it,sly n; Slovenska župnija sv. Gregorija Velikega | St. Gregory the Great Slovenian Church 51/54 Številka - Number / Leto - Year 16. 12. 2018 3. ADVENTNA NEDELJA Gaudete Sunday 3rd 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 Veselite se v Gospodu zmeraj Poimenovanje današnje nedelje je vzeto pa iz drugega berila: »Veselite se v Gospodu zmeraj ... veselite se ... Gospod je blizu. Ozračje veselja in domačnosti prežema tudi Sofonijevo hvalnico iz prvega berila. Čeprav je po eni strani videnje »Gospodovega dne«, kakor ga slika prerok, polno nasilja: »dan jeze, dan stiske in tesnobe, dan razdejanja in pustošenja, dan teme in mraka, dan oblakov in megle, dan roga in bojnega krika«, je po drugi strani Gospodova ljubezen do Izraela trajna in izražena z nadvse nežnimi toni. Srčika pesmi je izražena z besedami: »Izraelov kralj, Gospod je v tvoji sredi.« Podobno veselje in zaupanje preveva tudi odlomek iz pisma, ki ga je apostol Pavel naslovil na makedonsko skupnost vernih v Filipinih: »Gospod je blizu!« Prav tako kot Janez Krstnik, ki je oznanjal: »Približalo se je nebeško kraljestvo«. Razpoloženje veselja, nova zarja za človeštvo se končno pojavi s pridigo Janeza Krstnika, kjer je v središču oznanilo »prisotnosti« in »bližine« kot v prvih dveh berilih: »Pride pa močnejši od mene in on vas bo krstil s Svetim Duhom in ognjem«. Pri Luku je poudarjeno pričakovanje, človekovo upanje, ki se konkretizira v vprašanju: »Kaj naj storimo?«, ki ga Luka zastavlja kar trikrat. Janezovi odgovori, kažejo na perspektivo, ki je Luku pri srcu. Novo življenje in veselje, ki človeku odpre srce, je mogoče le, če smo sposobni deliti svoje dobrine z drugimi, če smo pravični in pozorni do ubogih in zatiranih. Biti srečen in odprt za božje kraljestvo pomeni v življenju upoštevati tudi druge. Drugi poudarek evangeljskega odlomka po Luku pa je naznanilo o prihodu Kristusa. To vest Janez Krstnik nameni »ljudstvu, ki je živelo v pričakovanju«. Vsa prva poglavja Lukovega evangelija so prepojena s pričakovanjem, začenši s pričakovanjem starčka Simeona, prerokinje Ane, njenimi poslušalci in pričakovanjem učencev Janeza Krstnika. Predmet pričakovanja je tako rekoč isti za vse: Tolažnik, Osvoboditelj, tisti, ki bo dokončno očistil svet zla, Kristus. Z naravnost baročno nakopičenimi orientalskimi simboli, ki jih je že uporabil prerok Malahija, predstavi Janez Krstnik Kristusovo delo kot delo velikega eshatološkega Krstitelja, ki krščuje »s Svetim Duhom in ognjem, ki ima velnico v roki, da bo počistil svoje mlatišče ... in bo pleve sežgal z neugasljivim ognjem«. Človeško mizerijo in krhkost začne namakati tok žive vode, ki daje rodovitnost. Ta živi tok izvira iz Duha Stvarnika. Ves greh in vse krivice, ki jih človeštvo grmadi na svojem zemeljskem potovanju daleč od Boga, so zajeti v ta očiščujoči talilni lonec. V oznanjevanju Janeza Krstnika se Kristus kaže kot sodnik in kot odrešenik. V Lukovi teološki viziji je Kristus tisti, ki sežiga in odpravlja zlo, ki se je ugnezdilo v zgodovini človeštva. Kristus je predvsem Krstitelj, tisti, ki očiščuje in osvobaja. Njegova najčudovitejša sodba je odpuščanje, podarjeno vsem, ki imajo v pričakovanju odprto srce. (Prim. Oznanjevalec 2003) ONE BLESSED NIGHT! Dear friends, As we approach Christmas, I am usually invited to a variety of special events. Andrew Miller's Christmas Cantata, The Birth of Christ, sponsored by Salt & Light Media Foundation, was held at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King. It was an absorbing evening of music and song. The final words of the cantata summed up the experience: "One Blessed Night!" The story was told of that "Blessed Night" two thousand years ago, and in the musical recounting, we experienced yet another "blessed night". The story is familiar — we hear it every year; and every year we are moved by its simplicity and its significance. Every year this story touches our hearts and changes lives. I was invited to an annual dinner, dance, and visit by Santa, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and a family of means for the L'Arche communities in Hamilton. Core members of L'Arche and those who support them were present, including many family members. I watched a young woman care for her brother who has been with L'Arche for a good part of his life. Three words came to my mind: broken, beautiful, and loved! As with the members of L'Arche, so for us all — broken, beautiful and loved! The angels first announced the news of the birth of the Christ child to shepherds who lived outside of the village. At that time, they were held in some disdain. Yet they heard the world-changing news first! May we hear it again this year, with the awe and wonder felt by the shepherds. May we experience the beauty and love they must have felt when they first laid eyes on Him. May our lives be transformed by the experience, once again, of that "Blessed Night"! Sincerely in Christ and Mary Immaculate, (Most Rev.) Douglas Crosby, OMI Bishop of Hamilton 569 | VESTNIK 2018 MIKLAVŽ PRI SV. GREGORJU VELIKEM V nedeljo, 9. decembra, so učiteljice Slovenske šole skupaj z učenci pripravile Miklavževo praznovanje. Po deseti maši se je v dvorani zbralo nekaj nad sto staršev in otrok. Kosilo je skuhala Nancy. Strežniki so juho prinesli na mizo, prikuho pa si je vsak šel iskat - buffet style. Po dobrotah so se otroci pripravili za nastop. Sicer precej manjše število angelčkov, kot prejšnja leta, pa vendar so odpeli in zaplesali kot je treba in nato pospremili na oder tudi Miklavža. Tudi parklji niso manjkali. Otroke je Miklavž obdaroval in ob koncu so angelci zapeli še: Sedaj glej odhaja in Bratci sestrice. Ravnateljica šole, Sandy Ferletič, se je ob koncu zahvalia kuhinji, strežnikom, delavcem v baru, otrokom, Miklavžu, učiteljicam in vsem za obisk. Povabila in spodbudila je vse k sodelovanju in ohranjanju naše tradicije. VESTNI K 2018 j 570 571 | VESTNIK 2018 New Year's will be here before you know it. Planning is well under way and tickets are getting sold. We are working on a "Gatsby" styled event, have Sibaj playing the night away and are looking forward to a great night. For those who are unable to make the entire dinner/dance evening, we are also selling "after dinner tickets" again this year. These tickets are selling for $40 and will get you into our event at 9pm. In order to make New Year's a great night we are looking for some help. We are reaching out to parishioners for some helping hands in the kitchen. If you are able and willing to come out the day before to do some prep, or work the actual event, please contact Heidy so that we can discuss the details. I can be reached at 905-3176002. Also - if anyone is able to show support by donating some raffle or door prizes, your generosity would be very much appreciated! Merry Christmas and let's get ready for a Happy New Year! DECEWBEPi 31, C016 ST. CfiEeOfiY THE EflT iippepi hill DOOfiS OPED 6:30PIVI DirniEri IT 7:00pm f>inD - Sibaj *75 HDULTS *5C STIDirTS tlcsted e>y st. tpiecopii the teieit hid slcveimi pi™ fori Tickets Cohtact: Heidy HovriK - 605-3T7-600E H0VflKt1(fl>SYI«PriTIC0.Cfl VESTNI K 2018 j 572 -¿tip: L Uij , t 4» V\ Slovenian Association SAVA m PRESENTS Tuesday January 1, 2019 Doors open at: 1:00 PM Luneh served at: 2:00 PM Music For Dancing By: i m 1 mm ñ Niagara Button Boxers and Walter Ostanek For tickets call Marija Prilesnik ■ * (519)884-4736 $25 ■ Adults $15-Students 12 & Under-Free Slovenian Association SAVA — 50 Scheitele Place, Breslau, Ontario NOB 1M0 573 | VESTNIK 2018 The Diocese of Hamilton is conducting the One Heart, One Soul Campaign to raise money for every parish in the Diocese and for shared ministries. Answers to a set of Frequently Asked Questions appear in parish bulletins regularly. A compilation of all questions that have been published are available throughout the campaign at oneheartonesoul.ca. What is the state of diocesan finances? Is this a desperate situation that requires a campaign? The diocesan financial picture is strong - the amount of assets has grown in recent years and investments are doing well. Meanwhile, the Diocese is generous with grants and loans to parishes and Catholic organizations within the Diocese. Parish assessments have been stable in recent years but have not kept up with increases in diocesan operating costs. Property sales have been used more frequently to keep the Diocese's operating budget balanced and strong, and many assets (such as the Care and Maintenance Fund for Cemeteries) are restricted and not at the Diocese's disposal. This is not an emergency situation. The Diocese is looking ahead and acting before any kind of emergency could develop. Overall, the campaign is a way to ensure that more parishes will be able to be self-sufficient over the long term, building up themselves and the Diocese at the same time. I've heard the Diocese has a lot of assets. Can't those be used? At the end of 2017, the Diocese reported assets of $322 million. However, the majority of the assets are restricted assets, such as the Care and Maintenance Fund for Cemeteries, money legally reserved for the maintenance of cemetery operations and funds held for pre-arranged funeral services and burials. Unrestricted assets are less than a third of the total capital. Of these unrestricted assets, more than 90 percent is used to generate investment income that - when combined with parish assessments - pays for annual diocesan operations (68 percent) and make funds available for grants and loans to help parishes and organizations within and outside the Diocese (32 percent). Is there any chance that funds would be used to settle potential claims of abuse of children by clergy? The tragic stories recently in the news, thankfully, do not reflect the circumstances and history of our diocese. However, it should still be noted that funds raised during the campaign will be held in a segregated account, in trust for the parishes and ministries for which they were raised. Both civil and canon law require the diocese to use the gifts we receive for the stated purposes for which they were given - an obligation to which we are fully committed. Regarding how the Diocese handles abuse allegations, Bishop Crosby said in an August 2018 letter to all in the Diocese: "All allegations of sexual misconduct have been and will continue to be taken seriously and addressed immediately in accordance with our diocesan policy." For a link to the full letter, see our diocesan website, hamiltondiocese.com. What kind of financial transparency can we expect during the campaign and beyond? Transparency is a top priority for the Diocese. Summaries of diocesan financial reports from 2012 through 2017 are on the diocesan website, and copies of the full reports are available from the Diocese's financial office. Regular updates of campaign goals, projects and fundraising will be communicated during the campaign through a number of avenues - the website, emails, social media, to name a few. VESTNI K 2018 j 574 ¿/FINANCIAL Hamilton Branch Villa Slovenia 23 Delawana Drive Hamilton, ON L8E 3N6 Tel: (905) 578-7511 Fax: (905) 578-5130 E-mail: hamilton@moyafinancial.ca Monday Closed Tuesday 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Wednesday Closed Thursday 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Friday 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM 1st & 3rd Saturday of the month 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Holiday Hours Monday, December 24 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM (Hamilton closed) Tuesday, December 25 Closed Wednesday, December 26 Closed Monday, December 31 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM (Hamilton closed) Tuesday, January 1,2019 Closed 3rd Sunday of Advent Response: Shout aloud and sing for joy: great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. First Reading Zephaniah 3:14-18 The prophet tells the people of Israel to rejoice for the Lord will save them and be in their midst. Second Reading Philippians 4:4-7 Paul tells his congregation to rejoice always for the Lord is at hand. Gospel Luke 3:10-18 In the face of the coming judgement, John the Baptist explains how his questioners must behave. "There were many... things he said to exhort the people and to announce the Good News to them." Illustration Teresa was a young English doctor who, thirty years ago, was doing research on sickle cells in a Caribbean hospital. Earlier in her life she had thought of entering religious life. She had heard the call but it had not been strong enough for her to respond. But she was always conscious that God might be calling her to a work that, on the surface at least, she really did not want to do because she felt it might be too disruptive of the way she wanted to live her life. Going to the Caribbean to use her medical knowledge in trying to find a cure for a disabling illness like sickle-cell disease seemed a good way of satisfying her conscience. She could do a period of service in a developing country and then return to her house and normal life in England. 575 | VESTNIK 2018 Then one Sunday at Mass she heard words of Jesus in St John's Gospel. They are addressed to Simon Peter three times: "Do you love me?" Teresa heard the words as a direct call. She thought her life was all settled. But now this was almost like a word of judgement and demanded a response. What should she do? She picked up the telephone directory and phoned a religious order. Eventually she chose a missionary order, which could use her medical expertise, and she has worked ever since, serving poor people in Asia with both devotion and joy. Gospel Teaching Today we hear the prophetic words of John the Baptist. They are words of judgement and yet we are told he announced "the Good News". How can judgement be good news? Last Sunday John was introduced as one who preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. He wants people to change but they are reluctant. They want to stay as they are, undisturbed. But John has been sent to prepare the people for the coming of the Lord who will bring salvation. He warns them of the judgement to come and their consciences are touched. They ask him, "What must we do?" In St Luke's Gospel, especially, Jesus links salvation to what we do with our possessions. So many of his parables will warn of the danger of riches and the accumulation of possessions, whether it is the story of the rich man and Lazarus or the farmer who hoards and does not share his harvest. Now John does not just tell his listeners that they must produce fruits, he specifies what each group should do in practice. He demands change that is not just superficial but makes them uncomfortable, for they are called to share their possessions more justly. He tells them to share their food, and even their clothing, with those in need. The tax collectors who exploit the people must restrain their greed and act fairly. Soldiers must be satisfied with their pay and not misuse their power to rob and blackmail. John's words of judgement arouse the people from their complacency but prepare them to receive the good news of salvation which Christ will bring. Application We may sometimes wish that God would leave us alone - get off our backs. But John the Baptist and the prophets tell us that this is the worst thing God could do. Left to ourselves we get lost following whatever desire we have for possessions, money or just a comfortable, quiet life. Do we still hoard our possessions and close our hearts to those in need, although we have plenty? Do we benefit from, or at least approve of, the excessive charges and bonuses big businesses award themselves? And, as John the Baptist noted, there are many people in all kinds of powerful positions who do not mind corrupting themselves for the sake of getting more. But we may also face the challenge of changing even though our lives may be happy and normal. We may be deaf to the call of God to serve in a more demanding way. John the Baptist still points to a deeper freedom beyond the enticement of comfort or possessions. His is a word of judgement which makes us ready to receive Christ. And it is a word of judgement that leads to the good news of salvation. And this is why today we rejoice because we know that beyond the pain and inconvenience of change we can rejoice in Christ's presence as he comes to us this Christmas. "Be happy," says St Paul, "the Lord is very near." VESTNI K 2018 j 576 Obvestila - Announcements PEVSKE VAJE_ drg^S^ Pevske vaje za mešani pevski zbor so vsak Practice četrtek po večerni maši. Prav tako ima vaje tudi angleški zbor in sicer vsako sredo po večerni maši. Novi člani vedno dobrodošli. DOGODKI V BLIŽNJI PRIHODNOSTI_ ♦ 16. december: Bled - Christmas Lunch, Miklavž-Santa Claus ♦ 16. december: Sava - Mass 12:00, Dinner & Miklavž-Santa Claus ♦ 16. december: Triglav - Mass 4:00 p.m. at St. John the Divine - Social after Mass ♦ 16. december: Slovenski park - Christmas Party with Santa Claus -2:00 p.m. ♦ 18. december: St. Joseph's Society - Members Christmas Party ♦ 24. december: St. Gregory the Great - Christmas Eve Masses: 6:00 p.m. English, 10:00 p.m. Slovenian ♦ Christmas Day Masses: St. Gregory the Great -9:30 a.m. Slovenian, 11:00 a.m. English ♦ 26. december: Lipa park - Mass 3:00 p.m. ♦ 31. december: New Year's Eve Celebrations ♦ 1. januar 2019: New Year - St. Gregory the Great -Mass at 11:00 a.m. ♦ 1. Januar: Lipa Park - New Year's Day Celebration GIFT BEARERS - DAROVE PRINAŠAJO_ ♦ 16. december: 9:30 a.m.: Aranka & Danny ♦ 23. december: 9:30 a.m.: Ivan in Angela Antolin DRUŠTVO SV. JOŽEFA OBVEŠČA_ Društvo Membership are now overdue for this year, 2018. You may call Tony Ferko at 905-5780150 or Peter Novak 905-560-4201. Villa Slovenia Christmas Dinner will be held Friday, December 14 at 4:00 p.m. at the Villa. The St. Joseph Society invites all residents and one guest. CHRISTMAS EVE PAGEANT_ ADVENTNA DUHOVNA OBNOVA_ Priložnost za zakrament sprave - spoved boste imeli v sredo, 19. decembra in v četrtek 20. decembra. Spoved se bo začela oba dneva ob 5:30h popoldne, ob 7:00h zvečer bo sveta maša in med mašo božična devetdnevnica. Za duhovno obnovo bo prišel iz Toronta lazarist, gospod Leopold Valant. BOŽIČNA POŠTA_ V atriju si vzemite nedeljske kuverte in koledarje za leto 2019. Od lani koledarjev ne pošlijamo več po pošti, jih pa lahko vedno dobite v cerkveni veži. Letos imate poleg Marijanskega koledarja, ki ga že dolga leta izdajamo Salezijanci na Rakovniku, tudi koledar Niagarske koordinacije. Lani smo se na srečanju odločili da pripravimo svoj koledar in v njem objavimo vse prireditve, ki jih imajo posamezna naša društva. Tako se boste hitreje in lažje odločili katerih prireditev bi si se radi udeležili. Poleg tega je še dovolj prostora, da si v koledar zapišete tudi svoje dogodke in obveznosti. Koledar boste dobili Diocesan Newsletter For information about Activities and Events of interest in the Diocese of Hamilton, subscribe to the online Diocesan Newsletter at www.hamiltondiocese.com. 577 | VESTNIK 2018 tudi pri svojih društvih, pri nas pa bo na razpolago v veži naše cerkve. MAŠE PRI DRUŠTVU SAVA IN TRIGLAV V nedeljo, 16. decembra bomo imeli ob 12:00 sveto mašo pri društvu Sava. Sveta maša se daruje po naslednjih namenih: f Polona Klobasa - Martin Mirt f Rudi Krivec - Martin Mirt ff Marija in Viktor Fabjan - hči Marija Prilesnik ff Viki Fabjan - sestra Marija Prilesnik ff Antonija in Alojz Prilesnik - sin Lojze Prilesnik z družino Ob 4:00 popoldne pa bo sveta maša za člane društva Triglav in sicer v cerkvi St. John the Divine. Po maši se dobimo na družabnem srečanju v župnijski dvorani. CWL Membership Renewal_ It's that time of year when we renew our CWL memberships. Please note that there has been an increase in fees. Membership is now $22. Kindly renew your membership with either Pamela Gosgnach or Milena Krušič or place your membership envelope with remittance into the collection basket at Mass. Thank you. CWL initiated Food Drive for the Month of December_ At this time of year our minds turn to thinking about the less fortunate. In the spirit of the Christmas season, we are inviting everyone to donate non-perishable food items for those in need in our community. Consider donating such items as canned fish/meat, canned/dried soups, pasta/rice, sauce and baby food. Collection boxes will be placed in the church foyer. We thank you for your support. KITCHEN SECRETS_ Our next Kitchen Secrets cooking session is taking place on Saturday, January 5th - 9am in the lower kitchen. We will be preparing a barley stew, along with a chicken/bee soup stock and demonstrating various noodles, knedle (soup dumplings) as options for your soup. I will have a very limited number of spaces available, so as always, first come first serve. Please contact me, Heidy Novak at novakh@sympatico.ca to see if there's a spot available for you. Wishing everyone a Very Merry Christmas, from our kitchen to yours! POKOJNI_ V Ljubljani je 13. decembra 2018 umrla Marta Vegelj, svakinja Ivana in Stanka Vegelj. Pogrešali jo bodo sin Aleš, žena Sonja vnukinji Špela in Petra, hči Mateja in Renato ter vnuka Nejc in Žan. Pogreb bo 20. decembra, pri nas pa se bomo zahvalili Bogu in Marti za njeno neprecenljivo skrb možu Lojzetu v njegovi težki bolezni več desetletij. Iskreno sožalje Ivanu in Stanku in vsem sorodnikom. Pokojni Marti pa večni mir in pokoj. -t» svete maše - mass times: Monday: 8:00 a.m., Tuesday to Friday: 7:00 p.m., Saturday: 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 111 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 welcome to call don bosco for a personal conversation with your priest - please call for an appointment. Tel: 905-561-5971, VESTNI K 2018 j 578 od 16. 12. 2018 do 23. 12. 2018 svete mase - masses Za žive in rajne župljane 9:30 a.m. 3. Adventna f Franc Raduha Žena z družino Nedelja f Marija Šlebič Toni in Marija Franc Gaudete Sunday ff Martha in Tone Hočevar 11:00 a.m. Marija Hočevar 16. December f Jožef Gerič Joe Gerič z družino Albina, mučenka ff Pokojni iz društva Sava 12:00 noon Maša pri društvu Sava ff Pokojni iz društva Triglav 4:00 p.m. Maša pri St. John the Divine Ponedeljek - Monday ,f.J°hn K"1* „. . „ ,. 7:00 " Ange!a ff Angelca in Mirko Kralj Angela Kobe 17. December f Ed Kodarin Ned Sejranič Lazar iz tetamje, sp.moz ff Starš| m Alojz Pozderec_Julija Sagadin z družino f Frančiška Ferko 7:00 p.m. Milka in Karol Ferko Torek - Tuesday ff Mary in Miro Pušar Ana Ratajič 18. December f Ed Kodarin Ned Sejranič Gacijan, škof ff Stjepan in Ljuba Barič, Igor, Franjo in Ljubica Petrovič Dragica Dundraš Sreda - Wednesday 19. December Urban III., papež Po namenu (B&TM) f Olga Godina ff Marija in Jože Rejc f Ed Kodarin Po namenu za zdravje 7:00 p.m. N.N. Manja Erzetič Angela Kobe Ned Sejranič Ana Tadic Četrtek - Thursday f Marija Horvat 7:00 p.m. Družina Antolin ff Pepca, Jože in Jure Erjavec Angela Kobe 20. December f Ed Kodarin Ned Sejranič Evgen, mučenec ff Rozina in Mike Novak Družina Raduha f Marta Vegelj Ivan in Jožica Vegelj z druž. Petek - Friday 21. December Peter Kanizij, duh-uč. TT Ivan Lueuse Sarjaš T Spomenka Delac T Ilija Bartola T Stefan Horvat 7:00 p.m. Alojz in Agata Sarjaš Sister daughter-in-law & son Agata in Alojz Sarjaš Sobota Saturday 22. December Frančiška Cabrini, red.ustanoviteljica kvatre f Karl Zorčič, obl. Za mir na svetu f Ljudmila Dolinšek f Štefan Ray f Elizabeta Farkaš f Ignac Žalik f Marija Hauznar, obl. 5:30 p.m. Jožica Vegelj z družino Slomškovo oltarno društvo Marija Košir Marija Hočevar Martin in Regina Nedelko Sestra Ana Petek z družino Sestra Ana Petek z družino 4. Adventna Nedelja Za žive in rajne župljane 9:30 a.m. 23. December f Janez Kosednar Žena z družino JanezKancij, duhovnik f Janez Recek 11:00 a.m. Žena z družino 579 | VESTNIK 2018