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Dedication
Mass My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: It has been a long and arduous journey. It would not yet be complete without each one of you and the countless other generous people of faith. Shortly after I arrived in the Archdiocese, Father Ernest Flusche, then the pastor of Ardmore and this area, saw the need for a church here in Marietta. Through the generosity of the Catholic people of this Archdiocese, we were able to purchase the small frame church which has served you now for more than ten years. The large number of Hispanic people gathering here each Sunday to celebrate the Eucharist was proof enough that a larger, more permanent church was needed. Once we decided to build on this property, I called upon the generosity of the Catholic community and pledged $200,000 from the Archdiocese to build this church. Over the next few years, the archdiocesan gift was used as a challenge to raise the additional $400,000 in order to complete the construction. It was during this time that many other parishes and many other generous individuals from throughout the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City made special pledges. You yourselves, members of this parish, worked extra hard along with Father Juan Manuel Guerrero, to raise funds and contribute money towards this church. I thank everyone of you. I am grateful for your work, your contributions and your sacrifices. You now have a beautiful church where you can praise and thank God. The attractive stained glass windows in your church were originally in the Marland Mansion Chapel in Ponca City. They not only add to the beauty of this building but they also unite you to the history of the Catholic faith in Oklahoma. The Tabernacle and other items came from Mexico. They should remind you of your cultural background which is so wonderfully intertwined with our Catholic faith. The presence of this church building here in Marietta will be a sign of faith for all people of this area. However, you, the members of this parish are the living signs of faith. It is your obligation to go out and bring back fallen away or lapsed Catholics. It is your obligation to invite and welcome your neighbors and friends and all people. Joyfully share with them the Good News of Jesus. Bring them to your beautiful church where they can learn about God and His goodness and His love. Today, in this solemn ceremony of dedication, we bless this church building and designate it to be used to worship and praise God. May you and all the people who come here in the days and years ahead discover the presence of God. May all of you grow in your knowledge and love of God. I urge you to live the fullness of your Catholic faith and someday you shall enter life everlasting in heaven. Most
Reverend Eusebius J. Beltran |