Bulletin for February 3, 2008

EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATIONS THIS WEEK

SUNDAY-FOURTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME
First Reading: Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12a

7:00 For Our Ascension Family
9:00 Margaret Kelley (Bucher)
10:30 Bernie Melvin (Sheetz)
12:00 Billie Channell (Nozar)

MONDAY-WEEKDAY
9:00 Zachary Taylor (Grandparents)

TUESDAY-ST. AGATHA
9:00 Sally Lindblom (Brennan)

WEDNESDAY-ASH WEDNESDAY
9:00 Michael Burch (Family)
12:00 Marilyn Gaeke (Everman)
7:00 Dorothy Hansen (Daughter)

THURSDAY-LENTEN WEEKDAY
9:00 Wilma Kerekish (Catimbang)

FRIDAY-LENTEN WEEKDAY
9:00 Mary Ludwig (Gay)

SATURDAY-LENTEN WEEKDAY
9:00 Mildred Tack (Giambrone)
5:00 Tom Gregory (Family)

SUNDAY-FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
7:00 For Our Ascension Family
9:00 Lee Miller (Father)
10:30 Don Callahan (Brohard)
12:00 Bill Riggs (Mills)

SICK AND SHUT-IN LIST
As a parish family concerned for one another, we ask your prayerful support of our hospitalized members.
Miami Valley: Joan McDonald

WOMEN’S GUILD SCRIP PROGRAM
Don’t think of scrip as something just to buy for others as a gift. Think of it as something you personally use as you go about your daily activities—shopping, eating out, or filling up your gas tank. Most of us eat fast food once in awhile and the cards are very handy to carry for that purpose as well as using them in nicer restaurants. For sure, we are all filling our gas tank a few times a month. It cost you nothing extra to purchase scrip, but Women’s Guild earns a profit and that is returned to the parish through our various projects.

We keep some cards on hand and others can be ordered and received very quickly. A flyer listing some of the cards available is on the table in the narthex or call Judy McManus (299-0997), Joann Prinz (439-5753) or Phyllis Hildebrand (435-7114).

NEW LIFE IN CHRIST
SOPHIA MARIE BOYD, daughter of Matthew Boyd and Lauren Keller, Softwood Ln.; KRISTA LOUISE KATES, daughter of Kevin Kates and Julie Franz, Tall Oaks Dr.; MILEY MARA MCKITRICK and SEAN EDWARD MCKITRICK children of Davie McKitrick and Sarah Schaeffer, Willowcrest Rd. received new life through the waters of Baptism last weekend.

Congratulations to the proud parents, godparents and grandparents.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Home Teach Parents will be meeting on either Sunday, February 3 at 11:45 a.m. or Monday, February 4 at 7:00 p.m. Please call the RE Office to confirm the date you will be attending.

First Reconciliation: Saturday, February 9, 11:00 a.m. Students and families, please arrive by 10:45 a.m.

Early Childhood: Love Sunday will be observed on February 10; parents please bring children to classroom as usual and plan on joining them in the School cafeteria after Mass.

No classes on February 17-18, Presidents’ Day weekend.

Volunteers needed on Sunday mornings as Scripture Catechist to discuss the Sunday gospel with students, and on Monday afternoons as a substitute catechist in the Elementary program. Please call Sue Graham in the RE Office at 254-0622.

FIRST COMMUNION PARENT MEETING
Parents of all students preparing for First Communion will meet on Monday, February 11 in the Witzman Center. Fr. Chris will speak to the parents; student books, parent guides, and other materials will be distributed. Two sessions will be held: 4:30-5:30 p.m. and 7:00-8:00 p.m.; please choose the more convenient time. Babysitting provided with reservation-call the RE Office 254-0622.

YOUTH MINISTRY
Are You Tuned In? – The annual high school Winter Retreat is coming February 15-17 at Camp Kern. Join youth from Ascension, St. Helen, and St. John Neumann for this peer led retreat. Discount registration deadline February 11. Brochures at church doors.

Leap Year Day Celebration – Teens mark your calendars for Friday, February 29, 7:00 p.m.! Special Guest Nick Cardilino, composer of the NCYC ’07 theme song and UD campus minister will provide an evening of praise and worship music. Want to play your instrument or sing this night? Contact Jim Murray 253-1997 or jmurray@ascensionkettering.org.

SOUP & BREAD SUPPER
Ascension joins St. Helen in hosting Lenten Soup Suppers for men Monday, March 3, 6:30 p.m. at Ascension with Fr. Chris Worland presenting and for women, Tuesday, March 4, 6:30 p.m. at St. Helen with Mary Woldarski presenting. The topic will be “On Earthly Goods, Love for the Poor, and Work” from the Why Catholic? Life in Christ Book (chapter 11). These suppers are open to ALL parishioners whether or not you are in a Why Catholic? Reservations required to: Jim Murray 253-5171 or jmurray@ascensionkettering.org. A free will offering will be taken.

EVENING PRAYER DURING LENT
Evening Prayer can be a special way of fulfilling our Lenten call to prayer not only as individuals, but also as a Christian community. The Marianist Novitiate Community will lead us in this ancient, communal prayer of the Church at 7:00 p.m., on four Wednesday nights during Lent, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27 and 3/5. Please join us at 7:00 p.m. on these dates.

ASH WEDNESDAY MASS TIMES
Mass will be offered at 9:00 a.m., Noon and 7:00 p.m. on February 6 Ash Wednesday.

CENTRAL & EASTERN EUROPEAN COLLECTION
On Ash Wednesday baskets will be at the church doors for the annual collection to aid the Church in Central and Eastern Europe. The collection will help the Easter European Church recover its ability to preach God’s Word to those who are in great need.

LENTEN REMINDERS – FAST AND ABSTINENCE
Ash Wednesday, February 6 and Good Friday, March 21 are days of abstinence from meat and also days of fast, that is, limited to a single full meal. The other Fridays of the season of Lent are days of abstinence from meat. The law of abstinence binds all Catholics 14 years and older. The law of fasting binds all Catholics from their 18th birthday until their 59th birthday. People should seek to do more rather than less.

OPERATION RICE BOWL
Our Lenten journey begins this week on Ash Wednesday. Operation Rice bowl is the official Lenten program of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and is Ascension’s almsgiving project each Lent. Rice bowls will not be mailed to households this year. Instead, the Rice Bowl containers and envelopes can be picked up at the church entrances starting on Ash Wednesday. Monies collected are directed to alleviate human suffering, to foster justice and charity, and to enhance the development of people around the world. Receptacles are at the church doors throughout Lent to receive your donations. These donations are part of our Offertory procession on Holy Thursday at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. Last year $8 million dollars offered by participants in Operation Rice Bowl made a huge difference to people all around the world. Together we can induce tremendous change. “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for the will be satisfied.”

STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Stations of the Cross are prayed each Friday night during Lent starting this Friday, February 8. Come meditate on the mystery of Jesus’ suffering and death as we journey toward His glorious resurrection on Easter. The stations are prayed in the chapel beginning at 7:00 p.m.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS OPEN HOUSE
Dayton Council 500 Knights of Columbus will hold an open house, for those interested in joining February 3 at 5:00 p.m. This is in conjunction with their Super Bowl Party at their council hall, 237 Bainbridge St.

PARENTING POINTERS
Next Tuesday is Mardi Gras (sometimes known as “Fat Tuesday” which always precedes Ash Wednesday. Traditionally Christians take this opportunity for a last fling before the penitential season of Lent. Plan some fun celebration to do with your child during the next few days even if it’s just a deliciously fattening dessert.

MARRIAGE MOMENTS
By Susan Vogt www.SusanVogt.net
Lent is about to begin. Instead of “giving up” something today, consider “giving in.” Is there some way you could yield to your spouse this Lent? Just don’t pick the same thing lest it become the cyclical, “Whatever YOU want; No, whatever YOU want…”

FR. WITZMAN SCHOLARSHIP AT ASCENSION
The Fr. Witzman Scholarship is available to any student from Ascension Parish planning to attend a Gr. 9-12 Catholic High school next school year. Three (3) scholarships will be awarded for $600 each. Application materials may be obtained by calling or stopping in the Parish, Religious Education or School Offices. The application deadline is Monday, March 3.

The Fr. Witzman Scholarship was founded in 1986 with the estate of founding Pastor Arnold Witzman. In addition to the winners of the high school scholarships numerous Ascension families have received elementary school and religious education tuition assistance for the 2007-08 school year through the Witzman Fund.

CRHP INVITATION FOR WOMEN
Christ Renews His Parish renewal weekend is a great way to establish a stronger bond with God and fellow parishioners. Many participates feel that the weekend experience has been among the most powerful and positive of their lives. Women of Ascension are invited to attend the upcoming weekend retreat which will happen March 1-2. Women interested in participating in this life-changing renewal weekend are asked to contact Jessica Garwood at 610-6996.

WOMEN’S CONFERENCE
The 7th annual Annie T. Thornton Women’s Leadership Conference will be held at the University of Dayton on March 1. This year’s theme is “Building a Strong Foundation.” Cost is $20.00 for community members and $10.00 for students. To register and/or obtain more information call 229-3351 or visit http://campus.udayton.edu/~udwlc.

FISH FRY
St. Francis Fish Fry will be held February 15. All you can eat fish, fries, coleslaw, applesauce, baked beans (chicken strips for the non-fish lover) beverages included. Family dining 5:00-7:30 p.m. Adults only after 7:30 p.m. Adults $13.00; children 6-12 years $7.00 under 6 free with parent. Casino games begin at 8:00 p.m. Carry outs available from 5:00-6:30 p.m.

ASCENSION’S ACTIVITIES FOR THE WEEK
Complete calendar online: www.ascensionkettering.org/calendar.htm

SUNDAY
St. Vincent DePaul Collection
9:00 Boy Scouts Sunday
10:00 Baptism Prep-POB
10:15 RE Middle School
10:30 Early Childhood
10:30 Traditional Choir
1:00 HSYM Souper Bowl-WC
1:00 Scrapping-WC
1:30 Lenten Ashes to Ashes-School
2:00 Common Sense Parenting 4-WC

MONDAY
1:00 Network of Care-POB
4:15 Elementary RE
6:30 RE Middle School
7:00 Why Catholic Group-POB

TUESDAY
9:45 Bible Study-POB
7:00 St. Vincent DePaul Meeting-POB
7:00 Why Catholic Group-WC
7:15 RCIA-WC
7:30 Contemporary Choir Practice-Church

WEDNESDAY
7:00 Sharing Our Gifts-POB
7:00 Athletic Board Meeting-POB

THURSDAY
6:30 Bingo-PAC
6:45 Education Commission-POB
7:00 Traditional Choir Practice-Church

FRIDAY
7:00 Stations of the Cross-Chapel
7:30 Bridge Club-POB

SATURDAY
8:00 Men’s Fellowship-WC
11:00 RE First Reconciliation-Church
4:00 Confessions
5:00 Mass
5:00 Rite of Sending-Church

SUNDAY
Parish Registration After 9 & 10:30 Masses-WC
Coffee & Donuts After 9 & 10:30 Masses-WC
9:00 Contemporary Choir
10:15 RE Middle School
10:30 Early Childhood Love Sunday
10:30 Traditional Choir
1:00 Baptism
2:00 Common Sense Parenting 5-WC