Category Archives: Ascension

Last updated on May 26th, 2020 at 02:58 pm

Ascension Columbia St. Marys Hospital Milwaukee this week opened its new 36,000-square-foot labor and delivery unit.

The $16 million expansion project included 12 labor and delivery rooms with hydrotherapy tubs, 10 antepartum rooms, two recovery suites with private bathrooms, four triage rooms and updated surgical suites for multiple births and C-sections.

The unit, located on the second floor of the hospitals Womens Medical Center, has additional space for patient and family support and clinical education.

Our goal for this project was to continue Ascension Columbia St. Marys strong legacy of excellence in womens services by enhancing our physical environment to meet the needs of mothers and their growing families, said Kelly Elkins, president of Ascension Columbia St. Marys Hospital. We believe that this new unit and our dedicated care teams will deliver on that commitment by providing compassionate, personalized care that begins with expectant mothers and the birth of their children and continues throughout lifes journey.

Support for the project came from Ascension Columbia St. Marys Foundation. Ascension Wisconsin providers were involved with designing the new unit to integrate the latest clinical practice guidelines, the health system said. Patient focus groups also helped inform the plans.

It is the second phase of a larger project to update the Womens Medical Center at 2323 N. Lake Dr. In 2016, the health system completed a renovation of the post-partum unit of the Womens Medical Center.

In the future, Ascension plans expand the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and postpartum services.

Get more news and insight in the April 27 issue of BizTimes Milwaukee. Subscribe to get updates in your inbox here.

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See photos of the new Ascension Columbia St. Mary's Hospital labor and delivery unit - BizTimes - Milwaukee Business News

In Christian spirituality, the Resurrection of Jesus is often linked to our ability to die to our sins and rise with Jesus in a new life of virtue. The sacrament of baptism is the most obvious example of how this symbolism is lived out, as the individual is immersed in water, dying to their sins, then rises from the font with a clean soul.

However, there is one more step that occurs after our resurrection in the spiritual life. We then need to ascend with Jesus in our daily choices.

Fr. William Graham, in the Pulpit Commentary on Catholic Teaching, explains how Jesus ascension correlates to our spiritual life.

[Jesus] was lifted up in His ascension and our hearts follow and are drawn to Him in the throne He occupies, at the right hand of His Father, in the heaven. He opened for us, and wherein He is always living to make intercession for us.

As the fruits of our thoughts on the twin mystery of the Resurrection and the Ascension we may glean a twofold lesson suggested in the words of St. Paul: If ye be risen with Christ, seek the things that are above (Coll. iii, I). We, too, must rise from the dead and ascend, or perish.

Graham goes on to describe how after rising from our sinful way of life, we need to then seek the things that are above, imitating Jesus ascension.

Let us take a lesson from the Ascension, and ever seek the things that are above. Mind the things that are above, not the things that are upon the earth (Coll. iii, 2). Christ rising again from the dead dieth now no more; death shall have no more dominion over him (Rom. vi., 9). The Ascension, as I said, is the completion of the Resurrection, so, too, the soul that rises from sin, that emerges from the unregenerate natural state to the supernatural,ascends,risesto a new sphere, a new plane of being. It is more than a mere elevation of thought, or feeling, it is a passing from death to life, and abiding therein. Grace, the principle of this inner change of life, is the seed of glory. A soul in grace, is really a soul that has ascended with Christ; hence the word heavenly-minded, so aptly applied to souls thus risen, and ascended with Christ.

He adds one more note on how this can impact our daily life.

[W]hile we make the great doctrines of the Resurrection and Ascension a light to the mind, let us not fail also to make them a guide to the heart. Let moral death, i. e., sin, never have dominion over us, let us ever in the way of life be risen with Christ, and in the realms of thought, of conversation, and of conduct, seek the things that are above.

Essentially what Graham is arguing is that Jesus ascension should point our entire being towards Heaven, and guide our every thought and deed. We should have Heaven as our goal and seek it, using whatever means is most fruitful.

Above all, it is a shift in mindset, no longer focusing on our own selfish desires, but looking towards Heaven and conducting ourselves as citizens of that blessed place. Once we do that, we will experience a profound change in our lives that will effect everything we say or do.

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How the Ascension of Jesus can inform our daily life - Aleteia IT

By Fr. Mike ParaniukSt. Mary Catholic ChurchHillsboro

Note: The following is based on Matthew 28:16-20.

On New Years Day during the Tournament of Roses Parade, people were in awe of a beautiful float filled with all types of bright colored tropical flowers. As the float lumbered down the street, the engine suddenly sputtered and quit. The whole parade was held up while mechanics rushed into assess the problem.

Finally, one of them yelled out to the sponsor of the float, We need a can of gas. And who was the sponsor of this float? The Standard Oil & Gas Company! This float, representing one of the biggest gasoline producers in the world, was out of gas.

Sometimes thats what happens to followers of Jesus. All Gods power is available to you, but you doubt. Your faith becomes weak. It sputters and quits like an engine with no gas.

What are the symptoms of a weak faith? You doubt Gods goodness. You question Gods forgiveness. Youre afraid or worried. Youre disappointed and hurt. You dont feel His presence.

This pandemic is a real test of our faith. So how do you strengthen your faith in Jesus?

You must take your doubts to Jesus in prayer. Remember the story of the father agonizing over his possessed son. The evil spirit would convulse him, throw him into fire and water to kill him.

The father begged Jesus to help his son. Jesus told the father, Everything is possible for one who believes. (Mark 9:23) Immediately the boys father exclaimed, I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief! (Mark 9:24) Jesus later explained to the disciples why they could not drive out this spirit. Jesus replied, This kind can come out only by prayer. (Mark 9:29). Ask Jesus daily to send down the Holy Spirit upon you with the power of faith. Keep on asking. Matthew 7:7 says, Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for..

The last words of Jesus before he ascended to Heaven was a command Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations. I have found the best way to bring someone to believe in Jesus is by the witness of your own faith. The witness of faith is more contagious than any virus. You dont have to do anything extraordinary. Faithfully following Jesus in ordinary daily living is all you need. I offer a witness of how faith can spread.

For 27 years, I walked the halls of Cincinnati Childrens Hospital. I prayed daily over sick children. Every day saw me visiting 60 to 80 children in their rooms, asking Jesus to heal them. I was especially moved when I prayed over babies in their medical incubators. I felt their guardian angels watching over them.

I befriended many nurses. One day, a nurse asked me, Father Mike, how can you keep faith in a good God when you see such suffering.

I replied, By the grace of God I keep believing.

She didnt belong to any religious community. She admitted her relationship with Jesus was something she didnt think about. Yet, she liked to see my faith in action when I prayed over her babies.

She remarked to me one day, You really believe in what youre praying for.

I replied, Yes I do. I believe in a good God who looks upon these babies with love.

One day that nurse said to me, I have a surprise for you. Cant tell you yet but youll find out.

I asked her for months, What is it?

She would keep saying, Youll find out.

The day of discovery finally arrived. I was celebrating Mass at the hospital chapel. My nurse friend sat in the back pew. She never attended my service before. I was pleasantly surprised yet puzzled to see her there. I gave out Holy Communion. The last person in line stepped forward. I saw before me my nurse friend with hands outstretched to receive the Communion.

She whispered to me, Surprise. I joined the Catholic Church over Easter.

How elated I was when I congratulated her after Mass.

I asked, What moved you to join the church?

She replied, Just watching you live your faith every day. Your faith brought hope to the suffering. I wanted what you have.

The ordinary daily witness of your faith is the most powerful way to make disciples for Jesus. I always end Mass with the command, The Mass is ended. Go in Peace. Announce the Gospel by your life.

(After her conversion to Jesus, the nurse fell in love and got married. She asked me to bless her womb with children. She conceived quickly and gave birth to twins. She told me, Your blessing worked, but be sure to tone it down a bit.)

When God blesses you, you know you're blessed!

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Sermon for the ascension of Jesus - The Highland County Press

The Ascension weekend has been extremely calm on the Belgian Coast despite the relaxation of stay-at-home rules.

With the mixed weather and strong wind, holidaymakers have not flocked to the beaches or shopping streets of seaside resorts, and social-distancing enforcers have had little work. We are satisfied, was the word from many police zones.

The Coast has thus not seen any major influx even though stores have been able to reopen, owners of secondary homes were authorised to return, and police were no longer really tracking non-essential travel.

Its always a bit busier on a long weekend, but we are satisfied, said Ine Deburchgraeve of the Westkust police zone. There have been a few incidents at most. We also noticed that a few people crossed the border to buy tobacco products although they know its prohibited.

A small group of young people from Mons also came to the Coast to have fries and take a walk. Our officers were also insulted by two youths at a tram stop because they felt they didnt have to wear masks in the tram.

The situation was also calm in Blankenberge, where a few Walloon day tourists were, however, sent back after coming off the train on Thursday. The strong wind there did not encourage walks on the seawall or in the shopping streets.

There were identical reports from the police in Ostend and Damme/Knokke-Heist: very calm, few people and only a few tickets issued.

The Brussels Times

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Calm Ascension weekend on the Belgian Coast - The Brussels Times

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (PRESS RELEASE) - Ascension Medical Group Sacred Heart has discontinued testing for the coronavirus in Panama City due to low demand for its drive-thru testing service.

Ascension Medical Group began to offer COVID-19 swab testing on April 21 at Tommy Oliver Stadium to supplement other testing efforts in the community. In four weeks, the AMG team tested 234 people. Only two people tested positive for the virus.

"The turnout was fairly low and now there are several other organizations providing the testing," said Justin Labrato, chief operating officer of Ascension Medical Group Sacred Heart. "The good news is that our testing suggests the prevalence of COVID-19 in Bay County appears to be very low. Just 1% of those we tested were found to have the virus whereas statewide in Florida, about 7% of people tested to date were confirmed to have COVID-19."

If there is a spike in cases in Bay County or other areas of Northwest Florida, Ascension Sacred Heart can quickly ramp up its mobile unit to provide testing where it's needed most.

According to the latest report from the Florida Department of Health, there have been 86 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among Bay County residents, and 13 people had to be admitted to a hospital.

There are four other sites performing nasal swabs in Bay County, including two that require no out-of-pocket costs. Patients with symptoms may call the Department of Health in Bay County at (850) 872-4455. Also, PanCare is providing testing to persons with or without symptoms. PanCare can be contacted at (850) 215-4181.

"We urge county residents to continue to take measures to stay safe and prevent the virus from spreading," Labrato said. "That means washing hands frequently, and if you are around other people, wear a mask and avoid hugs, handshakes, large gatherings and close quarters."

Even though area hospitals are caring for patients with COVID-19, physicians and hospital leaders want to reassure the public that individuals who need emergency care should not delay treatment. Ascension Sacred Heart hospitals and emergency rooms are well prepared to safely care for people with symptoms of heart attack, stroke, and other serious conditions.

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Ascension Medical Group Sacred Heart pauses drive-thru testing in Panama City because of low demand - WJHG-TV

GONZALES Two principals behind Bernhard Capital Partners' plans to build a regional sewer system in Ascension Parish say they're going forward with or without parish government.

But, they sure would like the parish to come along with them in the Ascension Sewer LLC consortium, now or in the future.

"We're gonna build a system. Ascension Sewer," Jeff Baudier, managing director of Bernhard Capital, told the Parish Council utilities panel recently. "We've got, you know, 17,000 customers and growing. We plan on building the premier environmental water company in the state of Louisiana and beyond and we're gonna start in Ascension Parish."

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"We would like the parish's 2,000 customers," he added later, "to be a part of it."

Baudier and Tom Pertuit, another partner in the Ascension Sewer LLC consortium, delivered their two-sided message earlier this week, making for an interesting roundin an ongoing game of poker over the future of municipal sewer service in the parish.

A little more than a week earlier, Parish President Clint Cointment had laid out his own 10-year, $100 million plan to build a regional system without Bernard Capital or the consortium's involvement, saying it was the private sewer group's turn to propose something better.

Cointment's proposal came as a separate parish committee of council and administration officials some of whom sit on the Utilities Committee have been meeting in secret to negotiate with Bernhard and Ascension Sewer. They want a public-private partnership to build the same type of regional system that Cointment has proposed doing solely through the parish.

Last year, Bernhard proposed a $215 million plan to bring together its 17,000 customers and parish government's 2,000 customers. The 30-year deal would cost ratepayers $57.90 per month to start but locks in escalation of rates for the first 10 years, ending at more than $82.41 per month.

Cointment's plan, a high-level proposal that lacks some of the deeper engineering and financial data built into the Bernhard plan,proposes monthly fees of $45 to $55 per month over the 10-year period and banks on significant grant funding from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

His plan would also start an inspection program at $11 per month for individual home treatment systems.

Both plans aim for regional plants that discharge into the Mississippi River and so remove wastewater from local waterways. State and federal regulators have tightened water quality rules in those local rivers and bayous due to the ecological damage that years of poor treatment have created.

At the end of last year, the former administration and council came close to approving a deal with Bernhard until Cointment and some newly elected council members asked for the vote to be handed off to the new parish leaders taking office in January amid objections over aspects of that plan.

The parish negotiating panel met over Zoom on April 30, and parish and Bernhard officials said the consortium was asked to deliver an update of its plan for the parish and estimates of what it would cost the parish to operate sewer on its own.

In a public meeting on Tuesday, Baudier told the council Utilities Committee that consortium officials were preparing to make those submissions when officials learned about Cointment's plan in the media and felt they needed more engineering and financial data related to his plan.

"To be honest, we can't respond to that presentation. It's not an analysis. It's not a plan. It's a summary with some conclusory statements about a plan," he said.

But Cointment said that his administration would not provide that information to Bernhard while the parish was negotiating privately with the consortium.

To do so would require parish staff to generate the information being sought, Cointment added, because it doesn't exist yet.

"If we're gonna negotiate and continue to do negotiations in executive session, what's public and what's not? And that's a good question to ask as we continue these negotiations. Should we be doing these negotiations out in public or should we be doing them in executive session," he asked. "And do we have to do extra work so they can provide a proposal, at taxpayer expense?"

Some council members asked whether a public records request could be filed for the information, which would require a parish response within 72 hours. Under the law, however, that response can be only that the government doesn't have the records requested or that the parish is for some reason legally barred from providing them.

Council Chair Teri Casso questioned if the parish was obligated to provide the information under an agreement the council signed last year to exclusively negotiate with the consortium.

David Fleshman, one of the attorneys representing the parish in the deal, told her that the agreement does obligate the parish to exchange information with the consortium and the parish has done that.

"I don't think it extends to anything they request, whether it's related or not," Fleshman said.

Some council members have said they want to be able to compare Ascension Sewer's and Cointment's plans. Councilman Aaron Lawler argued that at some point the administration should have what Bernhard wants if the administration does go forward with its plan.

"The other part of this, to me, is I think we get the best deal if there's competition," he said.

Under prior administrations, the parish's lack of customers has been seen as a major stumbling block to financing an entirely parish-owned system due to the upfront cash for a new regional plant and related land and piping. A tax revenue subsidy, higher user fees or both were seen as likely necessities without outside capital.

The parish already subsidizes its current customers, who pay $42.50 per month, with local tax revenue.

Baudier told the council that if the subsidy for the parish's current capital costs and operational expenses since 2014 had been paid strictly through user fees, parish ratepayers would have paid $158 per month. That works out to about $2.8 million in annual subsidy.

He said Ascension Sewer had factored in those costs but he can't tell, based on what the parish has publicized, if the administration has done the same.

The Utilities Committee directed the administration to turn over what information it had. The negotiating panel is expected to meet again soon in closed session to hear from the consortium.

Excerpt from:

Ascension Sewer to parish council: We want to include you in sewer plan, but will go without you - The Advocate

Editor's note:NCR is sharing with our readers a nine-day Novena for Pentecost resource created by board member and composer Dan Schutte. Schutte writes, "if there's ever a moment when we all could use the light and wisdom of the Holy Spirit, it's now. While we wait till we can be together again for Sunday worship, this is a way we can join our hearts in prayer." The entire Novena for Pentecost can be found here.

Feast of the Ascension

As the Risen Christ prepared to leave his work in the hands of his followers, he instructed them to gather in the upper room and devote themselves to prayer as they awaited his sending of the Holy Spirit. The nine days between the Feast of the Ascension and Pentecost is often considered to be the first novena.

Pentecost is considered the birthday of the church, the day when that first community of believers was baptized with the Holy Spirit and sent out to tell the world about the Risen Christ. The storm of the present pandemic is inviting all of us, whether we like it or not, to rethink how we live in this world. It's also beckoning us to reimagine ourselves as church, as that community of baptized believers who are sent to recreate the world.

And so, let us join those first disciples in these nine days of prayer, a way for us to be together even while we are separated by space, to ask God to make us ready to receive the Spirit and follow unafraid where that Holy Breath of God might take us.

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Novena for Pentecost: Feast of the Ascension - National Catholic Reporter

I am writing this on Ascension Day. If churches were open (and they are not), if public worship was held today (which it cannot be) and singers could sing (which they cannot) we might be hearing one of those familiar Ascension Day anthems, like God is gone up. Or, if we could sing hymns (and we really must not) we might have a stab at Hail the day that sees him rise. Ascension Day knows where it is going. It is going up.

Now, up we think, is where authority and power can be found. We talk about high-ranking and higher powers. It is a fundamental assumption for us that ambition will get us to the top. So, up is where the action is. Ascension Day then, can be a bit of a pain in the neck, as we all crane our heads to look upwards, to where the ascended Christ has sits down on a throne, on the right hand of power. Think of all those wonderful paintings in the domes and ceilings of our churches and palaces where God sits on high, deciding things, ruling, and generally being the boss and top dog. Ascensiontide really does invite us to look up to God (which is no bad thing) and to think about his power (which might be a bit more problematic).

I have listened to many conversations about decision-making and authority in the last few days. Are we following the science? Who gets to decide whether children return to school? What does moral authority look like in this crisis? Is the government offering strong leadership? The questions matter; lives and livelihoods are at stake. We need people who can make the right decisions; we rely on them. We have depended absolutely on the expertise and decision making of the medical profession and we will on go on doing that. I live in a world where people have power and authority. Where decisions are made that affect me. I do not always like it, I am not always sure the decisions are wise or right. I am married to a primary head teacher who has spent the last two weeks juggling what has often seemed like contrary and conflicting decisions. It is not always comfortable living under authority. I do not always look up to some of the people who have power. Even so, sometimes my life depends on them; sometimes I need them to do what they must do. They have their privileges, but they bear great burdens. In the Abbey we pray for them daily. People on high can be a bit problematic

So, today, I would like to tidy up a little confusion. Looking up, on Ascension Day, we must not fall into the trap of thinking that the God is just another decision makes, the biggest boss of all. That would be, I am afraid, bad theology. God does not make decisions about us. God did not, at the end of last year, decide on a pandemic, nor tomorrow will God make the rain fall on Oswaldtwistle or the sun shine in Clyst Honiton. God does not change his mind, nor do one thing one day and another the next. God has no agenda and no to do list. God is ever the same. God is always and forever a pouring out of love. No whims, no fancies, no decisions, and no strategy. On Ascension Day, Jesus carries his life (and yours and mine) into the heart of that love, forever.

We do not keep Ascension Day well if we give ourselves a pain in the neck. We do not keep it well if it makes us grovel in exaggerated obedience. God is indeed the only One who can create, the only One who can redeem. All things do depend on God. Even so, there are no decisions to be made and it is not obedience, or resignation, that is required from us. It is not power that we worship, it is love.

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A Reflection on the Ascension - Westminster Abbey

DistractionsOffbeatWhat the Christian celebration of Ascension Day means, the traditions around it and where it's a public holiday.

Thursday, 21st May 2020, 5:28 pm

Ascension Day, also known as, Holy Thursday, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord or The Feast of the Ascension of Jesus Christ, commemorates the moment Jesus ascended into heaven.

Today (21 May) marks Ascension Day in 2020. Heres everything you need to know about the meaning behind the observance and how its marked.

What is Ascension Day?

Christian celebration, Ascension Day, commemorates the moment Jesus ascended into heaven 40 days after Easter to sit at his Fathers right hand.

Jesus disciples in Jerusalem watched his departure from Earth.

Acts: 1:1-11 of the Bible? show Jesus farewell to the apostles. The passage states: Then they gathered around him and asked him, Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?

He said to them: It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

What happened to Jesus on Ascension Day?

Jesus led his disciples up to the Mount of Olive in Jerusalem. He then said that the time had come for him to be returned to God.

The King James Bible states after Jesus ascended, two angels descended from above and said to his followers: Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?

This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

When does Ascension Day take place?

The celebration takes place 40 days after Easter Sunday, on the sixth Thursday after Easter. The day is also called Holy Thursday.

The date changes each year because the dates of Easter change every year.

Ascension Day can take place as early as 30 April 30 and as late as 3 June in western Christianity.

This year, Ascension Day takes place on Thursday 21 May.

However, the Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates Easter at a different time of year as it observes the Julian calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar.

By this calendar, Ascension Day can fall anywhere between 13 May and 16 June.

Is Ascension Day a public holiday?

In the UK, Canada, the USA and Australia, Ascension Day is not a public holiday.

However, Ascension Day is a public holiday in France, Germany, Austria, Indonesia, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Belgium, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Vanuatu.

In Portugal, people usually honour the feast by making wishes for peace and prosperity and making symbolic offerings to God made out of olive and wheat.

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Ascension Day 2020: What the Christian celebration means, traditions around it and where it's a public holiday - iNews

There was nothing subtle about the Spanish flu pandemic that hit Cape Ann in the Indian summer of September 1918.

A fish cutter down on the waterfront or a letter carrier working at the post office would have felt fine and appeared healthy in the morning. And then be desperately ill or dead before supper was served.

The disease is characterized by sudden onset, a physician only referred to as Dr. Blue told The Associated Press in a Gloucester Daily Times story dated Sept. 14, 1918, that reported the first deaths in the state.

The deadly virus, later bestowed the title H1N1, recognized no social, geographical or generational boundary, killing without prejudice in Cape Ann and throughout the world.

Deaths were highest in three age groups: children younger than 5 years old; 20-to 40-year-olds; and those 65 and older.

The high mortality in healthy people, including those in the 20- to 40-year age group, was a unique feature of the pandemic, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While the 1918 H1N1 virus has been synthesized and evaluated, the properties that made it so devastating are not well understood.

Victims in Gloucester and the surrounding towns were stricken walking down the street. Workers in factories, shipyards and offices fell out as the virus spread like a jailbreak.

The symptoms followed their own ascension of despair.

First there is a chill, Dr. Blue said. Then fever with temperatures from 101 to 103 (degrees), headache, back ache, reddening and running of the eyes, pains and aches all over the body.

Two days later, on Sept. 16, the Times front-page story listed three Spanish flu deaths in Gloucester. More alarming, 300 more cases erupted in the city. In some cases, whole families were stricken.

The crisis was escalating and the medical forces being marshaled to combat it faced a critical shortage of nurses World War I still raged and the new generation of physicians, inexperienced in the ways of the pandemic, was at a sharp disadvantage.

There was no vaccine andno antibiotics to treat secondary respiratory infections.

There was no real public health infrastructure or international network of aligned public health agencies. No social media. No internet. Information traveled at a snails pace. Everyone, it seemed, was on their own.

Still, much from 1918 sounds eerily familiar today.

Control efforts worldwide were limited to nonpharmaceutical interventions, such as isolation, quarantine, good personal hygiene, use of disinfectants and limitations of public gatherings. which were applied unevenly, the CDC stated in its history of the Spanish flu pandemic.

In the early rounds on Cape Ann, East Gloucester was particularly hard-hit. As was the main post office and the postal annex both of which were fumigated and the ranks of mail carriers.

One of the deaths reported on Sept. 16 was mail carrier Sherman R. Walen, whose family ultimately would lose five members. Another mail carrier, Samuel E. Curtis, died soon after.

The other two new city deaths reported in those editions were Lillian Martin and 23-year-old William J. OBrien Jr., whose father was a well-known Western Union telegraph operator in the city.

At that point, the citys Board of Health took no action and the school administration left the schools open. Within days, schools were closed and students ordered to stay at home.

On Sept. 17, the Board of Health closed theaters and premises used for public dance, amusement, lectures and entertainment. The action was deemed necessary in view of the epidemic of grippe in this city.

The next day, the Times reported no deaths in Gloucester from the Spanish flu in the past 24 hours. It ran a front page headline No More Deaths From Influenza ... Believe that the epidemic will soon be checked.

A tad premature, that.

On Sept. 19, the Times, still holding to the sunny side of the street, reported two more Spanish flu deaths with the caveat: although it is generally believed that the situation locally is well in hand.

A day later, four more Spanish flu deaths were reported and city and the Red Cross opened a number of emergency treatment centers, including one at the G.A.R. Hall, and scrambled to find nurses and physicians to staff them.

Still, the Times reporting strained toward optimism.

A marked decrease is looked for in the number of new cases now, and with clear weather and warm sunshine, the situation should improve, the paper stated.

But the deaths not only continued, they exploded.

Contact Sean Horgan at 978-675-2714, or shorgan@gloucestertimes.com. Follow him on Twitter at @SeanGDT

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Ascension of despair: First a chill, then fever ... pains and aches all over the body' - Gloucester Daily Times