e-newsletter companion of Eastern Oklahoma Catholic magazine
On Solemnity of Christ the King, Bishop Celebrates Mass in Southeast Oklahoma
BOSWELL — Bishop David Konderla participated in a tripleheader of sorts this weekend as he celebrated not one, not two, but three separate Masses at parishes in Hugo, Antlers and Boswell on Sunday.
The parish cluster, located in Choctaw and Pushmataha counties within the Southern Vicariate of the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma, is currently administered by Fr. Stephen Austin who recently stepped out of retirement to accept the temporary assignment until a permanent pastor is named next year. In the meantime, the Sacramental life of the parishes continues as the bishop confirmed two young men into full communion with the Church in Boswell.
The date coincided with The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. The Solemnity marks the final Sunday of the liturgical year. Advent season begins this Sunday, Nov 30. During his homilies, Bishop Konderla spoke of Jesus as the true King because He is the author of all creation and has all authority.
"We celebrate this day in a special way, as the last Sunday of ordinary time, but also so that we can meditate and think about what it means to say that Jesus is our King," said Bishop Konderla. "Jesus doesn't receive authority from anywhere. Jesus is the author. Through him, all things were made, visible and invisible. We say that in the creed every Sunday."
Immaculate Conception — located in Hugo (nicknamed "Circus City USA") — is the largest of the three parishes. Its building is noted for being the 10,000th church funded and built by the Catholic Extension Society while former Bishop Edward Slattery served as its president. Parishioners at St. Agnes in Antlers worship in the oldest building dating back to 1947 and remodeled in 2005. The parish of St. Jude in Boswell is by far the smallest, having been established in the late 1970s by a handful of local families.
At each of the three parishes, Bishop Konderla was warmly greeted, and a few parishioners arrived for Sunday Mass in Antlers (known as the "Deer Capital of the World") dressed in camouflage after having been out deer hunting earlier that morning.
Confirmandi and their families are pictured with Bishop David Konderla at St. Jude in Boswell.
Bishop Konderla and Father Stephen Austin greet parishioners following Mass at St. Agnes in Antlers.
Bishop David Konderla presents his homily during Mass at Immaculate Conception in Hugo.
BKHS Students View Historic Live Address from Pope Leo XIV
TULSA — Bishop Kelley High School students cut class last Friday, but with good reason. They watched an historic live broadcast featuring Pope Leo XIV speaking directly to young Catholics across the United States.
The live digital dialogue began at 9:15 a.m. CT and was streamed on campus in BKHS's Jarboe Hall. The unprecedented 45-minute encounter — held during the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) in Indianapolis — marked the first time in history that a pope has engaged in a live, real-time digital conversation with American teenagers.
A select group of high school students nationwide helped plan the dialogue, and five teens were selected to pose questions to the Holy Father during the broadcast.
"I think it's important to repeat that young people are part of the church's present and also the hope for the future of the church," Pope Leo said in response to a question. "We look to you, I look to you, not to someone else, to help shape the church in the years ahead. And that is something to be excited about."
The event was hosted by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry and was streamed live on EWTN.
Photos courtesy of Russ Hembrey/BKHS
Image courtesy of EWTN
A recording of the historic live broadcast featuring Pope Leo XIV speaking directly to young Catholics across the United States is available via EWTN by clicking here.
Muskogee Parish Plans Repairs, Remodel After Spring Fire Damaged Church
MUSKOGEE — Pastor John O'Neill, with assistance from the Diocese of Tulsa, has released a short video, Walking Toward Hope with Fr. John O'Neill, describing destruction and planned repairs at St. Joseph Catholic Church after the building was heavily damaged by a fire just days before Ash Wednesday this year.
"This video was produced so that our community may see the damage from the fire back in March 2025, and so that we can all see and hear about some of the changes that will occur as we rebuild," says Fr. O'Neill in a statement accompanying release of the video.
"This video was produced so that our community may see the damage from the fire back in March 2025, and so that we can all see and hear about some of the changes that will occur as we rebuild," says Fr. O'Neill in a statement accompanying release of the video.
Father O'Neill became pastor of the Muskogee parish last summer. He previously served for several years in Bartlesville.
He acknowledged that it may be tough for parishioners to see their church in its current disarray but said they should watch the film with a sense of gratitude as no one was injured and the damage did not result in total destruction.
He acknowledged that it may be tough for parishioners to see their church in its current disarray but said they should watch the film with a sense of gratitude as no one was injured and the damage did not result in total destruction.
"I can't wait until we move in," says Father O'Niell. "But one of the realities is we're going to do this right. We're not going to do this halfway."
Masses have been held next door at the Parish Hall ever since the blaze occurred. Watch for future updates as the restoration process progresses.
In a short film produced with assistance from the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma, Father John O'Neill describes damage done by fire and smoke to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Muskogee and proposed changes during rebuild. The video, Walking Toward Hope with Fr. John O'Neill, can be viewed on YouTube.
Parish Holds Neighborhood Procession
TULSA — Midtown Tulsa was alive with praise, drumming and dancing Sunday morning as parishioners from Church of the Madalene joined in a neighborhood procession following 10 a.m. Mass.
Photos courtesy of Lori Scholl
Our Lady of the Lake Celebrates Parishioner's 100th Birthday
BY JEAN YAEGER
MANNFORD – Preston Wheaton celebrated his 100th birthday on Nov. 16 surrounded by family, friends and fellow parishioners at Our Lady of the Lake Church.
During the festivities, pastor Fr. Leo Ahanotu presented a framed Apostolic Blessing from Pope Leo XIV and a message of congratulations from Bishop David Konderla, who celebrated Mass at Our Lady of the Lake earlier that day. Mr. Wheaton also received honorary proclamations from the State of Oklahoma and City of Mannford as well as a Golden Okie button.
Fr. Leo thanked Mr. Wheaton for his example of strong faith, self-discipline, simplicity and love for the Eucharist. Well-wishers paid tribute to his legacy as a World War II veteran, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, musician and member of the Knights of Columbus. At 100 years young, he continues to enjoy water aerobics.
“He’s loved by everyone here.” Father Leo said.
Mr. Wheaton joined the Catholic Church while serving in the U.S. Navy. His favorite prayer is the Hail Mary. His advice? Keep studying. And be grateful to God for the blessing of life.
The Church is “the only place I can go to get answers,” he said. “You get a feeling that everything is going to be all right.”
Happy birthday, Mr. Wheaton!
Mr. Preston Wheaton is pictured with Father Fr. Leo Ahanotu, pastor of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Mannford, with an apostolic blessing from Pope Leo XIV (below). Mr. Wheaton also received a framed congratulations document from Bishop David Konderla in celebration of his 100th birthday.
Longtime Tulsa Educator, Sister Eileen Ward, Dies at 97
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Sister Eileen Ward, a beloved former Tulsa Catholic schools educator, died peacefully on Nov. 16, 2025, at the Convent of the Holy Spirit and Mary Immaculate in San Antonio. She was 97.
Born in Menlough, County Galway, Ireland on May 26, 1928, Eileen was the daughter of Martin and Ellen Ward. She was preceded in death by her eight siblings. Sister Eileen entered the Sisters of the Holy Spirit and Mary Immaculate in 1945 and spent more than 20 years teaching in the congregation’s schools in Texas and Louisiana.
In 1967, Sister Eileen joined three other sisters to form the Sisters of St. Joseph in Tulsa. She taught at Holy Family Cathedral School and St. Patrick’s School, and then for 37 years at the School of St. Mary.
After her retirement, Sister Eileen returned to San Antonio and lived with her original congregation until her death. Funeral services were held Friday in San Antonio. Her full obituary can be found here.
Sister Eileen Ward
May 26, 1928 - Nov. 16, 2025
From the Editor...
This past weekend, I had the unique opportunity to follow Bishop David Konderla down to southeast Oklahoma where he celebrated Sunday Mass at parishes in Hugo, Antlers and Boswell. Although the three rural parishes are located 20-30 miles from one another, each has its own distinctive history and community that came shining through during the bishop's visit.
I am grateful for the warmth and hospitality shown by Father Stephen Austin and parishioners. I felt privileged to worship with them and get acquainted with a few people at receptions following each Mass. As a convert, one of the things that I cherish and still marvel at is the universality of our Catholic faith. We can travel almost anywhere and find a local Catholic Church where our faith is shared and practiced in a beautiful common liturgy. Personally, I don't ever want to take this for granted.
Can you believe Ordinary Time in the 2025 Liturgical Year is ending? Advent begins next Sunday! With Thanksgiving this week, and Christmas lights already adorning many homes and businesses, it is a sure sign that we have entered the holiday season. I hope all of you and your families have a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday.
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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