th 13 Sunday in LET US PRAY Ordinary Time

June 27, 2021

Saturday, June 26 Blessed Virgin Mary 4 pm Father’s Day Novena Sunday, June 27 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time 10:30 am Father’s Day Novena Monday, June 28 St. Irenaeus No Bishop Malooly, has lifted the dispensation, thereby Tuesday, June 29 Sts. Peter & Paul reinstating the Sunday and Holy Day Mass obligation for 8:30 am Father’s Day Novena Catholics in the Diocese of Wilmington, effective June Wednesday, June 30 The First Martyrs of 26, 2021. the Holy Roman Church 8:30 am Father’s Day Novena We welcome and encourage the Faithful to Thursday, July 1 St. Junipero Serra return to full in-person participation of the 8:30 am Paul Smith - Mike & Diane Dellinger Sunday Eucharist, the source and summit of Friday, July 2 First Friday 8:30 am Trudy Kasbinski – Walter Kasbinski our Catholic faith. Let us continue to be Purgatorial Society united in prayer for one another and for an Saturday, July 3 St. Thomas, Apostle end to the global pandemic. 4 pm Parishioners Sunday, July 4 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time THE PARISH OFFICE 10:30 am Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality will re-open on Tuesday, July 6 at 9:00 am. Bread & Wine for the Eucharist are given ~Saturday, June 26, in memory of Charles Hayes at the request of Judy Lamborn. PARISH SCHOOL OF RELIGION (PSR) ~Tuesday, June 29, in memory of Deacon Charles Robinson, at the request of Dieter and Joyce Raczkowski.

Bread & Wine for the Eucharist are given in prayer for an increase in religious vocations.

Religious Education -Registering now for 2021-2022 Our Sanctuary Lamp in Church burns in memory of Grades P/K – Grade 9. Deacon Charles Robinson at the request of Deacon For more information, contact Frank and Debbie Weber. Mrs. Erica Taylor, Coordinator of Religious Education

(302)653-4101 or [email protected], Visit our webpage at We Pray for Our Sick and saintpolycarp.org/religious-education/ Those in Need of Our Prayers

To have someone’s name added to the Bulletin for prayers, ATTENTION MINISTRY LEADERS! please email [email protected] or call the Mark your calendar now for our Annual Leadership office and leave a message. Names will remain on the Information Meeting on TUESDAY, July 27th. (Date prayer list for six weeks unless other arrangements have changed from Wednesday, July 28th.) been requested.

ROOM RESERVATIONS! Tom Dicuirci, Jill Mercer, Rob Miller, Gordon Hollander, Carol Hurst, Ed Stachow, Patty Moon, Christie Moon, Mark If your group/ministry will be meeting on campus, you Kennedy, Ben Walters, Michelle Dean, Austin & Dylan will need to submit a new room reservation form for your Dean, Kenny Bullins, Deirdre Moor, Linda Blow, Mariann ministry and send it electronically to Teresa in the parish Pierson, Ron Ivory, Ruth Staub, and all those suffering from office at [email protected]. The Room Reservation Covid-19. ______Form can be found on our website, under Forms & Policies. https://saintpolycarp.org/room-reservation/ We Pray for our Deceased We are looking forward to having everyone back on the Frank Bleyer campus once again and planning ahead makes for a May the souls of all the faithful departed, smoother transition! through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen Prayer Chain – To request prayers or to be part of our Prayer Chain, contact Laverne at [email protected] or The Sacrament of (302) 653 – 8064

Rosary by Telephone: Tuesday mornings at 10am. Contact Jill at (302)653-3836 or [email protected] for more information.

Flame of Love Rosary: Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. in Church. Email Roxanne at [email protected] or leave a message Welcome to our newest members. or text (302)242-6484 for details. On Sunday, June 13th, 2021, Fr. Mast baptized Jackson William Szelestei, son of William and LITURGY Jessica Szelestei, brother to Jase.

On Sunday, June 13th, 2021, Deacon Frank baptized Matthew Roger Sanez, son of Lorence and Jean Sanez, brother to Lance and Jacob. Jesus loves you, Matthew & Jackson!

The intention for the 8:30 am Mass on the First Friday of To my Family of Faith, the month is the Purgatorial Society. The Purgatorial Thank you so much for making a difference in my life. Society, a Roman Association, is a group With your gifts of prayer and loving kindness that God of individuals whose mission and focus is praying for the souls in . Those enrolled as a member in the instilled in you, God has made me well again. I spent four Purgatorial Society will receive the spiritual benefits of months at Broadmeadow Rehabilitation Center with the the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on or near the First Friday virus, Covid 19. I didn’t think that I would ever be able to of each month for one year. To enroll someone in the walk out of there on my own. Your loving kindness in my Purgatorial Society contact the Parish Office. Purgatorial life, that friendship - could only come from God. You are Society Enrollment is $25.00. a wonderful family of faith. May all the love you have given me return to you 100 fold. 8:30 am First Friday Mass this week is also being offered Thank you for you loving care. for Truday Kasbinski. From my heart to yours…Thank you so much. Sincerely, Janet Alexander

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and COVID GUIDELINES Devotions follow the 8:30 am Mass on the First Friday of Under guidance by the Diocese and the CDC, vaccinated the month, July 2nd . persons are not required to wear masks. Non-vaccinated persons should wear masks. Please sanitize your hands as you enter Church. (There is a section reserved for LECTORS NEEDED those who would like to be seated using the 6 foot St. Polycarp Church is in need of additional lectors for distancing. Wearing of masks is required in this section. the 4:00 pm and 10:30 am Masses. If you are interested If you would like to be seated in this area, let the usher in serving in this ministry, please call Linda Mood at 302- know when you enter.) The Procession of the Gifts will 653-6852. resume. Please let an usher know if you would like to carry the gifts. The Sign of Peace will be reinstated without physical contact between non-family members. Communion will be distributed with two lines LIVE STREAM CONTINUES… approaching the altar. Bathrooms are open. At this time, All Masses and Services from St. Polycarp: the cry room is unavailable.

Visit www.saintpolycarp.org and For now, we will continue sanitizing pews. We would click on the picture of the altar or visit appreciate donations of sanitizing wipes. There is a https://www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE basket in the vestibule and a red bin under the portico to collect your donations of wipes. Thank you.

Father’s love to one another. May God continue to bless A DEACON’S THOUGHTS all fathers, and all families and people everywhere & always! St. Joseph, pray for us! St. Joseph - The Heart of a Father Summer blessings & peace, Last Sunday, we celebrated Father’s Day, a day reserved Deacon Frank for honoring the loving contributions of Father, Dad, Pop, Grandpa, “Pops,” Pop-pop, & Great-grandpa. As the GREETINGS FROM THE CRE… saying goes, “Every Dad is the first hero of every child.” But did you know the “vocation” of Fatherhood, calls for a man to lead his family down the path to God and eternal life? A daunting task unless he places God at the center of his and his family’s life.

St. Joseph was that figure for Jesus: nurturing, teaching work skills, playing games with him, taking Him to the synagogue, praying together with him, and forming him At Mass this weekend, I will be speaking on behalf of daily. He did all the things that an unselfish & dedicated father would do for his child. I’m certain, Jesus looked up our Christian Formation Ministry here at St. Polycarp. I to St. Joseph in an admiring & trusting way, full of love will give you an insight into how God truly worked for him. And certainly, Jesus would have called St. Joseph through us, within us, and around us this past year by the intimate name of, “Abba,” at his childhood home despite the pandemic. Even though our campus was in Nazareth. “Abba” is the Aramaic term for Father; closed, we accomplished many things this past year. literally translated, “Dad or Daddy.” We not only SURVIVED, but we THRIVED!!! in his apostolic letter “Patris Corde,” meaning “With a Our PSR team of volunteers so graciously spread and Father’s Heart,” Pope Francis dedicated this year to St. Joseph. Another way of expressing it is “With the Heart teach God’s Word to the children of our parish. Our of the Father.” As the foster father of Jesus, St. Joseph team of catechists here at St. Polycarp are like no shows us the life of faith is filled both with abundant other. They are dedicated individuals who go above grace and challenges. Just as important, it meant trusting and beyond what is expected! Like they say, “There is in God the Father’s “divine providence,” for him and his no “I” in “Team”!!! By working together, we spread family. Pope Francis writes that: “Joseph then teaches us our Catholic Faith and help our children to know and that faith… in God includes believing that He can work love God so that one day we will all enter into the even through our fears, our frailties, and our weaknesses.” Kingdom of Heaven together.

In a humble and unassuming way, this is what St. Joseph Isn’t this what being a Catholic is all about? did for Jesus and Mary. He demonstrated a most Do you feel God calling you to guide and lead compassionate heart in caring for Mary and Jesus. He someone closer to God? Are you wanting a cared for them and absorbed as many of the hardships closer relationship with Jesus? as he could. Any Father “worth his salt,” would approach fatherhood in the same way, knowing with God by his We are in need of a few catechists and assistants for side, he can overcome every challenge and celebrate PSR this Fall and we are always looking for members with joy the successes of this noble vocation. for our Christian Formation Committee and RCIA and

Again, in his apostolic letter, Pope Francis writes: “Each Baptismal Teams. of us can discover in Joseph, the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence, an Catechists needed for Grades 3, 7, and 8 intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble.” St. Assistants needed for Grades 1, 3,6, and 8 Joseph reminds us that those who appear hidden or in If you feel God calling you, please contact me at 653- the shadows can play an incomparable role in the family and in the history of salvation. 4101 or [email protected]

To do this, we need to accept God’s will and His grace Summer Blessings, into our life, that allows us to become imitators of the Erica Taylor

SHOE DRIVE TEXT-TO-GIVE: Text $$ amount to 302-202-2251 Girl Scout Troop 547 is thankful to everyone who has donated shoes to our shoe drive fundraiser. Collected Thank you to all those who continue to send in their shoes are helping people in poverty start a business so envelopes and for those who have enrolled in eGiving. they can support their family and better their community. or donated through Text-to-Give. Thank you for your generosity and continued stewardship. Money earned from the fundraiser, helps our Girl Scouts pay for their trip to England/France in 2022. We are able to continue collecting pairs of gently worn, used, 50/50 RAFFLE - PROCEEDS BENEFIT OUR PSR! and new shoes through July 9th. Please contact Tracie Winner pulled monthly! Bruno for pick up or drop off details (302)242-4150 Simply place $1 in an envelope and (please leave a message) or email mark 50/50 on the envelope along with your NAME and phone number. Place the envelope in the [email protected]. collection basket or drop off in the drop box. Winner gets half; PSR gets half! Thank you for supporting our PSR! Good luck!

THIS WEEK IN OUR PARISH Meetings/events are virtual unless otherwise noted. https://saintpolycarp.org/calendar/ Saturday, June 26 12 pm Environment Committee 2:30 pm Confession (Church) 4 pm MASS (CRE speaks at Mass) Sunday, June 27 10:30 am MASS (CRE speaks at Mass) Monday, June 28 2021 ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL Tuesday, June 29 Disciples of Christ, Witness of Hope 10 am Columbiettes Rosary (Phone) Wednesday, June 30 Please remember to complete and return your pledge Thursday, July 1 cards! No gift is too small to help those in need.. 6:30 pm Flame of Love Rosary (Church) Pledge cards are available at the doors of the Church 7 pm K of C 3rd Degree Business Meeting and in the black drop box under the portico or online at Friday, July 2 www.cdow.org/annualcatholicappeal. Checks should be Rosary before 8:30 am Mass, Exposition and Sacred made payable to the “Annual Catholic Appeal”. Heart Devotion following Mass. Pledges and donations can be mailed to: 11 am Connected in Christ Annual Catholic Appeal Saturday, July 3 Catholic Diocese of Wilmington 12 pm Environment Committee PO Box 25050 2:30 pm Confession (Church) Wilmington DE 19899-5050 (Make sure to note that you are from St. Polycarp Parish!) THANK YOU If you have made your pledge, thank you for your generosity in supporting this annual appeal. Please support our Bulletin sponsors. Thank you to those Together we can do this! local sponsors who remain faithful (especially during this past year) to advertising in our Bulletin,– Matthews Bryson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Faries COLLECTIONS Funeral Directors, Inc., Smyrna Diner and Fletcher Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning and for our Second collection this week is for Works of the Holy newest sponsors, A-1 Kevin’s Landscaping, J. Martin Father. Thank you for your generosity. Orlando, Realtor, Eastern Shore Seafood, Inc. and

June 20 Offertory Poor Box Deakyne Dental. Your support is so appreciated. Collection $3,697 $275 Note: eGiving figures are reported twice a month.

EGIVING: Please consider signing up for eGiving to ensure your contributions are received even when you are not here for Mass. Recurring, catch up, or one-time gifts can be made. Visit faith. direct/DE831.