e-newsletter companion of Eastern Oklahoma Catholic magazine
Masses at St. Gregory's Abbey and Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine Celebrate Sesquicentennial
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Benedictine monastery of St. Gregory's Abbey in Shawnee officially kicked off a year-long Sesquicentennial (150 years) Celebration with a Mass last Sunday at the Abbey and an even larger Mass last Monday afternoon at the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine in Oklahoma City.
The faithful gathered not only from around Oklahoma, but also from around the world at the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine Monday afternoon, Oct. 13, in honor of the 150th Anniversary of the Mission of the Catholic Church in Oklahoma. His Eminence Cardinal Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States celebrated Mass, along with Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, Bishop David Konderla and Abbot Lawrence Stasyszen, OSB, numerous bishops, abbots, priests, deacons and Religious were present for this historic occasion.
Archbishop Peter Wells, Apostolic Nuncio to Thailand and Cambodia and delegate to Laos, and a native Oklahoman, was also present for the occasion. Representatives of several Native American tribes offered general intercession prayers in their native languages: Osage, by Tammy Baldauff; Potawatomi by Robert Collins; Kiowa by Modina Waters; and Comanche by Dana Attocknie.
An intercession was offered in French by Br. Benoit Lanery, OSB, from Abbaye de la Pierre-qui Vire, Saint-Leger-Vauban France, the Motherhouse of St. Gregory's Abbey. Other intercessions were read in Vietnamese by Deacon Hans Nguyen, in Spanish by Eduardo Espinoza and in English by Sr. Julia Marie Roy, OSB, Prioress of St. Joseph Monastery-Tulsa and Sr. Barbara Joseph Foley, CST, Superior of the Carmelines of St. Therese-Oklahoma City.
Other attending bishops and abbots included Most Rev. Anthony B. Taylor, Bishop of Little Rock; Most Rev. Michael D. Pfeiffer, OMI, Bishop Emeritus of San Angelo; Most Rev. Michael F. Olson, Bishop of Fort Worth; Right Rev. Martin de Porres Bartel, OSB, Archabbot of Saint Vincent Archabbey, Latrobe, PA; Right Rev. Doug Mullin, OSB, Abbot of Saint. John's Abbey, Collegeville, MN; Right Rev. James Albers, OSB, Abbot of Saint Benedict's Abbey, Atchison, KS; Right Rev. Benedict Neenan, OSB, Abbot of Conception Abbey, Conception, MO; Right Rev. Placid Solari, OSB, Abbot of Mary Help of Christians Abbey, Belmont, NC; Right Rev. Felipe de Jesus Hernandez Antonio, OSB, Abbot of Tepeyac Abbey, Cuautitlan lzcalli, Mexico; Right Rev. Michael Calhoun, OSB, Abbot of Saint Bede's Abbey, Peru, IL; Right Rev. Augustine Curley, OSB, Abbot of Newark Abbey, Newark, NJ; Right Rev. Philip Anderson, OSB, Abbot of Our Lady of the Anunciation of Clear Creek, Hulbert, OK; and Right Rev. Jonathan Licari, OSB, Abbot President of American Cassinese Congregation.
On Sunday, Oct. 12, the Abbey in Shawnee also celebrated Mass and held Vespers. Right Rev. Jonathan Licari, OSB, Abbot and President of the American Cassinese Congregation, presided. Several additional abbots, priests, religious brothers and sisters from the U.S., France, Mexico, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri and Kansas, as well as deacons, oblates and many alumni and friends were also in attendance.
From left, Most Rev. Paul Coakley, Archbishop of Oklahoma City; Right Rev. Lawrence Stasyszen, OSB, Abbot of St. Gregory's Abbey in Shawnee; His Eminence Cardinal Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States; and Most Rev. David Konderla, Bishop of Tulsa & Eastern Oklahoma, are pictured at the Oct. 13 Mass held at the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine in Oklahoma City.
Photos by Theresa Bragg, St. Gregory’s Abbey
Pilgrims From Diocese Currently Touring Rome and Italy's Awe-Inspiring Sites
ROME — Tulsans participating in the official Jubilee Year of Hope Pilgrimage to Rome from the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma were treated to a pleasant surprise from none other than Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican last week.
"During a Papal Audience, the Holy Father spotted our group waving a Tulsa banner and joyfully called out, “Tulsa!" says Fr. Gary Kastl, Vicar General of the Diocese and one of the tour leaders.
The pontiff previously served on the board of Tulsa's Cascia Hall Preparatory School in his leadership role with the Augustinians years ago. Sarah Swart, Communications Coordinator with St. Anne Catholic Church in Broken Arrow, captured the unique moment in photographs.
"It was a very beautiful moment when the Pope saw the Gerlachs holding our Diocese of Tulsa sign," says Swart. "We were almost close enough to touch our Holy Father."
Mark and Silvia Gerlach can be seen holding the sign in the photos below.
The diocesan pilgrims are being led by Dr. Karlo Broussard and Fr. Kastl on a tour of the Eternal City for a journey of faith, fellowship, and Eucharistic wonder. The Pilgrimage began Oct. 13 and will continue through Oct. 24, before the group returns to the U.S.
The pilgrimage also provided the opportunity for a joyful reunion in Rome as Fr. Kastl was able to meet up with Fr. Robert Williams who is completing his final year of seminary studies, and Fr. Michael Pratt, Vice Rector of Pontifical North American College. Fr. Pratt previously served as Vocations Director of the Diocese of Tulsa.
The diocesan pilgrims are being led by Dr. Karlo Broussard and Fr. Kastl on a tour of the Eternal City for a journey of faith, fellowship, and Eucharistic wonder. The Pilgrimage began Oct. 13 and will continue through Oct. 24, before the group returns to the U.S.
The pilgrimage also provided the opportunity for a joyful reunion in Rome as Fr. Kastl was able to meet up with Fr. Robert Williams who is completing his final year of seminary studies, and Fr. Michael Pratt, Vice Rector of Pontifical North American College. Fr. Pratt previously served as Vocations Director of the Diocese of Tulsa.
The pilgrimage, called Shrines & Eucharistic Miracles of Italy, is an "extraordinary opportunity to explore some of Europe's most magnificent churches and basilicas," according to organizers. During the pilgrimage, attendees are visiting some of Italy's most awe-inspiring sites of Eucharistic Miracles, such as Lanciano, Orvieto, and Assisi.
"It’s going to be a beautiful experience of fun, fellowship, and faith formation," said Dr. Broussard prior to the trip. Broussard serves as staff apologist for the Diocese of Tulsa and is a published author and podcast host for Catholic Answers.
"It’s going to be a beautiful experience of fun, fellowship, and faith formation," said Dr. Broussard prior to the trip. Broussard serves as staff apologist for the Diocese of Tulsa and is a published author and podcast host for Catholic Answers.
From left, Fr. Gary Kastl, Fr. Robert Williams, and Fr. Michael Pratt, are pictured in Rome.
Photos special to the EOC by Sarah Swart
At left, Mark and Sylvia Gerlach, of St. Anne Catholic Church in Broken Arrow, hold up a "Diocese of Tulsa" sign as Pope Leo XIV passes by in St. Peter's Square. Upon seeing the sign, the pontiff reportedly called out, "Tulsa!" to the joyful group of pilgrims. "We were almost close enough to touch our Holy Father," says Sarah Swart, communications coordinator of St. Anne, in describing the memorable event.
Bishop to Bless New Crosses Being Raised atop Holy Family Cathedral Spires
TULSA — Bishop David Konderla will bless a pair of copper crosses to be raised atop the front two spires of Holy Family Cathedral next week.
The installation of copper panels on the two Boulder Avenue (front) spires is nearing completion, and the Cathedral will commemorate this significant milestone with a Blessing of the Crosses ceremony at 10 a.m., Monday, Oct. 27 in the Boulder parking lot, across from the Cathedral.
"It would be fitting to bless the crosses before they are installed," says Monica Conro operations manager for HFC. "This is truly a historic moment for the Cathedral. The original crosses were in place from 1914 to 2025. Hopefully, these new crosses will also grace the spires for 100 years!"
Leadership teams from the roofing contractor Executive Exteriors, Cooper Project Associates, Cathedral clergy, parish and school staff will all be participating in this event.
Leadership teams from the roofing contractor Executive Exteriors, Cooper Project Associates, Cathedral clergy, parish and school staff will all be participating in this event.
"We will be blocking off the section of parking closest to the chain link fence," said Conro. "The Cathedral will be in view in the background for the event from this area."
Holy Family Cathedral’s three towers are an iconic part of the Tulsa skyline. From now until December 2025, workers are installing a new copper roof. Scaffolding currently encompasses the church from the lower parts of the roof to the tops of the crosses. The Father’s Day storm of 2023 dealt significant damage to the three spires and the lower roof.
After completing the front two spires, the roofing contractor will soon begin work on the 251-foot-tall main spire of the cathedral. All work is expected to be completed by Christmas.
Blessing of the Crosses
Monday, Oct. 27
Event Agenda:
9 - 9:45 a.m. - Arrival and set up
10 - 11 a.m. - Blessing of the Crosses
Photo Oportunities:
individual or team pictures
school students
Refreshments to follow.
In this drone image captured by EOC Photographer Daniel McCay, the front spires of Holy Family Cathedral are viewed from high above Boulder Avenue in downtown Tulsa.
Meet the Diocese of Tulsa & Eastern Oklahoma's Parish Support Team
Photo of the Diocese of Tulsa's Parish Support Team from left to right are: Fr. Gary Kastl, Molly Allee, Ellie Franks, Sarah Jameson, Sarah Seck, Caitlyn Gonya, Megan Allen, along with facilitator Jim Jansen. Not pictured are Dr. Karlo Broussard and Dcn. Andrew Thomas.
Support Team Ready to Assist Parishes, Families, Ministries
BROKEN ARROW — The Parish Support Team of the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma recently met with with Coach/Facilitator Jim Jansen, from the Archdiocese of Omaha, during a planning session at
the Parish of Christ the King's Rother House.
The Parish Support team assists parishes, families, and ministries across the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma in handing on and cultivating the Catholic faith among children, youth, and adults. In addition to serving catechesis at every level, the team includes coaching specialists in Apologetics, the Sacraments (Restored Order), Marriage and Family Life - including pro-life ministries - Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry.
The Parish Support team assists parishes, families, and ministries across the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma in handing on and cultivating the Catholic faith among children, youth, and adults. In addition to serving catechesis at every level, the team includes coaching specialists in Apologetics, the Sacraments (Restored Order), Marriage and Family Life - including pro-life ministries - Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry.
Working in collaboration with adult faith formation programs and the Catholic Schools Office, Parish Support provides resources, guidelines in harmony with Church teaching, and ongoing formation for catechists - helping us grow together in the shared mission of serving God and His people.
"When we consider the importance and the nature of religious formation, we can see our need for collaboration and the exciting prospect of serving God together," says Director of the Parish Support Team and Coach Sarah Jameson.
"When we consider the importance and the nature of religious formation, we can see our need for collaboration and the exciting prospect of serving God together," says Director of the Parish Support Team and Coach Sarah Jameson.
To learn more, click here.
Molly Allee, Coach, Youth, Young Adult & Campus Ministries Specialist
Megan Allen, Coach, Marriage, Family Life, & Natural Family Planning Specialist
Dr. Karlo Broussard, Catholic Answers Partner, Staff Apologist
Caitlyn Gonya, Coach, Strategic Planning & Team Building Specialist
Sarah Jameson, Director of the Parish Support Team & Coach
Sarah Seck, Coach, Family Catechesis Specialist
Dcn. Andrew Thomas, Coach, Sacramental Preparation Specialist
Ellie Franks, Office Administrator
Sign up for Parish Support/Faith Formation Newsletter:
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EOC Photos by Daniel McCay
Priests, Deacons of Diocese Participate in Annual Retreats at Subiaco Abbey
SUBIACO, ARK. — Several priests of the Diocese of Tulsa & Eastern Oklahoma joined Bishop David Konderla on retreat last week at Subiaco Abbey in Arkansas.
The 21 attending priests from the diocese were led by Bishop Anthony Taylor of the Diocese of Little Rock. The days include presentations from Bishop Taylor, time for prayer and reflection, fellowship, and shared meals — a sacred time for renewal and deepening fraternity among our priests.
The 21 attending priests from the diocese were led by Bishop Anthony Taylor of the Diocese of Little Rock. The days include presentations from Bishop Taylor, time for prayer and reflection, fellowship, and shared meals — a sacred time for renewal and deepening fraternity among our priests.
Additionally, deacons and their wives from the diocese also attended their annual Deacon Retreat Subiaco last week. The retreat master, Deacon Dr. Bob Rice, Associate Professor of Catechetics at Franciscan University of Steubenville, led the retreatants as they explored the relationship between the Sacrament of Matrimony and of Holy Orders.
Subiaco Abbey is a Benedictine Abbey of 33 monks living in Subiaco, Ark. Their ministry of hospitality includes opportunities for group and personal retreats.
Monsignor Gregory Gier Interviewed for Voices of Oklahoma
TULSA — Rector Emeritus of Holy Family Cathedral, Monsignor Gregory Gier is featured in an oral history project, "Voices of Oklahoma" by the Oklahoma Historical Society.
In this interview hosted by well-known former Tulsa radio personality John Erling, Msgr. Gier discusses his favorite people of the Bible, the challenges facing the Church, and Pope Leo XIV.
Monsignor Greg Gier was 17 years old and enjoying his high school days when the thought came to him, “There must be more to life than this, there must be, and that’s when I decided to see if, in fact, I was being called to be a priest.”
He was ordained on May 27, 1967, and was the pastor at Christ the King Church in Tulsa for 13 years. He also served churches in Oklahoma City, Bartlesville, Dewey, Muskogee, and Ponca City.
He led or taught at Bishop Kelly and Bishop McGuiness High Schools, Marquette, and the Holy Family Cathedral School.
Monsignor Gier was rector for 17 years for Holy Family Cathedral in Tulsa. He also served on the board of directors for Catholic Charities of Tulsa and was vocational director for the Diocese of Tulsa. The 50th anniversary of Monsignor Gier’s ordination was observed in 2017.
Monsignor Gregory Gier: Rector Emeritus - Holy Family Cathedral" Voices of Oklahoma, October 1, 2025.
The complete audio interview can be accessed here:
https://www.voicesofoklahoma.com/interviews/gier-gregory/
Date Created: July 30, 2025
Date Published: October 1, 2025
Notes: Recorded by John Erling in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Digital Audio Sound Recording, Non-Music.
Honest Media
Mel Myers — Audio Editor melmyershonestmedia@cox.net
TurtlePie Solutions Website Team turtlepiesolutions.com
From the Editor...
Just a short note today as I took some days off last week to attend to some personal business of moving our last remaining belongings from Amarillo, Texas to Tulsa. But I'm back in the saddle and not a moment too soon.
There are some major milestone events coming up this week as St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bristow celebrates its 100th anniversary on Saturday, Oct 25, with Mass celebrated by Bishop David Konderla at 10 a.m. After Mass, you're invited to stay for lunch and a program highlighting the history of the parish.
On Monday, Bishop Konderla will bless the crosses going atop Holy Family Cathedral's newly copper-clad front spires. See our story above for details.
Meanwhile, members of our Development Office and Communications staff are also deep into the planning and execution stages for the annual Faith & Works Appeal coming out in our January/February issue of Eastern Oklahoma Catholic magazine. Our December issue is already in the design and layout stages at our printing partner FAITH Catholic.
Until next week, thanks for reading!
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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