Large crowds gather for Mass at the downtown Chattanooga church and take part in a procession
By Bill Brewer
The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, referred to as “Our National Emmaus Moment,” trekked through Chattanooga June 24-25 on its way to Indianapolis for the National Eucharistic Congress this month.
The Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul was one of the stops on the U.S. pilgrimage’s St. Juan Diego (southern) Route, which extended from the Diocese of Brownsville, through Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, the Dioceses of Knoxville and Nashville in Tennessee, then through Kentucky on its way to the Eucharistic Congress.
The congress is a gathering of tens of thousands of Catholics from around the country who are prayerfully engaged in renewing awareness and veneration of the Eucharist as the source and summit of the Catholic faith. Also, the congress is the culmination of the National Eucharistic Revival, a three-year faith initiative by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to inspire, educate, and unite the faithful in a more intimate relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist.
It is the first national eucharistic congress in more than 80 years and takes place July 17-21 at Lucas Oil
Stadium in Indianapolis. The Diocese of Knoxville is leading a large group of East Tennessee parishioners to this month’s congress.
Four pilgrimage routes traversed the United States May 17-July 16
as part of the National Eucharistic Revival and its National Eucharistic Congress. Joining the St. Juan Diego Route to Indianapolis are the Marian Route to the north, the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Route to the east, and the St. Junipero Serra Route to the west.
Thirty young “permanent” pilgrims have been joined by clergy along the four routes as they have continually kept vigil with the holy Eucharist on their journeys. The pilgrims traveled by four vans specially equipped to hold four monstrances with the Eucharist.
Eight of the permanent pilgrims were on the St. Juan Diego leg and spent time in Chattanooga in prayer, adoration, Mass, and in eucharistic procession in celebration of the Eucharist.
East Tennessee Catholics convened with the pilgrims at the basilica on June 24 for a Holy Hour with midday prayer and reflections, a noon Mass, and a eucharistic procession from the basilica
through downtown Chattanooga to the Newman Center on the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga campus.
The pilgrims, Camille Anigbogu, Shayla Elm, Issy Martin-Dye, Charlie McCullough, Noah U’ren, Joshua Velasquez, Mackenzie Warrens, and Dylan James Young, were joined by Father Michelangelo Pio, CFR, and Brother Thomas McGrinder, CFR, in celebrating the Eucharist in Chattanooga.
More than 800 people attended the noon Mass celebrated by Father David Carter, rector of the basilica, and concelebrated by Father Pio and Father Michael Woods, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fairfield Glade. Assisting at the Mass were Deacon Jim Bello, Deacon Brian Gabor, Deacon Hicks Armor, and Deacon Wade Eckler.
Father Woods accompanied several tour buses of parishioners from St. Francis of Assisi and St. Alphonsus in Crossville to the basilica for Eucharistic continued on page B4
DOK submits results from latest Synod sessions
The diocese holds a second round of listening sessions in March to collect more input for the final phase
The East Tennessee Catholic
The Diocese of Knoxville on April 5 submitted results from a second round of listening sessions in the diocese for the Synod on Synodality, which is being led by Pope Francis.
Pope Francis convened the universal Church phase of the Synod on Synodality last October in Rome, and afterward he asked dioceses to conduct another round of listening sessions to collect more input for the final Synod phase this October.
Pope Francis’ aim in the Synod is to involve the entire Catholic Church at the diocesan, national, and continental levels through a process of “listening and discernment” on the important theme of synodality: “For a synodal Church: communion, participation, and mission.”
This synodal process began in the Diocese of Knoxville in October 2021. The official diocesan report was submitted to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in spring 2022. The 10-page report
is a synthesis of the months-long Synod process utilizing an online survey and listening sessions held at parishes, schools, and ministries around the diocese from December 2021 until March 2022.
In January, dioceses were asked to hold another series of meetings to discuss the topics in the Synthesis Report and submit a summary to the General Secretariat of the Synod. Listening sessions were held in person and online in the Diocese of Knoxville in March.
The full report from the 2024 interim stage of listening sessions is available on the Diocese of Knoxville website Synod page, dioknox. org/synod-2023
The National Synthesis of the People of God in the United States of America for the Interim Stage of the 2021-24 Synod report can be found at www.usccb.org/resources/ national-synthesis-people-godunited-states-america-interimstage-2021-2024-synod
In February, the diocese assembled members of its Synod Team of 2021 to help guide the new step to “continue the journey initiated by
the Holy Father.” That journey began on Oct. 9, 2021.
Following the request by the USCCB to conduct additional U.S. listening sessions related to the contents of the Synthesis Report issued by the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of Bishops in Rome from Oct. 4-29, 2023, the Diocese of Knoxville listening sessions were held in two meetings, on March 16 and March 19.
Deacon Sean Smith, chancellor of the Diocese of Knoxville, Deacon Al Forsythe, and Jim Wogan, diocesan communications director, were appointed as co-leaders of the new listening sessions. Participating Synod Team members included laity, religious, and a pastor.
“In the spirit of authentic synodality but taking into consideration the vast area of the Diocese of Knoxville, which includes many rural counties in East Tennessee, it was decided that in-person dialogue sessions would be held at a central location—the Chancery in Knoxville—and would also be available for online participation,” the diocesan co-leaders reported.
And while it was also understood that these sessions were not “repeating the process of listening and consultation undertaken during the first stage,” it was decided that the diocese would again invite participation in an online survey, this time using the “guiding questions” presented in the organizing documents the diocese received for this session.
According to the co-leaders, despite advance notice of the session dates on all diocesan electronic platforms, including a weekly newsletter, the diocesan website, social media, and parish bulletins, participation was much lower than anticipated.
Unlike the townhall-style meetings conducted by the diocese and its parishes and ministries during the listening sessions of 2022, the in-person and online dialogue sessions in March were held in small groups. Abiding by the closing letter in the 2023 Vatican Synthesis Report, which compared this effort to a “small seed” that will grow and mature for many, the dialogue ses-
Synod continued on page B5
Blessed Sacrament exposed Scores of people kneel in front of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Newman Center on June 24 at the end of a eucharistic procession from the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul. Basilica rector Father David Carter is speaking to the gathering.
BILL BREWER
Leading the way Father David Carter starts a eucharistic procession just outside the doors of the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul.
The Women’s Guild at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Harriman presented this year’s Margaret Murphy Scholarship to Abigail Patterson after the 10:30 a.m. Mass on June 2. Abigail graduated this spring from Midway High School in Kingston and has been active in her community as well as her school. She is an altar server at Blessed Sacrament Church and was president of her Future Farmers of America chapter and treasurer of her senior class. She will use the scholarship for college, continuing her studies in horticulture.
Parish and community news
Chris Stefanick speaks at All Saints All Saints Church was at capacity May 22 as the West Knoxville parish welcomed Chris Stefanick, a Catholic author, speaker, and television host, for his “Reboot Live” presentation. A graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio, Mr. Stefanick is the founder and president of the nonprofit Real Life Catholic. His two talks focused on living a life of Christian joy. Mr. Stefanick signed copies of his books after the event.
the Mass.
Then several hundred faithful stretching for more than two city blocks joined in the evening eucharistic procession through Chattanooga. As they arrived at the Newman Center at dusk, those in the procession knelt along Palmetto Street and on the hillside in front of the Catholic student center in a moving display of faith and adoration as Father Carter led the Benediction.
Joining Father Carter in the procession through downtown Chattanooga were Father Pio; Father Michael Hendershott, associate pastor of the basilica; Father Arthur Torres, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Chattanooga; and Brother Thomas as well as Deacons Bello, Armor, Gabor, and Vic Landa.
Father Carter expressed joy, gratitude, and thankfulness for the daylong National Eucharistic Pilgrimage programs that allowed East Tennessee parishioners to celebrate the Eucharist with young pilgrims from other parts of the country.
“It’s so incredible and wonderful to see the faith of people come alive and the manifestation of eucharistic faith. It was palpable. You could feel the love of God for us, and you could feel the love of the people for God. That was the most moving part of this,” Father Carter said as the procession and Benediction concluded.
“Just to see so many people come out and honor our eucharistic Lord and be edified by it was wonderful. We do a eucharistic procession around the block (of the basilica). We’ve never done it all the way down here, a whole mile to the Newman Center. We might be doing this from now on,” he
continued.
The procession and gathering of faithful on the steep lawn of the Newman Center reminded Father Carter of a seminal point in the Bible.
“This was very similar to Jesus teaching the multitudes and feeding the multitudes with the five loaves and two fishes. Here on a hillside in Chattanooga, He has done the same. The miracle has been repeated,” Father Carter added.
Father Hendershott observed that Chattanooga’s eucharistic moment along the St. Juan Diego Route was especially poignant because June was the month of the Sacred Heart and was dedicated to the devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
“It’s a beautiful day in the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the month of true divine love where we are able to bring that divine love, veiled in mystery, into the streets. We acknowledge Christ as the King of all hearts. … May we be faithful to giving honor and glory and adoration to our eucharistic Lord and proclaim His kingship over all of our hearts, and also that He may reign in our nation, in our public spheres, and we pray for the courage that we are bold enough to witness to that when the Lord asks,” said Father Hendershott, who was heartened by the joy and excitement of all the participants.
“It was an opportunity to witness to the truth. And so many people are seeking to know; all men by nature desire to know, as Aristotle said. What is it we desire to know? We desire to know the truth. We were able to bring the truth incarnate, hidden under the appearance of bread, down here where the university system and the downtown area are, where so many people
work, and we hope that some may ask, ‘What is the truth?’” he noted. “It is Jesus Christ. It is for this reason why He came that we can know Him and love Him and serve Him in this world and be happy with Him in the next.”
Father Torres was excited to see so many people come together for such an extraordinary event at a time when national surveys indicate a growing number of Catholics don’t believe or are uninformed that Jesus is present in the Eucharist.
“I think this is amazing to see all the people gather here together to celebrate Jesus in the Eucharist. I truly think that people still believe that Jesus is alive in the Eucharist,” Father Torres said. “Also, this proves to us that we Catholics are able to join together in celebration and recognition that Jesus is still walking with us.”
Father Torres remarked that the eucharistic procession and the Benediction reminded him of the Gospel, where crowds gathered around Jesus just to listen and talk to Him and to enjoy Him.
“And today, our Catholic faith in Chattanooga and Catholic Christians have become that part of the pilgrim people who gather around Jesus. It is a blessing to be here,” he shared.
Deacon Bello served as the lead organizer of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage’s visit to the Diocese of Knoxville. He was pleased with the participation by Catholic faithful in the Chattanooga area and from around the diocese.
He also credited the priests, deacons, and fellow organizers for making the spiritual event special.
“About two years ago, Bishop [Richard F.] Stika asked me to take on this project and get the revival going in East Tennessee. I accepted of course, but at that point I was
terrified, and my thought was I hope we can at least get 10 or 20 people to show up for these things,” Deacon Bello said.
“My expectation originally was very small. As we started planning this thing, I kept feeling the Holy Spirit saying to me, ‘It’s going to be bigger than that.’ And at every step it would be, ‘No, it’s going to be even bigger than that,’” he confided.
Then, as the permanent pilgrims arrived on June 24, Deacon Bello said the list of those registered to attend the day’s services hit 1,000.
“I was shocked, but I wasn’t shocked at the same time. I was absolutely full of thanksgiving. To see people file into this beautiful basilica here in Chattanooga and to come with such reverence and joy in their hearts for Jesus Christ, led by these beautiful pilgrims who have traveled across the country to be right here with us in our diocese, blew my expectations out of the water,” Deacon Bello shared.
He pointed out that the hundreds of East Tennessee pilgrims who joined the permanent pilgrims on the Diocese of Knoxville stage of the pilgrimage partially answers yes to the question: Are Catholics still engaged with the Eucharist?
“The objective of the USCCB to bring awareness of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is in progress. But that Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist calls us to unity. It calls others into the Catholic Church with the record number of people we see coming home to the Catholic faith in our diocese this year at Easter Vigil and throughout the year, such as with the record number of confirmations. And to see these events drawing people in
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RENEE NORRIS
GABRIELLE NOLAN (3)
Brother and sister confirmed at St. Elizabeth Siblings Leo and Madeleine Grubb were confirmed by parochial administrator Father Jesús Guerrero on May 25 at St. Elizabeth Church in Elizabethton. Deacon Rich Carner stands at left, and Leo and Madeleine’s teacher, Mark Sitter, is at right.
who are giving up days of work, their days off to just be with Jesus, that’s unity. That’s the unity that Christ calls us to in His eucharistic self,” continued the deacon who serves at Holy Spirit Parish in Soddy-Daisy and also as diocesan director of the offices of Christian Formation and Deacon Formation.
Deacon Bello described as “perfect” the day’s events, including the Liturgy of the Hours, Mass, and eucharistic procession.
Father Pio was homilist for the basilica’s noon Mass after arriving in the Scenic City that morning. Prior to entering Chattanooga, the pilgrims had been in the Archdiocese of Atlanta.
In his homily, the Franciscan priest from New York City told the congregation that he had the “great privilege” of traveling with the permanent pilgrims on their journey to the National Eucharistic Congress.
“My community has an interesting vantage point because one of our priests is assigned to each route on this Eucharistic Pilgrimage. Although I am not going the whole route, I’ve had the opportunity to visit many dioceses and parishes, cathedrals and basilicas, and it is a common theme in all of them, and that theme is you are welcome in preparation and devotion to our Lord,” said Father Pio, who serves as a chaplain for the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage.
Father Pio, who is in the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal religious order, has been inspired at how those dioceses and parishes, cathedrals and basilicas have rolled out the red carpet for the pilgrims.
His homily centered on three key points in recognition that June 24 was the solemnity of the birth of John the Baptist, one of only three births commemorated in the liturgical calendar. Those points were preparation, prophecy, and priestly sacrifice.
In Father Pio’s remarks, parallels could be drawn between John the Baptist’s ministry preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ and the 2024 pilgrims spreading the Gospel through their nationwide travels and witness.
The priest noted how even from the womb Jesus was preparing for His life on earth, such as when an
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sion participants seemed to embrace the “Conversation in the Spirit” that has been written about.
Those attending were from parishes in the diocese’s major population centers—Chattanooga, Tri-Cities, and Knoxville. Participation also included people from rural parishes in Rogersville, Maynardville, Dunlap, Athens, Fairfield Glade, and Mountain City. They were laity, religious, clergy, and people of different age groups—young adults and older parishioners.
According to the co-leaders, “views were voiced in a thoughtful and civil manner. Those who participated were considerate and articulate, had a deep understanding of our shared faith, cared about the Church, were respectful, and were not afraid to share their beliefs and concerns.”
The Diocese of Knoxville’s Office of Hispanic Ministry participated and helped translate for Spanishspeaking participants.
“In that regard, we believe the diocese fulfilled the Holy Father’s goal of inviting different voices,” the co-leaders stated.
Many participants agreed that the concept of synodality is good, and that more discussion, especially at the diocesan and parish level, is needed.
“We need more connection to our neighboring parishes; cooperation; collegiality, synodality,” one group stated, while another said, “There is a need for open communication up and down the organization to allow all members of the Church to be better prepared to respond to issues in the secular media that impact the practice of the faith…” However, not all participants agreed.
“I have not seen anything positive come out of this Synod,” said one response. Another said, “The Synod is false on its face…it is not a true
angel told Zechariah that his wife, Elizabeth, who was aged and childless, would finally give birth to a son, who would become John the Baptist.
Father Pio called John the Baptist “the penitential preacher par excellence” because he spent his life proclaiming the Word of God and the coming of the Savior, Jesus Christ.
Father Pio preached that Jesus, through John the Baptist, taught the faithful to dispose themselves of God’s grace, which is the purpose of penance.
John served as a prophet who foretold of Jesus Christ’s ministry as the Son of God. “John’s whole life was constantly pointed to Christ, and he knows that the only thing that keeps us away from Christ is our sin,” the Franciscan priest said.
He pointed out that John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness proclaiming, “prepare the way of the Lord,” encouraging people to re-
Synod if it includes laity.” Another participant indicated that “collaboration” or “co-responsibility” as stated in Synod documents could be more effective at the parish level if there were true collaboration between clergy and laity.
Participants voiced concern over the lack of clarity and the need for better communication at all levels of the Catholic Church.
“No changes in doctrine; this message must be delivered loud and clear,” one group report stated. “The message of the Church needs to be clearer, more assertive, particularly on issues of doctrine.”
Another participant stated, “Clearer communication from overhead.”
Concerns related to spirituality and foundational issues resonated during the small-group discussions, and differing views were shared.
“The Church needs to bring back the reverence once felt in the Church of the past,” said one participant. “I am in my 60s and prefer the more solemn experience, but we aren’t attracting younger families” another stated, adding that “we alienate those members who have been through a divorce and have legally remarried by no longer allowing them to fully participate in the Mass…do away with lengthy annulment procedures….”
Another participant said, “Concentrate on the spiritual aspects of the Church’s and its peoples’ lives. Remember, teach and preach Christ’s message.”
One respondent cited the writings of St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI as positive influences that support the mission of the Church. “Stop trying to accommodate and subordinate our faith to today’s atheistic, secular, humanist culture, and stop trying to redefine the structure and mission that Christ gave to the Church.”
move obstacles that would stand in Jesus’ way, and to “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
“And finally, when Jesus manifests Himself in His humanity, John points to Him and says, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God. Behold Him who takes away the sins of the world.’ And so, in his prophetic actions as he is constantly pointing to Christ, these are what make the prophet who he is,” Father Pio said.
He continued with his last topic, priestly sacrifice, pointing out that the familial legacy of Zechariah’s priesthood led to John the Baptist’s ministry.
And he highlighted how John, with his priesthood, offered the ultimate sacrifice for his Lord by giving his life, something every Christian should think on.
“And just like John the Baptist, your soul was sent to the exact body, gender, place in time, a place in this world where you will have
One respondent voiced concern that reverting to a “pre-Vatican II insular Catholic Church is almost like trying to get back to something that was there before, and it doesn’t fit well in today’s world….”
The role of the laity, especially the role of women, received much attention.
“Sometimes as a woman, you feel valued, and other times you are mostly seen only as a volunteer…or perceived as a threat to the pastor’s authority,” said one person. Another said, “The longsuffering of faithful lay Catholics who feel used and abused by priests and diocesan officials is real.” Another group wondered why there is “such hostile resistance to the conversation” of roles within the Church, including the role of women, and asked, “How can we become a more welcoming, reconciling Church?”
Additional comments and feedback:
n “Catholic schools are a vital part of the mission of the Church,” said one group. Another stated that “More extensive and dynamic catechetical models are needed to reach today’s adult Catholics.” One person believes that “Catholic education is becoming more secular.”
n “The diaconate program is a success to celebrate….”
n “Institutional attitudes need to change so that the people in the pew(s) are not treated simply as moneymakers and donors.”
n “It is painfully obvious that many parishioners don’t know why they are Catholic.”
n “Are we losing our Catholic identity? (We) need to strengthen our messages to young people, no moral relativism.”
n Success can be found “in those churches, those people who understand the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and spend time with Him in adoration and participating in the
the most authentic impact. Look for yourself and for those who He has put into your life. It is not a coincidence that you are alive at this time, that you are in the body that you’re in, that you are in the vocation you’re in. And it’s all for the salvation of souls,” Father Pio said. He encouraged the congregation to prepare, as John the Baptist did in the wilderness, by embracing the penitent practices that are so important to Catholics’ faith tradition. He also encouraged them to offer up all their sufferings and crosses in union with Jesus.
“We do this in a very special way. When the faithful bring up the gifts, and the father places that bread on the altar, put yourself on that paten, offer Him all of your trials and sufferings … and take those little crosses … and lay them at the feet of Jesus. In this way, we are able to follow the example of John the Bap-
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sacraments.”
The abuse crisis continues to be discussed as a moral failure leading to mistrust of Church leadership. And comments on welcoming those whose lifestyles do not conform to Catholic teaching, including the LGBTQ+ community, included: n “That’s an issue between that person and God…. (It’s) a very hard question that we are going to have to deal with,” said one participant. Others said that Pope Francis’ “ambiguity about (LGBTQ+) relations cause great confusion.” Another stated that the Church should “not in any way be recognizing same-sex unions.”
n Clarity on the celebration of the Latin-rite Mass was raised by one participant that wished dioceses would “more effectively accommodate the needs of the faithful rather than weaponize it.” Another stated, “Please stop persecuting those who attend the traditional Latin Mass. The many approved liturgies are good. Persecution is not very Christian, I think.”
“The Diocese of Knoxville and members of the dialogue sessions are grateful for the opportunity to participate in this stage of the Synod. While the report includes many topics and quotes, it should be considered as an overview of the consultations that took place on March 16 and 19, 2024, and includes online answers submitted through March 22, 2024. The diocese feels its effort in this regard abided by the Holy Father’s words that ‘the Synod is about synodality and not about this or that theme….’ The important thing is how the reflection is done, that is, in a synodal way,” the diocesan co-leaders said.
The second and final session of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of Bishops, commonly referred to as the Synod on Synodality, will take place Oct. 2-27 in Rome. n
Overhead view The Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga was filled with worshipers attending the Mass that preceded a eucharistic procession on June 24. The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage’s St. Juan Diego Route stopped at the downtown church.
JIM WOGAN
Chattanooga Deanery Holy Spirit, Soddy-Daisy
Monsignor Al Humbrecht’s next book study will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at the church. The book is The Little Liar by Mitch Albom. To register, call the church at 423-332-5300 or e-mail hscc_parish@holyspirittn.com
St. Bridget, Dayton
The Women’s Council celebrated May and June birthdays on June 18 at Dayton Coffee Shop and will honor those with July and August birthdays on July 23 at El Toro Mexican Grill in Dayton. Their next meeting is set for 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, before the vigil Mass.
The 2024 Service Award was presented at the end of the 5:30 p.m. Mass on June 8. Luna Gonzalez Alberto was awarded a $1,000 scholarship. Runners-up Milli Solorzono and Janelle Velez were awarded $50 stipends.
Knights of Columbus Council 11424 members completed a church-exterior cleanup on June 12. Several Knights helped clean out gutters, trim shrubs, and clear the parking lot of debris.
The Knights have postponed the Harry Jones Golf Tournament, originally set for Oct. 3, to next spring. The new date and more details will be available soon.
St. Jude, Chattanooga
Father Jim Sichko of the Diocese of Lexington, Ky., will lead a parish mission at St. Jude from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, Aug. 19-21.
A patriotic rosary for America took place July 6 in the church.
Parishioners participated in a hike of about two miles and a rosary June 29 at Greenway Farms in Hixson.
The Knights of Columbus installed their 2024-25 fraternal year officers June 24, with a social following the event.
St. Mary, Athens
Former St. Mary pastor Father William Oruko, AJ, now pastor of St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish in Astoria, Ore., will celebrate his 25th anniversary of priestly ordination Aug. 13. His parish celebrated the occasion June 23 because he will be in Kenya on vacation on the anniversary date. Cards for Father Oruko may be sent to his church at 1465 Grand Ave., Astoria, OR 97103.
St. Mary has a new Legion of Mary curia that meets at 11 a.m. Mondays at the church. Call Maria Cox at 423-3371817 for more information.
The parish thanked Brian Bates, Sam Brocato, Hollis Burnette, Lou Dionne, Jay Ekiss, Orville Fisher, Bill Gates, Martin Hall, Jesus Sanchez, Ramone Sanchez, and Toallo Jesus Carptino for painting the rectory. Ladies who spruced up the rectory for new parochial administrator Father Christopher Manning also received thanks. They were Holly Gates, Ann Julian, Marilyn Langdon, Christine Martens, Marie McCartney, Emily Paul, Teresa Riggins, Letitia Sokoll, and Thelma Pikciunas.
Ed Fiegle and Lou Dionne received thanks for the repairs they made to the CCD building.
The Ladies Group held an ice cream social June 10 at the family life center.
A yard sale is set for Friday and Saturday, Aug. 23-24. Items (no clothes) will be collected at 4 p.m. Saturday, July 27, and after the 5 p.m. vigil Mass that day; before and after Masses on Sunday, July 28; and from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, Aug. 7 and 14. To volunteer or learn more, call Kay at 423506-7706 or 423-543-2049 or Orville at 707-501-7625.
St. Stephen, Chattanooga
The Prime Timers attended a Chattanooga Lookouts baseball game on July 14 and will so again at 2:15 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4. The group will have a suite at the game. Tickets are $18, and
children are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Larry Skelly at 703-624-0498 or leskelly2@verizon. net
The Knights of Columbus recently named Thomas Minchew as Knight of the month and Vince Hotton and wife Kathy as family of the month.
New officers for the Knights’ Ladies Auxiliary are Laurene Hirko, president; Linda Morgan, vice president; Christine Rocque, secretary; Betty Pish, treasurer; and Myrtle Englert, social director.
Anniversaries: Joe and Kathy Burriesci (57), John and Sharon Vannucci (45), David and Alba Guzman (40), John and Debbie Butler (25)
Sts. Peter and Paul, Chattanooga
The basilica is hoping to raise $500,000 this summer for an HVAC system and electrical updates for its St. Dominic Building, used for religious education and other programs. Sts. Peter and Paul conducted a pledge drive during weekend Masses on June 8 and 9 with a goal of completing the fund drive by the end of 2024. The first $100,000 raised will be matched by a basilica family. As of the weekend of June 2223, the parish had raised $239,734, which is 48 percent of the goal of $500,000, with that total including the family’s donation. Visit stspeterandpaulbasilica.com/news/st-dominicbuilding-fund-drive-summer-2024 to donate or learn more. Checks with the note “St. Dominic” may be mailed to the basilica at 214 E. 8th St., Chattanooga, TN 37402.
The Forever Young Catholics group (ages 40-plus) is taking hikes and walks, of varying levels of difficulty from easy to moderate, on Monday mornings, Wednesday evenings, and Saturdays. Bob Mikulka is organizing the walks. Email Cathy Palisoc at foreveryoung SPP@gmail.com to join the contact list. Visit stspeterandpaulbasilica.com/ forever-young for more information.
Cumberland Mountain Deanery
Blessed Sacrament, Harriman
Parishioner Isaac O’Rourke’s Eagle Scout award ceremony took place July 13 at St. Mary Church in Oak Ridge.
Renate Copeland and her sister Brigitte Strickler have retired from their volunteer work tending the St. Michael the Archangel Garden at the church. To volunteer to take care of the area, call Laurie Martin Matera at 865-282-9883.
St. Francis of Assisi, Fairfield Glade
The solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ Mass on June 2 and the social afterward were well-attended.
Services that are held in the morning include adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday to Friday; the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 7:40 a.m. Monday to Friday; and on first Fridays, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament before and after the 8 a.m. Mass, with Benediction at 9:30 a.m.
The 33 Days to Morning Glory and Merciful Love prayer group meets at 9 a.m. Tuesdays.
A men’s Bible study is held at 7 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
The Council of Catholic Women held a bake sale June 29 at the Village Green Mall in Fairfield Glade. The CCW’s annual rummage sale will be held Sept. 12-14 in the parish hall.
Father Glenn Meaux shared photos of Kobonal Haiti Mission homes that are being built from St. Francis of Assisi donations. He said he learned they should be built with a concrete floor, a wood frame, and galvanized steel roofs to make them hurricane- and earthquake-resistant. In 2020, solar power was added to the new construction. Father Meaux said he is very grateful for the parish’s generosity.
A Knights of Columbus fundraiser for
Parish notes continued on page B10
Father Guerrero buys new statues for St. Anthony of Padua Church The sanctuary at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Mountain City will soon have a new look after parochial administrator Father Jesús Guerrero traveled many miles to Texas to clear new statues to cross the U.S.-Mexico border. Father Guerrero is pictured at right with Deacon Roberto Cortes at a Mass in Spanish on June 9. The parish has acquired a statue of its patron, St. Anthony of Padua, as well as statues of the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph. “We purchased some statues for the church, in Mexico actually,” Father Guerrero said. “They were shipped to the border last week, so I had to go to the border to ‘cross them.’ . . . As you can see, we don’t have any statues in the church, but that will change.” The statues have arrived at St. Anthony of Padua. Father Guerrero has led the parish in the diocese’s northeast corner since July 1, 2023, and said he has plans for a permanent adoration chapel as well.
officers. The team is well trained in verbal tactics to de-escalate given situations. From left are David Matishok, Tony Angelli, Bill Hunt, Stephen Palko, Bridget Thew of the Roane County Sheriff’s Office, Eugene Norris, and Mike Crow.
DAN MCWILLIAMS
RENEE NORRIS
Guardian Angels security team protects Blessed Sacrament members Blessed Sacrament Parish in Harriman has a security team also known as the Guardian Angels. Meeting each month, the team is composed of parishioners who are either current or former law-enforcement officers as well as a few exmilitary
St. Mary-Athens parishioner, 95, comes into the Church James Kennis of St. Mary Parish in Athens, who is 95 years young, came into full communion with the Church on April 20. He and wife Marion, pictured above as pastor Father John Orr presides, celebrated 75 years of marriage on May 14. Jim Langdon of St. Mary also came into full communion on May 19. Mr. Langdon and wife Marilyn will be celebrating 50 years of marriage later this year.
St. Francis of Assisi-Fairfield Glade celebrates Corpus Christi Deacon Gary Brinkworth carries the monstrance as St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fairfield Glade celebrates the solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) with a procession on June 2. Parishioner Fred Laufenberg assists with the thurible at left. Also present are Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus from Monsignor Philip F. Thoni Council 16088 at St. Francis of Assisi.
The episcopal ordination and installation of Bishop-elect Mark Beckman will begin at 2 p.m. Friday, July 26, at the Knoxville Convention Center. Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre, apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Knoxville, will be the principal consecrator at the ordination Mass. Co-consecrators will be Bishop J. Mark Spalding of the Diocese of Nashville and Bishop James V. Johnston Jr. of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Mo. A musical prelude and processions will begin at 1 p.m., and it is asked that all those attending be seated by 1:30 p.m. A special website on the ordination may be found at dioknox. org/episcopal-ordination. The site has maps of the convention center and surrounding area, hotel and parking options, a shuttle schedule, and a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), plus signup links for anyone wishing to attend the ordination Mass. Tickets are required to attend the ordination and will be distributed on a firstcome, first-served basis. Those who received an invitation via mail do not need to use the website signup link. E-mail ordination@dioknox.org with any questions. The ordination will be livestreamed at www.youtube.com/ @DioKnoxTV
Bishop-elect Mark Beckman has announced deanery Masses and a Mass in Spanish that he will be celebrating in the Diocese of Knoxville following his ordination and installation July 26. He will be at St. Patrick Church in Morristown in the Five Rivers Deanery on Tuesday, July 30; at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Alcoa in the Smoky Mountain Deanery on Wednesday, July 31; at St. John Neumann Church in Farragut in the Cumberland Mountain Deanery on Thursday, Aug. 1; and at St. Jude Church in Chattanooga in the Chattanooga Deanery on Friday, Aug. 2. All four deanery Masses will begin at 6 p.m. And at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, Bishop-elect Beckman will celebrate Mass for the Hispanic community in the Diocese of Knoxville at All Saints Church in Knoxville.
EnCourage is a ministry dedicated to praying for family members who suffer from same-sex attraction and supporting each other’s spiritual life. EnCourage in Knoxville is currently going through a transition of spiritual guides. Scheduled meetings and information will return shortly.
The John Philip Sousa Foundation’s National Community Band will be in concert at 4 p.m. Sunday, July 14, in the Cathedral Hall at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, part of the Cathedral Concert Series. Col. John R. Bourgeois, USMC (Ret.), former director of the U.S. Marine Band, will conduct the ensemble, which will be hosted by The Tennessee Wind Symphony of Knoxville. Admission is free, but donations are welcome and appreciated. Seating is limited. Doors open one hour before the concert. Tickets are available online via the Eventbrite link at shcathedral.org/ cathedral-concert-series
The class of 1974 from Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Chattanooga is hosting a reunion on Saturday, July 20. If you are a member of this class or attended any years with this class, make plans to attend. Contact Pam Franklin at 423-622-7232 or pfranklin@myolph.com for more details.
This year’s Camp Irish spring and summer camps are underway at Knoxville Catholic High School. Remaining camps include a math camp July 22-26 and a dance camp July 22-24. To learn more about costs and age groups eligible for each camp, or to register, visit knoxvillecatholic. com/camp-irish. Early registration is encouraged. For more details, e-mail camps@knoxvillecatholic.com
The Diocese of Knoxville is taking a group of teens on a trip to Steubenville Atlanta, hosted by the Archdiocese of Atlanta, on the weekend of July 26-28. The Steubenville youth conferences exist to bring high-schoolers into a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ. The 2024 theme is “Illuminate”—“The
light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). Download a flier, view registration instructions and costs, and see medical-release and code-of-conduct forms at dioknox.org/events/ steubenville-atlanta-2024. Priests attend free. If any parish would like help booking transportation through the Diocese of Knoxville, contact Noah Grinstead at ngrinstead@dioknox.org or 386-274-8137.
The Hillbilly Thomists will perform Saturday, Aug. 3, at the Bijou Theatre in Knoxville to benefit the Chesterton Academy of St. Margaret Clitherow in Knoxville. The Hillbilly Thomists are a band of Dominican friars who have played together for several years and released their debut album in 2017, which contained bluegrass standards and Americana favorites. Tickets for the Aug. 3 concert are $32 to $52. Doors open at 6 p.m., with showtime at 7. The opening act will be Fiddling Leona and the Johns. To purchase tickets or learn more, visit knoxbijou.org/bijou-events/ the-hillbilly-thomists-in-support-ofthe-chesterton-academy/ or see the ad on page A9. To learn more about the bands, visit www.hillbillythomists.com or www.fiddlingleona.com
The annual Ladies of Charity Golf Tournament is set for Thursday, Aug. 8, at Egwani Farms Golf Course, 3920 S. Singleton Station Road in Rockford. Check-in and breakfast start at 7 a.m., with a shotgun start at 8. The format is a four-person scramble. Lunch and the awarding of prizes will follow the golf, with the event ending around 2 p.m. There are spots left, and multiple levels of sponsorships are available. Those who are not golfers (or unable to play) are asked to consider supporting the event. To register or learn more, visit ladiesofcharityknox.org or contact Joe Sutter at sutterjtn@aol.com or 865-385-6357.
The 15th annual Irish Fest is set for 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, at Immaculate Conception Church in downtown Knoxville. The event features live Irish music, Irish food and beer, a Gaelic games demonstration, and a silent auction. Volunteers are needed for ticket sales at the entrance and for drinks, as well as for setup, cleanup, and the auction. A variety of sponsorship opportunities is available, from stage and bands to food and drink. Contact Becky Birdwell for more information on sponsorships at birdwell ent@bellsouth.net. Contact Beth Wolf at 865-679-0535 or beth7137@att.net to help with the Irish Fest.
Those experiencing emotional or spiritual difficulties from a past abortion or abortions are invited to attend a Catholic Charities Rachel’s Vineyard healing and recovery retreat on the weekend of Sept. 20-22 at Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton. Complete confidentiality is honored at all times. The deadline for registration is Friday, Sept. 13. If you are unable to attend a weekend retreat, one-on-one counseling is available with counselors who have been trained in this area. For more information, contact Sandi Davidson at 865776-4510 or sandi@ccetn.org
A Picture of Love retreat for engaged couples is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 28, at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga. This marriagepreparation program is a supplement to a couple’s marriage formation with their parish priest or deacon. Picture of Love explores the joys and challenges of living out the sacrament of matrimony with special focus on the importance of inviting Jesus to be the center of marriage and family life. The program will help each couple gain insights into their relationship as well as give them practical ideas and tools to help smooth their journey and become the “Picture of Love” to one another. Meeting times are 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. A continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included. Cost is $175 per couple. Payment is due two weeks before the retreat. For a registration form, visit dioknox.org/events/picture-oflove-sept-2024. Also at the website are three exercises: a personality test, a “love language profile for couples,”
Calendar continued on page B10
Notre Dame Parish presents religious-education attendance awards Notre Dame Parish in Greeneville held the last day of classes for religious education on May 5. Students selected individually wrapped snack items and juice boxes to enjoy, and recognition was given to the catechists and assistants for another successful year. Twenty-five attendance awards were presented for the 2023-24 school year. Twelve students received perfect-attendance honors, and 13 students who missed only one day of class were recognized. Scoop Dog’s Creamery donated ice cream coupons for the attendance awards. The morning concluded with the students praying the rosary together with parishioners and crowning the Blessed Mother, followed by a procession with flowers. Perfect-attendance students are pictured at top. From left are Issac Sotelo, Leoncio Martinez, Anthony Vazquez, Connor Johnson, Tony Ortiz, Kevin Robes, Zuleyka Alonso, Melanie Jardinez, Allison Sotelo, Isabella Juarez, and Jenifer Mendez. Not pictured is Jordan Diaz Gonzalez. Attendance award-winners who missed only one day are pictured at bottom. From left are (front row) Angel Pacheo, Baylor Williams, Esmeralda Alonso, Sasha Livingston, and Emma Shortridge and (back row) Anthony Gonzalez, Kaylee Cedillo, Kaelany Fuentes, Wenda Mejia, Jenithea Martinez, and Emilin Palacios. Not pictured are Jolet Vazquez and Anali Diaz Gonzalez.
Sixteen confirmed at St. Bridget
Sixteen youth from St. Bridget Parish in Dayton were confirmed at the 6:30 p.m. Mass on April 10. From left are (front row) Allison Lopez-Cruz, Yaidin LopezCruz, Elizabeth Juarez Velasco, Ismael Hernandez, and Maggie Vickers; (middle row) Jesica Castellon-Leyte, Viviana Lopez-Ramerez, Jaslene Velez, Eva LopezHernandez, Roselyn Gomez-Cruz, Jennifer Lopez-Cruz, and pastor Father Jim Vick; and (back row) Chris Lopez-Ramirez, Cristofer Ramirez-Cruz, Devi LopezRamirez, Alina Mejia-Rendon and, Brooke Reeves
St. Francis-Fairfield Glade couple celebrates 50th wedding anniversary
St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fairfield Glade congratulates Michael and Glenna Rodts, who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 15.
They were married at the Helen Hughes Memorial Chapel in Silver Bay, N.Y., with the Rev. Cass Gilbert officiating.
Their children are Jada Weiler of Lawton, Okla., and Joseph
Rodts of Normal, Ill., and they have five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Mr. Rodts retired from the Exelon Corp.’s Quad Cities nuclear plant, and Mrs. Rodts was secretary at First Presbyterian Church in Morrison, Ill. They moved to the Glade in 2011. They will be celebrating their anniversary on a European riverboat cruise. n
JENNIFER NEWMAN
St. Joseph the Worker Parish holds solemn procession on Pentecost St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Madisonville observed the solemnity of Pentecost on May 19, the conclusion of the Easter season. In a solemn procession following tradition, pastor Father Julius Abuh, led by altar servers Millie Newman (center) and Valentina Aguilera, moved the paschal candle to the baptistery until next year.
KRISTEN GIRTON (2)
Praying for Perspective by George Valadie
The gift of laughing with your spouse
In 47 years of marriage, he has learned that God’s grace has many forms, including that gift
“… And it’s the way that she looks with the rice in her hair
“Eating burnt suppers the whole first year “And asking for seconds to keep her from tearing up “Yeah, man, that’s the good stuff.”
—Kenny Chesney, “The Good Stuff”
It was summer 1977. And we weren’t all that far into the newlywed phase of our young lives. Still, it wasn’t like we were just getting used to one another either. Hardly. Our first date had been four and a half years before. Neither of us dated anyone else again.
She says she knew I was the one long before I knew the same about her. She’s not wrong. We had talked about getting married, and I couldn’t see myself with anyone else, but I’d definitely been hesitant to ask.
When I finally did, her final year of college remained while I was in my second year of teaching in Catholic schools. Annual salary: $8,000. Eight!
We didn’t have much.
These lyrics sang out to me just the other day when she said, “Hey George, can you help me mash up the rest of these potatoes? I can’t seem to get enough leverage. I’m trying a new recipe I found on the internet, and I want to take these tomorrow when we go to dinner.”
In that moment, I couldn’t recall her ever having come up short on mashed-potato leverage before, but I could definitely remember her trying new recipes now and again. Like when we were those newlyweds. Our first little house. Dinner
Mfor two. End of a long day. But what she was serving looked a little … well, let’s say, different. And when she’s nervous about something, she laughs. A silly little giggle. Hand over her mouth. A mix of glimmer, deviousness with a hint of embarrassment in her eye. She can say a mouthful—without a single word. It gets me every time.
I was staring at the meal on my plate when she sheepishly offered,
“I wanted to try something new, and I found a recipe that sounded good. It’s called Italian Fish.”
Sounded good to me. I love fish. I love Italian. It was good I loved her. Because the rest of that story is hers.
“We had some fish in the freezer we needed to use, and I wanted to dress it up. I saw this recipe in that cookbook we got for a wedding present, and it sounded amazing.
“Except when I started making it, I realized we didn’t have everything it called for. It said we needed marinara sauce, but we didn’t have any.”
Let me interject here to say it wasn’t that we had run out, to the contrary and to my knowledge; not at any time during our three short months of married life had we actually ever bought or borrowed any marinara sauce. Not a single jar.
“But I did find a can of chili. And it seemed like it might be a good substitute. My mother has always been good at making incredible meals from whatever she had.”
Marinara? Chili? Italian? Mexican? Go on.
“So, you bake the fish then cover it with marinara, top that with some shredded mozzarella, and run it all under the broiler. Doesn’t it sound
good?”
“That does,” I said. “Not to be critical, but this looks yellow. I thought mozzarella was white?”
“It is. We didn’t have any of that either. But we did have some Kraft American slices. So, I put those on top instead.”
A giggle in her laugh. A glimmer in her eye.
“What do you think?”
It was every bit as bad as it sounds. And yes, I asked for seconds. Not the whole first year, but a few times. We have forever called it “chili fish” and treasure the laughter it still evokes.
In a week, we will celebrate our 47th wedding anniversary. More than once a few folks have said, “I bet y’all laugh all the time!”
She wasn’t laughing that time I sent her roses. It was an emergency apology of sorts. I had a side gig at the time, trying to earn us a little extra money, but it involved traveling out of town several weekends a year, leaving her with our two toddlers.
I woke up one of those Friday mornings to discover the water heater had spewed its guts all over the basement. “Honey, wake up, I’ve got to go, but I need to tell you something … I’ll see you Sunday morning.”
She can laugh now. But she’s still mad about it.
Back to her mashed potatoes. I walked over to the counter to lend some masculine leverage, only to discover a battlefield where war had been waged—and lost. Bits of potato dotted the backsplash, the salt and pepper shakers, the decorative candle, the steak knives holder and
Thoughts and Prayers for the Faithful by Deacon Bob Hunt
every knife stored down in it, the cutting board, the stove, the floor. There was one big glop of potato on the overhead microwave.
“The new recipe said to bake the potatoes for 40 minutes rather than boil them,” she said. And even I know it takes an hour to make them edible.
“I’ve never seen anything like this,” I uttered.
Turns out using an electric mixer to take on semi-uncooked potatoes is a losing proposition. Still, I mashed and cussed and cussed and mashed. And then—20 minutes in—she asked, “Did I forget to tell you to put some milk in? That might help.”
Then she giggled that giggle that says it all.
Forty-seven years! Laugh all the time? No. But God has blessed us with that gift for sure. How does any couple make it without it?
Our Catechism speaks beautifully about marriage. There are words like covenant, mystery, indissolubility, sacrament, love, and grace.
I’m no theologian, but I believe God’s grace has many forms—and one is the gift of laughing with your spouse. A lot.
That’s the good stuff!
Dear God—Not everyone gets the years they dream of ... or the person. Please bless us with “love”—all sorts of it—our world needs a whole lot more than we have. Amen. ■
George Valadie is a parishioner at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga and author of the newly released book “We Lost Our Fifth Fork … and other moments when we need some perspective.”
Asking the right questions in a survey
Is a recent poll of Catholics about the Real Presence reflective of Church teaching?
y dear brothers and sisters in Christ, we need to talk about the Eucharist. There has been lot of talk about the Eucharist over the last couple of years, with the Eucharistic Revival in full force and the upcoming National Eucharistic Congress to take place this month in Indianapolis.
There have also been innumerable polls attempting to take the pulse of American Catholics and their belief about the Eucharist. A 2019 Pew Survey reported that 69 percent of “self-identifying” Catholics believe that the Eucharist is only a symbol and not the body and blood of Jesus. A 2023 poll conducted by The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) surveyed only those who belong to a Catholic parish and found that 95 percent of Catholics who attend Mass weekly believe that the Eucharist is, indeed, the body and blood of Christ. Now there’s news about yet another survey, this one conducted by Vinea Research in 2022. Their poll reports that 69 percent of Catholics do, indeed, believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Good news, right? Unfortunately, no.
Vinea Research claims that its survey includes questions on the Eucharist that “better reflect Catholic language.” Sorry, but it doesn’t. The survey by Vinea Research gave respondents three options: “Which of the following best describes Catholic teaching about the bread and wine used for Communion? a) Jesus Christ is truly present in the bread and wine of the Eucharist; b) Bread and wine are symbols of Jesus, but Jesus is not truly present; or c) Not sure.”
I hope you see the problem. None of the three options offered by
Vinea Research correctly “describes Catholic teaching about the bread and wine used for Communion.”
The Catholic Church teaches, and has from the days of Sts. Peter and Paul, that the bread and wine are transformed into the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus is not truly present in the bread and wine. There is nothing of bread and wine left after the priest says the words of consecration. It is all Jesus! Yes, the Eucharist maintains the appearance of bread and wine, but that is all. This is the difference between the Protestant doctrine of consubstantiation, where Jesus is present alongside the elements of bread and wine, and the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation, where the elements of bread and wine are transformed into the body and blood of Christ.
Hans Plate is the founder of Vinea Research, which is described as a Catholic firm. Mr. Plate reports that his survey was conducted “with no involvement or sponsorship by the U.S. bishops or the Eucharistic Revival.” Yeah, that’s probably why he blew it so badly. Given the results of his survey, though, perhaps we need another three years of Eucharistic Revival.
Is there any good news here? Yes! The good news is found in the CARA survey, which reports that 95 percent of Catholics who attend Mass weekly believe what the Church teaches about the Eucharist: that the Eucharist is the Real Presence of Christ, His body and blood. The bad news about the CARA survey? They report that only 17 percent of Catholics in America attend Mass weekly. It seems that faith in what the Church teaches about the Eucharist (as well, I suspect, about a
good many other things) is directly correlated with Mass attendance, or maybe it’s vice versa. If a Catholic goes to Mass, he or she is likely to believe what the Church teaches. Or, conversely, if a Catholic believes what the Church teaches, he or she is likely to go to Mass.
The lack of knowledge among Catholics on the teachings of the Church is a serious problem, but there is a solution, and the solution has two elements to it. First, Catholic education must better educate Catholics on the teachings of the Church. That so many Catholics simply do not know what the Church teaches is a scandal. It’s one thing to know and not accept what the Church teaches. But no one can accept what the Church teaches if he or she doesn’t know what that teaching is! Second, we need to get Catholics back into Church and keep those we have. How? I’ve written about
this before, but it all starts with the family. Children from intact families who go to church are far more likely to become adults who go to church. We need to work on keeping Catholic families intact, and that means ministries directed to Catholic families: those who are about to become families, those who are struggling to remain families, and even those who are doing well as families. The research is in. We know what we’re dealing with. The question is: will we do what is necessary to create a stronger, more knowledgeable, and believing Church for future generations? It’s up to us. Be Christ for all. Bring Christ to all. See Christ in all. ■
Deacon Bob Hunt is a husband, father, grandfather, and parishioner at All Saints Church in Knoxville. He is author of the book “Thy Word: An Introduction to the Bible for People in the Pews.”
St. Stephen offers wellwishes for Father Manning Staff and friends from St. Stephen Parish in Chattanooga took Father Christopher Manning out April 30 to wish him well in his new assignment as parochial administrator of St. Mary Parish in Athens. The group went to Community Pie in Chattanooga. Father Manning was in residence at St. Stephen for the last five years. St. Stephen also held gatherings after Masses on the weekend of May 25-26 to honor Father Manning, using his favorite theme of Mickey Mouse. Father Manning is pictured with his parents, James Manning and Dr. Marlyn Leisy; his sister, Whitney Manning; and a young cousin.
A look at the Rite of Ordination of a Bishop
It is composed of the preparatory rites, the essential element, and the explanatory rites
On July 26, Bishop-elect Mark Beckman will be ordained and installed as the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Knoxville. In this column I want to explain the Rite of Ordination of a Bishop.
The official liturgical book, Ordination of a Bishop, of Priests, and of Deacons, explains the office of bishop: “Bishops, ‘as successors of the Apostles, receive from the Lord, who was given all power in heaven and on earth, the mission to teach all nations and to preach the Gospel to every creature, so that by faith, Baptism, and obedience to the commandments (cf. Matthew 28:18) all people may attain salvation.’ The College of Bishops, gathered under the one head, the Roman Pontiff, successor of Peter, expresses the unity, diversity, and universality of the flock of Christ.”
A bishop is always ordained by three bishops. For Bishop-elect Beckman’s ordination, Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre is the principal ordaining bishop, and Bishop J. Mark Spalding (Diocese of Nashville) and Bishop James V. Johnston Jr. (Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, originally from Knoxville) are the co-consecrating bishops. The rite is celebrated within the Liturgy of the Word following the reading of the Gospel. It is composed of three parts: the preparatory rites, the essential element, and the explanatory rites.1 We will consider each part in turn.
The Rite of Ordination begins following the Gospel with the preparatory rites, which consist of the presentation of the bishop-elect, the homily, the Promise of the Elect, and the Litany of Supplication. One of the priests of our diocese asks Archbishop Fabre, the principal ordaining bishop, to ordain Bishop-elect Beckman. The mandate from the Apostolic See appointing Bishopelect Beckman is read, and the assembly responds, “Thanks be to God.”2 Archbishop Fabre then gives
the homily, drawing on the readings to explain the office of bishop.
The Promise of the Elect follows the homily. Archbishop Fabre questions Bishop-elect Beckman on his intention to carry out the office of bishop: Is he resolved to carry the office of bishop until death; to faithfully proclaim the Gospel; to guard the deposit of faith; to build up the Church in unity with the College of Bishops and the pope; to render obedience to the pope; to encourage and guide the people of God with the priests and deacons; to show mercy to the poor, strangers, and those in need; to seek and bring back those who have strayed; and to pray without ceasing and carry out the office of High Priest without reproach? The bishop-elect replies “I do” to each question, adding “with the help of God” to the last question. Archbishop Fabre concludes by saying, “May God who has begun the good work in you bring it to fulfillment.”
The final preparatory rite is the Litany of Supplication (the Litany of the Saints), in which “all present implore God’s grace for the bishopelect.” The bishop-elect may insert additional saints into the standard litany of saints. Bishop-elect Beckman has added the following saints: St. Mark, St. Luke, St. Henry, St. Ambrose, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. Teresa of Calcutta, St. John XXIII, St. Paul VI, and St. John Paul II. The bishop-elect prostrates himself as the intercession of the saints is invoked over him.
Then comes the essential element of ordination—the laying on of hands and the Prayer of Ordination. Since this is the center of ordination, the rite urges that its meaning “should be instilled through catechesis and brought out clearly through the celebration itself.” The bishop-elect kneels before Archbishop Fabre, who lays his hands on his head without saying anything. Then all the bishops do the
Daily readings
Monday, July 15: Memorial of St. Bonaventure, bishop and doctor of the Church, Isaiah 1:10-17; Psalm 50:8-9, 16-17, 21, 23; Matthew 10:34–11:1
Tuesday, July 16: Isaiah 7:1-9; Psalm 48:2-8; Matthew 11:20-24
Wednesday, July 17: Isaiah 10:5-7, 13-16; Psalm 94:5-10, 14-15; Matthew 11:25-27
Thursday, July 18: Isaiah 26:7-9, 12, 16-19; Psalm 102:13-21; Matthew 11:28-30
Friday, July 19: Isaiah 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8; Isaiah 38:10-12, 16; Matthew 12:1-8
Saturday, July 20: Micah 2:1-5; Psalm 10:1-4, 7-8, 14; Matthew 12:14-21
Sunday, July 21: Jeremiah 23:1-6; Psalm 23:1-6; Ephesians 2:13-18; Mark 6:30-34
Monday, July 22: Feast of St. Mary Magdalene, Song of Songs 3:1-4;
same. Next, two deacons hold the Book of the Gospels open above the head of the bishop-elect, and Archbishop Fabre proclaims the Prayer of Ordination. This prayer asks God to pour forth on the bishop-elect the power of the governing Spirit given to Christ, who then gave it to the Apostles, “to the glory and unfailing praise” of God’s name. At the conclusion of the prayer, the “bishop-elect” is now the “newly ordained bishop.”
Following the essential element of ordination are several explanatory rites that “explain” different aspects of the office conferred: anointing with chrism, then the presentation of the Book of the Gospels, the ring, the miter, and the crosier. Each is given by Archbishop Fabre accompanied by words that explain the rite. The newly ordained bishop is first anointed on the head with chrism and the words, “May God, who has made you a sharer in the High Priesthood of Christ, Himself pour out upon you the oil of mystical anointing and make you fruitful with an abundance of spiritual blessing.” This is “a sign of the bishop’s distinctive share in the priesthood of Christ.” Next, he is given the Book of the Gospels with the words, “Receive the Gospel, and preach the word of God with all patience and sound teaching.” This signifies “that the faithful preaching of the word of God is the pre-eminent obligation of the office of the bishop.”
He is next given the ring with the words, “Receive this ring, the seal of fidelity: and adorned with undefiled faith, preserve unblemished the Bride of God, the holy Church.” The ring “symbolizes the bishop’s fidelity to the Bride of God, the Church.” This is followed by the miter and the words, “Receive the miter, and let the splendor of holiness shine in you, so that when the chief Shepherd appears you may merit to receive an unfading crown of glory.”
The miter “signifies his resolve to pursue holiness.” Then he is given the pastoral staff (crosier) with the words, “Receive the crosier, the sign of the pastoral office, and keep watch over the whole flock in which the Holy Spirit has placed you as bishop to govern the Church of God.” The pastoral staff is a symbol of “the duty of guiding and governing the Church entrusted to him.”
The newly ordained bishop is then installed. All rise, and Archbishop Fabre invites Bishop Beckman “to be seated in the first place among the concelebrating bishops.”3 Finally, he receives the fraternal kiss from the bishops present, which “seals, so to speak, his admittance into the College of Bishops.”
The ritual book sums up the profound effects of ordination.
“Through the Holy Spirit who has been given them” at ordination, bishops are “signed with the fullness of the sacrament of holy orders” and “have been made true and authentic teachers of the faith, High Priests, and shepherds.” Through this rich and beautiful rite, the Diocese of Knoxville will receive its fourth High Priest, authentic teacher of the faith, and shepherd.
1 The ordination of priests and of deacons has this three-part structure.
2 When the ordination is held in the cathedral, this takes place at the beginning of Mass, not after the reading of the Gospel.
3 If the ordination has taken place in the newly ordained bishop’s own church, the principal ordaining bishop invites him to be seated in the cathedra, and in this case the principal ordaining bishop himself sits at the right of the newly ordained bishop. ■
Father Randy Stice is director of the diocesan Office of Worship and Liturgy. He can be reached at frrandy@dioknox. org.
13:36-43
Psalm 63:2-6, 8-9; John 20:1-2, 11-18
Tuesday, July 23: Micah 7:14-15, 1820; Psalm 85:2-8; Matthew 12:46-50
Wednesday, July 24: Jeremiah 1:1, 4-10; Psalm 71:1-6, 15, 17; Matthew 13:1-9
Thursday, July 25: Feast of St. James, Apostle, 2 Corinthians 4:7-15; Psalm 126:1-6; Matthew 20:20-28
Friday, July 26: Memorial of Sts. Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Jeremiah 3:1417; Jeremiah 31:10-13; Matthew 13:18-23
Saturday, July 27: Jeremiah 7:111; Psalm 84:3-6, 8, 11; Matthew 13:24-30
Sunday, July 28: 2 Kings 4:42-44; Psalm 145:10-11, 15-18; Ephesians 4:1-6; John 6:1-15
Monday, July 29: Memorial of Sts. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, Jeremiah 13:1-11; Deuteronomy 32:18-21; John 11:19-27
Tuesday, July 30: Jeremiah 14:1722; Psalm 79:8-9, 11, 13; Matthew
Fourth Degree Knights in Chattanooga hold flag-retirement ceremony
Father Patrick Ryan Knights of Columbus Assembly 1084 in Chattanooga conducted a flag-retirement ceremony on Flag Day, June 14, at Camp Columbus, retiring close to 1,000 unserviceable American flags. The Knights collected tattered, worn, or damaged U.S. flags in containers in the vestibules of area churches. The events at Camp Columbus also included a dinner and an installation of officers.
Wednesday, July 31: Memorial of St. Ignatius of Loyola, priest, Jeremiah 15:10, 16-21; Psalm 59:2-4, 10-11, 17-18; Matthew 13:44-46
Thursday, Aug. 1: Memorial of St. Alphonsus Liguori, bishop and doctor of the Church, Jeremiah 18:1-6; Psalm 146:1-6; Matthew 13:47-53 Friday, Aug. 2: Jeremiah 26:1-9; Psalm 69:5, 8-10, 14; Matthew 13:54-58
Saturday, Aug. 3: Jeremiah 26:1116, 24; Psalm 69:15-16, 30-31, 33-34; Matthew 14:1-12
Sunday, Aug. 4: Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15; Psalm 78:3-4, 23-25, 54; Ephesians 4:17, 20-24; John 6:24-35
Monday, Aug. 5: Jeremiah 28:1-17; Psalm 119:29, 43, 79-80, 95, 102; Matthew 14:13-21 Tuesday, Aug. 6: Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14; Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 9; 2 Peter 1:16-19; Mark 9:2-10 Wednesday, Aug. 7: Jeremiah
31:1-7; Jeremiah 31:10-13; Matthew 15:21-28
Thursday, Aug. 8: Memorial of St. Dominic, priest, Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 51:12-15, 18-19; Matthew 16:13-23
Friday, Aug. 9: Nahum 2:1, 3 and 3:1-3, 6-7; Deuteronomy 32:35-36, 39, 41; Matthew 16:24-28
Saturday, Aug. 10: Feast of St. Lawrence, deacon and martyr, 2 Corinthians 9:6-10; Psalm 112:1-2, 5-9; John 12:2-26
Sunday, Aug. 11: 1 Kings 19:4-8; Psalm 34:2-9; Ephesians 4:30–5:2; John 6:41-51
Monday, Aug. 12: Ezekiel 1:2-5, 2428; Psalm 148:1-2, 11-14; Matthew 17:22-27
Tuesday, Aug. 13: Ezekiel 2:8–3:4; Psalm 119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 131; Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14
Wednesday, Aug. 14: Memorial of St. Maximilian Kolbe, priest and martyr, Ezekiel 9:1-7 and 10:18-22; Psalm 113:1-6; Matthew 18:15-20 ■
and a fillable budget worksheet. Couples are asked to complete the exercises in advance and bring them to the retreat—see the website for more details. Contact Deacon Al Forsythe at 865-806-1343 or aforsythe@dioknox. org or Carolyn Krings at 865-584-3307 or ckrings@dioknox.org for more information.
A women’s Cursillo weekend is set for Oct. 17-20 at Christ Prince of Peace Center in Benton. Through Cursillo, participants can gain of a better understanding of themselves, experience the presence and love of Jesus, and see how personal and spiritual growth can be enhanced through a caring Christian community. For more information, e-mail Teri Gabor at tgabor21@outlook.com or Irene Scoggins at irenescoggins@gmail. com. An application and pamphlet may be found at knoxvillecursillo. org. A men’s weekend will be held June 5-8, 2025. E-mail Gary Gabor at garygabor@hotmail.com for details.
The Healing Ministry at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Alcoa offers healing prayers every third weekend of the month for anyone who has a physical, emotional, or spiritual need. Individual healing prayer will be offered in Spanish in the church immediately following the 7 p.m. Saturday Mass in Spanish, and prayer will be offered in English in
KIND Charities of Tennessee was held June 9 in the church parking lot. A total of 160 took part in a cornhole tournament at the event.
Anniversaries: Kenneth and Norma Guillory (67), Paul and Barbara Dahar (60), Ronald and Virginia Schuster (59), Tom and Andrea Cassidy (57), Luke and Andrea Hebert (56), William and Gail Boland (56), Ronald and Janeene Lemieux (56), Robert and Marion Cope (55), James and Kathleen Veen (55), Joe and Mary Tuttle (55), James and Jacqueline Bronson (55), James and Margaret Snyder (55), David and Maralee Rivard (54), Roger and Suzette Hulgan (54), Salvatore and Lois D’Alessandro (53), Art and Linda Meyer (53), Dick and Sally Weller (53), Ken and Christine Kuczka (52), Robert and Mary Terraforte (52), Raymond and Kathleen Pilon (52), Carl and Elaine Trippiedi (45), James and Lindsay Hunter (40), John and Karen Benedetti (35), Russ and Gerry Vara (35), Paul and Lynn Houser (35), Greg and Cindy Conyers (10)
St. John Neumann, Farragut
Families attended adoration at the church and a potluck dinner at the pavilion and playground June 23.
The senior ministry held a social dinner June 24 at Calhoun’s in Turkey Creek.
The parish held a farewell gathering in the school gym after the 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Masses on June 23 to thank parochial vicar Father Christopher Floersh for his service. Father Floersh’s new assignment as parochial administrator of St. Albert the Great Parish in Knoxville began July 1.
St. Joseph, Norris
Longtime parishioner Mary Ann Toennisson was honored by the Norris Lions Club at the annual Norris Day on July 4 at the pavilion in front of Norris Middle School. Mrs. Toennisson has served as a choir director and flowerbed gardener at St. Joseph, as a volunteer for the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic, as coordinator for the Norris Clothing Closet, and as a Remote Area Medical Clinic volunteer. The Lions Club honors a person or a group at Norris Day each year. St. Joseph pastor Father Dennis Kress began the program this month with a prayer.
The Council of Catholic Women sponsored its annual July 4 bake sale at Norris Day as a fundraiser for the Norris Area Food Pantry and Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties’ School Supplies Program. The CCW also held a Father’s Day brunch following Mass on June 16.
Deacon Bill Frere and wife Ginger of Illi-
the chapel immediately following the 11 a.m. Sunday Mass. Call Toni Jacobs at 561-315-5911 if you have any questions.
Join Father Mike Nolan from May 12-23, 2025, on a pilgrimage to Malta, Sicily, and the Amalfi Coast with an optional extension to Rome from May 23-26 to celebrate the Jubilee next year. Pilgrims will be visiting the places where St. Paul preached and spent time, including Mdina, Rabat, Valletta, and Taormina, to name a few, and will explore the Amalfi Coast. They will visit Our Lady of Mellieha Sanctuary, which is dedicated to Our Lady and is a very important part of the Catholic history of the island of Malta, and continue with a visit to the “Mosta Rotunda,” a domed church in Mosta. Travelers will walk through the streets of Mdina, Malta’s first capital, and visit the Cathedral dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul. As they tour Valletta, the capital of Malta, they will become acquainted with the history of the island, perhaps best known as the seat of the Knights of St. John, more commonly known as the Knights of Malta. The pilgrims will also see the story of St. Paul’s shipwreck as told in paintings found in the church of the same name. Our Lady of the Rock is one of Taormina’s most popular destinations with a panorama of the surrounding city and Mount Etna. Next, they will continue to Messina for a panoramic tour and
nois will be joining the parish soon. They visited St. Joseph on June 9 and 16.
Deacon Dan Hosford of St. Joseph celebrated his 17th anniversary of ordination as a deacon on June 9.
Parish youth are invited to take part in vacation Bible school, hosted by the Norris Ecumenical Association from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. daily Monday through Wednesday, July 22-24. The theme is “Camp Firelight: A Summer Camp Adventure with God.” Rising kindergartners through rising fifth-graders may attend. Register by noon Wednesday, July 17, by contacting Karla Kurtz at St. Francis Episcopal Church at office@stfrancisnorris.org. To volunteer or learn more, contact VBS director Lesa Walker at lbailey323@gmail.com or call or text 865-441-5459.
Five Rivers Deanery
Holy Trinity, Jefferson City
The Knights of Columbus awarded this year’s Ken Schroer Memorial Scholarship to Natalie Arnold of Holy Trinity and Hannah O’Brien of Good Shepherd Parish in Newport. Natalie will be attending the University of Tennessee at Knoxville this fall, and Hannah will be attending UT-Chattanooga.
Parishioners donated school supplies in June and July such as binders, glue, crayons, and backpacks to benefit Appalachian Ministries of the Smokies. Holy Trinity members also set up and served breakfast and did cleanup afterward for Appalachian Ministries of the Smokies Week from July 8-11.
The Council of Catholic Women held a bake sale in the parish life center after Masses on June 15 and 16.
Holy Trinity displayed “Flags on the Hill” at the church for Flag Day on June 14.
Father Andres Cano, in residence at Holy Trinity, celebrated his 15th anniversary of priestly ordination June 13.
Anniversary: David and Linda Budde (45)
Notre Dame, Greeneville
The Fall Festival of Nations committee met July 9 to discuss the annual Notre Dame fundraiser set for Saturday, Sept. 28. Raffle tickets are available for $2 each, which gives purchasers three chances at a $500 prize at the festival, as well as event T-shirts. T-shirt orders must be placed by July 15; see the display in the narthex. Silent-auction items are needed for the festival; call Wanda at 423-470-6906 for more details. Vendor and display booths cost $35 through Sept. 5 and $50 afterward if space is available. Sponsorships are
a visit to the cathedral. The Cathedral of Messina’s bell tower contains the world’s biggest and most complex mechanical and astronomical clock. For those going on the Rome extension, they will visit St. Peter’s Basilica and walk through the holy door for the Jubilee and visit St. Mary Major, St John Lateran, Holy Cross, and the Catacombs. For more information, contact Lisa Morris at 865-567-1245 or lisam@ select-intl.com
Join Glenmary Father Steve Pawelk from June 16-27, 2025, on a pilgrimage to Lourdes and Fatima, including Mount St. Michel, the island considered one of the world’s wonders. The island, one of the top pilgrimage destinations of Christendom through the ages, floats like a mirage with the abbey that dominates the landscape. Pilgrims will visit the beaches of Normandy and the home of St. Thérèse and the basilica in Lisieux. They will visit the Miraculous Medal Chapel and St. Vincent de Paul Chapel in Paris and take a high-speed train to Lourdes, the home of St. Bernadette, celebrating Mass at the grotto where Our Lady appeared to her and join in a candlelight procession. The travelers will go on to Avila, the walled city dedicated to St. Teresa, the great mystic and the first woman named doctor of the Church. They will visit the crypt of La Santa Convent, built on the site of the house where she was born, and La
available at bronze, silver, gold, and platinum levels ($250, $500, $1,000, and $2,000 and up). For more information, call chairman Mark Sweet at 423673-3018 or co-chair Lauren Constant at 828-545-6077.
Notre Dame pastor Father Joseph Kuzhupil, MSFS, thanked Charlie Cronan, Jeff Hollett, Jim McElroy, Dennis Murphy, Rosemary Murphy, Bob Pelletier, John Seehoffer, Jim Williams, and other volunteers who made improvements to the church’s adoration chapel.
St. Anthony of Padua, Mountain City
Father Danny Herman led a liturgical workshop for ministries June 10 for readers; June 11 for extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, including those who bring Communion to the homebound; and June 12 for choir members, catechists, altar servers, and ushers.
St. Anthony Bread in April provided food to 426 Johnson County households with a total of 947 individuals served. In addition to complimentary USDA and donated items it received that month, the ministry purchased food in the amount of $3,619.06 and assisted five families in crisis with $580.79 to help them meet basic needs such as electric and water bills.
St. Elizabeth, Elizabethton
Abundant Life Women’s Ministry, a newly formed group at St. Elizabeth, will meet monthly beginning at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 17. The group met for the first time May 15. Its mission is one of fellowship, spiritual growth, and social action.
Anniversaries celebrated by parishioners include Fran and Rodney Robey (50), Rick and Beth Kortze (40), Tom and Wanda Manning (50), and Dede and Jerry Noyes (60)
Guadalupe Méndez León, the daughter of Julio and Yesenia Méndez, was baptized May 18.
St. Patrick, Morristown
The Knights of Columbus will hold their annual yard sale from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9. Those donating items (no clothing) may drop them off at the parish center from 2 to 4 p.m. July 29 through Aug. 2 and Aug. 5-7 as well as 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 8. To have items picked up, call Dan Pellegrin at 504441-8177 or James Mach at 865-4751999 between July 29 and Aug. 7. All proceeds will benefit local charities.
Anniversaries: Richard and Marilyn Giddish (69), Charles and Diane Johnson (68), Thomas and Laura Dziezyk (56), Paul and Pamela Von Herbulis (54), Manuel and Cecilia Verzosa (30), Pedro RuizMendoza and Susana Millan-Sanchez (5)
Encarnacion Convent, where St. Teresa became a nun and which is home to the most comprehensive museum dedicated to her life. The pilgrims will arrive in Fatima, one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world, which is well-known for the story of the apparition of Our Lady to three shepherd children in 1917, and attend Mass at the basilica. They will stop at the parish church where the visionaries were baptized and other places associated with their young lives. The group will participate in a candlelight and Blessed Sacrament procession. The travelers will go on to Santarem to venerate the Miracle of the Eucharist and continue to Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, one of the most beautiful and historic European cities. They will see Belem Tower, the longest bridge in Europe, and the 300-foot-high statue of Christ the King and the Church of St. Anthony. For more information, contact Lisa Morris at 865-567-1245 or lisam@select-intl. com
Mass in the extraordinary form (“traditional Latin”) is celebrated at noon each Sunday at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville, at 2 p.m. each Sunday and at 6 p.m. most Mondays at St. Mary Church in Johnson City, and at 11:30 a.m. every Sunday at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga. For more information on the extraordinary-form Masses, visit www.Knox LatinMass.net n
Smoky Mountain Deanery
Immaculate Conception, Knoxville
The women’s group hosted a Christ Child baby shower to benefit the Ladies of Charity Mary’s Cradle layette program after all Masses on July 13-14.
The Minnesota Boychoir performed June 26 at IC.
Knights of Columbus Council 645, after each Sunday Mass on June 23, served a hot breakfast featuring pancakes, biscuits, gravy, eggs, bacon, sausage, and more. Proceeds supported the community and parish initiatives of the council.
St. John XXIII, Knoxville
The annual parish picnic was held June 29 at St. Albert the Great Church in Knoxville.
The Catholic Response to Climate Change committee’s June 13 meeting focused on planning for the Season of Creation, which begins Sept. 1 on the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation and continues through Oct. 4, the memorial of St. Francis of Assisi. The St. John XXIII committee is working with the Creation Care committees from All Saints Parish in Knoxville and Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Alcoa on presentations and events, including Season of Creation-themed Masses and other activities and celebratory events. For more information, contact Beth Carroll Hunley at 865-216-1827 or e-mail genrop@aol.com
St. Joseph the Worker, Madisonville
After Barbara Callan recently stepped down following 16 years as its president, the Women’s Group needs a volunteer to lead it starting with the September meeting. To volunteer or learn more, call Mary in the office at 423-442-7273.
A Christmas in July tree in the narthex had nametags of children who need clothes and shoes for their first day of school. Parishioners filled backpacks with the needed items and returned them by July 14.
The Welcome Committee thanked all those who participated in a Bingo Night on June 7. The prizes were plants as well as gift certificates donated by area businesses.
Anniversaries: William and Lenore Marquardt (61), Richard and Linda Gaston (58), Gary and Colleen Bishop (53), Thomas and Regina Piuma (53), John and Susan Reiner (52), Michael and Charlotte Gillig (51), John and Peggy McClure (51), David and Marlene Olako (51), James and Margaret Cummings (50), Larry and Jennifer Zeno (30), Victor and Alejandra Mejia (15) n
Parish notes continued from page B6
Parish and community news
St. Stephen golf tourney raises more than $6,600 Pastor Father Manuel Pérez tees off on the 10th hole to begin the 16th annual St. Stephen Golf Tournament on June 22 at Brainerd Golf Course in Chattanooga. The hot day featured 77 players, with 27 sponsors and 17 volunteers. The tourney raised more than $6,600 for an audiovisual renovation in the large and small halls in the administration building at St. Stephen Church. The winning foursome this year at 14 under par was the team of Jon Reinert, Charlie Morrow, Chris Murphy, and David Lane. All golfers and volunteers were treated to a home-cooked barbecue dinner prepared by parishioners Harry Mackey and Steve Reker.
St. Alphonsus hosts Vocation Story Night
The Diocese of Knoxville Office of Vocations and St. Alphonsus Parish in Crossville hosted a Vocation Story Night on May 15. The evening included adoration, a dinner, and vocation stories from priests, deacons, women religious, and married couples. Pictured (clockwise from top left) are Deacon Greg Larson and wife Linda from St. John Neumann Parish in Farragut, with Dan and Zoeanne Tafolla; Sister Celeste Mary Poche, RSM; youth performing cleanup duties at the event; St. Alphonsus pastor Father Mark Schuster; and Gus and Donna Gocella.
Moms serve at Mass on Mother’s Day St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Madisonville celebrated Mother’s Day weekend May 1112. To honor the women of the parish, pastor Father Julius Abuh invited only mothers to serve at the altar and as readers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, and ushers. One great-grandmother said, “Father, when I was young, girls were not allowed to serve on the altar. What a great joy and privilege it is for me today! I hope we have pictures so that I can share them with my great-grandchildren.” Another mother said, “What an honor to be on the altar with you today, Father Julius! It was not as difficult as I had been thinking!”
COURTESY OF JOHN VANNUCCI
COURTESY OF MARY BEAVERS (2) RENEE
Father Sweeney celebrates 45th anniversary of priestly ordination
Father Michael Sweeney, pastor of Blessed Sacrament in Harriman, St. Ann in Lancing, and St. Christopher in Jamestown, celebrated the 45th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood June 1. Father Sweeney was raised in Harriman, and his ordination took place at his alma mater, Harriman High School.
Notre Dame Parish honors graduating seniors
Notre Dame Parish in Greeneville recognized its graduating high school seniors at the 11 a.m. Mass on May 26. The students processed in wearing cap and gown, sat together, and received a special blessing by their pastor, Father Joseph Kuzhupil, MSFS. A luncheon followed for them and their families in the parish hall, provided by the Council of Catholic Women. The graduates received a gift from the parish and from the Knights of Columbus. The students introduced themselves and spoke of their education plans and career. From left are (front row) Karina Juarez, Yasmin Banegas, Montzerrath Trejo, Lindsey Flores, Natalia Ozbun, Father Kuzhupil, Bianca Juarez, Kevin Alonso, Christopher Fuentes, Ervin Alonso, and Christian Fuentes and (back row) Joselyn Rodriguez, Heiron Santos, Connor Frost, Max Abelson, Andres Vazquez, Emmanuel Lopez, Leonardo Buenrostro, and Riqui Torres.
COURTESY OF SUSAN COLLINS
Golden Grads of Knoxville Catholic High School attend annual brunch Knoxville Catholic High School hosted its annual Golden Grad Brunch, honoring alumni marking their 50th anniversary or more since graduation. The event took place May 4 in the Connor Lobby of the St. Gregory the Great Auditorium. This year, the school welcomed alums from the class of 1974 and earlier. More than 50 Irish alumni returned to campus, eating a brunch, reconnecting with old friends, exploring the new STEM lab, and enjoying a performance by the Irish Arts Theatre Co. The oldest alum was Jean Wedekind of the class of 1943. Also attending were Helen Marie Mabry Connor (’45) and Jerome Salamone (’50).
Eucharistic continued from page B5
tist,” he concluded.
Just before the noon Mass, perpetual pilgrim Charlie McCullough gave a reflection on the pilgrimage at the halfway point of its journey.
Following the Mass, the Serra Club of Greater Chattanooga held a luncheon for the perpetual pilgrims and pilgrimage organizers. During the luncheon, one of the young pilgrims, Noah U’ren, who is a seminarian, spoke about his journey to the priesthood.
Issy Martin-Dye, who was one of the eight permanent pilgrims accompanying the Eucharist through Chattanooga on its way to Indianapolis, said she could think of nothing else that could eclipse the pilgrimage.
“My priest friend, Father Matthew Gossett of Steubenville, Ohio, sent me information on the pilgrimage last November, so I applied for it in November. When I saw this, I thought this looked like the ultimate adventure that I could go on this summer,” Ms. Martin-Dye said.
“In high school, I always wanted to live in a van, so this has just been a really cool fulfillment of my desires. It’s just so cool to get to witness to Jesus in such a unique way because I just love the Eucharist so much. So, getting to literally road trip with Him and follow Him across the country is like the coolest adventure,” she added.
She described the pilgrimage as something out of a scene of the television series “The Chosen” because the pilgrimage’s 10 disciples are following Jesus in the Eucharist across the country.
“You just learn so much through following Him and talking to all of these people and being in all of these different situations. You learn so much about His heart for you and for His people. We can’t not change being in His presence for so long. He is like the sun, you can’t not get burnt,” said Ms. Martin-Dye, a 21-year-old Cleveland, Ohio, native who is a rising senior at Ohio University.
Ms. Martin-Dye, who said she cherishes the friendships she has made on the journey, shared that she has been pleasantly surprised by the large numbers of faithful who have greeted the young pilgrims at the various stops.
And as for challenges along the way, Ms. Martin-Dye said one is fresh in her memory.
“I popped the tire the other week. I ran over some glass. We all take turns driving. But I got to try beef
jerky, so it was a win,” she mused laughing.
Among the friends Ms. MartinDye has made is fellow perpetual pilgrim Shayla Elm, who spoke at the Catholic Media Conference in Atlanta on June 20.
Ms. Elm shared with members of the Catholic media from around the country about becoming a perpetual pilgrim on the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, and she spoke about each diocese she had traveled through at that point along the St. Juan Diego Route.
She concluded her talk to the media members by playing the banjo and singing a song she had written the week before about the pilgrimage and hearing God’s voice. She said that it was her first time writing a song and playing in front of an audience.
Ms. Elm looks forward to arriving in Indianapolis.
“I’m really excited to meet up with all the other routes again [at the Eucharistic Congress], to come together and swap stories at the congress, and just to get to hear how this journey was for them,” she said. “Our young adults are just really hungry for real things. I think we are really hungry for the truth and to weed out the fluff. And I just really believe that we’re seeing— I’m seeing and witnessing—really strong young-adult faith that is going to carry the Church into our next generation. We have young adults that are super alive, on fire, and that’s the way it is supposed to be.”
Traveling from southern Texas to Indiana can be grueling for the group, and it is in those grueling moments when the pilgrims lean on Jesus Christ for strength. They received a much-needed boost from the Holy Spirit through the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration and the Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Ala.
“There have been many moments of ‘I’m exhausted’ and ‘I have only six hours of sleep tonight, and I have to do it all over again tomorrow.’ In those cases, the Lord really has to provide for the days where you’re totally exhausted, and most times, those are the most powerful days,” Ms. Elm said.
“I don’t know if all the routes had this, but our route had this retreat at the Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament, and it was so life-giving for us. You got to be quiet for a few days and just got to process and calm down. It was honestly really rejuvenating for
us to continue on for this second leg of the pilgrimage. Our team was able to discuss how do we want to move forward, how do we keep growing in closeness as a team, not just ride it out but let’s really dive in with one another and bring others into that. Let’s bring others into this family that we’ve created on the road. The halfway point at the shrine was very good for us,” she shared.
Despite the physical demands of the pilgrimage, the pilgrims have been inspired by being able to spend more time with Jesus through the Eucharist.
“I’ve noticed that in my own heart the more time you spend with Jesus the more you become like Him and the more you see others the way He does. Being so close to the Eucharist, so up close and personal with the Eucharist, it changes you, and you become more like the Eucharist. You become more like Him in the way that you reflect to others. I’ve witnessed in my own self more patience, more virtue, more love for others, more openness, more willingness to receive, more docility to the Holy Spirit. It all has been so maximized because we’re spending so much time with Jesus,” Ms. Elm shared.
“I crave that time with Him now, because it’s making me into the best version of myself because I’m becoming like Him. When you’re so up close and personal, you can take on more, because you’re becoming more like Him. And I think others are really attracted to that, too. We get flocked at every procession or every parish event we go to. People are so like, it’s like they’re actually looking at the Apostles. And I’m like, I’m just a little North Dakota girl; I don’t know how I ended up here. But they just want to see Jesus. That’s really what it is. People want to see Jesus, and so they see Him in us. We just get to try and do our best to be like Him,” she added.
Father Pio echoed Ms. Elm’s sentiments. He said except for the holy Eucharist, the pilgrims were greeted by the great unknown as they prepared for the national Emmaus moment. But the pilgrims have come to find out that almost everywhere they have been the turnout has been greater than expected, with some stops having thousands of faithful welcoming them.
“I had very few expectations. We really didn’t know what was coming. But my expectations have far been exceeded by the joy of the
people, the time and preparation they put into getting ready for Jesus, and welcoming the pilgrims has been edifying for me and has been a boost in my faith to see the Church come alive all throughout the United States,” the pilgrimage chaplain said.
“Every second is worth it. Part of the meditation for me has been that its very similar to how the Apostles experienced Christ, where there are thousands of people, large crowds and noise and processions. Then as we’re traveling in the van there is complete silence. It’s almost like Christ is taking us away to teach us in silence, to be with us in silence. There is a contrast between the crowds and the silence, but the continuity of the same Jesus has been a real source of meditation for me on this trip,” he noted.
And just as they’ve been inspired by being present with Jesus in the Eucharist, their inspiration is lifted even higher by meeting the faithful where they live.
“It’s a way to show up for Jesus in the streets. They get to get all suited up in their sneakers and their waters, and they get to walk with Jesus, and they get to bear witness to the world. There have been multiple times where I have seen crowd members talking to bystanders or inviting people to walk with them. It’s just been such a beautiful witness to see that people are hungering to show their faith to the world. Something like eucharistic procession is so unique, and doing it as part of a national eucharistic procession is historical, so all those elements to it have made it like really powerful, and people want to be a part of it. It’s like a movement. They want to be part of this movement,” Ms. Elm said.
“I believe for the future of our Church something like this can only bring grace to the Church, it can only bring grace to each individual who gets to be a part of it, because we’re creating core memories here. We’re creating moments where people get to encounter our Lord, they get to show up for Him, kids are getting to come walk with us, and elderly are walking as best they can. We had a lady who biked—she couldn’t walk, but she was on a tricycle—she was with us in every diocese in Texas. So, we’re giving people a way to love the Lord. I think people are going to want to do that after this pilgrimage,” she concluded. ■ Emily Booker contributed to this report.
