Mass | May 17, 2026 | Ascension of the Lord

We gather in prayer for those suffering in Minnesota and call upon God’s mercy as we begin in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We bless the baptismal water and claim it as a living memorial that renews our baptismal promise and grounds our identity in Christ. We proclaim the Ascension as both a triumph and a commissioning: Christ returns to the Father and sends us to carry the gospel. We hear the Great Commission clearly: all power in heaven and on earth belongs to Christ, and we must go baptize, teach, and make disciples of all nations, confident that Christ remains with us until the end of the age.

We reflect on the apostles as a living example of formed discipleship. They preach the good news, baptize in the triune name, heal the sick, and endure suffering—even death—yet their witness spreads the gospel and bears fruit across the world. We link the Ascension to Pentecost, recognizing that the Holy Spirit equips and sends us just as the Spirit descended upon the first disciples and upon those recently confirmed among us. The Spirit empowers bold speech, supernatural gifts, and the courage to face trials while continuing the mission of healing and reconciliation.

We renew our profession of faith and offer intercessions for the church, the world, and the dead, entrusting loved ones into God’s mercy and asking for peace that surpasses understanding. In the Eucharistic prayer we give thanks for Christ’s mystery, receive the body and blood as true nourishment, and ask to be gathered into unity by the Spirit. We present the bread and the chalice as the means by which we participate in Christ’s life, death, and resurrection and become a community sent to bring forgiveness and hope.

We remember the recently deceased and commend them to eternal rest, and we celebrate concrete parish life: volunteers, confirmations, pastoral resources for families, and simple fellowship over donuts. We leave strengthened: baptized, sent, and nourished to live out Christian hope, to love our families with supernatural charity, and to change the world one soul and one family at a time.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Baptism renews our Christian identity Baptism marks us into Christ’s death and resurrection and continues to shape how we live each day. The blessed water serves as a reminder that our identity flows from God’s initiative, not our achievement. Returning to that water restores purpose and courage for mission and holiness. [11:35]
• 2. Christ commissions us to make disciples Christ claims all authority and sends us to teach, baptize, and form communities that reflect his kingdom. The mandate asks for intentionality in forming believers, not mere cultural affiliation. Our obedience trusts Christ’s promise to accompany us to the end of the age. [24:20]
• 3. Ministry includes healing, suffering, victory True ministry combines acts of mercy and divine healing with the willingness to bear hardship and even persecution. Suffering does not negate fruit; it often deepens witness and refines charity. Victory arrives in the persistent spread of the gospel and the transformation of lives. [27:45]
• 4. Eucharist unites and sends us The Eucharist transforms ordinary bread and wine into the Body and Blood that gather us into one body and send us into mission. Communion forms our hearts to embody forgiveness and to act with sacrificial love in the world. Receiving sustains both our inward holiness and our outward service. [42:17]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [10:43] - Greeting and Opening Prayer
• [11:35] - Blessing of Water and Baptismal Renewal
• [14:46] - Prayer for the Ascension
• [24:20] - Gospel and Great Commission
• [26:32] - Ascension as Graduation
• [27:45] - Apostles' Ministry: Baptize and Heal
• [28:36] - Pentecost and Confirmation
• [31:04] - Profession of Faith
• [39:00] - Eucharistic Prayer and Communion
• [59:00] - Announcements, Blessing, Dismissal

1. In Matthew 28:18-20, what specific actions does Jesus command his followers to do after declaring his authority?
2. The sermon describes baptism as a “living memorial” that renews our identity in Christ. What examples of baptism’s ongoing impact were mentioned? [11:35]
3. How did the apostles’ ministry include both acts of healing and experiences of suffering, according to the sermon? [27:45]
4. What connection does the sermon make between the Ascension and Pentecost? [28:36]

1. Why might Jesus emphasize his authority (“all power in heaven and on earth”) before giving the Great Commission? How does this affect how we carry out the mission?
2. The sermon says suffering “does not negate fruit; it often deepens witness.” How might hardship or persecution actually strengthen the spread of the gospel? [27:45]
3. The Eucharist is described as both a source of unity and a sending into mission. How does receiving Communion prepare believers to “embody forgiveness and sacrificial love” in daily life? [42:17]
4. The sermon compares the Ascension to a “graduation.” What does this metaphor reveal about the purpose of Christ’s departure and our role afterward? [26:32]

1. Baptism is described as shaping daily identity, not just a one-time event. What practical habit could you adopt to remind yourself of your baptismal promises this week?
2. The Great Commission calls for intentional disciple-making, not just cultural affiliation. Who is one person in your life you could intentionally pray for or share the gospel with? How might you start?
3. The apostles faced suffering but kept serving. When have you experienced resistance or hardship in living out your faith? How did it affect your witness, and what encouragement can you take from their example? [27:45]
4. The Eucharist is meant to send us into mission. How could receiving Communion this week change the way you interact with a difficult relationship or a need in your community?
5. The sermon ends by urging us to “change the world one soul and one family at a time.” What small, concrete step could you take this month to love your family with “supernatural charity” or serve your parish community? [58:44]