Sooner Catholic

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.”

Upcoming film focused on Eucharist Adoration includes Archbishop Coakley

Catholic Cemeteries of Oklahoma City will open Calvary Cemetery in March 2027. This modern Catholic cemetery will be an addition to the archdiocese’s ministry, allowing Catholic Cemeteries to continue the Corporal Work of Mercy of burying the dead.

As he saw one of his staff members grow from her experience in a Catholic-rich formation program offered by the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, Corky McMullen decided he could benefit, too.

The Sooner Catholic and the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City office of communications received 12 awards from the Catholic Media Association during the 2026 Catholic Media Conference held June 16-19 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Awards are from 2025 publications, graphics and videos.

In theaters Aug. 26-27

Richard Meloche, soon to be the inaugural headmaster for Saint Monica Catholic Academy in Edmond, arrives, as he describes himself: “a theologian by trade.”

Effective date: July 1, 2026, unless otherwise noted