Feb. 3, 2019, ET Catholic, B section

NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE OF KNOXVILLE

B section

Hospital community recognizes Mercy Sisters

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he St. Mary’s Hospital community bid a formal farewell to the Sisters of Mercy at an appreciation reception for them Dec. 16, only 12 days before the 88-yearold North Knoxville medical center closed its doors for good.

Special guests included Sister Martha Naber and Sister Albertine Paulus, the last two sisters living in Mercy Convent at the hospital, known in recent years as Physicians Regional Medical Center, founded by the sisters’ community in 1930.

Also present for the reception were East Tennessee residents Sister Yvette Gillen of Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Alcoa and Sister Pat Soete of St. Jude Parish in Helenwood.

Coming in from Nashville, where they have retired, were Sister Margaret Turk, Sister Janice Brink, and Sister Thomasetta Mogan, all of whom served at St. Mary’s. They were joined by doctors, nurses, hospital employees, and priests. Some 200 people attended in all.

The reception offered an opportu-

nity to view photos of current and former Sisters of Mercy, see a hospital 60th- and 75th-anniversary historical display, and enjoy a sisters’ oral and written history project.

When Sister Martha and Sister Albertine retire to Mercy Convent in Nashville in February, it will mark an end to the Sisters of Mercy’s service in Knoxville after 123 years.

The sisters first came to the city to serve at St. Mary School at Immaculate Conception Church downtown.

“It is the end of the era,” Sister Albertine said. “It’s the Sisters of Mercy leaving Knoxville, which is this hospital right now. There was a time when we were the only act in town. We had the schools that were Catholic we taught in. The Catechism up and down the highways, we taught on Sundays, we went to Upper East Tennessee—that was all us. This period is over now, just like so many eras of history. This one is over.

“We came here in 1896 to staff St. Mary’s School up on the hill, and

Greeting from a Sister of Mercy Sister Martha Naber, RSM, speaks to Maureen Bounds at the reception.

By Dan McWilliams

DAN MCWILLIAMS (2)

Before St. Mary’s closes for good, staffers say goodbye to the community that founded the medical center

A round of applause Sister Albertine Paulus, RSM, enjoys an ovation from those attending the reception Dec. 16, including (from left) fellow Sisters of Mercy Janice Brink, Thomasetta Mogan, Martha Naber, and Margaret Turk. we’ve been here ever since. The sisters came right in the middle of the Depression and built a hospital, which is magnificent. There are those who say it was one of the finest evangelizing moves in the history of East Tennessee.”

Sister Albertine added that “I’m so grateful that we’re here, and I’m so grateful that, just as the sisters were here in the beginning, we’re here to close it up. I’m very, very grateful, and so is Sister Martha.

We’ve tried real hard to keep the standard high, to give the example, to be as caring as we ever were, because the people who are in this hospital today need our caring help just as much as the first ones did, and that’s what’s important to us.”

Sister Martha found joy in the sad farewell reception.

“It reminds me of [Sisters of Mercy foundress] Catherine McAuley’s saying that our life is joys and sor-

rows combined,” she said. “That’s what I’m experiencing today: a lot of joy in the experiences that so many of our employees and physicians and volunteers and community people have had as a part of St. Mary’s. That brings me great joy, to know how God has been such a part of this hospital for over 88 years.”

Many people at the reception greeted Sister Martha, who has served at St. Mary’s for more than four decades, and the other sisters.

“It’s almost like ‘This Is Your Life,’” Sister Martha said. “Over 46 years of relationships with people— it’s just almost overwhelming, a great blessing.”

Sister Margaret said that the “history” of the sisters who have “gone before speaks for itself, and the impact on the community has been a marvelous thing. That’s what I’d like to say. It’s just good that we had Sisters of Mercy continued on page B2

St. Mary in Athens celebrates golden anniversary Bishop Stika calls the active parish in McMinn County ‘a bright star in the history of our diocese’

DAN MCWILLIAMS

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t. Mary Parish in Athens, which originally celebrated Mass in a funeral-home chapel, marked its 50th anniversary last fall in its modern building on Madison Avenue.

Bishop Richard F. Stika joined Father John Orr and parishioners Nov. 18 for a golden-anniversary Mass in the church and a luncheon in the parish life center. The bishop formally installed Father Orr as pastor of St. Mary during the liturgy.

“As we celebrate 50 years of the existence of this parish, we give thanks to almighty God for the ability to teach the faith,” the bishop said in his opening remarks.

In his homily, Bishop Stika told parishioners to “continue to celebrate.”

“Continue to be an active parish.

Continue to honor God. Continue to be of service to your neighbor, because that’s how we build the Church,” he said. “The way we build the Church or rebuild the Church is one person at a time: a person who believes and then who lives that belief, and then another person sees that, and they might say to themselves. . . what brings them closer to God? It’s the Eucharist.”

Father Orr was assigned as St. Mary pastor last July 1.

“Father Orr is here to lead you in prayer and the sacraments and to be one who walks with you,” Bishop Stika said. “He’s a little eccentric at times, but that’s all right. All priests come in all shapes and sizes. Some are tall and some are not so tall. Some are skinny, like me, and others— what are you laughing at?”

Olé! Olé! Bishop Richard F. Stika and Father John Orr join dancers from St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Lenoir City for a photo at the St. MaryAthens 50th-anniversary luncheon.

In the installation rite, the bishop said “as he formally begins this service, it is right to remind both pastor and people of the mutual commitment that you make to one another in this new relationship.”

He then asked Father Orr a series of questions, beginning with: “Are you willing to proclaim the Word of God in the tradition of the apostles, with compassion and faithfulness to the people now entrusted to your care?” “I am,” Father Orr replied.

Bishop Stika closed the Mass with a “congratulations to you on 50 years. I know how active this parish is. Work with Father Orr, and continue to build the kingdom of God.” Father Orr enjoyed the celebration

of the 50th-anniversary Mass, he said afterward.

“It’s great, the first 50 years: 20 with Nashville and 30 with Knoxville, so we’re growing together,” he said.

“Father [Josef] Fiedorowicz had the parish over on Congress Parkway, and he was able to get this new property, so the church is paid for, the rectory is paid for, we’re paying for the hall, so little by little we’re growing the kingdom. People are praying and receiving the sacraments.”

St. Mary has about 200 families and is growing “slow and steady,” Father Orr said.

“They first started prayers in the local funeral-home chapel, and then they got their church on Congress

By Dan McWilliams Parkway, and then they got this property some years ago,” he said.

“We’ve had 15 priests in 50 years.”

The official anniversary of the parish was May 12, 2018, marking five decades since the day Bishop Joseph A. Durick dedicated the original parish building and gave the Athens Catholic Mission its formal name of St. Mary.

“Over in the church there are two cornerstones, from the first building on Congress Parkway and from the current building,” Father Orr said.

The history of St. Mary Parish dates to April 27, 1965, when Nashville Bishop William L. Adrian wrote a letter in answer to a request he had received concerning the possibility of a Catholic church in Athens, according to a 1993 parish history. His letter indicated that he didn’t have a priest available at that time but perhaps would in a year or two. He suggested those interested should contact Father Paul Hostettler, pastor of St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish in Cleveland and St. Catherine Labouré Parish in Copperhill.

A survey was conducted through the local newspaper, and the results were disturbing to the bishop and Father Hostettler. Several families were driving many miles on two-lane roads to attend Mass in Cleveland, but many more families were not practicing their faith at all. In February 1967, Bishop Durick of Nashville asked Father Hostettler and Monsignor Francis Pack of Chattanooga to come to Athens and explore possible St. Mary continued on page B5

Catholic Teens United guides youth to learn more about their faith

By Emily Booker new program in the Diocese of Knoxville is guiding teens to learn more about Catholicism, gain strength through eucharistic adoration, and grow in holiness through the sacrament of reconciliation. Catholic Teens United meets monthly at area host parishes for an afternoon of learning, prayer, and fellowship.

Christine Kear, coordinator of Catholic Teens United, said the program grew out of a need she saw for teens to be encouraged and engaged in their faith. She had noticed that many teens were leaving the faith or were still involved but didn’t really understand what the Church believed on topics such as abortion, homosexuality, and chastity. She and other parents wanted to find a way to keep their kids from fading away from the Church.

“My whole fire behind being on this mission is to get our kids excited about their faith and to educate them so that they’ll stick with it,” she said.

Ms. Kear found other parents who felt the same way, and now a committee of about 20 people helps organize the monthly gatherings.

Catholic Teens United aims to be a diocesan-wide gathering, not another youth group.

“Being Catholic, we have a whole diocese where we should be uniting more, so that’s something we need to continue working on. So we keep trying to reach out and get more parishes involved,” Ms. Kear said.

By having different parishes host each month, teens learn more about the diocese and meet other practicing Catholics.

“Being Catholic and being part of a diocese, I wanted the kids to recognize just how many Catholic kids there are, and not to feel separated parish by parish. So the idea was to bring together the teens around the diocese to come together and really see the expanse of Catholicism,” Sisters of Mercy continued from page B1

a vision and managed.”

She began at St. Mary’s with the community services department in 2002 and then transitioned to hospital visitation before retiring in 2016.

“Loved it, every minute,” Sister Margaret said.

Sister Janice Brink, the founding principal of St. John Neumann School in Farragut, came to St. Mary’s in 2003 and served until 2013, bringing comfort to patients and taking care of the chapel.

“It’s difficult to see it go,” she said of the hospital. “I just really feel sorry for Sister Martha and Sister Albertine, who are still living here. They’re trying to get ready to move in with us at Mercy Convent in Nashville. It’s a wonderful place to live. We have people coming for spiritual direction. It’s really good.”

She said she misses her service at the hospital “very much.”

Sister Thomasetta served from 1998 to 2006 at St. Mary’s, starting in the community outreach program to the elderly and then visiting patients throughout the hospital.

“It’s a sad day that they’re closing the hospital,” she said. “We’re in an area where there’s no one to replace the care that the sisters and the staff have given. There’s no other place that would help the poor. That’s one of our charisms, helping the poor and taking care of them.”

Sister Thomasetta’s blood sister, Sister Maris Stella Mogan, famous for her St. Mary’s TV commercials with Peyton Manning, was unable to attend the reception.

Monsignor Bill Gahagan was the St. Mary’s Hospital chaplain for three stints, including much of the 1970s. Ordained in 1970 and coming to St. Mary’s soon after, he talked about the service of the Sisters of Mercy.

“First of all, ‘blessing’ is a word that comes to me, starting out in my priesthood 50 years ago actually, this coming year, having been brought into the health-care ministry, but especially with the Sisters of Mercy themselves, the care and the B2 n FEBRUARY 3, 2019

EMILY BOOKER

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Guest speaker Andy McNutt spoke at the Dec. 9 Catholic Teens United meeting at Sacred Heart Cathedral School. she added.

Kimberly Saucedo, a student at Maryville High School, said she enjoyed seeing teens from other parishes all in one place.

“I like having all the teens united, because, you know, there’s not a lot of Catholics around East Tennessee, but coming here you see more Catholics. It feels different [from youth group] because you have a speaker, and they tell you more about their experience and their faith, and you have more people that are from different churches, so you can meet more people from other churches, too.”

Each month a speaker talks to the teens on a relevant topic. That is followed by eucharistic adoration, where the teens also have an opportunity to go to reconciliation.

After that is time for snacks and fellowship; there are questions about the topic for teens to discuss among their peers in a casual setting.

With school, sports, and other extracurricular activities, it can be difficult for teens to regularly access the sacrament of reconciliation, and Ms. Kear noted that many have never attended adoration. But she’s found that the teens are excited about both.

“I like being a part of the adoration and being able to go to reconciliation without having to drag my whole family along,” said Taylor Breeden, a homeschool student in the 11th grade. “I like that there are a bunch of teens here.”

“We saw these kids really are hungry for the sacraments,” Ms. Kear said. “So the point of this was to make it very Catholic. It’s not just a typical youth group. I wanted to get the kids back to the sacraments and give them the opportunity for adoration, which many of the kids had never even gone to before. This is a way to get them back to their true Catholic faith and stay connected.”

The Catholic Teens Untied committee consults priests, youth ministers, and directors of religious education for suggestions of speakers who know the faith and can relate well with the teens. Jimmy Mitchell spoke at the inaugural gathering on Sunday, Nov. 11, at St. John Neumann Church in Farragut.

Andy McNutt, a former Baptist youth minister who converted to Catholicism, spoke at the Dec. 9 Catholic Teens United meeting at Sacred Heart Cathedral School. Mr. McNutt, who is formerly of Knox-

love and the devotion that seemed to spread throughout the hospital, through all the employees and the staff,” he said.

“You have your ups and downs as with any organization of course, but truly there was a Holy Spirit presence here with the care of the sick.

Insofar as the Catholic community, this was the Catholic Church for me at that time, still is or was, that gave identity of what we are all about, not just Catholics but all Christians, all denominations. That was the beauty of it.”

Monsignor Gahagan recalled a priest and two sisters from his early days at the hospital.

“Father Leo Baldinger was here at that time, a very good friend.

He was a terrific man also,” he said. “Sister Mary George I think is probably the first one I remember.

[Former hospital administrator] Sister Marie Moore stood out in my lifetime of being here. They all had such charismatic gifts to give to health care, different in style but all loving and caring for the people.”

Kevin Davis was at St. Mary’s in administration for seven years.

The sisters meant “not so much for me, but for the hospital, for the patients, for the community where St. Mary’s existed, they brought a presence and a commitment to caring for the community of Knoxville.

I think a lot of people enjoyed working here due to the presence of the sisters. I think during my tenure here at St. Mary’s it was a magical place. [The hospital] did a lot of incredible things for patient care, and a lot of that was driven because of the presence of the sisters.”

Tony Benton, CEO of Tennova, the parent company of Physicians Regional Medical Center, was the first speaker at the reception.

“For almost 90 years, the Sisters of Mercy have provided compassionate health-care services for this community,” he said. “I’m so glad to see such a large crowd here today to celebrate their significant contributions.”

Chaplain Mike Mikels led the

opening prayer and read a quote from Nashville Bishop Alphonse J. Smith, who served when St. Mary’s was founded.

“When St. Mary’s had its dedication ceremony on April 22, 1930, Bishop Smith said, ‘All the successful programs of science, medicine, and surgery contribute to the successful building and conducting of a modern hospital such as this. But there is something more: this thing I would call the soul of the hospital. It is genuine understanding and sym-

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ville and now lives in Memphis, has spoken on EWTN several times about his conversion.

Mr. McNutt spoke to the teens about questions they may have encountered from non-Catholic Christians about Catholicism. He explained what he had been taught about Catholics as a Baptist and how the teens can defend their beliefs and answer questions from friends.

“Hopefully that will equip the kids to better understand why they’re Catholic and—you know it’s the Bible Belt down here—how to discuss it among so many in their face with a lot of questions from Baptists and other denominations,” Ms. Kear said.

Mary Donahue, a ninth-grader at Knoxville Catholic High School, said she liked Mr. McNutt’s talk and how he encouraged them to not just accept what they were taught when they were younger but to know why they know it to be true.

“When you’re young, you’re taught everything you know, and when you get older you can branch out and figure out what you truly believe in and why you believe in that stuff.”

Right now, Catholic Teens United has no budget and relies solely on volunteers, including its speakers.

Ms. Kear would like to be able to host big-name speakers a couple of times a year to draw in more participants.

“We are looking for people or businesses that would be willing to sponsor our program, sponsor a speaker to come,” she said. “Our kids are bombarded with so much negativity out there, and they’re exposed to a lot, so my point with these talks is to really expose them to the truth and some kind of earth-shattering information that interests them and is unique to Catholicism.”

The next Catholic Teens United will take place Sunday, Feb. 10, at 2 p.m. at St. John Neumann Church. n pathy for those in suffering, to help those in distress. The Sisters of Mercy, who have assumed the burden of conducting the hospital, have but one purpose in view: that is to serve the sick in this community. Love and genuine care are a necessity to be blended with modern technology,’” Chaplain Mikels said.

Mr. Benton took the microphone again.

“Physicians Regional Medical Center, as I’m reminded every day, Sisters of Mercy continued on page B7

TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C A TH OLI C

Parish notes Chattanooga Deanery

St. Therese, Clinton

St. Jude, Chattanooga

St. Mary, Athens The parish is beginning its sixth year of awarding college scholarships. The program is open to any incoming college freshman or returning college student from Meigs, McMinn, Monroe, and Polk counties. Applications along with rules may be picked up in the church office, or they may be found at www.stmaryathenstn.org. Applications will be accepted through March 31.

Sister Anna Marie McGuan, RSM, director of the diocesan Office of Christian Formation, spoke at a “Wonder of Women, Wonder of Our Catholic Faith” women’s retreat Jan. 26 in the family life center.

The Knights of Columbus held a pancake breakfast following the 10 a.m.

Mass on Jan. 13.

St. Stephen, Chattanooga The Knights of Columbus’ annual Kids Christmas Party took place Dec. 16 in the Knights Hall.

Anniversaries: Norman and Joyce Shelton (57), Bill and Patricia Wood (51), Richard and Karen Ryland (10)

Cumberland Mountain Deanery

The Council of Catholic Women presented St. Therese pastor Father Richard Armstrong as its guest speaker Jan. 22. Father Armstrong spoke on the similarities and differences between the Byzantine and Latin rites.

BILL BREWER (2)

The youth sold doughnuts after all Masses on Jan. 12 and 13 to help them raise funds for attending the March for Life as well as the National Catholic Youth Conference and Steubenville Youth Conference.

Parishioners are taking part in a Bottles for Babies campaign to benefit Choices Resource Center, a crisis pregnancy center in Oak Ridge. They should pick up a bottle and fill it with change or a donation and return it by Sunday, Feb. 24.

A CCW family game night Jan. 11 included bingo.

The annual Christmas party Dec. 16 featured a children’s play with a potluck supper following.

The CCW’s annual Christmas party and cookie exchange took place Dec. 18 at the home of Stan and Barb Bieleski.

Anniversary: Anthony and Jean Aloi (63)

Five Rivers Deanery Holy Trinity, Jefferson City A welcome reception was held Dec. 2 in the family life center for new Holy Trinity Deacon Matt Pidgeon and his wife, Margo.

The parish thanked everyone who participated in Appalachian Outreach’s recent annual Coats for the Cold drive.

A total of 194 families received winter items thanks to Holy Trinity and surrounding churches. Out of the 645 total individuals helped, 295 were children.

IC hosts reception for Sisters of Mercy Immaculate Conception Parish in Knoxville hosted a prayer service and reception Jan. 20 to thank and recognize Sister Mary Albertine Paulus, RSM (top photo), and Sister Mary Martha Naber, RSM (bottom photo), for their many years of service to the Diocese of Knoxville. Sister Albertine is pictured with (from left) Joy Carden, Walter Clancy, Letha Lehman, and Patsy Winter. Sister Martha is shown with Paul Dunn III and Marieta Davenport. For more on the Sisters of Mercy, see the story that begins on page B1.

Blessed Sacrament, Harriman

The Council of Catholic Women voted unanimously Dec. 9 to donate $1,000 to Second Harvest of East Tennessee, specifically to the Roane County Schools Weekend Food Bag Program, which provides more than 400 food bags to children each week.

The CCW thanked all of the volunteers who made last fall’s bazaar a great success: Chris Wilson and the Knights of Columbus, Jerry Hornick, Matthew Gibson, Holly Davis, Mary Rinke, Barbara and Jim Lawson, Carie Gecelosky, Anna Cochran, Joan Turbyville, Andra and Jack Farmer, Marciana Jacobson, Naty Terrado, Chris Blasinski, Terry Behland, Scott Blake, Bonnie McCarroll, Jane and Mike Logan, and Judy and Mike Popadec.

St. John Neumann, Farragut The annual eighth-grade pancake breakfast fundraiser is set for 8 to 10 a.m.

Saturday, Feb. 2, at Aubrey’s Restaurant in Cedar Bluff. Cost is $5 per person or $25 for families of five or more.

The Off to the Races derby party and SJN 2019 auction will be held Saturday, Feb. 23, at Fox Den Country Club.

To make donations, contact Deana Long at dcfain@yahoo.com.

The Knights of Columbus hosted a breakfast buffet in the school cafeteria after morning Masses on Jan. 13.

A brunch potluck social was held in Seton Hall after the 9 a.m. Mass on Jan. 5 to honor the feast day of parish patron St. John Neumann.

St. Teresa of Kolkata, Maynardville Bishop Richard F. Stika will dedicate the new St. Teresa of Kolkata Church at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 2. The Mass will be accompanied by a weekend full of events celebrating the new church, which is located at 3445 Maynardville Highway across from Union County High School.

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COURTESY OF MARLENE YURICK

Bishop Richard F. Stika has scheduled confirmation for St. Dominic’s candidates for the 5:30 p.m. Mass on Saturday, March 16.

The Endow women’s group began a study on “Edith Stein: Seeker of Truth” on Jan. 16.

St. Patrick, Morristown The St. Patrick international potluck dinner followed the 5 p.m. Mass on Jan. 19 in the parish center.

‘Empty Manger Christmas Caroling’ event held outside abortion clinic Members of Knoxville-area churches join Sonia Allen, organizer, Pastor Cecil Clark, Paul Simoneau (director of the diocesan Office of Justice and Peace), and Lisa Morris in front of Planned Parenthood on Cherry Street in Knoxville on Dec. 21 at the Empty Manger Christmas Caroling event. The community gathers around an empty manger to sing carols outside abortion facilities to witness to the sanctity of life and bring joy and hope to these places of despair. Children have been saved from abortion when their mothers heard the carols and reconsidered, choosing life for their babies while recalling the birth of Jesus.

The parish dedicated the George Haggard Jr. Conference Room after the 5 p.m. Mass on Dec. 8.

Smoky Mountain Deanery Immaculate Conception, Knoxville Deacon Hieu Vinh visited his hometown in Vietnam on Jan. 16 and was reunited with family after 22 years.

COURTESY OF MARLENE YURICK

The parish participated in a Bottles for Babies fundraiser through Jan. 6 to benefit Choices Resource Center of Roane County.

St. Dominic, Kingsport

The seventh annual Parish Appreciation Epiphany Brunch for parish volunteers and their spouses was held Jan. 6 at The Foundry.

IC joined the Paulist Fathers in kicking off a yearlong celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Father Isaac Hecker, founder of the Paulists, with a special bicentennial Mass on Dec. 18.

Holy Trinity parishioners sing to nursing-home residents, homebound Members of Holy Trinity Parish in Jefferson City spread good cheer in nursing homes and to homebound parishioners with their annual Advent Caroling event.

Throughout the bicentennial year, a special Hecker Bicentennial Quilt will hang from the choir loft. The quilt was made for the occasion by the IC women’s quilting group (the “IC Bees”).

Our Lady of Fatima, Alcoa

COURTESY OF KAREN VACALIUC

The Knights of Columbus will be selling their Italian subs on Super Bowl weekend, Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 2 and 3, in Blessed Sacrament Hall.

Call Chris Wilson at 865-466-5614 with questions.

Anniversaries: Raymond and Helen LaShier (59), Peter and Diane Heinen (54), Erik and Kirsten Perry (30)

The parish Epiphany dinner was held Jan. 6 in the social hall.

The Knights of Columbus thanked all of the parishioners who came to and made donations at their breakfast buffet on Nov. 4. All profits went to help needy people at Christmastime.

St. John XXIII, Knoxville A Thursday-evening adult-enrichment study on the book “Call to Holiness,” about St. Francis de Sales, began Jan. 3. n

St. Mary-Oak Ridge hosts Advent by Candlelight event St. Mary Church in Oak Ridge recently hosted an Advent by Candlelight evening.

This combined an annual event, the Christ Child Shower, in a new and prayerful way. Ladies decorated tables, and each table hostess provided food and drink to share. The evening was made complete with prayers and Scripture passages, as well as music supplied by the Maryville Tartan Soul Choir. For the Christ Child Shower component, each member was encouraged to bring an item to donate to a crisis pregnancy center, and more than 100 items were collected.

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Calendar

The Rites of Election for catechumens and candidates are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, March 9, for the Chattanooga and Five Rivers deaneries and 4 p.m. Sunday, March 10, for the Cumberland Mountain and Smoky Mountain deaneries, both at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The diocesan Office of Marriage Preparation & Enrichment in partnership with the Family Life Office at St. Mary Parish in Johnson City, will offer a free one-day divorce healing seminar from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 9. This seminar presented by Deacon Walt Otey is an overview of the Journey of Hope program based on the book Divorced. Catholic. Now What? Attendees will view a DVD presentation of The Voices of Hope and participate in discussion to lead them through the struggles of divorce.

Lunch will be provided. Books will be available for sale. Purchase not required to attend the seminar. Childcare is available for a fee. Contact Marian Christiana to learn more or to register: 423-892-2310 or mchristiana@dioknox.org.

A free screening of the documentary film Sexual Revolution: 50 Years Since Humanae Vitae will be held from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17, at St. Dominic Church in Kingsport.

The film has been endorsed by the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization. To reserve a seat, contact Marian Christiana at 423892-2310 or mchristiana@dioknox.org.

St. Joseph School in Knoxville will host its 20th annual Mardi Gras fundraising event from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, March 2, in the “French Quarter” (also known as the St. Joseph gym and performing arts center). Wilson Catering will provide a buffet dinner, and there will be a silent and live auction, music, and dancing. To purchase a table or buy individual tickets, call Tara Herber in the SJS office at 865689-3424. Costs are $50 per ticket, $400 per eight-person table, and $500 per 10-person table. To sponsor the event or donate auction items and/or door prizes, call Howie Sompayrac at 865-804-8977.

Catholic Teens United is a new program in the Diocese of Knoxville for teens in eighth grade to college.

The group will meet monthly at area churches to expose teens to the truth of Catholicism, empower them to make an impact on the world through prayer in eucharistic adoration, and help them grow in holiness through the sacrament of confession. The next CTU gathering will be from 2 to 4 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 10, at St. John Neumann Church in Farragut. Noah Goodson, a University of Tennessee student and chair of Vol Catholic, will be the guest speaker.

The newly formed Monsignor Xavier Mankel Schola seeks singers of B4 n FEBRUARY 3, 2019

Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Chattanooga will be hosting a Family Honor Inc. program, Real Love & Real Life, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 9. A chastity program for parents and teens in seventh and eighth grades, the event includes a discussion of life’s most important issues, with a special emphasis on chastity and God’s gift of sexuality.

Deadline to register is Sunday, Feb. 3.

Register online at www.familyhonor. org. Registration fee is $25, which can be paid upon checking in at the first session. This program is sponsored and provided by the Sugar & Spice group of OLPH. A Faith on Fire middle schoolers retreat is set for 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, to 11 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 3, at Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton. Cost is $45. For more information, contact Deacon Al Forsythe at 865-806-1343 or aforsythe@dioknox. org or visit https://dioknox.org/event/ faith-on-fire-6th-8th-grad-retreat/.

Basilica celebrates Our Lady of Guadalupe On Dec. 11, the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga celebrated the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The celebration, led by the basilica’s Hispanic community, began with a rosary in Varallo Parish Hall, where the parish had been celebrating Mass during the sanctuary renovation. Several hundred joyous faithful processed around the city block with an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. While the community had expected to return for Mass in the parish hall, the procession took a surprise turn for the first Mass in the renovated church. After Mass, the celebration continued with a reception, a traditional play, and Guatemalan dance.

Basilica youth schola has annual Epiphany celebration The Jubilate Deo Youth Schola of the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga had its fifth annual Epiphany celebration Jan. 4. They began by singing Christmas carols during adoration. Following adoration, they had a party in Varallo Parish Hall with a visit by the “Three Kings,” a traditional king cake, and Catholic trivia led by Father David Carter, rector.

Search for Christian Maturity retreat No. 55 in the Five Rivers Deanery, an event for high school juniors and seniors, will be held from 8 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 15, to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17, at St. Patrick Church in Morristown. Cost is $65. Application deadline is Feb. 6. For more information, contact Deacon Jim Fage at 423-748-2836 or djimfstpat@gmail. com or visit https://dioknox.org/event/ search-weekend-53-3/.

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A Call to Love marriage conference is set for Saturday, March 23, at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville. A presentation in English will be given at noon by Dr. Tom Neal, academic dean and professor of spiritual theology at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, and Father Michael Cummins of St. Dominic Parish in Kingsport. A presentation in Spanish will be given at 8:30 a.m. by Jorge Paredes and Viviana Martinez, founders of the apostolate “God With Us” and accredited leaders for The Gottman Institute. The event will conclude with a bilingual Mass at 5 p.m.

Cost is $25 for the English presentation or $30 for the Spanish presentation (both costs include lunch) per couple. For more information, contact Marian Christiana at 423-892-2310 or mchristiana@dioknox.org or visit https://dioknox.org/event/call-to-lovemarriage-conference/. For more information on the Spanish track, contact Blanca Primm at 865-637-4769 or bprimm@dioknox.org.

“Boots and Bling,” the 29th annual dinner, dance, and auction to benefit Sacred Heart Cathedral School, is set for 6:30 to 11 p.m. Saturday, March 2, in the Cathedral Hall at Sacred Heart.

Multiple sponsorship levels are available. To RSVP or become a sponsor, visit www.shcschool.org/support-shcs/ shcs-auction-gala/.

Medical students visit cathedral Bishop Richard F. Stika celebrated a White Coat Mass for Ross University School of Medicine students Dec. 2 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Students receive their white coat after their second year. In September 2017, Hurricane Maria destroyed the Ross campus on the island of Dominica, after which the school relocated to Knoxville. The school has since moved to Bridgetown, Barbados.

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all voice parts and of any faith. The schola was created to sing the great works of the Church’s musical tradition, particularly the polyphonic music of the Renaissance and Gregorian and English chant. The schola sings for the 7:30 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the first and third Sunday of each month and will also occasionally put on concerts and support other events and liturgical functions. The group rehearses every Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. To learn more, visit https://dokmusic.org/ audition/ or contact Mary Weaver, the schola’s director: 865-437-8620 or mary@b16schola.org.

MARIA RIST

Internationally known spiritual author and retreat master Father Jacques Philippe will be giving two conferences and a pre-Lenten retreat Feb. 28 to March 4 in the Diocese of Knoxville. The retreat is titled “Personal Prayer Life and Deep Relationship with God” and is set for Friday through Sunday, March 1-3, in the parish hall at All Saints Church in Knoxville. Father Philippe will also give two evening conferences: Thursday, Feb. 28, on “Inner Peace: How to Find and Communicate Peace,” and Monday, March 4, on “How to Grow Through Trials and Suffering,” both in the Cathedral Hall at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. The evening conferences are from 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets are available from Eventbrite.com, the Paraclete Bookstore (theparaclete@ dioknox.org), or the diocesan Office of Consecrated Life (dioknox.org/officeconsecrated-life/). Contact Sister Mary Charles Mayer, RSM, at 865-862-5760 or srmarycharles@dioknox.org for more information.

Search for Christian Maturity retreat No. 157 in the Chattanooga Deanery, an event for high school juniors and seniors, is set for 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24, at Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton. Cost is $60. For more information, contact Donna Jones at 423-718-4387 or djones@dioknox. org or visit https://dioknox.org/event/ search-weekend-157/.

St. John Neumann Church in Farragut will host a free event, “God’s Plan for You and Your Marriage: Bearing the Cross of Infertility,” from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 9. Included are Mass, brunch, presentations, marriage enrichment, and panel discussion. Make reservations by March 1.

For more information, contact Marian Christiana at 423-892-2310 or mchrisCalendar continued on page B5

Basilica presents ‘The First Christmas’ pageant On Dec. 29, the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul presented its first Christmas pageant in living memory, “The First Christmas,” directed by Jo Schendel. The play was sponsored by the religious-education program and included student actors and the Jubilate Deo Youth Schola “angel choir.”

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locations for the celebration of Mass.

At the two priests’ recommendation, Bishop Durick’s decision was to use the Quisenberry-Laycock funeral parlor. At Father Hostettler’s suggestion, he found a replacement priest for his 7:30 a.m. Mass in Cleveland so that he could celebrate a 7:30 a.m.

Mass in Copperhill, a 9:30 a.m. in Athens, and an 11 a.m. back in Cleveland. That schedule stayed in effect until fall 1969.

The first Mass ever offered in Athens took place in the funeral home June 11, 1967.

Father Hostettler and Monsignor Pack continued scouting the area for land suitable for building a chapel.

Their instructions from the bishop were that the location must be near the U.S. Highway 11 bypass and offer possible access to the future route of Interstate 75.

After several weeks, the two priests spotted an abandoned restaurant hidden on four-and-a-half acres of tall weeds on what was then called the bypass. It was discovered that the lonely little building had three names: the Dixieland Café, Cherokee Den, and lastly the Chow-Now. On Aug. 1, 1967, the Diocese of Nashville purchased the land on what is now known as Congress Parkway for the first Catholic church in the Athens area.

Father Hostettler oversaw the remodeling and conversion of the restaurant into a church, finishing by spring 1968. The fledgling church was given a name: the Athens Catholic Mission, reflecting its status as a mission of St. Thérèse.

On May 12, 1968, Bishop Durick celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving and dedicated the new church. Father Hostettler and then-Monsignor and future Nashville Bishop James D. Niedergeses concelebrated.

Father Hostettler served the new parish until Sept. 1, 1969. The diocese then entrusted the care of the parish to Father Matthew J. Noonan of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. He would serve St. Mary for eight years. During his tenure a

chapel was erected next to the restaurant and dedicated Oct. 21, 1973.

Four classrooms to accommodate growing CCD numbers and an office were added to the south side and dedicated Nov. 17, 1976.

With continuing growth in the religious-education classes in early 1983, Father Patrick Mangan, OMI, who became pastor in 1977, supervised the construction of an eight-room educational building. It was completed and in use by fall 1983 and dedicated

by Bishop Niedergeses on June 30, 1985. The new structure was called the Mangan-Mozur Educational Building after both the former pastor, who was reassigned in September 1983, and building chairman and parish donor Tony Mozur.

During the Tennessee Homecoming ’86 celebration, St. Mary members contributed to a time capsule to be opened in 2086. Father Hostettler later returned as pastor, in time to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the parish in 1993.

The parish outgrew the Congress Parkway site by the 1990s. Pastor Father David Boettner blessed a sign Nov. 3, 2001, marking the parish’s future home on a 17-acre site on Madison Avenue. Ground was broken March 22, 2003. Bishop Joseph E. Kurtz, with pastor Father Michael Cummins and former pastors Father Boettner and Father Fiedorowicz concelebrating, dedicated the new building Aug. 14, 2004.

On June 30, 2012, Bishop Stika dedicated a $1.7 million parish life center.

Mary Guthrie is a charter parishioner of St. Mary and recalled the early days.

“Bishop Niedergeses came to my father’s house. He was Lawrence Roussell. He’s the one that the Knights of Columbus chapter here is named after,” she said. “[The bishop] asked if we would come to Athens and help set up a parish, so we did.

We were at St. Thérèse.”

Mrs. Guthrie remembers the funeral-home days of St. Mary.

“That was before we got the restaurant—then we went to church in

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St. Mary continued from page B1

Peek-a-boo . . . Five-year-old Evangeline Morr has fun with Bishop Stika after the St. Mary 50th-anniversary Mass.

. . . I see you Evangeline is pictured with her sister Sophia, 6, while her mother, Taylor, holds Esther, 1. Also seen are Gladys Fortsch (center) and Rhoda Whitaker (right). See more St. Mary photos on page B6. the restaurant. It was very different, especially for me, because I am from South Louisiana, in New Orleans, where there’s nothing but Catholics and big churches,” she said.

She is impressed by the growth of her parish.

“It’s unreal. I love it.”

She definitely enjoys the current St. Mary Church more than the funeralhome location.

“Well, since I’m on the building committee, I like it,” Mrs. Guthrie said.

Bishop Stika called the parish’s 50 years “pretty significant, especially in an area historically that’s not very Catholic in terms of our numbers.

Athens has always been a bright star in the history of the diocese, going back to the time of Father Noonan.

I’m just grateful that the parish continues to thrive.” n

Calendar continued from page B4 tiana@dioknox.org or visit https://dioknox.org/event/ gods-plan-for-you-and-your-marriage-bearing-thecross-of-infertility/.

March 1-3. Call 800-470-2230 or 615-523-0631, email nrv3043@gmail.com, or visit www.HelpOurMarriage.com.

“Be Awakened!,” a sixth- through 12th-grade retreat sponsored by the youth ministry of St. Alphonsus Parish in Crossville, will be held from 6:30 p.m.

Friday, March 15, through 9 a.m. Sunday, March 17, at Pickett State Park in Pickett County. Costs are $50 per youth and $25 per chaperone. Registration deadline is Sunday, March 3. For more information, contact Pauline O’Keeffe at 931-787-7271 or ym38555@gmail.com or visit https://dioknox.org/ event/become-the-light-middlehigh-school-retreat/.

A pilgrimage to Greece, “In the Footsteps of St. Paul,” is set for April 30-May 11. Join Father Michael Maples on a journey to the sites where St. Paul spread the Gospel, including Philippi, Thessaloniki, Kalambaka, Delphi, and Athens, before departing for a four-day cruise visiting the islands of Mykonos, Patmos, Santorini, Rhodes, and Crete, including a visit to Mary’s house in Ephesus. Pilgrims will visit ancient Corinth and see where Paul wrote his letters to the Corinthians. Land and air, all-inclusive price is $4,495. To receive a brochure with the day-to-day itinerary or to learn more, contact Lisa Morris, Select International Tours, at 865-567-1245 or lisam@ select-intl.com.

“Created for Connection: Hold Me Tight,” a two-day educational workshop for couples, will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 30, and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 31, at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga. Cost is $40 per couple for two days (includes lunch on Saturday and snacks both days). The workshop will be facilitated by Lee University’s marriage and family therapy graduate interns. A socialskills workshop for elementary-age children of the couples will be offered simultaneously. Cost is $25 per child. Children will be divided into groups, K-2 and grades 3-5. Register by Thursday, March 21. Contact Marian Christiana at 423-8922310 or mchristiana@dioknox.org to learn more or register, or visit https://dioknox.org/event/ hold-me-tight-2-day-workshop-for-couples-2/.

The next Picture of Love engaged couples retreat is scheduled for 7-10 p.m. Friday, May 31, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 1, in the parish life center at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga. The retreat is to supplement couples’ marriage formation process with their parish priest or deacon. The cost is $135 per couple, which includes a certificate good for $60 off a marriage license. To receive a $60 discount couples must attend the entire program and attend the program within one year of purchasing the license.

Mass will be celebrated during the event. For more information, contact Marian Christiana of the diocesan Office of Marriage Preparation and Enrichment at 423-892-2310 or mchristiana@dioknox.org, or visit dioknox.org/marriage-preparation-and-enrichment/ and click on the “programs designed for engaged couples” page.

The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekends are set for March 1-3 and May 3-5. Apply online at GATN-wwme.org or call 678-242-WWME. The next Retrouvaille program, designed to help couples rebuild their marriages, is scheduled for TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C A T HO L I C

Bishop Richard F. Stika will be leading a pilgrimage to Poland, May 25-June 4, along with Cardinal Justin Rigali and Deacon Sean Smith. Participants will visit Czestochowa, Krakow, Wadowice (the birthplace of Pope St. John Paul II), the Divine Mercy Sanctuary, and Auschwitz before journeying on to Zakopane, Budapest, and Vienna. All-inclusive price is $4,395. For more information, contact Lisa Morris at 865-567-1245 or lisam@select-intl.com.

Join Father Bill McNeeley on a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Good Help in Champion, Wis., and other holy and sacred sites along the way June 18-22. The pilgrimage includes a tour of Mundelein Seminary, a visit to the Shrine of Maximilian Kolbe and Holy Hill, and a visit to the Basilica and National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians before it continues on to Green Bay for a two-night stay. Participants will visit and have Mass at St. Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay and visit the National Railroad Museum before returning home with a one-night stay in Indianapolis.

Total cost per person based on double occupancy is $1,100. For more information contact Lisa Morris at 865-567-1245 or lisam@select-intl.com.

Muncy, as well as performances by his barbershop quartet, Old Fashioned, and the basilica’s Gloria Dei Schola. Those attending may make a donation to help fund Mr. Muncy’s tour to Ireland with the UTC Chamber Singers this year. For more information, visit www.stspeterandpaulbasilica.com.

The newly renovated Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga is now normally open weekdays from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. The weekday schedule includes daily Mass at 7 a.m. Monday (ancient form), Wednesday, and Friday and noon Monday-Friday. Confessions are offered at 11:30 a.m. Monday/Tuesday/ Wednesday/Friday. Morning prayer is offered after the 7 a.m. Mass on Monday/Wednesday/Friday. Adoration is offered first Fridays and all Fridays of Lent following the noon Mass, concluding with Benediction at 5:30 p.m. Adoration continues from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.

On Wednesdays during Lent, the basilica offers Vespers at 5:45 p.m. and Stations of the Cross at 6 p.m.

On Fridays during Lent, the basilica offers adoration following the noon Mass, concluding with Benediction at 5:30 p.m. and Vespers at 5:45 p.m., followed by Stations of the Cross in English at 6 p.m. and a traditional fish fry at 6:30 p.m., hosted

by Knights of Columbus Council 610. Stations of the Cross in Spanish is offered at 7:30 p.m., with continued adoration through the night from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.

A Missa Cantata (sung Mass) in the ancient form of the Roman Rite is normally celebrated at 5 p.m. on fourth Sundays at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul. On Feb. 24 at 5 p.m., a Missa Cantata will be celebrated for Sexagesima Sunday. On March 24 at 5 p.m., a Missa Cantata will be celebrated for the Third Sunday of Lent.

A Danube River pilgrimage with Father Leo Patalinghug of EWTN is set for Nov. 3-13. All-inclusive land and air starts at $4,395. For more information, contact Lisa Morris, Select International Tours, at 865-567-1245 or lisam@select-intl.com.

Mass in the extraordinary form (“traditional Latin”) is celebrated at noon each Sunday at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville; at 3 p.m. on first, third, and fifth Sundays at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church in Cleveland; every Sunday at 8 a.m. at St. Mary Church in Athens; and 5 p.m. each fourth Sunday at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga. For more information, visit www.KnoxLatinMass.net.

“An Evening of Song” is scheduled at the newly renovated, acoustically resonant Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga. Noah Muncy, a music education major at the University of TennesseeChattanooga and singer at the basilica, will hold a benefit concert at the basilica at 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17. The concert will include solo selections from Mr.

The St. Thomas the Apostle Eastern (Byzantine) Catholic Mission located at 2304 Ault Road, Knoxville, TN 37914 meets for Divine Liturgy every first, second, and fourth Sunday at 3 p.m. All services are in English. Call Father Richard Armstrong at 865584-3307 or visit www.saintthomasknoxville.org/ for details. n

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Celebrating St. Mary-Athens Dancers from St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Lenoir City perform at the luncheon following the 50th-anniversary Mass. See the story on page B1 and additional photos on page B5.

Bishop installs Father Orr as pastor Bishop Richard F. Stika and Father John Orr (top photo) take part in the rite of installation of a pastor at the 50th-anniversary Mass for St. Mary in Athens. In the bottom photo, they share an embrace after the rite is completed.

Cake-cutting time Bearing knives, Bishop Stika and Father Orr cut up before they slice into the St. Mary anniversary cakes.

Bishop Stika welcomes gathering to 50th-anniversary Mass Bishop Stika said he is “grateful” that St. Mary Parish “continues to thrive.”

The 200-family parish in Athens celebrated its 50th anniversary with a Mass and luncheon Nov. 18. Also pictured are Father Orr and diocesan seminarian Andrew Crabtree.

DR. KELLY KEARSE (4)

Two church interiors shown on cake One of the anniversary cakes at St. Mary shows both the interior of the parish’s former Congress Parkway location (upper right) and the inside of its current church on Madison Avenue.

Handel Society performs at Sacred Heart The Knoxville Handel Society presented a selection of African-American spirituals in its concert Nov. 18 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, as part of the Cathedral Concert Series. The Handel Society is directed by Dr. Everett McCorvey. Soloists at the cathedral were bass Kevin Thompson, tenor John Wesley Wright, and sopranos Jeryl Cunningham-Fleming and Hope Koehler.

B6 n FEBRUARY 3, 2019

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is St. Mary’s and has served the community for decades,” he said.

“And we celebrate today all the healing that has occurred. As I walk the halls here, and as depicted in the photographs, I’m reminded so much of the history. The history of St. Mary’s depicts the evolution of modern medicine, as it is today. It’s evident, that transition, as you see those pictures of how health care used to be delivered.

“The decision to cease operations here was a difficult one, but we know that health care is much more than its building. It is the people.

It is the physicians, the nurses, the housekeepers, the pharmacists—it’s the whole team of people who deliver care. I’m excited for the future of Tennova, as our team will continue their special work in our other locations. One very special group of our team has been the Sisters of Mercy.”

Mr. Benton introduced all the sisters present, including Sister Yvette, who served at the hospital from 1976 to 1985 in pastoral care, and Sister Pat, who served from 1977 to 1993 as a chaplain.

Sister Maris Stella served from 1988 to 2006.

“We certainly have a special place here for her,” Mr. Benton said.

Sister Albertine served on the hospital board from 1977 to 2004.

“She’s a magnificent organ player in the chapel,” Mr. Benton said.

Sister Martha served for 46 years in a variety of roles, including the accounting department, the Sister Lawrence Mary community outreach program, and her most recent role of patient, staff, and leadership support.

“We’re really going to miss Sister Martha and Sister Albertine when they retire to Nashville this spring and join the community at the Mercy Convent,” Mr. Benton said. “It’s been an honor for me to serve beside the sisters for the past year and a half. I’m grateful for their support of me and their dedication to our employees, physicians, and patients.

I’m looking forward to taking this strong legacy of compassionate care to the future of our North Knoxville Medical Center and our Turkey Creek Medical Center.”

Mr. Benton acknowledged the presence of state Sen. Richard Briggs, a former cardio-thoracic surgeon at St. Mary’s.

Dr. Doug Leahy, immediate past chair of the Tennova board, followed Mr. Benton.

“I was born here in 1948,” he said. “My mother had the first airconditioned room in this facility.

I had renal failure and was saved by this hospital. I started working in the kitchen for 63 cents an hour back in the early years of 1964. I have to mention the motive I had: if things went bad in medicine, perhaps I could get my job back in the kitchen.”

He said that “it’s very important to realize what the Sisters of Mercy have meant. . . . What you have is a long line of people who really cared about the sick and the suffering and the ability to take care of those folks. . . . [Hospitals like St. Mary’s] are built on a foundation of the good Lord and Jesus’ mercy, and we need to remember that is the important

At the keyboard Sister Albertine plays the piano as the group at the reception sings “Now Thank We All Our God” to close the event. Also pictured are Becky Dodson and Tony Benton, CEO of Tennova.

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essence of this hospital.”

Dr. Leahy said, “St. Mary’s had the first cancer clinic. They had the first ICU. They had the first openheart surgery.

“It’s important to remember how important [hospital foundress] Sister Annunciata was. She was the cornerstone, along with the Dewine family. Basically she was the brains behind it.”

Dr. Leahy continued: “At one point, Sister Annunciata went into a room to see a patient, and so they later went back to inquire, ‘How did your stay go at the hospital?’ and she said, ‘I was visited by St. Mary.’”

Dr. Leahy spoke of Tennova’s “move into this new role of a different hospital system” and how “we need to look back on it as a sunset . . . . As long as that sunset lives within your heart, and you keep preserving it and you don’t neglect it, it’s always part of you.

“We need to preserve what was the essence of this hospital, so that in the future going forward we remember how important it is and be sure we preserve the sisters’ essence of what they meant, and if we do that, we will honor their memory and most importantly will preserve what they did for us.”

Dr. John Burkhart represented the medical staff at the reception.

“As a young boy, 10 years old, my father, who grew up a half a mile from here, watched the construction of the original wing of this hospital,” he said. “In 1950, he admitted his first patient at St. Mary’s and was later joined on the medical staff by all three of his sons and his daughter-in-law. I have literally been here all my life.”

Ninety years ago, Dr. Burkhart said, the Religious Sisters of Mercy accepted a call to establish a new hospital in North Knoxville.

“After much prayer and planning, they opened St. Mary’s on April 22, 1930. This was a massive leap of faith in the middle of the Great Depression, but they succeeded,” he said. “Over the next eight decades, the physical facilities, the staff, and the services rendered expanded many times, but the mission never changed. The sisters intended to deliver care with caring, and they did it.

“If these walls could talk, just think what they have witnessed.

How many thousands of patients have been treated here? How many births? How many deaths? How many lives have been made better?

How much suffering relieved? How much comfort given? How many thousands have given direct patient care, and how many more have worked behind the scenes to make that care possible?”

There have been “many changes over the years,” Dr. Burkhart said.

“But the presence and the leadership and the care and the service of the sisters has been constant and continuous. It has been a remarkable, wonderful, rewarding 88 years. So as this chapter closes and another begins, all of us here today say thank you, sisters. God bless and Godspeed.”

Sister Albertine was the next speaker at the reception.

“I think my role is to be here for all of the sisters who have ever been here, for all the ones who came early, for Sister Pauline and Sister Mary Thomas, who helped form the original plans with great help from many, many Knoxvillians,” she said.

“And for the [original hospital] sisters who went away to be trained, for Sister Annunciata, ‘the best businessman in Knoxville,’ I understand. . . . She was up to anything, everything from a scrap of paper on the floor to the greatest need of the senior medical person.

“Then there was Sister Assisium, for whom there was never a baby who was not beautiful, who would do anything, anything, for a baby and its mother. Her presence in maternity was here for 50 years-plus . . . . She’s just grinning from ear to ear today. By the way, they’re all here. The next world is right here with this one—we just can’t see it.

So behave.”

Sister Albertine remembered

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Sisters of Mercy continued from page B2

Former hospital chaplain attends reception Monsignor Bill Gahagan, a former chaplain at St. Mary’s Hospital, stands with Becky Dodson, vice president of mission for Tennova, and Dr. Doug Leahy, immediate past chair of the Tennova board.

Talking with a sister Sister Margaret Turk, RSM, speaks with Priscilla Hales. Sister Margaret was among three Sisters of Mercy attending the reception who have retired to Nashville. former St. Mary’s mission representative Sister Elizabeth Riney, “in most of our memories very much a beautiful part of all that this hospital has meant for so many years. What a great loss her sudden death was.”

Longtime administrator Sister Marie was recalled.

“She worked in the School of Nursing,” Sister Albertine said.

“Her whole life, much of it, was Sisters of Mercy continued on page B9

Two speak with Sister Janice Dr. James Craig and wife LaVerne have a conversation with Sister Janice Brink, RSM.

Greetings given Sister Thomasetta Mogan, RSM, meets with Patricia Forde.

Trio of sisters Mercy Sister Janice Brink (right) sits with Sister Pat Soete (left) and Sister Yvette Gillen.

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FEBRUARY 3, 2019 n B7

Praying for Perspective

by George Valadie

A heartfelt thanks—from Katy’s dad A lifetime in Catholic schools ‘has rubbed off on our girls’

W

e’ve just finished celebrating Catholic Schools Week, us and the rest of the nation. It was a much-needed idea born in the mid-’70s, the same time I stepped into my first classroom as a Catholic school teacher.

Though that first day wasn’t all that much to celebrate as I remember. I vividly recall standing there at the door, fumbling with my keys and a lock I couldn’t unlock. To my huge embarrassment, a senior girl walked past and offered to show me how it worked. While handing her my keys, I dropped everything else.

Imagining the laughter and all she was telling her friends about the new guy, my career was off and running. I’ve gotten better.

We use Catholic Schools Week to celebrate our heritage, acknowledge our successes, and give thanks to the many who make it all possible.

If you’re reading this, you’re probably on that list. If you’ve ever prayed for us, you definitely are. So thank you!

Today, I’m in the middle of my 60th year being associated with Catholic schools—16 as a student, the rest as a teacher or administrator. All of it a privilege.

Given its 400 years of history in America, I’m pretty sure the institution would be exactly the same without my having been a part.

I, however, would not. It’s not exactly who I am, but it’s a big ol’ chunk of it.

I’ve loved most every minute.

It’s certainly not perfect; we can always improve. Too often we forget

There are uniforms, Mass Day, religion class, and all the rest. I get the biggest kick when Brady, the secondgrader . . . calls from Houston to ask me a religion homework question because he’s not convinced his mom really knows the answer. that even though our Church was founded by perfection, it didn’t necessarily carry over to all its workers.

At least not as much as we would have liked.

But the good has far outweighed the bad.

And I’m happy to say that my own affection has rubbed off on our girls. Our two daughters with children of their own now have them enrolled in their local Catholic grade schools as well.

There are uniforms, Mass Day, religion class, and all the rest. And I get the biggest kick when Brady, the second-grader, who makes his first Communion in May, calls from Houston to ask me a religion homework question because he’s not convinced his mom really knows the answer.

I should tell you that all three of our daughters enjoyed the opportunity—at least for part of their schooling—to attend the same school where their dad worked.

Or should I say that I enjoyed that opportunity.

No doubt there were quite a few days when each considered it nothing more than a burden they were forced to bear. They were probably right.

Katy, Brady’s mom, got to have 12 of her own years in Catholic

Marriage Enrichment

schools. Once married and out on her own, she told me of a conversation she had one “girls night out” a year or so before Brady was even born.

Somehow, in and between the margaritas, the ladies in her group had taken to discussing the relative merits of sending their as-yet-to-beborn children to Catholic schools.

While debating the pros and cons of tuition and discipline and God, Katy told me she had taken up the mantle of supporting my life’s work, holding aloft the banner of Catholic schools and all they can do . . . and all they actually do.

When she told me about it, I was the beaming father.

“I’m proud of you, girl. What all did you tell them? Tell me what you said?”

“Well, Dad, I couldn’t give them too many facts or anything really important. But I did tell them you’d been doing it all your life. And I thought you were smart enough that you wouldn’t have wasted all that time if it wasn’t a really good thing.”

That’s a start.

“Come on now, what did you really tell them?”

“That really is what I told them.

But I found myself arguing not so much from a facts-and-figures point of view, because you’ve never really taught us much of that stuff.”

Ouch.

But then she lit up my day.

“Rather I found myself arguing more from an emotional point of view. I couldn’t always find the words, but all I knew was that what we got to have as kids—I told

them that’s what I want for my kids.”

And that right there—that feeling that somehow had wrapped itself around her heart—that is why the nation celebrates such a thing as “Catholic Schools Week.”

Let me say that in spite of the time she got to (or had to) spend with me, I never taught Katy. I never sponsored one of her activities. In actuality, she spent very little time with me while at school.

These feelings that she had and continues to have about Catholic schools are not because of her dad.

I’ve long believed that one of the true beauties of our schools is that our students can almost always find somebody to be there for them.

Most of the time, naturally, that proves to be some special teacher— and not always one of theirs. So many are so good at it. But many times it’s not.

More times than you can imagine, I’ve caught a glimpse of students in meaningful conversation with someone from the kitchen, custodial, or security staffs. Might be a coach, maybe a counselor, everyone cares, no one’s off duty.

From first grade through 12th, they are the reasons Katy feels what she feels.

So I offer a heartfelt thanks to all of you—from Katy’s dad.

Dear God – It’s a pretty good thing we’ve got going. Please help us figure out how more can get to come. That would make it better. Amen. ■ George Valadie is president of Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga.

by Marian Christiana

A Valentine’s Day gift that will help build intimacy Write a letter to your spouse that mentions an instance that makes you feel grateful for him or her

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t is that time of year again when romance is in the air and the thought of love fills our hearts.

It is almost Valentine’s Day, and Valentine’s Day has me thinking about the importance of intimacy in a marriage.

Maybe you are dreaming of your walkway lined with rose petals, or you are planning a romantic dinner for two. Maybe you and your spouse are taking a romantic-getaway vacation in order to celebrate your love for each other. All of these romantic gestures are good and necessary to help build intimacy. They create positive memories and help to keep the romance alive. These positive memories can also help a couple during the more difficult times of a marital relationship or what the textbooks call the “disillusionment” phase.

Recalling those positive memories can help them return to experiencing true joy in their marriage.

All marital relationships go through cycles of romance, disillusionment, and true joy. Romance is the stage when you feel happy, lighthearted, and content. Valentine’s Day advertising capitalizes on this aspect of a relationship when no one has any faults or annoying habits. If your relationship has hit a rough patch, then disillusionment has set in. Disillusionment is the stage when it is hard to overlook your spouse’s faults, and you hold back from communicating your wants and needs. You begin to feel lonely and disconnected. You become “me” centered instead of “we” centered.

Our sacramental marital bond calls us to be “we” centered. By our sacrament, we are called to a sacrificial love. A love that is willing to die to ourselves for the good of the other. When we truly practice sacrificial love, we find the next stage of marriage: true joy. True joy requires us to be intentional about our mar-

B8 n FEBRUARY 3, 2019

Intimacy is so much more than just the sexual act. True intimacy is a combination of quality time together, the affection or tenderness that we show each other each day, and the appreciation and gratitude we express throughout the day. riage. We must decide every day to make our marriage our priority.

True joy is characterized by the feelings of trust, unity, and love. A marriage may experience these cycles over time, or it may experience all of the cycles in just one day. The challenge is to find true joy with each other by the end of every day. Intentionally building intimacy through small and large gestures all day will definitely help a marriage find true joy.

Intimacy is so much more than just the sexual act. True intimacy is a combination of quality time together, the affection or tenderness that we show each other each day, and the appreciation and gratitude we express throughout the day.

Knowing that our spouse is in our corner no matter what and is cheering us on highlights the unity that intimacy helps to build. This true intimacy is something that I have been thinking about this Valentine’s Day season. You cannot put a price on it, find it online, or buy it at a store. It takes time and energy. It takes commitment. I am sure that each married couple can pinpoint at least one serious instance where the intimacy of their couple-hood saved the day and saw them through some trial.

Personally, there are many times in our 38 years of marriage that our couple intimacy has seen us through life’s challenges, such as a death of a parent, health issues, or the children leaving home, just to name a few. It is always good to tell your spouse how much you appreciate them and how grateful you are for all of the

things they do for you. However, it is very touching and enriching when your spouse highlights a particular instance when your intimate love for them resonated more deeply. I wanted to share one of those instances from my marriage with you and tell you how I plan to use it as my Valentine’s Day gift to my husband, Ralph.

In July 2005, I had just started working for the diocesan Office of Family Life in the Chattanooga Deanery. I was on my way home from a meeting at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. A young woman pulled out from a side street and crashed into my car. In an instant, I had broken both arms, one near the wrist and one farther up.

Luckily, I was right in front of a fire department station and help was there immediately. With an initial surge of adrenalin, I had managed to call Ralph to tell him where I was and what had happened. I believe he was there on site before the ambulance. As soon as I saw Ralph my heart stopped pounding so hard and I calmed down. That was just the first part of this journey.

As you might guess, there were hospital stays, surgeries, casts, metal traction devices, logistics to work through, and lots of paperwork. Ralph was by my side for it all. All of that was wonderful, but I want to focus on one small act of intimacy from Ralph during that time that still warms my heart to this day. The traction device on my arm that was broken near the wrist needed to be cleaned twice a day for 10 weeks to prevent infection. The entry sites had to be pushed down and washed. I cannot remember what the cleaning solution was, but I do remember that it was not pleasant. Ralph took on the job of being my wound cleaner. Every morning and every night he would clean my wounds. He was so gentle but thor-

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ough. I felt so close to him during his cleaning ritual. I do not remember even talking while he was doing it. I just remember his tenderness and how close to him I felt, how loved I felt. I did not get an infection until the last week of my ordeal when I talked Ralph into letting me take care of the wounds myself. I was not as thorough as Ralph.

My Valentine’s Day gift to Ralph this year is going to focus on that particular act of service. I am writing Ralph a love letter expressing my gratitude for the love and care that he showed to me through that cleaning process. It may seem like such a simple thing, but his selfless act of love has stayed with me all these years. Memories like this one help to bring me back to the true joy in our marriage, especially on days that I need reminding.

This Valentine’s Day I would like to suggest a different kind of present for your spouse: a present that will help you build intimacy with your spouse through the use of your shared memories and the feelings they create.

Think of a particular instance in your marriage that causes you to feel grateful for your spouse whenever you think about it. Share that memory with your spouse in a letter of gratitude. You can still have the romantic dinner or sneak away for a romantic getaway, but I guarantee you that the letter about that particular memory will enhance your intimacy even more.

I almost forgot: please check out all of the marriage-enrichment opportunities coming up on our dioknox.org website. Oh, and if you see my husband, Ralph, please do not tell him about my gift to him. It is a surprise! ■ Marian Christiana is coordinator of the diocesan Marriage Preparation and Enrichment Office.

TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C A TH OLI C

Thoughts and Prayers for the Faithful

by Bob Hunt

Flannery O’Connor and the power of God The drama of life is made tangible by the reality of death

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spent here, and her last years of service were here. She didn’t want to give up. . . . She made massive strides in this hospital when she was administrator: buildings, programs, all sorts of things.”

And those are “just a few of the most well-known of the sisters,” Sister Albertine said.

“You can’t say that one was more important than another. . . . With all of them and with the sisters who are here, my task is to say thank you to the vast group of people who came, who wanted this hospital, the doctors who asked for a hospital with sisters, and who went to the bishop in Nashville and said, can you get us a hospital,” she said. “And the bishop went to our community, the Sisters of Mercy, and said, would you take this on, and the sisters said yes, and we did.

“And the thing is, we couldn’t have done it by ourselves. Look at all of you who are here. How many of you in this room have been part of this grand enterprise in the last 88 years? You’ve been in all kinds of roles, and every role mattered, all the way through, from the chief surgeon to the chief administrator, the chief money man, to the chief housekeeper, to the lowest, least person in his or her own opinion, who was just hired. Every person mattered, and everybody’s job was important, and everybody was held

Weekday readings Friday, Feb. 1: Hebrews 10:32-39; Psalm 37:3-6, 23-24, 39-40; Matthew 4:26-34 Saturday, Feb. 2: Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 24:7-10; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40 Sunday, Feb. 3: Jeremiah 1:4-5, 1719; Psalm 71:1-6, 15-17; 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13; Luke 4:21-30 Monday, Feb. 4: Hebrews 11:32-40; Psalm 31:20-24; Mark 5:1-20 Tuesday, Feb. 5: Memorial of St. Agatha, virgin and martyr, Hebrews 12:1-4; Psalm 22:26-28, 30-32; Mark 5:21-43 Wednesday, Feb. 6: Memorial of St. Paul Miki and companions, martyrs, Hebrews 12:4-7, 11-15; Psalm 103:12, 13-14, 17-18; Mark 6:1-6 Thursday, Feb. 7: Hebrews 12:1819, 21-24; Psalm 48:2-4, 9-11; Mark 6:7-13 Friday, Feb. 8: Hebrews 13:1-8; Psalm 27:1, 3, 5, 8-9; Mark 6:14-29 Saturday, Feb. 9: Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21; Psalm 23:1-6; Mark 6:30-34 Sunday, Feb. 10: Isaiah 6:1-8; Psalm 138:1-5, 7-8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11 Monday, Feb. 11: Genesis 1:1-19; TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C A T HO L I C

descended upon us, filling us with grief, but even above grief, wonder. Our plans were so beautifully laid out, ready to be carried to action, but with magnificent certainty God laid them aside and said, ‘You have forgotten—Mine?’”

Here we are living our lives, from day to day, going along as if the thing that matters most is whether we’ll have enough wine for all the guests, or whether it will rain and the game be canceled, or whether we’ll be able to get through our shift at work without having to deal with you-know-who or, more profoundly, whether we’ll have enough money to get to the end of the month, or whether my spouse is still mad at me about last night, or whether my daughter will visit like she said she would.

Then death comes as a messenger of the power of God, breaking our complacency “like a bullet in the

side” (O’Connor was never one to mince her similes). Death makes our hearts and minds conscious of what is truly important, all important. It’s not that the everyday concerns of life are unimportant and don’t merit our attention. Yet, death serves to remind us of what is ultimately important, of truths that can too easily be forgotten or set aside for another time.

The drama of life is made tangible by the reality of death. We think we own our lives, but, in reality, we’re not promised even the next moment. This is truly tragic, in that it is a momentous truth, one we can dismiss out of our thoughts but never entirely avoid. How right it is that “temporal” and “temporary” arise from the same root, for the temporal is temporary. We are here but for a blink of an eye, and that eye doesn’t belong to us. It belongs to the One Who set all things in their place, including us, and Who calls all things, including us, to their ultimate end. That end is meant for us to be one of exultant joy, but it is an end nonetheless. It represents an end to all we think we know for sure, only to realize that we know little for sure.

Certainly, this fills us with grief.

Even so, as Christians, we are filled not only with grief but also with the wonder that transcends grief. For the promise of Jesus is that there is more to life than what this world has to offer.

The fact that there is not the slightest sense of anger at God in O’Connor’s reflection suggests an unusually mature understanding of God’s providence and His desire for our salvation above all else. Submission to God’s will, to His plans for us as they are revealed through the ordinary circumstances of our lives, even the tragic circumstances of our lives, is neither weakness nor a rejection of our uniqueness as individual persons. Rather, it is for the purpose of fulfilling our unique mission according to God’s plans.

When God’s plans are made known to us, may David’s prayer be our prayer: “My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready” (Psalm 57:8).

Be Christ for all. Bring Christ to all. See Christ in all. ■

to the same standard.”

Sister Albertine’s voice showed her emotion as she continued.

“In the name of all of the sisters who have gone before, thank you to you and all those who went before you, who made this all possible, because without you we couldn’t have done it,” she said. “At our next gathering, which I think will be in the next world, just think: won’t that be a bash? We’ll have all the people who aren’t here anymore and all the people who are here now in the world but couldn’t make it, and all those who will follow on in the same tradition, the same ideals, the same everything. And we’ll all get together and we’ll tell stories, and there’ll be no end to it.”

The biggest thing she wanted to say was “thank you,” Sister Albertine said.

“The fact that everybody was important: every patient, every baby, every nurse, every housekeeper, every doctor, every everybody. And in the sisters’ minds, nobody was better than anybody else. They had different jobs, yes, but nobody was more important. And I think that does continue to this day. We’re so grateful that all these days, each day, each one of you and your predecessors helped us to continue that wonderful healing ministry of Jesus.”

Sister Martha offered a prayer of

thanksgiving at the reception.

“As I look around the room and think, what an amazing family gathering this is: thank you so much for coming, to honor us and to honor what we have shared together,” she said. “In 1930, at the dedication of St. Mary’s, Bishop Alphonse Smith prayed, ‘May the blessing of God descend upon St. Mary’s Hospital.

With a real heart in its work, with a genuine love for others, with a real sympathy for those in distress, and a desire to help those in suffering, may St. Mary’s and all connected with it start out today to do whatever good it can.’”

On the day of the reception, “here today, God says to each and every one of us: well done, good and faithful servant,” Sister Martha said. “You and thousands of others have worked alongside the sisters doing good, doing God’s work, with a heart of compassion, with dedicated service, and a genuine love for all.”

Becky Dodson, vice president of mission for Tennova, spoke on behalf of the employees and volunteers. She asked among the large group who had served St. Mary’s for five years, 10 years, and so on at five-year intervals until she reached 45 years, upon which one person raised her hand.

“I think that one of the things that makes this so special is that people

stay here: they’re dedicated to the mission,” Mrs. Dodson said. “It’s an honor to work beside these [sisters], and we promise we’re going to continue to honor you as we carry that spirit forward. A quick comment about this building as we leave it: as I tell people, the old girl is showing her age like I am these days. And it is time, and there is sadness about it. ...

“There are people in this room who have left this building and some of us who will be leaving it in a few days, and there is sadness in that. But this place raised us. It’s where we learned how to be nurses or social workers or whatever our role was. It’s where we learned how to care for people. It raised us, it formed us, it’s where we had great celebrations, like our pre-Christmas meal or picnics in the courtyard or slumber parties when there was snow and we couldn’t go home and had to take care of our patients—all kinds of special celebrations here.

“When we go to our new homes, or if we have already, I know I hear people say, I’ve moved on, but there’s just no place like St. Mary’s, and we’ll always remember it with fondness. . . . We’re going to close, and we’re going to leave this old home in a few days, but we’re always going to take her with us, and she’s going to be our childhood home.” n

Death makes our hearts and minds conscious of what is truly important, all important. It’s not that the everyday concerns of life are unimportant and don’t merit our attention. Yet, death serves to remind us of what is ultimately important . . .

Psalm 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12, 24, 35; Mark 6:53-56 Tuesday, Feb. 12: Genesis 1:20-2:4; Psalm 8:4-9; Mark 7:1-13 Wednesday, Feb. 13: Genesis 2:4-9, 15-17; Psalm 104:1-2, 27-30; Mark 7:14-23 Thursday, Feb. 14: Memorial of Sts. Cyril, monk, and Methodius, bishop, Genesis 2:18-25; Psalm 128:1-5; Mark 7:24-30 Friday, Feb. 15: Genesis 3:1-8; Psalm 32:1-2, 5-7; Mark 7:31-37 Saturday, Feb. 16: Genesis 3:9-24; Psalm 90:2-6, 12-13; Mark 8:1-10 Sunday, Feb. 17: Jeremiah 17:5-8; Psalm 1:1-4, 6; 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20; Luke 6:17, 20-26 Monday, Feb. 18: Genesis 4:1-15, 25; Psalm 50:1, 8, 16-17, 20-21; Mark 8:11-13 Tuesday, Feb. 19: Genesis 6:5-8 and 7:1-5, 10; Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10; Mark 8:14-21 Wednesday, Feb. 20: Genesis 8:6-13, 20-22; Psalm 116:12-15, 18-19; Mark 8:22-26 Thursday, Feb. 21: Genesis 9:1-13; Psalm 102:16-21, 29, 22-23; Mark 8:27-33 Friday, Feb. 22: Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, apostle, 1 Peter 5:1-4; Psalm 23:1-6; Matthew 16:13-19

Bob Hunt is a husband, father, and parishioner at All Saints Church in Knoxville.

DEACON PATRICK MURPHY-RACEY

F

lannery O’Connor has long been my favorite author, with her bizarre characters and weird stories that shed light on the brokenness of the human condition and the potential for redemption.

The light she shines is a blinding spotlight from which most attempt to shield their eyes.

O’Connor lost her father to lupus when she was only 15. She rarely spoke of her father’s death, keeping reticent about the things most important to her. She adored her father, and he adored her. Having never married, but loving her father deeply, the image of God that naturally appealed to her was that of God as Father and her as His child.

Two years after her father’s death, she took pen to paper and wrote a brief reflection. The spiritually precocious teenager can be recognized immediately in what she wrote. For, in O’Connor, the heart broken by the premature death of the father she adored is weighed against the providence of God. She wrote: “The reality of death has come upon us and a consciousness of the power of God has broken our complacency like a bullet in the side. A sense of the dramatic, of the tragic, of the infinite, has

Catholic Charities donates toys to be handed out by KPD officers Catholic Charities of East Tennessee recently donated toys that will be handed out to hundreds of children in need by Knoxville Police Department officers as they work their shifts. Catholic Charities of East Tennessee is grateful to show its support to the men and women who put their lives on the line for the safety of citizens every single day. Pictured in this photo (from left) are Lisa Ingle, CCETN facilities manager; Lisa Healy, CCETN interim executive director; Paul Ritter, CCETN director of programs; and Rena Ishak, CCETN administrative assistant and social media coordinator.

Saturday, Feb. 23: Memorial of St. Polycarp, bishop and martyr, Hebrews 11:1-7; Psalm 145:2-5, 10-11; Mark 9:2-13 Sunday, Feb. 24: 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23; Psalm 103:1-4, 8, 10, 12-13; 1 Corinthians 15:45-49; Luke 6:27-38 Monday, Feb. 25: Sirach 1:1-10;

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Psalm 93:1-2, 5; Mark 9:14-29 Tuesday, Feb. 26: Sirach 2:1-11; Psalm 37:3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40; Mark 9:30-37 Wednesday, Feb. 27: Sirach 4:11-19; Psalm 119:165, 168, 171-172, 174-175; Mark 9:38-40 Thursday, Feb. 28: Sirach 5:1-8; Psalm 1:1-4, 6; Mark 9:41-50 n FEBRUARY 3, 2019 n B9

COURTESY OF LAURA GOODHARD

COURTESY OF PAM RHOADES

Catholic schools

Notre Dame’s ’79 state-champion baseball team reunites Notre Dame High School’s 1979 baseball team won the Fighting Irish’s one and only state championship in the sport. The team recently got together to recreate its team photo. From left are (front) Barry Courter, Charlie Cooper, Robert Kosky, Chuck Carter, Brian MacDougal, Ed Fisher, David Sorrick, and Mark Gang and (back) coach Jon Keene, Greg Dennis, Kevin Kollmansperger, Terry Blake, John Sellman, Mark Dennis, and David Fisher.

Honors continue for KCHS’s Jake Renfree

K

noxville Catholic High School senior state cross country champion Jake Renfree was named to Team USA Track & Field and competed in the Junior Co-Ed Relay in central Scotland on Jan. 12, earning a silver medal.

On Jan.19, Jake was invited to run in the Virginia Showcase at Liberty University in Lynchburg with an opportunity to qualify for the prestigious Millrose Games in New York. Jake had to win the 1-mile race with a sub-4:15 time. He came from behind down the homestretch to win with a time of 4:13.70.

The 112th Millrose Games are set for Saturday, Feb. 9, in New York City. n

Dr. Punch teaches the ‘art of the interview’ at KCHS Dr. Jerry Punch, a professional broadcaster who has covered sports for ESPN, teaches the “art of the interview” to students at Knoxville Catholic High School in December. Dr. Punch was telling students to be prepared, have more background information on the subject than needed, but most importantly, listen to what the subject says as there may be follow-up questions that can prove most insightful.

Keegan Smith wins two nationals, regional

S

Jake Renfree

Keegan Smith Knoxville. Keegan’s time was good for another 6-second win over the second-place finisher against a field of 257 runners. n

COURTESY OF ALLISON DIGENNARO

tandout runner Keegan Smith, a sixth-grader at Sacred Heart Cathedral School, added to his winnings two national titles and a regional crown, all on consecutive weekends last fall.

Keegan, who is 12 years old, finished first in the Cross Country Coaches National Youth Championships held Nov. 17 at Tom Sawyer State Park in Louisville, Ky., winning a race against more than 100 runners.

He then triumphed Nov. 24 in the Foot Locker Cross Country South Regional Championships at McAlpine Greenway in Charlotte, N.C. His time of 10 minutes, 21 seconds, bested the runner-up by 6 seconds in a field of 94.

Keegan brought home the gold medal from the AAU Cross Country National Championships held Dec. 1 at Victor Ashe Park in

St. Joseph hoops teams off to strong start St. Joseph School girls basketball players (top photo) Da’siah Downs (34), Jamin Williams (22), and Tinsley Walker (4) battle for possession in a game against Maryville Christian. At right, Brandon Winton of the Bulldogs drives for a layup against Maryville Christian. The Lady Bulldogs started the season 21-1 and 10-0 in conference play, while the boys team stood 19-2 overall and 8-2 in the conference.

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KRISTA MCGRATH

KATHY RANKIN (2)

St. Joseph School honored after Giving Tuesday Nov. 27 was recognized as Giving Tuesday, and hundreds of donors generously gave in support of parishes, schools, and ministries in the diocese through the #iGiveCatholic campaign. Overall, contributors in the Diocese of Knoxville supported 24 different ministries. With the additions of offline gifts made after Giving Tuesday, $67,409 was raised as of Dec. 10. Through support from Catholic Extension, the diocese this year awarded two prizes based on most unique donors. St. Joseph School in Knoxville had the most unique donors during both Advanced Day Giving and on Giving Tuesday.

Above, Allison DiGennaro of the diocesan Stewardship Office gives a $1,000 check to (from left) St. Joseph principal Andy Zengel, director of advancement Howie Sompayrac, and school president Father Chris Michelson. The Diocese of Knoxville was part of a much larger #iGiveCatholic campaign. Across the country, people “gave Catholic” and raised more than $5.6 million to support Catholic ministries. The next Giving Tuesday is Dec. 3, 2019.

KCHS students travel to Indy for SEEK 2019 Several Knoxville Catholic High School students traveled to Indianapolis over Christmas break for SEEK 2019, a five-day Catholic faith experience. Father Michael Hendershott and Sister John Catherine Kennedy, OP, led the excursion that dived into the deeper meaning of life, love, and true happiness. Also pictured are (from left) AJ Jackson, Clara Hay (class of 2018 graduate), Sibeal McGrath, Rachel Coco (on tiptoes), Maggie Keener (in front of Rachel), Adelaide Moulton, and Alex Dusky. Not pictured is Maddie Vanderhoofven. www.di o k no x .o rg

TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C A TH OLI C