The following are some reflections on today’s three readings.
First Reading: Seeing as God Sees
The first reading is a great lesson on seeing as God sees. Samuel thinks that God’s choice of a new king to suc-ceed Saul is surely not the young and inexperienced David. But God says to Samuel: “Do not judge from appearances…. Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the Lord looks into the heart.”
In our society today, we so often judge by appearances. Often, appearance and presentation are everything. We are told to “dress for success.” That may be the way of the world, but it is not God’s way. God is totally disin-terested in appearances. His interest is in what resides in the heart. God sees that David has a good heart and chooses him as king. As we all know, David is far from perfect. He commits adultery and then plans to have Uriah and others killed to cover up his sin. But God con-tinues to believe in David because David repents of his sin (Psalm 50 is his Act of Contrition). Commenting on the first reading, Patricia Sanchez writes:
Albert Einstein did not speak until he was four and could not read until age seven. His teacher called him “mentally slow and adrift in foolish dreams.” Rodin’s father described his son as an “idiot.” His uncle called the sculptor uneducable and Rodin failed three times to gain admittance to art school. Beethoven’s teacher called him “hopeless” as a composer. Winston Church-ill, who became Prime Minister of England at 62, failed sixth grade. After a lifetime of defeats and setbacks, he began to achieve some success only as a senior citizen. Rudyard Kipling’s work was rejected by the San Fran-cisco Examiner newspaper with the comment, “You just don’t know how to use the English language.” When George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess was first performed, a reviewer called it “sure-fire rubbish.” Dr. Seuss’s first children’s book was rejected by 27 publishers. This list of so-called “losers” who surprised their detractors
with their stunning successes could go on and on. Those judging them didn’t see as God’s sees.
Second Reading: Live as Children of the Light
In the second reading—often seen as a homily to the newly baptized—Paul exhorts his hearers to put aside “fruitless works of darkness” and to live as children of the light. The Sacrament of Reconciliation gives us Catholics the opportunity to name and face our deeds of darkness and be forgiven for them, and to begin to walk again as children of the light. (See next page for more on the Sacrament of Reconciliation.)
Gospel: Movement from Darkness to Light
This powerful Gospel opens with the disciples asking Jesus: “Who sinned, the blind man or his parents?” Jesus answers: “Neither”—thus rejecting the strong tra-ditional belief that if bad fortune came one’s way, it must be because he/she had sinned. But that belief lin-gers on today. People often ask: “What have I done wrong to deserve this tragedy?” The answer is “Nothing” (though a qualifier may be added that we can do stupid things that may have terrible consequences.) In this world of darkness and light, bad things happen to good people. In God’s plan, he wants to use unfortunate situations like blindness to show forth the glory of God. We see this happening in today’s Gospel.
Jesus anoints the blind man and tells him to go wash in the pool of Siloan. He is healed. The anointing and washing are two powerful baptismal symbols. Baptism washes away the darkness of sin and fills us with the light of faith. At Baptism, we are anointed for service just as David was anointed in today’s first reading.
After the healing, we notice two movements, one into the light and the other into the darkness. Gradually, the formerly blind man moves into the light of faith. Initial-ly, he simply calls Jesus “that man.” Then he calls him a “prophet.” Finally, like the woman at Jacob’s Well, he sees that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. If the man had not been born blind, he may never have met Jesus or received the gift of faith, which has given him spiritual vision for the rest of his life. In this story, the blind man symbolizes all who gradually come to faith, overcoming obstacles along the way. He also symboliz-es all who experience ostracization because of their belief in Christ.
Seeing as God Sees
Lenten Penance Service this Monday
My Writings on our Parish Website
Reflection Questions
Do we tend to judge people by appearances? Do we have a hard time accepting that God can use people who commit terrible sins and even crimes? How easy or hard would it be for us to listen to someone who was in jail for years for some crime? Remember President Nixon’s counsel, Chuck Colson, often called Nixon’s “Hatchet man”? Christ touched his heart and he became a very successful Evangelist, especially for all who were and are in jail.
Page 3 FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT A March 26, 2017
The second movement in the story is the movement into the darkness of unbelief. We see this sad story happen-ing with the Pharisees who, given their background, should have recognized Jesus. Instead, they harden their hearts against him and call him a “sinner.” The Pharisees represent all who think they have faith just because they have a “head knowledge” of their religion. Application to our lives
Who are we in this story? We may be a mixture of all the characters in the story. Like the man born blind, we too were born spiritually blind and ignorant of God. Gradually, with the help of God and others, we received the light of faith.
Like the disciples, we too may believe that bad things happen to us because we are sinners. Like the blind man’s parents, we too may distance ourselves from a family member or friend who has a conversion experi-ence. They now may make us feel uncomfortable.
Like the Pharisees, we may be “know-it-alls”—coming to church on Sundays but with closed hearts. We may have closed our hearts to a particular priest or deacon because there’s something in him that rubs us the wrong way. Jesus said to the Pharisees: “It is because you say you see, that it is why I call you blind.” Wow! That’s a line worth pondering. If we think we see, we can be sure we are blind and hard-hearted. If we gladly admit our spiritual blindness, we will most likely be blessed with spiritual sight.
Finally, it is said that some of us “prefer the evil (darkness) we know to the good we do not know.” For example, we may be in denial about some problem in our personal lives or in our home. It could be a drug or alcohol addiction of a family member, a grief issue or a marital problem. We prefer to stay in the darkness than face the pain involved in moving into the light. Christ’s desire is to massage our eyes open, take us by the hand, and lead us into the truth and freedom of his light.
Lenten Penance Service Monday, March 27, 4:00pm and 7:00pm
The Sacrament of Reconciliation can also be called the sacrament of God’s mercy. Pope Francis says: “God never gets tired of forgiving us but we get tired of asking for his mercy.”
Sadly, all too many Catholics have given up coming to this Sacrament. If you are one of them, I urge you to return. Jesus is waiting to receive you. Allow him to wipe away all your sins: the ones you are aware of, the ones you have forgotten, and the ones you are not even aware of. Often we are blind to sin in our life, partially because we have forgotten that sin is not only the wrong we may have done, but also the good we could have done.
My writings on the parish website—for those who may be unaware of this resource
For all who are unaware, I have the following writings on our parish website:
28 four-page articles on the Catechism of the Catholic Church (can be used for personal or small group use)
Commentaries and reflections on the Sunday readings (used by many small groups throughout the country) 20 articles on Church History, three of which are on
American Church History Commentaries on all 46 Books of the Old Testament.
Here you will find three levels of articles. A step-by-step explanation of the Mass Treasury of Prayers. In this part of the website I have
gathered together about 55 beautiful prayers from many different people.
Other articles on miscellaneous topics such as Dealing with Loss, Anger, Guilt, Fear and much more.
I would appreciate it if you let your friends know about these resources. If you live elsewhere, please tell your pastor about these resources. Have a blessed week,
committed to maintaining a Catholic Com-munity of companion on the journey toward academic excellence, global service and life-long learning. We live this out by showing respect to all people, by being responsible for our actions, by showing reverence, and by making right choices.
Stations of the Cross
Fridays during Lent
5:30pm in Church
FRIDAY FISH DINNERS
FRIDAY, March 31, in the Parish Hall (NOT the school cafetorium)
Time: About 6:00pm (after Stations of the Cross)
Menu: Fried cod or baked white fish filets, French
fries, cole slaw, mac n’ cheese, and simple
desserts
Cost: Adults: $7.00; Kids under 12: $3.00
Sign up in the parish hall or call the church office. Cutoff is 12 noon, March 30.
PARISH LENTEN PENANCE SERVICE MONDAY, MARCH 27
4:00pm & 7:00pm Additional Confessions
Monday, April 10th 12 noon and 5:30pm
Page 5 FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT A March 26, 2017
ROSARY-MAKING MINISTRY
Rosary Ministry meets Sundays, 1-3 pm
in Buescher Center, Room 410 Next Meeting: April 9, 2017
If interested, call Michi Davis at 242-8092.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Vacations, illness, absent snowbirds and just life take a toll on the availability of adorers. If you can find an hour to commit to Jesus, consider the Adoration Chapel. Jesus wants you there and through the Holy Spirit is calling you! For more info, contact Sam Rodríquez at 795-9813 or [email protected].
Sunday 1am, 2am, 3am, 4am, 10am, 12pm, 1pm,
4pm, 5pm, 7pm, 8pm
Monday 3am, 11am, 10pm
Tuesday 12am, 1am, 2am, 3am, 4am, 11pm
Wednesday 12am, 1am, 2am, 5am, 8am, 9pm, 11pm
Thursday 12am, 1am, 3am, 7am, 9pm, 11pm
Friday 12am, 1am, 2am, 3am, 4am, 11pm
Saturday 12am, 1am, 2am, 3am, 4am, 5am, 2pm,
4pm, 5pm, 6pm, 8pm
JustFaith Community’s Prayer for the Poor
All are welcome to attend Prayer for the Poor in Our
Lady's Chapel from 6:00 to 6:30pm, each 2nd & 3rd
Tuesday of the month. We share Scripture, hymns,
intentions for all our brothers and sisters throughout our
world. Come and join us!
VOCATIONS CUP
The Vocations Cup for March will go out at the Sunday 11:30am Mass. Frank & Terri Weaver will
be taking the Cup home this Sunday, March 26.
If you’d like to sign up, please contact Jim Chatman at 321-223-8963 or [email protected].
Bereavement Support Group
Monday, March 27, 2017 1:00 - 2:30 pm—Church Library
For more information, contact Carol Gessler at 779-7850.
Rosary of the Unborn
A group of parishioners are praying a special rosary called the Rosary of the Unborn on Tuesday nights at 6:15 in Buescher Center, Rm 414. According to the promises attached to this rosary, each ‘Hail Mary’ said saves a baby from abortion. Each ‘Our Father’ appeases the heart of the Father for the sin of abortion. Please join us every week or whenever you can. We need more members. If another time would be better for you, or you would like to obtain a Rosary of the Unborn to say on your own, please contact Diane Nichols at 858-774-1038.
Got Coupons?
If you receive the Florida Today or Orlando Sentinel and would donate your Red Plum and SmartSource circulars, the FISH Ministry will shop the sales and donate to the food pantry. See the bin labeled FISH Coupons in Our Lady’s Chapel for your convenient drop-off. If you are interested in helping beyond donating coupons, contact Regina Urquhart at [email protected] or 321-848-6369.
How to Add More Years to Your Life and Life to Your Years Thursday evening, April 6, 7:00-9:00 pm in the Church
Come discover the 4 keys to living a longer and fuller life.
How? By choosing the healthy lifestyle of the “blue zone.”
This session will focus on the keys to living longer
and close with the most important trait —
finding our unique purpose. Live longer and a fuller life!
Presented by Jesuit Father Matt Linn,
international speaker and author of 23 books.
Military Ministry
Just a quick reminder that our next meeting will be on Monday, April 3, in the Ministry Bldg, Rm 300 at 7:00pm. Hope you can come join us!
Also, the Vietnam Memorial Traveling Wall will be at Wickham Park, April 30-May 7.
Page 6 FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT A March 26, 2017
Social Concerns & Food Pantry
Reminder: Next Sunday is our monthly food collection. If you attend the 5:30 Mass, we will need assistance unloading the food truck at the pantry on Aurora Rd. It would be greatly appreciated if you could help.
We have one month left for the “Loaves & Fishes Challenge.”
With one month into our challenge, if you haven’t already
taken the challenge, there is still time left. Keep it going! The Loaves & Fishes Challenge is going strong—have you done it yet? Thank you to those who are supporting the chal-lenge. You still have time—it runs through April. The more who participate in the challenge, the more money we receive. What a great gift.
Please make checks payable to Ascension Social Concerns. Write in the memo: Loaves & Fishes Challenge
and mail to 1238 Aurora Rd., Melbourne, FL 32935 or drop in the offertory basket during Mass.
Peanut butter, jelly, cereal, pork & beans, tuna, canned fruits, fruit juices, toilet paper and travel size toiletries.
CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER (Prayer of the Heart)
“Be still and know that I am God.” (Ps 46:10)
Ministry Bldg, Rm 304, every Tuesday at 7:00pm We begin with 1/2 hour of silence (method explained).
We are reading The Mystery of Christ by Thomas Keating. For more info, contact Pam Lackie at 259-2431.
Daily Bread Volunteers
Daily Bread is a local soup kitchen that serves a hot meal every day to our homeless and people in need. Ascension members are a huge part of making this happen. Daily Bread is located at 815 Fee Avenue. Please consider volunteering with one of our teams from 10:30am to 2:15pm. Available days in March:
Tue, March 28: Contact Betsy or Bill Hampton at 254-0418
Fri, March 31: Contact Kathy Harris at 610-8049 or
We invite all Ladies of the parish whose husbands are cur-rent or past members of the Knights of Columbus to please join us for our monthly meetings held on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7pm in Ministry Bldg, Rm 311. Our mission is to support the Men's Council #14573 Knights of Columbus.
We meet every 1st & 3rd Thursday of the month in Ministry Building, Rm 312. We pray the Rosary in Our Lady's Chapel at 6:30pm on the 3rd Thursday of the month.
For more info, call Grand Knight Will Davis at 242-8092 or Membership Director John Miller at 794-6620
Our goal is to increase the donations given to our food pan-try at Ascension Social Concerns during the Lenten Season. Ascension’s Knights of Columbus Martin B. Power Council 14573 is challenging all parishioners to join them in their 40 CANS FOR LENT food drive program this year. The plan is simple: purchase and donate one can of food per day for the 40 days during the Lenten season and ending on Good Friday. Please bring your cans to the church and place them in the baskets already designated for food collection. You may bring them all at once or a little at a time. Cans donated to this drive will also count toward the upcoming Loaves & Fishes Challenge. To accept this challenge, please call Doug Blair at (321) 412-2191 or [email protected]. You can also sign up at the Friday Night Fish Fries, or on Sunday mornings in the parish hall following morning Masses.
2017 Married Couples Get-Away
Ascension's Marriage Enrichment group is hosting the
annual Married Couples Get-Away, April 29-30, 2017, at Sil-
ver Springs State Park in Ocala, Florida. Our theme this year
is "The Virtues." Join other like-minded couples for a week-
end of faith-sharing and relaxation among majestic oaks and
the crystal clear waters of Silver Springs.
The cost is $225 per couple for 2 nights lodging and 6
meals. Couples can share a fully-furnished two-bedroom
Experience a personal spiritual renewal and an abundance of love in Christian Community. Christ Renews His Parish is a retreat weekend open to every adult member of ASCENSION Parish. A retreat given “by” parishioners, “for” parishioners
Christ Renews His Parish is a process designed to bring members of our parish together in Christ. It is a multi-part gift to yourself that keeps on giving as you pass the gift of Christ to other parish-ioners and into your world:
This is an opportunity to spend about 36 hours away from the everyday world, a time for listening, sharing, praying, fun and food. A team of parishioners, along with a Spiritual Director, have formed in prayer and love to offer this gift to you. They will share with you on our parish campus.
THIS IS NOT A SILENT RETREAT. The emphasis is on personal and community renewal— sharing by the team and in small groups in a liturgical, scriptural, prayerful and relaxed atmos-phere. There is no pressure to share or talk. Sensitivity to you and your needs is always respected.
Accommodations are simple but adequate. Arrangements can be made to accommodate your spe-cial need or diet. All meals are prepared for you – the attire is casual and comfortable clothing.
McKelvey, Mary Moore, Helen Burzese, Marie Passarella, Cathi
Hurd, Bill Sears, Patricia Shemp Robinson, Ted Stoner, Anthony
Tynes, Betsy Coradine, Flo Downey, Dottie Masucci, Rose
Struzinski, Midge Sauer, Kathleen Troast, Beth Mills, Linda
Kohler, Eric Abrahamson, Loretta Allewelt, Billy Kohler, Rich-
ard White, Margaret Dillard, Baby Abigail Carney, Robert Loft,
Mary Sanders, Baby Zane, Joan Millay, Allyson Riley, Theo
Reaves, Eileen Kehoe, Betty DelBalzo, Barbara Moran, Baby
McKelvie, Betty & Fred Berneski, Elizabeth Carrera, Maggie
Vinton, Fr. Mike DiRenzo, Irene Weaver, Melissa & Matthew
Italiano, Robyn Farson, K.J. Baker, Jane Baker, Kitty Walsh, Carl
Audino, Eugena Krassel, Penny Conley, Mary Ellen Ritter,
George Nemetz, Sally Neher, Lawrence Paul Murray, Alejandro
Flores, Javier Rios, Richard Deutsch, Caris Delevante, John
DeStefon, Stacia Bouchard, Fernando Palacios
Please pray for those in the nursing homes.
Pray for our Armed Forces Personnel overseas
Dan Murray, Joseph Marci, Amanda Outly, Joshua Outly, Bryan Outly, Jesse Outly, Anthony Torres, Joseph McDuffie, Samuel Luke, Michael Walsh, Robert Crowl, Bryan Calenda, David Barlow, Dylan Traver, Brian Fleming, Wesley Henry, Marty Martinez, Jonathan Martinez, Bryan Satterwhite, Capt. Kyle McDermott, John Kinsora, Nicholas Owens, Josh Grier, Robert Grover, Rory O’Connor, Shane O’Connor, Alex Ritner, Kyle Mimbs, Kristin Agresta, Andrew Nemethy, Scott Loftin, Lance Freeberg, Theresa Mavity, Matthew Hammond, Christina Light
James & Diane Reynolds 35 years March 27
Michael & Gail Youness 30 years March 28
Brad & Colleen Miller 45 years April 1
Wedding Anniversaries
“Fall Spiritual Journey”
Join Fr. BK and Deacon Sergio on a never-to-be-
forgotten spiritual journey in September 2017 to the
“Centennial Celebrations of Our Lady of Fatima in
Portugal and Our Lady of Lourdes in France”—and
then to Spain to visit the Cathedral of Santiago de
Compostela that holds the remains of the Apostle St.
James.
For more information, please call Deacon Sergio
at 321-253-5443.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Dominic Casali, son of parishioners
Ann and Al Casali, recently earned his PhD.
Dominic is an alumni of Ascension Catholic
School, MCC, and F.I.T. He received his Doc-
torate in Chemical Engineering from the Univer-
sity of South Carolina, and will graduate this
May.
Congratulations, Dominic!
Page 10 FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT A March 26, 2017
Family Promise of Brevard at Ascension
Did you know that there are over 2000 homeless children in Brevard County right now? Christian churches,
including one Catholic Church in Brevard, work together to help resolve this issue. Each church takes some
families for a week about 3 or 4 times a year. They
shelter and feed 25 of these homeless families with 41 children.
get 21 of these families into sustainable housing.
get 23 of them full-time employment with all 23 families still in sustainable housing and working a full
year later.
Impossible you might think, but this is what they have been doing at Our Saviour’s Catholic Church in Cocoa
Beach every year since 2013 in Ecumenical partnership with 12 other hosting Congregations in Brevard County.
They are inviting us to consider being the second Catholic Church to participate in Brevard.
This Ecumenical ministry was started in New Jersey in 1986 and has spread to over 200 counties. It was
started in Orlando 17 years ago at St. Margaret Mary’s by Fr. Walsh. It was started at Our Saviour’s by Roland
Schlierf with his Teen Ministry.
Roland quickly found many volunteers with big hearts for homeless families within his existing church
organizations and ministries like the Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent DePaul, Elizabeth Ministry, Cold Night
Ministry, Parish Council, and the School.
Together they host up to 4 families at a time for 1 week at a time, 4 times a year, at Our Saviour’s and then
they gently pass their guest families on to the next host congregation.
Each guest family graduates into independence approximately 35 days after entry in the Program and then a
new guest family enters.
You are invited to come and experience the next hosting at Church of Our Saviour Sunday, April 2, thru Sun-
day, April 9. More information on this exciting ministry can be found at http://familypromiseofbrevard.org/.
Roland is planning to come to Ascension in March to talk to those interested in establishing this incredible minis-
try at Ascension. If this has sparked your interest, please contact Roland at 321-289-6065 [email protected]
and a meeting will be set up at the best date and time for those at Ascension who are interested in hearing more.
Also, if interested in helping out, let Fr. Eamon know at [email protected].
Presentation by Fr. Matt Linn, S.J. St. John the Evangelist Parish,
5655 Stadium Parkway, Viera (across from Space Coast Stadium)
Monday, April 3, 7:00 pm
Noted author and speaker Fr. Matt Linn has done extensive research with people who have physically died, but were revived. Their amazing experiences have much to teach us about this life, as well as the afterlife.
For information, call Deacon Michael McElwee at (321) 773-5086.
No cost—Free will donation will be accepted.
Senior Adventures In Learning
Spring Term begins
April 3 and 4, 2017
Join the fun! If you are 50 or over, Senior Adventures In Learning (SAIL) is just for you! Senior Adventures In Learning of Melbourne, Inc., is an outreach ministry to senior citizens in Brevard County. For the past 16 years, SAIL has sponsored classes and activities at a minimal cost. The courses are taught by volunteers who are giving back to the community by using their life skills and interests. These classes help seniors challenge their minds and bodies so they can thrive in the latter years of life.
SAIL will begin its Spring Session on April 3, through May 22, 2017. The program will be held on Mondays and Tuesdays at Trinity Wellsprings Church. Participants will meet in the Fellowship Hall to get nametags and class information. We are offering Exercise Classes, Bridge Instruction and Bridge Play, Cribbage, Guitar Basics, Conservative Investing, Crocheting and Knitting, Scrapbooking, History Clas-ses, Fiction Writing, Writing Your Memoirs, Current Events and much more! We are also offering classes in French and Spanish. Learning a new language is great for the brain! The cost for the entire term is $30 for either day or $45 for both for the entire 8-week term.
Scholarships are available upon request.
Please call (321) 626-5062 to have a registration packet mailed to you or you can pick one up here at the church office.
You may also visit our website sailofmelbourne.org— review the schedule in detail and print a registration form. Act soon because some classes fill quickly.
Dock Open House on Saturday, April 8, 1-4pm, 1151 Master-son Street, Melbourne. We will have entertainment, tours, grilling, DJ & Music, speakers. Come for the fun and learn more about how you can get involved with the DOCK!
The Dorcas Outreach Center for Kids (DOCK) is a drop-in community center in the Booker T. Washington neighborhood of Melbourne that serves children aged 5-18 after school and during the summer. Up to 50 children and teens a day find a structured, nurturing environment where they can get a healthy snack, re-ceive help with their homework, play outside, learn music, do arts and crafts, and socialize with their friends. Positive choices affect-ing health, behavior, and attitudes are modeled by caring staff and volunteers. The goal at The DOCK is to enable children to compete more effectively with their peers today and provide them with critical skills and knowledge they need for future success. The current DOCK is expanding! Currently, 35 teens attend the DOCK on a regular basis and are mixing with children as young as five years old. It is time to give the teens a space where they can find reprieve from their hectic lives, interact in programs that will prepare them for the future as successful and contrib-uting citizens. Plans are underway to open the teen center in time for the 2017-18 school year.
Divine Mercy Radio Now
Broadcasting from
New Towers
Tuesday, March 16, was a very special day for Divine Mercy Radio as we broadcast for the first time from our new towers. This was a long process and we’re espe-cially grateful for all the prayers and steadfast support from so many Ascension parishioners. Besides being more economical to operate, the real blessing of these new towers is the clear, strong reception for our local area as well as for a greatly expanded audience which now totals over 1.6 million souls. Tune your radio to 920 AM and experience the difference.
40 HOURS WITH THE LORD Your Invitation to
Experience Merciful Love before the Blessed Sacrament
Thursday, March 30, beginning with Mass at 6:00pm and concluding with Mass
on Saturday, April 1, at 9:00am St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church
5655 Stadium Parkway, Viera There will be prayer times, rosary, chaplets,
confessions and Taize hymns. For information, call St. John’s
