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: Although province-wide formal rules have eased, Public health continues to strongly recommend wearing masks in congregate settings

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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Piąta Niedziela Wielkiego Postu / Fifth Sunday of Lent

CZYTANIA / READINGS:
Pierwsze czytanie / First Reading: Iz 43,16-21
Psalm: 126
Drugie czytanie / Second Reading: Flp/Ph. 3,8-14
Ewangelia / Gospel: J 8,1-11
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Pan Bóg uczynił wielkie rzeczy dla nas / The Lord has done great things for us

MASS INTENTION FOR TODAY: For John and Blanche Melnick offered by Steve Melnick
MASS INTENTION FOR WEDNESDAY'S MASS 6:30pm: For the souls of Delores Starzomski offered by Shari McKay

Please note some important upcoming times:
On GOOD FRIDAY, April 15, at 6:30pm, we will have Gorzkie Żale (the traditional Lenten Lamentations) and Stations of the Cross in our church. Last year, this was a very meaningful, prayerful time.
EASTER FOOD BLESSING: On Holy Saturday, April 16, at 1:00pm, we will have the traditional blessing of Easter foods (Święcenie Pokarmόw Wielkanocnych).

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OGŁOSZENIA / ANNOUNCEMENTS

WITAJ OJCZE RYSZARDZIE! WELCOME, FATHER RICH: Father Rich Philiposki is visiting and will be celebrating Mass this weekend. He is looking forward to saying hello and re-connecting! After Mass, Fr. Rich will be making a presentation to the St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society on the steps of the Polish Village Hall (consisting of very kind and generous support – the final piece of funding to put in place a paved parking lot this spring/summer!). Please take a few minutes to come along for the photo!

HUMANITARIAN RELIEF-UKRAINE: We are continuing our collection for Ukrainian humanitarian relief – trying to do whatever we can as a parish during these terrible times. If you would like to make a contribution, please mark "Ukraine humanitarian relief" and your name on any envelope. We also have some extra envelopes at the back of the church marked “Ukraine Humanitarian Relief” (with a blue and yellow sticker). Any donations you make in an envelope marked Ukraine humanitarian relief (and with your name) will be tax receipted (added to your total tax receipt) by the parish at the end of the year. If you are donating in the form of a cheque, the cheque can be made out to St. Mary’s Polish Parish, with the words “Ukrainian humanitarian relief” in the memo line. The money we raise as a parish will be distributed to support the work on the ground of the following:
--The Ukrainian refugee settlement fund of Wałbrzych, Poland (twin city of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality) which is accommodating more than 2,000 refugees so far and growing fast
-The Catholic Near East Welfare Association
-Caritas partners in Ukraine and Poland (via the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace -- which we have previously supported on various projects)
The parish Finance Committee researched this list based on organizations connected to the church, low or no overhead, and after consulting with Father Roman Dusanowskyj. The parish will match and top up the individual contributions by utilizing part of last year’s return on endowment investments. This was the discussion and consensus at the last Rada meeting. Heartfelt thanks for your prayers and support.

PUBLIC HEALTH PROTOCOLS – MASKS STILL STRONGLY RECOMMENDED: Dr. Robert Strang is continuing to strongly recommend we wear masks at least for the next several weeks in churches and other indoor public/congregate settings. He noted that the pandemic is not over, and COVID-19 is still quite present in our area. A note of appreciation is extended to all fellow parishioners for all the kindness, patience, and co-operation that everyone has showed during the past two years of the pandemic to try to keep everyone safe, to stay connected, and help each other out. A sense of community and patience and concern for others have been really apparent at our parish during these difficult times. God bless!

POLISH EASTER ITEMS: cards, pisanki, etc. Please see the table at the back of the church. It’s by donation. On that table is a basket. We’d be grateful for a free-will offering to support the work of the St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society.

LENTEN WEDNESDAY MASSES ARE BEING HELD AT ST. MARY’S CHURCH AT 6:30pm. Mass is preceded by the praying of the Rosary and is followed by the Novena to Our Lady of Częstochowa.

EASTER BASKETS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMEBOUND: After the Good Friday prayers (6:30pm) this coming week, we’ll be preparing baskets for people who are homebound. Items will be supplied by the St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society, but any additional items are welcomed. And if there’s someone you’d like us to deliver to, please don’t hesitate to leave a message at 902-563-1226.

FOOD CUPBOARD: Please consider bringing a non-perishable food or personal care item (e.g. shampoo, soap, toilet paper) to church when you come to Mass. These items will help stock our food cupboard outside the Polish Village Hall.

WEEKDAY RADIO SPOTS ABOUT POLISH CULTURE AND LANGUAGE IN CAPE BRETON: “One Minute Polish Broadcast” airs on the Coast Radio every weekday at 3:50pm and 7:50pm (FM 89.7), and is archived at coastalradio.ca. 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! 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 coming week's radio segment features biały orzeł. – the Polish white eagle. Thank you to Tony Melski for lending his voice! And thank you to this week’s sponsors Bernie & Jancia LaRusic!

THE BOARD OF THE ATLANTIC CANADA DISTRICT OF THE CANADIAN POLISH CONGRESS will meet Sunday evening by Zoom at 8:00pm

COLLECTION FOR MARCH 27:  $885.00 including $15.00 for flowers, $90.00 for ShareLent, $40.00 for the Building Fund, $225.00 for Ukrainian humanitarian relief. Thank you very kindly for your support of our parish. Bόg zapłaƈ! 

RECENT IMO (IN MEMORY OF) CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BUILDING FUND:
IMO Kay (O'Toole) Grace from Frank Starzomski
IMO William MacKinnon from Joan Mosher
IMO John Kennedy from Frank Starzomski

THANKS VERY KINDLY FOR YOUR DONATIONS TO OUR PARISH : We are truly grateful for everyone’s generosity through the pandemic. 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). Also, please free to use the mail: St. Mary’s Polish Parish, 21 Wesley St., Sydney, NS, B1N 2M5. Donations can also 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!

Stay up to date with parish activities on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/stmaryspolishchurch/

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NOTE FROM THE BISHOP ON SHARE LENT -- with thanks for your support.
Share Lent Campaign Development and Peace – Caritas Canada (DPCC)
My Dear Clergy and My Dear People,

In his Lenten Message 2022 issued yesterday, Pope Francis reflects on Saint Paul’s exhortation to the Galatians: “Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up. So then, while we have the opportunity (kairós), let us do good to all” (Gal 6:9-10). Our Holy Father encourages us to reflect upon this scripture passage since St. Paul speaks of this being an opportune time for sowing goodness in view of a future harvest.

These words are well suited for this year’s Share Lent Campaign for Development and Peace and Caritas Canada with the theme, “People and Planet First”. This campaign is an expression of the Gospel message and of the Church’s social teaching. Truly, it is a time of sowing goodness in view of a future harvest. Pope Francis speaks of the protection of the environment and our love for one another as being inherently connected, as “we need to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor”. (Laudato Si’49)

It is time for the dignity of the human person and the health of our common home to be front and centre. With climate change, growing disparities of wealth and health, we see: “some parts of our human family, it appears, can be readily sacrificed for the sake of others considered worthy of a carefree existence.” (Fratelli Tutti, 18).

On April 3, we will celebrate Solidarity Sunday. This will be an opportunity to reflect and pray for “People and Planet First”. I support the 2022 Share Lent collection in our diocese. I invite you to give generously in support of the development and humanitarian programs of DPCC. You are invited to donate through your Share Lent envelope or online.

Fraternally,
Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick

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PIEŚNI / HYMNS: (We are all invited to participate in singing, along with our choir)

PLEASE NOTE: We’ll be doing the sung Ojcze Nasz (Our Father) in Polish. The words are on the bookmarks in the pews.

Entrance: Ach Moj Jezu
Ach mój Jezu, jak Ty klęczysz / W Ogrojcu zakrwawiony! / Tam Cię Anioł z w smutku cieszył, / Skąd był świat pocieszony.
Ref.: Przyjdź, mój Jezu,/ Przyjdź mój Jezu, pociesz mnie!/ Bo Cię kocham serdecznie.
O, my Jesus, knelt in anguish / On that night of pain and grief / Lo, an angel sooths Thy sorrow / Brings unto Thy soul relief
Ref. Come, my Jesus, come my Jesus / Come, my Jesus, hear my prayer. / Grant me Lord, thy grief to share.

Offertory: Jezu Chryste, Panie Mily (choir)

Communion: Jezu Drogi, Tys Miloscia (choir)

Post-Communion: Ludu Moj Ludu
1. Ludu mój ludu, cóżem ci uczynił / W czymem zasmucił, albo w czym zawinił. / Jam cię wyzwolił z mocy faraona, / a tyś przyrządził krzyż na me ramiona.
2. People, my people, how have I betrayed Thee? / How have I have grieved thee? How could I have failed Thee? / For I have saved Thee from the might of Pharaoh / But now you lead me to the cross to suffer?

Recessional: Któryś za nas cierpiał rany, Jezu Chryste, zmiłuj się nad nami [3x]
[You who suffered, wounded, for us – Christ Jesus have mercy on us!]

Życzymy błogosławionego tygodnia / Wishing you a blessed week!