The Church offers beautiful teachings to assist us in making difficult medical decisions By Bishop Richard F. Stika How precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His faithful. –Psalm 116:15 “The person in affliction is sacred.” This ancient proverb speaks to a beautiful truth that the …
Thoughts and Prayers for the Faithful: Flannery O’Connor and the power of God
The drama of life is made tangible by the reality of death by Bob Hunt Flannery O’Connor has long been my favorite author, with her bizarre characters and weird stories that shed light on the brokenness of the human condition and the potential for redemption. The light she shines is …
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Priest from Poland joins diocese to lead Masses for Polish community
Father Marcin “Martin” Gladysz has joined the priest staff at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish. Father Gladysz arrived in Knoxville over the holidays and began serving at Sacred Heart on Jan. 7. Bishop Richard F. Stika announced that Father Gladysz will begin celebrating monthly Mass …
Diocese of Knoxville seeks state permission to exhume Father Ryan remains
Lawsuit would clarify state law on disinterment for the cause of sainthood By Daniel Jackson / Courthouse News Service Faced with no clear statutory procedure in Tennessee to exhume the body of a priest it hopes to canonize, the Catholic Church has asked a court in Chattanooga to cut through …
Praying for perspective: Hoping to remain resolute in 2019
Will convenience help or hurt the wallet, waistline, and way of life? By George Valadie Happy New Year! How’s the new you coming? On my end, I’ve never been much for making a bunch of resolutions. In fairness, I should restate that; I’ve never been good at keeping a bunch …
He dwells among us: Four Herods
The culture of death assaults life, the conscience, the Church, and common good By Bishop Richard F. Stika Within the seasons the Church celebrates in its calendar that mark the mystery of our redemption—from the birth of Christ to His Passion and resurrection, to the beginnings of the infant Church …
Marriage enrichment: Find your own George Bailey in your life
The lives of the writer’s family would be been much different if not for the faith of an older sister By Marian Christiana Advent is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the coming of Jesus. It is one thing to be prepared to welcome Jesus but quite another …
He dwells among us: Holy exchange of gifts
As God gathers us to Himself in holy sacrifice, what do we bring to Mass? By Bishop Richard F. Stika “That my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” –Luke 2:19 Trying to find the ideal gift to give a loved one or a friend can …
Praying for perspective: Believing in Christmas
The Christ Child inspires children of all ages to keep the faith; good ol’ St. Nick is another story By George Valadie When did it happen to you? I remember as if it were yesterday. I know the place and the time, who was there and who was not. The …
For our salvation: We are here to fulfill our human nature
Christ restores human nature to the dignity it held before the Fall By Bob Hunt “He who is the “image of the invisible God” is himself the perfect man who has restored in the children of Adam that likeness to God which had been disfigured ever since the first sin. …
Arguing for the existence of God
The perfection of nature indicates how much more perfect He himself must be by Josie Boder One can argue for the existence of God, of goodness, of forgiveness for days on end with arbitrary purpose and forgotten necessity. Too often, life enslaves our minds and tethers us too close to …
Advent penance services scheduled around the diocese
Here are the remaining Advent penance services around the diocese, received as of press time: Chattanooga Deanery 7 p.m. EST, unless noted. Dec. 5 — Holy Spirit, Soddy-Daisy Dec. 6 — Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Chattanooga, 6 p.m.; St. Catherine Labouré, Copperhill, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10 — St. Bridget, …