10 years of fostering a culture of life

The Gospel of Life Disciples + Dwellings (GOLD) celebrated its 10th anniversary on Sept. 2 with an array of activities that highlighted the accomplishments of their decade of service.

"The celebration on Sept. 2 brought together persons of all ages and backgrounds, and hopefully gave glory to God for His plan and His purpose, affirming the gift of each human life," said Sister Maria of the Trinity, founder of GOLD. "The Gospel of Life Disciples + Dwellings was established as a response to God's call. The specific call regarding GOLD emerged slowly but surely within my foundational call to consecrated life 35 years ago. That response was nurtured in the context of a faith-filled family life growing up, where seeking and doing God's will was precious and primary."

GOLD began in south Oklahoma City in a small home across from Saint James the Greater Catholic Church. GOLD first grew with an additional location in Grand Prairie, Texas, at Saint Adelaide Catholic Church, next to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Then it grew in number with four additional rental homes in the neighborhood around the initial Saint James Dwelling. Five years later, on the Feast of Saint Teresa of Kolkata, Sept. 5, 2018, an intentional program of discipleship began with the Gospel of Life School, and now, there is an emerging Franciscan ecclesial family, and Saint Clare Convent became a reality on this 10th anniversary. A GOLD mission in Cerro de Oro, Guatemala, where Blessed Stanley Rother served, is in the initial stages.

Sister Maria explained the name GOLD as "Gospel of Life Dwelling" was received rather unexpectedly one night in November of 2009, rather than deliberated or decided upon, and the reality emerged four years later. After the first Dwelling began in 2013, "Disciples" was added to the name to assure the primacy of following Christ in life together.

"GOLD is a Gospel family, not a facility. We pray together, eat together, work together and have fun together. It is intentionally sharing life and relationship with those nearing the end of their pilgrim journey. We rely on God's providence through volunteer service and donations to sustain GOLD," said Sister Maria.

Their live-in volunteers are called “LifeGuards,” and they dedicate themselves to living the joy of the Gospel through their services.

"The LifeGuards, those who help with the mission of GOLD, make all the difference! They are truly guardians of the lives God entrusts to our fraternal care. Their presence and service are essential; their commitment provide an opportunity for shared goodness and mutual growth," said Sister Maria.

"We have published a few of the highlights in a memory book, and many are simply in the hearts of those who have been part of GOLD. Our neighborhood encounters in south Oklahoma City are treasured. The consolidation from there to the Saint John Paul II Dwelling in Moore, a home much more adapted to the dedicated care of the dying, was both a blessing and a sort of grieving,” said Sister Maria. “Still, it has permitted us to focus on God's specific call for GOLD truly. This is very fruitful as well as challenging, and it is also critically needed. We thank God for all those who have helped and are helping with this vital mission."

Sister Maria explained they are grateful to God, to all in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and beyond, for welcoming and nurturing GOLD over the past 10 years.

"We take as our own the call of Pope Saint John Paul II 'to remember the past with gratitude, to live the present with enthusiasm, and to look forward to the future with confidence: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever,'" said Sister Maria.

To learn more about GOLD or to volunteer to be a LifeGuard, go to their website, gospeloflifedisciples.org.

Jolene Schonchin is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.


Above: Sr. Maria of the Trinity with a GOLD resident in 2020. Photo Linda Schaefer.

Top: A GOLD LifeGuard helped a resident at the anniversary celebration on Sept. 2 in Moore. Photo Dana Attocknie/Sooner Catholic.