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 …
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Funeral Mass for Father Camillus Blazak held
A funeral Mass was celebrated June 15 for Father Camillus Walter Blazak, 92, of Signal Mountain, who died on June 11. The Mass was held in the St. Augustine Chapel on the Alexian Brothers campus in Signal Mountain. Interment followed in Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham, Ala. Father Blazak, a retired …
Cardinal Rigali to represent U.S. Catholic Church at International Eucharistic Congress
Cardinal Justin Rigali, who is in residence in the Diocese of Knoxville, will represent the Catholic Church for the United States at the International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest, Hungary, in 2020. The appointment was made by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. As preparation for …
Lawsuit alleging abuse filed against diocese
From staff reports Bishop Richard F. Stika issued a letter to clergy and staff of the Diocese of Knoxville on July 19, making them aware of a lawsuit filed by attorneys for Michael Boyd, a resident of Blount County, claiming that Mr. Boyd was a victim of sexual abuse inside …
Father David Boettner blesses new stained-glass rose window in cathedral to mark 25th anniversary
Parishioners of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus raised money for a new rose window of stained glass that was installed to mark Father David Boettner’s 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. Father Boettner, rector of the cathedral and a vicar general for the diocese, …
Praying for perspective: A journey of a hundred years begins with a few missteps
By George Valadie By the time you read this, another Father’s Day celebration will have come and gone. Believe it or not, I’m actually hoping for some socks. I could hardly believe it after doing the math. This will make 42 Sundays I’ve gotten to celebrate as a dad. Didn’t …
He dwells among us: Build them up with prayer
Our priests need our prayers and to know that we support them By Bishop Richard F. Stika “You made them a kingdom and priests for our God.” –Revelation 5:10 St. John Vianney, patron saint of priests, knew well that, “When people want to destroy religion they begin by attacking the …
Praying for perspective: Senior-class motto could be ‘Oh, the places you’ll go’
Graduates can never appreciate what that means until later, ‘a later that is still to come’ By George Valadie For a school principal such as myself, it’s impossible to ignore the opportunity to write about this season of graduations. It’s why we teachers do what we do. Be it the …
Marriage Enrichment: On long marriages—and a columnist’s retirement
Many people are thanked for their efforts over the years to benefit marriage-support events By Marian Christiana This article is going to have two parts to it. At first glance, they may not seem to fit together, but stick with me and I think that you will see the connection. …
Notre Dame High School announces Laura Swenson as its new academic dean
Notre Dame High School president George Valadie has named Laura M. Swenson as the school’s new dean of academic affairs effective July 1. “You don’t have to spend very much time with Laura before you’re caught up in her enthusiasm for young people, her fellow teachers, and the idea of …
Thoughts and Prayers for the Faithful : Is it important to me that my children be Catholic?
Parents should ‘make it known’ to children ‘in word and deed that our faith is the most important part of our life’ By Bob Hunt June is the month for graduations and weddings, so it’s a natural time for parents to reflect with pride on their children’s accomplishments. It’s a …