Bishop Stika celebrates annual diocesan Mass for Scouting

By Emily Booker The Knoxville Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting celebrated its annual Mass and breakfast banquet May 22 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Bishop Richard F. Stika celebrated the Mass. “We gather together with the Scouts to celebrate their commitment to the Church and …

Dominican Sisters reflect on past year in classrooms, convent

By Emily Booker It’s been one year since a novel coronavirus arrived, closing schools, introducing the concept of “social distancing,” and even suspending the public celebration of Mass. For the eight Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation in Nashville who teach in Diocese of Knoxville schools, it’s been a year …

In Mass en masse

Parishioners turn out in strong numbers to begin Lent If Ash Wednesday is any indication, parishioners in the Diocese of Knoxville are welcoming the Lenten season and their walk of faith to Easter. Parishes around the diocese reported strong, if not high, attendance at Masses on Feb. 17, the first …

Letters of Hope connect seniors to pen pals

Knoxville Catholic High School students turn COVID outreach idea into global group By Emily Booker The pandemic has kept many people apart and homebound for much of the year. For seniors it can be an incredibly lonely time as family and friends can’t visit in order to keep them safe …

Bishop Stika, Sacred Heart Cathedral featured in ‘The Chair’

Catholic media ministry, profiling U.S. cathedrals, bishops in TV series, also interviews rector Father Boettner By Emily Booker If walls could talk, what would a cathedral say? The Diocese of Knoxville recently welcomed DeSales Media Group, a Catholic media production ministry out of the Diocese of Brooklyn to find out …

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Faithful to the Mission

Sister Mariana Koonce, RSM, reflects on her time establishing St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic for the Diocese of Knoxville By Emily Booker Sister Mariana Koonce arrived in Knoxville in the fall of 2012, having recently taken her temporary vows with the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich. As she has …

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New Media’s Role in the New Evangelization

Catholic community increasingly relies on technology during the pandemic By Emily Booker Photography by Stephanie Richer “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation.’”— Matthew 16:15. When you first hear the word “evangelization,” what do you picture? Maybe a minister preaching on …

 Basilica joins list of churches adding weekly Latin Masses

Bishop supports regular extraordinary form celebrations for Chattanooga, warns against illicit Masses outside of Church Bishop Richard F. Stika, working with Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul rector Father David Carter, has authorized the addition of a traditional Latin Mass to the Basilica’s regular Sunday Mass schedule on a weekly …

Robotics team uses 3D printing to aid health workers

Special tensioners make mask-wearing more comfortable for those on the front lines of the COVID-19 battle By Emily Booker In a time of pandemic, even a small piece of plastic can be a big act of charity. The Knoxville Catholic High School robotics team, the Robotichauns, found a way to …

Diocese of Knoxville schools to reopen on August 3

Students, faculty returning to classrooms as administrators work out details for safe resumption of classes By Emily Booker Summer is just beginning, but schools in the Diocese of Knoxville already are planning for the return of students to the classroom in the fall. After a spring of at-home learning, students …

Catholic Charities of East Tennessee honors those who serve

Annual event raises funds for operations throughout the Diocese of Knoxville; Chattanooga dinner postponed         By Emily Booker It was an evening of hope and celebration at the Catholic Charities of East Tennessee’s annual “Sapphire Soiree” dinner on March 5 at Rothchild Conference Center in Knoxville. Hundreds attended for an evening …