Diocese of Knoxville’s new bishop has firm foundations in faith, love, family By Gabrielle Nolan Jimmy and Lois Beckman first met in the small town of Lawrenceburg, Tenn., on a blind date in 1960, where they went to the movies. “We dated, and we just—that was it. We knew we …
1
‘Jesus is the reason for everything’
Bishop Mark Beckman shares stories of his youth, family, and vocation By Gabrielle Nolan In the 1800s, German immigrants fashioned oak high altars and made the clay bricks that stacked to form the neo-Gothic-style Sacred Heart Church in Lawrenceburg, Tenn. It was in this parish, more than 100 years later, …
2
Diocese of Nashville gives Bishop-elect Beckman a send-off from the heart with Mass at the cathedral
Diocese of Knoxville welcomes its 4th ‘bishop of the mountains’ By Gabrielle Nolan The Diocese of Nashville gave a formal farewell to Bishop-elect James Mark Beckman—now the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Knoxville—with a special Mass on June 25 at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Nashville. Bishop J. …
1
Addressing transgender issues
St. Gianna Guild sponsors presentation by Religious Sisters of Mercy physician By Gabrielle Nolan Concerns about transgenderism and gender ideology are at the forefront of social issues within the United States and around the world. As secular institutions more commonly perform sex reassignment surgeries and provide puberty blockers to children, …
2
Embracing the priesthood for 25 years
Father Dennis Kress marks silver jubilee in celebration at St. Joseph-Norris By Gabrielle Nolan A forecast of rain could not stop St. Joseph Parish in Norris from throwing a party. After the parish was without an assigned pastor for more than a year, Father Dennis Kress arrived in July 2023. …
Bridge Ministry partners with Catholic Charities
The effort to feed the homeless, founded by Deacon Scott and Christine Maentz, will continue By Gabrielle Nolan After nearly nine years of ministry of feeding Knoxville’s homeless, Deacon Scott and Christine Maentz have handed over the reins of their local ministry. Bridge Ministry serves food on the fourth Sunday …
Completing the journey to confirmation
37 adults receive the sacrament during special Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral By Gabrielle Nolan Every year, the Diocese of Knoxville holds a special Mass of confirmation for those adult Catholics who have been baptized and received their first Holy Communion but have not been confirmed. There are a variety …
2
‘A great mission for the Church’
Neophytes sent forth into their communities following missioning Mass By Gabrielle Nolan More than 110 new Catholics and their sponsors attended the Sending of the Neophytes Mass, a special missioning for those who entered the Catholic Church across the diocese this past Easter. According to the office of Christian formation, …
KCHS president receives national education award
NCEA names Notre Dame High School grad a top U.S. school leader By Gabrielle Nolan The National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) announced 11 winners of its “Lead. Learn. Proclaim. Award” at its annual convention, which was held in Pittsburgh April 2-4. Representing Knoxville Catholic High School was award-winner Dickie Sompayrac, …
St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic expands to Crossville
St. Alphonsus Parish to host mobile medical van each month By Gabrielle Nolan St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic continues to expand its reach with the goal of providing holistic health care to the rural uninsured of East Tennessee. On April 23, the mobile medical clinic opened its doors for the first …
Studying the ‘book of the Church’
Diocesan deacon wants Catholics to be familiar with Scripture By Gabrielle Nolan For more than four decades, Deacon Bob Hunt has been teaching the Catholic faith “to everybody from preschoolers to retirees.” “That’s what I love to do,” he said. “The two things I’m willing to say I do well …
‘Being a vessel for God’
New Bible study written by diocesan communicator highlights women prophets By Gabrielle Nolan Most Christians are familiar with the male prophets of the Bible, such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Joel, or Malachi. But how many know about their female counterparts? Daughter, Hear My Call: A Study of Women Prophets in the …
