Per Canon 1246, because the Solemnity of the Assumption falls on a Monday this year, August 15th, “the precept to attend Mass on this day is abrogated.” Although the obligation to attend Mass is revoked, there will be two opportunities to celebrate this feast day with 7:00 am Mass at Our Lady of the Lake, Ashland and 8:30 am Mass at Saints Peter & Paul, Moquah. .
From the Relevant Radio website:
August 15 marks one of the most important Marian feast day of the year: The Assumption. This day commemorates when Mary was assumed into Heaven, body and soul. In 1950, Pope Pius XII made it a dogma of the Church, an unquestionable teaching that verified this undeniable truth. While the New Testament makes no explicit mention of Mary’s dormition or assumption into Heaven, it has been affirmed by Christian Tradition and the accounts of saints, and historical Scripture points to its veracity. Just as God brought Enoch and Elijah directly into Heaven, He has the power to bring Our Lady, who was conceived without sin.
Because of this flawless conception, Mary was not subject to the stains and scars of Original Sin, namely labor pains, sickness, and death. Therefore, when Pope Pius XII wrote the dogma for the Assumption of Mary, he did not specify whether she died or whether she “fell asleep.” Some say that she died, not because of sin, but to imitate the life and death of Christ, perfection in all things. Others say that because she was not subject to it, she merely entered a deep sleep before her assumption.
Whatever the case, the dogma states the following: “Now God has willed that the Blessed Virgin Mary should be exempted from this general rule. She, by an entirely unique privilege, completely overcame sin by her Immaculate Conception, and as a result, she was not subject to the law of remaining in the corruption of the grave, and she did not have to wait until the end of time for the redemption of her body.” (POPE PIUS XII, MUNIFICENTISSIMUS DEUS, para. 5) Mary was assumed body and soul into Heaven. While others are subject to decay, being buried, and waiting to be reunited with their Heavenly bodies, the Virgin Mother of God was not only granted incorruptibility but instant entrance into eternal salvation.
This event alone speaks to the vital significance of our bodies while on earth. While we are not ultimately called to be permanent inhabitants of this world and we should not tether our being to the material goods of our mortal lives, the purpose of our bodies remains singularly critical. It is responsible for helping us conduct ourselves in a way that helps us honor God, know God, and love God. That is our most important goal in life. To that end, we are called to respect our bodies, just as the Virgin Mary did, in the hopes that our bodies too will make their way to Heaven at the final judgement. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 366, “Body and Soul but Truly One”)
After all her body and mind had to undergo on earth, Mary was finally granted a release, a letting go of the seven sorrows. The end of her life marked the end of her earthly trials. God was finally taking His beloved mother home to bask in His infinite paradise. This image of Mary being carried the rest of the way can be an inspiration to us in our darkest times. When we feel like letting go and giving up, God will not let us go. He will shoulder our burdens if we let Him.
And there is no better intercessor than Our Lady herself. Let us go to Mary through the Rosary and bring her all our intentions, struggles, and petitions. Join us live at 7pm CT for the Family Rosary Across America!
Holy Mary, our hope, handmaid of the Lord, seat of Wisdom, pray for us.
Applications are now being accepted for the 2022 Jerry Delvaux Scholarship.
Qualifications for the scholarship include being a member of Our Lady of the Lake in Ashland, Wisconsin, or a member of a cluster parish of the Ashland Catholic Communities, or anyone who has a father or grandfather who is a member of the Ashland Knights of Columbus Council 832.
The applicant must have completed at least one year of undergraduate education at a university, college, technical or community college and currently attending school full time.
The applicant must not have previously received the Gene Martino Scholarship or Jerry Delvaux Scholarship.
Two $500.00 scholarships will be awarded.
Applications are available for download below or at the Pastoral Center Office.
Applications must be received or postmarked no later than 5:00 pm on Friday, August 19, 2022.
The Big Money Raffle to benefit Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School was held at the parish picnic on Sunday, August 7, 2022 and here are the following winners:
Grand price - $2500
$1000
$500
$100
Thanks to everyone who participated in the drawing
The post has been corrected to reflect that the grand prize is $2500 not $2580 as previously posted. Please accept our apologies.
There are three official ways to donate to our school
1) mail a check to our school at:
Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School
215 Lake Shore Dr E
Ashland, WI 54806)
2) Make an online donation to the school using VANCO payments by clicking on the button below
3) Contact Karen Swanson about setting up a recurring donation via ACH by clicking on the button below
Over the past few years, OLL volunteer gardeners have been busy establishing new perennial beds and planters. Many perennials have been relocated from the convent garden to the church and school gardens. We could use some help with spring clean-up, and regular summer maintenance of established beds. Perhaps you are interested in “adopting” a small section of the garden for weekly maintenance? Please contact the Pastoral Center, 715-682-7620, if you can help - small efforts by many will add up to continued beautification of our gardens.
What better way to show the Ashland community of our vibrant parish and school by volunteering to help.
Middle and high school students participating in the YDISCIPLE Faith Formation program recently completed a semester study series titled, Theology of the Body. Students dove into the extraordinary story of their creation as unrepeatable individuals, and the purpose of life…being a sincere gift of self for others and striving for eternity in heaven. The last few weeks focused on discerning God's will, vocation, family, authentic friendships, dating, and living a life of virtue. To cap the program students were invited to make a pledge to chastity. They lit votive candles, asked for Mother Mary’s intersession and spent time with the Blessed Sacrament in Adoration.
Please keep our youth in prayer as they courageously live out Catholic values in a culture that is increasingly hostile to them.
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