e-newsletter companion of Eastern Oklahoma Catholic magazine
St. Carlo Acutis Classical Academy Preparing for Classes to Begin in Fall of 2026
OKLAHOMA CITY — Saint Carlo Acuta's Classical Academy is set to launch its online and in-person educational programs for students from kindergarten through grade 8 in the 2026-2027 school year, with grade 9 starting in 2027.
"The focus of all school curriculum will be the nurturing of the Christian development of each student by providing guidelines for academic excellence in the context of our Catholic faith through the Catholic intellectual tradition," says Misty G. Smith, M.Ed.
Head of School. "Engaging in authentic academic instruction will be led by dedicated educators who are committed to nurturing your child's academic and spiritual growth."
The academy will focus on the Catholic intellectual tradition, emphasizing truth, goodness, and beauty, and aims to nurture students' Christian development and academic excellence. The school operates under the guidance of Archbishop Paul Coakley and Bishop David Konderla, serving both the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa.
Named after Saint Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint canonized on September 7, 2025, the academy draws inspiration from his life, characterized by devotion to the Eucharist and the use of technology to spread faith. The academy will offer a blend of synchronous and asynchronous learning, with geographic hubs in Oklahoma parishes for hands-on activities and community building. These hubs are designed to foster fellowship and virtue among students.
Saint Carlo Acuta's life and mission, encapsulated in his statement, "to be with God, that is my life project," underscore the academy's commitment to guiding students towards unity with Jesus Christ. The school invites families to join this innovative educational journey.
Named after Saint Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint canonized on September 7, 2025, the academy draws inspiration from his life, characterized by devotion to the Eucharist and the use of technology to spread faith. The academy will offer a blend of synchronous and asynchronous learning, with geographic hubs in Oklahoma parishes for hands-on activities and community building. These hubs are designed to foster fellowship and virtue among students.
Saint Carlo Acuta's life and mission, encapsulated in his statement, "to be with God, that is my life project," underscore the academy's commitment to guiding students towards unity with Jesus Christ. The school invites families to join this innovative educational journey.
Classes are scheduled to start on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. For more information, click here.
FAST FACTS:
• The mission of St. Carlo Acutis Classical Academy is to educate the entire child: soul, heart, intellect, and body through a curriculum that will reach students at an individual level, with an interactive learning environment that is rooted in virtue, rigor, innovation, and integrity to empower and prepare students for a world of opportunity and a lifetime of learning.
• Saint Carlo Acuta's Classical Academy will open for grades K-8 in 2026 and grade 9 in 2027.
• The curriculum focuses on the Catholic intellectual tradition, emphasizing truth, goodness, and beauty.
• The academy serves the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa.
• Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City and Bishop David Konderla of the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma fully support the academy's mission.
• The academy combines online learning with in-person hubs for hands-on activities.
To view an informational video about St. Carlo Acutis Classical Academy, click here.
Catholic Charities CEO, Former Tulsa Mayor Talk Poverty, Homelessness
TULSA — Holy Family Cathedral hosted its monthly Monday at McNellie's event last week featuring former Tulsa Mayor GT Bynam and Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma CEO Deacon Kevin Sartorius to discuss the issues of poverty, homelessness and immigration. The discussion was moderated by Manny Marquez, a local documentary film maker and parishioner of HFC.
A crowd of approximately 100 gathered in the upper room at the spacious downtown pub to learn more about the important societal issues facing Tulsa and the nation from a Catholic perspective. Dcn. Sartorius emphasizes the concept of inherent dignity, a quality that is not earned but is intrinsic to every individual, bestowed by God. According to Sartorius, this dignity calls for societal recognition and decision-making that prioritizes the common good over individual convenience.
"If you want to have a tightly woven thread, a community that builds a fabric, you have to have give and take on these things," said Dcn. Sartorius. "And when there's give and take, there really has to be a preferential option for those who are poor, for the most vulnerable, because they don't have the same starting place."
Mr. Bynum discussed how his Catholic upbringing impacted his term as mayor and pointed to the housing crunch in Tulsa that has contributed to higher rents and fewer affordable housing options for those who struggle financially. Other factors impacting homelessness include mental health, substance abuse, and Tulsa being one of the last remaining cities of its size without a "low barrier" homeless shelter.
"Mayor Nichols and the city council, even this week, are going to be discussing what the role of the city is," said Bynum. "And will there be a fundamental shift in the city from being largely a public safety infrastructure economic development organization into more of a social services organization?"
Mr. Bynum commended the many nonprofit and charitable organizations like CCEOK for their work with the impoverished and homeless and called for continued cooperation and partnership between government and the private sector to help solve the problems facing Tulsa. Deacon Sartorius agreed.
"I think that the Church needs to cooperate with the state," said Sartorius. "We have different roles. We're distinct. We are going to love people for the sake of loving Christ. That's our charity. The government may have to come at it from a little different vantage point in the United States of America, but they can still be guided by Christian principles."
EOC photo by Daniel McCay
From left, discussion moderator Manny Marquez, former Tulsa Mayor GT Bynam, and Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma CEO Deacon Kevin Sartorius.
Reservations Being Accepted for Annual Radio Fundraiser
BROKEN ARROW —Eastern Oklahoma's St. Michael Catholic Radio will host its annual fundraising dinner, Theology at the Tower, at 6 p.m., Friday, Dec. 5, at Northeastern State University's Broken Arrow Campus. According to organizers, this year's event will feature the Catholic Answers crew.
"Each year we sell out, so make sure to get your reservations quickly," urges Adam Minihan, cofounder and vice president of the station. "Enjoy great food, fellowship, and faith while supporting St. Michael Catholic Radio!"
Individual tickets or table reservations for eight are now being accepted by clicking here. All proceeds benefit the 501(c)3 non-profit radio station, Tulsa’s first local Catholic radio station, delivering high-quality Catholic programming.
Dress is business casual. Doors open at 6 p.m. and. dinner will be served at 7 p.m. Single reservation tickets are $75, and table of eight sponsorship levels range from $750 to $5,000.
For more information, click here.
6 p.m. Friday, December 5, 2025
Northeastern State University, Broken Arrow Campus
3100 E. New Orleans St.
Broken Arrow, OK 74014
Bishop's Fund Supports Urgent Tuition Needs in Local Catholic Schools
BROKEN ARROW — Imagine the student who once struggled — now thriving because someone believed in them. That’s the power of a gift to GO for Catholic Schools.
The Bishop’s Fund, established by Bishop David Konderla, supports students across Catholic schools who face urgent tuition needs or special education challenges. Through GO for Catholic Schools, individuals and businesses can help ensure every child who desires a Catholic education has the opportunity to receive one.
“Through the Bishop’s Fund, we can make Catholic education accessible to every family who seeks it.”
— Bishop David A. Konderla
Gifts to the Bishop’s Fund supports students who need it most — those whose families are facing financial challenges or who require specialized educational support.
Since 2012, more than 10,144 students have been able to attend Catholic schools — children who might otherwise have been left behind. When you contribute through GO, you help write the next chapter of those stories and earn up to a 75% Oklahoma state income tax credit.
Cathedral to Host Masses for Child Loss, Suicide Victims
TULSA — Holy Family Cathedral will host a pair of Masses this month for the dead, but each will have a very specific intention.
Bishop David Konderla will celebrate a Requiem Mass for Child Loss Remembrance at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 18, for families or individuals grieving the loss of little ones who have been lost due to miscarriage, stillbirth, sudden infant death, abortion, or other causes of death of a child. There will be a reception following.
The following week, on Tuesday, Nov. 25, Bishop Konderla will celebrate a Requiem Mass for Suicide Victims at 6:30 p.m. at the Cathedral.
The following week, on Tuesday, Nov. 25, Bishop Konderla will celebrate a Requiem Mass for Suicide Victims at 6:30 p.m. at the Cathedral.
Saint of the Month:
St. Gertrude the Great
Benedictine Nun & Mystic
BY CANDACE BRYANT-LESTER
FAITH Catholic
If you have ever prayed for the souls in purgatory, you very well may have said St. Gertrude’s Prayer for them. Gertrude was a German Benedictine nun, theologian and mystic, and is the only Catholic female saint to be known under the title, “The Great.” In 2010, Pope Benedict XVI said this of Gertrude: “She is one of the most famous mystics, the only German woman to be called ‘Great,’ because of her cultural and evangelical stature: her life and her thought had a unique impact on Christian spirituality.”
Little is known about the early life of this remarkable woman. She joined a monastic community at the age of 10 after presumably being orphaned at a young age. There she received education and religious formation. Beginning at the age of 24, Gertrude experienced visions that continued throughout her life, shifting her priorities from this world to God as she devoted herself to studying Scripture and theology and cultivating a strong prayer life. She was particularly devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and became one of the most important mystics of the 13th century. She also held great sympathy for the souls in purgatory. In a vision, Christ gave St. Gertrude a prayer for the poor souls in purgatory, which she prayed often.
Although St. Gertrude wrote extensively, only a few of her writings survive today, including The Herald of Divine Love, Gertrudian Prayers and her collection of Spiritual Exercises. She is the patron saint of numerous parishes and schools, and is the inspiration behind the Benedictine Monastery of St. Gertrude in Idaho.
1256-1302 | Feast: Nov. 16
Prayer of St. Gertrude
Eternal Father, I offer you the Most Precious Blood of Your Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal Church, those in my community, my home and within my family. Amen.
From the Editor...
It was a jam-packed weekend of Catholic events as St. Benedict in Broken Arrow wrapped up its Mini Eucharistic Revival, the University of Tulsa's St. Philip Neri Parish put on its annual Enlighten banquet, and Marquette, All Saints, and Holy Family Classical schools each hosted their own fundraising dinners on either Friday or Saturday evening. Those are just the few events I can recall off the top of my head. I'm sure there were others at parishes across the diocese.
Many of these events are part of what we used to refer to in the newspaper business as "banquet season" — that period of time in the Fall before the major holidays when schools, nonprofits and charitable organizations seek to showcase their activities and capture end-of-year contributions. These entities often rely on such events to balance their budgets and continue to do their good work. As for donors, we get the opportunity to hear about that good work and contribute to it financially while maybe even getting a break from the tax man.
Right now, there are numerous excellent works and causes within the Catholic realm in which to contribute both our time and treasure. Some of those are mentioned above in this very newsletter.
And speaking of TU's St. Philip Neri Parish, it is worth noting that it was originally established in 1946 as a Newman Center to serve Roman Catholic students at the university. It's former namesake, St. John Henry Newman, was just proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Leo XIV on All Saints Day.
His story is truly remarkable. A convert from the Anglican Communion, Newman's conversion cost him nearly everything — job, friends and family members, his standing and influence, and more. But he gained the one true faith. An excellent article on the topic can be found here at Catholic Answers.
Finally, as we prepare to observe Veterans Day tomorrow, here is a prayer issued by the USCCB for the day:
Lord God, Almighty Father,
creator of mankind and author of peace,
as we are ever mindful of the cost paid for the liberty we possess,
we ask you to bless the members of our armed forces.
Give them courage, hope and strength.
May they ever experience your firm support, gentle love and compassionate healing.
Be their power and protector, leading them from darkness to light.
To you be all glory, honor and praise, now and forever. Amen.
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
This weekly e-newsletter is sponsored in part through the generous financial support of
