ARCHBISHOP COAKLEY VISITS
ST. PHILIP NERI CATHOLIC SCHOOL
The Most Reverend Paul S. Coakley, Archbishop of Oklahoma City visited St. Philip Neri Catholic School on Thursday.
Archbishop Coakley began his tour by presiding over School Mass. The ceremony was celebrated with school children, teachers and parishioners. Archbishop focused on St. Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews in his homily citing, “If God is for us, who can be against us.” His Grace challenged those in attendance, “Place trust in the Lord, just as Jesus did with His Father.”
After Mass, Parish Priest, Father Timothy Fuller and School Principal, Mrs. Brenda Tener, led Archbishop Coakley on a school tour. Archbishop Coakely visited every classroom and answered questions from the students. Second grader, Remy Broussard posed the inquiry, “What was Jesus’ mission?” Coakley answered, “To announce the Kingdom of God and receive the reign of God into our lives.” The Archbishop made sure to discuss the subject of religion along with the advanced curriculum St. Philip Neri offers to all of their students.
A highlight of the tour occurred in the eighth grade classroom of Mrs. Monica Schmidlkofer. Schmidlkofer was awarded the 2015 Archbishop Paul S. Coakley Educator of the Year Award. The Archbishop was out of state due to the Pope’s tour of the United States, but was able to personally congratulate the middle school instructor on her award and commented, “I enjoy coming to this school. I am not only inspired, but impressed.”
His Grace will visit all Catholic Schools within the Diocese before the end of the school year.
