e-newsletter companion of Eastern Oklahoma Catholic magazine
Father Robert Williams Ordained a Priest of Jesus Christ
TULSA — Robert Williams was ordained a Priest of Jesus Christ by Bishop David Konderla Friday evening. Holy Family Cathedral was packed to near standing room only as Father Williams made his vows in front of the bishop, fellow priests of the diocese, deacons, seminarians, family members, and a host of friends and well-wishers.
In a recent interview with Eastern Oklahoma Catholic prior to his ordination, then-Deacon Williams recalled that as a young man, he did not initially feel prepared for such a calling.
“I remember visiting seminaries, but I thought to myself, ‘it's not the time,’ I didn't have peace about going yet,” he recalled.
But those feelings changed as he began to pray and actively discern God’s calling upon his life.
“I worked with all these college students and saw the joy of giving my life so that others might know the same love I have received,” says Williams. “I started to pray and think, ‘I want to do this forever, I want to be available for anyone in any way at any time.’ And I thought, what could I do, where, in what way could I be like a spiritual father forever? And that's where that turned into, oh yeah, a diocesan priesthood.”
That period of spiritual discernment led Williams to the seminary and ultimately to Friday night.
Upon the testimony of his worthiness, Deacon Williams was formally accepted for ordination to the priesthood by Bishop Konderla, which was greeted with thunderous applause by all those in attendance. After making his vows, the laying on of hands and prayer of ordination, Father Williams was vested by Very Rev. Gary Kastl, vicar general for the diocese, after which fellow priests of the diocese offered him a fraternal kiss.
Presentation of Gifts (handing over of the bread and wine) was offered by Fr. Williams’ parents, David and Marian Williams, along with his three sisters, Madeleine Adams, Teresa Williams, and Mary Middicke. In his acknowledgements, Fr. Williams gave thanks to “My parents, family, friends, teachers, catechism, and benefactors for their loving support throughout my life and especially for passing on to me the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Sacraments of the Church.”
He reportedly remained at the church until late Friday night, greeting friends and family and offering first blessings to all who desired. A video recording of Friday night’s Mass of Holy Orders: "The Presbyteral Ordination of Robert Williams" can be viewed in its entirety here.
Fr. Williams’ priesthood was just getting started. He was back at the church to hear confessions at 7:30 a.m. Saturday. He then celebrated his first Mass of Thanksgiving at 10:30 a.m., joined again by a host of concelebrating priests from the diocese, including Rev. Msgr. Gregory Gier, rector emeritus at HFC, who gave a heartfelt homily filled with personal anecdotes from his long association with the Williams family.
At the close of Saturday’s Thanksgiving Mass, Fr. Duy Nguyen, director of vocations for the diocese, presented Fr. Williams with a framed certificate of Papal Blessing from Pope Leo XIV. Father Williams accepted the gift and then, in a poignant and emotion-filled moment, he presented gifts to his mother and father. A video recording of Saturday Thanksgiving Mass can be viewed in its entirety here
A parishioner of Saint Anne Catholic Church in Broken Arrow, Williams was previously ordained to the Order of the Diaconate in October of 2024, at St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, along with his classmates from the Pontifical North American College. He and his fellow seminarians had the unique opportunity to witness first-hand the funeral proceedings for Pope Francis and the introduction of Pope Leo XIV. He also had the rare privilege of serving Mass with Pope Leo.
On Sunday, Fr. Williams celebrated another Mass of Thanksgiving at his home parish of St. Anne in Broken Arrow, followed by a lunch reception in the Parish Hall.
Fr. Williams currently resides at the HFC Rectory and will serve as a supply priest for the diocese for the remainder of the summer. He will return to Rome this fall to complete his studies in Spiritual Theology before his expected return to the diocese next summer.
To view more photographs from Friday night’s Ordination Mass, see our Facebook page here.
EOC Photos by Daniel McCay
July Jubilee Year of Hope Mass to be Held This Saturday at St. Anne in Broken Arrow
BROKEN ARROW — The seventh Pilgrimage Mass, as part of the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope in the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma, will be held this Saturday, July 5, at St. Anne Catholic Church in Broken Arrow.
The theme for July's first Saturday Mass is the Poor, Marginalized, and Neglected.
Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. by Very Rev. Gary Kastl, vicar general for the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma, and concelebrated by host pastor Fr. Matthew Gerlach. Confessions will be taken starting at 8:30 a.m. until 9:45 a.m.
To read the history of the parish, go to the website here.
Milestone Anniversaries Celebrated
TULSA — Bishop David Konderla celebrated milestone anniversaries with married couples from around the diocese on Sunday afternoon, June 22, at Holy Family Cathedral. The Anniversary Mass celebrates the Sacrament of Matrimony by recognizing all of those who have been married 25, 40, 50 and 50+ years. A reception followed in Heiring Auditorium.
Photos by Lori Scholl
San Miguel School and Bishop Kelley Students Team Up to Create Supersized Art Project
BY JEAN YAEGER
TULSA — A huge new painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe was the star attraction of recent festivities marking San Miguel Middle School’s 20th year in Tulsa.
An enthusiastic crowd of students, families, and school patrons looked on as Father Jon Fincher, chaplain of Bishop Kelley, blessed the painting on June 17. The celebration included a Mariachi band, dancers, and a tamale supper.
About 75 students from San Miguel and Bishop Kelley High School teamed up to paint the vibrant image, which measures 19 feet tall by 10 feet wide. Members of art teacher Anna Kallstrom’s drawing class at Bishop Kelley used a grid of squares to sketch the design on the canvas. San Miguel eighth-graders pitched in by painting the sunrays and roses. Mrs. Kallstrom built the frame.
That collaboration in styles and ideas resulted in the one-of-a-kind portrait of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Signatures of the teens form the stars in the sky. Messages in the background tell facts and symbolism about Mary’s miraculous apparitions to St. Juan Diego in Mexico in the year 1531.
“It’s amazing,” said student Desteny Munoz, who worked on the roses.
An enthusiastic crowd of students, families, and school patrons looked on as Father Jon Fincher, chaplain of Bishop Kelley, blessed the painting on June 17. The celebration included a Mariachi band, dancers, and a tamale supper.
About 75 students from San Miguel and Bishop Kelley High School teamed up to paint the vibrant image, which measures 19 feet tall by 10 feet wide. Members of art teacher Anna Kallstrom’s drawing class at Bishop Kelley used a grid of squares to sketch the design on the canvas. San Miguel eighth-graders pitched in by painting the sunrays and roses. Mrs. Kallstrom built the frame.
That collaboration in styles and ideas resulted in the one-of-a-kind portrait of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Signatures of the teens form the stars in the sky. Messages in the background tell facts and symbolism about Mary’s miraculous apparitions to St. Juan Diego in Mexico in the year 1531.
“It’s amazing,” said student Desteny Munoz, who worked on the roses.
“I like everything about it,” added Allison Saucedo, pointing out the words she painted in purple.
The project took about two months to complete. A crew of professionals on scaffolding secured it high on the wall at San Miguel in time for graduation in May.
The artwork beautifies the commons area where everyone gathers for prayers and announcements at the start and end of each school day.
The project took about two months to complete. A crew of professionals on scaffolding secured it high on the wall at San Miguel in time for graduation in May.
The artwork beautifies the commons area where everyone gathers for prayers and announcements at the start and end of each school day.
School president Juan Miret said the large depiction of Our Lady of Guadalupe provides a sense of protection and welcome for students, staff, and visitors.
“It was like the missing piece for this building,” he said.
Miret calls San Miguel a hub of hope, community, and the heart of the Kendall-Whittier neighborhood. Located across the street from St. Francis Xavier Church, the school’s education model emphasizes service and academic success to help students rise above challenging circumstances. Enrollment is capped at 72 pupils.
“It was like the missing piece for this building,” he said.
Miret calls San Miguel a hub of hope, community, and the heart of the Kendall-Whittier neighborhood. Located across the street from St. Francis Xavier Church, the school’s education model emphasizes service and academic success to help students rise above challenging circumstances. Enrollment is capped at 72 pupils.
For more photos from this event, see our Facebook page here.
EOC Photos by Daniel McCay
2025 Faith Formation Conference, 'Come Holy Spirit,' Releases Tentative Schedule
TULSA — The Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma is pleased to host the 2025 Faith Formation Conference, "Come Holy Spirit,” scheduled for Aug. 22-23, at the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel and Convention Center in Tulsa.
Registration is now open, with a deadline of August 15. A block of rooms has been secured for rural parish attendees only. Once registered for the conference, rural attendees may request a double occupancy room reservation here. The deadline for hotel reservation requests is July 31. After July 31, hotel reservations will be based on hotel availability with no guarantee of space.
This year’s keynote speakers will include: Dr. Dora Tobar Mensbrugghe, Diocese of Austin, Texas; Dr. Timothy O’Malley, McGrath Institute for Church Life and the University of Notre Dame; Dr. Joseph White and Jose Hernandez-Aguirre of Our Sunday Visitor; Jose Gonzalez of Sophia Press; and Rev. Duy Nguyễn of the Diocese of the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma Office of Vocations.
A tentative Conference Schedule has been released below:
For updates, a schedule of breakout sessions, or to register, click here.
Retreat for Couples Experiencing Infertility Set for October 24-25 in Broken Arrow
BROKEN ARROW — Infertility is a heavy burden that not everyone understands, but you don't have to carry it alone! Springs in the Desert is a national ministry for couples and individuals experiencing infertility.
The Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma, the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, and Springs in the Desert are partnering to support couples carrying the cross of infertility with an overnight retreat. Come with your spouse or on your own for a time of prayer, healing, and friendship.
The retreat is scheduled for Oct. 24-25, at the Church of Saint Benedict in Broken Arrow. Registration for couples is $200, and $150 for individuals. The registration fees do not include hotel accommodations. However, Stoney Creek Inn in Broken Arrow is recommended.
For more information or to register, click here.
From the Editor...
As a layperson, I will never cease to marvel at the love, the devotion, and the constant pursuit of holiness required to be a Catholic priest.
Young men who could potentially earn a handsome living in a secular industry instead choose to forego earthly wealth and take a vow of poverty. Seminarians discerning the priesthood choose to forego marriage and children of their own so that they might be spiritual fathers to hundreds (thousands?) of laypeople entrusted to their care. Their lives are not their own. They are to live "in persona Christi" (in the person of Christ), administering the sacraments and preaching the Gospel while shepherding their flock down the narrow path that leads to salvation. Theirs is a life of sacrifice, obedience, and faithfulness to their first love, Jesus Christ.
With that profound understanding, I witnessed my first Mass of Holy Orders — the Ordination of Robert Williams as a Priest of Jesus Christ — last Friday night at Holy Family Cathedral. It was a beautiful and moving ceremony and Mass. It was all the more poignant knowing that Father Williams made this journey not only through his own deep personal commitment to Christ's Church, but also through the aid and encouragement of a vast support network starting with his family, his home parish, spiritual mentors, the Diocese of Tulsa, his seminary (The Pontifical North American College in Rome), and dozens or perhaps hundreds or even thousands of laypersons aiding his priestly formation through financial support and prayer.
While Friday night's ordination may be a culmination of sorts, it is only a beginning. How many lives will Fr. Williams touch in the course of his priestly ministry? How many baptisms will he perform? How many weddings will he preside over? How many Masses will he celebrate? How many confessions will he hear? How many blessings will he offer? How many sick will he anoint? How many homilies will he deliver? How many prayers will he lift up to the Lord? How many times will he be called upon late in the night to offer last rites or to comfort families and individuals as they go through emotional trauma or spiritual suffering?
I suppose there may be records kept on such things, but these everyday points of contact between a typical parish priest and members of his flock are surely innumerable over a lifetime. It is all the more reason for us to show our priests and our Bishop support and appreciation. They are our front-line warriors standing guard in a literal cosmic battle of good and evil. They need our fervent prayers and support. Why not lift up your priest in prayer right now?
Chris Rush
Chief Editor
"Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things" — Philippians 4:8
