This Week at Ascension + December 30, 2019

My thanks, of course, to all who shared time, talent, treasure, faith, creativity and more to prepare for and take part in our Advent and Christmas worship and fellowship - including but not limited to our Flower Guild members (and helpers) and J.W. Landscaping for the beautiful wreath on the loft (and more) and all clergy and laity who served at the altar (and ushers and lectors), and all who baked (or bought) and shared cookies, cakes, fresh fruit, homemade baked sandwiches, and others who poured champagne (and non-alcoholic beverages), and of course to our musicians: organist, choirmaster and choir members.

Michael 'Mike' Dominic Milano, longtime Ascension member and devoted lay minister at the altar, died late in the afternoon on Christmas Eve from complications arising from ALS. I'm grateful that, at his request, parishioner Patrick Johnston was able to visit Mike on Sunday the 22^nd, and I was able to visit him, at Lutheran General Hospital, in Park Ridge, the day before his death, giving him the Sacrament and anointing in conjunction with Last Rites. The Requiem Mass for Mike will be here at Ascension, Saturday, January 11, beginning with a visitation in Wheeler Hall (location subject to change) and followed by the Requiem mass at 11:00 a.m., a lunch at a restaurant on Clark Street in Lincoln Park and Committal at All Saints Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum in Des Plaines. An obituary will be published in the Tribune prior to the Requiem, and a preliminary obituary may be found on the website of Cooney Funeral Home. Please keep in prayers Mike's children, Cathy and Peter, his longtime partner Irene, and other family and friends, including those with whom he worshiped and served here at Ascension. Requiescat in pace.

Christopher Poore was asked to preach at St. Paul's, Peoria, on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, and shared his sermon,  Joseph: A Wrinkled Man,  which you may read here. The photos both remind you who Christopher is (often seen serving in our own sanctuary here at Ascension) and give an idea of St. Paul's contemporary interior. Why does Christopher minister here and there? Well, he's with us whilst pursuing a Masters in Theology at the University of Chicago, but his full-time home is in Galesburg. He and his wife Gina Franco (on the faculty at Knox College, Galesburg) also attend and minister at St. Paul's, where Christopher is an aspirant for ordination to priesthood.

Please help us out by making sure that any 2019 year-end contributions to Ascension are received at the church by December 31. If needed, the parish offices will be open 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the 31 ^st .

Thanks to all who have returned pledge commitments for 2020. If you have been unable to return a pledge but still wish to do so, you may click here to send a confidential email and provide your pledge information.

Susan Schlough, Treasurer