Fifth Sunday of Easter
May 6/7, 2023
SUNDAY SCRIPTURE – QUESTIONS TO PONDER
~ How are you called to serve the community of disciples (the Church)?
~ How do you feel about Jesus’ promise that He is going to the Father to prepare a place for you?
~ What is your reaction to Jesus’ statement that whoever believes in Him will do works greater than the ones He did?
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050723.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.)
BULLETIN OVERFLOW: Bulletin Overflow – CLICK HERE
THE PARISH OFFICE WILL CLOSE AT NOON TODAY, Friday, May 5th, and will reopen on Monday morning at 9am.
THIS WEEKEND, MAY 6/7 (& Monday, May 8th – Friday, May 12th)
BROTHER VINCENT COLUMBIETTES FLOWER SALE: Did you order hanging baskets? Pick-up is scheduled for TODAY, Friday, May 5th from 3-5pm. Questions? Contact Agatha Cotilletta: (302) 389-6374 or cagatha2017@gmail.com or Linda Montuori 302-270-5347 lindamontuori@yahoo.com
ANNUAL SPRING CLEAN-UP – TOMORROW, 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.
FIRST EUCHARIST: Blessed are those who are called to His Supper. May God bless our six parish children who will receive Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time this weekend at the 4pm Mass on Saturday..
APOSTLES’ CREED: We will continue to pray the Apostles’ Creed during the Easter season. (Breaking Bread Hymnal on page 10.)
MAY CROWNING – This Sunday, May 7th following the 10:30 am Mass. REMEMBER TO BRING FLOWERS! Our May Crowning will take place this Sunday following the 10:30 am Mass. Please 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. All are welcome to participate in this Catholic tradition of Crowning Mary. Join us afterwards in the hall at our monthly Agape 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. 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.
CONNECTED IN CHRIST/ADULT FAITH – PARISHIONER COFFEE: There will be a coffee for all available parishioners on Tuesday, May 9th after the 8:30 Mass in Mother Drexel Hall. Come and enjoy some coffee and delicious treats. Please let either Joyce Tolson (302-448-9678) or Cookie Ruane (302-540-6429) know if you plan to attend. And feel free to bring your favorite dessert.
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. Mother’s Day Novena of Masses begins with the 4pm Mass on Saturday, May 13th.
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.
CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON – 2023 FAITH AND CHARITY CATHOLIC APPEAL: Thank you to everyone who “Shining the Light of Christ” pledged the Faith and Charity Catholic Appeal. If you have not yet participated, please consider doing so today. Your gift makes a real difference in the lives of thousands of individuals and families who reside within our 12-county diocese. Pledge envelopes are available in the pews of the Church and can be placed in the offertory basket. Thank you for your generosity and support. To hear a message from Fr. Jim CLICK HERE To hear Bishop Koenig message CLICK HERE 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.
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.
FINANCE COUCIL: Individuals interested in becoming an active part of the Finance Council. The role of the Finance Council is to: Support all Parish ministries; Facilitate the achievement of the Parish mission, and; Provide ongoing financial guidance to Fr. Jim and Parish leadership If you have an interest in assisting in the financial success of St. Polycarp, please reach out to John Fcasni at (609) 529-1986 or john.fcasni@gmail.com
NEXT WEEKEND
BIRTHRIGHT OF DELAWARE will host its Annual Mother’s Day Rose Sale at our parish. Please support Birthright’s crisis pregnancy services by purchasing roses after Masses on Mother’s Day weekend, May 13th – 14th.
BLESSING OF THE SAINT JOSEPH SHRINE – Next 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 13th, 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. We need adorers for these timeslots on Tuesday: 12:00, 2:00 and 3:00. Call or email Cheryl Thomas salcrest7@gmail.com or 302) 363-0404.
MEMORIAL BRICKS! 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.
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. Local author, Elena Maria Vidal, discusses her latest novel on the May 5th 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:
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy,
our life, our sweetness and our hope.
To thee do we cry,
poor banished children of Eve.
To thee do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate,
thine eyes of mercy toward us,
and after this our exile
show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving,
O sweet Virgin Mary.