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!
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. Praying of the Rosary begins prior to Mass at approximately 3:35 p.m.

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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Ósma Niedziela Zwykła / Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time

TODAY’S MASS INTENTION is for Gerry Kelly offered by Marjorie Ardelli and Paul MacKinnon. 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

TODAY’S RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Jedynie w Bogu spokój znajdzie dusza (Only in God will the soul find peace.) Pronunciation: Ye-din-ee-e / vv/ Bo-goo / spo-koo-y / zn-a-y-dg-e / doo-sha

The Vigil Candle this week is for deceased members of the Kieć family offered by Jean Annette and Richard White.

Eucharistic Minister for today: Kay Violande

Ushers for collection today: Bernie LaRusic, Michael Melski

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NASTĘPNY TYDZIEŃ / THE WEEK AHEAD

Tuesday, March 4 (FEAST OF ST. CASIMIR): Funeral Mass for Marilyn (Sobol) Morrison at 11 a.m. Our parish extends its prayers and sincere sympathies. Wieczny odpoczynek racz Jej dac Panie…

Wednesday, March 5, 12:00 noon ASH WEDNESDAY: The Mass intention is for Henry Pierrynowski offered by Donna and Peter MacNeil .

Sunday, March 9, 9:30 a.m. The Mass intention will be for Stanley Paruch offered by Charlotte and Wilf Ingram .
Lectors: Stephanie Black, Edyta Baczyk
Eucharistic Minister: Janet Hawthorne     
Altar Servers: Caleigh, Nicholas                                       
Ushers: Toni LaRusic, Robert Melski Jr.
Greeters: Catherine Tucker, Herb Tucker
Altar Society volunteers for March: Catherine Tucker, Herb Tucker, and Marjorie Ardelli                    

Collection receipts for Sunday, February 23:  $1366.40 (broken down as follows: $855.00 weekly contribution, $80.00 monthly supplementary contribution, $33.00 candles, $12.40 loose, $50.00 fuel, $336.00 building fund. Thank you very much for your generous support of St. Mary’s Polish Parish. Dziękujemy serdecznie!

MASS CARDS/VIGIL CANDLE: Contact Tom Urbaniak (563-1226)

IN MEMORIAM DONATION: To make an In Memoriam donation, please pick up one of the IMO cards/St. Mary’s Polish Church envelopes at the back or speak with Shauna McKay. These will be acknowledged in the bulletin. We also welcome donations to the Building Fund, as we continue with improvements and repairs.

“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:
March 2: Franciszek, Helena, Henryk, Krzysztof, Lew, Michał, Paweł, Piotr, Radosław
March 3: Hieronim, Maryna        
March 4: Adrian, Adrianna, Arkadiusz, Eugeniusz, Kazimierz, Lucja
March 5: Adrian, Adrianna, Fryderyk, Jan, Wacław, Wacława
March 6: Eugenia, Jordan, Klaudian, Róża, Wiktor, Wojsław
March 7: Felicja, Paweł, Tomasz
March 8: Beata, Jan, Julian, Miligost, Miłogost, Stefan
March 9: Dominik, Franciszka, Katarzyna

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OGŁOSZENIA / ANNOUNCEMENTS

PLEASE NOTE THAT IF SCHOOL IS CANCELLED ON WEDNESDAYS DUE TO WEATHER OUR WEDNESDAY MASS WILL ALSO BE CANCELLED. THIS APPLIES TO WEDNESDAYS ONLY.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO LUNCH AFTER MASS DOWNSTAIRS TODAY – Marking Tłusty Czwartek. In the Polish tradition, this past Thursday was Tłusty Czwartek – literally “Fat Thursday” -- the Thursday before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the solemn period of Lent. As is the custom, the parish will serve pączki (pronounced “ponch-key”), the rich jelly/fruit-filled Polish doughnuts. A recipe can be found in the parish’s recently published centenary cookbook, for which there is an order form on-line: www.stmaryspolishparish.ca or the book can be ordered by speaking with Shari or Shauna McKay. In the Małopolska region, the occasion is sometimes called Combrowy Czwartek, recalling an authoritarian and austere 17th-century mayor of Kraków. On this day, in defiance of the mayor’s edicts, the populace would feast and celebrate, and hold popular meals and carnivals. Tłusty Czwartek is somewhat comparable to Pancake Tuesday or Mardi Gras. Thank you for your non-perishable contributions to Loaves and Fishes today. The collection bin will be downstairs during lunch.

ASH WEDNESDAY MASS SCHEDULE:
9 am – Holy Redeemer Convent Chapel
12 noon – St. Mary’s Polish Church
6:30 pm – Holy Redeemer Church

Ash Wednesday is an obligatory day of fasting and abstinence from meat.

LENT is our main penitential time as Christians. These are 40 days of prayer, fasting, meditation, almsgiving, and recollection. We use this time especially to try to become more like Jesus.

EVENING PRAYER (Liturgy of the Hours) will be celebrated each Sunday of Lent at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Parish (St. Joseph Church site), 40 Cabot Street, Sydney @ 7pm. Everyone welcome!

ADORATION DURING LENT: During the Fridays of Lent, Holy Redeemer Convent Chapel, Whitney Pier, will have Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. This will take place following the 9am Friday Chapel mass and will continue until noon. Please plan on spending some time in quiet prayer and adoration beginning Friday, March 7th

IMO (“in memory of”) CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BUILDING FUND:
IMO Władysława Cebula from Peggy and Lynette Ryba
IMO Władysława Cebula from Anna Wesołkowska
IMO Chief Richard "Boots" Walsh from Agnes Stephenson
IMO  Bronia Markotich from Nellie Tynski
IMO  Bronia Markotich from Frania McKay
IMO  Bronia Markotich from Julie Dzaich
IMO  Bronia Markotich from Patsy Kiley
IMO  Bronia Markotich from Frank and Pat DiVito
IMO  Bronia Markotich from Cleta McCulloch

POLISH MICRO-MARKET (MONTHLY FUND-RAISER): Our Polish Micro-Market has been re-stocked (Polish confectionaries, teas, soup and sauce mixes, etc.) There will be a table downstairs during lunch. The Micro-Market proceeds this month will be used to launch our fund-raising for a new roof.

PIER FAITH COMMUNITIES AND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY: The Cape Breton Habitat for Humanity chapter will be building a home in Whitney Pier in the spring of 2015, not far from our church. Our church has been asked to host a meeting on Tuesday, March 18, at 7 p.m., to which are being invited representatives of the other faith communities in the Pier. Typically, when a Habitat project happens there is close co-operation with faith communities in the same neighbourhood (Habitat was in fact founded as an inter-faith initiative). As part of this meeting, CBU student Vanessa Viva will present some of her research on a fund-raising concept that would financially benefit the faith communities and Habitat at the same time. If you would like to be one of our parish representatives at this meeting (even if you are not able to participate later on), please speak with any member of the Rada.

DATE OF PARISH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: The By-laws require that the Annual General Meeting be after Easter Sunday but before the third week of June and announced well in advance. The date for this year is Sunday, May 4, after Mass. The written Annual Report will be available before that date. Please note that there will not be lunch after Mass on that day – as we will move the May lunch up a week to Sunday, April 27, to coincide with our Divine Mercy celebration and the canonization of Blessed John Paul II and Blessed John XXIII.

CAPE BRETON POLISH TARTAN: Thanks to your helpful input and subsequent revisions/“tweaking”, the Rada thought we’re ready for a final vote on the design. The flyers will be on the lunch tables downstairs after Mass. Please vote (once!) and include any comments and leave on the tables.  It is hoped to release the design and merchandise order forms on May 3rd (Feast of Mary Queen of Poland, Polish Constitution Day, and the holiday for people of Polish heritage around the world). Our parish will own the design and receive any profits from merchandise.

ROOF/CEILING REPAIRS – NEW WORK HAS BEEN DONE TO STOP WATER DAMAGE – LOOKING TOWARD A NEW ROOF THIS YEAR: The harsh winter has exposed a number of small holes and gaps on the roof (especially the eastern side) and led to minor damage. On Feb. 21 & 22, contractors were in to do a more extensive temporary fix than just a patch up – consisting of a vapour barrier, tarp within the attic, and funnel system covering a significant portion of the eastern side (where the ceiling damage has happened). This should satisfy for the time being, but we have received advice from independent experts that we are definitely due for a new roof. We will be obtaining estimates and also filing a grant application under Nova Scotia’s Heritage Property Grant Program, which supports provincially designated historic landmarks like ours. We will also be making an appeal for your kind fund-raising assistance so that we can move forward on this quickly. We are very grateful for your generosity to the Building Fund.

SWIĘTY KAZIMIERZ JAGIELLOŃCZYK/ST. CASIMIR – ONE OF THE PATRON SAINTS OF POLAND AND LITHUANIA (FEAST DAY – MARCH 4):  Although St. Casimir died at the young age of 25 (in 1484), his short period as prince-regent of Poland was marked by prudence, tolerance, and a search for peace.  St. Casimir followed an ascetic, prayerful lifestyle, shunning wealthy trappings. His policies sought to have noble families share their bounty with the poor.  As we participate in our communities as citizens, and as we assume leadership roles in our parish and in community organizations, we ask for the same grace and wisdom. Święty Kazimierz, módł się za nami! St. Casimir, pray for us!

NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF CZESTOCHOWA (WHICH WE PRAY TOGETHER EACH WEDNESDAY IN OUR CHURCH) CAN BE FOUND IN THE NEW BOOK PRZEZ POKOLENIA: PRAYERS AND CUSTOMS OF ST. MARY’S POLISH CHURCH (in the pew pockets). Most of the old books were worn and had to be retired from the pews.

GIFT CERTIFICATES – POLISH VILLAGE HALL.  Please speak with Bernie LaRusic. Since the renovations, the hall is seeing increasing traffic as a comfortable, modern, versatile space for events large and small.

PARISH CENTENARY COOKBOOKS. Additional copies have been printed. Please speak with Shari McKay or Shauna McKay.

OUR BOOK PRZEZ POKOLENIA: Prayers and Customs of St. Mary`s Polish Church ($10 each). Please speak with Tom Urbaniak.

THE RENOVATED AND REFURBISHED POLISH VILLAGE HALL is a comfortable, well appointed, modernized venue for events large and small. Please consider renting the hall for your events. Please call 564-8494.

PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR ON-LINE “VIRTUAL TOUR” AND AN 8.5 MINUTE PARISH WELCOME VIDEO ON OUR WEBSITE:  www.stmaryspolishparish.ca

Wishing you a blessed week! Bóg zapłać!

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OUR OPENING HYMN TODAY -- Kiedy Ranne Wstają Zorze

Our opening hymn – a great spiritual classic – was composed around 1780 by Franciszek Karpiński and was probably performed for the first time in the Stary Kościół Farny (“old church”) in Białystok, which is now part of a basilica complex. It is #219 in our coil-bound hymnal. The text is reprinted below with an English translation.

Kiedy ranne wstają zorze,  Tobie ziemia, Tobie morze, Tobie śpiewa żywioł wszelki: Bądź pochwalon, Boże wielki! A człowiek, który bez miary, Obsypany Twymi dary, Coś go `stworzył i ocalił, A czemuż by Cię nie chwalił? Ledwie oczy przetrzeć zdołam, Wnet do mego Pana wołam, Do mego Boga na niebie, I szukam Go koło siebie. Wielu snem śmierci upadli, Co się wczoraj spać pokładli, My się jeszcze obudzili, Byśmy Cię, Boże chwalił

When the early aurora rises, To you the land and the sea To your glory sings everything living. Be praised, O great God! A person who without measure Is showered with Your gifts A great thing created and saved that person. And so why would You not be praised? I can barely wipe my eyes, Soon to my Lord I do cry out, And to my God in heaven, I'm looking for him around me. Many in their dreams fell into death, Only yesterday they fell into sleep, But we, for our part, still did awake So that we could praise You, O God

  

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TODAY’S HYMNS:
Entrance: Kiedy ranne wstają zorze [With the Morning Sunrise – Be Praised]:#219 in the coil-bound hymnal
Offertory: Pobłogosław, Jezu drogi [Bless Us, Dear Jesus] -- #145
Communion: Panie, pragnienia ludzkich serc [Lord, the Desire of the Human Hearts] -- #122
Post-Communion: Wszystko Tobie oddać pragnę [I Offer All to You] -- #238
Closing Hymn: Zdrowaś Maryja, Bogarodzico [Hail Mary, Mother of God] -- #201