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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Trzecia Niedziela Adwentu / Third Sunday of Advent

CZYTANIA / READINGS:
Pierwsze czytanie / First Reading:Iz 61, 1-2a. 10-11
Psalm: Łk 1
Drugie czytanie / Second Reading: 1 Tes 5,16-24
Ewangelia / Gospel: J 1,6-8.19-28

MASS INTENTION FOR TODAY 9:30am: THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT: Mass intention is for the soul of Steve Melnick offered by Stephanie Black
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 6:30pm: Mass intention is for Bill MacIntosh offered by Wayne Joseph, followed by Novena to Our Lady of Częstochowa.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 6:30pm: Mass
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 7:00am: Special “Roraty” Mass (a special Polish Advent tradition)
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24, 9:30am: FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT: Mass
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24, 10:00pm PASTERKA SHEPHERDS’ MASS FOR CHRISTMAS EVE, WITH POLISH KOLĘDY/CAROLS AT 9:30pm
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 11:00am CHRISTMAS DAY MASS

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OGŁOSZENIA / ANNOUNCEMENTS

CHRISTMAS DECORATING OF OUR CHURCH AFTER MASS TODAY. Thank you to anyone who can stay. With a lot of help, this has usually gone quite quickly and with a nice community spirit. Janet Hawthorne is the point person for flowers/decorations. John Morykot is the point person for the stable and other items that are being lifted into place. Sincere thanks.

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 11:00am 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. Another exception will be Sunday, January 14 which is the day of our Opłatek potluck. We will have Mass at 11:00am, followed by the Opłatek potluck at the Polish Village Hall.
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.

ŚWIĘTY MIKOŁAJ (ST. NICHOLAS) left a few extra presents last Sunday during his wonderful visit and the parish lunch. If you know a child for whom a little gift from Święty Mikołaj could bring some added happiness, please speak with Tom Urbaniak. And a note of thanks to everyone who brought a dish of food to share, who helped with clean-up, and to Sophie and Roddie for the coffee and tea. God bless.

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.

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 feature Jean Annette White introducing listeners to the beautiful kolęda “Do Szopy Hej Pasterze” This segment is dedicated to Steve Melnick, life member of the St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society, who passed away a year ago.
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!

COLLECTION FOR DECEMBER 10: $1603.00 including $200.00 to the Building Fund, $300.00 for Polish Heritage Month, and $200.00 for Ukrainian humanitarian assistance.

RECENT IMO (IN MEMORY OF) CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BUILDING FUND:
IMO Teofil and Mary Pierrynowski, and Peter and Aggie Stephenson from Wanda Pierrynowski.

RECENT SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION TO POLISH HERITAGE MONTH: From Shirley Dolhun

Thank you kindly to all donors and contributors for your generosity and help for the work of our parish.

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.

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A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF SOME POLISH “WIGILIA” CHRISTMAS EVE TRADITIONS

Thank you, friends, for keeping these beautiful, spiritual traditions alive in Cape Breton. The following is a brief overview:
PIERWSZA GWIAZDKA – THE FIRST STAR: Families wait for the first star before commencing their meal. It symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem. The Christmas tree lights should only be turned on at this time.

OPŁATEK: Before the meal begins and after the prayer, everyone takes a piece of Opłatek and goes around the table sharing it with the others who are present and exchanging blessings and best wishes.

SIANKO – CHRISTMAS HAY: A piece of hay is placed under the white tablecloth or sometimes in a glass bowl at the centre of the table. Sianko represents the crib where Jesus was born.

THE MEATLESS SUPPER: Wigilia marks the end of Advent and so, except for fish (like carp or herring), there is no meat at this candle-lit meal. Typical dishes (it is common to have 12 or 13 dishes) include soups (often red beet with uszka, fermented rye, fish, dried mushrooms), sauerkraut with beans, pierogi, sometimes noodles with poppy seeds and honey, sweet strudel, and a compote made with dried fruit.

THE EXTRA PLATE: It is the custom to set an extra plate at the table. The place is symbolically for Jesus but also for a stranger who may be in need of a meal or assistance. There is a Polish saying that “When a guest is at the house, God is at the house.” ("Gość w dom, Bóg w dom”)

KOLĘDY: After supper, it is customary for the family and guests to gather to sing Christmas carols. In some homes, St. Nicholas visits in person at this time.

PASTERKA (SHEPHERDS’ MASS): The whole family attends the Shepherds’ Mass (which will be at 10:00pm at St. Mary’s Polish Church with Polish kolędy-carols at 9:30pm

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PIEŚNI / HYMNS:

Entrance: Spuśćcie Nam na Ziemskie Niwy (This Advent hymn is saying send us forth to the earthly fields) #90 in choir binder
Spuśćcie nam na ziemskie niwy Zbawcę z niebios, obłoki, Świat przez grzechy nieszczęśliwy. Wołał w nocy głębokiej; Gdy wśród przekleństwa od Boga Czart panował, śmierć i trwoga, A ciężkie przewinienia Zamkły bramy zbawienia.

Offertory: (A Grateful Voice) #25
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: O Niewysłowione Szczęście (a hymn about great happiness) #67 - choir
O niewysłowione szczęście zajaśniało, Gdy Słowo wcielone Serce nam Swe dało.
Cud Boskiej miłości, o duszo ludzka głoś, Ku wiecznej światłości dzięki twej pieśni wznoś./bis
Jakiż na tej ziemi my skarb posiadamy! Bóg mieszka z grzesznymi, Serce Jego mamy. Cud Boskiej miłości...

Post-Communion: Kochajmy Pana (Let Us Love the Lord) #46
1. Kochajmy Pana, bo serce Jego Żąda i pragnie serca naszego. Dla nas Mu włócznią rana zadana. Kochajmy Pana, kochajmy Pana!
2. O, pójdź do Niego, wszystko stworzenie, Sercu Jezusa złóż dziękczynieni. I Twoje przed Nim zegnij kolana. Kochajmy Pana, kochajmy Pana!

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 (x3)

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Życzymy błogosławionego tygodnia / Wishing you a blessed week!