St. Mary Parish escaped the firestorm, and reaches out to help those who did not By Bill Brewer Photography by Stephanie Richer St. Mary Parish was ground zero in the wildfires that devastated parts of Sevier County on Nov. 28, 2016. And while flames reached to within yards of the …
Praying for Perspective: Remembering the handing-out of report cards
By George Valadie You could tell we had just sent them out because the office phones were ringing incessantly. They always do on “report card” day. Technology has vastly changed how all that happens these days. Our teachers enter grades into a computer program, and magic does the rest. Parents …
He dwells among us: Awakening love
Christ provides the only answer that truly satisfies the ‘why’ of suffering By Bishop Richard F. Stika It is said that “sadness is looking at oneself,” whereas “joy is looking at God.” I must admit, though, in looking back upon this past year, with its many tragedies, from the deadly and …
Fleeing the flames on foot: At age 82, the Hullanders outran the Great Smoky Mountains firestorm
By Bill Brewer Rains have finally fallen on the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, offering much-needed relief to an area parched from months of drought and now scarred from the perfect firestorm. But the rainfall was a day late and several inches short for scores of victims of the fires, …
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‘It looked like Armageddon’: David and Debbie’s prayer-filled escape from the raging fires
By Bill Brewer Photography by Stephanie Richer David and Debbie Reed’s home in the Norton Creek area of Sevier County is hallowed ground. You don’t have to look much farther than the name the couple gave their property in 2003, “Bella Lisieux.” But just how sacred “Beautiful (St. Thérèse of) …
