Rod Bennett brings a bit of ‘hillbilly’ to his writing projects, which are gaining acclaim By Gabrielle Nolan Rod Bennett admitted laughingly that he is “a little bit of a hillbilly.” Although the Catholic author grew up in and spent many years living in Atlanta, he was born in Maryville. …
‘Congratulations!’
The one word that saved an unborn child and changed the life of a college student By Janice Fritz-Ryken You never know how deeply one word, one simple thing you say to someone, can impact their life. In this case, one word—a simple “congratulations”—transformed the fear of a scared, single …
Fighting for life
Challenges to Tennessee’s strong anti-abortion laws draw the ire of Catholic women voters The East Tennessee Catholic The 2023 edition of Pro-Life Women’s Day on the Hill proved to be an exercise in civic action and grassroots legislative influence as Catholic women from across the state convened in Nashville on …
Buy Nothing group offers a way to give, receive
Basilica members combine the beauty of Catholic tradition and the richness of Catholic social teaching By Claire Collins The Bird family, inspired by a call from fellow Catholic friends around the country, have started a “Buy Nothing” group at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga. The idea …
Faith, family, and football
Vols athletics icon Gus Manning remembered as someone filled with all three blessings By Bill Brewer The Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus was steeped in orange Feb. 20 for the funeral Mass of longtime University of Tennessee Athletics Department icon Charles A. “Gus” Manning, who died Feb. …
Putting his flags down
Father John O’Neill is officially an American citizen following Nashville naturalization ceremony By Katie Peterson Tennessee Register After 30 years in the United States, Father John O’Neill is officially an American citizen after taking his Oath of Allegiance during his naturalization ceremony on Jan. 18 at the Fred D. Thompson …
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The Eucharistic Revival is underway — and you’re invited
Each parish and Catholic community is being asked to take part in celebrating love of the Eucharist By Deacon Jim Bello and Emily Booker Catholics across East Tennessee are invited to reflect and deepen their connection to Jesus in the Eucharist during the National Eucharistic Revival, now underway. The revival …
Marching for life in a post-Roe world
Knoxville event draws hundreds to celebrate an abortion-free Tennessee By Gabrielle Nolan Jan. 22 would have commemorated the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. It would have, if not for the fact that the legislation legalizing abortion throughout the United States was overturned by the Supreme Court on June 24 …
Bishop reflects on the Holy Father who appointed him to lead diocese
By Jim Wogan Bishop Richard F. Stika and Cardinal Justin Rigali had special relationships with Pope Benedict XVI, something one would expect between a bishop of Rome and a priest he named to lead one of the Church’s dioceses and between two members of the College of Cardinals. Bishop Stika …
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Luisa Piccarreta lives at the heart of the Benedictine family
Servant of God’s life and Divine Will writings are a source of inspiration for the faithful By Bill Brewer In much of the world, Luisa Piccarreta is a saint in waiting whose prolific writings were divinely inspired and merit careful study. To much of East Tennessee, the Servant of God …
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Fr. Augustine Idra marks 25th anniversary
Bishop Stika, priests, parishioners join together for Mass at St. Jude to celebrate the milestone By Claire Collins Father Augustine Idra, the regional superior for the Apostles of Jesus religious order and a former missionary to the Diocese of Knoxville, celebrated his 25th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood on …
‘A calling from the Lord’
Deacon John and Theresa Krepps share their adoption testimony By Gabrielle Nolan Theresa Krepps tells her children that even though they did not grow in her belly, they grew in her heart. Mrs. Krepps and her husband of 39 years, Deacon John Krepps, are the parents of five adopted children, …