Lady Irish seniors have parent coaches to thank

Caroline Krueger and Sydney Mains’ parents have coached their daughters for years  By Bill Brewer and Dan McWilliams Caroline Krueger and Sydney Mains, the only seniors on a Knoxville Catholic High School girls basketball team that won its second consecutive state championship this month, have their parents to thank for …

Partners in ministry

New Catholic Charities leader envisions collaboration with priests, parishes By Bill Brewer Deacon David Duhamel loves it when a plan comes together. No, he’s not invoking Hannibal Smith when leading his organization, which isn’t “The A-Team.” Deacon Duhamel is the new executive director of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee, which …

In full communion

Nearly 400 catechumens, candidates entering Catholic Church at Easter Vigil By Bill Brewer The season of Lent brings with it newness and growth, as in the hundreds of catechumens and candidates who will be entering into full communion with the Catholic Church at Easter. Many of those catechumens and candidates …

Archbishop Fabre announces reassignments of 2 priests

By Bill Brewer Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre has announced the reassignments of two priests in the Diocese of Knoxville. Father Michael Hendershott, currently the associate pastor of Holy Ghost Parish in Knoxville, will become the parochial vicar of the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga. Father Hendershott also …

Catholic historian resolves to answer… Why the Jews?

By Bill Brewer Why the Jews? It’s a question that has been asked for thousands of years and one that took on renewed significance Oct. 7 when Hamas attacked Israel, provoking Mideast fighting that continues and threatens to spread. And it’s a question that Catholic educator Brendan Murphy has resolved …

St. Ann Parish in Lancing serves its neighbors

The small Morgan County community ‘jumps at the chance’ to offer a Holiday Food Box distribution  By Bill Brewer A lot can happen in a year. And a lot did. Just ask the members of St. Ann Church in Lancing. During the 2022 Christmas holiday, parishioners in the Morgan County …

Carrying the cross is a spiritual (and school) exercise

Catholic keepsakes offer an effective way to hold the past, raise funds By Bill Brewer There is recycling. And then there is a spiritual aspect to recycling, which the Catholic Church encourages in ways such as Pope Francis’ recent encyclical and exhortation on the environment and care for our common …

‘He gave his all’

Father Ron Stone, pastor of Holy Cross Parish, dies following recent illness By Bill Brewer Father Ron Stone, pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Pigeon Forge, whose compelling conversion story was an inspiration for many people, died on Dec. 8 following a brief illness from cancer. He was 69. Archbishop …

A parish united for Ukrainians

OLPH parishioner leads church effort to make a new home for refugee family By Bill Brewer As unrest grips the Middle East and dominates the world’s attention, fighting continues to rage in Ukraine as that country’s military still battles Russia, a war that next month will enter its third year. …

Father Antony Punnackal cleared of Sevier charges

Father Antony Punnackal cleared of Sevier charges By Bill Brewer A jury in Sevier County has found Father Antony Punnackal not guilty of criminal charges brought against him last year. Father Punnackal, a priest with the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate order, was accused by a woman of two counts of …

St. Mary-Oak Ridge Knights council celebrates 75th anniversary

By Bill Brewer When the Father McRedmond Council of the Knights of Columbus was founded 75 years ago, a number of historic events framed the beginning of this faith-based Oak Ridge service organization. It was 1948, and the nation of Israel was created. Subsequently five Arab nations attacked the country. …

Columnist George Valadie pens book on perspectives

By Bill Brewer George Valadie has been writing columns for 25 years. And during that time an idea has been germinating that is just now flowering. The columnist has authored his first book, which is a compilation of his work writing for publications in the Diocese of Jackson, Miss., the …