4th SUNDAY OF LENT
LAETARE SUNDAY
The Fourth Sunday of Lent is known as Laetare Sunday. The Lenten Season is more than half over. The celebration of the Easter Feast is drawing near –
the Church rejoices! Rose vestments are worn by the Priest. This rose color reminds us of joy in the midst of penance and anticipation.
SUNDAY SCRIPTURE – QUESTIONS TO PONDER
~ During this Lent, how are you being called to take on the ministry of reconciliation?
~ Have you ever forgiven someone more generously than others might have expected?
~ Has someone surprised you by forgiving you without reservation?
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/033025.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
AT ST. DENNIS, FRIDAY, MARCH 28th: Looking for something special to do for Lent? Join us for a Sacred Heart Holy Hour at St Dennis Church on March 28th starting at 6 PM, Following the 5 pm Stations of the Cross. Sacred Heart Icon Tour: Through the Pilgrim Icon Program, councils organize a Sacred Heart Holy Hour featuring an icon depicting the most famous image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, painted in 1767 by Pompeo Batoni and now venerated in the Church of the Gesù in Rome. The reproduction bears the blessing of Pope Francis, through the Papal Almoner, and is one of more than 300 icons traveling across the world, from council to council, for veneration and use in prayer services. The Sacred Heart Holy Hour includes readings from Sacred Scripture and reflections from Pope Francis on the Sacred Heart, as well as the Divine Mercy Chaplet, prayers to the Sacred Heart and time for silent prayer. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament may also be included. Following the holy hour, families are encouraged to enthrone the Sacred Heart in their homes by placing an image of the Sacred Heart in a place of honor and conducting an enthronement ceremony. Since the first traveling pilgrim icon of Our Lady of Guadalupe in 1979, more than 191,000 council and parish prayer services with some 23 million participants have been held.
THIS WEEKEND, March 29/30 (and Monday, March 31st – Friday, April 4th)
REMINDER: Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence from meat from age 14 onwards.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS AND BENEDICTION: Fridays in Lent at 7 pm, beginning tonight.
SECOND COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND is the Rice Bowl Collection. Operation Rice Bowl offers an opportunity to pray for and directly assist the poor in this country and overseas.
DONATIONS NEEDED – PROM DRIVE -THIS SATURDAY FOLLOWING THE 4 PM MASS: Looking to start spring cleaning? Start with your closet and Help Our Community!
The Columbiettes are looking for your clean/gently used prom dresses, suits/tuxedos and prom accessories (shoes, ties, tiaras etc.) for our Prom Drive. We are also collecting Communion dresses & suits for our Communicants. Please Drop off donations at the church doors this Saturday, March 29th, after 4 pm Mass.
THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: This Sunday, March 30th , at the 10:30 am Mass, Neda Biggs 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/
ANNUAL OFFERTORY REFLECTION REMINDER ~ The Finance Council would like to express our gratitude to everyone who has supported this year’s Offertory Reflection Program. As of March 21st, we have received 68 intentions. Thank you for your participation! Every intention received plays a vital role in shaping our Parish budget for the upcoming year. If you haven’t returned yours yet, it’s not too late! Please ensure to submit them by March 31st. We thank you for being an integral part of our parish community.
ALTAR SERVERS NEEDED: 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. Our contact information is: Cell Phone- 302-359-9152, Email- SmyrnaWalls@gmail.com
EARLY DEADLINE FOR THE EASTER BULLETIN. Easter will be here before we know it. Please send articles to submission@saintpolycarp.org by the end of the day on Monday, April 7th,
for publication in our Easter Bulletin.
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.
THE DEANERY LENTEN PENANCE SERVICE WILL TAKE PLACE this Thursday, April 3rd at 7 pm at Holy Cross Church, 631 S. State Street, Dover, DE 19901
Several Priests will be available to hear confessions.
DO YOU KNOW YOUR FAITH? This past Tuesday, March 25th, we celebrated the Annunciation of the Lord. What is the Annunciation of the Lord?
NEXT WEEKEND, April 5/6 (and Monday, April 7th – Friday, April 11th)
PROM DRIVE GIVE-A-WAY: Come select from clean and gently used prom dresses, accessories, suits and tuxedos in the church hall, next Saturday, Saturday, April 5th, from 9 am – 1 pm. Enter to win gift certificates to have your hair and nails done for prom. There are bathrooms available to try on items. All items are free.
SECOND COLLECTION NEXT WEEKEND will be for Catholic Relief and Church in Latin America.
CHOCOLATE!!! Calling all Chocolate Lovers!!! Did you eat all your chocolate bars? If so, April 5th & 6th are your lucky days!!! PSR will be selling “World’s Finest Chocolate Bars”) for $1 each at all church doors after both Masses NEXT weekend. We have a limited supply! Don’t miss out!!! Once they are gone…they are GONE. All proceeds benefit PSR. Great chocolate for Easter!
THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: Next Sunday, April 6th, at the 10:30 am Mass, Neda Biggs 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/
SUBMISSIONS FOR THE EASTER BULLETIN are due by the end of the day on Monday, April 7th. Submit articles to submission@saintpolycarp.org.
TOGETHER IN HOPE: Thank you to everyone who has pledged to the Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal. Your participation is a beacon of hope that strengthens our
community. 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.
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.
UPCOMING:
EASTER EGG HUNT – PALM SUNDAY, APRIL 13th : Brother Vincent Council, Knights of Columbus, is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday, April 13th, following the 10:30
am Mass. All children are invited to attend. There will be prizes! Children are asked to bring their own baskets! Brother Vincent Council will again provide a pancake brunch following the Easter egg hunt. Come and enjoy our fantastic blueberry pancakes with bacon and eggs. All are welcome. Donations are accepted.
RECONCILIATION MONDAY: April 14th – Monday of Holy Week. Churches throughout the Diocese will be having Confessions from 3 pm – 8 pm. Here at St. Polycarp and at St. Dennis, Confessions will be heard from 3 – 5 pm and 6 – 8 pm. This allows Fr. Jim to be able to be present at both parishes.
At St. Polycarp: 3 pm – 5 pm (Fr. Herring & Fr. Hynes) and 6 pm – 8 pm (Fr. Jim only. No other Priest is available. Please pray for vocations.)
At St. Dennis: 3 pm – 5 pm (Fr. Jim) and 6 pm – 8 pm (Fr. Herring)
Palm Sunday – April 12/13th
Masses – Saturday 4 pm & Sunday 10:30 am
Reconciliation Monday – Monday, April 14th
3 – 5 pm and 6 – 8 pm at St. Polycarp & St. Dennis
Chrism Mass – Tuesday, April 15th
at Holy Cross Church, Dover DE – 7 pm
Holy Thursday – Thursday, April 17th
Mass of the Lord’s Supper at St. Dennis – 7 pm
Good Friday – Friday, April 18th
Passion of the Lord at St. Polycarp – 3 pm
Holy Saturday – Saturday, April 19th
No Confessions either Parish
Easter Vigil at St. Polycarp – 8 pm
Easter Sunday – Sunday, April 20th
St. Polycarp at 8 am and 10 am (PLEASE NOTE – Easter Morning Mass at St. Polycarp is at 10:00 am, not 10:30 am.)
TECHNOLOGY WHIZ KID HEADED FOR SAINTHOOD – APRIL 27, 2025 – FIRST MILLENNIAL SAINT: The red polo shirt. The backpack. The computer. That’s how most people picture Blessed Carlo Acutis—a technology whiz kid who harnessed the power of the internet to show people the truth of the Real Presence and bring them closer to God. But that’s just one part of the story. Blessed Carlo’s radical love for the Eucharist drove everything he did. Friends spent hours on the phone with him, captivated by his joy. People returned to the sacraments because of his witness. And when he met someone in need, he didn’t just offer food—he sat with them, listened, and shared what he had. His faith wasn’t just a private devotion—it changed lives. It’s still changing lives today. Let his life inspire yours. Watch the trailer for The Boy from Milan and encounter the profoundly compassionate heart of Blessed Carlo Acutis. Hear stories from those closest to him as they share how an ordinary boy’s extraordinary love drew hearts to God. https://formed.org/the-boy-from-milan#trailer
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
ONGOING:
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/ Neda Biggs – Sunday, March 30th, 10:30 am Mass; Penny Gugliuzzo – April 6th, 10:30 am Mass.
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. This week, prepare for Reconciliation Monday by hearing an interview with Sr. Orianne Pietra Rene Dyke, FSP and Sister Allison Regina Gilot, FSP about their new book, “Forgiven: A Guide to Confession and the Examen Prayer. 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 is the Annunciation of the Lord?
ANSWER: The Annunciation of the Lord highlights Mary’s “Yes” to the message and her acceptance of the message given to her by the Archangel Gabriel that she will bear a son. “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,* and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Luke 1:26-38 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/1
Mary agreed to cooperate with God’s plan even if she did not fully understand how she, without having any relations with a man could have a child. The answer is Trust God! Mary is the model of the woman who said yes to God. She cooperated with God’s plan even if she did not understand it. Do you trust God?