McLOUD – About 30 miles east of Oklahoma City in a town of about 5,000 people is Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. This mission church, established in 1904, has been a spiritual home to generations of families.
The church is typical of churches from the Oklahoma plains found in largely ranching and farming communities.
According to parishioner Lisa Lempges, before the COVID-19 pandemic began, the church community held Saturday night potlucks, Sunday morning donuts and a bi-annual outdoor Mass and a picnic at the nearby lake.
“It helped set our church apart and make you glad you attended. You felt part of our community and our home,” she said.
Jane Becker, choir director, said, “We are trying to follow the archbishop’s goal to “put out into the deep” and rebuild. We want to get people back to church and get Saint Vincent de Paul back to the days of pre-COVID. Our goal is for everyone to feel glad they came to Saint Vincent de Paul and to know that our small humble church feels glad that they came.”
The church, which is a mission of Saint Teresa of Avila in Harrah, recently hosted a “Welcome Home” event in conjunction with the feast day celebration of Saint Vincent de Paul.
An old-fashioned ice cream social, complete with homemade ice cream, was held on the lawn as a throwback to the olden days when it was a common end to summer.
Patty Greenlee, event organizer, said, “After hosting more funerals than I care to count in recent months, it was great to come together to celebrate our patron saint and enjoy one another’s company on a beautiful Saturday evening.”
Parishioners are looking forward to welcoming people back, and inviting anyone looking for a parish to join them.
Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church is located at 123 S. 9 Street in McLoud. Mass is celebrated Saturdays at 4 p.m.
Charles Albert is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.