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 …
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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 …