Revolutionary thankfulness

St. Joseph hosts ecumenical Thanksgiving service that brings Norris community together By Bill Brewer St. Joseph Church served as host of the Norris Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service on Nov. 24 and welcomed members of Catholic and Protestant faiths to share in the Gospels, a Christian message, and fellowship as the faithful …

The gift of art

Diocese of Knoxville priests, artist Clorinda Bell present Bishop Beckman with a special painting By Bill Brewer When Bishop Mark Beckman was announced in June as the Diocese of Knoxville’s fourth shepherd, the priests of the diocese agreed that a gift from the presbyterate to its new bishop was in …

Remembering the Lord’s mercy

MAG Sisters conclude jubilee year with Masses, closing of Holy Door By Bill Brewer The year 2024 has been pivotal for the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus “Ad Gentes” (MAG), who serve in the Five Rivers and Chattanooga deaneries, as the religious order has commemorated its 75th …

Diaconal ministry clearly present in the diocese

Bishop Beckman presides as deacons renew promises, candidates move forward By Bill Brewer Diocese of Knoxville deacons present and future were the focus of an Oct. 3 Mass at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, where Bishop Mark Beckman led the Rite of Admission to Candidacy for …

Vocal students welcome new bishop

St. John Neumann’s all-school chorus has an a cappella birthday surprise By Bill Brewer Bishop Mark Beckman didn’t expect to be serenaded during his visit to St. John Neumann Church and School on Oct. 18. But serenaded he was as students who were gathered for an all-school Mass launched into …

Commemorating the faithful departed

Bishop Beckman celebrates memorial Mass at cathedral columbarium By Bill Brewer The commemoration of All Souls’ Day, which was Nov. 2, took on special meaning at churches, cemeteries, and columbaria around the Diocese of Knoxville as the faithful departed were remembered and intently prayed for on that weekend. The columbarium …

Remembering all the saints and all the souls

Masses, rosaries are said as the faithful mark the month of remembrance By Bill Brewer Diocese of Knoxville faithful ushered in the month of remembrance and thanksgiving on Nov. 1 as young students at diocesan schools adopted their favorite saints on All Saints’ Day, and churches organized rosaries on All …

Getting to know you

Bishop Beckman has visited nearly half of parishes and all 10 Catholic schools By Bill Brewer, Dan McWilliams, and Gabrielle Nolan The Cumberland County churches of St. Alphonsus and St. Francis of Assisi as well as St. Henry in Rogersville, St. Thomas the Apostle in Lenoir City, and the Basilica …

Bishop Beckman gets to know DOK students

The diocese’s shepherd visits both high schools and four elementary schools during August and September By Dan McWilliams Bishop Mark Beckman made several school visits in August and September as he traveled to Notre Dame High School, Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, and St. Jude School, all in Chattanooga, …

Sorrow and survival

Impact Plastics worker describes harrowing rescue from floodwaters as river overran Erwin plant By Bill Brewer “Don’t let go!” And with that urgent plea, Efraín Gómez Sr. convinced his co-worker to keep clinging to plastic pipes floating in the rapidly rising Nolichucky River that had swept up nearly a dozen …

Evangelization new and old

Holy Cross Parish’s faithful outreach is attracting Catholics and non-Catholics By Bill Brewer The Church in East Tennessee is larger by a dozen new Catholics who officially became members of Holy Cross Parish in Pigeon Forge on Aug. 25. Father David Mary Engo celebrated the Mass that featured the sacraments …