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 21, 2017

Pastor’sNote

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.

FaithFormationNews

Thank you for your spiritual bouquets, cards, and gifts extended to me on the occasion of my

recent 64th birthday (May 14th). May God bless you!

Msgr. Jim Braaten

ST. MARY’S CEMETERY FUND DRIVE

The annual collection to help fund the only Catholic Cemetery in Bismarck Mandan will take place the week of May 29th. You will receive, in your mail, some updated information and an envelope to make your contribution to the Cemetery. Due to your generosity last year, we were able to begin our new section project, which will provide an additional 988 burial lots. Our annual service at the Cemetery will take place on May 24th at 7:00 pm. Meet near the cross and the flagpole on the hill.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS!

It is with much joy that we recognize and commend the following students on their upcoming high school graduation. Please keep them in your prayers as they begin the next chapter of their lives. May God always be present in your lives and a source of faith, hope and love. Ascension parish will always be a home for you!

KIERRA ANDERSON—BHS MATTHEW HAMMERSCHMIDT—BHS RYLEI RIPPLINGER—BHS SHAYE ANDERSON—BHS ERIN HEIDEN—LEGACY SAMANTHA SAWLEI—SMCHS KENNEDY BENZ—BHS TANNER HOLZER—LEGACY COLE SCHAFF—BHS BRENDON BITZ—BHS JARROD HURLEY—BHS MATTHEW SCHANER—BHS CREDE CLEMENTS—LEGACY ALEXIS IVERSON—BHS JOSHUA SCHANER—BHS ANNA DARLING—BHS ZACHARY KESSLER—BHS BRAXTON SCHMIDT—BHS MORGAN DEICHERT—BHS KATHERINE KRAFT—LEGACY MICHAEL SIMEK—BHS RACHEL DILLMAN—BHS EMMA LARSON—BHS RYANNE SMITH—BHS AUSTIN ELLINGSON—LEGACY BRANDON MAHLMANN—BHS MEGAN TERNES—BHS EASTON FICEK—BHS JON McSCHANE—BHS EMILY WANGLER—BHS COLE FRIED—BHS JACOB NEIS—BHS ERIC WEILAND—BHS CAMERON FUERSTENBERG—BHS JESSICA OJA—BHS COLE WILZ—BHS KATHERINE GERMAN—BHS CONNOR PIATZ—BHS BENJAMIN YANTES—SMCHS

The flowers in front of the altar have been

donated by Judy Ness,

in memory of her mother, Helen Uscensky Boroski.

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

Count Offering Team #2

Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion

Bill Blotsky—Plate Bob Scherr—Plate Loretta Scherr—Plate Jan Sitter—Plate Mary Fornshell—Cup Ken Johnson—Cup** Tammie Johnson—Cup**

John Bitz—Plate** Rose Senger—Plate** Mark Weigel—Plate Pete Baumgartner—Cup VOLUNTEER—Cup

Josh Hager—Plate Scott LeBlanc—Plate Rod Wald—Plate Alice Ternes—Plate Doug Mormann—Cup** Susan Mormann—Cup** Linda Haider—Cup

Dave Charles—Plate Rosie Dingus—Plate Grady Martin—Plate John Paul Martin—Plate Howell Flowers—Cup Shirley Schafer—Cup** Lynn Burgard—Cup**

Hospitality

Lina Gaab Bob Bitz Jean Bitz

Jeff Engleson Lori Engleson Al Lick

Alisha Neigum Kathi Kindelspire Leo Kindelspire

Genny Berg Steve Berg Levi Bitz

Lector Linda Charbonneau Rita Ritter Donna Davidson Bev Charles

Altar Server Alex Krug Alyson Krug

Karston Kellar Michael Simek

Grace Haider Matthew Volk

Noelle Martin Austin Martin

Video/Audio Operator Brenda Muscha Patrick Kellar Val Frank Dave Charles

Music Ministry

Joan Backes Sally Dasinger Pat Anderson

Kathy Lewis Tryston Simek

Jeanne Jankowski Mary Bachmeier Brent Geiss

Ken Steckler Group

Serving the Assembly May 27th and 28th: The Ascension of the Lord

KNIGHTS’ CORNER

Thank you to all who attended the Knights of Columbus Council #7602 Mother’s Day Breakfast. Over $800 was raised for the St. Gianna’s Maternity Home (www.saintgiannahome.org). In addition all the good food, fun and frolic, the following were the lucky winners of the drawings: Gift Basket Winners Darlene Weigel Spa Basket Betty Teske Tea Basket Carol Mollman Movie Basket Mary Uhlman Candy Basket Mariah Long Baking Basket Melissa Wrangham Beauty Basket Paulette Buchholtz Garden Basket Rose Senger Coffee Basket Luella Keller Fruit Basket Judy Kringstad Soup Basket Christina daSilva Candy Kid Basket Toni Schneider Movie Basket Other Winners Dee Baumgartner Coffee Mug Paula Smith Coffee Mug Michelle Dehne Candle Mary Ziemanan Candle Sahlenia Braun Plant Melissa Kelly Plant Jill Nordland Plant Karla Smith Plant Mary Fornshell Plant Beth Kathol Cooler Mary Locken Towels Linda Charbonneau Towels Delores Maxon Towels

MEALS ON WHEELS

It’s that time of year when we call on the Ascension volunteers to deliver meals to the homebound during the month of June. As in the last few years, Ascension will be responsible for two routes, which will need to be delivered Monday through Friday; the time frame is from 11:55 am until finished, which is typically about 45 minutes to an hour. The meals are picked up at Sanford Medical Center (Rosser Avenue entrance). Volunteers can pick any day of the month, an entire week, or whatever your preference may be. Please show your Ascension volunteer spirit can call Ritter at the Parish office at 223-3606 or email rritter@ascensionbismarck.org to sign up.

LADIES OF ASCENSION

The Ladies of Ascension would

like to thank all the parishioners

who provided goods for the

recent Bake Sale. And, also a

big thank you to those who purchased the baked goods or made

a donation to our efforts in making improvements to our

Community Room kitchen. It is all very much appreciated!

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 22 8:00 am Communion Service Tuesday, May 23 8:00 am Sandy Erickson by Robert Wagner Wednesday, May 24

8:00 am Reparation of Sins by KC Council #7602 Thursday, May 25 8:00 am †Loretta Grabar by Lil Krance Friday, May 26 8:00 am †Leo Keller by Bert Keller & family Saturday, May 27 5:00 pm †Don & Jeanine Heck by Shirley Heck Sunday, May 28 8:00 am People of the Parish 9:30 am Maggie Volk and Maxwell Otmar by Family 11:00 am †Bob and Pauline Dolajak by Al & Virginia Dolajak

Weekly Schedule Monday, May 22 8:30 am Eucharistic Adoration Tuesday, May 23 7:00 pm Stewardship Committee Meeting

Readings for the Week of May 22:

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

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

Monday: Acts 16:11-15/Ps 149:1b-6a, 9b/

Jn 15:26—-16:4a

Tuesday: Acts 16:22-34/Ps 138:1-3, 7c-8/Jn 16:5-11

Wednesday: Acts 17:15, 22—18:1/Ps 148:1-2, 11-14/

Jn 16:12-15

Thursday: Acts 18:1-8, Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4,

Jn 16:16-20

Friday: Acts 18:9-18/Ps 47:2-7/Jn 16:20-23

Saturday: Acts 18:23-28/Ps 47:2-3, 8-10/Jn 16:23b-28

Sunday: Acts 1:12-14/Ps 27:1, 4, 7-8/1 Pt 4:13-16/

Jn 17:1-11a

Check out our website at www.ascensionbismarck.org

WEEK COLLECTIONS BUDGET

May 14,

2017

$9,590.76 $12,230.00

Fiscal Year

to Date

$580,965.61 $562,580.00

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Adult: The Spirit gives us inner wisdom and strength. When have you experienced this? Youth: The Holy Spirit makes you strong inside. When do you need to be strong?

Holy Scripture, the Word of God, is filled with so much meaning for us each and every week, if we only listen carefully and absorb what we are being told. In the last verse of today’s First Reading we hear, “Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” It is speaking of Sts. Peter and John who traveled to Samaria to more or less confirm those who had been baptized there. In fact, most historians believe that the laying on of hands in the New Testament is the origin of the Sacrament of Confirmation. In the Apostolic Constitution on the Sacrament of Confirmation Pope Paul VI affirmed that laying on of hands in the sacrament of confirmation continues the grace of Pentecost (on Sunday, June 4 this year). If you have been confirmed, you have experienced the “laying on of hands.” That means the Holy Spirit has been called to bless, sanctify, transform, and give grace to you. You have received the Holy Spirit, which is the ongoing life of the Church. You have been anointed with the Spirit of God. That means you have been called to not only live out that Spirit, but also to live a life which shares that Spirit with your parish and with others. When the priest or Bishop imposes hands, it is called epiclesis, a Greek word that means “invocation.” The “laying on of hands” is an important part of the ordination of priests and deacons. St. Paul reminded us all in his First Letter to Timothy, “Do not neglect the gift you have, which was conferred on you through the prophetic word with the imposition of hands.”