November 24th, 2013
Have you ever been at a lecture and at the end of the lecture the speaker says, ‘now to sum it all up’ and he tries to tie everything together and make some sense of what he said?
This is the last Sunday of our liturgical year and in a way the church is saying to us, ‘well to sum it all up the truth of the matter is this, Christ is King.’ Christ is King of kings, Lord of lords.’
This feast was instituted by Pope Pius 11th in 1925. It was at a time when many of the royal families of Europe were being replaced by other forms of government. It was a time of growing nationalism and secularism and the truths of our faith were being pushed out of public life. So Pope Pius brought us back to a basic truth that Christ is the King to whom we owe loyalty before all others.
Hearing today’s gospel, remembering Jesus nailed to the cross, wearing his mock crown of thorns, taunted with that last temptation ‘if you are the king of the Jews come down from the cross and we will believe – or the words of the thief, ‘save yourself and us’ Jesus remains faithful to his life’s mission – to bear witness to the love of the Father for all of us. Jesus preached his last sermon from his cross telling us that God so loved the world he sent his son to the world, not to condemn us but to bring us closer to our loving God.
As one author wrote,’ He is the king who serves the other. He is the king who dies for the other. He is the king who is ridiculed, scorned, and mocked. Most insufferable, most repugnant of all, is the fact that he is a powerless sovereign. Dying on his cross-throne, Jesus is thrice taunted for the fact that he does not save himself. “You a savior?” they jeer. “Then save yourself.” Soldiers with their sour wine chide, “Aren’t you a real king? Save yourself.” Even a criminal scolds: “I thought you were supposed to be a Messiah. Prove it.”
This is all so out of step with our notion of kingship. As St. Paul wrote – to the Greeks this was foolish, to the Jews this was a stumbling block. But to those who believe Christ the King is the power of God, the wisdom of God.
What has all this to do with us? We say we are the followers of Christ and as such we are called, each in our own way, in how we live and how we love and serve to bring about Christ’s kingdom in our day, in our homes, in our workplace, in our parish, in our community, in our world.
In the preface for this feast we hear that Christ wants each one of us to establish an eternal and universal kingdom – a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love and peace. The reality of our lives is so far removed from such a kingdom. The reality of our lives is social injustice and the exploitation of the poor, job insecurities, strident political divisions. The reality of our lives is in knowing that we are helpless to stop the civil wars that blight the human family. Life is unfair to so many men, women and children around the world especially those driven from their homes by civil wars. The teaching of Christ, ‘love one another as I have loved you’ falls on too many deaf ears. At the same time Christ’s love is alive in people’s generous response to needs of our brothers and sisters in the Philippines. Christ’s love will be seen in people’s generous response to the food and toy drives for this coming Christmas. There is good in this world or ours, there is love and healing in this troubled world or ours. But we have a long way to go before we realize Christ the King’s kingdom of truth and life, holiness and grace, justice love and peace. But we must never stop trying. Remember the song, ‘let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me – let there be truth and life, holiness and grace, justice love and peace – and let it begin with me in the daily living of my life.
May the Bread of Life we receive at this Eucharist strength each of us to let Christ’s kingdom begin in me and with me.
| Posted in Homily |
November 17th, 2013
“Advent: New beginnings”
Wednesday, December 4th from 7:30 to 8:30 P.M.
To prepare our hearts and minds for Christmas, the parish will be hosting again an Advent Evening of Reflection on Wednesday, December 4th, from 7:30 to 8:30 P.M. This year, our theme will be “Advent: New beginnings”. Father Jack Lynch sfm, will be leading us in prayer and reflection.
Father Lynch is a member of the Scarboro Foreign Missions. He was first missioned to Peru. Later he served as Director of a regional formation Center for 10 years in Central America. From 1997 to 2012, Father Lynch was Superior General of the Scarboro Missions. He is presently engaged in retreat work; and he continues with his involvement with the televised masses on Vision TV and Salt and Light TV.
With the Christmas season fast approaching, and the pressure for us to shop, entertain, and decorate keeps mounting, this evening will be a great opportunity to pause, listen, and look deeply into our lives to find the room there to appreciate the meaning of “God with us”.
Please mark your calendar, and reserve the time for some quietude, so that we can remain anchored amidst the busyness of the season.
November 18th to November 23rd, 2013
MONDAY – GRACE & SALVADOR SAN JUAN – Requested by Frank & Sylvia Leaver TUESDAY – CHRISTINA KIBEDA – Requested by Val Palazzo & Sarah Elizabeth WEDNESDAY – ADAM HRYHORCHUK – Requested by Tom Keane THURSDAY – LOUIS & MARIE FUNG – Requested by Janice FRIDAY – JIM & VERONICA ANDREW – Requested by Mary-Ann Mailhot SATURDAY – PHILIP LEAH – Requested by Kathi Leah
There is a Book of Remembrance 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.
This Weekend, November 16th/17th
The Shepherds’ Trust has a mission to provide, comfort and care for those who have steadfastly cared for us – our retired priests. As parishioners, we have our own memories of a Catholic priest who made a positive, meaningful and lasting impact in our lives.
Each year, thousands of people contribute to the Shepherds’ Trust. The collection will take place in all parishes in the Archdiocese this weekend, November 16th and 17th. We want our priests to retire safely and with dignity. The Shepherds’ Trust allows us to help achieve this goal. Your generosity is deeply appreciated.
The Catholic community across the Archdiocese of Toronto is responding to the humanitarian crisis in the Philippines with prayer and practical assistance following the catastrophic effects of Typhoon Haiyan on November 8th. We will be working with Catholic partners in the affected region who will be present to address short and long term needs.
If you wish to assist the relief efforts, you can make an online donation
The Canadian government has announced it will match donations to the Typhoon Haiyan Relief Fund made by Canadians between November 9th and December 9th. Contributions made to the Archdiocese of Toronto for this relief effort will be eligible for the matching program.
We offer our prayers for the victims of this natural disaster and those who have been displaced. Thank you for your ongoing efforts to help those in crisis.
Your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses next weekend for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre. More volunteers are needed to help feed the hungry in our city. Please get a copy of a casserole recipe and a pan and give it a try. Three recipes are available on St. Gabriel’s web site. Printed copies of the recipes are also available in the Parish Office. Remember to mark the label on the pan lid with the name of the casserole. For more information, you may contact Irene Albrecht at 416 221-2791.
We are having a Christmas Toy Drive for the Catholic Children’s Aid Society. Can you help by dropping off an unwrapped new toy for a child 0 to 12 years old? Containers will be set up at the doors of the Church from Saturday, November 24th until Sunday, December 15th .
During Advent, the Society of St Vincent de Paul will have a Giving Tree in the Gathering Space. The tree will be decorated with gift tags. Each tag will have the gender and age of a child. We invite you to take a tag, buy a gift of about $25.00 for that child and return the unwrapped gift, with the tag attached, to the box provided in the Gathering Space.
If you are a knitter, there will be mitten tags. Please take one and return mitts to the box in the Gathering Space.
At this time of the year, we are also thinking of the young mothers and babies of Rosalie Hall. If you wish, to help, you may choose a “Christmas Stocking” from the tree to purchase pyjamas or undershirts, for babies ages 6 to 18 months. Unwrapped Items with the original stocking tag attached can be left in the box provided near the “mitten” tree no later than December 12th. Toys for these little ones would also be appreciated.
For the Moms, we are suggesting gift cards from Shopper’s Drug Mart or Tim Hortons, Walmart or MacDonald’s. These can be placed in the envelopes provided and brought to the Parish Office. Thank you for your generous support!
Making Life Decisions — Inviting God on your Journey Wednesday, November 20th – 7:00 P.M. Jack Astor’s Bar & Grill 580 Progress Ave (Near Scarborough Town Centre)
Faith Connections, the Office of Catholic Youth, and the local parishes invite you to join us for an evening of thought-provoking conversation on theological topics! Munchies provided, cash bar available – come and bring a friend!
Special guest: Bishop Vincent Nguyen, Auxiliary Bishop of Toronto.
Bishop Nguyen will reflect on being attentive to God when we make decisions both big (i.e. what is my vocation?) and small (i.e. should I change jobs?). His Excellency will also share some of his own story. For more information: visit our Toronto Theology on Tap web page, or contact OCY by e-mail youth@ocytoronto.org or phone 416-599-7676. Your RSVP would be appreciated.
Journeying with Mary and Joseph Today
Saturday, November 30th from 10A.M. – 5:30 P.M. Scarboro Missions, 2685 Kingston Rd, Scarborough
Faith Connections and Scarboro Missions invite young adults (18-39) to join them for a Saturday Advent retreat, with guest speakers, prayer, and quiet reflection time guided by scripture—including lunch and the Sunday liturgy. Cost: $35 (if a concern, contact us). Registration required by November 22nd: e-mail faithconnections@csj-to.ca, phone 416-467-2645 or visit www.faithconnections.ca.
Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week. Collection for November 10th, 2013
Envelopes 408 $10,429 Loose Change $1,126 Weekly Portion of PAG 182 $3,519 (Pre-Authorized Giving) Total $15,074
Maintenance – November 3rd, 2013 $7,313.95
You can now use your credit card to make your recurring or one-time Offertory donations to St. Gabriel’s. Your donations may earn you valuable points, travel miles or cash back! A classic case of giving and receiving!
Simply log on to the Archdiocese of Toronto website (www.archtoronto.org) select “Donate Now”, “Our Parish”, “Toronto East”, then pick “St. Gabriel Catholic Parish” under Parish in the Donation Information section. Complete all required information.
Remember that your tax receipt for a recurring offertory donation will be issued to you by the Archdiocese at the end of the year. For a one-time gift, your tax receipt is emailed to you immediately.
The 2014 Offertory Boxed Envelopes will be available in the Gathering Space at the end of November. Please inform the Parish Office if you have recently moved or are new to the Parish so that we may update our records and label your box correctly. If you are on the Pre- Authorized Giving Plan, you will still receive a smaller green box of envelopes since these include Initial, New Year’s, Christmas, Easter and Maintenance envelopes. You may contact the Parish Office if you do not have envelopes but would like a box for 2014.
Thank you for your continuing support!
| Posted in Bulletin |
November 10th, 2013
November is the month of the Holy Souls. During this month especially we pray for all those who died. The Hebrew Scripture tells us that it is a good and holy thing to pray for the death that they we loosed from their sins.
Death is a reality of life. As someone once said, ‘no one gets out of this world alive.’ Yet death is a no no subject for a lot of people. Death is like a four letter, we never say some died, we say they ‘passed’ or ‘passed on’ or they are ‘no longer with us.’
As Christians we endure death but we believe in life, endless life and so we do not grieve like people who have no hope, we believe that Jesus rose again and that it will be the same for those who die believing in him; God will bring them to himself.
Our first reading in today’s Mass tell of this heroic family, the Maccabees who all died painful deaths rather than deny their faith in the God of the universe who would raise them up to an everlasting renewal of life.
In the gospel the Sadducees, who did not believe in life after death used this silly example of the woman, married to the seven brothers and asked Jesus whose wife will she be when she dies. Probably with great patience, Jesus tried to set them straight. Firstly, the resurrection is not a prolongation of our presently earthly life. There will be a new heaven and a new earth and an entirely new mode of existence in which marriage will not be an issue.
We have no idea what life after death will be like. St.Paul tells us that ‘the eye has not seen, nor has the ear heard, nor has it entered into human mind the things God has prepared for those who love him.
We can look at death in another way. There are people who can be so upset that a loved one died and there wasn’t a priest present. One priest I knew had a great thing to say to such good people; ‘if you tell me how he lived I can tell you how he died.’ We can believe that there is no discontinuity between this life and the afterlife, there is just life and so the way we live now will be the way we will live always. Think about it.
If our lives are open to others and the needs of others, if we are willing to love as we have been loved, if we are willing to forgive as we have been forgiven then we can trust the truth that ‘as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever – in this world and the next.
Every Sunday we rattle off the Nicene Creed, our ancient statement of faith that goes back to the early days of the church. The final words of our statement of faith are, ‘I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. We endure death but we believe in life, endless life.
November 11th is Remembrance Day, a day to remember all who have served, and continue serving 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.
November 11th to November 16th, 2013
MONDAY – MARIA SUNG HAK LEE – Requested by Elizabeth Chang TUESDAY – PAUL CASEY – Requested by Geraldine Casey WEDNESDAY – TULIO RAMIREZ – Requested by the Family THURSDAY – SPECIAL INTENTION – Requested by John & Alice Donaghue FRIDAY – SOULS IN PURGATORY – Requested by Zaida Elep SATURDAY – GEORGE LEWIS – Requested by Winnie & Anne Lewis
Sunday, November 24th at 12:30 PM Mass
The Confirmation Enrollment Ceremony for all Confirmation candidates will be held on Sunday, November 24th at the 12:30 P.M. Mass. All Confirmation candidates must attend. Candidates are reminded to submit their letters requesting Confirmation to Fr. Brando through the Parish Office by Saturday, November 16th.
Sunday, November 10th at 3:00 P.M. St. Paul’s Basilica 83 Power Street (1 block East of Queen and Parliament Sts.)
Come and join us in prayer with religious leaders from many faith traditions on Sunday, November 10th at 3:00 P.M. Parking is available. For further information, please contact the Office of Ecumenical and Interfaith Affairs at (416) 934-3400 ext. 344 or email dmacpherson@archtoronto.org
Monday, November 11th 4:00 to 6:00 P.M.
Cardinal Collins has designated Monday, November 11th as the Archdiocesan Day of Confession. Every parish in the Archdiocese is making time available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation on that day. This important sacrament will be available from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. here at St. Gabriel’s. All are encouraged and welcomed to receive this sacrament of pardon and peace.
Saturday, November 16th at 2:30 PM
A reception will be hosted for our new parishioners who registered with us in the past year on Saturday, November 16th at 2:30 P.M. here at the parish. Invitations have been sent out. If you are new to the parish, and have not yet registered, please contact the Parish Office at 416-221-8866.
Wednesday, December 4th at 7:30 P.M.
There will be an Advent Evening of Reflection here at St. Gabriel’s on Wednesday, December 4th at 7:30 P.M. The guest speaker will be Fr Jack Lynch. Watch the bulletin for further details!
Thank you to everyone who supported the St. Gabriel’s Youth Group Bake Sale. $1,000 was raised to help with the costs of attending the Steubenville Youth Conference which will take place in Toronto, July 4th to 6th, 2014. This conference will draw thousands of young people together to discover the richness of the Catholic Church through prayer, praise and reflection. Your generosity is outstanding!
Fair trade organic coffees will be on sale after all the Masses next weekend.
Regular ground coffee: $5.50 Decaffeinated: $6 Whole Beans: $5.50 Chocolate Bars: $4 incl. Taxes Hot Chocolate and Cocoa: $4.75 Teas: $4.00 and $4.25 by variety
November 16th/17th
The Shepherds’ Trust has a mission to provide, comfort and care for those who have steadfastly cared for us – our retired priests. As parishioners, we have our own memories of a Catholic priest who made a positive, meaningful and lasting impact in our lives. Each year, thousands of people contribute to the Shepherds’ Trust. The collection will take place in all parishes in the Archdiocese next weekend, on November 16th and 17th. Envelopes will be distributed this weekend, November 9th and 10th.
We want our priests to retire safely and with dignity. The Shepherds’ Trust allows us to help achieve this goal. Your generosity is deeply appreciated.
The Archdiocese of Toronto is now accepting financial contributions for humanitarian relief as the death toll continues to rise following an earthquake that struck the central Philippines on October 15.
The earthquake, centered about 620 km southeast of Manila, has been blamed for more than 160 deaths so far, with hundreds of people injured and dozens still missing. Government reports suggest more than 158,000 people have been displaced, with 100,000 of them being housed in 85 evacuation centres. The official Catholic relief agency on the ground, NASSA-Caritas Philippines, has already released financial assistance to augment the relief operation of the dioceses in the Bohol region. Funds from the local church are also being tapped to provide emergency assistance to the affected areas.
We offer our prayers for the victims of this natural disaster and those who have been displaced. Thank you for your ongoing efforts to help those in crisis in the Philippines.
November 21st to November 24th
Feeling your faith, spiritual or family life needs a boost? Come to the Men’s ACTS Retreat November 21st to 24th at Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre, Mississauga. Private room and bathroom. Great food! For more details contact Willy Klaudusz at 905-824-1159.
Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week. Collection for October 27th, 2013
Envelopes 424 $8,693 Loose Change $1,248 Weekly Portion of PAG 182 $3,519 (Pre-Authorized Giving) Total $13, 460
Please remember to print your full name on your Offertory envelope and then seal it.
The “Pre-Authorized Giving” Plan (PAG), authorized and supported by the Archdiocese of Toronto, is a direct debit program. It allows parishioners to make their regular offertory donations by automatic monthly bank withdrawal on or about the 20th of each month. Participation in the PAG provides a regular dependable cash flow of contributions to the parish and enables us to better manage the Parish finances. PAG brochures and sign-up forms are available in the Parish Office and on the tables at the back of the Church.
If there are any changes to your address or phone number, please contact the Parish Office at 416-221-8866 so that we may update our records. Thank you.
The 2014 Offertory Boxed Envelopes will be available in the Gathering Space at the end of November. Please inform the Parish Office if you have recently moved or are new to the Parish so that we may update our records and label your box correctly.
If you are on the Pre- Authorized Giving Plan, you will still receive a smaller green box of envelopes since these include Initial, New Year’s, Christmas, Easter and Maintenance envelopes. You may contact the Parish Office if you do not have envelopes but would like a box for 2014.
November 3rd, 2013
I was reading an article in a Catholic magazine and it was on the different reactions people had to Pope Francis’ recent interview with an Italian editor. One Catholic author wasn’t all that impressed with the interview. He thought the Pope should be more cautious in his replies to interviewers. She thought the Pope was like ‘a person unburdening oneself with friends after a good dinner and plenty of wine.’ The author of the article had this observation about that remark, ‘that this is a pretty fair description of the Jesus of the gospels.’ He said that many biblical commentators have suggested that the gospels might be classified as Jesus’s “table talk”.
As for the comment about plenty of wine he reminded us that the first miracle of Jesus was supplying a young bride and groom with an abundance of wine so that the celebration of their life and love could go on. His enemies referred to Jesus as a wine bibber.
But Jesus taught us many things while enjoying a meal. He warned us to come properly dressed for a meal, he cautioned us not to take the first place at table lest we be told to give up that place to someone more important. We should always respond to an invitation to a meal. He told us that when we invite people to a meal it is best to invite those who do not have the means or ability to invite us to their home. It was at a meal he accepted the gratitude and love of the sinful woman. It was at his final meal, after a long conversation with his friends and plenty of wine that Jesus gave us the gift of the Eucharist we are now celebrating, offering us his body and blood as our nourishment.
In today’s gospel there is a bit of a switch. Usually people invited Jesus to a meal. In the gospel Jesus invites himself into the home of Zacchaeus –‘I must stay at your house today.’
By choosing to be a tax collector Zacchaeus had separated himself from the Jewish community. He was working for the enemy, the pagan Romans. But he must have heard of Jesus and was curious about him otherwise why make the effort of running ahead of the group and climbing the tree.
One commentator says the Zacchaeus was basically a good man, he made his profits for sure but he also gave generously to the poor and he promised Jesus that if it was shown he cheated anyone he would generously make it up to them. Other people grumbled about Jesus going and being a guest of a sinner but Jesus was really reaching out to this good man and by dining with him he showed Zacchaeus the respect his neighbours denied him.
We see so much of this in the ministry of Pope Francis. He visits a prison and washes the feed of young men and women; he goes to a port city to be with refugees who risked their lives to find freedom. He welcomes and is willing to meet with believers and non-believers. He reaches out to those alienated from the church. In this he follows Jesus as we are all meant to do. We are to reach out to the new comer, we are to reach out to the poor, the needy, the homeless and the hungry, and we are to reach out to those men and women who are exploited by employers. How can we do this? That goes back to our own ingenuity and generosity, our own willingness to help or be present to others. Charity begins at home. If we are alienated from some family member, some relative then we make the effort to reach out to them and make peace with them.
As we continue to celebrate and share in this Eucharistic meal with one another and with Jesus we pray that just as Jesus reached to Zacchaeus and changed his life we too will have the generosity we need to reach out to those who need our help, our love our healing.
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.
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Companion for the Walk of the Stations of the Cosmic Earth
St. Gabriel’s Garden – Guided Sensory Reflective Walk
