He dwells among us: Saints don’t run away

They keep their eyes on Jesus, learning to see His eyes in those of our brothers and sisters By Bishop Richard F. Stika “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere …

Cardinal Dziwisz to attend Cathedral dedication

Longtime Vatican official and secretary to St. John Paul II to be among dignitaries at special Mass By Jim Wogan A participant and witness to some of the most dramatic moments in the history of the Catholic Church in the 20th century is coming to the Diocese of Knoxville, both …

Rep. Fleischmann: ‘Don’t let the bad guys win’

Congressman who was in the crosshairs of ballpark shooter vows to protect sanctity of life, upend culture of death By Bill Brewer Congressmen Chuck Fleischmann and Steve Scalise thought there was no safer place in the country than a neighborhood ballfield where friends, colleagues, and even political foes could get …

Marriage Enrichment: Is your marriage an evangelization tool?

Couples can model the qualities of positive marriages to the outside world by serving as mentors to others by Marian Christiana Have you ever considered your marriage to be an evangelization tool? I have to admit that until I started working for the Office of Marriage Preparation and Enrichment the …

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St. Mary, St. Augustine share Haiti mission trip experience

On June 10, St. Mary Parish in Johnson City sent 33 youth, parents, parishioners, and their pastor, Father Peter Iorio, on the church’s first mission trip to Haiti. Of the travelers, only Father Iorio, St. Mary pastor, had ever been to Petite Riviere de Nippes, a small fishing village in …

Praying for perspective: Twelve minutes a day

That’s the average time a parent and child spend talking, and a parent regrets making it hard for his kids to share their feelings By George Valadie I can’t believe it, but I’ve just gotten started in my 58th year in the world of education. And though perhaps not diverse …

A chosen vessel unto me

Father Christopher Floersh ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Stika By Bill Brewer It started with a chalice decades ago. And it did so again June 3 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, where Bishop Richard F. Stika presided at the ordination Mass for Father Christopher …

Well done, good and faithful servant

Funeral Mass celebrated for Monsignor Xavier Mankel, a founder of the Diocese of Knoxville By Bill Brewer Monsignor Francis Xavier Mankel was laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery in a manner that bespeaks those things closest to his heart: the Church, the priesthood, his parishes, and family. His final gesture …

On the other side

Bishop Stika ‘sends forth’ diocese’s newest members during Sending of the Neophytes Mass By Bill Brewer Bishop Richard F. Stika celebrated Pentecost on June 4 by recognizing the 227 catechumens and candidates baptized and confirmed at the Easter Vigil. Bishop Stika celebrated Mass at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred …

Funeral Mass held for Bishop Choby

By Andy Telli Bishop David R. Choby was a true shepherd to the people of the Diocese of Nashville, recalled his fellow bishop, friend, and former student, Archbishop Alexander K. Sample of Portland, Ore. He was “the kind of shepherd I would like to be,” said the archbishop, who was …

He dwells among us: The cathedral of our heart

Holiness is a beauty that exceeds even the most beautiful cathedral in the world Bishop Richard F. Stika “You are God’s field, God’s building. …Each one must be careful how he builds upon it” (1 Corinthians 9:9, 10). As I watch the many construction workers laboring daily to give greater …