New system to strengthen parish record-keeping and parishioner engagement The East Tennessee Catholic The Diocese of Knoxville is preparing to move all 51 parishes to MinistryPlatform, a new parish management software system that diocesan leaders say will modernize how parishes manage parish records, donations, and communications. The decision, finalized in …
‘The gift of His love’
St. John Neumann enthrones Sacred Heart of Jesus over parish and homes By Emily Booker St. John Neumann Parish in Farragut held a three-day mission June 28-30 focused on the love of Jesus, reconciliation, and building a civilization of love. The mission was brought to the parish by the Sacred …
Father Orr celebrates 25th anniversary
The Holy Ghost pastor presides at a Mass with priests and parishioners from near and far on hand By Dan McWilliams Father John Orr could not ask for more at the celebration of his 25th anniversary in the priesthood: a church full of current and former parishioners, his sister as …
Cathedral hosts special Mass for Venezuela
The devastating earthquakes in June impacted the family of diocesan seminarian Abrahan Da Silva By Bill Brewer A special Mass for Venezuela celebrated on July 8 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus was especially poignant for Antonio Da Silva and his wife, Yazmin Vidao, who are …
Regina Perez-Cisneros
Regina Perez-Cisneros, age 88, passed away on June 23. Mrs. Perez-Cisneros was a native of Knoxville and a 1955 graduate of Knoxville Catholic High School. She went on to meet the love of her life at the University of Tennessee. Following their marriage and the birth of their three children, …
Fr. Gerald Peterson, GHM
Father Gerald Joseph “Pete” Peterson, a Glenmary Home Missioner, died on May 13 in Cincinnati. He was 96 and in his 74th year of religious life. Father Peterson, who was raised on a family farm in Loretto, Ky., was one of the earliest Glenmarians. He was in the second novitiate …
Summer: a ‘busy, fruitful time for youth ministry’
Events such as God Camp and the Steubenville Atlanta conference provide opportunities to encounter Christ By Bee Goodman Somebody sneaks in pink hair chalk. Another sneaks in a mini airhorn. Another guards a giant beach ball more than twice her size as if it’s her life’s purpose. Kids do silly …
Pursuing a culture of life within marriage
Natural Family Planning Awareness Week, July 19-25, is guided by love By Gabrielle Nolan Every year, the Catholic Church celebrates Natural Family Planning Awareness Week in July with the goal of encouraging and supporting married couples in both their journeys of faith and their practical discernment of growing their families. …
The miracle of priesthood
Father Michael Woods celebrates 60th anniversary as a priest By Dan McWilliams If Father Michael Woods is around, there is sure to be a great measure of laughter and song—and of the love he has for the Church and the love the people he serves have for him. All of …
Entrusting in His merciful love
Diocese, cathedral parish are consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus By Emily Booker The fire of Jesus’ love is burning brightly in East Tennessee. On June 12, the solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Father David Boettner, rector of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of …
Diocesan publications recognized nationally
Catholic Media Association touts The East Tennessee Catholic, DioNotes, staff The East Tennessee Catholic The East Tennessee Catholic and the Diocese of Knoxville communications office have been recognized by the Catholic Media Association with top awards for content created during the 2025 calendar year. During the CMA annual conference June …
Right before our very eyes
As the Synod unfolds, the Implementation Phase is in plain sight By Jim Wogan One of my most persistent and self-loathing traits is something we’ve all probably experienced in life—my not-so-unique but absolutely confounding and frustrating ability to misplace things. My wife affectionately refers to it as “carelessness.” Ouch. Where …