Catholic Foundation of East Tennessee highlights key growth The East Tennessee Catholic Good works occurring in the Diocese of Knoxville were on display last fall as members and special guests were invited to join Bishop Mark Beckman for an evening in celebration of the Catholic Foundation of East Tennessee (CFET). …
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New beginnings
Take time to reflect on Jesus’ words: You are the light of the world! By Bishop Mark Beckman As we enter 2026 in this time of a new year, my mind goes back to the humble beginnings of Jesus’ own ministry in Galilee. I will never forget the first time …
Chattanooga panel votes in favor of basilica
Planning Commission denies request for high-rise adjacent to historic church The East Tennessee Catholic A proposed high-rise development that would be built immediately behind the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul was denied by the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission on Jan. 12 amid strong opposition by the basilica community …
2025 #iGive Catholic is another success
Money raised will benefit Diocese of Knoxville parishes, schools, ministries The East Tennessee Catholic Celebrated annually on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, #iGiveCatholic is the U.S. Catholic Church’s giving day that kicks off the charitable season and joins the Catholic community in giving thanks and giving …
‘Devotion to Our Lady strengthens our call’
Holy Cross community unites to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe in celebration By Maggie Parsons Joy in a celebration of tradition brought together the community of faith at Holy Cross Parish in Pigeon Forge on Dec, 12, for its annual Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration. The celebration at Holy Cross …
Cousins—teammates at KCHS—sign with universities
Tyreek King goes to Tennessee football and Chaz Smith to Notre Dame at National Signing Day on Dec. 3 The East Tennessee Catholic Two four-star football recruits from Knoxville Catholic High School—who happen to be cousins—signed with major-college programs in December, each having committed to the teams in 2024. Tyreek …
Knoxville Catholic, NDHS runners place at state meet
The East Tennessee Catholic Long-distance runners from Knoxville Catholic High School and Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga placed at the TSSAA cross country state championships held at Shelby Farms Park in Memphis Nov. 6-7. The KCHS girls team finished second overall in the Division II-AA meet, and three Lady …
One Heart Colombia Mission turns 20
The East Tennessee Catholic The One Heart Colombia Mission on Oct. 19 celebrated 20 years of mission work to benefit the people of Marsella in the South American nation. The celebration was hosted by St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish in Cleveland. St. Thérèse is the home site where the mission …
The five offices of the Liturgy of the Hours
The Divine Office ‘is an excellent preparation for the celebration of the Eucharist itself’ By Father Randy Stice Jesus prayed throughout His public ministry, from His baptism to His anguished cry to the Father on the cross. He frequently exhorted His disciples to pray, to seek, and to ask, and …
John DeBakker
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our brother, uncle, and friend, John Charles DeBakker. He passed away on Nov. 3 while visiting his brother, Bob, in West Linn, Ore. He was commonly known as “Johnny” or “Coach” and left an unforgettable mark on all those …
Kathryn D. Kuerschen
Mary Kathryn Dohoney Kuerschen has taken her boundless energy and love to heaven, where she will undoubtedly become the new activities director. Mrs. Kuerschen was born on July 20, 1967, in Knoxville. She succumbed to glioblastoma on Nov. 6 after a valiant battle that lasted over 18 months. Mrs. Kuerschen …
The mystery of Christmas
Holy Family’s exile points to people today fleeing from violence, poverty who also find that there is ‘no room in the inn’ By Bishop Mark Beckman Of all the feasts celebrated by Christians, it seems Christmas has most captured the imagination of Western civilization. In recent centuries our world has …