Bishop presents Scout awards at annual Mass

By Dan McWilliams Youth and adults were honored March 9 at the annual Bishop’s Scouting Mass and dinner at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Boy and Girl Scouts, American Heritage Girls, and Trail Life boys attended the 5 p.m. vigil Mass. “To all those involved in …

Community service is the focus of Catholic Charities dinners

Fundraisers held in Knoxville, Chattanooga to raise awareness of CCETN programs in East Tennessee By Emily Booker The annual Catholic Charities of East Tennessee dinners, held in Knoxville and Chattanooga, enhanced their content this year with additions of a silent auction, live music, and dancing. But the most substantial change …

Jake Renfree of KCHS wins indoor nationals, earns state and national honors

Knoxville Catholic High School senior Jake Renfree, days after winning state and national runner-of-the-year honors, won the New Balance Indoor  Nationals in early March with a personal-record time of 4 minutes, 6.39 seconds. Jake won the boys 1-mile run by a margin of .29 seconds over Cole Sprout of Highlands …

Thoughts and Prayers for the Faithful: Let’s truly celebrate Easter

Whatever prayers you’ve taken on for Lent, continue them for Easter as acts of thanksgiving By Bob Hunt So, how’s your Lent going? We’re in early April now, so by this time our Lenten commitments, much like our New Year’s resolutions come the first week of February, have either proven …

Incorrupt heart of St. John Vianney to be in Diocese of Knoxville

The incorrupt heart of St. John (Jean) Vianney, a major relic of the patron saint of parish priests, is coming to the Diocese of Knoxville on May 23 as part of its pilgrimage to the United States. The Knights of Columbus, who are entrusted with the relic on its national …

Marriage Enrichment: Call to Love conference spiritually uplifting

One participant says, ‘Our marriages are the fire, the warmth, and the light of God’s love in the world’ By Marian Christiana Our first Call to Love Marriage Conference was held March 23 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Sixty-four couples participated in this bilingual event. …

A gift of the fullness of the priesthood

Bishop Richard F. Stika marks a decade of his episcopate as he becomes the diocese’s longest-serving bishop By Bill Brewer In celebrating the 10th anniversary of his ordination and installation as the third bishop of Knoxville, Bishop Richard F. Stika recalled one of the first questions he was asked by …

Fourth Knights Cup Lacrosse Tournament set

By Dan McWilliams The fourth annual Knights Cup Lacrosse Tournament at Knoxville Catholic High School, set for Thursday through Saturday, April 25-27, will feature an NAIA conference final-four tournament as well as plenty of prep and youth action. “Lacrosse is the fastest-growing sport in East Tennessee and the entire country,” …

Bishop Stika welcomes catechumens, candidates home

More than 225 people will enter the Catholic Church in East Tennessee at Easter Vigil Masses By Bill Brewer History may have been made twice March 9-10 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. For the first time, the Rite of Election of Catechumens and Call to …

Instruments tell the story with Violins of Hope

Restored violins that survived the Holocaust come to Knoxville Catholic High School and are part of a special performance By Emily Booker Music is a powerful messenger that can communicate across language and culture. Sometimes, the instruments themselves can tell a story. Bishop Richard F. Stika, Knoxville Catholic High School …

Praying for perspective: A longer-than-40-day wandering in the desert

A 17-year-old student found himself ‘on a path no one should be forced to walk’ By George Valadie In the interest of full disclosure, I’ve been a whole lot better at keeping my Lenten promise this year. So much better than last year, that’s for sure. Yes, I know, whatever …

Sr. Margaret Marie Hofstetter, former president of St. Catharine College, dies

Dominican Sister of Peace Margaret Marie Hofstetter, 97, died Jan. 27 at Sansbury Care Center in St. Catharine, Ky. Sister Margaret Marie, a native of Nashville, was in her 72nd year of religious life. She ministered in teaching and educational administration, pastoral ministry, and in leadership of her community. In …