The sacrament contributes to the five key areas of the Diocese of Knoxville’s strategic plan By Father Randy Stice Bishop Mark Beckman has begun implementing his pastoral vision for our diocese, “Bearing the Light of Christ in East Tennessee.” One of the chief ways that the light of Christ is …
Fathers are essential to the wellness of children
A father can lead activities to help his family live the Catholic faith more fully By Bob Hunt It’s well past the time that our society started recognizing the importance of fathers in the lives of their children. Every page of social research on the question affirms that fathers are …
‘Did ya’ll see?’ and ‘Can you believe?’
Bad laws and bad processes still require a willing participant By George Valadie I remember it was a Friday when Christa Pike was finally able to get my full attention. She’d been in the news here and there since 1995 but especially of late. Mostly a Tennessee story but one …
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St. Michael the Archangel, pray for us
Prayers (but not all of them) are vital elements in the Mass liturgy By Bishop Mark Beckman Having recently celebrated the feast of the Archangels (Sts. Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel) and the feast of the Guardian Angels, I am reminded once again of the great care God has for us …
‘Cafeteria Catholicism’ has a fundamental problem
Its followers reject the doctrine that the Church is the instrument of God’s revelation in Christ By Deacon Bob Hunt “Cafeteria Catholicism” remains a reality in the Church of the 21st century. We likely see examples of it in our fellow parishioners, in our families, sometimes even in our priests …
Grandson, granddad traveling roads to the future
Time together acquaints one youngster with a growing collection of new encounters By George Valadie The first time I wrote about Brady, I hadn’t even met him. He was in the womb, Katy’s to be exact, our oldest. So, what I wrote at that time wasn’t so much about him. …
Celebrating, honoring grandparents
Wishing all of our matriarchs and patriarchs a Happy Grandparents Day By Gabrielle Nolan Grandma Rosie mowed her own lawn until she was 80 years old. She is masterful at crochet, stays awake into the wee hours of the night reading, and still yells at the television to cheer on …
The hard work of love
Let us bear the light of Christ and help build a civilization of love By Bishop Mark Beckman All is gift! As I noted last month, everything we have in this created world is a gift from the Lord to us. Our first response to that awareness is always gratitude, …
The different ‘languages’ used in the liturgy
Mass employs postures, gestures, movement, and more in its dialogue between God and His children By Father Randy Stice The liturgy has its own language. Pope Benedict XVI described “the various kinds of language that the liturgy employs: words and music, gestures and silence, movement, the liturgical colors of the …
St. Faustina and the graces found at each Mass
‘Almost every feast of the Church gives me a deeper knowledge of God and a special grace’ By Father Randy Stice The liturgical year, which begins with Advent and concludes with the solemnity of Christ the King, “unfolds the whole mystery of Christ, from the incarnation and birth until the …
Catholics have contributed much to U.S. history
They have served in battle, founded communities of priests and Sisters, and much more By Deacon Bob Hunt This year the United States of America celebrates the 250th anniversary of our founding, or the Semiquincentennial for those out there enamored of the sometimes-grandiose overloading of the English language. Catholics have …
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It’s all gift
‘The finest response we can offer God in return begins with gratitude’ By Bishop Mark Beckman One of the moments of my daily morning prayer that has become increasingly significant through the years is the time I spend in silent stillness with the Lord. One particular awareness during that time …