Bishop Stika presides as diocesan priest becomes 24th pastor to lead Tri-Cities parish and school By Bill Brewer St. Mary Parish in Johnson City has a new pastor. And it’s the same priest who has been leading the parish since July 1, 2019. Bishop Richard F. Stika installed Father Dustin …
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Father Cummins: 25 years as a priest
The son of Upper East Tennessee is serving in the area he loves as pastor of St. Dominic in Kingsport By Bill Brewer Father Michael Cummins was socially distanced in 2020 in ways that had nothing to do with the coronavirus. And while it was a year indelibly marked in …
East Tennesseans’ faith comes to life
People throughout Diocese of Knoxville demonstrate their support for the sanctity of life By Bill Brewer The 2021 National March for Life in Washington, D.C., may have been canceled, but that didn’t stop East Tennessee pro-life supporters from marking the 48th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision …
God’s special carpenter
St. Joseph assists us in building our heart into a beautiful cathedral dwelling of God By Bishop Richard F. Stika “If the Lord does not build the house, in vain do its builders labor.” — Psalm 127:1 Of the many magnificent feats of construction in the history of human endeavors, …
Diocesan schools raffle sales up 27.5 percent
In its second year as a straight raffle, the fundraiser awarded $27,000 in prize money for 2020-21 By Bill Brewer Despite ongoing challenges from COVID-19, Diocese of Knoxville schools are off to a healthy start in 2021. On Jan. 12, winners of the diocesan Catholic Schools annual raffle were drawn, …
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On wings and prayers
Hope Kitchen offers spiritual nourishment as it feeds and clothes the homeless in Knoxville and perhaps beyond Story by Bill Brewer Photography by Bill Brewer and Stephanie Richer Mike and Melanie Wrinkle have come to believe in wings and prayers. The members of Holy Ghost Church rely on them when …
Rep. Dunn receives Tennessee Right to Life award
Veteran legislator, longtime Holy Ghost Parish member honored for his service to the state and pro-life movement By Bill Brewer Rep. Bill Dunn, a state legislator whose 26 years in the House helped swing Tennessee from a pro-abortion General Assembly to one that has become decidedly pro-life, received the 2020 …
St. John Neumann parishioner hailed as a first-responder hero
Officer Kyle Botica’s fast action saves man’s life, helps prevent traffic incident from being a tragedy By Bill Brewer Sometimes the road less traveled really does make all the difference. Just ask Kyle Botica. The University of Tennessee Police Department officer has been saluted as a hero for saving a …
Fellowship amid COVID-19
FOCUS missionaries at UT-Chattanooga are working to evangelize in socially distanced ways By Bill Brewer As the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga watches 2020 end just as it began, with the coronavirus pandemic wreaking havoc on students and their course work, a small group of Catholic missionaries is fervently working to keep …
Funeral Mass held for longtime priest Fr. Paul Valleroy
Mass celebrant Bishop Stika eulogizes pastor who served East Tennessee parishes for 46 years By Bill Brewer Father Paul Joseph Valleroy saw a lot of East Tennessee during the 46 years he served as a priest, first for the Diocese of Nashville and then for the Diocese of Knoxville. The …
Keeping vigil
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 …