June 4, 2017, ET Catholic, B section

NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE OF KNOXVILLE

B section

Pregnancy center dedicated in Newcomb Cardinal Justin Rigali blesses the new Catholic Charities facility, located in the Crazy Quilt Friendship Center

DAN MCWILLIAMS

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A center for northern Campbell County John Deinhart, director of Stewardship and Strategic Planning for the diocese, delivers a reading at the Pregnancy Help Center blessing in Newcomb. With him are (from left) Esther Loudin, the center’s director; Sandi Davidson, Pregnancy Services Program leader for Catholic Charities of East Tennessee; Sister Mary Christine Cremin, RSM, executive director of CCETN; and Cardinal Justin Rigali. today.”

The cardinal added that “each and every mother who will benefit will praise God for the help that is given to her. All of this is our prayer, and we offer it up to God, and we ask His help so that this beautiful project begun may continue for years to come and that all these children, all these mothers, all these families, and all these children of God will be able to fulfill their great destiny in this world.”

The Newcomb pregnancy center

DAN MCWILLIAMS

atholic Charities’ new Pregnancy Help Center in Newcomb fulfills a great need in a northern Campbell County area where expectant moms are often plagued by poverty and drug addiction.

Cardinal Justin Rigali blessed the new facility on his 82nd birthday April 19. Among those on hand were Sister Mary Christine Cremin, RSM, executive director of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee; Sandi Davidson, Pregnancy Services Program leader for CCETN; and Esther Loudin, director of the Newcomb and LaFollette pregnancy centers.

The Newcomb center is in the Crazy Quilt Friendship Center, half of which is occupied by a food pantry and half by the pregnancy center. The pregnancy center half includes a store with baby clothes, diapers, and many other items.

Sister Mary Christine thanked the Newcomb center’s benefactors before Cardinal Rigali blessed the building with holy water.

“It’s a real privilege for me to be part of this today, because we think that this house here really is an expression of the presence of God in this community,” Cardinal Rigali said. “All the generosity that has led up to this day makes it possible for this new center to fulfill its purpose.

And its purpose is the purpose of service. Given that purpose, which is so noble and so high and so beautiful, that certainly is accompanied by the presence of God with us

In conversation Cardinal Rigali talks with Dr. Geogy Thomas, medical director of the Dayspring Family Health Center, at the pregnancy center blessing.

is CCETN’s fifth, to go along with the ones in Knoxville, Johnson City, Chattanooga, and LaFollette.

The Newcomb center, while in the same county as the one in LaFollette, saves area moms a more than 40-minute drive over the mountain to the center in LaFollette.

Ms. Davidson said the Newcomb center is partnering with a doctor’s office and a drug rehabilitation facility.

“Hopefully it will be a support for those drug-addicted moms and for the community in general, to help them with the supplies and education that they need to be good parents and to learn about their pregnancy and to hopefully give them the tools they need to move forward in their lives,” she said.

The new center had its origins some one-and-a-half years ago with Dr. Geogy Thomas, medical director of the Dayspring Family Health Center, which has offices in Jellico (near Newcomb) and Clairfield, Tenn., and in Williamsburg, Ky. “It started with Geogy Thomas from the Dayspring clinic talking to Sister Mary Christine about the need for support for the drug-addicted moms, because he was seeing more and more in his clinic all the time,” Ms. Davidson said. “He actually gives out these little teddy bears with a heartbeat to help the moms

By Dan McWilliams

understand that they are carrying a baby. They partnered with the drugrehab place to help the women get off drugs before their babies were born.

“It’s taken us about a year and a half to get up the funds and get the community support, because it’s a small community and they have a hard time trusting people because there are so many things that have come and gone from this area. Once we told them what our plan was, they said, yes, there was definitely a need for this type of program, but also they were a little hesitant to get behind us at first, and then when they saw that we were progressing with it, the community has been a great source of support for us.”

There is only one small Catholic parish, St. Boniface in Jellico, in the area, but the Newcomb center has ecumenical support.

“It’s not about Catholic or Protestant; it’s about helping women and helping babies, changing the future generations for this community,” Ms. Davidson said.

“Newcomb Baptist Church has already helped us with doing babybottle drives, and there are several other churches in the area that know about the program and are familiar with it and are wanting to get on board with helping with different things,” Ms. Loudin said.

Sister Mary Christine said there “most certainly is” ecumenical support for the new center.

“Catholics in this part of the state are few and far between, and so while initial funding has come from very generous donations within the Catholic community, the local community here and local churches here are willing to have baby-bottle drives. They are very open to the fact of wanting to support in whatever way they can.”

Ms. Loudin said that “we’ve never had anything like this [pregnancy center] in the community.

“This is going to be a way for us to work with pregnant moms and dads and families to help them become better parents and educate them on what to expect during pregnancy and after the baby is delivered.”

Drug addiction is a problem many new moms face in the Newcomb area.

Pregnancy center continued on page B6

Bishop celebrates final Chrism Mass at current cathedral

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ishop Richard F. Stika made an important announcement in his opening remarks at the 2017 Chrism Mass on April 11 at Sacred Heart Cathedral.

“This is a very special time in our diocese,” he said. “This will be the last time we gather together in this current cathedral to celebrate the Chrism Mass.”

With the new cathedral rising outside, more than 60 priests, more than 36 deacons, a large number of women religious as well as seminarians, seminary candidates, Knights of Columbus, and a few hundred of the faithful from throughout the diocese came together for the 29th and final Chrism Mass at the present cathedral. The new cathedral will be dedicated March 3, 2018.

A packed Sacred Heart, lined with banners from parishes old and new, saw the bishop consecrate the holy oils that will be used in churches throughout the year and witnessed

the diocese’s shepherd as he heard the priests renew their vows of priestly service as they do every year at the annual Chrism Mass.

Bishop Stika consecrated an extra amount of sacred chrism this year because it will be needed for the dedication of the new cathedral.

Concelebrants at the Chrism Mass included Cardinal Justin Rigali, host rector Father David Boettner, and diocesan deans Father Charlie Burton, Father Doug Owens, Father Mike Cummins, and Father Ron Franco, CSP. The deacon of the Word was Christopher Floersh, who was ordained a priest on June 3. Freddy Vargas was deacon of the Eucharist. Seminarians and seminary candidates served at the altar.

Bishop Stika said the Chrism Mass was “also kind of a sad time,” as he spoke of absent friends: Monsignor Xavier Mankel, one of the diocese’s vicars general, who was recovering from hip surgery while also battling

By Dan McWilliams

DAN MCWILLIAMS

Calling it ‘a very special time in our diocese,’ he welcomes more than 60 priests to the annual Holy Week liturgy

Holy moment Bishop Stika breathes over the sacred chrism, praying that the Holy Spirit be present in the oil. Deacon Freddy Vargas watches at right. the effects of a stroke, and the late Monsignor George Schmidt and Father Joe Campbell, who passed away in recent months.

“Monsignor Mankel is not here,” the bishop said. “So it’s kind of sad that he’s not with us, but he assures Chrism Mass continued on page B6

Parish notes

Parish youth held a car-wash fundraiser May 28.

The Pregnancy Help Center thanked parishioners for their recent gift of $380 from a baby-bottle fundraiser.

St. John Neumann, Farragut Youth sold doughnuts after weekend Masses on May 6 and 7 to raise funds to attend this year’s National Catholic Youth Conference.

St. Mary, Athens A brunch was held June 2 to honor pastor Father Randy Stice’s 10th anniversary of ordination. Father Stice was ordained June 2, 2007.

The parish recognized its graduating seniors: Caelan Paul, Lissette Silva, Anibal Vargas, Armando Vargas, Sarah Frank, Alejandro Jaimes, Wendy Carrillo, and Ydalisa Munoz.

St. Mary Education Scholarships for 2017-18 have been awarded to Miguel Silva, Lissette Silva, Caelan Paul, Cabrina Pascarella, Hailey Parente, Juan Sandoval, Carson Ford, Jasmine Morris, and Bethany Hembree Sts. Peter and Paul, Chattanooga Spanish-speaking religious education students are preparing to receive first Holy Communion at the 1:30 p.m.

Mass on the solemnity of Corpus Christi, Sunday, June 18, immediately following the basilica’s Corpus Christi procession at 1 p.m. that day. The basilica’s nearly 60 first communicants will take part in this annual eucharistic procession, and all Catholics are invited to join.

Vacation Bible school will be offered for children ages pre-K to sixth grade from July 17-21. Contact the parish office at 423-266-1618 to register.

Cumberland Mountain Deanery Blessed Sacrament, Harriman The Knights of Columbus hosted the annual Mother’s Day Brunch following Mass on May 14.

The parish vacation Bible school is scheduled for June 12-16. Adults and teens who wish to volunteer should complete one of the forms available in the narthex or the parish office.

The school dedicated its kitchen in memory of John Bathe on May 21.

Knights of Columbus Council 8781 hosted the annual Altar Server Appreciation Lunch on May 20 in the school cafeteria.

St. John Neumann celebrated the 100th anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima with Mass, a procession with rosary, a consecration to Jesus through Mary, and a potluck in the pavilion on May 13.

First communicants: Abigail Cagle, Lexie Cagle, Ava Keen, Maiya Keen, Caroline Laffoon, Josie O’Rourke, Kayla Patterson, Annabelle Legault, Jackson Redmond Marriage: Alaina Hagy and Jason Marino St. Francis of Assisi, Fairfield Glade Anniversaries: Bob and Genie Gruber (65), John and Jean Sohnly (63), Richard and Caroline Cieszenski (62), Dan and Mina Napierala (62), John and Gerry Eisenlord (62), Don and Shirley Savercool (61), Bob and Joanne Ames (61), Ed and Carolyn Mayo (60), John and Ellie Gratton (59), Irvin and Carol Stenger (59), Tom and Peg Loughran (59), Robin and Carol Campbell (59), John and Yvonne Marciniak (58), Frank and Ann Zingheim (58), Walt and Dianne Burling (58), Medard and Laura Kaluszka (57), Norm and Judith Charest (57), John and Anna Moyer (57), C. Thomas and Mary Anna Teall (57), Ron and Virginia Reynolds (57), Don and Mary Lou Wiskow (57), Mitchell and Joan Kaminski (56), John and Barbara Coye (56), Patrick and Anna Chowning (56), James and Jane Trame (56), Fred and Kitty Sasse (56), Joseph and Mary Partlow (56), Anthony and Bernice Mattioli (56), Ed and Marjorie Lewis (56), Ramon and Barbara Clark (55), Joe and Marti Maxwell (55), James and Mary Ann Lintz (55), Joseph and Nancy Grunduski (54), Shelton and B2 n JUNE 4, 2017

Confirmation at St. Teresa of Kolkata Cardinal Justin Rigali presided at a confirmation Mass on March 12 at St. Teresa of Kolkata Church in Maynardville. Confirmandi are from both St. Teresa of Kolkata and St. John Paul II Catholic Mission in Rutledge.

Mayos celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary

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dward and Carolyn Mayo of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fairfield Glade celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary May 18.

They were married at St. John Church in Fort Wayne, Ind., with Father John O’Conner officiating.

Their three children are Mark from Wisconsin and Jeff and Lisa from Indiana. They have

four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Mr. Mayo retired from M/S Sales, and Mrs. Mayo was an RN in Warsaw, Ind. They moved to the Glade in 2001, where they enjoy gardening, playing cards, especially bridge, and golf. Mr. Mayo is a member of the parish choir. n

St. Therese, Clinton Father Julius Abuh will celebrate the silver jubilee of his ordination with a Mass at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 22, at St. Therese, with a reception following.

Parish pastoral council elections will be held June 10 and 11.

Father William Kiel, a retired priest of the Diocese of Greensburg, Pa., offered two healing Masses on May 8 and 9 at St. Therese.

The annual parish picnic took place May 7 after the 11 a.m. Mass.

The recent Council of Catholic Women bake sale made more than $380. Of the sale proceeds, $350 was donated to the University of Tennessee Medical Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in honor of Reagan Hunt and in memory of her brothers, Brendan and Ethan Hunt.

The CCW rummage sale raised $2,111.92.

Six receive first Communion at St. Elizabeth Six students received their first Holy Communion on Mother’s Day, May 14, at St. Elizabeth Church in Elizabethton. Standing with pastor Father Dennis Kress are (from left) Carter Pattison, Maeve Brewer, June Jordan, Sylvia Pierce, Issac Bienaime, and Ella Pattison.

Five Rivers Deanery Father Michael Sweeney installed the following new Council of Catholic Women officers May 2: Katie Malenovsky, president; Judy Podpadec, vice president; Mary Rinke, secretary; and Barbara Lawson, treasurer.

COURTESY OF FATHER STEVE PAWELK, GHM

St. Jude is asking parishioners to adopt a parcel of land at the church to mow or tend a flower bed. To help, contact Tom Picard at tpicard@stjudechattanooga.org or 423-870-2386.

KATHLEEN BREWER

St. Jude, Chattanooga

Patty Johnson (54), John and Norma Hall (54), Tom and Anne Marano (54), John and Cathy Manning (53), Jim and Anita Renick (53), Terry and Nancy Allen (53), Joe and Susanna Bour (53), B. Dean and Betty Clement (53), Norm and Carol Adams (52), James and Ann Brendel (52), Bob and Kathleen McCone (52), Ed and Connie Bock (52), Max and Pat Streibel (52), Bruce and Mary Ann Trent (51), David and Sally Kowalski (50), Theodore and Joann Bronske (50), James and Pat Masson (50), James and Judith McClure (50)

Holy Trinity, Jefferson City The annual parish picnic is set for Trinity Sunday, June 11, after the 10:30 a.m. Mass.

Glade’s Kowalskis celebrate 50th anniversary

The parish thanked Sandy Reagle for her donation of an Our Lady of Grace statue, which was placed in the prayer garden.

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Holy Trinity congratulated this year’s college graduates: Tressa Carroll, Amy Lutz, and Jessica Mynatt.

The parish thanked the Knights of Columbus for putting in new concrete sidewalks in the prayer garden, by the kitchen door, and by the Knights’ shed.

t. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fairfield Glade congratulated David and Sally Kowalski, who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary May 12.

They were married at St. Isaac Jogues Church in St. Clair Shores, Mich., with Father De-Long Champs officiating.

Their two children are David of Brooklyn, Mich., and Randy

of Mesa, Ariz., and they have six grandchildren.

Mr. Kowalski retired from the Otis Elevator Co. in Southfield, Mich., and Mrs. Kowalski retired from the Anchor Bay School District in New Baltimore, Mich. They moved to the Glade in 2001.

Celebration plans were made for May 12. Their hobbies are golfing, dancing, boating, and traveling. n

First communicants: Mia Hicks, Michael Hicks, Anna Grace Holt, Tucker Larrance, Cianan Lehman Anniversaries: Clyde and Joyce Ward (64), Walter and Ruth Hedrick (63), Ken and Karen Booker (61), Jim and Lillian Katzbeck (59), George and Jane Lane (54), Gordon and Kathy Marshall (52), John and Barbara Lawson (40), George and Mary Morin (35), Tom and Debbie Crillo (30) Confirmandi: Antonio Alonzo, Laura Hawkins, Sarah Hawkins, Kaitlyn Jenkins, Joshua LaMonte, Emma Mulligan, Adrian Roman, Diego Rosas, Tadeo Rosas, Emily Sexton, Krista Watts, Elliana Weatherbie, Jazdin Weatherbie, Alex Wences Miranda Notre Dame, Greeneville The Tuesday work crew of Charlie CroParish notes continued on page B3

COURTESY OF JILL PURCELL

Chattanooga Deanery

Glade and Crossville CCWs unite for ‘Purse Project’ fundraiser The Councils of Catholic Women of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fairfield Glade and St. Alphonsus in Crossville met for a luncheon hosted by the women of St. Francis of Assisi on May 10. As part of the afternoon, the women participated in a “Purse Project” fundraiser to help young women who are called to religious life pay off their student-loan debt so they may enter their chosen religious community debt-free. A total of $700 was raised at the luncheon and will be sent to the Purse Project through the National Council of Catholic Women. Pictured from left are Nancy Folz, Pam Brophy, Patty Johnson, GerriAnne Mason, Helen Davis, and Kathleen Kelly.

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

Calendar

The Knoxville chapter of Tennessee Right to Life is holding its annual rummage sale on the weekends of June 9-10 and 16-17 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday at St. Joseph School in Knoxville. Donations of household items, furniture, toys, clothes, and more are being accepted.

Donations can be brought to the school during the hours of 10 a.m. to noon and 5 to 7 p.m. every day except Sunday, or by appointment. For more information, contact TRL at 865-6891339 or trlknox@trlknox.com.

A Journey of Hope Conference for divorce recovery is set for Aug. 4-6 at the Charleston Marriott in Charleston, S.C. To learn more or to register, visit www.journeyofhopeconference.com.

For information about divorce support in the Diocese of Knoxville, contact Marian Christiana at mchristiana@dioknox.org or 423-892-2310.

The summer God Camps are set at Harrison Bay State Park in Harrison. The Reach camp for incoming seventh- and eighth-grade students will be held June 18-22. The Discover camp for incoming fifth- and sixthgrade students is scheduled for June 22-24. The Catholic Youth Camp, for incoming high school students, is set for June 6-8 at Ocoee Retreat Center in Ocoee. Visit dioknox.org for more information on the camps or contact Irene Scoggins at 423-596-0053 or irenescoggins@gmail.com.

A Just5Days mission for incoming seventh- through ninth-graders is set for June 26-30 at Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton.

Just5Days is a weeklong mission experience of hands-on service work, faith learning, prayer, community building, and summer fun. Cost is $290 and includes housing, all meals, work supplies, and a T-shirt. To register, contact Nancy at 253-853-5422 or Deacon Al Forsythe at 865-806-1343 or aforsythe@dioknox.org. For more information, visit dioknox.org, click on the “events” tab, hover over “categories” on the left, then scroll down and click on “youth.”

Girls between the ages of 13 and 17 are invited to the 11th year of the retreat La Vida en Rosa from 6:30 p.m.

Friday, June 16, to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 18, at the Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton. The theme this year is a quote by St. Catherine of Siena: “If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world on fire.”

Girls during the retreat can expect fun games, talks, good food, beautiful nature, and a lot of learning about the great female saints of the Catholic Church and the link between their lives and the retreatants’ lives. Some talks and activities will be in Spanish and others in English. Cost is $30. There is space for 50 teens. To save your spot, register through this link: https:// lavidaenrosa.eventbrite.com. For more information, contact Brittany Koepke of the Pastoral Juvenil office at 865-7769635 or bkoepke@dioknox.org.

Boys between the ages of 13 and 17 are invited to the second year of the retreat Hombres de Valor from 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 21, to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 23, at the Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton. The theme this year is a quote by Pope Benedict XVI: “The world offers you comfort. But you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness.” Boys during this retreat can expect fun games, talks, good food, beautiful nature, and a lot of learning about the great male saints of the Catholic Church and the link between their lives and the retreatants’ lives. Some talks and acTH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C A T HO L I C

The next Picture of Love engaged couples retreat is scheduled for 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 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. Couples must attend the entire program to receive the certificate. 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/ marriage-preparation-and-enrichment/ and click on the “programs designed for engaged couples” page.

COURTESY OF MIKE SWEENEY

tivities will be in Spanish and others in English. Cost is $30. There is space for 50 teens. To save your spot, register through this link: https://hombresdevalor.eventbrite.com. For more information, contact Brittany Koepke of the Pastoral Juvenil office at 865-776-9635 or bkoepke@dioknox.org

Youth at St. Mary-Gatlinburg receive first Communion St. Mary Parish in Gatlinburg celebrated first Holy Communion on May 7. From left are (front row) Denilson Acosta, Jalif Gonzalez, Jenifer Martinez, Brinana Gonzalez, Lia Padilla, Alejandra Quevedo, Edvaldo Cabrera, and Alison Zelaya and (back row) Jonathon Perez, Ana Perez, Lesley Perez, Jonathon Gonzalez, Father Antony Punnackal, CMI, Keyry Sanchez, Diegio Rios, Doyana Sierra, and Jose Ronmel Rubi.

COURTESY OF SARA CAREY

Bishop Richard F. Stika will celebrate a diocesan-wide adult confirmation Mass at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 25, at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Any adult (18 and over) who has had the sacraments of baptism, first Communion, and reconciliation but has not been confirmed can receive the sacrament on this date. Forms and information may be found at dioknox.org. Interested adults should contact their parish. Rosters and baptismal certificates are due to Father Richard Armstrong no later than June 5. E-mail Father Armstrong at rarmstrong@dioknox.org.

Online registration for Catholic Youth Football is underway at tshq. bluesombrero.com/kcyf. For more information, e-mail knoxvillecyf@gmail. com.

Marriage Encounter weekends in Spanish are set for July 29-30 and Dec. 2-3. For more information, call Agustin or Vero Ortega at 865-4068297, or Fermin or Anita Cabrera at 423-619-3658.

Father Mike Nolan and Father Dennis Hrubiak, Byzantine Catholic priest and chancellor of the Eparchy of Parma, will lead a pilgrimage to Russia from July 24-Aug. 3. Pilgrims will visit Moscow and St. Petersburg, seeing such sights as Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral, the “Golden Ring” of Sergiev Posad, Rostav, Kostroma, the historic town of Vladimir, the Winter Palace, the Hermitage, Senate Square, Peter and Paul’s Fortress, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the palace of Catherine the Great, the old city of Pushkin, and more. Allinclusive land and air cost is $4,595.

For more information, contact Lisa Morris of Select International Tours at 865-567-1245 or lisam@select-intl. com.

A World Meeting of Families pilgrimage to Ireland with Father Mike Nolan is set for Aug. 20-Sept. 1. Contact Marian Christiana at 423-892-2310 or mchristiana@dioknox.org or Lisa Morris at 865-567-1245 or lccte@bellsouth. net.

A diocesan pilgrimage to Spain, Lourdes, and Fatima, with spiritual leader Father Randy Stice, will take place Aug. 21-Sept. 2. The first stop is Barcelona, where pilgrims will visit the Sagrada Familia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site designed by Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi, as well as the Monastery of Monserrat and the Royal Basilica. The group will then travel north through the Pyrenees on its way to Lourdes for two nights, where pilgrims will visit the site of the apparition of Our Lady to St. Bernadette and join in the candlelight procession at the basilica. Other stops on the pilgrimage include Madrid, Avila, Santiago, Compostela, the Shrine of Our Lady of the Pillar, the convent of St. Teresa of Avila, O Cebreiro, the Cathedral of St. James, Pontevedra, Porto, and Fatima, where the group will join in the celebration of the jubilee of the apparition of Our Lady to the children.

The all-inclusive pilgrimage package is $3,995 per person (land and air). For more information, contact Lisa Morris at 865-567-1245 or lisam@select-intl. com.

A diocesan pilgrimage to the Holy Land with Father Arthur Torres and Father Miguel Vélez, “Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus!,” is planned for Sept. 12-22. Pilgrims will celebrate the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross in Jerusalem as they walk the way of the cross and attend Mass at the Holy Sepulcher. The group will spend time in Bethlehem and visit the Church of the Nativity and Shepherd’s Field, and Calendar continued on page B4

St. Alphonsus celebrates confirmation St. Alphonsus Parish in Crossville recently celebrated confirmation for its youth.

From left are (front) Bella delRossi, Abby Steele, Christina Young, Karina Rodriguez, Katy Gray, Erika Rodriguez, Margaret Schonborn, Estrella Gomez, Aliyah Galvan, Maggie McClain, Karrie Stevens, Jessica Longobardo, and Marley Minneci and (back) pastor Father Jim Harvey, Roscoe Gragg, Zachary Schonborn, Johnathan Ford, Isaiah Galvan, Marvin Ortiz, Bishop Richard F. Stika, Justin Tesar, Matthew Peaslee, Jacob Goss, Patti Macken, and Manny Martin.

Parish notes continued from page B2 nan, Bud Noe, Jim Williams, and others recently rewired and relighted all of the church’s chandeliers with new wire and LED bulbs.

St. Dominic, Kingsport During the week of June 11-17, St. Dominic youth ages 14 and older will be going on a mission trip with the Appalachia Service Project to its McCreary County, Ky., center. Ten spots are available for youth and three for adult chaperones. Cost is $325 and covers all transportation, lodging, food (while at the site), and all the mission organization’s fees and materials. To register or learn more, contact Daniel Henninger at st.dominics.youth@gmail.com.

The annual Italian Night is set for 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, in the parish life center.

The Martha and Mary ministry held a diaper and baby-wipe drive in May to benefit Hope House, which supports pregnant women in crisis situations.

St. Patrick, Morristown The Council of Catholic Women sponsored the 10th annual Ladies Night Out dinner April 30 in the parish center. The guest speaker was Edie Wadsworth, author of the book All the Pretty Things.

Smoky Mountain Deanery Holy Ghost, Knoxville Knights of Columbus Council 16523 recently congratulated its newest members, Paul Brocato and Jason Hensley.

Perry, Reagen Light, Mary Zengel Confirmandi: Cameron Allen, Desiree Beda, Izabela Beets, Selvar Hanna, Isabelle Hannah, Scout Herber, Abel Heredia, Brianna Kuchinic, Drake Light, Ryan MacDonald, Carmella May, Judith Grace Morgan, Nathan Respess, Samuel Schutt, Dalton Stiles, Elena Swindeman, Mary Linh Vu, Spencer Wade, Andrew Wade, Keely Wade, Levi Waxmonsky, Annalise Weedman, Eleanor Weedman, Ian Whelahan Our Lady of Fatima, Alcoa The parish hosted a 100th-anniversary celebration of the apparition of Our Lady of Fatima on May 12 and 13. The event included Mass with Bishop Richard F. Stika; a keynote speaker, Joel Stepanek; keynote sessions for middle school students to adults; and activities for pre-K to fifth-grade students.

The Catholic War Veterans post is hosting a barbecue dinner Friday, June 16, in the parish center social hall. Proceeds will benefit driveway repairs for Father Joe Brando.

“Navigating Your Finances God’s Way,” a nine-week Bible study, is coming to the parish August through November from 6 to 8 p.m. Sundays or 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays. For more information, contact Greg Ward at 865-3008618 or gregaward@aol.com.

St. John Paul Assembly 2920 of the Knights of Columbus hosted a Fourth Degree exemplification April 22 at Our Lady of Fatima. New Fourth Degree Knights are Paul Carter, Dr. Jerry Heiny, Jim Vineyard, and Jeff Parsons.

Immaculate Conception, Knoxville St. John XXIII, Knoxville Knights of Columbus Council 645 recently welcomed new members Andy Zengel, Mark Waxmonsky, Bobby McCarter, and Jack Parker.

The Knights sponsored a father/son and mother/son dinner May 18 in the parish hall. Father Tim Sullivan, CSP, associate pastor at IC, spoke at the dinner.

The women’s group held its MotherDaughter Banquet on May 10 in the parish hall. The event featured bingo and a fashion show.

First communicants: Matthew Calloway, Julian Aponte, Daniel Dao, Delana Pritchard, Valor Jacob Nguyen, Hattie

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The parish congratulated its adult confirmandi: Jess Farnum, Kelsey Klett, Joslyn Iren Knox, Natalia Ramos, and Mario Terrazas.

St. John XXIII held its VOLunteer Appreciation Dinner on May 5 to recognize readers, eucharistic ministers, Sunday School teachers, nursery workers, Sunday Supper volunteers, VolAwakening staffers, VolCatholic executives, FOCUS student leaders, and other volunteers.

First communicants: Petra Brown, Christian Carter, Maddie Cole, Spencer Crook, Taylor Gaboda, Gabe Gadd, Haidyn Grove, Niko Resendes, Savana Schutt, William Sharbel n JUNE 4, 2017 n B3

COURTESY OF SARA CAREY

TOM MCNUTT

Parish news

All Saints celebrates first Communion for 104 youth All Saints Parish in Knoxville celebrated first Holy Communion for 104 youth April 30. Adults on the left side are Shanti Haupaurachy in front of pastor Father Michael Woods, Peggy Long, Miriam Mangers, Connie Sledzinski, Margaret San Miguel, and Father Pontian Kiyimba. Adults on the right side are Father Miguel Vélez, Kate Hoppenrath, Doris Paredes, Molly Jester, and Melissa Mastrogiovanni.

BILL BREWER

COURTESY OF OLIVIA KUHENS

First Communion at St. Alphonsus St. Alphonsus Parish in Crossville recently celebrated first Holy Communion for several parish youth. From left are (front) Zach Clayton, Kayla Lopez, Rogelio Hernandez, Paula Cruz, and Kiera Gross; (middle) Abigail Waschevski, Addison Hartely, Jesenia Hernandez, Ethan Galvan, and Olivia Torrelli.; and (back) altar server Will Flynn, Deacon Peter Minneci, Axel Cardenas, pastor Father Jim Harvey, and catechist Sarah Abel.

Five receive first Communion at St. Therese-Clinton Parishioners of St. Therese in Clinton joined Father Julius Abuh as five children received their first Holy Communion on April 23. Pictured are (from left, front) Alana Kuhens, Ben Helus, and Regan Keller and (back) Adam Yonce, Father Abuh, and Ryan Keller. The children’s Sunday School teachers are Amanda Dials, Julie Keller, and Olivia Kuhens.

Living Stations at St. Thérèse of Lisieux The Hispanic ministry of St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish in Cleveland presented Living Stations of the Cross on Good Friday, April 14. The yearly event ran close to two hours.

COURTESY OF JANET BLANKENSHIP

COURTESY OF STEPHEN GOLDER

KARIN DAVISON

Cardinal confirms youth at Holy Ghost Cardinal Justin Rigali confirmed 36 youth May 14 at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville. Adults pictured are (from left) Deacon Scott Maentz, Father John Dowling, Cardinal Rigali, Monsignor James Kee of St. Catherine Siena Parish in Mobile, Ala., and Father Michael Hendershott.

Seventy-five come into the Church at Sts. Peter and Paul Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Chattanooga had 75 candidates and catechumens in its RCIA class at the April 15 Easter Vigil. Pictured are most members of the group, taken at the rehearsal before the Mass.

Good Shepherd Parish marking 50th anniversary

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ood Shepherd Parish in Newport will celebrate its 50th anniversary Sunday, Sept. 24.

Bishop Richard F. Stika will be the principal celebrant and homilist.

In May 1967, Bishop Joseph A. Durick of Nashville purchased a

house and 2.5-acre lot on Broadway for a future church in Newport.

Father Luzerne Schnupp celebrated the first Mass there Sept. 24, 1967.

Good Shepherd moved to its current home on Cosby Highway in 2005. n

Three baptized at St. Henry St. Henry Parish in Rogersville celebrated the baptism of Kenneth Moody and brothers Naylen and Dakota Bingham on April 15. Sponsors were Melvin Braun and Barbara McDermott. Father Bart Okere presided. Naylen and Dakota’s mother, Tonya Bingham, is also pictured. Mr. Moody was also confirmed that day, and both Dakota and Mr. Moody received their first Holy Communion.

Calendar continued from page B3 in Bethany to visit the tomb of Lazarus. Pilgrims will also take a cable car to Masada, visit Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, and spend time in Nazareth. They will stay for two nights at the Sea of Galilee, spending time at the Mount of Beatitudes, ascend to Mount Tabor for the view from the Church of the Transfiguration, and visit the baptism site on the River Jordan, the Mount of Temptation, the Dead Sea, Magdala, and Jericho. The all-inclusive package, air and land, is $3,895. For more information, contact Lisa Morris at 865-567-1245 or lisam@select-intl.com.

A Missa Cantata (sung Mass) in the ancient form of the Roman Rite is normally celebrated at 5 p.m. on fourth Sundays at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul. On June 25 at 5 p.m., a Missa Cantata will be celebrated for the External Solemnity of the Sacred B4 n JUNE 4, 2017

Heart. On July 23 at 5 p.m., a Missa Cantata will be celebrated for the seventh Sunday after Pentecost.

The basilica’s Gloria Dei Schola will sing for both Masses. All are invited to the fourth Sunday basilica potluck afterward.

at 3 p.m. on the first and third Sundays at St. Mary Church in Johnson City. For more information, visit www.KnoxLatinMass.net.

A Low Mass in the ancient form of the Roman Rite is normally offered every Monday morning at 7 a.m. at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga.

The St. Thomas the Apostle Eastern (Byzantine) Catholic Mission located at 2304 Ault Road, Knoxville, TN 37914 meets for Divine Liturgy each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. All services are in English. Call Father Richard Armstrong at 865-584-3307 or visit www.saintthomasknoxville.org/ for details.

Mass in the extraordinary form (“traditional Latin”) is celebrated at noon each Sunday at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville; at 3 p.m. on first and third Sundays at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church in Cleveland; at 3 p.m. on second and fourth Sundays at St. Joseph the Worker Church in Madisonville; and

Holy Resurrection Byzantine Catholic Church (Ruthenian), located at 6515 Millertown Pike, Knoxville, TN 37924, celebrates Divine Liturgy at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday and at 7 p.m. on holy days. For more information, call Father Thomas O’Connell at 865-2564880 or check the website www.knoxbyz.org. n

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Catholic youth

Scouting committee holds 17th annual Bishop’s Gathering

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major challenges on a national level. Here in the diocese we have a wonderful program in which we work with young men and women in order to build character, to allow them also to see who they are in relation to the world that surrounds them, to see the talents and the gifts that God has given to them in order to build the world as a better place.

“So as we gather together this day we thank almighty God for those involved in the Scouting program, all the different activities that they are involved in but also the many volunteers. We pray that the Lord may always bless them. . . . We gather together this day to thank those involved in the Scouting program, and we ask God to continue to bless them, especially the benefactors of those who will guide the younger generation, for someday that younger generation will be involved and invited to do the same thing.”

At the breakfast George LeCrone Sr., chair of the diocesan Scouting committee, presented Bishop Stika with the Quality Diocese Award from the National Catholic Committee on Scouting. The diocese has received the award for 14 consecu-

Meal with the bishop Bishop Stika speaks at a breakfast during the annual Bishop’s Gathering event for Scouting.

DAN MCWILLIAMS

he Knoxville Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting held its 17th annual Bishop’s Gathering and Adult Recognition on April 8 at Sacred Heart Cathedral.

The day began with morning Mass, followed by a breakfast in the school cafeteria.

Bishop Richard F. Stika presided at Mass, which was concelebrated

by Scouting chaplain Father Dustin Collins. Deacon Walt Otey assisted, along with reader Blaine Liuag and cantor Elizabeth McCready.

In his homily, Bishop Stika asked “how is the season of Lent related to the Scouting program?”

“Because it builds character,” he said. “The season of Lent hopefully has made a difference in your life, now that we’re close to the beginning of the celebration of Holy Week with Palm Sunday and all the other activities that will occur.

In the Church, Jesus has invited us to use these days to step back and reflect on who we are and how we interact with our world as a person of faith.

“The Scouting program is the same, even though it has some

DAN MCWILLIAMS

By Dan McWilliams

LeCrone said. “I personally get that stole, and we put the patches on for the areas that we cover, and we think it’s an important part of the program. He can wear it whenever he does our Masses at Camporees and things like that. When he puts that on, everybody knows that he’s our chaplain.”

Speakers at the breakfast included Nate Cunningham, director of field service for the Great Smoky Mountain Council of the Boy Scouts of America; Anthony Ingram, district director for the Great Smoky Mountain Council; and Nancy Johnson, who is on the board of directors for the Girl Scouts of Southern Appalachians.

Mr. LeCrone said during the breakfast that the Scouting committee presented 42 religious awards in 2016, a number that represents a steady decline since 2014.

“With your help, we can continue to work to improve these numbers within our youth groups,” he said.

At the end of the breakfast, Mr. LeCrone presented the St. George Emblem to cathedral rector Father David Boettner. n

RHEA ENNIST

Honor for Father Boettner George LeCrone Sr. presents the St. George Emblem to Father David Boettner at the Scouting breakfast.

tive years.

Mr. LeCrone spoke of the importance of having Bishop Stika present at the event.

“Bishop is the president of our organization,” he said. “His support means the world to me because I don’t make decisions without checking with him first, because he is our president, and he can say whether Scouting is involved in the diocese or not. He can pull the plug tomorrow, which some bishops have done. But our bishop is supportive of the program, supportive of all the Catholic youth and so forth, so we’re definitely pleased to have him here.”

At the breakfast, a special Scouting stole was presented to Father Collins by the bishop and Mr. LeCrone.

“We in our committee feel that our chaplain, whether it be a priest or a deacon, should have the ability to show their support of the program, and the stole is something the National Catholic Committee does for all the national priests involved, and so I feel that our diocesan priests should have the same thing,” Mr.

COURTESY OF SARA CAREY

Samaritan Place clients go on HonorAir flight to D.C. Four clients of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee’s Samaritan Place participated in the HonorAir Flight on April 5. HonorAir flew 134 veterans from Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson Airport to Washington, D.C., to visit the war memorials and Arlington National Cemetery. Pictured are (from left): Billy Anderson, Levy Cox, William Johnson, and Pedro Alvarez.

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Crowning Mary St. Alphonsus Parish in Crossville celebrated the May Crowning of Mary with its faith formation students last month. Shown with pastor Father Jim Harvey are (from left) Christian and Paula Cruz, Maddy and Abby Waschevski, Emmanuel Fuentes, Jocelynne Abel, Brady and Benjamin Kuffel, and Ethan Galvan.

God Camps, Catholic Youth Camp scheduled

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he summer God Camps are set at Harrison Bay State Park in Harrison. The Reach camp for incoming seventh- and eighthgrade students will be held June 1822. The Discover camp for incoming fifth- and sixth-grade students is scheduled for June 22-24.

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The Catholic Youth Camp, for incoming high school students, is set for June 6-8 at Ocoee Retreat Center in Ocoee. Visit dioknox.org for more information on the camps or contact Irene Scoggins at 423596-0053 or irenescoggins@gmail. com. n

Columbus Home undergoes renovations Catholic Charities’ Columbus Home recently underwent renovations, including new flooring throughout the building and a laundry room for the children’s emergency shelter, and celebrated with a ribbon cutting. From left are Sister Mary Christine Cremin, RSM, executive director of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee; Gwen Winfrey, project specialist for the city of Knoxville; Judge Tim Irwin of Juvenile Court; Brenda Beverly, program leader III at Columbus Home; and Becky Wade, director, community development for the city of Knoxville.

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JUNE 4, 2017 n B5

A bishop and his priests Bishop Stika is surrounded by his brother priests as he leads the Liturgy of the Eucharist at the Chrism Mass. was called home to God [Dec. 29], was a priest who loved the priesthood. He was the chairman for many years of the group that works with our priests for retirement. He was one of the founders of the diocese, one of the negotiators when our diocese was created, to make sure that we got a fair shake from our mother diocese, the Diocese of Nashville. In 1988, he and Monsignor Mankel and others were part of the beginning of our local Church.

“But I can think of many times Monsignor would have used this, because he was a priest of Jesus Christ in the order of Melchizedek.

Not only did he love the basilica—I remember the first time I met him, he said, ‘Bishop, I’m obedient, but if you try to move me I’ll retire.’

He had a great love of the orange, always trying to attend as many football games as he could. He had a great love of the people of God. I remember I visited him on Christmas day. I had a Mass in Gatlinburg and

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us that he’s with us in spirit.”

In his homily, Bishop Stika called the occasion “a spectacular night for any diocese.”

“What a beautiful ceremony we celebrate this evening,” he said.

“For us, here in Knoxville, I think it’s always spectacular. We come from all over East Tennessee to celebrate as one Church, as the body of Christ, as a minority church, and yet as a Church filled with vigor and strength and the grace of God. “Today we celebrate the priesthood in a special way because my brother priests will renew their priestly promises.”

Next “we celebrate the beauty of the oils,” the bishop said. “The blessing of the oil of the sick — the ritual tells us when there is someone sick, send for the priest that they might be anointed. The oil of catechumens, which reminds us there are brothers and sisters of humanity in the world who wish to be baptized, who wish to be one in the community of faith.

“And also the holy chrism, actually consecrated. Chrism, which we have twice as much of this year, because next year the chrism that I will consecrate tonight will be used for the dedication of the altar of the new cathedral, to anoint the walls and the baptismal font. But it will also be used for our deacon, Christopher Floersh, who will be ordained a priest. The chrism will be used in our parishes for confirmation or for the sacrament of baptism.”

Bishop Stika displayed both a chalice that belonged to Monsignor Schmidt, longtime pastor of the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga, and a crosier, first used by Knoxville’s founding bishop, Anthony J. O’Connell.

“At one time in the early 1970s, a family gave this [chalice] to a brother priest, Monsignor George Schmidt, God rest him,” the bishop said. “And for all those years of priesthood, he used this chalice.

Monsignor George Schmidt, who

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Chrism Mass continued from page B1

Priests come together More than 60 priests filled the pews at Sacred Heart Cathedral for the Chrism Mass. Priests from across the diocese joined to renew their priestly vows.

then drove to Chattanooga to spend some time with him and commend him to God. Then a few days later in the presence of, I think it was Father Charlie [Burton], he passed from this life to the next.”

Father Campbell died Oct. 20.

“And the other priest who passed on this year was the Gentle Giant, 6-8 or 6-9, Father Joe Campbell, a late vocation,” Bishop Stika said.

“He was the priest of the boat Mass.

“We looked for his chalice and we couldn’t find it, so I found one of his T-shirts, and that’s actually my alb. Father Joe was a big guy.

At the end of his life the last couple of years he was quite sick and was trying to lose weight. He had heart disease. I remember the day he died we gathered up in the hospital with him. Father Joe, one of his favorite songs was ‘Big John.’ And after we did the ‘Salve Regina’ and some other religious songs, Father David [Boettner], through the technology of the cellphone, played next to Joe’s ear — because he wasn’t able to communicate much — ‘Big John,’ and at some point we commended him to almighty God.” The late clergy were “two different kinds of priests,” the bishop said. “They didn’t exactly look alike.

George was this tall, and Joe was twice as tall. But they had a love for Jesus Christ. They felt his call to the priesthood, George from an early age and Joe after a lifetime of ‘experiences.’”

Bishop Stika then addressed his fellow priests.

“My brothers, who I’m so privileged to share in the priesthood of Jesus Christ. Nine years now, I’ve been able to witness this commitment,” he said. “But I see their commitment each and every day in a variety of different ways. And sometimes it’s a very thankless job,

dealing with parishioners, who are not always the most easy to deal with, but also the priests sometimes aren’t always the easiest to deal with. But that’s life.

“The thing about the priests is, a lot is asked of them, and of the bishop . . . a lot is expected. But to those who are given much, much is expected. And you, my brothers, have been given the ability to confect the sacraments, to hold a chalice, like Monsignor George or Father Joe Campbell, and to hold that paten and say, ‘Take and eat all of you, for this is my body. Take and drink all of you, for this is my chalice, given for you.’ And all those times when you’re tired of dealing with situations. Remember that — it’s something special, because the people of God depend on you to feed them, not only in homilies and in counseling, but to be fed by the nourishment of the altar: the body and blood of Jesus Christ.”

Priests are with parishioners “in moments of great happiness but also in those moments of challenge — what a privilege that is,” the bishop said. “And to know that we don’t represent ourselves; we represent the Church, the people of God. We act in the person of Jesus, but we’re not Jesus; we are merely his instruments.”

Bishop Stika commented on two longtime priests in attendance at the Chrism Mass, Monsignor Bob Hofstetter and Cardinal Rigali.

Monsignor Hofstetter, as the senior active priest of the diocese, would later bring forward the balsam for the chrism.

“Monsignor Bob has been a priest since 1954. He has seen a lot of life,” the bishop said. “The cardinal has been a priest since 1961. He’s had to live with me for a long time — he’s Chrism Mass continued on page B7

“We have several moms that are in our LaFollette office and dads too that have come in who have had a past history of drug abuse,” Ms. Loudin said, “and through our program and working with other programs in the area such as MIST [Mothers and Infants Sober Together] and then the Shepherd’s Home there in LaFollette, they work with women to try to help them get off substance abuse.

“We have moms who have gone through that program and are seeing us either with the pregnancy, or they have already delivered their baby.”

Ms. Loudin said that the LaFollette center sees more than 40 clients and expects the Newcomb center to have “a pretty good number.”

“We’re pretty close to Jellico Community Hospital, which is the only hospital in Campbell County that delivers babies, and they do deliver quite a few every year,” she said. “If we could just get a small percentage of those moms, that would be more than enough to keep us well staffed with clients.”

The Newcomb center will have an “Earn While You Learn” curriculum.

“What that means is that the moms and dads come in and we do classes with them, and then they B6 n JUNE 4, 2017

earn ‘baby bucks’ for each class that they do and for the homework that they do,” Ms. Loudin said, “and then they get to spend that money here in our store that we have and purchase items that they would need for a baby from birth to 2 years of age.”

Sister Mary Christine called the Newcomb center “a very exciting step that we’re taking.”

“The Crazy Quilt building we have had for a number of years, but this whole half of the building has been empty,” she said. “When we looked at it, there is no other pregnancy center on this side of the mountain. The pregnancy center that we have in LaFollette is the only one in Campbell County— there’s nothing over here. Because of where Newcomb is located, it’s a very poor community.

“The rate of drug abuse, especially with opioid addiction, is significantly higher even than it is even in the higher areas of the state, and it carries with it all the problems that go with that: broken homes, domestic violence, prostitution—the whole gamut.”

The Newcomb center’s “educational model” lets “parents come and watch DVDs on everything from fetal development to breast

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Pregnancy center continued from page B1

Baby supplies abound The new pregnancy center has a store with baby clothes, diapers, and many other items. feeding to discipline issues with toddlers to things like budgeting and relationship issues,” Sister Mary Christine said. “And we can follow them for two years.

“So we believe it gives young parents a stable point of reference where they can really learn the skills they need to become good parents, because in this part of the state unfortunately you have now two generations that are affected by drug abuse. Where you might have

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been able to rely on grandparents in the past, you really can’t anymore.

Our hope is that we can begin to establish a core of families who are equipped to raise their children well, with the requisite skills.”

To donate items or money to the Pregnancy Help Center in Newcomb, call the center at 423-784-7322 for the address, or send donations directly to the Catholic Charities office in Knoxville at 119 Dameron Ave. n TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C A TH OLI C

those moments of joy but also in those moments of challenge — it’s important,” he said. “Forgive them when they mess up, but hug them when they do well. And if they do make mistakes, help them learn to minister better. But you the people of God also have to cooperate a little bit sometimes, huh?”

Bishop Stika said that “we do together what we can’t do by ourselves, but we never do it by ourselves — we do it with Jesus, inspired by the Holy Spirit, loved by the Father, fortified by the communion of saints.

“Yes, my brother priests, we’re privileged, but all of us as Catholics, as Christians, we’re blessed, because we have the ability to know God through Jesus, to be nourished by that powerful spirit that nourishes this Church of Knoxville each and every moment of each and every day.”

Addressing remarks “to you, the

DAN MCWILLIAMS

a true martyr of the Church. With all his vast international experiences, he has made his home with us.”

Bishop Stika then introduced seminary candidates and several priests who hail from around the country and around the world.

“We are greatly blessed to have brother priests, as different as we are, united by Jesus Christ,” he said.

“And for all of us, the people of God, isn’t that a privilege to be able to know Jesus in the Eucharist and in the sacraments, to be graced by the gift of baptism and confirmation, to be gifted in a very special way to be able to know Jesus, because you can’t give Jesus until you know Jesus. And so my sisters and brothers, continue to pray for your priests. They need your prayers.”

Those prayers are needed especially on occasions like Sunday nights, often a lonely time for a priest, the bishop said.

“Please pray for your priests in

Special cup Bishop Stika at the Chrism Mass displays a chalice that once belonged to the late Monsignor George Schmidt.

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Chrism Mass continued from page B6

Joyful gift Monsignor Bob Hofstetter presents the balsam for the chrism to Bishop Stika at the Chrism Mass. people of God,” the bishop said, “I just want to thank you for your generosity, in the Home Campaign and the Bishop’s Appeal. The weekend after the horrible tragic fires in Gatlinburg, the diocese that weekend we gathered together over $150,000.

The Diocese of Nashville just sent me a check for almost $48,000.”

Bishop Stika asked the assembly to “please pray for vocations. Pray for each other. Pray for the religious sisters, who are so wonderfully represented here today. Pray for our deacons, especially our new deacons. And let’s just pray for ourselves, knowing that we do together what we can’t do by ourselves. We build the kingdom of God in East Tennessee.”

After the homily, the priests stood before the bishop to renew their commitment to the priesthood. They resolved “to be more united with

the Lord Jesus and more closely conformed to Him” and “to be faithful stewards of the mysteries of God in the Holy Eucharist . . . and to discharge faithfully the sacred office of teaching, following Christ the head and shepherd, not seeking any gain, but moved only by zeal for souls.”

The assembly promised to “pray for your priests, that the Lord may pour out His gifts abundantly upon them and keep them faithful as ministers of Christ, the high priest, so that they may lead you to Him, who is the source of salvation.”

The faithful also vowed to “pray also for” Bishop Stika, “that I may be faithful to the apostolic office entrusted to me in my lowliness and that in your midst I may be made day by day a living and more perfect image of Christ, the priest, the good shepherd, the teacher, and the servant of all.” n

Diocese of Knoxville Office of Christian Formation



Connect RCIA with discipleship



Enrich your parish



Build your skills



Make your team thrive

Open doors for Christ to change lives!

June 16-17, 2017 St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Lenoir City.

Contact Sister Anna Marie, Director of the Office of Christian Formation, to register: srannamarie@dioknox.org TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C A T HO L I C

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JUNE 4, 2017 n B7

V Encuentro retreat draws 29 young Catholic leaders

By Sedonna Prater

COURTESY OF SISTER MARY MARTA ABBOTT, RSM

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After Mass The youth and their adult leaders gather for a photo after taking part in a Mass celebrated by Father Julian Cardona (right) and assisted by Deacon Al Forsythe (left). sion and what the Church is calling them to do as young Hispanic leaders. The students were further challenged to continue the missionary work of Christ’s disciples through sharing Christian love and using their God-given talents and abilities to serve others.

The students, representing Knoxville Catholic High School, Notre Dame High School, St. Joseph School, Sacred Heart Cathedral

School, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, also shared information on what the Church and schools can do to promote active involvement of young people in the Church. This information will be analyzed, documented, and sent to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops along with information collected from other V Encuentro sessions held at parishes across the United States.

Father Julian Cardona, assisted

by Deacon Al Forsythe, ended the day’s celebration with Mass. n

Group discussion Brittany Koepke, diocesan Hispanic Youth and Young Adult Ministry coordinator, leads a talk during the V Encuentro retreat. Also pictured is Ore Pumariega, dean of students at Knoxville Catholic High School.

SISTER MARY MARTA ABBOTT, RSM

SISTER MARY MARTA ABBOTT, RSM

wenty-nine young leaders in diocesan Catholic schools stepped back for a day of reflection and a call to action through their participation in a V Encuentro retreat.

The retreat was held at the diocesan Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton on May 11 and was the result of the joint efforts of the diocesan Catholic Schools Office, Office of Hispanic Ministry, and Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, including the Pastoral Juvenil Hispana branch.

Focusing on the Holy Father’s exhortation “The Joy of the Gospel,” the students in grades seven through 12 explored what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. The retreat activities throughout the day centered on the five themes of the V Encuentro: Called to a Loving Encounter With Jesus, With Words and Action: Do It, Walking Together With Jesus, Bearing Fruits of New Life, and Celebrating Being a Follower of Jesus.

Additionally, with nearly 70 percent of all U.S. Catholics under the age of 18 being of Hispanic/Latino descent, the students were encouraged to reflect on their own mis-

Lighting the way During the opening prayer of the retreat, youth light candles “as faithful disciples.”

Knoxville Catholic holds third annual Academic Signing Day rine Academy • Caleb Morgan, University of Tennessee • Sara Myers, Berry College • Stephanie Penpek, East Tennessee State University • Shannon Rearden, University of Alabama Knoxville Catholic president Dickie Sompayrac led a prayer to begin the signing day ceremony, and academic dean Jane Walker emceed the proceedings.

Ms. Walker thanked parents, teachers, and others for their role in making the signing day possible for the students.

“Parents, families, and friends,” she said, “thank you for the guidance you have offered in helping them decide which classes to take; for your patience as you listened to their trials and tribulations; for knowing when to push them a little harder than maybe they thought they needed to be pushed, and for knowing when not to push them; for all the times you have stayed up through the wee hours helping them get that last-minute project done or paper printed from a stubborn home printer; and for know-

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‘Making KCHS a better place’ Signing academic scholarships in the KCHS gym were Lindsay Bruce, Diego Carvajal, Charlie Connors, Lucky DePersio, Madelyn Fahhoum, Daisy Flomberg, Chase Hahn, Andrew Kosky, Nick Lovely, Margaret McCarty, Gill McMillen, Caleb Morgan, Sara Myers, Stephanie Penpek, and Shannon Rearden. ing when to offer a word of encouragement at the precise time when they needed it, or not saying things to them no matter how much you wanted to.”

To teachers, counselors, and coaches, Ms. Walker said thanks “for always encouraging these students, for finding ways to motivate them to fulfill their potential, for making them feel loved and cared

COURTESY OF BLANCA PRIMM

noxville Catholic High School hosted its third annual Academic Signing Day event May 8 in the school gym.

The event honors 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.

The following students signed: • Lindsay Bruce, East Tennessee State University • Diego Carvajal, University of Tampa • Charlie Connors, University of Alabama • Lucky DePersio, University of Tennessee • Madelyn Fahhoum, Vanderbilt University • Daisy Flomberg, East Tennessee State University • Chase Hahn, Middle Tennessee State University • Andrew Kosky, Maryville College • Nick Lovely, University of Alabama • Margaret McCarty, Tennessee Technological University • Gill McMillen, U.S. Merchant Ma-

V Encuentro meeting Parishioners of St. John Neumann in Farragut carry out V Encuentro sessions at St. John Neumann School. From left are Katya Vela, from Peru; Irma Acevedo, originally from Mexico; Rosi Pistono-Fanelli, from Argentina; Gema and Manuel Santana, from Mexico; and Rocio Wesensky, from Peru.

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for, and [to counselors] for guiding them to their college selection and through the scholarship process.”

Ms. Walker thanked the students themselves “for having the will to develop the gifts God has bestowed upon you, for making KCHS a better place by serving as examples to those around you, and for your unswerving focus on your academics.” n

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By Dan McWilliams

St. Patrick’s parade organizers make donation to CCETN Organizers of the Knoxville St. Patrick’s Day parade, which made its successful debut in March after a years-long hiatus, presented Catholic Charities of East Tennessee with donations totaling $11,000 from proceeds raised by the event. Sister Mary Christine Cremin, RSM, executive director of Catholic Charities, received the checks from parade organizers Christy Watkins and Josh and Chandle Turbyville on April 24 at Catholic Charities’ offices on Dameron Avenue.

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

SISTER MARY MARTA ABBOTT

COURTESY OF LAURA GOODHARD

COURTESY OF SARAH TRENT (3)

DR. KELLY KEARSE

High schools conduct graduation ceremonies Notre Dame High School’s 2017 graduation (above) was held May 21 at McKenzie Arena in Chattanooga. Knoxville Catholic High School’s commencement (right) took place May 20 at Blaine Stadium at KCHS. This year, the two high schools combined to have 244 graduates, who earned a total of more than $27 million in scholarships.

Young scientists gather Eighteen award-winners from the St. Mary School science fair competed in the Southern Appalachian Science & Engineering Fair at the University of Tennessee.

St. Mary students shine at UT science fair

Notre Dame honorees Audrey Barkeloo-Carter and Jordan Crumpler are among approximately 2 percent of national aquatic students named high school All-Americans.

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NDHS duo named Academic All-Americans

N Fourth place Amelia Van Berkel stands with her project, “Did That Get the Lead Out?”

Fifth place Sarah Tackett appears with her project, “Milk: The Next Generation.” ing the Pulse of the Planet Award, NOAA: Atmospheric Turbulence & Diffusion Division, Oak Ridge; Amelia Van Berkel, “Did That Get the Lead Out?”: American Institue of Chemical Engineers, East Tennessee Chapter of the American Chemical Society, BroadcomMasters Eligible; Sarah Tackett, “Milk: The Next Generation”: BroadcomMasters Eligible; Anna Kasemir, “Can You See Me Now?”: U.S. Air Force Award; Sydney Mesmer, “Don’t Give Mosquitoes a Biting Chance”: SASEF Directors Award; and Parker Sorah,“Healthy Hydration Outdoors”: BroadcomMasters Eligible.

Honorable mentions: Jacqueline Audet, “O-Pine Wood Derby”; Marissa Dalton, “A Clay Array of Amazing Glazing”; Mateo Gorrondona, “Fight Drought with Solar Panels”; Sydney Mesmer, “Don’t Give Mosquitoes a Biting Chance”; and Ethan Sherlock, “Battle of the Genres.” n

Just5Days mission for middle-schoolers planned

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Just5Days mission for incoming seventh- through ninth-graders is set for June 26-30 at Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton.

Just5Days is a weeklong mission experience of hands-on service work, faith learning, prayer, TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C A T HO L I C

community building, and summer fun.

For more information see the item in the calendar on page B3 or visit dioknox.org, click on the “events” tab, hover over “categories” on the left, then scroll down and click on “youth.” n

otre Dame High School seniors Audrey BarkelooCarter and Jordan Crumpler have been named Academic All-Americans by the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association of America Inc. More than 342,294 students are involved in aquatics at the high school level in more than 16,432 programs for boys and girls. Approximately 2 percent of these students are recognized as high school All-Americans.

A senior with a 4.4 GPA, Audrey Barkeloo-Carter has lettered on the swim team for four years.

Audrey is the president of Green & Gold Ambassadors and the

Ministry Team, participated in the Youth Leadership Chattanooga program, and completed more than 300 hours of community service. Audrey is the daughter of Jeff and Ronda Carter and plans to attend the University of Tennessee and major in biomedical engineering.

Jordan Crumpler has lettered on the swim team for four years. In the classroom, he has achieved a 4.2 GPA. In addition to swimming, Jordan is also a member of the Technology Student Association and has more than 200 hours of community service. Jordan plans to attend the University of Tennessee and major in accounting. n

COURTESY OF MICHELLE DOUGHERTY

f the 57 projects at the St. Mary School-Oak Ridge science fair Feb. 9, 19 received awards making them eligible to enter the regional Southern Appalachian Science & Engineering Fair (SASEF) at the University of Tennessee on March 28-30.

The SASEF is sponsored by the University of Tennessee and numerous local companies and agencies and draws students from 23 counties in East Tennessee. The goal of the fair is to promote teaching the scientific method in science, engineering, and math. St. Mary students are recognized for multiple honors each year.

Eighteen of the St. Mary science fair winners participated in this year’s SASEF. St. Mary students received the following overall awards, certificates of excellence, special awards, and honorable mentions: Overall awards: Fourth place: Amelia Van Berkel for her project, “Did That Get the Lead Out?”; and Fifth place: Sarah Tackett, “Milk: The Next Generation.”

Certificates of Excellence: Parker Sorah,“Healthy Hydration Outdoors,” Sarah Tackett, “Milk: The Next Generation,” and Amelia Van Berkel, “Did That Get the Lead Out?” Special awards: Elizabeth Brands,“Rubber vs.

Cotton”: ASM Materials Education Foundation: Most Outstanding Exhibit in Materials Science, Tennessee Chapter of the International Society of Automation (ISA): Best Use of Instrumentation or Controls in a Junior Project, Smoky Mountain Section of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE): Applying Engineering Practices; Mateo Gorrondona, “Fight Drought with Solar Panels”: American Meteorological Society Certificate of Outstanding Achievement, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA): 2017 Tak-

St. John Neumann fourth-graders hold wax museum event Fourth-grade students from St. John Neumann School in Farragut held their annual wax museum May 9 in the school gym. The students were required to research an important person and the contributions that person made to society. The students dressed as the person and memorized a monologue of important facts, events, and contributions to share with the school and community during the wax museum. Above, Maddie Lawson, dressed as actress Lucille Ball, gives eighth-graders Emily Latham and Gabby Sweet and school grandparent Sue Fejes information about Ms. Ball’s life.

St. John Neumann students stand out in math, golf • Dmitri Kalinin of St. John Neumann School, who competed against more than 210 other sixth-graders, placed second overall in the Pellissippi State Middle School Math Competition on May 5. Dmitri was awarded a trophy and a $500 prize.

• Golf athletes Chase Fuller, Mathew Mountain, Joseph Iverson, Sean van Tol, and Willem van Tol

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finished second as a team during the recent district competition at Dandridge Country Club. Chase Fuller also took second individually with a score of 41.

In the girls district competition, Jodie Spangler finished second (individual). All of these athletes moved on to the regional competition. n JUNE 4, 2017 n B9

KCHS junior puts service hours to good use

COURTESY OF GEORGE LECRONE SR.

Backpacks and Basics Program KCHS’s Towns Hughes (right) is pictured with Trina Bruns and Joe Thompson. and raised more than $200, which bought bicycle helmets for the Pond Gap unicycle team. Towns’ next project will help launch two literacy initiatives at Pond Gap. He will be collecting books, which will then be donated

to the Build Your Home Library Program and the New Urban Education Reading Initiative.

If you are interested in sponsoring a set of books for the Urban Education Initiative, e-mail Karen Holst at kholst1@utk.edu. n

Five more student-athletes from KCHS sign with colleges Knoxville Catholic High School hosted its final National Signing Day of the year April 12 as five students put pen to paper and signed letters of intent that will chart their academic and athletic careers. Recognized during the ceremony were (from left) Dana Gardner, who signed with Syracuse University in volleyball; Jacob Lorino, Austin Peay State University, tennis; Erin Allen, Belmont University, tennis; Luke Smith, Sewanee: University of the South, basketball; and Gill McMillan, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, diving. These five join 16 other students who signed commitments this school year.

COURTESY OF JANET HARRIGAN

COURTESY OF SARAH TRENT

Scouting awards presented at St. John Neumann Monsignor Patrick Garrity and George LeCrone Sr., director of the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting, presented 10 boys from Pack 3125 with their Parvuli Dei (Child of God) Award at the 10:30 a.m. Mass on May 14 at St. John Neumann Church in Farragut. Pictured with Cubmaster Christopher Horwege and Monsignor Garrity are (from left) Tyler Edmands, Wyatt Retterer, Baker Sandoval, Preston Retterer, Joseph Horwege, Ben Hebert, Ben Falvey, Nicholas Snyder, Isaiah Heroux, and Colton Breeden.

COURTESY OF MEGAN ERPENBACH

Camp Columbus Scout awards A Scouting awards presentation was held for Troop 172 and Pack 3172 on May 7 at Camp Columbus in Hixson.

Nine Light of Christ, nine Parvuli Dei, two Ad Altare Dei, three Pope Pius XII awards, and one Pillar of Faith award were presented. At left is Pierre Westhoff who received the Pope Pius XII Award plus the Four Pillar Award.

Cub Scouts in Pack 3172 are in the front row above; from left are Joshua Grant, Jeremy Casey, Eli Walker, Ezekiel Walker, Ryman Ralls, Nathan Jungels, Luke Taylor, and Kyle Verro. In back are (from left) Deacon Paul Nelson, Domenic Mariani, Pierre Westhoff, Max Flasch, and George LeCrone Sr., chair of the Knoxville Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting.

DAN MCWILLIAMS

COURTESY OF PHIL WESTHOFF (2)

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noxville Catholic High School junior Towns Hughes has taken KCHS’s service hour requirement and put his own mark on it.

Knowing that service hours were required at Knoxville Catholic, Towns wanted to put his service to good use and make a difference in children’s lives.

During summer 2016, Towns started the Backpacks and Basics Program, where he collected school supplies and backpacks from friends and family to donate to Pond Gap Elementary School, a University Assisted Community School.

When the investment firm Raymond James heard what Towns was doing, they too wanted to help out. Between Towns and Raymond James, they were able to donate more than 50 backpacks and $3,000 worth of school supplies.

In December, Towns held a biscuit sale at Knoxville Catholic

St. Mary-Oak Ridge students excel in math contest The 61st annual statewide High School Mathematics Contest was held April 11 at various testing centers across the state. The Tennessee Mathematics Teachers’ Association sponsors the annual contest in six divisions: Algebra I/Integrated I, Geometry/Integrated II, Algebra II/Integrated III, Statistics, Pre-Calculus, and Calculus/Advanced Topics.

Four St. Mary School-Oak Ridge students completed the Algebra I test at Roane State Community College in Harriman. Anna Kasemir placed first, Sydney Mesmer placed fifth, Sarah Tackett placed seventh, and Marissa Dalton placed eighth. Pictured are (from left) Anna, Sydney, middle school math teacher Marsha Sega, Sarah, and Marissa.

Duke TIP high scorers From left are St. John Neumann’s Isabella Ramos, Ella Renfree, Ella Myers, and Alonso Vela.

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t. John Neumann School in Farragut congratulated four seventh-graders for outstanding achievement on the ACT exam for the Duke Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP).

Three students, Ella Myers, Isabella Ramos, and Alonso Vela, received state recognition for their scores. These students scored at or above the national average of recent high school graduates on at least one part of the ACT and are

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invited to attend a special recognition ceremony held at a university in Tennessee.

Additionally, Ella Renfree, Isabella, and Alonso have qualified to participate in courses offered at the Center for Summer Studies, and Ella Myers has qualified to participate in the Academy for Summer Studies. These programs are some of the most challenging and rigorous available to academically gifted students across the country. n

COURTESY OF SARAH TRENT

SJNS seventh-graders achieve on ACT exam

Students compete in You Be the Chemist Challenge Eighth-grade students Molly Deinhart, Anthony Filigenzi, and Genevieve Krass from St. Mary School in Oak Ridge competed on April 29 in the state You Be the Chemist Challenge. Both Anthony and Molly advanced to the quarterfinals (top 15), and Anthony continued to the semifinals and finished in fourth place overall for the state. The Challenge is an academic contest that uses the drama of competition to encourage grade 5-8 students to explore important chemistry concepts, scientific discoveries, and laboratory safety. From left are science teacher Denise Miller, Anthony, Molly, and Genevieve.

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

Praying for Perspective

by George Valadie

‘Common Sense Parenting’ class came too late Raising children brings daily parenting decisions that are surely ‘in the manual we never got’

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e Valadies have had the opportunity to live in three very different cities since the original two of us grew larger than that. One small, one midsize, one very large city. Each has added to our lives but in different ways of course.

Similarly, we’ve belonged to three different parishes. One small, one midsize, one very large. And each of those has added to our lives as well, but not all that differently from one another. And I love that about our Church.

Regardless of their sizes, we have found the congregations in each to be incredibly active. If it wasn’t actually happening, somebody was planning it. And if they weren’t already planning it, someone was dreaming about it.

We’ve seen ministries offered to take care of the youth, the singles, the marrieds, the divorced, the dying, and those who grieve the dead.

We reach out to the pregnant, the homeless, those who want to join us, and those who joined and left us.

And none of this ever just happens, as each of these efforts is “official” with contact names, phone numbers, and meeting times. Together and individually, they better our worship, our outreach, and our community.

In addition to such regular cycles of parish life, all of our parishes have also worked year-round to offer the every-now-and-again programs that people need as well.

Though short-term in nature, some are intended to deepen our faith, some to enrich our minds, some to

better our lives.

Can we help you be healthier, reduce your debt, plan your retirement … the Church can and often does provide so much beyond the sacraments.

It wasn’t all that long ago when I recalled seeing just such a parish outreach, this one entitled “Common Sense Parenting.”

I’ll be honest, we didn’t go. Since our youngest was in college by then, it seemed a bit late for us. Yes, we would be parents for the rest of our lives. And true there’s no shortage of things I still didn’t know. But the honest truth is I skipped out because I just didn’t want to relive the mistakes.

I admire every mom and dad willing to tackle the task of parenthood.

Some seek it, some discover it. But those who ultimately choose to accept it have my respect.

I’ve always thought it odd, though, that the most important job on the planet – raising the children who live on it – is allowed to happen without a hint of mandatory training.

No disrespect intended, but you have to have earned a license to direct funerals, cut hair, and manage a casino. All good and needed professions for sure. I wouldn’t want it any other way.

But child rearing? Seriously, someone should be training someone, don’t you think?

So here came this class, an effort, an attempt to help parents be better at their task. What a great idea!

But where were you when I needed

Marriage Enrichment

Regardless of their sizes, we have found the congregations in each [parish] to be incredibly active. If it wasn’t actually happening, somebody was planning it.

And if they weren’t already planning it, someone was dreaming about it. We’ve seen ministries offered to take care of the youth, the singles, the marrieds, the divorced, the dying, and those who grieve the dead. We reach out to the pregnant, the homeless, those who want to join us, and those who joined and left us. you?

It was confusing from the first night the first child came into our first home. If she had known what we didn’t know, she wouldn’t have come. Some said let her cry, others said she would eventually recall that subconscious imprint and be forced to forever battle with the fact she had parents who didn’t care.

I couldn’t take that sort of guilt on the first night.

We never knew the right answer.

Mostly, she did what came naturally to her. And we did the same.

Not too much later we were faced with not one but two kids who wanted to sleep in our bed. Do we, don’t we, should we. In the long term we would have enjoyed much more sleep if we had said no. But if memory serves me, long term never seemed to matter much at 4:30 in the morning.

Every day they got older, we found ourselves staring at another parental decision that I’m sure is in the manual we never got.

Is there an appropriate number of hours you can force a child to actually sit in front of cold carrots? If we couldn’t potty train the little booger, was that indicative of other parent fails that awaited us?

Do we motivate our kids’ academ-

ic success with the promise of weekend sleepovers? The threat of death?

Five dollar bills? A homemade homily about avoiding homelessness?

Solve one dilemma and there were only more. Should they get an allowance? Should it be tied to their chores? Should we force them to put half into savings? And is half of a quarter all that much?

How do you get them to read more? Argue less?

Should we convince them they can do anything? Or help them deal with the truth that different people have different gifts and that “anything” thing might have been a bit of a stretch?

What’s a good 11-year-old bedtime? Is it different from being 12?

We seemed to be the only parents in our school who didn’t know the universal curfew for teenagers.

And should teenagers ever really be allowed to drive?

Dear God – There are no gifts more precious, no job more important, nothing easier to mess up.

Please bless those who do it well, please strengthen those who don’t know how. Amen. ■ George Valadie is president of Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga.

by Marian Christiana

Communication is the bedrock of any relationship Differences in language between two people, based on what their family of origin passed on, can present a challenge

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anguage, both verbal and physical, is a key ingredient to good communication. The first two factors dealing with good communication both focus on language. The first reminds us to watch our body language, and the next one stresses the need to use clear and concise language to identify an issue. These are very important components in a relationship, but anyone involved in a discussion needs to understand exactly what a person means by the language they are choosing to use in the discussion. We all come into relationships with our own vocabulary and value system for the use of verbal and physical language based on our upbringing.

The first words a person uses in a relationship are a direct result of their family of origin. The differences in language between two people can present a challenge, especially when those two people are planning to be married or are married. This language difference is not necessarily the result of a different dialect or a different country of origin. The differences can pop up in any part of your speech. Do you say turnabout or traffic circle? Do you say soda or pop? How you say something is a direct result of what your family of origin passed on to you.

Speech is transmitted from parent to child in the distinct regional dialect of the parent.

Both of my parents were from Erie, Pa., so even though I was born and raised in Los Angeles I still had words in my vocabulary that came

Every time we use good communication techniques we become better at impacting other people’s lives in a positive way. No matter what language you speak, the goal of good communication is to have a better relationship . . . from my parents’ upbringing. Some of the language could be easily interpreted by an outsider while some of it could be real head-scratchers.

We were told to “red the table” after dinner. I am sure it was supposed to be “rid the table” of all of the dishes but with their accent we heard “red,” so that is what we said. I said it for years until I met my husband, Ralph, and he asked me what in the heck I was talking about!

One of my favorite stories along those lines came from my sister, Kass, and her late husband, Tom. About 15 years ago, my late brotherin-law, Tom, phoned me to ask me what I called the end pieces of the bread and I said the “heel.” He started laughing and said that at breakfast that morning my sister asked him if he wanted anything else, and he said that he would like some “crust” toasted and buttered.

Without asking for any clarification my sister cut the edges off around several pieces of bread, toasted and buttered them and took them to Tom. Tom was very confused when he saw his plate until he realized that by the words they used they were talking about two different things. His family called the end of the bread the “crust” while our family of origin called it the “heel.”

This is a harmless example of the differences of the language we bring into our relationships, but at times instead of humor that language can be hurtful.

If we are unconsciously passing on our own particular language to our children think of the impact we could have if we intentionally passed on good communication techniques by modeling those techniques in our daily lives. First, of course, we need to learn the techniques ourselves before we can model them for others.

I know that I have talked about good communication in the past and that there are many books published annually on the subject.

There are also couples’ enrichment opportunities that will provide the attendees with tools to help them improve communication with each other. So much attention is given to a couple’s communication because it is the bedrock of any relationship.

The language we use can inflame a situation or calm it. Good communication can always have a positive effect on our relationships. Here is a brief list of steps that can lead to good communication: Watch your body language. Sit facing the other person, have good eye contact, and be respectful in your facial expressions. (No eye rolling!)

Identify the issue clearly. Make sure the other party also can identify the issue. You want to make sure that you are discussing the same issue, then stick to the point!

Practice active listening. Allow one person to speak at a time. No inter-

rupting! Be able to repeat what the person said and understand the meaning of the language that they used.

Take turns talking. Everyone has an opportunity to be heard. Communication is not one-sided.

Be open to new ideas and possible resolutions. It is best to begin a discussion with an open mind instead of concentrating on the result you desire. Compromise is always on the table in good communication.

Be respectful. Practice patience and respect during any discussion.

Bring the issue to a conclusion. If a conclusion can’t be found on the first attempt, agree to a specific time when you will meet to bring it to a conclusion. Don’t be afraid to brainstorm to find a resolution. Issues don’t always need to be resolved in the same old way. Using the same old way to resolve an issue might be the reason you are discussing it again.

Always seek reconciliation. Offer an apology and ask for forgiveness if necessary. If you are the injured party, be willing to grant forgiveness.

And finally, Practice, practice, practice! Every time we use good communication techniques we become better at impacting other people’s lives in a positive way. No matter what language you speak, the goal of good communication is to have a better relationship, and that’s a win/win for everybody. ■ Mrs. Christiana is coordinator of the diocesan Marriage Preparation and Enrichment Office.

Girls, boys ages 13 to 17 invited to La Vida en Rosa, Hombres de Valor retreats

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irls between the ages of 13 and 17 are invited to the 11th year of the retreat La Vida en Rosa from 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 16, to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 18, at the Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton.

Boys between the ages of 13 and 17 are invited to the second year of the retreat Hombres de Valor from 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 21, to 3 p.m.

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Sunday, July 23, at Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center.

Girls and boys during the retreats can expect fun games, talks, good food, beautiful nature, and a lot of learning about the great female and male saints of the Catholic Church and the link between their lives and the retreatants’ lives.

Some talks and activities will be in Spanish and w ww.di o k no x .o rg

others in English.

Cost is $30 for each retreat, which has space for 50 teens. To save your spot, register through these links: https://lavidaenrosa.eventbrite.com and https://hombresdevalor.eventbrite.com.

For more information, contact Brittany Koepke of the Pastoral Juvenil office at 865-776-9635 or bkoepke@dioknox.org. ■ JUNE 4, 2017 n B11

Living the Readings

by Father Joseph Brando

Pentecost to Ordinary Time The nine Sundays of June and July include three key feast days

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his edition of The East Tennessee Catholic takes us beyond the Easter Season, through the feasts of Pentecost, Holy Trinity, and the Body and Blood of Christ, and right back into Ordinary Time. It’s a great time to start off explaining what this column is attempting to accomplish.

Simply, our task is to take the sacred Scriptures used at Sunday Mass and read them under a series of looking glasses. We examine these passages in their normal biblical context, as they appear isolated, and as they look in relationship with other Scripture passages selected for use in the Liturgy of the Word at Sunday Mass. Such an endeavor widens our outlook and gives us a grander view of the task and accomplishments of those inspired by God to take part in the writing of sacred Scripture.

In this edition we are covering the nine Sundays of June and July.

These include three major feast days: Pentecost, Holy Trinity, and Corpus Christi (that is, the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ). And then, we return to Ordinary Time (that is those Sundays that are designated by a number, an ordinal).

The first of these feasts is Pentecost. As feasts go, Pentecost is among the highest ranking. The Church uses this occasion to bring us back to its earliest days of gathering together. Our first scene comes to us from the Acts of the Apostles written by St. Luke. He takes us all the way back to the first public sermon by Peter.

The disciples were in the Upper Room when the Holy Spirit descended on them, and Peter spoke to the crowd of visitors who came to Jerusalem for the Passover holidays from many different countries. This gives us a clue that the place was likely around David’s tomb, which is near where we locate the Upper Room. So, Scripture can help us identify facts to make biblical references more alive.

Today’s Gospel also gives us a realistic taste of what the apostles felt as they met in the Upper Room.

Remember, the apostles were not models of bravery on the last days of Holy Week. However, the presence of the risen Christ changed their attitude to that of great joy and deep mutual forgiveness.

The passage chosen for the second reading shows a longer-range view. Paul tells us the result of the Easter event on those disciples.

They became one with the risen Christ.

On the feast of Holy Trinity, the Church uses Old and New Testament selections to demonstrate the relationship of the two covenants and to compare Judaism with Christianity. The theme of forgiveness that came forth in all its richness

Weekday readings Thursday, June 1: Acts 22:30 and 23:6-11; Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11; John 17:20-26 Friday, June 2: Acts 25:13-21; Psalm 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20; John 21:15-19 Saturday, June 3: Acts 28:1620, 30-31; Psalm 11:4-5, 7; John 21:20-25 Sunday, June 4: 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 5: Tobit 1:3 and 2:1-8; Psalm 112:1-6; Mark 12:1-12 Tuesday, June 6: Tobit 2:9-14; Psalm 112:1-2, 7-9; Mark 12:13-17 Wednesday, June 7: Tobit 3:1-11, 1617; Psalm 25:2-9; Mark 12:18-27 Thursday, June 8: Tobit 6:10-11; 7:1, 9-17; and 8:4-9; Psalm 128:1-5; Mark 12:28-34 Friday, June 9: Tobit 11:5-17; Psalm 146:1-2, 6-10; Mark 12:35-37 Saturday, June 10: Tobit 12:1, 5-15, 20; (Psalm) Tobit 13:2, 6-8; Mark B12 n JUNE 4, 2017

after Jesus’ resurrection is demonstrated as being alive at the Passover with Moses.

This theme of perfect forgiveness becomes full blown in the third chapter of John’s Gospel, where the evangelist demonstrates that experiencing forgiveness leads us to believe in eternal life.

The following Sunday celebrates the feast of Corpus Christi or the Body and Blood of Christ. The Scriptures read at Mass begin by introducing the Old Testament memory of the people of Israel being fed for 40 years by manna in the desert.

Manna was a promise to His people on which God delivered. They believed and God delivered. The lesson was that God’s people were fed by their faith in God. So also is it with the people of the New Covenant. In John’s sixth chapter, the place where John highlights Jesus’ gift of the Eucharist, the Lord avows that “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever and the bread I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”

Notice how the New Testament readings on this feast blend in so beautifully with the selection from Deuteronomy. The Jews of Jesus’ time argued as to how Jesus can give them His bread to eat. Jesus provides the answer. It comes from the Father. The Father lives forever.

So, this bread comes from the Father, and “whoever eats this bread will live forever.”

Now, as we journey deeper into June and cross the threshold of summer, we also cross into Ordinary Time. We no longer find easily developed themes dovetailing into each other. But, there are ideas that do develop, and there is much food for thought.

The Ancient Near East was a tough place to live. Perhaps it was more difficult than it is now. One of the worst times was the time of Jeremiah. “Hear this. Terror on every side! Denounce! Let us denounce him! All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine.” We know times were dangerous then as they are to this day. Having recently come through meditating on Jesus’ suffering and death, we can easily become deathly afraid.

Yet, the message of Christ for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time is, “Fear no one….do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.” The underlying message is that God loves us and has the ultimate power to take complete care of us. The Lord wants us to avoid being terrorized. Paul gives us good reason to listen to Christ’s words.

Paul reasons that the sin of one man brought death to all and through

12:38-44 Sunday, June 11: solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, Exodus 34:4-6, 8-9; (Psalm) Daniel 3:52-56; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13; John 3:16-18 Monday, June 12: 2 Corinthians 1:1-7; Psalm 34:2-9; Matthew 5:1-12 Tuesday, June 13: 2 Corinthians 1:18-22; Psalm 119:129-133, 135; Matthew 5:13-16 Wednesday, June 14: 2 Corinthians 3:4-11; Psalm 99:5-9; Matthew 5:17-19 Thursday, June 15: 2 Corinthians 3:15-4:1 and 4:3-6; Psalm 85:9-14; Matthew 5:20-26 Friday, June 16: 2 Corinthians 4:7-

one man, namely Jesus Christ, one man brought life for all. So, we do not have to worry. Paul’s advice is as good today as it was when he wrote to the Romans.

That sets us up to analyze the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time. It is filled with biblical good news. The woman who invited the prophet Elisha to dine with her and stay at her house was not outdone in hospitality. He saw to it that she is granted a son that she had long hoped for.

Paul writes to the Romans that we receive the gift of life on an even larger scale. When we give ourselves to Christ we have died with Him. Nevertheless, we also know that Christ has already died to sin

from Paul’s letter to the Romans.

Paul writes, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us.” Paul also sees that “creation is groaning in labor pains… and not only that but we ourselves…we also groan within ourselves as we await the redemption of our bodies.” Paul thinks that our pains are actually benevolent and will result in a new and joyous birth. We will come out of our bodies redeemed and adopted by the Lord.

On the 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time, we are exposed to more parables of the kingdom. Once again they remain consistent with

What kind of a wise man would you be . . . ? You need an agile mind to be a wise person. You need to be a Solomon to answer all the questions wisely. That is, if you want to be wise you have to think quickly and thoroughly and benevolently. for once and for all. So, we must consider ourselves dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus. That’s a good example of biblical, New Testament reasoning.

Matthew writes in his Gospel that anyone who does a good deed for a prophet or one of Christ’s disciples will surely not lose his reward. This is not a hidden non-essential passage. Rather, this is of the essence of Jesus’ message to the world. Ask anyone who has responded positively to a religious vocation and felt the joy of totally giving himself or herself to God. For all the problems this life may present, the Lord can offer us eternal joy.

The message for the 14th Sunday is to be found clearly in the middle of Paul’s Letter to the Romans. It’s one of my favorites. “If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit that dwells in you.” All we need do is live by the Spirit.

From there, all we need do is take the advice of the prophet Zechariah: “Rejoice heartily, O daughter Zion, shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem!”

Isn’t it strange to have a divine imperative ordering us to rejoice heartily and shout for joy? That’s what happens when we live by the Spirit. For, we have a God who describes himself as “meek and humble of heart…my yoke is easy and my burden light.” That is the logical result of having a Savior who died for us on the cross.

If you still aren’t sure of what the Scriptures told us the previous week, just look at the Gospel for the 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time.

Jesus comes across to his people as one who sits down by the sea and tells the people a parable. He is the epitome of gentleness. He tells the people a parable about listening.

He longs for us to listen to him.

That’s what our God is like. The message of the last few weeks has been the vastness of God’s love for us.

This Sunday’s second reading is

what we’ve heard about the nature of God. Our God sows good seed.

The enemy sowed the weeds, and our God did not want to risk a good seed’s life by pulling all the weeds.

The mustard seed that is likened to the kingdom of heaven is a bush and is nothing like a stately tree. But it still invites birds. The woman had taken a small amount of yeast to mix with an extraordinary amount of wheat flour. The process would take a long time, needing a lot of patience. Put them all together you get the picture of a God who is loving, patient, content, caring, just, and life-giving.

This week we are exposed to Old Testament Wisdom literature. There, the wise man is one who does not unjustly condemn. Many a modern movie has unjust guilty verdicts as a theme. The biblical wise man takes risks and avoids fear. He is both lenient and powerful.

If you would, compare the assets of the late Old Testament ideal with the New Testament. What kind of a wise man would you be or what kind of king would you be?

Finally, we come to the 17th Sunday of Ordinary Time. We remain in the parables of the kingdom.

There, the kingdom is compared to a treasure found buried in a field, a pearl of great price, a net thrown into the sea and not to be sorted out until the fishermen get to shore.

It seems Jesus liked speaking in puzzles.

What would you do… if, as in Jesus’ time, the treasure does not go to a recent buyer of the land, if you could not attain the net worth of the pearl, if there were more fish than you could sell? You need an agile mind to be a wise person. You need to be a Solomon to answer all the questions wisely. That is, if you want to be wise you have to think quickly and thoroughly and benevolently.

It’s good to know that our God is the kind of wise king who loves us, cares for us and will always choose to die for us. n

15; Psalm 116:10-11, 15-18; Matthew 5:27-32 Saturday, June 17: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; Psalm 103:1-4, 9-12; Matthew 5:33-37 Sunday, June 18: solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16; Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; John 6:51-58 Monday, June 19: 2 Corinthians 6:1-10; Psalm 98:1-4; Matthew 5:38-42 Tuesday, June 20: 2 Corinthians 8:19; Psalm 146:2, 5-9; Matthew 5:43-48 Wednesday, June 21: 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Psalm 112:1-4, 9; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Thursday, June 22: 2 Corinthians 11:1-11; Psalm 111:1-4, 7-8; Matthew 6:7-15 Friday, June 23: solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Deuteronomy 7:6-11; Psalm 103:1-4, 6-8, 10; 1 John 4:7-16; Matthew 11:25-30 Saturday, June 24: Isaiah 49:1-6; Psalm 139:1-3, 13-15; Acts 13:22-26; Luke 1:57-66, 80 Sunday, June 25: Jeremiah 20:10-13; Psalm 69:8-10, 17, 33-35; Romans 5:12-15; Matthew 10:26-33 Monday, June 26: Genesis 12:1-9; Psalm 33:12-13, 18-20, 22; Matthew 7:1-5 Tuesday, June 27: Genesis 13:2, 5-18; Psalm 15:2-5; Matthew 7:6, 12-14 Wednesday, June 28: Genesis 15:112, 17-18; Psalm 105:1-4, 6-9; Matthew 7:15-20 Thursday, June 29: Acts 12:1-11; Psalm 34:2-9; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18; Matthew 16:13-19 Friday, June 30: Genesis 17:1, 9-10, 15-22; Psalm 128:1-5; Matthew 8:14n

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Father Brando is retired from the active priesthood in the Diocese of Knoxville.

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

Understanding the Sacraments

by Father Randy Stice

The ‘peculiar graces’ of the Mass

The saints, including St. John of the Cross and St. Faustina, experienced this liturgical presence in profound ways

T

he meaning and power of the liturgical year was elegantly summarized by Vatican Council II: “Within the cycle of a year, moreover, she [the Church] unfolds the whole mystery of Christ, from the incarnation and birth until the ascension, the day of Pentecost, and the expectation of blessed hope and of the coming of the Lord” (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 102). As the mysteries of our redemption are liturgically recalled and celebrated, the riches of Christ’s “powers and merits” are opened to us “so that these are in some way made present for all time, and the faithful are enabled to lay hold upon them and become filled with saving grace” (SC, 102, italics added).

These events are “made present for all time” because Christ’s Paschal mystery is different from all other historical events, which “pass away, swallowed up in the past. The Paschal mystery of Christ, by contrast, cannot remain only the past, because by his death he destroyed death, and all that Christ is—all that he did and suffered for all men—participates in the divine eternity, and so transcends all times while being made present in them all” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1085).

Thus, in asserting that the liturgy makes these events present in a way that we can grasp them and receive their graces, the Church has

Meditating on these texts, available in a variety of sources such as daily missals and periodicals such as Magnificat, prepares us to receive the graces specific to each celebration. laid out for us both the mystery and the power of the Mass. This is how the Austrian Father Pius Parsch (1884-1954), one of the leaders of the liturgical movement, described it in his masterwork, The Church’s Year of Grace (published in English in the United States between 1953 and 1959): “The Sacrifice of Mass offered on various feasts and ferials actualized the sacred event commemorated, making present its peculiar graces” (vol. IV, p. 10, italics added). At one and the same time the Mass makes present Christ’s Paschal mystery in its entirety and the “peculiar graces” specific to each celebration.

The saints experienced this unique liturgical presence in profound ways. For example, for St. John of the Cross, “The liturgical feasts and seasons meant more than an external commemoration; they were the occasion of an interior transformation in the spirit of the mystery being celebrated….One Christmas, seeing a statue of the Infant lying on a cushion, he cried out, ‘Lord, if love is to slay me, the hour has now come.’ His countenance, in fact, corresponded with the Church’s liturgy. Once during Holy Week he suffered so intensely from the Passion of Christ

that he found it impossible to leave the monastery to hear the nuns’ confessions” (Kieran Kavanaugh, Introduction to the Collected Works of Saint John of the Cross, p. 27).

St. Faustina, the Apostle of the Divine Mercy, described her experiences of the graces she received at different liturgical celebrations.

After a Christmas Eve midnight Mass she wrote: “During Holy Mass, I again saw the little Infant Jesus, extremely beautiful, joyfully stretching out His little arms to me.

After Holy Communion, I heard the words: I am always in your heart; not only when you receive Me in Holy Communion, but always.” (Diary, no.

575). And following the celebration of the feast of Christ the King she wrote, “During Holy Mass I prayed fervently that Jesus might become King of all hearts and that divine grace might shine in every soul.

Then I saw Jesus as He is depicted in the image [of Divine Mercy], and He said to me, My daughter, you give Me the greatest glory by faithfully fulfilling my desires” (Diary, 500).

“Almost every feast of the Church,” she observed, “gives me a deeper knowledge of God and a special grace” (Diary, no. 481).

The liturgy gives us many guides to the “peculiar graces” of each eucharistic celebration. The entrance antiphon introduces the assembly “to the mystery of the liturgical time or festivity” (GIRM, 47). The opening prayer or Collect expresses “the character of the celebration” (GIRM, 54). In the readings, “Christ himself is present through his word in the midst of the faithful” (GIRM, 55).

And the Prayer after Communion is a petition “for the fruits of the mystery just celebrated” (GIRM, 89).

Meditating on these texts, available in a variety of sources such as daily missals and periodicals such as Magnificat, prepares us to receive the graces specific to each celebration. This was St. Faustina’s practice: “I prepare myself for each feast and unite myself closely with the spirit of the Church. What a joy it is to be a faithful child of the Church!

Oh, how much I love Holy Church and all those who live in it!” (St. Faustina, no. 481). May we follow her example so that we too can lay hold of the “powers and merits” of Christ’s saving work “made present” every time the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered (SC, 102). n Father Stice is pastor of St. Mary Church in Athens and directs the diocesan Office of Worship and Liturgy. He can be reached at frrandy@ dioknox.org.

Conor Metz of All Saints earns Eagle Scout Award

Scouting’s top honor Conor Metz smiles during his Court of Honor ceremony.

Knights Cup raises $10,000 for Catholic Charities

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COURTESY OF ANDY ZENGEL

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

Tourney title winners Reinhardt University (in white) defeated Point University to win the Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament championship at KCHS’s Blaine Stadium as part of the Knights Cup.

By Dan McWilliams

Church, where he is a parishioner.

Conor just wrapped up his junior year at Knoxville Catholic High School, where he is active in student government and the school’s journalism and multimedia programs, and is a member of the Spanish Honor Society. Conor also rows competitively with East Tennessee Rowing in Louisville, Tenn. n

Softball champs The St. Joseph School Lady Bulldogs softball team defeated First Baptist Academy to win the 2017 Knoxville Independent School League tournament title. The Lady Bulldogs started off with an impressive lead and held FBA in check behind the strong arm of eighth-grader Emma Schaad. The championship game went to extra innings after FBA came back from a 5-2 deficit to tie the game in the fifth. Aniston Acosta scored the go-ahead run before the Bulldogs took the field again to try to seal the victory. Two outs later, FBA had the tying run on third base. On a play at the plate, Hanna Acuff stuck the tag for the final out. From left are (first row) Aliyah Fox, Emma Ackermann, Sofi Herber, Claire Gratz, and Aniston Acosta; and (second row) Derri Thompson, Emma Schaad, Katie Henson, Hanna Acuff, and Scout Herber; and (back row) coaches David Acuff, John Stowers, and Drew Franklin.

DEACON SCOTT MAENTZ

COURTESY OF DAVID METZ

C

onor Metz of Troop 444 in Farragut received his Eagle Scout Award at a Court of Honor held May 2.

He is Eagle Scout No. 125 for Troop 444, which was established in 1991 and is chartered by Farragut Presbyterian Church. Conor is a son of Ann and David Metz and the brother of Brian Metz, who is also an Eagle Scout.

Conor, 17, joined Troop 444 in 2010 after five years in Cub Scouting with Pack 125 and Pack 630.

In the subsequent years, he has enjoyed hiking, climbing, camping, mountain biking, and kayaking, among many other outdoor pursuits. This summer he will attend the Boy Scouts’ National High Adventure Sea Base, where he will spend a week aboard a 40-foot sailboat in the Caribbean Sea with four other Scouts and two leaders from Troop 444.

To earn the rank of Eagle, a Boy Scout must complete at least 21 merit badges and demonstrate leadership and community service in organizing and carrying out an Eagle project.

Conor’s Eagle project involved the design and construction of a prayer garden dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe at Knoxville’s All Saints

ain plagued the Knights Cup Lacrosse Tournament at Knoxville Catholic High School for the second straight year but didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the event’s donors.

The second annual tourney took place April 21 and 22 at KCHS’s Blaine Stadium and featured the semifinals and finals of the Appalachian Athletic Conference college lacrosse tournament. Proceeds benefited Knights of Columbus charities, including Catholic Charities of East Tennessee’s Pregnancy Help Center.

Rain washed out two high school games, between host KCHS and Soddy-Daisy and between Christian Academy of Knoxville and the Roane County Knights.

“Despite the storms that affected the entire weekend, we had a highly successful Knights Cup Lacrosse Tournament,” said organizer Tom Ciaccia. “The Appalachian Athletic Conference put on three exciting games. Reinhardt, who won the conference championship, went on

to win the NAIA national championship the following weekend.

“CAK won a highly competitive middle school tournament. The storms caused the cancellation of the two high school games. However, we were able to send Catholic Charities $10,000 from the event’s proceeds that will support the wide range of family services provided through the Pregnancy Services Division.

“This was the most successful of the 14 athletic events the Knights from Sacred Heart and All Saints have sponsored to support the critical work of this component of the Catholic Charities mission.”

Mr. Ciaccia said that “we’ve already started talking about our 2018 event.”

“Special thanks go to Knoxville Catholic High School for making Blaine Stadium available for this event,” he said, “and to [Pregnancy Services Program leader] Sandi Davidson and her staff for giving us an extraordinary outreach service all Knights can get behind with great enthusiasm.” n

KCHS alum graduates from U.S. Military Academy

C

adet Reese Staley, son of Jim and Patrice Staley, graduated from the U.S. Military Academy on May 27.

Staley graduated from Knoxville Catholic High School in 2013.

While at West Point, he received a bachelor of science degree in

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international history with a minor in environmental engineering.

He was commissioned as a second lieutenant on May 27 in the U.S. Army within the infantry branch and will report to the 1-509th at Fort Polk, La., for his first post after completion of IBOLC and

Reese Staley Ranger School at Fort Benning, GA. n JUNE 4, 2017 n B13

National parks: places of wonder — and spiritual refuge WASHINGTON — From the dramatic vistas of the Grand Canyon in Arizona to the glistening waters of Cape Cod in Massachusetts, national parks have stood as places of wonder, history, and culture.

John Muir, considered the father of our national parks, petitioned U.S. lawmakers to set aside such places for preservation, play, and prayer.

“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike,” wrote the 19th-century naturalist and philosopher in his book Yosemite.

During the 100th year of the National Park Service, Catholic News Service traveled to a few of the nation’s most popular parks and discovered sites of spiritual refuge beside some of America’s most beautiful landscapes.

Though the U.S. governmental agencies operate within the guidelines of separation of church and state, there are sacred symbols in many of the national parks, mainly because the Catholic Church and other religious institutions are a part of the nation’s story.

Religious men and women often use nature’s bounty as a backdrop for spiritual connection.

Archbishop Paul D. Etienne, an angler and outdoorsman, said he understands people’s longing for nature. Newly named to head the Archdiocese of Anchorage, Alaska, he has for the last seven years overseen the Diocese of Cheyenne, Wyo., which includes Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks.

“Nature stirs something in the human soul that helps to reveal the Creator to us,” he said. “Through creation we come to know the Creator.”

Yellowstone, the first national park, was established by Congress in 1872. Today, 412 parks covering more than 84 million acres in the United States and its territories are managed by the National Park Service.

Each year, more than 300 million people venture into the parks for recreation, relaxation, and renewal.

President Woodrow Wilson cre-

ated the National Park Service in 1916 to protect and regulate all federal parks and monuments. Under the Department of the Interior, the Park Service was charged with the conservation of scenery, wildlife, and natural and historic objects and to “provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.”

To meet the needs of Catholic visitors, Catholic clergy and laypeople lead weekend liturgical services inside some of the largest parks — Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Teton, Grand Canyon, Zion, and Glacier — during the busy summer season.

Two Catholic chapels, Sacred Heart in Grand Teton and El Cristo Rey at the south rim of the Grand Canyon, not only offer Mass but are open daily for visits and prayer.

Parishes in park gateway communities, such as St. Mary in Gatlinburg, also cater to throngs of national park visitors.

A majority of those attending Mass at St. Mary are visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited of the national parks with an estimated 10.7 million people annually, said Carmelite Father Antony Punnackal, pastor of the parish.

“We call this parish ‘the parish of the Smokies,’ because it’s basically for the visiting parishioners,” Father Punnackal told CNS. Though the church has about 200 registered families who live within the parish boundaries, an average of 700 people attends Mass each weekend from the spring through fall, he said.

Ed Willis of Delaware, Ohio, said his trip through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offered him a spiritual experience while witnessing “the creation of God,” a vision that stayed with him as he worshiped at St. Mary after leaving the park for the day.

“Having this park and church within reach has deepened my relationship with God,” he told CNS after attending a Saturday evening

By Nancy Wiechec, Chaz Muth/Catholic News Service

CNS PHOTO/CHAZ MUTH

Parishes near parks, including St. Mary-Gatlinburg, cater to throngs of visitors yearly

‘The parish of the Smokies’ Visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park prepare to enter St. Mary Church in Gatlinburg on Aug. 14.

Mass in August.

The National Park Service not only preserves America’s top wilderness areas, but its cultural and historical places as well, including such sites as the Washington Monument, the White House, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Independence Hall.

“Most of the national parks are cultural sites,” said Kathy Kupper, spokeswoman for the Park Service.

“They tell the story of who we are collectively as a people and as a society.”

That story includes the role of Catholicism in the building of the nation.

“There are many connections between the National Park Service and the Catholic Church,” Kupper told CNS. “Perhaps the most famous Catholic Church association is at the San Antonio Missions.”

In the mix of national historical parks and monuments, are those that tell the stories of some prominent Catholics: n Kalaupapa National Historical Park in Molokai, Hawaii, a memorial to the secluded settlement of people banished from their homes for having Hansen’s disease (leprosy), tells the story of the community and those who served as its caregiv-

ers, including St. Damien of Molokai (Father Damien De Veuster) and St. Marianne of Molokai (Mother Marianne Cope). n The John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site in Brookline, Mass., is the Catholic president’s birthplace and boyhood home. A reproduction of the baptismal gown worn by JFK and his siblings is among the religious items on display. (The original gown is retained in storage for preservation.) n Tumacacori National Historical Park south of Tucson, Ariz., contains the ruins of a mission founded

by Jesuit Father Eusebio Francisco Kino in 1691. The park imparts the accounts of European missionaries, settlers, and soldiers and the native O’odham, Apache, and Yaqui people they met in their explorations and ministry. n Cesar E. Chavez National Monument, located northeast of Keene, Calif., is the home and burial place of the Latino labor leader and civil rights activist. With the rallying call “Si, se puede!” (“Yes, we can!”), his movement led to better working conditions and higher wages for farm workers. The monument is part of the Chavez property known as Nuestra Senora Reina de la Paz (Our Lady Queen of Peace). n

St. Mary Parish gets energy from nearby national park GATLINBURG — When Huntsville, Ala., resident Patrick Eads prepared to take his family on a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in August (2016), he made sure to pack necessary vacation items, which included the address of the nearest Catholic church.

Eads and his wife, Rachael, made the 250-mile drive to Gatlinburg with their 1-year-old son to experience nature’s glory.

Rachael, noticeably pregnant, eagerly joined her husband and son on hikes along the Appalachian Trail to find the best views of the mountains and said the majestic vistas, the sounds of the summer insects, the feel of the warm sun on her face, and the scent of the wildflowers growing along their route energized her.

After a day of navigating the Smokies, Patrick was feeling the need for spiritual nourishment, so the bearded redhead packed up his family and headed to St. Mary Church in Gatlinburg for the 7 p.m. Saturday Mass. A Google search before leaving home helped him locate the parish, and he was thrilled that it was conveniently located near the town’s main strip.

The Eadses are among thousands of visitors who cross St. Mary’s threshold each year, and they are a driving force in the 81-year-old parish, said Carmelite Father Antony Punnackal, pastor of the parish.

St. Mary can seat 525 people if the church staff opens up its parish hall and daily chapel, both of which can be exposed to the main altar. But, it’s not unusual for 800 people to attend a Mass during the peak park visiting times, Father Punnackal told Catholic News Service.

People stand in the back or the side of the church and even stand outside when a Mass is really packed, he said.

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CNS PHOTO/CHAZ MUTH

Spring and summer visitors from throughout the country are members of the Gatlinburg parish, if only for one evening

In prayer Several visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Gatlinburg attend an Aug. 14 Mass at St. Mary Church near the city’s main drag.

“We only have about 200 families registered in the parish, but you’d never know that if you came here for Sunday Mass,” Father Punnackal said. “That’s why we call this parish Fr. Punnackal ‘the parish of the Smokies.’ It’s basically for the visiting parishioners.”

During the Aug. 14 Saturday evening Mass, the priest asked members of the large congregation to raise their hand if they were travelers visiting the park. A majority of the worshipers lifted their arms to signify that they were indeed visitors.

“You never take a vacation from your faith,” said Mary Willis of Delaware, Ohio, who was among the Catholics attending Mass at St. Mary on that sultry August evening. “Why

would you miss going to church on vacation?”

St. Mary’s pastor calls them the “visiting parishioners,” because he considers them to be members of his church community, even if only for an evening. “They are the majority,” he said, “and they treat this church like it’s their home parish. They support this church like it’s their home parish. They are tremendous contributors when the collection basket is passed around.”

The parish is in solid financial shape because of the reliably generous support of the visitors, Father Punnackal told CNS. St. Mary Parish dates back to 1935, when a Knoxville couple donated a log cabin to become the first Catholic church in Gatlinburg, then a littleknown valley of English and ScotchIrish settlers.

Shortly after President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the Great Smoky

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By Chaz Muth/CNS

Mountains National Park in 1940, visitors to the area began overcrowding the 40-seat log chapel, prompting the parish to build its current church, which was completed in 1953 and later expanded to include a parish hall and rectory.

When Willis and her husband, Ed, exited the church following the Aug. 14 Mass, they reminisced about how welcomed they felt by the priest and the other churchgoers.

“The Catholic community is universal, and that was on full display this evening,” Ed Willis told CNS. There was a comfort knowing that so many others in the church were also visitors, and even the locals went out of their way to make them feel at home, he said.

That is the sort of energy that keeps this parish thriving, both financially and spiritually, Father Punnackal said.

The city of Gatlinburg, with an estimated population of about 4,000, also benefits from the nearly 11 million visitors who travel to the Great Smoky Mountains annually, by far the most visited national park in the U.S. Complementing the picturesque streets are beautifully maintained early 20th-century structures, hanging baskets with colorful plants strung from lamp posts, and they were packed with cars and pedestrians on a summer afternoon.

The main street leads to the entrance of the national park, where the Eads and Willis families, along with millions of others, are able to take in all of the gifts God has provided, Father Punnackal said.

“Coming to church after a day of seeing the Lord’s bounty made me feel complete,” Ed Willis said. “I can’t think of a better way to spend my vacation.” n TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C A TH OLI C