‘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 …

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Ecumenical evangelization

Brother Craig Digmann is a modern-day circuit-rider for the Catholic Church By Dan McWilliams Photos by Stephanie Richer and Dan McWilliams In Hancock County, everybody knows Brother Craig Digmann. Well, it sure seems that way. Now in his fourth year of his self-described Catholic Presence Ministry in the East Tennessee …

Glenmary Home Missioners elect new leadership team

Father Dan Dorsey, 68, was elected president of Glenmary Home Missioners during the society’s Chapter of Elections May 6-10 at St. Meinrad Archabbey in St. Meinrad, Ind. Glenmary’s president leads a three-person executive council consisting of himself and two vice presidents. Elected to serve with Father Dorsey were Father Aaron …

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 …

50th parish established in Diocese of Knoxville

St. Michael the Archangel elevated from Catholic mission status; Bishop Stika blesses new building By Bill Brewer Bishop Richard F. Stika created the Diocese of Knoxville’s 50th parish on Sept. 29 as St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Mission in Erwin became a canonically established church. The feast of St. Michael …

St. Michael Mission celebrates groundbreaking

The six-year-old growing community in Erwin hopes to be in its new multipurpose building by Easter Sunday By Emily Booker The newest building project in the Diocese of Knoxville demonstrates the joy and growth of the Catholic Church in East Tennessee, even in rural, mountainous parts of the region. St. …

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. …

Funeral Mass held for Father Dorn

Mass of Christian Burial for Father Jerry Dorn, GHM, was celebrated Nov. 14 at St. Matthias Church in Cincinnati. Father Dorn, a Glenmary Home Missioner, died at his home in Kingsport. He was 70. During his long career in ministry, he served in a wide range of roles — from …

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. …

Funeral services held for Father George Mathis

CINCINNATI (CNS)—Father George Mathis, 84, a native of Euclid, Ohio, and a Glenmary Home Missioner for 61 years, died peacefully Sunday, Aug. 26, in Kingsport, where he resided. Father Mathis was ordained in 1955. He served in a wide range of roles as a Glenmarian, including as pastor of Tennessee, …