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 …
The call of God
We are asked to nurture gentle servants of the Gospel By Bishop Mark Beckman The Second Vatican Council speaks of conscience as the “most secret core” and “sanctuary” of the person, where we are alone with God. There the “voice of God speaks deep within.” St. John Henry Newman, recently …
Spouses’ total gift of self ‘has a eucharistic dimension’
The integral relationship between the Eucharist and matrimony is profound By Father Randy Stice In recent columns, I have been discussing the relationship between the Eucharist and individual sacraments. The seven sacraments of the Church “touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life: they give birth …
In Nicaea: settling the Arian controversy
The council 1,700 years ago used the word ‘consubstantial’ that remains in the creed By Deacon Bob Hunt The Catholic Church in Alexandria, Egypt, was abuzz in the year 318. A priest of the diocese named Arius was preaching a doctrine that was attracting a lot of attention and growing …
Back-to-school time for family routines
Lunches, homework, and uniforms have evolved but still need a schedule By George Valadie Praying for Perspective—the back-to-school edition. Because can there be a family experience where we need it more? In our diocese, as I write on this Sunday morning, teachers have been working a week already, and all …
Why will there be a Last Judgment?
The reasons include revealing for all to see the fullness of God’s justice and glory By Deacon Bob Hunt In the Book of Revelation 5:1-5, John describes a vision of a new heaven and new earth that represents the culmination of God’s kingdom. The old order has passed away. The …
The Eucharist and the sacrament of holy orders
The interplay between them goes back to the Upper Room, where they were instituted By Father Randy Stice “All the sacraments are bound up with the Eucharist and are directed toward it. For in the most blessed Eucharist is contained the entire spiritual wealth of the Church, namely Christ himself.”1 …
Dads and daughters and a day at the pool
Exhilaration and exasperation are common themes with family vacations By George Valadie She was all of 3. Maybe. He was 33. At least. But she was winning. By a lot. “Come on, you can do it. Just jump,” he said. Her brain was all about it. Her legs? Not so …
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With much gratitude
Reflecting on a year with God’s beauty and gift of faith By Bishop Beckman On a 30-day Ignatian Retreat, my director noted at one point that God gave us the gift of memory for two primary reasons: wisdom and gratitude. Wisdom gleaned from reflecting on our past mistakes and gratitude …