| Fr. Eamon Tobin Pastor Fr. Eamon was born and raised in County Kilkenny, Ireland. He was Ordained for the Diocese of Orlando in 1972. He has a Masters Degree in Formative Spirituality from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh. Fr. Eamon came to Ascension Parish in September 2001. He has written books and articles including Prayer, A Handbook for Today’s Catholic and How to Forgive Yourself and Others. Hobbies: Reading, movies, golf, dinner with friends. | 254-1595 ext 3070 |
| Fr. Michael DiRenzo Part time Assistant Fr. Mike was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. Fr. Mike was ordained for the Diocese of Steubenville in May of 1970. He is a retired Air Force chaplain. Fr. Mike ministers at Ascension on Tuesday and Thursdays and on the weekends and is the chaplain at Melbourne Central Catholic High School Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. | 254-1595 ext 3079 |
| Fr. Dan Freitas Part time Assistant Fr. Dan was born and raised in Portugal. He was ordained a priest in 1949 for the Diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts, where he spent 46 years. Fr. Dan retired to this area in 1996 and has been helping out with Masses and confessions since then. | 254-1595 ext 3050 |
| Deacon Michael McElwee Director of Adult Religious Education and Director of Ministries Deacon Michael McElwee was born and raised in Philadelphia. He holds a Masters of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry degree from St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore. Michael and his wife Eileen and their four children came to Ascension in 1990. Michael was ordained a Permanent Deacon in 1993. He is the Director of Parish Ministeries - especially overseeing our Adult scripture and spirituality programs and outreach to the poor. Hobbies: running, tennis, sports, gardening and reading with one eye on the TV. | 254-1595 ext 3076 |
| Deacon Dr. Sergio Colon, Ph.D. Grief Ministry, Counseling, Altar Servers Deacon Sergio was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Brooklyn New York. He spent 21 years in the U.S. Air Force and is a Vietnam Veteran. He has degrees in Philosophy, theology, chemical dependency. He is a Board Certified Master Addiction Counselor. Deacon Sergio also has a Masters and Doctorate degrees in Pastoral Psychology counseling. Areas of ministry: presides at baptisms, marriages and wake services, grief support counseling. He also works with Tribunal work at the Diocese. Deacon Sergio and his wife, Elsa, have one daughter and one grandchild (Those seeking counseling services of Deacon Sergio, please be aware that he is not a paid employee of the parish) | 254-1595 ext 3082 |
| Deacon Tom Stauffacher Director of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.) Deacon Tom was born and raised in Rockford, Illinois. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the University of Montana and a Master of Science Degree from Florida Institute of Technology. After retiring from the Army in 1993, he moved to Melbourne with his wife, Kathryn and two children, Michael and Maribeth. Deacon Tom was ordained permanent deacon in 2004. Ministries at Ascension: Coordinates our RCIA process for adults and children, Adult Confirmation Program. Presides at baptism, marriages and wake services. His "outside the walls of Ascension" ministries include: Catholic Campus Ministries (Florida Tech), Daily Bread and the Ascension Thrift Shop. He teaches at Florida Tech in the College of Business, plays tuba in the Melbourne Municipal Band and in the Ascension Brass Ensemble. | 242-4504 |
| Mary Birmingham Director of Music & Liturgy Mary was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. Mary and her family came to Cocoa Beach in 1986. She joined the Ascension staff in 2003. She holds a Master’s degree in Theology and Liturgy from St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota. Mary oversees all of the music and liturgical ministries. For the past several years Mary has a national ministry in Christian Initiation and Sacramental Catechesis and has written several books and articles in these areas. Hobbies: movies and dinner with friends. | 254-1595 ext 3068 |
| Carol Colahan Director of Religious Education (K-12) Carol was born and raised in Philadelphia. She holds a Master’s degree in Educational Administration. Prior to joining Ascension in 1995, Carol was a teacher and Principal in a Catholic elementary school. Carol oversees our Religious Education program, which has about 450 students grades K through 12th and about 25 catechists. Carol also coordinates our Junior High Youth Ministry program. In her leisure time, Carol enjoys music, art, antiques and vacation time with children and grandchildren. | 254-1595 ext 3080 |
| Anne Dorros Secretary for the Director of Religious Education Anne was born and raised in Long Island, New York. She received a certificate in Business and Word Processing from Suffolk Community College in New York and also has an AS degree in Child Development and Education from Brevard Community College. Anne joined Ascension in 2005 and handles all the administrative details of our Religious Education program. She also helps out in the parish office as needed. Anne and her husband, George, have two sons. She enjoys leisure time with her family and friends, reading and movies. | 254-1595 ext 3080 |
| Matt Spence Youth Minister Matt was born in State College, PA and grew up in Seminole, FL (near St. Petersburg.) He attended The Florida State University and was an active member in the FSU Catholic Student Union where he received a special commendation from the Bishop for his leadership. He completed his Bachelors Degree in 2002 and his Masters Degree in 2005. He is currently working toward his Certificate in Youth Ministry from the Center for Ministry Development. From 2005-2007, Matt was the Youth Minister and Director of Life Teen at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in the Diocese of Raleigh in North Carolina. He started at Ascension in July of 2007 as the High School Youth Minister and Director of the LifeTeen Program. His wife, Erin, teaches Special Education at Rockledge High School. Matt and Erin have one son, MJ, who was born on January 3, 2007. Matt enjoys playing and watching any sport, particularly baseball and golf. | 254-1595 ext 3075 |
| Ashley Breaux Music Director for Contemporary Music Ashley was born and raised in the heart of Cajun country; Lafayette, Louisiana. Ashley and his family came to Ascension in 2004. He has certificates in ministry from NET Ministries, and in Liturgy from the National Life Teen Program. Ashley directs the Contemporary Music Ensemble for the 5:30 PM Sunday Mass and provides music for many ministries of the parish. In the midst of ministry and family life, Ashley has recorded his first CD, "Set Me On Fire" a collection of original works. Interests: biking, frisbee golf, gardening and spending time with his wife and children. Ashley's personal site is at www.ashleybreaux.com. | 254-1595 ext 3077 |
| Florence "Flo" Downey Office Manager/Receptionist Flo was born and raised in Westwood, New Jersey, She has been a part of our parish staff since 1985. Flo is the welcome face you see and meet when you come to the front office. Among many other things, Flo oversees the parish calendar. Flo has information on every aspect of parish life. Flo and husband, George have four sons and five grandchildren. She enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, gardening and caring for her animals. | 254-1595 ext 3050 |
| Mary Russo Parish Bookkeeper/Administrator Mary was born in Leominster, MA and raised in Plantation, Florida. She has 20 years experience in both legal and accounting professional offices. Mary is the parish’s CFO and budget manager. She is also actively involved in our Junior High Religious Education program and in the process of becoming a Master Catechist. Mary and her husband, Tom have two children. For recreation Mary enjoys tennis, cooking, reading and spending time with her family. | 254-1595 ext 3078 |
| Maria Sittig Parish Secretary / Bulletin Maria was born in Brooklyn, New York and grew up in Connecticut. Before joining our parish staff in 1991, Maria worked as a registered nurse for ten years. Maria is secretary for Fr. Tobin and Mary Birmingham, our Music/Liturgy Director and prepares our weekly bulletin and helps in other areas as needed. Maria, a widow, has two grown children and two grandchildren. Maria has a great love of theatre. With Maureen Fallon she is the co-cordinator of St. Genesius Players, a theatre ministry, which presents a Junior Musical in the Fall (grades 3-6) and a Broadway Musical Production in June (grades 7-12). | 254-1595 ext 3072 |