Parafialne Spotkanie Aktualizacyjne – 1 listopada 2020
(Uroczystość Wszystkich Świętych) 

Parish Update Meeting – November 1, 2020
(All Saints Day)

“Serdeczny Bόg zapłaƈ” to fellow parishioners.

Thanks for all the patience and goodwill. Our church was closed for almost four months, something that has never happened in our 107-year history. And even when we re-opened, there have been adjustments. But overall as a parish we have remained healthy, and we will make it through.

Thank you for the co-operation with all of the public health requirements.

Thank you for looking out for each other and for neighbours – for the calls, notes, greetings, deliveries, and more.

We kept the weekly bulletin going through the pandemic and expanded it to keep everyone informed and connected. It’s mailed by post to parishioners who are not on e-mail. We have not missed a Sunday bulletin.

During the shutdown, we also found ways to connect on social media – for prayer, an on-line Polish Cape Breton ceilidh, Facebook posts, e-mail updates.

Meanwhile, the St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society, which works closely with the parish, became part of a group of agencies in the CBRM that were helping out with food during the pandemic. St. Mike’s delivered groceries every week to people in the Pier and surrounding area. A Food Cupboard was started. And the partnership with The Good Food Bus expanded.

During the pandemic, St. Mike’s also started a weekday radio feature on The Coast, which has involved our parishioners. A number of parishioners have lent their voice to the radio recordings about Polish culture – and information about our parish as well.

Thanks to fellow parishioners for your weekly contributions of food and personal care items, which go to the Food Cupboard and Loaves and Fishes.

In spite of the challenges, the first-ever Nova Scotia Polish Heritage Month was a big success. From now on, every September is designated as Polish Heritage Month by the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. We managed to pull off some excellent in-person events with physical distancing – including a photo exhibit, take-out dinner, a beautiful plaque unveiling in Glace Bay, a film screening at the Highland Arts Theatre, as well as many on-line features – a guest lecture, workshop with our sister city, featured authors, and more.

Thank you to the Rada, Finance Committee, property volunteers, Altar Society, lectors, altar servers (on pause for the time being), Eucharistic ministers, ushers, and everyone who has been working so well together to keep our parish going.

Thank you for the financial support, which has kept our financial situation healthy, despite the pandemic. The generosity and sense of community are deeply appreciated.

A warm thank you to Fr. Dennis for his calm and gracious presence and spiritual leadership. He has now been our pastor for a little over two years.

Thank you for your continued prayers for the work of the parish.

[Financial statements were distributed to parishioners by e-mail or regular mail and appended. If you have not received them, please be in touch with the parish. Many thanks!]

 REPORT OF THE NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE:
(will be presented on behalf of the committee by Marjorie Ardelli)

The Nominations Committee this year consisted of the following parishioners who are not currently members of the Rada: Janet Hawthorne, Krista Ann Starzomski, and myself. In addition, Past Rada Chair Tom Urbaniak, who is also not currently on the Rada, having reached the six-year term limit in 2018, served on the Nominations Committee with us.

The parish by-laws state that the Rada should have eight members, in addition to the Pastor. The Rada is the Parish Council. It works with the Pastor and fellow parishioners to provide oversight, planning, problem solving, and coordination to the work of the parish. It works with fellow parishioners and the broader community to keep us rooted in faith and service. The Rada should also foster Polish customs, culture, and language in the context of a vibrant Catholic faith community.

The duty of the Nominations Committee is to try to ensure that there are at least as many candidates as there are positions and to be conscious of different skillsets, experience, perspectives, and age demographics, all contributing to positive lay leadership and a sense of Christian service.

We have been blessed to have Radas that bring a faithful, positive, cooperative spirit to the parish and that have calmly navigated through very challenging situations.

In advance of this meeting, announcements were made in the bulletin inviting anyone who might be interested in being a candidate for the Rada, or in recommending someone, to communicate with the Nominations Committee.

After six consecutive years, the by-laws require a Rada member to be off Rada for a minimum of one year before re-offering.

As per our practice every year, nominations must be made in advance. This gives time for some discussion with candidates about the roles, and it also allows the Pastor to review the list of candidates, which is a step required by church law.

The election at a parishioners’ meeting is specifically for the members of the Rada. Calls for volunteers for the various committees will be put out in the weeks ahead by the new Rada. At its first meeting after this meeting, the Rada will elect its officers, including its Chairperson for the next year.

We join fellow parishioners in giving heartfelt thanks to two Rada members who have reached the six-consecutive-year mark this year. They are Stephanie Black and Anne Marie Campbell. We deeply value all they do as parishioners and leaders. Although they will not be on the Rada this coming year, we know they will continue to provide active leadership in the parish in various ways, and advice and support to the Rada. We appreciate them very much.

We are pleased to report that there are eight candidates who are either offering or re-offering for the Rada, and we will be recommending a motion to confirm them. They are, in alphabetical order:

Angela Doiron, who is re-offering.

Joe Gillis, who is offering for a first term. We all know Joe as a very active parishioner, retired educator, and we’re grateful he agreed to let his name stand.

Ursula Melski Jr, who is re-offering

John Morykot, who is re-offering.

Sophie O’Toole, who is re-offering.

Bernie Paruch, who is re-offering.

Jerry Pocius, who is re-offering.

And Robert Schella, who is offering for the first time. Robert brings a very constructive approach to the organizations he is part of. He has a Master of Social Work degree, and we are grateful to him for allowing his name to stand.

God bless!
Dziekujemy bardzo!