KCHS soccer players respond to Cookeville relief efforts

Fighting Irish teammates, fathers rally to aid Putnam County community devastated by March tornadoes                           By Bill Brewer Soccer was played after all, just not how the players had envisioned the match. And it was a few days late, too. However, it was a welcome distraction for Cookeville High School’s boys …

Make a spiritual Communion

Whether we can receive the Eucharist or not, we should always desire to be in union with Christ By Bishop Richard F. Stika “Do not fear: I am with you; do not be anxious, I am your God.”— Isaiah 41:10 Since the first words of fallen Adam: “I was afraid,” …

The power of Marvel

Catholic values reflected through the work of game giant’s executive, who is a Notre Dame High School grad     By Alyssa Neuhoff Bill Rosemann sat in the teacher’s lounge at Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga on Jan. 31 after speaking to an assembly of students and teachers as well as …

Catholics encouraged to practice spiritual Communion

Pope Francis, bishops are encouraging faithful who are not able to attend Mass to desire a union with Jesus in the Holy Eucharist By FAITH Catholic After the Angelus prayer on March 3, Pope Francis invited the faithful “to rediscover and deepen the value of the Communion that unites all …

In these times, meditate on faith, hope, and love

As Christians, we are called to a greater response to whatever challenges our community By Bob Hunt I am writing this in the middle of the coronavirus national emergency. As of this writing, my daughter’s school is on an extended spring break, many restaurants and other businesses have closed their …

Understanding the divisions of the Old Testament

The books are grouped into four major sections in the Christian tradition By Sister Anna Marie McGuan, RSM One challenge when reading the Old Testament is dealing with the amount of material contained therein. As a person reads along, he encounters narrative or story-like books or portions of books. The …

Virus and a death in the family make for ‘hellish week’

Every kid wants an extra day of spring break, but no one was hoping for a total school shutdown By George Valadie What a week! One of those unbelievable, don’t-ever-want-to-do-it-again sorts of weeks. I should begin by pointing out that because monthly diocesan newspapers function the way they do, columnists …

Catholic Charities of East Tennessee honors those who serve

Annual event raises funds for operations throughout the Diocese of Knoxville; Chattanooga dinner postponed         By Emily Booker It was an evening of hope and celebration at the Catholic Charities of East Tennessee’s annual “Sapphire Soiree” dinner on March 5 at Rothchild Conference Center in Knoxville. Hundreds attended for an evening …

Diocese of Knoxville deacons announce retirements

Deacon Bob Smearing, who serves at St. Albert the Great Parish in Knoxville, and Deacon Don Amelse, who serves at St. John Neumann Parish in Farragut, are retiring from the permanent diaconate. The deacons submitted letters requesting retirement in January, and Bishop Richard F. Stika granted their requests in February. …

Memorial Mass celebrated for Sister Celia Sánchez, MAG

A memorial Mass for Sister Celia Martina Sánchez Coatl, MAG, was celebrated on March 16 at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul. Sister Celia, who served in the Diocese of Knoxville for 20 years, died on March 8. The Missionary Sister of the Sacred Heart of Jesus “Ad Gentes” …

Glenmary Father John Rausch dies at age 75

The dedicated longtime missionary in Appalachia was a former columnist for The East Tennessee Catholic By Dennis Sadowski/CNS Glenmary Father John Rausch recognized early in his time as a missionary in Appalachia that people were facing severe environmental and economic challenges and devoted his ministry to seeking solutions and calling …