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 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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Czwarta Niedziela Adwentu / Fourth Sunday of Advent
Pasterka / Shepherds' Mass on Christmas Eve
Dzień Bożego Narodzenia / Christmas Day

CZYTANIA / READINGS:
Pierwsze czytanie / First Reading:
Psalm:
Drugie czytanie / Second Reading:
Ewangelia / Gospel:

MASS INTENTION FOR TODAY 9:30am: FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT:
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24, 10:00pm PASTERKA SHEPHERDS’ MASS FOR CHRISTMAS EVE, WITH POLISH KOLĘDY/CAROLS AT 9:30pm: Mass intention for all parishioners, living and deceased
MONDAY, DECEMBER 25, 11:00am CHRISTMAS DAY MASS: Mass intention for Michael and Dawn Marie Ardelli offered by Shirley and family
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 11:00am ŚW. SZCZEPANA / FEAST OF ST. STEPHEN: Mass intentions of Father Rich
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 6:30pm ŚW. JANA / FEAST OF ST. JOHN: Mass intention is for Brenda Joseph offered by Wayne Joseph; traditional blessing of wine
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, 9:00am: Mass intention is for the souls of Stella and John Paruch offered by the family
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 6:30pm: Mass intention is for the souls of Steve and Irene Melnick offered by Stephanie Black
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 9:00am: Mass intention for Peace in the World
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31, 9:30am FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY: Mass intention is for Steve Melnick offered by newest great granddaughter Lyla and daughter Elaine
MONDAY, JANUARY 1, 11:00am NEW YEAR'S DAY MASS

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OGŁOSZENIA / ANNOUNCEMENTS

SERDECZNIE DZIĘKUJEMY! Many thanks for all the dedication getting our church ready for Christmas! Wishing you a blessed Christmas with so much joy and peace. Thank you for your friendship and support of one another and the broader community. Bóg zapłać

ŚWIĄTECZNA OZDOBA: At the Pasterka Shepherds’ Mass on Christmas Eve, please see one of the greeters to receive a Christmas friendship ornament. We will hopefully be able to give one to each household and one to each child in attendance.

A NOTE ABOUT OUR PARISH OPŁATEK POTLUCK / JASEŁKA: This will be on Sunday, January 14. We will have Mass at a special time that day 11:00am. We will then have a potluck meal at the Polish Village Hall and exchange the traditional Christmas wafer, Opłatek, and exchange blessings with one another. We will also do a pop-up “Jasełka”, telling the Christmas story in a uniquely Polish way. We would like to give one line to as many people as possible. There will be no prior rehearsal and you’ll be able to have a paper with you. We will have fun with this as we have in previous years! The line will be in Polish, but you don’t have to be a Polish speaker. You can ask for a little recording with the pronunciation. We’ll assist! If you’d like a line, please let Tom Urbaniak know. It will be wonderful to have you involved.

ŚWIĘTY MIKOŁAJ (ST. NICHOLAS) left a few extra presents last Sunday during his wonderful visit and the parish lunch on December 10 (close to his feast day, when he traditionally visits in the Polish tradition).If you know a child for whom a little gift from Święty Mikołaj could bring some added happiness, please speak with Tom Urbaniak (tom_urbaniak@cbu.ca).

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

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. Tickets have been going quickly!

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

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: Thank you very much for non-perishable items for the Food Cupboard. There are baskets to collect your kind non-perishable donations at the entrance to the church.

OUR POLISH-THEMED RADIO SEGMENTS: The Coast Radio FM 89.7 (weekdays at 3:50pm and 7:50pm or any time at coastalradio.ca). This coming week's segment will be on Polish traditions for New Year’s Eve. Many thanks to Marjorie Ardelli for lending her voice to this segment.
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). 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 17: $738.40 including $25.00 to the Building Fund.

RECENT IMO (IN MEMORY OF) CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BUILDING FUND:
IMO Anne Mobourquette from Frank Starzomski

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.

FATHER RICH’S COLUMN: Last Wednesday evening, I arrived back in Sydney. I left Las Vegas on December 13 for Boston. I had an Advent retreat at our (Society of Christ) church in Salem, Massachusetts from Thursday through Monday in Polish and English. I missed the connection to the daily bus and shuttles to Cape Breton and had to overnight in Halifax at a hotel near the airport. I am happy to be back at the parish. I will be here for Christmas, New Year's and Epiphany (Three Kings) season to our parish "Oplatek" celebration on January 14th. As we have had a very short Advent season this year, we are today, as of this afternoon, already at the Vigil of Christmas. I hope that most or many of you will this evening sit down to the traditional Christmas Eve Supper which we call the "Wigilia" Supper. The Wigilia Supper is traditionally meatless. The supper begins after the first star has appeared in the sky. Before sitting down at the festive table, the head of the family would begin reading the account from St. Luke's Gospel of the nativity story. Next come common prayers (Our Father, Hail Mary etc.) then the breaking of the "Oplatek " wafer among all present as a sign of love and forgiveness. A "koleda"
would follow then all would indulge in the supper with beet (barszcz) or mushroom (grzybowa) soup. Next would be" kompot" from dried  fruits, various fish, salads, meatless pierogi and cabbage rolls. Desserts such as "sernik" (cheese cake) and" makowiec" (poppy seed cake) would often follow. After the Wigilia often presents would be opened from under the "choinka" (Christmas tree). Later all would get ready for church for the "Pasterka" (Midnight Mass of the Shepherds)  to hear and sing the beautiful "Koledy" (Christmas carols). I hope that many of you will come for our Christmas Masses on Christmas Eve tonight at 10:00pm preceded by our choir singing koledy at 9:30p.m. Tomorrow, Christmas Day Mass will be later at 11:00am. The second day of Christmas (Tuesday the 26th) is the Feast of St. Stephen, the First Martyr, with Mass also at 11:00am. On Wednesday, the Feast of St. John the Apostle, we will have Mass at 6:30pm followed by the blessing of altar wine, which will be shared at a small reception in the Sala afterwards. Our Mass for January 1st, Monday - the Solemnity of the Mother of God- New Year's Day, a holy day of obligation in Canada will be at 11:00am that day for the benefit of those who were at the New Year's Eve celebrations. For the benefit of those who wish to obtain the forgiveness of sin through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, there will be an hour of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from 3:00pm to 3:45pm this Sunday afternoon with individual confessions heard. At 3:45 p.m. will be the chaplet of Divine Mercy sung and Benediction.  Special thanks to all who helped decorate and prepare our church for Christmas. Bóg zapłać! May the celebration of the Birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ bring joy and hope to all of you and your loved ones!

Wesołych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia wszystkim parafianom i przyjaciołom naszego Polskiego Kościoła

Wasz Duszpasterz  - Your Pastor
Ks, Ryszard  -   Father Rich

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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 FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT:

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: Hejnał wszyscy zaśpiewajmy (about singing the Lord’s praises) #28 in choir binder
Hejnał wszyscy zaśpiewajmy,/ Cześć i chwałę Panu dajmy,/ Nabożnie k`Niemu wołajmy. Mocny Boże z wysokości,/ Ty światłem swej wszechmocności Rozpędź piekielne ciemności. Jużci ona noc minęła, / Co wszystek świat ucisnęła,/ A początek z grzechu wzięła

Communion: Bądźże pozdrowiona (praise for the blessed Host) #4 in choir binder

Post-Communion: Jezu drogi, Tyś miłością (Dear Jesus, You are Love) #35 in the choir binder
1. Jezu drogi, Tyś miłością, przyjdź, daj siebie nam! * Duszy mojej Tyś ufnością, króluj w niej Ty sam!
Refren: Jezu, Jezu, przyjdź do duszy mej. * Obdarz ją łaskami Twymi i bądź Królem jej.
2. Choć mnie brudzą grzechu cienie, Ty mi siebie daj, * duszę moją łaski tchnieniem przemień w cichy raj. Ref.

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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KOLĘDY/CAROLS FOR “PASTERKA” ON CHRISTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMAS DAY MASS:
At about 9:30pm, before the Pasterka Mass and again before the 11:00am Mass on Christmas Day, our choir will sing the following beautiful Polish kolędy:
Przylecieli aniołkowie (The Little Angels Hastened to Arrive)
Przystąpmy do szopy (Let Us Step Forward to the Stable)
Cieszmy się (Let Us Be Glad)
W żłobie leży (He is Lying in a Manger)
Dzisiaj chór Aniołów (Today, a Choir of Angels)
Bracia, patrzcie jeno (Brethren, Look Yonder)
Niepojęte Dary (Incomparable Gifts)
Pójdźmy wszyscy do stajenki (Let Us All Go to the Stable)
Adeste Fidelis (O Come All Ye Faithful to be sung in Polish and Latin)

DURING THE MASS (both Pasterka and Christmas morning), we are all invited to join the choir in singing these kolędy:

ENTRANCE CAROL: Cicha Noc (Silent Night)
SOLO: Cicha noc, święta noc,/ Pokój niesie ludziom wszem,/ A u żłóbka Matka Święta/ Czuwa sama uśmiechnięta/ Nad dzieciątka snem/ Nad dzieciątka snem.
SOLO AND ALTOS: Cicha noc, święta noc,/ Pastuszkowie od swych trzód/ Biegną wielce zadziwieni/ Za anielskim głosem pieni/ Gdzie się spełnił cud, / Gdzie się spełnił cud.
ALL OF US: Cicha noc, święta noc, Wszystko śpi świat I my/ Czuwa Józef i Maryja
Niech więc Boska ich Dziecina/ W błogim pokoju śpi./ W błogim pokoju śpi

IN PLACE OF THE GLORIA: Gdy Się Chrystus Rodzi (As Christ is Born)
Gdy się Chrystus rodzi i na świat przychodzi, / ciemna noc w jasności promienistej
brodzi. / Aniołowie się radują, pod niebiosy wyśpiewują: Gloria, gloria, gloria in excelsis Deo.
Mówią do pasterzy, którzy trzód swych strzegli,/ aby do Betlejem czym prędzej
pobiegli, / bo się narodził Zbawiciel, wszego świata Odkupiciel. Gloria, gloria, gloria in excelsis Deo.

OFFERTORY CAROL: Jezusa Narodzonego (Jesus Who is Born)
Jezusa narodzonego wszyscy witajmy,/Jemu po kolędzie dary wzajem oddajmy./
Oddajmy wesoło, skłaniajmy swe czoło,/ Skłaniajmy swe czoło Panu naszemu.
Oddajmy za złoto wiarę, czyniąc wyznanie,/ Że to Bóg i człowiek prawy leży na sianie.
Oddajmy wesoło...

COMMUNION: Dlaczego Dzisiaj (Why Today?) - choir

POST-COMMUNION: Lulajże Jezuniu (A Lullaby to Jesus)
1. Lulajże Jezuniu, moja Perełko,/ Lulaj ulubione me Pieścidełko./
Ref.Lulajże Jezuniu, lulaj, że lulaj/ A ty go matulu w płaczu utulaj
2.Zamknijże znużone płaczem powieczki,/ Utulże zemdlone łkaniem usteczki. Ref.
3.Lulajże, piękniuchny nasz Aniołeczku./ Lulajże wdzięczniuchny świata Kwiateczku. Ref.
4. Cyt, cyt, cyt wszyscy się spać zabierajcie,/mojego Dzieciątka nie przebudzajcie. Ref.

TO CLOSE THE MASS: Dzisiaj w Betlejem (Today in Bethlehem)
Dzisiaj w Betlejem, dzisiaj w Betlejem,/ Wesoła nowina./
Że Panna czysta, że Panna czysta/ Porodziła Syna./
Chrystus się rodzi,/ nas oswobodzi, Anieli grają,/ Króle witają,
Pasterze śpiewają,/ bydlęta klękają,/ Cuda, cuda ogłaszają.

Życzymy błogosławionego tygodnia / Wishing you a blessed week!