Best College Reviews, an independent college review journal that provides information on schools, ranks the Diocese of Knoxville’s St. John XXIII University Parish and Catholic Center as the 14th best Newman Center in the United States. A Pew Research study found that Christianity makes up 70 percent of the total …
He dwells among us: He must increase
May we always give both the gifts of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and our hearts to others By Bishop Richard F. Stika Our Lenten pilgrimage begins early this year, before St. Valentine’s day, so if you’re giving up candy or chocolate, you might be challenged when the heart-shaped boxes …
Praying for perspective: Searching for that inner piece making us more Scrooge-like
By George Valadie Consider just for a minute — when did you first notice it had happened to you? I’m not sure it hit me at any one particular moment. It was more like a collection of moments. Each a sad one, now that I think about it. First, there …
SMLF grants total $720,000 for 2016
The St. Mary’s Legacy Foundation and Bishop Richard F. Stika have announced grant distributions for 2016 totaling $720,000 for local charities and nonprofit organizations serving Catholics and non-Catholics across East Tennessee. Since its creation in 2011, the St. Mary’s Legacy Foundation has now provided more than $3 million to benefit …
Once upon a time: Seeking the passage to salvation
By Monsignor Xavier Mankel Doors. We so often take them for granted. Cellar doors protected crops stored for the winter, or Christmas presents, or family stills during Prohibition days. Basements store furnaces, air-conditioning units, and family treasures. The doors to our houses offer safe passage to those who enter invited …
He dwells among us: The eyes of mercy
What we receive without cost, we must give without cost By Bishop Richard F. Stika The Religious Sisters of Mercy have a picture at their motherhouse in Alma, Mich., that depicts a sobbing St. Peter being comforted by the Blessed Mother. In her hands, Mary holds her son’s crown of …
Pastor Cecil Clark to speak at Holy Trinity vigil
Pastor Cecil Clark, minister of True Vine Baptist Church in Knoxville, will be the featured speaker at an Ecumenical Candlelight Vigil at 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 24 (sleet or snow date Jan. 31), at Holy Trinity Church in Jefferson City. Along with Pastor Clark, pastors associated with the Jefferson County …
St. Elizabeth members donate to Baby Bottle fund
This year parishioners of St. Elizabeth in Elizabethton donated $4,000, an all-time high, to the Baby Bottle program that benefits Abortion Alternatives and Women’s Center/TLC in Elizabethton. That amount brings the total to more than $22,000 for the nine years that St. Elizabeth has participated in the program. Baby bottles …
Celebrating St. Teresa of Avila
Knoxville Carmelite Secular Community marks renowned saint’s 500th birthday with cathedral Mass celebrated by Bishop Stika The Knoxville Carmelite Secular Community of the Transfiguration hosted a birthday party for St. Teresa on Oct. 3, beginning with Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral celebrated by Bishop Richard F. Stika. Father John Dowling, …
Understanding the sacraments: Misal Romano, Tercera Edición
Latest edition of Roman Missal’s Spanish translation may speed up approval of U.S. version By Father Randy Stice In recent columns I have discussed the new Order of Matrimony and the new translation of the Order of Confirmation. In this column I want to introduce the Misal Romano, Tercera Edición, …
Marriage enrichment: Celebrating marriage
Strong, long-lasting partnerships serve as role models for us all By Marian Christiana Bishop Richard F. Stika and the Office of Marriage and Enrichment will be honoring long-lasting marriages in February. Before I get into the details of that, let me discuss the importance of long-lasting marriages. Long-lasting marriages are …
Funeral services held for Sr. Mary LaStant
Sister Mary LaStant, BVM, died Nov. 2 at Marian Hall in Dubuque, Iowa. She was 89. A funeral Mass was held last month, and the burial was in Mount Carmel cemetery in Dubuque. In the Diocese of Knoxville, Sister Mary taught at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Chattanooga …

