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

April 2, 2017

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 18-59 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.

FaithFormationNews

LITURGICAL MINISTERS

Liturgical Ministers are needed for Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. Additional Ministers are needed for some Masses 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 223-3606 or jcsitter@ascensionbismarck.org. Sign-up sheets are also in the foyer.

Sunday, April 9th at 3:00 pm at Ascension

Monday, April 10th at 7:00 pm at St. Mary’s Tuesday, April 11th at 7:00 pm at Corpus Christi Wednesday, April 12th at 7:00 pm at Cathedral

Holy Thursday, Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:00 pm, with Eucharistic Adoration until 10:00 pm

Good Friday, Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion at 12:00 Noon, with Stations of the Cross at 5:30 pm

Holy Saturday, Easter Vigil at 9:00 pm, followed by breakfast in the Community Room

Easter Sunday Masses are at 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 am

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

June 5th-8th from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at Cathedral

Join us for a Cat Chat VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL, June 5-8 from 1:00-4:00PM at the Cathedral! VBS is for children entering Kindergarten through 5th grade this upcoming fall. Registration forms are available in this weekend’s bulletin, the church entrance, and on our parish website www.ascensionbismarck.org. Cost is $30 per child. Registration form and payment are due to the parish office by Wednesday, May 3.

Our theme this year is: “Cathletics! Training to Be Champions for Christ”. Just as it takes training to be a great athlete, it is also im-portant to get the right training to live out our Catholic faith. Children will be engaged into the Life of Christ with teachings from God’s Word on the Commandments, the Beatitudes and the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. Join us for four fun-filled days of songs, games, snacks, crafts and faith lessons! Volunteers are needed to help with VBS. We need current 5th grade -12th grade students to serve as Crew Leaders (counts as three stewardship service projects for Confirmation) and adults to serve as Station Leaders. For any questions regarding VBS or to sign up to help, please contact Beth Kathol at 258-5692 or bkathol@ascensionbismarck.org.

1ST

COMMUNION PRACTICE

Wednesday, April 19th at 7:00 pm in the Church

All students preparing to make their 1st Holy Communion on Saturday, April 22, are required to come with at least one parent to practice on Wednesday, April 19th. They will not have to attend their regular Faith Formation class this evening, but students in all other grades will still come as normal.

ParishNotes

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

Count Offering Team #1

Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion

Andrew LaBonte—Plate Cheryl LaBonte—Plate Jan Sitter—Plate Mary Fornshell—Plate** Hannah Cahoon—Cup** Ken Johnson—Cup Tammie Johnson—Cup

John Bitz—Plate** Mark Weigel—Plate VOLUNTEER—Plate Greg Klein—Cup**

Deb Wald—Plate Rod Wald—Plate Doug Mormann—Plate Susan Mormann—Plate Mark Dosch—Cup LaRae Nelson—Cup** Deb Schon—Cup**

John Paul Martin—Plate Grady Martin—Plate Catherine Erickson—Plate Julie Ness—Plate Shawn Meier—Cup** Howell Flowers—Cup** VOLUNTEER—Cup

Hospitality Robert Bitz Jean Bitz Marlene Zimmerman

Kelvin Kosse Dorothy Kosse Greg Power

Troy Schon Andy Schaffner Shirley Schaffner

Lina Gaab Carl Ness Nick Ness

Lector Hannah Cahoon Greg Klein Valerie Kolbinger John Paul Martin

Altar Server Alex Krug Alyson Krug

Michael Simek Milla Weigel

Alex Schon Joe Schon

Austin Martin Noelle Martin

Video/Audio Operator Aaron Mahlmann Leona Kuntz Mike Luger Carissa Pieterick

Music Ministry Ken Steckler Group Kathy Lewis

Lynne Dolajak Jeanne Jankowski Mary Bachmeier

Michelle Friedt Catch Fire

Serving the Assembly April 8th and 9th: Palm Sunday

KC COUNCIL #7602 LAST FISH FRY

Friday—5-7 pm Ascension Education Building

$8.50 Adults, $5.00 12 and under, Family Meal of $25

This Friday, fried Alaskan cod,

baked potato, salad, mac-n-cheese, corn,

and desserts. STATIONS OF THE CROSS Fridays During Lent 5:30 pm

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your generous contributions to our 28th Annual African Mission Appeal which was held in our parishes on March 4th and 5th. Your kind gift, helped make this year’s appeal a tremendous success. Because of your remarkable generosity, we will be able to continue our expanded programs and services that are making an incredible impact on the lives of the Aids orphans we are assisting. The money collected for the African Mission Appeal supports our missionary activity in Kisii, Kenya, East Africa. You can be very proud of all the missionary work that we are able to accomplish because of your generosity. On behalf of our poor brothers and sisters and all the orphaned children you will be helping this year, I offer my heartfelt thank you. I hope you get a chance to read about the exciting ministry that Brent and Jessica Naslund and their family are accomplishing because of your support in the Dakota Catholic Action newspaper. The exciting articles describe the wonderful work and ministry made possible by your contributions. More information can also be found on our diocesan website and the African Mission Facebook page. Once again, I thank each and every one of you who supported our African Mission Appeal. You are faithful and generous stewards. Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend David D. Kagan Bishop of Bismarck

EASTER BREAKFAST

A breakfast will be served following the Easter Vigil on Saturday, April 15th. Volunteers are needed to make coffee, set out food, and clean up. If you are interested, please sign up on the sheet in the foyer or call the Parish Office at 223-3606.

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, Don Masseth

FINANCIAL BLESSINGS

ParishCalendar

Monday, April 3 8:00 am Communion Service Tuesday, April 4 8:00 am †John Barth by Mike & Julie Luger Wednesday, April 5

8:00 am †Junice Meyer by Burgard Family Thursday, April 6 8:00 am †Gayle Goetz by Dick Goetz & Family Friday, April 7 8:00 am †Al Stockert by Connie Stockert Saturday, April 8 5:00 pm †Don & Jeannie Heck by Shirley Heck Sunday, April 9 8:00 am People of the Parish 9:30 am †Glorian Heidrich by Horner Family 11:00 am †Bob Dolajak by Dolajak Family

Weekly Schedule Monday, April 3 8:30 am Eucharistic Adoration Tuesday, April 4 7:00 pm Pastoral Council Meeting Wednesday, April 5 4:00, 5:30, 7:00 Faith Formation Sessions Thursday, April 6 11:30 am Circle of Friends at the Elks 7:00 pm Altar Server training in Church Friday, April 7 8:30 am First Friday Fellowship in Community Room 5:00-7:00 pm Ascension KC Fish Fry/Community Room 5:30 pm Stations of the Cross

Readings for the Week of April 2:

Sunday: Ez 37:12-14/Ps 130:1-8/Rom 8:8-11/

Jn 11:1-45, 17, 20-27, 33b-45

Monday: Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62/Ps 23:1-6/

Jn 8:1-11

Tuesday: Nm 21:4-9/Ps 102:2-3, 16-21/Jn 8:21-30

Wednesday: Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95/Dn 3:52-56/Jn 8:31-42

Thursday: Gn 17:3-9/Ps 105:4-9/Jn 8:51-59

Friday: Jer 20:10-13/Ps 18:2-7/Jn 10:31-42

Saturday: Ez 37:21-28/Jr 31:10-12abcd, 13/Jn 11:45-56

Sunday: Mt 21:1-11/Is 50:4-7/Ps 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24/

Phil 2:6-11/Mt 26:14—27:66

WEEK COLLECTIONS BUDGET

March 26,

2017

$13,333.17 $12,230.00

Fiscal Year

to Date

$488,066.13 $476,970.00

REPAIR & MAINTENANCE FUND

March 2017 Collections $1,520.00

Easter is two weeks away. There is an understandable and logical reason that we hear the Gospel Reading from St. John about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead on this Fifth Sunday of Lent. Jesus’ Resurrection is ever nearer for us. His miracle of raising Lazarus is the last recorded by John, but its timing is exactly what the Lord wished it to be. In the Gospel, Jesus makes it all clear to us. The Lord says, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live.” That understanding and acceptance and rejoicing at the Resurrection is what Lent has been about and what our preparations in these final days of Lent should be about as well. Phillips Brooks is probably best known as the author/composer of one of the most endearing Christmas Carols “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” However, Brooks also understood what faith is all about. He said, “Let every man and woman count himself and herself immortal. Let them catch the revelation of Jesus in His resurrection. Let each say not merely, ‘Christ is risen,’ but also ‘I shall rise’.” The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1002) says, “Christ will raise us up ‘on the last day’; but it is also true that, in a certain way, we have already risen with Christ. For, by virtue of the Holy Spirit, Christian life is already now on earth in participation in the death and Resurrection of Christ.” It is this truth, this hope, that we are to embrace as Easter approaches.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Adult: Christ calls us from death to new life. To what new life are you being called during this Lent? Youth: How does Jesus help you do what is good and avoid what is not?

CommunityNews&Events

ULTREYA Ultreya will be held on Tuesday, April 4th, at 7:00 pm

at our NEW LOCATION in the Multi-Purpose Room at St.

Mary’s Parish in Bismarck. Ultreya is a gathering of people

who have attended a Cursillo weekend. For additional

information concerning the Ultreya meeting, contact Kathy

Dosch at 527-3221 or visit bismarckdiocese.com/cursillo-1.

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS We are a group of friends from Ascension

Parish who have experienced the loss

of loved ones. Our next luncheon is

scheduled for Thursday, April 6th at

the Elks. Feel free to stay and play cards

if you wish. For more information, call

Lil Krance at 255-7610 or 202-5594.

LightofChristCatholicSchoolNews

KEEP THE PROMISE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

Watch our campaign initiative videos, register to receive email 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!

FIRST FRIDAY FELLOWSHIP First Friday Fellowship will

be held on Friday, April 7th

in the Community Room

after the 8:00 am Mass.

What a wonderful opportunity

to visit

and enjoy coffee and pastries!

ParishNews

CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS The Bismarck Catholic Daughters will meet on Tuesday, April

4th for our 6:00 pm potluck supper at Cathedral. We will give

out awards for the essay, art, and music contests. We’ll also

award members with 25 and 50 year memberships. Guests are

welcome. Check out our website at www.bismarckcda.org.

Call Delores at 221-2818 for additional information.

ST. MARY’S CEMETERY CLEAN UP With the arrival of spring, we will begin our cleaning at the cemetery. Over the winter there have been many things placed on the

graves. The rules at the cemetery state all things placed on graves, except one week before and one week after Memorial Day, must

be in a vase attached to the headstone base or to the headstone itself. This includes solar lights, etc. We will be removing all items

after April 17th that do not meet this criteria, so we can complete our spring clean up. If you have questions, you may contact

Deacon Rex McDowall, Cemetery Manager at 426-2097 or email at mcdowall@midco.net.

SPIRIT OF LIFE SOUP KITCHEN LENTEN LUNCHEON 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 over your Thursday lunch for soup, sandwiches, and an opportunity to deepen your

relationship with Christ as we prepare for Easter. Our speaker will be Fr. Selvaraj Periannan on April 6th. The Lenten Luncheon

begins with soup served at 11:30 am and our speaker beginning at 12:00 Noon. Everyone is welcome to attend. Any questions,

please call 663-1660 or email marijo@myspiritoflife.com.

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.