A funeral Mass for longtime Sacred Heart Cathedral parishioner and Diocese of Knoxville attorney John T. O’Connor II was celebrated Feb. 14 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Father David Boettner was the Mass celebrant, with Monsignor Bob Hofstetter, Father Arthur Torres, and Father Marcin Gladysz …
Jake Renfree of KCHS wins indoor nationals, earns state and national honors
Knoxville Catholic High School senior Jake Renfree, days after winning state and national runner-of-the-year honors, won the New Balance Indoor Nationals in early March with a personal-record time of 4 minutes, 6.39 seconds. Jake won the boys 1-mile run by a margin of .29 seconds over Cole Sprout of Highlands …
Thoughts and Prayers for the Faithful: Let’s truly celebrate Easter
Whatever prayers you’ve taken on for Lent, continue them for Easter as acts of thanksgiving By Bob Hunt So, how’s your Lent going? We’re in early April now, so by this time our Lenten commitments, much like our New Year’s resolutions come the first week of February, have either proven …
Incorrupt heart of St. John Vianney to be in Diocese of Knoxville
The incorrupt heart of St. John (Jean) Vianney, a major relic of the patron saint of parish priests, is coming to the Diocese of Knoxville on May 23 as part of its pilgrimage to the United States. The Knights of Columbus, who are entrusted with the relic on its national …
Marriage Enrichment: Call to Love conference spiritually uplifting
One participant says, ‘Our marriages are the fire, the warmth, and the light of God’s love in the world’ By Marian Christiana Our first Call to Love Marriage Conference was held March 23 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Sixty-four couples participated in this bilingual event. …
Praying for perspective: A longer-than-40-day wandering in the desert
A 17-year-old student found himself ‘on a path no one should be forced to walk’ By George Valadie In the interest of full disclosure, I’ve been a whole lot better at keeping my Lenten promise this year. So much better than last year, that’s for sure. Yes, I know, whatever …
Sr. Margaret Marie Hofstetter, former president of St. Catharine College, dies
Dominican Sister of Peace Margaret Marie Hofstetter, 97, died Jan. 27 at Sansbury Care Center in St. Catharine, Ky. Sister Margaret Marie, a native of Nashville, was in her 72nd year of religious life. She ministered in teaching and educational administration, pastoral ministry, and in leadership of her community. In …
Funeral Mass celebrated for Wally Brownell, mother of Father Patrick Brownell
Walburga Ehrhardt “Wally”Brownell, 80, of Morristown, the mother of Father Patrick Brownell of St. Patrick Parish in Morristown, passed away at home surrounded by family on Friday, Jan. 25. The funeral Mass was held at St. Patrick Church on Jan. 28, with Father Brownell officiating. Interment was in Mount Olivet …
Knoxville March for Life attracts 1,000 pro-life supporters
Some 1,000 pro-life supporters, including many East Tennessee Catholics, joined together Jan. 27 at the Knoxville Convention Center for the 46th annual March for Life, which was organized by the Knox County chapter of Tennessee Right to Life (TRL). Marchers, who filled the Convention Center’s 460-seat lecture hall and ground-floor …
Praying for perspective: The shape of things to come
It’s up to us to harness all the technological advances and use them for good—and for God. By George Valadie It’s probably trite to even offer this thought, but do you ever notice anymore how dramatically and rapidly our lives are changing? The whole idea jumped out at me the …
He dwells among us: Triple Crown of Dignity
By Bishop Richard F. Stika “Christian, recognize your dignity…. Never forget that you have been rescued from the power of darkness.” –St. Leo the Great Do you know that, by virtue of your baptism, you participate in a special way in the threefold mission of Christ as Priest, Prophet, and …
Lenten penance services held in deaneries
Here are the Lenten penance services around the diocese, received as of press time: Chattanooga Deanery 7 p.m. EDT, unless noted. March 13—St. Mary, Athens March 14—St. Catherine Labouré, Copperhill, 6:30 p.m. March 18—Sts. Peter and Paul, Chattanooga, 6 p.m. March 19—St. Stephen, Chattanooga, 6 p.m. March 21—St. Thérèse of …