NASZE STULECIE – A YEAR OF PRAYER, SERVICE, AND CELEBRATION -- SCHEDULE FOR OUR 100th ANNIVERSARY

All year and ongoing – Weekly Novena to Our Lady of Częstochowa (Wednesdays after the 4 p.m. Mass)

January – Centenary blessing of homes and inscription with blessed chalk by Father Paul and Father Alex.

January – Launch of Sto Darów [100 Gifts] – a series of Centenary service projects in the community throughout the year

February/March – Weekly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Stations of the Cross

May 3 – Passage of a special resolution by the Nova Scotia House of Assembly emphasizing the parish’s important contributions to the province

May 4 – Community supper and special presentations to mark the Feast of Mary, Queen of Poland

May 22 – Release of parish welcome video for 100th anniversary – the video is on-line: www.stmaryspolishparish.ca

May 5 – Observance of the Feast of Mary, Queen of Poland and special Novena to Our Lady of Częstochowa

June 2 – Boże Ciało (Corpus Christi) celebration, procession and blessing of the soil for the new Polish food garden (service project). Special thanks to ACAP Cape Breton (Len Vassallo), Pathways to Employment, and Family Place Resource Centre for their assistance in getting the garden started.

Late June: Painting of the entire church interior to take it closer to the historical colours (blue and off-white, reflecting the colours often associated with Mary)

July 6 – Men of the Deeps tribute concert to our centenary, with the choir of St. Mary’s Polish Parish (hosted by the St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society) – CBU Boardmore Theatre – Tickets 371-5088. A celebration of faith, heritage, and perseverance. Among other things, the concert will include – for the first time – a verse of the famous song Working Man in Polish. The Polish Consul will present the Men of the Deeps with a commemorative Polish miners’ ceremonial uniform.

July 25 – Opening of Parish Centenary Historical Exhibit – Wendy Bergfeldt (CBC Radio) to broadcast live, 4-6 p.m..

July 25-28 – Conference of the Canadian Polish Research Institute www.polishcommunitiesconference.ca .

July 25 – Parish centenary art exhibit opening

July 27 – Parish dinner theatre production – The Odyssey of the Polish Treasures – based on the true and rather dramatic story of how the Polish state treasures were kept safe in Canada while Poland was occupied during World War II and later under Communism; Polish Village Hall; tickets: 563-1226

August 2-4 – Parish family reunions, Mass, and picnic on parish grounds (Sunday)

September 6 – Centenary banquet

September 8 – Main Centenary Mass and Polish Festival

October 16-18 – Visit and workshops/performances by Jedliniok (renowned folk group from Wroclaw, Poland)

October – Unveiling of the Cape Breton Polish tartan

December – Special community Polish carol singing and Sylwestra ball (Feast of St. Sylvester – Dec. 31) to usher out the centenary year

Other:   Summer 2013 -- Launch of the Parish Centenary Cookbook, complete with stories reflecting the faith, history, and customs of St. Mary’s Polish Church
When Pope John Paul II is canonized (made a saint), which may happen this year, it is planned that the laneway owned by the parish alongside the church will be named “Karol Wojtyła Lane” in his honour.