Notre Dame High School alum, director answers God’s call

Tour with schools superintendent inspires Jenny Rittgers to join Religious Sisters of Mercy Jenny Rittgers finally said yes. And the decision has changed her life. After a long discernment, the Notre Dame High School graduate and admissions director answered the call to consecrated religious life and in January joined the …

Diocese of Knoxville plays role in papal succession

Pope Benedict XVI’s announcement Monday that he will resign effective Feb. 28 took the world by surprise, prompting Diocese of Knoxville Bishop Richard F. Stika and Cardinal Justin Rigali, who is in residence in the diocese, to meet with East Tennessee media representatives and brief them on the pontiff’s decision. …

KISL basketball: A true underdog story

St. John Neumann School’s boys varsity basketball team claimed the 2012-13 Knoxville Independent School League tournament championship in the large school division, defeating Episcopal School of Knoxville in the championship game. The Mustangs, who finished second in the KISL regular season, were led by tournament most valuable player Joseph Fluker, …

Blue Mass recognizes public safety workers

Knoxville police officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians were on hand Feb. 8 as Bishop Richard F. Stika presided at a Blue Mass in recognition of the public safety community. A Knoxville Police Department honor guard, surrounded by Knights of Columbus, stood in place at Sacred Heart Cathedral as the …

KCHS student athletes sign scholarship papers

Ten Knoxville Catholic High School student athletes signed letters of intent Feb. 6 to continue playing sports in college. It was the first day that high school seniors can accept athletic scholarships to play at a Division I school. The 10 students signed letters allowing them to pursue academic and …

Diocese, ET Catholic unveil website changes

Diocese of Knoxville parishioners and others who turn to the diocese’s website for information about the Catholic Church in East Tennessee will notice a fresh look and a new website. The East Tennessee Catholic newspaper now has a site—www.ETCatholic.org—dedicated to the latest local, national and international news about the Church …

Principal named to diocesan schools position

Sedonna Prater, who has served as principal of Sacred Heart Cathedral School in Knoxville since 2004, has been named director of curriculum and instruction for the Diocese of Knoxville’s 10 schools. The appointment was announced Jan. 7 by Bishop Richard F. Stika and diocesan schools Superintendent Sister Mary Marta Abbott, …

Catholics join March for Life to mark Roe v. Wade’s 40th anniversary

Knoxville, Washington, D.C., events raise awareness of pro-life gains, losses from abortion It might be a history or religion lesson to many of the Diocese of Knoxville students who took part in pro-life marches and rallies in late January. But the landmark case that dealt a severe blow to the …

Sister Mary Gretchen completing UT medical residency

by Heidi Wigdahl, WBIR Channel 10 A nun’s devotion to God has led her to Knoxville. Sister Mary Gretchen Hoffman is with the Religious Sisters of Mercy (R.S.M.). “Really the intensity of His love was such that I knew I had to respond and it couldn’t just be a little. …

Sacred Heart principal named to diocesan schools post

Sedonna Prater, who has served as principal of Sacred Heart Cathedral School in Knoxville since 2004, has been named director of curriculum and instruction for the Diocese of Knoxville’s 10 schools. The appointment was announced Jan. 7 by Bishop Richard F. Stika and diocesan schools Superintendent Sister Mary Marta Abbott, …

Diocese continuing the legacy of Catholic health care in region

Bishop Stika names Sister of Mercy physician to direct new health services, St. Luke Guild ministry   Sister Mariana Koonce has been in East Tennessee only since October, but already she feels a kinship with St. Mary’s Hospital, the longtime Catholic medical facility in Knoxville that has changed hands and …