Ascension, in Christian belief, the ascent of Jesus Christ into heaven on the 40th day after his Resurrection (Easter being reckoned as the first day). The Feast of the Ascension ranks with Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost in the universality of its observance among Christians. The feast has been celebrated 40 days after Easter in both Eastern and Western Christianity since the 4th century. Prior to that time, the Ascension was commemorated as a part of the celebration of the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

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church year: Ascension

At first the church commemorated the Ascension (from the Latin ascensio, ascent) of Christ into heaven, after...

The meaning of the Ascension for Christians is derived from their belief in the glorification and exaltation of Jesus following his death and Resurrection, as well as from the theme of his return to God the Father. Thus, the Gospel According to John uses both the sayings of Jesus and his post-Resurrection appearances to indicate a new relationship between Jesus and his Father and between him and his followers, rather than a simple physical relocation from earth to heaven.

According to the first chapter of The Acts of the Apostles, after appearing to the Apostles on various occasions during a period of 40 days, Jesus was taken up in their presence and was then hidden from them by a cloud, a frequent biblical image signifying the presence of God. Although belief in the Ascension is apparent in other books of the New Testament, the emphasis and the imagery differ. In the Gospel According to John, the glorification described by the Ascension story seems to have taken place immediately after the Resurrection. The imagery of the account in the Gospel According to Luke is similar to that of Acts, but there is no mention of a period of 40 days. The Ascension of Jesus is mentioned in the Apostles Creed, a profession of faith used for baptism in the early church.

A distinctive feature of the feasts liturgy in the Western churches is the extinguishing of the Paschal candle, first lit on Easter, after the Gospel has been read, as a symbol of Christs leaving the earth. Despite the idea of separation indicated in this act, which might be expected to set a note of sadness, the whole liturgy of Ascensiontide, through the 10 days to Pentecost, is marked by joy in the final triumph of the risen Lord. One of the central themes of the feast is the kingship of Christ, and the theological implication is that the Ascension was the final redemptive act conferring participation in the divine life on all who are members of Christ. In other words, Christ was lifted up into heaven so that he might make us partakers of his Godhead.

In the European Middle Ages the peoples delight in the visual and dramatic found an outlet in various ritual practices that came to be associated with the feast. Popular customs included a procession in imitation of Christs journey with his Apostles to the Mount of Olives, as well as the raising of a crucifix or a statue of the risen Christ through an opening in the church roof.

In Christian art the Ascension is an old theme, appearing since the 5th century. The earliest version of the Ascension, which persisted in the West until the 11th century, shows Christ from the side, climbing to the top of the hill and grasping the hand of God, which emerges from a cloud above to pull him into heaven. The Apostles, assembled below, watch the event.

In the 6th century a different version of the Ascension was developed in Syria and was later adopted in Byzantine art. This version emphasizes Christs divinity, showing him frontally, standing immobile in a mandorla, or almond-shaped aureole, elevated above the earth and supported by angels. He holds a scroll and makes a gesture of benediction. A curious detail of this version is the regular inclusion of the Virgin Mary, who is not mentioned in the biblical account of the event, and St. Paul, who, on historical grounds, was not present. The inclusion of these figures has not been adequately explained, but they may represent, with the figure of St. Peter, an allegory of the church that Christ leaves behind. This type of Ascension, which follows the Roman tradition of representing the apotheosis of an emperor, often figured prominently in the monumental decoration of Byzantine churches as the emblem of one of the principal church feast days.

By the 11th century, the West had also adopted a frontal representation. In the Western version, however, the humanity of Christ is emphasized: he extends his hands on either side, showing his wounds. He is usually in a mandorla but is not always supported or even surrounded by angels; thus, he is no longer carried to heaven but ascends by his own power. In the 12th century this version of the Ascension had an especially prominent place in French Romanesque church decoration. The Ascension remained important as a devotional subject in the art of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, both of which retained the iconography of Christ displaying his wounds.

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This rendering included in planning materials filed with the city of Waukesha shows a northeast perspective of the micro-hospital that will be operated by Ascension Wisconsin at Sunset Drive and St. Paul Avenue. The hospital building, which was approved by the city's plan commission on May 27, is part of the redevelopment of the old Fox Run Shopping Center and will be built atop the land with the Sentry Food Store stood.(Photo: Philo Wilke Partnership)

WAUKESHA - The old Sentry store is gone, and in its place will stand a "micro-hospital," operated by a health care provider with an expanding footprint in Waukesha County.

In documents accompanying the agenda for the May 27 meeting of the Waukesha Plan Commission, Ascension Wisconsin is proposing tofill the 32,000-square-foot building in what was until recently the original Fox Run Shopping Center at St. Paul Avenue and Sunset Drive.

If approved, thefacility will become another provider of emergency care for Waukesha patients who, until now, had relied on ProHealth Care's Waukesha Memorial Hospital or urgent care facilities such as those offered by Advocate Aurora.

It's all part of a 13.4-acre redevelopment of the former shopping center, announced in October, into a 72-unit apartment complex and all-new commercial space. The plan is tied to a redevelopment district in which new taxes generated by the improvements would help pay for some of the upfront debt in the project.

At the May 27meeting, the plan commission, which ultimately approved final site plan and architectural review,considered the details of the medical office building itself, in which the main floor would feature the micro-hospital and a second floor filled with medical offices.

As presented in a letter to the city's planning department in April, the medical facility will be positioned on land that was previously home to Bob and Kurt's Sentry store, which was the last remaining Sentry store in the city of Waukesha. The store closed in January and has since been demolished.

In the new building, afirst-floor hospital will include eight emergency beds and eight in-patient beds, plus X-ray and CT scan rooms. The second floor was listed as "future" medical offices that would be accessed through a separate entrance.

Ascension, which regionally grew to encompass both the Columbia-St. Mary's Hospital and Wheaton Franciscan health care facilities, has recently tried to gain a greater foothold in the suburban areas outside Milwaukee, including in Waukesha County.Among locations proposed or approved in the past year include small hospitals in Menomonee Falls, Greenfield and Mequon.

Technically, the health care provider had already entered the city of Waukesha, where it opened an Ascension Medical Group office on Moreland Boulevard on the city's east side several years ago.

Ascension Wisconsin officials were not immediately available to discuss their expansion efforts and why Waukesha was added to the list of hospital sites.

From the city's standpoint, from a planning perspective, the focus isn't so much about the addition of a hospital and another medical office, but the design of the building itself and the property value increases resulting from redevelopment.

"I've always looked at from the standpoint about what the building would look like," Mayor Shawn Reilly said in a brief phone interview Thursday. "Not so much another hospital, but as another business coming to town. I'll leave it to others the number of hospitals (in the city) and stuff like that. That's always been contentious."

Of course, Ascension's neighbors will be unlike those whichpreviously occupied the former commercial parcel.

The mixed-use development proposed by partner firmsVJS Development Group LLC of Pewaukee, Bedford Development of Waukesha and Somerstone LLC of Brookfield will be greatly defined not by commercial tenants, but residential ones.

The plan is for 72 apartment unitswith rents ranging from roughly $1,000 to $1,500 monthly.

The apartment complex would be built close towhere the former 67,000-square-foot vacant strip mall sat deeper into the Fox Run property relative to Sunset Drive. The strip mall had been completely vacant for years, but once housed a liquor store, a craft shop and other retail businesses in its heyday.

The new development also calls for commercial space, but there areno firm plans onwhat and where those leased elements would be, at this point. In all, the property consists of five developable lots.

It all adds up to a projected $32.3 million increase in taxable property, based on a term sheet that's part of the tax increment financing district which was recently approved to enable redevelopment. For the mayor, that's an important bottom line.

"Very happy about that," Reilly said. "And that's one thing about the hospital itself. That building will be a draw for other businesses to locate next to it. I think we are going to end up with a very successful, major corner in the city of Waukesha."

Though the redevelopment abuts a newer section of the shopping center, most notably anchored by a Kohl's department store, it will have no impact on that commercial center, which is under separate ownership.

Contact Jim Riccioli at (262) 446-6635 or james.riccioli@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @jariccioli.

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An Ascension 'micro-hospital' will be built at the former site of Waukesha's last Sentry store - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Lonzo Ball is blossoming into a real hooper, thanks to an opportunity to thrive in an organization committed to his development, and he deserves significantly more recognition. Although Zos career is in its infancy, he looks poised to lead a team on both ends of the floor. The defense he plays could warm any coachs heart, and his offense is so full of surprises that you cant look away when hes in action.

Hes a rhythmic shooter, so if theres something in the air that night, he can cash outfrom deep he droppedseventhrees on consecutive nights in the first week of March. Ball befriended Zion Williamson and the two of them quickly formed a quarterback and receiver connection on the court, which produces videogame-esque highlights. If Zion is the closest thing to Thanos on the basketball court, then Zo is an infinity stone in the gauntlet that makes Thanos so strong. Fair?

Seriously, Ball is throwing lobs that sail over defenses into the hands of Zion from over fifty feet away. Not only is Zo threading needles and dropping dimes, but hes also dribbling and hitting spots like a seasoned veteran.

Zo resembles a true pass-first point guard of yesteryear, with the addition of extended shooting range and multi-positional defense.

Zo expanded his game massively by diligently working on improving his jump shot with Pelicans Assistant Coach Fred Vinson. Through slight tweaks and an emphasis on consistency, Ball diversified his half-court game monumentally in one season.

17: 122-of-392 (31.1% FG)

18: 97-of-300 (32.3% FG)

19: 168-of-467 (36.0% FG)

In 2019 Ball attempted a career-high 6.5 three-pointers a game and dropped 139of them. Zo was just 26 three-point makes shy of beating the total in his rookie and sophomore seasons combined (165).

Shot Chart in 2018-19:

Shot Chart in 2019-20:

From deep this season, Zo posted a three-point percentage (38.3%) greater than that of Kemba Walker, Trae Young, and Donovan Mitchell three All-Stars. Additionally, Ball sank more shots from beyond the arc than Devin Booker, or his teammate, Brandon Ingram, did.

Over 40%of Zos points this season came by way of catch and shoot. When teams collapsed to play help defense or gave Zo enough space to get his shot off, he confidently pulled the trigger.

To no surprise, Zos highest volume of catch and shoot three-point attempts came in January and February. Through the first three months of the season, he attempted 108 catch and shoot three balls. When Zion returned to the court in January, the opportunities for Zo were abundant. He attempted 112 catch and shoot threes in those two months. Some teams had no choice but to play help defense against Zion in the deep post, which kept Ball loaded and ready to fire on a kick out.

In his first two seasons, Zo struggled to maintain a catch and shoot three-point percentage of 33% or higher. Zo took almost 100 more catch and shoot threes this season than he did in his previous two, and was money on 40%of them. That equated to more catch and shoot points than Devonte Graham and Khris Middleton scored (former 3PT Contestants).

There are still plenty of tools that Ball can add to his game, but his offensive improvement at such a young age is very encouraging.

Spreading the rock has always been a staple in Balls arsenal, but watching him facilitate is truly poetry in motion. Zo is one of, if not, the best outlet passers in the league, and his court vision is just unfair. He can patiently stall with the basketball until he finds a backdoor cutter, he swings the ball to a wing or corner like its a hot potato, and he can dump off with precision in a pick-and-roll.

New Orleans ran the pick-and-roll less frequently than 22 other NBA teams, but that can be a dangerous weapon if Zo can finish more efficiently at the rim and force his way to the free-throw line.

Zo shot less than 75 free throws in all three of his seasons not many for a downhill attacking point guard. Hes slowly becoming a more skilled finisher around the rim, though, and his first option is seemingly always passing.

In 2018, three Lakers topped Ball in the pecking order for touches. This season, Zo touched the ball more than anyone on the Pelicans and as a result, set new career-highs inassistsand assist points created. With the hiatus temporarily stopping play, he finished with the sixth-most passes made in the league and the 12th-most touches per game.

17: 883 points created on 4,203

18: 593 points created on 3,030

19: 1,012 points created on 4,566 touches

A player as unselfish and skilled as Zo does not always need to score to create offense. This makes him so integral for the Pelicans success. The modern game of basketball rewards pace and space, and Zo is largely helping New Orleans with both.

This season, Ball defended core players for almost half of his defensive minutes played.

Monstrous defenders such as Rudy Gobert, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Anthony Davis matched up against core players equally as frequently.

% vs. Core Players in 19-20:

Gobert: 45.1%

Antetokounmpo: 43.8%

Davis: 42.4%

Balls sophomore campaign concluded before All-Star weekend, yet he finished with the 7th highest percentage of minutes spent defending core players.

At 66, Ball is a unique enough player to both facilitate and pester opposing guards. Though he most commonly defends primary creators, playing alongside Jrue Holiday benefitted Balls game immensely.

Contrary to his two seasons in Los Angeles, Ball guarded opposing teams shooting guard more than any position this season. New Orleans defensive flexibility enabled Ball to occasionally guard forwards, defend on the wing, or play on-ball against primary playmakers.

For example, New Orleans deployed a lineup featuring Holiday,J.J. Redick, and Ball for 146 minutes in 2019 the 2nd most of any lineup combination. There, the scheduled matchup likely dictates what player Ball should defend. New Orleans also experimented with smaller lineups in February and March, which kept Balls defensive role fluid.

Much like Holiday, Ball plays defense with great balance and controls his body exceptionally well. Hes able to apply smothering ball pressure and dance with his opponent way beyond the perimeterwhile avoiding foul trouble.

In the half-court, Ball uses his speed to stay in the pocket of his opponent and pounce when he reads passing lanes. For the third straight season, Ball deflected 120+ passes. Plenty of his forced turnovers come on-ball, but he works tirelessly off-ball to maneuver around screens and disrupt offensive flows.

In an offensively oriented league predicated upon three-point shooting, Ball usually devotes all of his attention to his assignment. He doesnt have the luxury of cheating off of his assignment and anticipating as much as other positions (because most guards can shoot the rock) which makes his defense even more commendable. Off-ball, he can swipe on the weak side, lurk and intercept passes like a cornerback, and slap a grown mans shot into the fourth row.

In just 56 games this season, he blocked two fewer shots than the 610 Ben Simmons and totaled 80 steals. James Harden, DeAaron Fox, Kyle Lowry to name a few turned the ball over more times than they scored when defended by Ball.

A measure of Balls individual defense is how tough he makes it for opponents to earn their baskets in the half-court.

17: Opponents made 16-of-43 shots (37.2%)

18: Opponents made 13-of-36 shots (36.1%)

19:Opponents made 9-of-37 shots (24.3%)

Hundreds of players defended the isolation for at least 20 different possessions; Ball surrendered the 8th-lowest field goal percentage to opponents in 2019.

Zos game has grown multi-dimensional, and yet hes just scratching the surface of what he can accomplish. Most of what comes naturally for him, other players desire. Timing, pace, proficiency handling the basketball, and unselfishness are just a few of the things that make Zo so special at 22-years-old.

He demonstrated that he can consistently knock down shots from deep this season, similar to how he did at college. That was previously the main part of his game that did not translate well. Adding capable shooting to his game which already includes facilitating expertise and defensive activeness could be a lethal concoction.

If New Orleans retains its core for the foreseeable future, Zo will not have to carry a heavy scoring load the task will be bigger. He will have to continue to elevate his teammates games by leading the bunch on both ends of the floor.

The most daunting thing about Lonzo Ball is that he is only just beginning.

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Lonzo Balls Ascension to Stardom with the New Orleans Pelicans - thepaintedlines.com

GONZALES Susan and Richard Jordan have lived on family property off La. 931 in the Lake area of eastern Ascension Parish for 39 years. In August 2016, they avoided flooding by just inches.

The couple, who live on land that Susan's family homesteaded in the 1800s, said that during the great flood, water several feet deep flowed behind their home and across their road. The Amite River backwater flooding had overtopped parish levee systems and pushed up Henderson Bayou.

"We saw the water rushing across there," Susan Jordan said.

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The Jordans and several of their neighbors who did flood in 2016 showed up before the parish Planning Commission this week to make the kind of case that had become a regular occurrence in the first year or so after the great flood: opposition to new housing in low-lying areas that flooded severely nearly four years ago.

GONZALES The Ascension Parish Planning Commission rejected subdivision plans three times in 2016 on the grounds that construction of each wo

In 2017 and 2018, public uproar over new housing was followed by a slowdown in new projects, new limits in how much dirt builders can use to raise property so it is less susceptible to flooding and new home elevation requirements.

On Wednesday, the project the Jordans and their neighbors fought, the 89-home Hidden Lakes neighborhood, sailed through the commission without opposition.The developmentwill sit on 188 acres of pasture, woods and wetlands that flooded four years ago behind the Jordans' home.

They opposed the plan over drainage concerns, traffic on narrow and winding La. 931, and the one-way entrance to the large site.

The project is the first new residential neighborhood to be approved in Ascension Parish since at least January 2019 and is the first to be approved under the parish's new rules on using dirt to elevate homes, said Jerome Fournier, parish planning and development director.

Approval of the neighborhood preliminary plat, an important early but final step toward home construction, is also the first under new Parish President Clint Cointment, who took office in January and campaigned on controlling growth.

Hidden Lakes has unique wrinkles that came after negotiations between the parish and Chris Ingram, a seasoned Ascension developer building the project.

He will donate nearly 65 acres of his site to the parish for recreational land after plans to make that land a regional floodwater storage lake were deemed not feasible. Also, in a departure from compact construction patterns in Ascension since the housing bust of the late 2000s, all of the lots in Hidden Lakes will be around an acre to as much as five acres in size, Ingram's engineer said.

DONALDSONVILLEMore than three years removed from the August 2016 flood, Ascension Parish has taken an important step to limit the potential

The commission also agreed to allow the development to have open ditches and not have curb and gutter roads as cost-saving measures for the spread-out development.

In the wake of the 2016 flood, which inundated thousands of homes in Ascension, the dirt fill practices of developers came under harsh criticism. Longtime homeowners argued the rules for new construction were sacrificing older, lower homes for the safety of newer homes built on several feet deep of dirt that displaced floodwater.

Developers and engineers disputed these claims, saying detention ponds mitigated the impact. But former and current council members and the administration of former Parish President Kenny Matassa, who left office in early 2020, settled on a compromise.

New construction could use no more than 3 feet deep of dirt fill, but homes would have to be at least 2 feet above the predicted height of a 100-year flood, 1 foot higher than the old standard.

GONZALES The Ascension Parish Council has enacted up to a six-month ban on the use of dirt to raise new homes and businesses across more tha

Though the ideas were adopted, the new fill limits and height standard prompted strong push back from the developers and Matassa for a time. They meant that, in some of Ascension's lowest areas, builders would have to find other, more costly ways to raise homes besides just dirt, such as with piers or cinder block wall foundations, known as chain walls.

The land where Hidden Lakes is planned is one of those low areas. Much of the land is below the predicted height of the 100-year flood, which is a flood that has a 1% chance of happening in any year and is a minimum benchmark for flood insurance requirements.

In an interview, Ingram explained that the first third of each lot in Hidden Lakes extending out roughly 200 feet from the center of the road will have dirt fill while the back two-thirds of each lot will remain at natural elevation. Wetlands will be avoided as much as possible.

Homes that need to go higher than 3 feet to meet the new elevation requirements will be built on chain walls on top of the fill. Deric Murphy, Ingram's engineer, explained to the commission that flood risk was being mitigated by the low home density, the land set aside for recreation and several detention ponds.

"This is gonna be as low impact of a development as you can probably imagine," he said.

GONZALES A state district judge says that, for the time being, Ascension Parish cannot ban the use of dirt to raise homes and businesses whi

In 2017, the U.S. Geological Survey reported that the August 2016 flood in that area surpassed a 500-year flood. It has a 0.2% chance of happening in any year, bigger than the 100-year flood against which minimum federal housing elevation standards are set.

When asked in a later interview, Murphy said he'd have to check closely to see if any homes in Hidden Lakes would flood if another August 2016 occurred once built to Ascension's new, higher elevation requirements.

USGS found high water marks from August 2016 that show flooding in the Lake area reached between 3.2 feet to 7.6 feet above ground level, or 14.3 feet to 16.9 feet above sea level. The bottom floors of homes in Hidden Lakes will be around 16.5 feet to 17 feet above sea level.

The Jordans said the only reason they didn't flood in 2016 is they built six inches above Ascension's old elevation standards to 16.5 feet but worry what impact Hidden Lakes will have on them and their neighbors the next time the water comes up.

On Wednesday, parish officials and Ingram also cut a deal for the sewer system. Due to the large lot sizes, Ingram was not required to install a neighborhood-scale sewer system but was proposing individual treatment units for each lot, as a cost-saving measure.

Parish officials have separately been trying to consolidate Ascension's private and home treatment systems to improve water quality. In exchange for installation of a community system, which the parish will build and own through impact fees Ingram pays, he received eight more lots from the 81-lot plan he originally put forward, Fournier told the commission.

"We would like to have one discharge point (for treated wastewater) instead of 81 discharge points, so I think that's a real advantage to the parish to be able to reach that agreement" with the developer, Fournier said.

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The 2016 flood all but halted new neighborhoods in Ascension. Now an 89-home project moves ahead - The Advocate

SARASOTA Gwen MacKenzie, former president and CEO ofSarasota Memorial Health Care System, has been named CEO ofFirst Step of Sarasota, anonprofit alcohol and drug treatment and rehabilitation center

MacKenzie has more than 30 years ofexperience leading health care organizations undergoing transformation, strategic repositioning and new service innovation, according to a statement. The charismaticMacKenziewas CEO of Sarasota Memorial Hospital for close to a decade, where she was one of the region's most well-known health care leaders. She also oversaw SMH during a major growth period, going from an operating budget of around $400 million in 2005 to over $500 million by 2014, when she left for another executive positionin her home state of Michigan.

In MichiganMacKenzie was asenior executive of Ascension, where she had oversight for the Michigan market of 15 hospitals and health systems with profit and loss responsibility for $3.7 billionin operating revenue, according to the statement, released fromFirst Step of SarasotaBoard of DirectorsChair Dana Keane.Michigan was one of the largest markets for Ascension, with 26,000 associates and 5,300 physicians serving one of every eight Michigan residents at over 130 care sites.

Prior to SMH MacKenzie spent25 years at the Detroit Medical Center, a $1.6 billionhealth care system as interim system CEO, as well as COO and president of Sinai Grace Hospital, Harper-Hutzel Hospital and Karmanos Cancer Institute. MacKenzie alsohas board experience in several states with public, elected and nonprofit boards.

MacKenzie succeeds Dave Beesley, who had guided First Step of Sarasotafor over 20 years.

Gwen is a respected colleague and friend and I couldnt be more pleased she will be taking over the helm," says Beesley in the statement. "I will continue to be helpful to her in any way I can to create a seamless transition of leadership.

MacKenzie became CEOeffective March 23.

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Prominent health care CEO returns to region after six years to run nonprofit - Business Observer

On June 12, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced his appointments to several Louisiana boards and commissions.

Richard W. Booth, of Jackson, has been appointed to the Life Safety and Property Protection Education Board. Booth is the regional sprinkler account manager for S&S Sprinkler Company and will serve as a representative of a technical endorsement-fire sprinkler. The Louisiana Life Safety and Property Protection Advisory Board serves to create initial and continuing education requirements for individuals licensed to perform life safety and property protection contracting.

Ronald J. Schillace, of Hammond, has been appointed to the Firemans Supplemental Pay Board. Schillace is a firefighter with more than 25 years of experience and will serve at-large. The Firemans Supplemental Pay Board is responsible for determining the eligibility of firemen to receive supplemental pay.

Darryl D. Smith, of Hammond, and Robert D. Watkins, of Robert, have been appointed to the state Mineral and Energy Board. Smith is the president of Louisiana One Holding and Alley Square and will serve as a public member-at-large. Watkins is an accountant and vice president at Wegmann, Dazet and Co., and will serve as a public member-at-large.

The state Mineral and Energy Board is responsible for leasing state lands for mineral exploration and development. The board reviews existing mineral leases for proper maintenance, development, and operations; reviews payments pursuant to state leases; and reviews documents agreements affecting state leases, including unitization, compromise, consent letters and assignments.

Iva L. Tullier, of St. Amant, has been appointed to the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf. Tullier is a teacher at Motiva Enterprises and will serve as a parent of a deaf person. The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf provides accessibility services for persons who are deaf, deaf-blind or have hearing loss or speech impairment to gain equal access to any public or private service.

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Gov. John Bel Edwards board and commission appointments from Livingston, Ascension and East Feliciana parishes ( - The Advocate

Ascension St. John Hospital forms End-of-Life Bereavement Team

Ascension St. John Hospital in Detroit formed an End-of-Life Bereavement Team, to help families accept the loss of a loved one. With the support of leadership, the bereavement team helps conduct both in-person and virtual visits between dying patients and families. Also the bereavement team provides compassionate post-mortem care and helps to honor patients who die from COVID-19.

Vice President Pence, leader of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, directed the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to send personal protective equipment (PPE) shipments to more than 15,000 nursing homes across America including numerous facilities in Michigan, according to a press release from FEMA. The agency sent a seven-day supply in May, and a second wave of shipments in early June, with a total distribution of 608,000 pieces of eye protection, 6.9 million masks, 6.4 million gowns, and 31.4 million pairs of gloves, according to the release.

For more information, visit http://www.fema.gov.

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Month in May, Sonic Drive-In donated to teachers to help students continue learning at home. Sonic matched all donations to DonorsChoose on Teacher Appreciation Day, May 5, and through Limeades for Learning, Sonic donated $1 million to public school teacher requests across the country on Teacher Appreciation Day, according to a press release.

Local donations included the following:

At Country Oaks Elementary School in Commerce Twp., five teachers received a total donation of $144 including: Debby Mcrae, Kelly Feather, Kelly Fedorka, Linda Lajavic and Meredith Richter

In Southfield, four teachers at two schools received a total donation of $469 including: Angela Hayes and Clarissa Young at Laurus Academy, and Angela Twiss and Kimberly Panza at McIntyre Elementary School

In Troy, two teachers received a total donation of $626 including: Stacy Carlson at Lighthouse Connections Academy and Lauren Cooper at Morse Elementary School.

In Waterford, four teachers received a total donation of $1,723 including: Andrew Cocagne at Kettering High School, Mary Craite at Mason Middle School, and Lindsey Crozier and Shelby Lindsay at Riverside Elementary School

In White Lake, two teachers received a total donation of $134 including: Lyndsey Kiebel and Marie Waters at Lakewood Elementary School.

For more information, visit http://www.sonicdrivein.com.

Kathy Blake, MediaNews Group

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Thank you: Ascension St. John Hospital forms bereavement team; FEMA sends PPE to nursing homes; Sonic Drive-In donates to teachers - The Oakland Press

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) tosses a ball during training camp at State Farm Stadium July 31, 2019.(Photo: Michael Chow/The Republic)

They were bold words. Many of his teammates applauded the enthusiasm. More than a few rolled their eyes.

But Christian Kirk wasnt kidding two years ago when, as a mere rookie, mind you, the wide receiver professed his desire and determination to someday follow in the footsteps of teammate Larry Fitzgerald and be the next, great leader of the Arizona Cardinals.

It wasnt just a wish. It was a proclamation.

I want that to be me, Kirk told The Arizona Republic two years ago during a one-on-one interview. Its my ultimate goal to take over and be a leader of this team. Thats the same thing that happened to me in college, the same thing that happened to me in high school. Im used to being in those leadership roles and thats the point where I want to be here.

Kirk was in no way trying to shove Fitzgerald out the door. He wasnt being a young, boastful and thoughtless diva, either. It was early December of 2018, and although the Cardinals were foundering on their way to a three-win season, Kirk talked about how he had spent almost every day learning something new from Fitzgerald. It made him realize all the intangibles it takes to be a great player, a great teacher, a great teammate and a great ambassador.

I want to be the leader in the wide receiver room and help lead vocally and help by performance, Kirk said. Its big shoes to fill, no doubt, but he helped me set the standard, I know the standard, and so when he leaves I know not to lower it one bit. Its all about playing to the performance of the guys before you, so whenever he leaves hell leave it in a good place and Im ready to take it on.

A few days later, Kirk played a big role in helping the Cardinals beat the Packers 20-17 at Lambeau Field for what would be their final win of the season. He caught three passes, including the longest reception of the game (37 yards), and also ran an end-around for 23 yards.

Kirk broke abone in his foot in the final few minutes, however, and was lost for the rest of the year. Last season, he injured his ankle in Week 4 and it aggravated him the rest of the way, although he finished second to Fitzgerald in catches and receiving yards. Still, he was never fully healthy.

MORE: Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury on racial injustice: 'We're going to support our guys'

Just frustrating, Kirk said on Wednesday about his 2019 season. I hold myself to a higher expectation, so the fact I didnt meet many of my expectations for what I wanted Year 2 to look like for me, was frustrating.

Now comes another hitch, this one pertaining to his dream of one day stepping into Fitzgeralds cleats. When the Cardinals traded for All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins in March, it meant Arizona found its realfuture replacement for No. 11. And it isnt No. 13, Kirk. Its No. 10, Hopkins.

Speaking to reporters during a Zoom conference call, Kirk said the addition of Hopkins and another year of working alongside Fitzgerald is only going to better help him reach his goals.

I wouldnt say it sets me back by no means, Kirk said. And I think on the field, me trying to fit in Fitzs shoes and try to kind of follow in his path, its more than on the field. Its what he has done as a community leader and just his presence, not only here in Arizona but in society,and him as a businessman and just being able to learn from him in all aspects of that nature.

But on the field, I think if anything DeAndre can help me get there. A lot of people could look at it as, It is a setback for him or He wont see as many targets or whatnot, but the fact that Im playing with arguably a first-ballot Hall of Famer, arguably the best receiver to ever play the game, and then arguably the best receiver currently in the game right now, if those are the two guys in front of me that Im learning from and following in their footsteps, then I have no problem with that.

Christian Kirk is excited for the opportunity to work with DeAndre Hopkins.(Photo: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)

Getting a chance to mirror the professionalism of Fitzgerald is one thing. Getting the opportunity to also pick thenuances and study habits from Hopkins should make things doubly rewarding for Kirk. They can also impart their wisdom on what it takes to play through pain and stay on the field, considering they rarely miss a game.

Thats going to be Kirks greatest goal this season, whenever it gets underway. Staying healthy, he said, is critical if he wants to make a difference and take the next step in his third year.

Just stay healthy, regardless if its out of my control or not, just doing everything I can to be on the field for every single game, he said. That and just keep progressing. The good thing about it is if you look at it statistically, hurt or not, I was still able to progress. The next step is just taking that next jump and just keep on progressing and showing that I am getting better.

Kirk will be a starting outside receiver opposite Hopkins with Fitzgerald mostly lining up in and out of the slot, and the opportunities for big numbers are very real. Especially with quarterback Kyler Murray expected to up his game and get a better feel for defenses in his second pro season.

Itll open up things for all of us, Kirk said. I believe it will be a little bit of pick your poison. If you want to double DeAndre, that leaves Fitz in the slot and me on the other side for more one-on-one opportunities. If you want to play two highCover 2 then we have Kenyan Drake in the backfield and there goes our run game.

Defenses are definitely going to have to strategizewell when it comes to building a game plan going into the week they play us because theres different ways we can all be able to make an impact on the field. DeAndre does a lot for us. When you have a guy like that, you have to pay attention to No.10. Its going to be fun and Im going to be excited to see what he does.

Kirk has been working out regularly with receiver Trent Sherfield and running back Chase Edmonds. Theyve been catching passes on occasion from backup quarterback Brent Hundley and Chris Streveler. There is a plan in place for them and several others to start working out together with Murray in the week or so leading up to the start of training camp.

Yeah, so the plan is to get together with Kyler here real soon and make sure were getting our timing down, Kirk said, and the better part would be have it going into training camp so were picking up right where we left off.

Kirk said was recently invited over to Fitzgeralds house for a casual dinner and conversation. One of the other guests was Hopkins, the three-time All-Pro. It was the first real in-person interaction between Kirk and Hopkins and it couldnt have gone better.

It was the first time being able to sit down and just talk to DeAndre and just get what kind of guy he is, Kirk said. He fits in perfectly already. You can already tell were all going to have such a strong relationship with one another just with the words that he expressed. Hes so happy to be here. Hes really excited with the type of guys we have in our room and he cant wait to get on the field with all of us.

Have an opinion on the Arizona Cardinals? Reach McManaman at bob.mcmanaman@arizonarepublic.comand follow him on Twitter @azbobbymac. Listen to him live on Fox Sports 910-AM every Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 on Calling All Sports with Roc and Manuch and every Wednesday night from 7-9 on The Freaks with Kenny and Crash.

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Cardinals' addition of DeAndre Hopkins will only help Christian Kirk's ascension at receiver - AZCentral

Fellow church members occasionally ask: If all our sin was dealt with when Jesus died on the cross, why must we still confess it?

The answer is partly found in an oft overlooked aspect of Christian beliefJesus ascension. According to the New Testament, God raised Jesus from the dead, and then, 40 days later, took him up into heaven (Acts 1:911). Romans, Hebrews, and 1 John all describe the ascended Jesus actively working for his people in Gods heavenly presence. Romans 8:34 and Hebrews 7:25 identify Jesus present activity as intercession. In 1 John 2:12, Jesus serves as an advocate before the Father.

But why do Gods people need an advocate? Is the Crucifixion not enough for our salvation? I would answer no. The single event of the Cross is not sufficientonly the person of Jesus is sufficient. If all we had were the Cross, then wed have no salvation. As important as Jesus death is, Christs saving work involves more. We need Jesus ongoing ministry of intercession for our salvation. Hebrews identifies Jesus ongoing intercession as key for Jesus to save completely those who come to God through him (Heb. 7:25). To reduce Jesus saving work merely to his dying ignores this important aspect of Jesus present ministry for his people.

Salvation isnt accomplished just because Jesus died but because he was also raised and ascended into heaven. There, continuously interceding for us, Jesus maintains the New Covenant better (permanently better) than the Old Testament sacrifices and priests maintained the old. Hebrews and 1 John describe Christs heavenly ministry using concepts drawn from Old Testament sacrifices and priestly ministry. Hebrews looks to the annual Day of Atonement (Lev. 16) to explain how the ascended Jesus ensures his peoples salvation. The earthly high priests entered Gods presence in the Holy of Holies once every year to offer the sacrifice of atonement by sprinkling blood.

But Jesus did something better. He ascended to Gods presence in the heavenly Holy of Holies once for all time. There, as an ever-living sacrifice, he offered himself before the Father the way the earthly high priests offered the sacrificial blood (Heb. 9:67, 2426). Hebrews says that Jesus took his seat at Gods right hand after he made purification for sins (Heb. 1:3). Jesus presently rules on the heavenly throne as Gods exalted Son. Hebrews also affirms that Jesus now serves as the Great High Priest who continues to work for the salvation of his siblings. He is seated, but he is not silent. Even now, the ascended Christ ministers as the Great High Priest in the heavenly Holy of Holies (Heb. 8:12), perpetually interceding for his people (Heb. 7:25). This is part of how he saves us completely.

Similarly, 1 John reflects on Jesus work in the light of Jewish sacrifices: Jesus himself is the atoning sacrifice now located in the Fathers presence (1 John 2:1-2). As in Hebrews, Jesus is not silent in Gods presence. He actively advocates for his people when they sin. This advocacy supplies the rationale for Johns admonition to believers to continually confess their sins (1 John 1:9). The reality of ongoing sin requires ongoing confession and forgiveness of sin. Jesus ascension makes this possible because Jesus, who is the atoning sacrifice, presently pleads with his Father for his people. Unlike Hebrews, 1 John does not identify Jesus as high priest, but Jesus ongoing advocacy clearly implies his priestly ministry.

In Romans 8:34, Paul also highlights the importance of Jesus ongoing intercession at Gods right hand as a central means for preserving relationship between God and Gods people. No one can condemn those who are in Christ. This truth depends not only on Jesus death, but, as Paul says, even more on his resurrection and present intercession at Gods right hand. Paul can therefore confidently declare that nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8:39). Jesus love extends beyond the Crosshis death, resurrection, and ongoing intercession at Gods right hand are essential for his peoples salvation. Take out any one of those elements and, like the Jenga tower that falls to pieces when a key block is removed, Pauls confident claims in Romans 8:3539 collapse.

The preceding reflections do not do full justice to the significance of Jesus ascension. They only highlight some of the important implications of this event. They remind us that our ascended Lord is not sitting silently in his Fathers presence. He actively intercedes and advocates for us, ministering before the Father as our merciful and faithful high priest (Heb. 2:17). We need this ministry as we continue to wait for the Lord to return and make all things right (Heb. 9:28). Our salvation is completely contingent on Jesusthe one who died but even more rose, ascended, and presently intercedes for us.

Why do we continue to confess our sins and seek forgiveness even after professing faith in Christs salvific death?

All of this brings us back to our opening question. Why do we continue to confess our sins and seek forgiveness even after professing faith in his salvific death? We do this, boldly even, because Jesus ascended as our great advocate, our high priest (Heb. 4:1416). He has returned to his Father and ours to intercede on our behalf. This present work is an essential part of the ongoing relationship that he, the Father, the Holy Spirit, and we as Gods people share. Jesus ascension, we might say, is part of how he maintains the New Covenant relationship he inaugurated at his death. Atonement in the Old Testament wasnt accomplished simply by slaughtering animals; their bodies and blood had to be brought to the altars by priests with prayers offered. Similarly, Jesus ascension brought him, the crucified and resurrected one, into Gods heavenly presence to minister as his peoples high priest. He is the atoning sacrifice who died, rose, and now intercedes for his siblings. He ensures his people will receive the salvation God has promised them. We still sin and fall short, but we have an advocate in heaven. We can, therefore, confidently proclaim his death, until he comes (1 Cor. 11:26).

David M. Moffitt is Reader in New Testament Studies, University of St Andrews, Scotland

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What's Up with the Ascension? - ChristianityToday.com

In Christian spirituality, the Resurrection of Jesus is often linked to our ability to die to our sins and rise with Jesus in a new life of virtue. The sacrament of baptism is the most obvious example of how this symbolism is lived out, as the individual is immersed in water, dying to their sins, then rises from the font with a clean soul.

However, there is one more step that occurs after our resurrection in the spiritual life. We then need to ascend with Jesus in our daily choices.

Fr. William Graham, in the Pulpit Commentary on Catholic Teaching, explains how Jesus ascension correlates to our spiritual life.

[Jesus] was lifted up in His ascension and our hearts follow and are drawn to Him in the throne He occupies, at the right hand of His Father, in the heaven. He opened for us, and wherein He is always living to make intercession for us.

As the fruits of our thoughts on the twin mystery of the Resurrection and the Ascension we may glean a twofold lesson suggested in the words of St. Paul: If ye be risen with Christ, seek the things that are above (Coll. iii, I). We, too, must rise from the dead and ascend, or perish.

Graham goes on to describe how after rising from our sinful way of life, we need to then seek the things that are above, imitating Jesus ascension.

Let us take a lesson from the Ascension, and ever seek the things that are above. Mind the things that are above, not the things that are upon the earth (Coll. iii, 2). Christ rising again from the dead dieth now no more; death shall have no more dominion over him (Rom. vi., 9). The Ascension, as I said, is the completion of the Resurrection, so, too, the soul that rises from sin, that emerges from the unregenerate natural state to the supernatural,ascends,risesto a new sphere, a new plane of being. It is more than a mere elevation of thought, or feeling, it is a passing from death to life, and abiding therein. Grace, the principle of this inner change of life, is the seed of glory. A soul in grace, is really a soul that has ascended with Christ; hence the word heavenly-minded, so aptly applied to souls thus risen, and ascended with Christ.

He adds one more note on how this can impact our daily life.

[W]hile we make the great doctrines of the Resurrection and Ascension a light to the mind, let us not fail also to make them a guide to the heart. Let moral death, i. e., sin, never have dominion over us, let us ever in the way of life be risen with Christ, and in the realms of thought, of conversation, and of conduct, seek the things that are above.

Essentially what Graham is arguing is that Jesus ascension should point our entire being towards Heaven, and guide our every thought and deed. We should have Heaven as our goal and seek it, using whatever means is most fruitful.

Above all, it is a shift in mindset, no longer focusing on our own selfish desires, but looking towards Heaven and conducting ourselves as citizens of that blessed place. Once we do that, we will experience a profound change in our lives that will effect everything we say or do.

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How the Ascension of Jesus can inform our daily life - Aleteia IT

Ascension Columbia St. Marys Hospital Milwaukee this week opened its new 36,000-square-foot labor and delivery unit.

The $16 million expansion project included 12 labor and delivery rooms with hydrotherapy tubs, 10 antepartum rooms, two recovery suites with private bathrooms, four triage rooms and updated surgical suites for multiple births and C-sections.

The unit, located on the second floor of the hospitals Womens Medical Center, has additional space for patient and family support and clinical education.

Our goal for this project was to continue Ascension Columbia St. Marys strong legacy of excellence in womens services by enhancing our physical environment to meet the needs of mothers and their growing families, said Kelly Elkins, president of Ascension Columbia St. Marys Hospital. We believe that this new unit and our dedicated care teams will deliver on that commitment by providing compassionate, personalized care that begins with expectant mothers and the birth of their children and continues throughout lifes journey.

Support for the project came from Ascension Columbia St. Marys Foundation. Ascension Wisconsin providers were involved with designing the new unit to integrate the latest clinical practice guidelines, the health system said. Patient focus groups also helped inform the plans.

It is the second phase of a larger project to update the Womens Medical Center at 2323 N. Lake Dr. In 2016, the health system completed a renovation of the post-partum unit of the Womens Medical Center.

In the future, Ascension plans expand the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and postpartum services.

Get more news and insight in the April 27 issue of BizTimes Milwaukee. Subscribe to get updates in your inbox here.

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See photos of the new Ascension Columbia St. Mary's Hospital labor and delivery unit - BizTimes - Milwaukee Business News

Memorial Day programs planned

The Ascension Veterans Memorial Park Committee will not hold its traditional Memorial Day Ceremony because of coronavirus restrictions for public events.

"However, we have not forgotten the day or those who sacrificed for our great nation," said Tanya R. Whitney, a member of the ascension Veterans Memorial Park Foundation.

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She said a presentation will air on Ascension Channel 21 to remember and honor fallen members of the military branches. In addition, she said, some of the committee members will gather at the park at 10 a.m. Monday, May 25, to host a Facebook live program, Reflections on Memorial Day.

"We hope you will join us via Facebook on Memorial Day and watch the Channel 21 presentation," she said.

Ascension Veterans Memorial Park in Gonzales is open, though social distancing is encouraged.

Scott McKay, publisher of the internet political newspaper The Hayride and recent fiction author, will be the featured speaker at the May Ascension GOP Roundtable, sponsored by Ascension Republican Women. The roundtable will be at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the Clarion Inn, 1500 W. La. 30, in Gonzales.

Republican candidates are welcome to meet with guests.

Cost for the lunch is $22. The event is open to the public and guests are welcome. Reservations are requested at (225) 921-5187 or arwrus@aol.com

Members and guests are asked to bring non-perishable items for the St. Theresa Food Bank.

The Gonzales Outdoor Farmers Market is open from 7 a.m. to noon every Saturday until August at La. 621 and KC Road.

The market is also looking for farmers to sell produce at the weekly market.

The market is partnering with Tanger Mall to host the event in June and October.

For information, visit facebook.com/Hwy621OutdoorMarket/

Thanks to all our readers who have reached out with well wishes, story ideas and information we can publish to keep everyone informed.

We wanted to remind everyone of our new publication date; which has been moved to Wednesdays.

While there are fewer events to share with our readers, we do want to continue our commitment to spreading the word of news happening despite the closure of schools, churches and business. Send us photos and information on how your family or organization is dealing with these unusual times.

Email ascension@theadvocate.com or call (225) 603-1998.

We're working from home, like most of you, but we are on the job.

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Around Ascension for May 20, 2020 | Ascension | theadvocate.com - The Advocate

Disciples look for the Lord

Acts 1:1-11; Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9;Eph 1:17-23; Mt 28:16-20

I remember my first visit to Chartres Cathedral in France, perhaps the most beautiful medieval cathedral in all of Europe. Situated about an hours drive northeast of Paris, its soaring spires are visible as you approach the town.

Because it was never severely damaged, even during war, its stained glass windows and most of its statuary are intact and exquisite. One of the features that lingers in my mind is a panel on the choir screen surrounding the main altar featuring carvings of Gospel scenes. The last of these depicts the Ascension.

I think the sculptor had a sense of humor. The panel depicts the disciples gathered in a room and looking up with a sense of wonder on their faces, staring at a pair of legs dangling from the ceiling. It is Jesus on his way to heaven.

The feast we celebrate today takes its cue from the evangelist Luke, who, at the end of his Gospel, describes the final act of Jesus earthly mission and his triumphant return to his Father. Remembrance of that scene is invoked again at the beginning of Lukes second volume, the Acts of the Apostles, whose prologue we have in our first reading for this Sunday.

One of the intriguing features of the account is the message of the angelic visitors who come on the scene as the stunned apostles are looking up to heaven, as if following the course of a launched missile. This is the scene the artist depicted in the Chartres panel.

Men of Galilee, they exclaim, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This question banks off of the risen Jesus final instructions to his apostles just as he was about to ascend: You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. In other words, Stop staring at the sky. Rather, get down to business and begin your work of proclaiming the Gospel to the world.

In fact, with this opening scene, Luke sets out the entire plan of the Acts of the Apostles. First will come the power of the Spirit sent by Jesus the Pentecost event we celebrate next Sunday. Then, the small community gathered by Jesus will break out into the world and bring the beauty and power of the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

In different ways, the other readings for this Sunday pick up this same expansive spirit of the Christian message. The responsorial Psalm 47 reminds us that the Lord we worship is the great king over all the earth, one who reigns over the nations.

A key concern of the second reading from Ephesians, which most interpreters see as a kind of summary of Pauls theology, affirms that the power of the risen Christ places him above every principality, authority, power and dominion his name is over every name that is named.

A dominating mood in the Roman world contemporary with Paul was a sense of fatalism that human destiny was in the hands of distant and often alien powers of the universe. The Gospel, on the other hand, rejected that sense of fatalism, stating that the ultimate power within the universe is that of a loving God who cares for each human being with tenderness.

The Gospel passage for this feast is the final scene from of Matthews Gospel, in which the risen Christ appears on a mountaintop in Galilee, majestically commissioning his disciples to bring the good news of Christ to all nations. The Gospel ends with Christs promise: I am with you always, until the end of the age.

This is the lingering mood of the feast of the Ascension: called to be witnesses of Gods love and compassion to the ends of the earth; assured that there is no alien power in the universe more powerful than Gods providence; promised that the risen Christ will be with us always.

At a time when uncertainty and fear of death are all around us, we are invited to plunge deeper into the assurance of Gods abiding love for us and to witness it to an anxious world.

About the Author

Donald Senior is president emeritus, chancellor and professor of New Testament studies at Catholic Theological Union, 5401 S. Cornell Ave.

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May 24: Ascension of the Lord - Father Donald Senior, CP - Chicago Catholic

Jesus ascending to heaven by John Singleton Copley, 1775 (Public domain / Wikipedia)

Sunday, May 24, is the Ascension of the Lord (Boston; Hartford, Connecticut; New York; Newark, New Jersey; Philadelphia; and the state of Nebraskas dioceses celebrate Ascension Thursday three days earlier).Mass readings: Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47: 2-3, 6-9; Ephesians 1:17-23; Matthew 28:16-20.

An old college friend recently asked me, in a semi-joking fashion, if I thought that the coronavirus pandemic was a sign of the end times. In the course of our conversation, he explained that there is quite an online community of Christian alarmists, according to whom the coronavirus qualifies as the first of four final plagues to be visited on the Earth. Later, as I reflected on this exchange, I thought of the unrest caused by the Mayan calendar several years ago, when some people predicted that the end of the world would coincide with its terminal date: Dec. 21, 2012. I also thought about the 1993 standoff in Waco, Texas, where a group of Branch Davidians, believing the apocalypse was immanent, clashed with the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. In short, it occurred to me that such prognostications about the end of the world are neither new nor rare.

Whatever else might be said of this impulse to predict the end of the world, it is certain that Our Lord has a ready response to it in todays first reading. When the disciples ask Jesus, Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel? he answers by saying that it is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established (Acts 1:6-7). It is reminiscent of that moment in the Gospel of Matthew when he admonishes his disciples to remain vigilant since they know neither the day nor the hour that the Lord will come (Matthew 25:13). Jesus emphasizes vigilance to his disciples to prepare them to embark on their mission in the world: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Rather than prognosticate about the time of the coming of the heavenly kingdom, they are to focus on their mission: to witness to Jesus Christ by preaching the word of truth and living it in their daily lives.

It is also clear from this exchange that the disciples are to focus on their mission specifically by awaiting the Holy Spirit. In fact, they can do nothing by their own power to complete their mission successfully; rather, they must rely on the power (dunamis) the Holy Spirit will give them. Further, the nature of this power will be immediately demonstrated in their works (Acts 2): They will be able to heal the sick, cast out demons, and speak the truth elegantly and forcefully to the nations in many tongues.

Although Christ promised his apostles that he would send them the Spirit, they still must have felt some uncertainty in the time between the Lords departure and their reception of the Holy Spirit, especially considering that they continued to be persecuted by the Jerusalem authorities. Yet, accompanying this uncertainty was an opportunity; in these uneasy days awaiting the Holy Spirit, they were able to contemplate all that had happened, thereby allowing the Resurrection appearances to sink in. The time of waiting in Jerusalem thus disposed the apostles to receive the Spirit with open minds and hearts.

In our liturgical celebration of these saving mysteries, we, like the apostles, observe the Easter season as a period of time that allows the significance of the resurrection of the Lord to sink in. Like the apostles, we are asked to open our minds and hearts to receive the Holy Spirit more deeply at Pentecost so that we can focus more intently on our mission of spreading the saving truth of the Gospel by our words and deeds. And if we focus on that with all our minds and hearts, neither the day nor the hour will matter.

Dominican Father Jordan Schmidtis an instructorin sacred

Scripture at the Pontifical Faculty of the

Immaculate Conception at theDominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C.

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The Ascension and Awaiting the Advocate - National Catholic Register

Editor's note:NCR is sharing with our readers a nine-day Novena for Pentecost resource created by board member and composer Dan Schutte. Schutte writes, "if there's ever a moment when we all could use the light and wisdom of the Holy Spirit, it's now. While we wait till we can be together again for Sunday worship, this is a way we can join our hearts in prayer." The entire Novena for Pentecost can be found here.

Feast of the Ascension

As the Risen Christ prepared to leave his work in the hands of his followers, he instructed them to gather in the upper room and devote themselves to prayer as they awaited his sending of the Holy Spirit. The nine days between the Feast of the Ascension and Pentecost is often considered to be the first novena.

Pentecost is considered the birthday of the church, the day when that first community of believers was baptized with the Holy Spirit and sent out to tell the world about the Risen Christ. The storm of the present pandemic is inviting all of us, whether we like it or not, to rethink how we live in this world. It's also beckoning us to reimagine ourselves as church, as that community of baptized believers who are sent to recreate the world.

And so, let us join those first disciples in these nine days of prayer, a way for us to be together even while we are separated by space, to ask God to make us ready to receive the Spirit and follow unafraid where that Holy Breath of God might take us.

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Novena for Pentecost: Feast of the Ascension - National Catholic Reporter

#OneYearDON is a look back at All Elite Wrestlings debut event with match by match retrospectives on how talent has fared in the year since the event as well as other profiles looking at how some performers have progressed from one Double Or Nothing to the next. This one looks at Cody Rhodes and rise to become a main event star after discovering his true worth after departing WWE.

On May 22, 2016, Cody Rhodes left the bright lights, big city of the WWE Universe, and for the first time in pro wrestling career was on his own. He had grown up in the WWE Machine, signing with WWE in May of 2006 and starting in one of their developmentals in Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW). His father and mentor, The American Dream Dusty Rhodes, had passed away the previous June in 2015, and his older brother, Dustin Rhodes, remained in WWE under the warpaint of Goldust. For the younger Rhodes, the grind had become too much. Four years ago, he walked out the door and began his own story on his own terms. Two days later, his wife, Brandi Rhodes, would also be granted her own release from WWE, joining her husbands odyssey of self-discovery.

For three years, Cody Rhodes went on a trek throughout the independents, working in the US for the likes of EVOLVE Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG), Smash Wrestling, DEFY Wrestling, and House of Hardcore; he stormed the UK as well, wrestling with WCPW (later Defiant), Revolution Pro (RevPro), Southside Wrestling Entertainment (SWE), IPW, and Preston City Wrestling (PCW). He even wrestled in Europe with Irelands Over the Topp (OTT) Wrestling and Germanys Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw). If his indie onslaught wasnt impressive enough, he managed to work for both Ring of Honor and IMPACT Wrestling at the same time, and debut with New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) in 2016. Cody would have a historic calendar year for marquee events in 2016, starting with WWE WrestleMania 32 in April, followed by appearances atPWG Battle of Los Angeles (September 3, 2016), TNA Bound for Glory (October 2, 2016), ROH Final Battle (December 2, 2016), NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 11 (January 4, 2017) andwXw 16 Carat Gold 2017(March 10, 2017).

On December 10, 2016, Cody Rhodes debuted with NJPW via vignette, announcing the introduction of The American Nightmare and the newest member of Bullet Club. Rhodes would rise quickly within the dominant stable, ascending to the top alongside The Elites Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks. But despite his feud with leader Kenny Omega, Rhodes always felt like second fiddle to Omega in the public perception. While he had shed the stink of latter WWE gimmicks like Stardust, won the World title in ROH, and the NWA Worlds Heavyweight title atAll Inin September of 2018, Cody Rhodes was just not universally accepted as a true main event player yet. While he definitely had his supporters, his naysayers decried he was riding on the coattails of Bullet Club or living off brand recognizance from his days in WWE. But all of that changed when All Elite Wrestling presented their debut PPV, Double or Nothing, on May 25, 2019.

After departing ROH and NJPW at the end of 2018 alongside The Elite and Adam Hangman Page, it was revealed at midnight on New Years Eve 2018 that Rhodes would be joining his former Bullet Club mates in AEW, a new promotion that would soon rise to challenge the WWE on major cable television. With Rhodes alongside Omega and the Bucks being named Executive Vice Presidents of AEW, it only skewed his detractors more that he would wrongfully push himself to the main event scene. But Codys first feud out of the AEW gate was instead a story of family strife against his brother Dustin Rhodes, that became symbolic of the Attitude Era fans versus the Modern fans, with a promo that had the entire pro wrestling world holding its breath after airing in the weeks leading up to Double or Nothing. And by the pay-per-views conclusion, it set a new bar for emotional storytelling in the ring and remains, arguably, AEWs best in-ring match yet.

Those waiting for Cody to jump into the main event picture following his brotherly feud had to wait though. With a renewed buzz around Cody akin to his departure from WWE three years prior, Cody instead used his name to push the names of Darby Allin, Shawn Spears, and Sammy Guevara into the AEW zeitgeist. When he was finally pushed into a World title match against Le Champion Chris Jericho at AEW Full Gear in November of last year, it was made very clear that if Cody lost the match, he would not be able to compete for the World title again. In his loss, Rhodes showed that he had taken himself out of the main event story, in a way to show the world that he would not use his backstage authority to keep himself in the World title hunt. For Cody is two very different men on business conference calls, Cody is an executive who portrays a wrestler, while on TV he is a wrestler who happens to be an executive. Hes found a very convincing balance with both positions that seemed to have erased many peoples original concerns.

His popularity continued to rise within the fanbase of AEW, as the thunderous reactions from those in attendance soon became some of the loudest each night. He continued to work with new talent in AEW, working with The Butcher & The Blade in the closing months of December, while chasing his former friend MJF. In seemingly doing less than he had done in the short years prior as far as accomplishments go, his first year with AEW has made him arguably AEWs biggest folk hero. Selflessly facing newer or more unknown talents with greater frequency and helping elevate to higher levels, while being the face of the fans both in the ring and in the boardroom. Cody will finally get his chance at AEW gold again on Saturday at this years Double or Nothing when he faces Lance Archer in the finals to crown the first AEW TNT Championship. His journey has been one of a humble warrior after four years, Cody Rhodes has finally found the exact person he is a man capable of taking the throne by every means necessary.

Stay tuned toLast Word on Pro Wrestlingfor more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can catchAEW DynamiteWednesday nights at 8pm ET on TNT andAEW DARKTuesday nights at 6pm on theirYouTube Channel. AEW Double or Nothing is on Saturday, May 23, at 8pm EST on FITE.tv.

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#OneYearDON: The True Ascension of Cody Rhodes - Last Word on Pro Wrestling

GONZALES Two principals behind Bernhard Capital Partners' plans to build a regional sewer system in Ascension Parish say they're going forward with or without parish government.

But, they sure would like the parish to come along with them in the Ascension Sewer LLC consortium, now or in the future.

"We're gonna build a system. Ascension Sewer," Jeff Baudier, managing director of Bernhard Capital, told the Parish Council utilities panel recently. "We've got, you know, 17,000 customers and growing. We plan on building the premier environmental water company in the state of Louisiana and beyond and we're gonna start in Ascension Parish."

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"We would like the parish's 2,000 customers," he added later, "to be a part of it."

Baudier and Tom Pertuit, another partner in the Ascension Sewer LLC consortium, delivered their two-sided message earlier this week, making for an interesting roundin an ongoing game of poker over the future of municipal sewer service in the parish.

A little more than a week earlier, Parish President Clint Cointment had laid out his own 10-year, $100 million plan to build a regional system without Bernard Capital or the consortium's involvement, saying it was the private sewer group's turn to propose something better.

Cointment's proposal came as a separate parish committee of council and administration officials some of whom sit on the Utilities Committee have been meeting in secret to negotiate with Bernhard and Ascension Sewer. They want a public-private partnership to build the same type of regional system that Cointment has proposed doing solely through the parish.

Last year, Bernhard proposed a $215 million plan to bring together its 17,000 customers and parish government's 2,000 customers. The 30-year deal would cost ratepayers $57.90 per month to start but locks in escalation of rates for the first 10 years, ending at more than $82.41 per month.

Cointment's plan, a high-level proposal that lacks some of the deeper engineering and financial data built into the Bernhard plan,proposes monthly fees of $45 to $55 per month over the 10-year period and banks on significant grant funding from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

His plan would also start an inspection program at $11 per month for individual home treatment systems.

Both plans aim for regional plants that discharge into the Mississippi River and so remove wastewater from local waterways. State and federal regulators have tightened water quality rules in those local rivers and bayous due to the ecological damage that years of poor treatment have created.

At the end of last year, the former administration and council came close to approving a deal with Bernhard until Cointment and some newly elected council members asked for the vote to be handed off to the new parish leaders taking office in January amid objections over aspects of that plan.

The parish negotiating panel met over Zoom on April 30, and parish and Bernhard officials said the consortium was asked to deliver an update of its plan for the parish and estimates of what it would cost the parish to operate sewer on its own.

In a public meeting on Tuesday, Baudier told the council Utilities Committee that consortium officials were preparing to make those submissions when officials learned about Cointment's plan in the media and felt they needed more engineering and financial data related to his plan.

"To be honest, we can't respond to that presentation. It's not an analysis. It's not a plan. It's a summary with some conclusory statements about a plan," he said.

But Cointment said that his administration would not provide that information to Bernhard while the parish was negotiating privately with the consortium.

To do so would require parish staff to generate the information being sought, Cointment added, because it doesn't exist yet.

"If we're gonna negotiate and continue to do negotiations in executive session, what's public and what's not? And that's a good question to ask as we continue these negotiations. Should we be doing these negotiations out in public or should we be doing them in executive session," he asked. "And do we have to do extra work so they can provide a proposal, at taxpayer expense?"

Some council members asked whether a public records request could be filed for the information, which would require a parish response within 72 hours. Under the law, however, that response can be only that the government doesn't have the records requested or that the parish is for some reason legally barred from providing them.

Council Chair Teri Casso questioned if the parish was obligated to provide the information under an agreement the council signed last year to exclusively negotiate with the consortium.

David Fleshman, one of the attorneys representing the parish in the deal, told her that the agreement does obligate the parish to exchange information with the consortium and the parish has done that.

"I don't think it extends to anything they request, whether it's related or not," Fleshman said.

Some council members have said they want to be able to compare Ascension Sewer's and Cointment's plans. Councilman Aaron Lawler argued that at some point the administration should have what Bernhard wants if the administration does go forward with its plan.

"The other part of this, to me, is I think we get the best deal if there's competition," he said.

Under prior administrations, the parish's lack of customers has been seen as a major stumbling block to financing an entirely parish-owned system due to the upfront cash for a new regional plant and related land and piping. A tax revenue subsidy, higher user fees or both were seen as likely necessities without outside capital.

The parish already subsidizes its current customers, who pay $42.50 per month, with local tax revenue.

Baudier told the council that if the subsidy for the parish's current capital costs and operational expenses since 2014 had been paid strictly through user fees, parish ratepayers would have paid $158 per month. That works out to about $2.8 million in annual subsidy.

He said Ascension Sewer had factored in those costs but he can't tell, based on what the parish has publicized, if the administration has done the same.

The Utilities Committee directed the administration to turn over what information it had. The negotiating panel is expected to meet again soon in closed session to hear from the consortium.

Link:

Ascension Sewer to parish council: We want to include you in sewer plan, but will go without you - The Advocate

The Ascension Christian High School Class of 2020 gathered in the school parking lot for a drive-by cap and gown distribution and on Sunday held a graduation ceremony.

The class is led by valedictorian Hayden Cashat and salutatorian Camille Cancienne.

Cashat signed up as a member of the Air Force Reserves and will study chemical engineering at Louisiana Tech University. He received the LaTech Outstanding Student Award Scholarship

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Cancienne will study biological engineering at LSU. She received the Academic Scholar Resident Award Scholarship.

Other graduates include:

Brian Matthew Anderson

Jaden Micah Barton

Noah Michael Blair

Nathan Joseph Bledsoe

Emily Elizabeth Bobe

Caleb Bryce Bosworth

Cody Michael Breaux

Peyton Michael Chidester

Devlyn Edward Coulter

Savannah Grace Dardeau

Catherine Denise David

Dylan Christopher Evans

Zachary Paul Ford

Byron Jerome Hansley

Madison Elizabeth Hebert

Luke Joseph Iles

Daniel Collen Jones

Justin Anthony Krass

Kaleb Dean Lambert

Aidan Louis LeBlanc

Stevie Ann Lerille

Bohdi Ray Linton

Liam Gregory MacMaster

Ethan Cannon Michel

Cassidy Grace Moore

Sarah Grace Nelson

Sydney Elizabeth Perise

Jaiden Lyrail Perry

Payton Marie Primeaux

Kaity Claire Ratcliff

Andrew Stephen Ritchie

Ty Anthony Robin

Luke Jerald Rodriguez

Stefanie Lynn Savoie

Jordan Kehn Severin

Gregory Curran Snow

Madeline Claire Sylvester

Derrick Joseph Varnado

Trevor Luke Ward

Elizabeth Nicole Weimer

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Ascension Christian High graduates Class of 2020 - The Advocate

DistractionsOffbeatWhat the Christian celebration of Ascension Day means, the traditions around it and where it's a public holiday.

Thursday, 21st May 2020, 5:28 pm

Ascension Day, also known as, Holy Thursday, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord or The Feast of the Ascension of Jesus Christ, commemorates the moment Jesus ascended into heaven.

Today (21 May) marks Ascension Day in 2020. Heres everything you need to know about the meaning behind the observance and how its marked.

What is Ascension Day?

Christian celebration, Ascension Day, commemorates the moment Jesus ascended into heaven 40 days after Easter to sit at his Fathers right hand.

Jesus disciples in Jerusalem watched his departure from Earth.

Acts: 1:1-11 of the Bible? show Jesus farewell to the apostles. The passage states: Then they gathered around him and asked him, Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?

He said to them: It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

What happened to Jesus on Ascension Day?

Jesus led his disciples up to the Mount of Olive in Jerusalem. He then said that the time had come for him to be returned to God.

The King James Bible states after Jesus ascended, two angels descended from above and said to his followers: Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?

This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

When does Ascension Day take place?

The celebration takes place 40 days after Easter Sunday, on the sixth Thursday after Easter. The day is also called Holy Thursday.

The date changes each year because the dates of Easter change every year.

Ascension Day can take place as early as 30 April 30 and as late as 3 June in western Christianity.

This year, Ascension Day takes place on Thursday 21 May.

However, the Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates Easter at a different time of year as it observes the Julian calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar.

By this calendar, Ascension Day can fall anywhere between 13 May and 16 June.

Is Ascension Day a public holiday?

In the UK, Canada, the USA and Australia, Ascension Day is not a public holiday.

However, Ascension Day is a public holiday in France, Germany, Austria, Indonesia, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Belgium, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Vanuatu.

In Portugal, people usually honour the feast by making wishes for peace and prosperity and making symbolic offerings to God made out of olive and wheat.

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Ascension Day 2020: What the Christian celebration means, traditions around it and where it's a public holiday - iNews

Today has been an odd day for many as people take off (leave the house?) to try and scramble some semblance of a holiday for the long weekend.

In a new turn certainly unexpected to many Belgium has partially opened for the long weekend while adhering to the current measures, with even second homes now accessible. Thats what were focusing on today.

Regardless of if youre searching for activities, considering going shopping, or wondering if you can go to your second home (you can) Heres a recap of the answers, peppered with some of the more pressing news of the day.

With so much information, and so little time to catch up before it potentially changes again, here are some of the top stories from around the country to get you up to speed.

How confident are you about economic recovery and Europes ability to bounce back after the pandemic? Join us on our webinar next Monday 25 May to share your ideas and engage live with the speakers and moderators.

Belgium in Briefis a free daily roundup of the top stories to get you through your lunch break conversations. To receive it straight to your inbox every day, sign up below:

252additional people have tested positive for the new coronavirus (Covid-19) in Belgium in the last 24 hours, confirmed the federal public health ministry onThursday.

This brings the total number of cases in Belgium since the beginning of the pandemic to 56,235. The total reflects all people in Belgium who have been infected, and includes confirmed active cases as well as patients who have since recovered, or died from the consequences of the virus.

175of the newly-infected people live in Flanders,56live in Wallonia, and21live in Brussels. Read more.

With Ascension kicking off a long weekend for many people, the coronavirus crisis sees even more businesses in Belgium closed than on a normal bank holiday. Heres a recap for you.

A video showing violence against police officers in Belgium aims to draw attention to a situation that cannot continue.

Shared on Twitter on Wednesday evening by the Free Trade Union of Civil Servants (SLFP), the video shows violence against police officers on duty in the municipality of Anderlecht. Read more.

Starting with the ascension holiday on Thursday, Belgium is entering into a long weekend under lockdown.

While no true excursions are permitted until further notice, the latest measures mean that some cultural visits are permitted, as well as some personal activities. It is worth noting, however, that while some rules have been relaxed, those still in place have no room for bending.

So, heres what you can do and what to look out for.

People in Belgium will once again be allowed to visit their second home, an update to theMoniteur Belge the countrys official gazette has confirmed.

Property owners will once again be able to travel to their second residence and will be able to have four visitors in line with current social measures as long as they are the same visitors as elsewhere.

The persons are obliged to stay at home, or in a second residence of which they are either the owner or the tenant for a duration of at least one year, with the exclusion of mobile second residences that have not yet been installed at a fixed location, the publication reads. Read More

A decision by the mayors of four Brussels communes to make it compulsory to wear a face mask in some shopping areas is likely to be over-ruled by the Brussels region, it emerged during a plenary session of the regional parliament yesterday.

However, it remains unclear who is supposed to take the decision.

In the first week of May, Etterbeek mayor Vincent De Wolf (MR) took the unilateral decision to impose the wearing of a face mask in certain busy shopping areas of his commune, including the Rue des Tongres and the La Chasse area. Read more.

One of the first measures to be introduced back in March to help combat the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) was the immediate closure of all bars and restaurants.

Now, more than two months later, while other measures like the closure of shops and hairdressers have been relaxed, the horeca sector (hotel-restaurant-cafe) remains in lockdown. There is as yet no official indication of when that might end, but the sector itself is hoping for and preparing for a return in June.

According to Comeos, the federation for commerce and service industries, the horeca sector is losing 47 million a day from the lockdown. Some restaurants have been able to limit the damage by operating a takeaway and/or delivery service in the meantime, but for most and for all bars, cafes and tearooms the losses have been substantial. Read More.

Jules JohnstonThe Brussels Times

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Belgium in Brief: An Ascension Weekend Primer - The Brussels Times