NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE OF KNOXVILLE
B section
AI expert Dr. Kai-Fu Lee returns to alma mater By Dan McWilliams
hat a difference a sister can make in the life of one of her students. Before he became the internationally known venture capitalist, artificial-intelligence expert, and bestselling author that he is today, Dr. Kai-Fu Lee was a seventh-grader at St. Mary School in Oak Ridge in the 1970s who had just emigrated from Taiwan and did not know a word of English. That’s when Sister Mary David, OP, principal of St. Mary, stepped in. She taught the young teen English on her lunch breaks, catapulting him on a career that saw him earn a doctorate from Carnegie Mellon University and serve as an executive at Google China, Microsoft, and Apple. St. Mary School honored Dr. Lee on May 6 as he returned to his alma mater for a visit to classrooms and a school-wide assembly that included Bishop Richard F. Stika and Oak Ridge mayor Warren Gooch among its guests. The day meant a great deal to Dr. Lee, he said. “It brings back a lot of memories and also reminded me again what a difference that a great education means,” he said. “St. Mary’s was where I went from knowing zero words in English to becoming fluent in six months, and also Oak Ridge is the city in which I got the best
Dr. Lee continued on page B2
W
education one could have in those days. Seeing all the classrooms and teachers and the energy and the inquisitiveness of the students—I think that spirit is still here. This is still the best school.” Dr. Lee spent only a half-year at St. Mary before going on to Jefferson Junior High for eighth grade and graduating from Oak Ridge High School in 1979. But that short time at St. Mary made an influence on the young man. “It did, because I came not speaking one word of English, so it was arguably, theoretically the toughest half-year, but people here made it so easy,” he said. “Sister Mary David was the principal, and she took every lunch period to teach me English. She had to get a first-grade English textbook and start with, ‘run, Spot, run.’ Can you imagine a seventh-grader going through that?” he added with a laugh. Dr. Lee’s May visit to St. Mary was his first in more than 30 years. Even after his long career, he still recalls his days at the Catholic school in Oak Ridge. “I had a lot of fun, made a lot of friends. Today three of my classmates from St. Mary’s came, and one more will see me tomorrow. All of them remember the days,” he said. “It’s very special. There were very small classes, so the students
DAN MCWILLIAMS
St. Mary-Oak Ridge honors the internationally known venture capitalist and author at a school assembly
Return visit Dr. Kai-Fu Lee speaks to fifth- through eighth-grade students at St. Mary School in Oak Ridge. As a seventh-grader at St. Mary, Dr. Lee learned English from school principal Sister Mary David, OP. got to know each other. People got along; there weren’t cliques of people. Everybody had the same faith and had the same warmth and compassion, and there was a group where people were encouraged to ask questions and ask why and people were asked to raise their hands. “That was important to me, because from an Asian education there was not as much encouragement in asking questions and asking why, and the teacher didn’t call on the students nearly as much—partly cultural but partly also the class size was much bigger.”
Dr. Lee is now the head of Sinovation Ventures in China. In 2018 he published AI Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order. For his Ph.D. thesis at Carnegie Mellon, he developed the world’s first speaker-independent, continuous speech recognition system. While visiting St. Mary, Dr. Lee fielded questions from fifth- through eighth-graders on topics such as his favorite countries to live in, his time at Google China, and what field he would work in if he wasn’t in com-
Knox bagpiper’s goal is to ‘make a joyful noise’ Katie Helms performs at Church events around the area in memory of a son who passed away
BILL BREWER
B
agpiper Katie Helms can be seen playing at many Knoxville-area Church events, and she says her goal is simply to “make a joyful noise.” “That’s what the Scripture says to do, and that’s my goal,” she said. “In I think it’s Colossians 3:16 and 17, it says, ‘make songs and hymns,’ and then it says, ‘whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.’ That’s my disclaimer— I’m trying to do it for Him and His service.” The parishioner of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus got started playing the bagpipes about 10 years ago when her son, Gabriel Miller, passed away. “I just needed something new in my life, and something said, ‘Play the bagpipes,’” Mrs. Helms said. “They were giving lessons at the Knoxville Pipe and Drum starting in a few weeks, and I started taking lessons.” She shares with people the reason behind her bagpipe playing, which has become a lay ministry. “When I go to parks and practice, people ask me why I started playing. I say, ‘Well, my son passed away, and I believe in the afterlife.’ I wanted to play a new instrument because I was heartbroken. I just needed something new in my life, and I wanted something loud enough for my son to hear me. If you’re going for volume, bagpipes are your best option. “But my other son said, ‘But Mom, you don’t understand. He’s up there saying, “Be quiet!”’” she added with a laugh. “I share that with people, and it gives me an opportunity to witness a little bit.” She said playing bagpipes is not really difficult to learn. “Bagpipers say bagpipes are hard to learn, and I think”—she laughs—“they say that because they want everybody to think that they’re really good. There are only nine notes and no sharps or flats. It starts with the G below middle C and it goes to the first A above the staff, and that’s all there are. No sharps or flats, even though all the notes are a little sharp and a little flat. “That’s why we don’t play well with others. We can’t typically play well with a band because we’re kind of in a different key. We don’t even really have a key.” Mrs. Helms explained the parts of the bagpipe. “You blow into the bag. You have the three drones. The bag is a reservoir for air pressure to
‘I’m trying to do it for Him and His service’ Katie Helms, after her son died about 10 years ago, “just needed something new in my life” and took up playing the bagpipes. keep the drones—there are three drones, the big pipes, they’re drones, they have the bass A and two tenor A’s. They just play background noise. They have a reed in each one of those, and then the chanter, which has the melody, where there are the nine notes, that has a double reed, so it’s like playing four clarinets at one time. “The whole time you’re blowing into the bag and you’re squeezing, but you’re not squeezing all the way out until the end of the song. You’re just keeping pressure. That’s why when we play ‘Rocky Top’ we can say, ‘Whoo!’ and still be playing.” She wears “a kilt and all the full uniform” when she plays. “The reason we wear a uniform when we play is because it makes people think we know what we’re doing—I mean [correcting herself with a laugh] it’s tradition. We wear our kilt out of tradition. We have a kilt and a sporran, which is like a little purse that hangs in front. That’s where the ancient Highlanders kept their cellphones and car keys. “We have our socks, and most pipers have a
By Dan McWilliams
sgian dubh. It’s Gaelic for ‘dark knife,’ a knife in their pocket. We almost always have a knife in our sock. That’s a sign of respect. In the old days, if I was traveling through the Highlands, I might have my weapon because there might be wild animals or an enemy, and when I come into your home, out of respect I unconceal my weapon and put it in my sock. So pipers always wear that. Sgian dubhs are very expensive.” The knife cannot be taken everywhere she plays. “Sometimes I play in schools, and you’re not allowed to have knives, so I found an antler-handled dog bone at the pet store, so if you see me out there with my sgian dubh it’s really a dog bone. I don’t have to run from the police,” Mrs. Helms said. Mrs. Helms, 59, was born in Youngstown, Ohio, and grew up in Orlando, Fla. She has been in Knoxville for more than 20 years. She and husband John have one living son, Ben Miller, and one grandson, Oliver, who attends Sacred Heart Cathedral School. She had been to Methodist, Assembly of God, and Church of God services before joining the Catholic Church. Her journey to the Church started when she saw the Scriptures in a new light and continued when she played the bagpipes at Knoxville Catholic High School “I’m a new Catholic. I went to RCIA about three or four years ago. I’ve studied the Scriptures—I taught children’s church for 20-some years—and a lot of stuff I saw, to my Protestant friends I would say, ‘Whoa, look what it says,’ this or that, and they would say, ‘No, it doesn’t mean that,’ and I’m like, ‘Well, I think it does. That’s what the Bible says.’ “Then when I started playing bagpipes and they needed a bagpiper at Catholic High School, I started piping and I saw what nice young people there are at that school and what nice young men the football players were. Sometimes the nuns would put books out there for people to take, and I took some, and I read one about Catholic virtues, and I thought, ‘Well, that’s great. You don’t read about that in my church.’ I started looking into it, and some of the things that I had believed, it turns out it’s what the Catholics believed, and some of the questions I had about some Scriptures are answered in the Catholic Church. So I was like, whoa.” Katie Helms continued on page B5
puters (he said teaching). He joked about his Apple career, saying he worked there “between Jobs,” during the time from 1985-97 when Apple co-founder Steve Jobs had stepped away from the company. In a ceremony before the entire St. Mary student body, principal Sister Marie Blanchette, OP, acknowledged dignitaries attending, including Bishop Stika; Anderson County mayor Terry Frank, who was there earlier in the day; Mr. Gooch; St. Mary board president Kevin Corbett; John Deinhart, Diocese of Knoxville director of Stewardship and Strategic Planning; and St. Mary School director of admissions and development Darcy Welch. Mayor Gooch read a proclamation that summarized Dr. Lee’s career, including how in 2013 he was named by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. The mayor proclaimed May 6 as Dr. Kai-Fu Lee Day in Oak Ridge. Bishop Stika took the mic next and recognized the teacher who taught the young Dr. Lee in the 1970s. “Sister Mary David—she made a difference in the life of one person. Do you know who it is? The good doc here,” the bishop said. “Then he went on to do great things. He is bringing the world together. I just want to thank him for all the thousands and millions of lives he has touched so that people might know more and more about the world in which we live. That’s why we’re so grateful he is here today.” Sister Marie Blanchette introduced an award presentation to Dr. Lee. “We are so happy to have him here and to know that he walked these halls and that St. Mary’s helped to make him who he is today. He has done so much good in the world. . . . Safety-wise, for people who are limited with physical handicaps. He does a lot of work with students. He’s very interested in education. He has really helped so many people,” she said. The St. Mary principal then gave the first Distinguished Alumni Visionary Leadership Award to Dr. Lee. “Dr. Lee’s work has influenced more than America, more than China. He has truly made a huge difference in the world, and we are grateful for the difference that you have made, and we are so proud to call you an alumnus of St. Mary’s School,” Sister Marie Blanchette said. Many of the students formed a choir that sang several songs for Dr. Lee, concluding with “Rocky Top.” Dr. Lee said he enjoyed fielding questions from St. Mary students. “It was a lot of fun. One person asked me what is it when you face difficulty that makes you keep going. I thought that was a great question,” he said. “Other kids were curious about different countries
in the world, so we talked about all the countries I had been to—the Middle East and India and of course China—and I think while Oak Ridge is a great place to be, St. Mary’s is a great place to be. People don’t go out a lot, and I think it’s good I’m able to bring some of the perspective outside of Tennessee and outside of the U.S. I would also encourage more people to travel more.” Dr. Lee spoke of the work he is doing now at Sinovation Ventures. “I’m investing in high-tech companies, so we invest in a lot of technology but primarily in artificial intelligence and primarily in artificial intelligence as applied to medical, health care, and education, so not only are we working on AI but we want to work on AI for good,” he said. He recalled again his early unfamiliarity with the English language. “I think when I came I don’t think I knew more than 100 words of English, because I only had one semester of English in Taiwan,” he said. “Everything else I had to pick up. I couldn’t understand a word in class, because when you know 100 words you can’t just spot for things. You hear a sentence, and one word you’ll understand—usually that’s the word that’s got the content—so I don’t think I understood a single sentence in the lecture when I first arrived.” He continued to marvel at Sister Mary David taking him under her wing. “Coming from Asian culture, it is not only unusual but probably unprecedented that a principal of a school would sacrifice her lunch and teach one child, one student, because she had to run the school,” he said. “She was very busy, and yet she found that this attentiveness and patience and self-sacrifice were important. It made a huge difference in one student’s life. “I think that style of education was very, very moving for me, and it made me also see teachers in a very different way, that teachers were friendly, helpful, and that I could approach them. From an Asian education, teachers are very authoritative, and they lecture from the top of the classroom down, and you not only never question authority, you don’t think of them as your friends; you think of them as an authority figure who wants to educate you, but you’re not at the same level.” St. Mary-Oak Ridge “brought the principal down to the level of one mere student, and I just felt in the future of my pursuit of knowledge in the U.S. that I could approach any teacher at any time. I could ask for things I don’t understand. I could disagree, even, with their point of view and seek clarification. It was not only a onetime event, but it helped me see the role of the teacher and the new type of more effective education. “I think it changed the way I
DAN MCWILLIAMS (4)
Dr. Lee continued from page B1
Fielding questions Dr. Kai-Fu Lee shares a laugh during his Q-and-A with St. Mary fifth- through eighth-grade students. learned from other teachers all the way through Ph.D. and also helped change the way I interact with younger people. I don’t think of me as an authority figure. I’m happy to talk about things in their language, so I was able to talk to kindergartners and hopefully they had some fun today, and if they did it was largely because I had the fortune of learning that education could be this way from Sister Mary David.” Dr. Lee has a message for young people today. “I think there are a number of new challenges that are coming up. One is with automation and artificial intelligence; routine jobs are going away, so how can young kids now pursue the types of occupations and the types of skill sets that won’t become obsolete? That’s one important aspect,” he said. “Another is that the students still tend to be regional, which is what makes Oak Ridge a wonderful, warm place—many people still stay around, and yet the whole world is getting closer and closer. The old world used to be connected by geography, and it took hours and days to travel from one place to another, but now we’re all connected by the Internet communications—people to people and people to information.
“It’s instantaneous and fully connected, and I would encourage people to spend a good amount of time understanding what’s going on in the whole world, not just locally focused, and also understand that while the education and the environment is wonderful here, there are many different geographies and ways of thinking and perspectives, and it’s important to see things in multiple perspectives so that you can see the whole picture as opposed to only seeing a part of the world.” Google China was an important part of his career, Dr. Lee said. “Yes, it was. It was eye-opening to go to a company like Google that was making information access available to everyone in the world,” he said. “Bringing it into China was challenging, but we had a lot of success. It was unfortunate that after I left, Google decided to pull out. I think earlier when I talked about the importance of connecting information to the whole world, and Google has such great technology, and not making it available to some countries is a pity. I understand the reasons they have for pulling out. I would have preferred to use engagement as a way to connect people together, as opposed to deciding to be separate.” n
Special presentation St. Mary principal Sister Marie Blanchette, OP, and director of admissions and development Darcy Welch prepare to present Dr. Lee the first Distinguished Alumni Visionary Leadership Award.
Conversation with the bishop Bishop Richard F. Stika talks to Dr. Lee during the St. Mary School assembly May 6.
City proclamation Oak Ridge mayor Warren Gooch presents Dr. Lee a proclamation declaring May 6 Dr. Kai-Fu Lee Day in the city, as Bishop Stika applauds. B2 n JUNE 2, 2019
www.di o k no x .o rg
TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C A TH OLI C
Parish notes Chattanooga Deanery St. Jude, Chattanooga The parish congratulated its more than 60 children from St. Jude School and religious-education classes who celebrated their first Holy Communion on May 4. Middle school students held a lock-in May 24-25 in the parish life center.
card sale, which allowed 4 Corners to donate $467 to Life Choices Pregnancy Center of Roane County. The Knights of Columbus hosted their annual Mother’s Day brunch May 12. The parish held a Q-and-A and brunch with Father Sweeney on April 7 in Blessed Sacrament Hall. St. John Neumann, Farragut
St. Mary, Athens Children receiving their sacraments of baptism, first Holy Communion, and confirmation at the 1 p.m. Mass on Easter Sunday were Jonathan Morales, Cory Cox, Sergio Rubio Vasquez, Jannet Castillo Pulido, and Jannely Castillo Pulido. First communicants: Julian Arreguin, Julian Carrillo, Isabella Domzalski, Guadalupe Lopez, David Lopez, Scarlette Mirabile, Alex Mora Montano, Brillan Gonzalez Mora, Christian Twohig Confirmandi: Ann Jillian Berrio, Landon Condone, Jake Garcia, Gaby Hernandez, Guadalupe Lopez, Moyses Montano, Angie Ruiz, Carlita Denton St. Stephen, Chattanooga The parish is hosting a “Roar! Life Is Wild—God Is Good” vacation Bible school from 6 to 9 p.m. June 17-21. Costs are $10 for one child, $15 for two, and $20 for three or more. For more information, call Karen Underwood at 423-892-2957. St. Stephen thanked its volunteers who staged the six fish fries during Lent, including the Helping Hands ministry and the Knights of Columbus. A total of $2,750 was raised to split between the Knights and the parish.
The parish and school invite everyone for dinner and dancing at “A Night Under the Stars,” set for 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 22, at Crescent Bend House & Garden, 2728 Kingston Pike in Knoxville. Costs are $100 per couple, $75 per person, and $500 for a table for 10. E-mail mmarlowe@sjncsknox.org to purchase tickets. The parish’s “Roar! Life Is Wild—God Is Good” vacation Bible school is scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon June 2428. Register at sjnknox.weshareonline. org. The parish St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Ladies of Charity thanked St. John Neumann parishioners who contributed food, personal items, and monetary donations to a recent food drive. Deacon Michael Gouge led an evening on Catholic teachings and practices, “Faith and Reason: An Introduction,” on May 29 in the school library. The parish’s Adult Social & Trivia Night was held May 4 and featured 1980s/’90s trivia, adult beverages, and snacks. St. Joseph, Norris
Anniversaries: Ray and Rosemarie Bertani (60), Clarence and Pat Bodnar (55), Andres and Hilda Alisago (54), Gino and Jeannie Bennett (53), William and Mary Apps (50), George and De Vaughn (50), Alan and Hannah Jones (35), John and Debby Chenkus (30), Brian and Tori Kjeldgaard (10), Harry and Arlene Webb (10) Sts. Peter and Paul, Chattanooga Since Epiphany, the historic pipe organ at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul has been undergoing a major cleaning and restoration, while the final two ranks of pipes were being built at a factory in Ohio. The organ builder, Barger & Nix, installed the pipes just in time for Holy Week, and Andrea Tierney, principal organist, showcased them beginning on Easter weekend, followed by assistant organist Therese Ohotnicky, who featured the new ranks in her senior organ recital May 5. The parish thanks all who helped raise $35,000 to install two ranks needed to complete the organ: the trompettes and clarinets, a total of 122 custommade pipes. The basilica will be undergoing some finishing touches to the sanctuary floors. While the floors are being refinished, Masses will be celebrated in Varallo Parish Hall, and confessions will be held in the rectory following the usual schedule. The project will begin sometime in July or August and is expected to last three to six weeks. The anticipated return to the renovated sanctuary is by September. Visit stspeterandpaulbasilica.com for status updates on this project.
Cumberland Mountain Deanery
Though just a small parish, St. Joseph has made a big impact with its generosity. With Jack Currie in charge, the church has built a relationship with Bridge Refugee Services of Knoxville. Since 2015, members have supported the arrival of 17 families, the largest family consisting of 18 members. The work St. Joseph has done spurred the birth of the Norris Ecumenical Refuge Support Ministry, which has involved other churches. Support includes gift cards or specific items that help a family get settled.
TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C A T HO L I C
Archbishop Rugambwa visits St. Joseph the Worker, cathedral St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Madisonville was honored to receive the Archbishop and Bishop Emeritus of Kigoma Diocese in Tanzania, Protase Rugambwa (left), during the Easter Triduum this year. Archbishop Rugambwa is currently the secretary general of the Congregation for the Evangelization of the Peoples in Rome. He studied in the same university in Rome as St. Joseph the Worker pastor Father Julius Abuh (right) and is a good friend of Father Abuh. The parishioners of St. Joseph were happy to receive him. Cardinal Justin Rigali and diocesan seminarian Wojciech Sobczuk welcomed him on behalf of Bishop Richard F. Stika on Holy Saturday and had lunch with Father Abuh and others in Madisonville. On Easter Monday, the archbishop met with Bishop Stika (above) at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the bishop gave him a more than hourlong tour of the cathedral. Archbishop Rugambwa enjoyed seeing the beautiful edifices of the cathedral. He was also impressed with the relics that are contained, especially those of Pope St. John Paul II, the pope who ordained him as a priest.
Glade’s Marciniaks married 60 years May 9
J
ohn and Yvonne Marciniak of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fairfield Glade celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary May 9. The Marciniaks were married at St. Joseph Church in Toledo, Ohio. Their four children are: Susan and Richard, both of Toledo; Sharon of
Cleveland, Tenn.; and Mariann of Wills Point, Texas ; and they have five grandchildren. They retired from the Toledo Fire Department and moved to the Glade in 1990. A celebration with their children in Toledo is planned. Their hobbies are golf, gardening, and exercising. n
St. Therese, Clinton The parish held its annual picnic and celebrated pastor Father Richard Armstrong’s 10th anniversary of ordination May 5. The Tuesday Ladies Bible Study group held its year-end party May 7 and wished a fond farewell to group leader Mary Ellen McWilliams, who is stepping down after leading the Bible study for 23 years. The Council of Catholic Women’s endof-the-year celebration was held May 22 at Harrison’s restaurant in Clinton. The CCW rummage sale took place May 17-18, and its semiannual bake sale was held April 13-14. St. Therese thanked all those who helped provide the fish fries during Lent, including Father Armstrong and son Eric, Don McCarthy, Pat Nageotte, Dave McCune, Tony and Trish Papa, Sue Haese, Jim Ferguson, Jerry Brown, Carl Von Buelow, Charles Kuhens, Chris Converse, and John Kelsey.
Blessed Sacrament, Harriman 4 Corners Creations thanked Father Michael Sweeney and parishioners for their generosity with a Mother’s Day
COURTESY OF FATHER JULIUS ABUH
The Knights of Columbus congratulated Naino Leo as the Knight of the month for May and Kevin and Stephanie Gabor as the family of the month for May.
Camp Mustang, open to incoming kindergartners through eighth-graders, will take place from June 3 to July 26 (closed July 4-5). The camp includes a nature week with a miniature-golf trip, a family campout, a sports week with a bowling trip, and a science week. Costs are $150 per week for the first camper and $130 per week for siblings. Application packets are available in the school front office or online at http://www.sjncs-knox.org/admissions/ summer-camps. E-mail lchapman@ sjncs-knox.org for more information.
Anniversaries: Bob and Laura Lauer (61), Glenn and Maureen Romanoski (25) Parish notes continued on page B4
JOHN VANNUCCI
A baby/toddler shower to benefit Catholic Charities’ Pregnancy Help Center took place recently in the parish life center. School families were among those taking part in the event.
St. Stephen golf tourney raises $5,800 On April 13, 64 golfers and 20 volunteers braved wet and cool elements to support St. Stephen Parish’s 12th annual Golf Tournament at Brainerd Golf Club in Chattanooga. At 8 a.m., pastor Father Manuel Pérez led a prayer and then hit the honorary first ball. It was the first golf ball he had ever hit. That started the event, and 32 carts rolled out into the fog for a day of light rain and heavy mud. The foursome above of (from left) Laurene Hirko, Priscilla McClean, Dot Durr, and Sharon Vannucci had planned for many birdies during the day but managed only two flamingos. Golfers and volunteers were treated to doughnuts, hot dogs, and a barbecue luncheon during the event. A total of $5,800 was raised from the players and tournament sponsors. These proceeds will help replace the inside and outside Nativity scenes for the church.
Stockwells celebrate 50th anniversary
S
t. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fairfield Glade congratulates Art and Debbie Stockwell, who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary May 29. They were married at St. Veronica Church in Eastpointe, Mich., with Father Richard Rakoczy officiating. Their children are: Stephanie Matthews of Harrison Township,
www.di o k no x .o rg
Mich., and Vicki Detweiler of Fraser, Mich.; and they have three grandchildren. The Stockwells retired from General Motors in Michigan and moved to the Glade in 2012. An anniversary celebration is planned in Tulsa, Okla. They enjoy playing cards and taking drives on short trips. n JUNE 2, 2019 n B3
Calendar Bishop Stika will celebrate a diocesan-wide confirmation Mass at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 9, at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Adults who have had the sacraments of baptism, first Holy Communion, and reconciliation but who have not been confirmed can receive the sacrament on this date. The MelchizeTrek, a weeklong backpacking trip in the Savage Gulf State Natural Area in Grundy and Sequatchie counties for young men open to considering a priestly vocation, is scheduled for June 29 to July 6. Participants will be expected to hike on moderate trails about 7 miles per day. Daily activities will include Mass, praying the Divine Office, and a holy hour. Father Michael Hendershott and Father David Carter are looking for 10 men ages 14 to 21 to join them in the experience. Participants will meet for departure at Shepherd of the Valley Church in Dunlap. Registration deadline is Monday, June 10. Cost is $200. For more information, visit https://dioknox.org/event/ the-melchizetrek/. The 33rd annual Shamrock Open golf tournament, benefiting Knoxville Catholic High School, is set for Friday, June 7, at Avalon Golf & Country Club, 700 Turnberry Circle, Lenoir City, TN 37772. Two flights are planned, at 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The Office of Alumni Affairs hosts the Shamrock Open every June. Last year’s event raised more than $46,000 for Knoxville Catholic’s academic programs. To become a sponsor or learn more about playing in the tournament, contact Megan Locke Erpenbach ’03, director of alumni and events, at 865-560-0509 or megan.erpenbach@knoxvillecatholic.com. Fees are $125 per player and include 18 holes of golf, lunch, beverages, and promotional items. Sign up securely at https://www.knoxvillecatholic.com/shamrock-open/. A Mass celebrating the feast day of St. Josemaría Escrivá will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 26, at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Father John Orr will celebrate, with Father Dustin Collins concelebrating. A reception will follow the Mass. For more information, contact Garrick Henderson at garrickhenderson@hotmail.com or 865-809-0063. The annual God Camps sponsored by the Diocese of Knoxville Youth Ministry Office are set at Harrison Bay State Park. The Reach camp for incoming seventh- and eighth-grade students will take place from June 24-27. Cost is $135. The Discover camp for incoming fifth- and sixth-graders is scheduled for June 27-29. Cost is $110. Activities will include swimming at the Olympic-sized pool, outdoor sports, prayer services, Mass, team-building activities, and games. Space is limited. Register by Friday, June 7, to avoid a late charge. Contact Donna Jones at 423-718-4387 or djones6029@ gmail.com. More information may be found at https://dioknox.org/event/ summer-god-camps/. The High School Catholic Youth Camp for all incoming ninth- through 12th-graders is set for June 4-8 at Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton. The theme is “The Lord Came in a Whisper” from 1 Kings 19:12. Cost is $220 and includes housing, all meals, snacks, activities, and a T-shirt. For more information, contact Karen Byrne at 865-862-5739 or kbyrne@dioknox.org, or visit https://dioknox.org/event/catholic-youth-camp/. The newly formed Monsignor Xavier Mankel Schola seeks singers of all voice parts and of any faith. The schola was created to sing the great works of the Church’s musical tradition, particularly the polyphonic music of the Renaissance and Gregorian and English chant. The schola sings for the 7:30 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on the first and third Sunday of each month and will also occasionally put on concerts and support other events and liturgical functions. The group rehearses every Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. To learn more, visit https://dokmusic.org/ audition/ or contact Mary Weaver, the B4 n JUNE 2, 2019
Parish notes continued from page B3
schola’s director: 865-437-8620 or mary@b16schola.org. A Rachel’s Vineyard healing and recovery retreat for those who have experienced emotional or spiritual difficulties from an abortion is scheduled for the weekend of Oct. 4-6 at Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton. Complete confidentiality is honored at all times. One-on-one counseling is available with a trained counselor for those who cannot attend a weekend retreat. For more information, contact Sandi Davidson at 865-776-4510 or sandi@ccetn. org, or visit https://dioknox.org/event/ rachels-vineyard/. The next Picture of Love engaged couples retreat is scheduled for 7-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, in the parish life center at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga. The retreat is to supplement couples’ marriage formation process with their parish priest or deacon. The cost is $135 per couple, which includes a certificate good for $60 off a marriage license. To receive a $60 discount couples must attend the entire program and attend the program within one year of purchasing the license. Mass will be celebrated during the event. For more information, contact Marian Christiana of the diocesan Office of Marriage Preparation and Enrichment at 423-892-2310 or mchristiana@dioknox.org, or visit dioknox.org/event/picture-of-love-engaged-couple-retreat-3/. A print promo may be found at https://tinyurl.com/ PoL-2019-registration. The Knox County chapter of Tennessee Right to Life is holding a rummage sale Friday and Saturday, June 7-8. Donations (no large TVs or children’s car seats) will be accepted from 9 a.m. to noon and 5 to 7 p.m. daily through Wednesday, June 5, except Sunday, at St. Joseph School in Knoxville. A portion of this year’s proceeds will go toward the TRL Political Action Committee to help elect pro-life candidates. To learn more, or schedule a different time to drop off items, contact the TRL office at 865-689-1339 or trlknox@trlknox.com. Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Chattanooga is currently taking applications for PK-3 through eighth grade for the 2019-20 school year. For a campus tour or more information, contact Teresa Hennen at 423-6221481 or Teresahennen@myolph.com. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekends are set for June 21-23 and Aug. 9-11. Apply online at GATN-wwme.org or call 678-242-WWME. A University of Tennessee Forensic Chemistry Camp for fourth- through seventh-grade students is set for June 3-7. For information, contact Dr. Al Hazari, a parishioner of Immaculate Conception in Knoxville, at ahazari@ utk.edu or 865-974-1065. Father Charlie Burton and Gail Black of St. Jude Parish in Chattanooga will lead a Holy Land and Jordan pilgrimage Oct. 30 to Nov. 11. Participants will visit a number of sites, including Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Galilee, Gethsemane, the Nativity Church, Capernaum, Tel Aviv, Petra, and Amman. Cost is $4,699 and includes airfare, five-star accommodations, taxes, tips, fees, transportation, breakfast, and dinners. Register through www. procatholictours.com or call 612-7302890 or 769-220-2702. A Danube River pilgrimage with Father Leo Patalinghug of EWTN is set for Nov. 3-13. All-inclusive land and air starts at $4,395. For more information, contact Lisa Morris, Select International Tours, at 865-567-1245 or lisam@ select-intl.com. Father Mike Nolan will lead a pilgrimage to Cuba from Feb. 10-18, 2020. Participants will visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Old Havana and walk the cobblestone streets, learning of 500 years of history and culture. Pilgrims will next go on to Trinidad, known as “the city time forgot” and Calendar continued on page B5
Five Rivers Deanery
Smoky Mountain Deanery
Holy Trinity, Jefferson City
Immaculate Conception, Knoxville
The annual parish picnic is set for Sunday, June 9, after the 10:30 a.m. Mass.
IC is hosting a free legal advice clinic from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 1. Advice will be offered on a variety of matters from adoption and bankruptcy to wills and worker’s compensation.
The parish is collecting “change for life,” in baby bottles parishioners take home between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, to benefit Life Outreach Center. Holy Trinity congratulated its college graduates this year: Jackie Richards Hicks from the University of Tennessee, Mitchell Perry from UT-Chattanooga, and Fausto Crapiz from King University. The parish thanked Mike Searcy for planting six new maple trees along the driveway of the church. The trees were purchased from memorial contributions for Joseph Brang. Anniversaries: Ken and Karen Booker (63), Jim and Lillian Katzbeck (61), George and Jane Lane (56), Dan and Marion Byron (54), Gordon and Kathy Marshall (54), James and Mary Cavanaugh (52), James and Sue Burch (51), Jim and Therese Shannon (50), Joe and Denise Frinzi (35), Martin and Patti Slattery (30), Robert and Kim Ann Steiner (30), David and Tara Blank (10), William and Catherine Boothe (10) First communicants: Amelia Blank, Keyla Castro, Viviana Castro-Mendez, Luz Elena Garcia, Christopher Hicks, Bryan Gerardo Santiago Newcomers: Lawrence and Gina Gilfour, Richard and Sharon Page St. Dominic, Kingsport The Martha and Mary ministry held an international dinner May 16 and has a spring retreat set for Saturday, June 22, in the parish life center with guest speaker Father Jim Sichko. The youth group (grades six through 12) held an “Into the Wild” adventure retreat May 10-12 in Banner Elk, N.C. Knights of Columbus Council 6992 held its annual Awards Night and Clergy & Religious Appreciation Dinner on May 9 at Giuseppe’s Italian Restaurant in Kingsport. The senior ministry sponsored a tour of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on April 4. Pastor Father Michael Cummins celebrated the daily noon Mass and preached a homily. The parish congratulated its 33 candidates who were confirmed by Bishop Richard F. Stika on March 16. Special thanks went to parents, sponsors, and catechists Shelly Onkotz, Paul Fanning, and Tori Knollmeyer.
The parish’s next Isaac Hecker Bicentennial event is “What Hecker Heard: A Concert of 19th-Century Music,” set for Sunday, June 2. IC congratulated its students who graduated this spring: Joseph Keffer from Sacred Heart Cathedral School; Matthew Corum, Selva Hanna, Sofi Herber, Tyler Rhinehart, Zachary Ribble, and Samantha Taggart from St. Joseph School; and Natalie Dawkins, Ryan McDonald, and Justin Stackhouse from Knoxville Catholic High School. The parish sponsored the fifth annual Memorial Day Mass at Calvary Cemetery on May 27. Women of the parish were invited to a Hawaiian Luau on May 8 in the parish hall. IC celebrated the annual May procession and crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary on May 5. Those who received their first Holy Communion and others in the religious-education program were invited to participate. First communicants: Nathaniel Adkins, Beverly Fermanich, Zoey Harkins, Claire Healy, Jeremiah Osaro, Victoria Osaro, Isabelle Swindeman, Elliott Teston, James Zengel Our Lady of Fatima, Alcoa Bishop Richard F. Stika joined parishioners for the annual confirmation Mass on May 22. The parish music ministry presented “Made in America, Volume 6,” featuring the youth and adult choirs and a jug band, on May 19. Our Lady of Fatima’s high school graduates were honored at the 8:30 a.m. Mass on May 19 and at a reception following in the social hall. The OLOF youth ministry thanked the dozens of business sponsors and individual donors who supported its 24th annual Spaghetti Dinner & Auction on April 7. St. John XXIII, Knoxville The parish wished happy ordination anniversaries to pastor Father Don Andrie, CSP, on May 14 (25 years) and associate pastor Father Bob O’Donnell, CSP, on May 4 (45 years).
St. Patrick, Morristown Knights of Columbus Council 6730 recently presented a $1,000 check to Morristown East High School as part of the council’s annual Tootsie Roll MR Drive. The money will help cover the cost of taking special-education students to Dollywood before the end of the school year. The 12th annual Ladies Night Out dinner, sponsored by the Council of Catholic Women, was held April 28 in the parish center. The dinner was catered by Jersey Girls and served by the Knights. Guest speaker Sister John Catherine Kennedy, OP, spoke on prayer. Juanita Clifton recently thanked parishioners for remembering her on her 100th birthday.
St. John XXIII held its VOLunteer Appreciation Dinner on May 3 to recognize musicians, readers, eucharistic ministers, Sunday School teachers, nursery workers, Sunday Supper volunteers, VolAwakening staffers, VolCatholic executives, FOCUS student leaders, and anyone else who volunteers with the parish. Confirmandi: Jonathan Greenwell-Humberd, Mason Howley, George Mancini, Aleksei Smith St. Joseph the Worker, Madisonville Father Julius Abuh, on behalf of the parish, thanked the women’s group for an altar cloth they donated to the church. The Knights of Columbus held a spring flower sale April 27-28. n
Burlings celebrating 60 years of marriage
S
t. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fairfield Glade congratulates Walt and Dianne Burling on their 60th wedding anniversary June 27. They were married in 1959 at St. Michael Church in Berlin, Wis. The Burlings have 17 nieces and nephews. Mr. Burling retired from Tenneco Automotive in Lake Forest, Ill., and Mrs. Burling retired as
www.di o k no x .o rg
the secretary for the Horlick School in Illinois. The couple moved to the Glade in 1997. Their hobbies are golfing and gardening. Mr. Burling enjoys his ministry of music in the St. Francis choir, and Mrs. Burling is a sacristan and an altar server. She also praises God for giving her a life purpose by guiding her in leading Bible studies. n
TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C A TH OLI C
Kilt and kneepads Katie Helms, in full regalia, poses with the 2017 Knoxville Catholic High School football team seniors. with grandma when they were young.” Mrs. Helms plays at different events—and not always alone. “I feel blessed and honored to be invited to play at things. I have some bucket drums. I have some young adults . . . and they play bucket drums with me. We call ourselves The East Tennessee Bucketeers. We play in parades and lots of events, and they just bang on those drums and I just play my pipes and we just have a good time. I’ve taken the drums to several Catholic churches around—Notre Dame in Greeneville, Holy Ghost here in Knoxville, and Maynardville at St. Teresa of Kolkata—if
Holiday spirit Mrs. Helms plays at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in a Christmas outfit, complete with lights.
there.’” She said she appreciates cathedral rector Father David Boettner and director of music and liturgy Glenn Kahler for “allowing me the opportunity to be a part of the ministry.” Grandson Oliver is 6 years old and was recently baptized, Mrs. Helms said. “Afterward my son [Ben] said, ‘You know, Mom, what was that class you took?’ I said, ‘RCIA.’ And he said, ‘Well, I’m thinking about taking that.’ I’m excited. I think he’ll love it.” n
DAN MCWILLIAMS
they have a festival or picnic they’ll invite me to bring my buckets and bagpipes.” She also plays at assisted-living centers and outside churches before confirmation ceremonies take place. “One day I was playing and I stopped at the end of a song, and this man was walking up with his daughter. She was getting confirmed. He said, ‘Look over there at that bagpiper. She’s doing this for you. She’s showing you that God loves you, and she’s happy at what you’re doing.’ I said, ‘Good. He got it. Somebody got it, why I’m
BILL BREWER
Mr. Helms “had been Catholic for years,” his wife said. “He said he was a victim of Vatican II. When it changed off the Latin, he quit going. Then when I started showing interest, he came back to the Catholic Church. I went to the RCIA, and I really love it. It’s just beautiful. A lot of the things I believed through the years and a lot of questions I had are answered in the Catholic Church.” Mrs. Helms joined the Church at the Easter Vigil in 2016. “It was very beautiful. When I received the host in my hand, I froze. I wanted to just look at it. I was just totally blessed. Even Father Joe [Reed] had to come and kind of lead me on a little bit, because I was just like, ‘Oh, my gosh.’ I wanted to pause everything.” She says that with her bagpipes she “prays for people as I’m playing, and I think the Lord helps that. I arrange music for bagpipes. I have a website, bagpipepraise.com, and I’ve got about 100 songs arranged for bagpipes, and I have got people all over the world writing me and thanking me for it. I say, ‘Hey, we’re supposed to just get His Word out and get His message out.’ “Sometimes I’ll practice in a park and I’ll be playing a hymn, and somebody’ll walk by and say, ‘You know, one of the songs sounded familiar. I’ll think about it.’ And then they walk on, and I just pray and say, ‘Lord, help them to remember how great thou art. Help them to remember what a loving God you are.’ Maybe it was a song they heard when they were in church
COURTESY OF KATIE HELMS
Katie Helms continued from page B1
Drum corps Mrs. Helms is joined by a junior version of her “Bucketeers” during the dedication of St. Teresa of Kolkata Church in Maynardville on Feb. 2.
Calendar continued from page B4 a UNESCO World Heritage site, and hear about Catholic social teaching as they visit Valle de los Ingenios, the valleys of the sugar cane plantations, also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Mass will be celebrated each day, including at Parraquial Mayor, the oldest church on the island, built in 1522. The group will visit Sancti Spiritus, the oldest Cuban European settlement. For more information, contact Lisa Morris at 865-567-1245 or lisam@select-intl.com. Father Randy Stice will lead a pilgrimage opportunity to see the Passion Play in Oberammergau, visit holy and sacred sites, and see the beauty of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland from Aug. 11-21, 2020. Every 10 years, since 1634, the people in the village of Oberammergau in Bavaria, Germany, have performed the Passion Play. In 1633, the residents of Oberammergau vowed that if God spared them from the bubonic plague, they would produce a play depicting the life and death of Jesus. God spared the people, and they have kept their vow. For more information, contact Lisa Morris at 865-567-1245 or lisam@select-intl.com. The newly renovated Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga is now normally open weekdays from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturdays, with extended hours on some weeknights. The weekday schedule includes daily Mass at 7 a.m. Monday (ancient form), Wednesday, and Friday and noon Monday through Friday. Confessions are offered at 11:30 a.m. Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday. Morning prayer is offered after the 7 a.m. Mass on Monday/Wednesday/Friday. Adoration is offered on first Fridays following the noon Mass, concluding with Benediction at 5:30 p.m. Adoration continues from 9 p.m. until 7 a.m. A Missa Cantata (sung Mass) in the ancient form of the Roman Rite is normally celebrated at 5 p.m. on the fourth Sunday of each month at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul. However, because of the Corpus Christi procession and the parish celebration of first Holy Communion on June 23, there will be not be a Missa Cantata in June. On July 28 at 5 p.m., a Missa Cantata will be celebrated for the Seventh Sunday of Pentecost. TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C A T HO L I C
Sunday, June 23, is the solemnity of Corpus Christi, the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. The Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul will have adoration after the 11:30 a.m. Mass, followed by its seventh annual Corpus Christi procession from the basilica through the surrounding streets at 1 p.m. All are invited to join in this traditional expression of faith in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The parish will also celebrate first Holy Communion at its 11:30 Mass and 1:30 p.m. Mass in Spanish on Corpus Christi. The Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul will have 40 hours of devotion June 27-29, anticipating the patronal feast of Sts. Peter and Paul and the 129th anniversary of the dedication of the 1890 church building. • Thursday, June 27— 6 p.m. procession, litanies, and hymns, with enthronement of the Blessed Sacrament • Exposed adoration of the Blessed Sacrament—7 p.m. Thursday through 5 p.m. Saturday, with guided prayers each hour • Friday, June 28—7 a.m. Mass; sung noon Mass with preaching by Father Jeff Kirby for the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart; afternoon confessions; 6 p.m. vespers and talk by Father Kirby: “Peter and Paul in the Heart of the Church”; 7 p.m., classic film about Peter and Paul • Saturday, June 29—8 a.m. lauds and talk by Father Kirby: “The Great Commission to the Heart of the World”; morning rosaries; 5 p.m. Benediction; and 5:30 p.m. Mass for the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, with confirmation celebrated by Bishop Richard F. Stika A plenary indulgence, under the usual conditions of sacramental confession, eucharistic Communion, and prayers offered for the intentions of the Holy Father, is granted to the faithful who visit the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul on May 3, June 29, Sept. 8, Oct. 22, or on one day of their choice during the year. Visit stspeterandpaulbasilica.com for further information. All women are invited to come to an “Evening of Formation With the Saints” at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga on Wednesday, June 12, from 7 to 9 p.m. The theme for this evening will www.di o k no x .o rg
be St. Maria Faustina. Come and learn more about this saint who was so close to the Merciful Heart of Jesus. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, confession, formation, and fellowship await participants. (The next Men’s Evening of Formation will be from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14.) Contact Dan or Nancy Fisher through the parish office at 423-266-1618 for more information about these evenings. The Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga will hold its 2019 vacation Bible school, themed “Hidden Treasures of Our Catholic Faith,” for rising pre-K-4 through rising eighth-graders, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. June 17-21 (pre-K-4 ends at 11:45 a.m. with an option to stay longer). Cost is $15 per child with a maximum of $45 per family. Space is limited. Turn in the registration form (available at stspeterandpaulbasilica.com) to the parish office by June 10. Contact Sandy Pricer at slpricer@gmail.com. A new young-adults ministry is being hosted at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, including a Young Couples Ministry (married, engaged, or dating). Contact Christina or Andrew Bankson at hello@christinamphoto.com to get involved. A Young Catholic Singles Ministry (ages 18-35) meets on first Fridays at the basilica for prayer and community. Adoration concludes with Benediction at 5:30 p.m. Prayer and social time will follow. The theme for June 7 is “Being Catholic in the Modern World.” E-mail burton.jessica@mail.com or call 860-502-2458. Mass in the extraordinary form (“traditional Latin”) is celebrated at noon each Sunday at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville; every Sunday at 8 a.m. at St. Mary Church in Athens; and 5 p.m. each fourth Sunday (except June 23) at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga. For more details, visit www.KnoxLatinMass.net. The St. Thomas the Apostle Eastern (Byzantine) Catholic Mission located at 2304 Ault Road, Knoxville, TN 37914 meets for Divine Liturgy every first, second, and fourth Sunday at 3 p.m. All services are in English. Call Father Richard Armstrong at 865584-3307 or visit www.saintthomasknoxville.org/ for details. n JUNE 2, 2019 n B5
Holy Spirit Parish celebrates first Holy Communion Holy Spirit Parish in Soddy-Daisy recently celebrated first Holy Communion for a number of youth. From left are (first row) McCall Webster, Hayden Hogue, Dean Perkins, Kimberly Gutierrez-Garcia, Kenny Suttles, Alayna Langlois, and Eric Reyes; (second row) Collin Cunningham, Aubrey Barbeauld, Peyton Gallagher, Skylar Rieger, Bryan Hernandez, Luis Miranda, and Sophia Reyes; (third row) Karal RameriezGallegos, Lanie Kok, Johnny Salts, Griffin Harmer, and Rene Hernandez; and (back row) Father Bertin Glennon, ST, Holy Spirit pastor Monsignor Al Humbrecht, and Deacon Mick Spencer.
COURTESY OF AL LESAR
COURTESY OF ELIZABETH CONWAY
First Communion at St. Joseph the Worker A total of 24 candidates received their first Holy Communion on April 28 at St. Joseph the Worker Church in Madisonville. Pastor Father Julius Abuh poses with the group.
COURTESY OF ELIZABETH CONWAY
COURTESY OF FATHER JULIUS ABUH
Parish and community news
Cardinal Rigali confirms youth at Holy Spirit Cardinal Justin Rigali confirmed several youth at Holy Spirit Church in Soddy-Daisy recently. From left are (front row) Alan Gonzalez, Kevin Perry, Juan RameriezGallegos, Ana Gallegos, Emily Gutierrez-Garcia, Cardinal Rigali, Olivia Smith, Litzy Gonzalez, Riley Hilmes, and Guadalupe Lucas; (second row) Carlos Miranda, Ceara Prichard, Callie McCormick, Natalie Tinoco-Alvarez, Vianney Tinoco-Alvarez, Bryan Gonzalez-Rodrieques, Gabriel Tinoco-Chaman, and Landon Aslinger; and (back row) Deacon Paul Nelson and pastor Monsignor Al Humbrecht.
COURTESY OF CHARLIE SPADARO
St. Joseph-Norris CCW hosts spring tea The Council of Catholic Women at St. Joseph Parish in Norris hosted more than 50 women and girls for its spring tea recently. Organizing the event were (from left) Ann Lesar, Cathy DelVechhio, and Sally Jackson.
COURTESY OF DAVID ARWOOD
Way of the Cross presented at St. Alphonsus The Hispanic community of St. Alphonsus Parish in Crossville presented the Way of the Cross (Via Cruz) in the rain on Good Friday.
St. Stephen youth group cooks tacos for Ronald McDonald House Several middle and high schoolers and their parents from the youth group at St. Stephen Parish in Chattanooga helped cook tacos recently for the Ronald McDonald House. Ashlee Mikell and Dan Walsh are supporters of and volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House and helped organize the event alongside James Haug, St. Stephen youth ministry coordinator. Mr. Walsh gave everyone a tour of the facility and let the group see some of the good the volunteers do for the families of the kids at Children’s Hospital at Erlanger. B6 n JUNE 2, 2019
COURTESY OF KATHY MAYNARD
COURTESY OF JAMES HAUG
New Pre-K playground at St. Mary-Johnson City On May 14, Father Peter Iorio blessed the new Pre-K playground at St. Mary School in Johnson City. Funds were raised by the Home and School Association, and the children are loving the new facility.
Three from diocese chosen for Steubenville Atlanta Conference This summer, more than 50,000 Catholic teens across North America will attend one of 24 nationwide Steubenville LifeTeen Conferences to encounter God. The conferences are hosted by Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio. Last year, the Atlanta conference sold out due to building capacity, with more than 4,000 energized teens attending the event. This year’s conference, titled “Belong,” will occur July 12-13. Three Tennesseans have been selected to chaperone and play an important role in helping teens to grow in their faith as disciples of Christ from more than 200 adult applicants. Selected were Sister Anna Marie McGuan, RSM, director of Christian Formation for the Diocese of Knoxville, and Kathy Maynard (right) and Kathy Donley (left) of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fairfield Glade. Early-bird registration and information can be found at www.steubenvilleconferences.com.
www.di o k no x .o rg
TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C A TH OLI C
By Dan McWilliams here was no shortage of lacrosse action in late April at Knoxville Catholic High School’s Blaine Stadium, and proceeds benefited Catholic Charities of East Tennessee. “The expanded three-day Knights Cup Lacrosse Tournament, held April 25-27 at KCHS, was clearly the most successful of the 16 athletic events the Knights of Columbus have sponsored since 2004 to help children and families throughout the diocese,” tourney organizer Tom Ciaccia said. Twelve high school teams, four college teams, eight middle school teams, and countless youth teams from under-7 through U12 came together over three days to put on about 25 games at every level of competition. On April 25, the Knights Cup started off with two high school girls games featuring Christian Academy of Knoxville, the Roane County Lady Knights, the West Knox Lady Warriors, and Knoxville Catholic. “At halftime of the games, youth teams from Farragut Youth Lacrosse and Knoxville Youth Sports took the field for a series of exhibition games that demonstrated the bright future of girls lacrosse in Knoxville,” Mr. Ciaccia said. “Big crowds came out to support the young ladies in the first ever girls lacrosse games played in the Knights Cup.” West Knox edged the host Lady Irish 13-11. The feature attraction of the
T
Knights Cup was the NAIA Independent Conference Final Four Championship Tournament. In the semifinal round played April 26, Keiser University of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., defeated Lindenwood University of Belleville, Ill., 21-0 in the first game. Savannah (Ga.) College of Art and Design topped Missouri Baptist University of St. Louis 9-4 in a hard-fought second semifinal that was close until the final minutes, when the Bees pulled away to seal the victory. In what was “clearly the most exciting lacrosse game ever played in Knoxville,” Mr. Ciaccia said, Keiser defeated SCAD on a final-seconds goal April 27 to earn an 11-10 victory and a trip to the NAIA national championship tournament in Grand Rapids, Mich. Collierville High School, Boyd Buchanan High School of Chattanooga, Fellowship of Christian Athletes-Chattanooga, Blount County Lacrosse, the Roane County Knights, Christian Academy of Knoxville, the Sullivan County Knights, and Knoxville Catholic competed in four high school boys games played April 27. The KCHS boys more than doubled up Blount County in a 15-6 victory. The Hardin Valley Hawks, Sacred Heart Cathedral School, Farragut Youth Lacrosse, Knoxville Youth Sports, the Kingsport Knights, the Roane County Knights, and Christian Academy of Knoxville fielded middle school teams that provided lacrosse
DAN MCWILLIAMS (3)
Knights Cup features lacrosse action aplenty
Semifinal action A Keiser University player (front) has possession of the ball in his team’s 21-0 victory over Lindenwood University. action throughout the day April 27. “Kids at that level have developed their skills and knowledge of the game and always put on some exciting games that show that high school lacrosse in the Knoxville area will continue to get stronger,” Mr. Ciaccia said. “Spectators who have been coming to Knights Cup games since the event started in 2016 have seen that the level of competition at the youth, middle school, and high school levels continues to get better every year,” Mr. Ciaccia added. “That’s a credit to the coaches of these teams who have worked hard over several years to build the sport in our community.” In addition to the level of competition, the crowds coming out to experience the lacrosse continue to get bigger every year. “We were pleased with the turnout this year and the enthusiasm that was exhibited throughout the three days,” Mr. Ciaccia said. “It’s not just parents coming out for their kids anymore. Fans are definitely coming out to these games and staying longer. High school coaches are coming out to scout the middle school kids, and the college coaches are sticking around to look for recruits. The Knights Cup has become a premier showcase event for lacrosse.” The winning teams were not the
only victors in the Knights Cup. “As great as it is to have an event like this in Knoxville, it is important to keep in mind that despite what’s on the scoreboard, the winners from these Knights Cup games are the children and families that will receive life-saving assistance from the Catholic Charities Office of Pregnancy Services as a result of all these student-athletes coming together to play lacrosse,” Mr. Ciaccia said. “The Knights issued a check for $12,000 to Catholic Charities to support the extraordinary work that Sandi Davidson and her staff, many of whom are volunteers, offer our community every day.” Knights Cup V is already scheduled. “Everyone in our community can go ahead and circle April 16-18, 2020, for the fifth annual Knights Cup Lacrosse Tournament,” Mr. Ciaccia said. “We are already lining up the high school and college teams that will be taking the field at Blaine Stadium, as the Knights Cup continues to grow as the only lacrosse event anywhere in the country that brings youth, middle school, high school boys and girls, and college teams together in one showcase event to promote this growing sport and provide muchneeded assistance to families in our community.” n
Battle for possession Keiser and Lindenwood players face off in their April 26 contest.
In the mouth of the goal The ball is loose in front of the net as Keiser looks to score against Lindenwood.
ROBIN RUDD
Boy, I wish our Church wasn’t growing so fast...
May crowning at basilica Children at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul take part in the parish’s May crowning devotion May 12 to honor the Blessed Mother.
How will we afford it?
Good thing we have the Catholic Foundation!
The COURTESY OF MARLENE YURICK
Catholic Foundation of East Tennessee invests in two essential needs for the Diocese of Knoxville
Seminarian Education and Land for New Churches Holy Trinity parishioners form a Prayer Chain for Life Father Patrick Resen and parishioners of Holy Trinity in Jefferson City, as well as members from other community churches, gathered for a Prayer Chain for Life on the street in front of the church March 30, in conjunction with the 40 Days for Life international campaign to end abortion. On April 5, church members prayed in front of Planned Parenthood in Knoxville. Stacy Dunn, director of the Knox County chapter of Tennessee Right to Life and vice president of the state organization of TRL, spoke to the Council of Catholic Women at Holy Trinity on April 8. TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C A T HO L I C
www.di o k no x .o rg
Helping to provide for a growing Church for 30 years!
Learn more @ GiveCFET.org or call John Deinhart @ (865) 584-3307
JUNE 2, 2019 n B7
Praying for Perspective
by George Valadie
Senior-class motto could be ‘Oh, the places you’ll go’ Graduates can never appreciate what that means until later, ‘a later that is still to come’
F
or a school principal such as myself, it’s impossible to ignore the opportunity to write about this season of graduations. It’s why we teachers do what we do. Be it the wee ones in kindergarten who sway their heads and swing their tassels or our own seniors who couldn’t wait to frisbee their caps to the ceiling, it doesn’t really matter; it’s the kind of day that keeps me doing what I do. There’s a mountain of work to make it all happen for sure. The flowers, the Mass, the music, the programs, the place, the time, the details. It’s the dedication of many that gets them across that stage. And that doesn’t begin to measure the years of effort involved to get them right to the edge of it. And there is a difference. I really loved this year’s group, though they’re not dissimilar to the classes before them. I’d love to tell you that they are in fact the greatest kids the world will ever see. That they’ve been perfect students. That they’ve been ideal role models for the younger ones still to follow. But then I’d be somewhere between lying and unfairly insulting the classes before them. But if we’ve got to turn them loose with the future of the planet at stake, I’d bet on these young people as giving us as good a chance as any. And I’d bet heavy. Still, teenagers can be strange creatures. The things you hope they get excited about, well, we’re usually wrong.
Some can already see their role in the world, but some will have roles the world has yet to envision. Some will be forced to battle what surely seems like an unfair share of life’s tragedies, while others will unexplainably be spared.
Except for this one day. In so many ways, they’re like the many before them who have finally arrived at this moment. They’re visibly excited, some almost giddy, torn between wanting to run out the door and fearful of what waits on the other side. For the ceremonies, most really are anxious to look nice, so much so that there’s always one who forgets to show up with cap or gown or both. For the processions, they really do want to turn the right way at the right time, though they could never seem to focus when we rehearsed. Somehow, right and left apparently get confusing once you’ve donned the cap and gown of accomplishment. And when I told them to line up alphabetically . . . well, it made me question the quality of the education we have given them. They worry they’ll confuse which of their hands to extend for the handshake and which should accept the diploma. And where did you say we should be? And what time do we need to be there? And except for their fear of tripping down the steps, there’s a look of confidence and accomplishment
Marriage Enrichment
in those eyes we didn’t see when they were freshmen. They feel ready; we feel proud. Like most senior classes, this year began with them asking permission to design a senior T-shirt with all 105 names on it. We always give them the go-ahead with but one caveat: make sure you keep it clean. They’re seniors, not saints. I don’t think it made this year’s final cut, too cliché for most, but someone always votes in favor of Dr. Seuss’s famous Oh, the Places You’ll Go. Copyright issues aside, I think that would have been the perfect choice. But I also know they can never appreciate now what such a motto might mean to them later. A later that is still to come. There’s the literal translation of his phrase. The one that ponders the geographical places of their future. After all, for four years they’ve come to the same place and parked in the same lot, littered the same locker, and walked down the same halls. They eat the same lunch while sitting at the same table—every day. But it’s time for them to get out and go to some of those new places; at least I know it’s time for them to go somewhere. And they will. Before the leaves even fall off the autumn trees, their lives will be so different. Their home will become a dorm, and their classroom will become a campus. But the man’s books were pure genius since this oft-quoted classic
was never intended to be merely about the “physical places” they might go. Eventually, some will find the one true love of their lives, and some will find more than one. Some can already see their role in the world, but some will have roles the world has yet to envision. Some will be forced to battle what surely seems like an unfair share of life’s tragedies, while others will unexplainably be spared. Some will question their God. Some will live for him. There’s no way to count— nor even imagine—the number of humans they will meet and how many of those will change them forever. Some will make a valiant effort to save their little corner of the world. Some will be in need of the saving. All in all, they’re incapable of even imagining all the places they will go. They’re just darn excited about going. And for that, I’m jealous. I mean, who among us wouldn’t want to wake up tomorrow with that very same feeling? Anticipating the unknown. Thrilled and anxious. Fearless and fearful. Elated to move out. Thrilled to move on. I mean honestly, when was the last time you felt just like that? Dear God—They always leave us, whether they’re ready or not. Whether we’re ready or not. Please let the places they go be good ones. Amen. ■ George Valadie is president of Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga.
by Marian Christiana
On long marriages—and a columnist’s retirement Many people are thanked for their efforts over the years to benefit marriage-support events
T
his article is going to have two parts to it. At first glance, they may not seem to fit together, but stick with me and I think that you will see the connection. The first section is about the 2019 longestmarried couple in the Diocese of Knoxville, and in the second section I will comment on my upcoming retirement at the end of June 2019. “Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, love is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails…” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. We have all heard this Scripture passage read many times at wedding ceremonies. It is a favorite of many brides and grooms because what is proclaimed is what we hope to experience in our marriages. In fact, we are counting on it! We all want our spouse to love us unconditionally. We hope to be able to love our spouse in the same fashion, but sometimes our “IFS” and “BUTS” sneak in because we are human and imperfect. Realizing our imperfections is a very good reason to have marriage mentors who can help us through the rough patches, similar patches that they have already lived through and have successfully navigated. A perfect example of a couple who have successfully navigated the ever-changing road of marriage is Emery and Millie Faulkner. The Faulkners are from Holy Trinity Parish in Jefferson City and will be celebrating their 71st wedding anniversary July 1. Here is a bit of history about the 2019 Diocese of Knoxville longestmarried couple. Mr. and Mrs. Faulkner met in elementary school in Mobile, Ala. They married while they were both still teenagers and moved to Florida after just a few years in Alabama. The Faulkners
B8 n JUNE 2, 2019
Ralph and I have met so many wonderful people through the diocese because of this job. We hope to see you as we start our travels in retirement, so we will not say goodbye. We will say thank you for your friendship and for your wise advice . . . lived in Florida for 46 years before back-to-back hurricanes caused them to move to Tennessee to live closer to their son. In addition to their son in East Tennessee, they have a daughter who lives in Virginia. They now enjoy four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The Faulkners are very happy in their adopted state and highly recommend it to other retirees. One of my favorite aspects of my job has been the opportunity to speak to so many couples who have enjoyed long-term marriages and ask them what advice they might want to convey to younger couples. The Faulkners agreed that couples should not take marriage lightly. Couples need to depend on each other and never give up. Mrs. Faulkner said that couples need God in their lives. She said that couples need “soul food” just as much as they need food for their table. This is very sound advice, and any couple who is struggling now could benefit from their sage words. Mentor couples do not need to be marriage counselors or marriage experts. They just need to be willing to share their love story with others but, most importantly, they need to be asked to share their story! I am quite sure we all know couples who have been happily married for a long time. Ask to sit down with them and listen to their love story. We can all benefit from understanding how other couples have navigated life’s challenges, and we can use their experiences to help enrich our own marriages. Writing about mentor couples brings me to the second part of my
article: my pending retirement. Working for this diocesan office, and getting to know so many wonderful couples who have said “yes” when asked to share their love story with others, has been a tremendous blessing for me and for my marriage. Through our various diocesan programs, many married men and women have shared their stories with engaged couples, married couples, and couples discerning marriage. Without question, all of these couples have benefited from these mentors’ generosity. Thank you is not a deep enough expression to describe my gratitude to these marriage leaders. They have forever changed my life by their love and support. In addition, I want to thank Bishop Richard F. Stika for his support of this office. In particular, I want to thank him for graciously celebrating the annual Marriage Masses and luncheons throughout the diocese. In the past 10 years, we have traveled to more than 27 parishes where the bishop has celebrated Mass and the renewal of each married couples’ marriage vows. After the Mass, he then joined the couples and their families at a luncheon where a hot lunch and wedding cake awaited them all. Many of the couples who have attended the celebrations have been married for 50 years and longer. The bishop has been so generous with his time, whether it was with the couples who had been married for decades or those who were just starting their married life. Over the years, this office has hosted a variety of marriage enrichment and marriage support events that would not have been possible without the gracious hospitality of our wonderful pastors. They have opened the door to their parish facilities for our use, tirelessly promoted the events, and, in some cases, helped present the program. Several pastors have even accompanied me to other parishes around the diocese to present specific marriage enrichment or marriage support programs.
www.di o k no x .o rg
I am forever grateful to all of our pastors and the support they have provided to this marriage ministry. For many years, the Chattanooga Deanery pastors took turns hosting the Picture of Love marriage preparation program. The weekend entails the setting up and tearing down of equipment, bringing in supplies, and providing meals. It has truly taken a village of volunteers to present the weekends. For the past five years, Father Manual Pérez has hosted all of the Picture of Love weekends at St. Stephen Parish. The facilities at St. Stephen’s are wonderful, and the staff has been fantastic to work with. They have made my job so much easier as I moved closer and closer to retirement age. The Unidos con Cristo marriage enrichment weekend for Hispanic couples could not have been possible without the steady guidance of Father Arthur Torres and the leadership of the team couples. Jose Fermin and Ana Cabrera have headed the leadership team since the inception of the program in 2017 along with Agustin and Veronica Ortega. Together, they helped to develop the curriculum, recruit additional team couples, visit parishes throughout the diocese to promote the weekend, and set up small-group communities at many parishes. Blanca Primm, director of the Office of Hispanic Ministry, has played an integral part in developing this ministry. Her collaboration has been invaluable. Another invaluable collaborator has been Deacon Tim Elliot, director of the Diaconate and Deacon Formation. He has facilitated the training of the diaconate in ministering with a family perspective. Through his guidance, the diaconate has been trained to be facilitators of the premarital inventory FOCCUS, (Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding, and Study) as well as Marriage First Responders and Declaration of Annulity case Marriage continued on page B9 TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C A TH OLI C
Thoughts and Prayers for the Faithful
by Bob Hunt
Is it important to me that my children be Catholic? Parents should ‘make it known’ to children ‘in word and deed that our faith is the most important part of our life’
J
une is the month for graduations and weddings, so it’s a natural time for parents to reflect with pride on their children’s accomplishments. It’s a good time, too, to consider how we as Catholic parents are doing in raising our children in the faith. The Church provides many opportunities and resources for the education and formation of children, so much so that it may be tempting for us parents to forget that the primary responsibility for the faith formation of a child belongs to us. Is it important to me that my children be Catholic? Do I want my children to have a relationship with Christ and His Church? If the answer to that question is no, you can stop reading now. This article isn’t for you. But, if the answer is yes, if it’s your desire that your children experience the joy, comfort, and power of God’s saving grace won for us by Christ and poured out to us through the sacraments of the Church, then I have a few recommendations for how we can increase the likelihood (notice I said, “increase the likelihood”—there are no guarantees!) that the children we bring to church will grow up to be adults who continue to live the faith of our fathers after they’ve flown from the nest.
Weekday readings
Here are five recommendations for every Catholic family: 1. Attend Mass every Sunday and holy day. Yes, every Sunday and every holy day. Our relationship with God is central to our lives and necessary for our salvation. We cannot have a relationship with someone with whom we have little contact. For Catholics, contact with God means Mass on Sundays. Holy days are important because they often fall during the week, requiring an extra bit of sacrifice to attend. As such, attending holy days offers a witness to our children of the priority of the faith even when practicing is not so convenient. 2. Pray together as a family. Father Patrick Peyton, the Rosary Priest, was famous for coining the phrase “The family that prays together stays together.” For many Catholic families, family prayer is limited to grace over meals. Even recited slowly, it only takes about nine sec-
onds. I think most of us realize that nine seconds of family prayer isn’t going to prepare our children for living the faith in the modern world. Family prayer doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as reading the Gospel of the day and offering the prayers of the Church together. However you do it, pray together as a family. 3. Study the faith. We don’t have to be experts or theologians, but it is important that our children know that we take the faith seriously and that we can help them answer basic questions about the faith. Being available to our children for questions about the faith can have the added benefit of increasing communication with them on other aspects of life, building a relationship where your children feel comfortable talking with you about anything. 4. Go to confession. You know we need to, anyway, and doing so will set a great example for your children. The life of the sacraments is essential to Catholic life. While you’re at it, make sure your children are baptized and confirmed and, if your marriage is not consecrated in the Church, speak with your priest about arranging for that. The sacraments are the ordinary ways God pours out His grace to us. God can touch our lives
in many ways, but in the sacraments we know He does so, so there’s that extra level of confidence that we have encountered God here. 5. Find some way to serve. Both individually and as a family, service helps kids realize that life is not all about them and that our lives are more joyful and meaningful when lived for others. Love begins at home, but it’s not meant to stay there. Service projects don’t have to be world-changing or involve extraordinary time commitments, but it’s important to do something. Parishes often have multiple opportunities to serve. Get involved for the sake of others. The most important thing we parents can do for the faith formation of our children is make it known to them in word and deed that our faith is the most important part of our life. St. Paul encouraged the Corinthians, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). It should be our goal as Catholic parents to be able to say the same to our children. Be Christ for all. Bring Christ to all. See Christ in all. ■
Psalm 104:1-2, 24, 35, 27-30; Romans 8:22-27; John 7:37-39; extended vigil for Pentecost, Genesis 11:1-9; Psalm 33:10-15; Exodus 19:3-8, 16-20; Daniel 3:52-56; Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 107:2-9; Joel 3:1-5; Psalm 104:1-2, 24, 35, 27-30; Romans 8:22-27; John 7:37-39 Sunday, June 9: Pentecost Sunday, Acts 2:1-11; Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-31, 34; 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13; John 20:19-23 Monday, June 10: 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, June 11: Memorial of St. Barnabas, apostle, Acts 11:21-26 and 12:1-3; Psalm 98:1-6; Matthew 5:13-16 Wednesday, June 12: 2 Corinthians 3:4-11; Psalm 99:5-9; Matthew 5:17-19 Thursday, June 13: Memorial of St. Anthony of Padua, priest and doctor of the Church, 2 Corinthians 3:15-4:1 and 4:3-6; Psalm 85:9-14; Matthew 5:20-26 Friday, June 14: 2 Corinthians 4:715; Psalm 116:10-11, 15-18; Matthew
5:27-32 Saturday, June 15: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21;Psalm 103:1-4, 9-12; Matthew 5:33-37 Sunday, June 16: The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, Proverbs 8:22-31; Psalm 8:4-9; Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15 Monday, June 17: 2 Corinthians 6:110; Psalm 98:1-4; Matthew 5:38-42 Tuesday, June 18: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9; Psalm 146:2, 5-9; Matthew 5:43-48 Wednesday, June 19: 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Psalm 112:1-4, 9; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 Thursday, June 20: 2 Corinthians 1:1-11; Psalm 111:1-4, 7-8; Matthew 6:7-15 Friday, June 21: Memorial of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, religious, 2 Corinthians 11:18, 21-30; Psalm 34:2-7; Matthew 6:19-23 Saturday, June 22: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10; Psalm 34:8-13; Matthew 6:24-34 Sunday, June 23: The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Genesis 14:18-20; Psalm 110:1-4; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Luke
9:11-17; vigil for the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, Jeremiah 1:4-10; Psalm 71:1-6, 15, 17; 1 Peter 1:8-12; Luke 1:5-17 Monday, June 24: Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, Isaiah 49:1-6; Psalm 139:1-3, 13-15; Acts 13:22-26; Luke 1:57-66, 80 Tuesday, June 25: Genesis 13:2, 5-18; Psalm 15:2-5; Matthew 7:6, 12-14 Wednesday, June 26: Genesis 15:112, 17-18; Psalm 105:1-4, 6-9; Matthew 7:15-20 Thursday, June 27: Genesis 16:112, 15-16; Psalm 106:1-5; Matthew 7:21-29 Friday, June 28: Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Ezekiel 34:11-16; Psalm 23:1-6; Romans 5:5-11; Luke 15:3-7; vigil for Sts. Peter and Paul solemnity, Acts 3:1-10; Psalm 19:2-5; Galatians 1:11-20; John 21:15-19 Saturday, June 29: Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, apostles, Acts 12:111; Psalm 34:2-9; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18; Matthew 16:13-19 Sunday, June 30: 1 Kings 19:16, 1921; Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11; Galatians 5:1, 13-18; Luke 9:51-62 n
Marriage continued from page B8
ries for my articles and helped me with presentations on marriage enrichment topics. Their love, support, and prayers have been a large part of this ministry. Our children have moved away from Tennessee, and when they did, I started recruiting my siblings for help. They always thought they were coming to Tennessee for a vacation, but inevitably, they were put to work. I do not know who is looking more forward to my retirement, my family or me! Ralph and I have met so many wonderful people throughout the diocese because of this job. We hope to see you as we start our travels in retirement, so we will not say goodbye. We will say thank you for your friendship and for your wise advice as we enter this next step of our marriage journey. Until we meet again, remember, “Love never fails.” ■
The Church provides many opportunities and resources for the education and formation of children, so much so that it may be tempting for us parents to forget that the primary responsibility for the faith formation of a child belongs to us.
ROBIN RUDD
Saturday, June 1: Memorial of St. Justin, martyr, Acts 18:23-28; Psalm 47:2-3, 8-10; John 16:23-28 Sunday, June 2: Acts 7:55-60; Psalm 97:1-2, 6-7, 9; Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20; John 17:20-26; the Ascension of the Lord, Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47:2-3, 6-9; Ephesians 1:17-23; Luke 24:46-53 Monday, June 3: Memorial of St. Charles Lwanga and companions, martyrs, Acts 19:1-8; Psalm 68:2-7; Colossians 3:1; John 16:29-33 Tuesday, June 4: Acts 20:17-27; Psalm 68:10-11, 20-21; John 17:1-11 Wednesday, June 5: Memorial of St. Boniface, bishop and martyr, Acts 20:28-38; Psalm 68:29-30, 33-36; John 17:11-19 Thursday, June 6: Acts 22:30 and 23:6-11; Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11; John 17:20-26 Friday, June 7: Acts 25:13-21; Psalm 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20; John 21:15-19 Saturday, June 8: Acts 28:16-20, 3031; Psalm 11:4-5, 7; John 21:20-25; vigil for Pentecost, Genesis 11:1-9;
COURTESY OF MARLENE YURICK
Easter vigil at the basilica Father David Carter (with microphone), rector, presides at the Easter vigil at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga. Sixty people received sacraments of initiation, and nearly 900 attended.
Parishioners pray at Planned Parenthood Members of Holy Trinity Parish in Jefferson City, St. Thomas the Apostle in Lenoir City, Our Lady of Fatima in Alcoa, Holy Ghost in Knoxville, and other community churches joined Father Patrick Resen and Pastor Cecil Clark (above, middle) of True Vine Baptist Church in prayer and witness at Planned Parenthood in Knoxville on April 5 in conjunction with the 40 Days for Life international campaign to end abortion. TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C A T HO L I C
workers. I cannot retire without thanking Karen Byrne, who is an assistant to the Office of Marriage Preparation and Enrichment. Karen has kept us organized, created publicity for our events, and guided people who have called into the office on many different topics. She was the voice of reason when I started overextending myself. She has helped to host our events, celebrated our successes, and helped me through some disappointing failures. She is really the backbone of this office. Karen has a great sense of humor, and we have had a blast working together. She has been a true blessing to me and to the diocese. I would be remiss if my last article did not thank my husband, Ralph; my children, Patrick, Madeleine, and Marie; and my siblings. They have all helped carry supplies, set up and attended events, and then taken it all down when things were finished. I am grateful that my family has provided me with many sto-
Bob Hunt is a husband, father, and parishioner at All Saints Church in Knoxville.
Marian Christiana is coordinator of the diocesan Marriage Preparation and Enrichment Office.
Zingheims celebrating 60th anniversary
S
t. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fairfield Glade congratulates Frank and Ann Zingheim for their 60th-wedding-anniversary celebration June 6. They were married at St. Bernardine Church in Forest Park, Ill., with Father Edward Schriber officiating. The Zingheims’ children are: F.
www.di o k no x .o rg
Scott (deceased) and Katherine Casey Zingheim of Fairfield Glade. They retired from IBM in Chicago and moved to the Glade in 1997. They will celebrate their 60th anniversary by being grateful they are alive and eating great foods. They enjoy volunteering for NAMI-Tennessee, reading, and napping in a comfortable chair. n JUNE 2, 2019 n B9
CONGRATULATIONS
MAY JUNE WINNERS
OF THE 2019 SCHOLARS LEADERS SAINTS CALENDAR RAFFLE
MAY 1 | Father Ron Franco
JUN 1 | Gary Rominger
MAY 2 | Susan Clancy
JUN 2 | Kathryn Enge
Immaculate Conception Church
Purchased from Diocese of Knoxville website
St. Joseph School
St. Mary School – Oak Ridge
MAY 3 | Vivian Ebeo
JUN 3 | Robin Crook
St. Mary School – Johnson City
Knoxville Catholic High School
MAY 4 | Johnny Schaad
JUN 4 | Robert Kidwell Jr.
Sacred Heart Cathedral School
Notre Dame High School
MAY 5 | Molly Deuschle
JUN 5 | Cathy Sompayrac
Knoxville Catholic High School
St. Joseph School
MAY 6 | Tony Herreth
JUN 6 | Jorg Heger
St. Jude School
MAY 7 | Erik & Elizabeth McGann Notre Dame High School
MAY 8 | Linda Bivens
Our Lady of Fatima Church St. Joseph School
MAY 9 | Molly Fleming
JUN 9 | Steven Koronka
St. Joseph School
Purchased from Diocese of Knoxville website
MAY 10 | Mary Pat Haywood
JUN 10 | William F. Worlock Jr.
Notre Dame High School
St. Dominic School
MAY 11 | Peggy Buchanan
JUN 11 | Jorge & Catherine Oliver
Notre Dame High School
Notre Dame High School
MAY 12 | Laura Kress
JUN 12 | Tracy Pesut
Knoxville Catholic High School
Purchased from Diocese of Knoxville website
MAY 13 | Marcelle Riddle
JUN 13 | Ware Family
St. Jude School
Knoxville Catholic High School
MAY 14 | Bernadette Simpson
JUN 14 | Alfred Burzese
St. Dominic School
St. Stephen Church
MAY 15 | Dorothy Osborne
JUN 15 | Andrea Meadows
St. Dominic School
|
JUN 7 | Lillian Bray
JUN 8 | Mike & Carol Conner
St. Mary School – Oak Ridge
St. Joseph School
MAY 16 | Victor P. Chargualaf
JUN 16 | Joe O’Brien
St. Albert the Great Church
Knoxville Catholic High School
MAY 17 | Jackie Stagnolia
JUN 17 | Jeanne Kniedler
Holy Ghost Church
St. Dominic School
MAY 18 | Chantal Deichert
JUN 18 | Joseph Sniezek
St. John Neumann School
St. Patrick Church
MAY 19 | Michael DePollo Sr.
JUN 19 | Patricia Cupp
St. Dominic School
Knoxville Catholic High School
MAY 20 | Father John Dowling
JUN 20 | Linda Hancock
St. Joseph School
Knoxville Catholic High School
MAY 21 | Sean Bentley
JUN 21 | Lauri Moncla
Our Lady of Perpetual Help School
St. Dominic School
MAY 22 | Suzann Stock
JUN 22 | Tyler Walker
St. Albert the Great Church
St. Joseph School
MAY 23 | Daniel Rouse
Purchased from the Diocese of Knoxville website
MAY 24 | Susie Millard
Our Lady of Perpetual Help School
MAY 25 | Audrey & Nicholas Forness St. Albert the Great Church
MAY 26 | Dayne Nussman
JUN 23 | Colleen Combs Notre Dame High School
JUN 24 | Robert Dusky Knoxville Catholic High School
JUN 25 | Bryan & Cathy Johnson St. Joseph School
JUN 26 | Don Dally
St. Dominic School
Knoxville Catholic High School
MAY 27 | Caroline Zengel
JUN 27 | John T. Sweeney
St. Joseph School
St. Mary School – Oak Ridge
St. Mary School – Oak Ridge
Purchased from Diocese of Knoxville website
MAY 28 | St. Mary School – Oak Ridge MAY 29 | Kirsten Hutchins
JUN 28 | Andrea Gentile JUN 29 | Betsy Fleming
St. Dominic School
St. Joseph School
MAY 30 | Johnny Schaad
JUN 30 | Dan McWilliams
Sacred Heart Cathedral School
Purchased from Diocese of Knoxville website
MAY 31 | Tabacjar Family
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
Knoxville Catholic High School
B10 n JUNE 2, 2019
Our Lady of Perpetual Help School
This year, calendar sales raised more than $100,000 for tuition assistance for our 10 schools.
www.di o k no x .o rg
TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C A TH OLI C
Catholic youth
Notre Dame High School announces Laura Swenson as its new academic dean
Laura M. Swenson and political science from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa., and a master’s degree in education from the University of St. Joseph (West Hartford, Conn.). Before her teaching career, Mrs. Swenson served eight years as an intelligence officer and analyst for the Central Intelligence Agency, where she earned recognition for exceptional performance during international conflict. She has been published in the professional journal “The Reading Teacher” and is a reviewer for “Teaching for High Potential.” She is a member of the Catholic Church and is married to Steve Swenson; they have two sons: David will be studying in Spain on a Fulbright Scholarship, and Matthew is a sophomore at Northeastern University in Boston. n
COURTESY OF LAURA GOODHARD
DR. KELLY KEARSE
N
otre Dame High School president George Valadie has named Laura M. Swenson as the school’s new dean of academic affairs effective July 1. “You don’t have to spend very much time with Laura before you’re caught up in her enthusiasm for young people, her fellow teachers, and the idea of not standing still,” Mr. Valadie said. “She’s already been researching our students’ online suggestions for elective and extracurricular possibilities with an eye to what we might offer in the future.” “I’m thankful that Pat Landry [outgoing academic dean] is going to remain a part of our staff for one more year. His willingness to be a resource for Laura will help tremendously. Many good things have happened during his tenure, but it’s also going to be exciting to see where we go next,” Mr. Valadie added. Mrs. Swenson comes to Notre Dame with 23 years in the field of education, most recently serving the West Hartford (Conn.) public school system. For most of that time, she has also served as an educational consultant providing workshops for faculty as well as tutoring kindergarten through college-level students. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in Russian/Soviet studies
KCHS and NDHS celebrate graduation Caps fly into the air as Knoxville Catholic High School (top) on May 18 and Notre Dame High School (bottom) on May 19 celebrate graduation for their seniors. A total of 157 from KCHS received their diplomas at Blaine Stadium, while 105 graduated from NDHS in a ceremony at McKenzie Arena.
N
TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C A T HO L I C
Pen to paper Rece Harpst of KCHS, with mom Wendy Harpst alongside, signs with Chattanooga State Community College in baseball.
KCHS holds Spring Athletic Signing Day
K Dusty M. Gunn was an assistant football coach for six years at Camden County High School in Kingsland, Ga., during which time they won back-toback Georgia AAAAA state titles, earned a third trip to the Final Four, and captured the honor of Team of the Decade as named by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He previously served as PE teacher and associate athletic director at St. James School in Frederick, Md. Additional experience includes his having worked with Team SPARC, a national sports agency identifying and developing athletes for the National Football League. His military service includes serving four years in the U.S. Coast Guard. Mr. Gunn earned a bachelor of arts degree in history from the University of Maryland and a master’s in sport science from the U.S. Sports Academy, with extensive postgraduate hours in special education from Valdosta State University. In the business arena, he served four years as executive director of two different senior health-care living facilities, during which time his facility was named Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year. n
noxville Catholic High School held its Spring Athletic Signing Day on May 8 in the gymnasium. Fourteen student athletes signed letters of intent that will chart their academic and athletic careers. Family, friends, and coaches joined the students as they formally committed to their colleges and universities. The following were recognized during the ceremony: • Kelsey Craighead: Randolph Macon College, swimming • Emma Kochanowski: Berry College, women’s soccer • Max Suchomski: Mount St. Joseph University, football • Adam Jones: Central Michigan University, football • Raynoch Thompson: College of Dupage Community College, football • Xavier Story: College of Dupage Community College, football • Cooper Whitt: Northeast Community College, baseball
• Nick Mackle: Asbury College, baseball • Rece Harpst: Chattanooga State Community College, baseball • Alex DiFelice: Chattanooga State Community College, baseball • Chris Arbuthnot: Maryville College, baseball • Adelaide Moulton: U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School, rowing • Adler Bain: University of Tennessee, cheerleading • Michael Ray: Gardner Webb University, golf These 14 join four other studentathletes who signed commitments this school year: • Jake Renfree: University of Notre Dame, cross country/track • Kathryn Cullen: Berry College, tennis • Olivia Cunningham: East Tennessee State University, volleyball • Alena Aucker: University of Oregon, tumbling and acrobatics. n
COURTESY OF KIMBERLY TURNMIRE
otre Dame High School president George Valadie has named Dusty M. Gunn as the school’s new director of athletic affairs effective July 1. “We were blessed to have had a remarkable list of exceptional and really qualified applicants for this position,” Mr. Valadie said, “but we believe Mr. Gunn is the perfect fit for our school and this position. Not only does he have significant experience in athletic administration but in corporate administration as well.” “Matt [outgoing athletic director Matt Pobieglo] is going to be hugely missed here. So we were looking to find an individual who would sustain and build on the program that he is leaving,” Mr. Valadie added. “Mr. Gunn has been a high school classroom teacher, a coach, and a mentor to students in need. We believe his talents and experiences, combined with the incredible coaching ‘team’ that Matt has put in place, will lead and represent our program in the best traditions of Notre Dame High School. “I don’t know how he’s found the time, but Dusty also paints, draws, and is a published children’s author. I’m really excited to see what lies ahead.” Mr. Gunn comes to Notre Dame from having most recently served as executive director and athletic director for the United Team Sports Center Foundation in Athens, Ga., where he managed a 40,000-squarefoot facility constructed to provide a space for after-school and summer activities. He not only coached young people there but also wrote grants and developed a Leadership Academy for area at-risk student athletes. A former scholarship quarterback at Valdosta State University, he has taught social studies and
DR. KELLY KEARSE
Notre Dame High names Dusty Gunn as its new director of athletic affairs
Scouting awards presented at All Saints Seven Boy Scouts received their Ad Altare Dei, and one Cub Scout was awarded his Light of Christ in a religious-emblems presentation at All Saints Church in Knoxville during the 8:15 a.m. Mass on April 28. From left are (front) Martin Vargas, Kimberly Turnmire, Jared Radabaugh, Carter Harris, Owen Brewer, Michael Stapleton, and Father Adam Kane and (back) Luke Gensheimer, Aiden Brewer, Matthew Radabaugh, and Jax Turnmire.
w ww.di o k no x .o rg
JUNE 2, 2019 n B11
Catholic youth
NDHS to present Alumni Awards to two
COURTESY OF DARCY WELCH
KCHS hosts Academic Signing Day On May 13, Knoxville Catholic High School hosted a “Class of 2019 Academic Signing Day” event in the gym. This event honored those students who have been offered academic scholarships covering all of their tuition and fees at the college where they plan to attend next fall. From left are (front row) Paul Velas, University of Tennessee, and three students bound for the University of Alabama: Emre Flomberg, Cady Kupfner, and Olivia Ricche; (middle row) Emily Allen, UT; Riley Belt, Belmont University; Laura Daffron, East Tennessee State University; and Charlotte Daigle, Middle Tennessee State University; and (back row) Lucy Moore, Alex Carter, Liza Barre, and Matthew Valderrama, each of whom is going to UT; and Rachel Coco, St. Louis University. Not pictured is Adelaide Moulton, U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School.
Golf standouts St. Mary School boys and girls who competed in postseason play include (from left, first row) Hunter Hinton, Wesley Alig, Luke Cheadle, Emily Corbett, Emmaline Estep, and Mia Wiest; and (second row) Brock Schoenthaler, Joshua Luttrell, and Michael Waltman. In the third row are coach Scott Dempsey and assistant coach Sean Parton. Not pictured are Parker Sorah, Sarah Duhamel, and Isabella Zolnierczuk.
St. Mary-Oak Ridge golfers finish strong
T
The girls team took second in the Region 1 tournament at Oak Ridge Country Club and advanced to the state tourney as a team, yet another first for any St. Mary team. Wesley Alig and Hunter Hinton were among the top five boys individuals for the tournament and qualified for the state tourney. The St. Mary School community continues to be grateful for the Oak Ridge Country Club and its staff for allowing the school to use the course as the SMS golf team home course for practices and matches as well as hosting the regional tournament. n
DAN MCWILLIAMS
he golf team at St. Mary School in Oak Ridge competed in the state tournament at Avalon Country Club on May 14, concluding an exceptional year. The boys team tied for first during the District 1 Tournament at The Greens of Deerfield in LaFollette. They ultimately took second place after losing on the third hole of a team playoff. The girls team took first place overall, a first for any St. Mary team. Wesley Alig recorded a first-place finish individually, and Emmaline Estep placed third individually.
KATHY RANKIN
Region V youth directors meet in Knoxville Diocesan directors of youth and young-adult ministry from Region V, composed of five states, three provinces, and 18 dioceses, gathered in the Diocese of Knoxville from May 7-9 to revise and vote on bylaws, learn about the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Christus Vivit (Christ is Alive), review the Region V ethnicity report, and enjoy a guided historical walk about Catholicism in Knoxville.
Kids’ Walk offers afternoon of fun The 21st annual Catholic Charities Kids’ Walk & Fun Fest on April 28 was a day of family fun for a great cause. The afternoon included a walk around the track at Knoxville Catholic High School, plus a family fun fest featuring inflatables, games, and prizes; a performance by the Mount LeConte Jug Band; and complimentary refreshments. This event annually brings in between 700-1,000 participants, including children ages 5-18 and their parents. B12 n JUNE 2, 2019
Bill Rosemann
John Mullin continues to manage and lead the Spring Golf Tournament, a fundraiser for the NDHS football and wrestling programs. He serves and maintains all Notre Dame properties outside of the Vermont Avenue campus. He supports all Notre Dame events, including fundraisers, banquets, and school functions, with his valuable operations skills. “Each year our faculty bestows an award known as ‘The Heart of Notre Dame,’ which John deservedly won in 2016, adding his name to a long list of some very inspiring and dedicated faculty members—past and present. But I’d hate to imagine—or do without—the wealth of Notre Dame knowledge he carries in his head; it’s matched only by his dedication to the people of the Notre Dame family,” said NDHS president George Valadie ’71. Mr. Mullin has been a dedicated member in a variety of worthwhile events and organizations in the city of Lakesite, where he resides. As a resident of his community, he has been active as a board member of the Lakesite Recreation Club and in the operation of the community pool for more than 15 years. He is the son of Bob and Jeannine Mullin, who have been supporters of Notre Dame for more than 40 years. John and his wife, Margaret, are proud parents of a Notre Dame alum, Marlee ’16. He is part of his family’s legacy, including sister Kim ’78; brothers David ’81 and Chris ’85; nephews Grayson ’11, Patrick ’15, and Luke ’16; and nieces Alexandra ’11, Sophia ’12, and Gaby ’15. A few years back Mr. Mullin was recognized for 30 years of service to NDHS. Mr. Valadie stated to the faculty and staff: “What would we do without him.” n
COURTESY OF KATHLEEN ETHERTON PRESTON
PAM RHOADES
N
otre Dame High School in Chattanooga recently announced its 2019 Alumni Awards, which will be presented Thursday, July 25. Bill Rosemann ’89 was named the Distinguished Alumnus Award winner, and John Mullin ’79 won the Jim Phifer Service Award. Mr. Rosemann has been a member of the Marvel family for more than two decades. Beginning as a reporter for Marvel Age magazine, he has enjoyed stints as a copywriter, “Your Man @ Marvel” secret blogger, marketing manager, comic book writer, comic book editor, and Spider-Man balloon wrangler in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. In 2008, in addition to his editing numerous monthly comic book series such as Black Panther, Avengers Academy, Ms. Marvel, War Machine, and Black Widow, Mr. Rosemann led a team of writers and artists to reimagine The Guardians of the Galaxy, which inspired a global franchise celebrated in film, animation, video games, consumer products, and theme-park attractions. As a brand ambassador, Mr. Rosemann has spread Marvel’s history of positive social impact via inspirational talks at numerous universities and corporations, including Apple’s 2016 Worldwide Developers Conference. Now vice president and creative director for Marvel Games, Mr. Rosemann uses his knowledge of and passion for the House of Ideas to not only collaborate with worldwide partners on a growing library of video games, including the blockbuster hit “Marvel’s Spider-Man,” but also to grow the next generation of True Believers. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and lives in California with his wife, casting director Ali Farrell, and their 10 yearold son (and fellow video-game enthusiast), Peter. “Bill was one of several outstanding nominations for this award, and we are proud to recognize his accomplishments. He is a fantastic representative of Notre Dame and her commitment to students and their success far beyond high school,” said Anne Wehunt ’86, Alumni Council president. Mr. Mullin has been a staff member of Notre Dame for 36 years, beginning in 1983 when he was hired by Jim Phifer to teach in the science department. In 2000, then-principal Perry Storey asked Mr. Mullin to move from the classroom and assume his current role as the dean of students. Mr. Mullin has led the school’s wrestling program as an assistant and head coach for more than 30 years, recently retiring in 2016. Among the many accomplishments of his coaching tenure are three different state duals championship teams as well as his being part of 22 individual state championships. Individual champions and place winners include his brothers David and Chris and his nephews Grayson, Packy, and Luke. In 2016, Notre Dame named the Wrestling Center in the Varallo Athletics Center in his honor. Since retiring as a coach, he
St. Jude School receives $250 from Mathnasium center Mathnasium of Hixson recently presented St. Jude School in Chattanooga with a check for $250 to support its Math/STREAM program. A portion of the money will be used to create a garden in the outdoor classroom. Students will be in charge of all of the planting and participate in a variety of observations and experiments. Shown at the presentation are, from left, principal Jamie Goodhard, Alysha Ho, STREAM instructor Cathy Czarnecki, Mae Mae Powe, math instructor Andrew Barnett, Jack Shutters, Cadin Fischer, middle school math instructor Joe Thoni, and Mark Watlington, Mathnasium center director.
www.di o k no x .o rg
TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C A TH OLI C