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Below is additional information that is not included in the current Bulletin or additional details of the information that is included in this week’s Bulletin.
HB 140, THE BILL THAT WILL LEGALIZE PHYSICIAN-ASSITED SUICIDE IN DELAWARE: We need your help to protect Delaware’s vulnerable citizens! House Bill 140, that legalizes physician-assisted suicide, was voted out of committee and is on the “ready list” to go before the full Delaware House of Representatives. For years, the Catholic community has joined advocates for the disabled and others to oppose this bill that not only is against Catholic teachings regarding the sanctity of life from conception to natural death, but also puts the lives of our most vulnerable citizens at risk. It’s time to stand up and make our voices heard!
What is at Stake? HB 140 is government-sanctioned suicide. It can lead to a slippery slope, with vulnerable individuals — such as the elderly, disabled, or those experiencing depression —being pressured into choosing death over life. For more information, and to send a customizable email to your Representative in Dover, visit cdow.org/stopassisteds.
PARKINSON’S COMMUNITY WALK: Saturday April 26th at Big Oak County Park Big Oak Road, Smyrna DE. Registration starts at 8:00. Walk starts at 9:00. $25 Donation to receive a T-shirt at the Walk. Deadline Registration for the T-shirt April 11th.
RACHEL’S VINEYARD CATHOLIC RETREAT
Rachel’s Vineyard Catholic Retreat will be held the weekend of May 2nd – 4th. This retreat offers emotional and spiritual healing for anyone who has struggled with grief and loss from an abortion. Whether you are post-abortive or know someone who is, freedom awaits. Contact Nan Bernardo-Freeman at 302-463-7711 (call or text) or lucyminn929@gmail.com by Friday, April 18th.
SPARTAN LECTURE SERIES FEATURING FATHER GREGORY BOYLE at St. Mark’s High School
Saint Mark’s High School is excited to introduce the Spartan Lecture Series, a new initiative designed to bring distinguished speakers from across the country to educate and inspire our community on a range of engaging topics. The inaugural event is set for May 6 at 7pm. Father Gregory Boyle will be the guest speaker. Father Boyle is the founder of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, the world’s largest gang intervention, rehabilitation, and re-entry program. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased at www.stmarkshs.net/father-boyle. Saint Mark’s High School is located at 2501 Pike Creek Road in Wilmington.
MEN’S RETREAT WEEKEND AT MALVERN RETREAT HOUSE – “The Eucharist ~ Food for The Journey” : We invite the men and their sons to a weekend encounter with Jesus at the Mid-May & Archbishop Fitzmaurice Men’s Retreat, May 16th–18th, 2025. Our Retreat Director is Fr Simeon Gallagher, OFM, Cap, and guest speaker is Phil Martelli, former BB Coach, at St. Joseph’s University. Register at: www.malvernretreat.com/events/mid-may-arch-fitzmaurice-2025/ or contact Maurice Sadowsky at mjsadowsky@yahoo.com. Malvern Retreat House (in Malvern, PA) is a nationally-renowned Catholic retreat destination that has been serving people from all walks of life since 1912. Malvern Retreat House is the oldest and largest Catholic retreat center in the United States. The 125 wooded acres have twelve shrines, the 34-foot Papal Cross from the 1979 Center City St. Pope St John Paul II Mass, and a Blessed Carlo Acutis shrine containing posters of Carlo’s Eucharistic miracles. Malvern has retreats for women, men, married couples, families, young adults, and addiction recovery, please visit malvernretreat.com.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES of the Diocese of Wilmington invites you to join us on Wednesday, May 14, at the DuPont Country Club for our Heartstrings of Hope Tribute Dinner, a joyful evening recognizing servant leadership and celebrating the impact of faith in action. This year, we are proud to honor Christopher Kenny with the Monsignor Thomas J. Reese Award, for his unwavering commitment to our community and his servant leadership, which reflects the very mission of Catholic Charities — to love, serve, and uplift our neighbors in need. This award is given in memory of the beloved Monsignor who dedicated his life to serving those on the margins, putting faith into action with compassion and courage. We hope you’ll join us in celebration and support! Reserve your tickets here – or sponsor and donate today. Visit: https://www.ccwilm.org/events/cc-dinner/ Your support helps Catholic Charities respond to the increasing needs of our community, providing hope and help to thousands of individuals and families every day. Together, we are Heartstrings of Hope. Thank you for standing with us.
FROM THE DIALOG: Get the latest Catholic news sent free to your inbox. Sign up today for The Dialog newsletter, The Angelus. You’ll receive our newsletter, The Angelus, with the latest diocesan news, spiritual columns and feature stories of interest to people in our schools and parishes. You’ll also get breaking news alerts from TheDialog.org and information from our Dialog partners. To sign up, visit thedialog.org and click the “Get Our Newsletter” link at the top of every page. Type in your email address and you’re done.
XAVIER SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND: If you or someone you love is blind or visually impaired, the Xavier Society for the Blind provides free religious, spiritual, and inspirational reading materials in braille, large print and audio to blind and visually impaired individuals worldwide. To learn more please visit xaviersocietyfortheblind.org or call 800-637-9193.
SMYRNA-CLAYTON MINISTERIUM FOOD PANTRY is located downstairs at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 22 N. Union St., Smyrna. The pantry is open from 9:30 am to 10:30 am, Monday through Friday. Here at St. Polycarp, we have containers for your food donations in the hallway outside of the Mother Drexel Hall. We collect food all year round. Please no expired food. The pantry is in great need of cereal, juice boxes or pouches, peanut butter and jelly, hamburger helper, tuna helper, canned tuna, canned meat, sloppy joe sauce (Manwich), boxed spaghetti and spaghetti sauce, vegetable beef and chicken noodle soups, macaroni and cheese, and Chef Boyardee canned pastas. Please NO CANNED vegetables or beans are currently needed.
MEMORIAL BRICKS
Have you noticed the beautiful ‘Memory’ walkway leading to our outdoor Blessed Mother statue? There’s not time like the present to add your memory brick. Whether you desire to commemorate a loved one, a special occasion, or simply your family name, the choice is yours. There are two ways to order your bricks. To order through Faith Direct: CLICK HERE (you do not need to sign up for Faith Direct), or return your form with payment to St. Polycarp Church in an envelope labeled “Memorial Brick”. Please place the completed order form and a check for $100.00, made payable to St. Polycarp Church, in the envelope. You can place it in the Offertory collection, deliver it to the Parish Office (place in black box), or mail it to St Polycarp Church
Parish Office, 55 Ransom Lane, Smyrna, DE 19977-1617. Forms can be found on our parish website or at the entrances into the church.
ST. POLYCARP REMINDERS:
REDNER’S 1% SAVE-A-TAPE FUNDRAISER Hang onto those receipts until we are all together again!
Turn your food shopping into cash for our parish. If you are a Redner’s shopper, we would welcome your participation. It is so easy! Simply be sure to obtain and scan your Redner’s Rewards Card each time you shop. (Remember to shop only out of necessity.) Save your whole receipt. Bring your receipts to the Parish Office or just put them into the collection basket. There is no expiration date — even receipts months old can be turned in! Your receipts will generate cash for us. What a hands-down and effortless way to help St. Polycarp Church.
REMINDER ABOUT THE PARKING
Please do not park in front of the dumpsters on Monday through Friday. This prevents the Waste Management Collection and the Recycling Collection from being picked up. Thank you for your cooperation!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Don’t forget to arrive earlier for Mass so that you won’t miss the announcements!
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