May 16th 2021 The Ascension of the Lord Feast of the Ascension of the Lord The Feast of the Ascension commemorates Jesus' ascension into heaven 40 days after his resurrection. Thus Ascension Day falls 40 days after Easter, on the 6th Thursday of Easter. This solemnity may also be celebrated on the Sunday after the 6th Thursday of Easter, which is the 7th Sunday of Easter, as it is in the Diocese of Rockford and most dioceses in the United States. Forty Days after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Acts of the Apostles records Jesus' ascension into heaven. The ascension is an important Christian feast attesting and celebrating the reality of the God-Man Jesus Christ's returning to the Father, to return again in the future parousia (second coming). The Ascension is the final component of the paschal mystery, which consists also of Jesus' Passion, Crucifixion, Death, Burial, Descent Among the Dead, and Resurrection. Along with the resurrection, the ascension functioned as a proof of Jesus' claim that he was the Messiah. The Ascension is also the event whereby humanity was taken into heaven. Finally, the ascension was also the "final blow" so-to-speak against Satan's power, and thus the lion (Jesus) conquering the dragon (Satan) is a symbol of the ascension. Early Christian art and iconography portrayed the ascension frequently, showing its importance to the early Church. The Catholic Catechism summarizes three important theological aspects (with which most Christian churches agree) of the Ascension concisely: • Christ's Ascension marks the definitive entrance of Jesus' humanity into God's heavenly domain, whence he will come again (cf. Acts 1:11). • Jesus Christ, the head of the Church, precedes us into the Father's glorious kingdom so that we, the members of his Body, may live in the hope of one day being with him forever. • Jesus Christ, having entered the sanctuary of heaven once and for all, intercedes constantly for us as the mediator who assures us of the permanent outpouring of the Holy Spirit (665-667). Excerpt from https://stmargaretmary.org/feast-of-the-ascension-of-the-lord/ The Ascension of the Lord MASS INTENTIONS Seminarian Corner Message from Seminarian Connor Sunday, May 16 8:00 am…………..…….……Helen and Lorriaine Descourouez Newman Family, 9:30 am…………..…………………......................Jones Family 11:30 am….…..………………….……….…….†Orlando Osorio Upon returning from the mission trip down to Monday, May 17 Murfreesboro, TN, I have been reflecting upon the 12:05 pm………………………………….……………..Maya Jenkins meaning of the words “important” and “significant”. Tuesday, May 18 The primary task for the 12 of us while we were down 12:05 pm…………………………………..………….Valerie Johnsen south was to completely gut a house so that Habitat Wednesday, May 19 12:05 pm…………………………………………..†Dr. Joseph Yaney for Humanity could come in and redo the entire interior: floors, 9:00 pm……………………………………………………Adlyn Blakey cabinets, shelves, and painting. We had one on-site supervisor, Thursday, May 20 Jasen, who works for Habitat for Humanity who gave us direction on 12:05pm……………………....………………….…….Vivian Johnsen what he wanted done that day and taught us (with much patience and Friday, May 21 kindness) how to complete those tasks. During lunch on our first day 12:05 pm……………………………………………………..Mass Jasen shared with us the narrative of how he was led to his current Saturday, May 22 9:00 am…………………………………....…….…………………Mass job with Habitat for Humanity. One part of his story has yet to dim in 4:30 pm………….……………………..……........Andrew Blakey my memory. He was describing that prior to working for Habitat for Humanity he had a job that paid more money than what he was Please pray for parishioners, currently making. His previous job he called important, but his work relatives and friends of our community, with Habitat he described as significant. It is doing significant work and those who are suffering from illness, that he said supplies him with the satisfaction that was absent in his especially: life. The distinction between important and significant continued to linger in my head and I have spent time thinking further about the difference Judith Grimes, Christopher Canaday, Sharon Howard, as it applies to our Christian life. When the term important is used it Beth LeMarr, Amy Atherton, Emerald Fannin, Judy Willard, Heidi Linn, Ricky De La Cruz, Joanne Mata, Janis Sober, refers to a person, a thing, or an action that will likely result in positive John Shankman, Melanie Elliott, Melissa Reitz, Krysti and beneficial consequences. For example, the service of gutting a Farnam, Nicki Angela Shaw, Randi Brantner, Laura Bird, house so that it can be repaired and refurbished is important work Aubrieta Hope, Jackson Miller, Diane Strand, Rebecca Glenn because it will lead to the effect of someone receiving a livable and Hood, Abel Viland, Jim Gardner, Isabel Morales, Erica affordable house they didn’t think they would ever have. Their home Harstad, Kelly Batten, Dawn Yeloushan, Robert Lufrano, Laura Olsen, Roger Stilley, Stephanie Edmond, John becomes a place they can take care of themselves, raise a family, Dawson, Nancy Culver, Moy Pulido Mario Fontana, McKenna host family and friends, etc. So many great things can follow. Turner, Mark Nachman, John Schaeffer, Lisa Kaczmarczyk, That same act of service we all participated in is also significant work. Annette McKay, Matthew Paul, Marianne Steimel, Gary The work signifies something. In other words, the work points toward Hamilton, Larry Laskowski, Laura Lundstrom, Joe Hoiness another reality. In this case, taking a share in preparing a house for Please pray for those who protect and serve us and our country. someone signifies God’s generosity with His children, His charity, His providence. Our service made present God’s desire to provide and To add or delete a name from the prayer list, please call the Newman office at 815-787-7770. support his children. As Christians, as “little christs” everything we do is to signify Christ. To point towards and make present the love, compassion, and work of God in Jesus. Mass Intention Our prayer, work, or sacrifice may not seem important. Maybe we The Mass is the greatest form of prayer. To have a Mass said for a loved one who is sick, deceased, or simply in need of don’t see a lot of effects from our effort to grow as disciples and living your prayers, call the Newman office at 815-787-7770 or email more and more like Jesus. And that’s okay. What we truly strive for is [email protected] that our thoughts, actions, and our whole lives be significant. That what we do reveals who God is and what His love is like. It is in letting our lives signify God that we will be filled with meaning, joy, and peace. Through the power of God, may our lives always signify Jesus and transform the world. God bless, Connor May 16th 2021 The Ascension of the Lord Envelopes Mass Schedule for the Weekend Diocesan Saturday.……………..………...….4:30 pm Sunday.…….………..……..8 am, 9:30 am, Appeal are …….…………...................11:30 am, 8 pm* available on Signing for the deaf: Available by request the check-in Weekday Monday-Friday…..…...………..…12:05 pm table in the Wednesday…….…………………..9:00 pm* Saturday………..……….……...….9:00 am lobby! Celebration of Sacraments Thank you Baptisms for your Please call the Newman Center for more information on baptismal preparation classes generosity! and baptism dates. Baptisms will be on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the Month. Reconciliation Saturday...……….….…...…..3:30-4:30 pm Wednesday.….............11:00 am-12:00 pm …………………...……….8:30 pm-9:00 pm* 2021 Diocesan Stewardship Appeal Sunday………………...……..7:30-8:00 pm* Goal: .......................................... $35,647.00 *when NIU is in session Total Pledged:. .......................... $13,025.65 Marriage Total Paid: ................................... $8,125.65 Please contact Marcia Feltes at least six months in advance of wedding date at Pledge Balance: .......................... $4,900.00 [email protected]. Number of Families Pledged:..…………...33 Inquire about becoming Catholic (RCIA) or Adult Confirmation Please contact Rachel Johnsen [email protected]. Religious Education/Sacramental Preparation Please contact Cheryl Lehman, Director of Family Faith Formation [email protected] Anointing of the Sick and/or Sick Calls Please contact the main office if you would like to receive the sacrament of the sick. Also, if you are unable to attend Mass and would like to receive Holy Communion, please contact the Newman Office. Thank you for your support of the 12 students who travelled to Murfreesboro, TN for the Newman Mission trip! With the Parish Membership generosity of the Newman Parishioners, we were able to cover the Please notify us of address or telephone cost of the trip for every student! They returned safely to DeKalb number changes or if you will be leaving the on Saturday, May 8th after a full week of service, prayer, and joy. parish. Pastoral Contacts Cook for Fr Manno, Fr Gonnella, and Connor! Go to our website where it says “Meals for our Director and Administrator Priests!” and click on the Sign Up Genius icon to Fr. Kyle Manno…...…[email protected] sign up. If you have difficulty, please contact the Parochial Vicar Fr. Robert Gonnella…………….. Parish Office at 815-787-7770 for assistance. …...…….…[email protected] Please bring the meals to the Parish Deacon Jim Dombek…………………[email protected] Office before 5 pm. Thank you in advance to all the good Campus Minister Denise Sanders……... and generous cooks in our Newman family! ……….…..…[email protected] Thank you from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul! Student Ministry Team Co-Chairs St. Vincent de Paul thanks everyone who provided Katie Sosnowski and Michelle Norberciak……... ………..…[email protected] generous monetary donations to SVdP to allow us to help our neighbors in need.