About Holy Ghost Catholic Church · Vinita, Oklahoma
Holy Ghost Catholic Church is a parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma, located at 120 W. Sequoyah Ave. in Vinita, Oklahoma. Older than the town of Vinita itself, the parish traces its roots to before 1867, when the earliest baptismal records were kept in what was then the Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory. The parish serves all of Craig County except its northern portion (which belongs to St. Ann in Welch) and remains an active, family-oriented Catholic community offering weekly Mass, religious education for grades 1–12, and a small portfolio of lay ministries. Holy Ghost is pastored by Rev. M. E. (Mike) Cashen and assisted by Deacon Anthony Hicks and a Coordinator of Religious Education, Stephen Miller.
- Established
- 1867 (earliest sacramental records; parish formally organized c. 1892–1895)
- Patron
- The Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit)
- Rector
- Rev. M. E. (Mike) Cashen
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma
Why belong here
Holy Ghost is a close-knit Catholic parish with deep roots in northeast Oklahoma — older than the town of Vinita itself — where Sunday Mass at 10:00 AM and Wednesday evening Mass at 6:00 PM anchor the week. Parishioners of all ages find a place here: children and teens in CCD/Religious Education (grades 1–12) meet before Sunday Mass and attend summer camp, while adults serve as Altar Servers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Greeters, and Choir. The parish also keeps a strong outreach tradition through initiatives like fundraising for Water Wells: A Gift of Life in the Caribbean and Latin America, and an annual Oktoberfest that brings the wider community together.
Mass times at Holy Ghost Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 5:15 PM to 6:00 PM
Parish History
Holy Ghost Parish, which is older than Vinita itself, is one of the first of Vinita's nearly thirty churches. Founded sometime before 1867, the parish's earliest sacramental records indicate a Baptism on August 7, 1867, and recorded deaths as early as 1881. In its earliest days, Frank Sheehan — a section foreman for the Frisco railroad — hosted visiting priests who offered Mass in his home. The first mission church was built in 1894 and dedicated in 1895 under Rev. W. H. Ketcham at a cost of about $1,500, and served the parish until 1953. The parish's Cherokee Nation origins are preserved in the inscription on its bronze steeple bell: 'Cherokees to the Catholic Church at Vinita, I.T. 1895.'
- First Baptism recorded August 7, 1867
- Original mission church built 1894, dedicated 1895 by Rev. W. H. Ketcham
- Original church served the parish until 1953
- Administered by Oklahoma City diocesan priests 1895–1925
- Administered by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood in the 1920s
Sacred Heart Academy
In 1897, the Sacred Heart Institute — later known as Sacred Heart Academy — was built on land deeded by the Cherokee Nation with funds furnished by Mother Katharine Drexel of Philadelphia. It opened with 30 pupils and offered kindergarten through twelfth grade as a co-ed boarding school, with girls boarding on campus and out-of-town boys boarding in local homes. Tuition was $30 per month including room and board. The curriculum combined a classical liberal arts program (literature, Latin, Spanish, French) with business courses (typing, bookkeeping, shorthand) and a robust music program (piano, violin, trombone, accordion, harp) supporting a school orchestra, glee clubs, and boys' and girls' basketball teams. Successive religious communities staffed the school: Benedictine Sisters of Shoal Creek, Arkansas (1897–1899), Sisters of Mount Carmel of New Orleans (1899–1903), and the Sisters of the Divine Providence of San Antonio (1903–1967). Enrollment reached 106 students by 1903.
- Founded 1897 with funds from Mother Katharine Drexel
- Closed in 1967; property purchased by Holy Ghost Catholic Church
- School building demolished; gymnasium converted to today's parish hall
- Original basketball court floor preserved in parish hall
Outlying Missions and Parish Boundaries
From Vinita, Holy Ghost priests once cared for missions at Quapaw, Miami, Welch, Claremore, Centralia, Lenapah, Cayuga, Fairland, and Spavinaw. Today the parish covers all of Craig County, Oklahoma, except for the northern portion, which belongs to St. Ann parish in Welch.
- Historic missions: Quapaw, Miami, Welch, Claremore, Centralia, Lenapah, Cayuga, Fairland, Spavinaw
- Current boundary: all of Craig County except the northern part (St. Ann, Welch)
Clergy and Staff
Holy Ghost is led by Pastor Rev. Michael E. (Mike) Cashen, who was ordained to the priesthood on May 31, 1991, and is assisted by Deacon Anthony Hicks. Stephen Miller serves as Coordinator of Religious Education and Cindy Allen is the parish Administrative Assistant. Fr. Cashen also personally prepares Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and Altar Servers for their liturgical roles.
- Pastor: Rev. M. E. (Mike) Cashen
- Deacon: Anthony Hicks
- Coordinator of Religious Education: Stephen Miller
- Administrative Assistant: Cindy Allen
Faith Formation & Religious Education (CCD)
All parish youth in grades 1 through 12 meet at 9:00 AM before Sunday Mass during the school year for Religious Education under the direction of Stephen Miller, Coordinator of Religious Education. Beyond weekly CCD classes, youth have opportunities to attend summer camp, enjoy an annual Christmas Party, assist with the parish Oktoberfest, and participate in ministry initiatives. A recent charitable project raised funds for Water Wells: A Gift of Life in the Caribbean and Latin America, through Food for the Poor.
- Grades 1–12 meet Sundays at 9:00 AM during the school year
- Summer camp for youth
- Annual Christmas Party
- Youth involvement at Oktoberfest
- Charitable project: Water Wells through Food for the Poor
Liturgical Ministries
The parish supports a range of liturgical ministries that bring lay Catholics into the celebration of the Mass. Both boys and girls may serve as Altar Servers after receiving First Communion; they are formed by the pastor in the parts of the Mass, liturgical objects, and their specific duties. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are men and women mandated by the Bishop to assist in distributing Holy Communion at Mass and to the sick and homebound; candidates must be at least 18, fully initiated, and formed by the pastor. Greeters welcome parishioners and visitors at the church entrance each week.
- Altar Servers — open to boys and girls who have made First Communion
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHCs) — age 18+, formed by the pastor
- Greeters — welcome parishioners and visitors
- Choir / Music Ministry — supports the liturgy (with organ)
Parish Life and Community
Holy Ghost maintains an active community life beyond Sunday liturgy, with parish youth and families participating in the annual Oktoberfest, a Christmas Party, and the youth summer camp program. The parish also has a tradition of charitable outreach, most recently raising funds for Water Wells: A Gift of Life in the Caribbean and Latin America through Food for the Poor.
- Oktoberfest — annual parish festival
- Annual Christmas Party
- Youth summer camp
- Outreach through Food for the Poor
Visit, Contact, and Office Information
Parishioners and visitors are warmly invited to attend Mass or stop by the parish office during posted hours. The parish office is open Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM; voicemail is available outside of office hours. Inquiries can also be directed to Fr. Mike Cashen at [email protected] or to Deacon Anthony Hicks at [email protected].
- Address: 120 W. Sequoyah Ave., Vinita, OK 74301
- Phone: (918) 256-2281
- Parish email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM