About St. Clement of Rome · Bixby, Oklahoma
St. Clement of Rome is a Roman Catholic parish in Bixby, Oklahoma, part of the Diocese of Tulsa, that serves a bilingual (English and Spanish) community with four weekend Masses, weekday Masses, Adoration, and a full range of faith-formation ministries. The parish mission statement declares its goal to 'build the Kingdom of God by witnessing the Christian virtues of Charity, Faithfulness and Unity.' Located on South Memorial Drive, the parish is led by Rev. Juan Grajeda (Pastor) with two permanent deacons, a Director of Religious Education, a Director of Music, a Youth Ministry coordinator, and a Hispanic Ministry coordinator. It is a long-established community in the former Cherokee and Muskogee (Creek) Nations territory, having been served by Tulsa-diocesan priests continuously since 1973.
- Established
- 1960 (as a mission); 1973 (elevated to parish status)
- Patron
- St. Clement of Rome (Pope Clement I, traditionally regarded as the third or fourth successor of St. Peter)
- Rector
- Rev. Juan Grajeda
- Diocese
- Diocese of Tulsa (Eastern Oklahoma)
Why belong here
St. Clement of Rome is a welcoming, bilingual Catholic community in Bixby that offers something for every age and stage of faith: weekend Mass in both English and Spanish, daily weekday Mass, Eucharistic Adoration twice a week, and a full sacramental and faith-formation life including a strong youth group (grades 6–12), Religious Education for children, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), Confirmation prep, a music/choir ministry, liturgical ministries (readers, ushers, altar servers, Eucharistic Ministers), a men's Bible study, and a Prayer and Life Workshop. The parish's stated mission — to build the Kingdom of God through Charity, Faithfulness and Unity — is lived out through its bilingual liturgy, family-friendly programming, and the personal welcome extended by Fr. Juan and his staff to all new parishioners and visitors.
Mass times at St. Clement of Rome
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 6:30 PM – 7:25 PM
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
- or by appointment
Adoration times
- Saturday 8:00 AM (Hora Santa / Adoration)
- Thursday (Jueves) 6:30 PM
Parish Mission and Identity
St. Clement of Rome Catholic Church in Bixby, Oklahoma, is a parish of the Diocese of Tulsa whose published mission is to 'build the Kingdom of God by witnessing the Christian virtues of Charity, Faithfulness and Unity.' It is a bilingual community (English and Spanish) that welcomes new parishioners through a simple online registration form and ongoing contact with the parish office. The parish pastor is Rev. Juan Grajeda, supported by two permanent deacons and a lay staff that includes a Director of Religious Education, a Director of Music, a Youth Ministry coordinator, and a Hispanic Ministry / Office Manager.
- Mission: to build the Kingdom of God through Charity, Faithfulness and Unity
- Pastor: Rev. Juan Grajeda
- Deacons: Bill Monteith (OFS) and Neal Harton
- Office Manager / Hispanic Coordinator: Enilda Reyes
- Director of Religious Education: Molly Garrison
- Director of Music: Bonnie Griffin
- Youth Ministry: Ester Velazquez
History of St. Clement of Rome
According to archival research held at Marquette University, the Catholic presence in Bixby under the patronage of St. Clement of Rome began in 1960 as a mission within the Diocese of Oklahoma City, located in what is historically Muskogee (Creek) Nation and Cherokee Nation territory in Tulsa and Wagoner Counties, Oklahoma. From 1960 to 1965, diocesan priests from Tulsa established and ministered to the mission. From 1965 to 1973 it was attended by priests based at Sacred Heart Parish in nearby Sapulpa. In 1973, the community was formally established as a parish, and from that year forward it has been administered by priests of the Diocese of Tulsa. The parish has remained predominantly non-Native American while continuing to include a small number of Native American (Creek) families whose sacramental records are preserved both locally and at the Marquette University Archives.
- 1960–1965: Established as St. Clement of Rome Mission (Creek) by Oklahoma City diocesan priests from Tulsa
- 1965–1973: Attended by priests from Sacred Heart, Sapulpa
- 1973–present: Elevated to parish status under the Diocese of Tulsa
- Sacramental records for Native American parishioners (from 1970) are documented at the Marquette University Archives
Sacraments
The parish prepares Catholics of every age for the Sacraments of Initiation and provides ongoing sacramental life. Children typically receive First Communion in 2nd grade after two years of Religious Education and regular Mass attendance. Confirmation is celebrated annually, with preparation rooted in the youth group over two years and open to candidates at least 16 years old. Adults seeking Baptism, Communion, or Confirmation are welcomed through the OCIA process. Confession is heard at the published times and by appointment; other sacraments (Anointing, Marriage) are arranged by contacting the parish office.
- Baptism — infant and child catechesis; for adults, see OCIA
- First Communion — 2nd grade, after two years of RE
- Confirmation — annual celebration; at least two years of youth-group preparation; minimum age 16
- Reconciliation — Thursday 6:30–7:25 PM, Saturday 4:00–4:45 PM, or by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, and other sacraments — by appointment with the parish office
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Clement's faith-formation programs are coordinated by Molly Garrison, Director of Religious Education, and run alongside the parish's youth ministry. Children in grades 1–2 begin the two-year preparation track for First Reconciliation and First Communion, while older students continue through Confirmation preparation embedded in the youth group. Adults exploring or completing initiation into the Catholic Church are served by the parish's OCIA (formerly RCIA) process led by Deacon Neal Harton.
- Religious Education (RE) for children preparing for First Communion and Reconciliation
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) — formerly RCIA — Sundays starting September 6, 10:00–11:00 AM
- Confirmation preparation for high-school students (see Youth Group)
- Becoming Catholic — open to unbaptized adults, Christians from other traditions, and Catholics needing to complete sacraments
Youth Ministry
St. Clement's Youth Group is open to students in grades 6 through 12, including those preparing for Confirmation. The program combines Bible study, religious education, community service (such as 'Under the Bridge'), Diocesan events like DCYC and Sing and Praise, and group-bonding activities like an annual Lock-in and the 'Main Event' outing. Coordinated by Ester Velazquez, the ministry depends on volunteer chaperones and welcomes parents and parishioners who want to help. Its stated goal is to make youth feel welcomed and to help them grow into evangelists of the Catholic faith.
- Open to grades 6–12 and Confirmation candidates
- Bible study, community service, retreats, Diocesan events (DCYC, Sing and Praise)
- Annual Lock-in and Main Event outing
- Coordinator: Ester Velazquez ([email protected])
- Volunteer chaperones and parent helpers are always needed
Music & Liturgical Ministries
The Music Ministry at St. Clement exists to support the sung prayer of the assembly at every weekend Mass (three in English, one in Spanish) and at the great feasts of the liturgical year — Christmas, Holy Week, and Easter. Director of Music Bonnie Griffin welcomes musicians of all abilities to serve as cantors, choristers, and ensemble instrumentalists; rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 PM. Liturgical ministers — lectors, ushers, altar servers, and Ministers of Holy Communion — are coordinated through a parish sign-up system overseen by Jesse Bechtold.
- Music Director: Bonnie Griffin ([email protected])
- Rehearsals: Wednesday evenings 6:30 PM
- Cantor, choir, and instrumentalist opportunities at English and Spanish Masses
- Liturgical ministries: Lectors, ushers, altar servers, Ministers of Holy Communion
- Liturgical minister coordinator: Jesse Bechtold
Get Involved & Adult Faith Life
Beyond the Sunday and weekday liturgical life, the parish offers multiple ongoing adult formation and fellowship opportunities. A Men's Bible Study meets every Thursday evening to review the upcoming Sunday Mass readings and discuss current events from a Catholic perspective. The bilingual Prayer and Life Workshop, a 15-session program led by Jeanett Franco, runs on Tuesday evenings during the program year and is open to adults seeking spiritual renewal. The parish also welcomes new parishioners through a simple online registration and encourages ongoing connection via Flocknote text and email updates.
- Men's Bible Study — Thursdays 6:00–7:30 PM in the Apologetics classroom (parishioners age 12+ welcome)
- Prayer and Life Workshops — Tuesdays 7:00–9:00 PM, Spanish & English, 15 sessions
- New Parishioner registration available online through the parish website
- Parish updates via Flocknote — text STCB to 84576
Hispanic Ministry / Ministerio Hispano
Because St. Clement is an intentionally bilingual parish, Hispanic Ministry plays a central role in parish life. The Hispanic Coordinator and Office Manager, Enilda Reyes, oversees outreach to Spanish-speaking parishioners and visitors. The Spanish-language schedule includes a Saturday evening Mass (7:00 PM), a Sunday afternoon Mass (12:30 PM), a Thursday evening weekday Mass (7:30 PM), Spanish-language Reconciliation opportunities, and the Hora Santa (Adoration) on Thursday evenings. Adult faith-formation offerings such as the Prayer and Life Workshop are conducted bilingually.
- Spanish Mass: Saturday 7:00 PM, Sunday 12:30 PM, Thursday 7:30 PM
- Hispanic Coordinator / Office Manager: Enilda Reyes ([email protected])
- Spanish-language Reconciliation and Hora Santa on Thursday evenings
- Bilingual Prayer and Life Workshops
Parish Life & Communications
St. Clement maintains regular contact with parishioners through digital bulletins, text-message alerts, and email. The parish's 'New Parishioners' page invites newcomers to register online and to sign up for Flocknote by texting STCB to 84576. The parish community gathers for fellowship throughout the year, including Lenten dinners and Stations of the Cross in both English and Spanish during the Fridays of Lent, as well as annual parish events and ministry-led activities. The parish also participates in the Diocese of Tulsa's Annual Appeal and works with the wider Catholic community of the Tulsa region, including Catholic Scouting America (Region 10).
- New parishioner registration available on the parish website
- Digital bulletins distributed online
- Flocknote parish text/email updates — text STCB to 84576
- Lenten dinners and bilingual Stations of the Cross during Lent
- Member of the Diocese of Tulsa community; pastoral region includes Catholic Scouting chaplaincy