Five at Knoxville Catholic sign with colleges

Five Knoxville Catholic High School student athletes committed to play at the next level in a National Signing Day ceremony Feb. 5 in the school library. Offensive lineman Patrick McFall signed with East Tennessee State University. Track athlete Camille Baker committed to Missouri University of Science and Technology. Three soccer …

St. John Neumann students donate hair to aid cancer patients

Annual gift of locks continues to grow in popularity as more girls, mothers take part in service project  “I want to donate my hair because I want to make a tribute to my grandma and my neighbor and all others who were diagnosed with cancer.” “I’m in fourth grade and …

Living the readings: The rites of spring

The season for planting is here, which will lead to new life Early spring has already come, and with it the refreshing spring rains that foretell the beginning of life. Crops soon will start growing from seeds that are only now being planted. The season for planting has begun. In …

Once upon a time: We can value the past by investing in future

Schools, churches, cathedral point to growth of Catholicism in East Tennessee that has foundation in history If the history of our Diocese of Knoxville had ended with its first anniversary on Sept. 8, 1989, a much different story would have been told. So I look forward to the final diocesan …

Ukrainian Catholics fleeing from Crimea

OXFORD, England (CNS) — Members of the Ukrainian Catholic Church are fleeing Crimea to escape threats of arrest and property seizures, a priest told Catholic News Service just four days after Russia finalized the region’s annexation. “The situation remains very serious, and we don’t know what will happen — the …

Marriage enrichment: Inviting God into a marriage

Prayer between husbands and wives can enhance matrimony by emphasizing listening, forgiveness My husband and I recently attended a Celebration of Life service for the father of a close friend. Our friend’s father, Chester R. Cecil Sr., had been married to his wife, Barbara, for 67 years. The eulogy given …

God is always present with those who suffer, pope says

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The fragility of human life is part of its beauty and is something people only really learn by being close to, sharing with and caring for those who are suffering, Pope Francis said. “Even in suffering, no one is ever alone because God — in his …

Bishop Stika celebrates fifth anniversary

On the fifth anniversary of his ordination and installation as the Diocese of Knoxville’s third shepherd, Bishop Richard F. Stika celebrated Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral on March 19, which also is the feast day for St. Joseph. Joined by parishioners, Chancery staff, Religious Sisters of Mercy and Dominican sisters, …

Father Ragan Schriver honored at Emerald O’ccasion

Catholic Charities of East Tennessee’s 29th annual fundraising dinner was indeed an Emerald O’ccasion as some 500 supporters of the social-service agency joined in celebrating former executive director Father Ragan Schriver. The 2014 event, held March 13 at the Knoxville Marriott hotel, was planned as a tribute to Father Schriver, …

Some 240 faithful take part in diocesan Rites of Election

More than 200 soon-to-be Catholics participated in this year’s Rite of Election of Catechumens and Call to Continuing Conversion of Candidates, an important step on their journey to joining the Church. “There were roughly 240 combined—catechumens and candidates,” said Sister Mary Timothea Elliott, RSM, director of the diocesan Office of …

Catholic Day on the Hill issues include school vouchers, immigration

NASHVILLE — School vouchers were a popular subject in meetings Bishop Richard F. Stika and Memphis Bishop J. Terry Steib, SVD, had with Gov. Bill Haslam and legislators at the 17th annual Catholic Day on the Hill in Nashville. Catholic Day on the Hill offers a chance for the faithful …