ASCENSION Roman Catholic Community

April 1, 2018 Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord

PAGE 2 APRIL 1, 2018

Please continue to keep Father Dave in your prayers while he is recuperating from surgery.

Working with the Word Easter Sunday April 1, 2018

Reading I: Acts 10:34a,37-43

Responsorial Psalm: 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23

Reading II: Colossians 3:1-4

Gospel: John 20:1-9

Focusing the Gospel

Key words and phrases: came to the tomb, early in the morning, stone removed from the tomb, taken the Lord from the tomb, came to the tomb, arrived at the tomb, went into the tomb, arrived at the tomb, had to rise from the dead

To the point: Mary arose “ early in the morning” to go to Jesus’ tomb. This image of a new day speaks to us of a new beginning, new opportunities, new encounters. Early morning speaks to us of the freshness of new life. By contrast, this gospel uses the word “tomb” seven times, speaking to us about the seeming finality of Jesus’ death. By even greater contrast, the gospel ends with the Scripture certitude that Jesus “had to rise from the dead.” Death is overcome. Death has no victory. God is the Lord of life. Easter celebrates a new beginning, our certitude of new life. May we choose that Life. �

Copyright 2010 by The Order of St. Benedict, Inc., Collegeville Minnesota.

Catholic Charities Through his death and Resurrection, Jesus gave us the ulti-mate example of what it means to truly love your neighbor as yourself, as he accepted death in order to conquer our sins and give us everlasting life. Today, we rejoice in his choice to love us and we celebrate his glory! We also want to thank you for following the example of Appeal Patron St. Clare of Assisi, who fervently believed in loving her neighbors and uplifting the poor and marginalized in society. Like St. Clare of Assisi, we thank you for loving and uplifting those who are in most need in Western New York by contributing to Catholic Charities. Thank you for your continued support of the 2018 Appeal!

Encounter the Risen Christ We prayed, fasted and gave alms - and now we celebrate Easter joy! Our Lenten journey with CRS Rice Bowl ends as we encounter our Risen Lord. We reflect on our brothers and sisters we have walked with, and we commit to bringing East-er joy to each person we meet in our daily lives. Don’t forget to turn in your CRS Rice Bowl in the collection boxes at the entrances to the church if you have not already done so.

The Lord is risen indeed, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! Happy Easter to you and your families. We are glad you are here to worship with us and invite you to join our parish community of the Ascension if you are not already a member. Thanks to all who prepared, proclaimed, served, decorated, and prayed the wonderful celebration of the Sacred Triduum - the Three Days! We are grateful for all who in any way participated to make Holy Week and Easter a solemn and dignified celebration of the Risen Christ. God’s Blessings to one and all!

The Return of the Alleluia at Easter That day comes triumphal on Easter Sunday - or, rather, at the Easter Vigil, on Holy Saturday night, when the priest chants a triple Alleluia in an exceptionally elaborate tone before he pro-claims the Gospel, and everyone present responds with a triple Alleluia. It is a moment of unrestrained fervor as a singer in-tones the elaborate alleluia, and again the congregation ech-oes it back. Once more, the cantor raises the pitch and sings the alleluia a second time, and the congregation responds. And then the good news is proclaimed that Christ is risen from the dead. The dramatic effect of the return of the alleluia is heightened considerably by the fact that no alleluias have been heard since Lent began. The Lord is risen; the Kingdom has come; our joy is complete; and, in concert with the angels and saints, we greet the risen Lord with shouts of “Alleluia!”

Why Catholics Celebrate Easter Easter is the greatest feast in the Christian calendar. On this Sunday, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. For Catholics, Easter Sunday comes at the end of 40 days of prayer, fasting and almsgiving of Lent. Through spiritual struggle and self-denial, we have prepared ourselves to die spiritually with Christ on Good Friday, the day of His Cru-cifixion, so that we can rise again with Him in a new life on Easter.

The Fulfillment of Our Faith

Easter is a day of celebration because it represents the fulfill-ment of our faith as Christians. St. Paul wrote that, unless Christ rose from the dead, our faith is in vain (1 Corinthians 15:17). Through his death, Christ saved mankind from bondage to sin, and He destroyed the hold that death has on all of us; but it is His Resurrection that gives us the promise of new life, both in this world and the next.

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Sonya Alwardt Heidi Banser Ed Bartosiak

Eleanor Bialkowski Anne Marie Boyce

Cheryl Buciferro

Maxine Butler Mary E. Caryk

ChristopherChilano

Raelene Christian

Hailey Coniber Carrie Cory

Griffin Della Penna

Ruth DelPlato

Lindsey Dibble

Millie DiFilippo

Donna DiPilato

Lucille Dora

Joanmary Dowdell Joe Fiannaca

Trey Filbert Elizabeth Finnin

Christine Fitch

Mary Fitch

Joseph Graff Anthony Grasso

Cooper Green

Sharon Greene

Mary Ann Hallman

Bernard Hayward

Nancy Hoag

Kathryn Huff Steve Huff Anne Ireland

Lillian Irrera

Anna Joyner Vicky Joyner Mya Kershenski Eleanor Kawacz

Ron Konieczny,Sr. Mary Klein Florence Kujawski Stella Kwiatkowski Mona SheronLogar Mary Ann Loiacono

Nicolina Maniace

Francis Marchese

Joan Mastrella

CarmelinaMcAuley

Charles Morse, Jr. Fran Mruczek

Maridee O’Geen

Bea Ortiz

Olivia Parmenter Patrick Pedro

Lena Pellegrino

Timothy Pickering

Margaret Phillips

Anna Potwora

Maxine Potwora

Jane Read

Caz Rodriguez

James Rowcliffe

Jared Schlaggel Joseph Schlossel Sue Schmidt Diane Schultz

Lynn Sellick

Dorothy Shafer Elizabeth Signore

Terry Simpson

Lynette Siverling

Daniel Slubecky

Alfred “Buzz” Smith

Denise Spadaccia

Donna Stephenson

Evelyn Rikki Sutton

Teresa Tamfer Dorothy Taylor Michael Tenebruso

George Thayer Carrie Thornley

Nancy Tomaselli Nancy Trendel John Trigilio

Terry Vanderberg

Luca Vassallo

Roberta Walker Mary Ann Woods

Rosine Wloch

Donald Zinni

Financial Report

Collection and attendance figures were not available due to the early bulletin deadline.

Please Help the Holy Name Society

You can help our Holy Name Society by returning your empty cans and bottles (deposit only) to the Redemption Center at Eastown Beverages in the Aldi Plaza. Pleasestate that your deposit is to be credited to the Holy Name Society of

Upcoming Collections

Initial Offering EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE..April 15

Catholic Home MissionsEEEEEEEEEEEEE.April 29

Latin America & Church in AfricaEEEEEEEEE.....May 6

AscensionEEEEEE.EEEEEEEEEEEEE.May 10

Liturgical Ministry offeringEEE.EEEEEEEEE..May 20

What’s Going On This Week?

Sunday, April 1, 2018………………..….…...NO BINGO

Choir Practice resumes Mon., April 9 at 7:00 p.m.

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ADDITIONAL PARISH FUNCTIONS!

Ascension Holy Name Society Rosary

Tuesday, April 3, 2018 in Church 6:00 p.m.

Msgr. William Kirby Knights of Columbus #325

Meeting Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at 7:00 p.m.

Ascension Respect Life Committee

Meets the First Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Office Conference Room. New members welcome.

Altar and Rosary Communion and Rosary

Sunday, April 8, 2018; Rosary after the 8:00 a.m. Mass

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UPCOMING EVENTS

The Catholicism Series by Bishop Barron

Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.

Ascension Parish Tenth Anniversary Celebration

Wednesday, May 9, 2018 beginning with Mass at 5:30 p.m. Tickets will be available soon

Parish Office Hours

Monday - Wednesday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Closed Thursday

Friday 9:00 a.m. - Noon

Closed Easter Monday, April 2, 2018

Are you a Victim of Domestic Violence?

There are so many forms: Physical, Emotional, Financial, and Psychological. There is help for you and those you love.

Please contact the YWCA for a free and confidential meeting: YWCA of Genesee County, Inc.

301 North Street, Batavia, NY. 14020

St. Padre Pio Parish is sponsoring a

Rummage Sale

Saturday, April 21, 2018

Held at Our Lady Of Fatima Church 65 South Main Street (Rt. 98)

Doors open from 8:00 a.m. - noon

Closed noon - 1:00 p.m. A 10 cent sale will be held from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Gowns-On-A-Dime

Sponsored by Batavia First Methodist Church

8221 Lewiston Rd., Batavia, NY. (585) 343-4708

10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Something for everyone...prom, bridal, bridesmaids,

special occasion, mother of the bride. Many styles to choose from. Gowns all priced at $10.00 !!!

Shop with us and be treated like a princess!

Gown donations accepted Tues. - Fri 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Votive Candles

Lit for the week of April 1, 2018

Blessed Mother + John and Ruth Kowalik

req by daughter Cheryl

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Saturday, March 31, 2018

Vigil of Easter, Holy Saturday

8:00 p.m. + Kelly Bartz

req by Sue and Bob Hartrick

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Sunday, April 1, 2018

EASTER SUNDAY - RESURRECTION OF THE LORD

9:00 a.m. People of the Parish

11:00 a.m. + Jason Reinhart req by Mac and Pat Wormley

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Monday, April 2, 2018

Monday within the Octave of Easter

7:30 a.m. NO MASS

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Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Tuesday within the Octave of Easter

7:30 a.m. NO MASS

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Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Wednesday within the Octave of Easter

7:30 a.m. NO MASS

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Thursday, April 5, 2018 Thursday within the Octave of Easter

7:30 a.m. NO MASS ______________________________________________________

Saturday, April 7, 2018

Vigil of the Second Sunday of Easter, or Sunday of Divine Mercy

4:00 p.m. + Dominick and Vanera Attardi and Deceased Family Members

req by Jeanette and Family

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Sunday, April 8, 2018

The Second Sunday of Easter, or Sunday of Divine Mercy

9:00 a.m. + Arland Ayers

req by Mike and Andrea Stasko

11:00 a.m. + Andrew, Mary and Lorraine Gorecki req by Bob and Bev

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He is Risen! Alleluia!

A Prayer for Easter

Dear Father, my eyes lift to Heaven

in total adoration of the one true God you are. Your incredible love for the world

exceeds my imagination and your gracious gift of life

excels beyond my understanding. When I reflect on the cross of Calvary,

my mind fails to grasp the depth of darkness- the day you turned your back on your son

as he bore the sin of the world. for everyone ever born.

for me. The price was so great yet his blood poured out to yield the highest return of investment ever

known. O Death - where is your sting? O Grave - where is your victory?

Death? It is extinguished.. The Grave? It has been conquered. and the empty tomb? Celebrated.

He is Risen and we praise you, Father! Hosanna and Amen!

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