In this season of transition, we are thankful to God for His blessings By Bishop Mark Beckman During these days of autumn, the light has begun to shorten, the evenings and mornings are crisp and cool, and the colors of East Tennessee are on full display. This time of transition …
Making Sundays stressful is a talent for some
While seeking the unknowable balance between petition and gratitude By George Valadie Fourteen minutes, no more. Always the same. If it varies at all, it’s never more than 60 seconds either way. That’s all it takes to get from our house to Sunday Mass. What’s your drive like? When our …
Explaining three profound aspects of the Mass
‘Memorial,’ ‘covenant,’ and ‘sacrifice’ are spoken in every liturgy, but what do they mean? By Father Randy Stice “As we celebrate the memorial”—“The new and eternal covenant”—“May the Lord accept the sacrifice.” We hear these phrases at every Mass, and the three italicized words—memorial, covenant, sacrifice—express three profound aspects of …
1
A reminder of what following Christ means
Erika Kirk forgives ‘that young man’ charged with assassinating her husband By Deacon Bob Hunt This world, and our country at this time, is a violent, destructive, dehumanizing place. Even still, every once in a while, there is a moment of grace that reminds us of God’s love and challenges …
2
A love-hate relationship with country music
And missing the mentor who loved it and the family life it reminds me to cherish By George Valadie It’s my new favorite song. I’ve always felt like a bit of a music oddball when compared with my friends, but it was especially true when I was growing up. While …
1
Addressing an epidemic of violence
We are all invited to do an examination of conscience and a conversion from the culture of death By Bishop Mark Beckman On Thursday, Sept. 11, I celebrated Mass for the students at Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga on the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The day before, …
The culmination of the sacraments of initiation
Pope Francis: baptism, confirmation, and first Communion ‘form a single saving event’ By Father Randy Stice In recent columns, we have explored the relationship between the Eucharist and the other sacraments. In the final column in this series, we will look at the Eucharist as the culmination of the sacraments …
A Loving Option Adoption—living the Gospel of life
A Loving Option Adoption—living the Gospel of life By Beth Schmitt On Sept. 20, I was privileged to be a member of a team of volunteers that organized and hosted the second annual Barn Dance to raise funds for Catholic Charities of East Tennessee’s (CCETN) adoption ministry, A Loving Option …
The Eucharist and the anointing of the sick
All that Christ did during His earthly ministry, He now does in the sacraments By Father Randy Stice In the Eucharist, we encounter “the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ Himself.” This is why the Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life” and why the …
Where are we going?
We are part of this great living chain of God’s holy ones in East Tennessee By Bishop Mark Beckman When I was a child and we would see my father heading to the door, we would often ask, “Where are you going?” And sometimes with a smile he would answer, …
What the Church teaches on organ donation
This columnist is in need of a kidney transplant and asks for prayers from his readers By Deacon Bob Hunt This is going to be a more personal column. People have been asking about my health. I am in need of a kidney transplant. People who love me have been …
Report cards can be stressful for all concerned
But if we can’t be good at all things, we can surely be good at some things, right? By George Valadie I don’t know how it’s possible, but it won’t be long before schools will arrive at report-card time. There are quarter versions and six-weeks versions, not to mention the …