e-newsletter companion of Eastern Oklahoma Catholic magazine
USCCB Reflects on Martin Luther King Day
WASHINGTON, D.C. – “Dr. King encouraged people to be leaders in the priorities that Christ gave us in the Gospel,” said Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in a reflection commemorating the late civil rights leader’s life and legacy.
Archbishop Coakley focused his reflection for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on a portion of Dr. King’s sermon, Drum Major Instinct.
“Let us take a moment to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose prophetic voice was a ‘drum major for justice.’ His inspiring words continue to speak to our hearts today:
‘Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter.’
“What does it mean to be ‘a drum major’ in our own communities? Dr. King’s sermon encouraged people to be leaders in the priorities that Christ gave us: to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the sick, and visit those in prison.
“Through the social service and charitable ministries of the Catholic Church, we strive to embody the Gospel mandate at the local and community levels. But just as important is the challenge to help the faithful to authentically live out this call. Our special message on immigration and our commitment to continue addressing the sin of racism are two recent examples that serve as efforts to be drum majors of love in our communities.
“In our pastoral letter against racism, we bishops affirm Dr. King’s leadership in bringing together people of faith in the work of racial justice, noting ‘that spirit is integral to the fight today.’ As we remember Dr. King and commemorate his legacy, let us continue this work as drum majors and engage in actions of compassion and mercy.
“I encourage you to take time to reflect on how the Holy Spirit may be inviting you to join with others in addressing challenges within our families, neighborhoods, or communities. May we lead the way in building a society rooted in justice, peace, righteousness, and the dignity of every human person.”
Credit: Library of Congress/ Public Domain
Tulsa Pastor Voyages to 'The End of the World'
ANTARCTICA — Father Stuart Crevcoure, pastor of the Church of St. Mary in Tulsa, was joined by fellow priests, Father Fr. Kevin Poecking of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Pa. — a friend from Seminary — and his brother, Father David Poecking, also of Pittsburgh, vacationing at the bottom of the world.
Father Crevcoure started off his trip to the Antarctic earlier this month with a day spent in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. While there, he toured the Metropolitan Cathedral, which was Cardinal Bergoglio’s cathedral as Archbishop of Buenos Aires before he became Pope Francis. Father Crevcoure also paid visits to the Church of St. Ignatius which is the oldest church in Buenos Aires, Church of St. Catherine of Siena, and the Church of St. John the Baptist.
Father Crevcoure and his fellow priests ultimately set sail for the southermost continent from Ushuaia, Argentina, in the Tierra del Fuego at the tip of South America — the world’s southernmost city.
"They call this place 'The End of the World,' where the Andes Mountains meet the archipelago of Cape Horn," said Father Crevcoure in a Facebook post documenting his travels. While there, he visted the Salesian parish Church of Our Lady of Mercy in Ushuaia. "Lovely to see people coming and going in prayer," he noted.
From there, they boarded the expeditionary vessel, the Viking Polaris, and 350 passengers to begin sailing the sometime treacherous Drake Passage to Antarctica. The ship safely arrived in Dallmann Bay near the abandoned Melchior Antarctic station. From there they toured islands and inlets, viewed glaciers, icebergs, penguins, cormorants, seals, humpback whales, and more aboard Zodiac and kayak excursions.
As of yesterday, Father Crevcoure was in the return voyage phase of his travels and celebrated a challenging Sunday Mass at sea.
"Well, today was another first: celebrating Mass in the bow of a ship in rough seas," said Fr. Crevcoure in a Sunday Facebook post. "I did manage to keep my balance all the way through, but advised the passengers joining us to stay seated for everything."
He is scheduled to be back in Tulsa by midweek. To view Father Crevcoure's photos and videos of the trip posted on social media, click here.
Photos courtesy of Father Stuart Crevcoure
ABOVE: Father Stuart Crevcoure of Tulsa is pictured in Dallmann Bay, Antarctica. BELOW LEFT: Interior of Metropolitan Cathedral, which was Cardinal Bergoglio’s cathedral as Archbishop of Buenos Aires before he became Pope Francis. BELOW RIGHT: A penguin colony on Cuverville Island, Antarctica.
Trump Administration’s Regulatory Change to Impact Foreign-Born Religious Workers
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, the Trump Administration issued an Interim Final Rule that will soon be published in the Federal Register, which will impact foreign-born religious workers seeking to continue their ministries in the United States.
Catholic priests, religious, and others who hold religious worker (R-1) visas are generally required to depart the United States upon reaching the maximum period of stay for that visa (five years) and then can possibly return to the country on a subsequent R-1 visa. Previously, they were required to spend at least one full year outside of the United States between R-1 visas.
The rule announced last week amends federal regulations to require no minimum time outside of the country before religious workers can return on a subsequent R-1 visa, provided they meet all other requirements.
“We are tremendously grateful for the Administration’s work to address certain challenges facing foreign-born religious workers, their employers, and the American communities they serve,” said Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and Bishop Brendan J. Cahill, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration.
This modification gives relief to religious workers and the communities they serve while the religious workers await legal permanent residency (commonly referred to as a “green card”). The wait time for a green card for religious workers has grown to several decades long. For multiple years, the USCCB has been alerting policymakers to the hardship this situation creates for religious organizations and people of faith, especially in more isolated or rural parts of the country.
Together with interfaith partners, the bishops have been advocating since 2023 for the specific regulatory change published last week.
“The value of the Religious Worker Visa Program and our appreciation for the efforts undertaken to support it cannot be overstated," said Archbishop Coakley. "This targeted change is a truly significant step that will help facilitate essential religious services for Catholics and other people of faith throughout the United States by minimizing disruptions to cherished ministries."
He said the USCCB continues to urge Congress to enact the bipartisan Religious Workforce Protection Act "in order to provide the full extent of the relief needed and truly promote the free exercise of religion in our country."
Photo courtesy of The White House
Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City, President of the USCCB, greets President of the United States Donald Trump at a private meeting in the Oval Office last week.
Longtime Bishop Kelley High School Director of Philanthropy Set to Retire in September
TULSA — After 14 years of extraordinary service to Bishop Kelley High School, Doug Thomas will retire this September from his role as Director of Philanthropy.
Thomas joined Bishop Kelley after serving as a Major Gifts Officer at the University of Kentucky, bringing a level of fundraising expertise rarely found at the high school level. Over the course of his tenure, his leadership has had a transformational impact on our school and our community.
During his 14 years at Bishop Kelley, Thomas has helped raise nearly $55 million in support of BKHS students and mission. Through capital campaigns alone, Thomas secured more than $35 million. This includes more than $25 million raised during the most recent We Are BK capital campaign, nearly $9 million for the 2018 The Championship Drive campaign (renovation and expansion of the stadium) and nearly $1 million in 2015 for the construction of the wrestling and cheer fieldhouse.
When Thomas arrived at Bishop Kelley, the school’s endowment stood at approximately $5 million. He often shares that one of his proudest accomplishments has been helping grow it to more than $20 million today.
Bishop Kelley began the hiring process for Thomas's successor this month.
Doug Thomas
Bishop Kelley High School is Oklahoma’s largest private high school and is considered a life-preparatory institution. It offers a faith-based education that fosters academic excellence, spiritual growth and personal development. The school features a rigorous curriculum, including more than 40 honors and AP courses across a wide range of disciplines.
Annual Oklahoma March For Life to Join with Rose Day at the Capitol on February 4
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma March for Life is joining forces with the Rose Day at the Capitol on Feb. 4.
All are invited to the Mass for the Sanctity of Life at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 1616 N. Kelly Ave., in downtown Oklahoma City at 7:30 a.m. and then to march around the State Capitol at 9 a.m. The Rose Day events will be held inside the Capitol building, 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., in Oklahoma City
Speeches on the House floor begin at at 11:30 a.m. followed by benediction by Archbishop Paul Coakley at 1 p.m.
Speeches on the House floor begin at at 11:30 a.m. followed by benediction by Archbishop Paul Coakley at 1 p.m.
Christ the King to Host 2-Day 'Hope, Healing & Holy Spirit' Conference with Dr. Mary Healy
TULSA — Bishop Konderla and the Parish of Christ the King will welcome theologian and best-selling author, Dr. Mary Healy for a two-day Hope, Healing & Holy Spirit regional conference on Feb. 27-28, and registration is now open.
Dr. Healy will deliver three engaging talks to increase understanding and strengthen faith in Jesus’ desire for healing and in His healing power, then prepare the faithful with the Holy Spirit’s gifts to go forth in the same power and love.
The conference features Mass, music ministry, Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast and lunch, Reconciliation, and a special presentation by Father Elkin Gonzales, pastor of CTK, and Dr. Christine Miller on “Healing the Whole Person.”
Cost is $80 per person and the deadline to register is Feb. 16. Click here to register.
From the Editor...
Father Stuart Crevcoure's travels to the far reaches of the earth (see story above) got me wondering, where can you find a Catholic Mass to attend while vacationing in such a remote location? If your travel companion happens to be a Catholic priest, no worries! But unless the cruise line provides an onboard priest (some do, some don't) it may be hard to find a church, much less a Mass time, that fits your travel schedule in remote places like rural Alaska, northern Canada, or Antarctica.
Not surprisingly, there is no "Diocese of Antarctica," so the very few Catholic Churches located on the frozen continent at the bottom of the world are connected to scientific research stations. They fall either under the jurisdiction of nearby countries' archdioceses such as Argentina and Chile or rely on visiting clergy.
Fun fact: The southernmost Catholic Church in the world is the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows (Capilla de Nuestra Señora de las Nieves), an ice cave chapel at Argentina's Belgrano II Base in Antarctica. Located 800 miles from the South Pole, the chapel’s walls are made completely of ice. It is the permanent Catholic Church serving the scientific research base which is home to nearly 1,000 people during the winter but up to 4,000 residents in summer. Need directions? Here you go: 77.87°S 34.63°W.
And the northernmost Catholic Church in the world? That title belongs to Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Pond Inlet, Nunavut, Canada. So, now you know.
If traveling to a faraway destination, you may want to do some research and careful planning ahead of time so that you don't miss an Obligation Mass. A couple of online resources can help: https://masstimes.org, and https://findamass.org.
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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