Here you can find this Sunday's Readings, songs and hymns chosen by our music ministers, Father's homily, some petitions for us to offer together to God, the Spiritual Communion Prayer and a prayer for during this pandemic. If you are looking for something more, try these resources:
First Reading Acts of the Apostles 1:1-11
Dear Theophilus: In my first book I wrote about all the things that Jesus did and taught from the time he began his work until the day he was taken up to heaven. Before he was taken up, he gave instructions by the power of the Holy Spirit to the men he had chosen as his apostles. For forty days after his death he appeared to them many times in ways that proved beyond doubt that he was alive. They saw him, and he talked with them about the Kingdom of God. And when they came together, he gave them this order: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift I told you about, the gift my Father promised. John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
When the apostles met together with Jesus, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time give the Kingdom back to Israel?” Jesus said to them, “The times and occasions are set by my Father’s own authority, and it is not for you to know when they will be. But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After saying this, he was taken up to heaven as they watched him, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
They still had their eyes fixed on the sky as he went away, when two men dressed in white suddenly stood beside them and said, “Galileans, why are you standing there looking up at the sky? This Jesus, who was taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way that you saw him go to heaven.”
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9 – God mounts His throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
Second Reading Ephesians 1:17-23
Brothers and Sisters: May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, give you the Spirit, who will make you wise and reveal God to you, so that you will know him. I ask that your minds may be opened to see his light, so that you will know what is the hope to which he has called you, how rich are the wonderful blessings he promises his people, and how very great is his power at work in us who believe. This power working in us is the same as the mighty strength which he used when he raised Christ from death and seated him at his right side in the heavenly world. Christ rules there above all heavenly rulers, authorities, powers, and lords; he has a title superior to all titles of authority in this world and in the next. God put all things under Christ’s feet and gave him to the church as supreme Lord over all things. The church is Christ’s body, the completion of him who himself completes all things everywhere.
Gospel Matthew 28:16-20
The eleven disciples went to the hill in Galilee where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him, even though some of them doubted. Jesus drew near and said to them, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age.”
Homily for the Ascension of the Lord 2020
Before Jesus is taken up to heaven, he assures us that he will remain with us always. With faith in his word, let us offer our prayers for the needs of all people.
For leaders of the church, that they continue to carry out Jesus’ commission to bring the Gospel to the ends of the earth, we pray: Risen Lord, hear our prayer.
For those in elected office, that they be granted wisdom and discernment in making decisions for the common good, we pray: Risen Lord, hear our prayer.
For those who suffer from COVID-19 and those most at risk of contracting the virus, that they receive the care and compassion to restore them to health, we pray: Risen Lord, hear our prayer.
For all those who experience the adverse effects of this pandemic in many different ways, including the unemployed, the homeless, farmers, business owners, the lonely, and so many others in our country and throughout the world, we pray: Risen Lord, hear our prayer.
For those who are on the front lines fighting this coronavirus, as they work to provide health care and daily support that help sustain us all in this crisis, we pray: Risen Lord, hear our prayer.
For all graduates in the Class of 2020, that they know of our tremendous pride in their accomplishments, and of our desire that they will achieve success in pursuing those goals they seek for their future, we pray: Risen Lord, hear our prayer.
For our faith community, that each of us may be blessed with wisdom, love and hope to be effective witnesses to others of the joy and consolation of our faith, we pray: Risen Lord, hear our prayer.
For Fred & Betty LineBarger, June & Kenneth Palm, Rev. John Borley, Shirley Gassmann, Patrick Anglin, Roger Bahl, Daisy Stabenow, Marge Larson, The Beaves & Eisbach Families, Mary Makovec, Gary Anglin, and all who have died, that they know the fullness of joy with God in the heavenly kingdom, we pray: Risen Lord, hear our prayer.
God of our salvation, your Son Jesus ascended to sit at your right hand. Hear our prayers today that all may come to know your merciful love and care living in the light of your presence. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
Holy Virgin of Guadalupe,
Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas.
We turn to you today as your beloved children.
We ask you to intercede for us with your Son,
as you did at the wedding in Cana.
Pray for us, loving Mother,
and gain for our nation and world,
and for all our families and loved ones,
the protection of your holy angels,
that we may be spared the worst of this illness.
For those already afflicted,
we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance.
Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful,
wipe away their tears and help them to trust.
In this time of trial and testing,
teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be patient and kind.
Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts.
We come to you with confidence,
knowing that you truly are our compassionate mother,
health of the sick and cause of our joy.
Shelter us under the mantle of your protection,
keep us in the embrace of your arms,
help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus. Amen.