40 Days for Life campaign kicks off with visit to St. Mary-Athens by founder Shawn Carney, Knoxville vigil By Bill Brewer As the Diocese of Knoxville joins Catholic dioceses across the country in sponsoring the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil this month, 40 Days for Life founder Shawn Carney …
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Deacon candidates another step closer to ordination
By Bill Brewer The Diocese of Knoxville’s newest class of permanent deacons has taken a key step closer to ordination as they now can serve as lectors proclaiming the Word of God. Bishop Richard F. Stika celebrated the Rite of the Institution of Lectors for the 25 candidates for the …
Inquiry begins into Fr. Ryan sainthood cause
Basilica at center of historic moment as Bishop Stika presides in opening session By Bill Brewer The cause for the beatification and canonization of Servant of God Patrick Ryan took a historic turn Sept. 28 with the opening session of an inquiry into the East Tennessee priest’s life and the …
Hicks Armor named to diocesan stewardship post
Chattanooga native and Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul deacon selected by Bishop Stika for fundraising leadership role By Bill Brewer Bishop Richard F. Stika only had to go as far as Chattanooga to find the Diocese of Knoxville’s new director overseeing diocesan-wide giving programs, including planned giving and development, …
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The Cuzco Legacy
Children of Catholic art genre carrying on the family tradition Story by Bill Brewer Photography by Stephanie Richer When Clorinda Galdos Bell presses her intricately woven paint brush against a canvas, she’s illustrating her faith for all to see. It’s her vocation, her charism, her ministry. Will it be her …
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Diocesan Tribunal of Knoxville becomes a reality
New ministry based in Chattanooga to handle annulment requests, other canon law cases By Bill Brewer The Diocese of Knoxville now has a fully functioning tribunal, a canon law ministry that will decide annulment cases and other legal matters that are within the specific purview of the Catholic Church and …
Diocese of Knoxville schools plan for safe, healthy return to classrooms
COVID-19 protocols and procedures are greeting students, faculty at all 10 East Tennessee campuses By Bill Brewer Following a summer break of hope amid uncertainty, Diocese of Knoxville schools are welcoming students and faculty back into classrooms for the start of the 2020-21 academic year. Bishop Richard F. Stika and …
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Retreating to Rogersville
Hawkins County is a welcoming host to Tennessee Knights of Columbus leaders and their strategic planning weekend By Bill Brewer Rome has an ambassador from Africa in Rogersville and Sneedville, and he is promoting the Catholic faith across the four corners of Hawkins and Hancock counties. Father Bartholomew Okere is …
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Diocese’s newest priest, a Polish missionary, incardinated during Chrism Mass
By Bill Brewer Father Marcin Gladysz took the scenic route on his way to the Diocese of Knoxville, and that route was not without its detours and brushes with danger. East Tennessee’s newest priest was incardinated into the Diocese of Knoxville on May 19 during the Chrism Mass, a fitting …
Churches reopen after 2-month virus hiatus
Parishioners across East Tennessee return to first public Masses since March; COVID rules still being observed By Bill Brewer The feast of Pentecost saw a return to normal … well, a “new normal” for the Diocese of Knoxville as Masses were open to the public for the first time in …
Chrism Mass leaves a lasting impression during ‘coronatide’
Bishop Stika presides at annual Eastertide service, with only priests, deacons, women religious celebrating By Bill Brewer It was a Chrism Mass unlike any other celebrated in the Diocese of Knoxville. Bishop Richard F. Stika presided at the annual Mass, which had to be rescheduled from its original day and …
Rising above the pandemic
Diocesan ministries continue serving despite COVID-19 and its aftereffects By Bill Brewer If hope opens doors, then Bishop Richard F. Stika is an optimistic — and joyful — spiritual doorman. As the nation and the world continue to grapple with COVID-19 and its ghastly ripples, the risen Jesus is all …