EOC Photos by Chris Rush

  Owen, a native of Tahlequah, relocated back to Oklahoma last year with his family to assume the role of development director. The annual Faith & Works appeal is one of the primary funding mechanisms to support the work of the Diocese. The appeal will officially launch in January with the release of the Jan/Feb issue of Eastern Oklahoma Catholic magazine.
  "My wife and I have been so blessed to be back here in Tulsa, to be a part of a community that is deeply evangelistic and cares so much about their faith and are out there on the streets trying to get people to know and share the love of Christ," said Owen. "A lot of the work of the diocese, though, is happening behind the scenes. Pastors, parish staff, volunteers, they carry on the day-to-day work of the Church, but they don't do that alone. There are individuals from the diocese to support that mission by providing guidance, formation, and resources that help parishes work. Whether it's helping a parish navigate a complicated building project, supporting faith formation or Catholic schools, helping with financial and administrative tasks, or complicated legal situations — whatever that may be, the goal is always to help our parishes focus on what they do best."
 In his closing remarks, Bishop Konderla made note of the numerous centennial celebrations that have taken place within the Diocese this year including St. John's Hospital, Monte Casino School, Cascia Hall Preparatory School, St. Catherine of Alexandria Church, and most recently St. Monica Church.
  "So think about those Catholics in 1926. Man, those were some busy folks back then!" Bishop Konderla told the audience. "There was a lot going on, a lot being built! And that's what comes to my mind as I dismiss all of you. We're standing on the shoulders of those people who were doing amazing things with their lives, with their time, with their treasure one hundred years ago. We're doing that for the generation that follows us."

EOC Photo by Chris Rush

Bishop David Konderla and Isaac Owen, standing at left, offer closing remarks for the 2026 Crosier Society Dinner held last Thursday evening at Holy Family Cathedral.

'Man of the Shroud' Exhibit Begins This Week at Tulsa's Church of Saint Mary

Nationally Recognized Shroud Presenter Jim Bertrand to Give Talk at Parish Saturday Night

  TULSA — Oklahoma Catholic Radio Network launches "The Man of the Shroud" exhibit this week in Tulsa to give Catholics and members of the public an opportunity to explore the history, science, and mystery surrounding the Shroud of Turin. 
  The exhibit — which does not include the actual shroud — was developed in collaboration with the Turin Shroud Center of Colorado and presents a compelling visual investigation of what many believe to be the burial cloth of Jesus Christ. Visitors will see 42 professionally designed display panels, plus replicas of nails, sponge, flagellum, crown of thorns, as well as 12 enlarged high-resolution photos that examine the historical, scientific, and religious significance of the Shroud while asking two important questions: "Could the Shroud be the most important archaeological artifact ever discovered?" and "Does it provide clues to what happened during the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ?" 
  In conjunction with the exhibit, nationally recognized Shroud presenter Jim Bertrand, M.Ed., will travel to Oklahoma to deliver four talks across the state, beginning with the Church of Saint Mary at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. Bertrand has spent years studying the Shroud of Turin and has spoken throughout the United States and internationally. His 75-minute presentation includes a life-sized replica of the Shroud and examines the scientific observations, historical evidence, and theological implications associated with one of Christianity's most studied relics. 
  "Whether people approach the Shroud from a scientific, historical, or faith perspective, they leave with a deeper appreciation for the Passion of Christ," said Matt Willkom, Operations Director for Oklahoma Catholic Radio. "This exhibit invites people to explore one of the most fascinating artifacts in history while reflecting on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus."

The Man of the Shroud
Church of Saint Mary – Tulsa
Exhibit Display: Noon - 8 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Oct. 26, 28 & 30; and 2 - 5 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 31 
Location: East side of Parish Hall
Presentation by Jim Bertrand: 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 31 at the Church

  For additional information and Oklahoma tour dates, visit: www.okcr.org/shroud2026

Bishop and Vicar General Inducted Into BKHS Hall of Fame

  TULSA — His Excellency, Most Rev. David A. Konderla, Bishop of the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma, as well as Very Rev. Gary Kastl, Vicar General for the Diocese, were both inducted into the Bishop Kelley High School Hall of Fame on Sunday afternoon during a ceremony held at Jarboe Hall.
  Bishop Konderla has served as Chairman of the BKHS Board of Directors for the past decade in his role as bishop of the Diocese. Fr. Kastl currently serves as an ex-officio board member and was formerly president of BKHS — the state's largest Catholic high school.
  Jeff Pratt, former BKHS Vice Principal and Dean of Students, was also inducted into the BKHS Hall of Fame. He was previously named 2023 De La Salle Award Winner at the school as part of a career spanning 25 years the school. Pratt retired at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.
  According to the school, individuals, couples, or groups are selected to the BKHS Hall of Fame based on their "extraordinary and meritorious service to the betterment of the Bishop Kelley community." Nominees for the award typically exemplify one or more of the following qualities: A deep and sustained commitment to Bishop Kelley and its mission; Exceptional service and involvement over an extended period of time; and/or meritorious contributions that have meaningfully improved the BK community.
  For more about Bishop Kelley High School, go to: www.bishopkelley.org

FROM THE BISHOP

On the Celebration of Halloween 

BY BISHOP DAVID A. KONDERLA

(Editor's Note: This column was originally released on September 28, 2018.)

  As the annual celebration of Halloween approaches, we are reminded of the importance of maintaining the Catholic meaning and purpose of all holy days especially those which have been adopted and adapted by the culture around us. Over time, popular culture has made it difficult to discern the authentic spirit of this great feast, an important time when we, God's pilgrim church on earth, rejoice in the lives of all God's saints whom we wish to follow into eternal life.
  Halloween finds its origins in the liturgical calendar of the Roman Catholic Church. To varying degrees, the cultural customs surrounding Halloween have nonetheless drifted from the feast's intended meaning and purpose.
  The word "Halloween" comes from a combination of two words in the English language's history. The word "hallow" means "holy" while the word "e'en" represents a shortening of the word "evening." The word "hallows" means "holy ones" or "saints." Thus "Hallow-e'en" or "Hallows' Eve" refers to "The Eve of All Saints." As a holy day of obligation celebrated each year on Nov. 1, the Solemnity of All Saints begins with
Evening Prayer the day before (Oct. 31), like all Sundays and other holy days of obligation. Halloween announces the earliest possible celebration of the Solemnity of All Saints.
  The custom of dressing up for Halloween is devotional in spirit. By dressing up as the saints whom we most admire, we imagine ourselves following their example of Christian discipleship. This practice allows the lay faithful in festive celebration to become "living icons" of the saints, who are themselves "icons" or "windows" offering real-life examples of the imitation of Christ. In dressing up as saints we make Christian discipleship our own in a special way, following the exhortation of St. Paul, "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ" (1 Cor 11:1). As St. Basil the Great writes, "the honor rendered to an image passes to its prototype," and "whoever venerates an image venerates the person portrayed in it" (CCC 2132). Properveneration of the saints naturally leads to adoration of the Lamb who was slain (Rev 5:12), whom the saints adore (Rev 7) and follow wherever he goes (Rev 14). True devotion to the saints, through our prayers and imitation of their witness, leads us sinners back to Christ.
  In contrast to popular culture's observance of Halloween, even the customary appeal to the "frightful" has a devotional meaning in the Catholic tradition. Props such as skulls and scythes have historically recalled our mortality, reminding us to be holy because we are destined for judgment (Heb 9:27, Rev. 14:15). Visible symbols of death thus represent a reminder of the last things — death, judgment, Heaven, and hell (CCC 1020-65).
  While the "Gothic" aspect of Halloween reminds us of Christian teaching about the resurrection of the dead, our culture often represents this in a distorted manner, for when the dead are raised they will in truth be "clothed with incorruptibility" (1 Cor 15:50-54). Separated from Catholic teaching, grim or ghoulish or "Gothic" costumes can furthermore be mistaken as a celebration or veneration of evil or of death itself, contradicting the full and authentic meaning of Halloween.
  For the Christian, Christ has conquered death, as has been prophesied and fulfilled, "Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?" (1 Cor 15:55; cf. Hos 13:14). Christ has conquered death by his Passion, Death, and Resurrection, the Paschal Mystery whose graces are evident in the glory of all saints.
  We also want to intentionally avoid those things that are contrary to our Catholic faith but have become popularized through the secular adaptation of Halloween. Turning to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, we want to refrain from glamourizing or celebrating anything involving superstition, witches, witchcraft, sorcery, divinations, magic, and the occult (cf. CCC 2210-2117). We want to be good models of Christian
virtue for those we serve and make clear distinctions between that which is good and that which is evil.
  Because praise is fitting for loyal hearts (cf. Ps 33:1), let us urge one another this Halloween to express in every detail of our observance the beauty and depth of the Feast of All Saints. Let us make this year's celebration an act of true devotion to God, whose saints give us hope that we too may one day enter into the Kingdom prepared for God's holy ones from the beginning of time.