John Vincent Ramaglia Sr., 75, passed away peacefully in his Washburn home on Jan. 8 surrounded by family. Mr. Ramaglia was born in 1950 to Thelma and John Ramaglia. He married the love of his life, Denise, in 1971. Mr. Ramaglia loved to go fishing, go swimming in the river, …
Sin ‘is not the end of the story’ for us
The grace received in the sacrament of reconciliation is powerful and transformative By Deacon Bob Hunt I am a sinner. There’s no use beating around the bush. Yes, I am a Catholic. I am a Catholic husband, and a Catholic father, and a Catholic grandfather. I am even an ordained …
Joan Smith
Joan Smith, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away in early February. Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her husband, Ron Smith. She is survived by her four children, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. A funeral Mass for Mrs. Smith was held on March 2 at St. Thomas the …
The magic of a candy jar and a listening ear
Sharing time with students might be the enduring legacy of Catholic schools By George Valadie It’s a simple candy dish, but it’s like it has magical, magnetic powers. I don’t understand it … but I do love it. In the interest of full disclosure—and please don’t tell her I’m giving …
The hunger for more
NDHS hosts Made for More, a tribute to Theology of the Body By Maggie Parsons World-renowned speaker on Theology of the Body Christopher West and his supporting musician, Mike Mangione, brought St. John Paul II’s teachings to life as their live event Made for More came to Notre Dame High …
Wesley Rucker
Wesley Hazen “Wes” Rucker, a Knoxville native and beloved sports journalist whose life was defined by devotion to his family, community, and the stories he told, died on Feb. 19. He was 43. Above all else, Mr. Rucker was a husband and father. He often wrote and spoke of the …
Light has dawned
Record Rite of Election shows God’s presence in the Church in East Tennessee By Bishop Mark Beckman The days of Lent had just dawned when great numbers of people gathered at our Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus from all across our diocese. Every pew was filled and …
Dr. John McElligott
Dr. John McElligott, fondly known as “Dr. John,” a physician, veteran, educator, entrepreneur, and one of the trucking industry’s most devoted health advocates, passed away on Feb. 15 at the age of 80, leaving behind a life defined by resilience, faith, and unwavering service to others. Born on Sept. 17, …
Your faith, Your community, Your voice
Readership survey for The East Tennessee Catholic is underway This 2026 Lenten season, The East Tennessee Catholic wants to hear from you—and your opinion matters more than you might think. The East Tennessee Catholic has launched a brief reader survey to better understand how our Catholic community reads, connects, and …
Six KCHS football players sign with colleges and universities
Knoxville Catholic High School held its third signing day of the school year on Feb. 4, coinciding with National Signing Day, with six football players signing with colleges and universities. Jeremy George-El signed with the University of Tennessee, Casen Jenkins and Jacob Rice with Emory & Henry University, Dominic Daddabbo …
Confession is an encounter with the Trinity
In the sacrament, we truly meet our heavenly Father in His beloved Son and the Holy Spirit By Father Randy Stice Every celebration of a sacrament, says the Church, “is a meeting of God’s children with their Father, in Christ and the Holy Spirit,” a dialogue in liturgical signs, actions, …
Cathedral organist returns to home, family in South Korea
Father David Boettner, rector of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, announced in a Jan. 22 e-mail to parishioners that cathedral organist Byong Suk Moon would leave the parish on Jan. 29 to return home to South Korea in order to be with his wife, children, and …