Aug. 4, 2019, ET Catholic, A section

August 4

| 2019

VOL 28 NO 6

IN THIS ISSUE GOOD JOURNEY B1 A9 ATheGREATER A4 AGELESS roots of St. Adults of all ages are confirmed by Bishop Stika at annual Mass

Thérèse of Lisieux RAM clinic

He dwells among us ......................... A2 Parish news ....................................... B4 PRIEST ASSIGNMENTS Diocesan calendar ............................ B5 Columns ............................................. B9 Several parishes around Catholic youth ................................. B10 the Diocese of Knoxville La Cosecha ............................Section C welcome new pastors

Vietnamese Catholic community is established in Chattanooga

By Jim Wogan urther reflecting the continued growth and diversity of the Catholic Church in East Tennessee, Bishop Richard F. Stika has formally established a Public Association of the Faithful for the Vietnamese Catholic community in the Chattanooga area.

The establishment of a Public Association of the Faithful is the first step in the canonical process that one day could lead to the creation of a new parish for the Vietnamese community there.

The announcement was made during a Mass on July 14 at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga. The Mass was celebrated by Father Nick Tran, a native of Vietnam and a priest of the Archdiocese of Hartford, Conn., who arrived in East Tennessee on July 6 to begin serving as chaplain and moderator for the Chattanooga association. Father Colin Blatchford, parochial vicar of the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, also attended.

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Bishop Stika becomes Diocese of Knoxville’s longest- serving bishop

ST. FAUSTINA PUBLIC ASSOCIATION OF THE FAITHFUL

By Jim Wogan

A growing community Father Nick Tran receives the gifts from Vietnamese parishioners during Mass. Assisting is Deacon Sean Smith.

The Mass was attended by 180 Vietnamese Catholics who, until now, have been gathering informally at St. Stephen Church to celebrate Mass in their native language.

“This is the beginning of a wonderful journey for all of you,” Deacon Sean Smith, chancellor of the Diocese of Knoxville, said during the Mass.

It turns out that July 2019 was a memorable month for Bishop Richard F. Stika.

Three days before he celebrated his 62nd birthday on July 4, Bishop Stika reached another significant milestone.

On July 1, he became the longest-serving bishop in the history of the Diocese of Knoxville.

“I am grateful that Pope Benedict XVI, through the Holy Spirit, placed me here more than 10 years ago to serve, in Christ, the faithful of the Diocese of Knoxville,” Bishop Stika said upon learning of this milestone.

The bishop’s tenure as the spiritual leader of the Bishop continued on page A5

Vietnamese continued on page A5

An explosion of grace Communal wedding Mass at Holy Ghost Church unites 14 Latino couples in holy matrimony

From staff reports

Preparing for the big day

“While exploring how to respond to this need, Mr. Cardenas shared that a communal wedding, similar to ones that are celebrated in the Church in Latin American countries, might be the answer. Father Dowling then sought the help of Father John Orr, pastor at St. Mary Church in Athens and former associate pastor at Holy Ghost,” said Blanca Primm, director of Hispanic Ministry for the diocese.

BILL BREWER (2)

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ifts of the Holy Spirit were the ultimate wedding gifts for 14 Diocese of Knoxville couples who exchanged vows at Holy Ghost Church on June 15 in a ceremony to celebrate their full communion with the Catholic Church.

Communal wedding Masses are common in Latin American countries and are being held in dioceses around the country with more frequency.

These Masses are held where funds to cover costs associated with weddings are scarce, which is why the Church offers communal nuptial Masses as a way for couples to restore their sacramental participation and bring God’s blessings and graces into the relationships, according to the diocese’s Office of Hispanic Ministry.

Plans for the June wedding Mass at Holy Ghost began in January when Father John Dowling, who then was the parish pastor, asked couples attending baptismal preparation classes if they were married in the Church.

Most answered that they weren’t due to the lack of financial resources.

Concerned by their answers, Father Dowling discussed the issue with Holy Ghost parishioner Oswaldo Cardenas, who leads baptismal preparation in the parish and is a member of Knights of Columbus Council 16523, and also with Elizabeth Bunker, Holy Ghost director of religious education.

Celebrating the sacrament of marriage Father John Orr presides at the communal wedding Mass for 14 Hispanic couples from the Diocese of Knoxville June 15 at Holy Ghost Church.

“Father Orr agreed to be the celebrant of the communal wedding Mass and to offer a special one-day marriage-preparation session. The session also contained sacramental preparation since many of the couples also received the sacraments of first Communion and confirmation that day. In all, there were seven first Communions and 13 confirmations,” Mrs. Primm added.

Father Dowling offered Holy Ghost Church to the wedding parties at no charge. Many, if not all, churches usually charge a fee for their use by couples getting married. And a wedding reception for the couples was held at a nearby community center, put on by the Office of Hispanic Ministry, Pastoral Juvenil Hispana, and the Holy Ghost community. A team of volunteer photographers and videographers captured the Mass for the couples, and volunteer musicians provided songs for the occasion.

Couples from Guatemala, Nicara-

Hands in marriage Couples exchange vows during the wedding Mass for 14 brides and grooms at Holy Ghost Church. gua, Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, and the United States took part in the wedding Mass, which was celebrated in Spanish by Father Orr.

Mrs. Bunker credited Mr. Cardenas with compiling a list of the couples and providing them with all the inNuptials continued on page A11

He dwells among us

by Bishop Richard F. Stika

Transfiguring icons Christian iconography expresses in images the same Gospel message that Scripture communicates by words Come up the mountain to me!

— Deuteronomy 10:1

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he call of Moses by God to ascend Mount Sinai to enter into closer communion with Him reminds us that prayer, like climbing a mountain, isn’t easy.

But unlike Moses, who ascended the mountain by himself, Jesus leads us up the Mount of Transfiguration “to pray” and to “listen to him” (Luke 9:28, 36), so that we, too, might be transfigured in Him, who is “the light of the world” (John 8:12).

“A picture is worth a thousand words,” as the saying goes. And I think most would agree that whenever we read something, particularly when it is long and complicated, it is easier to understand when it is augmented with good visual aids.

Imagine trying to assemble some of the “put-together” furniture commonly sold today without the benefit of diagrams and pictures in the instruction manuals. Proper images can enhance our understanding of what we read and help to make it easier to remember. And I think this is no less true in the spiritual life.

St. Jerome, a fifth-century doctor of the Church, pointedly reminds us that “ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” So if your diet of sacred Scripture is only what you hear at Mass each week, you might be too tired to climb the daily mountain of prayer so essential to spiritual health and growth. But a beautiful tradition of the Christian East can help moti-

Follow Bishop Richard Stika on Twitter @bishopstika and Facebook for news and events from the diocese. vate our desire to pray and make our reflection upon sacred Scripture more fruitful.

When I pray and read Scripture, I find the use of icons particularly helpful. I was first introduced to icons by my good and longtime friend, Father Jim Swift, rector of Holy Trinity Seminary in Texas. He helped me understand how icons and lectio divina (literally, “divine reading”) can enhance our meditative prayer upon sacred Scripture and the mysteries of our faith. In fact, icons have a special place alongside sacred Scripture as affirmed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “Christian iconography expresses in images the same Gospel message that Scripture communicates by words. Image and word illuminate each other” (n. 1160).

It is helpful here to point out that the words “icon” and “image” mean the same thing. So when Scripture says that we are created in the image of God, it is also correct to say that each of us is a flesh and blood icon of God. This is why what we do to our neighbor we also do to God. Icons help nurture the image of God in us and to bless that image in our neighbor.

Icons are called “the Gospel in line and color,” and as such are more than religious art — they are an encounter with the reality of the mystery they

Icons are called “the Gospel in line and color,” and as such are more than religious art — they are an encounter with the reality of the mystery they depict. This is why the Church so values them above other forms of sacred art. depict. This is why the Church so values them above other forms of sacred art.

Historically, some have thought of icons as “books for the illiterate.” But the truth is they are books that give image to what we read in Scripture and hear proclaimed in the Gospel.

And perhaps for this reason, many feel it is more proper to describe icons as “written” versus painted, and “read” instead of gazed upon. A proper icon, like a beautiful translation of the Bible, can be said to be Scripture made visible.

Icons may appear amateurish by the standards of Western art, particularly with their flat, two-dimensional look and lack of realistic detail. But where secular and religious art tend to draw our eyes and heart into their artistic renderings, icons do the opposite — the mystery depicted enters into us as we open our heart to it. We are not bystanders but participants and sharers in the mysteries of our salvation. Icons are instructive and

lenses that help us to focus on God. As “windows into Heaven,” icons have a purifying effect as well and help us to pray, “A pure heart create for me O God” (Psalm 51:12). We all know the power that certain images can have on our memory, especially when it is a memory of sin. But icons, as windows, expose our memory to the healing and purifying light of Christ. And the more we contemplate icons, the more the dark memories of sin and hurt are bleached out until we see “no one else but Jesus alone” (Matthew 17:8).

It was the Russian writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky who famously declared, “Beauty will save the world.” And who is more beautiful than Christ, who is Beauty itself? Icons, then, are encounters with the divinizing beauty of Christ, who makes “all things new” (Revelation 21:5). That is why I recommend that when you read Scripture and pray, do so with an icon of Christ before you. Among the most common of Christ are those called the Pantocrator (literally, the “Almighty” or “All-powerful”). One variation of this icon that I recommend is that of Christ holding an open book of Scripture, which is simply called “Christ the Teacher,” a very appropriate icon for your prayer and sacred reading.

I would also recommend an icon of the Blessed Mother (Theotokos – the “God-bearer”). A popular icon of her is called “Our Lady of the Sign” in which Mary is shown with arms, Icons continued on page A18

Bishop Stika’s calendar of upcoming events August Prayer Intentions “That families, through their life of prayer and love, become ever more clearly schools of true human growth.”

–– Pope Francis “In the name of our Blessed Mother, who was received body and soul into heaven through her Assumption, which we celebrate this month, we pray for Catholic students everywhere, that the Holy Spirit fill them with the desire to study and learn so that they become faithful leaders and good examples of our Catholic faith in the future. Let us also pray for our teachers, professors, coaches, and administrators, that they recognize the great gift and responsibility that they have in educating and shaping the minds of our young students.”

A2 n AUGUST 4, 2019

–– Bishop Stika

n Aug. 6-8: Knights of Columbus Supreme Convention in Minneapolis n Aug. 20-21: Province meeting in Louisville n Aug. 24: Ministries Day at All Saints Church in Knoxville n Aug. 29: Mass of the Holy Spirit at Knoxville Catholic High School n Sept. 14: 5 p.m., Mass with the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem for the feast of

the Exaltation of the Holy Cross at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus n Sept. 15: 10 a.m., confirmation at the Church of Divine Mercy in Knoxville n Sept. 17: 10 a.m. CDT, Catholic Public Policy Commission meeting n Sept. 17: 11 a.m., Presbyteral Council meeting at the Chancery n Sept. 20: 10:30 a.m., Mass for the diocesan teachers

in-service at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus n Sept. 21: 5:30 p.m. Mass at Holy Spirit Church in Soddy-Daisy for the parish’s 20th anniversary n Sept. 27: 4 p.m., Mass in celebration of Monsignor Bill Gahagan’s jubilee at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus n Sept. 29: 9 a.m., confirmation at St. Joseph Church in Norris ■

Upcoming Virtus training sessions are scheduled

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he Diocese of Knoxville’s program for the protection of children, youth, and vulnerable adults is offered around the diocese.

The seminars are required for parish and school employees and regular volunteers in contact with children and vulnerable adults.

The following training sessions are scheduled throughout the diocese:

www.di o k no x .o rg

n St. Mary Church, Oak Ridge, 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 5 n St. Joseph School, Knoxville, 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 10; 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18 n Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, Chattanooga, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 13 n Our Lady of Fatima Church, Alcoa, 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15 n Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Chattanooga, 6

p.m. Monday, Aug. 19 n St. Dominic School, Kingsport, 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21 n All Saints Church, Knoxville, 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24 n St. Augustine Church, Signal Mountain, 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22 n St. Dominic Church, Kingsport, 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19; 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5■

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AUGUST 4, 2019 n A3

Adults journey from East Tennessee and beyond to confirmation More than 50 of varying ages throughout the Diocese of Knoxville are sealed with the Holy Spirit

By Bill Brewer

BILL BREWER (2)

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hen 53 women and men joined Bishop Richard F. Stika at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on Pentecost Sunday for the annual confirmation Mass, Francisca Adeniran likely traveled the farthest to receive the sacrament.

Yes, she drove up from Cleveland to attend the June 9 Mass, but the St. Thérèse of Lisieux parishioner’s journey to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit began halfway around the world.

Miss Adeniran is a resident of Nigeria who traveled to Cleveland a year ago to attend Lee University.

Her world changed after scoring high enough on the SAT exam to qualify for an academic scholarship, which led to her rather rapid relocation to the United States.

Preparation for confirmation in her home parish had to be put on hold. But during her freshman year of college the desire to be confirmed kept tugging at her.

“I was taking confirmation classes back home,” Miss Adeniran said, referring to her native Africa.

“Now, Mrs. (Brenda) Blevins takes me to church on Sundays and to choir practice. I have taken time off to read what it was all about and to help me determine if it (confirmation) was something I was ready to go through.”

Miss Adeniran met Ms. Blevins through another Nigeria native who attends St. Thérèse of Lisieux.

As Miss Adeniran was tackling her freshman studies toward a pre-med degree in biological science, she decided to pursue confirmation.

Miss Adeniran shared that she discussed her wishes with her mother and grandfather, and they encouraged her to proceed if that was how she was feeling.

“My mom told me to go ahead. So, I followed my instinct. I felt like I was (ready) and decided to go ahead. There really wasn’t anything spiritually or personally stopping me, so I decided to go ahead. It wasn’t pressure from home. It just felt like it was the right thing to do,” she said.

Miss Adeniran took the name of St. Rita as her patron saint, protector, and guide.

“I took her name because of how she lived her life. I felt at peace with her. She pulled through struggles by trusting in God, and she was strong,” she said.

St. Rita wanted to enter a convent as a young girl but was instead placed in an arranged marriage at the age of 12. A tumultuous marriage resulted in her husband’s death at the hands of friends. Years spent praying for the forgiveness of her husband’s killers led young Margherita Lotti to offer that forgiveness and to call on her sons to do the same. Her sons died of a deadly illness.

Now a widow and childless, Rita turned to God for deliverance and after 18 years of marriage she felt called to religious life in the Augustinian convent. After quite a bit of persuading, she was ac-

Sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit Cardinal Justin Rigali and Bishop Richard F. Stika give the sacrament of confirmation during the adult confirmation Mass June 9 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Assisting were Father Richard Armstrong, right, Deacon Fredy Vargas, and Father Martin Gladysz.

There’s one message I ask you to carry with you today as we celebrate Pentecost and confirmation. First of all, this comes from another Scripture, Genesis: we’re all created in the image and in the likeness of God. Right? We all know that. But the point I’m going to connect with that is — I know this for a fact: God never places before us situations, regardless of your age, for us to fail. Why would God want us to fail?

— Bishop Richard F. Stika cepted into the Augustinian convent at age 36.

Miss Adeniran’s surroundings and academic course load helped her identify with St. Rita.

Words delivered by Bishop Stika during the adult confirmation Mass also helped her identify with those who overcome obstacles at a young age to succeed. It was a message a young college student needed to hear so far from home.

“There’s one message I ask you to carry with you today as we celebrate Pentecost and confirmation.

First of all, this comes from another Scripture, Genesis: we’re all created in the image and in the likeness of God. Right? We all know that. But the point I’m going to connect with that is — I know this for a fact: God never places before us situations, regardless of your age, for us to fail. Why would God want us to fail? If we’re created in His image and in His likeness, that His Son, Jesus, died for us. Why would He want us to fail?” Bishop Stika asked the confirmands. “God doesn’t want us to fail. He wants us

Newly confirmed Francisca Adeniran was excited about having her photo taken with Bishop Stika and Cardinal Rigali to send to her family in Africa. to make a difference in the world in which we live.

And that’s why we have Jesus. Jesus taught many things. It takes a while to understand sometimes.

But His teachings are about life and faith. The promises of the Holy Spirit. That’s what we celebrate today.”

It’s a message that Bishop Stika likes to emphasize to all parishioners, but especially younger faithful.

And it resonated with Miss Adeniran, who found comfort and confidence in the bishop’s message from Scripture.

“The bishop saying God doesn’t want us to fail and things are not always going to be perfect, but Confirmation continued on page A8

Pro-life East Tennesseans to mark 40 Days for Life in September Prayer vigil returning to diocese after two-year hiatus; volunteer groups and individuals asked to take part “It puts into action a desire to cooperate with God in the carrying out of His plan for the end of abortion. It draws attention to the evil of abortion through the use of a threepoint program: prayer and fasting, constant vigil, and community outreach,” the organization states.

Mr. Simoneau, who is the diocesan vice chancellor and director of the Office of Justice and Peace, said a decision was made to return the East Tennessee 40 Days for Life to a fall campaign after it had served as a

Archbishop Kurtz requests prayers for cancer treatment Catholic News Service

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rchbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville said he has been diagnosed with bladder and prostate cancer and will undergo an extended treatment plan.

The archbishop made the announcement July 10 in an online post published by The Record, the archdiocesan newspaper.

Archbishop Kurtz, 72, said he had been experiencing “some health issues” in recent months and that the cancer was discovered during a series of medical tests and hospitalizations.

The type of bladder cancer the archbishop has is the most common.

Archbishop Kurtz also said he was grateful for the work of Dr. Dan George, chief oncologist at the Duke Cancer Institute and his team in Durham, N.C. “I feel well, and with the encouragement of Dr. George, I have remained active during this time,” the statement continued. “While the doctor gives me good cause for optimism, there are always

Lenten ministry for several years.

“Everybody has been reinvigorated by Abby Johnson’s story in the movie Unplanned,” Mr. Simoneau said.

Unplanned, based on the book Unplanned: The Dramatic True Story of a Former Planned Parenthood Leader’s Eye-Opening Journey Across the Life Line by Ms. Johnson, was a detailed look inside Planned Parenthood by a former insider.

In April, Ms. Johnson brought her dramatic story to St. Mary Church in

40 Days continued on page A13

From staff reports

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Prayers for healing Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of the Archdiocese of Louisville announced on July 10 that he is being treated for bladder and prostate cancer and is requesting prayers.

“I have received a multitude of blessings, cards, prayers, and good wishes after my announcement of my cancer diagnosis. Thank you so much. It is impossible for me to respond to all of the messages I have received, but I want you to know that these greetings are reaching me, and I am grateful for each one. All of you are in my prayers” — Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz

Archbishop continued on page A14 A4 n AUGUST 4, 2019

Athens, where she was greeted by a sold-out crowd of supporters from many faiths.

Mr. Simoneau explained that the local 40 Days outreach took a hiatus following the 2017 Lenten campaign when diocesan efforts shifted to the dedication of the new Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in March 2018.

He noted that inclement winter weather in the Lenten campaign that affected scheduling of individuals

Lawsuit alleging abuse filed against diocese CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE PHOTO/BOB ROLLER

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fter a two-year absence, 40 Days for Life is returning to the Diocese of Knoxville in September.

The announcement was made by Paul Simoneau and Lisa Morris, who coordinate pro-life activities for the diocese.

According to the national organization, 40 Days for Life is a community-based campaign that takes a determined, peaceful approach to showing local communities the consequences of abortion.

By Bill Brewer

www.di o k no x .o rg

ishop Richard F. Stika issued a letter to clergy and staff of the Diocese of Knoxville on July 19, making them aware of a lawsuit filed by attorneys for Michael Boyd, a resident of Blount County, claiming that Mr. Boyd was a victim of sexual abuse inside the diocese while a student and an altar boy in the early to mid-1990s.

The suit was filed July 18 in Knox County Circuit Court.

The diocese is the only defendant of the lawsuit in which Mr. Boyd alleges he was a victim of physical advances by Monsignor Xavier Mankel, former vicar general of the diocese, and a priest and pastor for 56 years; Bishop Anthony J. O’Connell, bishop of the diocese from 1988-1998; and others.

Both Monsignor Mankel and Bishop O’Connell are deceased.

Monsignor Mankel died in 2017.

Lawsuit continued on page A18 TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C ATH OLI C

Dr. Sedonna Prater named superintendent of diocesan schools Former teacher, principal, director of curriculum and instruction becomes fifth leader of 10-school system

By Bill Brewer

Bishop continued from page A1

Catholic Church in East Tennessee has been highlighted with growth and stability.

Before he arrived in 2009, the Diocese of Knoxville had 45 parish churches, 72 priests, 26 deacons, and 36 men and women religious. There were roughly 58,500 registered Catholics in the diocese.

The seat of the bishop was a parish church that had been used as a cathedral since the establishment of the diocese in 1988.

Just over 10 years after Bishop Stika’s appointment, the Diocese of Knoxville now has 51 parishes and one Catholic mission. There are 85 priests, 78 deacons, and 59 men and women religious serving here. The diocese has nearly 73,000 registered Catholics, a new cathedral, and new parish churches where Catholic missions once existed.

At the direction of Bishop Stika, the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic, a mobile medical clinic serving in mostly rural areas of East Tennessee, began service in 2014.

And the diocese now has 13 men studying for the priesthood.

“The Diocese of Knoxville is very different from where I was ordained as a priest and lived my entire life,” Bishop Stika, a St. Louis native, noted. “It is, at its core, a mission diocese that is vibrant and exudes a spirit that guided the apostles in the early days of the Church. We are still relatively young, and we continue to grow. I am very blessed to be here and I thank God for this gift.”

July 1 marked 3,822 days since Bishop Stika was appointed East Tennessee’s shepherd on Jan. 12, 2009, making him the longestserving bishop in the history of the diocese.

Bishop Stika highlighted the fact that Catholicism has been rapidly growing in Sunbelt states, and East Tennessee is no exception.

“Since day one, 31 years ago, the diocese has continually grown. We started out at 33,000 Catholics in 1988, and now we’re about 72,000plus. It has just been ongoing Vietnamese continued from page A1

“We hope and pray that you will soon be elevated as a Catholic mission and ultimately as a new parish.”

“A lot of people, they are very excited about it,” Thuc Cao, member of the Vietnamese Catholic community in Chattanooga, said. “I really want to introduce the Vietnamese Catholic community to the whole community so that they know us, and they will support us because they know that we exist.”

The new association is named after St. Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C AT HO L I C

STEPHANIE RICHER

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iocese of Knoxville schools will begin the 2019-2020 academic year with a new superintendent and three new principals among its 10 schools.

Dr. Sedonna Prater becomes the diocese’s fifth superintendent with her appointment by Bishop Richard F. Stika in April.

While new to the position, Dr. Prater is no stranger to diocesan schools, having served more than half her 22-year career in Catholic school education.

She taught seventh and eighth grades at Sacred Heart Cathedral School and then was assistant principal for five years before serving as principal there from 2004 to 2013. For the past six years she has been the diocesan schools’ director of curriculum and instruction, serving under superintendent Sister Mary Marta Abbott, RSM, who stepped down in January for health reasons.

As she begins leading Notre Dame High School, Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, and St. Jude School in Chattanooga; Knoxville Catholic High School, Sacred Heart Cathedral School, and St. Joseph School in Knoxville; St. Mary School in Johnson City; St. Dominic School in Kingsport; St. Mary School in Oak Ridge; and St. John Neumann School in Farragut, Dr. Prater said she looks forward to helping each school tell its unique story.

“I really enjoyed working with Sister Mary Marta. I wasn’t thinking of becoming superintendent at that time or leaving the diocese to find a superintendent position,” Dr. Prater said.

“The opportunity of becoming director of curriculum and instruction was exciting and I felt

Looking forward to the new school year Dr. Sedonna Prater will begin the 2019-20 school year as the Diocese of Knoxville’s new superintendent. Dr. Prater is a longtime diocesan educator who most recently served as director of curriculum and instruction for Diocese of Knoxville Schools. very good serving in that role.”

Dr. Prater was uniquely suited to fill the vacant superintendent position because she was earning her Ph.D. in educational leadership and professional practice, which she received in May from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville. She earned her undergraduate and

growth. In the 10 years I’ve been here we’ve started three new parishes, opened a retreat center, built a new cathedral,” he said.

The bishop was quick to point out that what the diocese has accomplished since 2009 builds on what happened during his predecessors’ terms as bishop. He not only is looking at the recent past, he is looking ahead, too.

“A lot of what I’ve been doing in these 10 years is built on the foundation of what I inherited. But it is kind of cool to be the longestserving bishop in the history of the diocese. But we’re a young diocese,” he said.

“As far as my hope for the future for this diocese, we’re looking at how to make our eight grade schools and two high schools even more available to people, especially those in the middle class, in terms of educational opportunity. Also, we’re looking at how to strengthen our Catholic Charities, and we have this mobile medical clinic that has been traveling around the diocese offering totally free medical care, so we want to give that more support,” he added.

Even with a new cathedral, the Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton, the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic, and other advancements, the bishop measures success in terms of the faithful.

“The thing I’m most proud of is getting to know the people, 72,000plus. Any parish I visit now I see familiar faces. We’ve had a number of successful projects, the retreat center and the cathedral, and I think the people believe in our sense of accomplishment. They trust my leadership and know that I’m doing the best that I can. So I’m most proud of that. The mobile medical clinic is also one of those that I’m very proud of.”

Bishop Stika said he continually works to promote the faith to young people and young adults as a way to help advance the Catholic faith.

“I have a personal commitment to get to know the kids, the college

master’s degrees in education from the University of Tennessee.

And she said her on-the-job experience in teaching and administration has prepared her for this new role.

“I feel very humbled and grateful for the Superintendent continued on page A7

students, and the young adults. I try to use social media, although sometimes it gets me in trouble.

I’m on Facebook, I tweet, and I use Instagram. Another way to reach out is by use of the media, and I try to attend a lot of events, especially in the schools. And I try to be approachable.”

As a lifelong Midwesterner who was new to the South when he arrived in East Tennessee in 2009, Bishop Stika is grateful that he has always been welcome in the diocese.

“From day one, I have felt at home.

The people here, Catholic and nonCatholic, have good hearts and open

who inspired a devotion to the Divine Mercy.

“Through its name, the St. Faustina Public Association of the Faithful will connect our Vietnamese community in Chattanooga with our Vietnamese parish in Knoxville named Divine Mercy,” Bishop Richard F. Stika said. “God willing, someday in the near future we will one day have a St. Faustina Parish in Chattanooga.”

The association began celebrating Mass at Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga on Sunday, July 21. ■ w ww.di o k no x .o rg

their lives to other people. Here in East Tennessee we have a great assortment of people from other parts of the country and even parts of the world. I have always felt at home,” he said. “There are a lot of aspects to building up the faith. We’re here to help a lot of people throughout East Tennessee, and we want them to know we’re here to help.”

One shortcoming the bishop admitted to is that in the decade he has served in East Tennessee he has yet to taste grits, a Southern delicacy.

But he has added the color orange to his wardrobe, right behind Cardinals red. ■

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Notre Dame High School

Aug 7 / Paul Gosselin

July 7 / Cindy Brennan

Knoxville Catholic High School

St. Mary School-Oak Ridge

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July 8 / Jamie Rodgers

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Immaculate Conception Church

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Aug 14 / Natalie Martin

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Our Lady of Perpetual Help School

St. Joseph School

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July 15 / Stephanie Myers

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Aug 16 / Bev Haunhorst St. Joseph School

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Aug 17 / Alanna Sininger

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Knoxville Catholic High School

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July 20 / Mom Grabenstein

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Knoxville Catholic High School

Knoxville Catholic High School

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Our Lady of Perpetual Help School

Knoxville Catholic High School

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Our Lady of Perpetual Help School

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Knoxville Catholic High School Knoxville Catholic High School

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St. Thomas the Apostle Church St. Mary School-Oak Ridge

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St. Dominic School

Thank you for your support

This year, calendar sales raised more than $100,000 for tuition assistance for our 10 schools.

A6 n AUGUST 4, 2019

www.di o k no x .o rg

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

Diocesan schools welcome new principals to begin school year

By Bill Brewer he Diocese of Knoxville Office of Catholic Schools will welcome three new principals as the 201920 school year gets underway.

Darlene Lyons is the principal at St. Dominic School in Kingsport, succeeding Tucker Davis, who retired at the end of the 2018-19 school year.

Mrs. Lyons taught at St. Mary School in Johnson City before being named St. Dominic’s leader. With master’s degrees in religion, reading, and education, she was ready to step into administration.

“My goal is to build on this school’s faith and academics. My focus is to help our teachers in any way I can, including with professional development. Anything I can do to help them I also help our students,” Mrs. Lyons said.

The Dante, Va., native attended on occasion St. Dominic Church as a child and feels a special connection with the faith community.

“My faith is very near and dear to me. This is not a job for me. It is my ministry,” she said.

“So my goal also is to help our Mr. Jette students succeed and be their best. I plan to address the whole child, academically, spiritually, socially.”

Paul Jette is the new principal at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Chattanooga. He succeeds Leslie Fox, who retired.

Mr. Jette was principal at Mater Christi School in Burlington, Vt., for four years before retiring. Before that, he was a dean of students at a private school in Massachusetts. He also taught at a school in Cleveland, Tenn.

Superintendent continued from page A5

way God has worked in my life, and these various opportunities to serve have helped prepare me for this role,” Dr. Prater said. “I see myself as a servant leader. I believe that is my calling.”

Her theme shaping the coming year is hope in Christ and her motto is “student-centered, student-focused” because students have always been her primary focus, stemming from her early days as a public school teacher in Middle Tennessee and Lenoir City and continuing through her work in Catholic schools.

“The other guiding practice I’ve tried to follow is transformational leadership. I believe I’m called to serve to bring about change, advancement, and improvement,” she said. “I do see this as a calling and a ministry.”

She wants to continue advancing all 10 schools at the same high level that earned them national accreditation in 2017 by AdvancED, the organization that accredits schools around the United States and the world.

The diocesan schools system educated 3,185 students in pre-K through grade 12 with 392 teachers to conclude the 2017-18 school year, and Dr. Prater considers it part of her mission to continue building on the schools’ successes and advance each one.

“I feel I know all 10 schools very well. I know there is much more to learn, but I’m glad I’ve had the chance to learn the different school communities and their needs,” she said. “My No. 1 goal is promoting our schools and sharing their stories, the unique differences that make them so special.”

Growing enrollment also is a priority.

“A second goal important to me is outreach to all families in the diocese, including our Latino, Vietnamese, and African brothers and sisters to help pull them into our school communities and make them aware of their educational opportunities. I also want to focus on our academic strengths and build on them,” she added.

“If our Catholic schools are going to be truly reflective of our Church, we must have more outTH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C AT HO L I C

COURTESY OF KINGSPORT TIMES-NEWS/RICK WAGNER

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Back to school Darlene Lyons, above, is one of three new principals beginning the 2019-20 school year. Our Lady of Perpetual Help School and Sacred Heart Cathedral School also have new principals.

“God gives everybody gifts, and my gift is working with students. That is what I enjoy,” Mr. Jette said. “I’ve always wanted to work in Catholic Mr. Rodgers schools. I have a lot of experience in running different types of schools.”

As the school year gets underway, Mr. Jette said his main goal is to continue building on OLPH’s solid school community and strong academics, and to also increase enrollment.

He plans to do that by promoting the school’s advantages.

“Like with all Catholic schools, we have to increase enrollment. There are a lot of good people at OLPH, and we must get that out there. We need

to expand our marketing to increase enrollment,” he said.

“I’m working hard at increasing the excitement at our school.”

Mr. Arwood Jake Rodgers joins Sacred Heart Cathedral School as principal after teaching English at Knoxville Catholic High School.

He succeeds Dan Breen.

Mr. Rodgers wants to build on the successes Sacred Heart has made.

“Sacred Heart Cathedral School has a legacy of academic excellence, a team of extraordinary teachers, a rich curriculum, and a dedicated community. My goal as principal is to uphold this legacy and empower teachers

reach,” she continued.

In addition to programs to bolster student and family engagement, Dr. Prater plans to begin an internal leadership academy for educators from across the diocese.

The regiments program will offer leadership training. She also will be working on faith formation with all faculty members.

She hopes new leaders within the diocesan schools can help solve challenges facing the system, which mirror those facing dioceses across the country.

Enrollment, operational vitality, and technology are among those challenges. She described operational vitality as managing the rising cost of education while ensuring faculty members have just and competitive salaries so teaching staffs can be recruited and maintained.

“There are some solutions out there. The wonderful news is in East Tennessee the number of Catholics is growing. And we are blessed to have such a strong commitment

by Bishop Stika and our priests to support our schools,” Dr. Prater said, noting that there are more creative ways of sharing resources and using shared buying power.

“There are ways we can improve operations. We have to function more in a unified manner but still respect the autonomy of each individual school. These unique characteristics are what make each school so special,” she added.

Dr. Prater and her husband, Ron, are members of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

They have three children, daughters Shana Fortenberry and Sienna Prater, and son Saxon, who all went through the diocesan school system.

As the new school year gets underway, Dr. Prater is emphasizing hope in all things education and the importance of developing students’ personal relationships with Christ.

“All of our hope comes from Christ. That virtue is what I’m going with. Hope for our future, our children, and hope that all things are possible through Christ. Hope in Christ brings happiness, optimism, peace, and empathy. These are all qualities we want to imbue

and model for our school communities and the students themselves that they learn, experience, and feel,” she said. “There is a lot to

to invest in our students. It’s a joy to journey with students as they learn to sing in harmony, compose thoughtful arguments, master mathematical concepts, practice the fundamentals of a sport, and learn to see the beauty of a world that, as poet Gerard Manley Hopkins writes, is ‘charged with the grandeur of God.’ We will create a school where students pursue the good and are fully alive to glorify God,” Mr. Rodgers said.

His goal is to see Sacred Heart reach its potential.

“Over the past months, I’ve witnessed our parents, grandparents, staff, and teachers make joyful sacrifices to transform student lives with the gift of excellent, Christ-centered education. It’s exciting to think of the potential this school has to be a benchmark institution in Catholic education. I hope to build on Sacred Heart’s unique heritage; our academic program needs to stay current to help our students cultivate the critical-thinking skills and creativity necessary for success in a global economy and an everchanging world. Above all, we need to stay true to our important mission and purpose: preparing students for a life of service for God.” David Arwood is relatively new to St. Mary School in Johnson City.

He is beginning his second year as principal.

“We believe our school to be a place where we create a faith-filled, learning community that nurtures each child. Our vision statement emphasizes that every child is a gift from God. St. Mary’s School understands parents need support as the primary educators of their children. As such, our school day revolves around prayer and a rigorous academic curriculum,” he said. “Our students’ success demonstrates our love for God and learning.” ■ do and I want to do a lot, but first we must share our schools’ stories and what a gift our schools are in this diocese.” ■

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AUGUST 4, 2019 n A7

Feeding Happy Holler

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All green thumbs Urban farmers with Catholic Charities and the St. Vincent de Paul Society show off their handiwork at the Catholic Charities offices in Knoxville. tributed labor and love. And after a day in the heat moving mulch, placing bins, and planting vegetables, they sprinkled holy

water and holy salt around the garden space. Father John Dowling, then-pastor of Holy Ghost Church, later blessed the garden.

By Emily Booker “Our mission with St. Vincent de Paul is to take care of the poor, to be able to give them a hand up, not necessarily a hand out, and there’s no better community,” said Sean Healy, who helped spearhead the project.

“This is a really nice community, the exposure with Catholic Charities as well as the Pregnancy Center here, and of course, Holy Ghost Church is right next door. It should be a real good opportunity for the homeless or the transients that are moving around,” he added.

The garden includes six large bins where tomatoes, squash, zucchini, peppers, cantaloupes, and herbs have been planted. The St. Vincent de Paul members plan to rotate out crops so there is something available in the garden all year long.

Some members of the comGarden continued on page A17

BILL BREWER (2)

f you build it, they will eat.

That’s the hope for Lisa Healy, executive director of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee, as she looks out at the newly planted community garden at the CCETN administrative office in Knoxville.

The community garden was installed earlier this summer by the St. Vincent de Paul Society conference of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus with the goal of providing free, accessible produce to members of the Happy Holler neighborhood in North Knoxville.

The St. Vincent de Paul conference received help from the Pope Francis Charitable Trust Fund, Mayo Garden Center, SherwinWilliams, Lowe’s, and Tractor Supply Co. in Knoxville and Maryville in obtaining materials for a vegetable garden.

The conference members con-

COURTESY OF CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF EAST TENNESSEE

Catholic Charities of East Tennessee’s community garden yields vegetables for North Knoxville residents

The grace of confirmation Bishop Stika confirmed 53 adults June 9 during the adult confirmation Mass. Assisting was Father Arthur Torres Barona.

Suitable for framing Bishop Stika greets confirmands and confirmands-inwaiting along with their families following the adult confirmation Mass.

Confirmation continued from page A4

God wants us to succeed was very important to me. Also, that the Holy Spirit will guide us and will always be with us was very important,” she said.

For an 18-year-old who is on her own more than 6,200 miles from home, the Holy Spirit’s influence through the bishop’s words let her know her decision to receive the sacrament of confirmation was the right one.

“I felt more assured in God’s plan for me. I felt more confident. God has got your back and it’s going to be fine no matter what challenges arise,” said Miss Adeniran, who has an uncle in Texas and an aunt in New Jersey. The rest of her family is in Nigeria.

Bishop Stika began the confirmation Mass by prayerfully offering his best wishes as the confirmands complete their sacraments of initiation: baptism, the Eucharist, and confirmation.

“This is an important moment in your life,” Bishop Stika said. “This is a great joy, especially on Pentecost, when we really celebrate the beginnings of the Church when the promise of Jesus came upon the apostles, Mary, and whoever else was there. There was the Holy Spirit. They were in that Upper Room, frightened beyond understanding that someone was going to knock on the door, take them away, and crucify them like Jesus.

“They were a Good News bunch.

They relied on Jesus so much, and then He was back from the dead and with them for a while, and then poof, He goes back to heaven. Can you imagine their emotions? The sense of trust they placed in Jesus, and then it was like, ‘Now what are we going to do?’ They forgot about the fact that Jesus had been making promises to them about this mysterious thing, the Paraclete. They didn’t know what that was. I’m sure they trusted Jesus at various levels. But they still didn’t know what that meant. And then it came to them.

“You know what I often think of the proof of the Holy Spirit. You’re here today, 2,000-plus years later, despite all the world’s occurrences all through the centuries. There’s an old adage that the Church will survive despite the best efforts of people within the Church to destroy it. That still continues,” Bishop Stika said.

Bishop Stika highlighted the parts of the Mass, especially the consecration when the priest invokes the Holy Spirit upon the eucharistic bread and A8 n AUGUST 4, 2019

wine during the Eucharistic Prayer as the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ.

The bishop reassured the confirmands that anytime we open our heart to God, He is there for us and will never abandon us, and He always listens to each of us, even when we think God is not listening at all.

Bishop Stika emphasized how appropriate it was to celebrate the confirmation on Pentecost Sunday as each confirmand was sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. And he asked them to renew their baptismal promises.

Bishop Stika reminded the confirmands that we live in a very sophisticated world, which has diminished the presence of Satan and evil. But there is evidence everywhere of the presence of Satan and evil, noting that just recently he visited the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland. He also pointed to the drug cartels that are active around the world. Those show that evil does exist.

He urged the confirmands to develop a relationship with the saint whose name they took at confirmation and to seek his or her guidance.

The bishop confided to the confirmands that he has three saints who he prays to regularly since his confirmation: St. John, who his grandfather is named for, and St. Joseph, who he has a special devotion to, and St. Anthony, the patron saint of lost faith and other lost things.

“As we invoke the Holy Spirit, maybe you’re going to feel different today. Maybe you’re going to feel different tomorrow. All I know is you’ve opened your hearts to God, to Jesus, the Holy Spirit,” he said. “Following Mass when you go out those doors, you will have been touched by the Holy Spirit. I pray that you will keep your relationship with God and honor Him, day by day, moment by moment, and that you know Jesus died for your sins and that through His Holy Spirit you might know in the depths of your heart that God wants you to be the reflection of His son, Jesus and Jesus’ heart, His mind, His face, His feet, but especially the sacred heart of Jesus.”

Following Mass, Bishop Stika explained that the Diocese of Knoxville began celebrating adult confirmation Masses several years ago after situations repeatedly arose, such as in marriage preparation, where individuals were not confirmed and could not take part in the sacrament of holy

matrimony.

“It reminded us that they should be baptized, confirmed, and have had their first holy Communion. It provides an opportunity, and it’s usually on Pentecost, to offer the sacrament in a particular way,” Bishop Stika said, noting that he is pleased with the numbers of adults being confirmed. “This provides an opportunity to celebrate the sacrament with those who have not yet received it.”

Father Richard Armstrong, assistant director of Christian Formation for the diocese who presented the confirmands to Bishop Stika, said the 53 adults confirmed were from 22 parishes throughout the diocese. Bishop Stika and Father Armstrong believe it’s critical for every parishioner in the Diocese of Knoxville to have access to the sacraments.

“The majority of our adult confirmation candidates grew up outside of our diocese. They missed confirmation when they were younger for a variety of reasons. We are very happy to provide the opportunity for them to receive this important but often neglected sacrament. Lowering the age of confirmation in the Diocese of Knoxville will help us ensure that our own

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faithful receive this sacrament,” Father Armstrong said.

Father Armstrong emphasized that as one of the sacraments of initiation, each Catholic should be confirmed in addition to being baptized and receiving first holy Communion to be fully initiated in the Catholic Church.

“Ideally, these three sacraments should be received prior to adolescence, and this is what we have done in the Diocese of Knoxville. The sacrament of confirmation seals the grace of baptism, giving the recipient an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Through this gift of the Holy Spirit, each Christian is conformed more completely to Christ, giving him or her the grace to live the Christian life more fully and faithfully,” he said.

“Today, the grace of confirmation is needed well before adulthood. The current challenges facing our youth are immense. Without God’s help and strength, our youth will not be able to navigate and overcome the temptations they face. The same is true for adults. None of us can live as genuine disciples without God’s help. We should take advantage of every sacramental grace, every help, that we can receive,” he added. ■

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

Doing something for the greater good St. Thérèse of Lisieux parishioner said ‘yes’ to God and organized Cleveland’s RAM clinic

Caring for health More than 500 people received medical care from the Cleveland RAM clinic sponsored by St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish.

It was the 14th year the parish has put on the clinic for people in the community.

CHRISTINA BANKSON/CHRISTINA MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY (2)

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ne night in 2004, Terry Peters was in a car heading back to her Cleveland home with friends after spending a weekend volunteering at her first Remote Area Medical (RAM) event in Knoxville when she felt what she described as a gentle nudge from the Holy Spirit.

She had witnessed so many lessfortunate people whose day was made better by being seen, free of charge, by medical, dental, and vision professionals, many for the first time in years. It was humbling and uplifting at the same time. She felt good to have been a part of it. So, she made a comment that would change her life.

“We should do something like that here in Cleveland,” she heard herself saying. “Plenty of people right here in our area could use some free health care.”

Ms. Peters said her friends in the car, all nurses, began to laugh at her, saying she had no idea what it would take to facilitate something like that in Cleveland.

Could she imagine how much work it would be and what it would take to find that many volunteer medical professionals? And what about logistics? They would need to have a place large enough to hold hundreds of patients; a way to sterilize instruments; they would need to round up doctors, nurses, dentists, and optometrists willing to donate their time and services.

People come from miles around and even several states away, and camp out all night to be examined by medical professionals. Where would they even hold such an event?

Still, even as they dismissed her, Ms. Peters said she sat quietly in the car, listening to her inner voice. At first, she tried to ignore it. Then she reasoned with it.

“I said, ‘Oh no, no, don’t make me go there, it would be so overwhelming, just way too much work to even try,’” Ms. Peters said.

“But as my friends continued to list all the reasons it couldn’t be done, I sat quietly and listened.

For each valid point they made against it, I silently heard the Holy Spirit disagreeing with it. The more they explained how difficult it would be, how we couldn’t possibly ever do something like that here, the louder the Holy Spirit persisted and said, ‘Yes you can.’”

Finally, Ms. Peters, 66, said she could ignore it no longer. She took a leap of faith and said “Yes,” and with that one yes, her “fiat” snowballed, leading to the very first Cleveland/Bradley County RAM clinic in 2005.

The health ministry of her parish, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, has been the lead organizer for the Cleveland/Bradley County RAM clinic ever since. Ms. Peters says that one experience has taught her an important life lesson.

“If you feel called to do something for the greater good, then just say yes to the Lord. He’ll give you what you need to accomplish

JANICE FRITZ-RYKEN

it,” said Ms. Peters, who insists on not taking credit for bringing RAM to Cleveland. “God did it all, I was just the vessel, but only because I said yes.”

Today, except for a few years when she was caring for her ailing elderly parents, Ms. Peters said she has been pleased to be a part of every RAM clinic that comes to Cleveland.

“It’s a lot of work, just as I’d imagined when I first got the notion, but it’s by far the most rewarding work as well,” Ms. Peters said. “To see how many people are helped by this clinic is edifying and it makes us all feel so good to be able to facilitate it. It’s definitely worth all the work.”

Remote Area Medical is a non-

St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic names executive director for operations

By Bill Brewer

S

t. Mary’s Legacy Clinic has named a public health scholar to be its next executive director, who will work with founder and medical director Sister Mariana Koonce, RSM, to continue delivering free medical care to rural East Tennessee.

Brandy Fuesting, who will receive her doctorate in public health from the University of Tennessee this fall, will oversee the day-today operations of the clinic from its offices at the Church of Divine Mercy in West Knoxville.

Mrs. Fuesting joined the clinic in July following an extensive search conducted by Sister Mariana, a physician who also has been serving as executive director.

“I am so excited to have Brandy as the new executive director of the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic. She is exactly who the clinic needs to move forward into the future,” Sister Mariana said.

Mrs. Fuesting and her husband and daughter are parishioners at St. Mary in Oak Ridge, where her daughter attends school.

Her husband is on active duty in the military, but will retire in October. She also worked with the military in sexual violence prevention and response at the Marine Corps headquarters in Quantico, Va. She has a bachelor’s degree from Troy State University in psychology and a minor in business, and a master’s degree in public health from Capella University.

“A lot of my background is in child protective services and social behavioral health. Then I went to work for the military in sexual violence prevention and response,” Mrs. Fuesting said.

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

By Janice Fritz-Ryken

The Fuestings landed in East Tennessee when Maj. Fuesting was assigned as an assistant professor of military science at CarsonNewman University and Lincoln Memorial University as part of the military ROTC program.

To keep the family close together, she applied to the University of Tennessee Department of Public Health and was accepted into the program. And in 2017, she worked for Helen Ross McNabb Center on a grant program for substance abuse treatment.

She was introduced to the Catholic community and became active in St. Mary activities and familiar with the Diocese of Knoxville and the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic.

“When the position at St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic came open, it really seemed like God’s will to continue working with the diocese and the East Tennessee community,” Mrs. Fuesting said.

“We can affect people’s lives in so many ways here. We can help health disparities and education disparities,” she added, noting that her work with Helen Ross McNabb “really drove home” the socioeconomic issues and disparities in income and education in East Tennessee.

She said the Helen Ross McNabb project reminded her of work she did in native Alaska communities, where there was a lack of resources.

“The St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic goes where people need us. We meet them at their levels where they need health care. How far the clinic has come in just over five years is very impressive. And the commitment of the volunteers is

profit provider of mobile health clinics whose mission is to provide free, quality health care to those in need. They do this by delivering free dental, vision, and medical services to underserved and uninsured individuals.

RAM’s corps of more than 135,000 volunteers, including licensed medical, dental, vision, and even veterinarian professionals, have treated more than 785,000 people and 68,000 animals, delivering $135 million worth of free health care since 1985.

The 14th annual event returned to Cleveland the weekend of June 1, and coordinators Jane Hubbard and Sherry Park say that while they had lower than normal paClinic continued on page A16

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SMLC continued on page A14 w ww.di o k no x .o rg

AUGUST 4, 2019 n A9

A lifelong call to service Alive in You Camp inspires nation’s Catholic teens to get involved in service projects — away and at home

A10 n AUGUST 4, 2019

BILL BREWER (3)

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n Mass, readings talk about helping those around us. We are taught to give to those less fortunate and encouraged to be a Good Samaritan.

While serving in the community can be hard to put into practice, it is something most everyone is called to do, especially as Catholics. Catholic youth are no exception.

There is a special opportunity for parish teens to put this teaching into action. For the past 14 summers, Heather and Jim Weir have directed the “Alive in You” service camp and conference for young Catholics.

What began as a relief program following Hurricane Katrina has grown into a camp that serves communities all across the country. “Alive in You” is helping to promote and instill a practical understanding of service in teens who attend the camp. It also encourages them to bring back this enthusiasm for service to their own communities.

“A huge goal is to take the Catholic social teaching aspect of what we do and help them see the bigger picture.

It really inspires them to change and look at how they can help and serve in their own community. As Catholics, it’s a lifelong call to service and to help people in need,” Mr. Weir said.

Students in grades eight through 12 sign up with their parish and join other church groups to learn about the service opportunities in their communities and how to help those in need.

The goal of Alive in You is to “put them in a position where they can learn about their faith, serve the community, and at the same time build their own community as they do work within their parish and at each of our locations,” Mr. Weir said.

“That’s the main goal.”

This summer, Alive in You camps were hosted in Tampa, Fla., Columbia, S.C., St. Louis, Dallas, and twice in Knoxville. The six five-day programs have attracted some 1,500 teens this year. The youth and adult volunteers from each participating church arrive on a Tuesday, and the next three days of camp are devoted

Alive in Christ Bishop Richard F. Stika delivers the homily at one of several Masses Alive in You campers attended at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Hundreds of youth from around the country participated in the two one-week camps.

Lending a hand Left: Participants of all ages in the Alive in You Camp take part in Mass at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Below: Bishop Stika greets some of the colorful campers following Mass at the cathedral. to worship in the morning, service all afternoon around the hosting city, with the teens returning each evening for more fellowship and time to attend Mass and adoration.

Each group is assigned a local business or volunteer organization that benefits residents in the surrounding area. Some groups even assist individuals who might need help with painting, yard work, or other odd jobs around their houses. To wrap up the busy week, teens participate in a conference segment that includes workshops, talks, music, and teambuilding, all of which begins Friday evening and finishes Sunday with the

final Mass.

This was not the Diocese of Knoxville’s first year hosting Alive in You. The camp travels to locations where there is a willingness to host the several hundred young Catholics. Sacred Heart Cathedral School opened its doors to welcome the campers for a

www.di o k no x .o rg

By Alyssa Neuhoff

second consecutive year.

Mandi Whittaker, service work coordinator for the Knoxville camp who has been involved for the past 12 years, said, “Bishop [Stika] has been really, really supportive of Alive in You. Last year we were here only one week and he asked us ‘Hey, can you come back?’”

The bishop celebrated the opening and closing Masses during the two camps at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

For Knoxville’s two camps, Ms. Whittaker organized daylong service projects for each of the 10 church groups that attended, assigning where they would go and who they would help.

She coordinated their visits to places like the Red Cross, Catholic Charities of East Tennessee, Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee, Community Coalition Against Human Trafficking, Knoxville Area Rescue Ministries, Wesley House, The Restoration House of East Tennessee, soup kitchens, adult daycare centers, and anywhere else that could use the help of several hundred energetic teens.

The Daily Living Center in North Knoxville was one of the sites benefiting from the campers’ spirit of service.

The center is one of 26 programs of the Office on Aging within the Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee. All programs within the Office on Aging work to support seniors and help them live happy, healthy lives in their own homes.

The Daily Living Center helps them accomplish that goal by being an adult daycare center where caregivers can drop off the seniors for the day while they go to work and pick them up on the way home. It is open Monday-Friday and is free to qualified residents. There is even a transportation program that can pick up the elderly residents.

Samantha Pohlot, coordinator of retired and senior volunteers for the CAC Office on Aging, said her ofCamp continued on page A13

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A gift and a blessing

“This special wedding was a gift to the couples and their families, and was a blessing to the whole diocese.

The Knights of Columbus also provided an honor guard for the occasion,” Mrs. Primm said.

“As Pope Francis asks us to go out to the peripheries to evangelize, we as a Church community need to reach out to cohabitating couples, many already with children, to help them to restore their access to the living grace that will allow them to strengthen their relationship and live a fuller life with their families. In his apostolic exhortation Familiaris consortio, St. John Paul II addressed the issue of cohabitation: ‘This phenomenon, which is becoming ever more frequent, cannot fail to concern pastors of souls,’” she added.

Andy Chaparro and Corina Cerros, Sacred Heart Cathedral parishioners, were among the couples exchanging vows and the oldest to marry. When asked after their wedding how they felt, they replied “very good now.”

As with the other 13 couples, and many unmarried couples in the Catholic Church, Mr. Chaparro said time and money were the biggest obstacles to getting married in the Church.

“Why didn’t we marry before? For lack of money and for being immersed in so many commitments and not taking the time to stop and plan it. I would have liked a private wedding, but I took too long indeed. Thank goodness she waited for me. We are close to 60. I thought too much about what others might say or think,” Mr. Chaparro said.

He said the wedding was the best, most important thing they have done as a couple, and they are now very happy. “For us, the devil has left our house and now God has entered. I ask for the parishes to continue offering these communal weddings. I would love to see one planned at the cathedral. It is time to forget about what the people think and overcome fear. The most important thing is to receive the sacrament. Many couples need it.”

Mrs. Cerros said she liked the wedding Mass “very much,” even though it took longer than she anticipated to get to the altar rail and once there, the TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C AT HO L I C

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Nuptials continued from page A1

formation and paperwork necessary to make their wedding day happen.

It would be a special day for him and his wife as well.

“For me it was a moment of joy, grace, and happiness,” Mr. Cardenas said. “It was amazing to see my son getting married on my wife’s 50th birthday. We celebrated her birthday this way. It was the best birthday gift for her.”

Mrs. Primm said Mr. Cardenas and fellow parishioners Jose Sandoval, Jose Luis Santiago, and Antonio Dianas were also instrumental in connecting the Hispanic community to the parish office to ensure the couples complied with requirements.

For Mrs. Bunker, the wedding ceremony was spiritually uplifting and emotionally moving.

“We have to take the opportunity to be a vessel of God’s grace so that these people can receive the fullness of the faith. It can bring tears to your eyes, don’t you think?” Mrs. Bunker said.

“Although there were many reasons why the couples decided to get married at this time, it was surely the prompting of the Holy Spirit,” she added. “The most powerful thing was that they were able to receive the Eucharist again; there was a lot of grace that day. It was a moment of wow!”

Mrs. Primm and Brittany Garcia of the diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry (Pastoral Juvenil) were asked to promote the wedding opportunity in the diocese’s Hispanic community.

Since each couple could participate in the Mass only with the authorization of their parish pastor, Marian Christiana, who retired as director of the diocesan Office of Marriage Preparation and Enrichment on July 1, reached out to priests with the specific requirements for the celebration.

Seven couples were from Holy Ghost, three were from the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, and four were from Holy Cross Church in Pigeon Forge.

The wedding party Father John Orr is joined by the brides and grooms who took part in the communal wedding Mass at Holy Ghost Church on June 15. In all, 14 couples exchanged vows during the Mass celebrated by Father Orr.

I now pronounce you Father John Orr presides as one of 14 couples taking part in the communal wedding Mass June 15 at Holy Ghost Church exchanges vows. three-hour Mass took longer than she expected.

“Oh, it was time. It is still hard to believe that I can receive the Eucharist. I say to myself, ‘Is this possible?’

I get nervous, as if a girl who is in love. Andy and I were together for 26 years,” Mrs. Cerros said. “Prior to the wedding I was very nervous. It all happened very soon. Andy came home one day and said, ‘We are getting married!’ I loved that it came from him.”

As with most any wedding, the bride’s dress is an important element.

Each bride was wearing a wedding gown while the grooms were dressed in tuxedos or suits.

And as with many brides, choosing a dress often is far from simple.

“I felt good with what I wore.

Looking for a dress was very exciting. At first I thought I would love a long dress with a train, but later I said to myself that was not the most important detail. I needed something respectful and special for the occasion.

My friends helped me with it as I realized the most important thing was to be there for the wedding. I felt at peace,” Mrs. Cerros said.

The youngest couple to be married at Holy Ghost was Oswaldo Cardenas Jr., 26, and Rebeca Linares, 23. They have an 8-month-old daughter. While already married, the couple desired to exchange their vows within the Church, and the communal wedding Mass offered the right opportunity.

“Although we had been married civilly, we needed to do it before God. I was happy, especially because we are going to give our daughter a good example of how it is to follow God’s Church. She is already baptized,” Mrs. Linares said.

Their daughter also influenced what her mother wore for the occasion.

“We wanted something simple. I put more emphasis on my daughter’s dress because I wanted her to see in

the upcoming years that it was important to us to show that she was present in our wedding,” Mrs. Linares noted.

She said she liked how Father Orr celebrated the wedding Mass, devoting time to each couple at the moment they exchanged their vows.

Mr. Cardenas is overjoyed that he and his wife could share in a wedding Mass, in full communion with the Catholic Church and with his family in attendance.

“At last I was able to receive the Eucharist. There was some time that I hadn’t been able to. It is great to be married before God. I did like the ceremony,” he said, noting that demanding work and school commitments prevented him from marrying within the Church. “My schedule didn’t allow me to participate in the marriage prep. I work as a fireman on the weekends and Monday through Friday.

Also, a few years ago I was studying, and also I had two jobs at the same time.”

Sacramental grace

Mrs. Garcia called the communal wedding Mass “an explosion of grace,” where brides and grooms could celebrate their marriages upon receiving the sacraments of initiation.

“June 15 was, in fact, filled with much grace as 14 couples, that is 28 individuals, entered into the sacrament of holy matrimony at the same hour in the same parish. During their communal nuptial Mass, about half of those brides and grooms received the sacrament of confirmation, and about a quarter of them received the sacrament of first Communion,” Mrs. Garcia said.

“There was so much grace flowing out from the sacraments that day, and I know the heavens surely rejoiced, as did all of us sitting on the pews witnessing such a remarkable afternoon.

People who had not received Communion in years were now able to do

Wedded bliss The Oswaldo Cardenas family poses for a portrait that will mark the special occasion for many years to come. www.di o k no x .o rg

so. Those who had never received Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, tasted Him for the first time, and saw that He is good. Couples that had been together for a couple of decades were now able to look each other in the eye and officially call their beloved ‘my husband’ or ‘my wife,’” she added.

Mrs. Garcia was encouraged that with the major barrier to wedding Masses—finances—removed because the one-day wedding preparation, the church, and the reception were provided at no charge, the couples were free to take part in the sacraments.

In leading the organizing of the communal wedding Mass, Father Dowling and Father Orr shared concerns about the need for more Hispanic parishioners in the diocese to have marriages blessed by the Church.

“I noticed that many of the people who attended the Hispanic Mass were not receiving holy Communion and discovered that many were in irregular living situations. After realizing that many of these people had never been previously married, I decided to ask Father Orr if he would be willing to give pre-marital instruction to a large number of people and see what develops. Of course, Father Orr was happy to do so. And along with several parishioners and diocesan staff, he organized the necessary steps to accomplish our goal,” said Father Dowling, who now is pastor of St. Augustine Parish in Signal Mountain.

Father Dowling said he simply wants to see those who are not living in a married state but have no impediment to marriage to marry in the Church and be able to receive holy Communion at Sunday Masses along with their children.

Asked if he would like to see more communal wedding Masses, Father Dowling said yes and no.

“Yes if that is what must happen to help assist those who, for one reason or another, have not approached the Church about marriage and are aware that receiving Communion is unthinkable given their present situation but may not know how to rectify the situation. No if we can convince Catholics from whatever background to contact the local parish as soon as they have marriage in mind so we can take the necessary time to better prepare for one of the most sacred moments any person can experience.

“Those who attended the communal wedding Mass at Holy Ghost were obviously profoundly impacted.

The entire Mass was celebrated with reverence and joy. Family members and friends were visibly moved to be part of something so significant. The Hispanic community knows how to celebrate community events, especially those that are focused on communal worship,” he said.

Father Orr said the communal wedding Mass was important, not only for the 14 couples involved who received so much grace, but also for the entire Church, “and even the saints in heaven rejoice with the holy angels.”

“Father Dowling wanted to help the Spanish-speaking parishioners of his parish who were living in sin to live lives of grace. We had spoken about reasons why some people were not receiving holy Communion, primarily because of living in sin, as if married, without the grace of the sacrament.

Sometimes the excuse of not having enough money for a party is used to delay marriage. If couples pool their resources they can share expenses for flowers, cake, pictures, etc.,” Father Orr said.

Father Orr explained that the first three bishops of Knoxville have granted faculties to all priests to confirm Catholics who are 18 or older when they have been reconciled to the Church. They must already have been baptized even though they may not have been reared in the Church.

Father Orr further explained that confirmation and first holy Communion are best administered within the context of the Holy Mass. He said the nuptial Mass is ideal for Catholics who marry other Catholics, which is why the sacraments were such a vital part of the communal nuptial Mass.

But he said ecumenical marriages, such as between a Catholic and a nonCatholic Christian, or an inter-religious marriage, such as between a Catholic Nuptials continued on page A12 AUGUST 4, 2019 n A11

Bishop Stika ordains two seminarians to transitional diaconate Deacons Hernandez and Griffith a step closer to priesthood; for a year, father and son will be brothers

DAN MCWILLIAMS

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aired together in their seminary studies over the years, Zachary Griffith and Alex Hernandez entered holy orders at the same time June 15 as Bishop Richard F. Stika ordained them to the transitional diaconate.

The Mass at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus marked the second ordination in two weeks for the Diocese of Knoxville after the bishop ordained Father Mark Schuster to the priesthood the previous Saturday.

“For two weeks in a row the Church of Knoxville, the Catholic Church of East Tennessee, has gathered together to celebrate a very special vocation: a call to ministry, but especially a call to service,” Bishop Stika said in his opening remarks.

Two family members were an important part of the deacon ordination Mass as Bishop Stika remembered Ana Hernandez, Deacon Alex’s late mother, and as the bishop recognized Deacon Don Griffith, a permanent deacon who is the father of Deacon Zachary Griffith.

More than 24 priests and 12 deacons took part in the diocese’s first multiple ordination since four

Brother deacons Bishop Richard F. Stika prays over deacons Zachary Griffith, left, and Alex Hernandez after the prayer of ordination during their ordination to the transitional diaconate at Sacred Heart Cathedral. priests were ordained June 27, 2015. Bishop Stika was joined in concelebrating by Cardinal Justin Rigali, deans Father Ron Franco, CSP, and Father Brent Shelton, and cathedral rector Father David Boettner. Monsignor Edmund Griesedieck represented Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, where the two deacons are studying for the priesthood.

The ordination Mass included a

first reading proclaimed by Deacon Hernandez’s father, Juan. It continued when chancellor Deacon Sean Smith called both deacon candidates forward, and each said “present” to his call. Father Joe Reed, diocesan director of vocations, then recommended the two young men to the bishop for ordination.

“Relying on the help of our Lord God and Savior, Jesus Christ, we choose these, our brothers, Alex

By Dan McWilliams and Zach, for the order of the diaconate,” the bishop said.

In his homily, Bishop Stika said the ordination marked a moment in time but was more than that.

“What we do here at this Cathedral church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a moment, but it extends way beyond that. For this moment we will look to eternity for these my two brothers,” he said.

“For them something will change ontologically, in the very essence of who they are in their soul, as they begin this ministry, as they participate in the ministry of the bishop and bishops who will follow me, as they serve the people of God. “In effect, all priests and deacons in a diocese participate in the ministry of the bishop.”

The choice of deacons, good men of character to assist priests, is an age-old duty in the history of the Catholic Church, the bishop said.

“Just like in the early days of the Church, the apostles were not able to do everything, so they begin to choose people of holiness and virtue,” he said.

The two deacon candidates are enrolled at Bishop Stika’s alma mater.

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Honoring Wedding Traditions

BY BRITANNY GARCIA

The 14 couples who were married June 15 at Holy Ghost Church were from the Hispanic/Latino community, and the communal nuptial Mass was celebrated in Spanish.

The Hispanic/Latino community has very special traditions that are normally included in their wedding celebrations and were part of this wedding Mass, too. n The Arras

The blessing and giving of arras (coins) takes place after the exchange of rings. The husband takes 13 coins in his hands and gives them to his wife, saying “receive these arras as a pledge of God’s blessing and a sign of the good gifts we will share.”

Then the wife does the same, but this time giving the 13 coins to her husband. Although there are several versions of the significance of the number 13 in the giving of arras, most often heard is that the 13 coins represent having one coin per month every year for the family to live on and have their needs met, and the 13th coin is what is meant to be shared with the poor or less fortunate. The symbolism of this tradition represents the promise of the husband and wife to share their goods with one another. It is the symbolic moment to proclaim “What is mine is now also yours.”

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n The Lazo

Another tradition is the blessing and placing of the Lazo (wedding garland, which is usually rope or a large rosary) around the couple. This takes place before the nuptial blessing.

The spouses remain at their place and kneel, and two close friends or family members of the couple place the Lazo over the head of the wife and over the shoulders of the husband, thus symbolizing the bond that now unites them together.

n Presentation of flowers to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Giving flowers to the Virgin Mary is not actually part of the Rite of Marriage as are the Arras and Lazo. But since many couples have a devotion to Mary, this is a tradition widely practiced by many cultural communities in our parishes. This takes place before the final blessing.

The couple will bring a flower (or more often a bouquet of flowers) to the statue of Mary in the church to ask for her intercession and to recognize and honor her on their wedding day as their Heavenly Mother. The Ave Maria is often sung during this moment, as happened during the Holy Ghost communal wedding Mass. The 14 couples went one by one to offer their flowers to La Virgenand to consecrate their new marriage to Our Lady’s maternal care.

n The Reception As with any special life event, a good celebration is sure to follow. After the Holy Ghost communal wedding Mass, a reception was held nearby at the Christenberry Community Center. A team of Holy Ghost parishioners, including some of the parents of the couples getting married, planned the initial details of the reception. Joining in putting on the reception were the Diocese of Knoxville Office of Hispanic Ministry and Pastoral Juvenil Hispana and their leaders, Blanca Primm, Brittany Garcia, and Rocio Gonzalez. This reception not only brought together the 14 couples but also the community, with generous donations of time, talent, and treasure from individuals, companies, ministry groups, parishes, and diocesan offices. It offered food, with an eight-tier cake, dancing, toasts, flower-tossing, a photo booth, speeches, laughter, and plenty of photos. The Office of Hispanic Ministry rented the community center. Osmar Creations Event Center lent the white tablecloths; a parishioner of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus donated the wedding cake; St. John Neumann Church lent tables and chairs; Trader Joe’s donated bouquets of flowers; the Holy Ghost charismatic renewal group, Caminando hacia la Nueva Jerusalén, provided food; Holy Ghost ministry Cristo Rey provided the sound system and music; and Holy Ghost Knights of Columbus Council 16523 members in full regalia were present, as was seminarian Robbie Bauman. ■

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and an unbaptized person, are more properly celebrated outside of holy Mass, with a liturgy of the Word and the Marriage Rite, which includes the statement of intention, exchange of consent or vows, a blessing and exchange of rings, and the nuptial blessing.

Father Orr is encouraged that during the communal wedding Mass God was praised and the participants A12 n AUGUST 4, 2019

were sanctified, that couples resumed living lives of grace, that an example was given to others in similar irregular situations to “get right” with God, the Church, and the state, and that more faithful are living lives pleasing to God, lives of grace.

He encouraged all faithful to be familiar with St. John Paul II’s apostolic exhortation Familiaris consortio and said a potential problem of having a communal wedding Mass for those

who are approaching the altar from an irregular situation is the normalization of irregularity. But he emphasized that St. John Paul II in Familiaris consortio calls for priests to help the irregular become regular.

“Hopefully others will follow the good example of the good people who publicly, liturgically, sacramentally pronounced their holy vows of marriage, either in due course (best practice) or in convalidation. I can imagine

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that this will help future generations in that perhaps a grandfather was convalidated many years after his civil union, a father was convalidated within the first five years of a civil union, so will the grandchild not cohabitate, enter a civil union without the benefit of the grace of the sacrament?” he said. ■ Brittany Garcia, Blanca Primm, and Bill Brewer contributed to this report.

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Bishops Appeal on target for new record in 2019 Parishioners continue their generous support for Diocese of Knoxville’s service organizations and community initiatives

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he annual Bishop’s Appeal, the most crucial source of financial support for the ministries of the Diocese of Knoxville, is heading for a record-setting year in 2019 with commitments of $2.7 million pledged by parishioners from across the diocese.

The record projection is based on statistics reported through May 2019 and reflects stunning growth of financial support for diocesan ministries over the past nine years.

“What parishioners have done by supporting our ministries in recent years is literally off the charts,” Bishop Richard F. Stika said.

“Every January, I request the faithful to please consider all the good work we do as a diocese through Catholic Charities of East Tennessee, in clergy and Christian formation, with youth and young adults, and in our many other ministries like the St. Mary’s medical clinic. I ask for financial support through the Bishop’s Appeal so that we can continue to provide these ministries.

Our parishioners have continued to show the goodness that they have in their hearts. I am extremely grateful for their generosity,” he added.

The $2.7 million in pledges for 2019 is the seventh year of record growth for the appeal over the past nine years.

John Deinhart, director of Stewardship and Strategic Planning for the Diocese of Knoxville, credits a greater awareness and understanding by parishioners of what the Bishop’s Appeal does as contributing factors in the record-setting contribution levels.

“Each year, I hear more and more people who relate to the ministries

that are funded by the appeal. We have so many people who have given so much to support works that no one parish or individual could do alone—like Bishop Stika has often said, ‘We do together what we cannot do alone,’” Mr. Deinhart said.

The 2010 appeal raised $920,600.

Following a redefined strategic effort to communicate the impact of the appeal on ministries, the response by parishioners showed astounding growth from 2011-14.

The 2011 Bishop’s Appeal surpassed $1.2 million. In 2012, contributions increased to nearly $1.6 million. By 2013, the appeal topped $2 million for the first time. In 2014, the appeal set another record when it surpassed $2.3 million.

From 2014-18, the Bishop’s Appeal continued to surpass annual giving of $2 million. The 2018 Bishop’s Appeal reached $2.4 million, a record until this year, when the appeal is projected to reach $2.7 million.

“Another crucial part of the success of the appeal is the support of our pastors and parishes. They

know the good the appeal does, and they have been wonderful in their open support for it and relaying that enthusiasm to the faithful,” Mr. Deinhart added.

While support of the Bishop’s Appeal is easily illustrated by the large numbers, it is more important to realize what those dollars mean to those who are served by diocesan ministries, according to Mr. Deinhart. Since 2012, ministries supported by the Bishop’s Appeal have seen a combined increase of nearly $6.8 million in budgeted funding when compared to funding levels from 2011.

For example, in 2011 Catholic Charities of East Tennessee received $336,600 from the Bishop’s Appeal.

In 2019, the organization is projected to receive $500,000. In effect, Catholic Charities has received almost $1.1 million more than it would have received when compared to funding in 2011.

Funding for seminarian education has quadrupled from $118,972 in 2011 to $495,000 projected this year,

40 Days continued from page A4

and groups to stand in prayerful vigil also was a factor in changing to a fall campaign.

“Lisa and I also decided to scale back the logistics of set-up and teardown of the large signs we have used in the past and instead emphasize a more prayerful approach,” he said.

“Our emphasis is on prayerful gathering, praying for women who are in crisis pregnancies to have a change of heart and for clinic workers, also,” Mr. Simoneau said.

Even though 40 Days for Life was on hiatus, men and women from all faiths continued to make prayerful vigils on the sidewalks in front of the Planned Parenthood facility at the corner of Cherry Street and Washington Avenue in East Knoxville.

Mr. Simoneau and Mrs. Morris said that is where the 40 Days for Life campaign will take place Wednesday, Sept. 25, through Sunday, Nov. 3.

An organizational and sign-up meeting will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 7, at the Chancery.

Mr. Simoneau said one of the unexpected fruits of the Unplanned

Praying for an end to abortion Father Patrick Resen and other pro-life supporters participate in a prayerful vigil outside of Planned Parenthood in East Knoxville. book and film is the growing number of Protestant churches that have expressed interest in taking part in 40 Days for Life after seeing the movie.

He and Mrs. Morris are again seeking parishes, groups, and individuals to sponsor a day for a prayerful vigil in front of Planned Parenthood.

“This is our eighth vigil since 2007,

when the first national 40 Days campaign was held and we participated in it,” Mr. Simoneau said.

“We certainly hope that our prayerful, peaceful, law-abiding presence will encourage women in crisis pregnancies to consider lifeaffirming options,” he added.

Mrs. Morris, president of the Sa-

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fice really doesn’t have a budget for maintenance projects at its facilities, so volunteer help from groups like the Alive In You ministry is very welcome.

“Groups like this make it possible for our services to be free to qualified residents. We have no budget for contractors, so this is an awesome thing these kids are doing,” Ms. Pohlot said.

There were six campers painting the Daily Living Center interior.

Ms. Pohlot said another two dozen campers cleared the lot of an elderly resident, whose residence was overgrown with vegetation. Ms. Pohlot said this resident’s home was in disrepair and work could not be done on much-needed repairs until the overgrowth surrounding the home could be cleared away.

“They are so wonderful and compassionate and hardworking,” Ms. Pohlot said.

The groups from each church liked to stick together, only splitting up when they were larger than needed at each space. And when they returned in the evening, they had time to talk to other groups about their work.

Teen makeover Alive in You campers give the Daily Living Center in Knoxville a fresh coat of paint and perform other jobs to update the facility.

Although the camp ended July 7, the goal of Alive in You is to inspire participating the kids to bring service back to their own community.

“The main thing I love about Alive in You is that everyone feels like they need to go overseas to make a difference. There are people [here], you just have to look for them. They’re really no different than us. It’s just that

some people need a little bit more help. I hope that when they come [to camp], they see that they don’t have to go by plane to a different country [to be of service], that they can just help somebody here,” Ms. Whittaker said.

She pointed out that the campers look forward to visiting different cities and meeting people from other

www.di o k no x .o rg

By Jim Wogan

reflecting an incremental increase of more than $2.9 million.

Youth and young adult program funding has increased from $170,756 in 2011 to $440,000 projected this year, an incremental increase of more than $1.3 million.

The St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic has received $400,000 over the past five years from the Bishop’s Appeal.

“Given the challenges the Church has faced in recent years, I am encouraged that many of our parishioners continue to recognize we are doing the right thing and that the Bishop’s Appeal is actually an extension of who we are as Catholics to provide food and shelter to the vulnerable; to educate our youth, and to support our young adults when they’re tempted to drift from our Catholic faith while living and learning on college campuses; to build our Church through faith formation; to educate our seminarians; and all the other good and worthwhile things that we should be doing as Christians,” Bishop Stika said.

Judging projections for the 2019 Bishop’s Appeal on data released in May is usually a reliable indicator of final results. In five of the past six years, pledge totals from May have predicted within an average of 2 percent of the final amount raised by the Bishop’s Appeal, according to Mr. Deinhart.

Bishop Stika initiated the 2019 Bishop’s Appeal in January.

He called on parishioners to build on the energy and enthusiasm of the 30th anniversary of the diocese in 2018 by joining together as “One Spirit in Christ” to strengthen the ministries the diocese supports in 2019. ■ cred Heart Apostolate, is ready for the return of 40 Days for Life and said others are, too.

“I am thrilled we are starting back up. It is a blessing in so many ways and it couldn’t be at a better time. I have had countless people approach me over the last two years about why we aren’t doing the 40 days and I think the time away has really made people aware of the power of the 40 days and what prayer can do,” she said.

She agrees with Mr. Simoneau on the influence of prayer on the 40 Days vigil.

“Prayer is action and it changes hearts and circumstances, and that is why the focus is prayer. With God all things are possible and He can make all things new. The heartache of abortion touches everyone, and it is important for us to be there in prayer for those going into the clinic, for those coming out, for the workers in the clinic, and the people passing by,” Mrs. Morris said. “To be a witness to the truth in a peaceful, prayerful way, to show God’s love and compassion to help save one life at a time.” ■ states.

“We’ve had people from Wisconsin, Georgia, Florida, Arkansas. The teens get really excited when it’s a new city every year,” she said, noting that bringing together so many people from so many different places is not only exciting, but eye-opening.

“I think the beautiful part of it, too, especially for teenagers, is you don’t realize how big the Catholic Church is. The beautiful thing of coming to camp with other groups is you realize the universality of the Church. It’s always really neat for them to see that they’re part of something bigger.”

Mr. Weir said the biggest goal is that they don’t just say ‘that was a great week at camp,’ they are inspired to seek out needs in their own community.

Mr. Weir and Ms. Whittaker believe exposing the campers to the needs of Knoxville or other cities they visit and working with people they might not have encountered before encourages them to find similar facilities near their homes where they give their time, talent, and hard work.

“The teens are really just inspiring us all,” Ms. Whittaker said. ■ AUGUST 4, 2019 n A13

Knights of Columbus get new look after 79 years Traditional regalia phased out July 1 in favor of blazer, tie, slacks, and beret; swords can stay

By Mickey Conlon/Catholic News Service

CNS PHOTO/KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

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long-standing tradition ends this summer as the Knights of Columbus discard the ceremonial capes and plumed chapeaus of its fourth-degree members.

July 1 marked the end of a 79year era when the Knights changed the ceremonial Color Corps regalia long associated with the fraternal Catholic order. The Color Corps, which acts as an honor guard at religious and civic functions, is distinguishable by its official regalia of tuxedo, cape, chapeau, white gloves, and sword.

The preferred dress for fourthdegree members worldwide will no longer include the cape and chapeau. The new uniform will be a jacket and beret. The ceremonial swords will continue to be part of the uniform.

It’s all part of the Knights’ efforts to attract new members, particularly younger men, said Dan Heffernan, Ontario state deputy for the organization.

The Knights have undertaken extensive research in how to attract new members and have heard one constant from men as to why they won’t join the order.

“If I had to wear that regalia, I wouldn’t join the Knights,” is the refrain Mr. Heffernan said he has heard often.

It was a major point raised in a roundtable in March at the Archdiocese of Toronto chancery when the Knights gathered a group of men to discuss their impressions of the organization. Several men noted the cape and chapeau as drawbacks.

Mr. Heffernan said some misconceptions exist about the uniform.

Now in style Members of the Knights of Columbus are seen in their new uniforms on Aug. 1, 2017, during the international fraternal organization’s 135th annual Supreme Convention in St. Louis. July 1 marked the end of a 79-year era when the Knights change the ceremonial Color Corps regalia long associated with the fraternal Catholic order.

Many believe all Knights must wear the regalia, but it’s only for fourth degree members, “and even then you don’t have to wear the regalia,” he said. “You could become a member, be a fourth degree, and never buy a uniform. ... You’re just not part of the color guard.”

The uniform of the fourth degree has undergone several changes since it was adopted in 1900. But it has remained relatively the same since 1940, consisting of a plumed chapeau, a tuxedo, a cape, and a ceremonial sword. The modernized version will be a blue blazer with the fourth-degree emblem, dark gray slacks, a blue tie, and a black beret.

In 2017, the international Knights’ board of directors unanimously voted to adopt a new

uniform for the fourth degree. The new look debuted at the 135th Supreme Convention in St. Louis that year. The vote came after three years of testing and discussion within the membership. Board members believe it will open the doors to a new generation of Knights.

The move has been met with significant resistance, much of it from Canada, Mr. Heffernan said. That included an online petition that garnered almost 10,000 signatures “to reconsider the consequence of this proposed change and keep the existing regalia of the Fourth Degree Assemblies that the Knights and the rest of the world has come to recognize and love.”

Mr. Heffernan understands and

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just amazing,” she said.

Mrs. Fuesting said she has a strategy for helping the clinic develop more relationships in the community that should benefit its mission and ministry.

“General family practice is decreasing in our rural communities as well as specialties and hospitals.

They’re decreasing and not available in the communities that St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic serves,” Mrs. Fuesting said.

“I would like to increase our partnerships in the community starting with the University of Tennessee.

When new research comes out, it can be hard to access. Academia is always on the cutting edge. I would like to be the bridge between research and practice,” she added.

She noted that bridging that gap is only possible through a strong relationship between the academic community and the practice community.

Welcome aboard Brandy Fuesting joined the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic as executive director in July. She will oversee daily operations for the nonprofit clinic.

“That is a strength I bring that I hope will complement all that Sister Mariana has done. The research background I bring will help us understand how far we've come and help us evaluate our current status

and plan for the future," she said.

As she finishes up her doctorate in public health, she already has started working on building the partnership with UT and professors there with specialties in community

Archbishop continued from page A4

dangers and unexpected issues that can arise during cancer treatment, so I ask for your continued prayers.”

He acknowledged that he would miss opportunities to visit parishes in the coming weeks and pledged to offer prayers for the people of the archdiocese. “Please keep me in yours,” he added.

Archbishop Kurtz is to undergo treatment at the Duke University Cancer Institute in North Carolina and will remain in North Carolina for the duration of his treatment. The archbishop said he will remain in regular contact with Father Martin Linebach, archdiocesan vicar general, and Dr. Brian Reynolds, archdiocesan chancellor, to guarantee that proper pastoral leadership and care is provided within the Archdiocese of Louisville.

Archbishop Kurtz was appointed archbishop of the Archdiocese of Louisville by Pope Benedict XVI on June 12, 2007. He was installed in the Louisville Archdiocese in August 2007 after serving for more than seven years as the bishop of Knoxville.

He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Allentown, Pa., in 1972.

Archbishop Kurtz was apA14 n AUGUST 4, 2019

“Archbishop Kurtz is a good friend and his leadership of the Catholic Church in East Tennessee for eight years helped shape this diocese prior to my arrival. Please pray for Archbishop Kurtz and his team of medical professionals in the weeks and months ahead.”

— Bishop Richard F. Stika pointed the bishop of the Diocese of Knoxville on Oct. 26, 1999, and he was installed on Dec. 8, 1999.

He served as president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops from 2013 to 2016 and has chaired the bishops’ Committee for Religious Liberty.

Bishop Richard F. Stika said he is requesting prayers for Archbishop Kurtz, who disclosed in a letter to fellow bishops July 10 that he has been diagnosed with urothelial carcinoma in his bladder and prostate and will take part in a treatment plan that includes immunotherapy and chemotherapy for at least 12 weeks.

“I am requesting that all of the faithful of the Diocese of Knoxville join me in prayer for Archbishop Kurtz as he begins his treatment for cancer. In addition to being a colleague, Archbishop Kurtz is a good friend, and his leadership of the Catholic Church in East Tennessee for eight years helped shape this dio-

cese prior to my arrival. Please pray for Archbishop Kurtz and his team of medical professionals in the weeks and months ahead,” Bishop Stika said.

In a statement to the Archdiocese of Louisville announcing his illness, Archbishop Kurtz said: “… I would like to share some news about my health . . . Over the past few months, I have had some health issues that have resulted in medical tests and hospitalizations, and I can now confirm the diagnosis and the treatment plan. I have been diagnosed with urothelial carcinoma in my bladder and prostate and will take part in a treatment plan that includes immunotherapy and chemotherapy for at least 12 weeks. I am very grateful to Dr. Dan George, chief oncologist of the Duke University Cancer Institute, and his team, who will administer and oversee this treatment. At the end of the treatment, I will have surgery to have my

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sympathizes with those seeking to keep tradition alive.

“You’re always going to have the diehards who are going to wear the old regalia,” he said. “If I was 80 years old, I’m not going to go out and buy a new uniform.”

The Knights have recognized this, and the old regalia has not been outlawed. Members pushed for a grandfather clause to allow Knights, particularly older members, to continue to wear the old regalia and it was granted, he said.

While there has been resistance, there has also been significant buyin, Mr. Heffernan said. Overall, Knights numbers are stable, even growing worldwide, with almost 2 million members across the globe.

“It’s not holding people back from becoming fourth-degree members,” Mr. Heffernan said.

There are 55,000 Knights in Ontario, with 3,400 being fourth degree. Mr. Heffernan said the mandate is to bring in 2,000 new members this fiscal year, which ends June 30, and they are just shy of attaining that number.

That will keep the membership stable because up to 1,500 members die each year, he said, and others leave for various reasons.

That stability is reflected in demand for the new regalia. Mr. Heffernan said their supplier is having difficulty keeping up with orders, and there is a long waiting period before a member can get the new uniform.

“Even as it is right now,” he explained, “the supplier is making the uniforms as fast as they can, but if you were to order one now it would probably be the fall before you could get one.” ■ health education, epidemiology, and health disparities, with a specialty in East Tennessee.

The mobile clinic, which went into operation in 2014 after being commissioned by Bishop Richard F. Stika, is staffed by more than 70 volunteer physicians, nurses, and community members.

It’s described as a “family doctor’s office on wheels” that provides primary medical care to East Tennesseans who have no access to health care. The clinic provides care for urgent health needs and chronic conditions.

According to it's mission statement, the clinic and its staff "believe in the healing ministry of Jesus Christ and in continuing the legacy of the Sisters of Mercy by providing health care to the poor and medically underserved in the rural areas of East Tennessee.

The clinic makes regular visits to Washburn, Decatur, Crab Orchard, Athens, Rutledge, and Gatlinburg. ■ bladder and prostate removed. . . .

“In order to facilitate this therapy regimen and deal with any side effects, I will remain in North Carolina during the entire length of the treatment. During this time, I will be in regular contact with Father Martin Linebach, vicar general, and Dr. Brian Reynolds, chancellor, in order to ensure that proper pastoral leadership and care is provided within the Archdiocese. I also have been in touch with Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the Papal Nuncio to the United States, and he is supportive of the plan I have developed.

“Needless to say, I will miss the many opportunities I have to visit parishes and talk with so many of you at upcoming events this summer and fall. You will be in my prayers.

Please keep me in yours.”

Bishop Stika requested that everyone in the Diocese of Knoxville join him in prayer for Archbishop Kurtz.

“I am requesting a weekly Mass be celebrated for his restored health in every parish and institution until Nov. 1, as well as to include something in your bulletins and websites with this diagnosis. Also please include him in your Sunday and weekday petitions,” Bishop Stika told diocesan clergy. ■ TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C ATH OLI C

Diocese of Orange dedicates Christ Cathedral

T

im Strader believes Christ Cathedral of the Diocese of Orange “will become the most important Catholic cathedral in the United States, other than St. Patrick’s” in New York.

Mr. Strader, with his wife, Susan, led the fundraising campaign to finance the sanctuary of the cathedral in Garden Grove, Calif.

They were among some 800 diocesan leaders and donors gathered in mid-July to celebrate the results of years of planning, generous philanthropy, and hard work as the transformation of Christ Cathedral unfolded.

The structure was once called the Crystal Cathedral and was the centerpiece of the ministries of the late Rev. Robert Schuller. The Orange Diocese bought the cathedral about nine years ago for $57.5 million and undertook a multimillion dollar renovation of it and its related buildings, all situated in a campuslike setting.

“We have 35 acres, and we have the notoriety from the Schuller years — he had an international following — and we have so many people who come here now,” Mr. Strader remarked.

Christ Cathedral currently serves more than 11,000 Mass attendees every weekend.

“And we’re ecumenical,” Strader continued. “We welcome all faiths.

So tonight we can finally see that our new cathedral has become a reality.”

The celebration gala came ahead of the July 17 dedication of Christ Cathedral. Following a reception on the campus’ South Plaza, attendees filed into the cathedral, where many got a first look at the completely renovated landmark.

Following opening remarks by Father Christopher Smith, Christ Cathedral’s rector and episcopal vicar, a 15-minute video displayed on three huge high-definition screens featured heartfelt thoughts from Mr. Strader and Father Smith and others, including John Romeri, director of music ministries; Sister Kit Gray, a Sister of St. Joseph of Orange, who is director of mission integration and ongoing formation; and Tony Jennison, the Orange Catholic Foundation’s vice president of philanthropy.

Stunning images of the cathedral and its surrounding campus were showcased throughout the video.

CNS PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER (2)

Former Crystal Cathedral was centerpiece of Rev. Schuller ministries, now is a center for Southern California Catholics

Turning Crystal into Christ The Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove, Calif., in the Diocese of Orange is seen in a July 8 photo. The cathedral has 11,236 glass window panes The evening included performances by world-renowned singers Jackie Evancho and Chris Mann, both backed by the Pacific Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Albert-George Schram.

Ms. Evancho opened with “Some Enchanted Evening,” followed by “Think of Me.” She later performed “How Great Thou Art” and “Ave Maria,” among other songs. Mr. Mann’s selections included “You Raise Me Up” and “Music of the Night,” which he performed during “The Phantom of the Opera’s 25th Anniversary Tour.”

During his closing remarks, Orange Bishop Kevin W. Vann thanked the work of his predecessor, now-retired Bishop Tod D. Brown, who was in attendance.

The gala to honor the new Christ

Cathedral, and all those who were behind the huge project raised close to $1.75 million to help support the cathedral campus operations and its numerous programs, outreach, and ministries.

During the evening Father Al Baca, director of the diocese’s Office for Evangelization and Faith Formation, reflected on a conversation he had in the 1990s.

“I knew Dr. Schuller,” he told the Orange County Catholic, the diocesan news outlet. “One day, while I walked him out as he was leaving an event at Holy Family Cathedral, he told me, ‘You know, I can foresee my cathedral becoming a Catholic cathedral someday.’”

On the eve of the dedication Mass, 10 relics of saints and martyrs were venerated during an

Ready for Mass An interior view taken July 8 inside the Christ Cathedral in the Diocese of Orange in Garden Grove, Calif.

Catholic News Service

evening of prayer and vigil, with Orange Auxiliary Bishop Timothy E. Freyer delivering the homily.

According to Lesa Truxaw, director of the diocese’s Office for Worship, it was the last time the faithful could venerate these relics up close before they would be interred beneath the cathedral altar the next day.

In his homily Bishop Freyer spoke of Rev. Schuller’s commitment to building a “place for Christ forever.” Bishop Freyer recounted the acquisition of the cathedral campus and how this man of God had urged the bankruptcy judge to allow the Diocese of Orange, who was not the highest bidder, to acquire the property.

About 44 bishops from all over the country and around the world attended the service. Among them were Cardinal William J. Levada, a former archbishop of San Francisco and retired Vatican official, and Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, retired archbishop of Los Angeles, as well as Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles.

After the prayer service, four different cultural groups led attendees in prayer in their native language.

They started with a song and then sang the Litany of Saints. During this time the relics were brought in procession by the various cultural communities.

Christ Cathedral became the new seat of the bishop of the Diocese of Orange and a sign of unity of the diocese’s 62 parishes at the July 17 Mass of dedication, attended by 3,000 people, including cardinals, bishops, deacons, and priests from all over the world (the cathedral seats 2,200, so worshipers filled the overflow areas).

The four-hour Mass included the sprinkling of the cathedral with holy water, the anointing of the altar and church walls with holy oil, the interring of the 10 holy relics in the reliquary beneath the altar, the first joint homily delivered by Bishop Vann and Father Smith, and finally the first celebration of the first Eucharist in the cathedral.

A Mass of thanksgiving was celebrated in Christ Cathedral the evening of July 18, again attended by a huge crowd. More than 2,000 people were present for the Mass, which featured a homily by Orange Auxiliary Bishop Thanh Thai Nguyen. ■

Uber evangelist Nashville deacon believes God called him to be a ride-hailing driver with a ministry

By Christie McCullough/Catholic News Service

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

CNS PHOTO/ANDY TELLI-TENNESSEE REGISTER

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ice president of human resources, real estate agent, and hospital chaplain are all part of Deacon Paul Brancheau’s resume. But his current job as a ride-hailing driver has arguably garnered the most attention from his fellow deacons and parishioners at St. Philip Church in Franklin, Tenn., where he serves.

His pastor, Franciscan Father Marneni Bala Showriah, calls him “the Uber evangelist.”

Although his current job may seem like a large departure from his other work, Deacon Brancheau believes God arranged his previous employment history as a way of preparing him to be a ride-hailing driver.

“I attribute everything to Him. I look back on my career and see I made mistakes. But now I see how it all came together and all part of the purpose and plan He had,” Deacon Brancheau said. “I’ve had people get in my car concerned about their jobs, and I discussed with them their options and helped them make plans.

I’ve had people get in my car, not knowing their religious affiliation, but knowing they needed me to just tell them to just pray.”

That ended up being the advice he gave one customer.

“I picked up this guy ... from Chicago. He’d never been married, never had a close girlfriend. And he was in town for something and he met this girl and he started telling

Mobile ministry Deacon Paul Brancheau of St. Philip Church in Franklin, Tenn., pictured in an April 16 photo, uses his part-time job as an Uber driver as an opportunity to evangelize about the Catholic faith. me, ‘I’ve never felt like this before.

It’s only been four days, and I can’t believe it,’” Deacon Brancheau said.

“But she had all of the sudden been hospitalized. And he didn’t know what to do. ... Then I just asked him if he knew how to pray.

He said, ‘No,’ he had never prayed.

And I said, ‘Well, you know how to talk to people, right?’ He said yes.

Then I said, ‘Well then, talk to God. Tell him what’s on your mind,’” he said.

The deacon said the rider was “looking for advice so I went on and told him that since he felt so much for this girl ... he should keep

in touch with her and let her know that he was praying for her,” Deacon Brancheau said. “I finished up and he said, ‘I don’t know how this happened, but it was meant to be.’”

While this Uber driver turned life coach most often deals with people looking for a listening ear or advice, there are times where Deacon Brancheau has even given fallen-away Catholics directives they’d rather not hear.

He said when one passenger mentioned he was Catholic, “I took that as my chance to tell him that I was a deacon in the Catholic Church.

He quickly clarified that he wasn’t a

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good, practicing Catholic. So, we got to talking. ... We talked about church and things like that. And as he got out of the car, I pointed at him and said, ‘Get back to church.’”

The deacon has also ended up chauffeuring a large number of bachelorette parties around the city and giving some marriage advice along the way based on his 49 years of marriage.

He advises riders to take time to get to know the person they are marrying, make God a part of the marriage, and never go to bed angry.

The driver credits the volume of faith-based interactions he has had to his willingness to allow the Holy Spirit to arrange his appointments and guide the words he shares.

“You’ve got to learn that all you’re doing is dropping a seed, and that’s all you can do. That’s all evangelization is, planting a seed.”

Sometimes those seeds even come by way of his silence.

“I know when to keep my mouth shut,” he said. “If someone gets in my car and doesn’t want to say anything, that’s fine. I often times just listen. Sometimes that’s all of the ministry that someone needs.”

Evangelization is a job for anyone, Deacon Brancheau said. “Just start where you are. You may not know all of the answers. But, that’s OK. You don’t have to know all of the answers. Just start where you are and go from there.” ■ AUGUST 4, 2019 n A15

Ladies of Charity host RAM clinic at North Knoxville facility

By Bill Brewer emote Area Medical, which is headquartered in the Rockford community between Maryville and Knoxville, serves patients in its own front yard as well as in communities across the country and in neighboring countries.

For the third consecutive year, RAM held a free clinic at the Ladies of Charity facility in Knoxville that provided dental and vision services to more than 250 people served by the Ladies of Charity in Knoxville’s center city.

The Ladies of Charity RAM clinic does not offer medical services.

In 2019, Remote Area Medical has conducted or will conduct free clinics in 12 Tennessee communities, eight of them in East Tennessee.

Susan Unbehaun, executive director of the Ladies of Charity in Knoxville, said the RAM clinic is attracting more patients and volunteers each year. The Ladies of Charity wants Remote Area Medical to be an annual service it provides.

BILL BREWER

R

Visual acuity A patient at the Ladies of Charity RAM clinic in Knoxville receives treatment from a volunteer eye specialist.

“We more than doubled our volunteers from previous years. Services grew 8 percent with patients. The value of services was 32 percent higher than in 2017 at $113,636, which ac-

counts for 96 percent of the patients.

We had 257 patients, of which 118 received glasses,” Mrs. Unbehaun said, noting that 96 percent of the people treated at the RAM clinic were adults.

tient care that required doctors this year, the clinic still saw 545 patients and delivered $317,811 worth of services. Ms. Hubbard said there was a slightly higher demand for dental and vision care this year.

“Not too bad for a small band of ecumenical and civic-minded folks,” laughed Ms. Hubbard, who said she has watched the clinics attract increasing crowds through the years.

By being open to the public and not requiring identification or payment, the RAM clinics draw people from several neighboring states each year.

This year was no exception. Robert Adams, 53, probably came the farthest, traveling from Detroit to have his teeth worked on.

“It was worth the 10-hour drive to have my teeth fixed,” he said.

“I was quoted $22,000 by a local dentist for what I need to have done. I lost my ability to work after I nearly died in a really bad car wreck several years ago, and now I am older and underemployed and pretty much all of my teeth have all gone bad.”

Sitting in line with Mr. Adams was Flonnie Blaker, who drove in from Blue Ridge, Ga., the night before and waited out the night in the school parking lot, where she saw hundreds of people already camped out. Ms. Baker was eager to get what she called “much needed dental work” done.

“I’ve been putting a lot off for years, I can’t wait to get in. I’m grateful it’s not as humid as it’s been and that it didn’t rain,” she said, pointing out that the mood on the grounds of Cleveland High School was friendly and relaxed.

“People are usually calm and friendly. We all know there will be lines, but people appreciate the services, and everyone just finds a way to make it go by while we wait. Sometimes we even share our stories and help each other out as our kids need help,” she said as she helped hold the newborn baby of another mom who was waiting for a mammogram as she changed her older toddler into cooler clothes. “Everyone here helps each other out. It’s been nice.”

For dental instructor Sonya Sims of Chattanooga State Community College, RAM clinics teach more than just dental training for her students. Ms. Sims said those students get practical, hands-on experience doing extractions and fillings, but they also learn other valuable life lessons when they volunteer.

“They get the actual experience of working on teeth, of course, which is always great, but it’s the one-on-one with these patients and hearing the stories of people who may not have been able to care for their teeth as well as us. It’s humbling and it teaches these future dentists to have compassion, as well. I want them to learn their stories,” Ms. Sims said.

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Clinic continued from page A9

Works of healing The RAM clinic sponsored by St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish in Cleveland treated 545 patients and delivered $317,811 in services.

One such story was that of lifelong Cleveland resident Linda Durham, 57, who is a pool cleaner and lives off her Social Security insurance. Ms. Durham, who pointed out that she went to Cleveland High School, said laughing, “I never thought I’d be walking through these doors again, it’s been years and years.”

Ms. Durham told Ms. Sims that although she had saved enough money to buy dentures, she needed to have eight teeth pulled, but she just couldn’t afford all those extractions.

“She’d been carrying around those new dentures for months, in a baggie,” Ms. Sims said. “It’s humbling, to say the least.”

But for Ms. Durham, waiting for hours to be treated at the clinic is worth it; she’ll be leaving the clinic with a new smile.

“I worked really hard to save up this money for my dentures and I’m so excited that I’ll finally be able to wear them. I walked in carrying these dentures in this plastic sandwich bag, and tonight I’ll walk out of here with my brandnew smile,” she said, adding that her children and grandchildren were waiting for her to come home wearing her new dentures.

“They’re all so excited to see my real smile. I’m always trying to hide my teeth,” she explained. “I’ll have to get used to really smiling again.”

Ms. Durham said knowing the RAM clinic returns each spring is like having insurance. She likely will be back next year if she needs any vision, medical, or dental services.

“It’s so nice to know I can come back again next year if I need to; everyone here’s been so nice and I felt like I was welcome,” she said.

If she returns, she won’t be alone. Rhesa Phillips from Allons, Tenn., said this was the seventh year in a row that either she or family members have returned to Cleveland to get much-needed medical, dental, or vision care from the RAM clinic.

“It’s a godsend to be able to come down here for things we’d usually have to pay hundreds of dollars for, if not much more than that,” Ms. Phillips said. “Whoever started the clinic, well, he or she

must be heaven-sent.”

That person who was “heavensent” was Stan Brock, a pioneer bush and transport pilot with ties to Tennessee who is probably best known as the co-host of NBC’s Emmy-winning series, Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, one of the most watched television shows in the country in the late 1960s, with more than 32 million weekly viewers.

In 1985, he founded Remote Area Medical after seeing such a need while traveling the world.

He continued to serve, without compensation, as RAM’s founder and president until his passing last year. Because of his work with RAM, Mr. Brock has been recognized as a pioneer in bringing free health care to people in need.

Mr. Brock was instrumental in the passage of the Tennessee Volunteer Health Care Services Act of 1995, which allows health professionals with out-of-state licenses to cross state lines and provide free care. He was recognized as a CNN Hero in 2012, and most recently, in 2017, he joined the ranks of other prominent leaders like President Jimmy Carter and Mother Teresa when the Lions Club International Foundation recognized him with the Lions International Humanitarian Award.

RAM’s work has been covered by national and international news media including 60 Minutes on CBS, Nightline on ABC, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Time magazine, The Guardian, and The Times of London.

Mr. Brock passed away at the age of 82 in Rockford, Tenn., where RAM is based, on Aug. 29, 2018, after dedicating 33 years to his beloved organization.

The Cleveland RAM Clinics are usually held at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church in Cleveland, but this year the venue was changed to Cleveland High School. St. Thérèse’s health ministry continued to organize the RAM clinic.

Father Mike Nolan, pastor of St. Thérèse, said that although Mr. Brock is gone, his spirit lives on in so many of the St. Thérèse parishioners who work tirelessly to bring the RAM clinic back to Cleveland each year.

“I’m so happy there are people

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A team of volunteer dentists and dental assistants set up examination stations in the upstairs meeting area of the Ladies of Charity building while a team of eye doctors set up treatment stations in the downstairs distribution center. A mobile vision van was parked just outside the Ladies of Charity building to make eyeglasses on site for patients.

Members of Knights of Columbus Council 16523 at Holy Ghost Church prepared breakfast and lunch meals for the RAM clinic volunteers and patients.

“I had so many patients come up to me and thank me for the services we provide. This is the only time that they can receive dental and vision help,” Mrs. Unbehaun said.

“This day involved so many volunteers: the professional clinical staff of dentists and optometrists and their assistants, the Lions Club volunteers, and the Holy Ghost Knights of Columbus, our sponsors, and all the volunteers who helped make this event a success.” ■ here at our parish who truly heeded God’s call and who understood God’s command that we love one another and who don’t mind putting in the work it takes to bring this to our community,” Father Nolan said.

“These are corporal works of mercy that are badly needed and greatly appreciated by those who are here to receive them,” he noted, adding the words of St. Thérèse, patroness of his parish.

“St. Thérèse said, ‘Holiness consists simply in doing God’s will and being just what God wants us to be.’ And what He wants us to be is to be there for those in need, in whatever capacity. This annual clinic definitely fills a huge need here in Cleveland,” Father Nolan said.

He added that Pope Francis recently said “the Church is not a sanctuary for saints, it’s a hospital for sinners,” and that we are all called in various ways to minister to those in need.

Many St. Thérèse parishioners took part, doing everything from facilitating crowds, helping with intake of patients and paperwork, to cooking for and serving the many medical volunteers. Knights of Columbus Ladies’ Auxiliary members were on hand as well.

The good that comes from being served at RAM clinics seems to spark a desire in former patients to serve others in the same manner.

Cleveland resident and St. Thérèse health ministry facilitator Sherry Park said many doctors, dentists, and optometrists are very passionate about working in the RAM clinics.

“Even those who are retired will still donate their time and resources to come help out, and we also have many former patients who like to return and volunteer as a way of giving back,” Ms. Park said.

One such man is Robert Drayton Brown of Valley View, Tenn., who was a patient in a dentist chair at a Cleveland RAM Clinic more than eight years ago.

“I was in a whole mess of pain, and I heard about RAM clinic in Cleveland. I waited for many hours in some very hot weather, and that day I had several teeth pulled, but the terrible pain went away immediately and I was so grateful. It was such a blessing,” Mr. Brown said.

But Mr. Brown said he was raised to work for what he gets and that he believes in giving back to his community. So he now comes back to volunteer at the clinic every year. In June, he brought his dog, Buster Brown, along as a service dog.

“My folks taught me that you should always give back to your community. I don’t have much money, but what I do have is time, so whatever they need, I’m always happy to give back to this clinic.

You’ll see Buster and I back here working the crowds again next year,” he said. ■ TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C ATH OLI C

EMILY BOOKER

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munity have already expressed interest in helping maintain the garden.

A grand-opening cookout for the garden was held July 19, and St. Vincent de Paul members cooked hot dogs for anyone in the neighborhood who came by.

Of course, fresh produce straight from the garden was available, too.

Mrs. Healy opened the event by thanking “all our friends in the blue shirts, St. Vincent de Paul, who made this possible. They came in and put this beautiful garden in, and it’s just bountiful at producing wonderful fruit, just like our mission to be God’s grace is bountiful in the community and produces great fruit in our works. Enjoy!”

Residents from Samaritan Place and Horizon House, both operated by Catholic Charities in Knoxville, also attended the opening cookout.

Dr. Bob Capps, president of

Fruit of the vine The urban garden behind Catholic Charities of East Tennessee’s offices is yielding vegetables and fruit for residents in the North Knoxville community. the St. Vincent de Paul conference at Sacred Heart Cathedral, was pleased by the turnout at the grand opening and is hope-

ful that the garden will bless the community for a long time.

“We had a wonderful turnout of neighbors around the Catho-

“They have studied at Kenrick—a place where I went to school—all kinds of things: theology, canon law, homiletics, and counseling,” the bishop said. “They have been reviewed and prodded and checked for these years in the seminary.

They, too, have come to a point where they have to ask whether or not they will say yes when their name is called, the ‘present’ that we just witnessed.”

The job of a deacon “is a noble task because it is of service,” Bishop Stika said. “To assist a priest in sacramental moments of the days of the Church, to assist the bishop in my ministry or those who follow, but especially to be of service to the people of God: you. Many have traveled to be with them today. You represent the Catholic Church of East Tennessee. Many of you claim to be friends. Maybe you knew them when they were in their diapers. You’ve watched them grow up and mature, hopefully, and here they are today. I’m particularly mindful of the families of Alex and Zach, families who have brought them together, because the first seminary is the family.

“My Mass intention today is for the mother of Alex, who was called home to God a few years ago after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.”

The bishop laid out the duties for a deacon.

“You are to care for the people of God: in your preaching—keep it under 15 minutes—in your counseling, in your baptizing, in assisting with families who mourn the loss of a loved one, to marry them, to assist the community, the distribution of the most holy body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Even in the simplest moments of raising the chalice at Mass, you are connected to the Eucharist and inviting people to make that sign of faith.”

That is not all a deacon has to do, the bishop said.

“Today also you will pledge to pray for the Church, by celebrating the Liturgy of the Hours, the official prayer of the Church.”

Bishop Stika said the new deacons “will pledge celibacy, so often misunderstood in this day and age when everyone believes that they should be free to do what they wish. . . . I often laugh that a lot of times in our day and age people believe that to be free means to be countercultural, and yet what is more countercultural than to pledge your life to the Church?”

One aspect of the ordination appeals to Bishop Stika.

“My favorite part of the ordination ceremony is when I ask them this question: Do you promise respect and obedience to me and to my successors? I love that part.”

The bishop spoke of what would follow the homily, including the Litany of the Saints, when both candidates prostrate themselves before the altar; the laying on of hands and the prayer of ordination; TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C AT HO L I C

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Deacons continued from page A12

Brothers in faith Deacons Alex Hernandez, left, and Zachary Griffith prepare the altar during their ordination Mass June 15 at Sacred Heart Cathedral.

“It’s very humbling for me to celebrate this day in which I call my son brother, and may God be willing next year to call my son Father.”

— Deacon Don Griffith, referring to his son, Deacon Zach Griffith the vesting of each new deacon; and the new deacons assisting at Mass.

“The Litany of the Saints will be sung. And during that time as they lay down before the altar of God, they give themselves to the Church,” Bishop Stika said. “It’s a symbolic act of death and resurrection, of abandonment to God and to the people they are called to serve.

We join with them in prayer by invoking the saints, many of whom are contained in the dome of this cathedral: all the saints, come to their aid.”

The bishop then had a message directly for the deacon candidates.

“Zach and Alex, take these days, these moments, these seconds seriously, because you are giving your life to the people of God. . . . You can give such a tremendous gift in the wholeness of who you are, of mind and body and spirit.”

Bishop Stika called on deacons Griffith and Hernandez to remember his episcopal motto: Iesu confido in te (Jesus, I trust in you).

“If there’s one thing that I could give you today besides ordination,” he said, “it’s an admonition that you say daily in your heart, in your sacramental ministry, in your participating in pig roasts and barbecues and adult education, or in just walking with a friend through their journey of life—make that your prayer: Jesus, I trust in you.”

Deacon Griffith said afterward that his new title sounded “weird.”

“What’s weirder I guess is not having to call other people Deacon.

They’re just brothers now,” he said.

Deacon Griffith said he and Deacon Hernandez have been together “near about” every step of the way in their formation “Alex and me have been in the

same seminary for the last eight years together,” he said, adding that he was “definitely glad” that Deacon Hernandez was ordained with him.

Deacon Griffith and his dad started their diaconate journeys together.

“We joined the programs at the same time,” the younger Griffith said. “I joined the seminary when he joined the diaconate program.

He beat me to the diaconate by a couple of years.”

The new Deacon Griffith chose his dad as his vestor at the ordination “’cause my mom would skin me if I didn’t.”

Deacon Hernandez said his new title “sounds pretty good to me.”

His journey to the diaconate has been a “long one,” he said.

“I’ve been going to seminary and kind of with the year I had to take off with taking care of my mom, it’s been eight years in total. But it’s been good. It’s been a long time coming, but I’ve learned a lot, and I’ve had a lot of good people help me along the way,” he said.

Deacon Hernandez talked of being “together the entire time” with Deacon Griffith.

“We entered together, and we’re going to leave together, hopefully,” he said.

He said he was glad to be ordained at the same time with Deacon Griffith.

Sr. Regina

lic Charities building, and it was just a joyful gathering. We cooked, we ate from our garden, and it was a wonderful sharing of our community. And we hope this is just the beginning of a building of community spirit here,” he said.

While the garden is already serving the community as intended, St. Vincent de Paul is not done. Along with making sure there are seasonally appropriate foods available all year, members want the garden to serve a spiritual need as well.

“We really want it to become an area that they can come, not only to gather food but to pray or just have some spiritual time alone or meditate on things,” Mr. Healy said.

In the fall, they plan to install Stations of the Cross along the 14 fence posts beside the garden, an atrium to provide some shade, and a small, free library of children’s books for children in the community to share in. ■ “Zach and I have gotten to know each other very well. We’re very good friends,” Deacon Hernandez said.

He recalled his late mother, who he said at that moment was very happy to see his ordination.

“She better be. I suspect she is,” he said. “She was very happy when I made the decision to go to seminary. Coming to this day, I know that her hopes and her dreams for me coming with the Lord, it’s all coming together.”

Deacon Hernandez’s vestor was Father Shelton.

“For a while he was at my home parish, at Our Lady of Fatima [in Alcoa],” he said. “He’s just a very good friend of the family. I’ve known him for a very long time.

He and my parents have always been very good and very close.”

Juan Hernandez was Deacon Hernandez’s only blood relative at the ordination, but his family section in the pews was filled nevertheless with important people.

“In terms of the people who supported me and gave me prayers along the way—everybody in my family section, they were all really instrumental in that,” he said.

Deacon Don Griffith serves at St. Mary in Johnson City, his home parish and also his son’s.

The ordination of his son was certainly special for him, Deacon Griffith said.

“There’s a certain sense of pride, but mostly thankfulness for him to respond to God’s initiative,” he said. “It’s very humbling for me to celebrate this day in which I call my son brother, and may God be willing next year to call my son Father. I’m just very thankful to God for the blessings He’s poured out across the diocese. I’m very, very thankful.”

He commented on starting his deacon path at the same time as his son.

“He left right out of high school to go to seminary, and that’s the same year that I entered into my diaconate formation. Ours is not quite as long as his,” he said. “I kind of beat him to the punch [to ordination], but we’re all just trying to respond to God’s gift of His grace and give it back how best we can.” ■ © 2019 Handmaids of the Precious Blood

Did you know you can receive weekly cartoons and short reflections and news from the Handmaids of the Precious Blood? Visit their website, nuns for priests.org, and sign up for the FIAT newsletter. You also can learn about praying for priests and adopting them.

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Jack Kramer, Diocese of Knoxville’s early director of Hispanic Ministry, dies

In Brief Cardinal Rigali to represent U.S. Catholic Church at International Eucharistic Congress Cardinal Justin Rigali, who is in residence in the Diocese of Knoxville, will represent the Catholic Church for the United States at the International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest, Hungary, in 2020.

The appointment was made by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

As preparation for the Congress, Bishop Richard F. Stika invited parishioners to participate in one hour of eucharistic adoration on June 22, which marked the Cardinal Rigali Vigil of Corpus Christi.

A number of diocesan parishes committed to adoration hours, including St. Therese in Clinton, St. Mary in Oak Ridge, Our Lady of Fatima in Alcoa, the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga, and the Divine Mercy Adoration Chapel at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville. Additionally, some parishes around the diocese offer perpetual adoration.

Funeral Mass for Father Camillus Blazak held A funeral Mass was celebrated June 15 for Father Camillus Walter Blazak, 92, of Signal Mountain, who died on June 11.

The Mass was held in the St. Augustine Chapel on the Alexian Brothers campus in Signal Mountain. Interment followed in Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham, Ala. Father Blazak, a retired priest of the Diocese of Birmingham, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., to Joseph and Stella Blaszczak. He entered religious life as a member of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual (Franciscan) and was ordained to the priesthood on June 16, 1951.

As a Franciscan priest, he served parishes in Massa- Father Blazak chusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, and in northern Alabama. During his 24 years in Alabama, Father Blazak chose to become a diocesan priest and served in that capacity until his retirement in July 1998. His ministry included St. Francis Parish in Livingston, Ala., St Jude Parish in Sylacauga, Ala., St Jude Parish in Scottsboro, Ala., and Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Fort Payne, Ala. Father Blazak also ministered to Alexian Village of Tennessee in Signal Mountain in retirement and was in residence at the retirement community at the time of his death.

Hal Emitt Sr., architect of Sacred Heart Church, dies A funeral Mass was celebrated July 11 for retired Knoxville architect Harold “Hal” Emitt Sr., who died July 7. He was 94.

Father John Dowling was the celebrant of the funeral Mass at Holy Ghost Church, where Mr. Emitt was a longtime member.

Mr. Emitt, who worked for the Baumann and Baumann architecture firm, worked on design plans for a number of landmarks, including the original Sacred Heart Church and St. Mary Church in Oak Ridge.

Baumann and Baumann also performed design Mr. Emitt work for Immaculate Conception Church.

Mr. Emitt also worked for the Knoxville Utilities Board and did design work on KUB’s operations facility on Middlebrook Pike. He retired from KUB in 1997 after a 30-year career.

Mr. Emitt was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Sherman and Viola Mink Emitt, his loving wife of 67 years, Gloria Jeanne Beavers Emitt, and son, Jeffrey David Emitt, who was a Diocese of Knoxville seminarian when he passed away in 2014. He is survived by son Harold “Hal” E. Emitt Jr. and sister Hazel Lou Emitt.

Mr. Emitt was interred at Calvary Cemetery. Donations in Mr. Emitt’s honor may be made to the Holy Ghost building fund.

Notice of nondiscriminatory policy as to students The Diocese of Knoxville Catholic Schools admits students of any race, color, national, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.

Diocesan schools do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. ■

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funeral Mass was celebrated July 23 for John Anthony “Jack” Kramer Jr., who served as the Diocese of Knoxville’s co-director and then director of Hispanic Ministry from 1989-2003.

Mr. Kramer died after a 25-year battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Father Doug Owens, pastor of All Saints Church in Knoxville, was the funeral Mass celebrant and homilist.

A graveside service with full military honors was held at the East Tennessee State Veteran’s Cemetery.

Mr. Kramer is survived by his wife of 36 years, Kathleen, who was a longtime teacher at St. Joseph School; son, Tonda; brother, Larry; as well his beloved nieces and nephews and their children.

Mr. Kramer graduated from St. Bernard’s College in Cullman, Ala., and was commissioned in the Navy in 1966, where he served as a lieutenant until he shattered his foot in an accident and was honorably discharged.

He then traveled around Europe and lived in Seville, Spain, for almost five years, where he developed a deep love of Hispanic culture and language. Returning

U.S. bishops, other Catholic leaders remember Cuba’s Cardinal Ortega

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proud Cuban who pressed for greater freedom for his Church and for an end to the U.S. embargo on his homeland, Cardinal Jaime Ortega Alamino, retired archbishop of Havana, died July 26 at the age of 82.

Serving as head of the Archdiocese of Havana for almost 35 years pushed the cardinal into a prominent role as a spokesman for Cuban Catholics on national and international issues, but he also devoted much of his energy to supporting the island’s active Catholics and encouraging them as missionaries to their neighbors.

He spent eight months in a communist-government labor camp in 1966-67, but he went on to become a cardinal and to welcome St. John Paul II to Cuba in 1998, Pope Benedict XVI to the island in March 2012, and Pope Francis in September 2015 and again, briefly, the following February.

Cardinal Ortega used every opportunity possible to plead with the U.S. government to end its economic blockade of his country, echoing the

position of successive popes that the blockade was keeping thousands of people poor while doing little to pressure the Cuban government to expand freedoms and human rights.

In 2014, when it became clear that U.S. President Barack Obama might be willing to loosen the embargo, Pope Francis gave two letters to Cardinal Ortega, asking him to deliver one to Raul Castro and the other to Obama.

“It was a way of putting them in contact,” Cardinal Ortega told the Irish Times. “That was the desire of the Holy Father. People must communicate. He was not a mediator between two nations or between two governments, but he wanted to put the two presidents in contact.”

As a public figure, Cardinal Ortega also devoted much energy to pressing his government to allow the Catholic Church in Cuba to have a public voice and to help serve the poor.

Visiting Baltimore in 1997, the cardinal said Cuban Catholics are free to attend Mass, but that does not constitute religious freedom. ■

Lawsuit continued from page A4

As a result, and with respect to a presumption of his innocence, the diocese said it was obligated to suspend Mr. William Lovelace from his position as a music teacher at two schools until allegations against him, and others mentioned in the lawsuit, can be thoroughly and independently investigated.

The two other people named in the lawsuit, former teacher and principal Pam Bernards, and former youth minister Patrick Donovan, are no longer working here.

“The Diocese of Knoxville remains committed to a safe environment in our parishes and our schools,” Bishop Stika said in his letter. “We will continue to abide by the rigorous standards for reporting and protection set forth by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2002.”

The diocese maintains resources and contact information on its website (dioknox.org) for anyone who suspects they have been a victim of sexual abuse. ■

Bishop O’Connell died in 2012.

“When first presented with the allegations almost a year ago, the Diocese of Knoxville immediately contacted state authorities and encouraged Mr. Boyd to file a report with law enforcement,” Bishop Stika wrote in his letter to clergy and staff.

Diocesan spokesperson Jim Wogan said the initial allegations presented by Mr. Boyd were rigorously examined by “an independent and highly qualified criminal defense attorney who is not connected to the Diocese of Knoxville or the Catholic Church.”

The investigator’s report said there was no finding of credible evidence to support Mr. Boyd’s initial allegations, according to Mr. Wogan.

On July 18, when Mr. Boyd filed his lawsuit, the diocese was made aware of additional information, including the names of current and former employees of the diocese, not part of the original allegations.

Icons continued from page A2

bent at the elbow, lifted up in prayer, with Christ as a young boy encircled in light (aureole) beneath her heart representing the womb.

Another beautiful icon is that of “Our Lady of Perpetual Help.”

Of course icons that depict the many scenes and miracles found in Scripture and that of the saints are to be recommended as well.

In time, I would recommend that you find a quiet place in your home and make what is called an “icon corA18 n AUGUST 4, 2019

to the United States, he worked as a pastoral associate with two rural Glenmary parishes in Middle Tennessee.

A year after the Diocese of Knoxville was formed in 1988, Mr. Kramer and his family moved to Knoxville so he could serve Mr. Kramer as co-director of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Knoxville.

He later became the director. Parkinson’s disease forced his early retirement in 2003.

His interests included genealogy, and many family vacations involved library microfilm and microfiche searches before the days of Genealogy.com. He loved to play with words and created his own anagrams, ambigrams, and palindromes, which he shared online and in hard copy with his friends and family.

Before he was wheelchair bound, he could be found working in the yard or building wooden shrines, such as he had seen along the roads of Europe. ■

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ner” where you can pray with your icons and reflect upon the Word of God. While there are literally thousands of icons to choose from, Eastern Christians are fond of saying that we do not find icons, but that they find us.

We are all called to be living icons of God who reflect the light of Christ in all that we do, think, and say.

May you be richly blessed as you endeavor each day to ascend the mountain of prayer, led by Christ our Light. ■ TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C ATH OLI C