May 5, 2024, ET Catholic, B section

Two new leaders named at Notre Dame High

Dr. Eric Schexnaildre is appointed head of school and Melissa Wolff dean of academics By

Dan McWilliams

Notre Dame High School and Diocese of Knoxville superintendent of Catholic schools Mary Ann Deschaine on April 18 announced two leadership appointments at the Chattanooga school.

Eric Schexnaildre, Ed.D., of the Notre Dame High School class of 1996, has been appointed the new head of school at Notre Dame, effective July 1. In addition to Dr. Schexnaildre, Melissa Wolff has been appointed dean of academics for Notre Dame. This promotion also is effective July 1. Dr. Schexnaildre returns to Vermont Avenue after having spent the mid-1990s as a student at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Chattanooga and Notre Dame.

“I love Notre Dame High School,” Dr. Schexnaildre said of his new role. “That place is very, very important to me. This is not a job for me but absolutely a calling home, and I cannot wait to help revitalize my alma mater that did so much for me.”

Dr. Schexnaildre has served with Catoosa County (Ga.) Schools, most recently as assistant principal and athletics director at Heritage High School in Ringgold. During his tenure at Heritage, Dr. Schexnaildre also oversaw the Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education program for the school. He obtained his doctor of education degree from Georgia Southern University in 2011, having stud-

Youth

ied educational leadership and administration.

“I look forward to a continuation of the faith-filled environment at Notre Dame High School under the watch of Dr. Schexnaildre,” Mrs. Deschaine said. “He is a God-fearing man who loves Notre Dame High School and has a great vision for the future direction of this incredible institution. The diocese is excited to have an individual at the helm of the school with a long-term vision and plan to push the school to the next level and beyond.”

Dr. Schexnaildre was born in Louisiana and raised in Catholic schools. His family relocated to Chattanooga, where he attended OLPH in eighth grade and then attended and graduated from Notre Dame. Known for a persis-

tent work ethic, Dr. Schexnaildre is motivated to unite the alumni community alongside him behind their alma mater. Notre Dame High School, founded in 1876, has more than 7,000 alumni nationwide.

As a student at Notre Dame, Dr. Schexnaildre starred for both the football and baseball teams, playing as a four-year starter at quarterback and lettering four years in baseball.

For more than two years, Deacon Hicks Armor has served as interim head of school for Notre Dame while the Diocese of Knoxville searched for the person for its head of school position.

“We thank Deacon Armor and his selflessness as he has guided Notre Dame High School these last two years,” Mrs. Deschaine said. “It is not easy being an interim

leader, and the deacon carried the baton in a manner in which he, and the school community, should be proud.”

Dr. Schexnaildre wrote a note to the school community:

“Dear Notre Dame students, families, and alumni,

“I am deeply honored and blessed to accept the head of school position at Notre Dame High School. I am extremely grateful to the interview committee for placing their trust in me to lead Notre Dame High School moving forward.

“The Notre Dame High School mission: ‘to share the Catholic faith in an environment which fosters spiritual growth and academic excellence and embraces religious, academic, cultural, and economic diversity’ was at the core of my experience as a student nearly 30 years ago. As a proud alumnus, I am forever indebted to the Notre Dame High School community for the invaluable experiences, teachings, and relationships I acquired as a student.

“As head of school, I look forward to leading the efforts in uniting our alumni and the entire Notre Dame community to jointly create a vision for the current and future students attending Notre Dame High School. Relentlessly, we will work together to further our mission and create a strategic plan to move forward.

“The future is bright for Notre Notre Dame continued on page B2

inspired by science of STAR EX program

Those attending camp at St. John Neumann learn about astronomy, rocketry, robotics, and more By Bill Brewer

As a young girl, Tara Cotten loved to recite the nursery rhyme “Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are!”

Now, Dr. Tara Cotten, a professor with a Ph.D. in astronomy and physics, teaches her two young sons a new version of the popular rhyme: “Twinkle, twinkle, little star, now I know just what you are!”

Dr. Cotten, who will be teaching at St. John Neumann School in Farragut for the 2024-25 academic year, loves to share her interest in space with students. And she did just that when she was one of several experts who spoke to students participating in the STAR EX program at St. John Neumann.

The first STAR EX camp for middle school and high school students was held on Saturday, March 23, at St. John Neumann School. The camp was presented by the Tennessee Civil Air Patrol and featured talks by astronauts Don Thomas and John Shoffner.

Topics covered during the oneday camp included space exploration, telescopes, and astronomy as well as rocketry, robotics, satellites, rovers, and drones in space. There were 30 students and 27 Civil Air Patrol cadets taking part. CAP cadets range in age from 12 to 21.

Dr. Cotten’s husband, Dr. David Cotten, who is a scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, also spoke to groups of young Civil Air Patrol cadets and Diocese of Knoxville students.

Father Joe Reed, pastor of St. John Neumann Parish and School, worked with Dave Wells, who served as mission coordinator for

Ready for their close-up Students taking part in the STAR EX program hone their scientific skills as part of the daylong STEM retreat March 23 at St. John

STAR EX and is a volunteer with the Civil Air Patrol, in putting on the program.

“Dave Wells has always been one of the best educators I’ve known in the diocese, and he has a huge passion for science and space and just a passion for education. He was involved in Civil Air Patrol when he was a kid,” Father Reed explained, noting that he wished he had been exposed to the Civil Air Patrol when he was young.

“Dave said, ‘Hey, we have this great chance. You have a great

school. We can really capitalize on the wonder and all the great resources here in the Knoxville area.’ He started working with some scientists, the Civil Air Patrol, and got in touch with astronauts, and it all just came together. We had some of our teachers certified as Civil Air Patrol educators,” Father Reed said. “STAR EX is great. I have a nephew who went through it, and he loved it. He had a phenomenal day. A whole lot of people from a whole lot of backgrounds came together to have a great experience and make

use of all the incredible things we have here in East Tennessee.”

Father Reed was enthusiastic about enhancing St. John Neumann School’s curriculum with the science and technology aspects of STAR EX.

“It really is making use of the unique place that East Tennessee has in science, and what a perfect intersection where you have wonder and creation, and caring for that, and also this wonder that wants to look into creation and unSTAR EX continued on page

Dr. Eric Schexnaildre

Neumann School.

BILL BREWER

Melissa Wolff WILL MUSTO (2)

Dame, and we hope you will join us in building a lasting legacy for our students.

“Sincerely,

“Dr. Eric Schexnaildre ’96”

Dr. Schexnaildre and his wife, Ashley, have two daughters: Annabell, who will attend Notre Dame as a sophomore next year, and Ella, who will be in seventh grade at OLPH.

Mrs. Wolff, who has a master’s degree in education, has served as an English instructor at Notre Dame since 2007, as registrar for the school since 2011, and as academic coordinator since 2022, in addition to serving as cheerleading coach during football season.

“Internal promotions are always preferable, when possible,” Mrs. Deschaine said. “Elevating Melissa Wolff into this position as dean of academics is an opportunity to strengthen an asset for Notre Dame High School and enhance the benefit of the institutional knowledge that she has accrued in the nearly two decades she has spent on campus.”

The new dean of academics role will work together with the head of school position.

“The head of school, for the time being, will function as a hybrid of the previously posted principal and head of school roles,” Mrs.

Deschaine said. “This will give Dr. Schexnaildre the opportunity to assess and evaluate the needs of the school from a leadership perspective before potential future hires; I want him to have the opportunity to build a staff that supports the needs of the Notre Dame High School community.”

Jamie Goodhard has fulfilled the school’s principal responsibilities as interim assistant head of school since 2022. Before that, she worked for nearly three decades at both OLPH and St. Jude School in Chattanooga, including serving as principal at St. Jude for 20 years before her retirement in 2021. A special request from the Diocese of Knoxville pulled her out of retirement and into her current role.

“Mrs. Goodhard’s dedication to Catholic education in Chattanooga is unmatched,” Mrs. Deschaine said. “After an entire career at OLPH and St. Jude, she has spent the past two years galvanizing the faculty at Notre Dame High School in an impressive manner, and I cannot thank her enough for her efforts and accomplishments in those hallways.”

“Notre Dame High School has been home to me for 18 years,” Mrs. Wolff said of her new role. “I have been blessed with good mentors, and I am excited to continue to bring the energy that Mrs. Goodhard has brought to the teachers

derstand it more. Also, just the hunger that we have as humans to know more about creation. It was great,” he added.

Father Reed pointed out that students from St. John Neumann were joined by students from other schools. He also credited the Cottens for offering their background in the STEM subjects—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—to St. John Neumann School. The Cottens and their young children are St. John Neumann parishioners.

He noted that the parish and school have a number of members and parents involved in the STEM fields, adding that Sacred Heart Cathedral School and Knoxville Catholic High School enjoy similar support.

He praised Diocese of Knoxville schools and their teachers who take advantage of East Tennessee’s rich background in science and technology to benefit diocesan students.

“The Church isn’t meant to be a fortress against the world. The Church is the kingdom of God. And the kingdom of God goes everywhere. And if we are going to go out into the world, the kingdom of God has to go there,” Father Reed said.

Mr. Wells serves as the external aerospace education officer for the Tennessee Wing of the Civil Air Patrol and helps promote aerospace education for the organization in schools.

He said STAR EX is a project he and Father Reed for several months discussed doing. He noted that the Civil Air Patrol makes lesson plans and STEM kits available for teachers to use in their classrooms.

The STAR EX moniker is a play on a Civil Air Patrol mission called SAR EX, which means search and rescue exercise. Mr. Wells came up with the idea for the Space, Telescopes, Astronomy, Rocketry and Robotics Exercise. “That’s the acronym. Being a paramilitary organization, we like

these past two years. The families are the heart and soul of our school, and I look forward to serving all of them in this new role. Go Irish!”

Mrs. Wolff graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in December 2006 and started teaching at Notre Dame in January 2007, so she is about to finish her 18th school year at the high school. She began graduate school in August 2008 and graduated in December 2009. She earned her master of education in Advanced Studies in Teaching and Learning through Tennessee Technological University.

“As dean of academics, I will be coaching our teacher staff, keeping our curriculum updated, and dayto-day operations of the school,” Mrs. Wolff said.

She talked about those who have influenced her career.

“I have been blessed with more mentors than I deserve,” she said. “Pat Landry was my main influence as an English teacher. He told me, ‘Teaching is a performance.’ He always instilled in me that content is nothing without passion. Barbara McGirl and Linda Farnsley taught me that content has to be second to the relationship with the students.

John Mullin and George Valadie modeled what it means to be a team builder. They showed me that the work ethic of an administrator must be one of never asking your staff for more than you are willing to do. I have never seen two people love a community the way those two did and still do.”

Mrs. Wolff and her husband, Dr. Michael Wolff, have a son, Trip, who attends St. Jude.

Sending her son to a Catholic school was a no-brainer, she said.

“St. Jude was an easy decision for us. I taught many of the preschool teachers’ children, so it was only fitting that since I had their babies, they would have mine. Tears come to my eyes when I think about what St. Jude has given my family. I was like a lot of moms who dreaded that first drop-off, but the teachers at St. Jude made the transition from home to preschool very easy, and honestly, very beautiful. The education he has already gotten there in two years is incredible. The love, kindness, and patience of Darlene Raw, Sue Gaudin, Katherine Kountz, Mandy Mroz, and Laura Widerkehr have been more than a blessing to my family. There really are not

acronyms,” he noted.

He explained that he joined the Civil Air Patrol as a cadet when he was 12 years old and living in Mississippi. His two older brothers were in the U.S. Air Force. He pointed out that the Civil Air Patrol was founded in 1941, a week before Pearl Harbor, as part of the Office of Civil Defense as the United States was preparing for World War II. And during World War II, the Civil Air Patrol became an auxiliary of the U.S. Army Air Corps.

The Civil Air Patrol cadet program was a training ground for pilots who served in World War II. The cadet program still is in existence and now extends to younger ages to inspire interest in aeronautics.

“There is so much opportunity in both aviation and space exploration. We have a huge shortage of pilots in this country. A lot of aviation experts and a lot of airlines are waking up to that and are trying to put aviation on the radar for young people,” Mr. Wells said.

His emphasis, however, is on the space portion of aerospace education, which is where he said his passion lies.

“I’m an amateur astronomer, and I want young people to see the opportunities that are going to be out there, both for STEM careers and as educated citizens who are excited about all the things we are discovering in space, all the missions we are doing. We’re going back to the moon, and eventually we are going to Mars. It may take us 25 years to get there,” he shared.

“I always ask the question: How many of you are 13 years old? And those who are 13 raise their hands. And then I ask them, ‘How old will you be in 25 years?’ They put it together and they say ‘38.’ Then I always tell them ‘Neil Armstrong was 38 years old when he stepped foot on the moon. The first person

to walk on Mars is alive today. They just don’t know they’re going to Mars, and it could be one of you.’

Then I see the light bulb go off in their head. They really are going to be witnesses to this. They may be participating as an engineer or a scientist or an enthusiastic space proponent,” Mr. Wells said. “They catch the vision. And that’s what I’m here to do: inspire them.”

His intention is “to ignite their imagination. To think about these things and become inspired.”

And his encouragement is broader than air and space travel.

He cites many amenities necessary for living in today’s society, such as automobiles, smart phones, computers, medical and manufacturing advances, and communications as examples of the exciting ways technology affects everyone.

Dr. Cotten agrees with Father Reed and Mr. Wells.

“This is when you start sparking the curiosity for this,” Dr. Cotten said about the young students taking part in STAR EX. “This is how

you start inspiring students for the future.”

Dr. Cotten recalls visiting the University of Toledo planetarium as a young student, which inspired her to pursue a vocation in the sciences.

Susan Gallaher of Maryville is a volunteer in the Civil Air Patrol, and her 19-year-old daughter, Maggie Gallaher, is a second lieutenant cadet in the CAP who was taking part in a leadership role with the STAR EX program.

“I’ve been in the Civil Air Patrol for about two years now. I joined because I thought it would be fun, and it definitely is. I was excited to get to wear the uniform. But more than that, I saw people who knew where they wanted to go in life, and that was something that attracted me. They are people who are positive influences on me,” said Maggie, who is a recent high school graduate. Maggie said her main goals in the Civil Air Patrol are to learn as much as she can about aerospace and leadership and to share those tools with

COURTESY OF NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL (2)

Mass at Notre Dame Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre recently visited Notre Dame High School and celebrated Mass for the students with (front row, from left) Father Michael Hendershott, Father John Dowling, Father David Carter, Father Christopher Manning, and Father Mike Nolan. Deacon Hicks Armor (back) assisted.

STAR EX continued from page B1

STAR EX continued on page B3

Discovering the wonders of space Dave Wells, external aerospace education officer for the Tennessee Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, leads Civil Air Patrol cadets in an interstellar exercise.

Greeting the students Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre talks to students in the Notre Dame High School cafeteria.

Notre Dame continued on page B3

the next generation of cadets.

“I’m here (at St. John Neumann School’s STAR EX program) to share the love of aerospace that CAP has given me,” Maggie said. “I hope to be a role model. I don’t really think of myself that way, but I try to create a standard that I want to live up to so other people can see what’s possible and to be an example of the role models in my life.”

She shared that she loves the science and engineering behind flight as well as the leadership aspect of Civil Air Patrol.

Susan Gallaher pointed out that Maggie is an artist, and the Civil Air Patrol has been a positive influence on her artistic talents and helped her develop leadership and management skills so that she could start a portrait business in Maryville.

Like Maggie, Susan has been in the Civil Air Patrol for two years. Susan said she got involved in the volunteer aviation program because her children were involved. She has witnessed tremendous growth in her daughters since they joined CAP, such as leadership and

discipline.

She and her daughters are members of the Tennessee 148th Squadron at McGhee Tyson Airport. While many senior members of the Civil Air Patrol are former military personnel, Susan noted that military service isn’t the focus of CAP. She said the focus is to open up all aspects of aviation to young students.

David Hoover, a major in the Civil Air Patrol who has been affiliated with the organization for more than 20 years, said he hoped the students taking part in STAR EX learned to explore areas outside of their comfort zones, such as space, aviation, and technology.

Roger Middleton of Oliver Springs is the state internal aerospace education officer for the Civil Air Patrol and a squadron commander in Knoxville. Mr. Middleton said he is a good example of how the Civil Air Patrol can positively affect a young student’s life. He was a cadet as a young man and developed a lifelong vocation in aviation.

So, he was excited to share what he knows with area students attending the STAR EX camp.

words for what these women have done for me. My son is currently in class with two of my former students’ children. I am getting to watch Trip form lifelong friendships, and I have new respect for all the families who have made the commitment to send their children to us all these years.”

Mrs. Wolff plans to stay in her current roles, including as cheerleading coach.

“When I left my job interview [for the dean of academics role], I called my best friend of 30 years,” she said “She asked, ‘If you get the job, does that mean you will come out of the classroom and coaching?’ My response was, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa, why would I do that?’ I have no plan to come off the field or out of the classroom. I will continue to teach my ACT preparation course and plan our pep rallies. I think the best thing I could do in this new position is to stay in the trenches

“As the astronaut said during his presentation, these are the young people who are going to go to

with my teaching staff, and also, the best part of my day is when the bell rings and I get to be with the students. They really are the best part of my job.

“As I have made this transition to administration, I have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly, but what keeps me positive no matter what is going on in my office is when the bell rings and class starts. Nothing can change your perspective on a negative situation like spending time with this senior class.”

At the time of her interview with The East Tennessee Catholic, Mrs. Wolff said she had only one class left with the seniors.

“The class of 2024 will always be special to me because after Monday [May 6], I won’t be an official English teacher anymore. My cheerleaders are my family. When I came

back to coach cheer, I promised the girls I would stay for five years. I have three more left. I have seven seniors this year, and I am looking forward to all the memories we will make this season.”

Deacon Armor, a 1970 alumnus of Notre Dame, said he has “been blessed to serve” at the high school.

“It has been an experience that I never would have sought but one that has allowed me to see Catholic education in action and the positive effect it has on young people’s lives,” he added. “I am very excited about the new leadership and look forward to working with Dr. Schexnaildre to see Notre Dame High School thrive as a premier high school and the Catholic high school in Chattanooga. Our 148year history stands as proof of our ability to serve and excel.” ■

Ms. Silva, and Mr. O’Rourke.

place welcoming them all in the parish hall after Mass.

cel-

Picture of Love retreat set for Sept. 21

APicture of Love retreat for engaged couples is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 21, at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga. This marriage-preparation program is a supplement to a couple’s

marriage formation with their parish priest or deacon. Cost is $175 per couple.

For a registration form and more information, visit dioknox.org/ events/picture-of-love-sept-2024 n

Mars. These are the young people, the

generation who are going to be getting people to Mars,” Mr. Middleton said. ■

Civil servants Maj. David Hoover (left), Cadet 1st Lt. Maggie Gallaher, 1st Lt. Susan Gallaher, and 2nd Lt. Zachary Johnson represented the Civil Air Patrol in leadership roles at the daylong STAR EX camp on March 23 at St. John Neumann School. The Civil Air Patrol leaders hope the camp will be held again in 2025.

‘Inspiring students for the future’ Dave Wells talks to students taking part in the STAR EX program in the St. John Neumann School gym.

Notre Dame continued from page B2

Launch time Students in the STAR EX program release soft-material rockets they made themselves as part of a STEM exercise.

Fifty-six receive first Communion at St. Stephen, gift from Knights Fifty-six young people, including Ryan Kos (above), received their first Holy Communion on April 20 at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga. Each youth received a book on the Holy Family from Knights of Columbus Holy Family Council 6099 and the Ladies Auxiliary as a sacramental gift.

Blessed Sacrament welcomes new members into the Church

At the Easter Vigil Mass on March 30, Blessed Sacrament Parish in Harriman welcomed Beth Fink, Jay Fink, Christie Prine, and Kim Silva into the Church as they received the sacraments of initiation. The parish also congratulated Scott O’Rourke and Jeannine Williams, who received the sacrament of confirmation. From left are Ms. Prine, Ms. Williams, Ms. Fink. Mr. Fink,

A

ebration took

RENEE NORRIS

Deacon Hicks Armor

Chattanooga Deanery Holy Spirit, Soddy-Daisy

Monsignor Al Humbrecht’s next book study will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 22, at the church. The book is Barbara Isn’t Dying by Alina Bronsky. To register, call the church at 423-332-5300 or e-mail hscc_parish@ holyspirittn.com

St. Bridget, Dayton

Father Jim Vick continues his Bible study with a walk through the Book of Genesis. Classes meet at 2 and 7 p.m. Tuesdays.

The St. Bridget Women’s Council elected new officers at its April meeting. Sherrie Cobb will serve as president, and Florence Paret will be secretary. Carla Bender and Judy Logan will continue their roles as vice president and treasurer, respectively. The women’s council will hold its Spring Bazaar and Bake Sale on May 18-19. The theme is “Spring Is Blooming with Possibilities.”

The Knights of Columbus continue their partnership with the Rhea of Hope monthly food distribution. They contribute both monthly and annual monetary gifts and provide labor during the weekly and monthly food distributions. Several parish families benefit from this service.

May Crowning of the Blessed Mother took place May 12.

The annual Service Award will be presented to the winning high school senior at the 10 a.m. Mass on May 26.

St. Jude, Chattanooga

Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus are collecting tattered, worn, or damaged U.S. flags through the first two weekends in June. They will conduct a flag-retirement ceremony at Camp Columbus at 6 p.m. on Flag Day, June 14. Flags may be left in the marked covered container in the church vestibule.

St. Jude took part in a Good Samaritan collection, with donation bags picked up May 13, to benefit the Chattanooga Community Kitchen.

Catholic Charities’ Pregnancy Help Center thanked parishioners for their contribution of $4,600 raised during a recent baby-bottle drive.

The Knights named as families of the month Rick and Maria Stangarone for January, Gary and Teri Gabor for February, and David and Mary Jo Densmore for March. The Densmores were also named family of the year. The Knights also welcomed Michael Tabb, Phil Cartrette, and Jimmy Hartman to the council through a Third Degree exemplification ceremony Feb. 26.

St. Mary, Athens

Loved ones who have died in service to the country or since their time in the Armed Forces will be honored on Memorial Day weekend.

A columbarium committee has been working on the preliminary design for an octagonal columbarium in the area of the Statue of the Unborn on the west side of the church. The design includes four columbaria, with phase one to include a single columbarium. With the layout determined, the next step will be finalizing the construction estimate. When the layout and the estimate are complete, the committee will present the design to the parish and looks forward to receiving feedback on the project. Those with questions should contact Barb Bever, Lou Dionne, Ed Fiegle, or Paul Kessler.

An appreciation dinner in honor of pastor Father John Orr is set for 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, May 19, in the parish life center. Father Orr’s new assignment as parochial administrator of Holy Ghost Parish in Knoxville is effective June 1.

The Knights of Columbus held a dinner and dance in the parish life center following the 5 p.m. Mass on May 11 as

well as a pancake breakfast April 14. Donations at the breakfast benefited the Tri-County Center in Athens.

“Come to the Table” is the theme for the parish vacation Bible school July 22-25. A light meal will be served at 5:30 p.m. daily with VBS held from 6 to 8:15 p.m. Signups are underway, and a volunteer team is being organized. Call Sue at 423-506-7836 or Debbie at 865-297-6350 to help.

Confirmandi: Timothy Hull, Christopher Hull, Hector Ramirez Escobar, Joselyne Hernandez, Sheila Rodriguez, Obed Ramirez Escobar, Emmanuel Alvarez, Christina Garcia, Christina Melasecca, Mariann Melasecca, Elizabeth Casey, Juley Garcia, Emma Overdorf, Joseph Gordon, Jacob Gordon

First communicants: William VanAlstein, Sofia Soto, Ashley Vargas, Anyeli Vargas, Tiana Isabell Baldwin Montenegro, Alexa Gomez Garcia, William Arteaga, Javier Hernandez

St. Stephen, Chattanooga

At the Ladies Appreciation Tea on April 23, Gail Nevins was honored for her volunteerism. She was nominated by at least one fellow parishioner.

Anniversaries: Adrien and Barbara Partridge (40), William and Mary Apps (35), John and Debbie Chenkus (35), Paul and Angie McManus (20)

Sts. Peter and Paul, Chattanooga

A rite of blessing and enrollment in the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel will start at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, May 19. Participants will need a brown scapular and should prepare by reading about the devotion and the Order of Carmel before enrolling. Visit www. brownscapular.net to learn more.

The basilica congratulated teen Olivia Turner, who won first place for her watercolor painting in the Knox County chapter of Tennessee Right to Life’s Pro-Life Oratory & Art Contest. Olivia was received into the Church with her family at the Easter Vigil.

Basilica priests gave a special blessing to graduating high school seniors at all Masses on the weekend of May 4-5.

Sts. Peter and Paul celebrated the 13th anniversary of its dedication as a basilica with a sung Mass on May 3.

A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who visit the basilica on May 3, June 29, Sept. 8, Oct. 22, or on one day of their choice during the year.

Cumberland Mountain Deanery

St. Francis of Assisi, Fairfield Glade

The Divine Mercy Sunday services were the most-attended that St. Francis of Assisi ever had. Quotations from St. Faustina’s diary were read by Kathy Donley and Gary Willert.

The rosary is prayed every Monday after the Communion service for the prisoners at Bledsoe County Correctional Complex and for the prayer warriors and pen pals who write to them. Prison ministers from the parish make visits to the complex twice monthly.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held at 7:30 a.m. Tuesdays through Fridays with Benediction at 9:30.

The parish thanked the prayer blanket and shawls ministries for their efforts, including leaders Susan Bivens and Peggy Finley.

The speaker for the Council of Catholic Women’s meeting on April 10 was Lisa Morris of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Mrs. Morris discussed the preparation for and the ceremony to enthrone the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Women from St. Alphonsus Parish in Crossville were the CCW’s guests for a luncheon May 8.

Pastor Father Michael Woods conducted a healing Mass on April 25.

Parish notes continued on page B8

Legion of Mary youth member receives statue as prize Members of the Our Lady Queen of Angels Junior Praesidium of the Legion of Mary at St. Jude Parish in Chattanooga spent a long and fruitful Lent doing good deeds and having them count for a grand prize: a statue of the Blessed Mother won by Ella Berry, pictured above with her brother, Sammy. The Lenten Works Project involved the children creating greeting cards and filling bags with items for residents of local senior communities. All other participants from the junior praesidium received congratulatory gifts along with homemade cupcakes. The bags were handed out by adult members of the St. Jude praesidium, Our Lady Mother of the Church.

Holy Spirit hosts second annual St. Joseph’s Altar

On March 17, Holy Spirit Parish in Soddy-Daisy hosted its second annual St. Joseph’s Altar in the parish hall. Parishioners and guests were invited to view the altar after all of the weekend Masses and received a goodie bag with cookies, an Italian fava bean, and a holy card/third-class relic of St. Joseph. A pasta dinner was held that Sunday when the altar was “broken.” Pastor Monsignor Al Humbrecht blessed the altar and assured parishioners that St. Patrick would not mind sharing his feast day for the occasion. Donations were collected, and any leftover food was distributed to the needy.

COURTESY OF ERNIE AND KATHY LANDRY

COURTESY OF ELISSA EDWARDS

COURTESY OF ST. JOHN NEUMANN PARISH

Sixty-four confirmed at St. John Neumann

Sixty-four youth received the sacrament of confirmation April 6 at St. John Neumann Church in Farragut. Pastor Father Joe Reed (right) presided.

COURTESY OF JOHN VANNUCCI

St. Stephen Parish receives $1,588 from Knights’ fish-fry proceeds Knights of Columbus Holy Family Council 6099 recently presented a check to Father Manuel Pérez, pastor of St. Stephen Parish in Chattanooga, in the amount of $1,588. The money was St. Stephen’s portion of the proceeds of six successful fish fries held at St. Stephen during Lent. The Knights council received the same amount. The Knights provided the fish-fry cooking and kitchen support, and the Healing Hearts Ministry of St. Stephen provided serving and cleaning support. Above, deputy Grand Knight Brendan Jennings (green shirt) makes the presentation to Father Pérez. Also pictured (from left) are Liz Phillips, Bob Birke, Elaine Holland, Betty Phish, John Vannucci, Priscilla Mclean, Jane O’Neal, Liz Huntenburg, and Irmgard Nix.

Apostolic administrator Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre will ordain Deacons Bo Beaty, Daniel Herman, and Michael Willey to the priesthood and seminarian A.J. Houston to the transitional diaconate for the Diocese of Knoxville in a Mass at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 8, at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Bishop-elect Mark Beckman will concelebrate.

The diocesan-wide Adult Confirmation Mass will be celebrated at 4 p.m. on Pentecost Sunday, May 19, at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Any adult (18 and over) in the diocese who has had the sacraments of baptism, first Holy Communion, and reconciliation, but has not been confirmed, can receive the sacrament on this date. Interested candidates should call their parish office for more information. Forms can be found at dioknox.org/adult-confirmation Father Doug Owens will celebrate the Mass and confer the sacrament.

EnCourage, a ministry dedicated to praying for family members who suffer from same-sex attraction and supporting each other’s spiritual life, meets at 6 p.m. on second Thursdays in the lower level at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville. The next meetings are June 13, July 11, and Aug. 8. Zoom is also available to anyone who would like to join virtually. For more information, contact Father Zach Griffith at zachgriffith92@gmail.com

The class of 1974 from Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Chattanooga is looking for classmates for a 50th reunion. If you or someone you know graduated from OLPH in 1974 or attended any years with this class, call or e-mail Pam Franklin at 423-6227232 or pfranklin@myolph.com

The Diocese of Knoxville Office of Vocations and St. Alphonsus Parish in Crossville are hosting a Vocation Story Night at 5:30 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, May 15, at St. Alphonsus. The evening will include adoration and stories from representatives of various vocations. Dinner, desserts, and refreshments will be provided. For more information, e-mail Beth Parsons at bparsons@dioknox.org. Download a flyer at dioknox.org/events/ vocation-story-night-2

Annual high school graduation ceremonies will be held at 8 p.m. Friday, May 17, at Knoxville Catholic High School and 9 a.m. Saturday, May 18, at Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga.

The St. Mary’s Legacy Mobile Medical Clinic will hold an outdoor benefit concert fundraiser at 5 p.m. CDT on Friday, May 17, at The Grove in Fairfield Glade. The band Soul Soup from Nashville will perform. Those attending may bring their own chairs or blankets. The event is free, but donations will be accepted. Food trucks and water will be available. To donate, visit www.smlcares.com/donate

The Catholic Medical Association’s St. Gianna Guild of Knoxville will host its next event, “Addressing Transgender Ideology as a Catholic Medical Provider,” at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 18, in the Shea Room at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Sister Mara Lester, RSM, MD, will be speaking about how Catholic health-care professionals can address patients who either personally are struggling or have family members struggling with gender dysphoria. For more information, contact Sister Mary Lisa Renfer, RSM, at srmarylisa@ smlcares.com

St. Mary Parish in Johnson City will be hosting its annual Family Fun Fest from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 19. The day will feature a variety of Hispanic and American food as well as music and games plus a soccer tournament in a family-friendly environment. For more information, call the parish office at 423-282-6367.

The Cathedral Concert Series will feature the Tennessee Wind Symphony in a pops concert at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 19, in the pavilion behind the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart

of Jesus and Sacred Heart Cathedral School. Those attending are invited to bring a chair and pack a picnic. The event is free, but tickets need to be obtained from tinyurl.com/2ej93vnn The event will also be livestreamed and recorded with archived access available at m.youtube.com/c/ SacredHeartCathedralKnoxvilleTN

All Saints Parish in Knoxville is hosting “Reboot: A Life-Changing Event” from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, featuring Catholic speaker and author Chris Stefanick. Reboot is described as a “fun, inspiring, and practical experience of applying the beauty and genius of the Gospel to every aspect of your life.” Tickets are $39 and may be purchased at reallifecatholic. com. For more information, e-mail Carrie Manabat at carrie.manabat@ allsaintsknoxville.com. See the ad on page A18 of this issue.

The Cathedral Concert Series will present ¡Fiesta Española!, the third concert of the season by the Amadeus Chamber Ensemble, at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, May 26, at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. The program is devoted to beloved favorites and intriguing rarities celebrating the rich heritage of Spanish composers. Venezuelan soprano Maria Brea will be featured in canciones by Obradors and Chapí, an aria from Falla’s opera La Vida Breve, and zarzuela arias from El Barbero de Sevilla (Giménez and Nieto) and Emigrantes (Barrera and Calleja). Brian Salesky will conduct the orchestra in the all-Spanish program, including instrumental selections “Jardines de Granada” by Moreno Torroba, “Danza” from La Vida Breve by Falla, and “La Oración del Torero” by Turina. Violinist Miroslav Hristov, the ensemble’s concertmaster, will take the solo spotlight in “Una Noche en Sevilla” by Albéniz. Admission is free. Seating is limited (doors open one hour before the concert). The direct link for free tickets is www. eventbrite.com/e/cathedral-concertamadeus-chamber-ensemble-fiestaespanola-tickets-888272235167

The event will also be livestreamed and recorded with archived access available at m.youtube.com/c/ SacredHeartCathedralKnoxvilleTN

The annual outdoor Memorial Day Mass at Calvary Cemetery in Knoxville will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Monday, May 27.

This year’s Camp Irish spring and summer camps begin May 28 at Knoxville Catholic High School. The JaJuan Smith Boys Basketball Camp is set for May 28-31. The Irish Soccer Camp is scheduled for June 3-6 for boys and girls from rising second to eighth grades, a girls basketball camp for June 3-5, a softball camp for June 4-6, a baseball camp for June 10-12, a wrestling camp for June 22-23, volleyball camps for July 8-10 and July 11-12, and a soccer camp for boys and girls ages 9-18 from July 8-10. There are also a robotics camp June 3-6, a cheerleading camp June 13-14, the Irish Arts Theatre Camp July 8-26, and a math camp July 22-26. To learn more about costs and age groups eligible for each camp, or to register, visit knoxvillecatholic.com/camp-irish/. At least two additional camps have sold out as of press time, so early registration is encouraged. For more details, email camps@knoxvillecatholic.com

The Office of Marriage Preparation and Enrichment and Regnum Christi of Knoxville will be hosting a Diocesan Marriage Retreat, themed “Living the Marriage God Desires for You,” on Saturday, June 15, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Lenoir City. Bruce and Marybel Carlisle will lead presentations designed to help those attending reflect, refocus, and rejuvenate their marriage. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. The retreat starts with an optional daily Mass at 9 a.m., and a continental breakfast and lunch are included. The retreat concludes at 4:30 p.m., with a Saturday vigil Mass available at 5 p.m. While married couples at all stages of life are welcome, it is requested that children do not attend. Cost is $86 per couple, which includes meals and materials. Overnight

Calendar continued on page B8

Three youth confirmed at St. Henry in Rogersville St. Henry Parish in Rogersville celebrated the sacrament of confirmation on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 7. The confirmandi standing with St. Henry pastor Father Bart Okere are (from left) Lucas Martin Helms, Abigail Grace Haynes, and Ailin Esmeralda Izaguirre de Jesus. Pat Knopp, director of religious education, and her team instructed the youth who were confirmed.

of Columbus present statues to youth confirmed at St. Stephen Alison Luna Morales was one of 53 youth confirmed April 13 at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga. Each youth received a statue of the Holy Family from Knights of Columbus Council 6099 and the Ladies Auxiliary as a sacramental gift.

St. Henry recognizes DeGroffs as longest-married couple

On Easter Sunday, St. Henry Parish in Rogersville recognized Alan and Carol DeGroff as the longest-married couple at St. Henry. The DeGroffs were married Oct., 27, 1962, at the First Methodist Church in Bradford, Pa., by the Rev. Roland Osgood. In 1994, they again exchanged vows at Our Lady of Angels Church in Cuba, N.Y., with Father Jerry Dissek officiating. The couple made their home in Cuba for more than 30 years. In 1995, they moved to Tennessee and became members of St. Henry, where they worked the pancake breakfasts, spaghetti dinners, and annual Christmas bazaar and yard sales. Mrs. DeGroff also has served on the parish council and was a counter, a volunteer leader, and a member of the liturgy committee. She has also been an altar server and reader and presently serves as a greeter and eucharistic minister. The couple have three children, Lisa and husband John Payne of Kingsport, Kevin of Church Hill, and Brian and wife Susan of O’Fallon, Mo. They have four grandchildren, Sarah Payne and Adam Payne, both of Kingsport, and Nathan DeGroff and Riley DeGroff, both of O’Fallon. They currently make their home in Church Hill with their papillon, Dolli. Mr. DeGroff says the two little words, “Yes, dear,” have helped make their marriage a success. In the photo, Margaret Palko, president of the parish council, presents the DeGroffs with a citation and plaque, as pastor Father Bart Okere looks on.

Hoods of St. Francis-Fairfield Glade celebrating 50th wedding anniversary

St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fairfield Glade congratulates Mike and Mary Hood, who are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on May 26. They were married at Mission Santa Clara in Santa Clara, Calif., with Father Paul Goda, SJ, officiating. Their children are David

Patrick Hood of Boone, N.C., and Michelle Marie Eufrasio (José) of Chicago.

Mr. Hood retired from Lockheed Martin and Mrs. Hood from the Santa Clara University Law Library. They moved to the Glade in 2015. They are celebrating their anniversary with a cruise to Iceland. n

COURTESY OF CAROL DEGROFF

COURTESY OF FATHER BART OKERE

Knights

COURTESY OF JOHN VANNUCCI

Praying for Perspective by

George Valadie

A child’s sacrament recalls another years ago

A grandson’s first Communion brings back memories and evokes prayers for the youth

It was May 1961, so a good many of the details escape me now. But it was when my second-grade classmates and I received our first Holy Communion.

It was the third of five sacraments I have received at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church here in Chattanooga. I’ve got one more big thing to do there.

I know we looked good that day. I have proof. There’s a keepsake photo of us someone has held on to and shared recently. We were standing on the church steps with our pastor, the same steps on which we stood six years later when we graduated with a different pastor.

There were the requisite white dresses for the girls, with lace on their socks and their veils; white shirts, navy-colored pants, and ties for us guys. And apparently my friends and I had a fair amount of Brylcreem or Vitalis laced through our hair, gel before gel was a thing.

I recall we practiced in the church a time or two. And when the moment came to receive Communion, Sister pretended to give it to us by softly stroking our cheeks with her hand.

The first time we received the Eucharist was indeed the first time.

Someone, likely a grandparent, celebrated with me by gifting me with a Sunday Missal so I could follow the Mass before missalettes were a thing. I don’t have it anymore, though I wish I did.

What little I can recall came flooding back this weekend when our youngest grandson, Fischer, received his first Communion. Other than the white tie they required, he looked just like I had—hair gel and all.

But so many of the other things had changed since that day in 1961. All good as far as I’m concerned.

There were five teenage altar servers, and four of them were female. Their pastor in this heart-ofAmerica (Little Rock, Ark.) parish is an immigrant from Mexico who had to learn the language in addition to theology. He was assisted this day

Wby a deacon.

Though instituted in the earliest days of the Church, deacons have not been a hugely active part of the American Church until of late. This Sunday’s deacon for Fischer’s ceremony was also an immigrant, from South Africa.

Fischer said he and his classmates had rehearsed, too. Unlike Sister’s soft touch on my cheek, teachers at his school sent home unconsecrated hosts so they could get used to the texture and taste. It makes sense . . . no one wants a kid to start gagging in the biggest moment of his biggest day.

He knew where to sit and where to stand. He knew when to stay and when to go. His hands were folded in a most devout manner. He knelt up straight and appeared angelic if just for the hour—even if he was sure the devil and his tie were choking the everlasting life out of him.

And I had to chuckle, imagining him and his friends on a not-sospecial Sunday. Other Masses on other days when they may be a little bored, a little distracted, possibly poking their sisters or each other now and again. Praying a little, giggling a little, learning a little.

Unlike our ceremony when the 50 of us had piled into the front pews, girls on the left, boys on the right, Fischer’s school takes a different approach. They space things out. Each of four classes gets to attend its own weekend Mass.

And each new communicant gets a reserved pew for family. It was nice, no need to arrive 45 minutes early, no need to save seats. I appreciate the thoughtfulness of reducing a family’s stress when back at home you can imagine there are all sorts of hollering and anxiety. If for no other reason than everyone needs a hot shower.

But the girls still sit on one side, and the boys still sit on the other.

I couldn’t help but look around. In a throwback to families of the ’60s, across the aisle sat a little girl with her mom and dad and seven stairstep siblings, the oldest of

whom couldn’t have been but 12.

The boy’s family in front of us needed to spill over into a nearby pew. Good for them. But he appeared to have lots of grandparents … not at all uncommon these days but not nearly so for those of us who gathered those 60-plus years ago.

In the pew behind us sat a little fellow with his grandpa and not a single other soul. His parents had been killed in an accident; his grandparents were now raising him until his grandmother recently passed away. So, it was just the two of them now, and Grandpa looked older than me.

Father gave a great homily—one he addressed to the kids but that had meaning for us all.

And then came the big moment. Each came forward, each stood alone with Father, each extended a palm. And then each youngster took his or her turn receiving their Savior for the first time.

It gave me a few moments to ponder the future of each of these children.

Who will he be? What will she do? Will these little ones prove to be responsible and charitable? Or more focused on the face that will stare back in the mirror?

Does good health await? Or will there be need to offer up all that suffering? Will the other kids be mean and make fun? Or rather, will that be the sin our grandchild will need to confess?

There will be that normal desire to fit in—scary to watch, if you’ve ever seen a kid implode while trying too hard. Will athletics be a gift? Music? Dance? Or will they have been blessed with the most needed blessing of all: that ability to be someone else’s very best friend?

Will we see a doctor develop or the custodian who keeps such offices sterile? Is there a future politician with the power to improve the planet or the sort who just relishes the power?

Funny or shy? Easily embarrassed or the center of every room? Will some future greatness earn the spot-

The Bible is ‘the book of the

light? Or will an excessive need for the spotlight cause some future stupidity? Blue eyes or brown, blond hair or dark, tall or short, fat or skinny? Just exactly who are these children who—for the moment anyway—want to be just like the Lord they had just received?

It caused me to pray. For each young child for sure—but also for their moms and dads. Maybe more so for them. Their task is real . . . and really big.

Because after the little ones had taken their turn, so did the rest of the congregation. Male and female, old and young, white and black, and every other color of humanity. He was there—the teenager who drove himself because no one else in his home wanted to come. She was there—the worn-out single mom with three little ones in tow. They were there—the elderly wife with a cane leading her blind husband with one of his own.

Will these second-graders still be here then? Eight years down the road? Or 80? Will they return to church when the choice is theirs? Will time diminish their faith or see it flourish?

So, I pray for these moms and dads—our daughters and their husbands, too—in hopes they invest in these souls for whom our Creator entrusted such immense responsibility.

One fact is certain—no matter who or what results—God has found another home in another of His creatures.

And He will never leave.

Dear God—How incredible it must be! To be able to see what and who they can be. But it must be tempting, too? Wishing to coax them toward this turn and away from that one? May we be blessed with the wisdom and opportunity to help them choose. Amen. ■

George Valadie is a parishioner at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga and author of the newly released book “We Lost Our Fifth Fork … and other moments when we need some perspective.”

Church’

It came from many sources but is ‘God’s Word for us today and for all generations’

here did the Bible come from? The Bible is not a single book. It is a collection of many books, like a library. The word “bible” comes to us from the Greek ta biblia, meaning “the books.” The books of the Bible were written over many centuries by a host of authors. Most of the Old Testament was written in ancient Hebrew, the language of the Jews. The New Testament was written in ancient Greek, the language the people of first century Palestine used when doing business or teaching in schools.

The Old Testament includes stories and histories that were told by word of mouth over many generations. Children would learn these stories at the feet of their parents and grandparents. The purpose of the stories was to give the youngsters a sense of identity with their people, so they could take pride in their accomplishments and learn from their mistakes. The stories also tried to answer questions about good and evil, the relationship between men and women, the origins of various tribes, as well as laws, rituals, and worship practices. Mostly, the stories told about God and His relationship with His chosen people, Israel. Eventually, the stories took on a fairly consistent, familiar form,

so that all the members of the community would know them and feel a connection with the other members of the community through their shared stories. As Catholics, we believe that the Jewish people hold a special relationship with God as His chosen people, the instrument by which God would make Himself known to all people of the world, and from whom would come the Messiah.

It is Moses whom tradition credits with first gathering the stories and laws of the people of Israel that came to be honored as sacred texts. In later centuries, the histories of kings, songs of worship, the proclamations of prophets, and heroic tales would be added, pieced together by generations of scribes from the fragments of written and oral material. There is clear consensus among scholars that by the middle of the fifth century B.C., when Ezra read the Book of the Law to the people (Nehemiah 8:1-3), that the Torah as we know it was a finished work. To these collections would be added the voices of later prophets, the histories of later kings, and even some books written in Greek barely a century or two before the birth of Christ. It is not known with certainty when the Jewish biblical books were finally recognized as

canonical, and there may not have ever been a formal recognition. The process began many centuries before Christ and was most likely completed some decades into the Christian era.

As for the New Testament, the letters of Paul are the earliest surviving writings of the Christian era. They were written in the A.D. 50s and 60s. Most scholars agree that some of the letters of Paul were written by his disciples, though there is some debate as to which. These letters, written by others but attributed to Paul, would have been composed closer to the end of the first century.

The consensus among biblical scholars is that the Gospel According to Mark was the first Gospel written, sometime in the late A.D. 60s or early 70s, followed by the Gospel According to Matthew in the decade of the 80s and the Gospel According to Luke, along with The Acts of the Apostles, in the mid-80s. The Gospel According to John was likely the last Gospel written, sometime between A.D. 90 and 110, 60 to 80 years after Jesus.

Before the Gospels were written, however, the apostles and those earliest disciples first encountered Jesus Himself and experienced the power of His ministry. Surely, even as Jesus lived and preached, some of

His words and actions were written down by those in the crowds. Even more certain, they were remembered and retold by His listeners in this culture that relied a great deal on passing wisdom along by word of mouth. After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, the apostles continued this oral tradition, passing on details of Jesus’ ministry, as well as their reflections on His mission and teachings.

Finally, as the decades passed, these traditions of teachings, sayings, and acts of Jesus were written down in a variety of collections and recollections, then gathered by the Evangelists into the four Gospels the Church has come to revere as God’s revelation on the life, ministry, passion, death, and resurrection of her Lord. It is a marvelous testimony to the guidance of divine providence in the development of the Christian Scriptures that the Church places her confidence in no less than four “portraits” of Jesus, each written by a different man under different circumstances, yet each revealing the truth of this one Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This threestage process (the experience of Jesus, the oral tradition, the written Gospels) has been accepted by the Church as a reliable understanding

Deacon Hunt continued on page B9

Thoughts and Prayers for the Faithful by Deacon Bob Hunt

Encountering God in the Liturgy by Father Randy Stice

Lookng at the Prayer Over the Offerings

The language of sacrifice and offering or oblation is prominent in this second proper prayer

Last month, I began a three-part series on the proper prayers of the Mass: the Collect, the Prayer Over the Offerings, and the Prayer After Communion, beginning with the Collect.

In this column, I want to look at the Prayer Over the Offerings. Manuscripts suggest that this prayer was introduced in the fourth or fifth century. From about the eighth century, it was also known as the “secret,” meaning “the prayer over the gifts set aside,” referring to the bread and wine to be used for the Mass selected from among the gifts brought in procession.1 The structure is relatively simple: an invocation, a petition, usually for the transformation of the gifts and their fruitfulness in our lives, ending with a short conclusion. The Prayer Over the Offerings for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time is a good example: “May these sacrificial offerings, O Lord, become for you a pure oblation, and for us a holy outpouring of your mercy. Through Christ our Lord.”

This prayer is said by the priest after the bread and wine have been offered to God and then placed on the altar. It is introduced by the priest’s invitation that begins, “Pray, brethren, that my sacrifice and yours . . .” and the people’s response, “May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands . . .” This dialogue and prayer throw a spotlight on the Mass as a true sacrifice. To review, Christ’s

sacrifice on Calvary and His sacrifice in the Mass “are one single sacrifice: ‘The victim is one and the same . . . the same Christ who offered Himself once in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross is contained and offered in an unbloody manner’” in the Mass.2 Furthermore, the body on the cross is the same body offered in the Mass: “In the Eucharist Christ gives us the very body which He gave up for us on the cross, the very blood which He ‘poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins’ [Matthew 26:28].”3 Finally, the sacrifice is offered by Christ Himself together with His body the Church, through the ministry of the priest, joined by the faithful by virtue of their baptismal priesthood.4

The language of sacrifice and offering or oblation is prominent in this prayer. The bread and wine are “the sacrificial gifts offered here,” “the sacrifice of conciliation and praise,”

“this sacrifice from your faithful servants,” and “the sacrifices instituted by your commands.” They are also “the offerings of your people” and “the people’s oblation (offering).”

There are also varied petitions for the transformation of the gifts. God is asked “to receive . . . and transform them into the Sacrament of our redemption” and “to transform them into the mystery of our salvation” so that they may “become for us the Sacrament of eternal life.”

The petitions for our fruitful re-

Parish

to the Church

Parish in Rogersville welcomed two newcomers to the Church at the Easter Vigil. Kyle David Litton (second from left) was baptized and confirmed, and Ronald David Dixon (second from right) was confirmed. Pictured with them are Mr. Litton’s godparent, Melvin Braun (left); Mike Opiela, Mr. Dixon’s sponsor, who was an altar server the same night; and St. Henry pastor Father Bart Okere.

ception of the transformed gifts are numerous and varied. We ask that our reception may “cleanse and renew” us, “restrain us from unruly desires,” “bring ever greater holiness,” help us “grow in charity,” “become for us a holy remedy,” enable us to “make offering of a heart pleasing to you,” and grant us “the grace of being devoted to you.” The petitions also remind us that the Eucharist is the antidote to division and discord. “Bestow on us,” asks one prayer, “the gifts of unity and peace in your Church.” Another asks that we would be “faithfully united in mind and heart.”

The petitions also express the graces of the different liturgical seasons and feasts. The prayer for the Fourth Sunday of Advent asks that the Holy Spirit would “sanctify these gifts laid upon your altar, just as He filled with His power the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary.” The prayer for one of the Christmas Day Masses asks that the gifts would be “worthy . . . of the mysteries of the Nativity this day, that, just as Christ was born a man and also shone forth as God, so these earthly gifts may confer on us what is divine.” On Epiphany, we proclaim that the gifts offered during Mass are “not gold or frankincense or myrrh, but He who by them is proclaimed, sacrificed, and received, Jesus Christ.”

The petition for the Ascension is that “through this most holy ex-

change we, too, may rise up to the heavenly realms.” On All Souls, we ask that “your departed servants may be taken up into glory with your Son, in whose great mystery of love we are all united.”

The Prayer Over the Offerings illustrates the richness and complementarity of the prayers of the Mass. While the Collect expresses the character of the Mass of the day, the Prayer Over the Offerings is a transition from the Liturgy of the Word to the Liturgy of the Eucharist, directing our attention and petition to the eucharistic sacrifice to follow. It instructs us about different aspects of the sacramental sacrifice and the various fruits that flow from the Eucharist so that, in the words of the Prayer Over the Offerings for St. Francis of Assisi, “we may be rightly disposed for the celebration of the mystery of the Cross.”

1 Johannes H. Emminghaus, The Eucharist: Essence, Form, Celebration, p. 169

2 Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1367

3 CCC, no. 1365

4 See CCC, no. 1368 and no. 1410, and Lumen Gentium, no. 10. ■

Father Randy Stice is director of the diocesan Office of Worship and Liturgy. He can be reached at frrandy@dioknox. org.

Three receive first Communion at St. Elizabeth Salvatore Failla (left), Finnian Grubb, and Lizzy Short celebrated their first Holy Communion on April 28 at St. Elizabeth Church in Elizabethton. They are pictured with Deacon Rich Carner and Father Jesus Guerrero, parochial administrator at St. Elizabeth.

Catholic in Recovery 12-step ministry meets Mondays at St. Mary-Johnson City

Catholic in Recovery is a 12step recovery ministry that holds meetings each Monday at 7 p.m. at St. Mary Church in Johnson City. CIR provides hope and healing from addictions,

Daily readings

Wednesday, May 15: Acts 20:28-38; Psalm 68:29-30, 33-36; John 17:11-19

Thursday, May 16: Acts 22:30 and 23:6-11; Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11; John 17:20-26

Friday, May 17: Acts 25:13-21; Psalm 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20; John 21:15-19

Saturday, May 18: Acts 28:16-20, 30-31; Psalm 11:4-5, 7; John 21:20-25; vigil for Pentecost, Genesis 11:1-9; Psalm 104:1-2, 24, 35, 27-30; Romans 8:22-27; John 7:37-39

Pentecost Sunday, May 19: Acts 2:111; Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-31, 34; 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13; John 20:19-23

Monday, May 20: Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, Genesis 3:9-15, 20; Psalm 87:1-3, 5-7; John 19:25-34

Tuesday, May 21: James 4:1-10; Psalm 55:7-11, 23; Mark 9:30-37 Wednesday, May 22: James 4:13-17; Psalm 49:2-3, 6-11; Mark 9:38-40

compulsions, and unhealthy attachments. Family members impacted by a loved one’s addiction are also encouraged to attend.

Meetings combine the spiritual principles of 12-step recovery and

Thursday, May 23: James 5:1-6; Psalm 49:14-20; Mark 9:41-50 Friday, May 24: James 5:9-12; Psalm 103:1-4, 8-9, 11-12; Mark 10:1-12

Saturday, May 25: James 5:13-20; Psalm 141:1-3, 8; Mark 10:13-16 Sunday, May 26: Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40; Psalm 33:4-6, 9, 1820, 22; Romans 8:14-17; Matthew 28:16-20

Monday, May 27: 1 Peter 1:3-9; Psalm 111:1-2, 5-6, 9-10; Mark 10:17-27

Tuesday, May 28: 1 Peter 1:10-16; Psalm 98:1-4; Mark 10:28-31

Wednesday, May 29: 1 Peter 1:1825; Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20; Mark 10:32-45

Thursday, May 30: 1 Peter 2:2-5, 9-12; Psalm 100:2-5; Mark 10:46-52

Friday, May 31: Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Zephaniah 3:14-18; Isaiah 12:2-6;

the sacraments of the Catholic Church. Join others in recovery as the meetings overlap Scripture from Sunday’s Mass readings, liturgical themes, and recovery topics with honest discussion and

Luke 1:39-56

Saturday, June 1: Memorial of St. Justin, martyr, Jude 17, 20-25; Psalm 63:2-6; Mark 11:27-33

Sunday, June 2: Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), Exodus 24:3-8; Psalm 116:12-13, 15-18; Hebrews 9:11-15; Mark 14:12-16, 22-26

Monday, June 3: Memorial of St. Charles Lwanga and companions, martyrs, 2 Peter 1:2-7; Psalm 91:1-2, 14-16; Mark 12:1-12

Tuesday, June 4: 2 Peter 3:12-15, 17-18; Psalm 90:2-4, 10, 14, 16; Mark 12:13-17

Wednesday, June 5: Memorial of St. Boniface, bishop and martyr, 2 Timothy 1:1-3, 6-12; Psalm 123:1-2; Mark 12:18-27

Thursday, June 6: 2 Timothy 2:8-15; Psalm 25:4-5, 8-10, 14; Mark 12:28-34 Friday, June 7: Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Hosea

prayer. Confidentiality is protected. For more information, visit www.catholicinrecovery.com or contact Jena at cir.tricities.tn@ gmail.com, Beth at 714-651-2008, or Ed at 865-599-4823. n

11:1, 3-4, 8-9; Isaiah 12:2-6; Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19; John 19:31-37 Saturday, June 8: Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 2 Timothy 4:1-8; Psalm 71:8-9, 14-17, 22; Luke 2:41-51

Sunday, June 9: Genesis 3:9-15; Psalm 130:1-8; 2 Corinthians 4:13–5:1; Mark 3:20-35

Monday, June 10: 1 Kings 17:1-6; Psalm 121:1-8; Matthew 5:1-12

Tuesday, June 11: Memorial of St. Barnabas, apostle, Acts 11:21-26 and 13:1-3; Psalm 98:1-6; Matthew 5:13-16 Wednesday, June 12: 1 Kings 18:2039; Psalm 16:1-2, 4-5, 8, 11; Matthew 5:17-19

Thursday, June 13: Memorial of St. Anthony of Padua, priest and doctor of the Church, 1 Kings 18:41-46; Psalm 65:10-13; Matthew 5:20-26

Friday, June 14: 1 Kings 19:9, 11-16; Psalm 27:7-9, 13-14; Matthew 5:2732 ■

St. Henry

welcomes newcomers

St. Henry

COLEEN SCHNEIDER

accommodations are available at local hotels (see second link below). Register and submit payment by Sunday, June 9. Registration and payment forms may be found at dioknox.org/events/ diocesan-marriage-retreat-2024. You may also register or learn more at tinyurl.com/KnoxMarriageRetreat

The 16th annual St. Stephen Golf Tournament will be held Saturday, June 22, at Brainerd Golf Course in Chattanooga. The tourney will have a four-person, select-shot format. Registration is at 7:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 8. The $100 cost per person includes doughnuts and coffee, greens fee, a cart, two mulligans, hot dogs at the turn, lunch, and a chance at a $10,000 hole-in-one prize. Awards will be presented for first and second places in men’s and women’s longest-drive and closest-to-the-pin contests. All golfers of any skill level are welcome to take part—singles, couples, male, or female. Sign up in the vestibule to play, volunteer, sponsor a cart or hole, or donate. Donated prizes and gifts are needed for door prizes. Tourney proceeds benefit St. Stephen Parish in Chattanooga. For more information, see the poster in the narthex, e-mail info@ststephenchatt. org, call the parish office at 423-8921261, or contact John at 423-309-5133 or jvannucci@epbfi.com

The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage will be traveling the country May 17 through July 16, culminating at the Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. The St. Juan Diego Route, the southern portion of the pilgrimage, will stop at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga on Monday, June 24. There will be a talk by and a tour of the basilica led by rector Father David Carter at 10:15 a.m., a Holy Hour with morning prayer from 11 to 11:50, and the celebration of Mass at noon. A eucharistic procession will start at 7:30 p.m. at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Newman Center, 514 Palmetto St., and go to the basilica, then return to the Newman Center for Benediction followed by music and fellowship. Register for each Chattanooga event on the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage page at tiny url.com/2jf892cj and receive updates.

Parish notes continued from page B4

Season four of the series The Chosen was shown beginning April 29 in the parish hall.

A parish Kentucky Derby party took place May 4 in the parish hall. Ladies were asked to wear their derby hats and enter a “best hat” contest. Wine and appetizers were served.

The parish Social Action Ministry has partnered with We Are One, a Christian ecumenical nonprofit. In July, We Are One will sponsor a back-to-school giveaway event that includes more than 5,700 pairs of shoes. The ministry’s goal is to furnish 1,000 pairs of shoes for the event.

Anniversaries: Norm and Judith Charest (64), John and Anna Moyer (64), John and Barbara Coye (63), Ramon and Barbara Clark (62), James and Anita Renick (60), Terry and Nancy Allen (60), Norm and Carol Adams (59), Bob and Katheen McCone (59), David and Sally Kowalski (57), Charles and Dolores Gruet (56), David and Corinne Bain (55), Arthur and Deborah Stockwell (55), Dennis and Rosemarie Robak (54), Phil and Lynn Rogers (53), Steve and Chris Nagy (51), Victor and Deborah LaPorte (51), Richard and Susan Dickinson (50), Michael and Mary Hood (50), Robert and Shelly Lewis (45), Alan and Diane Schipkowski (40), Thomas and Clare Devlin (20), Merle and Susan Tebbe (15), Joseph and Lisa Cerasuolo (5)

St. John Neumann, Farragut

St. John Neumann School will hold a note-burning ceremony at about 9:15 a.m. Friday, May 17 to celebrate that its school loans are entirely paid. Since June 2018, when Father Joe Reed became pastor, the school has paid down more than $2.75 million in debt. The school credits the achievement to Father Reed, development director Patrick Wade, director of finance and operations Bill Derbyshire, and a supportive community of parishioners,

The annual God Camps offered by the diocesan Youth Ministry Office will take place at Adventure Ocoee in Ocoee, Tenn. The Reach Camp for incoming seventh- and eighth-graders is set for 7 p.m. Friday, June 21, to 5 p.m. Monday, June 24. The Discover Camp for incoming fifth- and sixth-graders will run from 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, to 11 a.m. Friday, June 28. Campers will be staying in air-conditioned bunkhouses. God Camp activities include lake-day inflatables; a water park with a wave pool, a lazy river, and a water slide; a low ropes course; outdoor sports; bonfires with s’mores; prayer services; skits; crafts; the celebration of Mass; team-building activities; group interaction; and time to enjoy the retreat center. Some highlights include games of four square, gaga ball, basketball, volleyball, and capture the flag, along with some surprise activities planned by the leaders. Camps are designed to help the youth make new friendships, grow in their relationship with God, and be who God created them to be. Costs are $245 for the Reach Camp and $215 for the Discover Camp and include lodging, meals, a T-shirt, and activities. Download a flyer or a God Camp team application, or register for a camp, at dioknox.org/events/reach-2024 or dioknox.org/events/discover-2024

For more information, contact Donna Jones at 423-718-4387 or djones@ dioknox.org

The Diocese of Knoxville is taking a group of teens on a trip to Steubenville Atlanta, hosted by the Archdiocese of Atlanta, on the weekend of July 26-28. The Steubenville youth conferences exist to bring highschoolers into a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ. The 2024 theme is “Illuminate”—“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). Download a flier, view registration instructions and costs, and see medical-release and code-of-conduct forms at dioknox. org/events/steubenville-atlanta-2024

Standard registration costs are effective through June 28 before increasing for late registration June 29 to July 16. Priests attend free. If any parish would like help booking transportation through the Diocese of Knoxville, contact Noah

student families, donors, and friends.

Registration is open for the parish vacation Bible school set for 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday, June 17 to 21. Ages 4 through rising sixth-graders may attend. This year’s theme is Cathletics: Training to Be Champions for Christ. Contact Becca McCaskey at blg2790@ gmail.com to learn more or volunteer.

The parish held a collection after Masses on April 27-28 for a Tennessee Right to Life billboard sponsored by St. John Neumann.

A family event offering time for adoration followed by a potluck dinner was held April 28.

The women’s club’s Bingo Night adult social on April 13 was a success with more than 50 people attending. The club thanked Sarah Toliver for serving as caller and smart board operator Lisa Beldyk.

A breakfast buffet April 14 in the cafeteria raised funds to benefit St. John Neumann School activities.

St. Joseph, Norris

The men’s group hosted a Mother’s Day brunch May 12.

A memorial service for parishioner Helen Estep took place May 4. Burial was in West Virginia. A donation in memory of Mrs. Estep may be made to the Chance Shelter in Arizona, where she did volunteer work. Learn more at her website, helenestep.com

Eight parish youth were confirmed at Mass by Father Dennis Kress on May 5.

With the Easter season coming to an end, a Stations of the Light (resurrection) devotion was held following the 9 a.m. Mass on May 9.

The Council of Catholic Women made

Grinstead at ngrinstead@dioknox.org or 386-274-8137.

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

A Danube River pilgrimage cruise is planned Oct. 20-30, with an optional four-day post tour to Krakow, Poland, from Oct. 30-Nov. 3. Join Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio, better known as Dr. Italy, historian, theologian, and speaker, for a pilgrimage themed “The Beauty of God’s Creation,” including Munich, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, and much more. Visit www.crossroads initiative. com/dr-italy/ for more details. The ship is the Amadeus Riva. The sightseeing tour of Krakow includes visiting sites in the Medieval Old Town and on Wawel Hill, where pilgrims will see the cathedral with the St. Stanislaus Shrine, which contains the relics of Poland’s patron saint. They will see the pope’s room and the famous Pope’s Window honoring St. John Paul II. The group will travel a short distance to visit the Divine Mercy Shrine, where St. Faustina, the Apostle of Divine Mercy, lived and died. Members will celebrate Mass at the Divine Mercy Shrine and visit the new center, “Have No Fear,” dedicated to St. John Paul II, to venerate his relics. They will visit Czestochowa and the Jasna Gora Monastery to see the miraculous icon of the Black Madonna. The group will have time to explore the monastery and celebrate Mass. Time for prayer and reflection is scheduled. In Wieliczka, the group will visit Europe’s oldest salt mine, which UNESCO has listed as a World Heritage Site. The mines are a unique place where many generations of Polish miners have created a world of underground chambers and decorated chapels carved out of salt, including the famous Chapel of St. Kinga. The travelers will celebrate

Mother’s Day cards for nursing-home residents after the 9 a.m. Mass on May 7.

The parish celebrated first Holy Communion on April 15 with 11 children receiving the sacrament.

Confirmandi: Colin Thurman Batchelor, Matthew Henry Bentz, Alexa Leilani Gonzalez, Dale Carter Kezek, Brooks Thomas Reid, Harper Julia Watts, Thomas Radoslaw Williams, Julianna Paige Wilson

Five Rivers Deanery

Holy Trinity, Jefferson City

With the CCD year ending, the parish thanked its teachers and student volunteers, including Nancy Barone, first grade; Carolyn Rosato, second grade (first reconciliation and first Holy Communion); Ginny Giardiello, third and fourth grades; Karen Booker, fifth and sixth grades; Jamie Roberts, seventh and eighth grades; Karin Collins, ninth through 12th grades; and director of religious education Cindy Giardiello.

Holy Trinity’s parish picnic is scheduled for noon Sunday, May 26.

This spring’s Lenten meals raised $2,427 to assist in funding the feeding of those who help with Appalachian Ministries’ summer building projects.

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

Anniversaries: Richard and Sharon Page (55), Martin and Patti Slattery (35), Matt and Cindy Giardiello (30), William and Cathy Boothe (15)

Confirmandi: Kiara Barone, Nala Barone, Payton Beaudreau, Emery Blank,

Mass at St. John Paul II Chapel before continuing to Wadowice, the hometown of Pope St. John Paul II, and visit his childhood home, which is now a museum. They will visit the Church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary, where he was baptized. For more information, contact Lisa Morris at 865-567-1245 or lisam@select-intl.com

Join Father Mike Nolan on a pilgrimage to Egypt including a four-night Nile River cruise Dec. 2-14. Travelers will visit the Christian sites in Cairo, including the Apparition Church, the Holy Crypt, the monastery of St. Simon el Mokkattam, and more. They will fly to Luxor and visit the world’s second-largest ancient religious site of the Temple of Karnak before boarding a riverboat for a four-night cruise. Pilgrims will visit the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of the Nile and watch as the ship passes the dam on the Nile in Esna. On day seven, the group will visit the Dam of Aswan and the Temple of Philae, then visit Sakkara, the home of Egypt’s oldest pyramid, constructed around 2650 BC. Travelers will then go on to visit the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, the complex of ancient monuments that includes three pyramids known as the Great Pyramids. Afterward is an excursion to Wadi Natron, where the group will visit ancient monasteries with beautiful frescos and icons and meet with the monks. A sound and light show at the pyramids follows that evening. The pilgrimage will end with a short flight to Istanbul to spend the night before the group embarks on a city tour that includes a visit to St. Sophia Church, Chora Church, and the Church of the Protection of Mother of God. Pilgrims will have dinner aboard the river cruise. For more information, contact Lisa Morris at 865-567-1245 or lisam@select-intl.com

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

William Boothe, Nicole Bryja, Ginger Dunne, Nadia Fafrowicz, Christopher Hicks, Mia Hicks, Michael Hicks, Ian Kallal, Kegan Mullins, Kensley Mullins, Megan Potts, Thomas Richards, Alexander Tatum, Aiden Withem, Katherine Withem

First communicants: McKenzie Barone, Ella Beaudreau, William Boothe, Zuzanna Bryja, Melanie Fafrowicz, Miles O’Connor, Camden Svoboda

St. Dominic, Kingsport

The Knights of Columbus are holding a Bratwurst Sale and Summer Kickoff Cookout from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18, in the parish life center. Those attending may partake of fresh homemade bratwurst, fries, beans, slaw, lemonade, or tea (BYOB). Bratwurst will be sold in packages of two pounds for $15 or five pounds for $35. Costs to attend the cookout are $10 for adults and $8 for seniors and kids under 16. For more information, e-mail mattschmidt426@ yahoo.com

St. Dominic’s graduation Mass is set for 9:30 a.m. Sunday, May 19. Pastor Father Michael Cummins will offer a special blessing for graduating high school seniors, and a reception in their honor will follow the Mass. RSVP for the reception at StDominicKpt.flocknote. com/signup/164518

A Mass for those who have lost children was celebrated May 10. Children’s names were read at the Mass.

St. Dominic School’s Totally ’80s Dinner Dance Auction took place April 20 in the parish life center.

Vacation Bible school will be held from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Monday, June 24, through Thursday, June 27. The theme is “Stellar: Shine Jesus’ Light.” To volunteer or learn more, call the parish office at 423-288-8101. Parish notes continued on page B10

Basketball players from Knoxville Catholic, Notre Dame receive honors

Honors continue to come Sydney Mains’ way after the Knoxville Catholic High School senior guard led the Lady Irish to their second straight state championship this spring.

Sydney was named Knox News’ girls basketball player of the year recently. The Florida Atlantic signee finished her career with 2,325 points, becoming the all-time leading scorer at KCHS for both girls and boys. In the 2023-24 season, Sydney averaged 18.2 points per game, as well as 5.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.5 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game.

Joining her in the Knox News honors was teammate Amaya Redd, a junior forward who made second team All-PrepXtra. Amaya averaged 9.3 points per game plus 5.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.3 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game.

Sydney and Amaya also made Division II-AA first-team all-state as selected by the Tennessee Sports

Writers Association.

Gaas Herman, a junior guard at Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga, made the sportswriters’ boys all-state basketball team for Division II-A. Gaas averaged 19 points and eight rebounds per game. n

Cathedral celebrates Scout Sunday

The Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus recently celebrated a Scout Sunday Mass with rector Father David Boettner presiding. Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, BSA Scouts, Venture Crew Scouts, and adult leaders participated. Seven Scouts received the Ad Altare Dei medal at the Mass. They are (from left, bottom photo) Jimmy Staples, Cullen Brewer, Anton Pint, Owen McNally, Andy Kyker, Jakob Casimiro, and Andrew LaPointe.

of how the four canonical Gospels took form (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 126).

These Gospels and Letters, along with the others now included in the New Testament, were collected by local churches in the Christian world, especially in the larger and more important churches of Rome, Antioch, Alexandria, and Corinth. By the end of the second century, all the books that are now part of the New Testament were known to the Christian world and accepted as sacred.

In 382, Pope Damasus I issued a

decree that listed all books, both Old and New Testaments, that Catholics today accept as part of the Bible. In 405, Pope Innocent I also provided a list of books of the Bible consistent with what Catholics recognize today. Responding to the Protestant reformers who challenged the canonicity of some of the books of the Old and New Testaments, the Council of Trent in 1556, gave the final, infallible word on which books were to be recognized as the sacred and inspired books of the Bible by all Catholics. The Bible did not fall out of the

Winners in St. Mary-Oak Ridge science fair advance to UTK event St. Mary School in Oak Ridge recently held its annual Middle School Science Fair. Judges from the area and local laboratories discussed with the students in detail everything about their project including their hypothesis and conclusion. The first- through fifth-place winners went on to participate in the Southern Appalachian Science and Engineering Fair held on the University of Tennessee at Knoxville campus. In the top photo, first-place winner Josh Diaz speaks to judge Rick Lowden, a retired engineer from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, about his project titled “Seeds Unite or Divide.” Science fair winners are pictured in the bottom photo with Sister Mary John Slonkosky, OP, St. Mary principal (left), and middle school science teacher Sister Gloria Christi Bereit, OP. From left are (front row) Aliana Ayala, third place; and Phinley Halcrow, Betty Johnson, and Arianna Paoletto, all honorable mention; and (back row) Leilani Cooper, fourth place; Josh Diaz, first place; Gabriel McCallum, second place; and James Lutz, fifth place.

Knoxville Catholic names Medlyn as new boys and girls golf head coach

Knoxville Catholic High School introduced Peter Medlyn as its new boys and girls golf coach in March. Mr. Medlyn met with team members March 5.

Local golf pro Tre Mullins will be Mr. Medlyn’s assistant coach.

Mr. Medlyn played golf at the highest amateur level in Australia and caddied on the PGA Tour in both the United States and Australia.

Mr. Mullins is an instructor at Fairways and Greens Golf Center in Knoxville. After an All-South Atlantic Conference career at Lincoln Memorial University, he has gone on to be the 2023 Tennessee Section Assistants player of the year. n

St. Dominic pre-K3 class dons capes to celebrate National Superhero Day The pre-kindergarten 3 class at St. Dominic School in Kingsport, including Rosie Carr (left), celebrated National Superhero Day on April 28 by donning superhero capes. The capes were designed by the students themselves and brought to life thanks to the talents of Natalie Michels, a parent of two St. Dominic students who printed and affixed the logos to the capes.

sky. Rather than speaking of Christianity as “a religion of the book,” it is more correct to speak of the Bible as “the book of the Church,” written by many people over many centuries, finally collected into a definitive form by the authority of the Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

This is why we can trust that the Bible contains only those books that God wanted it to contain, and that those books reveal to us what God intended to reveal for the sake of our salvation. The stories, laws, histories, legends, tales, songs, prayers,

and letters that make up the Bible came to us over a long and circuitous route. Guided by the hand of the Holy Spirit, we have faith that the Word of God in the Bible is God’s Word for us today and for all generations.

This column is adapted from Deacon Hunt’s book, “Thy Word: An Introduction to the Bible for People in the Pews,” available for purchase at The Paraclete. ■

Deacon Bob Hunt is a husband, father, grandfather, and parishioner at All

Church in Knoxville.

Sydney Mains

COURTESY OF CHRISTINA PINT

Saints

Deacon Hunt continued from page B6

Amaya Redd

Gaas Herman

Peter Medlyn

Tre Mullins

Seven KCHS athletes sign with colleges Knoxville Catholic High School held a spring signing day April 17. Fighting Irish athletes heading for a college academic and athletic career are (from left) Keilyn Smith, who signed with Eastern Kentucky University in football; Andon Mashburn and Quincy Pannell, both with Union College in football; Bellamy Parker, University of South Florida, volleyball; Mason Fields, Emmanuel University, baseball; and Gemma Deyo and Rebecca Deyo, both with Campbellsville University in wrestling.

The sacrament of anointing was offered after the 9:30 a.m. Mass on April 21. The sacrament is available for any member of the parish in need of prayers for physical, spiritual, or emotional healing.

St. Elizabeth, Elizabethton

Jebediah and Eleanor Failla, children of Geoffrey and Karen Failla, were baptized on April 27.

Anniversary: Chuck and Linda Muraski (50)

St. Mary, Johnson City

Vacation Bible school is set for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. daily June 10-14 in the school. This year’s theme is Totally Catholic Scuba: Diving into Friendship with God. VBS is free to the pre-kindergarten through sixth-graders who attend. To register a child or volunteer, contact Judy Holt in the church office or at judy.holt@st marysjc.org

The parish thanked all those who helped in a cleanup of the grounds April 20, including the Knights of Columbus, who provided lunch.

St. Patrick, Morristown

The Knights of Columbus are holding a spaghetti dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. (or until the food is gone) on Wednesday, May 15. Cost is $10 per plate, and proceeds will support Knights’ charities.

The Council of Catholic Women held a bilingual Bunco Night as part of its Ladies Night Out events on April 16 in the George Haggard meeting room. The CCW thanked seven women who made 85 Easter ornaments for the residents of Life Care Center in Morristown. Each ornament was attached to a Little Debbie cake (a favorite of the residents).

Parishioner Albert Grosenbeck, a Korean War veteran with the U.S. Air Force, took an HonorAir flight to Washington, D.C., recently. Parishioners sent him 25 surprise cards and letters of appreciation and support.

St. John Neumann School’s Derby Auction raises record $133,000

St. John Neumann School in Farragut raised more than $133,000 at its annual “Off to the Races” Derby Auction held March 2 in the school gym. More than 200 guests represented the school and parish. The amount raised is nearly double the total from last year and by far the highest amount ever raised. The proceeds go to St. John Neumann’s annual fund, earmarked specifically for upgrades to the gym and cafeteria to meet the needs of a growing school and parish population. An amount will also be reserved to benefit teacher recruitment, retention, and professional development. The gym and cafeteria are spaces utilized daily by students, parish ministries, and youth. The auction committee created a beautiful event space, completely transforming the gym. The decor, entertainment, catered dinner, specialty cocktails, photo booths, and dance floor provided a great “night out” experience for the guests.

St. Mary-Oak Ridge sixth-grader wins VFW essay contest

Ellie Greeson, a sixth-grade student at St. Mary School in Oak Ridge, recently won a Veterans of Foreign Wars essay contest. The award is given annually to a local middle school student. Mickey Vickery, representing VFW Post 12051, said that Ellie’s essay brought tears to the eyes of those who read it. He then talked with middle school students about his experience with war and presented Ellie her certificate and a check for $100. Pictured are Mary Ann Deschaine, superintendent of Catholic schools, Ellie, and Mr. Vickery.

Anniversaries: Luis and Carmen Crespo (65), Dan and Marion Byron (59), Michael and Marjorie Sandlock (52), John and Mary Linek (45), Jesus Magana-Barajas and Natividad Grano-Bautista (25), Thomas and Rosalind Kilroy (20), Federico Flores-Garcia and Jenny Melchor-Bautista (5)

Smoky Mountain Deanery

Immaculate Conception, Knoxville

The women’s group conducted its annual plant sale in the parish courtyard May 4-5.

The Haiti Committee is celebrating 10 years of supporting IC’s sister parish in Haiti with an event Saturday, June 8, at The Emporium in Knoxville.

IC thanked Knights of Columbus Council 645 for its gift of $1,087.82 to Paulist Father Tim Sullivan’s homeless ministry, the proceeds coming from a breakfast event in March.

First communicants: Benjamin Manresa, Coraline McDonald, Abby Schmeing

Sacred Heart, Knoxville

Cathedral rector Father David Boettner was ordained a priest on May 28, 1994. He is celebrating his 30th anniversary of ordination with Masses of thanksgiving at 5 p.m. Saturday, May 18, and at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. Sunday, May 19. A reception in Cathedral Hall will follow the Sunday Masses.

St. John XXIII, Knoxville

A parish appreciation dinner May 3 celebrated St. John XXIII volunteers as well as the 50th priestly anniversary of Father Bob O’Donnell, CSP, and the 30th anniversary of Father Don Andrie, CSP. The event also celebrated Father Andrie’s 10 years as pastor. Father O’Donnell is in residence at St. John XXIII.

Paulist Deacon Dan Macalinao left St. John XXIII on May 7 to return to Washington, D.C., in preparation

for his ordination to the priesthood. Deacon Macalinao and Deacon Chris Lawton will be ordained at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 18, at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle in New York City, the mother church of the Paulist Fathers. Cardinal Timothy Dolan will be the principal celebrant. The Mass may be livestreamed at www.paulist.org/ordination

The Paulist Fathers’ fourth annual Spirit of Hecker Awards honored St. John XXIII parishioners Geri and Charlie Mulligan and Joshua Adkins and Delaney Klee. The Mulligans were honored for their efforts with the parish Social Concerns Committee, including working with Justice Knox, helping settle refugee families, taking Communion to nursing homes, and more. Mr. Adkins and Ms. Klee received the award because of their work leading the VolCatholic student community.

Five parishioners made a trip April 5 to Greeneville to witness the naturalization ceremony of Theresa and her children, Shekkina and Emmanuel. Fourteen members of the St. John XXIII Refugee Welcoming Committee greeted Theresa and her family at McGhee Tyson Airport when they arrived Feb. 20, 2018. Theresa has a job at University of Tennessee Medical Center. Theresa told the judge in Greeneville how grateful the family is for the help they received as newcomers from St. John XXIII parishioners.

St. Joseph the Worker, Madisonville

The parish is taking steps to build a columbarium on-site. To learn more or volunteer to join a columbarium board, call Mary in the parish office at 423-442-7273.

Women served as readers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, and altar servers on Mother’s Day weekend Masses, May 11-12.

The Knights of Columbus held their annual Spring Flower Sale after all Masses on April 27-28.

The women’s group thanked parishioners for supporting its activities and charities by taking part in the group’s bake-sale fundraiser April 6-7. n

COURTESY OF ALLISON HATTON

Parish notes continued from page B8