Here are the Advent penance services scheduled around the diocese received as of press time. Note that many parishes (especially in the Smoky Mountain Deanery) are having, instead of penance services, extended or additional times for confession during Advent: Chattanooga Deanery Wednesday, Dec. 4: Holy Spirit, Soddy-Daisy, 7 p.m. Thursday, …
She prayed for vocations; God called her son
East Tennessee mother helped found a parish and raised a future priest By Catholic Extension Society A few days after Lucia Herman had her first child, Danny, she and her husband brought their infant son to Mass. Like Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel, Mrs. Herman was so grateful …
Paraclete book, gift store ceases operations
By The East Tennessee Catholic The Paraclete Catholic book and gift store, which operated in Knoxville for 37 years, closed permanently on July 3. The store had used space since 1990 in a building now owned by the Diocese of Knoxville and the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of …
Knoxville Catholic captures cross country titles
Keegan Smith wins his second individual state crown while the KCHS boys team takes first and the Lady Irish third By Dan McWilliams Led by individual state champion Keegan Smith, the Knoxville Catholic High School boys cross country runners captured the team state title this fall for the first time …
St. Thérèse of Lisieux Women of Faith complete spiritual adoption
The Women of Faith at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish in Cleveland have completed another successful Spiritual Adoption Program. Last January, parishioners “spiritually adopted” an unborn child to pray for throughout pregnancy and birth. They were provided with a prayer card to aid their journey. Many parishioners named their babies …
Celebrating God’s presence in nature
Care for Creation is at heart of Our Lady of Fatima outdoor Mass, pet blessing By Maggie Parsons On the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Alcoa invited the faithful from around the diocese to attend an outdoor Mass and take part in the …
Advent beginnings
A new Pentecost Springtime awaits as we emerge from the dark days of winter By Bishop Mark Beckman Every Advent is the dawn of a new liturgical year. As the days grow shorter, Christians have for centuries lit candles in preparation for the coming feast of Christmas. The Advent wreath …
Vocal students welcome new bishop
St. John Neumann’s all-school chorus has an a cappella birthday surprise By Bill Brewer Bishop Mark Beckman didn’t expect to be serenaded during his visit to St. John Neumann Church and School on Oct. 18. But serenaded he was as students who were gathered for an all-school Mass launched into …
Joseph C. Gallagher
Joseph Cornelius Gallagher, a former resident of East Tennessee and faithful member of the Diocese of Knoxville whose award-winning career in sports broadcasting spanned many decades, passed away peacefully on June 13, just three weeks shy of his 97th birthday. Born on July 5, 1927, to Edward and Anna Gallagher, …
The anamnesis in the Eucharistic Prayer
The Greek word for memorial is found in the earliest account by St. Paul of the Last Supper By Father Randy Stice In the Eucharistic Prayer (EP), following the consecration we hear these words: “Therefore, O Lord, as we celebrate the memorial of the saving passion of your Son, His …
Dennis B. Francis
Dennis Bruce Francis died on Oct. 29 in his West Knox County home after a brief, fierce battle with cancer. His wife, Theresa Habiger, daughter McKennah, and grandsons Bentley and Grayson were with him at his passing. Mr. Francis was a lifelong Catholic and a gifted trial lawyer who softened …
AI is everywhere—even in this column
Artificial intelligence writes the first eight paragraphs below as well as the closing prayer By George Valadie Wow, it was a lot! I’m talking about the deep dive I took recently into the world of artificial intelligence (AI). You’d think I was gearing up for a Ph.D. in computer science, …