Summer 2019
New Roles in Faith Formation Page 2
Page 1
Carla Lechner seeks an apprentice Page 3
Church of Saint Mary Newsletter
Bishop confirms thirty-two
Fifty receive First Communion
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Summer 2019
Quarterly Newsletter
The School of Saint Mary graduating Class of 2019
Twenty-six students graduate Twenty-six students graduated in May from the School of Saint Mary. Eighteen of them began their academic journey before first grade at the School of Saint Mary. Many of them were Bunnies at Saint Mary Preschool (twoyear-old program).
busy one. They participate with the entire student body in the annual Awards Assembly (related story: page 4). The Drive Around follows. Graduates ride outlandish vehicles around the campus as they throw candy to the younger students.
The week of graduation begins with the Ribbon Mass, the final school Mass for the eighth graders. Eighth graders wear ribbons signifying their completion of studies. Their young buddies in second grade receive ribbons as a sign that they have received their First Communion.
Graduating students spend their last hours together in prayer. The evening Graduation Mass includes the conferral of diplomas.
Eighth Grade students’ final day is a
The School of Saint Mary maintains good relations with its alumni and often welcomes them back on campus.
Kindergarten Openings AT THE
SCHOOL OF SAINT MARY
The School of Saint Mary has eight openings for the 2019-2020 Kindergarten Class. The Kindergarten wing of the school contains two classrooms, a shared space between the two classrooms, and boys and girls restrooms. There is room for up to thirty young students. Excellent teachers create a warm and safe environment for youngsters. They balance structured learning with play Call 918-749-9361 to schedule a tour.
churchofsaintmary.com
Page 2
Summer 2019
Father Jack smiles with Kennedy Stansbarger and Blake Lawson.
New Roles for Faith Formation Leaders When Valerie Howard announced that she was resigning her position as Children’s Ministries director, she set in motion many staff changes. [Related story on page 6.] At the same time, Jane Bender told the Bishop Kelley High School community that she intended to retire from her full time position as a theology teacher. She made herself available to the Church of Saint Mary to expand her role as the primary catechist of young children preparing for First Confession and First Communion. Advised by the Pastor’s Team, Father Jack is working and praying to discern how the Faith Formation Team serves the parish. He is considering how to implement Bishop Konderla’s pastoral letter, specifically the section calling for a greater effort to evangelize.
Father Jack added Confirmation preparation to Jane Bender’s role. She will retain First Confession and First Communion preparation.
Blake Lawson will begin a new position of Discipleship and Evangelization while remaining the High School Youth Minister.
Details on the new Discipleship and Evangelization role profile are evolving. Blake will be responsible for forming parishioners in Father Jack the Catholic faith and givhired recent coling them the tools to belege graduate come missionary disciples. Kennedy StansHe will evaluate how every barger to be the adult and child at the Jane Bender expands her role to include Children’s MinChurch of Saint Mary can Confirmation preparation. istries director cooperate with Bishop and Middle School Youth Minister. Konderla’s vision. Kennedy served two summer internships at the Church of Saint Mary in 2017 and 2018. She will move to Tulsa, get married, and begin her duties this summer.
Summer 2019
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Church of Saint Mary Newsletter
Father Jack Gleason leads prayer before a Preschool Thanksgiving feast at the Saint Mary Preschool.
Carla Lechner seeks a Preschool Apprentice Although her retirement is years away, Carla Lechner is seeking an apprentice to learn how to run the Saint Mary Preschool. The goal is to have a fully trained preschool director who will be ready to lead the Preschool when Carla decides to retire. When Carla started leading the preschool, the classrooms and playground were small and ill equipped. The preschool had no budget, no computer, no copy machine, very few toys (the teachers brought them from home!), a library of less than one hundred books, and no trained teachers. Carla was part of the team who helped form the current standards for Catholic preschools in our diocese and worked to see the preschool through a major renovation
in 2004. Saint Mary Preschool is a happy and positive place for children ages 25 to be introduced to learning in a school setting. Carla Lechner has been a part of that preschool family since her daughter, WhitCarla Lechner ney, attended the program 30 years ago. Carla taught class at the preschool for several years before she became the director in 1994. Saint Mary Preschool has grown and changed over the years, but Carla says it is still her baby.
for her retirement. Carla hopes to see the preschool that she loves so much passed on to a strong and capable leader when she decides to leave. So she has begun the search for an assistant “apprentice.” Accreditation requirements look for a Director who is a Catholic in good standing; has a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in Early Childhood; and has three years teaching experience with young children. Carla adds that the right candidate must also have good communication skills, be proficient with computer office skills, and demonstrate leadership qualities. The Preschool Assistant apprentice position will remain part-time until Carla has made a decision to enter into full retirement in a few more years. Interested parties may submit a resume to carla.lechner@schoolofsaintmary.com
Recently, Carla has begun planning
churchofsaintmary.com
Page 4
Summer 2019
Students honored at 2019 Awards Assembly
The School of Saint Mary recognizes its outstanding students at the annual Awards Assembly. The school identifies students who excel in academics, athletics, and character. The graduating Class of 2019 includes Caroline Scott, Ava Gaspar, Katie Musshafen, Jillian Payne, Maggie Hart, Emaline Latham, Ana Sofia Moreno, Andrew Plaisance, Braden Goodwin, Carson Schultz, Braedon Gehring, Jackson Archambeau, Cross Carter, Ellie Rocco, Sophia Tran, Hanna Do, Natalie Holdgrafer, Brooke Goen, Elizabeth Sullivan, Edward Mitchell, Noah Hanisch, Stephen Schultz, Kaleb Torbett, Brady Schultz, Braxton Goodwin, and Connor White. Braedon Gehring and Braxton Goodwin received the Saint Mary Academic Award. It is awarded to students who demonstrate a consistent commitment to academic excellence.
Sebastian Award for sportsmanship and leadership on and off the playing field. The Saint Francis Award went to Katie Musshafen for being a consistent example of Christian living and service to others. Ana Sofía Victoria Moreno received the President’s Award for Educational Achievement. This award is given to graduating students for outstanding educational growth and commitment throughout the middle school years. The President’s Award for Educational Excellence requires students to maintain a 3.5 grade point average or higher and receive teacher or peer recommendations. Students who received this honor are Cross Carter, Hanna Do, Braedon Gehring, Braden Goodwin, Braxton Goodwin, Noah Hanisch, Katie Musshafen, Ellie Rocco, Brady Schultz, Carson Schultz, and Caroline Scott.
Cross Carter and Brooke Goen received the Saint
Saint Mary Preschool and School of Saint Mary teachers and staff are proud of their graduates.
Summer 2019
Page 5
Church of Saint Mary Newsletter
Bishop Konderla Confirms Thirty-Two On Friday, April 26, Bishop David Konderla confirmed thirty-two parish teens. Mr. Blake Lawson organized the classes, taught many times, and orchestrated the evening’s Mass. The Confirmandi prepared for the sacrament through a series of classes, experiences of service, and a prayer-intensive retreat experience. This group is the last that Blake Lawson will directly oversee. Mrs. Jane Bender will assume the role of Confirmation catechist when Blake begins his position of Discipleship and Evangelization. [See related story on page 2.] A complete archive of photos of the Mass including individual photos, group photos, and photos with Bishop Konderla is on the parish website.
Fifty Parishioners receive First Communion Father Jack celebrated a First Communion Mass in early May for some of the parish’s youngest members and their families. The children began preparation last fall when they began learning about the sacrament of Reconciliation. The fall semester culminated in each child going to Confession. The spring semester classes focused on understanding and believing in the Real Presence in the Eucharist. Group and individual photos from First Communion Mass are available on churchofsaintmary.com.
churchofsaintmary.com
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Summer 2019
Valerie Howard pursues fulltime counseling practice After four years of leading the Children’s Ministry, Valerie Howard is resigning so she can focus on her own counseling practice. Valerie brought an ever-cheerful attitude of enthusiastic service to her role. Managing Sunday morning religious education classes, recruiting and training a talented group of teachers, and planning for vacation Bible school makes for a busy part-time job. Valerie found time to push forward the vision for Children’s Ministries in the parish. She developed a plan to create a family-based catechetical school. One year later, Bishop David Konderla gave his support for familybased catechetics in his pastoral letter, God Builds a House. She brought all her gifts to the table when the Church of Saint Mary planned 40 Hours of Grace, a period of penance and Eucharistic adoration following a troubling report about United States bishops and their handling of sexual abuse. Valerie wrote several handouts that spoke to vulnerable individuals. While she will not be employed at the Church of Saint Mary, Valerie and her family will continue to be familiar faces at this parish.
Kathy poses with the rest of the capital campaign team.
Kathy Desruisseau retires after 25 years Fr. Paul Eichoff hired Kathy Desruisseau in 1994to be this church’s Business Administrator. In her twenty-five years at the Church of Saint Mary, Kathy has worked with three pastors: Fr. Eichoff, Msgr. Dennis Dorney and Fr. Jack Gleason. She has also worked with numerous associate pastors, countless coworkers, and volunteers.
maintenance, facility scheduling, personnel, and technology.
Kathy Desruisseau
Over the years Kathy served on many committees: Finance Council, Parish Planning Committee, Pastor’s Team, the Capital Campaign team, and the Building Committee. On a day to day basis Kathy managed the operation of the church, overseeing finances,
Kathy’s thirty-four years working within the Diocese of Tulsa began in the attendance office and as registrar at Bishop Kelley High School. From there she moved to the business office at the Church of Saint Benedict in Broken Arrow.
Her long successful career has ended and Kathy has embarked on her much-anticipated retirement. She is traveling now with her husband of 49 years and continues to indulge in her love of photography always trying to capture that special “moment in time.”
Summer 2019
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Church of Saint Mary Newsletter
Kelsey Griffin is the 2019 Bishop Kelley Valedictorian School of Saint Mary alumna Kelsey Griffin is the 2019 Bishop Kelley High School valedictorian. Graduates of the School of Saint Mary have been four of the past five BK valedictorians.
Mayor G.T. Bynum was the M.C. at the 2018 MaryFair Dinner and Auction.
Five couples volunteer as MaryFair chairs Teresa & Dennis Caruso, Barb & Ted Martin, and Jenni & Jon Strickler have agreed to chair the 2019 MaryFair Dinner and Auction. Meg & Matthew Cameron and Jolene & Tim Lutz will chair the MaryFair Picnic. MaryFair is the annual parish festival that supports the School of Saint Mary and the Church of Saint Mary. The festival weekend begins on Saturday with an outdoor dinner and auction. The celebration continues on Sunday with a free parish-wide picnic.
This is the festival’s eleventh year. Father Gary Kastl was the associate pastor in 2009 who assembled a team to host the first MaryFair. Since then, the dinner and auction have become a major source of funding for many parish and school projects including the school’s LED lighting upgrades, the church’s induction hearing loop, and the overhaul of the gym.
Kelsey is a National Merit Scholar and was one of 621 semifinalists in the U.S. Presidential Scholars program. She scored a perfect 36 on the ACT.
Members of the School of Saint Mary Class of 2015—the ones who graduated from high school this May—returned to visit their alma mater a few days after graduation. They encouraged the young students and shared memories. Kelsey will attend Harvard University and will study Neurobiology and Government.
churchofsaintmary.com
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Summer 2019
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID TULSA, OK
Church of Saint Mary
PERMIT NO. 162
1347 E. 49th Pl. Tulsa, OK 74105
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