Wednesday, May 8 (2024) — The Ascension of the Lord Vigil Mass:
- Please note: No 7:30 am Daily Mass at St. Aloysius
- 4:00 pm: St. Aloysius, Springville
- 7:00 pm: St. Mary @ East Arcade
Thursday, May 9 (2024) — The Ascension of the Lord:
- 7:30 am: St. Aloysius, Springville
- 8:00 am: St. Jude, Sardinia
- 12:00 pm: St. Mary @ Arcade
- 6:30 pm: St. John the Baptist, West Valley
The Ascension is the event, where Jesus arose into heaven, at the end of his time on earth. Jesus’ time on earth began with his birth. It was interrupted for three days by His death on the Cross. During that time, He descended into the realm of the dead and preached the Gospel to the good people who died before Him. This allowed those good and holy souls–the righteous dead, as we call them–who accepted Christ as their Savior to proceed to heaven. On the third day after his death and burial, Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, an event we call the Resurrection. He spent the next 40 days preaching and preparing His disciples to perform the work of preaching and baptizing all people. At the end of this 40-day period, Jesus ascended into heaven. We call this the Ascension. It is said that by His death and Resurrection, Jesus opened the gates of heaven for all humanity. This is true, and His Ascension demonstrates this to us. It is His proof that those of us who believe in Him in faith and follow Him will also be raised on the last day, and enter into heaven. The Ascension should not be confused with Pentecost, which is celebrated 50 days after Easter. Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Christ, after His Ascension.
