Update on the Emergency at Holy Family Cathedral

To the People in the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma, 

Holy Family Cathedral School is committed to the safety and well-being of your children. Yesterday, our parish and school community was targeted by an individual who intended to spread fear and harm.
 
At approximately 4:00 pm, a man carrying an ice chest approached the front of the Cathedral and attempted to enter. Finding the doors locked, he proceeded down the alley between the school and the Cathedral.
 
During this time, students were on the front steps of the Cathedral taking school pictures. We express our gratitude and appreciation for the faculty and staff who reacted quickly and immediately moved the students inside the school. The whole school was immediately placed on lockdown and remained so until cleared by local law enforcement.
 
It appears that the individual lit an object on fire and threw it into the side of the Cathedral causing damage to some south-facing windows.
 
We also want to express our sincere admiration for our front desk attendant, Rod Notzon, who confronted the individual and suffered lacerations on his hands after the individual attacked him with what appeared to be a sword. Rod has been treated at Saint Francis Health System, is in stable condition, and currently recovering. The individual never approached nor made his way into the school. At approximately 5:30 pm, the person in question was arrested.
 
These situations are unsettling and invite us to healing and reflection. On Friday, we will offer a Mass for Rod's healing at 9 am followed by a Eucharistic Procession around the property's parameter. In addition, priests, deacons, and counselors will be available after Mass until 11:30 am. We invite the community to come, pray, and heal with us.
 
I am extremely grateful to our faculty, staff, parish and school administrators for their fast and prudent action to keep everyone safe. I also want to extend my gratitude to the quick response and leadership of our local law enforcement.
 
May we commend Rod and our school to the Divine Mercy of Jesus Christ.

Very Rev. Gary D. Kastl

Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma
Vicar General 
Holy Family Cathedral and Classical School
Rector