e-newsletter companion of Eastern Oklahoma Catholic magazine
Deacon Matthew McClain to be Ordained to Priesthood
McClain, who goes by Matthew, graduated Dec. 5, 2025 from the St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in Indiana with a Master of Divinity degree and was ordained a Deacon on Dec. 19, 2025.
Since that time, he has served as a transitional deacon alongside Pastor Rev. Sean O'Brien at Immaculate Conception in Poteau, St. Joseph in Stigler, and St. Elizabeth in Spiro. Following his priestly ordination, and effective July 1, Rev. McClain will serve as parochial vicar of the parish cluster of the Southern Vicariate which will then also include Sacred Heart Mission in Heavener.
Deacon McClain's home parish is St. John Before the Latin Gate in Bartlesville and he is the nephew of retiring priest Father Stephen Austin. His aunt, Sister Barbara Austin, O.S.B., is a Benedictine Sister at St. Joseph Monastery in Tulsa.
Dcn. Matthew McClain
June 25 – Vespers
6 p.m., Holy Family Cathedral
June 26 – Ordination
6 p.m., Holy Family Cathedral
June 27 – First Mass
10 a.m., St. John Before the Latin Gate in Bartlesville
6 p.m., Holy Family Cathedral
June 26 – Ordination
6 p.m., Holy Family Cathedral
June 27 – First Mass
10 a.m., St. John Before the Latin Gate in Bartlesville
Catholic Education Leaders Release 'Front Royal Statement' Following Summit
FRONT ROYAL, VIRGINIA — Catholic bishops, higher education leaders, scholars, superintendents, philanthropists, and educational partners from across the United States gathered at Christendom College on May 27-28 for the inaugural Front Royal Education Summit, a major collaborative effort dedicated to the renewal of Catholic elementary and secondary education.
David Dean, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Tulsa & Eastern Oklahoma, attended the summit culminated in the drafting of the Front Royal Statement: Seven Cardinal Principles of Catholic Elementary and Secondary Education, a substantive document which articulates the fundamental principles of authentic Catholic education as the philosophical, theological, pedagogical, and methodological pillars of the renewal of Catholic schools.
“This commitment to renewal is providential in so far as it occurred on the same day that the bishops of our country dedicated America to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, said Mr. Dean. "Our bishops have called for a renewal of Catholics in their devotion to the Sacred Heart for the good of all the faithful and our country, likewise the members of this educational proclamation called for a renewal of Catholic education for the good of our students and our Church on the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus!”
Organizers emphasized that the summit was designed not as a typical academic conference, but as a working meeting to foster long-term cooperation and concrete renewal.
“The Front Royal Statement represents more than a single event or discussion,” said Shawn Peterson, President of Catholic Education Partners. “It is an effort to provide clarity, direction, and unity for educators and institutions committed to renewing Catholic education in fidelity to the Church and in service to the human person.”
The summit occurs nearly six decades after the 1967 Land O’ Lakes Statement and amid growing national conversations about the future of Catholic education. To read the complete statement, click here.
Participants of the inaugural Front Royal Education Summit held at Christendom College on May 27-28.
Theme of 3rd Annual Event is Come to the Table
TULSA — The theme for the 2026 Tulsa Catholic Women’s Conference, set for Sept. 18-19 at the Renaissance Hotel & Conference Center in Tulsa, is "Come to the Table."
"Our board of directors drew inspiration from Luke 14:17 which reminds us that God continually invites us to His banquet of grace and seeks our hearts," say TCWC organizers on their website. "As Catholic women, may we encounter Him with openness, remain with Him in intimate prayer, and receive all He longs to give."
To register for this year's conference, click here. Sponsorship, Patron and Vendor space is still available. For more information, click here.
"Our board of directors drew inspiration from Luke 14:17 which reminds us that God continually invites us to His banquet of grace and seeks our hearts," say TCWC organizers on their website. "As Catholic women, may we encounter Him with openness, remain with Him in intimate prayer, and receive all He longs to give."
Photo courtesy of Tulsa Catholic Women's Conference
National Publication Features Rectory at Holy Family Cathedral
TULSA — A recent article in a national publication claims that the rectory at Tulsa's Holy Family Cathedral may be unique in the number of priests living there.
The article, A Cure for Clerical Loneliness: 8 Diocesan Priests Find Brotherhood Under One Roof, authored by Senior Writer Zelda Caldwell of National Catholic Register, published on June 3, interviewed several of the eight priests living in community at the HFC rectory. The article notes that the arrangement is considered so uncommon that it may be the largest community of diocesan priests in the United States.
"It has been wonderful to live in community,’ Father Joshua Votruba is quoted in the article, adding that "the brotherhood has been a tremendous support."
The 2025 National Study of Catholic Priests, conducted by The Catholic Project at The Catholic University of America found that nationally, 40 percent of priests ordained after the year 2000 reported feeling lonely and isolated.
But as the article explores the unique living arrangement in the spacious HFC rectory, it found priest living comfortably in close community with one another and featured its oldest and youngest occupants in the lead photograph. Msgr. Patrick Gaalaas and seminarian Max Williams are shown squaring off in a friendly game of chess. The photos for the article were taken by the EOC's very own Daniel McCay.
The eight priests who live at the rectory include Vicar General Fr. Gary Kastl; Cathedral Rector Fr. Brian O'Brien and Parochial Vicar Fr. Joshua Votruba; a retired priest, Msgr. Gaalaas; a priest working full time in hospital ministry, Father Bala Jayanna Yaddanapalli; Bishop Kelley High School Chaplain Fr. Jon Fincher; the diocese’s Vocations Director, Fr. Duy Nguyen; and the pastor at the University of Tulsa’s Newman Center, Fr. James Porter. Additionally, seminarian Williams, who just completed his first year of study, is living at the rectory this summer while he serves at HFC.
To read the complete article at the National Catholic Register website, click here.
Photo by Daniel McCay/Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma
Msgr. Patrick Gaalaas and seminarian Max Williams face off in a friendly game of chess on May 26, 2026, at the Holy Family Cathedral rectory in Tulsa.
Inaugural Tulsa Catholic Men's Conference Open to Sponsors, Vendors
TULSA — The inaugural Tulsa Catholic Men’s Conference, set for Saturday, Oct. 10, is currently accepting sponsorships and vendor applications for the one-day event to take place at Tulsa's Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center.
Sponsorships at the $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000 levels include advertising in the official confence program, logo on screen and name listed on conference website and program, as well as conference tickets and T-shirts. For more information about sponsorship, click here.Businesses with Catholic products or resources can also sign up as vendors for the Saturday event. Booth space for both merchandise and non-profit vendors is available. For more information or to register as a vendor, click here.
Keynote speakers for the first-year conference include Fr. John Ezratty, M.C. Formation Advisor at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver; and Keith Nester, speaker, author and former Protestant minister. Organizers say the conference will bring an encounter with God’s universal love through the Church to the men of eastern Oklahoma. "Participants will experience generous hospitality, receive high-quality formation, and unite in worship."
The conference will begin at 8 a.m. and continue until 5 p.m. on Oct. 10. Ticket price of $79 includes event admission, continental breakfast and lunch buffet. Military veterans and active Knights of Columbus members can purchase tickets at a reduced price of $59. To purchase tickets, click here.
Fr. John Ezratty
Ketih Nester
2026 Tulsa Catholic Men's Conference Inaugural Event
October 10, 2026
Tulsa Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center
October 10, 2026
Tulsa Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center
Religious Sisters Film to Premier at Local Festival
TULSA — Catholic filmmaker Manny Marquez has announced that is his most recent project, The Pursuit of Happiness, a documentary short film about the Religious Sisters of Mercy, will be screened at this year’s Circle Cinema Festival.
"This is quite extraordinary to have a 20-minute film about the religious life screening in a secular film festival and I feel the Holy Spirit is at work!" said Marquez. "I would love to fill that theater with Catholics!"
The screening will take place at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, July 19.
From the Editor...
On June 11, as part of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. bishops, including our own Bishop David Konderla of the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma, consecrated the United States of America to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
You can read Archbishop William E. Lori’s homily from Mass of Consecration by clicking here. A replay of the the Mass of Consecration can be found here.
As part of the plenary assembly of the USCCB in Orlando, Fla. last week, the bishops also held a canonical consultation on the possible cause of beatification and canonization for Monsignor Joseph Francis Buh, and for Servant of God John Rick Miller, a family man, businessman, and international missionary.
—
Do you know Josh Funderburk? You really should. Formerly the Development Director at the University of Tulsa's Philip Neri Parish, Funderburk, along with his wife Lindsay, serves as a FOCUS Parish Missionary at Christ The King in Tulsa. He is also spearheading the inaugural Tulsa Catholoc Men's Conference later this fall. And, he also produced a 15-minute video of his experience at the recent diocesan-wide Corpus Christ Procession in Tulsa. The video is part of a regular podcast that Funderburk produces called The Holy Happy Hour appearing on YouTube."The basis around the whole episode is answering the questions 'Why do we do this?'" says Funderburk. "I talk about the history of St. Juliana of Liege and how we are dedicating ourselves to the true presence in the eucharist and the public proclamation of Jesus christ."
That video can be found by clicking here. But also check out the rest of his YouTube channel where you'll also find several interviews with a wide range of local Catholic guests and topics, Lectio Divine, Hallow Trivia Challenge, Saints, and much more. New episodes drop every Thursday. Give it a look.
At some point in the very near future, I plan to do a more expansive feature on Josh and his journey of faith.
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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