Outbreak of war in the Mideast forces faith groups, travel planners to rethink tours By Gabrielle Nolan We dodged a bullet” was Father Bill McNeeley’s reaction to the Oct. 7 surprise attack on Israel, led by Palestinian militants known as Hamas. The attack has led to a full-blown war, resulting …
Turning a vacation into a pilgrimage
Adding faith to one of the most anticipated events of the year By Casey Keeley A journey becomes a pilgrimage as we discover, day by day, that the distance traveled is less important than the experience gained.”— Ernest Kurtz Vacation is one of the most looked-forward-to events of the year—a …
Pilgrimages to holy sites seeing a post-COVID surge
By Bill Brewer As president of the Sacred Heart Apostolate and a sacristan at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Lisa Morris has plenty to keep her busy. But for the past two years, she hasn’t been as busy as she is used to being—or would like …
A special grace … then and now
Cardinal Rigali leads Diocese of Knoxville faithful on a Fatima pilgrimage to mark 100th anniversary of Marian apparitions By Jim Wogan One hundred years ago this month, on Oct. 13, 1917, the Blessed Mother fulfilled a promise of her appearance and a miracle at what has now become a sacred …
Lenten pilgrimage to EWTN, Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament planned
A Lenten pilgrimage to EWTN and the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament is being planned for March 4–6. Those who join the pilgrimage will depart by bus on March 4 and travel to EWTN studios (ewtn.com/pilgrimage/about-us.asp) where Mass will be celebrated with the Friars, lunch will be served on …
Pilgrims witness history as Popes John XXIII, John Paul II canonized
Bishop Stika, Cardinal Rigali celebrate Masses in Rome with Diocese of Knoxville group Among the hundreds of thousands of Catholic faithful in St. Peter’s Square on Divine Mercy Sunday to witness history as Popes John XXIII and John Paul II were canonized were a group of parishioners from the Diocese …
Cardinal Rigali reflects on popes as canonizations near
Historic ceremony highlights legacies of Blessed John XXIII and Blessed John Paul II; pilgrimage planned As sainthood nears for two of the most beloved popes in recent memory, a contemporary of Blessed John XXIII and Blessed John Paul II remembers them as being particularly effective in spreading the Gospel around …
Bishop Stika, Cardinal Rigali taking part in papal canonization pilgrimage
Bishop Richard F. Stika and Cardinal Justin Rigali are encouraging Diocese of Knoxville parishioners interested in witnessing the canonization of Popes John Paul II and John XXIII to join a pilgrimage to Rome next spring and be a part of this historic event. Bishop Stika and Cardinal Rigali will take …
Pilgrimage to canonizations for John Paul II, John XXIII planned
Bishop Richard F. Stika and Cardinal Justin Rigali will be featured on a pilgrimage to Rome scheduled April 21-29 for the canonizations of Blessed John Paul II and Blessed John XXIII. The pilgrimage, sponsored by Select International Tours, will depart Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson Airport on April 21, and connect with …
Priestly lesson: sabbatical shows the journey never ends for Christ’s pilgrims
Father David Boettner walks the faith on long sojourn toward greater spiritual understanding When Father David Boettner, pastor of Sacred Heart Cathedral, returned to Knoxville Nov. 19 from a four-month sabbatical, parishioners and Sacred Heart Cathedral School students gave him a rousing welcome home. It was a fitting end to …
Diocesan pilgrimages to Ireland, Spain, Portugal set
By Margaret Hunt Two pilgrimages are being coordinated in 2013 for travelers from the Diocese of Knoxville. Father Charlie Burton, pastor of St. Jude Church in Chattanooga, and Father Michael Cummins, director of the diocesan vocations office and chaplain at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, will be the …
