He dwells among us: He must increase

May we always give both the gifts of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and our hearts to others By Bishop Richard F. Stika Our Lenten pilgrimage begins early this year, before St. Valentine’s day, so if you’re giving up candy or chocolate, you might be challenged when the heart-shaped boxes …

He dwells among us: The eyes of mercy

What we receive without cost, we must give without cost By Bishop Richard F. Stika The Religious Sisters of Mercy have a picture at their motherhouse in Alma, Mich., that depicts a sobbing St. Peter being comforted by the Blessed Mother. In her hands, Mary holds her son’s crown of …

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Celebrating St. Teresa of Avila

Knoxville Carmelite Secular Community marks renowned saint’s 500th birthday with cathedral Mass celebrated by Bishop Stika The Knoxville Carmelite Secular Community of the Transfiguration hosted a birthday party for St. Teresa on Oct. 3, beginning with Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral celebrated by Bishop Richard F. Stika. Father John Dowling, …

He dwells among us: Making our way home

The doors of mercy are open wide to receive us as we enter this Jubilee Year By Bishop Richard F. Stika Imagine what would have happened if the innkeeper in Bethlehem, instead of turning Mary and St. Joseph away, had welcomed them into his home and said, “Tell me about …

Upon this Rock

Pope Francis blesses dedication stone for new Sacred Heart Cathedral and prays for Church’s foundation in East Tennessee. By Bill Brewer The Church’s building blocks come in all shapes and sizes. One in particular made its way from a Tennessee Valley marble seam to Rome, where Pope Francis blessed it …

The Francis Effect

Diocese of Knoxville sees pope’s U.S. impact firsthand By Jim Wogan The images will last for decades. But Catholics around the world and within the Diocese of Knoxville are praying the real impact of Pope Francis’ six-day visit to the United States goes beyond that. Starting with his arrival from …

‘How could it happen?’

Bishop Stika offers message of faith, forgiveness as Chattanoogans mourn deaths of servicemen By Bill Brewer and Jim Wogan An outpouring of sympathy and prayer has embraced the Chattanooga community and the families of five military men who were slain last month by a gunman who opened fi re on …

Basilica still stands as a community beacon after 125 years

Sts. Peter and Paul marks historical milestone as it looks forward to a bright future By Dan McWilliams There was much to celebrate at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul on June 28. The basilica community gathered for Mass with Bishop Richard F. Stika to mark not only the …