He dwells among us: The struggle for purity

The memory of God’s love and mercy always triumphs over sin and its memory By Bishop Richard F. Stika One hundred years ago, as the horrors of the First World War were in their final weeks, an even more terrible scourge than modern warfare was beginning to ravage the globe …

First deacon ordained in new cathedral

Deacon Mark Schuster made diocesan history June 2 as the seminarian became the first man to be ordained in the new Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus By Dan McWilliams “What a great joy it is for us all to gather together with Mark and with his mom …

Giving a lift to those who need it

St. Vincent de Paul Society’s bus pass program is having an impact on community The St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. John Neumann Parish is making an impact. If you don’t believe it, just ask Knox County Judge Chuck Cerny and Knox County probation officer Jack Dennis. The Vincentian …

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Caring for the Caregivers

St. John Neumann physician turns devastating diagnosis into a lay ministry By Bill Brewer Photography by Stephanie Richer St. John Neumann Parish is embracing a unique ministry that its members hope will grow to other parishes in the Diocese of Knoxville. Given the rising need, the chance of that happening …

Diocese of Knoxville Missionaries of Mercy meet with Holy Father in Rome

Their mission is prolonged indefinitely By Bill Brewer When Pope Francis reconvened the Missionaries of Mercy in April, Monsignor Al Humbrecht, pastor of Holy Spirit Church in Soddy-Daisy, and Father Joe Reed, associate pastor of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, were among the hundreds of clergy …

Military Chaplain Corps dispenses ‘hope and optimism’

Father Brownell of St. Patrick Parish in Morristown is called to serve By Staff Sgt. Timothy Cordeiro/Tennessee Army National Guard Lt. Col. Gary Anderson, the Battalion Chaplain for the Tennessee National Guard’s 30th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, believes that the Chaplain Corps is much more important to the military than …

Father Jim Haley celebrates golden jubilee

The Paulist priest returns to Immaculate Conception Church for an anniversary Mass ‘with a deep sense of gratitude’     By Dan McWilliams The Immaculate Conception community and parishioners from around the United States and Canada all came together May 3 to wish Father Jim Haley, CSP, a happy 50th anniversary in …

Marriage Enrichment: A few tips for reducing conflict on family vacations

Meeting together before the trip and going over expectations can help ‘avoid ruffled feathers’ on the journey By Marian Christiana Summer is upon us, and many of us will be using our vacation time to visit family. My husband, Ralph, and I just returned from such a vacation. I say …

KDCCW holds annual convention at St. Stephen Church

Bishop Stika celebrates Mass for diocesan organization at Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus                     By Emily Booker Bishop Richard F. Stika celebrated Mass for the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on April 26. Concelebrants were Father Dan …

Praying for perspective: A man and wife make their final reservations

The purchase of a cemetery plot is conducted with family and friends—the future visitors to Mount Olivet—in mind By George Valadie We finally made our reservations. We’ve been talking about it for some time now. It’s not that we’re all that pumped about going. You know the sort of thing …

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Beth Parsons named manager for diocesan Office of Vocations

Beth Parsons, longtime director of youth and young adult ministry at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Alcoa, has been named office manager for the Diocese of Knoxville Office of Vocations. In her new role, Mrs. Parsons will work closely with the director of the diocese’s Office of Vocations, Father …

Priest assignments set for several Diocese of Knoxville parishes

Retirements, pastoral moves to take place at more than a dozen churches on July 1                        By Bill Brewer Bishop Richard F. Stika has announced pastoral assignments that will take effect July 1 for several Diocese of Knoxville parishes. Included in the upcoming moves are the retirements of Monsignor Patrick Garrity …