Third Sunday of Easter
SUNDAY SCRIPTURE – QUESTIONS TO PONDER
~ When have you experienced the peace and forgiveness of Jesus?
~ Why is it significant that Jesus’ risen body still bears the marks of crucifixion?
~ Does your faith depend more on seeing or on trust? Why?
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042323.cfm
LIVE-STREAMING: Visit https://www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE for live stream at 8:30 am on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 4 pm on Saturdays.
PARISH WEBSITE: Visit: www.saintpolycarp.org/.
WEEKLY PARISH BULLETIN: CLICK HERE . (New Bulletins are posted on Fridays. The April 22/23 Bulletin will be posted tomorrow, April 21st. Until then, it will remain last weekend’s Bulletin.)
BULLETIN OVERFLOW: Bulletin Overflow – CLICK HERE
THIS WEEKEND, APRIL 22nd & 23rd (& Monday, April 24th – Friday April 28th)
FIRST EUCHARIST: Blessed are those who are called to His Supper. May God bless our nine parish children who will receive Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time this weekend.
APOSTLES’ CREED: We will continue to pray the Apostles’ Creed during the Easter season. (Breaking Bread Hymnal on page 10.)
PSR CLASSES resume this week – Sunday, April 23rd at 9 am for Grades P/K – 4 and Tuesday, April 25th at 7 pm for Grades 5-8. Please remember to return your Lenten Mission Boxes.
THE DIALOG – Please pick-up a copy of the newest edition of the official newspaper of the Diocese as you leave Mass today. You can also visit www.thedialog.org.
CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON – 2023 FAITH AND CHARITY CATHOLIC APPEAL: The 2023 Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal will be conducted in parishes throughout the diocese next weekend. Once a year, our Bishop asks each of us to make a commitment to support the work of diocesan programs and ministries that provide services that no one parish can offer on its own. Your gift helps our Church to serve the poor, the sick, the distressed, our children and our elderly. As parishioners of St. Polycarp Church, we are being asked to serve others by sharing our resources. Your generosity enables us to accompany our brothers and sisters in need.
Our parish target is $60,000. Your financial support of the Appeal also provides funding for our parish. After achieving the goal assigned to our parish, we receive 50% of monies collected over our target for our own parish and ministry needs. Please prayerfully consider your generous gift to this Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal. Kindly decide ahead of time the contribution you wish to
make this year and come to Church next weekend prepared to complete your pledge and offer your support to our parish, and the Diocese of Wilmington. To learn more about the Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal, visit www.cdow.org; click “Giving” then “Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal,” or simply scan this QR code with your cellphone.
UPCOMING
BROTHER VINCENT COLUMBIETTES FLOWER SALE: Order your generously filled colorful 11” hanging basket. Your choice of Petunias, Begonias or Geraniums. Baskets are $25.00 each. Orders need to be placed by April 30th. To place your order contact: Agatha Cotilletta: (302) 389-6374 or cagatha2017@gmail.com (Please note – This is the correct email for Agatha.) or Linda Montuori 302-270-5347 lindamontuori@yahoo.com
DONATION DRIVE FOR HOMELESS SHELTERS: The Respect Life Ministry is hosting a donation drive for homeless shelters in Kent County. These are men, women and family shelters. Boxes will be placed outside the Mother Drexel Hall for the donations from May 5th through May 14th. Items needed include: cleaning wipes, dish detergent, laundry detergent, dryer sheets, paper towels, etc. Also personal hygiene items: shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothbrushes, tooth paste, q-tips, etc. Men, women and children’s socks are needed but no other clothes will be accepted at this time. Puzzles and board games in good condition may also be a good idea. Any questions? Email Margie Eckard at Eckard.margie@gmail.com. Thank you for your help and support.
ANNUAL SPRING CLEAN-UP – Saturday, May 6th, 2023, 9 am – Noon. Come join us for the Annual Spring Cleanup. Please bring a rake, blowers, gloves and your friends. We need to clear fallen branches and limbs and pull weeds from flower beds and rock gardens. We appreciate any amount of time you are able to give. Light refreshments will be provided. Please text or call Michael Pyle at 302-423-9732 or email him at mjpyle58@msn.com so we can know how many folks to expect.
MAY CROWNING – Sunday, May 7th following the 10:30 am Mass. Please join us outside, in front of the statue of Mary, on May 7, following the 10:30 a.m. Mass for a short ceremony to honor Mary “the Queen of Heaven”. Everyone is invited to gather around the statue of Mary for our May Crowning and then join us afterwards for lunch at our monthly Agape in the hall, hosted by Sodality.
ST. POLYCARP CHURCH FILIPINO – AMERICAN COMMUNITY cordially invites you to FILIPINO – AMERICAN INCULTURATION on May 21st following the 10:30 am Mass in the hall. Please RSVP no later than May 8th. Seating is limited! See this weekend’s Bulletin for more information. RSVP to Fatima Evangelista (302)214-1933 stpcfatima@gmail.com or Josie Cinco (302)653-4926 josie.a.cinco@gmail.com.
MOTHER’S DAY NOVENA: 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.
BLESSING OF THE SAINT JOSEPH SHRINE – Saturday, May 13th following the 4 pm Mass. The Liturgy Committee, Sodality and Pastoral Council invite you to join us after the 4 pm Mass on Saturday, May 13, 2023, as Bishop Koenig and Father Jim bless our outdoor shrine to Saint Joseph. After the blessing, please join us in Mother Drexel Hall for refreshments and fellowship.
ONGOING
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: Tuesdays from noon to 8pm in the Chapel. We need a few more people to sign up for a scheduled Adoration time slot so we can expand our Adoration hours. Please consider this devotion. You can come to the adoration chapel and in the peacefulness there He will speak to your heart, and you will return eagerly because He has so much to share with you. Call or Email Cheryl Thomas; salcrest7@gmail.com, 302-659-3388
SPRING IS HERE! Time to think about ordering your MEMORIAL BRICK! 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 or occasions forever. If you would like to become a part of the walkway to our Blessed Mother, with your name or the name of a loved one, now is a good time to do so! There are several ways to order your bricks. You can order through Faith Direct at: Faith Direct MEMORIAL BRICK (you do not need to sign up for Faith Direct), use the QR code below or return your form* with payment of $80 to St. Polycarp Church. Envelopes marked with “Memorial Brick” may be placed in the Offertory collection, delivered to the Parish Office (place in black box), or mailed to the Parish Office.*Forms can be found on our parish website or at the entrances into the church.
CHANGE THE WORLD: BECOME CATHOLIC! Is there someone you would like to invite to explore the Catholic faith – someone unbaptized, or baptized in a non-Catholic Christian tradition? Do you know someone who needs Confirmation and/or First Eucharist? Perhaps, the Catholic faith can fulfill their desires for a closer relationship with Our Lord. Then, the RCIA process is for them. Please contact Deacon Frank Weber for more information. DeaconFrank@saintpolycarp.org or leave a message with the Parish office at (302) 653-8279.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD (CLOW) takes place on the first and third Sundays of the month during the 10:30 am Mass. All children ages PK – 4th grade are welcome to join us. Children will be called to come forward before the First Reading. They will return to you after the General Intercessions. All catechists and assistants have a cleared background check.
THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: Please consider signing up to host the vocation chalice in your home for a week. Text or call Alice Gaston at (302) 670 – 7924. For more information visit https://saintpolycarp.org/vocation-chalice/
CONNECTED IN CHRIST (ADULT FAITH FORMATION) meets every Tuesday at 9:30 AM in the Parish Library – ALL are welcome. Please join us. If you have any questions, please call Cookie Ruane at 302-540-6429.
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.
FORMED: Have you had the opportunity to dive into FORMED? To sign up visit www.formed.org. Type in our Parish zip code (19977) and follow the steps to sign up or you can use the QR code below. Take advantage of your free subscription to FORMED! Enjoy thousands of hours of quality Catholic content!
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!
BULLETIN SPONSORS: 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!
USEFUL LINKS:
WEBSITE: www.saintpolycarp.org.
BULLETIN: https://www.jppc.net/onlinebulletins/301template.pdf
BULLETIN OVERFLOW: https://saintpolycarp.org/this-weeks-bulletin/
YOUTUBE: 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: http://www.stdennischurch.org
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
EWTN: ewtn.com
FROM THE DIOCESE:
CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIO: Saturdays at 1:30 pm on Relevant Radio 640AM. Sr. Ann David Strohminger, Delegate for Religious, will discuss her recent meetings at the Vatican, on the April 22nd episode of Catholic Forum. CLICK HERE You can listen online at cdow.org/CatholicForum, or by searching “Catholic Forum” on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or Amazon Music podcasts. “Like” Catholic Forum on Facebook at facebook.com/CatholicForum @CatholicForum.
LET US PRAY: Prayer to St. Michael
Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and the other evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.