Joan V. “Jody” Zaar, age 91, of Tellico Village, passed away peacefully on Dec. 19. Mrs. Zaar was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gerry; her daughter, Leann R. Zaar, RN; and her sons, Dr. Gregory T. Zaar and John Zaar. Survivors include her daughter, Susan M. Zaar …
Preparing the way of the Lord
Lent 2026 is here, and Catholic faithful around East Tennessee are readying for Holy Week The East Tennessee Catholic and OSV News It has been just over a month since the feasts of Epiphany and Baptism of the Lord marked the end of Christmas. And now in 2026, Lent is …
Jacqueline Ellis Mathis
Our beloved Jacqueline Ellis Mathis passed away peacefully on Jan. 27 following a long and brave battle with cancer. Mrs. Mathis’ final moments were spent exactly where she was happiest: surrounded by her family. Mrs. Mathis was the heart of her home—a loving mother and teacher whose warmth touched everyone …
William ‘Bill’ Sullivan
Our father, William “Bill” Sullivan, went home to God’s celestial shore on Jan. 30. Known to many as “Sully,” Mr. Sullivan graduated from Townsend High School in 1971. After attending trade school in Atlanta, he moved to Knoxville where he worked as a video engineer for WBIR, Channel 10, for …
Snow days, celebrations, and Catholic schools
‘The fullest and best opportunity to realize the…purpose of Christian education’ By George Valadie For some, the week ended exactly as it had begun. Battles with the weather, shortened schedules, and a whole lot of smiles at the unexpected closures. Catholic Schools Week has again come and gone for our …
Sister Mary Kevin Cronin, OP
Sister Mary Kevin Cronin, OP, who was a member of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation in Nashville for 67 years, died on Dec. 11. She was 85. Sister Mary Kevin was born in Chicago as the daughter of the late Michael and Alice Stephens Cronin. She attended St. …
Padre de estudiante de escuela secundaria Knoxville Catholic es detenido en un operativo de ICE
in English La comunidad inmigrante no está segura de los pasos a seguir Por The East Tennessee Catholic Knoxville – En la mañana del 28 de enero, el padre de un estudiante de la escuela secundaria Knoxville Catholic, cuya familia ha pedido permanecer en el anonimato, fue detenido por agentes …
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Knoxville Catholic High School parent detained in ICE enforcement actions
en español Immigrant community unsure of proper steps By The East Tennessee Catholic On the morning of Jan. 28, the father of a Knoxville Catholic High School student, whose family has asked to remain anonymous, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents near The Home Depot in East …
Notre Dame High School band shines at All-East auditions
Members of the band at Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga did well at the All-East band auditions held on Jan. 10 at Bearden High School in Knoxville and sponsored by the East Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association. The Notre Dame band had a perfect attendance of 11 at …
Knoxville Catholic student earns QuestBridge scholarship to Penn
By Jaclyn Holloway Knoxville Catholic High School senior Genevieve Jenkins recently earned a full-ride scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania through QuestBridge National College Match, one of the most competitive scholarship programs in the country. The good news came while she was sitting in her family’s car with her mother …
Faith communities join for immigration vigil
Diocese of Knoxville takes active role in prayer service for Hispanic families By Blanca Primm and Viridiana Marin On Dec. 1, people of faith gathered at St. Andrews Center in Chattanooga to bear witness to a truth at the heart of the Gospel: families are sacred, and no person is …
Eucharistic adoration flows from the Mass
St. Alphonsus: ‘adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the greatest after the sacraments’ By Father Randy Stice The Church has never ceased to reflect on Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist, penetrating ever more profoundly into the mystery of the complete transformation of the bread and wine into the …