December 5, 2020 Issue, Page 10 of 10

Page Text

10 December 5, 2020 St. Matthew’s sees 50th Anniversary Dec. 13 All Saints in Sayre. Father Philip tions and services of the people, arrived at St. Matthew on June priests, religious and great do- 1, 2018. One of St. Matthew's proud- nations of their assets and trea- est achievements is its food sures that make us what we are bank. The food bank is available now. twice a month and in a typical month will serve over one thou- May the departed souls rest in sand people, fulfilling and af- peace. Glory to God for all those firming St. Matthew 5:42 “Give who are still living their faith. to the one who begs from you, ‘As St. Matthews parish cele- and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.” brates fifty years of worship and For fifty years St. Matthew ministry in western Oklahoma, has embodied the Catholic faith we give thanks to its fellowship in western Oklahoma. But, the church, the building, strong and of believers who have sustained beautiful as it is, but the house the proclamation of God's “good of the church. The “We” are the church. St. Matthew is its peo- news” over the many years. We ple, and the people are one in pray for the future endeavors in the spirit and one in the Lord, ministry and mission, and look a community of believers who ahead with hope for mutual op- have indeed lived out their be- More than one hundred and es, including a crucifix from St. ish, St. Matthew, located on the fish fry, and the formul Mardi lief in the inherent equality and portunities to share God’s gos- thirty years ago pioneer Catho- outskirts of Elk City. The chosen Joseph's, Stations of the Cross Gras Ball. dignity of all human beings. pel of love. lic families ventured to the site was also the home of St. from Holy Family, and stained Father Philip Louis, aided by a As we celebrate this beautiful ‘The Parishioners western part of Oklahoma to Mathew’s School built in 1967. glass windows from St. Francis. staff of five, carries out the du- day on Sunday, December 13th, fashion a better life for their Bishop Reed's words fifty years ‘The church also featured and ties of pastor of St. Matthew we recall in to our hearts the Many Discipleship for One descendants. Their strength of ago were prophetic as he stated, outside mosaic of St. Matthew; and its mission parish, Queen of hard labor, generous contribu- Lord and One Church character helped them to endure “\.may St. Mathew grow into a a granite baptismal font with a the harshness of the frontier. parish community marked by waterfall; a prayer garden; a rec- Together with that strength of fraternal love and regard for one onciliation room; a sacristy and character, and their persistence another...” in their faith through many ad- an audio-visual control room. A With the consolidation, the three-bell tower symbolized the Beckham County receives Supplement emergency food verse conditions, they planted Church of St. Matthew became joining of the three parishes. the Catholic faith firmly into the parish center, and members This December will mark the western Oklahoma of the three parishes began to 50th. Anniversary of St. Mat- From those early pioneer attend mass in a renovated part thew Parish. Today, the church families and the zealous mis- of the school. Bishop Reed an- enjoys the membership of over sionaries and religious who dared venture into that new nounced that Reverend Freder- ick Krueger would continue to 330 families, and provides nu- merous services to its faith fam- and shelter money world, there sprang three early serve as the area pastor. ily. parishes: St. Francis of Assisi, In 1997, after years of fund- Life goes on amid the hustle Salvation Army; and the United deliver emergency food and/or a country church established in raising, pledging by parishio- and bustle of church activities Way Worldwide. The Local Board shelter programs and 6) if they 1900; St. Joseph, Elk City, dedi- ners, and use of church savings, and everyday living and work- was charged to distribute Phase area private voluntary organiza- cated in 1906; and Holy Family, construction was begun on a ing. St. Matthew members are 38 funds appropriated by Con- tion, they must have a voluntary Canute, started in 1926, $1.9 million dollar facility. The offered membership in numer- gress to help expand the capac- board. Qualifying agencies are Although the three parishes sanctuary in the new church ous organizations and activities. ity of food andshelter programs flourished for decades, finan- would include seating for 550 in high-need areas around the urged to apply. Whether it be the Knights of country. Beckham County had distrib- cial concerns and a shortage of people and contain over 10,000 Columbus; the Women’s Guild; ‘The Local Board made up of uted Emergency Food and Shel- pastors finally forced their clos- square feet, including a daily the Children’s Ministry Pro- ings. So, on December 5 and 6, mass chapel known as The Cha- gram; Adult Ministry; Senior DOING THE can Red Cross, HELP, Inc. Food Inc. Food Resource Center of Elk representatives from the Ameri- ter funds previously to HELP, 1970, mass was celebrated for pel of The Madeleine, in honor the last time in those three- of Saint Mary Magdalene. Citizens; the Parish Council; RCIA, or other committees, MOST GOOD Action Resource Center, Community City, and the Community Action Development Corp. for Development Corporation agen- pioneer western Oklahoma The new building was ad- organizations, or projects, the ARKANSAS & OKLAHOMA Sayre/Carter and Erick/Texo- cies in Sayre/Carter and Brick/ churches. Bishop Victor Redd joined to the foyer on the West church has something for every- la, Ministerial Alliance, Local amalgamated the parishes of end of the St. Matthew school one. Beckham County has been Government agency, a Native Texola. These agencies were re- St. Francis, St. Joseph and Holy building and contained items Highlights of the year includ- American Representative, and sponsible for providing more Family into a single new par- from the three pioneer church- ed the annual church bazaar, awarded federal funds made Western Oklahoma Family Care than 10,000 meals this last year. available through the Depart- Center will determine how the Public or private voluntary ment of Homeland Security funds awarded to Beckham agencies interested in applying (DHS)/Federal Emergency County are to be distributed for Emergency Food and Shel- Management Agency under the among the emergency food and Emergency Food and Shelter shelter programs run by local ter Program funds must contact National Board Program. services agencies in the area. Cindy Abney at (580) 303-0804 Beckham County has been The Local Board is responsible for an application. They must chosen to receive $8,655 to sup- for recommending agencies to have a tax and DUNS number. plement emergency food and receive these funds and any ad- ‘The deadline for applications to shelter programs in the county. ditional funds made available be received is Tuesday Decem- ‘The selection was made by a under this phase ofthe program. ber 15th, by 9:00 a.m. National Board that is chaired by Under the terms of the grant ‘The Local Board will meet on the U.S. Department of Home- from the National Board, lo- Tuesday December 15th, at 4:00 land Security's Federal Emer- cal agencies chosen to receive p.m. at the Community Care gency Management Agency and funds must: 1) be private vol- Center located at 609 W Avenue This fantastic holiday light display can be consist of representatives from untary non-profits or units of American Red Cross; Catholic government 2) be eligible to E in Elk City to determine allo- viewed nightly from 6-11 p.m. and sri Charities, USA; National Coun- receive Federal funds 3) have cation for this year’s Phase 38 concludes on New Year's Eve. ero cil of the Churches of Christ an accounting system 4) prac- to run almost concurrently with - With wonderful sponsors and donations in the USA; The Jewish Fed- tice nondiscrimination 5) have Phase 37 and CARES Act fund- merrily accepted from visitors, Christmas erations of North America; The demonstrated the capability to ing the release said. in the Park is a holiday tradition! The Elves of SWOSU distributing room Free Activities Every Fri, & Sat. 6.9 PM « Dec. 11th- Dec, 19th Elkwood $’mores * Tour the Park on the Mistletoe November 27 disinfectant for Western Oklahoma Express, a Double Decker Bu: iS Shop + Visit Santa at Santa's Park Place SWOSU Safety & Compliance Coordinator + Candycane Express Rick Dahlgren stands with Miniature Train Rides the machine and supplies that make hypochlorous * Ride the Centennial Carousel acid, which is being used * Holly Jolly Trolley Rides to disinfect rooms and buildings. The product is available for pickup now STOP in Clinton and Elk City and by December 14 in Weatherford. Courtesy photo. Nov, 19th ” Dec, 16th De Dec ‘omapaing Thousands of dollars in Gifts and Chamber Dollars | Businesses to be Given Away December 16th & 17th Retail District 580 Mercantile Elk City News Vclay ATV & dle Stan's stom Pat Sé5r09, Gpen Late Southwestern Oklahoma Vice President Brenda Burgess at the Clinton Public Schools BTB's Records & Rarities Galleria Furniture Outlet Merrifield Office Supply & Body FRIDAY UNTIL 7PM State University in Weatherford said HOCI is a powerful oxidant Administration Building is now home to a machine that that is effective against invading (680.323.1800), Clinton Fire BarberDyson FordLincln Garage Bicycle Works Midwest Farm Supply Souther & CoMarketpace Doe, Ath, 11th & 18th makes hypochlorous acid that is bacteria, fungi and viruses and Department (580.323.2298) Bela Vita Grandview Pharmacy Mostly Mai Terry's Future Showroom " used to help disinfectant rooms can be used in healthcare, food and Elk City Fire Depart- Carrol’ Shoe Comer — _-H & H Electronics Mountain Man’s Axe The Atic Door and buildings during the cur- safety, water treatment and ment (580.225.0500). Weath- rent COVID-19 pandemic. general sanitation. Chicken Express lon Throwing& Grub The Everett Blake Society SWOSU was made aware HOCI, unlike chlorine bleach, erford Fire Department Currel’sDo It Center _‘Kelt’s Butcher Shop Page Jewelers The Lit CryoSpa of the machine by the Custer is 100% safe and non-irritant. If (580.772.5345) will have the Damron Jeneles Kiotfer Flooring Centr Paul Jones Drug The NaturalWay Dispensary County Emergency Manage- it gets on a person's skin or eyes, product available by Monday, Davis Printing Co. LaDonna's Wine & Spirits Plaza Hut The Tool Box ment Office, and the equipment it will not burn; yet it is 70-80 December 14. These places D's Rentals and Sales L&E RTire & TruckSenice $&S Quality Carpet The Vogue Boutique was supplied by the Federal times more efficient at killing should be called first to make Doug Gray Auto Group Nain Street Cafee & Cafe Sears The 200 101.7 Emergency Management Agen- microbial pathogens than chlo- sure staff is available. There cy through the Oklahoma Emer- rine bleach. could be additional locations Dr's Binz & Elis > Need not be present to win Dec. 16th drawing < Try Jones Equipment gency Management Office. Burgess said the downside to soon. SWOSU is serving as a manu- HOCI is that it does not have a For material safety sheets facturing site. When salt water long shelf life, less than 60 days. is electrolyzed, it produces an The university is serving as or additional _ information, anolyte solution that consists of a distributor of the product for email Custer County Emer- water, chloride salt and Hypo- western Oklahoma. ‘The prod- gency Director Mike Galloway 580.225.0207 - elkcitychamber.com chlorous Acid (HOCI). SWOSU uct can be used by anyone. IBC at [email protected] or call Please give to a local charity Administration and Finance tanks/totes are available now 580.331,9536,