A study of the cynical Book of Qoheleth

Also known as Ecclesiastes, the book is among the wisdom books of the Old Testament By Bob Hunt I’ve been reading the Book of Qoheleth, also known as Ecclesiastes, attributed to Solomon because of the opening line, “The words of David’s son, Qoheleth, king in Jerusalem” (Ecclesiastes 1:1). It is …

Trip to Honduras ‘leaves a lot of emotional bridges’

A daughter’s mission trip to a foreign country brings home the same lessons as her father once brought home By George Valadie I’ve lost track, but I know it’s been well over 20 summers since I had the opportunity to visit Saltillo, Mexico. Though “visit” might not be the best …

CCETN’s Paul Ritter trains to be stronger leader

By Emily Booker Catholic Charities is rooted in love, but it can take a lot of business savvy to coordinate nine different programs helping thousands of clients all over the region. So when Paul Ritter, director of programs for Catholic Charities of East Tennessee, had the opportunity to further develop …

All Saints Parish participates in Enthronement

‘It’s just taking the love you already have for Jesus in your heart and going one step further . . .’ By Emily Booker Jesus is King! All Saints Parish in Knoxville made a public proclamation of this truth June 30 as the parish participated in the Enthronement to the …

Father Moser marks silver jubilee in priesthood

Friends and family from far and wide join the 25-year priest at St. Catherine Labouré in Copperhill By Dan McWilliams Family was on Father Tom Moser’s mind June 30 as he celebrated his 25th anniversary as a priest during a Mass at St. Catherine Labouré Church in Copperhill. In the …

An explosion of grace

Communal wedding Mass at Holy Ghost Church unites 14 Latino couples in holy matrimony                     From staff reports Gifts of the Holy Spirit were the ultimate wedding gifts for 14 Diocese of Knoxville couples who exchanged vows at Holy Ghost Church on June 15 in a ceremony to celebrate their …

Dr. Sedonna Prater named superintendent of diocesan schools

Former teacher, principal, director of curriculum and instruction becomes fifth leader of 10-school system By Bill Brewer Diocese of Knoxville schools will begin the 2019-2020 academic year with a new superintendent and three new principals among its 10 schools. Dr. Sedonna Prater becomes the diocese’s fifth superintendent with her appointment …

Doing something for the greater good

St. Thérèse of Lisieux parishioner said ‘yes’ to God and organized Cleveland’s RAM clinic By Janice Fritz-Ryken One night in 2004, Terry Peters was in a car heading back to her Cleveland home with friends after spending a weekend volunteering at her first Remote Area Medical (RAM) event in Knoxville …

Diocesan schools welcome new principals to begin school year

By Bill Brewer The Diocese of Knoxville Office of Catholic Schools will welcome three new principals as the 2019-20 school year gets underway. Darlene Lyons is the principal at St. Dominic School in Kingsport, succeeding Tucker Davis, who retired at the end of the 2018-19 school year. Mrs. Lyons taught …

Bishop Stika becomes Diocese of Knoxville’s longest-serving bishop

By Jim Wogan It turns out that July 2019 was a memorable month for Bishop Richard F. Stika. Three days before he celebrated his 62nd birthday on July 4, Bishop Stika reached another significant milestone. On July 1, he became the longest-serving bishop in the history of the Diocese of …

 Pro-life East Tennesseans to mark 40 Days for Life in September

Prayer vigil returning to diocese after two-year hiatus; volunteer groups and individuals asked to take part            By Bill Brewer After a two-year absence, 40 Days for Life is returning to the Diocese of Knoxville in September. The announcement was made by Paul Simoneau and Lisa Morris, who coordinate pro-life …

St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic names executive director for operations

By Bill Brewer St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic has named a public health scholar to be its next executive director, who will work with founder and medical director Sister Mariana Koonce, RSM, to continue delivering free medical care to rural East Tennessee. Brandy Fuesting, who will receive her doctorate in public …