About Church of the Ascension · Saratoga, California
Church of the Ascension is a Roman Catholic parish in Saratoga, California, belonging to the Diocese of San Jose. Founded in 1964 by Fr. William Worner, the parish grew up alongside the transforming 'Valley of Heart's Delight' (now Silicon Valley) and serves a diverse community with ministries for English- and Chinese-speaking Catholics. Its current octagonal church, dedicated in 1967 by Archbishop Joseph T. McGucken, sits on a 13-acre homesite originally donated by the Pon family. Today the parish is led by Fr. Hao Dinh, who also serves as Vicar General and Chancellor of the Diocese of San Jose, and is assisted by parochial vicar Fr. Rey Sarmiento.
- Established
- 1964
- Patron
- The Ascension of the Lord
- Rector
- Fr. Hao Dinh
- Diocese
- Diocese of San Jose
Why belong here
Church of the Ascension offers a welcoming Catholic home rooted in more than six decades of parish history on a 13-acre campus in the heart of Saratoga, with daily and weekend Masses (including a Vigil Mass Saturday evening and four Sunday Masses) and Saturday confessions. It serves a richly diverse community — including an active Chinese Catholic Community, a Filipino-American organization, young adults, couples, Cursillo, Knights of Columbus 4981, and a Serra Club — alongside strong catechetical, youth faith formation, OCIA (Becoming Catholic), marriage and baptism preparation programs, plus outreach partnerships with Loaves & Fishes, Martha's Kitchen, and Sacred Heart Community Service.
Mass times at Church of the Ascension
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday, 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM (indoors)
Our Parish & Mission
Church of the Ascension is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of San Jose that, in its own words, 'responds to Jesus' call and joyfully accepts the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the Roman Catholic Tradition.' Its mission is to promote Christ's teaching of love, peace, justice and service by word, example and charitable works, helping one another grow in faith and bringing about a higher level of Christian morality. The parish invites visitors and newcomers to join its family of faith at 12033 Miller Ave, Saratoga, CA.
Our History
Ascension was established on June 27, 1964 when Fr. William Worner was appointed founding pastor of a new parish in what was once the prune orchards of the 'Valley of Heart's Delight.' A drying shed in a prune orchard across Prospect Avenue was converted by parishioners into the first church — known lovingly as 'The Barn,' with windows from a discarded railway car. The Pon family donated a 13-acre homesite at Prospect Road and Miller Avenue, and in 1966–1967 the present church building was constructed and its marble altar first used on Ascension Thursday, June 4, 1967. Archbishop Joseph T. McGucken formally dedicated the octagonal church on October 29, 1967.
- Founded June 27, 1964 by Fr. William Worner
- 'The Barn' — first church, a converted prune-orchard drying shed
- 13-acre campus at Prospect Road & Miller Avenue, donated by the Pon family
- Laminated beams hoisted into place November 1966
- First Mass on the new marble altar: Ascension Thursday, June 4, 1967
- Formal dedication of the octagonal church: October 29, 1967 by Archbishop McGucken
- 1974: Ground broken for a new parish center; the multi-purpose hall became the permanent church
Parish Staff & Leadership
Ascension is led by Fr. Hao Dinh, Pastor, who also serves as Vicar General and Chancellor of the Diocese of San Jose and is assisted by parochial vicar Fr. Rey Sarmiento. The parish office team includes a Faith Formation Coordinator, Administrative Assistant, Bookkeeper and Maintenance Supervisor, alongside a Pastoral Council, Finance Council, Building & Grounds Committee and Pastoral Plan Leadership Team.
- Pastor — Fr. Hao Dinh (also Diocesan Vicar General & Chancellor)
- Parochial Vicar — Fr. Rey Sarmiento
- Faith Formation Coordinator — Sharlene Pereira
- Administrative Assistant — Nomer Rios
- Bookkeeper — Mark Rose
- Maintenance Supervisor — Charlie Nguyen
- Pastoral Council — Jeff Moe
- Finance Council — Michael Atkinson
- Building & Grounds Committee — Ron Schoengold
- Pastoral Plan Leadership Team — Keswick Tsang
Diamond Jubilee (60th Anniversary)
Ascension Parish celebrated 60 years of parish life with a Diamond Jubilee running from May 21, 2023 to May 9, 2024. The celebration was supported by two committees: a Diamond Jubilee Committee planning major celebrations, and a Spiritual Renewal Committee exploring how the parish could grow in Word (knowing the faith), Worship (celebrating the faith) and Witness (sharing the faith).
Sacramental & Faith Life
Ascension prepares parishioners for the sacraments through Baptism Preparation, Marriage Preparation, Youth Faith Formation and the Becoming Catholic Christians process (OCIA — the restored Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). The OCIA accompanies both catechumens (never baptized) and candidates (already baptized in another denomination) through inquiry, catechumenate, purification and mystagogy, culminating in the Easter Vigil when they receive Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist (or are received into full communion). Pastoral care is extended to the sick and homebound through Communion to the Sick and Ministry to the Homebound.
- Baptism Preparation — Fr. Hao Dinh
- Marriage Preparation — Fr. Hao Dinh
- Becoming Catholic Christians (OCIA) — Arlene Q. & Tony M.
- Youth Faith Formation — Sharlene Pereira
- Communion to the Sick / Ministry to the Homebound
Faith Formation (Catechetical Ministry)
The parish's catechetical or faith-formation work is rooted in the Church's understanding of catechesis as 'echoing back' the Gospel. The parish draws on the General Directory for Catechesis and Pope Francis's 2017 message to the International Catechetical Symposium in Buenos Aires, emphasizing that being a catechist is a 'vocation to the service of the Church' rather than just a weekly volunteer role. Registration for Catechetical/Faith Formation is available through the parish website.
Liturgical Ministries
A wide range of liturgical ministries support the parish's worship life — from the altar (Communion Ministers, Lectors, Ushers, Altar Servers, Sacristans, Church Environment) to music (Musicians). Each ministry has a coordinator listed on the parish's contact page.
- Communion Minister Training — Fr. Hao Dinh
- Lector Training — Wilma Brisendine
- Ushers — Chuck Schoppe
- Altar Servers — Fr. Hao Dinh
- Musicians — Nomer Rios
- Sacristans — Tony Stolz
- Church Environment — Kim Bau Nguyen
Scripture & Spirituality
Ascension offers ongoing faith and spirituality programs centered on Scripture, including a regular Faith & Scriptures group and a Rosary Group that is currently open to new participants. Coordinators are listed on the parish contact page.
- Faith & Scriptures — Gene Plevyak
- Rosary Group — Open
Community & Outreach
Ascension reaches beyond its walls through men's, couples, young adult, cultural and service organizations. The Knights of Columbus Council 4981 and a local Serra Club (vocations support) are active on the campus. A Chinese Catholic Community, a Fil-Am (Filipino-American) Organization, a Young Adults group and a Couples Bridge community reflect the parish's cultural and generational diversity. Hospitality and CONNECT ministries help welcome parishioners and visitors, while Ascension Cares and partnerships with Loaves & Fishes, Martha's Kitchen and Sacred Heart Community Service extend the parish's charitable works to those in need across the valley.
- Men's Club — Mike Swift
- Cursillo — Gene & Elaine Plevyak
- Knights of Columbus 4981 — John Pozniak
- Serra Club — Bruce Newman
- Young Adults — Gabriel Doria
- Couples Bridge — David Tong
- Chinese Catholic Community — Janet Lau
- Fil-Am Organization — Marie Maraschin
- Hospitality — Don Goers
- CONNECT — Don Van Buren
- Ascension Cares — Peggy Schoppe
- Outreach partners: Loaves & Fishes, Martha's Kitchen, Sacred Heart Community Service
Communications
The parish produces a Sunday Bulletin and maintains its website, both coordinated through the pastor's office. The current Mass and confession schedule, plus contact information for every ministry, is published on the parish website.
- Sunday Bulletin — Fr. Hao Dinh (408-446-3647)
- Website — Fr. Hao Dinh (408-725-3939)
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office at 12033 Miller Ave, Saratoga, CA 95070 (phone 408-725-3939). The catechetical office is reached at extension 5, and sacramental emergencies at extension 9. The Diocese of San Jose lists the parish's fax as 408-725-3932. For sacramental emergencies after hours, callers are directed to dial extension 9.
- Parish Office: 408-725-3939
- Catechetical Office: 408-725-3939 ext. 5
- Sacramental Emergencies: 408-725-3939 ext. 9
- Address: 12033 Miller Ave, Saratoga, CA 95070
- Diocesan page: https://www.dsj.org/parish/church-of-the-ascension/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. William Worner1964–1977
Founding pastor; oversaw construction of the church and the early days of the parish (including 'The Barn,' the converted drying shed that served as the first worship space).
- Monsignor John T. Dwyer1977–1987
- Fr. Art Harrison1987–1989
- Fr. Robert Passalacqua1989 (administrator)
Served as parish administrator.
- Fr. Robert Leger1990–1995
- Fr. Paul Duong1995–2007
- Fr. Joe Galang2007–2019
- Fr. Hao Dinh2019–present
Also serves as Vicar General and Chancellor of the Diocese of San Jose; assisted by parochial vicar Fr. Rey Sarmiento.