Praying for perspective: Catholic schools—they’re worth it

A week spent celebrating them annually isn’t enough time to thank everyone involved, but it does get the message out By George Valadie For the most people around the country, the first Friday in February coming up will bring to conclusion another Catholic Schools Week celebration. Over the last 30-plus …

St. Michael youth help with recovery

Twelve members of the St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Mission youth group, Elena Orozco, Chris Andrade, Zayra Andrade, Tanya and Samantha Chavez, Andrea Lopez, Aaron Manzanares, Daniel Meza, Fernanda Murillo, Luz Perez, Bernice Luquin, and Fernanda Ruiz-Yin, gave up their fall break from school to travel to Naples, Fla., to …

A ministry of the soil at St. Mary

Catholic parishes throughout the Diocese of Knoxville support a number of different ministries. Some are focused on developing the mind, some on healing the spirit, some on leading souls to conversion, and some are of the soil. Yes, soil. As in agriculture. As in farming. As in growing vegetables to …

He dwells among us: Silent heart, holy heart

Silence is not noiselessness but the condition for receiving what God wishes to give us By Bishop Richard F. Stika “Mary treasured all these things and reflected on them in her heart.” — Luke 2:19 The season of Advent is a special time of preparation to reflect upon the mysteries …

Marriage enrichment: Give the gift of travel to someone you love

The diocese is sponsoring a pilgrimage to the World Meeting of Families next year in Dublin, Ireland By Marion Christiana As the song says, “It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go…,” and trying to find that perfect gift for your spouse or loved ones can …

Living the readings: Turning the corner

The readings take us from Advent back to Ordinary Time By Father Joseph Brando As we all know, The East Tennessee Catholic has changed its format over the years. This has especially affected this column, changing it from a biweekly format to a monthly and now to a bimonthly column. …

St. Henry unity program marks Reformation anniversary

Father Bart Okere joined by Rogersville-area Protestant ministers in ecumenical prayer service By Bill Jones/The Rogersville Review Oct. 31 marked the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation that fractured the Catholic Church and saw the rise of numerous Protestant denominations. On Oct. 30, representatives of several Protestant churches in the …

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Father William Oruko, AJ, receives transfer to Archdiocese of Portland

Father William Oruko, AJ, who has served in the Diocese of Knoxville since 2003, has been reassigned by his order, the Apostles of Jesus, to serve in Oregon. Father Oruko, who is from Kenya, has served at Sacred Heart Cathedral, St. Mary Parish in Oak Ridge, St. Mary Parish in …

Praying for perspective: A lesson in humility at traffic court

This driver in a hurry doesn’t see himself ‘as being as bad or as guilty as any of those people,’ until the Holy Spirit intervenes By George Valadie I’m hoping to do better this time because last year my Advent season didn’t begin soon enough. Yes, I know the season …

Praying for perspective: We are all God’s creatures

Whether well-heeled with the right papers or the more common variety, everyone should strive to be a best friend. By George Valadie For some reason, I feel compelled to tell you about our dogs, the ones still with us and those of the past. Most all of us have had …

He dwells among us: Eternal friends

As a people of God, we need the help of our friends on earth and in heaven, and to be friends to those in need By Bishop Richard F. Stika “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessing …