Once upon a time: Out of step with the normal

Praying for five servicemen, their families, and the Chattanooga community By Monsignor Xavier Mankel The Chattanooga area, tucked in the southeast corner of Tennessee, is no stranger to bloodshed – dating all the way to Indian days. Granted, most of the time since the Spanish landed in Florida near the …

Living the Readings: Jesus’ words come to life

The law of God takes us from earthly life to the eternal By Father Joseph Brando August is a different kind of month liturgically. For the first time in a long time, and this year, we have five Sundays in a row in the same month that all the Sunday …

Bishop Stika issues statement on U.S. Supreme Court same-sex union ruling

Bishop Richard F. Stika issued a statement following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on June 26 calling for all states to license and recognize same-sex unions. “I am disappointed in today’s Supreme Court decision,” Bishop Stika said shortly after the court decision. “Regardless of the ruling, as Catholics and Christians, we will …

Praying for perspective: Living our vocations

Whether priests, women religious, or mom and dad By George Valadie Well, I have to say it’s been quite the summer already, and the baby hasn’t even gotten here yet. Yes, in a week or so, our middle daughter, Meg, will experience the miracle of birth yet again when she …

Once upon a time: Keep cool and remain faithful

By Monsignor Xavier Mankel Although there are some vestiges of the summers of yesteryear still around, the pace that you and I face June, July and August differs measurably from yesteryear. Refrigerated air-conditioning is partially responsible for this. No matter how hot the temperature, we work, worship and relax at …

He dwells among us: Stand beside her

In the struggle against suffering, there is one sword we should all take up By Bishop Richard F. Stika July is always a special time when I give particular thanks to God for the gifts of life, of baptism and of our country. Mom gave birth to me on the …

He dwells among us: Hope and new beginnings

Advent reminds us of what a new beginning truly is when our hope is Christ We all look forward to the new beginnings that mark life’s journey, which we hope will be filled with much good in our future and in the lives of others. And with every life disappointment …

Families often are where we first learn about God

The Catholic Church has referred to the family as the “domestic church” ever since Lumen Gentium, the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, was published during the Second Vatican Council. The term domestic church means that it is within our families that we first learn about God and the Catholic Church. …

Alex and Belen: A golf match made in heaven

Alex Notte and Belen Mozo share a passion for golf. Now, the Bearden High School student who is a member of All Saints Church and the international golf pro have something else in common—a date to remember to Bearden’s senior prom. Alex has become an overnight sensation after being featured …

Emerald Youth Foundation honors Sisters of Mercy

The 20th annual Emerald Youth breakfast that benefits the Emerald Youth Foundation and its efforts to help inner-city youth honored the Sisters of Mercy on May 3 during the event that attracted about 1,000 guests at the Knoxville Expo Center. One of the highlights of the breakfast event was to …

‘Walking with the Lord’ is a secret to marriage success

Rhoda and Bob Whitaker couldn’t have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in a more fitting way—at Mass where Bishop Richard F. Stika celebrated the marriages of parishioners of all ages. Bishop Stika presided at the Mass Feb. 9 at St. Mary Church in Athens, where couples were recognized for their …