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 17, 2017

ParishNews

Calling all willing to share their time, talents and/or treasure for the Christmas Eve Dinner. The Church of the Ascension is holding its 11th Annual Christmas Eve Dinner with serving time from 5:30 to 7:00 pm on Sunday, December 24th. The Dinner is another example of our stewardship as we minister to those without a home or family to celebrate Christ's birth or are alone during the holiday. It is a community celebration of God the Father gifting his Son to us.

Many are needed to make this event happen. Sign-up for volunteer opportunities is available online at www.ascensionbismarck.org as well as sign-up sheets in the church foyer. Set up of the Community Room is planned for Friday, December 22nd, starting at 7:00 pm. Meal preparation will happen throughout the day on December 24th. Monetary donations can be placed in the offertory with a notation of "Christmas Eve Dinner". Gift donations can be dropped off at the Education Building during business hours of 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. Gift ideas include items for men and women such as toothpaste and toothbrushes, lotions, soaps, hair care, shaving cream/razors, washcloths/towels, hats/gloves/scarves/socks, small gift cards to restaurants/general stores, as well as fun items for men, women, and children. The majority of attendees are adults. For more information or to share suggestions, call or text Mike Kraft at 226-3915 or John Paul Martin at 527-3469.

YEAR END DONATIONS

A reminder that any year end donations to Church of the Ascension are to be postmarked by December 31, 2017, to be included in the 2017 calendar year.

LITURGICAL MINISTERS NEEDED—CHRISTMAS AND FEAST OF THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY MASSES

Christmas Masses will be on Sunday, December 24th at 4:00 pm and 10:00 pm and Monday, December 25th at 9:30 am and 11:00 am. The Feast of the Solemnity of Mary Masses will be on Sunday, December 31st at 4:00 pm and Monday, January 1st at 9:30 am. Liturgical Ministers are needed for all of these Masses. You may sign up on Ministry Pro, email jcsitter@ascensionbismarck.org or call Jan at 223-3606.

YEAR END GIVING OR ESTATE PLANNING

Ascension Catholic Church has an endowment fund that enables individual, families, businesses, and organizations to provide permanent support for our parish to help meet current and future needs. Please call the Diocese of Bismarck Catholic Foundation office at 701-204-7229 to discuss an opportunity to create your individual or family endowment.

ND STATE TAX CREDIT Individuals and businesses that pay state income tax may receive a 40% ND tax credit up to $10,000 for contributions of $5,000 or more to our Ascension Endowment Fund. God bless you for remembering Ascension Catholic Church.

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 Masses requirement. 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.

RECONCILIATION SERVICES

• SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17 — ST. ANNE’S — 3PM

• TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19 — ASCENSION — 7PM

• WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20 — CATHEDRAL — 7PM

• THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21 — ST. MARY’S — 7PM

• FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22 — CORPUS CHRISTI — 7PM

CHRISTMAS LITURGY SCHEDULE

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

SOLEMNITY OF MARY

Sunday, December 31—4PM Monday, January 1—9:30 AM

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

Count Offering Team #2

Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion

Bill Blotsky - Plate Loretta Scherr - Plate Bob Scherr - Plate Cathie Volk – Plate** Michelle Fitterer – Cup** Tammie Johnson - Cup Kenneth Johnson - Cup

John A. Bitz - Plate Rose Senger – Plate** Mark Weigel - Plate Pete Baumgartner – Cup**

Mary Neigum - Plate Doug Mormann - Plate Susan Mormann - Plate LaRae Nelson - Plate Danita Deichert - Cup Paulette Heringer – Cup** Michael Luger – Cup**

Howell Flowers - Plate John Knox - Plate Sue Mock - Plate NOT FILLED - Plate Lynn Burgard – Cup** Roberta Grassel - Cup Shawn Meier – Cup**

Hospitality

Lillian Krance Aaron Mahlmann JoAnn Mahlmann

Jeff Engleson Lori Engleson Brian Schumacher

Josh Hager Kathi Kindelspire Leo Kindelspire

Levi Bitz Lina Gaab Bill Wolff

Lector John Paul Martin Rita Ritter Cathy Hruby Al Dolajak

Altar Server Jenny Celley Morgan Celley

Milla Weigel Edmund Peliska Cooper Weidner

Margaret Kathol Blaise Kathol

Video/Audio Operator

Brenda Muscha Lauren Weigel Val Frank Deb Kuntz

Music Ministry Michelle Friedt Revive

Vicki Martel Katie Kraft Tryston Simek

Mike Langer Caritas

Steve and Susan Harmon

Serving the Assembly December 23rd and 24th: Fourth Sunday of Advent

FaithFormationNews

DioceseYouthNews

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.

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.

BACEFNews

NO FAITH FORMATION CLASSES DECEMBER 20 OR 27.

HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

BACEF FOUNDATION

BACEF Foundation Sunday contributions are over $27,000. Your financial support to Catholic Education is greatly appreciated. You can leave your contribution in the Sunday collection basket or mail to: BACEF, 418 E. Rosser Ave. Ste 220, Bismarck, ND 58501.

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 18 8:00 am Communion Service Tuesday, December 19 8:00 am †Frank & Elsie Steffan by Bert Keller Wednesday, December 20

8:00 am †Tip Reichert by Keven & Kristie Wanner Thursday, December 21 8:00 am †Marion Sitter by Ben & Jan Sitter Friday, December 22 8:00 am †Bernard & Katie Weigel byJoe & Berna Vetter Saturday, December 23 5:00 pm †Anton & Anna Bren by Irene Howard Sunday, December 24 8:00 am People of the Parish 9:30 am †Bernard & Katie Weigel by Joe & Berna Vetter 11:00 am †Glorian Heidrich by Chuck Heidrich 4:00 pm †Jason Bosch by Roy Bosch 10:00 pm People of the Parish

Weekly Schedule Monday, December 18 8:30 am Eucharistic Adoration Tuesday, December 19 7:00 pm Parish Reconciliation Service Wednesday, December 20 7:00 pm Raising Praise Rehearsal Friday December 22 7:00 pm Christmas Eve Dinner Set-Up Sunday, December 24 5:30 pm Christmas Eve Dinner

Readings for the Week of December 17th:

Sunday: Is 61:1-2a, 10-11/Lk 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54/1

Thes 5:16-24/Jn 1:6-8, 19-28

Monday: Jer 23:5-8/Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19/Mt 1:18-25

Tuesday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a/Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17/

Lk 1:5-25

Wednesday: Is 7:10-14/Ps 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6/Lk 1:26-38

Thursday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a/Ps 33:2-3, 11-12,

20-21/Lk 1:39-45

Friday: 1 Sm 1:24-28/1 Sm 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd/

Lk 1:46-56

Saturday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-24/Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-9, 10 and 14/

Lk 1:57-66

WEEK COLLECTIONS BUDGET

December 10,

2017

$20,257.89 $13,002.00

Fiscal Year

to Date

$316,624.44 $312,048.00

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Adult: What work of justice could you do this week to bring someone joy?

Youth: What could you do for someone this week to make them happy?

A key facet of stewardship has always been personal witness. Today’s readings deal in large part with the witness of John the Baptist. St. John the Baptist, according to historians, was a few months older than Jesus. It is also generally accepted that he began preaching about six months before Jesus came to him to be baptized and to begin His ministry. St. John the Baptist pointed to Jesus as the Messiah. John the Baptist, through personal witness, raised a great sense of expectancy and excitement, the kind of expectancy and excitement that we associate with this season of Advent. John tries to awaken in people a consciousness of sin, the importance of conversion and change, and the need to become more holy in God’s eyes. Those are the same goals we should have during this Advent season. The matter of witness is a serious and important thing. It establishes truth and a solid foundation for faith. When we personally witness, it means we make a commitment. We cannot be neutral when it comes to our faith. We are called to be disciples, witnesses of and for Christ. We best accomplish that by the ways we live our own lives and how we relate to and treat others. Jesus can meet our every need. Now is the time for us to accept that and to place our total trust in Him. We can do that best by making our own commitment to be His disciple, a witness to Who He is and what He means to us and all people.