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 NOT in residence (seasonal) 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 Zwykła / 4th Sunday of Ordinary Time

CZYTANIA / READINGS:
Pierwsze czytanie / First Reading: So / Zep. 2,3; 3,12-13
Psalm: 146
Drugie czytanie / Second Reading: 1 Kor 1,26-31
Ewangelia / Gospel: Mt 5,1-12a
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Ubodzy duchem mają wstęp do nieba / Blessed are the poor in spirit. The Kingdom of Heaven is theirs

MASS INTENTION FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 9:30am: For the souls of Michael and Anna Kieć offered by Jean Annette and Richard White
MASS INTENTION FOR WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 6:30pm (followed by Novena to Our Lady of Częstochowa): For a “special intention.”
MASS INTENTION FOR SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 9:30am: For the soul of Rudy Pierrynowski offered by Donna MacNeil

We are concluding the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. We pray that all Christian churches will work together and pray together to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world. The theme this year is “Do good, seek justice!”

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OGŁOSZENIA / ANNOUNCEMENTS

DZIĘKUJEMY! A big thank you to everyone who helped take down Christmas decorations last Sunday. So grateful for all the volunteers and for the very friendly atmosphere!

LUNCH AFTER MASS NEXT SUNDAY: We would be so grateful if fellow parishioners with surnames starting with letters A to L might be able to bring a dish next Sunday.

MATKA BOSKA GROMNICZNA / KEEPING UNIQUE SPIRITUAL POLISH TRADITIONS FOR CANDLEMAS DAY On Sunday, February 5 (Sunday closest to Candlemas Day) we will have the blessing of the Polish “gromnica” (thunder candles) – with the traditional image of Mary with docile wolves. The next day, Monday, February 6, we will have a free Polish café at 1:00pm at the Polish Village Hall. We will have materials to decorate the candles and share some of the stories and legends from the Polish countryside for this holiday. We will have some students participating as well. (Please note: This information has been slightly updated/corrected from last week.) You can bring in for decorating one of the blessed candles – or we will have some additional candles on hand.

“GROMNICE” CANDLES TO BE BLESSED NEXT SUNDAY (traditional Polish Candlemas candles): We will pray for safety in times of danger. We will pray for people suffering from natural disasters. There will be a free-will offering for the candles, which will go to support the humanitarian work for Development & Peace-Caritas Canada (the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace). Thank you for your generosity. This will mean a lot. The candles are being provided by the St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society with the help of kind donors.

AN INVITATION TO A GATHERING / POTLUCK AT OUR CHURCH WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF OTHER CHURCHES IN THE AREA: Before the pandemic started, our church was hosting occasional gatherings/potlucks for the regional KAIROS network (Christian churches of different denominations that work together and compare notes on common issues and concerns related to social justice). We will be resuming these occasional gatherings. We will be gathering on Monday, February 13, at 6:30pm in our church’s Sala 1050. The main topic of discussion will be the housing situation in our community. If you can make it – and if you would like to bring a dish for a simple potluck – please speak with Tom Urbaniak. Many thanks!

VEHICLE PLATES: Cape Breton Polonia and Nova Scotia Polonia front vehicle plates are still available at the back of the church. $25.00 each

FUND-RAISING FOR UKRAINIAN HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE: We are using all the funds raised to support three charities that are directly helping refugees and displaced people either within Ukraine itself or who have fled to Poland. Our largest chunk of support has been going to our sister city Wałbrzych’s Ukrainian refugee assistance fund (via the CBRM). We are also supporting Caritas efforts on the ground (via the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace) and the Catholic Near East Welfare Association. We have special envelopes (marked “Ukrainian Humanitarian Assistance”) at the back of the church if you are considering making a contribution. Thank you for your support! We also still have the handmade dishcloths (in the vestibule) thanks to the kindness and hard work of DD Jackson (Yurchesyn)

FOOD CUPBOARD: Please consider bringing a non-perishable food or personal care item (e.g. shampoo, soap, toilet paper) to church when you come to Mass. These items will help stock our food cupboard outside the Polish Village Hall. There is a significant need in our community. Thank you for any help. Thank you to Krista Ann Starzomski’s students who recently filled the Food Cupboard.

OUR POLISH-THEMED RADIO SEGMENTS: The Coast Radio 89.7 (weekdays at 3:50pm and 7:50pm or any time at coastalradio.ca). This coming week's topic will be Polish customs for Candlemas Day. Thank you to Dr. Bob Lewandowski for lending his voice to this segment and to Dr. Paula Michalik for sponsoring this week’s segment. Paula kindly sponsored the segment in honour of the recent baptism of Oliver Urbaniak.
We’re always looking for sponsors and volunteers. It’s $100 for a whole week. 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), which has been a big help to the Society. If you think you might like to sponsor a week, please e-mail tom_urbaniak@cbu.ca or call 563-1226. Many thanks!

ZARZĄD (BOARD) OF THE ST. MICHAEL’S POLISH BENEFIT SOCIETY meets this evening (Sunday) at 7:00pm. Any Society members who are not on the board and wish to attend are welcome. Please ask Tom Urbaniak for a Zoom link. Tom will take the Zoom call from the church for anyone who wishes to attend in person.

PUBLIC HEALTH PROTOCOLS – MASKS ARE STILL STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. Thanks for all your kindness, patience, and co-operation through the pandemic.

COLLECTION FOR JANUARY 15 & 22: $1370.75, including $225.00 for the Building Fund. Sincere thanks for your generosity.

RECENT IMO (IN MEMORY OF) CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BUILDING FUND:
IMO Steve Melnick from Frank Starzomski
IMO Jean Murphy from Frank Starzomski

THANKS VERY KINDLY FOR YOUR DONATIONS TO OUR PARISH : We are truly grateful for everyone’s generosity through the pandemic. If you are attending Mass, you will find a collection basket near the entrance and exit (since we are not passing around the basket due to the public health restrictions). Also, please 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!

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PIEŚNI / HYMNS:

Entrance: Pod Twą Obronę (For Thy Protection) This is Hymn #1 on page 32 of the book in the pews, Przez Pokolenia: Prayers and Customs of St. Mary’s Polish Church.

Offertory: Z Rąk kapłańskich (From Priestly Hands)
1. Z rąk kapłańskich przyjmij Panie Tę ofiarę chleba wina Co się wkrótce dla nas stanie Krwią i Ciałem Twego Syna.
2. Niech przestępstwa nasze zmywa I uśmierza gniew Twój Panie Niech nas z niebem pojednywa I uzyska przebłaganie

Communion: W Sakramencie Utajony (Contained in the Host) -- choir

Post-Communion: Jest Zakątek Na Tej Ziemi (Czarna Madonna)
Jest zakątek na tej ziemi/ Gdzie powracać każdy chce, / Gdzie króluje Jej Oblicze, Na Nim cięte rysy dwie./ Wzrok ma smutny, zatroskany,/ Jakby chciała prosić cię, Byś w matczyną Jej opiekę oddał się.
Madonno, Czarna Madonno,/ Jak dobrze Twym dzieckiem być! /O, pozwól, Czarna Madonno,/ W ramiona Twoje się skryć!

Recessional: Jak Miła Ta Nowina (Wesołą Nowinę) (How Wonderful the News) This will be our final koleda/carol until next Christmas. In keeping with the Polish Catholic custom, we extend the Christmas season until Matka Boska Gromniczna/Candlemas Day on February 2.
Wesołą nowinę, bracia słuchajcie / Niebieską Dziecinę ze mną witajcie.
*Jak miła ta nowina!/ Mów, gdzie jest ta Dziecina/ Byśmy tam pobieżeli i ujrzeli.
Bogu chwałę wznoszą na wysokości/ Pokój ludziom głoszą, duchy światłości.
*Jak miła ta nowina!/ Mów, gdzie jest ta Dziecina/ Byśmy tam pobieżeli i ujrzeli

Życzymy błogosławionego tygodnia / Wishing you a blessed week!