Sooner Catholic soonercatholic.org October 15, 2017 archokc.org Go Make Disciples Following Holy Spirit to Catholicism By Charles Albert Cornish thought, “That isn’t going to help deviated from the faith handed down from the The Sooner Catholic them in softball.” Reaction to Cornish’s conver- days of the earliest Apostles. He goes so far to sion from family and friends ranged from shock say, “If you believe the Holy Spirit blessed the About five years ago, Brian Cornish, a Bap- to anger to sadness. His father is supportive, Apostles and the early Church, it doesn’t make tist minister with a master’s degree in divinity, though remaining firm in his own Baptist com- sense that the Holy Spirit would withdraw his started to explore questions about the ori- mitments. guidance until Protestantism came along 1,500 gins of the Christian faith. His journey would What motivated Cornish’s conversion to years later.” include much research and would culminate Catholicism was extensive research into early Cornish is aware of the faith crisis facing the with him resigning his job and youth of most Catholic joining the Catholic Church at families in society. Easter 2017. “It is not just a Catholic Cornish, with his wife Kris- issue but a Christiani- ten and five children, are now ty problem, across every members of Blessed Sacrament denomination. Children Catholic Church in Lawton. He will follow the example of is employed as the maintenance their parents; Christ must technician at Saint Mary Cath- be the most important part olic School in Lawton and also of a parent’s life in order serves as the youth director at to serve as an example for Holy Family Catholic Church. each child in this society.” Father Phil Seeton, pastor at Cornish and his wife Holy Family, said he believes acknowledge God’s faithful the parish is blessed to have provision and are grateful Cornish as the youth director. for the love and support “Brian brings new and fresh shown by their RCIA class ideas to youth ministry. Of- during their transition. ten we Catholics lag behind Father Brian Buettner, non-Catholics in methods and pastor at Blessed Sacra- expressions of youth ministry.” ment, said, “Brian Cornish Prior to moving back to Law- is a man of deep faith and ton to be near family, Cornish conviction in the Lord. It was living in Beaumont, Texas, has been great to welcome had begun doctoral studies and Brian, Kristen and their was enjoying his 13th year in children to our parish. Baptist ministry. Brian and Kristen Cornish and family. Photo provided. Their family came to us Cornish was brought up in just after entering the a very active Baptist family in Catholic Church and it Lawton. His dad is a lifelong Baptist minister. Church history and the writings of Catholic has been great to see their enthusiasm contin- His only contact with Catholics as a youth converts such as Christian Smith, Francis ue to grow and slowly spread throughout the was on the softball fields in Lawton. He recalls Beckwith and Scott Hahn. parish.” the Catholic teams “crossed themselves when Cornish concluded that Protestantism, Charles Albert is a freelance writer for the batting.” although having many positive points, had Sooner Catholic. Bishop Weisenburger appointed seventh bishop of Tucson Pope Francis has transferred Bishop Edward Joseph Weisen- burger from the Diocese of Salina to the Diocese of Tucson, Ariz. The Holy See made the announcement earlier this month in Rome. “I congratulate Bishop Weisen- burger on his appointment as the next bishop of the Diocese of Tucson. I will be praying for him as he prepares to assume his new responsibilities, and for the Di- ocese of Salina, who will have to say farewell to their beloved bish- op and prepare to welcome a new shepherd,” Archbishop Coakley said. Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas, sixth bishop of Tucson, submitted his resignation in accord with Church law upon reaching his 75th birth- Bishop Edward Joseph Weisenburger greets people at a news conference in Tuc- day. Weisenburger’s appointment son. Photo provided. continued on page 3 2 October 15, 2017 Sooner Catholic Sooner Catholic October 15, 2017 3 Put Out Into the Deep Luke 5:4 Find more Ardmore St. Mary welcomes four new “Go Make Disciples:” news on the website deacons in November Sustaining the vision By Charles Albert Four parishioners of Saint Mary Catholic family of three children. This has been an exhilarating time for Catholics in expanded to many other By Sooner Catholic Staff The Sooner Catholic Church in Ardmore are part of a new deacon “The highlight of formation for me has been the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. We’re still basking in parishes and schools. We class of 22 who will be ordained Nov. 3. The sharing this experience with so many wonder- the joyful radiance of the recent beatification of Blessed have seen an increase Additional coverage of For more than 30 years, Gustavo “Gus” Orel- four men have spent their careers in very ful people in the program.” Stanley Rother. in adult faith formation Church and archdiocesan lana was hearing a call to be a deacon, but al- different occupations, but all served people in Robert is a retired lawyer and hopes to help During this busy time, it probably went unnoticed that opportunities, but again news and events, only on ways found reasons or excuses not to answer. their “lay occupations” and now want to assist the Church in any way possible. He would like we also marked the fourth anniversary of the release with the restructuring www.soonercatholic.org. On Nov. 3, he will be answering God’s call. the Church, assist people in their spiritual to continue his work in education and work of my pastoral letter called “Go Make Disciples,” which process have not seen the needs, continue their own with shut-ins. articulated a strategic vision for the archdiocese. measured results of that a To send photos, event faith journey, and draw peo- Juan Jimenez and his wife Maria are lifelong Archbishop Paul S. Coakley In that document, I laid out a five-year program. I am increase. information or story ideas, ple closer to Christ. Catholics. Jimenez works as director of His- pleased to report that we have made significant strides The enormous turnout e-mail [email protected]. The four new deacons will panic Ministry for Saint Mary. His faith was toward meeting the goals outlined. for the Beatification Mass, which was attended by an es- be Ray Butler, 64, Rob- greatly influenced by his grandmother, both by The overall vision that “Go Make Disciples” articulates timated 20,000 people, and the large crowd of more than a ert Highsmith, 67, Juan her faith and her work in helping people. aims to move us from maintenance to mission by form- 4,000 that gathered just a week later for Matthew Kelly’s The “Catholic Faith Jimenez, 51, and Gustavo In his early life, his faith would be tested ing missionary disciples who are on fire with the love Dynamic Catholic event are certainly signs of a vibrant Conference: Catholicism of Christ. We identified three pastoral priorities around faith among Catholics in Oklahoma. Beyond the Pew,” is Jan. Orellana, 66. All agree that through many tough times and there were which our diocesan resources and energies would be Finally, the third priority we articulated is “Hispan- 19-20, 2018, at the Wichita none of them could have ac- times when his faith was lacking. However, as harnessed. ic ministry.” Latinos are the growing retreat center. The event complished this calling with- he got older, Jimenez said, “The Eucharistic The first priority is “the new edge of our Catholic population in features nationally recog- out the support and prayers seed that his grandmother and parents plant- evangelization.” This term was Oklahoma. The first goal in this prior- nized Catholic speaker Jon of their wives and their ed finally grew.” used frequently by Saint John ity area is being addressed. Providen- Leonetti. Keynote speaker family. All of them said they Jimenez is open to any task at the parish Paul II and Pope Benedict to tially, it is being aided by the beatifica- is Theodore Papadopoulos. have found the education, and really wants urge people to come “home” describe the need to rekindle tion of Blessed Stanley Rother. Space is limited to the first friendship and training to be to the Church and the Eucharist as he did. the missionary impulse of the As we develop our plans for a beau- a wonderful experience. Gus Orellana also is a lifelong Catholic. His 150 registrants. Contact Church of Pentecost in our own tiful shrine to honor Blessed Stanley Butler and his wife Sandra wife Krys- time. We identified two key goals the Spiritual Life Center at Rother, we also will be able to alleviate grew up Southern Baptist tal was to move us along in pursuit of (316) 744-0167 or go online Saint Mary Catholic Church some overcrowding that many of our and went through the RCIA raised this priority – create an office of parishes serving Spanish-speaking to slcwichita.org. 125 E. Street S.W. new evangelization and initiate a program about 12 years ago. Southern Ardmore 73401-4735 Catholics in the metropolitan area Ray works as an accountant Baptist parish evangelization plan. have been experiencing. The shrine (580) 223-0231 and has found great peace and con- We met the first goal by will serve not only as a place of pil- [email protected] in the Catholic faith.