Weekend Update March 28/29, 2026 Palm Sunday

STATIONS OF THE CROSS will take place in the Church at 7pm tonight, Friday, March 27. There are no Stations of the Cross at St. Polycarp on Good Friday.

 

Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence from meat from age 14 onwards. 

RECONCILIATION: Need a refresher? Visit https://saintpolycarp.org/reconciliation-refresher/
 Reconciliation at St. Polycarp Church:  Sunday, March 29 following the 10:30 am Mass. No Confessions on Holy Saturday!
Reconciliation Monday – March 30 – Monday of Holy Week, 3 pm – 5 pm & 6 pm – 8 pm
Plan on being reconciled with God early during this season of Lent!

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Palm Sunday – March 28/29
Masses – Saturday 4 pm & Sunday 10:30 am

 

Reconciliation Monday – Monday, March 30
St. Polycarp: 3 pm – 5 pm Fr. Hynes.  3 pm – 8 pm Fr. Herring (with a half hour break sometime between 5 pm & 6 pm)
St. Dennis: 3 pm – 5 pm and 6 pm – 8 pm (Fr. Jim)

 

Chrism Mass – Tuesday, March 31
at Holy Cross Church, Dover DE – 7 pm

 

Holy Thursday – Thursday, April 2
Mass of the Lord’s Supper at St. Polycarp – 7 pm
Mass of the Lord’s Supper at St. Dennis (Hispanic) – 7 pm

 

Good Friday – Friday, April 3
Passion of the Lord at St. Dennis – 3 pm
No Service at St. Polycarp
No Stations of the Cross at St. Polycarp
Stations of the Cross at St. Dennis (Hispanic) – 7 pm

 

Holy Saturday – Saturday, April 4
No Confessions either Parish
Easter Vigil at St. Dennis – 7:30 pm
No Masses at St. Polycarp on Holy Saturday

 

Easter Sunday – Sunday, April 5
St. Polycarp at 8 am and 10 am
St. Dennis at 8 am, 10:00 am, and 11:30 am (Spanish)

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March 28/29, 2026

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

   ~How have your Lenten observances prepared you for Holy Week”?
~ Which Jesus do you identify most with today: Jesus in triumph or Jesus the suffering servant?  Why?
~ Complete this sentence: Palm Sunday shows me that ….

 

READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032926.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”.)  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

 

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MANY HANDS, ONE MISSION: A 50-YEAR LEGACY
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.

 

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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.

 

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THIS WEEK: Friday, March 27 – Friday, April 3

THIS AFTERNOON – DELICIOUS SOUPS OF LENT:  Brother Vincent Council #7517 Knights of Columbus. On sale from 1 pm – 3 pm and 6 pm – 8:30 pm in Mother Drexel Hall. Contact Mike Cunningham with any questions or to reserve your soup! 302-379-8952 or mikec923@yahoo.com.   $12.00 quart container, $6 single serve ½ quart
Friday, March 27: Manhattan Clam Chowder

 

15th CYM PILGRIMAGE: Please pray for our PSR Confirmation class who will be participating in the 15th CYM Pilgrimage with hundreds of others tomorrow, Saturday, March 28, as they walk the streets of Wilmington carrying the Pilgrimage Cross with Bishop Koenig. The day starts at St. Elizabeth Parish with an opening prayer and a concert at 10:00 am, and ends with a 4 pm Mass at the same location. This event commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and His pilgrimage to Calvary on Good Friday.

 

MOVIE NIGHT! MOVIE NIGHT! The Christian Formation Committee will be showing a movie that was specially requested, tomorrow, Saturday, March 28, after the 4 pm Mass in the library. Follow the crowd after Mass to the library for an informative video and some terrific refreshments. See you there!

 

DESERT, BUT NOT DESERTED: Remember Jesus’ forty days in the desert? He prayed and we need to pray! Our holy water fonts are filled with small pebbles this Lent. Please take one with you to help you focus on your prayer life during these last few days of Lent. Maybe keep it in your pocket, set it on your desk or table.  May it remind you to turn your heart to God.

 

PALM SUNDAY AGAPE AND EASTER EGG HUNT: this Sunday, March 29: Brother Vincent Council #7517, Knights of Columbus and Squires, invite all our parish family, to join in our annual Palm Sunday Breakfast (Agape) and Easter Egg Hunt, for our younger children immediately following Mass. What a wonderful time, to come together as a parish and share in community! Join us in Mother Drexel Hall, where your Knights will be serving pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage patty, coffee, tea, orange juice and water. Gluten free pancakes will be available on request. Bring your empty baskets!

 

RECONCILIATION MONDAY – March 30 – Monday of Holy Week, 3 pm – 8 pm . Our fifth annual Reconciliation Monday penance event will take place this coming Monday, March 30^th from 3 pm until 8 pm. Once again this year, every church in the diocese will have opportunities for confession during these extended hours.  So if it is more convenient for you to go to another church, feel free to do so. Please invite those friends and family members who have been away from the Sacraments to take advantage of this opportunity. Visit cdow.org/ReconciliationMonday for more information. The Priests of our Diocese look forward to welcoming everyone who wishes to prepare their heart for Easter.

Here at St. Polycarp, we will have two priests until 5 pm and then, due to the priest shortage, we will have only one instead of the usual two.
St. Polycarp:   3 pm – 5 pm (Fr. Herring & Fr. Hynes)
6 pm – 8 pm (Fr. Herring)
St. Dennis:     3 pm – 5 pm & 6 pm – 8 pm (Fr. Jim)
Reminder – No Confessions are heard on Holy Saturday.

THE PARISH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Monday – Thursday, April 2 through Monday, April 6.

 

 

EASTER FLOWERS, particularly the white lilies with their large white trumpet flowers, proclaim that spring is upon us and they symbolize hope and new life.   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!

EASTER NOVENA: 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 enroll your friends and family in our most holy celebration.

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NEXT WEEK: Friday, April 3 – Friday, April 10

GOOD FRIDAY – FASTING & ABSTINENCE: Good Friday is an obligatory day of fasting and abstinence for Catholics.  The norms on fasting are 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.

 

THE HOLY LANDS COLLECTION for Good Friday, April 3, can be placed in the collection baskets at any of our Masses. (If you will be attending the Good Friday Service at St. Dennis, you can place your envelope in their basket as well. It will be brought over to our parish.) Thank you for your generosity towards assisting the Holy Land. Please be as generous as your means allow.

 

HOLY COMMUNION: Beginning with Easter Sunday and every weekend following, the Precious Blood will be distributed at all four stations of Communion. This should alleviate the long lines at the Communion rail and allow the distribution of Holy Communion to proceed more smoothly and reverently for everyone. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we continue to ensure that the reception of the Eucharist is both prayerful and orderly for all members of our parish community.

THE APOSTLE’S CREED will be prayed, starting on Divine Mercy Sunday (April 11/12) instead of the Nicene Creed. The Apostle’s Creed can be found on page 10 in Breaking Bread. 

THE SECOND COLLECTION on Easter Sunday is the Easter Offering. Thank you for your support and faithful stewardship!

 

ATTENTION OFFERTORY ENVELOPE USERS: We have been informed of a potential delay in the delivery of your donation envelopes. This is due to equipment issues that occurred at the suppliers production facility, compounded by unexpected delays in receiving critical replacement parts from the overseas suppliers. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.  The supplier anticipates returning to their normal delivery schedule shortly.  In the meantime, if you do not receive your envelopes, we kindly ask that you place your offering in an envelope with your name and address, along with your ID number (if known), so that we can ensure that you receive proper credit for your donation.

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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.

 

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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:  April 11 and May 9.

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 12 – Stephanie Piovoso, April 26 – Jennifer Rockwell

 

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 1^st and 3^rd Sunday of the month during the 10:30 am Mass. This is a wonderful opportunity for children in PreK-4^th 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!

                                                                               

 

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CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIO: Listen to Catholic Forum each week.  Be one of the first to watch the interview with Fr. John Klevence, Pastor of St. Ann’s in Bethany Beach, DE as he joins the show to discuss Reconciliation Monday and the importance of building a relationship with God through the sacrament of Reconciliation.  You can find out more about Reconciliation Monday, including a location of a parish near you at cdow.org/reconciliationmonday. 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/.

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