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 24, 2017

ParishNews

CHRISTMAS DAY IS A HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION

Christmas Day is a Holy Day of Obligation. The faithful will need to attend Mass twice during the period of 12/23/17—12/25/17. One Mass will not satisfy the two Mass requirements. For example: *Attend one Mass on Saturday 12/23 at 5pm or on Sunday 12/24 at 8, 9:30 or 11am to satisfy the 4th Sunday of Advent obligation. *Attend one Mass on Sunday 12/24 at 4pm or 10pm or on Monday 12/25 at 9:30am or 11am to satisfy the Christmas obligation.

CHRISTMAS LITURGY SCHEDULE SOLEMNITY OF MARY

CHRISTMAS EVE— Sunday, December 24—4PM & 10PM Sunday, December 31—4PM CHRISTMAS DAY—Monday, December 25—9:30AM & 11:00AM 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.

The message of Christmas is profoundly simple: Jesus, Son of God, Son of Mary, was born in a manger

and He announced to the world a message of love and peace. Jesus taught us to be loving sisters and brothers.

He taught us to treat each other with dignity and respect.

May the Jesus of Christmas bring you Peace, give you Hope, and grant you Love.

On behalf of the Ascension Parish Staff and myself, THANK YOU to the many parishioners

who have been involved in decorating the church, preparing music and song, and so many others

who have ministered to the parish family.

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!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Monsignor Jim Braaten, Pastor

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE DEACONS

It has been our honor and pleasure to have served you during this past year;

and, we are looking forward to 2018.

Thank you to our family at Ascension Parish for your kindness, support and love.

We wish you all a Merry and Blessed Christmas and a Happy and Peaceful New Year.

Deacons Ray, Tony, and Doyle

BAPTISMS

Harper Ann Leintz daughter of Nicholas and Ashley Beau Caleb Schaff son of Cole and Sydney Aryah Eldora Fercho daughter of Ryan and Lacey Mesa Marie Ritter daughter of Scott and Alisha

NEW PARISHIONERS

Ted Dorval and Claudia Feldman Derek and Tera Miller Ethan, Evangeline, Zachary, and August

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

Count Offering Team #4

Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion

Renee Jangula—Plate Andrew LaBonte—Plate Cheryl LaBonte—Plate Bonnie Sanders—Plate Hannah Cahoon—Cup Heather McCoy—Cup** Bob Scherr—Cup**

Wayne Hatzenbuhler—Plate** Michelle Schmidt—Plate** Mark Weigel—Plate Pete Baumgartner—Cup

Fred Frank—Plate Cathy Hruby—Plate Mary Neigum—Plate Mike Neigum—Plate Scott LeBlanc—Cup Deb Salwei—Cup** Berna Vetter—Cup**

Rosie Dingus—Plate Grady Martin—Plate John Paul Martin—Plate VOLUNTEER—Plate Sirley Schafer—Cup Melanie Schwab—Cup** Kiaya Schwab—Cup**

Hospitality

Lil Krance Patti Wangler Al Wangler

Judy Ness Greg Power Larry Slabik

Val Frank Josh Hager Eric Miller

Genny Berg Steve Berg Bill Wolff

Lector Irene Howard Rita Ritter Brent Freese Bev Charles

Altar Server

Ethan Stewart Wylie Vetter

Adriel Vetter Eric Krug Alyson Krug

Austin Martin Noelle Martin

Video/Audio Operator

Ken Jarolimek Dee Baumgartner Mike Luger Dave Charles

Music Ministry

Joan Backes Renee Loh

Vicki Martel, Sally Dasinger, Jenny Koch, Pat Anderson

Jeanne Jankowski Mary Bachmeier

Steve and Susan Harmon

Serving the Assembly December 30th and 31st, The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

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.

NO FAITH FORMATION CLASSES DECEMBER 27.

HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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, December 25 9:30 am †Frank and Emilia Urlacher †Fred and Anna Marie Victor by Bob & Charlene Urlacher 11:00 am †Lucinda Schneider by Heidrich family Tuesday, December 26 8:00 am Communion Service Wednesday, December 27

8:00 am †Joseph Kuntz by George & Leona Kuntz Thursday, December 28 8:00 am Reparation of Sins by KC Council #7602 Friday, December 29 8:00 am †Mark Hammerschmidt by Gregg & Beth Kathol family Saturday, December 30 5:00 pm †Margorie Pavlicek by Irene Howard Sunday, December 31 8:00 am †Philip G. Miller by George & Leona Kuntz 9:30 am People of the Parish 11:00 am †Cheryl Heck by Family 4:00 pm †Anton and Mary Hanel by Clara Lisko

Weekly Schedule

Friday December 29 5:00 pm Altar Server Appreciation Gathering Community Room

Readings for the Week of December 24th:

Sunday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Ps 89:2-3, 4-5,

27, 29/Rom 16:25-27/Lk 1:26-38

Monday: Is 52:7-10/Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6/

Heb 1:1-6/Jn 1:1-18, 9-14

Tuesday: Acts 6:8-10, 7:54-59/Ps 31:3cd-4, 6, 8ab,

16bc, 17/Mt 10:17-22

Wednesday: 1 Jn 1:1-4/Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12/Jn 20:1a, 2-8

Thursday: 1 Jn 1:5—2:2/Ps 124:2-3, 4-5, 7b-8/Mt 2:13-18

Friday: 1 Jn 2:3-11/Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 5b-6/Lk 2:22-35

Saturday: 1 Jn 2:12-17/Ps 96:7-8a, 8b-9, 10/Lk 2:36-40

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

Check out our website at www.ascensionbismarck.org

WEEK COLLECTIONS BUDGET

December 17,

2017

The numbers will be in the

Fiscal Year

to Date

December

31st

bulletin.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Adult: How do you open your heart to what God wants for you? How do you follow the pathway that leads to happiness?

“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” With those words our Blessed Mother Mary places her total trust in God. We are called to do the same, and this final Sunday of Advent is the time for us to do that, if we have not previously. Mary’s response to God is the same response we need to offer the Lord. It is most appropriate that we hear this message at this time and on this day. This took much more trust in the Lord than we might imagine. Mary agreed to receive a pregnancy that would be seen as suspect in a culture which had a potential death penalty for adultery. Spiritually speaking, there are similarities between the Lord’s work in Mary and His work in all of us. Jesus lives within each of us spiritually. He lived in Mary not only spiritually but also physically. Jesus was made visible to the world through Mary physically, but He should be made visible to the world through us as well. Who we are and how we relate to and treat others is a sign to the world of Who Jesus is and what a Christian is and should be. Are we showing the world what it means to be His disciple? Is there a better time than this to do so? The entertainer and comedian Bob Hope once said, “My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?”