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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Pierwsza Niedziela Adwentu / First Sunday of Advent

TODAY’S MASS INTENTION (9:30 am Mass) is for Patsy Candelora from Pier Community Kitchen Project

Eucharistic Minister for today:
Ushers for collection today: Bernie LaRusic, Joe Gillis

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NASTĘPNY TYDZIEŃ / THE WEEK AHEAD

Wednesday, December 4, 6:30pm The Mass intention will be for Fred and Nora Baker. Novena to Our Lady of Częstochowa will follow the Mass.
NOTE: Wednesday is the Feast of St. Barbara, an important feast day in the Polish tradition (Barbórka) – when we pray for miners. St. Barbara, patron saint of miners, was a Christian martyr of the third century.
Saturday, December 7, 11:30am Mass

Sunday, December 8, 9:30am Druga Niedziela Adwentu / Second Sunday of Advent The Mass intention will be for Joseph Ryba offered by Peggy and family
Lectors: Teresa Fagan, Janusz Wawrzyszyn
Eucharistic Minister:
Altar Servers: Kristofer Starzomski-Wilson, Robbie Melski, James Clarke
Ushers: Larry Gniewek, Robert Melski Jr.
Greeters:
Altar Society designated volunteers for December: Ursula Melski, Eileen Fagan-Steele
Care Committee: to visit or send a card, please call Catherine Tucker (902-567-0146) or Vicki Aucoin (562-7142)

Collection receipts for Sunday, November 24: $770.00 (including: $ general collection, $ monthly, $55.00 flowers, $ votive candles, $ loose, $50.00 fuel, $ Community Kitchen Project, $20.00 building fund). Thank you very much for your generous support of St. Mary's Polish Parish. Dziekujemy bardzo.

MASS INTENTIONS / VIGIL CANDLE: To reserve Mass Intentions / Vigil Candle, please contact Fr. Dennis directly at 902-564-4222 or speak with him before Mass. (There is no fee for Mass intentions.)

IN MEMORIAM DONATION: In Memoriam donations will be acknowledged in the bulletin. Building Fund contributions will go toward the new church. To contribute to the Rebuilding Fund, if you do not have an envelope, you can write on your regular envelope or cheque “Designated to the Rebuilding of St. Mary’s Polish Church.”

 

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OGŁOSZENIA / ANNOUNCEMENTS

ST. MARY’S POLISH PARISH -- A REFLECTION AND PRAYER: This past Friday marked the fifth anniversary of the fire. The fire and its aftermath were a time of great stress and distress. But we are grateful to God and grateful for the intercession of the Blessed Mother that we remained together as a community and that we have rebuilt with the support, kindness, and generosity of so many people, near and far. We pray that as a parish community, we may radiate our gratitude through a spirit of kindness, abounding generosity, and service to others for a long, long time to come. May we bring love, compassion, and healing to an often hurting and troubled world.

RECENT IN MEMORY OF CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BUILDING FUND:
IMO Ron DiPenta from Marilyn and Joe Gillis
IMO Walter and Priscilla Wójcik from Janette MacDougall

AFTER MASS TODAY: Choir rehearsal / followed by Pogoria Polish Folk Ensemble rehearsal.

PLEASE NOTE: Our next parish lunch will be on Sunday, December 15, coinciding with the visit of Swiety Mikolaj (St. Nicholas) with small gifts for children.  Everyone is warmly welcomed! (No charge.) Swiety Mikolaj’s visit is pushed back a week because we have the Abbey tea on the afternoon of Sunday, December 8 (for which just a few tickets are remaining.)

ST. MICHAEL’S POLISH BENEFIT SOCIETY will be delivering baskets on Christmas, with Oplatek and Christmas treats. If you know anyone in our community (including our broader community) who might appreciate a basket and a visit please call 902-563-1226; tom_urbaniak@cbu.ca.

CAN YOU HELP?: Do you have an extra dresser for a local family in need who has come to our attention? If so, please let Anne Marie know at 902-549-1953. Thanks so much!

JASEŁKA: We would be delighted to have you be a part of JASEŁKA a simple, traditional Polish Christmas pageant that we will do at our Oplatek potluck on the afternoon of Sunday,  January 12. We’ll give roles to everyone who is interested. No previous experience required. We’ll do two practices the week before (in other words, only a limited time commitment). It will be a fun experience. More info to follow.

AN INVITATION TO OUR PARISH FROM ST. THERESA’S TO BE PART OF A SPECIAL MISSION/RETREAT IN DECEMBER: On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday December 9-11, Fr. Mark Cherry will lead a Mission at St. Theresa’s for anyone reflecting on meaning and fulfillment in life. It will include inspiring praise and worship, dynamic and thoughtful preaching, adoration of the blessed sacrament, an opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

THE COMMUNITY KITCHEN: Meals every Wednesday in our church from 11:30am to 1:00pm. Wholesome meals and a very friendly, welcoming atmosphere. Meals are free or donate what you can. Everyone is welcome. Many thanks to all the volunteers and sponsors. In October, a total of 712 meals were served!

“SEARCHING FOR POLISH CAPE BRETON” – Pop-up museum: Tuesday, December 3 at the Polish Village Hall. Wendy Bergfeldt will broadcast her afternoon CBC show from on-site. We would be so grateful if you could bring in your photo albums and any letters or immigration records from ancestors. We would like to photograph/scan these and help you to interpret them. (Staff from the CBU Beaton Institute will be on hand.) Also of interest will be any artwork or craft pieces that you would like to have conversations about, or anything related to our Polish heritage. Dr. Joanna Pylat (Polish University Abroad) will be visiting again to help out!

THE FEAST OF ST. BARBARA (the day known as Barbórka in Poland), We pray for miners, living and deceased. Just like Cape Breton, Poland has a long history of mining, and there is a special place in the national consciousness for miners. Polish miners have special ceremonial uniforms – the same ones we presented to the Men of the Deeps in 2013 during a joint concert that was part of our parish’s year-long Centenary celebrations.  The exact year of St. Barbara’s martyrdom – her punishment for adhering to her Christian faith – is not known, but is usually dated to the third century. It is believed that the death sentence was carried out by her own father, who was later struck by lightning, thus St. Barbara’s special role as interceding to protect those who must work around explosives. She is considered one of the Church’s Fourteen Holy Helpers

THE POLISH CAPE BRETONERS COLOURING BOOK:  copies ($10) are at the back of the church. Many thanks!

PARTIAL TRANSLATION OF TODAY’S FIRST READING FROM ISAIAH: They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again.  O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!

TRANSLATION OF TODAY’S SECOND READING FROM PAUL’S LETTER TO THE ROMANS: Brothers and sisters: You know the time; it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed; the night is advanced, the day is at hand. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light; let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in promiscuity and lust, not in rivalry and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.

" How important it is to learn to be a friendly and outstretched hand! Try to grow in friendship even with those who think differently than you, so that solidarity might grow among you and become the best weapon to change the course of history” --A message on Twitter from Pope Francis

PARISH CARE GROUP: Please advise of anyone to whom we should reach out with prayers, a note, call, wishes, etc. Please call Vicky Aucoin (562-7142) or Catherine Tucker (567-0146).

PHOTOGRAPHS OF PARISH EVENTS: Vicky Aucoin has been compiling parish scrapbooks. As parish events happen, she’d be really grateful if you could share your photos! Vicky’s telephone number is 562-7142.

IN MEMORIAM / BUILDING FUND ENVELOPES / REBUILDING FUND ENVELOPES are at the back of the church. Many thanks for your support.

TO CONTRIBUTE ON-LINE TO OUR REBUILDING, PLEASE GO TO OUR PARISH WEB HOME PAGE (www.stmaryspolishparish.ca) and please click the link to our Canada Helps donation page. It’s a secure system and you’ll receive your charitable tax receipt promptly. Thanks for your support! Please spread the word.

REBUILDING FUND CONTRIBUTIONS: Building Fund contributions will go toward the new church. To contribute to the rebuilding if you do not have an envelope, you can also write on your regular envelope or cheque “Designated to the Rebuilding of St. Mary’s Polish Church.”.Donations can also be made by regular mail: St. Mary's Polish Parish 21 Wesley St. , Sydney, N.S. B1N 2M5. Thank you so much for your support.

THE RENOVATED AND REFURBISHED POLISH VILLAGE HALL is a comfortable, well appointed, modernized venue for events large and small. Please consider renting the hall for your events.The beautifully renovated downstairs is now available again for rentals for holiday parties or other occasions Please call 564-8494

Życzenia na błogosławionego tygodnia / Wishing you a blessed week!

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TODAY'S HYMNS: 9:30 am Mass
Entrance: Archanioł Boży Gabryjel (Archangel of God, Gabriel)
Psalm: Idźmy z radością na spotkanie Pana. (Let us go with joy to the meeting of the Lord.) Pronunciation: Eech-mi / z /rad-OSH-cho / na / spo-TKAN-nee-e / Pa-na
Offertory: Głos wdzięczny (From Heaven a Voice)
Communion: O mój Jezu w Hostii skryty (O My Jesus Contained in the Host)
Post-Communion: Witaj Święta i poczęta (Greetings to the Holy and Immaculate)
Recessional: Oto Pan Bóg przyjdzie (Thus the Lord is Coming)