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 as pastor. 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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Wniebowstąpienie Pańskie / Ascension of the Lord

CZYTANIA / READINGS:
Pierwsze czytanie / First Reading: Dz/Acts 1,1
Psalm: 47
Drugie czytanie / Second Reading: Ef 1,17-23
Ewangelia / Gospel: Mt 28,16-20

MASS INTENTION FOR TODAY 9:30am: Mass intention for
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 6:30pm: Mass intention for the soul of Frank Ardelli, followed by Novena to Our Lady of Częstochowa
NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 28, 9:30am: Mass intention for the soul of Steve Melnick offered by Jancia MacCormack

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OGŁOSZENIA / ANNOUNCEMENTS

ASKING FOR YOUR PRAYERS for fellow parishioner Steve Sokolowski, who has been in the hospital all week. Steve’s condition is gradually improving. Thank you for your prayers. Bόg zapłać.

FUNERAL FOR ADELE KOKOSZKA YOUNG: The ashes of Adele (nee Kokoszka) Young – sister of Bernie -- who died in Barrie, Ontario, arrived at the MacGillivary Funeral home in Glace Bay. The funeral mass will be held in Glace Bay at Saint Anne's Church at 10:00am on Friday May 26, 2023, followed by interment at Forest Haven. Our parish continues to extend prayers and condolences to Bernie and the entire family.

UNVEILING OF BENCH: In two weeks after Mass, we will have the unveiling of a bench in the Twin City Pocket Park (St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society), in memory of Jack, the great grandson of Peggy Ryba, who passed away when he was just a few days old. We will then have our June parish lunch. Everyone is welcome. Thanks to anyone who can bring a dish to share.

POLISH CAFE: On Monday, June 5, at 11:00am (until 1:00pm), we will have a Polish Café at the Polish Village Hall with a fun language session “Polish Hospitality for Beginners.” Everyone is welcome.

CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY FOR NON-CBU STUDENTS IN OUR SISTER CITY WAŁBRZYCH, POLAND: CBU has just approved a continuing-education/professional-development "micro-credential" in International City Twinning. It will allow members of the community who are not regular CBU students to join a group of six of CBU’s full-time students for June 15 to 24 – which is the first segment of CBU's new summer school offering in our sister city Wałbrzych, Poland (in collaboration with Angelus Silesius University). The course is being offered in collaboration with subject-matter experts on site in Walbrzych. The course (in English) offers unique conversations with experts,behind the scenes access at various venues, and an opportunity to collaborate with our Polish counterparts in a way that would not be possible for a regular tourist. Go behind the scenes to explore a post-industrial city that is being revitalized, meet civic leaders, engage in unique field work, explore best practices for "twin cities " which can be applied for other cities and in other contexts. The timeline is tight for this year but the opportunity is definitely there for a small group of continuing-education participants from the community to register for June 15 to 24. Enrollees would pay $275 for the course plus the cost of travel and accommodation, which CBU can help to arrange individually through the university's travel agent. If you know anyone who might be specifically interested in this, please invite them to contact Tom Urbaniak as soon as possible.

HOUSING CHALLENGES IN OUR COMMUNITY: Recruiting a core of volunteers from our network of churches for a time-limited volunteer pilot project. Please see attached information sheet.

POGORIA POLISH FOLK ENSEMBLE: Meeting/rehearsal after Mass in the Polish Village Hall.

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 in the midst of all the suffering caused by this terrible invasion.

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. There is a collection box at the entrance to the church. We try to fill the Food Cupboard after each Sunday Mass. Thank you so much!

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 Polish words “brama” and “bramka”. Thank you to Tony Melski for lending his voice to this segment. This week’s segment is dedicated to Joseph Urbaniak and Julia Urbaniak on their 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!

COLLECTION FOR MAY 14: $642.50 including $100.00 for Papal charities. Sincere thanks! Bόg zapłać!

THANKS VERY KINDLY FOR YOUR DONATIONS TO OUR PARISH : Donations may be made during weekly Sunday Mass collection. Also, 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!

This family photograph belonged to a deceased Polish soldier, who died in combat, in World War II on April 22, 1944 (probably in Italy as part of the Allied forces, which included Poles and Canadians). It was found and preserved by a Canadian soldier, the late Martin Comeau whose hometown was Meteghan, Nova Scotia. Martin’s widow, Joan, who lives near Truro, would like to see it go to the Polish hero’s family. A faded note on the back seems to give the surname as Drzewiecki and the family’s hometown as Dębica. Joan has enlisted our help to solve this mystery. In the next few weeks, we will do this! We will do some outreach and some social media – but with a lot of respect of sensitivity -- and probably also engage Poland’s Institute of National Memory.

The Polish soldier was probably a child in the photo – and there is a faded date of May 29, 1919.

If you are seeing this in the paper version of the bulletin, it may not be as clear as on electronic copy. If you do not currently receive bulletins by e-mail, please e-mail tom_urbaniak@cbu.ca

 

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PIEŚNI / HYMNS:

Entrance: Chwalcie Łąki Umajone (In Praise of the May Meadows – a hymn about the beauty of God’s Creation at this time of year)
1. Chwalcie łąki umajone,/ Góry, doliny zielone.. Chwalcie, cieniste gaiki, Źródła i kręte strumyki!
2. Co igra z morza falami,/W powietrzu buja skrzydłami,/Chwalcie z nami Panią Świata, Jej dłoń nasza wieniec splata.

Offertory: Serce Jezusa Ciche Pokorne ( The Humble, Tranquil Heart of Jesus)
1.Serce Jezusa ciche pokorne, / Usłysz ach, usłysz Twe, biedne dzieci Póki burze, zagrażają, / Serce Jezusa broń.
Ref. : Słodko spoczniemy na Boskim Sercu, / Nigdy nie dozwól roz¬łączyć się. Usłysz prosimy, / Twych dzieci głos; /Serce Jezusa, /O ratuj nas.
Uczyń nas, Jezu, Twoją zdobyczą, / Przyjmij na własność serca nasze. /Prowadź nas przez świat ten nędzny, / Serce Jezusa broń.
Ref

Communion: Już przyszedł Jezus ukochany (Jesus Has Arrived) - choir

Post-Communion: Jest zakątek na tej ziemi (A Hymn to Our Lady of Częstochowa)
1.Jest zakątek na tej ziemi,/ Gdzie powracać każdy chce,/ Gdzie króluje Jej Oblicze,/ Na Nim cięte rysy dwie./ Wzrok ma smutny, zatroskany,/ Jakby chciała prosić cię,/ Byś w matczyną Jej opiekę oddał się.
Ref.: Madonno, Czarna Madonno,/ Jak dobrze Twym dzieckiem być!/ O, pozwól, Czarna Madonno,/ W ramiona Twoje się skryć! (x2)

Recessional: My Chcemy Boga (We Yearn for God)
1.My chcemy Boga, Panno Święta/ O, usłysz naszych wołań głos! / Miłości Bożej dźwigać pęta, To nasza chluba, to nasz los.
Ref: Błogosław, słodka Pani, / Błogosław wszelki stan! /My chcemy Boga, my, poddani. On naszym Królem, On nasz Pan! My chcemy Boga, my poddani. / On naszym Królem, On nasz Pan!

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June to September 2023:
PILOT PROJECT: RECRUITING VOLUNTEERS TO OFFER BASIC, INITIAL ACCOMPANIMENT TO STUDENTS WHO ARE IN THE PROCESS OF ARRANGING HOUSING
A network of churches of different denominations in Cape Breton has been meeting over the past few months at St. Mary’s Polish Church – under the banner of the national ecumenical organization KAIROS -- to find practical ways to assist with the housing situation in our community.

In collaboration with Cape Breton University, we are putting together a pilot group of 8 to 12 volunteers to assist newcomer students in the following focused way. This is a time-limited -- not open-ended -- volunteer commitment. The tasks would be focused as follows:
1. Meet a student for an initial conversation about housing and for advice on communicating with landlords.
2. If requested by the student, accompany the student to an initial meeting with a landlord.
3. Have a follow-up meeting/discussion with the student about housing.

In addition, prior to a student’s arrival in Cape Breton, the volunteer may be asked to do a visual exterior scan of a prospective property to ascertain whether it even appears to be a legitimate rental property.

After the pilot phase, which will continue until autumn 2023, a debriefing will be undertaken. The volunteer initiative will then be modified as necessary or potentially expanded.

The volunteers will receive some basic orientation and training from CBU and will be required to complete a criminal-record check and vulnerable-sector check.

VOLUNTEER ATTRIBUTES:
-Good listener and communicator
-Sensitive and respectful
-Empathetic
-Approachable and patient
-Professional, discreet and committed to maintaining confidentiality and appropriate boundaries
-Understands the community (“street smarts”)
-Willing to learn (eg, about housing situation)
-Open toward diverse cultures and faiths
-Focused
-Reliable and trustworthy

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Życzymy błogosławionego tygodnia / Wishing you a blessed week!