SLOVENSKA ŽUPNIJA SV. GREGORIJA VELIKEGA | ST. GREGORY THE GREAT SLOVENIAN CHURCH 7/60 Številka - Number / Leto - Year 18.2. 2024 1. POSTNA NEDELJA 1ST SUNDAY OF LENT Fr. Drago Gačnik, SDB ŽUPNIK - PASTOR NASLOV - ADDRESS 125 Centennial Pkwy N. Hamilton, ON L8E 1H8 PHONE: 905-561-5971 CELL: 905-520-2014 E-MAIL gregory_sdb@ stgregoryhamilton.ca HALL RENTALS 905-561-5971, ext. 2 E-MAIL hallrental@ stgregoryhamilton.ca Na prvo postno nedeljo berila govorijo o skušnjavah, spreobrnjenju, veselem oznanilu in o krstu. Prvo berilo poroča o božji obljubi in zavezi po potopu, o veselem oznanilu torej, ki pride za neizmerno nesrečo. V drugem berilu Peter govori o Jezusu, ki je po smrti šel oznanjat duhovom in omenja Noetove dneve, to je, potop in rešitev, ter opozori, da sta bila potop in rešitev tista, ki sta naznanjala krščanski krst, v katerem sta spreobrnjenje in odrešenje. Današnji evangelij je kratek, toda zgoščen, saj navaja teme skušnjav, spreobrnjenja in veselega oznanila. »Jezus je bil v puščavi štirideset dni in satan ga je skušal.« Marko nam ne poroča o Jezusovih skušnjavah, ampak pove samo, da je bil skušan. Spodbujen po Svetem Duhu gre Jezus v puščavo, da bi se pripravil na svoje poslanstvo. Ne potrebuje spreobrnjenja, kot človek pa potrebuje dobro pripravo na svoje odločilno služenje. Priprava je duhovni boj s silami zla. Vsako veliko poslanstvo terja določeno tovrstno pripravo. Za nas je duhovna priprava na naše poslanstvo post. Osebno se moramo spoprijeti s silami zla v molitvi in sicer z božjo pomočjo, da bi bili tako okrepljeni v božji milosti in bi postali sposobni, da se z zlom spopademo v vsakdanjem življenju kot tudi v svetu okoli nas. Pismo Hebrejcem pravi, da se je Jezus »moral v vsem izenačiti z brati, da je postal usmiljen« (Heb 2,17), zlasti pa se je moral spoprijeti s skušnjavami in jih premagati. Marko nam pove, da je bil Jezus v puščavi z zvermi, po drugi strani pa so mu stregli angeli. V tem duhovnem spopadu je Bog Jezusu blizu in mu pošlje svoje angele, da bi mu pomagali. In takoj po skušnjavah Jezus začne oznanjati evangelij: »Čas se je dopolnil in Božje kraljestvo se je približalo. Spreobrnite se in verujte evangeliju!« V življenju vedno potrebujemo spreobrnjenje in vero; Cerkev nas VESTNIK 2024 | spodbuja k molitvi za nenehno spreobračanje, vračanje k Bogu. Spreobrnjenje je v tem, da zapustimo vse drugotno in se odločno, z ljubeznijo obrnemo k Bogu, zaupajoč v njegovo dobroto in v njegov načrt ljubezni. Le Božje kraljestvo nam lahko da pravo srečo. Božje kraljestvo je uresničitev naših najglobljih hrepenenj, je hkrati človekovo odrešenje in božja slava. Božji načrt, ki se je v Stari zavezi razodel s potopom in rešitvijo Noeta, njegove družine in vseh živih bitij, je v tem, da s sveta odstrani zlo in človeku omogoči živeti dobro in lepo življenje. Zato se pripoved o potopu konča s čudovito obljubo, ki jo Bog da ljudem in vsem živim bitjem: »Sklepam zavezo z vami in ne bom več iztrebil vsega živega z vodami potopa. Ne bo več potopa, ki bi opustošil zemljo.« Znamenje te zaveze je mavrica: »Kadar bom zbral oblake nad zemljo in se bo v oblakih prikazala mavrica, tedaj se bom spomnil svoje zaveze.« V drugem berilu nas Peter uči, da je bil ta izredni dogodek odrešenja po potopu predpodoba krščanskega odrešenja, ki je uresničeno v krstu. Najprej govori o potovanju mrtvega Kristusa v podzemlje: »Šel je in oznanjal tudi duhovom, ki so bili v ječi,« zlasti pa tistim, ki v Noetovem času niso verovali. Kristus svojo zmago nad silami zla pokaže s spustom v podzemlje, t.j. bivališče mrtvih, v skladu s pojmovanjem Stare zaveze. Judje so govorili o šeolu, Grki o hadu; vsi pa so bili prepričani, da gre človekova duša po smrti v neko podzemno, skrivnostno področje, kjer življenje ni bilo več človeško življenje, ampak neke vrste bivanja v sencah. Kristus prinese odrešenje tudi v to bivanje mrtvih. Najpomembnejša trditev tega Petrovega odlomka je, da sta potop in Noetova rešitev podobi krščanskega krsta. Ta »ne odstranjuje madežev s telesa«. Zunanje umivanje postane znamenje notranje preobrazbe, ki pomeni odrešenje. Naša duša je bila očiščena in Sveti Duh je prišel v nas, da bi nam posredoval novo življenje združenosti s Kristusom in z Bogom. Zato smo povabljeni, da ta post preživimo v veliki hvaležnosti do Boga, ker je vse njegov dar; z veliko zvestobo Besedi; in z vztrajno molitvijo, kakor je delal Jezus v puščavi. Živeti moramo z željo, da bi v polnosti sprejeli ljubezen, ki prihaja od Boga in hoče spremeniti naše življenje in ves svet. (prim. Oznanjevalec 2009, št. 2) 58 | VESTNIK 2024 1ST SUNDAY OF LENT Response: Your paths, Lord, are love and faithfulness for those who keep your covenant. First Reading Genesis 9:8-15 God establishes a covenant with Noah, his descendants and every living creature. God sets a bow in the clouds as a sign of the covenant. Second Reading 1 Peter 3:18-22 Peter gives hope to his listeners. As we prepare to renew our baptismal vows at Easter, we are called to repent, to change and to believe in the Gospel. Gospel Mark 1:12-15 Jesus stays in the desert for forty days. He emerges to tell the crowds that the kingdom of God is close at hand. “Repent and believe the Gospel.” Illustration “People always say that I didn’t give up my seat because I was tired, but that isn’t true. I was not tired physically, or no more tired than I usually was at the end of a working day. I was not old, although some people have an image of me as being old then. I was forty-two. No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in.” It was in December 1955 that Rosa Parks, an African American woman, was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white person. Her fight against racial injustice began early in her life. “Back then,” she said in an interview, “we didn’t have any civil rights. It was just a matter of survival, of existing from one day to the next.” As a child she had seen the Ku Klux Klan riding by, and she had been afraid that her house would be burnt down. She decided that it was readings there is a turning around that brings comfort and encouragement – a turning towards God and away from the things that keep us from God. Another theme here is relationship. We are creatures in relationship with our neighbours and with all living creatures, as well as with God. We hear today how Jesus tells the crowds that the kingdom of God is close at hand. The kingdom is good news for all, especially those who are poor or disadvantaged, oppressed or enslaved. It is freedom – not to hurt, but to heal, not to divide, but to bring together. The crowds listening to Jesus are invited to change direction – to create better relationships with each other, with God and with their neighbour. The kingdom is one of justice and of peace. Injustice keeps us all apart from one another; it divides and polarises us. important for her to get involved and to challenge the authorities that introduced racial segregation. Her actions resulted initially in the Montgomery bus boycott and eventually in a legal ruling that segregation on public transport was unconstitutional. Her determination not to be seen as a second-class citizen brought about massive change in society. It was not without personal cost, though, as she was arrested and lost her job. In an interview in 1992 she said, “I had not planned to get arrested. I had plenty to do without having to end up in jail. But when I had to face that decision, I didn’t hesitate to do so because I felt that we had endured that too long. The more we gave in, the more we complied with that kind of treatment, the more oppressive it became.” Gospel Teaching Today we hear of the time that Jesus spent in the desert, after being baptised. We learn that he goes on to Galilee and calls on the people to repent and believe in the gospel. There is a strong theme of repentance in today’s readings, as well as a sense of the opportunity of a fresh start. In the first reading, we hear that when the flood is over, God creates a covenant with Noah, his descendants and all living creatures. In the second reading, Peter reminds his listeners that they are changed through baptism. In both the first and second Application Sometimes it feels as if Lent could be a rather gloomy season, but it is also a time of blessing. It gives us time to reflect and it is a great opportunity to commit to change, to take a new direction in our lives, to make a fresh start. As Sr Laurentia Johns OSB writes, “From wherever we may have wandered through neglect, poor choices, stress, busyness, God never tires of calling us back.” In order to commit to change and to seek a different direction, we first need to be aware of what needs to change. What is pulling us in the wrong direction, and how can we turn around? It is not that we will never make mistakes or choose the wrong path. But as Pope Benedict XVI reminds us, “Holiness does not consist in never having erred or sinned. Holiness increases the capacity for conversion, for repentance, for willingness to start again…” Because we are creatures in relationship, this conversion – this need for change – is not just an individual matter. Like Rosa Parks, if we open our eyes we can see the need for change at a community level. Where do we see poverty and injustice? Where do we hear words of hatred and condemnation towards those who are different? What is happening to the beautiful world full of exquisite living creatures that God created? It is time to raise our voices in witness to the truth of the Gospel, even at personal cost. The kingdom is at hand. VESTNIK 2024 | 59 60 | VESTNIK 2024 Pustovanje turned out to be another fun event here at our parish. With over 80 guests, we had costumes - spiders, bunnies, video game, characters, witches in some, you just had to see them to appreciate them. DJ Joe did an amazing job entertaining everyone and introducing our first karaoke segments with many enthusiastic participants. The meal was simple, but delicious, and there was enough krofe for everyone to enjoy. This year We even had a children’s entertainment area, which was a big hit with the kids and gave parents a well-deserved break To everyone who worked in the kitchen, preparing the meals, and those who helped make the krofe, the volunteers who band the entrance, those who worked in the bar, the individuals who helped with the costume parade and prizes, the sellers of the 60/40 tickets, the entertainers, the photographers, and the cleanup crew - A heartfelt thank you for making this event possible. We look forward to seeing everyone at our next parish event. Heidy With this being our FAMILY DAY WEEKEND, we hope that everyone will have the opportunity to spend quality time with family friends. Although it may not be possible to physically get together with our loved ones, remember to take a moment to call those important people in your life, send a text or an email even if it is just to say hello. Your parish council members VESTNIK 2024 | 61 62 | VESTNIK 2024 VESTNIK 2024 | 63 64 | VESTNIK 2024 LONDON - V nedeljo, 11. februarja smo imeli zopet sveto mašo pri slovenski skupnosti v Londonu. Ob 3h popoldne smo se zbrali - okrog 35 - v cerkvi St. John the Divine. Ker je bila to tudi nedelja lurške Matere božje in svetovni dan bolnikov, smo na koncu zapeli lurško pesem: Zvonovi zvonijo ... VESTNIK 2024 | 65 V zadnjem času se v prostorih društva sv. Jožefa kar pogosto praznuje. Tokrat sta rojstni dan praznovala Jože Gimpelj in Branko Pouh, oba rojena na isti dan. Ravno smo še ujeli praznovanje, saj je bilo na predvečer pepelnice in svetega Valentina. Iskrene čestitke obema. Vsi pa so bili veseli dobre domače torte, ki jo je napravil sam slavljenec - Branko. In pa seveda pizze niso manjkale, pa tudi kaj tekočega se je našlo za žejo. 66 | VESTNIK 2024 VESTNIK 2024 | 67 68 | VESTNIK 2024 VESTNIK 2024 | 69 O BVESTILA - A NNOUNCEMENTS KOLEDAR DOGODKOV - Feb 19th - Slovenski Park - Family Day - March 3rd - Lipa Park - Spring General Meeting - Election of New Executive - March 3rd - CWL - KŽZ - Bazaar - Mass 10 a.m. - March 17th - Sv. Jožef - Banquet - Mass 10 am - March 24th - St. Gregory - Palm Sunday - March 24th - London - Mass at 3:00 p.m. - March 29th - Slovenska šola - Fish Fry 4:30pm (Good Friday) - March 31st - St. Gregory - Easter Sunday $100 - Karl Ferko (61 Derek Dr.) v spomin na pokojnega Tonija Ferko. $40 - Družina Čule v spomin na pokojnega Štefana Gabor. $200 - Janez Lovrenčec namesto cvetja na grob pokojnega brata Štefana. $100 - Rudi in Mary Horvat namesto cvetja na grob pokojnega Štefana Lovrenčec $300 - V spomina na pokojne farane je daroval N.N. Za oltarno društvo je darovala $100 Štefka Eržen. Hvala vsem za vaše darove. CLEANING OF THE CHURCH CWL - KŽZ - Feb 24th - Lojzka Novak and team - March 2nd - Lukežič & Volčanšek team BRALCI - READERS - FEBRUARY 18TH Slovenian - Rosemary Šušteršič English - Mary Ann Demšar GIFT BEARERS AT MASSES - Feb. 18th - Sue in Zdravko Augustin - Feb. 25th - Terezija Sarjaš in Štefka Eržen DRUŠTVO SV. JOŽEFA Na mizi v cerkveni veži so še kuverte za članarino. V kuverti je članska izkaznica za leto 2024. Dajte denar za članarino ($15) v kuverto in kuverto oddajte v nabiralnik za nedeljsko nabirko. St. Joseph will have their Annual General Meeting on March 3rd, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. DAROVI - DONATIONS Za gradbeni sklad so darovali: $300 - Joseph in Pamela Gosgnach v spomin na pokojno Elo Gosgnach. 70 | VESTNIK 2024 CWL members are asked to pay their membership dues if they have not already done so since a cheque needs to be sent to our national office by the end of January. Our CWL invites our parish community to our BAZAAR on Sunday, March 3rd. The day will begin with a Mass at 10:00 a.m., followed by a luncheon and a myriad of activities for all ages. We kindly request some contributions to enhance our bazaar. Please bring in prizes on Saturday morning, March 2nd, and baked goods early on the morning of Sunday, March 3rd. We thank you in advance for your generosity. Luncheon tickets will be made available at Sunday Masses. Prepayment is required to make a reservation and receive a ticket; please prepay by Sunday, February 26th. Ticket prices: 13 yrs and up: $25.-; 6 -12 yrs: $10.-; 5 yrs and under: Free Contact person is Terezija Sarjaš: 905-930-7990. As you are well aware proceeds of our bazaar directly support our wonderful St. Gregory the Great Slovenian parish. Thank you! - Hvala! - Rosemary Š. POKOJNI - DECEASED V soboto, 10. februarja 2024 je odšel k Bogu po večno plačilo naš faran Štefan Lovrenčec, star 82 let. Od njega ste se lahko poslovili v četrtek popoldne med 3. in 5. uro in 7. in 9. uro zvečer v Smith's Funeral Home na Hwy #8. Molitev rožnega venca je bila ob 3h popoldne. Pogrebno sveto mašo smo darovali za pokoj njegove duše v petek, 16. februarja ob 10h dopoldne, ob prisotnosti žare pokojnega Štefana. Iskreno sožalje ženi Diane in hčerki Bridgette in bratoma Janezu in Jožefu. Gospod, daj pokojnemu Štefanu večni mir in pokoj. V četrtek, 15. februarja 2024 je Bog poklical k sebi našo faranko, Frido Babič. Pokojne je bila v 90. letu starosti. Od pokojne se boste lahko poslovili v torek, 20. februarja med 2. in 4. uro popoldne in med 6. in 8. uro zvečer v Donald V. Brown Funeral Home na Lake Ave. Molitev rožnega venca bo ob 3:30 popoldne, pogrebna sveta maša pa v sredo, 21. februarja ob 10h dopoldne v naši cerkvi in nato bomo pokojno pospremili k večnemu počitku na Our Lady of the Angels pokopališče. Iskreno sožalje možu Ivanu in sinu Johnu z družino. Pokojni Fridi pa večni mir in pokoj. DON BOSCO V tem tednu so naslednje obletnice smrti faranov, ki so zapisani v naših knjigah: Nedelko Zabukovec Nemec Skale Prša Bembenek Ritlop Stegne Žigon Ivan Izidor Yolanda Milka Veronika Marta Martha Neža Hilda February 21, 1978 February 22, 2003 February 22, 2020 February 22, 2021 February 23, 1987 February 24, 1997 February 24, 2009 February 24, 2018 February 25, 2022 SV. MAŠE - MASSES: Mon. to Fri.: 7:00 P.M.; Saturday: 5:30 P.M. (Slo); Sunday: 9:30 A.M. (Slo); 11:00 A.M (Eng) - From July to Fall Banquet only 10:00 A.M. - KRSTI / BAPTISMS: For an appointment, call one month before. POROKE / MARRIAGE: By appointment, call one year before the wedding date. SPOVED / CONFESSIONS: First Friday of the month 6 to 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 with your priest – please call for an appointment. Tel: 905-561-5971 or Cell: 905-520-2014 VESTNIK 2024 | 71 SVETE MAŠE - MASSES 1. POSTNA NEDELJA 1ST SUNDAY OF LENT 18. FEBRUAR Heladij, škof † † † † † † † †† Za žive in rajne župljane Drago Ferk Matija Škerlj Tony Ferko Danny Nedelko Florian Miklavčič Ante Čule Lidia Scarcelli, 30. dan Tilka in Anton Vengar PONEDELJEK - MONDAY †† Pok. iz družine Gačnik 19. FEBRUAR Bonifacij- škof TOREK - TUESDAY 20. FEBRUAR 9:30 A.M. - - - - - - Družina Kolmanič Terezija Sarjaš z družino Anica Omahen (Windsor) Terezija Prša z družino Rozalija Čule z družino Rozalija Čule z družino 11:00 A.M. Scarcelli-Demšar-Purdon Families Jožica Novak z družino 7:00 P.M. Družina Gačnik †† Pok. iz družine Borštnik 7:00 P.M. Družina Borštnik SREDA - WEDNESDAY 21. FEBRUAR † Frida Babič †† Pok. iz družine Kokalj 10:00 A.M. Pogrebna maša 7:00 P.M. Anna Plosinjak ČETRTEK - THURSDAY 22. FEBRUAR † Milka skale, obl. 7:00 P.M. Hči Elizabeth Lukežič z družino Križev pot †† Pok. iz družine Kolenc † Verona Prša, obl. 6:30 P.M. Stations of the Cross 7:00 P.M. Jožica Vegelj z družino Olga Glavač z družino †† † †† † †† †† † † † † Antonija in Alojz Lesjak Matija Vlašič Pok. iz družine Bellemore Franc Pinter Marija in Alojz Mes, obl. Pok. iz družin Mes in Sraka Marija Mes, obl. Frank Gimpelj Jr. Frank Poredoš (Winnipeg) Joe Hozjan (Mississauga) 5:30 P.M. Marija Košir Žena Jožica z družino Družina Malevič Kathy Simončič Družina Mes Družina Mes Hči Amalija Štadler z družino Majda Lukežič Bernadine Mujdrica, Marija Korošec Bernadine Mujdrica, Marija Korošec † † † † † † Za žive in rajne župljane Ann Božnar Frank Gimpelj Jr Ana Doma Štefka Rihar Maks Pavlič Joe Lackovič 9:30 A.M. - - - - - - John Božnar z družino Družina Kolmanič Terezija in Ignac Sarjaš z družino Jožica Novak z družino Žena Milka z družino 11:00 A.M. Žena Vera z družino Frančišek in Jacinta, past. Peter Damiani, šk-muč. Sedež apostola Petra PETEK - FRIDAY 23. FEBRUAR Polikarp, šk.-muč. SOBOTA - SATURDAY 24. FEBRUAR Matija, apostol Sergij, mučenec Kvatre 2. POSTNA NEDELJA 2ND SUNDAY OF LENT 25. FEBRUAR Alojzij in Kalist, muč. 72 | VESTNIK 2024