Bishop Konderla Celebrated Mass of Healing and Peace

Bishop David Konderla celebrated a Mass of Healing and Peace for St. Thomas More Church last night as an overflow crowd gathered to grieve the shooting death of a 15-year-old parishioner.

Alexander Puentes was killed Sunday night at the conclusion of an all-day festival on the grounds of the east Tulsa parish. A 15-year-old suspect, not affiliated with St. Thomas More, has been arrested.
 
Bishop Konderla pointed out a strong presence of the Holy Spirit within the parish, of community, and of desire to help one another. “That’s going to be what you will use to get from this time of great sadness and tragedy to a time of grace and healing,” he said.
 
The congregation included families, religious sisters and many teenagers as well as Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols. Representatives of Alexander’s family thanked everyone for their prayers, words of encouragement and companionship providing a source of comfort and strength.   
 
After Mass, Bishop Konderla recited a short prayer and sprinkled holy water in the church parking lot at the site of the shooting.  “We were visited by an act of violence,” he said. “So this evening, we want to bless that place where the violence happened to reclaim it for the community, for the love and fellowship that exists here.” Parishioners capped the somber moment with shouts of “¡Viva Cristo Rey!”