Enrollment up at Diocese of Knoxville schools amid Church growth in East Tennessee By Bill Brewer The early numbers are in, and the results reveal an exciting, healthy trend in Catholic education in East Tennessee. Student enrollment is up again at Diocese of Knoxville schools as the 2026-27 academic year …
The miracle of priesthood
Father Michael Woods celebrates 60th anniversary as a priest By Dan McWilliams If Father Michael Woods is around, there is sure to be a great measure of laughter and song—and of the love he has for the Church and the love the people he serves have for him. All of …
Entrusting in His merciful love
Diocese, cathedral parish are consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus By Emily Booker The fire of Jesus’ love is burning brightly in East Tennessee. On June 12, the solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Father David Boettner, rector of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of …
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‘Come, follow me’
Father Daniel Cooper ordained a priest by Bishop Mark Beckman By Bill Brewer The solemnity of Corpus Christi was observed with extraordinary sacredness at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 6 as Bishop Mark Beckman ordained Daniel Cooper to the priesthood during a Mass that …
From liturgy to land
Diocesan Care of Creation Commission gathers down on deacon’s farm By Brett McLaughlin “In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught.” – Baba Dioum Deacon Chad Shields is not your average …
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One nation under God
Celebrate America’s 250th with consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus By Emily Booker As America prepares to celebrate its semiquincentennial, many Catholics are using the celebration as an opportunity to pray for the nation and entrust it to God’s mercy. From the entire country down to individual homes, American …
Diocese ‘shaking with joy’ amid record numbers entering the Catholic Church
Parishes celebrate the Light of Christ during Holy Week, Easter Masses By Olivia Kuhens and Bill Brewer Churches from South Pittsburg to Mountain City and Copperhill to Crossville were filled with faithful celebrating the risen Lord April 4-5 as Easter illuminated the Diocese of Knoxville Across the nation and right …
Funeral Mass held for Bishop Stika
Diocese of Knoxville’s third shepherd laid to rest at Sacred Heart Cathedral By Dan McWilliams On an overcast afternoon nearly 17 years to the day he was ordained as the Diocese of Knoxville’s third shepherd, Bishop Richard F. Stika was laid to rest in the columbarium of the cathedral whose …
Building the kingdom before our eyes
Diocese is poised to set a record for new Catholics at Easter Vigil By Dan McWilliams A standing-room-only gathering at the diocese’s cathedral for the annual Rite of Election was evidence that the Church in East Tennessee is growing at a record rate, reflecting a trend that is being seen …
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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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Knoxville Catholic High School parent detained in ICE enforcement actions
en español Immigrant community unsure of proper steps By The East Tennessee Catholic On the morning of Jan. 28, the father of a Knoxville Catholic High School student, whose family has asked to remain anonymous, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents near The Home Depot in East …
Celebrating NDHS
Notre Dame High School commemorates 150 years of educating students By Dan McWilliams Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga couldn’t have picked a better day than Jan. 6 to kick off its 150th-anniversary celebration. That was the day in 1876 when four Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation in Nashville …