Ministry at Our Lady of Fatima serves up food and community spirit By Allison DiGennaro Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Alcoa established a Blessing Box ministry in 2022 as a way to extend a helping hand to the local community by offering free food items to those in need. …
Justice and mercy
An OLPH Lenten retreat that touched hearts and changed minds By Magdiel Argueta On the fifth Sunday of Lent, I participated in a very special retreat organized by the young adults group Tras las Huellas de Jesús (In the Footsteps of Jesus) from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in …
Sister Mary John leaves as principal in Oak Ridge
Sister Mary John Slonkosky, OP, principal of St. Mary School in Oak Ridge since fall 2021, recently told the community that she is leaving for a new assignment at the motherhouse of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation in Nashville. She will be succeeded by Sister Catherine Marie Hopkins, …
A weekend of green shirts and spiritual renewal at St. Stephen
Over the past few months, visitors to St. Stephen Parish in Chattanooga may have noticed a colorful new theme at Sunday Mass: the color green. Green polos have become a familiar sight in the pews—worn by greeters, ushers, and smiling parishioners alike. Printed boldly with the word “WELCOME,” these shirts …
Bishop announces new priest assignments
The moves affect leadership positions in the diocese and elevate many priests to pastor of their parishes The East Tennessee Catholic More than 30 priests have received appointments from Bishop Mark Beckman in an administrative move that will impact over 25 parishes in the Diocese of Knoxville. Bishop Beckman announced …
Diapers, pacifiers make way for caps, gowns
But it’s underneath where we find their aspirations and apprehensions By George Valadie Six in all was the total—at least for this year. In this new role as superintendent of our schools, I was blessed to attend six of our schools’ graduations this spring. I wanted to get to all …
The pope’s authority has a long history
His role as teacher, governor, and symbol of Christian unity dates even to Pentecost By Deacon Bob Hunt Why do we have a pope? The origins of the papacy, of course, are in the words of our Lord to St. Peter when Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say …
Pope Francis on the Mass: ‘prayer and encounter
The meeting is ‘with God through His Word and the body and blood of Jesus’ By Father Randy Stice In 2017 and 2018, Pope Francis gave a series of catecheses on the Mass.1 In this column, I want to share our late Holy Father’s insights on the Mass. Pope Francis …
Graduates put an exclamation point on high-school careers
The Diocese of Knoxville’s two high schools, Notre Dame in Chattanooga and Knoxville Catholic High School, bid congratulations and farewell to the class of 2025 last month, with commencement ceremonies held in Blaine Stadium at KCHS on May 16 and at the Chattanooga Convention Center on May 17. During the …
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Summer’s rest
Imagine when life was simpler and being together was divine By Bishop Mark Beckman Imagine a time when life was uncluttered and we rested with the Lord awhile. In our busy, fast-paced world, we all need a chance to find some genuine rest at times. Even Jesus recognized this fundamental …
10th anniversary of Laudato Si’ prompts global events
Programs to honor encyclical are planned at parishes around the Diocese of Knoxville By The East Tennessee Catholic “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” (Psalm 24:1) Catholics around the world are marking the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ groundbreaking …
Plaque at St. Mary-Gatlinburg honors Father Brando’s bequest to Legacy Clinic
St. Mary Parish in Gatlinburg placed a plaque in honor of former pastor Father Joe Brando in its family life center to recognize the late priest’s bequest of funds to the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic, whose mobile medical van now visits St. Mary monthly. “We certainly appreciate Father Brando’s leadership …
