Deacon Matthew McClain Called to Holy Orders

  BROKEN ARROW —  His Excellency, The Most Reverend David A. Konderla, Bishop of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma, has accepted Deacon Stephen Matthew McClain’s petition for Holy Orders and has officially called him to the Order of the Presbyterate.
  The Banns of Ordination were initially announced on Thursday in a notice from Very Rev. Fr. Duy Nguyen, Director of Vocations, sent to all priests, religious, seminarians, and Chancery staff.
  Rev. McClain's priestly ordination is scheduled to take place at 6 p.m., Friday, June 26, at Holy Family Cathedral. Solemn Vespers will be celebrated the night before at 6 p.m., Thursday, June 25, also at Holy Family Cathedral.
  Once he is ordained to the Sacred Priesthood of Jesus Christ, through the invocation of the Holy Spirit and the imposition of hands by Bishop Konderla, Rev. McClain will offer his First Mass of Thanksgiving at 10 a.m., Saturday at his home parish, St. John Before the Latin Gate in Bartlesville. First Priestly Blessing will follow the Mass.

St. Carlo Acutis Academy Will Not Open for 2026-27 School Year

  OKLAHOMA CITY — In a letter addressed to families of prospective students last week, Misty Smith, head of school for St. Carlo Acutis Academy, announced that the Catholic online school would not open as planned next academic year.
  "It is with great sadness that I share the news that St. Carlo Acutis Academy will not be opening for the 2026–2027 school year," wrote Smith in her letter. "After much prayer, discernment, and careful consideration, it was determined that enrollment numbers were not sufficient to sustain the school in its inaugural year."
  The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma partnered to offer an affordable virtual academy geared toward families desiring a high-quality Catholic education option, especially in rural and underserved areas of the state. But after sufficient enrollment numbers did not materialize, leaders prayerfully concluded that moving forward would not be financially viable. 
  "We recognize the disappointment this news brings and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience or hardship this decision may cause," Smith told parents. "We are deeply grateful for your support, encouragement, and belief in the mission of Catholic education throughout this process.”

Two Saint Francis Health System Hospitals Earn 5-Star Status

  TULSA — Saint Francis Health System is the only health system in Oklahoma with two hospitals earning 5-star ratings in the federal government’s latest hospital quality report, placing both among the nation’s top performers for quality and patient experience.
  In ratings released Thursday by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Saint Francis Hospital and Saint Francis Hospital South received five stars — the agency’s highest quality designation. Only about 10 percent of CMS-rated hospitals nationwide earn five stars.
  “Our caregivers are focused on delivering safe, high-quality care every day, and these ratings are a direct result of that commitment,” said Dr. Cliff Robertson, president and CEO of Saint Francis Health System. “The CMS ratings reflect the consistency and discipline of our team across every level of care.”
  The CMS star ratings evaluate hospitals across five categories: mortality, safety of care, readmissions, patient experience and timely and effective care.
  “This is meaningful because it represents the full patient experience at our hospitals— from safety and outcomes to how patients feel they are treated,” said Brenda Nance, vice president of quality for Saint Francis Health System. “Earning five stars at two hospitals demonstrates a system-wide commitment to doing the right things the right way, every time.”
  Saint Francis Hospice also earned five stars, reflecting continued performance across the continuum of care.
  “These results speak to the strength of our entire system,” Robertson said. “From hospital care to services in the home, our teams are working together to provide the highest level of care for the communities we serve.”
  Hospital ratings are available through Medicare’s Care Compare tool.

Former CTK Business Manager Pleads Guilty to Federal Fraud Charges

  TULSA — Last week, Deacon John Sommer pled guilty in federal court to bank fraud and other misconduct concerning his time as the Business Manager at the Parish of Christ the King in Tulsa.
  Sommer, a former business manager and deacon serving at the parish, was charged in the US District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma on April 28, 2026, with several counts related to fraud. The charges were the culmination of months of thorough investigation by local law enforcement. 
  "Our parish has shown itself to be a resilient and loving community of faith throughout this whole situation, and I ask that we continue to keep Dcn. Sommer and his family in our prayers," wrote CTK Pastor Fr. Elkin González to parishioners. "I continue to be thankful for the good work of local law enforcement and pray the judicial process brings this ordeal to a fair and just resolution."
  A sentencing hearing will likely take place later this summer.
  On Oct. 7, 2025, leaders at CTK learned of a significant financial inconsistency within its accounts and immediately launched an internal investigation. Sommer, who admitted to making unauthorized transfers, was put on leave from ministry as a deacon on Oct. 8, 2025, and his employment at Christ the King ended on Oct. 31, 2025.
  A forensic audit was jointly initiated by the parish and the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma. An independent audit — conducted by Hogan Taylor LLP — concluded in December after uncovering more than $1 million in unauthorized transfers took place between March and October of 2025. The findings of that internal investigation were turned over to law enforcement as part of an ongoing criminal investigation.
  The unauthorized transfers did not impact capital campaigns, parish endowments, or investment accounts. Additionally, $1M of the unauthorized transfers were recovered through insurance, and a plan is in place for the parish to recover the remaining funds.

Image by WilliamCho from Pixabay

Southern Vicariate to Host Bilingual Rosary Congress June 13

  MCALESTER — The Southern Vicariate of the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma will host a bilingual Mass and 2026 Rosary Congress on June 13.
  "We are looking forward to celebrating the feast day of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Saturday, June 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at St. John Catholic Church in McAlester," say organizers. "We will begin promptly with a bilingual Mass at 8:30 a.m., have two informative talks, lunch (included), and finish with a beautiful rosary procession!"
  Speakers for the day include Sister Ana Maria Aguilar, Misioneras Catequistas de San Jose; Father Bryan Ketterer, pastor of Sacred Heart in Wilburton and St. Catherine of Siena in Talihina; and Fr. Sean O'Brien, pastor of Immaculate Conception in Poteau, St. Joseph in Stigler, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Spiro.
  Those planning to attend are asked to please RSVP by clicking here.

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