OUR PASTOR
Fr. Steve Austin is a native Oklahoman.
He was born and raised in Guthrie, just ask him, "What happened to the first state capital?" That will get him going. Fr. Steve has been a priest of the Diocese of Tulsa for 39 years, and he has had several parish assignments both in Tulsa and throughout the Diocese. If you want to sit down and talk awhile, Fr. Steve is the priest to see. He loves to visit, he loves to be of help, and he wants everyone to feel welcome at St. Francis de Sales.
Vietnamese, and Kiribati + speaking parishioners. We are grateful to come together at one of our weekend Masses and celebrate our faith in God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We value family and we honor and support family life in whatever form it takes. Jesus cared for all people and as members of his Body we strive to care for all. We are especially mindful of those in need. We support the Idabel Ministerial Alliance financial assistance program, Hand to Hand food program and we care for those in need of clothing at our Thrift Store which is open on Saturdays. Children are a gift from God. We are committed to being good examples of faith to our children and to share our faith in God with them.
Our Church
is a vibrant faith
community of
English, Spanish,
Our Patron Saint Francis de Sales
(1567-1622)
Francis was destined by his father to be a lawyer so that the young man could eventually take his elder’s place as a senator from the province of Savoy in France. For this reason Francis was sent to Padua to study law. After receiving his doctorate, he returned home and, in due time, told his parents he wished to enter the priesthood. His father strongly opposed Francis in this, and only after much patient persuasiveness on the part of the gentle Francis did his father finally consent. Francis was ordained and elected provost of the Diocese of Geneva, then a center for the Calvinists. Francis set out to convert them, especially in the district of Chablais. By preaching and distributing the little pamphlets he wrote to explain true Catholic doctrine, he had remarkable success.
At 35 he became bishop
of Geneva. While
administering his diocese
he continued to preach,
hear confessions and
catechize the children.
His gentle character was
a great asset in winning
souls. He practiced his own axiom, “A spoonful of honey attracts more flies than a barrelful of vinegar.”
Besides his two well-known books, the Introduction to the Devout Life and A Treatise on the Love of God, he wrote many pamphlets and carried on a vast correspondence. For his writings, he has been named patron of the Catholic Press. His writings, filled with his characteristic gentle spirit, are addressed to lay people. He wants to make them understand that they too are called to be saints. As he wrote in The Introduction to the Devout Life: “It is an error, or rather a heresy, to say devotion is incompatible with the life of a soldier, a tradesman, a prince, or a married woman.... It has happened that many have lost perfection in the desert who had preserved it in the world. ”
In spite of his busy and comparatively short life, he had time to collaborate with another Saint, Jane Frances de Chantal (August 12), in the work of establishing the Sisters of the Visitation. These women were to practice the virtues exemplified in Mary’s visit to Elizabeth: humility, piety and mutual charity. They at first engaged to a limited degree in works of mercy for the poor and the sick. Today, while some communities conduct schools, others live a strictly contemplative life.
Francis de Sales took seriously the words of Christ, “Learn of me for I am meek and humble of heart.” As he said himself, it took him 20 years to conquer his quick temper, but no one ever suspected he had such a problem, so overflowing with good nature and kindness was his usual manner of acting. His perennial meekness and sunny disposition won for him the title of “Gentleman Saint.”
Quote: Francis de Sales tells us: “The person who possesses Christian meekness is affectionate and tender towards everyone: he is disposed to forgive and excuse the frailties of others; the goodness of his heart appears in a sweet affability that influences his words and actions, presents every object to his view in the most charitable and pleasing light.”
Patron Saint of: Authors, Deafness, Journalists, Writers.
