Dear Parishioners of St. Rosalie and St. John Bosco,
 
      Greetings in Our Lord and in the Blessed Virgin as we celebrate Ascension Sunday and remember Our Blessed Lady, Mary, the Help of Christians.
      Since the 24^th this year falls on the Solemnity of the Ascension, the liturgical celebration of Mary Help of Christians is transferred to tomorrow. Though as members of Don Bosco’s Salesian Family, we can fittingly remember Mary, the co-foundress of our Salesian Family both today (traditionally) and tomorrow (liturgically).
      We can recall Don Bosco’s great devotion and confidence in our Blessed Lady.  He would frequently advise: “In all dangers, turn to Mary.” He would always encourage his students to make a lifelong practice of the three Hail Marys before retiring at night.  When Dominic Savio appeared to Don Bosco several years after his death, Don Bosco tells us that Dominic told him “that what he did for Mary in his lifetime brought him the greatest satisfaction at the moment of his death.”         Mary was with him at the moment of his death. Wow, to have Our Heavenly Mother with us when we die to escort us into eternal life! What a blessing!
As we celebrate, Our Lord’s Ascension into heaven.  My mind goes to Mark and Luke’s account of this in their gospels.  My mind also goes to the hours before my father died.
     We usually tend to treasure the final words of a loved one. As the family gathered around Dad, he called each of us, children and grandchildren, by name. Then he went on to say: “I love you all.  I’m sorry for keeping you all up so late.” I will always treasure those words of Dad which speak to my heart about Dad’s love, care and concern.
      The last words of Jesus before He ascended to heaven are also last words which we should treasure: a command and a promise.
      The command: “Go forth and make disciples of all nations…Baptize…and Teach them all I have commanded you.”
      The promise: “Know that I am with you always.”
       Jesus calls each and every one of us to share our faith, to evangelize, to be missionary disciples and he promises to be with us as we carry out our mission.
We all have – and – are stories of faith. 
      May this dual celebration re-ignite in us the fire of God’s love and with the help of Jesus and Mary to boldly live our faith and carry out Jesus’ command to invite others to share the great treasure of our Catholic faith.
God loves you!
Fr. Mark