Building Our Church

Rutledge Catholic mission preparing to move into new worship space By Bill Brewer St. John Paul II Catholic Mission in Grainger County is approaching an important milestone toward its goal of becoming a Diocese of Knoxville parish. One of the newest faith communities in the diocese is nearing completion on …

And Then There Were None speakers expose abortion industry practices

Women who worked in facilities were featured at Tennessee Right to Life annual banquet                           By Bill Brewer Guest speakers for the Tennessee Right to Life annual banquet gave rare glimpses into the inner workings of abortion facilities, describing what they said was their descent into the abortion industry and …

‘I never lost my faith’

Belief of St. John Neumann parishioner and author is strengthened by 19 cancer diagnoses By Bill Brewer Steve Dekanich probably should not be here. But by God’s grace and healing, a fierce determination, and some good doctors, the parishioner of St. John Neumann in Farragut is not only here, he …

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Diocese to begin new deacon class in 2022

Prospective candidates for permanent diaconate can attend inquiry sessions beginning in January By Bill Brewer The Diocese of Knoxville will be starting a new class of permanent deacons in 2022 and is now reaching out to Catholic men interested in joining the clergy. The diocesan Office of the Diaconate and …

St. Joseph School community mourns loss of beloved member

Alvin Ault, a gentle jokester who ‘always had a twinkle in his eye,’ killed in accident at his home near campus           By Bill Brewer The St. Joseph School community is mourning the loss of a valued member whose spirit and devotion to the school lifted students, faculty, and parents …

Diocese of Knoxville schools see enrollment increases

Double-digit rises reported at some campuses as students, faculties, parents settle into new academic year           By Bill Brewer Diocese of Knoxville schools are reporting a healthy 7.8 percent increase in enrollment as the 2021-22 academic year gets underway, which bucks a trend among some Catholic school systems that are seeing …

St. Jude School gets new leadership as longtime principal retires

By Bill Brewer The 2021-22 school year has begun with new leadership at St. Jude School in Chattanooga. Longtime principal Jamie Goodhard announced last school year her intention to retire at the end of the 2020-21 academic year. Dr. Joshua Overton has been named St. Jude’s new principal. St. Jude …

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A little store with a big purpose

The Paraclete carves out a niche to serve East Tennessee and beyond thanks to online sales       By Bill Brewer It’s not your grandmother’s Paraclete anymore. Well, it really is, and your mother’s, too, but recent changes at the longtime Catholic retailer mean it’s also your children’s, your parish’s, your …

Saying ‘yes’

Sisters in the Diocese of Knoxville profess their vows as the RSM, FSGM communities grow By Bill Brewer The Catholic community of women religious is growing by two Sisters who have connections to the Diocese of Knoxville. Sister Maria Juan Anderson professed her perpetual vows with the Religious Sisters of …

St. Joseph the Worker honored by St. Joseph the Worker

In a year dedicated to the father of Jesus, Bishop Stika confirms youth of namesake parish By Bill Brewer For 16 confirmands at St. Joseph the Worker Church in Madisonville, and scores of others at churches throughout the Diocese of Knoxville during this confirmation season, being compared to the Apostles …

Schools return this fall with new leadership

New president comes to Notre Dame; NDHS, Sacred Heart, St. Mary-Oak Ridge have new principals By Bill Brewer The search for Notre Dame High School’s new leader led the Diocese of Knoxville all the way to Chicago’s suburbs. But that two-month search proved fruitful as the diocese and Notre Dame …