Ascension Catholic Church

ASCENSION DAILY PRAYER October 5, 2026
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God. Philippians 4:6

This is the final week of our series, "Simple But Not Easy," and we're looking at some of the simple instructions we get from Jesus and from God's Word about dealing with problems. Applying these instructions is not rocket science, but it's not easy because something in us pushes back our spiritual and emotional maturity. This week, we're talking about worry and anxiety.

The above verse is from Paul’s Letter to the Philippians and it is so very simple: whenever you start worrying about or are anxious about something, turn it to prayer. For many of us, if every time we worried about something we instead turned it to prayer, our prayer lives would go to a whole new level. Paul tells us, turn it to prayer, turn to petition, ask God to help, and offer thanksgiving in advance. Thank God in advance that He hears and will answer our prayers. Let's pray for that grace.

Heavenly Father, when we worry about something today or through the course of this week and through the course of our lives, help us to turn it to a prayer and to thank you in advance that You hear us and You're making all things work together for our good. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

ASCENSION DAILY PRAYER October 3, 2026

R. Lord, let your face shine on me.
Teach me wisdom and knowledge,
for in your commands I trust.
R. Lord, let your face shine on me.
It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
that I may learn your statutes.
R. Lord, let your face shine on me.
I know, O LORD, that your ordinances are just,
and in your faithfulness you have afflicted me.
R. Lord, let your face shine on me.
According to your ordinances they still stand firm:
all things serve you.
R. Lord, let your face shine on me.
I am your servant; give me discernment
that I may know your decrees.
R. Lord, let your face shine on me.
The revelation of your words sheds light,
giving understanding to the simple.
R. Lord, let your face shine on me. PSALM 119

What a beautiful Psalm to pray today in honor of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, which is celebrated on October 4th. The Sunday liturgy takes precedence over his feast day, but we can honor this great saint today. The patron saint of animals, ecology and the environment, we also think of him as a servant of peace. “Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.” AMEN

ASCENSION DAILY PRAYER October 2, 2026
Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels

The disciples approached Jesus and said,
“Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?”
He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said,
“Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,
you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.
Whoever humbles himself like this child
is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.
And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones,
for I say to you that their angels in heaven
always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.” MATTHEW 18: 1-5, 10

Angels are servants and messengers from God. "Angel" in Greek means messenger. In unseen ways the angels help us on our earthly pilgrimage by assisting us in work and study, helping us in temptation and protecting us from physical danger.

The idea that each soul has assigned to it a personal guardian angel has been long accepted by the Church and is a truth of our faith. From the Gospel of today's liturgy we read: "See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father" (Matthew 18:10). The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that "the existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls 'angels' is a truth of faith (328)." From our birth until our death, man is surrounded by the protection and intercession of angels, particularly our guardian angel: "Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life (336)." The Church thanks God for our helpers, the angels, particularly on this feast day and September 29 which is the feast of Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel, and Saint Raphael, archangels. Thank You God, for my guardian angel. AMEN

ASCENSION DAILY PRAYER October 1, 2026
Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church
1873–1897
Patron Saint of foreign missions and missionaries, AIDS patients, air crews, florists, flower growers, and sick people
Invoked against illness, tuberculosis, and loss of parents
Canonized by Pope Pius XI on May 17, 1925

Quote:
How sweet was the first embrace of Jesus! It was indeed an embrace of love. I felt that I was loved, and I said: “I love Thee, and I give myself to Thee for ever.” Jesus asked nothing of me, and claimed no sacrifice; for a long time He and little Thérèse had known and understood one another. That day our meeting was more than simple recognition, it was perfect union. We were no longer two. Thérèse had disappeared like a drop of water lost in the immensity of the ocean; Jesus alone remained—He was the Master, the King! …And then my joy became so intense, so deep, that it could not be restrained; tears of happiness welled up and overflowed…all the joy of Heaven had come down into one heart, and that this heart, exiled, weak, and mortal as it was, could not contain it without tears. ~Saint Thérèse reflects on her First Holy Communion

For more than a century, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, also known as “The Little Flower,” has captivated countless minds and hearts. Her simple and pure heart burned with a deep love for our Lord, and that love overflowed into the lives of many. She daily inspired those who knew her, and she continues to inspire those who read her story.

As we honor this saint who has captivated the hearts and minds of so many, ponder the importance of family life. Some families are broken and divided; others are graced as schools of love. Saint Thérèse was blessed to be raised in a family that formed her deeply in the love of God and others. She was widely unknown outside of her family and religious community when she died, but God shared her precious soul with the world through her detailed autobiography and numerous letters. Allow her soul to touch yours by getting to know her through her writings. Seek her intercession so that she can fulfill her promise that her “Heaven will be spent doing good on earth.”

St. Therese of Lisieux, pray for us. AMEN

ASCENSION DAILY PRAYER September 30, 2026
Memorial of Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church
c. 340s–420
Patron Saint of archeologists, archivists, Bible scholars, librarians, libraries, schoolchildren, students, and translators
Declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Benedict XIV in 1724

I consider all things so much rubbish
that I may gain Christ and be found in him. Phil 3: 8-9
R. Alleluia, alleluia.


Quote:
I interpret as I should, following the command of Christ: “Search the Scriptures,” and “Seek and you shall find.” For if, as Paul says, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God, and if the man who does not know Scripture does not know the power and wisdom of God, then ignorance of Scriptures is ignorance of Christ. ~Saint Jerome, Commentary on Isaiah

Fr. Jerome, a brilliant scholar, translated the New Testament from the original Greek to Latin, and the Old Testament from the original Hebrew to Latin. After his ordination, Fr. Jerome was called to Rome to serve as secretary to the Pope, who wanted a Latin version of the New Testament, so he began his work. However, he left the politics of Rome to go to Bethlehem. He became a hermit in the caves near the Church of the Nativity and continued his prayer, study, translations, and numerous other writings. He formed a monastery for men, and the women who accompanied him established a convent nearby. With his deep knowledge of Scripture, Father Jerome also wrote commentaries on many books of the Bible, especially offering insights gained from his work of translation.

Saint Jerome was a devout Christian, theologian, priest, and monk. He preached the truth, even when people objected or took offense. His dedication to the Holy Scriptures is second to none, and the impact of his translations and writings continues to be felt today. St. Jerome, pray for us. AMEN

Day 8 | Hallow #1 Catholic Prayer and Meditation App

ASCENSION DAILY PRAYER September 29, 2026
Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels
Patron Saints of soldiers, police, paramedics, and the sick and dying (Michael); messengers, postal workers, broadcasters, and expectant mothers (Gabriel); travelers, the blind, medical workers, and matchmakers (Raphael)

R. (1) In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,
for you have heard the words of my mouth;
in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;
I will worship at your holy temple
and give thanks to your name. PSALM 138

On this feast day, the Church invites the faithful to look beyond the visible world and recognize God's active, loving providence. The archangels remind us that we are never alone in our spiritual battles, moments of doubt, or physical and emotional suffering. They point our gaze directly toward God: Michael teaches us humility and true identity in God, Gabriel encourages us to listen and say yes to His divine will, and Raphael brings solace to our deepest wounds.

The Roles of the Three Archangels
• Saint Michael: His name means "Who is like God?" He is the prince of the heavenly host and the fierce defender against evil, leading the battle to protect believers and conquer darkness.
• Saint Gabriel: His name translates to "God is my strength" or God's power. He is the divine messenger famous for announcing pivotal moments, including the births of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ.
• Saint Raphael: His name means "God heals" or the medicine of God. Known from the Book of Tobit, he is a celestial companion, protector of travelers, and agent of physical and spiritual restoration.

Quote:
The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls “angels” is a truth of faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of Tradition. Who are they? St. Augustine says: “‘Angel’ is the name of their office, not of their nature. If you seek the name of their nature, it is ‘spirit;’ if you seek the name of their office, it is ‘angel:’ from what they are, ‘spirit,’ from what they do, ‘angel.’ With their whole beings the angels are servants and messengers of God. Because they “always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven” they are the “mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word” (Mt 18:10; Ps 103:20). As purely spiritual creatures angels have intelligence and will: they are personal and immortal creatures, surpassing in perfection all visible creatures, as the splendor of their glory bears witness. ~Catechism of the Catholic Church #328–330

Guardian Angels of God, pray for us. AMEN

ASCENSION DAILY PRAYER September 28, 2026
SIMPLE BUT NOT EASY - SURRENDER

Jesus said, “What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ He said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards he changed his mind and went.” Matthew 21:28-29

We are in the fourth week of our message series called “Simple But Not Easy,” looking at these teachings of Jesus that are simple, but not easy to do because our spiritual and emotional maturity fight against it. And yet, if we will accept what Jesus teaches, eventually our lives will get easier. It might be harder at first, but eventually, they'll make our lives easier.

We've talked about dealing with conflict, we've talked about forgiveness, we've talked about comparison and envy, and now this week we're talking about surrender. And really if we look at those three things, it's all about surrendering our ways for God's ways.

The above passage is from the Parable of the Two Sons. The father asks one son to go and work in the vineyard; he first says no, but later he changes his mind and does the work. Let’s pray for the grace to be like this son, maybe even with the grace to say yes when first asked.

Heavenly Father, give us the grace to obey You, to surrender our will to Your will. Knowing that as we surrender our will to Your will, our lives will be better; that it is better for us. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.