By Patricia Zapor WASHINGTON (CNS) — In a narrowly tailored 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court on June 30 said closely held companies may be exempted from a government requirement to include contraceptives in employee health-insurance coverage under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The court said that Hobby Lobby and Conestoga …
EWTN’s Jim and Joy Pinto lead diocesan RCIA Summer Conference
EWTN radio personalities Jim and Joy Pinto led the Diocese of Knoxville’s annual RCIA Summer Conference June 21 with discussions on bolstering the domestic Church and the family. About 50 people attended the conference at Holy Trinity Church in Jefferson City. Joining the Pintos in delivering a keynote address was …
Boat Mass attracts marine Catholics from near and far
Father Joe Campbell’s divine streak of boat Masses on Norris Lake without a rain-out is intact thanks to God and a little divine inspiration through prayer by Bishop Richard F. Stika. For the past 12 years, Father Campbell, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in LaFollette and Christ …
Three seminarians ordained into transitional diaconate
The pathway to priesthood in the Diocese of Knoxville continues to be busy as Bishop Richard F. Stika ordained three seminarians June 14 to the transitional diaconate, an important step in their religious education before priesthood. Newly ordained Deacons Jesús Guerrero-Rodríguez, Raymond Powell and Scott Russell participated in the Rite …
Catholic Charities golf tournament raises $50,000
Seventy-two golfers on 18 teams helped Catholic Charities of East Tennessee raise some $50,000 in the fifth annual Common Good Golf Tournament on June 9 at Cherokee Country Club in Knoxville. The money benefits the Knoxville social-service programs of CCET. The tourney is one of three major fundraisers to benefit …
Church’s newest members put their faith into the diocese
A year of faith discernment for some 250 catechumens and candidates who were baptized and confirmed at Easter Vigil culminated June 7 in their official recognition by Bishop Richard F. Stika as the Diocese of Knoxville’s newest parishioners. Bishop Stika celebrated Mass and presided at the Sending of the Neophytes …
Diocese of Knoxville is Top 10 in U.S. for Catholic converts
Bob Armstrong has spent a lifetime looking for God. At age 82, the retired statistician and professed agnostic took a leap of faith after studying the probability of God’s existence and joined the Catholic Church at Easter Vigil. In search of evidence of God for much of his life, Mr. …
He dwells among us: ‘You shall be my witness’
The prayer of every priest, ‘Lord, what do you want me to do?’ always leads to greater joy I love the Easter Season. With the exception maybe of the pollen and other allergens, there is always so much to look forward to in this season—warmer weather, the end of a …
Young-adult gathering will feature outdoor Mass, picnic
Young adults from around the diocese are encouraged to be “hanging with the apostles” on June 29. The Frassati Fellowship, a Diocese of Knoxville outreach for young adults, is sponsoring a celebration of the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul with an outdoor Mass and picnic at the diocese’s Christ …
New priest assignments to impact 17 diocesan parishes
Monsignor Mankel, Father Brando retiring as churches in all four deaneries to receive new pastoral leadership New assignments for priests will have an impact on 17 Diocese of Knoxville parishes beginning July 1. Monsignor Xavier Mankel, pastor of Holy Ghost Church and a vicar general for the diocese, will retire …
Diocesan CFO named to succeed retiring Deacon David Lucheon
Diocese of Knoxville controller Shannon Hepp has been named chief financial officer, succeeding Deacon David Lucheon, who is retiring effective July 1. Mrs. Hepp was appointed by Bishop Richard F. Stika following an extensive search for Deacon Lucheon’s successor. Deacon Lucheon, who has served as diocesan CFO since July 1, …
Catholic Charities Fun Walk attracts 1,000, raises more than $40,000
Some 1,000 participants took part in the 16th annual Kids Helping Kids Fun Walk benefiting Catholic Charities of East Tennessee’s Columbus Home. More than $40,000 was raised for Columbus Home at this year’s 1-mile Fun Walk, held May 4 at Knoxville Catholic High School. Children and adults participated in the …
