Father Campbell builds a ministry on the water

Water is inspirational for Father Joe Campbell. He is quick to point out that Jesus often involved water in his teachings. As the pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in LaFollette and Christ the King Church in Tazewell, Father Campbell has found a way to include nearby Norris …

Holiday togetherness occurs in many ways

By the time you read this my family will have already celebrated Thanksgiving dinner together. Our family couldn’t all be together on Thursday, Nov. 22, so we celebrated early. This might have seemed strange to me at an earlier time in my life but now it makes perfect sense. Thanksgiving …

Chattanooga schools combine resources to streamline fundraising effort

CHATTANOOGA — Chattanooga’s Catholic schools, deciding to “work smarter instead of working harder,” have taken a unique approach to raising funds for programs and activities. The three schools, Notre Dame, Our Lady of Perpetual Help and St. Jude, decided last year after several years of discussion and planning to give …

Sainthood for Marianne Cope touches Diocese of Knoxville family

Daniel Koob is excited about witnessing the Oct. 21 canonization ceremony at the Vatican where Blessed Marianne Cope and Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha will become saints. But for Mr. Koob, a parishioner at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church in Cleveland, his attendance at the holy ceremony will be much more than …

Archbishop Kurtz takes active role at synod

The Record and Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — To evangelize means to help people understand that God himself has responded to their questions, and that his response — the gift of salvation in Jesus Christ — is available to them as well, Pope Benedict XVI said. “Our role in …

Catholic Foundation’s expanding role in East Tennessee

The Catholic Foundation of East Tennessee supports seminarian education and property purchases, and members heard speakers grateful to CFET on both accounts at the organization’s annual dinner Oct. 14  at Fox Den Country Club in Farragut. CFET 2012 from John Deinhart on Vimeo. Also at the dinner, the diocese’s Immaculata …

It’s the season of fall festivals

Crafts, games, entertainment, and, of course, food proved to be the perfect recipe for fund-raising fall festivals held in parishes across the diocese in September and October. Many parishes took advantage of the spectacular autumn weather and the fact the Tennessee’s football Vols were playing away at Mississippi State to …

Parishioners active in annual HoLa Festival

The Diocese of Knoxville was well represented Oct. 6 at the annual HoLa Festival, where the smiles of participants and visitors brought light and warmth to downtown Knoxville. The HoLa Festival was organized by Hora Latina, a local organization whose mission is to promote Hispanic culture in East Tennessee. The …

Bless the beasts and the children

The beasts and children were indeed blessed Oct. 4 on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the beloved Catholic saint long associated with animals, as St. Joseph School celebrated its annual Blessing of the Animals. Led by Father John Orr, the school children listened to scripture, sang hymns, and …

Our Lady of Perpetual Help church, school mark 75th anniversary

CHATTANOOGA — The shining beacon on a hill that is Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church and School in Chattanooga celebrated its 75th anniversary Oct. 6 as parishioners, together with OLPH priests past and present, joined Bishop Richard F. Stika in commemorating the milestone. Bishop Stika celebrated Mass at the …

Witnessing Second Vatican Council’s impact

Cardinal Rigali, who was part of historic assembly, calls documents ‘more important than ever’ In October 1962, as the Cuban missile crisis gripped the world and civil rights icon James Meredith registered for classes at Ole Miss under federal marshal escort, Pope John XXIII convened the first ecumenical council of …

He dwells among us: Building according to code

Home improvement jobs are a good lesson in how to approach our vote for a ‘country improvement’ project Like many people, I have a favorite TV network I enjoy watching. Mine is the “DIY Network” featuring a number of “do it yourself” home improvement and landscaping programs. Coincidently, these popular …