St. Thomas the Apostle parishioner and lifetime Cubs fan almost gets to witness his lifelong dream By Bill Brewer Bill Waskelis’ lifelong dream came true on Nov. 2. The Chicago Cubs won the World Series after a 108-year drought. His son, Kevin, wishes his dad had been here to …
Parishes preparing to launch V Encuentro
National program’s focus is to strengthen cultural communities, identify and develop more lay leaders By Bill Brewer At Pope Francis’ urging, the Catholic Church is embarking on a four-year program to create a culture of encounter that calls on all Catholics to share their heritage with each other, remove …
St. Mary-Oak Ridge hosts NFL Punt, Pass & Kick sectional
St. Mary School in Oak Ridge hosted the East Tennessee Sectional Championship for the NFL’s Punt, Pass & Kick (PPK) competition Oct. 16. Boys and girls ages 6-15 from East Tennessee competed in the free contest sponsored by the NFL and USA Football. PPK began in 1961, and continues today …
St. Mary-Oak Ridge repeats as volleyball champs
The girls varsity volleyball team at St. Mary School in Oak Ridge recently competed in the Knoxville Independent School League small-school tournament and beat Apostolic Christian Academy to win the championship at the Knoxville Christian School gym in a winner-take-all match. This year’s Lady Crusader squad won the KISL regular-season …
Creative KCHS yearbook staff paints art wall in Market Square
Several Knoxville Catholic High School yearbook students painted a “Before I Die” wall on the alley side of the Oliver Hotel building in downtown Knoxville on Nov. 6. This wall creates an interactive space for Market Square visitors to write and share things they want to accomplish before they die. …
Runner Keegan Smith wins elementary state, national crowns
By Dan McWilliams Fourth-grade cross country runner Keegan Smith of Sacred Heart Cathedral School repeated as state champion Oct. 22 and captured his second national championship Nov. 19. Keegan, who also won this year’s AAU indoor track-and-field national title in March, placed first in the nation among 10-year-olds with a …
Cathedral dedication stone begins yearlong tour of diocese
Marble piece blessed by Pope Francis will visit all 51 parishes and missions in lead-up to cathedral opening By Jim Wogan As the new Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus reaches the final phases of construction, Bishop Richard F. Stika has announced the cathedral dedication stone Pope Francis blessed, …
KCHS boys cross country team captures state championship
The Knoxville Catholic High School boys cross country team won the Class A-AA state championship for the second year in a row Nov. 5 at the Percy Warner Park Steeplechase Course in Nashville. Georde Goodwyn and Jake Renfree finished 1-2 in the state for the Irish against a field of …
A priest’s open letter to young adults: Why you need the Church
In a world where Catholicism increasingly is pushed to the periphery, the 18-and-over group is vital By Father Michael Cummins Why do some young adults wander away from the Church? There are no easy answers to this. At least I have not found one in my own experience of ministry. …
He dwells among us: Never alone
We are all called to be the consoling presence of the Merciful Father to others By Bishop Richard F. Stika “THE HOUR IS COMING,” Jesus said to His disciples, when “each of you will be scattered … and you will leave me alone; yet I am not alone for the …
Praying for Perspective: Celebrating Notre Dame High School’s storied presence
By George Valadie Happy birthday, ol’ girl! We salute you. We salute your age, your impact, you unending and uplifting spirit. After all, who even gets to be 140 years old these days? Few institutions, traditions or inventions (think 8-tracks) — have that sort of life. Moreover, who or what leaves …
Blue Mass celebrates those serving in public safety
By Bill Brewer East Tennessee law-enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical responders took part in the Diocese of Knoxville’s Blue Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral on Oct. 2, where the reading from Habakkuk was especially poignant at a time when public safety personnel increasingly feel under pressure in their communities. …
