1. ADVENTNA NEDELJA 1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT SLOVENSKA ŽUPNIJA SV. GREGORIJA VELIKEGA | ST. GREGORY THE GREAT SLOVENIAN CHURCH 48/51 Številka - Number / Leto - Year 29. 11. 2015 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 VESTNIK November 23, 2015 First Sunday of Advent Dear Friends in Christ, We will soon cross the threshold of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, proclaimed by Pope Francis and set to begin on De-cember 8th, the Feast of the Im-maculate Conception. Through-out this Jubilee Year, we are called to contemplate divine mercy so that we may become “merciful like the Father.” Mercy is both an attribute of God and the clearest indicator of those who are his children. Having encountered God’s steadfast love, it is our mission to bear His mercy to others. Mercy is a theme that has long been close to Pope Francis’ heart, as his motto reveals. The words “By having mercy and by choosing him” refer to the call of Matthew the tax collector. Alt-hough Matthew was a sinner, the Lord looked upon him with loving mercy and called him to be a disciple. Sacred Scripture is filled with reminders of God’s mercy, parables of forgiveness, stories of sinners reconciled. In this holy year, let us listen to God’s word with hearts more deeply attuned to the wonders of His love and kindness. We live in a world often sorely lacking in forgiveness, understanding and compas-sion. Wars and civil strife have led to a refugee crisis on a scale not seen for many years. Acts of terrorism and violence deprive individ-uals and whole communities of a sense of peace and security. Families are often beset with anger and division. More than ever we need to hear the call of our Lord in the beati-tudes, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” (MT 5.3ff.) More than ever the Church must be steadfast in proclaiming mercy as “the beating heart of the Gospel.” (Misericordiae Vultus) It is my hope that the Jubilee Year of Mer-cy may be experienced in a vibrant way by individuals, groups and parish communities in the Diocese of Hamilton. As a local Church, let us take up the invitation of Pope Francis to be credible witnesses of God’s mercy, professing, living and celebrating it in all that we do. Five days after the Opening of the Holy Door of Mercy at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, the same will be done in Dioceses around the world. On Sunday, December 13th at 7:00 p.m. we will celebrate the Opening of our Door of Mercy at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King in Hamilton. I invite the faith-ful from across Hamilton Diocese to join us for this solemn celebration. The Holy Father has emphasized that the practice of pilgrimage has a special place in a Holy Year, since it represents the journey of our life. Some people may be especially blessed to make a journey to St. Peter’s in Rome this year. But for most our own Cathe-dral Basilica is a more realistic destination. This is why it is the principal place of pilgrim-age for us. I invite you to come and pass through the Door of Mercy, to spend time in prayer, and to experience God’s mercy in the Sacraments. Four pilgrimage days have been set on various Sundays and are advertised on the Diocesan website. Special arrangements may be made on other days for groups and parishes. So that the practice of pilgrimage might be experienced widely across our Diocese, I have designated six Sacred Heart parishes (one in each region of the Diocese) as additional pil-grimage sites. This seems appropriate, since the Sacred Heart is such a vivid image of our Lord’s compassion and love. These parishes in Hamilton, Kitchener, Paris, Georgetown, Guelph and Walkerton will offer Mass, Confes-sions and other devotions on First Fridays dur-ing the Jubilee Year. Once again, the Jubilee of Mercy page on the Diocesan website is the place to find more detailed information. As Catholics we are blessed to receive God’s grace and forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, to hear the words of mercy and experience profoundly the Lord’s pardon and peace. It is my hope that all Catholics will strive to receive God’s grace in Confession this year; even if – and especially if – it has been many years since you have approached the sacrament. I trust that you will find wise and compassionate confessors in our Priests. With the universal Church, we will celebrate “24 Hours for the Lord” on Friday, March 4th and Saturday, March 5th. Extensive hours of con-fessions will be offered at six parish locations across our Diocese, so that the Lord’s mercy may be offered in abundance. From the beginning of his papacy, Pope Francis has shown great concern for the poor and the marginalized. In this Holy Year, he calls us to practice the corporal and spiritual works of mercy with renewed devotion: to attend to people’s physical and spiritual needs with compassion. Let us look once again to the Gospels where the poor so often have a special experience of the mercy of God. I am pleased that a Diocesan Youth Rally to be held this spring will focus upon the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Moreover, I urge all parishes this year to review their programs of charitable and social outreach, so that we may ensure that we are a Church that re-sponds generously to the cry of the poor. Within the Diocese of Hamilton we can look forward to many blessings and graces in the coming year – a time to encounter God’s mercy and to extend His loving compassion to others. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Moth-er of Mercy and patroness of our diocese, be our constant companion in this Jubilee Year. United in faith, confident in hope, fervent in charity, let us journey together throughout this Holy Year, rejoicing in the inexhaustible riches of God’s mercy. Yours in Christ and Mary Immaculate, +Douglas Crosby, OMI (Most Rev.) Douglas Crosby, OMI, Bishop of Hamilton 410 | VESTNIK 2015 412 | VESTNIK 2015 414 | VESTNIK 2015 416 | VESTNIK 2015 418 | VESTNIK 2015 420 | VESTNIK 2015 VESTNIK 2015 | 411 VESTNIK 2015 | 413 VESTNIK 2015 | 415 VESTNIK 2015 | 417 VESTNIK 2015 | 419 LONDON-TRIGLAV V nedeljo, 22. novembra 2015 smo imeli zopet sveto mašo v Londonu, tokrat v dvorani društva Triglav. V kuhinji so skuhali dobro kosilo, tako, da so se lahko vsi, ki so želeli, tudi dobro okrepčali. Ob dveh smo imeli sveto mašo, pri kateri smo se še posebej spomnili pokojnega Emila Čekada, ki je pred kratkim umrl. Poleg žene se je svete maše udeležilo tudi precej sorodnikov. Po maši so nekateri še poklepetali, drugi pa so se, ker je bilo toplo, zbrali na balinanju kar zunaj na balinišču. BLED-PLANICA 13 - LOVSKI BANKET: SOBOTA, 21. NOVEMBRA 2015 Dvorana društva Bled se je dodobra napolnila. Ne tako kot v starih časih, ko jih je prišlo tudi 300, tokrat dobra polovica, pa vendar je bilo prijetno druženje ob glasbi, za katero je poskrbel Branko Pouh, ob zelo dobri večerji, ki so jo pripravile gospodinje in hitri postrežbi, za katero so bili odgovorni naši mladi. Po večerji so mnogi zaplesali ob zvokih melodij in se poveselili ob družbi prijateljev in znancev. MAŠA ZA POKOJNE ČLANICE SLOMŠKOVEGA OLTARNEGA DRUŠTVA, 23. NOVEMBER 2015 V ponedeljek zvečer smo se zbrali pri sveti maši in jo darovali še posebej za pokojne članice Slomškovega oltarnega društva, ki so dolga leta pomagale pri urejanju cerkve. V znak hvaležnosti smo za vsako prižgali svečko in pred njo je bilo ime članice. Jožica Vegelj je na začetku svete maše prebrala imena vseh 26. pokojnih članic. Hvala Gizeli Hauzar, ki je poskrbela za sveče in napise, Jožici Vegelj, ki je prebrala božjo besedo in Olgi Glavač, ki je pripravile čudovit šopek. Naj pokojne članice društva počivajo v božjem miru. CWL - KŽZ: MAŠA ZA POKOJNE ČLANICE Our Memorial Mass held Wednesday, Nov 25, was well attended. We wish to thank everyone who helped us celebrate this very important mass. We had the op-portunity to come together to remember and honour our CWL deceased members who were also vital mem-bers in our families and Slovenian community. Our thanks extends to Fr.Drago; the English Choir; CWL members who helped organize and arrange this mass; CWL members who participated and attended; CWL members who gave generously of their baking and re-freshments; to the family members attendance and participation and to our parish members who attended. You all helped to make it the beautiful mass it was. Thankyou. MIKLAVŽ PRIHAJA! Slovenska šola pri sv. Gregoriju v Hamiltonu vljudno vabita na Miklavževanje v nedeljo 6. decembra, 2015. Po 10:00 maši, od 11:00 do 12:00 bo film za otroke. Ob 12:00 bo odlično kosilo v cerkveni dvorani, nato pa pride Miklavž s spremstvom. Prosimo, da za rezervacije kosila pošljite email Sandy Ferletic čimprej na sferletic@gmail.com ali (905) 977-8464. St. Nicholas will soon bee visiting our parish once again. The Slovenian School invites you to our annual St. Nicholas Celebration on Sunday December 6, 2015. After the 10:00am Mass there will be a children's movie from 11:00am to 12:00pm. A delicious lunch will be served at 12:00 noon, after which St. Nicholas and his angels will come to visit our parish's children. For reservations, please call Sandy Ferletic at (905) 977-8464 or by email at sferletic@gmail.com. If you would like a specific table please call early as seats are given on a first come/first serve basis. ŠTRUDELJ ORDERS The Slovenian School is still taking strudel orders for cheese and apple strudelj. The cheese is $22.00 and the apple is $15.00. We still have limited numbers left so orders will be taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. If we still have any left, we will also be selling them after Mass on December 6th. Pick-up for the orders will be on December 6th in the Lower Hall. Call Sandy: phone number (905) 977-8464 BE THE FOLK IN FOLKLORE Folklorna skupina "VENEC" was established to bring together people to help nurture fun, friendship and Slovenian folklore. VENEC invites all interested in traditional Slovenian dances, singing, costumes and even playing instruments, to join their ranks. This group encompasses adults from throughout southern Ontario, from Niagara through to Toronto. Our members have represented all the organizations and groups that call southern Ontario home. The mission of this group is work together to create one strong recreational group to represent the traditions of Canadian-Slovenians. Former members of dance groups, those looking to rekindle their youth, and those just interested in learning something new, along with a great group of individuals are invited to attend our practices on Sunday, November 29th and Sunday, December 13th in the St. Gregory's Hall starting at 4:30pm. Old and new members (university age and older) are asked to help make this 6th season a memorable one learning some unique areas of Slovenia. 1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT Response: To you, O Lord, I lift my soul. First Reading Jeremiah 33:14-16 Through the prophet Jeremiah, the Lord assures his people that he will bring salva-tion and restoration to the land. Second Reading 1 Thessalonians 3:12 – 4:2 Paul reminds the Thessalonians of the in-structions he gave them on the authority of Jesus the Lord. If they continue to follow them, their hearts will be confirmed in holi-ness. Gospel Luke 21:25-28. 34-36 Jesus looks to the time when he will come again, and tells his disciples to be ready. “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” Illustration 1622 St Francis de Sales wrote, on the eve of the new year, “So this year has disappeared into the abyss where all the others have gone. How desirable is eternity when we consider these miserable and fleeting changes! Let the time pass by as we, little by little, run with it to be transformed into the glory of the children of God.” It’s an appropriate reflection for this first Sunday of Advent, when the Church begins her new liturgical year. It also points to one of the great realities of our life on earth: things com-ing to be and things passing away. Change – sometimes sudden and shocking change – is part of all our lives. How we cope with change is one of the things that indicate how ma-ture we are, how well adjusted to the challenges of life. To paraphrase one poet, we have to learn when to care and when not to care, to let things go. St Au-gustine said that every change is a sort of death. So we need to learn how to deal with being in a semi-permanent sort of mourning, with-out losing our gift of enjoying the good things in life. Some changes can be traumatic and unexpected: the death of a loved one, natural disasters like tsunamis and earthquakes, the sudden onset of sickness or disability. In moments like these, it can feel as if our whole world is collapsing around us. Gospel Teaching Jesus makes it clear, using deliberately alarm-ing language and imagery, that one day the whole of creation will come to an end. Just as everyday things come to an end on a small scale, so the whole of creation will come to an end on a very big scale. “That day will be sprung on you suddenly, like a trap.” Of course, that happens to each of us individ-ually, at the hour of our death. But it will also hap-pen one day to everything that exists. That’s what we refer to in the Creed: “He will come again in glo-ry to judge the living and the dead.” Jesus also teaches us that we will be called to give an account of our stewardship of all the gifts he has given us. Through baptism we are called to build up the kingdom of God in this world, and to look forward to eternal life with God. It is good to reflect on whether we are making proper use of the gifts God has given us, both spiritual and material. Serious as these thoughts are, they need to be put into the context that Jesus gives us. “When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.” The purpose of contemplating the day of judgement is to help us to be free to respond to it; to live with a freedom from false cares and false pleasures. Application Jesus also tells us how to prepare for his final coming. He calls us to stay awake and to pray. Obvi-ously, we can’t physically stay awake all the time. “Staying awake”, in this context, means keeping an awareness of spiritual realities, an awareness of the brevity of life and the reality of eternity. It’s a way of talking about a sort of spiritual mindfulness. Anoth-er way we stay awake is by living a prayerful, sacra-mental life. By doing that, we share in the prayers and good works of every other member of the Church spread all over the earth. So whatever hour of the day it is, there is always somewhere on earth where the Church is praying. This is true of the Di-vine Office, the official prayer of the Church, and the prayers of individual members of the body of Christ. A hymn written by John Ellerton puts it very well: “We thank Thee that Thy Church unsleeping, / While earth rolls onward into light, / Through all the world her watch is keeping, / And rests not now by day or night.” If we maintain the bond of charity among us, we mutually share in our spiritual and corporal works, in each other’s life of faith. Finally, and as always, we have the example and the prayers of Our Lady to help us. “Mary treas-ured all these things and pondered them in her heart.” And the end of all of this is our hearts being confirmed in holiness, to be transformed into the glory of the children of God. NOTICE / VABILO 59th Annual Meeting - Občni Zbor Hranilnice in Posojilnice Slovenia Parishes (Toronto) Credit Union Limited Sunday, November 29, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Parish Hall - 739 Brown’s Line, Toronto, ON ADVENTNI ČAS smo začeli za današnjo nedeljo. Tudi naša cerkev se je odela v adventno razpoloženje. Še posebej hvala gospe Olgi Glavač, ki vedno poskrbi, da je cerkev okrašena v skladu z liturgičnim časom. Hvala tudi Gizeli Hauzar, ki je zamenjala prte na oltarju. Vsi pa poskrbimo, da bomo »okrasili« tudi svoja srca. OBVESTILA - ANNOUNCEMENTS PEVSKE VAJE Pevske vaje za mešani pevski zbor bodo v četrtek , 3. decembra po večerni maši. DOGODKI V BLIŽNJI PRIHODNOSTI . 4. december: Lipa park - Tree Decoration . 6. december: Sv. Gregorij - Miklavževanje - maša samo ob: 10:00 a.m., ob 12h v dvorani kosilo in prihod Miklavža z angelci. . 6. december: Lipa park, Triglav - Santa Claus - Miklavževanje . 13. december: Bled - Božičnica, Slovenski park - Miklavževanje. . 20. december: Sava-Breslav - maša ob 12:00 in Miklavž-Santa; Triglav-London at St. John the Divine Mass at 4:00 p.m. nato srečanje v dvorani. . 24. december: Christmas Eve: first mass at 6:00 p.m. in Englsih, second mass at 10:00 p.m. in Slovenian. . 26. december - Sv. Štefan: Lipa park - maša ob 3:00 p.m. . 31. december: Silvestrovanje at St. Gregory - maša ob 5:30 p.m. nato Silvestrovanje. Silvestrovanje bo tudi v Lipa parku, Savi-Breslavu in pri Triglavu-London. PRINAŠANJE DAROV: SLOVENSKA MAŠA Ob nedeljah, pri slovenski maši, darove prinašajo: 29. november: Aranka & Danny Dundek To all the parishioners who signed up during the year to act as Gift Bearers for the 9:30 and 11:00a.m Sunday Mass, thank you for “Saying Yes.” In 2016, for the 9:30 Mass, a schedule will be prepared using the names of people who volunteered during 2015. Each month, one Sunday will be left open for new volunteers to add their names. If you were on the list for 2015 and do not wish to be included in 2016, please contact Pamela at 905-304-8719. For the 11:00am Mass parishioners are encouraged to make a commitment by using the sign up sheet or by speaking to Sonya Podrebarac. COOKING SESSIONS Our Cooking Session scheduled for November 28th is now full, it is sure to be a great morning. Our next session will be held on January 16th. The details for that kitchen session will be available soon. You are always welcome to call or email me at 905-317-6002 or novakh@sympatico.ca any time to discuss possible demonstrations or recipes you may be interested in. - Heidy Novak EUROPEAN SCENINC TOURS - JUNE 27 - JULY 11, 2016 - SLOVENIA - HUNGARY This once in a life time trip includes flight from Toronto-Brussels-Ljubljana. Your group will arrive by luxury bus and your accommodations will be at the fine establishment of Gostilna Vidrgar. Price includes: Bus trips, Returning flights, Lodg-ing & 3 meals per day at Gostilna Vidrgar (Lunches not included on bus trips, Admission to attractions not included). Tour includes: Ljubljana Castle and the City of Ljubljana - Brezje, Bohinj, Bled, Portorož, Postojna. Hungary - Budapest, Ptuj, Ptujska gora, Ptuj Castle, Krvavec and attractions, Podčetrtek, Olimlje Monas-tery, Jelenov Greben. For Information & booking call 519-461-0653 leave message. NEW YEAR'S EVE 2015 AT ST. GREGORY Our NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION is selling out quickly. With St. Gregory the Great Parish and Društvo Bled coming together to ring in 2016, it looks as though we will have a full house. Our organizers are working hard to change things up a little to ensure that New Year’s is a good time for all. Reservations can be made with the purchase of tickets after every mass, as well as at all Parish and Bled events. We look forward to seeing many of our parishioners on December 31st to welcome in the New year… 2016! PRVI PETEK Ta teden je prvi petek in sobota v mesecu decembru. V petek bom obiskal bolnike zvečer ob šestih pa boste imeli priliko za sveto spoved in molitev pred Najsvetejšim. VEČNA LUČ V mesecu decembru bo večna luč gorela za pokojno mo Joželj, Jožeta, Tomaža, ata Lojzeta in starše Langenfus, po namenu Sonje Langenfus. DRUŠTVO ST. JOSEPH: MEMBERS’ ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY Tuesday, December 15th, 7:30 PM . light dinner & entertainment . poinsettia draw fund raiser for Venerable Bishop Baraga Fund VILLA SLOVENIA RESIDENTS’ CHRISTMAS PARTY On Friday, December 18th at 4:00 PM - The St. Joseph Society will be holding its Annual Christmas dinner. All residents are invited to attend with one family member. CHURCH CLEANING Attention church cleaning teams. There is preliminary schedule for church cleaning in 2016 posted on the notice board in the foyer. Please check to make sure that the dates assigned are good for you. Call Pamela at 905-304-8719 if you need to have any changes made. Each team will receive a copy of the final schedule at the end of December. Thank you for volunteering for this important work. Pamela MARMORA BUS PILGRIMAGE MARMORA BUS PILGRIMAGE and day of prayer is taking place on Tuesday, December 8th - Feast day of the Immaculate Conception of the BVM. The Holy Mass is taking place at St. Gregory the Great at 8:00 am. Bus will leave at 9:00 am, from our parking lot. For more information see the flyer at the entrance to the church or call Angela on telephone: 905-662-5264. SVETE MAŠE - MASS TIMES: Ponedeljek/Monday – Petek/Friday: 7:00 P.M. Sobota/Saturday: 8:00 A.M. – slovenska / in Slovenian 5:30 P.M. – slovenska / in Slovenian - Nedelja/Sunday: 9:30 A.M. – slovenska / in Slovenian - 11:00 A.M. – angleška / in English KRSTI / BAPTISMS: Po dogovoru, prijava 1 mesec prej. - For an app’t, call one month before. POROKE / MARRIAGE: Prijava eno leto prej. / For an app’t, call one year before the wedding date. SPOVED / CONFESSIONS: Vsak prvi petek ob 6:00 P.M. / 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 welcome to call for a personal conversation (person counselling) with your priest – please call during business hours for an appointment. Tel: 905-561-5971. DON BOSCO 1. ADVENTNA 29. NOVEMBER Saturin, mučenec † †† za žive in rajne župljane Liza Farkaš Jernej in Lucija Ponikvar 9:30 A.M. 11:00 A.M. Marina Štefanec Družina Ponikvar PONEDELJEK - MONDAY 30. NOVEMBER Andrej, apostol † † † † Terezija Salajko Janez Hočevar, obl. Janez Hočevar, obl. Janez Hočevar, obl. 7:00 P.M. Sin Ladislav Salajko Žena Marija Hočevar Cecilija Sobočan Kathy in Martin Simončič TOREK - TUESDAY 1. DECEMBER Eligij, škof Po namenu 8:00 A.M. Cvetka Milosavljevič z dr. SREDA - WEDNESDAY 2. DECEMBER Natalija, mučenka †† †† †† † Marija, Tereza, Jože in Ivan Ray Family Calbiuk Pokojni iz dr. Zorko in Ferletič Bob Harrington 7:00 P.M. Štefan in Gizella Ray Family Pona Milan in Sandy Rob in Liz Harrington ČETRTEK - THURSDAY 3. DECEMBER Frančišek Ksaver, red. † † †† †† Frančiška Napast Lara Frančiška in Stane Napast Pokojni Glavač 7:00 P.M. Grandchildren Majda S. Kathy in Martin Simončič Viktor in Olga Glavač PRVI PETEK FIRST FRIDAY 4. DECEMBER Barbara, mučenka †† † †† † Za duše v vicah Stane Napast Anton, Ignac, Stanislav in Štefan Leopold Čop 7:00 P.M. Tone in Marija Bukvič Družina Pinter Sestra Olga in Joe Hanc Manja Erzetič SOBOTA - SATURDAY 5. DECEMBER Saba, opat † †† †† †† † † Pavel Richard Novak Terezija, Ivan in Ignac Matija in Martin Zelko Jože in Marija Zelko Pavel Richard Novak Ivan Tompa 8:00 A.M. 5:30 P.M. Pavel in Jožica Novak Sestra Marija Glavač Marija in Toni Franc Marija in Toni Franc Družina Rev Wife Norma 2. ADVENTNA 6. DECEMBER Miklavž, škof †† † † za žive in rajne župljane Lojzka in Ciril Novak Ivan Mertuk Alojzija Novak, obl. MIKLAVŽEVANJE 10:00 A.M. 12:00 NOON Sin Pavel Novak z družino Stanko Žerdin Frank Novak z družino ŽUPNIJSKA DVORANA SVETE MAŠE - MASSES Od 29.11. 2015 Do 6.12. 2015 Stanko