The way we despise the opposition with a depth of vileness cannot help but impact our children By George Valadie It’s a story my wife has recounted countless times. And one for which I have given her grief in equal number. But it comes to mind these days. At the …
Challenges affecting participation in Mass
In a media-driven age, writes Pope Benedict XVI, signs and symbols are no longer understood By Father Randy Stice Recent popes have identified three cultural challenges that can affect our participation in the Mass. Pope Francis has written that many today no longer believe that God is present and active …
Looking, listening, and learning
‘Bishop of the Mountains’ discovering the spirit of the Lord is active in East Tennessee By Bishop Mark Beckman Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, what a joy it is to be your shepherd here in the Diocese of Knoxville! From the first moment I arrived as bishop-elect in early …
A few ways we can ‘be Christ for all’
Being there for each other and being available helps us live out His call By Deacon Bob Hunt The universal call to holiness is one that is to be heard and acted on by every person who claims Christ as his or her Savior. What does it mean to be …
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A new school role he didn’t see coming
Serving as diocesan superintendent puts him back with those called by the Master Teacher By George Valadie I didn’t see that coming! A few short weeks ago, I was spending a good bit of my days on the back porch. Sleeping late. Hitting thousands of golf balls at the driving …
‘Toward the top’
Source and summit central to Bishop Mark Beckman’s ministry By Bill Staley A Dominican, a Franciscan, a bishop, and a pope go on a hike. Bishop Mark Beckman’s life can be viewed as one large hike up to this base camp of his episcopacy. Over the next decade or so, …
A bishop and the liturgical life of his diocese
Sacred power is given to the shepherd to build up ‘his flock in truth and holiness’ By Father Randy Stice “The bishop is the chief steward of the mysteries of God and the overseer of all liturgical life in the Church entrusted to his care.” This is how the Ceremonial …
Trusting in God’s great plan
Moved to tears by ‘Les Mis,’ writer has hope in the Lord and Bishop Beckman By Claire Collins If you’ve never seen the 2012 movie adaptation of the musical “Les Misérables,” prepare yourself for a spoiler alert (in fact, go watch it and then come back to this column). During …
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The vicars of Christ
Bishops give life to the local Church by proclaiming the Gospel, leading ministry By Deacon Bob Hunt Congratulations to newly ordained Bishop Mark Beckman, the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Knoxville! Bishop Beckman, I believe you will find the Catholics of East Tennessee eager for your leadership and open …
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Thank you, Lord. Can we keep him?
A seminarian’s skill with the tetherball crowd hinted at greater things to come By George Valadie I first met the young man on the playground where I was principal. He and the other students were doing battle in a wild and woolly game of tetherball. He was older, though. Bigger. …
A look at the Rite of Ordination of a Bishop
It is composed of the preparatory rites, the essential element, and the explanatory rites By Father Randy Stice On July 26, Bishop-elect Mark Beckman will be ordained and installed as the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Knoxville. In this column I want to explain the Rite of Ordination of …
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The gift of laughing with your spouse
In 47 years of marriage, he has learned that God’s grace has many forms, including that gift “… And it’s the way that she looks with the rice in her hair” By George Valadie “Eating burnt suppers the whole first year “And asking for seconds to keep her from tearing …
