Second Sunday of Getting to Know You… Divine Sunday As we celebrate the Easter Season we are reminded of new life all around us. In witnessing the Resurrection on April 11, 2021 Easter Sunday, we once again are called to recognize the Risen in our daily lives. We are called to renew our

relationship with Him; to increase our knowledge, This Sunday is the Second and trust in Him, to love Him with all our heart and with Sunday of Easter or all our soul and with all our mind. Sunday! On this Sunday, the Universal Church reflects on the As we renew our relationship with Jesus, let us also seek profound depths and immense to renew our relationship with life in our Parish. As we mercy of God! slowly re-open, we want you to engage in a bit of a refresher on Parish Life. In upcoming Bulletins, we will be Sr. Maria Faustina Kowalska of including some short “Getting to Know You” feature the Most stories. This may be about a particular ministry or an lived from 1905 – 1938. Jesus individual. For some of our parishioners, this will be more requested Sr. Faustina that there be a Feast of Mercy (). Jesus of a re-acquaintance. For others, an introduction. entrusted her the task of spreading the message of His We will begin by singing the praises of one of our music Divine Mercy with the world. Jesus called Sr. Faustina to ministers. paint an image of what she saw and with the inscription “Jesus, I trust in You”. This image is known as the Divine “Noteworthy News" Mercy image (two rays, red and pale, coming from Jesus’ breast). When Sr. Faustina was canonized in 2000 under Have you ever wondered how our musicians the direction of John Paul II, that same day, he became involved in the Parish Music Ministry proclaimed that the would and who they are? Well, wonder no more. Once henceforth be known as Divine Mercy Sunday, thereby a month, we will feature one of our volunteers. widely promoting the devotional practices Meet one of our newest youth members, Gabriella, who th AFTER MASSES THIS WEEKEND - is better known as Gigi. Gigi is a 7 grader at Smyrna Middle School. Gigi was a 2019-2020 Pop Warner All- In observance of Divine Mercy Sunday, the Chaplet of the American Scholar and a 2021- 2nd place winner in the Divine Mercy will be prayed after both Masses this Smyrna School District Essay contest. You have probably weekend. We ask that you remain in Church for the few seen Gigi at Mass before as an altar server. She began minutes that it takes to pray this powerful prayer in the this ministry when she was just 9 years old. Gigi has also fight against abortion. The prayer can be found on the been sewing COVID masks with her mother, Angela. A St. website at https://saintpolycarp.org/divine- large portion of the proceeds are donated to mercy/ Polycarp. Gigi loves to sing and has been a chorus member at school since the 3rd grade. She has also been featured in lead roles in several musicals at Clayton

Intermediate School. When asked to share her talents as USHERS AND GREETERS a cantor for her parish, she enthusiastically agreed. Gigi As more COVID vaccine is being made available, and first began singing at church with Mr. Seewald and his with a continuing easing on the limitation restrictions, youth group. We are delighted to have Gigi in the Music the need for ushers and greeters for both Masses has Ministry at Saint Polycarp. increased. If you feel comfortable and have returned to Mass or plan to in the near future, please consider volunteering as an usher/greeter. Our mission is to provide general care of our worship space and to create S TONES FAITH GARDEN an environment where all feel welcome. Now that we are in the Easter Season, finished stones may be returned to our Church and placed in the basket Anyone interested in volunteering for one of the simplest under the portico. Stones are being collected through the yet most important positions in the church should Easter Season and are being placed in front of the altar contact: Cindy Kennedy, 653-7525. kennedy- as part of our Easter environment. After the Easter [email protected] or Tom O’Drain, 659-5317, Season, they will be moved to their permanent location. [email protected]. We’re hoping to see what your message will be! It’s not too late – There’s always room for more! Thank you for your consideration and for helping to Watch our How-to” Video at make people feel welcome at our church! https://youtu.be/7rB7atK3ohQ LET US PRAY

The Blessing of the Environment Committee will take place Saturday, April 17th at the 4:00 pm Mass.

FRIDAY MORNINGS S P Just as our Church is experiencing new life in Saturday, April 10 Easter Saturday the Risen Christ, our Parish Office is seeing a 4 pm Easter Novena bit of renewed life . While the office remains Sunday, April 11 2nd Sunday of Easter closed to parishioners and visitors, T eresa , our parish 10:30 am Easter Novena secreatry, will be answering the phone line on Fridays from Monday, April 12 9:30 am to 12:00 pm (noon). This is a first step of many No Mass steps to come as we slowly and cautiously move towards re- Tuesday, April 13 St. Martin I opening in the future. (302)653-8279. Mass reservations 8:30 am Easter Novena by phone remain on Wednesday mornings from 9 am to Wednesday, April 14 8:30 am Easter Novena noon. Reservations will not be accepted by phone on Friday Thursday, April 15 mornings. 8:30 am Mary Cary Taubert - Ed Taubert Friday, April 16 SOCIAL CONCERNS. 8:30 am Parishioners Saturday, April 17 "Seasons of Hope" - Bereavement Support Group 4 pm Mary Sponaugle - Eleanor Schauer Sunday, April 18 3rd Sunday of Easter 10:30 am Trudy Kasubinski - Walter Kasubinski

Bread & Wine for the Eucharist are given in prayer for an increase in religious vocations. Seasons of hope bereavement support group is centered Our Sanctuary Lamp in Church burns in loving memory of on Jesus Christ and grounded in his healing wisdom, Marie Teresa Bergstrom, at the request of Aileen Ortiz. traditions, and practices of our faith.

We Pray for Our Sick and Those in Need of Our Prayers We look for Christ in our grief journey. "Seasons of Hope" To have someone’s name added to the Bulletin for prayers, explores mourning through scripture, prayer, reflection, please email [email protected] or call the activities, and faith sharing. office and leave a message. "Seasons of Hope" gives the bereaved an opportunity to Carol Hurst, Ed Stachow, Patty Moon, Christie Moon, Bishop come together to share god's love. It provides a safe place Malooly, Mark Kennedy, Ben Walters, Bill Stuart, Sue to share thoughts and feelings. It also offers the Orlando, Violet Farkas, Michelle Dean, Austin & Dylan Dean, knowledge that others are on the same grief journey and Kenny Bullins, Deirdre Moor, Linda Blow, Deacon Charlie Robinson, Mariann Pierson, Kevin Patterson, Ron Ivory, mutual support is given to each other. Ruth Staub, and all those suffering from Covid-19. We encourage strengthening our relationship with God We Pray for our Deceased by reading scripture, reading good books, listening to May the souls of all the faithful departed, EWTN, encourage time spent with the Blessed Sacrament, through the mercy of God, rest in . Amen and lastly be attuned that God works through people, if we

are opened to see God working in all things. Prayer Chain – To request prayers or to be part of our "Seasons of Hope" consists of 6 week sessions. Our Prayer Chain, contact Maureen at (302)653-4654 or e-mail Laverne at [email protected]. sessions are ongoing. For more information and to register contact Diane Dellinger at by Telephone: Tuesday mornings at 10am. Contact [email protected] or Maureen Robinson Jill at (302)653-3836 or [email protected] for more (302) 423 – 6636. Registration is required. Because of information. Covid, we are meeting on Zoom. Flame of Love Rosary by Telephone: Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. Email Roxanne at [email protected] or leave a message LIVE STREAM or text (302)242-6484 for details. All Masses and Services from St. Polycarp: Connected in Christ: Join us on Zoom every Friday at 11:00 Visit www.saintpolycarp.org and am to discuss various topics of faith. Contact Peggy at click on the picture of the altar or visit [email protected] for information and links to the https://www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE sessions. Confirmandi persevered and stayed committed to fulfilling SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION their ultimate goal of participating in the Sacrament of I will pour out My Spirit Confirmation. We are so proud of each one of them! During difficult days, their faith remained strong. God is good!

Amen!

Just like last year, Bishop Malooly has given delegation to all pastors in their respective parishes to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation. On Saturday, Father Jim celebrated two Masses here at St. Polycarp. Please keep the

newly confirmed in your prayers as they begin to recognize Saturday, April 10, 2021 10:00 am and apply to their life the newly received Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Natalie VERONICA Bradl Yours in Christ, Allison ROSE Bratton Ethan NICHOLAS Bricks Erica Taylor Drake CORNELIUS Crowley PARISH AND FAMILY LIFE Eugene PATRICK DeLuca Jackson FRANCIS Price A BIG thank you to all the children Madison ELIZABETH Retzlaff who participated in the Knights of Columbus special Easter Egg Hunt event. Gage THOMAS Sadlowski The children were asked to solve a special Easter word scramble and provide the answer: A th Saturday, April 10 , 2021 1:00 pm Funny Bunny. The three winners of a $20 gift certificate to Amazon were: Madison Mabrey, Sophie Netz and Bella CECILIA Carroll Taylor. Congratulations to all! Dylan Champlin Evan BLAISE Denney PASTORAL COUNCIL Bradley Jachimek Are you someone who likes being the Tana DOLORES Kane first to know the latest news and Izabella FRANCIS Koprowski developments? Someone who likes Kelsey ELIZABETH Long being in the thick of things? A doer who wants to make a difference in our church? Ryan CHRISTOPHER Moss Do you want to help create, deepen and expand our Tyler ANTHONY Nzams faith community’s journey? Then we need you on the ______Pastoral Council!! We are recruiting new members to replace some of More than ever, we are in special need of the grace to our departing Pastoral Council members. The Pastoral live our lives in witness to the faith we received at Council serves as advisors to our Pastor on Pastoral issues, in addition to organizing various parish activities. Baptism. Let us pray to the Holy Spirit, to move more Please give this call from God some very pray full powerfully in us and the lives of our newly Confirmed! thought. Please contact Cindy Kennedy at (302)653-7525 or GREETINGS FROM THE CRE… [email protected] with an expression of interest and/or for additional information. Thank You & God I am happy to announce that our Confirmandi have Bless successfully completed their online classes and fulfilled the COLLECTIONS. mandatory diocesan requirements. Their journey began this past summer with their Catechist, Chris Schumacher and The 2nd Collection this weekend is for our Parish School of her assistants, Michelle Kane & Pam Denney-Griffiths. Each Religion. As we begin preparations for 2021-2022, another student attended the online classes, completed assigned different kind of year, we anticipate our costs rising as we work, fulfilled the service hour requirement, attended the are looking to have our students gather once again in the in-person Retreat here at St. Polycarp, and participated in PSR classrooms (to some extent). Please consider giving an online interview. Even through a pandemic, our what you can to support PSR. May God richly bless you. March 28 Offertory Poor Box Rice Bowl ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL - 2021 Collection $2,996 $139.63 $104

Offertory Received Budgeted Over/(Under) March Total $22,453 $26,800 ($4,347) Fiscal Year to Date $232,230 $246,100 ($13,870) Due to the Easter Weekend, the collection amounts for the weekend of April 4th are not available. Please see next week’s bulletin for these numbers. Thank you.

Please consider signing up for eGiving to ensure your contributions are received even when you are not here for Mass. Visit faith. direct/DE831. During this time each year, parishioners are invited to participate in the Diocese’s Annual Catholic Appeal. * * * * INTRODUCING TEXT-TO-GIVE * * * * Funds from the Appeal help provide pastoral, charitable, We are expanding our efforts with Faith Direct for and educational programs and services to tens of automated giving to Saint Polycarp. Faith Direct offers a thousands of people in our 12-county Diocese. As safe and secure Text-to-Give option allowing you to make a parishioners of St. Polycarp, we are proud to be part of one-time gift. To give, please follow these simple steps: the Church of Wilmington. As members, it is important 1. Text $$ amount to 302-202-2251 that we reach out and serve others by sharing our 2. Follow the link and complete a one-time process resources. Just as we are one in the body of Christ, we Thank you to all those who continue to send in their must remember that we are one with other parishes and envelopes and for those who have enrolled in eGiving. with our Diocese. The Annual Catholic Appeal offers us Or donated through Text-to-Give. Thank you for your the opportunity to work together to care for the Church generosity and continued stewardship. by sharing the gifts God has granted us.

Fifty-Fifty! Play often! Proceeds benefit PSR. Our parish Appeal target is $53,000. Your financial March Winner support will assist us in reaching that goal. Once we Congratulations to Kathy MacDonald! reach our goal, 50 percent of the money collected above Simply place $1 in an envelope and mark 50/50 on the our target will be returned to the parish for our own envelope along with your NAME and phone number. Place ministerial needs. in the collection baskets or drop off in the drop box. Last year, in the midst of the ongoing pandemic, St. THIS WEEK IN OUR PARISH Polycarp demonstrated that our family of faith All meetings/events are virtual unless otherwise noted. understands the words of the scripture in caring for Our Parish Office remains closed at this time. others. Your ongoing example of stewardship has been https://saintpolycarp.org/calendar/ the epitome of generosity in helping meet the needs Saturday, April 10 wherever and whenever there is a need. As a parish, we 10 am Confirmation continually demonstrate our desire to build the Kingdom 1 pm Confirmation of God in our parish and in our diocese. 2:30 pm Confession Sunday, April 11 Please give prayerful and thoughtful consideration to 10:30 am BVM Sodality Corporate Communion your resources and the needs of those served by the Monday, April 12 Annual Catholic Appeal. You can contribute to the Appeal 11:30 am BVM Sodality (Virtual) by using the pledge card and return envelope mailed to 6:30 pm RCIA Sessions (Virtual) your home, by accessing the Appeal website at Tuesday, April 13 www.cdow.org/annualcatholicappeal and clicking “How 10 am Columbiettes Rosary (Phone) 11 am Finance Council Executive Committee (Virtual) to Donate” or by completing a pledge card located in the 6:30 pm Liturgy Committee (Virtual) drop box located under the portico. 7 pm PSR Grs. 5-8 (Lesson Posted) To learn more about the Annual Catholic Appeal visit the Wednesday, April 14 7 pm Pastoral Council Meeting (Virtual) diocesan website at Thursday, April 15 www.cdow.org/annualcatholicappeal. Consider viewing a 6:30 pm Parish & Family Life (Virtual) brief video highlighting some of the supported ministries at https://youtu.be/1789oOHmTkg. 6:30 pm Flame of Love Rosary (Virtual) Friday, April 16

11 am Connected in Christ Zoom Meeting (Virtual) Saturday, April 17 There’s a lot going on in our parish. Visit Annual Catholic Appeal Commitment Weekend https://saintpolycarp.org/this-weeks-bulletin/ 2:30 pm Confession for information that couldn’t fit in this week’s 4 pm MASS (Blessing of Environment Committee) Bulletin!