About Church of the Ascension · Overland Park, Kansas
Church of the Ascension is a vibrant Roman Catholic parish in Overland Park, Kansas, in Johnson County's Blue Valley area, belonging to the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. Founded in 1991, it has grown into one of the largest and most prominent parishes in the archdiocese — by 2025 it serves roughly 3,415 families and is home to Ascension Catholic School (Preschool through 8th grade) and a perpetual Adoration Chapel. The parish celebrates daily and weekend Masses, offers a full sacramental and faith-formation program for children and adults, and runs dozens of ministries spanning liturgy, music, youth, young adults, family life, social justice, and parish life. Current pastoral leadership is Fr. Gary Pennings (as of the 2025-2026 directory), with an archdiocesan decree of May 2026 announcing Fr. Scott Wallisch as incoming pastor effective July 1, 2026.
- Established
- 1991
- Patron
- The Ascension of the Lord
- Rector
- Fr. Scott Wallisch
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
Why belong here
Ascension is one of the largest parishes in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas — more than 3,400 families call it home — yet longtime staff describe it as 'a massive parish that feels like a small one because the community is so great.' A family can plug into daily and Sunday Mass (including a livestream), perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in a dedicated chapel, multiple weekly Reconciliation times, a fully accredited Preschool–8th grade Catholic school, and youth faith formation for ages Pre-K through 12th grade. Add robust Adult Faith programs, young-adult ministry, marriage and family life support, music ministry, social-justice and outreach, parish-life fellowship, and a stewardship way of life, and you have a parish that aims to walk with you from infancy through retirement.
Mass times at Church of the Ascension
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 11:00 AM
- Tuesday 6:30 PM
- Wednesday 5:30 PM
- Saturday 3:00 PM
- Sunday 4:00 PM
- By appointment: call the parish office at 913-681-3348
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration: Daily 6:00 AM–9:00 PM (closed Monday & Thursday 2:00–3:00 PM for cleaning)
- After Hours Adoration: 9:00 PM–6:00 AM (code required)
Parish Identity & History
Church of the Ascension is a Roman Catholic parish in Overland Park, Kansas, in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. The parish was officially established and named in 1991, though Archbishop Ignatius Strecker had purchased 35 acres of land on West 127th Street back in 1988. After five nomadic years worshiping at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, the community dedicated its own church in 1997 and opened Ascension Catholic School the same year, adding one grade per year until reaching 8th grade. The preschool opened in 2017, and by 2025 the parish had grown to 3,415 registered families with 625 children in the school.
- 1988 – Archbishop Strecker purchases 35 acres
- 1991 – Fr. Larry Albertson named founding pastor
- 1991 – Parish officially named Church of the Ascension
- 1997 – Church dedicated; Catholic School opens K–5
- 2003 – Msgr. Thomas Tank becomes pastor
- 2017 – Ascension Catholic Preschool opens
- 2021 – Fr. Gary Pennings becomes pastor
- 2025 – 3,415 families, 625 students
- 2026 – Fr. Scott Wallisch named incoming pastor (effective July 1, 2026)
Clergy, Staff & Leadership
Pastoral leadership in the 2025–2026 directory is headed by Pastor Fr. Gary Pennings, supported by Parochial Vicars Fr. Colm Larkin and Fr. Jude Anin-Agyei, and Associate Pastor Fr. Brent Stull. Three permanent deacons — Kris Kuckelman, John Stanley, and Michael Uhlmansiek — assist with liturgy and parish life. Music ministry is led by Dr. Dorothy Brandwein. A Leadership Team coordinates Adult Faith, Youth Faith Formation, Young Adult, Marriage & Family Life, Care & Social Justice, Parish Life, and Stewardship & Engagement.
- Fr. Colm Larkin, Parochial Vicar ([email protected], x138)
- Fr. Jude Anin-Agyei, Parochial Vicar ([email protected], x147)
- Fr. Brent Stull, Associate Pastor (joined July 2022)
- Deacon Kris Kuckelman, Deacon John Stanley, Deacon Michael Uhlmansiek
- Dr. Dorothy Brandwein, Music Director
Faith Formation — Children & Youth
The parish runs a full Youth Faith Formation (YFF) program from Preschool through 12th grade, including Family Formation for K, 1st, and 3rd–5th grades, a two-year Confirmation track (Year I in 7th grade, Year II in 8th grade), First Reconciliation and First Eucharist preparation, a Children's Liturgy of the Word at the 8:15 and 10:00 AM Sunday Masses, Vacation Bible School the first full week of June, and a Special Needs program with sessions every Wednesday September through May.
- Weekly YFF (K–12) on Wednesdays 6:00–7:30 PM
- Family Formation — 1st Tuesday of month, 6:00–7:30 PM
- Year I & II Confirmation Wednesdays 6:00–7:30 PM
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist (2-year prep)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word at 8:15 & 10:00 AM Sunday Masses
- VBS — first full week of June
- Special Needs sessions — Wednesdays, Sept–May
Faith Formation — Adults & Young Adults
Adult Faith Formation offers seasonal classes in fall, spring, and summer. The Young Adult Ministry, under Joe Passantino, supports adults in their 20s and 30s. The Marriage, Family Life & Vocations ministry (Marcia Jacobson) walks couples and families through every stage, and Care & Social Justice (Patty Billinger) coordinates parish outreach. OCIA (formerly RCIA) for adults preparing to receive the sacraments is coordinated by Pastoral Associate Liz Willman.
- Year-round Adult Faith classes
- Young Adult Ministry
- Marriage, Family Life & Vocations
- Care & Social Justice ministry
- OCIA for adult sacramental preparation (contact Liz Willman)
Ascension Catholic School & Preschool
Ascension Catholic School opened in 1997 with K–5 and grew one grade at a time to 8th grade. A preschool was added in 2017. The school is accredited by the State of Kansas and LUMEN and follows Archdiocesan curriculum guidelines, offering religion, reading, language arts, math, social studies, science, Spanish, PE, music, art, library skills, choir, band, and computer technology, plus school counselor, nurse, and resource-teacher services, daily hot lunch, and after-school care. Its mission is to 'proclaim the Gospel, grow in knowledge, and love like Jesus.' Principal Becky Wright leads a staff that includes Vice Principal Kelly Rose and Preschool Director Lynnette Rempel.
- Preschool through 8th grade
- Accredited by the State of Kansas and LUMEN
- Principal: Becky Wright ([email protected])
- Vice Principal: Kelly Rose
- Preschool Director: Lynnette Rempel
- Phone: 913-851-2531
Parish Life, Music & Outreach
Beyond liturgy and formation, the parish runs an array of ministries: Music (led by Dr. Dorothy Brandwein), Prayer groups, Communications, Outreach, Stewardship & Engagement, Parish Life fellowship events, the Celebrate Ascension annual auction (held in February, e.g., Feb. 14, 2026 for the 35th anniversary), and parish operated ministries such as Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Lunchroom Support, the PTO, the School Advisory Council, and WatchDOGS.
- Music Ministry — Dr. Dorothy Brandwein
- Stewardship & Engagement
- Parish Life and fellowship
- Outreach and Care & Social Justice
- Annual Celebrate Ascension auction (February)
- WatchDOGS, PTO, School Advisory Council
Sacraments & Sacramental Preparation
The parish prepares parishioners for all seven sacraments. Baptism requires a class (contact Elizabeth Whitehead); First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are typically received in 2nd grade with a 2-year preparation; Confirmation is celebrated in 8th grade after a two-year process; adults prepare through OCIA with Liz Willman. Reconciliation is heard five days a week plus by appointment, and the parish celebrates the Anointing of the Sick and Marriage upon request through the parish office.
- Baptism: class required — [email protected]
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist (2nd grade)
- Confirmation (8th grade, 2-year prep)
- OCIA for adults — contact Liz Willman
- Confession 5x/week plus by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick and Marriage by request
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Larry Albertson1991–2003
Founding pastor; launched the parish in July 1991 when it had no name yet.
- Msgr. Thomas Tank2003–2021
Succeeded Fr. Albertson; led the parish through its growth into a flagship Johnson County parish.
- Fr. Gary Pennings2021–present (as of 2025-2026 directory)
Named pastor in 2021; per May 7, 2026 decree, retiring from active ministry effective July 1, 2026.
- Fr. Scott WallischEffective July 1, 2026
Appointed by Archbishop Naumann on May 7, 2026, formerly Pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Shawnee, KS and Co-Director for Seminarians.