In Piura, Peru, the priest with Oklahoma ties gathered with friends and waited like so many across the globe for the white smoke alerting all for the big news to come.

Father Joseph Uhen rejoiced with the people of Piura, Peru, where he serves as their pastor, when Pope Leo XIV was elected in early May.

For teenagers in the United States, the odds are high that they will try drugs or alcohol during these formative years. In fact, statistics say 9 of 10 teens get addicted to these substances during those important years and usually begin as early as age 13.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help has launched a $3.5 million capital campaign to fund the renovation of the historic Mercy Center, a building at the heart of parish life since 1941.

The National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) is announcing that the annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection will be held on the weekend of Dec. 20-21 in parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City.

Cristo Rey OKC Catholic High School made history on Nov. 8. With a final time of 1:57.877, the school’s rowing team won first place in the High School Division of the YRL Fall Regatta at the Oklahoma City Boathouse District. It was the school’s first ever regatta victory, a milestone that reflected years of growth, dedication and belief.

For 11 years now, the Mount Saint Mary Catholic High School Key Club has volunteered at the J.D. McCarty Center in Norman to decorate Christmas trees. The J.D. McCarty Center works to bring extra light to the lives of children with developmental disabilities.

Eager to begin their seasons, both the boys and girls basketball teams charged into the start of their seasons.

All Saints Catholic School will host an Advent Open House for prospective students and their families from 1-3 p.m. Dec. 14 at the school, 4001 36 Ave. NW in Norman.

Surveys indicate that reading books is dropping precipitously across all age groups. This is a tragedy in itself. It’s also a social disaster, as a post-literate society risks becoming a post-rational society.

Archbishop Coakley celebrates third annual Native American Mass

BALTIMORE – Archbishop Coakley was elected as the next president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, succeeding Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services, who served in that office since 2022.

Deacon Leslie Bart Brashears of Stillwater died on Nov. 7, 2025.

On Nov. 7, 20 men of God were ordained as permanent deacons within the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. The ordination Mass was celebrated at the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine and marked the culmination of a rigorous five-year formation journey.

Sister BJ’s commitment to the homeless carries on

The Catholic Mass intentionally engages all five senses. People see beautiful art, taste the Eucharist, feel rosary beads, smell incense and, of course, hear the music.

The annual Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), the domestic anti-poverty program of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, will once again support initiatives that empower families and communities to break the cycle of poverty across the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City.

With Thanksgiving approaching, we found it a good time to check in with students and staff and ask the question: “What are you most grateful for this year?”