'A Sign of Hope': New documentary reflects on Barnsdall tornado, one year later

The 8-minute film, A Sign of Hope, centers on St. Mary’s Catholic Church, which miraculously survived the EF-4 tornado that tore through the town on May 6, 2024. Though the parish hall was destroyed, the church became a central point for recovery efforts.

Deacon Harrison Garlic, Chancellor and In-House Counsel for the Diocese, recalled:

“The rest of the church was incredibly chaotic… but up there, by what we call the tabernacle, the Blessed Sacrament, there was peace.”

Faith and Resilience

The documentary features interviews with Barnsdall residents, clergy, and Catholic Charities teams who supported recovery efforts. The church not only stood physically, but it also stood spiritually as a source of hope.

“We saw a beautiful story of people enduring and coming together in their faith and helping others. That story needed to be shared,” Garlic said.

Behind the Lens

Filmmaker Manny Marquez directed the short film, completing production in just under two weeks. He says the story of St. Mary’s Church reflects the broader resilience of the Barnsdall community.

“People from all over Oklahoma came together and picked up the pieces. That is a picture of how we should live as a society,” Marquez said.

Watch the Film

The Diocese says it hopes the film inspires viewers across Oklahoma and beyond to find strength in each other during hard times. You can watch A Sign of Hope here.