Tennessee Right to Life recognizes women who have overcome obstacles to live their very best lives By Bill Brewer Life, in all its ages, stages, and conditions was praised on Oct. 15 when some 350 pro-life supporters gathered for the Celebrate Life Banquet sponsored by the Knox County chapter of …
Seminarians learning that priestly vocation is a bilingual one
Students spending summers between seminary terms mastering the Spanish language ahead of ordination By Bill Brewer Pase la sal y la pimienta por favor. Chances are Robbie Bauman, Joseph Austin, Andrew Crabtree, and Neil Blatchford recognized the request and passed the salt and pepper. Lunch at St. Meinrad Seminary is …
A family’s ‘beautifully tragic story’
Peppermans rely on faith as they remember the husband and father who died saving their lives By Bill Brewer The love of a close-knit family is among the strongest bonds—strong enough to withstand even the grip of a hurricane-strength rip current. Julie Pepperman is thankful for family. She wouldn’t be …
40 Days for Life returns for fall diocesan vigil
Parishioners gather for prayer, peaceful presence outside East Knox Planned Parenthood site By Bill Brewer Pro-life prayer warriors are out in force in East Tennessee, and for 40 days they will be storming heaven to intercede for the unborn and women in crisis pregnancies considering abortion. The Diocese of Knoxville …
A Knights of Columbus homecoming
Immaculate Conception Parish welcomes back Michael McCusker, new state deputy for the Knights By Bill Brewer There was a homecoming on July 26 for Michael McCusker. As the new state deputy of the Tennessee Knights of Columbus took his place at the lectern inside Immaculate Conception Church, he surveyed the …
Holy Spirit is remembering the past to build on its future
Bishop Stika joins Msgr. Humbrecht, Fr. Creson, Fr. Glennon to celebrate parish’s 20th anniversary By Bill Brewer Holy Spirit is thriving … because of the Holy Spirit. As the parish in Soddy-Daisy marked its 20th anniversary this year, Bishop Richard F. Stika joined Holy Spirit pastor Monsignor Al Humbrecht, founding …
God is all in –– are we?
The cost of discipleship is one we are all called on to cover By Bill Brewer Father Chris Michelson hopes his lesson to students active in the Diocese of Knoxville’s youth ministry didn’t fall on apathetic ears during his homily for the annual Diocesan Youth Mass on Sept. 15. His …
One Family’s Exodus
Rwandan couple giving back to East Tennessee, which welcomed them as refugees Story by Bill Brewer Photography by Stephanie Richer and Michael Patrick Drocella Mugorewera is a woman of faith. Her name even says so. She sees God in action everywhere she goes. And she sees the face of Jesus …
A Crisis with a Captial C
Rep. Chuck Fleischmann is calling for Congress and the country to solve a humanitarian crisis By Bill Brewer Rep. Chuck Fleischmann understands the U.S. immigration crisis inside the halls of Congress and out at the border crossings. He has visited on more than one occasion the U.S. border with Mexico, …
Working to keep a community together
St. Patrick Parish leader finds herself on the front line of the immigration issue in East Tennessee By Bill Brewer This is a busy time of year for Veronica Galvan. The director of religious education and adult faith formation coordinator at St. Patrick Church in Morristown has been registering families …
Dr. Sedonna Prater named superintendent of diocesan schools
Former teacher, principal, director of curriculum and instruction becomes fifth leader of 10-school system By Bill Brewer Diocese of Knoxville schools will begin the 2019-2020 academic year with a new superintendent and three new principals among its 10 schools. Dr. Sedonna Prater becomes the diocese’s fifth superintendent with her appointment …
Diocesan schools welcome new principals to begin school year
By Bill Brewer The Diocese of Knoxville Office of Catholic Schools will welcome three new principals as the 2019-20 school year gets underway. Darlene Lyons is the principal at St. Dominic School in Kingsport, succeeding Tucker Davis, who retired at the end of the 2018-19 school year. Mrs. Lyons taught …
