Ascension Parish - Boone County

09/08/2026

“Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted—and you yourself a sword will pierce—so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” -- Luke 2:34-35
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September is devoted to Our Lady of Sorrows. We meditate upon Mary's suffering so that, through her, we might draw closer to Christ. Pray with this scriptural scene--and then consider drawing even closer, by joining us for a weekday Mass: Tuesday 8:00 AM, Boone, 5:30 PM, Madrid, Wednesday 12:00 PM (School in session) or 8:00 AM, Boone, Thursday 8:00 AM, Boone, 5:30 PM, Madrid, Friday 8:00 AM, Boone

09/07/2026

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day, Ascension Parish! Today, we celebrate the dignity of work--and work for its protection amidst artificial intelligence and increased automation. To help, let's take a look at Pope Leo XIV's encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, and what it says about preserving the dignity of work in the age of AI.

09/06/2026

We live in an age of cancel culture: people sharing someone else's perceived faults in public with the goal of removing them from their position. Cancel culture isn't an attempt to bring someone to the truth; it's an attempt to remove them because they are considered an obstacle.
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As Jesus makes clear in today's Gospel, "cancel culture" is not the way of Christians. This doesn't mean there aren't times when we shouldn't go public with someone's wrongdoings. But this comes only after we have first spoken with them privately, and then within our Church.
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Why does Jesus insist on first bringing up someone's sin against you one-on-one? Because the goal isn't punishment or removal; it's reconciliation.
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Let's follow Christ's lead, Ascension Parish family, and seek to reconcile with those who've wronged us--not cancel them.

09/06/2026

It's World Beard Day! And what better way to celebrate than taking a look at what Sacred Scripture has to say about facial hair?
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In the Bible, beards are a sign of dignity and maturity. In fact, Jewish priests were instructed to let their facial hair grow.
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"They shall not shave their heads, nor shave off the edges of their beards, nor lacerate their bodies." -- Leviticus 21:5
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And the Psalms reference beards in connection with the priesthood and blessing.
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"Like precious ointment on the head, running down upon the beard, upon the beard of Aaron, upon the collar of his robes." -- Psalm 133:2
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Shaving one's beard could be an expression of shame or lamentation. After the fall of Jerusalem to Babylon, Jeremiah noted the following:
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"Everyone has shaved his beard, torn his garments, and gashed himself..." -- Jeremiah 41:5
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The Bible doesn't explicitly say that Jesus had a beard, but it was the norm among Jewish men in the 1st century. Nonetheless, the New Testament shifts the focus away from external appearance to what's on the inside.
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"Your adornment should not be an external one...but rather the hidden character of the heart." -- 1 Peter 3:3-4
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So should Catholic men have beards today? It's increasingly more common. But while it can be a symbol of wisdom and maturity, one's character and virtue are truly what count.
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Now that you're an expert on the Bible and beards, make sure to let Fr. Tim Johnson know what you've learned!

09/04/2026

September 15 - October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month. And the Catholic Church in the United States has a lot to celebrate when it comes to our Hispanic community! About 36% of Catholics in the U.S. are Hispanic, a number that rises to a whopping 60% when we consider Catholics under the age of 18!
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Here at Ascension Parish, we are grateful for the contributions and presence of all of our parishioners with roots in the Spanish-speaking world, and we encourage you to start making plans to celebrate today!

09/04/2026

Hey Ascension Parish, ever wonder how "Gregorian Chant," the unaccompanied, monophonic singing of sacred songs in Latin, got its name? Well, the style was formalized and promoted by St. Gregory the Great, a 7th-century pope whose feast day we celebrate today.
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Gregorian Chant isn't outdated--in fact, Pope Leo XIV is promoting its usage throughout the Church. Read the accompanying article to learn more about this style of sacred music and how you can "sing with the Pope." Learn more here: https://www.ncregister.com/features/lets-sing-with-the-pope-gregorian-chant

09/03/2026

Thank you Knights!

Rain, sleet, snow, or sweltering heat..... Your Ascension parish Knights of Columbus can be found working to raise funds to support their many worthy causes.

@ Ascension Parish - Boone County Sacred Heart Catholic School Boone, Iowa Farm Progress Show Iowa Knights of Columbus

09/03/2026

It's the start of a new month! So how can all of us at Ascension Parish pray for you this September? Let us know in the comments below!

09/03/2026

🎉 Great turnout for our Faith Formation Kick Off for Sacred Heart/St.John tonight! 🥳

🙏🏻 May God bless all of our families and volunteers this year.

➡️ Your turn next week St. Malachy! ❤️