Articles

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, in the middle of drafting a teaching document on the Eucharist, received words of advice from a panel convened July 28 to discuss the challenges facing the American church as it emerges from the coronavirus pandemic and seeks to overcome divisions that threaten church unity.

OTTAWA, Ontario (CNS) — Reconciliation between Canadian society and the country’s Indigenous communities is possible, say two new national Indigenous leaders

“To have … To hold … To honor: Supporting God’s gifts of love and life in marriage” is the theme of Natural Family Planning Awareness Week July 25-31.

On April 27, Gov. Kevin Stitt signed Senate Bill 960, legalizing the installation of “baby boxes” in hospitals and other first response facilities to receive and triage babies who might otherwise end up in a dumpster or other location after being abandoned. The bill was proposed by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and supported by the Catholic Conference of Oklahoma. Once installed, these baby boxes will be similar to boxes in other states. 

In October 1976, a longtime and much-loved member of Saint Vincent de Paul died suddenly leaving a widow and three children behind.

The impact on a student by a concerned, kind, challenging and demanding educator cannot be overstated; such was the case with the dynamic Father Augustine Horn, O.S.B. At his core, the love of Christ and his church animated his very being and left a legacy of decency and goodness.

OKARCHE – The Center of Family Love celebrated its 40th anniversary by raising more than $860,000 during the organization’s Gift of Love Virtual Celebration. The event was the eighth in CFL’s history. 

A new building to serve women in Oklahoma City is under construction on the campus of Mercy Health Center. The hospital’s labor and delivery, and postpartum services have been at capacity for years, limiting Mercy’s ability to serve more patients.

Father Mark-Mary Ames, C.F.R., is a member and priest of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. This order was founded in the Bronx, N.Y., in 1987. Probably the most famous member of the order is the late Father Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R., who was a psychologist and spiritual writer. 

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Immigrant advocates, including Catholic organizations, launched a campaign July 13 to provide legal aid those who may need it, in case Congress, under the Biden administration, approves some type of reform.

WEST TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (CNS) — Monica Kelsey knew she was adopted. She also knew she wanted to find her birth mother.

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (CNS) — It is an understatement to say the people and staff of St. Joseph Parish will be living the crisis of the Surfside condominium collapse in a most intimate way for some time to come.

WASHINGTON (CNS) — A page on the website of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops answers a series of questions regarding the bishops’ vote to approve drafting a document on the Eucharist during their spring general assembly June 16-18.

OKLAHOMA CITY – As the rain slowed and The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help filled, Deacon Jonathan Brannon Lepak stood at the back of the church watching quietly in anticipation. His faith journey was a long, winding path that started, stopped and started again – all leading to June 26 when he was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City.

OKARCHE – On July 28, 1981, at 1:30 in the morning, three Spanish-speaking Ladino (non-indigenous) men snuck into the rectory of Santiago Apóstol Catholic Church in Santiago Atitlán, Guatemala, looking for the parish priest.

SULPHUR – On a hilltop along Highway 7 in southern Oklahoma is the quaint church of Saint Francis Xavier. The honey-colored shiplap lining the A-frame ceilings tops the beautiful sanctuary that is home to many growing families.

NORMAN – Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Norman celebrated its 125th anniversary on June 12. The parish community came together for a day of worship and celebration. The event kicked off with Mass celebrated by Archbishop Coakley and six other priests from the archdiocese.

The Rt. Rev. Monsignor Bernard Mutsaers arrived in Oklahoma in 1900 by way of Tilburg, Holland. He was one of several priests from that area who came to Oklahoma for the adventure of missionary work. Although he left the state after 20 years of service, he left a mark as a leader and trusted confidant to Bishop Meerschaert.