REFLECTION:
In the Acts of the Apostles we read a vivid description of the arrival of the Holy Spirit. The apostles heard “… a noise like a strong driving wind…“ and then “… there appeared to them tongues as of fire…“ In his gospel John describes how the risen Jesus came into the midst of the frightened apostles, wished them peace, and then “… breathed on them and said to them ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’ “ The first event was dramatic, loud, full of action. The second calm, quiet, peaceful. But both marked the coming of the Holy Spirit empowering the disciples to continue Jesus’ work. We know that we, too, are charged with continuing Jesus’ ministry but sometimes don’t we feel inadequate to the task? We aren’t sure we know how to share the good news. We know we need help, just as the apostles did, but we may not trust that the Holy Spirit will come to us. These two stories, however, assure us that the Holy Spirit will come when we need his gifts. The Spirit may come dramatically or quietly - however we will welcome him - but the Holy Spirit will come.

1. What important work does Jesus ask of you at this time in your life?
2. How would Jesus want you to treat your friends and family this week?

PRAYER:
Come Holy Spirit, enrich me with your gifts so that I may more effectively share the good news of salvation through my words and my actions. Amen

Mass Readings Online

REFLECTION:
Try to imagine what it must have been like to be one of the apostles witnessing Jesus’ ascension. You and the other apostles met Jesus on the mountain where you had gathered before. You prayed together and then Jesus said “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.” You had been with Jesus since the beginning of his ministry. You had heard him preach with authority and seen him perform miracle after miracle. You had seen the crowds who came to hear him preach get larger and larger. You believed in him and recognized him as the Messiah. Jesus had tried to prepare you for the horror of his crucifixion but still those events had brought you close to despair. And even though Jesus had said he would rise from the dead, you could hardly believe it when he appeared before you. Now, he seems to be saying good-bye and telling you to spread his message to the whole world. How can a small group of Jews living in one small corner of the world take on such a task? You listen closely to Jesus’ words and finally you understand when you hear him say, “I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

1. With whom have you shared the good news of Jesus in the past month?
2. What good news about Jesus could you share with someone?.

PRAYER:
Dear Jesus, I am grateful for your presence in my life. I trust that your love will guide and protect me always. Amen

Mass Readings Online

REFLECTION:
Jesus and the apostles had a long conversation at the Last Supper. It seems that Jesus was trying to prepare his disciples for what lay ahead. He wanted to assure them that even after he returned to his Father they would not be alone. He promised, “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.“ Jesus told them the Father “will give you another Advocate to be with you always….” This Advocate will be the “Spirit of truth” who will remain with the followers of Jesus. Christ reminds the apostles that he expects them to keep his commandments. They are to be faithful to all that he has taught them. They will demonstrate their love for him and for his Father by living according to his Word. Again Jesus assures them “And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.” In the days following Jesus’ death and resurrection his disciples must have clung to these loving words. Trusting in Jesus they were able to open themselves to the Holy Spirit and continue
Jesus’ work on earth. We are called to do the same.

1. What difficulties have you overcome because of your belief in the power of the Holy Spirit?
2. Name some times when you need the help of the Holy Spirit.

PRAYER:
Come, Holy Spirit, dwell in me. Strengthen and guide me so I may always follow in the footsteps of Jesus, my Lord and Savior. Amen

Mass Readings Online

REFLECTION:
At the Last Supper, knowing that the authorities were closing in on him, Jesus encouraged his disciples. He offered them hope and reassurance so their faith would remain strong through the difficult times to come. He told them, “Do not let your hearts be troubled” because he was going ahead to prepare a dwelling place with the Father for them. The apostles need not worry because “I am the way, and the truth and the life…If you know me, then you will also know the Father.” Jesus asks them to “Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” Jesus states that his words and works are the words and works of the Father. So Jesus wants us to understand that the mercy and kindness that he offered the sinners and the disabled were the acts of the Father as much as his. His words and acts reveal the Father to us and as faithful followers of Christ, our words and deeds will reveal Christ to the world. Jesus tells us not to be afraid to follow him as he is leading us to the Father.

1. In a challenge you face right now, what will it mean to live the way of Jesus Christ?
2. Name some ways you can imitate Jesus when you are on the playground or on a sports team.

PRAYER:
Jesus, you are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Allow me to follow you, trust in you and live forever in your peace. Amen

Mass Readings Online

REFLECTION:
Jesus tells us he is our shepherd and like all good shepherds he “calls his own sheep by name..“ Isn’t it empowering that Jesus, the Son of God, knows each of us by name? He knows our strengths, our habits, our needs, our gifts. Isn’t it humbling to know that he sees us as so valuable that he chooses to protect and lead us? Jesus also describes himself as the gate for the sheepfold, promising that he will keep us safe from those who would harm us. And he reminds us that he is our gate to salvation. It is through him that we will enter eternal life. Jesus came so that each of us “… might have life and have it more abundantly.“ We don’t use the word “abundance” often these days but it suggests having more than enough. It embodies generosity by the giver and satisfaction to the recipient. It conjures up an image of an overflowing stream bursting with life and refreshment. Jesus wants us to be confident of his love for us and to trust in his protection. It is up to us to follow our shepherd, to listen for his call, and to depend on his guidance.

1. How are you a shepherd to those in your care?
2. What will you do this week to show your are a Christian?

PRAYER:
Good Shepherd, help me to submit to your will for me. Let me follow as you lead me to eternal joy. Amen

Mass Readings Online

REFLECTION:
St. Luke describes the men walking to Emmaus as disciples of Jesus. So it’s puzzling that they didn’t recognize Jesus when he joined them. They had seen Jesus many times. They had heard him preach, witnessed him perform miracles, and may have had private conversations with him. Yet they didn’t realize that he was Jesus until he broke bread with them at the evening meal. And only then did they realize what it meant when earlier their hearts were “burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scripture to us…“ Isn’t this what happens to us? Sometimes in the midst of difficulties we feel abandoned. Or when things are going well we take all the credit. But as time passes we look back and realize that we have not been alone on our journey. Jesus has been supporting and loving us through it all. We may even identify moments of grace that we had taken for granted. Can we somehow open our heart to Jesus’ presence in our daily life? Can we recognize him more clearly in the Eucharist?

1. In what way have you come to know Jesus better through the breaking of the bread at Eucharist?
2. When you join Jesus at the table of the Eucharist next Sunday, what would you like to thank him for?

PRAYER:
Stir up in me, dear Lord, a heightened awareness of your presence in my life and a deepened gratefulness for your loving care. Amen

Mass Readings Online

REFLECTION:
Why wasn’t Thomas locked in the room with the other apostles? Had he left to get supplies? Had he gone to see Jesus’ empty tomb for himself? Had he needed a little time to himself? And when he returned why didn’t he believe his friends? He had seen Jesus perform countless miracles, even raising others from the dead? Why was Jesus’ return so unbelievable? Why was Thomas unable or unwilling to trust his friends’ experience? This is an important question for us as so much of our faith depends on the witness of others. We didn’t walk the dusty roads of the Holy Land with Jesus. We know of Jesus from the Scripture writers, from centuries of tradition, from our church, our faith community, our family. We have been led to faith by others who believe. We are committed in faith but, like Thomas, sometimes our faith weakens. We become complacent in good times and disillusioned in difficult times. It is then we must open ourselves to Jesus again who reveals himself in the Word, the sacraments and his holy people. Then we can join Thomas’ joyful “My Lord and my God.”

1. What could you do this week to help strengthen the faith of someone who is faltering?
2. What could you do this week to encourage someone who is sad or discouraged?

PRAYER:
Lord, guide my actions so that others may see some reflection of your love and seek you as the source of all that is good. Amen

Mass Readings Online

SUNDAY-SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
First Reading: Genesis 12:1-4a
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 1:8b-10
Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9

7:00 For Our Ascension Family
9:00 Ralph Trame (Wife)
10:30 Loretta Murphy (Family)
12:00 Donald Kochensparger (Shipman)

MONDAY-LENTEN WEEKDAY
9:00 Mary Ludwig (Leisure Club)

TUESDAY-LENTEN WEEKDAY
9:00 Jan Sowers (West)

WEDNESDAY-LENTEN WEEKDAY
9:00 Paula Deschler (Family)
7:00 Evening Prayer

THURSDAY-LENTEN WEEKDAY
9:00 Ivy Pabarue (Walsh)

FRIDAY-CHAIR OF ST. PETER
9:00 In Thanksgiving Mother St. Basil (Brooks)

SATURDAY-LENTEN WEEKDAY
9:00 Valeria Staley (Husband)
5:00 Dr. William Schweller (Wife)

SUNDAY-THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
7:00 For Our Ascension Family
9:00 Frank Kraman (Family)
10:30 Donna Pietrantonio (Family)
12:00 Frank Pumphrey (Schutte)

SICK AND SHUT-IN LIST
As a parish family concerned for one another, we ask your prayerful support of our hospitalized members.
MIAMI VALLEY: Cindy Kuntz

LENTEN RECONCILIATON SERVICES
There will be two opportunities to attend communal reconciliation services during Lent at Ascension. The first service will take place on Saturday, February 23 at 3:00 p.m. at which RE Middle School students will perform a mime that will help us reflect on the Lord’s generous forgiveness. Another communal celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation will take place on Wednesday, March 12, at 7:00 p.m. On both dates, several priests will be on hand for individual confessions and absolution.

LENTEN EVENING PRAYER
Lenten Evening Prayer is being held this Wednesday, February 20. Please come and pray with us. The Marianist Novitiate Community is leading us in this liturgical prayer of the Church at 7:00 p.m., on four Wednesday nights during Lent, 2/13, 2/20. 2/27and 3/5. Evening Prayer can be a special way of fulfilling our Lenten call to prayer not only as individuals, but also as a Christian Community.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Stations of the Cross are prayed each Friday night during Lent. 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 on Fridays beginning at 7:00 p.m.

NEW CD’S FOR YOUR LENTEN JOURNEY
Nine new CDs are in the CD rack in the Narthex. These CDs have received rave reviews. Check them out.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
No classes this weekend or Monday February 18, Presidents’ Day.

Grades 6-8 Lent Reconciliation Service: Saturday, February 23 at 3:00 p.m. Parents are encouraged to attend. This is an integral part of the Middle School RE Program.

Grades 2-5 Lent Reconciliation Service: Monday, March 3, 4:30 p.m. Students should report to the classroom as usual; dismissal for those grades will be from the church.

Volunteers needed on Sunday mornings: Scripture catechist for Gr. 6-8; on Monday afternoons, a catechist substitute for Elementary classes. Please call Sue Graham at 254-0622.

JESUS COURSE OFFERED AT ASCENSION
You are invited to attend a four-part series that will be an overview of the Jesus of History and the Christ of Faith! Jesus is a course designed for ANY adult who wishes to understand the Catholic Church’s teachings about Jesus Christ, and the significance of these teachings for our lives and for our catechetical ministry. Tuesdays, February 19, 26 and March 4 & 11 from 6:00-8:30 p.m. in the Witzman Center. Sr. Angela Jarboe, OSB, facilitator. $30.00 fee. Make checks payable to Office of Evangelization and Catechesis. This course fulfills one of the requirements for General/Advanced Catechist Certification. Call Sue Graham at 254-0622 to register.

CHILDREN’S RCIA COLLECTION
The children in our RCIA program are sponsoring a collection for St. Vincent’s Hotel (evening homeless shelter) and the Other Place (daytime homeless shelter) during Lent. Items needed are: hotel/motel and regular size deodorant, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and other grooming aids; feminine hygiene products; rain ponchos and small umbrellas; sunscreen; bug spray. Collection boxes will be placed at the entrance to Ascension School on Sunday mornings. Please support our children in this effort, as they learn about helping our brothers and sisters.

YOUTH MINISTRY
JH Drop-In – Grades 6-8 join the fun with a Games Galore night, Saturday, February 23, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Witzman Center.

Leap Year Day Celebration-Friday, February 29 in church. Open to HS youth. Special Guest Nick Cardilino, composer of the NCYC ’07 theme song and UD campus minister. Want to play your instrument or sing this night? Contact Jim Murray 253-1997 or jmurray@ascensionkettering.org.

24 Hour Food Fast – Ascension and St. Helen are offering two simultaneous programs March 7-8 for JH grade 8 and HS grades 9-12. Limited space. Flyers in the back of church.

LENT SERMONS ONLINE
Enrich your Lent experience by listening to a Sunday homily online. During the season of Lent audio files of homilies will be available on the Multimedia Page of the parish web site: www.ascensionkettering.org.

SPAGHETTI DINNER/MONTE CARLO
Knights of Columbus Council 4424 will hold a Spaghetti Dinner and Monte Carlo Night on February 23 from 6:00-11:00 p.m. Cost $10.00 per adult, $5.00 per child 12 and under. Open to public. For more information call 233-1711.

SCHOOL REGISTRATION & ENROLLMENT 2008-2009
Ascension School is a Catholic Elementary School serving Kindergarten through Grade 8. If any openings remain after in-school/in-parish registration then children of non-parishioners and non-Catholic families may be enrolled from March 15-April 15. Children of Catholic families who transfer from another Catholic school with the intention of transferring parish membership enrollment is open from April 15-May 15.

Enrollment may be made at the school office between 9:00-2:00 p.m. any school day. Parents of all new enrollees, including kindergarten students, must submit copies of their baptismal certificate, social security number, and birth certificate-not birth registration or hospital record, (most recent report care copy, a signed release for transfer of previous school records and custody papers if applicable).

Tuition for one child next year will be $2,260, with discounted rates for multiple children. Ascension School offers a full day kindergarten program. Parish families may apply for tuition assistance through the Education Ascension and Fr. Witzman funds. The tuition assistance applications may be obtained at the School or Parish Office. The initial deadline for Tuition Assistance applications is March 15. Tuition assistance applications may still be submitted after March 1. Full cost for non-parish and non-Catholic families is $4,520.

Ascension School also accepts students with State of Ohio EdChoice and local PACE (Parents Advancing Choice in Education) scholarships. More information and further questions about enrollment may be answered by the school office at 254-5411 or directly by the principal online at devittb@ascensionket.org.

40 DAYS FOR LIFE
From February 6 through March 16, the Dayton community is joining with 58 other cities across the nation in the 40 Days for Life Campaign. You are invited to take part in this ecumenical, faith-based effort to end abortion through:
1. Prayer and fasting-Each day offer a prayer and fast from something to end abortion. There are links for daily prayer intentions on the website.
2. Peaceful vigil-Pray for and hour outside of the Women’s Med. Center on Stroop Road. Join fellow Ascension parishioners on February 18 or another day as your schedule permits. Or if you prefer, join us in the chapel at Ascension from 6:00-9:00 p.m. on February 18 to pray.
3. Community outreach-Spread the word to others!
For more information and to sign up to pray at the abortion clinic, please contact Diane at 298-4804. You can also visit the local web site at www.40daysforlife.com/dayton for updates.

FISH FRY
Carroll High School will have their annual Fish Fry on February 22 from 6:00 p.m.-Midnight. Cost is $12.00 door/$10.00 advance at Carroll Office. Raffle for 56” HD rear projection TV and more fabulous food, games, silent auction, raffle, gift baskets and fun. Must be 21.

ANNUAL CAREER COLLECTION
Good Shepherd Ministries is gathering new or used items for the needy seeking work. Dress sox, work shoes, wallets, belts, watches, etc. For a more detail list contact Dale at 256-8344.

PARENTING POINTERS
“Not everything a child resists need be avoided. The challenge is to know when to compromise and when to hold fast.” (Raising Kids Who Will Make a Difference) Just because your child complains or pesters you to let him or her do something or buy something doesn’t mean you have to cave. Remember, you are the parent. Be strong.

MARRIAGE MOMENTS
Although almost 50% of marriages end in divorce most readers of Marriage Moments have only been married once. If this applies to you, fight the temptation to feel superior. Hard work, grace, and a little luck all go into the mix. The next few MM’s will address the complicated challenges faced by couples in a second marriage. We can all learn from the heartache of others.

HOLY TRINITY MISSION
Holy Trinity Church will present Mary Cummins Wlodarski and Fr. Jim Schutte as its Lenten Mission speakers. Mary, Trinity’s pastoral assistant, and Fr. Jim, pastor of St. Leo and St. Joseph parishes in Cincinnati, will share their insights on “Finding God in the Everyday” at Holy Trinity Church, 272 Bainbridge St., February 25-27 at 7:00 p.m. Plan to make this spiritual opportunity part of your Lenten preparation for Easter.

CREDIT UNION OPPORTUNITY
Members of Ascension are being offered an opportunity to join St. Helen’s Credit Union. Why join St. Helen Federal Credit Union? Lower, more competitive loan rates, personal service, you become an owner, no hidden or large operating fees, your money is federally insured, free notary service and when you visit you are greeted by a smile and a friendly face. It’s another opportunity to join together and support an effort in our Pastoral Region. For more information stop in at 5000 Burkhardt Road or call 252-7477.

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).

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

SUNDAY
HSYM Winter Retreat
Catholic Ministries Appeal
Food Pantry Collection
9:00 Penitential Rite
10:30 Traditional Choir
11:45 HSYM LIFE Groups-YMR
2:00 Common Sense Parenting 6-WC
5:00 HSYM LIFE Groups-YMR
7:00 HSYM LIFE Groups-YMR

MONDAY
HSYM Winter Retreat
No School
7:00 Catechist Training-School

TUESDAY
9:45 Bible Study-POB
6:00 RE Catechist Training-WC
7:00 Building & Grounds-POB
7:00 Discipleship Commission Meeting-POB
7:15 RCIA-WC
7:30 Contemporary Choir Practice

WEDNESDAY
7:00 Lenten Evening Prayer-Church
7:15 Pastoral Council Meeting-WC

THURSDAY
5:30 Twinning-POB
6:30 Bingo-PAC
7:00 Traditional Choir-Church

FRIDAY
7:00 Stations of the Cross-Chapel

SATURDAY
3:00 Parish Reconciliation Service-Church
5:00 Mass

SUNDAY
9:00 Contemporary Choir
10:15 RE Middle School
10:30 Early Childhood
10:30 Traditional Choir
6:30 RE Program Sex Has a Price Tag-WC

REFLECTION:
Jesus offers the Samaritan woman “living water.” And what is “living water?” This would seem to be water that remains connected to its source, that flows, that moves, that seeks new channels. It is constantly replenished and replenishing, renewed and renewing. Living water changes everything it touches. Jesus is describing faith as living water. God is the source of faith and it streams out from God’s ceaseless generosity to each of us. Faith fills our hearts and enlivens and refreshes our existence. And it spills out of us to touch the lives of those around us. Sometimes we may take this gift of faith for granted and allow it to become stagnant. But with any encouragement, our living faith will find its way around the blocks we put in its way. Jesus did not allow social barriers of his time to keep him from offering the gift of faith to the Samaritan woman. Surely, he is as eager to help us drink of the living water. We just need to say “yes” with the Samaritan woman and the living water will sustain and enrich our journey of faith.

1. Where have you found a source of “living water” for your own journey of faith?
2. Name some times when your belief in Jesus helped make you stronger.

PRAYER:
Renew my faith, dear Jesus. Let me drink of the living water you offered the Samaritan woman so that I am refreshed and renewed in You. Amen.

Mass Readings Online

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)

MONDAY-LENTEN WEEKDAY
9:00 Ida Nash (Family)

TUESDAY-LENTEN WEEKDAY
9:00 Ed Redden (Wife)

WEDNESDAY-LENTEN WEEKDAY
9:00 Jean Sheetz (Sprauer)
7:00 Lenten Evening Prayer

THURSDAY-LENTEN WEEKDAY
9:00 Dr. Kathryn Schubert Moell (Lee)

FRIDAY-LENEN WEEKDAY
9:00 John Bellert (Tischer)

SATURDAY-LENTEN WEEKDAY
9:00 Francisco (Catimbang)
5:00 Ralph Zink (Family)

SUNDAY-SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
7:00 For Our Ascension Family
9:00 Ralph Trame (Wife)
10:30 Loretta Murphy (Family)
12:00 Donald Kochensparger (Shipman)

UPDATE ON FR. RUDY
Some of you might already know that Fr. Rudy (former pastor of Ascension) had his other leg amputated recently. For those who would like to send a card to him his address is Fr. Rudemiller, Western Hills Retirement Center, 6210 Cleves-Warsaw Rd., Cincinnati, Ohio 45233. Please keep him in your prayers.

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; 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.

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.

SCOUT SUNDAY AWARD RECIPIENTS
Last Sunday Ascension Boy Scout Troop 167 and Cub Scout Pack 167 participated in the national celebration of Boy Scout Sunday, during which several religious awards were presented. Please join us in congratulating these boys on furthering their knowledge and understanding of and devotion to our Catholic Faith! Light of Christ (2nd graders)-Connor Blatt. Parvuli Dei (3rd & 4th ) graders-Benjamin Gross and Chris Mann

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Early Childhood: Today is Love Sunday! Parents, please bring children to the school cafeteria by 10:30 and plan on joining them there after Mass.

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

Volunteers needed on Sunday mornings: Scripture catechist for Gr. 6-8; on Monday afternoons, a catechist substitute for Elementary classes. Please call Sue Graham at 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 is February 11. Brochures at church doors.

24 Hour Food Fast – Ascension and St. Helen are offering two simultaneous programs March 7-8 for JH grade 8 and HS grades 9-12. Limited space. Flyers in the back of church.

2008-09 SCHOOL REGISTRATION/ENROLLMENT
School Registration for all children of Ascension parish families begins February 15-March 15. If any openings remain after in-school/in-parish registration then children of non-Catholic families may be enrolled from March 15-April 15. Children of Catholic families who transfer from another area Catholic school with the intention of transferring parish membership enrollment is open from April 15-May 15. Enrollment may be made at the school office between 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. any school day or you may call to have a registration enrollment packet mailed to you home.

Tuition for one child next year will be $2,260, with discounted rates for multiple children. Ascension School offers a full day kindergarten program. Parish families may apply for tuition assistance through the Education Ascension and Fr. Witzman funds. The tuition assistance applications may be obtained at ht School or Parish offices. The deadline for the tuition assistance applications is March 1. Full cost for non-parish and non-Catholic families is $4,520. Ascension School also accepts students with State of Ohio EdChoice and local PACE (Parents Advancing Choice in Education) scholarships. More information and further questions about enrollment may be answered by the school office by phone at 254-5411 or directly by the principal online at devittb@ascensionket.org.

NEW LIFE IN CHRIST
NATHANIEL RICHARD GALLIVAN, son of Sean Gallivan and Jennifer Wellmeier, Alpha Bellbrook Rd. received new life in Christ through the waters of Baptism last weekend. Congratulations to the proud parents, godparents and grandparents.

RCIA RITE OF SENDING
This weekend, at the 5:00 p.m. Mass on Saturday, we celebrate the Rite of Sending with 7 adults and 1 child. We sent 4 adults (David Agee Jr., Kyle Constantinides, Jay Hodge, Sharon Hodge) who are preparing for baptism to the Rite of Election which is celebrated this Sunday evening at Immaculate Conception Church. Combined with this Rite is the Rite to Call to Continuing Conversion celebrated with those already baptized who are preparing to complete their initiation into the Catholic Church through the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. We send 3 adults (Gloria Mercer, Andrea Slonaker, Nic Webb) and 1 child (Ben Johnson) to celebrate this Rite. As a parish family we surround all of them with our prayers and support during the upcoming weeks of final preparation for the sacraments of initiation.

LENTEN EVENING PRAYER
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 is leading us in this liturgical 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 come and pray with us.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Stations of the Cross are prayed each Friday night during Lent. 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 on Fridays beginning at 7:00 p.m.

LENTEN RECONCILIATON SERVICES
There will be two opportunities to attend communal reconciliation services during Lent at Ascension. The first service will take place on Saturday, February 23 at 3:00 p.m. at which RE Middle School students will perform a mime that will help us reflect on the Lord’s generous forgiveness. Another communal celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation will take place on Wednesday, March 12, at 7:00 p.m. On both dates, several priests will be on hand for individual confessions and absolution.

PENITENTIAL RITE
We will celebrate the Penitential Rite next Sunday at the 9:00 a.m. Mass with four candidates. They are already baptized in another Christian tradition and are now preparing for Reception into the Catholic Church and reception of the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. Please keep all four of them (Ben Johnson, Gloria Mercer, Andrea Slonaker, and Nic Webb) in your prayers as they join us in their journey of faith.

LENTEN REMINDERS – FAST AND ABSTINENCE
All Fridays during the season of Lent are days of abstinence from meat. The law of abstinence binds all Catholics 14 years of age and older. Good Friday, March 21, is a day of abstinence form meat and also a day of fasting, that is, limited to one single full meal. The law of fasting binds all Catholics from their 18th birthday until their 59th birthday. The Church encourages us to do more rather than less. Fast and abstinence on the days prescribed should be considered a minimum response to the Lord’s call to penance and conversion.

PARENTING POINTERS
As parents we are rightly concerned about how to keep our children safe – not only physically but also emotionally. Let your children know that they can tell you things that worry or scare them. Tell them clearly that if someone touches them in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable that they should tell you right away and that you will protect them. Bad secrets need not be kept.

MARRIAGE MOMENTS
As Valentine Day approaches, give your spouse a gift of memory – memorize your wedding vows. “I ____, take you ____, to be my wife/husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.” Few people like to memorize but it’s a way to keep your vow always in mind. Don’t be a chicken. Try it.

LEISURE CLUB MEETING
The Leisure Club will have a meeting February 13 at 1:00 p.m. in Witzman Center weather permitting. If in doubt call Celeste Beach before 12:30 p.m. on February 13.

FOOD PANTRY COLLECTION
The next Food Pantry collection will take place next weekend, February 16-17. This month our special needs include canned fruit, canned peas, jelly, hand soap, Jell-O and puddings. Other canned or packaged foods are always welcome, too, including your leftover (but unopened) Super Bowl snacks. Thank you for continuing to support your neighbors in need.

SICK AND SHUT-IN
As a parish family concerned for one another, we ask your prayerful support for Bert Dexter at Bellbrook Rehab.

OPERATION RICE BOWL
Operation Rice Bowl is CRS’s (Catholic Relief Services) Lenten solidarity program. Again this year, Ascension joins in this program. CRS is the official overseas relief and development agency of the Catholic Church in the United States. 75% of your contributions support CRS’s development projects overseas and 25% remains in our own Archdiocese to fund local hunger and poverty alleviation programs. Rice bowl boxes and envelopes are available at the church entrances. Receptacles will be at the church doors to receive your alms during Lent and first few Sundays of Easter. Those received by Holy Thursday will be presented in the offertory procession at the Mass.

SUMMER FESTIVAL
Planning is underway for making this year’s Super Summer Festival a most successful one. We are once again sponsoring a contest to choose this year’s theme. Elementary school children of all Ascension parishioners are eligible. Forms are being distributed to Ascension School and RE students. For further information contact Donna Sheetz 294-1644.
We are also beginning our book collection for the book booth. If you have finished some good books or are cleaning out your book case, please bring these to the church and deposit them in the marked container in the bride’s room. Shortly you will be receiving raffle tickets for this year’s Super Summer Festival.

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

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
10:30 Traditional Choir
2:00 Common Sense Parenting 5-WC

MONDAY
4:15 Elementary RE
4:30 First Communion Parent Meeting-WC
6:00 Eucharistic Exposition-Chapel
6:30 RE Middle School
7:00 First Communion Parent Meeting
7:30 Men’s Club-WC

TUESDAY
9:45 Bible Study-POB
7:00 St. Vincent DePaul Meeting-POB
7:15 RCIA-WC

WEDNESDAY
1:00 Leisure Club-WC
7:00 Lenten Evening Prayer-Church
7:30 Worship Commission-POB

THURSDAY
6:00 Financial Advisors Meeting-POB
6:30 Bingo-PAC
7:00 Traditional Choir Practice-Church
7:00 Stewardship Meeting-POB

FRIDAY
7:00 Stations of the Cross-Chapel

SATURDAY
HSYM Winter Retreat
4:00 Confessions
5:00 Mass

SUNDAY
HSYM Winter Retreat
Catholic Ministries Appeal Kickoff
Food Pantry Collection
9:00 RCIA Penitential Rite-Church
10:30 Traditional Choir
11:45 HSYM LIFE Groups-YMR
2:00 Common Sense Parenting 6-WC
5:00 HSYM LIFE Groups-YMR
7:00 HSYM LIFE Groups-YMR