‘Humbled and blessed’

Father Steve Pawelk exits East Tennessee for new Glenmary assignment after building Catholic communities in Union, Grainger counties By Bill Brewer As Father Steve Pawelk packed his belongings, mementos, and memories from eight years of ministry in East Tennessee, the Glenmary Home Missioners priest couldn’t help but reflect on the …

 St. Teresa provides prayerful response to gun violence with vigil

Union County faith community shares emotional testimonials as Fr. Pawelk calls for a spiritual solution By Dan McWilliams St. Teresa of Kolkata Parish in Maynardville hosted a vigil on gun violence Aug. 13, an event prompted by the recent deadly shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio. Glenmary Father …

A Catholic pastor responds to immigration questions

By Father Steve Pawelk, a Glenmary Home Missioner and pastor of St. Teresa of Kolkata Parish in Maynardville and St. John Paul II Catholic Mission in Rutledge “Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt.” (Matthew 2:14) “For I was hungry and you …

Dedication day

St. Teresa of Kolkata Parish outgrows the carport and storefront, celebrates move into church Story and photography by Dan McWilliams An overflow crowd witnessed Bishop Richard F. Stika dedicate the new St. Teresa of Kolkata Church on Feb. 2 in Maynardville, just seven years after the parish’s first humble gathering …

Opening the Doors of Mercy

Priests, parishioners respond to immigrants in need after raid separates families Story and photography by Jim Wogan The ongoing and complicated issue of Latin American immigration in the United States hit the Diocese of Knoxville on April 5 when federal agents raided a slaughterhouse in Grainger County and arrested nearly …

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. …

Union County group honors Father Pawelk

Father Steve Pawelk, GHM, pastor of St. Teresa of Kolkata Parish in Maynardville and St. John Paul II Catholic Mission in Rutledge, has been named the 2016 Man of the Year by the Union County Business and Professional Association. Father Pawelk was honored at the group’s annual banquet Nov. 5. …

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta becomes St. Teresa of Kolkata

As Pope Francis elevates revered nun, Maynardville parish celebrates canonization with an official name change By Bill Brewer “Peace begins with a smile.” – Mother Teresa Peace was apparent Sept. 11 in a storefront along Highway 33 in Union County, and smiles were abundant as one of the Diocese of …

Cumberland Mountain Deanery puts on a Celebration of Mercy

By Jim Wogan Bishop Richard F. Stika led the opening prayer for the Celebration of Mercy organized for the Cumberland Mountain Deanery on July 23 at Knoxville Catholic High School. Participating priests included event organizer Father Steve Pawelk, GHM, of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Maynardville and St. John Paul …

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta community is diocese’s newest parish

The Diocese of Knoxville is now 48 parishes strong after Bishop Richard F. Stika elevated Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Mission in Maynardville during a special Mass on Sept. 5. Bishop Stika, giving a homily in Blessed Teresa’s temporary facility in a storefront along Highway 33, praised parishioners for working …

Maynardville community working together for new church

Father Steve Pawelk knows well the Scriptures about how children will lead the faithful. Michelle Morales isn’t exactly a child, but the young college student led Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Mission’s first major fundraising event on Aug. 30 that attracted scores of people and vendors and raised a few …

Missions find homes in Grainger, Knox

RUTLEDGE—A converted storefront in a commercial strip center here that is now the spiritual home for the Catholic community in Grainger County already is feeling the effects of growth a year after forming. Blessed John Paul II Catholic Mission was overflowing with members on Sept. 16 as Bishop Richard F. …