Sooner Catholic Serving the People of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City Volume 35, Number 21 * November 9, 2008 National Conference of Catholic School Leaders Held in Archbishop Beltran and Sister Catherine Powers, superintendent of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, were presented with a certificate of recognition for hosting the CACE meeting. The presentation was Oklahoma City made by CACE president Gwen Byrd, vice president, Sister Jane Herb, and executive director of CACE and NCEA, Daniel Curtin. By Cara Koenig Most of those attending the conference have been Christ the King and Principal Joe Sine and DRE The Sooner Catholic involved in Catholic education for decades, from Vince Brady from St. Charles Borromeo. The choir OKLAHOMA CITY — Catholic School super- teaching in Catholic schools to serving as princi- from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School in Edmond intendents and directors of Religious Education pals and now as administrators for entire dioceses. performed as well. from across the nation gathered here the last week See more photos on page 9 Archbishop Beltran celebrated Mass for the of October for the annual Chief Administrators of A number of workshops were held with topics Catholic administrators, while Bishop Gregory M. Catholic Education (CACE) conference. The event ranging from Liturgy and Catholic education to Aymond, D.D., offered closing remarks. His was actually an international affair, drawing a emerging technology, canon law, spiritual leader- address was titled “Co-Workers in the Vineyard.” group of administrators from the Philippines. The ship, as well as how to create a vocations culture in Sister Catherine Powers, CND, director of theme of the four-day conference was “Nurturing our Catholic schools. Catholic Education for the Archdiocese of the Call.” The conference also made time for the visitors Oklahoma City, had sought for several years to This was the first time for Oklahoma City to to enjoy the Oklahoma City atmosphere with tours bring the conference to Oklahoma City. host the conference and making it even more of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Judging from the response organizers said special was the fact this was the 100th anniver- Museum, the Oklahoma City Memorial, St. they received from the guests, the event was a sary of the organization. Joseph’s Old Cathedral and boat trips on the great success. Keynote speaker Dr. Robert J. Wicks, author of Bricktown canal. Chief Administrators of Catholic Education “Riding the Dragon,” focused his presentation on Morning prayer services were led by Principal (CACE) is a department of The National Catholic maintaining a passion for Catholic education. Karen Carter and DRE Tommy Cordova from Educational Association (NCEA). Inside Red Plains Financial support Monastery to join needed to rebuild in cooperation Hospital in with Mount St. Santiago Atitlan Scholastica 3 10 2 Sooner Catholic ● November 9, 2008 The Good News Sooner Catholic Most Reverend Homily to CACE Members Simple — childish — but it said Saint Joseph Old Cathedral so very much. This child loved her Eusebius J. Beltran October 26, 2008 mother. She trusted her mother. Out Archbishop of Oklahoma City of the mouth of an innocent little Immediately Publisher My dear Brothers and Sisters: child, I heard an expression of soli- a little girl Chief Administrators of Catholic darity. I sensed the security she felt in Ray Dyer Education (CACE), I am pleased and the presence of her mother. The bond shouted: Editor honored to welcome you to the Arch- of a child and mother should never be diocese of Oklahoma City. I would be broken. “And show it happy to welcome you to Oklahoma Another innocent person said to your Cara Koenig anytime but I am especially pleased something similar but more pro- Layout/Design/ Archbishop foundly and solemnly as He hung on mother!” that you are here this year on Beltran Photographer the historic occasion of the 100th the Cross. He looked at His mother anniversary of the National Catholic and at Saint John, His Apostle, stand- Mauro Yanez Educational Association (NCEA). I ing at the foot of the Cross. Jesus said A person’s loving devotion is not Hispanic Editor hope and pray that you will find this to His mother: “Woman, this is your adequately Christian unless it in- time to be pleasant and profitable and son.” And to the disciple, He said: cludes within its object the mother of spiritually renewing. “This is your mother.” And from that the Incarnate Word. Devotion toward Ammanda McCabe How fitting and appropriate that hour, the disciple took her into his the Virgin Mary is not only important Staff today’s Gospel identifies Jesus as home. Jesus’ magnanimous gift of His but necessary if we wish to draw Teacher and He is “put to the test.” mother as our mother unites us all in abundantly from the source of life. To 7501 Northwest Expressway His clear, direct and complete answer a very special way — enabling us to separate Christ from His mother in Oklahoma City, OK 73132 is the most accurate response that live as God’s family. We could sum up our devotion is to divide Christ. To could ever be made. God is love and Mary’s role: She brought Jesus to us do so would be to fail to appreciate (405) 721-1810 Fax: (405) 721-5210 we are His people! and now she brings us to Jesus. the sacred humanity of Christ, His e-mail: [email protected] Some weeks ago, I was visiting The theme of your conference this humanness, in the bestowal of super- Mailing Address: P.O. Box 32180 Saint John School in Yukon, Okla. year is Nurturing The Call. The invi- natural grace. When one forsakes the Oklahoma City, OK 73123 The pastor and the principal were tation, the call, the Vocation of Mother, one no longer understands excited about the most recent addi- Leadership that has been extended to the Son. tion to their program. They had just you is a profound, divine offer. God The Sacred Scriptures clearly Visit us online through the opened a pre-K3!! wants you to grow in His love. He and in many places attest to the need Archdiocesan Web Page at Three-year-olds just seem too wants you to share His love with for Marian love. The early Church others. This is your Vocation of www.catharchdioceseokc.org. small to be in school, but there they practiced Marian devotions rooted in Leadership in the Church. were. They were filled with energy the Scriptures. The great theologian, and enthusiasm. They sang and For you to be a true and effective Origen, taught that profession of the The Sooner Catholic (USPS 066-910) is danced and performed quite well. follower of Jesus and a leader in Christian faith required devotion published biweekly except for once in July When I blessed them and was prepar- the Church, your vocation must be to the Mother of Jesus. The Council ing to leave, a little girl ran up to me continually nurtured. The call must and twice in December by the Archdiocese of Ephesus proclaimed Mary, the and thrust this card into my hand. develop and grow. Your role cannot be of Oklahoma City. Mother of God. Saint Augustine said “What is this?” I asked and she self-centered. Nor can it be only aca- devotion to Mary was essential in our quickly responded: “It’s for you!” demic or professional. The vocation spiritual journey. The newspaper is not responsible for I thanked the children as I held must be nurtured like a branch on the The continuous sequence of theo- the card before them and examined vine, otherwise it will wither and die. unsolicited material. logical schools, papal teachings and the attractive front and back covers This week, during your con- Copyright © 2008 Sooner Catholic the documents of the Second Vatican which the teacher had made. With ference, you will explore many good Council all combine to present us that, the kids surrounded me and ways to nurture the call. Therefore, it Subscription rate: $20 per year for all noisily insisted that I open it. Then I is extremely important to remember with the authentic teachings of noticed that there were several thin the integral part that our Blessed our Catholic faith in this area. They who are not members of the pages between the covers and each Mother has in our lives and vocation. concur that we, as human beings Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. redeemed by Jesus and called to page had a small photo of a child She, as our mother, can help us right- Periodical postage paid at Oklahoma alongside some crayon scribbling. serve in the Church, need the ly discern God’s call. In fact, Mary City, OK 73125. The name of the child was neatly occupies in Christianity a place which maternal love of Our Lady. Indeed, it printed — by the teacher. They all is unique, transcendent and essential. is she who can best help us to nurture wanted to show me their own picture Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary our vocation of leadership. Therefore, — so I called each name and every is not simply a development of I commend you to the loving care of child in turn jumped up and down personal or cultural piety. It is a Mary the Mother of Jesus and our shouting, “That’s me! That’s me!” divinely established condition for the mother, too. When I had gone through all the family of God: “Behold your mother.” Again, I thank you for responding names and pictures, I held up the Moreover, the Blessed Virgin Mary is to God’s call.