Parafia p.w. Narodzenia Najświętszej Maryi Panny
ST. MARY’S POLISH PARISH
21 Wesley St., Sydney, NS, B1N 2M5
Tel.: (902) 564-4847
www.stmaryspolishparish.ca
Witamy wszystkich! Welcome to all!
St. Mary’s Polish Church is a heritage landmark designated by the Province of Nova Scotia
We are pleased to share our faith and rich traditions with the whole community.
Established in 1913. Church rebuilt in 2015-2016. Our second century of faith and service

PROBOSZCZ/PASTOR:  Father Dennis Lamey 902-564-4222; sttheresasydney@gmail.com

MSZY/MASSES: Sunday at 9:30am, Wednesday at 6:30pm
Novena to Our Lady of Częstochowa following the Wednesday evening Mass

SPOWIEDŹ:  Godzina do uzgodnienia z księdzem.
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Anytime upon request to the priest.

SAKRAMENT CHRZTU ŚWIĘTEGO:  Prosimy o kontakt z księdzem conajmniej na 1 miesiąc przed planowaną datę.
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM: Please contact the priest at least one month in advance.

SAKRAMENT MAŁZEŃSTWA:   Zapowiedzi powinny być ogłoszone conajmniej na 6 miesięcy przed planowaną datę.
SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY: Intentions must be announced at least six months in advance.

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Boże Narodzenie 2018 / Christmas 2018

Monday, December 24, 10:00pm “PASTERKA” CHRISTMAS EVE SHEPHERDS’ MASS (Beautiful Polish carols start at about 9:30 pm) The Mass intention will be for the soul of Aniela and Jan Lublowski offered by Jancia MacCormack.
Lectors: Krista Ann Starzomski, Edyta Baczyk
Eucharistic Minister: Marilyn Gillis
Altar Servers: James Clarke, Kristofer Starzmoski-Wilson, Frankie Chislett, Robbie Melski, Anthony Melski
Ushers: Bernie LaRusic, Larry Gniewek
Greeters: Herb Tucker, Catherine Tucker

Tuesday, December 25 NO MASS
Wednesday, December 26 NO MASS

Sunday, December 30, 9:30am: Uroczystość Świętej Rodziny / Feast of the Holy Family The Mass intention will be for the soul of Madeleine Thompson offered by Ursula and Michael Melski
Lectors: Janusz Wawrzyszyn, Noah Starzomski-Wilson
Eucharistic Minister: Janet Hawthorne
Altar Servers: James Clarke, Kristofer Starzomski-Wilson, Frankie Chislett, Robbie Melski
Ushers: Joe Gillis, Tony Gniewek
Greeters: Shirley Ardelli, Carolyn Ardelli-Kiley
Altar Society designated volunteers for December: Catherine Tucker, Herb Tucker
Property Committee designated member for the coming week:
Care Committee: to visit or send a card, please call Catherine Tucker (902-567-0146) or Vicki Aucoin (562-7142)

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OGŁOSZENIA / ANNOUNCEMENTS

Wesołych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia!

PLEASE NOTE: The Christmas Eve Mass will fulfill the Christmas Day Mass (there will be NO Mass on Christmas Day). Also, there will be NO Mass on Wednesday, December 26. Wednesday Masses and Novena to Our Lady of Czestochowa will resume January 2, 2019.

WESOŁYCH ŚWIĄT BOŻEGO NARODZENIA! MERRY CHRISTMAS! Thank you for all your past support. To visitors and newcomers, please know that you are always welcome at St. Mary’s Polish Church. There is a Polish saying: “Gosć w dom, Bóg w dom” (when a guest is in the house, God is in the house). Please let us know how we can make your time with us joyous and hospitable. We’re happy to show you around and to share the life of our unique community with you.  If you are here for the first time, please sign our guest book at the back of the church and please include your email address if you wish to be informed of our many events throughout the year.

“WIGILIA” (CHRISTMAS EVE): THE POLISH CUSTOMS HELP US REFLECT ON GENEROSITY AND SERVICE TO OTHERS: It is the Polish custom to set an extra plate at our tables this Christmas Eve. It’s a symbol of our commitment to hospitality and to generosity throughout the year. Let us pray that in our parish and in our community there will always be space for newcomers and for anyone who may need our support and friendship, regardless of their situation in life. Let us continue to look outward with compassion and a spirit of service. It’s also a Polish custom to place some hay in the middle of the table and to place the Oplatek on top of it – a symbol of Christ’s birth in a stable and a reminder to us that true wealth is spiritual wealth. On Christmas Eve if the sky is clear, we watch for the first star before starting our meal.

THANK YOU for your contributions last week of household staple items and non-perishable food items. These have been delivered to the Salvation Army.

POLISH RELIGIOUS CHRISTMAS CARDS ($2 each) and OPŁATEK ($3 per envelope) are available at the back of the church (proceeds to support the work of the parish). This is the traditional Polish Christmas wafer that we exchange around the table at Christmas meals, extending blessings to each other and praying for deceased loved ones.

POLISH BARSZCZ (BORSCHT) PACKAGES ARE AVAILABLE TODAY at the back of the church for $2. Each package makes four servings. Barszcz is a very common item among Polish gatherings at Wigilia (Christmas Eve) and is enjoyed by many.

WHITNEY PIER COMMUNITY KITCHEN PROJECT: Meals are served here every Wednesday (including Dec. 26 and Jan. 2) from 11:30am to1:00pm. Free of charge or donate what you can. Everyone is welcome. It’s a very inclusive and hospitable atmosphere. It’s a collaboration with other faith communities and local organizations.This Wednesday (Dec. 26), we will serve Polish food. Our Pogoria Polish Folk Ensemble will be singing Polish carols. Sincerest thanks to all the volunteers. God bless

ON NEW YEAR’S DAY (FEAST OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD), WE WILL HAVE MASS AT 9:30 am. The church designates this day like a Sunday.

CHURCH ENVELOPES FOR 2019 are at the back of the church. If you would like parish envelopes, please call 902-563-1226. Many thanks!

SYLWESTRA / NEW YEAR’S EVE AT THE POLISH VILLAGE HALL: DJ Robin Krszwda. Tickets are $15; 9:00pm to 1:00am. Tickets have been selling well. There will be a late evening “lunch”. Please speak with any member of the St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society or call 902-371-5088. As of the printing of this bulletin, tickets were almost sold out.

CAPE BRETON POLISH TARTAN ANGEL ORNAMENTS: We sold out two weeks ago and have made some more. They are at the back of the church ($10 each – please place in basket at the back). Thanks for your support. Proceeds assist the work of the St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society.

PARISH OPŁATEK POTLUCK: Sunday, January 13 at 1:00pm in the Polish Village Hall. Everyone is welcome.

TRANSLATION OF TONIGHT'S SECOND READING (from Paul’s letter to Titus) : Beloved: The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age,  as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness  and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good.

“The lights of the Christmas tree remind us that Jesus is the light of the world, the light of our souls that drives away the darkness of hatred and makes room for forgiveness.” – A recent message on Twitter from Pope Francis

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KOLĘDY (CAROLS) FOR THE PASTERKA SHEPHERDS’ MASS:
At about 9:30pm, before the Mass, our Choir will sing a selection of beautiful Polish kolędy, in this order:
Przylecieli aniołkowie (The Little Angels Hastened to Arrive)
Przystąpmy do szopy (Let Us Step Forward to the Stable)
Cieszmy się (Let Us Be Glad)
W żłobie leży (He is Lying in a Manger)
Dzisiaj chór Aniołów (Today, a Choir of Angels)
Pan z Nieba (The Lord from Heaven)
Bracia, patrzcie jeno (Brothers, Look Yonder)
Niepojęte dary (Incomparable Gifts)
Pójdźmy wszyscy do stajenki (Let Us All Go to the Stable)
Adeste Fidelis (O Come All Ye Faithful in Polish and Latin)

TONIGHT’S HYMNS: 10:00 pm Mass
Entrance: Cicha Noc (Silent Night)
In place of the Gloria: Gdy Się Chrystus Rodzi (As Christ is Born)
Offertory: Jezusa Narodzonego(Jesus Who is Born)
Communion: Dlaczego Dzisiaj (Why Today?)
Post-Communion: Lulajże Jezuniu (A Lullaby to Jesus)
Recessional: Dzisiaj W Betlejem (Today in Bethlehem)