Praying for perspective: Do you say the Our Father or really pray it?

By George Valadie It was a Sunday morning not all that long ago, though I can’t recall which one. I remember it because of the Gospel that day, you know the one where Our Lord taught his apostles how to pray using the words that we now know as the Lord’s …

All Saints group takes part in Catholic Heart Workscamp

Youths and adults from All Saints Parish in Knoxville participated in a Catholic Heart Workcamp in Ashland, Mt., July 11-16. The 34 campers joined 330 others from 14 parishes from nine different states for a week of service and ministry. Participants completed community service projects on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation …

East Tennessee missionaries join FOCUS ministry’s campus outreach

The Fellowship of Catholic University Students, a national organization of Catholic missionaries that evangelizes to students on college campuses across the country, has again reached into the Diocese of Knoxville for assistance. Megan Ferowich, a Knoxville Catholic High School graduate who just completed studies at the University of Notre Dame, …

The tradition of sacred music: ‘Holy, beautiful, and universal’

By Dan McWilliams A “treasure of inestimable value” is found in some East Tennessee Catholic parishes that carry on the sacred music tradition of the Church. Gregorian chant and polyphony, or multiple-part vocal music in which each part is an independent melody, can be heard during Mass at the Basilica of …

‘Jesus, I trust in you’

Cathedral construction reaches its halfway point as Bishop Stika inscribes his motto in dome of our new mother church By Bill Brewer “Jesus, I trust in you.” These world were never more appropriate than when Bishop Richard F. Stika strapped  on a safety harness, climbed into a mechanical boom lift, …

Discernment for new diaconate class beginning

The Diocese of Knoxville is inviting men interested in learning more about becoming a deacon for the Catholic Church to begin a period of discernment that will lead to a new class being formed in September 2017. “The purpose of discernment is to separate ambition from vocation. That’s the best …

Once upon a time: Your pastor needs you

By Monsignor Xavier Mankel There was a time when things shut down for the summer, especially for school folks — but not anymore. Now, most of us run, run, run all the time, taking a few days for vacation when we can work it in. Plenty goes on year-round, so …

He dwells among us: Saints and prophets

The Church does not offer political solutions but must always be the voice of God’s truth By Bishop Richard F. Stika “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel.” (1 Cor 9:16) The words of St. Paul challenge all of us, particularly clergy, to always speak the truth …