Slovenska župnija sv. Gregorija Velikega | St. Gregory the Great Slovenian Church
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Številka - Number / Leto - Year
10. 12. 2017
2. Adventna
NEDELJA
2nd Sunday of Advent
Fr. Drago Gačnik, sdb
župnik - pastor
Naslov - Address 125 Centennial Pkwy N Hamilton, ON L8E 1H8
Tel.: 905-561-5971 Fax: 905-561-5109 E-mail
gregory_sdb@ stgregoryhamilton.ca
Web page
www.carantha.com
Hall rentals Cell: 905-518-6159
E-mail
hallrental@
stgregoryhamilton.ca
»UPANJE ...«
Mnogi so si zastavljali vprašanje o Jezusovi verodostojnosti. Ali je sploh živel? Šolski učbeniki so navajali »legendo o Nazarečanu«, ob katerem se je spletel mit. Če pa samo prisluhnemo sporočilu evangelija, pa kot nalašč našteva podatke in osebnosti, za katere pričajo stari napisi in zgodovinarji. Čeprav bi zadostoval že navedel cesarja Tiberija, je Luka že z drugimi bolj natanko osvetlil politični in verski položaj ter duhovno ozračje, v katerem se je uresničila obljuba.
Za nas je pomembno, da je nekega dne Krstnik začel oznanjati. Njegovo oznanilo odmeva še danes. Tudi okoliščine so si dokaj podobne. Janez živi v puščavi, ki je privilegirani svetopisemski kraj za srečanje z Bogom. Puščava je tudi podoba mnogih izsušenih in nerodovitnih src v današnjem svetu. Zato je njegov klic k spreobrnjenju še vedno nujen.
Janez Krstnik uporabi besede preroka Izaija, ki v videnju zre veličasten sprevod skozi puščavo. Bog je na čelu svojega ljudstva, ko se iz Babilona vrača v domovino. Glas v puščavi vabi, naj pripravijo kraljevsko pot. Beseda, namenjena ljudstvu na povratku, na novo zazveni v Janezovih ustih. Mesija prihaja. Treba je urediti pot v verskem in etičnem pomenu, kar zahteva pokoro, spreobrnjenje k Bogu, krst, kesanje in vero v odpuščanje grehov. Pripraviti pot pomeni tudi odločno zastaviti korak. Sveto pismo ljubi ta izraz. Življenje je podobno potovanju. Drugače od današnjega človeka, ki poudarja le svoj »jaz« ter sebe postavlja za edino merilo pravilnega in lastnih izbir. Zatorej odločitev za pot, za skupno pot kliče k spreobrnjenju, zahteva vse večje zaupanje v prepričanje: Bog hoče naše rešenje. Še več: on gre prvi na pot, prihaja nam naproti. Avguštinova izkušnja pravi: »Predno sem te iskal in vzljubil, si me ti poiskal in vzljubil.« Ljubezen, ki ljubi prva do te meje, da lastnega Sina da na nas. Danes, v tem adventu, nam daje novo priložnost, da še enkrat sprejmemo njegov prihod. Zanj je treba imeti očiščeno srce. Treba je odgovoriti na klic k spreobrnjenju.
Res orjaško delo je utiranje poti skozi puščavo! Spreobrnjenje srca!
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MASA ZA POKOJNE CLANICE KZZ - CWL
V sredo, 29. novembra, smo se zbrali pri daritvi svete maše, da bi se spomnili pokojnih članic in zanje molili. Letošnje leto so na izvršnem odboru sklenile, da bodo malo spremenile način, kakor so to delale prešnja leta. Po vstopni pesmi in pozdravu je predsednica brala imena članic, na platnu pa se je pokazala slika pokojne,
ki smo se jo spomnili. Za vsako članico so potem prižgale svečko in jo položile pred oltar, kjer je bila mizica na njej knjiga pokojnih in šopek vrtnic. Berili sta prebrali Milka Ferko in Mary Ann Demšar, prošnje pa Heidy Novak in Pamela Gosgnach. Po maši smo vsi navzoči naredili še spominsko sliko. Nato pa so članice vse povabile na kavo, čaj in dobrote.
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MIKLAVŽEVANJE pri Sv. GREGORIJU VELIKEM
Tudi letos je našo župnijo obiskal Miklavž. Dopoldne ob desetih smo se zbrali najprej k sveti maši pri kateri sta pela slovenski in angleški zbor. Po maši pa se nas je precej zbralo v dvorani. Nancy je s pomočnicami in strežniki pripravila dobro kosilo, potem pa so se otroci hitro pripravili za nastop. Kot je že dogoletna tradicija se je kamlu zaslišala glasba, ki naznanja prihod angelčkov. Tokrat so zelo lepo in glasno zapeli in tudi zaplesali. Za njimi sta prišla na oder pogledat tudi dva škratulina, pa so ju angelci kaj hitro zapodili iz prizorišča. In že so bili angelci nazaj in naznanili: »Sedaj glej prihaja Miklavž, s častitljivo brado ...« Po kratkem pozdravu je obdaroval vse otroke in na koncu tudi angelce. Po zaključnem pozdravu in pesmi »Bratci sestrice, čujte naš zadnji pozdrav« se je zavesa zaprla in upamo, da nas drugo leto zopet obišče.
Hvala učiteljicam, otrokom, Miklavžu, kuhinji, strežnikom in vsem staršem, ki so pomagali pri pripravi programa in dvorane.
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CHRISTMAS MESSAGE 2017 The Most Reverend Lionel Gendron, P.S.S., Bishop of Saint-Jean-Longueuil President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
Best wishes...
At Christmas and New Year's, we enjoy sharing our very best wishes with those we love. Along with "Merry Christmas!" and "Happy New Year!", one of the greetings we so often hear and repeat is "I wish you good health! It's so important!" Without denying the importance of good health, I would like to journey with you to discover the source of the Word of God, that which is truly most essential for the human heart.
We have all heard the Hebrew word shalom and know it is most often translated as "peace". What we may not always realize, however, is that shalom does not merely mean peace in the sense of the absence of war. There is in this word a richness with greater implications. Let me illustrate what I mean with an example. In 2 Samuel 11:7 (New Revised Standard Version), we read: "When Uriah came to him, David asked how Joab and the people fared, and how the war was going." If one sticks to the literal translation of this passage, David is asking Uriah about the shalom of General Joab, his army, and thus of the war; in short, about the "shalom(peace) of the war". Now that provides food for thought!
So let's dig deeper and explore the word shalom in order to appreciate its wealth of meaning better. In the passage just cited, if shalom means the "state", "situation", or even "evolution" of the battle, this term, throughout the rest of the Bible, can also indicate
what is right and complete, and even evoke the fullness of existence replete with life, repose, and blessing. Moreover, Shalom denotes the well-being of day-to-day life marked by the harmony and serenity of human persons with themselves, with nature, with one another, and with God. Thus, it is a notion with a plurality of meanings which refer as much to each person's peace of heart as it does to peace-harmony-communion in families and societies, as well as among nations. One could say that shalom-peace is the only reality capable of truly fulfilling the human heart.
At the same time, the Word of God leads us even further. It teaches us that shalom is a gift from God, the Father of mercies, revealed in the person of Christ. The prophet Isaiah actually proclaims the Messiah as the "Prince of Peace" (9:5). Indeed, Jesus gives peace to us his disciples when he breathes his Holy Spirit on us. The night of Passover, "Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you'... he breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit...'" (Joh n 20:19, 22). Our journey has led us to consider how in the world of the Bible the expressions "to be in good health" and "to be in shalom-peace" are practically identical.
What's more, the Gospel urges us to look around ourselves and ask whether shalom-peace is not also that reality that truly responds to the aspiration of all human beings. A quick glance at news media today is more than enough to convince us that our world and Canadian society are living their share of suffering, division, harrowing crises, and even wars. We desperately lack shalom-peace. What could we do better than to wish our world shalom-peace]
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Furthermore, during this festive season of Christmas and New Year's, couldn't our "best wishes" - as much for the whole world as for our loved ones - be what the Lord wishes us? "Peace be with you!' (John 20:19)! At Christmas, let us unite our voices with the angels to sing "Peace on earth!" and on New Year's Day, the World Day of Peace, let us join our prayers to those of all our brothers and sisters to plead for shalom-peace for all humanity.
Above all, let us not forget that a wish is a commitment. To wish someone shalom-peace is to commit oneself to becoming shalom-peacemakers in our own communities!
Peace be with you!
December 7, 2017
On Sunday, December 3rd, Heidy Novak, President of our Parish Council, said a few words after Mass and I asked her to publish it also in the Vestnik that others would know what she said.
"A year ago, I stood before you and spoke of the crucial times we were facing concerning the future of our Slovenian Parish. Although we still have a lot of work ahead of us, I am so happy to report that we have seen a revived enthusiasm amongst many of our members. With new ideas on how to keep our existing events current, and with the injection of many new and willing helping hands, we have seen old and new faces come out to participate and show their support.
Today we will continue one of our wonderful traditions, celebrating "Miklavž". This is a
celebration that brings a smile to all our faces, because each one of us have unforgettable memories that we hold dear to our hearts. We share many of these memories with family friends thanks to the commitment and dedication of our grandparents, parents and children. We not only appreciate all the effort put into celebrations such as these from the 60's to today, but we also send out a heart felt THANK YOU to those who helped create great days for us to be able to have great memories that enrich our lives.
Although our focus through December is the glorious Christmas Season, today I also invite all of you to consider ringing in the New Year with us. It is always a festive evening with great food, fantastic music and of course many opportunities to win fabulous prizes. This year, the Brown's Line Slovenian community will not be hosting a New Year's celebration. Hence, we expect some of our Toronto friends to come celebrate here at our Parish. So, we ask everyone to plan an evening with family friends here with us. And... to ensure you get your favourite table, buy your tickets soon.
Tickets will be sold after every mass in the entry foyer for your convenience. You can also call Heidy Novak at 905-317-6002 to make arrangements. Remember, this event is sold and tables are booked on a first come first serve basis.
We hope to fill our hall with our parish members and look forward to seeing as many of you here as possible for New Years!
As for today, on behalf of your Parish Council, I wish you all al great day with Miklavž, and a wonderful Sunday afternoon!"
Heidy Novak
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Response:
Show us your stedfast love, O Lord, and
grant us your salvation.
First Reading Isaiah 40:1-5. 9-11
Isaiah offers a message of hope: the people are to prepare for the coming of the Lord.
Second Reading 2 Peter 3:8-14
God is patient, wanting nobody to be lost.
Gospel Mark 1:1-8
The beginning of the Good News: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
"Prepare a way for the Lord."
Illustration
Anyone who lives in a large modern city knows the problems of transportation - the grind of the daily commute, when travelling even short distances can be a long and exasperating experience. Apart from the frustration caused by congestion, a poor infrastructure also damages the economy significantly. London is reckoned to be the fifth most congested city in the world. To help improve travelling times, a new east-west railway - the Elizabeth Line - is being constructed across and underneath the city: the hundred-kilometre route includes forty-two kilometres of tunnels and ten new stations, all connecting up with existing rail and underground stations. The new line is Europe's largest infrastructure project, costing nearly £15 billion and expected to serve two hundred million passengers per year. As well as improving travelling times for Londoners, it is estimated that the new line will add £42 billion to the UK economy.
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Gospel Teaching
In today's first reading, we hear of another plan to improve journey times - though here the prophet Isaiah is encouraging the people to construct a speedy route along which God's very self can travel. And this "building project" is intended not simply to take the frustration out of life or improve the economic situation, but to set God's people free after years of living in the misery of exile. Isaiah announces that the time of suffering and captivity is over: the Lord is coming and the people need to prepare a straight highway for God across the desert, a way for the Lord through the wilderness of their exile. So obstacles need to be removed, valleys filled in and hills flattened, to hasten the Lord's coming. Then God will lead the people home - like a shepherd leading the flock and tenderly carrying the lambs in his arms.
It is with this vivid image that Mark chooses to begin his Gospel and to describe the coming of Jesus, God's Son and anointed one. Isaiah's ancient prophecy is being fulfilled in a new way: one more powerful than John the Baptist is coming to lead God's people home, to set them free from the tyranny of sin to live in the homeland of God's kingdom, which, Jesus proclaims, is breaking into the world. Symbolically, John goes out into the wilderness to call the people to prepare for this momentous arri-
val. They are to build a highway in the desert of their lives - smoothing the way for the Lord to come and enter into their hearts. Their building work is "repentance", which means more than a superficial changing of individual actions, getting rid of "sins". It involves a complete change of mind - a renewal of heart - so that they are able to live in a different way.
Application
The new line in London was started in 2009 and is due for completion in 2018. The "building work" of repentance - of flattening out the hills and filling in the valleys of our own lives so that the Lord can come into our hearts - is also a huge piece of work, requiring nothing less than a lifetime, maybe even an eternity.
But in case we feel daunted by the immensity of the task, it is comforting to remember the words of Archbishop Oscar Romero that "we are workers, not master builders, ministers not messiahs". We are not expected to save ourselves. The very first words of Mark's Gospel spell it out so clearly for us: the good news is that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah. He is the powerful one who is at work in us and for us. What we are called to do is respond to this Good News by cooperating with the Holy Spirit - the Spirit with which he has baptised us. It is the Lord who comes to save us, leading us home like a shepherd, tenderly carrying us when we are weak and vulnerable. And as Peter reminds us, God is in no hurry. God is patient because God wants nobody to be lost. The timeless message of Advent is that our patient God is the God who comes not just at Jesus' birth, and not just at the end of time. God comes to us in our time of need, our time of exile, whenever we are lost in the wilderness of sin, fear or suffering. We are called simply to respond to the Good News that in Jesus Christ we meet the God whose coming sets us free and brings us home to our true selves.
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Obvestila - Announcements
PEVSKE VAJE ZA MEŠANI ZBOR_
V četrtek, 14. decembra, so pevske vaje za mešani pevski zbor. Zbor se pripravlja za božični čas.
DOGODKI V BLIŽNJI PRIHODNOSTI_
♦	10. december: Bled - Božičnica, Christmas Lunch
♦	15. december: Friday - Villa Slovenia Residents - Christmas Party & Dinner
♦	17. december: Slovenski park - Santa Claus
♦	17. december: Sava - Maša at noon, Dinner, Christmas celebration, Miklavž
♦	17. december: London - Mass 4:00 p.m. at St. John the Divine Church, social after
♦	19. december: Tuesday - St. Joseph Society - Društvo sv. Jožefa - Christmas Party & Dinner
♦	24. december: St. Gregory the Great:
Masses: 10:00 a.m., Christmas Eve: 6:00 p.m. (English), 10:00 p.m. (Slovenian)
♦	26. december: Lipa park - Mass at 3:00 p.m.
♦	31. december: St. Gregory the Great, Lipa park, Sava, Triglav - Silvestrovanje
GIFT BEARERS - darove prinašajo
♦	10. dec., 9:30 a.m.: Max & Jožica Pavličič
♦	17. dec., 9:30 a.m.: Ignac & Teresa Kolenko
CHRISTMAS EVE PAGEANT
We invite all the children of our parish to come out and participate in our Christmas Eve pageant-Sunday, December 24th at 6:00 p.m. Mass. All children are encouraged to come and share their talents and have some fun with music, acting and singing.
We will be continuing practices on Decem-538 | VESTNIK 2017
ber 16 at 12:30 for approx. 1 hour. Please contact Mary Miklavčič @ 905-664-4927 (mtmik@sympatico.ca) or Sonya Podrebarac at 905-902-6311.
DAROVI - DONATIONS
Slomškovemu društvu so za rože darovali:
-	$50 - Alojz Baznik
-	$100 - Joe Ftičar
Iskrena hvala za vaše darove in Bog vam povrni.
PROSTOVOLJCI - VOLUNTEERS
Church Cleaning Teams.
Thank you to all the willing volunteers who have worked so hard this year. I am looking for an extra team of ladies or gentlemen who would be willing to assist with this important task. If you are to help out even once or twice a year, it would be greatly appreciated. Talk to me after Mass, call me at 905-304-8719 or e mail me at gosgnachp@gmail.com to join the team.
Hvala vsem prostovoljcem, ki ste letos z veseljem sodelovali pri različnih delih v naši cerkvi. Iščemo vsaj še eno skupino žena ali mož, ki bi bili pripravljeni pomagati pri čiščenju cerkve vsaj enkrat ali dvakrat letno. Zelo vam bom hvaležna. Z menoj lahko govorite po maši ali me pokličete po telefonu (905-304-8719) ali pa e-pošti: gosgnachp@gmail.com.
Pamela Gosgnach
NEW YEAR'S EVE at St. Gregory the Great
New Year's is only 21 days away and tickets are already being sold quite quickly. To
reserve your table, please contact Heidy Novak at 905-317-6002 to make arrangements.
Also we are looking for VOLUNTEERS to help out with planning, and the actual evening. So if you are able to lend a hand, please contact Heidy and let's do what we can together to Ring in 2018 with style.
COOKING SESSION - January 20, 2018
Kitchen Secrets is hosting another day in the kitchen on Saturday, February 24th at 9:00 a.m. (Lower Hall). This session will feature the creation of kremšnite.
There is limited space in this session and spots will be available on a first come first serve basis only.
Please contact Heidy Novak at novakh@sympatico.ca if you would like to participate in this baking event. Looking forward to hanging out with friends in the kitchen!
BOŽIČNO PISMO - DUHOVNA OBNOVA
V atriju si na mizi si vzemite božično pismo.
Duhovna obnova, priložnost za spoved, bo v četrtek 14. in petek 15. decembra ob 5:30 popoldne. Oba dneva bosta na razpolago spovednika lazarista, gospod Leopold Valant (kaplan iz Brown's Line) in gospod Jože Zupančič iz Slovenije.
Koledarje - slovenske ali angleške - in nedeljske kuverte za leto 2018, boste lahko vzeli v nedeljo, 17. decembra.
OGNJIŠČE za leto 2018
Prosimo, če čimprej sporočite, kdo bo naročnik za Ognjišče za leto 2018, tako da še pravočasno sporočimo v Slovenijo, da nam bodo poslali dovoljšnje število izvodov. Naročnina za leto 2018 je 83 kanadskih $.
WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES
The Diocese of Hamilton is planning a trip to the World Meeting of Families in Dublin, Ireland, which takes place Aug. 21 - 26, 2018. This international event is designed to be significant to people of all ages at all stages of life. Every keynote address and workshop will be based on Pope Francis' Amoris Laetitia, or The Joy of Love. This is a family event with workshop streams for those 18 and older, 6 -17 years and day care for those 5 and younger.
The Diocese of Hamilton has booked a block of rooms for anyone interested in attending, but registration for the conference portion and travel are to be booked by each individual participant.
For more information or to book accommodation at our hotel, the Maldon Hotel Tallaght, call 905-528 -7988 ext. 2250 (Teresa Hartnett).
-t, svete maše - mass times: Monday: 8:00 a.m., Tuesday to Friday: 7:00 p.m., Saturday: 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. (Slovenian); Sunday: 9:30 a.m. (Slovenian), 11:00 a.m. (English); From Long weekend in July to the Long weekend of the September Sunday Mass is only at 10:00 a.m. (Slovenian-English) - krsti / baptisms: For an appointment, call one month before. poroke / marriage: For an appointment, call one year before the wedding date. spoved / confessions: First Friday of the month 6 -7:00 p.m. (or by appointment) bolniki - Sporočite, če je kdo bolan ali v bolnišnici, da ga obiščemo. You are don bosco welcome to call for a personal conversation with your priest - please call for an appointment. Tel: 905-561-5971,
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Od 10. 12. 2017 do 17. 12. 2017	svete maše -	masses
2. Adventna nedelja	Za žive in rajne župljane	9:30 a.m.
10. December	ff Pokojni sorodniki in znanci	Marija in Miha Spiler
Judita, sp. žena	f Jože Gerič, obl.	11:00 a.m. Zena Elizabeta
Ponedeljek - Monday
11. December	Po namenu	8:00 a.m. n.n.
Damaz I., papež
Sreda - Wednesday
13. December	ff Marija Assunta in Alfonso Ciulla
Lucija, devica-mučenka
7:00 p.m. sin
Četrtek - Thursday
14. December
Janez od Križa, duh-uč.
f Heidy Wagner ff Mihael in Helena Kolarič ff Ignac, Verona in Marija ff Jožef in Elizabeta Gerič, obl.
5:30 p.m. SPOVED - CONFESSIONS 7:00 p.m. Družina Pinter
Hči Terezija Sarjaš z družino Sestra Terezija Sarjaš z dru. Joe Ftičar
Petek - Friday
15. December
Kristina (Tinca), devica
t Vlado Škrban
5:30 p.m. SPOVED - CONFESSIONS 7:00 p.m. Stanko Petek
Sobota Saturday
16. December
Albina, mučenka David, kralj
Po namenu ff Za nasilo umorjene ff Za duše v vicah f Matija Vlašič ff Jožef in Marija Heric f Ignac Korošec f Ignac Žalik f Marija Hauznar
9:15 a.m. Maša z otroci Slovenske šole 5:30 p.m. n.n.
Marija
Družina Fabina
Hčerka Francka z družino
Družina Antolin
Anica in Božo Lavrič z druž.
Anica in Božo Lavrič z druž.
3. Adventna nedelja
17. December
Lazar, sp. mož
Za žive in rajne župljane	9:30 a.m. ff Pokojni Kobe in Radovičevič
f Štefan Gerič	11:00 a.m.
ff Pokojni člani društva Sava	Noon
ff Pokojni člani društva Triglav	4:00 p.m.
Angela Kobe Rose Gerič Sava-Breslau
Triglav-St. John the Divine
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