About Christ the King · Mesa, Arizona
Christ the King Roman Catholic Parish is a bilingual (English/Spanish) Catholic community located at 1551 East Dana Avenue in Mesa, Arizona, established on September 19, 1959 under the Diocese of Tucson and now part of the Diocese of Phoenix. The parish serves approximately 2,000 families, operates an accredited Pre-K through 8th-grade Catholic school, and is home to the St. Peregrine Cancer Shrine — the only cancer shrine in the Southwestern United States, dedicated to perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and prayer for those affected by cancer. Its mission is 'to form a diverse community of disciples, rooted in the Eucharist, in order to serve as Christ to the world.'
- Established
- 1959
- Patron
- Christ the King (Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe)
- Rector
- Fr. Rolyn Francisco (2016 – present)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Phoenix (originally established 1959 under the Diocese of Tucson; transferred to the Diocese of Phoenix in 1969 when it was created)
Why belong here
Christ the King offers a vibrant, bilingual Catholic home in eastern Mesa where roughly 2,000 families worship together in English and Spanish, with five Sunday Masses (three in English, two in Spanish), a daily 8:00 a.m. Mass, and the only cancer shrine in the Southwestern United States anchoring round-the-clock perpetual adoration. Families can send their children to the parish's accredited Pre-K through 8th-grade Catholic school (about 230 students), and parishioners serve in dozens of ministries — from OCIA, marriage enrichment, and youth faith formation to St. Vincent de Paul, H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Emerge), and Walking with Moms in Need.
Mass times at Christ the King
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesdays: 5:30 PM – 6:15 PM
- Saturdays: 2:30 PM – 3:45 PM
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration at the St. Peregrine Cancer Shrine: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (registered key card required for overnight hours 8 PM – 6 AM; open to the public 6 AM – 8 PM)
- St. Peregrine Prayer Group: 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM at the Shrine
- All-night prayer vigil on the First Friday of each month, beginning at 9 PM and ending at 5 PM (Saturday)
About Christ the King Parish
Christ the King is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish in eastern Mesa, Arizona, founded in 1959 and now part of the Diocese of Phoenix. The parish community includes roughly 2,000 families and over 900 parishioners active in ministry. Its mission is to 'form a diverse community of disciples, rooted in the Eucharist, in order to serve as Christ to the world.' The parish campus at 1551 East Dana Avenue includes the current church (dedicated 1981), the original 1961 Ministry Building, the parish school, and the St. Peregrine Cancer Shrine.
- Founded: September 19, 1959
- Diocese: Phoenix (since 1969)
- Families served: ~2,000
- Active ministers: ~900 parishioners
- Parish Office: (480) 964-1719
Parish History
Christ the King was established on September 19, 1959 under the Diocese of Tucson to serve eastern Mesa and the still-developing Apache Junction area. Founding pastor Fr. John F. Cullinan first celebrated Sunday Mass in the cafeteria of East Junior High School, moving in 1960 to the Mesa Knights of Columbus Hall on Broadway. Bishop Francis J. Green dedicated the first church building and four classrooms on January 22, 1961; this building still stands on the campus and is now the Ministry Building. The parish joined the new Diocese of Phoenix when it was created in 1969.
- 1959 – Parish established under Diocese of Tucson
- 1961 – First church and four classrooms dedicated by Bishop Francis J. Green
- 1964 – Parish school opens (grades 1–6) staffed by Presentation Sisters from Ireland
- 1967 – First graduating class of 27 pupils
- 1969 – Becomes part of the newly created Diocese of Phoenix
- 1981 – Current church and Presentation Hall dedicated on the Feast of Christ the King
- 2009 – St. Peregrine Cancer Shrine dedicated by Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted
Our Shepherds Through the Years
The parish has been served by a succession of pastors since 1959. The current pastor is Fr. Rolyn Francisco, who has served since 2016. He follows Fr. Matt Henry (2014–2016) and Fr. Steve Kunkel (2006–2014), under whose leadership the St. Peregrine Cancer Shrine was founded and dedicated in 2009.
- Fr. John F. Cullinan — 1959–1969 (Founding Pastor)
- Fr. Michael O'Grady — 1969–1974
- Fr. Thomas O'Dea — 1975–1987
- Fr. Albert Hoorman — 1987–1988
- Fr. William Healy — 1988–1993
- Fr. John Coleman — 1993–2000
- Fr. Chris Carpenter — 2000–2006
- Fr. Steve Kunkel — 2006–2014 (founding pastor of the St. Peregrine Shrine)
- Fr. Matt Henry — 2014–2016
- Fr. Rolyn Francisco — 2016–present (Current Pastor)
Clergy & Staff
Christ the King is staffed by a pastor, parochial vicar, and four deacons, supported by parish office and ministry staff. Deacon Rob Bonura serves as OCIA & Catechist Training coordinator and Marriage coordinator. Sr. Patricia Gehling serves as Pastoral Associate for Liturgical Ministries and Funerals. Jarrod Townsend directs Music and Audio/Visual Media. Maria de Jesus Gutierrez directs the St. Peregrine Cancer Shrine.
- Fr. Rolyn Francisco — Pastor
- Fr. Prince Chirayath — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Ron Ruiz
- Deacon Neil Tift
- Deacon Tom Bishop
- Deacon Rob Bonura — OCIA & Marriage
- Sr. Patricia Gehling — Pastoral Associate, Liturgical Ministries & Funerals
- Jarrod Townsend — Director of Music & Audio Visual Media
- Maria de Jesus Gutierrez — Shrine Director
- Kelsey Kasper — School Principal
- Felipe Tomas — Facilities Manager
- Josie Sagisi — Parish Accountant
- Elena Cota — Team Ministry Coordinator
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at Christ the King is coordinated by Deacon Rob Bonura (OCIA and Catechist Training) and Zoe Colmenares (Parish Catechist Coordinator). The parish offers OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for adults seeking initiation into the Catholic Church, along with catechist training and faith formation classes for children and teens. Maria Mancilla coordinates sacramental preparation for children and teens seeking First Reconciliation.
- OCIA (adult initiation)
- Children's catechesis & sacramental preparation
- Catechist training and aide support
Christ the King Catholic School
Christ the King Catholic School has served families on the parish campus since September 1964, when Fr. Cullinan invited four Presentation Sisters from Ireland to staff grades one through six. The school has grown to offer Pre-K through 8th grade with a current enrollment of about 230 students and is fully accredited. It is led by Principal Kelsey Kasper. The school offers a 1:1 Chromebook program for grades 4–8 and a 1:1 iPad program for Pre-K through 3rd grade, and supports service projects such as the parish's H.O.P.E. food ministry.
- Grades: Pre-K through 8
- Enrollment: ~230 students
- Principal: Kelsey Kasper
- Phone: (480) 844-4480
- Presentation Sisters staffed the school 1964–1988
- First graduating class: May 1967
- Full-day Kindergarten since 2007–2008
- Preschool opened 2009
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners serve Mass in many capacities — as altar servers, lectors, extraordinary ministers of Communion, sacristans, ushers and greeters, altar linen caretakers, art & environment decorators, and members of the music and audio/visual teams. The music ministry is led by Director of Music & Audio Visual Media Jarrod Townsend. The parish also welcomes 'Marthas' — a hospitality team supporting liturgical celebrations.
- Altar Servers (Monaguillos)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Communion
- Lectors (Lectores)
- Greeters & Ushers (Saludadores y Ujieres)
- Sacristans (Sacristanes)
- Altar Linens (Manteles de Altar)
- Art & Environment (Arte y Medio Ambiente)
- Audio/Visual
- Music / Choir (Música)
Prayer Ministries
Christ the King offers many prayerful opportunities for parishioners and visitors in both English and Spanish. The St. Peregrine Cancer Shrine anchors the parish's prayer life with Perpetual Adoration. Other prayer groups include the Lay Carmelites, Rosary, Adoración Nocturna (Nocturnal Adoration), Grupo Carismático de Oración (Charismatic Prayer Group), Grupos de Danza, and Semilla Maya.
- Lay Carmelites
- Rosary
- Adoración Nocturna (Nocturnal Adoration, Spanish)
- Grupo Carismático de Oración (Spanish)
- Grupos de Danza (Spanish)
- Semilla Maya (Spanish)
- St. Peregrine Prayer Group — 2nd & 4th Thursdays, 7:00–8:30 PM
- First Friday all-night vigil — 9 PM to 5 AM
St. Peregrine Cancer Shrine
The St. Peregrine Cancer Shrine is a 2,300-square-foot domed chapel on the north side of the Christ the King campus, dedicated by Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted on November 22, 2009 under the leadership of Fr. Steve Kunkel. Its mission is to promote perpetual adoration of Jesus Christ and to pray for those affected by cancer. It is described as the only Cancer Shrine in the Southwestern United States. The Shrine houses a first-class relic of St. Peregrine (containing a bone fragment), maintained in the Shrine office and presented for veneration during prayer group meetings and by request.
- Dedicated November 22, 2009 by Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted
- Founding pastor: Fr. Steve Kunkel
- Funded by Christ the King parishioners
- Perpetual Adoration 24/7 (registered key card required overnight)
- Public hours: 6 AM – 8 PM
- Shrine Director: Maria de Jesus Gutierrez
- Cancer Ministry, Prayer Shawls, and Adoration sub-ministries
- Prayer petitions featured on prayer wall
- Note cards mailed to those affected by cancer
Outreach & Charity
The parish extends its mission beyond the church walls through several outreach ministries serving the surrounding community in both English and Spanish.
- H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Emerge) — food assistance for families within parish boundaries; partnered with the parish school
- St. Vincent de Paul
- Walking with Moms in Need
- Cancer Ministry at the St. Peregrine Shrine
- Prayer Shawls — distributed to those in need
Community & Fellowship
Christ the King offers many ways for parishioners to build friendships and grow together in faith, including marriage enrichment, men's and women's groups, the Knights of Columbus, parish social events, and a welcoming ministry for newcomers.
- Bridges: Marriage Enrichment
- That Man is You (men's ministry)
- Women of Fiat
- Knights of Columbus / Caballeros de Colón
- Coffee & Donuts (Café y Donas)
- Fall Fiesta (Fiesta de Otoño)
- Welcoming Ministry
- Money Counters (Contadores de Dinero)
Sacraments
Christ the King prepares parishioners for and celebrates all the major Catholic sacraments. Reconciliation is offered weekly (see schedule above). Marriage preparation is coordinated by Deacon Rob Bonura. Adults seeking their first Reconciliation should contact Deacon Rob Bonura ([email protected] / 480-844-4473). Children's and teen sacramental preparation is coordinated by Maria Mancilla ([email protected] / 480-844-4495). OCIA (formerly RCIA) is coordinated by Deacon Rob Bonura for adults seeking initiation.
- Reconciliation — Wed 5:30 PM, Sat 2:30 PM
- Marriage — Deacon Rob Bonura, [email protected], 480-844-4473
- Adult First Reconciliation — Deacon Rob Bonura
- Children & Teens First Reconciliation — Maria Mancilla, 480-844-4495
- OCIA — Deacon Rob Bonura
- Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation — Parish Office
Visit Us & Contact
Christ the King welcomes visitors and newcomers. The Parish Office is open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, closed for lunch 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. The parish is located in eastern Mesa, with easy access from Dana Avenue, and offers on-campus parking for Mass and events. The St. Peregrine Cancer Shrine is open to the public daily from 6 AM to 8 PM and to registered adorers 24/7.
- Address: 1551 East Dana Avenue, Mesa, AZ 85204
- Phone: (480) 964-1719
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 8 AM–4 PM (closed for lunch 12–1 PM)
- Website: ctkmesa.org
- Facebook: facebook.com/CTKMesa
- YouTube: youtube.com/CTKMesa
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John F. Cullinan1959 – 1969
Founding pastor; established parish, opened school (1964) and brought Presentation Sisters from Ireland.
- Fr. Michael O'Grady1969 – 1974
- Fr. Thomas O'Dea1975 – 1987
- Fr. Albert Hoorman1987 – 1988
- Fr. William Healy1988 – 1993
- Fr. John Coleman1993 – 2000
- Fr. Chris Carpenter2000 – 2006
- Fr. Steve Kunkel2006 – 2014
Founding pastor of the St. Peregrine Cancer Shrine, dedicated November 22, 2009.
- Fr. Matt Henry2014 – 2016
- Fr. Rolyn Francisco2016 – present
Current pastor.