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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Objawienie Pańskie / Feast of the Epiphany

TODAY’S MASS INTENTION is for Mary & Dominic Gniewek offered by their children. Eternal rest grant onto them O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them. Wieczny odpoczynek racz Im dać Panie, a swiatłość wiekuista niechaj Im świeci na wieki wieków. Amen

TODAY’S RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Uwielbią Pana wszystkie ludy ziemi. [All the nations of the earth will adore the Lord]. Pronunciation: Oo-vee-e-l-bee-oh/ Pa-na /vsh-i-st-kee-e / loo-d-i /dg-ee-e-me

The Vigil Candle this week, in keeping with last Wednesday’s World Day of Prayer for Peace, is that all of humanity may come to know peace and to live in dignity and friendship.

Eucharistic Minister for today: Janet Hawthorne

Ushers for collection today: Steve Melnick, Toni LaRusic

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NASTĘPNY TYDZIEŃ / THE WEEK AHEAD

Wednesday, January 8, 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 is for deceased members of the Wadden family offered by Hazel Williams (moved from Dec. 22, due to weather-related Mass cancellation).

Sunday, January 12, 9:30 a.m. Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The Mass intention will be for Michael and Anna Kieć offered by Jean Annette and Richard White.
Lectors: Stephanie Black, Andrzej Cebula  
Eucharistic Minister: Marilyn Gillis              
Altar Servers: Brianna and James                                            
Ushers: Bernie LaRusic, Joe Gillis
Greeters: Catherine Tucker, Herb Tucker
Altar Society volunteers for January:  Evelyn Cook, Janet Hawthorne, Anne Marie Campbell, Jimmie Campbell                   

Collection receipts for Christmas Eve/Christmas Day:  $4237.75 (broken down as follows: $1050.00 Christmas envelopes, $319.00 weekly contribution, $233.75 candles, $180.75 loose, $750.00 building fund, $1750.00 Cookbook sales.

Collection receipts for Sunday, December 29:  $1831.00 (broken down as follows: $1003.00 weekly contribution, $90.00 monthly supplementary contribution, $24.00 candles, $79.00 loose, $15.00 Christmas flowers, $20.00 Initial offering, $600.00 building fund.

Collection receipts for New Year’s Day:  $620.80 (broken down as follows: $440.00 weekly contribution, $33.10 candles, $24.45 loose, $15.25 Oplatek, $108.00 Initial offering.

Thank you very much for your generous support of St. Mary’s Polish Parish. Please be assured that it means a lot! 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:
January 5: Edward, Emilian, Hania, Szymon
January 6: Andrzej, Bolemir, Kacper, Kasper
January 7: Julian, Lucjan, Walenty
January 8: Mścisław, Seweryn
January 9: Antoni, Borzymir, Julian, Julianna
January 10: Dobrosław, Jan, Paweł
January 11: Feliks, Krzesimir, Matylda
January 12: Antoni, Arkadiusz, Benedykt, Czesław, Czesława, Ernest

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OGŁOSZENIA / ANNOUNCEMENTS

POLISH CUSTOMS FOR THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY (Objawienie Pańskie): The Feast of the Epiphany – Jan. 6 -- is a national holiday in Poland. One of the important Polish customs, which we observe in our parish, is the blessing of chalk. The chalk is then taken home and an inscription is made above a doorway: K+M+B 2013, which often happens during the annual blessing of the home by the Pastor. This signifies that just like the wise men in Matthew’s Gospel, we are ready to change our plans and make a significant commitment in following Jesus Christ and the Gospel message. In many Polish cities, there are Epiphany processions. There are usually live animals in these processions, and people dress in three colours: blue symbolizing Africa, green for Asia, and red for Europe.

Merry Christmas to all our friends at Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church

ENVELOPES: For parishioners who have not picked up 2014 collection envelopes for St. Mary’s Polish Parish, these are at the back of the church. If you or your family would like parish envelopes, there is a sign-up binder at the back. Thank you.

TAKING DOWN CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS: We will start taking down the Christmas decorations on Monday, January 13, at 10 a.m. If you can spare some time, this would be very greatly appreciated. Thank you to all who decorated our church so exceptionally well.

THERE IS NO LUNCH AFTER MASS TODAY, as we prepare for next Sunday’s Oplatek supper.

KOLEDOWANIE/CAROLLING: Thanks to everyone who was a caroller and received carollers. There has been very positive feedback about this reinvigorated tradition.

VOLUNTEER ASSIGNMENTS IN VARIOUS MINISTRIES:
Eucharistic Ministers:
January 12: Marilyn Gillis
January 19: Suzanne Campbell
January 26: Janet Hawthorne

Lectors:
January 12: Stephanie Black, Andrzej Cebula
January 19: Elaine Tynski-Shipley, Tony Melski
January 26: Anne Marie Campbell, Tom Urbaniak

Ushers:
January 12: Bernie LaRusic, Joe Gillis
January 19: Joe Gillis, Robert Melski Sr.
January 26: Steve Melnick, Toni LaRusic

For Greeters’ schedules, please see the list on the bulletin board near the exit or speak with Marjorie Ardelli or Carolyn Kiley.

For Altar servers’ schedules, please speak with Krista Ann Starzomski.

KAPLICZKA UPDATE: Many of you have shared feedback that you would like to see the rebuilt kapliczka (shrine) in a more prominent location. The terms of provincial funding for the heritage parkette and also CBRM support have designated the Bryan St. site, but we are looking into whether the various partners may be open to alternatives. In other news, the Cape Breton Blacksmiths Association will be doing a design workshop with local students this month as work continues on developing a durable design.

RECENT IMO (“In Memory of”) CONTRIBUTION TO THE BUILDING FUND:
IMO Michael Ardelli from Marjorie and Carolyn Ardelli.

PARISH OPŁATEK SUPPER – SUNDAY, JANUARY 12, at 6 P.M. (in the church, downstairs): Everyone is invited. There is no charge, but the supper is a potluck, so please bring a dish if you can. Also, we would be grateful for non-perishable food-bank contributions. At the supper, we will take the opportunity to say “thank you” for the impressive volunteer efforts and initiatives that went into our many 100th anniversary projects. It will also be an opportunity for us to collectively recharge for our second century!

WANTED: YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS FROM OUR 100th ANNIVERSARY ACTIVITIES: During the Oplatek supper, we hope to have a running slide presentation of the various activities held throughout the year for our centenary. Please give your photos to Tom Urbaniak or e-mail them to him at tom_urbaniak@cbu.ca.

EXCERPT FROM POPE FRANCIS’S MESSAGE DELIVERED ON THE WORLD DAY OF PEACE (NEW YEAR’S DAY): Many conflicts are taking place amid general indifference. To all those who live in lands where weapons impose terror and destruction, I assure you of my personal closeness and that of the whole Church, whose mission is to bring Christ’s love to the defenceless victims of forgotten wars through her prayers for peace, her service to the wounded, the starving, refugees, the displaced and all those who live in fear. The Church also speaks out in order to make leaders hear the cry of pain of the suffering and to put an end to every form of hostility, abuse and the violation of fundamental human rights. For this reason, I appeal forcefully to all those who sow violence and death by force of arms: in the person you today see simply as an enemy to be beaten, discover rather your brother or sister, and hold back your hand! Give up the way of arms and go out to meet the other in dialogue, pardon and reconciliation, in order to rebuild justice, trust, and hope around you!

PARISH CENTENARY COOKBOOKS have sold out, but more will be printed based on orders received. Please speak with Shari McKay or Shauna McKay.

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.

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: Mędrcy świata, monarchowie [The Wise Monarchs]-- #48 in the coil-bound hymnal
Offertory: Jezusa Narodzonego [The Infant Jesus]- - #47
Communion: W żłobie leży [Laying in a Manger]
Post-Communion: Sliczna Panienka [Fairest of Maidens] – not in hymnal
Closing Hymn: Do Szopy (To the Manger) -- #41