USCCB vote moves Father Ryan a step toward sainthood

By Jim Wogan U.S. bishops gathering at their annual fall General Assembly in Baltimore in November approved the canonical consultation of four causes for beatification and canonization, including the cause for Servant of God Father Patrick Ryan, a diocesan priest who served in Chattanooga in the late 1800s. Bishop Richard …

Praying for Perspective: The Christmas story and common ground

The times may be different, but relating to Mary and Joseph is easier than you would think By George Valadie Season’s greetings! A year or so ago, when The East Tennessee Catholic and I began talking about writing this column, I had but one idea to offer and it was …

Cubs win! A steadfast faith always sees us through in the end

A fan’s message on being ‘assured of things hoped for and convinced of things unseen’ By Deacon Patrick Murphy-Racey As a kid growing up in Chicago in the late 1960s, I had two big problems. I knew nothing about sports and I had no brothers. My folks were highly educated, …

Bill Waskelis’ will to win

St. Thomas the Apostle parishioner and lifetime Cubs fan almost gets to witness his lifelong dream                      By Bill Brewer Bill Waskelis’ lifelong dream came true on Nov. 2. The Chicago Cubs won the World Series after a 108-year drought. His son, Kevin, wishes his dad had been here to …

Parishes preparing to launch V Encuentro

National program’s focus is to strengthen cultural communities, identify and develop more lay leaders             By Bill Brewer At Pope Francis’ urging, the Catholic Church is embarking on a four-year program to create a culture of encounter that calls on all Catholics to share their heritage with each other, remove …

St. Mary-Oak Ridge hosts NFL Punt, Pass & Kick sectional

St. Mary School in Oak Ridge hosted the East Tennessee Sectional Championship for the NFL’s Punt, Pass & Kick (PPK) competition Oct. 16. Boys and girls ages 6-15 from East Tennessee competed in the free contest sponsored by the NFL and USA Football. PPK began in 1961, and continues today …

St. Mary-Oak Ridge repeats as volleyball champs

The girls varsity volleyball team at St. Mary School in Oak Ridge recently competed in the Knoxville Independent School League small-school tournament and beat Apostolic Christian Academy to win the championship at the Knoxville Christian School gym in a winner-take-all match. This year’s Lady Crusader squad won the KISL regular-season …

Creative KCHS yearbook staff paints art wall in Market Square

Several Knoxville Catholic High School yearbook students painted a “Before I Die” wall on the alley side of the Oliver Hotel building in downtown Knoxville on Nov. 6. This wall creates an interactive space for Market Square visitors to write and share things they want to accomplish before they die. …

Runner Keegan Smith wins elementary state, national crowns

By Dan McWilliams Fourth-grade cross country runner Keegan Smith of Sacred Heart Cathedral School repeated as state champion Oct. 22 and captured his second national championship Nov. 19. Keegan, who also won this year’s AAU indoor track-and-field national title in March, placed first in the nation among 10-year-olds with a …

Cathedral dedication stone begins yearlong tour of diocese

Marble piece blessed by Pope Francis will visit all 51 parishes and missions in lead-up to cathedral opening By Jim Wogan As the new Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus reaches the final phases of construction, Bishop Richard F. Stika has announced the cathedral dedication stone Pope Francis blessed, …

KCHS boys cross country team captures state championship

The Knoxville Catholic High School boys cross country team won the Class A-AA state championship for the second year in a row Nov. 5 at the Percy Warner Park Steeplechase Course in Nashville. Georde Goodwyn and Jake Renfree finished 1-2 in the state for the Irish against a field of …

A priest’s open letter to young adults: Why you need the Church

In a world where Catholicism increasingly is pushed to the periphery, the 18-and-over group is vital By Father Michael Cummins Why do some young adults wander away from the Church? There are no easy answers to this. At least I have not found one in my own experience of ministry. …