OUR MISSION:

Ascension Catholic Church is a vibrant, Franciscan-inspired Christian community dedicated to proclaiming the Gospel through word, worship, and service. 

Message from the Pastor
Dear Parishioners;
How are you doing?  I know for many, the isolation has been difficult, and as we start interacting more fully, there is some real social anxiety.  Be assured that during this transition time of re-entering the world, Ascension is going to work hard at making sure those who need more space to feel comfortable during the transition have it.  During the height of the pandemic, a doctor from our parish remarked, “Ascension is probably the safest place I go.”
For over a year, with the goals of protecting the vulnerable, seeking the common good, the pastoral care of the people of God, and other motivations, Archbishop Sample has dispensed the Catholic faithful from the Sunday obligation of attending Mass.  That ended this week.  The Sunday obligation is the way we say as a Church that worship of God and the life as a community are essential to what it means to be a Catholic.  As Vatican II reminds us, the Eucharist is the Source and Summit of our faith.”  Of course, when we are sick or as a caregiver cannot leave the sick alone, we are always dispensed from the Sunday Obligation.  We can also ask for a dispensation from our pastor for other reasons.  The archbishop’s letter pastoral explanation can be read online www.archdpdx.org.
During this time of dispensation, it’s been a blessing to be reminded of the efficacy of an act of Spiritual Communion (something we can do throughout every day): we make ourselves open to and united with God, wow!  Praying the prayer of Spiritual Communion has also been an invitation to deeper faith in the Eucharist; one parishioner said, “It’s been a call to conversion to say, ‘I desire to receive you above all things.’ I had to ask myself, ‘Really?’”  Thankfully, we can receive Him in the Holy Eucharist now every day, but we want to do so with the same disposition of faith and devotion we experienced in the Spiritual Communion.  
In a crisis, someone has to make a decision, then, with time and more data, the plan can be adjusted.  The archbishop and others have done and continue to do their best.  It’s unrealistic to ask for anything more than their best.  He himself has shared his sorrow about how some of the decisions played out and expressed he would have done things differently if he had had that knowledge.  
Regularly, folks have asked me, “When did we start celebrating Mass again?”  I say, “We’ve never stopped celebrating Mass, but we’ve had Mass open to the public since July 2020.” I’ll be honest, I sometimes want to ask, “Where have you been and why didn’t you know that?”  But I’m just happy to see folks coming back to worship in person and receive the Lord.  If you need Confession before receiving the Eucharist, again, it’s available every Tuesday from 6-7:30PM, after weekday noon Mass (just ask me), or by appointment.  I will make myself available before Mass on Sunday for July, but, please, come prepared and be aware that there will not be time for advice.
This weekend is the first weekend, where the dispensation has been rescinded.  We’ll see how it goes. To be clear: We, as Catholics, are obliged to attend Mass in person every Sunday.  Or as we say in Spanish, To keep holy the Lord’s Day and Feasts by attending Mass.  
I look forward to welcoming some of you back for the first time.  You are free to wear a mask at Mass and will see many staff and others doing the same.  
 
Much love and grace to you.
In Christ Jesus,
 
 
Fr. Jaspers

Create an atmosphere of reverence,  beauty and prayerfulness in your home near your screen for Mass. Place candles, bible, rosary, crucifix, sacred statues in your prayer space.

Involve your family, especially the little ones, with lighting candles, setting a table cloth, processing with a Crucifix or passing a collection basket.

Practice Patience and Flexibility. This is a challenging time for all of us. God is present with us wherever we are and continues to call us in new ways.
Remember that distractions are normal at Church and at home.

Pray for a strengthening of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Stay Connected. We are striving to  ensure that everyone is connected to someone at the Ascension Parish. Consider connecting to a small group either virtually or in person. Some Groups already have leaders and are ready to welcome you:
Social Concerns, Cooking Group, Women's Group, Monday Food Box Service Group, Rahab's Sisters Friday Night Service Group, St. Vincent de Paul Service Group, Social Concerns Coordination Team, Retired Persons Phone Tree Group.  If there is a group you would like to help be responsible for, contact Sharon Grigar at the Parish Office.

If you are unable to attend Mass in person, please consider giving online and continuing to help out with your weekly offering. Please follow the link below. https://onrealm.org/ascensionpdx/give/now
You may also mail in your weekly contribution to:
Ascension Church • 743 SE 76th Ave •  Portland, OR  97215

Considere donar en linea y continue ayudando con su ofrenda semanal. Por favor, haz "click" en https://onrealm.org/ascensionpdx/give/now
También puedes enviar tu contribución semanal por correo a:  
Ascension Church • 743 SE 76th Ave •  Portland, OR  97215

Outdoor Mass and Picnic for our entire Ascension Community.
11am at Berrydale Park at SE 92nd Ave and Taylor St.
Sunday August 1st
All Community Mass Begins at 11:00am. No other Masses at the church on Sunday, August 1st. Join us at the park!
Followed by a Picnic.
Church will provide hot dogs and the fixins’, water, plates and utensils
Bring your own side dishes for your family
Bring Lawn chairs or Picnic Blankets
Look for Reserved Seating for Seniors only.

Fr. David Jaspers
Pastor

743 SE 76th Ave.
Portland, OR 97215-2299
(503) 256-3897
(503) 257-4681 (fax)

Click here for map and directions