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

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

January 7, 2018

DioceseYouthNews

MARCH FOR LIFE PILGRIMAGE

The March for Life Pilgrimage will be held January 16-21, 2018 and is open to youth in grades 9-12. We have had many students from our Diocese attend March for Life through our area Catholic Schools, but we want to make sure ALL high school youth in our Diocese have the opportunity to attend this amazing event. The event will include participation in the March for Life, as well as the Life is Very Good Youth Rally, and will provide numerous opportunities for visiting the national monuments, museums, and well-known Catholic venues including the Basilica of the National Shrine, St. John Paul II Shrine, and more! For further information, please contact Carrie Davis, the Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministries at the Bismarck Diocese by emailing cdavis@bismarckdiocese.com or call 204-7208.

FaithFormationNews

DIRECTOR OF FAITH FORMATION JOB OPPORTUNITY

Ascension Parish has a job position open for a Director of Faith Formation. The Director of Faith Formation is responsible for the development, coordination, and promotion of a comprehensive plan for the spiritual growth and faith development of 1st grade through adult parishioners. Must have a passion and creative energy to enable others to live out their baptismal call personally, within the family, parish and greater community. Qualifications: Individual must be an active Catholic who is organized, committed, creative and has a degree with classes in theology, education and/or pastoral ministry. Experience teaching within a parish faith formation program is preferred. Possessing good communication skills and an ability to work collaboratively with pastor, parish staff, catechists, parents and students is vital. A complete background check is required by the Diocese of Bismarck. Please submit a cover letter and resume to Beth Kathol, Parish Business Manager, Church of the Ascension, 1905 South 3rd Street, Bismarck, ND 58504 or bkathol@ascensionbismarck.org.

WORLD YOUTH DAY

The 34th World Youth Day (WYD) will take place in Panama City, Panama, January 22-27, 2019. The event will be hosted during the winter to avoid the country’s rainy season, which occurs in July and August—the traditional dates for WYD. The Diocese’s Office of Youth And Young Adult Ministries will be coordinate the trip. Due to the time of WYD 2019, the trip will only be offered to those who are 18 or older, so as not to compete with school-sponsored March for Life events and other activities happening during this same time. Early registration has already begun. Deadline to register is March 30, 2018. Go to www.bismarckdiocese.com/wyd for more Information.

PARENT MEETING – 1ST

EUCHARIST

Wednesday, January 10th – Room 204

During All Faith Formation Sessions

There is a mandatory meeting for all parents whose children are preparing to make their 1st Holy Communion this year. The meeting will take place in Room 204 upstairs in the Education Building during each session at 4:00, 5:30 and 7:00. Parents are encouraged to come at the time their child is in class, but can come at any session. Students will have class as normal. Materials, information and important dates will be distributed at the meeting. Please contact Beth with any questions at 223-3606 or bkathol@ascensionbismarck.org

WEDNESDAY ADULT FORMATION CLASS – SEVEN PILLARS OF CATHOLIC SPIRITUALITY

3-Week Video Course by Matthew Kelly, facilitated by Beth Kathol

January 17, 31 and February 7

6:45-8:00 PM – Conference Room

We all need our spirituality re-energized from time to time. Matthew Kelly has been inspiring Catholics to explore the genius of Catholicism for twenty years. If you are not quite sure where Catholicism fits into your life, have questions about the faith, or just need your spiritual life reinvigorated... this class perfect for you! Cost is $5. Please register by contacting Beth at 223-3606 or bkathol@ascensionbismarck.org.

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

Count Offering Team #6

Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion

Michelle Fitterer—Plate Renee Jangula—Plate Tammie Johnson—Plate** Bonnie Sanders—Plate Linda Chabonneau—Cup Ken Johnson—Cup** Jan Sitter—Cup

Wayne Hatzenbuhler—Plate** Michelle Schmidt—Plate Rose Senger—Plate** Pete Baumgartner—Cup

Scott LeBlanc—Plate Mark Malm—Plate Sharon Malm—Plate Deb Salwei—Plate Mary Neigum—Cup** Mike Neigum—Cup** Berna Vetter—Cup

Lynn Burgard—Plate John Knox—Plate Julie Ness—Plate Jay Uhlman—Plate** Kiaya Schwab—Cup** Melanie Schwab—Cup VOLUNTEER—Cup

Hospitality

Lil Krance Andrew LaBonte Cheryl LaBonte

Lori Engleson Jeff Engleson Larry Slabik

Tanya Hopfauf Leo Kindelspire Kathi Kindelspire

Nicholas Ness Carl Ness DJ Ness

Lector Linda Charbonneau Rita Ritter Kaye Andersen John Knox

Altar Server

Jenny Celley Morgan Celley

Elias Johnson Jami Bachmeier Madison Hopfauf

Erica Haberlock Trey Haberlock

Video/Audio Operator

Leona Kuntz Lauren Weigel Dan Hopfauf Kiaya Schwab

Music Ministry

Joan Backes Sally Dassinger

Julie Ternes Mary Bachmeier Brent Geiss Jeanne Jankowski

Mike Langer Kay Larson

Serving the Assembly January 13th and 14th: Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

ST. MARY’S CARNIVAL TICKETS

Turn in your sold carnival tickets early to qualify for a weekly drawing for your choice of $10 worth of midway tickets or two dinner tickets on any date of the 2018 carnival (Feb 2, 3, 4). Not redeemable for cash. This week’s winner is Linda Charbonneau.

Soup & Fry Bread Tasting Event

Assorted Homemade Soups and Fry Bread will be served on Sunday, January 14th

from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Ascension Church.

This event is sponsored by JP Wagner Assembly 4th Degree Knights of Columbus

Adults $6.00 Youth $3.50 Under 5 Free

LIGHT OF CHRIST CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

Registration for the 2018-2019 school year is open for the following: Pre-K (ages 3-5) full and half day programs Kindergarten—Grade 5 Grades 6—8 at the Academy Grades 9—12 at St. Mary’s Central High School Pre-K to Grade 5 OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY/Sunday, January 7th/9:00 am to Noon St. Mary’s Grade School, 807 E Thayer Saint Anne School, 1315 N 13th Street Cathedral of the Holy Spirit Elementary, 508 Raymond Street Grades 6-8 ACADEMY OPEN HOUSE/Thursday, January 18th/7:00 pm Tours available 6:00 to 8:00 pm Presentation at 7:00 pm 1025 N 2nd Street in Bismarck

LIGHT OF CHRIST SCHOOLS JOB OPENINGS

Assistant Cook/Kitchen Assistant at Saint Anne Elementary School. Applicant must be an energetic, self-motivated individual. Hours are 9:00 am to12:30 pm, while school is in session. Full-time Childcare Provider at LaMere Learning Center. Chosen applicant will work with toddlers, Monday to Friday. Applicants must be 18 years or older as they will be supervising minors. For more information, contact Kate Bleth, Human Resources at 425-0793. Please complete an online application at www.lightofchristschools.org/employment.

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, Tim Heidt, Erna Jacobchick, Michelle Niska, Viola Bitz, Bill Feist, Jolene Klein, Richelle Knudson, Daryl Wanner, Mary Shaffer, Kathy Lewis

FINANCIAL BLESSINGS

ParishCalendar

Monday, January 8 8:00 am Communion Service Tuesday, January 9 8:00 am †Al Stockert by Connie Stockert Wednesday, January 10

8:00 am †Paul Kalberer by Neal & Cheryl Kalberer Thursday, January 11 8:00 am †Fran Braaten by Mike, Joletta, & Katrice Kern Friday, January 12 8:00 am †Don Masseth by Family Saturday, January 13 5:00 pm †Shelly, Mary, and Elizabeth Schlosser by Jack Schlosser Sunday, January 14 8:00 am People of the Parish 9:30 am †Mark Hammerschmidt by Gregg & Beth Kathol Family 11:00 am †Jordan Greer Wilz by Mike & Coralie Fix

Weekly Schedule Monday, January 8 6:30 pm Social Concerns meeting Tuesday, January 9 7:00 pm KC meeting Wednesday January 10 8:30 am Ladies of Ascension meeting 12:00 pm Finance Council meeting 4:00, 5:30, 7:00 All Faith Formation Classes 1st Eucharist Parent meeting/All sessions Sunday, January 14 4:00-7:00 pm 4th Degree KC’s Soup and Fry Bread

Readings for the Week of January 7th:

Sunday: Is 60:1-6/Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13/

Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6/Mt 2:1-12

Monday: Is 42:1-4, 6-7/Is 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6/Mk 1:7-11

Tuesday: 1 Sm 1:9-20/1 Sm 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd/

Mk 1:14-20 and 1:21-28

Wednesday: 1 Sm 3:1-10, 19-20/Ps 40:2 and 5, 7-8a, 8b-9,

10/Mk 1:29-39

Thursday: 1 Sm 4:1-11/Ps 44:10-11, 14-15, 24-25/

Mk 1:40-45

Friday: 1 Sm 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1a/Ps 21:2-3, 4-5, 6-7/

Mk 2:13-17

Saturday: 1 Sm 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1a/Ps 21:2-3, 4-5, 6-7/

Mk 2:13-17

WEEK COLLECTIONS BUDGET

December 24,

2017

$22,065.85 $13,002.00

December 25,

2017

$9,697.17

December 31,

2017

$8,389.29 $13,002.00

Fiscal Year

to Date

$368,167.40 $351,054.00

REPAIR & MAINTENANCE FUND

December 2017 Collections $5,208.00

POOR FUND DONATIONS

December 2017 Collections $3,737.85

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Adult: When have you been jealous or fearful of another person? When are such feelings harmful? Youth: When have you been jealous because something good happened to another person instead of you? What is the problem with feeling that way?

Today is the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. For centuries we as Catholics celebrated this Feast on January 6th, but the decision was made a number of years ago (at least in the United States) to celebrate the Epiphany on the Sunday which falls between January 2nd and January 8th. “Epiphany” means “manifestation.” It is on this day that Jesus Christ, the Messiah, is revealed as the light of all nations. Officially Christmas is not over. In fact, the recommendation of the Church is that on this day those who display a crèche, a nativity or manger scene, should replace the shepherd and sheep with the Magi and their likely animals on which they traveled as well as their gifts. However, that is all secondary to the real meaning of this day. At Christmas the Messiah Jesus was revealed to the shepherds, who were Jewish. But on this day the Lord is revealed to all nations and to the Gentiles (represented by the Magi). We are all familiar with the star the Magi followed, but we need to understand all that is happening and what it means. This all represents the Light of Christ, a Light which today we honor and commemorate. We are called to be the Light of Christ right now to those around us and those with whom we come in contact. That way we can be the disciples Christ wants us to be.