About Corpus Christi Catholic Church · Phoenix, Arizona
Corpus Christi Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the Ahwatukee Foothills neighborhood of south Phoenix, Arizona, belonging to the Diocese of Phoenix. Founded on June 19, 1985 by Bishop Thomas J. O'Brien to serve the growing Ahwatukee community, the parish first celebrated Mass at Mountain View Lutheran Church before moving to its permanent home on East Knox Road. Today Corpus Christi serves more than 2,000 registered families and is distinguished within the diocese by its Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel, one of only a handful in the Diocese of Phoenix. The parish is bilingual in its reach, with English as its primary liturgical language and a monthly Simbang Bayan (Tagalog/Filipino) Mass celebrated on the fourth Sunday of each month.
- Established
- 1985
- Patron
- Corpus Christi (the Body of Christ)
- Rector
- Fr. James Aboyi
- Diocese
- Diocese of Phoenix
Why belong here
Corpus Christi offers the fullness of Catholic life in south Phoenix: a dedicated pastor and parochial vicar, four Sunday Masses plus a Saturday Vigil, weekday Masses six days a week, and one of the only Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapels in the Diocese of Phoenix. The parish runs more than forty active ministries — from OCIA, Life Teen, and EDGE for the young, to Knights of Columbus, Secular Franciscans, Legion of Mary, and St. Vincent de Paul for outreach — and a robust Music Ministry under its own Director of Music and Liturgy. With more than 2,000 registered families, Corpus Christi combines a long-established Ahwatukee community (since 1985) with the spiritual depth of perpetual Adoration and a Filipino Simbang Bayan Mass each month.
Mass times at Corpus Christi Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Thursday 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Saturday 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Adoration times
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in the parish Perpetual Adoration Chapel (entered from the 36th Street parking lot through the Prayer Garden)
History of the Parish
Corpus Christi was established on June 19, 1985 by Bishop Thomas J. O'Brien to serve the growing Ahwatukee area of south Phoenix. The first Mass was celebrated at Mountain View Lutheran Church on September 14, 1985, and remained there until January 21, 1989. The first parish facilities — including a multi-purpose church, offices, classrooms, and a rectory — were built during the late 1980s as the parish grew from about 300 to nearly 1,000 families. In 1991 seven additional classrooms were added and the amphitheater-patio was completed. Construction on the permanent church began in March 1996 and was dedicated by Bishop O'Brien on February 2, 1997. The history page draws on the diocesan anniversary volume 'Celebrating 40 Years: 1969-2009 • The Diocese of Phoenix • Encountering the Living Christ.'
- Founded June 19, 1985
- First Mass: September 14, 1985 at Mountain View Lutheran Church
- Permanent church dedicated February 2, 1997
- Now serves more than 2,000 registered families
Pastor and Pastoral Staff
The parish is currently served by Pastor Rev. Reynaldo Clutario, Jr. (appointed temporary parochial administrator in May 2020 and installed as pastor in 2021) and Parochial Vicar Rev. Shia Reh Marino. Two deacons — Deacon Chris Kellogg and Deacon Dennis Lambert — assist with ministry, alongside Retired Deacon Phil Simeone. The parish also has a strong lay staff supporting administration, faith formation, music, communications, and maintenance.
- Rev. Reynaldo Clutario, Jr. — Pastor ([email protected])
- Rev. Shia Reh Marino — Parochial Vicar ([email protected])
- Deacon Chris Kellogg
- Deacon Dennis Lambert
- Deacon Phil Simeone (Retired)
- Steve Mandarino — Parish Manager
- Wendy Sue Early — Pastoral Care and Administrative Coordinator (Funerals & Infant Baptisms)
- Nancy Krappitz — Administrative Assistant / Marriage Prep & Annulment Coordinator
- Christi Deg — Bulletin Editor
- Steven Orlosky — Coordinator of Communications and Parishioner Engagement / Safe Environment Coordinator
- Rob Curtis — Director of Faith Formation and Family Ministry
- Jasmyn Gonzalez-Jauregui — Coordinator of Children's Ministries / Faith Formation Office Manager
- Laura Celentano — Coordinator of Youth Evangelization
- Matthew Henry — Director of Music & Liturgy
- Barbara Manning — Gift Shop Manager
- Ken Doering — Maintenance Supervisor
- Stanly Kulangara — President of the Pastoral Council
- Greg Furseth — President of the Finance Council
Pastoral Succession
The parish has been served by four pastors since its founding in 1985, each of whom shaped its growth and physical campus.
- Father Louis Anthony Sigman (1985–1998) — founding pastor; oversaw initial facilities and the construction/dedication of the permanent church in 1997
- Father Albert Francis Hoorman (1998–2014) — succeeded Father Sigman; served until his own retirement in July 2014
- Father Chad King (2014–2020) — appointed parochial administrator in July 2014, installed as pastor in 2015; served until May 29, 2020
- Father Reynaldo Clutario, Jr. (2020–present) — appointed temporary parochial administrator May 2020; installed as pastor in 2021
Faith Formation and Family Ministry
Faith Formation at Corpus Christi is led by Director of Faith Formation and Family Ministry Rob Curtis, with Jasmyn Gonzalez-Jauregui coordinating Children's Ministries and Laura Celentano coordinating Youth Evangelization. The parish offers a complete Sacramental Preparation track for children as well as OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) for those seeking to become Catholic or complete their initiation.
- Children's Evangelization & Sacramental Preparation (First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation)
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (Becoming Catholic)
- EDGE — Middle School Ministry
- Life Teen — High School Ministry
- Ascent — Young Adult Ministry
- Special Needs Ministry
- Family Ministry (Rob Curtis, Director)
OCIA — Becoming Catholic
The parish runs an OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) program, recently rebranded from the older RCIA terminology. It is designed for unbaptized adults seeking to become Catholic, adult Christians baptized in another faith who desire full communion, and baptized Catholics who have not yet received Eucharist or Confirmation. The formation is personalized to each person's spiritual journey and includes the catechumenate rites celebrated in the parish community.
- Unbaptized adults seeking to become Catholic
- Adult Christians from other faith traditions
- Baptized Catholics needing Eucharist and/or Confirmation
- Personalized formation with parish rites
Music and Liturgy
Music is a vital part of the parish's liturgical life. The Music Ministry — led by Director of Music and Liturgy Matthew Henry — supports the Sunday 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, and 5:00 PM Masses (the 7:00 AM Sunday Mass is celebrated without music). Volunteers serve as cantors, choir members, and instrumentalists. The Art & Environment ministry also cares for the church's seasonal décor.
- Director of Music and Liturgy: Matthew Henry
- Sunday 7:00 AM Mass celebrated without music
- Art & Environment ministry for seasonal décor
Parish Ministries and Groups
The parish runs more than forty active ministries, organized under the umbrella of liturgical service, faith formation, fellowship, and outreach. They include traditional altar-and-lection ministries, men's and women's groups, prayer groups, support for the grieving, and apostolic movements such as the Secular Franciscans and the Legion of Mary.
- Liturgical: Altar Servers, Sacristans, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Altar Guild, Art & Environment, Sacristans
- Prayer & Devotional: Adoration, Divine Mercy Prayer Group, Legion of Mary, Secular Franciscans, Men of Saint Joseph, Porters of St. Joseph
- Formation: ACES, OCIA, EDGE, Life Teen, Ascent, Simply Catholic, Walking with Purpose, Coffee Break
- Fellowship: Coffee Break Women's Bible Study, Christ Child Society, Funeral Receptions, Bereavement Support, Grief Recovery
- Service: Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, Family Promise, Ministry of the Sick, Ministry of Mental Health & Wellbeing, Sanctity of Life, Special Needs, Gardening Angels, Gift Shop
Knights of Columbus — Council 10062
The parish is home to Knights of Columbus Council 10062. The Knights support parish and community life through charitable works in the spirit of their founder, Blessed Michael McGivney, 'caring for the needy and the outcast.' The council participates in fundraising, food drives, and other parish initiatives.
- Council 10062 based at Corpus Christi
- Charitable works following the vision of Blessed Michael McGivney
Saint Vincent de Paul Conference
The Corpus Christi Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul serves neighbors in need through the parish's principal outreach ministry. Volunteers serve as trained home visitors, sort food at the Watkins Center, and run a series of seasonal drives throughout the year. Donations to the conference qualify for the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit (QCO code 20540, St. Vincent de Paul Society Diocese of Phoenix), allowing gifts up to $495 (single) or $987 (married) to be applied dollar-for-dollar against Arizona state income tax.
- Trained Home Visitors (1 day per week)
- Watkins Center Food Sort (1st and 3rd Saturday)
- Spring Clothing & Furniture Drive (March)
- Summer Water Drive (July–August)
- Coats, Sweaters & Blankets Drive (October)
- Turkey Tuesday (the Tuesday before Thanksgiving)
- Fall Food Drive (mid-November)
- Giving Tree Program (late November to mid-December)
- Arizona Charitable Tax Credit (QCO 20540) — up to $987 for joint filers
Sacraments at Corpus Christi
The parish prepares parishioners for and celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Children's sacraments are prepared through the parish's Children's Evangelization and Sacramental Prep program; adults enter through OCIA. Marriage preparation is coordinated through the parish office, and Pastoral Care handles funerals and infant baptisms.
- Baptism (infant and adult via OCIA)
- First Reconciliation and First Communion
- Confirmation
- Eucharist (daily and Sunday Masses)
- Reconciliation (Tue/Thu/Sat — see schedule)
- Marriage (with preparation and annulment coordinator)
- Anointing of the Sick / Communion to the Homebound
- Holy Orders — supported through parish vocation culture
Devotions and Prayer Life
Beyond Mass and the sacraments, the parish sustains a rich devotional life centered on the Eucharist. The Perpetual Adoration Chapel is the spiritual heart of the parish, and the parish offers periodic devotions including the Brown Scapular Investiture, the Home Enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and a Divine Mercy Prayer Group. Mass Intentions can be requested online or through the Parish Office (up to 5 per year per family).
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration
- Home Enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Brown Scapular Investiture
- Divine Mercy Prayer Group
- Mass Intentions (online requests; up to 5 per year)
Parish Communications and Giving
The parish communicates through a weekly bulletin (available in PDF on the website), a Mass schedule page, an Events page, online donations, and email to the parish office. The Coordinator of Communications and Parishioner Engagement (Steven Orlosky) also serves as the Safe Environment Coordinator. Legacy giving is promoted as a planned-giving option for parishioners.
- Weekly bulletin (PDF)
- Events calendar on the website
- Online donations and Legacy Giving
- Coordinator of Communications & Parishioner Engagement / Safe Environment: Steven Orlosky
Visiting Corpus Christi
The parish campus is in the Ahwatukee Foothills area of south Phoenix, easily reached from I-10 via either Warner Road or Ray Road. Parking is available on the main lot and at the 36th Street lot (the latter is the access point to the Perpetual Adoration Chapel and the Prayer Garden). The parish office is reachable by phone (480-893-8770) and email ([email protected]).
- Address: 3550 East Knox Road, Phoenix, AZ 85044
- Parish Office phone: 480-893-8770
- Faith Formation Office: 480-893-1160
- Two main parking areas; Adoration Chapel accessed from 36th Street lot
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Louis Anthony Sigman1985–1998
Founding pastor; oversaw the construction of the first parish facilities and the permanent church dedicated in 1997; retired July 1998.
- Father Albert Francis Hoorman1998–2014
Succeeded Father Sigman; served until his retirement in July 2014.
- Father Chad King2014–2020
Appointed parochial administrator July 2014, installed as pastor 2015; served until May 29, 2020.
- Father Reynaldo Clutario, Jr.2020–present
Appointed temporary parochial administrator May 2020; installed as pastor in 2021.