Toward the latter part of ‘24 our long time parish director, Tom Venner, said it was time for him to step down.  Tom served for several years beyond the diocesan standard of three years, and he did so willingly and with foresight concerning Sacred Heart, an inevitable challenge of bringing together the three Catholic parishes in Boone County.  His faith, common sense, and aptitude for leadership during the challenges faced and the blessings received as a parish provided Sacred Heart and now Ascension Parish (and Sacred Heart School) with hope and direction into the future.  We are grateful for Tom and Julie’s presence and faith that will continue to be shared within our Ascension Parish.  I have asked long time Finance Board member, Eric Seeman, to replace Tom as our parish director alongside Emily Schieltz (who replaced Gaylia Ostermeier in ‘24).  Eric and Kris are long-time members of Sacred Heart, Ascension Parish, raising their family with the guidance of our Catholic faith; and too, Eric has a good grasp of our parish finances, always seeking the hopeful side of the resources that will continue to guide our Catholic faith community into the future.  Always grateful for the longtime guidance Tom Venner and Gaylia Ostermeier provided, Emily and Eric will likewise grace our parish with their faith and leadership.  
Our diocese mandates that each parish have two directors with terms of three years, renewal for an additional three (though considerable leeway is given for longer terms of service).   Directors are selected by the pastor and approved by the Bishop via Diocesan Resolution.  Following are the general norms of a parish director as provided by the diocese.  They cannot be a parish employee and must be a Catholic in good standing. Parish directors collaborate with the pastor for the good of the parish, offer advice to the pastor, and maintain confidentiality regarding parish finances and other privileged information. And verbatim: “should be an appropriate age and have sufficient practical/financial experience which to address important issues pertaining to parish programs, building and grounds, financial transactions, etc.  Lay directors serve on the finance board, with one of them an authorized check signer on behalf of the parish when the pastor is absent from the parish for a period of time. Lay directors will cooperate with the pastor in the development of Parish Resolutions submitted on behalf of the parish for which the Bishop’s approval is required.  A lay director acts as a liaison between Pastor and parishioners in such a way that parishioners can bring parish business concerns to them.” 
We have been blessed and continue to be blessed with directors who reflect our Catholic values and concern for our parish community of Boone County.  We welcome Eric alongside Emily as our parish directors.
“There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.  Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding.”  Such is my belief within any wedding that takes place Sacramentally within our churches in Boone county: Jesus is present as the vows are spoken between the bride and groom to be husband and wife.  Regardless of the backgrounds of the individuals professing their vows in the very real presence of Christ, how large or small the congregation present, or the season the ceremony takes place.  Just before Christmas I received the anticipated Christmas card from a couple I married ten years ago while stationed in Carroll.  Why their annual card remains special dates back to my first meeting with the future bride.  Seated in my rectory living room alongside her mother and father, they asked questions about the expectations, requirements and preparation for the Sacrament of Marriage.  Nothing unusual with this exception: the bride’s mother died unexpectedly shortly thereafter.  Of course she was devastated, the marriage plans proceeded, with a mixture of joy and grief on the face of the bride the afternoon she shared the vows with the groom.  Through the ten years, their home now consists of a son and daughter (and the family dog).  Their marriage and family have been sustained by hope, faith when challenged by unexpected circumstances, and a spirit of gratitude for the blessing of a home, family, and the vows they continue to cherish to this day.  They live a simple life, accepting the grace of Christ’s presence guiding their marriage, family and spirit of gratitude.  
We may never realize the everyday miracles that take place within marriages whether in “good times or difficult, in sickness or health.”  Their annual Christmas card reminds me of the possibilities within the challenges of life, and too within the challenges and blessings of a marriage.  In an address to folks in Poland nearly nine years ago Pope Francis provides this steady advice on marriage: "Sometimes people ask me what to do so that our families can go on and overcome difficulties. I suggest to them to use three words, three words which express three attitudes … three words which can help you to live out your married life, because in married life there are difficulties. Marriage is something so beautiful and so wonderful that we have to look after it, because it is forever. And the three words are: 'May I?', 'Thank you,' and 'I'm sorry.'   'May I?': always ask your spouse, wife to husband and husband to wife, 'What do you think? What shall we do?' Never trample on the other. 'May I?'  The second word: be appreciative.  The third word is 'I'm sorry.' It is a very difficult word to say. In marriage there is always some misunderstanding.
God Bless, Fr. Tim
FYI:  “My most brilliant achievement was my ability to be able to persuade my wife to marry me.” (Winston Churchill)