October is Respect Life Month, bringing our attention to the worth of each life from conception to natural death, renewing our awareness of such grace only God can offer.

Today, October 4th, we honor St. Francis of Assisi, on this centenary feast day of his day eight hundred years ago, in 1226. Proclaimed as the Jubilee Year of St. Francis by Pope Leo, the Franciscan spirituality still resonates profoundly within our Church to this day

So quickly we step into the month of October this week. Traditionally, October has been designated as “Respect Life Month” by the Church.

September 22nd. Our season of Autumn begins, the equinox when the day is equally balanced between light and darkness.

Outdoor Mass & Parish Picnic All Ascension Parishioners are invited to join us for our annual Outdoor Mass & Parish Picnic held in Boone at Herman Park Pavilion on Sunday, September 20th for the 10 AM Mass. Click here for full details.

With our gospel passage focusing on forgiveness —Jesus said, “Not seven times, but seventy seven times” —coupled with the 25th anniversary of 911, we are at a crossroads

Join the Women of Ascension Parish for a study on the women of the bible. Small groups will meet at various times and locations.

“Lord if my brother sins against me how often must I forgive? . . . I say to you, not seven times but seventy-sevens times.” Most of us received the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time in the year we were preparing for our First Holy Communion, around the age of seven.

Just a few ‘housekeeping’ updates. A few areas around St. Malachy church where the curb was crumbling have now been refurbished. Several weeks—presumably due to high winds—a piece of the steeple came loose.

Looking to grow deeper in your faith and spend time in God’s Word? Our upcoming Bible study groups offer opportunities to learn, reflect, and connect with others—find a group that’s right for you and join us!

“And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.” Considering the literal transfer of Church leadership to Peter, we might take note of some obscure but relevant information surrounding the papacy

Memorial Day weekend held the promise of a significant period of time for moments of relaxation, outdoor activities, to slowdown and revitalize. Such has passed us by with the beginning of the State Fair and just seven days before the first day of school.

Next month, like most parishes, we will begin the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)...

We are presented with a gospel passage illuminating Jesus’ skill as a storyteller (a field, the fine pearl, a net full of fish) using parables to enter into peoples’ lives and imagination, into their hearts.

Last month the Bishops of the United States consecrated our nation (on this our 250th Semiquincentennial) to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Bishop Keehner issued a “pastoral letter” entitled God So Loved The World, reflecting on the meaning of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for our nation today.

In the coming week the priests who have been reassigned will be moving to their new parishes and assignments. Our newly ordained priest, Fr. Thomas Kollasch will return to Rome for further studies

As we celebrate our 250th Centennial of our founding as a nation, it is of interest to recognize how the Catholic Church took hold within our country.

Many acronyms seem to be a common part of our language. Within so many churches the acronym “VBS” reflects the summertime gathering of children for a period of days in a Christian atmosphere of Vacation Bible School.

We welcomed Fr. Peter from the Diocese of Lexington, Kentucky as our guest last weekend, offering insight into ministry, people and faith amongst the poorest area of Kentucky

We are blessed as a parish to prayerfully remember the gift of the Eucharist through the Corpus Christi Procession.