2017 Whitney Pier Slavic Festival

Photos
Galicia St. Naming Ceremony
Divine Liturgy at Holy Ghost Ukrainian Church
Mass at St. Mary’s Polish Church and lamb roast

Christmas Eve Mass, December 24th, 2016

 

Mass of Consecration, July 3rd, 2016

 

Witamy / Welcome to the new St. Mary's Polish Church! June 26th, 2016

We are so grateful for everyone's support and kindness. Please know that our home is your home, and you are always welcome here. Thank you to everyone who has been involved in any way with the rebuilding - everyone who prayed for us, our volunteer workers and coordinators, our Rada (parish council) and committees, our construction crews and contractors, our financial and in-kind donors from across Cape Breton and around the world, our friends from faith communities of all denominations, our architect and engineers, members of the media, local companies and suppliers, everyone who "adopted" us while we were without a permanent church home, and everyone who supported us in any way. We will never forget what you did for us. Our new church remains a heritage landmark designated by the Province of Nova Scotia to honour Polish Nova Scotians.

 

Concert of Choirs, October 24, 2015

St. Mary’s Polish Parish organized a multilingual concert of great Cape Breton choirs as a fund-raiser for the church rebuilding after the fire. The parish is grateful to everyone who attended and to our friends at United Heritage Church for offering their beautiful sanctuary for our use.

 

Parish Oplatek Supper, January 12th, 2014

 

Places That Matter Award Presentation, September 2013

Stephanie Black, on behalf of St. Mary’s Polish Parish, accepted the Places That Matter Award from Rev. Dianne Kempt, Chair of the Sydney Presbytery, United Church of Canada. The presentation was made at Bethel United Church in Marion Bridge at a dinner/gathering of the Sydney Presbytery. The Places That Matter Award is given by the United Church’s Sydney Presbytery (which covers much of Cape Breton) to a place of faith or organization of any denomination that demonstrates excellence in making a difference in the broader community. At the gathering, we were asked to give a presentation about the history of St. Mary’s Polish Parish and about some of our recent initiatives. We also showed images of our church and extended a warm welcome to those in attendance to visit at any time. The award was a very kind gesture and a great example of friendship among faiths and denominations.

 

Centenary Mass and Polish Festival, September 8th, 2013

MASS VIDEO PART 1
MASS VIDEO PART 2
POLISH FESTIVAL VIDEO

100th Anniversary Dinner, September 6th, 2013

 

PowerPoint Polish Community

Dinner Theatre Presentation of The Odyssey of the Polish Treasures, July 27th, 2013

The Odyssey of the Polish Treasures, adapted from Dr. Al Balawyder’s book of the same title. In 1939, the Polish state treasures in Kraków’s Wawel Castle were evacuated and began a long trek, along with refugees from various nationalities. They were eventually transported to Canada, under the watch of Józef Polkowski and Stanisław Zaleski. The treasures were dispersed and hidden for their own protection and for fear of the post-war Polish Communist government. The treasures were finally returned to Poland when a rare consensus was reached in 1961 between the two governments, as well as the Polish government-inexile in London, and Church officials. Our adaptation includes a Cape Breton twist and some add-on characters!
VIDEO PART 1
VIDEO PART 2

Men of the Deeps in concert with the choir of St. Mary's Polish Church, July 6th, 2013

The St. Michael's Polish Benefit Society -- which has been part of our parish since the beginning -- hosted, in cooperation with Cape Breton University, an emotionally charged STO LAT! (100 Years) Tribute, featuring the Men of the Deeps in concert with the Choir of St. Mary's Polish Church, the only Polish-language choir in Cape Breton.
VIDEO PART 1
VIDEO PART 2
VIDEO PART 3
HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

Polish Festival at St. Mary’s Polish Church, September 9th, 2012

 

Boże Ciało / Corpus Christi at St. Mary’s Polish Church, June 10, 2012

The whole Church marks Corpus Christi, emphasizing the joy of the institution of the Eucharist. In Poland, it has special significance as a major religious and public holiday. The first Corpus Christi procession was held in 1320 in Krakow, and colourful processions with the Blessed Sacrament and temporary altars are now held in every city and town in the country. These traditions are also followed by Polish churches outside Poland as public manifestations of faith. During times of occupation and later during the Communist period, the faithful sometimes took great personal risks to participate in Boże Ciało ceremonies.

St. Mary’s Polish Parish Pilgrimage to St. Ninian’s Cathedral in Antigonish, Saturday, February 25, 2012

The pilgrimage to the St. Ninian’s Cathedral in Antigonish was a tremendous success – a historic event for the parish and for the diocese. It was, just as we had hoped, prayerful and positive. Father Tom MacNeil, the cathedral rector, described our presence and participation as “moving.”
Click here to read acknowledgments.