Brother Craig Digmann is a modern-day circuit-rider for the Catholic Church By Dan McWilliams Photos by Stephanie Richer and Dan McWilliams In Hancock County, everybody knows Brother Craig Digmann. Well, it sure seems that way. Now in his fourth year of his self-described Catholic Presence Ministry in the East Tennessee …
What are the odds?
Supporting Catholic schools is a good way to close the separation gap By George Valadie They call it “six degrees of separation.” I don’t know if it’s actually true, nor do I care to spend any time testing the theory, but I like the idea. It makes me feel better …
Given up for you
God calls us to be good stewards of all creation, and it begins with being thankful By Bishop Richard F. Stika “Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord. Praise and exalt Him above all forever. …” So begins the beautiful Canticle of Daniel (3:57-88, 56) that the Church …
Father Emmanuel Callahan – The original circuit-riding priest of East Tennessee
By Dan McWilliams Photos Courtesy of Diocese of Knoxville Archives Brother Craig Digmann has a spiritual ancestor in the faith: Father Emmanuel Callahan. While the Glenmary brother brings the Church to the lost and forgotten areas of Hancock County, Father Callahan did the same for 34 counties in East Tennessee …
Seminarians learning that priestly vocation is a bilingual one
Students spending summers between seminary terms mastering the Spanish language ahead of ordination By Bill Brewer Pase la sal y la pimienta por favor. Chances are Robbie Bauman, Joseph Austin, Andrew Crabtree, and Neil Blatchford recognized the request and passed the salt and pepper. Lunch at St. Meinrad Seminary is …
A family’s ‘beautifully tragic story’
Peppermans rely on faith as they remember the husband and father who died saving their lives By Bill Brewer The love of a close-knit family is among the strongest bonds—strong enough to withstand even the grip of a hurricane-strength rip current. Julie Pepperman is thankful for family. She wouldn’t be …
St. Henry Parish celebrates two milestones
The Rogersville community marks its 55th anniversary and burns a mortgage at the same Mass By Dan McWilliams St. Henry Parish found itself with two things to celebrate July 28. The Rogersville Catholic community marked its 55th anniversary during the Sunday morning Mass, and it concluded the liturgy with a …
Mercy Sister Mary Lillian Heitzeberg dies
Sister Mary Lillian Heitzeberg, 97, who was a member of the Sisters of Mercy for 79 years and taught in Catholic schools throughout the Diocese of Nashville and Tennessee, died on July 9 at Mercy Convent in Nashville. Sister Lillian was born June 6, 1922, in Nashville, the daughter of …
Funeral Mass celebrated for Tutter McCabe, charter member of Sacred Heart parish
A funeral Mass for Elizabeth Nickerson “Tutter” McCabe, a charter member of Sacred Heart Parish, was celebrated Aug. 2 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Cathedral rector Father David Boettner celebrated the funeral Mass for Mrs. McCabe, who died July 30 with her family by her …
Fr. Mike Nolan appointed dean of Chattanooga Deanery
Bishop Richard F. Stika has appointed Father Mike Nolan, pastor of St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish in Cleveland, the dean of the Chattanooga Deanery. The appointment was effective Oct. 1. Father Nolan succeeds Father Charles Burton, pastor of St. Jude Parish in Chattanooga, who has served as dean since 2013. …
40 Days for Life returns for fall diocesan vigil
Parishioners gather for prayer, peaceful presence outside East Knox Planned Parenthood site By Bill Brewer Pro-life prayer warriors are out in force in East Tennessee, and for 40 days they will be storming heaven to intercede for the unborn and women in crisis pregnancies considering abortion. The Diocese of Knoxville …
When culture and faith embrace
Fathers of Mercy sprinkle spiritual salt on KCHS Spirit Week By Pam Rhoades The traveling missionary Fathers of Mercy visited Knoxville Catholic High School during Spirit Week 2019 and delivered a spiritual message students may never forget. The priests were invited as part of a new initiative where the KCHS …
