Workshop on annulment policies, procedures draws priests, deacons

Diocese of Knoxville plans to have its own marriage tribunal established within five years By Bill Brewer The Diocese of Knoxville, which relies on the Diocese of Nashville to decide East Tennessee declarations of nullity, may be establishing its own tribunal that will handle annulment cases. The Diocese of Nashville Tribunal’s …

Diocesan couples married longest share the secrets to their success

Response to Office of Marriage Preparation and Enrichment program was better than expected By Dan McWilliams When Marian Christiana recently set out to find the longest-married couples in each parish of the diocese, she discovered a wealth of advice to newlyweds from husbands and wives who were celebrating anniversaries of …

Adults from across Diocese of Knoxville assemble for confirmation

Bishop Stika celebrates special Mass for second consecutive year as more East Tennessee Catholics receive sacrament By Bill Brewer Adults from around the Diocese of Knoxville gave testament May 1 to the fact it’s never too late to receive the sacrament of confirmation. As the diocese focuses on changing the age …

St. Francis of Assisi members right at ‘Home’ in new worship space

Fairfield Glade parish hosts Bishop Stika for blessing of renovated sanctuary and consecration By Dan McWilliams St. Francis of Assisi-Fairfield Glade parishioners looked around at their 1991-built worship space and said, “It’s time for a change.” Bishop Richard F. Stika on May 8 consecrated the new altar, ambo, and tabernacle at …

Getting rite with God: New St. Augustine sanctuary dedicated

Bishop Stika consecrates altar, blesses tabernacle, baptismal font during special Mass at Signal Mountain church By Bill Brewer Even a church sanctuary sometimes needs remodeling. So when it was apparent that worship space at St. Augustine Church in Signal Mountain had fallen short of liturgical norms, parishioners took notice. And when …

Priest, religious assignments announced for diocese

Moves will affect several parishes across East Tennessee as well as diocesan ministries By Bill Brewer Bishop Richard F. Stika has announced several assignments for priests and religious servings in the Diocese of Knoxville. Father John Orr, currently associate pastor at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville, will become pastor of …

Seminarian Christopher Floersh ordained into transitional diaconate

Path to priesthood influenced by Msgr. Garrity, who aided priest-to-be at a traffic accident more than 20 years ago By Dan McWilliams Christopher Floersh received a special birthday present May 14 at his home church of St. John Neumann in Farragut: he was ordained into the transitional diaconate for the …

He dwells among us: As one who serves

What is your motto, your message to the world? By Bishop Richard F. Stika Will there be a deacon at Mass?” It’s a question that makes me smile. “Yes,” I reply, “I am one.” Many people don’t realize that once ordained a deacon, you always are a deacon, even if …

KCHS junior wins National Travel Award

Andrew Maze, a junior at Knoxville Catholic High School, has won the 2016 Junior Travel Award for his achievement on the National Spanish Examination and for his excellent skills in the Spanish language. In July, Andrew will be traveling to Spain with the other 23 winners. “This national award, valued at …

St. Mary School music program has strong year

The music program at St. Mary School in Oak Ridge had a banner year in 2015-16 as students were recognized for their talents by selection in multiple honor choirs. St. Mary students Elizabeth Brands, Sophie Sherlock, and Gabriella Wilkerson were selected to participate in the 2016 Tennessee Treble Honor Choir. The …

SJN band performs at State Concert Festival

On April 28 the concert band from St. John Neumann School in Farragut performed at the Tennessee Music Education Association (TMEA) State Concert Festival at the George and Sharon Mabry Concert Hall on the campus of Austin Peay State University in Clarksville. A total of 30 middle and high school programs …

KCHS sophomore scores perfect 36 on the ACT

Nathan Geist, a sophomore at Knoxville Catholic High School, recently earned the highest possible score of 36 on the ACT. Nationally, while the actual number of students earning the top score varies from year to year, on average, less than one-tenth of 1 percent of students who take the ACT earn …