By Bill Brewer Diocese of Knoxville schools are feeling the impact of state-funded, school-choice scholarships, which are affecting all 10 campuses from Chattanooga to the Tri-Cities. Diocesan schools, for the first time, are participating in a program that allows families to choose where their children attend school, and this month …
School choice? Why not?
Bill Dunn works within the system to give students education freedom By Bill Brewer Bill Dunn was convinced that school choice was right for Tennessee education in the 1980s when he was a 4-H representative just out of college and working in Grainger County. What began as an idea he …
Listening to the whisper, feeling the nudge
Men’s Discernment Group contributes to Diocese of Knoxville vocations By Bill Brewer Every fourth Saturday of each month a group of men gather in the Diocese of Knoxville Chancery for fellowship and discussion about Catholicism led by Father Mark Schuster or Father Arthur Torres. While fellowship is common around the …
Restoring the old
Our Lady of Perpetual Help project is updating church by going back in history By Bill Brewer Father Arthur Torres may want to consider leading a retreat on turning challenges into opportunities through faith. He has the perfect example in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Chattanooga. The OLPH …
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A learning experience
Fr. Charters’ 50 years as a priest have been a lesson in adapting By Bill Brewer Father Tom Charters has been nominated for the Lumen Christi Award, Catholic Extension Society’s highest honor. It’s fitting recognition for a priest who has served the Catholic faith for more than 50 years. Father …
Astronaut, rocket scientists visit STAR Ex camp
Students (and parents) get hands-on experience at St. John Neumann School as they explore space By Bill Brewer The 2025 version of the STAR Ex camp did not disappoint when it came to engaging young students in the wonders of space exploration, astronomy, rocketry, telescopes, robotics, satellites, rovers, and drones. …
Centenarian Mary Harris has super faith
Alexian Village resident is oldest in state and second oldest in United States By Bill Brewer Mary Harris stands out at Alexian Village, where she is a popular resident with many well-wishers at the Signal Mountain retirement community. You could even say she stands out in Tennessee, the United States, …
‘A beautiful light in this world’
Bishop Beckman presides at memorial Mass for Pope Francis By Bill Brewer Pope Francis was remembered in memorial Masses held in churches throughout the Diocese of Knoxville in the days immediately following his April 21 death. And as parishes marked the solemn occasion, Bishop Mark Beckman was the principal celebrant …
The ministry of presence matters as Erwin is recovering
Glenmary team leading efforts to unify Unicoi By Bill Brewer As St. Michael the Archangel Parish and the town of Erwin move forward from the devastating flood wrought by Hurricane Helene last September, Father Tom Charters is preparing for yet another emotional moment. Next month, the pastor will give first …
Helene flood: A Catholic response
For this deacon, ‘Semper Fidelis’ was at the heart of CCETN disaster relief By Bill Brewer As Deacon David Duhamel of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee rushed last fall to assist the victims of historic flooding in upper East Tennessee from Hurricane Helene, he kept encountering two powerful forces. And …
The season of renewal
Bishop Beckman welcomes catechumens and candidates at Rite of Election By Bill Brewer Easter 2025 will always have particular prominence in the lives of Caroline and Logan Wright of St. Mary Parish in Johnson City. In the Jubilee Year, the Year of Hope, Mr. Wright will be among the catechumens …
Mary Catherine Willard, ‘godmother of diocese,’ dies
Catholic Day on the Hill foundress, diocesan lay leader received papal award By Bill Brewer There was a somber undertone to Catholic Day on the Hill on Feb. 26 as the annual legislative event that brings together Tennessee’s Catholic faithful to meet lawmakers and the governor in Nashville was without …