The Solemnity of the Ascension

06-01-2025Letter from the PastorFr. Don Kline, V.F.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

This Sunday, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, which is something that is beyond comprehension. First, Our Lord triumphs over death and sin through His resurrection and now we celebrate His glorious ascension to the Father! With all that in mind, one can forget the important words that Our Lord left us before His return to Heaven. Jesus entrusted His disciples with a mission to spread the Gospel. In this great commission, Our Lord invites all to believe in Him and join Him in the of work of going “into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mk. 16:15-16).

The gift of eternal life grows within us even now. Your acceptance of and participation in making disciples reveals the Kingdom of God to those who may otherwise never know of God’s love. In that great commission from Our Lord and through our baptism, we are invited into the very life of God. St. John tells us in Sacred Scripture: “Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ” (Jn. 17:3). Jesus Christ calls us to offer Him our love through our faith, which began in baptism, was revealed in Sacred Scripture and strengthened by the Body and Blood of Jesus in the Eucharist. You are loved and sent by the Lord to proclaim the Gospel of Our Lord. The Kingdom of God is near.

The First Communions and Confirmations for our young people have already concluded, and 45 of our children now have the great blessing of receiving Jesus in the Eucharist and the gifts of the Holy Spirit in Confirmation. What a great grace! I want to invite children to consider serving Our Lord at Holy Mass. Young men are invited to join the Knights of the Altar and the young girls always bless our parish as part of the children’s choir. I am grateful to God for all the help and service our young people have provided to the parish. We are blessed beyond words. I invite parents to encourage their children to participate in these great ministries.

Next Sunday, God willing, we will be welcoming 23 members of our parish family into full communion in the Catholic Church. We hope to have half of them come to the 10:00 AM Mass and the other half join us at the 5:00 PM Mass on Pentecost Sunday. This arrangement is contingent on the bishop granting your pastor the faculties to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation which is typically done by the bishop of the diocese. However it happens, we are grateful to God for these men and women who have heard the voice of Our Lord calling them to follow Him more closely as a fully initiated disciples in the Catholic Church. Well done good and faithful servants!

I am especially giving thanks to God for the members of the OCIA team. I am grateful to God for Mr. Patrick Klein who has been helping our young people grow in the faith and leading families closer to Christ. His enthusiasm and hard work bless many families. I am also grateful for the strong and loving leadership of Mrs. Shirley Smalley and Deacon Peter Auriemma, as well as the amazing catechists who are there week after week mentoring and loving our brothers and sisters.

May God continue to bless our parish and our world with good and faithful disciples who will in turn help others to become disciples of Our Lord Jesus.

God Bless,

Fr. Don Kline, Pastor