Father Antony Punnackal cleared of Sevier charges By Bill Brewer A jury in Sevier County has found Father Antony Punnackal not guilty of criminal charges brought against him last year. Father Punnackal, a priest with the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate order, was accused by a woman of two counts of …
Bishop Stika dedicates St. Mary-Gatlinburg’s new parish life center
Recently completed project fulfills 5-year plan By Dan McWilliams Bishop Richard F. Stika dedicated the new parish life center at St. Mary Church in Gatlinburg on Aug. 22, blessing a building that will give the growing parish space for CCD classes, offices, and more. The dedication followed the 11 a.m. …
St. Mary Parish breaks ground on parish life center
Gatlinburg church will have more room for CCD classes, other youth and adult programs By Dan McWilliams St. Mary Church in Gatlinburg is bursting at the seams, and the 85-year-old community just recently broke ground on a new parish life center that will help provide space for a growing number …
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 …
Fr. Punnackal celebrates 25th anniversary in priesthood
By Bill Brewer Six months after devastating wildfires wreaked havoc on his parish and parishioners, the mood at St. Mary in Gatlinburg was considerably more celebratory May 24 as the parishioners joined together to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Father Antony Punnackal’s ordination to the priesthood. Father Punnackal, CMI, who …
