Annual Crosier Society Dinner Honors Giving; Previews 2026 Faith & Works Appeal
TULSA — Attendees of the annual Crosier Society Dinner, held Tuesday evening at Holy Family Cathedral, heard about the change of focus happening at the Chancery as leaders restructure the former Office of Evangelization as the
Parish Support Team.
"The goal isn't to pull things back here into Tulsa and focus here. It's to send support outward, to walk alongside pastors and parish leaders across Eastern Oklahoma, to give them the tools, the training, and the encouragement they need to make their parishes the true centers of evangelization," said Isaac Owen, Director of Development for the Diocese of Tulsa & Eastern Oklahoma and emcee for the event. "In other words, we're building a chancery that serves the parishes and not the other way around."
Bishop David Konderla emphasized the growing culture of invitation that he sees all around the diocese as he travels from one parish to another. The bishop noted recently seeing a banner posted outside Immaculate Conception Parish in Pawhuska inviting the community to learn more about the Church through its OCIA program.
"Here in eastern Oklahoma, we're 7 or 8 percent of the population, so we have work to do," said Bishop Konderla. "That's what we're striving for, and that's what you're helping us to be able to afford to do. So, thank you all so much."
Within urban Tulsa, the bishop also noted that St. Thomas More parish has recently added yet another Sunday Mass to accommodate the explosive growth at the predominantly Hispanic eastside parish.
"We see that kind of vibrancy even here locally," said Bishop Konderla. "So thanks so much for all that you do, and for coming out this evening, and for continuing to support the work of the Church."
Following Mass, a social time and dinner, Crosier Society members viewed a short film providing a glimpse of what the new organizational restructuring looks like when put into practice at the parish level. Attendees also heard from members of the Parish Support Team, Sarah Seck and Caitlyn Gonya; Fr. Mike Knipe, Judicial Vicar of the diocesan Tribunal; and CFO Ryan McDaniel.
Members of the Crosier Society take a leadership role in advancing the mission of the Diocese by supporting its many shared ministries. Members give $1,000 or more annually to the
Faith & Works Annual Appeal. For more about the Crosier Society, click
here. The Diocese will officially launch its 2026 Faith & Works appeal with release of the January/February
Eastern Oklahoma Catholic magazine.