A catechesis on the Eucharistic Prayers

Their theological and spiritual riches are ‘the heart and summit of the celebration’ of Mass By Father Randy Stice The center and high point” of the Mass is the Eucharistic Prayer, “the prayer of thanksgiving and sanctification.” 1 Pope Benedict XVI describes it as action “in the highest sense of …

Sister Mary Magdalen McMinn, HPB

On Pentecost Sunday, May 28, Sister Mary Magdalen of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus McMinn, HPB, passed away with two Sisters praying by her side, “Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, I love you!” Sister Mary Magdalen joined the Handmaids of the Precious Blood in 1978 and was a professed member of …

The Light of Christ

Catholic Extension considering St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic director for award The East Tennessee Catholic Sister Mary Lisa Renfer, RSM, DO, has been nominated for Catholic Extension’s Lumen Christi Award for her work extending the healing ministry of Jesus to the poor as medical director of the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic. …

Priest and victim

By keeping a daily Holy Hour, we best learn our priestly identity and how to be a ‘living sacrifice’ By Bishop Emeritus Richard F. Stika “Could you not keep watch with me for one hour?”  — Matthew 26:40 Keep watch.” As I reflect upon my time here in the diocese, …

3 priests-to-be ordained as deacons

Bishop Stika celebrates the Rite of Ordination at Sacred Heart By Bill Brewer Deacon Bo Beaty had been ordained only a few moments when he realized he already has someone ready for the priest-to-be to bring into the Catholic Church. Deacon Beaty is one of three young men in the …

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Diocese welcomes new priests

Bishop Stika ordains Fathers Austin, Blatchford, and Crabtree in cathedral Mass By Dan McWilliams The Diocese of Knoxville celebrated a triple ordination June 10 as Joseph Austin, Neil Blatchford, and Andrew Crabtree became priests of God in a Mass celebrated by Bishop Richard F. Stika at the Cathedral of the …

Bishop Stika confirms 53 during adult confirmation

Sacrament is offered during Pentecost Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral By Dan McWilliams Bishop Richard F. Stika celebrated the adult confirmation Mass on Pentecost Sunday, May 28, and this year a total of 53 men and women received the sacrament at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. …

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Catholic Charities returns home after fire

Renovations to Knoxville headquarters complete following 2021 unsolved arson By Dan McWilliams After a tragic arson fire displaced many offices of the agency in November 2021, Catholic Charities of East Tennessee has been moving back to its renovated and renewed Dameron Avenue headquarters in North Knoxville as spring changed to …

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‘Where are we going?’

Archbishop Fabre, as apostolic administrator, celebrates Mass, offers direction By Gabrielle Nolan The Diocese of Knoxville is undergoing a time of transition following the resignation of Bishop Richard F. Stika, who served the diocese as bishop for 14 years and announced his retirement on June 27. While the diocese awaits …

Offering a July reflection on U.S. history

Lincoln’s words that ‘we shall nobly save, or meanly lose, the last best hope of earth’ ring true today By Deacon Bob Hunt July is the month we celebrate American independence, so it’s worth reflecting on our history. One thing I can say about studying history is that it offers …

Bishop Stika: Looking back at a 14-year episcopate

A St. Louis monsignor elevated to lead the Church in East Tennessee The East Tennessee Catholic His episcopal timeline is measured in pages, not columns. As the longest-serving bishop of the Diocese of Knoxville, Bishop Richard F. Stika repeatedly said that he hoped to bring the Catholic Church of East …

Bishop Stika resigns

Diocese’s 3rd shepherd taking emeritus status into early retirement The East Tennessee Catholic Bishop Richard F. Stika, the Diocese of Knoxville’s third and longest-serving shepherd, has resigned. An announcement from the Vatican that Pope Francis granted Bishop Stika’s request to step down was made June 27 and then released by …