WASHINGTON (CNS)—Two former U.S. ambassadors to the Vatican and two retired officials of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops were among more than 60 Catholic leaders urging members of Congress who consider themselves pro-life to “show greater moral leadership and political courage” in acting to cut U.S. gun violence. “We …
Once upon a time: Many people are ‘foundational to our story’
Popes, bishops, priests, deacons, brothers, sisters and laypeople all ‘give dimension to this Church of ours’ The month of January, traditionally our coldest month of the year, was the last month to have her calendar filled from New Year’s Day until the feast of St. John Bosco (the 31st). The …
Sister Mary Gretchen completing UT medical residency
by Heidi Wigdahl, WBIR Channel 10 A nun’s devotion to God has led her to Knoxville. Sister Mary Gretchen Hoffman is with the Religious Sisters of Mercy (R.S.M.). “Really the intensity of His love was such that I knew I had to respond and it couldn’t just be a little. …
Robotics students taking advantage of ‘million-dollar equipment’
KCHS Robotichauns – one week so far . . . from Richer Images on Vimeo. When Dr. Lonnie Love of Oak Ridge National Laboratory asked “why would anybody in their right mind let high school kids work with million dollar pieces of equipment,” the answer could be found with a …
Sacred Heart principal named to diocesan schools post
Sedonna Prater, who has served as principal of Sacred Heart Cathedral School in Knoxville since 2004, has been named director of curriculum and instruction for the Diocese of Knoxville’s 10 schools. The appointment was announced Jan. 7 by Bishop Richard F. Stika and diocesan schools Superintendent Sister Mary Marta Abbott, …
He dwells among us: Better than expected
Faith reminds us that Christ is truly present and hope ever builds our trust in him as disciples It seemed like a good idea at the time, but it didn’t quite turn out the way I expected.” I was but a young boy at the time when my elderly neighbor, …
Living the readings: The Light has come
Jesus shines the light on himself as the giver of freedom Advent is over; Christmas has come; and, significantly, the Light that was promised is already shining upon us. The fact that the first day of the year is always the Octave Day of Christmas is not by accident. We …
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Understanding the sacraments: Confirmation: a mystagogical catechesis
The baptized are more perfectly bound to the Church with the sacrament of Confirmation Liturgical catechesis has one purpose: “to initiate people into the mystery of Christ (It is ‘mystagogy’) by proceeding from the visible to the invisible, from the sign to the thing signified, from the ‘sacraments’ to the …
Once upon a time: In praise of improvements for celebrating Mass
Times have changed since ‘midnight Masses’ at 5 a.m., 100-degree choir lofts, long Eucharistic fasts I have served in several parishes by now, but in only one of them do I find the cavities cut in the pews for hinges to the wee doors that once were affixed to every …
Diocese continuing the legacy of Catholic health care in region
Bishop Stika names Sister of Mercy physician to direct new health services, St. Luke Guild ministry Sister Mariana Koonce has been in East Tennessee only since October, but already she feels a kinship with St. Mary’s Hospital, the longtime Catholic medical facility in Knoxville that has changed hands and …
Seminarian Arthur Torres Barona ordained into diaconate
Deacon closer to priesthood as Bishop Stika leads ordination Mass at St. Mary Church in Johnson City Arthur Torres Barona is an important step closer to the priesthood following his ordination into the transitional diaconate Dec. 1 at St. Mary Church in Johnson City. Bishop Richard F. Stika welcomed the …
St. Luke Guild now registering volunteers
Sister Mariana Koonce, RSM, MD, was appointed director of Health Services for the Diocese of Knoxville in 2012, and she officially joined the diocese in October. In her position, she will lead the new diocesan ministry to provide health care to underserved areas across the diocese and the new St. …