About Ascension Catholic Church · Fountain Hills, Arizona
Church of the Ascension (Ascension Catholic Church) is a Roman Catholic parish in Fountain Hills, Arizona, in the Diocese of Phoenix. Founded as a mission in 1973 and formally established as a parish on September 15, 1976, it now serves about 845 registered families from Fountain Hills and the surrounding area. The parish celebrates Mass daily, offers Reconciliation and Eucharistic Adoration, runs a Family Faith Ministry and OCIA for adults, and operates the St. Vincent de Paul Food Distribution Center in conjunction with its conference. In 2026, Ascension will mark its 50th anniversary, with the jubilee year of events already underway under the theme 'Reflect, Rejoice, Renew.'
- Established
- 1976
- Patron
- The Ascension of the Lord
- Rector
- Rev. Jilson Panakkal
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix
Why belong here
Ascension is a mid-sized parish (about 845 families) that still feels like a close-knit faith family, with daily Mass, Saturday Reconciliation, First-Friday and First-Saturday Eucharistic Adoration, and a parish-wide penance service each Advent and Lent. Its ministries are hands-on and community-focused — the St. Vincent de Paul Food Distribution Center (open Tuesdays and Fridays), the Knights of Columbus Council #9188, the Ascension Chorale and Schola choirs, the Arts at Ascension concert series, the Family Faith Ministry, Vacation Bible School, OCIA for adults, and active outreach to Andre House, Circle the City, Duet, MANA House, Arizona Brainfood, and Matthew Community. Worship is grounded in traditional Catholic sacred music and liturgy, and parishioners are welcomed into a community currently celebrating its 50th anniversary under the theme 'Reflect, Rejoice, Renew.'
Mass times at Ascension Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
- Whole-Parish Penance Service each Advent and Lent
Adoration times
- First Friday of the Month: 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
- First Saturday of each Month: 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM
Parish History
Catholic worship in Fountain Hills began in 1973 and the parish was formally founded in 1976. The community's full story — from a Sunday Mass in a community trailer at Fountain Lake to the dedication of the present church in 1980 — is told in detail on the parish website.
- First Catholic Mass in Fountain Hills: Sept. 9, 1973, celebrated by Fr. Gene Maguire (OLPH, Scottsdale)
- Mission pastors: Rev. Alphonus Durand, C.M.F.; Fr. Harry Morgan (appointed July 9, 1974)
- Fr. Paul Slanina, O.P. appointed mission administrator March 14, 1975
- First Parish Council elected 1974 (Howard Asher, Dick LeMonde, Larry Ringsrud, Julia Martin, Nace Battel, Ruth Strickler, John Van Der Werf)
- Building Fund seeded by a $25 bequest from Larry Ringsrud's mother
- Parish formally established September 15, 1976; founding pastor Fr. Paul Slanina, O.P.
- First Mass in present church: September 13, 1980
- First deacon: George Clark; also served: Raymond Orth, Vincent Kelly, Phil LoCascio
- Fr. Slanina died October 7, 1987; succeeded by Fr. Robert Caruso (November 1987)
- Fr. Thomas O'Dea appointed pastor July 1, 1990 – retired June 2003
- Fr. John McDonough appointed pastor July 1, 2003 – retired June 2021 (18 years)
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference established June 1989
- 50th anniversary jubilee launched November 2025 under theme 'Reflect, Rejoice, Renew'; closing Mass with Bishop John Dolan, October 2026
Clergy and Staff
Ascension is led by Fr. Jilson Panakkal, supported by two deacons and a small parish staff listed on the 'Our Church' page of the parish website. The parish office is open Monday–Thursday 8:30 AM–4:30 PM and Friday 8:30 AM–1:00 PM.
- Rev. Jilson Panakkal — Pastor (appointed July 1, 2021)
- Deacon Richard (Dick) Smith — Religious Education Coordinator
- Deacon Joshua Kludy
- Caleb Guy — Director of Music / Coordinator of Liturgy
- LeAnn Pernot — Human Resources & Office Coordinator
- Kelly Rafko — Bookkeeper
- Julie Cruz
- Estella Holmes — Facilities & Maintenance
- Bill Kobylka — Facilities & Maintenance
Mass and Sacramental Schedule
Ascension celebrates the Mass every day of the week and offers the Sacrament of Reconciliation weekly on Saturdays. Eucharistic Adoration is offered on First Fridays and First Saturdays. A whole-parish Penance Service is held each Advent and Lent.
- Sunday: 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM
- Monday: 8:00 AM
- Tuesday: 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM (with Divine Mercy Chaplet)
- Wednesday: 8:00 AM
- Friday: 8:00 AM
- Saturday: 5:00 PM Vigil; 8:00 AM First Saturday (with Anointing of the Sick)
- Holy Days: 7:00 PM Vigil; 8:00 AM Holy Day
- Reconciliation: Saturday 3:30–4:30 PM
- Eucharistic Adoration: First Friday 8:30–10:00 AM; First Saturday 7:30–8:00 AM
- Whole-Parish Penance Service each Advent and Lent
Sacraments
Ascension prepares parishioners of all ages to receive the Sacraments of Initiation — Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist — and offers Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, and OCIA for adults. Preparation for Confirmation and First Eucharist follows the Diocese of Phoenix's 'Restored Order' (children in 3rd grade and older).
- Infant & Child Baptism — flexible year-round classes for parents and godparents
- First Reconciliation — preparation begins each fall (2nd grade and older)
- Confirmation & First Eucharist — preparation begins each fall (3rd grade and older, Restored Order)
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) — tailored formation for unbaptized adults, baptized Christians, or Catholics completing initiation
- Anointing of the Sick — offered at First Saturday 8:00 AM Mass
- Reconciliation — Saturday 3:30–4:30 PM and Advent/Lent Penance Services
- Marriage and Funeral preparation — contact the Parish Office
Faith Formation & Family Faith Ministry
Ascension's Family Faith Ministry welcomes all families and follows a 'Welcome – Invite – Nurture' model, helping parents pass on the faith in the midst of everyday life. The parish also offers Adult Ongoing Faith Formation, Vacation Bible School each summer, and family outings throughout the year (hiking, biking, picnics).
- Family Faith Ministry: Welcome – Invite – Nurture
- Sacrament Preparation for children and teens
- Adult Ongoing Faith Formation opportunities
- Annual Vacation Bible School with rotating themes
- Family Outings: hiking, biking, picnics
- OCIA — Come and See invitations for inquirers
Music and Liturgy
Liturgical music is a hallmark of parish life at Ascension. The parish maintains the Ascension Chorale, smaller Schola choirs, and the Arts at Ascension concert series, which serves as an evangelistic outreach drawing on the rich tradition of Catholic sacred music.
- Caleb Guy — Director of Music / Coordinator of Liturgy
- Ascension Chorale
- Schola choirs (smaller ensembles recruited from the congregation)
- Arts at Ascension concert series
- Annual Festival of Lessons and Carols
- Traditional Catholic sacred music and Mass settings
Outreach, Charity, and Community Service
Ascension's 845 registered families support a robust network of local charities and sister-parish relationships. The St. Vincent de Paul Conference, established on the parish grounds in June 1989, runs a Food Distribution Center serving Fountain Hills residents in need.
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference — food & clothing distribution, Tuesdays & Fridays 9:00–11:00 AM
- Andre House (Phoenix)
- Circle the City
- Duet (family services)
- MANA House
- Arizona Brainfood
- Matthew Community
- St. Matthew Catholic School and St. Jerome Catholic School (central Phoenix)
- Diocese of Kannur, India (sister-parish relationship)
Parish Organizations
Lay faithful find community and service through established parish organizations, most notably the Knights of Columbus Council #9188, which is affiliated with the parish.
- Knights of Columbus Council #9188 (Ascension parish)
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference (established June 1989)
- Parish Council (elected leadership)
- Family Faith Ministry teams
50th Anniversary Jubilee (2025–2026)
Kicking off on Sunday, November 9, 2025, the parish launched a year-long jubilee under the theme 'Reflect, Rejoice, Renew,' featuring expanded outreach programs, intentional opportunities to learn about the parish's history and mission, and celebratory events honoring the past, present, and future of the community. The jubilee will culminate in a Mass celebrated by Bishop John Dolan in October 2026.
- Theme: 'Reflect, Rejoice, Renew'
- Opening: Sunday, November 9, 2025
- Expanded outreach programs throughout the year
- Opportunities to learn about parish history and mission
- Closing Mass with Bishop John Dolan — October 2026
Visit, Contact, and Office Information
The parish office is the main point of contact and is open throughout the business week. The church itself is open weekdays for prayer and meditation, with longer hours Monday through Thursday and shorter hours on Friday.
- Address: 12615 N. Fountain Hills Blvd., Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
- Parish Office Phone: 480-837-1066
- Email: [email protected]
- Pastor's email: [email protected]
- Music Ministry email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 8:30 AM–4:30 PM; Fri 8:30 AM–1:00 PM
- Church open for prayer: Mon–Thu 8:00 AM–4:30 PM; Fri 8:00 AM–1:00 PM
- Wheelchair-accessible car park and entrance
- Near Fountain Hills Park & Ride
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Gene Maguire1973
Pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Scottsdale; celebrated the first Catholic Mass in Fountain Hills on Sept. 9, 1973.
- Rev. Alphonus Durand, C.M.F.1973–1974
Acting pastor of the Fountain Hills mission.
- Fr. Harry Morganappointed July 9, 1974
Mission administrator.
- Fr. Paul Slanina, O.P.March 1975 – October 7, 1987
Founding pastor when Ascension became a parish on Sept. 15, 1976; celebrated first Mass in the present church on Sept. 13, 1980.
- Fr. Robert CarusoNovember 1987 – June 1990
Succeeded Fr. Slanina as pastor.
- Fr. Thomas O'DeaJuly 1, 1990 – June 2003
Pastor; retired June 2003.
- Fr. John McDonoughJuly 1, 2003 – June 2021
Pastor for 18 years; retired June 2021.
- Fr. Jilson PanakkalJuly 1, 2021 – present
Current pastor; from the Diocese of Kannur, India.