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On Monday, August 1, I will leave with a group of forty pilgrims for a trip to Ire- land. This pilgrimage was wrecked by Covid twice, but the third time proved fruitful.

I firmly believe that, when we pray, we should tell the Lord what it is that we desire out of life. Yes, of course, God knows us better than we know ourselves, but the more we pray for our heart’s desires, the more we are able to clarify what is truly important to us. Each day, go to God and offer him your needs, your dreams. 

This year, the Archdiocese faced a very uncomfortable shortage of priests to staff our various parishes. For example, Ponca City had long had two priests in service there, but now only one. The entire panhandle of Oklahoma is currently being served by just two priests. Here, at St. Eugene, we had three priests, but now we have two. And, we share our Associate, Fr. Krug, with Mt. St. Mary High School. 

In Roman society, patronage was a central idea holding society together. The wealthier classes had an obligation to accept the less well off as their clients. These clients could look to their patrons to help them if they needed to find a job, or secure a re- spected tutor for their children, or to help them out of legal trouble. The patronage system kept Roman society intact for centuries.

St. Eugene has a long history of very good pastors. I am honored to follow in their footsteps. As I begin this assignment, I ask for your prayers for me and for Father Krug. I have been seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit in order to do my duty here faithfully and joyfully.

Hello, my name is Fr. Jerome Krug, and along with Fr. Jim, I am your new priest. I have been a priest three years. My first year as a priest was spent doing additional studies in marriage and family as well as in the intersection of psychology and theology. My most recent assignment before coming here was in the parishes of the Panhandle. There are four of them and they made for a very diverse and fascinating assignment.