Slovenska župnija sv. Gregorija Velikega | St. Gregory the Great Slovenian Church 48/53 Številka - Number / Leto - Year 26. 11. 2017 1. Adventna NEDELJA 1st 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 »ČAS PRIHODA IN PRIČAKOVANJA Advent je čas prihoda in pričakovanja, čas vznemirjenosti in radosti, čas upanja. Gospod prihaja. Evangelij nam približa njegov prihod ob koncu časov, srce pa je usmerjeno v dogodek božične noči, ko Bog postane otrok. V štirih nedeljah, toliko traja advent, prevladuje pričakovanje. To kratko obdobje povzema hrepenenje tisočletij, ki ga izražajo preroki, posebej Izaija, Mihej in Malahija. Bolj neposredno postane to hrepenenje v osebi Janeza Krstnika, ki je pripravil pot Gospodu. Vrh doseže v Mariji, ki podobno kot vse matere doživlja tesno povezanost z otrokom, ki ga nosi pod srcem. Med njegovim prvim prihodom v zgodovino sveta, ki je določen s časom in krajem, je vpet dogodek Cerkve, romarice skozi čas, skupaj z njo pa tudi življenje vsakogar izmed nas. Zgodovinski dogodek njegovega prihoda - božič - vzbuja celo v tistih, ki se imajo za neverne, občutek domačnosti, topline, luči, ki žari iz sijočega obraza Deteta, ki v sebi skriva skrivnost Boga. Prihod ob koncu časov, za slehernega zaznamovan s trenutkom smrti, pa poraja negotovost, bojazen in upanje hkrati. Stiska na eni strani, pogum, upanje in navdušenje na drugi. Saj prihaja naša odkupitev. Zato se »vzravnajte in dvignite glave«. Nič lepšega, nič bolj osrečujočega za vernega: prihaja On, ki je moje vse. Toda nemir pričakovanja nosi vsak človek v sebi. Vtisnjen je v vlakna njegove narave. Tudi tisti, ki ne čuti potrebe po veri, občuti neko notranjo napetost. Če morda kljub iskrenemu prizadevanju za dobro ne veruje, je treba vzrok iskati v tem, ker kristjani v današnjem svetu premalo pričujemo, da je Jezus prišel za vse, da je tu, da živi med nami. Tu bi lahko spregovoril še o njegovem tretjem prihodu, ki je postavljen med prvega in drugega, se pravi, ga doživjamo že sedaj in tu med nami. Predvsem tega je željno človeštvo. Zato sta tako pomembna bedenje in molitev. Apostol Pavel nam priskoči na pomoč: »Vam pa naj Gospod nakloni rast in preobilje v ljubezni, s katero ljubite drug drugega in vse« (1 Tes 3,12). Zaveda se namreč: kjer je ljubezen, medsebojna ljubezen, tam je Bog.« Najpomembnejša naloga bedenja v adventu je torej ljubezen, »rast« in »preobilje« ljubezni, drug do drugega in do vseh. To je edino prepričljivo znamenje, ki ga lahko ponudimo vsakomur, da bi odkril, da je božič za vse, torej tudi zanj. krofi, kava ... Slovenska šola je v nedeljo po mašah povabila farane na kavo in krofe ... In kot vidite, kar nekaj jih je prišlo in se posladkalo in pokrepčalo, pa še poklepetali so. Hvala ekipi slovenske šole, ki je stopila skupaj in vse lepo pripravila. 522 | VESTNIK 2017 VESTNIK 2017 j 523 ^tyncfcMl, ^Z^ec^mJbe^ Dinner ana dancing to the sounds of the Oberkrainer Brass Band! T^fci 'T^oewVbed-, (^/ift/u^nr/nf. ancf'Pafcfa/ ^at'e la Adults $70 Students/Youth $50 ^advance sales only TICKETS/INFORMATION MARIA FRILESNIK 519 004 4736 Wj. ZINKAMIRTS19 8G4 6194! Response: Restore us, O God; let your face shine that we may be saved. First Reading Isaiah 63:16-17; 64:1. 3-8 A wayward people cry out in despair for God's presence, knowing that God is their God. Second Reading 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Paul gives thanks for all the graces bestowed upon us in Christ, who is faithful for ever. Gospel Mark 13:33-37 Jesus reminds us of the need to be vigilant for we do not know when he will return. "Andyet, Lord,you are our Father; we the clay,you the potter, we are all the work of your hand." Illustration The Great Pottery Throw Down is a BBC reality TV series in which experienced, amateur potters are put through a series of tests. Set in Stoke-on-Trent, the home of British ceramics, the competition tests the contestants' skills in all areas of pottery design and construction. Whether it involves throwing small, intricate pots and vases, or building large, complex articles, competitors work against the clock to produce their best work. Each week, as well as focusing on their main build, participants have to take on a speedy "throw down". This is a test to see if they can quickly mould and shape clay on the potter's wheel under pres- 524 | VESTNIK 2017 sure. The results can be surprisingly good but, at other times, the judges will take the finished article and throw it into the bin. If it's not up to scratch, it's time to start again. To win The Great Pottery Throw Down, a great attention to detail is required, along with a gentle but sure touch, patience and vigilance throughout the whole process. Gospel Teaching In today's first reading Isaiah bemoans the way the Lord has seemingly abandoned the people as they have distanced themselves from God through their waywardness. Since returning from exile, the people have had a tough time and, forgetting God's kindness to them, have reverted to pagan practices. A people who have been shaped by the master potter feel as though, due to their unfaithfulness, they have been tossed into the waste bucket. Yet, despite their sense of distance from God, the prophet acknowledges a desire for the Lord's presence to surround them. The marvellous work of God's hands longs to feel that caress as God moulds, smooths and soothes them: "Oh, that you would tear the heavens open and come down." Jesus in the Gospel speaks of the need to be prepared for God's coming. Referring specifically to his second coming, Jesus urges hearers to be attentive and vigilant. In effect we're called to remind ourselves not to allow the divine potter to take his hands off us. If we do, it could be that we wobble and collapse. Staying awake spiritually is to ensure we remain on the potter's wheel, a place of safety. We can hear the words of Paul encouraging us in this venture, as he reminds us that the Lord will keep us steady and blameless until the last day, if we just let the Lord hold on to us. Application As we begin our Advent season, the readings are an encouragement to us, even if they may seem quite stark. We're called to remember that God respects the choices we make and so, if we choose to distance ourselves from God, it becomes harder to hear God's voice. If we choose a path that obviously deviates from the one that God has set out for us, it can be difficult to see the signs pointing back to the right route. Advent is a wake-up call to bring us from potential slumber to a new alertness of the immediacy of God's presence. God is never distant from us. It's just that sometimes we don't allow God's closeness to be apparent to us. Advent can bring us back on track. Advent gives us the opportunity to be further shaped on the potter's wheel. God the potter will never discard us into the waste bucket, even though we do at times find ourselves out of shape, or with fractures opening up. Life and our choices do that to us. In the production of pottery, the potter will sometimes use what is called slip. Slip is a liquid mixture of clay suspended in water. It is often used to decorate pots, or to help to join parts of a pot, or to cover up cracks. At the beginning of this special season, perhaps we can imagine God's grace being poured over us like potter's slip. The Lord wants to pour his love out upon us, gently filling in the imperfections and smoothing out the inconsistencies. God wants to join us where there is brokenness. Having an image such as that of the divine potter forming us in the palm of his hand may help us. What is certain, though, as we consider our readiness for Christ's second coming and prepare to celebrate his incarnation, is that God will never abandon us. Fired in a kiln of pure love, we are a delight in God's eyes. VESTNIK 2017 j 525 Obvestila - Announcements PEVSKE VAJE ZA MEŠANI ZBOR_ V četrtek, 7. decembra, so pevske vaje za mešani pevski zbor. Zbor se pripravlja za božični čas. DOGODKI V BLIŽNJI PRIHODNOSTI_ ♦ 3. december: St. Gregory - Mass at 10:00 a.m., Dinner at 11.45 a.m., & Miklavževanje ♦ 3. december: Triglav - Miklavževanje ♦ 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 ♦ 3. dec., 10:00 a.m.: Slovenska šola ♦ 10. dec., 9:30 a.m.: Max & Jožica Pavličič ♦ 17. dec., 9:30 a.m.: Ignac & Teresa Kolenko KONZULARNE URE v Torontu Next SLOVENIAN CONSULAR hours at 747 Browns Line, 2nd Floor in Toronto are on Wed., December 13th from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 526 | VESTNIK 2017 VILLA SLOVENIA One bedroom unit will be available at market rent. Unit is presently being renovated and ready for occupancy as soon as Dec. 1, 2017. If interested, viewing can be arranged. Contact Jerry Ponikvar at 905-333-5813 or mail: ponikvarjg@gmail.com 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 are looking to start practices on December 9 at 12:30 for approx. 1 hour. Please contact Mary Miklavčič @ 905-664-4927 (mtmik@sympatico.ca) or Sonya Podrebarac at 905-902-6311. CWL - KŽZ Thank you to everyone who attended and assisted with our annual memorial Mass for deceased CWL members. Our next CWL meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 6th. Executive meeting at 6:00 p.m. General meeting after 7:00 p.m. Mass. DAROVI - DONATIONS Za gradbeni sklad, »Raise the Roof«, so darovali: - $1000 - Frank in Theresa Verdinšek - $2000 - Štefan in Monika Gašpar Iskrena hvala za vaše darove in Bog vam povrni. PROSTOVOLJCI - VOLUNTEERS NEW YEAR'S EVE at St. Gregory the Great 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 prostovoljlcem, 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 Marmora - Bus Pilgrimage Pilgrimage to Marmora is taking place this coming Friday, December 8th, 2017. There are still some empty seats on the Bus. If anyone is would like go, please call ASAP Angela Kobe, tel.: 905-930-7442. We will start the day with Mass at St. Gregory the Great at 8:00 a.m. We will be back in Hamilton after 7:00 p.m.. Bring your lunch. On the way to Marmora we will stop for coffee and washroom. Bus is leaving Marmora at 4:30 p.m. New New Years is around the corner and planning has begun. Invite your family and friends to ring in the new year together ... tickets are on sale and available in the vestibule after all masses. To be sure you get your favourite table, call Heidy Novak at 905-317-6002 for reservations! We invite volunteers to join us, share ideas and lend a hand for what we expect to be a fabulous night! 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. novembra 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 $. -i, 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, VESTNIK 2017 j 527 Od 3. 12. 2017 do 10. 12. 2017 svete maše - masses 1. Adventna nedelja 3. December Frančišek, redovnik Za žive in rajne župljane t Frančiška Napast f Liza Farkaš t Bernard Štefanec f Anna Hochevar Kosilo in Miklavževanje 10:00 a.m. Družina Pinter Marina Štefanec Marina Štefanec Peter in Francesca Kure 11:45 a.m. Župnijska Dvorana Ponedeljek - Monday 4. December Janez Damaščan, duh. f Stane Napast, obl. Za duše v vicah ff Pokojni iz družine Novak Družina Pinter 8:00 a.m. Tone in Marija Bukvič Jožica Novak z družino Torek - Tuesday 5. December Filip Rinaldi, ust. tt Terezija in Ivan Halas t Elizabeta Gerič 7:00 p.m. Sestra Družina Gergyek Sreda - Wednesday 6. December Nikolaj (Miklavž), škof f Alojzija Novak, obl. ff Terezija, Ignac in Ivan 7:00 p.m. Frank Novak z družino Sestra Marija Glavač Četrtek - Thursday 7. December Ambrož, šk-učitelj f Elizabeta Gerič f Vlado Škrban f Stane Udovč f Franc Raduha 7:00 p.m. Društvo sv. Jožefa (4) Tončka in Franc Smodiš Žena Magda Udovč Jožica Novak z družino Petek - Friday Po namenu 8:00 a.m. Romarji za Marmoro 8. December Brezmadežno spočetje ff Pokojni iz družin Mes in Sraka 7:00 p.m. Družina Mes Device Marije f Franc Raduha Žena z družino Po namenu 8:00 a.m. n.n. f HedaWagner 5:30 p.m. Martin in Kathy Simončič Sobota ff Vera in Franc Paulin Tomaž Košir z družino Saturday f John Laskovski Francka Cestnik 9. December f Roger Chambers Francka Cestnik Valerija, mučenka f Marija Horvat Družina Fabina f Alojz Peternel Sonja Peternel z družino ff Pokojni iz družine Ramuš Sonja Peternel z družino 2. Adventna nedelja Za žive in rajne župljane 9:30 a.m. 10. December ff Pokojni sorodniki in znanci Marija in Miha Špiler Judita, sp. žena f Jože Gerič, obl. 11:00 a.m. Žena Elizabeta 528 | VESTNIK 2017