Co-worker of Lourdes Garza shares tributes following death of beloved Hispanic Ministries director By Blanca Primm Maria de Lourdes Garza is a woman whose presence is still felt among us even though she has left us to rejoice at the celestial banquet. What a battle you fought, friend and sister! Yes, …
Understanding the sacraments: The Mass — a mystery of mercy
It is ‘the place where the mercy of Christ is not only recalled but received’ By Father Randy Stice The tragic events of recent weeks and months recall the prophetic words of St. John Paul II in 1980, that as the human conscience becomes increasingly secularized it “moves away from …
Marriage enrichment: Finding our Road to Emmaus
Our spiritual GPS instructs us to help others find their way as we keep family life holy By Marian Christiana In May I participated in a webinar hosted by the Center for Ministry Development called You Gotta Love Them: Insights into Welcoming, Accompanying and Empowering Families. The webinar was based …
Guest column: Making NFP a part of your marriage
Natural Family Planning can bring couples closer to each other and to God By Megan Ulrich When I was asked to write an article about Natural Family Planning (NFP), I knew that it needed to be positive, informative, personal and authentic. The article needs to grab the reader and shout, …
He dwells among us: Jesus, where are you?
In life’s storms when we feel overwhelmed, Christ is present in surprising ways By Bishop Richard F. Stika I occasionally come across an inspirational quote or story on Facebook that I like to share. Once such story, written in poetic form, speaks of how God sometimes allows us to experience more …
Praying for perspective: Does anybody really know what time it is?
As we clock our live, the years run too short and the day too fast By George Valadie If you ever find yourself worrying about the sanity of your family, or, more specifically, the people in it, then read on and have hope. Every single word of this is true. …
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Paulist associates begin new assignments
The Paulist Fathers, who minister at Immaculate Conception Church and St. John XXIII University Parish and Catholic Center in Knoxville, have assigned two new associate pastors to those parishes. Father Robert J. O’Donnell, CSP, 67, will succeed Father Rich Andre, CSP, as associate pastor at St. John XXIII. The Paulist Fathers …
Once upon a time: Keeping theology consistent
Faithful continue to observe the commandments of the Church By Monsignor Xavier Mankel Time to go to confession? Our theology has been pretty consistent over the years. Following the Council of Trent, Catholics pretty much observed the commandments of the Church: annual sacramental confession, followed by holy Communion. Favorite times …
He dwells among us: Never look down
Seek God’s design in all you do to help build up a beautiful dwelling of God By Bishop Richard. F. Stika Anyone who knows me knows how much I love building projects and renovations. I particularly enjoy watching our new cathedral being built, especially as its skeletal frame of steel …
Understanding the sacraments: The ordination of permanent deacons
Diaconate again flourishes after centuries of decline within the Catholic Church By Father Randy Stice On June 11, Bishop Stika will ordain 24 men as permanent deacons. Permanent deacons “have embraced this ordained ministry as a permanent state of life” while “transitional” deacons will eventually be ordained priests. (Newsletter, USCCB …
Marriage enrichment: Keeping the family life holy
Pope affirms Church teaching on family and marriage in ‘The Joy of Love’ exhortation By Marian Christiana Family life is holy. It is messy but holy. Since his installation as pontiff, Pope Francis has helped to bring family life and its complications into sharper focus within the universal Church. During his …
Once upon a time: The liturgy is alive and well
Popularity of novenas and other private devotions attest to improvements inspired by Vatican II By Monsignor Xavier Mankel Many churches 75 years old and older have them, or have places where they used to be. Immaculate Conception Church in Knoxville had them, and although bricked over for many years, they …
