About Holy Family [Ruthenian] · Lawton, Oklahoma
The Byzantine Catholic Mission at Holy Family Catholic Church in Lawton, Oklahoma is a Ruthenian (Byzantine) Catholic mission of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, hosted within the Roman Catholic parish of Holy Family. It belongs to the Byzantine (Ruthenian) Catholic Church of America, sui juris, whose roots go back to the evangelization of the Slavic nations by Saints Cyril and Methodius in the eighth century, with most American members descended from Carpathian (modern Ukrainian and Slovak) immigrants of the 1880s. The community gathers at Holy Family Catholic Church (1010 NW 82nd Street) for the Byzantine Divine Liturgy, typically on the second Sunday of each month at 5:30 p.m., and shares in the liturgical, educational, and outreach life of the host Latin-rite parish. The contact number for the Byzantine community itself is 405.637.8681, while the host parish office is reached at 580-536-6351.
- Established
- 1979
- Patron
- Holy Family (the mission is named for and hosted at Holy Family Catholic Church; the host parish itself is dedicated to the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph)
- Rector
- The Very Reverend Philip (Phil) Seeton, V.F. (host-parish pastor; the Byzantine mission is overseen within the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh)
- Diocese
- Archeparchy of Pittsburgh (Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic) — the host Latin-rite parish of Holy Family Catholic Church is in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
Why belong here
The Byzantine Catholic Mission at Holy Family offers a rare opportunity in southwest Oklahoma to worship in the Byzantine (Ruthenian) tradition while being part of a large, active Catholic campus. Parishioners can attend the Byzantine Divine Liturgy once a month, then share in the host parish's bilingual (English/Spanish) and Korean Masses, weekly Bible studies, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults), children's and youth faith formation (K–12), and active St. Vincent de Paul Society, Ladies Guild, and Knights of Columbus councils. The parish also maintains a Shrine of St. Padre Pio with a relic whose authenticity was certified in 2011, and supports a 19,000-square-foot Family Life Center for youth and community life.
Mass times at Holy Family [Ruthenian]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. (or by appointment — call the parish office at 580-536-6351)
- Bulletin listing: Saturday 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. or by appointment
Adoration times
- Adoration and Benediction are part of each week (host parish)
About the Byzantine Catholic Mission at Holy Family
The Byzantine Catholic Mission of Lawton is a Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic community gathered under the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh and hosted at Holy Family Catholic Church on the city's north side. The mission is part of the Byzantine (Ruthenian) Catholic Church of America, sui juris — that is, a self-governing Eastern Catholic Church in full communion with Rome. Its members, like Ruthenian Catholics across the country, trace their faith to the evangelization of the Slavic peoples by Saints Cyril and Methodius in the eighth century, and most American Ruthenians descend from Carpathian (Ukrainian and Slovak) immigrants of the 1880s, though membership today is open to people of every background.
- Byzantine (Ruthenian) Catholic Church, sui juris
- Eparchy: Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, headed by Metropolitan William (elected 2012)
- Hosted at Holy Family Catholic Church, 1010 NW 82nd Street, Lawton, OK 73505
- Contact for the Byzantine community: 405.637.8681
Divine Liturgy & Service Times
The Byzantine Catholic Community usually serves the Divine Liturgy on the second Sunday of the month at 5:30 p.m. in the church, with a call ahead to 405.637.8681 recommended to confirm the schedule. Byzantine parishioners also share the rich liturgical life of the host Latin-rite parish, which offers a Saturday Vigil, a bilingual Sunday morning Mass, a noon Sunday Mass, a weekly Korean Mass, and daily Masses Tuesday through Friday.
- Byzantine Divine Liturgy — 2nd Sunday of the month, 5:30 p.m.
- Saturday Vigil — 4:30 p.m.
- Sunday — 9:00 a.m. (Bilingual English/Spanish) and Noon
- Korean Mass — every 3rd Saturday, 3:30 p.m., in the chapel
- Daily Mass — Tue 5:30 p.m.; Wed, Thu, Fri at Noon
- Confessions — Sat 2:30–4:00 p.m. or by appointment (580-536-6351)
What Are the Byzantine Catholic Churches?
In the United States there are bishops and eparchies (dioceses) for Ukrainian, Ruthenian, Melkite, Maronite, Syriac, Chaldean, Romanian, Syro-Malabar, Syro-Malankar, and Armenian Catholics. Parishes and missions of these eparchies are independent of the local Roman Catholic bishops, with their own bishops and organizational structures. You do not have to be 'born Byzantine' to belong to a Byzantine Catholic parish. The Byzantine (Ruthenian) Catholic Church of America alone numbers about 150,000 souls across the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh and three other U.S. eparchies.
- Eastern Catholic Churches in the U.S.: Ukrainian, Ruthenian, Melkite, Maronite, Syriac, Chaldean, Romanian, Syro-Malabar, Syro-Malankar, Armenian
- Heritage: evangelization of the Slavs by Sts. Cyril and Methodius (8th century)
- American roots: Carpathian (Ukrainian/Slovak) immigration, 1880s
Shrine of St. Padre Pio
A relic of Saint Padre Pio is venerated at Holy Family Catholic Church, the host site of the Byzantine mission. Saint Pio of Pietrelcina (1887–1968) was an Italian Capuchin priest — the only priest to bear the stigmata (St. Francis of Assisi, who also bore the stigmata, was a deacon). The authenticity of the relic at Holy Family was certified in writing on June 24, 2011 by Padre Carlo Maria Laborde, Superior Guardian of the Convent where Saint Padre Pio lived in San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy.
- Italian Capuchin priest (1887–1968)
- First and only priest to bear the stigmata
- Relic authenticity certified June 24, 2011 by Padre Carlo Maria Laborde, Superior Guardian of the Convent in San Giovanni Rotondo
History of the Host Parish — From St. Barbara's to Holy Family
Holy Family Catholic Church was originally established in Lawton in June 1959 as St. Barbara's, when Bishop Victor J. Reed appointed Fr. Paul Mollan as first pastor. For eighteen months Sunday Mass was held at the Vaska Theater while a church and school were built on 6.8 acres donated by Blessed Sacrament Parish. The school, staffed by the Grail International Movement, opened in fall 1960 with 312 K–8 students but closed in May 1967 due to financial difficulties. By 1978 the parish had outgrown its site; new land was purchased at 82nd Street and Cache Road, groundbreaking was held June 17, 1979, the name 'Holy Family' was selected by the Archbishop on November 1, 1979, and Archbishop Charles Salatka of Oklahoma City dedicated the new church on October 30, 1980.
- 1959: St. Barbara's founded; Fr. Paul Mollan first pastor
- 1960: Church & school dedicated Dec. 4, feast of St. Barbara
- 1967: School closed (financial difficulties)
- 1978: Lawton Public Schools purchased St. Barbara's site
- 1979: Groundbreaking at 82nd & Cache Rd., June 17; name 'Holy Family' chosen Nov. 1
- 1980: Dedicated Oct. 30 by Archbishop Charles Salatka
Growth — Family Life Center, Narthex, and Time Capsule
By 1993 the parish numbered more than 1,000 families, and a 19,000-square-foot Family Life Center was built to serve youth and parish life. In 2017 the parish began a narthex (gathering space) project and extended the parking lot; the narthex contains a time capsule filled with bulletins, memorabilia, and a letter from the pastor as a sign of 'parish growth and hope for the future.'
- 1993+: 1,000+ families; Family Life Center built (19,000 sq ft)
- 2017: Narthex/gathering space construction began
- Extended parking lot added with narthex project
- Time capsule embedded in narthex (bulletins, memorabilia, pastor's letter)
Pastorate of Fr. Philip Seeton, V.F.
The Very Reverend Philip (Phil) Seeton, V.F. is the current pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church, which hosts the Byzantine mission. He first succeeded Fr. Robert T. Wood as pastor in June 2000, returned in 2010, and has continued to lead the parish through the 2017 narthex and parking expansion, the ongoing bilingual and Korean Mass schedule, and the many ministries that Byzantine mission members share.
- Succeeded Fr. Robert T. Wood in June 2000
- Returned as pastor in 2010
- Led 2017 narthex & parking project
- Title: The Very Reverend Philip Seeton, V.F.
Sacraments at Holy Family
The host parish celebrates the full range of Catholic sacraments, and Byzantine parishioners participate in the same preparation and scheduling. Baptisms in English are prepared for on the first Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m.; Spanish baptism requirements are available in the office or on the website under 'Sacraments.' Quinceañera preparation is offered by Jasmin Berber at (580) 284-8122 with at least six months' notice. The Sacrament of the Sick is arranged by calling the Parish Office for the seriously ill or hospitalized. Marriage requires at least six months' notice to a priest; the date and facility are not scheduled until the couple has met with clergy. OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) meets Tuesday evenings in Kirk Hall beginning in September.
- Baptism classes (English): 1st Monday, 7:00 p.m. — register at 536-6351
- Bautizo (Spanish): requirements in office or on website
- Quinceañera: Jasmin Berber, (580) 284-8122, six months ahead
- Sacrament of the Sick: call Parish Office for ill/hospitalized
- Marriage: six months' notice; meet clergy first
- OCIA: Tuesday evenings, Kirk Hall, starting September
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Holy Family's Religious Education program welcomes all children and youth, K–12, with classes on Sunday mornings. K–5 meets 10:30–11:45 a.m. and 6th grade and up (including Confirmation preparation) meets 9:30–11:45 a.m. The RE office is led by Director of Religious Education Vicki Gable, with Youth Director Billy Gonsler and Youth Assistant Sarah Meza. Tuition is $60 for the first child and $30 for each additional child, with tuition assistance available on request. Children not yet baptized are also welcomed through the RE office.
- RE Director: Vicki Gable — [email protected] — 580.536.6355
- Youth Director: Billy Gonsler; Youth Assistant: Sarah Meza
- K–5: Sundays 10:30–11:45 a.m. (starting Sept. 7)
- 6th grade & up / Confirmation prep: Sundays 9:30–11:45 a.m.
- Tuition: $60 first child, $30 each additional; assistance available
Ministries & Organizations
Active parish organizations include the St. Vincent de Paul Society (which also operates the parish food pantry at 580-536-8729), the Knights of Columbus, and the Ladies Guild. Adult faith life is supported by weekly Bible Studies, Adult Formation classes, and the daily praying of Lauds (morning prayer) and Vespers (evening prayer), along with weekly Adoration and Benediction.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — food pantry: 580-536-8729
- Knights of Columbus
- Ladies Guild
- Weekly Bible Study
- Adult Formation classes
- Lauds (morning prayer) and Vespers (evening prayer) — weekly
Parish Staff & Deacons
The parish is served by a sizable lay staff and a diaconate of six, alongside the pastor. The Very Reverend Philip Seeton, V.F. is pastor; the deacons include Rev. Mr. Jim Coe, Rev. Mr. Mike Romaka (also Business Manager), Rev. Mr. David Bunch, Rev. Mr. Wuse Cara, Rev. Mr. Tony Layton, and Rev. Mr. Jim Cerrone.
- Pastor: The Very Reverend Philip Seeton, V.F.
- Deacon / Business Manager: Rev. Mr. Mike Romaka
- Deacons: Jim Coe, David Bunch, Wuse Cara, Tony Layton, Jim Cerrone
- Parish Secretary: Mark Lopez
- Administrative Assistant: Sue Romaka
- RE Director: Vicki Gable
- Youth Director: Billy Gonsler; Youth Assistant: Sarah Meza
- Music Director: Cyndee Zbylut
- Facility Manager: Dale Stringer
- Custodian/Grounds: Rowdy Freeman
- Ministry of the Sick: Carl Christman
Pastoral & Finance Councils
Lay leadership is provided through the Parish Pastoral Council and the Finance Council. The Pastoral Council is chaired by Taylor Farmer, with Brady Jones as Vice Chair and Jessica Carter as Secretary. The Finance Council is led by JoAnn Knecht, with parish clergy and staff also represented. Both councils are listed in the weekly parish bulletin.
- Pastoral Council Chair: Taylor Farmer
- Pastoral Council Vice Chair: Brady Jones
- Pastoral Council Secretary: Jessica Carter
- Finance Council Chair: JoAnn Knecht
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Paul Mollan1959–c. 1967
First pastor; celebrated Mass at the Vaska Theater while St. Barbara's was built.
- Fr. James H. RossJune 1967 – June 1975
Succeeded Fr. Mollan; transferred in June 1975.
- Fr. James StaffordJune 1975 – June 1987
Pastored through the move from St. Barbara's to the new Holy Family site.
- Fr. Gerard MacAulayafter June 1987
Assisted by Deacons Herman Lawrence and James Doherty.
- Fr. Larry Kolwalski
Assisted by Deacons Charlie Wade, Herman Lawrence, and Norman Christophe.
- Fr. Leven1994 – June 1998
Retired in June 1998.
- Fr. Robert T. Wood1998 – June 2000
Assisted by Deacons Herman Lawrence, Leo Martinez, and Pete Dulcamara.
- Fr. Philip (Phil) Seeton, V.F.June 2000 – present (returned 2010)
Current pastor; succeeded Fr. Wood in June 2000, returned in 2010; led 2017 narthex/parking project.