By Dan McWilliams and Sedonna Prater Nearly 300 teachers and administrators from East Tennessee Catholic schools took part in the annual Diocesan In-Service on Aug. 8 at Knoxville Catholic High School. Bishop Richard F. Stika began the program with a keynote address in the KCHS gym. The day fell on …
Bishop urges thoughtful solution to border crisis
By Bishop Richard F. Stika Imagine being a parent of five children and living with the very real expectation and fear that one of them, or worse yet, all of them, could be the targets of a ruthless and violent gang that you have no power to stop. The circumstances …
Turning crisis into care – one child at a time
By Ashley Siferd This is the story of one family. A family terrified of the all-too- real threat of rampant and out-of-control gang violence that struck too close to home. This is not fiction. This story is about the sobering reality for children who live at risk every day of …
Parish notes: Smoky Mountain Deanery
Holy Family, Seymour Holy Family Church is hosting a yard and bake sale from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9; and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10. For more information, contact Anita or Jerry Miller at 865-712-8252 or …
Smoky Mountain Deanery calendar
The seventh annual Irish Fest on the Hill will take place from 4-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at Immaculate Conception Church. The festival will include Irish music, dancing, beer, a tour of the church, games, and much more. Admission is $5 for adults and free for children 12 and under. …
Notre Dame High’s Howie Sompayrac moves to St. Joseph
Notre Dame High School’s Howie Sompayrac resigned as athletics director April 8 after 15 years in the position. Mr. Sompayrac has accepted a job at St. Joseph School in Knoxville, where he will be the director of School Advancement. His wife, Cathy, has been offered an elementary teaching position there …
Funeral Mass held for diocesan seminarian Jeff Emitt
Diocese of Knoxville seminarian Jeff Emitt died July 16 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 61. Mr. Emitt was a longtime member of Holy Ghost Church, where he had played guitar for Sunday evening Masses. He also was a fourth-degree Knight of Columbus prior to joining the seminary. …
St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic breaks ground on garage, offices
Facility for mobile medical unit will be on the Church of Divine Mercy campus in West Knox County The St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic will soon have a new home. The diocese broke ground July 1 for a 40-by-60-foot warehouse that will house the mobile clinic, which is a family physician’s …
Diocese schools in Chattanooga, Kingsport see new principals
Top educators at St. Dominic, Our Lady of Perpetual Help retire; successors eager to begin new year Two diocesan elementary school principals retired following the 2013-14 school year, and each has a successor eager to step in and fill the role. Jeri McInturff stepped down at Our Lady of Perpetual …
Church of Divine Mercy holds inaugural first Communion, confirmation Mass
Bishop Richard F. Stika gave the sacrament of confirmation to nearly every Diocese of Knoxville parish during the spring. The sacrament was especially eagerly anticipated at one church, which held its first Mass of confirmation and first Holy Communion. Divine Mercy Catholic mission celebrated milestones for 21 of its youngest …
Weekday readings for August 2014
Friday, Aug. 1: Jeremiah 26:1-9; Psalm 69:5, 8-10, 14; Matthew 13:54-58 Saturday, Aug. 2: Jeremiah 26:11-16, 24; Psalm 69:15-16, 30-31, 33-34; Matthew 14:1-12 Sunday, Aug. 3: Isaiah 55:1-3; Psalm 145:8-9, 15-18; Romans 8:35, 37-39; Matthew 14:13-21 Monday, Aug. 4: Jeremiah 28:1-17; Psalm 119:29, 43, 79-80, 95, 102; Matthew 14:22-36 Tuesday, …
Living the readings: Making it through rough times
Many lessons are learned about God’s abundant love August is known for its long hot days and sweaty boring nights that made kids wish school were back in session. Schools, in Tennessee at least, have accommodated this desire and have welcomed the children back ever earlier each year, making today’s …
