Ascension

About Ascension Catholic Church

Ascension Catholic Church is a Rebuilt parish in Boca Raton, Florida, whose mission is 'Love God, Love Others, and Make Disciples.' Located at 7250 N Federal Highway, the parish invites people of all ages to participate in parish life, with a strong emphasis on contemporary worship, lay involvement and a welcoming atmosphere for visitors and the unchurched. The Rebuilt model guides everything from weekend Mass to small-group ministry to how hospitality is extended at the door.

History of the Parish

Founded in 1969 and part of the Diocese of Palm Beach, Ascension has grown alongside Boca Raton for more than fifty years. Its most recent chapter began when Fr. Gavin Badway — now rector of the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola in Palm Beach Gardens — championed the adoption of the Rebuilt parish model. That decision brought contemporary Christian music, relevant homilies and lay-led ministry to the center of parish life, and under current pastor Fr. Carl Hellwig that vision continues to bear fruit in a congregation that has shifted from older adults to a thriving community of families.

• Founded in 1969
• Diocese of Palm Beach parish
• Adopted the Rebuilt parish model under Fr. Gavin Badway
• Fr. Carl Hellwig serves as current pastor

Clergy, Staff & Music Leadership

Ascension is led by pastor Rev. Carl Hellwig, supported by an office staff and a roster of lay ministry leaders. Patrick Watkins serves as Music Director and leads the Ascension Road band, having first come to the parish as a vocalist recruited by Fr. Hellwig and later converting to Catholicism.

• Rev. Carl Hellwig — Pastor
• Patrick Watkins — Music Ministry / Music Director
• Marko Ruffolo — A/V and Technology
• Cindy Nau — Communications Director
• Debbie Waverla — Parish Administrative Assistant and Bulletin Editor
• Debbie Cramsie — Religious Education for Children
• Small Groups Coordinator
• Ascension Youth Director

The Rebuilt Parish Model at Ascension

Ascension explicitly follows the Rebuilt parish model — a way of building healthy parishes by extending reach into the community, creating a culture that welcomes visitors and making the Mass accessible to all. In practice this means a relevant message, lively contemporary music and a warm welcome, with the parish emphasizing that 'the church belongs to the people.' A key part of Rebuilt is moving catechesis and ministry away from being clergy-only and into the hands of the laity, summarized by parishioners as 'the three M's: message, music and ministry.'

• Rebuilt model co-founded by Fr. Michael White (Church of the Nativity, Timonium, MD) and Tom Corcoran
• Inspired by Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Church
• Emphasizes welcoming the unchurched and returning Catholics
• Focus on message, music and ministry

Music Ministry — The Ascension Road Band

The Ascension Worship Team, known as the Ascension Road band, provides inspirational music for all weekend Masses and holy days throughout the year. In keeping with the Rebuilt model, Ascension uses Contemporary Christian Music during Mass — lively, uplifting songs that move the heart to worship. The seven-piece ensemble is led by Music Director Patrick Watkins and includes longtime cantor Marybeth Jackson, lead guitarist Tom Benstein, bassist Marko Ruffolo, Rodrigo Valente, Yasmary Marquez and guitarist Roxanne Grant. Joining the ministry requires an audition with the Music Director and previous musical experience is recommended.

• Seven-piece Ascension Road band
• Music Director Patrick Watkins (joined 2019, became music director March 2024)
• Cantor Marybeth Jackson (since 2009)
• Annual Christmas concert fills the church to capacity

Liturgical Ministry

Liturgical ministers serve during the Mass by reading scripture, helping the priest, distributing Communion and handling technology. Adults serving in ministry must complete a diocesan background check and the online VIRTUS — Protecting God's Children course, and sign a Code of Conduct. Altar servers are students who have already received First Communion and assist at weekend liturgies and special Masses such as Holy Week, Confirmation, First Holy Communion and Christmas.

• Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHCs)
• Lectors (audition with the Pastor required)
• Altar Servers (post-First Communion students)
• Technology Team (slide display and livestream cameras)

Children's Religious Education

Ascension offers religious education programs for children from PreK through High School, preparing students for the sacraments and strengthening them in the faith. Classes for the 2025–2026 year are held on Sundays at the Family Center and the Parish Office Conference Room. The family fee is $100 per family, payable by credit card, Faith Direct, cash or check.

• PreK through Grade 6 — Family Center, 11:15 AM – Noon
• First Communion Class — Family Center, 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM
• Grade 7 & 8 (Pre-Confirmation) — Parish Office Conference Room, 11:15 AM – Noon
• Confirmation Class (High School) — Family Center, 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM
• Contact: Debbie Cramsie

Adult Faith Formation & OCIA

Adults interested in learning about or joining the Catholic Church participate in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), the updated name for the former RCIA process. OCIA is open to the unbaptized, baptized Catholics who have not yet received First Communion or Confirmation, and non-Catholics married to Catholics who wish to take the next step. Classes are weekly on Zoom on Mondays at 7:00 PM, plus once per month at a weekend Mass. There is no cost for OCIA.

• Open to unbaptized adults, baptized Catholics needing sacraments, and non-Catholic spouses
• Weekly Monday 7:00 PM Zoom meetings
• Monthly meeting at a weekend Mass
• All materials provided by the parish at no cost

Small Groups & Community Life

Small groups are a defining feature of parish life at Ascension. Parishioners meet in homes and on Zoom to discuss faith questions, support one another, and strengthen their commitment to God and the Church. Members describe the groups as 'not quite a Bible study' but a hybrid of group therapy and faith sharing — a way, in the words of lead guitarist Tom Benstein, to 'make the big church feel small.'

• Meet in homes and on Zoom
• Faith-sharing and mutual support
• Described as 'a way to make the big church feel small'

Outreach, Missions & Parish Organizations

Ascension's broader ministry includes a Ministry to the Needy, a Respect Life ministry, a Hospitality Ministry, a Ministry of Consolation (bereavement support), and a Prayer Ministry. Parish organizations include the Council of Catholic Women, the Knights of Columbus, and the Men's Club.

• Ministry to the Needy
• Respect Life
• Hospitality Ministry
• Ministry of Consolation
• Prayer Ministry
• Council of Catholic Women
• Knights of Columbus
• Men's Club

Sacraments

The parish celebrates the full range of Catholic sacraments, including Baptism, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion also bring Communion to the homebound. Adults seeking to enter the Church do so through the OCIA process.

• Baptism
• First Holy Communion
• Confirmation
• Marriage (Matrimony)
• Anointing of the Sick
• Communion brought to the homebound
• OCIA for adults entering the Church

Visiting & Contact

Ascension is located at 7250 N Federal Highway, Boca Raton, FL 33487, on North Federal Highway (US 1). The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Visitors can register as parishioners online, attend the Information Booth after Sunday Mass, and follow the parish on Facebook and YouTube for livestreams and homily replays.

• Address: 7250 N Federal Hwy, Boca Raton, FL 33487
• Phone: (561) 997-5486
• Fax: (561) 997-5862
• Office Hours: Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: ascensionboca.org