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: Public health protocols in place, including mandatory masks

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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Trzecia Niedziela Adwentu / Third Sunday of Advent

CZYTANIA / READINGS:
Pierwsze czytanie / First Reading: So/Zep 3,14–17
Psalm: Iz 12
Drugie czytanie / Second Reading: Flp/Phil. 4,4–7
Ewangelia / Gospel: Łk 3,10–18

RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Głośmy z weselem: Bóg jest między nami / Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel

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OGŁOSZENIA / ANNOUNCEMENTS

WEDNESDAY EVENING MASSES have resumed. Please join us Wednesday at 6:30pm. Followed by Novena to Our Lady of Częstochowa. Please spread the word. Thank you! It is a prayerful, quiet, mid-week gathering in our beautiful sacred space. It’s particularly special during this Advent season.

"GAUDETE SUNDAY": The Third Sunday of Advent is also known as “Gaudete” Sunday, from the Latin “to rejoice”. On this day, the rose-coloured candle is lit on the Advent wreath, in addition to two violet-coloured candles. Having passed the mid-point of Advent – a period of solemn preparation – the church uses a different colour on this Sunday as a way of lightening the mood and giving symbolic encouragement as we continue our prayerful journey to Christmas

OPŁATEK and POLISH CHRISTMAS CARDS: Please see Tom Urbaniak. There is no charge, but if you wish to contribute an item to the Food Cupboard that would be really kindly appreciated.

SHARING OPŁATEK: One of the special Polish Christmas traditions. The custom of breaking and sharing unleavened wafers (embossed with holy images) at family and community gatherings during the Christmas season (beginning with Wigilia/Christmas Eve) originated in Poland in the 17th century – and is today a mostly 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.”

WIZYTA ŚWIĘTEGO MIKOŁAJA / VISIT OF ST. NICHOLAS: Because of COVID-19, there’s a little bit of a change for the visit by Święty Mikołaj (St. Nicholas) this year, who usually visits around the time of his feast day: The St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society will host Święty Mikołaj in the Polish Village Hall on Monday, December 20, at 6:30pm. He will drop by while we are preparing food hampers for local families in need. He will bring small presents for children. Please drop by (proof of vaccination for people 12 and over will be requested at the door and masks must be worn). If you can, please bring a non-perishable item as a little contribution toward the food hampers.

CHRISTMAS DECORATING OF THE CHURCH: following the Sunday Mass next Sunday, on the fourth Sunday of Advent (December 19). We would be most grateful to anyone who can stay for about an hour or so!

PASTERKA – THE TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS EVE SHEPHERDS’ MASS: December 24 at 10:00pm with beautiful Polish kolędy starting at 9:30pm (status quo/same timing for this year; there will be more time for collective, advance conversation next year with Rada, Fr. Dennis, and all parishioners about any possible changes in time in 2022.)

2022 PARISH ENVELOPES ARE AT THE BACK OF THE CHURCH. Thanks to Janet, Evelyn, and Debbie for preparing them. If you do not have parish envelopes and would like a package, please call 902-563-1226.

A COUPLE OF BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS: Teddy bears (“Misiu” and “Misia”) with the Cape Breton Polish tartan and The Polish Cape Bretoners Colouring Book. We still have a limited supply of both!

A REQUEST FROM POLISH STUDIO: Tadeusz Lis, the producer of Polish Studio was in touch this week. He is looking for feedback from regular viewers in Nova Scotia about the content and the presentation. Please be in touch with Tom Urbaniak, who will collate the feedback and send it to Tadeusz! You can watch Polish Studio on CityTV Saturday mornings at 11:30am Atlantic time. It includes news from Poland and from Polish Canadian communities. It sometimes features happenings from our Polish community in Cape Breton.

RECRUITING VOLUNTEER ANNOUNCERS AND SPONSORS FOR THE POLISH RADIO SEGMENTS ON THE COAST: You do not need to know Polish. The segments are pre-recorded and we work off scripts. With regard to sponsorships, they are $100 for a whole week and all proceeds support the St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society. The segments run weekdays at 3:50 and 7:50pm. We are very grateful for the support.

FOOD CUPBOARD: If you are attending Mass this Sunday, we would be so grateful if you could bring a non-perishable food or personal care item for the Food Cupboard. A note of heartfelt thanks for the generosity of fellow parishioners!

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). And archived at coastalradio.ca. 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 of our radio segments for $100? The Coast has kindly agreed to allow the St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society 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). 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. Our radio theme for this coming week will be about the educational Polish board game “Kolejka” (The Line Up), which is available in English and is based on tough times during Communism. Thank you to Maura Lea Morykot for being the guest voice! This week’s segment is sponsored in memory of Janina Sztuka

COLLECTION FOR DECEMBER 5: $1140.00 Thank you very kindly for your support of our parish.

THANKS VERY KINDLY FOR YOUR DONATIONS TO OUR PARISH DURING THE PANDEMIC: We are truly grateful for everyone’s generosity through the pandemic. If you are able to make a donation, the parish’s mailing address is St. Mary’s Polish Parish, 21 Wesley St., Sydney, NS, B1N 2M5. 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). Thanks for your support!

More information on consultation and dialogue in preparation for the church Synod convened by Pope Francis: https://www.antigonishdiocese.com/listeningchurch/

PAN z WAMI – English-Polish bilingual missals: We have received a limited number – especially for lectors.

ANNIVERSARY: Tomorrow (December 13) marks the 40th anniversary of the declaration of martial law in Poland by the Communist authorities. Although it was an oppressive and bleak time, in some ways it was the slide toward the end of the Communist regime and the breakdown of the Eastern bloc, which began in Poland. Let us pray for everyone who lost their lives or was injured or imprisoned during those unsettling times. And let us pray for the rule of law and human rights in our time, around the world. [The banner being held by protesting workers in 1981 is a quote from John Paul II: “There is not a just Europe without a free Poland.”]

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HYMNS FOR TODAY: As per regulations, we will still wear our masks for singing. Please join in these hymns today:
OPENING: : Spuśćcie Nam na Ziemskie Niwy (#90 in choir binder) – This Advent hymn is saying send us forth to the earthly fields.
1. Spuśćcie nam na ziemskie niwy
Zbawcę z niebios, obłoki,
Świat przez grzechy nieszczęśliwy.
Wołał w nocy głębokiej;
Gdy wśród przekleństwa od Boga
Czart panował, śmierć i trwoga,
A ciężkie przewinienia
Zamkły bramy zbawienia.

2. Ale się Ojciec zlitował
nad nędzną ludzi dolą,
Syn się chętnie ofiarował,
by spełnił wieczną wolę;
zaraz Gabryel zstępuje
i Maryi to zwiastuje,
iże z Ducha Świętego
pocznie Syna Bożego.

OFFERTORY: Głos wdzięczny (A Grateful Voice) – #25
1. Głos wdzięczny z nieba wychodzi,
Gwiazdę k`nam nową wywodzi,
Która rozświeca ciemności,
I odkrywa nasze złości.

2. Z różdżki Jesse kwiat zakwita,
który zbawieniem świat wita;
Pan Bóg zesłał Syna swego,
przed wieki narodzonego

COMMUNION: O Niewysłowione Szczęście (a hymn about great happiness) -- #67
O niewysłowione szczęście zajaśniało,
Gdy Słowo wcielone Serce nam Swe dało.

/Cud Boskiej miłości, o duszo ludzka głoś,
Ku wiecznej światłości dzięki twej pieśni wznoś./bis

Jakiż na tej ziemi my skarb posiadamy!
Bóg mieszka z grzesznymi, Serce Jego mamy.
Cud Boskiej miłości...

POST COMMUNION: Kochajmy Pana (Let Us Love the Lord) – #46
1. Kochajmy Pana, bo serce Jego Żąda i pragnie serca naszego. Dla nas Mu włócznią rana zadana. Kochajmy Pana, kochajmy Pana!
2. O, pójdź do Niego, wszystko stworzenie, Sercu Jezusa złóż dziękczynieni. I Twoje przed Nim zegnij kolana. Kochajmy Pana, kochajmy Pana!

RECESSIONAL: (Thus the Lord will Come) – another special hymn for Advent
Oto Pan Bóg przyjdzie
Z rzeszą Świętych nam przybędzie,
Światłość wielka w dzień ów będzie.
Alleluja! Alleluja!

Sung Parts During the Mass:
Lord Have Mercy:
Panie zmiłuj się nad nami /  Chryste zmiłuj się nad nami /  Panie zmiłuj się nad nami

Holy, Holy
Święty, Święty, Święty, Pan Bóg Zastępów.
Pełne są niebiosa i ziemia chwały Twojej.
Hosanna na wysokości.
Błogosławiony, który idzie w imię Pańskie.
Hosanna na wysokości

Lamb of God
Baranku Boży, który gładzisz grzechy świata, zmiłuj się nad nami.
Baranku Boży, który gładzisz grzechy świata, zmiłuj się nad nami.
Baranku Boży, który gładzisz grzechy świata, obdarz nas pokojem.

OJCZE NASZ (OUR FATHER):
Ojcze nasz, któryś jest w niebie – Ojcze Nasz
święć się imię Twoje; przyjdź królestwo Twoje – Ojcze Nasz
bądź wola Twoja, jako w niebie tak i na ziemi – Ojcze Nasz
Chleba naszego powszedniego daj nam dzisiaj – Ojcze Nasz
i odpuść nam nasze winy – Ojcze Nasz
jako i my odpuszczamy naszym winowajcom – Ojcze Nasz
I nie wódź nas na pokuszenie -- Ojcze Nasz

Pronunciation:
Oy-CHE / nash/ ktoo-rish / yest / v / nee-EB-ee-e / O-o-oy-che / nash
Sh-FEE-ench / sh-e-w / ee-ME-e-w / tf-OY-e / psh-EE-j / kr-OO-les-tfo / Tfo-y-ee / O-o-oy-che /nash
BO-nj / vola / tf-OY-a / yak-o / v / nee-EB-ee-e / tak /ee /na /dg-e-me/ O-o-oy-che/nash
Hl-eba / nash-ego / pof-SHED-nee-ego / di / nam / jee-sh-ay / O-o-oy-che/ nash
EE /od/poosh-ch / nam / nash-e / vee-ni/ O-oy-che/ nash
Yak-o /ee / mi /od-PUSH-cha-m-i / nash-im / vee-no-VAY-tsom / O-o-oy-che / nash
EE/nee-e/ voo-dj /nas / na /po-KOOSH-e-nee-e/ O-o-oy-che / nash
Al-e / nas / zbaf / od-e / zw-EG-o / O-o-oy-che / nash

Życzymy błogosławionego tygodnia / Wishing you a blessed week!