Understanding the sacraments: Pope Francis on the sacrament of penance

Priests must remember that in the confessional it is Christ who listens, forgives By Father Randy Stice In a recent message for National Liturgical Week in Italy, Pope Francis wrote that “all the liturgy is a place where mercy is encountered and welcomed in order to be given; a place …

Once upon a time: Basking in the graces of the Risen Lord

God has blessed our diocese with men and women who are committed to spreading the faith By Monsignor Xavier Mankel As the Diocese of Knoxville celebrates its 28th anniversary, we ask ourselves where did all this come from. The term “created” is used in a broad sense. The Diocese of …

Marriage Enrichment: Mornings spent reflecting on mercy

Parishioners urged to explore one of God’s greatest gifts with Monsignor Humbrecht By Marian Christiana On Sept. 10, Monsignor Al Humbrecht partnered with the diocesan Office of Marriage Preparation and Enrichment to offer the first of four Mornings of Reflection on Mercy. As one of about 1,000 missionary priests of …

Living the readings: The end of the road

Christ’s journey that we have been taught is our journey as well By Father Joseph Brando Way back on June 26, the Gospel for the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time was taken from Luke 9:51-62. “When the days for Jesus’ being taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey …

The East Tennessee Catholic wins national award for WMOF coverage

Newspaper cited by Catholic Press Association judges By The East Tennessee Catholic The East Tennessee Catholic, which has been providing news and information about the Diocese of Knoxville since 1991, was recognized by the Catholic Press Association for its coverage of the World Meeting of Families and Pope Francis’ first …

Deans named for Five Rivers, Cumberland Mountain deaneries

By The East Tennessee Catholic Father Michael Cummins, pastor at St. Dominic Parish in Kingsport, and Father Doug Owens, pastor at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Lenoir City, have been appointed by Bishop Richard F. Stika to serve as deans in the Diocese of Knoxville. Father Cummins will lead …

Year of Mercy sets theme for diocesan Ministries Day

More than 250 parish leaders take part in ministry leadership workshops at All Saints Church By The East Tennessee Catholic The Diocese of Knoxville’s Ministries Day, now in its sixth year, attracted 256 participants Aug. 20 to All Saints Parish, where parish leaders throughout the diocese gathered to strengthen their …

He dwells among us: Deliver us from evil

The Church, as guardian of the truth, help us discern between good and evil By Bishop Richard F. Stika “Begone, Satan!” These were the last words spoken by the French priest Father Jacques Hamel as two ISIS terrorists attacked him while he celebrated Mass in his parish church in July. …

Praying for perspective: Do you say the Our Father or really pray it?

By George Valadie It was a Sunday morning not all that long ago, though I can’t recall which one. I remember it because of the Gospel that day, you know the one where Our Lord taught his apostles how to pray using the words that we now know as the Lord’s …

All Saints group takes part in Catholic Heart Workscamp

Youths and adults from All Saints Parish in Knoxville participated in a Catholic Heart Workcamp in Ashland, Mt., July 11-16. The 34 campers joined 330 others from 14 parishes from nine different states for a week of service and ministry. Participants completed community service projects on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation …

East Tennessee missionaries join FOCUS ministry’s campus outreach

The Fellowship of Catholic University Students, a national organization of Catholic missionaries that evangelizes to students on college campuses across the country, has again reached into the Diocese of Knoxville for assistance. Megan Ferowich, a Knoxville Catholic High School graduate who just completed studies at the University of Notre Dame, …