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 seasonal residence 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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Pierwsza Niedziela Adwentu / First Sunday of Advent

CZYTANIA / READINGS:
Pierwsze czytanie / First Reading: Iz 63,16b-17.19b; 64,2b-7
Psalm: 80
Drugie czytanie / Second Reading: 1 Kor 1,3-9
Ewangelia / Gospel: Mk 13,33-37

RESPONSORIAL PSALM TODAY: Odnów nas, Boże, i daj nam zbawienie (Renew us, O God, and give us salvation.) Pronunciation: OD-noof / nas / BO-dje / ee / da-y / nam / zbav-YE-nee-e

MASS INTENTION FOR TODAY 9:30am: FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT: Mass intention is for a special intention, followed by parish’s Annual General Meeting.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 6:30pm: Feast Day of St. Nicholas: Mass followed by Novena to Our Lady of Częstochowa.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 9:30am: SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT: Mass intention is for the souls of Leah Mosher and Henry Pierrynowski offered by Joan Mosher

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OGŁOSZENIA / ANNOUNCEMENTS

PARISH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING after Mass today. We will have financial reports, Rada election, and general parish update. This is not usually a long meeting, but we would be truly grateful for everyone’s presence. The meeting will happen right in the main part of the church.

LUNCH AFTER MASS NEXT SUNDAY, DEC. 10 / VISIT OF ŚWIĘTY MIKOŁAJ (ST. NICHOLAS): We would be grateful if you might consider bringing a dish to share at the lunch (eg. sandwiches and sweets). Święty Mikołaj will be dressed in his traditional bishop’s attire. He will bring small presents for children. (There is no parish lunch after Mass today, Dec. 3. Instead, we are kindly inviting everyone to remain for the AGM)

SYLWESTRA / NEW YEAR’S EVE TICKETS: Will be on sale after Mass from Bernie LaRusic. $15. DJ Robin Krszwda. 9:00pm to 1:00am at the Polish Village Hall. Light supper. It’s always a very enjoyable event. This is a major fund-raiser for the St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society.

OPŁATEK AND POLISH CHRISTMAS CARDS will be available at the back of the church

NEW ENGLISH-LANGUAGE MISSALS FOR THE NEW LITURGICAL YEAR are in the pews. We would kindly ask that they remain in the church since there’s a very limited supply. Many thanks.

POGORIA POLISH FOLK ENSEMBLE rehearsal after the AGM today. Pogoria will be performing at the multilingual Christmas concert at the Pier legion on Tuesday evening at 6:30pm.

BOTTLES AND CANS COLLECTION FOR UKRAINIAN HUMANITARIAN RELIEF EFFORTS: In support of our Ukrainian humanitarian relief efforts, Marjorie Ardelli and Paul MacKinnon are very kindly continuing to collect recyclable bottles. They would welcome any redeemable bottles. Thanks to fellow parishioners for recent contributions of bottles and cans. Our parish has been supporting sister city Walbrzych’s Ukrainian relief efforts, plus the Catholic Near East Welfare Association and the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace.

FOOD CUPBOARD: Many thanks for bringing any non-perishable contributions to Mass.

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 segment will be about Święty Mikołaj/St. Nicholas and Polish traditions around his visit close to his feast day. Thank you to John Markotich for lending his voice to the segment. This segment is dedicated to children around the world who are victims of war. May there be better times ahead.
We’re looking for sponsors and volunteers for the radio segments. It’s $100 for a whole week to sponsor. 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!

PLEASE NOTE WE WILL BE RECORDING MORE RADIO SEGMENTS THIS FRIDAY – FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON. We have openings for volunteers and sponsorship opportunities.

COLLECTION FOR NOVEMBER 26: $505.00. Thank you for your generosity and crucial support to carry on the work, ministry, and operation of our parish. A final tally on pierogi sales will be available shortly.

THANKS VERY KINDLY FOR YOUR DONATIONS TO OUR PARISH : Donations may be made during weekly Sunday Mass collection. Also, please feel 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!

RESERVING MASS INTENTIONS: Please speak with Jean Annette White after any Sunday or Wednesday Mass.

FATHER RICH’S COLUMN: This Sunday, we begin the new Church Calendar Year of 2024 with the First Sunday of Advent. It is a short liturgical season that prepares us for the Lord’s Coming (anniversary of His nativity at Christmas), but also for His Second Coming again. We do not know when and how this will occur although there are references in scripture to signs of the times. It is so very easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of what has become a very commercial season with the emphasis of spending money on material goods to bring us happiness. What is needed is more spiritual preparation that should bring us to seek reconciliation with God and one another especially through that Sacrament of Penance & Reconciliation that brings us God’s grace. My first Advent in Poland when I was in the novitiate was an eye-opener. I saw at that time very little exterior decorations until almost Christmas Eve. We experienced the dark early morning “Rorate” Masses honouring the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Christmas season then was extended all the way through January until the Feast of Our Lady of the Candles (Presentation of the Lord) on February 2nd. Beautiful “Kolędy” carols are sung up to that date and often the crib and manager remain on display in the church, Last year, we had a “RORATE” MASS and I want to celebrate one again on the last Saturday of Advent on Saturday, December 23rd at 7:00am. It should still be dark then. We use many candles in church that symbolize the Coming of Jesus as the Light of the World. After Mass, we will have Tim Horton coffee, tea and timbits in Sala 1050 with all who come and worship together.

CHRISTMAS SEASON MASSES - MSZE ŚWIĘTE W OKRESIE BOŻEGO NARODZENIA
December 24-Christmas Eve - Wigilia Bożego Narodzenia 9:30pm Concert of Polish “Kolędy: Carols by our St. Cecelia Choir; 10:00pm “PASTERKA” Night Mass of the Shepherds (Polish & English)
December 25-Nativity of the Lord-Christmas Day-Dzień Bożego Narodzenia 11:00am Sung High Mass with Kolędy
December 26 -Tuesday- St. Stephen’s Feast- Św. Szczepana 6:30pm Holy Mass
December 27-Wednesday-Feast of St, John/ Święto Św. Jana 6:30pm Holy Mass with blessing of wine and reception after in Sala
All other Masses in this period through Sunday, January 14th will be at the regular times. An exception will be the Mass for New Year’s Day- Monday, January 1st , also at 11:00am

REMINDER that Saturday, January 6th our whole parish and choir will record CTV Mass at 10:00am at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Church for viewing on Sunday, January 14th.

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PIEŚNI / HYMNS:

Entrance: Archanioł Boży Gabriel (about the angel Gabriel)
1. Archanioł Boży Gabriel, Posłan do Panny Maryi, Z Majestatu Trójcy Świętej, Tak sprawował poselstwo k`Niej Zdrowaś, Panno, łaskiś pełna, Pan jest z Tobą, to rzecz pewna.
2. Panna się wielce zdumiała z poselstwa, które słyszała. Pokorniuchno się skłoniła; jako Panna wstrzemięźliwa zasmuciła się z tej mowy, nic nie rzekła Aniołowi.
3. Ale poseł z wysokości, napełnion Boskiej mądrości, rzekł Jej: Nie bój się Maryjo, najszczęśliwszaś, Panno miła, znalazłaś łaskę u Pana, oto poczniesz Jego Syna.

Offertory: (about a grateful voice from heaven)
1. Głos wdzięczny z nieba wychodzi, Gwiazdę k`nam nową wywodzi, Która rozświeca ciemności, I odkrywa nasze złości.
2. Z różdżki Jesse kwiat zakwita, który zbawieniem świat wita; Pan Bóg zesłał Syna swego, przed wieki narodzonego.

Communion: (about Jesus being present in the host) - choir
1. O mój Jezu w Hostii skryty, Na kolanach wielbię Cię. W postać chleba Tyś spowity, Bóstwo Twoje kryje się. Ty Co rządzisz całym światem, Me zbawienie w ręku masz; Tu przed Twoim Majestatem Aniołowie kryją twarz.
2. O światłości przysłoniona, Rzuć mi Twój promienny blask. O dobroci nieskończona, Otwórz dla nas skarby łask. Chlebie życia przeobfity, Nasyć duszy mojej głód. Boski ogniu tu zakryty, Rozgrzej serca mego chłód

Post-Communion: (about welcoming the Blessed Virgin Mary)
Witaj Święta i poczęta niepokalanie! Maryja śliczna lilija, nasze kochanie; Witaj czysta Panienko, Najjaśniejsza Jutrzenko, Witaj święta, w niebo wzięta, Niepokalana.
-Swą pięknością, niewinnością, w niebie górujesz; W dostojeństwie i Panieństwie wszystkie celujesz; W pierwszym Panno momencie, Święte twoje poczęcie, Jaśniejące jako słońce, Niepokalanie

Recessional: (Thus the Lord will Come) – another special hymn for Advent
Oto Pan Bóg przyjdzie Z rzeszą Świętych nam przybędzie, Światłość wielka w dzień ów będzie. Alleluja! Alleluja

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Życzymy błogosławionego tygodnia / Wishing you a blessed week!