1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

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SERVED BY:
Rev. Eamon Tobin ...................... Ext. 3070
Pastor, email: [email protected]
Rev. BK Tran ................................ 254-1595
Associate Pastor
Email: [email protected]
FOURTH SUNDAY
OF ADVENT
B
December 21, 2014
ASCENSION
CATHOLIC
COMMUNITY
2950 N. Harbor City Blvd., Melbourne, FL 32935
Tel. 321-254-1595 Fax 321-255-3490
www.ascensioncatholic.net
Deacon Sergio A. Colon............. Ext. 3082
Bereavement Ministry, Hispanic Community
[email protected]
Deacon Tom Stauffacher
[email protected], 321-242-4504
Deacon Bill Terneus
[email protected]
Sr. Joseph Barden ........................ Ext. 3003
Development Director
[email protected]
Sr. Immaculata............................. Ext. 3039
Pastoral Care
[email protected]
Doug Workman........................... Ext. 3001
School Principal
[email protected]
Betsy Glasenapp .......................... Ext. 3080
Religious Education Director
[email protected]
Mary Birmingham ....................... Ext. 3068
Music/Liturgy Director, Catechumenate
[email protected]
Mark Kniepmann......................... Ext. 3501
High School Youth Minister
[email protected]
Mary Blucker ............................... Ext. 3069
Middle School Youth Minister
[email protected]
Ashley Breaux .............................. Ext. 3077
Contemporary Music
[email protected]
Monica Sutton ............................. Ext. 3076
Volunteer Coordinator
[email protected]
PARISH OFFICE HOURS
Monday-Friday - 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
PARISH OFFICE STAFF
Teresa Romano............................ Ext. 3050
Receptionist
[email protected]
Maria Sittig .................................. Ext. 3072
Secretary/Bulletin,
[email protected]
Mary Russo................................... Ext. 3078
Business Manager/Bookkeeper
[email protected]
Anne Dorros ................................. Ext. 3074
Assistant Bookkeeper
[email protected]
Brian Carley
Facilities Manager
[email protected]
Susan Esposito
Fingerprinting office ...................... Ext. 3079
ASCENSION CATHOLIC SCHOOL
U.S. Department of Education
School of Excellence
Pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade
FAITH FORMATION
Religious Education (Pre-K - 6)
Tuesdays, 4:00 - 5:15 p.m.
Religious Education (Grades 1-8)
Wednesdays, 6:30 - 7:45 p.m.
Youth Ministry
Sundays after 5:30 p.m. Mass
OUTREACH
Ascension Thrift Store: 259-7291
Ascension Social Concerns: 259-5685
BINGO
Mondays & Thursdays
6:00 p.m., Parish Hall
SCHEDULE OF MASSES
Saturday Vigil Mass
4:30 p.m.
Sunday Masses
7:30 a.m.
9:30 a.m. (free childcare)
11:30 a.m. (free childcare)
5:30 p.m.
Weekday Masses
Monday-Friday: 7:25 a.m.
Sat. 9:00 a.m
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Saturday: 3:15 - 4:25 p.m.
Wednesday: 6:00 p.m.
(or by appointment)
As a good steward of the Lord’s blessings, please remember to consider
your Parish Family or School Endowment in your Last Will and Testament.
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FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT B
N
EDITIO
TMAS
CHRIS
Reaching
out to Catholics who
have become disconnected from Church
and people seeking a Church home
Christmas greetings! I’m glad that you are able to join
us for Mass on this most holy day, when Christians all
around the world gather together to celebrate that awefilled moment in time when God joined the human
family.
December 21, 2014
4. Mass is not a spiritually fulfilling experience. As
we all know, Church experiences can and do differ from
place to place. Some parishes may have good music and
great homilies. The congregation may be hospitable to
adults and kids which gives people a sense of belonging.
Other parishes may do a poor job in some or all of these
areas. But we need to keep in mind that people’s liturgical tastes vary. What some people regard as good music
or great homilies may not appeal in the same way to
others.
5. Doctrinal issues. People raised as Catholics may later
disagree with the Church’s teaching on certain moral or
doctrinal issues and feel that they are no longer welcome,
or they simply do not want to go to a Church whose
teachings they disagree with. Nonetheless, there are lots
of people in Church every Sunday who do not embrace
every teaching of the Church.
6. Faith issues. Some people may feel God has let them
down because he did not answer their prayer in a time of
While I am most grateful for the roughly 3,000 people
great need. God may seem distant to them. Perhaps some
who attend Ascension Church every weekend, I cannot
people may have never experienced God’s unconditional
ignore the thousands who do not attend, the thousands
love
and mercy. Others just lose faith by neglecting to
who have, for a variety of reasons, have stopped attenddo
the
things that keep faith alive. The retreat weekends
ing on a regular basis. I know that this is a burden
(CRHP)
that we host each year for men and for women
shared by many parents whose adult children no longer
have helped a lot of people rediscover their
go to Church or whose grandchildren are not
baptized or are being raised with little or no The church must be a faith.
place of mercy freely (For more on CRHP and the dates for the next
religious formation.
given, where everyone women’s and men’s retreat weekends, contact
Teresa at the Church Office: 254-1595 ext.
Twelve reasons why former churchgoing
can feel welcomed,
3050 or [email protected].)
Catholics no longer attend Church on a
loved, forgiven,
regular basis
and encouraged to
7. Negative Church experiences and perlive the good life of
ceptions. Some people may have been turned
Why don’t some Catholics attend Church on
the Gospel.”
a regular basis? These are twelve reasons.
- Pope Francis off by recent sex abuse scandals, and feel let
down and rejected by the Church, especialPerhaps you can help me name some others.
ly by priests. Others may perceive the Church as
1. Weekend schedule. Some parents work on weekwealthy, self-serving and does not care much about ordiends. Other parents with young children may be busy
nary people. The recent secular scandals were probably
with sports activities on Sunday morning. But millions
the worst scandal in the Church’s history—certainly in
of parents who live very busy lives are in Church every
American church history—but when Jesus founded the
Sunday or most Sundays.
Church, he knew it would be made up of and led by
imperfect people, starting with Peter who denied he
2. Family situation. One spouse may want to go to
knew Jesus, and Judas who sold him for 30 pieces of
Church, but the other does not. Kids do not want to go
silver.
and the parents don’t force them to go. Kids live with a
divorced parent and stepparent. It may be a hassle to
8. Personal failures. The commission of certain sins,
get young children ready for Church. After the kids
like abortion, may cause one to feel that he/she cannot be
have received the sacraments, the parents may feel that
forgiven and, hence, does not belong in Church. In his
they have done their job and quit going. A single mom
letter Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis said: “The church
or single person may not want to sit alone in Church.
must be a place of mercy freely given, where everyone
can feel welcomed, loved, forgiven, and encouraged to
3. Hectic lifestyle. People who work 60, 70 or 80 hours
live the good life of the Gospel.”
a week often see Sunday as their day to rest and a time
to catch up with stuff at home.
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FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT B
9. Lifestyle. People who live a certain way of life may
not want to be in a place where their lifestyle is challenged because it is contrary to the Gospel.
10. Secularist mentality. There are those who may not
see any need for Church or even God. They may feel
they can and perhaps do live a good life without being
part of institutional religion—or even without God.
11. Transportation. Some people may not have transportation to get them to Church. (If we have a vehicle
and can drive, we tend to forget about them.)
12. Illness or down on one’s luck. Physical or mental
illness could be the reason, or life may not be going
well for some people.
Did I miss any other reasons? If I did, please share.
I am, of course, well aware that millions of Catholics
experience many of the above challenges, e.g., hectic
lifestyle, difficult family situations, struggle with some
Church teachings, but yet make it to Church regularly.
Words to non-churchgoing Catholics
I know that most non-churchgoing Catholics are very
good people. They may be closer to Jesus and his ways
than many churchgoers or even myself. I will let Jesus
be the judge.
So why do I have a passion to fish non-churchgoers
back into the net of God’s church family? Because I
believe you belong there. More importantly, I believe
that Jesus wants you at his table.
If our Church failed you or hurt you in some way, I am
very sorry and would be happy to apologize to you in
person.
If you feel little or no desire to reconnect with your
Catholic roots, there is not much I can do for you at this
time, other than place you in the care of our Blessed
Mother who loves all of us like the most perfect mother
in the world.
On the other hand, if you have some desire to reconnect
with your Catholic roots, I would hope and pray that
you know that your desire is a tangible sign of the Holy
Spirit at work in your soul. Our Church is indeed a
church of sinners—always was and always will be. But
amazingly, she has, despite her imperfections, produced
thousands of saints. Such is the power of God at work in
and through the weakness of the Church.
If you think that I can in any way help you to reconnect
with your Catholic roots, please do not hesitate to
contact me.
December 21, 2014
Words to non-Catholic seekers
If you are not Catholic but have a strong or some desire
to find a church home, that is surely good news. Your
desire to find a church home is also a tangible sign of
God’s Spirit working in your heart.
Reasons to include the Catholic Church in your search
The Catholic Church is big, has a lot of rules, and excludes women from ordination. Her imperfections are
known to all or nearly all. So why should anyone
explore the Catholic Church in his/her search for a
church home? Here are some reasons:
Because the Catholic Church is the church founded
by Jesus. We can trace our origins all the way back to
Jesus who said to Peter: “You are Peter and upon this
rock, I will build my church” (Matt 16). Perhaps the
strongest argument for the divine origin of the Church is
the fact that for 2,000 years, she has not only survived
but grown amidst attacks from without and corruption
from within. After a very dark night focusing on the
priest sex abuse scandals, God has raised up a universal
shepherd who is restoring the image of the Church all
across the world. Anyone searching for a church home
should explore the beliefs and practices of the Church
founded by Jesus.
•
• While many people either left the Church or stopped
going to Church during the recent sex abuse scandals,
many others continue to join the Church. Perhaps the
most surprising aspect of this phenomenon is the fact
that some of the converts were Protestant ministers with
strong anti-Catholic upbringing. Why would such men
be drawn to join the Catholic Church during a dark
period in her history? Surely, these are stories worth
exploring. If interested, read the book Surprised by the
Truth—11 Converts Give the Biblical and Historical
Reasons for Becoming Catholic. If you want to listen to
one such story on CD, check out Scott Hahn’s story.
The book Surprised by the Truth is available at the
Parish Office or you can order it through Amazon.com.
On our parish website, I have 28 easy-to-read articles on
the Catechism of the Catholic Church. To access, visit
www.ascensioncatholic.net and on homepage, click on
Fr. Tobin’s writings Catechism Topic.
TWO REQUESTS
1. If you are a regular churchgoer and have a family
member, neighbor, friend, or co-worker who no longer
goes to Church on a regular basis, consider sharing this
column with them. If you have a good relationship with
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FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT B
December 21, 2014
them, you may be able to engage them in a conversation. You might ask why they no longer go to Church or
go on a very irregular regular basis. You might ask if
they have any desires to reconnect with Church.
net. For information on Adult Retreat weekends, hosted
and led by parishioners, contact Teresa Romano at 321254-1595 ext. 3050 or tromano@ascensioncatholicsch.
org.
2. If you currently do not attend on a regular basis, I
would love it if you would tell me why and if there is
anything we can do at Ascension to reconnect you with
Church.
2. Bible Study. In the new year, we will resume our
Bible Studies series, the focus of which will be Defending the Catholic Faith. We meet Wednesdays, 9-11 am.
For more information, contact Deacon Sergio Colon at
321-254-1595 ext. 3082 or scolon@ascensioncatholic
sch.org.
Susan and Werner Schulz’s Bible Study will be focusing
on the Eucharist. They meet Wednesdays, 7-9 pm. For
more information, contact them at [email protected].
A little bit about Ascension Church family
Our parish, which was founded in 1959, has a current
attendance of close to 3,000 individuals at its five weekend Masses. The Sunday 9:30am Mass is enriched with
our wonderful choir while the Sunday 5:30 pm Mass is
alive with contemporary Christian music.
Our parish school, which is very highly regarded in
Brevard County, has an enrolment of about 460 children
(from Pre-K-3 to 8th grade). We have a very active
Junior High and High School Ministry. Faith formation
classes are available to public school children on Tuesdays (4:00 - 5:15pm) and Wednesdays (6:30 - 7:45pm).
Hundreds of adult parishioners are engaged in one or
more of our adult faith programs and outreach ministries. More details on these activities in a moment.
Following the example of Jesus, Ascension seeks to
welcome all truth-seekers, irrespective of their background—Catholic, non-Catholic, non-Christian, married, single, divorced, straight and gay, poor and rich,
sinners and saints. To be less than welcoming to ALL
would be unfaithful to Jesus who welcomed everyone
during his public ministry. We also seek to faithfully
proclaim the full Gospel that Jesus taught, realizing that
none of us fully embrace all of his teachings.
Opportunities for spiritual enrichment and
“Hands On” ministries
If you live in the area and do not have a church family,
and think your life might be enriched by availing yourself of one or more of the ministries below, I hope you
will consider contacting us. You don’t need to be Catholic or a Church member to participate in any of these
activities. PLEASE share this list with ANYONE who
you think might be interested.
1. Retreat Weekends for Teens and Adults (Men &
Women. For information on our Teen Retreats, contact
Mark Kniepmann at 321-254-1595 ext. 3063 or [email protected]. For information on our
Middle School Ministry, contact Mary Blucker at 321254-1595 ext. 3069 or jhministry@ascensioncatholic.
3. Self-Study. If interested in doing your own study of
any of the 46 Books of the Old Testament, you can
check out my commentaries on the Books of the Old
Testament. Each book has a long version with a commentary and a short version with a basic introduction to
the book and suggested texts to read. For more information, visit our parish website www.ascension catholic.net—on homepage, go to Fr. Tobin’s Writings then
click on Books of the Old Testament.
4. Women and Men’s Study and Fellowship Groups.
In the new year, our two women’s groups will resume
the study (usually with a book) and fellowship time. The
Tuesday 8:30-10:00am group is led by Dottie Masucci,
[email protected]. The Tuesday evening group is led by
Teresa Romano, tromano@ascension catholicsch.org.
We also have a very active Ascension Council of
Catholic Women. For more information, contact Carolyn
Paternoster at [email protected].
For information on the Monday 7:00–8:30pm Men’s
Study and Fellowship Group, contact Bill Kirby at
321-759-2432, Dan Romano at 321-952-7053 or Dave
Foy at 321-254-1868. We also have an active Knights
of Columbus group. For more information, contact
Grand Knight John Miller at 321-255-4952.
6. FISH (Fellowship Invites Serving & Helping) is a
study and fellowship group for stay-at-home moms.
They meet every Monday through Thursday, 8:00am12:30pm. For more information, contact Meghan Swift
at 321-482-4351 or [email protected].
7. Small Christian Communities (SCC). These groups
focus on the Sunday Readings. For more information,
contact Laura Dodson at [email protected].
8. Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA) for children,
teens and adults is the way non-Catholics (and baptized
but uncatechized Catholics) are fully initiated into the
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FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT B
Catholic Church. For more information, contact Mary
Birmingham at [email protected]
or 321-254-1595 ext. 3068.
If you wish to do a self-study of Catholic beliefs, see my
writings on our website. On the homepage, click on
Catechism Topics (endorsed by Cardinal Wuerl of
Washington, DC).
9. Adoration Chapel. On our campus, we have a small
chapel in which the Blessed Sacrament is exposed 24/7
in a vessel called the monstrance. The Adoration Chapel
is a sacred place where Catholics come night and day to
pray. We currently have 350 adorers. All are welcome.
For more information about signing up to pray for a
particular hour during the week, contact Sam Rodríquez
at 321-795-9813 or adoration.ascension@ gmail.com.
10. Hispanic Prayer and Share is a Spanish Small
Christian Community. For more information, contact
Tony Cortes at [email protected] or 321-254-1778.
OUTREACH - “HANDS ON” MINISTRY
Thrift Store. Many parishioners and some nonCatholics volunteer at our Thrift Store (open from Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00am-4:00pm). This ministry raises
roughly $375,000-$400,000 each year, most of which
goes to Social Concerns. For more information, contact
Tom Knutson at 321-259-7291.
Social Concerns. This outreach ministry helps about
20,000 people a year and disburses about $400,000 in
aid annually. For more information, contact Jerry and
Olga Kelly at 321-254-5685.
December 21, 2014
Life is a gift. What we do with our lives is our gift to
God and the world we live in.
Morning Prayer
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
I come into your loving presence
with gratitude for another day.
I thank you for the blessings in life
that I tend to take for granted:
food, shelter, health, family,
work and faith in you.
May I live this day in a manner
that pleases you,
and helps me to become the person
you created me to be.
Help me to recognize and respond generously
to the promptings of the Holy Spirit
in the events and encounters of this day.
May I live this day with the dispositions
of heart that reflect the values of Jesus:
love, truth, compassion, mercy,
justice and kindness.
When decisions need to be made,
help me to choose well.
When asked to walk the extra mile,
grant me generosity of heart.
Protect me from the false ways of the Evil One
and help me to live in your truth.
Expand my capacity for love and joy.
In all things, may I give you honor and glory.
Amen.
Fr. Eamon Tobin
Daily Bread is an ecumenical outreach to the poor and
homeless that provides lunch to about 230 people
every day of the year. It also provides showers (now in
its new building), clothing, toiletries and more. For
more information contact, Rachel Benevente at
[email protected].
Each fiscal year, Ascension disburses about $100,000 in
aid to various organizations and ministries dedicated to
helping the poor locally and internationally.
Over 100 years ago, Irish writer George B. Shaw said:
“My life belongs to the whole community and as long as
I live it is my privilege to do for it whatsoever I can. I
want to be thoroughly used up when I die…. Life is no
‘brief candle.’ To me it is a sort of splendid torch
which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to
make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it
on to future generations.”
A blessed Christmas to all of you!
In Christ,
[email protected]
www.ascensioncatholic.net
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FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT B
Next Sunday’s Readings - December 28, 2014 B
The Holy Family of
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3, Psalm 105
Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19
Luke: 2:22-40
December 21, 2014
CHRISTMAS 2014
SCHEDULE
INDIVIDUAL CONFESSIONS
Monday, Dec. 22, 12:00 pm & 6:30 pm
DECEMBER 24, CHRISTMAS EVE
In what way(s) does your family express
the love of God to each other?
To others outside the family?
Reflect a time or event(s) in your childhood
that you now realize deepened your faith.
HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH MINISTRY
Wishing Ascension parishioners a very
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Bible Study: Monday evenings, youth room,
7:00-8:30pm. All high school teens are welcome to come, socialize with friends, learn and talk about our
faith. We will resume after the New Year.
For info regarding Youth Ministry, contact Mark Kniepmann
at [email protected].
Middle School
Ministry
For all 6th, 7th, & 8th graders,
no matter where you attend school
“The Middle School Ministry wishes the
parishioners of Ascension a Very Blessed
Christmas and a Joyous New Year.
Thank you for your loving support once
again this past year.”
Jan. 10, Saturday: Both Hands Project Work Day
8:00am-8:00pm. Stay as long as you want.
Need Confirmation service? Call Mary.
For more info, check website
www.ascensioncatholic.net
or contact Mary Blucker
at 254-1595 ext. 3069 or
[email protected]
4:00 pm – CHURCH – Children’s Mass
4:00 pm – HALL
6:30 pm – CHURCH
9:00 pm – CHURCH - Contemporary
11:00 pm PRELUDE
MASS AT 11:30 pm
CHRISTMAS DAY
9:00 am & 11:00 am
NEW YEAR’S EVE MASS
5:30 pm
NEW YEAR’S DAY
9:00 am
Christmas Church Decorations
Anyone wishing to donate for the
Christmas decorations of the Church in
memory of a loved one, please put your donation in
the collection basket with your name and your
loved one’s name—or mail it to the Church Office.
The usual donation is $25.00.
THERE WILL BE NO
NURSERY AVAILABLE
NEXT SUNDAY
DECEMBER 28, 2014
DURING MASS
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FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT B
FAIR TRADE SALE
TODAY
Our delicious fair trade products—
coffee, tea, olive oil and chocolate—
will be on sale after ALL Masses this
weekend. “Fair Trade” means that
workers are receiving a fair wage and
no children are used to harvest or
produce these goods. These will make wonderful
Christmas gifts for family and friends.
Thank you for your support!
GRIEF RECOVERY GROUP
Monday, December 22, 1:00 - 2:30 pm,
Church Library
For more information, contact Carol Gessler
at 779-7850.
Knights of Columbus Council #14573
Christmas Social Dec 21st
All council members and their families are invited
to attend a Christmas social this Sunday, Dec. 21st from 15pm. This event will take place at Ascension in the Youth
Hall at the Buescher Center. Each family is asked to bring a
covered dish or dessert to share.
December 21, 2014
Children’s Christmas Eve Procession
Children—Kindergarten and older—
are welcome to participate in the
children's procession at the 4:00 pm
Mass on Christmas Eve in the
Church. This is a beautiful Mass that
is very family-centered.
Children interested must arrive no
later than 3:15 pm in Our Lady’s Chapel on Christmas
Eve, after verifying where your family will be sitting. If you have any questions, contact Meaghan
Swift at 321-482-4351.
For those of you who are late arrivals, the overflow
Mass in the Hall will also participate in a procession.
VOCATION CUP
The Vocation Cup for December will go out at the
7:30 am Mass. Jerry & Cheryl Grillo will take the
Cup home on December 21.
The purpose of the Vocation Cup ministry is to seek
parishioner prayers for vocations to the Priesthood, the
Deaconate, and the Religious life. The Vocation Cup is the
name given to the Chalice, for the family selected to take it
home. If you’d like to sign up, please call Marc Worchel at
757-3451 or email [email protected].
Ascension Family 2015 New Year’s Eve Dance
Timmy Vee Productions
December 31,2014
7:30 pm till 12:30 am
Parish Hall
$15.00 per person
Food, Refreshments, Raffle, Entertainment
For info, call Frank Weaver at 775-3651
or Jim Voltaire at 610-3538
Proceeds will go to the Knights of Columbus
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FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT B
Military Ministry
Social Concerns & Food Pantry
MERRY CHRISTMAS
from all of us at Social Concerns
Volunteers: Social Concerns will be closed for Christmas
beginning Monday, Dec. 22, and will re-open Monday, Jan. 5,
2015. Thank you so much for your countless hours of time and
talent. We appreciate all your efforts. Now it’s your turn to rest
and relax. God bless.
Volunteers needed on Monday mornings, 9:00 to
11:00am beginning in January. If you are available
to give us 2 hours on Monday mornings, please
call the Social Concerns office at 259-5685.
Come join our ministry of amazing volunteers.
Pantry food items needed: Canned meats (ham, chicken),
Pork & Beans, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Tuna, tuna Helper, Hamburger Helper Baby items: diapers, baby wipes.
Toiletries: deodorant, sample size shampoo, soap, toothpaste
Travelers: If you are a frequent traveler and stay in hotels,
we would love those unused toiletries and coffee packets
the hotels put in your room each day.
Senior Adventures In Learning’s
Winter Term
Come join the fun! If you are 50 or over, or know
someone who is, Senior Adventures In Learning is
just for you! Senior Adventures In Learning of Melbourne, Inc., is
an outreach ministry of Ascension Catholic Church. For the past
14 years, SAIL has sponsored classes and activities for seniors.
SAIL has extremely qualified instructors. Many of the instructors
are members of Ascension or the Catholic Community at large.
These classes help seniors challenge their minds and bodies so
they can thrive in the latter years of life.
SAIL will begin its Winter Session January 6 through February 25, 2015. The program will be held on Tuesdays and
Wednesdays at Ascension Catholic Church. Participants will meet
in the Parish Hall to get nametags and class information. We are
offering Exercise Classes, Bridge Instruction/Bridge Play, Mahjongg, Cribbage, Conservative Investing, Shakespeare, Crocheting and Knitting, Bible Studies, History Classes, Sports Talk and
sports outings outside of class, Writing Your Memoirs, Current
Events and much more! We are also offering classes in a variety
of Foreign Languages—German, French, Japanese, Russian and
Spanish. Learning a new language is great exercise for the brain!
The cost for the entire term is $30 for either day or $45 for both
for the entire 8-week term. Scholarships are available upon request.
Please call 321-622-6474 to have a registration packet mailed
to you or you can pick one up right here at the Church Office. You
may also visit our website sailofmelbourne.org—review the
schedule in detail and print a registration form. Act soon because
some classes fill quickly.
December 21, 2014
Looking for a unique gift idea? The Military Ministry is working to sponsor a ‘companion escort’ to
accompany a veteran on an upcoming Honor
Flight. A donation ‘In Memory of” or “in Honor of” someone would make a thoughtful gift. We’ll provide a certificate for you to give. We’ll have more information at weekend Masses. Or you can call 321-610-8210. We wish all our
Veterans a blessed Christmas. And also our sincere thanks.
ADORATION CHAPEL
“Our communal worship at Mass must go together with our personal worship
of Jesus in Eucharistic adoration in order that our love may be complete.
Our essential commitment in life is to preserve and advance constantly in
Eucharistic life and Eucharistic piety and to grow spiritually in the climate of
the Holy Eucharist.”
-St. John Paul II, Redeemer of Man
Vacations, illness, absent snowbirds and just life take a toll on
the availability of adorers. If you can find an hour to commit to
Jesus, consider the Adoration Chapel. Jesus wants you there
and through the Holy Spirit is calling you! For information, please
contact Sam Rodríquez at 321-795-9813 or
[email protected].
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1am, 2am, 3am, 5am, 1pm, 5pm, 10pm, 11pm
1am, 3am, 4am, 12pm, 10pm
1am, 2am, 3am, 4am, 6pm, 10pm
1am, 2am, 3am, 4am, 5pm
12am,1am, 3am, 10am, 1pm, 11pm
1am, 2am, 3am, 1pm
1am, 2am, 3am, 5am, 12pm, 4pm, 5pm,7pm,
8pm
“and you will see.” John 1:39a
“Throughout Scripture, Jesus
invites disciples to “come and
see.” CRHP is a lot like that. It’s
hard to describe. It’s something
that needs to be experienced.”
Women’s Retreat
March 6-7, 2015
ASCENSION THRIFT SHOP WILL BE
CLOSED OVER THE HOLIDAYS
The Thrift Shop will close after business on Saturday,
Dec. 20, 2014 and reopen Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015.
We will not be doing any pick-ups during this time.
Thank you for your donations this past year. Most of our revenue makes up 80% of the resources available to Ascension
Social Concerns to help over 20,000 people a year, and
$48,000 goes to Ascension Catholic School for tuition assistance. The remainder is used for operating and facility maintenance expenses for both the Thrift Shop and Social Concerns.
Page 9
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT B
December 21, 2014
RETROUVAILLE
DAILY BREAD VOLUNTEERS
Retrouvaille is a diocese-sponsored program to restore
communication and trust in marriage. If you feel frustrated, hurt and angry with each other, if you feel
trapped by frequent conflict and don’t know where to
turn, please know that thousands of couples have been
helped. Even if you are separated or divorced—or are
thinking about it—call and give yourselves another
chance. You and your relationship deserve it.
The next program begins January 23, 2014 at San
Pedro Center in Winter Park. Let us reserve a place for
you! For more information or to register, call 352-2744614. All calls are strictly confidential.
If you know a couple in a hurting marriage, give the
entire family the priceless gift of love. Retrouvaille
welcomes all married couples in struggling relationships. We also invite you to visit our website at retrouvaille.org.
About 250 homeless and needy folks eat each day at
Daily Bread, Melbourne’s free downtown soup kitchen.
Be a friend to them and serve at the kitchen located at
815 Fee Avenue, just a block off U.S. 1. let us know if
you would like to help on any of the following days
from 10:30am to 2:30pm.
Sign up early to reserve your place on a serving
team:
Tuesday, Dec. 23:
Thursday, Jan. 8:
Saturday, Jan. 10:
Tuesday, Jan. 27:
Contact Betsy or Bill Hampton
at 254-0418
Contact Stella Warnock
at 757-9653
Contact Rachel
at (813) 735-0352 or
[email protected]
Contact Betsy or Bill Hampton
at 254-0418
Page 10
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT B
December 21, 2014
Wedding Anniversaries
Vicente & Ruth Leong
Jaime & Yolalita Amulong
Matthew & Mary Miller
40 years
25 years
25 years
Dec 21
Dec 21
Dec 21
Michael Stitzel, David Humes, Ava Sophia,
CVS, Larry Barone, Natalie Carle, Flo
McCaffrey, Daniel Walsh, Greg Grasso, Gerald
Cardile, Harry Wright, Fred Barlow, Betty Elko,
Chuck Hegland, Madeline Maiello, Magda &
Claire Grasso, Lydia Vazquez, Ed & Peggy Aubrey, Mia Moore, Grace Carlin, John & Nancy Walsh, Julianne
Amicucci, Brian Robinson, Catherine Reid, Darlene Liptak,
Larry Kawa, Kenneth Pearsall, Walker Alldredge, Cathi Hurd,
Karen Kessler, Judith Dourney, Christopher Linder, John Doyle,
Caridad Mederos, Bettina Mondo, Margaret Donah, Karen
Kessler, Claire Crotty, Theresa Bryant, Angela Barber, Mary
Robinson, Danilee Chin, Angela Thompson, Kathy Jagadmann,
Maybelle McGee, Leo Schumaker, Flo Downey, Adam Keehnie,
Rose Blankenship, Peggy McKelvey, Patricia Schemp, Cecile
Hayden, Juan Arboleda, Anne McKelvey, Debbie Dunn, Ragan
Krupp, Donald Clifford, Mary Carney, Frank Maiello, Gary
Tam, Roberto Marzano, Frank Shipman, Regis Maygar, Lauren
Zucconi, Mary Hatford, Francis Grimaldi, Mary Paige, Teresa
Polsirelli, Barbara Smith, Joann Monai, Donald Elko, Trent Elko,
Michael Elko, Carol Randolph, Jeanne Bennett, Ruth Cardello,
Gene Parsons, Dale Haidet, Shirley Bridge, Gene Detwiler, Fred
Barlow
Please pray for those in the nursing homes.
Pray for our Armed Forces Personnel overseas
Dan Murray, Steve Cabsky, Joseph Marci, Amanda Outly,
Joshua Outly, Bryan Outly, Jesse Outly, Jason Brown, Andrew
Grazing, Heather Schmitt, Paul Wells, Anthony Torres, Craig
Static, Jason Melbourne, Sherwin Separa, Jesse Catellier, Joseph
McDuffie, Samuel Luke, Michael Walsh, Robert Crowl, Bryan
Calenda, David Barlow, Dylan Traver, Brian Fleming, Wesley
Henry, Marty Martinez, Jonathan Martinez, Bryan Satterwhite,
Capt. Kyle McDermott, John Kinsora, Jason Baker, Nicholas
Owens, Nick Dorros, Josh Grier, Robert Grover, Rory O’Connor,
Shane O’Connor, Alex Ritner, Kyle Mimbs
SOCK SUNDAY—JAN. 3-5, 2015
On the weekend of January 3-5, 2015 (Sock Sunday) we are asking faith communities to collect new
adult size men’s socks and men’s white undershirts for the
homeless. The Brevard Homeless Coalition & United Way
of Brevard, Inc. are sponsoring this effort. The Coalition
volunteers will give out the donated items in an effort to
support the upcoming homeless census in Brevard.
Ascension will have a box in the vestibule of the church
for you to bring your donated items. For information contact Keith Heinly at 631-2740 or [email protected]
Week beginning Monday, December 22, 2014
and ending Sunday, December 28, 2014
Mon. 7:30 am
Tues. 7:30 am
†
†
†
†
Richard Owen
Eugene Cucchiara
Kay Pearson
Eunice Arther
Christmas Eve
Wed. 4:00 pm
6:30 pm
9:00 pm
11:30 pm
† Joey Fluman
† Rick Madden
† Andrew Milmark
† Fr. Dan Freitas
† George Hoffman
† Steven Joseph Goldade II
People of the Parish
Christmas Day
Thurs.9:00 am
11:00 am
Fri.
7:30 am
Sat.
9:00 am
4:30 pm
Sun.
7:30 am
9:30 am
11:30 am
5:30 pm
† Mary Malta
† Flora Ulibairi
† Angelina Passerello
† George Rittinger
† Alvina McCarthy
† Delores Westlund
† Mary Evelyn Eason
† Joseph Varitek
† Judy Kokernak
† Gloria Sayyae
People of the Parish
† Helen Sharpe
† Dick Cross
† Denis Cleary
† Tommy Sidor
† Ginette Boisseau
† John Kinsora
SERVERS’ SCHEDULE – December 27 & 28, 2014
Sat 4:30 pm:
Sun 7:30 am:
Sun 9:30 am:
Sun 11:30 am:
Sun 5:30 pm:
Madison, Reagan & Zach Henry
Jack & Liam Hachmeister
Kensly Jean
Coleman Anderson, Carson Chavez
Jimmy Corcione
Lauren & Michael Rigsby
Lyndsi Graham
Nicole Hogue, Christopher Kelly
Katherine Laird