St. Patrick

About St. Patrick Parish

St. Patrick Catholic Church is an English-language parish in the Diocese of Tulsa, located at 204 E. 4th Street in Sand Springs, Oklahoma. Formally established in 1920 in a stone Roman-style church donated by Charles Page, it has served local Catholic families for over a century. Today the parish offers daily and weekend Mass, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, Saturday Confession, full sacramental preparation, and a wide network of lay ministries.

History

The parish was born of a practical need: after Sand Springs' original Community Church became the First United Presbyterian Church, town founder Charles Page saw there was no Catholic parish to serve local families. In 1919 he donated four lots at Fourth and Washington, and Father Heiring commissioned the young architect Daniel Eichenfeld to design the church. The cornerstone was laid September 14, 1919; the parish was formally established April 30, 1920. Built of native stone in a Roman style for $22,000, the building remains the visual heart of the parish.

• 1919 — Charles Page donates four lots at Fourth and Washington.
• September 14, 1919 — Cornerstone laid for the new church.
• April 30, 1920 — Parish of St. Patrick formally established; first pastor (Father Heiring) appointed.
• 1925 — St. Patrick's Parochial School opens with 60 children, taught by the Sisters of Mercy in the church basement.
• Mid-20th century — School grows into its own building.
• 1975 — Parochial school closes 50 years after its founding.

Our Staff

St. Patrick's is served by a pastor, a deacon, and a small lay staff. The parish staff page includes a detailed vocation story for Fr. Leo Ahanotu, a priest originally from Nigeria who was inspired by Irish missionaries and Nigerian Holy Ghost Fathers, served in Papua New Guinea and Australia, and came to the Diocese of Tulsa in 2001. He was incardinated into the diocese in 2016 and holds diplomas in theology, philosophy, education, and pastoral psychology. The Diocese of Tulsa parish finder currently lists Rev. Archie Fernandez as pastor of St. Patrick Parish (Sand Springs).

• Rev. Archie Fernandez — Pastor (Diocese of Tulsa parish finder)
• Fr. Leo Ahanotu — Priest (parish staff bio)
• Deacon Todd Slezak — native of New Rockford, ND; U.S. Navy veteran; former municipal police officer and investigator; B.S. from Oklahoma Wesleyan University; married to April Slezak since 2005; five children and four grandchildren
• Charlotte Comer — Parish Secretary; lifelong connection to Sand Springs; many years of church-administration and customer-service experience
• Julie Nichols — Office Manager (per Diocese of Tulsa parish finder)
• Bernadette Tarr — Music Director (per Diocese of Tulsa parish finder)
• Zachary Brunner — Facilities (per Diocese of Tulsa parish finder)

Parish Ministries

St. Patrick's lives out its mission through a wide range of lay-led ministries organized under five umbrellas: Liturgy & Worship, Faith Formation, Service & Outreach, Community Life, and Stewardship & Communication. Every parishioner is invited to share their gifts in service to one another.

• Liturgical Committee — plans all parish liturgies
• Altar Servers — a meaningful way to grow closer to Christ by assisting the priest and deacon during Mass
• Christian Service Ministry — Angel Tree at Christmas, food drives, and partnership with Sand Springs Community Services
• Pastoral Care Ministry — visits the homebound, hospitalized, and those in care facilities with prayer, companionship, and the Holy Eucharist
• Funeral Dinner Ministry — provides meals for grieving families after funeral liturgies (cooking, setup, serving, cleanup)
• Widows & Widowers Group (WW Social Club) — ecumenical fellowship for those who have lost a spouse
• Faith Formation Team — collaborates with the pastor and Religious Education Director
• Parish Life Committee — plans joyful parish events such as picnics
• Stewardship & Fundraising Committee — encourages grateful sharing of time, talent, and treasure
• Communication Committee — manages the parish website, social media, newsletters, and Flocknote

Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation

Faith formation at St. Patrick's follows the Restored Order of the Sacraments, preparing children for Reconciliation, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion as a unified journey rooted in Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the teachings of the Church. The parish also runs OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for adults discerning entry into full communion with the Catholic Church, whether unbaptized, baptized in another Christian tradition, or baptized Catholics seeking to complete their Sacraments of Initiation.

• Children's Sacramental Preparation — Reconciliation, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion
• OCIA (Becoming Catholic) — adult formation, catechesis, liturgical rites, and community support
• Religious Education directed by Deacon Todd and April Slezak

Becoming Catholic (OCIA)

The parish's Becoming Catholic program is its OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) — the formal pathway for adults seeking full communion with the Catholic Church. Described on the parish website as 'more than a class — it is a spiritual pilgrimage,' OCIA combines prayer, catechesis, liturgical rites, and community support to prepare participants to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. The whole parish is renewed as it walks alongside those seeking full communion.

I'm New — Visiting St. Patrick's

The parish welcomes visitors, returning Catholics, and those exploring the faith for the first time. The parish website answers the most common 'first-visit' questions: where to park, what to wear, what to do with children, whether non-Catholics may attend Mass or receive a blessing, and what to expect at the liturgy. All are warmly invited to attend Mass; Holy Communion is reserved for practicing Catholics in a state of grace, but anyone may come forward during Communion to receive a blessing by crossing their arms over their chest.

• Address: 204 E. 4th Street, Sand Springs, OK 74063 (look for the steeple and the sign out front)
• Parking: ample parking on the south side of the church plus a lower-level lot; accessible parking on the North and South lots
• Dress: anything from Sunday best to casual; modest dress encouraged
• Children: always welcome at Mass
• Becoming Catholic: inquiries welcome via the OCIA program

Contact & Office Hours

The parish office is staffed Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The parish can be reached by phone, email, or in person at 204 E. 4th Street, Sand Springs, OK 74063.

• Phone: (918) 245-5840
• Email: [email protected]
• Office Hours: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM