Sooner Catholic soonercatholic.org March 14, 2021 archokc.org Go Make Disciples

The 2021 Oklahoma Catholic Men’s Conference was held virtually and in The 2021 Oklahoma Catholic Women’s Conference was held virtually on Feb. person on Feb. 20. Photo Chris Porter/Sooner Catholic. 27. Photo provided. Virtual men’s conference Oklahoma Catholic Women’s finds creative ways to bring Conference reaches women Jesus to Catholic faithful where they are

By Steve Gust spiritual leaders for their families. By Eliana Tedrow Keynote speakers included The Sooner Catholic A few dozen men wearing The Sooner Catholic Kathryn Whitaker and Father masks and socially distanced at- Jacque Phillipe. Oklahoma mu- tended the conference in person sicians, Still Morning, led praise The 2021 Oklahoma Catholic at the Catholic Pastoral Center in “Behold, I am a handmaid of and worship, kicking off the con- Men’s Conference was mostly a Oklahoma City with most of the the Lord” (Luke 1:38) marked ference with their song, “Storms.” virtual experience. Yet that didn’t attendees watching online. this year’s virtual Oklahoma Meg Beckman, the new confer- seem to lessen the holy experi- “The hybrid concept of live/vir- Catholic Women’s Conference. ence chairwoman, recalled the ence for hundreds. tual was a new challenge to the On Feb. 27, more than 1,200 committee’s effort to ensure this The 25th edition of “In the Fa- team,” Conference Director Ray women from 25 states and two year’s conference was possible in ther’s Footsteps,” put on by the Haefele said. countries, including Canada, light of the uncertainties with the Oklahoma Fellowship of Catholic “We had great feedback. The were invited to break away from pandemic. Men, had the theme of “Walk- Holy Spirit was alive and well. the noise of daily life and renew “So many of us need a spiritual ing with the Risen Christ.” Four We had 18 parish remote events their Catholic faith. Centering on boost from the Lord, a spiritual speakers spoke on ways for men across Oklahoma.” prayer and renewal, this year’s consolation to give us the to enrich their faith and become conference invited women to better fathers, husbands and continued on page 8 meet the Lord where they are. continued on page 9

Life triumphs over death as Christians rebuild in Iraq, pope says

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Pope Francis QARAQOSH, Iraq – Amid the rubble participates in a memori- and bombed out remains of four church- al prayer for es destroyed by Islamic State militants, the victims Pope Francis paid tribute to Iraqi Chris- of the war tians who endured persecution and even at Hosh al- death. Bieaa (church But, visiting Mosul and Qaraqosh in square) in northern Iraq March 7, he also urged the Mosul, Iraq, Christians to live up to their faith and March 7. honor the sacrifice of those who died by CNS photo/ Paul Haring. promoting peace and reconciliation.

continued on page 5 2 March 14, 2021 Sooner Catholic Sooner Catholic March 14, 2021 3

Put Out Into the Deep Luke 5:4 Find more Pope Francis returns historic prayer book news on the A year of COVID website to Nineveh Plains

One year ago, the first confirmed case of COVID-19 This gets complicat- By Sooner Catholic Staff Manuscript was almost destroyed by ISIS was identified in Oklahoma. Who imagined at that ed. Unfortunately, in time its impact or the changes that were in store the testing process, all Additional coverage of for us? Since last March there have been more than the currently approved Church and archdiocesan By Courtney Mares ment of the church 425,000 COVID cases in Oklahoma and more than vaccines used cell lines news and events, only on Catholic News Agency together with other 7,200 COVID deaths. There have been more than that initially were de- soonercatholic.org. important books, 520,000 deaths nationwide. It has touched us all. rived from aborted fetal but ended up in This morning, I celebrated the funeral Mass of a tissue. One of the three, a To send photos, event ROME – During his trip to Iraq, Erbil before being Archbishop Paul S. Coakley parishioner who died long before his time leaving be- Johnson and Johnson, information or story ideas, Pope Francis returned a historic sent overseas for hind a grieving young family and an interrupted life. also relied on cell lines e-mail [email protected]. Aramaic prayer manuscript that restoration. This is only one sorrow among so many. derived from aborted fetal tissue in the production was restored after the Islam- The Central Insti- One year ago, there were many naysayers declaring process as well. Does that mean that a Catholic or a We pray for everyone in ic State desecrated the Catholic tute for the Conser- that COVID was not the anyone opposed to abor- our global family who is af- church where it was once held. vation of Books in threat that the media tion ought not to receive fected by the COVID-19 pan- Dating back to sometime be- Rome oversaw the claimed and that it was these vaccines? demic, for people in our own tween the 14th and 15th centu- restoration of the no more dangerous than After careful moral anal- parish, and for people who ry, the book contains liturgical manuscript, which a seasonal flu. We have Vaccine Research ysis, the consensus of the live in countries where health prayers in Aramaic for the season was funded by the learned a lot about the The Catholic Perspective U.S. Conference of Cath- care is limited, and poverty of Easter in the Syriac tradition. Italian Ministry of disease since then. We olic Bishops, the Vatican brings enormous challenges. The manuscript was formerly Cultural Heritage. have seen how unpre- and other reputable sourc- May God grant us all the gift kept in the Great Al-Tahira Immac- The 10-month Archbishop Coakley encouraged Catholics dictable it is. We have es such as the National of an open-hearted, generous ulate Conception Church in Bakh- restoration process to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to help experienced its devas- Catholic Bioethics Center and compassionate response dida, also known as Qaraqosh. involved consulta- protect them, their families and their com- tating effects on every have determined that the to people in need. We pray The Syriac Catholic church was tion with experts munities from the deadly virus. However, aspect of our lives, in- degree of cooperation with to the Lord. Lord hear our plundered and set alight when the at the Vatican along with medical considerations, ethical cluding our schools, our the moral evil of abortion prayer. Islamic State had control of the Library, which has considerations also are important in health jobs, our ability to meet is so remote that it is mor- town from 2014 to 2016. Syriac volumes care. socially and to worship. ally permissible to receive a Pope Francis visited dating back to “From a moral and ethical perspective Join the staff of the We are learning how to the church on March 7 and prayed the same period. those receiving these vaccines have a duty these vaccines. Catholic Pastoral Center the Angelus with the local Chris- The only original Pope Francis returns a historic prayer manuscript to Immaculate Conception Church in live with it and mitigate to express their concerns to the pharma- If given a choice about on the first Friday of every tians from towns and villages Bakhdida, Iraq, on March 7. The manuscript was almost destroyed by ISIS. Photo Vatican its effects while slowing ceutical companies and demand that they which vaccine to receive, month for adoration and the element of the book across the Nineveh Plains. The Media. its spread. produce vaccines that have no reliance on choose one with no con- Divine Mercy Chaplet in the that was replaced Today, it seems that cells or tissues that have any connection nection to abortion, or St. Francis de Sales Chapel, church was completely restored by was the thread that we are finally turning a with abortion.” -- Most Rev. Paul S. Coakley, with the least connection. 7501 Northwest Expressway, Aid to the Church in Need. binds it together. corner on this terrible Archbishop of Oklahoma City. In this case, that would Oklahoma City. Adoration is While visiting the Immaculate Pope Francis FOCSIV, was part of the dele- Christianity present for centuries disease. Due in large Please find sample letters to send to be either the Pfizer or the open to the public. Conception Church, the pope pre- was presented with the restored gation. She said that the return in these places,” Borsotto said. part to the development pharmaceutical companies regarding de- Moderna vaccines. We sented the manuscript to Syrian liturgical text by a small delega- of the book was symbolic of the “The work carried out all togeth- of safe and effective vac- velopment and testing of vaccines at may not have a choice, a A new Red Dirt Catho- Catholic Archbishop Yohanna tion in the library of the Apostolic return of Christians to their homes er to ensure that Sidra returned cines, there is hope on archokc.org/vaccineletters. however. Given the gravity lics Podcast comes out every Boutros Mouche of Mosul. Palace a few weeks before his trip after the genocide perpetrated by home is also the expression of the horizon for the first of the current health cri- Wednesday! Visit archokc. Like Bakhdida’s Immaculate to Iraq. the Islamic State. the positive role that internation- time in a long time. Cur- sis, I encourage Catholics org/reddirtcatholics. Conception Church itself, the The delegation included the head “To bring it home and ensure al cooperation plays in different rently, three vaccines to receive whichever vac- manuscript recently underwent a of the restoration laboratory of that Pope Francis could – in this parts of the world: to promote the have been approved for cine is available as soon thorough restoration process. ICPAL, Archbishop Luigi Bressan, historic and important journey to development of people, but also use in the United States as they can. The book was discovered in the retired archbishop of Trento, this land – return the Sidra [the to foster cohesion and the growth and a massive distribution effort is bringing these to From a moral and ethical perspective those receiv- northern Iraq in January 2017 by and the leader of the Federation of prayer book] to the faithful and to of territories and communities more and more people every day. ing these vaccines have a duty to express their con- journalists – when Mosul was still Christian Organizations in Inter- its church has a strong symbolic in order to make populations One of the threats that could slow the effort to cerns to the pharmaceutical companies and demand in the hands of Islamic State – and national Voluntary Service, the value of the return and recovery self-sufficient and autonomous,” reach herd immunity, however, is misinformation that they produce vaccines that have no reliance on sent to the local bishop, Archbish- Italian federation of 87 NGOs that of common roots in places where she added. and fear about these vaccines. They have been de- cells or tissues that have any connection with abor- op Mouche, who entrusted it to a helped to ensure the book’s safe- war not only destroyed but tried to “Without books, there is no com- clared safe and effective. But, are they ethical? Ethi- tion. @archokc federation of Christian NGOs for ty when it was found in northern eradicate traditions and … erase munity and without this, there can cal considerations are important in health care. How Let us pray for one another and for an end to this safekeeping. Iraq. any trace of remembrance … of the be no history of a people and its have these vaccines been developed and tested? deadly pandemic. It had been hidden in the base- Ivana Borsotto, president of history of peaceful coexistence of culture.” Archdiocese of Oklahoma City SOLEMNITY OF ST. JOSEPH – MARCH 19 Archbishop Coakley reminds the faithful that the Friday Lenten law of abstinence from meat is dispensed Arquidiócesis de for Friday, March 19, the Solemnity of Saint Joseph. Oklahoma City Rother shrine update Archbishop Coakley’s Calendar God of love, through this Lenten Family members of Bl. Stanley The following events are part of Archbishop Coakley’s official calendar. journey, purify my desires Rother donated 3,000 trees for to serve you. planting at the Bl. Stanley Rother March 14 – Confirmation, 8:30 a.m., Prince of Peace, Altus Shrine in south Oklahoma City. Free me from any March 14 – Confirmation, 10:30 a.m., St. Helen, Frederick Nearly 2,500 trees were planted on March 16 – Clergy Days, 9 a.m., Catholic Pastoral Center temptations to judge the first weekend of February. They March 18 – Senior Staff meeting, 10 a.m., CPC others, to place myself will grow at the current location on March 18 – Mass, 11:30 a.m., St. Francis de Sales Chapel, CPC above others. the property before being trans- March 19 – Mass, 11:30 a.m., St. Francis de Sales Chapel, CPC Please let me surrender planted elsewhere on the shrine site, including on Tepeyac Hill. – Confirmation, 1 p.m., St. Peter the Apostle, Guymon even my impatience March 20 Photos Sue Rother Bond. March 21 – Confirmation, 2 p.m., St. Francis of Assisi, OKC with others, that with your March 23 – Mass, 11:30 a.m., St. Francis de Sales Chapel, CPC love and your grace, March 23 – Bl. Stanley Rother Shrine Building Committee meeting, 2 p.m., Frontline Church, OKC I might be less and less March 23 – Topping Off Ceremony, 3 p.m., Bl. Stanley Rother Shrine site, OKC absorbed with myself, March 24 – School Mass, 8:20 a.m., St. Mary Catholic School, Ponca City and more and more full of March 25 – Senior Staff meeting, 10 a.m., CPC the desire to follow you, in March 25 – Mass, 11:30 a.m., St. Francis de Sales Chapel, CPC laying down my life March 25 – Catholic Charities Executive Committee conference call, Noon according to your example. March 26 – CPC closed for staff Lenten retreat Amen. March 28 – Palm Sunday Mass, 10 a.m., The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, OKC 4 March 14, 2021 Sooner Catholic Sooner Catholic March 14, 2021 5

Mark Edward He attended Wilson Along with friends He was active in his Knights of Columbus council raises funds for Elementary, Bishop and business part- parish, The Cathedral Ruffin John Carroll Catholic ners, Ruffin of Our Lady of School and was a 1980 helped devel- perpetual Help, pregnancy resource center Mark Ruffin, a long- graduate of Bishop op the first where he was time real estate advisor McGuinness Catholic loft-style instrumental for the Archdiocese of High School. Ruffin apartments, in its renova- By Jolene Schonchin tor for the Charis Center, said Oklahoma City who matriculated at Cardi- The Garage tion. The Sooner Catholic the center offers pregnancy helped secure the land nal Newman College in Lofts, north He was mar- testing, options counseling, ul- Most Reverend on which the Blessed Saint Louis, Mo., where of downtown ried to his wife trasound, prenatal and parent- Paul S. Coakley Stanley Rother Shrine he thrived, majoring Oklahoma Manda for 26 ach year, members of is being built, died Feb. ing classes, a baby boutique for Archbishop of Oklahoma City in business and phi- City, lead- years and was the Knights of Colum- 28 in Oklahoma City losophy. He served as ing to many blessed with baby items, abortion recovery Publisher Mark Ruffin bus conduct a program from complications due yearbook editor and pioneering four children, called Faith in Action and classes for dads. to COVID-19. cafeteria line cook, renovations, Reina (21), withE pro-life efforts as a part of “We are so thankful for Mi- Diane Clay Ruffin was born Aug. and played basketball, including the down- Aubrey (18), David (14) the program. chael and the local Knights of Editor 27, 1962, in Oklahoma and J.J. (10) earning the title of town Grain Elevator With January as pro-life month, Columbus. The money raised City at Saint Anthony Cardinal Newman’s all- with office space and a In lieu of flowers, the the Knights of Columbus Council will go toward the purchase of a Dana Attocknie Hospital, blocks from time leading scorer. climbing wall. Ruffin family suggest- #5168 joined with parishioners at his childhood neighbor- new ultrasound,” Treat said. Managing Editor Ruffin returned to His efforts with the ed a gift to one of the Immaculate Conception Catholic The council and parishioners hood where he would Oklahoma City, joining archdiocese includ- following: The Cathe- Church in Marlow and Assump- later return as an adult used baby bottles to fill with Henderson Properties ed securing real es- dral of Our Lady of tion of the Blessed Virgin Mary to raise his family. tate sites for Catholic Perpetual Help, Bishop Volume 43, Number 5 where he managed his Catholic Church in Duncan to loose change. The son of Dr. Joseph parents’ various prop- Charities, the Blessed McGuinness Catholic promote the right to life. “We collected $2,000 to assist and Vestina Ruffin. erties in what is now Stanley Rother Shrine High School, Cristo “We wanted to do something for in the upgrading of the ultra- He was the fifth of six the Midtown/Uptown and Cristo Rey OKC Rey School or Positive Sooner Catholic Newspaper our community. We chose Charis sound machine, which the children. districts. Catholic High School. Tomorrows. 7501 Northwest Expressway Center in Duncan,” explained Knights donated to Charis a Oklahoma City, OK 73132 Michael Heim, grand knight of few years ago,” Heim said. “Our council #5168. “Charis is more Knights of Columbus Council #5168 and parishioners at Immaculate Conception (405) 721-1810 council and our parishioners than just a pregnancy center. It Catholic Church, Marlow, and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Fax: (405) 721-5210 are praying for an end to abor- From the Archives … is a ministry. Their mission is to Church, Duncan, collected $2,000 to assist in the upgrading of the ultrasound E-mail: [email protected] machine at Charis Center in Duncan. Photo provided. A photo series from George Rigazzi, archdiocesan archivist glorify God by sharing the Good tion with our pastor Father Mailing Address: News of Jesus Christ and uphold- Peter Jandaczek.” P.O. Box 32180 ing the sanctity of human life. abortion have a change of heart their unborn child.” Jolene Schonchin is a freelance Oklahoma City, OK 73123 ith an indomitable established parishes 85 percent of women considering when they see the ultrasound of Kimberla Treat, executive direc- writer for the Sooner Catholic. spirit and a firm in Pawhuska, Guth- Visit us online at Wgrasp on what he rie, Ponca City, Perry, soonercatholic.org desired to achieve, the Rt. Rev. Mulhall, Langston, Felix DeGrasse, O.S.B., his Shawnee and Chandler. imprint on the early Church in Realizing the skills and libraries and museums and tens of thousands visit to Iraq lined the streets in Qaraqosh. Visit the archdiocesan website continued from page 1 Oklahoma is great. Throughout capabilities of this gifted of lives. While security concerns meant leaving the at archokc.org his life in Oklahoma, he was monk, the community Much of Mosul’s old city center remains Offering prayers “for all the victims of war popemobile in Rome and using an armored at the forefront of missionary of Sacred Heart Abbey in ruins or under reconstruction. And Pope and armed conflict,” Pope Francis said. Mosul Mercedes-Benz in the town, the pope had the The Sooner Catholic expansion. His presence was not elected Father Felix the Francis stood in Hosh al-Bieaa, church square, is concrete proof of the “tragic consequences of window down and the driver going slow enough (USPS 066-910) is published without controversy, however. abbot of the monastery facing some of those ruins: the remains of the war and hostility.” that the police and security officers on foot did Traveling from the Abbey of in 1898 after the death biweekly except for once in Syriac Catholic, Armenian Orthodox, Syriac “Today, however, we reaffirm our conviction not even have to jog. Pierre-qui-Vire in France, he Thomas Duperou. There January and July by the Orthodox and Chaldean Catholic churches all that fraternity is more durable than fratricide, Bells pealed to welcome the pope to the Syr- arrived at Sacred Heart Mission were problems in the destroyed between 2014 and 2017. that hope is more powerful than hatred, that iac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Con- Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. in Indian Territory on April 14, community that had to His message was clear: peace more powerful than war,” the pope said. ception, desecrated during its use as a base by 1877. With a profound affinity be addressed such as “If God is the God of life – for so he is – then “This conviction speaks with greater eloquence Islamic State fighters, who turned the court- The newspaper is not responsible toward the American Indian, he the relationship of the it is wrong for us to kill our brothers and sis- than the passing voices of hatred and vio- yard into a shooting range. for unsolicited material. wasted no time in becoming a French, Basque and ters in his name. lence, and it can never be silenced by the blood While much of the city still needs to be missionary to the Pottawatomi American monks that Copyright © 2021 Sooner Catholic If God is the God of peace – for so he is – then spilled by those who pervert the name of God rebuilt, Pope Francis said the presence of the Tribe from 1877-1887. was indeed problematic. it is wrong for us to wage war in his name. to pursue paths of destruction.” jubilant crowds inside and outside the church Through his efforts, the Bene- So as not to mislead, If God is the God of love – for so he is – then Dr. Rana Bazzoiee, a 37-year-old pediatric “shows that terrorism and death never have the Subscription rate: $25 per year dictines formed a strong relation- it should be understood it is wrong for us to hate our brothers and surgeon, who fled Mosul to Irbil in 2013, told re- last word.” for all who are not members of the ship with the Pottawatomi that that the relationship Abbot Felix De Grasse Second abbot 1898-1905 sisters.” porters, “I don’t like to remember that moment.” “The last word belongs to God and to his son, Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. has persisted to the present day. between the abbot and In Mosul, 250 miles north of Baghdad, Pope Before the Islamic State fighters came, “we the conqueror of sin and death,” the pope said. Periodical postage paid at He set his sights on the Osage Bishop Meerschaert was Francis listened to the stories of Christians were living here in Mosul all together — Chris- “Even amid the ravages of terrorism and war, Oklahoma City, OK 73125. Tribe that had been removed to not without turbulence. forced to flee, the fear many have to return and tians, Muslims” — and “we couldn’t believe we can see, with the eyes of faith, the triumph Indian Territory not long before The Prefects Apostolic reaching a settlement.” the encouragement of Muslim neighbors com- something like that would happen. I think no- of life over death.” his arrival. The Jesuit mission- (the first structure that would Bishop Meerschaert had peti- mitted to making the city a thriving, multicul- body stayed here. All the Christians left.” With Muslim and Yazidi guests joining Cath- POSTMASTER: Send address aries in Missouri had made lead to diocesan status) previ- tioned Rome to elevate the vicar- tural metropolis again. Explaining that her Muslim and Yazidi olics in the church, Pope Francis told the changes to the Sooner Catholic, periodic efforts to evangelize but ously were Benedictine. When iate to diocesan status in 1898 But he also heard choirs of children sing- friends helped her in those dark days, Bazzoiee people that “this is the time to restore not just P.O. Box 32180, Oklahoma City, did not have a permanent pres- Bishop Meerschaert was named and the bishops of the New Orle- ing in welcome, women ululating to honor his said she is not angry, and she hopes the pope’s buildings but also the bonds of community OK 73123. ence. In 1887, he became the Vicar Apostolic, the next step ans province (to which the vicar- arrival and the cheers of young people waving visit will help the process of getting life back to that unite communities and families, the young first resident missionary to the toward becoming a diocese, the iate belonged) concurred. It was flags. normal. and the old together.” Osage and partnering with Saint Benedictines were not pleased not until 1905 that the Diocese Father Raid Adel Kallo, pastor of Mosul’s “Why not?” she said. “We lived together for a And, he thanked the international organiza- Katherine Drexel, built Saint since the territory had been in of Oklahoma was erected. Abbot Church of the Annunciation, told the pope that long time in Mosul.” tions, particularly the Catholic organizations, Louis School for Indian Girls at their pastoral charge and should Felix died on Jan. 3 of that year he and many of his people left the city in June After the prayer service and a private visit that are helping fund the reconstruction of Pawhuska in the same year. He remain so. and the decree establishing the 2014; at that point, he said, his parish had 500 to the ruined churches, Pope Francis took a homes, schools, churches and community halls also was responsible for Saint From Father James White: diocese was issued on Aug. 17. families. helicopter about 20 miles Qaraqosh, a majority in the city. John’s School for Boys in Homi- “Abbot Felix DeGrasse, in par- The obstacles appear to have “The majority have emigrated abroad,” but 70 Christian city that also suffered devastation at Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignace Joseph III ny Creek. These two schools were ticular, was insistent that the been removed rather quickly families have returned. “The rest are afraid to the hands of the Islamic State group. Less than Younan did likewise, specifically mentioning operated by Franciscan Sisters monks be permitted the care upon his demise. come back.” half of the city’s inhabitants have returned Aid to the Church in Need, the Knights of Co- and provided a basic education (and the income) of certain par- Regardless of political ten- The 2003 invasion of Iraq by U.S. and coa- since the militants were ousted in 2016. lumbus and L’Oeuvre d’Orient, a France-based for hundreds of children. ishes they had held or planned sions, the death of Abbot Felix lition forces battered the city but the biggest, Mounir Jibrahil, a 61-year-old math teacher, charity. Leaving in 1889, for prior to Bishop Meerschaert’s was a great loss to the Church most horrifying blow came in early June 2014 said he came back in 2016, but only finished And, on the eve of International Women’s he became the con- arrival. The abbot’s complaints in Oklahoma. His indefatigable when militants of the Islamic State group rebuilding his house last year. Day, Pope Francis paid special tribute to Mary summate advocate to Rome about the matter energy and zeal for souls cannot launched an offensive. They controlled the city “Now it’s safer here,” he said. “It’s great to – a photo of a decapitated statue of her from The Sooner Catholic for the faith as he caused several years delay in be questioned. for three years, terrorizing the population, ex- see the pope; we never expected him to come to Qaraqosh made the news around the world is supported through the ecuting hundreds and kidnapping, raping and Qaraqosh. Maybe that will help to rebuild the – and to “all the mothers and women of this Annual Catholic Appeal and Sooner selling women. They blew up major landmarks, country, finally bringing love and peace.” country, women of courage who continue to Catholic Communications Appeal. ARCHDIOCESE OF OKLAHOMA CITY ARCHIVES both Muslim and Christian. They destroyed The largest crowds of the pope’s March 5-8 give life in spite of wrongs and hurts.” 6 March 14, 2021 Sooner Catholic Sooner Catholic March 14, 2021 7

U.S. bishop chairmen join CRS Rice Bowl BMCHS swimmers win state CRS Rice Bowl is the Lenten statement on abortion funding in program of Catholic Relief Services, the official relief championships and development agency of the American rescue plan U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Through CRS Rice Bowl, faith communities in WASHINGTON – Archbishop José H. dioceses throughout the The Bishop McGuinness Gomez of Los Angeles and president of the United States put their faith Catholic High School swim U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has into action through prayer, team competed in the state been joined by the chairmen of seven USC- fasting and almsgiving. championships Feb. 22-23 at CB committees in a statement on abortion Lenten alms donated Mitch Park in Edmond. Stu- funding in the American Rescue Plan. through CRS Rice Bowl dents winning state champion- Joining Archbishop Gomez were Cardinal support the work of CRS in ships were Victoria Whitbeck, Timothy M. Dolan of New York, chairman more than 100 different coun- 200 freestyle, and Macy Lewis, of the Committee for Religious Liberty; tries each year. Twenty-five 100 backstroke and 100 Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas percent of donations to CRS butterfly. The swim teams City in Kansas, chairman of the Committee Rice Bowl stay in the local finished in sixth place overall. on Pro-Life Activities; Archbishop Paul S. diocese, supporting hunger Coakley of Oklahoma City, chairman of the and poverty alleviation efforts. Committee on Justice, Peace and Human Since its inception in 1975, Development; Bishop David J. Malloy of CRS Rice Bowl has raised Rockford, chairman of the Committee on nearly $300 million. International Justice and Peace; Bishop Mi- chael C. Barber, SJ, of Oakland, chairman Visit crsricebowl.org. for the Committee on Catholic Education; Bishop Shelton J. Fabre of Houma-Thi- bodaux, chairman of the Ad Hoc Commit- Photos provided. tee Against Racism; and Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville, auxiliary bishop of Washington, chairman of the Committee on Migration. The full statement from the bishops fol- lows: “Our nation needs to heal, come togeth- desperately needed. er, and help one another. The American Rescue “We urge President Biden and the leadership Plan is an important step in the right direction. It on Capitol Hill not to force upon Americans the should provide much needed assistance for Ameri- wrenching moral decision whether to preserve can families and businesses hard hit by the coro- the lives and health of the born or unborn, all of navirus pandemic. whom are our vulnerable neighbors in need. We “However, we are deeply concerned that this im- ask that our leaders please not pit people against portant legislation, as written, risks creating new one another in such a way. We ask all Members of divisions by abandoning a longstanding bipartisan Congress to include the same protections against compromise that respects the consciences of mil- abortion funding lions of Americans. that have been “For 45 years, the United States Congress – whether controlled by Democrats or Republicans present in every – has maintained that taxpayers should not be COVID relief Jeanine Heire passed a bag of pancake plates through the cafeteria window forced against their conscience to pay for abor- bill to date, and Easter Lilies & Gifts during the Knights of Columbus #1287 drive-thru pancake breakfast Feb. 28. tions. Abandoning this compromise in a time of every annual spending bill for All sales go to support the careers and independence of individuals national emergency only serves to divide people in living with disabilities at the Center of Family Love. The Knights of Columbus the very moment we should be united. Please, let almost half a #1287 held a drive-thru us instead focus on delivering the COVID relief so century.” pancake breakfast fundraiser Feb. 28 at the former St. Mary Catholic School cafeteria in Lawton. Cars lined up after both Masses. Photos Jolene Schonchin/Sooner Catholic. A youth group at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edmond plant- ed crosses last month to represent the babies lost daily to abortion. Photos provided.

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Kristy Lyn’s is located at the Center of Family Love | 635 West Texas Avenue, Okarche, OK 73762 We are offering touch-free delivery of certain items, as well as curbside pickup! *Due to COVID safety precautions, our campus remains closed to outside visitors. 8 March 14, 2021 Sooner Catholic Sooner Catholic March 14, 2021 9 Virtual men’s conference finds creative ways to Oklahoma Catholic bring Jesus to Catholic faithful Women’s Conference reaches women where continued from page 1 the faith and that 80 percent of Catholics only would be- they are Haefele said one of the men come faithful adult Catholics watching online was doing if their fathers were. so from Madison, Wis. Many “Be a person who goes to continued from page 1 other men met at their re- daily Mass and invite others spective parish halls. Haefele with you,” Angrisano said. strength to go forward and be his disciple,” pointed out some non-Cath- Tony Ferraro Beckman said. olic men registered. Handling After lunch, Tony Ferraro, “Our hearts are like a landscape for the emcee duties during the day a faithful executive coach for Lord to cover in ways he can make us holy was Adam Minihan. many business leaders na- and more like him. The conference met wom- Some mention was given to tionally, spoke on the theme en where they are in their landscape.” the founding of the confer- of being a “man capable of Natalie Mollman, promotions chairwoman ence in 1996. Helping to start dreaming.” for the conference, said there were many mo- the annual event was the late He mentioned a quote from ments they didn’t know what to do, but the Father John Petuskey. Ear- Saint Teresa of Calcutta. Holy Spirit provided for them time and again. lier this year, the group lost “Let no one come to you “It has been beautiful to see the another founder, Deacon Bill without leaving happier,” he Holy Spirit move so much,” Mollman Bawden. He served as a dea- noted. said. “Another committee person con at Saint John the Baptist He added everyone can said it best: It’s cool to see how Catholic Church in Edmond dream and plan a bigger and much the Holy Spirit loves the wom- and Saint Eugene Catholic better future. He also cited en of Oklahoma.” Church in Oklahoma City. statistics showing 7 percent New this year were “Blessing Box- Archbishop Paul Coakley of a parish responsible for es” given to the first 300 registrants. welcomed the men and noted contributing 80 percent of Archbishop Coakley spoke at the 2021 Oklahoma Catholic Men’s Conference Feb. 20. Photo Sent by mail, these boxes were filled “the Lord looks on us with a parish’s time, talent and Chris Porter/Sooner Catholic. with Catholic-themed gifts donated love as we enter into the sea- money. He asked men to rec- by vendors. Door prizes also were son of Lent.” ognize that Catholicism had mailed to randomly selected regis- Attendees also heard greet- “housed and fed” more people trants. ings from another founder, than any group in history. Archbishop Coakley provided Deacon Roy Forsythe as well Jim Beckman an opening reflection and prayer, as live spiritual music during Jim Beckman, the archdi- encouraging women, “As we face un- the day from Emmaus Road. ocesan executive director of precedented and uncertain times, we The main attraction were evangelization and catechesis, need faith-filled mothers, sisters and the four speakers. closed out the con- friends to provide steadfast prayer Photos provided. Jeff Cavins ference, reminding and structure to our families, com- Jeff Cavins, a national and all the men to follow munities, schools and parishes.” international Bible teacher as up on the notes and Photos Chris Small groups were encouraged well as successful podcaster, lessons they learned Porter/Sooner to meet, and women respond- urged others to “become more during the confer- Catholic and ed, with multiple small groups like Jesus and take on his ence. provided. gathering throughout Oklahoma world view.” “It’s all about the Screenshot in homes and parishes. Online “Hear the voice of God and follow through,” he photo Steve programs provided prompting Gust/Sooner be where he’s speaking, in said. He also said questions for individual or small Catholic. the Scriptures.” we lived in a climate group discussions. He compared going out into “hostile to God.” In her talk, “Behold,” Kathryn the world for Christ much like “There’s more we Whitaker, a convert to Catholi- the valor the Apostles had in can give,” Beckman cism, encouraged women to fo- leaving behind their lives as said. “We can never cus on four things: pray, fishermen. outgive God.” trust, hope, be. “Get out of your boat and He also pointed Whitaker, who gave be courageous and be men. out Jesus walks birth to her preemie son, Truth is related to justice,” he with us. Luke, in 2009, was told said. “We need to listen by a priest she needed to During the day, some short to the word and stop praying like a nun video clips discussing the walk in his foot- and start praying like a benefits of the men’s con- steps.” mom. “Whatever your ference, were provided. One Saint Francis of Assisi current vocation is,” she was from Father Joe Jacobi, Catholic Church in Oklahoma told the audience, “start pastor of Holy Spirit Catholic City was one of the locations praying like that.” Church in Mustang. that viewed the conference “Let your whole day be “The secular world chal- online. Their pastor, Father a prayer,” urged Whitak- lenges men,” Father Jacobi William Novak, urged men to er, a mom to six children. said. “The conference helps watch in the parish hall. “Figure out where Jesus mom, wife and active parishioner men grow in the knowledge of Kirk Broussard attended at wants to meet you and invite him into that at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in God’s love for them.” Saint Francis. space. Prayer looks different, but it is neces- Mustang. “This was my first conference, Steve Angrisano “Participating together sary. Your prayer life is organic, it changes Offer him your first fruit and these obstacles and it was a much-needed break with my fel- The second speaker was helps us to go out afterwards with your season, but it’s about showing up.” are overcome with joy. Time opens up for ev- Steve Angrisano, a national and try to be the best disci- This year looked different for Anita Semtner low sisters in Christ from my parish. I enjoyed erything else.” ministry leader and commit- ples that we can be,” he said. of Saint Benedict Catholic Church in Shawnee. hearing the spirit-filled messages and look Bishop David Konderla of the Diocese of ted witness to the life and Perry Hatch of Saint Fran- Semtner has a tradition of taking her daugh- forward to attending for many years to come.” Tulsa closed the virtual conference in prayer. love of Jesus. cis agreed. ters, daughter-in-law and now granddaughters Father Alex Kroll, associate pastor at Saint He asked men to be like “Praying the Rosary as a to the typically in-person annual conference. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edmond The pre-recorded conference garnered so clay so God can mold them. group was wonderful and “(I) enjoyed the first speaker and it’s true and this year’s conference chaplain, reiterated many positive reviews, leadership extended The speaker also stressed the powerful,” he said. that she was a generation younger than (me), the necessity of prayer in our daily life. the viewing link by two additional weeks, vital need to pray every day. The 26th Oklahoma Cath- but the message that she had was a message “We have to pray our vocation,” Father Kroll through March 14. He thanked his late grandfa- olic Men’s Conference will be that applies to everyone: pray according to the stressed. “If you start your day with prayer, To donate or register for next year’s confer- ther for helping him to learn March 12, 2022. station of life we are in and how we are able,” time opens up throughout the day. Maybe you ence visit okcatholicwomen.com. the Rosary. He pointed out Steve Gust is a freelance Jim Beckman was one of the speakers at the Oklahoma Catholic Semtner said. have a mountain of laundry, kids with sticky Eliana Tedrow is a freelance writer for the that men were the leaders of writer for the Sooner Catholic. Men’s Conference. Photo Avery Holt/Sooner Catholic. Vicki Middleton is a graduate student, hands, your life is busy, there are obstacles. Sooner Catholic. 10 March 14, 2021 Sooner Catholic Sooner Catholic March 14, 2021 11

The Catholic Difference Real Life Disciples Cardinal Pell and squirming Catholics The invisible reality

According to the movie “Love can be put to fruitful use.” secularists” the cardinal be- “Christians can wrongly think that the king- The valuable principle to be gained, though, activity of Story,” “Love means never having Windsor admires the cardinal’s lieves conspired against him, and dom of heaven is fundamentally of this world, is twofold: 1) Our first efforts always needs to the Holy that its strength can be measured by its visi- be toward prayer, trusting ourselves and the to say you’re sorry.” Typical Holly- heroic resolve in jail, which he “against his fellow Catholics:” an George Weigel Spirit. As Jim Beckman ble manifestations. As a result, they too often work before us to God and recognizing that wood fluff, you might say. Yet, the rightly attributes to the depth of ecclesiastical vendetta conducted, Ethics and Public the book Executive Director attempt to maintain worldly influence at the without him we can do nothing (John 15:5); best answer to that asininity was George Pell’s faith. The first vol- according to Mr. Windsor, “with Policy Center says, of the Secretariat for given by a Hollywood all-star, the ume of what will be a multi-vol- even greater determination.” expense of genuine spiritual strength . . . Ho- and 2) But, God also gives us gifts and talents “What Evangelization and late, great Charlton Heston. Asked ume work centers on the cardi- Windsor is thus offended by liness, prayer, humility, hidden acts of charity that he desires us to use to cooperate with him sociolog- Catechesis the secret of what would eventual- nal’s hope, eventually frustrated, the cardinal’s description of the are the spiritual means by which the Church is in accomplishing the work. ical sur- ly become his 64-year long mar- for vindication by a state appellate Catholic Lite Brigade as “the visibly upheld. Sitting back and praying all the time and vey could riage to Lydia, Chuck Heston re- court; Mr. Windsor seems to have bland leading the bland,” which That ersatz religion – which When these are diminished, the outward leaving everything up to God alone is a heresy. have plied, “Learning to say five words: shared that hope, for he notes Windsor regards as a “vacuous underwrites everything from the expressions of the Church’s life grow tenuous The 17th century Quietist heresy taught that predicted the conversion of an ancient and so- ‘I’m sorry, I was wrong.’” that he was one of two people not slur” from “the mike-hogging uncle abortion license to legalized eutha- and liable to failure. The Church is never in man’s ultimate goal was to achieve “perfect phisticated civilization at the hands of a small It’s a lesson that seems especial- “on the conversative wavelength” in the family.” nasia and physician assisted sui- a more fragile situation than when she seems quiet” and be so united to God in prayer that group of uneducated laborers? What numerical ly hard to digest these days, at all whose supportive letter the cardi- Australian public life is a con- cide to the LGBT political agenda strong but has lost her deep rootedness in the he did not have a single other thought. Quiet- analysis could have surmised the explosion points along the polarized spec- nal discusses in his diary. tact sport, and it ill behooves Mr. – will eventually settle for nothing invisible world” (“From Christendom to Apostol- ists literally prayed as if everything depended of the monastic movement? Or the conversion trums of political and ecclesiasti- Full marks, then, to Gerard Windsor (evidently an eager en- less than criminalizing the biblical ic Mission,” pg. 24). on God and did nothing else. However, trusting of all the pagan peoples of Europe? Or the cal opinion. One gang that finds Windsor for discerning what he de- trant in the Epithet Derby) to com- and Christian idea of the human The above statement captures a fundamental in human effort alone is also a heresy, that of appearance of a Saint Francis and his thou- truth that I believe, and way back in my mind it impossible to admit error is the scribes in his review as a “miscar- plain when Cardinal Pell speaks person. Indeed, that effort is al- Pelagianism. sands of followers in a few short years? Or the I know, but I must admit that my confidence What I have realized and have been drawn Australian Left, which is still con- riage of justice.” We can assume his mind robustly, as he was and ready underway in the Australian apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the in it clearly has diminished. You can tell by my to is a reawakening of the “first efforts toward ducting a war of calumny against that Mr. Windsor was pleased is wont to do. That, Mr. Windsor state of Victoria (where Cardinal conversion of Mexico? Or, for that matter, the Cardinal George Pell even after his when justice was finally done and says, makes “liberal Catholics actions! We easily can fall into the human trap prayer.” If we don’t start there, everything else Pell was maliciously prosecuted) conversion of a single soul? acquittal by Australia’s High Court the Australian High Court did squirm.” But, isn’t that Catholic of thinking that our work, our efforts, are what we do can begin to go off track. We need God’s and it’s implicit in the Biden ad- What sociological study can gauge the pres- of spurious charges the Aussie what that state appellate court Lite squirming a form of surrender is really going to move things forward. The real- grace in every area of our lives, in our families, ministration’s promotion of gender ence of the Holy Spirit or the power of prayer? Left may well have had a hand in inexplicably failed to do, given the to the shibboleths of the secular ity is that everything we do, including prayer, is and especially in the Church today. ideology and the Newspeak-redo- From its first appearance, the Church has been concocting. That stubbornness emptiness of the prosecution’s Left and its culture of lifestyle lib- possible only because of God’s gracious assis- In these difficult times, we need to be praying lent “Equality Act.” a massive surprise; in every age its existence a extends to the Catholic subdivi- case against the cardinal: quash ertinism? tance. more, interceding more, lifting up our arch- Mr. Windsor admits that “secular sion of the Aussie Left, as a recent the trial court’s guilty verdict, There are honorable exceptions, There is a famous quote often attributed to bishop and our priests more. The quote that I standing miracle” (“From Christendom to Apos- review in “The Australian” of the effectively reprimand the trial jury of course, but “liberal Catho- animosity” toward the Church and Saint Augustine, “Pray as though everything started with is from a book I have been reading tolic Mission,” pgs. 39-40). cardinal’s prison diary by Gerard and the majority of the appellate lics” have been notably absent in the Catholic idea of what makes depended on God; work as though everything the past six months or so, “From Christendom Lent is a great time for this reawakening, a Windsor, a longtime campaigner court, and enter a verdict of ac- Australia (and elsewhere) from for human flourishing “does exist.” depended on you.” to Apostolic Mission.” I’m sure I will be talking great time for more prayer. As we continue our for Catholic Lite, suggests. quittal. the battle against the Left’s de- But, he doesn’t seem to grasp the There is speculation about the quote and its about this book a lot in the coming months – it Lenten journey, I invite you to join me. Let’s Mr. Windsor gracefully admits But, then (to riff on “Love Story”), termination to establish, with the virulence embedded in that ani- interpretation. Some say it was Saint Ignatius has had a profound impact on me. take extra time for prayer, for more rosaries that, in “Prison Journal: Volume I the maxim “Being Left means nev- force of law, what amounts to a mosity or the need for courageous of Loyola who said it, not Augustine; paragraph One of the key strategies that the book rec- asking for Mary’s help and intercession, for – The Cardinal Makes His Appeal” er having to say you’re sorry” kicks new religion: the religion of the bishops to fight it. One wonders #2834 of the Catechism does exactly that. Trent ommends in what it calls the “apostolic times” more time before the Blessed Sacrament, on (Ignatius Press), “there is no self- in, and Mr. Windsor’s review skids Self, in which the human person if that blind spot is a result of too Horn from Catholic Answers says that “there in which we are currently living is to “refuse to our knees begging God for his miraculous in- pity, just the assumption that the off the road into a rant about Pell is reduced to a bundle of morally much squirming about truth-tell- are others who argue that this quote is a mis- be trapped by social analysis” (Pg. 39). We can tervention. wrong eventually will be righted, the “warrior Prince” who contin- equivalent desires, the satisfaction ing, and too little willingness to re- translation of the authentic Ignatian saying, ‘Let find ourselves looking at our current circum- We all have heard one study after another that God knows what he’s doing, ues to “wage war” from jail. That of which is the primary function of consider and then say, “I’m sorry, I your first rule of action be to trust in God as if stances and be completely overwhelmed. How that tells us “they won’t come back,” “a full and that the suffering involved war is fought against the “militant government. was wrong.” success depended entirely on yourself and not are we ever going to get the Church back to two-thirds of Catholics do not believe in the on him: but use all your efforts as if God alone what it used to be? How are we going to get real presence in the Eucharist,” and “the new did everything, and yourself nothing.’ (In other people to simply come back to Mass? The so- normal is a much smaller Catholic Church.” words, what Saint Ignatius really said was, ‘Pray ciological statistics are a whole lot of doom and Let’s spend the rest of our Lent begging God for as though everything depended on you, and act gloom. a greater outpouring of his Holy Spirit and the Upcoming Days of Reflection as if everything depended on God’)” (Catholic We must never forget, though, that all these grace of conversion throughout our archdio- Answers, “Saint Ignatius Said What?”). studies leave out the miracle of faith and the cese! Spend a day at St. Gregory's Abbey in Reflection. March 13, 2021 “With a Father’s Heart – Reflections for the Year of St. Joseph” Presenter: Abbot Lawrence Stasyszen, O.S.B. Pope Francis has proclaimed a special “Year of St Joseph,” to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Blessed Pope Pius IX’s declaration of St Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. The Pope’s Apostolic Letter “With a Father’s Heart” will Book Review: “Creating a Culture of Encounter” provide the backdrop during this day for reflect- ing on what we know about St. Joseph from the Gospels and what we can learn from St. Joseph for the conduct of our lives as Christians. By John H. Dolezal mittee on Hispanic affairs with process is a five-week experience we have placed on our missionary The Sooner Catholic April 24, 2021 the U.S. Conference of Catholic of reflection and evangelization outreach and stretch the circle of “Living Our Baptismal Promises with the Desert Fathers" Bishops, and it is an adaptation guided by five themes, inspired by our encounters to include those Presenter: Br. Peter Shults, O.S.B. (via ZOOM) of the process developed for the V Pope Francis’s call to foster a cul- on the peripheries. Creating a Each year at Easter we renew our Baptismal Promises to reject sin and to live as children of God. Participants at this According to Pope Francis, “The National Encuentro of Hispanic/ ture of encounter (The Joy of the culture of encounter appears to be day of reflection will be given the opportunity to reflect on our promises through stories from the early monks of the Egyptian desert that encourage a dynamic commitment to one’s Baptism. Br. Peter history of evangelization began Latino Ministry (primary activity of Gospel). The five themes are: an excellent tool will present these reflections via ZOOM from his current location at St. Meinrad with the Lord’s own passionate the USCCB Strategic Plan: 2017- • Called to a loving encounter School of Theology in Indiana. for learn- desire to call and enter into friend- 2020).” with Jesus in the Church; ing how to June 12, 2021 ly dialogue with everyone just as The book is designed to serve • With words and actions: Do improve our “Our Mother’s Heart: The Immaculate Treasure of Love” they are.” And, as Christians, we as a “Guide for Joyful Missionary it! service as Presenter: Abbot Lawrence Stasyszen, O.S.B. too, are Disciples” and as a “process of • Walking together with Jesus; missionaries. “And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19) These words from the Gospel of Luke point to the maternal love of Mary. She trea- called to formation in the faith that invites • Bearing fruits of new life; This book sured each moment of the life of her son Jesus, and held him to her heart through evange- all he experienced. In celebration of the Feast of the Immaculate Heart all Catholics in the United States • Celebrating the joy of being is well-or- of Mary, the participants will be led in a reflection on how Mary carries each lize. to an intense missionary activity, missionary disciples. ganized and of us with her maternal love. “Cre- in the spirit of the New Evangeli- As Christians, we are called to offers clear July 24, 2021 ating a zation.” It is “bilingual” with the serve as missionaries spreading guidance for “In the Beauty of Holiness: A Day of Reflection for Artisans and Crafters” Presenter: Br. Damian Whalen, O.S.B. Culture first 56 pages written in English the Good News of Jesus Christ to those who of En- and the last 56 pages written in all we encounter. Pope Francis, want to design The human ability to create is a reflection of the God who is within us and an experi- ence of the Divine presence in the beauty of creation. The concept of “beauty,” howev- counter: A Guide for Joyful Mis- Spanish. in his “Joy of the Gospel” exhor- and deliver a powerful formation er, has become a cheap commodity in our society. This day of reflection will explore how we can be lead into holiness through the experience of making beautiful things. sionary Disciples” provides us a The three main parts to this tation, shares a powerful vision experience to parish missionaries Participants are encouraged to bring a small creative project to work on during the process for reaching out to others day. book are: and strong encouragement for us empowering them to respond to and share the Good News of Jesus • Introduction; to expand our missionary encoun- Pope Francis’s exhortation and Registration - Due to limited space, pre-registration is required for all attendees. Cost is $30 per session (early Christ and serve as a light for • Sessions of the guide for cre- ters to include those we may not bird special) or $35 if paid at the door. Register by e-mailing [email protected] or call (405) 878-5656. Lunch is propose the Good News to those included in the cost of the session. Due to COVID-19, masks and social distancing are required. those who may be struggling with ating a culture of encounter; normally include. who may live in the peripheries of Schedule- Mass begins at 8:30 a.m. The day concludes after Adoration around 3 p.m. darkness. • Resources for the encounter We are asked, and are capable society. This book is authored by “var- process. of, doing better. We can, by God’s John H. Dolezal is a freelance ious members of the sub-com- At the heart of the encounter grace, overcome the limitations writer for the Sooner Catholic. 12 March 14, 2021 Sooner Catholic Sooner Catholic March 14, 2021 13

Lánzate a lo más Profundo Luke 5:4 Al regresar de Irak, el papa habla sobre los Un año de COVID ‘riesgos’ en el viaje

Hace exactamente un año se identificaba el do a vivir con él y a mitigar sus efectos al tiem- ensayos clínicos Por Cindy Wooden Pero el otro peligro lo planteaba el COVID-19 Aunque dijo que había visto fotos de las primer caso confirmado de COVID-19 en Okla- po que reducimos el número de contagios. líneas celulares Catholic News Service y el riesgo de que las personas que se reunier- iglesias en ruinas de Mosul, el papa Francisco homa. ¿Quién se iba a imaginar en ese momen- Hoy, parece que al fin estamos saliendo de que se derivaron an para ver al papa, que ha sido vacunado, dijo que estar parado entre los escombros era to el impacto o los cambios que traería consi- esta terrible enfermedad. Debido en gran parte de tejido fetal genere un aumento en el número ya creciente “increíble, increíble”. go? Desde ese día de al desarrollo de abortado. Una de A BORDO DEL VUELO PAPAL DESDE IRAK – de casos en Irak. Pero aún más conmovedor, dijo, fue el testi- El compromiso de la Iglesia Católica de dialog- El papa Francisco dijo que la pandemia, no monio de los sobrevivientes, incluso la de una marzo, han habido vacunas seguras las tres, la vacu- ar con otras iglesias y con otras religiones fluye el problema de seguridad fue lo que lo hizo madre que perdió a un hijo, que habló sobre la mas de 425,000 y efectivas, por na de Johnson del Evangelio, pero el papa Francisco dijo que pensar varias veces, “tal vez, tal vez no” sobre importancia del perdón y la reconstrucción. contagios y más de La Investigación de las primera vez en and Johnson, usó Arzobispo Pablo S. Coakley sabe que algunos católicos no están de acuer- la visita. “Somos muy buenos para insultar y conde- 7,200 muertes en el mucho tiempo además líneas estado. Con más de podemos decir do. Las decisiones sobre viajes al extranjero “se nar a la gente”, dijo, pero demasiadas personas Vacunas celulares procedentes de tejido de fetos aborta- 520,000 muertes a que hay esperan- “A menudo hay que arriesgarse” para pro- acumulan en el tiempo”, dijo el papa. han olvidado el poder de perdonar a los demás. dos en el proceso de producción. ¿Significa esto nivel nacional. A to- La Perspectiva Católica za en el horizonte. mover la armonía, dijo a los periodistas el 8 “Pensé tanto, recé tanto” sobre el viaje a Irak Cuando se le preguntó, si alguna vez, haría que los católicos, y todo aquel que se oponga al dos nos ha tocado. Tenemos actual- de marzo mientras volaba de regreso a Roma por la pandemia del coronavirus “, y al final un viaje a Argentina, el papa Francisco repitió Esta mañana cele- El Arzobispo Coakley alentó a los católi- mente tres vacu- aborto, deben evitar recibir estas vacunas? desde Bagdad. “Hay algunas críticas: ‘El papa tomé la decisión libremente, pero vino de por que se imaginaba muriendo o renunciando y bré el funeral de un cos a vacunarse contra el COVID-19 para nas aprobadas Después de un análisis moral cuidadoso, el no es valiente, es imprudente’. Está haciendo dentro y me dije a mí mismo que él que me permaneciendo en Roma, “mi diócesis”. feligrés que murió ayudar a protegerlos a ellos, a sus familias para su uso en los consenso de la Conferencia de Obispos de los cosas en contra de la doctrina católica. Está a ayudó a decidir esto va a cuidar a la gente”. Bromeó diciendo que había pasado 76 años mucho antes de lo y a sus comunidades del virus mortal. Sin Estados Unidos Estados Unidos, el Vaticano y otras fuentes un paso de la herejía’”. Y aunque muchos expertos no esperan que en Argentina y no veía por qué la gente quería embargo, junto a las consideraciones médi- que debía haber y los esfuerzos reconocidas, tales como el Centro Nacional Aún así, dijo, a través de la oración y es- la pandemia se resuelva para el otoño, el papa que pasara más tiempo allí. cas, las consideraciones éticas también son muerto, dejando masivos de dis- Católico de Bioética, han concluido que el nivel cuchando los consejos de expertos y asistentes, Francisco dijo que prometió ir a Budapest, Pero, negando tener lo que denominó “pa- importantes en el cuidado de la salud. atrás a una familia tribución la están de cooperación con el mal moral del aborto es se ha convencido de que Dios quiere que la Hungría un día en septiembre para celebrar trio-fobia”, dijo a los periodistas que había “Desde la perspectiva moral y ética, todos joven sufriendo y haciendo llegar a tan remoto, que es moralmente permisible reci- iglesia, y toda la humanidad, continúe promov- la misa de clausura del Congreso Eucarístico planeado un viaje a Argentina, junto con Chile, los que estamos recibiendo estas vacunas, una vida interrum- más y más perso- bir estas vacunas. iendo un sentido de pertenencia a una sola Internacional, que se pospuso de 2020. en noviembre de 2017. Sin embargo, el viaje se tenemos el deber de expresar nuestras pida. Y este es solo nas cada día. Si tuviésemos la oportunidad de elegir cuál familia humana. El otro viaje que le gustaría hacer pronto, retrasó hasta enero de 2018 debido a las elec- preocupaciones a las compañías farmacéu- un caso en medio de Sin embar- vacuna recibir, deberíamos elegir la que no Y, dijo, que no importa si algunas religiones, dijo, es una visita al Líbano. ciones en Chile. Y enero en Argentina habría ticas y exigirles que produzcan vacunas que muchos. go, una de las sectas o grupos parecen estar más lejos de El cardenal Bechara Rai, patriarca de la sido demasiado cálido. no dependan de células o tejidos con alguna tenga conexión con el aborto, o al menos la que Hace un año tam- amenazas a los compartir esa visión. Iglesia católica maronita, incluso le pidió que “No sé si los viajes van a disminuir, pero les conexión al aborto.” – Arzobispo Pablo S. tenga la menor conexión. En este caso, sería la bién, habían muchos esfuerzos de “El gobierno de Jesús es el amor y la cari- se detuviera en el Líbano en el camino hacia o puedo decir que en este viaje me he sentido Coakley, Oklahoma City. vacuna de Pfizer o la de Moderna. Sin embar- escépticos que afirm- distribución que dad”, dijo el papa. “¿Pero cuántos siglos nos desde Irak, dijo el papa, pero hacer eso pare- más cansado”, dijo, y agregó que tener 84 años Encuentre cartas de muestra para enviar go, puede que no tengamos opción de elegir. aban que el COVID buscan alcanzar llevó poner eso en práctica?” cería darle “migajas” al pueblo libanés dado su viene con algo de cansancio. a las compañías farmacéuticas acerca del Por lo tanto, y dada la gravedad de la crisis de no representaba la la inmunidad col- Predicar y vivir la “fraternidad humana”- sufrimiento. Sin embargo, dijo, disfruta estar con la gente, desarrollo y prueba de las vacunas en salud actual, animo a todos los católicos a que amenaza que decían ectiva, es la mala reconociendo que todos los hombres y mujeres, Cuando se le preguntó sobre su reunión del 6 especialmente “después de estos meses de en- archokc.org/vaccineletters. reciban cualquier vacuna disponible tan pronto los medios de comu- información y el creados por Dios, son miembros de la misma de marzo en Nayaf con el ayatolá Ali al-Sistani, carcelamiento” debido a la pandemia y el cierre como sea posible. nicación y que no era miedo que cir- familia humana y hermanos y hermanas entre una figura de autoridad para los musulmanes en Italia. Desde la perspectiva moral y ética, todos los más que otro tipo de cula sobre estas sí - es un proceso que requiere esfuerzo, énfa- chiítas en Irak y en todo el mundo, el papa “Me siento diferente cuando estoy lejos de la virus de la influenza vacunas. Han sido que estamos recibiendo estas vacunas, ten- sis y repetición. Francisco lo describió como “un gran hombre, gente”, dijo, y agregó que continuará siguiendo estacional. Desde entonces, hemos aprendido declaradas seguras y efectivas. Sin embargo, emos el deber de expresar nuestras preocu- “Eres humano. Eres un hijo de Dios. Eres mi un hombre sabio, un hombre de Dios”. las recomendaciones de las autoridades guber- mucho sobre esta enfermedad. Hemos visto lo ¿son éticas? Las consideraciones éticas siem- paciones a las compañías farmacéuticas y hermano o hermana”, dijo el papa. La reunión, dijo, “fue buena para mi alma” namentales de salud en cuanto a realizar au- impredecible que puede ser. Hemos experimen- pre son importantes en el cuidado de la salud. exigirles que produzcan vacunas que no depen- Con la violencia esporádica que continúa y fue un paso más en el camino de promover diencias generales u otros eventos que puedan tado sus efectos devastadores en todos los as- ¿Cómo han sido desarrolladas y probadas estas dan de células o tejidos con alguna conexión al en Irak, el viaje del papa del 5 al 8 de marzo una mayor comprensión y cooperación con los atraer a un gran público. pectos de nuestras vidas, incluyendo nuestras vacunas? aborto. involucró una operación de seguridad masiva musulmanes. “La cercanía al pueblo de Dios” es una par- escuelas, nuestros trabajos, nuestra capacidad Se complica. Desafortunadamente, todas las Oremos unos por otros y por el fin de esta con el despliegue de miles de policías y oficiales El día después de reunirse con el ayatolá, el te esencial de ser sacerdote, dijo el papa. “Los de socializar y de rendir culto. Hemos aprendi- vacunas aprobadas hoy en día usaron en sus pandemia mortal. militares. Incluso la policía del Vaticano y la papa Francisco viajó a Mosul, una ciudad ater- únicos que nos salvan del orgullo son el pueblo Guardia Suiza usaban chalecos antibalas de- rorizada y dejada en gran parte en ruinas por santo de Dios”, de lo contrario los sacerdotes bajo de sus trajes oscuros, una práctica inusu- los militantes del Estado Islámico que contro- corren el riesgo de actuar como “una casta de al en un viaje papal. laron el área de 2014 a 2017. élite”.

Campaña de Recolección de Jeans • Sister BJ’s pantry está recolectando jeans para hombres, nuevos y usados. • El objetivo es recolectar 1,000 pares de pantalones de mezclilla. • La fecha límite para la recolección es el 31 de marzo del 2021

Lugares donde puede encontrar una caja para la recolección de Jeans para Sister BJ´s Pantry: St. BJ´s Pantry: 819 NW 4th Street Sábados de marzo por la mañana: De 9 am a 11am O bien, Saint Mark, Norman Saint James, OKC Saint Francis of Assisi, OKC Epiphany of the Lord, OKC Christ the King, Nichols Hills Saint Eugene, The Village Saint Monica, Edmond Saint John the Baptist, Edmond

Jeans nuevos y usados: Tallas: 30 al 38 de preferencia Sister BJ les da las gracias y que Dios los bendiga!�

Para mayor información, visite: www.srbjpantry.org 14 March 14, 2021 Sooner Catholic Sooner Catholic March 14, 2021 15 Calendar Briefs This calendar only covers the two weeks between issue dates and may not reflect all of the calendar items. To see a full calendar, go to soonercatholic.org. Please contact organizers before in Enid. The training is for staff Lent retreat April 15-18 at the Catholic Pas- March Feast of St. Turibius of attending. Find more briefs at and volunteers who make “first A Lent retreat “Making Personal toral Center, 7501 Northwest novenas to the Infant Jesus support, call Vicky Caudell 23 Mogrovejo. archokc.org/briefs. contact” with guests. Registration Discoveries” will be 9:30 a.m. – Expressway, OKC. Cost: $350 of Prague. During the nine at (405) 637-4611 or William 14 Fourth Sunday of Lent. days, the novena prayers will Ginn at (405) 737-2024. is $25, includes materials, lunch 3:30 p.m. March 26 at The Healing (scholarships available). Regis- be: Monday-Friday following 25 The Annunciation of the Lord. Lenten initiative and monthly messages. Regis- House, 320 W Adams in Crescent. ter at archokc.org/dc. Contact Daylight Saving Time begins. Noon Mass, Saturday follow- 21 Fifth Sunday of Lent. Parishes across the archdio- ter by March 10 at archokc.org/ The retreat, facilitated by Fr. An- Alex Schimpf at (405) 709-2755, 14 ing 5 p.m. Mass, and Sunday 25 Charismatic Catholic prayer cese are participating in a Lenten pleevents. Contact Larann Wilson thony Ram, will focus on faith and [email protected]. Pray the Rosary for Life, 6:30 following 11 a.m. Mass. 21 Pray the Rosary for Life, 6:30 meeting, 7 p.m., Catholic Pas- initiative to build community and at [email protected]. walking with Jesus into the future. 14 p.m., at the chapel at St. p.m., at the chapel at St. toral Center. Contact Elaine to prepare for Easter. The initiative Visit thehealinghouse.co. Rachel’s Vineyard Thomas More, 100 Stinson 18 Feast of St. Cyril of Thomas More, 100 Stinson at (405) 358-3610, by Real Life Catholic features Chris Marriage in His Image Date A Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat is St., Norman. Contact Connie Jerusalem. St., Norman. Contact Connie [email protected]. Stefanick, host of The Search on Nights Chrism Mass April 30 - May 2 at the Catholic Lang, (405) 249-1041, potato. Lang, (405) 249-1041, potato. Formed. The initiative includes a Christ the King Catholic Church The Chrism Mass will be live- Pastoral Center, 7501 Northwest [email protected]. 18 Charismatic Catholic prayer [email protected]. live show online each week of Lent presents Marriage in His Image streamed at 3 p.m. March 30 from Expressway, OKC. This healing meeting, 7 p.m., Catholic Pas- with a different bishop. Archbishop Date Nights on March 20 with Fr. The Cathedral of Our Lady of Per- retreat is for post-abortive women 16 Bl. Stanley Rother Shrine toral Center. Contact Elaine . Rick Stansberry and April 17 with petual Help in Oklahoma City. Due and men. E-mail [email protected] Coakley will be live on March 24 public beam signing; 10 a.m. at (405) 358-3610, Find more information at reallife- Dcn. Rick and Toby Booth. These to social distancing requirements, to register or call (918) 512-1525 – 1 p.m.; S.E. 89 and I-35. [email protected]. catholic.com or formed.org, and individual sessions are based on the Mass will not be open to the for information. watch the live broadcast at Catholic teaching to guide commit- public. Watch the live-stream at 16 Serra Club of Oklahoma City 19 Feast of St. Joseph. reallifecatholic.com/live. ted couples in their marriage jour- archokc.org/live, Facebook and Golf tournament meeting, 10:30 a.m., Catholic ney with Jesus Christ before and YouTube. Knights of Columbus Council Pastoral Center, 7501 North- 20 Bl. Stanley Rother Shrine Sign up for FORMED! after the wedding. Sessions begin #5266 at St. Francis Xavier Cath- west Expressway, OKC. Visit public beam signing; 10 a.m. There are three easy steps at 6:15 p.m. in the school cafeteria, Jeans Drive 2021 olic Church in Stillwater is hosting serraokc.org. – 1 p.m.; S.E. 89 and I-35. for parishioners to sign-up on 8005 Dorset Dr. in Nichols Hills. Sister BJ’s Pantry is having a the 2021 Oklahoma Knights of “Make Straight the Way” FORMED: 1) Visit signup.formed. RSVP for free childcare at mihi@ Jeans Drive for homeless people. Columbus annual golf tournament With Dcn. Larry Sousa 16 Suicide grief support group, 20 Lay Missionaries of Charity, Tuesdays - 3:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. org. 2) Enter parish zip or name. 3) ckokc.org. Visit ckokc.org/mihi. New or gently used men’s jeans will May 22 at the Golf Course at Ci- 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., St. the lay order of the Missionar- Wednesdays - 3:30 p.m. Enter name and e-mail. be collected until March 31 at sev- marron Trail in Perkins. Proceeds Francis, 1901 N.W. 18, OKC. ies of Charity of St. Teresa of Fish Fry eral locations including from 9 a.m. benefit The Center of Family Love. Calcutta, meeting at 10 a.m. • March 9, 10: Caden Bennett - lay ministry, Catholic hospitality training Knights of Columbus Council to 11 a.m. at Sr. BJ’s Pantry, 819 Open to all golfers; 4 player scram- 17 Bl. Stanley Rother Shrine at Holy Innocents’ conference St. John, Edmond The Catholic Hospitality Train- 5168 will be hosting a drive-thru N.W. 4 in Oklahoma City. Sizes 30- ble with a shotgun start at 1:30 public beam signing; 10 a.m. room. Any lay person inter- • March 16, 17: Juan Valarde - catechist, ing Institute will offer a training Lenten Fish Fry 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 38 preferred. Visit srbjpantry.org. p.m. Cost: $75 per player, which – 1 p.m.; S.E. 89 and I-35. ested in living a consecrated St. Francis, Sulphur seminar 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. p.m. March 19 and March 26 at covers the green fee, cart, lunch, life is welcome to “come and • March 23, 24: Shawn Carney – national president and founder, 40 Days for Life March 17 at the Catholic Pastoral Immaculate Conception Catholic Domestic Church Evangelization goody bag and two drink tickets. 17 Feast of St. Patrick. see.” Contact Toni Harrelson Center with streaming to satellite Church, 4th Street and Comanche, Retreat Visit kofc5266.org/p/resourc- at (405) 694-1292, (405) 341- • March 30, 31: Dcn. Paul Albert - St. Joseph Old locations at Holy Family Catholic in Marlow. Dinner of fish, fries, A retreat for sacramentally mar- es. Contact SK Pedro Velasco at 2199 or tonimah@sbcglobal. Cathedral, Oklahoma City 17 Entertaining Angels training, • April 6, 7: – assistant principal, Church in Lawton and St. Greg- coleslaw, pickle, onion, lemon, tar- ried couples to begin, or deepen, [email protected], (405) net. Jerry Lang 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., CPC All Saints Catholic School, Norman ory the Great Catholic Church tar sauce and brownie for $9. their spiritual lives together is 614-4585. and satellite locations. Con- • April 13, 14: Sr. Veronica Higgins – The Center tact Larann Wilson, lwilson@ 20 The Oklahoma City Communi- of Family Love, Okarche archokc.org. ty of Secular Carmelites meets • April 20, 21: Fr. Nabil Mouannes - pastor, Jobs Box monthly at Little Flower, OKC. Our Lady of Lebanon, Norman Anyone interested in deepen- • April 27, 28: - board member, Office manager and executive PreK-4, kindergarten teacher - ship preferred, concern for personal cover letter and resume, with the 17 Monthly Novena to the In- Sally Crowe Nash ing prayer life with community Oklahoma Catholic Radio assistant – OKC OKC and spiritual growth, and able to subject line Substitute Teacher. fant Jesus. Nine days of The Catholic Pastoral Center of Sacred Heart Catholic School communicate in English and Span- Pierce Ethical Ad_12x8 1-21.qxp_Pierce Ethical ad 1/26/21 12:46 PM Page 1 the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City in Oklahoma City is seeking a ish. Send resumes to randy.hearn@ Business manager – OKC seeks an office manager and exec- certified PreK-4 and kindergarten stjosephsok.org. Mount St. Mary Catholic High utive assistant in the Secretariat teacher for the 2021-2022 school School is seeking an accountant Ranked the #1 for Evangelization and Catechesis. year. E-mail cover letter and re- School secretary - OKC to fill the business manager posi- Responsible for organizing, coordi- sume to Principal Joana Camacho St. James Catholic School seeks tion. Accounting responsibilities: Knights of Columbus nating and managing office ad- at [email protected]. a school secretary and adminis- financial reporting, oversite of the Agency in the Order in ministration procedures to ensure trative assistant to the principal. general ledger, budgeting, accounts effectiveness and efficiency, includ- Science teacher - OKC Strong written and verbal commu- receivable, investments, accounts 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. ing coordinating events and main- Bishop McGuinness Catholic nication skills; light bookkeeping, payable, accruals and fixed assets. taining schedules for the executive High School is seeking an experi- outstanding technology skills, Student financial aid applications director and assistant executive di- enced data fluency, quantitative strong organizational and time and awards also are managed by Trey Welker Chad McAuliff Bobby Stevens Troy Snow Devon Soukup Lance Dufour rector, intra-office communications, and qualitative research methods management skills. Responsible this position. A bachelor’s degree in Assistant General Agent MDRT, SKC SKC 918-798-0012 MDRT, SKC 918-550-0886 inventory control, staff supervision instructor teaching sections of for opening the school. Bilingual accounting or finance, proficiency MDRT, SKC 918-284-0685 405-534-0397 [email protected] 405-505-6030 [email protected] and delegation of tasks. Inde- methods of science and honors in English and Spanish preferred. with Microsoft Office applications, 405-850-4092 [email protected] [email protected] Councils: 775, 1677, [email protected] Councils: 962, 1302, 3167, pendently manage a wide range of methods of science. Physical sci- No phone calls. E-mail resume making presentations and experi- [email protected] Councils: 1104, 4721, 6606, Councils: 1018, 3556, 4598, 7392, 10388, 11194, 11633, Councils: 767, 3101, 5440, 4519, 4804, 7395, 8433, Councils: 3220, 10822, 12669 9668, 9737, 13828 5160, 5354, 9901, 12108, 11959, 13313, 15834 5759, 6478, 8633, 14744 11734, 14220, 14248, administrative tasks. Send resume ence certification required. Inter- to Principal Alicia Vazquez at ence using accounting software a 16048, 16214, 16367 14448, 15785, 17559 to [email protected]. mediate math preferred. E-mail [email protected]. must. Bilingual in Spanish pre- resume and cover letter to Depart- ferred. Send inquiries and resumes Principal - OKC ment Chair Julia Anderson-Holt at Organist/choir director - Duncan to [email protected]. Sacred Heart Catholic School is [email protected]. Assumption Catholic Church seeking a principal for the 2021- in Duncan is seeking a part-time Director of housing – OKC 2022 school year. Sacred Heart is a Teachers – Midwest City organist/choir director. Must pass Catholic Charites of the Archdio- vibrant, culturally and economical- St. Philip Neri Catholic School in the Safe Environment training, cese of Oklahoma City is seeking a ly diverse PreK-4 through 8th grade Midwest City is seeking early child- play a pipe organ, direct choir and director of housing to take a leader- Kevin Pierce Catholic school with a current hood and elementary teachers. Ap- prepare service music. Salary com- ship role in the creation of Housing Regional Agency Executive Consultant Michael Dalby Chris Wright Mike Maggio Max Yardley This could be you! Career opportunities enrollment of 125 students. Ideal plicants must hold state certifica- mensurate with experience. Send First communities for the formerly General Agent 405-638-1274 405-822-2181 405-697-8820 405-570-2179 available. candidate is highly effective com- tion. Teaching experience preferred. resume and contact information to homeless and oversee real estate SKC [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Councils: 965, 1287, 2604, Councils: 1038, 1044, Councils: 916, 949, 1053, Councils: 4601, 6477, municator and creative problem E-mail resume to Principal Brenda [email protected]. development activities. Relevant Office: 877-707-0752 Cell: 405-514-7660 4889, 5168, 6367, 8523, 1533, 1537, 2974, 3113, 1903, 3336, 4026, 4042, 8204, 12518, 12605 solver who is enthusiastic about Tener at [email protected]. master’s degree preferred; experi- 9900, 11648, 11909, 3309, 9334, 13366 5266, 5396, 9333, 9583, [email protected] addressing the challenges of pro- Substitute teachers – OKC enced and technically proficient in 12819, 12382 11135, 11237, 14106 viding access to Catholic education Youth evangelization Cristo Rey Oklahoma City all aspects of affordable housing for all. Must be practicing Catholic coordinator - Norman Catholic High School is seeking real estate development, including LIFE INSURANCE • DISABILITY INCOME INSURANCE • LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE • RETIREMENT ANNUITIES with a minimum of five years of St. Joseph Catholic Church in substitute teachers. Apply at finance, entitlement and design, teaching experience. Administrative Norman is seeking a coordinator cristoreyokc.org/careers. construction, lease-up and opera- experience and bilingual in Spanish of youth and young adult evan- tions. Send cover letter with re- preferred. Effective July 1; earlier gelization to coordinate efforts to Substitute teachers - OKC sume to David Ashton at dashton@ For over 138 years, our insurance program has helped start date possible. Contact the evangelize and catechize youth in Bishop McGuinness Catholic ccaokc.org. Office of the Superintendent, P.O. grades 6-12 and their families, as High School is seeking substitute generations of Catholic families find stability and security. Box 32180, OKC 73123; dfloyd@ well as young adults in the parish. teachers. E-mail bishop@bmchs. To see more job openings, go on- Pierce Agency archokc.org or call (405) 721-4202. Experience in catechetical leader- org. Candidates should include a line to archokc.org/jobs-box. 16 March 14, 2021 Sooner Catholic

very Spring and Fall, the 40 Days for Life campaign aims to turn hearts away from abortion and the culture of death through around-the-clock, peaceful prayer vigils outside of abortion facilities. EOn Feb. 21, Sue Thayer, director of outreach with 40 Days for Life, visited Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Ed- mond. She shared her story of being a former abortion facility manager and how she eventually founded Cornerstone for Life Pregnancy Resource Center in Iowa. Estela Hernandez, with U.S. Sen. James Lankford’s office, also spoke at the Edmond event. Thayer visited the campaign sites in Oklahoma City and Nor- man also. The Spring campaign ends March 28. To sign up, visit 40daysforlife.com or contact [email protected] for more information. Photos Chris Porter/Sooner Catholic.