Standout runner Keegan Smith, a sixth-grader at Sacred Heart Cathedral School, added to his winnings two national titles and a regional crown, all on consecutive weekends last fall. Keegan, who is 12 years old, finished first in the Cross Country Coaches National Youth Championships held Nov. 17 at Tom Sawyer …
Honors continue for KCHS’s Jake Renfree
Knoxville Catholic High School senior state cross country champion Jake Renfree was named to Team USA Track & Field and competed in the Junior Co-Ed Relay in central Scotland on Jan. 12, earning a silver medal. On Jan.19, Jake was invited to run in the Virginia Showcase at Liberty University …
Hospital community recognizes Mercy Sisters
Before St. Mary’s closes for good, staffers say goodbye to the community that founded the medical center By Dan McWilliams The St. Mary’s Hospital community bid a formal farewell to the Sisters of Mercy at an appreciation reception for them Dec. 16, only 12 days before the 88-year-old North …
He dwells among us: Dignity of the journey
The Church offers beautiful teachings to assist us in making difficult medical decisions By Bishop Richard F. Stika How precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His faithful. –Psalm 116:15 “The person in affliction is sacred.” This ancient proverb speaks to a beautiful truth that the …
Thoughts and Prayers for the Faithful: Flannery O’Connor and the power of God
The drama of life is made tangible by the reality of death by Bob Hunt Flannery O’Connor has long been my favorite author, with her bizarre characters and weird stories that shed light on the brokenness of the human condition and the potential for redemption. The light she shines is …
Priest from Poland joins diocese to lead Masses for Polish community
Father Marcin “Martin” Gladysz has joined the priest staff at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish. Father Gladysz arrived in Knoxville over the holidays and began serving at Sacred Heart on Jan. 7. Bishop Richard F. Stika announced that Father Gladysz will begin celebrating monthly Mass …
Diocese of Knoxville seeks state permission to exhume Father Ryan remains
Lawsuit would clarify state law on disinterment for the cause of sainthood By Daniel Jackson / Courthouse News Service Faced with no clear statutory procedure in Tennessee to exhume the body of a priest it hopes to canonize, the Catholic Church has asked a court in Chattanooga to cut through …
The Legacy of St. Mary’s
Mobile clinic has ‘arrived’ as it marks fifth anniversary delivering free medical care in East Tennessee Story by Bill Brewer Photography by Stephanie Richer The Diocese of Knoxville ended 2018 mourning the loss of East Tennessee’s first Catholic hospital, the former St. Mary’s, that closed Dec. 28. But the healing …
Praying for perspective: Hoping to remain resolute in 2019
Will convenience help or hurt the wallet, waistline, and way of life? By George Valadie Happy New Year! How’s the new you coming? On my end, I’ve never been much for making a bunch of resolutions. In fairness, I should restate that; I’ve never been good at keeping a bunch …
He dwells among us: Four Herods
The culture of death assaults life, the conscience, the Church, and common good By Bishop Richard F. Stika Within the seasons the Church celebrates in its calendar that mark the mystery of our redemption—from the birth of Christ to His Passion and resurrection, to the beginnings of the infant Church …
A Chaplain’s Last Wish
Father Frank Brett, whose bequest will help Diocese of Knoxville students, will be buried with fallen chaplain brother By Dan McWilliams The legacy of Father Frank Brett lives on in East Tennessee after two of his nephews presented a check for $265,000 from the late priest’s estate to go toward …
Indie couple gets ‘Gosnell’ movie made against all odds
Hollywood balks at getting behind pro-life project, producer tells Tennessee Right to Life supporters By Bill Brewer Hollywood is always quick to embrace a true-life drama rich in pathos, conflict, interesting characters, and suspense … or so it would seem. But when Irish journalists/producers Ann McElhinney and Phelim McAleer were …
