SLOVENSKA ŽUPNIJA SV. GREGORIJA VELIKEGA | ST. GREGORY THE GREAT SLOVENIAN CHURCH 46/59 Številka - Number / Leto - Year 12.11. 2023 32. NEDELJA MED LETOM 32ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 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 današnjo nedeljo nam drugo berilo spregovori o mrtvih in torej ustreza temu času leta, v katerem več mislimo na naše pokojne. Evangelij govori o pogojih za vstop v nebeško kraljestvo, pripravlja pa ga prvo berilo, ki je vzeto iz Knjige modrosti. Kristjani v Tesaloniki so zaskrbljeni zaradi svojih mrtvih. Čakajo na Kristusov prihod. Sodijo, da je blizu, in mislijo, da je potrebno, da ga dočakajo živi, da bi jih Jezus lahko popeljal v nebesa. Pavel hoče pregnati te skrbi in vznemirjenost ter pojasnjuje, da smrt ni ovira za vnovično srečanje s Kristusom, saj nas bo Gospod, ko bo prišel, obudil. Vsi bodo torej lahko šli naproti Gospodu. Te besede hranijo naše upanje. Zavest, da smrt za Gospoda ni ovira, nas mora tolažiti, ko mislimo na svoje pokojne, pa tudi ko razmišljamo o svoji usodi, kajti zelo verjetno tudi mi ne bomo več živi, ko se bo Gospod razodel v svoji dokončni slavi. Evangelij razkriva pogoj za vstop z Jezusom v nebeško slavo. Nebeško kraljestvo Gospod primerja skupini deklet, ki se pripravljajo na obhajanje poroke. Pet jih je preudarnih in pet nespametnih, se pravi nepremišljenih, nesposobnih predvideti prihodnost. V Jezusovem času je bila navada, da so poroko obhajali ponoči. Zato je sprevod moral hoditi s prižganimi svetilkami. Nespametna dekleta so vzela svetilke, niso pa vzela olja. Ženin se je s prihodom zakasnil in vsa so zadremala. Ko se zasliši vpitje, da prihaja ženin, so nespametne ostale brez olja za svetilke, zato so v težavah. Medtem ko gredo po olje, pride ženin. Preudarna dekleta gredo z njim na svatbo in vrata se zapro. Ostala dekleta pridejo prepozno in ne morejo vstopiti. VESTNIK 2023 | Kakšen je nauk te prilike? Da se moramo pripraviti na končno srečanje z Jezusom, pa tudi na tisto redno srečanje v vsakdanjem življenju. Jezus nas pogosto vabi, naj bedimo; tudi danes ponavlja: »Bodite torej budni, ker ne veste ne dneva ne ure!« Vendar nam s to priliko hoče dati vedeti, da ni dovolj, če smo budni: biti moramo tudi pripravljeni. Jezus ne razlaga, kaj razume pod zalogo olja, ki so ga preudarna dekleta vzela skupaj s svetilkami. Verjetno Jezus misli na dobra dela, narejena v soglasju z njegovo milostjo. Biti preudaren pomeni, da ne čakamo na zadnji trenutek. Da bomo pripravljeni na srečanje z Gospodom, moramo že od sedaj sodelovati z njegovo milostjo in delati dobra dela. Ni dovolj imeti svetilko. To lahko primerjamo veri, ki razsvetljuje naše življenje. Vendar vera sama zase ni dovolj; kot pravi Pavel, je vera, ki velja, »vera, ki deluje po ljubezni«. Ne samo vera, ampak krščansko življenje, ki je življenje ljubezni, polno dobrih del. Če se pustimo voditi svojim človeškim nagnjenjem, temu, iskanju svoje koristi, je naše življenje nerodovitno in ne delamo nobene zaloge olja za svojo svetilko. Ta bo ugasnila v trenutku Gospodovega prihoda ali pa že prej. Če pa smo čuječi in delamo dobro, da bi odgovarjali na božjo milost, smo mirni: Gospod lahko pride tudi medtem ko spimo; to ni pomembno, ker imamo zalogo vsakdanjih dobrih del. Apostol Jakob pravi, da je lena, nedejavna vera mrtva in ne koristi. Da bi bila vera pristna, mora biti dejavna. Drug način je iskati božjo voljo, da bi odgovorili nanjo v različnih okoliščinah. Gospod je dober; njegova volja ni težko breme. Sam je dejal, da je njegov jarem prijeten in breme lahko. Zato gremo lahko z zaupanjem z njim naprej. Če nas bo vodil, bomo postali sposobni razločevati božjo voljo in jo dan za dnem spolnjevati. Tedaj bomo zares preudarni. Stara zaveza zelo ceni modrost. Prvo berilo slavi njo, ki je žareča in neminljiva, pa tudi polna pozornosti do tistega, ki si prizadeva, da bi jo našel. Še več, prehiteva ga, ne pusti se čakati, da bi se dala spoznati, tistemu, ki hrepeni po njej. »Kdor se bo k njej zgodaj odpravil, se ne bo utrudil, ker bo odkril, da sedi pri njegovih vratih. Zato modrosti ni težko dobiti: biti moramo samo budni, da jo iščemo in sprejmemo. (prim. Oznanjevalec 2008) 494 | VESTNIK 2023 32ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME R: My soul trsts for you, O Lord my God. First Reading Wisdom 6:12-16 Wisdom, God’s loving purpose for us, is waiting for us to find her. Second Reading 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Paul gives us reasons to hope. If we die in Jesus, God will bring us with him to stay with him for ever. Gospel Matthew 25:1-13 Jesus warns us to stay awake, ready for the bridegroom to come, ready for the wedding feast of heaven. “Stay awake, because you do not know either the day or the hour.” Illustration Weather forecasting is becoming an ever more exact science. All around the world, scientific instruments record the changing data, temperatures and air pressure, wind strengths and directions, ocean currents and jet stream. Satellite pictures enable us to see the weather as it develops and make predictions about whether or not it will rain tomorrow. All this data is collected and over the years patterns can be recognised which add to the certainty with which the forecasts are presented. At the same time vulcanologists keep an eye on active volcanoes, and seismologists record the evidence of shifting tectonic plates which can cause earthquakes. We try to be at least one step ahead of nature in our efforts to protect life against the possibility of natural disaster and to discover the best conditions in which Application to provide food for the earth’s population. But despite our best efforts, we are still surprised by floods and earthquakes, hurricanes and tornadoes. Life on earth is very fragile. We still do not know the day or the hour when disaster might strike. Gospel Teaching In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus uses the marriage practices of his time and place to teach a more serious lesson. This time our reason for staying awake and on the watch is not merely about the weather, but about our future destiny in the kingdom of God. We have been invited to the wedding feast of Christ to his bride, the Church. As members of the Church, we are all, as it were, bridesmaids waiting for the Lord to come to take us to his house. In many traditional rituals it is still an important event when the bridegroom takes his bride from her home to his. It requires some ceremony, perhaps a procession with torches. At our baptism, we were presented with a burning candle which was entrusted to us to be kept burning brightly so that we will be ready to welcome our Lord when he comes. In the early Church there was an expectation that Christ would come again very soon to take his bride to himself. As time went by, the expectation diminished and people grew tired with waiting. In some cases, the light was flickering and dying. People needed to be encouraged to stay awake, to be on the watch, to keep the flame of their faith alive. The one good thing that can come out of a natural disaster is the way in which the international community responds. Governments and nongovernmental organisations race to bring aid to people in distress. Appeals are made, especially in wealthy nations, and volunteers rush to help those affected. Food and clothing, water and medical supplies, are flown in, and the devastating effects are minimised as much as possible. But it is never enough. We should be better prepared. We should take better precautions. We should be better at coordinating a response. The greatest disaster, of course, for us as believers, is the loss of eternal life. If we should be better prepared for natural disasters, if we should be able to read the signs of our times better in political and natural events, how much more should we be prepared for the Lord’s coming at the end of time? How can we keep our lights burning, the flames of our baptismal candles alight? At our baptism, the flame of our faith was entrusted to our parents and godparents with the words: “Parents and godparents, this light is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly. These children of yours have been enlightened by Christ. They are to walk always as children of the light. May they keep the flame of faith alive in their hearts. When the Lord comes, may they go out to meet him with all the saints in the heavenly kingdom.” As we grow, we take on this responsibility for ourselves. It’s up to us to keep the flame burning brightly. But we are not on our own. We are members of the community of faith. Already we are united with the saints as we wait for the Lord to come. We encourage one another with the example of our faith. Husbands and wives, parents and children, brothers and sisters, friends and neighbours, we don’t wait for disaster to strike. We love one another and care for the whole world together in our everyday life, strengthened by the love of Jesus which we share in the Eucharist and all the sacraments. Together we are the bride of Christ, waiting for our Lord to come. VESTNIK 2023 | 495 496 | VESTNIK 2023 VESTNIK 2023 | 497 GIVE BOYS “IMPOSSIBLE” CHALLENGES AND WATCH THEM THRIVE safely to the ground. Then I showed them how to break down the tree by sawing off the smaller branches and hauling the piles to the dumpster. By Michael Rennier They set about the task industriously. Eventually, There is something about boys and accepting over the course of a few afternoons of work, they got challenges. With a little guidance and empowerthe entire tree chopped up and cleared away. ment, they rise to the occasion. We were left with a stump. If you’ve ever pulled a “Go up a little higher on that next branch and tree stump out of the ground, you know this is the have your brother hand the saw up to you,” I shout- worst part. I didn’t look forward to hacking through ed up to my son. I was planted safely with two feet all those roots and the inevitable blisters on my on the ground, having sent my two boys clambering hands from such hard work. I decided to have the up a pine tree in our yard as high as they could go. boys do that, too. Out came the shovels, saws, axes. They were carefully pulling up behind them a wood Again, a lecture and demonstration on safety. Again, saw and a thick rope. The tree needed to be cut they set to the task with enthusiasm. down and, rather than pay an exorbitant price to a Removing that stump took a few more afterprofessional company, I convinced myself that I and noons of intermittent work. I did pitch in and do my my two boys, aged 11 and 13, could handle it. part this time. After all, there is great joy for a father So, there they were, perched on a branch about in doing hard labor with his sons. Finally, with a 25 feet in the air, taking turns sawing away at the great shout of triumph, we dislodged the stump trunk. Rather than gamble with toppling the whole from the earth. tree over all at once right by several buildings, I There’s something about boys and accepting showed the boys how to tie one section of the trunk challenges. They rise to them. They thrive on them. to a lower section and then saw through the trunk in NO SNEAKERS, NO COMPLAINTS the space between. It’s an old trick I learned back when I would cut down trees as a landscaper during To take another example, I was talking to a friend a high school summer job. That way, the tree can the other day about our parish altar-serving procome down in a few sections that won’t fall too far or gram. When I first arrived at the parish, I was amazed too randomly. at how many boys there were. (We’re an oratory dedicated to the traditional Latin Mass and only The job wasn’t easy. Not at all. I don’t own a chain saw so I sent the boys up with a wood saw to have male altar servers.) We have about 60 boys operate by hand. Their task was to take turns until who all know how to serve. They exhibit enthusiasm, the job was done. I gave them safety tips, helped dependability, and discipline – down to the way them get started, and left them to it. After watching they kneel on the stone floor and fold their hands. for a few minutes, it became clear they didn’t need There are no rebellious comments about our nomy supervision or micro-management. Even though sneakers-while-serving rule or complaints about the job is a hard one, they tackled it with persistence lining up to pray post-Mass prayers in the sacristy. In and enthusiasm. This was their chance to accomplish fact, the boys can’t seem to get enough of it. I was marveling about this to a friend, who rea difficult, meaningful, grown-up task. sponded, “Do you know how the server program Up to the challenge - The boys loved it. They became the way it is?” I didn’t, so he filled me in on stayed in the yard for hours working away at the the early days of training the boys. Back when everytask. I came out to assist when they got to the more one was still learning, the boys didn’t yet have the dangerous part of letting the main trunk crack and habitual discipline to remain quiet and reverent in fall. I pitched in with lowering the separated trunk 498 | VESTNIK 2023 the sanctuary. A few of them were misbehaving near the altar, so the young man in charge of training them paused the entire training session, took all the boys outside, and had them do wall-sits to instill some discipline. The boys moaned but accepted their fate. After a few minutes, they actually began to challenge each other and brag about who could do it longer. They had risen to the challenge and, even more, had begun to increase the difficulty. Today, the boys as a group are the best servers I’ve ever seen. The goal was set before them, the expectations were high, and they rose to the occasion. Respect and empowerment Boys, of course, are all unique individuals. When I talk about challenging them, I don’t mean to merely focus on physical challenges and group discipline. I also include a group, say, the group of orphan boys who hung out with St. John Bosco, and how the great saint respected and encouraged them to fulfill their potential in all sorts of ways. I have in mind a father who encourages his son to tackle a difficult science project and volunteers to work with him on it; or to rise to the challenge of trying out for the school play and running lines with him; or assists him in boldly thinking outside the box. We aren’t trying to fit the boys into a pre-made system or make them anxious about overly lofty expectations. Rather, the idea is simply to let them know they’re capable of great things if they put their mind to it. It seems that every time I challenge my boys and empower them to be able to follow through on the challenge, they exceed what they thought they could accomplish. They mature and grow. In this way, they’re learning to become men, how to set a goal and achieve it, how to thrive. So, I say bring on the challenges. Give boys hard tasks to accomplish. Equip them and give them guidance, but then sit back and just watch how much more they can accomplish than anyone would’ve expected. It seems that nothing is impossible for these young men. Dear prospective student, If you are interested in studying in Slovenia, you are welcome to attend the online presentation of Slovenian universities. The presentation prepared by the Study in Slovenia team will be held on Wednesday, November 15, at 2pm in English and is intended specifically for Slovenians living abroad. You will obtain useful information about living and studying in Slovenia. You will also have the opportunity to meet representatives of the University of Ljubljana, the University of Maribor, the University of Primorska and the University of Nova Gorica. To participate in the presentations, it is necessary to register via the online application form at: https://slovenci.si/en/presentation-of-slovenianuniversities-november-2023/ VESTNIK 2023 | 499 V mesecu novembru smo se običajno zbrali 2. novembra v mavzoleju na pokopališču sv. Petra v Londonu. Ker pa mavzolej še ni odprt za maše, smo se zbrali k sveti daritvi v cerkvi St. John the Divine, kot se običajno zbiramo za sv. maše. Pri maši, ki se je darovala za vse pokojne Slovence iz Londona in okolice smo se še posebej spomnili dveh, Jožefa Časar in Gabrielle Juršič, ki sta umrla v zadnjem letu. Za vsakega smo prižgali ob napisu svečko in to ob koncu maše izročili sorodnikom. Po maši pa smo se z nekaterimi še okrepčali pri Kelseys. V torek, 7. novembra so se v prostorih društva sv. Jožefa, v Villa Slovenia, zopet začeli »Torkovi večeri«. Za prvi dan so kot je navada, pripravili nekaj tudi za »pod zob«. Verjetno se jim bo še kdo pridružil v prihodnjih torkih. V prijetni družbi, ob igrah in prijateljskem kramljanju se poglabljajo prijateljstva. Hvala Petru Novaku z vso organizacijo. 500 | VESTNIK 2023 Od 26. oktobra do 7. novembra smo imeli na obisku višjega predstojnika slovenskih Salezijancev g. Marka Košnika. Prišel je ravno pravi čas, da je videl, kaj vse se dogaja v naši župniji. Od Oktoberfesta do molitev na pokopališčih in maše v Londonu prejšnjo nedeljo. Vmes pa sva si še ogledala nekaj znamenitosti, obiskala našega škofa Douglasa, bila s Salezijansko skupnostjo iz Toronta na duhovni obnovi v Pickeringu v jezuitskem centru za duhovnost. Več o njegovem obisku si lahko preberete na slovenski salezijanski spletni strani. Glej povezavo: https://donbosko.si/na-obisku-v-slovenski-zupniji-v-hamiltonu VESTNIK 2023 | 501 O BVESTILA - A NNOUNCEMENTS KOLEDAR DOGODKOV - Nov. 12 - Lipa Park - Martinovanje luncheon - Scholarship - Nov. 12 - Sava/Breslau - Mass at 1:00 p.m. - Nov. 25 - Bled - Hunter’s Banquet - Nov. 26 - Slovenski Park - Fall AGM - Dec. 02 - Lipa Park - Tree DecorationExecutive Social - Dec. 03 - Lipa Park - Santa Clause & Festive luncheon - Dec. 03 - Slovenska Šola -St. Gregory the Great Miklavževanje - Mass: 10:00 a.m. - Dec. 10 - Bled - Christmas Social & Cookie Sale - Dec. 10 - Slovenski Park - Members Christmas Party - Dec. 17 - Breslau - Mass 1:00 p.m. - Dec. 17 - London - Mass 4:00 p.m. - Dec. 31 - St. Gregory the Great - New Year’s Eve - Jan. 1 - Lipa Park - New Year’s Day Luncheon CLEANING OF THE CHURCH - Nov. 26th - Štefka Eržen team BRALEC - READER Slovenian - Frank Novak English - Sidonia Poppa GIFT BEARERS AT SLOVENIAN MASS - Nov. 12th - Mary Miketič & Pamela Gosgnach - Nov. 19th - Danny Fujs & Aranka Dundek DRUŠTVO SV. JOŽEFA - TORKOVI VEČERI »Torkovi večeri« so vsak torek od 7:00 p.m. do 10h zvečer v prostorih društva sv. Jožefa - Villa Slovenia. Villa Slovenia - Tuesday’s night 502 | VESTNIK 2023 social gatherings started and they go from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. CWL - KŽZ Also, please keep in mind that we will have a Memorial Mass for deceased Catholic Women’s League and Slomšek Altar Society members on Wed. Nov. 22nd at 7:00 p.m. MIKLAVŽ - DECEMBER 3RD, 2023 Šola has received good news from Miklavž! He will visit our parish on December 3rd, 2023. We will start the day with Mass at 10:00 a.m., followed by a delicious homemade lunch in our upper hall at 12:00 noon. Miklavž and his angels will visit and out on a special show after lunch. I hope you will all join us in celebrating Miklavž, so we can continue this beloved Slovenian tradition. For reservations, please contact Sandy at sferletic@gmail.com or 905-977-8464 Standing room only for Sunday Masses at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Hamilton. Father Mark Gatto has expressed his satisfaction that so many are gathering since the Mass of Dedication in October. The large crowds have convinced him to order more pews to provide seating for as many as possible. A good problem to have! /Bishop Douglas in Heart-to-Heart/ 38th World Youth Day: Rejoicing in Hope The Church celebrates World Youth Day on Feast of Christ the King each year. This year’s theme is “Rejoicing in Hope” (Rom 12:12). In today’s difficult times, the Church wishes to rekindle hope in the world. To do this, she relies especially on young people, who are the leading figures of history and “missionaries of joy”. In the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Christus Vivit, Pope Francis wrote that Christ is “our hope and in a wonderful way he brings youth to our world”. Pope Francis invites young people to deepen their understanding of Christian hope and to witness joyfully that Christ is alive. Let us celebrate the hope the young people bring to our communities! Svete maše - Masses †† †† † † †† † 32. NEDELJA †† MED LETOM †† 12. NOVEMBER † Jozafat, škof-mučenec † † †† † † †† † DON BOSCO Na račun »Eno Srce, Ena Duša« - »One Heart, One Soul« ste za našo slovensko župnijo sv. Gregorija Velikega do 10. novembra 2023 pripevali: $183,492.Hvala vsem, ki ste že prispevali. Naš cilj je, da dosežemo vsoto 200.000,V tem tednu so naslednje obletnice smrti faranov, ki so zapisani v naših knjigah: Gomboša Seljak Horvath Tompa Hanc Za žive in rajne župljane Paula in Franc Pelcar Ivan in Barbara Kirec Max Pavličič Darinka Ferletič Pokojni iz družine Prša Frank Raduha, obl. Bratje in sestre Marinič Terezija in Štefan Marinič Ivan Zelko Ivan Žižek Jože Rajner Pokojni Slovenci iz Kitchenerja Nataša Prilesnik Jože Šuta Ludvik, Maria in Slavko Šerbec Vinko Jereb Uršula Francesca Paula Joseph Rudolf November 13, 1989 November 16, 2021 November 17, 2009 November 19, 1987 November 19, 2013 9:30 A.M. - - - - - - Stan Pelcar & Josie Dubé Olga Hanc z družino Helen Špiler Milan in Sandy Marija Hočevar Žena in družina Sestra Terezija Raduha Hči Terezija Raduha 11:00 A.M. Matilda Bratuž Žena z družino Družina Žižek 1:00 P.M. Breslau - bivša dvorana društva Marija z družino Anica Miklavčič z družino Zinka Mirt Family Mirt 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 2023 | 503 SVETE MAŠE - MASSES PONEDELJEK - MONDAY †† Pokojni starši 13. NOVEMBER † Eileen MacKenzie Stanislav Kostka, red. 7:00 P.M. Jožica Novak z družino N.N. TOREK - TUESDAY 14. NOVEMBER † Ljubica Petrovič † Franjo Petrovič † Igor Petrovič 7:00 P.M. Dragica Đondraš Dragica Đondraš Dragica Đondraš SREDA - WEDNESDAY 15. NOVEMBER † Anton Vinčec †† Ivanka in Francka 7:00 P.M. Toni in Đurga Petrina Sestra Jožica Novak ČETRTEK - THURSDAY 16. NOVEMBER † Frank Pinter † Terezija Lebar (Winn) 7:00 P.M. Ljudmila Pinter z družino Marija Korošec z družino † Zoltan Gergyek † Anton Vinčec 7:00 P.M. Žena ana Sestra Terezija Horvat Nikolaj Tavelić, muč. Albert, šk-uč. Marjeta Škotska, kr. PETEK - FRIDAY 17. NOVEMBER Elizabeta Ogrska, red. †† SOBOTA - SATURDAY †† 18. NOVEMBER † Posvetitev bazilik sv. Petra † in Pavla †† Karolina, mučenka †† † 33. NEDELJA MED LETOM 19. NOVEMBER Matilda, redovnica 504 | VESTNIK 2023 †† †† †† † † †† †† Za duše v vicah Cecilija in Matija Smodiš Pok. iz družine Buček Ana Doma Pavel Capl Jožef in Marija Heric Marija in Martin Dominko Rudi Hanc, obl. 5:30 P.M. Marija Kopir Martin in Regina Nedelko Marija Hočevar Agata in Alojz Sarjaš Marija Košir Anica Miklavčič z družino Anica Miklavčič z družino Žena Mary z družino Za žive in rajne župljane 9:30 A.M. Za zdravje Bogu in Materi Božji v zahvalo Pok. starši Ceklin Ignac in Olga Prša Paula in Rudy Levstek 11:00 A.M. Rudi Hanc, obl. Štefan Hozjan (Welland) Pok. iz družine Pavlakovič Pok. Iz družine Rev ------Anica Saje z družino Ivan in Jožica Vegelj Hči Amalija Svoljšak z družino Milena Volčanšek Levstek in McLean Families Olga Hanc z družino Vera Lackovič z družino Družina Pavlakovič Družina Pavlakovič