Raising the flag

The Ladies of Charity in Knoxville held a dedication and blessing ceremony on Oct. 22 to officially mark the completion of its new, expanded parking lot and the installation of a flag pole and memorial stone that honors one of its longtime volunteers. Susan Unbehaun, Ladies of Charity executive director, …

KCHS volleyballers win state championship

Notre Dame High School team reaches final four as both Lady Irish squads conclude stellar seasons             By Dan McWilliams The Knoxville Catholic High School Lady Irish volleyball team captured its second state championship and first since 2016 with a victory over three-time defending champion Briarcrest in the Division II-AA state …

Catholic Charities program leader honored

Sheri Fava, program leader with Catholic Charities of East Tennessee’s Pregnancy Help Center in Chattanooga, was recently honored as the Child Passenger Safety Technician of the Year at the 33rd annual Tennessee Lifesavers Conference. The award is for an individual child passenger safety technician who has proved an exceptional advocate …

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The bride was exactly where she was supposed to be

A daughter has dates who are smart and goofy, serious and silly, but finds the perfect match By George Valadie “God will bring the right person into your life at the right time. Always believe that! If they are not there, God isn’t finished yet!” The smiles of the moment …

No compromise with the Holy One of God

Some abandoned Jesus because of His hard teaching on eating His body and drinking His blood By Bob Hunt The Book of Joshua tells the story of Israel’s conquest of the Promised Land. Toward the end of the book, Joshua gathers the elders of Israel. He has led them through …

Random acts of kindness

Johnson City, Erwin parishioners carry out good deeds for local hospital employees By Casey Keeley The COVID-19 pandemic has hit everyone hard, but none more than those working on the frontlines in the hospitals across the world. These employees have been pushed to their limits with staff shortening and supplies …

Funeral Mass held for James M. Polhamus

James M. “Jim” Polhamus III, age 84 of Loudon, passed away peacefully on Sept. 03, at home with his family. Mr. Polhamus served as a longtime sacristan at the church he and his family attended, St. Thomas the Apostle in Lenoir City. Father Ray Powell was the celebrant of the …

New members join St. Meinrad Seminary advisory board

The Board of Overseers has added seven new members and three returning members to the advisory board for Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology, St. Meinrad, Ind. In addition, a former board member has been named an emeritus member. The board advises president-rector Father Denis Robinson, OSB, on matters …

Crossville Oktoberfest celebration attracts record attendance

By Gabrielle Nolan Crossville’s annual Oktoberfest reached new milestones by celebrating its 30th year of celebrating German traditions in East Tennessee and hosting its largest crowd to date. The German-themed festival took place Oct. 15-16 and is put on by the Catholic Social Club of Cumberland County, which owns the …

Pastoral Letter: Sin and the worthy reception of the Holy Eucharist

U.S. bishops will meet Nov. 15-18 for their annual General Assembly, and among the items to be discussed and voted on is their statement on “The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church.” Given the “declining belief and understanding of the Eucharist among the Catholic faithful,” and …

Fall RCIA conference takes leaders ‘back to basics’ of faith

Parishes throughout the Diocese of Knoxville strive to form and retain new Catholics                    By Gabrielle Nolan Parish coordinators for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults in the Diocese of Knoxville gathered recently for a day-long conference on learning ways to strengthen the Church through RCIA. “I see the …