April 25/26, 2026
FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
~ When have you been moved by the preaching at Mass?
~ How do you take time to hear the voice of God amid the noise of daily life?
~ Who are the other disciples that walk with you in this journey of life?
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042626.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 & 10:30 am on Sundays. (Once at the site, click on “Live”.)
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 . or use this QR code. Previous bulletins can also be viewed. (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!
BULLETIN OVERFLOW: There’s always information that doesn’t fit in our Bulletin – Bulletin Overflow – CLICK HERE or use this QR code
MANY HANDS, ONE MISSION: A 50-YEAR LEGACY: 100% of your donations stay within the Diocese of Wilmington!
For 50 years, the Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal has carried faith into the future – strengthening our Church and caring for those in need throughout Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. This year, Bishop Koenig is asking every parish family to join in. Your participation matters as much as the gift itself. When every household gives,
our parish grows stronger—and our shared mission thrives. If you have not yet made your pledge, please do so today. 50% of all first-time gifts stay right here in our parish, and funds raised beyond our goal also support local needs. Together, with many hands and one mission, we can ensure our faith remains vibrant for generations to come. Visit www.cdow.org, click Donate → Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal, or scan this QR code to participate.
We kindly request silence in the Church before Mass. We are in the presence of the Lord, and many of us are praying and preparing our hearts for the celebration of the Eucharist. Please be respectful of our time in prayer.
THIS WEEK: Friday, April 24 – Friday, May 1
The Parish Office closes at noon today, Friday, April 24.
THE APOSTLE’S CREED will be prayed during the Easter Season instead of the Nicene Creed. The Apostle’s Creed can be found on page 10 in Breaking Bread.
LET US PRAY … for our 10 second graders, 2 Intermediate students, and 2 children in the Holy Innocent Students (HIS) class who will be receiving Jesus for the first time this weekend. Seven children will receive First Holy Communion at the 4 pm Mass and 7 at the 10:30 am Mass. May their relationship with Jesus grow stronger everyday!
YOU ARE INVITED!! Join us in the library after the 4 pm Mass tomorrow, Saturday, April 25, to watch a good Catholic video! All videos are less than 30 minutes. Come learn something new about our faith! Will there be food? Absolutely! No Catholic gathering happens without food and popcorn!
THE VOCATION CHALICE : Sunday, April 26 – Jennifer Rockwell will receive the Vocation Chalice for a week of prayer for vocations.
PRETZELS: The Brother Vincent Council KoC, will be selling Philly Pretzels after both Masses this weekend, April 25/26.
One pretzel for $2.00, three pretzels for $5.00.
BREAKFAST: The Brother Vincent Council KoC, will be holding an Agape (free) Pancake Breakfast this Sunday, April 26, immediately following the 10:30 am Mass. Please join us in Mother Drexel Hall, to share in community and fraternity with our parish family.
Cancelled – Sunday, April 26.
HAIL MARY, FULL OF GRACE: You may have noticed that the outside statue of our Blessed Mother Mary has been removed. This is in preparation for the placement of the new statue. We look forward to the day when we will be able to visit once again in her presence, lifting our prayers and intentions with renewed devotion.
Please join us on Sunday, May 3, following the 10:30 am Mass for a short ceremony to honor Mary and for the blessing of the new statue. The ceremony will take place outside, weather permitting.
MOTHER’S DAY NOVENA OF MASSES: We are part of this world today because our mothers have given us life. Every one of us has several special women who have enriched our lives: Grandmothers, Aunts, Cousins, Caregivers, Godmothers, Friends, and others. Living or deceased, the best gift you can give a loved one is the gift of the Mass. Please use the Mother’s Day Mass Remembrance envelopes to enlist these special women in the Masses offered by our parish.
NEXT WEEK: Friday, May 1 – Friday, May 8
MAY CRWONING: Please join us next Sunday, May 3, following the 10:30 am Mass for a short ceremony to honor Mary and for the blessing of the new statue. The ceremony will take place outside, weather permitting. Join us in the hall afterwards for lunch, hosted by Sodality.
CONNECTED IN CHRIST IS HOSTING ITS NEXT COFFEE: You are invited to a coffee immediately after the 8:30 Mass on Tuesday, May 5, in the library. Just follow the crowd to the door. We’ll have coffee, lots of good treats, a short video and wonderful conversation! Don’t miss out!
PILGRIMAGE TO THE NATIONAL SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF CZESTOCHOWA, DOYLESTOWN, PA. The Sodality is sponsoring a bus trip on Thursday, May 7. Departure from St. Polycarp parking lot at 7:00 am, return to Smyrna by 5:00 pm. Cost: $36 (bus only) or $61 with optional Polish lunch (stuffed cabbage, kielbasa with sauerkraut, perogies, etc., – must have 25 people to sign up). You may bring your own lunch. To reserve your seat or for more information, contact Betty Sloven – Email: churchladybetty@gmail.com Call/Text: 302-547-8174.
UPCOMING
BIRTHRIGHT OF DELAWARE’S- ANNUAL MOTHER’S DAY ROSE SALE: Please support Birthright’s pregnancy services by purchasing roses after Masses on Mother’s Day weekend, May 9/10. $3/one Rose, $5/three Roses, $20/Dozen Rose, $45/Twenty-five Roses (Bouquet).
You can also make a donation to Birthright of DE in lieu of roses: 1311 North Scott Street Wilmington, DE 19806. Thank you!
FAITH AND FAMILY DAY AT THE BLUE ROCKS: Join us for a fun-filled evening of faith, family and baseball on Friday, June 26. Tickets are $11 per person – General Admission. For more information or to register, contact Deanna Lail at 302-535-2957, dlail14@comcast.net or Mike Cunningham at 302-379-8952, mikec923@yahoo.com (Sponsored by Parish & Family Life)
STEWARDSHIP: TIME, TALENT, TREASURE – WE NEED YOU!
In support of our mission to foster a welcoming parish community, the Pastoral Council is seeking parishioners to serve as greeters at weekend Masses. Interested individuals are encouraged to speak with an usher or contact Kathy Ursitti, Executive Officer, at 302-530-9206 or ursitti@verizon.net.
The Pastoral Council is currently accepting new members. Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm. Parishioners with interest in contributing ideas and insight are invited to contact Kathy Ursitti, Executive Officer, at 302-530-9206 or ursitti@verizon.net.
THE PARISH HALL IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR RENT…until…
The Parish kitchen/hall will be available for rent after we have volunteer(s) to fill the position of monitor during events. Parishioners interested in assisting in this ministry or for more information, should contact Kathy Ursitti, Executive Officer, at 302-530-9206 or ursitti@verizon.net.
Visit www.formed.org.
Type in our Parish zip code (19977),
Click on St. Polycarp Church then enter your name and email address!
You can also scan this QR code.
We encourage you to watch the next episode, The Church Building, in the Formed series Elements of the Catholic Mass. Use this link https://app.formed.org/app/videos/573425 or scan this QR code to view this short and informative episode.
Is there someone you know who would like to explore the Catholic faith – someone unbaptized, or baptized in the Catholic or another Christian tradition? Do you or someone you know need the Sacraments of First Eucharist and/or Confirmation? The Catholic faith can fulfill their desire for a closer relationship with Our Lord by participating in the OCIA process. Please contact Deacon Frank Weber for more information: DeaconFrank@saintpolycarp.org or leave a message with the Parish office at (302) 653 – 8279.
When receiving the Blessed Sacrament at Mass, please consume the Eucharist in front of the Priest, Deacon, or Eucharistic Minister prior to stepping away. It is not permitted to walk away with the Blessed Sacrament, take it back to your pew or leave Church with Jesus in your hand. When approaching the altar to receive Holy Communion, please approach with reverence (folding hands and being in a prayerful mode) and after receiving the Sacrament. Remember, it is the Body and Blood of Jesus that you just received.
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: May 9, June 13, July 11, August 8, September 12, October 10. November 7. December 12.
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 26 – Jennifer Rockwell, May 10 – Kelli Horninger, May 24 – ReAnna Hackett
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP (Pathway to Peace) meets on most Fridays at 5:30 pm. 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.
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.
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!
SCAM: If you receive emails or texts from Fr. Jim asking for favors, gift cards or gifts or asking you to return his email because he has a favor to ask of you, please ignore and delete. They are not from Fr. Jim. If an email looks suspicious and you’re not sure, give the office a call. Fr. Jim has never/will never solicit donations or favors in this manner. He will not ask you to email Church directories.
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!
CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIO: Listen to Catholic Forum each week. On this week’s episode, Carol Glatz, Editor in Chief of Catholic News Service, Rome joins the show to discuss the legacy of Pope Francis and covering his papacy and funeral as a Vatican journalist. 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/.
LET US PRAY:
2026 Faith & Charity Appeal Prayer
TOGETHER IN HOPE
Loving and merciful God,
You are the source of our hope and strength.
In this season of renewal, we come before You as a community,
united in faith and bound by love.
Pour out Your Spirit upon us,
that we may grow together in hope,
lifting each other up with generosity and compassion.
Guide us as we support the mission of our Church,
bringing Your light to those in need,
nurturing faith in the hearts of our youth,
and building a future filled with promise.
May our sacrifices today ensure a Church that flourishes tomorrow.
Grant us the grace to give with joyful hearts,
knowing that in You, we find the courage to serve.
We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.
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/
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
ONLINE GIVING: Please consider becoming an e-giver. It is easy to make your weekly or one-time contributions in support of the Parish. CLICK HERE to sign-up or you can text “Give” to (302) 202–2251 or use this QR code.