Blessed Stanley Rother Movie Coming to Theaters in August

  OKLAHOMA CITY — American Martyr: The Stanley Rother Story is coming to movie theaters on August 25-26, (English) and August 27, (En Español).
  Based on the true story of an American priest from Okarche, Okla., the feature-length documentary follows the life, death, and impact of Blessed Stanley Rother who served the indigenous Tzu'tujil people of Santiago Atitlán, in the highlands of Guatemala.
  "His witness of courage, fidelity and sacrificial love is as relevant today as ever," said Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City. "American Martyr: The Stanley Rother Story offers audiences an opportunity to encounter the inspiring true story of a remarkable priest whose faith led him to the ultimate act of discipleship.”
  As violence escalated during Guatemala's civil war and his name appeared on a death list, Father Rother was urged to leave. Instead, he chose to return to his parishioners, guided by his conviction that "the shepherd cannot run." His decision ultimately led to his murder in 1981 and, decades later, recognition as the first American-born priest officially declared a martyr by the Catholic Church.
  “Blessed Stanley Rother was an ordinary man who responded to God's call with extraordinary courage, ultimately laying down his life for the people he served in Guatemala,” said María Ruiz Scaperlanda, the promoter of Blessed Stanley Rother’s Cause for Canonization. “Through American Martyr: The Stanley Rother Story, audiences will encounter not only a compelling true story, but also a powerful example of holiness, sacrifice and missionary discipleship. My hope is that this film will inspire countless people to discover Blessed Stanley's life, seek his intercession and recognize that sainthood is possible for ordinary men and women who faithfully follow Christ wherever He leads.”
  Through firsthand testimonies, historical footage and immersive storytelling, the film brings to life the courage, faith and enduring legacy of a humble American priest whose witness continues to inspire people around the world. In 2017, Pope Francis formally recognized Father Rother's martyrdom and beatified him, further cementing his place in Catholic history.
  The feature-length documentary, narrated by Golden Globe and Emmy Award winning actor Martin Sheen, will debut in theatres nationwide for a special two-night release on August 26-27. The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City partnered with Oklahoma City-based film studio Lampstand Story Company to tell the story of Blessed Stanley Rother.
  Tickets  will be available online beginning Tuesday, July 28, the Feast Day of Stanley Rother, and at participating theater box offices. For more information, please visit FathomEntertainment.com. Parish group ticket sales are available at https://tinyurl.com/rothergroupsales. To learn more about the film, visit www.BlessedRotherFilm.com.

New Educational Division at Monte Cassino for Students with Dyslexia 

  TULSA — Opening for the 2027–2028 school year, Monte Cassino School has announced St. Scholastica Academy, an educational division serving second and third grade students with diagnosed dyslexia and other language-based learning differences, with plans to expand through fifth grade.
  The Academy is the first of its kind in Tulsa to combine scientifically grounded, evidence-based dyslexia instruction with the exceptional educational experience of an independent Catholic Benedictine school. Created in response to Tulsa’s need for specialized literacy instruction, students will receive 4.5 hours of structured language and literacy instruction each day in a small-group setting while remaining active participants in the life of the Monte Cassino community through fine arts, physical education, school traditions, extracurriculars, and other age-appropriate activities.
  "St. Scholastica Academy honors Monte Cassino's Catholic Benedictine heritage while addressing an important educational need in our community," said Kevin Rice, Chair of the Monte Cassino School Board of Directors. "The Board is proud to support this meaningful expansion of our mission as we begin our second century."
  The Academy's instructional model emphasizes individualized teaching, continuous progress monitoring, and immediate feedback, allowing educators to adjust instruction to meet each student's needs. With a 5:1 student-to-adult ratio and teachers trained in structured literacy and multi-sensory instruction, students receive the focused support needed to build strong reading foundations and lasting confidence.
  “Students seeing, feeling, and knowing that they are readers is crucial," said Caitriona Harris, Head of St. Scholastica Academy. "As their literacy skills grow, so does their confidence. At the Academy, students with language challenges and dyslexia experience education that prioritizes their needs and success — and most importantly, belief in themselves.”
  Research consistently shows that early intervention is one of the most effective ways to improve reading outcomes for students with dyslexia. By focusing initially on second and third grade, St. Scholastica Academy provides dedicated instruction during one of the most important stages of literacy development.
  "St. Scholastica Academy expands our mission by providing students with dyslexia the instruction they need while ensuring they continue to experience the relationships, traditions, and sense of belonging that define a Monte Cassino education." said Chris Burke, Head of School.
  Enrollment is open for the 2027-2028 school year. Interested families are invited to attend an informational session to learn more about the Academy's curriculum, instructional approach, and admissions process at an Information Session at 4 p.m., Thursday, July 30 in the Lower School Library. Reservations are required. RSVP at the link on Saint Scholastica Page on the school website at: www.montecassino.org/academics/saint-scholastica-academy.
  Founded in 1926, Monte Cassino School is an independent Catholic Benedictine school serving students from Pre-K through eighth grade in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 15, 1939, James White and his family were received into the Catholic Church on Christmas Eve in 1949.
  As a young man he  worked briefly in a Chicago bank, taught in an elementary school, and was employed for two years by the Catholic Church Extension Society, a missionary funding agency with headquarters in Chicago. As part of his duties, he developed for publication (several million copies annually) an appointment calendar which used contemporary photographs to illustrate passages from Scripture. He continued as editor of this project for several years, even after his priestly ordination and relocation to Oklahoma.
  His ordination to the priesthood took place at St. Joseph's Church in Norman, Okla. on Feb. 21, 1969, at the hands of Bishop Victor J. Reed, of the Diocese of Oklahoma City and Tulsa.
  Father White had a long interest in heraldry, and when an officer of the Extension Society was named bishop, he had the opportunity to design a coat of arms for him. This interest, never more than an extended hobby, ultimately resulted in more than 40 heraldic projects commissioned by bishops, abbots, dioceses and parishes. In this capacity he had the honor to design the coat of arms of the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma (see article in the July 20, EOCextra).
  His first assignment as a priest was as associate pastor of Holy Family Cathedral in Tulsa (1969-72). As a new resident of the state, he became fascinated with Oklahoma history, especially the history of the Catholic Church in Oklahoma. He was encouraged in this by Bishop Reed, and he began the research that would eventually result in a dozen books and numerous articles and monographs. This interest was formalized in 1980, when he was named historian of the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma.
  In 1972 he received his first pastorate at Immaculate Conception Parish at Poteau.
  On February 7, 1973, the Diocese of Tulsa was established as a separate and independent jurisdiction from that of Oklahoma City. Among the first actions of the new bishop, Bernard Ganter, was to create an office for the permanent diaconate, whose restoration in the Catholic Church had been authorized by the Second Vatican Council (1962-65). Fr. White volunteered to work on this project, and Bishop Ganter appointed him as the first director. Fr. White continued as director until 1982, and again from 1984 to 1988.
   In 1978 a new parish was established south of 81st Street in Tulsa, and Fr. White was appointed as its founding pastor. Named for St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153), the new congregation moved its meeting place several times before settling on the property of the former St. John Vianney School for Girls in south Tulsa.
  Reassigned in 1991, Fr. White spent a year editing the diaries of Most Rev. Theophile Meerschaert, the first bishop of Oklahoma (1891-1924), which he published in 1994. He also continued research for a study of the Church's relationship with the Osage Nation, published in 1997. In 1992 and 1993 he served as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Fairfax, on the former Osage reservation. He also served as master of ceremonies to Bishop Edward Slattery from 1994 to 1999. In 1998 he was given charge of Sacred Heart Parish in Skiatook.
  At the age of 65, in 2004, Father White retired from the pastorate and was appointed archivist of the Diocese of Tulsa. This required that he design an archive building on the chancery campus and set up a computer-based infrastructure to aid in filing and locating documents.
  After spending a few initial retirement years in California, he returned to Tulsa in 2018. In February of 2022, Father White celebrated his 50th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood. He died peacefully on Sunday, July 17, 2022, at the age of 83, and is buried in the priests' section of Calvary Cemetery in Tulsa.