Events to mark anniversary of priest’s death
Several events are planned to commemorate the anniversary of the death of the Rev. Stanley Rother, an Okarche native and Archdiocese of Oklahoma City priest who was killed on July 28, 1981, by unknown assailants at the Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala, parish where he served as mission priest.
The Rev. Don Wolf, pastor of St. Eugene Catholic Church, said his church will host a prayer service on Friday, the 36th anniversary of Rother’s death. Wolf, who is Rother’s cousin, said he will offer his personal reflections about his relative who is on the path to Catholic sainthood.
Wolf said he felt it was important to host a service on the actual anniversary because of the upcoming beatification ceremony for Rother. He said his personal reflections will center around the themes and questions that often arise as people ponder Rother’s life story and his
commitment to the Lord and his beloved Guatemalan parishioners.
“In the face of all that has happened — his witness has been extraordinary and the recognition by the Church — this has been a real time of blessedness and holi- ness. The question then becomes what does this mean for someone who is not a priest, someone who is not a missionary who will go to Guatemala,” Wolf said.
“What does his life really say and how does it speak to my life? That’s the question every Christian has to ask in the face of examples of this kind of sanctity — what does my life look like in the light of his example?”
Meanwhile, another commemoration will be at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Okarche, Rother’s hometown parish.
The Most Rev. Paul S. Coakley, archbishop of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, will preside at the 36th annual Memorial Mass of Father Stanley Rother on July 29 at the Okarche church.
After Mass, the Knights of Columbus will host a carnival featuring a live band, hamburgers, wagon rides, inflatables and games for youths.
The Mass in Rother’s hometown, along with related activities, are typically held on a Saturday near the anniversary of his death.