November 11th, 2018
In our opening pray we ask God to keep from us all adversity so that unhindered in mind and body we may pursue in freedom of heart the things that are God’s. Good luck. Keep from us all adversity. Can you imagine going through a day without some kind of conflict or misunderstanding? Even on the best of days there always seems to be a fly in the ointment. Carefree days are to be treasured. Look at the forces impacting our daily lives. The political and social chaos south of our border is in our face whether we like it or not. It impacts our lives too. We can buy into the rhetoric of racism and bigotry, the fear of the stranger, the resentment toward immigrants, the belief that our taxes go to support a bunch of Freddie free-loaders. We don’t appreciate the possibilities of where these negative attitudes can lead us. We fail to learn from past histories.
November 11, 1918. The end of the war that was to end all wars. Today we remember the millions upon millions of young men who died or were wounded during four years of conflict. We remember the countless civilians who lost their lives and homelands. All these victims were on both sides of this war.
In a way that war to end all wars was a family feud. Nicholas, the Tsar of Russia, Wilhelm the Kaiser of Germany, George V, the king of England were all first cousins, descendants of Queen Victoria. November 11, 1918 was the beginning of the end of the German Empire, the Austro- Hungarian Empire, the Russian Empire, the Ottoman Empire and the beginning of the end of the British Empire. As one poet wrote, ‘The paths of glory lead but to the grave.’
The war to end all wars? No. Within 40 years the Europe was at war again. World War 2 ended when the atomic bomb was dropped on two Japanese cities, Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Since then we’ve had the Korean War, the Indo China War, the Vietnam War followed by the phony war on weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, followed by the Afgan War, the elusive war on terrorism and the civil wars in Syria and the civil war in Yemen, wars fostered by outside interests.
Remember Pete Seager’s protest song? Where have all the flowers gone? Where have all the young men gone, long time passing, gone to grave yards everyone, when will they ever learn, when will we they ever learn?
Are you all thoroughly depressed? Me too. How do political leaders convince ordinary men and women that they should go to war? By demonizing people of other nations.
We’ve had the savage Huns, the Russian Tartars, the Japanese who eat raw fish, the Afghans were the rag heads, the Viet Cong were the little men in pajamas, and we know every Moslem is a terrorist.
We’re told refugees are streaming into our country illegally. These people are a threat to our social and our financial stability. They don’t speak English, they don’t speak French. They’ll try to impose their laws and values on us. We have problems enough of our own we don’t need to import them. Don’t trust strangers.
All this rhetoric is so un-Christian. All this rhetoric leads to distrust and alienation. Such rhetoric has led us to all the wars of the last century and all this rhetoric is still part of our daily conversation.
Our Christian faith tells us we are children of God; we are brothers and sisters in the human family. Our Christian tells us the Jesus our Christ died on the cross for all of us.
Nov. 11, 2018 is an important anniversary of an event from which we have learned so little because we allow ourselves to buy into fear of the stranger, fear of change, fear of something new.
We sing ‘let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.’
As we continue to celebrate our Mass we pray for ourselves and for each other that we refuse to listen to calls to distrust and reject the stranger and be instruments of God’s peace in our homes and in our communities and in our nation.
| Posted in Homily |
November 10th, 2018
This Sunday, November 11th is Remembrance Day, a day to remember all who have served, and continue to serve in our armed forces, especially those who have died and those wounded in battle. We pray for healing and peace; that one day, all peoples will lay down their arms and embrace one another as brothers and sisters in one human family.
The Parish Advent Retreat will be held on Saturday, December 8th
Sunday November 25th at 6:00 PM
St. Gabriel’s Church
The St. Gabriel’s Youth Group would like to invite you, your friends and your families to their Youth Talent Night, taking place in Sunday, November 25th. Join them for a lovely evening as they showcase the talent of the youth in our parish.
Admission is by donation. All proceeds will support 9 of our young adults and their trip to Panama this January for World Youth Day. Thank you for all your continuous support of the Youth Group. Hope to see you there!
November 18th/19th
As members of our Catholic community, we regularly benefit from the tireless service of our priests. Called by God and ordained to care for His people, our priests serve our families, in churches, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, missions and on the streets.
On November 18th and 19th there will be a second collection for The Shepherds’ Trust. The mission of The Shepherds’ Trust is to help ensure that elderly and disabled priests are provided with sufficient financial resources to lead a dignified life after many years of ministry. Your generous gift will help our priests to maintain a modest but active and independent lifestyle in their retirement years. For priests who are ill or otherwise infirm, the Trust ensures they have access to nursing home facilities and medical care. Thank you for your support of this important work
A Book of Remembrance has been placed on the altar for the month of November. You are invited to write the names of your deceased relatives and friends in the book. They will be remembered at all the Masses celebrated in November.
Available the Weekend of December 1st/2nd On the weekend of December 1st/ 2nd our Parish’s Development and Peace Group will be selling 2019 calendars. This is a beautiful and unique calendar showcasing sceneries from the Arctic north. The pictures are taken by Bishop Jon Hansen of the MacKenzie-Fort Smith Diocese on his missionary trips to the arctic communities.
Through the sale of these calendars, funds will be raised for the missions in the Arctic. Our Lady of Victory Church in Inuvik (the famous igloo church) and three of its missions: Tuktoyaktuk on the Beaufort Sea,Tsiigehtchic and Paulatuk. These remote communities are striving for self-sufficiency, but it is not easy. During the harsh winter months, the heating of the churches would cost over $4000 a month.
Perhaps in the comfort of our well heated homes, we can think of these communities in the Arctic and try to support them in ways we can – the calendars at $20 each will be great for personal use; they will also make wonderful gifts, since they are unique and not easily available.
Thursday, November 15th at 7:30 PM. St. Gabriel’s Church
There will be a meeting here at the Church on Thursday, November 15th at 7:30 PM. for parents of children who will be receiving the Sacrament of First Communion in 2019.
November 12th to November 17th
MONDAY – W. BERNARD COMER – Requested by Jeannine Comer TUESDAY – WAHIBA BALADI – Requested by Mary Zakher WEDNESDAY – MARIA JULIA MARTINS – Requested by Maria Martins THURSDAY – RONNIE FRANCIS – Requested by His Family FRIDAY – BERTHA RICKETTS – Requested by the her Family SATURDAY – JOHN POWELL – Requested by Kathleen Olden Powell
If you have, or know of, school age children (ages 7 to 14) who wish to prepare for Baptism, please contact the Parish Office at 416-221-8866. Classes for them will begin soon
Meetings in preparation for the R.C.I.A. (Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults) will begin soon. These meetings are for persons interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith. The exploration may lead the candidate to seek baptism, and become a member of the Catholic Christian community; or for Christians already baptized into another Christian denomination, the reception into the Catholic Church.Adult Catholics who have not received the sacrament of Confirmation but who wish to do so are also encouraged to attend these sessions.
As well, these meetings may be an opportunity for “Born Catholics” to deepen their understanding of our faith. Very often, especially for those of us who received our religious instruction at an early age, we tend to grow physically, mentally, psychologically etc., but the understanding of our faith does not grow correspondingly. The RCIA may serve as a good opportunity for us to ask questions and to develop a more adult understanding of our faith.
If you are interested in joining the RCIA meetings or if you would like to have more information about it, please contact the Parish Office at 416-221-8866.
Share the Journey Campaign Did you know? “31 people are forced to flee their home every minute!”
Weekend of November 17th/18th
Fair trade organic coffees will be on sale after all the Masses next weekend. Regular ground coffee: $5.50 Decaffeinated: $6.00 Whole Beans: $5.50 Chocolate Bars: $4.50 incl. Taxes Hot Chocolate and Cocoa: $6.00 Teas: $4.25
Thank you to the volunteers who prepared casseroles for October. For November, your prepared frozen casseroles will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of November 24th / 25th for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre.
More volunteers are needed to become active in helping to feed our less fortunate sisters and brothers. Three different recipes are available in the Parish Office or online at the Church website. Casserole pans are also available in the Parish Office. If you require more information please contact Irene Albrecht at 416-221-2791.
Thank you for your generous support of Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre. Your food donations are very much appreciated. With everyone struggling at this time, your food donations are more important than ever. Please check expiry dates as we cannot pass on expired food.
Wednesday, November 21st, at 7:00 PM
St. Timothy Parish Hall, 21 Leith Hill Road
St. Michael’s College School, the leader in Catholic boys’ education, will be hosting an evening for students in elementary, middle, and high school, and their parents entitled ‘Guidance Matters’ on Wednesday, November 21st at 7:00 PM
Experienced St. Michael’s College School guidance counselors and members of the Student Affairs team will be present to share information and answer your questions about academics, mental health. The event is free and refreshments will be served. Seating is limited. Reserve your spot today at: guidancematters@smcsmail.com
Can Violence in our Scriptures Justify Violence in Today’s World? Sunday November 25th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM Jaffari Islamic Centre, 9000 Bathurst Street, Thornhill
MOSAIC Interfaith, co-sponsored by the Organization of Islamic Learning invites you to attend a discussion “Can the Violence in the Scripture Justify Violence in Today’s World? On Sunday November 25th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the Mullah Asher Memorial Library and Islamic Resource Centre, Affair Islamic Centre. They welcome back the Rev. Canon Hill, Rabi Michael Stroh and Dr. Liyakat Takim. There will be a round table discussion and question period following the presentation. For further information please contact Nora Kerr at 416-218-0680. An RSVP would be appreciated.
“What does the Earth Desire… To be admired in her loveliness, To be tasted in her delicious fruits, To be listened to in her teaching, To be endured in the severity of her discipline, To be cared for as a maternal source from whence we come, a destiny to which we return.” – Thomas Berry – For more information on the Garden Ministry, email Heather Bennett at heathermjb@gmail.com
| Posted in Bulletin |
November 4th, 2018
I’m sure you’ve heard or used the statement, ‘let’s get down to basics.’ Let’s get to the heart of the matter.
For the Israelites delivered from centuries of slavery in Egypt the basic, the heart of the matter, was ‘behold Israel the Lord our God is one.’ They were to love their liberating God with all their heart, all their soul and all their strength. From the beginning of their journey into freedom the Israelites had difficulty believing or trusting this ‘basic’, the Lord thy God is one. For centuries they’d lived among a people who worshiped many gods and that tainted their concept of God. To hedge their bets they crafted a golden calf as their deliver, not the God of Moses.
As Christians we believe in one God and we believe our one God involves the mystery of Father, Son and Spirit. Like the Israelites of old we too are tempted to follow other gods; so we idolize power, wealth and pleasure. These powerful idols lure us away from the God we are to love with all our heart, with all our mind and with all our strength.
In Hebraic thought the heart and soul and strength are not separate human facilities but the person in the totality of his or her being. God is totality ours and we are to be totality God’s.
In our first reading we’re told to ‘fear the Lord all the days of our lives.’ This doesn’t call us to a cowering relationship with God. The word fear is best understood as awe or wonder. The Jewish people awed, overcome with wonder that God choose them as his own people. ‘I will be your God and you will be my people.’ We are told that God lives in light inaccessible. But our inaccessible God became flesh and dwelt among us. As John the Evangelist tells us ’what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, this we declare to you. Our inaccessible God came to us as obedient slave to his father’s will, an obedience that brought him a shameful death as a crucified common criminal.
And our crucified Christ us a new commandment, ‘love one another as I have loved you.’ We all know that is not an easy thing to do. Men and women may disappoint us, break vows to us, lie about us with gossiping tongues, cheat or rob us. They break our hearts and we want to get even. Tit for tat. That only diminishes us, makes us less than we are meant to be. Every day we are challenged by the words, ‘forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.’scary.
This time last week we were shocked by the murder of 11 Jewish men and women who were praying in the Living Water synagogue in Pittsburgh. Some blame this tragedy on the divisive political speeches going on in the States and in Canada, speeches that demonize other people from other lands or live by other convictions. But we experienced a similar tragedy in Montreal last year when a fanatic bigot killed 10 Moslem men praying in their local Mosque.
Demonic politicians around the world are setting neighbour against neighbour for their own purposes as they worship at the idols of power. Love one another as I’ve loved you calls us to give life not take a life. Love one another as I’ve love you calls us stand up for and protect good men and woman who are different from ourselves in what they believe, in their social or cultural backgrounds, and in their life styles and not see them as less than ourselves.
Love one another as I have loved you challenges us to see beyond the hostile words that call us to be suspicious of men and women different from ourselves and try to understand why good men and women fall into bigotry and discrimination toward others. Basically these preachers of hate and discrimination play on the fears and insecurity of people. They lure them into believing that the outsiders, these newcomers are going to take away their jobs, they are going to lower the real estate value of the neighbourhood, live on welfare, up our health care costs and cost us higher taxes. Such talk is devious.
As we continue to celebrate our Eucharist we can pray for ourselves, family members and friend that we be graced to see through the seduction of bigotry and suspicion and believe in the goodness of good men and women who seek to come into our country, our neighbourhood and our parish. Whatever you do to one of these the least of my brothers and sisters, you do to me.
November 3rd, 2018
Next Sunday, November 11th is Remembrance Day, a day to remember all who have served, and continue to serve in our armed forces, especially those who have died and those wounded in battle. We pray for healing and peace; that one day, all peoples will lay down their arms and embrace one another as brothers and sisters in one human family.
The St. Gabriel’s Youth Group is excited to share a quick recap of our great events that took place this past month.
At the beginning of October, 30 youth took to the streets of downtown Toronto and distributed almost 100 meal packages consisting of a homemade sandwich, granola bar, and juice box to those in need. It was a very eye-opening and heart-warming experience. Our second outreach initiative was aimed towards helping the environment. We participated in the City of Toronto’s Community Stewardship Program and planted more than 20 trees and shrubs in Sunnybrook Park. Finally, we wrapped up this month’s festivities with a Halloween social filled with food, music, costumes, and games.
We also held two fundraisers to support the 9 young adults attending World Youth Day in Panama this January. Our Silent Auction was a huge success in which a total of $3800 was raised. We would like to thank all who helped organize the event, all who donated items to auction off, as well as all those who participated and placed bids. We also held our annual Halloween Bake Sale and raised more than $1800. Thank you to all who helped bakes, decorated, and purchased delicious baked goods.
We are so blessed to be a part of such a generous parish community and are grateful for your ongoing support!
We look forward to all that is in store for the youth group in the coming weeks, particularly our Talent Night that is taking place on Sunday November 25th. Please save the date and join us for a lovely evening as we showcase the talent of the young people of our parish.
Thursday, November 15th at 7:30 PM.
November 5th to November 10th
MONDAY – ALL SOULS IN PURGATORY – Requested by John Chan TUESDAY – VLADO PETRANOVIC – Requested by Mira Petranovic WEDNESDAY – JOAN RUEST – Requested by her Family THURSDAY – DON POWER – Requested by Fergus O’Connell FRIDAY – PAULINE CHIU – Requested by the Chiu Family SATURDAY – ALL DECEASED – Requested by Chiara & Tina Intini
Meetings in preparation for the R.C.I.A.
(Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults) will begin soon. These meetings are for persons interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith. The exploration may lead the candidate to seek baptism, and become a member of the Catholic Christian community; or for Christians already baptized into another Christian denomination, the reception into the Catholic Church.
Adult Catholics who have not received the sacrament of Confirmation but who wish to do so are also encouraged to attend these sessions.
If you have, or know of, school age children (ages 7 to 14) who wish to prepare for Baptism, please contact the Parish Office at 416-221-8866. Classes for them will begin soon.
Areas of the Philippines were devastated by Typhoon Mangkhut on September 15th, with winds of up to 225 km/h. More than 80 people died as a result of the storm and related landslides, flash floods and destruction of homes, infrastructure and crops.
Days later, on September 28th, an earthquake off the coast of Sulawesi Island, Indonesia, caused a tsunami with waves six meters high. To date, more than 1300 people have been confirmed dead and many, many more remain missing.
In an effort to support the survivors of these two significant disasters, the Archdiocese of Toronto is accepting funds that will be sent through Caritas Internationalis, the official relief network of the Vatican. In both countries, Caritas agencies have deployed workers to provide food, drinking water, temporary shelter and medical support.
Those wishing to help may do so in the following ways: • Online through the Archdiocese of Toronto website: www.archtoronto.org • By phone through the Development Office – 416-934-3411 • Through the parish, making cheques payable to: St. Gabriel’s Passionist Parish – 2018 Philippines / Indonesia – Disaster Relief
We offer our prayers for all those impacted by these natural disasters. Thank you for your ongoing efforts to assist those in crisis.
Thank you for your generous support of Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre. Your food donations are very much appreciated.
Rosalie Hall provides a wide range of child services for young parents and their children. Good Shepherd provides hot meals and shelter for the homeless in our city.
With everyone struggling at this time, your food donations are more important than ever. Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired.
Would you like to see spring flowers scattered throughout the gardens next April? Join us on Saturday, November 10tn at 1:00 for a bulb-planting bee. No experience necessary. Children are welcome to get involved too.
Gardening workshops will resume in January. Stay tuned for topics and schedules. For information on the Gardening Ministry, contact Heather Bennett at heathermjb@gmail.com
Experienced St. Michael’s College School guidance counselors and members of the Student Affairs team will be present to share information and answer your questions about academics, course selection, high school preparation, student mental health and wellness and more. You can also email your questions in advance. The event is free and refreshments will be served. Seating is limited. Reserve your spot today at: guidancematters@smcsmail.com
Monday November 26 from 9:30 to 4:00 PM
Villa Colombo, 40 Playfair Avenue
In the beautiful surroundings of Villa Colombo, a day of Recollection will be held on Monday, November 26th from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Under the direction of Fr. Raffaele Paonessa, it will be a preparation for the holy season of Advent. The cost is $42. Including lunch and two coffee breaks. Please reserve in person or by sending a cheque or money order, payable to Villa Colombo, attention Mirella (416 789 2113) before Tuesday, November 20th Tickets will not be sold at the door.
Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre 1617 Blythe Rd., Mississauga
Women’s ACTS Retreats Thursday, November 15th at 7:00 PM to Sunday, November 18th at 12:00 PM
Men’s ACTS Retreat Thursday, November 29th at 7:00 PM to Sunday December 2nd at 12:00 PM.
The ACTS retreat is a three-day retreat led by those who have attended prior ACTS retreats. Men present men’s retreats; women present women’s retreats. The retreat focuses on adoration, community, theology and service. Scripture and the teachings of the Catholic Church are the guidelines. The goals are to renew yourself spiritually, to strengthen your faith and to apply it in your daily life, and to create lasting and supporting friendships.
Please contact Willy Klaudusz by phone at 647-281-5990 or on the website at https://actscanada.org/
October 28th, 2018
Bartimaeus was a blind groper, sitting by the side of the road. He heard Jesus the wonder worker was passing by. In desperation he calls out ‘Jesus son of David has mercy on me.’ It was a cry that pounced off Jericho’s sycamore trees. People tried to shut him up but he called all the louder, ‘Jesus help me.’ When Jesus asked him how he could help him he begged, ’Lord that I may see again.’
It must be a terrible thing to loose one’s eye sight. To never again see the faces of loved ones. To never again see a sun rise of a sun set. To never again see the splendor of fall colors. It must be a terrible thing to live in the dark. Bartimaeus asked Jesus, ’Lord let me see again.’ “I want to see.” To want sight is to want a capacity which can be used for all kinds of purposes, to see those we love, to see where going when driving a car, to watch TV, to use an i pad. To see is to want the connection with reality that the exercise of sight makes possible.
The first person Bartimaeus saw was Jesus. But Jesus gave Bartimaeus another gift, he gave the gift to see Jesus as more than a miracle worker but also a suffering servant destined to die on the cross. Responding to that gift Bartimeaus followed Jesus along the way as a disciple.
Sight is a wonderful gift, but insight, the ability to see deeper into what we see is a still more wonderful gift.
The first thing we see in the morning is ourselves when we look into the mirror. We usually look pretty awful. But if we are gifted with insight we can see beyond our dishevelled selves and see a person precious to God. We can see a person so loved by God that God sent his son into our world, not to condemn us but to embrace us in God’s love. Gifted with insight we can appreciate our blessings and face our shortcomings.
When we enjoy seeing our fast disappearing fall colors may we all be gifted with the insight beyond the beauty before us and face the truth that by our unbridled human activity we are exploiting, polluting and destroying Earth’s life systems and endangering our very own existence.
I think one of the insights we really need today is the insight to see beyond the toxic rhetoric that’s filling our newscasts night after night. A rhetoric that distorts the way we think about men and women different from ourselves. A rhetoric that makes us suspicious that newcomers to Canada may fail to accept of Canadian values, may fail to fit in, may try impose their ways, their customs on us. This rhetoric that seeks to cover up outright bigotry and intolerance. We all need the insight to see this kind of rhetoric for what it is; an attempt to lure us into believing these good men and women are undeserving of our respect and acceptance. It is basically un-Christian. These men woman and children are our brothers and sisters in our common human family. Remember the words if Jesus who as an infant was a refugee fleeing for his life; I was a stranger and you made me welcome.
May we be gifted with the insight to see God’s deep abiding love for each of us. May we be gifted with the insight to see any and every person who comes into our lives, no matter what their faith, cultural, racial or sexual background as a person precious to God and as a brother or sister worthy or our respect and acceptance. Could our daily prayer go something like, ‘Lord let me see beyond what I see.’?
Founded by St. Paul of the Cross, every Passionist takes a special vow to spend his or her energies in promoting remembrance of the sufferings of Jesus, the memory of the Cross, and reflection of the meaning of the Cross for the world.
Learn about Passionists and our insignia »
Companion for the Walk of the Stations of the Cosmic Earth
St. Gabriel’s Garden – Guided Sensory Reflective Walk
