About Ascension · Norwood Young America, Minnesota
The Church of the Ascension is a Catholic parish in Norwood Young America, Minnesota, and the oldest Catholic community in the area, with roots going back to 1859. The parish is now paired with St. Bernard in nearby Cologne, sharing one pastor — Fr. Abraham Kochupurackal CMI — and a combined Faith Formation program. It belongs to the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, offers Mass in English, and is known for its distinctive 1905 brick church on Reform Street.
- Established
- 1859
- Patron
- The Ascension of the Lord
- Rector
- Fr. Abraham Kochupurackal CMI
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
Ascension is a small, historic parish with deep roots in Carver County — Mass and adoration are still celebrated in the 1905 brick church their ancestors built. The parish shares a warm, family-oriented faith community with neighboring St. Bernard, offering weekly Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation before every Mass, a robust Pre-K through Confirmation Faith Formation program (including Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and the Edge middle-school program), and personal accessibility to Fr. Abraham. For Catholics in the Norwood Young America area looking for a parish where they will know their pastor, their teachers, and their fellow parishioners, Ascension offers exactly that.
Mass times at Ascension
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 5:45 PM – 6:05 PM
- Saturday (2nd, 4th, and 5th Saturdays): 4:30 PM – 4:50 PM
- By appointment with Fr. Abraham
Adoration times
- Tuesday: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
History of the Parish
The Catholic community of Norwood Young America is the oldest in the area, dating back to 1859, when Irish and German settlers began gathering for Mass in one another's homes. A courier would ride to alert neighbors when a traveling priest was in the area. The first permanent church was built in 1866 under the supervision of Father Meinophus Stukenkemper and completed by Father Ferdinand Stern. That wooden mission church served until 1880, when a larger new church was built near the railroad junction and the mission was renamed Ascension to settle a cultural dispute between Irish and German parishioners.
- 1859: Settlers begin gathering for Mass in homes
- 1866: First permanent church completed by Fr. Ferdinand Stern
- 1880: New church built near the railroad; renamed Ascension
- 1905: Present brick church built; mission becomes a parish with resident pastor
- 1942: Rectory completed
- 1988: Religious education center built
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The combined Ascension–St. Bernard Faith Formation program walks children from Pre-K all the way through Confirmation. Younger children (Pre-K through 3rd grade) experience the Montessori-based Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, while 4th and 5th graders follow The Great Adventure Bible Timeline. Middle school students use the EDGE curriculum, and Confirmation preparation is a two-year program beginning in 9th grade. Families can also opt into the weekly Faith Formation Dinner.
- Pre-K – 3rd grade: Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
- 4th – 5th grade: The Great Adventure Bible Timeline
- Middle School: EDGE
- 9th – 10th grade: Two-year Confirmation preparation
- Faith Formation Dinner option available weekly
- DRE Pre-K–5: Kara Wickenhauser (952-250-3620)
- DRE Grades 6–10: Julie Kleindl (952-807-3522)
Sacraments
Ascension celebrates the seven sacraments with parishioners throughout the year. Baptisms are scheduled by appointment, First Communion and Confirmation are received through the Faith Formation program, and marriages are arranged directly with Fr. Abraham — couples must meet with him twice and begin preparation at least six months before the wedding date. The Anointing of the Sick is available by calling the parish office.
- Baptism: by appointment
- First Communion: via 2-year Faith Formation program
- Confirmation: via 2-year Faith Formation program
- Marriage: contact Fr. Abraham after engagement; two meetings, 6+ months out
- Anointing of the Sick: call 952-467-3351
- Reconciliation: scheduled times or by appointment
Clergy & Staff
The parishes of Ascension and St. Bernard share one pastor, Fr. Abraham Kochupurackal CMI. He is supported by a Business Administrator/Safe Environment Coordinator and two Directors of Religious Education who share responsibility for the combined Faith Formation program.
- Pastor: Fr. Abraham Kochupurackal CMI (952-856-1050)
- Business Administrator & Safe Environment Coordinator: Virginia Hanson (Ascension: 952-777-0110; St. Bernard: 952-856-1051)
- DRE Pre-K–5: Kara Wickenhauser (952-250-3620)
- DRE Grades 6–10: Julie Kleindl (952-807-3522)
- Bulletin Editor (Ascension): Virginia Hanson
- Bulletin Editor (St. Bernard): Patricia Quinn
Prayer & Devotions
Beyond the regular Mass and Adoration schedule, Ascension maintains a parish Prayer Chain that brings the needs of parishioners into the daily prayer life of the community.
- Tuesday Eucharistic Adoration: 3:00 – 6:00 PM
- Ascension Prayer Chain: Carol Donnay (952-467-2183); Lucy Kostecka (952-467-2576)
- St. Bernard Prayer Chain: Patsy Quinn (952-466-3304); Carol Dahl
Contact & Visiting
Ascension's parish office is open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Visitors and parishioners can also reach Fr. Abraham directly at his parish line. The Ascension–St. Bernard website is the hub for bulletins, registrations, and updated schedules.
- Ascension Office: 952-467-3351 (Mon., Wed., Thurs., 10 AM – 2 PM)
- Fr. Abraham Kochupurackal CMI: 952-856-1050
- Address: 323 Reform Street N., Norwood Young America, MN 55368
- Website: https://www.ascensionstbernardparishes.org
Ascension & St. Bernard: A Linked Parish Community
Ascension in Norwood Young America is twinned with St. Bernard in Cologne (212 Church Street E.), sharing one pastor, one Faith Formation program, and a single website. Together they serve the Catholic faithful of two small Carver County communities with combined Mass, confession, and adoration schedules.
- Pastor shared between both parishes: Fr. Abraham Kochupurackal CMI
- St. Bernard parish office: 952-466-2031 (Tues. 10–2, Fri. 9–2)
- St. Bernard Masses: Wed. 8:00 AM, Sun. 10:00 AM, 1st & 3rd Saturday 5:00 PM