By Bishop Richard F. Stika Imagine being a parent of five children and living with the very real expectation and fear that one of them, or worse yet, all of them, could be the targets of a ruthless and violent gang that you have no power to stop. The circumstances …
Turning crisis into care – one child at a time
By Ashley Siferd This is the story of one family. A family terrified of the all-too- real threat of rampant and out-of-control gang violence that struck too close to home. This is not fiction. This story is about the sobering reality for children who live at risk every day of …
Church of Divine Mercy holds inaugural first Communion, confirmation Mass
Bishop Richard F. Stika gave the sacrament of confirmation to nearly every Diocese of Knoxville parish during the spring. The sacrament was especially eagerly anticipated at one church, which held its first Mass of confirmation and first Holy Communion. Divine Mercy Catholic mission celebrated milestones for 21 of its youngest …
Funeral arrangements set for seminarian Jeff Emitt
Diocese of Knoxville seminarian Jeff Emitt passed away July 16 after a courageous battle against cancer. He was 61. Mr. Emitt was a longtime member of Holy Ghost Church, where he had played guitar for Sunday evening Masses. He was accepted into the seminary by Bishop Richard F. Stika in …
Three seminarians ordained into transitional diaconate
The pathway to priesthood in the Diocese of Knoxville continues to be busy as Bishop Richard F. Stika ordained three seminarians June 14 to the transitional diaconate, an important step in their religious education before priesthood. Newly ordained Deacons Jesús Guerrero-Rodríguez, Raymond Powell and Scott Russell participated in the Rite …
Church’s newest members put their faith into the diocese
A year of faith discernment for some 250 catechumens and candidates who were baptized and confirmed at Easter Vigil culminated June 7 in their official recognition by Bishop Richard F. Stika as the Diocese of Knoxville’s newest parishioners. Bishop Stika celebrated Mass and presided at the Sending of the Neophytes …
Diocese of Knoxville welcomes four new priests
The Diocese of Knoxville welcomed four new priests May 31 as Bishop Richard F. Stika celebrated an ordination Mass at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, where Fathers Colin Blatchford, Anthony Budnick, Julian Cardona and Adam Kane took their vows for the priesthood. The newly ordained priests processed …
Eucharistic flash mob gathers in Market Square
It was a unique and inspiring display of faith on Market Square in downtown Knoxville May 30 when some 50 people took part in a Eucharistic flash mob in reverent adoration of the Holy Eucharist. One by one, the Catholic faithful gradually gathered before Father Aaron Wessman and knelt as …
Diocese of Knoxville is Top 10 in U.S. for Catholic converts
Bob Armstrong has spent a lifetime looking for God. At age 82, the retired statistician and professed agnostic took a leap of faith after studying the probability of God’s existence and joined the Catholic Church at Easter Vigil. In search of evidence of God for much of his life, Mr. …
New priest assignments to impact 17 diocesan parishes
Monsignor Mankel, Father Brando retiring as churches in all four deaneries to receive new pastoral leadership New assignments for priests will have an impact on 17 Diocese of Knoxville parishes beginning July 1. Monsignor Xavier Mankel, pastor of Holy Ghost Church and a vicar general for the diocese, will retire …
Diocesan CFO named to succeed retiring Deacon David Lucheon
Diocese of Knoxville controller Shannon Hepp has been named chief financial officer, succeeding Deacon David Lucheon, who is retiring effective July 1. Mrs. Hepp was appointed by Bishop Richard F. Stika following an extensive search for Deacon Lucheon’s successor. Deacon Lucheon, who has served as diocesan CFO since July 1, …