Feast of the Ascension

May 12

Processional Hymn - Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise

Hail the day that sees him rise, Alleluia!
To his throne above the skies; Alleluia!
Christ, the Lamb for sinners giv’n, Alleluia!
Now ascends the highest heaven! Alleluia!

There the glorious triumph waits; Alleluia!
Lift your heads, eternal gates! Alleluia!
Christ has conquered death and sin; Alleluia!
Take the King of glory in! Alleluia!

Highest heaven its Lord receives, Alleluia!
Yet he loves the earth he leaves; Alleluia!
Though returning to his throne, Alleluia!
Still he calls the world his own. Alleluia!

See! he lifts his hands above; Alleluia!
See! he shows the wounds of love: Alleluia!
Hark! his gracious lips bestow, Alleluia!
Blessings on his Church below. Alleluia!

Christ, for us still intercede, Alleluia!
By your suff’ring for us plead; Alleluia!
Make us worthy of the place, Alleluia!
Which you offer us by grace. Alleluia!

There we shall with you remain, Alleluia!
Partners of your endless reign, Alleluia!
There your face unclouded see, Alleluia!
Live with you eternally. Alleluia!

First Reading - Acts 1:1-11

In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.
He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for “the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak; for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

When they had gathered together they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
He answered them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.
While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them.
They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky?
This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.”

Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 47

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy. Alleluia, Alleluia.

All you peoples, clap your hands, shout to God with cries of gladness!
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome one, is the great king over all the earth.
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy. Alleluia, Alleluia.

God mounts his throne to shouts of joy; amid trumpet blasts.
Sing Praise, sing Praise; Praise to our king, sing Praise.
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy. Alleluia, Alleluia.

For the king of all the earth is God; sing hymns of praise.
God reigns over the nations, God sits upon his holy throne.
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy. Alleluia, Alleluia.

Second Reading -Ephesians 1:17-23

Brothers and sisters:
May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him.
May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones, and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe, in accord with the exercise of his great might, which he worked in Christ, raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens, far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the one to come.
And he put all things beneath his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.

Gospel - Mark 16:15-20

Prayer for Our Lady of Angels Parish

Heavenly Father, we thank you for gathering us together and calling us to serve as your disciples.
You have charged us through your Son, Jesus, with the great mission of evangelizing and witnessing your love to the world.
Send your Holy Spirit to guide us as we discern your will for the spiritual renewal of our parish.
Give us strength, courage, and clear vision as we use our gifts to serve you.
We entrust our parish family to the care of Mary, our mother, and ask for her intercession and guidance, as we strive to build a parish that loves God, embraces all people, and shares the Gospel joyfully.

Communion Hymn - I Am the Bread of Life

I am the bread of life
You who come to Me shall not hunger
And who believe in Me shall not thirst
No one can come to Me
Unless the Father beckons

And I will raise you up
And I will raise you up
And I will raise you up on the last day

The bread that I will give
Is My flesh for the life of the world
And if you eat of this bread
You shall live forever
You shall live forever

And I will raise you up
And I will raise you up
And I will raise you up on the last day

I am the resurrection
I am the life
If you believe in Me
Even though you die
You shall live forever

And I will raise you up
And I will raise you up
And I will raise you up on the last day

Yes Lord I believe
That You are the Christ
The Son of God
Who has come
Into the world

And I will raise you up
And I will raise you up
And I will raise you up on the last day

And I will raise you up
And I will raise you up
And I will raise you up on the last day

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus,
I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you in my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there and I unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.

Amen.

Recessional Hymn - Go to the World!

Go to the world! Go into all the earth.
Go preach the cross where Christ renews life's worth,
Baptizing as the sign of our rebirth.
Alleluia. Alleluia.

Go to the world! Go into every place.
Go live the word of God's redeeming grace.
Go seek God's presence in each time and space.
Alleluia. Alleluia.

Go to the world! Go struggle, bless and pray;
The nights of tears give way to joyous day,
As servant Church, you follow Christ’s own way.
Alleluia. Alleluia.

Go to the world! Go as the ones I send,
For I am with you till the age shall end,
When all the hosts of glory cry “Amen!”
Alleluia. Alleluia.

Ed Kless