Third Sunday of Easter
And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord.
…This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised form the dead.
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050122.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.
If you are interested in being involved in this ministry, please email Lisa at lisa.titus@saintpolycarp.org or Judy at communications@saintpolycarp.org.
PARISH WEBSITE: Visit: www.saintpolycarp.org/.
WEEKLY PARISH BULLETIN: CLICK HERE
THIS WEEKEND, APRIL 30/MAY 1
CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON – 2022 FAITH AND CHARITY CATHOLIC APPEAL: In this coming weekend’s gospel, we once again hear of the disciples encountering Jesus. And Jesus calls the disciples to “tend my sheep…feed my sheep…follow Me.” The disciples show us time and time again, Walking By Faith, ordinary people accomplish extraordinary things. As men and women of faith, we are like those disciples, living our lives in the real world, walking along with Jesus who is always there accompanying us. Our Lord asks
us: to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked and attend to the needs of our brothers and sisters not only in our parishes and diocese but throughout the world. The Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal, with its theme, “Walking By Faith” challenges each of us to bear witness to our faith and open our minds and hearts to bring those less fortunate closer to God’s table. To know Christ is to know His message of salvation; to love Christ is to imitate His love for all people; and to serve Christ is to manifest His teachings through acts of Christian Stewardship. This weekend you are invited to participate in the 2022 Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal. Please respond by pledging a sacrificial gift to this important campaign. 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.
APOSTLES’ CREED: We will continue praying the Apostles’ Creed, instead of the Nicene Creed at Mass until Pentecost. (Page 10 in Breaking Bread)
PSR GRADES P/K THROUGH GRADE 8 – Sunday, May 1 at 9am – End of the year celebration. At least one parent should attend with child. Upon arrival, students in Grades P/K-4 should report to their classroom. Students in Grades 5-8 should go directly to the PSR reception desk and will be directed to the proper classroom/library. All parents should quietly proceed to Church. Please do not sit in the reserved seating.. Please remember to send in your Lenten Mission Boxes.
MAY CROWNING: All are welcome to participate in this Catholic tradition of Crowning Mary! Our May Crowning will take place this Sunday, May 1, following the 10:30 am Mass. Join us outside around the statue of Mary for a short ceremony. You may bring single stem flowers or bouquets to honor Mary and place them in the baskets, in front of the altar, before Mass.
MAY AGAPE: We hope you will join us for some lunch, fellowship, and refreshments at this month’s Agape in the hall, this Sunday, May 1st after the 10:30 am Mass, and the May Crowning. This month’s Agape is hosted by Sodality.
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.
DO YOU WANT TO BE HEARD? SYNOD 2021 – 2023 FOR A SYNODAL CHURCH: Catholics of Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore who are not able to attend one of the in-person Synod listening sessions, now have the option to participate online. Individuals, couples, families, or small groups that would like to answer Pope Francis’ invitation to participate in Synod 2021 – 2023 for a Synodal Church, can watch a video – hosted by Father Brian Lewis, pastor of St. Jude the Apostle Parish in Lewes, Delaware – and then complete the online form. This option will be available until the end of May on the Diocese of Wilmington’s Synod website – www.cdow.org/Synod.
THE WEEK OF MAY 1
PURGATORIAL SOCIETY; When you enroll your loved one in the Purgatorial Society, he/she will be sharing in the prayers of our family of faith and in the spiritual benefits of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on the first Wednesday of each month for one year. (This month – Wednesday, May 4th, 8:30 am). The names of those enrolled are listed in this weekend’s bulletin, and will be listed before the first Wednesday of each month. There will also be a general announcement made at the Mass for all the souls in the Purgatorial Society. These names will not be read individually during Mass but will be placed in a special book on the altar. If you are interested in enrolling a deceased loved one in the Purgatorial Society, please contact Kathy Watts, our
Parish Secretary. When you enroll someone, you will receive a beautiful hardcover folder with a picture insert of either the Blessed Mother or Jesus, along with the intention. The offering is $25.00. Due to the shortage of Masses with Fr. Jim pastoring two parishes, this is a wonderful option in addition to the regular Mass Intentions, Sanctuary Lamp and the Bread & Wine
Offerings.
HANGING BASKETS: Did you order a hanging basket of Petunias or Begonias from our Brother Vincent Columbiettes? Pick up is on Friday, May, 6th from 3pm – 5pm in the side parking lot near the fenced in play yard.
NEXT WEEKEND, MAY 7/8
FIRST HOLY EUCHARIST: Please pray for our 5 parish children who will receive Jesus for the first time in the Sacrament of the Eucharist on Saturday, May 7th at the 4:00 pm Mass.
THE BLESSING OF MOTHERS will take place on Saturday, May 7th at the 4:00 pm Mass and Sunday, May 8th at the 10:30 am Mass.
BIRTHRIGHT OF DELAWARE WILL HOST ITS ANNUAL MOTHER’S DAY ROSE SALE at our parish next weekend. Please support Birthright’s crisis pregnancy services by purchasing roses after Masses on Mother’s Day weekend, May 7th & 8th. Cost: $3/one Rose, $5/three Roses, $20/Dozen Roses, $40/Twenty-five Roses Bouquet. Your help will truly make a difference! Thank you. We deeply appreciate your support!! You can also make a donation to Birthright of Delaware in lieu of roses!
THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: Sunday, May 8th at the 10:30 am pm Mass – J. Compton – Please arrive 15 minutes before your mass time and pick up (or drop off) materials in the sacristy.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD will be offered Sunday, May 8th during the 10:30 am Mass
UPCOMING/ONGOING
THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: Please sign up to take home the Vocation Chalice for one week. Call or text Alice Gaston 302-670-7924 to sign up. Each week a family will receive the Vocation Chalice at Mass and take it home with the promise to “pray for vocations” during that week. The family should place the chalice in a prominent place in their home and gather together each day to pray for the awareness of vocations. At the end of the week, the family will bring the chalice back to church so the next family can take it home. A booklet will accompany the chalice that has prayers and instructions. We need your prayers and for you to sign up. See the Bulletin for schedule. May 8 – J. Compton, May 22 – K. Watts, June 4 – T. Bruno.
CHANGE THE WORLD: BECOME CATHOLIC! If you know someone who is looking for a new beginning and wants to learn more about the Catholic Church, “personally invite” them to our RCIA sessions, Monday evenings at 6:30pm. The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is for individuals who are unbaptized, baptized in other faith traditions or Catholic adults wishing to receive Confirmation and Holy Eucharist and seeking full membership in the Catholic Church. We are all called to share the “Good News” and you can make a difference by simply asking! Please contact Deacon Frank Weber for more information at DeaconFrank@saintpolycarp.org or leave a message with the Parish office at (302) 653-8279.
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!
Thank you to our Bulletin advertisers! We appreciate your support! – Thank you to this week’s advertiser – Deakyne Dental, 27 Deak Drive, Smyrna, DE 302-653-6661 www.deakynedental.com
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
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 640. Tomorrow, Saturday, April 30th, tune-in to hear student winners of the Knights of Columbus Vocations Essay Contest present their winning essays. 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:
Eternal God, eternal Trinity,
You have made the Blood of Christ so precious through His sharing in Your Divine nature.
You are a mystery as deep as the sea;
the more I search, the more I find, and the more I find, the more I search for You.
But I can never be satisfied; what I receive will ever leave me desiring more.
When You fill my soul, I have an ever greater hunger, and I grow more famished for Your light.
I desire above all to see You, the true Light, as you really are. Amen.
(St. Catherine of Siena – April 29)