The Church of Saint Mary sits at 1347 East 49th Place in Tulsa's Brookside neighborhood, where it has been a steady Catholic presence since 1953. Father Frederick Beckerle celebrated the parish's first Mass on September 6, 1953, in the Brook Theater (now the Brook Restaurant), and within fifteen months the first church and school were dedicated in late 1954. Under Father (later Monsignor) James Halpine, the second pastor appointed in 1968, the parish undertook a complete renovation of its facilities, added an Activities Center, and purchased a rectory at 7327 Sleepy Hollow Drive. Father Charles Swett built the current rectory between 1976 and 1978, and Father Stephen MacAulay's ten-year tenure beginning in 1978 saw a large parish staff formed to serve the growing community. A new church was completed in 1985 and 1986 to seat the swelling congregation. Under Monsignor Dennis Dorney, who became the sixth pastor in December 1995, the number of registered families reached close to two thousand. Father Jack Gleason led the parish from 2011 to 2022, a period in which the campus expanded to include Our Lady of Grace parish center with classrooms, a youth room, a state-of-the-art kitchen, and a large parish hall, plus a new charitable outreach center. Father Stuart Crevcoure now serves as pastor, with Father Vince Fernandez as associate pastor.
"Seek. Show Up. Share.": The Path Forward
The parish mission centers on imitation of Mary's "yes" to God: "Formed in the heart of Mary, we glorify the Lord by inviting all to grow in holiness, cultivating a love of God and our neighbor through faith, education, and service." Three core values shape parish life: Prayer, drawn from Mary's Magnificat; Home, reflected in the Johannine exchange at the foot of the cross; and Invitation, taken from the angel Gabriel's greeting. Father Crevcoure's strategic plan sums up the parish's direction in three phrases: Seek. Show up. Share.
The first priority calls parishioners to a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ through the sacraments, with a stated goal of raising Sunday Mass attendance from 20 percent to 40 to 50 percent of registered parishioners by December 2028, and increasing annual reception of Reconciliation from 38 percent to 50 to 60 percent by the next Disciple Makers Index Survey. The second priority encourages active participation in ministries, with a goal of growing participation by 30 percent by July 2027 and expanding Catechesis of the Good Shepherd enrollment from 100 to 150 children by December 2027. The third priority focuses on evangelization, including forming a team of 15 to 20 parishioners and preparing for 50 people to receive the Sacraments of Initiation through OCIA or OCIC each year starting in May 2027.
Mass Every Day, Confession Three Days a Week
The Church of Saint Mary keeps one of the more demanding schedules of any parish in eastern Oklahoma. Weekend Masses are celebrated Saturday at 5:00 p.m., Sunday at 8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m. (with nursery and livestream available), and 5:00 p.m. following Labor Day through Memorial Day weekend, when the Sunday evening Mass moves to 6:00 p.m. Daily Masses follow a consistent pattern: Monday at 6:30 a.m.; Tuesday through Friday at both 6:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.; and Saturday at 8:00 a.m. Confessions are heard three times a week: Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Saturday from 4:00 to 4:45 p.m., and Sunday from 9:15 to 9:45 a.m., with the confessionals next to the chapel also available by appointment. The 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass is livestreamed on the parish YouTube channel, and recordings and live streaming for weddings and funerals are arranged through the Communications Director. Holy Day Mass times vary and are posted on the parish calendar.
Perpetual Adoration in the Chapel
Adoration is one of the defining rhythms of life at Saint Mary. The chapel hosts perpetual adoration from Sunday at 7:00 a.m. through Friday at midnight, with additional hours being added. Adorers commit to one weekly Holy Hour, and the chapel is open to all ages, including children. There is no set format for the time, and the parish encourages people to sit in silence, read Scripture, journal, pray the rosary, or recite the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Substitute adorers and door-access information are coordinated through Leslie Wells. The parish also gathers for an annual Day of Reconciliation, during which priests hear confessions throughout a twelve-hour window from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Sacraments from Baptism to Anointing of the Sick
The parish celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Baptism is offered to infants in private ceremonies or during Mass, and adult baptism is prepared through the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA). Following the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma's "Restored Order" practice, children receive First Communion and Confirmation together in third grade; preparation begins in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, the parish's primary religious-education program, in earlier years. Reconciliation is offered weekly (see above), with priests hearing confessions either face-to-face or behind the screen. Marriage preparation involves several meetings with one of the parish priests, an Engaged Encounter or work with a mentor couple, and coordination with the Music Director and Wedding Liturgy Assistant. Anointing of the Sick is offered to anyone in serious illness, facing major surgery, or in frail old age, and can be celebrated in homes, hospitals, or the church. Funeral Masses are scheduled through the parish secretary and coordinated with the Music Director and Communications Director for any livestreaming. Sacramental records can be requested through the parish office and are typically mailed within five to seven business days.
School of Saint Mary on the Same Campus
Saint Mary's elementary and preschool, founded alongside the parish in 1954, shares the campus. Raymond Lewis serves as principal, with Sarah Edwards as assistant principal and Eileen Ames directing the preschool. The school carries the same tradition as the parish, and current students participate in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, parish Masses, and MaryFair weekend, the annual fundraiser that supports both school and parish. An after-school care program is offered for working families.
Formation for Children, Teens, and Young Adults
Religious education for children ages 3 to 12 is built around Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS), a Montessori-based program with three levels: Level 1 for ages 3 to 6, Level 2 for 6 to 9, and Level 3 for 9 to 12. Children preparing for Reconciliation, Confirmation, and First Communion use the CGS approach over at least two years. Christine Hassink directs the Children's Ministry. A week-long Vacation Bible School is held each June with music, games, crafts, and faith lessons for Preschool through 8th grade; recent themes have taken a sports approach ("Champions for Christ") focusing on the Commandments, the Beatitudes, and the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. The nursery is staffed during every 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass, with a room for babies and toddlers up to age two and another for children ages two to four. Mothers of Young Children meet on the second Tuesday of each month.
Middle schoolers in grades 6 to 8 gather for EDGE every other Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the St. Maria Goretti Room. High schoolers in grades 9 to 12 attend Lifeteen every Sunday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., with food, games, a brief lesson, and small group discussions. Dustin Samford coordinates the youth ministry. The Young Adult Ministry serves those aged 21 to 39, hosting Bible studies for women (Fridays at 6:30 a.m. with a Tuesday evening option) and men (Fridays at 7:00 a.m. with a Monday evening option), along with social outings, a weekly young-adult Bible study mailing list, and the Yule Ball Christmas party each December in St. Joseph Parish Hall.
Ministries for Women, Men, and Married Couples
The Women's Ministry hosts Advent By Candlelight in December, a New Year's Retreat in early January, retreats throughout the year, Sunday morning sessions on books and faith topics, and small groups. Encore is the parish ministry for parishioners over age 55, offering retreats, yoga, speaker seminars, and bus tours; the Encore Café gathers every Tuesday after the 9:00 a.m. Mass for breakfast bites and fellowship in the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Library. Courtney Leonard coordinates the office administration and Encore Ministry.
The Men's Ministry centers on That Man Is You!, a weekly program held both Wednesdays from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 6:00 to 7:30 a.m., with a free hot breakfast and coffee served at the morning gathering. ACTS retreats offer men a deeper renewal experience. The Home Improvement Ministry, organized by Sharron Hanisch, holds weekend workdays for parishioners to help with minor home repairs and yard work for elderly, disabled, single-parent, or financially struggling neighbors, with two scheduled workdays per year plus emergency responses. Knights of Columbus Council No. 13313 fosters spiritual fraternity and service for the men of the parish. The Culinary Angels prepare and serve a home-cooked meal for the Encore community four to five times a year in St. Joseph Parish Hall, and a Supper Club organizes groups of eight adults twice a year for shared meals in parishioners' homes.
The Marriage and Relationship Ministry offers marriage preparation with the parish priests, mentor couples, and Engaged Encounter. For married couples, the ministry runs The Marriage Course and Adventures in Marriage, plus date nights and dating challenges. Couples groups pair spouses with other couples at similar life stages. Other pastoral programs include a Caregivers Support Group meeting Wednesday mornings in the Library, a Grief Support Group meeting Wednesday afternoons, a Single Parent Ministry gathering quarterly, a Prayer Network, the Legion of Mary, a Saint Joan of Arc Freedom Healing and Deliverance Ministry, Altar Servers for youth in fifth grade and up, and a Funeral Luncheon Ministry.
Music That Carries the Liturgy
Music ministry at Saint Mary is led by Director of Music and Organist Lyndon Meyer, with Karen Hiller as Associate Music Director and Maddie Breedlove directing contemporary music. The Adult Choir is the most active ensemble, with cantors and instrumentalists supporting Masses and a Christmas Mass Family Choir singing at the 5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Vigil. Children in grades 1 through 5 can join the Children's Vocal Choir, which rehearses Wednesdays from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. and sings at various Masses throughout the year. The advanced handbell choir, called MaryRingers, rehearses on Wednesday evenings. For weddings, the Music Director works directly with couples on planning sacred music for the liturgy, with detailed policies covering base fees, surcharges, and consultation requirements.
The Outreach Center and the Hands-on Ministries
The Outreach Center, located on the parish campus, provides food, financial assistance, prayer, and connections with other local charities to neighbors who live near the church. Hours are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., with Jackie Fusco as Director of Outreach Ministry. The center operates with a 14-to-1 purchasing ratio on donated funds, meaning every dollar donated procures approximately fourteen dollars' worth of food. Volunteers greet guests, assess needs, and assist the director on morning and afternoon shifts. Reading Partners volunteers work one-on-one with elementary school students reading below grade level at Marshall Elementary. Pastoral Care visitation ministers bring Holy Communion to Catholic parishioners in nursing or private homes, and Altar Linen Care volunteers keep the sacred linens washed and pressed for liturgy.
The People Who Make It All Run
Father Stuart Crevcoure serves as pastor, with Father Vince Fernandez as associate pastor. Monsignor Dennis Dorney continues in the role of Pastor Emeritus. Three deacons assist with liturgy and pastoral care: Deacon Rich Bender, Deacon Gary Gamino, and Deacon Kevin Maloney. Other parish staff include Christine Hassink (Children's Ministry), Dustin Samford (Coordinator of Youth Ministry), Emily Kamp (Adult Faith Formation Coordinator and OCIA director), Jackie Fusco (Director of Outreach Ministry), Karen Hiller (Associate Music Director, Liturgical Ministers Scheduling), Katie Svejkosky (Family Ministry), Lauren Suarez (Communications Director), Lyndon Meyer (Director of Music and Organist), Maddie Breedlove (Contemporary Music), Meg Cameron (Director of Development), Raymond Lewis (Principal, School of Saint Mary), Sarah Edwards (Assistant Principal, School of Saint Mary), Eileen Ames (Preschool Director), and Sharron Hanisch (Hospitality and Pastoral Care). The business and finance team includes Jennifer Wood (Business Administrator) and Kristen Prato (Director of Finance and Accounting).
Weddings, Funerals, and the Parish Hall
Couples marrying at Saint Mary begin by contacting either Father Crevcoure or Father Fernandez, then work with Wedding Liturgy Assistant Maureen Goree to confirm logistics and pay the active-parishioner rate of $250. Music is planned with Lyndon Meyer, and recording or live streaming can be arranged with Lauren Suarez for $200 to $300 depending on whether a Mass is included and whether an MP4 file is delivered. The 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass is also livestreamed on the parish YouTube channel. Funeral Masses are scheduled through the parish secretary, with music coordinated through the Music Director and livestreaming or recording through the Communications Director for $150 to $200. The St. Joseph Parish Hall, located in the Our Lady of Grace Center, is available for rental by active parishioners, diocesan groups, and parish staff and faculty. The hall measures 95 by 41 feet (about 4,300 square feet), seats more than 288 people, and includes a full catering kitchen with warming ovens, ice machine, refrigerator, and freezer. Giving is available online through AccessACS, and parishioners can sign up for FlockNote email groups, the parish directory, the weekly bulletin, and the many ministry-specific mailing lists.