Ascension. December 11, 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 December 11, 2016 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....Parish 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 ParishNotes ADVENT PENANCE SERVICE Sunday, 3:00 pm on December 18th at St. Anne s Monday, 7:00 pm on December 19th at Ascension Tuesday, 7:00 pm on December 20th at Corpus Christi Wednesday, 7:00 pm on December 21st at Cathedral Thursday, 7:00 pm on December 22nd at St. Mary s CHRISTMAS & SOLEMNITY OF MARY LITURGY SCHEDULE Saturday, December 24th, Christmas Eve Mass at 4:00 pm and 10:00 pm Sunday, December 25th, Mass at 9:30 am and 11:00 am Saturday, December 31st, Mass at 5:00 pm Sunday, January 1st, Mass at 8:00 am, 9:30 am, and 11:00 am Liturgical ministers are still needed for these Masses. If you are able to assist, please contact Jan Sitter at or jcsitter@ascensionbismarck.org. Calling all willing to share their time, talents and/or treasure for the Christmas Eve Dinner. The Church of the Ascension is holding its 10th Annual Christmas Eve Dinner with serving time from 5:30 to 7:00 pm on Saturday, December 24th. The Dinner is another example of our stewardship as we minister to those without a home or family to celebrate Christ's birth or are alone during the holiday. It is a community celebration of God the Father gifting his Son to us. Many are needed to make this event happen. Sign-up sheets are in the foyer. Wrapping gifts and preparing gift bags will be done Saturday, December 17th, starting at 10:00 am. Set up of the Community Room is planned for Friday, December 23rd, starting at 7:00 pm. Meal preparation will happen throughout the day on December 24th. Monetary donations can be placed in the offertory with a notation of "Christmas Eve Dinner". Gift donations can be dropped off at the Education Building during business hours of 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. Gift ideas include items for men and women such as toothpaste and toothbrushes, dental floss, hand lotion, soap, shampoo/conditioner, hair combs/brushes, shaving cream/razors, washcloths, hats/ gloves/scarves, as well as fun items for children. FaithFormation FAITH FORMATION CHRISTMAS PARTIES th in Community Room All Faith Formation Sessions During each of the Faith Formation sessions, 4:00, 5:30 & 7:00, we will host a little Christmas party for the students. There will be caroling, Christmas Bingo, cookies, and hot cocoa! Little brothers and sisters are invited as well! Parent volunteers are needed at each session; Beth at bkathol@ascensionbismarck.org if you can help! 9TH GRADE ATTENDS THE ROCK 7:00 pm at St. Mary s Central High School Confirmation class this evening for 9th graders will be held at St. Mary s Catholic High School where they will get to participate in the ROCK (Reaching Out for Christ s Kingdom) youth event.

3 NOVEMBER NEW PARISHIONERS Mike & Jeannie Koffler Robert & Dianne Krogen Alan & Kathy Chmielewski BAPTISM Ariah Alice Nichols daughter of Blaine and Tonya CHRISTMAS CHORAL CONCERT: BETHLEHEM! Monday, December 19th at 7:00 pm University of Mary Our Lady of the Annunciation Chapel Featuring the SMCHS Concert Choir, St. Mary s Blues, and the Men & Women s Choir Free and Open to the Public Enrollment for the school year will open to the members of the five Bismarck Catholic churches on Friday, December 23rd! Light of Christ will offer Pre-Kindergarten (ages 3-5, half and full day programs) through fifth grade at our three elementary schools next year, as well as grades at the Academy and grades 9-12 at St. Mary s Central High School. Go to lightofchristschools.org/online-inquiry to begin the easy application process or call to schedule a private tour or shadow day. LADIES OF ASCENSION MEETING WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14th at 8:30 am Please join us as we are looking forward to a most informative presentation about Carrie s Kids. Carrie Grosz started the program in 2006, based out of Trinity Church. In 2012, the program became a not-for-profit organization. Carries says she feels she was called by God to work with troubled youth, some being homeless, some at-risk individuals, and others dealing with depression or mental heath issues. In 2015, her volunteer team served 3200 individuals; some are local, others are not. This year it appears they will serve hundreds more. If you would like to share some of your Christmas goodies with us to go along with coffee and juice, it would be most appreciated! Serving the Assembly December 17th & 18th, 4th Sunday of Advent 5:00 PM 8:00 AM 9:30 AM 11:00 AM Count Offering Team #6 Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion Jan Sitter Plate Michelle Fitterer Plate Carol Preskey Plate Heather McCoy Plate Doug Mormann Cup** Susan Morman Cup** Sharon Finneman Cup Nick Steckler Plate Mark Weigel Plate** Pete Baumgartner Plate Michelle Schmidt Cup** Paulette Heringer Plate Alice Ternes Plate Scott LeBlanc Plate Berna Vetter Plate VOLUNTEER Cup Mark Malm Cup** Sharon Malm Cup** Catherine Erickson Plate Jay Uhlman Plate Marla Kranig Plate Shirley Schafer Plate Grady Martin Cup** John Paul Martin Cup** Julie Ness Cup Hospitality Marlene Zimmerman Al Wangler Patti Wangler Kelvin Kosse Dorothy Kosse Louis Rose Kathi Kindelspire Leo Kindelspire Bob Heringer Carl Ness Nick Ness Vern Mock Lector Irene Howard Wanda Rose Brent Freese VOLUNTEER Altar Server Alex Krug Alyson Krug Michael Simek Milla Weigel Audrey Vetter Brandon Vetter Maranda Kranig Noelle Martin Video/Audio Operator Aaron Mahlman Nancy Hoselton Dan Hopfauf Debbie Kuntz Music Ministry Ken Steckler Group Kathy Lewis Katie Kraft Jeanne Jankowski Mary Bachmeier Brent Geiss Chenaniah

4 John W. Bitz, Mildred Schall, Marjorie Bitz, Jerry Feist, Larry Sackman, Mary Jiskra, Carol Miller, Don Hopfauf, Erna Jacobchick, Leo Keller, Michelle Niska, Viola Bitz, Bill Feist, Jolene Klein, Dennis Conklin 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 Today, the Third Sunday of Advent, we celebrate Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete means rejoice. Although Advent is a season of penitence and preparation, today is always set aside by the Church to relax and rejoice in the Lord. All of our readings today deal with Christian joy. This may seem not in keeping with the overall mood encouraged for Advent, but it is most definitely in keeping with what we need to feel, and it is definitely appropriate for those who embrace stewardship as a way of life. Stewardship is, of course, based upon an attitude of gratitude and today is a day to focus on the joy that results from that gratitude. Father Henri Nouwen was a well known Catholic priest, professor, writer, and theologian. In describing the significance of this particular day, Father Nouwen clarified the difference between joy and happiness. He said, While happiness is dependent upon external conditions, joy is the experience of knowing that we are unconditionally loved by God and nothing not sickness, failure, emotional distress, oppression, war, or even death can take that love away. Joy can be present in the midst of sadness. This joy that is reflected in lives of stewardship was also emphasized by Pope Francis, who said in his homily for Gaudete Sunday in 2014, Today is a day of joy. Rather than fretting about all we have not done or accomplished to prepare for Christmas during Advent, we need to think of all the good things God, and life, has given us. ParishCalendar Monday, December 12 Tuesday, December 13 8:00 am Anne Messmer by Mary Ann Carlson Thursday, December 15 Friday, December 16 8:00 am Wendelin I. Bosch by Rod & Deb Wald Saturday, December 17 5:00 pm Anton & Anna Bren by Irene Howard Sunday, December 18 8:00 am Martha Kostelecky by Nick & Bonnie Steckler 9:30 am People of the Parish 11:00 am Bob Dolajak by Dolajak Family Weekly Schedule Monday, December 12 8:30 am Eucharistic Adoration Tuesday, December 13 Office Closed until 1:00 pm 7:00 pm Knights of Columbus meeting 7:00 pm RCIA 8:30 am Ladies of Ascension 12:00 Noon Finance Council meeting 4, 5:30, 7 pm Faith Formation Classes 7:00 pm 9th Grade at The Rock at SMCHS 7:00 pm Bible Timeline Saturday, December 17 10:00 am Wrap gifts and prepare gift bags for Christmas Eve Dinner/Community Room Readings for the Week of December 11: Sunday: Is 35:1-6a, 10/Ps 146/Jas 5:7-10/Mt 11:2-11 Monday: Zec 2:14-17; 12:1-6a, 10ab/Jdt 13/ Lk 1:26-38 Tuesday: Zep 3:1-2, 9-13/Ps 34/Mt 21:28-32 Wednesday: Is 45:6b-8, 18, 21b-25/Ps 85/Lk 7:18b-23 Thursday: Is 54:1-10/Ps 30/Lk 7:24-30 Friday: Is 56:1-3a, 6-8/Ps 67/Jn 5:33-36 Saturday: Gn 49:2, 8-10/Ps 72/Mt 1:1-17 Sunday: Is 7:10-14/Ps 24/Rom 1:1-7/Mt 1:18-24 FINANCIAL BLESSINGS WEEK COLLECTIONS BUDGET December 4, 2016 Fiscal Year to Date Numbers December 18th will be in the bulletin. QUESTION OF THE WEEK Adult: How do you prepare yourself to meet Christ in those around you? Youth: What good thing have you done so far during Advent to be like Jesus?

5 CommunityNews&Events SPIRIT OF LIFE PARISH MISSION Renowned retreat master Fr. Jacques Philippe will be speaking on the topic of mercy at Spirit of Life Catholic Church in Mandan on Tuesday, December 13th through Thursday, December 15th for a parish mission nightly at 7:00 pm. Come hear Fr. Philippe s profound words on prayer, freedom, and God. All are welcome to attend. For additional information, please call the parish office at FESTIVAL OF LESSONS AND CAROLS Christ the King Church in Mandan is hosting a Festival of Lessons and Carols on Friday, December 16th at 7:00 pm. Lessons and Carols is a service of Scripture and song that dates to the late 19th century. In this service, listen to the song of the O antiphons, and hear readings from Sacred Scripture. Each lesson is followed by a carol or other hymn, and the service ends with a reflection by Fr. Schneider. There will be refreshments afterwards in the gathering space. Everyone is invited. BISMARCK CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS On Saturday, December 17th from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, at the St. Anne s church basement, the Catholic Daughters will host a Christmas Bake Sale, featuring kuchen, cookies, candy, and so much more. Also available will be our beautiful Christmas cards, gorgeous holy cards, and stationary. For additional information, call Delores at BISMARCK-MANDAN CATHOLIC YOUNG ADULTS GROUP Please join the Bis-Man Catholic Young Adults group for the third of its 8-part series on The Beatitudes. Fr. Corey Nelson will be speaking on the 3 rd Beatitude: Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. on Saturday, December 17 th. Drinks, snacks, and fellowship begin at 6:00 pm, with the talk beginning at 6:30 pm. The event is hosted by Mike and Brianna Weisbeck at their home at 216 Tower Avenue in Bismarck. Please bring drinks and snacks to share! We welcome members of all parishes and faith traditions who desire to live a good and holy Christian/Catholic life. Please spread the word about this wonderful opportunity for fellowship and growth. If there are any questions or you d like updates on future events, please visit our Facebook Page: Catholic Young Adults, or contact Bri Weisbeck at MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT SERIES Make enriching your marriage your New Year s Resolution. The Diocese of Bismarck will host a five-week Marriage Enrichment Series, entitled REFOCCUS. This series is for anyone who wants to learn more about the strength areas, as well as growth areas of their marriage. We will use an inventory tool to take a deeper look at our marriages. The series will be held in the Cathedral basement, beginning on January 5th at 7:00 pm. (Other dates of the series are January 12th, January 18th, February 2nd, and concluding February 9th). The cost for the series is $15/couple to go towards the scoring of your inventory. If you have any questions, please call Tara Brooke at or her at tbrooke@bismarckdiocese.com. WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER Honoring couples who have had long marriages is the goal and inspiration of Worldwide Marriage Encounter. Every year during Valentine Week, couples from Worldwide Marriage Encounter go across the United States and to each of the 50 states to recognize the winners of the current project. The winning couples truly show the world that marriage can go the distance. Nominations must be received by January 1, Any man and woman married couple, who have a long marriage, can be nominated by sending their name to WWME Longest Married Couple Project, 188 Pinellas Lane, Suite 401, Cocoa Beach FL or call Information needed to nominate includes the name of the couple, exact wedding date, city and state they live in, and your contact information. RETROUVAILLE Matrimony: A calling to forgive! Mercy is the force that reawakens us to new life and instills in us the courage to look to the future with hope. Retrouvaille offers a welcoming and loving space to couples who have been living with the misery of a failing marriage. Retrouvaille offers hope: hope that it is not too late, hope of a different and better marriage. Retrouvaille helps couples to show each other mercy through the opportunities it provides to listen, to forgive, to be reconciled and to move into their futures believing that God loves them and with His help and their efforts, their marriages can be healed and restored. Retrouvaille provides help for marriage problems/difficulties/crises. For more information about an upcoming Retrouvaille Weekend program for couples, contact Tara Brooke at or visit our website: HelpOurMarriage.com.