SLOVENSKA ŽUPNIJA SV. GREGORIJA VELIKEGA | ST. GREGORY THE GREAT SLOVENIAN CHURCH 47/59 Številka - Number / Leto - Year 19.11. 2023 33. NEDELJA MED LETOM 33RD 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 predzadnjo nedeljo bogoslužnega leta nas Cerkev pripravlja na prihod Gospodovega dneva. V drugem berilu Pavel Tesaloničanom spet ponudi nauk, ki izvira od samega Jezusa: nihče ne ve, kdaj bo prišel Gospod; prišel bo kakor tat ponoči. Apostoli so vprašali Jezusa, kdaj bo prišel njegov dan, on pa samo poduči, da moramo biti vedno pripravljeni. Nato apostol opogumlja Tesaloničane, da čeprav pride noč, kristjani niso v temi in jih Gospodov dan ne more presenetiti kot tat, ker so sinovi luči in sinovi dneva. Kot sinovi luči ne smejo spati kakor drugi, ampak ostajati budni in trezni. Pavel Tesaloničanom svetuje, naj delajo, naj ne bodo brezdelni in ne preveč prezaposleni, ne da bi v resnici kaj pravega naredili, ampak naj pridno delajo, da bodo pripravljeni na Gospodov prihod. Evangelij govori o gospodarjevi vrnitvi in tudi o Gospodovem dnevu, ko pripoveduje priliko o talentih. Neki človek se odpravlja na potovanje in izroči talente služabnikom. Nekdaj je imel talent zelo veliko vrednost. Gospodar je enemu dal pet talentov, drugemu dva in tretjemu enega, vsakemu glede na njegove sposobnosti, in odpotoval. Služabnik, ki je dobil pet talentov, ni ostal nedejaven, len, ampak je pohitel in jih skušal vložiti; tako je pridobil pet drugih. Podobno je služabnik, ki je dobil dva talenta, dobil dva druga. Služabnik pa, ki je dobil enega, je šel, izkopal jamo v zemljo in vanjo skril prejeti talent. V nasprotju z obnašanjem tega služabnika nam prvo berilo kaže vzorno, zelo dejavno ženo. V Knjigi pregovorov je sijajna hvalnica popolne žene, ki svojemu možu vse dni življenja prinaša srečo, ne pa nezadovoljstva. »Skrbi za volno in lan in dela s pridnimi rokami. Svoje roke izteguje k preslici, njene dlani prijemajo vreteno.« Ta žena je tudi velikodušna: ne dela samo v svojo korist, ampak »svojo dlan odpira potrebnemu, svojo roko podaja ubogemu«. Za nas je torej zgled. Avtor ugotavlja, da je zunanja lepota varljiva in »prazna»: šteje pa notranja lepota. Žena, ki se boji Boga, se pravi, da ima v svojem življenju globok čut za Boga, je neizmerno dragocena. Zunanja lepota ni zanesljiva, ampak je minljiva. Daje bežno zadovoljstvo, vendar na njej ni mogoče utemeljiti življenja. VESTNIK 2023 | Služabnik, ki je dobil samo en talent, tega ni vložil, ampak ga je skril; zakaj? Ob gospodarjevem prihodu domov je pojasnil sam: »Gospodar, vedel sem, da si trd človek. Žanješ, kjer nisi sejal, ...« Temu služabniku je manjkalo zaupanja v gospodarja. O njem je imel zelo negativno predstavo. Da bi napredovali, je potrebno zaupanje. Kdor živi v strahu, si ne upa prevzeti pobud, išče zatočišče in varnost, ter tako ne naredi ničesar. Gospodar svojih talentov ni dal služabnikom, da jih shranili, ampak da bi jih donosno naložili. Zaradi tega je tretji služabnik označen kot »malopriden in len«. Gospodar mu dokaže, da je njegovo vedenje protislovno: »Zato bi moral dati moj denar menjalcem in ob vrnitvi bi jaz prejel svojo lastnino z obrestmi.« To je najmanj, kar bi služabnik lahko naredil. Ta prilika nam da razumeti, da moramo o Bogu imeti lepo, pozitivno predstavo. Ne smemo misliti, da je hudoben gospodar, trd in strog, ki samo išče, da bo ljudi zasačil pri prestopku, da bi jih kaznoval. Če imamo o Bogu slabo predstavo, naše življenje ne bo moglo biti rodovitno: živeli bomo v strahu, ta pa nam ne bo navdihnil nič pozitivnega. Kot oče ima seveda Bog do nas zahteve, vendar gre za zahteve ljubezni. Običajno ima oče velike načrte za svoje otroke. Noče, da bi bilo njihovo življenje prazno, da ne bi uresničili nič pomembnega. Nasprotno, želi si, da bi otroci živeli lepo življenje, ki naj razodeva, da so zares nadarjeni in pomembni ljudje. Njegove zahteve izhajajo iz ljubezni in ne smejo vlivati strahu, ampak zaupanje, ker nam je Bog vedno pripravljen pomagati. Imeti moramo pravo predstavo o Bogu, predvsem pa globoko ljubezen do Očeta, v združenju z Jezusom, njegovim Sinom, ki je vedno kazal kar največjo ljubezen do Očeta in popolno zaupanje vanj. Hkrati se moramo zavedati svoje odgovornosti. Ta za nas ne sme biti breme, ampak spodbuda, saj je znamenje, da nas Bog zelo ceni; zato nam zaupa pomembne stvari. Pa tudi vse druge odgovornosti v življenju moramo sprejeti kot dar ljubečega Boga, ki pripravlja vedno nove darove. Bog nam hoče pomagati, da bi talente, ki nam jih je zaupal, res dobro uporabili in dali čudovite sadove. Tako gremo lahko v življenju naprej s pravo predstavo o Bogu, z iskreno ljubeznijo do našega Očeta, ki je v nebesih, in z željo, da bi z njegovo pomočjo vedno naredili kaj boljšega, v njegovo slavo«. (prim. Oznanjevalec 2008) 506 | VESTNIK 2023 33RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME R: Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord. First Reading Prov. 31:10-13.19-20.30-31 The praises given to the woman here echo the praises given elsewhere in the scriptures to God. She reflects God’s image and likeness. Second Reading 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 Standing ready for God may refer to our death and judgement but also to openness to the ways in which God comes to us every day. Gospel Matthew 25:14-30 The parable of the talents shows God as the generous giver of graces, but one who asks that we take seriously the gifts we have and use them with confidence. “For to everyone who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough; but from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” Illustration Britain’s Got Talent is one of the most popular TV shows on UK screens. People love to watch ordinary people like themselves with a gift for singing or dancing, or whatever it is, getting an opportunity to shine. There’s the knuckle-biting moment when the judges get to say what they think, and there are many tears and disappointments as well as cheers and congratulations. Many of us would rather die than put ourselves through that kind of tension and public exposure – we couldn’t bear the humiliation of failure. But often the judges are encouraging, even when they can’t give an act their full approval. Every once in a while, there is an iconic moment when someone quite unexpectedly turns out to have star quality, like the first audition of singer Susan Boyle, who received a standing ovation for her performance of the song “I Dreamed a Dream”. God also dreams a dream, of each one of us becoming fully the person we were made to be. That dream and desire of God is revealed to us in the deepest desires that we have for ourselves. Every day we are faced with greater or smaller choices to grow or to stagnate, to flourish or to wither. We may not enjoy all the opportunities that others seem to have, but every conversation, every human encounter, presents us with a choice either to be more or to be less fully human. That choice is entirely ours. Gospel Teaching Today’s Gospel parable falls into two quite definite parts. Most people find the first part encouraging – we like the idea of the master giving talents to his servants and seeing what they can do with what they are given. We can resonate from our own experience with the idea of making something of what we have in our professional as well as our personal lives. The second part of the parable is far more problematic. Who has never had a feeling of lack of confi- dence in themselves? We may remember with a shudder when we had to try something out for the first time or step up to a demand that was made of us. It’s always worse if we have an audience, for that increases our fear of failure. Imposter syndrome is the name given to the fear many people have of others finding out that, for all their apparent calm and competence, they actually haven’t a clue what they are doing. Jesus makes clear that failure is not the problem, and nor is lack of talent. Not all of us are made to be superstars. But the worst we can do is to mistrust God at work in ourselves. This ties God’s hands, as it were, and makes it impossible for God’s grace to flourish in us. It’s a daily task to believe that what we have and who we are is enough. The more we believe this, the more capable we become of responding to the gift and grace that lies within every moment. Ours may be a “quiet” talent – the gift of being a good listener, for example, or the gift of always being ready with an appreciative or encouraging word. This will not bring us standing ovations or bouquets on the world stage, but it will be the fulfilment of God’s dream for us. Confidence grows confidence, but mistrust grows mistrust. That is the meaning of the devastating punchline of Jesus’ parable, and it is meant to shock us. Application One of the great spiritual teachings of St Ignatius of Loyola is called the Examen. It’s not so much an examination of conscience in the sense of recalling our daily faults. It’s more an examination of consciousness, a learning to be aware of how God, on a daily basis, is at work in the world and in our own lives. We learn to see our day from God’s point of view and come to realise how many opportunities we are given to respond to grace. The more attuned we become to the gentle touch of God throughout the day, the more our personal gifts and talents and God’s invitations become clear. This is a free choice which we can take or leave, but if we take it, it leads to life more abundant. Who could say no to that? VESTNIK 2023 | 507 508 | VESTNIK 2023 VESTNIK 2023 | 509 V nedeljo, 12. novembra so se Slovenci iz Kitchenerja in okolice zbrali pri sveti maši v bivši dvorani društva Sava. Po maši pa smo se še posedli za mize, se družili in poklepetali ob dobrotah, ki jih prinesli. FREE…Come Home for Christmas Festival, bring your families and come celebrate with us! Sunday, December 3, 2023 from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm - Mount Mary Immaculate Retreat Centre, Ancaster 437 Wilson Street East, Ancaster, ON, L9G 3K4 Fun includes: Music, Hot Cocoa, Cookie Decorating, Crock-a-Doodle Christmas Ornament Painting, Magic Show, Face Painting, Balloon Animals, Local Artisans (cash only) & Santa. Donations of cash, or non-perishable food items collected to benefit the Bishop’s Charities. For more information, contact: mcmorgan@hamiltondiocese.com or 905.528.7988 ext. 2251 510 | VESTNIK 2023 VESTNIK 2023 | 511 Heart to Heart - M. Rev. Douglas Crosby COATS FOR KIDS is a very popular program sponsored annually by the Knights of Columbus providing winter coats for children in our Catholic schools. More than 840 coats have been distributed in Hamilton already this year! Since the program began in 2009, the Knights have distributed over 1 million coats in communities throughout Canada and the United States. Congratulations to the Knights on such an important outreach! ST. JOSEPH’S HOSPITAL IN HAMILTON celebrated the 2023 Sisters of Saint Joseph Mission Legacy Awards earlier this week honouring 11 worthy recipients including the Forensic Psychiatry Program, the Perioperative Executive Committee, and two posthumous awards to Dr. John Bienenstock and Terri Schnurr. Seven other employees were honoured at the emotional event! Did you know that during the COVID-19 restrictions, while other hospitals were closing operating rooms, St. Joseph’s Hospital opened four new operating rooms! Congratulations to all recipients – well merited indeed! GOOD SHEPHERD has established a Health on Wheels Mobile Clinic providing care in shelters, patient homes, encampments, and anywhere help is needed. The clinical team includes a nurse practitioner, registered nurse, mental health worker, harm reduction services, and the support of the Shelter Health Network. Good Shepherd plays a key role in addressing social issues faced by many communities, making this helpful service available in Hamilton. Another very valuable outreach program! DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE Caritas Canada is already preparing for their 2024 Share Lent campaign! Production of resources is already underway. The new theme of the Create Hope campaign is Reaping our rights! Partners from Bolivia, Indonesia, Tunisia and Nigeria are working closely with the Development and Peace team to ensure that information is available in a timely way. To assist the process, it is important to order printed resource material by December 6, 2023. A national launch webinar is planned for February 17, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. EST. The Solidarity Sunday collection takes place on March 17, 2024. Contact Development and Peace offices at www.devp.org/lent/resources 512 | VESTNIK 2023 It is hard to believe that Christmas is coming quickly. We would like to share the Christmas tradition of potica for those who may not have the time make it for the season festivities. I will be hosting a potica baking session for those who would like to make their own this year, and there will be an opportunity to order potica ready made to take home and share with family and friends. The details of cost and timing will be shared next week, however, we wanted to let everyone know that this will be available to you. - Heidy Novak, 905-3176002 New Year's is also in the works and planning has begun. In order to make it the best New Year's ever, we will be selling tickets at each Mass for your convenience, or you can contact Heidy to make reservations and you can pay by e-transfer. We have decided to provide the early bird option with tickets selling for only $100 until December 17th. After that, the ticket prices will increase to $120 with no exceptions. We are also very excited to be highlighting Slo Beat playing their first New Year's event ever. They never let us down in the entertainment department, so be sure to secure your tickets and join us as we ring in 2024 here at our parish with family and friends. Wishing you a wonderful Sunday, Heidy Novak on behalf of your parish council. 905-317-6002 Na račun »Eno Srce, Ena Duša« »One Heart, One Soul« ste za našo slovensko župnijo sv. Gregorija Velikega do 17. novembra 2023 pripevali: $186,512.Hvala vsem, ki ste že prispevali. Naš cilj je, da dosežemo vsoto 200.000,- On November 12, 2023, Matthew Guerra received a scholarship of $2,000 from the Slovenian Canadian Scholarship Foundation. He accepted his award at Lipa Park. Matthew is a first year commerce student in the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University. On behalf of the SCSF, we congratulate Matthew. Rosemary Pavlič Teresa Zupančič John Doma Irene Glavac Petrič After 30 years of use, the Villa Slovenia garden was rebuilt with new wood to help the tenants enjoy their gardens with a safer structure. Each garden was measured so they are now all the same size. - Peter N. Zima se bliža, potrebno je bilo pospraviti še zadnje listje, ki je padlo z dreves. Zahvala gre vestnim delavcem Novak Landscaping. VESTNIK 2023 | 513 O BVESTILA - A NNOUNCEMENTS KOLEDAR DOGODKOV MIKLAVŽ - DECEMBER 3RD, 2023 - 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 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 CLEANING OF THE CHURCH CWL - KŽZ - Nov. 26th - Štefka Eržen team - Dec. 10th - Lojzka Novak & team BRALEC - READER Slovenian - Sue Augustin English - Mary Ann Demšar GIFT BEARERS AT SLOVENIAN MASS - Nov. 19th - Danny Fujs & Aranka Dundek - Nov. 26th - Milena Volčanšek & Majda Lukežič 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 social gatherings started and they go from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. 514 | VESTNIK 2023 Katoliška ženska zveza in Slomškovo oltarno društvo Vas vljudno vabita, da se udeležite maše v sredo, 22. novembra ob 19 uri, pri kateri se spomnimo in molimo za naše pokojne članice. Članice KŽZ Vas tudi prosimo, da čimprej poravnate članarino ($35) pri Pameli, ali pa odložite kuverto v cerkveni nabiralnik. Prosimo pa tudi člane župnijske skupnosti, da v tem času podprete bližnje, ki zbirajo hrano, oblačilo in igrače za tiste, ki so v stiski. Hvala lepa. We cordially invite our parish community to a Memorial Mass on November 22nd at 7:00 p.m. when we remember and pray for deceased members of our Catholic Women’s League and Slomšek Altar Society. We also kindly ask CWL members to submit their membership dues ($35) soon to Pamela or place their envelope in the church collection box. At this time of the year we also ask everyone in our parish to support local organizations conducting food, clothing and toy drives for those in need. - Thankyou. Rosemary Šušteršič POKOJNI - DECEASED V soboto, 18. novembra 2023, je odšel k Bogu po večno plačilo naš faran Frank Gimpelj. Pokojni bo ležal v Smith's Funeral Home (Stoney Creek). Visitation on Wednesday, November 22nd 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Prayers at 3:00 p.m. Funeral Mass on Thursday, November 23rd, 11:00 a.m. at St. Gregory the Great Church. Cremation to follow. Iskreno sožalje ženi in otrokom, sestrama z družinama in mami Elizabeth in vsem sorodnikom. Pokojnemu Franku pa večni mir in pokoj. Svete maše - Masses 33. NEDELJA MED LETOM 19. NOVEMBER Matilda, redovnica DON BOSCO †† †† †† † † †† †† V soboto, 18. novembra 2023, je odšel k Bogu po večno plačilo tudi naš faran Matija Škerl. Rojen 13. maja 1933. Pokojni bo ležal v Donald V. Brown Funeral Home na 36 Lake Ave, Stoney Creek. Visitation on Thursday, November 23rd, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Prayers at 3:30 p.m. Funeral Mass on Friday, November 24th , 10:00 a.m. at St. Gregory the Great Church. Iskreno sožalje ženi Angeli, družini in sorodnikom. Pokojni Matija pa naj uživa večni mir in pokoj. V tem tednu so naslednje obletnice smrti faranov, ki so zapisani v naših knjigah: Vučko Štefan November 21, 2004 Marinko Vincenc November 21, 2013 Mlinarič Stephen November 23, 1982 Jeraj Ljudmila November 23, 1998 Tonaj Katarina November 24, 1973 Kanc Stane November 24, 2010 Slana Zvone-Tony November 24, 2020 Drvarič Sidonia November 25, 2014 Za žive in rajne župljane Za zdravje Bogu in Materi Božji v zahvalo Pok. starši Ceklin Ignac in Olga Prša Paula in Rudy Levstek Rudi Hanc, obl. Štefan Hozjan (Welland) Pok. iz družine Pavlakovič Pok. Iz družine Rev 9:30 A.M. - - - - - - Anica Saje z družino Ivan in Jožica Vegelj Hči Amalija Svoljšak z družino Milena Volčanšek 11:00 A.M. Levstek in McLean Families Olga Hanc z družino Vera Lackovič z družino Družina Pavlakovič Družina Pavlakovič 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 | 515 SVETE MAŠE - MASSES PONEDELJEK - MONDAY Bogu v zahvalo 20. NOVEMBER †† Za pokojne prijatelje Edmund, kr. TOREK - TUESDAY 21. NOVEMBER †† Anton Vengar & Tilka Vengar Bogu v zahvalo Darovanje Device Marije 7:00 P.M. Dragica Đondraš Jožica Novak z družino 7:00 P.M. Rose Marije & Tony Vengar z druž. Rose Marie Vengar z družino SREDA - WEDNESDAY 22. NOVEMBER †† Pokojni iz družine Frumen 7:00 P.M. Vera z družino †† Rozina in Štefan Vučko Družina Vučko Memorial Mass for CWL & SOD deceased members ČETRTEK - THURSDAY 23. NOVEMBER † Frank Gimpelj † Ana Doma † Ana doma Cecilija, dev.-muč. Klemen I., pp.-mučenec 11:00 A.M. Pogrebna maša 7:00 P.M. Agata in Alojz Sarjaš Marija Korošec z družino PETEK - FRIDAY 24. NOVEMBER † Matija Škerl 10:00 A.M. Pogrebna maša Bogu in Materi Božji v zahvalo 7:00 P.M. Jožica Vegelj z družino Andrej Dung in vietnamski †† Za pokojne članice Slomškovo Oltarno društvo mučenci † †† † † †† †† †† † † † Franc Štadler 5:30 P.M. Pok iz družine Prša Debra Siricka Florian Miklavčič Dana & Lui Kopač Elizabeta & Štefan Kramar, obl. Robert in Štefan Kramar Ante Čule Ana Doma Ivan Zelko Žena Amalija z družino Marija Hočevar Marija Košir Žena Anica z družino Anica Miklavčič z družino Angela Antolin z družino Angela Antolin z družino Ivan in Angela Antolin z družino Kathy Simončič Kathy Simončič † 34. NEDELJA † †† MED LETOM †† KRISTUS KRALJ † 26. NOVEMBER †† Valerijan Oglejski, šk. †† Our Lord Jesus Christ, †† King of the Universe †† †† † Za žive in rajne župljane 9:30 A.M. Julijana Sagadin Ann Božnar Pok. starši Svoljšak Štefan Mlinarič, obl. In družina Jože Zadravec Pok. bratje in sestra Pok. iz družine Sarjaš Pokojni iz družine Kolarič Paula in Rudy Levstek 11:00 A.M. Pavel in Paul Richard Novak Joe Lackovič ------Marija Volf John Božnar z družino Družina Svoljšak Matilda Prša Francka in Štefan Antolin Ljudmila in Franc Zadravec Ignac in Terezija Sarjaš z družino Terezija in Ignac Sarjaš z družino Levstek & McLean Families Helen Špiler Žena Vera z družino SOBOTA - SATURDAY 25. NOVEMBER Katarina Sinajska, dev.mučenka Mansuet, šk.-mučenec 516 | VESTNIK 2023