About St. Bernard of Clairvaux · Tulsa, Oklahoma
St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church is a vibrant parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma, located at 4001 East 101st Street in south Tulsa, serving families from the Jenks and Union school districts as well as Bixby, Broken Arrow, Glenpool, and other parts of Tulsa County. The parish grew from a small 1973 mission of St. Clement's in Bixby into an independent parish of more than 1,400 families with an on-site preschool, a faith formation program for all ages, a perpetual-adoration Good Shepherd Chapel, a Marian Chapel and columbarium, and dozens of ministries including the Knights of Columbus. The current pastor, Rev. Jack Gleason, is assisted by an associate pastor and a sizable team of deacons, lay staff, and parish council leaders, all serving what the parish calls its mission of 'Belong. Believe. Become.'
- Established
- 1978
- Patron
- Saint Bernard of Clairvaux
- Rector
- Rev. Jack Gleason
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma
Why belong here
St. Bernard of Clairvaux is a large, welcoming south-Tulsa parish with daily Mass, perpetual weekday adoration in the Good Shepherd Chapel, a vibrant faith formation program for children, middle school, and high school (including an annual Steubenville conference trip), a Catholic preschool for ages 2–5, and active ministry to families, young adults, engaged couples, and the broader community through the Knights of Columbus, ACTS retreats, Men of the Upper Room, the Clairvaux Club women's service group, and parish outreach. With multiple Sunday Masses, Saturday confession, hearing assistance, a nursery for little ones during weekend Masses, and a Marian Chapel/columbarium on site, it is built to be both a spiritual home and a busy hub of parish life for families from Jenks, Union, Bixby, Broken Arrow, Glenpool, and beyond.
Mass times at St. Bernard of Clairvaux
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 pm – 4:45 pm
- Sunday 8:00 am – 8:30 am
- Sunday 10:45 am – 11:15 am
- Sunday 4:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Adoration times
- Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 8:00 pm in the Good Shepherd Chapel
Parish Identity & Campus
St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church is a large south-Tulsa parish serving more than 1,400 registered families. The 22-acre campus, purchased in stages from the Sisters of the Good Shepherd after they closed the Vianney School, today includes the main sanctuary (dedicated August 20, 1984), the Good Shepherd Chapel (a restored chapel inside the historic Griffith Building that hosts daily Mass and weekday adoration), a Marian Chapel with an on-site columbarium, the gymnasium/Griffith Building complex, the preschool wing, a prayer garden, and a parish life center. The unified Phase I of Master Plan 2035, completed in 2014 under Msgr. Patrick Gaalaas, brought the church, gym, and Griffith Building together under one roof and added an indoor gathering space, production kitchen, nursery, and remodeled restrooms.
- Main sanctuary dedicated August 20, 1984
- Good Shepherd Chapel — daily Mass and weekday adoration
- Marian Chapel with columbarium
- Gymnasium / Griffith Building
- St. Bernard's Preschool wing
- Prayer garden and indoor gathering space
Clergy, Deacons, and Staff
The parish is led by pastor Rev. Jack Gleason, with associate pastor Rev. Shane Hewson. The third pastor, Msgr. Patrick Gaalaas (2007–successor), remains active in the diocese as director of ecumenism and dialogue since 1997 and as a former Vicar General and Chancellor of the Diocese of Tulsa. Six deacons minister at the parish: Richard Campbell, Pius Devasahayam, Vincent Greuel, Robert Martin, Alan Mikell, and Tim Sullivan (who also directs RCIA and Evangelization). The lay staff includes Mary Poston (Director of Family Catechesis and Children's Faith Formation), Dr. Christine Miller (Director of Adult Faith Formation, Marriage & Family Life), Willow Zarecki (Coordinator of Youth Faith Formation), Hannah Schilling (Coordinator of Families with Young Children), Monica Stephenson (Music Director), Tara Sudler (Preschool Director), Don Schendt (Peace & Justice), Mike Ellingson (Business & Facilities), and Erin Clifton (Faith Formation Administrative Assistant).
- Pastor: Rev. Jack Gleason
- Associate Pastor: Rev. Shane Hewson
- Pastor Emeritus: Msgr. Patrick Gaalaas
- Deacons: Richard Campbell, Pius Devasahayam, Vincent Greuel, Robert Martin, Alan Mikell, Tim Sullivan
- Director of Family Catechesis / Children's Faith Formation: Mary Poston
- Director of Adult Faith Formation, Marriage & Family Life: Dr. Christine Miller
- Coordinator of Youth Faith Formation: Willow Zarecki
- Music Director: Monica Stephenson
- Preschool Director: Tara Sudler
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious education has been part of the parish since its inception and today covers the whole family. Children's Faith Formation (Family Catechesis) is directed by Mary Poston and supported by volunteers; the program prepares children for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and continuing formation. The Youth Faith Formation team — Coordinator Willow Zarecki — runs middle school and high school programs, including the annual Middle School Summer Blast, XLT Eucharistic adoration nights, and the Steubenville Mid-America summer conference trip (2026 dates July 17–19). Adult Faith Formation, Marriage, and Family Life are led by Dr. Christine Miller. Families with Young Children Ministry is coordinated by Hannah Schilling. Catechumenate preparation (RCIA) and parish evangelization are directed by Deacon Tim Sullivan.
- Family Catechesis (children)
- Middle School Youth Faith Formation
- High School Youth Faith Formation
- Steubenville Mid-America summer conference
- Middle School Summer Blast
- XLT youth adoration events
- Adult Faith Formation
- Marriage & Family Life
- Families with Young Children Ministry
- RCIA / Evangelization (Deacon Tim Sullivan)
St. Bernard's Preschool
St. Bernard's Preschool has been a parish-school partnership for children ages 2 through 5, meeting Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:30 am to 2:15 pm. Its mission is to evangelize, educate, and form young students as disciples who bring Christ to their families, the parish, and the wider community. Curriculum emphasizes age-appropriate academics, Bible stories, daily prayer, and Christian values of respect, hospitality, faithfulness, and compassion. The school year features highlights like a Thanksgiving Feast, a Christmas Program, a Halloween Parade, an Easter Egg Hunt, Donuts with Dads, and Mother's Day Tea, and a three-week themed Summer Camp in June. Director Tara Sudler can be reached at 918-299-9432.
- Ages 2–5, Tues/Wed/Thurs 9:30 am – 2:15 pm
- Director: Tara Sudler (918-299-9432)
- Tuition: $300/month with $45 registration; sibling discount $240/month
- Annual highlights: Thanksgiving Feast, Christmas Program, Halloween Parade, Easter Egg Hunt
- Three-week Summer Camp in June ($100/week)
Sacraments & Sacramental Preparation
The parish prepares parishioners for the Sacraments of Initiation and lifelong Catholic life. Baptism is celebrated in the Good Shepherd Chapel; First Reconciliation and First Communion are prepared through the Children's Faith Formation program; Confirmation is prepared through Youth Faith Formation; adult initiation is through RCIA, directed by Deacon Tim Sullivan. Marriage preparation and ongoing marriage enrichment are coordinated by Dr. Christine Miller, Director of Adult Faith Formation, Marriage & Family Life. The parish also welcomes the Anointing of the Sick and the care of the homebound through its clergy and deacons, and offers the Marian Chapel/columbarium for funeral and memorial liturgies.
- Baptism
- First Reconciliation / First Communion (children)
- Confirmation (youth)
- RCIA (adults)
- Marriage preparation and enrichment
- Anointing of the Sick
- Funerals and the columbarium
Parish Ministries & Organizations
St. Bernard's runs dozens of ministries serving every age and stage. The Knights of Columbus Council 11959 was established at the parish in January 2008 and meets the first Tuesday of the month; the affiliated Pope John Paul II Fourth Degree Assembly 3135 was formed at the parish in June 2008. ACTS retreats (Adoration, Community, Theology, Service) are a long-standing retreat tradition; Men of the Upper Room is a men's spiritual program; the Clairvaux Club is a women's service club with weekly meetings beginning in 2006. Mass Ministries include Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Altar Servers (4th grade and up), Lectors, Ushers, Greeters, and Offertory Families. Outreach efforts include an annual 'Day of Caring' Habitat for Humanity build during the August Bernardfest celebration, parish mission trips (the first to Knoxville, TN), and a Peace & Justice program led by Don Schendt.
- Knights of Columbus Council 11959
- Pope John Paul II Assembly 3135 (Fourth Degree)
- ACTS Retreats
- Men of the Upper Room
- Clairvaux Club (women's service)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Altar Servers (4th grade+)
- Lectors, Ushers, Greeters, Offertory Families
- Habitat for Humanity Day of Caring
- Parish Mission Trips
Music & Liturgy
Music ministry has been a part of the parish since its inception. Monica Stephenson serves as Music Director and chairs the parish Worship Committee. Over the years the music program has added electronic organs and a new organ in 1999, with continued instrumentation upgrades since. The Worship Committee supports the liturgical life of the parish together with the Spirituality Committee, which is chaired by Fr. Jack Gleason as contact person.
- Music Director: Monica Stephenson
- Parish choir and instrumental ministry
- Worship Committee
- Spirituality Committee (contact: Fr. Jack Gleason)
Parish Councils & Stewardship
Parish leadership is shared through standing councils and committees. The Parish Council is chaired by Mark Rapp; the Finance Council by Nick Ede; the Worship Committee by Monica Stephenson; the Spirituality Committee by Fr. Jack Gleason; and the Outreach Ministries Committee contact is to be determined. The parish is a tithing parish; regular contributions may be made online through WeShare or in the collection basket, with special collections held throughout the year for other Catholic organizations. A comprehensive stewardship program was instituted in 1987, tithing on ordinary Sunday collections began in 1990, and the parish has made major gifts to All Saints School (2008), Bishop Kelley High School (1993 and 2006), and Holy Cross Church in Wagoner (1995).
- Parish Council (Chair: Mark Rapp)
- Finance Council (Chair: Nick Ede)
- Worship Committee (Contact: Monica Stephenson)
- Spirituality Committee (Contact: Fr. Jack Gleason)
- Outreach Ministries Committee
- Tithing parish with WeShare online giving
Getting Involved / I'm New
Newcomers are greeted personally by the pastor; the parish describes itself as 'a large, vibrant community of faith' and invites visitors to stop by the office, register as parishioners, or call the parish office with questions. The parish operates a Flocknote text/email list ('Stay up to date on what's happening at St. Bernard's and join Flocknote today!') and posts weekly bulletins online. Ways to get involved include registering in Family Catechesis or Youth Faith Formation, joining the Knights of Columbus, the Clairvaux Club, ACTS, Men of the Upper Room, the Music Ministry, or signing up as a Mass Minister (greeter, usher, lector, altar server, EMHC, or offertory family).
- Parish registration via the 'I'm New' page
- Flocknote parish email/text updates
- Weekly bulletin online
- Mass Ministries sign-ups
- Knights of Columbus, ACTS, Clairvaux Club, Men of the Upper Room
- Children, youth, and family ministries
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father James White1978 – c.1991
First pastor; appointed by Bishop Eusebius J. Beltran when St. Bernard's became an independent parish.
- Father Bernard Jewitt1991 – 2007
Second pastor; led the parish through its major growth period to over 1,400 families and the chapel restoration.
- Msgr. Patrick Gaalaas2007 – (succeeded by Jack Gleason)
Third pastor; initiated Master Plan 2035 and the building program that unified the campus under one roof. Former Vicar General and Chancellor of the Diocese of Tulsa.
- Rev. Jack Gleasonpresent
Current pastor.