By Dan McWilliams Following the lead of Pope Francis in Rome, Bishop Richard F. Stika opened a Holy Door of Mercy at Sacred Heart Cathedral on Dec. 8, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The opening of holy doors around the diocese and around the …
Celebrating St. Teresa of Avila
Knoxville Carmelite Secular Community marks renowned saint’s 500th birthday with cathedral Mass celebrated by Bishop Stika The Knoxville Carmelite Secular Community of the Transfiguration hosted a birthday party for St. Teresa on Oct. 3, beginning with Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral celebrated by Bishop Richard F. Stika. Father John Dowling, …
Upon this Rock
Pope Francis blesses dedication stone for new Sacred Heart Cathedral and prays for Church’s foundation in East Tennessee. By Bill Brewer The Church’s building blocks come in all shapes and sizes. One in particular made its way from a Tennessee Valley marble seam to Rome, where Pope Francis blessed it …
Diocese of Knoxville welcomes four new priests
By Jim Wogan With words of encouragement and a few more on what to expect, Bishop Richard F. Stika ordained four new priests into the Diocese of Knoxville on June 27. Jesus Guerrero-Rodriguez, Michael Hendershott, Scott Russell and Ray Powell all received their Holy Orders during the Rite of Ordination …
Building the mother church
The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus community witnessed one of its brightest days April 19 as ground was broken on a new $25 million cathedral to replace the 59-year-old structure that has been the home church for the Diocese of Knoxville since 1988. Groundbreaking festivities fell on Cardinal …
Cardinals, bishops, governor to take part in events celebrating the Sacred Heart Cathedral groundbreaking
What a month! April began with the holiest of weeks leading to Easter Sunday, but the celebration is just beginning. This month will go down in the annals of the Diocese of Knoxville as one of the most memorable since the diocese was founded when ground is broken on the …
Celebrating the consecrated life
For the next year, the Catholic Church is recognizing those who lead lives as men and women religious Pope Francis proclaimed 2015 as the Year of Consecrated Life, and the Diocese of Knoxville’s newest delegate for consecrated life said the special designation is key for the diocese’s men and women …
Ministries Day draws parishioners from across diocese
More than 200 parishioners from around the Diocese of Knoxville took part Oct. 18 in Ministries Day, a daylong event where diocesan ministry leaders gather with fellow Catholics from the various churches to share ideas on how to more effectively spread the faith. Thirty presentations in English and Spanish were …
Three seminarians ordained into transitional diaconate
The pathway to priesthood in the Diocese of Knoxville continues to be busy as Bishop Richard F. Stika ordained three seminarians June 14 to the transitional diaconate, an important step in their religious education before priesthood. Newly ordained Deacons Jesús Guerrero-Rodríguez, Raymond Powell and Scott Russell participated in the Rite …
Church’s newest members put their faith into the diocese
A year of faith discernment for some 250 catechumens and candidates who were baptized and confirmed at Easter Vigil culminated June 7 in their official recognition by Bishop Richard F. Stika as the Diocese of Knoxville’s newest parishioners. Bishop Stika celebrated Mass and presided at the Sending of the Neophytes …
Bishop Stika celebrates fifth anniversary
On the fifth anniversary of his ordination and installation as the Diocese of Knoxville’s third shepherd, Bishop Richard F. Stika celebrated Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral on March 19, which also is the feast day for St. Joseph. Joined by parishioners, Chancery staff, Religious Sisters of Mercy and Dominican sisters, …
Campaign planning study under way
The Diocese of Knoxville is launching a campaign planning study to determine the level of support for a diocesan capital campaign. Representatives from the Steier Group, a Catholic development and fundraising firm, will be conducting interviews and collecting surveys seeking feedback about the proposed campaign. The campaign would address individual …