Indie couple gets ‘Gosnell’ movie made against all odds

Hollywood balks at getting behind pro-life project, producer tells Tennessee Right to Life supporters By Bill Brewer Hollywood is always quick to embrace a true-life drama rich in pathos, conflict, interesting characters, and suspense … or so it would seem. But when Irish journalists/producers Ann McElhinney and Phelim McAleer were …

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St. Mary’s Legacy Foundation grants total $7.5 million since 2011

By Jim Wogan It’s a striking coincidence that in the same month the former St Mary’s Hospital will close its doors after providing medical services in East Tennessee for nearly 90 years, the foundation created in the wake of its sale in 2011 has announced grants that now total $7.5 …

Marriage enrichment: Find your own George Bailey in your life

The lives of the writer’s family would be been much different if not for the faith of an older sister By Marian Christiana Advent is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the coming of Jesus. It is one thing to be prepared to welcome Jesus but quite another …

Youth Mass participants bring ‘vibrancy and energy’

Awards are presented, and the new Diocesan Youth Ministry Advisory Council members are commissioned By Bill Brewer “Do not be afraid” is the message Diocese of Knoxville teen leaders received Oct. 28 when they gathered at St. Albert the Great Church for the annual diocesan Youth Mass. However, Mass celebrant …

Luncheon celebrates fifth anniversary of St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic

The St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic celebrated its fifth anniversary Nov. 5 at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Lenoir City by holding its fourth Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. The clinic officially turned 5 on Sept. 11. On Sept. 11, 2013, the mobile clinic vehicle was delivered and dedicated to God and …

Witness to sainthood

Pope Paul VI is the second papal saint Cardinal Justin Rigali has served By Bill Brewer Cardinal Justin Rigali had yet another front seat to history on Oct. 14 when Pope Francis canonized St. Paul VI and five others who led exemplary lives in serving the Catholic Church. For Cardinal …

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For Fr. Kirk, ‘nothing better I would ever want’ than priesthood

Knoxville native, ordained at Sacred Heart, retires as longtime Diocese of Nashville priest By Andy Telli/Tennessee Register As a teenager growing up in Knoxville, Father John Kirk worked a variety of jobs to earn money. For a while, he thought his destiny was to be a businessman. “But I realized …

He dwells among us: Holy exchange of gifts

As God gathers us to Himself in holy sacrifice, what do we bring to Mass? By Bishop Richard F. Stika “That my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” –Luke 2:19 Trying to find the ideal gift to give a loved one or a friend can …

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Sr. Mary Timothea Elliott marks 60 years of consecrated service

Co-foundress of the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich., is renowned as a Scripture scholar By Dan McWilliams Sister Mary Timothea Elliott, RSM, has been a professor in Rome, a retreat leader around the United States, and much more in her six decades of religious life. “In 60 years …

Praying for perspective: Believing in Christmas

The Christ Child inspires children of all ages to keep the faith; good ol’ St. Nick is another story By George Valadie When did it happen to you? I remember as if it were yesterday. I know the place and the time, who was there and who was not. The …

Catholic Charities’ Samaritan Place expands to house more seniors

By Emily Booker Samaritan Place unveiled its larger quarters during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 30. The long-anticipated expansion project will allow the program to help more seniors in crisis. “For every single person here who calls Samaritan Place home this is a place of comfort and refuge from life …

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Tennova closing former St. Mary’s Hospital

East Tennessee’s first Catholic medical center to be shuttered Dec. 28, longtime Sisters of Mercy to relocate By Dan McWilliams An 88-year-old tradition will end Dec. 28 when Physicians Regional Medical Center in North Knoxville, formerly long known as St. Mary’s Medical Center, will close its doors. The hospital’s owners, …