THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD MASS INTENTIONS: 5:30 p.m. Saturday, May 27 Fr. Tom’s Anniversary of Ordination (C.W.C.) 8:00 a.m. Sunday, May 28 For the People 10:00 a.m. Sunday, May 28 + Renee Dressel (Mike Dressel Family) 8:00 a.m. Monday, May 29 Theresa Frazee (Birthday) (Donor) 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 30 Virginia Smith (90th Birthday) (C.W.C.) 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 31 + Jerome Lucido (Bob & Ellen Schopis) 8:00 a.m. Thursday, June 1 Dick & Marge Cornett (Remy Simon) 8:00 a.m. Friday, June 2 All Souls (Thompson Family) 5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 3 For the People 8:00 a. m. Sunday, June 4 Deceased Members of the Dachowski Family (Ed & Alice Dachowski) 10:00 a.m. Sunday, June 4 + Audene Dibler (Judy & Mike Dressel) SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES:
Sunday: Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: Saturday:
The Ascension of the Lord; World Communications Day Memorial Day Shavuot (“Weeks”), the Jewish festival of the giving of the Law, begins at sunset The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary St. Justin Ss. Marcellinus and Peter; First Friday St. Charles Lwanga and Companions; First Saturday
Total collection: May 20/21 $2,061.00 Average expenses last 4 weeks: $3,146.93 Total in Electrical Fund: $152,995.00 Total Pledged for Electrical as of 4/24: $132,709.25 Attendance: 5:30 PM (48) 8:00 AM (78) 10:00 AM (99)
MINISTERS: SAT. JUNE 3 5:30 PM EUCHARIST: ___ SUSAN GUST LECTORS: RENEE DAVISON SERVERS: GRETCHEN MCCONNELL KYRSTAL DAVISON USHERS: STEPHEN KLINE _ JACOB KLINE
Pastor’s Notes There is an old cartoon strip that shows Jesus ascending into heaven discoursing with one of the angels. The angel asks Jesus who will continue His work on earth now that He is returning to the Father. Jesus tells the angel that He is leaving the Church. When the angel asks Jesus if that is a good idea, Jesus tells the angel “It has got to be; I am counting on them.” Saint Matthew’s account of the Ascension we heard today contains the curious phrase “they worshipped, but they doubted.” As they worshipped Jesus, they must have clearly recognized His divinity and it is thus unlikely that they were doubting Him. More likely they were doubting themselves. What were they going to do now? How were they going to accomplish it without Him being there in person with them? That same sense of doubt probably crosses our minds anytime we think of that great responsibility that rests on each of us as members of the Church: Christ has given that mandate to make disciples of all nations to each one of us, each according to our way of life. Each of us ordained and laity are called to evangelize and lead others to Christ. But that is why Jesus’ words to the Apostles should give us comfort. Before Jesus gives them the mandate to evangelize and baptize He first tells them that He has all power in heaven and on earth. Those who bring the good news to others do so not based upon their own powers of persuasion, their own abilities, etc. They succeed by opening themselves up to grace. Jesus will give to each of us the precise graces we need to carry out whatever evangelical mission He calls us to. What is more, after giving the mandate, Jesus tells the Apostles, and us, that He will be with us until the end of time. As we hear in John’s Gospel, the Father sends us the Holy Spirit through Christ to teach us everything and remind us of all Jesus has taught us. The Holy Spirit will be our advocate who constantly keeps the reality of Christ’s presence in our hearts and minds. The Spirit makes Jesus present not as some distant memory but as someone who walks with us here and now. And of course it is through the power of the Spirit that Christ come to us body and blood, soul and divinity in the Eucharist. In this greatest of sacraments Jesus is with us par excellence. Therefore, there is no room for doubt when it comes to evangelization. We don’t have to rely on ourselves alone. Jesus is truly with us just as when He walked with His disciples in the Holy Land 2000 odd years ago. Nevertheless Jesus does rely on us to cooperate with His grace so that we can accomplish the works He gives us to do to build up the Church on earth and bring greater glory to God. FATHER TOM SUN. JUNE 4 8:00 AM PAUL KOCH ALICE DACHOWSKI AUSTIN STAPLETON CODY STAPLETON ALLAN STAPLETON ED DACHOWSKI
SUN. JUNE 4 10:00 AM ___ _____ KEITH ELLIOTT___________________ MAUREEN KORMANIK_____________ ABBY HARVEY ADDISON NOLAN _______ ____ MATT BOKOVITZ MIKE STAPLETON_________________
MEMORIAL DAY: They fell, but o’er their glorious grave Floats free the banner of the cause they died to save. —Francis Marion Crawford
FATHER THOMAS HAMM, JR. PASTOR
MAY 28, 2017________ SHARE THE HOPE
The readings for today’s celebration of the Ascension of the Lord once again remind us that as Christians we are people of hope. In the second reading Saint Paul eloquently exhorts the Ephesians to enlighten their hearts so that they will know the hope and glory that come from being people who place their trust in the Lord Jesus. In the story of the Ascension, recounted in the first reading, the Lord Jesus assures the disciples that the Holy Spirit’s power will come upon them. Finally, in the Gospel, the Lord lets the disciples know that their mission is to spread the hope of the gospel to all the nations. This wonderful feast keeps our eyes focused on the hope in which we were grounded on the day of our baptism. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.
CONFIRMATION CLASS There will not be class today Sunday, May 28th (Memorial Day Weekend). The schedule that was handed out during last week’s class has been approved. Next class is scheduled for Sunday, June 25th. EUCHARISTIC ADORATION TODAY FROM 11:00-4:00 PM. CONFESSIONS AFTER THE 8:00 AM MASS ON THURSDAY, JUNE 1. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT HELPED TO CLEANUP THE CHURCH GROUNDS ON FRIDAY, MAY 19 AND SATURDAY MAY 20. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND ABUNDANCE. BINGO: We have decided to have another River City Leather Bingo as a fundraiser for the electrical project. Our first bingo went very well and we thank and appreciate everyone’s help with it. SO, ON SUNDAY, JUNE 11 we will have another one. Once again, we are asking if anyone would like to make a cash donation to help cover the cost of buying THE RIVER CITY LEATHER PURSES. If you can donate $50.00, $100.00 or $150.00 please call Heather Sola at 614-477-6225 OR the parish office. With your donation you will be named a sponsor. You can put your donation in envelope marked BINGO DONATION and drop in the collection basket or return by mail. We thank you in advance and appreciate everything you do for our parish family. SECOND COLLECTION IS FOR THE CATHOLIC COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGN. Today, we are taking up the collection for the Catholic Communication Campaign (CCC). Your support helps the CCC connect people to Christ, here and around the world, through the internet, television, radio, and print media. Half of the funds we collect remains in our diocese to support local efforts. Be a part of this campaign to spread the gospel message and support the collection today! To learn more, visit www.usccb.org/ccc.
NAMES ON THE PRAYER LIST WILL REMAIN FOR 30 DAYS AFTER 30 DAYS THEY WILL BE REMOVED UNLESS YOU NOTIFY THE OFFICE.
These names will remain until May 31, 2017 Please pray for the health and the healing of our friends and relatives:
Resty and Gisela Alonzo, Donna Altizer, David Baker, Steve Baker, Helen Bernath, Kali Blazer, Brett Bokovitz, Bob & Joan Browning, Harriett Davison, Karen Davison, Keith Davison, Betty Doerfer, Sue Freyberg, Jonnie Lou Gabrielli, Albert Grable, Kelly Haas, Larry Haas, Pat Hays, Doug & Barbara Johnson, Edna Johnson, Noah Knackstedt, Alan Kuhn, Davey Mathney, Lee Ann Mollohan, Phoebe Neal, Linda Plymale, Mark Porter, Bart Repass, Herlinda Reyes, Jeff Rider, Remo Rocchi, Ken Ryan, Charlotte Shaffer, Lyle Shillington, Dr. Anthony Sola, Katy Sprow, Wendy Stiles, Irene & Charles Surber, Sandy Vanco, Helga Waldrop, Tyler Ward, Cheynee Waugh, Jamie Weis, Jack Williams, Harry White, Patrick Wolfe and Tombo Woodward.
A CARD SHOWER FOR VIRGINIA SMITH IS being requested by her daughter Sue Freyberg. Virginia will be 90 on Tuesday, May 30. Her address is 958 Clark Chapel Rd. Bidwell, Ohio 45614. HAPPY 90TH BIRTHDAY VIRGINIA, MAY GOD BLESS YOU! DIOCESAN PARISH SHARE CAMPAIGN- Thank you to everyone that has already sent in your pledge. If you haven’t already made your pledge/donation, please consider doing so. Envelopes are available in the pews. Remember, once we meet our annual goal, all money then donated is returned to us assessment-free.
ITALIAN DINNER FUNDRAISER NEXT SATURDAY, JUNE 3RD 4:00-8:00 PM. The menu is: Lasagna, Alfredo with Penne Pasta, Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, Grilled Chicken and Green Beans. Desserts are Carrot Cake, Coconut Rum Cake and Brownies. Cost is $15.00 which includes your soft drink, salad and bread. Please take the insert in today’s bulletin and pass it out. Remembering the people who died while serving in the country's armed forces. GOFUNDME We have set up a gofundme account to help raise funds for our electrical project. We need everyone who has a Facebook page to like our Saint Louis Catholic Church Gallipolis page and share the gofundme link. Or you can share the link gf.me/u/fj8bn. We have received a challenge Grant from Catholic Extension that for every $2.00 we raise they will give us a $1.00. We need to raise $49,000 and they will give us $24,500.
TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION If you could somehow transport a third-century Christian into your twenty-first-century Sunday Mass, once the initial shock wore off he or she would be more or less at home with the structure of the first part of the liturgy, the Word. The second part might be more difficult to comprehend. The stumbling block would be the book. We have a book, a missal that is set down on the altar with a very precisely prescribed set of words for the priest to say and the people to sing at the Eucharistic Prayer. In the early days of the church, there were no set “formulas” for this prayer. The ancients would have raised eyebrows at our “bookishness” since they preferred to let the prayers roll forth from a gifted leader of prayer. There was a basic shape to the prayer of thanksgiving, and almost general agreement that the words of Christ at the Last Supper ought to be included. By the second century, Justin Martyr wrote that the presider “gives thanks at some length . . . and when he has finished the prayers and the thanksgiving, all the people present give their assent by saying ‘Amen.’ ” In the world before books, people could memorize long passages of prose and poetry, and so it is easy to see how particular phrases or expressions passed from church to church. —Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.
