"What the Lord’s Ascension Means for Us" by Fr. Chris House
May 19, 2023
We are fast approaching the end of the Easter season. It was seven weeks ago that we celebrated the joy of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday and now the Church celebrates the first of two key events in our life of faith: this Sunday with the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord into heaven and the second being Pentecost next Sunday.
What the Lord’s Ascension Means for Us
We are fast approaching the end of the Easter season. It was seven weeks ago that we celebrated the joy of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday and now the Church celebrates the first of two key events in our life of faith: this Sunday with the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord into heaven and the second being Pentecost next Sunday. Acts tells us that Jesus, having revealed his risen glory to his disciples after the Resurrection, returned to his place with the Father in heaven forty days following his resurrection. What does this mean for us some two thousand years later?
The Lord’s Ascension into heaven is the fulfillment of his mission to achieve our salvation; we might use the phrase that he has come “full circle” in his return to the Father. However, there is a marvelous new reality that makes all the difference for us. In his return to the Father, Jesus takes with him our human nature. When he first descended from the Father in the Incarnation, Jesus joined his divinity to our humanity in a bond that was made inseparable in the Resurrection. Jesus’s humanity was and remains real. It was not something that was an illusion nor was it discarded when his earthly ministry was completed. Jesus retains his glorified human nature beyond the boundaries of space and time in heaven. This fact points to the coming reality of the Resurrection of the Just on the last day when not just the soul but also the body will be fully redeemed and the two realities reunited forever in heaven.
Let us not forget the command of the Lord Jesus from Matthew’s Gospel today: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” This great feast of the Ascension reminds us that the Lord Jesus has done his part and, now, we must do ours. We must continue the proclamation of the Kingdom both in word and action. Every aspect of our lives is to point to Christ, crucified and risen, who will come again in glory. Until that day, we, as his disciples, must be about the work of the building up of the Kingdom of God. We cannot be like the disciples following the Ascension simply “standing there and looking at the sky.” The Lord’s Ascension calls us to be a people of action, proclaiming Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of sins and the coming of the Kingdom here and now.
The Lord’s Ascension does not mean that his work on our behalf is over. From his place at the Father’s right hand, the Lord Jesus continues his mission as our intercessor, as the one who continually pleads our cause to the Father. Jesus’s return to heaven also stands as a sign of hope for us that where he has gone we also may follow. We are reminded of both of these truths in the Preface of the Mass for the Ascension in which in the Church prays: “Mediator between God and man, judge of the world and Lord of hosts, he ascended, not to distance himself from our lowly state but that we, his members, might be confident of following where he, our Head and Founder, has gone before.” We are also reminded of the Lord’s abiding presence with us in today’s Gospel, which hopefully strengthens our hope in these on-going pandemic days: “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
CTK Cougars at State for Track
Congratulations to McKenzie Doe, III who took 1st place in both 8th grade boys’ Hurdles and High Jump and congratulations to Abigail Gossett who took 2nd place in 7th grade girls’ 100 Meter Dash and 6th place in the 200 Meter Dash. Congratulations to all of our athletes for a great showing at State!
School’s Out – Congratulations Class of 2023 – Thank you Mrs. Fahey
It was a whirlwind of a week. This past Tuesday we celebrated the graduation of the CTK Class of 2023 and Friday saw the last day of the 2022/2023 school year. Congratulations to our graduates and best wishes for a great summer to all of our students and to our faculty & staff. Finally, this week many have offered tributes to Mrs. Pam Fahey and I would like to offer a special word of thanks to her as she is finishing her last year as principal of our school. I have spoken previously of the excellent job that she has done and how blessed we have been to have her at the helm as principal. In summation, I will simply say this: Pam Fahey has made a difference for children and, in doing so, she has made a difference for our parish, for our community, and for our world. Thank you Mrs. Fahey. Enjoy your retirement and may God bless you abundantly! We will see you in church.
Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!
Father Chris House
Happy 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time! Thank you to everyone who assisted with Fr. Jayke’s Welcome Reception. It was a great time of fellowship welcoming him to Christ the King. He has already been an immense gift to our Parish Family. This weekend in our Gospel, our Lord Jesus reminds us that the cross and discipleship intertwined together. If we want to follow Jesus, we need to embrace the cross. I will preach on this theme at Mass and connected to our new Vision and Mission of our Parish including our Formation events coming up this fall. As I mentioned last weekend, our Parish School experienced unexpected water main leak during the first week of school. We have repaired the immediate needs, and school is back in session. We are working towards a long-term solution for the water main while keeping school in session. This water main issue was certainly an unexpected need, and we decided to begin our School Annual Fund earlier than anticipated to help with the costs. Many people have asked how I can help and the best way to help is to assist with the unexpected costs through the Annual Fund. https://www.ctkcougars.com/support-ctk/annual-fund.cfm If you are interested in joining Pastoral Council, we are looking for 2 new members. More of a description on the Pastoral Council, please see the bulletin. If you are interested, simply submit a letter of interest to Erin by Aug. 31. Term for pastoral council is 2 years with an option for a second term. Finally, Reminder that there will be Candlelight Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament this Sunday, Aug 30, at 7pm. Worship Candlelight Adoration: Aug 30, Oct. 4, Nov. 15, and Dec. 6 @ 7pm Marian Candlelight Masses: Dec 2, 9, 16, and 23 @ 5:30pm Formation Adult Faith Formation Series: Oct. 25, Nov. 1, Nov. 8 after 5pm Mass. Afternoon Sessions to be released soon Family Faith Formation Series: Sept 20, 27, Oct. 4 after 10am Mass Pre-Advent Mission: Nov. 15-16 OCIA: Begins Sept 27 after 5pm Mass Fellowship Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon: Aug 30 after 10 am Mass. In Christ’s Mercy, Fr. Mark Tracy Fr. Mark’s Military Schedule September 11-13 and October 16-18
Happy 21st Sunday of Ordinary Time! Our Gospel today is the foundation for the Papacy. As we know, St. Peter was the first Pope, and every Pope draws their line back to him. St. Paul outside the walls in Rome has portrait of every pope back to St. Peter. Something important to remember about the Office of the Pope is the does not replace Christ Jesus, but rather represents Him. St. Peter is entrusted with the kings (symbol of authority), but he does not create the key or lock. Jesus creates and defines both. Office of the Pope is simply to protect and not change the keys,namely the deposit of faith revealed in Scripture and Tradition. This weekend, we will have a Welcome Reception for Fr. Jayke after 10am Mass. He has been a wonderful addition to Christ the King. Let’s show him a warm welcome as he continues to settle in here at Christ the King. We also will have our Volunteer Luncheon next Sunday on Aug. 30. If you are interested in joining Pastoral Council, we are looking for 2 new members. More a description on the Pastoral Council, please see the bulletin. If you are interested, simply submit a letter of interest to Erin by Aug. 31. Term for pastoral council is 2 years with an option for a second term. Worship Candlelight Adoration–Aug 30, Oct. 4, Nov. 15, and Dec. 6 Marian Candlelight Masses: Dec 2, 9, 16, and 23 Formation Adult Faith Formation Series: Oct. 25, Nov. 1, Nov. 8 after 5pm Mass. Afternoon Sessions to be released soon Family Faith Formation Series: Sept 20, 27, Oct. 4 after 10am Mass Pre-Advent Mission: Nov. 15-16 OCIA: Begins Sept 27 after 5pm Mass Fellowship Fr. Jayke White Welcome Party: Aug 23 after 10am Mass Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon: Aug 30 after 10amMass. Flyer and RSVP coming soon. In Christ’s Mercy, Fr. Mark Tracy Fr. Mark’s Military Schedule September 11-13 and October 16-18
Happy 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time! Our Gospel today is often misinterpreted these days with Jesus been seen as practicing racism towards the Canaanite women. This interpretation though is not recognizing the language of the time. Jesus is making a play on words with the word dog which was often a word used to describe Gentiles, nations not Jewish. Isreal’s mission was to bring the nations (Gentiles) into the covenant. Gentiles were brought into the new covenant though Jesus. The women correctly understood this mission of Jesus and Jesus praises her for her faith and persistence. Next Weekend, we will have a Welcome Reception for Fr. Jayke after 10am Mass. He has been a wonderful addition to Christ the King. Let’s show him a warm welcome as he continues to settle in here at Christ the King. I am excited to announce as part of our stewardship efforts on campus that we be beginning our Centennial Capital Campaign. I never dreamt of doing a campaign in my 2nd year here at Christ the King, but our school windows and lintels are in critical need and need to be replaced next summer. You wil receive information in the coming weeks via mail with more details. My campaign letter is also in this buletin. If you are interested in joining Pastoral Council, we are looking for 2 new members. More a description on the Pastoral Council, please see the buletin. If you are interested, simply submit a letter of interest to Erin by Aug. 24. Term for pastoral council is 2 years with an option for a second term. Worship Candlelight Adoration –Aug 30, Oct. 4, Nov. 15, and Dec. 6 Marian Candlelight Masses: Dec 2, 9, 16, and 23 Formation Adult Faith Formation Series: Oct. 25, Nov. 1, Nov. 8 after 5pm Mass. Afternoon Sessions to be released soon Family Faith Formation Series: Sept 20, 27, Oct. 4 after 10am Mass Pre-Advent Mission: Nov. 15-16 OCIA: Begins Sept 27 after 5pm Mass Fellowship Fr Jayke White Welcome Party: Aug 23 after 10am Mass Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon: Aug 30 after 10am Mass. In Christ’s Mercy, Fr. Mark Tracy Fr. Mark’s Military Schedule August 13-16 and September 11-13
Happy 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time! I am excited to announce as part of our stewardship efforts on campus that we be beginning our Centennial Capital Campaign. I never dreamt of doing a campaign in my 2 year here at Christ the King, but our school windows and lintels are in critical need and need to be replaced next summer. You will receive information in the coming weeks via mail with more details. My campaign letter is also in this bulletin. I want to say thank you to everyone who assisted with the sendoff reception for Dennis Trickey and Colin Taylor. We pray for both as they head back to Seminary. Reminder this weekend, we will have our Annual Missionary Appeal coordinated through our Missions Office. Sr. Catherine will be here Aug 8-9 to share about her Religious and their Mission. She will speak at al Masses right before Mass starts. For more information see the bulletin. We also have blessing of backpacks this weekend at 4:30pm and 10am Masses. Dates are earlier due to my military schedule. For the Volunteer luncheon coming up on Aug 30. This luncheon is simply our way of saying thank you. We will offer a meal after 10am Mass plus a gift. Anyone who volunteers at Christ the King is welcome to attend. Volunteers would include service teams like funeral luncheon team, Altar and Rosary, parish nurses, Good Samatarians, PB & J, auction team, money counters, etc. plus Mass ministries like Choir, Ushers, etc. Please sign-up for food count purposes, sign-up will be released soon. If you are interested in joining Pastoral Council, we are looking for 2 new members. More a description on the Pastoral Council, please see the bulletin. If you are interested, simply submit a letter of interest to Erin by Aug. 24. Term for pastoral council is 2 years with an option for a second term. Worship Candlelight Adoration – Aug 30, Oct. 4, Nov. 15, and Dec. 6 @ 7pm Marian Candlelight Masses: Dec 2, 9, 16, and 23 @ 5:30pm Formation Adult Faith Formation Series: Oct. 25, Nov. 1, Nov. 8 after 5pm Mass . Afternoon sessions to be released soon Family Faith Formation Series: Sept. 20, 27, Oct. 4 after 10am Mass Pre-Advent Mission: Nov. 15-16 OCIA: Begins Sept. 27 Fellowship Fr Jayke White Welcome Party: Aug 23 after 10am Mass Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon: Aug 30 after 10am Mass. Flyer and RSVP coming soon. In Christ's Mercy, Fr. Mark Tracy Fr. Mark’s Military Schedule August 13-16 and September 11-13
Happy 18th Sunday of Ordinary Time! Thank you to everyone who assisted with Dcn. Scott’s Farewell Reception. It was a great time of fellowship as we move into his assignment at St. Boniface in Edwardsville. This weekend, we will have a sendoff reception for Dennis Trickey and Collin Taylor. Dennis will be missed and has been a great gift to Christ the King. He will be back for visits. Collin Taylor is a parishioner and is entering his first year of seminary. We are immensely proud of him and he will be back for visits during seminary breaks. Next weekend, we will have our Annual Missionary Appeal coordinated through our Missions Office. Sr. Catherine will be here Aug 8-9 to share about her Religious and their Mission. She will speak at all Masses right before Mass starts. For more information see the bulletin. Next weekend, we also will have Blessing of the Backpacks at 4:30pm Mass and 10am Mass. We moved the date up due to my military schedule. The Blessing will take place at the end of Mass. For the Volunteer luncheon coming up on Aug 30. This luncheon is simply our way of saying thank you. We will offer a meal after 10am Mass plus a gift. Anyone who volunteers at Christ the King is welcome to attend. Volunteers would include service teams like perishing nursing, Good Samatarians, PB & J, auction team, money counters, etc. plus Mass ministries. Please sign-up for food count purposes, sign-up will be released soon. If you are interested in joining Pastoral Council, we are looking for 2 new members. More a description on the Pastoral Council, please see the bulletin. If you are interested, simply submit a letter of interest to Erin by Aug. 24. Term for pastoral council is 2 years with an option for a second term. We continue our Stewardship this summer with the tuckpointing ongoing, Pre-K HVAC, and Playgrounds. Our new School Annual Fund assisted with some of these projects and raised over $58K. Those projects are finishing up. We also repainted the parking lot lines. We will be doing some maintenance on the Gym Floor over the next 2-3weeks. Worship Candlelight Adoration – Aug 2, Aug 30, Oct. 4, Nov. 15, and Dec. 6 Marian Candlelight Masses: Dec 2, 9, 16, and 23 Formation Adult Faith Formation Series: Oct. 25, Nov. 1, Nov. 8 after 5pm Mass. Afternoon sessions to be released soon Family Faith Formation Series: Sept. 20, 27, Oct. 4 after 10am Mass Pre-Advent Mission: Nov. 15-16 OCIA: Dates to be released soon Fellowship Dennis Trickey and Collin Taylor Send Off: Aug 2 after 10am Mass Fr Jayke White Welcome Party: Aug 23 after 10am Mass Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon: Aug 30 after 10am Mass. Flyer and RSVP coming soon. In Christ’s Mercy, Fr. Mark Tracy Fr. Mark’s Military Schedule August 13-16 and September 11-13
Happy 17th Sunday of Ordinary Time! Our 1st reading today praises the gift of Wisdom. Through the Bible, wisdom is praised as a gift from the Holy Spirit. From the biblical perspective, this gift of the Holy Spirit allows one to understand Divine truths and apply them concretely to their lives. Through this understanding and application, the wise person makes sound decisions through following the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Let us pray then each of us can know the Holy Spirit’s prompts correctly and follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our lives. Reminder, we will be installing the Hearing Loop in the Church on July 28-30. During that time, we will not have access to the Church for Mass, Adoration, and Confessions. I apologize for the inconvenience. We will offer Daily Mass those days at 7am in the Sacred Heart Chapel with no 6:30am confessions. Please use the St. Joseph Choir Door to enter those days. We continue our Stewardship this summer with the tuckpointing ongoing, Pre-K HVAC, and Playgrounds. Our new School Annual Fund assisted with some of these projects and raised over $58K. Those projects are finishing up. We also repainted the parking lot lines. We will doing some maintenance on the Gym Floor over the next 2-3 weeks. Worship Candlelight Adoration – Aug 2, Aug 30, Oct. 4, Nov. 15, and Dec. 6 Marian Candlelight Masses: Dec 2, 9, 16, and 23 Formation Adult Faith Formation Series: this fall after 5pm with meal provided. Dates will be released soon Family Faith Formation Series: 3 sessions coming up this fall after 10am Mass with meal provided Pre-Advent Mission: Nov. 15-16 Fellowship Dcn. Scott Farewell Reception: July 26 after 10am Mass Dennis Trickey and Collin Taylor Send Off: Aug 2 after 10am Mass Fr Jayke White Welcome Party: Aug 23 after 10am Mass Volunteer Appreciate Luncheon: Aug 30 after 10am Mass In Christ’s Mercy, Fr. Mark Tracy Fr. Mark’s Military Schedule August 13-16 and Sepatember 11-13
Happy 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time! Thank you to everyone who assisted with Totus Tuus! It was a great week of worship, formation, and fellowship for our youth. As you can see below, we have some exciting events coming up soon. To assist myself and parish staff with these events, I am excited to announce that Michelle Ofreneo Zata and Amanda Cagwin have hired as Parish Engagement Coordinators. These positions are part-time and they will be coordinated many things including women’s ministry, family formation events, and welcoming new parishioners. I am excited for them as they begin his ministry partnering with me to provide parish engagement opportunities. We will be installing the Hearin Loop in the Church on July 28-30. During that time, we will not have access to the Church for Mass, Adoration, and Confessions. I apologize for the inconvenience. We will offer Daily Mass those days at 7am in the Sacred Heart Chapel. Please use the St. Joseph Choir Door to enter those days. Reminder, that we are doing a new Parish Directory. Sign up information is around Campus and in the bulletin. Please sign up for photos, they are free for the directory. It will be great to have a new one as Fr. Jayke comes on board. We continue our Stewardship this summer with the tuckpointing ongoing, Pre-K HVAC, and Playgrounds. We also will be repainting the parking lot lines. Parking lot needs work, but we do that in due time after several big projects are completed on Campus. Worship Candlelight Adoration – Aug 2, Aug 30, Oct. 4, Nov. 15, and Dec. 6 Marian Candlelight Masses: Dec 2, 9, 16, and 23 Formation Adult Faith Formation Series: this fall after 5pm with meal provided. Dates will be released soon Family Faith Formation Series: 3 sessions coming up this fall after 10am Mass with meal provided Pre-Advent Mission: Nov. 15-16 Fellowship Dcn. Scott Farewell Reception: July 26 after 10am Mass Dennis Trickey and Collin Taylor Send Off: Aug 2 after 10am Mass Fr Jayke White Welcome Party: Aug 23 after 10am Mass Volunteer Appreciate Luncheon: Aug 30 after 10am Mass In Christ’s Mercy, Fr. Mark Tracy Fr. Mark’s Military Schedule July 18-19 and August 13-16
Happy 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time! This weekend, we welcome Fr. Jayke White to our Parish for his 1st Weekend. We will have a Welcome Party for him on Aug 23 after the 10am Mass. We will be installing the Hearing Loop in the Church on July 28-30. During that time, we will not have access to the Church for Mass, Adoration, and Confessions. I apologize for the inconvenience. We will offer Daily Mass those days at 7am in the Sacred Heart Chapel. Please use the St. Joseph Choir Door to enter those days. Reminder, that we are doing a new Parish Directory. Sign up information is around Campus and in the bulletin. Please sign up for photos, they are free for the directory. It will be great to have a new one as Fr. Jayke comes on board. In the bulletin as well, you will see some new funeral policies for our Diocese. They were promulgated by Bishop Paprocki on July 1. Bishop met with all the funeral directors and Pastors of our Diocese this past year to explain the changes. Below you will find worship, formation, and fellowship events coming up. Dates to be released soon! More similar types of events are being planned as well. We continue our Stewardship this summer with the tuckpointing ongoing, Pre-K HVAC, and Playgrounds. We also will be repainting the parking lot lines. Parking lot needs work, but we do that in due time after several big projects are completed on Campus. Worship Candlelight Adoration – dates will be released soon Marian Candlelight Masses: Dec 2, 9, 16, and 23 Formation Adult Faith Formation Series: this fall after 5pm with meal provided. Dates will be released soon Family Faith Formation Series: 3 sessions coming up this fall after 10am Mass with meal provided Pre-Advent Mission: Nov. 15-16 Fellowship Dcn. Scott Farewell Reception: July 26 after 10am Mass Dennis Trickey and Collin Taylor Send Off: Aug 2 after 10am Mass Fr Jayke White Welcome Party: Aug 23 after 10am Mass Volunteer Appreciate Luncheon: Aug 30 after 10am Mass In Christ’s Mercy, Fr. Mark Tracy Fr. Mark’s Military Schedule July 18-19 and August 13-16 Totus Tuus Mass is open to all parishioners 11:15
Happy 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time! I pray you had a wonderful July 4th . Thank you to everyone who assisted with the Farewell Reception for Fr. Alex. It was a great time and great send off for him. He enjoyed his time with the Parish and School. Fr. Jayke White will be here for Masses next weekend, July 11-12. We have another transition happening at Christ the King as well this summer. Dcn. Scott Keen as of July 1 will be assigned as Deacon at St. Boniface Parish in Edwardsville. It is sad to see him go and he will be missed. I am excited for him as well because he will be closer to his son, daughter-in-law, and new grandson. Please keep Johnna and Dcn. Scott in your prayers during their move away from Springfield to be closer to family. Reminder that we are doing a new Parish Directory. Sign up information is around Campus and in the bulletin. Please sign up for photos, they are free for the directory. It will be great to have a new one as Fr. Jayke comes on board. In the bulletin as well, you will see some new funeral policies for our Diocese. They were promulgated by Bishop Paprocki on July 1. Bishop met with all the funeral directors and Pastors of our Diocese this past year to explain the changes. Quick reminder that Totus Tuus is coming up at CTK. The Totus Tuus team will be here July 11-17. They will be with us for Sunday Masses. The team will run junior high and high school program July 12-16 and will run 1 -6 program July 13-17. See flyer in bulletin for more information and to sign up. Finally in coming weeks, I will be releasing some exciting Worship and Formation opportunities that we will be having this fall. Save the Dates July 11-12: Fr. Jayke White first weekend Masses July 26: Dcn. Scott Farewell Reception. He will be preaching 8am and 10am Mass Aug 2: Dennis Trickey Going Away Party and Collin Taylor Send off after 10am Mass Aug 23: Fr Jayke White Welcome Party In Christ's Mercy, Fr. Mark Tracy Military Schedule July 18-19 and August 13-16
This weekend, my last weekend here at Christ the King, I would like to reiterate what I said in my announcement I made back in April. I have so much to be thankful for in the last two years. So many great experiences, lessons, and people. Christ the King is where I came shortly after my ordination and where I have begun to learn the ropes of the priesthood. In that regard, I have to say I am grateful to both Fr. Chris and Fr. Mark for their guidance and example. Above all, I am grateful for all of the relationships I have made in my time here. I am reminded of what Fr. Denis Robinson, OSB, the rector of St. Meinrad Seminary told me at my first Mass. He reminded me to frequently look out to the people in my midst. That is what I have tried to do, and it is what I hope to try to do in the future. I have joked several times in the past few weeks about two things: that there are no people more excited about my move to Effingham than my family and that I used to laugh about priests using the word “bittersweet” when they move to a new assignment. I know the first is true since I will only be about a 30 minute drive from my family. Regarding the second, I can count myself in the number of priests who say moving is bittersweet. Yes, there are many exciting things ahead for both myself and for Christ the King. But it is difficult to move away and say goodbye as well. Which is why I repeat what I have said before. As Christians, we are always united together as the mystical Body of Christ. I will see you in the Eucharist. Rev. Alex McCullough Parochial Vicar Save the Dates June 28: Fr. Alex McCullough Going Away Party after 10am Mass July 11-12: Fr. Jayke White first weekend Masses Aug 2: Dennis Trickey Going Away Party and Collin Taylor Send off after 10am Mass Aug 23: Fr Jayke White Welcome Party Fr. Mark’s Military Schedule July 18-19 and August 13-16
