e-newsletter companion of Eastern Oklahoma Catholic magazine
Tulsa Catholic Women's Conference Almost Here
Tulsa Catholic Women's Conference Chair Kathy Sands discusses the third annual event, happening the weekend of September 18-19, with host Bishop David Konderla on his recent Tulsa Time podcast.
TCWC Selling Raffle Tickets for Dinner with Guest Speaker and Chef Father Leo
BROKEN ARROW — The Tulsa Catholic Women's Conference committee is planning for a big turnout in its third year, set for Friday night and all-day Saturday, Sept. 18-19, at the Renaissance Hotel & Conference Center in Tulsa.
TCWC Chair Kathy Sands recently sat down with Bishop David Konderla on his Tulsa Time podcast to discuss this year's event.
"Last year we had 750, the first year we had 450, and we are planning for between 700 and 800 again," said Sands. "The fruits are just the joy of gathering together, running into people they haven't seen in years, and I would say the messages that people leave with — things that will help them in their spiritual life."
To view the Tulsa Time podcast in its entirety, click here.
The 2026 TCWC will begin with a social gathering of food and fellowship from 5:30-8:30 p.m., Friday evening, Sept. 18. The conference will then pick back up at 7:45 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, and run until 5 p.m. The ticket price of $85 includes event admission for both dates, continental breakfast, and a buffet lunch on Saturday.
On Friday, Sept. 18, renowned chef, speaker, and priest Father Leo Patalinghug will prepare one of his signature culinary presentations and a few lucky attendees will be invited to taste what he creates live on stage. Raffle tickets for a chance to be selected as a special taste-tester during the event are $25 each or five for $100. The raffle closes Sept.13 and winners notified by Sept. 14.
For more information about the conference or to register, visit tulsacatholicwomen.com
Muskogee Student Wins Math League National Championship
MUSKOGEE — A student at St. Joseph Catholic School is the 2025–2026 Catholic Math League Math 5 National Champion.
Adam Do, son of Anna Pham and Huy Do, recently competed among 174 students in the St. Joseph’s division and then advanced to compete with 1,143 fifth-grade students from across the United States to claim the national title.
Students in the 5th and 6th grades put their math skills to the test throughout the 2025–2026 school year as they competed in the Catholic Math League, a national competition that challenges students while helping strengthen their problem-solving and test-taking skills. Catholic Math League is a national math competition that was started in 1997 to develop test-taking skills in participating students. St Joseph 5th and 6th graders entered and completed a four-test series throughout the 2025-2026 school year. Certificates were awarded for the top three scores (with a minimum score requirement for placing) from both grade levels entered.
Other St. Joseph students who earned top honors in the local competition include fifth grader Thao N. (NHI) – 2nd Place; Mackenzie G. & Max C. – tied for 3rd Place; and in 6th grade, Evie W. – 1st Place; and Gabe L. and Kim N. – tied for 2nd Place.
"Congratulations to Adam, his fellow students, their families, his math teachers and Principal Brian Doerner on this wonderful achievement for the entire St. Joseph Catholic School community," said the Catholic Schools Office in a statement. "What a proud moment for Catholic education in eastern Oklahoma, and what an incredible accomplishment for these young mathematicians!"
Adam's math teacher during the last academic year, during which time he participated in the National Championship testing score, was Kayla Sheridan. She has since taken a position with Porter Public Schools. Adam's current math teacher is Glen Bibelheimer.
For more about St. Joseph Catholic School in Muskogee, click here. For more information about the Catholic Math League, click here.
Photo courtesy of St. Joseph Catholic School
St. Joseph Catholic School student Adam Do, son of Anna Pham and Huy Do, recently won the 2026 Catholic Math League National Chamionship for fifth graders. He is pictured with his current math teacher Glen Bibelheimer.
2026 Three Hearts Pilgrimage Set for October 15-17
Guest Celebrant Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone
This year's Three Hearts Pilgrimage will take place October 15 -17 with Honored Guest Celebrant Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone on Saturday, Oct. 17.
Beginning near Tahlequah, the annual Three Hearts Pilgrimage guides thousands of participants through a rigorous terrain for 35 miles along country roads over two days to their destination — the Benedictine Monastery of Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey near Hulbert. Last year's sacrificial walk of reparation saw more than 3,000 pilgrims from 48 states and six countries make the journey that culminated in a Pontifical High Mass celebrated by Athanasius Schneider, ORC, Auxiliary Bishop of Astana, Kazakhstan.
The pilgrimage is a sacrificial walk by design "with the intention of providing a safe journey for souls to offer their spiritual and physical suffering for the sanctity of life and in defense of the traditional family unit, in which God intended to be modeled after the Holy Family." Although difficult and penitential, many pilgrims return each year to experience the joy and beauty they find when they come with thousands of others to sacrifice in union with one another.
For more information, go to: www.threeheartspilgrimage.org
Although difficult and penitential, many pilgrims return each year to experience the joy and beauty they find in the Three Hearts Pilgrimage where they come with thousands of others to sacrifice in union with one another.
CATHOLIC SCOUTING NEWS
Celebrating 100 Years of Ad Altar Dei Emblem
For many decades, Catholic religious emblems have helped form young people in virtue, service, and discipleship. The four emblem programs offered through Scouting America include:
Light of Christ — for Catholic Cub Scouts ages 6–7
Parvuli Dei — for Catholic Cub Scouts ages 8–10
Ad Altare Dei — for Catholic Scouting America members ages 11–14
Pope Pius XII — for Catholic Scouting America members ages 15 and older
As part of the centennial celebration, the committee also wishes to recognize the priests, deacons, religious, and lay ministers within the diocese who participated in Scouting—especially those who earned the Ad Altare Dei emblem.
"These men and women serve quietly and faithfully in our parishes and communities, and their Scouting experience provides a powerful point of connection and inspiration for today’s youth."
The committee invites submissions of names and photographs of clergy, religious, and lay ministers who were Scouts — whether in uniform, at a campout, or simply at the age they were active in Scouting. The goal is to create a diocesan collection of images to inspire Scouts to grow in virtue, service, and holiness.
The Catholic Committee on Scouting sponsors Catholic religious awards and festivities for all scouting youth organizations including Camp Fire, Girl Scouts, American Heritage Girls, Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Trail Life.
To find out more about Catholic Scouting, click here.
Catholic Family Weekend Set for October 24-25
BROKEN ARROW — The 2026 Catholic Family Weekend is planned for October 24-25, at Camp Waypoint (formerly known as Camp Waluhili). This annual camping weekend invites scouting and non-scouting families for an overnight camping trip.
Many of the planned activities highlight Scouting programs, but not all. Community service activities are also offered. The weekend is sponsored by the Committee on Scouting and the Office of Marriage and Family Life. The annual gathering is held at the camp located on Fort Gibson Lake — a peaceful setting with activities for all ages and opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. All family members are welcome.
For more information, click here.
Pair Presented Trail Life USA Freedom Award
Courtesy Photo
From left, James Boyne and Dominic Ford of Trail Life USA Troop OK-0103 at Holy Family Cathedral recently earned the Freedom Award, the highest award in the Trail Life program. Trail Life USA is a church-based, Christ-centered mentoring and discipleship journey set in the context of outdoor adventure. The pair was awarded the honors during a recent Court of Honor ceremony at the cathedral. Both are attending Catholic colleges this fall.
Saint Augustine Image Installed at Namesake Parish in North Tulsa
Bishop David Konderla joined Father Celestine Obidiegwu, Pastor of St. Augustine Catholic Church, to celebrate Mass and a solemn installation and blessing on Friday night of the sacred image of Saint Augustine of Tlachichila, Mexico to be permanently enshrined at the north Tulsa parish. Father Leonardo Medina, Intercultural Coach/Specialist with the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma, explains that the image is an officially authorized replica of the original image of St. Augustine which is more than 150 years old and has been deeply venerated for generations in the state of Zacatecas, Archdiocese of Guadalajara. Several priests and deacons of the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma, including visiting priest from Guadalajara Fr. Raudel Flores, were in attendance for the historic occasion.
EOC Photos by Daniel McCay
Benedictine Sisters to Host Lectio Retreat
TULSA — Registration is now open for the next Lectio (praying with the Scriptures) Retreat hosted by the Benedictine Sisters of St. Joseph Monastery October 7-10. Registration can be completed online by clicking here.
"We are happy to invite you to learn and practice a way to sustain your awareness of God’s grace in ordinary life," say the sisters in their online invitation. "This commitment would be a most worthwhile experience if you have an interest in ongoing spiritual formation. Also, please help us spread the word to friends who you know have an active life of prayer and desire to continue learning on their journey of faith."
The purpose of the retreat days is to break open the content of sustained Lectio Divina in light of our personal experience and to invite the participants to an awareness of this teaching on prayer. The staff is made up of diocesan priests, Benedictines and laity who practice this way of prayer in their own lives. There is no commitment to a continuing group experience as this teaching is to enrich your personal prayer practice.
All retreats and the Benedictine Oblates of St. Joseph Monastery are open to Christians of all denominations.
Part of the inspiration and training for the retreats comes from the writings of Sister Meg Funk, OSB. Sister Meg has written several books about the Christian contemplative tradition, including: Thoughts Matter, Tools Matter, Humility Matters, Lectio Matters: Before the Burning Bush, and Discernment Matters. The sisters recommend reading Lectio Matters ahead of the retreat.
For further information, contact: lectio@stjosephmonastery.org.
Retreat Hours:
Wednesday Oc. 7, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Thursday Oct. 8, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Friday Oct. 9, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Saturday Oct. 10, 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
This three-day retreat includes:
An introduction to sustained Lectio Divina from the early monastic tradition
An invitation in prayer to the Holy Spirit to listen with the ear of our heart
An understanding of the obstacles to prayer that arise from within and from outside of us
Unfolding of the voices/senses in the revelatory texts that lead us in our desire to know God more intimately and to be those who freely love as Christ Jesus through the grace of the Holy Spirit
An introduction to a variety of prayer tools that support our life’s journey
Teachings on the practice of discernment in our ordinary lives
A witness of moments of encounter with God— “You are my beloved son/daughter in whom I am well pleased.”
There are times of silence, one-on-one time with a companion who is part of the staff, ongoing sharing from the teachings, opportunities to explore the monastery library, prayer with the Benedictine Sisters, and lunch each day.
From the Editor...
On Sunday, Oklahoma native Abbot Paul Sheller, OSB, was blessed by Bishop James V. Johnston and installed as the eleventh abbot of Conception Abbey in Missouri. Abbot Paul was born in Stillwater, professed vows as a Benedictine monk on August 15, 2006, and was ordained a priest on May 16, 2013. He becomes the 11th abbot in Conception Abbey’s 153-year history. Tulsa seminarian Bruce Sander (Holy Family Cathedral) was in attendance at his alma mater for the abbatial blessing. The former Father Paul Sheller was Sander's spiritual director when he was a student there.
Starting today, our very own Bishop David Konderla leads a seven-day prayer challenge, Called By Name, for vocations on the very popular Hallow prayer app. Bishop Konderla will be joined by special guests each day including Fr. Malachy Joseph Napier, CFR; Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT; and Sr. Josephine Garrett, CFSN; and others as they share inspiring stories that reveal the many ways God invites us to follow Him. To join these seven pre-recorded prayer sessions, click here.
As is typical with many federal holidays, our Chancery offices will be closed next Monday for Labor Day. However, next week's issue of EOCextra will publish as normal that day.
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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