About Corpus Christi · Tucson, Arizona
Corpus Christi Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Tucson located on Tucson's east side at 300 North Tanque Verde Loop Road. Founded in August 1999 to serve the growing east-side Catholic population, it has grown from fewer than 500 founding parishioners to between 2,500 and 3,000 registered families today. The parish is served by Fr. Christopher Orndorff as pastor, with founding pastor Fr. Richard M. Kingsley now serving as Pastor Emeritus, and is known for its striking Sonoran-style sanctuary completed in 2009.
- Established
- 1999
- Patron
- Corpus Christi (the Body of Christ)
- Rector
- Fr. Christopher Orndorff
- Diocese
- Diocese of Tucson
Why belong here
Corpus Christi offers an unusually full parish life for its size — daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, a labyrinth prayer ministry, RCIA for adults becoming Catholic, a robust children's religious education program (K–7), junior and senior high youth groups, and well-developed ministries for seniors and women. The parish has a clear outreach mission, partnering with community ministries like Sr. Jose's Women's Center and Casa Maria Soup Kitchen, and parishioners fund and run nearly every aspect of parish life themselves. If you are looking for a welcoming east-side Tucson parish where you can both worship daily and put your faith into action, Corpus Christi is built for that.
Mass times at Corpus Christi
Weekly Mass schedule
Parish History & Building Programs
Corpus Christi was established in August 1999 when Bishop Manuel Moreno appointed Fr. Richard M. Kingsley as founding pastor of a new east-side Tucson parish. The earliest Masses were held outdoors — Easter 2000 took place on the church property in the dirt, under a tent, with parishioners bringing their own chairs. A parish hall (now the community center) was built in 2001 to house all parish activities, and within a few years the community was large enough to plan a permanent sanctuary.
- 1999 – Fr. Richard M. Kingsley appointed founding pastor by Bishop Manuel Moreno.
- 2000 – Easter Sunday Mass held outdoors under a tent on parish property.
- 2001 – Parish hall (now community center) constructed.
- 2005 – Parishioners commit to building the sanctuary; Phase I Capital Funding Campaign begins.
- 2007 – Groundbreaking for the sanctuary.
- March 8, 2009 – Fr. Richard presides at first Mass in the new worship space.
- May 30, 2009 – Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas formally dedicates the Corpus Christi Sanctuary.
- March 2011 – Phase II funding campaign begins.
- March 2014 – Phase II pledges completed; Phase III pledge campaign begins.
Architecture, Sanctuary & the Sonoran Corpus
The Corpus Christi Sanctuary was completed in 2009 and dedicated by Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas. The space features 30-foot-high ceilings, seating for nearly 1,000, and views of both the Santa Catalina and Rincon mountains, with a 1,000-pound mesquite altar at its heart. The total cost was about $7.1 million, paid for entirely by congregants, including roughly $717,000 in in-kind donations.
- 30-foot ceilings and seating for nearly 1,000.
- Views of the Santa Catalina and Rincon mountain ranges.
- 1,000-pound mesquite altar.
- 'Sonoran Corpus' artwork by Tucson artists David and Julia Andreas — figure of the risen Christ cast mostly from natural Sonoran Desert materials, including prickly pear cactus and a hummingbird's nest.
- Includes a sash fastened with a bronzed cast of a hummingbird's nest, representing the beginning of life.
- Rib cage cast from the mesquite bouquet Bishop Kicanas used to bless the church.
Clergy & Staff
Corpus Christi is led by Fr. Christopher Orndorff as pastor, with founding pastor Fr. Richard M. Kingsley now serving as Pastor Emeritus. The parish is also served by Deacons Mark Cesnik and Dennis Scalpone, and supported by a full staff including a Director of Music, an Adult Faith Formation coordinator, a Family Ministry & Children's Sacrament Preparation director, a Coordinator of Youth Ministry, an Office Manager, a Finance Manager, and a Maintenance Supervisor.
- Fr. Christopher Orndorff — Pastor
- Fr. Richard M. Kingsley — Pastor Emeritus (founding pastor, 1999)
- Deacon Mark Cesnik
- Deacon Dennis Scalpone
- Kara Montano — Office Manager
- Suzanne Hensel — Adult Faith Formation
- Stacey Beste — Director of Music
- Jana Gee — Family Ministry & Children's Sacrament Preparation
- John Salapski — Coordinator of Youth Ministry
- Chris Buchanan — Finance Manager
- Alma Schlor — Maintenance Supervisor
- Celeste Ogg — Maintenance
Becoming Catholic (RCIA) & Adult Faith Formation
Adults interested in becoming Catholic are welcomed into Corpus Christi's RCIA / Becoming Catholic process, organized with Deacon Mark Cesnik and a parish team. Adult Faith Formation offerings include Lectio Divina, Centering Prayer, Faith Sharing Groups, and other ongoing study opportunities. Inquiry sessions are listed on the parish website for those exploring the Catholic faith.
Family Faith, Children & Youth
Corpus Christi runs a full family faith program with religious education for children K–7, sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist, a Junior High Youth Group, a Senior High Youth Group, and a Post-Confirmation Group for grades 9–12 who are already Confirmed. Vacation Bible School is offered seasonally. The parish also sponsors Cub Scout Pack 747, Boy Scout Troop 747, and Venture Crew 747.
- Religious Education K–7
- Family Ministry & Children's Sacrament Preparation
- Vacation Bible School
- Junior High Youth Group
- Senior High Youth Group
- Post-Confirmation Group (9–12 grade)
- Altar Server ministry for youth
- Cub Scout Pack 747 / Boy Scout Troop 747 / Venture Crew 747
Liturgical Life & Music
The Liturgical Life Ministry coordinates the many ways parishioners serve inside the sanctuary — as Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Greeters, Ushers, Altar Servers, and in Altar Linens and Church Decorations. The parish also runs a Homebound Eucharist ministry that brings Communion to those unable to attend Mass, and a Bereavement Hospitality team that hosts funeral receptions. Music is directed by the parish Director of Music.
- Lectors
- Eucharistic Ministers (and EM Training)
- Greeters at Mass
- Ushers
- Altar Servers
- Altar Linens
- Church Decorations
- Eucharist to the Homebound
- Bereavement Hospitality / Funeral Receptions
- Director of Music leads parish music program
Spiritual & Prayer Ministries
Beyond Sunday worship, Corpus Christi sustains a broad prayer life. The parish runs Eucharistic Adoration, a Labyrinth Prayer ministry, Lectio Divina, Centering Prayer, an Online Prayer Chain, and a Grief & Loss Support ministry. Friday mornings include a 7:30 AM Rosary. These ministries form the spiritual backbone of parish life and are open to all parishioners.
- Eucharistic Adoration
- Labyrinth Prayer Ministry
- Lectio Divina
- Centering Prayer
- Online Prayer Chain
- Rosary — Fridays at 7:30 AM
- Grief & Loss Support
Outreach & Service to the Community
Corpus Christi's Outreach Ministry serves those on the margins of the Tucson community. The parish has partnered with Sr. Jose's Women's Center and Casa Maria Soup Kitchen, and parishioners regularly support a Sacred Heart Scholarship Ministry, the parish Scrip (gift card) program, blood drives, the Quilt Ministry, and an Adopt-A-Roadway cleanup. The Women's Ministry and Widowed Women ministry offer pastoral care, while the Welcoming Ministry greets new parishioners.
- Outreach Ministry (Aiding the Vulnerable)
- Sr. Jose's Women's Center (community partner)
- Casa Maria Soup Kitchen (community partner)
- Sacred Heart Scholarship Ministry
- Scrip (Gift Cards) fundraiser
- Quilt Ministry
- Adopt-A-Roadway cleanup
- Blood Drives
- Welcoming Ministry
- Widowed Women ministry
Parish Life & Community Groups
Corpus Christi has a notably active social and fellowship life, with groups for nearly every interest. Active parish groups include the Knights of Columbus, Bridge, Hiking Club, Hook Needles & Yarn, Let's Talk Travel, Out-to-Lunch Bunch, Texas Hold'em, the Parish Library, and a Women's Retreat Ministry. The Parish Council helps guide parish governance.
- Knights of Columbus
- Bridge
- Hiking Club
- Hook, Needles & Yarn
- Let's Talk Travel
- Out-to-Lunch Bunch
- Texas Hold'em
- Parish Library
- Women's Retreat Ministry
- Parish Council
Getting Involved & Safe Environment
All who serve in ministry at Corpus Christi must complete the parish's Safe Environment application process. The parish publishes a Ministries & Groups Contact List (PDF) with leaders and phone numbers for every active ministry, and encourages new parishioners to prayerfully consider where their time and talent can best be used. Those interested in volunteering can contact the parish office at (520) 751-4235.
- Safe Environment application required for all active ministry volunteers
- Parish Ministries & Groups Contact List (PDF) published online
- Contact the parish office: (520) 751-4235
Homilies & Stay Connected
Corpus Christi posts recorded homilies online from Fr. Chris Orndorff (pastor), Fr. Richard Kingsley (pastor emeritus), and Deacon Mark Cesnik. Parishioners can stay connected through the parish website, social media, the weekly bulletin, and the State of the Parish annual report.
Visit Us
Corpus Christi Catholic Church is located at 300 N. Tanque Verde Loop Road on Tucson's east side, in the Diocese of Tucson. Parish office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Visitors are warmly welcomed at any of the parish's daily or Sunday Masses.
- Address: 300 N. Tanque Verde Loop Road, Tucson, AZ 85748
- Phone: (520) 751-4235
- Fax: (520) 751-1304
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Website: http://www.cccctucson.org
- Diocese: Diocese of Tucson
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Richard M. Kingsley1999–
Founding pastor appointed in August 1999 by Bishop Manuel Moreno; led the parish through its establishment, the building of the parish hall, and the construction and 2009 dedication of the sanctuary. Now Pastor Emeritus.
- Fr. Christopher Orndorff
Current pastor; succeeded Fr. Kingsley as pastor of Corpus Christi.