The grace received in the sacrament of reconciliation is powerful and transformative By Deacon Bob Hunt I am a sinner. There’s no use beating around the bush. Yes, I am a Catholic. I am a Catholic husband, and a Catholic father, and a Catholic grandfather. I am even an ordained …
The magic of a candy jar and a listening ear
Sharing time with students might be the enduring legacy of Catholic schools By George Valadie It’s a simple candy dish, but it’s like it has magical, magnetic powers. I don’t understand it … but I do love it. In the interest of full disclosure—and please don’t tell her I’m giving …
Light has dawned
Record Rite of Election shows God’s presence in the Church in East Tennessee By Bishop Mark Beckman The days of Lent had just dawned when great numbers of people gathered at our Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus from all across our diocese. Every pew was filled and …
Confession is an encounter with the Trinity
In the sacrament, we truly meet our heavenly Father in His beloved Son and the Holy Spirit By Father Randy Stice Every celebration of a sacrament, says the Church, “is a meeting of God’s children with their Father, in Christ and the Holy Spirit,” a dialogue in liturgical signs, actions, …
The lamb’s role in Judeo-Christian religion
Jesus, the Lamb of God, effected our redemption from the bondage of sin By Deacon Bob Hunt The lamb has had a significant role in the religion of the Judeo-Christian people from time immemorial. Perhaps this was natural, given the role of sheep in providing clothing and nourishment to the …
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Bishop Richard F. Stika, third bishop of Knoxville, dies
The East Tennessee Catholic Bishop Richard F. Stika, who served as the third bishop of the Diocese of Knoxville from 2009 to 2023, died in his native St. Louis at age 68. He was found in his residence on Feb. 17. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at the Church …
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‘Does might make right?’
‘Might’ must be exercised ‘rightly’ if it is not to be destructive By Bishop Mark Beckman My world history teacher in high school introduced me to the fascinating story of human history and was able to convey remarkable insights at times with key phrases. One of them I remember best …
Snow days, celebrations, and Catholic schools
‘The fullest and best opportunity to realize the…purpose of Christian education’ By George Valadie For some, the week ended exactly as it had begun. Battles with the weather, shortened schedules, and a whole lot of smiles at the unexpected closures. Catholic Schools Week has again come and gone for our …
Eucharistic adoration flows from the Mass
St. Alphonsus: ‘adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the greatest after the sacraments’ By Father Randy Stice The Church has never ceased to reflect on Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist, penetrating ever more profoundly into the mystery of the complete transformation of the bread and wine into the …
The overpass sign everyone should read
And a resolution that might make the most difference for the most people By George Valadie There were three of them. At least I think there were three of them. I should probably know since I was driving and in charge of paying attention to the road, but they went …
State dioceses rank high in fruitfulness
Number of seminarians, weddings, infant baptisms per Catholic place them in nation’s top 10 By Deacon Bob Hunt An article published last month by The Catholic World Report purports to rank the Catholic dioceses in the United States by how fruitful each diocese is in terms of seminarians, weddings, infant …
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New beginnings
Take time to reflect on Jesus’ words: You are the light of the world! By Bishop Mark Beckman As we enter 2026 in this time of a new year, my mind goes back to the humble beginnings of Jesus’ own ministry in Galilee. I will never forget the first time …