e-newsletter companion of Eastern Oklahoma Catholic magazine
Tulsa Catholic Women Gather for Faith, Food and Friendship
BY JEAN YAEGER for the EOC
TULSA — More than 750 women gathered for faith, food, and friendship at the third annual Tulsa Catholic Women’s Conference this past weekend.
Popular nationally known Catholic speakers gave presentations tied to the conference theme “Come to the Table.” Highlights included priest and celebrity chef Father Leo Patalinghug, who cooked penne alla vodka and made jokes to the delight of the crowd. He encouraged his audience to feed their families with good food and love for Jesus. The kitchen table should be the altar of the domestic church, where love is shared and saints are formed, Fr. Patalinghug said.
Women of all ages attended from across the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma as well as from surrounding states. They included religious sisters, young moms with babies, new Catholics and incoming Catholics. The vibe sparkled with joy, laughter and spiritual support.
The conference offered opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration and Mass celebrated by Bishop David Konderla in the ballroom of the Tulsa Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center. Throughout the weekend, conference-goers stood in line to venerate a relic of St. Teresa of Calcutta. They also shopped for items such as religious artwork, prayer pillowcases and candles infused with scents referenced in Scripture.
“It’s a wonderful event,” Bishop Konderla said. “People are coming from all over the diocese, and it feels like a family.”
Three friends who made the trip from Immaculate Conception Church in Hugo summed up the blessings they experienced: peace, healing and gratitude. The ladies from Hugo stayed overnight at the hotel to attend both days of the conference.
“Because we’re such a small parish, it can feel isolated,” Michele Frazier said. “To say the Rosary together, hundreds of voices in unison, reminded me it is a universal Church.”
The lineup of speakers featured Mary Bielski, Sarah Swafford, Caitlyn Gonya, and Claudia Hernandez, who presented a breakout session in Spanish. For more photographs of this year's conference, see our diocesan Facebook page.
Next year's Tulsa Catholic Women’s Conference is scheduled for Sept. 17-18, 2027, at the Owasso campus of Tulsa Technology Center.
EOC Photos by Renata Copsey
Catholic Schools Announce National Merit Scholar Semifinalists
These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for about 6,700 National Merit Scholarships worth approximately $24 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 95 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and approximately half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.
More than 1.2 million high school juniors from approximately 20,000 schools entered the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2025 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.
Pictured below are the Semifinalists named from each local Catholic school.
Bishop Kelley High School
Photo by Timm Dower, Rogue Monkey Media
FROM LEFT: National Merit Semifinalists from Bishop Kelley High School are William Tanner, Ella Wrobleski, Hannah Nguyen, Jackson Wrobleski, Reese Launchbaugh, and Cade Parks.
—Cascia Hall Preparatory School
Photo courtesy of Cascia Hall Preparatory School
Pictured are Matthew Coulon and Kate Pettyjohn, this year’s National Merit Semifinalists from Cascia Hall Preparatory School with Headmaster Fr. Jack Tierney, O.S.A.
—
Holy Family Classical School
Photo courtesy of Holy Family Classical School
National Merit Semifinalist Isaac Fugikawa of Holy Family Classical School.
CONSTRUCTION UPDATES
Cathedral Roof Project Nearing Completion
TULSA — The massive roof replacement project at Holy Family Cathedral, the Mother Church of the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma, is finally nearing completion.
The multi-million-dollar roof replacement project began in June of last year and was initially projected to be complete by last Christmas. However, setbacks and challenges, including extensive damage from an arson fire to one of the Cathedral's three soaring towers, pushed back the completion date significantly. The project contractor is currently expecting to wrap up the work by November. A huge network of exterior scaffolding which has surrounded most of the historic downtown church for more than a year, is being removed to reveal shiny new copper roof panels.
"Managing this project from storm damage, through the insurance claim process, and reconstruction has been incredibly rewarding," said Monica Conro, director of operations for Holy Family Cathedral. "Each milestone means we are one step closer to completion!”
The Father’s Day storm of 2023 dealt significant damage to the Cathedral's three towering spires and the lower roof. The damage necessitated total roof replacement and, in some instances, structural repairs.
For more construction updates at the Cathedral, click here. To view additional photographs of the most recent work, click here.
EOC Photo by Daniel McCay
Workers remove scaffolding from the main spire (center) at Holy Family Cathedral recently. At right is the completed northeast tower and at left is the fire-damaged southeast tower that is undergoing repairs.
—
Fire Damage Repairs Moving Ahead at Muskogee Parish
MUSKOGEE — After fire heavily damaged St. Joseph Catholic Church on the morning of March 3, 2025, the parish is seeing major progress being made in the rebuilding and restoration progress.
Father John O'Neill, pastor of the church, recently made a short video updating parishioners and the community on the progress.
"Hi, Father John here. I'm just going to do a quick walk through the church so you can see some of the construction that's happening," says a hardhat and safety vest wearing Fr. O'Neill in the video. The video tour reveals construction and restoration progress in framing, drywall, ductwork, ceilings, and more being made in several areas of the church including the main sanctuarry, chapel, gathering space, multipurpose room, choir room, confessionals, cry room, and Sacristy.
The blaze began in the northeast section of the church in a former classroom that was being remodeled into a library/Bible study area. The fire then spread into the attic space causing extensive structural, smoke, and roof damage throughout the building. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries among parishioners, staff, or first responders. Since that time, the Church has utilized its sizeable Parish Hall to hold Mass and other events.
"I'm looking forward to this being able to be used by all of us soon," says Fr. O'Neill. "Keep praying for these workers that they remain safe. God bless you all."
Images courtesy of St. Joseph Catholic Church
In a recent video, Father John O'Neill, pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Muskogee, gives parishioners a quick walk-through and update of the construction and repairs being made to the fire-damaged church.
October 2 Mass, Awards to Recognize Local Educators
TULSA — All are invited to this year's St. Francis of Assisi Tuition Assistance Trust Mass and Awards — honoring outstanding Catholic educators from each school within the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma — at St. Pius X Church at 6 p.m., Friday, October 2.
The Mass, celebrated by Bishop David Konderla, will be immediately followed by a brief awards ceremony recognizing this year's outstanding teachers.
The annual celebration of Catholic education has typically taken place at Holy Family Cathedral, but will be hosted this year by St. Pius X Church and School in midtown Tulsa. Catholic Schools Superintendent David Dean said they are excited to hold the event at St. Pius X.
"We had been discussing moving the event to other parishes that have a school to better represent the different schools in our diocese," said Dean. "The rotation of parishes will enable us to better celebrate Catholic education in different locations.
All our schools have great teachers and bring the beauty of our Catholic faith and strong academic formation to our students."
Schools from around the Diocese each choose a Teacher of the Year recipient to be recognized during the annal awards ceremony.
"Catholic school teachers are commissioned to bring the Gospel to our students," said Dean. "In Matthew 28: 19-20, Our Lord’s last words to his disciples are 'Go therefore and teach all nations…teaching all things I have commanded you…'. Catholic school teachers carry forward this great mission and deserve to be celebrated and honored for their apostolic endeavors."
The Saint Francis of Assisi Tuition Assistance Trust was established in 1999 to ensure the ability of Catholic families who might not otherwise send their children to a Catholic school, the opportunity to afford a Catholic education. It was initially funded through interest earned on a $5 million endowment pledged through the 1999 Diocesan Fund for the Future campaign, speareheaded by the late Bishop Edward J. Slattery. Since 2000, the Trust has awarded more than $6 million in financial aid to approximately 7,000 students. For more information, click here.
Matt Maher, Sarah Kroger Bringing CATHEDRALS Tour to Tulsa
TULSA — Holy Family Cathedral will host a special night of worship on October 20, as it welcomes nationally known Catholic music performers Matt Maher and Sarah Kroger's CATHEDRALS Tour, featuring the Kingdomtide Edition — a special series of worship nights at cathedrals around the nation.
"This event is a time to gather together as a community and celebrate the season of Kingdomtide through music, prayer, and reflection," say the musical artists.
Maher is a Canadian Catholic contemporary Christian music artist, songwriter, and worship leader based in the United States. Three of his nine albums have reached the Top 25 Christian Albums Billboard chart and four of his singles have reached the Top 25 Christian Songs chart.
Kroger, a Florida native, is a GMA Dove Award-nominated artist, songwriter, and Catholic worship leader whose love for music started at a young age. She has released multiple studio albums since 2011.
According to Dom Quaglia who handles booking and tour management for the duo, Tulsa is one of several stops as part of a national tour in October. "It's a full concert with Matt and Sarah, reverent and joyful praise — built to give people who might not otherwise walk into a cathedral an easy, beautiful way in," says Quaglia.
Maher and Kroger, along with backing musicians, will lead a night of worship lasting approximately two or more hours.
Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. for the 7 o'clock concert on Tuesday, Oct. 20. For ticket information, click here. Groups of 10 or more can receive a 10 percent discount on Artist Circle and General Admission tickets. Email customercare@itickets.com for further information.
Annual October Fundraisers Set for Vinita and Broken Arrow
A pair of Oktoberfest-themed annual festivals will take place next month as Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Vinita and St. Anne Catholic Church in Broken Arrow each celebrate and raise money for parish supported causes.
Vinita's 39th Annual Oktoberfest
VINITA — Kicking off the festivities this fall season is Vinita's 39th Annual Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Events will take place on the campus of Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 120 W. Sequoyah Ave. The family-friendly event draws thousands from our four-state region. Proceeds from Oktoberfest are distributed to numerous local charitable organizations.Highlights include all kinds of festival fare including authentic German, Asian, Mexican and American foods, church bake sale booth, dozens of arts and crafts vendors, kids' tent with games, prizes, and crafts, pony and bucking bull rides, a petting zoo, Spectacular Silent Auction, church tours of our beautiful stained glass windows, raffle prize drawings, and all-day entertainment featuring White Oak Rebellion, local talent and the perennially popular German-American Society dancers.
Oktoberfest also welcomes back in 2026 the Route 66 Cruisin' Classecs Car Show, adjacent to Oktoberfest in Vinita's North Park. This year's car show runs from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For more information, go to: https://www.holyghostvinita.org/oktoberfest/
St. Anne Catholic Church MOCtoberfest
BROKEN ARROW — MOCtoberfest — Saturday, October 24, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. at St. Anne Catholic Church in Broken Arrow — is the church's annual fall fundraiser, bringing together the parish and the greater Broken Arrow community for a day of celebration and service.All proceeds support the Ministry of Compassion (MOC)—a vital outreach of Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma that provides food, counseling, ESL classes, and emergency assistance to families in need throughout Broken Arrow and Coweta.
Organizers say that MOCtoberfest is more than an event — it’s an opportunity to live out the Gospel through fellowship and service. Support helps bring hope, healing, and practical assistance to families in Broken Arrow and Coweta.
The event will feature live music all day, a Kids Zone play area, food truck and booths, silent auction and raffle prizes, and, of course, a German-style Beer Garden.
For more information, go to: https://www.moctoberfest.com/
From the Editor...
If you are attending the Beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen in St. Louis this week, we encourage you to send us your photos and/or observations from this historic event in the life of the Church. We would like to share these with our diocesan audience via social media and in upcoming editions of this newsletter. You may send your photos to us at: communications@dioceseoftulsa.org.
For those of us who cannot attend in person, EWTN will televise the Mass of Thanksgiving at 2 p.m., Thursday live from The Dome at America's Center in St. Louis. It will also be streamed on their website. EWTN will provide additional coverage before and after the Mass. For a complete programming schedule, click here.
And finally, I'm absolutely delighted to announce that our own Multimedia Manager Daniel McCay and his wife had triplets last week — three healthy baby boys! Mom and babies are reportedly doing well. Please join us in keeping this family in your prayers.
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
This weekly e-newsletter is sponsored in part through the generous financial support of
