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 …
Diocesan youth take part in NCYC
Contingent from East Tennessee participates in national conference By Amanda Henderson Youth from across the Diocese of Knoxville joined some 16,000 Catholic teenagers and ministry leaders from around the country for the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) Nov. 20-22. The three-day gathering invites high-school youth to encounter Christ through prayer, worship, and fellowship, offering a powerful experience of the universal Church. This year’s theme centered on Moses and the burning bush, focusing on God’s holy name, “I AM,” and reminding teens that God continues to call His people today—choosing, transforming, anointing, healing, and sending them forth. Several parishes from the diocese participated, attending either with the diocesan delegation or with individual parish groups. The diocesan presence included more than 125 teens and adult leaders. For many, the magnitude of the gathering left a deep impression. “I actually gasped when I walked into the stadium,” said Olivia from St. Jude Parish... Read more →