Pastor’s Message – Church of Saint Benedict

October 2, 2026

Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels

Almighty ever-living God, who in the abundance of your kindness surpass the merits and the desires of those who entreat you, pour out your mercy upon us to pardon what conscience dreads and to give what prayer does not dare to ask. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

Collect for the Mass on the Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Brothers and Sisters,

“I have chosen you…to go and bear fruit that will remain”.

This is a portion of the Parable of the Tenants of the Vineyard (Matthew 21:33-43) that we will hear at Mass this Sunday. It is a fitting Gospel to proclaim on the Annual Appeal for Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma (CCEOK). The Annual Appeal is taking place throughout the Diocese this weekend.

The fruit that our faith produces include feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, welcoming the stranger, sheltering families, and helping people regain dignity and stability in their lives. The Annual Appeal helps us to do so throughout multiple CCEOK centers in eastern Oklahoma.

This includes the Broken Arrow area. Last year, within our parish boundaries of the zip codes of 74011 and 74012 nearly 4,200 people in need received help. Most of the assistance was in the form of food, either at the Ministry of Compassion, the CCEOK outreach center in Broken Arrow, or at the main campus in Tulsa. But it also included dental procedures, maternity care and adult education (GED and ESL classes). Members of our parish volunteered just over 5,900 hours serving at CCEOK. The Annual Appeal is an opportunity to financially support CCEOK.

Please know that CCEOK does not receive funding through any government (local, state or federal) agency. Nor does it receive funding from the Annual Faith & Works Appeal for the Diocese.

Additional information about CCEOK and how you can bear fruit that our faith produces will be available in the pews at Mass this weekend.

Adoratio Campaign

Thank you for the support that you are giving to provide 24/7 Adoration of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. In addition to the information cards in the pews with QR codes and the information table in the commons, there is now a touch screen located inside the entrance to the St. Scholastica Chapel. You can use it to volunteer for a regular Holy Hour or to simply check in for a brief time of prayer.

I ask that every parish family dedicate their Friday fast and penitence to the success of the Adoratio Campaign.

Guardian Angels Mass

Friday, October 2, is the Memorial of the Guardian Angels. In addition to the regular Masses that morning there will be a Mass offered at 6:30pm. All families who have lost a child at any point during pregnancy, or at any time afterwards, are invited to this evening Mass. Prayers will be offered for the souls of these children.

Our Parish

Condolences to the family and friends for the recent death of parishioner James (Jim) Sullivan. His funeral Mass will be on Thursday, October 8 at 10:00am in the church.

Congratulations to Alexander Brisendine, who today made his Profession of Faith and was received into full communion with the Catholic Church.

Congratulations to the Martinez family, who will present a child for baptism on Saturday.

First Saturday Mass will be at 8:30am, followed by a Rosary.

The Annual Pet Blessing will be on Sunday, October 4 at 2:00pm. Weather permitting it will be outside by the bell tower. All pets must be a leash or in a carrier.

On behalf of Fr. Williams and myself, thank you for the prayers for Priesthood Sunday.

Parish Garage Sale

The Parish Garage Sale is Thursday, October 8 and Friday, October 9 from 8:00am to 6:00pm, and Saturday, October 10 from 8:00am to 1:00pm. It is open to the public.

You are welcome to bring items for donation starting Monday, October 5 at 8:00am. Please, no mattresses, televisions or computers, and only spiritual or children’s books. 

Pre-Mass Announcements

We have discontinued pre-Mass announcements. There will still be a greeting to welcome everyone, as well as stating the Mass intention.

All the information for parish and diocesan events is available elsewhere, such as the bulletin, Flocknote emails and text messages, our website, the parish’s social media pages, the commons TV and flyers, etc.

Becoming Catholic

Our parish is blessed with a growing number of people who are seeking to be received into the Catholic Church, or who are Catholic and desire to return to active living of the faith. We need parishioners to become sponsors for these candidates, to accompany them in their walk of faith. We also need volunteers who will pray for them. Information on how you can help in this effort will be in the church commons this weekend.

Banns of Marriage Robert Murguia and Gladis Olazo are to enter the Sacrament of Marriage at the Church of Saint Benedict on Saturday, October 24, 2026.

God bless and keep you safe.

Fr. Bryan