Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord June 1, 2025

 
        
       Our Lady of Peace Parish
Also Serving Our Lady of the Smile Parish, Waterhen Lake and
St. Jude’s Parish, Green Lake

Office Hours: Closed MON, TUES, THURS & FRI
OPEN : Wednesday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Office Phone:  306-236-5122 
Cell Phone: 306-304-7271

Parish Email: [email protected] Pastor Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Catholic Church Meadow Lake
Website: https://www.meadowlakecatholicchurch.com/
Address: 504-3rd Ave. East, Meadow Lake, SK S9X 1H5  
 
   God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.
Psalm 47 Refrain
 
 Our Vision:
A Community of Disciples
Our Mission
We commit to form disciples
who joyfully and faithfully
live out the mission of
Jesus Christ
by enriching our relationship
with God and neighbour
through the intercession of
Our Lady of Peace.

Pastor: 
Fr. Uche Umechikelu, MSP
Parish Secretary:
Pat Bencharski
 
Masses
Intentions

When there is a funeral, the daily mass will normally be cancelled.  Check Facebook for the most up-to-date information.  On Tuesday to Friday and on Sunday, Our Lady of Peace masses will be livestreamed on Facebook.

Mon., June 2 – No mass
 
Tues., June 3 – No mass (Fr. Uche on holidays)
 
Wed., June 4– No mass (Fr. Uche on holidays)
 
Thurs., June 5 – No mass (Fr. Uche on holidays)
 
Fri., June 6 – No mass
 
Sat., June 7 – No mass
 
Sun., June 8 – 10:00 am (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook) - People of God

Sun., June 8 – 12:30 pm (St. Jude’s Green Lake) - People of God

Sun., June 8 – 3:00 pm (Our Lady of the Smile Waterhen Lake) - People of God

THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH

1. Fr. Uche returns from holidays June 6.
2. First Communion/confirmation will be celebrated Saturday, June 14 at 7:00 pm.

 Sunday Collection –  May. 25  Meadow Lake  $1145.25   Green Lake  $238.95  Children’s $4.35
 
Sunday Church Attendance –    May. 25   Adults  98  Children  30  Total  128
 
The Pope’s Prayer Intention for June – That the world might grow in compassion – Let us pray that each one of us might find consolation in a personal relationship with Jesus, and from his Heart, learn to have compassion on the world.
 
Grad Scholarship – We are once again hoping to present graduates with a scholarship from Our Lady of Peace. If you would like to participate in this project please place your donation in an envelope marked Grad Scholarship.  Thank you.
 
World Communications Day – June 1 – Today Catholics are invited to reflect upon the media of social communication (films, radio, television, newspapers, audiovisuals) and how these influence our lives. The media can promote values that lead to a more fully human society. The Church’s ministry is twofold. The media can be used to help promote the Gospel. At the same time, as receivers of the materials presented by the media, the faithful have a duty to support and promote worthwhile presentations on media and reject those which promote values contrary to spiritual growth.
                                                Taken from Ordo page 146
 
Scripture Insights – Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
Taken from Source Book for Sundays, Seasons and Weekdays 2025: The Almanac for Pastoral Liturgy, LTP Liturgy Training Publications Copyright 2024, 3949 South Racine Avenue, Chicago, IL 60609, pg. 214.
 
 On the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, we hear different accounts of this event from the evangelist Luke. The earlier depiction appears at the end of Luke’s gospel, while the latter account, our first reading, is from the opening verses of the Acts of the Apostles. Both readings instruct Jesus’ followers to remain in Jerusalem until they receive the “promise of the Father” (Lk 24:49 and Acts 1:4) – that is, the Holy Spirit. Similarly, both texts refer to these individuals as “witnesses” (Lk 24:48 and Acts 1:8). The Greek word that is translated witnesses actually means “martyrs.” Thus, we can conclude that some followers of Jesus will be martyred for testifying to the words and works of the Lord. Despite this implication, the Gospel of Luke concludes that these witnesses of Jesus “returned to Jerusalem with great joy” (Lk 24:52).
The selection from Hebrews presents us with some challenges. With eighteen verses of text not included in the lectionary, we do not hear a portion of Hebrews that elaborates on Jesus’ mission. Within today’s selection, we are told that Jesus, the Christ, has entered into the heavenly sanctuary. While the sanctuary of the temple was indeed a holy place, the earthly sacrifices that take place there cannot be compared to the “once for all” (Heb 9:26) sacrifice of Jesus. On this Solemnity of the Ascension, we celebrate Jesus’ return to the Father. We celebrate that we too will be welcomed into our heavenly home at the appointed time. Having been baptized into Christ, we recall the final words of today’s selection from Hebrews: “Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope, for he who made the promise is trustworthy” (Heb 10:23).
 
·         Jesus’ forty days of presence with the apostles after his resurrection were a sacred time. Memories of sacred encounters with Jesus, when held onto tightly and shared openly, provide sustenance through more trying times. When we feel our faith fading, it may be time for storytelling of past experiences or time to seek to encounter Jesus in a new way.
 

• The Letter to the Hebrews describes how Jesus made possible full intimacy with God. This intimacy is lived out in our daily lives – bathing an infant or an elderly parent, sharing a meal with a stranger, sitting at the bedside of someone who is ill, writing a letter to an estranged or imprisoned family member.