Praying for perspective: Believing in Christmas

The Christ Child inspires children of all ages to keep the faith; good ol’ St. Nick is another story By George Valadie When did it happen to you? I remember as if it were yesterday. I know the place and the time, who was there and who was not. The …

Catholic Charities’ Samaritan Place expands to house more seniors

By Emily Booker Samaritan Place unveiled its larger quarters during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 30. The long-anticipated expansion project will allow the program to help more seniors in crisis. “For every single person here who calls Samaritan Place home this is a place of comfort and refuge from life …

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Tennova closing former St. Mary’s Hospital

East Tennessee’s first Catholic medical center to be shuttered Dec. 28, longtime Sisters of Mercy to relocate By Dan McWilliams An 88-year-old tradition will end Dec. 28 when Physicians Regional Medical Center in North Knoxville, formerly long known as St. Mary’s Medical Center, will close its doors. The hospital’s owners, …

For our salvation: We are here to fulfill our human nature

Christ restores human nature to the dignity it held before the Fall By Bob Hunt “He who is the “image of the invisible God” is himself the perfect man who has restored in the children of Adam that likeness to God which had been disfigured ever since the first sin. …

Pastoral Juvenil Hispana ministry aims to engage youth

Program leader believes dialogue, diversity can engage and unite young people in the Diocese of Knoxville By Emily Booker A common question in the Church today is “How do we reach young people?” With more young people leaving the Church or growing up without religion, connecting with the next generation …

St. Bridget Church celebrates 50th anniversary

The parish’s church building turns a half-century old as nearly 400 join Bishop Stika at Mass By Dan McWilliams St. Bridget Parish in Dayton on Oct. 14 celebrated the 50th anniversary of its church building, a structure close to the heart of late Nashville Bishop and Dayton native Joseph A. …

Bishop Stika presides as 51 couples renew their wedding vows

Husbands, wives share colorful stories at Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Mass By Bill Brewer David and Martha Yoro can stand out in a crowd. At least they did on Oct. 13 when they renewed their wedding vows during the Diocese of Knoxville’s annual marriage Mass celebrated …

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Diocese of Nashville publishes names of priests accused of abusing minors

By the Tennessee Register The Diocese of Nashville, as part of its ongoing commitment to transparency, accountability, and pastoral care, is publishing the names of the 13 former priests who served in the diocese who have been accused of sexually abusing a minor. Of the 13, eight are dead and …

Sr. Mary Martha Naber celebrates 6th decade of healing ministry

Knox native has devoted her consecrated life to extending Jesus’ compassion and caring to people in East Tennessee By Dan McWilliams Sister Mary Martha Naber, RSM, mission representative at Physicians Regional Medical Center (the former St. Mary’s Medical Center), couldn’t help but be influenced by the Sisters of Mercy as …

Advent penance services scheduled around the diocese

Here are the remaining Advent penance services around the diocese, received as of press time: Chattanooga Deanery 7 p.m. EST, unless noted. Dec. 5 — Holy Spirit, Soddy-Daisy Dec. 6 — Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Chattanooga, 6 p.m.; St. Catherine Labouré, Copperhill, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10 — St. Bridget, …

The joy of priesthood

Kentucky retreat offers seminarians a chance to share discernment experiences Story by Jim Wogan Photography by Stephanie Richer Back when he was first considering holy orders, it’s doubtful Mark Schuster knew that the path to the holy priesthood in the Diocese of Knoxville would include a side trip to a …

Father William McKenzie retires from active ministry

Our Lady of Fatima (OLOF) Parish in Alcoa held a farewell dinner Sept. 30 for Father Bill McKenzie, who has announced his retirement from active ministry. The dinner, held in Our Lady of Fatima’s social hall, recognized Father McKenzie for his years of service to the Alcoa parish. Bishop Richard …