SAINTS MEN'S CLUB CHRISMAS TREE LOT
Please consider purchasing your Christmas tree through the Saints Men's Club. The proceeds are used to fund projects at Carondelet Catholic School and the parishes of Christ the King and St Thomas the Apostle. The Lot opens the day after Thanksgiving until Dec 12. Visit their website for more information.
ADVENT IS COMING!
SIGN UP FOR ADULT FORMATION TODAY! Advent is an important time to prepare our hearts and spirits for Jesus in the midst of everything else. Information in the Gathering Space, or sign up link below. Please join one or more of the following:
GROUP OPTIONS
This Advent we will have a 4-session series for one-time small group participation focused on hope and new beginnings for Advent using a booklet called: Praying With The Psalms– Devotions for Advent. Mondays, Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 22, 6:30-8pm
DAILY MESSAGE
You can sign up to get a daily message in your email or text for Advent. The series is called: Journey to the Manger and will be written by our own Director of Discipleship, Erin O’Leary (FYI, Erin writes for OSV Publications.) Be sure we have your correct email/cell number if you join this option!
MORNING OR EVENING OF REFLECTION
Come for a mini, 90 minute retreat called Journey to the Manger, a hopeful pilgrimage for busy days. You have options to choose from! Erin O’Leary will be our guide and you will leave refreshed for the journey! Dec 4th, 6:30-8pm at CTK; OR Dec 8, 10-11:30am at CTK; OR Dec 9, ZOOM 6:30-8pm.
MONDAY, DEC 8 IS THE FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
and a holy day of obligation for all Catholics in the United States. Christ the King will offer Mass at 9 AM on that day, and St. Thomas the Apostle will offer Mass at 7 PM. The Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of the “Immaculate Conception,” is patroness of the United States. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.
Monthly Food Shelf Collection for Ascension: Upcoming Date is DECEMBER 13
Once a month, we collect food shelf donations for Ascension Church. You can bring in a non-perisable food item or make a $10 donation and we will do the shopping for you. We also have monthly volunteers who help with this food shelf collection. Please read the weekly e-bulletin to see the upcoming dates.
Would you like to be part of our Food Shelf Team? We need drivers, baggers and sellers after Masses. Contact Janell for more information.
Ascension Food Drive Donations Currently Most Needed:
Pasta, Rice, Pinto Beans
Tortillas
Oatmeal, dry cereal, pancake mix and syrup
Boxed potatoes
Canned vegetables and fruit
Canned tuna and chicken
Diapers sizes 4, 5
Toilet paper
DECEMBER OUTREACH 2025
ADOPT A FAMILY
If interested in making a family’s Christmas, please consider Adopting-A-Family from Ascension Parish/School. We still have families to Sponsor. Our goal is to help provide as many families as possible with an unexpected Christmas gift experience. Please see the table in the GS this weekend to sponsor a family or make a donation to purchase gifts for a family.
WARM CLOTHING DRIVE
As the weather is changing and you are thinking of purchasing a coat, sweater, long johns, warm socks, gloves, hat, scarf or mittens for yourself, please consider purchasing an extra pair to give to our neighboring Shelters of St Stephens/Ascension/Incarnation. Drop off at CTK is Sat, Nov 15 thru Dec 21. You can place your donation in the marked bins in the GS.
CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE 2025
DECEMBER 24
4:30pm at Christ the King
10pm at St Thomas the Apostle
DECEMBER 25
9am at Christ the King
11am at St Thomas the Apostle
Loaves & Fishes Outreach- Help Needed
We are looking for more Outstanding Ministers to share their time to help prep and serve meals with our Loaves and Fishes Outreach every other month. Our next time serving will be in January 2026. Please contact Jeff at 612-910-1334 to sign up.
Social Justice Team News
History of Racism Follow-up: For those who were unable to attend the very informative presentation on March 9, we have a number of leftover folders which contain a wealth of resources and information sheets on the evidence of ongoing systemic racism education, employment, housing, health care, policing, incarceration, state and federal policies, with thanks to the St. Odilia Racial Equity Ministry. There are also bookmarks from the CTK Social Justice Team with the Principles of Catholic Social Teaching. Feel free to pick up these items on the table outside the library. Questions - contact mcolbert712@gmail.com
Watch the bulletin for details of a follow-up presentation in late May or early June, looking at specific actions our parish can take to combat racism. We have invited Professor David Williard to return this spring or next fall. Questions - contact ann.sittig@state.mn.us
Action Steps: Each week we will highlight some of the action steps from the folder. The Antiracism Collective in Edina facilitates meaningful conversations and policy change to strategically dismantle structural racism and hate. They offer a variety of resources for learning about racism, fostering dialogue, and taking action against systemic racism. Check out their calendar for events and actions.
Anti-Racism Conversations | Anti-Racism Collective | Edina
The Anti-Racism Collective facilitates meaningful conversations and policy change to strategically dismantle structural racism and hate in the place where we live. We believe in growing individually and changing collectively.
Justice Commission of The Sisters of St. Joseph Carondelet joins with other groups to address issues that demean or deny human dignity. Contact mroers@cjstpaul.org to receive their weekly newsletter which provides opportunities for getting involved in justice initiatives.
New Members Welcome We invite people of all ages to join our team. Contact maryjanemitchell@msn.com.