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 Rich Philiposki is currently NOT in residence (seasonal) as pastor. Contact info: rphiliposki@aol.com 702-881-3674 (cell)
-During Father Rich’s extended times outside the region, Father Evo DiPierro will serve as Administrator: dipierro@dal.ca 902-564-4222

MSZY/MASSES: PLEASE NOTE: 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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Piąta Niedziela Zwykła / 5th Sunday of Ordinary Time

CZYTANIA / READINGS:
Pierwsze czytanie / First Reading: Iz 58,7–10
Psalm: 112
Drugie czytanie / Second Reading: 1 Kor 2,1–5
Ewangelia / Gospel: Mt 5,13–16
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Wschodzi w ciemnościach jak światło dla prawych / The just one is a light in darkness to the upright

MASS INTENTION FOR TODAY 9:30am: For the soul of Rudy Pierrynowski offered by Donna MacNeil
MASS INTENTION FOR WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 6:30pm (followed by Novena to Our Lady of Częstochowa): Mass intention to be announced during Sunday’s opening announcements.

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OGŁOSZENIA / ANNOUNCEMENTS

CANDLE BLESSING: As this is the Sunday closest to Candlemas Day, we will bless the special gromnica candles from Poland. Every household is invited to take one. We would be so grateful for an offering to the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace.

POLISH STORIES AND SAYINGS FOR CANDLEMAS DAY: In our Polish tradition, Candlemas Day (Feast of the Presentation of the Lord at the Temple) is also known as Święto Matki Boskiej Gromnicznej – literally the Feast of the Blessed Mother of the Thunder Candle. It actually marks the end of the long Christmas season – the last day that carols are sung. The artwork and imagery for this day are very special. The Blessed Mother is shown in a winter scene with a thunder candle and a friendly wolf or wolves at her side. In some Polish stories and legends, one of the wolves is Mary’s helper and she had actually saved the wolf from villagers. They light the way for travellers and protect villages from storms. They are sometimes accompanied by larks, who speak for the first time on this day. There are also sayings about the coming year’s harvest or the end of winter.
-Gdy z gromnicy w kościele ciecze, zima jeszcze się powlecze. (If the gromnica candle is dripping in the church, winter will still persist.)
-Gromnica, zimy połowica. (We see the gromnica candle – we know that winter is half over.)
-Gdy słońce świeci na Gromnicę, to przyjdą mrozy i śnieżyce. (If the sun shines on this feast day, then we know that frosts and snows are coming.)
-Skwiercząca gromnica zwiastować miała burzowy rok. (A crackling candle heralds a stormy year.)

STO LAT! Birthday blessings to Marilyn Gillis (Feb. 7)!

FREE POLISH CAFE: Tomorrow 1:00pm, Polish Village Hall. We will have materials to decorate the candles and share some of the stories and legends from the Polish countryside for Candlemas Day (Matka Boska Gromniczna). We will have students participating as well, with thanks to Krista Ann Starzonski and Whitney Pier Memorial Middle School

AN INVITATION TO A GATHERING / POTLUCK AT OUR CHURCH WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF OTHER CHURCHES IN THE AREA: Before the pandemic started, our church was hosting occasional gatherings/potlucks for the regional KAIROS network (Christian churches of different denominations that work together and compare notes on common issues and concerns related to social justice). We will be resuming these occasional gatherings. We will be gathering on Monday, February 13, at 6:30pm in our church’s Sala 1050. The main topic of discussion will be the housing situation in our community. If you can make it – and if you would like to bring a dish for a simple potluck – please speak with Tom Urbaniak. Many thanks!

VEHICLE PLATES: Cape Breton Polonia and Nova Scotia Polonia front vehicle plates are still available at the back of the church. $25.00 each

FUND-RAISING FOR UKRAINIAN HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE: We are using all the funds raised to support three charities that are directly helping refugees and displaced people either within Ukraine itself or who have fled to Poland. Our largest chunk of support has been going to our sister city Wałbrzych’s Ukrainian refugee assistance fund (via the CBRM). We are also supporting Caritas efforts on the ground (via the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace) and the Catholic Near East Welfare Association. We have special envelopes (marked “Ukrainian Humanitarian Assistance”) at the back of the church if you are considering making a contribution. Thank you for your support!

A WARM WELCOME AND THANK YOU: We will be joined this morning by DD Jackson (Yurchesyn) and her sister, Brenda. We’re so grateful for the beautiful handmade dishcloths – fund-raiser for Ukrainian humanitarian assistance! They will be in the vestibule and in Sala 1050 during our lunch!

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. There is a significant need in our community. Thank you for any help. Thank you to Krista Ann Starzomski’s students who recently filled the Food Cupboard.

OUR POLISH-THEMED RADIO SEGMENTS: The Coast Radio 89.7 (weekdays at 3:50pm and 7:50pm or any time at coastalradio.ca). This coming week's topic will be Polish salads – the difference between surόwka and sałatka – including a bit about Polish carrot salad. This segment is sponsored in memory of Mary Pierrynowski from Tom Urbaniak and Alison Etter.
We’re always looking for sponsors and volunteers. It’s $100 for a whole week. Sponsors are recognized on air – and any dedications, too (eg. if you’re sponsoring as a memorial or as a birthday or anniversary gift). The Coast is generously redirecting the sponsorships back to the St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society (which produces the segments), which has been a big help to the Society. If you think you might like to sponsor a week, please e-mail tom_urbaniak@cbu.ca or call 563-1226. Many thanks!

UPDATE ON AN ISSUE CONCERNING POLISH HERITAGE MONTH: The St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society and other organizations are recommending a friendly amendment to MP Peter Fonseca's (positive) Motion M-75 (House of Commons). As presently worded, the motion -- which would be a step toward designating a Polish Heritage Month (May) across Canada -- would cause some confusion with the existing Nova Scotia Polish Heritage Month (September). This can be fairly easily fixed to avoid confusion or the scattering of our efforts in NS. The letter reads, in part: Dear Mr. Fonseca: We would like to thank you very much for your support of the Polish community in Canada. We have a concern about Motion M-75 as presently worded [the motion calls on the federal government to designate May as Polish Heritage Month in Canada]. In October 2019, the Nova Scotia House of Assembly unanimously designated the month of September of every year as Polish Heritage Month in Nova Scotia. It has since been marked with dozens of activities every year in different regions of the province and official statements and videos by the Lieutenant Governor and Premier, among others. Our province was the first to designate a Polish Heritage Month -- an initiative that has since inspired others. September was chosen in our case because there are several very special anniversaries in September related directly to Nova Scotians of Polish heritage. Also, May is already widely associated in Nova Scotia with Gaelic Heritage Month. We would like to suggest two constructive solutions: -Designate a Day at the national level (May 3), and recognize the Months designated by the provinces. One rationale would be that provinces have responsibility for education systems, and whole Months lend themselves well to schools. OR -Add a clause or preamble that specifically acknowledges that Nova Scotia has chosen September to be its Polish Heritage Month.

PUBLIC HEALTH PROTOCOLS – MASKS ARE STILL STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. Thanks for all your kindness, patience, and co-operation through the pandemic.

COLLECTION FOR JANUARY 29: $772.75, including $100.00 for the Building Fund. Sincere thanks for your generosity.

RECENT IMO (IN MEMORY OF) CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BUILDING FUND:
IMO Steve Melnick from Jerry Pocius; Wisia MacNeil
IMO Veronica Yurczyszyn from Frank Starzomski
IMO Stan Liska from Frank Starzmoski

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!

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PIEŚNI / HYMNS:

Entrance: Wszystko Tobie oddać pragnę (I Seek to offer to You)
Wszystko Tobie oddać pragnę/ i dla Ciebie tylko żyć!/ Chcę Cię Jezu kochać wiernie/ dzieckiem Twoim zawsze być!
Ref.: Serce moje weź, niech Twą śpiewa cześć,/ serce moje, duszę moją, Panie Jezu weź! /x2
Wszystko Tobie oddać pragnę / od najmłodszych moich lat./ Pomóż Jezu by mnie nie zwiódł/ pokusami swymi świat.
Ref.: Serce moje weź

During sprinking of the Holy Water (Father Evo will bless candles and the congregation): Serdeczna Matko (Beloved Mother)
Serdeczna Matko! opiekunko ludzi, / Niech cię płacz sierot do litości wzbudzi:
Wygnańcy Ewy do ciebie wołamy, /Zlituj się zlitłuj, niech się nie tułamy.
Beloved Mother, guardian of the nation, harken, O harken, to our supplication.
Your loyal children from the plain and city, kneel beseeching your great love ...

Offertory: Idzmy Tulmy Sie Jak Dziatki (a hymn about finding safety and reassurance with Mary – a good fit with today’s Matka Boża Gromniczna blessing)
1.Idźmy tulmy się jak dziatki, / Do serca Maryi Matki,/ Czy nas nęka życia trud, Czy to winy czerni brud!
Idźmy, idźmy ufnym krokiem, / Rzewnym sercem, łzawym okiem. Serce to zna dzieci głos, / Odwróci bolesny cios.
2.Ach, to serce dobroć sama, / Najczulsze z córek Adama, / Jest otwarte w każdy czas, / Samo, szuka, wzywa nas:
Pójdźcie do mnie dziatki moje, / Wyczerpnijcie łaski zdroje, / Kto mnie znajdzie, życie ma, / Temu Syn zbawienia da

Communion: Dobry Jezu, racz wysłuchać (Kind Jesus, hear us now)

Post-Communion: Cześć Maryi (An Ode to Mary)
Cześć Maryi, cześć i chwała, / Pannie Świętej cześć! /Śpiewaj, śpiewaj ziemio cała, / Hołd Jej spiesz się nieść!
Ten, co stworzył świat wspaniały, / W Niej Swą Matkę czcił, / Jej Go ręce piastowały,/ Gdy Dziecięciem był

Recessional: My Chcemy Boga (We Want God)
1.My chcemy Boga! Panno święta!/ O usłysz naszych wołań głos!/Miłości Bożej dźwigać pęta, to nasza chluba, to nasz los./
Ref:Błogosław słodka, Pani!/Błogosław wszelki stan!/My chcemy Boga! My poddani! On naszym Królem, On nasz Pan!/ x2
2.My chcemy Boga w rodzin kole,/W troskach rodziców, w dziatek snach: My chcemy Boga w książce, w szkole,/W godzinach wytchnień, w pracy dniach. Błogosław słodka, Pani...

PRAYER FOR THE BLESSING OF THE GROMNICE CANDLES:
God, Our Protector, we ask you to bless these candles.
May they remind us that You are our Light,
our guide in times of danger, and our path to all that is good.
May these candles remind us of the intercession of Our Lady of Gromnice (“gro-m-nee-ts-e”)
And her loving embrace in the depths of winter.
We give thanks for the care she shows toward all that is alive and beautiful in Your creation,
And all that rests in the snow, awaiting spring.
We pray for the protection of our community and all communities from disasters, disease, and harm.
We pray for all who are threatened by the ravages of weather, lack of food, or lack of shelter.
And we pray for all who hasten to their assistance.
May everyone here today find comfort and community.
May we find strength and resilience in the days ahead.
May the light around us remind us of the promise of Heaven and draw us toward all that is good.
Loving God, may we reflect Your light this day and every day.
Kochający Boże, obyśmy chcieli być Twoim światłem w tym dniu i każdego dnia.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord.
Amen

POLISH “POP-UP” TUTORIAL- CANDLEMAS DAY-Święto Matki Bożej Gromnicznej:
Luty (loo-ti) – February
Drugiego lutego – second of February
Świeca (sh-fee-ETS-a) – Candle
Matka Boża Gromniczna (Mat-ka / bo-jj-a / Gro-m-NEEchna) – Our Lady of the Thunder Candle
Wilki (Veel-kee) – Wolves
Kuchenka (coo-HEN-ka) – stove
Drzwi (dg-vee) / wejście (vay-sh-ch-e)-- doors/doorway

A POEM FOR CANDLEMAS DAY:
Od wszystkiego złego
Od tego co wiesz
Dom nasz i rodzinę
W dzień i w nocy strzeż
Matuś moja matuś
Jak obrazek śliczna
Matuś moja matuś Matko Boska Gromniczna

Translation:
From all that is bad,
And with all that you know
Our home and family
Protect by day and night
O dear mother
How splendid is thy image
O dear Mother, Our Lady of the Thunder Candle

Życzymy błogosławionego tygodnia / Wishing you a blessed week!