He dwells among us: Hope and new beginnings

Advent reminds us of what a new beginning truly is when our hope is Christ We all look forward to the new beginnings that mark life’s journey, which we hope will be filled with much good in our future and in the lives of others. And with every life disappointment …

Families often are where we first learn about God

The Catholic Church has referred to the family as the “domestic church” ever since Lumen Gentium, the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, was published during the Second Vatican Council. The term domestic church means that it is within our families that we first learn about God and the Catholic Church. …

Alex and Belen: A golf match made in heaven

Alex Notte and Belen Mozo share a passion for golf. Now, the Bearden High School student who is a member of All Saints Church and the international golf pro have something else in common—a date to remember to Bearden’s senior prom. Alex has become an overnight sensation after being featured …

Emerald Youth Foundation honors Sisters of Mercy

The 20th annual Emerald Youth breakfast that benefits the Emerald Youth Foundation and its efforts to help inner-city youth honored the Sisters of Mercy on May 3 during the event that attracted about 1,000 guests at the Knoxville Expo Center. One of the highlights of the breakfast event was to …

‘Walking with the Lord’ is a secret to marriage success

Rhoda and Bob Whitaker couldn’t have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in a more fitting way—at Mass where Bishop Richard F. Stika celebrated the marriages of parishioners of all ages. Bishop Stika presided at the Mass Feb. 9 at St. Mary Church in Athens, where couples were recognized for their …

Holiday togetherness occurs in many ways

By the time you read this my family will have already celebrated Thanksgiving dinner together. Our family couldn’t all be together on Thursday, Nov. 22, so we celebrated early. This might have seemed strange to me at an earlier time in my life but now it makes perfect sense. Thanksgiving …

‘Hope Springs’ eternal when saving a marriage

My position as coordinator of the diocesan Office of Marriage Preparation and Enrichment gives me an opportunity to explore material that could be beneficial to engaged couples as well as to long-term married couples. The material comes from many sources, and some of the best sources are personal suggestions from …

Diocesan calendar

The 2012 Celebrate Life Fundraising Banquet sponsored by the Knox County chapter of Tennessee Right to Life will be held Thursday, Oct. 11, at the Knoxville Convention Center. The keynote speaker will be Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey. Seating will begin at 6 p.m. with dinner starting at 6:30. Tickets are …

Chattanooga Deanery calendar

Knights of Columbus Council 610 in Chattanooga is holding its 70th annual Labor Day Picnic and Family Outing from 9 a m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3, at Camp Columbus. The day will begin with the White Elephant Yard Sale at 9 a.m. Games and activities will take place all …

Five Rivers Deanery calendar

Judi Phillips, MS, FCP, will present an introduction to the Creighton Model System of Natural Family Planning in the church basement at St. Mary Church in Johnson City from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16. The presentation will include an overview of how the method is used to monitor a couple’s …

Know how to assist spouses who grieve

By Marian Christiana In May, a dear friend of ours lost her 15-month battle with cancer. Eileen and her husband, Paul, had been married for 30 years. We have been friends with Paul since we were teenagers and we continue to try to support him as much as possible. Sometimes …