As Christians, we are called to a greater response to whatever challenges our community By Bob Hunt I am writing this in the middle of the coronavirus national emergency. As of this writing, my daughter’s school is on an extended spring break, many restaurants and other businesses have closed their …
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Understanding the divisions of the Old Testament
The books are grouped into four major sections in the Christian tradition By Sister Anna Marie McGuan, RSM One challenge when reading the Old Testament is dealing with the amount of material contained therein. As a person reads along, he encounters narrative or story-like books or portions of books. The …
Virus and a death in the family make for ‘hellish week’
Every kid wants an extra day of spring break, but no one was hoping for a total school shutdown By George Valadie What a week! One of those unbelievable, don’t-ever-want-to-do-it-again sorts of weeks. I should begin by pointing out that because monthly diocesan newspapers function the way they do, columnists …
Diocese of Knoxville deacons announce retirements
Deacon Bob Smearing, who serves at St. Albert the Great Parish in Knoxville, and Deacon Don Amelse, who serves at St. John Neumann Parish in Farragut, are retiring from the permanent diaconate. The deacons submitted letters requesting retirement in January, and Bishop Richard F. Stika granted their requests in February. …
Memorial Mass celebrated for Sister Celia Sánchez, MAG
A memorial Mass for Sister Celia Martina Sánchez Coatl, MAG, was celebrated on March 16 at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul. Sister Celia, who served in the Diocese of Knoxville for 20 years, died on March 8. The Missionary Sister of the Sacred Heart of Jesus “Ad Gentes” …
Glenmary Father John Rausch dies at age 75
The dedicated longtime missionary in Appalachia was a former columnist for The East Tennessee Catholic By Dennis Sadowski/CNS Glenmary Father John Rausch recognized early in his time as a missionary in Appalachia that people were facing severe environmental and economic challenges and devoted his ministry to seeking solutions and calling …
We do together what we can’t do alone
Sometimes a corporal work of mercy requires teamwork By George Valadie If you’re a routine reader of this column, then you may recall my wife had some foot surgery not long ago. If you’re not, let me begin by saying that my wife had some foot surgery not long ago. …
Real Presence, Real Friendship
St. John Pail II: The Eucharist is a mystery of presence, the perfect fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to remain with us until the end of the world By Bishop Richard F. Stika “No longer do I call you servants…I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I …
Dozens of teens from diocese attend 2019 NCYC
They joined more than 20,000 of their peers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis for the annual event bringing U.S. youths together A delegation of high school students from across the Diocese of Knoxville joined some 23,000 peers from around the country at the 2019 edition of the National Catholic …
Ladies of Charity improving parking
Parking at the Ladies of Charity facility near downtown Knoxville may get worse before it gets much better. Ladies of Charity officials broke ground Jan. 28 on a project to redesign the parking lot at 120 W. Baxter Ave. and add much needed spaces. Susan Unbehaun, Ladies of Charity executive …
Love unites hearts, and hearts united unite wills
We can stumble, however, if we commit the common error of convincing ourselves that our will is God’s will By Bob Hunt “The chief effect of love is to unite the hearts of those who love each other so that they have the same will. Hence the more we submit …
Should we view the Bible as a historical book?
Understanding its diverse literary genres can allow for a more fruitful reading of it By Sister Anna Marie McGuan, RSM Most people, when they think of the Bible, think of it as a book of great importance, which it is. It is also a rather complex book, or set of …