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Our Mission
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Events
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Candlemas; Presentation of the LordJoin us Monday February 2nd for our Candlemas Mass! We will be blessing candles and baby Jesus statues during the 7pm Spanish mass. Everyone is invited!
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UpdatesThe new year is filled with hope and promise as we seek to grow our vital ministries, explore new ways to share the good news of Christ’s love, and reflect His care and mercy to those in need throughout the community. To continue to make a difference in 2026, Roman Catholic Church of Ascension is reaching out to our parishioners.
Begin the new year with eGiving to help sustain and build ministries throughout 2026 that reflect the steadfast promise of God’s love. The need is great in our community, and your generous online gifts will help people all around us.
We prayerfully request that you consider signing up for eGiving from your computer, smartphone or tablet. You can set up a recurring donation or make a one-time gift. Sign up today by visiting faith.direct/NY588, or text ‘Enroll’ to (Text-to-Give Number). Thank you for your continued support of our parish family.
God Bless You,
Fr. Kearney
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Pastor's Column
Dear Parishioners and Friends of Ascension,
This weekend, our nation pauses to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This annual observance calls us not only to remember a great civil rights leader, but to listen again to his prophetic call for justice, peace, and the dignity of every human being.
Dr. King reminded us that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” His voice rang out against systemic racism, economic inequality, and violence; and he called Christians to a faith that acts — a faith that confronts evil not with indifference but with courageous love.
This year, as we celebrate his legacy, we find ourselves in a moment that challenges us to hear Dr. King’s words anew.
By now, I suspect nearly all of you have seen the news from Minneapolis, where the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old woman by a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer during a law-enforcement operation has shaken communities and sparked protests across the nation. Local leaders and citizens are demanding accountability, transparency, and a renewed commitment to safeguarding human life and dignity. Others are calling for peaceful demonstrations and unity in seeking reform.
For many, this incident echoes broader concerns over the use of force, the treatment of vulnerable populations, and the deep fractures in our social life that still cry out for justice — the very wounds Dr. King sought to heal. Whether we watch the news with sorrow, confusion, or compassion, we are called as baptized disciples of Christ to enter into the suffering of others with prayerful and active solidarity.
Dr. King taught that true peace is not merely the absence of tension, but the presence of justice. He reminded us that love must be “active, persistent, and powerful.” In the face of tragedy and conflict — especially when innocent lives are lost and communities feel wounded — we are invited to lift our eyes beyond anger or despair, and to root our response in the Gospel’s vision of reconciliation. We pray not for victory of one side over another, but for the victory of justice, truth, mercy, and healing.
As a parish community this weekend, we continue to pray for the family and loved ones of the woman whose life was cut short. We pray for peace in Minneapolis and in cities across our country where people are calling out for justice and demanding to be heard. And we pray for the conversion of hearts — for those who enforce the law and those who advocate for reform — that all may somehow be instruments of God’s peace.
On Dr. King’s birthday, I hope all and each will recommit themselves to the work of justice rooted in love. I hope each of us will be able to follow his example by walking courageously toward our neighbors in need, listening deeply, and acting boldly where injustice persists.
Today in our parish we will have a special celebration at the 12:30 Mass honoring Mary, under the title of Our Lady of Altagracia, followed by a meal in the church center. Under this title, Mary is the protectress of the Dominican Republic. This is an opportunity for us to gather as a community of faith, honor Mary, and embrace the rich cultural heritage that she represents. We invite all to join us in this special event, and to share in the joy and blessings of the day.
May our prayer this week, through the intercession of Our Lady of Altagracia, be accompanied by works of compassion, and may the Lord guide us toward unity, healing, and the flourishing of every person’s God-given dignity.
Peace, Fr. Kearney
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the cardinal's appeal
We are reminded as Christians to pray, fast, and give alms to the less fortunate. St. Paul tells us that we must, “Bear [our] share of hardship for the gospel.” In living a Christian life, we are asked to make sacrifices for the good of others and for the good of the Church.
Many parishes will experience financial hardship in the near future, and most will struggle to meet critical needs. We understand that the financial circumstances of many of our families are uncertain, but please know of our deep gratitude for whatever you can contribute to support our Church during this challenging time.
If you would like to make a gift to the Cardinal’s Appeal to support the broader needs of our archdiocese, you can do so at
https://cardinalsappeal.org/donate.We are truly grateful for your generosity. Please know that we will continue to pray for those caring for the sick, and those that are the
most vulnerable among us.
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Join our emailing list!
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Rectory Hours Monday - Friday: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturdays: 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Sundays: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
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Weekly Mass Schedule Monday-Friday
12:00 PM English7:00 PM SpanishSaturday5:30 PM Vigil Mass (Bilingual)Sunday9:15 AM Spanish11:00 AM English12:30 PM Spanish6:00 PM Jazz Mass (English)
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