Bishop leads Corpus Christi procession at Sacred Heart

By Dan McWilliams Rain stopped in time for the diocese to have its first Corpus Christi procession at the new Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 3. Bishop Richard F. Stika presided on the solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. Rainfall that …

Bishops respond to execution of Knox County death row inmate

Despite Pope Francis declaration that it is now ‘inadmissible,’ Tennessee carries out death penalty By Jim Wogan and Bill Brewer After Tennessee’s three bishops appealed to Gov. Bill Haslam to halt the execution of Billy Ray Irick based on Christian beliefs and Catholic teaching, the state on Aug. 9 carried …

First deacon ordained in new cathedral

Deacon Mark Schuster made diocesan history June 2 as the seminarian became the first man to be ordained in the new Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus By Dan McWilliams “What a great joy it is for us all to gather together with Mark and with his mom …

Bishop Stika leads confirmation Masses for DOK youth, adults

Cathedral services host nearly 2,000 confirmands, 20,000 people From staff reports Bishop Richard F. Stika began a month-long series of Mass celebrations on April 6 to offer the sacrament of confirmation to nearly 2,000 youth throughout the Diocese of Knoxville. Bishop Stika and Cardinal Justin Rigali have been celebrating up …

Old cathedral hosts its final rites of election

More than 200 catechumens and candidates take part in the first-weekend-of-Lent ceremonies this year By Dan McWilliams Bishop Richard F. Stika presided as the final rites of election were held in the old Sacred Heart Cathedral in February. The first-weekend-of-Lent ceremonies will move to the new Cathedral of the Most …

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2018 diocesan confirmations to be held in new cathedral

To mark the dedication of the new Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on March 3 and the 30th anniversary of the Diocese of Knoxville’s founding, Bishop Richard F. Stika will celebrate the sacrament of confirmation for all diocesan parishes in the cathedral next spring. Bishop Stika is …

St. Teresa breaks ground on new church

Parish lays foundation for growth with permanent worship site in Maynardville By Bill Brewer God is many things. The Creator, Father Almighty, Most High, and Maker of Heaven and Earth, among other apt descriptions. Father Steve Pawelk, GHM, and members of St. Teresa of Kolkata Parish in Maynardville and St. …

Good Shepherd marks 50th anniversary

Bishop Stika joins Msgr. Hofstetter, Fr. Waraksa, parishioners in celebrating milestone By Dan McWilliams The first Mass at the Church of the Good Shepherd took place Sept. 24, 1967, and the Newport parish celebrated the 50th anniversary of that liturgy on the exact date this fall. Bishop Richard F. Stika …

St. Mary-Johnson City has triple celebration

The parish burns its church mortgage, honors Monsignor Bill Gahagan, and receives a Leadership Roundtable award By Dan McWilliams St. Mary Parish in Johnson City held a triple celebration Aug. 22. The parish burned the mortgage on its church building, honored former pastor and now-Monsignor Bill Gahagan, and announced that …

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Fr. Bill Gahagan introduced as diocese’s newest monsignor

Mass of Celebration at All Saints Church held in honor of diocese’s recent papal designate By Bill Brewer Father Bill Gahagan was officially introduced as the Diocese of Knoxville’s new monsignor on Aug. 29 during a Mass in his honor at All Saints Church in Knoxville. Parishioners from around the …

Shelter from a Sevier firestorm

Diocese of Knoxville distributes nearly $369,000 to assist victims of the Gatlinburg fires By Bill Brewer Karla Amador now can breathe a deep sigh of relief, something she struggled to do on Nov. 28, 2016, and in the days and weeks following the now-historic date. Nearly nine months after the …