e-newsletter companion of Eastern Oklahoma Catholic magazine
Noted Catholic Theologian Scott Hahn Speaks to Diocesan Priests, Deacons
TULSA — Priests and Deacons of the Diocese of Tulsa & Eastern Oklahoma were treated to two days of talks by one of America's most widely published and highly respected Catholic theologians, Dr. Scott Hahn this past weekend.
Beginning Friday night and continuing through Saturday morning, Dr. Hahn made five presentations to clergy gathered at Holy Family Cathedral as part of a continuing education program. The gathering is part of Bishop David Konderla's priority on Priestly Flourishing and Support as announced in his 2024 pastoral letter, Jesus Is Lord. Bishop Konderla celebrated an 8 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral on Saturday for all those in attendance before the conference resumed.
Dr. Hahn and his wife Kimberly have six children (two of which are seminarians for the diocese of Steubenville) and eighteen grandchildren. An exceptionally popular speaker and teacher, Dr. Hahn has delivered numerous talks nationally and internationally on a wide variety of topics related to Scripture and the Catholic faith. As an adult convert to the Catholicism himself, his talks have been effective in helping thousands of Protestants and fallen away Catholics to (re)embrace the Catholic faith.
He has been awarded the Father Michael Scanlan, T.O.R., Chair of Biblical Theology and the New Evangelization at Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he has taught since 1990, and is the founder and president of the Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology. Dr. Hahn is also the bestselling author of numerous books including The Lamb’s Supper, Reasons to Believe, and Rome Sweet Home (co-authored with his wife, Kimberly).
For more about Dr. Scott Hahn, click here.
EOC Photos by Daniel McCay
Oklahoma's Oldest Catholic School Serving Students in Muskogee for 135 Years
MUSKOGEE — With the beginning of the 2025-26 academic year, St. Joseph Catholic School is marking a major milestone in Oklahoma Catholic education.
"This is our 135th year of Catholic education in Muskogee," says pastor Rev. John O'Neill, who took the reins of the parish and school earlier this summer after having served in Bartlesville. "St. Joseph is the oldest Catholic School in Oklahoma."
The school began in 1890 as Assumption Church School, followed by the establishment of Nazareth Academy in 1893. In 1902, the Brothers of the Sacred Heart joined the mission, leading to the official founding of St. Joseph School in 1921. Today, it continues to be deeply rooted in the values of St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Brian Doerner, who recently retired as a vice principal from Muskogee Public Schools, says he is honored and humbled at the opportunity to be able to lead and make an impact at St. Joseph. He began his duties in July. In a newsletter this month addressed to parents and students, Mr. Doerner thanked them for an "outstanding start" to the 2025-26 academic year.
"I am very proud and quite humbled to be your principal," wrote Mr. Doerner. "I attended St. Joseph from 1970 to 1976. This is a full circle blessing to me."
Even before beginning his official duties at the school, Mr. Doerner met with teachers and staff this past summer, along with new Church Pastor Fr. John O'Neill and Catholic Schools Superintendent David Dean. At that time school staff were encouraged to express their ideas, expectations, and hopes for the next school year.
In spite of its small size, educators at St. Joseph School have a combined 208 years of experience in education. Serving pupils age 3 through 8th grade, St. Joseph welcomes students of all faiths, with enrollment based on academic achievement, personal merit, and strong character. The school values a diverse and inclusive community, united by a shared commitment to excellence in learning and personal growth.
For more information about St. Joseph Catholic School, click here.
New St. Joseph Catholic School Principal Brian Doerner grew up in Muskogee and attended St. Joseph School from 3rd through 6th grade, 1973-1976. Prior to coming to St. Joseph as its principal this year, Mr. Doerner was employed with Muskogee Public Schools for 29 years teaching, coaching, and serving as an assistant principal. In his free time, he likes to kayak, camp, and cookout with his family. For more, check out this recent article by the Muskogee Phoenix here.
Photo courtesy of St. Joseph Catholic School
Holy Rosary Parish in Hartshorne Celebrates 130 Years of Faith, History, and Hope
BY FR. LEONARDO MEDINA
HARTSHORNE — On May 26, 1895, in the growing coal mining town of Hartshorne, Okla., Bishop Theophile Meerschaert dedicated Holy Rosary Catholic Church. From that day on, this community has been a beacon of faith, fellowship, and perseverance for generations of immigrants and families who found in the Catholic faith a spiritual home in a new land.
A History Rooted in Faith
The first steps of the Catholic Church in this region go back to the mission of Father Isidore Robot, O.S.B., (see story below) who in 1890 began ministering to the people of Hartshorne. He was followed by Father Bernard Murphy and later by Father Ferdinand Schaaf, the first resident pastor. Through their ministry, the Catholic faith began to take root in a community marked by the hard labor of coal mining and the arrival of immigrants from Europe and Mexico.
In 1914, the arrival of the Discalced Carmelite Fathers—refugees fleeing persecution in Mexico—marked a new chapter in the history of Holy Rosary. Their presence strengthened parish life until 1973, when the Diocese of Tulsa assumed direct pastoral care of the community.
A Mosaic of Cultures, One Heart in Christ
During the mining boom, Hartshorne and Haileyville became home to Italians, Lithuanians, Poles, Germans, Irish, Mexicans, and many other immigrant families. Each group brought with them their traditions and culture, but all shared the same faith, finding in Holy Rosary a sanctuary of hope. Sunday Mass united different languages and customs into one family gathered around the Eucharist.
Today, 130 years later, the parish remains a mosaic of descendants of those first immigrants, together with new families who continue to find in Holy Rosary a place of encounter with God and with one another.
Growing in Faith Today
Much has changed over the years. The parish school and convent are no longer present, yet Holy Rosary remains alive and vibrant, responding to the needs of today. Celebrations, faith formation, Eucharistic adoration, and parish initiatives are signs that the seed planted in 1895 continues to bear fruit.
This Jubilee Year has been marked by gratitude and joy as Holy Rosary celebrated its 130th anniversary. The sacrifices of those who came before us have been remembered, but above all, the community has renewed its commitment to continue building a Church that is alive, welcoming, and missionary, serving Hartshorne and the surrounding area.
Conclusion of the Jubilee Year
On Oct. 4, we will conclude our Jubilee Year of celebration with a Solemn Mass at 2 p.m., followed by a parish picnic where, as one family, we will share the joy of faith and the richness of our history. It will be a time to give thanks to God for 130 years of blessings and to look forward with hope to the years to come.
Looking Ahead with Hope
As we close this Jubilee, we do not end a chapter but open a new stage of grace. Holy Rosary is not only a building of stone; it is the living history of a people who, for generations, have treasured their faith as their most precious gift.
Today more than ever, we hear the call to keep growing in faith, to be a community that welcomes, serves, and joyfully proclaims Christ. With the intercession of Our Lady of the Rosary, patroness of this church, we trust that the coming years will be filled with blessings and with new stories that will continue the legacy of these 130 years of parish life. Happy 130th Anniversary, Holy Rosary Catholic Church! May this Jubilee be a seed of hope for the next 130 years.
On Oct. 4, Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hartshorne will conclude its Jubilee Year of celebration with a Solemn Mass at 2 p.m., followed by a parish picnic celebrating 130 years in the community.
Annual MOCtoberfest Raises Funds for Those in Need in Broken Arrow, Coweta Area
BROKEN ARROW — MOCtoberfest, a one-day fall festival and fundraiser hosted by St. Anne Catholic Church, will take place from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 18 on the church grounds.
"It’s a joyful community celebration that combines all the best parts of fall—live music, delicious food, family games, raffles, and more—all while raising essential support for our parish’s outreach ministry," say organizers.
The name MOCtoberfest comes from the parish's Ministry of Compassion (MOC), the heart of its charitable mission. This vital ministry serves individuals and families in the Broken Arrow and Coweta areas with food pantry support, counseling services, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, emergency assistance, and a message of hope rooted in Catholic social teaching.
Each year, MOCtoberfest draws hundreds of attendees from the parish and local community. It's a celebration of faith, family, and generosity, where every ticket, every meal, and every raffle entry helps someone in need.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Live music all day long from local performers and parish talent
Kids Zone with games, bounce houses, and family activities
Food trucks & booths featuring local favorites and parish treats
Silent auction & raffle prizes donated by community partners
Beer garden (21+ with ID)
For more information about the festival, click here.
Photos courtesy of St. Anne Catholic Church
White Mass & Reception for Healthcare Workers Set for October 25 at Holy Family Cathedral
TULSA — All healthcare workers are invited to attend the annual White Mass at 5 p.m., Oct. 25, at Holy Family Cathedral.
The White Mass, named for the color worn by those in the medical profession, gathers healthcare professionals under the patronage of St. Luke the Evangelist to ask God's blessing upon patients and caregivers alike. Healthcare professionals are invited to wear their white coats to Mass.
Bishop David Konderla will celebrate the Mass and a reception will follow. Please RSVP to Sr. Maricia Weber at sweber2@saintfrancis.com.
150 Years of the Church in Oklahoma, Part 3: Flourishing By the Grace of God
BY SEAN COLLINS
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is Part 3 of a series of stories leading up to the 18-month celebration, kicking off this October, of the sesquicentennial – 150 years – of the Catholic Church's permanent presence in Oklahoma.
OKLAHOMA CITY — Father Isidore Robot, O.S.B., and Brother Dominic Lambert, O.S.B., arrived at Atoka, Indian Territory, on Oct. 12, 1875, where they found the only Catholic church built in the territory. Saint Patrick Catholic Church and rectory were not fully constructed and there was a $300 debt to pay. From that base, they made four excursions around Indian Territory to find the best location for their monastery.
They traveled more than 1,100 miles, visiting Catholics among the Citizen Potawatomi, Osage, Muscogee/Creek, Sac and Fox, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and tribes being confined to reservations around Fort Sill.
In the end, they decided to accept a generous offer from Chief Peter Pomaketak of the Citizen Potawatomi in the central part of the territory. The largely Catholic and French-speaking Citizen Potawatomi Nation thus became instrumental in the establishment of the Catholic Church in what now is Oklahoma.
They would be joined by other monks from France, and later, by the Religious Sisters of Mercy who first came to Sacred Heart, Benedictine Sisters who established their Motherhouse in Guthrie, and Franciscan Sisters who eventually served at Saint Patrick Indian Mission in Anadarko.
All of these dedicated religious sisters were indispensable partners in ministry throughout the territory. Together, they built schools and missions – nurtured by hospitality, hard work, Divine Providence and the faithfulness of the people who made up Catholic communities then – as now.
What began in rejection, has flourished by the grace of God.
They traveled more than 1,100 miles, visiting Catholics among the Citizen Potawatomi, Osage, Muscogee/Creek, Sac and Fox, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and tribes being confined to reservations around Fort Sill.
In the end, they decided to accept a generous offer from Chief Peter Pomaketak of the Citizen Potawatomi in the central part of the territory. The largely Catholic and French-speaking Citizen Potawatomi Nation thus became instrumental in the establishment of the Catholic Church in what now is Oklahoma.
They would be joined by other monks from France, and later, by the Religious Sisters of Mercy who first came to Sacred Heart, Benedictine Sisters who established their Motherhouse in Guthrie, and Franciscan Sisters who eventually served at Saint Patrick Indian Mission in Anadarko.
All of these dedicated religious sisters were indispensable partners in ministry throughout the territory. Together, they built schools and missions – nurtured by hospitality, hard work, Divine Providence and the faithfulness of the people who made up Catholic communities then – as now.
What began in rejection, has flourished by the grace of God.
The full story can be found posted at the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City website here. For details on the Sesquicentennial observances, visit monksok.org
Illustration courtesy of Editions du Signe
The illustration above, excerpted from the book, Together, Our Faith Goes Further: An Illustrated History of the Diocese of Tulsa, depicts the first French Benedictine monks to arrive in Oklahoma (then known as Indian Territory) at the site of the very first Catholic Church construction, St. Patrick's in Atoka. The illustrated book, or graphic novel, was published in 2023 on the occassion of the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma.
From the Editor...
Last week, Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester (Minn.) and the founder of Word On Fire Catholic Ministries wrote a piece for FirstThings.com entitled, He Died With a Microphone in His Hand about the implications of the shocking assassination of Christian and political activist Charlie Kirk.
Bishop Barron writes, "Why has the murder of Charlie Kirk resonated so powerfully through the culture? Is it because he was cut down so brutally in his prime? That he left behind a wife and two very young children? That no one deserves to die that way? Certainly, for all of those reasons. But I am convinced there is something more, and it has to do with the fact that he died with a microphone in his hand—not a gun or a knife or a grenade, but a microphone."
With permission from the publisher, we are making Bishop Barron's column available on our diocesan website. You may access it here.
The Diocese of Tulsa & Eastern Oklahoma will join with the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City tomorrow evening and Wednesday morning for the funeral services of Archbishop Emeritus Eusebius J. Beltran. For obituary and funeral information, click here.
It has certainly been a trying time for our friends at the Archdiocese as they now also mourn the untimely passing of one of their active priests who died in a tragic accident last week. Father Linh Bui, pastor of Saint Ann Church in Elgin and missions in Sterling and Apache, was severely injured when he accidentally fell through the sacristy ceiling on Sept. 18. He was medically transported to OU Trauma Center for treatment but later died from his injuries at age 56. A news story from The Oklahoman can be accessed here.
"It is with great sadness that I announce that Father Linh Bui passed away this morning (Sept. 19) from his injuries," said Archbishop Paul Coakley in a statement. "He received the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, the apostolic pardon and many prayers and blessings. He was surrounded by the family who loved him dearly. Please pray for the repose of his soul."
As of publication time today, funeral arrangements were still pending. We will provide further details as they become available.
Until next week, thanks for reading!
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
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