The All Saints associate pastor was on his afternoon run in Cleveland when he spotted the flames By Bill Brewer Job No. 1 for a Catholic priest is to save souls as he celebrates the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and administers the sacraments, primarily the Eucharist. There are occasions …
Religious Sisters of Mercy’s growth spurt
Number of vocations in Alma, Mich., order on the rise, so is need for more space By Bill Brewer The Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich., continue to experience a spiritual and physical growth spurt, with more than 25 Sisters in their basic formation program. Seven novices made their …
‘It was a great day’
Ladies of Charity, Second Harvest partner for mobile food pantry By Bill Brewer The Ladies of Charity of Knoxville and Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee partnered for a mobile food pantry on Aug. 29, where scores of shopping carts full of food, including fresh vegetables and fruit, were …
‘Feeling that feeling’
Diocese of Knoxville men follow different paths on their journey to priesthood By Bill Brewer As the Diocese of Knoxville’s growth rate sets a feverish pace, studies suggest it needs to be adding priests at an equally impressive rate to keep up with the rise in Catholic population across East …
Evangelizing Sisters mark Golden Jubilee
Bishop Beckman, priests join in celebrating Mass for Sisters from across the U.S. By Bill Brewer The solemnity of the Assumption of Mary on Aug. 15 was an especially joyous day for the Missionary Congregation of the Evangelizing Sisters of Mary from Uganda. The three Evangelizing Sisters who serve in …
A fond farewell
Longtime KDCCW leader Patty Johnson honored during sendoff reception By Bill Brewer An era really has come to an end for the Knoxville Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. A farewell reception for Patty Johnson was held on July 22 as the lay organization’s longtime leader has relocated with her husband …
Meeting, exceeding the standards
Diocesan Office of Catholic Schools reorganizes as reaccreditation approaches By Bill Brewer The 2026-27 academic year and a new superintendent are ushering in a reorganization of the Diocese of Knoxville’s Office of Catholic Schools. The current year promises to be a challenging one as the schools office manages significant enrollment …
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A leap of faith
Martha Mundine settles into role as superintendent of Church schools in East Tennessee By Bill Brewer For Catholics, many decisions are based on faith. Then there are the leaps of faith that can help define a person and their vocation. Martha Mundine made such a leap earlier this year when …
Student surge
Enrollment up at Diocese of Knoxville schools amid Church growth in East Tennessee By Bill Brewer The early numbers are in, and the results reveal an exciting, healthy trend in Catholic education in East Tennessee. Student enrollment is up again at Diocese of Knoxville schools as the 2026-27 academic year …
Cathedral hosts special Mass for Venezuela
The devastating earthquakes in June impacted the family of diocesan seminarian Abrahan Da Silva By Bill Brewer A special Mass for Venezuela celebrated on July 8 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus was especially poignant for Antonio Da Silva and his wife, Yazmin Vidao, who are …
‘Drawn to it’
East Tennessean illustrates book on life, martyrdom of Servant of God Shahbaz Bhatti By Bill Brewer Jordan Holt is accustomed to his artistic creations being embraced by youth and young adults. His artwork has been appreciated at comic conventions around the country. It never occurred to him at first that …
A Mass of Thanksgiving
St. Albert the Great Parish welcomes Father Daniel Cooper’s first celebration By Bill Brewer Father Daniel Cooper’s first Mass, his Mass of Thanksgiving, attracted a large St. Albert the Great congregation to the 11 a.m. service on June 7. Concelebrating the Mass was Father Christopher Floersh, pastor of St. Albert …