fall 2015 THE ASCENT A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION

Transcription

1 fall 2015 THE ASCENT A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION

2 I N THIS ISSUE: Letter from Father Tom Page 3 Divorce and Fear Article Page 4 Course Catalog Page 5-13 Recap of Guatemala Page 14 Kids Soaring Page 15 Word Search Page West 127th St. Overland Park, KS (913) ascensionchurch@kcascension.org

3 LETTER FROM THE PASTOR August, 2015 Dear Parishioners, I trust that this ASCENT finds you well and looking forward to the Fall and the beginning of another school year. This ASCENT features the many opportunities for adult faith formation that will be taking place in our parish over the next several months. Please review this information and decide which of these classes or programs that you wish to join. This coming year (2016) we will be celebrating our 25th anniversary as a parish. Our parish has certainly grown over the years. We are very grateful to all the pioneers, the charter members of our parish who helped get our parish life off to such a great start. While we will have several things going on during our anniversary year, our primary celebration is scheduled for the Vigil of the Feast of the Ascension, May 7, Be sure to put that date on your calendar. More details will follow. Please be sure to sign up to have your picture included in our pictorial directory. It is really important that you are included in this year s 25th anniversary edition! Pope Francis has designated a HOLY YEAR OF MERCY beginning December 8th and ending the Feast of Christ the King, November 20th. This year challenges us to first of all be open to the mercy of God in our lives for truly our God is a God of mercy who loves us unconditionally and for all eternity. Secondly this year affords us with renewed impetus to be signs of mercy to others especially the hurting and the less fortunate of our worlds. A challenge for us will be how we can expand our witness to Divine Mercy through our parish life and ministries and our personal practice of the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. The recent ruling of the Supreme Court regarding same sex marriage has left many of us dismayed even though not particularly surprised. We know that our societal values have and are changing rapidly as we move further into a post-christian culture. This court decision challenges us to become much more engaged in supporting the sanctity and dignity of the Sacrament of Matrimony as God intended it and at the same time affirming the dignity of all persons including those with same sex attraction. The court decision cannot change the reality of marriage nor can it morally legitimize that which is immoral (cf Romans 1:24-32; I Corinthians 6:7-11). We must show mercy to the person while at the same time not condone that which is sinful or demean God s beautiful intention for natural marital relations. We are called to affirm the dignity of all while upholding God s plan for marriage and family as revealed in the Scriptures (Genesis 1:26-28; Genesis 2:18-24; Ephesians - 5:21-33) May this coming year find us as a community and as individuals growing in our relationship with Christ and each other. God s blessings be with you! 3

4 DIVORCE AND FEAR FEAR IS A LOUSY STRATEGY DEALING WITH DIVORCE One of the most common reactions to divorce is fear. That is very understandable. Who wouldn t be scared if their entire life came crashing down around them? The problem with fear is not being scared, that s normal. The problem is acting on fear. That s when fear becomes a lousy strategy. I have seen time and again how people take matters into their own hands and act on this fear. Bad choices almost always occur. Here are some examples (you can probably relate to some, or all, of these and maybe even come up with a few of your own!). It is the forty-something woman who thinks she is too old to attract a man and the only chance she has to not be alone the rest of her life is to give in to sexual advances. It is the man who remarries a year after his divorce because he is afraid of being alone. It is the person who marries outside the Church because they are afraid of the annulment process. All these actions are based on fear, and all are heading for heartbreak and despair. This is not what God wants for you, that s for sure. Here is a better strategy: hope. Hope is not about ignoring the reality of being afraid. It is not some mind/ psych game you play to pretend you are not afraid. Hope is acknowledging your fear and then making a decision to totally trust God. It is putting the fear into God s hands and allowing Him to carry it for you, relieving you of the burden. The fundamental ingredient of hope is trust. It is about trusting that God has not, and never will, abandon you. It is trusting that He is walking with you through this extremely painful, lonely, and discouraging time in your life. It is trusting that He really does want you to have an abundance of peace and joy, and that He has a great plan for you to get it even though you may have no idea what that plan is. Focusing on trust really does help to move past the fear of the present and look forward to a very positive, hopeful, future. Be on guard against making choices out of fear. When you feel fear feeling creeping into your life, it is time to hit the pause button. Take that fear to God in prayer. Tell God that you are afraid, even terrified. Ask for the grace to trust Him more. Pray for the virtue of courage to do the right thing, even if that means doing nothing. This often requires the most courage because doing nothing really is trusting in God and not in yourself. The more you are able to trust, the more you are moving down the pathway straight to God s will. And that, my friend, is where peace and joy reign supreme Vince Frese, as published in Jacob's Well, a member newsletter of Catholic Divorce Ministry, Ascension has a ministry of support for those going through the pain and suffering of separation or divorce. Please contact Jean in the office for more information at jhinman@kcascension.org 4

5 Church of the Ascension Fall 2015 Adult Faith Catalog We joyfully proclaim, celebrate, witness and serve Jesus Christ. Thank you for taking the time to view this course catalog. The following pages list the various adult offerings at Ascension for Fall 2015 Two registration forms are located on the last pages. These may be detached and turned into the Parish Office or placed in the return boxes in the Gathering Space. Please register by August 31, 2015 In order to ensure the ordering of books and materials, please register by the deadline. Late registrations are welcome, but no guarantee that materials will be available your first day of class and there will be a late fee of up to $10. Thank you. If you have questions about a particular class, please feel free to call or the Adult Faith Office: Liz Willman lwillman@kcascension.org ext 139 Denise Greene dgreene@kcasccension.org ext 142 5

6 ASCENSION PRIEST SERIES Family Spirituality with Fr. Alessandro The family is one of the greatest signs of God's love and presence among us. Jesus Christ chose to be born and raised in a family to accomplish the most important mission of human history: our salvation. Each family is a cell of society. Blessed Paul VI stated., Our society and our Church needs families to be united and a loving place where values are taught and shared, and every member is helped to grow to the extent of the full stature of Christ". Come and join Fr. Alessandro in his 2-week class,and learn how to grow in unity and in your spiritual life in your family,in the year when the whole Church celebrates and reflects on the family. 2-Week Course Wednesday 9:30-11:00AM Wednesday 7:00-8:30PM Start Date: September 16, 2015 Start Date: September 16, 2015 Location: Adult Faith Classrooms OR Location: Adult Faith Classrooms Facilitator: Fr. Alessandro Facilitator: Fr. Alessandro Cost of Materials: $0 Cost of Materials: $0 The Early Church with Fr. Nathan What was it like to be a Christian in the first three centuries after Christ? How did they pray? What did they believe? How were they treated? This course will cover these questions and more as Fr. Nathan gives a brief overview of the Early Church. This course will help you come to appreciate the great richness and depth of what we celebrate now 2,000 years after Christ. 3-Week Course Wednesday 9:30-11:00AM Wednesday 7:00-8:30PM Start Date: October 7, 2015 Start Date: October 7, 2015 Location: Adult Faith Classrooms OR Location: Adult Faith Classrooms Facilitator: Fr. Nathan Facilitator: Fr. Nathan Cost of Materials: $0 Cost of Materials: $0 The Year of Mercy with Fr. Tom Pope Francis is inaugurating a Holy Year of Mercy beginning December 8, 2015, and concluding on the Feast of Christ the King, In preparation for this Holy Year he has issued a vision statement as to the purpose and hopes for this year. This two part series will focus on the main points of the vision statement and how we can best enter into the spirit of this Holy Year here at Ascension. Copies of the Pope s vision statement will be available for all participating in this series. 2-Week Course Wednesday 9:30-11:00AM Wednesday 7:00-8:30PM Start Date: November 4, 2015 Start Date: November 4, 2015 Location: Adult Faith Classrooms OR Location: Adult Faith Classrooms Facilitator: Fr. Tom Facilitator: Fr. Tom Cost of Materials: $0 Cost of Materials: $0 6

7 CATHOLIC MOVIE NIGHTS JOIN US IN THE ST. MATTHEW ST. MARK ROOMS, AT 7:00 PM. BRING YOUR OWN SNACKS AND DRINKS. NO COST TO ATTEND. DATES BELOW. FACILITATOR: DAVID LYLE. Restless Heart: The Confessions of Augustine Restless Heart chronicles the fall of the Roman civilization as Augustine builds the intellectual framework that shaped Europe. Calvinist, along with many other Protestants, views Augustine as a theological father of the Reformation, especially due to his explanations on salvation and divine grace. He is a saint among the Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican churches and is considered a Doctor of the Church. His works, Confessions and City of God are still important classics of the Christian faith today. Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2015 Padre Pio Miracle Man captures the Capuchin friar's intense faith and devotion, and deep spiritual concern for others, as well as his great compassion for the sick and suffering. It reveals the amazing details and events in Padre Pio's life as a boy and throughout his 50 years as a friar, dramatizing the frequent attacks of the Devil on him, as well as the persecution he suffered at the hands of people, including those in the church. Starring Italian actor Sergio Castellitto, and directed by Carlo Carlei, this is an outstanding feature film on the amazing life of this great saint. Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2015 St. Rita of Cascia - A compelling docu-drama that tells the whole story of the amazing life of St. Rita of Cascia, the very popular saint who lived in Italy in the 14th century. Famous as the patron of hopeless situations, St. Rita dealt with many very difficult, and tragic, events in her life. Her story combines high drama, great love, deep betrayal, profound forgiveness and strong faith, about this brave woman who married her knight, helped him overcome his dark past and convert to faith, happily bore him two children, and later endures immense pain as she loses everything in her life. Date: Tuesday, November 17, 2015 Pope John Paul, II -This epic film follows Karol Wojtyla's journey from his youth in Poland through his late days on the Chair of St. Peter. It explores his life behind the scenes: how he touched millions of people and changed the face of the Church and the world; how he defended the dignity of mankind. Jon Voight's powerful, Emmynominated performance as John Paul II was widely praised, as was Cary Elwes as the young Karol. Shot on location in Rome and Poland in close connection with the Vatican, this is the definitive epic film on the life of Pope John Paul II. Date: Tuesday, December 15,

8 ADULT FAITH OFFERINGS Christ Renews His Parish Retreat Parish sponsored retreat program offering a Sat./Sun. retreat at the parish in the Fall and in the Spring. There are separate weekends for Men and Women. It is a program designed to bring parish members together in Christ, and emphasizes your continued growth in Catholic Christian life. It initiates this through small group participation. If interested, check out the parish website or Adult Faith Bulletin Board in the Gathering Space where you will find a registration form. Weekend Retreat-Men Weekend Retreat-Women Sat. 8:00AM thru Sunday 5:00PM Sat. 8:00AM thru Sunday 5:00PM Dates: September 12 & 13, 2015 OR Dates: September 26 & 27, 2015 Location: Ascension Location: Ascension Cost of Materials: $0 Cost of Materials: $0 Matthew: The King and his Kingdom Matthew: The King and His Kingdom is a Catholic Bible study from The Great Adventure series that brings the history of Christ to life through Matthew s Gospel. You will see Jesus as the awaited Messiah who fulfills the promises and prophecies of the Old Testament, establishes the New Law, and inaugurates the Kingdom of Heaven. Does not meet on 11/26, 12/17, 12/24, 12/31, 2/4, 3/17, 3/24 (last class 4/14) 24-Week Course Thursdays 9:30-11:30AM OR Thursdays 7:00-9:00PM Start Date: September 17, 2015 Start Date: September 17, 2015 Location: Adult Faith Classrooms Location: Adult Faith Classrooms Facilitator: Kim Sutton Facilitator: Joyce Grashoff Cost of Materials: $35 Cost of Materials: $35 8

9 ADULT FAITH OFFERINGS Men of Ascension Are you looking for a way to get more meaning out of Mass? If so, join with other men of the parish to meet each week and discuss the upcoming Sunday Mass readings. This group discusses the Sunday readings followed by discussion on their applicability to the lives of men. New members are invited to join at any time. Friday 6:00-7:00AM Date: Ongoing Location: St. Luke Room Facilitator: Ken Jennison Cost of Materials: $0 Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Are you or someone you know interested in becoming Catholic? Join us for classes this fall to see if this is right for you! We will meet on Monday nights for 8 weeks to present basic topics of the faith. At that point, you will decide if you would like to continue coming to class each Monday evening to learn more about Catholicism. Adults are welcomed into the Church at Easter in the spring. We also would love to have parishioners volunteer to serve as a sponsor for someone going through RCIA. Mondays 6:00-8:00PM Start Date: September 21, 2015 Location: St. Matthew & Mark Room Cost: $0 9

10 ADULT FAITH OFFERINGS School of Faith Class In our next exciting installment of our Sacred Scripture class, we will dive into the New Testament. In this course we will explore the Life of Jesus Christ and how He fulfills the law and the prophets as Lord and Savior, as well as the dramatic events of his passion, death and resurrection. There are no Required Materials for this course; however School of Faith recommends their booklet, Sacred Scripture - New Testament. This $15 booklet is available for purchase during the registration process. They also recommend bringing a bible with you (their instructors will be using the revised standard Catholic edition). 6-Week Course Mondays 7:00-8:00PM Start date: November 9, 2015 Location: Church Facilitator: Mike Scherschligt Cost: $30 TO REGISTER FOR SCHOOL OF FAITH GO TO choose Fall 2015, New Testament then choose Ascension Searching for and Maintaining Peace How can we learn to place our confidence in God while living in a day and age characterized by extreme restlessness and lack of peace? What must we do to overcome the moments of fear and distress which trouble us, disturb our relationships and family life, and keep us from growing spiritually? These and other questions will be addressed in this seven-week class, using an inspiring little treatise on peace of heart written by Father Jacques Philippe. Along with studying Father Philippe s book, we will go to the Scriptures for further understanding, and explore this in light of our personal prayer life and everyday living. 7-Week Course Tuesdays 9:30-11:00AM Start Date: October 6, 2015 Location: Adult Faith Classrooms Facilitator: Marge Sosna Cost of Materials: $10 10

11 Walking with Christ ADULT FAITH OFFERINGS You are invited to join an engaging eight-week guided Ignatian prayer experience designed for you and a small group. Learn several ways of praying so that daily prayer is more possible. Be inspired once a week by the experience of others who are seeking to walk with Christ more closely as you are. 8-Week Course Fridays: 9:30-11:00 AM Tuesdays: 7:00-8:30 PM Start Date: September 18, 2015 OR Start Date: October 20, 2015 Location: St. John Room Location: St. Luke Room Facilitator: Kate Hodel Facilitator: Marguerite Enlow Cost of Materials: $40 *paid directly to Ignatian Spirituality Center (scholarship's are available) Register online at or Kate Pope Hodel: khodel@ignatiancenterkc.org Fr. Tom, Fr. Nathan and Fr. Alessandro would like to thank the staff and volunteers that have made these course offerings possible for our parishioners. REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS AUGUST 31, 2015 LATE REGISTRATIONS ARE WELCOME, BUT NO GUARANTEE THAT MATERIALS WILL BE AVAILABLE YOUR FIRST DAY OF CLASS AND THERE WILL BE A LATE FEE OF UP TO $10 11

12 Church of the Ascension Fall 2015 Registration Please use this form to register for offerings at Church of the Ascension. ONE check may be used for all courses. Please make check payable to: Church of the Ascension. Return to box in gathering space or parish office. Name: If Couple attending class, Spouse: Phone: Course Title Circle choice if applicable Cost of Materials Office Use Ascension Priest Series: Family Spirituality with Fr. Alessandro Ascension Priest Series: The Early Church with Fr. Nathan AM or PM $0 AM or PM $0 Ascension Priest Series: The Year of Mercy with Fr. Tom Catholic Movie Night: Restless Heart: The Confessions of Augustine AM or PM $0 PM $0 Catholic Movie Night: Padre Pio Miracle Man PM $0 Catholic Movie Night: St. Rita of Cascia PM $0 Catholic Movie Night: Pope John Paul, II- PM $0 Christ Renews His Parish Retreat Matthew: The King and his Kingdom SEE DESCRIPTION FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION $0 AM or PM $35 Men of Ascension Fridays $0 Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Inquirer or Sponsor $0 School of Faith: Sacred Scripture SEE DESCRIPTION FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION * Searching for and Maintaining Peace AM $10 $* Walking with Christ SEE DESCRIPTION FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION * $* TOTAL $ REGISTRATION DUE AUGUST 31, Late registrations are welcome, but no guarantee that materials will be available your first day of class and there will be a late fee of up to $10. Additional registration form on other page 12

13 Church of the Ascension Fall 2015 Registration Please use this form to register for offerings at Church of the Ascension. ONE check may be used for all courses. Please make check payable to: Church of the Ascension. Return to box in gathering space or parish office. Name: If Couple attending class, Spouse: Phone: Course Title Circle choice if applicable Cost of Materials Office Use Ascension Priest Series: Family Spirituality with Fr. Alessandro Ascension Priest Series: The Early Church with Fr. Nathan AM or PM $0 AM or PM $0 Ascension Priest Series: The Year of Mercy with Fr. Tom Catholic Movie Night: Restless Heart: The Confessions of Augustine AM or PM $0 PM $0 Catholic Movie Night: Padre Pio Miracle Man PM $0 Catholic Movie Night: St. Rita of Cascia PM $0 Catholic Movie Night: Pope John Paul, II- PM $0 Christ Renews His Parish Retreat Matthew: The King and his Kingdom SEE DESCRIPTION FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION $0 AM or PM $35 Men of Ascension Fridays $0 Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Inquirer or Sponsor $0 School of Faith: Sacred Scripture SEE DESCRIPTION FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION * Searching for and Maintaining Peace AM $10 $* Walking with Christ SEE DESCRIPTION FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION * $* TOTAL $ REGISTRATION DUE AUGUST 31, Late registrations are welcome, but no guarantee that materials will be available your first day of class and there will be a late fee of up to $10. Additional registration form on other page 13

14 PARISH MISSION TRIP TO GUATEMALA BY JENI CAMERLINCK Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. In 2007, Ascension s sister parish, the Parroquia Santa Maria de Guadalupe was established in the village of Xecoxol, Tecpan, Guatemala, ministering not only to Xecoxol, but to 18 other small, remote, mountain communities. The needs of the people in these poor communities are many. After several fact finding missions, prayerful consideration, and consultation with local parishes, Ascension chose to help by providing scholarships to support students in achieving higher levels of education, something not possible without the monetary support of the parishioners of Ascension. Also developed was a working model for ongoing mission trips to the area devoted to sharing our faith, working alongside our new friends, and continuing to foster a relationship that not only benefits the lives of those we help, but enriches our own. In every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort we must help the weak, and keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35 This year, 17 parishioners traveled together to Guatemala. The group consisted of 6 high school and college students, and 11 adults including Father Nathan. We traveled first to San Lucas to tour the mission facilities already in place and to work on projects organized by the Friends of San Lucas. Our first assignment was to build two stoves in the town of Pampojila. I have now seen complete poverty, decaying health with no wealth to improve upon it, remarked BVNW student Isaac Rominger. The labor was hard and the space confining, but slowly the younger parishioners were lured outside by smiling and curious children. A soccer game ensued in the street. We worked, played, sat on the street, ate sandwiches, and prayed. Another project of the mission was the construction of sustainable housing. The hardest of the labor was moving piles of building materials by hand in the hot sun. We toured the mission coffee plantation, sorted coffee beans, toured the women s center, learned how to make tortillas on an open fire, washed clothes by hand, and carried heavy loads on our heads and backs. Some parishioners with medical backgrounds toured the health clinic and met with doctors. Each step of the way, we were met with smiling children who would take our hands and steal our hearts. Hard work behind us, we traveled to our sister parish in Xecoxol for morning Mass on Sunday. The Mass was in a combination of Spanish and the indigenous native languages, Kaqchikel and K iche. After the service, we were treated to some of the local youth performing their traditional dances, followed by a song sung by the students receiving scholarships from Ascension. Parents of the students shared their tearful gratitude for the assistance, which allows their children to pursue otherwise impossible higher education. Leaving Xecoxol was the beginning of our journey home. Having spent seven days traveling, laughing, spreading our faith, working side by side, eating together, reflecting, praying, sharing our strengths and weaknesses, living communally with 17 people, we were left a feeling that there was still so much more to do. How will our experience translate to our lives at home? Father Nathan infused faith into every step of our journey. We celebrated Mass on the roof of our hotel, the mission church, the patio, or wherever we could find a gathering space. He challenged us to be cheerful givers when we struggled physically with hard labor. He lent a hand when we felt weak and helped guide us on our spiritual journey. We set out to share Christ with the people of Guatemala, but when asked, Ken Newman replied, I now know that Christ was brought to us. Witnessing the faith, hope and pure joy in the hearts and eyes of the people we came to help, causes one to wonder, Who is helping whom here? Who is truly blessed as poor in spirt? Father Nathan taught us that to be poor in spirit, means to joyously rely completely on God for everything. I left the mission trip with a great sense of gratitude for seeing this beatitude live out with joy among the people of Guatemala. - Fr. Nathan 14

15 LETTING THE KIDS FLY FROM THE NEST LIZ WILLMAN, DIRECTOR OF ADULT FAITH I have often wondered if I were a helicopter parent. I hoped not. What I do know is that I am a nervous nelly. I have an active imagination that dreams up every possible scenario. I was put to the test this summer when my two kids decided to take a trip to Europe on their own. Our son was graduating from college in May, and our daughter was finishing her sophomore year in college. It was the perfect time for this grand adventure and they were paying their own way. Who was I to stop them? A nervous mother, that s who! My imagination kicked in and I had visions of them on a train in Europe, with my son jumping off to grab a coke and the train pulling out of the station with the two of them separated. Or walking the streets of Rome and being duped into a scam. I started thinking perhaps my husband and I should go with them. It is our 25th wedding anniversary this year so we had a good reason. But then I started reflecting on the importance of siblings creating memories and bonds that will exist long after my husband and I are gone from this world and slowly, thru time in prayer, I realized that this momma bird had to let go a bit. I also had to change my perspective when my daughter reminded me that when I was 16 years old I paid my way and flew to London, to meet my older sister who was studying abroad and then traveled to Ireland by myself before flying home (what were MY parents thinking? The only rationale I can think of was that I was one of 8 kids so I was more expendable.). To this day, my sister and I share that great memory of our adventure together. So the kids purchased tickets and made all the arrangements (well. I should say my daughter made all the arrangements..her brother was along for the ride ). The trip went off beautifully and without a hitch! Upon their return, they were excited to give my husband and I each a gift from the trip. For me, they purchased a blue rosary (my favorite color) and took it to the Wednesday Papal Audience to have it blessed! They both were moved to be so close to this humble leader of our church. Now, each time I pray with that rosary, I am reminded that I do not have to be nervous as my kids enter the adult world and strike out on their own. They have a heavenly Father who loves them beyond compare. 15

16 PRAYER FOR CHILDREN GOING BACK TO SCHOOL FIND ALL THE UNDERLINED WORDS H U N D E R S T A N D I N G T A E B E G I N B F E H L M Q A U H A B L G G W M W J Z E A L I V K R H J O F B O D Y K P N Y C S D T R E D Z N J E S U S E C A R G S Y R Z D S A E D S A H W X N P R A Y E R S P G R R I B L E S S T P R A I S E E C L M W R O D U E S M F P B H H D A M T B R V A F T F I D C R R W I S D O M C E U A R P A I E Y G B I L D E G F T I R E S N Z H O V E M I N D S T C T T M C T U W K A S E A R C H F A M E N C L O O H C S D T E S Prayers to Begin a School Year God of wisdom and might, we praise you for the wonder of our being, for mind, body and spirit. Be with our children as they begin a new school year. Bless them and their teachers and staff. Give them strength and grace as their bodies grow; wisdom and knowledge to their minds as they search for understanding; and peace and zeal to their hearts. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 16