Bishop David Konderla Announces Clergy Assignments for 2026

April 10, 2026
Friday in the Octave of Easter
 
Memorandum
 
I, the Most Rev. David A. Konderla, Bishop of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma, announce today the following clergy assignments. Please pray for these priests and deacons as they begin this important transition in their ministry in a spirit of faithful obedience and with gratitude to the faithful for their continued support.
 
Pastors
 
Fr. Jim Caldwell, upon concluding his sabbatical, will serve as Pastor of St. Vincent de Paul in Coweta, while living in residence at St. Anne in Broken Arrow, effective July 1, 2026.
 
Fr. Kingsley George-Obilonu, Pastor of St. Joseph in Krebs and St. Paul in Eufaula, will also serve as Pastor of Holy Rosary in Hartshorne and will reside at Holy Rosary in Hartshorne, effective July 1, 2026.
 
Fr. Robert Healey, from Parochial Vicar of St. Thomas More in Tulsa to Pastor of St. Agnes in Antlers, St. Jude in Boswell, and Immaculate Conception in Hugo, effective May 25, 2026.
 
Fr. Sean O’Brien, Pastor of Immaculate Conception in Poteau, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Spiro, and St. Joseph in Stigler, will also serve as Pastor of Sacred Heart Mission in Heavener, effective July 1, 2026.
 
Parochial Vicars
 
Fr. Luke Duruemezuo, from Chaplain at Ascension St. John in Tulsa, to Parochial Vicar of Holy Rosary in Hartshorne, St. Joseph in Krebs, and St. Paul in Eufaula, effective July 1, 2026. He will reside at Holy Rosary in Hartshorne.
 
Fr. Jon Fincher, from Chaplain at Bishop Kelley High School to Parochial Vicar of Holy Family Cathedral in Tulsa in addition to his duties as Assistant Vocations Director, effective July 1, 2026. 
 
Fr. Daniel Gormley, from Parochial Vicar of St. Anne in Broken Arrow, to Parochial Vicar of St. Thomas More in Tulsa, effective May 25, 2026.
 
Fr. Shane Hewson, from Parochial Vicar of St. Bernard in Tulsa, to Parochial Vicar of St. Thomas More in Tulsa in addition to his duties in the Tribunal Office, effective January 19, 2027.
 
Dcn. S. Matthew McClain, a Deacon of Immaculate Conception in Poteau, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Spiro, and St. Joseph in Stigler, and upon ordination, will serve as Parochial Vicar of the same parishes with the addition of Sacred Heart Mission in Heavener, effective July 1, 2026.
 
Fr. Jeffery Moore, a priest of the Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter, will be Parochial Vicar of St. Anne in Broken Arrow, effective May 25, 2026.
 
Fr. Robert Williams, after completing his studies in Rome, will serve as Parochial Vicar of the Church of St. Benedict in Broken Arrow, effective July 10, 2026.
 
Dcn. Joseph Yosten, after completing his studies at St. Meinrad’s Seminary and upon ordination, will serve as Parochial Vicar of St. Bernard of Clairvaux in Tulsa, effective January 1, 2027.
 
Other Announcements
 
Fr. Richard Cristler will remain in Tulsa, assisting St. Thomas More and St. Francis Xavier Parishes with pastoral duties.
 
Fr. Robert Dye, from assisting with pastoral needs in the Tulsa area, to support the Pastoral Ministry in the Southern Vicariate.  He will reside in the rectory at St. Joseph Parish in Krebs.
 
Fr. Archie Fernandez, from the Parochial Vicar of the Church of St. Benedict, to serve as Chaplain to Saint Francis Health System in Tulsa and continue to serve the Filipino Community, effective July 1, 2026.
 
Msgr. Patrick Gaalaas, from Spiritual Director at Conception Seminary, to serve as Minister for Priests, effective July 1, 2026. Msgr. Gaalaas has generously offered to serve in this role while in retirement. He will reside at Holy Family Cathedral. 
 
Fr. Leonardo Medina, from Pastor of Holy Rosary in Hartshorne and Sacred Heart Mission in Heavener, to serve on the Parish Support Team, and serve as Spiritual Advisor to the Spanish Cursillo, effective July 1, 2026.  He will reside at St. Augustine Parish in Tulsa.
 
Mr. Jim Southard, after completing his studies at St. Meinrad’s Seminary and upon ordination, will serve as Deacon of the Church of St. Mary in Tulsa, effective January 1, 2027.
 
Fr. Joshua Votruba, from Parochial Vicar of Holy Family Cathedral in Tulsa, to Chaplain at Bishop Kelley High School in Tulsa, while retaining Master of Ceremonies duties, effective July 1, 2026.  He will reside at Holy Family Cathedral in Tulsa.
 
I am grateful to Fr. Steve Austin, coming out of retirement, for serving as Pastor this past year at St. Agnes in Antlers, St. Jude in Boswell, and Immaculate Conception in Hugo as he will conclude as Pastor on May 25, 2026, and resume his retirement.
 
Finally, I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to Fr. Bryan Brooks who has served the last ten years as Vicar for Priests and will conclude his service in that role effective June 30, 2026.
 
End of Memo