Bereavement Ministry
The Bereavement Ministry reaches out to those who have experienced the death of a loved one by providing support to the bereaved family, and assisting with funeral arrangements. Volunteers are offered the opportunity to attend diocesan workshops for this ministry. Contact Maybelle McGee at 242-7102
Community of Hope
- A non-profit agency providing transitional housing and assistance to homeless families with children
- An ecumenical, faith based ministry helping families in order to promote long term stable housing in the lives of God's children
- Transforming lives with hope and dignity
- A hand up, not a hand out
- Contact: 474-0966
"The pastors and ministers of Melbourne saw that there was a need to help homeless families with children to remain together, become self-reliant and move to a home. It's a double joy to see a family when you hand over the keys to their new home and then they realize that they no longer have to sleep in the car." --Dan Romano
Congregations for Community Action
Congregations for Community Action, an interfaith community organization, develops leadership and empowers people to take democratic action to improve the quality of life in Brevard County.
CCA hopes to build an organization which will effect change in those institutions which touch our families, empower those who are powerless, and awaken people to their greatest resource: each other.
Contact: Janice Everson 254-1595 x3067 or JanEverson@aol.com
Daily Bread Soup Kitchen
Daily Bread, located at 815 Fee Avenue in downtown Melbourne, offers a daily luncheon meal to the poor and homeless of our area. Volunteers from Ascension serve food there on the second Saturday of every month and the fifth Friday from 10:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Other days are also available to fit your schedule. Additional volunteers are needed to “rescue” donated food from local supermarkets and fast-food establishments and bring it to the Daily Bread Distribution Center downtown. In Our Lady’s Chapel at the back of the church there is a Daily Bread basket where you can place clothing, shoes, towels, toiletries and other items to be given to the poor at the soup kitchen. Your support and prayers for this outreach ministry are appreciated
To volunteer, call parishioners Paul or Mary Kay Kantz at 253-4504.
This facility provides a hot luncheon meal to between 200-250 clients each day of the year. Volunteer opportunities include:
- Helping to prepare the meal (cut meat and vegetables, prepare salads, etc.) under the supervision of Daily Bread cooks between 7:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.
- Being on the "serving team" on the food line between 10:15 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
- Sorting and shelving food at the Daily Bread Distribution Center, which is open from 7:30 a.m. to noon.
- Hygiene services and clothing distribution,
- "Food Rescue" Pickup from local supermarkets and restaurants
- Computer data entry.
- Managerial volunteers also are needed, including building and kitchen managers to direct the work of service volunteers.
Training is provided for all assignments. Volunteers include retired senior citizens, working men and women who come on a weekend day, and teenagers fulfilling school-related community service requirements.
.Disabilities
Contact: Charlaine Rowlette 639-2778
Food Pantry see "Social Concerns"
Handmade Articles
Habitat for Humanity
Ministry to the Hearing Impaired
Volunteer sign language interpreters provide the hearing impaired access to the liturgy at Sunday’s 9:30 A.M. Mass. Interpreters meet weekly to prepare for the following Sunday. Volunteers who can sign or desire to learn to sign are welcome. Contact Pat Stoner 726-6592
Hurricane Helpers
Volunteers aid parishioners in preparing for a hurricane, evacuating, or cleaning up afterwards. Contact Marie Higbie 253-2981 or email meezee54@yahoo.com
JustFaith
Parishioners who have graduated from the JustFaith program gather monthly to continue their faith journey together in prayer, community, and action including:
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special events
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an annual Fair Trade Sale on Thanksgiving weekend
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regular sales of Fair Trade coffee and chocolate
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speakers on current social justice issues
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Prayer for the Poor, Tuesdays at 6:00-6:30 pm
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Click
here to read more about Just Faith at Ascension.
Mission Trips
Nurses Taking Blood Pressure
Nurses are available to check blood pressures the second Sunday of every month after each mass in the church library. Contact Mary Blucker 259-5320 or maryblucker@hotmail.com
ProLife/Respect Life
Proclaims the sanctity and value of human life as a gift from God from conception through death and promotes human dignity in all phases of life by educational programs, seminars and promotion of systematic change. Contact Mrs. Cindy Iezzi, slifamily@earthlink.net
Respite Care
Volunteers provide relief to caregivers of impaired loved ones. Training is offered for those wishing to join this ministry. Contact Rose Bellinger 254-2549
Social Concerns/Food Pantry
(Located at 1238 Aurora Road. *Monday - through Friday 9 AM to 11 AM)
Serves those in need of food, clothing, and emergency assistance. This ministry is supported by donations of food and money from our community. Volunteers are needed to work in the pantry. Contact MaryAnn Gilboard 259-5685
Thrift Shop
(Located at 1208 Aurora Road.) Sells used clothing, furniture, appliances and other items donated by our community. The store is operated totally by volunteers (more are always needed!) Money received is donated to the Food Pantry, Ascension Social Concerns, Ascension Catholic School Scholarship Fund, and other local charitable causes. The Thrift Shop is open Tue-Fri 9am-4pm, Sat 9am-3pm. Contact Bob, Tom, Rich, or Dorothy at the Thrift Shop, 259-7291
Transportation Ministry
Transports the elderly and handicapped to doctor appointments, church, etc. Contact Fernando Dominicis 254-8565
Welcome Team
Welcomes new parishioners offering their services to assist the new parishioner in becoming oriented and familiar with the parish community. Contact Cathy Katz 757-8966
