Back in business, thanks be to God

Ladies of Charity weathers the COVID storm through a dedicated team of volunteers, young and older By Bill Brewer The Ladies of Charity and Home Depot share a remarkable achievement: both finished 2020 in the black despite the coronavirus pandemic. And while many home-supply retailers were helped by consumers spending …

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Leading, learning, proclaiming leads to national award

St. Mary-Oak Ridge pastor Fr. Brent Shelton receives National Catholic Educational Association leadership honor By Bill Brewer Father Brent Shelton is both a student and a teacher, which explains his love for education. Catholic education in particular. Anyone who attends his Masses can attest to how the pastor of St. …

Conversation with pastor leads to stained-glass project

By Mark Vallee A few years back, I had the good fortune to spend some time with Father Manuel Pérez, pastor of St. Stephen Parish in Chattanooga, when Angela and I renewed our wedding vows. After the ceremony in the St. Stephen chapel, we gave the attendees some stained-glass ornaments …

Dominican Sisters reflect on past year in classrooms, convent

By Emily Booker It’s been one year since a novel coronavirus arrived, closing schools, introducing the concept of “social distancing,” and even suspending the public celebration of Mass. For the eight Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation in Nashville who teach in Diocese of Knoxville schools, it’s been a year …

Church building on horizon at St. Alphonsus

Crossville parish gets go-ahead to proceed with plans By Dan McWilliams Parishioners of St. Alphonsus have been gathering for Mass for nearly 18 years in a building dedicated as a parish life center in 2003, but after a February meeting with Bishop Richard F. Stika, representatives of the Crossville Catholic …

Pilgrimage for Life held at Memorial for Unborn

Diocesan youth ministry office organizes event that unites pro-lifers from throughout East Tennessee By Carolyn Krings The Chattanooga National Memorial for the Unborn is dedicated to healing generations of pain associated with the loss of aborted and miscarried children.” This was the site for the 2021 Pilgrimage for Life: Together …

Diocese receives scholarship grant from Black and Indian Mission Office

The Diocese of Knoxville Catholic Schools Office received great news March 17: the Black and Indian Mission Office in Washington, D.C., announced the awarding of a $15,000 scholarship grant toward tuition assistance for Black students at Notre Dame High School, which has 49 Black students in a student body of …

‘He is risen’

Saving us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit By Bill Brewer Easter Masses were again teeming with people two years after pews were last full for the holiest of liturgical celebrations. And the Catholic Church in East Tennessee welcomed nearly 200 new members who joined …

Ground broken on KCHS auditorium

The St. Gregory the Great facility is a missing link for the campus and a long-overdue project By Bill Brewer An auditorium that was part of the master plan for Knoxville Catholic High School when the West Knoxville campus was developed two decades ago is coming to life thanks to …

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Fr. Jerry Daniels is incardinated into the Diocese of Knoxville

Father Jerry Daniels is one of the Diocese of Knoxville’s newest priests after his February incardination. On Feb. 16, Deacon Sean Smith, chancellor of the Diocese of Knoxville, announced a Decree of Incardination that officially made Father Jerry Daniels a priest of the Diocese of Knoxville. Unable to be physically …

Cardinal Rigali marks six decades of service to the Church

Cardinal Justin Rigali will reach a milestone on April 25 when he celebrates the 60th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. The 1961 date began a sacred journey that led Cardinal Rigali from his native Los Angeles to the dicasteries of the Vatican and a cardinal’s-eye view of Church …

Knoxville Catholic junior BJ Edwards receives state Mr. Basketball Award

Knoxville Catholic High School junior BJ Edwards won the Mr. Basketball award for Division II, Class AA, after finishing runner-up for the honor last season. Mr. and Miss Basketball awards were presented in Division I and II at the conclusion of the championship game for each classification. “This is such …