ASCENSION (1972)

Montbello was created by Perl-Mack Homes in 1965 when a cattle ranch was converted to a neighborhood combining residential, commercial, and industrial uses. Montbello welcomed many black, brown, and white residents, becoming notable as the first Colorado community planned from the beginning to foster the ideal of racial, economic, and social integration.

This dream of an integrated community, born during the racial troubles and civil rights movements of the 1960s, was welcomed by Archbishop Casey. On January 19, 1972, he created the Montbello Catholic Community. The Paulist fathers, who focus on urban areas and minority groups, accepted an invitation to staff the new parish. Thomas F. Stransky, CSP, president of the Paulist fathers, walked the neighborhood to help in the planning process.

While awaiting the arrival of a Paulist pastor, Leo R. Horrigan served as an ad hoc pastor and established an ad hoc parish council. At first, the newly formed flock met in the Montbello Elementary School, later sharing facilities with St. Andrew's Lutheran Church and subsequently with the United Church of Montebello.

After Paul M. Aselin, CSP, arrived as the first Paulist pastor, he bought a large four-level home at the corner of East 48th Avenue and Andrews Drive. The two-car garage was converted to a chapel and the lower basement into parish offices, while the Paulists established a rectory upstairs. The parish house also welcomed community groups, including Boy Scout Troop 750. Ground was broken for the present brick parish center on October 18, 1975, and the first Mass was celebrated June 5, 1976.

After establishing the parish, Father Aselin moved on in 1977 to another assignment, and Montbello was returned to the archdiocese by the Paulists. Various priests guided the church over the years, and on October 22, 1981, the Montbello Catholic parish became the Montbello Catholic parish under the Patronage of the Ascension of Our Lord. Parishioner Peter Varisano painted the mural of the Ascension over the altar, where it was dedicated during the parish pastoral feast of the Ascension of Our Lord on May 8, 1986.

Lawrence B. Kaiser, pastor since 1984, and his parishioners joined with other neighborhood churches in 1986 to form the Montbello Cooperative Ministries. With the assistance of Catholic Community Services staff member Mary Ebner and Sister Michael Mary Egan, SC, this ecumenical cooperative established a food bank, employment assistance, and other programs.

Mary Smith, one of many Ascension volunteers working at the Montbello Cooperative Ministries at 4690 Peoria Street, reported in the Catholic Community Services newsletter for the spring of 1988 that the office had become a popular refuge for many of the hungry and homeless. Responding to a tearful couple asking for assistance for the first time in their lives, she told them, "You have given so much to others. Let the Lord help you now. Let others reach out and give to you."