The East Tennessee Catholic newspaper, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2016, marks the beginning of its second 25 years with a new look. The Diocese of Knoxville’s bi-monthly publication, which highlights the happenings of Catholic parishes, schools, organizations, and homes throughout East Tennessee, is returning to a traditional broadsheet …
St. Mary-Oak Ridge parishioner is new lieutenant governor
Sen. Randy McNally is first Catholic to hold state’s second-highest elected office By Bill Brewer When Diocese of Knoxville priest Father Michael Woods delivered the invocation to convene the 110th General Assembly in Nashville on Jan. 10, Sen. Randy McNally was putting his imprint on a longtime tradition in the …
He dwells among us: Our days are numbered
How will we use the time we have left? Three important top for making the most of our moments By Bishop Richard F. Stika It doesn’t happen that often, but this year it does. We will be in Ordinary Time for the whole month of February. That’s right – Lent …
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Funeral Mass held at basilica for Monsignor George Schmidt
Priests join Bishop Stika in celebrating longtime Chattanooga pastor By Dan McWilliams There was no better place for the funeral Mass for Monsignor George Schmidt than the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga, “this place that he loved so much,” as Bishop Richard F. Stika called it. Monsignor …
St. Mary-Oak Ridge music program excels
St. Mary School in Oak Ridge participated in the East Tennessee Vocal Association’s annual All-East Honor Choir event held on Nov. 18-19 at Maryville College and the Clayton Center for the Arts. This year’s All-East Junior High/Middle School Honor Choir was made up of more than 300 advanced seventh- and …
Hundreds take part in Knoxville March for Life
Pro-life community joins together in support of women and their unborn children By Bill Brewer Women, men, and children of all walks of faith joined together Jan. 22 to pray for an end to abortion and show solidarity to mark the 44th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court …
Reaching out from ground zero
St. Mary Parish escaped the firestorm, and reaches out to help those who did not By Bill Brewer Photography by Stephanie Richer St. Mary Parish was ground zero in the wildfires that devastated parts of Sevier County on Nov. 28, 2016. And while flames reached to within yards of the …
Praying for Perspective: Remembering the handing-out of report cards
By George Valadie You could tell we had just sent them out because the office phones were ringing incessantly. They always do on “report card” day. Technology has vastly changed how all that happens these days. Our teachers enter grades into a computer program, and magic does the rest. Parents …
He dwells among us: Awakening love
Christ provides the only answer that truly satisfies the ‘why’ of suffering By Bishop Richard F. Stika It is said that “sadness is looking at oneself,” whereas “joy is looking at God.” I must admit, though, in looking back upon this past year, with its many tragedies, from the deadly and …
Fleeing the flames on foot: At age 82, the Hullanders outran the Great Smoky Mountains firestorm
By Bill Brewer Rains have finally fallen on the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, offering much-needed relief to an area parched from months of drought and now scarred from the perfect firestorm. But the rainfall was a day late and several inches short for scores of victims of the fires, …
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‘It looked like Armageddon’: David and Debbie’s prayer-filled escape from the raging fires
By Bill Brewer Photography by Stephanie Richer David and Debbie Reed’s home in the Norton Creek area of Sevier County is hallowed ground. You don’t have to look much farther than the name the couple gave their property in 2003, “Bella Lisieux.” But just how sacred “Beautiful (St. Thérèse of) …
Annual rosary held to mark All Saints Day at Calvary Cemetery
By Bill Brewer More than 50 people attended the annual All Saints Day rosary at Calvary Cemetery in East Knoxville. The rosary this year was said on Sunday, Nov. 6, with Father Ron Franco, CSP, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Knoxville, leading the prayer. Among the priests joining Father …