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Lay artisans share their creations through Paraclete program

Consignment vendors emerge from the pandemic with a collection of crafts in time for Christmas sales     By Bill Brewer Necessity is the mother of invention, and never was that oft-repeated phrase truer than in early 2020 when the pandemic hit East Tennessee. That is when Kathy Willard went into action, …

Catholic Foundation honors members with regional events

By Jim Wogan In his 13 years shepherding the Diocese of Knoxville, Bishop Richard F. Stika has become quite familiar with the interstates and backroads of East Tennessee. He’s logged plenty of miles and burned tank loads of gas getting to Masses, meetings, social events, and dedications at parishes and …

Young adults learn to ready homes, hearts for Advent season

Diocese of Knoxville’s young adult ministry and Office of Christian Formation join to present a seasonal retreat By Gabrielle Nolan As Christians, we know that the liturgical season of Advent is a preparation for welcoming the Christ child on Christmas day, ushering in a season of light, joy, hope, and …

A priestly vocation takes a worldwide journey

Russia native Father Valentin Iurochkin learns diocesan life in East Tennessee  By Gabrielle Nolan The word “catholic” means “universal,” and one priest who exemplifies this universal faith is Father Valentin Iurochkin, IVE, the current parochial vicar at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga. Father Iurochkin, 29, is …

‘You belong here’

Cathedral parish takes part in national initiative to engage young adults in faith By Emily Booker What was life like when you were 22? For some, it was graduating college, getting married, and settling down in a career. For others, it was cheap housing with several friends and partying between …

‘Lights!’ ‘Camera!’ ‘Procession!’

Holy Ghost Church serves as setting for national Knights of Columbus training video on eucharistic processions    By Bill Brewer Happy Holler is going Hollywood, or at least it looked that way on Nov. 12 when professional videographers descended on Holy Ghost Church and surrounding streets to make a Knights of …

Local Knights assembly honors Tennessee veterans with wreaths at state cemetery

By Gabrielle Nolan Remember. Honor. Teach. This is the mission of Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit based in Maine dedicated to remembering “the men and women who served our country, honor our military and their families, and teach our children about our freedom and those who protect it.” And for …

Seminarians on the path of priestly formation

Diocese of Knoxville has 13 men studying for the priesthood at several seminaries By Jim Wogan Walking the grounds of the St. Meinrad Archabbey and Seminary in southern Indiana is, to stretch a cliché, more than awe inspiring. Its impressive architecture, its stunning statuary and art, and peaceful hillside location …

Michael Hutchens retiring from KCHS basketball

The Fighting Irish head coach is entering his 33rd season with Knoxville Catholic, achieves 600th win     By Dan McWilliams Knoxville Catholic High School boys basketball head coach Michael Hutchens, who has led the Fighting Irish to their highest heights and just achieved his 600th career win, is retiring at the …

Annual Christmas donations bring joy to families

St. Albert the Great Parish ministry serves kids from Appalachia through Crazy Quilt            By Gabrielle Nolan For some children living in East Tennessee, the only Christmas presents they’ll receive each year are the ones gifted to them by charities and churches. And for St. Albert …

KCHS runner Keegan Smith wins state title

The Fighting Irish team finishes fifth in the cross country championships, ‘as well as we possibly could’      By Dan McWilliams Knoxville Catholic High School freshman Keegan Smith continued his outstanding running career by winning the Division II, Class AA state title in his first appearance in the championship meet Nov. …