Ministry at Our Lady of Fatima serves up food and community spirit By Allison DiGennaro Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Alcoa established a Blessing Box ministry in 2022 as a way to extend a helping hand to the local community by offering free food items to those in need. …
Justice and mercy
An OLPH Lenten retreat that touched hearts and changed minds By Magdiel Argueta On the fifth Sunday of Lent, I participated in a very special retreat organized by the young adults group Tras las Huellas de Jesús (In the Footsteps of Jesus) from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in …
Sister Mary John leaves as principal in Oak Ridge
Sister Mary John Slonkosky, OP, principal of St. Mary School in Oak Ridge since fall 2021, recently told the community that she is leaving for a new assignment at the motherhouse of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation in Nashville. She will be succeeded by Sister Catherine Marie Hopkins, …
A weekend of green shirts and spiritual renewal at St. Stephen
Over the past few months, visitors to St. Stephen Parish in Chattanooga may have noticed a colorful new theme at Sunday Mass: the color green. Green polos have become a familiar sight in the pews—worn by greeters, ushers, and smiling parishioners alike. Printed boldly with the word “WELCOME,” these shirts …
Astronaut, rocket scientists visit STAR Ex camp
Students (and parents) get hands-on experience at St. John Neumann School as they explore space By Bill Brewer The 2025 version of the STAR Ex camp did not disappoint when it came to engaging young students in the wonders of space exploration, astronomy, rocketry, telescopes, robotics, satellites, rovers, and drones. …
KCHS’s Lillie Murphy nets 2nd state tennis title
The senior completes an undefeated career in singles play; NDHS, KCHS track athletes stand out as well By Dan McWilliams Lillie Murphy of Knoxville Catholic High School completed an undefeated singles career with her second straight Division II, Class AA state championship on May 23 at Adams Tennis Complex …
Bishop announces new priest assignments
The moves affect leadership positions in the diocese and elevate many priests to pastor of their parishes The East Tennessee Catholic More than 30 priests have received appointments from Bishop Mark Beckman in an administrative move that will impact over 25 parishes in the Diocese of Knoxville. Bishop Beckman announced …
Diapers, pacifiers make way for caps, gowns
But it’s underneath where we find their aspirations and apprehensions By George Valadie Six in all was the total—at least for this year. In this new role as superintendent of our schools, I was blessed to attend six of our schools’ graduations this spring. I wanted to get to all …
‘The most caring, faithful community’
Notre Dame Parish in Greeneville celebrates its 70th anniversary as an overflow crowd attends By Dan McWilliams Founding parishioner Judy Miniat Collins has served in many leadership roles at Notre Dame in Greeneville, and upon the community’s 70th-anniversary celebration on April 27 she reflected on a recent occasion when the …
The pope’s authority has a long history
His role as teacher, governor, and symbol of Christian unity dates even to Pentecost By Deacon Bob Hunt Why do we have a pope? The origins of the papacy, of course, are in the words of our Lord to St. Peter when Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say …
Pope Francis on the Mass: ‘prayer and encounter
The meeting is ‘with God through His Word and the body and blood of Jesus’ By Father Randy Stice In 2017 and 2018, Pope Francis gave a series of catecheses on the Mass.1 In this column, I want to share our late Holy Father’s insights on the Mass. Pope Francis …
KDCCW introduces program to recognize young women
Golden Rose Award promotes leadership, spirituality, and service to community By Emily Booker The Knoxville Diocesan Council of Catholic Women has introduced a new program in the diocese to recognize young women who display leadership, spirituality, and service in their parish and community. The National Council of Catholic Women’s Golden …
