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May 7, 2020Parishes throughout the archdiocese are helping people during the COVID-19 pandemic, from live-streaming Mass to expanding or creating outreach programs.
Father Joseph Jacobi, pastor of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Mustang, advised people in need to check with their local parish. In addition to local parishes and Saint Vincent de Paul ministries, Father Jacobi recommended the food bank.
“The Oklahoma Regional Food Bank has been a huge help, feeding a lot of people and even more during this time.”
Father Tim Luschen, pastor of Saint Charles Borromeo in Oklahoma City, said they are working on different levels, trying to reach people every week, making phone calls to learn what they need.
“One of the things we are concerned about is folks who are falling behind on their utility bills and rental payments,” he said. “We found out through the Cares Act and the COVID stimulus money that none of that money is available for undocumented people.”
Father Luschen said that while parents may be undocumented, the children are U.S. citizens who would otherwise be eligible for the funds, leaving the children still in need.
He warned of an increased number of people facing evictions because they are behind on rent. He said while the Care Act put a moratorium on evictions until July, he worries there will be a flood of evictions as soon as it opens.
“Some Oklahoma landlords are able to get around that, especially if the people renting from them are undocumented.”
Father Luschen advised those facing eviction and those short on money, to contact their landlord and make a plan.
“Make a deal to pay out rent later once things get better,” he said.
He also wanted to make people aware of Oklahoma City University’s School of Law Pro Bono Eviction Assistance Program. The program was formed to aid those facing eviction in Oklahoma County by informing them about their procedural and substantive rights. The program also helps detour them from facing the consequences of eviction.
“We don’t want families to be unsettled and out of their home, especially now,” Father Luschen said. “The idea is not that people don’t have to pay rent. They should. But, it is not a good thing to be evicting people right now. Let the system go where people can slowly go back to work.”
Metro public schools, including several other districts around the state, have begun to serve grab-and-go breakfasts and lunches Monday through Friday for all children to age 18. Recipients are not required to show an ID, proof of income or apply to receive meals.
When people call their local parish in need of food or financial assistance, they are often directed to call the Saint Vincent de Paul Society.
Lisa Schmidt, treasurer of the Saint Vincent de Paul Archdiocesan Council and vice-president of the SVDP at Saint Thomas More University Parish in Norman, said they are working with other Saint Vincent de Pauls and community agencies to help people.
“We are available to help anyone in need, regardless of documentation, religious or non-religious background,” Schmidt said.
Schmidt said it takes persistence and a very compassionate outreach to let people know it is safe to ask for help.
Father Daniel Grover, pastor of Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Oklahoma City, said his parish continues to learn and adapt to the needs of its parishioners, whether that is live-streaming Masses in several languages or offering walk-up window confessions out of the parish food bank site.
“Our biggest request is to re-open our churches,” Father Grover said. “While I can’t do anything about that, people can continue to form prayer chains and pray for each other. That is something anybody can do.”
Patrick Raglow, executive director of Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, said Catholic Charities is continuing to serve every line of service they did before the pandemic.
“We have shifted to virtual services and have a fully HIPPA compliant system,” Raglow said.
Catholic Charities advises people to take advantage of the resources available to them in a timely fashion so their needs at any point are manageable.
“We are blessed when we care for others. They are blessed when we care for them,” Raglow said. “That is solidarity, reflective of human dignity, reflective of Church’s teachings.”
Eliana Tedrow is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.
Coronavirus-related Resources
Catholic Charities - catholiccharitiesok.org
Oklahoma Employment Security Commission
Unemployment benefits
oesc.ok.gov
Health insurance coverage
healthcare.gov
2-1-1 Oklahoma online resources
211oklahoma.org/findhelp/index.htm
Oklahoma mental health, testing
heartlineoklahoma.org
Oklahoma State Department of Health
coronavirus.health.ok.gov
Stimulus check/tax relief
irs.gov/coronavirus-tax-relief-and-economic-impact-payments
Financial assistance for Veterans – penfedfoundation.org/apply-for-assistance
Oklahoma City University Pro Bono Eviction Assistance Program - (405) 208-5207
Food Banks
Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma - regionalfoodbank.org
Local churches
Local public schools
Sister BJ’s Pantry - srbjpantry.com
Saint Vincent de Paul Societies
Altus - Prince of Peace - (580) 482-3367
Clinton - St. Mary - (580) 323-0345
Duncan - Assumption - (580) 255-0590
Harrah/McLoud
St. Teresa of Avila/St. Vincent de Paul - (405) 343-2938; (405) 964-5606
Lawton
Blessed Sacrament - (580) 355-7837
Holy Family - (580) 704-8012
Midwest City - St. Philip Neri - (405) 741-0967
Moore - St. Andrew - (405) 314-0414
Mustang - Holy Spirit - (405) 367-3433
Norman
St. Joseph - (405) 701-3693
St. Mark - (405) 366-8070
St. Thomas More - (405) 329-5372
Oklahoma City
Corpus Christi - (405) 239-2804
Epiphany - (405) 722-2110
St. Charles Borromeo - (405) 445-0414
St. Eugene - (405) 751-7115
St. Francis of Assisi - (405) 528-0485, Ext.57
St. James the Greater (405) 594-2307
Purcell - Our Lady of Victory - (405) 595-1087
Weatherford - St. Eugene - (580) 772-3209
Yukon - St. John Nepomuk - (405) 354-2743