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

December 31, 2017

Pastor’sNotes

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.

SOLEMNITY OF MARY MASS SCHEDULE

Sunday, December 31—4PM Monday, January 1—9:30AM PLEASE NOTE: This year, the obligation to attend Mass on this holy day is abrogated. There is no obligation for the faithful to attend Mass on this holy day.

My personal thanks for your prayers/spiritual bouquets, Christmas cards, and gifts.

It is a privilege to serve as your priest and pastor. May God bless all of you!

May you have a very BLESSED NEW YEAR!

Monsignor Jim Braaten, Pastor

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.

FIRST FRIDAY FELLOWSHIP

First Friday Fellowship will be held on Friday, January 5th in the Community Room after the 8:00 am Mass. What a wonderful opportunity to visit and enjoy coffee and pastries!

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

Count Offering Team #5

Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion

Sharon Finneman—Plate Ellen Holt—Plate Meredith Holt—Plate Carol Preskey—Plate Dan Cahoon—Cup** Hannah Cahoon—Cup** Renee Jangula—Cup

John Bitz—Plate Ellen Klein—Plate Mark Weigel—Plate** Pete Baumgartner—Cup**

Danita Deichert—Plate LaRae Nelson—Plate Alice Ternes—Plate Pam Moormann—Plate Jean Kraft—Cup Rod Wald—Cup** Deb Wald—Cup**

Mary Fornshell—Plate Shawn Meier—Plate Sue Mock—Plate Howell Flowers—Plate** Bobbie Grassel—Cup** VOLUNTEER—Cup VOLUNTEER—Cup

Hospitality

Aaron Mahlmann Conni Schafer Randy Schafer

Dorothy Kosse Kelvin Kosse Brian Schumacher

Tim Kaiser Joan Kaiser Lindsay Miller

Levi Bitz Pam Bryan John Bryan

Lector Lisa Atkinson Valerie Kolbinger Donna Davidson Al Dolajak

Altar Server

Tevyn Friedt Jett Warren

Nick Hagel Milla Weigel

Katie Volk Matthew Volk

Margaret Kathol Nathan Tena

Video/Audio Operator

Brandon Holt Nancy Hoselton Val Frank Deb Kuntz

Music Ministry

Ken Steckler Group Barb Hokenson Keylee Hertz Barnett

Cheneniah Julie Ternes

Serving the Assembly January 6th and 7th, The Epiphany of the Lord

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS

We are a group of women from Ascension Parish who have experienced the loss of loved ones. Our next luncheon will be a 11:30 am on Thursday, January 4th at the Bismarck Elks Club. If you are planning to attend, please call Lil at 255-7610 or 202-5594 or Linda at 223-0802. Hope to see you there!

CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS

Bismarck Catholic Daughters will meet on Tuesday, January 2nd at Cathedral at 7:00 pm. Our speaker will be Virginia Dolajak, President of Bismarck/Mandan Right to Life. She will give an up to date report on this year’s life issues. Guests are welcome. For more info, call Delores at 221-2818.

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. Congratulations to the following winners thus far: Irene Howard, Leo Schmidt, Mike & Sheila Vetter

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

WE STILL HAVE PECANS FOR SALE

On behalf of the Ladies of Ascension, we would like to thank all parishioners, who either baked or purchased goodies at our recent Bake Sale. Also, our delicious nuts have been huge sellers. We do still have pecans left; stop by the Parish office to pick up a bag for $10. Again, thank you for all your donations in helping us to make some very much needed kitchen improvements.

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 1 9:30 am People of the Parish Tuesday, January 2 8:00 am †Peter Ziegler by Elizabeth Ziegler Wednesday, January 3

8:00 am Grant Heaton by Irene Howard Thursday, January 4 8:00 am †Tony Frank by Leo & Bernie Vetter Friday, January 5 8:00 am †Bridget Urlacher by Lil Krance Saturday, January 6 5:00 pm †Sister DelRey Richard by Irene Howard Sunday, January 7 8:00 am †Dennis Blasl by Irene Blasl 9:30 am †Mary Ann Kalvoda by Mike & Julie Luger 11:00 am People of the Parish

Weekly Schedule

Wednesday January 3 4:00, 5:30, 7:00 All Faith Formation Classes Thursday, January 4 11:30 am Circle of Friends at the Elks Friday, January 5 8:30 am First Friday Fellowship in Community Room

Readings for the Week of December 31st:

Sunday: Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3/Ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 5-6,

8-9/Heb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19/Lk 2:22-40

Monday: Nm 6:22-27/Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8/Gal 4:4-7/

Lk 2:16-21

Tuesday: 1 Jn 2:22-28/Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4/Jn 1:19-28

Wednesday: 1 Jn 2:29—3:6/Ps 98:1, 3cd-4, 5-6/Jn 1:29-34

Thursday: 1 Jn 3:7-10/Ps 98:1, 7-8, 9/Jn 1:35-42

Friday: 1 Jn 3:11-21/Ps 100:1b-2, 3, 4, 5/Jn 1:43-51

Saturday: 1 Jn 5:5-13/Ps 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20/

Mk 1:-11

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

Check out our website at www.ascensionbismarck.org

WEEK COLLECTIONS BUDGET

December 17,

2017

$11,390.65 $13,002.00

December 24,

2017

Numbers will

be in

January 7th

Bulletin.

Fiscal Year

to Date

$328,015.09 $325,050.00

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Adult: What does your family do to honor and respect its older members? Youth: Why did Joseph leave Israel? How can he be an example for you?

The primary purpose of The Feast of the Holy Family is to present the Holy Family as a model for Christian families. In Italy there is a saying, “La famiglia é tutto,” which means, “the family is everything.” Our Holy Father Pope Francis has made families one of the focal points of his papacy. He organized a conference on families in 2015. Speaking to the gathered families, he said, “You cannot have a family without dreams. I am very fond of dreams in families. For nine months, every mother and father dream about their baby. They dream about what kind of child he or she will be… You can’t have a family without dreams. Once a family loses the ability to dream, children do not grow, love does not grow, life shrivels up and dies. So I ask you each evening, when you make your examination of conscience, to also ask yourselves this question: Today did I dream about my children’s future? Today did I dream about the love of my husband, my wife? Did I dream about my parents and grandparents who have gone before me?” All of today’s readings have to do with families and family life. The reading from Sirach, our First Reading, emphasized the Fourth Commandment, “Honor thy father and mother.” We are commanded to respect and love our parents. However, it is a two way street. The Gospel Reading speaks of the development of Jesus, and that should inspire parents to understand that our prayers are the same as the prayers of Joseph and Mary — that our children will become strong in spirit and filled with wisdom.