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!
We are pleased to share our faith and rich traditions with the whole community.
Celebrating 100 years of faith and service (1913-2013)

PROBOSZCZ/PASTOR:  Father Paul Murphy 564-4355

MSZY/MASSES: Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. followed by Novena to Our Lady of Częstochowa. Praying of the Rosary begins prior to Mass at approximately 3:35 p.m.

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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Druga Niedziela Adwentu / Second Sunday of Advent

TODAY’S MASS INTENTION is for Hugh McMullin offered by Patsy Kiley & family. Eternal rest grant onto him O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. Wieczny odpoczynek racz Mu dać Panie, a swiatłość wiekuista niechaj Mu świeci na wieki wieków. Amen

The Vigil Candle this week, on the occasion of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is for all families in our parish.

Eucharistic Minister for today: Janet Hawthorne

Ushers for collection today: Michael Melski, Bernie LaRusic

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NASTĘPNY TYDZIEŃ / THE WEEK AHEAD

Wednesday, December 11, 4:00 p.m. Mass followed by Novena to Our Lady of Częstochowa. Praying of the Rosary prior to Mass beginning at approximately 3:35 p.m. The Mass intention will be for Georgia LaRusic offered by Bernie and Jancia LaRusic.  

Sunday, December 15, 9:30 a.m. Third Sunday of Advent. The Mass intention will be for Irene Melnick offered by Stephanie Black and family.
Lectors: Elaine Tynski-Shipley, Tom Urbaniak   
Eucharistic Minister: Kay Violande                 
Altar Servers: Caleigh, James                                            
Ushers: Joe Gillis, Robert Melski Jr.
Greeters: Victoria Aucoin, Stephanie Black
Altar Society volunteers for December: Catherine Tucker, Herb Tucker, Marjorie Ardelli                   

Collection receipts for Sunday, December 1:  $1312.70 (broken down as follows: $685.00 weekly contribution, $360.00 monthly supplementary contribution, $30.00 candles, $32.70 loose, $100.00 fuel, $85.00 Christmas flowers. (Not included in the above total: $595.00 for Philippines relief.) Thank you very much for your support of St. Mary’s Polish Parish. Dziękujemy serdecznie!

MASS CARDS/VIGIL CANDLE: Contact Tom Urbaniak (563-1226)

IN MEMORIAM DONATION: To make an In Memoriam donation, please pick up one of the IMO cards/St. Mary’s Polish Church envelopes at the back or speak with Shauna McKay. These will be acknowledged in the bulletin. We also welcome donations to the Building Fund, as we continue with improvements and repairs.

“IMIENINY” (NAME DAYS) FOR THE COMING WEEK. Help to maintain a longstanding Polish Catholic tradition by acknowledging relatives, friends, and colleagues who are celebrating their “name day,” corresponding with the feast day of a saint of the same name.  Where there is more than one saint of the same name who has been assigned a day, your “name day” is the one closest to your birthday. It is customary in the Polish tradition to acknowledge the name day of a relative or friend:
December 8: Boguwola, Maria, Światozar
December 9: Joachim, Wielisława, Wiesław
December 10: Andrzej, Daniel, Judyta, Julia, Maria
December 11: Daniela, Julia, Stefan, Waldemar, Wojmir
December 12: Aleksander, Dagmara
December 13 Lucja, Łucja, Otylia
December 14: Alfred, Izydor, Sławobor
December 15: Celina, Iga, Ignacy, Krystiana, Nina, Wolimir, Żegota

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OGŁOSZENIA / ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRAYING OF THE ROSARY – Every Wednesday before the 4 p.m. Mass (beginning at approximately 3:35 p.m.).

ADVENT HOLY HOURS:
During the Sundays of Advent we will be holding afternoon Holy Hours from 2-3 pm. Please plan to attend. Thank you!
Dec. 8th - Holy Redeemer Parish
Dec. 15th - St. Mary’s Polish Parish
Dec. 22nd - Holy Redeemer Parish
This Holy Hour will be offered for your family intentions and for vocations to the Priesthood. It will consist of hymns, Scripture readings, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Adoration and Benediction. There will also be time prior for confessions. Please plan on joining us in Prayer and Worship.

DECEMBER 8: Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary: This feast is celebrated exactly nine months before the Feast of the Nativity of Mary (September 8), the feast day of our parish. It has been a universal solemnity since 1708. In Poland and other countries with deep Catholic traditions, it is often marked as a “family day”. The collect for this day reads: “O God, mercifully hear the supplication of thy servants who are assembled together on the Conception of the Virgin Mother of God, may at her intercession be delivered by Thee from dangers which beset us.”

ST. NICHOLAS DAY (Dec. 6): In Poland, Swiety Mikolaj (St. Nicholas) normally visits homes to leave gifts during the night of December 5-6. Among Polish Cape Bretoners, this sometimes happens but it has been more common over the years to have St. Nicholas visit our church or hall on or close to the feast day. St. Nicholas will be in his bishop’s clothing when he visits us because, in the 4th century, he was the kind-hearted and generous Bishop of Myra, in present-day Turkey. St. Nicholas is often accompanied by an angel when he visits. He sometimes poses Catechism questions – and we are told he will at our St. Nicholas Day event this afternoon! Let us all extend to him a warm welcome!

TICKETS FOR OUR ST. NICHOLAS DAY EVENT THIS AFTERNOON HAVE SOLD OUT. Thank you for your support.

A NOTE ON OUR “NEW” ADVENT WREATH: This more prominent wreath was an additional one at Holy Redeemer and was given to us by Father Paul.

OPŁATEK (Polish Christmas wafer for breaking and sharing during Christmas-season meals) is on the back table. Please leave $3 per envelope in the basket on the back table. Thank you!

POLISH RELIGIOUS CHRISTMAS CARDS have sold out. We hope to have additional cards in church next week.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY! Our collection for Philippines typhoon relief resulted in $595 being donated by our parishioners above and beyond our regular collection (the $595 will be matched dollar for dollar by the federal government). Also, thank you for your food-bank contributions last Sunday.

CHRISTMAS VIOLIN CONCERT IN OUR CHURCH NEXT SATURDAY (2 P.M.): This is organized by Jola Cebula with her students. Tickets are $5, available from Jola. Desserts and refreshments will follow.

NEW YEAR’S EVE (SYLWESTRA) -- POLISH VILLAGE HALL -- TICKETS TONY MELSKI – 537-1417

POLISH CAPE BRETON TARTAN CONSULTATION: Please see the insert in the bulletin. This insert will also be at the tables this afternoon during the St. Nicholas Day event. We would be grateful if everyone could “vote” or provide feedback on the insert, following Mass this morning or at this afternoon’s event.

PARISH CENTENARY EXHIBIT ITEMS that have not been claimed are being transferred to the hall’s downstairs back room for an eventual longer-term exhibit profiling our parish and our heritage. Any items unclaimed after this weekend we will assume can be utilized in this longer-term exhibit. Thank you to everyone who has allowed items to remain!

NEXT WORLD YOUTH DAY IN KRAKÓW, POLAND -- 2016: Father Paul and the Rada have discussed sponsoring some of our youth to attend this major gathering with Pope Francis – and we are all eager to go forward with it. Also, some people have expressed interest in a parish pilgrimage to Poland at the same time, with a welcome for others in the diocese to join us as well. We welcome any expressions of interest and assistance.

Mr. Rachwalski will be at the Polish Village Hall after Mass next Sunday to sell traditional Polish meats.

A GREAT GIFT! Gift Certificates for the Polish Village Hall: For the first time, you can give a gift certificate that can be redeemed by the recipient for a hall rental (upstairs or downstairs). Both areas have been totally refreshed, and there are facilities for large events and small gatherings/receptions. So please consider giving one to friends or family, or local organizations that may be planning parties and events. The certificate is on card stock, artfully designed. If you would like to purchase one, please speak with Bernie LaRusic.

PARISH CENTENARY COOKBOOKS have sold out, but more will be printed based on orders received. Please speak with Shari McKay or Shauna McKay or see the form in today’s bulletin.

OUR BOOK PRZEZ POKOLENIA: Prayers and Customs of St. Mary’s Polish Church also makes a great gift ($10 each). Please speak with Tom Urbaniak or see the form in today’s bulletin.

THE RENOVATED AND REFURBISHED POLISH VILLAGE HALL is a comfortable, well appointed, modernized venue for events large and small. Please consider renting the hall for your events. Please call 564-8494.

PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR ON-LINE “VIRTUAL TOUR” AND AN 8.5 MINUTE PARISH WELCOME VIDEO ON OUR WEBSITE:  www.stmaryspolishparish.ca

Wishing you a blessed week! Bóg zapłać!

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TODAY’S HYMNS:
Entrance: Archanioł Boży Gabriel (Gabriel, Archangel of God) – 17 in the coil-bound hymnal
Offertory: Głos wdzięczny z nieba wychodzi  (A Grateful Voice Emerges from Heaven) – 20
Communion: Chwalmy Niewysłowiony  (Praise Ineffable)– 104
Post-Communion: Witaj święta i poczęta (Greetings, Immaculate) – not in hymnal
Closing Hymn: Oto Pan Bóg Przyjdzie (Behold, the Lord Cometh) – 25