Bishop Stika shares his thoughts with the Catholic Legal Immigration Network The Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC) has asked Bishop Richard F. Stika to share his and the Diocese of Knoxville’s experiences when federal agents raided a Grainger County meatpacking plant and detained scores of Hispanic workers in 2018. In …
Ain’t life ‘grand’
Parenting never grows old, especially when you add the titles ‘Grumpy’ and ‘BB’ to the job description By George Valadie It doesn’t happen all that often. It certainly hasn’t been typical for our family. But remarkably, one of our longed-for dreams has come true. Katy, our oldest, her husband, Clint, …
Rights of migrant and country
In considering the issue of immigration, we need to keep two basic rights in perspective By Bishop Richard F. Stika “They took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country; and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus” …
A Catholic pastor responds to immigration questions
By Father Steve Pawelk, a Glenmary Home Missioner and pastor of St. Teresa of Kolkata Parish in Maynardville and St. John Paul II Catholic Mission in Rutledge “Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt.” (Matthew 2:14) “For I was hungry and you …
A study of the cynical Book of Qoheleth
Also known as Ecclesiastes, the book is among the wisdom books of the Old Testament By Bob Hunt I’ve been reading the Book of Qoheleth, also known as Ecclesiastes, attributed to Solomon because of the opening line, “The words of David’s son, Qoheleth, king in Jerusalem” (Ecclesiastes 1:1). It is …
Trip to Honduras ‘leaves a lot of emotional bridges’
A daughter’s mission trip to a foreign country brings home the same lessons as her father once brought home By George Valadie I’ve lost track, but I know it’s been well over 20 summers since I had the opportunity to visit Saltillo, Mexico. Though “visit” might not be the best …
An explosion of grace
Communal wedding Mass at Holy Ghost Church unites 14 Latino couples in holy matrimony From staff reports Gifts of the Holy Spirit were the ultimate wedding gifts for 14 Diocese of Knoxville couples who exchanged vows at Holy Ghost Church on June 15 in a ceremony to celebrate their …
Doing something for the greater good
St. Thérèse of Lisieux parishioner said ‘yes’ to God and organized Cleveland’s RAM clinic By Janice Fritz-Ryken One night in 2004, Terry Peters was in a car heading back to her Cleveland home with friends after spending a weekend volunteering at her first Remote Area Medical (RAM) event in Knoxville …
Jack Kramer, Diocese of Knoxville’s early director of Hispanic Ministry, dies
A funeral Mass was celebrated July 23 for John Anthony “Jack” Kramer Jr., who served as the Diocese of Knoxville’s co-director and then director of Hispanic Ministry from 1989-2003. Mr. Kramer died after a 25-year battle with Parkinson’s disease. Father Doug Owens, pastor of All Saints Church in Knoxville, was …
A lifelong call to service
Alive in You Camp inspires nation’s Catholic teens to get involved in service projects — away and at home By Alyssa Neuhoff In Mass, readings talk about helping those around us. We are taught to give to those less fortunate and encouraged to be a Good Samaritan. While serving in …
Transfiguring icons
Christian iconography expresses in images the same Gospel message that Scripture communicates by words By Bishop Richard F. Stika Come up the mountain to me! — Deuteronomy 10:1 The call of Moses by God to ascend Mount Sinai to enter into closer communion with Him reminds us that prayer, like climbing …
Hal Emitt Sr., architect of Sacred Heart Church, dies
A funeral Mass was celebrated July 11 for retired Knoxville architect Harold “Hal” Emitt Sr., who died July 7. He was 94. Father John Dowling was the celebrant of the funeral Mass at Holy Ghost Church, where Mr. Emitt was a longtime member. Mr. Emitt, who worked for the Baumann …