e-newsletter companion of Eastern Oklahoma Catholic magazine
In Wake of Minneapolis School Shooting, Bishop and Priests to Offer Mass of Healing; Safety Plans in Place at All Diocesan Schools
TULSA — Bishop David Konderla and priests of the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma will offer a Mass of Healing and prayers on behalf of the Annunciation Catholic School community in Minneapolis, Minn. on Tuesday.
The school was the scene of a shooting that took the lives of two young students and injured 17 others on Aug. 27. For the latest news, click here.
Bishop Konderla will celebrate Mass at 12:05 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2 at Holy Family Cathedral. Other parishes around the Diocese will celebrate Mass at or near the same time. Check for times with your local parish bulletin, website or social media. Parish information is also available on the diocesan website here.
On Sunday, all parishes within the Diocese prayed the following intention: "For our brothers and sisters who endured such tragedy and loss in Minneapolis, may our prayers speed their healing and bring comfort to those who mourn. Let us pray to the Lord."
Response: "Lord, hear our prayer!"
Pope Leo XIV on Sunday prayed for the victims of the shooting. Catholic News Agency reports, “Our prayers for the victims of the tragic shooting during a school Mass in the American state of Minnesota,” the pontiff said in English on Aug. 31 after leading the weekly Angelus prayer from a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square. “We include in our prayers the countless children killed and injured every day around the world. Let us plead to God to stop the pandemic of arms, large and small, which infects our world.”
In a letter sent last week to local schools, Superintendent of Catholic Schools David Dean sought to reassure parents and personnel that diocesan schools have instituted the necessary security protocols.
"As the reality and aftermath of the Annunciation Catholic School tragedy weighs heavy on our hearts and minds it is important that we engage in the spiritual and corporal works of mercy for the victims, families and the larger school and civic communities. These events affect us all for we are members of the Body of Christ," wrote Dean in his letter. "I want to assure you that all our diocesan schools have worked with and implemented safety plans with security experts and local law enforcement agencies."
He said that ecurity guidelines and checklists are also embedded in the schools' accreditation process.
"As a diocese, we are committed to keep our schools safe as possible for our students and personnel. This is a time that we must pull together as one body to prepare for such events virtuously and vigilantly with the prayerful hope that they won’t happen again."
Dominican Friars Lead Local Rosary Event as Prayer Becomes Topic of National Conversation
TULSA — Nationally known Dominican friars Fr. Gregory Pine, Fr. Patrick Briscoe, and Fr. Joseph-Anthony Kress led a two-day spiritual event centered on the Most Holy Rosary this past weekend at Holy Family Cathedral.
During his opening talk, Fr. Briscoe told the approximately 120 gathered on Saturday morning that last week's deadly shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis was "an evil that's so horrific that it's difficult even to put into words."
He said one of the things that had made him sad and frustrated was the media's description of the two children who were slain as "victims."
"These children are not victims, friends," said Fr. Briscoe. "They were martyrs. They died in the hatred of the faith. They died while praying. They died in a great act of worship. And they will be remembered and celebrated as such."
Fr. Briscoe also lamented the denigration of prayer by the mayor of Minneapolis and some media pundits in widely published comments immediately after the shooting.
"Why attack people for praying when kids were just killed while praying?" said Fr. Briscoe. "Franciscan University, the notable alma mater of our own Father Gregory Pine and Father Joseph Anthony Kress, posted 'prayer is not an escape from reality. It is the very place we meet Christ, who himself was unjustly slain.'"
He noted that politically motivated comments about prayer in the immediate aftermath of the shooting had sparked a national conversation.
"The thing that I think is most fascinating is the fact that we have been having a massive, public, national debate about prayer. That is wild. I did not expect that coming to us, especially not in the wake of this."
— Fr. Patrick Briscoe
He said that prayer is fundamentally misunderstood by many fellow Americans outside the faith and wrongly interpreted as a substitute for action.
"People of faith are being attacked because they're saying that we're substituting prayer for action. Well, we're not, of course," said Fr. Briscoe. "For others, prayer is wielded as a political symbol. We have to be cautious about that, deeply suspicious, whenever we see that. But it's not a slogan. It's not a cover for an action. And most of all, it's not useless. Prayer is so very powerful."
The trio of Dominicans led multiple talks and recorded podcasts in front of live audience on Saturday. The day opened with Mass, and included Adoration and Confession, as well as a lengthy Q&A session. On Sunday, the trio Concelebrated the 10 a.m. Mass at HFC and accepted those who wanted to join the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary.
Hosted by St. Michael Catholic Radio, the weekend event focused on "Our Lady’s Lasso," exploring how each of the Mysteries — Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous — make the Rosary a powerful source of spiritual renewal. The Godsplaining podcast is a production of the Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Joseph.
Hosted by St. Michael Catholic Radio, the weekend event focused on "Our Lady’s Lasso," exploring how each of the Mysteries — Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous — make the Rosary a powerful source of spiritual renewal. The Godsplaining podcast is a production of the Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Joseph.
EOC photo by Chris Rush
Fr. Joseph-Anthony Kress of the Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Joseph (right) shares a lighthearted moment with Fr. Kerry Wakulich, (seated) pastor of St. John Student Center at Oklahoma State University, before the start of Saturday's event. In the background at right are felloow Dominican Friars Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Patrick Briscoe.
Driver Crashes Through Saints Peter and Paul School Entrance Early Tuesday Morning
TULSA — Father Gabriel Garcia, pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church and School, was greeted with an unpleasant and unwelcome surprise early Tuesday morning after a driver crashed into and caused major damage to an entrance of the school.
The Tulsa Police Department is still looking for the person who drove a white SUV into the front of the school, located near Pine Street and North Sheridan Road, at approximately 3 a.m. Tuesday, then drove away. According to Fr. Garcia, the vehicle crashed all the way into the school, almost reaching the gym. The crash left broken doors and scattered glass.
"I know the people of God will come together and will help us basically rebuild this beautiful school," Fr. Garcia told Newson6 later that day.
The Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma sent help to clear away the debris and temporarily board up the broken doors and windows of the entry foyer so that the school could continue with classes last week.
First Cohort of Next Generation Parish Meets, Begins 'Invitation Phase' of Two-Year Journey
BROKEN ARROW — Bishop David Konderla greeted 15 pastors of the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma and their teams to begin a two-year journey called Next Generation Parish last week at the Church of Saint Benedict in Broken Arrow.
This partnership with Catholic Leadership Institute, Communio, Evangelical Catholic and the Diocesan Parish Leadership Team is geared to help our parishes focus in on the essential elements of evangelization, marriage and family and other needs within the parish.
More than 100 people, representing select parishes within the Diocese gathered to begin the “Invitation Phase” of Next Generation Parish training. The gathered parish priests and their respective team members comprise the first cohort within the diocese to go through this training.
Thursday’s session included articulating the mission and structure of Next Generation Parish, differentiating between Christendom and Apostolic Ministry, the role of spiritual formation, interpreting each parish’s recent survey results, and identifying key steps in the Discovery Phase.
For more about Next Generation Parish, click here.
EOC photo by Daniel McCay
Bishop David Konderla addresses approximately 110 participants in last week's “Invitation Phase” of Next Generation Parish training at the Church of St. Benedict in Broken Arrow.
Annual Rosary Run & Rally set for October 4
TULSA — The annual St. Michael’s Catholic Radio Rosary Rally and 5K Run is set for Saturday, Oct. 4 at LaFortune Park. The day will begin with outdoor Mass at 8 a.m. and physical activities start at 9 a.m.
5K Rosary Run
As entrants run the course, they can follow along with markers that prompt them in saying a rosary as they run. Small balloons at each 1/10th of a kilometer signify 'Hail Mary' prayers while larger signs at each kilometer mark the Joyful Mysteries. The 5k Rosary Run is a family fun run with a twist, where each kilometer is set up as a decade in a giant rosary.
Mile For Mary Walk
This one-mile walk is a less strenuous and more prayer-centered activity than the 5k Run. Participants will all walk together as a group, led by a prayer leader in reciting the sorrowful mysteries of the rosary out loud in a beautiful Tulsa setting. Prayer sheets and rosaries are given to every participant.
Rosary Relay
Teams of four friends or family members compete in a fun relay race. Any paying participant may join a four-person team. Teams will race each other around a short course, handing off a rosary to one another until all members have run. The first team with all four members across the finish line wins!
Rosary Prayer Rally
As the walkers and runners are completing their courses, we will stand at the finish line reciting the Glorious Mysteries of the rosary led by a volunteer.
Anyone is invited to participate in this team at no cost. Rosaries and prayer sheets will be available to all participants. Tee shirts will be available for a small fee.
For participant information, or to register, click here.
Memorial Mass to Mark 1-Year Anniversary of Bishop Emeritus Edward Slattery Death
TULSA — Bishop David Konderla will celebrate a Memorial Mass for Bishop Emeritus Edward J. Slattery at 6 p.m., Friday, Sept. 12 at Holy Family Cathedral. A Reception will follow. Bishop Slattery died on Sept. 13, of last year.
For more about Bishop Slattery's burial, see story in this month's issue of Eastern Oklahoma Catholic magazine, or read it online here.
From the Editor...
Do you attend daily Mass? If so, we would like to hear from you! Eastern Oklahoma Catholic magazine is working on a future article about the impact of attending daily Mass. Send your comments (100 words or less if possible) about your experience with daily Mass, what motivates you to attend, the spiritual benefits you have experienced. You may email your comments to chris.rush@dioceseoftulsa.org. Include your full name, parish and contact information in case of follow-up questions.
As is typical for national holidays, the Chancery offices are closed today but we'll all be back in the office bright and early tomorrow morning. Until next week, thanks for reading and we hope you have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day!
Chris Rush
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
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