Saint Mary Magdalene

History of St. Mary Magdalene Parish

Founded on Labor Day weekend 2002 by the Rev. John Cunningham as Gilbert's second Catholic parish, St. Mary Magdalene began meeting in temporary spaces—school gymnasiums, Gateway Pointe Elementary, and the Williams Community School gym at Williams Gateway Airport (the former Williams Air Force Base, now ASU Polytechnic). The Rev. Gregory Menegay led construction of the first permanent $5 million, 20,000-square-foot building on Williams Field Road, blessed by Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted in October 2010. Under the Rev. Will Schmid (2012–2018) and Rev. Chris Axline (2013–2025), the parish grew from 2,600 to over 4,000 registered families, completed a $1.5 million adoration chapel and office addition in 2014, and continued toward the long-term master plan of a permanent church, K-8 school, and additional facilities. The parish welcomed a new pastor, Fr. John Clote, on July 1, 2025.

• 2002 — Parish officially founded on Labor Day weekend by Fr. John Cunningham
• 2002–2004 — Worship held in school gymnasiums and Williams Gateway Airport spaces
• April 2004 — Fr. Cunningham suspended by Bishop Olmsted; Rev. Donald Kline appointed interim
• Early 2005 — Fr. Cunningham formally removed; Rev. Gregory Menegay named pastor
• 2010 — $5 million, 20,000 sq ft permanent building blessed by Bishop Olmsted
• 2012 — Fr. Will Schmid succeeds Fr. Menegay
• 2013 — Fr. Chris Axline ordained; assigned as parochial vicar and Seton Catholic chaplain
• 2014 — $1.5 million, 7,000 sq ft addition with 90-seat perpetual adoration chapel and offices
• 2018 — Fr. Axline appointed Parochial Administrator (April 3)
• 2019 — Fr. Axline installed as pastor (July 28); named Diocesan Scout Chaplain (January)
• June 10, 2025 — Bishop John Dolan consecrates new altar with relic of Pope St. Sylvester
• July 1, 2025 — Fr. John Clote installed as new pastor with Fr. Darius Ntunzwenayo as parochial vicar

Parish Mission

St. Mary Magdalene is, by its own formal statement, 'a Roman Catholic Parish that witnesses the love of Jesus Christ through evangelization, catechesis, discipleship, and the celebration of the Sacraments.' The parish embraces the four-fold pillars of evangelization, catechesis, discipleship, and sacramental celebration as the framework for every ministry, homily, and formation program offered on campus.

Clergy & Staff

The parish is currently served by Pastor Rev. John Clote, Parochial Vicar Rev. Fr. Darius Ntunzwenayo, and Priest in Residence Rev. Fr. Arthur Nave. Four permanent deacons—Craig Hintze, Rick Nevins, Sean Sylvester, and John Thornton—assist with liturgical and pastoral duties. The lay staff includes a Director of Sacred Liturgy / Marriage Prep / Nullity (Chris Haubrock), Director of Sacred Music (Robert Martinez), Director of Evangelization, Formation, and Catechesis (Maria Kim-Ngân Bùi), Director of Finance (María Concepción Garibaldi), Parish Manager (Gerardo 'G' Lopez), Assistant to the Pastor (Jose Zavala), Coordinator of Youth Formation (Kieran McInnis), Pastoral Care and Baptisms (Monica Guerra), Receptionist and Safe Environment Coordinator (Marianne Shallal), and several administrative assistants.

• Pastor: Rev. John Clote
• Parochial Vicar: Rev. Fr. Darius Ntunzwenayo
• Priest in Residence: Rev. Fr. Arthur Nave
• Deacons: Dcn. Craig Hintze, Dcn. Rick Nevins, Dcn. Sean Sylvester, Dcn. John Thornton
• Liturgy: Chris Haubrock (Director), Thomas Clark (Assistant)
• Music: Robert Martinez (Director)
• Formation: Maria Kim-Ngân Bùi (Director), Kieran McInnis (Youth), Nicole Carlson (Adult/OCIA), Mary Molina (Family Formation)

Sacraments

All seven Catholic sacraments are celebrated at St. Mary Magdalene, with dedicated preparation tracks for each. Baptisms are coordinated through the Pastoral Care and Baptisms office (Monica Guerra). First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion are prepared through Family Catechesis for Pre-K through Grade 5. Confirmation and full initiation for adults and older teens happen through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). Marriage preparation follows a nine-month process directed by Chris Haubrock, who also provides guidance for those seeking an Annulment (declaration of nullity). Anointing of the Sick can be scheduled through the parish office, with a 24/7 emergency line (480-678-3353). Funerals are coordinated through the parish office.

• Baptism — preparation required
• First Reconciliation & First Communion — Family Catechesis
• Confirmation — OCIA / youth formation
• Marriage — nine-month prep
• Anointing of the Sick — by appointment; emergency line 480-678-3353
• Confession — daily and Saturday schedule
• Funerals / Holy Orders / Annulment — through parish office

Faith Formation & Religious Education

The parish runs a comprehensive, lifelong faith formation program under the Director of Evangelization, Formation, and Catechesis (Maria Kim-Ngân Bùi). Children in Pre-K through Grade 5 are served by Family Catechesis, with Mary Molina as the Family Formation Assistant. Youth in middle and high school participate in a Youth Formation program coordinated by Kieran McInnis. Adults seeking full initiation, deeper formation, or simply an encounter with the Catholic faith are welcomed into OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), coordinated by Nicole Carlson. Adult Faith Formation offerings include Bible studies (including the Magis Women bi-weekly Bible study), parish missions, and seasonal retreats.

• Pre-K–Grade 5 Family Catechesis
• Youth Formation (Grades 6–12)
• OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
• Adult Faith Formation
• Magis Women Bible Study (every other Monday, 6:30 pm)
• Becoming Catholic inquiry sessions

Parish Ministries & Groups

St. Mary Magdalene's lay ministries span charity, fellowship, formation, and service. The Knights of Columbus (Council—led by Grand Knight Gerardo 'G' Lopez) meets on the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm. The Catholic Daughters of America Court #2779 meets on the third Sunday of the month at 10 am. COR is a men's group (18+) meeting on the second Thursday at 6:30 pm. Magis Women offers a bi-weekly Bible study on Mondays at 6:30 pm. MUMS (Mothers Uplifting Mothers Spiritually) provides spiritual support for mothers. Catholic Truth Seekers is the parish's young adult (18–30) group meeting Fridays at 7 pm. The Respect Life Initiative (contact Ashley Laswell) leads the parish's pro-life formation and outreach. The parish also sponsors Boy Scout Pack 522 and Troop 522, reflecting a long tradition of Catholic scouting that includes the Diocese of Phoenix Scout Chaplaincy.

• Knights of Columbus
• Catholic Daughters of America
• COR (men's group)
• Magis Women (Bible study)
• MUMS (Mothers Uplifting Mothers Spiritually)
• Catholic Truth Seekers (young adults 18–30)
• Respect Life Initiative
• Boy Scout Pack 522 / Troop 522
• Priestly Discernment Group (boys grades 7–12)

Liturgical Music & Sacred Liturgy

The Sacred Liturgy team, under Director Chris Haubrock, coordinates greeters, ushers, lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, and altar servers for every Mass. Sacred Music is directed by Robert Martinez, who leads the parish's choirs, cantors, and instrumentalists in support of the full liturgical calendar. The Music and Liturgy offices also coordinate Holy Week and Easter schedules, Forty Hours Devotion, First Communion and Confirmation liturgies, and special occasions such as the June 2025 Mass with Bishop John Dolan to bless and consecrate the new altar with its relic of Pope St. Sylvester.

• Director of Sacred Liturgy, Marriage Prep & Nullity: Chris Haubrock
• Director of Sacred Music: Robert Martinez
• Liturgical ministries: Greeters, Ushers, Lectors, EMHCs, Altar Servers
• Choirs, cantors, and instrumentalists
• Seasonal Holy Week / Easter / Forty Hours devotions

Pastoral Care & Outreach

Pastoral Care, coordinated by Monica Guerra, brings the sacraments and pastoral visits to the sick, homebound, hospitalized, and bereaved. The parish publishes the Sunday 9:00 am Mass from Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral on KAZT-TV (AZ-TV7, Cable 13) for the sick and homebound. The Respect Life Initiative runs the parish's pro-life formation, holy hours, and rosaries. The 24/7 Anointing of the Sick emergency line (480-678-3353) connects parishioners in crisis with a priest any time of day or night.

• Pastoral Care and Baptisms — Monica Guerra
• Visits to hospitals, homes, and assisted living facilities
• Masses at local assisted living facilities (per bulletin schedule)
• Anointing of the Sick emergency line: 480-678-3353
• Respect Life Initiative holy hours, rosaries, and outreach

Campus & Facilities

The parish campus sits on approximately 19 acres at 2654 E. Williams Field Road, Gilbert, AZ 85295, at the northeast corner of Williams Field Road and South Parkcrest Street (between Higley Road and Loop 202). The current worship building, completed in 2010, is a 20,000-square-foot multipurpose structure reconfigured to seat 980 in the worship center / parish hall. A second 7,000-square-foot building, completed in 2014, houses the 90-seat perpetual adoration chapel and permanent parish offices. The long-range master plan envisions a 1,500-seat permanent church at the front of the property, a K-8 Catholic school for ~600 students, and additional facilities; the project's total estimated cost has been reported at $28 million. A campus map is available on the parish website.

• 19-acre campus at Williams Field Rd & Parkcrest St
• 20,000 sq ft worship center (built 2010, seats 980)
• 7,000 sq ft adoration chapel / offices building (built 2014, 90-seat chapel)
• Master plan: 1,500-seat church, K-8 school, additional facilities
• On-site parking; campus map published online

Visiting & Registering

Visitors are warmly welcomed at all Masses and are invited to formally register as parishioners through the parish website. The parish office is open Monday–Thursday from 9:00 am to Noon and 1:00 to 5:00 pm (closed Friday–Sunday except by appointment). Weekend Masses are live-streamed via the parish website for those unable to attend in person. The Perpetual Adoration chapel doors are open 9:00 am–5:00 pm daily; an after-hours access code can be obtained by calling the parish office.

• Parish Office: Mon–Thu 9 am–Noon and 1–5 pm
• Register online at smarymag.org
• Live-streamed weekend Masses via parish website
• Perpetual Adoration chapel open 9 am–5 pm; call office for after-hours code