Vocations
VOCATIONS HOMILY
On Good Shepherd Sunday, April 26, 2026, Fr. Colm Larkin gave an eloquent homily about the vocation of priesthood.
Holy Hour for Vocations is typically on the fourth Monday of the month at 6pm.
September Holy Hour is September 28 at 6pm
Parishioners Ordained, Consecrated, and in Formation
Deacon Alex Rickert
archkck.org
Kansas City, Kansas Diocesan Seminarian
- Ordained a transitional deacon May 23, 2026
- 2024/25 Alex completed his pastoral internship year in Emporia, Kansas. He helped with two different Catholic communities: the Didde Catholic Campus Center at Emporia State University, and La Parroquia Santa Catalina.
- Alex has completed his undergraduate studies at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, St. Louis, MO
- Alex is in his Configuration Stage at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, St. Louis, MO
Leo Cruz
Leo Cruz has been accepted by Archbishop McKnight
as a seminarian for the archdiocese. He will be applying to the Pontifical College Josephinum in
Columbus, Ohio, to begin formation this August. Be proud of Leo and his openness to God’s plan for his life.
Please support Leo with your words of encouragement and prayers. It is important for us to show our enthusiasm for our new seminarians, while asking God to always give them interior freedom to know His will.
Matthew Fortino
Matthew Fortino has been accepted by Archbishop McKnight
as a seminarian for the archdiocese. He will be applying to Conception Seminary College in Conception, Missouri, to begin formation this August. Be proud of Matthew and his openness to God’s plan for his life.
Please support Matthew with your words of encouragement and prayers. It is important for us to show our enthusiasm for our new seminarians, while asking God to always give them interior freedom to know His will.
Br. John (Christian) Rickert, OP
2026
“Once a day, find at least five minutes to sit in silence and listen to what God has to say.”
Br. John, OP professed simple vows on August 3, 2026, so now he is “Br. John Rickert, OP” (the suffix is always put after the name to show that he is a vowed member of the Order of Preachers — i.e. Dominicans). Because he has taken vows, he is no longer a novice; he is a “student brother” or a “simply professed friar.”
2025
Novice for Dominican Friars
Entered 2025
Brother Gideon (Ryan Connor)
Mr. Jack Oxley
kcsjcatholic.org
Kansas City-St. Joseph Seminarian
- Pre-Theology at Conception Seminary College, Conception, MO
Fr. Gerard Alba
spxmission.org
Pastor, St. Pius X Catholic Church, Mission, KS
- Fr. Gerard entered Mundelein Seminary 2005-2007
- Fr. Gerard re-entered Mundelein Seminary in 2012
- Fr. Gerard was ordained a Deacon in May 2014
- Fr. Gerard was ordained a Priest November 15, 2015
- Fr. Gerard’s first assignment was Holy Trinity in Lenexa, KS 2014-2019
- Fr. Gerard is currently the Pastor at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Mission, KS
Fr. Greg Bierbaum
stmarkhr.org
Pastor, St. Mark Catholic Church, Highlands Ranch, CO
- Fr. Greg is a former Ascension parishioner and attended the Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary.
- Fr. Greg was ordained a Priest on May 30, 2015.
Fr. Jared Loehr, LC
www.legionariesofchrist.org
Legionary of Christ Apostolic Community of Dallas, TX
- Fr. Jared temporarily professed vows on September 15, 2009
- Fr. Jared professed final vows on August 22, 2016
- Fr. Jared was ordained into the priesthood in May, 2019
- Fr. Jared is currently the Chaplain at Highlands School in Dallas, TX
- In 2024 he went on a medical mission trip with Helping Hands in El Savlador.
Deacon Todd Brower
archkck.org
Kansas City Kansas Permanent Deacon
- Deacon Todd is currently a deacon at St. Ann, Prairie Village, KS
Deacon Lee Butler
archkck.org
Former parishioner, Deacon Lee is currently a Deacon at Cure of Ars Parish.
Deacon Kris Kuckelman
archkck.org
Kansas City Kansas Permanent Deacon
- Entered formation September, 2015
- Ordained Deacon June 20, 2020
- Deacon Kris is currently a deacon at Church of the Ascension, Overland Park, KS and is a coordinator for Altar server training/scheduling, spiritual mentorship, and the Shalom House.
Deacon John Stanley
archkck.org
Kansas City Kansas Permanent Deacon
- Entered formation August, 2012
- Ordained Deacon June 3, 2017
- Deacon John is currently a deacon at Church of the Ascension, Overland Park, KS and a Coordinator for the Archdiocesan Prison Ministry, Legion of Mary, and homebound ministry at Stratford Place.
Deacon Michael Uhlmansiek
archkck.org
Kansas City Kansas Permanent Deacon
- Entered formation September, 2019
- Ordained Deacon June 22, 2024
- Deacon Michael is currently a deacon at Church of the Ascension, Overland Park, KS and a Coordinator for Relationship Ministry, Lectors, homebound ministry at Heritage Memory Care, and the Archdiocesan Office of Marriage and Family Life.
Mr. Landry Secredou
archkck.org
Aspirant for Kansas City Kansas Permanent Deacon
Sr. Mary of the Beatitudes (Dubbert)
ssvmusa.org
Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara
- 2024 update: Beatitudes has been in New York for the past 2 ½ years and is getting ready to move to Washington D.C.
- Previously served in Genoa, Italy
- She is in her 7th year of Religious Vows
Sr. Mary Teresa (Laville) IHM
sistersihmofwichita.org
Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Wichita
- 4th year of teaching 1st grade at St. Joseph Catholic School, Ost Kansas.
- Sr. Mary Teresa lives at the Motherhouse in Colwich, Kansas
- Serving in 2020: Colwich, KS
- Sr. Mary Teresa made her first profession of vows on April 28, 2018
- Sr. Mary Teresa professed perpetual vows on August 22, 2021
Sr. Peter Marie (Lewandowski) C.K.
cksisters.org
School Sisters of Christ the King
- Serving in 2020: Lincoln, NE
- Sr. Peter Marie had her first profession of vows on January 5, 2013 and has renewed her vows annually
31 Club
Vocations Committee
Church of the Ascension
Pastors through the Years
Church of the Ascension
Pastors through the Years
