The Church of the Ascension is a Roman Catholic community that welcomes all who seek spiritual nourishment and religious worship. The Church of the Ascension is a stewardship parish and the church respects and embraces each parishioner’s talent, treasure, and time.

Founded in 1973, the parish’s first mass took place on September 9, 1973, in Fountain Hills with celebrant Father Gene Maguire, the Pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Scottsdale leading the mass. Reverend Alphonus Durand, C.M.F. was appointed acting pastor of the mission of Fountain Hills by Bishop Edward McCarthy until Father Harry Morgan was appointed on July 9, 1974.

The First Parish Council

In 1974, the Church of the Ascension elected its first Parish Council and Father Paul Slanina, O.P. was appointed administrator in March 1975. The number of parishioners attending the Church of the Ascension grew and, to accommodate more space for worship, weekend masses were moved to the town community center on Saguaro Blvd. Daily masses were held at Father Paul’s rectory assisted by Monsignor Elwood Voss, Director of the Theresians.

An Official Parish

On September 15, 1976, the Church of the Ascension officially became a parish. Father Paul Slanina, O.P. was named the founding pastor of the church and the present church was built on Fountain Hills Blvd after a site change to make room for the growing number of families that joined the new parish.

On September 13, 1980, the brand new church was celebrated by Father Slanina with its first mass. Helping to serve the growing parish community and local Catholic charities was first deacon George Clark and deacons Raymond Orth, Vincent Kelly, Dick Smith, and Phil LoCascio. Both Deacon Dick Smith and Deacon Phil LoCascio continue to work in the Ascension Parish.

Many priests have served the growing parish over the years including Father Robert Caruso, who was appointed in 1987, Father Thomas O’Dea who was appointed in 1990, and Father John McDonough who was appointed in 2003. Today, the Church of the Ascension serves hundreds of families, nurturing and strengthening their relationship to Chris.

Supporting Catholic Charities

Approximately 2 million students across the U.S. attend Catholic schools. Through the Arizona tax program, you can help the children of Ascension parishioners achieve their Catholic educations by directing your tax dollars to Catholic Education Arizona. Last year, up to $16.4 million in individual and corporate tax credit donations were made to Catholic charities to assist nearly half of Arizona’s Catholic school students. To learn more about how CEA is changing the lives of students in Ascension Fountain Hills Parish, contact us today at www.ceaz.org or call 602-218-6542.