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Resurrection 40

Written by Ascension Youth on .

Resurrection 40/ Lent 2019 Sign up here

Goal/ Purpose:

The goal and purpose of this exercise is to grow in community through prayer, vulnerability, shared experience, and intentionality. This is not only a challenge to push our limits, but to push us into our brothers and sisters. It is difficult to follow Christ, but it is easier to do this together.

What it is:

Resurrection 40 is modelled after Exodus 90, a program intended to help men break an addiction. We have changed a few things to make the program more manageable in the life of a high school student, while still rigorous and challenging. This is NOT something to do on your own; this is a community activity. We’re all in this together. The four guideposts of Resurrection 40 are Happy, Healthy, Holy, and Normal.

Happy

– Computer only for work or school except by permission of group

– No TV/ Netflix/ Hulu/ YouTube/ video games without group permission

– Minimum of six hours of sleep each night

– No social media (SnapChat/ Instagram/ Facebook/ etc.) besides GroupMe

Healthy

– No sweets or desserts

– No soda or sweetened drinks

– 20 minutes of physical activity or 30 burpees each day

– No fast food without permission of group

Holy

– Study one chapter of either Mark or Luke’s Gospel each day (read those footnotes!)

– Daily rosary, or at least one decade of the rosary each day

– Minimum of 20 minutes of prayer each day (Scripture and rosary can count towards this)

Normal

– Pray together at least once each week (see Anna for chapel code, if needed)

– Spiritual leadership from adult leader

– Participate in group chat/ accountability

– Lukewarm, cold, or short showers

– At least one meal with your family each week

– Take a rest day on Sundays, discuss with your group what that looks like

*All of these things can be adjusted to better suit your group. If for example, your bff is in town for the first time in a long time and wants to catch up at Culver’s, you can go to Culver’s if you get permission from your group beforehand. If your birthday falls during Lent and someone surprises you with a cake, don’t reject the charity of someone making a cake for you, offer it up and eat some cake.

**If this is looking too easy for you, consider making an additional sacrifice of some sort. I.e. when you would normally go out for coffee, skip the coffee shop and donate the money you would have spent (https://www.ricebowls.org/ or https://www.marysmeals.org/ ). Donate a beloved article of clothing each day or week of Lent. Read all four Gospels. Spend more than twenty minutes in prayer. Go out of your way to do something for your family, a friend, stranger, or roommate.

***Similarly, if this is looking too difficult for you, consider scaling down some of these practices. Again, the point of this is not to see how hard you can push yourself, but to draw closer to Jesus and to grow in community.

Scripture Study:

For our Scripture study, we will begin with the Gospel of Mark and finish in the Gospel of Luke. You will read one chapter each day, except on Sundays which will use the prescribed readings according to USCCB. Our plan is outlined below in case you get lost. Remember to check out those footnotes and the context. Look at https://formed.org/ or https://www.blueletterbible.org/  or http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/lent/index.cfm for more cool stuff!

Ash Wednesday: Mark 1

3.7: Mark 2

3.8: Mark 3

3.9: Mark 4

3.10: DT 26: 4-10, Ps 91:1-15, Rom 10: 8-13, LK 4: 1-13

3.11: Mark 5

3.12: Mark 6

3.13 Mark 7

3.14: Mark 8

3.15: Mark 9

3.16: Mark 10

3.17: GN 15: 5-12, 17-18, Ps 27:1-14, Phil 3:20-4:1, LK 9:28b-36

3.18: Mark 11

3.19: Mark 12

3.20: Mark 13

3.21: Mark 14

3.22: Mark 15

3.23: Mark 15

3.24: Ex 17: 3-7, Ps 95: 1-9, Rom 5:1-2, 5-8, Jn 4: 5-42

3.25: Mark 16

3.26: Luke 1

3.27: Luke 2

3.28: Luke 3

3.29: Luke 4

3.30: Luke 5

3.31: 1 Sam 16:1, 6-7, 10-13, Ps 23: 1-6, Eph 5: 8-14, Jn 9:1-41

4.1: Luke 6

4.2: Luke 7

4.3: Luke 8

4.4: Luke 9

4.5: Luke 10

4.6: Luke 11

4.7: Ez 37:12-14, Ps 130:1-8, Rom 8:8-11, Jn 11:1-45

4.8: Luke 12

4.9: Luke 13

4.10: Luke 14

4.11: Luke 15

4.12: Luke 16

4.13: Luke 17

Palm Sunday 4.14: Luke 19: 28-40, Is 50:4-7, Ps 22:8-24, Phil 2: 8-9, Luke 22: 14-23:56

4.15: Luke 18

4.16: Luke 19

4.17: Luke 20

4.18: Luke 21

4.18: Luke 22

4.18: Luke 23 (Holy Thursday Mass readings Ex 12:1-8, 11:14, Ps 116: 12-18, 1 Cor 11:23-26, Jn 13:1-15)

4.19: Luke 24 (Good Friday readings Is 52: 13- 53:12, Ps 31: 2-25, Heb 4:14-16, 5:7-9, Jn 18:1-19: 42)

4.20: Holy Saturday http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/042019.cfm

EASTER Sunday! http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/042119.cfm

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What's Happening, Youth Ministry

Summer Plans 2019

Written by Ascension Youth on .
We have some amazing trips and opportunities coming up for Summer 2019!
This is your invitation to serve, learn, grow and give.
Each summer we take students on a variety of trips, retreats, and mission opportunities. As dates for these have not yet been released, this page serves to show some of the opportunities we hope to engage students with in the coming year. If you have any questions, would like to make any suggestions about additional opportunities for youth, or would like to get involved as a volunteer please email Anna and Joe at findithere@gmail.com to set up a lunch meeting. We can’t wait to hear from you

For Incoming 7th and 8th Graders: Camp Hidden Lake, GA

We are so excited to announce that this summer (2019), we are partnering with St. Michael the Archangel (Leawood) to take a group of incoming 7th and 8th graders to Camp Hidden Lakein Dahlonega, GA!
About: Camp Hidden Lake is owned and run by Life Teen, a national Catholic Youth Ministry organization that has been leading teens closer to Christ since 1985. With high ropes courses, a swimming and canoeing lake, rock wall, a full-size basketball gym equipped with A/C, volleyball courts, Ga-Ga pits, fields for soccer and frisbee, an art barn with pool and ping-pong tables, and so much more, Hidden Lake has everything to make sure our week of Camp is packed with fun! Mass, Reconciliation, group and individual prayer will foster and grow the joy and wonder of being Catholic.
What: EDGE Camp Hidden Lake
Who: Incoming 7th and 8th graders (Fall 2019) – 20 spots available
When: July 7-13, 2019
Where: Camp Hidden Lake (830 Hidden Lake Rd, Dahlonega, GA 30533)
Cost: $525 (This includes transportation to and from Camp Hidden Lake from SMA, lodging and all meals for the five-day camp, and the priceless experience of spending a week falling in love with Jesus). A non-refundable deposit of $125 is required to secure your spot at registration. (The remaining balance of $525 will be split into three $175 payments due in January, February, and March.)

Prayer and Action 2019 Registration

Ascension registration for Prayer and Action opens on Feb 11th on a first-come, first-serve basis. There are 15 spots (male/female split) for students (and 3-4 chaperones) per week. There will be a waiting list for others.

To register for one of our Prayer and Action mission trip weeks this summer, please fill out the following form.  An email will follow a few days later with payment information and more detailed information.

Cost is $260/person. Chaperones attend at no charge.
Option 1: June 23-28
Option 2: July 7-12
Option 3: July 14-19

If you have any questions feel free to call 913-681-7683 or email us at findithere@gmail.com

REGISTRATION BUTTON WILL BE ACTIVE ON FEB 11th 8am

CLICK HERE

Kairos Retreat for Jrs and Srs in HS (registration opening soon)

$120  (Scholarships available)

K-27   August 2-4

Kairos Retreats have been around for decades and have been a strong part of the spirituality growth of young people in this diocese.  Although Kairos was originally intended for a different audience over 50 years ago, not much has been done to being it to students with their challenges today.  Ascension Youth Ministry has developed a modified version that has borrowed some of the wisdom of Luke 18 retreats, as well as Life Teen and current trends to make this retreat affordable and designed to have lasting impact.

Kairos has 4 different segments: doubt, cry, trust, and live.  The first is identifying what we have doubt in, and what questions most bother us with God and His plan for us and this world.  Secondly, we find ways to express those doubts and learn from each other as we do.  Next, we walk through what it means to trust in God and the Holy Spirit as it is our guide in this world.  Finally,  we discern how all of this that has been learned should be lived out and find ways to keep each other accountable to that.  Kairos always builds a strong bond with each other but our prayer and hope is that it also connects them to their parish family as well.

This retreat requires many who are willing to give of their time and talent to make it work.  It requires students and adults to facilitate, parish homes to bunk in overnight, loving adults to help prepare and serve food, as well as number of other spiritual and support capacities.  If you are interested please register as well or email us with any questions.  findithere@gmail.com

If you have any questions feel free to call 913-681-7683 or email us at findithere@gmail.com

World Youth Day  (18+ by May 2020)

Lisbon, Portugal

Youth Ministry

ZOOM – For High School Students

Written by Ascension Youth on .

 

StatueZoom

Zoom meets every Wednesday evening from 6-8 p.m. in the YR. If you want to go deeper in your relationship with the Lord, this is the place for you. Any given night could include dinner, movie clips, small groups, deep conversation, flash mobs, games, improv, and more!

Each month is a separate topic. All high school students are welcome. We hope to see you here!

Prayer and Action 2017 – More than work from Church of the Ascension on Vimeo.

Parish Life, Youth Ministry

Young Adult

Written by Ascension Youth on .

College age students digging into a book together.
College age students digging into a book together.

ENGAGE YOURSELF

FOCUS:

FOCUS is the Fellowship of Catholic University Students. What does that mean? FOCUS is a campus outreach that pursues college students with intentionality and love.  Missionaries invite students into a growing relationship with Jesus and the Catholic Faith, inspiring, and equipping them for a lifetime of Christ-centered evangelization, discipleship, and friendships in which they lead others to do the same.

http://www.focus.org/

St. Paul’s Outreach:

College campuses are battlegrounds for the minds and souls of our young people, and many are leaving the Church. Only 10% of Catholic millennials attend Sunday Mass. Students are hungry for truth and meaning but most are not being reached effectively. Saint Paul’s Outreach (SPO) reaches these students around the country, bringing them back to Christ and the fullness of the Catholic faith. We build evangelistic communities that provide a unique quality and depth of formation in the Catholic faith and life.

http://www.spo.org/

Newman Connection:

Newman Centers are residence and Catholic ministry centers at non-Catholic universities throughout the world. These centers provide pastoral services and ministries to their Catholic communities, in particular to the Roman Catholic student population within universities throughout the world.

http://www.newmanconnection.com/

SALT

“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt loses its taste, how shall its saltness be restored?” Matthew 5:13
SALT is a new Catholic young adult group for the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas! Our mission is to offer spiritual fellowship. We also offer opportunities to give of ourselves in service and to evangelize in our community. Come check us out for faith, fun, and fellowship!

Salt Facebook

Jerusalem Farm:

Jerusalem Farm is a Catholic intentional community located in Kansas City, MO. Built on the four cornerstones of Prayer, Community, Service and Simplicity we strive to transform our lives and those around us through service retreat experiences, sustainable living and home repair.

http://www.jerusalemfarm.org/

Catholic Volunteer Network:

Catholic Volunteer Network fosters and promotes full-time domestic and international faith-based volunteer service opportunities for people of all ages, backgrounds, and skills. As the leading membership organization of Christian volunteer and mission programs, we support and enhance the work of our members through volunteer recruitment, training and resources, networking opportunities, and advocacy.

https://www.catholicvolunteernetwork.org/

Time to Socialize!

City on a Hill:

City on a Hill is a vibrant ministry seeking to serve young adults and their’s in and around the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Missouri. City on a Hill provides unique opportunities for young adults to grow closer to Jesus Christ through prayer, catechesis, the sacraments, formation, small groups, retreats, fellowship, and service.

https://kansascityonahill.org/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/kansascityonahill/

  • Tuesdays at the Boulevard
  • CCS: Catholic Challenge Sports
  • Young Catholic Professionals
  • KC Mass Mob
  • Catholic Beer Club
  • Reservoir: Young Adult Holy Hour
  • Second Saturdays on the Sidewalk
  • Opportunities for Leadership, Outreach, Formation and more!

Catholic Podcasts

https://catholicstuffpodcast.com/

https://www.catchingfoxes.fm/

https://www.thecatholicfeministpodcast.com/

https://www.pray-as-you-go.org/70/

http://www.lankyguys.org/

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-crunch/id1165985677?mt=2

https://www.catholichipster.com/

Catholic Social Networking Sites:

Xt3

– According to the site: “Launched at WYD08, Xt3 is the fastest growing social network of its kind, with members throughout the world from over 200 countries. Xt3 connects you with people who want to make a difference and helps you build a better world. Everyone is welcome.”

http://www.xt3.com/

Busted Halo

Busted Halo is an online magazine for spiritual seekers, which means that they have engaging answers to almost every moral and Catholic question you can think of. They present profound spiritual topics in short, shareable videos and articles and are a great ministry tool and resource for any Catholic.

http://bustedhalo.com/

Word on Fire

Word on Fire uses art, entertainment, theology, and doctrine to connect readers to the mission of the Catholic Church and the life of Jesus Christ. You’ll see reviews as well as theological debates under the background of popular culture—check out this Star Trek Vs. Star Wars Debate article for a sample.

http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/blog/

The Main Thing

The Main Thing combines reflections from daily life and current events with Church teaching to spread a message of conversion, discipleship, and stewardship. You’ll be challenged to seek out spiritual inspiration in your own life and to grow in your own faith.

https://tracyearlwelliver.com/

Catholic News Agency

Think of Catholic News Agency as the five o’clock news of everything Catholic. You’ll find local and national Catholic news, movie and book reviews, as well as discussions on the moral and spiritual issues of the day.

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/

Catholic Exchange

Catholic Exchange offers accessible articles and helpful tools for spiritual growth and evangelization.  You’ll find engaging Scripture meditations, topics, podcasts along with Catholic quotes that aim to increase your understanding of God’s word and work.

http://catholicexchange.com/

Curious how you should vote in 2018?

http://www.catholicvote.org/

Youth Ministry

A2J

Written by Ascension Youth on .

Leading our 6th and 7th grade youth closer to Christ!

A2J is Ascension’s youth ministry program for all 6th & 7th graders in the area, not just Ascension Catholic School! We meet every first and third Tuesday of the month from 5:30-6:30p in the youth room. Dinner is provided.

We encourage all 6th & 7th graders to come and experience the love, laughter, fun, and fellowship of A2J here at Ascension.

Upcoming Events for all incoming 6th & 7th graders:

Fall 2018 Calendar (all dates are 5:30-6:30 in the Ascension Youth Center):

November 6th

November 20th

December 4th

December 18th – Christmas Party!

Stay tuned for updates on SPECIAL EVENTS during the year!

Any questions contact our A2J Youth Coordinator:

Lee McMahon

FINDITHERE@GMAIL.COM
913-681-7683
A2J Youth Coordinator

Youth Ministry

Spirit and Life

Written by Ascension Youth on .

Spirit & Life

Confirmation Program- 8th Grade
Spirit and Life is our Confirmation program for all 8th grade students of the parish! This year we focus on building community through actively living our faith and encountering those in the world around us. Every night is a new topic related to the Catholic faith and how to put Christ at the center of our lives. S&L meets on Sunday nights from 6:30-8 pm during the school year. If you have any questions about the faith, or about how to get involved here, please contact Joe and Anna via email at findithere@gmail.com.