St. Michael Catholic Church in Henryetta welcomed new priest, Father Robert Duck to the parish on July 1.
St. Michael Catholic Church in Henryetta welcomed new priest, Father Robert Duck to the parish on July 1.
Father Duck was assigned pastor of two additional churches, St. Teresa Catholic Church in Okemah and St. Stephen Catholic Church in Holdenville.
A native of Tulsa, he is a graduate of Jenks High School.
Father Duck also attended Conception Seminary College in Conception, Mo., then spent five years in Italy where he received degrees in Theology at North American College.
He studied Italian in Assisi, Italy, attending the church where St. Francis of Assisi lived and worshipped.
St. Michael Church recently held a service on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi where pets and animals were blessed in a traditional ceremony in honor of the patron saint.
Having been ordained a Deacon in Rome, Father Duck was ordained a Priest on June 30, 2018 in Tulsa.
His first assignment was in Stillwater at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church where he served three years, prior to coming to Henryetta.
“Let me say up front,” Father Duck said, “We are going to have spaghetti dinners at this church again. When I first arrived in town and began to introduce myself to the community, the first thing everyone asked me is 'are we going to bring back the spaghetti dinners?' “I am announcing now our first dinner will be held here at St. Michael Catholic Church in April 2023. I hope everyone in the community will come and share a meal with us.
“My plan is to increase the presence of St. Michael to the wider community.”
One thing the new priest stressed is that church membership is not required to join in any church activities.
Starting for the Season of the Advent, St. Michael Church will host Advent Bingo and Advent Trivia Night.
Classes will also be taught at the church to inform folks about Christianity and the Catholic Church.
Father Duck added that his main mission is to evangelize and rebuild St. Michael Catholic Church as a place of prayer and welcome.
Mass is celebrated Sunday mornings at 11 a.m. at St. Michael and at 8 a.m. at St. Stephen in Holdenville and Saturday evenings at 6 p.m. at St. Teresa in Okemah.
Welcome Father Robert to our community. We wish you much happiness and success!
