Youth Mass celebrates student leaders across diocese

Program recognizes teens taking part in DYMAC, other diocesan youth organizations Teens from across the Diocese of Knoxville who are emerging as youth leaders were recognized for their participation in Church-related organizations during the 2012 Diocesan Youth Mass at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville. Bishop …

Notre Dame, Knoxville Catholic high schools ranked among Top 50

Notre Dame and Knoxville Catholic have been named two of the top 50 Catholic high schools in the country, according to the 2012-13 Catholic High School Honor Roll competition announced Thursday by The Cardinal Newman Society. The Honor Roll has recognized excellence in Catholic identity, academics and civic education at …

Divine Mercy Mission’s growth plan prompts new location

Divine Mercy is a Catholic mission on the move. Since officially receiving its name and a full-time chaplain in July, the Vietnamese mission is working to establish its presence in the Diocese of Knoxville. Growth is the goal. In the three months since Father Hoan Dinh was assigned to lead …

On a mission: Father Appiah brings medical care to Ghana

Father John Appiah can add medical missionary to his resume. The associate pastor at All Saints Church has completed his third medical mission trip to Ghana and already is planning a fourth mission. Father Appiah led the most recent mission trip Aug. 5-9, where he and a medical mission team …

Diocese recognizes student leaders during Youth Mass

Teens from across the Diocese of Knoxville who are emerging as youth leaders were recognized Saturday during the 2012 Diocesan Youth Mass at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville. Bishop Richard F. Stika was celebrant at the Youth Mass, which also was attended by peers, parents, …

Papal imprint: Benedict’s teachings are leaving mark on future priests

Diocese of Knoxville seminarian experiencing the impact of Pope Benedict XVI VATICAN CITY (CNS) — With his personal charisma and energetic pastoral style, Blessed John Paul II famously inspired a generation of vocations to the priesthood — to the point that men whose discernment or formation had been decisively shaped …

Child Protection policy undergoing annual audit

All diocesan employees, volunteers must comply with guidelines, including background check The Diocese of Knoxville, which currently is going through an annual audit of its Child Protection policies and procedures, is emphasizing the need for everyone in the Church who may come in contact with minors and vulnerable adults to …

Bishop welcomes new priests, appoints staff

Bishop Richard F. Stika has announced that two priests will be joining the Diocese of Knoxville for positions in Union and Grainger counties and in Chattanooga. Father Aaron Wessman has been assigned by the Glenmary Home Missioners to assist Father Steve Pawelk in ministering to the faithful in Union and …

Ministries Day set for Oct. 20 at St. John Neumann

The Diocese of Knoxville’s Office of Christian Formation is sponsoring a Ministries Day on Oct. 20 at St. John Neumann School in Farragut. This year’s theme is “The New Evangelization: Forming Disciples of Jesus Christ.” The event is open to all who share the Catholic Faith … parents, student youth …

Deacon to lead ‘Faith and Reason’ course

Deacon Mike Gouge is no stranger to scientific theory. In fact, the Ph.D. and recent retiree from Oak Ridge National Laboratory has thrived on research about the beginnings of the universe. Now, Deacon Gouge wants to preach what he has practiced by leading an adult faith formation class called “Faith …

Catholic Charities of ET launches phone counseling center

Research showing that the effectiveness of counseling via telephone equals face-to-face counseling sessions has led Catholic Charities of East Tennessee to start a phone-based counseling service. The service, which began Aug. 1, is targeted to a large, underserved clientele, according to Sister Mary Christine Cremin, RSM, of Catholic Charities, who …

In praise of modesty: Diocesan schools update dress code

Students, faculty get revised rules on appropriate attire; all eighth-graders to wear gowns at graduation    “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a …