KCHS athletes make All-State teams in fall sports

A number of Knoxville Catholic High School student athletes were recently recognized as All-State in their respective sports. The 2013 All-State athletes for fall sports are cross country: Annie Batcheller, Camille Baker, and Joe Binder; football: Logan Irwin, David Hamilton, Will Martinez, and Josh Silvey; girls soccer: Molly Dwyer, Ashley …

Msgr. George Schmidt named basilica pastor emeritus

Fathers Schriver, Manning, Cano, Torres Barona, Sister Mary Christine Cremin take on new diocesan roles Bishop Richard F. Stika has announced several assignment changes for the Diocese of Knoxville. Due to health concerns with Monsignor George Schmidt, pastor of the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga since 1986, …

Lexington’s Bishop Gainer named to Diocese of Harrisburg, Pa.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Bishop Ronald W. Gainer of Lexington has been named to head the Diocese of Harrisburg, Pa., and the vicar general of the Diocese of Fresno, Calif., has been named auxiliary bishop of Sacramento, Calif., the first for the diocese. Pope Francis made the appointments Jan. 24. They …

Living the readings: Being cute

A child’s description of the Christ Child becomes an epiphany As I was preparing my homilies for the Christmas Masses, I found myself trying to come up with a word that would explain the reaction Jesus received from the shepherds and the Magi. They were enthralled by the Christ Child …

Pope nominates 19 for College of Cardinals

VATICAN CITY (Catholic News Agency/EWTN News)—The 19 men chosen to be named cardinals in this month stress Pope Francis’ attention on the peripheries of the Church, and that appointment to a major diocese no longer automatically comes with a “red hat.” The 19 will be elevated to cardinal at a …

Funeral Mass held for Mark Fredrick, St. Francis deacon

FAIRFIELD GLADE — A funeral Mass for Deacon Mark Fredrick of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fairfield Glade was held Jan. 27 at the church. Deacon Fredrick, 89, of Crossville, passed away Jan. 18 at Standing Stone Care and Rehab Center in Monterey, Tenn. Bishop Richard F. Stika celebrated …

Marriage enrichment: Marriage Be-Attitudes

Strengthening marriages by strengthening our ‘domestic church’ is possible by modeling sacrificial love This past Christmas we were discussing New Year’s resolutions with our adult children. Our daughter-in-law shared that she and our son weren’t going to be making resolutions this year. She told us they were going to have …

Understanding the sacraments: The liturgical year

Introducing the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy and the mystery of Christ unfolding In this column I have been looking at the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, which laid the foundation for the reform of the liturgy. So far we have looked at the principles that guided the liturgical reform, …

Several developments looming large at Vatican in 2014

Canonization ceremony, new cardinals, papal trip to Holy Land, Synod of Bishops chief among them    VATICAN CITY — After a year that included the historic resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and a series of celebrated innovations by Pope Francis, it is hard to imagine 2014 at the Vatican could be …

Once upon a time: Giving is so much a part of Church teaching

Stewardship of financial resources and support of Bishop’s Appeal critical to a healthy diocese As I look back on nearly 75 years of formal education in the Catholic faith, I have many things for which to be grateful. My parents taught me the basic prayers, how to pray the rosary, …

Pro-life supporters ‘freeze for best cause in the world’

WASHINGTON (Catholic News Service/Catholic News Agency)— The polar vortex couldn’t chill the ardor of thousands of participants who demonstrated their determination to continue speaking out against abortion at the annual March for Life and rally Jan. 22 in Washington. Temperatures went briefly into double digits but hovered around 8 degrees. …

Diocesan educators, students prepare for Catholic Schools Week

Catholic Schools Week in the Diocese of Knoxville will kick off Sunday, Jan. 26, at many parish schools with Mass and open houses. Superintendent Sister Mary Mary Marta Abbott, RSM, has been collecting information on all the events occurring in the diocese’s 10 schools. This will be her third year …