Staff Directory

Fr. James Aboyi, VC, is originally from Nigeria in West Africa. He joined the Via Christi Society as one of the first four members of the society and completed his philosophy and theology seminary studies in Nigeria. He was ordained a priest for the Via Christi Society on July 3, 2004 and was assigned to the Diocese of Tucson for his first priestly ministry shortly after in August 2004. During his assignment in Tucson, he served as Parochial Vicar at St. Bartholomew in San Manuel; Parish Administrator at Infant Jesus of Prague in Kearny; Associate Pastor at Ss. Peter and Paul Parish in Tucson; and Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi in Superior.

On moving to the Diocese of Phoenix, Fr. James served as Associate Pastor of Holy Cross parish in Mesa and Chaplain of Benedictine University in Mesa. His last assignment before moving to Corpus Christi parish was as Pastor of St. Benedict parish, Phoenix.

Fr. James is a promoter of lifelong learning. His new interest led him to obtain his Master’s degree in Human Relations and Counseling from Northern Arizona University and Ph.D. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Grand Canyon University. He also recently obtained a Certification in Spiritual Direction from the Institute for Priestly Formation (IPF).

Besides his ministry, his hobbies include playing and watching soccer, NBA basketball, and hiking.

Fr. Peter Terver Ishima, VC, is from Nigeria, West Africa. He was born on November 4, 1990, into the family of Mr. and Mrs. Simeon Ishima, and he has two siblings: Evelyn (older sister) and Paul (younger brother).

He joined the Via Christi Society on September 11, 2011, and after completion of his Philosophy and Theology at St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary in Nigeria, he was ordained a priest for the Via Christi Society on November 14, 2020.

Fr. Peter spent five years of his priestly ministry in Nigeria and was assigned to Corpus Christi on September 1, 2025, as Parochial Vicar.

Due to delays in visa processing, Fr. Peter arrived at Corpus Christi on December 17, 2025.

Fr. Peter likes playing and watching football, history, and traveling.

Father Eric Houseknecht was raised on the Navajo Nation in Window Rock, Arizona. Before becoming a priest, he dedicated over 21 years to playing music in churches across Arizona, California, and North Carolina. He was ordained in 1995 to the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina, and then served in different parishes and missions until he took a sabbatical in 2008 to finish his Doctorate in Ministry in Preaching from the Aquinas Institute of Theology.

The Diocese of Charlotte then assigned him permanently to the Diocese of Phoenix, where he could help his parents. In 2008, he started serving in various parishes throughout the Diocese of Phoenix. Fr. Eric retired from active ministry in June 2022 and spends his time helping out at Corpus Christi and other parishes, teaching adult classes, celebrating mass, and spending time with his family and friends.

I am very blessed to have served as the Parish Manager since 2011. I primarily manage parish finances, accounting, human resources, IT, and corporate matters, as well as helping to coordinate building and improvement projects. I have a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and an MBA. I like to think of myself as the Pastor’s “right-hand man” and attend all Pastoral and Finance Council meetings. This parish is my second home. I have been married since 2010 to my wonderful wife, Jaime, and we have three children: Lucas, Lily, and Michael. They are currently attending Seton Catholic Preparatory and St. John Bosco Catholic School! My hobbies include family time, board games, video games, movies, running, hiking, and fantasy football.

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Kim and her husband Tom, married in 1992, have been parishioners at Corpus Christi since they moved from Chicago to Phoenix in 2005. Kim started volunteering in the parish office in 2014 helping with multiple tasks but primarily sacramental records. In July of 2023 she became a staff member as an Accounting Clerk. Kim also volunteers in many areas but of most importance is as an Adoration co-captain for Fridays. Most of Kim's free time is spent assisting her husband with various Knights of Columbus events around the state. In her journey as a life-long Catholic, she most enjoys God's creation and being outdoors.

Greetings to everyone!

My name is Steven Orlosky, and I am the new Coordinator of Communications and Parishioner Engagement. Connecting parishioners and staff, gathering online prayer requests, and making the e-newsletter are some of my tasks. I am your guy for anything related to parish events or if you’d like to request to hold an event at the parish. I also help ensure all volunteers meet the Safe Environment Training requirements.

My family and I are coming from Barling, Arkansas—a small town just outside of Fort Smith. My wife Huong and I have been married for nearly 12 years, and I have four young children: Josephine (7), Marie (5), Stevie (3), and Michael (2). As you might expect, there’s never a dull moment at our house. 😊 As an owner of a web development company, I have a strong background in online communication, as well as graphic and web design.

I feel so privileged and blessed to be part of the mission of Corpus Christi in bringing people closer to Christ. I can’t express to you the joy I feel in doing the Lord’s work, serving Fr. Rey and Fr. Johnson and everyone at the parish. As Fr. Johnson recently said to me, “You are a servant of servants.” Thank you for welcoming me into the Corpus Christi family, and please reach out to me for anything you need.

I have been the Bulletin Editor since 2007 and have had other administrative and communications roles over the course of my time on staff. I am married to my amazing husband, John, and we have been blessed with six children whom God has entrusted to our care as well as one child whom we hope to meet in heaven. I enjoy playing board games, watching Sci Fi and crime dramas, baking, reading, and sharing my Faith. I have a deep love for our Lord in the Eucharist, our Blessed Mother Mary, and my friend St. Thérèse.

I have been in the parish for 11 years, 10 as music director and 1 in my newly expanded role as Director of Music and Liturgy. My hobbies include playing board games and fishing.

Raised in Minnesota by active Catholics, Wendy Sue graduated from Clarke College (Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary) in Dubuque, Iowa and followed her family to Arizona in 1992. Her spirit led faith journey deepened with a life altering pilgrimage to Međugorje, saying “yes” to serving Christ through a myriad of ministries, including Life Teen, which had inspired her move, and Assistant Directing the Diocesan Musical Jubilee 2000.

After a decades long Advertising Career with a local grocer’s family of stores, Wendy Sue was led to Corpus Christi in 2024 and is grateful to serve as Pastoral Care and Administrative Coordinator. Married since 2006, she and her husband Dave have a blended family with their son, a daughter & grandson. Her daily inspiration comes from The Peace Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi.

I have been a member of Corpus Christi for over 20 years. A job transfer brought me to Arizona from Maryland in late 1997. My late husband Kevin and I were married for 34 years and were blessed to raise a blended family. Together, we have five children and six grandchildren, living in South Carolina, Maryland, Tennessee, and California. I am a professed member of the Secular Franciscans, a Eucharistic Minister, and I volunteer in various other ministries at Corpus Christi. A favorite quote of mine from Joyce Coronel of The Catholic Sun is, “The love of God isn’t virtual—it’s real, and it’s in Person at every Mass, waiting for us”!

I have been a parishioner of Corpus Christi since moving to Ahwatukee in 1991. I was originally a volunteer in the gift shop and later became the Gift Shop Manager nearly 16 years ago. I am also very involved in the planning of many of the Parish events such as the Parish Picnic, the annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and various receptions held in the Parish Center, including the Parish Feast Day receptions. My husband, Steve, and I have a son and a daughter and 2 grandchildren. I love spending time with my family and reading.

A native Arizonan born and raised in nearby Chandler, Rob is excited to joyfully serve Corpus Christi Parish as Director of Faith Formation and Family Ministry. A lifelong Catholic, Rob has spent his entire life serving the Church in youth ministry, campus ministry, adult faith formation, and education at parishes and schools in the Dioceses of Phoenix and Salt Lake City. Most recently, he served as Director of Campus Ministry and Theology faculty at Benedictine University. Rob holds Master’s degrees in Pastoral Theology, Secondary Education, and Educational Leadership.

While he is truly humbled to be able to serve Christ in the numerous ways he has been called, none mean more to him than his vocation as a husband to Carrie, and father to Taylor, Molly, and Austin.

Katie Pusateri is an Arizona native and grew up in Cave Creek. Her passion for ministry started in high school as a teenager while being involved in the Life Teen program at St Patrick Catholic Community in Scottsdale, AZ. After high school, she went on to become a CORE Leader for EDGE and Life Teen with St Patrick’s and volunteered with them for three years, helping lead sessions as well as praise and worship. That foundation at St. Patrick’s is what led her to be open to that call to being a youth minister, which eventually led her to Corpus Christi Catholic Church.

Katie began her Theology education through Grand Canyon University while pursuing a Bachelors in Worship Arts Ministry. She is now furthering her Catholic Theology education through Kino Institute, and hopes to continue furthering her education though a catholic university when she finishes her courses at Kino.

Aside from ministry, Katie enjoys spending her time with family and friends, showing Arabian horses, and singing. 

I believe the parish is the living Body of Christ in the neighborhood—a place where we’re formed in holiness through worship, friendship, and formation, so we can bring Christ into our homes, workplaces, and the world.

As Coordinator of Parish Life, I help make Corpus Christi a place where people feel at home, grow in their faith, and live it out in everyday life. You can think of me as a bridge-builder—I support the people who lead groups and events, help organize things that bring our parish together, and walk with volunteers so they can serve with joy and purpose.

Before entering full-time ministry, I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies with a minor in Management. I then spent five years in priestly formation, including a year of missionary work in Argentina, living simply among the poor. There, I learned to pray deeply, serve humbly, and form leaders from the ground up. After discerning a call to marriage and life as a layperson in the Church, I completed a Master’s in Theological Studies—a degree focused on understanding God, Scripture, and the Church’s teachings in a way that helps people grow in faith and live it out in the real world.

Now, as a husband and father of two young children (with hope for more), I have a deep personal love for the holiness found in ordinary family life. I love helping leaders grow, and I believe holiness often starts in the home—through ordinary acts of faith and love lived out each day.
If we haven’t met yet, I’d love to say hello—feel free to reach out or catch me after Mass.

Bill Swayze came from Detroit to the valley in 1989 with his wife, Sherry and son Nohah (Biblical name; 4th son of Benjamin), after a 25-year career as a professional pianist, bassist, percussionist, recording session and touring musician. Bill retired after 32 years as an instructor at ASU. He has played piano and organ for over 22 years at Corpus Christi, studying improvisation and classical organ/bell carillon with Dr. Frederick Marriott, himself a student of France’s Marcel Dupré.

Bill is very grateful that the Parishioners contributed to the Organ Fund in 2008, to purchase the excellent instrument, the 4-manual and pedal organ Bill plays at every Mass. This church family has always been extremely generous, and this purchase is just one example. The Choir’s vocalist’s and musician’s mission, under the direction of Matthew Henry, is to bring the Word of the Lord to life for all worshippers. I’m with my church family at Masses, rehearsals (Thursday nights at 7:00 pm - Come join us!), concerts, social and special events, and more. Stop by and say hello!

Dowell has performed, toured, or recorded with 13 Grammy award winning artists. Some of these artists include George Benson, Jimmy Smith, Wynton Marsalis, Stevie Wonder and Buckwheat Zydeco. He currently works at The Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences and performs at the Nash with Francine Reed. He’s also a member of Mothers Favorite Child featuring Paris Toon which currently has over a million streams worldwide. He’s played at Corpus Christi since 2003.

Corpus Christi had been my parents’ parish since the mid-80s, long before my family (wife, Dee Dee, daughter, Brandelyn, son, Graham, and I) came to live in Phoenix in 2000. While here at the Parish, I helped fix a few things here and there and was asked what I was doing the rest of my life. HA! So “The Handyman Ken” became a staff member. I love our Parish, its surroundings, the staff and of course, all of our parishioners. The work here is endless, as anyone would expect it to be when called the House of God. We strive to make each day count towards the safety, structural and mechanical functions of our buildings and grounds as well as unleashing the beauty of our parish.