Staff Directory
Fr. Jess Ty Biography
Born in the Philippines, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Divine Word University located in Tacloban. Then, I graduated from the University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary. Next, I completed a diploma course of Pre-marital and Marital Counselling at Ateneo Loyola University in Quezon. Finally, I was ordained November 21, 1998 for the Diocese of Naval, Biliran, Philippines.
Moving to the Phoenix Diocese in 2008, I have been Parochial Vicar at St. Mary’s in Chandler, Queen of Peace in Mesa and San Francisco de Asis in Flagstaff. I was assigned as Parochial Administrator here at Our Lady of Joy in 2013. I was incardinated as clergy of the Diocese of Phoenix and appointed Pastor of Our Lady of Joy on July 29, 2014. It is a blessing to be your pastor!
Dcn. Dennis Fleming Biography
Originally from New Jersey, I come from a large Catholic family. I have a brother and four sisters. I graduated the University of Delaware with a degree in Economics and Mathematics quite a long time ago! My wife, Mary Linda and I attended Delaware together and then served together in the Air Force. I also have an MA in Theology. Mary Linda and I been married for 48 years, although our counts don’t always match, and have three children and two grandchildren.
I spent 40 years in Information Technology and am thoroughly a geek. I retired several years ago as head of IT for DirecTV. I enjoy sailing, flying and underwater photography.
Dcn. Dan Doheny Biography
Deacon Dan was a senior executive with Reyes Holdings, a privately held company based in Rosemont, Illinois from 2000 to 2019. During that time, he served as Executive Chairman of Great Lakes Coca-Cola Bottling for 5 years and as Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of Reyes Holdings for 15 years. Prior to that he was a partner with the accounting firm KPMG.
In 2016 he was ordained a deacon in the Joliet, Illinois Diocese and transferred to the Phoenix Diocese when he became a full-time resident of Scottsdale in 2020.
Deacon Dan graduated from the University of Illinois in 1984. He is a member of several public and charitable boards of directors. He and his wife Anne have two adult children who now call Phoenix area home.
Dcn. Handel Metcalf Biography
I knew from a fairly early age that I felt the call to serve the Lord in ministry. However, having been born and raised a Protestant, I tested several denominations, but never discerned the call to pursue a path to ministry in those communities. After converting to the Catholic faith, I began to serve the church in a manner that I had never done before. I began serving the church in several ministries at my parish, Our Lady of Joy in Carefree, Arizona.
Over time, I served my parish as a lector, Eucharistic minister, RCIA as a catechist, served on the parish council, and began to lead a prayer group.
I was very comfortable serving in a variety of ways and soon felt called to more intimate service around the altar. Through this, the Holy Spirit led me to discern a call to Holy Orders as a Permanent Deacon.
With the constant support of my wife, family, the deacons and priest of my parish, and support of the laity, the formation journey began.
The journey has been rigorous, and the growth in all areas of life has been immense, especially my prayer life while learning what it means to be a servant of Christ.
Dcn. Jim Walsh Biography
Deacon Jim was ordained in 2006 in the Diocese of San Diego and worked at the Diocesan Pastoral Center for 15 years in the social ministry office. He built a Catholic prison ministry of 420 volunteers, served as spiritual guide to crime victim including parents of murdered children, and was president of a non-profit victim-offender dialogue program.
He also co-hosted a live call-in Catholic radio talk show for seven years called Setting Things Right, on Immaculate Heart Radio. He served extensively in adult and high school faith formation, youth ministry, and music ministry. A student of spirituality, Jim has presented many parish retreats and missions on spirituality for 20 years.
Deacon Jim and his wife, Barbara, moved to Arizona in late 2020 and Jim served for three years at St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish in Cave Creek. Barbara has served as an Extraordinary Minister of Communion at Our Lady of Joy Parish since March of 2023.
Deacon Jim spent over 30 years as an executive, some of those years for 20th Century Fox and New World Entertainment in Hollywood. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati, and his Master’s from Xavier University, Cincinnati, where he met Barbara.
Laura Hicks Biography
It is an honor to be the Director of Parish Operations/Finance & Human Resources here at Our Lady of Joy. After a career in retail management and then wholesale with Levi Straus & Co., I was longing to do something that would involve my faith and helping other people. I was hired as the Coordinator of Stewardship here in 2002 and after enjoying many years in that role, I have spent the last seven years in my current role. It is my privilege to work alongside our many talented and giving Priests, Religious, staff, parishioners and volunteers.
I grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona and graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. My husband, four children and I have been members of Our Lady of Joy since 1995, so needless to say, this is our home. As a family, we have celebrated many special times and have many wonderful memories here at Our Lady of Joy. It is my hope that you find our parish to be your home as well.
Mrs. Jessica Snook Biography
I am blessed to be the Director of Preschool at Our Lady of Joy Catholic Preschool. I have been in education for 17 years in both private and Catholic schools. A positive, engaging and safe learning environment is the setting here at OLOJ Catholic Preschool and I am proud to lead our great school in academic excellence in a faith filled surroundings.
My family has been parishioners at Our Lady of Joy for over 25 years and we love being a part of the Cave Creek community. I enjoy being a part of the community in which I was raised, growing up in Cave Creek has been wonderful. Our two children, Warren age 15 and Elena age 12 enjoy participating in church activities, playing basketball and camping.
Credentials
- M.ED Administration and Supervision/University of Phoenix
- B.A Science /University of Arizona
- Arizona Certified Principal
- Arizona Teaching Certificate/Highly Qualified Biology
- Structured English Immersion Certificate
- Catechist Certification
Lauren Haro Biography
I am very fortunate to hold the position of Coordinator of Stewardship and Communications at Our Lady of Joy. My goal is to make sure that every parishioner knows we offer a wealth of opportunities and support with the intention of increasing awareness and participation in our Catholic faith. Our three daughters attended Notre Dame Prep where I served as Communications Coordinator for 12 years. Born in Tucson but raised abroad, I earned a B.A. in Journalism from the U of A and a master’s degree from the Thunderbird School of Global Management.
Madysen Mooradian Biography
Madysen "Mady" Mooradian recently joined our staff as the new Coordinator of Youth Ministry. She has a B.A. in Anthropology and previous experience as a Youth Minister in Topeka, Kansas. She most recently worked for Mt. Claret Retreat House in Phoenix helping them with their on-line communication needs. In her free hours, Mady enjoys drinking iced coffee, hiking, exploring thrift stores and playing board games. Mady says she is convinced that if Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and Pope St. John Paul were alive today, the three of them would be the best of friends and climb mountains together.
Tatiana Horne Biography
It is a great honor to be a part of the Our Lady of Joy family. I am a native of the valley, attending Our Lady of Perpetual Help Scottsdale, Xavier College Preparatory, and Arizona State University. I had the honor to work for both state and national government representatives. Later, I pursued my career in early childhood education. I taught 7th grade science and grades 3 and 4, all in parochial schools located in Northern Virginia and Scottsdale.
My family and I are so fortunate to live in this beautiful community. I am truly blessed with a supportive husband, Michael, our four children, Michael, Presley, Katarina, and Giada, and our doodles Magnum and Higgins. I am here to serve you and our beautiful Catholic community!
Michelle Pierce Biography
Michelle Pierce serves as the Administrative Assistant to the Pastor. Her responsibilities include scheduling parish facilities, coordinating funerals and weddings, maintaining the parish master calendar, and working closely with the staff and all ministries. A resident of Cave Creek for 35 years, Michelle originally hails from Colorado and is the mother of eight children aged 14 to 34. She has many years of experience in administration, sales, marketing, and facilities management. Michelle also served as Troop Leader, Training Coordinator, School Organizer and Incentive Administrator for the Girl Scouts of Arizona; has been involved with various groups in the Cave Creek School District; and taught religious studies at St. Gabriel’s Parish where she was very active in the women’s group, Wings.
Mindi Nechanicky Biography
Parishioner Mindi Nechanicki has joined our staff as the Administrative Assistant to Faith Formation and reports to David Lins. A graduate of the University of Iowa, Mindi and her husband of 32 years, John, recently moved to Carefree from suburban Atlanta where they have lived the past 20 years. They are avid golfers and have five children and two grandchildren. Mindi was an active parishioner at St. Monica's Catholic Church in Duluth, GA where she enjoyed planning style shows for the parish women's club and preparing food for the teen youth groups. Most recently, Mindi was a volunteer in the parish office and is excited to join our staff.