Diocese’s newest deacons answer the call

Journey to the permanent diaconate proves very rewarding By Emily Booker It has been a long time journey for the men recently ordained to the permanent diaconate in the Diocese of Knoxville. Discerning the call from God, preparing for ordination, and balancing family and Church obligations take a lot of …

‘I have called you’

Bishop Stika ordains 23 men as permanent deacons on ‘historic’ day for the Diocese of Knoxville By Dan McWilliams Every once in a while, a truly special event occurs in the history of a diocese. On June 11, just such an event took place for the Diocese of Knoxville, as …

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Father Adam Royal is the Diocese of Knoxville’s 51st ordained priest

Ordination Mass held June 4 at Sacred Heart Cathedral Father Adam Royal may not have realized it, but he was part of God’s plan even in the days before he joined the Catholic Church, Bishop Richard F. Stika said at the convert’s priestly ordination Mass. “You’ve been part of that …

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Paulist associates begin new assignments

The Paulist Fathers, who minister at Immaculate Conception Church and St. John XXIII University  Parish and Catholic Center in Knoxville, have assigned two new associate pastors to those parishes. Father Robert J. O’Donnell, CSP, 67, will succeed Father Rich Andre, CSP, as associate pastor at St. John XXIII. The Paulist Fathers …

Once upon a time: Keeping theology consistent

Faithful continue to observe the commandments of the Church By Monsignor Xavier Mankel Time to go to confession? Our theology has been pretty consistent over the years. Following the Council of Trent, Catholics pretty much observed the commandments of the Church: annual sacramental confession, followed by holy Communion. Favorite times …

He dwells among us: Never look down

Seek God’s design in all you do to help build up a beautiful dwelling of God By Bishop Richard. F. Stika Anyone who knows me knows how much I love building projects and renovations. I particularly enjoy watching our new cathedral being built, especially as its skeletal frame of steel …

Marriage enrichment: Keeping the family life holy

Pope affirms Church teaching on family and marriage in ‘The Joy of Love’ exhortation By Marian Christiana Family life is holy. It is messy but holy. Since his installation as pontiff, Pope Francis has helped to bring family life and its complications into sharper focus within the universal Church. During his …

Once upon a time: The liturgy is alive and well

Popularity of novenas and other private devotions attest to improvements inspired by Vatican II By Monsignor Xavier Mankel Many churches 75 years old and older have them, or have places where they used to be. Immaculate Conception Church in Knoxville had them, and although bricked over for many years, they …

KDCCW members exemplify ‘the power of the Church’

Bishop Stika celebrates Mass; special guests address annual convention at Holy Trinity By The East Tennessee Catholic Staff The Knoxville Diocesan Council of Catholic Women welcomed Father Leo Patalinghug, the “Cooking Priest,” and Beth Mahoney, spirituality commission chairperson for the National Council of Catholic Women, to its 2016 convention April 14-16 …

Living the readings: The bounty of summer

In this Year of Mercy, we find God’s grace is truly abundant By Father Joseph Brando Now that they Easter season is completed with the feast of Pentecost, we return to Ordinary Time. However, this year is different. We are celebrating a Year of Mercy, which changes the way we look …

NDHS students earn chemistry, gymnastics honors

Notre Dame High School students recently earning honors included the following: ■ James West and Luis Sanchez competed in the citywide American Chemical Society Chemistry Olympiad. Eight schools in the city participated, and the Notre Dame students scored in the top 10 for the city. They advanced to compete for …

Catholic Middle track filled with champions

Students from Diocese of Knoxville schools joined together this spring to form a Catholic Middle School track team that competed in the Knoxville Independent School League (KISL) Championships on April 28 as well as the Knox County Middle Schools Championships on May 3. Kathy Wolski, who coaches the middle school …