We have been serving the Upper West Side, Manhattan Valley and Morningside Heights since 1895.
No matter your age, race, gender, or sexual orientation, there is a place for you at Ascension Church. You'll meet wonderful people, hear the proclamation of the word of God, be nourished by the Eucharist, enjoy good programs, be challenged to live the Gospel, and so much more. Come as you are - and be who you are - your presence enriches us.
WELCOME, ALL, ALWAYS!
11 AM Mass (Livestream on Youtube)
(English) Sunday 11AM LeafletSunday 6PM ( Jazz/English) Leaflet
Sign Up to Receive Parish Updates
Annual Mission Trip to the Dominican Republic
June 11th, 2025 - Fr. James Martin - "Lazarus"
Begin the new year with eGiving to help sustain and build ministries throughout 2025 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
"Pipe Organs of NYC” is being presented as a weekly series by the New York City Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, taking viewers on a virtual musical tour of the grand instruments of the Chapter.
Ascension’s history, our own Muller-Abel instrument and Preston Smith were featured in
Episode 7, aired 22 February.
Click here:
Ascensions Grand Organ on YouTube
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.
Los cristianos nos recuerdan rezar, ayunar y dar limosna a los menos afortunados. San Pablo nos dice que debemos, "Soportar [nuestra] parte de las dificultades
por el evangelio." Al vivir una vida cristiana, se nos pide que hagamos sacrificios por el bien de los demás y por el bien de la Iglesia. Muchas parroquias experimentarán dificultades financieras en el futuro cercano, y la mayoría tendrá dificultades para satisfacer las necesidades críticas. Entiendo que las circunstancias financieras de muchos
de nuestras familias no están seguras, pero sepan nuestra profunda gratitud por todo lo que puedan contribuir para apoyar a nuestra Iglesia durante este momento difícil. Apelación del Cardenal para apoyar las necesidades más amplias de nuestra diócesis, puede hacerlo en
https://cardinalsappeal.org/donate.
Estamos realmente agradecidos por su generosidad. Por favor sepan que continuaremos orando por aquellos que cuidan a los enfermos y aquellos que son los más vulnerable entre nosotros.
Dear Parishioners and Friends of Ascension,
What a truly joyful and grace-filled celebration we shared on Ascension Thursday, May 29th, as we marked the 130th Anniversary of Ascension Parish! We were deeply honored to welcome Cardinal Timothy Dolan as our special guest for this momentous occasion.
Cardinal Dolan presided at a beautiful and spirit-filled Bilingual Mass, joining our diverse community in prayer and thanksgiving. With his characteristic warmth and enthusiasm, the Cardinal praised Ascension’s vibrant liturgical life and offered heartfelt recognition of our parish’s enduring commitment to service—especially to the most vulnerable among us. His gracious words and generous congratulations were deeply moving and affirming for all who were present. Our choir, under the direction of Preston Smith, beautifully enhanced the liturgy.
Following the Mass, we gathered in the Parish Center for a festive reception. Thanks to the wonderful catering by Ascension’s Culinary Institute, guests enjoyed delicious finger foods, hors d'oeuvres, and even a celebratory glass of champagne. The atmosphere was lifted further by live music from our Sunday evening Jazz group, whose joyful sounds added to the spirit of the evening.
The reception was very well attended, and Cardinal Dolan graciously stayed to greet parishioners, posing for photos with all who asked—leaving many with special memories to treasure.
We are proud to continue serving the communities of Morningside Heights, Manhattan Valley, and the Upper West Side with a pastoral approach grounded in compassion and presence. May our parish’s next chapter be as full of faith, service, and love as the past 130 years.
Today is Pentecost Sunday, the final day of the Easter Season. Pentecost celebrates the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and the Church.
Often referred to as the “birthday of the Church,” Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and disciples of Jesus, as described in the Acts of the Apostles. This event marks the culmination of the Easter Season, symbolizing the fulfillment of Christ’s promise to send the Advocate—the Paraclete—who would empower and guide his followers in spreading the Gospel to all nations.
It is fitting that Pentecost concludes the Easter Season, as it highlights the transformative power of Christ’s resurrection and the birth of the Church. Just as Easter marks the beginning of new life in Christ, Pentecost signifies the empowerment of the Church to continue Christ’s mission of redemption and reconciliation in the world.
Tomorrow, the Church celebrates the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church—a relatively new feast day added to the liturgical calendar by Pope Francis in 2018.
As Jesus’ farewell gift to his disciples was the gift of peace, let us fervently pray for an end to all violence, war, and conflict in the troubled regions of our world. May Christ’s farewell gift of peace, in the not-too-distant future, become a lived reality for all.
Peace, Fr. Kearney
Flocknotes can help us to reach you where you're already at, in your inbox and via text message.
To join Flocknotes:
Text ASCENSIONNYC to 84576
or simply fill out this form.