e-newsletter companion of Eastern Oklahoma Catholic magazine
Tulsa Students Greet Pope During Pilgrimage to Rome
VATICAN CITY — Students from Bishop Kelley High School were treated to a rare encounter last week during the Pope's weekly audience at the Vatican.
"At the Wednesday Audience in Vatican City today, our students had an unforgettable moment — briefly greeting Pope Leo XIV and presenting him with a Bishop Kelley hat," stated a Facebook post from the school. "A quick exchange, but one they won’t forget anytime soon!"
During the weekly audience in St. Peter's Square, Pope Leo XIV regularly greets visitors who have traveled to the Vatican from all over the world. The enthusiastic BKHS students, on pilgrimage during spring break, were able to capture the attention of the Pontiff as he slowly rolled by in the "Popemobile," greeting the thousands gathered in the square on a bright sunny day.Students managed to present Pope Leo — who has Tulsa connections — with a Bishop Kelley cap, snap photos and capture video during the brief but exciting encounter.
"Pope Leo approached close enough for one student to pass him a Kelley cap and another to ask for his autograph on a Topps Pope Leo XIV trading cards," said Father Jon Fincher, the tour group's chaperone. KOTV NewsOn6.com and the Tulsa World newspaper both posted brief news articles on the BK students' experience.
In the Pope's previous role as Prior Provincial of the Midwest Province of Augustinians, the former Father Robert Prevost, OSA, served on the Board of Directors of Cascia Hall Preparatory School in Tulsa from 1999-2001.
Photos courtesy Bishop Kelley High School
Tulsa Native Archbishop Peter Wells Ordained Bishop 10 Years Ago
BROKEN ARROW — Ten years ago this month Pope Francis ordained native Tulsan Father Peter Bryan Wells a bishop.
At that time, Father Wells was serving as the Apostolic Nuncio — the Pope's ambassador — to South Africa. He currently serves as Apostolic Nuncio to Thailand and Cambodia and as Apostolic Delegate to Laos in Southeast Asia.
Archbishop Wells, the oldest of five children, was born and raised in Tulsa and was ordained a priest in 1991 here in the Diocese of Tulsa. He entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See on July 1, 1999, working in the apostolic nunciature in Nigeria. In 2009, he was appointed Assessor of the Secretariat of State.
He previously completed his academic studies in philosophy at St. Meinrad Seminary College in Indiana, and in theology at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. Besides his native English, Wells speaks Italian, French, German and Spanish.
He was consecrated an Archbishop at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome on March 19, 2016, by Pope Francis. That same year, Archbishop Wells was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to South Africa where he also served in Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, and Swaziland. He was assigned to his current post in Southeast Asia in 2023.
Father Wells previously served as associate pastor at Tulsa's Holy Family Cathedral in the mid-90s. Since joining the diplomatic service for the Holy See, he has served Pope Saint John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis, and now Pope Leo XIV.
File Photos
TOP: Archbishop Wells is pictured with Pope Francis. CENTER:
Pictured alongside Bishop David Konderla. BOTTOM: Sharing a moment with the late Bishop Emeritus Edward Slattery.
Holy Family Classical School Names New Headmaster
"Dr. Skufca is a passionate Catholic educator, a seasoned administrator, and a joyful teacher whose life’s work has been devoted to the renewal of classical education in the service of the Church," said Father O'Brien in an announcement to parishioners last week.
A scholar of the ancient world, Dr. Skufca earned his Ph.D. in Classics from Florida State University. He previously graduated summa cum laude from Gettysburg College, earning honors in Classics and election to Phi Beta Kappa. Most recently, he has served as Head of Upper School at Holy Family Academy in Covington, Louisiana. Dr. Skufca is also a gifted classroom teacher having taught Latin, Ancient Greek and Roman history, philosophy, logic and rhetoric, and civics.
"More important than his impressive credentials, Dr. Skufca is a faithful Catholic, a man of deep intellectual curiosity, and a leader who loves students, teachers, and families," said Father O'Brien.
Dr. Skufca and his wife Elizabeth have an 11-month old son Charles and are looking forward to making their new spiritual home in the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma. He will start at Holy Family Classical School in June.
"In the first months of my tenure, I want to listen and learn: about the history of the school and parish, the ups and downs of the past, and your hopes for the future," said Dr. Skufca in an introductory letter posted to the HFC website. "I’m excited to hear from parents and students, faculty and staff, clergy and laity, and parishioners who care deeply about the school as a parish ministry."
Founded in 1899, Holy Family Classical School currently counts 260 students enrolled in grades PreK-12. For more about Dr. Skufca and his family, click here.
Photo courtesy of Holy Family Cathedral
Dr. Alexander Skufca, his wife Elizabeth, and son "Charlie" will relocate to Tulsa from Louisiana this summer.
Interview With a Monk: Is America Experiencing a Monastic Revival?
CLEAR CREEK ABBEY — Are we living through a renaissance in monastic life? That is the question explored in a recent video interview between Fr. Ambrose Criste, O.Praem., of St. Michael’s Abbey, and Fr. Patrick Carter, OSB, of Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey near Hulbert.
Late last year, the two monks sat down to discuss that question and what a monastic revival means for the rest of the Catholic Church.
"Their discussion is a compelling and timely one: they cover the history and legacy of the Benedictine monastic tradition, its striking relevance in contemporary society, and its indispensable role in renewing the Church and our society," said Br. Philip Anderson, Abbot of Clear Creek, in a recent letter to friends of the Abbey. "They also discuss the role that Our Lady of Clear Creek is playing at this pivotal moment in history..."
Abbot Anderson said that he found the conversation exciting and inspiring.
"What we are doing here is historic work that will glorify Christ and nurture His Church for centuries to come," he said.
The full video interview can be viewed by clicking here.
Founded in 1999 from the Abbey of Our Lady of Fontgombault in France, Clear Creek became an abbey in 2010 and now counts more than 70 monks who devote themselves to God alone in the hidden life, in silence and solitude, in constant prayer and willing penance.
BROKEN ARROW — Multiple events and observances within the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma are slated for Holy Week beginning on Palm Sunday and culminating with the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday Masses. Listed below are a just a few of the major events taking place on a diocesan-wide basis.
While several of the events listed above take place at Holy Family Cathedral, many more are scheduled throughout the week at individual parishes across the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma. Please check your parish's bulletin and/or website for the date and time of Holy Week activities and Mass times. To locate a parish near year, go to: https://www.dioceseoftulsa.org/parishfinder
• March 29, Palm Sunday - Tenebrae at 7:30 p.m. at Holy Family Cathedral
• March 31, Tuesday of Holy Week - Mass of the Oils (Chrism Mass) celebrated by Bishop David Konderla, 5:30 p.m., at Holy Family Cathedral
• April 2 - Holy Thursday Pilgrimage (formerly Seven Church Pilgrimage) adoration to take place at eight Tulsa parishes from approximately 8 p.m. to midnight. Some parishes may have slightly different start and end times. Please click here for the complete schedule and locations.
• April 2, 3, 4 - Tenebrae hosted by the Religious Sisters of Mercy, 6 a.m., at Saint Francis Hospital Chapel.
• April 3 - Way of the Cross - Walk for public witness of the Lord's Passion hosted by the local chapter of Communion and Liberation beginning at 10 a.m. at Holy Family Cathedral.
• April 3, Good Friday - Living Stations of the Cross, noon - 3 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier/Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Tulsa
• April 4, Holy Saturday - The Vigil of Easter, Bishop David Konderla will celebrate Mass, 8 p.m. at Holy Family Cathedral.
Meet a Seminarian
From the Editor...
Based on several social media posts observed over the past week, many of you traveled during Spring Break. As you may have seen, a group of Bishop Kelley High School students went on pilgrimage to Rome. The group, led by BKHS Chaplain Father Jon Fincher, received a pleasant surprise at the Vatican as Pope Leo paused the famous "popemobile" during his weekly audience in St. Peter's Square to recognize the Tulsa contingent.
Almost a year into is papacy, it all still seems a bit unreal that we actually have an American-born Pope with real Tulsa connections (Cascia Hall). The BK students now have memories and experiences to last a lifetime. For more photos from their trip, check out Father Fincher's Facebook post here.
We're in the final weeks of Lent and Holy Week is almost upon us. This is a great time to invite that "Catholic curious" friend or family member to Mass. Speaking of the Mass, be watching your mailbox later this week for the arrival of the April/May issue of Eastern Oklahoma Catholic magazine. In this issue we focus on the Mass as several parishioners from around the Diocese tell us why frequent or even daily Mass attendance is important to their spiritual lives. We will also publish some of those comments here in ucomping issues of the EOCextra.
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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