The National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) is announcing the annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection, scheduled in parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City on Dec. 16 and 17.

When I boarded my flight to Kolkata, India in January 2023, it was reminiscent of a similar journey I had taken in August 1995, but little did I know then that Saint Teresa of Kolkata’s influence would be with me up until today. Over the past 30 years, I have documented many aspects of the saint’s legacy, but it has been in this past year that I can truly say that I have a much deeper understanding of what it means to be a Missionaries of Charity sister, first through my interview with Sister Mary Joseph, M.C., the newly elected superior general of the order and then most recently in Poland interviewing Sister M. Prema, M.C., who served as superior general for 13 years. As Sister Prema, M.C., told me in August, “It was a decision.” That decision was one in which each of the sisters has devoted herself completely and for life to Jesus Christ.

There was a festive spirit at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Perry on Oct. 15. The church was packed with parishioners and their families, as well as families who once called the church home – those who made the pilgrimage back to the parish to celebrate. They were recognizing the 100-year anniversary of the church, and 130 years as a Catholic congregation in Perry.

November is the month dedicated to prayers for vocations. Each year, the archdiocese promotes the annual Seminarian Education Appeal to the faithful, asking for financial support for the formation of future priests.  Currently, 18 seminarians for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City attend several different seminaries across the U.S. and in Rome. 

On May 21, Archbishop Coakley celebrated his 40th anniversary of his priestly ordination, and 12 years of service as the archbishop of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. Archbishop Coakley shared advice and encouragement to current seminarians and young men discerning the priesthood.

Various priests, psychologists, and therapists often discuss the pressures of today's society on individuals. Issues such as inflation, immigration, problems in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, PTSD among veterans and declining church attendance among the young are just a few examples of societal concerns.

At this time of year when faux ghosts and goblins approach your doorstep longing for an addition to an already obscene amount of candy, it might be the moment to share a few ghost stories.

The year is winding down quickly, and soon many will be gathering the necessary documents for tax returns. Did you know there is an easy way to ease state income tax liability while helping children attend Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City?

Saint Katharine Drexel visited Oklahoma twice: in 1902 and in 1905. In October 1902, besides visiting Purcell and other places in Oklahoma, she visited Sacred Heart Abbey and College, which had been rebuilt after the 1901 fire that destroyed most of the buildings. She probably came to inspect what she had helped to fund for the rebuilding of Sacred Heart.