First, Jeremy Barnes joined the Catholic Church – completely. Now he’s joined the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City leadership team – contemplatively. Already, 2026 has proven to be a life-changing year.

Lara Schuler scanned the room and sized up the diverse résumés of those gathered inside famed Arno Ristorante in Midtown Manhattan, a bit taken aback while celebrating the Catholic Education Foundation’s newest Hall of Fame inductees.

In recognition of 40 years of faithful service to the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, Deacon Marti Gulikers was honored with the Holy Family icon at the annual Convocation of Deacons in April.

Father Jonah Beckham took charge of the podium for a Theology on Tap session in a conference room at Catholic Charities in Oklahoma City.

Timing is everything, it’s often said. Even if unintentional. The parishioners and friends of Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church in Norman experienced joy with the installation of the Mother of Mercy statue at the shrine currently under construction.

This book is an autobiography of Derek Ruth from Malcolm, Nebraska. The Ruths are a Catholic family, a stereotypical All-American Catholic family in Midwest.

The 2026 Annual Catholic Appeal is just $300,000 away from reaching its $4.6 million fundraising goal. Thanks to the generosity of more than 7,400 Catholic families across western and central Oklahoma, the appeal is continuing to strengthen ministries that share Christ's love throughout the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City.

The 13th annual Gift of Love Gala, held June 6 at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, raised more than $1 million to support services and opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities at the Center of Family Love.

In May, more than 50 people gathered at Saint Patrick Cemetery, located next to Saint Damien Catholic Church in rural northwest Edmond, to celebrate the annual Memorial Day Mass.

A recent set of experiments at Columbia University seeking genetically to modify human embryos has rightly generated shock waves. Led by geneticist Dieter Egli, the research relied on a newer technology for modifying genes known as “base editing.”

Teresita Carreón recalls the moment 13 years ago when “our daughter disappeared.” It was the Mass for the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Historic Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oklahoma City. One moment the young girl, Lucero, was there. The next ... “We saw her enter in the procession,” Carreón said, “dressed as an altar server.”

Ninth Abbot of St. Gregory’s Abbey Jan. 24, 1935 – July 13, 2026

Archbishop Coakley met for the first time with Pope Leo XIV during a recent visit to Rome. Pope Leo gathered the heads of the Synod continental bodies — including the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops representing North America — for three days to discuss the implementation phase of the Synod around the world. Photo courtesy of Vatican Media/CNS

Dominican friar Gregory Dunn, a pilgrim visiting the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine, discovered something spiritual and encouraging in his visit to south Oklahoma City.

As Martin Parizek sat to the side of the sanctuary watching his ordination to the diaconate unfold before family, friends, priests, deacons, fellow seminarians and the faithful of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, he couldn’t stop smiling. By the time he was presented as a candidate for ordination his face hurt.

Patrick Raglow, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, has announced his retirement after more than 14 years of leadership and service to the ministry.

For the past 15 years, Jennifer Nguyen has served in several positions in the religious education program at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, most notably preparing second-graders to make their First Communion.

Teresita Carreón recalls the moment 13 years ago when “our daughter disappeared.” It was the Mass for the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Historic Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oklahoma City. One moment the young girl, Lucero, was there. The next ... “We saw her enter in the procession,” Carreón said, “dressed as an altar server.”

For the first time, the United Nations Association – Oklahoma City Chapter is presenting the “Women of Impact 2026” award to 22 women whose work in Oklahoma City advances social outreach across diverse fields of service.

Patrick O’Hearn is an author or co-author of 12 books and a contributor to Father Donald Calloway’s book “30 Day Eucharistic Revival.”