From Our Pastor: The Ascension of the Lord

This weekend we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord. In most of the dioceses in the United States they move the solemnity to Sunday. The Ascension of the Lord is on a Thursday in the rest of the world and is a Holy Day of Obligation. Today we celebrate the moment that Jesus Ascended into heaven. This is a great feast for us, for Christ’s Ascension shows that one day where He goes, we can follow! His Ascension is great news for us that we will have human bodies in heaven; not just souls floating around, but resurrected bodies. Let us then go and tell the whole world the good news of following Christ, and call all to baptism as He commands us.

This weekend, on Saturday, we ordained two new priests for the Diocese of Springfield in IL. That is why we had no Mass or confessions on Saturday morning. Pray for these men and pray for more to follow. By the time you read this article they will be Fr. Zachary Samples and Fr. Paul Lesupati. We rejoice at this gift to our diocese. Also, reminder that there is a Mass in Calvary Cemetery on Monday, Memorial Day, at 9 a.m.! To encourage people to go, please notice the Mass schedule here at St. Francis. Please come and pray for those who have served our country, and especially those who have lost their lives in that service. Bring a chair with you. If there is bad weather, the Mass will be moved to Blessed Sacrament. Come join us!

-Rev. Steven Arisman