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

20/61

Številka - Number / Leto - Year

18. 5. 2025
5. VELIKONOČNA
NEDELJA

5TH SUNDAY
OF EASTER

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
GREGORIJ.VELIKI125@GMAIL.COM
HALL RENTALS
289-339-6900
E-MAIL: HALLRENTAL@
STGREGORYHAMILTON.CA

URESNIČEVANJE LJUBEZNI
Evangelij današnje nedelje je kratek, a pomenljiv. Spominja nas, da
se je poveličanje rodilo iz trpljenja. V velikonočni skrivnosti sta trpljenje
in poveličanje tesno povezana med seboj: »Zdaj je Sin človekov
poveličan in Bog je poveličan v njem.« Jezus to izjavi v trenutku, ko Juda
odide iz dvorane zadnje večerje. Ta trenutek je torej začetek Jezusovega
poveličanja. Janez ne pravi, da je bil Jezus poveličan šele po trpljenju,
ampak kaže, da se je njegovo poveličanje začelo prav s trpljenjem. V
njem Jezus kaže svojo slavo, ki je slava velikodušne ljubezni.
Božja slava je slava ljubezni. On je ljubil Očeta, ko je s popolno velikodušnostjo izpolnil njegovo voljo; ljubil je nas, tako da je dal svoje življenje za nas. Tako je poveličan že v svojem trpljenju in Bog je poveličan v
njem. Vendar je trpljenje samo začetek. Zato Jezus pravi, da bo njegovo
poveličanje prihodnje: »Če je Bog poveličan v njem, ga bo tudi Bog
poveličal v sebi; in poveličal ga bo takoj.«
Jezus svojim učencem naznani svoj odhod nato jim da zapoved:
»Novo zapoved vam dam, da se ljubite med seboj. Kakor sem vas jaz
ljubil, tako se tudi vi ljubite med seboj.« Če se ljubimo med seboj, je
Jezus še naprej navzoč med nami, in to na zelo konkreten način.
Jezusova navzočnost na svetu je mnogovrstna: v besedi, v evharistiji, pa
tudi v ljubezni, ki združuje kristjane, če jo uresničujejo s poslušnostjo
njegovi milosti.
Vprašamo se v čem je zapoved nova? Zapoved ljubezni, ki je obstajala že v Stari zavezi, je postala nova, ker ji je Jezus dal zelo pomemben
dodatek: »Ljubite se med seboj, kakor sem vas jaz ljubil.« Novo je prav
to; ljubiti, kakor me je Jezus ljubil.
V Stari zavezi ni bilo takšnega zgleda ljubezni. Stara zaveza namreč
ni predstavila nobenega zgleda ljubezni, ampak je zgolj oblikovala zapoved ljubezni. Jezus pa nam je samega sebe dal za zgled ljubezni.
Gre za brezmejno velikodušno in univerzalno ljubezen. Nikoli ni bil
noben položaj tako nasproten ljubezni kakor tisti, v katerem se je znašel
Jezus v svojem trpljenju: vsi so ga zavrnili, zasmehovali, obsodili, usmrtili. In vendar ga je spremenil v priložnost za največjo ljubezen.

Ko nam daje novo zapoved, zahteva, naj sledimo
njegovemu zgledu. Seveda tega nismo sposobni s svojimi močmi, zato nam je Gospod sam obljubil, da bo
navzoč v našem srcu in nas bo usposobil za to nadvse
velikodušno ljubezen, ki premega vse ovire. Ljubiti
druge tako, kakor jih je ljubil Jezus, je mogoče samo s
silo tiste ljubezni, ki nam jo posreduje evharistija. Ko
sprejmemo Kristusa v srce, sprejmemo njegovo srce,
polno najbolj velikodušne ljubezni, ki gre do popolnega
darovanja samega sebe.
Jezus sklene: »Po tem bodo vsi spoznali, da ste moji
učenci, če boste imeli med seboj ljubezen.« Znamenje
kristjana je bratska ljubezen, živeta po Jezusovem
zgledu, po njegovi milosti.
V prvih stoletjih so pogani občudovali obnašanje
kristjanov. Videli so, da je med njimi zelo močna, velikodušna bratska ljubezen: »Poglejte, kako se ljubijo.«
Če bomo tako živeli, bomo imeli Jezusovo veselje. On
je vedno hotel, da bi se “nalezli” njegovega veselja.
Velika skrivnost, kako imeti njegovo veselje v sebi, je,
pustiti, da njegova milost deluje v nas, da premaga vse
ovire in jih spremeni v priložnost za napredek ljubezni.
Pavel in Barnaba končujeta prvo apostolsko potovanje po Mali Aziji in ko se vračata v mesta, ki sta jih že
obiskala, opogumljata učence in jih spodbujata, naj
ostanejo trdni v veri, saj je treba, kakor pravita, »skozi
veliko stisk ... da pridemo v Božje kraljestvo.«
In ko se vrneta v Antiohijo, skupnosti poročata, »kaj
vse je Bog storil po njiju in kako je poganom odprl vrata
vere«. Vse to je sad Jezusovega vstajenja. Bog je po
apostolih uresničil velike reči. Predvsem je pokazal
veliko moč Kristusove ljubezni, ko je poganom odprl
vrata vere.
Drugo berilo nam kaže končni izid Jezusovega vstajenja, ki je »sveto mesto, novi Jeruzalem, ko je prihajal
z neba od Boga, pripravljen kakor nevesta, ki se je
ozaljšala za svojega ženina«. Predmet našega upanja
je, da bi bili vsi združeni v Kristusovi ljubezni, v medsebojni ljubezni, v Kristusovo in Božjo slavo. Odlomek iz
Razodetja se konča s trditvijo: »Tisti, ki je sedel na
prestolu, pa je rekel: 'Glej, vse delam novo!'«
Prva zares nova stvar, ki jo je naredil Bog, je bilo
Jezusovo vstajenje, njegovo nebeško poveličanje.
Vstajenje je začetek cele vrste novih stvari, katerih
smo deležni tudi mi.
(Prim. Oznanjevalec 2010)
246 - V������ 2025

5TH SUNDAY OF EASTER
FIRST READING: Acts 14.21b-27

Paul and Barnabas give encouragement and
hope to the fledgling churches of Asia Minor
and Greece and tell them of the marvellous
success of the spread of the Gospel.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM 145

I will bless your name for ever, my King and
my God.

SECOND READING: Rev. 21.1-5a

God is creating a new heaven and a new
earth where there will be only love, joy and
peace.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: John 13.34

Alleluia - I give you a new commandment: *
love one another just as I have loved you. Alleluia.

GOSPEL: John 13.1, 31-33a, 34-35

“Love one another just as I have loved you.”

Illustration
In the prison camp of Auschwitz One, there
is the cell of St Maximilian Kolbe where he was
imprisoned and ultimately murdered by lethal
injection. The story is well known. In July 1941,
when three prisoners appeared to have
escaped from the camp, the Deputy
Commander of Auschwitz ordered ten men to
be chosen to be starved to death in an
underground bunker.
When one of the selected men, Franciszek
Gajowniczek, heard he was selected, he cried
out, “My wife! My children!” At this point, Kolbe
volunteered to take his place.
Gajowniczek later said: “I could only thank
him with my eyes. I was stunned and could
hardly grasp what was going on. The
immensity of it: I, the condemned, am to live
and someone else willingly and voluntarily
offers his life for me – a stranger. Is this some
dream?”

St Maximilian Kolbe survived the starvation and
kept faith through prayer and hymn-singing. When
all his fellow prisoners had died, he remained alive.
As the Nazis wanted the cell for other men, they
killed him by lethal injection. As St John Paul said,
“Maximilian did not die but gave his life… for his
brother.”
He was cremated on 15 August 1941, the feast
of the Assumption. In the darkness of that place, a
candle in his cell can burn brightly with hope.

Gospel teaching
Before his death, at the Last Supper, Jesus
washed his disciples’ feet and taught them about the
new commandment of love. He pointed them towards
his sacrifice on the cross when he would pour out his
life so that all people might be saved. To love unto
death is the greatest act of love possible. In St John’s
Gospel the death of Jesus on the cross is not a failure
but a triumph of love; a triumph through which he is
glorified.
St Maximilian reveals such love in Auschwitz.
Franciszek, who was saved, wondered if he was
seeing a vision. He could not believe his eyes. His testimony and that of the martyrs, women and men
through the ages, bear witness to the power of the
commandment of love. All the great and little acts of
love swell up into a great tidal wave which brings joy
to countless people each day. If only all these acts
of love could be counted! Only God sees the full picture of all the joy and grateful thanks. I can imagine
God chuckling with delight.
This promise of the triumph of love gives hope to
live another day and hope for the future. Love creates
an eschatological hope, a hope for the future and the
promise of eternal life, which is only fulfilled at the
end of time. The second reading describes the fulfilment of this hope at the end of time in a beautiful image
of marriage. The new Jerusalem, the new city of God,
is likened to a bride coming to meet her groom who
is Christ. Love abounds. At the end of time, we shall
live eternally in a new life with a resurrected body
with God and know love, joy and delight. There will
be no more grief, no sadness, no mourning or death.
This will pass away into oblivion. Only the joy of seeing

the love between the bride and groom will endure.
The testimony of love gives heart to us and to all
the disciples of Christ in the Church. It inspires us
onwards to keep running the race to the finish. We are
also encouraged to be faithful in the call to love. When
Paul and Barnabas tell others of the power of love, it
gives new heart to the disciples and attracts new ones
to follow Christ. They visit the Greek towns of Pisidia,
Pamphylia and Perga. The names of these towns begin
with a capital letter (pi) in the Greek alphabet. It looks
like a gateway; two pillars and a crossbar. We can
imagine the apostles taking the Gospel message
through the gates into the cities and bringing this joyful news to others.

Application
The hope of eternal life gives us courage to be
faithful and keep loving, even when it costs dearly.
There is no situation which is hopeless. There is no
love which will not be rewarded. No action is too
small to have eternal significance. If we viewed life
in this way, then we would rejoice and be glad. This
joy will attract others to Christ. Joy is always
powerfully attractive and infectious.

Pope Leo XIV's motto and coat of arms
Pope Leo XIV's coat of arms
offers a clear reflection of his
Augustinian roots. The shield is
divided diagonally into two
sections. The upper half features a
blue background with a white lily.
The lower half of the shield has
a light background and displays an
image that recalls the Order of Saint Augustine: a
closed book with a heart pierced by an arrow. This is
a direct reference to the conversion experience of
Saint Augustine himself, who described his personal
encounter with God’s Word using the phrase:
“Vulnerasti cor meum verbo tuo”
“You have pierced my heart with your Word.”
The motto: Pope Leo XIV has also chosen a motto
that reflects this Augustinian tradition: “In Illo uno
unum”, which means “In the One, we are one.” The
phrase is taken from Saint Augustine’s Exposition on
Psalm 127, where he explains that “although we
Christians are many, in the one Christ we are one.”
V������ 2025 - 247

250 - V������ 2025

V������ 2025 - 251

Invitation
To a

Celebration of Slovenia’s Independence Day
With Keynote Speaker
H.E. Andrej Gregor Rode
veleposlanik Slovenije v Kanadi
Ambassador of Slovenia to Canada
Friday, June 6, 2025
7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
St. Gregory the Great (Slovenian) Church
125 Centennial Pkwy N,
Hamilton, ON L8E 3n6

Music by Ansambel Šibaj
Light Refreshments
Special Guests
Hosted by:

Slovenian Embassy in Ottawa
Canadian Slovenian Chamber of Commerce
*Please kindly RSVP by Friday, May 30, 2025:

https://forms.gle/5fnpmvS32xP486ig7

252 - V������ 2025

Slovenska Šola would like to thank
everyone who came to our Mother’s Day Lunch
and Concert on May 12th. We had a nice
gathering of about 100 people which made our
event a success! The students participated
during Mass by singing 3 songs.
A delicious meal was served at noon after
Father Drago’s blessing. A huge thank you to
Nancy Dundek and Kasia Brod for making a
delicious lunch for everyone. Thank you to the
servers: Alyssa Taylor, Triston Taylor, Jenny
Taylor, and Patryk Brod. Thank you also to Peter
Novak for setting up the bar and to Jeff Mills for
serving in the bar. Thank you also to all the
parents who came and volunteered their time
to help set up the hall so that the teachers
were free to focus our attention on the dress
rehearsal with the students.
After lunch, we celebrated our mothers and
grandmothers with a concert by the students
of Slovenska Šola. They entertained us all with
the many songs they have learned with Father
Drago, including “Ta Traktor je Moj!” and
“Zebra!”. The students put in a lot of hard work
over the school year to prepare for this concert
and they did a great job! We also had the
pleasure of having Lily Tran play the piano for
and did so beautifully.
A huge thank you to Father Drago who gives
up his time each Saturday to having singing
with the kids, and always helping whenever
and wherever needed. Šola would not be the
same without him and we thank God for
bringing Father Drago to us.
We look forward to seeing everyone at
Mother’s Day next year!
Hvala! - Sandy Ferletič
More pitures in the next Vestnik.
V������ 2025 - 253

OBVESTILA - ANNOUNCEMENTS
KOLEDAR DOGODKOV

SLOVENSKI DAN 2025

- May 18th - Slovenski Park - Victoria Day Long
Weekend - Mass with procession: 1:00 PM
- May 19th - Lipa Park - Open House Picnic,
Niagara Folk Arts Festival
- May 24th - Bled SCC -Park Clean up Day
- May 25th - St. Gregory the Great - First
Communion - Mass at 10:00 AM
- May 31st - Slovenski Park - Golf Tournament
- June 1st - London - Mass with procession 3 PM.
- June 15th - Bled SCC - Father’s Day Picnic Mass at 1:00 PM.
- June 22nd - St. Gregory the Great - SLOVENSKI
DAN - Mass at 10:00 AM.

Our Parish is proud to be hosting the 34th
Slovenski Dan in the Niagara Region celebrating
the independence of Slovenia and how proud we
are to be Canadian Slovenians.
Being Slovenian we all have a story:
- how Slovenians left their country to make a
new home
- why Slovenians chose to make a new home in
Canada
- what it took to create our Slovenian
communities in this great country of ours
- how being Slovenain impacted our lives being
raised by first, second, third generation
Slovenians
- our participation in Slovenian events and the
precious friendships made along the way
- our social experiences with Slovenian family
and friends
- the fun had by those who participated in the
folklore groups in our communities
- the polkas, the songs and of course our
favourite foods.
Being Slovenian impacts our lives in so many
ways and being a proud Slovenian is certainly
something that deserves to be celebrated.
We invite everyone who has a connection to
the Slovenian community to come out and not
only celebrate, but take pride in being connected
to this great community beit through family,
friendships, clubs or our faith.
We look forward to hosting a great
Slovenski Dan event.
To put on a great Slovenski Dan event we will
need many volunteers!
We've already had members of our
community come forward and offer a helping
hand, but we can always use more. We will need
help before hand as well as on the day of.
Please contact Heidy Novak 905-317-6002 if
you are able to help out.

BRALCI - READERS:
- Slov: Terezija Sarjaš
- Engl: Rita Bartula

GIFT BEARERS
- Danny Fujs in Aranka Dundek

ČIŠČENJE CERKVE - CLEANING OF THE CHURCH
- May 23: Lukežič Majda, Volčanšek Milena

SPRING MEMORIAL MASS AT CEMETERY
On Saturday, June 14, 2025 at 11:00 AM,
Spring Memorial Mass is celebrated at Gate of
Heaven Cemetery.

Cheques:

When you write a cheque for donation to
our Parish, please write only:
ST. GREGORY THE GREAT PARISH
Bank told us a few times, that you can not
write other than official name
registered with the bank.
254 - V������ 2025

We also ask everyone to help with baking of
Pecivo so that everyone can enjoy the various
tastes of the many regions in Slovenian. We will
be sharing more details closer to the event on
when and where to bring your delicious
creations.
We will also need help in the kitchen, in the
bar, at the BBQ at the entry of our event and
more. So... if you are willing to help out - reach
out to us and join us as we work together to
organize a Slovenski Dan to remember!
Invite your family and friends not only to
come, but to help out. WIth many volunteering
hands, we can all pitch in a little and enjoy the
day together. We look forward to seeing you
June 22nd at Slovenski Dan 2025! -Heidy Novak
ST. JOSEPH’S HOSPITAL in Hamilton is
already a national leader in Robotic Surgery! The
program is expanding to include even more types
of surgeries with remarkable results. This week,
the St. Joseph’s Heathcare Foundation launched
the Robotic Surgery Revolution $20M Campaign
to fund the expansion. Already, more than half of
the campaign goal has been committed by
generous donors! The campaign launch
showcased robotic surgery technology and
research, and highlighted how it is already
helping “the dear neighbour”! THE FUTURE OF
CARE IS HERE!
THE CWL Hamilton Diocese Council holds
their annual convention in Burlington, the
weekend of May 30 and June 1, 2025. It is an
opportunity for the CWL members from parishes
throughout the Diocese to renew friendship, to
discuss shared priorities and to pray
together. May their meetings be a
blessing for us all!

FIRST COMMUNION
Our First Communion is next Sunday,
May 25. Only one
Mass at 10:00 AM will
be celebrated. If the
weather will permit,
we will start with the
prayers and
dedication prayer to
Mother Mary at the
statue of Mary Help of
Christian, behind the
hall.
Children receiving
Jesus at the First Communion:
1. Amelia Philomena Antolin
2. Jalon Dsouza
3. Elaina Francesca Hočevar
4. Oliver Charles Lamarre
5. Tomas Nikolas Mills
Saturday, May 24th, after the Mass with
Slovenian School children, we will have
preparation for the First Communion
celebration.
V tem tednu so naslednje obletnice
smrti faranov, ki so zapisani v naših
knjigah:
Zrim
Sidonia
May 19, 1990
Sobočan Ivan
May 20, 2012
Novak
Paul Richard May 21, 2015
Horvat
Jožica
May 22, 2008
Knaus
Karel
May 24, 1991
Dolmovič Frank
May 24, 2009

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. POROKA/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

DON BOSCO personal conversation with your priest – please call for an appointment. Tel: 905-561-5971 or Cell: 905-520-2014
V������ 2025 - 255

SVETE MAŠE - MASSES
5. VELIKONOČNA
NEDELJA

5TH SUNDAY OF EASTER
18. maj
Janez I., papež mučenec

PONEDELJEK - MONDAY
19. maj

Urban I., papež

TOREK - TUESDAY
20. maj

Bernardin, duh.

SREDA - WEDNESDAY
21. maj

Timotej, dk-muč.

ČETRTEK - THURSDAY
22. maj

Marjeta Kasijska, red.

PETEK - FRIDAY
23. maj

Renata, spokornica

SOBOTA - SATURDAY
24. maj

Marija Pomočnica
(Marija Pomagaj)

6. VELIKONOČNA
NEDELJA

6 SUNDAY OF EASTER
TH

25. maj
Nedelja turizma

Za žive in rajne župljane
Terezija in Franc
Alojz in Marija Belovič
Vojan Mozetič
Paur Richard Novak
Maša in procesija
†† Jože in Marija Kuzma
†† Janko in Veronika Broz

9:30 AM - - - - - - - - - - Hči Jožica Vegelj z družino
Jože Gimpelj z družino
Žena Antonija z družino
11:00 AM Mama Jožica z družino
1:00 PM Slovenski Park
Družina Kuzma
Družina Kuzma

† Fr. Danijel Lisjak
† Kelly

7:00 PM Jožica Novak z družino
Ančka

††
††
†
†

†
†
†
†
†
†
†
†

Ivan Sobočan, obl.
Frančiška Novinec
Grace Šverko
Danijel Lisjak
Pope Francis
Alojz Joželj, obl.
Francka Novinec
Loreta Wudloof

†† Janko in Veronika Broz
†† Štefan in Ana Kričaj

7:00 PM Family Sobočan
Sestra Angela Kobe z družino
Demšar-Scarcelli-Purdon Families
Demšar-Scarcelli-Purdon Families
Demšar-Scarcelli-Purdon Families
7:00 PM Hči Sonja Langenfus z družino
Sonja Langenfus z družino
Ančka
7:00 PM Družina Kuzma
Marija

†† Ana in Ivan Nedelko
7:00 PM Alojz Sarjaš z družino
Družina Verhovšek
†† Pok. iz druž. Sagadin in Pozderec
†
††
††
†
††
††
††

Janez Recek
Pok. Članice SOD
Ivan in Veronika Obal
Marija Bukvič
Jožef (obl.) in Marija Rajter
Pok. Iz družine Rajter in Horvat
Ivan in Ana Kovač

5:30 PM Nečak Janez z družino
Slomškovo Oltarno društvo
Toni in Marija Franc
Sestra Elizabeth Gimpelj z druž.
Družina Mes
Družina Mes
Sestra Marija Korošec z družino

†
†
†
††
††
††

Za žive in rajne župljane
Ann Božnar
Monika Gašpar
Ada Forte
Stanko in Marija Ferenčak
Pavel in Paul Richad Novak
Ivan in Ana Nedelko

10:00 AM - - - - - - - - - - John Božnar
Ana Gergyek
Agnes Doma
Brat Lojze Ferenčak z družino
Jožica Novak z družino
Terezija Zadravec