SLOVENSKA ŽUPNIJA SV. GREGORIJA VELIKEGA | ST. GREGORY THE GREAT SLOVENIAN CHURCH 47/60 Številka - Number / Leto - Year 24.11. 2024 34. NEDELJA MED LETOM KRISTUS KRALJ 34TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE 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 289-339-6900 E-MAIL hallrental@ stgregoryhamilton.ca Na zadnjo nedeljo bogoslužnega leta nas Cerkev vabi k praznovanju Kristusa, Kralja vesoljstva. Konec zgodovine bo dokončno in večno Kristusovo kraljevanje. V začetku je bil pri Očetu, ko je bil ustvarjen svet, in bo tudi na koncu, da bo sodil vse ljudi. Današnja branja nam govorijo o tem kraljestvu. V prvem berilu je prerokba Daniela, ki v nočnem videnju zre nekoga, podobnega sinu človekovemu, ki od Boga dobi vso oblast. Drugo je trditev iz Razodetja, ki priznava Kristusa za Kralja, ki nam posreduje svojo kraljevsko oblast. Evangelij je odlomek trpljenja po Janezu, v katerem Jezus z občudovanja vrednim dostojanstvom razglaša, da je kralj, vendar ne politični. V evangeliju spremljamo Jezusa v ponižujočem položaju - položaju obtoženca - pred rimsko oblastjo. Prijeli so ga, ga zvezali, žalili, obtožili in sedaj sovražniki upajo, da bodo dosegli obsodbo na križ. Pilatu so ga predstavili kot nekoga, ki teži po politični oblasti, kot samozvanega judovskega kralja. V človeški zgodovini se pogosto ponavlja, da so velikodušni ljudje, ki si prizadevajo za dobro drugih, pogosto deležni kritik in obtožb; preprečili jih hočejo delovanje, ki moti mogočne, bogate in tiste, ki hočejo obdržati svoje privilegije. Jezus da Pilatu jasen odgovor: »Moje kraljestvo ni od tega sveta. Ko bi bilo moje kraljestvo od tega sveta, bi se moji služabniki bojevali, da ne bi bil izročen Judom, toda moje kraljestvo ni od tod.« Že po pomnožitvi kruha so ga ljudje, navdušeni zaradi čudeža, hoteli postaviti za kralja, da bi vrgli rimsko oblast v Palestini in tako vzpostavili novo politično kraljestvo, ki bi veljalo za božje kraljestvo. Jezus pa je vedel, da je to čisto drugačne vrste. Ne more sloneti na orožju in nasilju. Zato se je sam umaknil na goro, da bi molil. Ljudi je razočaral. VESTNIK 2024 | V pripovedi o trpljenju vidimo, da so imeli tudi učenci politične ideje in so mislili na Jezusovo kraljestvo na zemlji, ki bi bilo vzpostavljeno z oboroženim bojem. V Getsemaniju je Peter potegnil meč in začel boj, toda Jezus ga je ustavil. Ni hotel, da bi ga branili z orožjem, ampak je hotel izpolniti Očetovo voljo in njegovo kraljestvo vzpostaviti ne z orožjem, ampak z največjo velikodušnostjo, z daritvijo življenja. Pilat, presenečen nad Jezusovo besedo, sklene: »Torej si ti vendarle kralj!« Drugačne vrste kralj, a vendarle kralj. Jezus pritrdi: »Ti praviš, da sem kralj.« Jezus je prišel, da bi to oblast dobil tako, da bi pričal za resnico: »Jaz sem zato rojen in sem prišel na svet zato, da pričujem za resnico.« Očitno se tu sklicuje na božjo resnico, ki je razodetje ljubezni. Resnica, razodeta v Novi zavezi, je, da je Bog ljubezen in hoče v svetu vzpostaviti kraljestvo ljubezni. Seveda hoče Bog v svetu vzpostaviti kraljestvo pravičnosti in svetosti, toda predvsem kraljestvo ljubezni. Kdor je odprt za ljubezen in Jezusovo pričevanje lahko vstopi v božje kraljestvo. V ponižujočem položaju pred Pilatom Jezus kaže svojo slavo, ki je v lju-bezni do skrajnosti, ko da svoje življenje za ljubljene osebe. To je razodetje Jezusovega kraljestva. V prvem berilu prerok Daniel napoveduje oblast nekoga, ki je podoben sinu človekovemu. Njemu je bila dana oblast, čast in kraljestvo, in vsa ljudstva, narodi in jeziki so mu služili. Njegova oblast je večna oblast in njegovo kraljestvo je neuničljivo.« V drugem berilu avtor Razodetja trdi, da smo tudi mi deležni Kristusove oblasti. V vzkliku, ki je namenjen »njemu, ki nas ljubi in nas je s svojo krvjo osvobodil naših grehov«, izjavlja, da je »napravil iz nas kraljestvo in duhovnike za svojega Boga in Očeta«. Jezus nam daje milost spreobrnjenja, ki je pogoj za vzpostavitev njegovega kraljestva. Na koncu razglasi: »Jaz sem Alfa in Omega, on, ki je, ki je bil in ki pride, Vladar vsega!« Jezus, Božji Sin, istega bistva z Očetom, je tisti, ki je, ki je bil in ki bo prišel, da vzpostavi svoje kraljestvo resnice in življenja, svetosti in milosti, pravičnosti in miru. (prim. Oznanjevalec 2003, št. 4) 518 | VESTNIK 2024 34TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Response: The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty. First Reading: Daniel 7:13-14 The kingdom of heaven is eternal and can never be destroyed. Second Reading: Apocalypse 1:5-8 Jesus, the beginning and end of all things, welcomes us into his kingdom, excluding nobody from his love. Gospel: John 18:33-37 Jesus’ kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. It is everlasting and founded on truth. “Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Illustration If we were to play a game of word association, and we chose the word “king”, it’s likely we’d come up with related words such as “privilege”, “wealth”, “palaces”, “status”, “monarch”, “sovereign”, “power”, and so on. Kings, queens, and members of royal families enjoy lifestyles we can only imagine, and they’re shown a deference few other members of society are afforded. Kings and queens, then, aren’t thought to be like most human beings – if they were, they’d appear “ordinary” and would lose that certain mystery and “otherness” required to maintain their position. It’d seem very odd to bump into a king buying his morning newspaper in the local newsagent’s, or to find yourself having your hair done in the same hairdresser’s as a queen! Royalty, its trappings and status mean “not being like everyone else” in order to enjoy the privilege and prestige that goes with being a monarch. Gospel Teaching This image of what it is be a king, to be “royal”, couldn't be in starker contrast to the man mockingly called “the King of the Jews” in today's Gospel: Jesus Christ. How could it be that a king spent his life wandering from town to town, with nowhere to lay his head, never mind owning a palace; who wasn't respected by political and religious leaders, but was despised by them; who, instead of being a pillar of the establishment, upset the establishment so much they had him crucified between two thieves? When we read about how Jesus lived and died it's as far removed as we can get from our idea of monarchy and yet the Church today celebrates the solemnity of “Christ the King”. Christ is King, not because he's been invested as such by human beings, but by God. Christ is sovereign of the universe because he's the image, or manifestation, of God, and he created all things; he holds all things together: without him the Universe wouldn't function. He's supreme over all things; the first to rise from the dead; who reconciled the world and us to God; the head of his Body, the Church. Jesus' reign isn't over a country, or even a continent, but over the whole Universe, because he created it. This has implications for how we treat the world, and in the future, how we treat space. The world, indeed, the Universe, belongs to God. It isn't ours to do what we like with it. We must, instead, treat it with the respect it deserves as God’s creation, not exploiting it for commercial gain, but sharing its resources for the benefit of all. In today's Gospel, Jesus is mercilessly mocked as “King of the Jews”, a title given to Jesus by Pontius Pilate as a way of poking fun at the Jewish leaders. The irony is that not only is he king of the Jews, but king, or Lord, of all creation. Jesus' idea of kingship and kingdoms subverts our conventional under- standing of these terms: his understanding of them has nothing to do with power – he spent his life avoiding that. It's not about being superior or having immense wealth but, rather, about being of service to our neighbour, putting him or her first whenever necessary. Jesus’ kingdom doesn't consist of vast swathes of countryside whilst being a kingdom where justice and peace reign. It's a kingdom for the oppressed, the underprivileged, those without power. Application So, Jesus is our king, but we're more than subjects. We're his brothers and sisters, members of a Royal Family: God's family. To see others who are less wealthy, or less privileged, or have a different accent or skin colour from us as being royal, with all the dignity that term implies, means we can't look down on them, because in God's kingdom we all have equal value and worth. Whether we’re poor or rich, able-bodied or have a disability, old or young, black or white, God loves us equally. Over the centuries, history has seen many monarchies, many kings and queens, come and go: their reigns came to an end. Today we celebrate Christ as Universal King, a king whose reign won't end. Above all, Christ wants to reign in our hearts, and if we let him do so, the world can indeed be transformed into a kingdom of justice, peace and harmony. Today we acknowledge that our God, in Christ, does indeed reign supreme! VESTNIK 2024 | 519 520 | VESTNIK 2024 VESTNIK 2024 | 521 522 | VESTNIK 2024 VESTNIK 2024 | 523 524 | VESTNIK 2024 VESTNIK 2024 | 525 tive communications strategy for the diocese. PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS A. DIOCESAN LEVEL ) That the bishop(s) seek ways to hear the ' voice of the clergy and the people of God and to have a greater presence and availability. ) That the bishop(s) communicate greater transparency and, whenever possible, to be able to explain the reasons behind his decisions. ) That the role of Deans, the College of Consultors, and the Presbyteral Council be reexamined and better utilized in order to be more active in knowing the needs and concerns of those in their deanery, and feel freer to bring them to the bishop. ) That the diocese consider the formation of a Diocesan Pastoral Council, which would include clergy and laity from across the diocese. ) That the chancery office, produce updated guidelines for Finance and Parish Councils. ) That the Diocesan Pastoral Offices provide resources to support the current needs of the parishes and parishioners. ) That the diocese organize an annual synodal gathering, with the bishop(s) and parish representatives to discern and discuss the needs and direction of the diocese. ) That the chancery office develop an effec526 | VESTNIK 2024 ) That a new section in the annual Spiritual and Financial Report be developed to indicate how parishes are implementing these recommendations. )That the diocese commit to ongoing discussion and consultation with education leaders to strengthen and renew collaborative relationships between parishes and education institutions. )That the diocese promote the involvement of clergy and lay pastoral ministers in schools under their spiritual care. )That the diocese promote the awareness of the Religious Education and Family Life programs used in our Catholic schools are developed by the Institution of Catholic Education and approved by the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario. )That the diocese entrust the ongoing work of Synodality to a body to ensure this good work continues and grows. TORKOV VEČER V torek, 19. novembra 2024, se je pri sv. Jožefu zopet praznovalo, ne sicer tako na veliko, kot lansko leto, smo pa vseeno obeležili rojstni dan Franka Novaka. Večer pa se je odvijal sicer kot običajno. Vsaka skupina ima svojo mizo in svoje igre. VESTNIK 2024 | 527 We honoured our deceased members of the Catholic Women's League and Slomškovo oltarno društvo at our annual Memorial Mass which was held, Wednesday November 20th. We wish to thank all those in attendance, the English choir, and readers who all contributed to making this mass a heartfelt experience of remembrance. We offer gratitude to the ladies that brought baking and made čaj, that we were all able to share after mass. Our parish is one of faithful, caring, kind and generous hearts. On next meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 4th following 7:00 p.m. mass. Our theme will be the Advent Wreath. We welcome and encourage members and ladies of our parish to join us. Sidonia Poppa 528 | VESTNIK 2024 KRST - BAPTISM V nedeljo, 17. novembra 2024 je sveti krst prejel Banjamin Robert Sadler. Oče dečka je Jeremiah Steven Sadler, mati pa Dannika Christina, rojena Petek. Iskrene čestitke staršema ob krstu prvega otroka. Naj ju spremlja božji blagoslov in priprošnja nebeške matere Marije. VESTNIK 2024 | 529 O BVESTILA - A NNOUNCEMENTS KOLEDAR DOGODKOV 1st - Dec. - Slovenska šola - Miklavž - Mass at 10:00 a.m. - Dec. 7th - Lipa Park - Tree Decorating - Dec. 8th - Bled - Family Christmas Party - Dec. 8th - Lipa Park - Santa Claus & Festive luncheon - Dec. 15th - Sava - Mass at 1:30 p.m. - Dec. 15th - Slovenski Park - Members Christmas Party - Dec. 22nd - London - Mass at 3:00 p.m. - Dec. 26th - Lipa Park - St. Stephen’s Day Mass at 2:00 p.m. - Dec. 31st - St. Gregory - New Year’s Eve - Jan. 1st - Lipa Park - New Year’s Day Luncheon BRALCI - READERS: Slov. Mass: Sue Augustin (9:30 a.m.) Eng. Mass: Sidonia Poppa (11:00 a.m.) ČIŠČENJE - CLEANING Dec. 7th - Lukežič - Volčanšek team GIFT BEARERS - Stanko in Elizabeth Petek CHEQUES - INFORMATION When you write cheque for your donation to our church you only have to write: St. Gregory the Great. Under this name we are registered at the banks and they don like too see nothing else. DAROVI - DONATIONS Ob smrti Anice Saje je Katoliška ženska zveza-CWL darovala $75.- za potrebe cerkve. Hvala za vaš dar. 530 | VESTNIK 2024 60TH ANNIVERSARY RAFFLE TICKETS With some tickets left to sell - we are hoping to be able to keep tickets available to our community only. You can purchase tickets by calling Heidy at 905317-6002 to make arrangements for payment and pick up. Or if you prefer the online option and paying by e-transfer, please email stgregoryhamilton@gmail.com The draw for the $6,000 travel voucher and more will be held at our New Year's Celebration on January 1st, 2025 at 12:30am. We thank you in advance for supporting our parish as we continue to celebrate our 60th anniversary year. NEW YEAR’S 2025 We all know that it took vision, commitment, sacrifice and many hands to build our parish. It has and continues to take individuals with determination, faith and hope to keep our parish strong and thriving. Our 60th Diamond Jubilee New Year's event is being organized to celebrate all these people. For this reason, this year's New Year's Tickets will only cost $60 per person. When you come to ring in the New Year with us, you will receive a complimentary welcome drink, dinner, a dessert buffet along with a late night table. You will be entertained by "Slo Beat" and after we ring in the new year Raffle Tickets will be drawn for the $6,000 travel voucher and more. For $60, you really can't go wrong - so spread the word, bring your family and friends and join us as we countdown to 2025. Tickets are available for sale now and tables can be reserved upon ticket purchases. Call Heidy at 905-317-6002 or send an email to novakhsn@gmail.com and start planning for a fun night out as we celebrate not only 60 years of our parish, but also the bonds of friendships we have made because of our parish. See you December 31st, 2024 at our New Year's celebration. Heidy Novak POKOJNI - DECEASED V petek, 15. novembra je Bog poklical k sebi našo faranko Anico Saje. Pokojna je bila stara 74 let. Slovo od pokojne je bilo v četrtek, 21. novembra v St. Catharines - Garden City Funeral and Cremeations, pogrebna maša pa je bila v St. Mary's Church v petek 22. novembra. Iskreno sožalje vsem domačim, pokojni Anici pa večni mir in pokoj. V tem tednu so naslednje obletnice smrti faranov, ki so zapisani v naših knjigah: Drvarič Mesiček Dim Hočevar Tacalsky Farkaš Sidonia Franc Ivan Ivan Janez Elvira Lucia Elizabeth November 25, 2014 November 27, 2005 November 27, 2013 November 30, 2012 November 30, 2021 December 1, 2006 This year, in order to raise money for the Children’s Liturgy of the Word program, we are selling Advent Candles and Advent wreaths. The Advent wreath is a long practiced Catholic tradition to mark the weeks toward our Saviour’s birth, as well as a special reminder in our homes about the true meaning of Christmas. If you or your family do not have an Advent wreath or you would just like to update your current one, please help support our program by purchasing the candles and/or wreaths. Svete maše - Masses 34. NEDELJA MED † † LETOM † 24. NOVEMBER † †† RD 34 SUNDAY †† IN ORDINARY TIME † † Kristus Kralj † Christ the King †† † DON BOSCO Za žive in rajne župljane Albina Baznik Ann Božnar Jozefa Mali Frank Gimpelj Franc in Sidonija Drvarič Pok. iz družine Sarjaš Anica Saje Florijan Miklavčič Marija Horvat (Cayuga) Pavel in Paul Richard Novak Joe Lackovič ADVENT CANDLES $12.00 (tax included) ADVENT WREATH) $35.00 (tax included) ADVENT WREATH SET $47.00 (tax included) 9:30 A.M. - - - - - - Mož z družino John Božnar z družino Andreas Curkovič z družino Joe Gimpelj Aranka Dundek Ignac z družino Josie Hapke in družina 11:00 A.M. Brat Slavko Miklavčič Vera Lackovič z družino Helen Špiler Žena Vera z družino 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 2024 | 531 SVETE MAŠE - MASSES PONEDELJEK - MONDAY †† Pok. Iz druž. Tortis & Valeri 25. NOVEMBER †† All sous in purgatory Katarina Sinajska, dev.-m. TOREK - TUESDAY 26. NOVEMBER Valerijan Oglejski, šk. †† Pok. prijatelji † Nikolaj Pona SREDA - WEDNESDAY 27. NOVEMBER V dober namen Anica in Frank Saje Virgil in Modest, škofa ČETRTEK - THURSDAY 28. NOVEMBER † Rozalija Godina 7:00 P.M. Irma & Rocco Valeri Irma & Rocco Valeri 7:00 P.M. Jožica Novak z družino H. K. 7:00 P.M. Nadja Madronič Angela Kobe z družino 7:00 P.M. Ignac in Terezija Sarjaš Katarina Labouré, red. PETEK - FRIDAY 29. NOVEMBER Za verne duše v vicah 7:00 P.M. Jožica Novak z družino Stanko Kuzma Janez Hočevar, obl. Cecilija in Matija Smodiš Za duše v vicah Janez Zakrajšek Monika Gašpar Stanko Bratuž 5:30 P.M. Sestra Jožica Vlašič z družino Marija Hočevar Regina in Martin Nedelko Marija Košir Mia Goodfellow and family Družina Gašpar Žena Matilda Saturin, mučenec SOBOTA - SATURDAY 30. NOVEMBER Andrej, apostol Mirokles, škof † † †† †† † † † 1. ADVENTNA NEDELJA Za žive in rajne župljane 1. DECEMBER †† Francka in Ivanka ST 1 SUNDAY † Štefan Dundek OF ADVENT † Martin Tompa Nedelja Karitas † Joe Tompa 10:00 A.M. - - - - - - Sestra Jožica Novak Aranka Dundek Agnes Doma Dragica Tompa Miklavž bo obiskal našo skupnost v nedeljo, 1. decembra po deseti maši v naši dvorani! Vabljeni 532 | VESTNIK 2024