Describing the Church’s new leader as a man of peace and prayer, Bishop Richard F. Stika spoke March 13 to the Knoxville media soon after Pope Francis was introduced to the world. Just as Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation was surprising, so was the relatively quick election of Cardinal Jorge Mario …
Meeting them where they are
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By
Bee Goodman
Bishop’s first discussion series wraps up; next one begins in September By Bee Goodman On a Tuesday evening last August, nearly 50 young adults filled a room in the Chancery, responding to an invitation to join Bishop Mark Beckman. Some were cradle Catholics looking to understand their faith more deeply. Others were converts still finding their footing. A handful weren’t Catholic at all but curious and drawn by something they couldn’t quite name yet. What followed was seven months of conversation, community, and encounter. Bishop Beckman’s “Mysteries of Catholicism” series, which debuted in August and ran through its final session on March 24, became something bigger than anyone anticipated. The bishop already is planning its next chapter. “This has grown into more than just a class,” said Amanda Henderson, director of Youth, Young Adult, and Pastoral Juvenil for the Diocese of Knoxville. “They leave with more than just information. They... Read more →