Churches old and new are inspiration for a closer relationship with God By Monsignor Xavier Mankel Immaculate Conception Church has covered Summit Hill in Knoxville since the 1880s. Typical of many churches of that era, architects saw little need for a large vestibule. People came to church to pray and …
Living the readings: Preparing to meet the Lord
Scripture shows us how God makes himself visible to humans By Father Joseph Brando It’s hard to believe. With my Christmas tree still shining forth in my living room, I am writing a column that features the first three Sundays of Lent. One of the factors of getting old is …
Confession of a diocesan priest
Sacrament of reconciliation will lift your burdens and is no longer something to be dreaded; everyone welcome By Bill Brewer As the Catholic Church enters the season of Lent on Feb. 10, priests in the Diocese of Knoxville are encouraging parishioners to follow Pope Francis’ lead in this special Year …
Funeral Mass held for Deacon Donald Hathaway
A funeral Mass for Deacon Donald Hathaway was held on Jan. 22 at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Mountain City. Deacon Hathaway died Jan. 16 at his residence. He was 89. The funeral Mass was celebrated by Father Dennis Kress, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua. Deacon Hathaway, who …
St. John XXIII Parish ranked among top U.S. Newman centers by Pew
Best College Reviews, an independent college review journal that provides information on schools, ranks the Diocese of Knoxville’s St. John XXIII University Parish and Catholic Center as the 14th best Newman Center in the United States. A Pew Research study found that Christianity makes up 70 percent of the total …
St. Joseph’s piano man
At 102, Angelo Miceli stays attune to Norris parish’s music liturgy with upbeat song selections By Dan McWilliams Family and friends are the keys to a long life, according to 102-year-old Angelo Miceli of St. Joseph Parish in Norris. Mr. Miceli, who plays piano at first Sunday Masses at St. …
He dwells among us: He must increase
May we always give both the gifts of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and our hearts to others By Bishop Richard F. Stika Our Lenten pilgrimage begins early this year, before St. Valentine’s day, so if you’re giving up candy or chocolate, you might be challenged when the heart-shaped boxes …
East Tennessee Catholics march for life
Pro-life faithful join for prayer service at World’s Fair Park, march to Fort Sanders abortion clinic By Dan McWilliams Hundreds of pro-life supporters, including many East Tennessee Catholics, turned out for a prayer service and the annual March for Life sponsored by the Knox County chapter of Tennessee Right …
Praying for perspective: Searching for that inner piece making us more Scrooge-like
By George Valadie Consider just for a minute — when did you first notice it had happened to you? I’m not sure it hit me at any one particular moment. It was more like a collection of moments. Each a sad one, now that I think about it. First, there …
St. Dominic approaches Home Campaign in a ‘very good spot’
By Jim Wogan The Home Campaign is well under way in the Diocese of Knoxville — with 34 parishes and mission churches now at various stages of participation. Early this year, 17 more parishes will join the campaign as Wave 3 participants. While the Home Campaign operates nearly the same …
Religious Sisters of Mercy convent dedicated by Bishop Stika
By Jim Wogan Shortly after Bishop Richard F. Stika arrived in Knoxville in 2009, he reached out to a religious order based in Alma, Mich., with a request: come to Knoxville and help serve Roman Catholics in East Tennessee. The Religious Sisters of Mercy accepted the bishop’s offer, and the …
SMLF grants total $720,000 for 2016
The St. Mary’s Legacy Foundation and Bishop Richard F. Stika have announced grant distributions for 2016 totaling $720,000 for local charities and nonprofit organizations serving Catholics and non-Catholics across East Tennessee. Since its creation in 2011, the St. Mary’s Legacy Foundation has now provided more than $3 million to benefit …