We will be installing the Remembrance Tree, Angel Gift tags, and the Advent wreath.  Sign up online today to be one of our volunteers; service hours given.  (posted 11/9/22)

 

• Unwanted Halloween Candy? - If you have any extra or unwanted Halloween candy, please bring it to church in a bag marked Stocking for Soldiers and put in the bin in the main vestibule.  This weekend will be the only weekend we are collecting.  It will be dropped off to Stockings for Soldiers so they can include some goodies in the Christmas care packages.  (posted 11/9/22)

 

• Bishop Jerome, a friend to SMM & the Bishop of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands, will be joining us this weekend.   We will be taking up a collection for his diocese during Mass this weekend and you can donate to the Diocese of St. Thomas online.  Thank you in advance for your generosity.  (posted 11/3/22)

 

• All Saints Day Masses today at 8:30am for Daily Mass & 10AM for School Mass. All are welcome.

 

• Knights of Columbus Collection for Bayard House - The KofC Curtis Council at SMM will be collecting donations on Oct. 22 and 23 for the Bayard House as part of Respect Life Month this October.  Requested donation items and additional info can be found in the bulletin.  (posted 9/25/22)

 

• Capital Campaign Planning Study is in full swing!  We are conducting a Capital Campaign Planning Study, with the assistance of The Steier Group, from Oct. 17 – Nov. 18, 2022.  Together with Steier, we will gauge parishioner interest in renovations for both the school and parish.  We hope to learn what you think about our plans.  Thank you for your cooperation. 

 

• Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLW) - We would like to begin CLW again, but this program requires adults to assist us with coordinating the program each week.  It is a minimal commitment, and you can combine with another family if you wish.  First graders and above are welcome to sign-up as readers.  Check out our new sign-up genius to sign-up for a weekend to lend a helping hand.  Also visit our CLW page for more details about what is involved in each role.  (posted 10/22/22)

 

• Fall Wine and Cheese - Join us after the 4:30pm Mass on October 22 in the garden for our family friendly Fall Wine and Cheese event.  We will have a selection of wine and cheese pairings, cider, donuts and s'mores over the fire pit.  We ask that you RSVP for this event so we have an idea the number coming.  (posted 9/16/22)

 

• Office Hours, Thursday Oct. 20th: Our office will be closing at noon on Thursday 10/20.  This is due to the school having a half day for Parent/Teacher Conferences.

 

• Trunk or Treat - We will hold our 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat on October 30th from 11:30am - 1pm in our parish parking lot, set up starting at 11:15am.  You must pre-register for this event on our Trunk or Treat page.  (posted 9/26/22)

 

• Capital Campaign Planning Study Begins Next Week - We will be conducting a Capital Campaign Planning Study, with the assistance of The Steier Group, running from Oct. 17 through Nov. 18, 2022.  Together with Steier, we will gauge parishioner and school family interest in renovations for both the school and parish.  We hope to learn what you think about our plans.  Please read the letter from Father Kirk about this study.  (posted 10/14/22) 

 

• Church Repair Updates:

1. Sound System - As Hurricane Ian blew out to sea, he also blew out our church sound system rendering it unrepairable. Thus, for the last several days we have been without sound in the church. Fortunately, we were planning to replace the sound system which has been faltering for some time. Ian has just hastened the process. We are having a temporary system installed on Friday, but this will not be optimal sound. Please be patient as we work through this process.  
2. Roof Repair - We have been planning on a fairly extensive church roof repair expecting that it would begin sometime during the summer. Everything seems to move slowly these days and of course Hurricane Ian interfered with the roof repair as well. But now, finally, we are ready.  (posted 10/6/22) 

 

• Bulldog Sunday - Oct. 9th at the 10:30am mass has been designated as Bulldog Sunday!  Put on your Bulldog Spirit Wear, sports uniform or maroon colors and join us at the 10:30am Mass.  We will honor our fall athletes at this mass.  (posted 9/16/22) 

 

• Hurricane Ian - Help Catholic Charities Disaster Relief help survivors of Hurricane Ian today at https://lp.catholiccharities.us/Hurr_Ian (posted 9/30/22)

 

• Boy Scout Community Yard Sale
  Wait! Before you throw it out. One mans trash is another mans treasure. Cub Scout Pack 342 is holding its first ever community yard sale. We hope to sell lots of treasures on Sunday, October 16, 10AM to 2pm on the rectory lawn.  Do you have something to sell or want to get involved? For more info read their Yard Sale flyer.  You may also contact Brendon Tavelli at [email protected] or 703-965-9637.

   

• Fall Food Drive this Weekend - Our Annual Fall Food Drive is the weekend of Oct. 1 & 2.  Non-perishable food donations can be dropped off in the main vestibule during masses this coming weekend.  Donations can still be made online on our Fall Food Drive page.  (posted 9/23/22)

 

• Vaccination Clinic this Sunday - We still have 10 spots open if you still want to sign up, visit our clinic page.  Reminder to those that pre registered, SMM Parish will be holding a vaccination clinic, sponsored by Rite Aid, on September 25th from 9am to 12pm in the Church Hall. (posted 9/23/22)

 

• Flag Retirement Ceremony - When an American Flag becomes worn or torn there is etiquette for its proper disposal.  The SMM Scouts, Girls, Cubs, and Boys, will be having a Flag Retirement Ceremony on Sept. 25th, immediately following the 10:30am Mass.  All are welcome to attend this solemn ceremony.  During the ceremony the names of deceased soldiers are honored for each flag that is properly disposed of.  If you would like your deceased service member remembered at this ceremony please send their name, branch, and rank to Melissa Pollio.   Any scout who wishes to be involved in the ceremony should contact their troop leader.  (posted 9/16/22)

 

• 9/9/22:  Meals on Wheels - Our Meals on Wheels program is in desperate need of volunteers.  Anyone interested in helping please call Joanne Hadley at 302-478-2092.  It only requires a commitment of 1 day per month.

 

• 9/9/22: September 11th Tolls - Our new carillon system allows us to do special program on important date.  To commemorate September 11th this year, we will toll the bells at SMM for each attack made on this date that resulted in a loss of life, except for the two times that occur during daily mass.

 

• 9/2/22:  Vaccination Clinic - SMM Parish will be holding a vaccination clinic, sponsored by Rite Aid, on September 25th from 9am-12pm in the Church Hall. Anyone, age 3 and over is eligible to receive the flu or covid vaccine/booster shot. Those over 65 can receive the Fluad Flu Vaccine. For more info & to register visit SMM's Vaccination Sign Up.

 

• 9/1/22:  2023 Mass Intention Book - On Thursday, Sept. 8th we will open the Mass Intention book for 2023 after daily Mass.  Mass cards can be set up online or come into the parish office to set them up.  More info on our Mass Intention page.

 

• 9/1/22:  We will be closed Monday, September 5^th, in observance of Labor Day.

 

• 8/29/22: Fall Food Drive - We will hold our Annual Fall Food Drive the weekend of Oct. 1st & 2nd.  We will collect checks and online donations throughout the month of September, with non-perishable food collection the weekend of Oct. 1st & 2nd.  More info and ways to give on our Fall Food Drive page.  

 

• 8/25/22:  Low Gluten Hosts - We will reinstate Low Gluten Hosts starting Labor Day Sunday 9/4/22.  Visit the Low Gluten Host page for the procedure.  

 

• 8/23/22: Call to Worship Bells -  Our Call to Worship bell is in full effect! These are the bells heard 8 minutes before Mass as a reminder to get to Mass.  Bells will also ring at the start of Mass.  

 

• 8/5/22:  Support Our Cathedral - The Cathedral of Saint Peter, in the historic Quaker Hill section of the City of Wilmington, is the Bishops own parish and the center of Catholicism in our diocese. It was built over 200 years ago, 50 years before the founding of the Diocese of Wilmington and continues with a small but dedicated parish community and schoolIn 2015, Bishop Malooly, with the support of the priests of the diocese, instituted an annual special collection to support the maintenance and ministry of our Cathedral. This year, the collection will be held on August 13 and 14. For more information visit www.cathedralofstpeter.com. We thank you for your generosity.

 

• 8/10/22:  New Phone System - The week of August 15th we will be officially installing a new phone system in the parish office and school, migrating to a what is called a cloud based system, which will make outages virtually impossible.  Our phone numbers will remain the same. Our phone lines may be down during the installation phase.  If you call during this time and no one answers, we encourage you to visit contact us page to email staff. Thank you for your understanding as we transfer to our new system.

 

• 8/5/22:  Feast of the Assumption - We will celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary with Daily Mass on Monday August 15th at 8:30am.  Join us!

 

• 8/2/22:  Condolences - We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Joseph Cowperthwaite, Bill Flynn, Nancy McGovern and George W. Richards III.  Eternal rest grant unto them and let perpetual light shine upon them.  May their soul & the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.  Amen

 

• 7/28/22: Mass for 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time will be live streamed at 10:30am on Sunday and available on our YouTube Channel after it streams. 

 

• 7/22/22:  New Carillon - Our new Schulmerich g5 Classic electronic carillon bell system was installed this week to replace our old one that was damaged in May's power outage.  Programming and fine tuning will be ongoing, with everything back to normal soon!  

• 7/21/22:  Diocesan Safe Environment / For the Sake of God's Children Clearance (FSGC) - Anyone volunteering in the coming school year for activities involving the youth of SMM parish, school and/or CYM sports must obtain their FSGC Clearance by completing a background check, watching videos, and submitting forms to our parish office.  Visit our FSGC page for more info.  FSGC background clearances are good for 5 yrs.

 

• 7/21/22: Mass for 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time will be live streamed at 10:30am on Sunday and available on our YouTube Channel after it streams.  We will be celebrating the Feast of St. Mary Magdalen at the 10:30am Mass.  Come celebrate our patron saint with us!

 

• 7/14/22: Mass for 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time will be live streamed at 4:30pm on Saturday and available on our YouTube Channel after it streams.  

 

• 7/7/22:  Feast of St. Mary Magdalen Celebrations - July 22nd is the Feast Day of St. Mary Magdalen and this year we will hold 2 celebrations:  

 
1. Prayer Service / Wine & Cheese to Follow - We will hold a prayer service on the Vigil of the Feast, Thurs. July 21st with an evening prayer service at 6pm, followed by our annual Wine & Cheese in the prayer garden.  The parish will provide wine, beer, lemonade & bottled water, and cheese.  If your last name began with A-P you were asked to bring an appetizer.  If your last name began with Q-Z you were asked to bring a dessert.  Please label your food with allergy info (contains peanuts, tree nuts, gluten free, etc.). RSVP online if attending the Wine & Cheese.

2. Feast Day Mass - We will also celebrate at the 10:30am Mass on July 24^th
 

• 7/7/22: Mass for 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time will be live streamed at 10:30am on Sunday and available on our YouTube Channel after it streams. 

 

• 7/7/22:  Blood Drive This Weekend- The Blood Bank of Delmarva will hold a blood drive at SMM School in the gym on Sunday July 10^th from 9am to 3pm.  If you are able to give, please reserve your time slot online.

 

• 6/30/22: Mass for 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time will be live streamed at 4:30pm on Saturday and available on our  YouTube Channel after it streams.  The Parish Office will closed on Monday July 4th and Tuesday July 5th for the Independence Day holiday break.

 

• 6/23/22: Mass for 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time will be live streamed at 4:30pm on Saturday and available on our  YouTube Channel after it streams. 

 

• 6/21/22:  Cub Scout Car Wash Fundraiser will be held Sunday June 26th at SMM Church from 10:30am to 1:30pm.  $10 - $20 suggested donation, 100% of proceeds fund scout activities. 

 

• 6/17/22:  Vacation Bible School was MONUMENTAL!  Our week long camp was filled with stories, songs, crafts, snacks and Bible adventures. Thank you to all the volunteers that make VBS possible!  See our VBS photo album.

 

• 6/16/22: Mass for Corpus Christi, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, will be live streamed at 4:30pm on Saturday and available on our  YouTube Channel after it streams.  

 

• 6/13/22:  Cub Scout Car Wash Fundraiser Rescheduled - Due to the rain, the Car Wash Fundraiser will now be held Sunday June 26th at SMM Church from 10:30am to 1:30pm.  $10 - $20 suggested donation, 100% of proceeds fund scout activities. 

 

• 6/9/22: Mass for the Most Holy Trinity will be live streamed at 8:30AM Sunday  and available on our YouTube Channel after it streams.  Be sure to check out our bulletin this weekend listing our high school & college graduates.

 

• 6/5/22:  Permanent Deacon Prayer - The USCCB’s Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations invites the faithful to pray the following prayer to Our Lady in gratitude for the ministry of permanent deacons in the Catholic Church:

Holy Mary, Teacher of that service which is hidden, who by your everyday and ordinary life filled with love knew how to cooperate with the salvific plan of God in an exemplary fashion, make deacons good and faithful servants by teaching them the joy of serving the Church with an ardent love.  Amen.
 

•  6/2/22: Mass for Pentecost Sunday will be live streamed at 4:30pm on Saturday and available on our YouTube Channel after it streams. 

 

• 5/26/22:  Mass for the Ascension / 7th Sunday of Easter will be live streamed at 4:30pm on Saturday and available on our YouTube Channel after it streams. 

 

• 5/26/22:  Please take a moment to read the Letter from Father Kirk in reference to the TX school shootings.

 

• 5/24/22:  Knights of Columbus Fundraiser at Friendlys Restaurant - Bishop Curtis Council KofC is raising funds for our charitable projects.  Eat in or take out at Friendlys Family Restaurant on June 8, 2022 from 4pm to 8pm, 5331 Brandywine Parkway, Wilmington, DE.  The fundraiser is based on the volume of sales for the 4 hour time frame.  Enjoy a great meal or dessert and support the Bishop Curtis Council.  No coupons required

       

• 5/24/22:  Summer Kick Off Food Drive - This weekend we will begin accepting donations for our Summer Kick Off Food Drive to benefit the Holy Rosary Food Closet.  See the flyer for specific donation requests.

 

• 5/25/22:  SMM Respect Life Baby Shower - Thanks to the SMM parishioners who generously donated items for the SMM Respect Life baby shower this past weekend. So many wonderful things that were donated, all to benefit Birthright of Delaware. Tanisha from Birthright was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support when the items were delivered on Monday and sends her heartfelt thanks.  Want to help us with next year? Send an email to Madeline Rice. Thanks! 

 

• 5/23/22: Update- our phone lines have been restored.  5/19/22: Our phone lines are down at the parish & school offices. We are unable to receive calls of call out.  They are currently working on repairs. With this now happening several times this year, we are actively pursuing a new phone provider and system. and apologize for the inconvenience.

 

• 5/19/22:  Mass for the 6th Sunday of Easter will be live streamed at 4:30pm on Saturday and available on our YouTube Channel after it streams.  Children's Liturgy of the Word will be held at the 8:30am Sunday Mass.

   

• 5/18/22:  Collection of Flags for Retirement - When an American Flag becomes worn or torn there is etiquette for its proper disposal.  The SMM Boy Scouts plan to have a Flag Retirement Ceremony, more details to come, and will be collecting retired flags.  If you would like your old flag to be properly disposed of by the scouts, place it in the container in the main vestibule.  

 

• 5/18/22:  Blessing of the Babies CANCELLED - The Baby Blessing originally scheduled for this Friday, May 20th at 1:45pm has been cancelled, erring on the side of an abundance of caution.  We have had rising cases of COVID in SMM School and do not want to expose a vulnerable population. 

 

• 5/16/22:  Phone Lines Down - Our phone lines are down at the parish & school offices. We can receive calls but the line drops after a minute. They are currently working on repairs. With this now happening several times this year, we are actively pursuing a new phone provider and system. and apologize for the inconvenience.

 

• 5/12/22:  Mass for the 5th Sunday of Easter will be live streamed at 10:30am on Sunday, please note the time change, and available on our YouTube Channel after it streams.

 

• 5/12/22:  Church Bells - As a result of this past weekend's power outage our carillon (church bells) was rendered inoperable and the manufacturer has informed us that because of its age cannot be repaired.  We are investigating options to replace it with a modern digital carillon system.  The cost of a replacement system of the same quality is $12,875.  It takes approximatley 45 days to get a new carillon delivered and installed.  UPDATE AS OF 5/13/22: Thank you to a generous donor who has covered the replacement cost of the new carillon.   

 

• 5/11/22:  In the midst of current tensions, we invite Catholics around the country to join us in fasting and praying the Rosary on Friday, May 13, the Memorial of Our Lady of Fatima.  More info.

 

• 5/5/22:  Mass for the 4th Sunday of Easter will be live streamed at 4:30pm on Saturday & available on our YouTube Channel after it streams.  

 

• 5/3/22:  Blessing of the Babies - On May 20th at 1:45pm the SMM kindergarten class will hold the Blessing of the Babies Prayer Service in the church.  We would like to extend an invitation to all mothers and their babies born in 2020-2022, as well as expectant mothers!  RSVP not required, but suggested, in an effort to gage attendance.  Please RSVP to Melissa Pollio.

 

• 5/2/22:  Ministry of Caring Volunteers Needed - A group of SMM Parishioners have been preparing & serving meals at Emmanuel Dining Room East in Wilmington on the 27th of each month.  We need a few new volunteers to help us with this outreach effort.  You don’t need to commit to help every month and we don’t provide meals if the 27th falls on a weekend.  If you are able to help and/or have additional questions, please call Laury and Ed Kusner at 302-655-4575. 

 

• 4/29/22:  Collection Drive for Ukraine - SMM School is having a collection drive for the United Ukrainian American Relief Organization, which provides assistance to Ukrainian refugees, particularly those in orphanages, who have been impacted by the war.  SMM church will be assisting in their drive by having a bin in the main vestibule of church collecting NEW kids underwear and NEW kids socks if you would like to donate.  We will be running this drive through May 8^th and at that time take all donations over to the school.

 

• 4/28/22:  2022 Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal - This weekend is Commitment Weekend for the 2022 Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal.  In-pew solicitation will be conducted at all Masses this weekend.  Please take a moment to view the Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal video from Bishop Koenig.

 

• 4/28/22:  Mass for the 3rd Sunday of Easter will be live streamed at 4:30pm on Saturday & available on our YouTube Channel after it streams.  

 

• 4/28/22:  Our phone lines have been restored! You can now call the parish and school offices and we can make calls out. Thank you for your patience and understanding this past week.  Since we have had this happen several times, we are meeting with new phone vendors.

 

• 4/27/22:  Update on Phone Lines - Our phone lines at the school and parish have been down since April 21st.  We are unable to receive or make calls.  Notification of our phones down has been placed on our website, social media and emailed to parishioners today, so they are aware if they have been trying to call and unable to get through.
  
  If you need to reach the parish office please visit www.smmchurch.org/contact-us and click on the name of the person you need to be connected to their email address.  Please email [email protected] if you need to contact the school.
  
  We have been working with the XO, Verizon and Comstar companies daily trying to get phone service restored.  To date pieces of internal equipment have been replaced and several repairs have been made to external wiring at various points in the line from the road to the building and the entry point on the building.  They are sending out another team today to conduct more repairs and we hope to have the issue resolved.  Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.

 

• 4/25/22:  Phones lines are still down - Our phone lines continue to be down; we are not able to call out or receive calls.  We are working to have the issue resolved and apologize for this inconvenience.  Visit our Contact Us page to access emails to communicate with us in the meantime.

• 4/18/22:  Happy Easter!  Alleluia, He is Risen! The parish office is closed this week for Easter break and will reopen on Monday, April 25th.  View pictures of our Easter Vigil, Easter Egg Hunt, and our Best Dressed winners in our Easter 2022 Photo Album.

 

• 4/13/22:  HOLY WEEK 2022 - Join us this Holy Week for the Sacred Paschal Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.  All 3 days of the Triduum will be in person & live-streamed, available on our You Tube Channel after they air.  Easter Sunday Masses are at 8:30am & 10:30am and will not be live streamed.  Links to the live stream, Worship Aids, and Easter Bulletin below:  

1. Holy Thursday 7pm live stream
2. Good Friday 3pm live stream
3. Easter Vigil 8pm live stream
4. Worship Aids for Triduum & Easter Sunday
5. Easter Bulletin 

 

• 4/11/22:  Reconciliation Monday - Prepare your heart for Easter and attend Reconciliation Monday.  St. Mary Magdalen Parish will have extended Confession hours today, April 11th from 3pm to 8pm, the Monday of Holy Week.  The extended hours on this date go for all the churches within the Diocese of Wilmington.  Read the letter from Bishop Koenig about Reconciliation Monday. 

 

• 4/7/22:  Mass for Palm Sunday will be live streamed at 8:30am on Sunday (note time change) & available on our YouTube Channel after it streams.  The bulletin & worship aid for this weekend are also available online & in church.  Children's Liturgy of the Word this Sunday at our 8:30am Mass.  Please read the Bishop's letter for Reconciliation Monday and the letter from the Diocese of Mandeville, Jamaica.

 

• 3/31/22:  Mass for the 5th Sunday of Lent will be live streamed at 10:30am (note time change) on Sunday & available on our YouTube Channel after it streams.  The bulletin & worship aid for this weekend are also available online & in church.  Children's Liturgy of the Word this Sunday at our 8:30am Mass. 

 

• 3/29/22:  SMM Elderly Outreach - The SMM Elderly Outreach Committee is a group of volunteers within our parish that makes phone calls to over 200 elderly parishioners a few times a year.  The calls are a casual check in on current health and living situations, in-home communion needs, email address updates for receipt of bulletins or other parish communications or to just have a friendly chat for a few minutes.  If you are interested in assisting with this calling effort, please contact Lisa McFadden.

 

• 3/28/22:  Reconciliation Monday - Prepare your heart for Easter and attend Reconciliation Monday.  St. Mary Magdalen Parish will have extended Confession hours on the Monday of Holy Week, April 11th from 3pm to 8pm.  The extended hours on this date go for all the churches within the Diocese of Wilmington.           

 

• 3/24/22:  Mass for the 4th Sunday of Lent will be live streamed at 4:30pm on Saturday & available on our YouTube Channel after it streams.  The bulletin & worship aid for this weekend are also available online & in church. 

 

• 3/23/22:  Abstinence from Meat Not Required This Friday - While Fridays in Lent normally are a day of abstinence from meat, canon law provides an exception for solemnities that fall on a Friday, as the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord does this year. Therefore, Catholics are not obligated to maintain the usual Lenten abstinence on Friday, March 25.

 

• 3/20/22:  Pray for Peace and for the Conversion of Russia - On Friday, March 25th, the Solemnity of the Annunciation, the Holy Father has specifically invited the bishops of the world to join him in the Act of Consecration of Humanity especially Russia and the Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  Pursuant to that request, Bishop Koenig will lead the Diocese of Wilmington in the Act of Consecration at the Cathedral of Saint Peter beginning at Noon (5 p.m. Rome Time).  Mass for the Solemnity will follow.  Our Pastor, Father Kirk, along with other priests from the Diocese will be concelebrants.  Please join in the unity of prayer at that time for the conversion of Russia and for peace.  The Mass is open to the public and will be live streamed on the Diocese of Wilmington YouTube.  Follow along and pray the Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary that will be used.  Additional Information

 

• 3/18/22: The Bishop Curtis Council KofC is sponsoring a Rosary prayer service at Our Lady of Peace Statue – Holy Spirit Catholic Church in New Castle, DE for citizens of Ukraine and their families.  The service will start at noon on Saturday March 26, 2022.  All are invited to attend.  More information contact Jerry Poore.

 

• 3/18/22:  Mass for the 3rd Sunday of Lent will be live streamed at 4:30pm on Saturday & available on our YouTube Channel after it streams.  The bulletin & worship aid for this weekend are also available online & in church.  

 

• 3/17/22:  Easter Dinner Donations - Help us provide 50 Easter dinners for those within our neighboring community.  Donate online today.

 

• 3/9/22:  Mass for the 2nd Sunday of Lent will be live streamed at 8:30am on Sunday (please note time change) & available on our YouTube Channel after it streams.  The bulletin & worship aid for this weekend are also available online & in church.  Fr. Gary Weismann, a missionary priest for the Diocese of Mandeville in Jamaica, will be at all the masses this weekend.

 

•  3/8/22:  Collection Instructions for this Weekend:  We have many collections now scheduled for this weekend, more than the usual two.  The ushers will circulate with the collection baskets only twice & the collections will run as follows:

 
1^st time the collection baskets go around they will be collecting:

• Weekly Offertory, envelope
• Parish Capital Projects, envelope

​​​​​
2^nd time the collection baskets go around they will be collecting:

• The Churches in Eastern Europe, specifically for Ukraine, Diocesan Collection, no envelope
• Parish Mission, The Diocese of Mandeville, no envelope
   

For the 2 collections with no envelope provided:  Please be sure to write on your check memo section, or on the envelope you provided from home, which collection it should go towards.  Thank you for your generosity. 
   

• 3/3/22:  Mass for the 1st Sunday of Lent will be live streamed at 4:30pm on Saturday & available on our YouTube Channel after it streams.  The bulletin & worship aid for this weekend are also available online & in church. 

 

• 3/2/22:  Special Collection March 12/13 - The people of Ukraine need our help! The Diocese of Wilmington will conduct a special collection the weekend of March 12/13 to aid the Church in Eastern Europe - especially Ukraine. There is great risk of additional suffering both within Ukraine and for those who may flee to neighboring countries for safety.  Additionally, if parishioners would like to assist the people of Ukraine, they may do so through Catholic Relief Services. 

 

• 2/28/22:  Our second collection March 5 & 6 will be for Catholic Relief Services, going directly towards the urgent need in Ukraine.  Your help is needed in Ukraine where there are already more than 2.9 million people in need of assistance.  CRS and Caritas partners on the ground are preparing across Ukraine and in bordering countries, ready to provide safe shelter, hot meals, hygiene supplies, fuel to keep warm, transport to safe areas, counseling support and more.  The situation there is rapidly unfolding, and CRS could not do this work without your help.  When you donate, you provide immediate assistance for your Ukrainian sisters and brothers affected by this crisis.  Your prayers and support will make so much difference.  

 

• 2/24/22:  Mass for the 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time will be live streamed at 4:30pm on Saturday & available on our YouTube Channel after it streams.  The bulletin & worship aid for this weekend are also available online & in church.  The SMM Girl Scouts will be selling cookies in the vestibule after all Masses this weekend.

 

• 2/22/22:  SMM Keychains for Sale:  Stop in the parish office to purchase a SMM Parish keychain for $5.  These are the same keychains given to our new drivers on Keychain Sunday.  Photo of key chain

• 2/22/22:  The Diocese of Wilmington has discontinued all previous COVID-19 guidance in DE and the Eastern Shore of MD effective 2/15/22 in light of easing of restrictions in both states.  SMM will continue to sanitize common areas and have hand sanitizers available at entrances.  We support a welcoming environment for those members of our parish who wish to wear masks.  To read the full update, with the exceptions listed, visit our COVID Guidance page.

•  2/18/22:  The parish office will be closed Monday, Feb. 21st for President's Day. 

 

• 2/17/22:  Mass for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time will be live streamed at 10:30AM on Sunday (please note time change) & available on our YouTube Channel after it streams.  The bulletin & worship aid for this weekend are also available online & in church.  Children's Liturgy of the Word will be held at the 8:30am Mass.

 

• 2/10/22:  Mass for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time will be live streamed at 4:30pm on Saturday & available on our YouTube Channel after it streams.  The bulletin & worship aid for this weekend are also available online & in church.  This weekend is Keychain Sunday and we will be blessing those teens that have received their drivers license in the past year.

 

• 2/7/22:  RCIA - Are you someone or do you know someone who:

1. Has expressed an interest in becoming Catholic?
2. Has a child over the age of seven who has not been baptized?
3. Was baptized Catholic as a child, but has not celebrated the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist?

We offer an opportunity to come together in a small group to learn more about our faith. Sessions focus on the teachings and experience of the Church & prepare individuals to celebrate the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist during the Easter season.  We offer a flexible program that will enable you or your child to explore their faith, questions, and insights at home but then we gather together 5 times during the Lenten Season to explore the faith in a warm accepting setting.  We offer separate sessions for young people and adults.  For information about RCIA, please contact Melissa Pollio or 302-652-6800 ext. 139.  
 

• 2/4/22:  Mass for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time will be live streamed at 4:30pm on Saturday & available on our YouTube Channel after it streams.  The bulletin & worship aid for this weekend are also available online & in church.  We will be blessing all candles in church this weekend for Candlemas & blessing throats for the Feast of St. Blaise.

 

• 1/31/22:  Sydod Listening Session - Starting February 12, 2022, Bishop Koenig will officially begin the diocesan phase of the Synod with listening sessions held for parish representatives throughout the diocese.  Thank you to Dennis Harris, Michael Janes, Susan Mulvihill, Pete Clark & Joan Przywara who will be representing SMM Parish at our Brandywine Hundred Deanery Listening session on Feb. 12th.

 

• 1/28/22:  Mass for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time will be live streamed at 4:30pm on Saturday & available on our YouTube Channel after it streams.  The bulletin & worship aid for this weekend are also available online & in church. 

 

• 1/28/22:  St. Mary Magdalen Launches our NEW App - Dowload our NEW mobile app onto your cell phone or iPad, to will quickly and easily access information about St. Mary Magdalen Parish:  Mass Times, Sacraments, Worship Aid, a direct link to watch Mass, and much more.  Download the app today!  

 

• 1/21/22:  Mass for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time will be live streamed at 4:30pm on Saturday & available on our YouTube Channel after it streams.  The bulletin & worship aid for this weekend are also available online & in church. 

 

• 1/21/22:  CDOW Synod Deanery Listening Sessions - We are looking for 5 parishioners from SMM to send to participate in a Listening Session as part of the recent Synod process started by Pope Francis. Pope Francis is asking the entire Church throughout the world to reflect prayerfully on how the Holy Spirit is calling us to improve upon our “journeying together” as a Church to God’s heavenly kingdom. In this spirit, the Listening Session experience will provide an opportunity for us to listen to God in our own hearts and in the voices of one another. In effect, this will help us to grow in the goals of the Synod for better communion, increased participation, and clarity of our mission as Christians in our present time.  The City and Brandywine Hundred Deaneries Listening session will be held Saturday, February 12th at 10 AM at St. Elizabeth Church Hall, Wilmington and will be about 2 hours in length.  If you are interested, and available on this date, contact Stephanie Casey or the parish office.  Further instructions will be provided.

 

• 1/20/22: St. Paul Roof Fund - St. Paul Catholic Church located at 1010 W. 4th Street in Wilmington needs to have their roof replaced as soon as possible.  They are asking for our assistance to help accomplish their goal of raising $700,000 which is the amount estimated to replace the roof & make the needed repairs to the church interiors.  To donate online visit St. Paul Roof Fund or if sending in a check, put in the memo section St. Paul Roof Fund.  

 

• 1/19/22:  Flash Food Drive - Thank you to everyone that donated food towards our flash food drive for Holy Rosary’s food closet. Because of your generosity, we were able to drop off a trailer worth of food today to them and they were very grateful!

 

• 1/18/22:  SMM School Open House - St. Mary Magdalen School will hold an open house on Sunday, January 30th from 9am through 12pm.  Open to all.  Guided and self guided tours are available, and masks are required.  We welcome all families, alumni, and parishioners to come and see our school.  There will be a coffee & donuts outside after the 8:30am Mass on Jan. 30th so you can have a bite before going to the Open House.

 

• 1/14/22:  Mass for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time will be live streamed at 4:30pm on Saturday & available on our YouTube Channel after it streams.  The bulletin & worship aid for this weekend are also available online & in church. 

 

• 1/13/22:  2021 Tax Donation Letters - The 2021 tax donation letters will be sent via email on Jan. 13th to those parishioners that have requested for annual statements to be sent each year. If you would like a 2021 tax donation letter, please email Stephanie Casey or call the parish office to request to have tax donation letters automatically emailed each year.

 

• 1/13/22:  Flash Food Drive - we will be having a flash food drive this weekend and Monday through Wednesday of next week.  The Holy Rosary Food Closet is having a critical shortage of the following items jelly, soup, spaghetti sauce, baked beans, crackers, peanut butter, elbow macaroni, pancake syrup and apple juice.  Collection boxes will be in the main church vestibule if you would like to donate.   

 

• 1/11/22:  SMM Parish needs to raise $5,872 to meet our Annual Catholic Appeal goal for 2021. If you can help in any way, please visit Ways to Give to donate online & be sure to mark that it is for SMM Parish. The Development Office will continue collecting the balance of the monies pledged through Jan. 25, 2022. This gives us an opportunity to collect additional donations toward our goals and individuals an opportunity to fulfill their pledged donations.

 

• 1/9/22:  The Mass Intention book for 2022 is completely full.  We are unable to issue Mass Intention cards until the 2023 Mass Book opens in September 2022.

 

• 1/7/22:  Mass for the Baptism of the Lord will be live streamed at 4:30pm on Saturday & available on our YouTube Channel after it streams.  The bulletin & worship aid for this weekend are also available online & in church.  Home Blessing Kits are available at the exits.  

     

• 1/6/22:   In response to the rising numbers of positive COVID-19 cases, particularly the Omicron variant, the Diocese of Wilmington is issuing new COVID-19 protocols for all parishes effective January 6, 2022.  We encourage all attendees to be masked while attending Mass.  To view all the updated guidance in detail visit our COVID-19 Guidance page.

 

• 1/5/22:  2021 Tax Donation Letters - Due to the Christmas holiday, we are still keying in offertory for December.  The 2021 tax donation letters will be sent via email on Jan. 14th to those parishioners that have requested for annual statements to be sent each year. If you would like a 2021 tax donation letter, please email Stephanie Casey or call the parish office to request to have tax donation letters automatically emailed each year.

 

• 1/3/22: Due to inclement weather, the parish office will close at noon today.