New federal legislation in 2027 opens the door for taxpayers to transform student lives By George Valadie Dangit!! I was sure we would win!! So, it’s another Sunday morning in the Valadie house. Getting ready for Mass, bagels, and Diet Coke, catching up on overnight news and west coast scores, …
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A leap of faith
Martha Mundine settles into role as superintendent of Church schools in East Tennessee By Bill Brewer For Catholics, many decisions are based on faith. Then there are the leaps of faith that can help define a person and their vocation. Martha Mundine made such a leap earlier this year when …
Student surge
Enrollment up at Diocese of Knoxville schools amid Church growth in East Tennessee By Bill Brewer The early numbers are in, and the results reveal an exciting, healthy trend in Catholic education in East Tennessee. Student enrollment is up again at Diocese of Knoxville schools as the 2026-27 academic year …
St. Francis of Assisi parishes are designated Jubilee pilgrimage sites
St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fairfield Glade and St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Townsend have been designated as official pilgrimage sites for the Franciscan Jubilee, commemorating the 800th anniversary of the Transitus, the passing into eternal life of St. Francis of Assisi in 1226. The Jubilee Year is …
Parsons named leader of diocese’s Echo program
Beth Parsons, who serves as manager of the Diocese of Knoxville’s Office of Vocations, has also been named leader of the diocese’s Echo graduate service program. Mrs. Parsons formerly served as Echo formation assistant for the diocese in addition to her Office of Vocations responsibilities. As diocesan leader of the …
St. John Neumann Parish marking three special anniversaries in 2027
St. John Neumann in Farragut is gearing up for a yearlong triple anniversary celebration that includes the parish’s 50-year jubilee. The parish’s patron was canonized on June 19, 1977, and Bishop James D. Niedergeses of Nashville on July 18 of that year approved the saint as the namesake for the …
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Helping our neighbors
Office of Hispanic Ministry leads food drive for families impacted by separation The East Tennessee Catholic The Diocese of Knoxville and its Office of Hispanic Ministry held a food drive June 12-14 to support immigrant families impacted by detentions and deportations of loved ones. The Hispanic Ministry Office established a …
Notre Dame Parish VBS has ‘Cool Kingdom Party’ theme this year
Notre Dame Parish in Greene-ville held vacation Bible school every Wednesday night in June that concluded with a Water Day on July 1. The VBS theme this year was “Cool Kingdom Party: Mary Leads Me Closer to Jesus.” The parish hall was turned into the Castle of Notre Dame with …
St. Joseph student places second in Paulist Fathers’ essay contest
In advance of the nation’s milestone anniversary on July 4, the Paulist Fathers held an America 250 Essay Contest for seventh- and eighth-grade Catholic school students. The entrants were asked to answer the following question: “How does your Catholic faith shape the way you live in the United States, and …
Immaculate Conception Parish holding 17th annual Irish Fest
Immaculate Conception Parish in downtown Knoxville will celebrate Irish heritage with its 17th annual Irish Fest on the Hill, scheduled for 4 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8. Those attending may enjoy Irish food, drinks, dessert, and music and take part in a silent auction. A Gaelic games demonstration …
Experiencing People of Hope
Traveling museum visiting Chattanooga, Knoxville to share stories of Catholic Charities The East Tennessee Catholic A traveling museum that shares the stories of people who help and are helped by Catholic Charities will be visiting the Diocese of Knoxville in early August, with stops scheduled in Chattanooga and Knoxville. Catholic …
Patricia Schaefer
On June 22, Patricia Elizabeth Schaefer left this world to be with her beloved husband, Phil. Mrs. Schaefer, known warmly as Pat, was born in Baltimore as one of nine children. She was raised in a three-story brownstone just a couple of blocks from her church and school, The Shrine …