Archbishop Kurtz, USCCB president, sets implementation date for Pentecost Sunday 2016 By Father Randy Stice The new English translation of the Order of Confirmation has been confirmed by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. Publication is scheduled for this fall. Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, president …
Marriage Enrichment: Preparing for Pope Francis
Diocese is actively engaged in World Meeting of Families as paper visit nears By Marian Christiana The Pope is coming! The Pope is coming! In case you didn’t know, Pope Francis will be coming to the United States in September. He will arrive in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Sept. 22. …
Once upon a time: Out of step with the normal
Praying for five servicemen, their families, and the Chattanooga community By Monsignor Xavier Mankel The Chattanooga area, tucked in the southeast corner of Tennessee, is no stranger to bloodshed – dating all the way to Indian days. Granted, most of the time since the Spanish landed in Florida near the …
Living the Readings: Jesus’ words come to life
The law of God takes us from earthly life to the eternal By Father Joseph Brando August is a different kind of month liturgically. For the first time in a long time, and this year, we have five Sundays in a row in the same month that all the Sunday …
Fighting hunger is a team affair for parishes
A highly organized assembly line of parishioners from across the Diocese of Knoxville gathered at St. Thomas the Apostle in Lenoir City on July 25 in an effort to help end hunger in Africa. Those who took part in the Helping Hands project, sponsored by Catholic Relief Services, helped churn …
Of prophets and kings
By Father Joseph Brando In modern times, the relationship between church and state is complex and difficult. The complication is due to multiple factors, including the migration of peoples, race, military power, the attitude of the people, and the power of one or more ethnic groups in the nation, among …
Bishop Stika issues statement on U.S. Supreme Court same-sex union ruling
Bishop Richard F. Stika issued a statement following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on June 26 calling for all states to license and recognize same-sex unions. “I am disappointed in today’s Supreme Court decision,” Bishop Stika said shortly after the court decision. “Regardless of the ruling, as Catholics and Christians, we will …
Praying for perspective: Living our vocations
Whether priests, women religious, or mom and dad By George Valadie Well, I have to say it’s been quite the summer already, and the baby hasn’t even gotten here yet. Yes, in a week or so, our middle daughter, Meg, will experience the miracle of birth yet again when she …
Once upon a time: Keep cool and remain faithful
By Monsignor Xavier Mankel Although there are some vestiges of the summers of yesteryear still around, the pace that you and I face June, July and August differs measurably from yesteryear. Refrigerated air-conditioning is partially responsible for this. No matter how hot the temperature, we work, worship and relax at …
He dwells among us: Stand beside her
In the struggle against suffering, there is one sword we should all take up By Bishop Richard F. Stika July is always a special time when I give particular thanks to God for the gifts of life, of baptism and of our country. Mom gave birth to me on the …
Diocese of Knoxville welcomes four new priests
By Jim Wogan With words of encouragement and a few more on what to expect, Bishop Richard F. Stika ordained four new priests into the Diocese of Knoxville on June 27. Jesus Guerrero-Rodriguez, Michael Hendershott, Scott Russell and Ray Powell all received their Holy Orders during the Rite of Ordination …
Baseball author goes by The Book
By Jim Wogan Bryan Steverson doesn’t go anywhere, including Mass, without a pen and some three-by-five index cards in his back pocket. The Virginia native and his wife, Barbara, have been parishioners at Our Lady of Fatima in Alcoa for 30 years. During Mass, Mr. Steverson’s focus is on the …