A catechesis on the Eucharistic Prayers

Their

The center and high point” of the Mass is the Eucharistic Prayer, “the prayer of thanksgiving and sanctification.” 1 Pope Benedict XVI describes it as action “in the highest sense of the word”— although proclaimed by the priest acting in the person of Christ the head, “God Himself acts and does what is essential.” 2 The Eucharistic Prayers in the current Missal, wrote Pope Benedict XVI, “have been handed down to us by the Church’s living tradition and are noteworthy for their inexhaustible theological and spiritual richness,” and so he urged that all Catholics “be enabled to appreciate that richness.” 3 In this column, I want to begin a catechesis on the Eucharistic Prayers. We have sources on the Eucharistic Prayer from the earliest centuries of the Church. St. Justin Martyr (died 165) left us an account of the Eucharist from the mid-second century. After the readings, homily, and prayer of the faithful, bread and wine mixed with water are brought to the presider, who then “offers praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and for a considerable time he gives thanks that we have been judged worthy of these gifts,” and the people say, “Amen.” 4 Justin also says that Jesus’ words over the bread and the cup (the words of consecration) were said. Several decades later, we have a Eucharistic Prayer from

Hippolytus (d. 235) that is the basis for Eucharistic Prayer II in the current Missal. And we know from the writing of St. Ambrose (d. 397) that much of the content and wording of the Roman Canon—Eucharistic Prayer I—was in existence in the fourth century.

In the current liturgy, there are

13 Eucharistic Prayers. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (no. 365) offers guidance on the use of each. Eucharistic Prayer I, the Roman Canon, “may always be used… it is especially suited for use on Sundays.” Eucharistic Prayer II “is more appropriately used on weekdays or in special circumstances.” Eucharistic Prayer III “should be preferred on Sundays and festive days.” Eucharistic Prayer IV includes its own preface, and so may only “be used when a Mass has no preface of its own and on Sundays in Ordinary Time.”

In addition to these four, there are two Eucharistic Prayers for Reconciliation. These “may be used in Masses in which the mystery of reconciliation is conveyed to the faithful in a special way…as well as in Masses during Lent.” There are four Eucharistic Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions to be “used in the various occasions of Christian life for the needs of the whole world or for the needs of the Church, whether universal or local.” These 10 Eucharistic Prayers are in the third edition of the Roman Missal. In a separate volume, there are also three Eucharistic Prayers for Masses with Children that are only to be used in Masses celebrated with children.

Every Eucharistic Prayer is addressed to God the Father and is composed of the same elements: thanksgiving, acclamation, epiclesis, institution narrative and consecration, anamnesis, offering, intercessions, and final doxology.

The thanksgiving refers primarily to the preface, which praises and thanks God the Father “for the whole work of salvation or for some particular aspect of it, according to the varying day, festivity, or time of year” (there are almost 100 in the current Missal). The acclamation is the “Holy, holy, holy,” which leads into one of the 13 Eucharistic Prayers described above. I will use Eucharistic Prayer II to illustrate the remaining elements.

The epiclesis asks the Father to send the Holy Spirit “like the dewfall” upon the bread and wine “so that they may become for us the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Then begins the institution narrative when, before he “entered willing into his passion,” Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples saying the words of consecration, “this is my body,” and then “in a similar way” gave the chalice to his disciples saying, “this is the chalice of my blood…do this in memory of me.”

Through the epiclesis and the words

Mass

and actions of Jesus, the bread and wine are now Christ’s body and blood. The anamnesis proclaims that “we celebrate the memorial of his death and resurrection,” and in the oblation (offering) “we offer you, Lord, the Bread of Life and the chalice of salvation.”

Then comes a series of intercessions: for the Church, our pope, our bishop, and the clergy, “all who have died in your mercy,” and for “mercy on us all.” We invoke the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, blessed Joseph, and all the Saints that “we may merit to be coheirs to eternal life.” The doxology gives glory and honor to the Father through, with, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, and is “affirmed and concluded by the people’s acclamation, ‘Amen.’”

In the months ahead, we will continue to explore the theological and spiritual riches of the Eucharistic Prayer, “the heart and summit of the celebration.” 5

1 General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 78.

2 The Spirit of the Liturgy, 172-3.

3 The Sacrament of Charity, no. 48.

4 Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1345.

5 CCC, no. 1352. ■

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

St. Elizabeth Parish bids a fond farewell to Father Kress

About 110 people bid Father Dennis Kress farewell at his going-away party hosted by the Ladies’ Guild on June 10 at St. Elizabeth Church in Elizabethton. Father Kress served St. Elizabeth for almost 21 years, 20 of them as pastor. He also was pastor most of those years at St. Anthony of Padua in Mountain City. On July 1, he started his new assignments as pastor of St. Therese in Clinton and St. Joseph in Norris. At top left, Father Kress visits with longtime parishioners Ric and Norma Martin. At bottom left, Maureen Strickling (left) and Barbara White from the Ladies’ Guild take a break from serving cake at the farewell party. At far right, Father Kress stands with Barbara Paul and Daniel Grubb (in the background).

Daily readings

Saturday, July 1: Genesis 18:1-15; Luke 1:46-50, 53-55; Matthew 8:5-17

Sunday, July 2: 2 Kings 4:8-11, 1416; Psalm 89:2-3, 16-19; Romans 6:34, 8-11; Matthew 10:37-42

Monday, July 3: Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle, Ephesians 2:19-22; Psalm 117:1-2; John 20:24-29

Tuesday, July 4: Genesis 19:15-29; Psalm 26:2-3, 9-12; Matthew 8:23-27

Wednesday, July 5: Genesis 21:5, 8-20; Psalm 34:7-8, 10-13; Matthew 8:28-34

Thursday, July 6: Genesis 22:1-19; Psalm 115:1-6, 8-9; Matthew 9:1-8

Friday, July 7: Genesis 23:1-4, 19 and 24:1-8, 62-67; Psalm 106:1-5; Matthew 9:9-13

Saturday, July 8: Genesis 27:1-5, 1529; Psalm 135:1-6; Matthew 9:14-17

Sunday, July 9: Zechariah 9:9-10; Psalm 145:1-2, 8-11, 13-14; Romans 8:9, 11-13; Matthew 11:25-30

Monday, July 10: Genesis 28:10-22; Psalm 91:1-4, 14-15; Matthew 9:18-26

Tuesday, July 11: Memorial of St. Benedict, abbot, Genesis 32:23-33; Psalm 17:1-3, 6-8, 15; Matthew 9:32-38

Wednesday, July 12: Genesis 41:5557 and 42:5-7, 17-24; Psalm 33:2-3, 10-11, 18-19; Matthew 10:1-7

Thursday, July 13: Genesis 44:18-21, 23-29 and 45:1-5; Psalm 105:16-21; Matthew 10:7-15

Friday, July 14: Memorial of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, virgin, Genesis 46:17, 28-30; Psalm 37:3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40; Matthew 10:16-23

Saturday, July 15: Memorial of St. Bonaventure, bishop and doctor of the Church, Genesis 49:29-32 and 50:15-26; Psalm 105:1-4, 6-7; Matthew 10:24-33

Sunday, July 16: Isaiah 55:10-11; Psalm 65:10-14; Romans 8:18-23; Matthew 13:1-23

Monday, July 17: Exodus 1:8-14, 22;

Psalm 124:1-8; Matthew 10:34–11:1

Tuesday, July 18: Exodus 2:1-15; Psalm 69:3, 14, 30-31, 33-34; Matthew 11:20-24

Wednesday, July 19: Exodus 3:1-6, 9-12; Psalm 103:1-4, 6-7; Matthew 11:25-27

Thursday, July 20: Exodus 3:13-20; Psalm 105:1, 5, 8-9, 24-27; Matthew 11:28-30

Friday, July 21: Exodus 11:10–12:14; Psalm 116:12-13, 15-18; Matthew 12:1-8

Saturday, July 22: Feast of St. Mary Magdalene, Song of Songs 3:1-4; Psalm 63:2-6, 8-9; John 20:1-2, 11-18

Sunday, July 23: Wisdom 12:13, 16-19; Psalm 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16; Romans 8:26-27; Matthew 13:24-43

Monday, July 24: Exodus 14:5-18; Exodus 15:1-6; Matthew 12:38-42

Tuesday, July 25: Feast of St. James, Apostle, 2 Corinthians 4:7-15; Psalm 126:1-6; Matthew 20:20-28

Wednesday, July 26: Memorial of

Sts. Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Exodus 16:1-5, 9-15; Psalm 78:18-19, 23-28; Matthew 13:1-9

Thursday, July 27: Exodus 19:1-2, 9-11, 16-20; Daniel 3:52-56; Matthew 13:10-17

Friday, July 28: Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19:8-11; Matthew 13:18-23

Saturday, July 29: Memorial of Sts. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, Exodus 24:3-8; Psalm 50:1-2, 5-6, 14-15; John 11:19-27

Sunday, July 30: 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12; Psalm 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-130; Romans 8:28-30; Matthew 13:44-52

Monday, July 31: Memorial of St. Ignatius of Loyola, priest, Exodus 32:15-24, 30-34; Psalm 106:19-23; Matthew 13:31-35

Tuesday, Aug. 1: Memorial of St. Alphonsus Liguori, bishop and doctor of the Church, Exodus 33:7-11 and 34:5-9, 28; Psalm 103:6-13; Matthew 13:36-43 n of Mass, team-building activities, group games, and time to simply enjoy camp. Some more camp highlights include four square, basketball, volleyball, capture the flag, and some surprise activities planned by the leaders. Youth at the camps can make new friendships, enjoy the great outdoors, and grow in their relationship with the God who created them. To register, download a camp flyer, or view medical-release and code-ofconduct forms and an Adventure Ocoee waiver, visit dioknox.org/events/reachcamp-2023 or dioknox.org/events/ discover-camp-2023

Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga is currently accepting applications for the 2023-24 academic year. Apply by visiting www.myndhs.com and submit an online application. Contact Lisa Costello at 423-624-4618 or costellol@myndhs.com with any questions.

More than 400 from around the country and beyond are expected to attend the 22nd National Conference for Single Catholics set for Aug. 25-27 at St. John’s Resort in Plymouth, Mich. The weekend includes talks by dynamic speakers, music, social events, Mass, adoration, fellowship, and more. Register at NationalCatholicSingles.com

A Picture of Love retreat for engaged couples is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Sept. 22 and 23, at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga. This marriagepreparation program is a supplement to a couple’s marriage formation with

Parish notes continued from page B6 prisoners at Bledsoe County Correctional Complex. At the service, parishioners also pray for the Prayer Warriors—pen pals who help inspire the prisoners and the prison ministers who evangelize the Gospel with them twice each month.

Members of the Council of Catholic Women started an ecumenical luncheon in the early 1990s for the churches of the Glade, at which participants could get to know and understand each one’s belief in God and grow together in faith. St. Francis of Assisi hosted the latest gathering June 14. A total of 88 women attended the ecumenical luncheon, which featured pork loin and all the trimmings. Since it was Flag Day, appropriate songs were sung by a choir. The speaker was Arlene Webb, a religious educator for more than 46 years.

On June 17, a potluck meal was wellattended after the Saturday vigil Mass. This meal offered thanks for all the gifts that have been showered upon the parish. The occasion was also a celebration of pastor Father Michael Woods’ return from Ireland and of his 57th anniversary in the priesthood.

The Haitian group thanked the parish for a great gift of $13,000 donated to Father Glenn Meaux and his Haitian mission. On May 20, the parish held an art show for guest Father Meaux. Music was provided by Eric Wheeler.

On Corpus Christi Sunday, a procession was held on church grounds that continued with Benediction inside. The guest speaker was Deacon Vic Landa of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Harriman.

Anniversaries: Kenneth and Norma Guillory (66), David and Tish Offutt (60), Paul and Barbara Dahar (59), Ronald and Virginia Schuster (58), Ronald and Janeene Lemieux (55), Luke and Andrea Hebert (55), William and Gail Boland (55), Robert and Marion Cope (54), James and Kathleen Veen (54), James and Jacqueline Bronson (54), James and Margaret Snyder (54), David and Maralee Rivard (53), Roger and Suzette Hulgan (53), Vince and Sandy D’Alessandro (52), Art and Linda Meyer (52), Dick and Sally Weller (52), Raymond and Kathleen Pilon (51), Ken and Christine Kuczka (51), Robert and Mary Terrafore (51), Gerald and Mary Ceurvorst (40), George and Catherine Falconer (40), Don and Kathy White (35)

St. John Neumann, Farragut

A newcomers adult social is set for Saturday, Aug. 12. E-mail welcometosjn@ gmail.com for details.

Two talks on Jason Evert’s “Purified” and “Gender and the Theology of Your 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 practical ideas and tools to help smooth their journey and become the “Picture of Love” to one another. Meeting times are 6:45 to 10 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Cost is $150 per couple. Payment is due two weeks before the weekend. For a registration form, visit dioknox.org/events/picture-of-loveretreat. 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.

An Engaged Encounter weekend is set for Saturday, Sept. 30, at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Alcoa. Catholic Engaged Encounter is a weekend to plan for a sacramental marriage. It is designed to give couples an opportunity to talk privately, honestly, and intensively about their prospective lives together—their strengths and weaknesses; desires, ambitions, and goals; their attitudes about money, sex, children, and family; and their role in the Church and society—in a guided format. Cost of the weekend is $205 per couple, which includes a certificate good for a $60 discount on the couple’s marriage license in Tennessee.

Body” are planned for Sunday, Oct. 22.

The family-based event invites parents, teens, and all adults to learn about God’s plan for love and to consider what is the meaning of sex, gender, and the human body. There will be time for prayer and adoration, with the sacrament of reconciliation available.

Five Rivers Deanery

Holy Trinity, Jefferson City

The annual school-supply drive for Appalachian Ministries of the Smokies will take place at Holy Trinity through July 23. Supplies such as binders, three-prong folders with pockets, glue, composition books, colored pencils, highlighters, Kleenex, safety scissors, crayons, wide-rule paper, pens and pencils, and backpacks may be placed in a box in the narthex.

Appalachian Ministries of the Smokies

Week is set for July 10-13. Parishioners are needed to help cook for or serve the volunteers of all denominations who come together for a week of work and fellowship. The program helps those who cannot afford or are physically unable to make home repairs.

A potluck dinner was held June 26 in Trinity Hall followed by a presentation of the Council of Catholic Women’s community-service summer project of making sleeping mats for the homeless.

A parish picnic June 4 that included a magic show by pastor Father Jim Harvey was a success. Members of the family-life committee and the Knights of Columbus did the grilling.

CCW officers for the next year were installed at a May meeting: Cindy Giardiello, president; Barbara Lawson, secretary; and Rose Colasuonno, treasurer.

Newcomers: Aaron and Indra Brennan, Tara Rosenberg

Notre Dame, Greeneville

Vacation Bible school was held on Wednesday nights in June for prekindergarten through fifth-grade youth. VBS concluded on July 5 with Mass, a potluck meal, and water games.

Fundraising for youth to attend the National Catholic Youth Conference this fall has included a rummage sale June 24 and the sale of “uncommon” stock at different levels, including “gold” ($100). For more information, contact Susan Collins in the parish office at susan@notredametn.org

Notre Dame’s annual Fall Festival of

To receive a $60 discount, couples must attend a marriage-preparation weekend within one year of purchasing the license.

To register for a weekend or learn more, visit knoxville.engagedencounter.com or call Leslie Consoli at 865-803-6790.

Join Father Alex Hernandez on a pilgrimage walking the Camino to Santiago de Compostela, Spain, from Aug. 29 to Sept. 8. Upon arrival in Santiago de Compostela, pilgrims will be met by their tour guide and depart for Sarria, the last point at which a pilgrim can start the journey and still complete the 100 kilometers needed to claim the compostela. The journey will follow a pilgrim path that has existed since the ninth century. Mass and confession will be available daily. Cost is $4,199. To register, call 508-505-6078. To view full details and an itinerary, visit dioknox.org/events/ pilgrimage-to-santiago-de-compostela

Father Bill and Sherri McNeeley are leading a Holy Land pilgrimage Sept. 13-22 with an optional post-tour to Rome from Sept. 22-26. Places visited will include Tel Aviv, Caesarea, Stella Maris, Nazareth, Tiberias, Cana, the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan River, Mount Tabor, Jericho, Jerusalem, Temple Model, Ein Karem, Bethlehem, Bethany, the Dead Sea, the Mount of Olives, Gethsemane, Mount Zion (Upper Room), the Western Wall, the Via Dolorosa, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. For more information, including pricing and a daily itinerary, visit www.pilgrimages.com/frmcneeley or contact Danielle at danielle@206tours.

Nations fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 7. The event will include samples of food from around the world, free entertainment, a silent auction, a bake sale, games and inflatables, vendors and displays, an art show, a yard sale, a raffle, and more. A meeting on the festival is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 11. Sponsorships are available from $100 to $2,000. T-shirts with the festival logo are available to order in the narthex for $20. Call co-chairs Mark Sweet at 423-673-3018 or DJ Dalton at 423-588-0150 to get involved.

Anniversaries: Tim and Cecilia Marcy (59), Roger and Barbara Violette (59), Joseph and Wendy Hankins (45) St. Patrick, Morristown

A Tuesday-morning group study on Father Michael Gaitley’s “Consoling the Heart of Jesus,” a devotion to the Sacred Heart, will be held from July 11 through Sept. 5 in the basement youth room. The study will be accompanied by a group program on Divine Mercy. Cost is $15. The study will be led by Lori Batman, Susan Haywood, and Renee McGarel. RSVP with the church office or contact Ms. McGarel at 423748-1938 or rmcgarel22@gmail.com

The Council of Catholic Women is collecting Christmas/holiday items for its Christmas Resale Shop at the “Breakfast with St. Nick” event in December. Bring items to the church office during office hours. For more information, contact Kathy DeAngelis at 423-277-6296 or krdeangelis@yahoo.com

Anniversaries: Richard and Marilyn Giddish (68), Charles and Diane Johnson (67), Nick and Elena Longo (64), Thomas and Laura Dziezyk (55), Paul and Pamela Von Herbulis (53), Kevin and Kim Brown (30), Candido Gallardo and Maria de los Angelez Hernandez (20), Brad and Nichole Jacobs (20), Mark and Ashleigh Preston (10)

Smoky Mountain Deanery

Holy Ghost, Knoxville

The Legion of Mary hosted a patriotic rosary to honor veterans on July 4 at Knoxville National Cemetery.

The parish wished associate pastor Father Michael Hendershott a happy eighth anniversary of priestly ordination June 27.

Immaculate Conception, Knoxville

The women’s group’s Christ the Child Baby Shower was held in the parish hall after all Masses on July 8 and 9. All gifts will be donated to the Ladies of Charity’s com or 800-206-8687.

A pilgrimage to Greece, including a four-day Aegean cruise, is set for Sept. 18-29. 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 865567-1245 or lisam@select-intl.com

“Prayers Echoing Off Ancient Walls: A Pilgrimage Through England,” led by Father Joe Reed and Father Michael Maples, is set for April 17 to May 1, 2024. Sites (subject to change) include London, Walsingham, Canterbury, Aylesford, Norwich, York, Oxford, and Rievaulx. The final itinerary and other details will be announced soon. 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 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. Visit www.KnoxLatinMass.net n

Mary’s Cradle Baby Layette Ministry. IC’s outreach program to support survivors of human trafficking began in 2018. Today there is a need to provide fresh meals to women in transition staying at the Grow Free Tennessee safe house in Knoxville. Volunteers are needed for one or more Tuesdays and Thursdays; visit www.mealtrain.com/ trains/5ygrvy. For more information, contact Theresa Miller at 732-319-0070 or trm.cpl@comcast.net

St. John XXIII, Knoxville

A parish picnic featuring burgers and more was held July 1 at St. Albert the Great Church in Knoxville.

Three people from St. John XXIII and a fourth who helped out with supplies formed a Knoxville Immigrant Transit Assistance team who met a Greyhound bus at a stop in East Knoxville on May 20 to help asylum seekers traveling east. To help with KITA, e-mail Mary Beth at john23music@gmail.com

Paulist seminarian James Marquez is helping out at St. John XXIII Catholic Center and Immaculate Conception Church this summer. He made his first promise Sept. 2, 2022. He is a 2018 graduate of UCLA and previously worked as a teacher at a Catholic high school.

St. Joseph the Worker, Madisonville

The parish thanked all those who donated during a second collection June 17-18 for the Franciscan Sisters of Tanzania. A total of $4,885 was collected. Mother Dativa, the mother superior, was present that weekend.

A meet-and-greet for new members took place June 25 in the parish hall.

St. Joseph the Worker recognized its graduating high school and college students at the 10 a.m. Mass on June 4.

The Knights of Columbus yard sale is set for 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16.

All items of value that are clean and in working order are welcome for donation, including books, clothing, furniture, pictures, decorative items, bedding goods, large and small appliances, power and hand tools, lawn and garden equipment, pots and pans, dishes and utensils, automobiles and auto parts, sporting goods, camping gear, boats and boating equipment, Christmas decorations, electronics, musical instruments, crafts, and toys. Contact any Knight or call Ed Harless at 423-494-4761 for more information.

Anniversary: Gary and Patricia Boeckenstedt (45) n

Notre Dame High School graduate earns $27,000 in scholarship awards

Over the weekend of June 25, recent graduate of the class of 2023 Maggie Haimelin of Notre Dame High School was announced as the first runner-up in the Distinguished Young Women of Tennessee. This is a significant scholarship program, one for which Maggie has spent years preparing.

Maggie was awarded the following: n A preliminary fitness award worth $1,000. n A preliminary talent award worth $1,000. n A top eight finalist award worth $5,000.

And then if that already wasn’t enough to celebrate, Maggie was named the first alternate to the Distinguished Young Women of America for 2023, worth $20,000 in scholarships. That gave her a total of $27,000 in cash scholarships earned at the national level.

She has gained incomparable experiences since her Distinguished

Maggie Haimelin DAN MCWILLIAMS

Young Women experience started in the at-large program in East Tennessee more than a year ago. These scholarships are a reward for all the time and energy Maggie has spent preparing and representing the state. She heads to the University of Alabama this fall, taking advantage of those college-granted scholarships. For more information Distinguished Young Women visit distinguishedyw.org/ n

St. John Neumann Knights present Bishop’s Award to two eighth-graders

The 2023 Bishop’s Award of Excellence for graduating eighth-graders at St. John Neumann School in Farragut was given by Knights of Columbus Council 8781 to Estella Goad and Dresden LaFasto on May 15. St. John Neumann teachers observe the students throughout their time at the school for behaviors that are exemplary of good Christians. They see these behaviors in many students over the years. However, at the end of the eighth grade the faculty chooses students who demonstrate the most commitment to living their faith. These students have maintained high standards both academically and personally throughout their time at St. John

Neumann.

Estella served her peers and neighbors in multiple ways. She volunteered at vacation Bible school as a group leader and in this capacity gave witness to others about God and her faith. She helped clean elderly neighbors’ yards and helped write letters and Christmas cards for them when needed. She also did babysitting as a way of helping others.

Dresden volunteered as an altar server and read at Masses. He participated in a number of faith activities and is known to be kind and courteous. He has been part of the SJN campus clean-up. He understood that in serving others, he served Christ. n

Knoxville Catholic hosts spring, summer signing days

Knoxville Catholic High School’s fifth National Signing Day of the year took place May 30 in the St. Gregory the Great Auditorium as six student-athletes signed national letters of intent that will chart their future academic and athletic careers. Signing were (from left, top photo) Sam Brott with Lincoln Memorial University in lacrosse; Sam O’Leary, East Tennessee State University, football; Ellie Brickner, ETSU, cheer; Ella Perry, University of South Carolina, cheer; Anna Kauffman, Maryville College, cheer; and Devyn Dunn, University of North Carolina at Asheville, volleyball. A special summer signing day was held June 21 in the auditorium for two members of the Fighting Irish’s state-championship baseball team. Ian Hubbard signed with Radford University in baseball and Ben Sompayrac with Cleveland State Community College in baseball. In the bottom photo, Irish baseball head coach Caleb Moore introduces Ben (left) and Ian. Family, friends, and coaches joined the students at both signings.

Ladies of Charity award first St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Scholarship

The Ladies of Charity of Knoxville presented their first St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Scholarship, an award of $1,000, to Tucker Riley on May 16 at the Ladies’ headquarters in North Knoxville. Tucker graduated from Career Magnet Academy in Knoxville and plans to attend the University of Tennessee and major in international business. With him above are (from left) Susan Cannon, Ladies of Charity board treasurer; Carol Curry, scholarship committee member; Lisa Daley, past board president; and Melissa Cupp, board correspondence secretary.