SLOVENSKA ŽUPNIJA SV. GREGORIJA VELIKEGA | ST. GREGORY THE GREAT SLOVENIAN CHURCH

11/59
Številka - Number / Leto - Year

12.3. 2023
3. POSTNA
NEDELJA

3RD 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

Izvir vode, ki ne pojenja
Ko so vprašali mladega Afričana, kaj
mu bo najbolj ostalo v spominu po obisku naše dežele, je odgovoril: »Ko smo se
v eni gorskih dolin ustavili pod slapom,
sem ga opazoval in čakal, kdaj bo vsa
voda odtekla.« Pričakoval je, kdaj bo
konec izlivanja vode čez rob. Zanj, otroka puščave, je bil tak izvir vode nepojmljiv.
Za nas je morda nepojmljivo življenje
brez vodovodnih cevi in pip po stanovanju. Zato tudi ne cenimo vrednosti pitne
vode. Morda je tudi za nas lahko voda iz
pipe ali iz potoka znamenje božje bližine, kot je prikazana v današnji božji besedi.
V prvem berilu Izraelci po puščavi romajo iz dežele sužnosti proti
obljubljeni deželi in naletijo na marsikatero težavo. Prva težava in preizkušnja je bila žeja, zmanjkovalo jim je vode. Mojzes je vedel, da je še
hujše, ker jim je začelo zmanjkovati vere, zaupanja v božje varstvo. »Ali
je Gospod med nami ali ga ni?« se sprašujejo?
Puščava, v katero jih je Bog peljal, da jim spregovori na srce, jim je
že odveč. Svoboda, v katero gredo, terja določen napor in cena za svobodo nikakor ni lahka. Tako kot so Izraelci zahrepeneli po vodi, da se odžejajo, so zahrepeneli tudi po Bogu. Saj je edina rešitev, da je Jahve z
njimi in jim preskrbi vode, ker ga potrebujejo. Kako bi bil Mojzes vesel,
če bi hrepeneli po njem tudi takrat, ko jim ne bo nič manjkalo, če bi to
hrepenenje kazalo na njihovo zaupanje in vero. To se ni zgodilo. Rod
sužnjev je moral umreti, da je nova generacija vstopila v deželo obljube.
Druga velika žeja se godi ob Siharskem vodnjaku. Tokrat je žejen
Jezus. Bog prosi človeka, da mu da piti. On, ki je ustvaril brezmejne oceVESTNIK 2023 |

ane, potrebuje človekovo pomoč za nekaj požirkov
vode. Kot smo lahko videli že ob Jezusovem krstu, pa
tudi ob njegovih skušnjavah, je Jezus popolnoma v
vsem solidaren s človekom. Hodi pot človeka. Jezus je
žejen in solidaren z vsemi, ki trpijo žejo, ki še danes
nimajo pitne vode, ki se obračajo k sočloveku, da jim
to žejo ugasi. A Jezusova prošnja ob žeji nas spominja
tudi na njegov krik na križu: »Žejen sem.«
Kristusa žeja po dušah, žeja ga po človeku, kateremu bi rad dal to moč. V tej ženi z vrčem bi rad vzbudil
njeno žejo in vero.
Njun pogovor je zelo zanimiv. Je pogovor o dostojanstvu njenega naroda, kajti Jud se še ni nikoli zmenil za manjvrednega Samarijana, za manjvredno žensko. Pogovor teče o pravi molitvi, ker imajo vsak svoj
tempelj; o njenem neutešenem življenju, ko svoje ljubezni ne zmore zaupati nikomur; predvsem pa se
njun pogovor vrti o skrivnostni živi vodi. Vodi, ki bi
odžejala za vedno, ki teče vedno in odteka v večno
življenje. Samarijanka zasluti to moč in tudi, da ji
Jezus, ki je pred njo, lahko to da. Prej je mislila, da
samo on lahko pride do vode, a v pristnem srečanju
začuti sprejetost, dobi vero, dobi ljubezen, ki jo je iskala. Pravo živo vodo ji lahko da le Jezus. On je sedmi
mož, ki ga je srečala. Sedem - število popolnosti.
Samarijanka smo tudi mi sami. Naše srce je ranjeno, žejno, zmožno ljubiti, pa tudi tajiti, grešiti, iti proč
od izvira. Mi smo tudi Izraelci sredi puščave. Kaj storimo, ko smo v brezizhodnem položaju, brez vode in
hrane ali brez zdravja in sreče? Ali se tudi mi jezimo
nanj, kje je? Godrnjamo čez Boga, ki visi pribit na lesu
križa?
Jezus je pribit na križ, da bi nam dal žive vode v
izobilju. Jezus je tista skala, po kateri je udaril Mojzes
in je pritekla voda. V Jezusovo stran je udaril vojak s
sulico in je pritekla voda milosti. K tej skali po živo
vodo se z vero zatekajmo tudi mi. Saj teče na nas in
nas očiščuje v studencu sprave. Teče na nas in nas
krepi v vseh zakramentih. Teče na nas in naša srečanja dela pristno človeška. Teče na nas kot slap, ki ne
pojenja.
(Prim.: Oznanjevalec 2, 2008 )
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3RD SUNDAY OF LENT
Response: O that today you would
listen to the voice of the Lord. Do
not harden your hears.
First Reading Exodus 17:3-7
The book of Exodus tells the story of
God’s unfailing desire to be in relationship with us. However unfaithful we
may be, however many false idols we
may turn to in our search for security,
God will never fail us and always holds
to the covenant promises.
Second Reading Romans 5:1-2. 5-8
Paul writes to the Romans, reminding
them that through God’s grace they
have a reliable hope that cannot be disappointed. This is not cheap and easy
grace, but the power, through Christ, to
live differently and to trust in his promises.
Gospel John 4:5-42
The story of the woman of Samaria is
rich with resonance. Jesus comes to
meet this woman where she is. He listens to her questions and her struggles
with faith, trust and hope. He invites her
to change her perception of God and by
doing so changes her experience of herself.
“Anyone who drinks the water that I shall
give will never be thirsty again.”

Illustration
Throughout the year the Atacama Desert
in Chile normally receives less than twelve
millimetres of rain. All that can be seen is mile
after mile of dust and barren landscape. But if
there is a year with unusually high rainfall, the
desert blooms and is suddenly filled with
flowers in vibrant colours that can be seen

throughout the coastal valleys. All of these flowers have lain dormant for months, even for years,
but they haven’t died – they are just waiting for
the water they need to turn a barren landscape
into a lavish garden.
If you saw or walked through the desert on a
normal day, it would take a considerable act of
faith to believe that anything could possibly
grow there. The view from the surface is anything
but encouraging, but there is potential life hidden beneath the brown dust. Today’s readings
suggest that we are like that. To ourselves, and
perhaps to others, it may seem that there is no
life in us, no potential for growth or change. But
God has been a gardener since the beginning,
and knows what lies in our fallow ground, just
waiting to flower and become fruitful.

Gospel Teaching
In his encyclical on hope, Spe salvi, Pope Benedict wrote: “the Christian message [is] not only
‘informative’ but ‘performative’. That means: the
Gospel is not merely a communication of things
that can be known – it is one that makes things
happen and is life-changing… The one who has
hope lives differently” (2).
We see Jesus making things happen in his life
-changing encounter with the Samaritan woman.
His message is performative, in that it brings
something to life in her that has been there potentially, although only he can see it. This woman
has been living in shame, avoiding her neighbours. No woman was allowed to divorce her

husband in ancient Samaria, so it is likely that she was
widowed or abandoned repeatedly. There must have
been a lifetime of grief and hurt in her. But Jesus is willing to make himself vulnerable to her, to be dependent
on her generosity and willingness to engage, despite all
the social taboos against this. He creates what Pope
Francis has called “a culture of encounter”, by offering
her welcome and listening to her questions. He has
hope and trust in her and invites her to hope and trust
in his offer of “living water”. His gift of the Spirit to her
allows what has been hidden in her to grow and flourish like the desert blooming.

Application
St Paul tells us that the three cardinal virtues are
faith, hope and love, with the greatest being love, but it
becomes clear that without faith there can be no genuine hope, and without these two there can be no lasting love. We are challenged by God to have hope not
only in God’s saving grace but in our own capacity for
leadership, even when we don’t feel equal to the task.
Both Moses and the Samaritan woman became leaders
when they learned that God’s power can and does
overcome our fragility. In God’s eyes, whatever our
weaknesses, we are enough. When we open ourselves
up to live in intimate relationship with Jesus, nothing
can separate us from God’s love. On our own we are
powerless, and we know this. With God, all things are
possible, and even our poor efforts can make a difference to how the world is and will be.
God repeatedly chooses sinners like ourselves to
bring about God’s saving purpose. We become people
who live differently, knowing that we make a difference. This isn’t done in grand gestures of spectacular
sanctity but simply in our capacity to embrace the
promise of richness within the present moment, even if
that richness is beyond our understanding. In his apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, “The Joy of the
Gospel”, Pope Francis spoke of “the joy which we experience daily, amid the little things of life” (4). When we
begin to seek and find God in all the ordinary, daily
encounters of life, we become open to the gift that
they are to us. This is what turns us into people of hope,
capable of giving hope to the world.
VESTNIK 2023 | 99

Our Bazaar Sunday started with an inspirational Mass celebrated by both Father Drago
Gačnik and Father Štefan Krampač with liturgy and music in both Slovenian and English.
We thank our choir led by Ivan Mertuk which
includes Jožica Novak, Teresa Farbotko, Sonya
Podrebarac, Elka Persin and Francisca D’Costa
for their participation.
Mass was followed by a tasty luncheon
prepared by Nancy Dundek-Taylor and her
team. Prior to breaking bread we invited ladies to join our sisterhood, and recited the
League prayer. Father Drago also provided us
with a blessing. We enjoyed our meal along
with the company and fellowship of family
and friends.
There were opportunities to buy noodles,
štrudel and pecivo, various beverages and
also handcrafted items. There were also ample choices of tickets available for purchase
which included chances to win an assortment
of valuable prizes displayed so beautifully by
our ladies. Results included an abundance of
smiling faces and happy winners! Congratulations!
A myriad of activities kept our children
entertained at the ‘otroški kotiček.’ Several
even went home with a pet fish as a new addition to their family. For some children it was
their first time at our bazaar and they’ll look
forward to the next one!
We had an amazing all ages turnout, about
260 attendees in total. Thank you for supporting us with your presence, active participation and gracious donations.
Our bazaar, as you can tell, is steeped in
100 | VESTNIK 2023

cherished Slovenian traditions. It enables
us to take pride in our culture and heritage
and make positive contributions to our
parish and community. Charity, Work, and
Loyalty also align closely with our
League’s mission.
An event like our bazaar is only possible
with the help of so many volunteers. Notable volunteers, many of whom assumed
multiple roles included: Father Drago
Gačnik, Terezija Sarjaš, Pamela and Joe
Gosgnach, Sidonia and Bob Poppa, MaryAnn Demšar, Heidy Novak, Nancy and
Alyssa Taylor, Tony Horvat, Majda Lukežič,
Milena Krušič, Terezija Pučko, Albina and
Joe Antolin, Dragica and Lojze Ferenčak,
Marianne and Steven Horvat, Milena
Volčanšek, Jožica Erzar, Anna Plosinjak,
Frances Scarcelli, Elizabeth and Sara Booth,
Mary Miklavčič, Marianne Škerl, Sonya Podrebarac, Elka Persin, Štefka Eržen, Jožica
Groznik, Francka Antolin, Elizabeth and
Kylee Lukežič, Peter and Amanda Novak,
Karol Ferko, Marinka Hanc, Sara Miletič,
Lucas Tran, Melanie and Alec Marinko, Ava
Bosiljevac, Jessica Novak-Pace, Kristen
Louch, Jeremy Sobočan and Rosemary
Šušteršič. A thank you also goes out to all
who joined in the final cleanup.
Willingness to give your time and service is greatly appreciated. So many actions were completed with a lot of love.

Najlepša in milijonkrat hvala vsem prostovoljcem in udeležencem bazarja!
Rosemary Šušteršič, on behalf of and in recognition of our faithful CWL members and supporters

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Baking at our parish made a strong
return on Saturday! There were 12 of us
who made our Easter Potica and we had a
lot of fun doing it! Although this session
was announced a little bit on the last minute side of things, it was nice to see so
much interest. We had
people come
from St. Catharines to Toronto and from
11 months to 85 years join in. Although
many of us are already friends, I always
find it amazing of how new friendships
are created in the kitchen. With 5 mixers
going steady, the enthusiasm was infectious. Of course there was no shortage of
stories about different foods and the
memories that come along with this. It is
always intriguing to me, how many foods
trigger a memory amongst Slovenians.
There was a lot of talk about when I
would host our next session. If you would
like to be added onto the e-mailing list, if
you have ideas of recipes you would like
us to include, if you would like to lead a
cooking or baking session, please join in
and email me with your suggestions and
information. What a great opportunity
for Slovenians of all ages and from the
surrounding areas to come together and
join in a social and delicious day with
friends! - Heidy Novak
novakhsn@gmail.com / 905-317-6002

104 | VESTNIK 2023

SV. KRST - BAPTISM
V soboto, 11. marca, 2023, je v naši cerkvi,
deklica Brianna Paula Hočevar, prejela zakrament sv. krsta.
Starša deklice sta oče Johnny Paul Hočevar
in mati Kristina Francesca roj. Kure.
Iskrene čestitke staršema ob krstu tretjega
otroka. Naj ju spremlja božji blagoslov in priprošnja nebeške Matere Marije.

Saturday, March 25, 2023
3-piece Breaded Chicken with Potatoes
and Coleslaw
OR
Meatloaf with Potatoes and Vegetables
$25
Also: Apple Strudel $20
and Potica (limited... call for price)
Call to place your order
from March 13 to 23:
Anica Orešar 905-684-0036
Mary Verhovšek 905-682-7055
Pickup time to be advised...come inside
to pick up your order
Cases of beer available for purchase
on pickup day, for details call Frank Chermaz
at 905-964-6055

VESTNIK 2023 | 105

O BVESTILA - A NNOUNCEMENTS
KOLEDAR DOGODKOV
- March 19, 2023 - Društvo sv. Jožefa - Banquet - Mass: 10:00 a.m.
- March 26, 2023 - Breslau - Maša za Slovensko skupnost ob 1:00 p.m.

READERS - BRALCI BERIL: MARCH 12TH
Slovenian Readings - Olga Glavač
English Readings -

GIFT BEARERS - SLOVENIAN MASS
March 12th - Albina in Jože Antolin
March 19th - St. Joseph’s Society
March 26th - Sam & Elizabeth Petek
April 2nd -Jožica Vegelj & Terezija Sarjaš

CLEANING OF THE CHURCH - ČIŠČENJE CERKVE
March 18th - Jožica Vegelj and team
March 25th - Lojzka Novak and team

DRUŠTVO SV. JOŽEFA
Na mizi v cerkveni veži so
kuverte za članarino. V kuverti
je članska izkaznica za leto
2023. Dajte denar za članarino
($15) v kuverto in kuverto oddajte v nabiralnik za nedeljsko nabirko.
The Annual St. Joseph's Banquet will be
held on Sunday March 19th. Please join us for
lunch after the 10:00 a.m. Mass.
Tickets ($25.00) Students ($10.00) will be
available before and after Mass on Sunday
March 12, Tuesday nights at Villa Slovenia or
call Peter Novak 905-928-9984. Ticket deadline is Thursday March 17th. No sales at the
door. - Peter Novak
All profits will be donated to St. Gregory the Great Parish.
106 | VESTNIK 2023

Na račun »Eno Srce, Ena Duša« »One Heart, One
Soul« ste za našo
slovensko župnijo
sv. Gregorija Velikega do 3. marca 2023:
- $146,620. - Obljubili / Pledged
- $140,660. - Vplačali / Paid
Hvala vsem, ki ste že prispevali.
Naš cilj je, da dosežemo vsoto 200.000,-

TURKEY & SYRIA EARTHQUAKE EMERGENCY APP.
In response to the recent devastating
earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, many of the
faithful in the Diocese of Hamilton are anxious
to assist their suffering brothers and sisters.
Upon the recommendation of the Presbyteral
Council, His Excellency Bishop Douglas Crosby, OMI, has authorized a special collection in
our Parishes in support of the victims of these
recent earthquakes. Special envelopes for this
collection you will find at the entrance beside
our bulletin-Vestnik.
If you write cheque make it payable to the
Parish. Funds received in this collection are to
be sent subsequently to the Chancery Office.

POKOJNI
Dobili smo vest, da je v starosti 76 let, umrla Marija Berden, sestra naše faranke Ljudmile
Zadravec. Pogreb pokojne je bil v petek, 10.
marca pri sv. Juriju (Videm ob Ščavnici). V naši
cerkvi smo v petek darovali sveto mašo za pokoj njene duše. Iskreno sožalje Ljudmili in domačim, pokojni Mariji pa večni mir in pokoj v
domači zemlji.

In celebration of our 20th anniversary, the CSHS
is proud to present Life in the
Camps – A Luncheon and Short
Program. Tickets are on sale now!
When: Sunday April 16, 2023.
Doors open at 11:00.
Where: Our Lady of Miraculous Medal, Church Hall.
739 Brown's Line, Etobicoke, ON
Tickets can be purchased by emailing:
cshistorical@gmail.com
or by phone at: 647-297-3730
Please note: Tickets can be purchased until
April 10. No tickets will be available at the door.

Svet e maše - Masses
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3. POSTNA NEDELJA †
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RD
3 SUNDAY OF LENT †
12. MAREC
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Gregorjevo
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Papeška nedelja
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DON BOSCO

Za žive in rajne župljane
Paula in Franc Pelcar
Frank Halas
Jože Pust
Jože Lovšin
Neil Lambert
Stephanie Lambert
Veronika Čurič
Frank Gimpelj, obl.
Jože Gačnik
Ivan Žižek
Ivan Doma
Susan Gentilcore

VELEPOSLANIŠTAVO OTTAWA - KONZULARNE URE
V ponedeljek, 3. aprila 2023, bodo zopet
konzularne ure v Burlingtonu, 5096 South
Service Road, Burlington, ON L7L 5H4. Imel jih
bo Blaž Slamič, prvi svetovalec. Pri njem boste
lahko uredili, če potrebujete potni list, osebno
izkaznico ali druge zadeve. Za vsa vprašanja
lahko prej pokličete na: 1-613-565-5781 ali pišete na e-mail: sloembassy.ottawa(at)gov.si.

V tem tednu so naslednje obletnice smrti
faranov, ki so zapisani v naših knjigah:
De Sarno
Urek
Miklavčič
Booth
Štern
Gimpelj
Ferfolja
Rožič
Lenart
Halas

Sabato
Anna
Florian
Steve
Slavko Alojz
Frank
Marko
Boris
Ana Martina
Teresa

Sat., March 13, 2010
Fri., March 14, 1986
Mon., March 15, 2004
Tue., March 15, 2011
Fri., March 16, 2012
Sat., March 16, 2013
Thu., March 17, 2016
Mon., March 18, 1996
Tue., March 18, 2014
Wed., March 19, 2008

9:30 A.M. - - - - - - Stan Pelcar & Josie Dubé z druž.
Stanko in Elizabeth Petek
Družina Pust
Družina Pust
Družina Pust
Družina Pust
Marjan in Elizabeth Hozjan
Brat Jože
Bojan in Terezija Milosavljevič z dr.
11:00 A.M. Žena in družina
Rose Žižek
Gentilcore & Seguin Family

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 | 107

SVETE MAŠE - MASSES

13. 3. 2023 - 19. 3. 2023
PONEDELJEK - MONDAY
13. MAREC

† Tilka Vengar
† Eileen MacKenzie

7:00 P.M. Jožica Novak
N.N.

TOREK - TUESDAY
14. MAREC

† Tilka Vengar, obl.
† Anton Vengar

7:00 P.M. Rose Marie & Tony Vengar z druž.
Rose Marie & Tony Vengar z druž.

SREDA - WEDNESDAY
15. MAREC

†† Kathy & Branko Vidmar
† Florian Miklavčič, obl.

7:00 P.M. Sonja Langenfus
Štefan & Francka Antolin

ČETRTEK - THURSDAY
16. MAREC

† Julijana Sagadin
† Slavko Štern, obl.

7:00 P.M. Družina Miklavčič
Žena z družino

Kristina, dev-muč.
Matilda, ker.

Ludovika, red.

Hilarij in Tacijan, muč.

PETEK - FRIDAY
17. MAREC
Patrik, škof

SOBOTA - SATURDAY
18. MAREC

Ciril Jeruzalemski, šk.uč.

4. POSTNA NEDELJA
4TH SUNDAY OF LENT
19. MAREC
Jožef, Jezusov rednik

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Križev pot
Manja Erzetič
Pok. iz družine Bunderla
Olga Peternel
Joe Lackovič
Marija in Jože Kuzma
Frank Pinter
Jože Gačnik
Jože Gačnik
Jože Gačnik
Joe Prša
Joe Kolenko
Za žive in rajne župljane
Teresa in John Halas
Jože Gačnik
Jože Kolenko
Jože Razpotnik Sr.
Pok . Iz družine Erzar
Cecilia Sobočan
Jože Gačnik
Jožef in Marija Heric
Frank in Mary Hanc
Jože Kolenko
Jožef in Marija Heric
Za duhovne poklice
Lojze Prilesnik
Pok. iz družine Perko
Za zdravje
Stane Krampelj

6:30 P.M. Stations of the Cross
7:00 P.M. Milena Pavlič z družino
Ana Gergyek
5:30 P.M. Hči Sandra Peternel
Žena z družino
Hči Jožica Vlašič
Ljudmila Pinter z družino
Kathy Simončič
Jože in Marija Magdič
Amalija in Mirko
Jože in Marija Magdič
Žena in otroci
10:00 A.M. - - - - - - Alojz in Agata Sarjaš z družino
Farani
Regina Halas
Joe in Magda Razpotnik
Družina Erzar
Slavko Miklavčič z družino
Heidy in Adam Novak z družino
Hči Annie Miklavčič z družino
Toni n Marija Franc
Toni in Marija Franc
Hči Francka in Štefan Antolin
Bojan in Terezija Milosavljevič z druž.
Žena Marija z družino
Vanda z družino
Vanda z družino
Žena Elizabeth z družino