Aug. 4, 2019, ET Catholic, B section

NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE OF KNOXVILLE

B section

Bishop announces new pastoral assignments A retirement and several moves affect many parishes around the Diocese of Knoxville

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ishop Richard F. Stika recently announced new pastoral assignments for the Diocese of Knoxville and a priest retirement.

Parishes announced the changes in May, and they took effect (unless noted otherwise below) on July 15.

Father Dan Whitman, pastor of Notre Dame Parish in Greeneville since 2014, is retiring from full-time ministry. A native of Forsyth County, N.C., and a former advertising artist, Father Whitman, 67, has served as a priest in the dioceses of Nashville and Knoxville since his ordination in 1983. His assignments have included serving for many years as pastor of St. Therese in Clinton and Holy Trinity in Jefferson City. He also has previously served as moderator of the charismatic movement in the diocese.

He will remain spiritual moderator of the Knoxville Diocesan Council of Catholic Women.

Succeeding Father Whitman as pastor of Notre Dame will be Father Joseph Kuzhupil, MSFS, who has been pastor of St. Augustine in Signal Mountain since 2010. Father Kuzhupil came to St. Augustine in 2010 as associate pastor after serving as a chaplain for the Alexian Village retirement community in Signal Mountain.

Father John Dowling will be the next pastor of St. Augustine Parish.

Father Dowling has been the pastor of Holy Ghost in Knoxville since

2014. His term at Holy Ghost was his second at the North Knoxville parish, having served there as associate pastor from 1987 to 1996 and as parochial administrator Father Whitman for the next year following the death of longtime pastor Father Albert Henkel.

Father Dowling then became pastor of St. John Neumann in Farragut and was leading the Father Iorio parish when it constructed a large Romanesque church from 2006 to 2008. In February 2010, Father Dowling became pastor of St. Francis of Assisi in Fairfield Glade before his return to Holy Ghost.

A native of Savannah, Ga., Father Dowling also has a brother, Father

By Dan McWilliams

Father Kuzhupil

Father Dowling

Father McNeeley

Father Collins

Father Cano

Father Floersh

Kevin Dowling, who is a priest in the Diocese of Nashville. Father John Dowling is a graduate of Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga who went on to work for five years in the marketing and sales department of the Chattanooga Coca-Cola Bot-

tling Co. before entering seminary.

He has written a number of booklets that include “Why Confess Your Sins to a Priest?” published by Liguori Publications in 1994. In 2005, the Fathers Dowling and Father Vann Assignments continued on page B3

Father Moser marks silver jubilee in priesthood Friends and family from far and wide join the 25-year priest at St. Catherine Labouré in Copperhill

DAN MCWILLIAMS

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amily was on Father Tom Moser’s mind June 30 as he celebrated his 25th anniversary as a priest during a Mass at St. Catherine Labouré Church in Copperhill.

In the front pews were the priest’s sisters, two brothers-in-law, and nieces who came from as far away as Cebu, the Philippines, as well as Hawaii, Colorado, El Paso, and Father Moser’s native Minnesota.

Bishop Richard F. Stika and Father Moser’s longtime friend, Father Mike Creson, concelebrated the Mass, with Deacon Loris Sinanian assisting.

A total of 151 people attended the Mass, with an overflow of more than 40 sitting downstairs in the parish hall watching via closed-circuit TV. The occasion was somewhat bittersweet, as Father Moser’s fiveyear turn as pastor of St. Catherine Labouré would come to an end July 15.

“In thinking about family coming in and things like that, nothing is more important than family. I think we can all agree with that,” Father Moser said in his homily. “That’s where, especially with our mom and dad, that’s where the formation came from.”

Father Moser traced his vocation to one question he asked his father.

“Back in our home in Riverwood Place in St. Paul, one day I walked up to Dad, Larry, and asked him about Jesus Christ. It was about 1976, and I was in my 20s. Dad of course had a great library right there in our home, mostly Catholic authors. After all, he had studied at the Pontifical Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. He once studied very briefly for the priesthood himself there, but he met Mom, so that changed things.

“So instead of a long response, Dad graciously, kindly told me to read one book. And along the way he had me read some other ones.

Bishop and jubilarian Bishop Richard F. Stika joins Father Tom Moser for a photo after the latter’s 25th-anniversary Mass.

But we just heard in our prelude before the entrance hymn ‘Late Have I Loved You,’ that beautiful song. I asked the choir to sing that today.

The book was The Confessions of St. Augustine. And Augustine in there says—he was addressing God— ‘Late have I loved you, O beauty ever ancient, O beauty ever new.

You, God, were within me, but I was outside. . . . Now I hunger and thirst for more.’ So I’ll always be thankful to Dad for such guidance.”

The jubilarian said his dad or mom “always had some kind of book to read.”

“Later on at some point I came across Psalm 32, which seemed at that time to speak directly to me.

The psalmist says, ‘I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will counsel you with my eye upon you.’ Later I was guided by a friend to the writings of Catholic J.R.R. Tolkien and also the writings of C.S. Lewis. So I started to devour all of them, and I couldn’t get enough. I never stopped finding these authors to read.”

Another saint also influenced Fa-

ther Moser, just recently.

“One of the writings I came across not too long ago was by the great St. John Vianney, the patron saint of priests . . . St. John Vianney has been a favorite of mine, too, for many years. He wrote this extraordinary thing. He said, ‘All of the good works in the world are not equal to the holy sacrifice of the Mass, because they are all the works of men, but the Mass is the work of God . . . . The Mass is the sacrifice of God to man.’”

Bishop Stika spoke at the end of Mass.

“It’s really hard to believe that Father Tom was ordained a century ago, in the 20th century. He looks good for his age,” he said. “It’s a great joy for me to be here, to be with all of you, especially his family and with Father Tom. Celebrating 25 years is a significant event in the life of a married couple but also especially in the life of a priest, who is called to be of service to God’s people.”

Father Moser was ordained by Knoxville’s founding bishop at St.

By Dan McWilliams Leo Church in St. Paul, Minn.

“Sometime in that ceremony his name was said and he ‘presented himself as a candidate for the priesthood of Jesus Christ,’” Bishop Stika said. “And for 25 years he has served faithfully, a long time here at Copperhill, but now he’s been traded to another team. He’ll be at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Chattanooga. But 25 years of service is an extraordinary thing in the life of a priest: the baptisms, the funerals, the anointings, the moments to console someone, the sacrament of reconciliation.

“For the most part in the life of a priest, we never know what happens down the line [after a baptism, e.g.]. A lot of times in our work, in our ministry, you just don’t know the results, but in our life as sacramental ministers, you just put it in the hands of God and also in the hands of the people, who will then make decisions and choices for the rest of their lives.”

The bishop added, “Father, I just want to say congratulations, Godspeed in your new assignment.

Change is part of the life of a priest.

I want to thank his family. I’ve been practicing this for two weeks, especially knowing that Father Tom was from Minne-SO-ta. Did I say it right? Because down here in Tennessee we say it a little ‘differ’nt.’

“Father Tom, there’s an expression in Latin, ad multos annos: many more years of service to God’s people.”

Bishop Stika then blessed an icon of Mary, Untier of Knots, that graced the back wall where the church’s tiny confessional used to be. Both the icon and the confessional were dedicated in honor of the late Mary Jabaley Joseph. With the bishop’s advice, the church opened a newer, larger confessional in the front of the church building that Father Moser continued on page B6

All Saints Parish participates in Enthronement ‘It’s just taking the love you already have for Jesus in your heart and going one step further . . .’ standing of the Sacred Heart and on reconciliation. The Knights of Columbus Honor Guard brought forward a cross for veneration, and five priests were available for the sacrament of reconciliation.

“As people were coming up to venerate the cross, it was so beautiful and so powerful. You could just see the emotion or the love of the Lord and that forgiveness and healing,” Lisa Morris said.

The theme for night three, held on the solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, was “Building a Civilization of Love.” The evening included a procession of the Blessed Sacrament around the church while people held up family photos they had brought. For Lisa Morris, this encapsulated the core of enthronement: Jesus and family.

“The basis of the enthronement is eucharistic… linking that domestic Church to the worldwide Church, and the Eucharist being the basis of all,” she said.

“The week was phenomenal,” said Giannine Morris. “It was just such a grace to see the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the parish.”

After the triduum of preparation for the enthronement ceremony came the enthronement ceremony itself, held during the 11:45 a.m.

Mass on June 30.

Father Doug Owens, pastor of All Saints Parish, led the enthronement ceremony.

“Jesus is your lord, and He rules through His heart. He desires to be enthroned as king and lord of your hearts and of your parish as your brother and friend. He longs to share your everyday life, your joys as well as your sorrows…” he said.

“Yes, the Father loves you, Jesus loves you, the Holy Spirit loves you. What have you to fear? His wounded heart is the sign and pledge of His merciful love. His heart is open to receive you.”

Then Father Owens blessed the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with holy water and proclaimed, “I now enthrone Jesus as king, lord, and friend of All Saints Parish!”

Parishioners knelt as Father Owens recited the act of consecration to the Sacred Heart.

“Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, king of love and king of truth, today it is my privilege, as shepherd of the flock You have entrusted in my care, to consecrate to Your loving Heart this parish—its clergy, its religious, its lay ministers, its musicians, its teachers, its families, and its youth,” he said.

“Look after all your loved ones

EMILY BOOKER

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esus is King! All Saints Parish in Knoxville made a public proclamation of this truth June 30 as the parish participated in the Enthronement to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The Enthronement to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a public proclamation that Jesus is king and head of a parish, household, school, or business. The All Saints community prepared for the enthronement through a three-day period of mission and prayers.

“It’s just taking the love you already have for Jesus in your heart and going one step further in the faith journey of publicly proclaiming him as king,” said Lisa Morris, president of the Sacred Heart Apostolate.

The Sacred Heart Apostolate, located in Knoxville, is a global movement for promoting the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus as a way to renew communities by centering families on the love of God incarnated in the Sacred Heart of Christ. Giannine Morris, a facilitator from the apostolate, helped with the mission at All Saints Church.

Father Pontian Kiyimba, a parish mission team, the Knights of Columbus, and youth prayer leaders all helped to make the mission a success. Around 200 people attended every night at All Saints.

There were Spanish interpreters so that both the Anglo and Hispanic communities could participate together. In the narthex was a map with stickers indicating those around the world praying for the success of All Saints’ mission.

“Jesus transcends all boundaries,” Lisa Morris said. “We are one in His heart. Seeing the Anglo and Spanish communities come together has been beautiful.”

Each night of the three-night mission included children’s involvement, personal testimonies, a homily, catechesis on the enthronement, and prayer, but each followed a different theme. First was “Jesus is alive and needed in the world now more than ever.” Father Kiyimba led the children in singing “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands,” and instructed the children to bless their parents. Father Kiyimba gave a homily focusing on the love of Jesus and the importance of family prayer.

On night two, the theme was “Healing of relationships, and forgiveness will enable us to open our hearts and homes to Jesus.” Father Kiyimba preached on the under-

By Emily Booker

Love of Jesus Giannine Morris (left) and Lisa Morris carry the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to the All Saints parish hall following the Enthronement ceremony June 30. At left is Zulay Navarro-Pickering. in All Saints Parish, especially in all they do—in this parish, in their homes, in their workplaces, and in their community. Help all of us be Good Samaritans in time of need.

Bless all our undertakings and guide us in all our gatherings.

“In a special way, I consecrate to Your merciful Heart, Good Shepherd, all sinners who have wandered from their Father’s house. May all of them, through the motherly intercession of Mary, refuge of sinners, return to You, so that there may be but flock and one shepherd.”

Father Owens then led parishioners to pray an act of consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

After the end of Mass, a procession of the image of the Sacred Heart and statue of the Blessed Mother went from the sanctuary to the parish hall, where the holy objects, along with the certificate of the enthronement, will be placed.

“When one does [enthronement] either in your family or a school or wherever, you want to pick a prominent place where this image will be displayed, so that people who come into your home will see that and the covenant right next to it,” said Lisa Morris. “It speaks a word without you saying anything. It’s like, you know who’s in charge here. So it’s a beautiful, beautiful evangelization.”

“Every enthronement ceremony is different, just like every parish is different, and I am always blown over by the impact it has on the community and on the individual heart,” said Giannine Morris.

Parishioners celebrated the enthronement with a reception in the parish hall.

Zulay Navarro-Pickering, an All Saints parishioner, worked on the parish mission team, helping bring people in and sign them up for home enthronements as well.

“All the members of the parish, we did it together. It’s been an awesome mission, and I hope that everybody in their houses does the enthronement as well,” she said.

She said she went through a home enthronement five years ago, and she’s experienced a lot of blessings from it.

“There are many changes. Sometimes I feel that they are coincidences, but then it’s like, this is not coincidence; this is the blessing of the Lord.”

“You know, God won’t be outdone in generosity,” said Lisa Morris. “You give a little, and he just pours out the graces. It’s a beautiful thing. And half the time people don’t even recognize or know what they’re getting into, but with just the mere assent, the yes, God comes in in a way that’s miraculous.”

Father Owens was pleased with the participation and devotion from the parish to the enthronement mission.

“I think it [enthronement] makes a significant increase in awareness of the importance of Jesus’ Sacred Heart and our devotion to Him, and I think it’s not just all the things that are promised but also just bringing people together to realize that this is a real thing, it’s not just something that’s symbolic,” he said. “The Church was founded on the blood and water pouring from Jesus’ side, and sometimes we might lose sight of that, so it’s good to have a good ole Catholic revival every once in a while.”

The Sacred Heart Apostolate’s office is at 813 S. Northshore Drive, Suite 201D, in Knoxville, 37919, next to the Chancery and the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. The organization’s web address is www.sacredheartapostolate.com. n

CCETN’s Paul Ritter trains to be stronger leader

By Emily Booker atholic Charities is rooted in love, but it can take a lot of business savvy to coordinate nine different programs helping thousands of clients all over the region. So when Paul Ritter, director of programs for Catholic Charities of East Tennessee, had the opportunity to further develop his leadership and operations skills, he knew it would ultimately benefit the people Catholic Charities strives to help each day.

In May, Mr. Ritter graduated from the Consortium for Social Enterprise Effectiveness (CSEE) program through the Haslam College of Business at the University of Tennessee.

The nonprofit business management program trains program leaders at nonprofits to be stronger leaders and strengthen their organizations.

Lisa Healy, executive director of Catholic Charities, is also a CSEE graduate.

“The most important asset in an organization I lead is my people,” Ms. Healy said. “Anytime I can provide resources or help to grow my staff, I do it. CSEE is an effective resource.”

“We’ve both been through it now with the mindset that if you make the leadership of Catholic Charities better, you make the organization B2 n AUGUST 4, 2019

EMILY BOOKER

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Graduation Paul Ritter hopes that what he learned through the CSEE program will strengthen CCETN and enable it to help more needy men, women, and children in the community. From left are Cheryl Barksdale, Timothy Munyon, Mr. Ritter, Alex Miller, and Kitty Cornett. stronger,” Mr. Ritter said. “We try to strive for even more excellent service all the time.”

“CSEE focuses on developing leadership as well as operations skills, both of which are important to the success of an agency in the nonprofit realm,” Ms. Healy said.

“We have a very simple mission—to foster human dignity to the most vulnerable of neighbors— but a complicated business. Even

before he finished the program, Paul was able to apply these skills to improve Catholic Charities.”

Mr. Ritter has already been implementing what he learned through the program at CCETN. “If you’re going to have something, you might as well study it and put it into practice,” he said.

“I’ve been working with a group of employees here, a group of leaders from some of our programs in re-

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ally breaking down the first aspect of these core competencies we studied…. At this point we have a page-and-a-half to two-page document just taking a deep dive into what that means to build trust.”

Another aspect of the CSEE program is meeting with other leaders in the nonprofit sector. Together they can discuss how to best utilize their resources and best help the communities they serve, said Mr. Ritter.

“Being introduced and being able to work with a lot of the other great leaders of nonprofits around the East Tennessee community and building that network for myself and for Catholic Charities and making those connections brings together a lot of community collaboration, really, how we can work together to make our community stronger,” he said.

“I’m excited, you know. I was always excited about the future of Catholic Charities in East Tennessee altogether. But just to see not only how [the CSEE program] made me a better leader in this community, but to be connected to the other leaders and see them grow and gain strength and motivation and what they do day in and day out, it really brings to light that we have a bright future in this region. There are a lot of good people out there doing good work for those in need.” n TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C ATH OLI C

Assignments continued from page B1

panic community of St. Alphonsus in Crossville. He also has been the diocese’s primary bilingual substitute priest.

Father Christopher Floersh, who has been Father Manning assigned as Notre Dame High School’s chaplain and part-time parochial vicar at St. Stephen in Chattanooga since his 2017 priestly ordination, has been appointed diocesan codirector of vocations for one year and Father Torres Barona will become full-time vocations director in 2020.

He also is appointed part-time parochial vicar at St. John Neumann in Farragut.

Father Christopher Manning, parttime associate pastor at St. John Neumann for six years and chaplain at Knoxville Catholic High School, has been assigned as chaplain, teacher, and part of the administrative staff at Notre Dame High School. He will be in residence at St. Stephen. He is also appointed chaplain of the Serra Club of Chattanooga.

Father Michael Hendershott, associate pastor of Holy Ghost in Knoxville, will be the new chaplain at Knoxville Catholic High School as well as part of the administrative staff at KCHS. He remains in residence at Holy Ghost.

Father Adam Royal, associate pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Chattanooga, is currently on sabbatical. He will be succeeded as parochial vicar by Father Tom Moser, pastor of St. Catherine Labouré in Copperhill for the last five years. For more on Father Moser, see the story on his 25th anniversary in the priesthood that begins on page B1.

Father Jerry Daniels has been appointed pastor of St. Catherine Labouré and spiritual director at Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton. Father Daniels has previously

Father Hendershott

Father Moser

Father Daniels

Father Nguyen

Father Tran

Father Schuster

served as parochial vicar of St. Francis of Assisi in Townsend and as chaplain of the retreat center.

Father Arthur Torres Barona has been named master of ceremonies to the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus sanctuary. He will continue to serve as associate pastor at the cathedral parish, as he has since July 2015.

Deacon Griffith He also has served as mod- Deacon Hernandez erator of the Hispanic Marriage Encounter Ecclesial Movement.

Hartford, Conn., most recently Father Dominic Nghia TH Nguyserved as full-time chaplain for St. en, CRM, has been appointed paroFrancis and Hartford hospitals in chial administrator at the Church of Hartford. He served from 2013 to Divine Mercy in Knoxville. This took 2018 as part-time chaplain for the effect June 15. He is a priest of the Vietnamese community at St. LawCongregation of the Mother of the rence O’Toole in Hartford. From Redeemer, a primarily Vietnamese 2012 to 2016, he was parochial vicar institute. He has served as parochial at St. Mary and St. Robert parishes in vicar of the Vietnamese Martyrs Windsor Locks, Conn., while servParish in the Diocese of Fort Worth, ing as the on-call minister for the Texas, from 2011 to 2013 as well as Windsor Locks Police Department.

2017 to 2019. He also served as parIn May, he finished a master’s of arts ish administrator of Holy Family program in general theology studies Parish in the Diocese of Houmaat Holy Apostles College and SemiThibodaux, La., from 2013-14 and nary in Cromwell, Conn. of Our Lady of La Vang Parish in Father Mark Schuster, who was the Diocese of Birmingham, Ala., just ordained a priest June 8 at the from 2014 to 2015. He also served as Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart provincial treasurers’ assistant at the of Jesus, is appointed parochial vicar CRM offices in Carthage, Mo., from at St. John Neumann in Farragut.

2015 to 2017.

The diocese’s two newly ordained Father Nick Tran has been aptransitional deacons received their pointed chaplain of the Vietnamese summer assignments: Deacon Alex community in Chattanooga and will Hernandez to assist the pastor at St. be in residence at the Basilica of Sts. Dominic in Kingsport and Deacon Peter and Paul. Father Tran, a priest Zach Griffith to assist the pastor at St. for seven years in the Diocese of Mary in Athens. n

COURTESY OF JANET GRAY

Johnston, now bishop of Kansas CitySt. Joseph, Mo., received national honors for saving a father and two of his children from plunging over a waterfall while the three priests were on a hiking vacation in Montana.

Father Bill McNeeley has been appointed as the pastor of Holy Ghost.

A married, former Episcopal priest, Father McNeeley became the first man in diocesan history to enter the presbyterate under the Pastoral Provision, established in the early 1980s by Pope St. John Paul II to allow Anglican clerics to petition for ordination to the Catholic priesthood.

Father McNeeley and his wife of 38 years, Sherri, are the parents of son Luke and daughter Kate. All four McNeeleys became Catholic at the Easter Vigil in 2001. Father McNeeley has most recently served as assistant to the pastor and, since October, as parochial administrator of Our Lady of Fatima in Alcoa.

Father Peter Iorio, pastor of St. Mary in Johnson City since 2011, will become the new pastor of Our Lady of Fatima. He has served in a variety of roles over the years, including as spiritual director of his alma mater, Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga; as diocesan youth ministry coordinator; as associate dean of formation at Mundelein Seminary; as diocesan vocation director; and as pastor of St. Augustine, St. Joseph the Worker in Madisonville, and St. Thérèse of Lisieux in Cleveland. It was at St. Mary where Father Iorio celebrated his 25th anniversary as a priest in 2018.

Father Dustin Collins has been appointed parochial administrator of St. Mary in Johnson City and will also work with the Latin Mass community in Johnson City. He most recently was parochial vicar at both Our Lady of Fatima, since October, and, since 2012, at St. Mary in Oak Ridge. A native of Greeneville, Father Collins was the 40th priest ordained for the diocese in 2012.

Father Andres Cano will be the new associate pastor of Our Lady of Fatima. A native of Colombia who was ordained to the priesthood in his home country, Father Cano celebrated his 10th anniversary as a priest this year.

His previous assignments include serving as associate pastor of St. Mary in Gatlinburg, as pastor of Holy Cross in Pigeon Forge, and as associate pastor of Sacred Heart Cathedral and St. Mary in Oak Ridge. Most recently he was chaplain to the His-

COURTESY OF NEDRA HEADEN

St. Alphonsus CCW members prepare meal for the homeless The women from the Council of Catholic Women at St. Alphonsus Parish in Crossville prepared and served a meal to the homeless at the Bread of Life shelter in Crossville on June 14. Pictured from left are Barbara Lawson, Kathleen Kelly, Charleen McMahan, and Janet Gray. The women from the St. Alphonsus CCW prepare and serve meals to the homeless several times each year.

Couple honored for donating gravel for St. Teresa parking lot Kevin and Jane Gaerke, owners of Loyston Road Quarry, recently donated $30,000 worth of gravel to St. Teresa of Kolkata Parish in Maynardville for the parking lot at the parish’s new church building. From left are St. Teresa pastor Father Steve Pawelk, GHM, recent Union County High School graduate Bobby Curry, Father Richard Toboso, GHM, Jane and Kevin Gaerke, and St. Teresa Deacon Larry Rossini. As tokens of their appreciation, St. Teresa parishioners had a Mass celebrated for the Gaerkes, painted a rock with St. Teresa’s head along with text, and signed a thank-you card. Mrs. Gaerke is holding a framed recognition acknowledging the gift.

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

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AUGUST 4, 2019 n B3

Parish notes St. Catherine Labouré, Copperhill The parish provided hot dogs, bratwurst, hamburgers, and homemade ice cream for members to enjoy July 5 as they viewed a fireworks show from the parking lot.

St. Jude, Chattanooga The parish will again sponsor a Holiday Craft & Hobby Show, set this year for Saturday, Nov. 23, which will also be the date of the parish picnic.

To learn more or volunteer for the show, call Kyra in the parish office at 423-870-2386.

The St. Jude family celebrated the 39th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood for Father Charlie Burton with a special Mass and a potluck meal July 11.

finished, Masses are in Varallo Parish Hall, and confessions are held in the rectory following the usual schedule.

The anticipated return to the renovated sanctuary is sometime in August. Visit stspeterandpaulbasilica.com for status updates on this project.

On July 19, Roman Catholic scholar Christopher Gurley gave a presentation at the basilica on African-American Catholic Spirituality and Chattanooga’s historic St. Francis Church.

Congressman Chuck Fleischmann, who is a parishioner of the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, invited rector Father David Carter to lead the prayer over the House of Representatives to open Congress at noon June 12. The prayer was broadcast live on C-SPAN. Father Carter’s prayer is now included in the Congressional archives.

ELIZABETH CONWAY

Chattanooga Deanery

Cumberland Mountain Deanery

The Knights installed new officers and held a potluck dinner in the parish life center June 24.

The Knights congratulated Sean Thompson for being named Knight of the month for June and Eric and Melody Pelton as family of the month.

Sheri Fava of Catholic Charities’ Pregnancy Help Center in Chattanooga thanked Father Burton and parishioners for a donation of $1,739.41 to the center that was collected through baby-bottle contributions and a baby/ toddler shower organized by the Council of Catholic Women.

Blessed Sacrament, Harriman The parish announced its new website, blessedsacramentchurchandmissions.com, which has information on ministries at Blessed Sacrament, St. Ann in Lancing, and St. Christopher in Jamestown.

The Council of Catholic Women is holding a Golden Girls Luncheon for all women 70 years old and up at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7, at the Golden Oak Buffet, 401 S. Tulane Ave., Oak Ridge. Those under 70 will be Dutch treat. Sign up in the narthex.

A discussion on “Science and Our Catholic Faith” will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21, in Blessed Sacrament Hall.

St. Francis of Assisi, Fairfield Glade

The parish thanked Cam and Ruthanne Higgins for providing snacks for the Hospital Hospitality ministry for the month of May. St. Mary, Athens Parishioner Vivian Brocato and the One Heart Colombia Mission Team thanked parishioners who donated rosaries, medals, prayer cards, watches, and toiletry items for its mission June 11-25.

For the third year the parish will have small groups encounter “Discipleship Through Discovering Christ.” More than 65 individuals have experienced this dynamic, and it has changed lives.

There are three different experiences, all with the same goal of preparing for the mission to reach out to people who maybe have questions about life and Jesus Christ

The parish thanked all volunteers who helped with vacation Bible school, including leaders Holly Gates, Sue Granger, Francina Fernandez, Rhoda Whitaker, Wanda Redding, Paulette Croteau, Peggy Burnette, Elli Mirabella, and Zuni Fernandez.

The Dignity of Human Life ministry through the Knights of Columbus conducted a rosary for life at the Cumberland County Courthouse. In addition to this public display, the Knights also conduct a rosary for life after daily Mass on the third Wednesday of each month.

St. Mary recently welcomed newly ordained Deacon Zach Griffith, who is serving his summer assignment at the parish.

The “Forty Cans for Lent” program was completed. The food pantries supported by the parish received more than 6,000 pounds of canned goods.

The parish announced its St. Mary Scholarship recipients for 2019-20: Conor O’Malley, Dante Michaud, Haley Parente, Haley Land, Shelby Wilson, Evelyn Sandoval, Lissette Silva, Miguel Silva, Addison Liner, Cabrina Pascarella, and Katie Garcia.

The parish celebrated Mary’s new feast day as Mother of the Church on the Monday after Pentecost with Mass and a Marian Morning of Reflection presented by Sister Anna Marie McGuan, RSM. St. John Neumann, Farragut

St. Stephen, Chattanooga Holy Family Fourth Degree Assembly 3250 of the Knights of Columbus held the annual Roland Lee Memorial Clothing Drive for homeless, disabled, and in-need veterans July 13-14 at St. Stephen.

Knights Council 6099 held a Steak-Out fundraiser for charity July 14.

The St. Stephen Prime Timers (ages 50 and up) went to a Chattanooga Lookouts baseball game June 2.

Anniversaries: Warren and Juanita White (66), John and Lillian Yarosh (64), Jerry and Nancy Kane (58), John and Lynda DiPrima (55), Donald and Anita Johnson (55), Whitten and Brenda Davis (52), Michael and Peggy Gallaher (45), Larry and Pam Beuerlein (25), John and Deborah Butler (20) Sts. Peter and Paul, Chattanooga The Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga is undergoing some finishing touches to the sanctuary floors. While the floors are being reB4 n AUGUST 4, 2019

The women’s club is sponsoring an adult social bingo night from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, in the school gym. Bring a beverage of choice and an appetizer. RSVP by Saturday, Aug. 3, to women.of.sjn@gmail.com.

Holy Spirit celebrates Deacon Kucharzak’s 80th birthday Friends and loved ones at Holy Spirit Church in Soddy-Daisy gathered after a recent Mass to help Deacon Mike Kucharzak and his wife, Andrea, celebrate his 80th birthday. Monsignor Al Humbrecht gave Deacon Kucharzak a birthday blessing and prayer, and Mrs. Kucharzak gave her husband a birthday kiss.

Glade couples celebrate 50th anniversaries

S

t. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fairfield Glade congratulates five couples who are celebrating their 50th anniversaries this summer. n Pat and Norma Donohue were married Aug. 16, 1969, at St. Michael Church in Pontiac, Mich., with Father James Wysocki officiating.

Their children are: Kay Younger (Andrew) of Florida, Mary Lou Shifflet (Gary) of Michigan, Barbara Veneskey of Ohio, and Patrick Donohue Jr. (Karyn) of Michigan; and they have seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Mr. Donohue retired from the National Biscuit Co. in Detroit, and Mrs. Donohue was a homemaker. They moved to the Glade in 1997. They will celebrate their anniversary with family.

Mr. Donohue is an altar server at St. Francis of Assisi Church. n Richard and Monica Jahn will celebrate 50 years of marriage Aug. 9. They were married at St. James Church in Maine, Minn., with Father David Dougherty officiating.

Their children are Christor of Fairfax Station, Va., and Jennifer Johnson of Chattanooga, and they have five grandchildren.

Mr. Jahn retired from Howard Steel Corp. and Mrs. Jahn from Davenport Community Schools, both in Davenport, Iowa, and they moved to the Glade in 2014.

They celebrated their anniversary in 2018 with a family trip to the Bahamas at Christmas and will take a honeymoon trip to Australia and New Zealand this fall.

Their hobbies are reading, travel, and vintage cars. n Jim and Peg Snyder celebrated their 50th anniversary July 26.

They were married at Holy

Spirit Church in St. Paul, Minn., with Father William Gambor officiating.

Their two children are David and Debbie, both from Chicago.

Mr. Snyder retired from public accounting and Mrs. Snyder as an elementary school teacher at St. Alphonsus School in Brooklyn Center, Minn. They moved to the Glade in 2016.

They celebrated their anniversary on the weekend of July 2728 with their son, daughter, and daughter-in-law.

They enjoy golf, entertaining family and friends, and exploring Tennessee. n Antonino and Nancy Ziino were married 50 years July 26.

Their wedding was at St. Francis De Sales Church in Lake Geneva, Wis., with Father James Heinsch officiating.

Their children are Paul of Delavan, Wis., and Jennifer Meyers of West Allis, Wis. Mr. Ziino retired from the Zimmer Thomson Orthopedic Co. at Menomonee Falls, Wis., and Mrs. Ziino was a homemaker; they moved to the Glade in 2003.

They celebrated their anniversary July 20 with family and friends at the Stonehenge Grill. n James and Kathleen Veen celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary July 12. They were married at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in St. Clair, Pa., with Father John Z. Basinski officiating.

Their daughter, Kerry Ann Veen, lives in Womelsdorf, Pa., and the Veens have one grandchild.

Mr. Veen retired from the WorleyParsons Co. in Reading, Pa. Mrs. Veen has had various jobs over the years, the last being at Lowe’s. They retired to the Glade in 2015. n

A newcomers adult social with wine, beer, and appetizers, hosted by the parish welcome committee, is set for 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at the home of parishioners Jack and Laurel Howanitz, 12000 Grigsby Chapel Road. Meet parish priests, Evangelizing Sisters of Mary, fellow new parishioners, and other members of the parish. RSVP by Wednesday, Aug. 21, to welcometosjn@gmail.com.

St. John Neumann held its annual Corpus Christi celebration and procession after the 10:30 a.m. Mass on June 23.

The parish thanked outgoing associate pastor Father Christopher Manning, who has been reassigned to Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga. He preached at all of the Masses June 8 and 9 and was honored at a reception Parish notes continued on page B5

COURTESY OF AL LESAR

The Knights of Columbus congratulate Olath Walton as Knight of the month for July and Rudy and Lupita Marquez and sons Adrian and Sam as family of the month.

St. Joseph Parish has booth at Norris Day Kathy Morin (front), the head of the Council of Catholic Women at St. Joseph Parish in Norris, and bake sale chairman Keeley Reid (back) work the booth at the annual Norris Day on July 4.

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

Calendar The annual diocesan Youth Mass and Family Fest will take place from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at St. Albert the Great Church in Knoxville. Registration begins at noon outside of the church, and Mass begins at 12:30 p.m. in the church. Youth of all ages and their families are invited to enjoy this community event together. The Youth Mass will include the recognition of outstanding youth and adults involved in youth ministry in parishes. Each parish is asked to participate in and acknowledge young people and adults who work with them.

The Youth Ministry Recognition Awards will be presented at Mass, followed by the commissioning of the 2019-20 Diocesan Youth Ministry Advisory Council (DYMAC). Mass will be followed by a barbecue lunch in the pavilion. There will be a live band, games for everyone, face painting, Diocese of Knoxville exclusive “Selfie Stations,” karaoke, crafts, cotton candy, and more. Costs are $20 for individuals and $50 for a family. Tshirts are $10 each. Bring a lawn chair for the festival after Mass, or bring a change of clothes to play games after Mass. Forms and registration are available at dioknox.org/calendar.

The Ladies of Charity of Knoxville are holding an annual fundraiser, “Go All In,” from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, at Crescent Bend (Armstrong-Lockett House), 2728 Kingston Pike in Knoxville. The event features dinner and music, a silent auction, and casino games for charity. Visit ladiesofcharityknox.org/ events or call 865-247-6217 for details.

Young men in high school (or between the ages of 13 and 17) are invited to the fourth annual Hombres de Valor Retreat offered by Pastoral Juvenil Hispana. The theme this year is “To the Heights.” During this retreat the teens can expect to enjoy some games, sports, talks, prayer time, and a lot of food. Some talks and activities will be in Spanish and others in English. The retreat will be held from 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, until 4 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 4, at Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton. Parents are invited to the closing Mass at 3 p.m. Cost is $35. There is space for 40 teens. To register, call Brittany Garcia, the coordinator of Pastoral Juvenil Hispana, at 865-776-9635.

All middle schoolers and high schoolers are invited to the Diocesan Youth Celebration from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 17, at St. Mary Church, 327 Vermont Ave., Oak Ridge, TN 37830. It will be a day of fun with food, games, an outdoor Mass, a talk, water activities, and lots of sports. Cost is $10. For more information, call Omar Carmona at 865-313-7883 or Brittany Garcia at 776-9635.

The 12th annual Irish Fest on the Hill will take place from 4 to 10 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 10, at Immaculate Conception Church in Knoxville. The event features Irish music, dancers, Irish food and drinks, and more. Admission is $5 for adults and free for kids.

Various sponsorship levels are available, and auction items are welcome.

For more information, contact Becky Birdwell at birdwellent@bellsouth.net.

The women’s group’s dessert booth featuring Irish recipes will be part of the Fest. For more information, contact Beth at meyer.beth73@gmail.com or Marilyn at majreda@comcast.net. For more details on the Fest, visit facebook.com/irishfestknoxville.

Knights of Columbus Council 610 in Chattanooga is collecting items for its White Elephant Yard Sale at the annual Labor Day picnic, scheduled for Monday, Sept. 2, at Camp Columbus.

For pickup or drop-off information, contact Brent France at 423-505-1068 or francebrent@gmail.com or John Chrnalogar at 544-1562. Proceeds support the council’s charitable activities throughout the year.

Holy Fire, an event for middle school students, will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. CDT on Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Diocese of Nashville Pastoral Center, 2800 McGavock Pike, Nashville, TN 37214. The event features speakers and music, and its mission is “to engage young teens with the conviction of their baptismal promises and to challenge them to take a stand TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C AT HO L I C

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for their Catholic faith as they are sent forth to live as disciples in the world.”

Costs are $35 until Aug. 22, $40 from Aug. 23 through Oct. 3, and $45 starting Oct. 4. For more information, visit nfcym.org/holyfirenashville.

The next Retrouvaille program, designed to help couples rebuild their marriages, is scheduled for Aug. 30-Sept. 1 in Nashville. Call 800-470-2230 or 615523-0631, e-mail nrv3043@gmail.com, or visit www.HelpOurMarriage.com.

The newly formed Monsignor Xavier Mankel Schola seeks singers of all voice parts and of any faith. The schola was created to sing the great works of the Church’s musical tradition, particularly the polyphonic music of the Renaissance and Gregorian and English chant. The schola sings for the 7:30 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on the first and third Sunday of each month and will also occasionally put on concerts and support other events and liturgical functions. The group rehearses every Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. To learn more, visit https://dokmusic.org/ audition/ or contact Mary Weaver, the schola’s director: 865-437-8620 or mary@b16schola.org.

Singers, choir directors, clergy, and others interested in sacred music are invited to the fifth annual Southeast­ ern Summer Sacred Music Work­ shop, to be held Friday and Saturday, Aug. 9-10, at the Cathedral of St. Paul in Birmingham, Ala. Southeastern Sacred Music is a chapter of the Church Music Association of America. Participants will have the opportunity to learn Gregorian chant or improve their chant skills and to prepare and sing polyphonic music for a sung Mass on Saturday afternoon. Complete details and online registration may be found online at southeasternsacredmusic.com/.

A Rachel’s Vineyard healing and recovery retreat for those who have experienced emotional or spiritual difficulties from an abortion is scheduled for the weekend of Oct. 4-6 at Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton. Complete confidentiality is honored at all times. One-on-one counseling is available with a trained counselor for those who cannot attend a weekend retreat. For more information, contact Sandi Davidson at 865-776-4510 or sandi@ccetn. org, or visit https://dioknox.org/event/ rachels-vineyard/.

The next Picture of Love engaged couples retreat is scheduled for 7-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, in the parish life center at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga. The retreat is to supplement couples’ marriage formation process with their parish priest or deacon. The cost is $135 per couple, which includes a certificate good for $60 off a marriage license. To receive a $60 discount couples must attend the entire program and attend the program within one year of purchasing the license. Mass will be celebrated during the event. For more information, visit dioknox.org/event/picture-of-love-engaged-couple-retreat-3/. A print promo may be found at https://tinyurl.com/ PoL-2019-registration.

The next Worldwide Marriage En­ counter weekends are set for Aug. 9-11 and Sept. 27-29. Apply online at GATNwwme.org or call 678-242-WWME. Father Charlie Burton and Gail Black of St. Jude Parish in Chattanooga will lead a Holy Land and Jordan pilgrim­ age Oct. 30 to Nov. 11. Participants will visit a number of sites, including Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Galilee, Gethsemane, the Nativity Church, Capernaum, Tel Aviv, Petra, and Amman. Cost is $4,699 and includes airfare, five-star accommodations, taxes, tips, fees, transportation, breakfast, and dinners. Register through www. procatholictours.com or call 612-7302890 or 769-220-2702.

A Danube River pilgrimage with Father Leo Patalinghug of EWTN is set for Nov. 3-13. All-inclusive land and air starts at $4,395. For more information, contact Lisa Morris, Select InternationCalendar continued on page B6

after each liturgy.

St Joseph, Norris One of the highlights of the summer at St. Joseph is the International Dinner.

This year’s event, headed by Bill Ross, will focus on the food and the culture of Argentina. The dinner will be held Saturday, Aug. 3.

Two new members came aboard the Parish Council in July. They will have three-year terms. Bill Ross came to St. Joseph a couple years ago from Sacramento, Calif. He has been actively involved in several events since arriving. Al Lesar arrived two years ago from South Bend, Ind. He has been in charge of communications for St. Joseph. Bill Donaldson and Doug Perry had their terms on the council expire.

St. Therese, Clinton The parish is holding an Italian Night dinner after the 5 p.m. Mass on Saturday, Aug. 5.

The Social Action Committee is collecting school supplies for the Anderson County and Clinton Schools Teacher Depot, a place where educators can shop for free supplies and materials to meet the needs of their students. Donations of basic supplies may be made in the box provided in the parish hall throughout August and September.

St. Therese and the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) thanked John Meersman, former PPC chair, and Maureen McMyler, former council member, who stepped down from their positions in June. Cathy Hundley is the new PPC chair, and new council members are Dena Helus and Melissa Brown.

The Council of Catholic Women rummage sale May 17-18 was a success, earning $1,727.79 after expenses.

The parish thanked DPR Painting for a job well done on the exterior painting of the church.

Five Rivers Deanery Holy Trinity, Jefferson City Deacon Matt Pidgeon has accepted the role of director of religious education for Holy Trinity. The parish thanked Scott and Valerie Mulligan for serving as the DREs since July 2015.

The recipients of this year’s Ken Schroer Memorial Scholarship are Samantha Richards, Stephanie Roman de la Sancha, and Kevin Shilling.

The annual women’s retreat at Living Waters Catholic Reflection Center in Maggie Valley, N.C., will be held Tuesday, Aug. 6, through Thursday, Aug. 8.

The retreat director is Sister Fran Grady, a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth, who is also a spiritual director. Cost is $170.

Contact the center at 828-926-3833 or visit www.catholicretreat.org.

The Spiritual Adoption of the Unborn Baby Shower will take place after each Mass on the weekend of Aug. 10 and 11. Baby items are being collected in the playpen in the narthex; cash and check donations may be placed in the basket.

New officers for 2019-20 for Knights of Columbus Council 12838 were elected in June, and they were installed July 9.

They are Joe Fromme, Grand Knight; Martin Witberg, deputy Grand Knight; Greg Foreman, financial secretary; Bob Rave, chancellor; Joe Braschler, recorder; Erik Perry, treasurer; Stan Szalkiewicz, advocate; Chris Weatherbie, lecturer; Ralph Holt, warden; Bob Root, inside guard; and Bill Jurkonie, outside guard. Gene Dunn, Joe Frinzi, and Dave Orzechowski are on the board of trustees. The chaplain is Father Patrick Resen, and the assistant chaplain is Deacon Jack Raymond.

The Knights awarded their person of the quarter award to Kathy Schroer.

Anniversaries: Emery and Millie Faulkner (71), James and Margaret Ray (60), Joe and Betty Lavelle (58), Ron and Anna Laarz (53), William and Nancy Chereb (51), Alan and Rhea Palmeri (50), David

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and Linda Budde (40), Jack and Linda McCoy (40), Eugene and Donna Dunn (35), Cedrick and Irene Manalili (20), Scott and Valerie Mulligan (15) Notre Dame, Greeneville Knights of Columbus Council 6784 selected Don and Susie Myers as family of the year and Jim Williams as Knight of the year.

The annual Fall Festival of Nations is set for Saturday, Sept. 28. Prepare food from your country of heritage for the food booth; contact Judy at 423-639-0688 for details. Items are needed for the silent auction; call Wanda at 470-6906. Clean items for the yard sale are now being accepted in the Ganz House; call the office at 639-9381 for pickup. Sponsors are needed for the festival. Order forms for plants and T-shirts are available. Raffle tickets are available as well.

The parish held a family night out at a Greeneville Reds baseball game July 19.

Anniversaries: Andy and Rita Chaloux (64), Ed and Harriet DeWald (62), Tim and Cecilia Marcy (55), Roger and Barbara Violette (55), Anthony and Carol LaMarca (52) Confirmandi: John Chapman, Roberto Lopez Gregorio, Diana Ramos, Fernando Vazquez, Emily Villagomez, Kevin Alonso, Ervin Alonso, Tasmin Banegas, Jennifer Crus Gonzalez, Bianca Juarez, Karina Juarez, Joselyn Rodriguez Valladares, Alex Ramos, Adrian Ramos, Brayan Noria St. Dominic, Kingsport St. Dominic said farewell in June to Sister Carmen Lina Ramos, MAG, who has worked with the parish Hispanic ministry for the last nine years. Sister Carmen Lina was reassigned to a new parish in northern Italy in July. During her tenure she coordinated RCIA preparation, first Holy Communions, confirmations, baptisms, weddings, and religious education of both youth and adults. The parish honored her at a lunch after the 12:30 p.m. Mass on June 2.

The annual parish Italian Night, featuring Italian food and music as well as singing and dancing, begins after Mass at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, in the parish life center. There is no charge, but sign up in the entry of the church if you plan to attend.

The women’s group will begin an Endow study with biweekly gatherings from 9:30 to 11 a.m. starting Wednesday, Aug. 14, upstairs in the parish life center. Participants will study Pope St. John Paul II’s apostolic letter Salvifici Doloris (On the Christian meaning of suffering).

Register online and order a workbook at endowgroups.org/groups/st-dominics.

For more information, contact Amber Vachon at amber.vachon@gmail.com or 423-276-4879.

St. Dominic will host the Kingsport Unity Prayer Service at 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18, with a reception to follow.

Father Michael Cummins began leading a group discussion July 18 on the video series “The Wild Goose: Discovering a Deeper Relationship With the Holy Spirit,” hosted by Father Dave Pivonka, TOR. The Martha and Mary ministry sponsored a retreat June 22 presented by Father Jim Sichko of the Diocese of Lexington, Ky. The parish thanked all who made the 2019 vacation Bible school a success.

Coordinator Christine Browning and 27 adult and teen volunteers worked to create an environment of fun songs, crazy crafts, games, Bible stories, and more for 70-plus children participating.

St. Mary, Johnson City St. Mary held a parish holy hour for outgoing pastor Father Peter Iorio on June 28 to honor his years of service to the parish. A cake-and-punch reception followed.

St. Patrick, Morristown The parish thanked Jacopo Diluzio, son Parish notes continued on page B7 AUGUST 4, 2019 n B5

straddles the Tennessee-Georgia line.

“A number of months ago I was here to offer my opinion about the removal of the confessional back there. I know it was dedicated to the memory of Mary Jabaley Joseph, who served in the family that has been part of the foundation of this parish so long,” the bishop said.

“One of the problems with the confessional was that it was so small that Father Tom had a hard time fitting in it. His knees would pop out.

It was pressed up against that last pew. If you were really nosy, you could sit in that last pew and find out what was going on with your neighbor.

“So they asked my opinion, and they still wanted to honor Mary.

The confessional was donated to honor her memory. So my suggestion was to use the confessional here [up front] with a little more space and to do an icon. The icon I’m going to bless now is dedicated to the Blessed Mother, the Untier of Knots.

What does that mean? A lot of times in our lives, we tie ourselves up.

Through the intercession of Mary, she’s able to unblock those things [that get in the way] of following the Lord. In the Eastern Church, they believe an icon is an opening to the heavens. Icons are beautiful teaching methods of faith. You look at the

DAN MCWILLIAMS (3)

Father Moser continued from page B1

Our Lady, Untier of Knots Bishop Stika blesses a new icon at St. Catherine Labouré Church. eyes and the hands. They all represent something. It’ll be an honor to dedicate this icon to the Blessed Mother.”

The bishop closed with an expression of gratitude to the Copperhill parishioners, who, though small in number, he said, are still important to the diocese.

“Again, thanks to all of you here at Copperhill. As I travel through the diocese, and I’ve been doing a lot of that lately, I just remind all the parishes that I visit: big or small, one parish is just the same as the other. They’re all important,” Bish-

Future bishop? Bishop Stika allows Mario Ruiz, 12, of Blue Ridge, Ga., to wear his zucchetto after Father Moser’s anniversary Mass. With them is Elizabeth Ruiz, 10.

op Stika said. “It’s not the size of the parish. A lot of times it’s the location that dictates the size, but we’re all communities of faith. We all belong to that which is called the body of Christ. I just want to thank you for all that you do for the Church, for this local community, for your families. Also please give my best wishes to all those members of your family who might be ill or unable to come to Mass.”

A breakfast feast downstairs followed the Mass.

Father Moser, whose actual anniversary was June 11, said his 25th jubilee day was a special one, especially with his family present.

“Absolutely, they came from all corners of the world,” he said.

Father Moser was grateful that his friend of more than 30 years, Father Creson, took part.

“Very special to have him here.

Glad he came and could make it,” Father Moser said.

Father Moser has served in a

variety of assignments for the Diocese of Knoxville, as associate pastor or pastor in locales ranging from South Pittsburg to Kingsport and from Chattanooga to Fairfield Glade.

“I guess by this time I’ve been all over the South, all the different deaneries,” he said. “I’ve visited quite a number of parishes, so I get to know East Tennessee and the Diocese of Knoxville pretty well by this time.”

He will miss his time in Copperhill.

“There are a lot of good people, wonderful people, supportive people in this parish who are just so giving in whatever we ask for,” he said.

The St. Catherine Labouré family clearly loved their departing pastor.

“That’s what I’m hearing,” Father Moser said with a laugh. “They hate to see me go, and they get attached, as is normal.”

Knights of Columbus member Dave Pierman, serving as an usher for Father Moser’s anniversary Mass, said he will remember the priest for “his easygoing personality.”

“He is so down to earth and easy to talk to,” Mr. Pierman said. “I would say the main thing, though, is his love of the liturgy. He is very musically talented, but we can’t get him to sing at Mass. He works with our organist very closely, so the music that we do, we try to coincide with the liturgy for that week.

“Personally, I find myself often getting phone calls from him to do things, but as I said earlier about the Knights of Columbus, this is what we do: we’re supposed to support our pastor, but in his case it’s very easy. I was amazed at how fast the five years went.” n

At the ambo Father Moser preaches the homily at his silver-anniversary Mass. He was ordained a priest by Bishop Anthony J. O’Connell on June 11, 1994, at St. Leo the Great Church in St. Paul, Minn.

Calendar continued from page B5 al Tours, at 865-567-1245 or lisam@select-intl.com.

Father Mike Nolan will lead a pilgrimage to Cuba from Feb. 10-18, 2020. The travel ban on cruise ships to Cuba will not affect this pilgrimage, since it is with a religious group. Participants will visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Old Havana and walk the cobblestone streets, learning of 500 years of history and culture. Pilgrims will next go on to Trinidad, known as “the city time forgot” and a UNESCO World Heritage site, and hear about Catholic social teaching as they visit Valle de los Ingenios, the valleys of the sugar cane plantations, also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Mass will be celebrated each day, including at Parraquial Mayor, the oldest church on the island, built in 1522. The group will visit Sancti Spiritus, the oldest Cuban European settlement. For more information, contact Lisa Morris at 865-567-1245 or lisam@selectintl.com.

Father Randy Stice will lead a pilgrimage opportu­ nity to see the Passion Play in Oberammergau, visit holy and sacred sites, and see the beauty of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland from Aug. 11-21, 2020. Every 10 years, since 1634, the people in the village of Oberammergau in Bavaria, Germany, have performed the Passion Play. In 1633, the residents of Oberammergau vowed that if God spared them from the bubonic plague, they would produce a play depicting the life and death of Jesus. God spared the people, and they have kept their vow. For more information, contact Lisa Morris at 865-567-1245 or lisam@select-intl.com.

B6 n AUGUST 4, 2019

The Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga is now normally open weekdays from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturdays, with extended hours on some weeknights. The weekday schedule includes daily Mass at 7 a.m. Monday (ancient form), Wednesday, and Friday and noon Monday through Friday. Confessions are offered at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. Morning prayer is offered after the 7 a.m. Mass on Monday/Wednesday/Friday. Adoration is offered first Fridays following the noon Mass, concluding with Benediction at 5:30 p.m. Adoration continues from 9 p.m. until 7 a.m. Saturday.

A Missa Cantata (sung Mass) in the ancient form of the Roman Rite is normally celebrated at 5 p.m. on the fourth Sunday of each month at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul. The next Missa Cantata celebrations will be Aug. 25 and Sept. 22 at 5 p.m.

An organ recital by Dr. Sarah Harr at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul is set for 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29. The theme is “In Memory of Paul Manz,” a well-known organist/composer whose centennial is this year. Dr. Harr will play pieces written by Manz’s teachers, by him, and by his students/successors.

All of his music is based on hymns. The recital will feature the recently installed trompette and clarinet ranks of the basilica’s historic pipe organ. Admission is free. Donations to support sacred music concerts at the basilica will be gratefully accepted.

The next men’s Evening of Formation With the Saints at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul is from 7 w ww.di o k no x .o rg

to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14, and will feature Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. The next women’s Evening of Formation is from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, confession, formation, and fellowship await participants. Come and bring a friend. Call Dan or Nancy Fisher at 423-803-0257.

New young-adult ministries are being hosted at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, including a Young Couples Ministry (married, engaged, or dating).

Contact Christina or Andrew Bankson at hello@christinamphoto.com to get involved. A Young Catholic Singles Ministry (ages 18-35) meets on first Fridays at the basilica for prayer and community. Adoration concludes with Benediction at 5:30 p.m. Prayer and social time in Varallo Parish Hall will follow. Upcoming dates include Aug. 2, Sept. 6, and Oct. 5. E-mail burton.jessica@mail.com or call 860-502-2458.

Mass in the extraordinary form (“traditional Latin”) is celebrated at noon each Sunday at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville; every Sunday at 8 a.m. at St. Mary Church in Athens; and 5 p.m. each fourth Sunday at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga. For more information, visit www.KnoxLatinMass.net.

The St. Thomas the Apostle Eastern (Byzantine) Catholic Mission located at 2304 Ault Road, Knoxville, TN 37914 meets for Divine Liturgy every first, second, and fourth Sunday at 3 p.m. All services are in English. Call Father Richard Armstrong at 865584-3307 or visit www.saintthomasknoxville.org/ for details. n TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C ATH OLI C

First Communion celebrated at St. Mary-Gatlinburg Several children from St. Mary Parish in Gatlinburg received their first Holy Communion on May 19. From left are (front) Kyla Salimbene, Juan Martinez, and Bryanna Turcios and (back) Isabella Hermida, pastor Father Antony Punnackal, CMI, and Alianette Pedraza.

NANCY POWELL

Basilica revives Forty Hours devotion The Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Chattanooga celebrated the ancient Forty Hours devotion on June 27-29, anticipating the patronal feast of Sts. Peter and Paul and the 129th anniversary of the dedication of the parish’s 1890 church building. The 40 hours included an opening litany and procession; continuous adoration with parish ministries leading guided prayers each hour; Mass for the solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus; vespers; and lauds, with guest homilist and noted author Father Jeffrey Kirby, STD. The devotion concluded with Bishop Richard F. Stika’s celebration of the confirmation Mass on the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, with nearly 50 confirmandi. To hear Father Kirby’s homilies, visit the audio page at stspeterandpaulbasilica.com.

COURTESY OF MIKE SWEENEY

Cardinal confirms youth at St. Mary-Gatlinburg St. Mary Parish in Gatlinburg celebrated confirmation May 15. From left above are (front row) Yandel Reyes, Keyleen Sierra, Vincent Hefferen, Keyry Sanchez, and Jennifer Martinez; (middle row) Paul Didenko, Juliet Didenko, Diego Rios, Lucia Fratini, and Ashley Nova; and (back row) Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus Tim Sabin, Deacon Otto Preske, pastor Father Antony Punnackal, CMI, Cardinal Justin Rigali, and Father Matthew Vazhappilli, CMI.

MARIA RIST

COURTESY OF MIKE SWEENEY

Parish and community news

First Communion at St. Stephen Twenty-six children celebrated their first Holy Communion with Father Manuel Pérez at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga on May 11.

ROIBIN RUDD

Parish notes continued from page B5 of Vittorio and Paola Diluzio, on the completion of his recent Eagle Scout project at the church. Jacopo is a member of Boy Scout Troop 91. Frank Raimondi and other Scouts from the troop helped with the project, which was to clean, repair, and repaint the parish playground and to build a new brick mailbox near the office.

Basilica holds sixth Corpus Christi procession On June 23, the solemnity of Corpus Christi, the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga held its sixth annual Corpus Christi procession through the surrounding streets, including clergy, altar servers, first communicants, Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, the combined adult and youth Spanish and English choirs, and many hundreds of faithful followers. The parish celebrated first Holy Communion for 47 first communicants at the principal English and Spanish Masses, with the procession between the Masses, and a total of nearly 1,300 attendees.

The Knights of Columbus will be holding their annual Big Boys Yard Sale on Saturday, Aug. 17, at the parish pavilion. Items for the sale may include yard and garden tools and equipment, mowers, shop tools of all kinds, sporting goods, automotive items, electronics, kitchen appliances, and small furniture (no clothing).

Keeping up the parish grounds was important to late parishioner Liz Steisslinger. To honor her, the parish has formed Liz’s Landscapers to meet once or twice a week in the morning to work on different areas around the grounds. For more information, contact Erin McGarel at 423-748-8272 or erin. mcgarel@yahoo.com.

Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Bernard A. O’Connor Assembly 2094 hosted the parish’s fourth annual Memorial Day service at the church columbarium May 27. The guest speaker for the service was Troy Hightower, a U.S. Army Green Beret retired master sergeant.

Anniversaries: Nick and Elena Longo (60), Don and Mary Birch (55)

Catholic Bible study, will start in September with sessions offered from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays or 7 to 8:45 p.m.

Thursdays. Contact Marie Ward at 865405-3589 or wwp.olof@gmail.com, or visit walkingwithpurpose.com to learn more.

Catholic War Veterans Post 1973 held a barbecue rib dinner June 14 in the social hall to honor parish veterans.

Guest speakers were Capt. Bill Robinson, the longest-held prisoner of war in U.S. history, and Stephanie Trost, representing the Yellow Ribbon Fund.

Proceeds of the dinner benefited the Yellow Ribbon Fund as well as the post’s efforts to help veterans.

Parishioner Leon P. Dodd Jr. led a continuing Catholic education series on “From Fear to Faith” on Wednesdays from May 29 through June 26.

St. John XXIII, Knoxville The parish congratulated Deacon Bob Ketteringham for completing his graduate certificate in spiritual direction from Aquinas Institute of Theology.

St. Joseph the Worker, Madisonville The parish celebrated the 27th anniversary of priestly ordination for pastor Father Julius Abuh on July 20 with a Mass and reception.

St. Joseph the Worker participated in the Good Shepherd Center’s Christmas in July drive to provide new outfits for school-age children.

ELIZABETH CONWAY

Smoky Mountain Deanery

Holy Spirit’s Spirited Seniors enjoy Friday activities The fun of any game is winning a prize, and so it is with the Spirited Seniors from Holy Spirit Parish in Soddy-Daisy. Pictured above are some of the prize winners. The Spirited Seniors meet every Friday with a different activity, including adoration on first Fridays followed by dinner, bingo on second Fridays, a potluck dinner on third Fridays, a game day on fourth Fridays, and a movie on fifth Fridays. From left are (seated) Gloria Snell, Pat Treppard, and Kathy Maxwell and (standing) Gail Campbell, Sharon Clem, Charlene Kirn, Janet Strubhart, Shirley Willard, Cherry Moreno, Cathy Burnett, Rip Osborne, and Kenneth King.

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

Immaculate Conception, Knoxville Council 645 of the Knights of Columbus hosted the opening Mass and ceremony for the Tennessee State Council on July 26. New State Deputy Mike McCusker is a former IC parishioner.

Middle school and high school youth enjoyed “Shakespeare on the Square” on July 25.

Our Lady of Fatima, Alcoa “Walking With Purpose,” a women’s

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Special thanks went to Knights of Columbus members and relatives who helped renovate the parish pavilion.

They included Gerry Schlueter, Brian Baldwin, Bob Clowers, Don Walters, John Reiner, Richard Gaston, Dan Callan, Francisco Vargas, Salvador Pina, Jeff Bayne, Dave Olako, John Stanley, and Chris Mauck.

The parish thanked all who donated to help the Holy Family Orphanage in Nigeria, sponsored by Father Abuh. A total of $455 was collected at a bakedgoods sale July 7, bringing the overall total close to $1,000. n AUGUST 4, 2019 n B7

COURTESY OF FATHER JOHN ORR

COURTESY OF JOHN SOPKO

Parish and community news

Six-year-old bowler helps team win title

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first-time 6-year-old bowler helped his team win the championship bowling tournament as the Knights of Columbus Family Bowling League concluded its spring season with its championship tourney May 26 at SpareTime in Hixson.

The top four teams from a field of 22 teams participated simply for “bragging rights.” The league, formed in 2014 with just two teams, bowls to raise money for its charity, the Chattanooga-based Maclellan Shelter for Families, which opened its doors in December 2014.

The league has two 10-week bowling seasons, one in the spring and one in the fall. The league makes its donation to the shelter at its annual December dinner.

The first-place tournament team was the Fireballs with a team score

of 861. Members are John Purvis and wife Eula and 6-year-old grandson Aiden Van Thiel. All three attend Holy Spirit Church in Soddy-Daisy.

Coming in second with a team score of 846 was Sir Pinsters, featuring Tony DiMaiolo, John Hutterer, Al Corkum, and Anthony Bruschi, all of St. Gerard Parish in Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. The third-place team, scoring 844, was Genco, featuring team members Will, Matt, Andrew, and father Don Cambron. All four attend Holy Spirit Church.

Under Gutter Bang finished fourth with a team score of 810.

Team members are Kevin Perry and wife Erika, both of Holy Spirit Parish, and Jim Chardos and John Sopko, both of St. Stephen Parish in Chattanooga. n

Newly installed Holy Family Assembly’s new officers are (from left, front row) Faithful Navigator Wayne Collins, Faithful Captain Steve Horten, Faithful Pilot John Chenkus, Faithful Scribe Jim Costello, and Trustee third year Ken Stroop and (back row) Faithful Comptroller Victor Williams, Inner Sentinel John Sopko, Faithful Admiral Bill Reynolds, Trustee second year Ray Fox Jr, and Faithful Purser Ron Schleifer. Not pictured are Trustee first year Rick Powell, Outer Sentinel Walt Vamprine, and Faithful Friar Father Manuel Pérez.

Prayer Warriors’ requests burned in altar at columbarium On June 25, Father Michael Woods, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fairfield Glade, held a service at the altar in the parish columbarium to burn the prayer requests that have been submitted to the Prayer Warriors over the past months. The burnt offering is one of the oldest and most common offerings in history. The Prayer Warriors have been meeting every Tuesday morning for the last nine years to pray together and offer special prayers for requests made by parishioners. These requests are written on a slip and placed in a special box located in the main church entrance. All parishioners are invited to come and pray with the Prayer Warriors.

Knights Assembly 3250 installs officers

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ewly elected officers of the Chattanooga-based Holy Family Assembly 3250 of the Knights of Columbus were installed on the evening of June 17.

Thirty-three guests attended the installation ceremony, which was followed by a dinner prepared in the KofC hall kitchen by Knights chef Steve Reker, Joe Chaousy, and John Sopko.

In his closing remarks, Faithful Navigator Wayne Collins named John Chenkus as Knight of the Year for his work this past year as the

COURTESY OF JOHN W. SMITH

CHRIS HUMKEY

Pakistani bishop visits St. Mary-Athens Bishop Samson Shukardin, OFM, of the Diocese of Hyderabad, Pakistan, visited his brother, Harrison, in Athens for a week recently and spoke at St. Mary Church in Athens. Besides coming to St. Mary, Bishop Shukardin was able to visit with Bishop Richard F. Stika at the Chancery. Bishop Shukardin is overseeing the Year of Youth for the bishops of Pakistan. “The Year of Youth in Pakistan will be a time to nourish our future, to take care of young people, to listen to them, and to accompany them on their journey of faith and to grow in holiness,” Bishop Shukardin told Vatican News. In the picture, Bishop Shukardin stands with Deacon Zach Griffith and St. Mary pastor Father John Orr after Mass on June 30. In his preaching, the bishop reminded his St. Mary audience of the dangers Catholics face in Pakistan: imprisonment or death for “blasphemy” or “disrespecting” Mohammed or the Koran, and young girls (13 years old) being kidnapped and married off to Muslim men. Bishop Shukardin has been the principal celebrant twice since Father Orr became pastor at St. Mary. The visit marked the fifth of a bishop to St. Mary in the past 12 months: three by Bishop Stika and two by Bishop Shukardin.

Top bowlers Participants on the top four Family Bowling League teams include (from left, front row) Aiden Van Thiel, Andrew Cambron, Will Cambron, and Erika Perry; (second row) Eula Purvis, Matt Cambron, and Don Cambron; (third row) John Purvis, John Sopko, and Jim Chardos; and (back) Kevin Perry. Not pictured are Tony DiMaiolo, John Hutterer, Al Corkum, and Anthony Bruschi.

assembly’s pilot in organizing the assembly’s six socials and for his acceptance to serve this upcoming year as the assembly’s color corps commander, replacing John Sopko, who stepped down from that position in order to fill the vacated position of the assembly’s inner sentinel.

The assembly lost three of its members this year: Past Faithful Navigator Rusty Phillips, Past Color Corps Commander Bill Cornwell, and current year Inner Sentinel Ray Bertani. n

Boy, I wish our Church wasn’t growing so fast...

How will we afford it?

Good thing we have the Catholic Foundation!

The

Catholic Foundation of East Tennessee invests in two essential needs for the Diocese of Knoxville

COURTESY OF PAT RYAN

Seminarian Education

Smoky Mountain Deanery women attend KDCCW Convention The Smoky Mountain Deanery was well-represented at the recent Knoxville Diocesan Council of Catholic Women Convention held at St. Mary Church in Oak Ridge. From left are deanery spiritual adviser Father Joe Brando, Eileen Widmer, Mary Williams, and Pat Ryan.

B8 n AUGUST 4, 2019

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and Land for New Churches Helping to provide for a growing Church for 30 years!

Learn more @ GiveCFET.org or call John Deinhart @ (865) 584-3307

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

Praying for Perspective

by George Valadie

Trip to Honduras ‘leaves a lot of emotional bridges’ A daughter’s mission trip to a foreign country brings home the same lessons as her father once brought home

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’ve lost track, but I know it’s been well over 20 summers since I had the opportunity to visit Saltillo, Mexico. Though “visit” might not be the best word.

I had the good fortune to travel with Father Joe of the Jackson, Miss., diocese, two busloads of teenagers, and some chaperones whose companionship helped to make the heat bearable and the bus ride enjoyable.

Needless to say, my memory banks of that excursion have been jostled by the tone of our country’s current discourse about the border, who’s on the other side of it, and all the whatever elses that stir us up.

Because Lord, we are indeed stirred up!

That summer, we just went with the hopes of making a few people’s lives a little bit easier.

Before embarking, we had collected a variety of trinkets and toys for the little kids and clothes for their families. We also traveled with a dentist who sacrificed 10 days of his practice to serve the hurting, though he couldn’t speak a lick of the language.

While stopped at the border entrance, their officials went through most all our luggage. Strangely, Father had to bribe them—literally—to allow us to take what was needed to the needy.

Our days involved traveling outside Saltillo to a part of the world I had heretofore seen only on television. Our nights were spent inside the secure confines of a local parish, the walls of which even the local thugs respected.

What prompted me to go was the fact that our youngest daughter, Sarah, had previously agreed to a

She never really got adjusted to sleeping with the critters that also live in and among the Honduran children.

She seemed particularly distraught to have discovered that her visit coincided with what turned out to be gecko lizard mating season. similar trip to Honduras with some of her classmates.

In both our cases, we signed up and signed on months ahead during one of those unexplained phases in all our lives when things seem like a perfectly good idea at the time.

But as our trips creeped ever closer, we both wondered what exactly we had done.

Before these excursions, the closest either of us had ever come to “roughing it” would have been the time our family stayed at a Holiday Inn with broken cable TV. But now we faced no air, no Diet Coke, and no toilet that flushed toilet paper … what could we have been thinking?

Today, as I think back to that journey and what I did for the people of Mexico ... I mean what I really did for them ... I’m embarrassed.

Because it wasn’t all that much. Our teenage travelers were the ones who did all the good stuff. At best, my presence allowed them to go.

Sarah, on the other hand, I’m still proud of her. She spent 12 days of her eighth-grade summer with a slew of little orphans climbing all over her. She didn’t build a single home, hospital, or school. She did, however, leave a lot of emotional bridges that will never be seen, only felt.

She discovered that making good grades in Spanish class doesn’t always mean you can speak the

Thoughts and Prayers for the Faithful

language.

And she also discovered that the language of smiles and caring doesn’t always need the spoken word.

Sarah would be hugely embarrassed if I told you about her “mission trip” in some effort to paint her as a saint. That’s not what happened at all.

She never really got adjusted to sleeping with the critters that also live in and among the Honduran children. She seemed particularly distraught to have discovered that her visit coincided with what turned out to be gecko lizard mating season.

She had to wash the few clothes she was allowed to bring in a cold water tub with a washboard. At our house, she’d never even put a load in the machine.

Before she left, Nancy and I worried what she would eat. At that stage of her life, her diet was a mixture of not much more than Quarter Pounders and chicken tenders.

I’m not sure we got the entire story about what she did eat for 12 days, but she tells us that all 36 of her meals were composed of cold scrambled eggs, tortilla shells, and refried beans that had been successively refried until “they” became an “it,” more like just one big refried bean.

She’ll still tell you she was glad she went. She’ll even tell you she might go back some day, but she’ll also tell you that not nearly enough time has passed … not yet.

I know I’m glad she went. She learned the same three lessons I brought home those many years ago.

Lesson 1: When she climbed off

the plane, her first words were “God bless the USA”; while upon my return I was suddenly inspired to “say grace” over my daily morning-drive Diet Coke.

Lesson 2: Neither of us could get over how children could be so happy and have so little.

Lesson 3: We had no idea of the depth of how poor a poor person can really be.

Through the years I know I’ve recounted to more than a few people—and proudly I might add—that “well yes, I have done some mission work!”

Not so proudly anymore.

In the big scheme of God’s work, I don’t think either one of us did enough to climb higher on His list.

In fact, if anything, we received far more than we gave.

I’m guessing the debate will forever rage on about what should happen at the border and who should get to come and how many and on and on. A debate that thus far seems not to have changed a single mind.

But should you ever get the chance to go, sign up and sign on.

There’s an unimaginable need we do agree about. Not to mention you’ll find it to be a great tradeoff.

They’ll appreciate what you can give them, and you’ll forever appreciate the fact that you can.

Dear God—How did we end up here with this and they end up there with that? Is it supposed to stay that way?

Should we be watching your plan unfold or be a part of it? Even one answer would be nice.—Amen ■ George Valadie is president of Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga.

by Bob Hunt

A study of the cynical Book of Qoheleth Also known as Ecclesiastes, the book is among the wisdom books of the Old Testament

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’ve been reading the Book of Qoheleth, also known as Ecclesiastes, attributed to Solomon because of the opening line, “The words of David’s son, Qoheleth, king in Jerusalem” (Ecclesiastes 1:1).

It is included among the wisdom books of the Old Testament.

Many think Qoheleth a downer of a book, and it’s clearly a work of cynical philosophy. “Vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!” (Qoheleth 1:2b) Which is to say, all things amount to nothing in the end. All your labors, all your wealth, all your good living or wanton living—all of it will come to the same end: death.

Sometimes the just are punished in this world, while the wicked are raised up. But that reflects the priorities of this world, priorities that will eventually come to nothing.

Yes, it certainly is cynical. But in our culture that puts so much emphasis on wealth, power, and celebrity, perhaps we could afford some cynicism. I was perusing photos from the Met Gala this year, and they are surely a sight: celebrities dressed to the nines in various outfits, some quite elegant, others hideously gaudy, and others simply ridiculous.

More than a celebration of fashion, it was a celebration of privilege, social status, and obscene

Daily readings Thursday, Aug. 1: Memorial of St. Alphonsus Liguori, bishop and doctor of the Church, Exodus 40:16-21, 34-38; Psalm 84:3-6, 8, 11; Matthew 13:47-53 Friday, Aug. 2: Leviticus 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34-37; Psalm 81:3-6, 10-11; Matthew 13:54-58 Saturday, Aug. 3: Leviticus 25:1, 8-17; Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 7-8; Matthew TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C AT HO L I C

amounts of disposable wealth, since thousands were spent on each unique outfit, none of which will ever be worn again. It seemed an event made for reflection by our cynical biblical scholar, Qoheleth.

In the long run, what will all this excessive glamour and celebrity worship come to, since the great majority of those rich and famous today will be forgotten tomorrow when death snatches them up as surely as he snatches the poor and unknown?

Death is the great equalizer.

Regardless of how justly and righteously you live, you will die.

Regardless of how unjust and unrighteous you live, you will die.

Some might conclude, “Well, what difference does it make? I may as well live it up now, ’cause we’re all gonna die!” Qoheleth, too, considers that conclusion: “Therefore I commend mirth: because there is nothing good for man under the sun except eating and drinking and mirth:

for that is the accompaniment of his toil during the limited days of the life which God gives him under the sun” (Qoheleth 8:15). Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow you may die! Perhaps the revelers at the Met Gala have it right, after all.

The point of the book, however, is this: don’t invest yourself too much in this world, in either your successes or your failures, in either the rewards you’ve merited or the unjust punishments you’ve suffered; for this world is fleeting, and whatever fame or misfortune, comfort or suffering, good or evil you’ve managed in this temporal world will be judged, not on any temporal scale, but on an eternal scale.

Rather than an attitude of, “I may as well live as if nothing matters because … well … nothing matters!”; instead, the proper attitude is: “I really ought to live righteously, live for others, and live to please God because … well … nothing of the trappings of this world will amount to anything. All the praise, pleasure, fame, wealth, rewards will count for nothing in the grave. At the same time, all the rebukes, dismissals, poverty, and unjust punishments I’ve endured will also count for nothing in the grave. The rich and the poor, the famous and the forgotten, the powerful and the lowly,

will lie side by side in the same earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

What matters, then, is what counts for eternity.” This is Qoheleth’s conclusion: “The last word, when all is heard: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is man’s all; because God will bring to judgment every work, with all its hidden qualities, whether good or bad” (Qoheleth 12:13-14).

Frankly, this is a word of comfort and consolation for me. The last few months have been rough. It’s tempting to get so frustrated that I just want to give it all up and run away.

But what will all this amount to on the balance of eternity? Nothing.

Not a whisper. It is all vanity. When I lie down in this earth, my accusers will lie down in the same earth.

Those who possess power over the lives of others will have none left for themselves, and all the power they exerted on earth will be measured against the scale of an eternally just and loving God. So, too, will I stand before the same just and loving God. When I do, my prayer will be that God’s justice is mercy.

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

14:1-12 Sunday, Aug. 4: Ecclesiastes 1:2 and 2:21-23; Psalm 90:3-6, 12-14, 17; Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11; Luke 12:13-21 Monday, Aug. 5: Numbers 11:4-15; Psalm 81:12-17; Matthew 14:13-21 Tuesday, Aug. 6: Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14; Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 9; 2 Peter 1:16-19; Luke 9:28-36 Wednesday, Aug. 7: Numbers 13:1-

2 and 13:25-14:1, 14:26-29, 34-35; Psalm 106:6-7, 13-14, 21-23; Matthew 15:21-28 Thursday, Aug. 8: Memorial of St. Dominic, priest, Numbers 20:1-13; Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9; Matthew 16:13-23 Friday, Aug. 9: Deuteronomy 4:3240; Psalm 77:12-16, 21; Matthew 16:24-28 Saturday, Aug. 10: Feast of St. Lawrence, deacon and martyr, 2 Corinthians 9:6-10; Psalm 112:1-2, 5-9;

John 12:24-26 Sunday, Aug. 11: Wisdom 18:6-9; Psalm 33:1, 12, 18-22; Hebrews 11:12, 8-19; Luke 12:32-48 Monday, Aug. 12: Deuteronomy 10:12-22; Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20; Matthew 17:22-27 Tuesday, Aug. 13: Deuteronomy 31:1-8; Deuteronomy 32:3-4, 7-9, 12; Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14 Wednesday, Aug. 14: Memorial of

“I may as well live it up now, ‘cause we’re all gonna die!” Qoheleth, too, considers that conclusion: “Therefore I commend mirth: because there is nothing good for man under the sun except eating and drinking and mirth . . . “

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Bob Hunt is a husband, father, and parishioner at All Saints Church in Knoxville.

Readings continued on page B10 AUGUST 4, 2019 n B9

PAM RHOADES (2)

Catholic youth

ERICA RENFREE

Fifth Smith & Smith camp held at KCHS Bishop Richard F. Stika visited the fifth annual Smith & Smith Catholic Football Camp held July 8 and 9 at Knoxville Catholic High School. The bishop is pictured between Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (left), a KCHS grad, and Buffalo Bills tight end Lee Smith, a Powell High School alum. At right, Harrison Smith conducts a drill with a young camper.

Out in front Jake Renfree of KCHS finds himself in a familiar position— first place—in the state track-and-field meet.

Knoxville Catholic’s Jake Renfree adds to his state running championship total

COURTESY OF MARTIN VARGAS

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American Heritage Girls receive awards Chris Manning, chair of the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting, presented awards for three American Heritage Girls at the 10:30 a.m. Mass on June 2 at St. John Neumann Church in Farragut. Receiving their Spirit Alive Award were Taylor Breeden, Mary Donahue, and Margaret Walter. Mary and Margaret also received their Pillar of Faith Awards. From left are Mr. Manning, Taylor, Mary, Margaret, St. John Neumann pastor Father Joe Reed, and Lydia Donahue.

ake Renfree concluded his stellar running career at Knoxville Catholic High School with two more state titles in the TSSAA Large School Track & Field Championships on May 23 at Middle Tennessee State University.

The senior, a University of Notre Dame signee with multiple track and cross country titles on his ledger, captured state crowns this spring in the 800-meter and 1,600 runs.

Jake completed the 800 run in a time of 1 minute, 53.80 seconds, to beat out Gabriel Robinson of Ravenwood by 1.92 seconds. Jake ran the 1,600 in a time of 4:14.30 to win by a margin of 1.98 seconds over Davis Bove of Centennial.

KCHS teammate Riley Smith, a sophomore, finished 14th in the 1,600 in a time of 4:38.55.

Knoxville Catholic senior John Rentenbach placed fourth in the pole vault, clearing 14 feet even.

Sophomore Nicklaus Iverson fin-

ished 14th in the state 100 dash with a time of 11.51 seconds.

As a team, the KCHS boys scored 25 points to place eighth among more than 55 schools competing.

The Lady Irish also were heard from at the state meet. Junior Eleanor Mancini topped all KCHS girls with a second-place finish in the 800 run, coming in at 2:15.61 to finish just 1.38 seconds behind winner Jenna Hutchins of Science Hill.

Junior Callie Tucker took seventh place in the 3,200 run with a time of 11:14.62. Junior Anna Witsoe recorded an 11th-place time of 1:00.36 in the 400 dash.

The KCHS girls 1,600 relay team of Eleanor, Anna, Kelsey Miller, and Mary Oakley Robinson captured fourth-place honors with a time of 4:01.73.

The Lady Irish team scored 15 points to place 18th out of more than 55 schools in the field. n

COURTESY OF MECHTILD BOLES

Readings continued from page B9

COURTESY OF KARLIN BAKER

Chattanooga Serrans install new officers The Serra Club of Chattanooga installed new officers for 2019-20 on June 24. The ceremony was conducted by Father Christopher Floersh at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul. From left are (front row) Judy Speck, secretary; Emily Knoch, trustee; Larry Parks, vice president for membership; Mechtild Boles, vice president for communications; Priscilla McLean, vice president for vocations; Jerry McGrary, trustee; and Brenda McConnell, vice president for programs; and (back row) Eric Pelton, president-elect; Fos Goodwin, treasurer; Deacon Hicks Armor; Raleigh Cooper, president; Father Floersh, chaplain; and Deacon Gaspar DeGaetano. Not pictured is Betty Anne Neal, trustee.

Cursillo Day 4 gathering at St. Augustine comes to an end Most likely the longest continual Cursillo Day 4 weekly gathering in the diocese, and probably many others, has come to an end at St Augustine Church in Signal Mountain.

The group’s Saturday morning gatherings after Mass have dwindled from more than 20 men to only two. The only surviving Cursillista from the 1968 group, Dr. John Reynolds, was one of four recent regular attendees. When it became apparent that only two could attend on a regular basis, it was decided to end the Saturday morning groupings.

The photo was taken at the 1999 annual Cursillo Breakfast.

B10 n AUGUST 4, 2019

St. Maximilian Kolbe, priest and martyr, Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Psalm 66:1-3, 5, 8, 16-17, Matthew 18:15-20; vigil for the Assumption, 1 Chronicles 15:3-4, 15-16 and 16:1-2; Psalm 132:6-7, 9-10, 13-14; 1 Corinthians 15:54-57; Luke 11:27-28 Thursday, Aug. 15: Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Revelation 11:19 and 12:1-6, 10; Psalm 45:10-12, 16; 1 Corinthians 15:20-27; Luke 1:39-56 Friday, Aug. 16: Joshua 24:1-13; Psalm 136:1-3, 16-18, 21-22, 24; Matthew 19:3-12 Saturday, Aug. 17: Joshua 24:14-29; Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 11; Matthew 19:13-15 Sunday, Aug. 18: Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10; Psalm 40:2-4, 18; Hebrews 12:1-4; Luke 12:49-53 Monday, Aug. 19: Judges 2:11-19; Psalm 106:34-37, 39-40, 43-44; Matthew 19:16-22 Tuesday, Aug. 20: Memorial of St. Bernard, abbot and doctor of the Church, Judges 6:11-24; Psalm 85:9, 11-14; Matthew 19:23-30 Wednesday, Aug. 21: Memorial of St. Pius X, pope, Judges 9:6-15; Psalm 21:2-7; Matthew 20:1-16 Thursday, Aug. 22: Memorial of

the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Judges 11:29-39; Psalm 40:5, 7-10; Matthew 22:1-14 Friday, Aug. 23: Ruth 1:1, 3-6, 1416, 22; Psalm 146:5-10; Matthew 22:34-40 Saturday, Aug. 24: Feast of St. Bar­ tholomew, apostle, Revelation 21:9-14; Psalm 145:10-13, 17-18; John 1:45-51 Sunday, Aug. 25: Isaiah 66:18-21; Psalm 117:1-2; Hebrews 12:5-7, 1113; Luke 13:22-30 Monday, Aug. 26: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 8-10; Psalm 149:1-6, 9; Matthew 23:13-22 Tuesday, Aug. 27: Memorial of St. Monica, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8; Psalm 139:1-6; Matthew 23:23-26 Wednesday, Aug. 28: Memorial of St. Augustine, bishop and doctor of the Church, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13; Psalm 139:7-12; Matthew 23:27-32 Thursday, Aug. 29: Memorial of the Passion of St. John the Baptist, 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13; Psalm 90:3-5, 12-14, 17; Mark 6:17-29 Friday, Aug. 30: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 10-12; Matthew 25:1-13 Saturday, Aug. 31: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-11; Psalm 98:1, 7-9; Matthew 25:14-30 n

Forkapas celebrating 60th anniversary

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t. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fairfield Glade congratulates Paul and Carole Forkapa on their 60th wedding anniversary Aug. 22.

It was a double wedding with Mrs. Forkapa’s sister, Marilyn, and her husband, Don Newa (both deceased). They were married at St. Philomena Church in East Cleveland, Ohio, with Father Thomas Rowe officiating.

The couple’s children are Barbara Shaw of Crossville; Joann

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Kress of Belvidere, Ill.; and Robert of Stafford, Va.; and they have six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Mr. Forkapa retired from Choice Installations Co. in Morgantown, W.Va., and Mrs. Forkapa from the Allegheny Intermediate Unit Education Association in Pittsburgh, and they moved to the Glade in 2001.

They enjoy golf, cards, and reading. Mr. Forkapa is an usher, and Mrs. Forkapa is a member of the St. Francis of Assisi choir. n TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C ATH OLI C