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 in residence as pastor but only until Sunday during this visit. 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 902-564-4222

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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Druga Niedziela Wielkiego Postu / Second Sunday of Lent

CZYTANIA / READINGS:
Pierwsze czytanie / First Reading: Rdz /Gen. 12,1–4a
Psalm: 33
Drugie czytanie / Second Reading: 2 Tm 1,8b–10
Ewangelia / Gospel: Mt 17,1–9
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Okaż swą łaskę ufającym Tobie / Lord, let your mercy be on us as we place our trust in you.

MASS INTENTION FOR TODAY 9:30am: For the soul of Steve Melnick offered by Toni LaRusic
MASS INTENTION FOR WEDNESDAY 6:30pm (followed by Novena to Our Lady of Częstochowa): For the souls of John and Stella Paruch offered by their family

Note: In addition, since arriving on Wednesday for a short visit, Fr. Rich celebrated some additional Masses. Mass on Thursday was for a “special intention.” Mass on Friday was for the soul of Walter Ryba offered by Peggy and family.

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OGŁOSZENIA / ANNOUNCEMENTS

LUNCH AFTER MASS: Everyone is welcome. There is no charge. Thank you to fellow parishioners (surnames M through Z) who were on the rotation this time to bring a dish. So much appreciated! At lunch, we will celebrate St. Casimir’s Day. We will have “serca kaziukowe” – named after Casimir. They will be placed (individually wrapped) in the middle of each table. Please give one to someone at your table and extend a blessing. St. Casimir was a much-loved 15 th century Polish-Lithuanian saint known for peace, justice, humility, kindness and fairness.

STO LAT! Happy 80th birthday to Bob Lewandowski! Bob, your parish family wishes you many blessings and extends gratitude and lots of best wishes on your milestone birthday! Bόg zapłać! And “Sto lat” as well to Tony Melski! Wishing lots of health and happiness.

UPDATE ON THE SPECIAL GATHERING HELD IN OUR CHURCH THIS PAST MONDAY: We welcomed friends from other churches for a KAIROS gathering (regional network of churches of different denominations working on common issues). Our topic was the housing situation in the community. The gathering/potluck included as well three CBU students who are members of their respective faith communities. There was some excellent/practical discussion. Some key outcomes included:
-Call for an arms-length Housing Advocate for our region (like an ombudsperson). The person could take on individual files, but also publicly make concrete policy and funding recommendations. The Housing Advocate would serve all people (seniors, students and others).
-Churches will approach CBU offering to set up a network of volunteers who could accompany students in initial discussions with potential landlords. The volunteers would receive some training.
-Parishes/congregations will encourage members with extra space in their homes to consider renting it. (This was an “ask” to our churches from CBU.)
-We will look into whether there may be some funding at the senior levels of our denominations for a local housing bursary program to help people who are members/volunteers in our churches but are struggling with housing.
We will meet again in approximately one month. Everyone is welcome.

SUMMER SCHOOL IN WAŁBRZYCH, POLAND – OUR SISTER CITY: Offered by CBU for five weeks starting June 12. For credit, in English. Two courses team taught by CBU and Angelus Silesius University faculty. Interesting field work in the city and meetings with community leaders. We will study twin cities and community development in cities where industries have closed. There are bursaries to cover travel and accommodation costs (based on need). If you know any CBU students, please make them aware of this unique opportunity. Non-CBU students may be accepted as well as a “continuing education” offering. For more information, please speak with Tom Urbaniak (tom_urbaniak@cbu.ca).

ALTAR SOCIETY SCHEDULE FOR THE NEXT SIX MONTHS: Thanks to all! If you would like to be part of the Altar Society or added to the schedule, please don’t hesitate to call 563-1226 or e-mail tom_urbaniak@cbu.ca .
March: Jean Annette and Catherine
April: Peggy and Lynette
May: Eileen and Ursula
June: Janet and Evelyn
July: Marilyn and Joe
August: Stephanie and Sophie
(Substitute if anyone is away on a particular week: Tom)

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

FUND-RAISING FOR UKRAINIAN HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE: We are using all the funds raised to support three charities that are directly helping refugees and displaced people either within Ukraine itself or who have fled to Poland. Our largest chunk of support has been going to our sister city Wałbrzych’s Ukrainian refugee assistance fund (via the CBRM). We are also supporting Caritas efforts on the ground (via the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace) and the Catholic Near East Welfare Association. We have special envelopes (marked “Ukrainian Humanitarian Assistance”) at the back of the church if you are considering making a contribution. Thank you for your support!

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. Krista Ann Starzomski’s students recently collected and dropped off quite a few items, for which we are really grateful. We are posting photos this weekend on the Polish Village Hall Facebook site.

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 the summer school opportunity to study this summer in Wałbrzych. This segment is dedicated in recognition of the work (public art) that Krista Ann Starzomski’s students at Whitney Pier Memorial Middle School are doing for the new Twin City Pocket Park.
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 FEBRUARY 26: $935.00, including $75.00 for the Building Fund, $55.00 for fuel, $50.00 for Ukrainian humanitarian assistance. Thank you for your generosity. Bόg zapłać!

RECENT IMO (IN MEMORY OF) CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BUILDING FUND:
IMO Raylene Morykot from John and Deanie Morykot
IMO Steve Melnick from Toni LaRusic

THANKS VERY KINDLY FOR YOUR DONATIONS TO OUR PARISH : Thank you for your generosity to carry on the work of our parish and maintain our beautiful sacred space. Bόg zapłać! Please feel 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!

FATHER RICH’S COLUMN: Niech będzie pochwalony Jezus Chrystus! Praise be Jesus Christ! Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Mary’s: I am happy to be back home in Sydney for a few days and to celebrate Holy Mass this weekend. This Second Sunday of Lent presents us in the Gospel the ascent of Jesus and three close apostles to the top of the mountain (believed to be Mount Tabor) where Jesus was transfigured in their presence to give them a glimpse of the supernatural divinity of the Lord. We need also to find the time to have quiet time and get away from everyday busy activities to be renewed through intense prayer that unites us with God. We (Fr. Grupczynski in Las Vegas and I) have rescheduled the Pilgrimage for about a month later. New dates are from June 29 to July 11. We found that some people had obligations in regard to high school and college graduations that occur usually the end of May and first part of June. I have cancelled the group space that I had reserved on Condor out of Halifax. There was insufficient interest from our parishioners especially since many of the planned places were visited already in our 2017 trip that also included Western Ukraine. The Las Vegas group is viable and will make the trip. A visit will still be made to our sister city - Wałbrzych as we will have two nights in nearby Wrocław. I hope to have a few of our people travel with me individually to meet the group in Berlin or Poznań. I especially would like to encourage those who never have been to Poland (land of our ancestors) to consider the trip. A revised brochure will be available hopefully by next weekend. I plan to return to Sydney before Palm Sunday weekend to spend Holy Week, Easter and remain until after our May 3rd celebration. May the Lord bless your Lenten observance and discipline – Fr. Rich.

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PIEŚNI / HYMNS:

Entrance: W Krzyżu Cierpienie (Cross of Compassion) – Please see page 44 (hymn #20) of the book in the pews, Przez Pokolenia: Prayers and Customs of St. Mary’s Polish Church.

Offertory: Ludu, Mój Ludu (People, My People)
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. Ludu mój ludu. , cóżem ci uczynił/ W czymem zasmucił, albo w czym zawinił
Jam cię wprowadzi w kraj miodem płynący,/ tyś mi zgotował śmierci znak hańbiący.

Communion: O Mój Jezu w hostii skryty (Jesus, Contained in the Host) – choir

Post-Communion: Jezu Bądź ze Mną( Jesus Be With Me) Please see hymn #28 in the book in the pews Przez Pokolenia: Prayers and Customs of St. Mary’s Polish Church

Recessional: Któryś za nas cierpiał rany (You who suffered, wounded, for us – Lord Jesus, have mercy on us)
Któryś za nas cierpiał rany, Jezu Chryste, zmiłuj się nad nami (sung three times)

Note: We will sing Ojcze Nasz today

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POLISH POP-UP TUTORIAL FOR ST. CASIMIR’S DAY:
Święty Kazimierzu, – módl się za nami (St. Casimir, pray for us)
Czwartego marca (March 4 th)
Pietnasty wiek (15 th century)
Uczciwość (Fairness / Honesty)
Pobożność (Piety)
Sprawiedliwość (Justice)
Dynastia Jagiellonów (Jagiellonian dynasty)
Serca kaziukowe (hearts in honour of St. Casimir)
Pierniki (gingerbread cookies)

Życzymy błogosławionego tygodnia / Wishing you a blessed week!