THE GOOD NEWS
ARCHBISHOP BELTRAN

HOME

CALENDAR

PAST WEB ISSUES

from February 27, 2005

Saint Patrick's Ball Moves to Downtown Oklahoma City Hotel

Oklahomans Send Support for Tsunami Victims with Priest on his Visit Home

Celebration Planned for Oklahoma's Benedictine Sisters

Prayers Asked to End Violence Against Women
On Sunday, March 6, the Fourth Sunday of Lent, Oklahoma Catholics are asked to pray for an end to violence and especially violence against women. On Feb. 1, 2005 Archbishop Beltran, along with 35 other religious leaders, signed a Declaration in Opposition to Violence Against Women. This was done at the state Capitol at the request of Rep. Rebecca Hamilton of Oklahoma City. The Declaration said, in part:  "We encourage our brothers and sisters in faith to join us in offering prayers for an end to violence against women and the beginning of true harmony and love between all men and women everywhere."

Heritage Room Creates a Book Of History for Oklahoma Catholics
Seeds of Faith Take On Living Form as Museum-Like Display is Blessed and Opened at Catholic Pastoral Center

By Ray Dyer
The Sooner Catholic
OKLAHOMA CITY — For more than 100 years Oklahoma Catholics, through their faith and with the sweat of their brow have been involved in writing the history of the Church in this state. More often than not, they played and continue to play a profound role in every aspect of progress known to Oklahoma. And now, with a blessing asking that today’s Oklahoma Catholics continue to “take seriously their call to build the reign of God in their homes, schools and neighborhoods”  they have a place to display and celebrate their past and perhaps help inspire their future. It’s called simply the Heritage Room.

On Ash Wednesday, Archbishop Beltran and dozens of Catholics, including many employees of the Pastoral Center gathered outside the door leading into the Heritage Room. The archbishop asked God’s blessing on the room and thanked those who helped create the museum-like area.

“As we celebrate the Centennial of the Diocese, we remember those who have gone before us bringing the faith to our state,” he said in his blessing. “May all who journey through this Heritage Room come to appreciate the history of our Archdiocese and the sacrifices many people have made so that we may celebrate our faith today.

“May this Heritage Room help those who visit to deepen their own faith.”

The Heritage Room was then officially opened.

Jim Weinmann, Pastoral Center Director, said the Heritage Room will always be a “work in progress.”  Originally designed so seminarians could privately celebrate the Eucharist, as was the practice prior to Vatican II, the Heritage Room provides small cubicles perfect for setting up displays. Schools, hospitals, the mission to Guatemala as well as the early leaders of the Church are all featured in this the inaugural Heritage Room display. Weinmann said the topics and items that can be featured in the Heritage Room are virtually unlimited.

Organizers believe the Heritage Room will be a natural for school field trips and senior adult groups, as well as any other Catholic or Cat-holic group that would like to visit.

Volunteers are needed to serve as either hosts or guides to the Heritage Room. If you would like to be considered for this volunteer opportunity contact Weinmann at 405-721-5651 ext. 189.

The Heritage Room is one of the Pilgrimage Sites Catholics are encouraged to visit during this the Centennial year of the Archdiocese.

“The Heritage Room chases the theme of our Centennial celebration,” Winemann said. “Seeds of faith. That’s really what this room is all about.”

Heritage Room Hours

(When CPC is Open)
Monday - Friday
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday
(During Centennial Year)
Noon to 4 p.m.
Group Tours
by appointment only