Fr. Patrick Ryan comes to life in new documentary

Movie focusing on the candidate for sainthood debuts at Notre Dame High School By Gabrielle Nolan The universal Church is about to become more acquainted with Servant of God Father Patrick Ryan now that a film exists depicting his life story. “Father Ryan: A Higher Call” shares the tale of …

‘A match made in heaven’

Echo graduate students making a local impact in diocesan schools and parishes By Gabrielle Nolan Since 2017, the Echo Graduate Service Program has brought nine graduate students to the Diocese of Knoxville to enrich the parish and school communities here. The program, which is under the McGrath Institute for Church …

Local author shares love of early Church history

Rod Bennett brings a bit of ‘hillbilly’ to his writing projects, which are gaining acclaim By Gabrielle Nolan Rod Bennett admitted laughingly that he is “a little bit of a hillbilly.” Although the Catholic author grew up in and spent many years living in Atlanta, he was born in Maryville. …

St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic celebrates 10th year

Mobile medical van reaches milestone as it provides free health care in East Tennessee By Gabrielle Nolan A celebration took place in Crab Orchard on Feb. 28 as St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic celebrated a milestone in its history, 10 years in the making. For a decade, the clinic has extended …

2

Neighbors helping neighbors

St. John Neumann Parish participates in Habitat for Humanity building project By Gabrielle Nolan People say home is where the heart is, and a lot of heart went into a Habitat for Humanity build co-sponsored by St. John Neumann Parish in Farragut. The project, which involved about 10 parish volunteers, …

Fostering eucharistic renewal

Author, theologian Dr. Timothy O’Malley discusses Becoming Eucharistic People By Gabrielle Nolan The Diocese of Knoxville has begun its efforts to support the National Eucharistic Revival, which formally launched on June 19 on the feast of Corpus Christi. Two years of diocesan and parish renewal will culminate with a National …

2

Helping youth in need

Catholic Charities Safe Place for Kids supports Department of Children’s Services By Gabrielle Nolan In Knox County, children in custody with the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS) need a safe place to sleep at night. A November report by WBIR-10News revealed that children were sleeping in DCS offices due …

Marching for life in a post-Roe world

Knoxville event draws hundreds to celebrate an abortion-free Tennessee By Gabrielle Nolan Jan. 22 would have commemorated the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. It would have, if not for the fact that the legislation legalizing abortion throughout the United States was overturned by the Supreme Court on June 24 …

Ministering to the men and women in blue

Two priests and one deacon from the diocese provide law enforcement support as chaplains        By Gabrielle Nolan Law enforcement professionals keep us safe, maintain law and order, and run to dangerous situations when others are running away. Such an important and intense work calls for a special type of support. …

Food pantries in diocese navigate rising costs

Increasing prices at the grocery store mean more people are seeking assistance from the pantries    By Gabrielle Nolan A trip to the grocery store is all it takes to see how inflation is impacting individuals and families in this current economy. Rising food costs limit how far a dollar can …

‘Our love for the Blessed Mother’

Legion of Mary organization now active in 6 parishes and growing By Gabrielle Nolan Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. These prayerful words are recited during the rosary at every Legion of Mary meeting, to which members unite under the banner of the Blessed Mother. The …

‘A calling from the Lord’

Deacon John and Theresa Krepps share their adoption testimony By Gabrielle Nolan Theresa Krepps tells her children that even though they did not grow in her belly, they grew in her heart. Mrs. Krepps and her husband of 39 years, Deacon John Krepps, are the parents of five adopted children, …