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 Beth Kathol…...…Parish Business Manager Kathy Lewis………………... Music & Liturgy Jan Sitter………………………...Bookkeeper Jessica MattsonJulie 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

October 7, 2018

FaithFormationNews

KNOW YOUR FAITH TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE WEEK Answer to last week’s question: What became legal in 313 A.D. thanks to the Edict of Milan? A. Women voting B. Property ownership C. Christianity Look for the answer to the following question in next week’s bulletin: Question: What does the “N” in INRI (seen above Jesus’ head on the crucifix) stand for? A. Noel B. Nazarene C. Neophyte D. Nuncio

TODAY IS COMMITMENT SUNDAY Today all parish families are asked to bring the Commitment Card to Mass. During Mass, as a parish community, we offer God our gifts of time, talent, and treasure. Our goal is to be a Stewardship Parish—a community who is noticeably committed to prayer, parish ministry, and generous financial support. All three are equally important. May God bless you as you make your commitments.

Pastor’sNotes

HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH RALLY This year the theme of the High School Youth rally is “Made for More” and will be held on Thursday, October 18th from 1:00 to 10:00 pm at the University of Mary. This is going to be a great day to hear some wonderful live music, to hear insightful talks about topics in which teens are interested, and to hear the keynote national speaker Paul J. Kim talk on how high school students are “made for more”. Register by October 12th by going to the Diocesan website: www.bismarckdiocese.com/high-school-youth-rally or call Jessica at the parish office at 223-3606 for more information. Registration cost is $35.

MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH RALLY This year will be hosted by Trinity High School in Dickinson on Saturday, November 17th from 1:00 to 8:00 pm. We are very excited to welcome the band “Popple” to lead this year’s retreat of music, discussion, games, and digging into the deep of your beautiful Catholic faith with other middle schoolers of the Diocese. Register by going to the Diocesan website: www.bismarckdiocese.com/middle-school-youth-rally or call Jessica at the parish office at 223-3606 for more information. Registration cost is $35.

MARRIED AND ENGAGED COUPLES Has anyone every clearly explained to you WHY the Catholic

Church does not approve of unnatural birth control? For most of

us, the answer is NO. Learn about your faith and discover a

natural method of family planning that goes beyond the

physical. A three part course will be offered by the Couple to

Couple League from 10:00 am to Noon at the University of Mary

on Saturday October 13th, November 10th, and December

8th. For more information and registration visit www.ccli.org or

call Melinda Seidling at 651-206-5305.

SPECIAL COLLECTION/HURRICANE FLORENCE Bishop David Kagan has approved a United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) special collection to be taken up on the weekend of October 13-14. Funds will be used in response to Hurricane Florence and any other natural disasters that occur in 2018. This special appeal will support the efforts of Catholic Charities USA and/or Catholic Relief Services as they and their local agencies respond to immediate emergency needs for such necessities as water, food, shelter, and medical care and aid in long-term rebuilding and recovery efforts, and the USCCB for pastoral and reconstruction needs of the Church.

THE HOLY FATHER’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR OCTOBER

Evangelization—The Mission of Religious

The consecrated religious men and women may bestir themselves, and be present among

the poor, the marginalized, and those who have no voice.

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

Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion

Bill Blotsky—Plate Linda Charbonneau—Plate Josh Hager—Plate VOLUNTEER—Plate Sharon Finneman—Cup** Ken Jarolimek—Cup** Jan Sitter—Cup

Mark Weigel—Plate Ellen Klein—Plate** Rose Senger—Plate Pete Baumgartner—Cup**

Cathy Hruby—Plate Mark Malm—Plate Deb Wald—Plate Rod Wald—Plate Doug Mormann—Cup** Susan Mormann—Cup** Alice Ternes—Cup

Hannah Cahoon—Plate** Shawn Meier—Plate Shirley Schafer—Plate Jay Uhlman—Plate Daniel Cahoon—Cup** Bobbie Grassel—Cup Kiaya Schwab—Cup

Hospitality

Patti Wangler** Al Wangler Joletta Kern Conni Schafer

Jan Daffinrud** Al Lick Kelvin Kosse Dorothy Kosse

Virgil Case** Gene Jordan Shirley Schaffner Andy Schaffner

Steve Berg** Genny Berg Angela Wescott Lucas Wescott

Lector Rita Ritter Val Kolbinger Denise Jordan Daniel Cahoon

Altar Server Katrice Kern Wylie Vetter

John Paul Martin Jami Bachmeier Jett Warren

Nathan Tena Ethan Tena

Video/Audio Operator

Michael Kern Nancy Hoselton Val Frank Deb Kuntz

Music Mary Bachmeier, Kathy Lewis, New Singers

Vicki Martel Beth Kensok

Jeanne Jankowski, Mary Bachmeier, Brent Geiss

Kathy Lewis Lynne Dolajak

Liturgical Ministers: October 13th and 14th, Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

CommunityNews

ParishNews

The flowers near the altar have been

donated by Steve & Rita Ritter

in memory of her parents,

Leo & Barbara Gross.

ST. MARY’S HIGH SCHOOL BREAKFAST Today, Sunday, October 7th, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, the Music Parent’s Association will hold their annual Homecoming Breakfast in the SMCHS cafeteria. The menu includes a French Toast Bake, sausage, and fruit, as well as beverages for a free will offering. The proceeds will benefit the workings of the St. Mary’s High School Music Department.

RIGHT TO LIFE All Catholics are being called to join together on Sunday, October 7th to pray the rosary for the soul of our country, which has been affected by moral decay and spiritual decline. Each time zone across America will pray it so that the whole nation is praying at the same time. In our time zone, we will pray at 3:00 pm at the ND State Capitol steps. For more information, go to rosarycoasttocoast.com or call Deacon Doug at 400-0233.

LADIES OF ASCENSION Please join us at 8:30 am on Wednesday morning, October 10th, to hear Leland Vetter tell us about the history and mission of the Carmelite Nuns from the Monastery in Hague. Included in this bulletin is a Ladies of Ascension insert, which outlines our purpose and past accomplishments. We welcome any new ideas that the Ladies can undertake, as well as speaker ideas for our monthly meetings. If unable to attend the meetings, and you have questions or ideas to share, please feel free to contact Rita at rritter@ascensionbismarck.org or 223-3606. We would also ask that you consider making a donation of $5 for annual dues.

BISMARCK CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS Catholic Daughters will be hosting a card party on Sunday, October 14th at 6:30 pm at Cathedral. Pinochle and whist will be played, followed by a light snack. Admission is $5 and is open to the public. For more info, see our website at www.bismarckcda.org or call Delores at 221-2818.

A CATHOLIC WOMEN’S RETREAT “Grace for the Journey” will be a time to refresh the soul on Saturday, October 13th at St. Nicholas Church in Garrison. The day begins with Mass with Fr. Basil Atwell at 8:30 am and ends at 3:00 pm. Guest speakers will be Shelly Preszler, Monica Hannan, and Patti Armstrong. The day includes lunch, adoration, confession, the rosary, and Divine Mercy chaplet. To register, send $15 or at the door to St. Nicholas Church Women’s Retreat, PO Box 870, Garrison ND 58504.

StewardshipCorner

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, Michelle Niska, Viola Bitz, Richelle Knudson, Dennis Barnhardt, Steve Wetzel

FINANCIAL BLESSINGS

ParishCalendar

WEEK COLLECTIONS BUDGET

September 30, 2018

$10,164.18 $13,794.00

Fiscal Year to Date

$174,870.19 $193,116.00

REPAIR & MAINTENANCE FUND

September 2018 Collections $2729.00

POOR FUND DONATIONS September 2018 Collections $5521.98

Monday, October 8 8:00 am Communion Service

Tuesday, October 9 8:00 am †Fran Braaten by Baldwin Ternes

Wednesday, October 10 8:00 am Ladies of Ascension

Thursday, October 11

8:00 am †Joseph Johs by Gene and Judy Krebs

Friday, October 12 8:00 am †Mark Glass by Family and Friends

Saturday, October 13

5:00 pm †Don Heck and †Jeannie Dunten by Shirley Heck

Sunday, October 14

8:00 am †Reinhold Kellar by Jeanie Kellar 9:30 am People of the Parish 11:00 am †Floyd Bitz by Family

Question of the Week Adult: What could keep you from embracing the kingdom of God like a little child? Child: How do you feel when you hear the wonderful stories of God’s love for you?

Weekly Schedule Monday, October 8 8:30 am Eucharistic Adoration Tuesday, October 9 7:00 pm KC Meeting Wednesday, October 10 8:30 am Ladies of Ascension 4:00, 5:30, 7:00 Faith Formation Classes Second Grade Parent Meeting/All Sessions Thursday, October 11 7:00 pm Faith Formation Committee 7:00 pm Adult Faith Formation

Readings for the Week of October 7th:

Sunday: Gn 2:18-24/Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6/Heb 2:9-11/

Mk 10:2-16

Monday: Gal 1:6-12/Ps 111:1b-2, 7-8, 9 and 10c/

Lk 10:25-37

Tuesday: Gal 1:13-24/Ps 139:1b-3, 13-14ab, 14c-15/

Lk 10:38-42

Wednesday: Gal 2:1-2, 7-14/Ps 117:1bc, 2/Lk 11:1-4

Thursday: Gal 3:1-5/Lk 1:69-70, 71-72, 73-75/Lk 11:5-13

Friday: Gal 3:7-14/Ps 111:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6/Lk 11:15-26

Saturday: Gal 3:22-29/Ps 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7/Lk 11:27-28

Sunday: Wis 7:7-11/Ps 90:12-13, 14-15, 16-17/

Heb 4:12-13/Mk 10:17-30

Today’s readings give us a wonderful refresher on the Biblical origins of the Sacrament of Marriage, going all the way back to the second chapter of Genesis in our First Reading, and then reinforced by Jesus in our Gospel Reading from St. Mark. Perhaps more than any other time in Christianity, marriage and family life are under attack right now. It is vital that we have a proper understanding of the Church’s beautiful and solid teachings in these areas. We call this type of knowledge, “Formation” and it is one of the pillars of a stewardship way of life. Solid formation in the faith not only strengthens us in our own walk with the Lord, but it allows us to pass on this knowledge to others who are thirsting to know the truth about the human person, and it also arms us to defend our beliefs, when necessary. These readings also invite us to reflect on the reality that we are to be good stewards of the vocation the Lord has entrusted to us. If I am married, do I recognize that my spouse and my marriage are a gift from God that must be nourished, developed and tended? This brings to mind the stewardship aspect of “Time.” After time spent with God, my next priority of time should be for my spouse. Do I realize that at the end of my life I will have to give an account to God for how I cared for the gift of my spouse and marriage?