SLOVENSKA ŽUPNIJA SV. GREGORIJA VELIKEGA | ST. GREGORY THE GREAT SLOVENIAN CHURCH 4/59 Številka - Number / Leto - Year 22.1. 2023 3. NEDELJA MED LETOM 3RD 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 Hodi za menoj! Današnji evangeljski odlomek govori o začetku Jezusovega javnega delovanja, ki obsega tudi poklicanje prvih apostolov. To Jezusovo dejanje se ujema z Izaijevo prerokbo, ki naznanja delovanje v zelo neprijetnih okoliščinah. Drugo berilo nam na poseben način govori o apostolih, da bi zmogli doumeti, da so oni zgolj Jezusovo orodje in sami po sebi ne morejo zahtevati nikakršnega dostojanstva ali pa pomembnosti. Evangelij nam govori o Jezusu, ki je zvedel o Janezu Krstniku, da je bil prijet. Jezus se je umaknil v Galilejo, pokrajino, ki je oddaljena od Jeruzalema, kjer je bil lahko v miru. Gre za pokrajino, ki je bila prezirana, kajti Judje niso o Galilejcih imeli dobrega mnenja. Pokrajina se je imenovala »poganska Galileja«. Gre torej za ozemlje, kjer je prebivalstvo pomešano; zato pač ni posebnega upoštevanja vredno. Evangelist Matej zelo jasno zapiše, da leži Kafarnaum na ozemlju Zabulona in Neftalija, in Izaija v prvem berilu govori prav o teh deželah. »Ljudstvo, ki je prebivalo v teh deželah, je veljalo kot tisto, ki živi v mračnjaštvu: »Živijo v deželi smrtne sence.« Gre torej za poniževanje. Vendar Izaija naznanja, da bo prav to ljudstvo deležno velike svetlobe: »Nad temi, ki na zemlji prebivajo v smrtni senci, bo zasvetila luč.« Jezus svoje oznanjevanje začenja z besedami: »Spreobrnite se, kajti Božje kraljestvo je blizu.« To je povabilo k spreobrnjenju in je osnovano na sporočilu vesele novice: »Nebeško kraljestvo je blizu«. Judje so pričakovali prihod božjega kraljestva, to je uresničenje kraljestva Boga na zemlji, ki bi prenovilo obličje sveta, uveljavilo pravičnost, mir, ljubezen in veselje. Jezus zatrjuje, da se je to kraljestvo približalo; vendar tudi dodaja, da je za vstop potrebno spreobrnjenje. S tem kaže, da gre za kraljestvo, ki se vzpostavlja v srcih, s spreobrnjenjem. Odvrniti je potrebno hudobijo in se z vso ljubeznijo pridružiti božji volji, sicer se božje kraljestvo ne bo uresničilo. To se more uresničevati le, če dopustimo, da vstopi v naša srca z našim spreobrnjenjem. VESTNIK 2023 | Evangelist potem nadaljuje pripoved o povabilu prvih apostolov: Simona in Andreja, Jakoba in Janeza. Pomenljivo je, da je Jezus že od vsega začetka oznanjevanja hotel poklicati nekatere može, da bi jih pridružil svojemu poslanstvu; povabi apostole, da se mu pridružijo pri svojem odrešilnem delu. Tako Jezus združuje dvojno razsežnost ljubezni: pokaže na ljubezen do nebeškega Očeta, kajti pridiga o nebeškem kraljestvu; pokaže pa tudi na ljubezen do bratov, kajti pridružuje jih svojemu poslanstvu. Jezus pokliče preproste ribiče in jih povabi: »Pridite k meni, kajti napravil vas bom za ribiče ljudi.« Ne bodo več »lovili« rib, temveč ljudi, da bi jih osvobodili hudobije in jim ponudili resnično človeka vreden obstoj, bivanje božjih otrok. Simon in Andrej sta takoj pustila mreže in šla za njim, ker sta takoj razumela, da je učitelj, Gospod, in sta takoj odšla za njim. Enako tudi Jakob in Janez. Tu lahko prepoznamo dvoje čudovitih pričevanj o poslušnosti klicu. Danes se zdi, da obstaja pomanjkanje poklicev; v resnici pa ne gre za pomanjkanje božjih klicev, temveč za pomanjkanje odgovorov nanje. Moliti in prositi moramo, da bi bili tisti, ki jih Bog resnično kliče, pripravljeni prositi vse in slediti Jezusu. O tem govori Pavel, kajti v Korintu so nastala nesoglasja med kristjani glede odnosa do posameznih osebnosti. Nekateri so govorili: »Jaz sem Pavlov,« drugi »Jaz sem Apolov.« Apolo sploh ni bil apostol, temveč eden izmed učencev, ki je dobro govoril, dobro poznal Sveto pismo. Nekateri pa so govorili: »Jaz sem pa Kefov.« Kefa je aramejsko ime, ki ga je Jezus dal Simonu. Kristjani so v Korintu razdeljeni, ker se navezujejo na posamezne apostole. Pavel v teh okoliščinah odgovarja zelo odločno in pove, da ni prav, da se človek naveže na enega ali drugega izmed apostolov, ker to povzroča medsebojne delitve; zato sprašuje: »Je bil morda Pavel za vas križan, ali ste bili morda krščeni v Pavlovem imenu?« Seveda je jasno, da je bil edino Kristus križan za vse in da se krst podeljuje v imenu Očeta, Sina in Svetega Duha, ne pa v Petrovem ali pa Pavlovem. Pomembno je, da pripadamo Kristusu in ne namenjamo prevelike pozornosti različnim osebam, ki so zgolj orodje njegovega posebnega delovanja. - (Prim. Oznanjevalec - A_2007/8, štev. 1) 26 | VESTNIK 2023 3RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME First Reading Isaiah 8:23 – 9:3 People who once suffered invasion and war will one day be blessed with the joy of true light and liberty. Response: The Lord is my light and my salvation. Second Reading 1 Corin.1:10-13. 17 Paul appeals for unity among the followers of the Lord. Gospel Matthew 4:12-23 Jesus begins his mission in Galilee with the light of his teaching and his healing power. “The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light.” Illustration Charlie Bird is a retired Irish journalist. He worked for RTÉ, the Irish radio and television network, for forty years. His voice was his life. Using his voice was his daily occupation. One day in October 2021 he noticed that he had a problem. Something was wrong with his voice. A diagnosis revealed that Charlie had MND, motor neurone disease. All of a sudden he was faced with the prospect of a terminal illness. He was cast into darkness. After shedding many tears, Charlie found himself dry-eyed and with a new determination. He was going to bring some light into this situation. He resolved to climb Croagh Patrick, “the Reek”, Ireland’s holy mountain in County Mayo, and to raise money for two special charities – for MND, from which he now suffered, and for Pieta, an Irish charity that helps those affected by suicide. In April 2022 over a thousand people across Ireland joined announces his Good News to people who, like ourselves, long to hear good tidings. The teaching is backed up by the healing power that Jesus has, to cure all kinds of sickness and disease. He truly is a light shining brightly. But Jesus is no one-man band. As surely as he begins to preach and heal, he begins to recruit his own followers, in order to make them into preachers and teachers and healers in their turn. Fishermen will become fishers of humankind. Application in “Climb with Charlie”, local groups climbing mountains all over the country, as Charlie ascended the Reek in Mayo, and raised over three million euro for those charities. In the chapel on top of the Reek, Charlie lit five candles for five special intentions. He also said, “I do not know how long I will live but until my dying day I will extend the hand of friendship everywhere.” Gospel Teaching The prophet Isaiah spoke about a king who would come to bring light into a world of darkness. The people of Galilee and its environs had suffered badly from war, invasion and exile, and Isaiah looked forward to the day when such suffering would be swept away with the coming of a great king. When Matthew comes to write his Gospel story, he sees that ancient prophecy fulfilled when Jesus begins his public ministry. The light begins to shine in the words that Jesus uses to announce to people that the kingdom of God is, here and now, very close to them. In synagogues all over Galilee Jesus One of the great followers of Jesus in the years to come is Paul, a powerful and dynamic character. He comes to hear about division and partiality in the church at Corinth, where people have their favourites among Peter, Paul, Apollos and Jesus. He writes to them to set the record straight, urging them to be united in Christ Jesus. He also points out to them the central place of the crucifixion in our understanding of our life and our faith. We are not here to philosophise about life, but to preach the Gospel of Jesus, who endured the cross for our sake. The life of Jesus involved the great struggle of light and darkness, good and evil. The Lord faced many foes in his short public life. He endured opposition and oppression. He was accused of doing the devil’s work. In the end he was falsely accused, condemned and put to death. But you cannot extinguish the light of God, and Christ Jesus rose from the dead. Our lives meet with the same challenges. Our joys are mixed with sorrows. Our light is sometimes threatened with darkness. Ill health, broken relationships, depression – these and other forms of sadness come upon us. In our hard times, it is our connectedness to one another that will see us through. Charlie Bird has had the company of a dog in recent times. Charlie says, “He knows when I’m distressed. It’s incredible the love of that creature.” Charlie has rallied from his dark days. He has said that he wants to continue to shine a light in dark places. We all know the dark days. We have all been to dark places. We need a light to shine. We also need to be the light that shines. As one candle is lit from another, so let the light of Christ catch fire in you to set this world ablaze with the light of life. VESTNIK 2023 | 27 Our Wedding Anniversary Mass will be held at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King in Hamilton on Sunday April 16, 2023 at 1:30 PM. This is an annual Mass for couples celebrating their 25th, 40th, 50th, 60th or 60th plus Wedding Anniversary! Mass includes a renewal of marriage vows by all participating anniversary couples. Couples will be able to register online: www.hamiltondiocese.com or they can call Sarah at 905-528-7988 ext. 2249 and she will register you directly. Light refreshments follow the Mass, as well as an opportunity to take a picture with Bishop Crosby, so bring your camera! Only those couples married 60 or more years may bring a guest as there will be no remaining seats to accommodate guests. 28 | VESTNIK 2023 VESTNIK 2023 | 29 BISHOP OF HAMILTON January 4, 2023 Brothers and Sisters in Christ, SYNOD ON SYNODALITY Thirteen months ago, the Holy Father invited the whole Church, and indeed the whole world, to enter into a journey called the Synod on Synodality. This journey will culminate with the Synod of Bishops which will take place in October of 2023 and 2024. It is an opportunity for the Church to discern the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking through its members. After the initial opening ceremony in Rome in October 2021, each Diocese also celebrated an opening ceremony followed by a listening process to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. In the Diocese of Hamilton, our process involved some in-person discussions, however since Covid restrictions made inperson gatherings difficult, if not close to impossible, most of the input came through an online survey. We received just under 2,000 survey results. These results were analyzed and our Diocesan Report was produced. (This Report along with all the other reports on the Synod can be found on our Diocesan website.) This Report was combined with the eleven other Ontario Latin-rite Diocesan Reports and two Ontario Eastern Eparchial Reports to create the Ontario Synod Report. The Ontario Report was sent to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and together with the reports from the three other Canadian regions was used to create the Canadian Report, which was subsequently sent to Rome. We are now at the Continental Stage of the Synod. The Vatican having received 112 Latin Rite Reports and 15 Oriental Church Reports, has produced a working document called, “Enlarge the space of your tent”. This document will be discussed by the 30 | VESTNIK 2023 seven continental groups. Our group is the North American group, which consists of Canada and the United States of America. These final seven reports will be sent to the Vatican, and from these, the Working Document for the Synod of Bishops will be created. Letter to Parishioners FORWARD TOGETHER IN CHRIST Inspired by the Synodal process, and aware that we needed a collective reflection on the life of our Diocese, we initiated a process called, Forward Together in Christ. Our first step was to arrange discussions groups with our Priests, Permanent Deacons and Pastoral Ministers. These discussions have already provided greater insight to our Diocesan challenges and hopes. As we move into the Spring, we will expand our outreach by asking for the input of various Catholic groups and organizations. Next Fall, Forward Together in Christ, will move into the parish phase of our consultations. Priests and people of each parish in our Diocese will be invited to come together for discussion and wisdom sharing. It is by hearing the many voices of the Church, Clergy, Religious and Laity that we will be able to discern the voice of the Holy Spirit and move Forward Together in Christ. Over the next several months, the Diocese will produce three brochures: “What is Synodality”, “The Synod”, and “Forward Together in Christ”. Hopefully, these brochures will assist all of us to better understand and participate in the Synodal process, for it is TOGETHER, moved by the Spirit, that we build the Kingdom of God. Sincerely in Christ and Mary Immaculate, (Most Rev.) + Douglas Crosby, OMI Bishop of Hamilton. (Most Rev.) + Wayne Lobsinger Auxiliary Bishop of Hamilton. VESTNIK 2023 | 31 SV. KRST - BAPTISM V nedeljo, 15. januarja 2023 je med enajsto sveto mašo zakrament svetega krsta prejela deklica, Gianna Maria Nunnari. Oče deklice je Giuseppe Nunnari in mati Lana, roj. Vanderham. Iskrene čestitke staršema ob krstu prvega otroka. Naj ju spremlja božji blagoslov in varstvo nebeške Matere Marije. LONDON - ST. JOHN THE DIVINE V nedeljo popoldne smo imeli prvič v tem letu tudi mašo pri Slovenski skupnosti v Londonu. Kot že nekaj let, se zberemo ob 3h popoldne v angleški cerkvi St. John the Divine. Dan je bil lep in tudi udeležba pri maši. Hvala vsem, ki sodelujete in pripravite, da je vse potrebno za lepo obhajanje bogoslužja. 32 | VESTNIK 2023 Da bo letos zopet Bazar, 5. marca, se takoj opazi tudi v naši hiši, saj je »delavnica rezancev« že v polnem teku. Tole je bil šele začetek, kar nekaj torkov bo v naši dvorani živahno. Leta prakse pa povedo, da gre vse zelo tekoče. Vsakdo ve, kaj je njegovo delo. Tisti, ki bi si jih radi zagotovili rezance, prosijo, da jih naročite vnaprej. Tako bodo vedele koliko torkov bo potrebno delat. 2023 WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be celebrated January 18 to 25. Inaugurated in 1908, the event is now celebrated around the world on an annual basis. The theme for this year is “Do good, seek justice” (Isaiah 1:7). The materials for prayer and reflection have been prepared by the Minnesota Council of Churches (USA), in the aftermath of the 2020 extrajudicial killing of George Floyd and the trial of the police officer responsible. As local Christian communities sought to respond to the anguish of these events, they also recognized their own historical complicity in perpetuating racial injustice. Inasmuch as the Church is summoned to be the sign and instrument of the unity God desires for the whole of His creation (cf. Lumen gentium, 1), the continued divisions between Christians constitute a scandal: we are thus called to repent of our disunity and work together for reconciliation among all peoples. BIBLE SUNDAY 2023: The Third Sunday of Ordinary Time marks the celebration of Bible Sunday in the Diocese of Hamilton. At the conclusion of the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis encouraged every Christian community to choose one Sunday a year to renew its efforts to make the Sacred Scriptures better known and widely diffused. Our celebration of Bible Sunday is a call to listen to how #TheBibleSpeaks in our hearts and within our communities of faith. The Pastoral Offices of the Diocese of Hamilton have prepared a wide variety of resources for youth and adults in celebration of Bible Sunday 2023. Visit our website: https://hamiltondiocese.com/thebiblespeaks/ for more information. VESTNIK 2023 | 33 O BVESTILA - A NNOUNCEMENTS Na račun »Eno Srce, Ena Duša« - »One Heart, One Soul« ste za našo slovensko župnijo sv. Gregorija Velikega do 20. januarja 2023: - $145,620. - Obljubili / Pledged - $139,525. - Vplačali / Paid Hvala vsem, ki ste že prispevali. Naš cilj je, da dosežemo vsoto 200.000,- KOLEDAR DOGODKOV - Jan. 22, 2023 - Lipa Park - Hunter’s Luncheon/Koline Social - Feb. 5, 2023 - Bled - Koline - Hunter’s Banquet - Feb. 18, 2023 - St. Gregory the Great Hall PUSTOVANJE - March 5, 2023 - CWL-KŽZ - Bazaar READERS - BRALCI BERIL January 15, 2023 Slovenian Mass - Mirko Zorko English Mass - Mila Ferko GIFT BEARERS - SLOVENIAN MASS Jan. 22 - Albina & Joe Antolin Jan 29 - Sue & Zdravko Augustin Feb 5 - Milena Volčanšek & Majda Lukežič Feb 12 - Jožica Vegelj & Štefka Eržen CLEANING OF THE CHURCH - ČIŠČENJE CERKVE January 28th 34 | VESTNIK 2023 Gosgnach team PUSTOVANJE Mark your calendars and get your costumes together for Pustovanje! Saturday, February 18th, 2023, “Slo - Beat” will be playing, there will be food, 50/50 and Prizes for best costume. The night is sure to be a good time for all. Continue watching for more details in the weeks to come. HALL MANAGER Our Hall is back up and running! As we continue scheduling hall rentals, we will be in need of a Hall Manager. If you are interested in the part-time position as the Hall Manager for our parish, please give me a call and we can discuss the details. I will be accepting calls and emails from interested individuals until February 28th. Heidy Novak 905-317-6002 email: novakhsn@gmail.com CWL - KŽZ Our next CWL meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 1st immediately following 7:00 pm Mass. We invite all members and those that may be interested in our CWL to please attend this very important meeting. On the agenda will be planning of Bazaar 2023. We would like to proceed with this tradition of the” Annual CWL Bazaar” after a 2 year hiatus. We are also hopeful for a few members to take up some executive positions as we are in desperate need if our CWL is to continue at St. Gregory’s. Mentorship will be available to anyone who would be willing to take on an executive role. - Members, please consider. We need you help. DAROVI - DONATIONS Ob smrti Cecilije Sobočan so namesto cvetja ali v spomin, za gradbeni sklad darovali: $30 - Matilda Prša $75 - CWL - KŽZ $100 - Olga Hanc z družino $100 - Mirko Zorko in Amalija Štadler $200 - Jason, Kristen, Nick, Sarah in Kathy Prša $200 - Ivan Mertuk in Emilia Mertuk $100 - Marjan in Elizabeth Hozjan $50 - Bojan in Terezija Milosavljevič $200 - Families Vuk in Lamarre $200 - Slavko Miklavčič z družino $100 - Ida Vuk (St. Catharines) Svete maše - Masses †† 3. NEDELJA †† MED LETOM † † 3RD SUNDAY IN †† ORDINARY TIME † † 22. JANUAR † NEDELJA BOŽJE BESEDE † DON BOSCO Namesto cvetja na grob pokojne Marice Majzelj je za BF darovala $50 Terezija Prša. Društvo svetega Jožefa je ob smrti članov darovalo za gradbeni sklad in za svete maše: - Pok. Aldo Česen - $50 za BF in 5 sv. maš - Pok Ivan Doma - $50 za BF in za 5 svetih maš - Pok. Elizabeth Farkaš - $50 za BF in 5 sv. maš Hvala vsem za vaš velikodušni dar. V tem tednu so naslednje obletnice smrti faranov, ki so zapisani v naših knjigah: Simončič Ivan January 23, 2013 Germ Louis January 24, 1991 Malevich Ani January 24, 1996 Cesar Maria January 24, 2001 Sagadin Maximilijan January 24, 2001 Košir Cenka January 24, 2022 Krenos John January 25, 2019 Evans Erin January 26, 2019 Hanc Joseph January 27, 2018 Jurman Josephine January 27, 2022 Demšar Antonia January 29, 2012 Za žive in rajne župljane Anna in Ludvik Horvat Pokojni farani Ivan Doma Ivan Doma Pok iz družine Doma in Fotivec Frank Gimpelj Jože Gačnik Cvetka Bedernjak Eileen MacKenzie 9:30 A.M. - - - - - - - Ana Gergyek Družina Malevič Anna Kotnjek z družino Žena Rozina z družino Rozina Doma Žena z družino Toni in Marija Franc Tony in Marija Franc 11:00 A.M. N.N. SVETE MAŠE - MASS TIMES: Monday to Friday: 7:00 P.M., Saturday: 5:30 P.M. (Slovenian-Sunday Mass); Sunday: 10:00 A.M. from July to Fall Banquet (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 for a personal conversation with your priest – please call for an appointment. Tel: 905-561-5971 or Cell: 905-520-2014 VESTNIK 2023 | 35 SVETE MAŠE - MASSES 23. 1. 2023 - 29. 1. 2023 PONEDELJEK - MONDAY 23. JANUAR Henrik, duhovnik † Cecilija Sobočan † † TOREK - TUESDAY † 24. JANUAR Frančišek Saleški, šk-uč. † †† Jože Gačnik Ivan Žigon Ivan Doma Cecilija Sobočan Pokojni duhovniki naše župnije 7:00 P.M. Kathy Prša z družino 7:00 P.M. Jožica Vegelj z družino Kathy Prša Emilia Mertuk z družino Emilia Mertuk z družino Slomškovo oltarno društvo SREDA - WEDNESDAY 25. JANUAR †† Sestra in pok. iz družine Karlin Za zdravje 7:00 P.M. Jožica Novak z družino Dragica Đondraš ČETRTEK - THURSDAY 26. JANUAR † Erin Evans, obl. † Tone Lukežič, obl. 7:00 P.M. Družina vegelj Žena Majda z družino Spreobrnitev ap. Pavla Timotej in Tit, škofa PETEK - FRIDAY 27. JANUAR Angela Merici, ust. Urš. † † SOBOTA - SATURDAY † 28. JANUAR † Tomaž Akvinski, c. učitelj † Karel Veliki, kralj † †† 4. NEDELJA MED LETOM 4TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 29. JANUAR VALERIJ, ŠKOF 36 | VESTNIK 2023 † † † † † †† † † † † Na čast Kristusove krvi PP. Benedikt XVI 7:00 P.M. Ana Tadić Helena Kwasniewska Manja Erzetič Joe Hanc, obl. Zoltan Gergyek Saje Lojzka Ivan Tompa Joža Šušteršič Ana in Vinko Kokalj 5:30 P.M. Nadja Madronich Žena Olga z družino Žena Ana z družino Jožica Hapke Marija Horvat Marija Korošec z družino Hči Za žive in rajne župljane Ivan Doma Joe Hanc, obl. Marija Nemec Frank Saje, obl. Marica Majzelj Ivan in Hilda Žigon Ann Božnar Tončka Demšar Franc Ferenčak Joe Lackovič, obl. 9:30 A.M. - - - - - - - Štefan in Terezija Vinčec z druž. Mary Hanc z družino Sestra Žena z družino Toni in Marija Franc Toni in Marija Franc John Božnar 11:00 A.M. Demšar-Scarcelli-Purdon Fam. Vera Lackovič z družino Žena Vera z družino