Father Ronald Franco celebrates silver anniversary in the priesthood as he prepares for next assignment By Dan McWilliams The celebration of 25 years as a priest for Father Ronald Franco, CSP, incorporated all three of his assignments, including his latest stop at Immaculate Conception Parish in downtown Knoxville. Slide shows …
Annual rosary held to mark All Saints Day at Calvary Cemetery
By Bill Brewer More than 50 people attended the annual All Saints Day rosary at Calvary Cemetery in East Knoxville. The rosary this year was said on Sunday, Nov. 6, with Father Ron Franco, CSP, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Knoxville, leading the prayer. Among the priests joining Father …
When should I be confirmed? Diocese considers changing the age to receive the sacrament
Signs – and side effects – of dwindling participation by high school students in the sacrament of confirmation have become all too real. More Catholic teens are opting out of confirmation instruction, swayed by considerable distractions facing all youth in today’s culture. As a result, the high numbers of young …
Annual Calvary Cemetery rosary set for Nov. 2
It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins. (2 Maccabees 12:46). By Father Ron Franco, CSP Here in the northern hemisphere, as the sun rises a little later each morning and sets a little earlier each afternoon, there …
Diocesan students recognized at Youth Mass
It isn’t often that a bishop asks students for advice on what to tell the pope. But that is what happened Sept. 27 during the Diocese of Knoxville’s annual Youth Mass. Bishop Richard F. Stika told the students that he would be going to the Vatican and needed advice on …