On a mission: Father Appiah brings medical care to Ghana

Father John Appiah can add medical missionary to his resume. The associate pastor at All Saints Church has completed his third medical mission trip to Ghana and already is planning a fourth mission. Father Appiah led the most recent mission trip Aug. 5-9, where he and a medical mission team …

Diocese recognizes student leaders during Youth Mass

Teens from across the Diocese of Knoxville who are emerging as youth leaders were recognized Saturday during the 2012 Diocesan Youth Mass at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville. Bishop Richard F. Stika was celebrant at the Youth Mass, which also was attended by peers, parents, …

Papal imprint: Benedict’s teachings are leaving mark on future priests

Diocese of Knoxville seminarian experiencing the impact of Pope Benedict XVI VATICAN CITY (CNS) — With his personal charisma and energetic pastoral style, Blessed John Paul II famously inspired a generation of vocations to the priesthood — to the point that men whose discernment or formation had been decisively shaped …

Catholic groups respond in Hurricane Isaac recovery

New Orleans, La. (CNA) — As Gulf Coast residents continue the recovery process following Hurricane Isaac, Catholic groups throughout the South have begun organizing disaster relief services for victims. “These people who have been affected and certainly those who have lost so much need our prayerful support,”  Archbishop Gregory M. …

Child Protection policy undergoing annual audit

All diocesan employees, volunteers must comply with guidelines, including background check The Diocese of Knoxville, which currently is going through an annual audit of its Child Protection policies and procedures, is emphasizing the need for everyone in the Church who may come in contact with minors and vulnerable adults to …

Bishop welcomes new priests, appoints staff

Bishop Richard F. Stika has announced that two priests will be joining the Diocese of Knoxville for positions in Union and Grainger counties and in Chattanooga. Father Aaron Wessman has been assigned by the Glenmary Home Missioners to assist Father Steve Pawelk in ministering to the faithful in Union and …

Ministries Day set for Oct. 20 at St. John Neumann

The Diocese of Knoxville’s Office of Christian Formation is sponsoring a Ministries Day on Oct. 20 at St. John Neumann School in Farragut. This year’s theme is “The New Evangelization: Forming Disciples of Jesus Christ.” The event is open to all who share the Catholic Faith … parents, student youth …

Knoxville abortion clinic closes doors, cites new state law

Pro-life advocates credit legislation, 38 years of prayers, vigils for ‘moment of grace’ When Lisa Morris saw a moving van outside a Knoxville abortion clinic, signaling the facility’s closure after nearly four full decades in business, she called it “almost a surreal moment.” “I just stopped. I pulled in and …

Christopher Manning ordained to diaconate

Knoxville Catholic High School grad is one step closer to priesthood Christopher Manning moved one step closer to the priesthood as Bishop Richard F. Stika ordained him to the transitional diaconate Aug. 4 at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Deacon Manning recently completed a summer Clinical Pastoral Education assignment as a chaplain …

World’s Longest Yard Sale is a Haiti mission for St. Augustine parishioners

Parishioners at St. Augustine Church in Signal Mountain aren’t letting the World’s Longest Yard Sale pass them by. They’re taking part as a way to benefit the American Haitian Foundation, a charity that originated at St. Augustine. St. Augustine members in early August set up a tent and sold the …

Deacon to lead ‘Faith and Reason’ course

Deacon Mike Gouge is no stranger to scientific theory. In fact, the Ph.D. and recent retiree from Oak Ridge National Laboratory has thrived on research about the beginnings of the universe. Now, Deacon Gouge wants to preach what he has practiced by leading an adult faith formation class called “Faith …

Parish notes: Chattanooga Deanery

St. Augustine, Signal Mountain Parishioners of St. Augustine, for the 23rd year, partnered with Signal Mountain Social Services to provide new school supplies, backpacks, and clothing vouchers for 93 needy students in elementary through high school during August. St. Catherine Labouré, Copperhill The parish will have a Catholicism Study Program …