New Paulist priest finds hidden joys in ministry

Fr. Richard Whitney ‘juggling’ first year of priesthood, service on UT campus    By Gabrielle Nolan Paulist Father Richard Whitney describes his first year of priesthood as a “whirlwind.” “I don’t know that I’ve ever known time to fly by so happily before or in my life,” the 53-year-old priest said. …

Bishop Stika, Cardinal Rigali meet with Ukraine archbishop

Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church leader invites U.S. bishops to visit war-torn nation By Jim Wogan The leader of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church has experienced the horrible impact of Russia’s war on Ukraine in grotesquely vivid ways. In early April, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk was called to pray before mutilated …

Faith in the risen Lord

Holiest week of the year arrives as Bishop Stika celebrates Chrism, Easter Masses  By Dan McWilliams Calling it a “great joy” at one Mass, Bishop Richard F. Stika celebrated the liturgies and services of Holy Week: Palm Sunday, the Chrism Mass, the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, …

On the road again

Bishop Stika resumes a full confirmation schedule as youth prepare to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit By Dan McWilliams Bishop Richard F. Stika is back on the road conferring confirmations after COVID paused most of his celebrations of the sacrament last year, and no one may be any …

Following GPS during the holiest of seasons

Does God’s Plan for Salvation include you? IC Lenten ecumenical service offers a map to penance By Bill Brewer In the holiest spirit of neighborly ecumenism, downtown Knoxville churches celebrated the Lenten season leading into Easter by sharing each other’s faith practices, and Immaculate Conception Church was at the forefront. …

U.S. Ukrainian Catholic bishop visits refugees on war-torn border

By Catholic Extension and staff reports Bishop Bohdan Danylo, who leads the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Josaphat based in Parma, Ohio, is the first U.S. bishop to travel to the Ukrainian border following the Russian invasion. Throughout his visit, Bishop Danylo met with other charitable organizations as well as …

Partners in health

Dr. Dean Mire, Sacred Heart Parish teamed with Dr. Farmer to build Haiti health-care ministry       By Bill Brewer Dr. Dean Mire, a Knoxville family practice physician who has helped lead the Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish’s medical ministry in Haiti, remembers his first encounter with Dr. Paul Farmer. Dr. Mire …

Commanding attention

All eyes, ears were on former member of Swiss Guard during Gatlinburg Study Days for diocesan priests By Jim Wogan Dr. Mario Enzler’s voice exploded across the hotel meeting room in Gatlinburg in undulating waves, like mini-sonic booms. He may have been addressing ordained priests from the Diocese of Knoxville, …

Paraclete bookstore makes contribution to educate seminarians 

By Jim Wogan The Paraclete Catholic Books and Gifts store, a ministry of the Diocese of Knoxville, made a significant contribution to the life of the Church in January. Store manager Sara Lauer and business consultant Deacon Walt Otey presented Bishop Richard F. Stika with a check for more than …

Medical facility OK’d for former St. Mary’s Hospital campus

City of Knoxville, Knox County move ahead with behavioral-health, urgent-care facility next to new Safety Complex By Eric Vreeland City of Knoxville It’ll be a few years before it’s designed and developed, but local officials are excited that a part of the former St. Mary’s Hospital campus will continue to …

Carlo Acutis: Cyber-apostle of the Eucharist

By Janice Fritz-Ryken “All people are born as originals but many die as photocopies.”— Blessed Carlo Acutis The Eucharistic Miracles of the World Exhibit was originally the brainchild of a young man deeply devoted to the holy Eucharist who died of leukemia before reaching adulthood, but not before using technology …