June 5, 2022, ET Catholic, B section

Monsignor Humbrecht celebrates 50th anniversary Bishop Stika, Cardinal Rigali, more than 20 priests, and many others join in for the occasion

DAN MCWILLIAMS

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hen a church is filled with the faithful at a priest’s 50th-anniversary celebration, and when some two dozen priests turn out for the occasion, it speaks to the love for the jubilarian that all of them have.

Such was the case May 6 as Monsignor Al Humbrecht celebrated his golden anniversary of priestly ordination at Holy Spirit Church in Soddy-Daisy, where he serves as pastor.

That love for him “has been a support throughout my whole priesthood,” he said afterward.

Monsignor Humbrecht, known for his commitment to social justice and to the poor and for the many classes he has taught about the faith at various events, was the principal celebrant of his anniversary Mass.

Concelebrants were Father David Boettner, Father Mike Nolan, Father Peter Iorio, and Father Joe McMahon of the Diocese of Nashville.

Along with about 18 other priests were several deacons. Deacon Jim Lawson and Deacon Mick Spencer assisted at Mass. Bishop Richard F. Stika and Cardinal Justin Rigali attended in choir.

Monsignor Humbrecht, who has served as pastor of Sacred Heart Cathedral, Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Chattanooga, and St. Augustine in Signal Mountain as well as at Notre Dame High School and in many assignments as an associate pastor, was with Deacon Lawson for 12 1/2 years at the cathedral parish.

The monsignor, ordained May 6, 1972, at St. Henry Church in Nashville by Bishop Joseph A. Durick, thanked Bishop Stika, Cardinal Rigali, and all those who “braved some unbelievable weather to be here” as severe storms hit the area on his anniversary day.

Monsignor Humbrecht has twice served the Diocese of Knoxville as

By Dan McWilliams

Golden jubilee Monsignor Al Humbrecht (center) celebrates his 50th-anniversary Mass with (from left) Father John Orr, Father Peter Iorio, Father Joe McMahon, Father Gilbert Diaz, Father Mike Nolan, Father Jim Vick, and Father David Boettner. administrator, an honor voted on by his fellow priests, during the times when the diocese has been in between bishops.

He spoke of what was going through his head on a special day like May 6: “What a blessing the people of God are. And it’s really a day to celebrate the ministry in the Church among all of God’s people.”

Monsignor Humbrecht said in his homily that the anniversary Mass was about as intimidating for him as his first Mass as a priest, which he had to celebrate before an audience that included the priest who gave him his first holy Communion and the priests who had taught him.

“Now, it’s not the priests who

taught me and watched me grow up, it’s the ones who watched me in ministry that’s equally as intimidating to think about,” he said.

He talked of the day’s first reading from Jeremiah 1:4-10, when the Lord calls Jeremiah and says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.”

“I chose that reading because every one of us here, by virtue of our baptism, is called to be a prophet—priest, prophet, king,” Monsignor Humbrecht said. “Every one of us here, the Lord says to us what He said to Jeremiah: ‘I will put My Word on your lips, if you let me. But you have to let me. I won’t force you, but I’ll put it there, and

I will be with you when you speak that word, no matter what reaction that word may bring, I will be with you.’ It’s a reminder to all of us, because ministry is something that we all share, again, by virtue of our baptism.”

Monsignor Humbrecht looked in the pews and saw Monsignor Bill Gahagan, who was with him in what Monsignor Humbrecht called the “olden days” of his time in seminary. The jubilarian also referred to the day’s second reading, from Philippians 1:2-11 (“the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus”), proclaimed from the ambo Anniversary continued on page B2

Chosen to serve

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hree Diocese of Knoxville seminarians are one step closer to priesthood after being ordained to the diaconate on Sunday, May 29, at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville.

Bishop Richard F. Stika was the celebrant of the afternoon Mass that featured transitional deacons Joseph Daniel Austin, Neil Patrick Blatchford, and Andrew Christian Crabtree.

“What a joy it is for me as bishop to be here with all of you . . . to celebrate this historic event in the life of the Church of East Tennessee, but also in the Austin family, in the Blatchford family, as well as the Crabtree family,” Bishop Stika said at the beginning of the Mass.

The bishop asked for special prayers for Deacon Crabtree’s father, who was unable to attend the ordination Mass.

“Pray for Andrew’s father, who is quite ill. He’s in the hospital, something very serious. So, Andrew and to your family, we pray for your dad,” Bishop Stika said.

Also present for the Mass was Cardinal Justin Rigali, in choir.

Several priests of the diocese concelebrated.

The first reading was proclaimed

by Rhett Austin, father of Deacon Austin, while the second reading was proclaimed by Brendan Blatch-

ford, brother of Deacon Blatchford.

Deacon Sean Smith served as deacon of the Word.

The rite of ordination followed the Gospel reading, where each ordinand was called by name to stand before the bishop, to which each replied “present.”

Father Christopher Floersh, director of vocations, presented the elect to Bishop Stika.

“Most Reverend Father, Holy Mother Church asks you to ordain these men, our brothers, to the responsibility of the diaconate,” Father Floersh said.

To which the bishop replied, “Do you know them to be worthy?”

“After inquiry among the Christian people and upon recommendation of those concerned with their formation, I testify that they have been found worthy,” Father Floersh responded.

Bishop Stika approved the elect by saying, “Relying on the help of our Lord God and our Savior, Jesus Christ, we choose these, our brothers, for the order of the diaconate,” to which the congregation responded, “Thanks be to God.” Bishop Stika began his homily by recounting his morning in Rutledge, “dedicating a new church under the patronage of the title of St. John Paul II.” “St. John Paul II reminds us not to

By Gabrielle Nolan

GABRIELLE NOLAN

The Diocese of Knoxville welcomes three new transitional deacons as it celebrates a triple ordination

‘They have been found worthy’ Soon-to-be deacons (from left) Joseph Austin, Neil Blatchford, and Andrew Crabtree process into their ordination Mass on May 29. be afraid,” he said. “And I’m filled with great joy that Joe and Andrew and Neil were not afraid to say ‘present’ for their moment since the time of their baptism, since the time of their creation. They now are here before me and my brother deacons and priests and the people of God of the Catholic Church scattered throughout all of East Tennessee.”

The bishop’s homily largely focused on the vesture or uniform of the clergy, noting that it is not uncommon for workers in society

to wear “certain uniforms or things that designate who we are or what we might be about.”

“The same is true for a person of service to the Church,” Bishop Stika said. “The same is true of that which designates the roles that we fulfill.

“The white garment that we wear, the alb, usually under a vestment for us, designates that we are baptized, that we are a new creation, that we have died to self,” the bishop continued. “And so you wear an Deacons continued on page B3

‘The Body of Christ’ Monsignor Al Humbrecht distributes Holy Communion at his anniversary Mass. retire,” the bishop said. “I will turn in a second letter, and it will read something like this: ‘Most Holy Father, as I have tendered my request to retire, I also offer a suggestion. We have a talented priest in the Diocese of Knoxville. He is very young and vigorous.

He’s well-schooled in Catholic theology and Scripture. He likes to cook and garden, and he has a wonderful parish in a beautiful, beautiful metropolitan area called Soddy-Daisy. He’s also served, by the way, Holy Father, when our founding bishop was transferred and when our second bishop was transferred, so he’s quite experienced at running a diocese. And so as I sail off into the sunset, I heartily recommend Thomas Allen’—what’s your last name?”

Smiling at Monsignor Humbrecht, the bishop said, “Isn’t he a good priest? Every place he’s been. When I arrived 14 years ago, he was so very helpful in the beginning. . . .

And he’s always been so helpful.

From time to time he’ll send me these DVDs and these CDs on a regular basis about Scripture and Catholic teaching and social action and such. He’ll send me these pamphlets and books, and I always appreciate them. So, Al, in the name of His Eminence—who would have thought 50 years ago that you’d have a non-baseball-player cardinal here? In the name of His Eminence, myself, and all of the people of the Diocese of Knoxville whom you’ve touched in one way or another, in the name of your brother priests and

deacons who are here today, I just want to say thank you. You are a special priest. And your family, I’m sure, is very proud.”

When the bishop was getting ready to move Monsignor Humbrecht from his assignment at the cathedral, he asked him “‘Where do you want to be?’ And he said he would like to be in Chattanooga, so he could get to his sister and to his family. . . . It seemed like a perfect fit.”

The bishop’s last comment elicited a long ovation from the faithful.

“Ad multos annos, many more years, God bless you, and especially: thank you,” he said.

Monsignor Humbrecht then told the bishop a secret about his sister, Ms. Clifton.

“Bishop, I would never tell my sister’s age, but she was 5 when I was ordained,” he said to laughter. “I’ll pay for that later,” he added.

The monsignor singled out the visiting priest from the Nashville Diocese.

“Also, I should have acknowledged besides all of our own priests, Father Joe McMahon, who came from that other diocese, our mother diocese, to be with us today. I’ve known Joe for 49 of the 50 years.

Thank you for coming over.”

Monsignor Humbrecht asked a certain segment of the priests attending to stand up: “all of those who I was your field education supervisor during seminary, or you were an Anniversary continued on page B8

Monsignor preaches Monsignor Humbrecht, with Deacon Spencer at right, delivers the homily at his anniversary Mass.

BILL BREWER

DAN MCWILLIAMS

Addressing the faithful Monsignor Humbrecht speaks to the assembly at the beginning of his anniversary Mass. Also pictured are Deacon Mick Spencer and Father Peter Iorio.

BILL BREWER

every one of us to, we have to come and see,” Monsignor Humbrecht said. “We have to go and spend time with Jesus so that He can form us into the ministers He needs in the world today. We also have to let Him form us so that we can then lead others to Him. . . . We have to live lives that will call others and allow others to experience the risen Lord present in and through us.

“If we come and spend time with Jesus, He’s going to make sure we have opportunities to serve. Now at the time we’re doing some of that service, we may not feel like saying thank you. But I believe that when we look back, we will say thank you, because I believe so firmly with St. Paul, for to those who love God all things work for good. They may not seem like a good at the time, but God will bring a good out of it as long as we strive to love God and love our neighbor.”

Monsignor Humbrecht concluded his homily by thanking “all of you for your presence here tonight but also for your support in the ministry that I share, but also many of you have helped support the ministry of these priests and deacons and religious who are here among us this evening as well. On behalf of all of them, I say to you, thank you and keep it up.”

Bishop Stika spoke at the end of Mass.

“For 50 years Monsignor Al has faithfully served both the Diocese of Nashville and the Diocese of Knoxville as an administrator, as a teacher, as a pastor, as one who has great concern for not only the poor but also ecumenical activities,” the bishop said. “And he likes to cook and to garden and to read and to teach, both by witness as well as by various classes—so many people have benefited from his excellent teaching ability just on Scriptures and other issues that surround us in faith and in the world in which we live. We give thanks to Almighty God. A few years ago, he told me he wanted to stay here until he couldn’t stay here anymore, and that’s fine with me,” a remark that drew a round of applause from the assembly.

Bishop Stika said Monsignor Humbrecht’s experience at running a diocese may not be completely done with.

“On July 4, 2032, I turn 75, and I will have to turn in my request to

DAN MCWILLIAMS

by his sister, Libby Clifton. “[Monsignor Gahagan] will remember us having been told there are three classes of people: priests, seminarians, and laypeople, and the three are not to mix, which immediately discounted 50 percent of the world’s population. I didn’t believe it then, and I know Bill didn’t believe it then either, and I don’t believe it today,” Monsignor Humbrecht said. “We all need one another. That’s why I chose that reading from Philippians. It is a reading I chose for my first Mass, but I chose it this time for a different reason to a degree. For my first Mass, I chose it as a sense of thank-you to the people who supported me during those eight years of seminary, by their prayers, by their presence. . . .

“We all need to support one another. Priests need the support of the people of God. I’d only been ordained a couple of years, and there are a couple of people here this evening who were part of a small group that took me under their wing as a young priest. One of that group reminded me several years later when I was her pastor and she was director of religious education, and Janet said to me, ‘Don’t you forget: we taught you how to be a priest.

The seminary taught you theology.

We taught you how to be a pastoral person.’”

Everyone has “a vocation to holiness,” Monsignor Humbrecht said.

“The Second Vatican Council reminded us of that very strongly, that that’s the common vocation, and within that vocation there are other vocations: priesthood, religious life, diaconate, married life, single life,” he said. “But I would also say that I believe that all of those others, not priesthood but all the others, have an avocation. They have a second vocation, and that’s to teach us how to be good pastoral priests. That’s your responsibility, and I thank so many of you who have been a part of that formation of many of us gathered here tonight. But it’s important that we all continue to share that ministry together.”

The day’s Gospel reading was from John 1:35-42, where Jesus told the two disciples of John following him to “come and see” where he was staying.

“Because if we are going to do the ministry that God calls each and

DAN MCWILLIAMS

Anniversary continued from page B1

Love ‘has been a support throughout my whole priesthood’ Monsignor Humbrecht stands with Bishop Richard F. Stika, Cardinal Justin Rigali, and all the priests and deacons who came to his anniversary Mass.

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‘Isn’t he a good priest? Every place he’s been’ Bishop Richard F. Stika, speaking at the end of Monsignor Humbrecht’s anniversary Mass, praised the jubilarian. The bishop also teasingly hinted that the monsignor may yet lead the Diocese of Knoxville again when he (Bishop Stika) retires. Monsignor Humbrecht has served as diocesan administrator twice in his priestly career.

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alb and a cincture . . . at some point a stole crossed over your heart, and a dalmatic, a chasuble almost with sleeves, to be about the work of the Lord.”

In particular, the bishop focused on the cincture, or belt, that the clergy wear.

“Some are very simple, and some are very ornate, but they should be very strong in texture,” he said.

“For the most part they’re a rope, right, intertwined to give it more and more and more strength that binds the alb, that symbol that you are baptized. I was thinking about a cincture, and how so much it relates to what you are going to do today.”

“What are those strands of the diaconate?” the bishop continued.

“One of those strands is what you’ve just done: you’ve presented yourself to the Church, in all the complexities of your life, in all your journeys that brought you to a time when you met with me, and you said you wanted to be a priest, God willing, someday.”

Bishop Stika proceeded to talk about three main “ingredients” or “certain components” of the ordination of a deacon, priest, or bishop.

The first ingredient he mentioned was praying the Liturgy of the Hours, the official prayer of the Church.

“Anytime you pray, be assured there’s somebody in the world at that moment that is praying with you,” Bishop Stika said. “Don’t take it lightly. And if you miss, for whatever reason, don’t beat yourself up over it; there’s always tomorrow.

There’s always the next hour.”

The second ingredient was the promise of obedience and respect for the ordinary, which the bishop described as “something that is greatly misunderstood.”

“What it means is that there’s

something greater than yourself. I represent the diocese as a successor of the Apostles,” Bishop Stika said.

He mentioned obedience to the magisterium and the teaching of the Church, as well as the obedience to pray, continue formation, respect the bishop, and proclaim the Gospel.

“You will preach to the people of God, and that’s important, that’s the challenge,” the bishop said. “It seems time and time again what do the people in the pews ask for?

Homilies that make a difference in their lives, to teach. You’ll have your own way to teach and preach.”

Bishop Stika also discussed the various responsibilities the new deacons would have, such as setting the altar for Mass and participating more fully in the sacraments.

“You can baptize, you can witness marriages, you can bury the dead, and to assist those in the presbyteral order, as well as the bishops in the work that we’re all called to do: to teach Jesus and to celebrate the sacraments faithfully,” he said.

The third ingredient the bishop highlighted was celibacy.

“At the beginning of this ritual, you presented yourself in the totality that you are: the mind, the spirit, the soul, the person,” he said. “And there’s a gift that you give besides your life itself: the commitment to the Church to remain celibate for the rest of your life.”

“If we are making that statement that celibacy is the way we believe that God is asking us to live our lives, then that’s the gift we give to the Church,” the bishop continued. “And it’s part of all those ropes coming together. Celibacy is reinforced by prayer, which is reinforced by humility; it is reinforced by sacraments.”

Bishop Stika concluded his hom-

Pledging obedience Deacon candidate Joseph Austin places his hands in those of Bishop Richard F. Stika during the ordination Mass. Also pictured are (from left) deacons Walt Otey, Sean Smith, and Hicks Armor.

Prostrate in prayer Deacon candidates Austin, Blatchford, and Crabtree prostrate themselves before the altar as the Litany of Saints is sung. With Bishop Stika are Deacon Walt Otey (left) and Deacon Sean Smith.

Helping the bishop Newly ordained deacons (from left) Joseph Austin and Andrew Crabtree and (far right) Neil Blatchford assist Bishop Stika at the altar. With them are Father David Boettner (third from left), Father Michael Cummins, and Deacon Walt Otey.

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GABRIELLE NOLAN (6)

Deacons continued from page B1

Laying on of hands Bishop Richard F. Stika prays the prayer of ordination over Deacon Neil Blatchford as deacon candidate Andrew Crabtree awaits at right. At left is Deacon Sean Smith with Deacon Walt Otey. ily by noting that there are other components of ordination, such as “surprises, disappointments, challenges.”

“Again, the twine that makes the cincture that binds your alb together, your baptismal promise. You’ll get through it,” he said. “The people of God will continue to pray for you. Never forget to pray for them.

May God bless you as you move into this new ontological moment in your life. For God indeed is good and He has chosen you. Amen.”

After the homily, the three elect stood before the bishop, who questioned them to declare their intent to undertake the office of deacon before the people of God. Bishop Stika asked the following questions: n Do you resolve to be consecrated for the Church’s ministry by the laying on of my hands and the gift of the Holy Spirit? n Do you resolve to discharge with humble charity the office of the diaconate, so as to assist the priestly order and to benefit the Christian people? n Do you resolve to hold fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience, as the Apostle says, and to proclaim this faith by word and

deed according to the Gospel and the Church’s tradition? n Those of you who are prepared to embrace the celibate state: Do you resolve to keep this commitment perpetually as a sign of the dedication of your life to Christ the Lord for the sake of the kingdom of heaven, in service to God and others? n Do you resolve to guard and increase the spirit of prayer proper to your way of life and, in keeping with this spirit and the circumstances of your life, to celebrate faithfully the Liturgy of the Hours, with and for the people of God and indeed for the whole world? n Do you resolve to conform your manner of life always to the example of Christ, whose Body and Blood you will handle at the altar?

The elect responded “I do” to each question.

Immediately following came the promise of respect and obedience to the bishop, where each of the elect knelt before the bishop, placing his hands in the bishop’s.

Afterward, the three men lay prostrate before the bishop as the congregation sang the Litany of the Saints.

Rising once more to kneel beDeacons continued on page B9

Triple vesting Deacon Hicks Armor prepares to vest Deacon Andrew Crabtree as Father David Carter (second from left) vests Deacon Neil Blatchford and Deacon Frank Fischer vests Deacon Joseph Austin.

Deacons and their bishop New deacons (from left) Neil Blatchford, Andrew Crabtree, and Joseph Austin stand with Bishop Stika following the ordination Mass.

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JUNE 5, 2022 n B3

Parish notes Chattanooga Deanery

Vince and Kathy Hotton (15) COURTESY OF RAY CHAN

St. Jude, Chattanooga

Cumberland Mountain Deanery The parish congratulated the class of 2022 at St. Jude School and the following award-winners: Nathan Jungels, Hixson Lions Club Award; Kate Lovelace, Betty Carignan Award; Natalie Newton, John and Gertrude Free Fine Arts Award; Megan Steere and Ryan Fillauer, Emily Gadd Clayton/ Michelle Masterson Scholar-Athlete awards; McKinna Wiles, St. Jude Faculty Award; Ryan Fillauer, C.A. Lowry Memorial Award; Ezekiel Walker, Christian Service Award; Fatima Hernandez Rivera and Caitlyn Dao, Effort Award; Gracie Taylor, Improvement Award; Jack Stout, Leadership Award; and McKinna Wiles and Ezekiel Walker, May crowning.

St. Jude School thanked everyone who supported its Jockeys & Juleps event May 7, which raised more than $100,000 for playground and recreation areas.

The second annual St. Jude Flea Market will be held in Siener Hall from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 22, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, July 23. Drop off unwanted and unused items in the cafeteria on the Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday before the sale. Accepted are all clean, unbroken items except computer parts. Clothes must be on a hanger in good condition. All money raised will go toward the St. Jude youth ministry.

Deacon Butch and Marybeth Feldhaus are retiring after 33 years in the music ministry at St. Jude. Deacon Feldhaus will now focus on his other ministry: RCIA. Upcoming events at St. Jude include a trivia night Friday, July 29, and a newcomer welcome and new-kitchen open house Sunday, July 31.

The youth held a car wash May 29 during the 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 12:15 p.m. Masses. Donations will help the youth attend a Steubenville trip and a mission trip.

St. Mary, Athens The parish congratulated its graduating seniors, Christin Casey, Brittany Chavez, and Ubaldo Hernandez.

St. Mary’s scholarship recipients are Emma Grace Blackledge, Abbey Kathryn Borden, Isabella Grace Coleman, Madlen Conley, Noah Dahle, Michael Fogelgren, Rylan Fugate, Yu H. Lee, Addison Liner, Jaxon Marlow, Victor Bryce Medrano, Chloe Miller, Naylen Bryce McKenzie, Conor A. O’Malley, Katie-Grace Reynolds, Evelyn Sandoval, Lucus Scheutzow, and Diana Rose White.

First communicants: Kareli Franco, Kateri Franco, Elwood David Castellanos, Caleb Bryan Dyke, Cesar Garcia Jr., Victoria Rose Garcia, Jimena Anahi Aguilar Gonzalez, Liam Wade Gossett, Brianna Alejandra Hernandez-Lumbet, Evangeline Francesca Morr, Xiomara Guadalupe Ramirez, Ariana Marie Hernandez, Kimberly Hernandez, Adrian Gonzales-Mora, Zaira Anahi Arreguin, April Daniela Damian St. Stephen, Chattanooga A tea party in honor of the Little Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi was held in the parish hall May 28. Participants met the sisters and heard about their mission of rescuing and educating vulnerable street children in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

American Heritage Girls Troop 0629 held a drive-through baby shower May 2 at St. Stephen, collecting diapers and wipes.

The Knights of Columbus congratulated Father Manuel Pérez, Knight of the month for April, and Ron and Myrtle Englert, family of the month.

Anniversaries: James and Geraldine Bevil (54), William and Mary Apps (53), Robert and Connie Aaron (51), Fran and Lyn Grillo (51), Robert and Joanne Hotchkiss (51), Joe and Susie Alexander (40), Claude and Ann Simon (35), B4 n JUNE 5, 2022

Blessed Sacrament, Harriman Jim and Susan Conover are retiring after serving as co-directors of the RCIA program for nine years. “Their efforts have been nothing less than the very best. May God bless you mightily, Jim and Susan, for so generously, and quite literally, sharing your time, talent, and treasure in the service of our Lord at Blessed Sacrament,” said pastor Father Michael Sweeney.

The Knights of Columbus hosted a Mother’s Day brunch after the 10:30 a.m. Mass on May 8.

Confirmandi: Caroline Laffoon, Jackson Lavender, Marcellus Ogas, Josie O’Rourke, Kayla Patterson

St. Vincent de Paul members attend training at Ladies of Charity In the St. Vincent de Paul Society, formation is encouraged and promoted. One required course is called the Ozanam Orientation, which was held at the Ladies of Charity in Knoxville on April 23. The Ozanam Orientation, in particular, is important because it sets the spiritual and philosophical tone for its members on what St. Vincent de Paul is about. When people think of St. Vincent de Paul, they often think of it as only a charity. But that is not its primary goal. The primary goal of the society is to promote the holiness of its members in the service of the poor. And in the service of the poor, they hope to bring them closer to God in their prayers and in their actions. Above are Vincentians from various parishes in the diocese.

Members came from Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Chattanooga, St. Mary in Oak Ridge, St. Mary in Johnson City, St. Thomas the Apostle in Lenoir City, Good Shepherd in Newport, St. Francis of Assisi in Townsend, and St. John Neumann in Farragut. In the center of the picture is Susan Unbehaun, executive director of the Ladies of Charity, where the training was held, and to the right is Jim Moretti, president of the St. Vincent de Paul Council in the Diocese of Knoxville.

First communicants: Jesse Cardona, Trevor Johnson, Marcellus Ogas St. Francis of Assisi, Fairfield Glade The Fairfield Glade Council of Churches held a National Day of Prayer on May 9 at the St. George Marina, and St. Francis pastor Father Michael Woods said a prayer for Ukraine.

Kathy Donley and Cherie Trapp report that to date 100 parishioners have been consecrated to the Blessed Mother in the 33 Days to Morning Glory novena. A gathering and Mass were held May 13 for the last group of 10 to receive this special blessing.

Several of the parishioners from the previous groups were also in attendance for this Mass. For information, call Kathy at 707-321-9563 or Cherie at 931- 287-0761.

A study of Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Holy Eucharist was conducted by parishioner Bernadette Harvey.

The Social Action Committee honored deceased parishioners who have died from June 1, 2021, to June 1, 2022, by having butterflies released in their names. The Cumberland House Auxiliary held this annual celebration June 11 at the courthouse in Crossville.

Proceeds go to support the Hospice of Cumberland.

Although the Council of Catholic Women will be taking a break and returning in September, they will be busy over the summer months. A July 1 bake sale is planned in the Glade Mall; there will be a Newcomers Tea in August and a rummage sale Sept. 22 through 24 in the parish hall.

Anniversaries: Bob and Genie Gruber (70), Frank and Ann Zingham (63), Don and Mary Lou Wiskow (62), C. Thomas and Maryanna Teal (62), Joseph and Mary Partlow (62), Fred and Kitty Sasse (61), Patrick and Anna Chowing (61), Shelton and Patty Johnson (59), Joe and Susanna Bour (58), Ed and Connie Beck (57), Jerry and Connie Klekner (57), Theodore and Joann Bronske ( 55), James and Pat Masson (55), Robert and Sandra Mittica (55), James and Judy McClure (55), John and Denise Ranger (54), William and Pat Nagy (52), Frank and Pat Bryant (52), Bernard and Stasia LeFrancois (52), Gerald and Donna Thomson (52), Dan and Jo Wind (51), Gerald and Betty Haser (51), Dan and Catherine Fugiel (51), John and Mary Kopmeier (51), Michael and Mary Mayes (51), Paul and Joanie Chmielewski (50), Gary and Kathy Fitch (45), James and Deborah Valley (30), Tom and Maryann Malone (30), Don and Muriel Clarke (25), Patrick and Victoria Joyce (20) St. John Neumann, Farragut The parish is holding a family holy hour at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 26, in the church. Adoration and Benediction will be followed by a potluck dinner. Contact Joey Wenning at 419-852-1961 or joey.wenning@gmail.com for more details.

A “Save Our Summer” blood drive was held June 8 at the church and school.

St. John Neumann School hosted the Parish notes continued on page B7

Confirmations around the diocese Bishop Richard F. Stika has been busy confirming youth around the diocese recently. Above, from the top, the bishop appears with youth he confirmed at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Our Lady of Fatima in Alcoa, St. Augustine in Signal Mountain, and Holy Trinity in Jefferson City.

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Calendar

Camp Thrive, a collaborative youthministry event for leaders in the Louisville Province, is set for Aug. 25-27 at Gasper River Catholic Camp and Retreat Center in Bowling Green, Ky. Youth-ministry leaders from the two states will gather for celebration, renewal, and professional growth. Registration deadline is Aug. 19. Register at https://dioknox.org/events/camp-thrive.

Cost is $115 per youth ministry leader (includes two nights lodging and six meals) through July 31. Registration afterward is $135 per youth ministry leader. For more information, contact Brittany Garcia at bgarcia@dioknox.org or 865-776- 9635.

Engaged Encounter weekends are set for July 22-23 and Oct. 22-23 at All Saints Church in Knoxville. Catholic Engaged Encounter is a weekend to plan for a sacramental marriage. It is designed to give couples the opportunity to talk privately, honestly, and intensively about their prospective lives together—their strengths and weaknesses, desires, ambitions, and goals, and their attitudes about money, sex, children, family, and their role in the Church and society—in a guided format. Cost of the weekends is $175 per couple, which includes a certificate good for a $60 discount on the couple’s marriage license in Tennessee. To receive a $60 discount, couples must attend a marriage-preparation weekend within one year of purchasing the license. To learn more or to register for a weekend, visit knoxville.engagedencounter.com or call Leslie Consoli at 865-803-6790.

The next Picture of Love engagedcouples retreat is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Sept. 23 and 24, at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga (note date and site change). This marriagepreparation program is a supplement to the couple’s marriage formation with their parish priest or deacon. The Picture of Love marriage-preparation program for engaged couples 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 the couple gain insights into their relationship, as well as give them practical TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C AT HO L I C

Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga is currently accepting applications for the 2022-23 academic year.

Visit www.myndhs.com to apply online.

Call Laura Goodhard at 423-624-4618, extension 1004, for more information.

St. Joseph School in Knoxville is now enrolling pre-K (4) through eighthgrade students. Contact azengel@ sjsknox.org, call 865-689-3424, or visit www.sjsknox.org for more information.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) Homeschool Support Group is a Catholic homeschool support group in Knoxville and surrounding areas that is recognized by the diocese as a Private Association of the Faithful. The group supports one another as families who choose to educate their children at home in order to live, teach, and preserve their Catholic Christianity. The group celebrates Mass together and has a monthly holy hour; has regular park gatherings, field trips, and feast day celebrations; offers faith-based small groups for children, teens, and adults, as well as many other activities.

For more information, contact Lenore Pacitti at lmgouge@gmail.com or 865684-6358, or Sarah Bryant at jsbry412@ gmail.com or 865-742-3534.

Catholic Charities is hosting a free Rachel’s Vineyard healing and recovery retreat the weekend of Oct. 7-9 at Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center, 250 Locke Lane in Benton, for those experiencing emotional or spiritual difficulties from a past abortion or abortions. Complete confidentiality is honored at all times. 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.

COURTESY OF JANET KRASINSKI

St. Dominic School in Kingsport has registration open for the 2022-23 school year. For more information, visit www.saintdominccatholicschool.com.

Call 423-245-0362 to arrange a tour.

Monsignor Hofstetter celebrates 68th anniversary of ordination The day of May 1 was very special at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Newport. Pastor Monsignor Bob Hofstetter, pictured with Deacon Otto Preske, celebrated the 68th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. Friends came from several parishes where he previously served as a pastor to help him celebrate, including St. Mary in Oak Ridge and St. Jude in Chattanooga. A brunch afterward downstairs in Bible Hall was put on by the ladies of the parish.

COURTESY OF JJ SALTS

Singers, choir directors, organists, clergy, and others interested in sacred music are invited to the seventh Southeastern Summer Sacred Music Workshop, to be held midday Friday, July 29, through Saturday, July 30, at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville. The workshop is an ideal opportunity for participants to learn Gregorian chant or improve their chant skills and to prepare and sing polyphonic music for Mass Saturday afternoon. Presentations will include the history and purpose of Gregorian chant, what the Church teaches about sacred music, improving parish music programs on a limited budget, free online sources of liturgical music, and more. Cost of the workshop, including all materials, is $75 per person. Online registration is available now. Southeastern Sacred Music is a chapter of the Church Music Association of America. For more information, visit https://southeasternsacredmusic. com/, e-mail mary@holyghostknoxville. org, or call or text Mary Weaver at 865-437-8620.

ideas and tools to help smooth their journey and become the “Picture of Love” to one another. The cost is $135 per couple, and the experience will qualify couples for a $60 discount on a Tennessee marriage license. For more information, e-mail kbyrne@dioknox. org or call Karen Byrne at 865-5843307. To register and fill out requested exercises, visit dioknox.org/events/ picture-of-love-2022.

Children’s choir at Holy Spirit performs The children’s choir at Holy Spirit Church in Soddy-Daisy performed at Mass on the Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend. Freddie Bussey played a solo on the cello of “How Great Thou Art”; Jack Salts played the “Holy Holy Holy” during Communion preparation; and Johnny Salts played bongo drum, especially on the closing song, “Go Make a Difference.” Irene Gruter directed the children’s choir.

With pastor Monsignor Al Humbrecht above are (from left) Danny Eveland, Johnny Salts, Matthew Steger, Xander Steger, Freddie Bussey, Joie Salts, Jami Salts, and Jack Salts.

The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend is set for Sept. 9-11 at the Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta North in Johns Creek, Ga. Apply online at GATN-wwme.org, call 678-242-WWME, or e-mail applications@GATN-wwme. org. Also, WWME has a focused program for couples with a spouse in the military. Information can be found at www.foryourmilitarymarriage.com.

Father Julian Cardona of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Lenoir City is leading a pilgrimage to Mexico to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe and other religious points of interest.

The departure date is Sept. 26 and the return date Oct. 2. Mass will be celebrated each day in special churches. To download the brochure, visit www.selectinternationaltours.com. In the search box type “Jim Gecsei.” Call Mr. Gecsei at 865-803-3555 for more information.

Father Bill McNeeley of Holy Ghost Parish in Knoxville will be the spiritual director for a pilgrimage to Ireland from Sept. 29 to Oct. 8. Pilgrims will visit Dublin, Wicklow, Glendalough, Tipperary, the Rock of Cashel, Kerry, Dingle Peninsula, Shannon, the Cliffs of Moher, Corcomroe Abbey, Galway, Corrib Lake, Clonmacnoise, and Knock. Cost is $3,759 per person from Knoxville. For more information, visit www.pilgrimages.com/frmcneeley.

COURTESY OF EILEEN RUPPEL (2)

All Saints Parish in Knoxville will host a Health and Mental Wellness Expo from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20. The event will feature speakers throughout the day and other health-related information from the Knoxville community.

St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic will provide glucose, blood-pressure, and basic mental-health screening. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will lead health- and first-aid-related activities for children.

Outdoor aerobics and other activities are planned if weather permits. Friday evening speakers are Zack Kramer, owner of Trinity Strength, and Deacon Robert Rust. Saturday speakers are Mr. Kramer, Allison Maurer, Allison Lowe, Father Michael Maples, and Dr. Lisa Padgett. Information booths will feature All Saints caregiving ministries, a registered dietitian, a doctor of physical therapy, a chiropractor, and more. For more information, contact Christine Lucheon at 865-474-8601 or clucheon@ dioknox.org.

All Saints team helps remove trash from greenway The Creation Care Team from All Saints Parish in Knoxville participated in the Ijams River Rescue on March 19.

Fifty-one bags of trash and many larger items were removed from the Ten Mile Creek Greenway.

“Shrines and Sites, a Pilgrimage to Switzerland,” is set for April 17-27, 2023. Join Father Michael Maples to experience the sacred sites and beauty of Switzerland. The group will have three nights in Lucerne, with stops at Muri Abbey to celebrate Mass and in Solothurn to visit St. Ursus Cathedral.

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JUNE 5, 2022 n B5

Praying for Perspective

by George Valadie

‘Dear Lord, are you wanting me to step away?’

God seemingly stays silent after a prayer of the columnist on retiring from a career in schools

H

ave you ever thought you were right but it turned out you weren’t?

I mean not just a little off, but wrong, way wrong? The “I don’t even know how I got that wrong” sort of wrong?

Nancy’s been supportive though: “Yes, George, you were wrong.”

In late April, I was asked to attend a year-end retreat for this year’s seniors who just last month graduated from the high school where I retired a year before.

They knew me; I knew them. It was a compliment to join the panel of three.

In our role, each of us was asked to share our thoughts on the role of faith and God and faith in God during moments of choice or decision that had occurred in our lives.

So, I decided to relate the journey I’d traveled that led to my retirement.

These kids had all been there for it anyway. They could relive it as much as I could.

At school, we’d been in the midst of COVID for a good six months, taking every temperature every morning. Six-foot reminders dotted every hallway as did stations of hand sanitizer we’d never provided before.

Class sizes were limited, as was the number who could attend games or sit at the lunch table.

Menus were adjusted as well in order that everything fit in a box instead of on a plate.

The mask fight with our students wasn’t horrible, but the battle was real—and sometimes obnoxious— when visitors came to campus.

We happened to be in the midst of all that when someone asked, “Have you given any consideration to retiring?” The question caught me a bit off guard.

I had to admit I’d done so on occasion, though it felt more like a dream than any sort of serious consideration.

Because there’s a lot to factor before you walk away from your income and the only job you’ve ever known. And up to that point, neither Nancy nor I had ever really dug

But I have missed the teachers and especially those kids. In this journey of faith, though, here’s the thing . . . I absolutely do NOT believe God stayed silent only to let me mess up. In fact, as I look back, I believe His answer was perfectly clear. deep in the details of what that sort of life might look like.

Could we pay our bills and the taxes on the house? Could we buy our medicine? Food would be good, too. Could we go out to eat now and again? Take the occasional trip?

Could we keep the dog? Could we still buy milkshakes for the grandkids? Could we visit the ones who lived out of town?

After some deep-dive dollar analysis, we could answer, “Yes, we can do this . . . well, hopefully.”

Finances were one thing to resolve, but there were human beings and human factors in the decision as well—there always are in any job.

So, coming to terms with what we wanted to do was when God and I sat down to chat.

We tell kids to talk to God; they should hear us do the same.

“Dear Lord, I believe you called me to do this work. Are you wanting me to step away? I get it if you do. Forty-six years is a lot. Maybe the kids and the families need a younger face and a fresher idea?

“And if it’s not your desire—then is it OK if I step away? Do I want to?

Do I need to? It’s your pasture and your sheep. Turns out I’m the lost one, asking for help.”

Truthfully, though, our chat began to feel a bit one-sided. I really wanted some answers . . . searched for them, too. Anywhere, everywhere.

Found them nowhere.

Kids should also know we sometimes get frustrated talking to God. I have no doubt that some do indeed see and hear the divine responses they seek. I, however, did not . . . or could not. Ultimately, Nancy and I were left alone to ponder what we wanted to do and what we could afford to.

Ultimately, we decided things

Thoughts and Prayers for the Faithful

weren’t gonna be pretty, but they were gonna be doable.

And so we did it.

It was right here in my story to those seniors where I confessed I’d probably made the wrong decision.

I told them I don’t think I should have retired.

I told them I was wrong.

Kids should hear us admit that, too.

I have missed school, I have missed the people. I have missed what I was called to do.

Don’t get me wrong. I have loved sleeping late, I’ve loved our back porch, I’ve loved having only to be responsible for my wife and my dog.

But I have missed the teachers and especially those kids.

In this journey of faith, though, here’s the thing. I also told them I absolutely do NOT believe God stayed silent only to let me mess up.

In fact, as I look back, I believe His answer was perfectly clear, “George, I’m good either way this time. This isn’t my call; this one’s yours.”

I’m guessing He says that a lot because I believe He gave us a free will and wants us to use it.

It’s just that choices have consequences.

And I’ve been feeling mine.

Let me be clear—no one died.

There’s no one to feel sorry for here.

No one to grieve for or commiserate with.

I’m sleeping late and going to their games like a normal fan. I don’t have to lock up, and I don’t have to measure up.

I give thanks for that, I do. I was just wrong.

I’m certainly not the first human to rethink that particular decision.

Perhaps you know one; perhaps you are one.

And though I’m not dead, I probably am too old to learn architecture or accounting or to take a stab at being Tom Brady’s broadcast partner when he signs on with Fox. Instead, I’ve made my next choice, challenged by Pope Francis’s recent message to folks my age, encouraging us to “leave a legacy of good,

not just goods.”

So I’ve begun working on fashioning a second school-related career.

Hoping to tour, so to speak, and talk with groups of teachers who—like me—have heard the call to labor in the vineyards of Catholic schools.

Starting over can be fun. But I feel for those who are simply starting.

I’ve written and rewritten my resume more than is helpful. I’ve sent out e-mails galore—offering my services, pitching what I have to offer while trying to avoid sounding unbearably arrogant.

I’ve heard back from some, but mostly not. And it has given me perspective—and a huge dose of guilt—for the many such letters I trashed through the years without a second thought. Or the decency of the one-sentence reply I could have sent.

I’ve no idea if or where this new path will take me, but the start has been interesting.

I received a call about speaking to a diocesan gathering from 20-plus schools. With apologies for the late notice, I was informed I’d be pinchhitting for the originally scheduled keynote speaker who had to step out.

“Happy to help, absolutely,” I replied. “I’m sorry you lost your guy, but I’m curious, who was he and what was he going to be talking about?”

“His helicopter was shot down in war, he was captured and spent time as a POW. There’s a movie about it,” he began. “He was going to tell his story and how his faith and fellow soldiers helped him survive. Folks were excited to hear him.”

“Are you kidding me?” was all that came out. “Well,” I stammered, “I was in a fender bender in a mall parking lot one time.”

He invited me anyway, and I wanted to remind him, “Choices have consequences.”

Dear God—Please bless those who don’t mean to be wrong but especially those who don’t know they are. Amen. ■ George Valadie is a parishioner at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga.

by Deacon Bob Hunt

Deacons of the Church of the past and present The columnist is ordained to the diaconate, experiencing ‘a great joy to be in formation with these men’

T

he sixth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles relates the choosing and the ordination of the first deacons of the Church.

Complaints arose among the Christians that Greek-speaking widows and Hebrew-speaking widows were not being treated equally in the distribution of goods intended for the needy. The Apostles, wanting to focus on the teachings of Jesus Christ, instructed the community to choose seven upright men to be ordained to the ministry of the table, meaning keeping an account of the resources distributed to the needy, ensuring that all were served equally.

These seven men, Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch were the first men ordained to the diaconate. Clearly, however, managing the Church’s resources was not to be their only duty, for two of these deacons, St. Stephen and St. Philip, were active in preaching the word of God. Philip preached and evangelized in Samaria and explained the Gospel to the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8). Stephen’s preaching in Jerusalem led to his being accused before the Sanhedrin and to his honored position as the first Christian martyr (Acts 6-7).

B6 n JUNE 5, 2022

St. Paul wrote of the qualifications of deacons: “Deacons must be dignified, not deceitful, not addicted to drink, not greedy for sordid gain, holding fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. Moreover, they should be tested first; then, if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. …

“Deacons may be married only once and must manage their children and their households well.

Thus, those who serve well as deacons gain good standing and much confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 3:8-10 and 3:12-13).

Deacons were highly respected in the early centuries of the Church.

In the First Letter of Pope St. Clement I, the successor of St. Peter writes that bishops and deacons were appointed by the apostles to preach the Good News, and St. Ignatius of Antioch, writing to the Church in Tralles in Asia Minor, instructs them to “reverence the deacons as an appointment of Jesus Christ, and the bishop as Jesus Christ, who is the Son of the Father, and the priests as the sanhedrin of God, and assembly of the Apostles.

Apart from these, there is no Church” (Trallians 3).

This three-fold order of bishop-

priest-deacon was the pattern of Church ministry in the earliest decades of the Church. The permanent diaconate, however, began a long decline in the West starting in the fifth century, though it remains integral to the Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church to this day. By the 13th century, the permanent diaconate had disappeared in the Latin Rite.

Thoughts on reviving it began as early as the Council of Trent in the mid-16th century. Pope Venerable Pius XII favored restoration of the permanent diaconate, but it was Pope St. Paul VI who took the initiative in response to the bishops of the Second Vatican Council and restored the permanent diaconate to the Church.

The word “deacon” comes from the Greek diakonia (die-uh-KO-neeuh), meaning “service among others.” The ministry of a deacon is that of one who serves the bishop and the people of God. Deacons in the Church today carry out a variety of ministries, including positions of direct service to the bishop, such as diocesan chancellor, as well as prison ministry, food pantries and soup kitchens, Christian education and evangelization, spiritual direction and counseling, marriage preparation, medical

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and nursing ministries, and, of course, preaching and serving at the altar.

On Saturday, June 11, at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, more than 20 men were ordained to the permanent diaconate for the Diocese of Knoxville. I was honored to be one among them.

After five years of formation, of communal and individual prayer and spiritual direction, we were called to orders by Bishop Stika and ordained for the ministry of the Church, representing more than 15 different parishes across the diocese.

It has been a great joy to be in formation with these men, who desire nothing other than to serve Christ and His Church and to do good things with their lives.

Coming to a parish near you will be a newly ordained deacon!

Please pray for us, as we pray and labor for the Gospel among you.

Impelled by the love of Christ, we each hope to be for the Church a herald of the Good News and a servant modeled on the example of our Lord.

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.

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

GABRIELLE NOLAN (2)

Father Gladysz celebrates 20th anniversary of priestly ordination The parish community of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus celebrated associate pastor Father Marcin Gladysz at the vigil Mass on May 7 for his 20th anniversary of priesthood. A reception followed in Cathedral Hall featuring traditional Polish songs and foods, as well as a video montage of congratulatory messages from family, friends, Bishop Richard F. Stika, and Cardinal Justin Rigali.

Calendar continued from page B5 There will be an excursion by coach to Engelberg Abbey and then by cable car to the top of Mount Titlis, considered one of Switzerland’s top destinations.

Pilgrims will discover Europe’s highest train station on a full-day train tour to Jungfraujoch. On arrival, they will view the UNESCO-listed landscape and explore summit attractions, such as the Ice Palace and Sphinx Observatory, with views over Aletsch Glacier, Europe’s longest glacier. They will take the scenic Gotthard Panorama Express boat on Lake Lucerne before boarding a train to Lugano, where they will have a two-night stay. A day of sightseeing that includes Santa Maria Degli Angeli Church and a cable-car ride to Monte San Salvatore will follow. The exploration continues with a visit to the Cathedral of Lugano, St. Mary’s, the Rocco Church, San Lorenzo Cathedral, and the Museo D’ Arte.

The group will visit the Marian Shrine

of Switzerland to see the statue of the Black Madonna, Our Lady of Einsiedeln, and go on to Zurich. Pilgrims will visit St. Gallen Abbey and Library, the oldest in Europe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A boat ride down the Limmat River under the bridges and a visit to the Fraumunster Church to see the Chagall stained-glass windows will follow. For more information, contact Lisa Morris at 865-567-1245 or lisam@selectintl.com.

Join Father Mike Nolan on a pilgrimage to Northern Ireland and Scotland from June 12-23, 2023, and visit St. Patrick’s Church in Armagh and his gravesite in Downpatrick. Pilgrims will stop in Glenarm and Ballycastle and drive the Causeway Coastal Route. They will experience the beauty of Giant’s Causeway and stay two nights in a beautiful coastal town before visiting Belfast, where they will have the opportunity to

see the Peace Wall and visit the Titanic Belfast Exhibit, St. George’s Market, and more. The group will then take a ferry to Scotland, visiting Glasgow, Inverness, Edinburgh, and St. Andrews. For more information, contact Lisa Morris at 865567-1245 or lisam@select-intl.com.

A pilgrimage to Greece, including a four-day Aegean cruise, is set for Sept.

18-29, 2023. Join Glenmary Father Steve Pawelk “In the Footsteps of St. Paul” as pilgrims visit the places where St. Paul preached the Gospel—Thessaloniki, Philippi, Corinth, and Athens— and visit the Meteora Monasteries. The Aegean cruise stops on the islands of Mykonos, Santorini, Crete, Rhodes, and Patmos and will also visit the ancient city of Ephesus, featuring some of the most magnificent excavations in the world, and visit Mary’s house. 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; every Sunday at 8 a.m. at St. Mary Church in Athens; at 2 p.m. each Sunday at St. Mary Church in Johnson City; at 6 p.m. most Thursdays at St. Mary Church in Oak Ridge; and at 11:30 a.m. every Sunday at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga. For more information, visit www.KnoxLatinMass.net.

The St. Thomas the Apostle Eastern (Byzantine) Catholic Mission located at 2304 Ault Road, Knoxville, TN 37914, meets for Divine Liturgy every first, second, and fourth Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

All services are in English. Call Father Richard Armstrong at 865-621-8499 or visit www.facebook.com/SaintThomas Knoxville/ for more information. n

Parish notes continued from page B4 West Knox Preschool & Activities Fair, a free community event, on June 4.

The annual parish picnic took place May 29 after the 10:30 a.m. Mass.

The parish celebrated the 15th anniversary of pastor Father Joe Reed’s priestly ordination May 22.

Holy Trinity congratulated its high school graduates: Oswaldo Barrios Jimenez, Laura Hawkins, Joshua LaMonte, Emily Sexton, and Jazdin Weatherbie.

Knights of Columbus Council 8781 at St. John Neumann hosted a Mother’s Day breakfast buffet in the school cafeteria after the 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.

Masses on May 8.

The parish thanked Tim Potts, Bob Rave, and Chris Richards for making the Holy Trinity property look nice for confirmation weekend.

St. Joseph, Norris The Council of Catholic Women’s annual afternoon tea was held June 11 in the parish hall.

Filip Balaz, an exchange student from Slovakia, graduated from Anderson County High School on May 13. The parish thanked Dennis and Judy Curtin for bringing him to church at St. Joseph each week.

The CCW met after Mass on May 19 to make Memorial Day cards for the residents of Norris Health and Rehabilitation Center.

First communicants: Luke Kezek, Harper Knoernschild, Karleigh Watts

Anniversary: Thomas and Debbie Crillo (35) Newcomers: Gregory and Lily Osika, Marcus and Jacqueline Quint, Scott West Notre Dame, Greeneville The St. Agnes Guild’s Project Playground fund now has $43,119.30. The cost of the project is $45,000, and donations are still needed. The projected installation of the playground is in late August to early September.

Anniversary: Mark and Martie Benko (51) St. Dominic, Kingsport

St. Therese, Clinton At the end of May, Jean Chiaro resigned as co-president of the Council of Catholic Women. The parish thanked her for her years of service and commitment in the position.

The Martha and Mary Ministry sponsored a one-day retreat led by Dr. John Bergsma with the theme “The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Jewish Roots of the Catholic Faith.”

St. Patrick, Morristown

The CCW held its end-of-the-year dinner May 17 at Harrison’s Restaurant.

Starting on Mother’s Day, St. Therese held a baby-bottle collection to support the mothers who use Choices Resource Center.

The Knights of Columbus congratulated the honorees at its recent Knights’ Wives Appreciation and Awards dinner: Richard Hidalgo, lifetime achievement award; Greg Oparyk, Knight of the year; and Andy and Sue Vrba, family of the year.

Five Rivers Deanery Holy Trinity, Jefferson City The parish on June 4 and 5 held its monthly collection of food for Dandridge Food Pantry to help those in need in local counties.

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

The Council of Catholic Women announced its newly elected officers, who were installed at its April 19 meeting: Carol Baker, president; Linda Lande, vice president; Sue Vrba, treasurer; Kathy DeAngelis, recording secretary; and Heidi Tumey, correspondence

secretary.

beth7131@att.net.

Anniversaries: Richard and Valerie Hidalgo (58), Sam and Theresa Comodari (50), Robert and Susan Stiles (30), Russell and Susana Treacy (30), Gerardo and Maria Alarcon (20), Justin and Kerilyn Wagenseller Jones (5), James and Dominique McClintock (5), Alejandro Soriano-Gonzalez and Angelica Nolasco-Alvarado (5)

The parish congratulated its graduates: Dalton Stiles, Cameron Allen, Eleanor Weedman and Selvar Hanna from Knoxville Catholic High School; Aaron Johnson from Sacred Heart Cathedral School; Carter Muth, Carson Roovers, Coleman Sharp, and Placey Thompson from St. Joseph School; Jason Samuel Houbre and Madison Lee Johnson from Tennessee Technological University; Lee Dunlap from the University of California-Davis; and Annie Graham and Cooper Wade from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.

Confirmandi: Tony Carbajal, Karen Soto, Jhoana Castro, Jose GarciaAlonso, William Corona-Rafaela, Jaime Lopez, Divinia Cruz-Moreno, David Mancilla-Zaragoza, Kelly EsquivelSosa, Arturo Mendoza-Trujillo, Anely Sanchez-Gonzalez, Samuel Solis-Bello, Paola Russell-Ventura, Shawn FloresSanchez, Maribel Ortiz-Saldana, Jessica Gonzalez-Martinez, Judith PascualAlejo, Axell Gonzalez-Merchant, Cesar Quintero-Zaragoza, Garrett Green, Christian Ramirez, Annahi MatamorosGarcia, Keilyn Ramos-Morales, Joselin Maza-Zamora, Luz Rodriguez-Silva, Alexander Mendoza-Perez, Samuel Perez, Benjamin Miller, Marlene Solis-Bello, Camila Montoya-Villasenor, Marco Vazquez, Dulce Ortiz-Morales, Kimberly Ortiz-Morales, Lindsey Ortiz-Morales, Emmanuel Quintero, Jacqueline Ramos-Morales, Andy Ruiz-Almaraz, Estefania Mendoza-Trujillo, Maria del Carmen Solis-Bello

Smoky Mountain Deanery Holy Ghost, Knoxville Troops of St. George Troop 311 collected U.S. flags for retirement until June 14, Flag Day, when it hosted a flagretirement ceremony on the field at Holy Ghost.

Immaculate Conception, Knoxville The annual Irish Fest is set for 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13. Volunteers are needed, and service hours for students are available for setup, cleanup, food prep and sales, the admission gate, and kids activities, and someone is needed with electrical experience. For more information on positions and times, contact Beth Wolf at 865-679-0535 or

w ww.di o k no x .o rg

IC parishioner Dr. Al Hazari hosted a University of Tennessee Forensic Chemistry Camp for middle-schoolers June 6-10.

The Knoxville Paulist Associates hosted a retreat on May 28 at IC for those interested in knowing more about the Associates and Paulist spirituality.

St. John XXIII, Knoxville The parish hosted “Being at Home in the Web of Life,” an eco-spiritual retreat led by Marcus Keyes and sponsored by Catholic Response to Climate Change.

St. Joseph the Worker, Madisonville On Saturday, July 16, the parish will celebrate the 30th anniversary of ordination for pastor Father Julius Abuh. Mass will start at 4 p.m., with a catered buffet dinner set for 5:30 p.m. in the church hall.

Reservation forms are in the narthex.

The Knights of Columbus’ annual yard sale will be held Sept. 7-9, with proceeds supporting their many Monroe County charities. All items of value that are clean and in working order are welcomed. The Knights can make arrangements to pick up donations. For more information, call Ed Harless at 423-884-2575 or Dan Callan at 423-807-6118.

Men of the parish were invited to take part in “Into the Breach,” a spirituality program developed in collaboration between Bishop Thomas Olmsted of the Diocese of Phoenix and the Knights of Columbus. The group met June 4 in the religious-education building. n JUNE 5, 2022 n B7

Anniversary continued from page B2

associate with me, please stand,” he said as a number of priests in attendance stood. “These are the people you should be praying for,” he told a laughing assembly.

His next remark about veteran deacons Lawson and Spencer drew oohs and ahs from the pews.

“I chose two deacons who could make me look young,” he said.

Afterward, Monsignor Humbrecht spoke of Ms. Clifton, who led the blessing before a post-Mass meal at the Holy Spirit pavilion, and another family member.

“Yesterday was the 20th anniversary of my father’s death, so 20 years he’s been in heaven watching over,” he said.

Father Michael Woods was among many priests who praised Monsignor Humbrecht following Mass.

“I came because he’s a special guy,” Father Woods said. “He’s an example to all of the priests. I really got to know him especially when the diocese didn’t have a bishop at the time, and he was chosen by the priests because he was pastoral not

Daily readings Wednesday, June 1: Memorial of St. Justin, martyr, Acts 20:28-38; Psalm 68:29-30, 33-36; John 17:11-19 Thursday, June 2: Acts 22:30 and 23:6-11; Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11; John 17:20-26 Friday, June 3: Memorial of St. Charles Lwanga and companions, martyrs, Acts 25:13-21; Psalm 103:12, 11-12, 19-20; John 21:15-19 Saturday, June 4: Acts 28:16-20, 3031; Psalm 11:4-5, 7; John 21:20-25; vigil for Pentecost, Genesis 11:1-9; Psalm 104:1-2, 24, 35, 27-30; Romans 8:22-27; John 7:37-39 Pentecost Sunday, June 5: Acts 2:111; Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-31, 34; 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13; John 20:19-23 Monday, June 6: Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, Genesis 3:9-15, 20; Psalm 87:1-3, 5-7; John 19:25-34 Tuesday, June 7: 1 Kings 17:7-16; Psalm 4:2-5, 7-8; Matthew 5:13-16

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only to the people but also to the priests, so it’s great to celebrate with him.”

Father John Dowling said Monsignor Humbrecht’s anniversary was “a big thrill.”

“I’ve known Monsignor Al for just about the entire 50 years of his priesthood. He came to St. Jude [in Chattanooga] when I was a parishioner there, and he was there with Father Jim Murray and also was there with a priest who came from up north named Father [Joseph Patrick] Herlihy,” Father Dowling said. “They were three very different personalities, but just really were able to tap into all the energy at St. Jude at that particular time. Around that time I graduated from college and then I worked for Coca-Cola, and Father Al was very instrumental in getting people very active in the church, and he and Father Jim Murray worked hand in glove together to build that parish, to get it off to a great start. They had some good priests who came before them, but they certainly were very vivacious and enthusiastic. Father Jim Murray was a great preacher, and

Father Al also would preach.

“I remember him preaching quite a bit about Jeremiah, and then I noticed in the program today in the first reading hearing about the call of God given to Jeremiah in the first chapter, verses 4 to 10. It was just wonderful. I thought, that’s the Father Al I know.

He loves to preach on Jeremiah the prophet. He was very active and got a lot of young people enthusiastic about the Church and involved in the Church, very much so.”

Father Boettner, now rector of the cathedral, has known Monsignor Humbrecht since the latter’s days at St. Augustine Parish.

“I first met Monsignor Al when I was probably a junior in high school and went on a retreat called Search for Vocations, and Monsignor Al was running that along with the parents of Father Pete Iorio. That’s when I first met Father Al,” Father Boettner recalled.

Monsignor Humbrecht “definitely” had an influence on his vocation, staying in touch with him and his fellow seminarians as they were studying to be priests, Father

Boettner said.

“He was one of those priests— we had so many good priests who made a concerted effort to visit the seminarians, stay in touch with the seminarians, and encourage them along the way,” he said. “He was one of those, and he always brought members of the Serra Club with him and just really tried to make sure we knew that even though we were far away from home in seminary, we were still very connected.”

Father Boettner was an associate pastor under Monsignor Humbrecht at OLPH in Chattanooga and then was moved along with his pastor to the cathedral parish.

“He was my pastoral supervisor when I was doing an internship in the seminary, and then he was my first pastor as a newly ordained priest at OLPH in Chattanooga,” Father Boettner said. “Then Bishop [Anthony J.] O’Connell moved both of us together to the cathedral in Knoxville in 1997. It was a blessing—I got to work with him in two separate parishes for two different assignments. It was a real gift.” n

Wednesday, June 8: 1 Kings 18:2039; Psalm 16:1-2, 4-5, 8, 11; Matthew 5:17-19 Thursday, June 9: 1 Kings 18:41-46; Psalm 65:10-13; Matthew 5:20-26 Friday, June 10: 1 Kings 19:9, 11-16; Psalm 27:7-9, 13-14; Matthew 5:27-32 Saturday, June 11: Memorial of St. Barnabas, Apostle, Acts 11:2-26 and 12:1-3; Psalm 98:1-6; Matthew 5:33-37 Sunday, June 12: The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, Proverbs 8:22-31; Psalm 8:4-9; Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15 Monday, June 13: Memorial of St. Anthony of Padua, priest and doctor of the Church, 1 Kings 21:1-16; Psalm 5:2-7; Matthew 5:38-42 Tuesday, June 14: 1 Kings 21:1729; Psalm 51:3-6, 11, 16; Matthew 5:43-48 Wednesday, June 15: 2 Kings 2:1, 6-14; Psalm 31:20-21, 24; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 Thursday, June 16: Sirach 48:1-14;

Psalm 97:1-7; Matthew 6:7-15 Friday, June 17: 2 Kings 11:1-4, 9-18, 20; Psalm 132:11-14, 17-18; Matthew 6:19-23 Saturday, June 18: 2 Chronicles 24:17-25; Psalm 89:4-5, 29-34; Matthew 6:24-34 Sunday, June 19: The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Genesis 14:18-20; Psalm 110:14; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Luke 9:11-17 Monday, June 20: 2 Kings 17:5-8, 1315, 18; Psalm 60:3-5, 12-13; Matthew 7:1-5 Tuesday, June 21: Memorial of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, religious, 2 Kings 19:9-11, 14-21, 31-36; Psalm 48:2-4, 10-11; Matthew 7:6, 12-14 Wednesday, June 22: 2 Kings 22:813 and 23:1-3; Psalm 119:33-37, 40; Matthew 7:15-20; vigil of St. John the Baptist, Jeremiah 1:4-10; Psalm 71:16, 15, 17; 1 Peter 1:8-12; Luke 1:5-17 Thursday, June 23: Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, Isa-

iah 49:1-6; Psalm 139:1-3, 13-15; Acts 13:22-26; Luke 1:57-66, 80 Friday, June 24: Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Ezekiel 34:11-16; Psalm 23:1-6; Romans 5:511; Luke 15:3-7 Saturday, June 25: Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lamentations 2:2, 10-14, 1819; Psalm 74:1-7, 20-21; Luke 2:41-51 Sunday, June 26: 1 Kings 19:16, 1921; Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11; Galatians 5:1, 13-18; Luke 9:51-62 Monday, June 27: Amos 2:6-10, 1316; Psalm 50:16-23; Matthew 8:18-22 Tuesday, June 28: Memorial of St. Irenaeus, bishop and martyr, Amos 3:1-8 and 4:11-12; Psalm 5:4-8; Matthew 8:23-27 Wednesday, June 29: Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles, Acts 3:1-10; Psalm 19:2-5; Galatians 1:1120; John 21:15-19 Thursday, June 30: Amos 7:10-17; Psalm 19:8-11; Matthew 9:1-8 n

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COURTESY OF BILL HEWITT (4)

Parish and community news

St. Stephen holds golf tourney On April 23, St. Stephen Parish in Chattanooga held a best-ball scramble golf tournament at Brainerd Golf Club. Father Manuel Pérez took the first shots to kick off the competition. As the scores rolled in, the team of Bob Adney, Bob Hotchkiss, and Rich Castle (right photo) took first place with a score of 12 under par. Coming in second at 11 under par was the family team of Paul, Mary, Nick, and Van Wurm. All had a good time, but the star of the event was littlest caddy Owen Doyle, son of Patrick and Kacy Doyle.

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fore the bishop, one by one they approached Bishop Stika for the laying on of hands and prayer of ordination.

Once the ordination prayer was completed, the three new deacons received the vestments of a diaconal stole and dalmatic from a clergy member who was influential in their lives.

Deacon Austin was vested by Deacon Frank Fischer; Deacon Blatchford was vested by Father David Carter; and Deacon Crabtree was vested by Deacon Hicks Armor.

Once vested, each deacon knelt before the bishop to place his hands upon the Book of the Gospels, to which Bishop Stika said, “Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.”

Shirley Austin, mother of Deacon Austin, and Virginia Blatchford, mother of Deacon Blatchford, brought forth the gifts for Communion.

Deacon Austin served as deacon of the altar, and all three of the newly ordained deacons distributed Holy Communion to the congregation.

At the conclusion of Mass, Bishop Stika offered his thanks to those who contributed to the liturgy.

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“And to the families, you know they say the first seminary is the home. So, to all the families, especially to Andrew’s family as we pray for his father, that the healing spirit of God might be with him and that he might be with us next year at the ordination as a priest, that’s what we pray for. To our brothers, thank you for being here today. I know Sunday is a very busy day.

We’re proud to have all of our seminarians with us. Especially a word of thanks to all the people here at the cathedral, especially the choir; they always elevate our prayer.”

A reception followed in the cathedral hall with drinks and desserts, where family and friends both took photos with and received blessings from the newly ordained.

“It was overwhelming,” Deacon Austin said about the family and friends present to support him.

“I was deacon of the altar, so being able to tell the congregation to extend the sign of peace and just seeing my family and everything, it was amazing,” he said.

“It’s kind of a whirlwind experience . . . just recognizing that I’m becoming a part of something that’s much bigger than myself,” Deacon Austin continued. “I just need to always have this constant awareness that God is in control, and I need to

NANCY POWELL

JOHN VANNUCCI

JOHN VANNUCCI

Tiny St. James Church overflows with visiting students St. James the Apostle Parish in Sneedville is easily the smallest in the Diocese of Knoxville. Normal Mass attendance is approximately eight to 10 on a given Sunday, but on April 24 at approximately 11:25 a.m. that changed. A huge charter bus from Franklin, Tenn., pulled up and unloaded the entire eighth-grade class from St. Matthew School. Fifty students along with the school principal, assistant principal, six teachers/chaperones, and parents from the school exited the bus to attend noon Mass and meet the parishioners. They were greeted by St. James pastor Father Bartholomew Okere and parishioner Richard Loper. Knights of Columbus, including Grand Knight Bill Hewitt and warden Stephen Derosia from Council 8860, erected a tent and set up chairs outside to accommodate the overflow crowd. An outside speaker system was used to allow for participation in the Mass. Students served as altar servers and readers as Father Okere, Tennessee state Knights chaplain, celebrated the Mass. Refreshments were provided by the Knights along with St. James parishioners for the kids after Mass. Tim Forbes, principal of St. Matthew School, said their mission was to help with a carnival at the old Sneedville High School with a group from Lebanon, Tenn. He said the carnival April 23 was very successful, and afterward the kids went out into the community to help with work projects planned for Sneedville residents.

At bottom right are Mr. Forbes and mission sponsor Monica Kelsey, holding a photo of St. Matthew’s 2021 visit to St. James presented to them by Mr. Hewitt.

allow Him to be the one who’s in control of what I’m doing because if I start trying to be the driver of this thing, it may not go where it needs to go.”

For Deacon Crabtree, the day was full of mixed emotions.

“My dad is in the hospital right now, and so he’s not doing too well, so he wasn’t able to be here, so for me it was very emotional in that part,” he said. “But also very joyful, so a very conflicting thing.”

“I was very nervous beforehand, but excited at the same time,” Deacon Crabtree continued. “When everything started it became very peaceful. I really felt the Holy Spirit just grant me joy and peace during the whole thing.”

Deacon Crabtree especially enjoyed the praying of the Litany of Saints.

“When I was praying and they were praying, I could really feel just the blessings of the people, and I’m so grateful for the people of Knoxville and for the priests and my brother deacons,” he said.

Two things in particular stood out to Deacon Blatchford during the ordination Mass.

“One thing that really stuck with me was the priest who vested me, Father Carter,” he said. “When he was vesting me he said, ‘Now

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you’re in God’s hands.’”

“And that really kind of struck me hard,” Deacon Blatchford continued.

“It moved me and made me realize that I am in God’s hands, and that if I ever need to ask for anything, He’s the one I go to first now.”

The second thing that came to mind: a life of service.

“During ordination, I was really thinking of how the diaconate is like a service to others, and the first place you learn that service is from the family,” Deacon Blatchford said.

“I really thought about everything that I learned from my family and how I’m going to carry that into my diaconate and then eventually to my priesthood.”

The newly ordained deacons will have summer assignments at the following parishes: n Deacon Austin, Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Office of Youth, Young Adult, and Pastoral Juvenil Ministries (Knoxville); n Deacon Blatchford, Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Chattanooga); n Deacon Crabtree, St. Alphonsus (Crossville).

In the fall, the deacons will return to St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana for their final year of studies before being ordained to the priesthood in 2023. n JUNE 5, 2022 n B9

BILL BREWER (8)

Catholic schools

Notre Dame’s graduation sees 90 receive diplomas Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga celebrated its 140th commencement ceremony May 14, with 90 seniors receiving diplomas. The graduation took place at Eberle Field. Bishop Richard F. Stika, diocesan Catholic Schools superintendent Sedonna Prater, and Notre Dame interim head of school Deacon Hicks Armor were among those present.

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DAN MCWILLIAMS

DAN MCWILLIAMS

Catholic schools

DR. KELLY KEARSE

DR. KELLY KEARSE

DR. KELLY KEARSE

DR. KELLY KEARSE

DR. KELLY KEARSE

DR. KELLY KEARSE

Knoxville Catholic gives diplomas to 144 Knoxville Catholic High School held its 90th commencement ceremony May 13, with 144 seniors receiving diplomas. The graduation took place at Blaine Stadium.

Bishop Richard F. Stika, diocesan Catholic Schools superintendent Sedonna Prater, and KCHS president Dickie Sompayrac were among those present.

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JUNE 5, 2022 n B11

Catholic schools

KCHS wins four spring-sports state championships The Lady Irish capture three tennis titles, and Keegan Smith brings home a track first-place finish

Tops in tennis The Lady Irish tennis team clinched the gold trophy with its victories in Murfreesboro. by more than a second and a half.

Keegan placed fifth in the 3,200 run in a time of 9:54.07 in the state meet, held May 25 at Dean Hayes Stadium on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro.

For the Lady Irish, Elly Jones placed fifth in the 100 dash in a time of 13.07 seconds May 25 at MTSU. Mary Oakley Robertson took fifth

in the 400 dash in time of 59.75 seconds.

Elly placed fourth (26.56 seconds) and Mary sixth (27.05) in the 200 dash.

The Knoxville News Sentinel honored Eleni, Lillie, Maeve, and Keegan by naming them to their AllPrepXtra teams for their respective sports. ■

DAN MCWILLIAMS

COURTESY OF PAUL SIMONEAU

Sompayrac won 8-6 while Eleni and Lilli were victorious 8-3.

Maeve (6-2, 6-2), Lillie (6-1, 6-0), and Eleni (6-3, 6-2) all won in singles in the semifinals. The doubles teams of Maeve and Gigi (8-1) and Eleni and Lillie (8-0) also won.

Freshman Keegan won the 1,600 state finals in a time of 4 minutes, 20.81 seconds, besting runner-up Hugh Carlson of McCallie (4:22.50)

COURTESY OF PAM RHOADES

No. 1 sign Keegan Smith outdistances the field in the state 1,600 run.

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DR. KELLY KEARSE

St. Joseph golfers win district title The St. Joseph School girls golf team won its second district championship in a row April 25 at Beaver Brook Golf & Country Club.

Teagan Walker (with a score of 45), Linzy Johnson (47), and Ava Holmes (52) placed first, second, and third as the Lady Bulldogs earned a clean sweep of the honors. The St. Joseph boys team competed hard as well with Bobby Joe Schaad (54) being the top finisher, followed by Tim Howell and Holden Sharp (each with a 60).

St. Joseph School holds field day and walk-a-thon Students and faculty at St. Joseph School in Knoxville pose for an all-school photo May 18 after a field day and walk-a-thon. Funds from the walk-a-thon are going toward school improvements such as covered walkways between buildings.

COURTESY OF ST. JOSEPH SCHOOL

Sacred Heart eighth-grader reaches semifinals of National Spelling Bee Miriam Campfield, an eighth-grader at Sacred Heart Cathedral School, tied for 32nd, reaching the semifinals, in the Scripps National Spelling Bee held this month in Washington, D.C. Miriam advanced to the nationals after winning the East Tennessee Regional Spelling Bee. In the national event, Miriam correctly spelled such words as “Novanglian,” “dolorific,” and “abradant” before misspelling “empressement.”

KATHY RANKIN

COURTESY OF AMANDA CAMPFIELD

Cardinal Rigali blesses KCHS track and ‘track shack’ Cardinal Justin Rigali presided at a blessing May 23 of a newly refurbished Knoxville Catholic High School track facility and a new “track shack.” The blessing was in memory of Theo Howden (far right), grandson of Sally and Alan Sefton (pictured to the right of His Eminence). Theo lived from April 11, 2013, to Sept. 20, 2017. He was a patient at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and the track blessing was also in thanksgiving for St. Jude and for the Seftons’ support of KCHS. Cardinal Rigali blessed not only the track and building but also recently graduated KCHS athletes, as well as Fighting Irish athletes and coaches headed for the state championships held that week.

COURTESY OF DEACON SEAN SMITH

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pring-sports state titles again came Knoxville Catholic High School’s way as the Lady Irish tennis players won an individual, a doubles, and a team championship, and track standout Keegan Smith captured a 1,600-meter-run crown.

Junior Maeve Thornton won her second straight singles state championship in the Division II, Class AA finals held May 26-27 at the Adams Tennis Complex in Murfreesboro.

Maeve swept Riley Collins of Ensworth 6-2, 6-1 to win the title after advancing in the semifinals 8-2 over Avery Franklin of Ensworth.

Sophomore Eleni Liakonis and freshman Lillie Murphy clinched the doubles state title with a 7-6 (86), 6-3 win over Helen Guerry and Agda Laakso of Baylor. Eleni and Lillie advanced to the finals with an 8-1 win over Mimi Bowen and Lenna Hamdan of Ensworth in the semifinals.

The Lady Irish also won their second consecutive team state championship, besting Baylor 4-0 in the finals and Ensworth 4-1 in the semifinals.

In the finals, Maeve won her match 6-2, 6-2 while Lillie triumphed 6-1, 6-1. Eleni swept her opponent 6-4, 6-3. In doubles, Maeve and Gigi

KCHS holds annual Academic Signing Day Knoxville Catholic High School held its annual Academic Signing Day on May 9, spotlighting seven seniors who received full tuition scholarships to college for their outstanding work in the classroom. Lise Badeaux, Grayson Belt, Rachel Brettin, Megan Hurley, Raylee McKenzie, Hank Standaert, and Eleanor Weedman (above, signing with East Tennessee State University), were recognized. www.di o k no x .o rg

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