e-newsletter companion of Eastern Oklahoma Catholic magazine
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.
EOC photos by Daniel McCay
Heavener Mission Hosts 11th Pilgrimage Mass
BY JEAN YAEGER
HEAVENER — Jubilee of Hope pilgrims visited the wooded hills of southeast Oklahoma on Saturday, praying for the Lord to bless missionaries with dedication, joyful service and fruitful witness.
Sacred Heart Mission in Heavener was the November stop in the 2025 pilgrimage, which brings Catholics together in rural and urban churches across the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma. November’s theme: Missionaries and those who have not yet encountered Jesus Christ. Bishop David Konderla celebrated the pilgrimage Mass in Spanish.
Valeria Sanchez, 17, plays the keyboard and directs the choir. Her 15-year-old sister Mia plays guitar. “I’m just glad I can sing. That’s a gift He’s given us to use,” Valeria said. “I’m hoping to inspire the young generation to show up for church and keep Catholicism going.”
About 70 families regularly attend Sacred Heart Mission, also known as Misión Sagrado Corazon. Volunteers directed traffic and greeted guests at the door. Rev. Leonardo Medina, pastor, said members of the mission were excited to share their community.
“Heavener is holy land because the presence of God is here,” he said.
Because it’s not a parish, Father Medina administers the mission from Hartshorne, where he also serves as pastor at Holy Rosary Church. Father Medina makes an hourlong commute to Heavener for Sunday Masses, weddings, funerals and quinceañeras. Sacred Heart was established by Glenmary Home Missioners, he said.
Bishop Konderla’s homily related All Saints Day to the virtue of hope. When we sin, he said, we should imitate the saints by repenting with confidence in God’s mercy. “Hope is taking steps. Repenting of our sins and starting again is a step."
After Mass, the street in front of Sacred Heart was closed for costumed dancers stepping to the beat of drums. Members of the mission passed out sack lunches of burritos to appreciative pilgrims.
The Jubilee Year of Hope pilgrimage continues Dec. 6 at St. John the Evangelist Church in McAlester. The theme will be prisoners and those being persecuted. Visit: https://www.dioceseoftulsa.org/jubilee-pilgrim-sites
EOC Photos by Chris Rush
An overflow crowd of parishioners and pilgrims gathered at Sacred Heart Mission in Heavener Saturday morning for the 11th monthly pilgrimage Mass during the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025.
St. Thomas More Hosts TPD's First Spanish Citizens Police Academy
TULSA — St. Thomas More Catholic Church and the Tulsa Police Department recently celebrated 36 Graduates of the First Spanish Citizens Police Academy in Tulsa.
Hosted by the predominantly Hispanic eastside parish, the academy lasted four weeks with a class held every Tuesday at the church. Topics ranged from department operations to procedures of everyday police work.
According to the TPD, the class was primarily geared toward Spanish-speaking citizens of Tulsa to build a connection with our community and educate them about the Tulsa Police Department. TPD Officer Ana Parga and Captain William White initiated the program in response to community requests to help strengthen relationships.
The class graduated 36 individuals who received a certificate, a photo with Tulsa Police Chief Larsen, and a special Chief's challenge coin. After graduation, both class attendants and Tulsa Police Officers shared a meal, and officers answered questions about police work.
Hosted by the predominantly Hispanic eastside parish, the academy lasted four weeks with a class held every Tuesday at the church. Topics ranged from department operations to procedures of everyday police work.
According to the TPD, the class was primarily geared toward Spanish-speaking citizens of Tulsa to build a connection with our community and educate them about the Tulsa Police Department. TPD Officer Ana Parga and Captain William White initiated the program in response to community requests to help strengthen relationships.
The class graduated 36 individuals who received a certificate, a photo with Tulsa Police Chief Larsen, and a special Chief's challenge coin. After graduation, both class attendants and Tulsa Police Officers shared a meal, and officers answered questions about police work.
St. Thomas More parish leaders say the program seeks to establish ties between police and Tulsa's Hispanic community, "intertwining values of trust and awareness among citizens on core values of legality and justice."
Photos courtesy of Tulsa Police Department
USCCB to Meet in Fall Plenary Assembly, Bishops to Vote for New President and VP
WASHINGTON — Bishop David Konderla will attend the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) when it gathers for the Fall Plenary Assembly, Nov. 10-13.
The plenary will begin with Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and president of the USCCB, delivering his final address to the bishops as USCCB president. He will complete his three-year term as Conference president at the conclusion of the plenary assembly. His address will be followed by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the papal nuncio to the United States.
Among one of the first items of business for the bishops during the plenary will be a vote for the new president and vice president of the Conference. The terms for the new USCCB president and vice president will take effect at the conclusion of this year’s plenary on Nov. 13. The president and vice president will be elected from a slate of 10 candidates who have been nominated by their fellow bishops. They are as follows (in alphabetical order):
Bishop Robert E. Barron, Diocese of Winona-Rochester
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
Bishop Daniel E. Flores, Diocese of Brownsville
Archbishop Richard G. Henning, Archdiocese of Boston
Bishop David J. Malloy, Diocese of Rockford
Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez, Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades, Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend
Archbishop Alexander K. Sample, Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon
Archbishop Charles C. Thompson, Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger, Archdiocese of Detroit
The bishops will also elect chairmen of six USCCB committees. The bishops elected as committee chairmen typically serve for one year as chairman-elect before beginning a three-year term at the conclusion of the 2026 Fall Plenary Assembly.
The plenary agenda is not final and is subject to change. Executive sessions will not be livestreamed but are expected to include fraternal dialogues and informational sessions on a variety of topics. While these discussions are private, topics will include the ongoing implementation of the synod and fraternal dialogues (an opportunity for the bishops to freely and candidly discuss important matters in a synodal manner) around best practices to continue the instruction of Laudato si’, and the apostolate of the laity.
The public session schedule includes:
Discussion and response to the evolving situation impacting migrants and refugees.
A vote to consecrate the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 12, 2026, as part of the celebration of the American Semi quincentennial.
An update from the Subcommittee on the Catechism on the Catechetical Accompaniment Process.
A vote on the USCCB’s 2026 budget.
A report from the National Eucharistic Revival initiative, followed by a vote to approve the Summer of 2029 for the next National Eucharistic Congress.
Discussion and vote on a revised text of the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services.
Discussion and votes on two action items pertaining to liturgical texts from the Committee on Divine Worship.
The bishops will also receive updates on The Catholic University of America, and The Pontifical Mission Societies USA. Underscoring the importance that the U.S. bishops place on understanding artificial intelligence, the ethical implications of AI, its growing impact on society, and the opportunities and challenges it presents to the life of the Church, a presentation will be held in public session.
The livestream of the public portions of the plenary on Nov. 11 and 12 will be available at: www.usccb.org/meetings.
Photo courtesy of USCCB
TU to Host Upcoming Lectures
TULSA — Two upcoming talks hosted by the University of Tulsa should hold interest for area Catholics.
The first is by well-known Catholic philosopher Dr. Alexander Pruss of Baylor University as part of the 4th Annual Faith, Science and Philosophy Lecture on Nov. 19. The second is by Dr. Raymond Hain of Providence College, who will be the second speaker in this year's Thomistic Institute Lecture Series on Dec. 4.
"Science has given us a vast amount of knowledge of the world around us," says Dr. Pruss in describing his presentation entitled the God and the Limits of Science. "Are there any limits to science, and if so, what kinds of questions and answers might lie beyond these limits? I will argue that there are limits, and the existence of limits is a part of the reason science is so successful. Moreover, thinking through some of the questions beyond the limits of science may point towards God."
Dr. Hain's Dec. 4, talk is titled, The Good Citizen: Lessons from Tocqueville on Democratic Citizenship in the 21st Century.
Dr. Alexander Pruss
6 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 19
4th Annual Faith, Science, and Philosophy Lecture
Sharp Chapel, University of Tulsa
Dr. Raymond Hain
6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 4
Thomistic Institute Lecture Series
Chapman Hall Lecture Hall, University of Tulsa
Annual Native American Mass to be Celebrated November 23 at Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine
OKLAHOMA CITY — Archbishop Paul Coakley will celebrate the annual Native American Mass at 3 p.m., Nov. 23, at the Bl. Stanley Rother Shrine. The Mass is sponsored by the American Indian Catholic Outreach office of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City.
Typically, Bishop David Konderla would join as a concelebrant but due to scheduling conflicts this year, he will be unable to attend. However, all from the Diocese of Tulsa & Eastern Oklahoma are invited to attend.
Deacon Roy Callison serves as coordinator of American Indian Catholic Outreach and Director of the St. Kateri Tekakwitha Spiritual Center of Oklahoma, as part of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. The AICO evangelizes and re-evangelizes the American Indian people through powwows and other functions. The AICO celebrates American Indian cultures and spiritual traditions within the context of the Catholic Church and seeks to promote ongoing growth and renewed conversion through catechesis and reconciliation.
For more information, click here.
From the Editor...
As the federal government shutdown continues into its second month, various social programs are running out of necessary funding to operate. As a result, many of the local poor who depend on food vouchers have begun to stock up in recent weeks in anticipation of their government benefits running dry. The impact has already been felt at local food banks including the Market at Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma.
Deacon Kevin Sartorius, CEO of CCEOK, took the extraordinary step last week to post an online appeal as shelves began to run bare at the food market.
"We've gone from seeing about 175 families a day to over 300," said Sartorius in a YouTube video posted early last week. "We're going to probably have to scale it back and close down at 200 families a day, but because of the challenges that we're having with SNAP in our state, we're seeing an unbelievable increase in food (demand). Last week, we gave out 43,000 pounds of food right here from this market. This week, we gave away 82,000 pounds of food. Our shelves are starting to go bare."
In a news report for the Tulsa World, Sartorius said, "...these are the Oklahomans who see the impending disaster, and they're moving to higher ground by coming to get food in advance." He anticipated that unless the federal government funding issue was resolved, the depth of the problem would fully hit home by mid-November.
We Catholics now have an opportunity to rise to the challenge and help those in need by donating directly to Catholic Charities at https://cceok.org/make-a-gift-nov-25 Donations of $250 help cover about one week of groceries for a family of four, but any contribution will make an immediate and direct impact.
As a reminder, Catholic Charities' operations are NOT funded by the Diocese of Tulsa & Eastern Oklahoma budget, but through individual and corporate directly to CCEOK.
While we're on the topic, Deacon Sartorius will appear tonight with former Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynam to discuss the issue of poverty and homelessness in Tulsa. Hosted by Holy Family Cathedral, the discussion will take place beginning at 7 p.m. upstairs at the downtown McNellie's Pub. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The discussion will be moderated by local Catholic filmmaker and HFC parishioner Manny Marquez with a Q&A to follow.
And, a final note, last week also saw the retirement of Catholic Charities' longtime CFO Joe O'Connor. Lisa Wheeler has been announced as the new CFO. Our best wishes go out to Joe.
Until next week, thanks for reading!
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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