Meet the Staff

Fr. James Aboyi, V.C.

Pastor

Fr. James Aboyi, V.C., joined the parish as Parochial Administrator in July of 2018. He was appointed Pastor of St. Benedict on January 1, 2020. Prior to his assignment, Fr. James served as Parochial Vicar at Holy Cross in Mesa and Chaplain of Benedictine University in Mesa.

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.

Fr. Augustine Acheme, V.C.

Parochial Vicar

I, Fr. Augustine Acheme, was born on April 20, 1985, in Makurdi to Mr. and Mrs. Dominic Acheme Ajeh of Adoka-Otukpo Local Government area. As the 9th of 24 children, my early years were enriched by the love and support of my family. I completed my primary education at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Primary School Makurdi (1990-1997) and my secondary education at Government Secondary School Gwagwalada, FCT Abuja (1998-2004). I later attended the University of Abuja, earning a B.Sc. in Sociology in 2010, followed by a year of national service (NYSC) from 2010-2011. Responding to a higher calling, I joined the Via Christi Society in 2011, beginning with a one- year postulancy program at the Via Christi House of Formation. I studied philosophy at St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary Makurdi (2012-2013) and theology at the same institution under the Urban University Rome (2013-2018). I completed my pastoral year at St. Joseph’s Secondary School Obarike-Ito (2014-2015) and held various roles in different parishes and schools during my formation.

During my formative years, I served in the following locations:

• St. Charles Parish Adoka (Otukpo Diocese) – 2013
• Catholic Youth Centre Church Makurdi (Makurdi Diocese) – 2014
• St. Joseph’s Secondary School Obarike-Ito (Otukpo Diocese) – 2014-2015
• St. Nicholas Parish Obusa (Otukpo Diocese) – 2016
• St. Andrew’s Mission Aune-Adoka (Otukpo Diocese) – 2017

In 2018, I made my final commitment to the Via Christi Society and was ordained a deacon and then a priest by His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe. Since my ordination, I have served in the following locations:

• St. Thomas the Apostles Mission Anum (Makurdi Diocese) – January, 2018- May, 2018
• St. Theresa’s Parish Makurdi – June, 2018 - August 2018
• St. Timothy’s Catholic Church as Parochial Vicar – July 8, 2021 - July 1, 2024
• Currently serving as Parochial Vicar at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church.

Throughout my journey, I have strived to live by the philosophy that “to whom much is given, much is expected.” I enjoy music and football, which provide moments of relaxation and reflection.

Jamie Bescak

Principal, St. John Bosco Catholic School

Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Mrs. Bescak moved to Arizona in 2004 with her husband and now has a daughter who also attends St. John Bosco. She has a Masters Degree in Education, a Bachelors in Early Childhood Education, Reading Endorsement, and Special Education Validation; all received from Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio.

She has over 15 years attending Catholic schools herself. Mrs. Bescak has taught at public and Catholic schools over her 16 years of teaching. She has taught preschool, Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade. Mrs. Bescak is dedicated to providing a strong, loving Catholic Education to all children.

Kristina Bileski

Preschool Director, St. John Bosco Catholic School

Ed Winkelbauer

Deacon

Deacon Ed was born in Illinois and married Linda in 1968. They moved to Arizona in 1982 and became parishioners of Holy Spirit where they were active in RCIA, Eucharist Ministry, Engaged Encounter, Parish Council and the Building Committee. At some point Ed and Linda joined St. Benedict, became involved, and soon entered the diaconate program. Ed was ordained a Permanent Deacon for the Diocese of Phoenix in 2012 and was assigned to St. Steven’s Parish in Sun Lakes. Shortly after that, he was transferred back to St. Benedict where he and Linda feel it is their “home away from home.” He is involved in many ministries here at St. Benedict. Ed and Linda have two children, three grandchildren and two great-granddaughters, and enjoy their time with their family.

Mary Jane Livens

Business Manager

Mary Jane has served the Parish of St. Benedict for nearly 6 years. Her current position as Business Manager keeps her busy with the budget, accounting, HR, and much more.

She and her family have been active members of the parish for over 16 years.

Phil Arkfeld

Director of Music & Liturgy

Phil Arkfeld joined the staff of St. Benedict in April of 2022 as Director of Music and Liturgy. One of nine children, he was born and raised in a small town in Iowa. He had a conversion experience during a retreat when he was fifteen and later felt the call to go into contemporary music ministry. Active in the music program at his local parish, he went on to earn his Bachelor’s Degree in Vocal Music from Luther College in Iowa.

Moving from Iowa to the San Francisco Bay Area, Phil met his wife Laura at church and joined the contemporary choir she was directing. Their shared love of music and liturgy led to romance, and the couple were married and have five children.

The young family moved to Southern California and joined a brand-new parish, St. Paul the Apostle in Chino Hills, which was, at that time, meeting in a school. As the community grew, the pastor invited Phil to come on staff as the Director of Music. Over the next twenty years, the ministry grew to two hundred and fifty volunteers. He also developed and saw the implementation of the audio-visual system in the new church.

He went on to serve at Our Lady of Fatima in San Clemente for nearly seven years where he founded the A.V. Ministry and rebuilt the music program. He is very excited to serve at St. Benedicts and enjoys playing with his grandchildren and running.

Amy Fletcher

Front Office/Administrative Assistant

When you call or visit the parish office you will most likely speak to Amy first. Because of this, Amy has been referred to as the “Director of First Impressions.” She is our Administrative Assistant possessing a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Arizona State University.

Before being a stay-at-home mom with her three children, she worked in the business world in the areas of publicity, marketing and public relations. Her duties at the church include greeting visitors, answering calls, creating the bulletin each week, arranging Mass Intentions, keeping the Parish calendar up-to-date, and assisting the Business Manager and the Pastor as needed.

She is a native-born Phoenician and her favorite activities include playing with her dog (Biscuit), exercising, shopping, listening to music and helping others.

Sr. Liza Sulit, O.P.

Director of Evangelization/Formation

• 480.961.1610 ext. 308

Before entering the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines in 2004, Sr. Liza as she prefers to be called was a teacher in one of the Dominican schools in Western Visayas, Philippines.

In 1999, she completed her secondary education Bachelor's degree with Biology major. She attended Xavier University Philippines to complete her Master's degree in Educational Management.

She had been in school as teacher for 11 years and administrator for 7 years. She enjoys gardening and viewing short films in her spare time.

Sr. Delia Obenza, O.P.

Coordinator of Children's Formation

Sister Delia was born in Davao Region, southeastern Mindanao, Philippines. In 1985, after she graduated from Maryknoll High School, she entered the congregation of the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines at the age of 16 and made her final vows on May 24, 1994.

She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, a Master’s Degree in Religious and Values Education from De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines and a Master’s Degree in Catholic Educational Leadership from the University of San Francisco, California.

Sister Delia has taught kindergarten up to high school and has been a School Administrator. She was assigned to the Northern Marianas Islands for 7 years, 5 years in Hawaii, and 14 years in San Francisco, CA with 10 years as a DRE. She believes that God chose her to be an instrument of spreading His love, peace, joy and mercy. Her favorite Bible verse is, "In everything, give thanks." On August 8, 2023, Sr. Delia was happy to join the St. Benedict team.

Maryola Fabilena

Coordinator of Stewardship and Engagement (Part-time)

Maryola and her husband Damian moved to Arizona from California in 2006. In 2011, they were blessed with the birth of their son Noah. The family moved to Ahwatukee in 2018 and have been parishioners of St. Benedict since. In August of 2022, Maryola joined the parish staff as the Coordinator of Stewardship and Engagement. She currently works part-time and helps out at St. John Bosco Catholic School where Noah has been going since Kindergarten. In her role, Maryola strives to live the four pillars of stewardship: hospitality, prayer, formation and service.