Parafia p.w. Narodzenia Najświętszej Maryi Panny
ST. MARY’S POLISH PARISH
21 Wesley St., Sydney, NS, B1N 2M5
Tel.: 564-4847
www.StMarysPolishParish.ca
Witamy wszystkich! Welcome to all!
We are pleased to share our faith and rich traditions with the whole community.
Celebrating 100 years of faith and service (1913-2013)

PROBOSZCZ/PASTOR:  Father Paul Murphy 564-4355

MSZY/MASSES: Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. followed by Novena to Our Lady of Częstochowa

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 Wielkanocna / Fourth Sunday of Easter

TODAY’S MASS INTENTION is for Gino Mei offered by Teresa MacQueen and family. Eternal rest grant onto him O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. Wieczny odpoczynek racz Mu dać Panie, a swiatłość wiekuista niechaj Mu świeci na wieki wieków. Amen.

The Vigil Candle this week is for Stella Ryba-Granville and Walter Ryba offered by Peggy & family.

Eucharistic Minister for today: Suzanne Campbell

Ushers for collection today: Toni LaRusic, Robert Melski Jr.

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NASTĘPNY TYDZIEŃ / THE WEEK AHEAD:

Wednesday, April 24, 4:00 p.m. Mass followed by Novena to Our Lady of Czestochowa. The Mass intention will be for Frank and Thelma Murphy offered by Jean Annette and Richard White.

Sunday, April 28, 9:30 a.m. Fifth Sunday of Easter: The Mass intention will be for Hilda Kiec offered by Lillian Sigut. 
Lectors: Elaine Tynski-Shipley, Tony Melski
Eucharistic Minister: Janet Hawthorne
Altar Servers: Nikolas, Noah, Kristopher
Ushers: Michael Melski, Wilf Ingram

Collection receipts for Sunday, April 14:  $1226.15 (broken down as follows: $986.95 weekly contribution, $10.00 monthly supplementary contribution, $49.20 candles, $7.00 building fund, $173.00 Swieconka. Thank you very much for your support of St. Mary’s Polish Parish. Dziękujemy serdecznie!

RECENT MEMORIAL DONATIONS (“IMOs”) made toward the purchase of Easter flowers (list continued from last week):
IMO Donald Melski by Ursula and Michael Melski
IMO Wilfred Aucoin, Steve and Margaret Pierrynowski, Severin and Rose Aucoin by Victoria Aucoin
IMO Albert and Sophie Kokocki by Frances Ardelli
IMO Vincent MacDonald by Rita MacDonald
IMO Mosher family members by Joan Mosher
IMO Peter and Bridget Kyte and Jim Leonard by Leo and Mary Jane Kyte

RECENT MEMORIAL DONATIONS (“IMOs”) made in support of the ongoing upkeep of local cemeteries:
IMO Marguerite and Walter Wojcik by Janet Hawthorne
IMO Nowak and Tynski families by Nellie Tynski
IMO Julia and Antoni Nowak by Jancia and Bernie LaRusic
IMO Melnick family by Steve Melnick
IMO John and Mary Morykot by John Morykot

MASS CARDS/VIGIL CANDLE/MASS INTENTIONS/IN MEMORIAM DONATIONS (including special-project designated donations): Please call Paul Tynski (562-1716)
Please Note: No individual Mass intentions will be taken for Sept. 8 (100 years to the day since our founding). The intention will be for all parishioners, living and deceased.

“IMIENINY” (NAME DAYS) FOR THE COMING WEEK. Help to maintain a longstanding Polish Catholic tradition by acknowledging relatives, friends, and colleagues who are celebrating their “name day,” corresponding with the feast day of a saint of the same name.  Where there is more than one saint of the same name who has been assigned a day, your “name day” is the one closest to your birthday. It is customary in the Polish tradition to acknowledge the name day of a relative or friend:
April 21: Bartosz, Drogomił, Feliks, Konrad
April 22: Kajus, Kaja, Łukasz, Teodor
April 23: Gerard, Helena, Jerzy, Wojciech                         
April 24: Aleksander, Erwin, Grzegorz
April 25: Jarosław, Marek
April 26: Maria, Marzena, Spycimir
April 27: Andrzej, Bożebor, Martyn, Piotr, Zyta
April 28: Maria, Paweł

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OGŁOSZENIA / ANNOUNCEMENTS

CHANGE IN WEDNESDAY MASS TIME FOR THE WINTER MONTHS: 4 p.m.: Our Wednesday evening Mass is at 4 p.m. Novena to Our Lady of Czestochowa follows as usual. Father Paul has effected this change out of consideration for people who may find it difficult to drive in the dark, especially in inclement winter conditions.

THE RADA (PASTORAL COUNCIL) WELCOMES YOU DOWNSTAIRS AFTER MASS to informally chat with members. Rada members would be happy to share their reflections on their meeting last Sunday here at the church with Bishop Dunn, Pat Moore (chair of the diocesan Pastoral Planning Committee) and Pat Bates (member of the committee). The meeting, which went well, was in the form of a tour and Polish supper. Held at the Rada’s invitation, it was a chance to get to know better our church and the members of the Pastoral Council.  Also, the Rada members welcome any of your suggestions, ideas, and concerns. It is intended to build on current outreach and make this a periodic practice -- an informal Rada gathering after Mass with fellow parishioners to exchange ideas about the parish. Thank you to everyone who filled in the survey about the 100th anniversary or participated in discussions at your tables during the Easter breakfast. The Rada has been reviewing all of the points and will try to incorporate all of them. God bless, and thank you to everyone who has offered to help with any aspect of the centenary!

PLEASE NOTE: Tuesday, April 23, is the Feast day of Święty Wojciech (St. Adalbert), the principal patron saint of Poland. This pious bishop had a relatively short life (956-997), but was instrumental in the majority of Poles becoming Christians. He exemplified frugality and charity, and was murdered for his faith.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society:  Sunday, April 28 (next Sunday), at 7 p.m., at the Polish Village Hall. In addition to regular monthly business, there will be nominations/elections, the presentation of the annual financial report, and an update on the final phase of capital improvements/renovations.

POLISH CONSTITUTION DAY (“Trzeciego maja”) CELEBRATION: Tickets are on sale ($10.00) for the dinner/dance commemorating the holiday (“Trzeciego maja” – Constitution Day) for people of Polish heritage around the world. It will take place on Sat., May 4, 6:30 p.m.at the Polish Village Hall. Please see Bernie LaRusic or Tony Melski for tickets. We hope that everyone will be able to attend.

CASTING CALL – NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE REQUIRED! Parishioners will recall that Prof. Al Balawyder (retired from St. Francis Xavier University) was here for our Oplatek supper in January and spoke about his book The Odyssey of the Polish Treasures. He has turned it into a play. It is being adapted to a dinner-theatre format, and it will be performed for the first time at the Polish Village Hall on the evening of Saturday, July 27, in conjunction with the conference of the Canadian Polish Research Institute. It is intended that the actors be members of our parish community. Would you be interested in a role – large or small? No previous experience is required, and we should be able to do this over several (not many) rehearsals! Please speak with Tom Urbaniak or contact him at 563-1226 (tom_urbaniak@cbu.ca).

PREPARING TO MARK THE FEAST OF MARY, QUEEN OF POLAND: We will mark this important May 3rd feast at our Mass on Sunday, May 5. If possible, please wear traditional attire or a St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society uniform. Immediately after the Mass, we will pray the Novena to Our Lady of Częstochowa. Mary was formally proclaimed Queen of Poland by King John Casimir following the miraculous lifting of the 1655 Swedish siege of Czestochowa (Jasna Gora).
“From Mary we learn to trust even when all hope seems gone. From Mary we learn to love Christ her Son and the Son of God!"  ~ Blessed Pope John Paul II~

THE MEN OF THE DEEPS WILL BE PERFORMING A CONCERT IN HONOUR OF OUR PARISH CENTENARY! It will take place on the evening of Saturday, July 6, 2013, at the Boardmore Playhouse, Cape Breton University. Ticket information will follow in the next few weeks, but please mark this date on your calendars. The event will be hosted by the St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society. The Choir of St. Mary’s Polish Parish will be participating, and the evening will be interspersed with short stories about our founders and early immigrants. The Men of the Deeps will have songs appropriate for the occasion, and the Polish Consul General will present a commemorative Polish miner’s uniform.

CENTENARY ART EXHIBIT: NOTE TO PARISHIONERS AND FRIENDS OF THE PARISH: We are inviting all our visual artists of all ages working in all genres (painting, sketching, textiles, rugs, etc.) to display any work of a religious or Polish-cultural theme that you have prepared -- or may be willing to prepare -- at a special Centenary Art Exhibit. It will coincide with the conference of the Canadian Polish Research Institute, which is being held in Sydney because of our centenary. The opening reception will be at the Polish Village Hall on the evening of Thursday, July 25. We would very much like to show a wide range of work from our community. If you are interested in participating in any way or have any questions, please contact Frania McKay (539-4354; frania@ns.sympatico.ca).

CENTENARY HISTORICAL EXHIBIT ITEMS STILL BEING SOUGHT: Any clippings, photos, any artefacts or documents from you or your ancestors. These will be returned. Please contact Patricia Nalepa (ececp@hotmail.com; 563-1226).

PLEASE MARK THE FOLLOWING PARISH CENTENARY EVENTS ON YOUR CALENDAR:
Family Reunion, including get-togethers for the whole parish community – August 2-5
Main Centenary Mass and Polish Festival – September 8
Other events are described on our website – www.stmaryspolishparish.ca. There are various activities taking place in honour of our centenary. If you would like to assist in any way, please speak with any member of the Rada.

Please consider supporting the Antigonish Diocesan Society, for the education of priests. Envelopes are on the back tables, and they can be placed in the collection baskets at the same time as today’s regular collection. Thank you!

50TH ANNUAL WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS: In 1963, Pope Paul VI designated Good Shepherd Sunday as World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, protects us as his flock and promises us the gift of eternal life. As followers of Jesus we are called to remain faithful to the grace of God. As we celebrate this feast we pray for fidelity to our vocation. The Church invites us to honour the vocation of all Christians given at baptism. May we who have dedicated our lives to God through the vocation of marriage, priesthood, diaconate, consecrated life, and the single life remain faithful to our commitments. May those who are discerning their life vocation listen to the grace of God to guide them.              -Excerpted from the 2013 resource kit for World Day of Vocations.

MODLITWA DO ŚWIĘTEGO WOJCIECHA / PRAYER TO ST. ADALBERT (Feast day: April 23): Boże, Ty umocniłeś nasz naród w wymawianiu Twego imienia przez nauczanie i chwalebne męczeństwo św. Wojciecha, spraw, prosimy, aby ten, który na ziemi głosił naszym przodkom wiarę, wstawiał się za nami w niebie. Boże, który uwieńczyłeś wiarę św. Wojciecha i obdarzyłeś Kościół gnieźnieński jego ciałem; spraw, prosimy, abyśmy ciągle postępując w wierze i miłości, zasłużyli na udział w radości nieba. Panie, niech modlitwa, którą jako wyraz dziecięcego oddania ofiarujemy Twojemu Majestatowi ku czci św. Wojciecha, męczennika i biskupa, uczyni nas godnymi wiecznego szczęścia, które on osiągnął, przelawszy krew dla Ciebie. Święty Wojciechu, patronie naszej Ojczyzny! Użyźniłeś siejbę słowa Bożego krwią swoją, a w sercach naszych zaszczepiłeś miłość do Bogarodzicy. Bądź nam nadal przewodnikiem do nieba i uproś nam u Boga potrzebny hart ducha, abyśmy z Twoją pomocą mężnie wyznawali swą wiarę i przez nią otrzymali nagrodę wieczną. Przez Chrystusa Pana naszego. AMEN.

TRANSLATION: Lord, You who strengthened our people through the teaching and the glorious martyrdom of St. Adalbert, see to it that this saint who preached the faith to our ancestors, may now intercede for us in heaven. Lord, You who crowned St. Adalbert in faith and graced the Church at Gniezno with his body; allow us to act with continuous faith and love, and to deserve to share in the joy of heaven. Lord, may the prayer that we offer to your glory in honour of St.. Adalbert, bishop and martyr, make us worthy of eternal happiness, which he achieved by shedding blood for you. St. Adalbert, patron of Poland! You who sowed the Word of God with Thy blood, and implanted in our hearts love for the Mother of God. Continue to guide us toward heaven, and obtain for us from God fortitude and strength of your spirit, so that we may profess your faith and enjoy eternal reward. Through Christ our Lord. AMEN.

PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR ON-LINE “VIRTUAL TOUR” www.stmaryspolishparish.ca

Wishing you a blessed week! Bóg zapłać!

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FIRST VERSE OF OUR OPENING HYMN (WITH TRANSLATION): Otrzyjcie już łzy płaczący, żale z serca wyzujcie. Wszyscy w Chrystusa wierzący, weselcie się, radujcie. Bo zmartwychwstał samowładnie, jak przepowiedział dokładnie. Alleluja, alleluja, Niechaj zabrzmi – Alleluja 

Wipe away your tears and crying, throw away the grief from your heart. All believers in Christ, rejoice, rejoice. Because he was raised up on His own strength, exactly as prophesied. Alleluia, alleluia, Let the bells sound- Hallelujah!

TODAY’S HYMNS:
Entrance: Otrzyjcie już łzy płaczący (Wipe Your Tears, All Who are Weeping) – #93 in the coil-bound hymnal
Offertory: Wstał Pan Chrystus (The Lord Jesus Has Risen) - #99
Communion: Daj Mi Jezusa (Send Me Jesus) -- not in hymnal
Post-Communion: Wesel Się Nieba Królowo (Queen of Heaven Rejoice)
Closing Hymn: Zwycięzca śmierci, piekła i szatana (The Victor Over Death and Satan) - #100