About Ascension of Our Lord · La Place, Louisiana
Ascension of Our Lord is a Roman Catholic parish in LaPlace, Louisiana, part of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Established on July 2, 1979 and carved out of St. Joan of Arc Parish, the parish today ministers to a vibrant, multigenerational community with weekly Mass in English and Spanish, a parish school, a perpetual Adoration Chapel, and a long-standing mission outreach to Saltillo, Mexico. The parish is known for its welcoming spirit and the breadth of its lay ministries.
- Established
- 1979
- Patron
- The Ascension of Our Lord
- Rector
- Rev. Walter J. Austin
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of New Orleans
Why belong here
Ascension of Our Lord offers the full rhythm of parish life for River Parish Catholics: a robust weekend schedule with a Spanish-language Mass for Hispanic parishioners, a weekday morning Mass Monday through Friday, and a perpetual Adoration Chapel open daily across the street from the church. A parish school, a Family Catechesis religious-education program, vibrant CYO youth ministry, Altar Society, Knights of Columbus, choir, lectors, extraordinary ministers, a bereavement ministry, and a long-standing mission partnership with Saltillo, Mexico make it a place where families can pray, serve, and grow together.
Mass times at Ascension of Our Lord
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Half an hour before each Mass
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel, located across the street from the Church (originally opened 24/7; currently listed as open daily 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM)
Welcome to Ascension of Our Lord
Ascension of Our Lord Catholic Church serves the LaPlace community in St. John the Baptist Parish as part of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. The parish invites newcomers to join its family through weekend Masses (including a 3:00 PM Spanish Mass), weekday Masses, the perpetual Adoration Chapel, and a wide range of lay ministries. The parish website lists joining the parish, weekly bulletins, the ministries directory, and the church calendar as the main ways to get connected.
- Join Our Parish Family
- Weekly Bulletins
- Church Calendar
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel
- Ministries directory
Parish History
Carved out of St. Joan of Arc Parish and established July 2, 1979 by Archbishop Hannan, Ascension of Our Lord began with Mass in the music room at St. Charles Catholic High School. Under founding pastor Fr. Benjamin Piovan, the parish built a school, then a multi-purpose Don Bosco Hall (used as a church for six years), then a temporary church funded entirely by parishioners, and finally the present church dedicated by Bishop Carmon on May 27, 2001. Father Benny retired to missionary work in Saltillo, Mexico in 2006, and Rev. Walter J. Austin became the second pastor.
- Founded July 2, 1979 by Archbishop Philip Hannan
- First pastor: Rev. Benjamin Piovan (Fr. Benny), 1979–2006
- School opened August 1980; first kindergartners
- Don Bosco Hall used as worship space from May 1982
- Temporary church dedicated March 19, 1989 (Feast of St. Joseph)
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel opened January 1, 1995
- Permanent church dedicated by Bishop Carmon May 27, 2001
- Fr. Benny Piovan retired 2006, died August 4, 2014
Clergy and Staff
The parish is shepherded by its second pastor, Rev. Walter J. Austin, who succeeded founding pastor Fr. Benjamin Piovan in 2006. Deacon Paul Dupuy is remembered through the Knights of Columbus Council 9623 Deacon Paul Dupuy Endowment Scholarship, awarded to a graduating 7th grader from AOL parish who will attend St. Charles Catholic High School.
- Rev. Walter J. Austin — Pastor (since 2006)
- Deacon Paul Dupuy (memorialized in Knights of Columbus scholarship)
- Parish Office: 799 Fairway Dr., LaPlace, LA 70068
- Phone: 985-652-2615
Faith Formation and Religious Education
The parish has transitioned to a Family Catechesis Program (PSR) for religious education of students in Kindergarten through 12th grade who are not enrolled in the parish school. Confirmation preparation is offered annually for Catholic teens entering 10th grade or higher, with confirmations celebrated in the Fall.
- Family Catechesis Program (PSR) for K–12
- Confirmation Preparation for 10th grade and up
- Registration and online payment available through the parish office
Ascension of Our Lord School
The parish school opened in August 1980 with its first kindergartners in an office trailer, and has grown on a 10-acre campus that today includes a Pre-K building, two school buildings, computer and science labs, a pavilion connecting to the church, and paved roads and parking lots. The school's principals have included Mrs. L. Brennan (founding), Sr. Barbara Campbell, F.M.A., Mrs. Carole Elliot, Mrs. Amy DiMaggio, and the current principal Mrs. Toni Ruiz.
- Founded August 1980 — first class of Kindergartners
- Mrs. L. Brennan — founding principal
- Sr. Barbara Campbell, F.M.A. — principal 1989–1992
- Mrs. Carole Elliot — third principal (later Associate Superintendent, Archdiocese of New Orleans)
- Mrs. Amy DiMaggio — principal 2005–2011
- Mrs. Toni Ruiz — current principal
Youth and Family Life
Youth Ministry brings pre-teens and teens together in Christ through service, social, and spiritual activities, anchored by a monthly Youth Ministry Mass on the second Sunday at 7:00 PM for students in grades 8–12. Parish CYO and Jr. CYO programs round out formation, and teens accompany Eucharistic Ministers on visits to the sick and homebound and take part in service projects and mission trips.
- Monthly Youth Ministry Mass — 2nd Sunday, 7:00 PM
- CYO and Jr. CYO
- Eucharistic Minister visits to sick and homebound
- Laredo, Texas work camp with the poor
- Year-round youth recreation: soccer, baseball, t-ball, cabbageball
- Kidcamp and Vacation Bible School
Liturgical Ministries
Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are Catholic adults who proclaim God's Word and assist with distribution of the Eucharist at Sunday Masses, Holy Days, and other special liturgical functions. The Archdiocese of New Orleans provides workshops for those interested in joining this ministry; parishioners can sign up at the Parish Office.
- Lectors
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Altar boys
- Choirs
Bereavement Ministry
The Bereavement Ministry cares for those who are grieving or approaching death. Volunteers make personal home and hospital visits, pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, dedicate hours in the Adoration Chapel, pray the Rosary, and help with funeral preparations. After a loss, the ministry schedules an initial visit and follows the family with monthly messages, cards, and supplemental visits for a year, following the Ave Maria Press® guidelines.
- Hospital and home visitation
- Personal visits with gravely ill and their families
- Funeral preparation assistance
- Monthly follow-up with the bereaved for one year
Saltillo Mission and Outreach
Since 1997, teenage and adult parishioners have made regular service trips to the San Miguel missions in Saltillo, Mexico, over Christmas, Carnival, Easter, Summer, and Thanksgiving breaks. Helping the poor children of this central Mexican city has become a major parish ministry, with parishioners donating food, clothing, shoes, toiletries, and toys. In 2004, founding pastor Fr. Benny Piovan broke ground for a new church and school in Saltillo.
- Saltillo, Mexico mission trips since 1997
- Fr. Benny broke ground for a church and school in Saltillo in 2004
- Laredo, Texas work camp with the poor
Parish Community Life
The parish's communal life is rooted in long-running organizations and traditions that bring parishioners together across ages. These include the Altar Society, Knights of Columbus Council 9623, the Welcome Committee, Hearty Meals, Family Life, Social Life, the annual St. Joseph Altar, pot-luck suppers, retreats, and Family Holy Hour.
- Altar Society
- Knights of Columbus Council 9623
- Welcome Committee
- Hearty Meals
- St. Joseph Altar
- Pot-luck suppers and retreats
- Family Holy Hour
Knights of Columbus Scholarships
Knights of Columbus Council 9623 sponsors three scholarships awarded to graduating 7th graders who will attend St. Charles Catholic High School for 8th through 12th grades. Each is valued at $1,000 per school year for up to five years and is forwarded to SCC in the recipient's name.
- Deacon Paul Dupuy Endowment Scholarship
- S.K. Larry P. Larousse Scholarship
- Father Benjamin Piovan Memorial Scholarship
Contact and Visit
Ascension of Our Lord Catholic Church is located at 1900 Greenwood Drive, LaPlace, LA 70068, with the Parish Office at 799 Fairway Drive. The parish office can be reached at 985-652-2615 (fax 985-652-7291) and is open Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM and Friday 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM. The parish can be followed on Facebook at facebook.com/aolchurchlaplace.
- Church: 1900 Greenwood Dr., LaPlace, LA 70068
- Parish Office: 799 Fairway Dr., LaPlace, LA 70068
- Phone: 985-652-2615 | Fax: 985-652-7291
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9 AM–4 PM, Fri 9 AM–1 PM
- Facebook: facebook.com/aolchurchlaplace
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Benjamin Piovan (Fr. Benny)1979 – November 17, 2006
Founding pastor appointed by Archbishop Hannan on July 2, 1979. Led the building of the school and the temporary and permanent churches, founded the parish's Saltillo, Mexico mission, and retired to missionary work in Mexico. Died August 4, 2014.
- Rev. Walter J. Austin2006 – present
Succeeded Father Benny as the second pastor of Ascension of Our Lord.