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 Dennis Lamey 902-564-4222; sttheresasydney@gmail.com

MSZY/MASSES: PLEASE NOTE: CHURCH RE-OPENED FOR MASS ON JULY 5, with health and safety requirements and pre-registration. Please see below for more information.

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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XXVI Niedziela Zwykła / Twenty Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time

CZYTANIA / READINGS:
Pierwsze czytanie: Ez 18:25-28
Psalm: 25
Drugie czytanie: Flp 2:1-11
Ewangelia: Mt 21:28-32

First Reading: Ezekiel 18:25-28
Psalm: 25
Second Reading: Philippians 2:1-11
Gospel: Matthew 21:28-32

RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Wspomnij, o Panie, na swe miłosierdzie / Remember your mercies, O Lord

Wednesday Masses and Novena to Our Lady of Czestochowa are not being held during this phase of re-opening.

Altar Society designated volunteers for September: Ursula Melski, Eileen Fagan-Steele

PLEASE NOTE: Please see the end of the bulletin for the detailed public health protocols specific to our church. Please note that we are using a pre-registration system, where persons attending must receive a prior call. If you have not recently been called, please contact Stephanie Black (902-578-3697). Thanks very kindly.

AFTER-MASS PROTOCOL: We depart out the side entrance, row by row, starting with front rows and maintaining distancing. Singing of “Sto lat” for birthdays and anniversaries can happen outside with distancing, as indoor singing is not permitted at this time because of the health regulations. Many thanks.

The destruction of the human environment is extremely serious, not only because God has entrusted the world to us, but because human life is itself a gift which must be defended. #SeasonsofCreation —a recent tweet from Pope Francis

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OGŁOSZENIA / ANNOUNCEMENTS

Fr. Dennis still has on-line Mass available: http://www.sainttheresasydney.com/

A REQUEST FOR NON-PERISHABLE ITEMS: If you are registered to attend Mass this Sunday (or in the following weeks), and if you can, we would be very grateful if you could bring a non-perishable food item or personal care item. There will be a box at the entrance. These items will help to stock our Food Cupboard outside the Polish Village Hall and also assist Loaves and Fishes.

A NOTE ABOUT MASKS: We have all been wearing masks since the church re-opened. These are now legally mandatory in church. Children under 2 are exempt as well as children between the ages of 2 and 4 when their caregiver cannot get them to wear a mask. People with a valid medical reason for not wearing a mask are also exempt.  https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/staying-healthy/#masks

FILM SCREENING: “MEMORY IS OUR HOMELAND”: Tuesday, September 29, 7:00pm, Highland Arts Theatre. No charge (voluntary free-will offering to support St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society). Physical distancing and health protocols will be in place. This beautiful Polish-Canadian film follows former wartime Polish child refugees who found safety and welcome in the countries of East Africa. Hosted by the St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society with the support of the Consulate of Poland.

PLAQUE UNVEILING TO HONOUR THE POLISH PIONEERS OF GLACE BAY: Wednesday, September 30, 11:00am, Dawe Avenue Recreation Field (near Holy Cross Church). Outdoors with distancing. This will cap off Nova Scotia Polish Heritage Month. Many thanks to the donors who made this wonderful project happen!

LEONARD PLUTA VIDEOS (featured author for NS POLISH HERITAGE MONTH): We have started to post these in segments on the parish Facebook page. (You don’t have to be on Facebook to access the parish Facebook page). In the first segment, Leonard talks about Christian ethics and economics. Please note that we have created captions for easier listening. You can usually activate captions by looking for the little symbol at the bottom of a video that looks like a wheel.

DZIEKUJEMY! A big thank you to everyone who has helped in any way with the NS Polish Heritage Month activities so far! Everything has been going very well with lots of positive feedback.

A NOTE ABOUT OUR FOOD CUPBOARD: The Food Cupboard in front of the Polish Village Hall has been functioning well over the past three months. It is getting more demand, so if you are in the area and can place a few non-perishable items in the Food Cupboard, this would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!

AVAILABILITY OF POLISH VILLAGE HALL: With public health restrictions and limitations, rentals are available for certain smaller activities, subject to detailed protocols (similar in some ways for those in place for the church) and a cleaning surcharge. Please contact Bernie LaRusic at 902-561-6500. Thanks for your ongoing support!

WEEKDAY RADIO SPOTS ABOUT POLISH CULTURE AND LANGUAGE IN CAPE BRETON: The Coast Radio: Every weekday at 3:50pm and 7:50pm (FM 89.7). It’s called the “One Minute Polish Broadcast”. Learn a new Polish word, phrase, or cultural tradition. Presented by the St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society. Would you consider sponsoring a whole week for $100? The Coast has kindly agreed to allow us to do this as a fund-raiser (they are not charging for air time). Sponsors will be acknowledged on air (IMOs are welcome, birthday tributes, etc). Thank you! Dziekujemy!  And, we’re recruiting volunteers to go on air (pre-recorded). We’ll help you get ready. No previous experience required, and you do not have to be a Polish speaker. This is a great way for us to bring forward members of our community, as well as promote and share Polish language and culture in our region. This month for our radio segments, we are making special mention of Nova Scotia Polish Heritage Month. Our radio theme this coming week will be about St. Michael's Day, with guest Denise Zivolak. The sponsor is Julie Bennett in memory of John Tynski.

THANK YOU TO OUR RADIO SPONSORS SO FAR, WHO HAVE EACH SPONSORED A WEEK IN SUPPORT OF THE SOCIETY: Julie Bennett IM0 John Tynski, Sister Rose Tynski, Ray Tynski, Patsy Kiley, Joe and Marilyn Gillis, Wayne Joseph, Wanda Pierrynowski IMO Teofil Pierrynowski, Dr. Paula Michalik, Fr. Dan Doucet, Marjorie Ardelli IMO Michael and Dawn Marie Ardelli, John Morykot, Ryba family IMO Walter Ryba, Steve Melnick, Stephanie Black, Michael and Ursula Melski, Jerry Pocius, Sophie and Roddie O’Toole, Jeni Jackson, Catherine and Herb Tucker, Bernie and Jancia LaRusic, Anne Marie and Jimmie Campbell, Kathleen MacKenzie, Andy Parnaby, Paul Lenarczyk, Alison Etter, Tom Urbaniak

PRAYERS AND CONDOLENCES: Please keep Fr. Igor Kozhydlo in your prayers. Fr. Igor was our resident priest in the summer of 2017 while a large group from our parish was on a pilgrimage to Poland. Fr. Igor is in the Archdiocese of Lviv (Lwow), Ukraine, and ministers in both Ukrainian and Polish. During his time with us, Fr. Igor visited many of our homes and shared inspiring stories and photos from his community, including building a church from the ground up. Fr. Rich Philiposki writes to us that: "I received a message from Father Igor in Polish and Ukrainian today. He is in intensive care on a ventilator in a hospital with the Covid virus. His mother died of the virus about a month ago." Please keep Fr. Igor in your prayers in the days ahead, and please pray for the soul of Fr. Igor’s mother. Your prayers will be deeply appreciated.

LAST SUNDAY’S COLLECTION FOR OUR PARISH: $720.00 and BUILDING FUND: $70.00. Many thanks for your generosity. Bóg zapłać!
If you are attending Mass, you will find a collection basket near the entrance and exit (since we are not passing around the basket due to the public health restrictions).

RECENT IMO (IN MEMEORY OF) CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BUILDING FUND:
IMO Louise Baker from Sydney River Elementary School; Denise O’Keefe; Joan Mosher
IMO Henry Pierrynowski from Joan Mosher

DONATIONS TO OUR PARISH: Thanks very kindly for any help you can provide toward our ongoing expenses. Donations can 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). Or by regular mail to St. Mary’s Polish Parish, 21 Wesley St., Sydney, N.S. B1N 2M5. Thanks for your support! It’s really appreciated. Bog zaplac!

POPE FRANCIS AND THE MONTH OF PRAYER FOR CREATION: We are all being asked to focus some of our prayers and meditation this month on the care of creation and on our fragile earth, in the lead up to the feast day of St. Francis Assisi on October 4. As noted in the Vatican News,  “Pope Francis offers a profound reflection on respect for the earth, its resources, the evils caused by people’s greed and the need for restorative justice such as debt cancellation for poor countries."

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This September is the first-ever NOVA SCOTIA POLISH HERITAGE MONTH!
Hashtag #WitamyNS  (“Witamy” means welcome!)
It’s a month packed with activities by local organizations, universities, libraries, schools, and businesses. We extend a warm welcome!

Month long:
-Beaton Institute (CBU) series of Facebook profiles – archival vignettes from Cape Breton’s Polish community that you can find in the extensive Beaton Institute collection
-Series of on-line Facebook videos by Cape Breton Regional Library (authors, traditions, and more)
-Virtual celebration on the website of the Halifax Regional Library: halifaxpubliclibraries.ca and Polish book tables at Halifax Central Library
-Weekday “One-Minute Polish Podcasts” on NS Polish Heritage Month themes: The Coast Radio (FM 89.7 in the CBRM) @ 3:50 and 7:50pm or any time at coastalradio.ca
-Book displays and Polish heritage resource lists at branches of the South Shore Regional Library
-Design consultation on a proposed future optional specialized Nova Scotia Polish heritage license plate – various platforms
-Polish book table at Indigo Bayers Lake

Day-by-day:
Tuesday, September 1: Release of video message for Nova Scotia Polish Heritage Month by the Honourable Arthur J. LeBlanc, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia: facebook.com/LtGovNS/
Saturday, September 5, 11:00am to 12:00 noon: Memorial at monument outside Pier 21, followed by cemetery visits in Sackville. Hosted by Polish Emigration Memorial Society. By registration (gathering restrictions), for subsequent broadcast.
Monday, September 7: “Moja Polska” Creative Contest deadline. Info: www.facebook.com/polskaNS/
Tuesday, September 8, 4:35pm: Nova Scotia Polish Heritage Month will be featured on the “People’s School on Community Leadership,” CBC Radio One-Mainstreet Cape Breton.
Friday, September 11, 4:00pm to 7:00pm and Saturday, September 12, 10:30am to 2:30pm: Drop by any time during those hours for a special exhibit featuring photographer Kris Tynski at the Polish Village Hall, Whitney Pier (with physical distancing). Textiles and costumes will also be on display. Free of charge.  Hosted by the Pogoria Polish Folk Ensemble and St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society.
Saturday, September 12, 11:00am to 2:00pm: Polish take-out dinner at St. Mary’s Polish Church (pierogies and cabbage rolls). Advance tickets required ($10); no sales at door (563-1226; tom_urbaniak@cbu.ca).
Saturday, September 12: Pierogi-making and delivery in Halifax Regional Municipality; pickle taste-off. More details to follow on www.facebook.com/polskaNS/.
Sunday, September 13, 4:00pm: Facebook Live Concert of Polish pop and traditional music by Paul Lenarczyk: www.facebook.com/polskaNS/
Saturday, September 19: Announcement of winner of the “Moja Polska” Creative Contest
Monday, September 21, 4:00pm: Free on-line workshop on sister cities featuring the Cape Breton Regional Municipality and Walbrzych, Poland. Hosted by Cape Breton University. To register, please call 902-563-1226 or e-mail tom_urbaniak@cbu.ca.
Thursday, September 24, 10:15am: Free on-line lecture with guest researcher Amanda Chalupa on the dramatic stories of Polish child refugees around the world, who were fleeing war and occupation. Hosted by Cape Breton University’s Tompkins Institute. To register, please call 902-563-1226 or e-mail tom_urbaniak@cbu.ca.
Saturday, September 26, 7:00pm: Nova Scotia Polish Heritage Month to be featured at the Lunenburg Lit Festival. Tickets: lunenburglitfestival.ca.
Tuesday, September 29, 7:00pm: Highland Arts Theatre. Film screening (free-will offering) with physical distancing: Memory is Our Homeland – a beautiful film about Polish child migrants in the countries of East Africa and their Canadian connections. Hosted by the St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society with the support of the CBU Tompkins Institute.
Wednesday, September 30, 11:00am: Unveiling of a permanent monument to honour the Polish community of Glace Bay at Dawe St. recreation field. Info: 902-563-1226; e-mail: eddiemichalik@gmail.com

Please stay up to date on activities for Nova Scotia Polish Heritage Month on the Facebook pages of the Polish Village Hall (St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society), the Polish Canadian Society of Nova Scotia, St. Mary’s Polish Parish, and the Atlantic Canada District of the Canadian Polish Congress.

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PUBLIC HEALTH REQUIREMENTS FOR MASS, SPECIFIC TO OUR CHURCH – as of Sunday, July 12
Dear Fellow Parishioners and Friends:
Below are the public health requirements related to Mass attendance, as applied specifically to our church. These have also been posted on our parish website and Facebook page. Thank you so much for your patience, understanding, and goodwill as we collectively adjust. Please also see #3 and #4 below about the pre-registration / seat-designation system for Mass attendance.   Dziekujemy bardzo serdecznie! Z Bogiem.

CELEBRATION OF HOLY MASS AT ST. MARY’S POLISH CHURCH:

1. The COVID-19 virus is still a danger to our community, province, and country. As we have seen with our neighbours south of the border, it can re-spread very quickly. Please stay safe.

2. We as a parish must abide by all applicable guidelines to ensure the safety of all, while being able to worship in a safe way. This requires patience as we adapt to a new form of attending Holy Mass.

3. For the first week (Sunday, July 5), parishioners were being randomly called until our smaller capacity is reached to maintain social distancing. If you are not sure if the parish has your telephone number, or if you wish to ensure that the parish has a current telephone number for you, please call Stephanie Black at 902-578-3697 to leave your telephone number. In subsequent weeks, persons who could not attend the previous week were being called first.

4. At this time, attendance can only be through the pre-registration process outlined in #3. The parish will maintain a record of everyone who is present and their contact information (for contact-tracing should the need arise).

5. Please ensure that you are completely free of any of the potential COVID symptoms. If you are registered to attend, but feel at all ill (eg. fever, colds), or feel poorly for any reason, please do not attend. There is a dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass.

6. Masks are now mandatory. (All attendees have been wearing masks in church – and masks were available at the entrance. Thank you!) Please remember that this is also for the safety of others.

7. Physical distance of two metres (six feet) will be required inside and outside the church (if not in family bubbles). Everyone is requested to avoid handshakes, hugs and other close contact.

8.  Every second pew will be signed as “not in use,” as well as the entire side aisles of the church. Those pews that are being used will have the required spacing indicated.

9. Entry will be through Wesley St. doors. Staged (gradual) exit will take place through side (parking lot) doors.

10. There will be hand sanitization at the entrance.

11. There will be no choir for the time being, as per the public health requirements.

12. There will be one lector and no altar servers.

13. The church will be sanitized (pews, knobs, etc) after use in order to be fully clean for each Mass.

14. Ushers will assist with seating, from a distance.

15. There will be no Holy Water in the hand fonts.

16. Fr. Dennis will explain protocols for Communion, which will necessitate social distancing and extreme prudence.

17. Communion will be distributed only in the hand. The Priest will wear a mask, and he will sanitize his hands before and following Holy Communion. It is not permitted at this time to take Holy Communion to anyone outside the church.

18. Confession remains on an as-requested basis, maintaining social-distancing guidelines.

19. Other church in-person gatherings remain suspended for the time being.

20. There will be no paper bulletins in the church. Bulletins will continue to be provided electronically (on Saturday) or by regular mail (Canada Post). Please do not hesitate to e-mail or call (tom_urbaniak@cbu.ca; 902-563-1226) if there is anyone who is not currently receiving a bulletin who would like to receive a bulletin. 

21. Hymnals, brochures, and other items in the pews have been removed for the time being.

22. Collection baskets will be placed at the entrance and exit. (Collection will not be conducted in the usual way.) Thank you kindly for your support.

Życzymy błogosławionego tygodnia / Wishing you a blessed week!