By Bill Brewer In the 15 years since Sister Mary Jolita Hughes passed away, family and friends of the Religious Sister of Mercy, as well as supporters of St. Joseph School, have been keeping her memory alive through the Sister Jolita Supper and Sing-Along fundraiser. Now, as the fundraiser for …
Ladies of Charity grant from SMLF leads to freezer for critical food storage
By Bill Brewer If they come, you will build it. Susan Unbehaun and the team of employees and volunteers at the Ladies of Charity in Knoxville have put their own twist on the movie Field of Dreams and its memorable line, “If you build it, they will come.” Mrs. Unbehaun, …
Mercy & Mary Lenten Retreat: ‘God is giving us this time of mercy’
Bishop Stika, Father Michael Gaitley lead two-day event for hundreds from the diocese and beyond By Bill Brewer God spoke to Susan Akers, Laura Jones and Jenni Preuett on the feast of St. Joseph. They hoped He could, but they weren’t sure He would. The message they heard, however, …
Pilgrimage to Shroud of Turin stokes teacher’s scientific fire
By Bill Brewer Looking around Dr. Kelly Kearse’s classroom at Knoxville Catholic High School, you can almost hear the big bang when faith and science collide. There are the chemical equations on the white board waiting to be balanced. There is the periodic table of elements on the wall. And …
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Missionary Spirit: Evangelizing Sisters of Mary share their African-influenced ministry with East Tennessee
By Bill Brewer Pope Francis’ 2015 trip to Africa held special meaning for five women religious serving in the Diocese of Knoxville. As the pontiff traveled to Kenya, Uganda and the Central African Republic Nov. 25-30, celebrating Mass, ministering to the poor, meeting with government leaders and blessing all those …
Sharing the bread of life
By Bill Brewer If she had lived in the 1700s, Marie Noe’s vocation may have been town crier. As a modern-day resident of Claiborne County, Mrs. Noe wants the public to know that people are going hungry here. Hunger is no game in this Appalachian county, where residents living paycheck to …
Our Lady of Fatima Parish hosts Blount County celebration of life
Ecumenical service held as nation prepared to mark the 43rd anniversary of landmark Roe v. Wade decision By Bill Brewer Pro-life supporters from Blount County gathered at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Alcoa Jan. 12 for a celebration of life and remembrance service as the nation prepared to mark …
Confession of a diocesan priest
Sacrament of reconciliation will lift your burdens and is no longer something to be dreaded; everyone welcome By Bill Brewer As the Catholic Church enters the season of Lent on Feb. 10, priests in the Diocese of Knoxville are encouraging parishioners to follow Pope Francis’ lead in this special Year …
A Legacy of Healing
Patients, volunteers in growing numbers are drawn to the mercy of a mobile clinic By Bill Brewer Reimbursements for medical care given by the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic come in various forms when the mobile doctor’s office makes its rounds treating East Tennessee patients. “Thank you,” “I appreciate what you …
Veterans Day 2015 has special meaning at Our Lady of Fatima
Parish becomes first in diocese to have a Catholic War Veterans of the United States of America post By Bill Brewer Veterans Day hit a little closer to home this year at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Alcoa. OLOF will be the first parish in the Diocese of Knoxville …
Workshop teaches biblical justice in addressing community issues
Diocese of Knoxville parishioners join members of other local congregations at faith-based meeting By Bill Brewer Predatory lending, poverty, joblessness and lack of access to insurance were among the topics addressed Oct. 31 at a social justice workshop for Knox County churches attended by members of several Diocese of …
St. Mary Parish in Oak Ridge leads Community Matters public forums
Father Brent Shelton joins pastors at neighboring churches in hosting town hall meetings aimed at bringing city together By Bill Brewer Black lives matter. Young lives matter. Police lives matter. All lives matter. As those mantras reached a crescendo around the country in recent months, the city of Oak Ridge …