Parish Office Phone ................................... (701) 223-3606 Hours (Mon.-Fri.) ............... 8:30 am-4:00 pm Education Office ............................ 258-5692 Fax ................................................. 223-5783 E-mail .......... ascension@midconetwork.com Web .......................... ascensionbismarck.org

Pastoral Staff Rev. Msgr. Jim Braaten…………..….Pastor Ray Grabar……………………………Deacon Tony Finneman……………………...Deacon Doyle Schulz…………………………Deacon James Foertsch…..…… Business Manager Kathy Lewis………………... Music & Liturgy

Jan Sitter………………..……….Bookkeeper Julie Luger & Rita Ritter ........... Secretaries Bob Urlacher…………………. Maintenance

Eucharistic Liturgies Saturday ........................................... 5:00 pm Sunday ...................... 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 am Weekdays (Mon.-Fri.) ....................... 8:00 am Holy Days ....................... 8:00 am & 7:00 pm

Sacraments Reconciliation Tuesday-Friday ........... Before 8:00 am Mass Saturday .................................. 3:30-4:30 pm Baptisms Please call the Parish Office to schedule. If possible, contact the office three months prior to the due date. Marriage Arrangements are to be made with the Pastor at least nine months prior to the wedding.

Newcomers

Welcome to the Parish! Contact the Parish Office to register.

As a people of God, of Ascension Catholic

Parish, we are united by Baptism and

committed to meeting the needs of our

faith community. In union with the whole

Church, we will build the Kingdom of

God by proclaiming the Good News,

worshipping God, creating community,

and promoting social justice.

1825 SOUTH 3RD STREET • BISMARCK, ND 58504

Ascension C H U R C H O F T H E

May 14, 2017

YouthNews

ParishNotes

GOD’S SHARE APPEAL

Each year during the Annual God’s Share Appeal, we pause and consider all the great things that are accomplished in the name of Jesus! Thanks to the generosity of many parishioners, to date we have pledges totaling $45,848.50, which represents 41% of our parish goal. We have received 197 gift envelopes which represents 18% of our families participating. Each and every gift is important. If you have not made your gift yet, we ask that you make your commitment today in order to provide the resources needed to continue the vital diocesan programs and ministries that benefit every parish and every parishioner. No gift is too small and every gift is sincerely appreciated.

FaithFormationNews

GRADUATING SENIOR RECOGNITION MASS

Sunday, May 21st at the 11:00 AM Mass

All graduating high school seniors and their families are welcome to attend this special liturgy in recognition of their upcoming graduation. The high school seniors will have reserved seating and will process in with Monsignor Jim. Please be in the church entrance to line up by 10:40 am. RSVP to Beth Kathol in the Parish Office to let us know that you will be attending by Wednesday, May 17th; bkathol@ascensionbismarck.org or 258-5692.

AdultFaithFormation

COR CHRISTI INSTITUTE at the University of Mary

High School Summer Program/Strengthen your Catholic faith | heart for Christ | friendship with God

July 10-14, 2017 & July 24-28, 2017

Cor Christi (“The Heart of Christ”) invites high school students to a living encounter with the foundational teachings and practices of the Catholic faith. This new initiative is born from the desire of a group of young priests and other dedicated believers to offer a new generation—through an intensive summer experience—the basics of the adventure of faith. Cor Christi is open to students who will be entering grades 9, 10, 11, or 12 in the fall of 2017. Housing, meals, and all teaching and activities will be on the campus of the University of Mary. The registration fee is $200 per person, covering all expenses while on campus. Registrations are due by Friday, June 2nd. Registration forms are available in the church entrance. For more information, contact Dr. Leroy Huizenga at 355-8324 or lahuizenga@umary.edu.

FORMED.ORG FEATURE OF THE WEEK

THE WORLD’S FIRST LOVE: MARY, MOTHER OF GOD – AUDIO BOOK With eloquence and brilliance Fulton J. Sheen presents a moving portrayal of the Blessed Virgin Mary, combining deep spirituality, history, philosophy and theology. All the major aspects and events of Mary's life are lovingly depicted in this never-failing source of information, consolation, and inspiration. Sheen gives profound insights into all the Marian beliefs ranging from the Immaculate Conception to the Assumption to the miracle of Our Lady of Fatima. Sheen stresses mankind's need of the Mother of God and her burning love for all her children. The great resurgence of devotion to Mary is God's way of emphasizing the worth and dignity of every person against the false doctrines that have so confused the modern world.

Our parish offers this online subscription to all of our parishioners as a free gift. Go to www.formed.org and register with our parish code: Z79KWG. There are movies, books, audio presentations and programs for the whole family!

SAVE THE DATE. . . THIRST 2017 MEN’S CONFERENCE

Gentlemen, mark your calendars for the THIRST 2017 Men’s Conference sponsored by the Diocese of Bismarck and held at the University of Mary on Saturday, September 23, 2017.

The flowers in front of the altar have been

donated by Duane and Cathy Hruby,

in memory of their mothers, Sally Frank and Pearl Hruby.

5:00 PM 8:00 AM 9:30 AM 11:00 AM

Count Offering Team #1

Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion

Sarah Eberle—Plate Cheryl LaBonte—Plate Andrew LaBonte—Plate Marlene Zimmerman—Plate Linda Charbonneau—Cup Hannah Cahoon—Cup** Mary Schwede—Cup**

Phyllis Silbernagel—Plate Mark Weigel—Plate** Michelle Schmidt—Plate John Bitz—Cup**

Dan Hopfauf—Plate Freddie Frank—Plate Pam Moormann—Plate LaRae Nelson—Plate Danita Deichert—Cup Mike Neigum—Cup** Mary Neigum—Cup**

Jay Uhlman—Plate Sue Mock—Plate Jean Kraft—Plate Shawn Meier—Plate Dave Charles—Cup Melanie Schwab—Cup** Kiaya Schwab—Cup**

Hospitality

Lil Krance Joletta Kern Mike Kern

Jan Daffinrud Terry Daffinrud Brian Schumacher

Elvera Frank Gene Jordan Eric Miller

John Bryan Pam Bryan Vern Mock

Lector Hannah Cahoon Phyllis Silbernagel Denise Jordan Graduates

Altar Server Katrice Kern Wylie Vetter

Milla Weigel Adriel Vetter

Jami Bachmeier Cooper Weidner

Trey Haberlock Erica Haberlock

Video/Audio Operator Brenda Muscha Lauren Weigel Mike Luger Carissa Pieterick

Music Ministry

Joan Backes Lynne Dolajak

Vicki Martel Keylee Hertz Barnet

Kathy Lewis Caritas

Mike Langer Cindy Bleth Carol Reinert

Serving the Assembly May 20th and 21st: 6th Sunday of Easter

Did You Know? The Solemnity of the Ascension of our Lord, on

Thursday, May 25th, is the fortieth day after

Easter Sunday and commemorates the

Ascension of Christ into heaven. In the Diocese

of Bismarck, this Holy Day has been

transferred to the following Sunday, May 28th.

KEEP THE PROMISE “SPECIAL CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCEMENT” A generous donor has blessed our campaign with a pledge to match all campaign pledges and donations up to

$2.5 million total, now through May 31, 2017. Please consider making a pledge to maximize your gift now.

We have already raised $28 million to date and need to reach the goal of $36 million pledged by this summer

in order to break ground on the SMCHS campus, make improvements to the Academy campus and build classroom

additions at our elementary schools. Give by calling 701-354-7062 or email pledge@keepthepromise.net.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support for our Catholic schools.

“ART AND SONG”

Sunday, May 14th at 2:30 pm at St. Mary’s Central High School

Featuring the SMCHS Concert Choir, SM Blues, and artwork by SMCHS students

Cheesecake will be served by the students

Adults $5 and Students $3

TimeTalent&Treasure

Prayer Line Call the Parish Office at 223-3606 or Pauline Mueller at 226-9471. The Prayer Line is a group of parishioners who pray for requested intentions. The names of those requests and/or the intentions are not made public. Names of people listed in the bulletin have given permission to use their name.

John W. Bitz, Mildred Schall, Marjorie Bitz, Jerry Feist, Larry Sackman, Don Hopfauf, Erna Jacobchick, Michelle Niska, Viola Bitz, Bill Feist, Jolene Klein, Dennis Conklin, Deacon Ray Grabar, Richelle Knudson

FINANCIAL BLESSINGS

ParishCalendar

Monday, May 15 8:00 am Communion Service Tuesday, May 16 8:00 am †Leo Keller by Bert Keller and family Wednesday, May 17

8:00 am †Cheryl Heck by Family Thursday, May 18 8:00 am †Don Masseth by Family Friday, May 19 8:00 am †Joseph Johs by Judy Krebs Saturday, May 20 5:00 pm †Irene Ternes by Ron & Lorraine Dressler Sunday, May 21 8:00 am People of the Parish 9:30 am Kyle and BriAnna Wanner by Tim & Gloria Wanner 11:00 am Erin Schwab by Melanie Schwab

Weekly Schedule Monday, May 15 8:30 am Eucharistic Adoration Tuesday, May 16 7:00 pm RCIA Wednesday, May 17 Office Closed/Staff Retreat Sunday, May 21 11:00 am Graduation Mass

Readings for the Week of May 14:

Sunday: Acts 6:1-7/Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19/

1 Pt 2:4-9/Jn 14:1-12

Monday: Acts 14:5-18/Ps 115:1-4, 15-16/Jn 14:21-26

Tuesday: Acts 14:19-28/Ps 145:10-13ab, 21/

Jn 14:27-31a

Wednesday: Acts 15:1-6/Ps 122:1-5/Jn 15:1-8

Thursday: Acts 15:7-21/Ps 96:1-3, 10/Jn 15:9-11

Friday: Acts 15:22-31/Ps 57:8-10, 12/Jn 15:12-17

Saturday: Acts 16:1-10/Ps 100:1b-3, 5/Jn 15:18-21

Sunday: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17/Ps 66:1-7, 16, 20/

1 Pt 3:15-18/Jn 14:15-21

WEEK COLLECTIONS BUDGET

May 7,

2017

$18,104.75 $12,230.00

Fiscal Year

to Date

$571,374.85 $550,350.00

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Adult: In a challenge you face right now, what will it mean to live the way of Jesus Christ? Youth: Name some ways you can be more like Jesus when you are playing with your friends or family.

The word “church” finds its roots in the Greek word ecclesia. However, a correct translation of that word is actually “an assembly of people, called out of their homes into a public meeting place.” Thus, the Church is really the people who make it up; the use of the term in relation to a building has developed through time, but we must never forget that it is we who are indeed the Church. That is a basic part of something St. Peter writes in our Second Reading. Peter says, “… like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house,” in reference to the members. He is saying in effect that we are called to build a church with living stones, namely ourselves. We all also understand that for a structure to be most effective, every element is needed to keep it strong. We, as the Church and as our parish, are no different. We need each person, each part of what is really the Church, to be like a living stone, active and involved. We are a faith community, not just a community of worshipers, but a community to reach out and serve others. To really do that we need each member to offer something of himself or herself. In a message to a celebration about the Church being the people, Pope Francis said, “It is isolation that harms, not sharing. Being among people does not mean merely being open toward others, but also letting others get close to us.” To be open, to be Church, requires each of us to do a part.