e-newsletter companion of Eastern Oklahoma Catholic magazine
Ascension St. John Celebrating a Century of Care in Tulsa
TULSA — Ascension St. John is preparing to commemorate a century of care in Tulsa with several events this year including an anniversary Mass celebrated by Bishop David Konderla at Holy Family Cathedral next Tuesday evening.
It all began more than 100 years ago when The Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother broke ground in 1920 for a new hospital in Tulsa. After years of fundraising struggles and constructions starts and stops, St. John's Hospital finally opened its doors in 1926.
The original St. John's Hospital building was built on a strawberry patch at the corner of 21st Street and Utica Avenue with 50 beds for patients. It was scheduled to officially open on Feb. 22, 1926. However, a woman in need of maternity care came to St. John's to deliver her baby the week before, so the hospital actually welcomed its first live birth, Lillian Patricia Brown, on Feb. 14, 1926.
The Sisters also opened St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing that same year. In 1948, a 125-bed wing was added to the south side of the hospital.
Since then, Ascension St. John has enhanced its mission with greatly expanded modern facilities and today's latest technology to provide innovative advanced care for the most complicated conditions and create opportunities to conveniently access care with 400+ providers at seven area hospitals.
A history of the hospital's founding including historic photos, and a series of video interviews with employees — "Stories from Centennial Voices" — can be found on a special page at the Ascension website here. Also look for centennial features in upcoming issues of EOCextra and Eastern Oklahoma Catholic magazine.
Bishop David Konderla will celebrate the 100-Year Anniversary Mass for Ascension St. John at 4:30 p.m., Feb. 17, at Holy Family Cathedral.
ABOUT ASCENSION
Ascension is one of the nation’s leading non-profit and Catholic health systems, with a Mission of delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to those most vulnerable. In FY2025, Ascension provided $1.7 billion in care of persons living in poverty and other community benefit programs along with $1.8 billion of unreimbursed care for Medicare patients.
Across 15 states and the District of Columbia, Ascension’s network encompasses approximately 97,000 associates, 23,100 aligned providers, 91 wholly owned or consolidated hospitals, and ownership interests in 29 additional hospitals through partnerships.
Photos courtesy of Ascension St. John
Then & Now: Above, St. John's Hospital in Tulsa as it appeared circa 1926 at 21st Street and Utica Ave., and today as Ascension St. John Medical Center at the same location.
Diocese Releases Short Documentary Film for Faith & Works 2026 Commitment Week
BROKEN ARROW — In conjunction with Faith & Works 2026 Commitment Week taking place in parishes across the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma this weekend, a new short documentary film has been released.
Created on behalf of the Diocese by Catholic filmmaker Manny Marquez, the documentary style short film follows Deacon Andy Thomas of the Diocese's Parish Support Team as he goes about serving parishes in the Southern Vicariate.
"I have to say, if you aren’t familiar with the Southern Vicariate, take a look at the map of Oklahoma," says filmmaker Manny Marquez. "Deacon Thomas serves an area which takes up almost the entire bottom quarter of the state. This is a lot of work for him, and there are a lot of folks hungry for the good news of Christ."
Marquez, who has done previous film work on behalf of the Diocese, as well as Bishop Robert Barron's Word on Fire, the Religious Sisters of Mercy, and other Catholic institutions and ministries across the U.S., is a parishioner at Holy Family Cathedral in Tulsa. He describes what it was like filming this project last summer.
"The first day I met him, it was at parish summer camp at St. Frances de Sales in Idabel," says Marquez. "They were calling it 'Vocation Bible School.' If you aren’t familiar with Idabel, it is a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Tulsa. He (Thomas) was there in a tee-shirt and jeans, teaching young children about the power of the Holy Spirit. Later, in a classroom with middle schoolers and high school kids, helping them learn from the Bible."
Marquez, who has done previous film work on behalf of the Diocese, as well as Bishop Robert Barron's Word on Fire, the Religious Sisters of Mercy, and other Catholic institutions and ministries across the U.S., is a parishioner at Holy Family Cathedral in Tulsa. He describes what it was like filming this project last summer.
"The first day I met him, it was at parish summer camp at St. Frances de Sales in Idabel," says Marquez. "They were calling it 'Vocation Bible School.' If you aren’t familiar with Idabel, it is a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Tulsa. He (Thomas) was there in a tee-shirt and jeans, teaching young children about the power of the Holy Spirit. Later, in a classroom with middle schoolers and high school kids, helping them learn from the Bible."
From there, the shooting continued in McAlester the following week.
"The very next week, I joined him in McAlester at St. John the Evangelist," says Marquez. "Here, he was hosting a retreat for catechist. The day started with Mass, and an excellent homily by Deacon Thomas. Afterward, intense theological seminars for those that are teaching OCIA and family formation in that area. Both parishes were completely different, and hours apart. The thing that didn’t change was Deacon Andy’s passion for spreading the love of our Lord Jesus Christ to the people of the Southern Vicariate."
The film is being released in conjunction with the "Faith & Works Commitment Weekend" taking place at parishes around the diocese in which the faithful are asked to support the work of the Diocese beyond their own parish. Marquez says he hopes the film conveys the spirit of the times and the missional work of the Church.
"Many of you have read Bishop Konderla’s recent letters and writings on the state of the Church," says Marquez. "We are in a post-Christendom time and have entered a new Apostolic Age. It is a missionary time in our pilgrim journey. Deacon Andy Thomas can’t do this alone. It will be the work of all of us to pick up that mantle and carry the good news of the Gospel into the world. I pray this short film gives you a glimpse of what that can look like, and how we can all do our part for the coming glory of the Kingdom. God bless you all."
The film is being released in conjunction with the "Faith & Works Commitment Weekend" taking place at parishes around the diocese in which the faithful are asked to support the work of the Diocese beyond their own parish. Marquez says he hopes the film conveys the spirit of the times and the missional work of the Church.
"Many of you have read Bishop Konderla’s recent letters and writings on the state of the Church," says Marquez. "We are in a post-Christendom time and have entered a new Apostolic Age. It is a missionary time in our pilgrim journey. Deacon Andy Thomas can’t do this alone. It will be the work of all of us to pick up that mantle and carry the good news of the Gospel into the world. I pray this short film gives you a glimpse of what that can look like, and how we can all do our part for the coming glory of the Kingdom. God bless you all."
The film can be viewed via YouTube here or by scanning the QR code below.
To view the short film, "Let His Mission Be Yours," on YouTube scan the QR code above.
Still images captured from video courtesy of Manny Marquez
Oklahoma's First Catholic Virtual School Now Accepting Student Applications for 2026-27
OKLAHOMA CITY — The new St. Carlo Acutis Academy — Oklahoma’s first Catholic virtual school — is currently accepting applications for the 2026-27 academic year.
Applications can be made online here.
Any student is eligible for kindergarten through grade twelve of any faith or no faith, living in Oklahoma is eligible for enrollment. It is recommended that parents read carefully the handbook issued during the seat acceptance and registration process.
“We recognized a need in our rural communities for Catholic education where brick and mortar schools are unavailable,” says Head of School Misty Smith.
In addition to live virtual instruction, Saint Carlo Acutis Academy will also offer geographic hubs throughout Oklahoma parishes. The hubs will provide opportunities for students to gather for hands-on learning, discovery opportunities, labs and community-building activities, fostering fellowship and a strong sense of community, all through the Catholic lens.
The new school will serve both the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa, with the blessings of Archbishop Paul Coakley and Bishop David Konderla.
"The mission of St. Carlo Acutis 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."
To watch an informational video, click here.
Birthright of Tulsa Experiencing Dramatic Growth
TULSA — Driven by a big increase in mothers seeking support, Birthright of Tulsa has found creative ways to provide more diapers and baby clothes.
Birthright brings love and hope to moms and young children by offering friendship and essential resources. Services include pregnancy tests, maternity wear, infant and toddler apparel, parenting classes and referrals. All services are free and confidential.
Nearly 600 new clients came onboard in 2025. To keep up with that influx, Birthright extended its office hours to 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Tuesdays through Thursdays. As a result, parenting classes were moved to a larger room. A wholesale supplier now delivers cases of discounted diapers. A grant from the Oklahoma Life Foundation also enabled Birthright to hire another employee. Two popular consignment events — Just Between Friends and Rhea Lana — donated unsold infant's and children’s clothing to Birthright.
Executive Director Cathleen Henderson works to spread the word in the community so that social service agencies know about Birthright. She says more women seem to be telling their friends how Birthright helped them.
Statistics illustrate the impact over the past year:
• December 2024: Served 167 clients and gave away 221 items of baby clothes, 235 diaper bundles, and four maternity items.
• December 2025: Served 377 clients and gave away 456 items of baby clothes, 475 diaper bundles, and 28 maternity items.
“The growth is extremely gratifying, but the space constraints make it a little overwhelming,” says Henderson. “We have work the volunteers can do, but no place to put them.”
Beth and Gerald Donovan established Birthright of Tulsa in 1973 as a pro-life response to the Roe v. Wade abortion ruling. It is a chapter of Birthright International. The nondenominational organization has benefitted from strong backing by Catholics in the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma. Birthright occupies a corner of the 13th floor of the Warren Clinic Tower, on Yale Avenue across from Saint Francis Hospital.
Visit the Birthright website at https://birthright.org/tulsa for more information.
USCCB Issues Statement Commemorating 100 Years of Black History Month
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued a statement commemorating a century of celebrating Black History Month in the United States, now taking place during the month of February.
“Let us be faithful stewards of memory. Let us be courageous witnesses to truth,” said Bishop Daniel E. Garcia, chairman of the USCCB Subcommittee for the Promotion of Racial Justice and Reconciliation, and Bishop Roy E. Campbell, chairman of the USCCB’s Subcommittee on African American Affairs.
The full joint statement is as follows:
“This February marks one hundred years of commemorating Black history in the United States. This milestone is an opportunity for us to prayerfully reflect on the ways history has been preserved, honored, and passed on across generations. In Open Wide Our Hearts, the U.S. bishops’ pastoral letter against racism, we recognized that the lived experience of the vast majority of African Americans bears the marks of our country’s original sin of racism. During this year’s observance of Black History Month, we encourage the faithful to consider the lessons of history, honoring our heroes of the past and learning from the mistakes of the past. Although we may at times encounter people or situations in our country that seek to erase ‘memory’ from our minds and books, it can never be erased from our hearts. May our reflections strengthen our faith and communities. Let us be faithful stewards of memory. Let us be courageous witnesses to truth. Let us pray and work to honor the inherent dignity of every person and the sacred stories of every people.”
Read more from Bishop Garcia and Bishop Campbell in their reflection, “The Treasures of Memory.” For more information about the Subcommittee on African American Affairs and the Subcommittee for the Promotion of Racial Justice and Reconciliation, please visit their respective webpages.
For local history, information, and resources about historically Black Catholic churches within the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma, go the Black Catholic Ministry page at the Diocesan website.
Photo courtesy of St. Monica Catholic Church
This historic photo shows students of the seventh grade class at the former St. Monica School in Tulsa taken during the 1952-53 academic year.
Guest Column: Faith & Works Commitment Week is Here!
BY ISAAC OWEN
Many of you may have heard at Mass last Sunday that the Faith & Works Annual Appeal begins this weekend, Feb. 14–15, throughout the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma.
Faith & Works is the primary annual appeal that supports the essential ministries serving our parishes, schools, clergy, and seminarians in eastern Oklahoma. Working together, we are able to support priestly formation, vocations, Catholic education, marriage and family life, faith formation, and so much more. These ministries are vital to assuring the Church’s mission continues to reach those who most need it.
This weekend, parishioners are invited to prayerfully consider supporting Faith & Works. Every level of participation really matters. Any gift, no matter the size, helps bolster our Faith and keeps these important ministries going.
We humbly invite all Catholics in the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma to make a gift to Faith & Works this commitment weekend and to discern just how God may be calling them to support His work through the Church. Together, we can keep building up the Body of Christ and caring for those we serve.
To learn more, please click here or contact your parish office.
Faith & Works is the primary annual appeal that supports the essential ministries serving our parishes, schools, clergy, and seminarians in eastern Oklahoma. Working together, we are able to support priestly formation, vocations, Catholic education, marriage and family life, faith formation, and so much more. These ministries are vital to assuring the Church’s mission continues to reach those who most need it.
This weekend, parishioners are invited to prayerfully consider supporting Faith & Works. Every level of participation really matters. Any gift, no matter the size, helps bolster our Faith and keeps these important ministries going.
We humbly invite all Catholics in the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma to make a gift to Faith & Works this commitment weekend and to discern just how God may be calling them to support His work through the Church. Together, we can keep building up the Body of Christ and caring for those we serve.
To learn more, please click here or contact your parish office.
Isaac Owen is Director of Development for the Diocese of Tulsa & Eastern Oklahoma.
For the 2026 Faith & Works Annual Appeal, we are invited to embrace the theme: “Let His Mission Be Yours.” Christ’s mission — to bring His love, mercy, and truth to the world — continues through each of us.
From the Editor...
We recently published stories about two separate "First Saturday" devotions currently taking place within the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma. In hopes of avoiding any confusion, here is the information again about these two monthly events:
The Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi First Saturday Devotions will include 8 a.m. Mass, followed by devotion, prayers, song and Confession on each first Saturday of the month throughout 2026 at St. Anne Catholic Church in Broken Arrow. Additionally, First Saturday Devotions in Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary are taking place monthly with Mass as 11:30 a.m., Rosary, meditations and Confession at the Ascension St. John Adoration Chapel in Tulsa.
A special magazine, — "Frontier of Faith'— commemorating the Sesquicentennial (150 years) of permanent Catholic presence in Oklahoma, was just recently released by the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. The Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma assisted with this statewide project, contributing stories and photographs, as well as a celebratory message from Bishop David Konderla. A limited number of free copies are currently being distributed to parishes throughout the diocese. You can also pick up a complimentary copy at F. C. Ziegler Company, 2111 E. 11th Street in Tulsa, or by inquiring at the front desk of our Chancery offices in Broken Arrow during regular business hours. An electronic replica edition of the magazine can also be accessed by clicking here.
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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