SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
The Season of Easter began on Easter Sunday, March 31st, and will end on Sunday, May 19th, with the Solemnity of Pentecost Sunday. The Easter Season lasts for 50 days.
During the Easter Season, we will be praying the Apostle’s Creed instead of the Nicene Creed. The Apostle’s Creed can be found on pg. 10 of Breaking Bread. It is the Baptismal symbol of our Church during this season.
SUNDAY SCRIPTURE – QUESTIONS TO PONDER
~ When have you seen the Holy Spirit at work in people very different from yourself? How has this enriched your own faith?
~ How are you being called to imitate divine love this week?
~ What does friendship with Jesus require of us?
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050524.cfm
LIVE-STREAMING: Visit https://www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE for live stream at 8:30 am, Tuesdays & Wednesdays and 4 pm on Saturdays.
We are experiencing some issues with our live streaming. We are trying to resolve these issues as soon as possible. The stream may not work for some Masses. Thank you for understanding.
DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON – LIVE STREAMING 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!
BULLETIN OVERFLOW: There’s always information that doesn’t fit in our Bulletin – Bulletin Overflow – CLICK HERE
THIS WEEKEND, MAY 4/5 (and Monday, May 6th – Friday, May 10th)
FIRST EUCHARIST: Please pray for those children who will be receiving Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time this Saturday, May 4th at the 4 pm Mass
PSR CLASSES – Last Class Celebration for all Grades PK/K – 8, this Sunday at 9am. We ask that at least one parent attend with student.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD will take place this Sunday during the 10:30 am Mass. This is a wonderful opportunity for children in PreK-4th grade. Children will be called forward before the First Reading and will return to you after the General Intercessions. Our leaders and assistants have cleared background checks.
MAY CROWNING: Everyone is invited! Looks like it’s going to be a rainy Sunday, so chances are that we will be holding our May Crowning in the Church. Join us this Sunday, May 5th, following the 10:30 am Mass for a short ceremony to honor Mary “the Queen of Heaven”. All are invited to bring a single flower or bouquet of flowers and place them in the baskets in front of the altar before Mass begins. Our young children of the parish will carry these flowers during the procession and will place them in front of the statue of Mary during the ceremony. Everyone is invited to the May Crowning! Join us for lunch afterwards in the hall. The May Agape is hosted by the Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality.
Our next AGAPE is this Sunday, May 5th, following the May Crowning. Come join us as we enjoy food, fun, and fellowship. All are invited. May’s Agape is hosted by the Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality.
CONCRETE REPLACEMENT WORK UNDER PORTICO THIS COMING WEEK!
The portico and all portico doors will be inaccessible the week of May 6th. If you need to access the office, hall, chapel, library, or meeting rooms, during office hours, please knock at the staff door. The staff door is the single door located to the left of the portico. If you have an evening meeting, you will need to use the PSR entrance located on the side of the classroom building along the driveway. Questions? Call or email the office. Thank you for your cooperation.
LAST CHANCE TO ORDER! APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS: Brother Vincent Columbiette’s, are now taking orders. Order a beautiful locally grown,11″ colorful hanging basket for only $25.00! Your choice of Petunias, Begonias or Geraniums. Orders need to be placed by Monday, May 6th. Baskets will be ready for pick-up at St. Polycarp Church or delivered if needed on Friday May 10th. To place your order or for any questions contact: Jill Mercer- 518-795-7579 jll_mercer@yahoo.com or Darlene Sanphy – 302-270-3915 darpete87@comcast.net
THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD: Thursday, May 9, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, has been transferred to Sunday, May 12th.
MOTHER’S DAY NOVENA: We are part of this world today because our mothers have given us life. Each 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.
MEMORIAL BRICKS: After the cold dark days of winter, spring season brings new life. 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 forever. Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Graduation!
Mother’s Day, Father’s Day! Honor family and friends! Share a favorite quote, and more! 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! 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).
FAITH AND CHARITY APPEAL – One Body, One Spirit in Christ: Participants in the 2024 Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal can expect to receive their first payment reminder on or about May 31st. Additional reminders will continue through December. Please mail all payments in the self-addressed, return
envelope provided with your mailing. Do not submit 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 “Giving” then “Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal”,
or simply scan this QR code with your cellphone.
SAVE THE DATE: DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS IN OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND: On October 5, 2024, our Diocese of Wilmington will be hosting the Eucharistic Congress at the Ocean City Convention Center. We will gather under the theme “The Eucharist: The Source and Summit,” an opportunity to come together as a community to reflect on and celebrate the central mystery of our faith. The congress will feature an inspiring keynote address from Bishop Richard Henning of the Diocese of Providence. We will also have faith-based vendors, a variety of ministry showcases, and breakout sessions designed for different ages and interests. Plus, there will be ample opportunities for Adoration and Reconciliation as well as celebration of Mass. Please save the date and stay tuned for more details. We hope you can join us for this wonderful day of faith, fellowship, and renewal. Thank you!
PHYSICIAN ASSISTED SUICIDE HAS PASSED THE DELAWARE HOUSE AND IS NOW BEFORE THE STATE SENATE: Delaware is closer than ever to legalizing assisted suicide! It is an affront to our Catholic faith that calls for respect for life from conception to natural death! Advocates for those with disabilities oppose physician assisted suicide. The most vulnerable Delawareans need protection from dangerous House Bill 140. It would fundamentally change Delaware’s legal approach to medical ethics, medical practice, and health care decision-making. The Psychiatric Society of Delaware, the American Medical Association and the American College of Physicians oppose involving practitioners of the healing arts in the intentional ending of a person’s life by medically assisted suicide. Physician assisted suicide legalizes and normalizes the taking of a human life. There are enough tragic suicides in our community already. What message are we giving our young people when the state sanctions suicide? We need to help and support the physically and mentally ill in our community, not assist them in taking their own lives. We ask all Delaware Catholics to contact their Delaware State Senator to not support HB 140. For more information on HB 140 and to send an email to your Senator, visit www.cdow.org/StopAssistedSuicide.
NEXT WEEKEND, MAY 11/12 (and Monday, May 13th – Friday, May 17th)
THE BLESSING OF MOTHERS will take place next weekend at the 4 pm Mass on Saturday, May 11th and at the 10:30 am Mass on Sunday, May 12th.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: Saturday, May 11th Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will take place at the end of the 4 pm Vigil Mass next Saturday, May 11th. Please plan to stay and spend some time with Jesus.
SECOND COLLECTION NEXT SUNDAY is for the Ascension. (The Feast of the Ascension is celebrated next weekend.)
THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: Next Sunday, May 12th, at the 10:30 am Mass, Donna Adams 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 MOTHER’S DAY ROSE SALE: Birthright of Delaware will host its Annual Mother’s Day Rose Sale at our parish next weekend. Please support Birthright’s pregnancy services by purchasing roses after Masses on Mother’s Day weekend, May 11th – 12th. Roses cost: $3/one rose, $5/three roses, $20/dozen roses, $45/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 DE in lieu of roses, our address is: 1311 North Scott Street Wilmington, DE 19806.
UPCOMING
PENTECOST SUNDAY – May 18/19! WEAR RED! Be with the Spirit and remember to wear red May 18th & 19th as we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit. Flames of the Holy Spirit rested upon each Apostle and they received the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
ST. POLYCARP’S 5th ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT & DINNER: JUNE 30, 2024
GARRISON LAKE GOLF CLUB, 101 West Fairways Circle, Smyrna, DE.
$130 per individual golfer includes lunch, Green fee, Golf Cart, on course beverages including beer, complimentary gift bags, prizes for best teams, long drive/closest to pin, followed by a buffet dinner.
Don’t golf? That’s ok. Join us at St. Polycarp Church for a delicious Italian Feast just $40.00 per person.
For more information and registration, Dennis Skinner (papadskinz@yahoo.com (302-981-8743) Anna Skinner (ANNA.SKINZ@gmail.com) (302-883-5647) or use this QR code. CLICK HERE TO SEE FLYER
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
THREE YEARS OF ABUNDANT GRACE AND TRANSFORMATION – EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL
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: Saturday, May 11th, Saturday, June 8th, Saturday, July 13th, Saturday, August 10th
TUESDAY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: Tuesdays from 9 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 9 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/ Sunday, May 12th – Donna Adams; Sunday May 26th – Garrity Family
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 11am. 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.
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.
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 thru 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 Boy Ardee 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: 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
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:
NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS – BE THERE WHEN GOD MOVES: The 10th National Eucharistic Congress at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN. From July 17th–21st, 2024, thousands of passionate Catholics will gather for a transformative experience on a scale this generation has never seen. Whether you join us for one day or all five, the grace you receive will spill out into our community when you return home—deeply in love with the Eucharist and excited about the future of the Church in America. Visit EucharisticCongress.org to learn more about the event and explore the full schedule for each day.
BISHOP KOENIG INVITES YOU TO THE NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE ON JULY 17th-21st, 2024, IN INDIANAPOLIS, IN. To read the letter of invitation, CLICK HERE
FOR TRAVEL INFORMATION FLYER CLICK HERE
CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIO: Saturdays at 1:30 pm on Relevant Radio 640AM. On Saturday, May 4th, Dr. Mark Giszczak will discuss his book: Suffering: What every Catholic Should know about suffering? 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.
BULLETIN OVERFLOW: Visit Bulletin Overflow https://saintpolycarp.org/overflow/ for details on the following and more!:
UNITY IN THE PARK: Sunday, May 19th sponsored by Smyrna Wesleyan Church
ST. THOMAS MORE SOCIETY ANNUAL DINNER– Sunday, May 5th
RETREAT FOR CATHOLICS AFFECTED BY DIVORCE AND SEPARATION – Saturday, June 15th
RETROUVAILLE: The Retrouvaille Program is for married couples facing challenges in their relationship. Upcoming programs: August 9th – 11th and October 4th – 6th , 2024 at the Family Life Center in Malver, PA
LET US PRAY:
God of all life,
Help us to appreciate the great gift that is human life
formed in your image, a reflection of your holiness.
Help us to recognize you in all whom you have created:
children not yet born,
families affected by poverty and war,
people of different abilities,
people from other lands, and
all who are victims of hatred and racism.
Help us to bear witness to the dignity of all whom you have created,
regardless of stage of life,
or wealth,
or ability,
or color, or creed,
for every person is fully equal in your loving eyes.
Share with us your holy knowledge
that we are all your children,
each bestowed with inherent dignity.
May your justice reign forever!
Amen.