Honoring Victims Of Saint Francis Shooting With Memorial Mass And Adoration

Dozens of people are gathering to pray in honor of the one-year anniversary of the shooting at Saint Francis.

Religious leaders, staff and victims' loved ones are all involved in the commemoration and said their goal is to continue to heal together.

For about 24 hours, people are taking turns to pray in the Saint Francis chapel. Those involved said this is a profoundly special time of silence and solitude.

As our community remembers Dr. Preston Phillips, Dr. Stephanie Husen, Amanda Glenn and William Love, who were killed June 1, 2022, staff and loved ones are gathering in the Saint Francis Chapel to pray and reflect.

"The hope for adoration is that we all have an opportunity to make ourselves present to the Lord so that we can lift our hearts and minds to him and lay our burdens and our wounds and also express our joys and gratitude,” said Deacon J Thomas.

Deacon Thomas is also a physician assistant at Saint Francis.

He said to commemorate one year since the shooting on campus, Bishop David Konderla of the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma will consecrate Saint Francis Health System to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

"The wounded heart of Jesus that was pierced by a lance on the cross offers us the opportunity of his burning love for us to unite our sufferings from a year ago and from all the trials and tribulations that stemmed from that and flowed from that,” said Deacon Thomas.

Lori Laub is a licensed professional counselor who was on the Saint Francis campus during the shooting and has been helping people work through the trauma.

"It was very moving to hear those stories, and I remember sitting there, crying with people,” said Laub.

Laub signed up for adoration in the chapel and said she hopes everyone leaves with a sense of unity and awareness for those still suffering.

"I know it's not over for the people who were there,” said Laub. “I know it's not over, that they will continue to struggle, maybe with nightmares or maybe with painful memories and grief."

The adoration continues until 2:45 pm on June 1. Then, there will be a private Memorial Mass at 3 p.m., followed by a procession to the Natalie Building.

These events are not open to the public but Saint Francis plans to livestream the 3 o'clock Mass on its Facebook page. You can watch here: https://www.facebook.com/SaintFrancisHealthSystem

You can learn more about the victims and dedication to the Sacred Heart of Jesus here: https://www.saintfrancis.com/in-memory/