Imagining a world without Catholic Charities is difficult and disheartening By John Mecklenborg Looking back on Inauguration Day, it’s easy to feel as if you are peering across the stern toward a fading shoreline. The emergent waters of this new administration are tempestuous—like a Nor’easter overwhelming the weary and making …
Father Velez reinstated to St. Patrick Parish
By The East Tennessee Catholic Bishop Mark Beckman has announced Father Miguel Velez has been reinstated to full active ministry at St. Patrick Church in Morristown, effective immediately. In a letter to St. Patrick parishioners, Bishop Beckman explains that following a thorough investigation, the Diocesan Review Board found no evidence …
Shelba Fritz King
Shelba Fritz King, age 65, of Oak Ridge, passed away peacefully surrounded by loving members of her family on Jan. 28. Mrs. King, formerly of Knoxville, was of the Roman Catholic faith and attended St. Mary Church in Oak Ridge and Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville. She attended St. Joseph …
Bishop experiences Catholic Schools Week
Students at St. Mary-Johnson City ask him about his episcopal ring, how much he is paid, and more By Bill Brewer Bishop Mark Beckman was in impressive company during one of his most recent get-to-know-you meetings with Diocese of Knoxville parishioners. In attendance were young leaders of the community, including …
‘Bring the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ’
St. Thomas the Apostle Parish embraces international prison ministry By Gabrielle Nolan A team of East Tennessee men enters a local prison on a regular basis to bring the love of Christ to inmates. Since 2017, Stu McFadden has joined other men at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Lenoir …
Josephine ‘JoMarie’ Lowe
Josephine “JoMarie” S. Lowe, age 83, passed away peacefully on Jan. 20 at Rain Forest Landings in Knoxville. Mrs. Lowe, who was a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, was the oldest of nine children. Her life was a testament to love, kindness, and devotion. Josephine Marie Salomone was born on …
Faith and fun with friends
Cumberland Mountain CCW hosts special event at St. Mary-Oak Ridge By Gabrielle Nolan Nearly 100 women gathered in the gymnasium of St. Mary School in Oak Ridge for a women’s event sponsored by the Cumberland Mountain Deanery Council of Catholic Women. “Faith and Fun with Friends” on Jan. 26 included …
Praying for ‘a new springtime of Pentecost’
Confirmation allows us to experience a ‘personal Pentecost’ that leads to new life in the Spirit By Father Randy Stice In his Advent column, Bishop Mark Beckman shared that his prayer for our diocese is for “a new springtime of Pentecost,” and that one of his priorities for the coming …
‘We are growing’
St. Joseph the Worker is making plans for family life center and future By Dan McWilliams St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Madisonville is planning to build a new family life center as the community in Monroe County has outgrown its current spaces for office staff and ministries. The building, …
Chrissi Rhea
Chrissi Callaghan Rhea, a pioneering mortgage banking leader and co-founder of Mortgage Investors Group (MIG), passed away on Nov. 8 at Turkey Creek Medical Center in Knoxville, surrounded by her beloved family. As one of the few women in mortgage banking at the time, Ms. Rhea shattered barriers and set …
First diocesan Vietnamese parish is entrusted
Church of Divine Mercy affiliates with Congregation of the Mother of the Redeemer The East Tennessee Catholic The Diocese of Knoxville and the Congregation of the Mother of the Redeemer, U.S. Assumption Province, have signed a written agreement for the province to assume spiritual and pastoral care of Divine Mercy …
‘Love in the Flesh’
Let us examine our hearts and resolve to improve the world By Bishop Mark Beckman Today, I write on the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, having just celebrated the liturgy in our Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Anna and Simeon meet God in that ancient …