Parish News for Thursday, August 6, 2020 |
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Dear Ascension Parish Family,
At a weekday Mass with first, fourth and fifth graders a couple of years ago, I asked who they thought was the most powerful person in the world. The answers ranged from God to Jesus and the president of the United States to super heroes. They also said that their parents had a lot of power over them. When I asked if they had any power and over whom, some of them said that they did and exercised their power mostly over their younger siblings.
Power today is often associated and identified with force, control, repression and compulsion. Consequently, we have become so disillusioned and disenchanted with the word power. The power that identifies itself only with force makes victims of all its subjects. Power becomes dangerous when it lacks authority and authority without power looks comical. If power is the ability to cause or prevent change, to positively influence people or events, it is vital that those who exercise it also enjoy the authority that justifies them in what they do. Power combined with authority and love and concern cannot be bad or destructive. History remembers how people like Martin Luther King Jr., Archbishop Oscar Romero, Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and many others used the power of non-violence to oppose powerful systems. Although three of them were assassinated, it did not belittle their power. They exercised moral authority on behalf of suffering people and thereby became forces for positive change. It is like the power of genuine love that parents exercise over their children.
In the gospels we read about how Jesus filled with the power of the Holy Spirit at his baptism begins his ministry with authority. In his work of building the Kingdom of God on earth, Jesus often confronted the power of darkness in people’s lives. However, Jesus, filled with the power of God’s mercy, compassion and love, restored them to the dignity with which God had created them.
The truth is that no one is free of power because it comes with who we are and what we do. Parents exercise some power over their children, teachers over their students, clergy over their flocks and superiors over their subordinates, be it moral, spiritual or intellectual. As Christians we have been empowered to act with authority by our very baptism. Real authority is not as we often tend or like to interpret, having power over people so that we can make them do what we want them to do. Authentic and Christ-like authority is the power we have in us to enable people and to empower them. It is to enable them to transcend themselves and empower them to grow as God’s children who are called to be aware of their innate gifts.
This is the kind of loving authority that the parents and teachers have shared with our 8th graders at Ascension School for the past many years. Join me in congratulating the 8th graders on their graduation and let us keep them in our prayers as they begin their journey in high school. We, as a community of faith, wish them a future filled with knowledge, wisdom, curiosity, excitement and God’s constant presence and love in their lives.
Blessings,
Fr. Rex
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Livestreaming Mass
We are in the process of gathering proposals to understand the scope and cost to install the necessary audio visual camera equipment and software in church so that we may offer a quality livestream of our masses and prayer services. A member of our parish community who is a professional photographer has offered to help lead our live-stream team. We are seeking other parishioners who might be willing to help and share their AV/digital gifts with our community. At this time, we are asking for your help and input:
Do you have a gift to share in the area of AV/digital, video production, etc?
Is there an online outreach that you are hoping we can offer to our parish?
Please express your interest and input by contacting David Anderson, Music Director, at [email protected] or Juliette Dols, Director of Communications & Outreach, at [email protected].
We will update you as this process unfolds. Please note, we will continue to send out our weekly resources and hope to enhance other outreaches in the coming months. Let's continue to find new ways to strengthen the bonds of our Christian life together and to find ways to strengthen the ways we pray and keep faith in our homes as well as in the Church. Stay safe and pray your day!
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Join Christian Contemplative Meditation Group Via Zoom
Each Saturday morning, a group of ordinary men and women come together for a time of contemplative prayer. Together we share the practice of Christian meditation. We meet from 8:30 AM-9:15 AM.
The virtual gathering includes a period of twenty minutes for meditative prayer followed by a brief time for conversation and sharing about personal experiences with contemplative prayer practice.
Christian contemplation is attuning to God’s presence by simply being fully conscious in the present moment. Various tools include centering prayer, the Jesus prayer, the breath prayer, lectio divina, and labyrinth walking.
A weekly email reminder is sent to everyone on our list. All are invited to drop in occasionally or make this an ongoing practice. Give yourself the gift of time in God’s presence. New members are always welcome!
For more information or to be added to the email list, please contact David Anderson at [email protected].
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Know Justice, Know Peace: A Jesuit Antiracism Retreat
“Know Justice, Know Peace” is a four-week retreat hosted by The Jesuit Post that seeks to assist Christians in their growth as antiracist followers of Jesus. It will consist of twelve short talks published in the form of videos and podcasts on TJP’s media platforms. The hope is that these talks will be accompanied by inner self-reflection and prayer by those who wish to follow along.
The retreat began on August 3rd but one may join in at any time. It will go on for four weeks. The talks will be published 3 times a week, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 4 PM ET.
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PLEASE NOTE TIME CHANGE to donate fresh produce to St. Martin de Porres Church
Garden producing more than you need? Donate your garden surplus to St. Martin de Porres Food Pantry. The donation drop-off every Tuesday evening is now from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm (note this has changed from the original 6-7:30 pm time). Drop off your produce in the Parish Center parking lot at 808 S. East Ave. All are invited to donate so tell your neighbors! Thank you! Details:
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A Prayer for Our Graduates
As you approach your graduation this Monday, August 10th
Good and gracious God,
This is the day, Lord! Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Today is the culmination of years of work, years filled with challenges and triumphs, losses and laughter, friendships and growth.
We thank you, Lord, for getting us safely to this day.
We thank you for the gift of family, friends and teachers who have supported these children of yours and celebrate with them now.
Dear God, bless these graduates, every one, and fill them with the Spirit of your love.
We pray that as they go forth to set the world on fire, may they remember you are in all things and all people.
May they continue to challenge themselves intellectually and share the fruit of their knowledge.
May their commitment to justice lead them to make a positive difference in our world.
May they build community wherever they go and remain forever the important part of our community that they are today.
And may they, through their ongoing growth in wisdom and grace, bring others to you as they share their talents in the wider world.
We ask you, who are both Father and Mother, to protect and guide these Men and Women for Others throughout their lives.
We ask this in the name of your son Jesus, who unites us with one another and with you forever.
Amen.
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Donation drop off is next weekend!
At Ascension we collect nonperishable food on the third weekend of the month for our sharing parish, St. Martin de Porres, food pantry. During the pandemic, donations are needed more than ever.
Please drop off donations on Saturday, August 15, from 4:30 pm-6:00 pm, or Sunday, August 16, from 7:30 am-11:00 am.
When you arrive, if you are attending Mass, bring your bag of donations into the church and place it in the back southeast corner of church. If you are not attending Mass and just dropping off, then please hand the bags to a volunteer. Monetary donations are always welcome. Write a check to St. Martin de Porres and note food pantry in memo line. Monetary donations can be dropped off during the food drive or mailed/placed in the parish center mail slot. You can also donate online at www.givecentral.org/location/580/event/17682. Thank you!
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September Zoom Book Discussion
Join fellow parishioners on Tuesday, September 8, at 8:00 pm for a Zoom discussion on the spiritual classic Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence.
This short and insightful book was published shortly after Brother Lawrence died in 1691. Brother Lawrence (Nicholas Herman) was a soldier in the Thirty Years War and later entered the Carmelite monastery and worked in the kitchen. Lawrence is known for his devotion and ability to bring God into every aspect of his life, showing us how to gain a constant and comforting connection to God. He rejoiced in everyday tasks, prayed constantly, and was known around the monastery for his kindness and willingness to help others.
Get more information, links to free online copies, and sign up here.
Monthly discussions on spiritual classics are brought to you by Ascension’s Lifelong Learning & Adult Faith Formation Committee.
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New to Ascension Church? Welcome!
Since 1907, Ascension has had a strong history of providing the people of Oak Park and surrounding villages a Catholic community to gather in worship, in fellowship and in service to others. Our parishioners are the building blocks of our parish. Becoming a registered member of Ascension helps us to connect with you and you with us. Join us! We invite you to register online at
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What to know: Worshiping together at Ascension |
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Be sure to pre-register!
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Register online: follow this link.
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Register by phone. Please note this new phone number: Call 708-434-1521 with your name, date and time of Mass, & number attending. Prepare to leave a message.
Don't forget!
- Wear a mask
- Arrive at least 15 minutes early.
- Enter the main church entrance at East Avenue.
- You will check in at the door, receive hand sanitizer and an usher will direct you to a pew. You will receive hand sanitizer again before communion.
- Please do not attend Mass if you/someone in your household doesn't feel well.
Volunteer at Mass!
Give 30 minutes of your time before or after Mass. Help prepare the church for mass, check people in as they arrive, help seat people in the pews or help with clean up. To sign up to volunteer, please fill out this online sign up form. If you are new, please sign up for a spot on the sign up form and also email Diane Lawrence at [email protected].
Masses this weekend: Saturday at 5 pm and Sunday at 8 am and 10 am
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Van Buren Street by Ascension Church is a “designated slow street”
As you arrive at church this weekend, please note that parking regulations are not affected by the slow streets program. To learn more about the slow streets pilot program, go here. Information about parking restrictions in Oak Park is available on this website at www.oak-park.us/parking.
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First Holy Communion videos archived. We have archived the July 18, 25 and August 1 First Communion Masses on our YouTube channel.
Free Summer Meals for Children and Teens. Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from now through August 13, ALL kids 18 and under are welcome to pick up nutritious and delicious grab and go lunche between 11:30 am and 1:30 pm. View flyer. In addition, any OPRFHS student is welcome to pick up a week’s worth of lunches on Mondays from 11:00 am-1:30 pm in the front of OPRF school.
Ascension School is Hiring! Do you enjoy working with children? Be a part of the Ascension School mission in guiding our students through love, kindness and respect. Ascension is currently hiring for substitute teachers and extended day staff members for the 2020-21 school year. More details can be found here. For more information or to apply, please contact Jessica Nowicki at [email protected].
GriefShare Support Group. Join fellow Ascension parishioners at St Giles this Fall. Mondays 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, September 14 - December 7, St. Giles Parish, McDonough Hall, 1101 Columbian Avenue, Oak Park. To register, contact 708-223-4912, or [email protected]. If you would like to contact an Ascension parishioner involved in the GriefShare program, please email Rose Lubarski at [email protected].
Schedule for Masses and Confessions
Confessions: Saturdays 4:00-4:45 pm in the choir room (former cry room). Weekend Mass Times: Saturdays at 5:00 pm. Sundays at 8:00 am and 10:00 am. Daily Mass: Monday thru Friday at 8:15 am. Pre-registration required for weekend masses. Because we do not expect a large group on weekdays, you do not need to pre-register for weekday masses. However, we will still have you sign in when you arrive. Details online.
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Would you like us to update your email or know someone who would like to be added to this distribution list? Please email [email protected].
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We know this is a difficult time for many. This is a uniquely difficult time for our parish as well as we rely greatly on donations received during the offertory collection at Mass. If you are able, please make a contribution. Your donation helps support all of the important work we do.
You can donate online by using a credit card or checking account via our GiveCentral webpage, or by texting 'Sunday' to (708) 400-7396 with a smart phone, or mail your gifts to Ascension Church, 808 S. East Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60304. Thank you for your generosity!
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808 S. East Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60304
(708) 848-2703
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