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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Czwarta Niedziela Adwentu / Fourth Sunday of Advent

TODAY’S MASS INTENTION (9:30 am Mass) is for Tyler Galbraith

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

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NASTĘPNY TYDZIEŃ / THE WEEK AHEAD

Tuesday, December 24 “PASTERKA” SHEPHERDS’ MASS CHRISTMAS EVE 10:00pm. POLISH CAROLS BEGINNING AT 9:30pm
Lectors: Krista Ann Starzomski, Janusz Wawrzyszyn.
Altar servers: Kristofer Starzomski-Wilson, James Clarke, Robbie Melski, Frankie Chislett
Ushers: Bernie LaRusic, Tony Gniewek
Greeters: Please refer to the list provided by Marjorie Ardelli and Carolyn Kiley

Sunday, December 29, 9:30am Uroczystość Świętej Rodziny / Feast of the Holy Family The Mass intention will be for
Lectors: Edyta Baczyk, Bernie Paruch
Eucharistic Minister:
Altar Servers: Kristofer Starzomski-Wilson, Robbie Melski, James Clarke
Ushers: Joe Gillis, Tony Gniewek
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, December 15: $1195.25 (including: $ general collection, $ monthly, $50.00 flowers, $ votive candles, $ loose, $ fuel, $ Community Kitchen Project, $50.00 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

A NOTE FROM FR. DENNIS:
Niech Będzie Pochwalony Jezus Chrystus !  Praise Be Jesus Christ!

My Dear People of God, the 4th Sunday in advent, brings to a close our advent season. As each year comes to a close faster and faster, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the blessing each of you has been to my Parish life and to wish you a Merry and Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year! Our Christmas Liturgy, will be, on Tuesday night (as requested) at 10pm.

For those who are traveling to be with family and friends I Pray safe travels, and may your time with family and friends be blessed.

Thank you for the kind gifts and thoughtful cards. I would also like to thank you for your warm and generous hearts. May God’s greatest blessings come down on you all and may your Christmas be blessed and your New Year filled with Joy and Promise.

Yours in Christ, 
Fr Dennis Lamey P.p.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

CHRISTMAS EVE SHEPHERD’S MASS (“PASTERKA”) WILL TAKE PLACE AT OUR CHURCH AT 10:00PM, with our beautiful Polish carols starting at 9:30pm. (St. Theresa’s Christmas Eve children’s Mass at 4:15pm, evening Mass at 7:00pm, and Christmas Day Mass at 10:00am) Please note that there will be no Mass in our church on Christmas Day.                 

LOAVES AND FISHES: Thank you for the very generous contributions to Loaves and Fishes last week as part of our Sw. Mikolaj (St. Nicholas) gathering. In particular, there was a wonderful response to the appeal for some root vegetables.

CHRISTMAS DECORATING OF OUR CHURCH: After Mass today. We would be grateful to anyone who can stay for a short time to help with Nativity scene, trees, flowers, etc. Dziekujemy!

RECENT IN MEMORY OF CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BUILDING FUND:
IMO Bernie Granville from Joe and Pat Ryba

ANDRZEJ RAFALSKI from Halifax will be here today after Mass for the usual pre-Christmas Polish deli sale of traditional meats and other items.. He will be here until around 11:30am.

CAPE BRETON POLISH TARTAN TEDDY BEARS (with unique Polish folk elements): A very limited quantity of 50 are now available – with more to be done in the new year. $35 per bear (pair for $65). For sale after Mass today in Sala 1050. Named “Misiu” and “Misia” (with special descriptive labels). Proceeds to St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society – Polish Village Hall renovation project. Many thanks to the Tartan Steering Committee – and in particular to Eileen Fagan-Steele and Maura Lea Morykot -- for their hard work on this. Because of the very limited initial quantity, we are kindly asking that quantities be limited to two pairs per purchaser.

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.

OPŁATEK ($5) – the traditional Polish Christmas wafer (for sharing around the table at Wigilia Christmas Eve and other Christmas meals) and POLISH CHRISTMAS CARDS ($2) are available at the back of the church.

THE CUSTOM OF OPŁATEK: The custom of breaking and sharing unleavened wafers (embossed with holy images) at family and community gatherings during the Christmas season (beginning with Christmas Eve) originated in Poland in the 17th century – and is today a primarily Polish, Lithuanian, and Slovak tradition. The large majority of families of Polish heritage continue to follow this custom. It is also traditional for Polish families who send Christmas cards in the mail (even to non-Polish friends) to put a piece of Opłatek inside the card. When sharing the Opłatek, it is customary to say something like the following: “I wish you much health, happiness and the Lord's bountiful blessings as well as the fulfillment of all your plans and everything you wish for yourself.”

INVITATION TO A CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE: Tom Urbaniak and Alison Etter will be having a Christmas Open House at their new home in Glace Bay (14 Highland St.) on Monday, December 23, between 7:00pm and 9:00pm. You are warmly welcomed to drop by for some refreshments and fellowship. Wesołych Świąt!

NEW YEAR’S EVE AT THE POLISH VILLAGE HALL: 9:00pm December 31. DJ Robin Krszwda. Tickets are $15. This is always a wonderful celebration. Tickets will be available at today’s lunch after Mass or by contacting Nicole MacCormack at 902-371-5088.

REBUILDING DONOR WALL: For the past few months, we have had a temporary rebuilding donor recognition wall at the entrance to Sala 1050. We are going to move in the new year to make it permanent. Please advise of any corrections by calling 902-563-1226 or tom_urbaniak@cbu.ca .

PARISH OPŁATEK POTLUCK: Sunday, January 12, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm, Polish Village Hall. Every year, this is a beautiful way to end the Christmas season.

“JASEŁKA” – MINI POLISH CHRISTMAS PAGEANT: two rehearsals the week of January 5. Absolutely no experience required. Participants of all ages welcomed. Please call 902-563-1226; tom_urbaniak@cbu.ca . A wonderful way to connect with a Polish tradition. We will present this at the Parish Oplatek potluck on Sunday, January 12, 2:00pm, Polish Village Hall.

THE COMMUNITY KITCHEN: re-opens January 8. (Please see the note above, however, about basket delivery on Christmas.) Thanks to all the tireless Community Kitchen volunteers and sponsors.

LECTORS FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON:
Christmas Eve (10:00pm): Krista Ann Starzomski, Janusz Wawrzyszyn
December 29: Edyta Baczyk, Bernie Paruch
New Year’s Day: Stephanie Black, Andrzej Cebula
January 5: Ursula Melski, Tom Urbaniak

USHERS FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON:
Christmas Eve: Bernie LaRusic, Tony Gniewek
December 29: Joe Gillis, Toni LaRusic
New Year’s Day: Larry Gniewek, Robert Melski Jr.
January 5: Bernie LaRusic, Joe Gillis

For Eucharistic Ministers’ schedules, please see the list provided by Marilyn Gillis.
For Greeters’ Schedules, please see the list provided by Marjorie Ardelli and Carolyn Kiley

THE POLISH CAPE BRETONERS COLOURING BOOK: Copies ($10) are available at the back of the church. Beautiful illustrations by Jeff Wilson.

TRANSLATION OF TODAY’S SECOND READING (ROM:1 1-7): Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised previously through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, the gospel about his Son, descended from David according to the flesh,  but established as Son of God in power
according to the Spirit of holiness through resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord. Through him we have received the grace of apostleship,  to bring about the obedience of faith, for the sake of his name, among all the Gentiles, among whom are you also, who are called to belong to Jesus Christ; to all the beloved of God in Rome, called to be holy. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

" Let us give thanks for all the good there is in the world, for the many people who dedicate themselves freely, for those who spend their lives in service, to build a more humane and just society. We know: alone we cannot save ourselves” --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: Spuśćcie Nam (Bless, O Lord)
Psalm:
Offertory: Głos wdzięczny (From Heaven a Voice)
Communion: Pan Jezus już się zbliża (The Lord Jesus is Near)
Post-Communion: Witaj Święta i poczęta (Greetings to the Holy and Immaculate)
Recessional: Oto Pan Bóg przyjdzie (Thus the Lord is Coming)