“Mom’s Catholic faith is such an inspiration”

Mary, the Blessed Mother, resided in many locations with the Holy Family. From the birth in Bethlehem, the escape to Egypt to the eventual settling in Nazareth, Mary humbly submitted to God’s will. The following three mothers did not anticipate moving to Oklahoma, but also followed God’s will from places such as Nebraska, Quebec and Honduras to become great examples of Christian faith to their families, friends and parishes. 

Collean  Frederickson  - Ada
Collean Frederickson married Fred and they had seven children. Frederickson grew up in Nebraska. After working several years in elementary education, she and her family left Nebraska for ranch life in Wisconsin, Arizona and New Mexico before settling on their ranch in Oklahoma in 1978.

Frederickson said she was influenced by her mother’s strong Catholic faith. 

“My mother’s faith was an important part of forming my faith and devotion to our Blessed Mother. Mom taught us early on to attend Mass, receive Holy Communion and pray the Rosary.  She stressed these will help you through life’s challenges and there will be many."

She and her husband recently celebrated 62 years of marriage and have been blessed with 12 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Frederickson remains active at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Ada.

“Mom’s Catholic faith is such an inspiration to me and to everyone who knows her. Growing up she instilled those strong values in us. I have fond memories of praying the Rosary as a family, attending Mass and watching her devotion to our Blessed Mother Mary,” her daughter, Teresa, said.

Leda Salinas - Ardmore
Deacon Juan Jimenez at Saint Mary Catholic Church in Ardmore said the one person he always can depend on to attend weekly Mass is Leda Salinas. She is a mother of one son, Jeremy.

“As long as I have known her, she has been a wonderful example of a loving mother and a dedicated Catholic,” Jimenez said.

Being a single mother, life hasn’t been easy for Salinas. She came to the United States from Honduras. She said her mother was a great example to her and taught her to believe in God, and the Blessed Virgin Mary has been very important to her as a loving example. Salinas continues to pray the Rosary daily. 

Leda found another “family” at Saint Mary.

“Saint Mary helps my faith grow day-by-day. I also have special friends who will be there forever. My job now is to inspire other people and to give good testimony, even in difficult times. I have tried to teach my son to be a good man, to have good values and to love God above all things,” she said. 

Cecile Lapointe - Sulphur 
About 10 years ago, Cecile Lapointe and her husband of 65 years moved from Quebec, Canada, to Sulphur. Sadly, her husband passed away about two years ago. Despite her loss, Lapointe is comforted by all four of her children (ages 55-63), grandchildren and great-grandchildren who all live in Sulphur. Her three sons still have dinner with her every Monday. Every Friday, her daughter and a grandchild, have lunch with her. She also is very active in the lives of great-grandchildren. 

Lapointe was not brought up in the Catholic Church, but said “I credit my Catholic faith to a nun I had in school in Quebec.”  

Even at 83, she remains very active at Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Sulphur. She is a bedrock of the Sunday Rosary and The Chaplet of the Divine Mercy prior to every Mass.  

Her daughter, Diane Burns, said, “She is the most compassionate, forgiving and loving person I have ever known.”

Charles Albert is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.