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June 1, 2023
"I call on us as an archdiocese and as the Body of Christ to a renewed commitment to authentic discipleship. We give thanks for the abundant harvest that God has brought forth in our archdiocese. It is my prayer that we continue to advance in a direction that bears abundant fruit in the coming years, even ‘thirty, sixty and a hundredfold.’ I call you to be disciples and go make disciples! This is why we are here! This is our mission."
-Archbishop Paul Coakley
"Go Make Disciples: Building a Culture of Conversion and Discipleship" (2019)
In his 2019 pastoral letter, “Go Make Disciples: Building a Culture of Conversion and Discipleship,” Archbishop Coakley urged Oklahoma Catholics to explore their faith and cultivate a deeper relationship with Jesus, telling the faithful that an intimate relationship with Jesus is the core of everyone’s ability to share his love with others.
As a call to action, the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City is gearing up for its first-ever Discipleship Conference. Packed with motivational speakers, music and Mass, the day will offer messages of love and hope, equipping the 1,400 people expected to attend to live out their call to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 19, an archdiocesan-wide Discipleship Conference will provide Oklahoma Catholics of all vocational backgrounds a deeper connection to Christ while providing the tools necessary to share that love with others.
Centrally located at the Cox Convention Center, organizers anticipate state-wide participation. Keynotes, breakout sessions, adoration, Mass, confession, exhibits and praise and worship are some of the many resources conference-goers can expect to receive.
A variety of vendors and organizations will be on-site for participants to engage.
“This is why the church exists,” said Larann Wilson, Ph.D., associate director for the archdiocesan department of evangelization and discipleship, “to share Jesus Christ with the world and invite people to a relationship with him.”
Wilson said Catholics need the courage and tools necessary to respond to their missionary call, explaining that Catholics today are up against a secular culture and that now, more than ever, the Church needs people who are bold and unafraid to share Christ with others.
“Either we’re afraid to offend someone, or we don’t know how to start those conversations,” Wilson said, who also explained that the conference will provide inspiring and educational resources to participants, regardless of their vocation or state of their faith walk.
Father John Ricardo and Father Agustino Torres are slated to provide the morning and afternoon keynote addresses.
While keynotes will be delivered in English, the inaugural Discipleship Conference will provide participants access to a real-time phone app that translates into their preferred language. Morning and afternoon breakout sessions will be divided by language, but the app will provide multi-lingual translations.
“We are not meant to journey alone,” said Wilson. “We are meant to support and encourage each other. We are called into a community.”
Wilson said, someone’s relationship with Christ is meant to be personal, not private, and hopes the approaching conference will inspire and equip the faithful to share their faith.
Luis Soto, senior director for the archdiocesan department of evangelization and discipleship, recognizes the diversity of the archdiocese, emphasizing the importance of bridging communities to strengthen faith journeys.
“For the first time, we are saying, let’s come together all simultaneously. Part of our hope is it will be an event where once a year, everyone in the archdiocese comes together with their bishop, their shepherd, and we strengthen each other by getting to see each other,” said Soto.
Soto stressed that the upcoming conference is a place for all Catholics, regardless of their vocation, faith journey or cultural background.
“All are invited,” said Soto, who shared that participants will be equipped and encouraged to live their faith confidently.
Deidra Meier, a parishioner at Saint Joseph Old Cathedral, has already registered for the conference.
“I’m looking forward to the blending of communities. I think it’s a beautiful thing when we can come together within our archdiocese. We all need to grow together in faith,” said Meier. “I have loved Father John Ricardo since I became Catholic. He is the one who doesn’t sugarcoat anything and will get you closer to Christ. It’s going to be incredible; I know it!”
Participants are encouraged to register early. Registration is limited. The cost is $20 per person and includes lunch. For more information and to register, visit okdisciple.org. Hotel accommodations are listed on the website.
Eliana Tedrow is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.
