Diocese Launches Social Media Campaign to Promote OCIA

  "I invite all people of faith and good will to consider checking out your local Catholic Church through our Becoming Catholic (OCIA) classes that start this fall," said Bishop David Konderla. "Come and discover the living presence of Jesus Christ in word, sacrament and community. All are welcome."
 The multi-week campaign, to appear on Facebook, Instagram and other popular social media platforms, is directed to the "Catholic curious" and those who may be earnestly discerning becoming Catholic.
  "Maybe someone invited you to Mass. Maybe you've been asking questions. Maybe God has been stirring something in your heart," reads one of the posts. "Wherever you are on your journey, you don't need to have all the answers. You simply need to take the first step. Your local Catholic parish is ready to walk with you."
  The posts then direct those interested in learning more about the Catholic faith to click on a link to locate a parish and OCIA class near them. The listing will be updated as more parishes provide OCIA class and contact information.
  Additionally, the Chancery Communications Department has created a series of posters/flyers that can be utilized by local parishes, both digitally and in print, to promote their OCIA class meeting days and times. To access these resources, or for more information, contact: communications@dioceseoftulsa.org.

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BY BISHOP DAVID A. KONDERLA

  The Latin motto, Nisi Dominus Aedificaverit, is the first three words of Psalm 126:1-2 from the Latin Vulgate Bible and translates as “Unless the Lord builds.”
  The verse, in its entirety, is “Unless the Lord builds the House, in vain do its builders labor. Unless the Lord watch over the city, in vain does the watchman keep vigil. In vain is your earlier rising and your going later to rest, you who toil for the bread you eat while he pours gifts on his beloved while they slumber.”
  It is a reminder to us that God is ever near to help us and we cannot do what we need to do without him.
  The outer elements – the hat, cross and tassels – may vary in design but are standard features of all bishop’s coats of arms.
  The interior shield is a marriage of the Diocese of Tulsa’s coat of arms on the left side and my shield on the right. The color palette of my shield was chosen to represent the Konderla family heritage from Germany, Poland and Ireland.
  The star is what first announced the birth of our Savior. It also represents, for me, my love for my native state of Texas. I also find that looking up at the stars and the beauty of the universe draws me closer to the Creator of the universe.
  The intertwined A and M joined with a cross is the symbol of what is called The Auspice Maria, or Under the Protection of Mary. My priesthood, and now my life as a bishop, I have placed under the care of Mary's prayers and protection. It has a secondary meaning to me in that it connects me to my beloved Aggies, whose logo is the stylized letters ATM.
  The blue line running vertically represents the rivers that have run through my life. I grew up in the Brazos River Valley. The Colorado River runs through my home diocese, the Diocese of Austin. The Arkansas River is a prominent feature of my new diocese, the Diocese of Tulsa. Rivers throughout the world form lines of connection between peoples and, according to Psalm 46, it is a river that “gladdens the city of God, the dwelling of the Most High.”

Below is a description of the Diocese of Tulsa's coat of arms as designed by the late Father James White, a longtime pastor and historian in the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma. The coat of arms, which was created at the time that the Diocese was erected in 1973, is largely influenced or based upon the original coat of arms for the Diocese of Oklahoma, now the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City.  The red background represents the Choctaw word “okla” (people) and “homma” (red) meaning red people and is the source of our state’s name, Oklahoma.
  The five arrows inside a silver "shakefork" represent the Native American nations, formerly referred to collectively as the "Five Civilized Tribes" – the Cherokee, the Creek, the Seminole, the Chickasaw and the Choctaw nations – who were relocated from their homeland in the southeastern U.S. to Oklahoma Territory. The arrows point downward as a sign of peace and are meant to honor the advancements of tribal governments, education and the arts made by the nations. The Y-shaped shakefork is a variation of the Cross and signifies the three persons of the Holy Family to whom our Holy Family Cathedral is dedicated.
  The green droplets on a silver background on the outer edges represent oil, a natural resource that has played a major role in the history and development of Tulsa and eastern Oklahoma.
  Above the shield appears a mitre, the ceremonial headpiece worn by a bishop or archbishop.

OBITUARY: 

Rt. Rev. Martin R. Lugo, OSB

Ninth Abbot of St. Gregory’s Abbey

Jan. 24, 1935 – July 13, 2026

  SHAWNEE — Father Martin (Richard) Lugo, O.S.B., monk of Saint Gregory’s Abbey, died on Monday, July 13, 2026. He was 91 years old, had completed 69 years of monastic vows and 64 years of priestly ministry.
  Father Martin was born on Jan. 24, 1935, in Los Angeles, California, to Antonio and Alicia (Sanabia) Lugo. He was raised in East Los Angeles at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, staffed by monks of Saint Gregory’s Abbey in Shawnee. He came as a senior to Saint Gregory’s High School in Shawnee, graduating in 1954. He entered the novitiate at Saint Gregory’s Abbey in 1955 and professed vows as a monk on Aug. 15, 1956. He later completed an Associate of Arts degree at Saint Gregory’s College and a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy at Saint Benedict’s College in Atchison, Kansas. He pursued theological studies at Saint Gregory’s Abbey and was ordained to the priesthood on May 1, 1962.
  Father Martin was beloved and effective in his various assignments to pastoral ministry. He served as associate pastor and pastor both at his home parish of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in East Los Angeles and at Saint Benedict Catholic Church in Montebello, California. He served as chaplain at Saint Gregory’s College from 1971 to 1973.
  Described as outspoken but patient, as a sentimentalist and realist, Father Martin engaged in activities to promote social justice and advocacy for marginalized peoples in southern California. He was an active member of the Los Angeles United Neighborhood Organization (UNO), a confederation of Catholic and Protestant congregations, serving as chairman of its health committee. In 1980 he was elected as president of the Eastside Priests Association of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
  Father Martin held several positions of leadership at Saint Gregory’s Abbey, including as prior, novice master and several terms on the Abbey Senior Council. He was appointed prior administrator of Saint Gregory’s Abbey on Jan. 4, 1995, and elected as the ninth abbot of Saint Gregory’s Abbey on Feb. 5, 1997. He remained in the role until Jan. 3, 2006.
  After retiring as abbot, he remained active at the monastery, often accepting assignments to weekend parish supply ministry, providing spiritual direction for many and serving as an on-call confessor at the monastery. He provided faithful witness to his confreres, giving encouragement with wisdom and humor.
  Father Martin died peacefully on July 13, 2026. He was predeceased by his parents, stepfather Abundio Muños, his brother Antonio and sister-in-law Celia Barajas-Lugo. He is survived by the monks of Saint Gregory’s Abbey, nephews Richard and Raymond Lugo and nieces Linda Cardona and Angelica Rice.
  Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, July 17 in the Abbey Church, with interment following in the Abbey Cemetery.

Father Martin (Richard) Lugo, OSB

After Decade Without, Saint Francis Restores Emergency Care to Eufaula

 EUFAULA —Ten years after Eufaula lost its hospital, emergency care has returned to the community.
 Saint Francis Eufaula opened its doors to patients on July 11, restoring local access to around-the-clock emergency services for residents and visitors throughout the region. Patients who require inpatient or specialty care have direct access to Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee, while those needing the highest level of trauma care can be transferred to Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa.
 "It's increasingly rare for a rural community to get healthcare back once it's been lost. That's what makes this so meaningful," said Collin Henry, senior vice president of development at Saint Francis Health System. “Bringing emergency care back to Eufaula isn't just about opening doors. It's about restoring peace of mind and ensuring families know help is close when they need it most."
 The opening continues Saint Francis' investment in rural healthcare, building on recent expansions that have increased access to emergency, primary and specialty care throughout northeast Oklahoma.
 “As hospitals across the country face difficult financial realities, Saint Francis is choosing to invest in rural Oklahoma,” said Dr. Cliff Robertson, president and CEO of Saint Francis Health System. “We are proud to restore this lifeline to Eufaula, and in doing so, reaffirm our commitment to the people who call this community home."
 The public is invited to celebrate the restoration of this critical healthcare lifeline during a grand opening celebration and blessing event at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 5, at Saint Francis Eufaula, 5 Hospital Drive in Eufaula. The event will feature a blessing of the facility, remarks from Saint Francis and community leaders, tours of the new emergency department and a symbolic "Lifeline Restoration" ceremony recognizing the return of local emergency services.

Photos courtesy of St. Francis Health System

Employees on the occasion of St. Francis Eufala's opening on July 11.