Religious order first began serving Tennessee in 1866, East Tennessee in 1896 providing education, health care By Dan McWilliams Whether it’s through educating young people, ministering in parishes, or simply praying with a hospital patient, the Sisters of Mercy have a long and deep legacy in East Tennessee. The Sisters …
The tradition of sacred music: ‘Holy, beautiful, and universal’
By Dan McWilliams A “treasure of inestimable value” is found in some East Tennessee Catholic parishes that carry on the sacred music tradition of the Church. Gregorian chant and polyphony, or multiple-part vocal music in which each part is an independent melody, can be heard during Mass at the Basilica of …
‘Served faithfully this diocese’
Bishop Stika, St. Joseph the Worker parishioners bid Father P.J. McGinnity farewell as he returns to native Ireland By Dan McWilliams Many people came from far and wide, wherever Father P.J. McGinnity had served, to honor the Ireland-born priest upon his retirement from the Diocese of Knoxville and his return …
KCHS wins state titles in boys track, girls doubles
Knoxville Catholic High School continued its strong spring-sports effort with two more state championships as the Irish won in girls doubles tennis and boys track and field. The Allen sisters, Sara and Erin, swept their way to the Class A-AA doubles championship. In track, the KCHS boys team won the …
Smith & Smith Football Camp draws 300 to KCHS
NFL’ers Harrison Smith and Lee Smith lead camp that offers two days of instruction in gridiron fundamentals By Dan McWilliams The chance to be taught football skills by two NFL players was too much to pass up for 300 Knoxville-area youth July 7-8. The Smith & Smith Football Camp drew …
‘I have called you’
Bishop Stika ordains 23 men as permanent deacons on ‘historic’ day for the Diocese of Knoxville By Dan McWilliams Every once in a while, a truly special event occurs in the history of a diocese. On June 11, just such an event took place for the Diocese of Knoxville, as …
Diocesan couples married longest share the secrets to their success
Response to Office of Marriage Preparation and Enrichment program was better than expected By Dan McWilliams When Marian Christiana recently set out to find the longest-married couples in each parish of the diocese, she discovered a wealth of advice to newlyweds from husbands and wives who were celebrating anniversaries of …
St. Francis of Assisi members right at ‘Home’ in new worship space
Fairfield Glade parish hosts Bishop Stika for blessing of renovated sanctuary and consecration By Dan McWilliams St. Francis of Assisi-Fairfield Glade parishioners looked around at their 1991-built worship space and said, “It’s time for a change.” Bishop Richard F. Stika on May 8 consecrated the new altar, ambo, and tabernacle at …
Seminarian Christopher Floersh ordained into transitional diaconate
Path to priesthood influenced by Msgr. Garrity, who aided priest-to-be at a traffic accident more than 20 years ago By Dan McWilliams Christopher Floersh received a special birthday present May 14 at his home church of St. John Neumann in Farragut: he was ordained into the transitional diaconate for the …
Hispanic parents graduate from Opening Doors program
All Saints Church hosts 10-week parenting class By Dan McWilliams More than a dozen Hispanic parents graduated May 5 from the 10-week Abriendo Puertas (“Opening Doors”) parenting program held at All Saints Church in Knoxville. The “Abriendo Puertas” project is a collaboration of the Office of Hispanic Ministry of the Diocese …
SMLF grants help fund computers for St. Mary School
Chromebooks for elementary students in Oak Ridge, new PA system to improve education programs By Dan McWilliams St. Mary School in Oak Ridge held a celebration May 4 to recognize the St. Mary’s Legacy Foundation of East Tennessee for its two grants totaling $40,965, which helped the school provide Google Chromebook …
Completing their mission: St. Michael the Archangel community working to fulfill dream of becoming parish
By Dan McWilliams God has performed many marvelous deeds for St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Mission in Erwin, and the story is not finished yet. The Unicoi County mission has now outgrown a second location, as it looks forward to the construction of a multipurpose building on its 12½-acre plot …