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 Rich Philiposki is currently NOT in residence (seasonal) as pastor. He will be here as of Dec. 14. Contact info: rphiliposki@aol.com 702-881-3674 (cell)
-During Father Rich’s extended times outside the region, Father Evo DiPierro will serve as Administrator: dipierro@dal.ca

MSZY/MASSES: PLEASE NOTE: 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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Trzecia Niedziela Adwentu / Third Sunday of Advent

CZYTANIA / READINGS:
Pierwsze czytanie / First Reading: Iz 35,1- 6a.10
Psalm: 146
Drugie czytanie / Second Reading: Jk/James 5,7-10
Ewangelia / Gospel: Mt 11,2-11
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Przybądź, o Panie, aby nas wybawić / Lord, come and save us

MASS INTENTION FOR TODAY: For the soul of Irene Melnick offered by Steve Melnick
MASS INTENTION FOR WEDNESDAY 6:30pm (followed by Novena to Our Lady of Częstochowa): For the souls of Michael and Nellie Cleary offered by Lynette Ryba
MASS INTENTION FOR FRIDAY 6:30pm: For the soul of Jimmy Hamper
MASS INTENTION FOR SATURDAY 9:00am: For the soul of Jimmy Hamper

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OGŁOSZENIA / ANNOUNCEMENTS

A NOTE FROM FATHER RICH: Our Pasterka Shepherds’ Mass on Wigilia (Christmas Eve) will be at 10:00pm as usual, with Polish kolędy starting half an hour earlier.

A KIND REQUEST TO FELLOW PARISHIONERS AND FRIENDS: We would be so grateful if you could join us for the TAPING OF THE MASS FOR SHUT-INS this coming Saturday, December 17, at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Church. Please be there by 10:00am for taping at 10:30am. If you have a St. Michael’s jacket, Polish shawl or traditional attire, or a Cape Breton Polish tartan scarf, this is an invitation to wear it for the taping. The Mass for Shut-ins has a wide audience and it’s a chance to convey our parish and some of our traditions.

CHRISTMAS DECORATING OF OUR CHURCH: Next Sunday, December 18, after Mass. We’d be so grateful to everyone who can stay to help. We’ve found in the past that with a lot of help we can get it done in about an hour! And there’s a very happy spirit during the decorating.

OPŁATEK AND POLISH CHRISTMAS CARDS are still available (table at the back of the church). On the same table will also be Polish soup mixes for Christmas. Free-will offering for the above items with proceeds to St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society for the Polish Village Revitalization project, which is currently underway. Many thanks.

NEW YEAR’S EVE TICKETS are available after Mass or by calling Nicole at 371-5088 or Bernie at 561-6500. $15. 9:00pm to 1:00am on New Year’s Eve. Light meal included. DJ. Robin Krszwda.

OLIVER’S BAPTISM TODAY– A WELCOME TO FELLOW PARISHIONERS: (A Note from Tom and Alison): Oliver (“Oluś”) has his baptism today Sunday, December 11. He will be baptized by his mom (who is a minister). It will be at Warden United Church, 44 Fifth Street, Glace Bay at 11:30am. We would like to extend a warm welcome to join us if you are free. A small, informal reception will follow right after the service, also at Warden United and you are most welcome. (Prayers and best wishes only.) We are truly grateful for the wonderful warmth and kindness of everyone at St. Mary’s Polish Parish for welcoming Oliver into the parish community. Oluś is grateful too as you can tell by his smiles! May God bless you for your friendship. Sincerely, Tom and Alison

CONCERT: Our choir will be performing at the St. Theresa’s Christmas Concert next Sunday, December 18, from 2:30pm to 4:00pm. Everyone is welcome!

HAND-MADE DISH CLOTHS – FUNDRAISER FOR UKRAINIAN HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE: at the back of the church. These beautiful unique dishcloths have been handmade by Dee-Dee (Yurczyszyn) Jackson and her sister Brenda Yurczyszyn and were donated to us (via Marjorie Ardelli) for the Ukrainian humanitarian fund. Available small size 2 for $5, large size $3 each.

VEHICLE PLATES: Cape Breton Polonia and Nova Scotia Polonia front vehicle plates are still available at the back of the church. $25.00 each

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. There is a significant need in our community. Thank you for any help.

OUR POLISH-THEMED RADIO SEGMENTS: The Coast Radio 89.7 (weekdays at 3:50pm and 7:50pm or any time at coastalradio.ca). This coming week's topic will be Wycinanki Polish paper art and our recent café. Our guests for this segment will be two students of Krista Ann Starzomski at Whitney Pier Memorial Middle School. They are Sunny Fewer and Hannah Pham. The Society is dedicating this segment to life member Steve Melnick on the occasion of his 94th birthday.
We’re always looking for sponsors and volunteers. It’s $100 for a whole week. Sponsors are recognized on air – and any dedications, too (eg. if you’re sponsoring as a memorial or as a birthday or anniversary gift). The Coast is generously redirecting the sponsorships back to the St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society (which produces the segments), which has been a big help to the Society. If you think you might like to sponsor a week, please e-mail tom_urbaniak@cbu.ca or call 563-1226. Many thanks!

PUBLIC HEALTH PROTOCOLS – MASKS ARE STILL STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. Thanks for all your kindness, patience, and co-operation through the pandemic.

COLLECTION FOR DECEMBER 4: $1555.25. Many thanks, everyone, for your kindness and generosity!

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!

RADA: The Rada met after last Wednesday’s Mass and covered a lot of parish business (more updates next week). This was also the meeting (the first regular Rada meeting after the parish AGM) at which the Rada members discuss who will be Rada Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary for the coming year. By acclamation, the Rada re-elected Robert Schella as its Chair. In addition, Stephanie Black was elected Vice Chair and Ursula Melski Jr. was re-elected as Secretary. At the meeting, Tom Urbaniak gave the annual Rada orientation in the form of PowerPoint slides discussing the role of Rada members, positive parish governance and spiritual leadership, reporting protocols, etc. These slides can be shared with any parishioner upon request. A reminder that the Rada members for 2022-2023 (as elected or re-elected at the parish AGM on November 6) are, in alphabetical order, Stephanie Black, Joe Gillis, Ursula Melski Sr., Ursula Melski Jr.. Sophie O’Toole, Jerry Pocius, Robert Schella, Tom Urbaniak. Fr. Rich Philiposki is on the Rada when he is in residence in his capacity as pastor. And at other times, Fr. Evo DiPierro is on the Rada in his capacity as administrator.

LAST SUNDAY: What a beautiful gathering and lunch we had last Sunday with Święty Mikołaj. Photo by Kim Paruch (more photos on the parish Facebook page). A friendly appeal to fellow parishioners: Vicky Aucoin is doing an amazing job on parish scrapbooks. She is looking for any photos you may have of recent events. Any help would be hugely appreciated!

 

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A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF SOME POLISH CHRISTMAS EVE TRADITIONS:
For generations, many families at St. Mary’s Polish Parish have been upholding Wigilia traditions, which are rich with symbolism. The following is a brief overview:
PIERWSZA GWIAZDKA – THE FIRST STAR: Families wait for the first star before commencing their meal. It symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem. The Christmas tree lights should only be turned on at this time.
OPŁATEK: Before the meal begins and after the prayer, everyone takes a piece of Opłatek and goes around the table sharing it with the others who are present and exchanging blessings and best wishes.
SIANKO – CHRISTMAS HAY: A piece of hay is placed under the white tablecloth or sometimes in a glass bowl at the centre of the table. Sianko represents the crib where Jesus was born.
THE MEATLESS SUPPER: Wigilia marks the end of Advent and so, except for fish (like carp or herring), there is no meat at this candle-lit meal. Typical dishes (it is common to have 12 or 13 dishes) include soups (often red beet with uszka, fermented rye, fish, dried mushrooms), sauerkraut with beans, pierogi, sometimes noodles with poppy seeds and honey, sweet strudel, and a compote made with dried fruit.
THE EXTRA PLATE: It is the custom to set an extra plate at the table. The place is symbolically for Jesus but also for a stranger who may be in need of a meal or assistance. There is a Polish saying that “When a guest is at the house, God is at the house.” ("Gość w dom, Bóg w dom”)
KOLĘDY: After dinner, it is customary for the family and guests to gather to sing Christmas carols. In some homes, St. Nicholas visits in person at this time.
PASTERKA (MIDNIGHT MASS): The whole family attends the Shepherds’ Mass (which will be at 10:00pm this year at St. Mary’s Polish Church with Polish kolędy-carols at 9:30pm.

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PIEŚNI / HYMNS:

Entrance: Spuśćcie Nam na Ziemskie Niwy (#90 in choir binder) – This Advent hymn is saying send us forth to the earthly fields.
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.

Offertory: (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 - choir
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

Życzymy błogosławionego tygodnia / Wishing you a blessed week!