We have entered the last week of the great season of Easter! This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. Not even the New Testament is consistent in dating the Ascension as an event in time, so the variance in dates around the world for the feast need not cause scandal. Although we typically think this day commemorates an event 40 days after Easter that chronology exists only in Acts of the Apostles. In the gospels, even in Luke's gospel, the Ascension appears to have taken place much earlier, even on Easter Day. The original ending to Mark's gospel did not include the Ascension at all, and it can only be inferred from Matthew's conclusion. Today's solemnity is rooted in the mission of Jesus Christ. Those left behind following his glorious Ascension into heaven must carry on his mission. Jesus will guide his disciples through the Holy Spirit, which the Father has sent in his absence, until he returns in glory at the end of time.

At the beginning of all of the Masses this weekend, we welcome the new members of our community since last January through a special Litany of Welcome, "You Belong To Us." The litany all serves as a wonderful reminder that we are all welcome to seek mercy, act justly and walk humbly to the Lord's Table.

Congratulations to all of our 2012 Graduates! Whether you are graduating from High School, College, Preschool, or earned an MBA we recognize your accomplishments and bless your achievements.

Next weekend, we celebrate the great feast of Pentecost, the birthday of the Church and the end of the Easter season. I would like to continue the tradition of having the Gospel read or signed in as many different languages as possible. If you are fluent in a language other than English and would like to assist with the proclamation of the Good News, please let me know. This is an excellent opportunity for High School students to share your foreign language study with the rest of the community. It is also a wonderful opportunity to wear RED as a sign that we have been sealed in the Holy Spirit and are sent to proclaim the Good News to all creation. Also if you would like to share your patio planters with your summer flowers for our Pentecost environment, please give the parish office a call. They may be dropped off on or before Friday, May 25 and picked up any time after the 10:00 Mass on Sunday, June 12.

Thank you to all who have returned their 2012 Catholic Services Appeal pledge envelopes. To date we received $58,000 in cash and pledges which represents 80% of our parish goal of $71,400. The Catholic Services Appeal is more than just another collection. It is the way by which we share in the work of our Archdiocese and the mission of the Church. Our work is provides for the education and formation of 68 seminarians, supports our Archdiocesan mission in Venezuela and Catholic Charities programs and sustains our own ministries through the parish rebate we receive on all your donations to the Appeal. The Appeal is now in the "follow-up" phase, so if you have not yet made your gift, please do so as soon as possible, either in the mail or collection basket. No gift is too small. If you are new to the community or cannot find your original pledge envelope, there are extra pledge envelopes available at the Information Desk in the Gathering Space. "Many are the promises of God."

Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of the summer season which marks a couple of changes in our worship and office hour schedule. Next Sunday, May 27, marks the beginning of our Summer Sunday Mass Schedule. Masses will be at 8:30 am and 10:00 am. Saturday Mass will continue to be held at 5:00 pm. The weekday Mass schedule will remain the same. Again this year, the parish center and office will be open until 12:00 noon on Fridays, Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends.

ALLELUIA !!!

Fr. Mark