HOMEPAGE for this issue: July 13, 2011 // Download PDF Version // Click to install/update Adobe Reader on your computer

Ascension Parish turns 40

By John Gleason

Nestled in Denver’s Montbello neighborhood, just south of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Refuge, sits Ascension Parish.  The close-knit community of 1,500 families has been a thriving parish since being established as the Montbello Catholic Community 40 years ago by Archbishop James V. Casey.

On June 19, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., celebrated an outdoor Mass in commemoration of the parish’s anniversary.  Father Mark Kovacik, parochial vicar, said the celebration, which included a bazaar, both honored the parish’s history and looked to its future.

“(It) included games and food and music,” he said. “It was simply good family entertainment.”

The bazaar served not only as a social gathering, Father Kovacik said, but as a way to raise money for “wish list” future projects including church expansion, construction of an adoration chapel and addition of some classrooms.

When first established, the parish was staffed by Paulist Fathers and met at Montbello Elementary School to celebrate Mass. Later, the parish shared facilities with St. Andrew Lutheran Church and the United Church of Montebello. Eventually a house on the corner of East 48th Avenue and Andrews Drive was purchased—the garage was converted into a chapel and the lower basement into parish offices.  Today, that building serves as the rectory. 

Ground was broken for the present brick parish center in 1975 and the first Mass celebrated in the new facilities eight months later.  Diocesan priests began caring for the congregation in 1977 and on Oct. 22, 1981, the parish became Montbello Catholic Community under the patronage of the Ascension of Our Lord.   A mural depicting the Ascension was painted over the altar, and was dedicated during the namesake feast of the Ascension on May 8, 1986.

An expansion project in 1998, which included the addition of a social area, saw the orientation of the worship space shift so that now the mural appears on a side wall of the church rather than behind the altar.

“Like any parish there is much to do, but our parishioners are quick to offer their time when needed,” he said. “After the Masses, people stay and talk and find out what is going on in each other’s lives.  This is the kind of community we have.”

Today the congregation includes a mix of differing backgrounds and age groups.

“This is a changing and exciting parish,” Father Kovacik said, “which is why it’s such a vibrant community. When Ascension was first established, the neighborhood was made up primarily of African-Americans.  Over time we saw more Asian families move into the area and today we have a significant number of Hispanic families that have relocated to our neighborhood.  It’s made for a wide and diverse parish community.”

Though diverse, the congregation strives for unity and communion as the body of Christ, Father Puga said, adding that the community was delighted and grateful to the archbishop for celebrating their milestone anniversary.

A second Mass marking the 40th anniversary is scheduled for 5 p.m. Sept. 17. All past parishioners are invited to attend and reacquaint themselves with old friends.

“We’re inviting former pastors, priests and deacons—anyone who at some time has called Ascension home,” Father Kovacik said.

Doris Nambe, 81, has been a member of Ascension Parish from the very beginning. 

“It’s never lost that close-knit feeling,” she said.  “To convey this to someone who’s never been here I’d say, ‘It’s simply that the Holy Spirit is here—this is why you should visit us.’”

“God is at work in this parish,” Father Kovacik said, “and the people want to celebrate and commemorate that.  And the fact that we want to expand says that we’re looking forward to the next 40 years.”

Information for part of this story came from “Colorado Catholicism” by Thomas J. Noel.