TWO BOOK CLUB OPPORTUNITIES. We offer two parish reading and discussion clubs. The daytime group meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 1pm. The evening group meets on the third Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm. Both groups gather in Saint Francis Hall. Call Margaret DeWeese or Kay Wolking for current book titles.

Funerals The Rite of Christian Burial marks the moment at which life is changed, not ended. The funeral liturgy can either be a Mass or Prayer Service and assists families and friends to make this transition as a moment of faith. Additionally, a prayer service or rosary can be offered on the evening before the funeral service itself (wake service). The wake can be scheduled at either the funeral home or the Church. The Funeral Mass can be celebrated in either the church or the Chapel of Calvary Cemetery if that is the place of interment. Anyone wishing to make these arrangements should contact the parish office or the priests’ residence to confirm scheduling. It is recommended that the sharing of personal reflections by family and friends (commonly known as eulogies) be done following the wake service if it is to be done at all.

Annulments Annulments are not divorces. An annulment is a formal process of the Church which assesses, to the best of ability, whether or not an essential element of the Sacrament of Marriage was absent. If so, then the bond is deemed to be annulled and the individual is free to marry or to rectify their current marriage in the church. The process of the annulment is meant to provide for healing and learning on both sides of a painfully broken relationship. individuals wishing more information about annulments are asked to contact the Parish Office (744-0023) or the Diocesan Tribunal Office (294-1904).

Reimbursement for Sacramental Life Services
and other items of Liturgy or Worship.

Clergy There is NEVER A CHARGE for a sacrament. These services are provided as part of the nourishment of the faith life of individuals as members of the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church. Gratuities and Honorariums are appreciated and accepted by the officiating minister and are appropriate for special services offered such as Baptisms, Funerals, and Weddings.

Additional Liturgical Ministers There is a charge if you wish to use the additional service ministries of the parish, such as vocalist and organist, according to professional rates. Please contact the Parish Office for a listing of these fees.

Mass Stipends If you would like to request that Mass be offered for a particular intention, you may do so by contacting the Parish Office. The suggested offering for a Mass intention is set according to Diocesan norms.

Altar Flowers. The parish relies upon donations of flower arrangements to decorate the altar and podium in the Church during appropriate liturgical seasons. In addition to the previously mentioned areas, a flower arrangement may also be placed in honor of the Blessed Mother on appropriate Marian Feasts. These arrangements can be given as memorials or for other intentions. Prayer requests for such intentions and an appropriate acknowledgement of the donor are placed in the vestibule and printed in the bulletin. Please contact the Parish Office if you would like to make such a donation.

Flowers are not used in the sanctuary during the season of Advent and Lent (with the exception of Laetare Sunday).

The RCIA is primarily a journey of faith

“From the awareness of stirring of faith and curiosity within one’s heart; through all those stages of asking and seeking; through beginning involvement with Christian/Catholic people; through hearing the Gospel proclaimed and by faithful reflection and prayer on this Word of God; through study and discussion about the Catholic experience; through doubts and hesitations; through involvement in the works of charity and justice with those already committed to the catholic way of life; through discernment of God’s call for them as individuals; through the steps of commitment; through the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist); to a life of faith, love, and justice lived in communion with Catholics throughout the world.”

Conversion is a gradual process

The RCIA as a rite marks stages along the path to full commitment in the Catholic Church; the RCIA as a process describes in broad terms what this gradual commitment means.

The RCIA as formation gradually looks both to the inner transformation of the individual to God’s call, as given week by week in the lectionary of Scripture readings at the Sunday Eucharist, and to the gradual transformation of the person to an active member of the local church wherever they live.

The Process:

• The Period of Inquiry (Also known as the time of Evangelization or Pre-Catechumenate
• Catechumenate
• Period of Purification and Enlightenment/Scrutinies
• The Paschal Triduum with the Sacraments of Initiation
• Mystagogical Catechesis

The Period of Inquiry: It takes as long as it needs to take.

The Period of Inquiry has, as its purpose, time; time to become acquainted with the Catholic Church and to hear the good news of salvation from Jesus Christ our Savior. It is a time to look within at one’s own life story and see connections to or needs for the gospel story of good news. During this period, the gospel of Jesus is proclaimed, and inquirers look within their own story to make and mark connections.

This reflective process becomes a continuing, on-going method used by inquirer and member alike. This period lasts as long as the person needs it to last, from a few months to several years if necessary.

The Inquirer is discerned, when ready, stating that they are ready to move to the Catechumenate phase, stating why they want to move and how they see themselves as ready.

During this period, some may decide that this is not the right time for them to consider membership in the Catholic Church, either because of their own life circumstances or because they feel some other tradition is better for them.

The Catechumenate

The period of Catechumenate embodies the first stages of commitment leading to full membership in the Catholic Church. For a person to enter this phase, they must already have come to faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and have a sincere desire to become members of the Catholic Church.

During this phase, the catechumens and candidates gather with the Catholic community on Sundays for the first part of the mass, during which, together, we hear the Scriptures, respond to them, and reflect on the meaning of God’s Word for us personally and as community through the homily. After the homily, catechumens are dismissed and with their Catechist (A Catechist is a teacher of the principles of Christian dogma, discipline, and ethics by means of questions and answers.) to continue a process of reflection and application of the Scriptures to their own lives.

During this period, the initial conversion is deepened and appropriated; the person comes to know more, and more deeply, the love of God in their own lives and in the midst of the church community. This period, too, lasts as long as the person needs it to last, from a few months to several years, if necessary.

ARE YOU A CANDIDATE OR A CATECHUMEN? In the simplest of terms, a catechumen is un-baptized and a candidate has already been baptized whether through the Catholic Church or another Christian church. Catholics believe in “one baptism for the forgiveness of sins” so if you were baptized in another church, it’s valid as long as you were baptized with water and the Holy Trinity was invoked (“The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit”).

The Period of Purification or Illumination:

The Elect The Period of Purification corresponds to that time in the Catholic Church known as Lent; this is the forty days of thoughtful preparation prior to Easter. This is a time of prayerful reflection and meditation for catechumens and candidates, who now become known as The Elect, as they prepare for the moment of welcome as full members of the Catholic Church and are established as such by the Sacraments of Initiation.

This period is begun by the Rite of election, usually celebrated at the Cathedral with the Diocesan Bishop; by this rite they are accepted as candidates for the Sacraments by the Bishop, representing the fact that this decision is not theirs alone. Normally this rite takes place on the first Sunday of Lent.

Throughout Lent, special prayers are offered at the Sunday Eucharist for the catechumens and candidates; these prayers are offered for strengthening in grace and virtue and for purification from all past evil and from any bonds which hinder them from experiencing the love of God. Throughout this period, the Elect are invited to join with the whole Church in a deeper practice of works of charity and in the practice of fasting.

During this period, the common reflection on the Scriptures continues; the readings of Lent were chosen with the themes of continuing conversion in mind. Toward the end of the period, the Church continues the custom of “handing over” to the Elect the Creed (the summary of our faith) and the Lord’s Prayer which represents its practice of continuing prayer after the command of Jesus who taught us to pray.

The Sacraments of Initiation These three sacraments immerse a person in the Church, the risen body of Christ[2].

• Baptism (in his identity)
• Confirmation (in his mission)
• Eucharist (in his destiny)

The Sacraments of Initiation are celebrated at the Easter Vigil, an extended night-watch of prayer, singing, and hearing the Word of God.

By the waters of Baptism, Catechumens pass into the new life of grace and become members of the Body of Christ. For the short period between baptism and confirmation during the Easter Vigil, the Catechumens become candidates.

During Confirmation all the candidates (the newly and previously baptized) are anointed with special holy oil called chrism which seals the initiation by the power of the Holy Spirit, while participation at the Table of the Lord, by way of the Eucharist, marks full membership in the church. Congratulations—you are now Catholic.

The Period of Mystagogy

The Period of Mystagogy lasts from Easter Sunday until the completion of the Easter season, fifty days later on Pentecost Sunday and completes the initiation process.

Those who have just shared in the sacraments of initiation are now called Neophytes and during this period of Easter joy they reflect on what they have just gone through and look to the future as to how they can now share in the mission of Christ who came to bring salvation and life to the whole world. This period of time reminds the whole church that life in Christ constantly calls us to grow and to look for new ways to live the life of grace, personally and together.

Baptism: “Go and Baptize all nations…”

Baptism is the sacrament which begins our life in Christ and the Church. It is the gift of grace by which we are washed of sin, reborn in the Spirit, made adopted sons and daughters of God, and immersed into the death and resurrection of Jesus. Parents wishing to have their child baptized are required to attend a Baptism Class prior to the celebration of the sacrament. Parents who have attended the class within the past three years are not required to do so for subsequent Baptisms. Baptisms may be performed by any priest or deacon and are required to take place in the Church itself.

Schedule: By Appointment

Confirmation “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit”

The Sacrament of Confirmation celebrates the gift of the Holy Spirit for witness. According to the Diocese of Tulsa, the sacrament is normally conferred upon Catholic youth in their junior or senior year of high school after sufficient preparation. Confirmation classes begin in the fall and end in late spring. Please contact the Religious Education office for particular meeting times and dates. The Bishop of the Diocese is the normal minister of the sacrament and it is offered once a year for a given parish.

Schedule: Once per year

Reconciliation “He has sent his Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins”

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is the way in which Jesus revealed and established the preferred means of forgiveness for the Church. It is available to any Catholic desiring the gifts of peace, freedom, and healing that come from God’s forgiveness.

Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation is done annually with classes beginning in the Fall. Please call the Religious Education Office at 744-9417 for more information.

Schedule for the Sacrament of Reconciliation:

Saturdays 4:00 – 5:15
Other times – by appointment

Seasonal Parish Reconciliation Rites

These Penance Services are scheduled before the celebrations of Christmas and Easter. Notice is given in the weekly bulletin. Please contact the Parish Office for specific dates and times.

Eucharist: “I am the bread of Life.”

The Eucharist is the summit and source of Catholic worship. It is the celebration wherein the Body of Christ, the Church, celebrates and forms its very identity. The Eucharist is the most treasured celebration of unity in our faith, life, and lived teaching.

Sacramental preparation for First Communion is done annually with classes beginning in the Fall. Please call the Religious Education Office at 744-9417 for more information.

Marriage: “Love one another as I have loved you.”

The Sacrament of Marriage is a celebration whose meaning is found in the very relationship of Christ to the Church. Couples desiring to enter into this Christian life are asked to contact the parish at least four months prior to the desired wedding date so that appropriate marriage preparations can take place. Couples work with the parish coordinator for weddings to attend to the many details of this celebration. Specific policies regarding the ceremony itself should be requested before arrangements are made. The Church and Parish Hall facilities must be scheduled on the parish master calendar through the Parish Life Office at 744-0023 as early as possible

Holy Orders “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”

Individuals discerning the possibility of God’s calling them to the ordained ministry should contact one of the parish priests or the Diocesan Office of Vocations at 744-0023.

Anointing of the Sick “…anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.”

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is offered to any Catholic who is experiencing troubling illness of any sort (spiritual, physical or emotional). This sacrament offers the healing grace of Christ and the communal support of the Church. Persons wishing to experience these graces in time of need are asked to contact one of the priests of the parish and schedule an appointment. Persons who are entering the hospital may also contact the hospital chaplain for the sacrament. The sacrament may be celebrated at any location (home, office, rectory, church, etc.) In case of danger of death, please contact the priest’s residence (744-9494) for an immediate appointment.

 

Mass 

Saturday 5:30 PM
Sunday 8:00 and 10:00 AM

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 8:00 AM
(In the chapel)

Wednesday 6:00PM (In the sanctuary)

Holy Days of Obligation
Vigil 5:30 PM (evening before)
8:00 AM and 12:00 Noon

Coffee & Donuts:
In the Parish Hall after the 10:00 AM Mass.

Confession:

Saturdays 4:00 – 5:00 PM
(or by appointment) 

Rosary:

Wednesdays 6:30 PM
(In the Chapel) 

Holy Hour:

Fridays 6:00 PM 

Nursery:
The nursery is open during the 5:30 PM Saturday and 10:00 AM Sunday Masses for children four years old and under.

With this new design comes new functionality. Parishioners and staff can register and add their own content. Men’s Club, RCIA, Young Adults, APALS, Women of the Madalene can all add their own content.