Seminarian Arthur Torres Barona ordained into diaconate

Deacon closer to priesthood as Bishop Stika leads ordination Mass at St. Mary Church in Johnson City   Arthur Torres Barona is an important step closer to the priesthood following his ordination into the transitional diaconate Dec. 1 at St. Mary Church in Johnson City. Bishop Richard F. Stika welcomed the …

Former NFL player named Knoxville Catholic’s head football coach

Knoxville Catholic High School has hired Steve Matthews, a former NFL player, as its new head football coach. Mr. Matthews was introduced to the team Dec. 21. “We are very excited to have Steve Matthews as our new coach,” said Knoxville Catholic principal Dickie Sompayrac. “Our search committee has been …

KCHS grad named to soccer All-America team

Knoxville Catholic High School graduate Tim Baker, now a freshman at Lee University, was recently named a High School All-American by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. Mr. Baker was one of only 78 players nationally recognized. The midfielder was the Gatorade State Player of the Year in 2012 …

St. Mary in Athens celebrates Our Lady of Guadalupe

St. Mary Parish in Athens celebrated Our Lady of Guadalupe in both November and December. In November the parish received an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe as part of a Knights of Columbus initative that brought three such images to parishes around the country. The image was blessed by …

KCHS shortstop signs with Middle Tennessee State

Knoxville Catholic High School shortstop Aaron Aucker has signed to play with Middle Tennessee State University. “I really liked the coaching staff and really wanted to stay in-state and close to home,” Aaron told the Knoxville News Sentinel. As a junior with the Fighting Irish, Aaron batted .452 with a …

Christmas coming to Crazy Quilt Friendship Center

OAK RIDGE — Santa is on his way to Campbell County with the help of enterprising students at St. Mary School here and about 10 sport utility vehicles. St. Mary eighth-graders created angel trees for the school and St. Mary Church, complete with ornaments bearing the ages and gender of …

Prepare for Christmas with a strong Advent

It is incumbent for Catholics to remember that Dec. 25 is a holy day, not a secular holiday          Bishop Richard F. Stika is urging the faithful to use Advent to approach this Christmas season spiritually. Bishop Stika is encouraging parishioners across the diocese to keep Christ in Christmas at this …

Divine Mercy Mission Masses near capacity in KCHS chapel

Divine Mercy Catholic Mission recently relocated from its home of nearly two decades, Immaculate Conception Church in downtown Knoxville, to the chapel at Knoxville Catholic High School. Sunday Masses for the mission that serves the diocese’s Vietnamese community are held at 9 a.m. in the chapel, although crowds may soon …

Diocesan schools plan Christmas season events

By Kara Lockmiller Throughout the Bible we are encouraged to sing praises to God and give to those in need. The children of the diocese plan to do just that this Christmas season in the many school programs and service projects being held across East Tennessee.   Knoxville Catholic High …

Father David Boettner welcomed home

The Sacred Heart Cathedral School community welcomed back cathedral rector Father David Boettner in a big way Nov. 20. At an all-school Mass, Deacon Sean Smith led a packed cathedral in a round of applause for Father Boettner, who was on a Continuing Education experience overseas from July 18 until …

Chattanooga, Knox pro-life events highlight gains in battling abortion

CHATTANOOGA—The ninth annual Celebrate Life Benefit Banquet, held by Chattanoogans for Life, this year added a co-sponsor in the Chattanooga Deanery Office of Youth Ministry. The event was held Oct. 18 at the Pier 2 banquet hall on Chattanooga’s riverfront. Guest speakers were singer-songwriter Kara Klein and former NFL and …

Catholic Foundation’s expanding role in East Tennessee

The Catholic Foundation of East Tennessee supports seminarian education and property purchases, and members heard speakers grateful to CFET on both accounts at the organization’s annual dinner Oct. 14  at Fox Den Country Club in Farragut. CFET 2012 from John Deinhart on Vimeo. Also at the dinner, the diocese’s Immaculata …