PONCA CITY – The Stanley Rother Society at Saint Mary Catholic Church in Ponca City is the parish outreach to people in need in Ponca City and surrounding areas. Parishioners support the society with prayers, donations and their time serving people who lack resources to meet daily needs.
Seven members plan a budget each week and listen to the needs of people in the community.
Recently, an unusual donation of a pickup truck was given to the society. The same week, a young woman met with the Rother group and told of her need for a vehicle. The woman was disabled at birth and on disability assistance. After leading a life of self-destruction that led to serving a few years in prison, she had stopped the destructive activity and purchased a mobile home. She needed a vehicle to continue her schooling, keep doctor and parole appointments, and for survival. Miraculously, the recently donated pickup truck met her needs perfectly.
Father Zak Boazman, associate pastor at Saint Mary Catholic Church, and members of the Rother Society met with the young woman to give her the truck, which was blessed by Father Boazman.
The Stanley Rother Society was created under the guidance of Father Kevin Ratterman in 2011, when he was pastor at Saint Mary Catholic Church. Since inception, assistance to people in need has been given in many forms, including utility bill subsidies, gasoline, prescriptions, rent money, temporary motel rooms and shelter, transportation to shelters and bus depots, groceries, paying for a driver’s license and prayers.
The group aligns itself with Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, which assists the society when an individual’s financial needs are more than the church can help with. The society also works with Grand Lake Mental Health services. For more information, call (580) 765-7794.
Photo: Fr. Zak Boazman, associate pastor at Saint Mary Catholic Church, and members of The Stanley Rother Society met with a young woman to give her a pickup truck. Photo provided.