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: PLEASE NOTE: CHURCH RE-OPENED FOR MASS ON JULY 5, with health and safety requirements and pre-registration. Please see below for more information.

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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XXVII Niedziela Zwykła / Twenty Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time

CZYTANIA / READINGS:
Pierwsze czytanie: Iz 5, 1-7
Psalm: 80
Drugie czytanie: Flp 4, 6-9
Ewangelia: Mt 21:33-43

First Reading: Isaiah 5: 1-7
Psalm: 80
Second Reading: Philippians 4: 6-9
Gospel: Matthew 21:33-43

RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Winnicą Pana jest dom Izraela / The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel

MASS INTENTION FOR TODAY is for Michael and Anna Kieƈ offered by Jean Annette and Richard White

Wednesday Masses and Novena to Our Lady of Czestochowa are not being held during this phase of re-opening.

SPECIAL PRAYERS: Today is the Sunday following the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel. We will have prayers for living and decased members of the St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society. Today is also the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, concluding the Month of Creation designated by Pope Francis. We pray for the health of our eco-systems and for respect for all life on earth.

Altar Society designated volunteers for October: Janet Hawthorne and Evelyn Wόjcik

PLEASE NOTE: Please see the end of the bulletin for the detailed public health protocols specific to our church. Please note that we are using a pre-registration system, where persons attending must receive a prior call. If you have not recently been called, please contact Stephanie Black (902-578-3697). Thanks very kindly.

AFTER-MASS PROTOCOL: We depart out the side entrance, row by row, starting with front rows and maintaining distancing. Singing of “Sto lat” for birthdays and anniversaries can happen outside with distancing, as indoor singing is not permitted at this time because of the health regulations. Many thanks.

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OGŁOSZENIA / ANNOUNCEMENTS

Fr. Dennis still has on-line Mass available: http://www.sainttheresasydney.com/

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT SEATING CAPACITY/MASS ATTENDANCE ROTATION: Dear Parishioners: Due to the return of our cottage parishioners and those who hadn’t attended in a while, our seating rotation is even more difficult than when we first re-opened, as we have to maintain low numbers and strict physical distancing. Therefore, this is to kindly reiterate that you must receive a prior phone call (seat assignment) to attend Sunday morning Mass. Because of limited capacity in our space and the public health requirements, we are only able to seat people who are pre-registered (in other words, if you have received a prior phone call). This is to keep everyone safe, but please be assured that we are trying to do the rotation as fairly and inclusively as possible. Please call any of these numbers should you have to cancel your registration: 902-578-3697 (Stephanie); 902-549-1953 (Anne Marie); 902-577-3081 (Wayne). Thanks for your co-operation and goodwill during this challenging time.

A REQUEST FOR NON-PERISHABLE ITEMS: If you are registered to attend Mass this Sunday (or in the following weeks), and if you can, we would be very grateful if you could bring a non-perishable food item or personal care item. There will be a box at the entrance. These items will help to stock our Food Cupboard outside the Polish Village Hall and also assist Loaves and Fishes.

A NOTE ABOUT MASKS: We have all been wearing masks since the church re-opened. These are now legally mandatory in church. Children under 2 are exempt as well as children between the ages of 2 and 4 when their caregiver cannot get them to wear a mask. People with a valid medical reason for not wearing a mask are also exempt.  https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/staying-healthy/#masks

THE FINAL WEEK OF NOVA SCOTIA POLISH HERITAGE MONTH was great! Thank you so much to all for a full and busy month of activities – online or safely physically distanced.

FILM SCREENING: “MEMORY IS OUR HOMELAND”: We had very positive feedback from Tuesday’s film screening of Memory is Our Homeland at the Highland Arts Theatre! A number of people mentioned that they would like us to continue to do film screenings in the future

PLAQUE UNVEILING TO HONOUR THE POLISH PIONEERS OF GLACE BAY: Our outdoor event in Glace Bay on Wednesday went very well. It was a beautiful ceremony with the participation of Grade 3 students, elders, our parishioners, and many Glace Bay residents with Polish connections. It was outdoors with masks and physical distancing. Here’s a glimpse at how the plaque looks:

Photos by Jerry Pocius (Unveiling of plaque to honour the Polish pioneers of Glace Bay. A community effort supported by individual donors – final day of NS Polish Heritage Month).We have posted more photos on the parish Facebook page.

A NOTE ABOUT OUR FOOD CUPBOARD: The Food Cupboard in front of the Polish Village Hall has been functioning well over the past three months. It is getting more demand, so if you are in the area and can place a few non-perishable items in the Food Cupboard, this would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!

AVAILABILITY OF POLISH VILLAGE HALL: With public health restrictions and limitations, rentals are available for certain smaller activities, subject to detailed protocols (similar in some ways for those in place for the church) and a cleaning surcharge. Please contact Bernie LaRusic at 902-561-6500. Thanks for your ongoing support!

WEEKDAY RADIO SPOTS ABOUT POLISH CULTURE AND LANGUAGE IN CAPE BRETON: The Coast Radio: Every weekday at 3:50pm and 7:50pm (FM 89.7). It’s called the “One Minute Polish Broadcast”. Learn a new Polish word, phrase, or cultural tradition. Presented by the St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society. Would you consider sponsoring a whole week for $100? The Coast has kindly agreed to allow us to do this as a fund-raiser (they are not charging for air time). Sponsors will be acknowledged on air (IMOs are welcome, birthday tributes, etc). Thank you! Dziekujemy!  And, we’re recruiting volunteers to go on air (pre-recorded). We’ll help you get ready. No previous experience required, and you do not have to be a Polish speaker. This is a great way for us to bring forward members of our community, as well as promote and share Polish language and culture in our region.Our radio theme this coming week, in time for Thanksgiving, will be “ways to say thank you in Polish.” Thank you to Kasia Jones for being our guest for this segment. Kasia and her family moved to Cape Breton in July. They are in the rotation to be at Mass next Sunday. A very warm welcome to them! Witamy serdecznie! Thank you to Patsy Kiley for sponsoring this week’s segment.

THANK YOU TO OUR RADIO SPONSORS SO FAR, WHO HAVE EACH SPONSORED A WEEK IN SUPPORT OF THE SOCIETY: Julie Bennett IM0 John Tynski, Sister Rose Tynski, Ray Tynski, Patsy Kiley, Joe and Marilyn Gillis, Wayne Joseph, Wanda Pierrynowski IMO Teofil Pierrynowski, Dr. Paula Michalik, Fr. Dan Doucet, Marjorie Ardelli IMO Michael and Dawn Marie Ardelli, John Morykot, Ryba family IMO Walter Ryba, Steve Melnick, Stephanie Black, Michael and Ursula Melski, Jerry Pocius, Sophie and Roddie O’Toole, Jeni Jackson, Catherine and Herb Tucker, Bernie and Jancia LaRusic, Anne Marie and Jimmie Campbell, Kathleen MacKenzie, Andy Parnaby, Paul Lenarczyk, Alison Etter, Tom Urbaniak

LAST SUNDAY’S COLLECTION FOR OUR PARISH: $1083.00 including $145.00 to the Building Fund . Many thanks for your generosity. Bóg zapłać!
If you are attending Mass, you will find a collection basket near the entrance and exit (since we are not passing around the basket due to the public health restrictions).

RECENT IMO (IN MEMEORY OF) CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BUILDING FUND:
IMO Louise Baker from Patricia and Joe Ryba; Wanda Pierrynowski; Robert and Cathy Schella

DONATIONS TO OUR PARISH: Thanks very kindly for any help you can provide toward our ongoing expenses. Donations can be made securely on-line at Canada Helps (which will email you an instant tax receipt):   https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/st-marys-polish-parish/. (link to this site is provided on our parish website homepage). Or by regular mail to St. Mary’s Polish Parish, 21 Wesley St., Sydney, N.S. B1N 2M5. Thanks for your support! It’s really appreciated. Bog zaplac!

THE GOOD FOOD BUS will be at the Polish Village Hall next Saturday, October 10, from 1:00pm to 2:30pm. This is like a mini farmers’ market on wheels. Everyone is welcome

ST. MICHAEL’S POLISH BENEFIT SOCIETY: Zarząd (Board) Meeting this evening at 7:00pm

SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING OF PARISHIONERS: Sunday, November 1, after Mass. We will remain in the main part of the church, physically distanced, after Mass. For anyone who does not get a seat that week (as part of the Mass rotation/pre-registration), you’ll be able to get the written updates and ask any questions. We will provide a financial update, have the report of the Nominations Committee, etc. (This is normally done in May or June, but was postponed because of the temporary closure.)

NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE: The role of the Nominations Committee is to do a call for candidates and do some proactive outreach to help ensure succession and a mix of skillsets, ages, etc, on the Rada.  If you would be interested in serving on this year’s Nominations Committee, please call 902-563-1226. Many thanks!

(note from Tom) A NOTE OF THANKS TO JERRY POCIUS for doing an excellent parish bulletin last week. I was in Lunenburg to facilitate a session related to NS Polish Heritage Month as part of the Lunenburg Lit Festival. It was a fun, physically distanced workshop that, for some attendees, was a first direct acquaintance with Polish language and the history of Polish Nova Scotians. William Kowalski, Polish Nova Scotian author from Mahone Bay, read from his book The Best Polish Restaurant in Buffalo.

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PUBLIC HEALTH REQUIREMENTS FOR MASS, SPECIFIC TO OUR CHURCH – as of Sunday, July 12
Dear Fellow Parishioners and Friends:
Below are the public health requirements related to Mass attendance, as applied specifically to our church. These have also been posted on our parish website and Facebook page. Thank you so much for your patience, understanding, and goodwill as we collectively adjust. Please also see #3 and #4 below about the pre-registration / seat-designation system for Mass attendance.   Dziekujemy bardzo serdecznie! Z Bogiem.

CELEBRATION OF HOLY MASS AT ST. MARY’S POLISH CHURCH:

1. The COVID-19 virus is still a danger to our community, province, and country. As we have seen with our neighbours south of the border, it can re-spread very quickly. Please stay safe.

2. We as a parish must abide by all applicable guidelines to ensure the safety of all, while being able to worship in a safe way. This requires patience as we adapt to a new form of attending Holy Mass.

3. For the first week (Sunday, July 5), parishioners were being randomly called until our smaller capacity is reached to maintain social distancing. If you are not sure if the parish has your telephone number, or if you wish to ensure that the parish has a current telephone number for you, please call Stephanie Black at 902-578-3697 to leave your telephone number. In subsequent weeks, persons who could not attend the previous week were being called first.

4. At this time, attendance can only be through the pre-registration process outlined in #3. The parish will maintain a record of everyone who is present and their contact information (for contact-tracing should the need arise).

5. Please ensure that you are completely free of any of the potential COVID symptoms. If you are registered to attend, but feel at all ill (eg. fever, colds), or feel poorly for any reason, please do not attend. There is a dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass.

6. Masks are now mandatory. (All attendees have been wearing masks in church – and masks were available at the entrance. Thank you!) Please remember that this is also for the safety of others.

7. Physical distance of two metres (six feet) will be required inside and outside the church (if not in family bubbles). Everyone is requested to avoid handshakes, hugs and other close contact.

8.  Every second pew will be signed as “not in use,” as well as the entire side aisles of the church. Those pews that are being used will have the required spacing indicated.

9. Entry will be through Wesley St. doors. Staged (gradual) exit will take place through side (parking lot) doors.

10. There will be hand sanitization at the entrance.

11. There will be no choir for the time being, as per the public health requirements.

12. There will be one lector and no altar servers.

13. The church will be sanitized (pews, knobs, etc) after use in order to be fully clean for each Mass.

14. Ushers will assist with seating, from a distance.

15. There will be no Holy Water in the hand fonts.

16. Fr. Dennis will explain protocols for Communion, which will necessitate social distancing and extreme prudence.

17. Communion will be distributed only in the hand. The Priest will wear a mask, and he will sanitize his hands before and following Holy Communion. It is not permitted at this time to take Holy Communion to anyone outside the church.

18. Confession remains on an as-requested basis, maintaining social-distancing guidelines.

19. Other church in-person gatherings remain suspended for the time being.

20. There will be no paper bulletins in the church. Bulletins will continue to be provided electronically (on Saturday) or by regular mail (Canada Post). Please do not hesitate to e-mail or call (tom_urbaniak@cbu.ca; 902-563-1226) if there is anyone who is not currently receiving a bulletin who would like to receive a bulletin. 

21. Hymnals, brochures, and other items in the pews have been removed for the time being.

22. Collection baskets will be placed at the entrance and exit. (Collection will not be conducted in the usual way.) Thank you kindly for your support.

Życzymy błogosławionego tygodnia / Wishing you a blessed week!