e-newsletter companion of Eastern Oklahoma Catholic magazine
Bishop Spotlights Inaugural Tulsa Catholic Men's Conference
Ticket Discounts for Groups of 10 or More
BROKEN ARROW — Bishop David Konderla and his guest Josh Funderburk, chair of the Tulsa Catholic Men's Conference, discussed the value of attending the inaugural one-day event set for Saturday, October 10, during the bishop's Tulsa Time podcast released today.
Besides chairing the planning committee for the very first TCMC, Funderburk's day job is as a fulltime FOCUS Missionary at Parish of Christ The King in Tulsa. Before that he was development director for the University of Tulsa's Newman Center. He sat down last Thursday with Bishop Konderla to talk about the upcoming conference.
"I'm kind of fired up for my own personal apostolate since I came back from SEEK
and that's what we're hoping this will be for people from all over the Diocese," said Funderburk. "When you're normally at St. Anne's but then you get to meet someone from St. Mary's or Christ the King or Holy Family, or maybe you're from down there in Talihina with Father (Bryan) Ketterer and you're going to be coming up for the conference, you get to meet some of these people from Tulsa. We get to pour into each other and grow in community and then leave and go back to our parishes more revitalized and ready to spread the gospel."
Bishop Konderla strongly encourages Catholic men in the Diocese to make it a priority to attend the first-ever event which is designed specifically for them.
"God may want to use this event to bless anyone listening in a way that they can't fathom now, that they can't foresee now. It's worth everything to open the door and make that opportunity, so we want to really encourage people," said Bishop Konderla. "If someone hears this and is thinking, 'well, man I've got a lot to do and that's my only Saturday,' or 'I'm not sure I want to go to something with all those other men who I don't know,' come, and you'll see. You can be part of what makes the conference a rich experience."
Tickets to the inaugural TCMC on Saturday, October 10 are available now:
Regular Ticket Price: $79
Military/Veteran Price: $59
Active Knights of Columbus Price: $59
Parish Group Discount: For parish men's groups of 10 or more, ticket prices are $60 per person. For groups registering with 25 ore more, tickets are reduced to $50 per person. Contact Josh Funderburk at joshua.funderburk@focus.org
EOC photo by Daniel McCay
Tulsa Catholic Men's Conference Chairman Josh Funderburk was Bishop David Konderla's guest on the latest Tulsa Time podcast.
'People of Hope' Mobile Museum Open Today Through Wednesday
TULSA — For three days only, the public is invited to step into an immersive mobile museum experience showcasing faith-filled stories from Catholic Charities agencies all over the country, including a story from one of Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma's own, Claudia Hernandez.
People of Hope Museum: Faith-Filled Stories of Neighbors Helping Neighbors is a unique mobile museum traveling the nation. Presented by Catholic Charities USA, the museum celebrates the power of Christian service and its transformative impact on both giver and receiver by featuring powerful stories of faith, compassion, and lives changed across the country.
Visitors can experience:
- Video stories from people serving in their communities, sharing encounters with the one vulnerable client who impacted them the most.
- An interactive poverty simulation of stepping into another person’s life, making difficult choices and experiencing the realities of living on the margins
- An audio library featuring curated 2- to 4-minute audio segments from seminal works on poverty, social isolation, bridgebuilding and community action, including by best-selling authors Arthur Brooks, Matthew Desmond, Robert Putnam, Oprah Winfrey, and others.
- National and state data illustrating the scope of need and the vital role of social services organizations across the country.
- A recording studio that allows attendees to share their own stories of hope and service.
Coming to Tulsa
August 24th - 26th
Where: Cascia Hall Preparatory School, 2520 S. Yorktown Ave.
behind St. Rita Chapel
Days/Hours open to the public:
Monday, August 24: 2 - 5 p.m.
Tuesday, August 25: Noon to 5 p.m.
Wednesday, August 26: 9 a.m. to Noon
Admission is FREE
To watch a promotional video about the museum click here.
All Saints Introduces First Therapy Dog in Diocesan Schools
"I wanted to bring him into the community because I have seen firsthand the impact that having a dog can make," says first-year All Saints Principal, and Frisbee's handler, Alex Baab. "Dogs are a bridge between people, and sometimes when a child or any person is having a difficult time, being able to engage with a person is something that is maybe even just a little bit too lofty, but a dog offers that connection without expecting anything in return."
Ms. Baab says that she and Father Matt Gerlach, pastor of St. Ann Catholic Church which administers All Saints School, had discussed bringing a therapy dog to campus for awhile.
"We presented to the superintendent and met with diocesan leadership and gathered the support of our safe environment coordinator, our chancellor, the vicar general, and our superintendent," says Ms. Baab. "It's just been so exciting to go through this process and to not only have their support, but also to have the gratitude that we have started this program."
Ms. Baab says that she hopes the calming presence of Frisbee can help children and teachers regulate their emotions when they're having a difficult day. Research shows that being in the presence of a petting dog can lower cortisol (stress) levels and help people to feel calm by creating a general sense of well-being.
"I hope that Frisbee is able to do just that," says Ms. Baab. "I've seen in our therapy dog work (that) in very stressful environments people's voices start to get lower. People start to feel calmer, their shoulders relax, and I hope that he is able to provide that for our students and our teachers."
For more, see the All Saints Facebook page here.
ABOUT FRISBEE
Birthday: April 30, 2023
Breed: F1B Labradoodle
Favorite treats: salmon jerky and peanut butter
Favorite toy: Woody the Cowboy, onion and Christmas pickle
Favorite activities: Playing in the sprinkler and taking a nap.
Favorite time of day: bedtime
Fun facts: I love fragrant things like flowers, coffee, & stainless steel cleaner. I have convinced my mom that I can't jump in the car. I'm don't like it when dogs bark. I'm not good at transitions and l never want to leave wherever I am.
Images courtesy of All Saints Catholic School
Principal Alex Baab introduces Frisbee, the first therapy dog at a Diocesan school, to a classroom of elementary students at All Saints Catholic School in Broken Arrow.
Bishop to Lead Prayer Challenge for Vocations on Hallow App
BROKEN ARROW — Bishop David Konderla will lead a daily prayer challenge starting Aug. 31 through Sept. 6 as part of the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma's partnership with Hallow, the number one prayer app in the nation.
The challenge, titled “Called by Name,” will focus on vocations. The Diocese recently invited parishioners from across eastern Oklahoma to suggest the names of faithful young men who may be called to the priesthood. That initiative drew more than 200 name referrals, according to Father Duy Nguyen, Director of Vocations.
The Bishop's seven-day prayer challenge will invite listeners into the real stories of ordinary men and women who discovered God's call in unexpected ways. Each day highlights a specific vocation including the priesthood, religious life, marriage, the diaconate, and consecrated single life. The reflections are designed to show the beauty, sacrifices and blessings of each vocation while inviting participants to deepen their commitment to the vocation they are already living.
Bishop Konderla will open and close each day of the challenge and will share his personal story on the final day.
"As we conclude the journey, I'll share a little of my own vocation story and invite all of us to pray for those who are discerning where the Lord is calling them," said Bishop Konderla. "I hope you'll join me beginning August 31 on the Hallow app as we pray together for an increase in vocations and for the grace to faithfully live the vocation God has given each of us. 'Ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.' — Matthew 9:38."
Everyone within the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma who downloads the Hallow app, whether paid or free subscription, can access the Bishop's seven-day prayer challenge from the Hallow home page. The bishop's regular Sunday Homily recordings on Hallow can be found by clicking here.
To register for a free subscription to the Hallow prayer app, click here. After downloading the app to your device, sign in or create an account. Beginning August 31, look for "Called by Name" on the home screen.
New President Takes Helm of Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee
Muskogee Native Michele Keeling Retiring After Three Decades with Saint Francis Health System
MUSKOGEE — Saint Francis Health System has announced the appointment of Xavier Villarreal as Senior Vice President and President of Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee. Villarreal will succeed Michele Keeling, who has announced her planned retirement in early October after 30 years of dedicated service to Saint Francis Health System.
Villarreal joins Saint Francis with nearly three decades of healthcare leadership experience and a strong record of advancing operational excellence, strategic growth, physician engagement, quality improvement and patient-centered care. Most recently, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa, where he led a complex healthcare organization.
“Xavier brings a deep understanding of healthcare delivery in our region and a proven commitment to serving patients, physicians and employees,” said Barry L. Steichen, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Saint Francis Health System.
His healthcare leadership experience also includes previous roles within the Hillcrest Healthcare System, including serving as leader of hospitals in Poteau and Fairfax.
“I am honored to join Saint Francis Health System and serve the patients and communities of Muskogee and eastern Oklahoma,” said Villarreal. “Michele has built an incredible legacy, and I look forward to working with the talented employees, physicians and leaders at Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee to continue advancing the care we provide.”
Keeling’s retirement marks the conclusion of an impactful healthcare career deeply connected to the Muskogee community.
“It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve the community I love and help improve healthcare access and quality for the people of Muskogee and eastern Oklahoma," said Keeling. "I am deeply grateful for the incredible team that has made this journey possible, and I have complete confidence in Xavier Villarreal’s leadership.”
A Muskogee native, Keeling joined Saint Francis Health System in 1996 and has spent her career advancing healthcare in the community where she was born and raised.
“Michele’s leadership has been defined by her commitment to the people of Muskogee and the communities we serve,” said Dr. Cliff Robertson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Saint Francis Health System. “She has helped transform Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee into a regional healthcare destination while remaining deeply connected to the patients, families and caregivers who make this community special. We are grateful for her extraordinary service and the legacy she leaves behind.”
Villarreal will work closely with Keeling during the leadership transition to ensure continuity for patients, employees and community partners.
Xavier Villarreal, new Senior Vice President and President of Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee, succeeds Michele Keeling (above), who recently announced her retirement in early October.
Back to School
Over the past three weeks, we have featured scenes from the first day/week of school at Catholic schools within the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma. There are far too many great snapshots to publish here but check out your school's Facebook page where many more photos have been posted.
There are 13 Catholic schools within the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma — 10 Diocesan and three private schools — educating a total student body of approximately 4,500 anywhere from prekindergarten to grade 12. To all our students and teachers, our prayers go out to you for a successful school year!
If your school has news, photos or special events to promote during this school year, send us a note at communications@dioceseoftulsa.org. For more about Catholic schools in the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma, click here.
St Pius X
St. Joseph - Muskogee
Sts. Peter and Paul
Monte Cassino
St. John Bartlesville
Cascia Hall
From the Editor...
Although Frisbee (see story above) may be the first official therapy dog to work regularly within a Diocesan School, this is not the first time that a cuddly canine has interacted with students at All Saints Catholic School in Broken Arrow. Our Social Media Manager Renata Copsey — a former teacher at All Saints — brought to my attention the heartwarming story of Mr. Robert Masters and his dog Holly who faithfully came to All Saints on a weekly basis in the early 2000s to help second graders perfect their reading skills. Holly, a lovable golden retriever, and Mr. Masters would sit quietly in the school library every Tuesday and listen to students read.
Mr. Masters and Holly have both passed on now, but they left a positive impact. So much so that a Tulsa TV station profiled them back in 2014 (see photo below). Additonal photos of Mr. Masters and Holly interacting at the school can be found here and here. For more about Mr. Masters, a decorated Korean War veteran, his obituary can be found at this link.
Until next week, thanks for reading!
Chris Rush
Editor
Image courtesy of All Saints Catholic School
Robert Masters and his golden retriever Holly listens as students at All Saints Catholic School read in 2014. Mr. Masters and Holly were profiled by a Tulsa TV station at the time.
"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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