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St. Mary rosary garden receives blessing

Members of Johnson City parish, students work together to create prayer space By Lillian Isaac On May 23, after more than two years of planning and several months of construction, St. Mary Parish in Johnson City blessed and dedicated its rosary garden—a peaceful prayer space featuring flowers and plants traditionally …

Dr. Evelyne Davidson

Dr. Evelyne M. Davidson, 65, of Knoxville, passed away on May 28. Dr. Davidson, who was born on April 5, 1961, was valedictorian of the Knoxville Catholic High School class of 1979. She then studied at Vanderbilt University, attended Quillen-Dishner Medical School in Johnson City, and completed her residency at …

Ordained in 2001, Father Orr, Father Shelton celebrating 25th jubilees

Two priests ordained for the Diocese of Knoxville in 2001 will celebrate their silver jubilees this month. Father John Orr and Father Brent Shelton were ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Joseph E. Kurtz on June 16, 2001, at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Now pastor of Holy Ghost Parish in Knoxville, …

Diocese commits to caring for creation

Ecological retreat, Mass led by Bishop Beckman launch Care of Creation Commission By Brett McLaughlin Long before young Mark Beckman was consciously discerning his future, he was being tugged into a relationship with God the Creator as he explored the fields and forests of his native Lawrenceburg, Tenn. Now, as …

Patsy (Pat) Watkins

Patsy (Pat) Ruth Greer Watkins passed away on May 14 at the age of 93. Mrs. Watkins was born on July 5, 1932, to Orpha and Orval Greer in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Her family moved to Kingsport in 1948, where she attended Dobyns-Bennett High School. She received a bachelor’s degree …

Father Stice named censor librorum

Father Randy Stice, who serves as director of Worship and Liturgy for the Diocese of Knoxville, has also been named censor librorum. In this position, an ecclesiastical authority appointed by Bishop Mark Beckman, Father Stice will review texts for doctrinal accuracy and give an official declaration that texts contain no …

Ladies of Charity’s annual golf tourney raises more than $17,000

The annual Joseph E. Fuhr Golf Tournament sponsored by the Ladies of Charity of Knoxville took place on May 7 at Egwani Farms Golf Course in Rockford, and despite rain, the event was a great success. The tourney drew 24 teams made up of four players each, bringing a total …

St. Joseph the Worker gala raises more than $50,000 for new FLC

St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Madisonville, on April 11 at Tellico Village Yacht Club in Loudon, held its first Spring Gala to raise funds to build a family life center. A total of 154 came to the gala. Bishop Mark Beckman provided a video message for the event, and …

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June: Month of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, month of God’s infinite love

By Father Arthur Torres Beloved readers and faithful Christians of the Diocese of Knoxville, Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, together with praying the holy rosary and devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, is one of the deepest and most widespread devotions within the Catholic Christian tradition. This …

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Cursillo is active across the diocese

‘Short course in Christianity’ is deepening participants’ faith lives By Jacqueline Cecalupo Cursillo is alive in the Knoxville Diocese! Although you may not have heard of it, Cursillo (pronounced kur-see-yo) means “short course in Christianity,” and it is a powerful Catholic movement designed to strengthen lay leadership. It is available …

The pope’s opinion on world affairs merits our ear

Holy Fathers from Benedict XV to Leo XIV have spoken out on war and called for peace By Deacon Bob Hunt The purpose of this month’s column isn’t to discuss who’s right and who’s wrong, Pope Leo XIV or President Trump, on the matter of the war with Iran. Part …

A saint with a devotion to the Eucharist

Francis of Assisi implored those in his order to ‘reverence, honor the most holy body and blood’ By Father Randy Stice This year is the Eighth Centenary of the happy passage of St. Francis of Assisi from earthly life to his heavenly homeland on Oct. 3, 1226. Pope Leo XIV …