Ascension c at h ol i c c h ur c h
Inside
Meet Char and Bernie Ficek:
February 2021
Embracing Opportunities to Get Involved at Ascension
S
ometimes when you receive a great gift, the blessings overflow in your life in such a way that you can’t help but turn around and pass it on to others. For parishioners Char and Bernie Ficek, that was their experience of hospitality at Church of the Ascension. Originally from Dickinson, N.D., the couple moved to Bismarck in 2015, and upon arriving at Ascension, found a warm welcome and a unique sense of community and family. In turn, they couldn’t help but want to become involved. Char and Bernie, both of whom were raised Catholic on farms near Dickinson, met on a blind date that was set up by Char’s sister and Char and Bernie Ficek enjoy brother-in-law. The couple celebrated 51 years being part of the parish of marriage in 2020 and have three children, six community at Ascension. grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Upon retiring, Char and Bernie decided to become more involved in their parish, and haven’t looked back since. “As we retired, we had more time and we thought, ‘Let’s start devoting our time to doing things with the church,” Char says. The couple had been involved in their former home parish, St. Wenceslaus in Dickinson, where Msgr. Braaten was previously assigned, so the transition to service at Ascension came fairly natural. “We really and truly enjoy our faith,” Char says. “It seemed like serving helped us to grow closer to our faith.” Both Bernie and Char serve as hospitality ministers at Ascension and enjoy
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2 Highlights of the 2020 Stewardship Renewal 3 A Letter From Our Pastor: Sharing Love in Different Ways 4-5 Parish Lenten Mission To Promote a Timely Message During this Penitential Season 6 Seminary Life: An Introductory Look 7
Church of the Ascension Semi-Annual Financial Report
