St. Christopher Parish celebrates 70 years of serving Marana

 

Tucked away in what used to be farmland is a parish that has seen the development of St. Christopher Catholic Church in Marana, AZ. While Marana is a new destination for young families near Tucson, the parish is already celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. It was established in 1954 on October 8 and blessed on October 24 by Bishop Daniel Gercke. St. Christopher was the very first parish in the Pima North Vicariate of the Diocese of Tucson, which now includes Santa Catalina, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Mark the Evangelist, St. Thomas the Apostle, St. Odilia, and Our Lady of the Desert. For seven decades, St. Christopher has met the spiritual needs of Marana, Red Rock, Rillito, Cortaro, Silverbell, Avra Valley, and the Yo'em Pueblo. 

 

Founding parishioners, Juanita Carbajal and Norma Lopez, recall the cotton fields that covered Marana, its post office and small grocery store. For the past 20 years, new housing developments have transformed the agricultural region into neighborhoods, businesses, and stores. 

 

Carbajal described the beauty of the parish culture, “Everyone is so close. Even with all of the new families coming, the parish has kept its feeling as a family. It is like a second home, and these are people you can trust.” The parish pastoral council chairman, Neil McCaffrey, adds, "The culture of St. Christopher is one of simple, heartfelt faith. Parishioners give their time and talent readily and easily for Our Lord. The parish is woven into their daily lives." 

 

St. Christopher has several flourishing ministries, especially liturgical ministries and formation. Parish office manager, Mark Lenox elaborated, “The parish’s focus is first and foremost on the sacramental life of the Church, keeping the focus always on Jesus in the Holy Eucharist and celebration of the Mass. Thus, the ministries of sacristans, lectors, altar servers, ministers of hospitality, and extra-ordinary ministers of the Eucharist are flourishing. Our pastor, Fr. Edson, along with our three deacons, keep the community firmly attentive to the Sacraments, reinforcing that ‘we cannot give what we first do not receive.’" 

 

Their religious education classes have grown from 60 children in 2020 to nearly 100 in 2024. Last May, 11 received the Sacrament of Confirmation and 26 received First Holy Communion. Adult Faith Formation has also increased; 52 adults received the Sacraments of Initiation in the past four years. 

 

“We are also focusing our formation on refreshing our personal relationships with Jesus Christ, driving the message of the Kerygma first for our parishioners in order to send them out,” said Lenox. Kerygma is the Greek word for ‘proclamation.’ Pope Francis elaborates in Evangelii Gaudium, “Jesus Christ loves you; he gave his life to save you; and now he is living at your side every day to enlighten, strengthen, and free you.” The task of proclamation is entrusted to Christ’s apostles, and even to us today.  

 

“A great part of our mission is to be ‘Christophers,’ that is ‘Christ Bearers,’ in our families, friend groups, workplaces, schools, and larger community,” Lenox explained. “Many have not accepted the truth, and the power of what God has done in Jesus Christ because they simply do not know the message, have not heard the true story of the Gospel.” 

 

Lenox is thankful for his pastor’s leadership, “it is a true blessing to have a pastor who does not think of us just as staff. Instead, we are disciples on mission together for the glory of God and his Church. Fr. Edson's care for our spiritual well-being first, as well as our physical, mental, and familial well-being, illustrates his understanding that parish ministers will accomplish the works that are needed as a result of this care. A contractual and transactional relationship does exist because of the world we live in, but it is far down in importance because it is all about relationship and service. The spirit, the devotion, and the unity of this community is remarkable. These ‘living stones’ of God's Church are incredibly diverse, yet there is an inherent understanding that we are all one family. Simply put, we are all on each other's side. We are each called by God to serve Him and serve others in whatever capacity he asks and according to the gifts he has given. I am very blessed to serve this parish community.” 

 

As the community of St. Christopher celebrates their 70th anniversary, they are already looking ahead to the next 70 years. The parish recently completed a feasibility study for a capital campaign. While the community hopes to one day be able to build a larger church to welcome the growing numbers of Marana’s Catholics, they will begin with constructing a parish center to serve as classrooms, a social hall, and seasonal Mass overflow. Fr. Edson said, “This will allow the parish to flourish in building community, the living stones, to one day build the most beautiful of churches.” 

 

The St. Christopher community will be celebrating the parish’s 70th anniversary at its annual fiesta on Saturday, September 28 from 12-9pm with live music, cultural performances, games, food, and silent auction. On the parish’s anniversary date, October 8, a special Mass will be concelebrated by Bishop Weisenburger and Bishop Emeritus Gerald Kicanas, as well as Fr. Edson and other priests of the Pima North Vicariate.