In these times of growing evils and persecution, we need the protective mantle of Mary Our Mother By Bishop Richard F. Stika “Who is this that comes forth as beautiful as the Sun, resplendent as the moon, as awe-inspiring (and terrible) as bannered troops?” — Songs 6:10-11 A mother’s protective …
Father Dominic Nguyen appointed Church of Divine Mercy pastor
Bishop Richard F. Stika has appointed Father Dominic Nghia T.H. Nguyen, CRM, pastor of the Church of Divine Mercy in Knoxville. Bishop Stika made the announcement on April 21 and said the appointment was effective immediately. Bishop Stika said he will be installing Father Nguyen as the second pastor of …
Tennessee bishops sign letter to governor, legislature calling for gun safety laws
The Tennessee Register and The East Tennessee Catholic The leaders of Tennessee’s three Catholic dioceses —Bishop Richard F. Stika of Knoxville, Bishop J. Mark Spalding of Nashville, and Bishop David P. Talley of Memphis, and the Tennessee Catholic Conference, have included their names on a letter to Gov. Bill Lee …
A New Hope
Ultrasounds are a critical tool for health-care providers and mothers-to-be; Knights of Columbus working with pregnancy help centers in the Diocese of Knoxville By Janice Fritz-Ryken They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and Beth Henderson, CEO of New Hope Pregnancy Care Center of Cleveland, agrees. Ms. Henderson …
‘Where are the Catholics hanging out?’
Catholic Chatt answers that question and others young adults are asking By Claire Collins Patrick and Margaret Hanus were just two young adults searching for a community in Chattanooga when they encountered Catholic Chatt, a ministry dedicated to serving young adults in the local churches. Mr. Hanus, a native of …
She’s incapacitated; he’s doing the cooking
His IOU to her is seemingly never-ending—until she makes a comment about the bedsheets By George Valadie I’ll tell you the truth: being a housewife is hell. At this very moment, instead of writing this column, I really ought to be in the kitchen. There are dirty dishes in the …
‘Congratulations!’
The one word that saved an unborn child and changed the life of a college student By Janice Fritz-Ryken You never know how deeply one word, one simple thing you say to someone, can impact their life. In this case, one word—a simple “congratulations”—transformed the fear of a scared, single …
Addressing the Trinity during Mass
In sacramental communion, we receive the Trinity and become ‘partakers of the divine nature’ By Father Randy Stice The Trinity is the central mystery of our faith and life. The entire Christian life “is a communion with each of the divine persons, without in any way separating them.” When we …
Fighting for life
Challenges to Tennessee’s strong anti-abortion laws draw the ire of Catholic women voters The East Tennessee Catholic The 2023 edition of Pro-Life Women’s Day on the Hill proved to be an exercise in civic action and grassroots legislative influence as Catholic women from across the state convened in Nashville on …
A demanding joy
One deadly sin is the most insidious and a destroyer of the joy of our life in Christ and with others By Bishop Richard F. Stika “Let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice; turn to the Lord and His strength; constantly seek His face.” — Psalm 105:3-4 The heart’s …
Suffering cannot be wholly avoided in life
But it need not be wasted—as a profound mystery, it can be offered up with the sufferings of Christ Deacon Bob Hunt Redemptive suffering. Can purpose be given to the sufferings we endure over the course of our lives? Is suffering simply a part of life we must put up …
Three men called to Holy Orders in Diocese of Knoxville
Bishop Richard F. Stika has called to Holy Orders three transitional deacons to become priests of the Diocese of Knoxville at a Mass of Ordination on June 10 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. “This is a joyous time for me personally and for all the …





