April 6, 2014, ET Catholic by Diocese of Knoxville

This issue

He dwells among us ................ 2 Diocesan calendar ................. 10 Deanery news ........................ 11 La Cosecha ......... center pullout

The East Tennessee

Catholic schools......................15 Columns...................................22 Virtus training...........................24

April 6, 2014 Volume 23 Number 4 Bishop Richard F. Stika

News from The Diocese of Knoxville • Visit us at dioknox.org or etcatholic.org

Welcome Over 200 faithful take part in Rites of Election

Happy anniversary! Bishop Stika marks 5th year in diocese

Love offering St. John Neumann students donate hair

Hundreds attend retirement Mass for Monsignor Schmidt Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul pastor-emeritus and Chattanooga native celebrated for decades of service to priesthood

Well done, good and faithful servant Bishop Richard F. Stika, left, Monsignor George Schmidt, center, and Cardinal Justin Rigali are shown at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul after a Mass for Monsignor Schmidt, who has retired after serving at the basilica for 28 years.

DAN MCWILLIAMS

rayers were made, a homily was preached, songs were sung, a standing ovation was given and heartfelt thanks were returned as a Mass in honor of Monsignor George Schmidt, who is retiring as pastor of the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga, was celebrated March 1. Some 500 people were in attendance at the basilica to celebrate the priesthood of Monsignor Schmidt, who spent 28 years as pastor of the basilica. The monsignor, who is a native of Chattanooga, expressed joy at the Mass, which ended with a long line of well-wishers shaking his hand and giving him hugs. The Mass was followed by a formal dinner at The Read House in downtown Chattanooga near the basilica that was attended by 350 people. Bishop Richard F. Stika was principal celebrant of the Mass. Bishop David R. Choby of the Diocese of Nashville concelebrated with Abbot Cletus Meagher, OSB, and Monsignor Xavier Mankel. Cardinal Justin Rigali attended in choir. Fellow priests concelebrating included basilica parochial administrator Father David Carter, Father Bertin Glennon, ST, who is in residence at the basilica, Father

By Dan McWilliams

Peter Iorio, Father Gilbert Diaz, Father Mike Nolan, Father Bill Gahagan, and Father Mike Creson. Monsignor Schmidt now will be in residence at St. Jude Church in Chattanooga.

Bishop Stika thanked the monsignor for his service to the Church and told those attending Mass that the basilica’s pastor emeritus is not retiring from the priesthood, just as pastor of the basilica.

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

“Monsignor George Schmidt has given so much of his life to this parish,” the bishop said. “He’s moving on to a different assignment, but the thing is he isn’t moving

Monsignor continued on page 18

He dwells among us

by Bishop Richard F. Stika

Bishop’s schedule

The Great Witness We are one team in the great common witness made up of many movements that further the Church

think people like to join groups perhaps because they want to help others and to be a part of something greater than themselves. I remember my excitement when I first joined the Cub Scouts as a young boy and the sense of identity I felt as a member, particularly when wearing the blue uniform shirt with its distinct neckerchief and emblem. But as I got older, I felt less comfortable wearing anything with the word “Cub” on it given the historic rivalry between my beloved St. Louis Cardinals baseball team and our nemesis, the Chicago Cubs. But one of the wonderful things I love about the Church is that though it is made up of so many different teams, they all have a shared goal—to win souls for Christ! I particularly think of the various movements active within our diocese and the world. Each represents a unique response to the Holy Spirit, providing for a critical need existing within the Church and in our communities. These movements are not disassociated from the Church, but strive to work cooperatively with it and with our pastors so as to help bring Christ and His love and mercy to all we encounter. We are one team working together in what Blessed John Paul II calls “the great common wit-

Diocesan policy for reporting sexual abuse

Follow Bishop Richard Stika on Twitter @bishopstika and his blog for news and events from the diocese. ness,” striving together to always be the face, the hands, and the heart of Christ Jesus to others. On March 13, 2013, the world was introduced to Pope Francis, bearing the name no other pope before him has taken—that of St. Francis of Assisi. Like this much beloved saint, Pope Francis challenges us to be missionaries of the same spirit as St. Francis and to be generous in responding to the needs of others. St. Francis didn’t wait for something to originate from within the hierarchy of the Church to meet the urgent need of his day; he simply began to share Christ’s love and mercy. But he did it with the Church, striving to always be as close to the heart of the Church as to the hearts of those in need. And in doing so, he brought the heart of the Church in closer touch with the heart of the poor and needy. This is why I rejoice at the growing presence of various movements within our own diocese. Here I am reminded of a new movement within our diocese—the St. Luke Guild—made up of a growing number of

health-care professionals and volunteers who are helping to bring the healing mission of Christ and medicine to the underserved areas of East Tennessee. I am so grateful to Sister Mariana Koonce, RSM, MD, and to those of the St. Luke Guild and St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic who are so generous with their prayers, gifts, and skills in response to this great need in East Tennessee. I pray that more people will join them in this healing mission of love and medicine. In response to another critical need, particularly among young adults who long to ascend above a life of just “getting by” and to live it more fully, a movement has been growing throughout the world inspired by the life of an avid mountain climber from Italy, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. Though he died in 1930 at the age of 24, his life is proof that holiness and fun do in fact belong together, each bringing out the better in the other. Blessed Pier Giorgio encouraged others to always look and to climb “toward the top,” verso l’alto, where Christ’s peace and purpose in life is found. I am so excited that this worldwide movement inspired by his life has taken root in our own diocese, growing out of All Saints Church in Knoxville. Dr. Elijah Martin will be the coordinator of the Fras-

The East Tennessee

These are some of Bishop Stika’s public appointments: April 3: noon, Chancery staff meeting April 3: 6 p.m., Catholic Charities Dinner in Chattanooga April 5: 5 p.m., Confirmation at Blessed John Paul II Catholic Mission in Rutledge April 6: 11:30 a.m., Confirmation at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Lenoir City April 8: 11 a.m., Presbyteral Council meeting followed by a general priest meeting at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Lenoir City April 9: 7 p.m., Confirmation at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Chattanooga April 10: 5 p.m., Opening Mass of the Knoxville Diocesan Council of Catholic Women’s Convention at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga April 12: 11 a.m., Meet with the Hispanic Diocesan Council at the Chancery April 13: 9 a.m., Palm Sunday Mass at the Cathedral April 15: 7:30 p.m., Chrism Schedule continued on page 24

Bishop continued on page 8

Bishop Richard F. Stika Publisher

Dan McWilliams Assistant editor

Bill Brewer

Margaret Hunt

Anyone who has actual knowlEditor Administrative assistant edge of or who has reasonable 805 S. Northshore Drive • Knoxville, TN 37919 cause to suspect an incident of The Diocese of Knoxville sexual abuse should report such The East Tennessee Catholic (USPS 007211) is published bi-monthly by The Diocese of Knoxville, 805 S. Northshore Drive, information to the appropriate Knoxville, TN 37919-7551. Periodicals-class postage paid at Knoxville, Tenn. Printed on recycled paper by the Knoxville News Sentinel. civil authorities first, then to the The East Tennessee Catholic is mailed to all registered Catholic families in East Tennessee. Subscription rate for others is $15 a year bishop’s office, 865-584-3307, or in the United States. Make checks payable to The Diocese of Knoxville. the diocesan victims’ assistance coordinator, Marla Lenihan, 865Postmaster: Send address changes to The East Tennessee Catholic, 805 S. Northshore Drive, Knoxville, TN 37919-7551 Reach us by phone: 865-584-3307 • fax: 865-584-8124 • e-mail: webmaster@dioknox.org • web: dioknox.org 482-1388. ■

2 April 6, 2014

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Supreme Court hears case of firms’ HHS mandate challenge WASHINGTON (CNS) – Oral arguments in two cases before the U.S. Supreme Court March 25 focused on whether for-profit corporations have religious grounds to object to the new health-care law’s requirement that most employers provide contraceptive coverage in their employee health plans. Crowds on both sides of the issue gathered outside the Supreme Court on a cold, snowy morning, holding aloft signs and chanting for their cause. Inside the court, the arguments lasted for 90 minutes, an extension of the usual 60 minutes, and the justices in their questions for the lawyers arguing the cases seemed divided on the issue. At the center

was a close inspection of the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act, known as RFRA, which allows for religious exceptions to general laws in certain circumstances. The cases — ”Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby Stores Inc.” and “Conestoga Wood Specialties Corp. v. Sebelius” — made their way to the Supreme Court after federal appeals courts issued opposite rulings about the companies’ claims to a religious rights exemption to the contraceptive mandate of the health care law. At issue is the Affordable Care Act’s mandate that most employers, including religious employers, provide employees coverage of contraceptives, sterilization and some abortion-inducing drugs free of

charge, even if the employer is morally opposed to such services. Both secular businesses claim the contraceptive mandate of the health care law violates the First Amendment’s free exercise clause and their religious liberty rights under RFRA. The 1993 law says that the government “shall not substantially burden a person’s exercise of religion” unless that burden is the least restrictive means to further a compelling governmental interest. The legal question is whether RFRA protects a for-profit company from having to provide a benefit to which employees are entitled under federal law but to which the owners have religious objections. Hobby Lobby is an Oklahoma-

based chain of more than 500 arts and crafts stores with more than 13,000 employees owned by a Christian family, the Greens. Conestoga Wood Specialties is a Pennsylvania-based kitchen cabinet-making company with 950 employees owned by a Mennonite family, the Hahns. Conestoga Wood Specialties objects to complying with any portion of the mandate. Hobby Lobby is not opposed to covering birth control in its employee health plan — and in fact already provides that benefit. What the Green family objects to is being required to cover contraceptive drugs considered to be abortifacients, such as the morning-after pill and Plan B. ■

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April 6, 2014 3

More than 200 faithful take part in diocesan Rites of Election Catechumens, candidates from deaneries gather for important step in faith journey to become Catholic

SISTER MARY MARTA ABBOTT, RSM

early 250 soon-to-be Catholics participated in this year’s Rite of Election of Catechumens and Call to Continuing Conversion of Candidates, an important step on their journey to joining the Church. “There were roughly 240 combined— catechumens and candidates,” said Sister Mary Timothea Elliott, RSM, director of the diocesan Office of Christian Formation. “It’s maybe 10 less than last year, but it’s a good number.” Each deanery hosted a Rite of Election ceremony on the first weekend of Lent, March 8 and 9. Bishop Richard F. Stika presided at each rite. Sister Mary Timothea accompanied him to each stop. The weekend began with the Smoky Mountain Deanery Rite of Election, hosted by Immaculate Conception Church in Knoxville on March 8. Later that day, St. Patrick in Morristown hosted the rite for the Five Rivers Deanery. On March 9, Holy Spirit Church in Soddy-Daisy hosted the rite for the Chattanooga Deanery. Also on March 9, St. Mary Church in Oak Ridge served as host for the Cumberland Mountain Deanery rite. “The rites were beautiful, and the host parishes did a beautiful job of providing lectors in both English and Spanish and altar servers and ushers and everything—it was very nicely done,” Sister Mary Timothea said. Catechumens have never been baptized and will receive the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil on April 19. Candidates have been baptized and will be con-

By Dan McWilliams

Entering the Church Bishop Richard F. Stika and Sister Mary Timothea Elliott, RSM, lead a Rite of Election ceremony March 9 at Holy Spirit Church in Soddy-Daisy. More than 200 diocesan faithful will come into the Church at the Easter Vigil on April 19.

firmed and receive the Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. At each deanery’s Rite of Election, Sister Mary Timothea presented the catechumens to Bishop Stika and said, “they ask that … they be allowed to participate in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist.” Leaders of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) programs at deanery parishes introduced their catechumens, and the bishop asked godparents whether the catechumens had listened and responded to the Word “proclaimed by the Church” and “shared the company of their Christian sisters and brothers and joined with them in prayer.” The catechumens then pledged “to

enter fully into the life of the Church” through the three sacraments of initiation. Each RCIA leader brought forward parish Books of the Elect for Bishop Stika to sign, after which he greeted the catechumens and godparents. Sister Mary Timothea then presented to the bishop “the candidates who seek to complete their Christian initiation.” RCIA leaders introduced their candidates, after which the bishop said “the Christian life and the demands that flow from the sacraments cannot be taken lightly. Therefore, before granting these

candidates their request, it is important that the Church hear the testimony of their sponsors about their readiness.” Sponsors affirmed that the candidates “have come to a deeper appreciation about their baptism,” “reflected sufficiently on the tradition of the Church,” and “advanced in a life of love and service.” The candidates also echoed the catechumens’ desire “to enter fully into the life of the Church.” The bishop signed the Book of the Elect for the candidates and greeted them along with their sponsors. ■

Principal openings in diocesan schools There is an opening for a principal in the following elementary schools in the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, in southern Missouri. Requirements include active Catholic, Missouri certification, Master’s degree in School Administration (or working toward it), administrative experience preferred, 3-5 years of Catholic school experience. St. Henry Catholic School, Charleston.............Contact Fr. Patrick Nwokoye ............(573) 683-2114 St. Mary Catholic School, Joplin ........................Contact Fr. Justin Monaghan ...........(417) 623-8643 St. Lawrence Catholic School, Monett ..............Contact Fr. Paul McLoughlin ...........(417) 235-3286 Sacred Heart Catholic School, Poplar Bluff ....Contact Fr. David Coon.....................(573) 785-9636 There is also an opening for a principal at Springfield Catholic High School. Requirements include active Catholic, secondary education certification, Master’s degree or higher in school administration, administrative experience preferred, 3-5 years of Catholic school experience a plus. If you have any questions, would like an application, or want to send a resume, contact diocesan Catholic Schools office at (417) 866-0841, or Email dowensby@dioscg.org.

4 April 6, 2014

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

dioknox.org

Catholic Charities event pays tribute to Father Ragan Schriver By Bill Brewer Catholic Charities of East Tennessee’s 29th annual fundraising dinner was indeed an Emerald O’ccasion as some 500 supporters of the socialservice agency joined in celebrating former executive director Father Ragan Schriver. The 2014 event, held March 13 at the Knoxville Marriott hotel, was planned as a tribute to Father Schriver, who completed his service leading Catholic Charities Nov. 30. Catholic Charities of East Tennessee also held annual dinners in Kingsport on March 6 and Chattanooga on April 3. Father Schriver, who led Catholic Charities for 14 years, continues to serve as an assistant professor in the University of Tennessee’s College of Social Work and as director of programs and services for Catholic Charities USA. He also remains on the Catholic Public Policy Commission. In opening remarks, Bishop Richard F. Stika praised Pope Francis on the anniversary of his papacy. He also praised Cardinal Justin Rigali, who delivered the closing prayer at the Emerald O’ccasion and was in the College of Cardinals conclave that elected Pope Francis in March 2013. Bishop Stika then announced the creation of a new Catholic Charities fund called the St. Francis Fund. “We’re going to use it to honor a particular person, Father Ragan Schriver, who is a man of goodness, and charity, and kindness,” Bishop Stika said. “We’re going to create this fund to honor Pope Francis as well as honor Father Ragan. So at some point, you’re going to be asked to make a contribution to the (St. Francis Fund), and if you want to honor Father Ragan, don’t just give him a hug, make a donation. That’s my advice to you.” Bishop Stika praised Catholic The East Tennessee Catholic

Charities for its work in communities across the diocese to extend a helping hand to those in need. “So often we remind folks that the vast majority who are clients of Catholic Charities are nonCatholic. I think of the 27,000 Father Ragan Schriver people taken care of last year —27,000 who would not have been touched in one way or another by the witness and hearts of other people. So in the name Sr. M. Christine Cremin of all the people who are touched by Catholic Charities — by volunteers, by staff, by the directors, by whoever it might be. Think of all the people whose names you may never know or might never see. I say to you thank you. I don’t think there are any more profound words in the English language than ‘thank you,’” the bishop said. “Scriptures remind us that God sees everything we do. I don’t want to speak for God, but I know that God is a good God, a generous God, and a loving God, so much so that he sent Jesus into our lives. And Jesus is the one who reminds us that whoever takes care of the least of my sisters and brothers takes care of me, and so I say again, thank you,” he added. Before Father Schriver addressed the dinner guests, new CCET executive director Sister Mary Christine Cremin, RSM, expressed appreciation for the work of Catholic Charities staff, board members, volunteers and supporters. And it was announced that the Catholic Charities, continued on page 26

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April 6, 2014 5

Vouchers, immigration among issues for Catholic Day on the Hill By Dan McWilliams

School vouchers were a popular subject in meetings Bishop Richard F. Stika and Memphis Bishop J. Terry Steib, SVD, had with Gov. Bill Haslam and legislators during the 17th annual Catholic Day on the Hill in Nashville. Catholic Day on the Hill offers a chance for the faithful to meet with their legislators and advocate on issues important to the Church. “I always look forward to Catholic Day on the Hill,” Bishop Stika said. “Every year the issues are a little different. This year we focused a lot on the school-voucher program that’s proposed by the governor as well as many different other educational opportunities, and then we brought up immigration and working with the people in need and the death penalty.” School vouchers came up in conversations between the bishops and the governor, Speaker of the House Beth Harwell, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, and Sen. Dolores Gresham, the Senate Education Committee chair. Under the governor’s plan, school vouchers would allow parents of students in under-performing public schools to use tax dollars to enroll their children in non-public schools. “Officially, we think they’re a very positive step,” Bishop Stika said of

Hill continued on page 26

DAN MCWILLIAMS

Bishop Stika, Bishop Steib meet with Gov. Haslam, legislators on issues affecting state’s Catholics

Church and state Bishop Richard F. Stika, left, Gov. Bill Haslam, center, and Bishop J. Terry Steib, SVD, meet during Catholic Day on the Hill.

school vouchers. “The Catholic Church has a long history of education. We founded the first universities and such.

Here in East Tennessee, I think it can have a profound impact on so many.” Bishop David R. Choby of Nashville

was scheduled to attend the Feb. 18 Day on the Hill but was delayed on a trip out of town. Paul Simoneau, director of the Diocese of Knoxville Office of Justice and Peace, attended the legislative meetings, as did Sister Mary Marta Abbott, RSM, diocesan superintendent of Catholic Schools, and Sister Mary Christine Cremin, RSM, executive director of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee. Also present was Mary Catherine Willard of Immaculate Conception Parish in Knoxville, the founder of Catholic Day on the Hill. “It’s always a great opportunity to be able to interact with our elected officials, whose very role is to safeguard and protect and help promote the dignity of those whose care they’re entrusted to, who they represent in the state government,” Mr. Simoneau said. “It’s a process that we must support and respect to the degree that we interact with them—they are able to be our voice of concerns as well.” The governor asked the Catholic group for papers stating the Church’s position on the death penalty and on immigration. Regarding the death penalty, Bishop Stika shared with the governor the account of Pope John Paul II’s

International priests providing true blessings to the diocese By Lourdes Garza erhaps we might remember how, since our childhood, we have been asked to fund the work of missionaries around the world. These missionaries, priests and religious brothers and sisters, have taken the Good News to all corners of the world for many centuries. We now see the result of their missionary effort: the southern hemisphere of the world is now re-evangelizing the northern hemisphere. Our diocese is currently blessed

6 April 6, 2014

with more than a dozen foreign priests (and religious brothers and sisters) coming from India, Philippines, Mexico, Columbia, Kenya, Nigeria, Ireland, Ghana, Tanzania, Vietnam and Uganda. And now, we also have a new seminarian from Poland. Speaking about the priests, we might note that many of them are not only bilingual (native language and English), but rather, they are fluent in three or four languages–a cultural richness for which we are most thankful to God. But when they arrive in the

United States, they might experience a culture shock which they are challenged overcome in order to begin their ministry work. The pastoral needs of our diocese require, in some instances, that the foreign priests be assigned to parishes that include Spanish-speaking parishioners and it makes it necessary for them to learn basic Spanish as well. I think that at times, we might overlook their effort in ministering to Hispanics or that we might sometimes take it for granted, as though it is a requirement that

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

must be met by them. In addition, there might be many cultural differences between them and the parishioners. These differences need to be looked at closely as a means of collaboration and not as a means of division. Who would have thought that when the North American and European missionaries traveled to faraway lands to establish the missions, the children would answer the call to the priesthood and religious life? Those same children benefiting from their ministry Priests continued on page 7 dioknox.org

Diocesan students take part in 40 Days for Life rosary

Internationally-recognized chastity speaker

Jason Evert

tudents from St. Joseph School in Knoxville and St. John Neumann School in Farragut joined Bishop Richard F. Stika March 13 in praying for the sanctity of life and an end to abortion in front of Planned Parenthood’s East Knoxville clinic at 710 N. Cherry St. Bishop Stika led the students in praying the rosary as part of the 40 Days for Life observance taking place now through Palm Sunday at the Planned Parenthood site. Bishop Stika thanked the students, who numbered nearly 30, as he spoke of God’s teachings about the sanctity of life. The students held signs and banners that called for us to choose life and an end to abortion as well as support for pro-life options for preg-

nant women such as adoption. Bishop Stika and the students were joined by several adults who were keeping vigil for the 40 Days of Life campaign that began on Ash Wednesday. Pro-life supporters are keeping vigil from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day during the campaign. The Planned Parenthood site was selected as the 40 Days location because the agency is the largest abortion provider in the nation and established its East Knoxville clinic, which is just south of Exit 390 on Interstate 40, in 2010. A number of groups have signed up to keep vigil for one or more days during the pro-life campaign and several hundred people are expected to take part. ■

Priests continued from page 6

about our traditions and culture. Simply by holding a conversation with them about the similarities between us, we take a step forward towards pastoral collaboration and ecclesial integration. Please keep our priests in your prayers always and especially our foreign priests who have left their natal homes to serve the Hispanics of East Tennessee. ■

are now our priests that minister to peoples of other races and cultures--a reversal in the mission effort. As a matter of fact, some of these priests are missionaries in actuality. It is fitting that we take the time to learn about their native culture as a gesture of welcoming and hospitality. They are also learning The East Tennessee Catholic

STEPHANIE RICHER

Praying for life Bishop Richard F. Stika leads a group of diocesan students and volunteers praying the rosary during the 40 Days for Life vigil in Knoxville.

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April 6, 2014 7

Cathedral Mass marks fifth anniversary of Bishop Stika’s ordination

n the fifth anniversary of his ordination and installation as the Diocese of Knoxville’s third shepherd, Bishop Richard F. Stika celebrated Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral on March 19, which also is the feast day for St. Joseph. Joined by parishioners, Chancery staff, Religious Sisters of Mercy and Dominican sisters, as well as priests and deacons, Bishop Stika delivered a homily praising St. Joseph for his quiet, solid strength in the face of many challenges as an extraordinary husband to Mary and stepfather to Jesus. “As I think of St. Joseph, I think of someone strong, quiet, but in the very essence of himself being a person of dignity,” the bishop said. “How many quotes can you pull from Scripture about St. Joseph? Zero, but he was chosen by God to be the very person to love the

Blessed Mother, to love Mary with everything that he was, and even more than that, he was the one of all humanity and all history who was chosen by God to teach Jesus how to be human and even more than that, to be a man. “It is with St. Joseph that I’ve had a good relationship with since I was a little kid. I’ve got all these holy cards of St. Joseph throughout the time since first grade.” The bishop recalled being asked what his goal was for his ministry when he arrived in the diocese five years ago. “Basically I said, just to teach Jesus and hopefully to teach Jesus with certain significant things: to be Christ for others using our hands, and our voice, and our face, our very essence of who we are to reach out to others in charity, to have a smile on our face,” he said. “But you know, one of the things I left out

Bishop continued from page 2

purpose of this movement in her life, seeing in “Jesus forsaken” the answer to the mystery of suffering and disunity in the world. How grateful I am for the growing presence of Focolare in our diocese, thanks in great part to the efforts of Father Pete Iorio, pastor of St. Mary Church in Johnson City. Particularly strong within our Hispanic community is a movement known as the John XXIII Conversion Retreat Movement that is helping to bring families together and those back to the Church who have lost their way. On March 26, the movement celebrated the 10th anniversary of its presence in our diocese with a special Mass of thanksgiving at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Lenoir City. I am so grateful to Father Jesus Antonio Giraldo and Jorge Giraldo, the movement’s president in our diocese, for all their hard work and that of so many others. Affirming the importance of bringing the Gospel into the world, another movement has a growing presence within our

sati Fellowship for Young Adults for the greater Knoxville area and will report directly to me as its chaplain. Thanks to Father David Carter, the Frassati Fellowship has started in Chattanooga, and I pray it will not be long before one is started in the Tri-Cities. Be looking for the link to the Frassati Fellowship website which will soon be added to our diocesan page at www.dioknox.org. So many today feel “forsaken,” a horrible loneliness amid the despair of a situation or condition in life. A movement that was born in the midst of tragedies of World War II in Italy sought to bring comfort and unity to the forsaken huddling in the bomb shelters and ruins of war. The Focolare movement, taking its name from the warmth and unity represented by a family fireside, aims to build paths toward unity through the warmth of Christ’s love, and in particular, that of His Mother’s love. Blessed Chiara Badano, who was only 18 when she died, expressed the

8 April 6, 2014

By Dan McWilliams

DAN MCWILLIAMS

Bishop reflects on first five years leading Diocese of Knoxville, praises strong example set by St. Joseph

A good fit Ethan Boder tries on Bishop Richard F. Stika’s miter for size and holds the bishop’s crosier following Mass on the anniversary of Bishop Stika’s ordination.

when I used to say to teach Jesus, to be his face and his voice and his feet, it was pointed out to me last

week: I forgot to say to be the heart of Christ. See, that’s the element that

diocese—the Community of Sant’Egidio. Thanks in great part to the work of Father Michael Cummins, communities have been established at East Tennessee State University, Notre Dame High School, and the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Catholic Student Center. Founded in Rome in 1968 and present in more than 70 countries, its work centers on prayer and Scripture study, evangelization, service to the poor, works of peace, and ecumenism. Movements such as these are making a tangible difference within the Church. With the recent ordination and installation of my friend Bishop Peter Baldacchino as the new Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Miami, I was reminded of his untiring work promoting The Neocatechumenal Way which is committed to the renewal of the family and the building up of a more mature faith among the faithful. As a service to the Church and its pastors, it has spread throughout the world since its founding in Madrid,

Spain in 1964, with strong presences in the archdioceses of Denver, Newark and Washington and other U.S. dioceses. I thank Our Lord for the youthful witness of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, Blessed Chiara Badano, and the many who are inspired by them in responding to the promptings of the Holy Spirit to the needs that exist around them. For good reason does St. Paul warn us that we mustn’t “quench the Spirit” (1Th 5:19). If movements, in the process of growing and maturing, have hits and bumps at times, Pope Francis reminds us that it is to be expected. But the important thing is that these movements never see themselves apart from the Church, but closely united to the Church that they exist for. Pope Francis, addressing a question regarding what should be the focus of movements within the Church, gave three words: Jesus, prayer, and witness. May you always “strive toward the top” to Christ, in prayer and with a loving witness to all. ■

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

Anniversary continued on page 20

dioknox.org

Diocese presents Knoxville Police Dept. with St. Michael the Archangel statue

BILL BREWER

he Knoxville Police Department is now in possession of a statue of the patron protector of police officers — courtesy of Bishop Richard F. Stika and the Diocese of Knoxville. Bishop Stika on Feb. 27 presented the 3-foot-tall metal likeness of St. Michael the Archangel to Police Chief David Rausch, Deputy Chief Gary Holliday, who is Support Services Division commander, Lt. Doug Stiles, who heads the Violent Crime Unit, and Capt. Eve Thomas, who is the East District commander, for display in the Safety Building. Bishop Stika made the presentation in gratitude for the Knoxville Police Department leadership’s assistance during the Eucharistic Congress in September. The Police Department leaders receiving the statue are Catholics who are members of Immaculate Conception, Holy Ghost, Holy Family and All Saints churches. Lt. Stiles and his brother, Capt. Jeff

Patron protector Bishop Richard F. Stika presents a St. Michael the Archangel statue to Knoxville Police Department Chief David Rausch, left, Deputy Chief Gary Holliday, far right, Capt. Eve Thomas, second from left, and Lt. Doug Stiles, far left.

Stiles, are second-generation police officers. Their father, 31-year KPD veteran Tommy Stiles, passed away in 2012. Jeff Stiles, who also took part

in the Eucharistic Congress security detail, was in training and unable to attend the statue presentation. As part of the presentation, Bishop

Stika gave this prayer to accompany the statue: St. Michael the Archangel, Patron Protector of Police Officers To the Men and Women of the Knoxville Police Department From Bishop Richard F. Stika and the Faithful of the Catholic Diocese of Knoxville Praying for your blessing and protection as you endeavor to protect and serve all who are entrusted to your care St. Michael the Archangel has long been celebrated as the patron protector of police officers. In the Old Testament he appears as the defender of Israel, and in the New Testament as the angelic leader of God’s victory over the forces of evil. St. Michael’s name means, “Who is like God?” and expresses the faithfulness we are all encouraged to have towards our Creator and in turn towards our fellow man. May this statue be an inspiration to all at the Knoxville Police Department as you strive in faithfulness to be protectors and to serve the common good. ■

World Meeting of Families will be open to all as Vatican, Philadelphia get ready VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia next year will be open to families and people of different faiths, including no faith at all, to engage the wider society in dialogue and to serve and strengthen all families, organizers said. The gathering Sept. 22-27, 2015, “is meant to be a gift not just for Catholics in Philadelphia, but for every person of good will in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the surrounding regions and the wider world,” said Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Meetings that bring together thousands of people from many different parts of the world with different experiences are a source of “tremendous joy” and grace and “have the power to transform, in deeply positive ways, the whole The East Tennessee Catholic

public community,” the archbishop said at a Vatican news conference March 25. Archbishop Chaput visited the Vatican with Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter as part of a delegation of government, religious and community leaders meeting with Vatican officials to plan the 2015 international family gathering. They also expected to have an audience with Pope Francis during their March 24-26 visit. While the delegation leaders vowed to convince the pope to travel to Philadelphia to celebrate the closing Mass of the eighth World Meeting of Families, Archbishop Chaput said confirmation of the pope using the occasion to make his first pastoral visit to North America was not expected “anytime soon.” Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia,

president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, which is helping prepare the meeting, said confirmation could come as late as six months before the event. Cardinal Justin Rigali, archbishopemeritus of Philadelphia who is in residence in Knoxville, plans to take part in the Meeting of Families. The aim of the global gathering will be to help all families of the world and accompany them “with an intelligent, courageous and loving” pastoral approach, the Italian archbishop said. Archbishop Paglia called for intelligence in being able to read the current situation of today’s families; “courage to face the complex and numerous problems; (and) love for trying to solve them, keeping ever present the Gospel of the family and life.” Vatican and church organizers are

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

looking for the widest participation and input possible, the two archbishops said, including from members and representatives of other Christian churches and communities, different religions and women and men who are not religious, but are committed to “bringing peace and good will to our world.” People from different Christian communities and faiths who place value on the family “can teach us something,” Archbishop Chaput said, and “we are sincere about being available and open to all kinds of input.” When asked to what extent the gathering will open discussion up to the realities of single-parent homes, the divorced and same-sex couples, Archbishop Chaput said the church “always embraces people who differ with the church and I hope that’s a stance we all take.” ■ April 6, 2014 9

Diocesan calendar by Margaret Hunt Deacons Adam Kane, Tony Budnick, Colin Blatchford, and Julian Cardona are scheduled to be ordained to the priesthood at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 31, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. Bishop Richard F. Stika will preside. Bishop Stika will ordain Jesus Guerrero Rodriguez, Ray Powell, and Scott Russell to the transitional diaconate at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 14, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. All are invited to attend. The annual Mass and Sending of the Neophytes is scheduled for 5 p.m. Sunday, June 7, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. New Catholics, their families and sponsors, and RCIA teams are invited to attend. For more information, contact Chris Kite at 865-584-3307 or ckite@dioknox.org. An Engaged Encounter weekend is scheduled for April 11-13 at the Holiday Inn Express in Lenoir City. For more information, contact Jason or Carmen Jeansonne at 865-377-3077 or ceeknoxville@yahoo.com. The Conquest program for schoolage boys at St. Mary Church in Oak Ridge is encouraging parishes, organizations, and individuals in the Diocese of Knoxville to join with them in a Diocesan Day of Prayer on Friday, April 11. The diocese is asked to pray for religious freedom, an end to abortion, an increase of faith, and other intentions deemed appropriate. To read more about the group and its mission, visit bit.ly/1hrQGuc. Parishioners are asked to contact their parish office or coordinator of youth ministry for information about formal events taking place at the parish level. Course 6 of the Catechetical Formation Program co-sponsored by the diocesan Office of Christian Formation and Aquinas College is scheduled for Saturday, April 12, at St. Dominic

10 April 6, 2014

Church in Kingsport. The session will meet from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. There is no charge for the class. Register on the Eventbrite page, http://www.eventbrite. com/o/diocese-of-knoxville-officeof-christian-formation-3149767104. For more information, contact Father Richard Armstrong at 865-584-3307 or rarmstrong@dioknox.org. The Knoxville Diocesan Council of Catholic Women Convention will take place April 10-12 at the Doubletree Hotel in Chattanooga. Registration begins at 11 a.m. at the hotel. The opening Mass will be at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul at 5:30 p.m. Susan Conroy, author of “Mother Teresa’s Lessons of Love and Secrets of Sanctity,” will be the keynote speaker at the banquet following the Mass. Other speakers during the weekend will include Mary Jo Peyton, who will speak on the Mary, Mother of God Society’s work to re-establish the Catholic faith in Eastern Russia, and Jim Bello, who will speak about pro-life ministry. The registration fee is $89. Call 800-222-TREE to make hotel reservations. Registration forms are available at www.kdccw.org or by contacting Emily Knoch at Emily@livingstoncompany. com. Camp Marymount near Nashville is hosting a “Grandma’s Family Camp” the weekend of April 11-13. Activities will include canoeing, swimming, archery, games, and more. Participant registration is $95 for campers 18 and up, $80 for teens ages 13-17, and $60 for children ages 5-12 (the camp is not recommended for children under age 5). To learn more or register, visit www.campmarymount.com or call 615-799-0410. The 16th annual Kids Helping Kids Fun Walk is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday, May 4, at the Knoxville Catholic High School stadium. The gates will open at 12:30 p.m. before the event. The afternoon will include the walk, games, face painting, refreshments, and fun for all ages. NFL football star and Knoxville native Harrison Smith is

the honorary chairperson of the event. Register online at columbushomewalk. eventbrite.com or download a form from the Catholic Charities website at bit. ly/1m2wUKd and mail it to 3009 Lake Brook Blvd., Knoxville, TN 37909 to the attention of Sherrie Shuler. The registration price is $30 per family or $15 per person. Add $5 to the price if registering the day of the event. To reserve a Tshirt, registration must be done before April 25. Proceeds from the event will support Columbus Home Children’s Services. For more information, contact Sherrie Shuler at 865-524-9896, extension 1005, or sherrie@ccetn.org. The fifth annual Catholic Charities Common Good Golf Tournament is set for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, June 9, at Cherokee Country Club in Knoxville. Registration includes green fees, a club-catered brunch, an hors d’oeuvres reception, and a hosted bar provided by local chef David Pinckney. For more information, contact Sherrie Shuler at 865-524-9896, extension 1005, or sherrie@ccetn.org. Individuals interested in the next Medical Mission to Ghana should contact Dr. Elaine Bunick at sugardoctn@gmail. com. The 2014 Medical Mission is set for Aug. 1-8 (departure from the United States on Aug. 1 and return on Aug. 9). Include “Medical Mission 2014” in the subject line of your e-mail. Tennessee Right to Life is again running a Mother’s Day ad in the Knoxville News Sentinel. Cost is $15 per person or $20 per family to have one’s name or family name included in the ad. For more information, contact TRL at 865689-1139 or trlknox@trlknox.com. The summer God Camps for students in grades five through eight will take place at Harrison Bay State Park near Harrison, Tenn., during June. Participants will engage in age-appropriate community-building activities, games, crafts, prayer services, and group discussions. The “Discover” camp for incoming fifth- and sixth-

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

grade students is scheduled for June 19-21. The cost is $100. “Reach,” for incoming seventh- and eighth-grade students, will take place June 16-19. The cost is $125. To download registration forms, medical releases, and packing lists, visit the diocesan youth ministry webpage, bit.ly/1gBV3YP, or contact Donna Jones at 423-718-4387 or djones6029@gmail.com. The high school Catholic Youth Camp for all incoming high school students is scheduled for June 25-29 at the Ocoee Retreat Center in Ocoee, Tenn. The camp will feature teambuilding exercises, group discussions, prayer services, and many recreational activities, including the water park and the ropes course. The cost is $269 per person. To download registration forms and other camp-related material, visit bit.ly/1gBV3YP or contact Donna Jones at 423-718-4387 or djones6029@gmail. com. The newly formed district council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 3, at Holy Family Church in Seymour. Those interested in the charitable work of the society are invited to attend. For more information, call Patricia Farner at 423-532-7449. St. Joseph School in Knoxville is accepting applications for the 2014-15 school year. Call the school at 865-6893424 or visit www.sjsknox.org for more information. Father David Boettner will be leading a pilgrimage to Italy from Sept. 22 through Oct. 2. For more information, contact Lisa Morris at 865-567-1245 or lccte@bellsouth.net, or Susan Prendergast at Select International at 800-8424842 or susan@select-intl.com. Mass in the extraordinary form (“traditional Latin”) is celebrated at 1:30 p.m. each Sunday at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville; at 3 p.m. on first and third Sundays at St. Thérèse of Calendar continued on page 13 dioknox.org

Chattanooga Deanery calendar The Sant’Egidio Community meets every Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the University of Tennessee Catholic Student Center in Chattanooga. For more information, contact Father Michael Cummins at 423-624-4618. For further information on the community in general, visit www. santegidio.org. The annual Catholic Charities of East Tennessee dinner in Chattanooga is scheduled for 6-9 p.m. Thursday, April 3, at The Chattanoogan hotel. Tickets are $100 per person. Corporate sponsorships are available. Contact Christine Willingham for more information about the dinner at 865-267-1297 or Christine@ccetn.org. The Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Parish notes: Chattanooga Deanery

School football clinic is set for 9 a.m. to noon on June 9-13 for all boys ages 8-14. The camp will focus on both fundamental and advanced football techniques, conditioning, and nutrition. Campers will be separated based on age and skill level. A T-shirt and snack will be provided. Registration forms are available in the school office. The cost is $75. Contact the school at 423-622-1481 for more information.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Chattanooga Totus Tuus vacation Bible school is scheduled for June 23-27 at St. Jude Church for children in kindergarten through high school. Registration forms will be available at the parish office in early April. Call Kyra Ross at 423-870-2386 for more information.

St. Stephen, Chattanooga Anniversary: Jean and Don Server (35) Newcomers: Ivan and Kristina Heredia and Juliana; Jeanne Haskin ■

The Chattanooga-area Catholic Charities Golf Tournament will be held Friday, June 6, at Brown Acres Golf Course. There will be a shotgun start at 1 p.m., and the cost will be $400 per fourman team. Contact Christine Willingham for more information at 423-267-1297 or Christine@ccetn.org. ■

Beginning Experience ministry makes debut

COURTESY OF GEORGE LECRONE SR.

Scout Sunday celebrated at St. Jude in Chattanooga At the 8 a.m. Mass celebrated by pastor Father Charlie Burton on Feb. 23 at St. Jude Church in Chattanooga, all Scouts were recognized, and awards were given to some. There were nine Light of Christ, five Parvuli Dei, four Pope Pius XII, and three Pillar of Faith awards presented by Father Burton; Bernard Coombes, vice chair of the Cherokee Council Area for the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting; and George LeCrone Sr., chairman of the diocesan Scouting committee. In a recent Mass at St. Bridget Church in Dayton, the Pope Pius XII and Pillar of Faith awards were presented to Kyle Runyan. The Mass was celebrated by Father Sam Sturm, and Mr. LeCrone and mom Kim Runyan were on hand for the ceremony. The East Tennessee Catholic

EET (Beginning Experience East Tennessee) is a relatively new ministry in Tennessee; however, the development of the ministry dates back to 1974 in Fort Worth, Texas, to the efforts of Sister Josephine Stewart, SSMN, a family therapist, and Jo Lamia, a divorced woman and educator. The mission of this ministry is to facilitate the grief-resolution process for adults who have suffered loss through death, divorce, or separation, thereby enabling them to again love themselves, others, and God. The ministry accomplishes this purpose by offering quality, copyrighted grief-resolution programs presented by trained peer ministers during a weekend retreat. The ministry in Tennessee was introduced to the diocese by Georgia Sergeant. Georgia had attended her retreat weekend in Cincinnati and felt that the ministry was needed in East Tennessee. Through prayer and hard work, the first two retreats in Tennessee were coordinated with the BE team from Ohio. Members from their group faithfully drove the distance to assist the East Tennessee ministry, and the local group had its first solo retreat at the Christ Prince

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

of Peace Retreat Center in October 2013 in Benton. The ministry will hold its May 2-4 and Oct. 24-26 retreats at the Carson Baptist Retreat Center in Newport. The ministry recently celebrated the installation of its first BEET board with the help of Marian Christiana and Karen Byrne at Sacred Heart Cathedral’s Shea Room. The group had team training and a presentation on the grieving process by its psychologist liaison through Catholic Charities in Chattanooga, Kathleen Hotton. Board members are Lisa Moore of Chattanooga, president; Maria Curd of Johnson City, vice president and weekend coordinator; Doug Spangler of Crossville, fundraising and publicity; Beverly Short of Chattanooga, treasurer; Deidre Diener of Knoxville, secretary; and Eleonora Larrazabel of Knoxville, spirituality. This ministry is Catholic but open to all, and it is reaching out to the Hispanic community as well and has plans for interpreters to assist during weekend retreats. Look for more information on the ministry in your church bulletin or go online at www.beginningexperience.org. ■ April 6, 2014 11

Cumberland Mountain Deanery calendar

Parish notes: Cumberland Mountain Deanery

The Ulster Project of East Tennessee will host a “Taste of Ireland” in the gym at St. Mary Church in Oak Ridge at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 5. The event features traditional Irish food, drink, music, and dance and a silent auction. Tickets are available at the Oak Ridge Realty Center, 201 S. Tulane Ave., and the Ferrell Shop in Jackson Square, or by e-mail at ulstereasttenn@gmail.com. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for

All Saints, Knoxville The parish Giving Tree drive during the Advent season succeeded in providing 990 gifts and $8,255 in gift cards and cash for clients of Elizabeth Homes, Pathways, Parent Place, Samaritan Place, Columbus Home group home and FISH Hospitality Pantries. Stockings were also filled with items for 25 homebound parishioners. The Frassati Group for young adults ages 18-35 meets at 7 p.m. Thursdays at the main entrance of All Saints. For details, call Elijah Martin at 828-606-2961. The annual Easter egg hunt will take place on the parish grounds at 1:15 p.m. on Easter Sunday, April 20. Children will be divided into groups based on age before the hunt. For more information, call the parish office at 865-531-0770.

students under 21 and seniors 65 and over. For more information, contact Gay Marie Logsdon at 865-483-7940 or ulstereasttenn@gmail.com. The Mexican Mobile Consulate will be in Knoxville from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 9-11, at the Northstar Church, 9929 Sherrill Blvd. in Knoxville. Call 877-639-4835 for the cost. For details, call Lourdes Garza at 865-584-3307. ■

The All Saints adult social will take place Friday evening, May 2, in the parish life center. Frank Murphy, local Star 102.1 radio personality, will emcee the evening. The theme will be “Let’s Make a Newly Match II.” Proceeds from the event will support parish activities and outreach programs. For more information, contact the parish office at 865-531-0770.

St. Francis of Assisi, Fairfield Glade The CCW had a mini-retreat directed by Deacon Keith Farber on March 12. On April 9, the group will travel by bus to Sewanee College.

Anniversaries: Russ and Ruth Koepke (69), Tom and Joan Edwards (62), Ed and Claire Sisson (59), Don and Carolyn Beck (59), Jerry and Judy Smith (55), Frank and Pat Prejna (55), James and Lynda Tjaarda (54), Francis and Alice Radwick (53), Paul and Mary Demet (51), Blaine and Lenore Drake (51), Anthony and Anita Zimmerman (50)

St. John Neumann, Farragut The ladies of St. John Neumann are sponsoring their third annual spring luncheon and fashion show featuring items from The Paris Apartment boutique at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 26. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at the parish after all Masses. For more information, contact Mary Coffey at marycoffey6@charter.net or Candy Gardino at momagar2@gmail.com. Members of the St. John Neumann youth-ministry program will be traveling to Osage, W.Va., to participate in a number of construction projects for shut-ins Saturday, April 12-Thursday, April 17. Gift cards from 84 Lumber, Lowe’s, and Kroger or cash donations are being requested to finance the projects. Donations can be delivered to the parish office or placed in the Sunday collection basket in an envelope marked Youth Mission Trip. Contact Al Forsythe at 865-584-3307 for more details. St. John Neumann Church is sponsoring a Totus Tuus vacation Bible school the week of June 15-20 for children in grades kindergarten through high school. The program will feature catechetic presentations by the team, skits, crafts, and recreational activities. Volunteers are needed to provide dinner for the team during the week. Contact Lydia Donahue at lydonahue@hotmail.com or 865-643-1960.

St. Therese, Clinton John and Alice Barnes have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. ■

12 April 6, 2014

COURTESY OF CAROL ADAMS

The parish will pray a Divine Mercy novena beginning Good Friday, April 18, and ending April 27.

Helping the Handmaids Father John Dowling and CCW members and volunteers stand with Handmaids of the Precious Blood (from left) Sisters Marie Josèphe, Sister Anunziata, and Sister Rose Philomena.

CCW’s hold pantry shower to benefit Handmaids

he St. Francis of Assisi Parish Council of Catholic Women in Fairfield Glade, working together with the St. Alphonsus CCW of Crossville, recently held a pantry shower for the Handmaids of the Precious Blood, now located in Benton. The pantry shower project was announced to the parishioners of St. Francis and St. Alphonsus in January and completed Feb. 12. On Feb. 18, Father John Dowling, pastor of St. Francis, and three other men and seven women drove all the donated items to Cor Jesu

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

Monastery, the sisters’ new home in Tennessee. Sister Anunziata, Sister Marie Josèphe, and Sister Rose Philomena warmly welcomed everyone with a tour of their chapel and surrounding grounds. The last of the donated items were delivered Feb. 21. Mother Marietta, the superior, was happy to be there since she was unavailable on the Feb. 18 visit. St. Francis and St. Alphonsus are deeply grateful to all who donated to the Handmaids of the Precious Blood. Read more on their website www.nunsforpriests.org. ■ dioknox.org

Parish notes: Five Rivers Deanery

COURTESY OF LAQUITA INGLE

Holy Trinity, Jefferson City

OLPH in LaFollette packed for Sing Praise More than 400 people packed into Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in LaFollette on Jan. 5 for the first-ever Tennessee Sing Praise, an initiative started in Indiana in 2008 whose aim is to bring the Christian community together in common acts of praise and worship. There was standing-room only as members of more than 20 different churches joined the praises in the congregation and in the choir. The choir of approximately 50 (above), called the LaFollette Christian Choir, consisted of choir members from the local Catholic, Methodist, and Baptist churches. At the end of January a follow-up meeting took place to look into the possibility of continuing the initiative with an all-community Easter Sunrise Service. The event is planned for the morning of April 20 at the high school stadium.

The parish Easter egg hunt is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, April 12. The rain date will be Saturday, April 19. For more information, call Kristine Mynatt at 865-397-4012. Carol Everett, a nationally known right-to-life speaker, will deliver the keynote address at the annual Life Outreach fundraiser banquet at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 24, at Holy Trinity Church. Ms. Everett was involved in the operation of four abortion facilities from 1977-1983 before a conversion experience caused her to commit to safeguarding the health of women and their babies. Call Deacon Jim Prosak at 865-397-8110 or Cheryl Prosak at 865-471-0347 for more information. Holy Trinity Church will celebrate the feast of Divine Mercy with a special service including music and meditations on the Chaplet of Divine Mercy by Father Dan Whitman at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 27. Call the parish office for more information at 865-471-0347.

St. Mary, Johnson City Totus Tuus, a Catholic vacation Bible school, will take place the week of June 8-13 at St. Mary Church. Prayer, skits, crafts, songs, and games are planned during the weeklong event. Grade school-age children will meet daily from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. June 9-13, and junior high and high school students will meet from 7-9 p.m. June 8-12. A potluck dinner for the participants, their families, and the Totus Tuus team will be held Wednesday, June 11, at 5:30 p.m. The registration fee is $10 per child. Registration forms can be found on the St. Mary Church website, www.stmarysjc.org. For more information, call Becky Frye at 423-276-5110. ■

COURTESY OF MAGGIE MAY

Calendar continued from page 10

Two speak at Notre Dame CCW meeting The Council of Catholic Women of Notre Dame Parish in Greeneville held its monthly meeting Jan. 19 in the parish hall. The speakers for this meeting were Tracy Green, wellness director, and Ashley Head, registered dietitian, both of Laughlin Memorial Hospital in Greeneville. Ms. Green explained the wellness program at Laughlin, which includes many benefits and activities for local schools and the community. She reviewed the top threats to women’s health and encouraged CCW members to be active. Ms. Head talked about healthy eating and recommended that members keep a food journal to see if they are actually eating right. Many handouts, a canvas tote, and healthy snacks were given to the group. From left are Ms. Head, CCW vice president Bernadette Moughamer, and Ms. Green. The East Tennessee Catholic

Lisieux Church in Cleveland; at 3 p.m. on second and fourth Sundays at St. Joseph the Worker Church in Madisonville; at 11 a.m. on most Sundays at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Townsend; and at 3 p.m. on the first and third Sundays at St. Mary Church in Johnson City. Easter Mass will be celebrated in Latin at Holy Ghost Church at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 20, with a musical prelude beginning at 1 p.m. The Mass will include sacred motets, Gregorian chant and sacred polyphony, with the ordinary parts (Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, etc.) of the Mass sung in a polyphonic setting by the Renaissance composer William Byrd. All area Catholics and their friends are invited to share this festive celebration of the resurrection of the Lord. Visit www.knoxlatinmass.net for updated information. The St. Thomas the Apostle Eastern (Byzantine) Catholic Mission celebrates Divine Liturgy at 9:30 a.m. Sundays in the lower level of Holy Cross Anglican Church, 515 Herron Road, Knoxville, TN 37934. Note the time change. All services are in English. Call Father Richard Armstrong at 865-584-3307 or visit www. saintthomas-knoxville.org for details. Holy Resurrection Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic Mission has Divine Liturgy celebrations at 9:30 a.m. Sundays at the old Holy Ghost Church, 1031 N. Central St. in Knoxville. For times of holy-day services or for more information, visit www. knoxbyz.org or call Father Thomas O’Connell at 865-256-4880. ■

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

April 6, 2014 13

Smoky Mountain Deanery calendar

Parish notes: Smoky Mountain Deanery

The sixth annual Father Albert J. Henkel Memorial Golf Tournament supporting the Ladies of Charity of Knoxville is set for Friday, May 2, at Egwani Farms Golf Course in Rockford. Visit the website www.ladiesofcharitygolf.com for more details or contact Jim Fuhr at jfuhr4221@ aol.com.

Blessed John XXIII, Knoxville Pastor Father Charlie Donahue, CSP, has been recently elected to the national governing body of the Paulist Fathers, the General Council. Deputy Grand Knight Jay Quayle of the parish’s Collegiate Council has been named to the National Collegiate Advisory Board of the Knights of Columbus.

Holy Ghost, Knoxville

Catholic Charities Office of Immigrant Services is co-hosting citizenship classes from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays from April 26-June 28 at Sacred Heart Cathedral

Carolyn Toal was recently recognized by the Secular Franciscan Apostolates for her dedication to the young people at the Juvenile Detention Center.

School. The cost is $50. For more information, call Nathaly Perez at 865-971-3550. The next three stops on the diocese’s 25th-anniversary Smoky Mountain Deanery pilgrimage will be Blessed John XXIII on April 6, Holy Family in Seymour on May 4, and St. Joseph the Worker in Madisonville on June 1. A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who assist at Mass at any of the churches and meet the usual requirements to obtain the indulgence. ■

Immaculate Conception, Knoxville Baptism: Augusta Johanna Harman, daughter of David and Rebecca Harman

The 19th annual spaghetti dinner and auction is scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday, April 6, in the parish hall. Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for children ages 3-11.

St. Albert the Great, Knoxville The annual St. Albert the Great adult social will take place from 6-10 p.m. Saturday, June 21. The evening will include dinner, fellowship, and a trivia contest. For more information, call the parish office at 865-689-7011. ■

Deacon Nestor assigned to Our Lady of Fatima

ishop Richard F. Stika has announced that Deacon Michael Nestor has been assigned to Our Lady of Fatima Church in Alcoa. Deacon Nestor has served at St.

Francis of Assisi in Townsend. Deacon Nestor’s new assignment was effective March 21, and he now will be providing diaconal support to Father William McKenzie, pastor of Our Lady of Fatima. ■

Ministries conferred on students at St. Meinrad

hirty priesthood students from St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology received the ministry of lector on Feb. 13 in the seminary’s St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel. Auxiliary Bishop Christopher Coyne, of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, installed the lectors. The seminarians receiving the ministry included Chris A. Floersh of the Diocese of Knoxville. The ministry of lector is conferred upon those who prepare and proclaim readings from Scripture at Mass and

14 April 6, 2014

other liturgical celebrations. A lector also may recite psalms between the readings and present the intentions for the general intercessions. Twenty priesthood students from St. Meinrad received the ministry of acolyte on Feb. 13 in the St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel. Bishop Coyne installed the acolytes. The seminarians receiving the ministry included Adam W. Royal of the Diocese of Knoxville. An acolyte assists a deacon or priest, primarily in the celebration of Mass. ■

COURTESY OF FATHER CHRISTIAN MATHIS

Our Lady of Fatima, Alcoa

St. Vincent de Paul council formed The first Society of St. Vincent de Paul Council has been formed in the diocese. Officers from left are Sara Kenney, secretary; Mary Ann Sisk, treasurer; Patricia Farner, president; Patrick Mathis, vice president; and Deacon Mike Gouge, spiritual adviser.

Father Orr successfully defends doctoral thesis

s the crowning moment of a highly successful residential fortnight for Maryvale Institute’s postgraduate research students, Father John Orr successfully defended his doctoral thesis at Maryvale in Birmingham, England, and is now set to become the first PhD graduate under the new partnership between the Institute and Liverpool Hope University. Father Orr, a priest of the Diocese of Knoxville and associate pastor of Holy Ghost in Knoxville, wrote his thesis on reason in the philosophy of Karol Wojtyla (Blessed John Paul II), and his examiners included Professor Gilfredo Marengo of the Pontifical

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

Father John Orr

John Paul II Institute in Rome, and a world-renowned expert in the field. ■ dioknox.org

Catholic schools

Notre Dame High students earn All-State honors

COURTESY OF GAYLE SCHOENBORN

All-State Honors were recently awarded to six Notre Dame High School athletes and one NDHS musician. Anthony Smith made the Tennessee All-State Band. Robert Kidwell, Kareem Orr, and Tyler Enos earned All-State honors in football. Maddie Robbins and Mackenzie Nadeau made AllState in soccer, and Stephanie Bouchard did so in volleyball. â&#x2013;

Wrestling champs at Notre Dame Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga is the home of three new wrestling state champions and one fourth-place finisher. From left are Ned Warwick, fourth; Packy Mullin, first; Lucas Mullin, first; and Noah Bankston, first.

Five at Knoxville Catholic sign with colleges

Signees continued on page 16 The East Tennessee Catholic

DAN MCWILLIAMS

ive Knoxville Catholic High School student athletes committed to play at the next level in a National Signing Day ceremony Feb. 5 in the school library. Offensive lineman Patrick McFall signed with East Tennessee State University. Track athlete Camille Baker committed to Missouri University of Science and Technology. Three soccer standouts, Molly Dwyer, Tori Sanders, and Charlotte Sauter, signed as well, Molly with Furman University, Tori with the University of Montevallo, and Charlotte with Trevecca Nazarene University. All three soccer players are defenders/outside backs. Parents, KCHS coaches, and fellow students came to the library to

Moving on up Signing with colleges Feb. 5 were Knoxville Catholic High School athletes (from left) Patrick McFall, with East Tennessee State; Camille Baker, with the Missouri University of Science and Technology; Molly Dwyer, with Furman; Charlotte Sauter, with Trevecca Nazarene; and Tori Sanders, with Montevallo. The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

KCHS senior picked as HonorAir student escort for flight Knoxville Catholic High School senior David LaBine was one of four high school students selected to be an HonorAir Student Guardian escort for the April 16 HonorAir flight. David was notified of this honor by Eddie Mannis, chairman of Honor Air Knoxville, at a school assembly on the program Feb. 20. HonorAir Knoxville is dedicated to honoring East Tennessee World War II and Korean War veterans. They fly as many East Tennessee veterans as possible to Washington, D.C., to see the memorials built in their honor. In order for HonorAir Knoxville to achieve its goal, guardians fly with the veterans on every flight, providing assistance and helping veterans have a safe, memorable, and rewarding experience. David will make contact with two to four veterans in early April and will begin to cultivate a relationship with them. He will then be responsible for escorting these veterans and providing any assistance they may need on their trip. â&#x2013;

April 6, 2014 15

Former Notre Dame High School wrestler Dr. Reggie Gaddis, class of 1969, was recently inducted into the Greater Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame. Another alum, Gary McIntyre, class of 1972, was also inducted for tennis. Mr. McIntyre is the current NDHS tennis coach. ■

Marsha Sega given teacher-of-the-year award by chapter Teacher Marsha Sega of St. Mary School in Oak Ridge has won the local Air Force Association chapter’s Teacher of the Year Award for her work in preparing students to excel in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Mrs. Sega is now a candidate for the State AFA Teacher of the Year Award. ■

KCHS Mock Trial team places fourth The Knoxville Catholic High School Mock Trial teams recently finished up two weekends of competition at the Knox County Court House. The two KCHS teams competed against six other teams from across Knox and Anderson counties, and the KCHS “A” team placed fourth. The competition is run by the Young Lawyers Division of the Tennessee Bar Association. ■

16 April 6, 2014

Catholic schools

St. John Neumann varsity boys win KISL title

he St. John Neumann School boys varsity basketball team went 29-0 in the 2013-14 season. The team had an undefeated regular season and won the Knoxville Independent School League Large Division Tournament championship game against Sacred Heart Cathedral School. Along the way St. John Neumann beat public schools that included Lenoir City (twice), Cedar Bluff, and South Doyle. They won the Santa Slam Christmas Tournament and the TNT State Tournament. Players receiving honors included Jack Sompayrac and Joe Fluker, who made All-Regular Season in the KISL. Sean Purcell, James Hermes, and Jackson Rowan made the KISL All-Tournament Team. Jack, Joe, Sean, and Jackson were picked for the All -State Team. Making All-State Honorable Mention were Brock Hart, Macklin Stephenson, and James. The St. John Neumann juniorvarsity boys were undefeated with a 17-0 record in the KISL regular season. They went on to the tournament championship game but lost, Signees continued from page 15

support the five signees. “I would like to say on behalf of our five student athletes a great big thank-you to each person in this room who has made an impact in their lives and has had a hand in making this day possible,” KCHS athletic director Jason Surlas said. “Parents, families, and friends, thank you for pushing them a little harder than maybe they thought they needed to be pushed. “Thank you for all the times driving them to and from practices and games, all the times you had to wash a uniform the day of the game because your son or daughter forgot

COURTESY OF SHAWN RAINES

Notre Dame alums named to local Sports Hall of Fame

One-point try James Hermes attempts a free throw for St. John Neumann in the KISL championship game against Sacred Heart.

making that their first and only loss of the season. Regular-season AllLeague players were Ian Osborn and Nick Renfree. Making All-Tournament were Sam Sompayrac and Ian. The school’s varsity girls finished third in the KISL in the regular-season. Making All-Regular Season was Abby Rapien, and Mary Iverson was chosen for the All-Tournament Team. The JV girls placed fourth in the KISL regular season. Carlee Hart made the All-Regular Season Team for St. John Neumann. Sacred Heart’s JV basketball teams both finished as KISL tournament

champions. The boys avenged two regular-season losses to St. John Neumann with a lopsided win, and the girls knocked off top seed Freedom Christian by double figures. Sean Brennan and Kennedy Anne Noe were named MVP of their tourneys. The Sacred Heart girls varsity joined the boys varsity in finishing as runners-up in the KISL tournament championships. Adam Kabbani, Brad Grenkoski, Caroline Jacobi, and Laura Cunningham made AllTournament for the Eagles. Brock Jancek, Rachel DeBaar, and Caroline made the All-League Team. ■

to tell you, and the times volunteering to help with anything that needed to be done for the team; all the times spent watching and supporting them in all kinds of weather.” Patrick was joined at his signing by parents Valerie and Cliff McFall, sister Riley, and Fighting Irish football head coach Steve Matthews. Alongside Camille for her signing were parents James and Lori Baker, Mr. Surlas, and KCHS track coaches Brandon Harris (hurdles), Sean O’Neil (distance), and David Ball (jumps). Molly is the daughter of Pearl and Jim Dwyer. Mrs. Dwyer and KCHS soccer head coach Mark Leader witnessed her signing.

Charlotte’s parents, Andrew and Nancy Sauter, watched her signing along with Mr. Leader and club coach Kevin Keck. Tori signed as parents Steven and Amanda Sanders sat with her. Also watching were Mr. O’Neil, her cross-country coach, and club coach Jonathan Thompson. Feb. 5 was actually KCHS’s second signing day of the school year. Baseball players Adam Reed and Shane Whalen signed during the early-signing period in November. Adam will continue his baseball career at Tennessee Tech, and Shane will be playing baseball at Lincoln Memorial University. ■

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

dioknox.org

St. John Neumann students donate hair to aid cancer patients Annual gift of locks continues to grow in popularity as more girls, mothers take part in service project

nd with student testimonials like those read aloud to a gym full of St. John Neumann School classmates, faculty, supporters and media, 38 girls had their long locks sheared in the third annual Ponytail Drive to benefit Pantene Beautiful Lengths and the American Cancer Society to support cancer patients. The students, who ranged from kindergarten to eighth grade, anxiously awaited the moment when a carefully selected classmate, sibling or parent put scissors to hair and snipped. Some of the girls were joined by their mothers, who also agreed to go under the shears. The smiles were going on even as the hair was coming off as smart phones, tablets and cameras captured the event, where more than 30 feet of hair was collected for Pantene. The beauty products company will transform donations by St. John Neumann and other groups around the country into natural-hair wigs for Pantene Beautiful Lengths campaign partner HairUWear that

The East Tennessee Catholic

Love offering St. John Neumann School students and parents take part in the fourth annual Ponytail Drive to benefit cancer patients. Girls and some mothers volunteer to grow out their hair and then have it cut as a way to give back to a good cause. The American Cancer Society and Pantene help sponsor the event.

BILL BREWER

“I want to donate my hair because I want to make a tribute to my grandma and my neighbor and all others who were diagnosed with cancer.” “I’m in fourth grade and I am donating my hair because I want to give it to people who don’t have any from cancer treatment.” “I’m in fourth grade and the reason I am doing this is because other people need hair more than I do.” “I am doing this because I have friends and family that have had (cancer) treatment.” “I decided to donate my hair because I have a lot, so why not share.” “I want to donate my hair because there are people who need it more than I do.” “I want to donate my hair to show that you can give of yourself no matter your age.”

By Bill Brewer

are then distributed free to female cancer patients through the national network of American Cancer Society wig banks. Also assisting in the Ponytail Drive were hair stylists from Knoxville-area hair styling chain Ross the Boss, who styled the donors’ hair immediately after their donation. Participation in the event has been growing each year, according to Michelle Dougherty, who teaches at St. John Neumann and organizes the Ponytail Drive. She said 25 girls participated the first year amid some persistent prodding and 32 took part last year. “After the first year, we thought there was no way girls would get in front of the school and do this,” Ms. Dougherty said, adding that Pantene then submitted a video of high school girls from another state donating their hair and explaining why they do it. “Now, we have more girls who purposely grow out their hair so

they can donate,” she said. “It has become tradition now, so we will continue to do it.” Support for the event is growing as fast as the girls’ hair, and St. John Neumann Principal Bill Derbyshire is one of the biggest fans. “I think it promotes our Catholic mission of giving back. It’s a unique way for our school, and especially these girls, to give something back in such a loving way,” Mr. Derbyshire said. St. John Neumann School’s Ponytail Drive isn’t without emotion, including tears. As volunteers braided strands of hair to be donated prior to the actual cutting, a couple of younger students cried at the thought of losing their long tresses. But parents and teachers rushed in to ease the situation. Then Ms. Dougherty put the situation in perspective. She said a school parent, who is a mother of two boys, had long hair when she recently was diagnosed with cancer. She had her

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

hair cut before starting the treatment that would make her hair fall out, and she donated her locks to the Ponytail Drive. “She donated nine inches of hair,” Ms. Dougherty said. “In our first year, we had two sisters whose father passed away the summer before the school year. These sisters, together with a third sister, had their hair cut and donated.” Pantene and the American Cancer Society have made more than 24,000 free real-hair wigs from more than 400,000 donated ponytails. It takes eight to 15 ponytails to make a wig and each ponytail must be at least eight inches in length. Hair that has been bleached, permanently colored or chemically treated can’t be used. For Sharon Peterson, the Ponytail Drive is a family affair. She has a second-grader and a 3-year-old who were donating and a 12-year-old who has given hair three times. “It will be strange when you wash

Ponytails, continued on page 21 April 6, 2014 17

on from the priesthood, for he is a priest of Jesus Christ forever. So we celebrate with Monsignor this day with a sense of thanksgiving for his goodness and his kindness and his love for the people who have been part of this parish for so long.” Bishop Stika said the monsignor now will be entering a new phase of his priesthood. “Today is indeed a special day, but I would like to, perhaps, clear up some confusion. You know, some of you might think that Monsignor George is retiring as a priest. That never happens. He’s retiring from his responsibilities of making sure that the basilica runs smoothly. So now that he is the pastor-emeritus, you know what that means? That means that Father David has to worry when the roof leaks and not Monsignor George,” Bishop Stika said with a smile. The bishop reiterated that “a priest never retires” because “at the moment that the bishop lays his hands on his head, Monsignor George Father George at the time changed ontologically … he has an indelible mark on his soul that said to him and to the community that surrounds him, ‘You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.’ “For these many years, especially here at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, Monsignor has served and will continue to serve as a model, as a mentor, as a disciple, as an apostle, and especially as a man who has great love for his parish community and this great basilica.” The bishop fondly recalled two occasions in which he had good news to report to Monsignor Schmidt. One was “the time I called Monsignor from Rome and said to him that the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has designated this great love of yours, this great church, this great edifice dedicated under the patronage of Peter and Paul, that the Holy Father has recognized this church as a minor basilica, to give it a unique and special title. “The second time was when I invited him to come over to my house just a few years ago. He entered the house with fear and trepidation—well, maybe not. But he, along with two other priests of

18 April 6, 2014

DAN MCWILLIAMS

Monsignor continued from page 1

A long line of well-wishers Monsignor George Schmidt receives best wishes from parishioners at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul following a Mass in his honor.

the diocese, I was privileged to say that I had recommended to Rome, to the Holy Father, that they have the title of monsignor. Some people might think that’s an antiquated title, and the Holy Father has kind of put it on the shelf even. But it is one of the ways that a bishop can say to a priest: thank you. Thank you for service and goodness and kindness.” Bishop Stika said “we celebrate the priesthood” of Monsignor Schmidt, “but one of the best ways to honor him for his service to the Church is to pray for vocations for men to follow him so that they, too, can feel in their hearts, in the depth of who they are, that call of Jesus Christ to come and to follow to build the kingdom, to celebrate the sacraments, to love the people that he would be entrusted to, to be of service. “So if you want to honor Monsignor, and I’m sure he’s willing to take cards and envelopes, but even more than that, if you want to honor Monsignor, pray to almighty God that in the name of Monsignor George, ‘Lord, send vocations to the Church.’ Men to follow him, women religious, religious brothers, and deacons. To pray for vocations, so that all of the work that Monsignor has lived and completed here at this basilica and as it continues on at St. Jude’s, may it continue on because

good and faithful men will follow Monsignor as he followed the others.” Monsignor Schmidt spoke at the end of Mass, thanking all who attended and all who helped organize the evening’s festivities. “I thank all of you,” he said. “I especially thank Father Bertin Glennon, whom I shared the rectory with for many years. He helped me and all of us have a long, excellent time together. I could not have done it without him.” The monsignor said he “never intended to retire from Sts. Peter and Paul, but my health issues made that change necessary.” “As many of you know,” he said, “my brother and I were altar servers in the parish during the ’50s and early ’60s. There were family events in the beautiful church. There was my ordination, my sister’s marriage, baptisms, funerals, and the celebration of my 25th anniversary as a priest. And we shared many such events with many of our families, but now I need to take a slower pace as you know. I am residing at St. Jude with Father Charlie [Burton], Father Paul [Valleroy], and Father Moises [Moreno]. I hope to concelebrate Mass with them. I invite you to visit St. Jude, as I would very much like to say hello to you. Thanks to all of you for

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

all that you did for me and with me. God bless you, I’ll keep you in my prayers.” At the dinner in his honor, Monsignor Schmidt was presented with a papal blessing, a framed copy of his monsignor appointment, and news that a scholarship is being established in his name at Notre Dame High School for students exemplifying the strong characteristics of Monsignor Schmidt. The scholarship, with an original goal of $25,000, already is endowed with more than $28,000, said George Valadie, president of Notre Dame High School, which is where Monsignor Schmidt graduated. Bishop Stika then presented the papal blessing. “Monsignor, in the name of all the people you’ve served over the years at Peter and Paul and other assignments, and in the names of all my brother priests and deacons in this diocese, I just want to say thank you,” the bishop said. “Thank you for all those things that people know about, but also thank you for those things that are contained in the hearts of people you’ve served throughout the years, so ad multos annos, many more years of service to the Church, and thank you for the witness you give of the priesthood of Jesus Christ.” Monsignor Mankel gave a presentation about Father Schmidt being named a monsignor. Then Father Glennon revealed several statistics on Monsignor Schmidt. “Since July 1986 and continued until very recently, in this period of time, Monsignor led this parish through 250 weddings, 650 baptisms— those included the ones he did as a deacon— 150 confirmations, and 500 funerals. As the bishop has said, for these many years, we have seen a leader who told us, whether we wanted to hear it or not, the story of Jesus and invited us, again, to accept—many did.” To conclude the dinner for Monsignor Schmidt, a slide show was presented showing him through the years with basilica members, and an Elvis impersonator serenaded the monsignor with several numbers, including “Love Me Tender,” “Teddy Bear,” and “Don’t Be Cruel.” ■ dioknox.org

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April 6, 2014 19

draws it all together.” Bishop Stika’s first year in the diocese was “really challenging,” he said, “especially with the death of [his executive secretary] Nancy Feist, who was so loyal and so faithful to Archbishop [Joseph E.] Kurtz and for me for just two months; then my little health scare in August. I often kid about that, for without that health scare, I wouldn’t have the Sisters of Mercy of Alma. I gave my right eye, literally, to get them here.” The Alma sisters originally came to assist the bishop in his recovery to full health. Bishop Stika also recognized the other sisters in attendance. “To the Dominican Sisters when I see them, they bring back memories of my grade school years when I was taught by the Sparkill Dominicans, who look just like them,” he said. “And then to the Evangelizing Sisters of Mary who I see, who have come as missionaries from Africa to be with us: Sisters, you’re a blessing to us because you remind us of the universal nature of the Church. “And to the foundation of this diocese, the Sisters of Mercy, who have given so much throughout the years, not only to the Diocese of Knoxville but also to the Catholic Church in Tennessee and throughout the nation.” The bishop also remembered Cardinal Justin Rigali, who resides in the diocese but was out of town during the fifth-anniversary celebration. “In a very special way I remember Archbishop [Pietro] Sambi, the nuncio who installed me, who died suddenly just a few years ago. I remember Pope-emeritus Benedict, who made me a bishop, and Pope Francis, who reminds us all of what it means to be a Christian caring for one another.” Bishop Stika looked back on his selection of an episcopal motto: “Jesus, I trust in you.” “Isn’t that what we’re all about?”

20 April 6, 2014

DAN MCWILLIAMS

Anniversary continued from page 8

So good to see you Bishop Richard F. Stika greets a parishioner at Sacred Heart Cathedral following Mass on the fifth anniversary of his ordination and installation as bishop of the Diocese of Knoxville.

“As I think of St. Joseph, I think of someone strong, quiet, but in the very essence of himself being a person of dignity. ... He was chosen by God to be the very person to love the Blessed Mother, to love Mary with everything that he was, and even more than that, he was the one of all humanity and all history who was chosen by God to teach Jesus how to be human and even more than that, to be a man.” — Bishop Richard F. Stika he said. “In a world filled with difficulties and challenges and temptations, what gives us all strength? The ability to say from the very depths of our hearts, ‘Jesus, I trust in you.’” Bishop Stika thanked the priests and deacons as well as the women religious for their service. “To my brother priests, please know my great affection and friendship,” he said. “If I’ve ever disappointed you or made mistakes, they were never intentional, for I always try to do my best, so I count on your prayers and your brotherly friendship. “To my brother deacons, hey, I was ordained a deacon before I was a priest; I still belong to that union. So it’s a reminder to everyone that

we’re co-workers in Christ. And to the religious, you are a blessing to us, but especially to all of you, I know that life is busy, and I appreciate that you’re here. Just please know that I need your prayers and I pray for you. And again to you, I apologize if I’ve made mistakes or errors, and I just ask for your prayers for me so that I might get better.” In his closing remarks, the bishop thanked executive secretary Peggy Humphreys. “Actually, Peggy runs the diocese. She has to put up with a lot, and she works long hours, and she is truly the voice of Jesus to so many people coming into my office and into my life, and I don’t thank Peggy enough for all that she does. And the Chan-

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

cery staff—they do so much and they participate in my ministry as bishop, but they’re wonderful people, and I’m privileged to serve with them as I am with the priests and deacons and also [Chancellor] Deacon Sean Smith, who’s kind of my right-hand man.” Bishop Stika then thanked people in the diocese for their support and prayers. The bishop said the diocese is “truly a special place.” “Even if I was elected pope, I would turn it down and stay here, even though I would be the second Polish pope.” In an interview with WBIR-TV, Channel 10 before Mass, Bishop Stika said he enjoys promoting the diocese around the country when he travels. “Outside my bedroom door, there’s a rough-cut sign, but it says, ‘Another day in paradise,’” the bishop told the news outlet. “I often think the people in East Tennessee don’t realize what a beautiful surrounding this is, but they’re beautiful people, they’re truly hospitable, and from the first day I’ve felt a member of this community, and it’s been a wonderful expression of solidarity with the people I’m privileged to serve with, and I brag about Tennessee and the diocese all the time when I travel across the country.” The bishop told WBIR he also “brags on the St. Louis Cardinals” but is a University of Tennessee sports fan as well. “I was a Tennessee fan from the moment I was named. I wear more orange than I ever thought I would.” The people of the diocese “are just wonderful, and I think they need to hear that more because they are,” the bishop said in the interview. “It’s a great mixture of people born in the state as well as people who have come from different places like myself. But I hear that time and time again from people that when they first move to Tennessee they feel at home.” ■ dioknox.org

your hair for the first time, but it isn’t traumatic. You just share your hair,” Mrs. Peterson said. Classmates Maddie Vanderhoofven and Mary Iverson waited anxiously for their turn under the scissors. But the seventh-graders took a practical approach to their selfless act of service. For Mary, it was her first time donating. Maddie took part the first year. “I’m kind of nervous, but it’s for a good cause, so I’m happy,” Mary said before having her locks cut. The more experienced Maddie, who took part in the first Ponytail Drive, shared Mary’s concern. “It’s nerve-wracking to think you’re losing so much of your hair, but it’s wonderful to think it’s going for such a good cause to people who need hair,” Maddie said, noting that she “weighed the pros and cons” before reaching the conclusion that “it’s something I know I want to do.” Mary spent a year preparing for the big day. “After they did it last year, my friends inspired me. So I decided to grow out my hair and donate it this year,” she said. For Olivia Escher, a sixth-grader at the school, is wasn’t the loss of her hair that worried her. It was inclement weather. The cutting event was to be held during Catholic Schools Week in late January, but snow forced a postponement. “She was very upset when they canceled school because she was anxious to give her hair,” said Pam Escher, Olivia’s mother and hair trimmer for the event. But once the event was back on, Olivia’s concern shifted. “I was worried my mom wouldn’t cut it straight,” she said after the tresses were trimmed. “But I was happy that cancer patients will have a chance to have my hair.” The East Tennessee Catholic

BILL BREWER

Ponytails continued from page 17

Gift collection St. John Neumann faculty member Michelle Dougherty, left, principal Bill Derbyshire, and Sister Mary Marta Abbott, RSM, superintendent of diocesan schools, display the hair that was donated during the school’s annual Ponytail Drive.

Tian Lyons went above and beyond supporting her sixth-grade daughter, Vivian. She sat with her daughter and had her own jet-black strands cut by her son, Tony, who is Vivian’s twin and also is a St. John Neumann sixth-grader. Donating hair isn’t new for Mrs. Lyons and she had been preparing for the big day. “I decided last year to do it and I’ve been letting my hair grow. I did it once in college when my hair was to my knees,” Mrs. Lyons said. “I have to cut it anyway, so why not for a good cause.” She was surprised at how many girls decided to cut their hair and already is planning ahead. “I hope I can do it again next year.” Vivian already has her sights set on 2015 and immediately realized a secondary benefit to donating her hair.

“It feels lighter and should be easier to take care of. I thought it would be shorter, but it looks better than I thought,” she said. “Once my hair is longer, I will do it again.” Ms. Dougherty takes the Ponytail Drive personally and is annually brought to tears as she tells faculty and students about the cancer patients who benefit. And she not only organizes the annual Ponytail Drive, she has been a willing participant — along with her sisters. As she personalized the impact cancer can have on an individual and their family and friends in remarks to the school, she shared a few facts that put the Ponytail Drive in perspective. She said with nearly 700,000 adult American women being diagnosed with cancer this year alone, and more than one in three women developing some form of cancer in

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

her lifetime, the campaign touches mothers, daughters, sisters, wives and friends. And she noted that the effects of hair loss on women is startling, with one study revealing that 58 percent of women consider hair loss the worst side effect when undergoing chemotherapy and 8 percent are at risk of avoiding potentially life-saving treatment altogether because of their hair-loss fear. It’s the members of Ms. Dougherty’s immediate family, or school family, or diocesan family who are touched by cancer who come to mind as she orchestrates the Ponytail Drive in front of a school full of students, faculty, parents, friends, TV cameras and newspaper reporters. “There are a lot of heart tugs that happen. One year I will get through it without crying,” she said. ■ April 6, 2014 21

Living the readings

Weekday readings

The rites of spring

Tuesday, April 1: Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12; Psalm 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9; John 5:1-16 Wednesday, April 2: Isaiah 49:8-15; Psalm 145:8-9, 1314, 17-18; John 5:17-30 Thursday, April 3: Exodus 32:7-14; Psalm 106:19-23; John 5:31-47 Friday, April 4: Wisdom 2:1, 12-22; Psalm 34:17-21, 23; John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30 Saturday, April 5: Jeremiah 11:18-20; Psalm 7:2-3, 9-12; John 7:40-53 Sunday, April 6: Ezekiel 37:12-14; Psalm 130:18; Romans 8:8-11; John 11:1-45 Monday, April 7: Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62; Psalm 23:1-6; John 8:1-11 Tuesday, April 8: Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 102:2-3, 1621; John 8:21-30 Wednesday, April 9: Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95; Daniel 3:52-56; John 8:31-42 Thursday, April 10: Genesis 17:3-9; Psalm 105:4-9; John 8:51-59 Friday, April 11: Jeremiah 20:10-13, Psalm 18:2-7; John 10:31-42 Saturday, April 12: Ezekiel 37:21-28; Jeremiah 31:1013; John 11:45-56 Sunday, April 13: Matthew 21:1-11; Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24; Philippians 2:6-11; Matthew 26:14–27:66 Monday, April 14: Isaiah 42:1-7; Psalm 27:1-3, 1314; John 12:1-11 Tuesday, April 15: Isaiah 49:1-6; Psalm 71:1-6, 15, 17; John 13:21-33, 36-38; Isaiah 61:1-3, 6, 8-9; Psalm 89:21-22, 25, 27; Revelation 1:5-8; Luke 4:16-21 Wednesday, April 16: Isaiah 50:4-9; Psalm 69:8-10, 21-22, 31, 33-34; Matthew 26:14-25 Readings continued on page 23

22 April 6, 2014

by Father Joseph Brando

The season for planting is here, which will lead to new life

arly spring has already come, and with it the refreshing spring rains that foretell the beginning of life. Crops soon will start growing from seeds that are only now being planted. The season for planting has begun. In the Sunday liturgy for April 6, the Sixth Sunday of Lent, Jesus plants the seed of resurrection in our hearts as we read the story of Lazarus. In the first reading, God tells his people, through Ezekiel, that He will open our graves and raise us up. The reference is to the return of the Babylonian exiles back to the land of Israel. That would take a miracle of the highest order; but God promised his people that they would live and settle once again in their God-given land. The spirit of the Lord returned to them. And so the miracle took place. Paul reminds us, in the second reading from Romans, that being alive in the spirit was not restricted to the returning exiles. We are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit. Christ is in us. And the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead is alive in us. We are seeds who will rise to eternal life. At harvest time we will rise to new life. One prime example of rising from the dead comes to us in the Gospel. There, the entombed Lazarus comes to life at Jesus’ command. Martha and Mary, both of whom loved the Lord, chastised Jesus for not being there when their brother was sick. Jesus could have cured him. In turn, Jesus was saddened by his friend’s death. This time of harsh heartrending distress, however, became one of total ecstasy when Lazarus squirmed out of his grave into the light. The crowd was so overjoyed that Jesus had to call for someone to untie his hands and feet. What began with fertile rain ends in brilliant sunshine. That sun grows higher in the sky on Palm Sunday. It’s a time for marching together. As the crowds ushered Jesus majestically through the East Gate into Jerusalem, we can enter our parish church

with the joy of proclaiming the Lord our king. We can feel the mighty force of a huge movement of people making Christ present. We know that Jesus will be crucified in a matter of five days. Yet, we are assured by Jesus’ promise that he will rise to new life. Palm Sunday’s Old Testament reading is from Isaiah. The prophet attempts to rouse us by warnings of beatings and buffetings. He also reminds us of God’s help, which will take away our disgrace; for the sufferings are redemptive. The second reading is the profoundly exquisite “Philippians’ Hymn.” This ancient Christian poetry portrays Jesus as God who has emptied himself completely for us by enduring not only the problems of human life but also the pains of death by means of crucifixion. Because of this, God has highly exalted him to the point that everyone on earth, above it or under it, must confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. The Gospel on Palm Sunday is the Passion according to Matthew. There are three items in Matthew’s story of the Passion of the Lord that are not in the other Gospels. One is Judas’ repentance and return of the 30 pieces of silver. Interestingly, Judas is the only one in Matthew’s Gospel to call Jesus “Rabbi.” The second story unique to Matthew is Pilate’s washing his hands and protesting that he is innocent of Jesus’ blood. The third bit of information that we get solely from Matthew is the posting of the guard and the sealing of the stone on Jesus’ grave. In all, Matthew’s version of the Passion of Christ leads us to look on the events of the death of Jesus with more compassion for all involved. We need to realize we were part of it, too. The Church does not ask us to meditate on the Passion of the Lord in order to get angry at any of those involved. Rather, we are to discern the tremendous love Jesus had to have to undergo his passion. Jesus’ pain was not only physical

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but also the psychological anguish of unrequited love. Unlike most every other week of the year, this week we do not pass on uninterruptedly to the following Sunday. This is Holy Week. Every day marks a key event. Monday’s Gospel takes us back to Bethany where Jesus enjoys a meal with Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. This is where Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with a pound of pure aromatic nard and wiped his feet with her hair to the chagrin of Judas. On Tuesday, the Old Testament presents us with Isaiah’s consideration of himself as a sharpened arrow kept in a special space in God’s quiver, only to be used at the perfect moment. The implication is that God the Father waited to this perfect moment to spring Jesus into action to redeem the world. Such a time may come for us. Wednesday of Holy Week has been “celebrated” for years on end as “Spy Wednesday.” The Gospel for the day is Matthew’s account of Judas’ going to the chief priests volunteering to betray Jesus. Now we come to Holy Thursday, when we recall the Last Supper. The first Scripture reading, from Exodus, describes God’s command to Moses establishing the feast of Passover, its details and reasons for the details. The attention to detail warns us this rite is holy. The New Testament reading is Paul’s teaching to the Corinthians as to how to celebrate the Eucharist. Since the Letter was written, in 57 AD according to experts, and Paul taught in Corinth from 50 to 52 AD, this may be the earliest record of the words of institution of the Eucharist, well before the first written Gospel. It’s less than 20 years after the first Eucharist in the Upper Room. At any rate, we must appreciate the sense of “being there” as we read these sacred words this Holy Week 2014. The Holy Thursday Gospel gives us John’s take on the Last Supper. He wants us to focus on what Jesus did at the beginning of the service. He washed his disciples’ feet. The message was clear. We are to wash each other’s feet in mutual love. Thus, the washing of feet is the most dioknox.org

noticeable part of the Holy Thursday liturgy. This act of love by God and each other is what we take away with us and give to the world. Yet there is one more deviation from our normal Mass routine. On this night, after Communion, we transfer the Eucharist from the altar to the tabernacle by means of a solemn procession through the church. It’s different in order to reinforce in our minds the precious value of the Body of Christ and the respect it is due every day. Good Friday is different from every other day in the Liturgical Year. We do not celebrate Mass on the day Jesus died. We do venerate the cross. But before that ceremony, we have a Liturgy of the Word. Isaiah’s Fourth Song of the Suffering Servant is the first reading. This beautiful hymn was probably a problem for Isaiah’s contemporaries to understand; but it becomes crystal clear to us who know what Jesus endured for us. The New Testament reading from Hebrews instructs us as to how to react to what happened on Good Friday. The author tells us to “confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.” And later, we find out that “when he [Jesus] was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.” We should take advantage of this opportunity to tap this infinite source of deliverance. The Gospel today is the Passion according to John. More than the Synoptic Gospels, John directs our focus to Christ’s kingship. The signs of his status might only be a purple cloak the soldiers put on him as a mockery and a crown of thorns, but Jesus acts and speaks as if he were completely in charge of the situation. Certainly neither the chief priests nor Pilate nor the soldiers acted with any authority. Pilate continued to try to free Jesus and to recognize him as indeed a king. He had Jesus’ crime written on the inscription placed at the execution site. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews.” And so, he is our king forever. Now we come to the Easter Vigil. It is so splendid a liturgy and so filled with The East Tennessee Catholic

meaning that any explanation would take pages to describe. So, we will consider only the Scripture readings, and then only to show their specific purpose. After the blessing and lighting of the fire and the Paschal Candle and the singing of the Easter Proclamation, we start the Liturgy of the Word. The readings are to proclaim the beauty of the “History of Salvation” to those who will be baptized. They recount the stories of creation, of Abraham, of the Israelites leaving Egypt through the Red Sea, of Noah’s covenant with God. They continue with Baruch’s exhortation to us to listen to the Wisdom of God, and Ezekiel’s good news that God would sprinkle clean water on us to cleanse us from our impurities. These are only the seven Old Testament readings before the Epistle. The Epistle, from Paul’s Letter to the Romans, tells us we have died with Christ and we also live with him. This prepares those to be baptized for their big moment. So also does the Gospel passage from Matthew’s account of the resurrection. Then comes the Liturgy of Baptism and entrance into the Church. The next morning, Easter takes a more familiar mode. We all renew our baptismal promises and are sprinkled with baptismal water. But that happens after we hear the Easter message by means of the Liturgy of the Word. The first reading is Peter’s Pentecost proclamation from the Upper Room telling the crowd about Jesus’ resurrection and offers those listening to receive forgiveness of sins through Jesus’ name. The New Testament reading can be Paul writing to the Colossians telling them they were raised with Christ and exist with him at the right hand of the Father. So when Christ appears at the end of the world, we will appear with him in glory. There is nothing more to hope for beyond that. Through baptism, we have made it into glory forever. The second choice is from the first letter to the Corinthians, where Paul uses the Hebrew feast of Passover to teach the Corinthians to live in the sincerity and truth of life in Christ.

Our Easter Gospel is John’s rendition of the events of early the day Jesus rose from the dead. There was Mary Magdalene’s witnessing of the stone removed from the tomb and no body inside. She runs back to get Peter and the beloved disciple to see for themselves. They came, they saw, and they believed even without understanding that Jesus had to rise from the dead. And, through them, we come to believe as well. Easter does not end the month of April. Nor is it the end of our Easter journey. The next Sunday, April 27, is Divine Mercy Sunday. It is a perfect and peaceful reflection on what Easter means. The first reading is from the New Testament. It is from the Acts of the Apostles where Luke relates the serenity and unity of the early Church. Easter is a time of peace. The second reading shows us it is also a time for rejoicing. Although we may not see the risen Christ, our belief in him makes us rejoice. Easter also brings reconciliation. Today’s Gospel tells the full story of Thomas on Easter evening and the following Sunday. The first day Thomas was absent and subsequently would not believe his fellow disciples that the risen Christ appeared to them. On the following Sunday, he saw, heard, felt and believed the risen Lord. The weeklong patience of the other disciples paid off in Thomas’ faith and in his new insight that Jesus is God. And the entire Church (all of them fitting into the Upper Room) were one. Thus ends a month filled with theological excitement. Beginning with the light rain and the clouds of imminent suffering and death, April took us from the last days of Lent with Lazarus’ sickness, death and miraculous return to life, through the events of Holy Week, to the new life of Easter and the life of Divine Mercy. There is nothing left but total relief and the enjoyment of the sunshine that awaits us as we live out the eternal Life we live in Christ symbolized by May. ■ Father Brando is pastor of St. Mary Parish in Gatlinburg.

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Readings continued from page 22 Thursday, April 17: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14; Psalm 116:12-13, 15-18; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-15 Friday, April 18: Isaiah 52:13–53:12; Psalm 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-17, 25; Hebrews 4:14-16 and 5:7-9; John 18:1–19:42 Saturday, April 19: Genesis 1:1–2:2; Psalm 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12-14, 24, 35; Genesis 22:1-18; Psalm 16:5, 8-11; Exodus 14:15–15:1; Exodus 15:1-6, 17-18; Isaiah 54:514; Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13; Isaiah 55:1-11; Isaiah 12:26; Baruch 3:9-15 and 3:32– 4:4; Psalm 19:8-11; Ezekiel 26:16-28; Psalms 42:3, 5 and 43:3-4; Romans 6:3-11; Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 2223; Matthew 28:1-10 Sunday, April 20: Acts 10:34, 37-43; Psalm 118:12, 16-17, 22-23; Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-9 Monday, April 21: Acts 2:14, 22-33; Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11; Matthew 28:8-15 Tuesday, April 22: Acts 2:36-41; Psalm 33:4-5, 1820, 22; John 20:11-18 Wednesday, April 23: Acts 3:1-10; Psalm 105:1-4, 6-9; Luke 24:13-35 Thursday, April 24: Acts 3:11-26; Psalm 8:2, 5-9; Luke 24:35-48 Friday, April 25: Acts 4:112; Psalm 118:1-2, 4, 2227; John 21:1-14 Saturday, April 26: Acts 4:13-21; Psalm 118:1, 1421; Mark 16:9-15 Sunday, April 27: Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 118:2-4, 1315, 22-24; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31 Monday, April 28: Acts 4:23-31; Psalm 2:1-9; John 3:1-8 Tuesday, April 29: Acts 4:32-37; Psalm 93:1-2, 5; John 3:7-15 Wednesday, April 30: Acts 5:17-26; Psalm 34:2-9; John 3:16-21 ■ April 6, 2014 23

Marriage enrichment Schedule continued from page 2

Inviting God into a marriage

Mass at the Cathedral April 17: noon, Holy Thursday Reconciliation Service at Immaculate Conception Church in Knoxville April 17: 7 p.m., Mass of the Lord’s Supper at the Cathedral April 18: 7 p.m., Passion of the Lord at the Cathedral April 19: 8:30 p.m., Easter Vigil Mass at the Cathedral April 20: 9 a.m., Easter Mass at the Cathedral April 22: 9:30 a.m., Catholic Charities Members of the Corporation Board Meeting at the Chancery April 22: 11:30 a.m., Welcome and meeting with Sister Anna Mary Henrietta Nyangoma, Superior General of the Evangelizing Sisters of Mary, at the Chancery April 23: 7 p.m., Confirmation at St. Patrick Church in Morristown April 24 – May 3: Rome Pilgrimage for Canonization of Blessed John XXIII and Blessed John Paul II and Papal Foundation board meeting ■

Upcoming Virtus training sessions The Diocese of Knoxville’s program for the protection of children, youth and vulnerable adults is offered throughout the diocese. The seminars are required for parish and school employees and regular volunteers in contact with children and vulnerable adults. The following training sessions are scheduled: ■ St.

Jude School, 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 8; 4 p.m. TuesVirtus continued on page 25

24 April 6, 2014

by Marian Christiana

Prayer between husbands and wives can enhance matrimony by emphasizing listening, forgiveness

y husband and I recently attended a Celebration of Life service for the father of a close friend. Our friend’s father, Chester R. Cecil Sr., had been married to his wife, Barbara, for 67 years. The eulogy given in honor of Mr. Cecil was beautiful and very inspirational. It was clear that his entire life had been defined by his 67 years of marriage and all that went with his family life. The minister could not talk about Mr. Cecil’s life without referring to his love and devotion to his wife. The couple had been mentors and role models of a strong Christian marriage for their church community and for the people they knew socially and through work. Mr. and Mrs. Cecil had a Christ-centered marriage, and it was apparent to everyone that they met. It is not always easy to put what is best for our spouse and marriage ahead of our own interests. Sometimes, in fact, it may seem impossible, but Jesus assures us in Matthew 19:26 that “with God all things are possible.” For God to help us in our marriages, we must first invite Him

The practice of spousal prayer, of praying together, will help all married couples have Christ-centered marriages. into our marriage. It was clear that Mr. and Mrs. Cecil had invited God into their marriage. I often get requests for more information on how to integrate God and the spiritual life into busy marriages. There is a short book called “Spousal Prayer: A Way to Marital Happiness” by Deacon James Keating that helps couples begin to add prayer to their daily routine. Mr. Keating outlines three prerequisites for beginning prayer with one’s spouse. A husband or wife should “behold” the other spouse, which means you are open to your spouse’s true identity. “Listen” to each other at the deepest level by actually accepting what your spouse has to say as a gift. And “forgive” each other, allowing Christ to bring any healing that is needed. These three prerequisites build a strong foundation to begin or enrich

couple prayer time. Mr. Keating also discusses how this foundation helps couples stay in love with each other and with God. As we fall more in love with our spouses and with God, the more our actions and decisions will reflect that marital and spiritual love. As the Lenten season comes to a close we have an opportunity to work on these prerequisites to enhance spousal prayer. We can look into our spouse’s heart and find the true person. Practice active listening, and make sure that you understand the joys and sorrows of their daily experiences. Let go of injuries and allow Christ to heal hurt feelings. The practice of spousal prayer, of praying together, will help all married couples have Christ-centered marriages like Chester and Barbara Cecil. Wouldn’t Mr. Cecil be happy to know that his marriage continues to be an inspiration to others? ■ Mrs. Christiana is coordinator of the diocesan Marriage Preparation and Enrichment Office.

God is always present with those who suffer, pope says VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The fragility of human life is part of its beauty and is something people only really learn by being close to, sharing with and caring for those who are suffering, Pope Francis said. “Even in suffering, no one is ever alone because God — in his merciful love for humanity and for the world — embraces even the most inhuman situations in which the image of the Creator present in each person appears blurred or disfigured,” the pope told members of the Pontifical

Council for Health Care Ministry. Meeting council members March 24, Pope Francis said Blessed John Paul II, who will be canonized April 27, was a living example of the call to “do good by suffering and do good for those who suffer.” In response to Blessed John Paul’s example and teaching, he said, people responded “with much affection and veneration, recognizing that God was with him.” God is always present with those who suffer, the pope said, and that was particularly true during the suf-

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fering and passion of Jesus. “In him, every human pain, every anguish, every suffering was assumed out of love, out of the pure desire to be close, to be with us.” Contemplating Christ suffering on the cross is the best education for learning to recognize Christ suffering in all those who are sick or defenseless or hurting, the pope said. “The experience of fraternal sharing with those who suffer opens us to the true beauty of human life, which includes its fragility,” the pope said. ■ dioknox.org

Understanding the sacraments

by Father Randy Stice

Virtus continued from page 24

The Chrism Mass It is a moving, joyful celebration that expresses the unity of the priesthood and the sacrifice of Christ

n April 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Bishop Richard F. Stika, surrounded by the priests of the diocese, will celebrate one of the most beautiful and important liturgies of Holy Week— the Chrism Mass. At this Mass, Bishop Stika consecrates the holy chrism and blesses the oil of the catechumens and the oil of the sick, which will then be used throughout the diocese. The priests of the diocese concelebrate this Mass with the bishop and renew their commitment to priestly service. This Mass beautifully expresses how the priests share in the bishop’s sacred office of building up, sanctifying and governing the Church. Following the homily, the priests renew their commitment to priestly service. Bishop Stika begins by asking the priests if they are “resolved to renew, in the presence of your Bishop and God’s holy people, the promises you once made?” He then questions them about their willingness to draw ever closer to Christ: “Are you resolved to be more united with the Lord Jesus and more closely conformed to him, denying yourselves and confirming those promises about sacred duties towards Christ’s Church, which, prompted by love of him, you willingly and joyfully pledged on the day of your priestly ordination?” He then asks them to renew their commitment to be diligent ministers of the sacraments: “Are you resolved to be faithful stewards of the mysteries of God in the Holy Eucharist and the other liturgical rites and to discharge

faithfully the sacred office of teaching, following Christ the Head and Shepherd, not seeking any gain, but moved only by zeal for souls?” The bishop concludes this part of the Mass by asking the people to pray for the priests, then for himself. The consecration of chrism and blessing of the oils now begins. This is an extremely ancient tradition, first described by Hippolytus in the early third century. The prayers over each of the oils illustrate how God communicates his power through material elements like oil. The prayer over the oil of the sick asks God to “send the power of your Holy Spirit, the Consoler, into this precious oil, this soothing ointment, this rich gift, this fruit of the earth. Bless this oil and sanctify it for our use. Make this oil a remedy for all who are anointed with it; heal them in body, in soul, and in spirit.” The oil of the sick is used by priests in the sacrament of the anointing of the sick. The bishop next blesses the oil of catechumens, which is used in the sacrament of baptism just prior to the water baptism. The prayer of blessing asks God to “bless this oil and give wisdom and strength to all who are anointed with it in preparation for their Baptism. Bring them to a deeper understanding of the Gospel, help them to accept the challenge of Christian living, and lead them to the joy of new birth in the family of your Church.” Finally, the bishop consecrates the holy chrism, which is used in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and holy orders. The word “chrism” comes

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from the Greek word meaning to anoint and from which the word “Christ” comes. The bishop can choose between two prayers. The first asks God to “bless this oil you have created. Fill it with the power of your Holy Spirit through Christ your Son. It is from him that Chrism takes its name…Make this Chrism a sign of life and salvation for those who are born again in the waters of Baptism.” This prayer expresses the relationship between chrism and Christ, God’s Anointed One. The second prayer begins by recalling how God, “through the sign of holy Chrism,” dispenses his “life and love.” It then continues, “And so, Father, by the power of your love, make this mixture of oil and perfume a sign and source of your blessing. … Above all, Father, we pray that through this sign of your anointing you will grant increase to your Church.” The bishop may then breathe over the chrism, usually in the form of a cross. Jesus is the Anointed One, the Christ, the eternal High Priest who incorporates us into his body, the Church, and gives each of us a share in his priesthood in different ways. The Chrism Mass is a moving and joyful diocesan celebration that expresses “the unity of the priesthood and sacrifice of Christ, which continue to be present in the Church” (Ceremonial of Bishops). Please join Bishop Stika for this year’s Chrism Mass. ■ Father Stice directs the diocesan Office of Worship and Liturgy. He can be reached at frrandy@dioknox.org. Follow the diocese on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ knoxdiocese

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day, May 13 ■ St. Dominic Church, Kingsport, 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 8 ■ Immaculate Conception Church, Knoxville, 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 8 ■ St. Mary Church, Oak Ridge, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10 (session in Spanish) ■ St. Albert the Great, Knoxville, 12:30 p.m. Sunday, April 13 ■ St. Jude Church, Chattanooga, noon Thursday, May 1 ■ St. Patrick Church, Morristown, 6 p.m. Thursday, June 12 (session will be in Spanish) ■ St. Mary Church, Athens, 9 a.m. Saturday, June 21 ■ St. Dominic School, Kingsport, 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 25 ■

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Catholic Charities continued from page 5

2014 recipient of Catholic Charities’ Creating Hope Award was Alcoa Inc., which worked with Catholic Charities and Columbus Home Children’s Services on social-service projects. Father Chris Michelson, pastor of St. Albert the Great Church in Knoxville, gave a warm, engaging introduction of Father Schriver, who received a standing ovation. Father Schriver thanked Bishop Stika for allowing him to serve in Catholic Charities. “I’ve enjoyed every second of it and I’m going to miss it like crazy, but I think it’s a good thing for the agency to have a new leader. So Sister Mary Christine, you’re awesome and you have great things to bring to the organization. It’s the best job in the world and I’m lucky and happy to be able to pass it on to you. You’ve got a great group of people to support you every minute of it and Hill continued from page 6

role in commuting the death sentence of Missouri’s Darrell Mease to life in prison during a papal visit to St. Louis in 1999. Another subject that came up during the day was a proposal on the radar regarding teacher licensure. If passed, such a law would require separate licensing for non-public and public school teachers. The diocese is firmly against the measure, in part because non-public teachers’ tenure would not count when applying for a publicschool position, and because nonpublic schools would have difficulty in easily hiring teachers. The pro-life Amendment 1, which will be on the ballot in November, was a topic of conversation in the meetings with Lt. Gov. Ramsey, R-Blountville, and Sen. Gresham. Tennessee Right to Life currently has a statewide “vote yes on 1” campaign in support of the amendment. The meeting with Sen. Gresham,

26 April 6, 2014

you’re going to love it, so God bless you,” Father Schriver said. Playing on his trademark “three things” that he incorporates into many of his homilies, and drawing laughs in the process, Father Schriver said the three things he learned while with Catholic Charities were “compassion, community and a little bit of craziness.” He said “compassion” is a word that comes alive at Catholic Charities. “It means suffering with people and that’s really what Catholic Charities is all about,” he said. “I think all of us in our minds and in our hearts, we’re able to suffer with the people we serve each day—that we are living out our compassion right now.” Citing community, Father Schriver referred to a phrase Bishop Stika had earlier said, that Catholic Charities is the “face, and hands, and life of Jesus” to those who need it most. “That’s what is an amazing gift

that our Catholic Church has done for our community. It is truly a pluralistic environment and where the word ‘catholic’ truly comes to life,” he said. And as for craziness, Father Schriver remarked that in our culture, it is crazy that we must create an agency that takes care of the poor. “We’ve got to make our lives about service to other people? That’s not what society says. It’s crazy to do that, but do you know what? I’m glad to be that kind of crazy. I’m glad to be that ridiculous. This is crazy,” he said. “I think it’s crazy that in our country there are 15.1 percent of the people in poverty. That’s 46.2 million people who live in poverty, and that’s not just lower income. That’s people who are living on $24,000 a year for a family of four. That’s gigantic. And you know what? Because of that, I feel like we’re just

crazy enough to think that we can make a dent in that.” Following up on Pope Francis and a key biblical miracle reference by Father Schriver in his final message to CCET supporters, Sister Mary Christine said the work done by Catholic Charities is dependent on the generosity of supporters. “Since this is the first anniversary of the election of Pope Francis, it seemed right to quote something he said not long ago when he was reflecting on the miracle of the loaves and the fishes. What he said was, ‘the little that we have, the little that we are, is shared and becomes a treasure because of the power of God, whose love descends to our poverty and transforms it.’ “Each of us in his or her own way is privileged to offer something that God will take and transform with his love and that’s the great blessing that we celebrate here in many different ways,” she said. ■

R-Somerville, covered a wide range of subjects, including teacher licensure and the Common Core curriculum. When Bishop Stika asked if there was anything the group could do for Sen. Gresham, she said, “Just keep praying.” Medicaid expansion arose during the group’s meeting with Sen. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, the Senate Finance, Ways and Means committee chair and a parishioner of St. Mary Church in Oak Ridge. The group concluded its day by meeting Rep. Mark White, R-Memphis, of the House Education Subcommittee and Rep. Harry Brooks, R-Knoxville, chair of the House Education Committee. Rep. Brooks said he was a firm believer in the Common Core curriculum, which he credited with moving the needle of state education scores upward after years of stagnation. The Knoxville group was unable to meet with Sen. Todd Gardenhire,

R-Chattanooga, but Bishop Stika and Sister Mary Christine left a thank-you note for him for his sponsorship of Senate bills 2115 and 1951. SB 2115 would permit a student at a public college or university to be charged in-state tuition if the student is a citizen of the United States, has resided in Tennessee for at least one year, and has graduated from a Tennessee public secondary school or a private secondary school in the state. SB 1951 would permit undocumented students who are Tennessee residents and who meet the academic requirements of the HOPE scholarship and attend Tennessee schools for five years before graduating from high school, to be charged in-state tuition at public institutions of higher education. Bishop Stika greeted Rep. Bill Dunn, R-Knoxville, who is a parishioner of Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville, in the War Memorial Building as the group exited at the end of the day. Bishop Stika said he was overall sat-

isfied with the 17th Catholic Day on the Hill. He began his day in the War Memorial Auditorium with a talk to an audience that included students from the Diocese of Nashville attending Catholic Student Day on the Hill the same day. “I have great respect for people involved in government,” Bishop Stika said. “Earlier in the day when I spoke with 350 children and young adults from the Diocese of Nashville, I reminded them that the United States is a blessed nation because we have a federal republic and that these people represent us. I hope that someday some of those young students, basically seventh- and eighth-graders, follow in the footsteps not only as priests and nuns but also people involved in civil service.” Catholic Day on the Hill is sponsored by the Tennessee Catholic Public Policy Commission. For more information, including position papers and updates on Senate and House legislation, visit tncppc.org. ■

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

dioknox.org

Once upon a time

by Monsignor Xavier Mankel

We can value the past by investing in future Schools, churches, cathedral point to growth of Catholicism in East Tennessee that has foundation in history

f the history of our Diocese of Knoxville had ended with its first anniversary on Sept. 8, 1989, a much different story would have been told. So I look forward to the final diocesan celebration of our silver jubilee at Knoxville Catholic High School on Saturday, Sept. 13, which brings to a close a remarkable year commemorating our 25th anniversary. In looking back, we must marvel at the God-given and inspired growth of the Catholic Church in East Tennessee. Early groups of our people assembled in Chattanooga and Knoxville at the “end of track,” where the American Civil War had a profound influence on the faithful as did the arrival of Sisters who gave such great stability to the faith life of all with whom they came in contact. The era of missionary bishops like the Most Rev. William L. Adrian, D.D., and the continuing struggle to educate our people in the teachings of the Church as well as practicing interfaith and ecumenical relationships (e.g. the relationship between the pastors of Broadway Baptist Church and Immaculate Conception Church in Knoxville when John F. Kennedy was campaigning for president) were part of this rich past. The 1982 World’s Fair was held in Knoxville and the Vatican’s exhibit, along with one by the Mormons, gave new direction to interfaith and ecumenical relationships. What a wonderful ride it has been, from the members of Hernando de Soto’s explorers who visited the Chattanooga area in the 16th century to people looking over undeveloped land for a potential new parish or school. The East Tennessee Catholic

Since the principal church in any diocese is the cathedral and since our Diocese of Knoxville has its cathedral within a thriving middle-class parish, there seems to be no good reason why a new cathedral cannot become a reality. All of them have contributed to the history of the Body of Christ, his Church, in this part of the vineyard. We must look to the future if the past will have much meaning. Bishops like to look forward to having a parish in every county. This can be done even in Tennessee, where the rural Catholic population dips as low as 1 percent in some places. The resurrection of religious life gives us hope that we shall have more schools and catechetical centers. Since the principal church in any diocese is the cathedral and since our Diocese of Knoxville has its cathedral within a thriving middle-class parish, there seems to be no good reason why a new cathedral cannot become a reality. A cathedral for our diocese should seat 1,000 folks and have a sanctuary area large enough for diocesan functions, especially ordinations to the priesthood and the diaconate. The building should be large enough to house a large choir, an orchestra, and (in time) a pipe organ to accompany the hymnsinging that must be a part of authentic worship as well as be a centerpiece instrument for the promotion of both sacred music and good music in general with concert-type arrangements. Great music has been a diamond in the

diadem of the Church through the ages and the cathedral should be the building that helps people support these things. Most of the great cathedrals throughout the world have pipe organs capable of doing these great things, which is all the more reason Knoxville should have a cathedral that not only promotes worship but the fine arts as well. With the University of Tennessee and many small colleges within driving distance in the diocese, it wouldn’t take a rocket scientist to know that these things can become a reality in the next few years. There are several cathedrals in the world that have a noticeable place in church history: St. John Lateran in Rome is the Holy Father’s cathedral as bishop of Rome. Several ecumenical councils have been held there. In our area, the cathedral in Louisville is surely a place to visit. The cathedral in Covington, Ky., is a downsized version of Notre Dame in Paris. And of course, the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Nashville is one of the great buildings in the South. The entire cathedral complex there is worthy of a visit. Knoxville’s new cathedral, please God, will not only be beautiful but a functional place of worship and other kinds of gatherings. As your Lent continues to roll along, please pray that it will be the greatest Lent of your life so far. ■ Monsignor Mankel is a vicar general of the diocese and the pastor of Holy Ghost Parish in Knoxville.

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

Ukrainian Catholics fleeing from Crimea OXFORD, England (CNS) — Members of the Ukrainian Catholic Church are fleeing Crimea to escape threats of arrest and property seizures, a priest told Catholic News Service just four days after Russia finalized the region’s annexation. “The situation remains very serious, and we don’t know what will happen — the new government here is portraying us all as nationalists and extremists,” said Father Mykhailo Milchakovskyi, a parish rector and military chaplain from Kerch, Crimea. He said officials from Russia’s Federal Security Service, or FSB, had called him in for questioning about his community and to ask whether he “recognized the new order.” Father Milchakovskyi told CNS that he and his family and at least two-thirds of his parishioners had left Kerch for Ukrainiancontrolled territory on the advice of Ukrainian Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of Kiev-Halych. “All my parishioners are patriotic Ukrainians who love their Crimean homeland. But Russia is now seeking to drive us out,” he said March 25, adding that Father Mykola Kvych, pastor of the Dormition of the Mother of God Parish in Sevastopol, Crimea, also fled after being detained and beaten by Russian forces, who accused him of “sponsoring extremism and mass unrest.” “We’re determined our church will not close up and abandon its mission, and we hope we’ll be given permits to return. But like others, we’ve had to leave our life and work behind, not knowing when we’ll be back. This is a time of suffering and anxiety,” Father Milchakovskyi said. ■

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JOIN in the FUN this SUMMER! The Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Knoxville will be keeping their doors open this summer! Our summer camps are open to the community and provide a safe environment to explore new interests or improve skills. Please contact us to learn more about our camp programs and schedules. Art, Baseball, Dance, Robotics, Football, Writing Workshops, Volleyball, Algebra BootCamp, and More!

Knoxville Catholic High School (865)560-0313 camps@knoxvillecatholic.com knoxvillecatholic.com/news-events/ summer-camps/

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Contact: Cissy West (423)622-1481 cwest@catholicweb.com Notre Dame High School (423)624-4618 myndhs.com/student-life/ summercamp.cfm

Sacred Heart Cathedral School Contact: Scott Barron Cell: (865)300-6078 sbarron@shcknox.org

St. Dominic, Kingsport Contact: Carolyn Henry (423)446-0069 Carolyn.sweetpea@yahoo.com

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Saint Joseph School Contact: Kathy Rankin (865)689-3424 krankin@sjsknox.org Saint Mary, Oak Ridge Contact: Kim Bellofatto (865)766-8563 kbellofatto@stmarysoakridge.org

Saint John Neumann School Contact: Janet Harrigan (865)777-0077 jharrigan@sjncs-knox.org

dioknox.org/schools

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS of the DIOCESE OF KNOXVILLE

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

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