Feb. 2, 2020, ET Catholic, B section

NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE OF KNOXVILLE

B section

Father Kuzhupil has triple celebration in one day

F

ather Joseph Kuzhupil, MSFS, of Notre Dame Parish found himself with three things to celebrate Jan. 10.

First, Bishop Richard F. Stika was on hand to install him as pastor of the Greeneville Catholic community.

Plus, the date was his 35th anniversary of priestly ordination.

And, the date also fell on his 65th birthday.

Bishop Stika celebrated the Mass with Father Kuzhupil and Father Neil Pezzulo concelebrating. Deacon Wil Johnson assisted. Father Pezzulo, a Glenmary Home Missioner priest, is the new pastor of St. Teresa of Kolkata Parish in Maynardville and St. John Paul II Catholic Mission in Rutledge.

“It is a great joy for me to be here at Notre Dame, as it always is these last almost 11 years now,” Bishop Stika said in his opening remarks, “to be with Father Joseph, who is celebrating 35 years of priesthood and 65 years of life. I never realized he was so much older than me, because I’ll be 63 this year. And also as we formally, even though he’s been here six months, install him as pastor. Is he doing a good job?”

“Yes,” came the reply from the assembly, along with a round of applause.

Father Kuzhupil, a priest of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales,

is a native of India who served 20 years in his own country before coming to the Diocese of Knoxville.

His first assignment in East Tennessee was to serve as chaplain of the Alexian Village in Signal Mountain.

In his homily, Bishop Stika spoke on trust and forgiveness.

“Today, I’m trusting in Father Joseph. He is a Fransalian. He belongs to a religious community, and he’s a true missionary from India,” he said. “He started out at the Alexian Village as a chaplain. I saw good zeal in him, and so I invited him eventually to be the pastor of a big parish in Signal Mountain, St. Augustine. And little did he know or little did I know is that eventually we were going to have to add on to the church and renovate it. So he spent a lot of his time building and trying to pay it off.

“I saw in him kind of the zeal, like the Curé of Ars, always willing to say yes. How long were you there?

Nine years!”

The bishop and Father Kuzhupil have something in common.

“I know that Father Joseph has a great heart, because about a year ago this time he had heart-bypass surgery,” Bishop Stika said. “But he’s kind of a rookie with that, because I had it 14 years ago, but we both had four bypasses. So I have a heart, and now you know that he has a heart: the heart of Jesus, the

By Dan McWilliams

DAN MCWILLIAMS

Bishop Stika installs him as pastor, and the priest celebrates an ordination anniversary and a birthday

‘There’s a trust I place in him to be your shepherd’ Father Joseph Kuzhupil, MSFS, joins in the singing at the start of the Mass in which he was installed as pastor of Notre Dame Parish in Greeneville on Jan. 10. heart of faith, the heart of charity— he’s a very kind man, as a missionary, so pray for him. Make sure that he stays healthy.”

The bishop added, “There’s a trust I place in him to be your shepherd, and there’s also a trust I have in you to work with him. And in those moments when you might not agree with his decisions, don’t write to me! Go to him first. . . . Work together to build the kingdom of God. . . . Love him, embrace him, challenge him when he needs to be, and affirm him also—and the same thing for you, Father.”

In the rite of installation, Father

Kuzhupil promised to the bishop “to proclaim the Word of God in the tradition of the apostles, compassionately and faithfully, to the people trusted to your care,” “to celebrate the sacraments of the Church, and thus nourish and sustain your brothers and sisters in body and spirit,” and “to guide, counsel, and cooperate with the people Notre Dame Catholic Church in the work of building up the Church and in the work of service to all who are in need.”

Bishop Stika then spoke to the asFather Kuzhupil continued on page B3

Dozens of teens from diocese attend 2019 NCYC They joined more than 20,000 of their peers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis for the annual event bringing U.S. youths together

COURTESY OF BETH PARSONS

A

delegation of high school students from across the Diocese of Knoxville joined some 23,000 peers from around the country at the 2019 edition of the National Catholic Youth Conference, which was held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis in November.

The conference theme, “Blessed, Broken, Given,” resonated with the students, many of whom reflected on the blessings in their lives, how at one time or another they have felt broken in the presence of God, and how God gave us His Son, Jesus, who asks us to give ourselves to Him. Riley Parsons was among the dozens of diocesan teens at the NCYC event who were excited to be in Indianapolis.

“After a long bus ride to Indianapolis, the high school youth of the Diocese of Knoxville were ready for the first night in Lucas Oil Stadium.

The opening featured For King and Country, a Christian band from Australia led by two brothers. I had the opportunity to arrive early as a media representative for the Diocese of Knoxville. I attended the Region 5 meeting and greeted For King and Country. More than 1,000 people from all over Region 5 were able to ask the band questions. During the interview, Joel Smallbone, one of the band members, said they put on a different type of show compared to other Christian artists. For example, during the show they played lots of drums all around the stage. And during their hit song ‘Joy,’ confetti burst out of cannons while Joel was spinning around the stage,” Riley said, recounting his first NCYC experience.

After the performance, Region 5 members were introduced to the conference emcees, Katie Prejean McGrady, who was a U.S. delegate sent by the U.S. Conference of

Travelers from East Tennessee The Diocese of Knoxville contingent at NCYC poses for a picture. The 2019 conference’s theme was “Blessed, Broken, Given.”

Catholic Bishops to the Vatican’s pre-synod gathering of young people, and Father Agustino Torres, CFR. Ms. Prejean McGrady is a Catholic speaker and the author of Follow: Your Lifelong Adventure with Jesus. Father Torres is a priest with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal based in New York. He is the founder of Corazon Puro, an organization dedicated to forming youth. He hosts the EWTN television shows Icons and Clic con Corazon Puro in Spanish.

Father Torres was one of the friars who founded Catholic Underground, an apostolate of the Friars of the Renewal, and the Casa Guadalupe (women) and JPII (men) houses of discernment. He is internationally sought to address topics such as the Church’s teachings about human sexuality, vocational discernment, and missionary

discipleship.

A surprise greeted all those in attendance during the NCYC opening session. Appearing on the jumbotron was a video recording of Pope Francis, who greeted the youth.

“May this be an opportunity to strengthen and increase faith and Communion. May it light your missionary hearts with the courage and strength to live in and with the Lord, always as a Church send forth,” the Holy Father said.

Riley said he and the other Diocese of Knoxville attendees especially liked the conference breakout sessions, which were led by notable speakers like the “cooking priest” Father Leo Patalinghug, author and speaker Mark Hart, Ms. Prejean McGrady, and Father Torres. Some different sessions attracted youth and adults alike, Riley noted.

The “Deep Dive” sessions includ-

ed “Being Better Together Building Community,” “Influence the World for Jesus,” and “Balancing Faith and Sports.”

“If there was something you wanted to learn about, you could probably have found a session about it,” Riley said. “I went to two different sessions during this time. One about ‘Finding God’s Direction in a Noisy World’ with Joel Stepanek. Joel said there are little decisions that we make daily that don’t really affect our life but we have trouble making them.

It’s important to make good, holy decisions whether they are big or small. The second session I went to was ‘Sports, Spectator, Athlete, or Coach. What is Your Role?’ with David Neeson. David talked about doing things for sports but not for God, like how if Mass runs late, we NCYC continued on page B2

NCYC youths asked to extend Christ’s kingdom A total of 23,000 attend the closing Mass, where they are told, “This is not the end”

By Sean Gallagher/Catholic News Service

CNS PHOTO/SEAN GALLAGHER, THE CRITERION

A

Where two or three are gathered . . . Youths from the Diocese of Des Moines, Iowa, pray Nov. 22, 2019, during the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis. is “the salt of the earth, the light of the world, the leaven of the dough, a sign of salvation in order to build a more just world, more brotherly, one based on Gospel values, the hope and eternal joy to which we are all called.”

The feast of Christ the King also leads the Catholic Church to consider its ultimate fulfillment at the end of time and the relevance of that future event to the world here and now, he said.

“Today’s feast is like experiencing an anticipation of the second coming of Christ in power and majesty, the glorious coming, which will fill the hearts and will dry forever the tears of unhappiness,” Cardinal Rodriguez said. “And, at the same time, it is an encouragement to make real this experience of the second coming by our good works, because the hope of a new earth should not scare us.

“Rather, it should strengthen our commitment to cultivate the earth, where that body of a new human family grows and can give us an advance taste of the new world.”

In addition to the 23,000 youths participating in the Mass, approximately 250 priests concelebrated. The liturgy also featured 18 bishops, 50 deacons, and 50 seminarians.

The NCYC closing Mass capped the conference that began Nov. 19 and took place in the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

The Archdiocese of Indianapolis has hosted the last three conferences, which are held every two years. It

don’t want to stay longer. But if a game goes into overtime, we want to stay for all of it.

“Other youth from the diocese went to some breakout sessions like ‘Bible Crash Course’ with Katie Patrizio, which was about putting the Bible into a different perspective and how to pray with the Bible.

There also was ‘Unmatched Courage’ with Steve Angrisano and Cooper Ray on living a heroic life witnessing to Jesus.”

Riley explained that large group sessions in Lucas Oil Stadium were held in the morning and evening, where more than 20,000 Catholic youth and adults joined together for adoration, youth testimonies, and keynote speakers.

One speaker, Immaculée Ilibagiza, talked about how in her family she was the sole survivor of the Rwandan genocide. She was forced to hide in a small bathroom with other women for more than six months. During that time she grew closer to God and said 30 rosaries and 15 Divine Mercy chaplets per day.

“I had a chance to interview several of the youth from the Diocese of Knoxville while at dinner on the second night of the conference. One of the youth, Matias Ron from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish [in Chattanooga], said, ‘It’s really cool when you go into the stadium and you see all the youth from all over the country, especially in adoration.

The silence; it is unimaginable how all those people are there and it’s so silent,’” Riley said. “My experiB2 n FEBRUARY 2, 2020

COURTESY OF BETH PARSONS

NCYC continued from page B1

Representing OLOF Riley Parsons stands with Regina Wol at the 2019 NCYC. Both are parishioners of Our Lady of Fatima in Alcoa. Miss Wol, a freshman at Tusculum University in Greeneville, gave her testimony on the main stage at the 2017 NCYC and went this past year as a mentor for the youth. ence at the National Catholic Youth Conference helped me get closer to God and learn different ways to strengthen my faith and pray. Even though this event only happens every other year, I am excited to attend other youth events and retreats in the meantime. I highly encourage more youth from the Diocese of Knoxville to attend not only NCYC 2021 but other youth events organized by their local parishes and diocese.” n

is scheduled to host the next one in 2021. The conference is sponsored by the National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministry.

While many Catholic youths traveled thousands of miles to attend the National Catholic Youth Conference, Frankie Auriemma’s trip to the event only took about 20 minutes.

A member of St. Susanna Parish in Plainfield, a suburb of Indianapolis, Auriemma was proud that the arch-

diocese was hosting so many Catholic youths from across the country as she looked upon the attendees in the stadium before the start of the closing liturgy.

“It’s here in our hometown. That’s crazy,” she said. “We get to be the hometown. I can say, ‘Yeah, I’m from Indianapolis. It’s cool. This is my home turf.’ It makes me really proud.

This is where I grew up. I’ve been here my whole life.” n

CNS PHOTO/KAREN BONAR, THE REGISTER

s 23,000 youths from across the country worshiped together during the closing Mass of the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis, Leanna Long felt “amazingly overwhelmed” to be in the midst of so many people who shared her faith.

She attended the conference from her home in North Carolina, where Catholics are a small minority of the overall population.

“We know the Church is large,” said Leanna, a member of St. Thomas More Parish in Chapel Hill, in the Raleigh Diocese. “But to be able to see it and know that I’m not alone (is helpful).

“We’re told that where two or three are gathered, [Jesus] is in your presence. Well, I’m one of one in my school. Is God with me still? The answer is, ‘Yes.’ Even though I’m in North Carolina and someone else is in New Hampshire, we’re still ... praying together,” she told The Criterion, newspaper of the Indianapolis Archdiocese. “We’re still gathered together, and He’s there.”

In her words, Leanna captured the Church’s youthful vitality and diverse universality. Both were on display Nov. 21 as conference attendees were led in worship on the feast of Christ the King by Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, who was the principal celebrant.

During his opening remarks at the Mass, Cardinal Rodriguez shared with his young listeners the mission they were being given as they returned to their homes.

“This is not the end,” he said. “This is the beginning of another stage when you will go back to your places in order to spread the kingdom of Jesus Christ.”

In his homily, Cardinal Rodriguez reflected on the feast of Christ the King that the Church was celebrating that weekend.

“Today, we want to celebrate all his triumphs in one single feast, especially established to show Jesus as the only sovereign [in] a society that seems to want to turn its back on God and not acknowledge any of this,” said the cardinal, who is a close adviser to Pope Francis.

Cardinal Rodriguez later exhorted his “young brothers and sisters” “to spread out His reign of love, with all the values of the kingdom.”

The kingdom of Christ, he said,

When next we meet During the NCYC in Indianapolis, Franciscan Father Agustino Torres (left) and Katie Prejean McGrady (right) lay hands in prayer Nov. 23 upon the emcees for NCYC 2021. Sister Miriam James Heidland, a member of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity, and Brian Greenfield will be the emcees for the 2021 conference Nov. 18-20 in Indianapolis.

Does NCYC have a lasting impact? Yes

By Natalie Hoefer, The Criterion

I

admit it. I have wondered about the lasting impact the National Catholic Youth Conference has on teens. I do recognize the value of the conference. The experience offers youths and adults alike exposure to thought-provoking workshops and inspiring speakers.

It’s eye-opening and encouraging for those at the age when fitting in is of paramount importance to see 23,000 of their peers unabashedly excited about their faith. And absolutely no one can deny the merit of placing these young people in the real presence of our Lord in eucharistic adoration, Mass, and confession. I acknowledge all of this, truly I do.

But what I’ve questioned is what happens after NCYC. Do the young people put into action—let alone simply remember—the lessons they learned there? Do they step out into the world changed, ready to live their faith more intentionally?

I have no doubt many a youth minister and parent reading these words are already mentally forming letters to the editor to disprove my doubts.

There is no need. My doubts were dispelled as I walked back to my car after the closing Mass Nov. 23.

It was about 10:30 p.m., cold, and dark. Streams of teens sang and chatted their way up West Street in downtown Indianapolis toward comfy rooms in the ritzy hotels that surround the Indiana Convention Center.

I noticed two teens off to the side of the sidewalk. One wore a foam corncob hat, the other a chasuble and bishop’s miter that looked like they were purchased at a Walmart after-Halloween costume sale.

The two were bending over near a trash can. I stepped over to make sure they were OK. That’s when I noticed a man sitting on the cold concrete, huddled against the trash can. The youths were unzipping their backpacks and handing him snacks. More teens noticed, and they too stopped

w ww.di o k no x .o rg

to shower the man with bags of chips, bottles of water, and packages of cookies and crackers.

Then another group stopped and gathered around. I’m not sure if it was a teen or a chaperone, but a younglooking man wearing a yellow foam crown stepped up and asked, “Sir, is it all right if we pray with you?”

The man said yes and bowed his head. Some youths did the same, others held out their hands in blessing, and the young man with the crown prayed aloud for the homeless man’s protection, his safety, his ability to find shelter, and his knowledge of God’s love for him.

The foam-crowned man then knelt down and shook the other man’s hand, gave him a pat on the arm and continued up the sidewalk along West Street. The youths offered the seated man a chorus of “good nights” and “God bless yous” then followed the man wearing the crown.

After the group moved on, I noticed that many other groups of goofy-hat-wearing NCYC attendees continued to stream by, singing and chatting, oblivious to the man by the trash can.

OK, so maybe not all who participate in NCYC walk away changed.

But some do, and I was utterly humbled by the unhesitating generosity and charity I witnessed by the youths and young adults who ministered to the man by the trash can.

“All are children of God,” they were told at NCYC. “You’re called to step out of your comfort zone.”

“Go and be the hands and feet of Christ.” “Tell another Christ overcomes sadness.”

Late on a cold night in Indianapolis, these young people put each of these NCYC lessons into action.

Does NCYC make a lasting impact on those who attend? On some it does. And that lived impact makes Christ more present in them and thus more present to others.

Like the homeless man.

And me. n TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C ATH OLI C

sembly, and they promised “to hear with open ears and open hearts the Word of God as it is proclaimed to you,” “to encourage and support Father Kuzhupil in his responsibility to lead you in prayer, nourish your faith, and especially to celebrate with you the Lord’s sacrifice,” and “to cooperate with him as he exercises the service of pastor, enabling this community to grow in the light of the Gospel.”

Father Kuzhupil then took an oath of fidelity, in which he promised many things, including to “always preserve communion with the Catholic Church” and “hold fast to the deposit of faith in its entirety.”

After the rite of installation, the bishop and Father Kuzhupil signed official documents, witnessed by parishioners Sharon Folk and Larry Dolese.

Father Kuzhupil then received seven symbols of pastoral responsibility: the parish register, the parish history, a vessel of water, the Book of the Rite of Penance, the holy oils, the Word of God, and the sacred vessels.

“Receive these sacred vessels,” Bishop Stika said of the seventh presentation. “When you celebrate the Lord’s sacrifice of the Mass, imitate what you are to celebrate, and see that all who are nourished at this altar of Notre Dame become what together we all pray to be: one body, one spirit, in Christ.”

The bishop then said what everyone was waiting to hear.

“Now, after six months, he is officially the pastor of Notre Dame,” and a hearty round of applause followed.

Then it was Father Kuzhupil’s turn to speak.

“Thirty-five years of priesthood— I don’t know where those years went by. It’s like a few years ago I was ordained,” he said. “Twenty years I spent in India in the mission field and in formation houses, and then 15 years in this country, and

all those 15 years in the Diocese of Knoxville. I’m grateful to the direction God gave me through these years of priesthood.”

During his first assignment in the diocese, the priest and the bishop had a talk that would change Father Kuzhupil’s ministry in a big way.

“When I was in Alexian Village as a chaplain . . . Bishop Stika and I had a conversation, and he asked me, ‘Why don’t you serve in the diocese a few years?’” Father Kuzhupil said. “And those few years became nine years. Right when he appointed me a pastor, that was the shock of my life, because I didn’t have any experience as a pastor.

“I thanked Bishop for the confidence he placed in me, and that confidence continues. Thank you, Bishop Stika. I’m very grateful for you to come over here to officiate this celebration and install me as the pastor of Notre Dame Catholic Church. Thank you, Bishop Stika, for being here.”

Susan Collins, Notre Dame director of religious education and youth minister, then presented a spiritual bouquet to Father Kuzhupil from the parish youth.

“I just want to thank each one of you, my brothers and sisters, for accepting me for what I am. Your acceptance is overwhelming,” said Father Kuzhupil, who became a U.S. citizen in August 2015.

He concluded by thanking three friends visiting from his former parish of St. Augustine. Evelyn Davis, Rosemarie Kos, and Vanessa Young brought up the gifts at the installation Mass.

The bishop ended the Mass by telling of his recent ad limina visit to Pope Francis.

“Pope Francis said, ‘Bishop, I like your joy, especially your sense of humor,’” Bishop Stika recalled before adding, “So if you don’t like my sense of humor, I have papal approval.” n

DAN MCWILLIAMS (5)

Father Kuzhupil continued from page B1

From the prayer book Bishop Richard F. Stika, assisted by Alex Litchfield, leads a prayer during Father Kuzhupil’s installation Mass.

Rite of installation Father Kuzhupil listens as Bishop Stika reads aloud the promises he is to keep as pastor.

Pen to paper After the installation rite, Father Kuzhupil and the bishop each signed official documents pertaining to the matter at hand.

Applause for former pastor Three of Father Kuzhupil’s parishioners from St. Augustine in Signal Mountain, where he served for nine years, made the trip to Greeneville for his installation Mass there. From the front are Evelyn Davis, Rosemarie Kos, and Vanessa Young. The trio also brought up the gifts at Mass.

Gift for the newly installed pastor Susan Collins presents a spiritual bouquet to Father Kuzhupil on behalf of the parish youth.

TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C AT HO L I C

w ww.di o k no x .o rg

FEBRUARY 2, 2020 n B3

Parish notes

Emily Knoch, president of the Council of Catholic Women, thanked all who donated funds, Christmas ornaments, desserts and drinks, and a Christmas tree, and who served a pizza lunch, wrapped the gifts, and provided a lunch for the wrapping party at the local domestic-violence shelter at Christmastime. Thirty-two mothers and 22 children received gifts.

The Knights congratulated their January Knight of the month, Duane Carleo, and their family of the month, John and Ann Feurer. Also congratulated were December Knight of the month Lee Fogle and family of the month Raleigh and Alice Cooper.

St. Jude thanked Billie Poole, who provided the snacks for the Hospital Hospitality Ministry for January, and Jane Anne Seale for doing the same for November.

The fourth annual Father Charlie Chili Cook-Off, benefiting Knights Council 8576 and the St. Jude Council of Catholic Women, took place Jan. 27 in the parish life center.

The Knights held their first parish breakfast of the year Jan. 26 after the 8 and 10:30 a.m. Masses. Proceeds will benefit Notre Dame High School.

St. Mary, Athens St. Mary is beginning its sixth year of awarding college scholarships. Applications for the St. Mary Scholarship Program for high school seniors and college students from Meigs, McMinn, Monroe, and Polk counties will be accepted through March 31. Applications and rules may be picked up in the church office, or they may be found at www.stmaryathenstn.org.

The Knights of Columbus will serve a pancake breakfast Feb. 9.

The parish and Knights collected new and gently used winter coats, sweaters, hats, gloves, and scarfs through the end of January for Athens-area community needs.

St. Stephen, Chattanooga Knights of Columbus Council 6099 congratulated Corky Evers for being a Knight 50 years. The council also saluted Steve Reker as Knight of the month for January and Ron and Libby Schleifer as family of the month.

Knight of the month for December was Lex Ryan, and the David Flowers family was family of the month.

The first St. Stephen Style Show & Silent Auction took place Jan. 25.

Proceeds will go toward replacing the audio system in the sanctuary.

Anniversaries: John and Marguerite Altick (73), Norman and Joyce Shelton (59), Gary and Lea Calkins (57), James and Marjorie Goller (54), George and Irmgard Nix (53), Bill and Patricia Wood (52), Philip and Doreen Wirchansky (51), Kevin and Louann Olley (40), Everton and Carla Vaccari (25), Dave and Theresa Ireland (20), Jack and Dale Carney (15), Gene and Hazel Langmann (15) Sts. Peter and Paul, Chattanooga The basilica is holding a DaddyDaughter Dance from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 8, in Varallo Parish Hall.

The evening includes dancing, a DJ, dinner, desserts, a photo booth, and B4 n FEBRUARY 2, 2020

NANCY POWELL

The parish Trivia Night is set for 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8. The evening includes cash prizes, beer, wine, a silent auction, and dinner. Auction items are needed. Registration forms are in the vestibule and the church office. Call Kyra to volunteer at 423-870-2386.

The St. Ambrose Catholic Homeschool Co-op installed memorial crosses Jan. 17 on the basilica rectory lawn to honor babies lost to abortion since the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision on Jan. 22, 1973. Deacon Gaspar DeGaetano led a rosary to pray for an end to abortion. On Jan. 31, the coop again prayed the rosary, and the crosses were removed.

Cumberland Mountain Deanery Blessed Sacrament, Harriman The Knights of Columbus sold Italian subs on Super Bowl weekend Feb. 1 and 2.

The parish thanked Susan and Jim Conover and parishioners who decorated the church for the Christmas season.

St. Francis of Assisi, Fairfield Glade The parish has started the process of defining itself as being “Centered in Christ.” Sister Anna Marie McGuan, RSM, director of the diocesan Office of Christian Formation, helped launch the initiative Nov. 19 with a reflection. The reflection can be viewed on the St. Francis of Assisi website at saintfrancisfairfield.org/previousspecial-events or listened to on Sister Anna Marie’s podcast, “Scripture and the Spiritual Life,” at http://dokchristianformation.libsyn.com/website/ why-renew-a-parish.

Crosses have been erected in front of the church to symbolize those babies who were aborted in the last year.

Faith formation is offering a Bible study focused upon the Mass that began in mid-January and will continue for five weeks.

The new calendar year was started with daily Mass on the first Friday.

Parishioners arrived early to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for the parish.

St. John Neumann, Farragut

ROSIE POWELL

The Knights of Columbus invite all men of the parish to a pre-Lenten retreat Friday and Saturday, Feb. 7 and 8. The event will begin with the first Friday Mass at 5:30 p.m., followed by a dinner in the parish life center, then continue at 8:15 a.m. Saturday with Mass and a light breakfast. The retreat should conclude about noon Saturday.

St. Stephen Parish holds annual Christmas dinner On the evening of Dec. 14 after the 5 p.m. Mass, pastor Father Manuel Pérez and the parish family at St. Stephen in Chattanooga celebrated their annual Christmas dinner. Close to 300 parishioners attended. Among those were more than 50 volunteers who decorated, set up, served, took pictures, and cleaned up. Thirty-six volunteers also provided desserts, and 10 Knights of Columbus from Council 6099 cooked a traditional Christmas meal. In addition, many Filipino parish families prepared and served their traditional Christmas dinner. A program was planned and included a visit and candy from Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus for the children, a young Joseph and Mary distributing a Christmas holy card, and Christmas carols sung by the St. Stephen choir. Father Pérez upstaged the Clauses with his merry Christmas attire.

Gerlachs celebrating 60 years of marriage

H

elen and Richard (Dick) Gerlach of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fairfield Glade will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary Feb. 27.

The Gerlachs were married at St. Ferdinand Church in Chicago. Their children are: Anita (deceased); Kim and husband Mike Davis of Braselton, Ga.;

A Mardi Gras Casino Night hosted by the parish women’s club is set for Saturday, Feb. 22. Poker dealers are needed for 30-minute shifts; contact Lisa Beldyk at 5beldyks@charter.net.

Shelley Harris of Mount Juliet; Jeffrey of Goshen, Ind.; and Scott of Carrolton, Ga. They have seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Mr. Gerlach retired from the Ludwig Drum Co. in Monroe, N.C., and Mrs. Gerlach retired as a dental assistant. They moved to the Glade in 2003. n

St. John Neumann School’s annual eighth-grade pancake breakfast fundraiser is set for 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at Aubrey’s in Cedar Bluff.

The school held a Community and Career Fair on Jan. 27 for pre-kindergarten-through-eighth-grade students and hosted an open house Jan. 25.

ELIZABETH CONWAY

St. Jude, Chattanooga

more. Cost is $20 per father-daughter pair and $5 for each additional daughter, with a $35 maximum per family.

Register at https://bit.ly/30NI7cS.

Knights of Columbus Council 8781 held a breakfast buffet after morning Masses on Jan. 12 in the school cafeteria.

The women’s club, in conjunction with the Evangelizing Sisters of Mary, hosted an Epiphany Open House at the ESM convent on Jan. 5.

The school Safety Patrol sold custom wood Christmas ornaments of St. John Neumann Church as a fundraiser.

Knights in Soddy-Daisy present check to St. Vincent de Paul Society Knights of Columbus Council 14079 at Holy Spirit Church in Soddy-Daisy recently presented a check for $500 to the St. Vincent de Paul Society to aid in its support to the needy in the Soddy-Daisy community. Knight Carl Nesmith is pictured, along with pastor Monsignor Al Humbrecht, presenting the check to coordinators Jeremy and Roxane McDougal and son Rhett.

St. Therese, Clinton The parish thanked the Council of Catholic Women for the purchase of a wooden candle holder for the Paschal Easter candle for the altar and for purchasing a holy water pot and sprinkler and lavabo cloths for the altar.

The CCW invited men and women of the parish to a talk Jan. 21 by deacon candidate Pete Chiaro, who spoke about the deacon program and his personal journey.

Everyone is invited to attend a Scripture program, which meets at 7 p.m.

Thursdays in the parish hall. Participants will read the upcoming Sunday readings and have a discussion afterward. For more information, call Pete or Jean Chiaro at 865-742-5137.

Parish notes continued on page B5

COURTESY OF AL LESAR

Chattanooga Deanery

St. Joseph CCW hosts presentation on end-of-life issues Kathy Morin (left), president of the Council of Catholic Women at St. Joseph Church in Norris, hosted Paul Simoneau, Diocese of Knoxville director of Justice and Peace, and Sister Mariana Koonce, RSM, medical director of the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic, for a presentation Jan. 6 on end-of-life issues. The presentation was titled “The Mystery of Human Suffering and End-of-Life Principles” and shared the Church’s teaching on these subjects.

w ww.di o k no x .o rg

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

Calendar

The annual Knoxville Catholic Charities of East Tennessee Dinner will start at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 5, at Rothchild Catering and Conference Center, 8807 Kingston Pike in Knoxville.

The annual Chattanooga Catholic Charities Dinner is set for 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 12, at the Chattanooga Convention Center, 1150 Carter St. in Chattanooga. Both evenings include a cocktail reception, a silent auction, dancing, and a dinner, as well as a program focusing on the work of CCETN in the community and a special presentation of the Pope Francis Service Award.

Proceeds from the events benefit Catholic Charities of East Tennessee.

For tickets or sponsorships, visit www. ccetn.org/events or call 865-963-4727.

Singers, choir directors, clergy, and others interested in sacred music are invited to the sixth annual Southeastern Summer Sacred Music Workshop, to be held midday Friday, July 31, through Saturday, Aug. 1, at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn Gregorian chant or improve their chant skills and to prepare and sing polyphonic music for a sung Mass on Saturday afternoon. Workshop topics will include the history and purpose of Gregorian chant, Church documents on the liturgy, English and Spanish chant, improving parish music programs on a limited budget, free online sources of liturgical music, and more. Online registration will be available in February. The event is cosponsored by the Diocese of Knoxville Music Commission and Southeastern Sacred Music, a chapter of the Church Music Association of America.

For more information, visit southeasternsacredmusic.com, e-mail mary@ b16schola.org, or call Mary Weaver at 865-437-8620.

All Saints Parish in Knoxville is holding its annual Derby Days adult social and fundraiser Friday, May 1, in the parish hall. Items needed for the social’s silent auction include themed baskets, memberships, restaurant certificates, artwork, hotel getaways, services, event tickets, activities, and classes. For more information, contact Sarah Bryant at adultsocial2020@gmail.com.

The 2020 Knoxville Diocesan Council of Catholic Women Convention will take place Thursday, April 23, through Saturday, April 25. The 31st annual event is hosted by the Five Rivers Deanery CCW at the Morristown Conference Center Hotel and at St. Patrick Church in Morristown. The convention theme is “Mary’s Fiat, Our Yes: A Vision for the Future.” Patricia Livingston, Sonja Corbitt, and Sister Anna Marie McGuan, RSM, will be the convention’s speakers.

This year is the 100th anniversary of the National CCW, and there will be prizes at the convention related to that, including a prize for the 100th registrant. Information and registration forms may be found at http://kdccw.org/conventions.html.

The second annual Call to Love Marriage Conference will be held Saturday, March 21, beginning at noon in the Shea Room at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville. Sister Anna Marie McGuan, RSM, director of the diocesan Office of Christian Formation, will offer three talks on Pope St. John Paul II’s “Theology of the Body” and how better understanding his teaching can enrich your marriage.

The conference concludes with Mass at 5 p.m. Cost is $25 per couple and includes lunch. Each couple will receive a discount coupon for The Paraclete Catholic Books and Gifts store. Registration and payment is due by Friday, March 13. Online payment may be made at https://tinyurl.com/DoK-Callto-Love-20. Checks may be mailed to The Chancery, Attention: Karen Byrne, 805 S. Northshore Drive, Knoxville, TN 37919. For more information, contact Mrs. Byrne at kbyrne@dioknox.org or 865-584-3307.

TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C AT HO L I C

“Reclaim Fatherhood,” a free miniretreat hosted by international speaker Jimmy Mitchell, will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 28, at St. John Neumann Church in Farragut.

The event is for ages 15-plus and is “for Catholic men who are tired of living in a world of perpetual adolescence.” The day will begin with breakfast and conclude with Mass. For more information, contact Beth Parsons at bparsons@ dioknox.org or 865-584-3307.

The Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus will host a retreat featuring Dr. John Bergsma. Dr. Bergsma is a full professor of theology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. The retreat will be held at 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, March 9 and 10, in the Cathedral Hall.

There will be a Spanish retreat in the Shea Room hosted by Father Rafael Ramirez at the same dates and times.

A Called & Gifted adult faith-formation workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at St. Patrick Church in Morristown. Join Sister Anna Marie McGuan, RSM, and Katherine Coolidge for this one-day workshop on charisms and discernment. Cost is $50. For more information, visit https://dioknox.org/event/calledgifted/ or e-mail srannamarie@dioknox. org to learn more or to register.

The Covecrest Lifeteen Summer Camp is set for 8 a.m. Monday, June 1, to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 6, in Tiger, Ga. For more than 15 years, “Covecrest has provided experiences at summer camp where high school teens are able to be free and confident in themselves, develop new friendship with other teens from their parish and the diocese, and encounter God working in their lives.” Cost is $660 per person (includes transportation, T-shirt, and all camp activities), and space is limited. To register, contact Beth Parsons at bparsons@dioknox.org or 865-584-3307.

The violinists of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, led by concertmaster William Shaub, will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus as part of the Cathedral Concert Series. The free performance will include the complete violin sonatas and partitas by Johann Sebastian Bach. Seating is limited.

Tickets are available at The Paraclete Books and Gifts Store on the cathedral campus.

COURTESY OF MARLENE YURICK

The Rites of Election of Catechumens and the Call to Continuing Conversion of Candidates will be held at 1 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 29, for the Chattanooga and Five Rivers deaneries and 4 p.m.

Sunday, March 1, for the Cumberland Mountain and Smoky Mountain deaneries, both at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Bishop Richard F. Stika will preside at both ceremonies.

Father Menezes speaks at Holy Trinity parish mission Holy Trinity in Jefferson City held a parish mission in November, with the theme “Work Out Your Salvation,” featuring Father Wade Menezes, CPM (second from right). He is pictured with Deacon Jim Prosak (left), Deacon David Oatney, and pastor Father Patrick Resen. Father Menezes, who is of the Fathers of Mercy, is a noted missioner, contributing writer, and radio and TV guest. He is the author of the recent book, The Last Four Things: A Catechetical Guide to Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell.

Parish notes continued from page B4 The CCW hosted a Family Game Night on Jan. 10.

IC hosted a Medic Regional Blood Center blood drive Jan. 26.

Anniversary: Tony and Jean Alois (64), Jim and Toni Ferguson (56), Bruce and Patti Wilson (53)

Our Lady of Fatima, Alcoa

Five Rivers Deanery​ Holy Trinity, Jefferson City Parish administrator Cheryl Prosak retired effective Jan. 7. She has served Holy Trinity Parish since 2005, becoming office manager upon the death of Jinx Bryant in 2009. During the next several months, Mrs. Prosak will assist in the office one day each week as Jennifer LaMonte takes on the role of office manager. Ms. LaMonte will be assisted by Andrea Jarnagin, parttime office assistant. In her retirement years, Mrs. Prosak plans to spend more leisurely time with her husband, Deacon Jim Prosak, and daughter Chloe, increase her prayer time, and travel.

The parish thanked Martin Witberg for installing an extra handrail on the stairs between Trinity Hall and the church.

Anniversary: Ray and Helen LaShier (60), Peter and Diane Heinen (55)

The U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America’s Airlifter Brass will perform Americana and patriotic music at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus at 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9. Admission is free.

Tickets are required and are available at The Paraclete Books and Gifts Store located on the Cathedral campus, at 865588-0338, or at the door.

Newcomers: Katarzyna and Lukasz Bryja

The Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga welcomes the Chattanooga Bach Choir and Orchestra for a concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, as part of the basilica’s 2019-20 Sacred Music Concert Series. The allBeethoven concert, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the composer’s birth year, includes Beethoven’s Mass in C. Tickets are $25 at the door, or they may be purchased online at chattanoogabachchoir.org. The concert series continues with The Mass: Across the Ages, choral Mass settings in Spanish and Latin featuring the Chattanooga Girls Choir with the McCallie Boys Choir, Voci Virili, the Voice of Reason Women’s Ensemble, a full orchestra, and guest soloists. The free concert is set for 6:30 p.m. Sunday, March 29. The event will include Misa Criolla by Ariel Ramírez, Mozart’s Coronation Mass in C, the premiere of “La Canción de Chattanooga,” and more. Visit chattanoogagirlschoir.org for more details. Donations will be accepted to benefit the basilica.

St. Dominic, Kingsport

Notre Dame, Greeneville The Knights of Columbus will hold their annual Cincinnati Chili Auction on Saturday, Feb. 22. Worthy auction items are needed.

Our Lady of Fatima will kick off its anniversary year for the 20th anniversary of the church dedication Wednesday, March 11. The parish will celebrate a mass at 7 p.m., followed by a reception. All are welcome. Other celebratory events to be announced will take place in 2020.

Bishop Richard F. Stika installed Father Peter Iorio as pastor of Our Lady of Fatima on Feb. 2.

The Council of Catholic Women hosted Dr. Veronica Gubatan, a psychiatrist and parishioner, on Jan. 13 for a talk on suicide prevention.

The parish held an Epiphany International Dinner Jan. 5.

The music ministry’s sixth annual Advent Lessons & Carols took place Dec. 15, featuring works by Vivaldi, Rachmaninoff, and more.

A Thanksgiving collection raised $724 for the Community Food Connection.

Sacred Heart, Knoxville Knights of Columbus Council 5207 is hosting a Father-Daughter Dance in the Cathedral Hall at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8. Admission will be $10 per family. The Knights will provide balloons, picture opportunities, punch and cookies, and a DJ. RSVP to Gerard Jabaley at gjabaley@wimberlylawson.com.

St. John XXIII, Knoxville

A Retreat for Catechists (Retiro para Catequistas) hosted by the diocesan Office of Hispanic Ministry will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. The retreat is for all who support a diocesan ministry such as catechists, readers, prayer groups, etc., as well as any parents for being the first catechists for their children. RSVP by Feb. 14 to 865-637-4769.

Calendar continued on page B6

Parish children in preschool through fifth grade sang and performed sign language to the song “Your Grace Is Enough” as a Communion meditation during the 9:30 a.m. Mass on Jan. 26.

The annual youth group ski trip took place Jan. 25 at Beech Mountain Ski Resort in North Carolina.

Sandi Davidson of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee Pregnancy Services thanked the parish for donating more than $3,400 to the Pregnancy Help Center through a baby-bottle drive.

Ornaments on the parish’s Advent tree had suggested gifts to benefit adults with developmental disabilities and residents of Serene Manor nursing home.

Smoky Mountain Deanery Holy Ghost, Knoxville Holy Ghost Council 16523 of the Knights of Columbus has presented the 2019 Sir Les Lougheed Memorial Award to Jose Luis Santiago for dedicated service to God, Church, and mankind. This is the first year for the award given in memory of Mr. Lougheed, a former Grand Knight of Council 16523 and a parish lay leader who passed away Oct. 2, 2018.

Holy Ghost hosted the Ladies of Charity general meeting and retreat Jan. 29. Sister Anna Marie McGuan, RSM, director of Christian Formation for the diocese, was the guest speaker.

Immaculate Conception, Knoxville The annual Parish Appreciation Epiphany Brunch for parish volunteers and their spouses took place Jan. 5 at The Foundry.

w ww.di o k no x .o rg

Anniversary: Richard and Charlotte Higginbotham (45) St. Joseph the Worker, Madisonville The parish congratulated its newest parish council members, Jim Wakefield and Mary Jo Ouilette.

The St. Mary’s Legacy Foundation of East Tennessee has awarded a grant of $3,000 to St. Joseph the Worker to support the expansion of its Feed My Sheep project that helps Monroe County individuals and families who contact the church for assistance in times of significant need.

St. Joseph the Worker hosted the fifth Sunday Ecumenical Dinner and Service on Jan. 26 to celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Father Julius Abuh thanked Dick and Patty Smith for the new white drape for the reredos in the church. n FEBRUARY 2, 2020 n B5

COURTESY OF JANE WICKER

COURTESY OF SISTER IMELDA QUECHOL, MAG

Parish and community news

MARIA RIST

St. Francis-Fairfield Glade CCW presents fashion show At its January meeting, the Council of Catholic Women from St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fairfield Glade presented an “Upscale Resale Fashion Show,” with clothing and accessories from last spring’s annual rummage sale. Member Deb Boyle coordinated the event. Parishioner Paul Dahar, whose clothing was also from the rummage sale, escorted the models. The dates for this year’s rummage sale are March 27-28.

Models pictured with Mr. Dahar are (from left) Mary Wieczorek, Stasia LeFrancois, Maral Caputo, Jackie McAfee, and Mary Ellen Kurtzman.

Concert raises funds for St. Stephen sound system St. Stephen Parish in Chattanooga kicked off fundraising efforts for a sound system through a recent benefit concert featuring the music ministry. The concert included a variety of styles and genres of sacred music as well as full ensemble pieces and solos.

COURTESY OF AL LESAR

COURTESY OF NANCY POWELL

Basilica celebrates Our Lady of Guadalupe The Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga on Dec. 11 celebrated the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The celebration, led by the Hispanic community, began with the rosary and other prayers in the church. There was a procession (top photo) around the city block with an image of Our Lady, followed by the vigil Mass, and a dinner and a play in Varallo Parish Hall. An estimated 800 people joined in the festivities in honor of the patron saint of the Americas.

St. Joseph Parish offers Epiphany dinner Parishioners of St. Joseph in Norris line up for treats Jan. 5 at the Epiphany dinner, sponsored by the parish council.

Calendar continued from page B5 The youth ministry of All Saints Parish in Knoxville invites people of all ages to a “PJ Party with PJ Anderson” from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 1, at All Saints Church (children fifth grade and under must be accompanied by a parent). Those attending are asked to wear their favorite pajamas; prizes will be awarded for the best pajamas. Mr. Anderson is a Catholic singer-songwriter from Nashville. Cost is $10 per person for the party only or $15 for the party and lunch (12:45 to 1:30 p.m.; must be ordered in advance). Register and pay online at www.allsaintsknoxville.org/ym-eventregistrations. For more information, contact Annie Nassis at 865-474-8609 or annie@allsaintsknoxville.com or visit https://dioknox.org/event/pj-party-with-pj-anderson/ or https://www.bandsintown.com/e/101727311.

The Ladies of Charity are looking for dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, and optometrists for its Remote Area Medical (RAM) Clinic on April 25, 2020. For more information, call Dave Roulier at 865-607-6330.

A free Diocese of Knoxville Women’s Retreat: Cultivating the Interior Life will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Lenoir City. The retreat will focus on cultivating stillness, silence, and focus and will be led by Sister Anna Marie McGuan, RSM, director of the diocesan Office of Christian Formation. Learn more or register online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/diocese-ofknoxville-womens-retreat-tickets-89107856999. Contact Sister Anna Marie at srannamarie@dioknox.org.

The newly formed Monsignor Xavier Mankel Schola seeks singers of 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 Most 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.

A Rachel’s Vineyard healing and recovery retreat for those who have experienced emotional or spiritual difficulties from an abortion is scheduled for the weekend of Feb. 28-March 1 at Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton. Complete confidentiality is honored B6 n FEBRUARY 2, 2020

at all times. One-on-one counseling is available with a trained counselor for those who cannot attend a weekend retreat. For more information, contact Sandi Davidson at 865-776-4510 or sandi@ccetn.org, or visit https://dioknox.org/event/rachels-vineyard/.

Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga is currently accepting applications for the 2020-21 academic year. Visit www.myndhs.com to apply online and view important upcoming events. Call Laura Goodhard at 423-624-4618 with any questions.

St. Jude School in Chattanooga is currently accepting applications for grades PK3 through eight for the 2020-21 school year. To learn more or schedule a tour, contact admissions director Kathie Preston at 423-877-6022 or prestonk@mysjs.com.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Chattanooga is currently accepting applications for grades prekindergarten through eight for the 2020-21 school year. To learn more, contact Teresa Hennen, director of admissions, at 423-622-1481 or teresahennen@ myolph.com or visit school.myolph.com.

The St. Ambrose Catholic Homeschool Co-op is registering for the 2020-21 school year. The co-op meets Fridays at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga. Registration will be underway March 1 through April 30. Classes begin Aug. 21 for nurseryaged children through high-schoolers. For more information, visit https://www.stspeterandpaulbasilica.com/ pages/stambrose. To schedule a visit or learn more, e-mail stambrosecoop@gmail.com.

St. Joseph School in Knoxville is holding a Mardi Gras benefit from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, in the gymnasium. The evening will feature dinner and drinks, silent and live auctions, dancing, and door prizes. Cost is $50 per person. Tables for eight ($400) and 10 ($500) may be purchased. Registration deadline is Friday, Feb. 14. Register online at sjsknox.org/mardi-gras/. Call the school with any questions at 865-689-3424.

The eighth grade at St. Joseph School in Knoxville will have a pancake breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at Aubrey’s in Powell. For tickets, call the school at 865-689-3424.

The next Retrouvaille program in Nashville, designed to help couples rebuild their marriages, is scheduled for w ww.di o k no x .o rg

March 6-8. Call 800-470-2230 or 615-523-0631, e-mail nrv3043@gmail.com, or visit www.HelpOurMarriage.com.

Created for Connection, a two-day workshop for Christian couples, is set for 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Saturday, March 28, and 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 29, at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga. The workshop “is a positive, research-based program for all married couples who want to strengthen and deepen their relationship and for premarital couples who want to prepare and learn how to make love last for a lifetime.” Cost is $40 per couple for both days and includes lunch on Saturday and snacks both days.

Pre-registration is required by Wednesday, March 25.

Visit https://dioknox.org/event/hold-me-tight-2-dayworkshop-for-couples/ to learn more or to register. Call Alicia Bradshaw at 423-402-8256 with questions.

The next Picture of Love engaged couples retreat is scheduled for 7-10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, 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, e-mail kbyrne@ dioknox.org or visit dioknox.org/event/picture-of-loveengaged-couple-retreat-2-2-2/. Another Picture of Love retreat will be held April 17-18 at St. Stephen.

The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekends are set for Feb. 28-March 1 and April 17-19. Apply online at GATN-wwme.org or call 678-242-WWME. Also, WWME has a focused program for couples with a spouse in the military. Information can be found at www.foryourmilitarymarriage.com.

Search for Christian Maturity weekend No. 57 for the Five Rivers Deanery will be held from 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, at St. Michael the Archangel Church, 1700 Jackson Love Highway in Erwin. Search “is a retreat program that tries to help high school juniors and seniors see how they can be faith leaders in their schools and parishes. This is done by having the participants come to know God, themselves, and others in a more loving, personal way.”

Cost is $65. For more information, contact Deacon Jim Calendar continued on page B7 TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C ATH OLI C

MARIA RIST (2)

COURTESY OF BILL HEWITT (2)

Parish and community news

St. Henry Knights council welcomes state officers, past Grand Knights Knights of Columbus Council 8860 in Rogersville on Jan. 4 hosted Tennessee Knights of Columbus council officers at St. Henry Parish’s Epiphany and Nigerian celebrations. In the top photo is a presentation of a plaque containing the names of past Grand Knights of St. Henry’s council. From left are Knights state secretary Fred Laufenberg, Council 8860 Grand Knight Robert McDaniel, State Deputy Michael McCusker, and Father Bart Okere, state Knights associate chaplain and pastor of St. Henry. In the second photo are state officers, past Grand Knights, and others attending the dinner. From left are financial secretary Michael Opiela, Mr. Laufenberg, Mr. McDaniel, past Grand Knight Maurice DeWitte, Mr. McCusker, Father Okere, state warden David Zwissler, and past Grand Knights James Egbert and Tony Wilkosz.

Calendar continued from page B6 Fage at 423-748-2836 or djimfstpat@ gmail.com or visit https://dioknox.org/ event/search-weekend-57/.

Basilica hosts Roueché Chorale & Orchestra for 20th annual program On Dec. 12 and 13, the Roueché Chorale & Orchestra, directed by Jeffrey Roueché of St. Stephen Parish in Chattanooga, presented its 20th annual Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul. Father David Carter (bottom photo), rector of the basilica, officiated. The program featured guest soprano soloist Indra Thomas and several soloists from the Diocese of Knoxville, including Ann Marie Hartman, Noah Muncy, Cynthia Spangler, and Gretchen von Peters. The basilica was filled to capacity both nights. Mr. Roueché was born in Chattanooga. Since 1988, he has been a music specialist in the state of Georgia.

He has also served as music minister at several churches in the Chattanooga area.

Mr. Roueché is a 1995 graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he received a master’s degree in music education with vocal and instrumental emphasis.

COURTESY OF MIKE RODTS

Chattanooga Search weekend No. 160 is set for 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, at Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center, 300 Locke Lane in Benton. See the above announcement for more information about Search. Cost is $80. For more information, contact Donna Jones at 423-718-4387 or djones@dioknox. org or visit https://dioknox.org/event/ chattanooga-search-weekend-160/.

Knights council collects Pictured are many of the donations the Knights of Columbus collected for the Crab Orchard Care Center.

Fairfield Glade Knights collect hundreds of items in ‘warm clothing’ drive

R

ecently, Council 16088 of the Knights of Columbus at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fairfield Glade conducted a drive to accumulate warm clothing for the Crab Orchard Care Center.

Donations were gathered at St. Francis of Assisi Church before and after each of three Masses one weekend. Announcements of the upcoming drive were provided for several weeks beforehand at Masses, at gatherings, and in the bulletin to allow parishioners to prepare their donations.

The result was a very successful effort, as the collected items included 305 coats or jackets, 235 sweaters, 46 blankets, 52 scarfs, 62 pairs of gloves, 49 pairs of pants, 43 hats, 30 pairs of socks, and 15 pairs of shoes. Many of these items were brand new.

Volunteers from the Knights of Columbus and the Crab Orchard Care Center then sorted the items and hung them on racks, or laid them out for distribution. Advance notifications of the scheduled disTH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C AT HO L I C

tribution at local churches helped ensure that it was as successful as the donation process. Many recipients expressed great thanks to the Care Center staff for those involved in making the drive happen, and to those who took the time and care to make the donations.

The Crab Orchard Care Center is an independent nonprofit agency that functions to serve the needs of those in eastern Cumberland County. The center is located at 87 Commerce St. in Crab Orchard. Besides distributions such as this, the center provides food assistance every Saturday to needy families, generally serving between 110 and 130 families per week. This effort is an ongoing task throughout the year.

To participate in serving the needs of the organization, call Mary Nelson, director of the center, at 931-707-5616. To make a financial donation to help the center provide for needed supplies and equipment, its mailing address is P.O. Box 274, Crab Orchard, TN 37723. n

Join Sister Anna Marie McGuan, RSM, director of Christian Formation for the Diocese of Knoxville, on a journey to Spain. Walk in the footsteps of St. Teresa of Avila on this special pilgrimage from June 1-9 that will include visits to Toledo and Barcelona. After the group arrives in Madrid, Sister Anna Marie will lead pilgrims on a spiritual adventure that includes four nights in Avila, the city of kings and saints, completely encircled by 11th-century walls. This trip will include one day in Toledo and two days in Barcelona. Mass will be celebrated every day. Learn more or register at https:// canterburypilgrimages.com/Knoxville.

Join Father Alex Waraksa on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje, Dubrovnik, and the seaside village of Cavtat from June 15-24. Pope Francis recently approved pilgrimages to Medjugorje. This pilgrimage will be an opportunity for prayer and reflection in the midst of the beauty of Croatia. Land and air, all-inclusive price is $3,295 per person based on double occupancy. For more information contact Lisa Morris at 865-567-1245 or lisam@select-intl.com. There will be an information gathering with Father Waraksa for anyone interested in learning more about the pilgrimage. It is set for Tuesday, Feb. 25, following the 6 p.m. Mass at Holy Trinity Church in Jefferson City.

Contact Mrs. Morris for more details.

de los Lagos, which is famous for its Basilica of the Virgin of San Juan de Los Lagos, the mission churches established

by St. Junipero Serra founded in the Sierra Gorda region of Mexico, and the Guanajuato statue of “Cristo Rey,” which is the world’s second largest statue of Christ the King. The group will visit more sites as well. For more information, contact Lisa Morris at 865-567-1245 or lisam@select-intl.com.

The Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga is now normally open weekdays from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturdays, with extended hours on some weeknights. The weekday schedule includes daily Mass at 7 a.m. Monday (ancient form), Wednesday, and Friday, and noon Monday through Friday. Confessions are offered at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.

Morning prayer is offered after the 7 a.m.

Mass on Monday/Wednesday/Friday.

Adoration is offered on first Fridays following the noon Mass, concluding with Benediction at 5:30 p.m. Adoration continues from 9 p.m. until 7 a.m. Saturday.

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 the fourth Sunday of each month at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul. The next Missa Cantata celebrations will be Feb. 23 and March 22 at 5 p.m., followed by the fourth Sunday basilica potluck at 6:30 p.m.

Cardinal Justin Rigali will be the spiritual leader on a historic pilgrimage to the 52nd Eucharistic Congress in Budapest from Sept. 17-27, including highlights of central Europe, Vienna, Salzburg, and Munich. Visit dioknox.org/cardinalrigali-to-represent-u-s-catholic-churchat-2020-eucharistic-congress for more information or contact Lisa Morris at 865567-1245 or lisam@select-intl.com.

Mass in the extraordinary form (“traditional Latin”) is celebrated at noon each Sunday at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville; every Sunday at 8 a.m. at St. Mary Church in Athens; at 2 p.m. each Sunday at St. Mary Church in Johnson City; and at 7 a.m. Mondays and 5 p.m. each fourth Sunday at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga. For more information, visit www.KnoxLatinMass.net.

Glenmary Father Steve Pawelk will lead another pilgrimage to Mexico from Nov. 2-12, visiting the shrines of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Sanctuario de Santo Toribio Romo, built for one of the 25 Mexicans who were martyred during the persecution of the Church in the 1920s. Pilgrims will explore San Juan

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 865-584-3307 or visit www. saintthomasknoxville.org/ for details. n

w ww.di o k no x .o rg

FEBRUARY 2, 2020 n B7

Praying for Perspective

by George Valadie

A long day in a surgical waiting room

Moments of boredom and moments of action—and worry— fill a morning and an afternoon

J

an. 14, 2020, 9:30 a.m.—The premise for this column has been my belief that life throws occasional craziness at us, and often our response is even crazier. So rethinking our perspective—or praying for some—is a need we all have on occasion. Like today.

Right this minute, life is throwing some of that my wife’s way, and I’m here with 35 new friends in a surgical waiting room. No accident; she chose to be here. So hopefully, her day will end with a right foot that works and looks better than the one she has.

There are official names for what’s happening today: “bunion correction, bone fusion, skin graft.” The woman’s even got a “bunionette”; I kid you not. Saw it in the surgical orders myself.

But unofficially she’s been cursed with her mother’s feet, and they look a lot like Africa. Shoes have long been a challenge, comfortable shoes even more so, her balance isn’t all that great either. She’s needed this.

10:02 a.m.—We’ve parted company for now, and I’ve advanced to the second waiting room, me and 13 more new friends. Apparently, all our loved ones are having some sort of orthopedic work done today, which I won’t lie, gives me more peace than that first room where apparently the full gamut of surgical procedures are being prayed about.

10:23 a.m.—Back together in waiting room No. 3, just me and Nancy and a curtain. So far I’ve loved everyone we’ve met, but they forget you can hear them. “Yeah, I perforated a lady’s palate once, that

Right this minute, life is throwing some of that [craziness] my wife’s way . . . No accident, she chose to be here. So hopefully, her day will end with a right foot that works and looks better than the one she has. thing’s sharper than you think” … “happens all the time” … “when I got finished with a guy, he looked like hamburger meat” … “will you get me some Chick-fil-A?” 10:37 a.m.—Game time is apparently scheduled for “12:30 lasting to 14:30,” said the kind but official man at the desk. Kindness goes a long way when you’re nervous.

It doesn’t fix anything, but it does have a remarkable calming effect. I should remember that for others.

11:23 a.m.—This is the hurry-upand-wait phase of having this sort of thing done. She’s looking at her phone; I’m looking at mine. If I’m supposed to be offering words to minimize her nervousness, I’m failing. Maybe I should Google some.

12:35 p.m.—Kickoff has obviously been delayed, but I’m OK with that.

I want him to take his time with her like he’s taking his time with the patients before us.

12:43 p.m.—Just got to see the surgeon before he does his thing.

My whole family has been texting throughout, all of us worried, but it’s reassuring to know doctors worry, too.

Just to make sure, he asked her to point at the foot that needed work.

Then he took out a magic marker and wrote his initials on it. Didn’t

want to make that mistake I guess.

Though I was hoping technology had advanced somewhat.

12:44 p.m.—He was apparently the signal. Motion and movement everywhere. Headed back to waiting room No. 2 while they give her a nerve block and some “feel good” medicine. I’m not sure why they don’t let me stay to see her get a few shots; I’ve been living with those feet for 42 years.

1:06 p.m.—They said they’d call me back to see her one more time beforehand, but they haven’t. I think they started without me. Godspeed!

1:21 p.m.—There’s a TV here that no one’s watching, an endless loop of Dr. Phil. I think they show that so we’ll all realize there are people with worse problems.

1:27 p.m.—Not much to read either. I tried to browse this American Journal of Nursing, but it’s not holding my interest. What do you do in a surgical waiting room?

This feels so different than my previous tours of duty in maternity waiting rooms. There’s more lightheartedness there but none here.

Eerily quiet for a room of 13 people.

1:36 p.m.—Hearing this waiting room phone ring is an eerie experience. Five or six families all waiting for good news. There’s just one ring … but it’s affecting lots of heartbeats.

1:47 p.m.—One of my fellow “wait-ers” is a 40-something man who has a prosthetic for a leg. I didn’t pry, but I imagine there was a similar, likely more traumatic day in his past when a family of loved ones gathered in a room just like this for him, too.

2:17 p.m.—They said she’s doing fine. Thirty minutes in, 60 to go.

2:32 p.m.—I’m staring at her overnight bag. She packed a new robe she got from Sarah. Katy told her not to bring that one because she’d probably get “foot goobers” on it.

I’m looking that up in this journal.

2:35 p.m.—Wow! That happened fast. They say she’s “almost done.” I wished they hadn’t phrased it quite like that.

2:50 p.m.—The doctor emerges.

The smile on his face put one on mine.

4:03 p.m.—Darn, seems like she ought to be awake by now. They probably gave her a boatload of anesthesia. Once before when she had surgery, the “feel good” meds loosened her tongue, and she wouldn’t shut up. I know the man couldn’t possibly work with all that noise.

I’ve been composing a mental list of relatives to call when all is finished. And now I’m wondering how I’ll ever be able to tell them that she is finished.

For months, we’ve never talked about it. Not once. We never talked about her not waking up. We never talked about dying. She thought about it and so did I. And then last night she said, “What if I aspirate while I’m under anesthesia?”

Surely she’s gonna come to, right?

Please?

4:15 p.m.—Gotta go. She looks like hell, but she sure looks good.

Dear God—Thank you. Amen. ■ George Valadie is president of Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga.

KATHY RANKIN

DAN MCWILLIAMS

COURTESY OF JOY BREEDEN

Catholic youth

American Heritage Girls place wreaths at veterans cemetery Members of American Heritage Girls Troop TN0413 from St. John Neumann Parish in Farragut took part in Wreaths Across America on Dec. 14. Along with dozens of others, the girls helped place a wreath on each of the more than 4,900 headstones at East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery in Knoxville. In the top photo are (from left, front) Sarah Azel and Audrey Segrest and (back) Taylor Breeden, Morgan Ivens, Mary Donahue, Lily Breeden, and Margaret Walter. In the bottom photo are (from left) Morgan, Margaret, Mary, Lily, and Taylor. The wreaths project helped the girls live out an American Heritage Girls pillar: “honor my country.” Lydia Donahue is the troop coordinator, and Joy Breeden is the troop treasurer. For more information, visit knoxwreaths.org.

B8 n FEBRUARY 2, 2020

Knights sponsor free-throw contest at St. Joseph School Knights of Columbus Council 16523 at Holy Ghost Parish in Knoxville sponsored a free-throw contest for students on Jan. 15 at St. Joseph School. Winners of the councillevel contest, which includes boys and girls, advance to a district-level competition from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at Sacred Heart Cathedral School. Pictured above are Knight Daniel Dunn, who organized the event for Council 16523, and St. Joseph fourth-grader Josie Weedman. Girls and boys winners by age group in the St. Joseph contest were Kayla Krueger and Sam Chady (9-year-olds), Brooklyn Winton and Sonny Griffin (10), Teagan Walker and Chris Morales (11), Abby Anderson and Dominic Daddabbo (12), and Tinsley Walker and Bennett White (13). In addition, Aiden McManaway won the 14-year-boys contest.

w ww.di o k no x .o rg

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

Scripture and the Spiritual Life

by Sister Anna Marie McGuan, RSM

Should we view the Bible as a historical book?

Understanding its diverse literary genres can allow for a more fruitful reading of it

M

ost people, when they think of the Bible, think of it as a book of great importance, which it is. It is also a rather complex book, or set of books, rather, that can be easily misinterpreted and misrepresented. When asked whether or not the Bible is historical, the question that must be asked is: which part?

Bishop Robert Barron is always quick to point out that the best approach to understanding the Bible and how to read it is the same one we take at the library. There are different sections in the library containing different types of books.

The same is true in the Bible. There are different sections within the Bible, each section with its own books. There are also diverse literary genres in the various biblical books and sometimes within the same book itself; these are all placed side by side within the one binding of the Bible. Instead of one book, there are 73. Each of those books has its own historical formation and its own story to tell. The important thing to remember is that one does not read every book or every literary genre in the same way.

For example, the poetry of the Song of Songs is very different from the liturgical and sacrificial instructions of Leviticus. If I tried to read Leviticus as allegorical love poetry, I would not get very far. Likewise, the creation stories and the archetypal imagery and stories of the

Hear more from Sister Anna Marie on her podcast, Scripture and the Spiritual Life. first chapters of Genesis are not the same as the history of David and Saul and the rise of the kingdoms of Judah and Israel. They have to be read with different literary lenses, so to speak. Otherwise, I can easily misunderstand the purpose and message of the book.

Again, a common question that comes up in this regard is about the historicity of the Bible, and especially the Old Testament. If we apply the contemporary standards of historical writing to the Bible, then it is clear that the Old Testament is not history. However, if we can accept that the biblical authors wrote history in a different way than we do, we can begin to accept the stories as historical, even though they are not written according to present-day standards.

The birth of Samuel, for example, need not be a part of the story of the foundations of the monarchy for the sake of the strict history of Israel. Without it, though, it is hard to explain the deference showed to him by all the people, including Saul and David. The figure of Samuel looms large in the story of the rise of Israel’s monarchy and from a literary point of view, he is hugely important. Perhaps a secular historian would see Samuel as inconsequential to the formation of

Thoughts and Prayers for the Faithful

the monarchy, but in the biblical understanding of history he is not.

There are other passages in the Old and New Testaments that have a stronger historical flavor, such as the cursory lists of the regnal years of the kings of Israel and Judah with the brief descriptions attached to each king. There are also passages in the Acts of the Apostles where the author gives a detailed account of the places traveled by Paul and himself. He names ancient ports and cities, along with descriptions of their naval adventures. Paul, in his letters, also gives accounts of his experiences as a Pharisee and then as a Christian apostle.

The Gospels, which tell about the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth, have sometimes been devalued as historical documents. The fact that they were written around 6090 A.D., so close to the time Jesus lived, and that they give detailed information about the life, ministry, and death of Jesus should caution us against such a hasty dismissal of their value. In fact, reading the opening verses of the Gospel according to Luke can shed some light on what he was trying to do as he assembled his material and composed his Gospel account: “Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things which have been accomplished among us, just as they were delivered to us by those who from the beginning were eyewit-

nesses and ministers of the Word, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the truth concerning the things of which you have been informed.”

Luke tells us that many people were writing about Jesus’ life, ministry, and death. The information about Jesus came from eyewitnesses to the events surrounding his life.

Luke decided, after researching and speaking with various people, to write his own “orderly account” so that the reader of his Gospel would know the truth about what Jesus really did and taught. That, perhaps, is not history as we normally think of it, but it certainly does not preclude the contents of the Gospel from being historically accurate.

Developing a sensitivity to the diverse literary genres of the Bible can help clear up some of the confusion about the history it records and the stories it contains. It will allow for a fruitful reading of this document that is so critically important to understanding the history of Western civilization. ■ Sister Anna Marie McGuan, RSM, is the director of the Office of Christian Formation for the Diocese of Knoxville.

She also writes for SimplyCatholic.com, a ministry of Our Sunday Visitor.

This column originally appeared at SimplyCatholic.com.

by Bob Hunt

Love unites hearts, and hearts united unite wills We can stumble, however, if we commit the common error of convincing ourselves that our will is God’s will

T

he chief effect of love is to unite the hearts of those who love each other so that they have the same will. Hence the more we submit to God’s designs for us, the more we advance toward perfection.

When we resist, we go backwards.”

The above comes from the spiritual classic, Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence by Father Jean Baptiste Saint-Jure.

Love unites hearts, and hearts united unite wills. It is the goal of the Christian heart to love God entirely and, as such, to unite one’s will to the will of God. That’s why St. Augustine of Hippo could confidently advise, “Love, then do what you will.” God is love, and if one truly loves, then one’s heart is entirely united with God’s own heart.

United entirely with God’s heart, one’s will is entirely united to God’s will. Those who truly love will only act according to God’s will.

Here is the temptation: to mistake our own will for God’s will. Rather than submitting to God’s will out of love, we submit to our own will and convince ourselves that our will is God’s will. This is a common error in a pseudo-spiritual environment where people believe that the truth about God is assumed to emerge

Daily readings Saturday, Feb. 1: 2 Samuel 12:17, 10-17; Psalm 51:12-17; Mark 4:35-41 Sunday, Feb. 2: Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 24:7-10; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40 Monday, Feb. 3: 2 Samuel 15:13-14, 30, and 16:5-13; Psalm 3:2-7; Mark 5:1-20 Tuesday, Feb. 4: 2 Samuel 18:9-10, 14, 24-25 and 18:30–19:3; Psalm 86:16; Mark 5:21-43 Wednesday, Feb. 5: Memorial of St. Agatha, virgin and martyr, 2 Samuel 24:2, 9-17; Psalm 32:1-2, 5-7; Mark 6:1-6 Thursday, Feb. 6: Memorial of St. Paul Miki and companions, martyrs, 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12; 1 Chronicles TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C AT HO L I C

from within themselves. As a result, even many Christians are in the habit of reflecting on the Scriptures or of praying, not for the purpose of considering what God might be demanding of them, but to justify or erroneously confirm the decisions and lifestyles they’ve already chosen.

Now, I don’t pretend to be an expert on the matter, but one way I think we can expect to know God’s will for us is if we are regularly surprised and made uncomfortable. God often calls us outside of ourselves, to stretch us and to expect more of ourselves than we are commonly wont to do. We like to be comfortable. We like to find our groove. Too often, however, a groove becomes a rut. God likes to knock us out of our ruts. In fact, I believe He finds great joy in doing so!

Another way of discerning God’s will for us is to consider the cir-

cumstances of our lives, especially those aspects or events of our lives over which we have little control.

All that happens to us, the good and the bad, is according to His will and for the sake of our salvation.

By responding to the circumstances of our lives with holy submission to God and even gratitude to God, we more and more shape ourselves according to God’s designs. But, are we too eager to believe that what God should want for us is all good, or all pleasure, or all wellness, happiness, and comfort, even in this temporal realm, and turn to anger at God when our circumstances are difficult or even dreadful? How can we believe this when we see so often that those most dedicated to Him are suffering at the hands of a godless world?

Consider the martyrs and the persecuted Church. Surely, their hardships and sacrifices are not the result of God having abandoned them.

Quite the opposite! Their trial by fire is testimony to God’s great love and grace forging them to perfection.

God does not try us beyond our ability to persevere. It takes little effort and less faith to hold firm to the Rock when we’re standing on the top, basking under the sun, far from

the waves that regularly strike the base. The holy and mighty ones are those enduring the torrent, gripping with everything they have to the One they know is their sure foundation, while the storm rages about them, posing a constant threat. Even still, it is the struggle that strengthens them. Their submission to God’s will even in their suffering confirms their love for Him. Christ was “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). Are we not united to Him more in our sorrows?

Do we not resemble Him more in our sufferings?

The more we love God, the more we will desire to do His will and the more our lives will reflect His will. The more we submit to God’s designs, especially when those designs mean hardship, the more we advance toward perfection. Be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48). Thy will be done, on earth—and in me—as it is in heaven.

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

29:10-12; Mark 6:7-13 Friday, Feb. 7: Sirach 47:2-11; Psalm 18:31, 47, 50-51; Mark 6:14-29 Saturday, Feb. 8: 1 Kings 3:4-13; Psalm 119:9-14; Mark 6:30-34 Sunday, Feb. 9: Isaiah 58:7-10; Psalm 112:4-9; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Matthew 5:13-16 Monday, Feb. 10: Memorial of St. Scholastica, virgin, 1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13; Psalm 132:6-10; Mark 6:53-56 Tuesday, Feb. 11: 1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30; Psalm 84:3-5, 10-11; Mark 7:1-13 Wednesday, Feb. 12: 1 Kings 10:110; Psalm 37:5-6, 30-31, 39-40; Mark 7:14-23 Thursday, Feb. 13: 1 Kings 11:413; Psalm 106:3-4, 35-37, 40; Mark 7:24-30 Friday, Feb. 14: Memorial of Sts.

Cyril, monk, and Methodius, bishop, 1 Kings 11:29-32 and 12:19; Psalm 81:10-15; Mark 7:31-37 Saturday, Feb. 15: 1 Kings 12:26-32 and 13:33-34; Psalm 106:6-7, 19-22; Mark 8:1-10 Sunday, Feb. 16: Sirach 15:15-20; Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34; 1 Corinthians 2:6-10; Matthew 5:17-37 Monday, Feb. 17: James 1:1-11; Psalm 119:67-68, 71-72, 75-76; Mark 8:11-13 Tuesday, Feb. 18: James 1:12-18; Psalm 94:12-15, 18-19; Mark 8:14-21 Wednesday, Feb. 19: James 1:19-27; Psalm 15:2-5; Mark 8:22-26 Thursday, Feb. 20: James 2:1-9; Psalm 34:2-7; Mark 8:27-33 Friday, Feb. 21: James 2:14-24, 26; Psalm 112:1-6; Mark 8:34–9:1

Saturday, Feb. 22: Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, apostle, 1 Peter 5:1-4; Psalm 23:1-6; Matthew 16:13-19 Sunday, Feb. 23: Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18; Psalm 103:1-4, 8, 10, 12-13; 1 Corinthians 3:16-23; Mark 5:38-48 Monday, Feb. 24: James 3:13-18; Psalm 19:8-10, 15; Mark 9:14-29 Tuesday, Feb. 25: James 4:1-10; Psalm 55:7-11, 23; Mark 9:30-37 Ash Wednesday, Feb. 26: Joel 2:1218; Psalm 51:3-6, 12-14, 17; 2 Corinthians 5:20–6:2; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 Thursday, Feb. 27: Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Psalm 1:1-4, 6; Luke 9:22-25 Friday, Feb. 28: Isaiah 58:1-9; Psalm 51:3-6, 18-19; Matthew 9:14-15 Saturday, Feb. 29: Isaiah 58:9-14; Psalm 86:1-6; Luke 5:27-32 n

The more we love God, the more we will desire to do His will and the more our lives will reflect His will. The more we submit to God’s designs, especially when those designs mean hardship, the more we advance toward perfection.

w ww.di o k no x .o rg

Bob Hunt is a husband, father, and parishioner at All Saints Church in Knoxville and is a candidate for the permanent diaconate.

FEBRUARY 2, 2020 n B9

COURTESY OF NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL

Catholic schools

Pin-fall wizards Notre Dame’s state-champion bowling team includes (front) Patrick Byrne and (standing, from left) Carson Barasha, Griffin Lee, CJ Petrin, Lane Cannon, Caleb Harrigan, Mason Jurka, and Boston Eberle.

Griffin piled up 236, Patrick Byrne 216, CJ 211, Carson 209, Lane Cannon 201, and Boston 194 in Notre Dame’s game-three victory.

To reach the championship match, Notre Dame defeated Lipscomb Academy 21-6 in the quarterfinals and St. Benedict 16-11 in the semifinals. Carson’s 239 in game two against St. Benedict was tops for the Irish in the match. Griffin’s 226 was the best for the Irish against Lipscomb Academy.

CJ bested 23 competitors in the semifinals of the Division II individual tournament, recording a four-game pin-fall of 853 for a 213.25 average. But semifinal runner-up Matthew Mesecher of Pope St. John Paul II would defeat CJ in the finals 177-174.

CJ was also the state runner-up in 2019. This year, he led all of Division II with a 214.74 average. n

KCHS basketball team takes on mighty IMG Forward Akeem Odusipe of Knoxville Catholic High School battles against center Mark Williams of IMG Academy in a matchup of outstanding basketball teams Jan. 25 at KCHS. A sellout crowd watched the visitors from Bradenton, Fla., the defending national champions, defeat the host Irish 71-53. Knoxville Catholic, which topped Chattanooga Christian School 62-55 on the road the previous night, fell to 15-4 with the loss.

DR. KELLY KEARSE

T

he Notre Dame High School boys bowling team captured the Division II state championship Jan. 25 with an 18-9 win over Christian Brothers in the finals at Smyrna Bowling Center.

The Fighting Irish held a 3,4643,233 pin-fall advantage over the Memphis team, including a whopping 1,267-1,056 win in game three of the three-game match.

CJ Petrin, who earlier was named the state’s Mr. Bowling for Division II and finished as state runner-up in the individual bowling championship, scored 234 in game one of the team finals. Teammates Griffin Lee and Boston Eberle each recorded scores of 221 as the Irish won 1,101-1,059.

CJ tallied 213, Griffin 211, and Carson Barasha 203 in game two, which Christian Brothers won 1,118-1,096.

DR. KELLY KEARSE

Notre Dame boys bowling team knocks down state championship in Division II

DR. KELLY KEARSE

COURTESY OF CISSY WEST

KCHS football foursome signs with universities Four football players from Knoxville Catholic High School took advantage of the national early signing day Dec. 18 to sign letters of intent with universities. Tyler Baron (right) announced his decision to attend the University of Tennessee at Knoxville at the signing event. Also pictured are (from left) Chancellor Bright, who signed with Marshall University; Bryn Tucker, a Clemson University signee; and Cooper Mays, who signed with UT-Knoxville.

Connors recognized at KCHS Green & Gold Gala Mike and Carol Connor, for their tremendous support of the school, were honored with the prestigious Irish Legends award Jan. 25 at Knoxville Catholic High School’s Green & Gold Gala. Many family members were on hand to share the special event, including son Patrick in a surprise visit. The Connors are pictured with KCHS president Dickie Sompayrac.

NDHS students donate ‘No Shave November’ proceeds to food bank Each November, students at Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga have the option to participate in the annual “No Shave November” fundraiser. For $15, students can wear spirit wear, in place of the regular uniform, each day, and male students compete for best facial hair. This past year students raised more than $5,000 that will go to various nonprofits that help the needy of Chattanooga. Students presented the first check of $3,500 to the Chattanooga Area Food Bank at WRCB-TV’s 32nd annual Share Your Christmas food drive. With the food bank’s buying power, every dollar can purchase four meals. Notre Dame’s donation will provide 14,000 meals. From left are Jazzmyne Watkins, Sarah Eiselstein, Ryan Signiski, Gina Crumbliss (executive director of Chattanooga Area Food Bank), Anna Booker, Charles Hoang, and Lane Cannon.

B10 n FEBRUARY 2, 2020

COURTESY OF KATHIE PRESTON

COURTESY OF LAURA GOODHARD

OLPH student wins Hamilton County art contest Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger recently honored Our Lady of Perpetual Help seventh-grade student Carrigan Hudson for her winning submission in the annual Hamilton Shines Billboard Art Contest. The contest is co-sponsored by the Scenic Cities Beautiful Commission in cooperation with the Hamilton County Department of Education to reduce littering and promote an appreciation of the natural beauty of the area.

Carrigan received a plaque, pin, and a poster rendition of her billboard. The billboard featuring her artwork will be posted near the school for one month. Carrigan is pictured at bottom-right with sister Courtney Hudson and (from left) OLPH principal Paul Jette, parents Jay and Kari Hudson, OLPH art instructor Leah Dalton, and Mr. Coppinger.

St. Jude students participate in ‘Operation Christmas Child’ St. Jude School in Chattanooga celebrated the recent Discover Catholic Schools Week in a couple of different ways. In a project sponsored by the school’s Beta club, students participated in “Operation Christmas Child.” Students and families donated items that were boxed and wrapped. The boxes were shipped to hurricane victims in the Bahamas to brighten their Christmas season. Also during the week, middle school students invited all of the pastors in the Chattanooga Deanery for a “Clergy Appreciation Luncheon.”

www.di o k no x .o rg

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