By Dan McWilliams Before the Paulist Fathers assumed care of Immaculate Conception in Knoxville in 1973, the city’s oldest parish—founded in 1855—stood in danger of closing as its downtown neighborhood was beset with urban blight, and the number of Mass-goers had been dwindling for more than 15 years. IC’s St. …
Paulists celebrate 50 years in Knoxville
Religious order remains committed to ministry in East Tennessee By Gabrielle Nolan On March 9, the members of Immaculate Conception and St. John XXIII parishes had two reasons to celebrate. Not only were the Paulist Fathers marking 50 years of service in the Diocese of Knoxville, but the order also …
Blanche Mackay
Blanche Mackay, age 97, of Knoxville, passed away Feb. 5. Mrs. Mackay volunteered at Ladies of Charity, was a board member of the Council of Catholic Women, and active in AARP and Newcomers Club. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Mackay. She is survived by her children, …
Dr. Patricia Davis-Wiley
Dr. Patricia Davis-Wiley, fondly known as “Pattie,” passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 23. A funeral Mass for Dr. Davis-Wiley was held on Feb. 3 at St. John XXIII University Parish and Catholic Center in Knoxville, with Paulist Father Don Andrie serving as celebrant and Paulist Father John Ardis concelebrating. A …
Faith, family, and football
Vols athletics icon Gus Manning remembered as someone filled with all three blessings By Bill Brewer The Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus was steeped in orange Feb. 20 for the funeral Mass of longtime University of Tennessee Athletics Department icon Charles A. “Gus” Manning, who died Feb. …
‘A very unique assignment’
Diocese of Knoxville’s Patrick Murphy-Racey becomes affiliate deacon for Paulist Fathers By Gabrielle Nolan Deacon Patrick Murphy-Racey would describe his work within the Church as “a very unique assignment.” Ordained in 2007 with the Diocese of Knoxville’s first deacon class, Deacon Murphy-Racey is assigned to St. John XXIII Catholic Center …
New Paulist priest finds hidden joys in ministry
Fr. Richard Whitney ‘juggling’ first year of priesthood, service on UT campus By Gabrielle Nolan Paulist Father Richard Whitney describes his first year of priesthood as a “whirlwind.” “I don’t know that I’ve ever known time to fly by so happily before or in my life,” the 53-year-old priest said. …
St. John XXIII Parish (finally) marks 50th anniversary
By Jim Wogan It took longer than expected, but parishioners of St. John XXIII last month finally marked the 50th anniversary of their parish’s dedication—52 years after it happened. The COVID pandemic stalled the original plans for the Catholic community’s jubilee by two years, but the delay didn’t mask the …
SEEK22 regional event brings youth to diocese
Nearly 1,000 FOCUS students attend conference in downtown Knoxville By Gabrielle Nolan “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” College students traveled to Knoxville to do just that for SEEK22, the annual winter conference hosted Feb. 4-6 by the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS). FOCUS …
‘What are you waiting for?’
FOCUS missionaries are changing lives by bringing the Catholic faith to university students By Claire Collins My sophomore year of college at the University of Tennessee, I was getting closer and closer to leaving the Catholic Church. While my Dominican Catholic education had convinced me of Jesus’ presence in the …
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‘At home and secure’
St. John XXIII Parish volunteers assist refugees, including Afghans, relocating to East Tennessee By Gabrielle Nolan Imagine you must flee your home country. All you can take with you is what you are able to carry on your back and in your hands, if it doesn’t get lost or stolen, …
Funeral Mass held for Dr. Patricia Droppleman
Dr. Patricia Ann Gentry Droppleman, 85, passed away on Dec. 24 in Tampa, Fla., with her family at her side. A funeral Mass for Dr. Droppleman was celebrated on July 17 at St. John XXIII University Parish on the University of Tennessee-Knoxville campus, with Father Michael Kallock, CSP, serving as …
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