Missionaries are stationed at any one of Vagabond Missions' eight area locations throughout the United States for a minimum, two-year-long commitment: Pittsburgh (Pa.), Steubenville (Ohio), Philadelphia (Pa.), Greenville (N.C.), Mobile (Ala.), Oklahoma City, Wichita (Kan.), Indianapolis (Ind.), and Baton Rouge (La.) Vagabond Missionaries introduce inner-city youth to Jesus Christ and his Church through evangelization, outreach and community building. The VM Missionary life is, at its core, relational, as it is friendship and discipleship that are the primary conduits of the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the inner-city youth whom Vagabond Missions is privileged to serve. Learn more about missionary life at vagabondmissions.com/apply.
En las últimas semanas del Tiempo de Pascua, celebramos un misterio muy importante pero difícil de nuestra fe, la Ascensión de Jesús, que comparado con las impactantes verdades que celebramos en la Pasión, Muerte y Resurrección del Señor, es al parecer menos comprensible.
In the final weeks of the Easter Season, we are celebrating an important yet difficult mystery of our faith. Compared to the shocking truths we celebrate in the Lord’s passion, death and resurrection, Jesus’ ascension is less accessible at face value.
The Catholic Daughters of the Americas (CDA) held their semi-annual conference at the Catholic Pastoral Center May 5–7 in Oklahoma City. A total of 11 courts from across the state gathered for a weekend of fellowship and spiritual growth.
In the face of adversity, the unwavering faith and compassion of a beloved Oklahoma priest have become a source of inspiration for his parishioners. Father Joseph Jacobi, dedicated pastor of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Mustang, has been diagnosed with glioblastoma: an aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer.
After the dedication of Saint Monica Catholic Church, and the attached adoration chapel, on July 14, 2000, in Edmond, a small group of parishioners along with then-Father Anthony Taylor, took a huge leap of faith and began the perpetual adoration program. Within the first weekend, more than 400 people signed up for one hour a week. The result has been 23 years of non-stop adoration with more than 400,000 hours in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
May is the month to say “thank you” to Holy Mother Mary in a special way. In addition to Mother’s Day, several significant feast days are dedicated specifically to honor the Holy Mother of God – Our Lady of Fatima on May 13, Mary, Help of Christians on May 24, Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church on May 29, Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary on May 31 and this year also Pentecost on May 28, appreciating Mary’s participation in God’s plan of salvation.
On April 29, Brother Damian Whalen, O.S.B., led the last of the spring Days of Reflection at Saint Gregory’s Abbey entitled: “Transformation in Christ,” teaching how to become conformed to the image of Christ through the Eucharist, Scripture reading and sharing in the sufferings of Christ.
While the contributions of the persecuted Carmelite Fathers who arrived in Oklahoma from Mexico have been well documented in this series, the story of the first parish given to their care, Hartshorne, is of great importance to the entire Church in Oklahoma.
According to Saint John Paul II, “The faithful have always recognized the value of the Blessed Virgin’s material presence and have recourse to her for every kind of grace.” Author Marian Amberg does a fantastic job of bringing the Pope’s statement to life in “Mary’s Miracles, a Traveler’s Guide to Catholic America.”
Sister Denise Schwarz, A.S.C., died March 18 at Via Christi Sister Francis Hospital in Wichita, after a brief illness following surgery for a broken hip. Sister Denise was 87 years old and a professed member of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ for 66 years.
Sister Rosa Rauth, O.P., died April 21 at St. Dominic Villa, Hazel Green, Wis. The funeral Mass was held at the Dominican motherhouse, Sinsinawa, May 3, followed by burial in the Motherhouse Cemetery.
When we realize that someone we love may be suicidal, it can be complicated to figure out how best to respond. The threat of suicide from a friend or family member obviously needs to be taken seriously, and we need to respond with loving support and accompaniment. Providing such help, however, will not necessarily be synonymous with granting every request or affirming every assertion they make.
¿Qué significa ser parte de la Iglesia Católica? ¿Ser un miembro de ella? ¿Es como tener una membresía a un club o un partido político al que podemos unirnos y salirnos cuando queramos? Aun cuando muchos católicos lo ven así, nuestro bautismo tiene consecuencias mayores.
What does it mean to belong to the Catholic Church? To be a member of the Church? Is it membership in the sense of belonging to a club or a political party, that is, something that we can join and leave as we please? Though many Catholics may consider it so, our baptism has more durable consequences.
Many people have trouble keeping up with housework, as they may be disabled or otherwise unable to do the work themselves. Many people in Ponca City, including Saint Mary Catholic Church parishioners, offered their time Sunday, April 23, for the annual “Great Day of Service” to help those homeowners who simply need help.
On April 16, Divine Mercy Sunday, spring 2023 Oblate Sunday was celebrated at Saint Gregory’s Abbey in Shawnee, with more than 60 participants from across Oklahoma sharing in the joyful spirit of the Easter season and Christ’s resurrection.