Church of the Ascension

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Ascension,

Every year, a missionary group is assigned to our parish and to every parish throughout the country. The purpose of the weekend is twofold. First, the weekend is meant to raise our consciousness about missionaries and their work. Secondly, the missionaries who come ask for our prayers and financial assistance. This weekend, the week of July 24/25, was the weekend assigned to us. Because these weekends are set up a year ahead of time, and because of the fact that a year ago, we were still under heavy COVID restrictions. For that reason, no missionary was assigned to speak at our parish. Having said that, we will still take up a second collection next weekend in order to continue to support the good work of the missions worldwide.

Pope Francis reminds us of the many challenges missionaries face daily which we might take for granted. The second collection at each Mass next weekend will be sent to the Propagation of the Faith Office to support the needs of mission Dioceses and Religious Communities. Evangelization is at the heart of the Church's mission throughout the world, and we ask you to be as generous as you are able. Hopefully this time next year, we will be welcoming another missionary. I believe their witness to us is very important for our own spiritual journies.

This Sunday, at the 9:30 AM Mass, we will celebrate Divino Niño. In Latin America, one of the biggest feast days is the feast day of the Divino Niño, which is a celebration in honor of Jesus as a small child. The Divino Niño, also known as the Divine Child Jesus, is a 20thcentury religious wooden statue of the child Jesus originating from Bogota, Colombia. The 17-centimeter high statue with arms stretched out wide and wearing a traditional pink robe or tunic has an inscription "Yo reinaré" ("I will reign") at its base. It is one of the most popular religious images in alll of Latin America, especially among Roman Catholics and it is claimed to have miraculous powers of healing.The actual date of the Divino Niño feast is July 20th. At celebrations in honor of the Divino Niño, it is customary to offer a special prayer of blessing to children. Next Sunday, we invite parents and grandparents to bring their children and their grandchildren to the Mass at 9:30. A special prayer of blessing will be prayed by the celebrant, Fr. Ricardo.

Peace, Fr. Kearney

Estimados Feligreses y Amigos de Ascencion,

Cada año, se asigna un grupo misionero a nuestra parroquia y a cada parroquia en todo el país. El propósito del fin de semana es doble. Primero, el fin de semana está destinado a aumentar nuestra conciencia sobre los misioneros y su trabajo. En segundo lugar, los misioneros que vienen piden nuestras oraciones y ayuda financiera. Este fin de semana, la semana del 24 al 25 de julio, fue el fin de semana que se nos asignó. Porque estos fines de semana se establecen con un año de anticipación, y por el hecho de que hace un año todavía estábamos bajo fuertes restricciones de COVID. Por esa razón, no se asignó ningún misionero para hablar en nuestra parroquia. Dicho esto, seguiremos realizando una segunda colección el próximo fin de semana para seguir apoyando el buen trabajo de las misiones en todo el mundo.

El Papa Francisco nos recuerda los muchos desafíos que enfrentan los misioneros a diario y que podríamos dar por sentados. La segunda colecta de cada misa el próximo fin de semana se enviará a la Oficina de Propagación de la Fe para apoyar las necesidades de las diócesis y comunidades religiosas de la misión. La evangelización está en el corazón de la misión de la Iglesia en todo el mundo, y les pedimos que sean lo más generosos que puedan. Con suerte, esta vez el año que viene, le daremos la bienvenida a otro misionero. Creo que el testimonio que nos brindan es muy importante para nuestros propios viajes espirituales.

Este domingo, en la Misa de las 9:30 AM, celebraremos Divino Niño. En América Latina, una de las fiestas más importantes es la fiesta del Divino Niño, que es una celebración en honor a Jesús cuando era un niño pequeño. El Divino Niño, también conocido como el Divino Niño Jesús, es una estatua religiosa de madera del niño Jesús del siglo XX originaria de Bogotá, Colombia. La estatua de 17 centímetros de altura con los brazos extendidos y vistiendo una túnica o túnica rosa tradicional tiene una inscripción "Yo reinaré" ("Yo reinaré") en su base. Es una de las imágenes religiosas más populares en toda América Latina, especialmente entre los católicos romanos y se dice que tiene poderes milagrosos de curación. La fecha real de la fiesta del Divino Niño es el 20 de julio. En las celebraciones en honor al Divino Niño, se acostumbra ofrecer una oración especial de bendición a los niños. El próximo domingo, invitamos a los padres y abuelos a traer a sus hijos y nietos a la Misa a las 9:30. El celebrante, es el P.Ricardo.

Paz, P. Kearney

Calling all youth, ages 10 – 21, interested in being part of the team at the Ascension Culinary Institute (ACI).  This is the 15th year ACI is accepting applications for the summer/fall program.

If you’re interested in cooking, experiencing new foods and culture, learning cooking techniques, being part of a team and having fun while being safe,
this is the program for you.

Class begins on Wednesday, August 25, and will be held once every Wednesday from 
6:30 PM to 10:30 PM. 

Please go to the Ascension website and fill out the ACI Application.

If you need more information please text Chef Paul at 212.203.8759 or email him at aci@ascensionchurchnyc.org

For those who are still in a financial position to do so, may we please invite and encourage you to seriously consider supporting Ascension through Faith Direct.  It is safe, simple and convenient. It gives you the option to contribute using a debit card or credit card or your checking or saving account. You can also go directly to this link: https://www.ascensionchurchnyc.org/httpsmembershipfaithdirectnetgivenowny588

Para aquellos que todavía están en una posición financiera para hacerlo, podemos invitarlos y alentarlos a considerar seriamente apoyar Ascensión a través de Faith Direct. Es seguro, simple y conveniente. Le da la opción de contribuir utilizando una tarjeta de débito o crédito o su cuenta corriente o de ahorro. Puede inscribirse en Faith Direct (un sistema automatizado de regalos) visitando el sitio web de nuestra parroquia en ascensionchurchnyc.org. Hay una pestaña en la esquina superior derecha para Faith Direct. También puede ir directamente a este enlace:

Faith Direct Donations Online

JUNE 16 - SEPTEMBER 15 

Registration is open through September 15, classes will begin the week of September 19. We will be offering classes on Sunday mornings from 9:15 to 10:45 OR on Tuesday afternoons (First Communion prep levels 1 and 2) and Wednesday afternoons (Confirmation prep levels 1 and 2), from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m.

Classes will be every other week IN PERSON. We will not offer online classes unless COVID should change. 

Class size will be restricted to up to 15 children per class, therefore, it is imperative that registration be completed as soon as possible. Registration will be limited, and taken on a first come, first served basis.

Fees are the same as last year; $225 for the first student, $75 for each additional sibling. Families that are in need of a scholarship or a payment plan should contact Robin Klueber.

Registration Forms can be picked up in the Rectory office during regular business hours, or the parent can email Robin Klueber at  rklueber@ascensionchurchnyc.org  and request an electronic form.

The Ascension Food Pantry has been distributing food every Saturday throughout the pandemic, and this work has continued through Spring 2021, while the number of meals that were distributed had quadrupled. 

We are now distributing food once a month, as the need has been reduced.

Lead by Robin Klueber, the menu is carefully prepared each week for balance and variety.

The volunteer food pantry is run with much effort, detail, and organization, among many volunteers, from dontations to orders to delivery trucks, through organizing and packaging, often with special touches, and thoughtfully given to a person or family in need. 

Thank you to Robin and all of the many wonderful volunteers that worked very hard every
week to meet the needs
of our community.  

Everyone's wonderful work as, and continues to be, so greatly appreciated.

Below is a video of the food pantry celebrating July 4th, 2020: 

July 4th, Food Pantry Video