Familia 2011 July by Scott Knitter

Familia The Newsletter of the Ascension Parish Family

IN THIS ISSUE Ascension Book Group Page 2

Celebrating the Feast of St. Anne Page 3

Ascension Family Spotlight Page 4

Volunteers Needed! Page 4

Ice Cream Social in the Garden

July 2011

Summertime at the Ascension ‚He must increase, but I must decrease.‛ – John 3:30

hose are St. John the Baptist’s prophetic words to his own disciples concerning his role and Christ’s. His work done and the way prepared, the Forerunner spoke of the martyr’s fate that awaited him at Herod’s palace and the greater work of salvation Our Lord would later complete on Calvary. The Church Fathers, with their love of symbolism, were reminded of this prophesy when they noted the position of St. John the Baptist’s feast day in the church year. June 24, the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, falls only a few days after the summer solstice (just as Our Lord’s Nativity falls a few days after the beginning of winter). Every day between St. John’s nativity and Christmas gets shorter and shorter; every day between Christmas and St. John the Baptist’s feast gets longer and longer. ‚I must decrease; he must increase‛—see? In some places, St. John’s Day is still observed in the traditional way—with late-

night bonfires and picnics. Here in the United States, that’s less common. At Ascension, we made do with two Masses and no bonfires. But there’s another, less quaint, church tradition associated with summer that is certainly observed in many parishes. It also can be summed up with the phrase ‚I must decrease‛—namely, the widespread shut-down of church activities for the summer. For many, the summer break marks a well-deserved rest. That’s certainly true for our dedicated Sunday School staff and volunteer teachers, and for our superb choir, which has been singing regularly and beautifully at the 11:00 a.m. Solemn High Mass through an extremely long season between Michaelmas and the Solemnity of Corpus Christi this year. But, it is a pleasure to note that, here at Ascension, this summer will in no way mark a ‚vacation‛ from church. Quite the contrary— there are several events lined up for the summer months. For example: See SUMMERTIME, Page 3

Page 5

Birthdays & Anniversaries Page 5

July Ordo Kalendar

Celebrate summer in the garden! The Evangelism Committee and the Activities Committee are planning a series of evening parties in the Our Lady of Victory Garden. First up: an ice cream social! See Page 5 for more details.

Page 6 Thursday, July 28, at 6:30 p.m. (following Evening Prayer) Ice cream, pie, iced tea, coffee, and other treats

Familia

Familia The Newsletter of the Church of the Ascension Parish Family The Rt. Rev. Jeffrey Lee Bishop of Chicago The Rev. Gary P. Fertig Rector The Rev. Kurt Olson Assisting Priest Michael Vales Senior Warden David D. Schrader Junior Warden James Baran Avril Hector Scott Knitter Jett McAlister Doug Mose Carol Noren Cheryl Peterson Sylvia Sorgel Sonja Smith Members of the Vestry

Ascension Book Group First meeting Thursday, August 4, at 6:30 in Wheeler Hall Interested in learning more about faith, history, literature, and current events? The Vestry’s Evangelism Committee is happy to announce the formation of the Ascension Book Group. The group will meet once a month or so, and discuss a novel or other books of interest to parishioners. All are welcome to join the conversation. The group plans to meet the first Thursday of each month, following the 6:00 Evening Prayer service. Light refreshments will be served. Our first book is Rose Macaulay’s 1956 novel The Towers of Trebizond. Those unfamiliar with this riotous novel are in for a real treat. From its famous opening sentence— ‚‘Take my camel, dear,’ said my Aunt Dot, as she climbed down from this animal on her return from

We remember those who have finished their course in Your faith and fear, especially, on the anniversaries of their deaths: 1

Susan Schlough Coordinator, St. Antony of Padua Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry

2 6 8 9 11 13

Church of the Ascension 1133 N. LaSalle Boulevard Chicago, Illinois 60610-2601 (312) 664-1271 http://www.ascensionchicago.org/ office@ascensionchicago.org

High Mass‛—this novel grabs readers with its sharp wit and insightful observations. The book tells the story of a troupe of eccentric Anglo-Catholic missionaries (and a camel) tromping through the backlands of Turkey. As they journey towards the legendary city of Trebizond, they encounter magicians, discombobulated policemen, and none other than the evangelist Billy Graham. The Towers of Trebizond, published by New York Review Books, is widely available, through both online retailers and local bookshops. We hope that you’ll join us on August 4 as we discuss this funny and moving novel. For more information about the Ascension Book Group, contact Doug Mose (312986-0778, or dougmose1@netzero.net).

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Charley Taylor Director of Finance and Administration

To contact Familia, send email to: ascension.familia@gmail.com

July 2011

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Mary Frances Green (mother of Clifford) Raymond Mulcare (father of John) Bernard Markwell Doris Mae Horne Raymond E. Harkness Arthur Ritchie, Priest, Ninth Rector of the parish Betty Lodine Oliver William Porter (husband of Bea Haapanen) Edward Jacobs Margaret Whybrew Taylor Hope Homko (granddaughter of Bob and Angie Barbour) Harold Connaughton (father of Richard) Michael Berkshire Albert C. Eldridge (friend of Suzanne Mauntel) Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord: Let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

July 2011

Familia

Celebrating the Feast of St. Anne Bishop Montgomery will celebrate July 24 High Mass The Order of Saint Anne will soon celebrate its patronal feast, commemorating the Feast of Saint Anne at the 11:00 a.m. Pontifical Solemn High Mass on Sunday, July 24. The Rt. Rev. James Winchester Montgomery, retired Bishop of Chicago, will celebrate. Father Kurt Olson will preach. The Mass will be preceded by a solemn procession with a station at the statue of St. Anne at the back of the nave. Following the Mass, the Sisters will host a reception in Wheeler Hall, to which all parishioners and guests are invited. Bishop Montgomery most recently celebrated Mass at Ascension at last year’s commemoration of St. Anne. The Order of St. Anne was founded in 1910 by the Rev. Frederick Cecil Powell, a member of the Society of St. John the Evangelist. The Chicago convent was established in 1921, in response to a call from the rector, the Rev. William Brewster Stoskopf, for sisters to do missionary work in the parish. The sisters have been vital in the life of the parish ever since, especially dedi-

RICH FORMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

The Rt. Rev. James Montgomery, retired Bishop of Chicago, preaches at the Pontifical Solemn High Mass of St. Michael the Archangel on September 29, 2007, marking Church of the Ascension’s 150th anniversary.

cated to education and Christian formation. During the 1950s, the sisters ran a kindergarten for children from the neighborhood, and administered a paro-

chial school during the 1960s and ’70s. Those interested in volunteering to help out with the reception should call Mother Judith Marie, at (312) 642-3638.

A busy summer at Church of the Ascension SUMMERTIME, from Page 1 party will begin after Evening Prayer and On July 24, (the last Sunday in July), will feature live music and prizes for the the Sisters of St. Anne will be observing best pies, cakes and other goodies donatthe Feast of Saint Anne, their matronal ed. You are all invited to join us for Evenfestival, with a Pontifical Solemn High ing Prayer at 6:00, and for the garden parMass celebrated by the ty afterwards. Look out Rt. Rev. James Montfor more events in the For many, the summer gomery, the retired bishgarden as the summer break means a wellop of Chicago. A special wears on! reception in St. On August 4, a new pardeserved rest. But it is a Michael’s Hall will folpleasure to note that, here ish book group will hold low the Mass. The entire its first meeting in at Ascension, this sumparish family is invited Wheeler Hall. The group, to attend. which will meet monthmer will in no way mark On Thursday, July ly, will discuss Rose Maa ‘vacation’ from church. 28, the Evangelism and caulay’s Anglo-Catholic Activities Committees picaresque classic, The are hosting the first of three summer gar- Towers of Trebizond, at its first meeting. den parties—this one an ice cream so- This novel is a real gem—uproariously cial—in our lovely parish garden. The funny, insightful, and ultimately spiritual-

ly powerful. You’ll find more information about the book group on Page 2 of this newsletter. We hope that you will make plans to attend one or more of these events. You can find more information about all of these activities in this edition of Familia. And as this July edition of Familia may suggest, a concerted effort is underway to produce this newsletter more frequently. You can look to Familia for regular reminders of birthdays, anniversaries, and observances. As the parish newsletter, Familia is open to your news and submissions as well — photographs, short articles, reflections even recipes are all welcome. If you are interested in contributing to Familia, please contact Jett McAlister at ascension.familia@gmail.com.

Familia

July 2011

Ascension Family Spotlight Interviews with Parishioners and Friends of the Parish Over the next few months, we’ll be featuring a series of interviews with various members of the Ascension family, to help us to get to know each other better. If you’d like to suggest someone to be interviewed, please contact ascension.familia@gmail.com.

ing about other places to live.

This month, we talked with new Vestry member Sonja Smith.

So, when I graduated I looked for jobs in about five different cities. My grandmother lived in Chicago, and I had visited every summer since I was a young girl. So this was a natural choice. Luckily for me, I came for some job interviews—and got a job teaching music at a charter high school right away.

FAMILIA: Sonja, you’re a southern girl from Birmingham. How’d you end up in Chicago?

FAMILIA: You got a job right away? That’s not an easy thing to do these days.

SONJA: That happened a little bit by accident. I was in my second year of school studying music education at LSU when Hurricane Katrina hit. I lived around half mile from the levees. Luckily Baton Rouge didn’t flood, but it started me think-

SONJA: I know. I was very fortunate. I arrived in Chicago on a Saturday; my job interview was on the next Monday and they told me I got the job that week. See INTERVIEW, Page 6

Calling all volunteers! Several committees and other groups at Church of the Ascension are looking for some volunteers. Your participation ensures that the parish will continue to be an active, vital community. How can you help? The Evangelism Committee is looking for additional parishioners to help plan and conduct activities to welcome guests and new members to the church. Opportunities include:  Greeting guests on Sunday morning after Mass, and giving them gift bags with information about the parish  Baking (or buying – we won’t tell) goodies for the coffee hours after Sunday Masses  Planning or helping at the summer garden parties To volunteer, contact Cheryl Peterson, Evangelism Committee Chair, or the parish office. Cheryl: 773-754-0209, or cpeterson1210@hotmail.com.

The Activities Committee produces those fabulous gala receptions we all look forward to at Christmas, Easter, and other major holy days. With the St. Anthony of Padua Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry, the Activities Committee also coordinates the annual Thanksgiving dinner for our neighbors in the senior living community on Oak Street. Volunteer opportunities include:  Planning or helping at various receptions (Michaelmas, Christmas Eve, etc.) at the church  Cooking at the Thanksgiving meal (a wonderful way to serve the local community!)  Organizing additional activities throughout the year To volunteer, contact Diane Walsh, Activities Committee Chair, or the parish office. Diane: 312-375-7229, or dwalsh20@aol.com.

The Parish Office is looking for some volunteer help with light office work. Needs include:  Collating and assembling mailings (such as Familia)  Answering the door for requests for food during the week (during set office hours)

The public recitation of the Daily Office is an integral part of the parish’s prayer life. Volunteers are always needed to serve as Lay Readers for Morning or Evening Prayer, and as Acolytes for the Low Masses that follow. Or maybe you’d like to be an Altar Server or Lector at a Sunday Mass? Training will be provided!

To volunteer, contact Charley Taylor at the parish office: 312-664-1271, or office@ascensionchicago.org.

July 2011

Familia

You are invited to a

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Enjoy the beauty of summer and the company of friends in the Our Lady of Victory Garden

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Live music!

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Ice cream and beverages provided by the parish

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Bring pies and/or cakes—there’s a prize for the tastiest!

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All are welcome, especially guests and visitors!

Summer Garden Party Ice Cream Social Thursday, July 28, 6:30 p.m.

SCOTT SMITH

July Birthdays and Anniversaries 3|

Wendy George

21 |

Mia Rose Milano (granddaughter of Michael)

William Ford

22 |

Jim Berger Fr. John Kobus

11 |

Paul Ahn

24 |

Doug Mose Joyce Keaton

14 |

Ethel Martin

16 |

Peter Milano (son of Michael)

25 |

John Clifford Hedley (grandson of Joan)

17 |

Catherine Wilson

27 |

Gary Gehrke

18 |

Xiomara Greene

28 |

Clifford Green

19 |

Alex Feuer (son of Mike and Carolyn)

30 |

Andrew Wallace

Familia

July 2011

Ordo Kalendar—July 2011 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 19 20 22 23 24

25 26 27 29 30 31

THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS (Low Masses at 7:00 a.m. and 6:20 p.m.) THE MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (Saturday Public Mass of Healing at 10:00 a.m.) THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (Proper 9) INDEPENDENCE DAY (Church Offices closed; there is no public recitation of Evening Prayer this day) Vladimir of Kiev, 1015 Thomas More, Martyr, 1535 (Wednesday Low Mass at 6:20 p.m.) Palladius, Apostle of Ireland, 5th Century Aquila, Confessor, and Priscilla, Matron, 1st Century Votive of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Saturday Public Mass of Healing at 10:00 a.m.) THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (Proper 10) Benedict of Nursia, Abbot of Monte Cassino, c. 540 Nathan Söderblum, Archbishop of Uppsala, Ecumenist, 1931 Silas, Martyr, 1st Century (Wednesday Low Mass at 6:20 p.m.) Bonaventure, Bishop of Albano, 1274 Swithun, Bishop of Winchester, 862 Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Saturday Public Mass of Healing at 10:00 a.m.) THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (Proper 11) Macrina, 379 Margaret, Martyr at Antioch, 3rd Century (Wednesday Low Mass at 6:20 p.m.) ST. MARY MAGDALENE (Low Masses at 7:00 a.m. and 6:20 p.m.) John Cassian, Abbot, c. 433 THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST COMMEMORATION OF THE SOLEMNITY OF SAINT ANNE, PATRONAL FEAST OF THE ORDER OF SAINT ANNE (Pontifical Solemn High Mass, The Rt. Rev. James Winchester Montgomery, Celebrant, 11:00 a.m.) ST. JAMES, APOSTLE (Low Masses at 7:00 a.m. and 6:20 p.m.) St. Anne, Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary William Reed Huntington, Priest, 1909 (Wednesday Low Mass at 6:20 p.m.) Mary and Martha of Bethany William Wilberforce, 1833 THE SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (Proper 13)

INTERVIEW, from Page 4

over in classrooms these days?

FAMILIA: And are you still teaching at the charter school?

SONJA: Well, they don’t go around humming chants all day. But, by the time we’re through with the class, I think they have gained a real appreciation for the classic Western tradition of music.

SONJA: No—a few years ago, I began teaching music appreciation and group piano at Malcolm X College. FAMILIA: Music appreciation? SONJA: It’s basically music history. We start with Gregorian chant and move as far I can take them through the semester. FAMILIA: How does Gregorian chant go

FAMILIA: If you teach Gregorian chant and Western music history all day, coming to Mass at Ascension must be like a another day at the office for you. SONJA: Well, it’s not exactly like work. But it is true that the music here was the first thing that attracted me to Ascen-

sion. I remember when I first started attending, and David [Schrader] did one of his great improvisations, and I just thought “I’m at the right place.” FAMILIA: How long have you been a member of Church of the Ascension? SONJA: Around four years. When I first moved to Chicago, I visited various parishes. But after attending Mass at Ascension, I stopped visiting other parishes and just started coming here. FAMILIA: Besides the music, was there See SPOTLIGHT, Page 7

July 2011

Familia SPOTLIGHT, From Page 6

anything else that attracted you to Ascension? SONJA: The liturgy in general. I’m a cradle Episcopalian, so I have always appreciated the rhythm of our worship services. It gives me a chance to reflect on who I am, and what my role is as a Christian. This may sound funny—but that’s one reason I look forward to Lent every year. I appreciate the opportunity for self-examination and reflection. FAMILIA: Do you have a favorite hymn?

liams’s setting of “Hail Thee, Festival Day”—a great, rousing Anglican hymn.

Vestry, you’re also an usher. What led you to volunteer for that?

FAMILIA: Sonja, you joined the vestry of the parish this year. Are there any projects you’re working on that you’re excited about?

SONJA: Well, I thought it would be a good way for me to get to know people. And it really has been a great way for me to be able to put names to the faces I see every week at Mass.

SONJA: I’m very enthusiastic about the garden parties that the Evangelism & Activities committees are jointly sponsoring this summer. We’re planning to hold three of them—one in July, one in August and one in September.

SONJA: One that we sang just a couple of weeks ago—“Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence.” It has a beautiful haunting melody that really conveys the majesty of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist.

We’re hoping they will be a great way for us to bond as a parish family, and to invite people from the neighborhood to see what Ascension is all about. I think we have a lot to offer—we’re a close-knit parish with excellent worship, and there’s room for many people to join us as we grow. So I’m excited about that.

Another favorite is Ralph Vaughan Wil-

FAMILIA: In addition to serving on the

FAMILIA: Speaking of getting to know people, what are some of your other interests outside of church? SONJA: I’m a big foodie. I like to cook and bake – and go out to good restaurants. I’m a big fan of the neighborhood street festivals we have in Chicago every summer. And I like to play tennis a lot—three times a week. I was teasing my mother the other day that if she had started me on tennis lessons, instead of the piano, when I was a girl, I might have had a whole different career!

July Lectionary July 1 — THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS — 1 John 4:7-16

Matthew 11:25-30

July 2 — THE MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST — Hebrews 9:11-15 John 19:30-35 July 3 — THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Zechariah 9:9-12 Romans 7:15-25a

Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

July 10 — THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Isaiah 55:10-13 Romans 8:1-11

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

July 17 — THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Wisdom 12:13, 16-19 Romans 8:12-25

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

July 22 — ST. MARY MAGDALENE Judith 9:1, 11-14 2 Corinthians 5:14-18

John 20:11-18

July 24 — THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 1 Kings 3:5-12 Romans 8:26-39

Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

July 25 — ST. JAMES THE APOSTLE Jeremiah 45:1-5 Acts 11:27-12:3

Matthew 20:20-28

July 31 — THE SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Isaiah 55:1-5 Romans 9:1-5

Matthew 14:13-21

1133 N. La Salle Boulevard Chicago, Illinois 60610-2601

Church of the Ascension

Church of the Ascension SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULE Sundays 7:30 a.m. Morning Prayer 8:00 a.m. Low Mass 9:00 a.m. Sung Mass 11:00 a.m. Solemn High Mass 4:00 p.m Evening Prayer

Morning Prayer Public Mass of Healing Evening Prayer

Saturdays 9:40 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m.

Morning Prayer (M-F) Low Mass (M-F) Evening Prayer (M-F) Low Mass (W and Holy Days)

Weekdays 6:40 a.m. 7:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. 6:20 p.m.

ALL ARE WELCOME.