THIS WEEK AT ASCENSION + September 9, 2020 |
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"Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." - Psalm 96
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This evening, September 9
Commemoration of
Constance and her Companions:
The Martyrs of Memphis
Evening Prayer 6:00 p.m.
Low Mass, 6:30 p.m.
If feasible, this evening's mass will be said
in the church sanctuary.
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Sunday, September 13
15th Sunday after Pentecost
Virtual and In-Person Schedule
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Virtual Worship & Fellowship
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
9:00 a.m. Live-Streamed Mass
10:15 a.m. Virtual Coffee Hour
11:00 a.m. In-Person Mass - Reservation Required:
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The weight of forgiveness, Sona Yeghizaryan, 2020
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Countdown
"It's been a too long time
With no peace of mind
And I'm ready for the times
To get better." - Crystal Gayle
Dear People of Ascension,
Circumstances suggest that my common pastoral message here should give way to nuts and bolts matters pertaining to our return to in-person worship (as well as the continuation of virtual connections) this coming Sunday, September 13. If you just want the facts, scroll down.
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For those in less of a hurry, let me again thank our task force members. For months now, they have been faithful, innovative and hardworking. We believe we will be adequately prepared for Sunday, above all in the realm of appropriate social distancing matters here at the church for our one in-person mass, at 11:00 am.
We are also aware of things left undone, for example systems or communications still in the works or completed needing improvement. We humbly recognize that we are in uncharted territory, that this is a work in progress and that we'd never re-open if we waited for perfection.
I'll do my best in what follows to stick to what I believe may be of most interest to most of you and thank you in advance, again, for your patience and prayers.
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+ Reservations. As is the case today, above, the link to make a reservation will be found in the Sunday Schedule section at or near the top of the newsletter. In this instance, the link to make a reservation is also provided here for the 11:00 a.m. mass on Sunday, September 13. We will only be providing one reservation opportunity each Wednesday, for the one mass on the upcoming Sunday.
- For this Sunday, and until we feel changes are needed, reservations will be taken on a first-come, first served basis.
- If you will be coming to the church with someone else from your immediate household with whom you intend to sit, you may reserve more than one place.
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- If you make a reservation and do not arrive at Ascension by 10:55 a.m. on a Sunday, your seat may be given to someone else. Please consider canceling your reservation if you learn that you will be unable to attend after all.
- Those without the technology to make reservations online may call the church office from 2:30-3:00 p.m. Wednesdays or 9:00 a.m. to Noon on Thursdays.
- We assume there may be more demand than capacity. In other words not everyone who would like to attend mass will be able to. Health guidance will not allow us to provide more seats. A limited pool of volunteers will not allow us to add more masses at this time. The reservation system will tell you the remaining number of seats for a scheduled mass. The system will indicate '0' when there are no remaining seats. We cannot provide a waiting list at this time.
- Please keep abreast of the newsletter for changes in protocols and schedules.
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+ When you arrive ...
- Please bring a mask and wear it as you near the church and everywhere inside the building at all times. One exception: when you receive Communion.
- Enter only through the garden gates and garden parish house entrance. This pertains to all: clergy, organist, altar ministers and other volunteers.
- You will be screened upon entering. Your name will be checked against our reservation system. You will be asked a few questions of the kind we are all familiar with by now from other public places. Your temperature will be taken.
- Normal entry through the parish house doors will proceed through Wheeler Hall, the narthex, and into the church.
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+ Think of the Sunday bulletin as your guidebook ... It will include additional information with diagrams about seating, Communion, how to make your way to a restroom if needed, and more. Please preview the bulletin here.
+ Remember that Virtual Worship and fellowship also continue, in the event that, for whatever reason, you are unable or choose not to take part in in-person worship. See the full Sunday schedule at the top of the newsletter.
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In-Person Flowers!
Yes, there will be flowers on the altar for our return to in-person masses, and we'll be needing an in-person flower guild to be revived and contributions to purchase the flowers. To dedicate flower arrangements, please contact Br. Nathanael in the Ascension church office.
High Altar-$50 Mary shrine - $30
St. Michael Shrine - $30
Our Lady of Walsingham shrine - $30
The Flower Guild also welcomes volunteers to purchase (you will be reimbursed) and arrange flowers for each week on a rotating basis with other volunteers. It is a fun and rewarding way to serve God and His church. Please contact me to get involved or ask a question. (My name below is hyperlinked to my email.)
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Update on the Bishop Search
What would you like to ask the bishop candidates?
Some of us may have lost track of the search for the 13th Bishop of the Diocese of Chicago. Though slowed by the pandemic, the search committee has persevered. An Electing Convention that will be virtual is now scheduled for Saturday, December 12.
Virtual 'candidate conversations' are now being scheduled for November 5-7 and November 12-14. All diocesan clergy have been welcomed to suggest questions for the candidates. If you have in mind questions that you imagine may represent the interests of Ascension, please share them with me.
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Above: the 12 first Bishops of the Diocese of Chicago |
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A date for a requiem mass and committal in the Ascension columbarium for Sr. Barbara Louise, OSA, who entered God' rest August 11, has been set for Friday, Oct. 2, 11 a.m. Seating will be limited and will partly be determined by the Order of St. Anne guest list (if I may call it that). More exact and reliable details will be shared when available as the date nears.
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A date for a requiem mass and committal in the Ascension columbarium for former parishioner John Mulcare, who died March 17, has been set for Saturday, October 3, at 11:00 a.m. Seating will be limited and will partly be determined by the family's guest list (if I may call it that). More exact and reliable details will be shared when available as the date nears.
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I publish the Banns of Marriage between Bonnie Scott and Joseph 'Joey' Keegin, who will be joined in Holy Matrimony on September 19. I bid your prayers for them and their marriage. If any of you know cause, or just impediment, why these two persons should not be joined together in Holy Matrimony, you are to declare it. This is the second time of asking. |
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“I publish the Banns of Marriage between Paloma McDonnell and Trevor Peterson, who will be joined in Holy Matrimony on September 26. I bid your prayers for them and their marriage. If any of you know cause, or just impediment, why these two persons should not be joined together in Holy Matrimony, you are to declare it. This is the second time of asking.
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Yes, but what are the 'Banns of Marriage'?
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Dear friends,
I participated in this project at Orchestra Hall in 2017, and it was an unforgettable experience.
Peace,
Benjamin
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Sunday's Organ Repertoire |
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Opening Voluntary
Versets on Wie schön leuchtet [2020]
WORLD PREMIERE
Tom Mueller (b. 1985)
At the Offertory
Imrprovisation on LAUDES DOMINI
At the Communion
Imrprovisation on WERDE MUNTER
Closing Voluntary
Versets on Wie schön leuchtet [2020]
Tom Mueller
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I regret having to remind you that visits to Ascension, other than for urgent or essential matters or for brief personal devotion in the church, are to be avoided. Any (other) visit should be arranged in advance with Br. Nathanael Rahm Thank you for your understanding. |
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Due to COVID-19, Church of the Ascension’s Treasurer and Bookkeeper are limiting the amount of time they spend working in the parish offices. All checks received at Ascension via the United States Postal Service, not always a reliable service in our area, will be bank deposited approximately every 4-6 weeks. They will next be here Tuesday, September 8, for several hours beginning by 10 a.m. You may contact the Treasurer by email anytime at Finance@AscensionChicago.org.
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Ascension Connections
Below
(with your click and God's help)
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Meeting ID:
792 031 7452
Password: 1133
Join-by-Phone Option: (312) 626-6799
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Weekly Ascension Schedule
For connections:
via Zoom (click here)
except for Morning Prayer,
via Facebook (click here).
SUNDAYS
8:30 a.m. Virtual Morning Prayer
9:00 a.m. Live-Streamed Mass
10:15 a.m. Virtual Coffee Hour
11:00 a.m. in-person mass
MONDAY-FRIDAY
6:10 p.m. Evening Prayer via Zoom
WEDNESDAYS
6:30 p.m. Low Mass
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Yes, but I still haven't Zoomed ... |
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Please give generously as you are able.
Treasurer Susan Schlough has asked me to remind you of Ascension's ongoing expenses at this time. To the extent that you are able, payment on your pledges or the offering of Holy Day or other special gifts will be greatly appreciated. You may still write a check and mail it to the church, or online payment is possible through the buttons at various places on our website. Thank you!
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For our prayers: Charley Taylor, August 'Augie' Alonzo, Jim Berger, Ethel Martin, Dean Pineda,Charlene MacDougal, Jim Lo Bello, Marty Stenson, Jessica, Maxim, Ted Long, Ken Kelling, David Byerly, Leigh McDonald, Bonnie Joseph, Catriana Patriarca, Robert Devens, Richard Laibly, Tony Payne, Nicholas Carl, Sara, the Howard family, Susan, Owen Raymond, Diane Burnett, Sandra, Rhea, Beth Hall
In Thanksgiving
Birthdays: Edward Minieka, 9/8; Timothy Kowalski, 9/10; John Lawler, 9/14;
David Schrader, 9/15; Chris Raymond, 9/15; Marilyn Evans, 9/18; Christian Lopac, 9/19
Requiescat in pace: James Albert FitzSimmons, 9/10/1991; Victims of the 2001 Terrorist Attacks
Mary Holl-Hazen, 9/14; Fr. Robert P Taylor, 9/16; Annamae Drury, 9/16; John Simmons, 9/16;
Fr. John J. Kobus, 9/17
Prayers for the departed: Mary Lou Devens, 8/5/2020; Sr. Barbara Louise OSA, 8/11/2020;
James Govis 8/12/2020; Mike Lazos, 8/16/2020; Michael Shamie, 8/24/2020
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them;
May their souls and the souls of all the departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
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Among the 'companions' of Constance to be commemorated at this evening's mass was the Rev. Louis Schuyler. Some of you will know that the gold crucifix facing LaSalle Drive on the outside west wall of the church is a memorial to Fr. Schuyler given by Ascension Rector Fr. Edward Larrabee. I was unaware until recently that Fr. Schuyler visited Church of the Ascension on at least one occasion, in June 1877, for a preaching mission led by the Cowley Fathers of Boston. Below is an account written by a fellow priest, a Rev. Dr. Dalzell, who met Fr. Schuyler upon his arrival in Memphis, Tennessee, where he had gone to care for victims of the Yellow Fever, and where he later died from it (fifteen months after his visit to Ascension). - Fr. Raymond +
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"That day I shall never forget. The Sister Constance lay dying, and Sister Thecla hopelessly ill, in St. Mary's House, while another member of the household was just rallying from a severe attack of the fever. After hours of labour in different portions of the city, and witnessing scenes that filled me with horror, and made me realize that we were breathing an atmosphere of the most deadly poison, I had gone to the Sisters' House to pay a last visit there for the day. It was near seven o'clock, when, as I stepped from my buggy, a young Clergyman came hurriedly ... and, with a very gentle manner and winning smile, extended his hand, with the words, ' This is Dr. Dalzell?' ' Yes,' I said; 'and, my dear young brother, who are you, and where have you come from?' His reply, given in a low tone, while his lip trembled with emotion, was, ' My name is Schuyler; I am from New Jersey, and have come to render such assistance as I can in this dreadful time … I asked him if he was related to my friend, Dr. Schuyler, of St. Louis. 'He is my father,' he replied, and a tear started to his eye as he gave the answer, 'and I am so glad that you and he are friends, as it will be a comfort to him to know that I am with you.' I then asked him if he had ever seen Yellow-Fever, and if he realized the risk he ran in coming to Memphis. To my dismay I found that he was utterly unacclimated, and that he had come, not as many others had come, with the hope, if not assurance, that he should escape, but as the brave soldier leads the forlorn-hope, knowing that all the chances were against him, but with a burning desire to help the suffering, to work while his strength lasted, and then give his life cheerfully for CHRIST'S sake and the Church. This, my first conversation with him, impressed me with the conviction that he had come to die, and that he knew it; but had come in a spirit of the noblest self-devotion, counting the cost, and cheerfully willing to pay it. He seemed to be filled with a holy enthusiasm; an ardent desire to begin his work at once; and a readiness to endure all that the situation called for.”
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The Very Rev. Patrick Raymond, Rector
Susan Schlough, Treasurer
Br. Nathanael Deward Rahm BSG, Parish Office
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