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: Although province-wide formal rules have eased, Public health continues to strongly recommend wearing masks in congregate settings

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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Niedziela Palmowa / Palm Sunday
(also called Niedziela Wierzbowa / Willow Sunday in the Polish tradition)

CZYTANIA / READINGS:
Pierwsze czytanie / First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-7
Psalm: 22
Drugie czytanie / Second Reading: Phil. 3,8-14
Ewangelia / Gospel: Passion according to Luke
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Boże mój, Boże, czemuś mnie opuścił? / My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

MASS INTENTION FOR TODAY: For John K. and Stella Paruch offered by the Paruch family
MASS INTENTION FOR WEDNESDAY'S MASS 6:30pm: For the souls of Delores Starzomski offered by Frania McKay

NOTE: WILLOWS FOR PALM SUNDAY ACCORDING TO THE POLISH CUSTOM: We will have willows at the back of the church (thank you to Ursula Melski!). We will have some ribbons as well if you wish to use them to decorate or tie together the willows. Once at home after the blessing, the branches are often placed close to family photos or religious photos as a symbol of our prayers for health and safety.

Please note some important upcoming times:
On GOOD FRIDAY, April 15, at 6:30pm, we will have Gorzkie Żale (the traditional Lenten Lamentations) and Stations of the Cross in our church. Last year, this was a very meaningful, prayerful time. We will need several readers (Polish and English). If you can volunteer to be a reader, please call 902-563-1226. Many thanks!
EASTER FOOD BLESSING: On Holy Saturday, April 16, at 1:00pm, we will have the traditional blessing of Easter foods (Święcenie Pokarmόw Wielkanocnych). As in previous years, we will also have a collective basket for Loaves and Fishes. We’re inviting everyone to place an item from your basket into the collective basket. It can be a fresh item.

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OGŁOSZENIA / ANNOUNCEMENTS

STO LAT! Birthday blessings to Marjorie Ardelli and to John Morykot. Wishing them lots of health and happiness in the years ahead. In friendship and gratitude – from all your fellow parishioners!

HUMANITARIAN RELIEF-UKRAINE: We are continuing our collection for Ukrainian humanitarian relief – trying to do whatever we can as a parish to bring hope and kindness in a time of such cruelty. If you would like to make a contribution, please mark "Ukraine humanitarian relief" and your name on any envelope. We also have some extra envelopes at the back of the church marked “Ukraine Humanitarian Relief” (with a blue and yellow sticker). Any donations you make in an envelope marked Ukraine humanitarian relief (and with your name) will be tax receipted (added to your total tax receipt) by the parish at the end of the year. If you are donating in the form of a cheque, the cheque can be made out to St. Mary’s Polish Parish, with the words “Ukrainian humanitarian relief” in the memo line. You can also donate on-line to the parish – designated to Ukrainian humanitarian relief – on the parish’s CanadaHelps page: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/st-marys-polish-parish/
The money we raise as a parish will be distributed to support the work on the ground of the following:
--The Ukrainian refugee settlement fund of Wałbrzych, Poland (twin city of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality) which is accommodating close to 4,000 refugees
--The Catholic Near East Welfare Association
--Caritas partners in Ukraine and Poland (via the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace -- which we have previously supported on various projects)
The parish is matching and topping up the individual contributions by utilizing part of last year’s return on endowment investments, as per Rada motion. This means that with collections so far, generous donations that have been sent into us, and this extra support, we are at $15,450 at the time of writing (not including donations still en route). And we have been getting the funds out quickly so that our donations can be of help. For example, on Monday we delivered a donation cheque for $10,000 to the CBRM to transfer to sister city Walbrzych’s special fund to help Ukrainian refugees in their city with basic supplies. (Our parish contribution kicked off the CBRM’s broader appeal to the community.) On our parish’s Facebook page, there is a link describing that in more detail. Heartfelt thanks for your prayers and support.

PUBLIC HEALTH PROTOCOLS – MASKS STILL STRONGLY RECOMMENDED: Dr. Robert Strang is continuing to strongly recommend we wear masks at least for the next several weeks in churches and other indoor public/congregate settings. He noted that the pandemic is not over, and COVID-19 is still quite present in our area. A note of appreciation is extended to all fellow parishioners for all the kindness, patience, and co-operation that everyone has showed during the past two years of the pandemic to try to keep everyone safe, to stay connected, and help each other out. A sense of community and patience and concern for others have been really apparent at our parish during these difficult times. God bless!

POLISH EASTER ITEMS: We have no more pisanki available, but cards and baranki are still available. Please see the table at the back of the church. It’s by donation. On that table is a basket. We’d be grateful for a free-will offering to support the work of the St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society

WEDNESDAY MASSES AT 6:30pm. Mass is preceded by the praying of the Rosary and is followed by the Novena to Our Lady of Częstochowa.

EASTER BASKETS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMEBOUND: After the Good Friday prayers (6:30pm) this coming week, we’ll be preparing baskets for people who are homebound. Items will be supplied by the St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society, but any additional items are welcomed. And if there’s someone you’d like us to deliver to, please don’t hesitate to leave a message at 902-563-1226.

FOOD CUPBOARD: Please consider bringing a non-perishable food or personal care item (e.g. shampoo, soap, toilet paper) to church when you come to Mass. These items will help stock our food cupboard outside the Polish Village Hall.

WEEKDAY RADIO SPOTS ABOUT POLISH CULTURE AND LANGUAGE IN CAPE BRETON: “One Minute Polish Broadcast” airs on the Coast Radio every weekday at 3:50pm and 7:50pm (FM 89.7), and is archived at coastalradio.ca. 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 of our radio segments for $100? The Coast has kindly agreed to allow the St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society 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). Dziekujemy! 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 coming week's radio segment features Polish Easter baskets/blessings and the significance of the items. Thank you to Stephanie Black for lending her voice! And thank you to this week’s sponsors Shirley, Marjorie and Carolyn Ardelli, in memory of Michael Ardelli and Dawn Marie Ardelli.

COLLECTION FOR APRIL 3:  $2279.80 including $25.00 for flowers, $65.00 for the Building Fund, $1025.00 for Ukrainian humanitarian relief. Thank you very kindly for your support of our parish. Bόg zapłaƈ! 

RECENT IMO (IN MEMORY OF) CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BUILDING FUND:
IMO Mary Pierrynowski from Sandie and Mario Tonellato

THANKS VERY KINDLY FOR YOUR DONATIONS TO OUR PARISH : We are truly grateful for everyone’s generosity through the pandemic. 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). Also, please free to use the mail: St. Mary’s Polish Parish, 21 Wesley St., Sydney, NS, B1N 2M5. Donations can also 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). Thanks for your support!

Stay up to date with parish activities on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/stmaryspolishchurch/

DZIEKUJEMY, FATHER RICH!: Father Rich Philiposki, during his visit, made two very generous legacy donations. He donated $10,000 US – the last major chunk of funding to allow the St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society to pave the Polish Village Hall parking lot this summer. This will make the hall more accessible to all (and will soon be required in accessibility regulations that take effect by 2030). And Father Rich contributed $5,000 to set up a parish scholarship fund that can give a little help to young people to study in Poland (eg. summer language classes) or university students from our sister city to study in Cape Breton and spend time with our parish community. Bóg zapłać, Father Rich! In the photo below, Father Rich is presenting the parish cheque to Rada Chair Robert Schella.

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PLEASE NOTE: For the blessing of Easter foods, you can include whatever items you wish, but below are some traditional items and what they stand for. We look forward to seeing you at the blessing of Easter foods here at St. Mary’s Polish Church on Holy Saturday (April 16) at 1 p.m. Do zobaczenia!
A TRADITIONAL POLISH EASTER BASKET FOR BLESSING: (Source: Polish American Cultural Center)
Maslo (Butter) - This dairy product is often shaped into a lamb (Baranek Wielkanocny) or a cross. This reminds us of the good will of Christ that we should have towards all things.
Babka (Easter Bread) - A round or long loaf topped with a cross or a fish, symbolic of Jesus, the Bread of Life.
Chrzan (Horseradish) - Symbolic of the Passion of Christ still in our minds.
Jajka (Eggs) and Pisanki (decorated with symbols of Easter, of life, of prosperity) - Indicates new life and Christ's Resurrection from the tomb.
Kielbasa (Sausage) - A sausage product, symbolic of God's favour and generosity.
Szynka (Ham) - Symbolic of great joy and abundance. Some prefer lamb or veal. The lamb also reminds Christians that the Risen Christ is the "Lamb of God."
Slonina (Smoked Bacon) - A symbol of the overabundance of God's mercy and generosity.
Sol (Salt) - A necessary element in our physical life. Symbolic of prosperity and justice and to remind us that people are the flavour of the earth.
Ser (Cheese) - Symbolic of the moderation Christians should have at all times.
Candle - Represents Christ as the Light of the World.
Colourful Ribbons and Sprigs of Greenery - are attached to the basket as signs of joy and new life in the season of spring and in celebration of the Resurrection.
Linen Cover - drawn over the top of the basket which is ready for the priest's visit to the home or the trip to church where it is joined with the baskets of others to await the blessing. The food is then set aside and enjoyed on Easter Sunday

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PIEŚNI / HYMNS: (We are all invited to participate in singing, along with our choir)

Entrance: Our opening hymn today – a special Palm Sunday hymn about Christ’s entry into Jerusalem.
1.Wjeżdża Król nasz, Jezus cichy, do Jerozolimy, hołd Mu składa lud pobożny, Jego lud rodzimy.
Ref.: Hosanna, hosanna Synowi Bożemu Hosanna, hosanna, cześć Zbawcy naszemu!
2. Dziatki róże, palmy, ziele sypią Mu pod nogi, wdzięczne Matki płaszcze ścielą, jedzie Chrystus drogi.
3. Wokół słychać okrzyk gromki: Niechaj Chrystus żyje! Tną hebrajskie pacholęta palmy i lilije.
4. Brzmi: Hosanna, witaj Zbawco, wnijdź błogosławiony; w imię Pańskie wchodzisz do nas – brzmi na wszystkie strony.
5.Bądźże tedy pozdrowiony, Boże nasz i Panie, przyjmij od nas modły, hołdy, pobożne śpiewanie

Offertory: W Krzyzu Cierpienie (Cross of Compassion) – number 20 on page 44 of the book in the pews: Przez Pokolenia: Prayers and Customs of St. Mary’s Polish Church

Communion: Jezusa Ukrytego (choir)

Post-Communion: : Chwała i Dziękczynienia (3 times) [About praise and thanks for the boundless love of Jesus for everyone.]
Chwała i dziękczynienie, / Bądź w każdym momencie, / Jezusowi w Najświętszym, Boskim Sakramecie./ Ile minut w godzinie, / A godzin w wieczności,/ Tyle kroć bądź pochwalon,/ Jezu, ma miłości.

Recessional: Któryś za nas cierpiał rany, Jezu Chryste, zmiłuj się nad nami [3x]
[You who suffered, wounded, for us – Christ Jesus have mercy on us!]

Życzymy błogosławionego tygodnia / Wishing you a blessed week!