By Dan McWilliams The fire at the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris on April 15 had reverberations around the Christian world, and some of them touched the Diocese of Knoxville. Bishop Richard F. Stika held a press conference the day after the fire and fielded several questions from local …
He dwells among us: A life-changing consecration
Jesus knocks on the door of our heart and longs to enter our house, where Mary needs to be By Bishop Richard F. Stika “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.” –Matthew 1:20 The words spoken by the angel of the …
FOCUS on Sex Week: Theology of the Body is the alternative
By Bill Brewer St. John Paul II was either ecstatic or mortified by being a part of Sex Week at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville (UT). Maybe both. The Holy Father’s renowned work, Theology of the Body, was on full display April 2 as a young disciple studying for her Ph.D. …
‘It’s about church’
Chrism Mass brings together East Tennessee faithful By Dan McWilliams The 2019 Chrism Mass, No. 11 for Bishop Richard F. Stika, was a celebration of priestly fidelity, of the blessing of the oils used throughout the Church year, and of new and ongoing vocations to the priesthood and religious life. …
Sacred Vows
The trend line is shifting as the Church shines a light on marriage and family By Bill Brewer Photography by Stephanie Richer Marriage matters. How can we tell in this day and time, when a quarter to half of all marriages end in divorce, younger single people are waiting longer …
Praying for perspective: Thanking God that we’re not Him
He welcomes us all at Easter, which is why you get there early and squeeze toward the middle By George Valadie Sure enough, it happened again. Seems to be the same every year. And I’ve been wanting to get it off my chest. But first, let me just say I …
He dwells among us: The place of our identity
Christ must have his proper place in the sanctuary of our temple — in our heart’s center by Bishop Richard F. Stika Today, I must stay at your house. — Luke 19:5 These beautiful words of Jesus to Zacchaeus the tax collector are words that He repeats to us every …
Diocese receives Vatican OK to exhume Fr. Ryan’s remains
Servant of God’s body will be relocated to Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul as part of sainthood process By Bill Brewer The cause for sainthood for Father Patrick Ryan continues to move forward, with the Vatican giving its approval last month for the exhumation of Father Ryan’s remains and …
Fr. Jacques Philippe shares his devotion to prayer in Lenten retreat
French priest and author gives five days of reflection in diocese on cultivating a deeper relationship with God By Bill Brewer The more the prayer is simple, the better it is. That succinct lesson underscored Father Jacques Philippe’s Lenten retreat for the Diocese of Knoxville, providing spiritual sustenance for those …
Sacred Heart Parish mourns death of John T. O’Connor II
A funeral Mass for longtime Sacred Heart Cathedral parishioner and Diocese of Knoxville attorney John T. O’Connor II was celebrated Feb. 14 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Father David Boettner was the Mass celebrant, with Monsignor Bob Hofstetter, Father Arthur Torres, and Father Marcin Gladysz …
Funeral Mass celebrated for Fr. Michael Jennings
Diocese of Knoxville priest served several parishes from 1986-2013 By Dan McWilliams Father Michael Jennings, who served for many years as pastor of Blessed Sacrament in Harriman and St. Henry in Rogersville, died Friday, Jan. 25, in Rogersville. He was 76. Michael Thomas Jennings was born Nov. 3, 1942, in …
Trail Life USA program for boys is new to DOK
By Dan McWilliams There’s a new organization in the Diocese of Knoxville that falls under the Scouting umbrella. Trail Life USA now has a troop based out of the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga. Trail Life is a Christian-based program for boys, similar to the Christian-based American …
