St. Polycarp Church 55 Ransom Lane, Smyrna, Delaware 19977 www.saintpolycarp.org
Rev. James D. Hreha, Pastor 5th Sunday of Lent Deacon Charles Robinson (Retired) Deacon Frank Weber WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE Saturday 4:00 pm & Sunday 10:30 am (Reservations, Social Distancing & Face Coverings required.)
WEEKDAY MASS Tuesday - Friday at 8:30 am (Social Distancing & Face Coverings required.)
RECONCILIATION Saturday 2:30 - 3:30 pm (Social Distancing & Face Coverings required.)
LIVE STREAM MASS: All Masses are live streamed on our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE
PARISH OFFICE: (302) 653-8279 The office remains closed until further notice. Our staff continues to work remotely and is answering email. Bap sm: Pre-Bap smal class is required. Arrangements Our Parish answering service is taking phone messages. In the event of a Sacramental emergency, are to be made in advance by contac ng the parish office. the service will contact the appropriate person. Marriage: Arrangements must be made at least one
Group meetings inside of our facilities remain year prior to the date. Contact the parish office. cancelled until further notice. Outside events will be considered on an individual basis. Contact the office. Anoin ng of the Sick: Contact the parish office. Covid guidelines will be followed. Voca ons: For Priestly and Religious voca ons contact Parish Secretary, Teresa Cariello Rev. Norman Carroll at (302) 573 – 3113. [email protected] Coordinator of Religious Education, Erica Taylor RCIA (Rite of Chris an Ini a on of Adults): RCIA is for [email protected] adults who are in need of Bap sm, who were bap zed in another Chris an tradi on who desire to become Catho- Communications Director, Judy Lamborn lic, or who were bap zed Catholic and desire First Eucha- [email protected] rist and /or Confirma on. For more informa on contact Bulletin Submissions (10 days in advance) [email protected] Deacon Frank at (302) 653-8279 or [email protected] Business Manager, Lisa Titus
[email protected] WELCOME VISITORS & NEW PARISHIONERS! We’re glad you’re here! Pastoral Council – Angela Gibson Finance Council – John Fcasni Please contact the office or visit our website St. Vincent de Paul Society - to register in our Parish. (302) 264-6630 5th Sunday of Lent The thought of assisting in our streaming ministry may be intimidating. It should not be! The March 21, 2021 technology is even very similar to online gaming. This is a gift that many people have developed. PASTOR’S PEN (Interesting that God taught a skill that He needed by letting us have fun and play games!) Dear People of God, If you feel that God can use you to help in I hope and pray that all is well with you our streaming ministry, please email our and your loved ones as we continue our journey in Communications Director, Judy Lamborn at this holy season of Lent! [email protected]. The true spirit of Laetare Sunday has been I have been privileged to witness over the wonderfully exemplified in the excitement of our years, as Father of this family of faith, how our folks in discerning how God has worked in their community responds to such a call. Members lives during the pandemic. As various families, sacrificing and sharing their gifts is the proud parish groups, committees, councils and ministries heritage of our beloved St. Polycarp since its have shared their preparation for their stones for foundation. The whole community’s gratitude goes our Faith Garden, I have seen God at work. Many out to all those who will come forward to continue people are realizing more fully the special gifts they this heritage. have in forming the Body of Christ in our parish. May God continue to bless us as we continue to This type of reflection is how the Holy follow Him! Spirit has formed the Church anew in every age. Certainly the pandemic has given us the gift of digital technology in spreading the Gospel. Virtual meetings, screen sharing, and most importantly, live streaming, all are now part of our evangelization in THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE LORD cyberspace. Thursday, March 25th
Through their firmness of resolve, many On the Solemnity of The Annunciation of the Lord, the Church celebrates the Angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary and folks have laid the foundation for our streaming Mary’s YES to be a part of God’s plan. Mary is to bear a ministry. They have truly been God’s instruments child – Jesus – who will restore humanity to a relationship with God. On this date there are nine and allowed the Holy Spirit to guide them! Now months before Christmas – the birth of Jesus! we come to the next step in the growth process of a new ministry. The vision must be shared. New How are you saying “Yes” to God’s plan modern day disciples must share the gifts that God has given them. In so doing they become God’s this Lent? instruments in continuing to proclaim the Gospel. STATIONS OF THE CROSS - FRIDAYS AT 7pm Live-streamed I ask all of our parishioners to pray about Stations of the Cross will take place on Fridays how God may be calling you to assist our digital during Lent at 7 pm in the Church. Come join the parish community as we reflect on Jesus’ ministries to grow. For our Church to offer more passion and suffering as His immense love for live streaming opportunities to the world, more each one of us. (Stations at St. Dennis Fridays
at 5 pm.) people are needed. RECONCILIATION Saturdays - 2:30 to 3:30 No confessions will be heard on Saturday, April 3rd S P Saturday, March 20 Sundays - following 10:30 am Mass on 4 pm Monsignor Martin - Judy Lamborn March 21 & 28 Sunday, March 21 5th Sunday of Lent 10:30 Rico Evangelista - April Corrales Need a refresher? Monday, March 22 https://saintpolycarp.org/reconciliation-refresher/ NO MASS Tuesday, March 23 St. Turbius 8:30 am Guillermo Alday - William & Jessica Burke Wednesday, March 24 8:30 am Larry Thompson - Judy Lamborn Thursday, March 25 The Annunciation of the Lord 8:30 am Genevieve Rapone - Richard Pajerowski Friday, March 26 8:30 am Anthony Orlandini - The Marvian Family Saturday, March 27 4 pm Bruce Johnston - Rev. Paul Mast Sunday, March 28 Palm Sunday Palm Sunday – March 27th & 28th 10:30 Parishioners
Mass (Saturday) St. Polycarp Church, 4 pm Bread & Wine for the Eucharist are given in prayer for an Mass (Sunday) St. Polycarp Church, 10:30 am increase in religious vocations.
Tuesday & Wednesday of Holy Week Our Sanctuary Lamp in Church burns in prayer for those Mass St. Polycarp Church, 8:30 am who are residents of nursing homes.
Holy Thursday - April 1st No morning Mass Mass of the Lord’s Supper St. Polycarp Church, 7 pm We Pray for Our Sick and Those in Need of our Prayers
nd *Good Friday - April 2 No morning Mass To have someone’s name added to the Bulletin for prayers, Liturgy of the Passion & Death of Our Lord please email [email protected] or call the St. Dennis ONLY, 3 pm office and leave a message. Holy Saturday - April 3rd The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night St. Polycarp, 7:30 pm Patty Moon, Christie Moon, Carol Donahue, Bishop Malooly, Mark Kennedy, Ben Walters, Angel Street, Bill Stuart, Sue Easter Sunday – April 4th Orlando, Violet Farkas, Michelle Dean, Austin & Dylan Dean, Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord - Mass Theresa Devine, Kenny Bullins, Deirdre Moor, Linda Blow, St. Polycarp Church, 8 am & 10 am Deacon Charlie Robinson, Mariann Pierson, Kevin Patterson, Ron Ivy, Ruth Staub and all those suffering from ALL MASSES AND SERVICES FROM ST. POLYCARP Covid-19.
WILL BE LIVE-STREAMED. We Pray for our Deceased https://www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE Richard Razzano Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord *Good Friday: Passion of the Lord (St. Dennis only) And let the perpetual light shine upon them. For information on how to make a reservation at St. May the souls of all the faithful departed, Dennis Church, visit https://www.stdennischurch.org/ through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen To view live stream from St. Dennis: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_Dl3AJWCXaPXy Prayer Chain – To request prayers or to be part of our 7Fqhkg2yg Prayer Chain,, contact Laverne at [email protected] or
(302) 653 – 8064
RESERVATIONS Rosary by Telephone: Tuesday mornings at 10am. Contact Reservations for Palm Sunday Masses, Holy Thursday, Jill at (302)653-3836 or [email protected] for more Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday Masses will be information. accepted by phone on Wednesday, March 24th from 9am Flame of Love Rosary by Telephone: Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. – 2:00 pm. Email Roxanne at [email protected] or leave a message or text (302)242-6484 for details. Online reservations will be accepted March 24th beginning at 12:01 am to March 31st at 12:00pm, noon Connected in Christ: Join us on Zoom every Friday at 11:00 or until capacity is reached. Visit www.saintpolycarp.org am to discuss various topics of faith. Contact Peggy at for the reservation links. [email protected] for information and links to the sessions.
A DEACON’S THOUGHTS In these times, as the Church is under attack by a secular society, defined by its increasingly worldly way of life and Year of St. Joseph: A Patron for Our Times determined to push God out of the very fiber and being of its life, St. Joseph our patron, keeps directing us Greetings, sister & brothers in Christ, through the land mines & pitfalls that are set out to
discredit the truth found in our Catholic faith. On Friday, March 19, the Church celebrated the Solemnity of St. Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Because our own cooperation with God’s will is Mary. During this Year of St. Joseph, it is fitting that we necessary for our salvation, St. Joseph’s witness of his not only celebrate his sacred marital union with Mary, own relationship with God, is a model the Church needs the young Jewish virgin, and Mother of God, we recall his right now. Protector of the Church and model for all important role as head of the Holy Family, a great Christians, St. Joseph’s love of God inspires us to be “a responsibility for this humble, just, and holy man. light of truth, in a dark world.” The unselfish model of his
St. Joseph is the model husband and father. As the life encourages us to act with humility, quiet resolve and the spirit of sacrifice. protector & guardian of the Holy Family, he did not take this responsibility lightly. He cared for his family with More than ever, we need the calming presence and strength, patience, stability, and guidance. Joseph silent strength of St. Joseph to guide us thru these submitted himself to the higher law of God, which turbulent times and lead us to the “very heart of Christ.” allowed him to obediently accept his role as head of the Holy Family, but it would be his obedience and St. Joseph, patron of the Universal Church, faithfulness to God’s will that would serve as the bedrock pray for us! of his life. Blessings & peace, Because of this he is also the Patron of the Universal Deacon Frank Church. He inspires and intercedes for all the faithful who seek to pursue the life of virtue at which this saint PASTORAL COUNCIL. excelled. One of my favorite images of St. Joseph, is not a common one, but can be found on the inside cover page ST. JOSEPH, PRAY FOR US! of any St. Joseph Missal published by Catholic Book Publishing. It shows Joseph with “outstretched arms,” Joseph was a carpenter not standing behind the universal image of the Catholic known for his wealth or high Church, St. Peter’s Basilica at Vatican City. status in his small town. The Lord called him to care, Our Father in heaven is our Father in the most perfect protect and guide Mary and sense. But even the eternally begotten Son of this Jesus. What is Our Lord calling Father was obedient and entered the care of St. Joseph. you to do? Pastoral Council is now actively searching for As members of Christ’s body, we too enter into the care new members. Our parish needs people to say yes to the of St. Joseph who still acts as a “faithful and wise calling of care, protection and guidance of the people of servant” over his Master’s household. St. Polycarp Church. Ask The Holy Spirit to give you the bravery to say "Yes Lord, I'm listening!" Elections will be St. Joseph is a patron for our troubled times, where the in May. Please contact any member on Pastoral Council Church is enduring great struggles, not only from the or Cindy Kennedy at (302) 653-7525, Kenndy- outside but from within. St. Joseph is here for us at a [email protected] if this is something you would like to time when the universal church needs to be healed and discuss more. reformed. He has been praised throughout the Church’s tradition as “most chaste,” and chastity is the one thing that comes to mind as lacking within the clergy abuse CALLING ALL PARISHIONERS, FAMILIES, crisis, that have caused many to leave the Church and MINISTRIES, GROUPS, COMMITTEES… question her authority. STONES FAITH GARDEN St. Joseph is the protector and defender of innocence, “How-to” Video now available! purity & truth. These qualities and characteristics of https://youtu.be/7rB7atK3ohQ holiness found in him, can apply to all of God’s children; clergy & laity alike, who together in service to the Church Have you found a rock and discerned can bring about the healing, conversion and reform what message you will share? Make this part of your Lenten journey. We’re needed to help the Church emerge stronger. hoping to see what your message will be! PARISH & FAMILY LIFE. ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE FINANCE COUNCIL * * * INTRODUCING TEXT-TO-GIVE * * * ST PATRICK'S DAY SCAVENGER HUNT We are expanding our efforts with Faith Direct for automated giving to Saint Polycarp. Faith Direct offers Shamrocks have been hidden around a safe and secure Text-to-Give option allowing you to the building for you to find, can you make a one-time gift. To give, please follow these count them all? All shamrocks can be simple steps: found by driving/walking around the 1. Text $$ amount to 302-202-2251 church campus. If you submit a correct 2. Follow the link and complete a one-time guess you will be entered to win a prize, 10 prizes will be process awarded. If nobody guesses correctly the 10 closest guesses will win. If exiting your vehicle you must wear a Thank you and may God bless you! face covering and keep socially distant from others not in your household. Email your guesses to Deanna Lail CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICE (CRS) RICE BOWL [email protected] or call Angela Gibson 302-270- The Catholic Relief Service (CRS) Rice Bowl Box, won’t be 4100. Starts Wednesday, March 17th. Deadline to in the vestibule of the Church’s exits this year due to the submit your guess is 11:59pm on March 27th. Covid-19. There is a Parish envelop / e-giving collection
on March 28, 2021 for the Rice Bowl. During the 40 days of Lent, we are called to focus on our EASTER EGG HUNT EVENT relationship with God. Catholics do three things to grow Due to the ongoing pandemic the closer to God during this holy season: Pray, Fast, and Brother Vincent Council Easter Egg Give Alms to those in need. Jesus gives us the example Hunt for parish children will be a off the Good Samaritan. With the RCS Rice Bowl as our virtual event again this year. The guide, we set out to encounter and love our neighbors. Easter Bunny is very sad that he will not be coming to St. Polycarp but Please donate your loose change or if you wish to donate remains in quarantine, is practicing by Check – use the March 28 envelop, make the check social distancing and wearing a face mask. out to the parish (St. Polycarp) and on the memo line write CRS Rice Bowl. To read more about CRS Rice Bowl However, he wants to make sure that the children are not forgotten and will still have some fun and has go to crsricebowl.org/schools. Thank you and God Bless. planned a special word scramble Easter game with some very nice Easter prizes. All parish children are THIS WEEK IN OUR PARISH encouraged to participate. All meetings/events are virtual unless otherwise noted. Our Parish Office remains closed at this time. The Happy Easter Word Scramble game will be emailed https://saintpolycarp.org/calendar/ to all children registered for PSR. Children not registered Saturday, March 20 for PSR can participate by accessing the game on the 12 pm Environment Committee website https://saintpolycarp.org/easter-egg-scramble- 2:30 pm Confession (Church) calling-all-kids/. Entry instructions are listed on the Sunday, March 21 bottom of the game sheet. Three winners will be 9 am PSR Grs. P/K-4 (Lesson Posted) selected from all the correct entries. 9 am ISP (Intermediate Sac. Prep.) Following 10:30 am Mass – Confessions Everyone is being wished a Happy Easter! 5:30 Confirmation Class Monday, March 22 COLLECTIONS. 6:30 pm RCIA Sessions (Virtual) Tuesday, March 23 March 14 Offertory Poor Box Parish Utilities 10 am Columbiettes Rosary (phone) Collection $4,263 $124.30 $599 6:30 pm Social Concerns eGiving $6,251 $333.50 $197 7 pm PSR Grs 5-8 (Lesson Posted) Total $10,514 $457.80 $796 Wednesday, March 24 Note: eGiving figures are reported twice a month. 6:30 pm Squires 6:30 pm Baptismal Class- Advance Registration required March 14 Easter Latin Operation Thursday, March 25 Novena America Rice Bowl 6:30 pm Flame of Love Rosary (phone) eGiving $192 $127 $164 Friday, March 26 Please consider signing up for eGiving to ensure your 11 am Connected in Christ Zoom Meeting contributions are received even when you are not here for 7 pm Stations of the Cross (Church) Mass. Recurring, catch up, or one-time gifts (please indicate Saturday, March 27 your intention) can be made. Visit faith. direct/DE831. 2:30 pm Confession (Church)
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