travanj 2014.

Dragi i poštovani župljani i prijatelji župe Sv. Ante!

I ove godine šaljem vam svoje pismo da nas jos vise poveže u vjeri i radosti Kristova Uskrsnuća. Kristova pobjeda nad našim slabostima i smrtnošću je naša vjera i velika radost. S tom vjerom i radošću mi smo sposobni gledati na svijet, na našu župu i na sebe same u svijetlu božanskog Života koji nam se neprestano i bezuvjetno daruje u Isusu Kristu.

Pitajmo se što nam daje snagu, raspoloženje i volju da se okupljamo i surađujemo kao bolja obitelj? Što nas izgrađuje u jednu živu zajednicu župe Sv. Ante? Prisjetimo se događaja prošle godine. Pod vodstvom novoizabranog sv. oca pape Franje, i našeg novoizabranog župskog vijeća, proslavili smo uspješno blagdane Uskrsa, piknika, Božića, dočeka Nove Godine, Extravaganze i ostalih blagdana i prigodnih susreta i svečanosti. Odaziv je uvijek bio ohrabrujući. Ono što nas i nadalje povezuje i ohrabruje su naši korijeni, naša kršćanska baština i običaji. No iznad svega to je naša vjera i zajedništvo s Kristom koji nas neprestano okrepljuje. Krist Živi s nama i u nama. Po njemu mi smo Kristovi iii kršćani. U njemu mi smo Božja obitelj i zovemo Boga svojim Ocem. On je naša budućnosti nagrada.

Naše zajedništvo i uspjeh ne bi bili mogući bez Kristove i naše žrtve. Svaka sv. Misa je žrtveni prinos Bogu koji nas gradi i obogaćuje pojedinacno i kao zajednicu. Ta Zrtva je dragovoljna i puna Ijubavi. Ovozemaljski svijet ne poznaje tu irtvu. Cak stovise on od nje zazire. Zato svijet osuduje Krista i sve koji njemu pripadaju. Mi se ne bojimo te osude jednako tako kao sto se ne bojimo svijeta. Naša sigurnost i bogatstvo su u Kristu koji je pobijedio svijet. Krist je Dobri Pastir koji nas vodi punini zivota. Velika je razlika da Ii zivimo da bismo na koncu umrijeli, iii umiremo sebi da bi smo u Kristu iivjeli. Isus je prihvatio muku i smrt da bi nam otvorio vrata neba. On je novi Adam novog narastaja. One koji ga slijede on ih blagoslivlje svojim duhom mudrosti, razuma, znanja, dobrog savijeta, jakosti, pobožnosti i straha Boljeg. To su darovi Duha Svetoga. Mi više ne živimo po tijelu, već po Duhu. 25. svibnja naši će se mladi krizmati i primiti darove Duha Svetoga. Tako ojačani možemo s pouzdanjem gledati u našu budućnost. Sjedinimo se s Kristovom žrtvom u poniznosti i molitvi za napredak naše župske zajednice.

Sa rastom naše zajednice rastu i naše potrebe. Od sada naš župnik ima svoga pomoćnika. To je don Goran s kojim bi župnik mogao izmijeniti uloge. Očekujemo da će San Pedro postati naša misija. Zahvaljujući požrtvovnosti Vlaste Lebo naša je dvorana otvorena široj zajednici. Tu su i troškovi održavanja i popravaka naših objekata.
Od C.Lasic Carpet imamo novi tepih u dvorani. Potreba je također sanirati kuhinju sa zamrzivačem. Župni stan još uvijek čeka centralno grijanje. Don Goranu je potreban novi auto. Hvala dragom Bogu na svemu. Hvala i svima vama koji nas podržavate. Nadbiskupija nas potiče na solidamost sa siromašnim župama i školama nadbiskupije. Prostora za nasu velikodusnost ima podosta. Otvorimo dakle svoja srca Onome koji se posve daruje nama.

Neka nam je svima sretan i blagoslovljen Uskrs! Vaš u Kristu odani,
o. Ivan Gerovac, S.J. (dušobriinik)

April 2014

Dear parishioners and friends of St. Anthony:

This year again I am writing you this letter of Easter to bind us even more in Faith and Joy of Christ's Resurrection. Christ's victory over our wretchedness and death is our faith and joy that enables us to see the world, our Parish and ourselves from God's perspective and life. God shares with us unconditionally and always his divine life in Jesus Christ.

Let us ask, what gives us strength, disposition and desire to come together and to cooperate as God's family? What builds us in a living community of St. Anthony? Let us remind of the past year events. Under the leadership of the newly elected Holy Father Francis and under the leadership of our newly elected Parish Council we were celebrating Easter, picnic, Christmas, New Year, Extravaganza and many gatherings and celebrations. The response was always encouraging. What unite us are our roots, our Christian heritage and culture, and above all our faith in Jesus who is always refreshing us. We believe that Christ lives with us and in us. That makes us who we are, faithful Christians. In Him and through Him we belong to God's family and can call God as our Father. He is our future and heritage.

Our communion would not be possible without Christ's and our sacrifices. Every celebrated Mass is sacrificial offering to God who builds us and enriches us individually and as community. This offering is generous and lovable. The world does not know this sacrifice. Even more it does not want to know it. For this reason the world forsakes Jesus and His followers. We are not afraid of it as well as we are not afraid of the world. Our security and treasures are in Christ who has won the world. Christ is our Good Shepherd who leads us to the fullness of life. There is a big difference between those who live to die, and those who die to live in Christ. Jesus went into death to open the gate of heaven for us. He is a new Adam for a new generation. Those who follow Him He gives the spirit of wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, fortitude, piety and fear of God. These are the gifts of the Holy Spirit which our young people will receive on May 25 at confirmation. Our community will be strengthened by these young people who will need our guidance and support. We can see the bright future of our parish as long as we are united with the risen Lord in prayer and action.

With the growth of our community we have greater needs too. Therefore the pastor will have his associate. St. Anthony will extend its responsibility towards our people in San Pedro. Mary Star of the Sea is hopefully going to be our Mission. Our hall is more available now thanks to Mrs. Vlasta Lebo. The hall is refurnished with a new carpet. There is a need for the kitchen maintenance. The rectory is still waiting for its central heating (HVAC). We have purchased a new car for Fr. Goran. Thanks to God for everything. Thanks to you all who generously take care of our needs. The Archbishop is encouraging us to take care also of the poor parishes and schools (TIM). There is a great scope to practice our solidarity with the local and universal Church. Let us open our hearts and minds to these needs and accept the Mercy of God. Let us celebrate the Easter and the canonization of the two great Popes, John XXIII and John Paul II on April 27th.

With Easter greetings and blessings,
Yours in the Lord,
Fr. Ivan Gerovac, S.J. (Pastor)