Meet Char and Bernie Ficek: Embracing Opportunities to Get Involved at Ascension

Sometimes 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 blinddate that was set up by Char’s sister and brother-in-law. The couple celebrated 51 years of marriage in 2020 and have three children, six 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 the opportunity to help people feel that same sense of welcome that they experienced when joining the parish.

“The hospitality ministry just seemed like a good way to meet new people,” Char says. “When we came, the parish just seemed so friendly.

“For me, it makes a big difference,” she adds. “When you walk in the door and somebody’s there to greet you with a nice smile, it’s just such a nice feeling. I just hope to be someone smiling and saying, ‘Welcome, we’re so glad you’re here with us, and we hope you come back!’”

Char and Bernie also help as collection counters, as volunteers with the Christmas Supper and Spring Dinner, and as funeral dinner servers. Char also is involved with the Ladies of Ascension.

As relative newcomers, service has been a great way for the Ficeks to build friendships and find fellowship with other members of the parish.

“If you want to meet wonderful people and if you want to meet people of God, just join the church activities,” Char says. “It’s a good way to meet people, good people. It’s fun, being with people and laughing, and enjoying everybody.”

Char encourages others, especially if they’re new to the parish, to consider becoming involved in service as a way to meet people and make new friends in the community.

“Just try it,” she says. “We need helpers, and if you try it one time, maybe you’ll like it.

“Don’t be afraid,” she adds. “It’s such a good way to meet people. It’s a fun way of getting involved. It’s just another way of worshiping God.”

Char and Bernie, we are so grateful to have you as part of our parish community at Ascension! Thank you for the ways you serve and inspire us to be a more welcoming parish family.

Char and Bernie Ficek enjoy being part of the parish community at Ascension.