Nearly 1,000 FOCUS students attend conference in downtown Knoxville By Gabrielle Nolan “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” College students traveled to Knoxville to do just that for SEEK22, the annual winter conference hosted Feb. 4-6 by the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS). FOCUS …
Marches for life attract supporters of all ages
Events in Chattanooga, Knoxville attract hundreds of supporters By Gabrielle Nolan Multiple March for Life events took place across the state of Tennessee as Jan. 22 commemorated the 49th anniversary of Roe v. Wade legalizing abortion throughout the United States. Knoxville and Chattanooga held marches for participants to walk through …
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Schools work to include special-needs students
Diocese of Knoxville educators accommodate children with a wide range of learning needs By Gabrielle Nolan The Diocese of Knoxville has been serving students with special learning needs for more than 20 years. The Office of Catholic Schools’ Special Services Handbook, which is revised every five years, is “a living …
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‘At home and secure’
St. John XXIII Parish volunteers assist refugees, including Afghans, relocating to East Tennessee By Gabrielle Nolan Imagine you must flee your home country. All you can take with you is what you are able to carry on your back and in your hands, if it doesn’t get lost or stolen, …
Historical artifacts of Father Patrick Ryan find a home in basilica
Possible second-class relics from Servant of God’s remains occupy a casket in anticipation of canonization By Gabrielle Nolan In the Church, relics are an important component of the Catholic faith, commemorating the saints who have gone before who are able to intercede in the lives of the faithful through their …
Sister shares love of woodworking with students
Dominican Sister Maria Kolbe’s pupils have made candle holders, stools, plaques, and more By Gabrielle Nolan The first time Sister Maria Kolbe Rossi, OP, worked with wood, she was in the sixth grade. “It was a woodworking class in school that you took during the day, and it was once …
Young adults learn to ready homes, hearts for Advent season
Diocese of Knoxville’s young adult ministry and Office of Christian Formation join to present a seasonal retreat By Gabrielle Nolan As Christians, we know that the liturgical season of Advent is a preparation for welcoming the Christ child on Christmas day, ushering in a season of light, joy, hope, and …
A priestly vocation takes a worldwide journey
Russia native Father Valentin Iurochkin learns diocesan life in East Tennessee By Gabrielle Nolan The word “catholic” means “universal,” and one priest who exemplifies this universal faith is Father Valentin Iurochkin, IVE, the current parochial vicar at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga. Father Iurochkin, 29, is …
Local Knights assembly honors Tennessee veterans with wreaths at state cemetery
By Gabrielle Nolan Remember. Honor. Teach. This is the mission of Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit based in Maine dedicated to remembering “the men and women who served our country, honor our military and their families, and teach our children about our freedom and those who protect it.” And for …
Annual Christmas donations bring joy to families
St. Albert the Great Parish ministry serves kids from Appalachia through Crazy Quilt By Gabrielle Nolan For some children living in East Tennessee, the only Christmas presents they’ll receive each year are the ones gifted to them by charities and churches. And for St. Albert …
All Souls Day Mass remembers those interred in cathedral columbarium
By Gabrielle Nolan Mass was celebrated for the first time at the altar in the columbarium of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus to mark All Souls Day on Nov. 2, with Bishop Richard F. Stika serving as celebrant. The feast, which directly follows All Saints Day, …
Local Knights carry on food-delivery ministry
The far-reaching legacy of St. John Neumann parishioner Ted H. Denning Jr. continues By Gabrielle Nolan If you ever wondered if one person could make a difference in the world, the answer is yes. I would like to introduce you to a man named Ted Denning. His impact was far-reaching …
