Worship
Many years ago, Ascension parish launched these ministries in response to a funeral that was poorly attended. The community felt called to honor the deceased, and to support the survivors. The parish offers support to the families before, during and after the funerals. We offer help in planning a funeral liturgy that we hope will be spiritually enriching. The members attend the funerals to acknowledge the loss of a member of our community. Each November, we hold a Memorial Mass to remember those who have died during the previous year, and periodically we offer grief support literature and lists of support groups and counselors available.
A ministry to children in grades K though 5. Children participating at the 11:00 Sunday Mass form a procession and go to a specially arranged chapel in the school building to hear the Word of God proclaimed and a homily delivered in a way that is appropriate to the developmental level. The ministry needs adults willing to be trained to preside at this children’s prayer service and preach to the children. It also needs adults who would be willing to assist with music.
When we, as church and individuals, seek to become the body of Christ, we are called to ministries of service and love. One such ministry is the service of the Eucharistic Ministers. Eucharistic Ministers distribute communion to the Parish community at Mass and to the homes of those not able to attend our Sunday Eucharistic celebration. Diocesan training for Eucharistic Ministers is offered in the fall and spring and is followed by simple training session at Ascension and commissioning ceremony before the church community.
Serving as a lector is a rewarding way to participate in the Mass. By reading the designated Scriptures and the prayers of petition at Mass, a lector brings the Word of God to life. Lectors are supplied workbooks to help them prepare for the reading and are encouraged to read the footnotes to set the mood. Lectors serve on a rotating basis with fellow lectors. If you are not able to commit to a schedule, substitute lectors are also needed and appreciated.
An organization of Eucharistic Ministers has been established to take Communion to the home-bound, due to illness or recent hospitalization. A weekly visit is also made to the Aristocrat Nursing Home. The minister and recipient determine a workable schedule for the time and visit, mostly after a weekend Mass. This is usually a temporary ministry, concluded when the recipient returns to Mass. The need is greater in the winter when travel is more difficult.
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