Diocese of Knoxville’s third shepherd laid to rest at Sacred Heart Cathedral By Dan McWilliams On an overcast afternoon nearly 17 years to the day he was ordained as the Diocese of Knoxville’s third shepherd, Bishop Richard F. Stika was laid to rest in the columbarium of the cathedral whose …
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Bishop Richard F. Stika, third bishop of Knoxville, dies
The East Tennessee Catholic Bishop Richard F. Stika, who served as the third bishop of the Diocese of Knoxville from 2009 to 2023, died in his native St. Louis at age 68. He was found in his residence on Feb. 17. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at the Church …
3 priests-to-be ordained as deacons
Bishop Stika celebrates the Rite of Ordination at Sacred Heart By Bill Brewer Deacon Bo Beaty had been ordained only a few moments when he realized he already has someone ready for the priest-to-be to bring into the Catholic Church. Deacon Beaty is one of three young men in the …
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Diocese welcomes new priests
Bishop Stika ordains Fathers Austin, Blatchford, and Crabtree in cathedral Mass By Dan McWilliams The Diocese of Knoxville celebrated a triple ordination June 10 as Joseph Austin, Neil Blatchford, and Andrew Crabtree became priests of God in a Mass celebrated by Bishop Richard F. Stika at the Cathedral of the …
Bishop Stika confirms 53 during adult confirmation
Sacrament is offered during Pentecost Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral By Dan McWilliams Bishop Richard F. Stika celebrated the adult confirmation Mass on Pentecost Sunday, May 28, and this year a total of 53 men and women received the sacrament at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. …
Bishop Stika: Looking back at a 14-year episcopate
A St. Louis monsignor elevated to lead the Church in East Tennessee The East Tennessee Catholic His episcopal timeline is measured in pages, not columns. As the longest-serving bishop of the Diocese of Knoxville, Bishop Richard F. Stika repeatedly said that he hoped to bring the Catholic Church of East …
Bishop Stika resigns
Diocese’s 3rd shepherd taking emeritus status into early retirement The East Tennessee Catholic Bishop Richard F. Stika, the Diocese of Knoxville’s third and longest-serving shepherd, has resigned. An announcement from the Vatican that Pope Francis granted Bishop Stika’s request to step down was made June 27 and then released by …
God is the answer
Bishop’s pop quiz for neophytes serves as a GPS moment By Bill Brewer It’s challenging enough to be a neophyte charged with carrying on the Catholic faith in an increasingly secular world. But for the Catholic Church in East Tennessee’s newest members, asking them to pass a Catholic history test …
Celebrating the light of Christ
Churches across the diocese welcome Eastertide during Holy Week services By Dan McWilliams The Diocese of Knoxville welcomed nearly 300 people into the Church at Easter Vigil services on April 8, and for those entering at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Bishop Richard F. Stika saluted …
Gifts, gratitude, and St. Anthony
Bishop Stika marks anniversary at St. Joseph the Worker with unexpected intention By Jim Wogan Bishop Richard F. Stika received more than gifts, gratitude, and cake on the 14th anniversary of his episcopal ordination last month. He may have received a favor in the form of a miracle. A few …
Transitional deacon ordained in Mexico City
Bishop Stika presides at special Mass for Renzo Alvarado Suarez, who will join diocese By Beth Parsons Celebrations occurred across several countries as the Diocese of Knoxville gained a new transitional deacon. On Jan. 22, Deacon Renzo Alvarado Suarez was ordained by Bishop Richard F. Stika at Seminario Hispano de …
Bishop Stika leads East Tennessee faithful into Lent
Ash Wednesday Mass celebrations mark beginning of Easter countdown By Emily Booker Ash Wednesday on Feb. 22 marked the beginning of Lent, the 40 days of penance and prayer as the Church spiritually prepares for Easter. Although not a holy day of obligation, Ash Wednesday is one of the most …