Feb. 4, 2024, ET Catholic, B section

Donation lets cathedral complete organ install

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he end of his violin lessons as a youth did not stop Alan Sefton’s love of music, and the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus community is glad of that.

A gift from Alan and Sally Sefton is allowing the cathedral to complete the installation of its organ that was left about 40 percent complete when the mother church of the Diocese of Knoxville was dedicated in 2018. With the completion of the pipe organ manufactured by Casavant Frères of Quebec, Canada, “the organist will have the opportunity to control an instrument capable of producing the entire canon of organ repertoire, ancient to modern,” said Glenn Kahler, the cathedral’s director of music and liturgy.

The cathedral was closed after Sunday Masses through 11 a.m.

Saturdays from Jan. 16 to Feb. 9 to allow the organ work to proceed.

Mr. and Mrs. Sefton, cathedral parishioners and natives of Great Britain who joined the Church in East Tennessee, were the first people in the Diocese of Knoxville to be inducted into the Order of St. Gregory the Great in 2019. They are also members as Knight and Dame Commanders in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

The Seftons’ love of music at the cathedral evolved from their support of the University of Tennessee music department.

“My interest in music goes back

to my high school days, and one of my early regrets was ceasing violin lessons when so young,” Mr. Sefton said. “I was originally involved in the concept of holding concerts in the cathedral as soon as we decided to construct a new cathedral. As we had been long-term supporters of the UT School of Music, now elevated to the College of Music, I put together some eminent music professionals to form a committee to further the concept of holding ‘Cathedral Concerts’ in the new cathedral when completed.

“I received great support from the head of the then-UT School of Music, the director of the Knoxville Symphony, a local music-loving medical doctor, a top lawyer in Knoxville, and two professors from the School of Music; only the lawyer was Catholic! The original concept was that it would be a great evangelizing opportunity to get members of the community into a new cathedral, exposing them a little to our form of worship, and to join with them in the love of music. This was the embryonic idea that we conceived a number of years ago. Bishop [Richard F.] Stika embraced the idea and thankfully appointed Glenn Kahler as the music director. At this point the original committee was disbanded, but I give thanks to those initial members who helped us guide this to the point where he agreed it needed full-time leadership.

“It was this initial involvement

COURTESY OF THE CATHEDRAL OF THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS

Alan and Sally Sefton’s gift allows the instrument to ‘produce the entire canon of organ repertoire’ By Dan McWilliams

Seeing the works Father David Boettner, rector of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Casavant Frères vice president Simon Couture (in blue shirt and blue tie), and Alan and Sally Sefton look at plans for the cathedral’s organ at the manufacturer’s headquarters in Quebec. that led Sally and me to continue to financially support the music ministry. As far as our involvement in the organ is concerned, I was amazed that with such a short time before the cathedral dedication Mass, Father David Boettner and Glenn Kahler ordered and had installed the first part of the Casavant Frères organ just in time for this important occasion.”

Cathedral rector Father Boettner gave thanks to the Seftons for their

support of the organ’s completion.

“In building the cathedral, we always had beauty as one of our guiding principles because we really believe that beauty evangelizes.

And beauty is not only what you see with your eyes but also what you hear with your ears,” Father Boettner said. “I’m very grateful to Alan and Sally Sefton and their family for this generous gift.

Without their help, we would have Organ continued on page B2

Knoxville Catholic dedicates STEM Innovation Lab The Witsoe family and other donors receive thanks for making the ‘really exciting’ facility possible By Gabrielle Nolan

DR. KELLY KEARSE

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grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new, state-of-the-art STEM Innovation Lab took place at Knoxville Catholic High School on Jan. 9.

Students, teachers, faculty, families, and local media crews toured the newly renovated space, which measures nearly 2,500 square feet, where students can learn skills on industry-standard equipment.

KCHS president Dickie Sompayrac welcomed a large crowd to the dedication.

“We’re so excited that you’re here. We are so excited for this space,” he said. “This idea came about when we made plans to build our auditorium. People started asking, what are you going to do with the old Blackbox Theatre? This was our old theater, that many of you know and probably have been to some plays in here. We knew we needed a spot for robotics, and that’s where it started, we wanted to give robotics a home. And that grew into, hey, let’s make this a little bit bigger.”

Mr. Sompayrac thanked Johnson Architecture and Rouse Construction for their involvement in building the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) lab.

He also thanked the donors who contributed to the lab, particularly the Witsoe family, for whom the lab is named.

“We met with Craig and Katie (Witsoe) sometime back, actually we were talking to them about the auditorium, and this was part of that project,” Mr. Sompayrac said. “At the end of our spiel we said we’re also doing an innovation lab which is going to be really exciting. We didn’t have that vision completely formed out, but I saw them kind of perk up a little bit. Craig started asking lots of questions about it, said he wanted to be a part of it, and we welcomed that.

So, Craig and Katie, thank you for your involvement and helping us get here.”

“I do want to mention, there’s so many people, and I can’t mention all the donors, I do want to mention a few,” he continued. “Kevin and Jennifer Brinkmann for their role; their kids have been a part of the robotics program here, and they stepped up to help make this happen.

Randy Burleson, many of you know Randy Burleson from Aubrey’s, he’s a great supporter of all

Making it official Innovation Lab director, teacher, and robotics mentor Douglas Parris cuts the ribbon to open the lab. With him are (from left) Kaitlin McEnery, Andrew Medlyn, Knoxville Catholic vice president of institutional advancement Joni Punch, KCHS president Dickie Sompayrac, Ian Witsoe, Matthew Witsoe, Craig Witsoe (Innovation Lab chair and CEO of ELO Touch Solutions), Katie Witsoe, Anna Witsoe, Jeff Williamson of Johnson Architecture, and Seth Sterling of Rouse Construction. It was standing-room only at the ribbon cutting and dedication of the new STEM Innovation Lab. Nearly 100 people were able to see firsthand all of the new equipment and capabilities with members of the KCHS robotics team, Robotichauns Team 2393. schools. We’re proud to claim him because he’s an ’83 grad of Catholic High, but Randy stepped up. … John Croes, who couldn’t be here tonight, he’s another gentleman who has played a big role with his support for making this lab happen.”

Mr. Sompayrac acknowledged KCHS teacher Douglas Parris, who teaches STEM classes and runs the robotics program.

“My philosophy in hiring people is you hire great people, and then you let them do what they do. Doug has been instrumental in helping us provide a vision for this space. He’s done a great job with robotics, he’s been a long-time math

teacher, he’s taught physics here, he’s now teaching coding. But Doug’s influence is all throughout this lab, and I just want to thank Doug,” Mr. Sompayrac said, obtaining a round of applause.

“Also, I want to mention, I don’t want to take these guys for granted, we’ve got an awesome advancement team here at Knoxville Catholic…

Joni Punch and Father Chris Michelson, just helping from day one with everything that goes into this, from fundraising to doing what it takes to make this place special. I’m grateful to you guys for your help and thank you so much. To Pam STEM continued on page B3

never even imagined taking on the completion of the organ. Their gift is going to bring beauty into our cathedral. It will again give us the opportunity to reach out and welcome members of the community of East Tennessee, not just parishioners, but Catholic and non-Catholic people throughout East Tennessee through our Concert Series and worship and liturgies. This new completion of the organ is going to enhance the way we pray together and give us an opportunity to touch a lot of lives.

“Their gift enables us to complete the organ without adding any burden on the parish. The completion of the organ was a little over $1.2 million.

Then there also was some preparatory work that needed to be done, and they also covered the cost of that, so it was a very generous gift.”

Award-winning cathedral organist Byong Suk Moon, who has performed internationally, will play the newly completed instrument at Sacred Heart.

“In business I tried to make our products the best they could possibly be, and in that regard I am possibly somewhat of a perfectionist. It troubled me that we did not have a complete instrument; it troubled me more that we had a superb organist in Dr. Moon,” Mr. Sefton said. “We needed to give him the best we could afford. This became our driving force to complete the Casavant Frères organ. This is Sally’s and my gift to the cathedral, which will, hopefully, like many organs in Europe, still be heard 200 years from now.”

Mr. Moon said he is “so glad that the cathedral finally has an organ worthy of its name value. Perhaps I am the one who has been most pleased in waiting for the organ to be completed. I am very excited when I imagine playing a new organ.”

Laying the groundwork Mary Mac Wilson, chief operating officer at the cathedral, also expressed her gratitude to “the generosity of the Sefton family” that will allow Sacred Heart “to complete the building of the second half of our beautiful pipe organ,” she said.

Hickory Construction of Alcoa laid the groundwork for the completion of the organ.

“In the fall of 2023, Hickory Construction began preparing the choir loft to receive the completion of the pipe organ,” Mrs. Wilson said.

“Hickory Construction was responsible for the on-site organ preparation, including electric work, cutting molding and railing, relocating the ramp, and removing light fixtures.

Stage two of this magnificent project . . .will provide all the resources of tonal architecture to support the singing of a large congregation as well as a masterful instrument to glorify God and support the liturgy of music for worship. We are extremely grateful for the generosity of the Sefton family. Their beautiful gift has fully funded the completion of the project without any additional expense to the cathedral. Without the Sefton family, this would not have been possible.”

Daily Mass-goers have attended 8:05 a.m. liturgies in the Sacred Heart Cathedral School cafeteria and noon Masses in the cathedral’s Shea Room in its office building. Confessions on Wednesdays and Saturdays have taken place at the school.

“Our community has been very receptive to accommodating the changes to daily Mass in order for the work to be completed,” Mrs. Wilson said. “Our parish staff has worked very hard to ensure that we have proper signage and special greeters to ensure all can find their way. We appreciate the enthusiasm to promote the completion of the organ.”

Casavant Frères, founded in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, in 1879, has manufactured and installed organs around North America and across the world for its nearly century and a half of existence.

“We have been honored to continue to work with Casavant Frères in Canada, who completed our main organ prior to the completion of the cathedral in 2018,” Mrs. Wilson said.

“The Casavant team of craftspeople, designers, and managers make inB2 n FEBRUARY 4, 2024

house virtually all the parts of the organ including the pipes, consoles, and keyboards. They have an esteemed reputation and have been responsible for the organs in the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.; the Northern Cathedral in Beijing, China; Saemoonan Presbyterian Church in Seoul, South Korea; the Church of St. Louis, King of France, in St. Paul, Minn.; and St. Michael’s CathedralBasilica in Toronto, Canada.”

Visiting the ‘organ works’ The Seftons, Mr. Kahler, Bishop Stika, Father Boettner, and others traveled to Casavant Frères in April of last year. Casavant vice president Simon Couture assisted the group on its visit.

“Their operation covered many tens of thousands of square feet in a very old building; in fact, it was a huge area” Mr. Sefton said. “Over the years, they have reduced some of the items they used to make such as furniture. My initial impression as we walked through the door was that the factory was out of the 1900s.

Some of the special tools that they were using were again most likely produced by the father of a father who worked there many, many years ago. They look well-worn but obviously still did a great service.

“We saw a number of different processes that they do to make the instrument. It all made much more sense when we saw the individual component’s final purpose. One of the first procedures we saw was a long table, which must have been 80 or so feet long, covered in what I could only term as baby powder. At the head of the table was a big castiron crucible, where molten metal was at a very elevated temperature, and at a certain point we saw this crucible turn up and pour all the molten metal down the 80-foot-long table. We found this formed a sheet of metal with unique markings and was very, very thin. When cooled, the sheet was rolled up and sent to storage. We later found out that this formed the tin alloy sheet that the pipes are formed from, and even the markings on the pipes came from that initial process. We also learned that the ratio of tin to other metals very much influenced the resulting tone of the pipes—this is why they justified making the sheet material themselves.”

Later in the “organ works” tour, Mr. Sefton said the group saw the pipes being tuned and voiced.

“It is interesting that when we came to where the keyboard was being made, ivory obviously is no longer used, so the tops of the white keys are made from bone,” he said.

“When we ventured toward the area where the final assembly of organs was taking place prior to final tuning and dispatch, we saw a very large, completed instrument that was scheduled to be shipped to be installed in ‘The Great Hall of The People’ in Beijing, China.”

On the same day as the visit to Casavant Frères, the group toured the St. Joseph Oratory, which was founded in 1874 and where St. André Bessette resided for some 63 years until his death in 1937.

“As Saint-Hyacinthe was so near Montreal, on our way to the airport we had time for a real treat as we were able to visit Montreal Cathedral,” Mr. Sefton said. “We were met by the organist, Pierre Grandmaison, and traveled a huge number of stairs into the choir loft of the cathedral. It was here our very own organist, Dr. Moon, without a sheet of music in front of him, gave us an amazing rendition of Bach’s ‘Toccata and Fugue in D Minor.’ The entire cathedral was filled with this wonderful classic.

“We arrived back at McGhee Tyson Airport later that evening with a much better understanding and respect for what goes into these magnificent instruments to play music for the glory of God.”

‘Like having a 30-voice choir’ Father Boettner said the original installation phase of the cathedral’s organ left it about two-fifths complete. While the first phase of the organ seemed to an untrained ear to have a powerful sound, the com-

DAN MCWILLIAMS (3)

Organ continued from page B1

Work ongoing Glenn Kahler, Sacred Heart director of music and liturgy, stands among the organ pipes and scaffolding in the choir loft.

Scaffolding erected Martin Côté (top) and Étienne Bernier of Casavant Frères work on the pipes for the cathedral organ in the choir loft. Alan and Sally Sefton, Glenn Kahler, Bishop Richard F. Stika, Father David Boettner, and others traveled to Casavant Frères in Quebec in April 2023. Casavant vice president Simon Couture assisted the group on its visit. “Their operation covered many tens of thousands of square feet in a very old building; in fact, it was a huge area,” Mr. Sefton said.

Stops unpulled The three-manual cathedral organ and its stops are shown amid the construction work in the choir loft. pleted instrument will allow the player to do much more.

“It’s a wider instrumentation, so you’ll have more sounds available for the organist. It’ll be more complete,” Father Boettner said. “The pipe organ itself is like a choir, so if you wanted a metaphor—the first phase of the organ was kind of like having a 10-voice choir. The second phase is going to be like having a 30-voice choir.”

On a recent weekday afternoon, Casavant Frères workers Raphael Ashby, Martin Côté, Étienne Bernier, and Marco Laferrière were working on the organ installation in the cathedral’s choir loft.

Mr. Ashby is new to the company.

“I don’t have much to compare with, but it’s a fun project for sure,” he said.

His group will work on the installation for about a month, Mr. Ashby said.

“At least four weeks, and then there’s another team that comes in to finish the harmonization of the instrument after us. We’re there to put everything together, and then they’re going to come in and fix up the different pipe sounds and make everything equal,” he said.

When he was interviewed, Mr. Ashby said to that point “we’ve put together all of the pedal section in the back, and then we’re going to get going on the second side, which contains the stops of the third manual, the third keyboard of the organ.”

Mr. Kahler said the cathedral’s pipe organ is model Casavant Opus 3927. Stage one of its installation included an unenclosed Great Division with 14 stops, 19 ranks, and 1,135 pipes, and an expressive Choir Division with 17 stops, 12 ranks, and 720 pipes, as well as a three-manual console located in the choir loft.

“Stage two, which is currently being installed, includes the addi-

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tion of the Swell Division with 20 stops, 19 ranks, and 1,104 pipes; the Pedal Division with 20 stops, eight ranks, and 322 pipes; as well as an identical movable second console located in the sanctuary to support the liturgy as well as organ performance in concerts and events,” Mr. Kahler said. “The cathedral pipe organ, once completed, will feature a total of 71 stops and over 58 ranks with 3,281 individual pipes.”

Mr. Moon, the cathedral organist, compared the added stops to having a larger orchestra at his hands.

“That means I am going to have a lot more choices I want to express through playing than before,” he said. “I couldn’t play any big organ concerts because the current organ has just a small capacity. For the liturgy, I will have more opportunity to make various sounds that can create a more varied atmosphere and mood for the congregation.

“The cathedral congregation never has experienced the authentic big pipe organ. The cathedral has used a digital organ for nearly 50 years and has been using the small pipe organ of today for five years. Once the organ is completed, the congregation will finally see what role the organ plays in liturgy and how rich the organ can make the entire liturgy.”

An entire ‘orchestra’ Mr. Kahler explained the organ terms.

“One can think of a large organ in essence as an entire ‘orchestra’ capable of being played by a single highly skilled musician,” he said.

“Some general terminology may help when discussing a pipe organ: a stop is like a specific group of instruments in that orchestra, and a rank is a collection of pipes that make up that stop. The organOrgan continued on page B3 TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C ATH OLI C

Rhoades, Megan Erpenbach, and the rest of our advancement team, Alison Ross, we’ve got an awesome team, and thank you guys for the good work that you do,” Mr. Sompayrac concluded.

Before the ribbon-cutting, Father Michelson, chair of the KCHS board of trustees and special adviser to the president, blessed the new space.

“By his own life, Jesus showed us the dignity and importance of human labor,” he prayed. “When Jesus became man, He was known as the carpenter’s son. By working with His earthly father, Jesus used His own hands to transform the earth to items that benefited others. So today, we ask your blessings to be with this STEM Innovation Lab, where students will transform their knowledge into the work of their hands to benefit others. Lord, we ask your blessing on all students who will learn and build here, on their teachers who will instruct and inspire here, and in a special way we ask your blessing on the Witsoe family for making this classroom and workshop a reality for Knoxville Catholic High.

May God, who commanded us to help one another as brothers and sisters, bless this STEM lab with His presence and look kindly upon all who will enter here. May almighty God bless all of us gathered here today and all those who will enter this building in years to come. And may almighty God bless each of us in this room this day, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

Mr. Parris was given the honor of cutting the ceremonial ribbon at the dedication.

He shared that he had direct involvement with

Cutting conversation Diego Lopez-Toledo, Dr. Michael Kropilak, and Douglas Parris are pictured with the vertical band saw in the lab.

the planning of the STEM Innovation Lab. “I pretty much picked out the equipment or had one of our mentors help me pick out the equipment,” he said. “I was involved in the budgeting for it and what it was going to take, what the dream was basically, what we wanted in here, the workspace out there. I guess my main involvement would be purchasing agent—I was the one that made sure we had everything we wanted in the rooms and really to know what would give our kids the best shot at being ready for the next generation of jobs that are going to be out there.”

For Mr. Parris, the dedication of the new lab is “beyond words.”

“This is amazing,” he said. “To go from where we were and being so cramped and having so few tools to use to being able to see the kids build everything, design everything, see them see their vision from the electronic world into the physical world… I mean that’s our goal—the goal is that they leave here with a true understanding of what their mind can design and build and create… It’s beyond words. I’m just super pumped.”

KCHS senior Andrew Medlyn said that Mr. Parris is “amazing.”

“This whole thing is his brainchild, so he’s the driving force behind it,” he said. “He’s who got it done, and he’s who organized everything and made sure that we had the best equipment we could have.”

As captain of the robotics team, Andrew is excited to use the STEM lab regularly.

“Before this space existed, we were out in the fieldhouse, we were in a much smaller space, like half the size of this (lab) room. We didn’t have many machines, so anything that we wanted to custom-make we had to outsource and send it,” he said.

The presence of machinery, such as a 3-D printer, gives the students more hands-on experience than they previously had.

“It means that we can do everything in-house, so we’ll learn so much more, and then students will leave our program with the ability to get a good vocations job if they so choose,” Andrew said.

“We’ll have a major advantage at any college.”

Mr. Witsoe, who is an engineer by training, explained why it was important for his family to become involved with the STEM Innovation Lab. “It’s very much been part of our life, and we thought it was great for Knoxville Catholic to have a place where people interested in STEM could come together,” he said. “Usually, we have places for the sports teams, and you now have places for the theater, for the arts, and so this is a place for

GABRIELLE NOLAN (3)

STEM continued from page B1

‘We can do everything in-house’ Grayson Benton (left), Kailin McEnery, Terri James, and Chuck James stand next to last year’s Team 2393 Robotichauns competition robot.

Presiding priest Father Chris Michelson leads the blessing of the KCHS Stem Lab. the kids interested in STEM. We’ve got a son and a daughter who are both mechanical engineers at UT right now. … And I can tell you, part of the reason they chose engineering was just what they learned from Doug Parris and his classes, so we wanted to be able to help pay some of that forward, and we’re just honored to be part of the program.” ■

Organ continued from page B2

ist plays the instrument from the console, which features a set of keyboards, called manuals, stacked one on top of the other, where each manual corresponds to a specific division or major section of the organ controlling the stops, for example Great, Choir, Swell, or Pedal. In addition to the top three manuals played with the hands, the organist also plays a fourth manual with his feet, called the pedalboard.”

The first stage of the organ did well for what it was made for, Mr. Kahler said.

“Stage one was skillfully designed to support the liturgy as best as possible given the funding limitations at the time,” he said. “While the first half of the pipe organ has performed that task admirably over the last five years, it has done so with inherent limitation to the range of repertoire that was possible, as well as a lack of expressivity, color, depth, and breadth of sound that stage two offers.”

The cathedral organ is tailored to suit liturgical music, as opposed to another model such as the “Mighty Wurlitzer” at the Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville, which has percussion instruments among its ranks and is geared more toward modern variety shows, Mr. Kahler said.

“The cathedral pipe organ is designed most of all to support large cathedral-quality liturgies and ceremonies, and each of the 71 stops over 58 ranks—none of which are percussion instruments, naturally— is intentionally voiced as a liturgical instrument befitting the solemnity of the worship space. Secondarily, this organ is a concert-capable threemanual instrument and features a second identical console that resides in the sanctuary, which undoubtedly will be greatly appealing to other liturgical or concert organists.”

The additional pipes of the completed cathedral organ will not provide more volume “but will provide for greater depth and range of sound and combinations of sounds,” Mr. Kahler said. “Stage one of the cathedral pipe organ was TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C AT HO L I C

‘voiced,’ the process by which the organ builder changes the aural characteristics of the sound produced by a pipe or pipes based on the laws of physics and construction material of which they are made, at a particular volume level to fill the cathedral worship space. Following the installation of stage two, both stage one and stage two will be re-voiced together so the completed pipe instrument produces a well-blended and balanced sound amplitude.”

The organ’s completion will help the cathedral’s music ministry in three major ways, Mr. Kahler said.

“The first and most important benefit of a completed pipe organ is its use in the liturgy,” he said. “It is tremendously helpful to have available the entire canon of organ repertoire for use. Moreover, with the added expressiveness, depth, color, and breadth of sounds and combinations of sounds, the organist can change the sound character and style to better connect the music and message and heighten our worship experience through reinforcing or altering our mood or emotional state corresponding to the progressive solemnity in the Mass throughout the liturgical cycle.

“The second major benefit of a completed pipe organ is its use in education. Every cathedral has a responsibility to act as a center for assembly, worship, communication, and education for the people of the diocese. Regarding music ministry in the diocese, the latter began to coalesce with the establishment of the Diocese of Knoxville Music Commission in 2017. Since then, the Music Commission has laid the groundwork for the next step of establishing the Cathedral Academy of Music, a project that is set to launch this year. The Cathedral Academy of Music will offer training programs and certification for musicians, accompanists, directors, cantors, and clergy in the Diocese of Knoxville by providing opportunities to gain professional-level knowledge and experience through

lessons, courses, and applied participation with musicians from around the diocese and beyond.”

The third benefit of the completed organ “is its use in evangelization,” Mr. Kahler said. “Another wellestablished program of the DOK Music Commission is the Cathedral Concert Series. Since 2018, the Cathedral Concert Series has hosted more than 65 free concerts featuring the finest local, regional, national, and international sacred and instrumental ensembles in the effort to support the performing arts and foster an appreciation for sacred and instrumental music in East Tennessee. The Cathedral Concert Series annually brings tens of thousands of non-Catholics, performers, and audiences together with even more through the livestream, and offers them a welcoming opportunity to see and hear the space while learning more about the cathedral and the Church, making the CCS a dynamic tool for evangelization. The completion of the pipe organ will certainly increase the prominence and visibility of the cathedral parish and Diocese of Knoxville around the world through its role in the Cathedral Concert Series.”

A high place in the Church The pipe organ has a high place in the Catholic Church, Mr. Kahler said.

“The pipe organ is a fascinating instrument, as much science and physics as it is art and culture,” he said. “The pipe organ is not only the most complex instrument humanity has ever created, and subsequently the most challenging to play well, it is also the single most important instrument in the Roman Catholic Church. Due to its capabilities and flexibility, the pipe organ is regarded as the only instrument afforded a place of honor in any liturgy, having faithfully served the Church and God’s people in worship for at least the last 1,000 years.”

Mr. Kahler quoted article 120 of Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, promulgated by Pope St. Paul VI in 1963

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during the Second Vatican Council: “In the Latin Church, the pipe organ is to be held in high esteem, for it is the traditional musical instrument, which adds a wonderful splendor to the Church’s ceremonies and powerfully lifts up (the human) mind to God and to higher things.”

The cathedral organ is by design intended to blend with the human singing voice and the musical instruments in the liturgical or ceremonial context, Mr. Kahler said.

“The pipe organ’s sustained sound is able to support participation and reinforce the soundwaves generated by the person singing. That is another reason the organ is so important to congregational singing of hymns, psalms, and songs of the Church,” he said. “Brass instruments and percussive membranophones like timpani also share a natural affinity with the organ, as the soundwaves of these types of instruments closely resemble and carry majestically like those of the organ. With the increased range of subtle sound capabilities of the organ, other light and nuance instruments like the piano, winds, and strings can be used to a surprisingly beautiful efficacy throughout music repertoire.”

Mr. Kahler is also thankful for the Seftons’ gift.

“We feel an inestimable level of gratitude to the Sefton family for their gift to fully fund stage two and complete the cathedral pipe organ,” Mr. Kahler said. “Sir Alan and Dame Sally Sefton have furthermore provided an accompanying gift that establishes a means for the instruments’ perpetual care and maintenance without cost to the cathedral parish or Diocese of Knoxville into perpetuity.

“Through the Sefton family’s tremendous gifts, as well as all those who have contributed to the Organ Fund since 2018, Cathedral Music Ministry is poised for an exciting future as this magnificent instrument is completed, the programs that benefit from it are realized, and the people of the Diocese of Knoxville are supported through worship, formation, and service.” ■ FEBRUARY 4, 2024 n B3

Parish notes Chattanooga Deanery

St. Francis of Assisi, Fairfield Glade

St. Bridget, Dayton

Father Jim Vick will start a new Bible study in the coming weeks with classes held on Tuesdays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. His next topic will be the Book of Genesis.

St. Jude, Chattanooga The parish celebrated pastor Father Charlie Burton’s birthday with a potluck luncheon Feb. 13. Father Burton’s birthday is Feb. 17.

The Council of Catholic Women changed its meeting dates to first Tuesdays starting Feb. 6.

A Good Samaritan Collection of food and hygiene products to benefit Northside Neighborhood House in Chattanooga began Feb. 3-4.

Anniversaries: Paul and Barbara Thrower (67), Gerald and Barbara Philips (62), Herman and Frances Eichner (61), Joe and Loretta Kreskowiak (60), Carmen and Lynne Lynch (59), Mark and Carol Hafford (58), Edmond and Sue Czysz (56), Robert and Martha Heck (56), Douglas and Christina Nawrocki (53), John and Diana Schornack (52), Richard and Judy Lodes (52), Walter and Lenore Glowacki (50), Gerald and Judith Pacini (25) St. John Neumann, Farragut

The Children’s Liturgy of the Word at St. Jude celebrated its 30th anniversary of sharing the Good News with the children of the parish at the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Jan. 21.

St. John Neumann’s Daddy-Daughter Dance is set for 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, in the school gym. The event is open to girls of all ages and their fathers. Buy tickets at sjnknox.org/fun.

St. Mary, Athens

The Off to the Races Derby Auction to benefit St. John Neumann School will be held Saturday, March 2, in the gym.

The Catholic family band MJM7, featuring Michael James Mette and his children, will perform in the parish life center at 7 p.m. Sunday, March 10.

See Sue Granger or Deacon Al Forsythe for more information.

Following the 8 a.m. Mass on Jan. 20, a breakfast was held for fathers, sons, and grandsons.

The Knights of Columbus held a pancake breakfast after morning Masses on Jan. 28. A portion of donations collected went to the Tri-County Center in Athens, which helps intellectually challenged adults in the area.

St. Stephen, Chattanooga The 16th annual St. Stephen Golf Tournament is set for Saturday, April 20, at Brainerd Golf Course.

The Knights of Columbus held their Super Bowl Sunday pork loin sale Feb. 11 in the Knights hall to benefit their pro-life efforts. At the same time, the Ladies Auxiliary sold home-baked goods to support its charities.

Anniversary: Philip and Doreen Wirchansky (55)

Five Rivers Deanery Holy Trinity, Jefferson City Holy Family Olive Wood Carving, a group with a mission to help Catholic families in Bethlehem, will be at Holy Trinity on the weekend of March 9-10.

The Council of Catholic Women is sponsoring a “Flags on the Hill” effort allowing parishioners to honor a loved one who served in the military or to honor a branch of military service. The flags are displayed on Presidents’ Day, Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Patriots Day, Veterans Day, and Pearl Harbor Day.

COURTESY OF MARK PENDLEY

The youth group is conducting a fundraising “Valentine’s Dinner” in the church hall on Saturday, Feb. 10, following the 5:30 p.m. Mass. Prices are $25 per single ticket and $45 per couple.

Father John Matejek, who has assisted at St. Francis of Assisi, announced that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He thanked parishioners for their prayers for him. He said he has participated in the Parkinson’s Foundation’s program called Rock Steady Boxing, which provides exercises designed to assist anyone with Parkinson’s to improve motor skills for daily living. Todd Goodwin is the area head coach and certified master trainer for Rock Steady Boxing. He may be reached at 931-539-1047 or tgoodwin1775@gmail.com.

Conference facilitator Kevin Musser and wife Sheila

Third St. Dominic Catholic Men’s Conference set March 9

T

he third annual East Tennessee Catholic Men’s Conference will be held at St. Dominic Church in Kingsport on Saturday, March 9. The event begins at 7:30 a.m. and will end around 3:30 p.m.

The theme for 2024 is “Mission: Building Foundations of a Virtuous Life.” This year’s conference again aims to be enlightening and spiritually fulfilling for fathers, sons, brothers, and men of all ages.

Topics will be geared toward men of all age groups. The event includes breakout sessions, opportunities for reconciliation, eucharistic adoration, and Mass.

Speakers at the conference will be St. Dominic associate pastor Father Andrew Crabtree and Deacon Frank Fischer, Jim Connors, Piotr Ulmer, Kevin Roth, and Paul Simoneau, director of the Diocese of Knoxville Office of Justice and Peace.

“The East Tennessee Catholic Men’s Conference has become a ‘must attend’ event for an increasing number of men over the past couple of years,” said conference facilitator Kevin Musser. “I have enjoyed the camaraderie with the

guys, the opportunity for sacraments, and praying together with them. The first men’s conference I attended really affirmed a place where I could be comfortable in my Catholic skin and be encouraged by the speakers to live my life for Christ. Based on the growth I am seeing, there are many more who must be feeling the same way I do.

It’s great to meet young men and experienced (older men) like me, that even though their wife may have pushed them to attend are really blessed by the experience.

“With it being a one-day faithfilled event, it is more doable to give one Saturday to become a real man of God. I recommend it to all men in East Tennessee, southwest Virginia, and surrounding areas.

You can bring your sons or grandsons for free if they are under 18.”

Breakfast and lunch will be provided at the conference, and there will be a social at the end of the event for men to continue conversations and fellowship. Cost is $35. See the advertisement on page A8 of this issue. Register online at www.saint dominickpt.org/mens-conference. n

COURTESY OF FATHER JULIUS ABUH (3)

The St. Bridget Women’s Council collected baby items and cash donations benefiting The Care Center in Dayton for its annual “baby shower” in January in commemoration of the Roe v.

Wade decision.

The Knights of Columbus led a rosary after Mass on the third Wednesday of the month, Jan. 17, for an end to all abortions.

The parish announced that its rummage sale is set for Oct. 11-12, and items will be accepted beginning Sept. 1. Those with a place to store large items should call Donna Dunn at 631-495-0031.

The Knights of Columbus awarded Keith “Smitty” Morvant with its familyof-the-quarter honor for the fourth quarter of 2023.

Notre Dame, Greeneville

Cumberland Mountain Deanery Blessed Sacrament, Harriman The parish is having “Walking with Purpose: A Women’s Bible Study Group” on Thursdays in Lent, beginning with the first meeting from 12:30 to 2 p.m. on Feb. 15. To learn more, e-mail Deb Hunt at debbiehunt04@ gmail.com.

The Knights of Columbus sold “Super Bowl subs” on the weekend of Feb. 10-11.

As a Lenten preparation, a four-week class on the compline (night) prayer of the Church and the Psalms began Jan. 18.

Blessed Sacrament’s prayer-blanket ministry has a small number of blankets available in the parish office. The ministry needs blankets for adults.

Dimensions of 50 by 100 inches work best and can be handmade, crocheted, knit, or quilted. They may also be tied blankets of washable materials.

Those making a blanket should bring it to the parish office. The blanket will be blessed and gift-boxed. Donations of yarn are also accepted.

B4 n FEBRUARY 4, 2024

A Eucharistic Mission will be held at Notre Dame from Wednesday, Feb. 21, through Sunday, Feb. 25, with a display of the Eucharistic Miracles of the World, an exhibition conceived and designed by Blessed Carlo Acutis.

A documentary on Blessed Carlo will be shown after the 6 p.m. Mass on Wednesday during a Lenten soup supper to begin the mission. Additional hours of adoration will be offered during this time, and a parish retreat will take place after the Saturday-morning Mass.

St. Patrick, Morristown The parish is reaching out to its growing number of young adults and held a meeting for those aged 18-35 on Feb. 11 to explore building a group that will be spiritually and socially impactful to them.

The St. Patrick Samaritan Committee recently thanked parishioners for their generosity. In the past two months, the committee has helped 42 families with food, 13 with electricity, and 11 with rent. The committee encourages parishioners to donate items to Knox Area Rescue Ministries and tell them Parish notes continued on page B8

St. Joseph the Worker celebrates the feast of the Presentation St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Madisonville held a blessing of candles and a procession on the feast day of the Presentation of Our Lord on Feb. 2.

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

Calendar

The Monsignor Bill Gahagan Memorial Lenten Music Series will take place at 5:30 p.m. Fridays from Feb. 16 through March 22 at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Alcoa. Stations of the Cross at 6 p.m. and a fish dinner at 6:30 will follow each music meditation. Musicians featured are Diane Boyd Schultz on flute on Feb. 16, Wayne Gilreath on organ and piano on Feb. 23, Sarah Fellenbaum on trumpet on March 1, Sean Claire on violin on March 8, and Wesley Baldwin on cello on March 15.

The Our Lady of Fatima music ministry will perform on March 22.

Search for Christian Maturity retreat 171 will be held from 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25, at St. John Neumann Church in Farragut. Search is a weekend retreat experience sponsored by the Office of Youth, Young Adult, and Pastoral Juvenil Ministry in collaboration with Knoxville Catholic High School. The weekends are for any high school juniors and seniors. The program is both rooted in the Catholic faith and open to young people of any denomination or creed. Search provides an opportunity to think, talk, question, and wonder about life and faith in an accepting and challenging environment. It is an opportunity to experience God and God’s family in a personal and real way. The weekend is youth- and peer-oriented; it is run by youth, to youth, and for youth, and all under the guidance of a team of adult mentors. Cost for the weekend is $95, which is all-inclusive. For permission/medical forms, a code of conduct and release, and a team application, or to sponsor a retreatant, visit dioknox. org/events/search-171. Search 172 will be held March 1-3 at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church in Cleveland. The details are the same for Search 172 except that the youth office will be conducting it in collaboration with Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga.

The website for Search 172 is dioknox. org/events/search-172.

A Picture of Love retreat for engaged couples is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Feb. 23-24, at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga. This marriage-preparation program is a supplement to a couple’s marriage formation with their parish priest or deacon. Picture of Love explores the joys and challenges of living out the sacrament of matrimony with special focus on the importance of inviting Jesus to be the center of marriage and family life. The program will help each couple gain insights into their relationship as well as give them practical ideas and tools to help smooth their journey and become the “Picture of Love” to one another. Meeting times are 6:45 to 10 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Saturday. Cost is $175 per couple.

Payment is due two weeks before the weekend. For a registration form, visit dioknox.org/events/picture-of-lovefeb-2024. Also at the website are three TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C AT HO L I C

COURTESY OF GEORGE VALADIE

The 25th annual Mardi Gras event to benefit St. Joseph School in Knoxville is set for 5:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 24, in the school gym.

Costs are $80 per person, $600 for a table of eight, and $750 for a table of 10. Purchase tickets at sjsknox.org/ mardigras/.

St. Joseph School is now enrolling pre-kindergarten (age 4) through eighth-grade students. Contact principal Andy Zengel at azengel@sjsknox. org, visit sjsknox.org, or call 865-6893424 for more details.

Regnum Christi-Knoxville is hosting a Lenten Evening of Reflection for women Thursday, Feb. 29, at All Saints Church in Knoxville featuring guest speaker Lindy Wynne of the “Mamas in Spirit” podcast. The evening will begin with a soup supper at 6 p.m., followed by praise and worship music at 6:30, Ms. Wynne’s talk at 7, and adoration from 7:45 until closing.

For more information, e-mail RegnumChristi.Knoxville@gmail.com.

The Cathedral Concert Series will present “French Opera Jewels,” the second concert of the season by the Amadeus Chamber Ensemble, at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Brian Salesky will conduct the orchestra, chorus, and guest soloists Rochelle Bard, Aaron Short, and Nathan Matticks in a program devoted to favorites and rarities representing the best of the Golden Age of 19th-century French Grand Opera. In addition to the presentation of vocal selections from Faust, William Tell, Hamlet, Lakme, The Tales of Hoffmann, The Pearl Fishers, The Huguenots, and La Juive, concertmaster Miroslav Hristov will take the spotlight in Meditation from Thaïs. Admission is free: Seating is limited. Doors open one hour before the concert. The event will also be livestreamed and recorded with archived access available at m.youtube.com/c/SacredHeart CathedralKnoxvilleTN. The direct link for free tickets is www.eventbrite. com/e/cathedral-concert-amadeuschamber-ensemble-orchestrachorus-tickets-814418215807.

Catholic Charities of East Tennessee’s “A Golden Gala” event is set for 6 p.m. Thursday, March 7, at Bridgewater Place in Knoxville. Tickets are available at ccetn.org/knoxgala24.

Catholic Charities of East Tennessee’s annual Race for Kids 5K & Family Walk will be held Saturday, April 20, at Victor Ashe Park in Knoxville. The event is CCETN’s principal fundraiser each year and supports all 11 of its children’s and family programs. Registration is $35 for adults ($40 on race day) and $20 for children 5-17 ($25 on race day). Children 4 and under are admitted free. Register or learn more at runsignup.com/Race/ TN/Knoxville/RaceforKids. The race route is viewable at www.mapmyrun. com/routes/view/4914341737.

The Healing Ministry at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Alcoa offers healing prayers every third weekend of the month for anyone who has a physical, emotional, or spiritual need. Individual healing prayer will be offered in Spanish in the church immediately following the 7 p.m. Saturday Mass in Spanish, and prayer will be offered in English in the chapel immediately following the 11 a.m. Sunday Mass. Call Toni Jacobs at 561-315-5911 if you have any questions.

The downtown Knoxville St. Patrick’s Parade is planned for 1 p.m.

Saturday, March 16. The event benefits Catholic Charities of East Tennessee. The day offers food, games, and more for the whole family. To sponsor, participate, volunteer, or learn more, visit knoxstpatricksparade.com.

A 14-day pilgrimage to Catholic England, led by Father Joe Reed Calendar continued on page B8

Chattanooga Serrans honor clergy and religious at dinner The Serra Club of Greater Chattanooga hosted its annual Religious Appreciation Dinner at the Mountain City Club on Jan. 18. Founded to pray for, work for, and support religious vocations, the club pays tribute to those priests, deacons, and religious within the deanery who have celebrated their five-year ordination anniversaries in the past year. The annual evening’s events include a cocktail hour and seated dinner that precede the presentations. This year’s honorees were the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul’s Deacon Joseph Roy (one year), St. Stephen associate pastor Father Christopher Manning (10 years), Our Lady of Perpetual Help pastor Father Arthur Torres (10 years), Sts. Peter and Paul Hispanic minister Sister Eloísa Torralba Aquino, MAG (25 years), and St. Augustine pastor Father John Dowling (40 years). From left are Father Torres, Serra Club president Priscilla McLean, Sister Eloísa, Father Dowling, Father Manning, and master of ceremonies Steve Chardos.

COURTESY OF BILL HEWITT

The annual Chrism Mass will be celebrated at 7 p.m. Monday, March 25, at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. At the Chrism Mass, diocesan priests renew their priestly vows. Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre will bless the sacred chrism, the oil of catechumens, and the oil of the sick that will be used in parishes of the diocese for the next year. The Mass will be livestreamed on the cathedral’s YouTube page at www. youtube.com/@shcathedral.

exercises: a personality test, a “love language profile for couples,” and a fillable budget worksheet. Couples are asked to complete the exercises in advance and bring them to the retreat— see the website for more details.

St. Henry Knights donate $500 to Cub Scouts Grand Knight Bob McDaniel (right) of the Knights of Columbus at St. Henry Parish in Rogersville presented a check from Council 8860 to Cubmaster Danny Jackson for $500 on Jan. 29. Council members voted at their November meeting to support Cub Scout Pack 100 with the purchase of uniforms and to help defer some of the cost of field trips for the coming year. The council’s financial secretary donated a sleeping bag to the pack. Mr. Jackson updated the council in November on the many projects the Cub Scouts had been involved in during the past year.

Fergusons of St. Joseph-Norris mark 60th wedding anniversary

S

t. Joseph Parish in Norris congratulates James (Jim) and Toni Ferguson, who celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Dec. 28.

Presently they serve St. Joseph as ushers along with their grandsons, Caleb and Roman Ferguson. Mrs. Ferguson serves as a reader; both are involved with RCIA; and Mr. Ferguson is the chairman of the columbarium.

Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson were married at St. Patrick Church in North Little Rock, Ark. They moved to Oak Ridge in 1967, where Mr. Ferguson worked at the Y-12 plant until retiring. After moving to Andersonville in 2005, they became involved in the Norris Area Food Pantry, which is served by a volunteer group from the area churches in Norris.

Before their move, they were very involved in activities at St.

COURTESY OF SALLY JACKSON

The Rites of Election of Catechumens and Call to Continuing Conversion of Candidates will take place Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 17 and 18, at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Cathedral rector Father David Boettner will preside both days at the events held on the first weekend of Lent. The Rite of Election includes the enrollment of all the catechumens seeking baptism at the coming Easter Vigil. The catechumens publicly express their desire for baptism to the presider. Their names are recorded in a book, and they are called the Elect.

Catechumens and candidates from the Chattanooga and Five Rivers deaneries will celebrate the Rite of Election on Feb. 17 at 11 a.m. Catechumens and candidates from the Cumberland Mountain and Smoky Mountain deaneries will celebrate the Rite of Election on Feb. 18 at 4 p.m.

Toni and Jim Ferguson Therese Church in Clinton, where they had been members since 1975.

Both remain involved in their hobbies: He is a sculptor, and she is the leader of a dulcimer group. n

Lenten penance services set

H

ere are the Lenten penance services around the diocese received as of press time:

Cumberland Mountain Deanery Friday, Feb. 16—St. Francis of Assisi, Fairfield Glade, 1 p.m. CST; Tuesday, March 19—St. Francis of Assisi, Fairfield Glade, and St. Alphonsus, Crossville, at St. Francis, 6 p.m. CDT Chattanooga Deanery Tuesday, Feb. 27—Sts. Peter and Paul, Chattanooga, 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Feb. 28—Holy Spirit, Soddy-Daisy, 7 p.m.; Thursday, Feb. 29—St. Stephen, Chattanooga, 6 p.m.; St. Bridget, Dayton, 6:30 p.m.; Monday, March 4—St. Augustine, Signal Mountain, 7 p.m.; Tuesday, March 5—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Cleveland, 7 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, March 5 and 6—Notre

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Dame High School, Chattanooga; Tuesday, March 12—St. Jude, Chattanooga, 7 p.m.; Monday, March 18—St. Mary, Athens, 7 p.m.; Wednesday, March 20—Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Chattanooga, 5:30 p.m.

Five Rivers Deanery Tuesday, Feb. 20—St. John Paul II, Rutledge, 6 p.m.; Thursday, Feb. 22—St. Mary, Johnson City, 6 p.m.; Thursday, March 7—St. Dominic, Kingsport, 7 p.m.; Thursday, March 14— Holy Trinity, Jefferson City, 7 p.m.

Smoky Mountain Deanery Tuesday, March 5—St. Joseph the Worker, Madisonville, 7 p.m.; Wednesday, March 6—St. John XXIII, Knoxville, 7 p.m.; Wednesday, March 13—Holy Family, Seymour, 7 p.m.; Thursday, March 14—Our Lady of Fatima, Alcoa, 7 p.m.; Monday, March 18— St. Albert the Great, Knoxville, 7 p.m. n FEBRUARY 4, 2024 n B5

Praying for Perspective

by George Valadie

Retirement in the Valadie household Quibbles about ballgames and TV shows aside, there is thankfulness for good health

H

ey, will you turn the game up?” “2 o’clock, I think.”

“What?” “2 p.m. Can’t you hear?” “What?” “What?” “What are you talking about?”

“Katy said his game is at 2. Isn’t that what you asked?”

“No! You’re the one who can’t hear. I asked you to turn up the volume.”

“I thought you asked what time Brady’s basketball game is. We’re going, right? It’s at 2.”

“Yeah, we’re going … but will you turn up this game, please?”

“I would, but you know you have the remote, don’t you?”

Welcome to retirement in the Valadie household. It’s the sort of conversation that happens more than you think it would—or should—given our two chairs sit exactly 24 inches apart. I measured.

It used to be the noise of three kids that confounded our communications, but now it’s just us.

It could be age. Maybe it’s faulty body parts. Or both. Thankfully we don’t frustrate each other. Well, maybe a little bit. But we just laugh. And scoot closer.

Our daughters have also been teaching us about the new streaming services so we can catch up on the television programs and series that they’re always talking about.

Our youngest daughter joined us for the last one we watched.

“Let’s try this one.”

“Haven’t we watched that before?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Are you sure?”

“No, but do you remember anything about it?”

“Not really. OK, let’s watch it, but will you turn it up?”

Ten minutes in, “Are you sure we haven’t watched this before?”

“Well, that guy does seem familiar.”

It’s at this point that our daughter began texting her sisters on a chain to which neither Nancy nor I have been given access.

“Wait, what did that guy say?

But again—does anyone know why we get to have the health that we do? Left with nothing but my faith, it tells me I’ve been given a wondrous—sometimes feels miraculous—gift from God. But I wish I knew. I wish He’d speak up.

Or maybe He did.

Can you rewind that?”

“You’ve got the remote.”

“Who’s he talking about?”

“I’m not sure, but I kinda remember that car chase.”

“Oh, yeah, I think we liked this show.”

More texting, more frantically.

“That was good—I can’t wait to watch the next episode.”

“You know we can watch it right now, don’t you? That’s what streaming is.”

“Oh, yeah, let’s watch one more.”

“All right, but I get to have the remote this time.”

Texting, texting, texting.

We’re sure they’re planning an intervention of some sort for our near future. Or they probably should.

But other than shows we can’t recall, sounds we can’t distinguish, and joints and bones that are no longer as well-oiled as they used to be, our two lives have been blessed with good health.

Knock on wood!

Nanc does have some arthritis and issues with her feet. On my side, I’ve reached the fourth week of bronchitis, but it’s almost gone.

I won’t lie, I was a little surprised when my doctor’s office printout said I was “obese” at 6-1, 195, but other than those mostly insignificant issues, we are doing incredibly well.

It’s a fact that gets hammered home each Tuesday morning when I help out at the hospital. I drive a courtesy shuttle and transport folks who need to get from their car to the front door and back again.

I get to see and hear about the impact of poor health on the lives

Thoughts and Prayers for the Faithful

of others. And am thus reminded how lucky and blessed our family really is.

Nancy’s father passed away as the victim of Alzheimer’s. Eightyseven years old, he’d enjoyed a lifetime of perfect health until the last little bit when he didn’t. Her mom made it to 90. My mom was 87, too, when she died, and other than an annual bout with a sinus infection, she could do most anything she wanted—including hanggliding at age 80—until a sudden stroke took her away.

We come from hearty stock, as they say. Though I don’t know why, and I wonder about that a lot.

Because we know a dad of three young kids who had a heart attack and died in the shower. And another who passed before his daughter was even born.

We heard of a friend whose Christmas gift was a brain tumor diagnosis, technically a glioblastoma—she jumped straight to stage four before anyone had a clue.

And there’s a young man—in his 30s at best—who has early-onset dementia. Couldn’t find his house while driving home.

But you know as many people as we do. Your list is as long as ours.

Friends and family whose bodies are no longer kind to them. Chronic misery. Their lives upended by some unexpected medical condition to which they must now move on and adjust. Or worse—struck down before they had time to.

So, I return to my earlier thought: why exactly do we get to be healthy? While others do not?

I’m pretty sure we’ve all moved beyond the mindset that sick people suffer because of their sinfulness.

Pope St. John Paul II spoke often about how he tried to visualize his own physical suffering—and he had plenty of it—in light of what Jesus Himself was forced to endure.

Stumbling over both steps and speech, he continued to maintain

much of his public schedule so that others might witness suffering and illness and understand how one’s attitude toward it can be a source of grace, if not salvation.

Many of us learned that same lesson early on.

“Offer it up” is what the Sisters used to tell us when we were in school.

“Sister, I jammed my finger on the playground.”

“Sister, I think I have a sore throat.”

“Sister, I’m thirsty.”

“Offer it up. Jesus was thirsty on the cross.”

I get it, I do. But if it’s happening to you or your loved ones, I can see how you might not feel so inclined.

Not so gracious. Not really convinced they are “blessed” to get to suffer like the Savior did. And not at all sure how fair it is that they struggle while others—like Nancy and me—do not.

I pray for them, but I’m no pope and won’t be suggesting how they should think or feel.

But again—does anyone know why we get to have the health that we do?

Left with nothing but my faith, it tells me I’ve been given a wondrous—sometimes feels miraculous—gift from God. But I wish I knew. I wish He’d speak up.

Or maybe He did.

“Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”

I have much, maybe more. Many of you do, too.

May we figure out how to best use the gift of His trust.

Dear God—Thank you. May those of us who can, be a blessing to those of us who can’t. Amen. ■ George Valadie is a parishioner at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga and author of the newly released “We Lost Our Fifth Fork … and other moments when we need some perspective.”

by Deacon Bob Hunt

Our mission now: understand Jesus is Lord If we follow and remain faithful to Him, our troubles will end, and we will live in the bosom of the Father

J

esus said to His disciples: “‘Do not let your hearts be troubled.

You have faith in God; have faith also in me (John 14:1).

There are many troubles we face in the world along the course of our lives. Disappointments, disgraces, tragedies. The headlines we read every day point to the fact that this world is not an easy place in which to live, much less one where we could expect to be happy all the time.

There are blessings, of course.

But there are also horrors, and in no short supply. Often, when we experience a trouble, even a significant one, such as a loved one involved in an accident or facing a debilitating illness, people are tempted to offer the trite line, “Everything’s going to be all right.” Well, no, not necessarily. Perhaps things will not be all right. Then, what am I to do?

It may sound like Jesus is offering just such a trite response to the realities of troubles. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.” This would not be terribly comforting, if we forget that these words come from the King of kings and Lord of lords, and the Master of history.

Jesus can actually offer us comfort, because He knows the whole story.

He knows that everything will not B6 n FEBRUARY 4, 2024

Ours is a Trinitarian faith. Jesus says no one comes to the Father except through Him. They, together, send the Holy Spirit to strengthen and nourish us in our journey toward the kingdom, when all our troubles will not only be over but also answered for. necessarily be all right during our days here in this mortal coil. But He also promises eternal life, and He keeps His promises.

This is not to say that we should simply accept with resignation the troubles of this world. There is much we can do: fight for justice, lend a helping hand, provide what service and comfort we can to each other. But it does mean that our hope is not in this world or in the men and women who run it. No, our hope must be in Jesus. Ultimately, we all die, regardless of how happy or miserable our lives have been.

There is no escaping the sufferings of this world, or the trouble that is death itself. Only in the promise of eternal life is there hope for eternal happiness. And only Jesus holds the promise of eternal life.

The unbeliever would complain that this is pie-in-the-sky religiosity.

This is what is wrong with religion, he insists. Religion, Christianity in particular, offers comfort from suf-

fering only in the world to come but not in this world. But this is not only contrary to Christian teaching and practice, it is ahistorical.

The Church has been at the forefront of every struggle for justice in history. While unbelievers accuse the Church of advocating slavery, and it is true that some Christians benefited from the institution, it is also true that slavery was never conquered except where Christians, lay and clergy, were battling to free men and women from such oppression.

Even today, the Church is deep in the struggle against human trafficking. The Church has built hospitals, schools, orphanages, clinics, refugee centers, housing for the homeless and elderly, adoption agencies, and so many other charitable institutions around the world that no other agency and most governments cannot compare to the work done by dedicated Christians against the ravages of this world. No pie-in-thesky theology here! The Church has her hands thick in the work of relieving suffering and injustice as she awaits her Lord’s return in glory.

Ours is a Trinitarian faith. Jesus says no one comes to the Father except through Him. They, together, send the Holy Spirit to strengthen and nourish us in our journey to-

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ward the kingdom, when all our troubles will not only be over but also answered for. We will finally understand the meaning of it all.

Our mission now is to understand that Jesus is Lord and that He has made His promise that, if we follow Him and remain faithful to Him, our troubles will end, and we will live forever in the bosom of the Father, sharing the very nature of God. “Do not let your hearts be troubled.

You have faith in God; have faith also in me.”

People have asked for a health update. I am currently still suffering severe back pain from an infection in my spine. The doctors assure me that the pain will go away as the antibiotics clear the infection. I am looking forward to that day. Until then, my movements are limited.

The pain is debilitating, but there are moments of relief, and I try to get up to walk for exercise. My family has been incredible in their support, as have many friends who check on me regularly and assure me of their continued prayers. I will be back.

Be Christ for all. Bring Christ to all. See Christ in all. ■ Deacon Bob Hunt is a husband, father, grandfather, and parishioner at All Saints Church in Knoxville.

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

Encountering God in the Liturgy

by Father Randy Stice

The Eucharistic Prayers for Reconciliation The two reconciliation prayers lead us more deeply into the work of the Trinity

I

Trinitarian doxology.

In R1 and R2, each of these sections includes references to reconciliation. In the transition from the Holy, Holy, Holy, we praise God, who from the beginning of the world is “ceaselessly at work so that the human race may become holy, just as you yourself are holy” (R1). Christ “is the Word that brings salvation, the hand you extend to sinners, the way by which your peace is offered to us” (R2). God in mercy pursued us, for “when we ourselves had turned away from You on account of our sins, You brought us back to be reconciled, O Lord, so that, converted at last to You, we might love one another through Your Son” (R2). Only when we are reconciled to God can we truly be reconciled with one another.

The epiclesis begins by recalling that in the Mass we are “celebrating the reconciliation Christ has brought us” (R2). It acknowledges that “though we once were lost and could not approach you, you loved us with the greatest love” (R1). The institution narrative begins in a similar fashion, emphasizing that Christ celebrated the Last Supper “when about to give His life to set us free” (R2). The introduction to Christ’s words over the chalice speaks of mercy and reconciliation: “knowing that He was about to reconcile all things in Himself through his blood to be shed on the cross” (R1), He

“took the chalice of blessing in his hands, confessing your mercy” (R2).

The memorial (anamnesis) remembers “Jesus Christ, who is our Passover and our surest peace” (R1), “left us this pledge of His love” (R2). The offering (oblation) presents to “our faithful and merciful God, this sacrificial Victim who reconciles to You the human race” (R1).

Furthermore, we are only offering “what You have bestowed on us, the sacrifice of perfect reconciliation” (R2).

The intercessions that follow speak of healing, peace, and unity.

The first intercession highlights the work of the Holy Spirit. God is asked in R1 to “grant that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, as they partake of this one Bread and one Chalice, they may be gathered into one Body in Christ, who heals every division.” The petition in R2 asks the Lord “in this saving banquet graciously to endow us with his very Spirit, who takes away everything that estranges us from one another.” Then we pray that God would make the Church “a sign of unity and an instrument of your peace among all people” (R2), working “together for the coming of your Kingdom” (R1).

Finally, these prayers look ahead to that time “when we stand before you, Saints among the Saints in the halls of heaven” (R1). There, “freed at last from the wound of corruption and made fully into a new creation”

(R1), we and all those who have “died in your friendship” will share in “the unending banquet of unity in a new heaven and a new earth, where the fullness of your peace will shine forth in Christ Jesus our Lord” (R2). The doxology gives glory and honor to the Father through, with, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, and is affirmed by the assembly’s Amen.

The Eucharistic Prayers for Reconciliation lead us more deeply into the work of the Trinity in bringing about our reconciliation with God and with one another.

The Father reaches out and brings us back to be reconciled with Him. Through Christ, God’s peace is offered to us, and through Him we love one another. The Holy Spirit heals every division and takes away everything that separates us from one another. Familiarity with these Eucharistic Prayers for Reconciliation can deepen our experience of Lent as “a time of grace and reconciliation.” 3 Documents on the Liturgy, No. 2024.

Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1354.

3 Roman Missal, third edition, Preface, Eucharistic Prayer I for Reconciliation. ■ 1

2

Father Randy Stice is director of the diocesan Office of Worship and Liturgy.

He can be reached at frrandy@dioknox. org.

COURTESY OF JENNIFER NEWMAN (5)

n 1975, the Church celebrated a Holy Year with two main themes: renewal and reconciliation. Pope St. Paul VI wanted these two themes to “resound repeatedly in liturgical celebrations, especially in the sacrifice of the Mass, including the Eucharistic Prayers.” For this reason, two Eucharistic Prayers were prepared that “shed light on aspects of reconciliation, insofar as they may be the object of thanksgiving” 1: Eucharistic Prayers I and II for Reconciliation in our current Missal. The Church recommends using these two Eucharistic Prayers during Lent. Since you are likely to hear them during Lent, in this column we will explore the two Eucharistic Prayers for Reconciliation, referred to here as R1 and R2.

I want to begin by reviewing the structure of the Eucharistic Prayer.

Following the Holy, Holy, Holy, there is a transition to the epiclesis, the invocation of the Holy Spirit on the gifts of bread and wine. This is followed by the institution narrative, by which the bread and wine are consecrated, transubstantiated into the body and blood of Christ.

Then comes the memorial (anamnesis), the remembrance of Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection, and the offering (oblation), in which the Church “presents to the Father the offering of his Son which reconciles us with him.” 2 Next is a series of intercessions for the Church and the world, and then the concluding

St. Joseph the Worker holds Christmas potluck, vigil Mass for kids The parish hall at St. Joseph the Worker in Madisonville was packed Dec. 10 for a Christmas Party Potluck. Children received gifts from Santa Claus, and a parishioner played Christmas music on her guitar while pastor Father Julius Abuh played Christmas trivia in English and Spanish with the kids for prizes. The parish also held a Children’s Vigil Mass and Nativity event on Christmas Eve (top left and center left photos). Parish newcomer Jennifer Newman attended both events and said, “I’m so grateful to be a part of the parish, and what a special time to join the St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church family. Every single detail of this Christmas season with my new church family was special, from Mass to the decorations to the events to Father Julius’ energy and enthusiasm. I will remember this Christmas season always.”

Daily readings Thursday, Feb. 15: Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Psalm 1:1-4, 6; Luke 9:22-25 Friday, Feb. 16: Isaiah 58:1-9; Psalm 51:3-6, 18-19; Matthew 9:14-15 Saturday, Feb. 17: Isaiah 58:9-14; Psalm 86:1-6; Luke 5:27-32 Sunday, Feb. 18: Genesis 9:8-15; Psalm 25:4-9; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:12-15 Monday, Feb. 19: Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18; Psalm 19:8-10, 15; Matthew 25:31-46 Tuesday, Feb. 20: Isaiah 55:10-11; Psalm 34:4-7, 16-19; Matthew 6:7-15 Wednesday, Feb. 21: Jonah 3:1-10; Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19; Luke 11:29-32 TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C AT HO L I C

Thursday, Feb. 22: Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, apostle, 1 Peter 5:1-4; Psalm 23:1-6; Matthew 16:13-19 Friday, Feb. 23: Ezekiel 18:21-28; Psalm 130:1-8; Matthew 5:20-26 Saturday, Feb. 24: Deuteronomy 26:16-19; Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8; Matthew 5:43-48 Sunday, Feb. 25: Genesis 22:1-2, 9-13, 15-18; Psalm 116:10, 15-19; Romans 8:31-34; Mark 9:2-10 Monday, Feb. 26: Daniel 9:4-10; Psalm 79:8-9, 11, 13; Luke 6:36-38 Tuesday, Feb. 27: Isaiah 1:10, 16-20; Psalm 50:8-9, 16-17, 21, 23; Matthew 23:1-12 Wednesday, Feb. 28: Jeremiah 18:18-20; Psalm 31:5-6, 14-16; Mat-

thew 20:17-28 Thursday, Feb. 29: Jeremiah 17:5-10; Psalm 1:1-4, 6; Luke 16:19-31 Friday, March 1: Genesis 37:3-4, 1213, 17-28; Psalm 105:16-21; Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46 Saturday, March 2: Micah 7:14-15, 18-20; Psalm 103:1-4, 9-12; Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 Sunday, March 3: Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19:8-11; 1 Corinthians 1:22-25; John 2:13-25 Monday, March 4: 2 Kings 5:1-15; Psalms 42:2, 3 and 43:3, 4; Luke 4:24-30 Tuesday, March 5: Daniel 3:25, 3443; Psalm 25:4-9; Matthew 18:21-35 Wednesday, March 6: Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9; Psalm 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-

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20; Matthew 5:17-19 Thursday, March 7: Jeremiah 7:2328; Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9; Luke 11:14-23 Friday, March 8: Hosea 14:2-10; Psalm 81:6-11, 14, 17; Mark 12:28-34 Saturday, March 9: Hosea 6:1-6; Psalm 51:3-4, 18-21; Luke 18:9-14 Sunday, March 10: 2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23; Psalm 137:1-6; Ephesians 2:4-10; John 3:14-21 Monday, March 11: Isaiah 65:17-21; Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13; John 4:43-54 Tuesday, March 12: Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12; Psalm 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9; John 5:1-16 Wednesday, March 13: Isaiah 49:815; Psalm 145:8-9, 13-14, 17-18; John 5:17-30 Thursday, March 14: Exodus 32:714; Psalm 106:19-23; John 5:31-47 n FEBRUARY 4, 2024 n B7

A Danube River pilgrimage cruise is planned Oct. 20-30, with an optional four-day post tour to Krakow, Poland, from Oct. 30-Nov. 3. Join Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio, better known as Dr. Italy, historian, theologian, and speaker, for a pilgrimage themed “The Beauty of God’s Creation,” including Munich, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, and much more. Visit www.crossroads initiative. com/dr-italy/ for more details. The ship is the Amadeus Riva. The sightseeing tour of Krakow includes visiting sites in the Medieval Old Town and on Wawel Hill, where pilgrims will see the cathedral with the St. Stanislaus Shrine, which contains the relics of Poland’s patron saint. They will see the pope’s room and the famous Pope’s Window honoring St. John Paul II. The group will travel a short distance to visit the Divine Mercy Shrine, where St. Faustina, the Apostle of Divine Mercy, lived and died. Members will celebrate Mass at the Divine Mercy Shrine and visit the new center, “Have No Fear,” dedicated to St. John Paul II, to venerate his relics. They will visit Czestochowa and the Jasna Gora Monastery to see the miraculous icon of the Black Madonna.

The group will have time to explore the monastery and celebrate Mass. Time for prayer and reflection is scheduled.

In Wieliczka, the group will visit Europe’s oldest salt mine, which UNESCO has listed as a World Heritage Site. The mines are a unique place where many generations of Polish miners have created a world of underground chambers and decorated chapels carved out of salt, including the famous Chapel of St. Kinga. The travelers will celebrate Mass at St. John Paul II Chapel before continuing to Wadowice, the hometown of Pope St. John Paul II, and visit his childhood home, which is now a museum. They will visit the Church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary, where he was baptized. For more information, contact Lisa Morris at 865-567-1245 or lisam@select-intl.com.

BILL BREWER

Calendar continued from page B5 and Father Michael Maples, is set for April 17-30. Sites to be visited include Ampleforth Abbey, Rievaulx Abbey, Durham Cathedral, Whitby Abbey, English Martyrs Church, the Shrine of St. Margaret, York Minster, York Oratory, Coventry Cathedral, Oxford, Stonehenge, Salisbury Cathedral, Winchester Cathedral, London, the Stonor Park country house, London Oratory, Tyburn Tree, Tyburn Convent, Westminster Abbey, Westminster Hall within the Houses of Parliament, Canterbury Cathedral, the Friars-Aylesford Priory, Shrine of the Assumption and St. Simon Stock, Norwich Cathedral, Julian Chapel, and Walsingham Shrine.

Double-occupancy price is $4,795 and single-occupancy $6,295. To register, visit stcharlespilgrimages.com/reedmaples. E-mail questions to sjn pilgrimage@sjnknox.org.

St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic drive brings in more than 1,600 winter-wear items The St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic recently held its second annual Share the Warmth Drive and received more than 1,600 donations of coats, sweaters, pajamas, socks, hats, scarves, gloves, lap blankets, and homemade baby blankets, pictured in the Chancery office hallway outside the clinic’s new headquarters there. From left are the clinic’s Maria Arredondo-Hermon, Sister Mary Lisa Renfer, RSM, Martin Vargas, Sister Celeste Mary Poche, RSM, Brianna Vinyard, Rebecca Pipkins, and Sarah Grimes. Ms. Pipkins is the clinic’s community-outreach coordinator. Share the Warmth was her idea, and she has led it for the last two years. Ms. Pipkins said the drive “was a huge success due to the generosity of our church community.”

Items were distributed to each of SMLC’s mobile clinics for its patients. “There was no limit to what they could take,” Ms. Pipkins said. “Our goal is to make sure they feel warm for the winter and loved throughout the year.” including the Apparition Church, the Holy Crypt, the monastery of St. Simon el Mokkattam, and more. They will fly to Luxor and visit the world’s second-largest ancient religious site of the Temple of Karnak before boarding a riverboat for a four-night cruise.

Pilgrims will visit the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of the Nile and watch as the ship passes the dam on the Nile in Esna. On day seven, the group will visit the Dam of Aswan and the Temple of Philae, then visit Sakkara, the home of Egypt’s oldest pyramid, constructed around 2650 BC. Travelers will then go

on to visit the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, the complex of ancient monuments that includes three pyramids known as the Great Pyramids. Afterward is an excursion to Wadi Natron, where the group will visit ancient monasteries with beautiful frescos and icons and meet with the monks. A sound and light show at the pyramids follows that evening. The pilgrimage will end with a short flight to Istanbul to spend the night before the group embarks on a city tour that includes a visit to St. Sophia Church, Chora Church, and the Church of the Protection of Mother of

God. Pilgrims will have dinner aboard a river cruise. Contact Lisa Morris at 865567-1245 or lisam@select-intl.com.

to give the credit to St. Patrick. KARM in turn sends the committee gift cards that it gives to the homeless to shop for used clothing at the KARM store in Morristown.

The Knights of Columbus hosted a breakfast after Masses on Jan. 21 in memory of John Hitt. Donations collected went to the Knights, the His Hands & Feet ministry, and the Legion of Mary.

The Knights of Columbus sponsored a breakfast after each Mass on Jan. 28.

A 10-week study on “Jesus: the Way, the Truth, and the Life” by Marcellino D’Ambrosio, Dr. Edward Sri, and Jeff Cavins began Jan. 9 and continues Tuesdays through March 12.

Immaculate Conception, Knoxville

construction on new dorms below Caledonia Avenue, which is blocking off a staff parking area on Caledonia and a commuter lot that affects parking for St. John XXIII. Parishioners may use parking lot S-12 across from Hess Hall or the Clarence Brown Theatre parking lot (also S-12) on the other side of Brown Hall.

Another S-12 lot, down the hill behind the church and across the street from the construction site, is also available.

The alleyway and small lots next to and behind St. John XXIII may also be used.

Join Father Mike Nolan on a pilgrimage to Egypt including a four-night Nile River cruise Dec. 2-14. Travelers will visit the Christian sites in Cairo,

Mass in the extraordinary form (“traditional Latin”) is celebrated at noon each Sunday at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville; every Sunday at 8 a.m. at St. Mary Church in Athens; at 2 p.m. each Sunday and at 6 p.m. most Mondays at St. Mary Church in Johnson City; and at 11:30 a.m. every Sunday at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga. For more information, visit www.KnoxLatinMass.net. n

Parish notes continued from page B4

The Knights of Columbus held their annual brunch for parents and kids Jan. 28.

Anniversaries: Ramon and Onelia Rodriguez (71), Tom and Mary Henrichs (60), Walter and Patty Idol (20)

Smoky Mountain Deanery Holy Ghost, Knoxville The Fraternus ministry and the Troops of St. George are sponsoring a men’s retreat, themed “Take the Lead, Leading Young Men to Christ,” from March 8-10.

The retreat is open to all adult men of Holy Ghost and will be held in Altamont, Tenn. The retreat will feature tent camping, a bonfire, and spiritual talks. E-mail fraternusholyghost@gmail.com or tsg 311knox@gmail.com for more details.

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A reconciliation retreat for second-graders preparing for first Holy Communion and their parents will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24. First Communion will take place at the 10 a.m. Mass on Sunday, April 28. Parents whose second-graders attend St. Joseph School or another school should e-mail coordinator of religious education Abby Sporsen at asporsen@gmail.com.

The Knights thanked those who helped in 2023 with their bicycle program. With donations of bikes, the Knights repaired 140 of them for the Ladies of Charity and the Knights of Columbus Bike Program to benefit the needy. Those with a bike to donate can drop it off at the Ladies of Charity, 120 W. Baxter Ave., Knoxville. The Knights have a bicycle-repair workshop at 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the Ladies of Charity and invite anyone to help them with the ministry. For more information, e-mail KofC645@gmail.com.

St. Joseph the Worker, Madisonville

Sacred Heart, Knoxville

A Wednesday Bible study on the Book of Wisdom as presented by author Jeff Cavins begins at 10 a.m. on Feb. 21.

The women’s group’s 2024 service project is a collection of children’s socks of all sizes and colors to benefit the Ladies of Charity of Knoxville. Donations may be placed in the bin in the back of the church through Easter Sunday. Contact Jeanie Baughman at icwomensgroup@ gmail.com for more information.

The young-adult group’s events for this year include a bonfire and s’mores night at 6:15 p.m. Saturday, March 9, in the pavilion, following the 5 p.m. Mass, and a sports night at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 11.

The Knights of Columbus sponsored a Fat Tuesday all-you-can-eat evening meal Feb.13, the day before Ash Wednesday.

IC celebrated confirmation on Feb. 10.

A Mardi Gras party featuring Jeanine Fuller & the True Funk Souldiers took place Feb. 9.

Pastor Father Charlie Donahue, CSP, and priest in residence Father Jim Haley, CSP, each celebrated his birthday Feb. 1.

St. John XXIII, Knoxville

The University of Tennessee has started

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The parish collected fruit cups, cereal cups, and other items for a food drive Feb. 11 to benefit the Good Shepherd Center in Madisonville.

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DR. KELLY KEARSE (4)

Catholic schools

DAN MCWILLIAMS (5)

John and Sondra Faris honored at KCHS Green & Gold Gala A total of 400 guests attended the 13th annual Knoxville Catholic High School Green & Gold Gala held Jan. 26 at the University of Tennessee Student Union ballroom. The event raised $300,000, which will go toward academic programs, campus technology, and teacher raises. John and Sondra Faris (top left photo, pictured with KCHS president Dickie Sompayrac at right) were presented the 2024 Irish Legend Award. They have been instrumental in the growth of Knoxville Catholic over the last 25 years. With their support, KCHS has been able to complete Faris Fieldhouse, the running track at Blaine Stadium, Schaad Hall, and the recently dedicated Faris Theater in the St. Gregory the Great Auditorium. The Farises’ sons are Knoxville Catholic alums: John Jr. of the class of 2004, Jay (’06), Jeffrey (’08), and Jake (’10).

Charlie Susano (’87) served as the gala’s live auctioneer for the fifth year in a row.

Chesterton Academy holds Pearl Gala fundraiser The Chesterton Academy of St. Margaret Clitherow in Knoxville held its Pearl Gala fundraiser on Feb. 3 at Lighthouse Knoxville. Ninety people attended the event. At top left (from left), students Miles McKinney, Maddie DuPont, and Kathryn Denkewalter talk with headmaster Zach Summers about their experiences at the academy. At center left, those attending the gala take part in a silent auction. At bottom left, the Chesterton Academy Singers perform under the direction of Mary C. Weaver. From left are Miracle Weber, Felicity Weber, Elena Crace, Maddie DuPont, Jenna Witkemper, Kathryn Denkewalter, Will Snow, Miles McKinney, Liam Thomas, and Rhett DuPont. The Pius X Schola, a smaller group, sang “Laudate Dominum” by Andy Beck, and the full choir sang “Jesu Rex Admirabilis” by Palestrina and a setting of the folk song “Shenandoah.” At top right, Eleyana Nahigian (left) and Maylee Brown engage in a conversation.

Above, Sonia Summers, who teaches art and drama at Chesterton, talks about students’ artwork moments before it was sold in a live auction. Also auctioned during the gala were students’ calligraphy, a hand-built and custom-designed home altar, and backstage passes to an upcoming concert by the Hillbilly Thomists.

State Sen. and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, a parishioner of St. Mary in Oak Ridge, and Mr. Summers were among the speakers at the gala.

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KATHY RANKIN (5)

Catholic schools

COURTESY OF NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL

Knights conduct free-throw-shooting contest at St. Joseph School The Knights of Columbus held a basketball free-throw contest at St. Joseph School in Knoxville on Jan. 10. Winners of the competition are (top left photo, from left, front row) John Ramsey, Iris Blake, Ziek Cate, Valerie Munoz, and Anna Starnes and (back row) Darrion McClanahan, Haynes Hawkins, Dasani Moulden, Nathan Allen, Caleb Bales, Emma Brosnan, Adelyn Bentley, Denice Gaston, and Lucas Matthews.

DR. KELLY KEARSE

DR. KELLY KEARSE (2)

Notre Dame’s Cole McCormick plays HORSE with Ben Bobick Cole McCormick, a standout basketball player at Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga who has signed with the University of Alabama-Huntsville, defeated Local 3 sports director Ben Bobick in a game of HORSE on Jan. 23. The game was featured on the station’s “Horsing Around” segment on the 6 and 11 p.m. newscast that day. Cole finished up the game with a dunk.

Sydney Mains of KCHS honored for scoring 2,000 points in career Knoxville Catholic High School girls basketball standout Sydney Mains (top photo) goes for a layup against two Webb School of Knoxville defenders in the Lady Irish’s 47-26 win on Feb. 1 at KCHS. Sydney, who has signed with Florida Atlantic, was honored during the Catholic Schools Week game after recently scoring her 2,000th career point. In the bottom photo, she is pictured with Knoxville Catholic president Dickie Sompayrac (left); her parents, Lady Irish head coach Travis Mains and assistant coach Missey Mains; her sister, London Mains; and Miles Milhorn, Mr. and Mrs. Mains’ nephew.

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Knoxville Catholic High School hosts ecumenical prayer service An ecumenical prayer service took place Jan. 24 at Knoxville Catholic High School. From left are Rev. Brent Harriman, pastor of Resurrection Presbyterian Church in Knoxville; Father Randy Stice, Diocese of Knoxville director of Worship and Liturgy; Elder Matthew Best of Children of God Ministries in Knoxville; Bishop Brian Cole of the Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee; Father Joe Reed, pastor of St. John Neumann Parish in Farragut; and Father Chris Michelson, pastor of St. Albert the Great Parish in Knoxville as well as chair of the KCHS board of trustees and special adviser to the president.

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