SLOVENSKA ŽUPNIJA SV. GREGORIJA VELIKEGA | ST. GREGORY THE GREAT SLOVENIAN CHURCH 45/59 Številka - Number / Leto - Year 5.11. 2023 31. NEDELJA MED LETOM 31ST 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 Beseda je v svojem jedru nekaj svetega. Nobeno živo bitje na zemlji je ni zmožno — razen človeka. Preko besede se izraža naš duh zato je tudi nosilka duhovnega življenja. Njena moč je velikanska. Materina beseda otroku poklanja varnost in sprejetost. Omogoča stik dveh bitij, dveh vesolij duha: pretok čustev in misli, spoznanj in izkušenj, dobrote in naklonjenosti. Prva otrokova beseda je za mater in očeta praznik. Prijateljeva beseda opogumlja in bodri, tolaži in ozdravlja. Beseda vzgojitelja vodi in usmerja, učiteljeva beseda odpira nova obzorja znanja in vedenja. Beseda nas povezuje z drugimi ljudmi, omogoča medsebojno razumevanje, oblikuje skupnosti, občestva, narode. Beseda posreduje nova spoznanja, izmenjavo znanja in s tem napredek v znanosti in kulturi. Beseda omogoča umetniške stvaritve pesnikov in pisateljev. Vse to in še marsikaj prinaša človekova beseda le, kadar je čista in iskrena. Po drugi strani pa more beseda, pravzaprav zloraba besede, prinesti veliko zla. Beseda more zaničevati in poniževati, more ubiti človekovo čast in voljo do življenja. Beseda lahko zapeljuje, pomaga slepariti, zavaja v greh. Beseda sovraštva mori prijateljstvo, uničuje družine in skupnosti, neti vojne med narodi. Beseda lahko vara, ustvarja zlagano javno mnenje, prikriva dejstva, zamegljuje spoznanje resnice. Skratka, človekova beseda je lahko blagoslov ali prekletstvo. Samo ena beseda je, ki ne more zavajati — Božja beseda, saj prihaja iz ust Njega, ki ne more varati in ki ga ni mogoče prevarati. Ta odrešilna beseda je zapisana v Svetem pismu in jo oznanja Cerkev. V zmedi zgolj človeških besed in ideologij vodi Božja beseda k pravemu spoznanju, k trezni presoji in kaže zanesljivo pot k Bogu. Božja beseda se more človeku priobčiti od znotraj. Po glasu vesti sodi naše namene in misli ter usmerja naša dejanja, če smo ji le pripravljeni slediti. V tišini duhovne zbranosti prihaja Božja beseda v človeka kot klic k evangeljskemu oblikovanju življenja, kot prinašalka Božje bližine in miru, ki ga svet ne more dati. Zato je za kristjana tako pomembno, da zna v molitvi prisluhniti, kaj Bog govori prav njemu. Nič manj pomembno pa ni, da potem tisto, kar sliši od Boga, skuša uresničiti v svojem življenju. VESTNIK 2023 | Jezus nam danes v evangeliju predstavlja ljudi, ki so poznali Božjo besedo in jo celo poučevali, niso pa se ravnali po njej. To je tragični razkorak med besedo in dejanji, med govorjenjem in življenjem. Jezus pravi o njih: »Govorijo, pa ne delajo.« Jezusova beseda se danes deli v dva dela - v obtožbo in spodbudo. Obtožba z ostrimi izrazi razgalja dve napaki: nedoslednost in hinavščino. Nedoslednost: Govorijo, pa ne delajo; vežejo težka bremena in jih nalagajo ljudem na rame, sami pa jih še s prstom nočejo premakniti.« Hinavščina in razkazovanje: »Vsa svoja dela opravljajo zato, da bi jih ljudje občudovali.« Nedoslednost in hinavščina - kdo bi si upal zanikati, da sta to tudi danes črva, ki zelo pogosto načenjata naše življenje in jemljeta verodostojnost našemu evangeljskemu pričevanju? Včasih to opazimo tudi sami, ko se zalotimo, kako smo v konkretnih dejanjih večkrat grobi in celo neusmiljeni. Drugi del Jezusovega govora prinaša spodbudo: »Ne pravite si 'rabi,' učitelj, kajti eden je vaš Učitelj, vi vsi pa ste bratje.« Jezus hoče preprečiti, da bi se pri učiteljih razpasla domišljavost. Noče, da bi se oddaljevali od ljudi in postavljali medse in druge zid vzvišenosti in razdalje, kakor so delali farizeji. Nekaj farizejstva je v vsakem človeku. Apostol Pavel v današnjem drugem berilu daje čudovito navodilo: »Med vami smo nastopali z vso ljubeznivostjo. S prav takšno toplino, s kakršno mati neguje svoje otroke.« Pavel je prišel v Solun, med Jude in pogane, med ljudi, ki so živeli daleč od morale, kakršno je narekoval evangelij. Ni nastopil z ognjem in mečem, temveč jih je z materinsko toplino spodbujal k dostojnemu krščanskemu življenju. Znani indijski voditelj Gandhi je zelo občudoval Jezusa in njegov nauk in se popolnoma strinjal z njim. A zaradi nedoslednosti kristjanov v življenju se ni odločil, da bi se dal krstiti: preveč ga je motilo razhajanje med čistostjo Jezusove besede in grešnostjo kristjanov. Ta dvotirnost in nedoslednost dela veliko škodo in ovira rast Božjega kraljestva. Kristjani se moramo bolj potruditi, da bo med evangeljsko besedo in našim življenjem večja skladnost, večja harmonija in da bomo tako bolj prepričljivi in verodostojni pričevalci Boga za vse, ki ga iskreno iščejo. (prim. Oznanjevalec 2017) 482 | VESTNIK 2023 31ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME R: In you, Lord, I have found my peace. First Reading Malachi 1:14 – 2:2. 8-10 Religious leaders are warned that they have caused many to “stray” and “stumble” because of their teaching and actions. Second Reading 1 Thess. 2:7-9. 13 God’s message is a “living power” among communities of Christians. Gospel Matthew 23:1-12 The failures of the scribes and Pharisees are identified, and Jesus suggests that his followers seek a path of humility and service. “The greatest among you must be your servant.” Illustration It was the mid 1960s, and a young woman waited nervously at Archbishop’s House, Westminster, to meet with Cardinal John Heenan. Edwina Gateley had recently returned to Britain from teaching in Uganda and felt a calling to start a volunteer missionary group that would send other lay people overseas to work as missionaries. At that time it was only religious congregations that did this. When she was called in she felt a little intimidated, but she shared her idea. The cardinal listened with interest but was cautious. He warned her gently that she had no authority to start a new movement for laity in the Church, and she left feeling dejected. At that time passive obedience and reception of the sacraments were accepted by most lay people as what being part of the Church was all about. Edwina returned to Africa, but the dream would not die. Within a few years she was back in London, and the Missionaries of Africa provided accommodation for training courses to start in 1969. The Volunteer Missionary Movement, or VMM, was founded. The cardinal did eventually bless the work and the VMM emerged as a vibrant new church movement. More than 2,500 lay volunteers since then have been on cross-cultural mission in Africa, Latin America and Asia, supporting poor communities and sharing their skills. “We who have received the love of Christ through the Spirit cannot contain it,” Edwina wrote, “it must reach out to others, spilling out and touching the world in which we live.” Gospel Teaching Today’s Gospel tells us that authorities – including religious authorities – must be respected but also challenged when their practice is out of line with their teaching. Jesus particularly warns religious leaders that being conscientious and meticulous about trivial things may prevent them from allowing God’s love to flow out of their lives in gracious acts and deeds, and hinder them from recognising that everyone has a valuable contribution to make to their communities. Yet the failure of others is not what is most important. Jesus is concerned that his disciples look at themselves and ask about their own failures. He holds up the scribes and Pharisees as a kind of mirror in which they may see their own weaknesses. The kingdom that Jesus announces points them to something greater than themselves, and greater than structures that have been built by humans. The kingdom refers to the rule of God in hearts and relationships. Equality and loving relationships characterise the new age that Jesus has initiated among us. Jesus points out that all people are called to be listeners to God’s message. That listening is something that we are to do together, regardless of status. The way of living offered by Jesus has nothing to do with arrogance and power. Rather, it is about partnership, servanthood and humility. Application So there’s a warning here to beware of hierarchies of power which can hamper work to bring about God’s kingdom. And it isn’t just Hvala Olgi Glavač addressed to those at the top. Some people prefer only to follow orders, waiting for instructions rather than taking responsibility. When this happens in church structures and communities, the individuals and churches may be less likely to fulfil their God-given potential. Humility is important too. It helps us to be aware of God at all times, in all places, at the centre of all things. It is so easy in our society to make ourselves gods of the tiny kingdoms we occupy and to be enamoured of fancy titles. We climb very small ladders and then assume that we have risen to the heights of our humanity. Those whose lives are lived without listening to their hearts and consciences, and those who make gods out of themselves, their work, their status, their money, never find the God of the universe, who waits quietly within for us to exhaust our compulsive race to nowhere. Jesus teaches us that serving others and the wider world is the highest vocation, and humility is the greatest virtue. When we listen to God, we are all equal – everybody has the gift of the Holy Spirit, and all are able to tune into that Spirit. When we are bruised, when our fire sputters out, when our lives are battered by situations of oppression and exclusion, we can, in the words of Edwina Gateley, be inspired by the Spirit of God to “reach out to others… touching the world in which we live”. VESTNIK 2023 | 483 484 | VESTNIK 2023 DRUDGERY IS GOD CHALLENGING US By Fr. Steve Ryan, SDB Laundry and housecleaning need to be done. The lawn needs to be cut and the garbage cans should be washed out – they smell. The barbecue grill is full of grease. These little pain-in-the-neck jobs are all around us. For me living at the school the list increases. It’s difficult to go shut off the alarm when the alarm company calls. It’s difficult to lock classroom doors and shut off air conditioners in the empty buildings at night. It’s a pain in the neck to go and straighten out the closet in the cafeteria after an event. Why do I somehow feel irritated in doing all these menial tasks? Why? Because life is full of drudgery. Drudgery is a word we don’t use too often. Drudgery is defined as: dull, irksome, and fatiguing work – uninspiring or menial labor. Life is pretty hectic for everyone. The general fulfillment of our vocations to family life, religious life and earning a living are enough of a beatdown. Add to it a bunch of annoying extra chores and you can feel like the joy of life is being sapped from you. You can become irritated and cranky. Jesus once told a story about drudgery. In Matthew 21:28-32 there are two sons. Both are pretty tired of the hard work demanded by running the family vineyard. Both react when extra labor is needed that goes above and beyond the usual work. Remember it? The Parable of the Two Sons: “What is your opinion? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ He said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second son and said the same, and he said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you.” (Paraphrasing verse 32 here… ) “Because even after you saw what you needed to do, you did not change your minds and do the right thing.” Both boys hesitate to be generous. The first one, the one that gets off his lazy butt after being obstinate, does the right thing. The second one is a liar; he says yes but never follows through. He is really the disobedient one. We are all like both sons, in one way or another. This hesitation, this stalling, we understand well. We fail at times to be generous and we fail to follow through, we waver. The thought of extra duties and extra work is dreaded. Could self-sacrificial charitable acts (small ones) be God calling us to toughen up? Could sacrifice and generosity to drudgery be God’s plan to expand our capacity to love? The parable of the vineyard is a reminder – there is much work to be done for God Our Father in building up his vineyard, and there is much work to be done in you and I. Expanding our capacity to love is painful. St. Augustine says that “weak people are those who appear to be zealous in doing good works but are unwilling or unable to endure the sufferings that come with it.” The “refusing son” actually faces the pain, the “faking son” does not. Our decision to “do drudgery” is an act of obedience to God Our Father and is His way of forming us toward a larger heart for love. Expand your capacity. Do the drudgery. VESTNIK 2023 | 485 Na pokopališču Holy Sepulchre je na najbližjo nedeljo MAŠA in MOLITVE na POKOPALIŠČIH praznika Vseh svetih sveta, ki Nedelja, 29. oktober 2023 jo daruje škof, letos je bil škof Douglas Crosby. Verjetno zaradi napovedi slabega vremena se je te maše udeležilo nekaj manj ljudi. Po maši se nas je nekaj zbralo pir križu in smo zmolili za naše pokojne, ki počivajo na tem pokopališču. Ob pol štirih smo se v velikem številu zbrali k molitvi za naše rajne na slovenskem delu pokopališča Gate of Heaven okrog kapelice. Z molitvijo in pesmijo smo smo priporočili naše rajne božjemu usmiljenju in ljubezni. Ob 5h popoldne pa smo se zbrali k molitvi tudi v mavzoleju pokopališča Our Lady of the Angels. Tudi tukaj v zelo velikem številu. Spomin naših rajnih nam prikliče v spomin vse dobro, ki so ga naši rajni storili. 486 | VESTNIK 2023 VESTNIK 2023 | 487 Last Saturday we celebrated Oktoberfest in our hall. With over 150 guests in attendance, it was clear that everyone had a good time. We enjoyed a good dinner, a full bar, fun with ‘Shotskis’ games and excellent live music presented by SloBeat! We should extend a special, thank you to all our volunteers who helped us at the ambiance with fun, decor, and volunteering through the evening. This event was a good reminder of how much fun we all have when we get together at our parish for a celebration. With this in mind - let’s make a point of planning to join in to ring in the new year 2024. The poster is out the details will follow next week. Wishing everyone a wonderful Sunday - Heidy Novak on behalf of your parish council! 488 | VESTNIK 2023 VESTNIK 2023 | 489 O BVESTILA - A NNOUNCEMENTS KOLEDAR DOGODKOV DRUŠTVO SV. JOŽEFA - TORKOVI VEČERI - Nov. 5 - London - St. John the Divine Church - mass for deceased Slovenians - Nov. 7 - Društvo sv. Jožefa - Villa Slovenia Nights will start - Torkovi večeri - Nov. 12 - Lipa Park - Martinovanje luncheon - Scholarship - Nov. 12 - Sava/Breslau - Mass at 1:00 p.m. - Nov. 25 - Bled - Hunter’s Banquet - Nov. 26 - Slovenski Park - Fall AGM Torkovi večeri se bodo začeli zopet, v prostorih društva sv. Jožefa, 7. novembra ob 7h zvečer in tja do 10h zvečer. Ta dan bo tudi lahek prigrizek - nekaj za pod zob. Villa Slovenia - Tuesday’s night social gatherings will start November 7th from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. CLEANING OF THE CHURCH - Nov. 12th - Gosgnach team BRALEC - READER Slovenian - Mirko Zorko English - Nadia Miklavčič GIFT BEARERS AT SLOVENIAN MASS - Nov. 5th - Sue and Zdravko Augustin - Nov. 12th - Mary Miketič & Pamela Gosgnach RESPECT LIFE FUNDRAISER DINNER You are invited to attend Hamilton Right to Life’s RESPECT LIFE FUNDRAISER DINNER on Wednesday, November 8th, 2023 - Doors Open at 5:30 / 6:30 p.m. Dinner. We’re delighted to have as our Guest Speaker Kevin Dunn, of DunnMedia, filmmaker, international speaker, and Director of such films as “Fatal Flaws” and “ROE Canada”. Kevin will share insights of how we as Canadians are challenged to re -think the issue of abortion. To purchase tickets online, please visit our website: HamiltonRightToLife.org/events. For additional info, please call: 905 528-3065, OR email: HRLTdonations@outlook.com. Join us for music, an informative talk, and raffle at Michelangelo Banquet Centre. 1555 Upper Ottawa St., Hamilton 490 | VESTNIK 2023 2023 SLOVENIAN CANADIAN SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION AWARDS The Slovenian Canadian Scholarship Foundation was created to provide students of Slovenian-Canadian descent, residing within the Halton, Hamilton-Wentworth, and Niagara regions, the opportunity to be recognized for their academic achievements, community involvement, and appreciation of their Slovenian heritage. Select applicants will be granted a monetary award in the form of a scholarship or bursary from the foundation. The presentation of awards this year will take place at Lipa Park's luncheon on November 12, 2023. CWL - KŽZ Also, please keep in mind that we will have a Memorial Mass for deceased Catholic Women’s League and Slomšek Altar Society members on Wed. Nov. 22nd at 7:00 p.m. Na račun »Eno Srce, Ena Duša« - »One Heart, One Soul« ste za našo slovensko župnijo sv. Gregorija Velikega do 3. novembra 2023 pripevali: $183,457.Hvala vsem, ki ste že prispevali. Naš cilj je, da dosežemo vsoto 200.000,- Svete maše - Masses 31. NEDELJA MED LETOM 5. NOVEMBER Martin, redovnik DON BOSCO † †† †† †† †† † †† †† †† †† †† †† †† V tem tednu so naslednje obletnice smrti faranov, ki so zapisani v naših knjigah: Šverko Levstek Doma Malevich Raduha Vičič Germ Zorko Kolenko Simončič Skale Ferfolja Prša Mujdrica Mramor Mlinarich Anton Pavla Štefan Anton Franc Miroslav Sophia Juliana Joseph Ethel Vinko Theresa Štefan Katarina Slavka Cecilia Za žive in rajne župljane 9:30 A.M. Joe Lovšin Franc in Cecilia Antolin Martin in Marija Dominko Rozina, Alojz in Matilda Zorko Marija in Eugen Ferletič Max Pavličič Ilija in Kristina Pavličič Franc in Rozalija Grobelnik Marija (obl.) in Martin Dominko Cecilija in Franc Antolin Franc in Ana Ferenčak Magda in Stane Udovč 11:00 A.M. Pokojni Slovenci iz Londona 3:00 P.M. November 6, 2014 November 7, 1974 November 8, 1982 November 8, 1996 November 8, 2017 November 9, 1976 November 9, 1990 November 9, 2006 November 9, 2022 November 10, 2012 November 10, 2012 November 11, 2003 November 11, 2012 November 11, 2018 November 11, 2020 November 12, 2004 ------Družina Pust Jože in Albina Antolin Jože in Albina Antolin Mila in Sandy Milan in Sandy Žena Jožica z družina Jožica Pavličič z družino Hči Jožica Pavličič Družina Čule Družina Čule Družina Čule Levstek in McLean Families St. John the divine Church 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 | 491 SVETE MAŠE - MASSES PONEDELJEK - MONDAY 6. NOVEMBER Lenart, opat TOREK - TUESDAY 7. NOVEMBER Ernest, opat SREDA - WEDNESDAY 8. NOVEMBER Bogomir, škof † Anton Vinčec † Elizabeth Farkaš †† Ana in Ludvik Horvath 7:00 P.M. Ana Gergyek †† Ljuba Babič & Stjepan Đondraš Dragica Đondraš † Anton Vinčec † Max Pavličič † Štefan Vuk † Thi Anh Ersie Posvetitev Lateranske baz. Za zdravje † Vinko Skale, obl. PETEK - FRIDAY †† Štefan in Marija Gabor 10. NOVEMBER Za zdravje Leon Veliki, pp-uč. Na čast Kristusove krvi ČETRTEK - THURSDAY 9. NOVEMBER SOBOTA - SATURDAY 11. NOVEMBER Martin, škof Bartolomej, opat † † †† † † †† † † †† †† †† †† † † †† 32. NEDELJA † MED LETOM †† 12. NOVEMBER †† Jozafat, škof-mučenec † † † †† † † 492 | VESTNIK 2023 7:00 P.M. Regina Halas Društvo sv. Jožefa (5) Stanko Kuzma Matija Vlašić Irma in Ludvik (obl. )Hull Martin Simončič Štefan Prša Slavka (obl.) in Frank Mramor Štefan Prša, obl. Za verne duše v vicah Ana Fegelj Franc (obl.) in Cecilija Antolin Martin in Marija Dominko Za žive in rajne župljane Paula in Franc Pelcar Ivan in Barbara Kirec Max Pavličič Darinka Ferletič Pokojni iz družine Prša Frank Raduha, obl. Bratje in sestre Marinič Terezija in Štefan Marinič Ivan Zelko Ivan Žižek Jože Rajner Pokojni Slovenci iz Kitchenerja Nataša Prilesnik Jože Šuta 7:00 P.M. Vesna Slavina Društvo sv. Jožefa (4) 7:00 P.M. Marija Korošec z družino Ana Gergyek Jožica Novak z družino 7:00 P.M. Elizabeth Lukežič z družino Alojz in Agata Sarjaš Mirko Zorko Ana Tadić 5:30 P.M. Sestra Jožica z družino Žena in otroci Zora Hull Audrey Hawthorne Marija Volf Sin Frank z družino Žena Terezija z družino Marija Košir Sestra Teresa Prša z družino Ivan Antolin z družino Ivan Antolin z družino 9:30 A.M. - - - - - - Stan Pelcar & Josie Dubé Olga Hanc z družino Helen Špiler Milan in Sandy Marija Hočevar Žena in družina Sestra Terezija Raduha Hči Terezija Raduha 11:00 A.M. Matilda Bratuž Žena z družino Družina Žižek 1:00 P.M. Breslau - bivša dvorana društva Marija z družino Anica Miklavčič z družino