How will we use the time we have left? Three important top for making the most of our moments By Bishop Richard F. Stika It doesn’t happen that often, but this year it does. We will be in Ordinary Time for the whole month of February. That’s right – Lent …
St. Mary-Oak Ridge music program excels
St. Mary School in Oak Ridge participated in the East Tennessee Vocal Association’s annual All-East Honor Choir event held on Nov. 18-19 at Maryville College and the Clayton Center for the Arts. This year’s All-East Junior High/Middle School Honor Choir was made up of more than 300 advanced seventh- and …
Praying for Perspective: Remembering the handing-out of report cards
By George Valadie You could tell we had just sent them out because the office phones were ringing incessantly. They always do on “report card” day. Technology has vastly changed how all that happens these days. Our teachers enter grades into a computer program, and magic does the rest. Parents …
He dwells among us: Awakening love
Christ provides the only answer that truly satisfies the ‘why’ of suffering By Bishop Richard F. Stika It is said that “sadness is looking at oneself,” whereas “joy is looking at God.” I must admit, though, in looking back upon this past year, with its many tragedies, from the deadly and …
Marriage enrichment: Christmas peacemakers
Advent is upon us, and no doubt we all are busy preparing to celebrate the birth of Christ with our loved ones. This Advent I would like to challenge you to join me in preparing for Christmas by becoming a peacemaker. A simple definition of peacemaker is a person who …
Deacons incardinated into Knoxville Diocese
Bishop Richard F. Stika joined deacons of the Diocese of Knoxville and their wives on Oct. 8 for a day of reflection and prayer at the Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton. Two of the deacons who currently serve our diocese were incardinated during a Mass celebrated …
Union County group honors Father Pawelk
Father Steve Pawelk, GHM, pastor of St. Teresa of Kolkata Parish in Maynardville and St. John Paul II Catholic Mission in Rutledge, has been named the 2016 Man of the Year by the Union County Business and Professional Association. Father Pawelk was honored at the group’s annual banquet Nov. 5. …
Living the readings: A Christmas change of life
Prepare for, rejoice in, and live out the holy season message By Father Joseph Brando We are approaching one of the great highlights of the year. If we can look at the entire calendar from afar, we can see Christmas and Epiphany shining out and giving us hope. In a …
Bishop Stika issues pastoral letter to address concerns of election results
Bishop Richard F. Stika has issued a pastoral letter to parishioners in the Diocese of Knoxville to address concerns following the 2016 presidential campaign and the Nov. 8 election. The letter was delivered at all 51 diocesan churches and missions during Masses on the second weekend of Advent. The presidential …
Funeral Mass held at Notre Dame for Br. Roland Driscoll
A funeral Mass was held Nov. 2 for Brother Roland Driscoll, CSC, who died Oct. 28 at Holy Cross Village in Notre Dame, Ind. He was 98. Brother Roland was born in Knoxville on Feb. 1, 1918, to Leo and Nell Brennan Driscoll. He attended Knoxville Catholic High School through …
Fr. Collins succeeds Dcn. Preske as Scouts chaplain
Father Dustin Collins, associate pastor of St. Mary Parish in Oak Ridge, has been named chaplain for Scouting for the Diocese of Knoxville. He succeeds Deacon Otto Preske, who is retiring as chaplain but continues serving as deacon at Good Shepherd Church in Newport. “We couldn’t have found a better …
Understanding the sacraments: To rise with Christ
Vatican’s Congregation for the Faith issues instructions on burial and cremation practices By Father Randy Stice In October the Congregation for the Faith issued an instruction titled To Rise with Christ (Ad resurgendum cum Christo) that reiterates the Church’s “doctrinal and pastoral reasons for the preference of the burial of …