Eucharistic Congress ‘wows’ 5,000 Catholic faithful

The Diocese of Knoxville celebrated its 25th anniversary in grand fashion Sept. 13-14 as some 5,000 faithful from throughout East Tennessee and around the country gathered in prayer and song, fellowship and worship at the Sevierville Events Center to rejoice the Holy Eucharist in the diocese’s first Eucharistic Congress. “Wow” …

Diocese of Knoxville dedicates St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic

After more than a year of planning and anticipation, the Diocese of Knoxville dedicated the region’s newest mobile medical clinic Sept. 11 during a ceremony attended by diocesan partners and community supporters. Bishop Richard F. Stika blessed the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic, a 40-foot-long family doctor’s office on wheels, which …

Diocese of Knoxville turns 25 on Sept. 8

The Catholic Diocese of Knoxville marks its 25th anniversary Sunday, Sept. 8, which begins a yearlong celebration of the diocese’s silver jubilee. On Sept. 8, 1988, Catholics from across East Tennessee gathered at the Knoxville Convention Center to celebrate the birth of the world’s newest diocese. The Diocese of Knoxville …

East Tennessee Catholics praying, fasting for peace in Syria

Catholics across East Tennessee and around the country are encouraged to join a “Day of Fasting and Prayer for Peace in Syria, the Middle East and the World” on Saturday, Sept. 7, as the U.S. government considers its role in the ongoing struggle in Syria. Pope Francis has called on …

A valuable lesson in history at St. Dominic School

Fifth graders at Saint Dominic School in Kingsport are learning about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speech 50 years ago. In Megan Arnold’s fifth-grade classroom students are writing down their dreams. It’s a class project coinciding with a famous date in history. “It’s MLK’s day, when he gave the ‘I …

USCCB leaders join pope’s call for day of fasting, prayer for peace

WASHINGTON (Catholic News Service) — Two leaders of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops urged U.S. Catholics to take up Pope Francis’ call to fast and pray for peace in Syria, the Middle East and the world Sept. 7. Expressing anguish over the suffering of the Syrian people and echoing …

40-day vigil brings awareness to immigration reform

Parishioners across the Diocese of Knoxville are taking part in a 40-day vigil on immigration reform. The vigil, which is part of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Justice for Immigrants Campaign, began Aug. 15 and ends Sept. 23. The diocese is asking parishes, organizations and individuals to dedicate …

Notre Dame, Knoxville Catholic resume Irish Bowl with much fanfare

According to the United States Congress of Catholic Bishops, the New Evangelization proposed by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in this Year of Faith calls us to “to be evangelized and then go forth to evangelize.” Who knew a game of football could do that? On Aug. 23, the Fighting Irish …

Knox legal professionals unveil portrait of Archbishop Kurtz

Members of the legal profession who made contributions toward the cost of a portrait of Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz met the artist Aug. 14 during a showing of the artwork. Brad Coriell painted a portrait of the archbishop that now hangs in the Blessed John Paul II Room at the …

Seminarians gather for annual retreat

Diocesan seminarians took part in their annual retreat Aug. 5-7 at Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton. Eighteen of the diocese’s 23 seminarians were able to attend. “It’s an annual gathering, and really the main purpose is to bring the seminarians together for a couple of days of …