Religious Sister of Mercy is a witness of faith on Rocky Top

Sr. Joan Miriam Nelson attends the University of Tennessee with an eye toward nursing By Gabrielle Nolan Among the sea of orange and white on the University of Tennessee campus in Knoxville, one particular student stands out. She wears a dark blue habit with a large cross around her neck, …

Special needs community celebrates with day of faith and fun

Diocese of Knoxville hosts inaugural ‘Bishop’s Very Special Day on the Sacred Heart Cathedral campus By Gabrielle Nolan Members of the special needs community from around the Diocese of Knoxville enjoyed a day of fellowship, frivolity, and faith-based activities for the recent “Bishop’s Very Special Day.” The first-time event, which …

Saying ‘yes’

Sisters in the Diocese of Knoxville profess their vows as the RSM, FSGM communities grow By Bill Brewer The Catholic community of women religious is growing by two Sisters who have connections to the Diocese of Knoxville. Sister Maria Juan Anderson professed her perpetual vows with the Religious Sisters of …

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Religious Sisters of Mercy fill important diocesan positions

Office of Christian Formation, St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic ministries receive assistance from new Alma Sisters By Jim Wogan Bishop Richard. F. Stika has appointed three members of the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich., to serve key positions in the Diocese of Knoxville. Sister Mary Lisa Renfer, RSM, DO, …

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Postulant-to-be shares a love story that promises to change her life

Notre Dame student professes commitment to Jesus, Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma as she declares her vocation                  By Bill Brewer Erica Pereira is changing her relationship status. And what a relationship she now is in. On Aug. 1, the University of Notre Dame student, who has spent the past …

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Sr. Mary Timothea Elliott marks 60 years of consecrated service

Co-foundress of the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich., is renowned as a Scripture scholar By Dan McWilliams Sister Mary Timothea Elliott, RSM, has been a professor in Rome, a retreat leader around the United States, and much more in her six decades of religious life. “In 60 years …

Sister Mariana Koonce, RSM, professes perpetual vows

Sister Mariana, along with two other sisters, made their professions at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw, Mich. In attendance from the Diocese of Knoxville were Bishop Richard F. Stika, Cardinal Justin Rigali, and Deacon Sean Smith, chancellor and chief operating officer of the Diocese of Knoxville. …

Funeral Mass held for Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma foundress

Mother Barbara Anne Gooding, RSM, a foundress of the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich., who was in residence in the Diocese of Knoxville, died April 1, following a brief illness. Called in religious life Sister Barbara Anne Marie, she was born on Feb. 12, 1940, in Cincinnati and …

Religious Sisters of Mercy convent dedicated by Bishop Stika

By Jim Wogan Shortly after Bishop Richard F. Stika arrived in Knoxville in 2009, he reached out to a religious order based in Alma, Mich., with a request: come to Knoxville and help serve Roman Catholics in East Tennessee. The Religious Sisters of Mercy accepted the bishop’s offer, and the …

A Legacy of Healing

Patients, volunteers in growing numbers are drawn to the mercy of a mobile clinic By Bill Brewer Reimbursements for medical care given by the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic come in various forms when the mobile doctor’s office makes its rounds treating East Tennessee patients. “Thank you,” “I appreciate what you …

Father Campbell builds a ministry on the water

Water is inspirational for Father Joe Campbell. He is quick to point out that Jesus often involved water in his teachings. As the pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in LaFollette and Christ the King Church in Tazewell, Father Campbell has found a way to include nearby Norris …