Office of Christian Formation, St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic ministries receive assistance from new Alma Sisters By Jim Wogan Bishop Richard. F. Stika has appointed three members of the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich., to serve key positions in the Diocese of Knoxville. Sister Mary Lisa Renfer, RSM, DO, …
Bishop Stika, Sacred Heart Cathedral featured in ‘The Chair’
Catholic media ministry, profiling U.S. cathedrals, bishops in TV series, also interviews rector Father Boettner By Emily Booker If walls could talk, what would a cathedral say? The Diocese of Knoxville recently welcomed DeSales Media Group, a Catholic media production ministry out of the Diocese of Brooklyn to find out …
Matthew Donahue ordained to the transitional diaconate
Bishop Stika elevates the seminarian to holy orders, calling him a ‘gift from God’ for the diocese By Dan McWilliams As Bishop Richard F. Stika said in his homily, the name Matthew means “gift from God,” and he added that’s what the Diocese of Knoxville is receiving in newly …
Diocesan Tribunal of Knoxville becomes a reality
New ministry based in Chattanooga to handle annulment requests, other canon law cases By Bill Brewer The Diocese of Knoxville now has a fully functioning tribunal, a canon law ministry that will decide annulment cases and other legal matters that are within the specific purview of the Catholic Church and …
KCHS, NDHS Class of 2020 finally graduates
KCHS, NDHS Class of 2020 finally graduates Stories by Dan McWilliams The COVID-19 pandemic may have sent home seniors for the last two months of their high school careers and delayed graduation, but the commencement ceremonies for Knoxville Catholic High School and Notre Dame High School nevertheless took place in …
New Media’s Role in the New Evangelization
Catholic community increasingly relies on technology during the pandemic By Emily Booker Photography by Stephanie Richer “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation.’”— Matthew 16:15. When you first hear the word “evangelization,” what do you picture? Maybe a minister preaching on …
Keeping the needy fed during the pandemic
Diocese of Knoxville parishes and organization live out Christ’s message to feed the hungry By Dan McWilliams Feeding the hungry is among the most basic of the corporal works of mercy, and several Catholic food pantries around the Diocese of Knoxville are doing just that. For some pantries, the coronavirus …
Rising above the pandemic
Diocesan ministries continue serving despite COVID-19 and its aftereffects By Bill Brewer If hope opens doors, then Bishop Richard F. Stika is an optimistic — and joyful — spiritual doorman. As the nation and the world continue to grapple with COVID-19 and its ghastly ripples, the risen Jesus is all …
A Joyful Witness
How the Bishop’s Appeal transforms lives in the Diocese of Knoxville Story by Jim Wogan Photography by Stephanie Richer In early February, Bishop Richard F. Stika’s voice boomed across the Diocese of Knoxville with a message for all parishioners. “It is a joy to be with you on this feast …
Bond of Brothers
Meetings between Pope Francis, Bishop Stika during ad limina visit yield a friendly exchange of information, ideas, opinions, and humor By Jim Wogan Bishop Richard F. Stika went to the Vatican in early December bearing good news about the Diocese of Knoxville, and despite a schedule that can best be …
New Sacred Heart Cathedral receives a generous golden gift
New York artisan ascends 14 stories to cover metal cross in gold leaf as part of special gilding process By Jim Wogan Anne Domenech is an artist with absolutely no fear of altitude. For four days in October, Ms. Domenech found herself suspended in a crane basket nearly 14 stories …
Bishop Stika issues pastoral letter to address concerns of election results
Bishop Richard F. Stika has issued a pastoral letter to parishioners in the Diocese of Knoxville to address concerns following the 2016 presidential campaign and the Nov. 8 election. The letter was delivered at all 51 diocesan churches and missions during Masses on the second weekend of Advent. The presidential …











