June 2, 2024, ET Catholic, B section

Bridge Ministry partners with Catholic Charities

The effort to feed the homeless, founded by Deacon Scott and Christine Maentz, will continue By

Gabrielle Nolan

After nearly nine years of ministry of feeding Knoxville’s homeless, Deacon Scott and Christine Maentz have handed over the reins of their local ministry.

Bridge Ministry serves food on the fourth Sunday of each month at Knox Area Rescue Ministries (KARM) in downtown Knoxville, located at 418 N. Broadway.

The husband-and-wife duo, who moved to Florida in April for retirement, were parishioners at Holy Ghost in Knoxville, where Deacon Maentz served.

They leave behind a team of volunteers that is eager to continue the mission of Bridge Ministry. This time, however, the ministry will run under Catholic Charities of East Tennessee (CCETN).

Deacon Dave Duhamel, executive director of CCETN, said that operationally, most people will not see changes with the ministry.

“Bridge Ministry will be led by DeeDee and Tom Quinones as CCETN Ministry volunteer leaders,” Deacon Duhamel said. “CCETN will serve as the sponsoring and supporting agency— providing assistance and infrastructure in the areas of logistics and finances so that the work will continue uninterrupted. This ministry will remain entirely volunteer-based with designated donations going directly to Bridge Ministry.”

Mr. and Mrs. Quinones are parishioners at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville, but they also attend Holy Ghost.

They have been involved with Bridge Ministry since the beginning, with Mrs. Quinones organizing volunteers and goods, and Mr. Quinones cooking hot dogs on his hot dog cart.

The couple said they “wanted to teach our children to see the other side of life.”

April 28 was the first Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. Quinones leading the operation with CCETN.

“We are very sad but of course happy for them,” Mrs. Quinones said of the Maentz family. “We look forward to continuing what Deacon

and Christine have created.”

Deacon Maentz said that leaving Bridge Ministry behind is “bittersweet.”

“It’s sweet in the sense that it was probably time for somebody else to take it over. We’ve been doing this for a long time, and you know, ministry can be difficult after a while,” he said. “It’s bitter in the sense that we put almost eight years of our life into this, and it’s hard to let it

go. But on the other hand, I’m so happy that it found a home under Catholic Charities. It’s the perfect place for it, and Deacon Dave is a good friend of mine, and I know he’s going to do a super job…And DeeDee and Tom Quinones have been fantastic.”

The transition leads to new service opportunities for CCETN, for which the organization is Bridge continued on page B2

KCHS wins tennis, track state championships

Notre Dame’s boys soccer team finishes runner-up as both high schools stand out at Spring Fling By Dan McWilliams

The TSSAA’s annual Spring Fling championships saw Knoxville Catholic High School and Notre Dame High School achieve great things, as KCHS won tennis singles and team titles and multiple track-and-field state crowns, while Notre Dame finished runner-up in boys soccer and placed several track athletes in the state meet.

Knoxville Catholic junior tennis standout Lillie Murphy won her first singles state championship on May 24 at the Adams Tennis Complex in Murfreesboro. Lillie defeated Melanie Woodbury of Hutchison 6-4, 6-3 in the Division II, Class AA title match. Lillie, also a two-time state doubles champion in 2022-23 with senior teammate Eleni Liakonis, advanced to the singles final with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Avery Franklin of Ensworth in the semifinals May 23. Lillie also swept her first-round match earlier in the day, blanking Estelle Denker of Ensworth 6-0, 6-0.

The Lady Irish have won the singles title four straight years, with three-time champion Maeve Thornton graduating last spring.

Eleni fell in the first round of the singles tourney this spring 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 to Melanie of Hutchison as KCHS had two players in the final eight.

The Lady Irish won the team state title for the fourth straight year and sixth time overall with a 4-3 win over Baylor on May 22. Sophomore Lauren Murphy battled back from the brink of defeat to outlast Molly Donovan in the No. 5 singles match 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 to clinch the championship. Knoxville

Catholic also won at No. 1 singles as Lillie defeated Margarette Berdy 6-1, 6-1. Eleni at No. 2 swept Helen Guerry 6-3, 6-3. Eleni and senior Payton Carroll won at No. 1 doubles 8-4 over Helen and Sloane Proffitt, and Lauren and Lillie triumphed in No. 2 doubles 8-6 over Margarette and Molly.

KCHS defeated Hutchison 4-2 in the semifinals of the team tourney

May 21. Lillie coasted to a 6-0, 6-2 win over Melanie while Eleni had a slightly easier win over Olivia Evans 6-0, 6-1. Payton defeated Elizabeth Dunavant 6-1, 7-5. Eleni and Payton outlasted Melanie and Olivia 9-7 in doubles, while Lauren and Lillie shut out Elizabeth and Anna Caroline Domas 8-0. Knoxville Catholic junior Maggie Frana won the Lady Irish’s first-

ever discus state title with a throw of 110 feet, 5 inches, in the Division II-AA track-and-field meet at Dean Hayes Stadium on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. Maggie edged Tessel Visser of Lipscomb Academy by 7 inches. The track-and-field events took place May 22. Sophomore Chloe Truss of

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Four straight titles The Knoxville Catholic High School girls tennis squad won its fourth straight team state championship in May. From left are assistant coach Derek Stultz, Ella Connelly, Mary Caroline Ellis, Emery Hussar, Karenna Thurman, Marianna Hurley, Lauren Murphy, Lillie Murphy, Payton Carroll, Eleni Liakonis, and head coach Rusty Morris.

Passing the reins Deacon Scott Maentz (left) and wife Christine pose for a photo with Deacon Dave Duhamel and DeeDee and husband Tom Quinones. Mr. and Mrs. Quinones, Catholic Charities of East Tennessee ministry volunteer leaders, are the new leaders of the Bridge Ministry. Deacon Duhamel is executive director of CCETN.

grateful.

“What can anyone say about the two founders—Deacon Scott and Christine—that would truly honor them appropriately?” Deacon Duhamel said. “They have done so much and given of themselves tirelessly and lovingly. Deacon Scott and Christine have been the driving force, the loving hands and feet of Jesus, the smiling, love-filled leaders of this ministry. …Their absence will be felt by all who have been graced by their presence.”

Catholic Charities is accepting legacy gifts in honor of Deacon and Mrs. Maentz.

“We would like to offer, to the hundreds of individuals who have volunteered and supported Deacon Scott and Christine, an opportunity to partner in the continued growth and sustainability of Bridge Ministry,” Deacon Duhamel shared.

Bridge Ministry aligns with the mission of Catholic Charities because “we are serving and expressing Christ’s merciful love in the small, yet impactful act of feeding and bringing comfort to those neighbors who are experiencing housing and food insecurity,” Deacon Duhamel said.

“We may not be able to solve all of the world and community’s big problems, but we meet people where they are and demonstrate our love for them,” he continued.

As this ministry enters a new chapter, Mrs. Quinones shared that they “are not looking to change anything.”

“We feel what Deacon has done is beyond what normal people do and want to keep it going,” she said.

Humble beginnings

Bridge Ministry began in December 2015 at the prompting of Mrs. Maentz, who had the desire to serve sandwiches on Christmas Day to the homeless under the bridge downtown by KARM.

“I tell people that I reluctantly went to help her; she dragged me kicking and screaming to do this on Christmas Day,” Deacon Maentz said. “So, really she’s the motivating force behind this ministry; that’s how it got started. We made peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches Christmas Eve. We brought 100-110 sandwiches down, we brought coffee, we got some donations, we brought some doughnuts and some fruit, and we just pulled in underneath the overpass. It was pouring rain.”

Despite the weather, people showed up and formed a line outside of the van as food was distributed.

“We then realized that there was something important here,” Deacon Maentz said. “So, I realized that the Lord was involved in this, that it was something He wanted me to do. I was still in formation for the

who swept the three sprint state titles as a freshman, won the 100-meter dash this year with a time of 12.07 seconds, beating Lauren Wynn of Harpeth Hall by 0.39 seconds. Chloe placed second in both the 200 dash with a time of 25.43 and in the 400 dash with a time of 56.40. Taylin Segree of Lipscomb crossed the line first in the 200 in 25.20 and in the 400 in 55.74.

Knoxville Catholic’s 800 relay team of freshman Sarah Salsbery, freshman Juliet Biden, sophomore Payton Sipos, and Chloe won the championship in 1:43.28, outpacing Ensworth (1:45.22) by nearly 2 seconds.

Payton recorded high finishes in three individual events, coming in second in the girls 300 hurdles with a time of 45.47, placing behind Halli Olivo of Christ Presbyterian Academy (44.73). Payton took fifth in the 100 hurdles with a time of 14.98 seconds and finished seventh in the high jump with a leap of 4-8. She also finished ninth in the pentathlon.

As a team, the Lady Irish scored 60 points to place fifth overall out of 17 schools that tallied.

The Knoxville Catholic boys trackand-field team placed in a number of events. Junior Keegan Smith finished second in the 800 run with a time of 1:54.41, just .07 seconds off the pace of Joe Edwards of Christian Brothers. Keegan also came in third in the 3,200 run with a clocking of 9:23.68. Keegan is a two-time state champion in the 1,600 and has one 3,200 state title along with a crosscountry crown.

Sophomore JR Fowler took third in the discus with a toss of 166-10. Senior Andon Mashburn finished eighth in the shot put with a throw of 46-9.25.

The KCHS 3,200 relay team of sophomore Radek Molchan, junior Gonzalo Vela, junior Tony Ortega,

diaconate—I hadn’t been ordained yet in 2015. My ordination date was June 11, 2016. It was important that I have a ministry, a diaconal ministry, and it felt like this was it.”

Deacon Maentz approached Knights of Columbus Council 5207 at the cathedral, asking if members would be interested in supporting his ministry. After a resounding yes, the group met once a month to make sandwiches.

“A bunch of people would come, and somebody would bring bread, and somebody would bring peanut butter, or whatever it was the type of sandwich we were making. … And we’d make these hygiene kits with various hygiene items, toothbrushes, toothpaste, things like that. And everybody kind of contributed something. We made the sandwiches, and then we’d all go down as a group together and set up our tables under the bridge where Christine and I had served on Christmas Day and hand out the sandwiches and hygiene kits that we had made. So, that was really the real beginning of it, when we started to get other people from the diocese involved, and it started with the Knights of Columbus,” Deacon Maentz shared.

In the beginning months of the ministry, food items were donated, but eventually Deacon Maentz decided to switch to a model of monetary donations.

“Sometimes you would have too much of one thing, not enough of another, when people were making donations,” he explained. “And so we kind of moved to a model where we asked people instead of bringing food, if you wanted to make a monetary donation, and then I would go shopping once a month and buy what we actually needed.”

Eventually, the ministry became a 501(c)(3) under the Diocese of Knoxville. Also, the location changed from under the bridge, which was not a desirable location to serve food, to the courtyard of KARM, which provides running water and electricity.

Typically, 20 to 30 volunteers show up to help serve food and interact with the homeless. There is no required registration to sign up, but minors do need to come with an adult in order to volunteer.

Every serving begins with prayer.

“We start with a prayer, and we ask that God bless us, bless the food, and that we’re able to see Christ in all those that we’re serving,” Deacon Maentz said. “Jesus said that which you do for the least of my brothers, you do for me. And so we took that literally, and we believe that we were serving our Lord in the people that we served. … We would [pray] right there where we served, and we’d have all of our volunteers kind

and Keegan placed fourth in a time of 7:58.47.

The Knoxville Catholic boys scored 26 team points to place 10th out of 15 schools.

For Notre Dame, junior Olivia Mroz placed third in the Division II-A girls high jump, clearing the bar at 5-2. She tied with Kayla Underwood of Lakeway Christian. Both had faults at all three attempts at 5-4, but Kayla had no faults to Olivia’s two at 5-2 and was awarded second place on the tiebreaker. Kori Robinson of Davidson Academy won the title with a leap of 5-4.

Freshman Audrey Strickland of Notre Dame finished seventh in the shot put with a throw of 30-4.50 and seventh in the discus at 88-03.

Olivia and Audrey gave the Lady Irish 10 team points to place 17th out of 30 schools.

The Notre Dame boys team put two athletes in the top eight of the 200 dash. Senior Braylon Hammond took fifth with a time of 23:03, a shade quicker than teammate Maximo Santiesteban, a sophomore, who placed seventh in 23.33.

The Fighting Irish 3,200 relay team of three sophomores, Dylan Hall, Jose Gray, and Josiah Morais, and Braylon finished eighth in 9:25.52.

As a team, the NDHS boys scored seven points to place 21st out of 27 schools.

The Notre Dame boys soccer team lost a heartbreaker in the Division II-A state-championship game, falling 1-0 to Boyd Buchanan on May 23 at the Richard Siegel Soccer Complex in Murfreesboro. The Fighting Irish advanced with a 3-1 victory in overtime against University School of Nashville in the semifinals the previous day.

The runner-up finish was the best for the Notre Dame program since the 1996 and 1997 squads won backto-back state championships. Boyd Buchanan’s Andrew Pol-

lard scored on an assist from Edson Angel in the 33rd minute of the first half of the state finals. Moments later, Notre Dame junior goalkeeper Chase Lundberg made a save on a penalty kick by Phillip Collins. The Fighting Irish had no shot attempts or corner kicks in the first half.

Notre Dame junior Josh Bonk took two shots early in the second half but did not find the mark. Junior Caleb Salenda of the Fighting Irish attempted two shots in the 68th minute, one of which was saved by Boyd Buchanan netminder Nathan Randolph.

Josh led Notre Dame’s offense with four shots attempted, one on goal. Caleb and sophomore Luke Rosellini recorded two shots each. Goalkeepers Chase and Nathan made four saves apiece.

Josh and senior Lucas Johnson scored in overtime to give the Fighting Irish the victory over USN after 80 minutes of regulation play ended 1-1. Josh scored unassisted in the 84th minute after having two shots blocked earlier in the first 10-minute OT period. Lucas scored quickly in the second half of OT, tallying an unassisted goal in the 92nd minute. Chase made a save in the 96th minute, and Notre Dame held on for the 3-1 win.

Luke scored the game’s first goal on an assist from junior Sébastian Saenz Lara in the 54th minute of the second half. USN, however, would tie the game in the 55th minute, and the score remained even for the rest of regulation. Josh, in the 58th minute, had the only Notre Dame shot

Bridge

COURTESY OF BRIDGE MINISTRY (2)

Feeding Christ Youth volunteers help with condiments in the food line in the KARM courtyard, where Bridge Ministry serves food to the homeless.

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Relay gold The Knoxville Catholic girls 800-meter relay team won the state title with a school-record time of 1:43:28. From left are Payton Sipos, Chloe Truss, Juliet Biden, and Sarah Salsbery.

‘There was something important here’ Volunteers serve desserts and fruit in the KARM courtyard.

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in the remainder of the second half.

Luke, Caleb, and senior Totti Card, the latter in the final minute of the first half, recorded shots for the Fighting Irish in the opening 40 minutes, which ended 0-0.

Notre Dame outshot USN 11-10 for the game, with Josh having four to lead the team and Luke two. Chase played the entire 100 minutes in goal and made three saves.

The Fighting Irish began their march to the state tournament with a 2-1 win over Webb School of Bell Buckle in the round of 16. Webb led 1-0 at the half, but Totti and Caleb scored second-half goals to clinch the victory.

In the quarterfinals, Notre Dame nipped Northpoint Christian 1-0. Caleb scored the game-winning goal.

Knoxville Catholic tennis head coach Rusty Morris said veterans and new players combined well for this year’s team.

“We lost two seniors from last year’s team, Maeve Thornton and Gigi Sompayrac, who are both playing D1 college tennis,” he said. “That being said, we felt that we still had the best two players in the state with Lillie Murphy and Eleni Liakonis at 1 and 2 singles. We also split them apart in doubles to help the team get the doubles point. We also knew that Payton Carroll at 3 singles and 1 doubles was one of the best players in the state.

“This year, we had new players step into new roles at 4, 5, 6 singles and 3 doubles. Lauren Murphy had been hurt all last year and was not able to play or even hit a tennis ball all last year. Karenna Thurman, a junior, had played 6 and 7 singles last year, and senior Marianna Hurley was not in the lineup last year. Mary Caroline Ellis was a freshman this year and new to the team. So, we were developing the players at 4, 5, 6 singles and 3 doubles throughout the year and could see their improvement. It was great to see this team four-peat because unlike other years we were not the fa-

Champs again Eleni Liakonis (left) and Lillie Murphy of Knoxville Catholic High School hold the tennis team state-championship trophy. Lillie won her first singles state championship this spring, the fourth consecutive singles title for the Lady Irish. KCHS won the team state title for the fourth straight year and sixth time overall.

vorites to win, and to see the players at the top of the lineup handle the pressure like always but to see the players at 4, 5, 6 step up under such great pressure was awesome to see, particularly Lauren Murphy clinching the win.”

The team championship match against Baylor came down to the wire, with Lauren making a remarkable comeback.

“The match was so tight, and the score was 3-3, and everyone was watching the 5 singles court with Lauren Murphy playing that position for Catholic,” Mr. Morris said.

“Lauren had lost the first set but would not quit fighting. She was able to get the second set and in the third set was down 5-4 and 30-all, so she was two points away from being defeated. Lauren fought back and went ahead 6-5 in the third set and was up 40-30. She was not able to get the first match point. At 6-5 deuce, no ad, Lauren was able to hit a great overhead smash to win the match and clinch the win for Catholic. It was awesome to see Lauren win the key match with all she has battled through with injuries.”

The Lady Irish’s two doubles wins gave them a team point early on.

“Catholic was able to get the doubles point to start the match by winning courts 1 and 2 doubles,” Mr. Morris said. “Payton Carroll and Eleni Liakonis played court 1, and Lillie Murphy and Lauren Murphy played court 2. We knew we had to win the doubles point because the only loss we had in the last four years happened at Baylor during the regular season when we were not able to get the doubles point.”

Lillie and Eleni took care of matters in the top singles matches.

“Lillie Murphy won on court 1 singles, and Eleni Liakonis won at 2 singles, and that gave us three points,” Mr. Morris said. “Baylor won at 6 singles, and then Karenna Thurman lost a close match at 4 singles. Payton Carroll battled back in the second set and lost a close second set to make it 3-3. Lillie Murphy

of gathered around, but we’d also invite the people standing in line to join us. Just about everyone knows the Our Father, so we would always conclude with an Our Father, and then I would give everybody a blessing.”

Often, there were more volunteers than needed to serve food, so several volunteers would go out and sit with the homeless and enjoy conversation.

“People would go out and sit down with people, listen to their

story, and often pray with them,” Deacon Maentz shared. “I know several times people have asked me to pray with them for something that is going on. But mostly just listening and having somebody listen to them and understand them. And we found that people who are experiencing homelessness, they are just people that have had very regular lives. Some of whom have even been people that in their past life were looked up to and admired and had big jobs, but because of whatever circumstance, be it addiction,

has been dominant throughout high school. She has never lost a singles or doubles match.”

Lillie and Eleni, with two doubles state titles in hand, both went for the gold in singles this season.

“Lillie Murphy and Eleni Liakonis won the doubles state championship the last two years,” Mr. Morris said. “With Maeve graduating the year before, they both wanted a shot at the singles title, and both made it to the finals of the region to qualify for state. Eleni had an extremely tough draw at state and lost to Melanie Woodbury in the quarterfinals in three sets. Lillie Murphy played exceptional in defeating two Ensworth players and Melanie Woodbury in the finals. Lillie Murphy has been that dominant throughout her high school career, having never lost in singles or doubles.”

The Lady Irish finished the season 12-1 as a team, “which is tremendous since we were able to defeat Girls Preparatory School, Ensworth, Hutchison, and Baylor and also win the A division in the Rotary Tournament in Chattanooga,” Mr. Morris said. “Lillie Murphy has been undefeated the whole year, and Eleni Liakonis’ only defeat this year was in the quarterfinals at state. Lillie and Lauren Murphy never lost at 2 doubles, and Eleni Liakonis and Payton Carroll lost only one doubles match this year.”

Three seniors completed their KCHS days this spring.

“Eleni Liakonis, Payton Carroll, and Marianna Hurley graduated this year,” Mr. Morris said. “Next year will be different because we have depended so much this last year on winning at 1, 2, 3 singles, and two of the three will be graduated. I’m excited about how much the players at 4, 5, 6 have developed this year, and we have some great

be it unemployment, be it a fallout with their family, they ended up on the street.”

Bridge Ministry will next distribute food at 11 a.m. Sunday, June 23, at KARM. All are welcome to volunteer.

“It affords the volunteers and parishioners from various parishes the opportunity to spend time with their less fortunate neighbors and experience a communion of love and meal with them,” Deacon

freshman coming in next year. With Lillie Murphy’s leadership, we will have a chance to compete with the best in the region again next year.”

Knoxville Catholic track-and-field head coach Sean O’Neil said he was proud of Maggie for winning the discus state title.

“Maggie has put in a tremendous amount of work to get to where she is,” he said. “Last year, as a sophomore, she made huge improvements in her technique and finished second at the state championships. This year, she refined her technique even more and spent a lot of time in the weight room getting stronger. All the hard work paid off. Conditions were windy at the state meet, so personal records were hard to come by in the throwing events, but Maggie was able to do enough to get the win. The athletes got four throws each, and Maggie hit 110-5 on her third attempt. She went last, so everyone else had a shot at beating her mark. Seven inches is a pretty small (winning) margin, so there were definitely some nerves in the last round of throws.”

Chloe’s relay effort helped her teammates win a state title but may have affected her chances in the individual sprints she didn’t win.

“Chloe won the 100 this year and was the anchor on our school record-setting 4-by-200 relay,” Mr. O’Neil said. “Last year, she won all three sprint events, but this year the relay was her second event of the day, and that definitely took something out of her. Getting the relay win was important to Chloe, so it was worth sacrificing her having a better shot at individual titles. She is still getting faster, so the future is definitely still bright for her.”

The relay team set a school record in the state meet with Sarah starting the race and the handoffs going

Duhamel said. “It is also an opportunity and gift to recognize the face of Jesus in every person we encounter—especially in those we may not encounter or engage with on a frequent basis.” To volunteer or to donate, visit ccetn.org/bridge-ministry ■

BRIAN GILL

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Saying goodbye Bridge Ministry held a going-away party at the Chancery in Knoxville for Deacon Scott Maentz and wife Christine, who have moved to Florida.

Longtime friends Tom Quinones and wife DeeDee (left) and Deacon Scott Maentz and wife Christine are pictured at the Chancery.

Victory in the semifinals The Notre Dame boys soccer team celebrates after defeating University School of Nashville 3-1 in overtime to advance to the state-championship game.

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Chattanooga Deanery Holy Spirit, Soddy-Daisy

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

St. Bridget, Dayton

A celebration of pastor Father Jim Vick’s 25th ordination anniversary will be held following the 5:30 p.m. Mass on Saturday, June 15. All fathers in the parish will also be honored at the same time.

The St. Bridget Women’s Council raised more than $1,800 at its recent Spring Bazaar and Bake Sale.

A luncheon to celebrate May and June birthdays is set for 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 18, at Dayton Coffee Shop.

The Knights of Columbus have begun planning for the Harry Jones Golf Tournament to be held this fall on Thursday, Oct. 3, at Dayton Golf & Country Club. More details to come.

St. Jude, Chattanooga

Ascension Living gave an overview of its senior services available in the Hamilton County area June 10 in the parish life center downstairs meeting room.

The Council of Catholic Women changed its meeting days to first Tuesdays starting June 4.

A patriotic rosary for America took place June 1 at St. Jude.

A Mass followed by a potluck luncheon on May 30 celebrated the 34th anniversary of priestly ordination for associate pastor Father Alex Waraksa. Father Waraksa on May 26, 1990, was the first priest ordained for the Diocese of Knoxville after its founding in 1988.

St. Mary, Athens

The parish thanked Jim Cornwall, who is retiring after more than 40 years of mowing St. Mary property for free at its old location on Congress Parkway and at its current site on Madison Avenue. Parishioners may leave cards and notes for Mr. Cornwall in a box in the narthex.

St. Mary congratulated its graduating seniors: Martin Rodriguez Castellanos, Frederick Jean, Ingrid James, Bryce Westcott, John Domzalski, Emanuel Sandoval, Sebastian Mireles, Nathan Hull, and Fatima Garcia.

St. Mary scholarships for 2024-25 have been awarded to Abbey Borden, Yu Lee, Reagan Locke, Michael Fogelgren, Christian Casey, Allie Sewell, Chloe Miller, Naylen McKenzie, Natalie McCutcheon, Nathaniel Curtis, Stacy Mora, John Domzalski, Martin Rodriguez Castellanos, Jaxson Marlow, and Lucas Scheutzow.

“Come to the Table” is the theme for the parish vacation Bible school Monday, July 22, through Thursday, July 25. A light meal will be served at 5:30 p.m. daily with VBS held from 6 to 8:15 p.m. Signups are underway, and a volunteer team is being organized. Call Sue at 423-506-7836 or Debbie at 865297-6350 to help.

The parish yard sale is set for the weekend of Aug. 23-25.

The Council of Catholic Women is reorganizing and wants parish women to be a part of it. The CCW held an ice cream social June 10 attended by new parochial administrator Father Christopher Manning.

St. Stephen, Chattanooga

The Knights of Columbus thanked parishioners for their donation of $1,643 for the KIND (Knights for the Intellectually Disabled) collection. The Knights also congratulated Corky Evers as Knight of the month and the Terry Duffy family as family of the month.

Anniversaries: John and Lynda DiPrima (60), Gino and Jeannie Bennett (58),

Bob and Connie Aaron (53), Fran and Lyn Grillo (53), Robert and Joanne Hotchkiss (53), Roger and Donna Fiske (52), Mike and Brenda Lucas (51), Eugene and Evelyn Boullain (10) Cumberland Mountain Deanery Blessed Sacrament, Harriman

The Blessed Sacrament Ladies Guild announced that the scholarship committee has presented the 2024 Mary Margaret Murphy annual award to Abigail Patterson. The committee received several highly qualified candidates, but Abigail exceeded the requirements, which included faith-based activities and scholastic achievements.

The Ladies Guild acknowledged the parish’s graduates with a cake and gifts during the weekly coffee-anddoughnuts gathering. Graduating seniors are Emily Edmonds, Joshua Gouge, Kate Laffoon, Vic Landa Jr., Abigail Patterson, and Brady Shillings.

The guild will host its second annual Father’s Day Brunch in the church hall following the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, June 16. The menu will include casseroles, biscuits and gravy, sausage, and more. Gluten-free and vegetarian options will be available.

A baby-bottle fundraiser to help Life Choices Medical Center in Harriman will end on Father’s Day, June 16.

Baptisms: Chloe Anderson and Caylee Anderson

St. Francis of Assisi, Fairfield Glade

The Council of Catholic Women will take part in an ecumenical luncheon for the women of Fairfield Glade churches on June 12 at the Fairfield Glade Community Church. The CCW’s bake sale will be held at the Village Green Mall in the Glade on June 29.

The Knights of Columbus transported the Silver Rose from Canada and Mexico routes to the United States, and it was brought to St. Francis of Assisi for a special presentation at the 8 a.m. Mass on May 9, with a rosary for life prayed afterward.

Kathy Fitch invited Father Randy Stice, director of the Office of Worship and Liturgy for the Diocese of Knoxville, to do a Zoom call on “The Eucharist: Covenant and Sacrifice” held May 14 in the parish hall.

The women in the prayer-blanket and shawl ministry are busy preparing items for those in need. For more information, call Pam McCarthy at 229-7703478 or Susan Bivens at 217-377-1798 for prayer blankets and Peggy Finley at 312-718-5189 for prayer shawls.

Anniversaries: Bob and Genie Gruber (72), Tom and Peg Loughran (66), Don and MaryLou Wiskow (64), Tom and Maryann Teall (64), Pat and Anna Chowning (63), Fred and Kitty Sasse (63), Joe and Mary Partlow (63), Shelton and Patty Johnson (61), Joe and Susanna Bour (60), Ed and Connie Bock (59), Theodore and Joanne Bronske (57), James and Judith McClue (57), Randall and Cary Moore (57), John and Denise Ranger (56), William and Pat Nagy (54), Bernard and Stasia LeFrancois (54), Gerald and Donna Thompson (54), Peter and Christine Marino (54), Gerald and Betty Haser (53), Mike and Mary Mayes (53), Dan and Jo Wind (53), Dan and Cathie Fugiel (53), John and Mary Kopmeier (53), Paul and Joanie Chmielewski (52), John and Rozanne Mulcrone (51), Ron and Barbara Whynaucht (51), Mike and Glenna Rodts (50), Stephen and Lynn Thompto (45), Mike and Lee Stotz (40), Charles and Cynthia Schmidt (40), Rudolph and Pauline Buchholz (40), Steve and Luba Kapalko (25), Stephen and Marcia O’Connor (25), John and Josette Michael (20)

St. John Neumann, Farragut

The right-to-life committee thanked parishioners for donating $1,650 in a collection to enable it to run its St. John Neumann billboard, in conjunction with Tennessee Right to Life, for

Parish notes continued on page B10

Coming together Attending the Men’s Welcome Retreat at St. Stephen were (from left, front row) Leo Juarez, Vince Hotton, Juan Jesus Godinez, Oswaldo Perez, Steve Underwood, Brendan Jennings, Zach Germann, Noe Fuentes Lopez, Dave Pestillo, Jerrell Laster, and Roger Nichols and (back row) Deacon Dave Waguespack, Antonio Sanchez, Steve Economus, Antonio Lara, Peter Spellman, Jason Mushik, Mario Diaz, Gerard Machalick, Andy Simms, Matt Lubaway, Juan Diaz, Denis Centeno, Thomas Minchew, Daniel Hixson, Kurt Fritz, Paul McManus, Olivo Rodriguez, Miguel Luna, Jarrett Adams, Jaime Hernandez, and Mike Hammond.

Men’s Welcome Retreat at St. Stephen draws 31 for weekend of talks, more

By Brendan Jennings

Thirty-one Christian men got together for a Men’s Welcome Retreat on the St. Stephen Parish campus in Chattanooga on the weekend of May 4-5 to talk about how to build closer relationships with God, their families, and other men in their community.

Nine presenters each gave their own personal witness about how Christ influenced their lives in 10 sessions that were followed by small-group discussions, time for the sacrament of reconciliation, and an evening Mass. Each of the presenters is a St. Stephen parishioner, including Deacon Dave Waguespack, who provided his own witness on reconciliation.

The retreat followed the guidelines of Matthew Kelly’s “Welcome” program offered through his Dynamic Catholic organization. Discussion areas included such topics as renewal, spirituality, Scripture, reconciliation, the Eucharist, discipleship, and more.

The presenting team worked since the end of last year’s men’s retreat in May to form into a closeknit, prayerful team to develop witness presentations, purchase materials, and organize the retreat.

Since more than half of the attendees were Spanish speakers, there was some concern about communication.

“We wanted everyone to feel welcome and not excluded from any discussion,” said Zach Germann, the retreat’s formation leader. “We wanted to take the opportunity to strengthen the bond between our groups.”

Matt Lubaway, one of the witnesses/presenters and formation leader for last year’s men’s retreat, agreed. “Since we prepared every speech with a translation and had a Spanish translator for most situations, we heard accolades and heartfelt comments from nearly everyone. Communication did not turn out to

be much of a problem at all.”

Leo Juarez-Perez served as the key interpreter between the two languages spoken throughout the retreat and helped keep the retreat on schedule.

“It was beautiful seeing two communities coming together for the same purpose,” he said.

Father Manuel Pérez, St. Stephen pastor, strongly encourages parishioners to participate in these retreats.

“We are all about building a community of faithful while helping to form stronger lay leaders,” he said. “There are too few priests and deacons to do all the work God wants us to do. That’s why we’re preparing a separate women’s retreat this fall and will continue with both groups going forward.”

Besides building a closer community, another benefit from the retreat was the opportunity it afforded men in the parish to get to know their fellow parishioners more directly.

“For me, it was great to put names to faces of ones I never talk to,” said Thomas Minchew, one of the presenters and welcome-team members. “I know I created more friends there. I was able to communicate with some of our Englishspeaking Hispanic brothers. It felt like the spiritual retreat I was going after.”

For presenter Dave Pestillo, it was an opportunity to turn off his busy phone and just live in the moment.

“It was a wonderful, spirit-filled and ‘disconnected’ weekend away with a bunch of other Christian men all striving to be the best versions of themselves!” he said.

Church and lay leaders will now dive into organizing next year’s men’s retreat while supporting the upcoming retreat for women.

For more information on men’s and women’s retreats at St. Stephen, e-mail secretary@ststephen chatt.org n

Five receive first Holy Communion at Notre Dame Notre Dame Parish in Greeneville celebrated first Holy Communion at the 5 p.m. vigil Mass on May 4. Five young people received the Eucharist for the first time and participated in Mass ministries. The boys served as greeters and brought up the gifts for Mass. Benjamin Cave proclaimed the first reading, and Clancy Lawson proclaimed the second reading. Landry Hodge read the prayers of the faithful. Notre Dame pastor Father Joseph Kuzhupil, MSFS, was the celebrant. DJ Dalton and Carmen Espinosa were the teachers who prepared the students to receive their first Communion. A cake-and-punch reception followed in the narthex while pictures were taken of the children and their families. From left with Father Kuzhupil are Clancy Lawson, Anthony Trejo, Landry Hodge, Blaise Reid, and Benjamin Cave.

The episcopal ordination and installation of Bishop-elect Mark Beckman will begin at 2 p.m. Friday, July 26, at the Knoxville Convention Center. Watch Bishop-elect Beckman’s announcement press conference, held at the Chancery in Knoxville, on the DioKnox TV YouTube page at www. youtube.com/live/iYQT8vDiqRA

Apostolic administrator Archbishop

Shelton J. Fabre will ordain Deacons Bo Beaty, Daniel Herman, and Michael Willey to the priesthood and seminarian A.J. Houston to the transitional diaconate for the Diocese of Knoxville in a Mass at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 8, at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Bishop-elect Mark Beckman, Bishop F. Richard Spencer from the Archdiocese for the Military Services, and Father Albert DeGiacomo of the Diocese of Lexington, Ky., will concelebrate.

EnCourage is a ministry dedicated to praying for family members who suffer from same-sex attraction and supporting each other’s spiritual life. EnCourage in Knoxville is currently going through a transition of spiritual guides. Scheduled meetings and information will return shortly.

The class of 1974 from Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Chattanooga is hosting a reunion on July 20. If you are a member of this class or attended any years with this class, make plans to attend. Contact Pam Franklin at 423-622-7232 or pfranklin@myolph. com for more details.

This year’s Camp Irish spring and summer camps are underway at Knoxville Catholic High School. A wrestling camp is set for June 22-23, volleyball camps for July 8-10 and July 11-12, and a soccer camp for boys and girls ages 9-18 from July 8-10. There are also a cheerleading camp June 13-14, the Irish Arts Theatre Camp July 8-26, and a math camp July 22-26. To learn more about costs and age groups eligible for each camp, or to register, visit knoxvillecatholic. com/camp-irish/. Early registration is encouraged. For more details, e-mail camps@knoxvillecatholic.com

The Office of Marriage Preparation and Enrichment and Regnum Christi of Knoxville will be hosting a Diocesan Marriage Retreat, themed “Living the Marriage God Desires for You,” on Saturday, June 15, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Lenoir City. Bruce and Marybel Carlisle will lead presentations designed to help those attending reflect, refocus, and rejuvenate their marriage. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. The retreat starts with an optional daily Mass at 9 a.m., and a continental breakfast and lunch are included. The retreat concludes at 4:30 p.m., with a Saturday vigil Mass available at 5 p.m. While married couples at all stages of life are welcome, it is requested that children do not attend. Cost is $86 per couple, which includes meals and materials. Overnight accommodations are available at local hotels (see second link below). Register and submit payment by Sunday, June 9. Registration and payment forms may be found at dioknox.org/events/diocesanmarriage-retreat-2024. You may also register or learn more at tinyurl.com/ KnoxMarriageRetreat

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

org, call the parish office at 423-8921261, or contact John at 423-3095133 or jvannucci@epbfi.com

The Knox County chapter of Tennessee Right to Life is celebrating Dobbs Day in Tennessee, the second anniversary of the overturning of Roe v. Wade, with a life chain from 2 to 3 p.m. rain or shine Sunday, June 23, at the Tennessee Right to Life Prayer Garden, 2605 Jefferson Ave. in Knoxville. For more information, call 865-689-1339 or visit www.prolifeknox.org

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

The annual God Camps offered by the diocesan Youth Ministry Office will take place at Adventure Ocoee in Ocoee, Tenn. The Reach Camp for incoming seventh- and eighth-graders is set for 7 p.m. Friday, June 21, to 5 p.m. Monday, June 24. The Discover Camp for incoming fifth- and sixth-graders will run from 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, to 11 a.m. Friday, June 28. Campers will be staying in air-conditioned bunkhouses. God Camp activities include lake-day inflatables; a water park with a wave pool, a lazy river, and a water slide; a low ropes course; outdoor sports; bonfires with s’mores; prayer services; skits; crafts; the celebration of Mass; team-building activities; group interaction; and time to enjoy the retreat center. Some highlights include games of four square, gaga ball, basketball, volleyball, and capture the flag, along with some surprise activities planned by the leaders. Camps are designed to help the youth make new friendships, grow in their relationship with God, and be who God created them to be. Costs are $245 for the Reach Camp and $215 for the Discover Camp and include lodging, meals, a T-shirt, and activities. Download a flyer or a God Camp team application, or register for a camp, at dioknox.org/ events/reach-2024 or dioknox.org/ events/discover-2024. For more information, contact Donna Jones at 423718-4387 or djones@dioknox.org

The Diocese of Knoxville is taking a group of teens on a trip to Steubenville Atlanta, hosted by the Archdiocese of Atlanta, on the weekend of July 26-28. The Steubenville youth conferences exist to bring highschoolers into a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ. The 2024 theme is “Illuminate”—“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). Download a flier, view registration instructions and costs, and see medical-release and code-of-conduct forms at dioknox. org/events/steubenville-atlanta-2024 Standard registration costs are effective through June 28 before increasing for late registration June 29 to July 16. Priests attend free. If any parish would like help booking transportation through the Diocese of Knoxville, contact Noah Grinstead at ngrinstead@ dioknox.org or 386-274-8137.

The annual Ladies of Charity Golf Tournament has been rescheduled because of weather from May 9 to Thursday, Aug. 8, at Egwani Farms Golf Course, 3920 S. Singleton Station Road in Rockford. Check-in and breakfast start at 7 a.m., with a shotgun start at 8. The format is a four-person scramble. Lunch and the awarding of prizes will follow the golf, with the event ending around 2 p.m. There are spots left, and multiple levels

Calendar continued on page B10

Congregation’s generosity shows Clinic volunteers Marcia O’Connor (back) and Diane Treanor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish share the good news with Sister Mary Lisa Renfer, RSM, medical director of the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic, regarding their fundraiser.

Rain does not stop Glade parish from raising funds for Legacy Clinic

Abenefit concert May 17 scheduled to raise funds for a new vehicle for the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic that serves Cumberland County had to be canceled because of weather.

The goal was to raise money to assist with the purchase of a new clinic bus and to fund medical equipment and supplies, including medications, to better serve patients. Nonetheless, and despite the rain, the fundraiser was a complete success.

When word got out at St. Francis of Assisi in Fairfield Glade that the Legacy Clinic needed a new mobile clinic bus, the parish Social Action Ministry went into high gear. After all, St. Mary has been bringing their ministry of free medical care to the uninsured in Cumberland County since 2014.

“We were made aware that the Sisters of Mercy of Alma [Mich.] and many volunteers, doctors, and nurses had recently extended their outreach to Crossville, using St. Alphonsus Parish as their base. We wanted to help and encourage their tremendous charity to as many people as possible” said Father Michael Woods, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi.

The ministry set a date of May 17 and acquired the popular Grove venue in Fairfield Glade. They reached out to all the churches, advertised to promote it, and offered a free concert with the well-known Nashville band Soul Soup as the main attraction.

“Whenever Soul Soup plays here in Fairfield Glade, 1,000 to 1,500

people come out,” Father Woods said. “We were going to pass the hat and hoped to raise $10,000,” he added. It rained heavily on the 17th, and the event had to be canceled. Not to be discouraged, the Social Action Ministry brought its cause to the parish congregation of St. Francis of Assisi that same weekend. They told the story of the clinic and the needs it has to continue its ministry, and received donations that far exceeded the $10,000 goal they had set for the fundraiser. What at first seemed a great disappointment— months of planning and preparation that were canceled because of rain—was replaced with elation. More than $15,000 was raised for the clinic.

St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic is a 40foot, fully-equipped medical van that has been traveling to Cumberland County for more than 10 years, setting up its mobile clinic in Crab Orchard. This year, the clinic expanded to include Crossville, and it sets up at St. Alphonsus Church on the fourth Tuesday of each month. All services are free. Patients are not charged for primary-care medical services that may include laboratory work and medications. The clinic is staffed by the Sisters of Mercy of Alma, who are licensed doctors and nurses, and they are assisted by local medical professional volunteers. It is funded solely by donations. For more information about the services offered by St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic or ways to help, visit www.smlcares. com or call 865-212-5570. n COURTESY OF MARY LAMPUGNANO

Couple participates in National Husband & Wife Tennis Tournament St. Mary-Gatlinburg parishioners Rick Hansard and Susan Walker-Hansard participated in the National Husband & Wife Tennis Tournament held in Charlotte, N.C., over the weekend of April 27-28. Participants who have been nationally ranked came from all over the United States to participate in the three-day event. Mr. Hansard and Ms. Walker-Hansard were in the 140 age-group bracket (the ages of the team players combined) and met with former professional tennis player Dick Stockton following one of their matches. Mr. Stockton, a pro at the tennis club hosting the event, was guest speaker at the awards dinner. Mr. Stockton is pictured at left with Mr. Hansard and Ms. Walker-Hansard..

Dickinsons of St. Francis-Fairfield

Glade celebrating 50th anniversary

St. Francis of Assisi Church in Fairfield Glade congratulates Richard and Susan Dickinson, who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on May 25. They were married at Immaculate Conception Church in Spotswood, N.J., with Father Harold L. Hirsch officiating.

Their children are Irene Lanham of Augusta, Ga.; Elizabeth Del Rossi of Crossville; Stephen

of Alma, Colo.; and Kenneth of Gaithersburg, Md. The Dickinsons have 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Mr. Dickinson retired from the New Jersey Transit Co. as a bus driver, and Mrs. Dickinson was a substitute teacher for grades K-12 and for special-needs students. They moved to the Glade in 2005. They celebrated their anniversary with family. n

Brother Silas Henderson to be ordained a priest

The Oak Ridge native and Clinton High School graduate is serving with the Salvatorians By

Oak Ridge native and Clinton High School graduate

Brother Silas S. Henderson, SDS, will be ordained to the priesthood, the Society of the Divine Savior announced May 21.

The Salvatorian brother will be ordained on Monday, June 24, at the Basilica of St. Josaphat in Milwaukee with Bishop Jeffrey R. Haines, auxiliary bishop of Milwaukee, celebrating. The new priest’s Mass of thanksgiving will be celebrated the following day at St. Pius X Church in Wauwatosa, Wis.

Brother Silas was a parishioner of St. Mary in Oak Ridge. He was ordained a deacon in 2021 and is currently ministering as a member of the Society of the Divine Savior’s USA Provincial Council as its director of planning and as the spiritual director for the Salvatorian Center. In 2023, Brother Silas was elected to serve as chair of Region V on the board of directors of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men.

“In the years since my diaconate ordination, I have exercised my diaconal ministry most often in conjunction with my work as a retreat leader and presenter, for example preaching at Mass or presiding and preaching at Benediction,” Brother Silas said. “I also continue to be very involved in sacred music, something which began during my time at St. Mary’s, and I am a cantor and section leader for the choir at the Basilica of St. Josaphat in Milwaukee, which became my ‘home parish’ when I returned to Milwaukee in 2022. That is why I will be ordained at the Basilica of St. Josaphat.”

Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger ordained Brother Silas to the diaconate at St. Augustine Cathedral in Tucson, Ariz.

“Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the ordination celebration was very simple but no less meaningful,” Brother Silas said. “Looking back, I remember the humility I felt

St. Benedict co-op homeschool student is essay contest winner

that day. To be called by the Church for a particular ministry reminds you that the ministry to which you feel called is, ultimately, not about you, and it isn’t something that one can simply choose for themselves. The same holds true for religious life, which involves mutual discernment—the individual and the community discern together if the man or woman is truly called to that way of life. It’s a reminder that a true vocation is something that is bigger than any one of us and is, in the end, a gift. It is the Church that affirms that sense of calling by entrusting particular ministries to those whom God chooses. For me, the only response is humility and gratitude. And that same sense is what I am praying and reflecting about in these days before my ordination to the priesthood.”

Brother Silas was baptized at age 13 by Father Vann Johnston, then associate pastor at St. Mary and now bishop of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Mo.

“I participated in St. Mary’s religious-education programs throughout high school,” Brother Silas said. “Because of scheduling conflicts, I was confirmed at St. John Neumann [in Farragut] in 1995, where I became very involved in the youthministry program. During this time, I continued as a parishioner at St.

A student from the St. Benedict Catholic Coop homeschool at Holy Ghost Parish in Knoxville has won Catholic Textbook Project’s annual history essay contest. Dominic Gouge took first place in the fifth-grade homeschool division with his work, “A Bishop to the Native Americas,” about Bishop Frederic Baraga (1797-1868) of the Diocese of Sault SainteMarie. Fifth-graders were asked to choose a Catholic historical character born before 1950 from North America and to write about his or her life and work and why he or she was important to the Church and their country.

Mary’s and was very involved with the parish music programs and was an altar server.

“I was very close to my paternal grandparents, and while my immediate family moved to Clinton in 1989, it was because of that relationship that St. Mary’s became my parish rather than St. Therese [in Clinton]. In grade school, I attended Oak Ridge public schools, but following the move, I attended Clinton Middle School and High School.”

Bishop Johnston is among several clergy who influenced Brother Silas’ priestly vocation.

“I began discerning the priesthood during high school,” Brother Silas said. “It was because of the witness of wonderfully committed priests, including Father Chris Michelson, Father Michael Woods, Father John Milewski, Father Jim Harvey, and Bishop Vann, to name but a few, that I felt the desire to serve God and the Church, although I ultimately discerned that God was not calling me to the life of a diocesan priest.

Annual Ladies of Charity golf tournament rescheduled to Aug. 8

The annual Ladies of Charity Golf Tournament has been rescheduled from May 9 to Thursday, Aug. 8, at Egwani Farms Golf Course in Rockford.

Multiple levels of sponsorships are available. Those who are not

golfers (or unable to play) are asked to consider supporting the event.

To learn more, see the calendar on page B5, visit ladiesofcharityknox. org, or contact Joe Sutter at sutter jtn@aol.com or 865-385-6357. n

Dan McWilliams

“As a monk, there was less emphasis on ordination, and so life as a brother made sense, particularly since the focus of one’s life and ministries was centered on the monastic community itself. However, in the years since joining the Salvatorians, my vision of ministry—and by extension my understanding of my own vocation—have continued to broaden. As a step in that process, I was ordained to the diaconate in February 2021 and have enjoyed my years of diaconal ministry very much. However, that sense of being invited to something more—something deeper—has remained, and I am grateful that my community has affirmed this sense of call to the priesthood.”

Brother Silas “brings a rich background in liturgical ministry as well as skills for the written word that are both informative and accessible to the reader,” said Father Peter Schuessler, SDS, USA Province provincial and director of formation. “As a priest, he will make

St. Mary Parish in Athens hosts eucharistic-miracles display

The International Eucharistic Miracles of the World exhibit, a traveling display designed and created by Blessed Carlo Acutis, was displayed at St. Mary Church in Athens from May 10-20. Blessed Acutis (1991-2006) was an England-born Italian youth who documented eucharistic miracles and Marian apparitions. Deacon Vic Landa of St. Mary (above) printed the signs for the miracles display and set them up. Father John Orr, pastor of St. Mary, said the purpose of the display was to foster devotion and knowledge of the mystery of the Eucharist, the saints, and eucharistic revival. See page A7 for an article on Blessed Acutis.

Brother Silas S. Henderson, SDS

COURTESY OF SUE KADRICH

(2)

From the ambo Brother Silas preaches at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wis.

Brother Silas continued on page B11

COURTESY OF BILL HEWITT

St. Henry Knights donate to pregnancy center

Larry Zubel (left) of Knights of Columbus St. Henry Council 8860 in Rogersville and Grand Knight Bob McDaniel presented a check May 20 to Kelly Snodgrass, executive director of the Hawkins County Pregnancy Center in Rogersville. Council 8860 has raised more than $1,500 to aid and support mothers after pregnancy.

Seven confirmed at St. Mary-Gatlinburg

Seven youth were confirmed May 19 at St. Mary Church in Gatlinburg. From left are Briana Gonzales, Kristopher Nunez, America Nunez, Merick Casas, parochial administrator Father Pontian Kiyimba, AJ, Miguel Carillos, Jalen McMahan, and Jhade Colindres. Amelia Sweeney served as the youths’ instructor.

Parish and community news

Notre Dame in Greeneville celebrates May Crowning Notre Dame Parish in Greeneville held a May Crowning on May 5, the last day of religious-education classes. The students and teachers prayed a rosary together led by Scott Fisher, followed by a procession with flowers for the Blessed Mother before the 11 a.m. Mass. The crown was placed by Aubrey Castro, a fifth-grade student. A Marian hymn was played by Dr. Fred Ricker, music director at Notre Dame Church, during the procession. At far right, Alister Turner places flowers before the Blessed Mother.

Ladies Recognition Tea at St. Stephen honors parishioner Gail Nevins

The Ladies Recognition Tea at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga was held April 23. A Mass was followed by the tea in the large parish hall, which drew a large gathering (top photo). The annual event recognizes a female parishioner nominated by fellow parishioners for her volunteerism and dedication to the church and community. This year’s award recipient is Gail Nevins, pictured at left with St. Stephen pastor Father Manuel Pérez.

Our Lady of Fatima Award presented at cathedral Jackie Foster of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus received the parish’s annual Our Lady of Fatima Award on May 19. Each year, the Parish Council of Catholic Women honors one woman of the parish with the award. The honor is given to a woman who has provided dedicated service to Sacred Heart for 10 or more years; actively supports Sacred Heart ministries, programs, and activities; and demonstrates a commitment to serving God through her daily living of the Gospel message. Mrs. Foster has been a member of Sacred Heart for 36 years. She has taken on a number of leadership roles within the parish. She currently is a sacristan and extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, facilitates a Bible study, leads a Cursillo group study, is a reader at Mass, and is a Secular Carmelite. From left are cathedral rector Father David Boettner, Mrs. Foster, PCCW president Mary Hanneman, and PCCW vice president Melissa Mijares.

KRISTEN GIRTON (2)

St. Joseph the Worker youth confirmed Seven candidates were confirmed by pastor Father Julius Abuh on April 27 at St. Joseph the Worker Church in Madisonville. In the top photo, Father Abuh anoints Kirsten Elena Cogdell McFadden as sponsors Tamara and Bob Clowers stand behind her. From left in the bottom row, standing with Father Abuh, are Millie Meredith Newman, Kirsten McFadden, Hailey Jordan O’Connor, Yaneli Almanza Munoz, Giselle Lopez Parra, Miguel Castro Jr., and Aisha Elizabeth Constantino Cisneros.

Eight confirmed at St. Joseph in Norris

St. Joseph Parish in Norris celebrated confirmation for eight young people May 5. Pictured with pastor Father Dennis Kress are (from left, front row) Julianna Wilson, Radek Williams, Brooks Reid, Alexa Gonzalez, and Matthew Bentz and (back row) Dale Kezek, Colin Batchelor, and Harper Watts.

CAROLYN KRINGS

Intercultural Family & Youth Night held at Holy Ghost Holy Ghost Parish in Knoxville hosted an Intercultural Family & Youth Night on April 25, an evening of food, music, and dance performances that celebrated the beauty of different cultures and art. The event was a collaboration between the L&N STEM Academy and the diocesan Hispanic Ministry Office in conjunction with the Office of Youth, Young Adult, and Pastoral Juvenil Ministry. More than 100 youth and adults attended, including (from left) Maria Primm and sisters Jadde and Daniela Fuentes. Blanca Primm, director of Hispanic Ministry, Hispanic Ministry administrative assistant Rocio Melendez, and Magdiel Argueta, coordinator of Pastoral Juvenil, were the key planners for the event.

DR. KELLY KEARSE

St. Bridget Parish celebrates first Holy Communion

Nineteen youngsters from St. Bridget Parish in Dayton made their first Holy Communion on April 20. From left are (front row) Manuel Velasco, Matteo Lopez, Karina Reyes-Aguilar, and Joseluis Bautista; (middle row) St. Bridget pastor

Father Jim Vick, Yisel Cruz, Hernan Hernandez-Santiago, Andrea Valencia, Oscar Hernandez, Guadalupe Reyes-Aguilar, Felicity Gonzalez, and Alyssa Rendon; and (back row) Azucena Aguilar, Laura Rendon, Gaby Hernandez-Santiago, Evelyn Jose-Hernandez, Briseida Cruz, Ashley Martinez, William Garcia, and Mateo Hernandez.

COURTESY OF JANET SPRAKER

Praying for Perspective by George

Valadie

‘I just hate it when He talks like that’ A columnist hopes Christ’s words leave open room for a comeback when he makes mistakes

Aconfession: the homily wasn’t speaking to me. So, I found myself leafing through the parish bulletin from this church we were visiting before also thumbing through their missalette, looking ahead to Gospels down the road.

Most told of Jesus doing what He does best—teaching—when I came across one of those lessons I always hate to hear.

“… If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off … And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off … And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.”

I just hate it when He talks like that.

Because I have sinned. And my body remains intact.

The four Gospels claim to be quoting the words of Christ. I understand and accept that. However, I also feel confident in my belief that not a one of His followers were taking dictation as He taught His lessons. None took notes. No one wrote anything down—at least not in the moment, not until later.

They had likely come to understand He was someone special, but there’s no way they knew He would change all of the history that had yet to happen. Recording His life could wait. If need be, they’d recall it all from memory.

So, how accurate is accurate? My point is, I don’t know if what He said is exactly what He said. But regardless of any debate about factual authenticity, my guess is He said something pretty darn close.

In addition to the impossible

Ochallenge He gave us all, what also bothers me is that none of the biblical accounts ever relate the followup questions. And I know there had to have been at least a few.

These guys were human after all. Their Teacher was, too, but they knew He was more. Still, Son of God or not, some of what He said must have been tough to swallow.

Don’t you know they had to have been taken aback when He taught lessons such as these. I have to believe Peter might have said, “Lord, since we left that last town, some of us guys have been talking along the way, and they asked me to ask you … back there, did you actually mean for us to pluck our own eyes out?”

Or maybe John might have asked for a clarification, “Jesus, are you serious? Do you mean that literally? It’s been hard for us to get all these lessons as it is.

“First, there was the ‘forgive your enemies’ thing, and you yourself know how brutal the Romans have been to us. Then there was the ‘forgive them 70 times seven’ part. And now this!”

Thomas had to have some doubts, “Christ, we’ve all been tempted; you’ve been tempted. And I understand the point you’re making about not giving in. But none of us are as good as you, and let’s be honest, there is no temptation if it doesn’t come through our eyes and ears. We’re still not clear where we’re going, and now—if this is the deal— I’m not sure we have any real hope of getting there?”

We all know Jesus often taught with parables He seldom explained. More often than not, He left them hanging in the air to be interpreted by whomever had gathered to listen.

Most of my interpretations have come from one pastor or another on the Sunday mornings of my past. They’ve studied Scripture way more than I, but still, as I’ve gotten older, there’s been an occasion or two when I’ve found myself arguing with Father’s take on one parable or another.

I think it’s OK to have a difference of opinion.

But this … this is no parable. This is no story with a point. This is plain and clear-cut and straight from the hip. And I hate it when He talked like that.

We’re used to people in our lives issuing stern edicts all the time. They come from our boss or our supervisor or our spouse. But we generally have the advantage of seeing them issued live and in person. We know right away if they were serious or snickering or had a coy smile in their delivery.

We generally know if those in charge were just trying to make a point or offering a suggestion. Experience tells us what they can and will do if we don’t follow their directives. So, we act accordingly.

But we weren’t there for Christ’s edict, and there’s no one left to ask. What’s worse: we have no way of knowing what has awaited those who didn’t or couldn’t live up to

Thoughts and Prayers for the Faithful by Deacon Bob Hunt

His message. We have no way of knowing what awaits us. It’s just us and His words. The words of God.

Thinking about it, I could see He might have meant precisely what He said. Why wouldn’t He? He was trying to explain the kingdom of God to people who had no clue, no idea of where or what it was. Much less how they could get there.

The world to whom He preached was in need of the promise He offered. But they were also in need of a path to that promise. He brought that, too. Sometimes, He used stories. Sometimes, I figure He just gave it to them straight.

I understand the commandments and struggle enough keeping those. It’s not that I want or plan to fail, but I’ve been hoping there is room for that failure when I do. Temptation has won more often than I care to admit.

So, I’ve been hoping our mistakes don’t rule out any chance of a comeback.

I hate it when He talks like that. Is it OK if I hope He was just making a point?

Dear God—The reward you offer is eternal, so I understand the effort you require must be tough. Once again we ask, “lead us not into temptation.” Amen. ■

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

Two keystones of Catholic moral tradition

They are the intrinsic dignity of the human person and the social nature of human life

n April 2, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith published Dignitas Infinita, a declaration reaffirming the Church’s teaching on the intrinsic dignity of the human person and addressing and condemning certain attacks on that dignity, including poverty, war, abortion, human trafficking, and gender ideology. The introduction to the declaration begins: “Every human person possesses an infinite dignity, inalienably grounded in his or her very being, which prevails in and beyond every circumstance, state, or situation the person may ever encounter. This principle, which is fully recognizable even by reason alone, underlies the primacy of the human person and the protection of human rights.”

The declaration delineates four distinctions in human dignity: ontological dignity, moral dignity, social dignity, and existential dignity

Ontological dignity is the dignity given one by God, being made in His image and likeness. It is a dignity that all must respect and that can never be confiscated by others or even surrendered by the individual. “From this truth,” the declaration states, “the Church draws the reasons for her commitment to the weak and those less endowed with power, always insisting on ‘the primacy of the human person and the defense of his or her dignity beyond every circumstance.’” The declaration states that moral dignity is attached to how one acts in the world. While given free will to act toward the good, people can choose to act contrary to the good, contrary to God’s will, and as such act in a way that is not dignified, that contradicts their dignity. Social dignity refers to a person’s living conditions and the all-toooften circumstances where people, such as those living in extreme

poverty, are living in conditions contrary to their ontological dignity, making it difficult for them to live lives of human dignity. “The last meaning’” the declaration says, “is that of existential dignity, which is the type of dignity implied in the ever-increasing discussion about a ‘dignified’ life and one that is ‘not dignified.’ For instance, while some people may appear to lack nothing essential for life, for various reasons, they may still struggle to live with peace, joy, and hope. In other situations, the presence of serious illnesses, violent family environments, pathological addictions, and other hardships may drive people to experience their life conditions as ‘undignified’ vis-à-vis their perception of that ontological dignity that can never be obscured.”

In perhaps the critical paragraph of the declaration, it states, “We do not create our nature; we hold it as a gift, and we can nurture, develop, and enhance our abilities. By exercising the freedom to cultivate the riches of our nature, we grow over time. Even if a person is unable to exercise these capabilities due to various limitations or conditions, nevertheless the person always subsists as an ‘individual substance’ with a complete and inalienable dignity. This applies, for instance, to an unborn child, an unconscious person, or an older person in distress.”

In reflecting on biblical themes, the declaration reminds us that our dignity is given to us by God, for we are made in His image and likeness. We possess the imago Dei, that is, “the image of God,” within us as creations of the heavenly Father. As well, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity took flesh in the person of Jesus Christ, thus entering into the human condition and elevating the dignity of what it means to be

human. Jesus taught by example in recognizing the intrinsic dignity of all persons, Gentile and Jew, man or woman, Roman or Greek. He turned to those who had been rejected and reminded them and others of their dignity: the poor, the destitute, the adulteress, the rich man, the tax collector, the leper, and even the dying and dead. Jesus recognized their dignity and called us to do the same. Furthermore, the resurrection of Christ Jesus elevates again the dignity of the human person because it reveals that our dignity is fulfilled in living in loving communion with God, the Holy Trinity, for eternity.

The intrinsic dignity of the human person and the social nature of human life are the keystones of the

Catholic moral tradition. We must adhere to these principles now more than ever, when human dignity is so assaulted, and the social nature of human life, that is, our responsibility to each other and our joy in our experience of each other, is ignored or even never considered by a culture dominated with concern for the individual’s expression of their personal truth and what they perceive as individual freedom.

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

Deacon Bob Hunt is a husband, father, grandfather, and parishioner at All Saints Church in Knoxville. He is author of the book Thy Word: An Introduction to the Bible for People in the Pews.

St. Dominic kitchen crew keeps men’s conference attendees fed The third annual East Tennessee Catholic Men’s Conference was held recently at St. Dominic Church in Kingsport. The kitchen crew that helped feed the nearly 100 attending included (from left) Steven Easterbrook, Betty MacDougall, Lynne Connors, Janet Evans, and Nancy Easterbrook.

DAN

MCWILLIAMS

The ending prayer of the Communion Rite

The Prayer After Communion offers a rich theology on the Eucharist’s transforming power

This column is the last of a three-part series on the three proper prayers of the Mass. In previous columns, I have discussed the Collect and the Prayer Over the Offerings, so in this final column I want to look at the Prayer After Communion. As with the other prayers, the Prayer After Communion developed very early. A fourthcentury document includes an invitation to the assembly to thank Christ, “who has made us worthy to be sharers of His holy mysteries,”1 and we have examples of this prayer in important liturgical manuscripts from the sixth and seventh centuries.

The Prayer After Communion concludes the Communion Rite and is a petition for “the fruits of the mystery just celebrated.”2 It is a good example of an ancient principle of the Catholic tradition, lex orandi, lex credenda—in English, “The law of prayer is the law of faith: the Church believes as she prays.”3 St. Irenaeus put it this way, “Our way of thinking is attuned to the Eucharist, and the Eucharist in turn confirms our way of thinking.”4 In other words, an important source for the Church’s teaching is her official public prayer: the liturgy. In this column, we will examine what the Prayers After Communion teach us about how the Eucharist changes us.

In his Confessions, Augustine imagines the Lord telling him, “I am the food of grown men; grow, and you shall feed upon me; nor

shall you change me, like the food of your flesh, into you, but you shall be changed into me.” Commenting on this passage, Pope Benedict XVI wrote, “It is not the eucharistic food that is changed into us, but rather we who are mysteriously transformed by it. Christ nourishes us by uniting us to himself; ‘he draws us into himself.’ Here the eucharistic celebration appears in all its power as the source and summit of the Church’s life.”5 Many Prayers After Communion have petitions for our transformation: may we “be transformed into what we consume,” may we “pass from former ways to newness of life,” may this Eucharist “transform us into a new creation,” and may “we, who by Christ are nourished, into Christ may be transformed.”

The Eucharist transforms us in several specific ways. The Prayers After Communion teach us that it strengthens us in our struggle against sin: “free us, we pray, from doing evil and lead us to what is right”; “confirm us in the light of your truth”; “restore us in mind and body”; “teach us to judge wisely the things of earth and hold firm to the things of heaven.” One prayer asks that “by moderating earthly desires we may learn to love the things of heaven” and so “may never be parted from you.” The Eucharist also strengthens and increases the virtues. In sacramental communion, we are “renewed with heavenly bread, by which faith is

St. Bridget-Dayton women celebrate March-April birthdays, silly hats

The Women’s Council at St. Bridget Parish in Dayton celebrated March and April birthdays recently at Referees Sports Bar and Grill in Dayton. Fifteen members attended and participated in a “silly hat” contest. Attending the luncheon were (above, from left, front row) Maria Levenson, Marlene Runge, Judy Logan, Bonnie McGrath, and Theresa Debartolo and (back row) Carla Bender, Carole Hanish, Fran Durham, Deb Smith, Louise Ganss, Lynne Connors, Sherrie Cobb, Dolly McKay, Carmen Chacon, and Sharon Thorn. Silly-hat winners as chosen by the restaurant staff are shown (right photo, from left): Ms. Levenson, Mrs. Ganss, Mrs. Connors, and Mrs. Cobb.

nourished, hope increased, and charity strengthened.” We pray that our reception of the body and blood of Christ “may bring us growth in charity” and that “through this help to eternal salvation true faith may ever increase.”

The Prayers After Communion also indicate how the Eucharist makes and strengthens the Church, for it is “through the body and blood of Christ [that] the whole family of believers may be bound together.” The reception of the Eucharist makes us “one in mind and heart” and brings “about unity in your Church.” “The power of this sacrifice” makes “those who believe in you one in mind and heart.” The Eucharist also increases our concern for the world. Prayers After Communion ask that the Eucharist may “stir us to serve you in our neighbor” so that we may “show ourselves ever more compassionate toward our brothers and sisters.” As we are “made one in Christ” by receiving His body and blood, may we “joyfully bear fruit for the salvation of the world.”

Finally, the petitions of the Prayer After Communion teach us that the Eucharist is the pledge and promise of our future glory. Prayers After Communion ask that, “just as we are renewed by the Supper of your Son in this present age, so we may enjoy his banquet for all eternity.” Other prayers ask that we may “gain the prize of salvation and never cease to praise you,” that Communion may

bring us God’s “help in this present life and ensure for us eternal gladness” and “be our sure pledge of redemption,” and that the Lord would “be pleased to settled in eternal pastures the sheep you have redeemed by the precious blood of your Son.”

The Prayer After Communion offers a rich theology on the transforming power of the Eucharist—as St. Augustine so beautifully expressed it, changing us into Himself. Gradually we become more like Christ, more deeply rooted in and building up His body, the Church, growing in holiness and the virtues, working for the unity of all Christians, and sharing Christ’s care and concern for the poor and the marginalized. As our understanding deepens and our faith in the power of the Eucharist increases, let us “encourage one another to walk joyfully, our hearts filled with wonder, toward our encounter with the Holy Eucharist.”6

1 Paul Turner, At the Supper of the Lamb, p. 148

2 General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 89

3 Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1124

4 CCC, no. 1327

5 Pope Benedict XVI, The Sacrament of Charity, no. 70

6 The Sacrament of Charity, no. 97 ■

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

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

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

Daily readings

Saturday, June 15: 1 Kings 19:1921; Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-10; Matthew 5:33-37

Sunday, June 16: Ezekiel 17:22-24; Psalm 92:2-3, 13-16; 2 Corinthians 5:6-10; Mark 4:26-34

Monday, June 17: 1 Kings 21:1-16; Psalm 5:2-7; Matthew 5:38-42

Tuesday, June 18: 1 Kings 21:1729; Psalm 51:3-6, 11, 16; Matthew 5:43-48

Wednesday, June 19: 2 Kings 2:1, 6-14; Psalm 31:20-21, 24; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Thursday, June 20: Sirach 48:1-14; Psalm 97:1-7; Matthew 6:7-15

Friday, June 21: Memorial of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, religious, 2 Kings 11:1-4, 9-18, 20; Psalm 132:1114, 17-18; Matthew 6:19-23 Saturday, June 22: 2 Chronicles

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

Meetings combine the spiritual principles of 12-step recovery and

24:17-25; Psalm 89:4-5, 29-34; Matthew 6:24-34

Sunday, June 23: Job 38:1, 8-11; Psalm 107:23-26, 28-31; 2 Corinthians 5:14-17; Mark 4:35-41

Monday, June 24: Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, Isaiah 49:1-6; Psalm 139:1-3, 13-15; Acts 13:22-26; Luke 1:57-66, 80

Tuesday, June 25: 2 Kings 19:9-11, 14-21, 31-36; Psalm 48:2-4, 10-11; Matthew 7:6, 12-14

Wednesday, June 26: 2 Kings 22:813 and 23:1-3; Psalm 119:33-37, 40; Matthew 7:15-20

Thursday, June 27: 2 Kings 24:8-17; Psalm 79:1-5, 8-9; Matthew 7:21-29

Friday, June 28: Memorial of St. Irenaeus, bishop and martyr, 2 Kings 25:1-12; Psalm 137:1-6; Matthew 8:1-4 Saturday, June 29: Solemnity of Sts.

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

Peter and Paul, apostles, Acts 12:111; Psalm 34:2-9; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18; Matthew 16:13-19 Sunday, June 30: Wisdom 1:13-15 and 2:23-24; Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13; 2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15; Mark 5:21-43

Monday, July 1: Amos 2:6-10, 13-16; Psalm 50:16-23; Matthew 8:18-22

Tuesday, July 2: Amos 3:1-8 and 4:11-12; Psalm 5:4-8; Matthew 8:23-27

Wednesday, July 3: Feast of St. Thomas, apostle, Ephesians 2:19-22; Psalm 117:1-2; John 20:24-29 Thursday, July 4: Amos 7:10-17; Psalm 19:8-11; Matthew 9:1-8

Friday, July 5: Amos 8:4-6, 9-12; Psalm 119:2, 10, 20, 30, 40, 131; Matthew 9:9-13 Saturday, July 6: Amos 9:11-15; Psalm 85:9-14; Matthew 9:14-17

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

Sunday, July 7: Ezekiel 2:2-5; Psalm 123:1-4; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Mark 6:1-6

Monday, July 8: Hosea 2:16-18, 2122; Psalm 145:2-9; Matthew 9:18-26

Tuesday, July 9: Hosea 8:4-7, 11-13; Psalm 115:3-10; Matthew 9:32-38

Wednesday, July 10: Hosea 10:13, 7-8, 12; Psalm 105:2-7; Matthew 10:1-7

Thursday, July 11: Memorial of St. Benedict, abbot, Hosea 11:1-4, 8-9; Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16; Matthew 10:7-15

Friday, July 12: Hosea 14:2-10; Psalm 51:3-4, 8-9, 12-14, 17; Matthew 10:16-23

Saturday, July 13: Isaiah 6:1-8; Psalm 93:1-2, 5; Matthew 10:24-33

Sunday, July 14: Amos 7:12-15; Psalm 85:9-14; Ephesians 1:3-14; Mark 6:7-13 ■

of sponsorships are available. Those who are not golfers (or unable to play) are asked to consider supporting the event. To register or learn more, visit ladiesofcharityknox.org or contact Joe Sutter at sutterjtn@aol.com or 865-385-6357.

The 15th annual Irish Fest is set for 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, at Immaculate Conception Church in downtown Knoxville. The event features live Irish music, Irish food and beer, a Gaelic games demonstration, and a silent auction. Volunteers are needed for ticket sales at the entrance and for drinks, as well as for setup, cleanup, and the auction. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Beth Wolf at 865-679-0535 or beth7137@att.net to help.

Those experiencing emotional or spiritual difficulties from a past abortion or abortions are invited to attend a Catholic Charities Rachel’s Vineyard healing and recovery retreat on the weekend of Sept. 20-22 at Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton. Complete confidentiality is honored at all times. The deadline for registration is Friday, Sept. 13. If you are unable to attend a weekend retreat, one-on-one counseling is available with counselors who have been trained in this area. For more information, contact Sandi Davidson at 865-776-4510 or sandi@ccetn.org

A Picture of Love retreat for engaged couples is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 28, at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga. This marriage-preparation program is a supplement to a couple’s marriage formation with their parish priest or deacon. Picture of Love explores the joys and challenges of living out the sacrament of matrimony with special focus on the importance of inviting Jesus to be the center of marriage and family life. The program will help each couple gain insights into their relationship as well as give them practi-

three months.

More than 100 attended a presentation April 14 by Dr. Kelly Kearse of Knoxville Catholic High School on “Science and the Shroud of Turin,” offered by the parish senior ministry.

St. Joseph, Norris

The Council of Catholic Women will hold a Father’s Day Brunch following Mass on Sunday, June 16.

In honor of its 75th anniversary, St. Joseph Parish donated $750 to the Catholic Extension Society. In 1996, Catholic Extension awarded a $50,000 grant to the parish. See coverage of St. Joseph’s 75th anniversary beginning on page A1.

Five Rivers Deanery

Holy Trinity, Jefferson City

Holy Trinity thanked parishioners for their donations that allowed the parish to reach the balance needed to pay for a new roof on the church and rectory.

The parish congratulated its graduates: Natalie Arnold, Marydeary Lehman, and Michelle Marchena.

The Council of Catholic Women installed new officers at its May meeting. Cindy Giardiello is the president, Anne Wharton vice president, Sharon Jurkonie secretary, and Rose Colasuonno treasurer.

The Knights of Columbus named Tom Wissemann as their individual of the quarter.

Holy Trinity is participating in the Change for Life baby-bottle fundraiser to benefit Life Outreach Center in Jefferson City. Bottles were available for pickup on Mother’s Day, May 12, and should be brought back on Father’s Day, June 16.

Anniversaries: Joe and Denise Frinzi (40), David and Tara Blank (15)

St. Patrick, Morristown

Longtime parishioner Chuck Johnson, 93, is a U.S. Army veteran who received the Bronze Star for his service in the Ko-

cal ideas and tools to help smooth their journey and become the “Picture of Love” to one another. Meeting times are 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. A continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included. Cost is $175 per couple. Payment is due two weeks before the retreat. For a registration form, visit dioknox.org/ events/picture-of-love-sept-2024

Also at the website are three exercises: a personality test, a “love language profile for couples,” and a fillable budget worksheet. Couples are asked to complete the exercises in advance and bring them to the retreat—see the website for more details. Contact Deacon Al Forsythe at 865-806-1343 or aforsythe@ dioknox.org or Carolyn Krings at 865584-3307 or ckrings@dioknox.org for more information.

Holy Fire, a daylong conference for middle school students in which they are invited and challenged to embrace their baptismal call and the powerful, relevant Gospel of Jesus, will be hosted by the Diocese of Nashville from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9. The event will take place at the diocese’s Catholic Pastoral Center, 2800 McGavock Pike, and will also include Mass at 4 p.m. Through talks by dynamic speakers, witness by peers, inspirational praise and worship, and rich experiences of the sacraments, Holy Fire helps young people feel welcomed and invited into a life-changing commitment to Christ. This year’s event will feature Nashville Bishop J. Mark Spalding, Maggie Craig, Joe Melendrez, Thomas Muglia, and Oscar Rivera. For details on registration, cost, the schedule, T-shirt availability, meals, and more, visit brushfire.com/eqsaints/ holyfire-nashville-2024/575973

The Healing Ministry at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Alcoa offers healing prayers every third weekend of the month for anyone who has a physical, emotional, or spiritual need. Individual healing prayer will be offered in Spanish in the church immediately following

rean War. Before he served in Korea, he was sent to radioman school in Japan. After the war, he had a lengthy electronics career as an entrepreneur, working for major audiovisual manufacturers. He and wife Diane moved to Tennessee in the early 1980s with the Philips/Magnavox Co. Mr. Johnson wrote the first English version of the Philips/Magnavox VCR manual. An active parishioner in the Knights, Mr. Johnson and his wife were major contributors to the church building fund. For about 40 years, Mr. Johnson voluntarily took responsibility for the parish sound systems. In his honor, St. Patrick recently renamed the sound room to “The Charles A. ‘Chuck’ Johnson Sound Room.”

St. Patrick congratulated its graduating students: Sophia Simerly, Jose Perez, Novus Pierre Mongondouw, Luis Colorado, Karime Rojas Sanchez, Rosa J. Monterrosas, Katherine “Katie” Tran, Kenedy Perez Sanchez, Yolanda Rodriguez Cano, and Hailey Martinez.

The Tuesday-morning Bible study will discuss season one of The Chosen beginning June 18 and ending Aug. 13, with a break for the week of July 4. Books are available for $10 in the church office, or they may be purchased on the first day of class. Contact Renee McGarel for more information at rmcgarel22@gmail.com

The spiritual-life committee is launching a Lunch & Learn gathering to help parishioners grow in love and knowledge of the Catholic faith from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, June 20, in the basement youth room. The topic will be “The First Multiplication” from the Bread of Life series by Dr. Tim Gray. Those attending should bring a lunch and beverage. Contact Renee McGarel for more information at the e-mail above.

Vacation Bible school volunteers are needed. This year’s VBS will take place for pre-kindergarten through fifth-graders from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, June 24, through Thursday, June 27. Those who can help one day or every day are encouraged to sign up. Youth or young adults who need community-service hours for school are also asked to help. To register or learn more, contact religious-education

the 7 p.m. Saturday Mass in Spanish, and prayer will be offered in English in the chapel immediately following the 11 a.m. Sunday Mass. Call Toni Jacobs at 561-315-5911 if you have any questions.

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

coordinator Vivian Alonso at 423-5869174, extension 5, or religioused.st patrick@gmail.com. Early registration is encouraged.

Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Assembly 2094 hosted its annual Memorial Day event May 27 at St. Patrick to honor veterans whose remains are in the parish columbarium. Guest speaker Gen. Arnold W. Bunch Jr., superintendent of Hamblen County Schools, gave a talk, and flags were placed on the veterans’ niches.

Anniversaries: Joseph and Patricia Sniezek (70), Richard and Valerie Hidalgo (60), Charles and Barbara Chapleau (55), Paul and Pamela Von Herbulis (54), Sam and Theresa Comodari (52), Ronald and Beverly Peluso (45), Mark and Patricia Standifer (40), Tim and Debra Auler (35), Clark and Mary Bow (35), David and Renee Fontaine (35), William and Sherry Petrous (35), Bradley and Tonya Jenkins (25), Maximo Ramirez-Mejia and Martha GutierrezHernandez (15), Virgil and Jennifer Vaughn (10)

Smoky Mountain Deanery

Immaculate Conception, Knoxville

IC congratulated its graduates: Beckett Tullock, grandson of Laurens and Polly Ailor Tullock, Sacred Heart Cathedral School kindergarten; Daniela Fuentes, Sacred Heart middle school; Gabrielle Christof, Beverly Fermanich, Eleanor Mowrer, and Josephine Weedman, St. Joseph School middle school; Joshua Schmalz, grandson of Mary Catherine Willard, John Carroll High School, Birmingham, Ala.; Tommy Mowrer, Knoxville Catholic High School; Jackson Garrett, son of Elizabeth and John Swindeman, L&N STEM Academy; Katelyn Harkins, granddaughter of Mike and Brigid Johnson, South-Doyle High School; Brady Lane Hege, grandson of David and Donna Accardi, Summit High School, Spring Hill, Tenn.; Michele Rhinehart, bachelor of social work, King University; Luke Adam Wedekind, son of Troy and Michele Wedekind, doctorate of pharmacy, Regis University, Denver; Tyler Rhinehart, electrician certification (2023 KCHS graduate), Tennessee College of Applied Technology;

Presentation of the Virgin Mary, where he was baptized. For more information, contact Lisa Morris at 865-567-1245 or lisam@select-intl.com

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

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

and Ashlyn Nicole Snead, bachelor of science in nursing, Tennessee Wesleyan University.

Knights of Columbus Council 645 served a hot breakfast of pancakes, biscuits, gravy, eggs, bacon, sausage, and more May 26 to benefit KCHS students attending the National Eucharistic Congress this summer.

Sacred Heart, Knoxville

Cathedral rector Father David Boettner celebrated his 30th anniversary of ordination at the 5 p.m. Mass on May 18 and at the 9 and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Masses on May 19. Receptions in Cathedral Hall followed the Sunday Masses. Father Boettner was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Knoxville on May 28, 1994. “The last 30 years have been a fantastic journey of faith, hope, and love. I am grateful to God and to each of you for the great gift of the priesthood that I have been able to share with you,” he said in a message to parishioners. “I would like to celebrate with you in gratitude for these 30 years of service to God and His Church. . . . Please know of my great love for each of you and my joy at being able to serve you as your pastor.”

St. John XXIII, Knoxville

The parish’s Father Bob O’Donnell, CSP, celebrated 50 years of ordination May 4, while Father Don Andrie, CSP, marked 30 years of ordination May 14 and Father Richard Whitney, CSP, three years on May 22.

First communicant: Samantha Cutler

St. Joseph the Worker, Madisonville

An adult Bingo Night event took place June 7.

The Knights of Columbus will once again conduct their annual yard sale later this year, with proceeds going to the many Monroe County charities they support. Consider donating any items that you no longer need to the event. Any and all items of value that are clean and in working order are welcomed. The Knights will make arrangements to pick up your donations at your convenience. n

Parish notes continued from page B4

Note-burning marks end of SJN School debt

St. John Neumann School in Farragut held a note-burning ceremony May 17 to celebrate that its school loans are entirely paid.

Since June 2018, when Father Joe Reed became pastor, the school has paid down more than $2.75 million in debt. The school credits the achievement to Father Reed, development director Patrick Wade, director of finance and operations Bill Derbyshire, and a supportive community of parishioners, student families, donors, and friends. For the last several years, through the generous support of parish and school families and friends, St. John Neumann Church and School have made excellent progress paying down the mortgage of the church, school, and other buildings on the campus.

On May 17, after an all-school Mass, SJN students, teachers, and staff gathered to mark a major debt-reduction milestone: the final payment of the school mortgage.

Achieving the milestone ahead of schedule was made possible by a gift from an anonymous St. John Neumann Parish family. The family, whose daughter is a graduate

KCHS wrestler Delilah Queen finishes first at Reno Worlds Knoxville Catholic High School freshman Delilah Queen took first place out of 39 wrestlers in the 15-and-under bracket at the 27th annual Reno Worlds in Nevada. She won all her matches in the 135-pound division by pins on her way to capturing the 2024 Girls All-American Outstanding Wrestler award in her division. Delilah finished runner-up in her division in the state wrestling meet earlier this year in Franklin.

of SJN School, have been generous supporters of SJN for many years. When they learned how close the parish and school were to paying off the loan, they decided to make the contribution so SJN could completely remove the debt from its balance sheet. The amount of the gift—$77,000—is symbolic because the parish was established in 1977.

Father Reed is encouraging parish and school families to add to this recent gift to continue accelerating its debt-reduction progress. He said the following about the note-burning ceremony:

“We are blessed to celebrate this historic moment and grateful to all our donors for making it possible. It is special commemorating this achievement with our students and faculty as our students are the future of the Catholic Church; leading them on the path to sainthood is our most important ministry.”

The parish and school began a concerted effort to accelerate debt reduction in June 2021, when its total debt was just over $8 million, most of which is composed of loans required to erect the church, school, and other buildings. As a

God’s Word come alive, a talent he has already shown many times by the retreats and talks that he has given around the country and world. I have no doubt he will be a blessing to the Salvatorian family and to all those we serve.”

With nearly 20 years in religious life, including 11 years as a Benedictine monk before becoming a Salvatorian, Brother Silas holds a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from St. Joseph Seminary College in St. Benedict, La.; a master’s in theological studies from St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in St. Meinrad, Ind.; and an ecumenical doctor of ministry degree from Catholic Theological Union of Chicago.

“Although I spent time discerning diocesan priesthood, I ultimately felt drawn to life in a religious community,” Brother Silas said. “I had come to know the Benedictines during my early years in college and felt a real attraction to that form of religious life, particularly the Benedictine emphasis on the liturgy. I entered the monastic community at St. Meinrad Archabbey in St. Meinrad, Ind., in 2002. I professed religious vows in 2004, at which time I received the religious name Silas—my baptismal name is Shawn—and professed solemn vows in 2007. During my time at St. Meinrad, I completed my undergrad and graduate degrees.”

Brother Silas first became involved in adult faith formation and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults while serving in parish ministry in Louisville, Ky.

“Within the monastic community, I was a member of the monastic schola and was one of the community’s organists,” he said. “In 2010, I was given the opportunity to work at St. Margaret Mary Church in Louisville, Ky., serving as director of lifelong formation, overseeing the parish and school religious-education programs, and developing a series of adult and family formation processes as well. In 2011, I was called back to the monastery and

result of sacrificial gifts made by parish and school families and friends, the total debt has already been reduced to approximately $4.5 million, and the parish office and athletics concession-stand buildings have been paid off. The remainder of the mortgage now consists of the church, rectory, and convent.

To support the milestone with a gift, donors can contribute online to the Debt Reduction Fund at sjnknox.org/give and include “debt match” in the comments or write a check to SJN and include “debt match” in the memo line. Parish and school families and friends can contact Patrick Wade, SJN director of development, with any questions at pwade@sjnknox. org or 865-777-3410. n

was appointed as managing editor of Abbey Press Publications and Deacon Digest Magazine.”

Brother Silas’ time in Louisville changed the course of his vocation.

“My experience in Louisville awakened in me a real passion for adult faith formation and catechesis,” he said. “Although I saw real value in the work I was doing at Abbey Press Publications and Deacon Digest, I missed direct ministry, such as I had experienced at St. Margaret Mary. This prompted me to begin discerning a transition to a more active form of religious life. And so, in 2013, I left the monastic life, although I did continue my work with Abbey Press Publications, and entered into a two-year period of discernment that ultimately led me to the Society of the Divine Savior. Because of the community’s historical emphasis on faith formation and education, as well as pastoral care, it felt like a very natural fit. I entered the Salvatorians in January 2016.”

Since then, Brother Silas has offered parish missions, workshops, retreats, and other faith-formation programs in more than a dozen states. In his ministry as the director of the Tucson-based Jordan Ministry Team, a collaborative Salvatorian ministry focused on initial and continuing faith formation and catechesis, he offered in-person and online programming for permanent deacons, parish

leaders, religious educators, and catechists across the United States.

He has been a featured presenter at the Southwest Liturgical Conference, the Dallas Ministry Conference, the Diocese of Fresno Diocesan Congress, and the “Together in Hope” Conference, and has collaborated with Liturgy Training Publications for a special series of reflections on the liturgies of Lent and Holy Week at the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

In his retreats and workshops, Brother Silas focuses on discipleship and spirituality as he reflects on Mary and the communion of saints, the liturgy, sacred Scripture, and the sacramental life of the Church.

“The aspect of retreat work and offering faith-formation opportunities for adults that I most enjoy is the opportunity to companion people—with their questions, fears, doubts, as well as their hopes, joys, and faith—and help them to discover how they can live their faith in a more adult and intentional way,” Brother Silas said. “St. Aloysius Gonzaga, a saint who is especially important to me, once described God as a ‘shoreless and fathomless ocean.’ And I wholeheartedly believe that is true. This also means that there is also more to discover about God and the depths of God’s love and mercy for each of us. Helping people come to appreciate that and to open themselves more and more to that mystery is a gift for me.”

Brother Silas is the author of four books, including St. Aloysius Gonzaga: With an Undivided Heart (Ignatius Press) and Lights for a Waiting World: Celebrating Advent with the Saints (Abbey Press Publications). He has published articles and reflections in a variety of prominent Catholic publications, including America Magazine, Give Us This Day, The Priest, LooseLeaf Lectionary, Pastoral Review, and numerous CareNotes and PrayerNotes (Abbey Press). He has written extensively for LPi and Aleteia.org, offering commentaries on the readings for

Knoxville Catholic signing day honors full-ride students Knoxville Catholic High School held its Academic Signing Day event May 13 to recognize those students who have been offered academic scholarships covering all tuition and fees at the college they plan to attend this fall. From left are Tennison Barnes, who is bound for the University of Tennessee at Martin, and Jake La Nasa, Alex Latham, and Ben Snyder, who will attend the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Not pictured is Joseph Laco, UT-Knoxville.

the Sunday Mass and Aleteia’s “Today We Celebrate” series. His articles have appeared not only in the United States but also in Great Britain.

“My first article was published in Liguorian Magazine in 2008,” Brother Silas said. “In the years since, I have published hundreds of print and online pieces. I have also had the privilege of teaching and leading retreats and workshops in dozens of parishes and schools in various parts of the United States and have most recently had the opportunity to work with our Salvatorian seminarians in Morogoro, Tanzania; Madrid, Spain; and Rome, Italy.

“I have always seen my work as a writer as part of my sense of calling to be an educator and catechist. I’m reminded that the new Directory for Catechesis published by the Holy See in 2021 describes a catechist as a ‘steward of the mystery of faith’ and as one who has a special call to share with others what has been entrusted to them in their own experience of the mystery that is God. Writing, for me, has been one of the ways that I have tried to make that real in my ministry. The same can be said for the many retreats and workshops I’ve led over the years. I bring those experiences and perspectives to my ministry as a priest.”

Salvatorian priests and brothers are members of the Society of the Divine Savior, a Catholic religious community founded in 1881 by Blessed Francis Jordan. The USA Province is headquartered in Milwaukee and led by Father Schuessler. As men of prayer and action, Salvatorians are encouraged to use their unique and diverse talents through “all ways and means” to spread the Word of God. They work as equals within their family of Salvatorian sisters, lay men and women, priests, and brothers. For more information on Brother Silas, visit his website at www. brothersilas.org n

Portions of this article were provided by the Society of the Divine Savior.

BILL BREWER

Brother Silas continued from page B6

Brother Silas S. Henderson, SDS

Debt at an end St. John Neumann pastor Father Joe Reed burns the mortgage signifying that the parish school’s loans are entirely paid.

New NDHS head of school plans to ‘listen and learn’

Dr. Eric Schexnaildre has ‘endless positive memories’ of his alma mater as he assumes his leadership role July

By Dan McWilliams

Dr. Eric Schexnaildre has good memories of his Catholic education as he becomes the new head of school Monday, July 1, at his alma mater of Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga.

Dr. Schexnaildre (“shex-nyeder”) was named head of school and Melissa Wolff dean of academics, also effective July 1, in a pair of appointments announced April 18 by the Diocese of Knoxville Office of Catholic Schools. See the May 5, 2024, issue of The East Tennessee Catholic for more details.

A native of Louisiana, Dr. Schexnaildre came to East Tennessee after his seventh-grade year ended. He enrolled in Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Chattanooga for eighth grade.

“During the summer of 1991, my family moved from the New Orleans area to Chattanooga for my father’s job,” he said. “I had previously attended St. Paul’s High School in Covington, La., which was an all-boys school with about 600 students at the time. As I started my eighth-grade year at OLPH, I was surprised to have only about 20 boys in the entire eighth grade. I had never moved before, so it was a struggle on multiple fronts. However, my principal was David Held, an incredible leader, and he became a mentor to me as I worked through my eighth-grade year.”

Mr. Held was very influential on the future school leader.

“My favorite memory was Mr. Held teaching a class he called ‘Self Esteem’ to only the male students,” Dr. Schexnaildre said. “He taught us

Spring Fling continued from page B3

to Juliet and Payton before anchor Chloe took the baton to the finish line.

“The 4-by-200 was amazing. A nearly two-second margin is huge in a sprint event,” Mr. O’Neil said. “This team ran over a second faster than our previous school record.”

Payton was a busy athlete at the state meet.

“Payton is a beast,” Mr. O’Neil said. “She finished ninth in the pentathlon, seventh in high jump, fifth in the 100 hurdles, second in the 300 hurdles, and first in the 4-by-200 relay. The pentathlon was the week before the rest of the state meet. On the day of the state meet, Payton did high jump in the morning and came back for the 100 hurdles, then we had a two-and-a-half-hour weather delay, then she had to do her other three events. It was an exhausting, long day for her, but she toughed it out and did an amazing job.”

The 3,200 relay team set a record for the Irish boys team.

“The 4-by-800 relay was Radek Molchan, Gonzalo Vela, Tony Ortega, and Keegan Smith,” Mr. O’Neil said. “Their time of 7:58 broke our old school record by six seconds. They ran exactly the kind of gutsy race we wanted from them. Later in the day, Keegan barely missed out on winning the 800 with a secondplace finish, and shortly after he finished third in the 3,200. Like Chloe, the relay definitely took something out of him, but having a chance to race at the state meet with your teammates on a relay is a special experience, so making that choice was a no-brainer.”

JR’s effort did not go unnoticed by his head coach.

“JR Fowler is another athlete who doesn’t get the credit he deserves,” Mr. O’Neil said. “He finished third in discus at the state meet. He’s the No. 1 sophomore in Tennessee in the discus and the No. 12 sophomore in the country. Our division is loaded in the throwing events, so a lot of people probably don’t realize just how impressive JR is.”

The future is “very bright” for the KCHS track team because of its surplus of young talent, Mr. O’Neil said.

how to set goals, character education, and multiple life lessons that I still use today. Mr. Held had us create a list of one-year goals, and each student wrote out their address on an envelope. Having totally forgotten about that assignment, I received my envelope and letter a year later at the end of my freshman year. It was a really cool experience that I still remember today. Mr. Held had a tremendous impact on my transition to Chattanooga and helped build my self-confidence as a young man.”

Dr. Schexnaildre is a member of the Notre Dame class of 1996.

“At Notre Dame, my positive memories are endless,” he said.

“I was selected to be in our first campus ministry class at NDHS my senior year. We planned and organized school Mass and were able to play a big part in our campus spiritual activities. During my junior and senior years, I was able to experience Search (a Catholic spiritual retreat) as a participant, a leader,

“We’ve got a lot more talented underclassmen who didn’t qualify for state this year, but if they continue to work and improve the way they did this spring, they will make it to state before they graduate.”

Notre Dame track-and-field head coach Will Musto said the future is nice for his program.

“We’re excited about the future of track and field at Notre Dame High School,” he said. “In just a few months, we took seven athletes— four of whom had never competed in track and field—to the statechampionship meet. In the last two weeks of the season, we saw over 40 personal bests across the roster, averaging more than two per athlete, and momentum for the future is fantastic. At state, we had one senior, one junior, four sophomores, and a freshman, which is an incredible showing. I am incredibly proud of these athletes and the efforts they put in each day this spring.”

Olivia continued doing well this spring for the Lady Irish.

“Olivia has been placing at state since her freshman year, and this year saw her set a new school record and personal best of 5-4 at the region-championship meet to qualify for state, and I am so proud of her and the work she did to improve,” Mr. Musto said. “Coaches Jonathan Adams and Beau Gilliland did a tremendous amount of work with her from both an approach perspective and a form and technique perspective, and it showed.”

Braylon scored a high finish as an individual and as part of the 3,200 relay team.

“Braylon came out for track and field for the first time, following in his brother’s footsteps, and qualified for state in the open 200-meter dash as well as being a member of the 4-by-800-meter relay,” Mr. Musto said. “His primary spring sport is baseball, but we shared him with the baseball team, and he was a huge contributor for our team, despite coming to only about six or seven regular-season practices, as the baseball schedule allowed. His fifth-place finish in the 200 meters is a true testament to the talent he has—I can’t help but wish I had more time to work with him, but

and as a co-director. It was an incredible spiritual experience for me, and it changed my relationship with God forever. One of my favorite memories was watching my sister throw out a runner at third base for our last out as we won the state championship in softball in 1995.”

The young Mr. Schexnaildre encountered another future school leader in Dickie Sompayrac, then with Notre Dame but now president of Knoxville Catholic High School.

“As to the relationships that I was fortunate enough to experience, I had many incredible teachers and coaches who I had the utmost respect for and connections with, one being Dickie Sompayrac,” Dr. Schexnaildre said. “I originally was a business major in college and was going to follow my father’s footsteps into the sales world and travel. During the second summer of college, Dickie asked me to help him coach a baseball camp for Notre Dame, and I changed my major that fall to education. I wanted to teach, coach, and have those same types of connections with my own players that I experienced at NDHS. I played football, basketball, and baseball in high school, and I still keep in touch with many of my former teammates today.”

Dr. Schexnaildre is going to lead a student body of 391 at Notre Dame.

“As to future plans, I will continue to listen and learn as much as I possibly can until I assume my new position,” he said. “Notre Dame currently has excellent teachers, and we offer multiple honors, AP, and dualenrollment options for our students. Our academics are excellent, and we will always strive to keep class sizes

I know he’s going to be successful in all of his post-high school endeavors.”

Maximo set personal records in two events this season.

“Max opened up the season just shy of his personal best in the 100-meter dash and was frustrated, but we had a nice chat about trusting the process and realizing that the goal is to run fast at the end of the season, not early,” Mr. Musto said. “He ended up running personal bests in both the 100 meters and the 200 meters at the region championships and advanced to state in the 200 meters, one of just three underclass boys to advance to state in the event. He has a great future ahead of him competing for Notre Dame High School.”

Audrey did extremely well in her first season with the Lady Irish track-and-field team.

“Qualifying for two strengthbased events as a high school freshman is outrageous,” Mr. Musto said. “She was the only freshman in either of the events, and two seventh-place finishes are something to be proud of. She’s a fighter and a worker, and I’d say her performances in Murfreesboro put the state on notice that she’s going to be a force for the rest of her high school career.”

The 3,200 relay team’s eighthplace finish was great for a group of newcomers in Dylan, Jose, Josiah, and Braylon.

“We had three sophomores and a senior on this squad, and none of the four had ever run track prior to this year,” Mr. Musto said. “A squad of rookies, and primarily underclassmen, going to state in a relay bodes well for the future for sure. Dylan Hall was battling a bit of a chest cold the week of the state meet, and that put a real damper on his ability to perform the way he would have liked to, but I think getting the taste and experience of competition at the state level was a huge learning opportunity for these boys. They certainly have the potential to be one of the better distance squads in the state moving forward, and I’m excited to see them lean into that possibility and progress.”

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small. This fosters strong relationships between students and teachers in a family-like environment.”

Reaching out to alumni is also on the agenda, he said.

“As a part of our strategic plan, the first aspect is engaging our alumni base and getting the Notre Damers back on campus throughout the school year,” Dr. Schexnaildre said. “Our alumni relations and fundraising will be a focal point of my first year and making sure we have the right people in the right places. We are currently finishing up a capital campaign to update the Phifer Gym and HVAC system and replace the gym floor.”

Improvements to athletic facilities are on the docket as well.

“There are multiple projects that we will look at completing within the first five years, including expanding one of our current practice fields, building an indoor hitting facility for our softball and baseball programs, and the bigger project of a turf football field, along with installation of a track,” Dr. Schexnaildre said. “We have acquired some additional property around campus, and a longer-term goal is to build a softball facility on campus as well.”

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

Dr. Schexnaildre is eager to begin his new role.

“There’s no question that the challenges are many, and it will not be easy,” he said. “I’m looking forward to being there full-time and to start laying out our vision for the future.” n

Mr. Musto added that “it’s a huge honor to watch a young team progress through a season and begin to buy in and believe in themselves and the work that they’ve done. As a coaching staff, we’re just putting up guide rails to help point each member of the team in the right direction; the student-athletes are the ones doing the work each day. We have a unique situation with minimal on-campus facilities for running, so we met for practice at a public school about 25 minutes from campus each afternoon, and that alone puts a strain on each practice. I’m really proud of the roster at large, including the seven who represented us at the state championship, for the effort and positive attitudes they had each day despite those hassles. The future is bright for Notre Dame High School track and field. We saw so many successes this season, and I cannot wait to see each athlete continue to pursue excellence moving forward.”

The Notre Dame boys soccer team finished the season with a record of 13-7. Head coach Jim Schermerhorn said the Fighting Irish “played better in second half” in the finals against Boyd Buchanan. “I thought we had three or four good chances, just didn’t score.”

Mr. Schermerhorn said semifinal opponent USN “was a good defending team. They put us out of the state tournament last year. It was a good win for us! Our goalkeeper, Chase Lundberg, played really well all year.”

The Fighting Irish head coach called the Northpoint contest a “really close game against a good team.” Against Webb, Notre Dame “really played better in the second half to win the game.”

Mr. Schermerhorn assessed the 2024 campaign for his team.

“Overall, a really good season. It will be hard to single out players because so many had a good season and worked hard. We have a good returning group next year also. We are proud of our team and how they played this year. We played a lot of tough teams along the way, and it really helped us improve through our season.” ■

Dr. Eric Schexnaildre WILL MUSTO