Diocesan calendar

Bishop Richard F. Stika will celebrate two more bilingual Masses in celebration of marriage this fall: on Saturday, Oct. 11, at Holy Trinity Church in Jefferson City, and on Saturday, Nov. 22, at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga. Both celebrations will begin at 11 a.m. and will be followed by a luncheon. Participants are asked to register at least one week in advance to receive a commemorative certificate and a professional photo opportunity with Bishop Stika. To register, contact Marian Christiana at 423-892-2310 or mchristiana@dioknox.org, or Karen Byrne at 865-584-3307 or kbyrne@dioknox.org.

A men’s Cursillo will be held Oct. 16-19 at the Apison Retreat Center in Apison, Tenn. For more information, call Barb Lorenz at 931-788-1460 for an application and to arrange a sponsor if needed.

Course 1 of the catechetical program sponsored by the Office of Christian Formation and Aquinas College will be taught Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Chancery in Knoxville, at Notre Dame Church in Greeneville on Nov. 1, and at Holy Spirit Church in Soddy-Daisy on Nov. 8. All sessions will take place from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event is open to catechists, DREs, RCIA teams, or those interested in broadening their understanding of Church teaching. Topics covered in Course 1 include faith, dogma, the Magisterium, introduction to the sacraments, human dignity, morality, prayer, and celebrating the liturgical year. To register, visit the Diocese of Knoxville Eventbrite page, www.eventbrite.com/o/diocese-of-knoxville-office-of-christian-formation-3149767104. For more information, call Father Richard Armstrong at 865-584-3307.

The annual Ministries Day will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Twenty-four workshops will be presented on a wide variety of topics of interest to catechists, RCIA teams, youth ministers, parents, youth, and music and liturgy planners. The cost is $20 per person. Register before Oct. 11 to reserve a lunch. Registration after Oct. 11 remains $20, but no lunch will be guaranteed. Class sizes are limited, so register early. Register online at bit.ly/1m8d8BN. For more information, contact Father Richard Armstrong at 865-584-3307 or rarmstrong@dioknox.org or Chris Kite at ckite@dioknox.org.

The 11th annual Chattanoogans for Life Respect Life Banquet is scheduled for 6-9:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, at the Chattanooga River Boat Pier 2 at the Landing located at 201 Riverfront Parkway No. 2. Chet McDoniel, a nationally recognized pro-life speaker, will give the keynote address. The cost is $75 per person. For tickets, donations, and sponsorships contact Donna Jones at 423-718-4387 or djones6029@gmail.com.

Catholic Charities needs volunteers for several of their programs. The Pregnancy Help Center needs Spanish-speaking volunteers to assist with the “Earn While You Learn” program for parents-to-be, giving them the opportunity to learn about pregnancy-related concerns and parenting tips while earning needed supplies for their infants. Contact Sandi Davidson for more information at 865-776-4510 or sandi@ccetn.org.

The Children’s Emergency Shelter is also in serious need of volunteers to care for and prepare meals for the residents of the program. Fingerprinting and a background check are required to participate. Contact Jackie Fleming at 865-544-0578 or jackie@ccetn.org for more information.

Horizon House group homes for low-income adults with mental illness need individuals to prepare and serve home-cooked meals for residents of the homes. The homes also need donations of cleaning supplies, arts and crafts items, umbrellas, and gift cards for local stores and restaurants. For details, contact John at 865-253-6648 or john@ccetn.org.

The Knoxville Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting is hosting a retreat for young people involved in Scouting in grades one through 12 on Saturday, Oct. 25, at St. John Neumann Church in Farragut. Grades one through five will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and those in grades six through 12 will meet from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The $10 fee includes lunch. For more information, call Giannine Morris at 865-531-6447.

An Engaged Encounter weekend is scheduled for Oct. 17-19 at the Holiday Inn Express in Lenoir City. For more information, contact Jason or Carmen Jeansonne, weekend registration couple, at 865-377-3077 or Tom and Maggie Slankas, local coordinators, at 483-7896 or ceeknoxville@yahoo.com.

A Beginning Experience weekend is planned for Oct. 24-26 at the Carson Springs Retreat Center in Newport. Beginning Experience is geared toward those who have lost a spouse through death, divorce, or separation and who wish to heal their grief and move forward with renewed hope and acceptance. For more information, contact Beverly Short at 706-820-1753 or bbshort@comcast.net, or Marian Christiana at 423-892-2310 or mchristiana@dioknox.org. Visit www.beginningexperience.org for more information on the weekend.

Two RCIA conferences remain for those who participate in faith-formation activities with catechumens and candidates in the Diocese of Knoxville. The first is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 8, at St. Mary Church in Johnson City, and the second is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015, at Immaculate Conception Church in Knoxville. Both sessions meet 9 a.m.-to 3:30 p.m. Registration forms are available online at dioknox.org/offices-ministries/christian-formation/. For more information, contact Sister Mary Timothea Elliott, RSM, at 865-584-3307 or Chris Kite at ckite@dioknox.org.

The next Picture of Love engaged couples retreat is scheduled for 7-10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at St. Jude Church in Chattanooga. The retreat is to supplement couples’ marriage formation process with their parish priests. The cost is $135 per couple, which includes a certificate good for $60 off a marriage license. Couples must attend the entire program to receive the certificate. Mass will be celebrated during the event. For more information, contact Marian Christiana at 423-892-2310 or mchristiana@dioknox.org.

Father Dan Whitman will celebrate a charismatic Mass at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, at Holy Spirit Church in Soddy-Daisy. Singers and instrumentalists who would like to participate should arrive at 4:30. Prayers for healing will follow Mass. For more information, contact Dee Leigh at 423-842-2305 or deeleigh@comcast.net.

Knoxville Catholic High School is hosting an open house for prospective families at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, in the gym. A placement test is also scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 6, in the KCHS administration building. To set up a tour of the school or to obtain further information, contact Nichole Pfohl, dean of admissions, at 865-560-0502 or npfohl@knoxvillecatholic.com.

The 2014 Diocesan Youth Conference, “Contagious Catholicism,” will take place Nov. 22-23 at Holy Trinity Church in Jefferson City. The event will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22, and end at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 23. Activities planned for the weekend include games, service projects for Children’s Hospital of East Tennessee, making flowerpots for the elderly, writing letters to military personnel, and eucharistic adoration, and there will be a closing Mass. The guest speaker will be Tony Melendez, a nationally known speaker and recording artist. The cost is $85 per person, which includes one night at a hotel. For more information, call Deacon Jim Fage at 423-748-2836.

Monsignor Al Humbrecht and Father William Oruko, AJ, will be the spiritual directors of a pilgrimage to the Holy Land scheduled for Feb. 15-28, 2015. The itinerary includes stops at religious sites in and around Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, and Mount Carmel. The cost of the pilgrimage is $3,708 payable by credit card, or $3,499 if paid by cash or check. The price includes economy-class airfare from Atlanta, plus meals, fuel surcharges, taxes, and tips. The registration fee is $400. Contact Sister Albertine Paulus, RSM, for registration information at 865-207-4742 or smaevang@yahoo.com. To request a brochure, visit www.gocatholictravel.com/brochure/paulus-2015-brochure.

Mass in the extraordinary form (“traditional Latin”) is celebrated at 1:30 p.m. each Sunday at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville; at 3 p.m. on first and third Sundays at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church in Cleveland; at 3 p.m. on second and fourth Sundays at St. Joseph the Worker Church in Madisonville; at 11 a.m. on most Sundays at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Townsend; and at 3 p.m. on the first and third Sundays at St. Mary Church in Johnson City. Visit www.knoxlatinmass.net for updated information.

The St. Thomas the Apostle Eastern (Byzantine) Catholic Mission has moved to 2304 Ault Road, Knoxville, TN 37914. Divine Liturgy times remain the same. All services are in English. Call Father Richard Armstrong at 865-584-3307 or visit http://www.hrbcc.org for details.

Holy Resurrection Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic Mission has Divine Liturgy celebrations at 9:30 a.m. Sundays at the old Holy Ghost Church, 1031 N. Central St. in Knoxville. For times of holy-day services or for more information, visit www.knoxbyz.org or call Father Thomas O’Connell at 865-256-4880.