1

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, …

Advice, and content

Bishops share their episcopal experiences when getting ‘the call’ By Bill Brewer “Say goodbye well so that you can say hello well.”— Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre Among bishops, there is a common thread woven through them that connects their episcopacies. It is that unexpected moment when they said yes to …

Sr. Mary Lisa Renfer named Lumen Christi finalist

By The East Tennessee Catholic Sister Mary Lisa Renfer, RSM, DO, medical director of the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic, is a Lumen Christi finalist for 2024. The Lumen Christi Award by Catholic Extension is given to people who “radiate and reveal the light of Christ present in the communities where …

Tennessee sportswriters name KCHS, NDHS athletes to all-state team

The Tennessee Sports Writers Association recently named a number of athletes from Knoxville Catholic High School and Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga to its annual all-state teams. Maggie Frana, who won the first Knoxville Catholic girls state title in the discus this spring, was named to the Division II-AA …

Bishops come full circle 40 years after seminary in Belgium

Classmates are now episcopal colleagues as they help lead the U.S. Church By Jim Wogan Bishop Mark Beckman’s sister, Melissa, remembers the day her oldest brother left for Belgium. “When he was headed to the airport, I hid because I didn’t want him to get on the plane, and it …

Ordination Mass receives rave reactions

Members of convention center congregation moved by faith-filled celebration By Dan McWilliams Beautiful. Impressive. A great day for the Diocese of Knoxville. Those were among the reactions, from just a few of the 4,000 attending, to the July 26 ordination and installation of Bishop Mark Beckman as the Church in …

The Beckman bunch

Diocese of Knoxville’s new bishop has firm foundations in faith, love, family By Gabrielle Nolan Jimmy and Lois Beckman first met in the small town of Lawrenceburg, Tenn., on a blind date in 1960, where they went to the movies. “We dated, and we just—that was it. We knew we …

‘Toward the top’

Source and summit central to Bishop Mark Beckman’s ministry By Bill Staley A Dominican, a Franciscan, a bishop, and a pope go on a hike. Bishop Mark Beckman’s life can be viewed as one large hike up to this base camp of his episcopacy. Over the next decade or so, …

‘The entire journey of life is a Camino’

Vespers serves as beginning of Bishop Beckman’s East Tennessee mission By Bill Brewer Bishop Mark Beckman’s first homily at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus since his appointment was announced on May 7 was a message of gratitude to the congregation for saying “Yes” to God. Diocese …

A bishop and the liturgical life of his diocese

Sacred power is given to the shepherd to build up ‘his flock in truth and holiness’ By Father Randy Stice “The bishop is the chief steward of the mysteries of God and the overseer of all liturgical life in the Church entrusted to his care.” This is how the Ceremonial …

Trusting in God’s great plan

Moved to tears by ‘Les Mis,’ writer has hope in the Lord and Bishop Beckman By Claire Collins If you’ve never seen the 2012 movie adaptation of the musical “Les Misérables,” prepare yourself for a spoiler alert (in fact, go watch it and then come back to this column). During …

1

The vicars of Christ

Bishops give life to the local Church by proclaiming the Gospel, leading ministry By Deacon Bob Hunt Congratulations to newly ordained Bishop Mark Beckman, the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Knoxville! Bishop Beckman, I believe you will find the Catholics of East Tennessee eager for your leadership and open …