THE OFFICE WILL CLOSE at 3 pm on Wednesday, April 16th and will reopen on Tuesday, April 22nd at 9 am.
How can you make time this week to participate in the services of the Sacred Paschal Triduum?
Holy Thursday – Thursday, April 17th
Mass of the Lord’s Supper at St. Dennis – 7 pm (No Mass at St. Polycarp)
Good Friday – Friday, April 18th
Passion of the Lord at St. Polycarp – 3 pm
GOOD FRIDAY is an obligatory day of fasting and abstinence. Fasting is obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding from age 14 onwards.
(No Stations of the Cross at 7pm)
Holy Saturday – Saturday, April 19th
No Confessions either Parish
Easter Vigil Mass at St. Polycarp – 8 pm
Easter Sunday – Sunday, April 20th
St. Polycarp: Masses at 8 am and 10 am (PLEASE NOTE – Easter Morning Mass at St. Polycarp is at 10:00 am, not 10:30 am.)
St. Dennis: Masses at 8 am & 9:30 am (English), 11:30 am (Spanish)
THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: April 20th, at the 10:00 am Mass, Stephanie Roch will receive the Vocation Chalice. 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/
LIVE STREAM – Triduum
Holy Thursday from St. Dennis 7pm www.youtube.com/@stdennisparish_galenamd/streams
Good Friday, The Easter Vigil & 8 am Easter Sunday from St. Polycarp www.youtube.com/@StPolycarpSmyrnaDE/streams
You can also access the links for the live streams by going to our website www.saintpolycarp.org and clicking on the picture of the altar for St. Polycarp or the picture of St. Dennis Church for their stream.
Please remember: At times the live-stream fails to work. We apologize for the inconvenience. Live stream from the Cathedral of St. Peter can be viewed on the Diocesan YouTube channel (DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON – LIVE STREAMING) at https://www.youtube.com/user/DioceseofWilm
EASTER SUNDAY OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD
SUNDAY SCRIPTURE – QUESTIONS TO PONDER
~ How can you nurture today’s joy of the resurrection to keep it alive within you for more than a day?
~ How does knowing that your sins are forgiven impact your life?
~ Whose witness to Christ has helped you believe?
Fr. Jim, Deacon Frank, Erica Taylor and all of the Parish Staff wish everyone a very Blessed and Peaceful Easter! May the hope, joy, excitement, and celebration of Easter always be evident through your actions and words so that we can share the joy and hope of our Catholic Faith with the world. May the peace of the Risen Christ be with you always.
Happy Easter!
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042025.cfm
DAILY BIBLE READINGS: https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
LIVE-STREAMING FROM ST. POLYCARP: Visit https://www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE for live stream at 8:30 am, Tuesdays & Wednesdays and 4 pm on Saturdays. (Once at the site, click on “Live”.) Please note: At times the live-stream fails to work. We apologize for the inconvenience. Live stream from the Cathedral of St. Peter can be viewed on the Diocesan YouTube channel (DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON – LIVE STREAMING) at https://www.youtube.com/user/DioceseofWilm
PARISH WEBSITE: Visit: www.saintpolycarp.org/.
WEEKLY PARISH BULLETIN: CLICK HERE . (New Bulletins are posted on Fridays.) 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! NEW BULLETIN WEB PAGE: When you click on the link for the Bulletin, you will see a new look. You will see a picture of our current bulletin (click on it to enlarge). You will also find our past bulletins on this page. (Previously our past bulletins were found under “Bulletin Archives”. Now, the current and past Bulletins are all found on the one page. Try it! Use the QR code or CLICK HERE 
BULLETIN OVERFLOW: There’s always information that doesn’t fit in our Bulletin – Bulletin Overflow – CLICK HERE or use this QR code
THIS WEEKEND, April 19/20 (and Monday, April 21st – Friday, April 25th)
THE OFFICE WILL CLOSE at 3 pm on Wednesday, April 16th and will reopen on Tuesday, April 22nd at 9 am.
L
ET US PRAY for those who will be initiated into the faith at the Easter Vigil, for those children who will soon be receiving Eucharist for the first time and for our youth who will be
Confirmed by Bishop Koenig on April 26th at The Church of the Holy Cross, Dover.
EASTER REMEMBRANCE MASS AND EASTER FLOWERS: Easter is the greatest celebration in the Catholic Church because it is the completion of the Holy week that ends with the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus was raised from the dead, and by that He conquered sin and death. Living or deceased, the best gift you can give a loved one is the gift of the Mass. Please use the Easter Mass Remembrance envelope to enjoin your friends and family in our most holy celebration. Add to the beauty of our church during this joyful season by using your Easter flower envelope to help us proclaim that Jesus has risen! Envelopes can be found at the doors of the Church.
MEMORIAL BRICKS: Adding your MEMORIAL BRICK to the walkway of our Blessed Mother is a unique way to keep your memories alive. It is a way to remind us of all those special loved ones forever. Baptism, First Communion, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Graduation, honor family and friends! Share a favorite quote, and more! You can order through Faith Direct at: https://membership.faithdirect.net/events/org/831 
Scroll down until you see “Memorial Bricks” (you do not need to sign up for Faith Direct) or use this QR code or return your form with payment of $100 to St. Polycarp Church. Envelopes marked with “Memorial Brick” may be placed in the Offertory collection, mailed or delivered to the Parish Office (place in black box). Forms can be found on our parish website or at the doors of the Church.
ALTAR SERVERS NEEDED: The Mission Statement on our St Polycarp web site reads: Altar servers are responsible for assisting the clergy in the celebration of the sacraments, in particular the Mass. They are representatives of the congregation in direct and public service at the Lord’s altar. If your child has expressed a desire to serve Jesus and St Polycarp Parish at the altar and if they have received the Sacrament of Holy Communion, please contact: Fran and Jim Walls at 302-359-9152 or Email- SmyrnaWalls@gmail.com
APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS: Brother Vincent Columbiettes are taking orders. Order a generously filled colorful 11” hanging basket. Your choice of Petunias, Begonias or Geraniums Baskets are $25.00. Orders need to be placed by April 28th for delivery on Friday, May 9th To place your order contact: Darlene Sanphy at 302-270-3915 or darpete87@comcast.net or MaryLois Barnas at 302-388-3332 or mlbarnas@comcast.net
DO YOU KNOW YOUR FAITH? What candle is lit from the new light at the Easter Vigil, remains lit through the Easter Season and then is lit only at Baptisms and Funerals?
NEXT WEEKEND, April 26/27 (and Monday, April 28th – Saturday, May 3rd )
ST. POLYCARP PARISH – ANNUAL SPRING CLEANUP – Saturday, May 3, 2025 ⏰ 9:00 am – Noon
Join us for our Annual Spring Cleanup as we work together to keep our parish grounds looking beautiful! Any amount of time you can contribute is greatly appreciated! What to Bring: Rakes, blowers, and gloves, friends and family to lend a helping hand
Tasks Include: Clearing fallen branches and limbs, light weeding, cleaning around HVAC units
Light refreshments will be provided. 📞 RSVP: Please text or call Michael Pyle at 302-423-9732 or email mjpyle58@msn.com to let us know how many participants to expect.
We look forward to seeing you there!
UPCOMING – SAVE THE DATE:
MAY CROWNING: Please join us on Sunday, May 4th, following the 10:30 a.m. Mass for a short ceremony to honor Mary “The Queen of Heaven”. The ceremony will be in the church. Our young children of the parish will carry flowers during the procession and will place them in front of the statue of Mary during the ceremony. If you would like to donate a bouquet of flowers or single stem flowers for our children to carry, please place them in the baskets in front of the altar at the beginning of both Masses the weekend of the May Crowning.
Join us in the hall after the May Crowning on Sunday, May 4th for the May Agape. The May Agape is hosted by the Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality.
YOU’RE INVITED – ADULT FAITH FORMATION: Connected in Christ will be hosting our next coffee on May 6 in the Library after the 8:30 Mass. Please consider stopping in for some sweet treats, wonderful conversation, and enjoyable company. We will even show a short video. Hope to see you there. Any questions, call Cookie Ruane, 302-540-6429 or Joyce Tolson, 302-448-9678.
TOGETHER IN HOPE: Thank you to everyone who has pledged to the Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal. Our parish has pledged $41,947.95, $19,552.05, short of our goal.
If you have not yet participated, please consider doing so today. Your gift makes a real and lasting impact on the lives of individuals and families across our 12-county diocese. Pledge envelopes are available in the pews and at the doors of the Church. Envelopes can be placed in the offertory basket. Thank you for your generosity and support.
If you have already pledged, you can expect to receive your first payment reminder on or about May 31st. Additional reminders will continue through December. Please mail payments in the self-addressed, return envelope provided with your payment reminder. Do not submit these payments to the Parish office or through the Offertory collection.
Did you know that the Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal funds vocations and seminary education, helping form the next generation of priests who will serve our parishes?
To learn more about the Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal, visit www.cdow.org; click “Donate” then “Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal,” or simply scan this QR code with your cellphone.
WATCH THE DOCUMENTARY – The Boy From Milan: Stories of Carlo Acutis | Based on a True Saint. NOW AVAILABLE ON FORMED! 
https://watch.formed.org/the-boy-from-milan/videos/the-boy-from-milan
Blessed Carlo Acutis will be canonized as a Saint on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27, 2025
TECHNOLOGY WHIZ KID HEADED FOR SAINTHOOD – APRIL 27, 2025 – FIRST MILLENNIAL SAINT: The Blessed Carlo Acutis Documentary Is Here! The Boy from Milan, a powerful new documentary from the Augustine Institute about the life of Blessed Carlo Acutis, is now available on Formed! It’s easy to think that sainthood is reserved for the few, or that it’s only possible for those living extraordinary, newsworthy lives. But though he lived a seemingly ordinary teenage life, Blessed Carlo was a radically holy young man. He loved the Eucharist more than anything and used his God-given gifts to evangelize online and face to face. Blessed Carlo’s life proves that holiness is for everyone—right here, right now.
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
NEW FILM ON CARLOS ACUTIS IN THEATERS APRIL 27-29 ONLY (including Westown Movies, Middletown; Regal People Plaza, Newark; Cinemark, Christiana Mall)
Discover the incredible life of soon-to-be Saint Carlo Acutis in Carlo Acutis: Roadmap to Reality. This powerful new documentary film explores his life, legacy, and the impact of technology on young people today. Through firsthand accounts from family and friends, plus insights from Catholic leaders and tech experts, the film tackles urgent questions about technology’s impact on humanity, holding up Carlo as a model for young people as they engage the digital world. Learn more at CarloAcutisFilm.com.
ONGOING:
DELAWARE HB140 that legalizes assisted suicide, has passed the House of Representatives and is pending before the Delaware State Senate and is scheduled to be voted on Thursday, April 17, Holy Thursday. Please let your senator know how dangerous this bill is to the sick, disabled and elderly of our community. For a letter from Bishop Koenig, more information on this bill and for ways to contact your state senator, visit cdow.org/stopassistedsuicide. Thank you.
VIDEOGRAPHERS NEEDED: Are you interested in helping to promote Saint Polycarp Parish? Do you have videography skills? The Pastoral Council is looking for someone to help us make a video to showcase our parish campus. Please contact our Executive Officer, Ken Eckard at kennetheckard9@gmail.com.
EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL – THREE YEARS OF ABUNDANT GRACE AND TRANSFORMATION – 2022-2025
National Year of Mission: July 17th, 2024–Pentecost 2025
MISSION: To renew the church by enkindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.
VISION: To inspire a movement of Catholics across the United States who are healed, converted, formed, and unified by an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist—and who are then sent out on mission “for the life of the world.”
HOLY COMMUNION TO THE SICK AND HOMEBOUND – Do you know someone who is sick or homebound and not able to make it to Mass? We would love to give them the opportunity to receive Holy Communion in their homes. Please contact April Corrales at 302-220–9616 or Lori Ostrowski at 302-540–6522
SATURDAY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION at St. Polycarp will take place monthly at the Vigil Mass for the Second Sunday of the month. Eucharistic Adoration at St. Dennis Church (Galena MD) will take place on the Fourth Sunday of the month following the 8 am Sunday Mass.
Upcoming Saturday Eucharistic Adoration at St. Polycarp: Saturdays, April 12th, May 10th.
TUESDAY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: Tuesdays from 11 am to 8 pm in the Chapel. Do you have one hour to spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament? Call Cheryl Thomas at 302-363–0404 or email her at salcrest7@gmail.com. All are welcome to stop in and adore Jesus between 11 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/ April 20th, 10:00 am Mass – Stephanie Roch
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP (Pathway to Peace) meets on Saturday afternoons at 1 pm in Room 8. Please contact the parish office if you are considering joining us. 302-653-8279 or office@saintpolycarp.org
CONNECTED IN CHRIST (ADULT FAITH FORMATION) meets every Tuesday after the 8:30 am Mass in the Parish Library – ALL are welcome. We begin with prayer, then watch a video, usually from FORMED and follow up with a discussion. We close with prayer by 11 am. Come and share your faith with us. Any questions, call Cookie Ruane, 302-540-6429
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD: Children’s Liturgy of the Word is offered every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month during the 10:30 am Mass. This is a wonderful opportunity for children in PreK-4th grade. It mirrors the worship experience of the larger community in an engaging and interactive style. They will listen to Scripture and engage in discussions about what they have heard at their age level. Children will be called forward before the First Reading and will return to you after the General Intercessions. Our lead catechist is Anna Skinner. She, along with her assistants, have cleared background checks.
THE FACILITIES PLANNING COMMITTEE meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm in the hall. We are looking for parishioners with backgrounds in electrical, plumbing, carpentry, painting and other construction expertise needed for our project. If God has blessed you with a gift you can share, please contact John Irwin, Executive Officer of Facilities Planning at 740-317-3617.
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.
MEMORIAL BRICKS: Adding your MEMORIAL BRICK to the walkway of our Blessed Mother is a unique way to keep your memories alive. Honor family and friends! Share a favorite quote, and more! You can order through Faith Direct at: https://membership.faithdirect.net/events/org/831 Scroll down until you see “Memorial Bricks” (you do not need to sign up for Faith Direct) or use this QR code or return your form with payment of $100 to St. Polycarp Church. Envelopes marked with “Memorial Brick” may be placed in the Offertory collection, mailed or delivered to the Parish Office (place in black box).
PLANNING PRAYER: Please join our Facilities Planning Committee in prayer as we seek God’s guidance for updating our Parish kitchen. We will be praying the “Planning Prayer” immediately following the Prayer of the Faithful. Prayer cards will be available in the pews. We would encourage you to take one home and pray it there also. Do you know who is pictured on these prayer cards?
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!
THE 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. Due to the increased need in the community, the Pantry is in great need of cereal, juice boxes or pouches, peanut butter & jelly, hamburger helper, tuna helper, canned tuna, sloppy joe sauce (Manwich), boxed spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, vegetable beef and chicken noodle soups, macaroni & cheese, and Chef Boyardee canned pastas. No canned vegetables or beans are currently needed. Please, no expired items. Here at St. Polycarp we have bins under the coat rack in the hallway near the bathrooms to accept your donations.
BULLETIN SPONSORS: Thank you to all of our weekly bulletin sponsors for your support during the year!
USEFUL LINKS:
WEBSITE: www.saintpolycarp.org.
BULLETIN: https://www.jppc.net/onlinebulletins/301template.pdf
BULLETIN OVERFLOW: https://saintpolycarp.org/this-weeks-bulletin/
YOUTUBE CHANNEL/LIVE STREAM: 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 CHURCH: http://www.stdennischurch.org 153 N. Main St. Galena, MD 21635 410-648-5145
ST DENNIS CHURCH LIVE STREAM: https://www.youtube.com/@stdennisparish_galenamd/streams
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. Published every other week.
EWTN: ewtn.com
FROM THE DIOCESE:
CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIO: Listen to Catholic Forum each week. April 19/20 –This week, Youth Ministry Director, Dan Pin, will discuss the holy life and legacy of Carlo Acutis who will be the first millennial to be canonized. The Catholic Forum podcast on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music podcasts and YouTube.com/DioceseofWilm debuts every Wednesday at 12:00 pm and on Relevant Radio 640 every Saturday afternoon at 1:30 pm. More information is available at https://cdow.org/ministries/catholic-forum-podcast-radio-program/
Are you a Jeopardy watcher? Do you participate in Trivia Challenges?
Will you be able to answer the questions on religion?
Check this spot each week!
DO YOU KNOW YOUR FAITH? What candle is lit from the new light at the Easter Vigil, remains lit through the Easter Season and then is lit only at Baptisms and Funerals?
ANSWER: .The Paschal Candle
The Paschal Candle symbolizes “the light of Christ rising in glory, which dispels the darkness of our mind and hearts”.
Symbols on the candle include:
The Cross represents Christ’s sacrifice and victory over death, a symbol of hope and salvation.
The Alpha and Omega (first and last letters of the Greek alphabet): Rooted in the book of Revelation 21:6, where Jesus says, “I [am] the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end”.
Numerals for the current year: God is here with us today
5 Grains of incense embedded in the candle represent the 5 wounds of Christ.