It isn’t often that a bishop asks students for advice on what to tell the pope. But that is what happened Sept. 27 during the Diocese of Knoxville’s annual Youth Mass. Bishop Richard F. Stika told the students that he would be going to the Vatican and needed advice on …
Diocese of Knoxville growth continues as 48th parish added
Bishop Stika elevates Blessed Teresa of Calcutta from mission during special Mass at Maynardville church The Diocese of Knoxville is now 48 parishes strong after Bishop Richard F. Stika elevated Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Mission in Maynardville during a special Mass on Sept. 5. It has been a swift, …
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta community is diocese’s newest parish
The Diocese of Knoxville is now 48 parishes strong after Bishop Richard F. Stika elevated Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Mission in Maynardville during a special Mass on Sept. 5. Bishop Stika, giving a homily in Blessed Teresa’s temporary facility in a storefront along Highway 33, praised parishioners for working …
Second annual Irish Bowl kicks off high school football
East Tennessee’s two Catholic football teams kick off their seasons tonight in Chattanooga when Notre Dame hosts Knoxville Catholic in the second annual Irish Bowl. The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Bishop Richard F. Stika and Sister Mary Marta Abbott, RSM, superintendent of Catholic Schools, will be at the …
Diocesan schools In-Service Day marks beginning of school year
By Dan McWilliams and Sedonna Prater Nearly 300 teachers and administrators from East Tennessee Catholic schools took part in the annual Diocesan In-Service on Aug. 8 at Knoxville Catholic High School. Bishop Richard F. Stika began the program with a keynote address in the KCHS gym. The day fell on …
Bishop urges thoughtful solution to border crisis
By Bishop Richard F. Stika Imagine being a parent of five children and living with the very real expectation and fear that one of them, or worse yet, all of them, could be the targets of a ruthless and violent gang that you have no power to stop. The circumstances …
Funeral arrangements set for seminarian Jeff Emitt
Diocese of Knoxville seminarian Jeff Emitt passed away July 16 after a courageous battle against cancer. He was 61. Mr. Emitt was a longtime member of Holy Ghost Church, where he had played guitar for Sunday evening Masses. He was accepted into the seminary by Bishop Richard F. Stika in …
Boat Mass attracts marine Catholics from near and far
Father Joe Campbell’s divine streak of boat Masses on Norris Lake without a rain-out is intact thanks to God and a little divine inspiration through prayer by Bishop Richard F. Stika. For the past 12 years, Father Campbell, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in LaFollette and Christ …
Three seminarians ordained into transitional diaconate
The pathway to priesthood in the Diocese of Knoxville continues to be busy as Bishop Richard F. Stika ordained three seminarians June 14 to the transitional diaconate, an important step in their religious education before priesthood. Newly ordained Deacons Jesús Guerrero-Rodríguez, Raymond Powell and Scott Russell participated in the Rite …
Church’s newest members put their faith into the diocese
A year of faith discernment for some 250 catechumens and candidates who were baptized and confirmed at Easter Vigil culminated June 7 in their official recognition by Bishop Richard F. Stika as the Diocese of Knoxville’s newest parishioners. Bishop Stika celebrated Mass and presided at the Sending of the Neophytes …
Diocese of Knoxville welcomes four new priests
The Diocese of Knoxville welcomed four new priests May 31 as Bishop Richard F. Stika celebrated an ordination Mass at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, where Fathers Colin Blatchford, Anthony Budnick, Julian Cardona and Adam Kane took their vows for the priesthood. The newly ordained priests processed …
He dwells among us: ‘You shall be my witness’
The prayer of every priest, ‘Lord, what do you want me to do?’ always leads to greater joy I love the Easter Season. With the exception maybe of the pollen and other allergens, there is always so much to look forward to in this season—warmer weather, the end of a …
