Church of the Ascension Adult Faith Registration
Please use the buttons below to complete a registration page for a course or group you would like to participate in. You may pay online or write a check for fees. Checks may be payable to Church of the Ascension and returned to the parish office.
Current Offerings
Father’s Book Study – Man Your Post


Join other fathers in Ascension parish community to read and reflect on the book, Man Your Post, Learning to Lead like St. Joseph, by Scott and Carrie Daunt with foreword by Dr. Scott Hahn.
This book will take you on a six week journey utilizing powerful meditations, reflection questions, prayers for living like St. Joseph and discussion on how to live out your God-given duty to lay your life down for your family. Pray and discuss how to lead and protect those God has entrusted to you within your vocation of father, and exemplify to your family how to lead a life of virtue.
6 Weeks
Tuesdays: 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Dates: November 7-December 12 (6 Weeks)
Location: St. Luke Room
Facilitator: Mike Menghini
Cost: $0 *(Purchase Man Your Post online OR order for pickup from Trinity House Catholic Books and Gifts at (913) 652-0080. Please still register so that we have adequate space.
Registration deadline is November 5, 2023.
Everyday Skills For Creating An Amazing Marriage Retreat


Growing more in love every day is about the little things. In this fun, experiential retreat, you’ll learn practical ways to reconcile hurts, communicate effectively, achieve deeper intimacy, and tap into the grace of your sacrament.
Babysitting Available!!!!
Day Retreat
Day: Saturday 9:15AM-4:15PM
Date: November 18
Location: St. Mark Room
Facilitators: Brad and Libby Dupont
Cost: $25 per couple
Divorced. Catholic. Now What?


A must read for divorced men and women, especially if you are Catholic, and the perfect curriculum for parish groups. This book is an indispensable tool for healing, no matter how long you’ve been divorced and is completely Catholic.
Originally a successful program directed in parishes, “Divorced. Catholic. Now What?” provides answers to the difficult questions that Catholics face because of divorce, practical tools to help move past the pain and loneliness, and hope for the future.
Duration: 7 Weeks
Day: Tuesdays 7:00-8:30PM
Dates: September 12 – October 24
Location: St. John Room
Facilitator: Pam Novosel and Julie Cruz
Cost: $0 (Purchase Divorced. Catholic. Now What? online or order for pickup from Trinity House: (913) 652-0080 by August 31. Please register so that we have adequate space.)
Building a Eucharistic Marriage


The “Building a Eucharistic Marriage” course is a 7-part video series, built off of a therapeutic model for change, which connects 7 areas for therapeutically strengthening our marriage with 7 areas of deepening our relationship with Christ through the Eucharist. This course comes out of a longer program written by Greg Schutte, MSW, LISW-S called “Discovering Our Deepest Desire,” which has an imprimatur from the Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
Duration: 7 Weeks
Day: Tuesdays 6:00-8:00PM
Dates: September 12 – October 24
Location: St. Mark Room
Facilitators: Michael & Jeri Uhlmansiek
Cost: $50 per couple (Includes dinner.)
The Return of the Prodigal Son


Please join us as we discuss The Return of the Prodigal Son, by Henri Nouwen. A chance encounter with a reproduction of Rembrandt’s The Return of the Prodigal Son catapulted Henri Nouwen on an unforgettable spiritual adventure. He shares the deeply personal and resonant meditation that led him to discover the place within where God has chosen to dwell.
The challenge to love as God loves, and to be loved as God’s beloved, will be seen as the ultimate revelation of the parable known to Christians throughout time.
Duration: 6 Weeks
Facilitator: Dick Kane
Location: St. Luke’s Room
Cost: $0 (Purchase The Return of the Prodigal Son online or order for pickup from Trinity House: (913) 652-0080. Please register so that we have adequate space.)
Day Wednesdays 9:30-11:00AM
Dates: September 13 – October 18
Day: Thursdays 7:30-9:00PM
Dates:September 14 – October 19
The Miracle Box Movie


Join us as we view and discuss the movie, The Miracle Box:
From the producers of, “Ocean of Mercy”, this film is narrated by Bill Kurtis, and features true testimonies of those who have encountered Christ through the Sacrament of Confession. Discover first-hand interviews, insights from confessors and theologians and a visual journey through a powerful mystery of mercy.
Duration: 1 Night
Day: Thursday 7:00-8:30PM
Date: October 5
Location: St. John Room
Facilitator: Chuck Jansen
Cost: $0 (Please register so we have popcorn for you!)
Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist


Inspiring and informative, Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist is a groundbreaking work that is sure to illuminate one of the greatest mysteries of the Christian faith: the mystery of Jesus’ presence in the breaking of the bread.
Duration: 5 Weeks
Day: Thursdays 1:00-2:00PM
Dates: October 5 – November 2
Location: St. Mark Room
Facilitator: Dr. William O’Leary
Cost: $0 (Purchase Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist online or order for pickup from Trinity House: (913) 652-0080. Please register so that we have adequate space.)
Great Book Series: Manalive


The next one on our list of “books I always wanted to read, but could never tackle on my own” is Manalive by G. K. Chesterton. The main character in the book is Innocent Smith, one of the best named characters in 20th century fiction.
“It is a comic novel about murder, bigamy, burglary, insanity, and Truth, Beauty, and the Goodness of Life. Chesterton, in the guise of Innocent Smith, demonstrates the incomparable joy found in breaking the conventions and keeping the commandments,” says Dale Ahlquist, who has spent a lifetime studying the works of this brilliant author.
This Advent Season please join us for this early Christmas present, an unusual and entertaining look at what it means to be “man fully alive.”
This 4 week class will focus on whole class and small group discussion.
Duration: 5 Weeks
Day: Thursdays 5:30-7:00PM
Dates: November 16 – December 21
Location: St. Mark Room
Facilitator: Joyce Grashoff
Cost: $0 (Purchase Manalive online or order for pickup from Trinity House (913) 652-0080. Please register so that we have adequate space.)
Great Book Series: The Imitation of Christ


The next one on our list of “books I always wanted to read, but could never tackle on my own” is The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis.
This is the most popular book in the history of Christianity second only to the Bible! Apart from the Bible, no Christian book has been translated into more languages than The Imitation of Christ. It has inspired, edified, and sanctified countless souls, and has become a classic of spiritual literature as a source of insight and growth for all who seek to deepen their relationship with God.
This 10 week class will be presented in a combination of text, video and classroom discussion. *We recommend the translation by Msgr. Ronald Knox which is available at Ignatius.com or catholiccompany.com and many other online sites as well as Trinity House, (913) 652-0080 in Overland Park (order by August 31).
Duration: 10 Weeks
Day: Thursdays 5:30-7:00PM
Dates: September 7-November 9
Location: St. Mark Room
Facilitator: Joyce Grashoff
Cost: $0 (Purchase The Imitation of Christ on your own. Please register so that we have adequate space.)
Forgiveness 101 Workshop



FORGIVENESS EDUCATION WORKS!!! We will study the “common denominators” of the difficult journey of forgiving others or ourselves, as we study 9 people who have previously taken the class. This is NOT a lecture. Watch a video, small group discussion, large group wrap up is the procedure of the workshop. No one has ever fallen asleep!
Come alone or bring friends. Open to all faiths, and you do not have to be an Ascension parishioner to attend. 8 tables of 5 per table is maximum.
Duration: Half-day Workshop
Day: Friday 1:00-5:00PM
Date: October 20
Location: St. Mark Room
Facilitator: Chuck Jansen
Cost: $10 (Workbook received at the workshop)
Catholic Topics


Catholic Topics is your chance to learn, ask questions, and share our Catholic faith. Each week one stand-alone topic will be presented and discussed.
- The first week will be The Rosary: What it Is and How to Pray It. The second and third weeks will be St. Faustina & Divine Mercy and The History of the Bible and the Catechism and How to Use Them, respectively. Subsequent topics will be announced via the Sunday Bulletin and emails to those who register. Books and homework will not be required!
- The second week will be: St. Faustina & Divine Mercy
- The third week will be: The history of the bible and the catechism and how to use them.
Subsequent topics will be announced via the Sunday Bulletin and emails to those who register. Books and homework will not be required!
Duration: 10 Weeks
Day: Wednesdays 10:00-11:30AM or 6:00-7:30PM
Dates: September 27 – December 6
Location: St. Mark Room
Facilitator: Kim Sutton
Cost: $0 (Please register so that we have adequate materials and space.)
Bishop Robert Barron’s “THE MASS”


During this parish year of Eucharistic Revival, join us in walking through “The Mass” by Bishop Barron and be transformed through insights on this most privileged and intimate encounter with our Lord Jesus Christ. See how the Mass brings us out of the fallen world and into the heavenly realm, how it resonates with a call from God and a response by his people, the Church, and, most importantly, how we are intimately joined with the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ through the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. “The Mass” will help you understand how to fully, consciously, and actively participate in the source and summit of the Christian life. Sign up today!
Wednesdays: 6:30-8:00 PM
Starts: August 9-September 20 (7 Weeks)
Location: St. Matthew/Mark Room
Facilitator: Fr. Stull
Tuesdays: 1:00-2:30pm
Starts: September 19 – October 31
Location: St. Mark Room
Facilitator: Tamara James
Cost: $5 for August 9th class.
Register for Aug 9 Register for Sept 19
Forgiveness 101



Forgiveness is such a natural, spiritual, necessary and complicated process. Come explore the dynamics of the process of Forgiving. Personal stories and scripture will be used in studying this beautiful process. Is someone in your family holding a grudge against someone? Have you been upset with someone for a long time? Is there possibly a failing or sin in your past that you’ve ignored and has put a wedge between you and the One who loves you most?
Wednesdays: 6:00-7:30 PM
Dates: August 2-August 23 (4 Weeks)
Location: St. Luke Room
Facilitator: Kim Sutton
Cost: $10 (Workbook received at the first class)
Fall Courses Coming Soon
The Fall 2023 Adult Faith Course Catalog will be inside the fall edition of The Ascent, mailed to your home in early August. The Fall Catalog will be available online as well. Deadline to register is August 31.
Bible Study: The Gospel of Matthew


Matthew is the Gospel that will be read at Mass during Ordinary Time (the time after Easter Season until Advent) this liturgical year. We invite you to join us as we meet each Sunday for this Bible study of Matthew. Come to learn the “back story”- how the New Testament fulfills the Old Testament prophesies in Jesus Christ- and understand the whole story of our salvation history as we “tie it all together” in Him.
Days: Sundays
Time: 9:30-11:00 AM
Dates: May 7-Advent
Location: St. Mark Room
Facilitator: Joyce Grashoff
Register: by Wednesday, April 26, 2023
Materials: $13.00 for Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: The Gospel of Matthew (included with registration)
Ongoing Classes
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)


Are you or someone you know interested in becoming Catholic? Join us for classes to see if this is right for you! We will meet on Monday nights to present basic topics of the faith and grow in our relationship with God. Adults are welcomed into the Church at Easter in the spring. We also would love to have parishioners volunteer to serve as a sponsor for someone going through RCIA.
Information Night
Monday August 28, 2023 5:30-6:30pm in St. Mark Room
Regular day and time: Mondays 5:30pm-7:30pm
First regular session: September 11
Location: St. Mark Room
No Cost
RCIA Information
Christ Renews His Parish Retreat


Parish sponsored retreat program offering a Sat./Sun. retreat at the parish in the Fall and in the Spring. There are separate weekends for Men and Women. It is a program designed to bring parish members together in Christ, and emphasizes your continued growth in Catholic Christian life. It initiates this through small group participation. If interested, complete the registration form on page 30, or check out the parish website or Adult Faith Bulletin Board in the Gathering Space for a registration form.
Disciples Dwelling: A Young Adult Bible Study
Are you currently transitioning from college into adulthood? Are you looking for an opportunity where you can dig deeper into your Catholic faith while bonding with other young adults on fire for Christ? Then consider joining Disciples Dwelling (DD) – Ascension’s young adult weekly small group study. We discuss upcoming Sunday Mass readings followed by a fellowship activity – with occasional DD functions on weekends.


Ongoing Bible Study for a passionate group of Catholic Young Adults, ages 21-35
Thursdays: 7:00PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Youth Center
Facilitator: Rachel Sevart an Brooke Kramer
No Cost
If you feel called to learn more about joining Disciples Dwelling, look us up on Facebook or contact Rachel Sevart for more information.
Men Of Ascension


Are you looking for a way to get more meaning out of Mass? If so, join with other men of the parish to meet each week and discuss the upcoming Sunday Mass readings. This group discusses the Sunday readings followed by discussion on their applicability to the lives of men. New members are invited to join at any time.
Fridays: 6:00 AM – 7:00 AM
Date: Ongoing
Location: St. Mark Room
Facilitator: Ken Jennison
No Cost
Mother’s Circle


We are mothers of teenagers & young adults, growing, supporting, learning, and praying together. Join us on the first Tuesday of each month, from 6:30-8:00pm in the St. John room.
Mothers of Young Children


Through authentic friendships, prayer, family activities, and community service, we hope to encourage and equip fellow mothers in the beauty and traditions of the Catholic Faith. If you are a mother of a young child (pregnancy through second grade), then you are invited to join us the first Thursday of each month at 7:00pm in the St. John Room. Check our webpage and bulletin for additional events throughout the year as well.


In addition to our wonderful, in-person studies, parishioners are able to access thousands of movies, talks and classes for FREE! Ascension has purchased a subscription.
Late registrations are welcome, but there is no guarantee that materials will be available through Ascension. You may have to obtain your own materials.
Contact Elizabeth Whitehead ewhitehead@kcascension.org or Liz Willman lwillman@kcascension.org with questions regarding these offerings.
Scholarships are available for those under financial constraints-contact Liz Willman.
For technical issues contact Ray Martin rmartin@kcascension.org.