“They have no wine … how does this request concern me.” In all honesty, pastoral experience in USA Hispanic communities has deepened my understanding of this Gospel. I suppose it would be the same in any hard scrabble ethnic community anywhere. I recall the Thorton’s telling me about their wedding Mass and reception in a German American community in rural Kansas. There was a blizzard. Many missed the wedding. The reception and its dancing and beer went off without a hitch, blizzard or no blizzard. Families that host parties, especially in villages and pueblos, are filled with pride and excitement and enthusiasm. Villagers are known for pulling together and gossiping and remembering slights and slips. So, the family who hosted the wedding reception in Galilee and elsewhere lasted for days—were facing embarrassment and shame. The Mother of Jesus intervenes. Just as she does in our lives. Jesus is the one sent who dwells among us. He’s beyond human worries about shame—about himself that is. His passion and suffering would’ve been embarrassing if it was not how he transformed us into love. The superabundance, 125 gallons, is a sign of the gift he brings. His love is abundant and overflowing. Always.
The combination of the anniversary of Dr Martin Luther King and the inauguration of a new president reminds us of the social compact and how we are called to respect human beings, even when we differ socially or ethnically or in religious tradition. America as a people has come a long way and we have further to go for sure. The churches of St Monica and St Augustine are hosting a national workshop in February: The Church in Black and White. All are welcome.
Ken Coughlin will have a bible study class this Sunday, january19 at 10:30am.
“After all the people had been baptized and Jesus had been baptized.” Luke paints a picture in words.
“After all the people,” why would Jesus go last? Remember the country folks and shared bath water?
Who on earth would choose to go last? And why is Jesus in line anyway? This is a line to be baptized (washed) for repentance,
a fresh start, a new beginning. Jesus is the Son of God, the Chosen One, the spotless one.
This Savior is not one who stands apart. He chooses to smell like his sheep. He has come to share all things with us, except sin.
He is not here to impose his will. He has come as one who serves, which is why he goes last. He wants to make sure everyone else is safe on the way first.
Special thanks to Mary Kevin and Steve McNamara who have taken on the responsibility of scheduling
our team for the monthly meal at the DayCenter for the Homeless.
Mike and Ginny Ayling have been so good and so faithful for many years. A team works best when good people step forward to help and do their part.
Ken Coughlin will break open the Word next Sunday January 19.
This year Letters of Contributions are available by request. Please contact Debbi in the parish office.
“How does this happen that the mother of my Lord comes to me.”
The 4th Sunday of Advent means that the celebration of our Lord’s Nativity is almost upon us.
Ready or not. It is here. Note that joy marks the moment. Not worry or stress or resentment or envy. Joy.
Young or older these women today are filled with joy. It reminds me that so far, at least, every woman who’s discovered she is expecting has been happy and joyful. Whether younger or older there’s been anticipation and hope.
That’s faith and the central dynamic of the Gospel. The reign of God is not to be a crushing disappointment.
It is when God, using us and helping us, puts his world—and ours, aright.
Not too Elizabeth recognizes the child in her cousin’s woman is “Lord.”
Faith in Jesus has begun. That’s reason to rejoice.
Christmas and New Year’s Masses are easy to remember.
The same sequence: Eve 5p English and 7p español. Day 9:30a English and 12noon Spanish.
Thursday, Dec 26, there will be a Memorial Mass for Dr Tom Llewelyn, a dear friend of the parish at 11:30a. No scheduled Mass Friday, Dec 28.
Parish office closes noon Christmas Eve reopens Thursday Jan 2. Our updated phone system forwards voicemail to our email.
End of the year contributions always welcome. Please specify if you want a contribution designated for 2024 or 2025.
Contribution Letters for parishioners who contributed $250+ will be available by request after January 31, 2025.
“Rejoice always.” What on earth does Paul mean? Our world has so many problems. Our lives go up and down. One moment we are happy, the next sad.
Rejoice always? Loopy. Unless Paul means something different than emotion or sensing we are winning. His sense is rooted in gratitude. We rejoice because we are grateful. Even in our tears and anxiety we are grateful and rejoice because we are loved. No matter what rises or falls, we’ll be ok. The one who loves holds on gently and securely.
Special thanks to all who helped with the great celebrations for Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Installation of Adoración Nocturna. We are most grateful.
Masses for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve: 5p English 7p Spanish. Christmas and New Year’s Day 9:30a English and 12n Spanish.
As December ends, we are grateful for every contribution. If you desire a contribution, be credited for 2024 or 2025, please clearly mark the check. Also, remember the parish can receive directly gifts in stock. Please contact the Parish Office for details.
“When these things happen stand up and raise your heads.” Advent starts a liturgical year and Gospel. Luke is our gospel. Characteristics will include gentle, compassion, mercy, women and universal. All sorts of non-Jews And Israelites will appear. And there’ll be lots of songs and some humor. Not so much today. Today is heavy yet hopeful. When the signs arise, stand up straight and hold your heads up. It’s going to be ok. Jesus has got this.
Special thanks to our Knights and vendors for the parish market.
Our Advent will include a novena for Our Lady of Guadalupe and major celebrations on Dec 11 (Vigil) and 12. Then, we’ll start the Posadas series.
On Wednesday Dec 4 we’ll have guest confessors from 5:30-7p as well as myself.
Dec 14 our Adoration Group invites all to their one year celebration and inauguration.
Calendar wise, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception moves to Monday Dec 9. The obligation does not follow, and Bishop David has issued a general dispensation for this year only. There will not be a scheduled Mass that Monday.
Christmas Eve and Day (for early planners): Eve 5p English 7p Spanish, Day 9:30a English 12n Spanish. Same schedule for New Year.
“You say that I am a king.” The dialogue between Jesus and Pilate fascinates at so many different levels. First, recalling it’s not a formal trial. Jesus is a peasant and not a citizen. Second, it is stylized. Yet, it effectively how Jesus rules. Not as a petty authority who needs an army to impose his will. He expresses the reign of God, the actual rule of his Father who comes in love. So, Jesus is no king like Charles or Felipe or autocrat like Putin or Xi. Jesus has come to express and live the truth.
Thanks to our Knights for helping with the Parish Market.
Please note our adjusted schedule for Thanksgiving. Mass Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:00p.m. No scheduled Masses Thursday or Friday. Office closes at 1:00pm on Wednesday and will be closed Thursday and Friday.
Our families in sacrament formation meet Sunday, Nov 24 at Bishop Kelley High School for an Advent Retreat. It concludes with Sunday Mass at 5pm.
“Amen, I say to you … of that day and hour no one knows.” Our year of Mark comes to its conclusion. Remember, Mark is so compact that at times it borrows from John to complete the liturgical year. So, we do get to hear “thlipsis” again, tribulation, difficulty, crisis. Then, we are told a fundamental truth (amen I say to you means “pay attention” it’s important). No one knows when our world comes to an end. Yes, it will end. When is unknown. For us, though, the human beings, knowing the end is not the point. We are to live each moment as if it was our last. Not in fear but in hope and meaning. After all, each of us have had our worlds shaken and turned upside down, by illness, by betrayal, by failure. Jesus’ love and his words stand firm. Unshaken. Solid. They will not pass away.
Our Youth Group set a goal and through hard work and generosity is now part of the National Youth Conference in Southern California. We look forward to their safe return and sharing with us the joy of their experiences.
The Parish Market is almost here. Visit with Tony Smith, our Knights or Debbi in the Office.
They devour the houses of widows and as a pretext recite lengthy prayers.” So, our 4 week miniseries concludes. Each of the texts featured a person and a path of faith (or the wrong way). Remember: James and John and the 10 (?), Bartimeaus (for tests takers multiple choice he’s the only right answer), the Scribe and now the widow. It’s very important we hear the context. Jesus the prophet is telling the truth about the scribal and priestly class. They have made his Father’s House a den of thieves.
Who built the new Temple, in all its splendor and a wonder of the World? Herod, the sociopath who robbed and murdered. The temple clergy were thick with the Romans. The Temple economy generated immense cash with the leadership conveniently kept for themselves.
Jesus was blunt and direct. Yes, he taught about sex (human desires that emerge from deep within like lust, greed, resentment and envy). Jesus taught marriage was between one man and one woman one time. Still, his teaching did not exclude humans on their way.
I came across this in a book review in the Economist. Written in a pithy English style, it has a powerful point: “Though Jesus was fiery in his condemnation of greedy people, he had precious little to say about sex, celibacy and homosexuality. Yet, as one modern theologian pithily pointed out: “no medieval states burned the greedy at the stake.”
Bartimeaus remains the model. Stealing from widows and the poor has no place in the reign of God. The Church, like any human group, has material needs. Contributions make possible our shared space, pay salaries for those who work for the Church and are shared with the poor. Doing our part means no one has to give what she or or he has to live on. A share is sufficient.
Our Youth has an opportunity to reach a goal they set and worked very hard to achieve. They leave to participate in the annual National Youth Conference in LA. We are most grateful for each and every person who has helped.
The Parish Market is very close. Thanks to our Knights and others for their leadership.
“You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” The benefit of hearing the Scriptures together again and again is how new insights pop up.
This year the interchange between Jesus and the scribe became clear to me in a new way.
“Not far?” It’s because the Kingdom (reign) of God is not a place or territory, a destination where we could say, been there, done that and I have the t-shirt.
We cannot “inherit” in the words of the rich youth. We need to be like Bartimeaus and follow Jesus on the way.
Problems and difficulties and all, we continue with him as guide and model of love.
Do review Leveticus 19. Notwithstanding the scribe, Moses did not command love of neighbor.
The Hebrew and Greek is “countryman” “tribesman.” Jesus is the one who stretches the definition to neighbor. It changes everything.
Thanks to our Knights for our German dinner in honor of Cristopher Columbus, an Italian who sailed for the Spanish Monarchy.
I am very grateful for our Knights and their efforts to build and support our parish community.
Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the Parish Market, November 23 and 24, 2024!
Friday Nov 1 is a holy day of obligation. Masses at 8:30am and 12:10pm in English and 7p Español. Also, 9:30am and 10:30am at Tulsa County Jail.
With the Feasts of All Saints and All Souls parishioners are invited to bring photos and memories of the departed for our Altar of the Dead. Please do label all photos so we can return them to you. Blessing.
“What do you want me to do for you … I want to see.” So, if we hear this Gospel in the context of how we gather for Sunday Mass in the midst of our journey, I see a connection with last week (James and John and the 10) as a model of what not to do and the weeks that follow, the Scribe and the Widow. Today is the model of how to hear and respond. Bartimeaus is a blind beggar. No accomplishment there. He cries and the folks around him shout back: be quiet, you bother us. Jesus has a simple question: what do you want. Gosh, we want so many things and have so many petty concerns. Could I focus on one? Then, unlike James and John and the ten, Bartimeaus gets it right “I want to see.” Not necessarily have all I could want and desire. Not be happy every day nor first and second place in kingdom. To see. And then, astonishingly, he spontaneously follows Jesus “on the way.” Those chosen from the beginning are mostly concerned about themselves. Bartimeaus joins just as Jesus enters Jerusalem. The blind beggar is our model to hear, respond and come to see and then follow on the way
Knights of Columbus Activities
Church Of the Resurrection and
Knights of Columbus Council #15834
Celebrate
Christopher Columbus
Saturday November 2, 2024
After 5pm Mass
With a German style dinner
Sausages, Potato salad, Sauerkraut, homemade cakes
$10 Donation per person or
$30 for a family of 3 or more
The Silver Rose will be at our church the weekend of November 9 and 10 at all Masses.
The Silver Rose is a pilgrimage program of unity between Knights of Columbus in Canada, United States and Mexico
As the Silver Rose progresses through the countries, stops are made throughout the journey for prayer and reflection.
Each year from early March through Mid-December, Silver Roses are stewarded by Knights of Columbus councils along routes from Canada to Mexico. Every stop the Silver Rose makes throughout the pilgrimage is a rosary-centered occasion for Knights, parishioners and community members to pray for respect for life, for the spiritual renewal of each nation, and the advancement of the message of Our Lady of Guadalupe. At the end of the pilgrimage, the Silver Roses are presented to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
What must I do to inherit eternal life? … for human beings it is impossible, for God all things are possible.
Once more Mark is blunt and to the point. What does the rich young man miss? Not just Jesus’ focus on commandments which connect us to others. He approaches Jesus thinking eternal life (grace) can be inherited or is a work to be accomplished. Jesus recenters the challenge on how to let go. How hard that is first us heavily burdened by expectations, desires, and fears. God’s reign is less about us and are strengths and weaknesses than his love which can pull the most bull headed over serious and weighed down self-safe and sound into the Kingdom.
Please remember Catholic Charities and our share in its work.
Our Annual BUS Weekend returns October 26-27, 2024. Please bring new or gently used blankets and new underwear and socks to Mass. Parishioner, Joesf Glaude will have a night of jazz music on Saturday, October 26, 7:00pm to 8:30pm. You may bring your items to the concert as well.
Reflections for week of April 1 2024 “The doors were locked for fear.” Twice Jesus reminds the disciples that he is not trapped or excluded by human obstacles. Neither a stone, no matter how large, nor a barred door, is an obstacle to his love and life. Sometimes the biggest obstacle in our way is us, like the famous WW2 era cartoon, “We have met the enemy, and he is us”. Fear is corrosive and can debilitate us. It can imprison us in shadows and darkness. Jesus sees past the fear to the heart. Wounds are real. They can be a bridge to healing. Congratulations to our adults and young who will be confirmed by Bishop David Tuesday on April 9 at 7p. Bishop will be with us twice for confirmation this year, returning later in July—and again already in December for our Adoration Nocturna group. We’re honored that Bishop makes such an effort to visit parishes and encourage the faithful and parish priests. Congratulations to Abigail on her XV, with Easter we resume these celebrations. Also, Axiel will be baptized on Saturday and Harlan on Sunday. Katherine will be confirmed on Saturday. Oh, and Rebecca married. A busy conclusion to the Octave of Easter. Our condolences to the families of William Castillo and Frances Gray whose funerals were on Friday. Parishioner Robert Hughes will be buried Saturday April 13. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.
“Do this in memory of me.” Our three days open this evening at 7:00p. Our services will be bilingual, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and returning to normal schedules on Sunday. Tonight, Thursday is the Mass of the Lord’s Supper and washing of the feet and institution of the priesthood as service. We’ll gather at 7:00p. Tomorrow, Good Friday is a day of prayer, abstinence and fasting. Via crucis in español at 12noon and Stations of the Cross in English at 3p. Proclamation of the Lord’s Passion at 7:00p, with a Procession in Silence to follow. Saturday the Easter Vigil starts at 8:00p with the blessing of new fire, Exultet and readings from Salvation History. Also, we celebrate baptism and Confirmation and the Eucharist. Easter Sunday Masses are regular hours 9:30a English and 12noon and 5p español. Rice bowls should be brought to Mass any day this week. Parish office closed Friday and Monday. Blessings one and all.
“Clearly this man was the Son of God.” The Gospel of Mark is a masterpiece. Here at the Cross, we see Jesus as he truly is. For the first time-at the Cross, a human being perceives Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah, the one sent who reveals his Father’s love. Before, only demons knew the truth and they shuttered. Catholics benefit from proclaiming the entire Passion, this year from Mark and then John on Good Friday.] Spiritually, it’s a good deal to prayerfully read through the Gospel in our home before or after Mass. Triduum: three days. Holy Thursday and Good Friday at 7:00p, Easter Vigil at 8:00p. Easter Sunday Masses regular times 9:30a, 12:00p and 5:00p.
“Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat.” We are lucky in the Southern plains of the northern hemisphere. Why? How this year the season aligns with the liturgical calendar. Easter has its roots as “spring” and behold, everywhere around us we see and smell (and wheeze) with blossoms and new life and pollen. A few years ago, a parishioner posted on Facebook something that made all the sense in the world to me. I am not a master gardener. No talent there at all. The post was about a seed. It doesn’t matter how it’s planted, upside down, sideways, right side up. It just takes warmth and moisture for the new life to crack through the hard crust and work its way to the light. Is that the story of our life or what? Hard shells, crusty? Buried in blank? Add some water (baptism) and warmth (come Holy Spirit) and life will find its way to push through., Not just in mega fields with modern technology and equipken6t. Life will push through cracks in cement if it must do so. Bloom where you are planted. Sage advice for any believer in any age. Just look around and see for yourself. Sure, we may have a cold snap. Even snow. It’s not going to stop the Spring. Thanks to our Knights of Columbus for our St. Patrick Dinner and to honor Deacon Peter Byrne, may his soul rest in peace. Holy Week is almost here: Palm Sunday regular Masses. Tuesday March 26 5:30p Chrism Mass at Holy Family Cathedral all invited. Starting Holy Thursday through the Easter Vigil, we are bilingual, one community with two languages. Holy Thursday March 28 at 7p Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7p with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament following until 9pm; Good Friday March 29 12;00pm Via Crucis Espanol, 3:00pm Stations English, 7:00pm Proclamation of the Passion of the Lord; Holy Saturday March 30 8:00pm Easter Fire, Salvation History, Sacraments of Initiation and Eucharist; Easter Sunday March 31 9:30a English, 12noon and 5p Espanol. All invited.
Sábado 3 Diciembre Rosario a las 6:30p Domingo 4 Diciembre Rosario a las 4:30p Misa a las 5p Lunes 5 Diciembre Rosario a las 6:30p Martes 6 Diciembre Rosario a las 6:30p Misa a las 7p Miércoles 7 Diciembre Rosario a las 6:30p Misa a las 7p Jueves 8 Diciembre Rosario a las 6:30p Misa a las 7p Viernes 9 Diciembre Rosario a las 6:30p Sábado 10 Diciembre Rosario a las 6:30p Domingo 11 Diciembre Rosario a las 4:30p Misa Solemne a las 5p Programa y Más Después