Slovenska župnija sv. Gregorija Velikega | St. Gregory the Great Slovenian Church 12/48 Številka - Number / Leto - Year 18.03.2012 4. POSTNA NEDELJA 4th SUNDAY OF LENT Fr. Drago Gačnik sdb župnik - pastor Naslov - Address 125 Centennial Pkwy N Hamilton, ON L8E 1H8 Telefon - Telephone 905-561-5971 Fax 905-561-5109 E-mail gregory_sdb@cogeco.ca http://www.carantha.net/ st_gregory_the_great_slovenian _church.htm Hall rentals 905-518-6159 Božji načrt brezmejne ljubezni Smo na četrti postaji postne poti v pripravi na veliko noč. Tema premišljevanja, ki nam jo danes predlaga Cerkev, Je vzeta iz Jezusovega pogovora z Nikodemom, ki je bil farizejski voditelj, visoka osebnost jeruzalemske verske skupnosti Jezus mu pravi rabi, to se pravi učitelj v Izraelu. Gre torej za zelo ugledno osebnost. Želja, da bi govoril z Jezusom, da bi bolje razumel njegov nauk in vstopil v tisto resničnost Kraljestva, ki jo je Jezus povsod oznanjal, ga je spodbudila, da se je ponoči napotil k njemu. Dolgo sta se pogovarjala; Jezus je odgovarjal na Nikodemova vprašanja in mu razodel Božji načrt odrešenja. V Bogu je velikanski načrt ljubezni. Bog neskončno ljubi svet in ga želi rešiti po skrivnostni poti. To je pot njegovega Sina Jezusa, ki ga je poslal na zemljo in ki je dal svoje življenje za nas. To je pot križa. Jezus mu torej odkrito govori o sebi in o potrebnosti vere vanj, ko načrt, ki ga hoče Oče uresničiti po njem, sprejmemo kot pot za vstop v večno življenje. Tukaj se začne celoten pogovor o veri v Jezusa. Kaj pomeni verovati? Pomeni sprejeti Jezusa, pridružiti se Jezusu. Pomeni živeti Jezusa s tem, da uresničujemo njegove besede. Še bolje pomeni pustiti Bogu, da nas iztrga naši samozadostnosti, naši varnosti, in da se vržemo vanj. Vera pravzaprav pomeni vreči se v Boga, ne da bi zahtevali pojasnila ali zagotovila. Jezus nam na začetku ne pojasni, nam ne razloži tega, kar bomo odkrili. Jezus od nas zahteva skok v temo. Gre za temo, ki bo polna luči, vendar je zaenkrat še ne moremo videti; pred nami se bo odprla, ko borno naredili ta skok vanj. Za nič drugega ne gre kot za skok v brezmejno Božjo ljubezen do nas. To pomeni verovati v Jezusa. Če bomo ljubili na ta način, bomo razumeli, bomo videli in bomo odkrili novi svet. LOVSKI BANKET in KOLINE Prejšnjio soboto je bilo živahno tako na Bledu, kjer je bil lovski banket, ob glasbi Branka Pouha. Pri društvu Triglav-London pa so imeli v nedeljo po maši »bujto repo«, krvavice, pečenice, zelje in še kaj ... Ob zadnjem močnem vetru je na sprednji strani cerkve odtrgalo 14 aluminijastih pološč. Ker smo jih pritrdili nazaj so vidni samo vijaki in rahlo zvite plošče. Upamo, da naslednjič ne bo močnejšega vetra. Z leti so žeblji popustili, zato jih bomo še na drugi strani nadomestili z vijaki. V atriju imate pisma za Veliko noč. Spodaj na sliki pa so pridni delavci, ki so pošto zložili skupaj. Hvala vsem. V soboto, 17. marca 2012 smo krstili najmlajšega člana družine Bosiljevac. LUKE MICHAEL je tako z zakramentom svetega krsta postal član cerkve. Iskrene čestitki staršema, Bobu in Natalie ob tem lepem dogodku. Naj ju Gospod podpira pri vzgoji otrok mi pa z molitvijo. Zakrament svetega krsta je 17. marca 2012 prejel tudi TYLER LUKAS TOMPA. Starša Martin in Shpresa se veselita ob tem dogodku. Iskrene čestitke in veliko božjega blagoslova pri vzgoji za vero. Sunday's Readings 4th Sunday of Lent First Reading 2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23 The people of Jerusalem brought about their exile through their repeated infidelities, until God used a pagan ruler to restore them to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. Second Reading Ephesians 2:4-10 God's generosity is shown by the gift of life, of salvation, bestowed freely on people who do not merit or deserve it. Gospel John 3:14-21 God sent Christ into the world to bring it the gift of eternal life, to be accepted or rejected through people's free choice. Illustration We all know the adage "There's no such thing as a free lunch." It's been featured in several modern popular novels and was the title of a 1975 book by the Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman. The so-called "free" lunch apparently originated with nineteenth-century American saloon-keepers offering free food at midday to encourage drinkers - who ended up paying for it indirectly through the price of their drinks. It seems that the first person to point out in these terms that you do not get something for nothing was an American journalist in 1942 who was responding to a politician's suggestion for spending large sums of money. He said, "Until man acquires the power of creation, someone will always have to pay for a free lunch." As the world goes, it is indisputable that nothing is given away. Someone has to foot the bill; something is wanted in exchange; everything has its price. That is how our world goes - but it is not the way of God's world. In God's world there is eternal life to be given away, with no strings attached -just given freely, for the sake of love itself. Gospel Teaching The readings today bring home this amazing message. In the first, we see how the Israelites repeatedly turned their back on God, preferring the darkness to God's light, and so brought disaster on themselves. But God did not give up on them, and the promise made through Jeremiah that their exile would end was fulfilled through the agency of Cyrus, the new king of Persia. In the second reading, Paul tells us that God's love for the Ephesians is so generous that when they least deserved it, being spiritually dead, they were given the gift of heaven. Not only the Ephesians, but we too, totally undeserving as we are, and through no merit of our own, are presented with this free gift. Not only is it freely given, but it actually gives us freedom itself - freedom from futility, freedom to come into the light, the realm of goodness and of truth, and, above all, of life. "Everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life." The Gospel passage describes the way in which God's total unselfishness, God's total self-giving, is worked out by Christ coming into the world, not wreaking divine vengeance on sinners but simply offering life. It is in freedom that we accept or reject that life. There is no coercion. If we prefer darkness to the light, if we prefer evil deeds to doing good, if we choose deliberately to do wrong, we have chosen the consequences ourselves. No one can force us to be channels of love and self-giving. No one can make us live in the light. But if, having looked upon the face of Christ opening his arms on the cross, we believe that his way is the one we want to follow, then we have all that he can give us - a share in the life of divine bliss, now and forever. Application People use the expression "awesome" these days to describe quite trivial events. What could be more truly awesome than this sheer generosity of God? It may even upset us a little to realize that all our good works, prayers and churchgoing are not what makes God give us eternal life. That would be to put God under some sort of obligation to us - we've done this so now you, God, have to reward us. But we hear today that God is giving us all the benefits of freedom, of salvation, of life with Christ, simply from love. Simply because, being love, God can do no other. We do not have to do anything, just be the people God wants us to be, for our own sake. Christ opens his arms on the cross and invites us to believe in him. When we believe, we commit ourselves to living a certain kind of life, the very kind that God intended us to, which is designed to make us happy. If we can only accept the love that God freely offers us and follow the light of the world, we will receive gifts beyond our own imaginings. As the letter to the Ephesians says, "We are his handiwork." If we are reflections of Christ's love, if we demonstrate the virtues in our lives, bringing happiness to others, it is no work of ours, but God working in us, creating, in the words of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, "something beautiful for God." There is no free lunch, but there is free eternal life. Easter Food Hunt Help us discover the hidden treasures this Easter m We need your help! You CAN make a difference! Thanks once again for your Faith in People. Here's a list of the items we need the most: Baby Formula, Baby Food (Jars), Peanut Butter, Tuna/Salmon, Pasta Sauce, Pork and Beans, Kids Snacks, Canned Pasta, Kidney Beans, Chick Peas, Black Beans, Canned Soups, Canned Stew or Chili, Mr. Noodles, Canned Vegetables, Rice, Jell-O, Crackers, Cereal, Instant Oatmeal, Pancake Mix and Syrup. Obvestila - Announcements pevski zbor V četrtek po maši so pevske vaje. Naslednjič zbor poje pri maši 1. aprila 2012, ko je cvetna nedelja banket društva sv. jožefa Banket bo danes, 18. marca 2012, ob 12:30 v zgornji dvorani. This year we celebrate our 75th anniversary. Tickets are: Adults - $20; Children (512) - $7 and under 5yr free. slovenska šola Coffee and Donuts in the Lower Hall Sunday, March 25th after Masses. The teachers, students, and parents welcome everyone to come attend our 1st Annual Good Friday Fish Dinner on Friday. April 6th following the 3pm Service, from 4:30-6:30pm. We will cooking very delicious Fish and Chips for dinner in the Upper Hall. Tickets are $10 for take-out or eat-in, and are available for sale after both masses. For more information or tickets, please call Darlene Kobe at 905-561-7112. folklorna skupina »venec«_ "VENEC" will have its next practice on Sunday, March 25* at 2:00 pm. All members are encouraged to attend. New members and couples are always welcome to join this VENEC cross-community organization. For more information, call Dave Antolin: 905-664-5980. duhovna obnova_ Letos bomo imeli duhovno obnovo v četrtek in petek pred cvetno nedeljo, 29. in 30. marca. V Kitchenerju in Londonu bomo imeli duhovno obnovo na cvetno nedeljo kot vsako leto. Za duhovno pomoč za velikonočne praznike bo prišel zopet g. Bogdan Kolar. Prihaja v četrtek 22. marca in bo ostal bo med nami do 16. aprila. Med drugim bo nadaljeval z delom na knjigi - zbodovini naše župnije, ki jo bomo izdali za 50. letnico župnije, ki jo bomo obhajali leta 2014. V atriju cerkve vzemite PISMA za Veliko noč. Na zadnji strani pisma je spored praznovanj za Veliko noč in tudi prijavnica za spomladanski banket. »butare« za cvetno nedeljo_ This year traditional Palm Sunday 'butare' will be made and sold before both masses. Anyone that can donate various branches of willow, dogwood, boxwood and cedar, please call Dave Antolin: 905.664.5980. We will be accepting these donations starting Saturday, March 24th, and making butare on the evenings of March 28th and 29th in the Youth Room. Everyone welcome! Na cvetno nedeljo bolste tudi letos lahko kupili butarice. Kdor ima vrbove veje ali drugo šibje in zelenje za izdelavo butaric na pokliče Davida Antolin (905-664-5980). folklorna skupina venec- breakfast fundraiser_ It's that time again! Folklorna Skupina Venec will be hosting the 2nd Annual Breakfast Fundraiser on April 15, 2012, from 9:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m. in the church hall. Please help support F.S. Venec, as we promote our Slovenian culture through traditional dance and music. Join us for a great family event, with great food and live music! Ticket prices for the event ♦ Adult: $10.00 ♦ Children,ages fcii 3-12: $5.00 J/'-^ ♦ Children, under M.^^C^S 3: free ~y Tickets are available through members of Venec, or by contacting Matej Glavac at (905) 8701120 or mglavac@sympatico.ca liturgical committee_ The Liturgical Committee of our parish has been in existence for many years and is made up of both older and younger members of our parish. The committee meets 2 to 3 times a year to review, discuss and plan ways to enrich the spiritual growth of our parish and bring our parishioners closer together spiritually. The committee also assists Father Drago with the organization of Mass celebrations during Easter and Christmas, First Holy Communion, Confirmation and regular Sunday Mass. The committee ensures Mass runs smoothly with prepared lectors, altar servers, and gift bearers, as well as planning special children pageants at Christmas. Our goal is to continue to bring members of our parish closer together by getting them involved in our regular Sunday Mass or during special celebrations. Volunteering to read at Mass, or having you child be an altar server is just one way of becoming involved. We welcome all adults and children to participate. If you are interested in reading at Mass (Slovenian or English), or your child is interested in altar serving please inform Father Drago or contact Mary Miklavcic (905-664-4927) or Frank Novak (905-561-1944). izlet v slovenijo - julij 2012_ Za izlet v Slovenijo od 2. do 16. julija 2012, ki ga organizira Razpotnik Joe, je še nekaj prostih mest. Kdor bi se ga rad udeležil, naj pokliče za informacije na telefonsko številko 519-461-0653. romanje v baragovo deželo Te dni smo dobili informacijo, da bodo letošnji Baragovi dnevi 22.23. sep-tembra 2012 v Marquettu. Tisti, ki nameravate iti, si rezervirajte dneve od 21. do 24. septembra. Glede Barago-ve kanozacije nimamo večjih novic, po besedah tamkaj-šnjega škofa postopek v Rimu dobro napreduje. a note from the catholic cemeteries... Families are kindly reminded to remove all wreaths on stands and other winter decorations from their lots by April 1st to facilitate the Spring clean-up. Any wreaths and decorations remaining after April 1s' will be removed and discarded. For further information, please do not hesitate to contact the cemetery office at 905-522-7727 or 1800-661-5985. 0» ,a 03. 20,2 svete mase - masses Do 25. 03. 2012 Masses Monoay-Frioay 7:00 p.m., Saturday 8:15 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. NEDELJA - SUNDAY ff zažive ¡nrajiežupljane 18 Marec ff J° ¡n Marija Kirec 9:30 a.m. Sin Ivan Kirec f Florian Miklavčič, °bl. 11:00 a.m. Žena z družino C POSTNA NEDELM ff j°žef in Marija Heric hčerka Cml.Jeruzalemski BANKET DRUŠTVA SV. JOŽEFA 12:30 p.m. 75-LETNICA DRUŠTVA /Dvorana/ Ponedeljek - Monday t Terezija Halas 7:00 p.m. Tone in Marija Bukvič . t Jožef Gerič Žena Elizabeta z družino 19. marec t Blaž Čulig Elizabeta Gerič Sv. Jožef t Jožef Pust Žena Frances z družino t Slavko Štern 10:00 a.m. Pogrebna maša Torek - Tuesday t Jožef Kuzmič 7:00 p.m. Franc Marič z družino 20. Marec t Matija Vlašič Žena in otroci Klavdija, muč. tt Jožef in Albina Sagadin Julija Sagadin z družino t Anton Peternel Judy in Silvija Peternel Sreda - WEDNESDAY tt iz družine Gazvoda 7.00 p.m. Lojzka Saje M tt iz družine Obal Ivan in Veronika Obal 21. MAREC t Franc Horvat Toni Vincec Nikolaj IZ Flue t Jožef Kuzmič, obl._Žena z družino Četrtek - Thursday 22. Marec Lea, spokornica t Lee Salajko 7:00 p.m. Izidor Salajko Petek - Friday t Martin Glavač, obl. 7:00 p.m. Marija Glavač z družino 23. Marec tt Izidor Zabukovec, obl. Mary Zabukovec z družino Alfonz, škof tt iz družine Ftičar Družina Ftičar SOBOTA - SATURDAY 24. Marec Gospodovo oznanjenje Po namenu tt Micka Gazvoda t Martin Glavač t Terezija Oseli 8:15 a.m. 5:30 p.m. n.n. Anica Saje Družina Semen Slavko in Majda Salajko NEDELJA - SUNDAY 25. Marec 5. Postna -Tiha nedelja Rebeka, sp. žena za žive in rajne župljane ff iz družine Bohnec f Štefka Rihar 9:30 a.m. Vera in Štefan Gonza 11:00 a.m. Družina Rihar 4îf svete maše - mass times: Ponedeljek/Monday - Petek/Friday: 7:00 p.m. Sobota/Saturday: 8:15 a.m. - slovenska / in Slovenian 5:30 p.m. - slovenska / in Slovenian - Nedelja/Sunday: 9:30 a.m. - slovenska / in Slovenian - 11:00 a.m. -angleška / in English krsti / baptisms: Po dogovoru, prijava 1 mesec prej. - For an app't, call one month before. poroke / marriage: Prijava eno leto prej. / For an app't, call one year before the wedding date. spoved / confessions: Vsak prvi petek ob 6:00 p.m. / 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 (person counselling) with your priest - please call during business hours for an appointment. Tel: 905-561-5971.