Lasallian Founder's Alumni Award: Concern for the Poor and Social Justice, Sheila Grant Michie

May 26, 2023

From the Bishop Kelley Class of 1971.

Few have matched the volunteering spirit of Sheila Michie. Her work for people from all walks of life has provided light to those around her as she’s served in the Diocese and beyond.


After graduating from Bishop Kelley in 1971, Sheila attended the University of Tulsa and earned a bachelor’s degree in Education. While at TU, Sheila served with the Benedictine Sisters as a reading tutor for students from Burroughs Elementary School and then worked with Sunshine Services to provide care to those who were homebound, either elderly or disabled. Sheila also worked at Children’s Medical Center with children afflicted by severe, profound disabilities, which inspired her obtain a certification in Special Education and a degree in Education. She taught at Burroughs Elementary School with Tulsa Public Schools and then returned to her education to earn her Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction and her Principal certification. She returned to education as the Assistant Principal of Burroughs and Emerson Elementary Schools and eventually Interim Principal of McClure.


After leaving Tulsa Public Schools, Sheila was inspired to begin the Women of Peace Ministry, where she led women’s retreats and became a public speaker. A new opportunity arose when she was asked to pioneer and direct a Youth Mentoring after-school program at St. Francis Xavier Church for Cleveland and Kendall Whitter school students. During that period, San Miguel School was being established, and a year later, she became the school’s religion and language arts teacher— a position she remained in for six years. She continues to be a beacon for those across the world who read her posts on her blog, Becoming Women of Peace, and through her husband’s company Empowerment Enterprise, where she and her husband, Charles, have organized and led leadership and team-building adventures and retreats with schools, churches, and other groups.


Sheila’s volunteer experience is extensive. Sheila has served on the Catholic Ministry team for the Tulsa County Jail, and as a Section Representative for the Diocese of Tulsa at the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre Southwestern United States. She is a Pentecost Today USA Council Member, and has led numerous ACTS retreats. She continues to serve as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and lector in the Diocese.


Sheila has boldly shared the word of God and allowed the Diocesan community to grow through her help in recruiting some of San Miguel’s first students, and her active involvement in too many retreats to count. Her work with the poor and vulnerable has solidified her place as a role model for all.


Lasallian Founder’s Alumni Award

Recognizing the accomplishments of Outstanding Bishop Kelley Alumni who exemplify the five core principles of the Lasallian Mission; Faith in the Presence of God, Quality Education, Concern for the Poor & Social Justice, Respect for All Persons & Inclusive Community.


If you know a deserving BK Alumni, please nominate them here:

https://www.bishopkelley.org/alumni#LasallianFoundersAlumniAwardsNominationForm

November 17, 2025
This past summer, God blessed me with the incredible opportunity to go on the Campus Ministry mission trip to Nashville, Tennessee. Going into the trip, I had no idea what to expect. When we arrived in Nashville, I was placed in a group of people I had never met before. We were all from different states, with completely different backgrounds. This was definitely a little bit outside of my comfort zone. But, from that very first day, I realized that God had put me in that group for a reason. We quickly grew close through working together and commuting on the hour drive to our work site, praying and sharing stories of faith on the drive. Our service project assignment was repairing a house for a woman named Lavern. There, we repaired and painted her shutters, front door, and porch. We cleaned her gutters, organized and got rid of unnecessary things in her shed, chopped down bushes and trees, trimmed overgrowth, and even did some drywall repair inside of her house. She was one of the kindest people I have ever met - so full of gratitude and joy, even in difficult circumstances. Every morning when we showed up to work, she greeted us with a smile and words of encouragement. Seeing her faith and positivity really opened my eyes to how powerful gratitude can be. Throughout the week, we had Mass every single morning. Starting my morning with Mass made my days full of joy and gratitude. We also had different activities at night, such as Eucharistic Adoration and confession. I had no idea how much these moments of prayer would affect me, but they did significantly. I had never truly experienced God in the way I did the evening of Adoration. Sitting in Adoration with everyone quietly singing and taking time just to be still with God was one of the most peaceful and powerful experiences I have ever had. There was also a woman who gave us a talk every evening. Her talks helped us to reflect on our faith and our purpose. Her words helped me to think more deeply about how God is present not just in the big events, like the Mission Trip, but in every single part of my life, the good and the bad, the joys and sorrows, and the wins and the losses. As the week started to end, I felt closer to God than I ever had before. And even though my air mattress deflated every single night and the showers were absolutely freezing, this trip reminded me that faith is not just something that we practice on Sundays, it is something that we live out through service, community, and love for others every single day. It showed me that when we step outside of our comfort zones and open our hearts, God meets us there and transforms us in ways that we would have never imagined. This Mission Trip did not just change the house that we worked on, it changed me. It deepened my faith, strengthened my trust in God, and helped me see how powerful it can be when we serve others with joy and humility. I would like to leave you all with one thing: At the end of the week, Lavern wrote me a letter. When I opened it, it read, “Write the vision and make it plain.” Now, if I am being honest, when I first read this, I was super confused, so I looked it up. What I found was amazing. This is a Bible Verse, Habakkuk 2:2, that means writing down your vision is a way to show God that you believe He will help you accomplish what He has called you to do. So BK, write the vision, and make it plain .
October 23, 2025
Click here for 2025-2026 Q1 A Honor Roll Click here for 2025-2026 Q1 B Honor Roll Stellar work, Comets!