Parafia p.w. Narodzenia Najświętszej Maryi Panny
ST. MARY’S POLISH PARISH
21 Wesley St., Sydney, NS, B1N 2M5
Tel.: 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. preceded at 3 p.m. by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and at 3:30 by Stations of the Cross (post Wed. Mass Novena to Our Lady of Częstochowa resumes after Lent)

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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Piąta Niedziela Wielkiego Postu / Fifth Sunday of Lent

TODAY’S MASS INTENTION is for deceased members of the Kiech family offered by Jean Annette and Richard White. Eternal rest grant onto them O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them. Wieczny odpoczynek racz Im dać Panie, a swiatłość wiekuista niechaj Im świeci na wieki wieków. Amen.

The Vigil Candle this week is for Michael Ardelli offered by Shirley & family.

Ushers for collection today: Steve Melnick, Michael Melski

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NASTĘPNY TYDZIEŃ / THE WEEK AHEAD:

Wednesday, March 20, 4:00 p.m.: preceded at 3 p.m. by the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, 3:30 p.m. by the Stations of the Cross. The Mass intention will be for Helen Wazik Stevens offered by Raylene Kiley.

Sunday, March 24, 9:30 a.m.: Niedziela Palmowa/Palm Sunday: The Mass intention will be for Hughie McMullin offered by Jancia & Bernie LaRusic. 
Lectors: Anne-Marie Campbell, Tony Melski
Eucharistic Minister: Kay Violande
Altar Servers: Marjorie Ardelli, Carolyn Kiley

Collection receipts for Sunday, March 10:  $691.26 (broken down as follows: $547.26 weekly contribution, $57.00 candles, $50.00 fuel, $30.00 Easter flowers, $7.00 building fund. Thank you very much for your support of St. Mary’s Polish Parish. Serdecznie dziękujemy!

MASS CARDS/VIGIL CANDLE/MASS INTENTIONS: Please call Paul Tynski (562-1716)
Please Note: No individual Mass intentions will be taken for Sept. 8 (100 years to the day since our founding). The intention will be for all parishioners, living and deceased.

“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 17: Gertruda, Jan, Patryk, Zbigniew, Zbyszko
March 18: Aleksander, Boguchwał, Cyryl, Edward
March 19: Bogdan, Józef
March 20: Aleksander, Aleksandra, Bogusław, Klaudia
March 21: Benedykt, Lubomira, Mikołaj
March 22: Bogusław, Katarzyna, Kazimierz, Paweł
March 23: Feliks, Katarzyna, Piotr
March 24: Gabriel, Marek, Szymon

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OGŁOSZENIA / ANNOUNCEMENTS

CHANGE IN WEDNESDAY MASS TIME FOR THE WINTER MONTHS: 4 p.m.: Our Wednesday evening Mass is at 4 p.m. Novena to Our Lady of Czestochowa follows as usual. Father Paul has effected this change out of consideration for people who may find it difficult to drive in the dark, especially in inclement winter conditions.

WEEKLY ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT every Wednesday at 3 p.m. (one hour before the Wednesday Mass) in our church. STATIONS OF THE CROSS take place at approximately 3:30 p.m. This is an important component of our 100th anniversary year, as we strengthen our life of prayer and spiritual devotion as a parish.

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE FOR WHITNEY PIER PARISHES:
Holy Wednesday: 3 p.m. -- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Stations of the Cross, followed by Mass (4 p.m.) – St. Mary’s Polish Church
Holy Thursday: 6:30pm – Holy Redeemer Church
Good Friday: 3pm – St. Mary’s Polish Church
                         3pm – Holy Redeemer Church
Holy Saturday: 2 p.m. -- Blessing of Easter Foods at St. Mary’s Polish Church
                         7 p.m. – Easter Vigil Mass – Holy Redeemer Church
Easter Sunday: 9:30am – St. Mary’s Polish Church
                         11am – Holy Redeemer Church

Please Note: Good Friday is an obligatory day of Fasting and Abstinence from meat.

WORKSHOP ON POLISH TRADITIONAL ATTIRE: Would you like to learn more about the unique and colourful traditional outfits from the various Polish regions? Are you considering ordering some to wear for various parish and community occasions? Would you like recommendations and measurements? Please attend a short session after Mass today – to start at 10:45 a.m. -- in the Polish Village Hall. There will be refreshments and desserts. Everyone is welcome.

PISANKI WORKSHOP – LEARN HOW TO DECORATE POLISH EASTER EGGS: Once again this year, our parish is hosting a workshop, complete with explanations of the significant spiritual and cultural traditions associated with different designs. It will take place on Saturday, March 23, at 1 p.m. in the church basement. Space is limited, so please RSVP to Shari McKay -- shari_pogoria@hotmail.com; 539-4354. 

The 100th ANNUAL BLESSING of EASTER FOOD (Święcenie Pokarmów Wielkanoncnych) will take place on Holy Saturday (March 30) at 2 p.m. If you have traditional Polish attire, please wear it for this blessing. Please invite friends from the broader community to bring their Easter baskets for blessing as well or just to be present with us – everyone is welcome. We will explain the rich traditions associated with this blessing and why the various foods are included. Also, as part of our Sto Darów Centenary Community Service Initiative, we will have a large special basket. We will invite you to place one item from your basket into this collective basket. The large basket will then be delivered to Loaves and Fishes.

COMMITTEE VOLUNTEERS: The Rada (Pastoral Council) is making the annual call for volunteers for the Finance Committee and the Liturgical Committee (helps with planning special liturgical celebrations), which are appointed by the Pastor and Rada. Thank you to those current members of the Interim Finance Committee who have indicated their willingness to continue. Any other interested volunteers – or any parishioners with questions about the roles of the committees – should please call 563-1226 or e-mail tom_urbaniak@cbu.ca by tomorrow March 18. Thank you, everyone, for your dedication to our parish.

MASS OF CHRISM: St. Nininian’s Cathedral, Monday March 25, 2013 at 4 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

HONOURING LOCAL PIONEERS: A vacant lot on Bryan St. next to the Whitney Pier Heritage Trail (in the Kolonia section of the Pier) will be beautified this year by local volunteers in a way that pays tribute to the Central/Eastern European residents who lived in most of the homes in that particular area. The Sydney Architectural Conservation Society has just acquired the empty lot and has budgeted $5,000 for improvements this year. SACS is now consulting with stakeholders, including youth and elders. Some ideas include a small boxed garden with traditional plants and a small roadside shrine, a place for prayer and contemplation that would have been typical in Polish and Ukrainian villages. If you have any ideas you would like to share or if you would like to help out in any way, please speak with Tom Urbaniak.

PARISH FAMILY REUNIONS (Aug. 2-5, 2013); CENTENARY MASS AND POLISH FESTIVAL: September 8, 2013. For other centenary events, please consult the parish website: www.stmaryspolishparish.ca

RESURRECTION CEMETERY in Sydney Forks is looking for four volunteer members to sit on its Board of Directors to fill vacancies of members who have completed their term. Members wishing to serve should have an interest in seeing the cemetery operated in a wise and prudent manner. It is a three- year term and we usually have three general meetings per year. Volunteers can forward their name, address and phone number to the cemetery or they can forward this information to the chairperson of their parish council or their parish priest. If you have any questions call 902-564-6304 or email us at Resurrection@eastlink.ca

Free “Your Way to Wellness” program to help deal with Chronic Disease Symptoms:  Why healthy eating and exercise are important and much more.  Starts at the East Bay Volunteer Fire Hall on Tuesday, April 9, 1:30 pm -4:00 pm for 6 weeks.  To register call Kelly at 842-0201 or 1-888-672-3444;

Country Music Concert at Mabou Hall on Sunday afternoon, April 7th at 2:00.   Proceeds for the maintenance of the Shrine – Donations at the door are gratefully appreciated.

23rd Annual Auction in Support of the Community Homeless Shelter – April 12, 2013 at Our Lady of Fatima Church Hall, Kings Rd. Sydney.  Viewing : 6:30pm. Auction starts at 7:00 pm.  Auctioneer – Alfie MacLeod; 19 years and older.  Admission $10.00; pizza and beverage included.  With your help, we are making a difference in people’s lives!

PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR ON-LINE “VIRTUAL TOUR” www.stmaryspolishparish.ca

THE FEAST OF ST. JOSEPH (MARCH 19), PATRON SAINT OF CANADA, AND ALSO AN IMPORTANT SOLEMNITY IN POLAND: Because of the Polish custom of celebrating name days (imieniny), and because Joseph was such a common name, the practice of “St. Joseph’s tables” (a special meal) became widespread on this day. Our choir will sing a special hymn in honour of St. Joseph for the post-Communion today. Pope Francis has chosen the Feast of St. Joseph for his Inauguration Mass.

PAPIEŻ FRANCISZEK / POPE FRANCIS – Urbi et Orbi (March 13, 2013): “Zaczynamy tę drogę biskup – lud. To jest Kościół Rzymu, który przewodzi w miłości wszystkim Kościołom. Jest to droga braterstwa, miłości i wzajemnego zaufania między nami. Módlmy się jeden za drugiego. Módlmy się za cały świat, aby było w nim wielkie braterstwo.”
“And now, we take up this journey:  Bishop and People.  This journey of the Church of Rome which presides in charity over all the Churches.  A journey of fraternity, of love, of trust among us.  Let us always pray for one another.  Let us pray for the whole world, that there may be a great spirit of fraternity.”

SOLIDARITY SUNDAY – PLEASE SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE: The following is from a report from Vatican Radio: Every fifth Sunday of Lent marks Solidarity Sunday for Catholics in Canada. The decades-old tradition puts the spotlight on the needs of the poor and invites Catholics to give alms in support of the Church’s work in the Global South. However, in addition to raising funds, the annual campaign also seeks to educate Canadians on the various struggles of the poor. This year’s theme is “Human Dignity: More Than Ever”. Archbishop Richard Smith, president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, explained the Church’s teaching at the heart of this year’s theme. “All that we teach in reaching out to the poor; all that we teach in terms of protecting human life from its conception to its natural end, all of this is rooted in the truth of human dignity, which is inalienable, which is inherent and which is grounded in the beautiful fact that we are created in the image and the likeness of God,” he said. “By inviting Catholics to stand in solidarity with their brothers and sisters in need at the same time we provide them with the principal reason for this appeal, and the principal reason for the work that we do,” he continued. “That together with all we share an inherent human dignity that comes to us from our God.” The collection takes place in all parishes nationwide, March 16-17, and funds the work of the bishops’ development agency: the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, the Canadian arm of Caritas Internationalis.

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A PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH, OFTEN PRAYED IN TIMES OF DIFFICULTY:

Modlitwa oddania się św. Józefowi
Święty Józefie, moc Twej modlitwy sprawia, że najtrudniejsze sprawy Tobie powierzone, stają się łatwe do rozwiązania. Błagamy Cię więc, wejrzyj na nasze obecne potrzeby, przybądź nam z pomocą, pociesz w naszych smutkach, obawach, troskach i bólach. Oddal od nas niebezpieczeństwo nam grożące, weź pod swoją opiekę wszystko, co twojej przemożnej opiece polecamy. Okaż nam, Święty Józefie, jak dobry jesteś dla tych, którzy pragną pozostać na zawsze Twoimi wiernymi czcicielami. Amen.

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A HYMN TO ST. JOSEPH (IN HONOUR OF HIS FEAST DAY, MARCH 19) – to be sung as today’s Post-Communion hymn (March 17, 2013):

Duszo moja, niech pieśń twoja, głosi Józefowi cześć On wybrany, niezrównany, więc Mu hołdy trzeba nieść. Z nami chwałę niebo całe, niech u Bożych złoży nóg, Że bez miary swoje dary, na Józefa rozlał Bóg. On w świętości i czystości, po Maryi pierwszym był, Przy Panience On w stajence, pierwszy Boże Dziecię czcił. Z nami chwałę niebo całe, niech u Bożych złoży nóg, Że bez miary swoje dary, na Józefa rozlał Bóg.

O my soul, let the song of yours, announce Joseph’s honour The selected and the extraordinary, to him is homage due. With us the glory of all of heaven, presented before the Lord. These were immeasurable gifts, which God poured onto Joseph. In holiness and in purity, he came first after Mary, After the Holy Virgin, he was the first to worship God in the stable. With us the glory of all of heaven, presented before the Lord. These were immeasurable gifts, which God poured onto Joseph.

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TODAY’S HYMNS:
Entrance: Juzem dosc pracowal -- # 71 in the coil-bound hymnal (also printed on the insert to today’s bulletin)
Offertory: Rozmyszlajmy dzis -- #79
Communion: Chwalmy nie wyslawjony -- #104
Post-Communion: Piesn do Swietego Jozefa –  Duszo Moja -- Siedlecki  hymnal –p. 281 (see also the second bulletin insert)
Closing Hymn Words:  Któryś za nas cierpiał rany, Jezu Chryste, zmiłuj się nad nami! [Translation: You who suffered, wounded, for us … Christ Jesus, have mercy on us.]