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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Ofiarowanie Pańskie / Presentation of Jesus at the Temple

TODAY’S MASS INTENTION is for J.J. Campbell offered by Suzanne Campbell & 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

TODAY’S RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Pan Bóg Zastępów, On jest Królem chwały. [Lord God of hosts, He is the king of glory]. Pronunciation: Pan/Boog/Zas-ten-poof, / Oh-n/yest/kroo-lem/hv-a-w-i

The Vigil Candle this week is for Michael and Anna Kieć offered by Jean Annette and Richard White.

Eucharistic Minister for today: Marilyn Gillis

Ushers for collection today: Joe Gillis, Robert Melski Jr.

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NASTĘPNY TYDZIEŃ / THE WEEK AHEAD

Wednesday, February 5, 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 Anthony Niedzielski offered by Ted and Louise Baker.

Sunday, February 9, 9:30 a.m. The Mass intention will be for Antoni Nowak offered by Jancia and Bernie LaRusic.
Lectors: Stephanie Black, Janusz Wawrzyszyn
Eucharistic Minister: Kay Violande        
Altar Servers: Marjorie Ardelli, Carolyn Kiley                                         
Ushers: Bernie LaRusic, Michael Melski
Greeters: Diane Blondin, Elie Blondin
Altar Society volunteers for February:  Peggy Ryba, Ursula Melski, Lynette Ryba                   

Collection receipts for Sunday, January 26:  $1037.00 (broken down as follows: $785.00 weekly contribution, $165.00 monthly supplementary contribution, $55.00 candles, $7.00 loose, $5.00 initial offering, $20.00 building fund. Thank you very much for your generous 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:
February 2: Joanna, Korneliusz, Maria, Miłosława, Rory
February 3: Błażej, Maksym, Oskar, Stefan, Telimena         
February 4: Andrzej, Gilbert, Jan, Joanna, Józef, Weronika, Witosława
February 5: Aga, Agata, Jakub, Jan, Paweł, Piotr
February 6: Antoni, Bogdan, Bohdan, Dorota, Ksenia, Szymon
February 7: Alfons, Parteniusz, Partenia, Romeusz, Romuald, Rozalia, Ryszard, Sulisław
February 8: Gniewomir, Jan, Paweł, Piotr, Sebastian
February 9: Bernard, Eryk, Eryka

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OGŁOSZENIA / ANNOUNCEMENTS

LUNCH AFTER MASS TODAY, DOWNSTAIRS. Everyone is welcome. (And thank you to everyone who brought a non-perishable food-bank contribution. The collection box is downstairs.)

Ofiarowanie Panskie/Feast of the Presentation (Feb. 2): On this day – 40 days after Christmas, when Jesus was presented at the Temple -- the Church acknowledges all those who have chosen consecrated life. Pope Francis has announced that he will be dedicating 2015 to prayer for consecrated life in the church. Let us recognize and thank God for those who responded to the call of consecrated life – by joining a religious congregation, a secular institute, or through private vows -- and pray that the witness of their lives and the service they render may be a source of grace for our Church.

HOW CANDLEMAS DAY (FEB. 2) IS CELEBRATED IN THE POLISH TRADITION: Excerpted from Fr. Mark Borkowski, “Candlemas Day”:  In Poland this day is called Matki Boskiej Gromnicznej which is translated literallly as Mother of God of the Thunder Candle. The candles blessed this day are called gromnicy or thunder candles because they are kept in the home for use especially in time of thunderstorms to protect the house from being hit by lightning. They are also a protection against other natural calamities such as floods, fire and drought. The blessed candles are also lit at the bedside of the dying to protect the individual from Satan, and to light the way to heaven. It was believed by many that at the time of death there was a contest for the soul of the dying between angels and the devil. At the Seminary in Orchard Lake, Michigan there is a beautiful painting hanging in one of the halls which depicts Mary walking at night through the snows of the Polish countryside, carrying a large candle in her hands as if it was a sword. At her feet wolves can be seen running fearfully away from her and from the small cottages of the townsfolk she is protecting. Polish legend says she walks across Poland with her gromnica aglow, protecting homes and farm animals from many packs of hungry wolves, that prowl about looking for prey during the harsh Polish winters.

CANDLES FOR OUR PARISHIONERS: In keeping with the Polish custom for Candlemas (Matki Boskiej Gromnicznej – please see note on page 3 of the bulletin), the candles on the altar steps this morning are for everyone gathered here. After Mass, please take one and light it at home during special prayers, especially prayers for the sick.

SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING NEXT SUNDAY FOR ALL PARISHIONERS: We would be grateful if everyone could remain after Mass next Sunday (February 9) for a short special general meeting of parishioners. The Rada would like to provide an update on recent dialogue with the diocese and seek parishioners’ guidance on some forthcoming issues requiring resolution.

MEETING WITH MLAs: Several MLAs who will be in Sydney this week for the meeting of the caucus of the governing party have asked to meet with representatives of the Polish community for a tour of the church and hall, and a discussion of issues and recommendations. It will be an informal gathering on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. in the Polish Village Hall. Anyone who would like to be part of this meeting is welcomed. Please speak with Tom Urbaniak.

YOU’RE INVITED: The 2nd Annual "DonRonJoe" Family Skate, in honour of Don, Ron and Joe Melski, will take place on Saturday, Feb.15 at the Pier Rink from 5 to 6 p.m. Admission is free but donations are welcome. There will be homemade preserves for sale and ticket draws on a gift basket. All money raised will go to the St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society for the Polish Village Hall. This initiative started last year as one of the Melski family’s contributions toward our parish’s Sto Darów community service initiatives. It has now become an annual event!

RECENT IMO (“in memory of”) contribution to the Building Fund:
IMO Catherine Curtis, from Victoria Aucoin
IMO Catherine (Hickey) Curtis, from Mary Pierrynowski

GIFT CERTIFICATES – POLISH VILLAGE HALL.  Please speak with Bernie LaRusic. Since the renovations, the hall is seeing increasing traffic as a comfortable, modern, versatile space for events large and small.

LEARNING BASIC POLISH IN A FUN, RECREATIONAL SETTING: At a recent Rada meeting, feedback was shared that had come from various parishioners and was also heard at recent events hosted by our parish. There appears to be some interest in Polish-language learning for both adults and youth. But we heard that rather than rote instruction, a lot of grammar, etc., people would like fun, recreational activities as a way to learn (or keep up) basic Polish – an outing, setting a table, role playing, cooking, crafts, etc. – as well as learning some of our Polish prayers and songs. Would this interest you? And if so, what format or kinds of activities? Please let any member of the Rada know. We will work to put some activities together for the spring.

PREPARING FOR APRIL 27th – CANONIZATION OF BLESSED JOHN PAUL II AND BLESSED JOHN XXIII. This is Divine Mercy Sunday. Father Paul and the Rada have discussed this, and we wish to have an important, public celebration at our church. Planning is now beginning, so anyone with ideas or wishing to help in any way please do not hesitate to speak with any member of the Rada.

USING MODERN COMMUNICATIONS AND SOCIAL MEDIA AS A SACRED GIFT (EXCERPT FROM POPE FRANCIS’S RECENT MESSAGE FOR THE WORLD DAY OF SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS): [M]edia can help us to feel closer to one another, creating a sense of the unity of the human family which can in turn inspire solidarity and serious efforts to ensure a more dignified life for all … The walls which divide us can be broken down only if we are prepared to listen and learn from one another … The internet, in particular, offers immense possibilities for encounter and solidarity. This is something truly good, a gift from God. This is not to say that certain problems do not exist … The variety of opinions being aired can be seen as helpful, but it also enables people to barricade themselves behind sources of information which only confirm their own wishes and ideas, or political and economic interests. The world of communications can help us either to expand our knowledge or to lose our bearings. The desire for digital connectivity can have the effect of isolating us from our neighbours, from those closest to us. We should not overlook the fact that those who for whatever reason lack access to social media run the risk of being left behind. While these drawbacks are real, they do not justify rejecting social media … What is it, then, that helps us, in the digital environment, to grow in humanity and mutual understanding? We need, for example, to recover a certain sense of deliberateness and calm. This calls for time and the ability to be silent and to listen. We need also to be patient if we want to understand those who are different from us. People only express themselves fully when they are not merely tolerated, but know that they are truly accepted … We will also learn to appreciate more fully the important values inspired by Christianity, such as the vision of the human person, the nature of marriage and the family, the proper distinction between the religious and political spheres, the principles of solidarity and subsidiarity, and many others.

PARISH CENTENARY COOKBOOKS: Additional copies have been printed. Please speak with Shari McKay or Shauna McKay.

OUR BOOK PRZEZ POKOLENIA: Prayers and Customs of St. Mary’s Polish Church ($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: Cały świat niech spiewa tę pieśń [The Whole World Sings This Hymn] -- #211 in the coil-bound hymnal
Offertory: Jezu przemień mnie w siebie [Jesus, Transform Me to Be Like You] – not in hymnal
Communion: Jezu przemień mnie w siebie [Jesus, Transform Me to Be Like You] – not in hymnal
Post-Communion: Serce Jezusa [The Heart of Jesus] – not in hymnal
Closing Hymn: Ze wzgórz Częstochowy [From the Heights of Czestochowa] -- #200