Search
-
March 7, 2019SULPHUR – In the mid-1950s, when Catholics were being discriminated against in southern Oklahoma, there arose a need for a “safe place” where Catholics could meet and have fellowship with like-minded people.
Catholic parishes provided a home-away-from-home for many Catholic families. Based on the foundation fellowship, mission churches like Saint Francis Xavier have continued to build and grow.
As a mission, the church is served by priests from Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Ada.
Kathleen Swartz has been attending Saint Francis since 1955 and has seen a great deal over nearly 65 years.
“What makes this church unique is that we know each other, and we have a spirit of fellowship,” she said. “If someone has a problem, this parish will do everything they can to help them.”
Rosalina Aglialoro-Hoyle, the secretary at the church, said, “Whenever there is a need in the church – the laity of the parish simply step forward to help. We have amazing parishioners who volunteer when there is a need here at Saint Francis Xavier. It’s an awesome feeling!”
Fifteen years ago, three members of the Aglialoro family started praying the Rosary at 8 a.m. before the 8:30 a.m. Sunday Mass. The rosary grew in popularity among members of the congregation. The leader of the tradition, Alfred Aglialoro, passed away in November 2017, but his effort has inspired many people to continue praying the Rosary. Aglialoro’s devotion to the Blessed Mother and the Rosary inspired parishioner David Richardson to build a “Rosary Table,” which greets those who enter Saint Francis.
Aglialoro-Hoyle said she is hopeful that in the coming years the church will be able to expand and build more classrooms for religious education. She hopes it continues to grow without losing its foundation of fellowship.
Charles Albert is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.
