The Ascension of the Lord | 7th Sunday of Easter

Maria Hayes • June 6, 2025

Catechism of the Catholic Church – Paragraphs 665-667

“Christ's Ascension marks the definitive entrance of Jesus’ humanity into God’s heavenly domain, whence He will come again (cf Acts 1:11); this humanity in the meantime hides Him from the eyes of men (cf Col 3:3). Jesus Christ, the head of the Church, precedes us into the Father's glorious kingdom so that we, the members of his Body, may live in the hope of one day being with Him forever. Jesus Christ, having entered the sanctuary of heaven once and for all, intercedes constantly for us as the mediator who assures us of the permanent outpouring of the Holy Spirit.”

 

From these three paragraphs of the Catechism, we learn that the Ascension of Jesus accomplishes 3 main things. First, Jesus takes human nature in the flesh to heaven. Second, we are given HOPE that we too in spirit & body may one day join Jesus in heaven. Last, Jesus and the Father will provide us with the Holy Spirit to pray & be sanctified. The glorification of our bodies, the promise of heaven, and the gift of the Spirit are gifts freely given by our Lord & God so we may more perfectly be who we were created to be. Lift your hearts, minds, souls & bodies to God in Praise.

 

PRAYING FOR A NEW PENTECOST – A Holy Novena

About a hundred years ago, Pope Leo XIII was inspired to call every Catholic Church in the world to pray for nine-days for the coming of the Spirit. This is drawn from the Apostles’ nine-day prayer between the Ascension and Pentecost. With the election of Pope Leo XIV, consider praying this novena for the coming of the Holy Spirit.

 

Father, I repent of stifling the Spirit (1 Thes 5:19) by giving in to selfish desires. May I let the Spirit lust against the desires of the flesh (Gal 5:17) so that I thirst much more strongly for the Holy Spirit (Jn 7:37). Father, stir into flame the gift bestowed when hands were laid on me (2 Tim 1:6). Father, by the power of the Spirit, may I devote myself "to the apostles" instruction and the communal life, to the breaking of bread and the prayers (Acts 2:42). Jesus, the Holy Spirit bears witness on Your behalf. May I bear witness as well (Jn 15:26-27) right where I am and even to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Father, without the Spirit I cannot please You (Rom 8:8-9). Not by my might or power but only by the Spirit can I live for You (Zech 4:6). Come, Holy Spirit! Lord, as the Spirit moved over the waters on the day of creation (Gn 1:1), breathe on me to receive the Spirit (Jn 20:22), send forth the Spirit and renew the face of the earth (Ps 104:30). Holy Spirit, take me in prayer to the foot of Jesus' cross. Reveal to me how I shared in crucifying Jesus through my sins. Crucify me to the ways of the world and the world to me (Gal 6:14). Crucify my flesh with its passions and desires (Gal 5:24). (This prayer is based on Pope John Paul II's encyclical on the Holy Spirit.) Holy Spirit, through Your gifts produce Your fruit in my life. Give me "love, joy, peace, patient endurance, kindness, generosity, faith, mildness, and chastity" (Gal5:22-23). Spirit of Truth, make me true and faithful in all my relationships -- in family, church, and work (Jn 16:13). Be the Source of unity in my life (Eph 4:3). Father, may the Spirit of the Lord rush upon me and may I be changed into another person (1 Sam 10:6). Jesus, thank You for giving Mary to me as my mother (Jn 19:27). Mary, Spouse of the Spirit (Lk 1:35), as you prayed in the upper room for the first Pentecost, pray for me now (Acts 1:14). "Let it be done to me" according to God's word (Lk 1:38).

                                                                     AMEN.                 https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/praying-for-a-new-pentecost-12601

 

Reminder: Demolition of our boiler smokestack will begin Monday, June 2 by Koetter Construction. We anticipate it taking two-weeks. Electrical power for the church, cafeteria & middle school wings will be disconnected. Fortunately, the Fr Marchino Gym power will remain on. We plan to continue with Masses in the Gym for the weekend of June 7-8th.

 

Nothing Less than saints for the Holy Family of God.

Holy Family, With Eyes raised to Heaven, Pray for us.

~ Fr Jeremy M. Gries

Parishioner Mary Lopp Passes Away

By Carolyn Kannapel • August 24, 2026
Mary Ann Lopp, who was born on the 11th of May, 1937 in Corydon, Indiana, gently passed away on August 22, 2026 at Harrison Healthcare, with her family by her side. She worked for several years as a cafeteria worker for South Harrison Community School Corporation at South Central School. She was a lifelong and dedicated member of St. Peter’s Buena Vista Catholic Church and, later in life, attended Holy Family Catholic Church. She enjoyed tending to her garden, traveling, and going dancing at the Wagon Wheel. Above all, she adored her family and treasured the time she spent with them. She was rarely without her camera, always ready to capture the special moments and memories she shared with those she loved. Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 9:30 AM until 11:30 AM at Gehlbach & Royse Funeral Home (318 East Chestnut Street, Corydon, Indiana, 47112). A Mass of Christian Burial will follow, starting at 1:00 PM at Holy Family Catholic Church (129 West Daisy Lane, New Albany, Indiana, 47150).

Parishioner Janet Krininger Passes Away

By Carolyn Kannapel • August 21, 2026
Janet Therese (Dallmann) "Noni" Krininger passed on August 18, 2026, at the age of 91. She was born September 2, 1934, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to the late Arthur and Rose Schelp Dallmann. She was in the graduating class of 1952 of the old Holy Rosary High School in Louisville with classmates still meeting monthly. Janet was a longtime resident of New Albany, a member of Holy Family Catholic Church.  Visitation will be held at Kraft Funeral Service, 2776 Charlestown Rd, New Albany, Indiana 47150, on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church, 129 W Daisy Ln, New Albany, Indiana 47150, on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at 11:00 am. Final resting place will be at Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery in New Albany.

Parishioner John "Lester" Clemons Passes Away

By Carolyn Kannapel • August 21, 2026
John “Lester” Clemons, 90, passed away on Tuesday, August 18th, 2026. John found joy in the simple things in life. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, gardening, antiques, and collectibles. He would never miss a good yard sale and was also an avid Kentucky Wildcat fan. Above all, he cherished the time he spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:30 a.m., on Tuesday, August 25th, at Holy Family Catholic Church- New Albany, 129 W Daisy Lane, New Albany, IN 47150 with burial to follow in Louisville Memorial Gardens West Cemetery. His visitation will be from 2- 7 p.m. on Monday, August 24th, Ratterman Southwest, 4832 Cane Run Rd., Louisville, KY, 40216. There will also be a viewing from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday before procession to Holy Family Catholic Church.

We Are Hiring!! - Director of Campus & Youth Ministry

By Carolyn Kannapel • August 20, 2026
Director of Campus & Youth Ministry

Twenty-First Sunday of Ordinary Time

By Carolyn Kannapel • August 19, 2026
Pastor’s Notes for 23 August 2026 – Twenty-First Sunday of Ordinary Time

Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time

By Carolyn Kannapel • August 12, 2026
Pastor’s Notes for 16 August 2026 – Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Magdalenes Fall 2026 Registration

By Carolyn Kannapel • August 10, 2026

18th Sunday In Ordinary Time- Letter from Abbi Harbeson, DMO

By Carolyn Kannapel • July 29, 2026
How Do You Share the Gospel? This weekend, the Holy Family Evangelization Team hosted an Evangelization Crash Course for the leaders of the ministries of our parish. This morning of training and learning was an awesome opportunity to remind our leaders of the Gospel mandate: “Go and make disciples of all nations…” And that mandate is not just for those who lead or volunteer for our ministries here at Holy Family. The Great Commission applies to each of us. As baptized Christians, we have taken on the role of sharing the Gospel with the world, just as Jesus commanded His disciples in Matthew 28 before He ascended into Heaven. For many of us, that command is overwhelming. Our minds may jump to the fear of what it means to share the Gospel with another. Perhaps we think that we must memorize Scripture or understand the Catechism and all of the Church’s teachings before we can evangelize. Allow me to remind you that is not the case. While we must immerse ourselves in Scripture and Tradition, these are meant to aid us in our discipleship, not to be prerequisites for it. The simplest way to evangelize? Live! The Catechism of the Catholic Church sheds light on this reality: “Lay people also fulfill their prophetic mission by evangelization, ‘that is, the proclamation of Christ by word and the testimony of life .’ For lay people, ‘this evangelization…assumes a specific character and peculiar efficacy because it is accomplished in the ordinary circumstances of the world’” (CCC 905.) The Church herself tells us that while the mandate to share the Gospel is an incredible and necessary responsibility, its efficacy is dependent on the ordinary. This makes the task much less daunting! How do you live the “ordinary”? How do your day-to-day activities and responsibilities represent the Gospel? How can you make the Gospel more present in your daily life? This week I hope you will think of each moment–your drive to work, your grocery store run, your office, your coffee date with a friend, dinner with your family–as an opportunity to share the Gospel. No quotations of Scripture or a lesson on morality needed. Instead, LIVE the Gospel. Mother Mary, the first evangelist, pray for us. In His Joy, Abbi Harbeson, Director of Mission and Outreach

Parishioner Joseph Marguet Passes Away

By Carolyn Kannapel • July 29, 2026
Joseph Isadore Marguet, 94, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2026, at The Villages at Silvercrest in New Albany, Indiana . Born February of 1932, in New Albany, Indiana , Joe was the eldest child of Joseph and Esther Marguet, followed by his beloved siblings, Frank ("Frankie") Marguet and Miriam (Mimi) Paris. New Albany was home for most of his life and remained the community he loved deeply. Please join us at 11 a.m. on August 8, 2026, to celebrate Joe's long and full life with a Catholic mass at Holy Family Church, 129 W Daisy Ln, New Albany, IN 47150. Doors open at 10 a.m.

Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time

By Carolyn Kannapel • July 22, 2026
PASTOR’S NOTES for 26 July 2026 – Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time