KCHS, Notre Dame students make statements on school safety

Campus activities follow recent shootings in other states as parents, faculties share concerns about disturbing trend By Emily Booker Today’s high school students were born after Columbine—a word that has become synonymous with student shootings. These students have always known lockdown drills and breaking news of gun violence in schools. …

He dwells among us: Do not be afraid of God’s mercy

Ensure that the suffering Jesus underwent in His Passion has its Easter triumph in our hearts By Bishop Richard F. Stika Easter is so special that the Church celebrates it over eight days—an octave—culminating on the following Sunday, which we call “Divine Mercy Sunday.” To understand why this second Sunday …

Family life center at the heart of future plans for St. Mary-Gatlinburg

Despite setbacks from wildfires, Sevier County parish is outgrowing present space for activities By Bill Brewer Unlike the proverbial phoenix, St. Mary Parish in Gatlinburg hasn’t had to rise from the ashes, though that possibility was a sobering thought for Father Antony Punnackal on Nov. 28, 2016. Still, Father Punnackal, …

First Chrism Mass celebrated in new cathedral

‘The Lord has anointed us,’ Bishop Stika declares as 1,000 gather for diocesan Holy Week service By Dan McWilliams The still-sparkling new Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus hosted its first Chrism Mass on March 27 as Bishop Richard F. Stika and more than 60 priests joined some …

A Temple of Your Glory

Dedication of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is historic day in the life of the Church in East Tennessee By Dan McWilliams Photos by Stephanie Richer Photography, Deacon Patrick Murphy-Racey, and Stephen Golder What a day for the Diocese of Knoxville. In a ceremony 30 years …

Conversation with the Cardinals

A new cathedral dedicated to Christ, and the role of Pope St. John Paul II By Bill Brewer and Angel Brewer Opening weekend for the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus was all about Christ. Pope St. John Paul II had a role, too. And once the new …

Celebrating Jesus in Polish, Spanish

Masses led by cardinal, apostolic nuncio give international flavor to dedication weekend By Bill Brewer The dedication of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus was a sacred moment in history for the Diocese of Knoxville in more ways than one. Not only did Bishop Richard F. Stika …

He dwells among us: Beautiful cathedral, holy priesthood

The work of beautifying our soul must be a holy endeavor that continues throughout our mortal life By Bishop Richard F. Stika Since the dedication of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on March 3, so many have commented to me how beautiful our new cathedral is. …

Sacred Heart Parish ‘encounters’ new cathedral

Father David Boettner invites faithful to seek Jesus when they worship in parish’s new church By Bill Brewer Incense from the three-hour rite of dedication for the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus had barely dissipated when Father David Boettner celebrated Sacred Heart Parish’s first Mass in the …

Built for the Ages

Merit Construction has all the tools to make cathedral project a success By Jim Wogan It would be nice to believe that construction of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus followed every passage in sacred Scripture about building the Church, but, in fact, it didn’t. The house …

Final diocesan service held in original Sacred Heart Cathedral

Bishop Stika presides at vespers with Cardinal Rigali as building’s 61-year service as a church comes to an end By Dan McWilliams Photography by Stephanie Richer Photography Celebrations at the original Sacred Heart Cathedral occurred on more than 3,200 Sundays in its 61-year history. The final Sunday celebration happened Feb. …