e-newsletter companion of Eastern Oklahoma Catholic magazine
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Tulsa Celebrates Centennial
TULSA — St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church is preparing to celebrate its founding 100 years ago with a Mass and Centennial Celebration Concert the weekend of April 10-11.
Bishop David Konderla will celebrate the 100-Year Celebration Mass at 7 p.m., Friday, April 10, and the following night, the parish will hold the Centennial Celebration Concert at 8 p.m., Saturday, April 11.
According to Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma historical records, Bishop Francis Kelley established Saint Francis Xavier in 1926 as Tulsa's fifth parish. It was to be built in the then-rapidly growing neighborhood surrounding Henry Kendall College (later to become the University of Tulsa). An eight-classroom school was constructed at East First Street and South Atlanta Avenue and also served as the church home for the next 11 years. The permanent church building, constructed in the California Mission style, was eventually dedicated in 1937.
The parish and the neighborhood were negatively impacted by construction of the Crosstown Expressway in the 1970s and from a general decline due to a shift in Tulsa's suburban population to the southeast.
For several years SFX sponsored, as a mission, the small church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, originally built on Tulsa's east side (Sheridan Road) to serve Mexican coal miners in that area. Our Lady of Guadalupe was later relocated close to SFX, but was eventually closed with its burgeoning congregation transferring to St. Francis Xavier in 1992. Since then the historic parish has experienced significant growth and now regularly holds seven Sunday Masses to accommodate a vibrant Hispanic population.
The parish is also home to the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe & Expiatory Temple which celebrated the 75th anniversary of its dedication in 2024.
For more information about the Centennial Celebration Concert, contact the church at office@stfrancisxavier-tulsa.org, or call the parish office at 918-592-6770.
EOC File Photo
Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Tulsa, shown here during a past re-enactment of Christ's passion as part of Holy Week, is preparing to celebrate the centennial of its parish founding in 1926. SFX will once again stage a Live Passion of the Lord beginning at noon on Good Friday, April 3, at the church grounds. For more information, see our Facebook post by clicking here.
Tenebrae Services Set for Holy Week
TULSA — As the Lenten season draws to a close later this month in anticipation of Easter, the faithful are invited to attend Tenebrae services in the metro area.
The official Diocesan Tenebrae service will take place at Holy Family Cathedral at 7:30 p.m., on Palm Sunday, March 29. Additionally, early risers are invited to join the Religious Sisters of Mercy for one of three Tenebrae services to be held at 6 a.m. on April 2, 3, 4, in the Chapel of Saint Francis Hospital's Yale Campus.
The name "Tenebrae" comes from the Latin word for "darkness" or "shadows," reflecting the somber nature of the service. It commemorates the Passion of Christ and is characterized by the gradual extinguishing of candles, symbolizing the abandonment of Jesus by His disciples and the darkness that fell over the earth during His crucifixion.
Tenebrae is traditionally observed on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.
The typical Tenebrae service includes chanting of the Lamentations of Jeremiah, and psalms, the reading of scripture, and singing of hymns. As the candles are extinguished one by one, the church is eventually left in near darkness, creating a profound atmosphere of reflection, mourning, and anticipation of the resurrection. The service concludes with a loud noise, symbolizing the earthquake that occurred at Christ's death. The last candle, which represents Christ, remains lit until the end of the service, representing Christ’s victory over death.
Vocations Office Program to Identify Men Who May be Called to Priesthood
BROKEN ARROW — The Vocations Office of the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma recently launched a new program, "Called By Name," in which parishioners suggest names of unmarried men who may have a calling to the priesthood.
In a letter from Bishop David Konderla to parish pastors, he described the program and emphasized that a personal invitation by someone they know can be the catalyst for a young man to consider the priesthood.
"The Called by Name" program gives us a practical tool to do exactly that," states Bishop Konderla. "It's straightforward: identify young men (age 16+) in your parish and nominate them by name."
The desired characteristics for a prospective young man include:
• Unmarried, 16 years or older
• Desire for learning and understanding the faith
• Naturally steps into roles of service - altar server, youth group leader, volunteer
• Shows compassion and empathy for others
• Displays a sense of joy, peace, and gratitude
• Is willing to explore that call through prayer, discernment, and guidance
• Has a genuine prayer life and seeks to grow closer to God
"On April 26, 2026 (Good Shepherd Sunday), the Office of Vocations will launch this campaign across the Diocese," says Bishop Konderla. "Please join me in praying for more vocations in our Diocese and for the success of the Called by Name program.
To nominate a young man, click here, or contact the Fr. Duy Nguyen in the Office of Vocations at vocations918@dioceseoftulsa.org, or by calling 918-307-4936.
Meet a Seminarian
2nd Annual Way of the Cross Set for Good Friday in Downtown
TULSA — The 2nd annual Way of the Cross, hosted by the local chapter of Communion and Liberation, will take place at 10 a.m. on Good Friday, April 3, in downtown.
"We begin and end on the steps of Holy Family Cathedral and will walk a predetermined route in downtown Tulsa using an abridged Stations of the Cross," says Monica Winkler, a local member of CL. "Father Jon Fincher will be in attendance."
Organizers say that the Way of the Cross in Tulsa is a powerful witness of faith in the heart of the city.
"The stations of the cross done publicly in this way is another gesture that was established by CL founder and Servant of God Fr. Luigi Giussani," says Winkler. "Communion and Liberation is a lay Catholic movement, and a chapter of the movement has existed here since March 2022."
CL is an ecclesial movement in the Catholic Church, active in the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma, that seeks to form adults in faith through friendship, prayer, and "School of Community" meetings. The group often organizes events like the Way of the Cross and focuses on finding Christian meaning in daily life, work, and, often, charity.
To find out more about the local chapter, contact Monica Winkler via e-mail by clicking here. For more information about Communion and Liberation, click here.
Art By Matt Watters/FAITH Catholic
Saint Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland
Feast Day – March 17
BY SUE PARKER/FAITH Catholic
Saint Patrick, the beloved patron of Ireland, is renowned as the bishop who brought Christianity to Emerald Isle, who used the three-leaflet shamrock to teach about the Trinity, and wrote the often-recited prayer that begins, "Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me." But did you know – he wasn’t even Irish?
Patrick was born in Britain, the son of a Roman official. According to his Confessio, Patrick was kidnapped by Irish pirates as a youth and spent six years enslaved, tending sheep in the Irish wilderness. During this time of isolation and deprivation, Patrick writes that he often prayed hundreds of times a day, asking for God’s protection and guidance. Eventually, he escaped and traveled 200 miles to board a ship sailing for Britain. After a difficult journey, he finally returned home.
Then in his early 20s, he had a dream after he returned home that inspired him to study for the priesthood and volunteer to return to Ireland after ordination. Recognizing the potential that Patrick’s knowledge of Ireland’s language and culture had, his bishop ordained him Bishop of Ireland when the first Irish bishop died.
Patrick visited parts of Ireland where no missionaries had traveled. Although he was often threatened and even imprisoned, he boldly preached to the most powerful Irish kings. Despite this resistance, Patrick traversed the island for 40 years – humbly grateful to God the Father and joyfully inspired by the Holy Spirit – to preach about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Before his death around 460 AD, Patrick’s compassionate enthusiasm had effectively converted thousands to Christianity. The priests and religious formed in the many monasteries and convents he established spread Christianity into northern Europe to inspire more missionaries, and Irish emigrants have spread love for him around the world.
The prayer of St. Patrick, popularly known as "St. Patrick's Breastplate," is believed to have been composed by him in preparation for this victory over paganism. At right is a literal translation of the complete prayer from the Old Irish text.
Nheyob, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Stained glass at Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Junction City, Ohio.
St. Patrick's Breastplate
I bind to myself today
I bind to myself today
The strong virtue of the Invocation of the Trinity:
I believe the Trinity in the Unity
The Creator of the Universe.
I bind to myself today
The virtue of the Incarnation of Christ with His Baptism,
The virtue of His crucifixion with His burial,
The virtue of His Resurrection with His Ascension,
The virtue of His coming on the Judgement Day.
I bind to myself today
The virtue of the love of seraphim,
In the obedience of angels,
In the hope of resurrection unto reward,
In prayers of Patriarchs,
In predictions of Prophets,
In preaching of Apostles,
In faith of Confessors,
In purity of holy Virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.
I bind to myself today
The power of Heaven,
The light of the sun,
The brightness of the moon,
The splendour of fire,
The flashing of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of sea,
The stability of earth,
The compactness of rocks.
I bind to myself today
God's Power to guide me,
God's Might to uphold me,
God's Wisdom to teach me,
God's Eye to watch over me,
God's Ear to hear me,
God's Word to give me speech,
God's Hand to guide me,
God's Way to lie before me,
God's Shield to shelter me,
God's Host to secure me,
Against the snares of demons,
Against the seductions of vices,
Against the lusts of nature,
Against everyone who meditates injury to me,
Whether far or near,
Whether few or with many.
I invoke today all these virtues
Against every hostile merciless power
Which may assail my body and my soul,
Against the incantations of false prophets,
Against the black laws of heathenism,
Against the false laws of heresy,
Against the deceits of idolatry,
Against the spells of women, and smiths, and druids,
Against every knowledge that binds the soul of man.
Christ, protect me today
Against every poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against death-wound,
That I may receive abundant reward.
Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ at my right, Christ at my left,
Christ in the fort,
Christ in the chariot seat,
Christ in the poop [deck],
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
I bind to myself today
The strong virtue of an invocation of the Trinity,
I believe the Trinity in the Unity
The Creator of the Universe.
From the Editor...
The calendar is filling up as we pass the midway point of Lent and draw ever closer to Easter. In addition to worship and Lenten season observances at your local parish, several diocesan-wide opportunities are also available to express our Catholic faith in fellowship with others. Next week, we will update readers on multiple events happening across the diocese during Holy Week. It will be here before we know it.
We have two significant feast days occurring this week. The Feast of Saint Patrick on Tuesday, March 17, and the Feast of Saint Joseph on Thursday, March 19. We already published our "Saint of the Month" (Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo/Feast Day on March 23) in our March 2, issue of EOCextra. But I hope you will forgive me for throwing in a bonus story today about Saint Patrick. Full disclosure, he is my patron saint.
Fun fact: While St. Patrick's Day had been a religious holiday in Ireland for more than a 1,000 years, the first documented Saint Patrick's Day parade in America was held in 1601 in St. Augustine, Florida.
The Solemnity of Saint Joseph, falling on Thursday, honors the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and foster father of Jesus. He is looked to as a model of chastity, humility and being a provider and protector. According to Vatican News, Pope Pius IX declared Saint Joseph the Patron of the Universal Church, and Pope Saint John XXIII inserted his name into the Roman Canon of Holy Mass in 1962. More recently, Pope Francis approved seven new invocations in the Litany to Saint Joseph: Guardian of the Redeemer, Servant of Christ, Minister of Salvation, Support in difficulties, Patron of exiles, Patron of the afflicted, and Patron of the poor.
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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