More than 300 new members of Church sent into diocese in full communion A journey of faith for 318 catechumens and candidates that was celebrated at the Easter Vigil through baptism and confirmation was recognized May 5 with The Sending of the Neophytes Mass at the Cathedral of the Sacred …
Pontiff receives greetings from the Diocese of Knoxville
Bishop Stika delivers best wishes, invitation, gift to Pope Francis on weeklong Papal Foundation visit The Diocese of Knoxville is making quite an impression on Pope Francis so early in his pontificate. Bishop Richard F. Stika, who serves on the Papal Foundation’s board of trustees, met with the pope in …
He dwells among us: A visit with Pope Francis
Giving to others an audience with Christ through works of mercy is a blessing we are all called to be In my younger days I always found the concept of the pope to be something distant. After all, the pope did not live in St. Louis or even in the …
Catholic Athletes for Christ adds Bishop Stika to board
Group ministers to teams, athletes from professional ranks, Olympics, colleges to high schools Bishop Richard F. Stika’s passion for Major League Baseball has led to a pastoral appointment with an athletic twist. Bishop Stika has been named to the Episcopal Advisory Board of Catholic Athletes for Christ, a national Catholic …
Bishop Stika named to Catholic Athletes for Christ board
Bishop Richard F. Stika’s passion for Major League Baseball has led to a pastoral appointment with an athletic twist. Bishop Stika has been named to the Episcopal Advisory Board of Catholic Athletes for Christ, a national Catholic sports ministry serving sports and athletes at all levels. “Catholic Athletes for Christ …
Pope Francis presents blessing to Diocese of Knoxville
As Pope Francis establishes the 265th pontificate since St. Peter following his March 13 ascension from the College of Cardinals, the world is embracing the new pontiff and his acts of humility and compassion. The pope’s popularity is extending beyond Vatican City, where he has upended traditional security protocol by …
Bishop Stika recognizes Diocese of Knoxville Scouts
Bishop Richard F. Stika was the host for the 14th annual Bishop’s Gathering & Adult Awards luncheon honoring Scouting in the diocese. The event took place March 16 at All Saints Church in Knoxville and was sponsored by the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting. DCCS lay chairman George LeCrone Sr. …
Bishop Stika: A man of ‘peace’ and ‘prayer’ now leads the Catholic Church
Describing the Church’s new leader as a man of peace and prayer, Bishop Richard F. Stika spoke March 13 to the Knoxville media soon after Pope Francis was introduced to the world. Just as Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation was surprising, so was the relatively quick election of Cardinal Jorge Mario …
Diocesan faithful give Cardinal Rigali a memorable send-off
In a turnout befitting a pope—or a cardinal—more than a thousand well-wishers were on hand Feb. 26 at All Saints Church and McGhee Tyson Airport to see Cardinal Justin Rigali as he departed for Rome, where he will join the College of Cardinals in a conclave to elect the next …
NFL player Harrison Smith giving back to Sacred Heart
More than 200 people welcomed home a famous alumnus of Sacred Heart Cathedral School on Feb. 25 during “An Evening With Harrison Smith,” featuring the Minnesota Vikings safety fresh off an outstanding rookie season in the NFL. The sold-out event benefited the SHCS Annual Fund, which provides for expenses not …
He dwells among us: A miracle repeated
For 2,000 years, the Church has been blessed and guided by a successor of St. Peter The Church is now without a Pope—the See of Peter is vacant. Although he who was called Benedict XVI still is with us, we nonetheless mourn the passing of his pontificate, lifting him up …
Bishops share legislative concerns with Gov. Haslam
Catholic Day on the Hill addresses issues affecting faithful Bishop Richard F. Stika led a group of East Tennessee Catholics taking part in the 16th annual Catholic Day on the Hill on Feb. 20. The state’s three bishops, including Bishop David R. Choby of Nashville and Bishop J. Terry Steib, …
