We are one team in the great common witness made up of many movements that further the Church I think people like to join groups perhaps because they want to help others and to be a part of something greater than themselves. I remember my excitement when I first joined …
Living the readings: The rites of spring
The season for planting is here, which will lead to new life Early spring has already come, and with it the refreshing spring rains that foretell the beginning of life. Crops soon will start growing from seeds that are only now being planted. The season for planting has begun. In …
Once upon a time: We can value the past by investing in future
Schools, churches, cathedral point to growth of Catholicism in East Tennessee that has foundation in history If the history of our Diocese of Knoxville had ended with its first anniversary on Sept. 8, 1989, a much different story would have been told. So I look forward to the final diocesan …
Marriage enrichment: Inviting God into a marriage
Prayer between husbands and wives can enhance matrimony by emphasizing listening, forgiveness My husband and I recently attended a Celebration of Life service for the father of a close friend. Our friend’s father, Chester R. Cecil Sr., had been married to his wife, Barbara, for 67 years. The eulogy given …
He dwells among us: With the help of the saints
Holiness is answer to question of what it means to be truly human; saints are special friends to help us Shortly after his election as pope in 1958, the world was introduced to the quick wit and humor of Blessed John XXIII. “Anybody can be Pope,” he exclaimed, and “the …
Living the readings: Being cute
A child’s description of the Christ Child becomes an epiphany As I was preparing my homilies for the Christmas Masses, I found myself trying to come up with a word that would explain the reaction Jesus received from the shepherds and the Magi. They were enthralled by the Christ Child …
Marriage enrichment: Marriage Be-Attitudes
Strengthening marriages by strengthening our ‘domestic church’ is possible by modeling sacrificial love This past Christmas we were discussing New Year’s resolutions with our adult children. Our daughter-in-law shared that she and our son weren’t going to be making resolutions this year. She told us they were going to have …
Understanding the sacraments: The liturgical year
Introducing the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy and the mystery of Christ unfolding In this column I have been looking at the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, which laid the foundation for the reform of the liturgy. So far we have looked at the principles that guided the liturgical reform, …
Once upon a time: Giving is so much a part of Church teaching
Stewardship of financial resources and support of Bishop’s Appeal critical to a healthy diocese As I look back on nearly 75 years of formal education in the Catholic faith, I have many things for which to be grateful. My parents taught me the basic prayers, how to pray the rosary, …
From the sublime to the Ordinary
The Liturgy of the Word for January is a fine tapestry woven into an intricate collage. One end, starting the Octave Day of Christmas, features the Book of Numbers where God tells Moses to teach Aaron how to bless the Israelites. It depicts the ideal living out of the Old …
He dwells among us: Hope and new beginnings
Advent reminds us of what a new beginning truly is when our hope is Christ We all look forward to the new beginnings that mark life’s journey, which we hope will be filled with much good in our future and in the lives of others. And with every life disappointment …
Living the readings: Watching the sun rise
Christ’s constant presence gives light to the darkness December is the darkest month of the year. Its first 20 days are a progression into ever longer nights until the 21st of December, when we experience in the Northern Hemisphere the longest day of darkness of the year. The Church reacts …
