|
PARISH PROFILE
 Church of the Ascension, Virginia Beach: No one journeys alone
By Barbara Hughes
Special to The Catholic Virginian
Parishioners at Church of the Ascension in Virginia Beach are known for their sense of community, both within and outside the parish.
Their history includes providing a worship space for two Jewish communities and partnership with the Red Cross as a disaster relief center, which are some characteristics that contribute to its uniqueness.
In 1977 Church of the Ascension welcomed the Jewish congregation Kehillat Yisvoel to use the balcony to hold their worship services.
On the day the Torah was dedicated Catholics and Jews praised God differently, but together in a common cause.
In 1984 Ascension once again extended hospitality to a Jewish congregation when the community of Beth Chaverim was invited to share their worship space. The relationship lasted for 10 years until the Jewish community relocated to its own new synagogue.
As a designated disaster relief site, the Red Cross operates its headquarters from Church of the Ascension during disasters.
 In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, 200 case workers met with displaced flood victims at the church to help them through the initial crisis.
Parishioner Bob Ianucci, volunteer coordinator of Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster for the diocese, said Ascension housed not only Red Cross operations for six weeks, but provided shelter for victims during Hurricane Floyd.
The parish of 1,240 households started with 70 Catholics in 1972 under the spiritual leadership of Father Robert French and Sister Eileen Fitzgerald. Mass was celebrated at Kempsville Presbyterian Church and at Kempsville Elementary and Junior High Schools.
Within three months the new community had more than 400 students enrolled in the parish religious education program.
Carol Bukovac, one of the first volunteer religious education coordinators, recalled, “All the classes were held in parishioners’ homes so we literally began by sitting on the floor with a map and lists of students trying to match classes with neighborhoods. Back in those days, people had five and six kids so it wasn’t easy. But somehow we made it work.”
 Referring to Fr. French and Sr. Eileen she explained, “They pushed us beyond being volunteers and helped us see ministry as a gift, a right and a responsibility.”
Construction of an all-purpose building began in 1974. It was dedicated a year later.
Over the years, the parish has continued to grow.
Father James Parke, pastor at Ascension the past 14 years, attributes this growth to a spirit of warmth and fellowship that exists, the strong sense of ownership by so many, and vibrant youth and young adult ministries.“We have been blessed with the energy and faith of Tom Esposito and Cindy Laufer, interim youth minister, and so many,” he said.
The Young Fire Mass, held 10 times a year, has become a tradition at Ascension and draws teens from around Virginia Beach, Norfolk and Newport News. Mission trips to Honduras and Buckingham County in Central Virginia along with spiritual awakening retreats have become yearly events for the youth of Ascension.
Father Parke pointed out that the youth program has spilled over into young adult programs, with many of the young adults involved in youth ministry. Currently five young adults are discerning the call to priesthood.
“But even more important than all the above is the deep faith of the people and the desire to grow in that faith,” said the priest.
 “You see it in the reverent and spirit-filled liturgies, in a music ministry that involves the whole assembly and in the desire to reach out to proclaim, celebrate and serve that continues to be the mark of this parish.”
A weekly support group for single, separated and divorced adults helps people who sometimes fall through the cracks feel welcome at Ascension. A separate support group for those who are widowed meets every Sunday.
Deacons Gary Harmeyer and Tom McFeely enjoy high visibility at the parish. This year Deacon Harmeyer succeeded Fran Woodward as director of Emmaus II. In 1981 the parish pastoral council charged the religious education staff to incorporate the benefits of the catechumenate into all parish formation and educational programs. Thus the title, Emmaus II came into being to highlight the fact that no one journeys alone.
 Adult sponsors walk the journey with Confirmation candidates, attending classes and meeting with their young person during the week. This year there are 53 teens in the Confirmation program.
Deacon Harmeyer ministers as well to the sick and homebound along with Deacon McFeely and a number of parish volunteers.
Deacon McFeely also prepares couples for marriage and works with divorced parishioners seeking an annulment.
“Working on annulments makes me work harder with couples preparing for marriage,” he said.
Ascension supports a social outreach ministry so extensive that it employs three part time Social Justice ministers — Susan Anders, Marie Thompson and Joanne Schihl. They plus more than 400 parish volunteers are kept busy throughout the year.
“We have a separate budget of $1,750 a month, over and above private donations and money from collections designated for social outreach,” explained Joanne. “It’s set up this way so as not to overburden the priest. Besides, Father Parke would give away the store,” she laughed.
The parish had just completed the annual World Food Day collection and was getting ready for the Thanksgiving Food Drive. More than 100 bags of food are distributed among five local agencies.
 During Christmas, Ascension parishioners provide Christmas for 45 families from Social Services and for 15 of their own families whom they help all year long. In addition, they assist with the resettlement of five refugee families every year.
“But Justice and Peace Ministry is about more than putting a band-aid on problems,” Joanne said. “As a member of Empower Hampton Roads and Tidewater Sowers of Justice, volunteers advocate and take the needs of the poor to the government.”
Biblical or nature scenes form a backdrop on a screen during the liturgies. This is one of the hallmarks of Ascension along with the coffee bar where parishioners gather for fellowship after daily and weekend liturgies.
“The power of Christian community comes alive when we gather to hear the Word proclaimed and see it lived out in one another,” Father Parke told the assembly during a recent homily.
“I don’t know how we can do this without one another. Christian community keeps the vision clear and helps us to stay the course.”
back to top
Copyright © 2006 The Catholic Virginian Press. Articles from Catholic News Services, including Fr. Dietzen’s column, may not be reproduced here due to copyright considerations.
The Catholic Virginian is a biweekly publication serving the people of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond. This website includes some, but not all, of the articles from the print version of The Catholic Virginian.
For subscription information Contact Us.
|
