The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord (also known as Ascension Thursday or Ascension Day) is one of the great solemnities in the Christian liturgical calendar. This Solemnity commemorates the bodily ascension of Jesus into heaven according to Mark 16:19, Luke 24:51, and Acts 1:2. Ascension Day is traditionally celebrated on a Thursday, the fortieth day after Easter Sunday.
The terms used in the West, ascensio and ascensa, signify that Christ was raised up by His own powers. Tradition designates Mount Olivet near Bethany as the place where Christ left the earth. It is one of the eccumenical feasts ranking with the feasts of the Passion, of Easter and of Pentecost among the most solemn in the calendar and is a Holy Day of Obligation.
The terms used in the West, ascensio and ascensa, signify that Christ was raised up by His own powers. Tradition designates Mount Olivet near Bethany as the place where Christ left the earth. It is one of the eccumenical feasts ranking with the feasts of the Passion, of Easter and of Pentecost among the most solemn in the calendar and is a Holy Day of Obligation.
As we prepare to celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord on Thursday this week, we are reminded of Jesus' departing command to his disciples: Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). Jesus’ command gives us greater ardor for our purpose: to form disciples who joyfully live out the mission of Jesus Christ.
As we continue to discern, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, how this purpose will be realized in our parish, we recently asked all parishioners to participate in a survey about their Sunday experience at Saint Mary Church. We’re grateful for the more than 100 responses we received and the more than 200 comments that were submitted! It will take some time to process all the individual comments, but in the meantime, we have provided you with the summary results from the survey. The scale for the survey is: 4 = Excellent, 3 = Good, 2 = Fair, 1 = Poor
As we continue to discern, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, how this purpose will be realized in our parish, we recently asked all parishioners to participate in a survey about their Sunday experience at Saint Mary Church. We’re grateful for the more than 100 responses we received and the more than 200 comments that were submitted! It will take some time to process all the individual comments, but in the meantime, we have provided you with the summary results from the survey. The scale for the survey is: 4 = Excellent, 3 = Good, 2 = Fair, 1 = Poor
Physical Environment - Parishioners rated different physical aspects of the parish campus as noted below.
Liturgy. In this category parishioners rated different elements of the Liturgy.
Communication. Parishioners evaluated how the parish is doing with different modes of communication.
Hospitality and Pastoral Care. Parishioners were asked to rate hospitality and pastoral care in the parish.
Possible Improvements: Parishioners were asked to vote on the possibility of installing a new outside door on the church (parking lot side), using projected visual aids or having a special family section during Mass. The color key is below:
Yes = blue, No = red, Don't know = green, N/A = purple
