Category Archives: Ascension

(Giotto, Ascension, Scrovegni Chapel, 14th c; Wikimedia, PD-Old-100).

Jean-Luc Marion (dont missthe Cosmosexclusive interview) argues for a more profound and mundane post-Ascension destination than classical paintings, which usually show Christ taking an invisible elevator ride into the sky, leavingthe sublunarworld behind.

But what about us? Where does that leave us?

Jean-Luc Marions Prolegomena to Charity, his most accessible work, is where he unpacks some of the central paradoxes of Christianity.

Prolegomena to Charityargues that thedisappearance of the Ascension paradoxicallymakes possiblea hitherto unknown presence and intimacy with God. One step back for our perception, two steps forward in Christs shoes.

Note the mix of modern and ancient sources:

If Christ goes up to heaven in order to return from there, from this moment on the vision of John is realized: I saw heaven opened (Rev. 19:11). This means that with the opening of heaven, God himself opens a two-way passage, God himself opens himself with the withdrawal of Jesus: There is no more closed heaven. Christ is in heaven, which implies that God is accessible to man (Joseph Ratzinger, Eschatology: Death and Eternal Life). The Ascension does not signify the disappearance of Christ into the closed heavens, but the opening of heaven by a retreat that remains a mode of return. This paradox constitutesever since the beginningthe very mystery of Ascension: It is therefore at this moment that the Son of man was known more excellently and more righteously as the Son of God; for having withdrawn in the glory of the paternal majesty, he began, in an ineffable way, to be more present through his divinity, he who had become more distant by his humanity. When I will have gone up to my Father, you will touch me more perfectly and more truly (Leo the Great, Sermons, Sermo LXII).The withdrawal of Christ does not make him less present, but more present than his physical body permitted. Or rather, the new mode of his bodily presence (as the Eucharist) assures us in the very withdrawal of his former body, a more insistent presence.

Thus, the Eucharist leads to our deification, which both manifests and obscures (in ways besides sin)the Father:

. . . the withdrawal of the Ascension makes the disciples come unto a perfect, though, paradoxical presence in Christ. Paradoxically for this presence no longer admits any sensible support and, for outside observers, reduces to pure and simple absence. Perfect, precisely because this presence no longer consists in seeing another, even the Christ, loving, dying and returning to life, but oneself, like him, in him, according to him, actually loving, dying, and returning to life. Presence: not to find oneself in the presence of Christ, but to become present to him (to declare oneself present, available) in order to receive from him the present (the gift) of the Spirit who makes us, here and now (in the present), bless him like he blesses the Fatheruntil and in order that he return. The highest presence of Christ lies in the Spirits action of making us, with him and in him, bless the Father.

The Athanasian dictum thatSon of God became man, so thatman might become God is something to remember on Ascension as it leans toward that most material of feasts,Corpus Christi. In saying this Jean-Luc Marion isnt saying anything different than the Tradition. Phenomenology, like all of philosophy, is about tearing away old opinions with new language thatmanifests the living fountains gushing out of the old.

The unique contribution of phenomenologythis is something I learned indirectlyfrom Anne M. Carpenters (see: her Patheos blog) Theo-Poetics: Hans Urs von Balthasar and the Risk of Art and Beingis that it recapitulates and magnifiesthe importance of the subjective pole of human experience in ways that were present in nuce in the objectively-oriented Scholastic tradition, but forgotten in modernitys appropriation of it.

Going back to the Eucharistic site of Ascension, we should also recallKarl Rahners words from the Investigations:

The Ascension is a festival of the future of the world. The flesh is redeemed and glorified, for The Lord has risen for ever. We Christians are, therefore, the most sublime of materialists.

The answer to the title question is therefore, right here.

The shock of this realization might be due to the loss of the ancient tradition ofunderstanding theChristian call as a call to become other Christs (alter Christi).

The materialist points made by Rahner and Marion also have some interesting implications for a reading of the Book of Revelation, which posits the afterlife as being one where there is a New Heaven and a New Earth (same, yet different), and where the saints reside in a New Jerusalem. There is a continuity there with the present world, which is thereby affirmed not superseded.

If anything the whole visible sublunar world, not just Christ, not just us, takes that invisibleelevator ride too.

For more on Marion, this time in a more phenomenological mode, see:Jean-Luc Marion: Does Silencing Love Mean Philosophy is a Misnomer?, but alsoour recent interview with him where he argues you should be Catholic because its (serious) fun.

If you know nothing about phenomenology, then read Derrida and Theology + Phenomenology as Catholic Philosophy = The French Theological Turn

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Where Does the Body of Christ Go After the Ascension? - Patheos (blog)

Pope Francis waves before leading the Regina Coeli in St. Peters Square on April 30, 2017. ( Luca Ballester/CNA)

Vatican | May. 29, 2017

On the Feast of the Ascension, the Holy Father also offered prayers for recent victims of terror attacks in Egypt and England.

VATICAN CITY On the Feast of the Ascension, Pope Francis said that when Jesus rose into heaven, he entrusted his Church with the great and dignified responsibility of spreading his Word and making it accessible to everyone.

In addition to signaling the end of his earthly ministry, Jesus Ascension reminds us of his constant assistance and that of his Spirit, who gives strength and security to our Christian witness in the world, the Pope said May 28.

The Holy Spirit reveals to us why the Church exists: she exists to announce the Gospel he said. Only for that. And also, the joy of the Church is to announce the Gospel.

Francis said the Church includes all faithful that have been baptized, who today are invited to better understand that God has given us the great dignity and responsibility of announcing it to the world, of making it accessible to humanity.

This is our dignity, this is the greatest honor of the Church! he said.

Pope Francis spoke to pilgrims gathered in St. Peters Square for his Regina Coeli address, which is prayed during the Easter season instead of the Angelus.

In his brief speech, the Pope said Jesus ascension into heaven signaled the end of his own earthly ministry, and the beginning of the Churchs mission.

From this moment, in fact, the presence of Christ in the world is mediated by his disciples, by those who believe in him and announce him, he said, adding that this mission will last until the end of history and will enjoy every day the assistance of the Risen Lord, who promised to be with his disciples until the end of the age.

Jesus constant presence, he said, brings strength in persecution, comfort in tribulation, support in situations of difficulty that the mission and the announcement of the Gospel encounter.

As the Church throughout the world turns their gaze toward heaven, where Christ ascended and is seated at the right hand of the Father, Christians must strengthen their own steps so as continue with enthusiasm and courage our journey, our mission of bearing witness to and living the Gospel in every environment, the Pope said.

However, he cautioned that this mission doesnt depend on human efforts, resources or our ability to organize, because only the light and strength of the Holy Spirit makes it possible to effectively fulfill our mission of making Jesus love and tenderness more known and experienced.

Pope Francis then asked for Marys intercession in becoming more credible witnesses of the Resurrection, and led pilgrims in praying the Regina Coeli.

Prayers for Terror Victims

After the prayer, the Holy Father voiced his closeness to Coptic Orthodox Patriarch Tawadros II following the May 26attack on busescarrying Coptic Orthodox en route to St. Samuel the Confessor monastery in Minya.

Gunmen who stopped the buses opened fire, killing 29 and injuring at least 22 others, including children. The attack marked the latest act in a string of violence against the community in recent months.

In his comments to pilgrims, Pope Francis prayed for the Coptic Orthodox community in Egypt after undergoing another act of ferocious violence.

The victims, among whom were also children, are faithful who were going to the shrine to pray, and were killed after they refused to deny their Christian faith, he said, and prayed that God would welcome into his peace these courageous witnesses, and convert the hearts of the violent.

He also voiced his sorrow for the May 23terrorist attackon the Manchester Arena in England, killing some 22 people, most of whom were youth who had been enjoying a concert by popular teen artist Ariana Grande.

Francis prayed for the victims of the horrible attack, which left many young lives cruelly shattered, and voiced his closeness to the families and all who mourn the deceased.

Finally, the Pope noted that the day also marks World Day of Social Communications, which this year holds the theme Fear not, for I am with you: Communicating Hope and Trust in our Time.

Social networks, he said, offer the opportunity to share and disseminate the news in an instant; this news can be good or bad, true or false. He prayed that communications, in every form, would be constructive, at the service of the truth by refusing prejudices, and spread hope and trust in our time.

See the original post here:

Pope: Jesus' Ascension Initiated Church's Gospel Mission - National Catholic Register

Much of France baked under record seasonal temperatures in what was the hottest Ascension weekend since 1900, according to one weather site. And the heat is set to stay, albeit along with some thunder storms.

The French will be returning to work after a long holiday weekend and many will no doubt be sporting early summer suntans.

The site says the average temperatures over the holiday weekend were 22.3C, compared to 17.2C on an average year and the previous record for the May Ascension weekend which was set in 1922, when the Mercury hit 21.9C.

The mercury topped 30C in many parts of the country and even reached record highs in certain places for this time of year.

The town of Troyes in northeastern France broke the previous seasonal record of 30C from May 2005 when temperatures reached 31.3C on Saturday.

Similarly in the northeastern department of Ardennes, the mercury rose to 31C on Saturday beating the previous record of 30.7C.

But there were also records set out west in Brittany where the town of Brest where the thermometer rose ti 28.7C, beating the previous record of 28.6 for the month of May, set back in 2012.

But it wasn't just during the day that temperatures were abnormally high in Brittany. At night the mercury was 10C higher than normal for this time of year so don't be surprised if you found it hard to sleep.

Parisians were forced to experience the famously sweaty Metro system Saturday and Sunday in temperatures reaching 32C.

Although as the photo shows below many found ways to cool off, even jumping in the Trocadero fountains at the Eiffel Tower.

Some came up with an inventive solution for battling the heat, opening fire hydrants for some much needed relief. In the greater Paris region Ile-de-France, 300 fire hydrants were opened in a move the local fire service were quick to condemn as a "bad idea".

But it wasn't only Parisians who were forced to find ways of dealing with the heat during the Ascension weekend, with people living in the southwestern department of Landes experiencing temperatures reaching a steaming 34C.

What's ahead?

Temperatures are set to remain high in the coming days even as storms affecting large parts of the east and south of the country.

On Monday afternoon, those living in the historic regions of Alsace and Lorraine in the northeast will be forced to find some shade with temperatures set to exceed 30C and in Grenoble in the southeast the mercury will reach a sweaty 33C.

Between the Pyrnes, on the border with Spain in the south, and the Nord-Pas-de-Calais to the north, storms are likely to hit with the possibility of hail.

Temperatures could dip slightly on Tuesday and more storms are expected on Wednesday bu the thermometer will treise agaion on Thursday.

The heat is expected to hold up until the end of the week with temperatures forecast to once again nudge past the 30C on Friday in parts of the country.

But by next weekend temperatures will dip to average seasonal levels.

Excerpt from:

France feels the heat under 'hottest Ascension weekend since 1900'... and there's more to come - The Local France

Tuesday, 30 May 2017 02:31 GMT By Brenna Hillier

Woe.

Remember how earlier this month El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron director Takeyasu Sawaki was teasing a new major project?

Well, here it is. Called The Lost Child, its an RPG for PS4 and Vita which publisher Kadokawa games says inherits the DNA of El Shaddai in that its set in the modern era and the protagonist is able to capture angels and demons. Scheduled to release in Japan on August 24, it doesnt seem likely to come west at this stage.

Heres the story synopsis, translated by Gematsu:

Magazine writer Hayato Ibuki was chasing the story of the suicide a person who jumped in front of a train in Shinjuku Station. In the middle of his pursuit, he falls onto the platform as if he was pushed by a mysterious black shadow. A mysterious, beautiful woman named Barcia (voiced by Miyuki Sawashiro) saves him by the skin of his teeth, and hands him a suitcase. It was a Pandoras Box that should not have been be opened.

Inside was the Demon Gun Gangour, a tool that can capture and enslave demons and fallen angels. Using this ability, Hayato successfully took on his own demon subordinates. Together with a woman named Rua (voiced by Rikako Yamaguchi), who calls herself an angel, Hayato will pursue the mysteries that occur in various places and find the beautiful woman who gave him the suitcase

Players will explore various locations as Hayato, gathering information adventure-style to advance the plot. Management of your captured angles and demons collectively called Astrals is achieved via a tablet, represented in game by a menu screen. Astrals are used in turn-based battles, and have various skills and attacks which must be used tactically against the enemys weaknesses.

So, yeah it does sound a lot like Persona, or the wider Shin Megami Tensei family, or indeed their many imitators. Im pretty disappointed. An Enoch cameo or whatever will not compensate.

Read more here:

El Shaddai director's new game not a sequel to Ascension of the Metatron, everything is terrible - VG247

The 25 pounds DH/LF Corey Dickerson lost during the winter through diet and exercise are considered the primary reason for his ascension to one of the American League's most productive hitters, going into the weekend leading in hits, multihit games and total bases, and ranked in the top five in average, runs and extra-base hits. But there's more to Corey's story most interestingly his use of a 2x4 in hitting drills as in his second season with the Rays he also has emerged as a strong candidate for the AL All-Star team. Here is some of what's new and some of what got him here:

Laying down the wood

While reducing his overall number of pregame swings, Dickerson has returned to a drill he was first introduced to in 2011 at Class A ball by coach Lenn Sakata to reduce his leg kick standing on a 2x4 piece of wood (which is on the ground the long way) while taking swings at a ball on a tee. With his heels hanging off the back, Dickerson forces himself to be better balanced as he swings, first with his feet still, then by striding. "I'm a firm believer in being really grounded," he said. "When I get off it, I feel really grounded and I'm back on my legs, and I feel like I'm where my swing needs to be." Hitting coach Chad Mottola sees the benefits, as do a couple of other Rays now trying it.

A little bit less of a bat man

Dickerson is loosening up his obsessive compulsion in taking care of his bats, including noting and cleaning foul ball scuff marks with rubbing alcohol and retaping the handles daily. "I'm definitely not as bad as I used to be, not as meticulous," Dickerson said, noting some days he will even hit with no tape on the handles. Also, he's sticking with the same models more often rather than frequently changing, currently favoring a Marucci DD10 (named for his son, Davis) that is 34 inches long, 31 ounces and flat gray with a shiny black handle.

Consistent consistency

Dickerson said the biggest reason for the more consistent production is more consistent preparation. "The consistency of what I'm doing is better than it's ever been," he said. "The consistency of my routine, and the way I go up to the plate and handle when I don't have success I continue to be who I am and I know the way I'm doing the process and what I'm doing throughout the day is what's helping my result. And sticking to it, I think that's been the biggest thing, trusting that." Even on a bad day, Dickerson is satisfied knowing he put in the same work and the same time, arriving 1-1:30 p.m. for a 7:10 game, getting busy around 2, starting his cage routine at 3:50 then going onto the field for batting practice.

Leading man

Dickerson seemed like an unorthodox choice when the Rays absent an obvious option slotted him at leadoff vs. right-handed starters, but he has taken to the role and prospered. Dickerson had past experience in the minors and Colorado and said he doesn't consider it a big adjustment: "It's an opportunity to get up there to hit a few more times maybe in a game. I think I can hit in any spot."

Big swingin'

Dickerson has hit four of the Rays' longest homers of the season, per ESPN's Home Run Tracker:

1. 453 feet, May 16 at Cleveland

2. 447 feet, May 20 vs. Yankees

3. 445 feet, April 21 vs. Astros

5. 437 feet, April 16 at Boston

(Logan Morrison had No. 4 at 444, May 10 vs. Royals)

An impressive perspective

No. 2 hitter Kevin Kiermaier has a good view of Dickerson's work, marveling not only at what he has done, specifically hitting for big power and a high average, but how much time, effort, thought and conversation he puts in: "I've never had a teammate who enjoys hitting, or talking about hitting, more than him. I love it when guys take pride in their job. I know he cares so much he can beat himself up at any time, but that's how competitive he is. He can literally hit any pitch anywhere. It doesn't matter if it's up and in at his face, or down and low bouncing off the ground, he can put a barrel on anything."

And another

Cleanup hitter Logan Morrison said what impresses him most is how Dickerson covers the whole plate, and more, and makes solid contact: "He's always had a special eye-hand coordination that very few have. When you see him take (a 97 mph pitch) up at the eyes and hit it down the leftfield line, that's special. And then a changeup down on the plate he somehow hits and fouls off. It's like he's playing cricket sometimes. I told him I would like to see him swing at more strikes and let more balls go, but he hits balls out of the park, so I don't know why you would tell him to do that."

How the deal has worked out

The Rays got Dickerson and minor-league 3B Kevin Padlo from the Rockies in January 2016 for LHP Jake McGee and RHP prospect German Marquez. Here's how they've done:

Dickerson: .268 BA, 36 HRs, 93 RBIs, .823 OPS in 196 games

Padlo: Broke hamate with Stone Crabs; .229, 16 HRs, 66 RBIs in '16

McGee: 2-3, 3.90, 16 of 21 saves in 77 games, no longer closer

Marquez: Joined rotation late April; 4-3, 4.37 in 12 games total

More on Corey

His walkup song is Take My Life, by Jeremy Camp. With the No. 6 he wore in Colorado taken by bench coach Tom Foley, Dickerson chose 10 with the Rays, in part because he grew up in Mississippi watching Braves star Chipper Jones. Was born in McComb, Miss., as were other hitmakers Bo Diddley and Britney Spears (right). With brother Craig, built a backyard mound and would hit berries with a switch and bottle caps and ping-pong balls with a broom handle.

Draft rumblings

MLB.com's latest mock draft has the Rays taking Louisville 1B/LHP Brendan McKay as the No. 4 pick on June 12, with the Twins taking Vanderbilt RHP Kyle Wright No. 1, RHP Hunter Greene going second to the Reds and N.C. prep LHP Mackenzie Gore third to the Padres. Baseball America predicts the Rays take California prep SS/CF Royce Lewis, with Wright first, McKay second and Greene third to the Padres. ESPN's Keith Law has the Rays taking Wright, after McKay, Greene and Lewis. Minorleagueball.com has the Rays taking Gore.

Rays rumblings

With all the grief Indians manager Terry Francona gives buddy Kevin Cash, a just reward would be naming him to the AL All-Star Game coaching staff. One popular question is what the Rays will do with INFs Tim Beckham, Michael Martinez and Daniel Robertson when Matt Duffy and Brad Miller return from the DL; another is whether to keep Derek Norris or Jesus Sucre when C Wilson Ramos is ready next month. With the Yankees adding a Judge's Chambers seating section, what could the Rays do? Kiermaier's Korner? Longoria's Lads? The SouzaPalooza? The Rays are not just last in attendance, but their 14,719 average is barely half the MLB mark of 28,974, with six gatherings under 10,000 despite some weekday ticket bargains. A new stadium will be a big issue in the St. Petersburg mayoral election; the Times' Charlie Frago reports Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg contributed $10,000 to Rick Kriseman's re-election campaign and other Rays folks another $25,000. It seemed an odd question given their recent improved play and pending return of injured players, but baseball operations president Matt Silverman told MLB Network Radio they are "not even thinking" about selling off. No surprise to those of us watching, but Rays games through last Sunday averaged 3:15:23, behind only the Red Sox and Tigers. FanRag Sports Jon Heyman had RHPs Chris Archer (8), Jake Odorizzi (13), Alex Colome (15), Alex Cobb (25) and Brad Boxberger (54) and 1B Logan Morrison (48) on his list of 70 players who could be traded. The mystery of why Cash ditched his pink hat midway through the Mothee Mother's Day game is solved: He held it in front of a heater to dry it out and it got burned.

ART: Dickerson hitting as main art; mug of Britney spears, stock photo of a 2 x 4

Read more:

Rays Tales: The stories behind Corey Dickerson's ascension - TBO.com

In the growing secularism of contemporary Western culture, Christian believers have to be very intentional in their faith. They have to know the meaning behind feast days and customs. In particular, they should seek to understand the high importance of Easter and the Ascension, which is celebrated today in many places.

Believers have to work to realize and live the truths of faith, especially the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, which is the heart of the Christian faith. Summarizing St. Paul to the early body of believers: if Jesus is not risen from the dead, then Christians are the most pitiable of all people.

And so, the Resurrection matters. Easter has a depth that has to be known, cherished, and actualized by believers. The Christian knows that darkness and death have been destroyed and the assurance of eternal life gives a providential perspective to evil, suffering, and other tragedies in life. The Ascension of the Lord has a part in this perspective.

Of course, many different levels of people and believers in the West still like celebrating the customs of Easter. Decorated baskets, colored eggs, and chocolate bunnies all indicate to society that something important is going on. And so, even if the Resurrection and the symbolism of these various customs are forgotten, they can still help people to know that Easter is a proper time for festivity and joy.

But why would the customs of Easter be mentioned now? Wasnt Easter several weeks ago?

Case in point: We have to work to understand Easter. Certainly, Easter is the holy day that commemorates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, but since that event is so radical in human history and so fundamental to the Christian way of life, Easter is also by extension a fifty-day season in the calendar of the church.

Believers need time to appreciate and assimilate the truths of the Resurrection every year, and so the Easter Season is a time for renewal and deeper formation in their faith.

In particular, the believer has to rediscover the importance and the lessons of the Lords Ascension into heaven.

The Easter season begins to conclude with the Ascension of the Lord. Unfortunately, in our culture, we dont seem to have any customs for the holy day. Even though in many places the feast day is now moved from its traditional Thursday observance to a Sunday, its easy for it to pass without any notice or attention.

This is a sad situation in terms of the believers discipleship since the Ascension is such an intimate and essential event in Christs earthly ministry and in the churchs observance of the Easter season.

After rising from the dead, Jesus spent forty days with the community of disciples. The closeness of this time is especially shown in the Emmaus story, when two disciples were accompanied by Jesus, taught by him, and broke bread with him. In his time with his disciples, Jesus wanted to confirm the early church in the reality of his Resurrection and in his teachings on love, mercy, and reconciliation.

After this period of time with his disciples, Jesus ascended to the Father.

When Christ ascended into heaven, he did not leave his human nature behind. He brought that nature, our human nature, into heaven with him. The Son of God did not leave us orphans. He still has his human nature, and still bears the wounds of his Passion in the kingdom of heaven.

By bringing his human nature into heaven, Jesus Christ opened paradise for the human family. With a glorified human body and a human soul, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity sits at the right hand of God the Father for all eternity. This incorporation of the human and the divine makes him our presence in eternity and the mediator between God and humanity.

This is the pressing and inspiring lesson of the Ascension. It touches the core of the Christian faith, our own dignity as human beings, and the life available to us after death. It is a strong reminder to us of how greatly we are loved and how intensely God desires fellowship with us.

Go here to read the rest:

Recovering the importance and the lessons of the Ascension - Crux: Covering all things Catholic

The former Dana College campus in Blair came alive one evening last week for an event filled with prayers and music.

The Washington County Ministerial Association sponsored the Ascension Community Celebration on Wednesday.

The organization Angels Share has plans to develop the vacant campus to be named the "Frank and Jane Krejci Learning and Life Community" into residential housing, offices and for the relocation of Grace University from Omaha.

The Grace move is planned first. The target date is May 2018.

The Ascension Celebration began with a flag ceremony by Blair scouts from troops and packs 143 and 232. Hillside Church's praise band and the Ascension Choir provided music.

The Grace Praise Band was scheduled to perform, but members couldn't attend because the Grace University Chambers Choir is embarking on a two-week mission trip to Germany and the Czech Republic. Mike Harvat, a leader for the Grace Praise Band, represented the group by playing a song.

Scouts from troops 143 and 232 in Blair raise a flag during a ceremony at the Ascension Celebration on Wednesday, from left: Alex Luttig, Ty Evangelisti, Robert Hemmingsen and Jason Preister.

Pastor Mark Denger of Christ Lutheran Church, which may establish its first permanent physical home on the campus, said the Ascension Celebration had a few purposes: to "praise the ascended Lord Jesus;" to "thank God for the new thing he is doing at the Dana campus;" and to "pray for the Lord's blessing and power over everything that happens here."

"We believe we achieved those targets," Denger said.

The pastor told the crowd gathered on the Viking Field bleachers that they were there to "celebrate the resurrection of this campus for a godly purpose."

"We are celebrating the fact that God is in this place tonight, and that he will be in this place in the years that are to come," Denger said.

Among projects for the campus, Angels Share founder Ed Shada has developed a plan for 150 residential units to house behavioral health, post-care foster care youth and senior citizens.

"We are not simply celebrating the fact that Grace University is going to occupy this place," Denger said. "We are celebrating the fact there are people who are going to be coming and going from this campus who are going to need encouragement that only Jesus Christ can bring."

A goodwill offering was taken Wednesday for the Washington County Ministerial Association's Good Samaritan Fund, which provides residents with financial support for housing, utility bills, fuel and medicine.

About 190 people attended the Ascension Celebration, including guests.

"It was a beautiful evening," Denger said.

Tim Fischer leads the Ascension Choir during a celebration organized by the Washington County Ministerial Association on Wednesday at the former Dana College campus.

Originally posted here:

Ministerial Association hosts 'Ascension' at Dana - Blair Enterprise Publishing

The 25 pounds DH/LF Corey Dickerson lost during the winter through diet and exercise are considered the primary reason for his ascension to one of the American League's most productive hitters, going into the weekend leading in hits, multihit games and total bases, and ranked in the top five in average, runs and extra-base hits. But there's more to Corey's story most interestingly his use of a 2x4 in hitting drills as in his second season with the Rays he also has emerged as a strong candidate for the AL All-Star team. Here is some of what's new and some of what got him here:

Laying down the wood

While reducing his overall number of pregame swings, Dickerson has returned to a drill he was first introduced to in 2011 at Class A ball by coach Lenn Sakata to reduce his leg kick standing on a 2x4 piece of wood (which is on the ground the long way) while taking swings at a ball on a tee. With his heels hanging off the back, Dickerson forces himself to be better balanced as he swings, first with his feet still, then by striding. "I'm a firm believer in being really grounded," he said. "When I get off it, I feel really grounded and I'm back on my legs, and I feel like I'm where my swing needs to be." Hitting coach Chad Mottola sees the benefits, as do a couple of other Rays now trying it.

A little bit less of a bat man

Dickerson is loosening up his obsessive compulsion in taking care of his bats, including noting and cleaning foul ball scuff marks with rubbing alcohol and retaping the handles daily. "I'm definitely not as bad as I used to be, not as meticulous," Dickerson said, noting some days he will even hit with no tape on the handles. Also, he's sticking with the same models more often rather than frequently changing, currently favoring a Marucci DD10 (named for his son, Davis) that is 34 inches long, 31 ounces and flat gray with a shiny black handle.

Consistent consistency

Dickerson said the biggest reason for the more consistent production is more consistent preparation. "The consistency of what I'm doing is better than it's ever been," he said. "The consistency of my routine, and the way I go up to the plate and handle when I don't have success I continue to be who I am and I know the way I'm doing the process and what I'm doing throughout the day is what's helping my result. And sticking to it, I think that's been the biggest thing, trusting that." Even on a bad day, Dickerson is satisfied knowing he put in the same work and the same time, arriving 1-1:30 p.m. for a 7:10 game, getting busy around 2, starting his cage routine at 3:50 then going onto the field for batting practice.

Leading man

Dickerson seemed like an unorthodox choice when the Rays absent an obvious option slotted him at leadoff vs. right-handed starters, but he has taken to the role and prospered. Dickerson had past experience in the minors and Colorado and said he doesn't consider it a big adjustment: "It's an opportunity to get up there to hit a few more times maybe in a game. I think I can hit in any spot."

Big swingin'

Dickerson has hit four of the Rays' longest homers of the season, per ESPN's Home Run Tracker:

1. 453 feet, May 16 at Cleveland

2. 447 feet, May 20 vs. Yankees

3. 445 feet, April 21 vs. Astros

5. 437 feet, April 16 at Boston

(Logan Morrison had No. 4 at 444, May 10 vs. Royals)

An impressive perspective

No. 2 hitter Kevin Kiermaier has a good view of Dickerson's work, marveling not only at what he has done, specifically hitting for big power and a high average, but how much time, effort, thought and conversation he puts in: "I've never had a teammate who enjoys hitting, or talking about hitting, more than him. I love it when guys take pride in their job. I know he cares so much he can beat himself up at any time, but that's how competitive he is. He can literally hit any pitch anywhere. It doesn't matter if it's up and in at his face, or down and low bouncing off the ground, he can put a barrel on anything."

And another

Cleanup hitter Logan Morrison said what impresses him most is how Dickerson covers the whole plate, and more, and makes solid contact: "He's always had a special eye-hand coordination that very few have. When you see him take (a 97 mph pitch) up at the eyes and hit it down the leftfield line, that's special. And then a changeup down on the plate he somehow hits and fouls off. It's like he's playing cricket sometimes. I told him I would like to see him swing at more strikes and let more balls go, but he hits balls out of the park, so I don't know why you would tell him to do that."

How the deal has worked out

The Rays got Dickerson and minor-league 3B Kevin Padlo from the Rockies in January 2016 for LHP Jake McGee and RHP prospect German Marquez. Here's how they've done:

Dickerson: .268 BA, 36 HRs, 93 RBIs, .823 OPS in 196 games

Padlo: Broke hamate with Stone Crabs; .229, 16 HRs, 66 RBIs in '16

McGee: 2-3, 3.90, 16 of 21 saves in 77 games, no longer closer

Marquez: Joined rotation late April; 4-3, 4.37 in 12 games total

More on Corey

His walkup song is Take My Life, by Jeremy Camp. With the No. 6 he wore in Colorado taken by bench coach Tom Foley, Dickerson chose 10 with the Rays, in part because he grew up in Mississippi watching Braves star Chipper Jones. Was born in McComb, Miss., as were other hitmakers Bo Diddley and Britney Spears (right). With brother Craig, built a backyard mound and would hit berries with a switch and bottle caps and ping-pong balls with a broom handle.

Draft rumblings

MLB.com's latest mock draft has the Rays taking Louisville 1B/LHP Brendan McKay as the No. 4 pick on June 12, with the Twins taking Vanderbilt RHP Kyle Wright No. 1, RHP Hunter Greene going second to the Reds and N.C. prep LHP Mackenzie Gore third to the Padres. Baseball America predicts the Rays take California prep SS/CF Royce Lewis, with Wright first, McKay second and Greene third to the Padres. ESPN's Keith Law has the Rays taking Wright, after McKay, Greene and Lewis. Minorleagueball.com has the Rays taking Gore.

Rays rumblings

With all the grief Indians manager Terry Francona gives buddy Kevin Cash, a just reward would be naming him to the AL All-Star Game coaching staff. One popular question is what the Rays will do with INFs Tim Beckham, Michael Martinez and Daniel Robertson when Matt Duffy and Brad Miller return from the DL; another is whether to keep Derek Norris or Jesus Sucre when C Wilson Ramos is ready next month. With the Yankees adding a Judge's Chambers seating section, what could the Rays do? Kiermaier's Korner? Longoria's Lads? The SouzaPalooza? The Rays are not just last in attendance, but their 14,719 average is barely half the MLB mark of 28,974, with six gatherings under 10,000 despite some weekday ticket bargains. A new stadium will be a big issue in the St. Petersburg mayoral election; the Times' Charlie Frago reports Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg contributed $10,000 to Rick Kriseman's re-election campaign and other Rays folks another $25,000. It seemed an odd question given their recent improved play and pending return of injured players, but baseball operations president Matt Silverman told MLB Network Radio they are "not even thinking" about selling off. No surprise to those of us watching, but Rays games through last Sunday averaged 3:15:23, behind only the Red Sox and Tigers. FanRag Sports Jon Heyman had RHPs Chris Archer (8), Jake Odorizzi (13), Alex Colome (15), Alex Cobb (25) and Brad Boxberger (54) and 1B Logan Morrison (48) on his list of 70 players who could be traded. The mystery of why Cash ditched his pink hat midway through the Mothee Mother's Day game is solved: He held it in front of a heater to dry it out and it got burned.

Rays Tales: The stories behind Corey Dickerson's ascension 05/27/17 [Last modified: Saturday, May 27, 2017 11:05pm] Photo reprints | Article reprints

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Rays Tales: The stories behind Corey Dickerson's ascension ... - Tampabay.com

Posted on 26 May 2017.

Gladden us with holy joys, almighty God, and make us rejoice with devout thanksgiving, for the Ascension of Christ your Son is our exaltation, and, where the Head has gone before in glory, the Body is called to follow in hope. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Roman Missal, The Collect of the Mass of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ).

On this Solemnity of the Ascension we give thanks to God for the Ascension of Christ is our exaltation! Why is the Ascension our exaltation? St. Augustine has a wonderful explanation: in the incarnation, the Son of God assumed our humanity so that he could die on the Cross to be in solidarity with the human family who, as a consequence of sin, suffers death. He triumphantly rose from the dead to give us hope and 40 days later returned to God the Father. Jesus brought the human flesh representing our humanity into the mystery of God, something that did not exist prior to the incarnation. God gains nothing from this, but we gain so much. In other words, in the Ascension, we give glory to God because Jesus brought humanity into God. Salvation is not only the forgiveness of sins but brings us into the very mystery of God and the fullness of life.

To truly be the people who believe that the Ascension of the Lord is our Exaltation, one must proclaim this good news of salvation to all men and women. We cannot keep our mouths shut regarding such great news! Jesus has saved the human family not only from sin and death, but has given us the gift of eternal life. We in turn, join the Apostles to be Jesus witnesses to the ends of the earth. Lets begin that witness at our dining room tables with our friends and relatives and share the joy that Christs Ascension is our exaltation. Let everything that we do and say reflect the fact that we are the children of the heavenly kingdom because the Ascension of Christ is our exaltation.

Thanks be to God for our salvation in Christ. Amen.

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The Ascension is our Exaltation - cedarspringspost

Thought for the week: Ascension Day

ON MAY 25, Christians celebrate the fact that Jesus, having risen from the dead, ascended back to his father in heaven.

As I write, Forest Green Rovers Football Club of Nailsworth celebrated their ascension to the Football League by beating Tranmere Rovers at Wembley! What an achievement! Their success brings pride and hope to their supporters.

Jesus ascension brings hope to us all. How come? One of the ultimate realities of life is that we all have to face our own death. For some it may come as a welcome end to a long time of suffering, but it inevitably means separation, pain and loss affecting everyone concerned.

Jesus ascension completes the work of the resurrection by ensuring that there is a man in heaven today who knows what it is to live on this earth and assures us that we have a champion in heaven who understands us and represents our interests. Were that true for us as we face a general election, I for one would be a lot more hopeful about engaging in the political process!

So well done Forest Green Rovers for your ascension, but thank God for your ascension Jesus, it truly inspires me that you are there for me and you really do understand!

REV DAVID AUSTIN Thameshead Benefice, Kemble

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Thought for the week: Ascension Day - Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard