Ascension. March 26, SOUTH 3RD STREET BISMARCK, ND C H U R C H O F T H E

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1 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. Ascension C H U R C H O F T H E 1825 SOUTH 3RD STREET BISMARCK, ND March 26, 2017 Parish Office Phone... (701) Hours (Mon.-Fri.)... 8:30 am-4:00 pm Education Office Fax 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.

2 LiturgicalNotes LENTEN REGULATIONS Fasting & Abstinence: Catholics aged 14 and older abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all Fridays of Lent. In addition, on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, Catholics from ages fast, limiting themselves to one full meal and two smaller meals each day. Prayer: Catholics are encouraged to pray more during Lent, especially with scripture. Lent is also an ideal time to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation in preparation for the celebration of Christ's Passion, Death and Resurrection. Almsgiving: Moved by the sacrifice of Christ, many Christians combine almsgiving with fasting, giving the poor the money they saved by eating, drinking or buying less as they rely more upon God's abundant grace. LITURGICAL MINISTERS Liturgical Ministers are needed for Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. Additional Ministers are needed for the 8:00 am Mass on Easter Sunday, as we have large attendance at all Masses. If you are able to assist at any of these liturgies, please contact Jan Sitter at or Sign-up sheets are also in the foyer. ParishNotes PARISH LENTEN PROJECT The Social Concerns Committee continues to collect food items for the Bismarck High School Food Pantry. This food pantry is for students who are attending BHS to assist them and their families. Some of these teens are acting as the responsible adult in homes struggling with adverse difficulty. They watch over the well being of younger siblings, as well as themselves. Please join in the collection through the rest of the Lenten Season. Feel free to purchase the items and leave them at the collection point in the church foyer. You may also donate gift cards or money that will be used to purchase items that are needed by the Pantry. Thank you for your continuous generous contributions. MEALS FOR MONSIGNOR JIM If you enjoy cooking, a new ministry opportunity is available at Church of the Ascension, preparing and delivering a meal to the rectory for Monsignor. If we get enough volunteers, you would only be asked to make a meal every month or two. If this is a ministry you would like to be a part of, please call Julie Luger at or the parish office at , and she will get you scheduled. FaithFormationNews GRILL-OUT This Wednesday, March 29 from 4:45-6:45 pm in Community Room Join us this Wednesday for a free-will offering meal provided by our Knights of Columbus council during our Faith Formation sessions. This is open to all of our parish families, and gives our Faith Formation families the opportunity to have supper together before or after class. This month they are serving Taco-in-a-Bag. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Save the Date! June 5th 8th from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at Cathedral Ascension, Cathedral, and St. Anne s parishes will be hosting a Cat Chat VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL, June 5-8 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at the Cathedral! Our theme this year is: Cathletics! Training to Be Champions for Christ. VBS is for children entering Kindergarten through 5th grade this upcoming fall. Registration forms will be available the first weekend of April in the entrance of the church as well as on our parish website: We are limited to 100 children, so be sure to register early! VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HELP WITH VBS We need current 5th grade to 12th grade students to serve as Crew Leaders (counts as three stewardship service projects for Confirmation) and adults to serve as Station Leaders. Please contact Beth Kathol at or bkathol@ascensionbismarck.org if you can help or would like more information.

3 AdultFaithFormation ALL PARISH LENTEN ONLINE STUDY PROGRAM Join in this study at Formed.org. Type in parish code Z79KWG and look under Programs and click on Symbolon. This Week, watch Symbolon Session 6: The Paschal Mystery Discussion Questions 1. What similarities do you see between the crucifixion of Christ and Psalm 22? 2. How would you respond to a friend who asks you: How do you know the resurrection of Jesus happened and that It s not just a myth? 3. How is it that the death and resurrection of Christ allows for God to be both just and merciful with humanity? 4. Here s another way of saying that: Every death presents an opportunity for a resurrection. Every suffering can be a tremendous gift. How can suffering or carrying a cross be a great gift? 5. Why is more joy and fulfillment found on the way of the Cross? LIGHTHOUSE KIOSK FEATURE OF THE WEEK CD Mediations on the Stations of the Cross The stations of the Cross is a devotion and reflection in which we walk alongside Jesus on His way to Calvary. By prayerfully participating in this meditation we are able to clearly see through His passion and death the depths of God's love for mankind and the price He paid for our salvation. I like to meditate on the Stations of the Cross, and I use these meditations when I spend time in the Chapel. I like it very much. Mary, CA I am a returning Catholic who had never learned the Stations. After listening to this CD a number of times, I understand and will be confident to do this devotion. Judy, SK CA Check the Lighthouse Media kiosk in the church foyer for this and many other titles. KC COUNCIL #7602 FISH FRY Fridays During Lent 5-7 pm Ascension Education Building $8.50 Adults, $ and under, Family Meal of $25 This Friday, fried Alaskan cod, baked potato, coleslaw, mac-n-cheese, corn, and desserts. STATIONS OF THE CROSS Fridays During Lent 5:30 pm 5:00 PM 8:00 AM 9:30 AM 11:00 AM Count Offering Team #7 Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion Hospitality Linda Charbonneau Plate Bill Blotsky Plate Renee Jangula Plate Michelle Fitterer Plate** Pauline Mueller Cup Carol Preskey Cup** Bonnie Sanders Cup Mike Kern Joletta Kern Ken Preskey Pete Baumgartner Plate Rose Senger Plate** Mark Weigel Plate Michelle Schmidt Cup** Terry Daffinrud Jan Daffinrud Al Lick Danita Deichert Plate Jean Kraft Plate Mike Neigum Plate Mary Neigum Plate Freddie Frank Cup** Josh Hager Cup Dan Hopfauf Cup** Elvera Frank Bernie Vetter Leo Vetter Catherine Erickson Plate Sue Mock Plate Kiaya Schwab Plate Melanie Schwab Plate Rosie Dingus Cup** Jay Uhlman Cup** VOLUNTEER Cup Steve Berg Genny Berg Vern Mock Lector Robert Rebel Rita Ritter Jean Kraft Celia Vetter Altar Server Video/Audio Operator Wylie Vetter Katrice Kern Serving the Assembly April 1st and 2nd: 5th Sunday of Lent Karston Kellar Grace Haider Cooper Weidner Trey Haberlock Erica Haberlock Ken Jarolimek Patrick Kellar Val Frank Debbie Kuntz

4 John W. Bitz, Mildred Schall, Marjorie Bitz, Jerry Feist, Larry Sackman, Don Hopfauf, Erna Jacobchick, Leo Keller, Michelle Niska, Viola Bitz, Bill Feist, Jolene Klein, Dennis Conklin, Deacon Ray Grabar Prayer Line Call the Parish Office at or Pauline Mueller at 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. TimeTalent&Treasure In the entire Bible from Genesis in the Old Testament through the Gospel of John, the incident reported in John 9, the Gospel Reading on this Fourth Sunday of Lent, the restoration of sight to the blind man is the only instance of a blind person since birth being healed. No other prophet or apostle or priest ever performed such a miracle. Isaiah the prophet had predicted The eyes of blind will be opened (Isaiah 35:5) in his prophecies of the Messiah. Of course, we need to understand that the eyes of the blind will be opened has a double meaning. Yes, the blind man can see, but he can also understand and comprehend what Jesus saving grace means. This time during Lent is a time for us to open our eyes as well. We need to see and to embrace the fact that Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer. To see we need light. In the Second Reading from St. Paul s Letter to the Ephesians, Paul says, Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth. Is that not what our whole purpose in Lent is? To seek the light; to find an understanding of the Lord s place in our lives; to open our eyes; and to become Disciples of the Lord? We often make reference to the fact that we are called to be disciples. What does that mean? According to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, it meant, Do not keep Christ to yourselves. Share with others the joy of your faith. The world needs the witness of your faith; it surely needs God. FINANCIAL BLESSINGS WEEK COLLECTIONS BUDGET March 19, 2017 Fiscal Year to Date $8, $12, $474, $464, ParishCalendar Monday, March 27 8:00 am Communion Service Tuesday, March 28 8:00 am Loretta Grabar by Michael & Judy Donahue Wednesday, March 29 8:00 am Joseph Johs by Judy Krebs Thursday, March 30 8:00 am William Schaff by Caroline Schaff Friday, March 31 8:00 am Loretta Grabar by Linda Charbonneau Saturday, April 1 5:00 pm Frances Becker by Alice Schumacher Sunday, April 2 8:00 am People of the Parish 9:30 am Elizabeth Wald by Leo & Bernie Vetter 11:00 am Cheryl Heck by Family Weekly Schedule Monday, March 27 8:30 am Eucharistic Adoration Tuesday, March 28 7:00 pm Stewardship Committee meeting Wednesday, March 29 4:00, 5:30, 7:00 Faith Formation Sessions 4:45-6:45 pm Faith Formation Grill-out/Taco in a Bag Friday, March 31 5:00-7:00 pm Ascension KC Fish Fry/Community Room 5:30 pm Stations of the Cross Readings for the Week of March 26: Sunday: 1 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a/Ps 23:1-6/ Eph 5:8-14/Jn 9:1-41, 6-9, 13-17, Monday: Is 65:17-21/Ps 30:2, 4-6, 11-12a, 13b/ Jn 4:43-54 Tuesday: Ez 47:1-9, 12Ps 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9/Jn 5:1-16 Wednesday: Is 49:8-15/Ps 145:8-9, 13cd-15, 17-18/ Jn 5:17-30 Thursday: Ex 32:7-14/Ps 106:19-23/Jn 5:31-47 Friday: Wis 2:1a, 12-22/Ps 34:17-21, 23/Jn 7:1-2, 10, Saturday: Jer 11:18-20/Ps 7:2-3, 9bc-12/Jn 7:40-53 Sunday: Ez 37:12-14/Ps 130:1-8/Rom 8:8-11/ Jn 11:1-45, 17, 20-27, 33b-45 QUESTION OF THE WEEK Adult: What are you doing in your life right now to move toward light rather than darkness? Youth: How can you let the light of your faith in Jesus shine for others to see?

5 LightofChristCatholicSchoolNews KEEP THE PROMISE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN Watch our campaign initiative videos, register to receive updates and learn more about the progress of our campaign to create more space for our students. Visit keepthepromise.net to learn more about the future of Light of Christ Catholic Schools! A TASTE OF ROME FUNDRAISER DINNER St. Mary's Central High School will be hosting the annual A Taste of Rome Fundraiser Dinner TODAY Sunday, March 26 th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the SMCHS lunchroom. The students, along with their chaplain, Father Jared Johnson, will be preparing this authentic spaghetti and meatball dinner. The cost for the meal will be a free-will offering. All proceeds will be distributed to members of the junior class who will be going on pilgrimage to Italy this coming June. SMCHS VOCAL JAZZ & POPS Wednesday, March 29 th at 7:00 pm SMCHS main gym A night of memorable music featuring the SM Blues, SMCHS Concert Choir, and small ensembles Popcorn and Italian sodas available for purchase $4 adults/$2 students/maestro tickets accepted THANK YOU FROM ST. MARY S GRADE SCHOOL PTO A HUGE thank you to all those who helped with or donated to the St. Mary s Grade School PTO Spring Rummage Sale! Over $2000 was raised to help the PTO support the staff and students of our school. In addition to the school, we shared your donations with Ruth Meier s Hospitality House, Ministries on the Margin, Heaven s Helpers Soup Kitchen, St. Philomena s School in Uganda, and Cannonball Indian Mission. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. 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.

6 DioceseNews SPIRIT OF LIFE SOUP KITCHEN LENTEN LUNCHEONS For the past several years, Spirit of Life Catholic Church in Mandan has offered a series of Lenten Luncheon talks in conjunction with our Thursday Soup Kitchen. Please join us during Lent over your Thursday lunch hour for soup, sandwiches and an opportunity to deepen your relationship with Christ as we prepare for Easter. Our speakers include Brett Eckert on March 30th and Fr. Selvaraj Periannan on April 6th. The Lenten Luncheons will begin with soup served at 11:30 am and our speaker beginning at 12:00 Noon. Everyone is welcome to attend. Any questions, please call or marijo@myspiritoflife.com. Lord, the trumpet has sounded, and I want to respond. Help me to rend my heart this Lent, so that it can be filled anew with your love and your spirit. MEN S BIBLE STUDY/ WHO WAS ST. PETER? A poor fisherman? An impetuous student? A bungling disciple? A coward who became the rock of the Church? In this study presented by Dr. Tim Gray from the Augustine Institute, ten fascinating sessions explore the life of St. Peter and his relevance to our lives. This is offered for men of the Bismarck-Mandan parishes, held on Thursdays, beginning March 30th and concluding June 8th. The study will take place at Cathedral in Room 4 in the church from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, led by Dennis Larkin. To register, please contact Deb Martinek at Cost is $25 for materials, which will be given at the first class. LIFE IN THE SPIRIT! Are you looking for a deeper relationship with God? The Diocese of Fargo Life in the Spirit team invites you to join us for our annual Life in the Spirit Weekend on April 7, 8, and 9, The event will be held at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church at 401 Broadway in Napoleon. This seminar serves as an introduction or renewal to a life in the power of the Holy Spirit leading to a new and deeper relationship with the Lord. The weekend includes Mass, praise and worship, talks and testimonies, discussion, Eucharistic Adoration, healing of memories, prayer and more! The cost of the weekend will be a free will offering. All meals will take place at the church. Host homes will be provided on a first come, first serve basis, or you can get lodging for Friday and Saturday night at the Mozy Inn Broadway ; Downtowner Hotel Main Ave ; Broken Bell Inn Broadway To register, fargolifeinthe spirit@gmail.com or call , and they will send you a registration form. Again, meals are provided. Free will offering is the cost of the weekend. Come and be blessed. Once you register, you will receive information for times and what to bring on the weekend. Please spread the word about this opportunity. NATIONAL RIGHT TO LIFE CONVENTION ND Right to Life is sponsoring a bus trip to the National Right to Life Convention in Milwaukee, WI. The bus will leave from Bismarck and Fargo. We will leave June 28th and return July 2nd. A $ deposit by May 10th will hold your seat. This is a wonderful chance to learn about the life issues from cradle to grave. For more info call or director@ndrl.org