Diocesan evangelization extends far beyond East Tennessee

Father John Appiah is leading efforts to bring health care, education to his native Ghana By Bill Brewer Evangelization in the Diocese of Knoxville extends far beyond the boundaries of East Tennessee. The care, concern, generosity, and overall ministry of diocesan clergy, religious, and laity is seen in East Tennessee’s …

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EWTN to feature series by Cardinal Rigali

Network crew spent time in Knoxville recording ‘Living the Christian Life’ episodes that will air next month By Bill Brewer Eternal Word Television Network in September will begin broadcasting a 10-episode teaching series featuring Cardinal Justin Rigali, who will cover a range of spiritual topics aimed at enriching the faith. …

He dwells among us: A fruitful love

God wants to be your love and your life—not just a part of it By Bishop Richard F. Stika “By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples” (John 15:8). In every Mass we hear those familiar and most sacred words of Our Heavenly …

Bishops respond to execution of Knox County death row inmate

Despite Pope Francis declaration that it is now ‘inadmissible,’ Tennessee carries out death penalty By Jim Wogan and Bill Brewer After Tennessee’s three bishops appealed to Gov. Bill Haslam to halt the execution of Billy Ray Irick based on Christian beliefs and Catholic teaching, the state on Aug. 9 carried …

Praying for Perspective: Have Ya Heard?

Today’s education system would do well to learn from the greatest Teacher By George Valadie You can imagine the scene. You may have seen it or possibly experienced it for yourself. It’s an annual event, coming around with the same regularity as Christmas or Easter or Groundhog Day. I was …

He dwells among us: The struggle for purity

The memory of God’s love and mercy always triumphs over sin and its memory By Bishop Richard F. Stika One hundred years ago, as the horrors of the First World War were in their final weeks, an even more terrible scourge than modern warfare was beginning to ravage the globe …

First deacon ordained in new cathedral

Deacon Mark Schuster made diocesan history June 2 as the seminarian became the first man to be ordained in the new Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus By Dan McWilliams “What a great joy it is for us all to gather together with Mark and with his mom …

Giving a lift to those who need it

St. Vincent de Paul Society’s bus pass program is having an impact on community The St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. John Neumann Parish is making an impact. If you don’t believe it, just ask Knox County Judge Chuck Cerny and Knox County probation officer Jack Dennis. The Vincentian …

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Caring for the Caregivers

St. John Neumann physician turns devastating diagnosis into a lay ministry By Bill Brewer Photography by Stephanie Richer St. John Neumann Parish is embracing a unique ministry that its members hope will grow to other parishes in the Diocese of Knoxville. Given the rising need, the chance of that happening …

Diocese of Knoxville Missionaries of Mercy meet with Holy Father in Rome

Their mission is prolonged indefinitely By Bill Brewer When Pope Francis reconvened the Missionaries of Mercy in April, Monsignor Al Humbrecht, pastor of Holy Spirit Church in Soddy-Daisy, and Father Joe Reed, associate pastor of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, were among the hundreds of clergy …

Military Chaplain Corps dispenses ‘hope and optimism’

Father Brownell of St. Patrick Parish in Morristown is called to serve By Staff Sgt. Timothy Cordeiro/Tennessee Army National Guard Lt. Col. Gary Anderson, the Battalion Chaplain for the Tennessee National Guard’s 30th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, believes that the Chaplain Corps is much more important to the military than …

Father Jim Haley celebrates golden jubilee

The Paulist priest returns to Immaculate Conception Church for an anniversary Mass ‘with a deep sense of gratitude’     By Dan McWilliams The Immaculate Conception community and parishioners from around the United States and Canada all came together May 3 to wish Father Jim Haley, CSP, a happy 50th anniversary in …