Introduction to the Liturgy – Come, Lord Jesus – In today’s first reading, Stephen, shortly before his death, sees Jesus as the eschatological Son of Man who is to return on the clouds of heaven.  The sense of expectation of that return runs high in the reading from Revelation today.  The heavenly Christ, who is the beginning and the end, speaks to his bride the church about his approaching return.  In John’s gospel, the idea of the returning Lord is muted with the coming of Jesus identified with the indwelling which draws together the triune God and the believer.

From the Saints – Saint Augustine, bishop – Today our Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven; let our hearts ascend with him. Listen to the words of the Apostle: If you have risen with Christ, set your hearts on the things that are above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God; seek the things that are above, not the things that are on earth. For just as he remained with us even after his ascension, so we too are already in heaven with him, even though what is promised us has not yet been fulfilled in our bodies. (7^th Sunday of Easter)

In your prayers kindly remember the sick and those who care for them, the lonely, the handicapped, those isolated, and those who have died.

HAVE A BLESSED AND HOLY WEEK

Your total offering for last Sunday was $2802.00

Thank you for your generosity and support

In your kindness, please remember St. Columbkille’s Cathedral Parish in your bequests and wills

I will praise you Lord among the nations; I will tell of your name to my kin, alleluia.

(Entrance Antiphon –7^th Sunday of Easter)

St. Michael Prayer – Please join us as we begin to recite the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel at the end of each Mass. You can find the prayer cards in the entrance of the church. This prayer is attributed to Pope Leo XIII, who in the late 19^th century mandated that it be said with other prayers at the end of every Low Mass. Although no longer required, the practice of reciting this prayer at the end of Mass is still encouraged by the Church, as St. John Paul II said: “I invite everyone not to forget it, but to recite it to obtain help in the battle against the forces of darkness and against the spirit of this world.” (Regina Caeli, April 24, 1994)

CEMETERY ST. COLUMBA’S – To save time and labour in keeping the Cemetery presentable, you are not permitted to place cut flowers on plots, or to plant flowers or shrubs.  Artificial flowers or plants placed in racks, off the ground, which do not interfere with cutting the grass are allowed.  Inquiries regarding the Cemetery should be directed to the Cathedral Parish Office.  613-732-8513.  Note – Flower’s are permitted on plots for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Memorial Sunday.

Renfrew County Right to Life Grade 12 Essay Contest – Renfrew County Right to Life is delighted to announce their third Essay Contest, open to all grade 12 students residing in Renfrew County. This year’s theme is The Ethics of In-Vitro Fertilization. The winner receives $300. All essays must be received by June 1, 2022. For more details, visit facebook.com/RCRTL.

Cathedral CWL Closing Dinner and Evening for Recognition of Years of Service – Thursday, June 16^th at 5:00 p.m.  Dinner Tickets are $14.00 per person; Tickets available from CWL Members.  Event catered by Schmidt’s. All CWL Members and guests welcome.

Steubenville Toronto Youth Conference – The Steubenville Toronto Youth Conference scheduled for July 15-17 has been officially cancelled due to lack of registrations. The Office of Youth offers their sincere regrets as they were hoping for larger registration numbers by this point to make the event feasible.

            THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;
and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem
and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.”
And when he had said this, as they were looking on,
he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold,

two men stood by them in white robes,
and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven?
This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven,
will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Acts of the Apostles 1:8-11

https://www.jesuschristsavior.net

Earlier, Jesus had told the disciples that after he ascended, the Holy Spirit would come down upon them with power. At Pentecost, they received the Holy Spirit like tongues of fire. Today, every born-again believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, who gives

wisdom and power to live the Christian life

The command of Jesus to his followers was to be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. The gospel first spread to the Jews, then to the Jewish/mixed-race Samaritans, then to the Gentiles. Christians have a responsibility to spread the good news about Jesus to all who have not heard.

Through the ascension, Jesus returned to heaven to become the believer’s advocate and intercessor at the right hand of God the Father (Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1; Hebrews. 7:25). His mission on earth had been accomplished. He took on a human body and will forever remain both fully God and fully man in his glorified state. The finished work of Christ’s sacrifice (Hebrews 10:9–18) and his substitutionary atonement is complete.

Jesus is now and forever exalted above all creation, worthy of our worship and obedience (Philippians 2:9-11). The ascension was Jesus’ final step in defeating death, making eternal life possible (Hebrews 6:19–20).

The angels warned that someday Jesus will return in his glorified body, the same way he left. But instead of idly watching for the Second Coming, we should be busy with the work Christ assigned us.  https://www.learnreligions.com/ascension-of-jesus