We are a new canonically established Traditional Catholic Association. Canon law does not require the bishop’s approval, nor require nor even permit direct management of the group by the bishop as a private association of the faithful, nor for a privately owned chapel. Yet we remain of course subordinate to the local Ordinary, His Excellency Bishop David Konderla. For whom we pray.
We are an official, canonically erected refuge and an oasis from the modernist, liberal, and pseudo-Protestant mainstream of the modern post-Vatican II Church, including unfortunately within our own diocese.
Or even to also better keep the day holy after attending Sunday morning Mass, with a fellowship of more like-minded, concerned, forward-thinking, unabashed traditional Catholics in the afternoon.
*** Disclaimer, while I share this on my blog, my writings and views I express here do not necessarily represent the positions of this Association which is a separate entity. ***
What We Do
In a private family chapel setting, we pray the rosary, what the Church calls the “dry Mass,” that is the Mass prayers without a priest or consecration, make a Spiritual Communion, sing Gregorian chant hymns, at times watch online Conferences, seek the support of pro-Latin Mass priests, themselves possibly as private members of our Association, also allowed by canon law without needing episcopal approval. Even including a friendship with the priests of the Society of St. Pius X and like-minded traditional priests. Also to have Catholic fellowship, expand our apostolate, and help with evangelization through works of charity, aka Catholic Action. Especially to the poor, sick, disabled, hospitalized, jailed, homebound, or in nursing homes.
Since Catholics are permitted to attend SSPX Masses, and to fulfill their Sunday obligation by doing so, and receive the sacraments from SSPX priests, and provide material assistance to help make that whole endeavor possible, without any narrow, strict, canonical limiting of what that material assistance is, according to the Vatican to date, this then would include making one’s private property available for this purpose, to enable you and others to attend it, owned by a member of our Private Association, or by someone else.
The Association itself, as distinct from the physical private building itself, in accord with canon law and the ordinary jurisdiction of the local bishop, is not formally established as a public parish or public church community, nor itself as a habitual social setting for Mass. Even though materially we as private individuals are canonically permitted to offer the use of our private property for an SSPX Mass, or a Mass offered by a priest with ordinary jurisdiction, ordinary faculties, and permission of the diocesan bishop to offer the Mass.
Distinction of Terms
“St. Athanasius Chapel” = the privately owned private building and space for prayer, etc. Used by a private family, this Association, and others outside of the Association. Also, this is an informal term for the Association itself, for practical purposes.
“St. Athanasius Private Association of the Faithful” = the group of individuals, either meeting at “St. Athanasius Chapel” or elsewhere.
Affiliated Priests
Other pro-Tradition priests may join as members whether locally or remotely, offering at times general advise and support about organizing efforts, private spiritual direction, and spiritual or catechetical conferences which do not require chancery approval. This does not establish them formally as pastor over the group.
Officially speaking, Masses are offered at the private building reserved for prayer that is a private chapel, itself called “St. Athanasius Chapel.”
On the other hand “St. Athanasius Chapel Private Association of the Faithful” is distinct from the private property itself, not formally itself as an Association of the Church formally hosting itself habitual Masses. Formally, it is the host family itself which may enable habitual Masses in their private chapel in the sense described above. This is in part because we may meet outside of the private property chapel on official church property.
When and Where Are the Meetings
We will meet either every Sunday, on occasion on some Sundays, or only at special times throughout the year on a Sunday, to be considered and discussed depending on our circumstances. At each others’ homes, or in a group video conference online, or perhaps at times at official diocesan churches or chapels.
In the afternoon, after local Sunday morning Masses. Other possible sites could include the cathedral outside of their Mass schedule, the main chapel at St. John’s hospital, the chapel at St. Francis Hospital South, the chapel at Calvary cemetery, or similar. Fellowship may be a group potluck, coffee and dessert, or going out to eat afterwards.
And especially a time for spiritual encouragement and serious religious discussion about the Faith, the traditional movement, and the Crisis in the Church.
Our Theological Positions:
1. It is a legitimate pious belief that there are serious problems with Vatican II and in certain of its pastoral statements and changes, the Novus Ordo Mass in its design, rubrics, prayers, and common way of being done, the overall conciliar reform, and certain orientations from the Vatican and Bishops in general.
Which we must and have a right to publicly address, per Canon 212, and to pray the Church will one day address and resolve. By clearly and finally correcting the Errors of the conciliar period in clear and constant continuity with Catholic Tradition. Especially with regards to religious liberty, ecumenism, collegiality, and the liturgical reform.
As laity, it is our right and duty to encourage our pastors to fulfill their duties to the Church, to uphold and transmit Tradition, and to resolve this Crisis.
2. We seek the full and universal restoration of the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM), as the proper canonical form of the Roman rite, as already definitively established by Pope St. Pius V, and all the customs, spirituality, theology, and patrimony that is associated with it.
3. It is a legitimate pious belief that the Church is in a grave state of necessity and emergency for us to act in extraordinary ways to help preserve the Faith for the Church and our families, including forming traditional Catholic Private Associations of the Faithful like this.
4. Pope Paul VI did not suppress the Latin Mass when promulgating the Novus Ordo, nor issue a document of equal weight to Pope St. Pius V overturning his establishment of the Tridentine missal as the official, codified Roman rite of Mass. Therefore, it is a legitimate pious belief that Quo Primum and Immemorial Tradition still have authority, and permit the offering of the Latin Mass, and that it is our birthright as Roman rite Catholics.
5. That said, any future blessings or permissions from our Bishop for certain activities, or conversely God forbid any adverse action, cannot be contingent on us abandoning these canonically legitimate theological public positions, or remaining silent, based on our canonical and spiritual rights.
Planning for the Future
We expect that, per the document Traditionis Custodes, the Vatican will eventually end all Latin Masses everywhere, including at the FSSP parish, Holy Cross parish in Wagoner, and at Clear Creek Abbey. This Association will then be a canonically legitimate local refuge during that period and into the future, and for those now anticipating the suppression.
Likewise, we hope this endeavor serves as a good example for traditional Catholics around the world to consider in their diocese as needed.
For More Information
For more information, including about meeting times, or potential future Masses as specifically described above, please email, call, or text us. We will ask in a brief and friendly manner if you are a Catholic, orthodox, in good standing, agree with our theological positions and purposes or at least are okay with them, and if you are associated with any organization in the diocese.
Non-Catholics or fallen away Catholics can attend our private prayer meetings after the private inquiry and introduction process, in keeping with our clear canonical status as a private association of the faithful.
As we are brand new, we begin with me and my wife. We can still in the future discuss the chapel association, name, written statutes, officers, goals, and other details. And reach out to priests for some level of support. As time goes by, we pray this Association grows, and we will continue to promote it as long as we live in the Diocese of Tulsa.
Founding members:
Contact:
Chris Kennedy
918-829-0033
Chrisbrokenarrow@yahoo.com
918-282-6480
paixzafra@yahoo.com
Future plans:
Facebook Group Page
Social media ads directed locally to Catholics
YouTube channel. Possible Live Feeds (if agreed upon)











