Archbishop Paul S. Coakley was born to John and Mary Coakley in Norfolk, VA in 1955.  His family later moved to Overland Park, KS.  After graduating from the University of Kansas where he completed his undergraduate studies in English and Classical Antiquities, he traveled to Europe and briefly considered a monastic vocation at the Abbey of Notre Dame de Fontgombault in France, before returning to the states and completing his seminary studies.  He was ordained as priest in 1983, after serving the Diocese of Wichita for twenty one years, he was appointed Bishop of Salina in 2004. On December 16, 2010 Bishop Coakley was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as the fourth Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, and was installed as Metropolitan Archbishop on February 11, 2011.

Archbishop Coakley has selected “Duc in Altum” as his episcopal motto (Put out into the Deep). Found in St. Luke’s gospel when Jesus, after teaching the crowds from Simon’s boat, invites the apostles to “put out into the deep” and lower their nets for a catch. (Luke 5:4). Obedient to Jesus’ command, Simon Peter and his companions cast their nets as directed, and “caught such a great number of fish their nets were at the breaking point.”  Jesus calls the Church today, as always, to “put out into the deep,” as a witness to hope, to hear, and to respond joyfully to his word with faith and confidence. It is a call to embrace the challenges and opportunities of the New Evangelization.

Jim Dodd has been a Vincentian for over a decade and has served the Society in a number of leadership roles. Jim’s involvement with St. Vincent de Paul includes volunteering weekly in the Becky and Ted Catino Choice Food Pantry at the Don and Phyllis Neyer Outreach Center in Cincinnati. In addition, he serves on a development committee and the Advisory Board for the Cincinnati District Council. He is an active member of the Christ the King Conference, and is past president of the Archdiocesan Central Council of Cincinnati. As a past member of the National Council, Jim served on several national committees.

Jim attended the Society’s leadership program, Invitation for Renewal, in December 2017; and is a member of the Board of Directors for the National Council of the United States, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and currently serves as the National Treasurer. He was recently appointed to the National Foundation’s Board of Directors.

Jim is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and is a retired senior vice president of Fifth Third Bank. Jim has extensive nonprofit experience, having served on the Boards of the University of Tulsa, Tulsa Opera, Philbrook Museum of Art, and Holland Hall School. Additional Board service, while in Evansville, Indiana for 11 years, included the Evansville Museum and the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra. Jim is married to Elizabeth and has three sons and six grandchildren.

Maria Ruiz Scaperlanda is a Christian writer and journalist. She was born in Pinar del Rio, Cuba, and grew up in Puerto Rico. She has an M.A. in English from the University of Oklahoma and a Bachelors in Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin. A freelance writer since 1981, she is the author of several books, including ‘The Shepherd who didn’t run: Father Stanley Rother, Martyr from Oklahoma’ and has been published regularly in numerous national and regional periodicals and newspapers, including The New York Times, Catholic Digest, U.S. Catholic, Our Sunday Visitor, The Oklahoman, 'Columbia," 'St. Anthony Messenger and The Lutheran. She and her husband Michael live in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They have four adult children. She blogs at Day by Day with María.

Special Dance Presentation by the Matachines Dancers

Los Matachines is both a dance and a symbolic reenactment of various aspects of both the medieval Hispanic culture and the indigenous tribes. The costumes worn by many of the dancers borrows elements of Moorish influence. Recall that the Moors dominated the Iberian peninsula until the end of the fifteenth century. This influence is most prominently seen in the tall, ornate headdresses worn with silk scarfs which cover the mouth and lower face and elaborately fringed scarves worn on the top of the head which cover the eyes. Many costumes have rattles, leggings, and sometimes loincloths borrowed from the Tewa. They dance with religious symbolism which reflects elements of both the Christian and indigenous religious beliefs. The dances are now done to mark Holy Days and festivities.

(Once you click Submit, you will receive a confirmation for your registration.  The system will immediately forward you to the hotel link to book your guest room.  If you do not see a confirmation in your email, please check your SPAM folder)