Sacred and southern
By Bill Brewer
Days gone by This photo from the early days of St. Elizabeth School was taken by Texas Studio of Elizabethton, courtesy of Betty Jo O’Brien Barker, mother of Richard Barker and Debbie Barker Alexander. Betty Jo estimated that this photo was taken around 1936-37. The priest pictured is believed to be Father J.L. Devine, OP. The photo was taken at the school when it was located at 300 Daytona Place in Elizabethton. The chapel was moved to this two-story house in 1935, and a private Catholic school was opened there. It also served as living quarters for the three Sisters of Mercy from Nashville who staffed the school. The school taught students through ninth grade. In the photo, Betty Jo O’Brien (Barker) is in the back row, second from right, and Lilo Waechter (Duncan) is in the row in front of her, also second from the right (with a bow in her hair).
‘A High Lonesome Mass’ combines Mass settings and bluegrass style in joyful performance
By the sound of it, you may not have been sure if it was a Catholic Mass, an old-time Protestant revival, or a Rhythm and Roots stage, but it was certainly a sound glorifying the Lord.
“Come Away to the Skies: A High Lonesome Mass,” by Dr. Tim Sharp and Wes Ramsay, was performed to a toe-tapping crowd at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Alcoa on Sunday, Sept. 24.
The composition, written in 2011, is a setting of the Ordinary of the Mass for choir, vocal soloists, and bluegrass band.
The performance at OLOF had been in the works almost as soon as Dr. Christy Lee began working at the parish last summer as the director of music and liturgy.
“Tim Sharp has been a good colleague and friend of mine for about 20 years or so just in the music and choral world,” Dr. Lee explained.
Dr. Sharp is the former executive director of the American Choral Directors Association.
“We’ve stayed in touch and done different projects over the years in different academic and cultural settings,” Dr. Lee said. “So, when I first announced that I had gotten the job at Fatima last summer, a little over a year ago now, he reached out to me…and said, ‘I’m not sure
‘You will not hear too many bluegrass Masses in your life’ Dr.
during the performance of “A High Lonesome Mass” on Sept. 24.
if you’re aware of my ‘High Lonesome Mass,’ but since you’re going to be in East Tennessee, this might be something you would be inter-
ested in.’”
Dr. Lee was, in fact, familiar with his and Mr. Ramsay’s composition, and she was eager to connect with
By Emily Booker
Lady
musicians and have it performed at OLOF. The parish in Blount County sits
COURTESY OF ST. ELIZABETH PARISH
EMILY BOOKER
High Lonesome continued on page B3
Tim Sharp conducts Our
of Fatima singers
BILL BREWER
Richard Barker, Lilo Duncan, and Debbie Alexander
the flood,” Mr. Barker recalled.
“Our grandfather, Edward J. “Joe” O’Brien, came to Elizabethton earlier in 1923, we think in the late winter, and he was one of the few people who attended that first Mass here in Elizabethton,” he added.
Mr. Barker’s recollections provided a glimpse of the way many people settled in Elizabethton in the earliest years of the 20th century.
“He (Joe O’Brien) was born in Rome, Ga., and then they moved to Aniston, Ala., when he was young, and then he grew up in Birmingham (Ala.). His father had a small construction company. His father died around 1920, and our grandfather and an uncle of his named Pat O’Brien brought that small construction company here on the railroad in order to grade what is now State Line Road here on the eastern end of Elizabethton. They did grading work.
“Another parishioner who was here at that time, his name was John McCready, and he was a civil engineer. He was a graduate of the University of Richmond. He said our grandfather had the biggest mules he had ever seen. All that work was basically done with livestock because they didn’t have much construction equipment in 1923,” Mr. Barker said. “The first person he (Joe O’Brien) met was Roy Hathaway, who owned a funeral home. The funeral home is still here. And they were friends the rest of their lives. The business now is called Hathaway-Percy Funeral Home.”
Mr. Barker and Mrs. Alexander explained how there were few Catholics in the Elizabethton area in the first years of the 20th century, and the few Catholics who were there were determined to establish a Catholic church in Elizabethton.
“When they (the small Catholic community) would have dinners to help raise money to help build the church, Mr. Hathaway would sneak in the back door and slip a $100 bill in one of the parishioner’s pockets to help with the fundraising,” Mr. Barker said, referring to the funeral home owner.
“He never wanted anybody to know what he did. He was very generous, but he was a very private man,” Mrs. Alexander added about Mr. Hathaway.
Mr. Barker, who is 70, and Mrs. Alexander, who is 68, join Mrs. Duncan in genuine appreciation for how Catholicism has progressed in an area where Protestants have always outnumbered Catholics by a wide margin.
Mrs. Duncan easily vocalizes the street addresses of the former locations where Masses were first held in Elizabethton and the names of early Catholics who would join together once or twice a week for Mass in a home until a church could get established.
And she fondly remembers the Sisters of Mercy who were St. Elizabeth School’s first teachers. While nuns have a reputation, warranted or not, for being stern school disciplinarians, Mrs. Duncan remembers them in a much different way.
They had such a positively profound impact on her and the other early students that many years later Mrs. Duncan traveled to Knoxville to visit former teacher Sister Mary
de Lellis Allison, RSM, who was no longer teaching. Sister Mary de Lellis was at St. Mary Medical Center when the visit took place.
“She was our Loretta Young. We had three nuns who taught at the school. I had nuns in grades one through eight. I never had any other teacher but nuns. They were wonderful people. We had the sweetest nuns, we really did. They were as sweet to us as they could be,” Mrs. Duncan remembered.
Following elementary school, Mrs. Duncan attended Elizabethton High School, which is a public school. She said there were about 80 students at St. Elizabeth when she attended, and a number of them were not of the Catholic faith, which is remarkable since Catholics were not only decidedly in the minority but often were not well thought of by some members of the community.
Mrs. Duncan said in those early days 100 years ago Catholics weren’t very welcome in Elizabethton.
“They always kind of shunned the Catholics. The nuns would go to town to buy things, and they were called ‘haints,’ meaning ghosts. It was just ignorance. But as time went on, things got better. More people were coming in. The Catholic community was involved in the broader Elizabethton community. We had the school,” explained Mrs. Duncan, who graduated from East Tennessee State University with a degree in education.
She said after graduation from ETSU, she was hired in 1952 to teach at an area school and, unbeknownst to her, a Protestant preacher passed around a petition to keep her from teaching.
“Now, this is how God works. This preacher’s daughter later married a Catholic, and I was the godmother of every one of his grandchildren. Isn’t that funny how God works?” Mrs. Duncan asked.
Mrs. Alexander noted that the preacher’s daughter married a young man who was a member of St. Elizabeth.
Mr. Barker and Mrs. Alexander recall that as school-age children some people in the community wouldn’t associate with them because they were Catholic.
“It’s completely different now. Thank goodness,” Mrs. Alexander said.
Mrs. Duncan, Mrs. Alexander, and Mr. Barker share memories of popular bingo events the church hosted in the past that attracted scores of Carter County residents.
“That’s how we made a lot of our money to do things for this church,” Mrs. Alexander said.
How Catholics came to be members of a small town in the heart of the Bible belt is part of the rich history of Catholicism in Carter County.
Mr. Barker said Elizabethton was rural and isolated until industry gave the town an economic and population jumpstart. He noted that until industry moved into Elizabethton in 1926, the only practical way to enter and exit the town was by rail since a good road system was yet to be built.
“Until the first rayon plant opened here, Elizabethton was pretty isolated. Really, the best way
to get in and out of here was by railroad. I remember my grandfather talking. He said on Sunday he would go to Johnson City to church at St. Mary before there was a church established here. He said it took about two hours to get to St. Mary, and you always had a flat tire along the way. The roads were not good until the plants came into existence in 1926,” Mr. Barker said.
Mrs. Alexander recalled that the first plants were American Bemberg Corp. and North American Rayon, both of which made rayon fabric. The siblings’ father and grandfather worked at one of the plants.
Bemberg was formed in Germany, and its U.S. subsidiary made both high-quality rayon fabric for the clothing industry and parachutes for the U.S. military in World War II and the Korean War. And Germans who were Catholic emigrated to Elizabethton to work at the plant. Germans who were of the Lutheran faith also moved into the Elizabethton area and established two Lutheran churches.
“My parents were German and came here from Germany. My dad was Lutheran but later on became Catholic,” Mrs. Duncan pointed out.
Mrs. Duncan said that during World War II more than 4,000 workers were employed by the two plants. According to Mr. Barker, the Bemberg plant closed around 197576, and the North American Rayon plant closed in 1997.
But other industry has filled the need for jobs and economic stability, with Snap-on Tools operating a manufacturing plant in Elizabethton that first opened in 1974, A.Y. McDonald producing plumbing, water works, pumps, and natural gas products at a plant that opened in 1999, and Mapes Strings producing strings for musical instruments and wire for industrial uses. It opened a manufacturing plant in Elizabethton in 1950 and has grown to be a major supplier to the music business.
The Carter County seat also is home to three locally owned banks, and the Elizabethton Star newspaper publishes twice a week.
“I think the only businesses that are still open and running today that were open in 1923 are Burgie Drug Store, Hathaway-Percy Funeral Home, and the Elizabethton
Star newspaper,” Mr. Barker said, noting that the population of Elizabethton now is right at 14,000 and the population of Carter County is 55,000-56,000.
St. Elizabeth Parish is home to 150-160 families, with Sunday Mass attendance averaging about 150 people, according to Mr. Barker.
“When Richard and I were young, we had maybe 50 in church for Mass,” Mrs. Alexander said.
Mass attendance continually grew, and in 1986 a weekly Saturday vigil Mass was added. When that Mass first began, about 10 people attended. Nearly 100 attended a vigil Mass in September.
Mrs. Duncan has noticed the appreciable growth in Mass attendance.
“We don’t know if they’re coming from Johnson City over to here. Now everybody who owns a business tells me so many people are moving in here from other states. And I believe that,” she said.
Mr. Barker pointed out that during the pandemic, five families moved into the parish from upstate New York.
“We have had a number of people move here from New York and up north. We were talking about church, and I said where you all are from you have a lot of Catholic churches to go to. I said here, we have one. I said there is a Baptist church on every corner here. And they said where we’re from there’s a Catholic church on every corner. We have never experienced that,” Mr. Barker said.
“We’ve never had that opportunity. There have been very few Catholics here,” Mrs. Duncan added. “There are five Protestant churches on my way home from church, so that tells you something. … Even when we built this church the Catholic population here was small.”
While growth has been good for the city, county, and parish, Mrs. Duncan believes there is a happy medium. When asked about the growth of the Tri-Cities area in recent decades and the prospect for future growth, she said laughing, “It’s big enough. We don’t want it any bigger,” to which Mrs. Alexander added, “Sometimes less is more.”
As the Elizabethton area expands,
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DAN MCWILLIAMS
COURTESY OF ST. ELIZABETH PARISH
Anniversary feast Tina Wachs (left), Elijah Bienaime, and Agnes Policky take part in the meal for St. Elizabeth parishioners Sept. 10 as they celebrated the 100th anniversary of Catholicism in the area. The parish provided hamburgers and hot dogs, fixings, and drinks for the meal. The Knights of Columbus grilled the burgers and hot dogs. Parishioners also brought dishes to the feast.
New location for chapel and school This photo, courtesy of Betty Jo Barker, was probably taken circa 1938-39 after the St. Elizabeth chapel and school were moved in 1938 from the Daytona Place house to a larger graystone house at 116 E. G St., at the corner of East G Street and Watauga Avenue. Lilo Waechter (Duncan) is in the back row, third from the right.
BILL BREWER
Church art and glass Debbie Alexander (left), Lilo Duncan, and Richard Barker stand in front of two stained-glass windows and two Stations of the Cross at St. Elizabeth Church. The Stations at the church were purchased earlier this year. The stained-glass windows were installed in 1998 and dedicated during a 50th-anniversary celebration of the church’s construction. Windows on the east side of the church depict scenes from the Old Testament while those on the west are from the New Testament. Groundbreaking for the church was Sept. 7, 1948, with the dedication on May 15, 1949, although the first Mass in the building was on April 14, 1949.
at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the heart of the southern Appalachians. For Dr. Lee and Dr. Sharp, it seemed like the perfect place for “A High Lonesome Mass,” composed of elements of the region’s musical and religious heritage.
“It seemed like a really beautiful fit, the way that [Sharp and Ramsay] combined the kind of more traditional and maybe somewhat Protestant Americana music superimposed with Latin text and with the Ordinary parts of the Mass,” Dr. Lee said.
Our Lady of Fatima Parish was able to host the performance with help from the diocesan Catholic Education Trust Fund. Dr. Sharp traveled from Nashville to conduct. Dr. Lee also arranged for the Knoxville Catholic High School choir, led by KCHS director of choral activities Phil Holloway, to perform two movements alongside the OLOF music ministry.
Father Peter Iorio, pastor of OLOF, opened the event with a welcome and prayer.
“I always think it’s a wonderful thing when we get to collaborate with our community,” he said. “One of the things that I reflected on is that we do live in a very special part of the world called Appalachia. It has a unique history and topography.”
He then shared a passage from the 1995 pastoral letter from the Bishops of Appalachia, “At Home in the Web of Life”: “To live in these mountains and forests, and with their trees and plants and animals, is truly to dwell in Earth’s community of life, as one of God’s awesome cathedrals. In this magnificent work of God’s creation, misty mountain haze is holy incense, tall tree trunks are temple pillars, sun-splashed leaves are stained glass, and songbirds are angelic choirs. We humans, too, reveal the glory of God. Together with the mountains and forests, and with the plants and animals, we humans join creation’s praise of God in the choral song of the web of life.”
Before the performance began, Dr. Sharp led a short presentation on the blending of the ordinary Mass and bluegrass as well as an introduction to the backgrounds and components of bluegrass music.
“Characteristics unique to bluegrass include a combination of these mountain instruments [fiddle, bass, mandolin, banjo, guitar] that I talked about but also the shape-note voicing that included the high treble part above the melody, and that’s what we call the high, lonesome sound. If you read shape notes, there is a part in shape-note singing that is above the melody, and that is the high lonesome sound that I’m talking about.”
Shape notes, or sacred harp singing, is a musical notation style from the 19th century used for a capella, congregational singing where the notes have particular shapes to help the reader identify them on the scale. The hymns of this style were popular in many Protestant congregations in the American South and Appalachia.
Appalachia also was the crucible for the birth of bluegrass music, forged in coal and lumber camps where immigrants came together with their different stringed instruments and musical styles.
“You will not hear too many bluegrass Masses in your life,” Dr. Sharp said. “One reason is that bluegrass music and choirs are not normally compatible. Bluegrass music, the mantra is play it faster, louder, hotter, better than the next guy to you, but the whole time, you have to do it humbly and with great humility to the person next to you. But still, hotter, faster, better. We inherited that from Bill Monroe.”
Dr. Sharp shared how his background of growing up in West Virginia, the son of a Baptist preacher, listening to bluegrass, and learning shape-note hymns from his grandmother contrasted to the classical music education he received in college. But ultimately, he found a way for them to work together.
“The work you’re going to hear, the High Lonesome Bluegrass Mass, is a mash-up of my classical choir chops and my bluegrass love put together in a choral work. Now, those of you who know the Mass will recognize the words very early on. The Kyrie is the Kyrie. The Sanctus, the Gloria, the Credo, the Agnus Dei, the Benedictus—these are our words as people of faith. And it’s not a caricature. This is absolutely a faith statement on my part. But it’s accompanied by bluegrass instruments. That’s where you’re going to get a little confused, because there are movements that have a really kind of Flatt and Scruggs kind of hot finger-picking kind of bluegrass. There are other movements that are more ballad style like Allison Krauss. There is one movement I write at the top, ‘Sing it like Ralph Stanley would have sung it.’”
The performance presented traditional Mass parts incorporated into six movements: “Introit—Come Away to the Skies,” Kyrie Eleison— Do Lord Remember Me,” Gloria in Excelsis—Brethren We Have Met to Worship,” “High Lonesome Credo,” “Sanctus—Hail the Blessed Morn,” and “Agnus Dei—What Wondrous Love.”
The tunes transported the audience back to when plain wooden chapels dotted southern hills and the faithful within sang folk, shapenote hymns. Blended with the Church’s ancient use of Latin Gloria and Greek Kyrie, the music, so rooted by place, seemed to transcend time. It created a true gathering of Christian community, from across traditions and centuries.
Dr. Lee was grateful for all who helped make the event possible, from the OLOF staff to the musicians to Dr. Sharp.
“It’s been fun watching it all come together with all of the moving parts,” she said.
She also noted how special it was to host it at OLOF, in a church and with people who appreciated the spiritual depth of the music.
“It has been really wonderful for me to approach this work in a Catholic church as opposed to an academic setting or a different type of environment, because they relate to it in such a personal, spiritual way.
“A lot of us at Fatima or who are performing are natives of East Tennessee or natives of this region, so the fact that they can relate both to the Appalachian style and to the sacredness of the music is great to see.” ■
it’s clear the Catholic community in Carter County is now an integral part of the broader community.
St. Elizabeth is a key contributor to Assistance and Resources Ministries, a multi-denominational nonprofit organization in Carter County that provides food, clothing, household items, and other assistance to residents in the area. It was formed in 1991.
And St. Elizabeth Knights of Columbus Council 10743 provides assistance to the parish and also to Carter County organizations.
Mr. Barker noted that Council 10743 recently raised nearly $2,000 and donated it to the Carter County School District for a special-education program at Hampton High School. He pointed out that Council 10743, in conjunction with the Tennessee Knights of Columbus, provides grants to the Carter County school system for needs the school system is trying to meet and to other Tri-Cities organizations as well.
“We’ve actually donated more to the local schools here than we’ve collected because we’ve relied on state funds that other councils did
not use. We have an active Knights of Columbus council here that has done great work. We’ve been doing it for 32 years,” he said.
Mrs. Duncan, Mrs. Alexander, and Mr. Barker spoke highly of Father Dennis Kress, who served as St. Elizabeth’s pastor for two decades, from July 1, 2003, to July 1, 2023. Father Kress also served as parochial administrator of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Mountain City during that period.
The three St. Elizabeth members complimented Father Kress for his stewardship of church finances,
his homilies, how he assimilated so well into the St. Elizabeth community, and how well he related to parishioners.
Father Jesús Guerrero in July succeeded Father Kress at St. Elizabeth and St. Anthony of Padua.
Father Guerrero still is getting to know his new parish and its members, and they still are getting to know him.
Even so, St. Elizabeth already is having an impact on the priest.
“I am new to the parish, only two months here,” he said in September.
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EMILY BOOKER
Folk setting Our Lady of Fatima’s location near the mountains, along with folk art decorations like quilts, made the church a good setting for “A High Lonesome Mass.”
Opening movement Dr. Sharp, banjo slung around his neck, leads the singers processing in during the first movement, “Introit—Come Away to the Skies.”
‘A mash-up of my classical choir chops and my bluegrass love’ A bluegrass band accompanied the choir, a unique but effective blend.
Round of applause Knoxville Catholic High School choir members joined OLOF musicians in receiving a standing ovation for “A High Lonesome Mass.”
‘It seemed like a really beautiful fit’ Dr. Christy Lee, director of music and liturgy at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Alcoa, organized the performance.
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Chattanooga Deanery
St. Bridget, Dayton
Father Jim Vick continues his Bible study classes on Tuesdays at 2 p.m. or 7 p.m. The current subject is “The Gospel according to John.”
The annual parish picnic will be held at Fox Lookout Farms in Decatur on Saturday, Oct. 14, at the home of Pat and Barbara Bisson. “Mass in the barn” will be celebrated at 5:30 p.m. with a potluck picnic to follow. The Knights of Columbus are sponsoring the festivities and will provide hamburgers and hot dogs. The St. Bridget Women’s Council will assist in coordination and setup for the event. Fireworks will begin after dark, weather permitting.
The St. Bridget Women’s Council will have a luncheon to celebrate September and October birthdays on Tuesday, Oct. 24. Members will carpool from Dayton and Spring City to the Homestead Harvest Restaurant at Cumberland Mountain State Park in Crossville.
St. Jude, Chattanooga
The Silver Rose honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe will be at St. Jude this month as it passes from Canada to Mexico. The rose will be on display during a vocation Mass on Oct. 9 and during the 8:15 a.m. Mass on Oct. 10. The Knights of Columbus will host a rosary and a prayer service after each Mass. For more information, call Raleigh Cooper at 423-580-6829.
Another Trivia Night sponsored by the Knights of Columbus is set for 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20. Teams of up to eight can compete for cash prizes of $400, $250, and $100 for the top three finishers. Cost is $50 per table. Bring your own food, snacks, and drinks.
Ages 21 and over only. Register by Monday, Oct. 16, using the form in the bulletin. Limited to 16 teams.
The parish’s annual Trunk or Treat event is planned for 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27. Participants can decorate their vehicles and tailgate with friends, as well as provide candy for all trickor-treaters and a fun game, activity, or photo op at their parking space related to their theme. Set up between 4 and 5:30 p.m. The event offers funnel cakes, music, a hay ride and more. The Knights will provide hot dogs.
St. Jude is accepting orders for All Souls Day luminaries for the Mass and procession Thursday, Nov. 2. Order forms are in the outer vestibule. Cost is $5 for each luminary. Mass will be at 7 p.m., with the luminary blessing afterward.
The Knights will be collecting “Coats for Christmas”: coats, jackets, sweaters, hoodies, toiletries, new socks and underwear, and other donations on weekends through Oct. 31-Nov. 1. Collection boxes will be in the vestibule. Donations will be distributed to the Chattanooga Homeless Center.
The annual St. Jude Holiday Craft Fair, sponsored by the Council of Catholic Women, will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, in the family life center gymnasium. There are 45 spots available for members (or relatives) of St. Jude parishioners and the greater Chattanooga-area Catholic community. Rental fee is $45 with a table or $30 if you provide your own table. Additional tables of up to three per space may be brought. Space is limited to the first 45 applicants. A hobby show, with no fee to set up, will take place on the walking track upstairs. Items at the hobby show are not for sale. Register for the Craft Fair on forms that can be found in the outer vestibule.
St. Jude School and the Knights hosted the 25th annual St. Jude Golf Classic on Sept. 29 at Creeks Bend Golf Club.
The parish thanked Cam and Ruthanne Higgins for providing snacks for the Hospital Hospitality ministry for August.
St. Mary, Athens
The parish will celebrate its history with a potluck from 2 to 5 p.m. Sun-
day, Oct. 15. St. Mary’s first baptism took place Aug. 3, 1969; its first marriage on June 6, 1970; its first Holy Communions on Dec. 22, 1969; its first confirmations May 4, 1975; and its first funeral service March 1, 1971. Signup sheets for the potluck are in the narthex. For more information, call Holly Gates at 315-256-4065.
An Advent party will follow the 10 a.m. Mass on Sunday, Dec. 3. To be on the planning committee or learn more about the event, call Sue Granger at 423-506-7836.
The Knights’ second annual yard sale Aug. 17-19 raised $7,000. As a sign of gratitude to the parish, the Knights will donate $3,000 to the parish building/ maintenance fund for roof repairs to the parish life center.
St. Stephen, Chattanooga
The Knights of Columbus will begin their “Coats for Christmas” collection on Oct. 14.
The Knights named Tim Bodnar as Knight of the month. As pro-life director for Council 6099, Mr. Bodnar awarded $1,500 to the Ladies of Charity for their layette program and $1,500 to Choices Pregnancy Resource Center.
St. Stephen’s parish family picnic was held Oct. 1.
Anniversaries: Ed and Florence Cerantonio (58), James and Sue Berros (55), Michael and Wanda Williams (55), Tony and Janie Duke (53), Patrick and Candace Russell (45), David and Julie Mayfield (40)
Cumberland Mountain Deanery
Blessed Sacrament, Harriman
The parish is hosting three retreats this fall. The first was a men’s retreat Oct. 7 that had the theme of “Spiritual Head of the Household,” presented by Deacon Bob Hunt. Next is a women’s retreat set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, with the theme of “The Blessed Mother at the Foot of the Cross,” presented by the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation.
A parish retreat is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 9, “A Eucharistic Revival with Father David Mary Engo, OFM.”
The Knights of Columbus are again selling “Keep Christ in Christmas” cards this year. As in the past, they plan to offer them after Mass on at least two Sundays and two Saturdays during late October and early November. They will have non-English cards as well as traditional English cards.
St. Francis of Assisi, Fairfield Glade
Pastor Father Michael Woods baptized 7-year-old Monte Primus Light at Mass on Aug. 27. Concelebrating were Father John Matejek and Father Glenn Meaux of Haiti. Monte’s great-grandparents, Alejandro and Diane Alatorre, are his godparents. His new adopted parents, Nicole Light and Luke Gleason, and his new siblings, sister Zello Gleason and brother Porter Gleason, were present. The family lives in Knoxville.
The Good Shepherds of Bethlehem, represented by George and Katherine Awwad, were at St. Francis of Assisi on Sept. 2 and 3. The group supports the Catholic community in Bethlehem in the Holy Land. The Good Shepherds sold crafted olive-wood carvings of religious items during their visit to Fairfield Glade.
The Council of Catholic Women held a rummage sale Sept. 14-16 in the parish hall to help many of its charities.
The council’s first meeting in the new season will be on Wednesday, Oct. 11, following the 8 a.m. Mass. After a social and breakfast, parishioner Patty Johnson will speak. The meeting is open to all women of the parish.
Father John Matejek, retired and a member of the parish, resumed his spiritual-direction session Sept. 19.
A men’s prayer breakfast meeting took place Sept. 28 in the parish hall after the 8 a.m. Mass.
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St. Dominic Parish supports Tennesseans 4 Life
Members of the St. Dominic Parish community in Kingsport came together Sept. 23 to attend the Tennesseans 4 Life Fundraiser, an event dedicated to the preservation and celebration of life. Those attending included pastor Father Michael Cummins (above, right) and Deacon Frank Fischer. Tennesseeans 4 Life is on a mission to provide pro-life educational information to the community and to extend its support to pro-life organizations, including local pregnancy support centers. Deacon Fischer serves on its board.
St. John Neumann marks Catechetical Sunday on Sept. 17
St. John Neumann Parish in Farragut celebrated Catechetical Sunday on Sept. 17, when parishioners thanked catechists for the work that they do. The day was also an opportunity for catechists to reflect on their call to share and live out their faith. On Catechetical Sunday, catechists are called forth to be commissioned for their ministry. St. John Neumann pastor Father Joe Reed blessed the catechists and called them to teach by word and example.
St. Stephen holds first Ministry Fair St. Stephen Parish in Chattanooga held its first Ministry Fair on Aug. 26. Displays (above) of the activities of the various ministries of the parish were set up after Masses for parishioners to look through along with sign-up sheets. At left, Linda Schneider signs up to help with the Decorations Ministry.
St. Francis-Townsend parishioners tour cathedral
Members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Townsend attended the noon Mass and toured the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville on Sept. 6. For many, it was their first visit to the cathedral. Fellowship continued with lunch at Bravo’s. From left are (front row) Claire Andersen, Donna Czerniewski, Ilene Rainwater, Debbie Eberhardt, Kathy Meyerkord, Barbara Polak, and Norene O’Donnell and (back row) Ron Andersen, Paul Czerniewski, Bob Eberhardt, Dan Meyerkord, Mike Polak, and Dan O’Donnell.
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Parish notes
COURTESY OF ST. DOMINIC PARISH
COURTESY OF DEBBIE EBERHARDT
COURTESY OF ST. JOHN NEUMANN PARISH
NANCY POWELL (2)
The 32nd annual Oktoberfest, sponsored by Knights of Columbus St. Bernard Council 8152 in Crossville, will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Central Time on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 20 and 21, at the Knights’ festival grounds at 2892 Highway 70 East in Crossville. The menu includes pork schnitzel, chicken schnitzel, knackwurst, smoked bratwurst, and weisswurst. Side dishes are sauerkraut, red cabbage, applesauce, spaetzle with gravy, and bread and butter. German chocolate cake will be served for dessert. Full meals, with an entrée, side dish, and dessert, are $15. Popcorn and peanuts are free. Kids’ meals (hot dog on a bun, chips, and dessert) are $5. A variety of German beers will be available. A 14-ounce beer cup is $5. A flight of five 7-ounce cups is $10, and a 64-ounce pitcher is $15. Soft drinks and large hot pretzels with beer cheese will also be available for sale. Visitors may dance to the music of the Frank Moravcik Band and the Rheingold Band, which will perform several times each on both days of the event. Admission tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Children 12 and under and active-duty military and veterans (with proper ID) are admitted free. Takeout dinners are available without paying admission. Purchase tickets at crossville-oktoberfest.square.site.
Cash and credit cards will be accepted at the event. Proceeds will support a number of Council 8152 charities. For more details, call 423-799-0229, e-mail info@crossvilleoktoberfest.com, or visit crossvilleoktoberfest.com. The website includes information on hotel and campground accommodations, a vendor application, and a link for those who want to sponsor the Oktoberfest.
The Smoky Mountain Deanery Council of Catholic Women will have its general meeting Saturday, Oct. 14, at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Townsend. The day will begin with Mass at 10 a.m. celebrated by deanery CCW spiritual moderator Father Dan Whitman. A short business meeting will follow Mass. Lunch will be served afterward, and everyone is asked to give $10 toward the meal. Representatives from Catholic Charities of East Tennessee will provide updates on the reopening of their Dameron Avenue office building in Knoxville and on their programs. The Refugee Program at Catholic Charities is in need of bath and kitchen linen. Sheet sets would be beneficial (no blankets or afghans, as there are plenty in storage). CCW members may bring these items to the general meeting to present to Catholic Charities in honor of Father Whitman’s 40th anniversary of ordination Nov. 11. Those attending may contact their parish CCW president to let her know or contact Patricia Forde, Smoky Mountain Deanery president, at patrforde@ gmail.com or 865-314-6664 (text or call) or irainwater@hotmail.com or 865-748-1873 (text or call).
Jason Evert will present two talks titled “Purified” and “Gender and the Theology of Your Body” on Sunday, Oct. 22, at St. John Neumann Church in Farragut. The “Purified” talk will take place from 3:30 to 5 p.m. and the second talk from 6 to 7 p.m. A dinner break is set for 5 to 6 p.m. The family-based event (ages 13 and up) invites parents, teens, and all adults to learn about God’s plan for love and to consider what is the meaning of sex, gender, and the human body. Adoration will be held, and the sacrament of reconciliation will be offered, from 7 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 and are available at chastity. com/events/jason-evert-doublefeature-20/ or tinyurl.com/knoxville doublefeature or by contacting Lisa Sinclair at 703-862-8165 or lisasinclair @gmail.com. For more information, visit chastity.com/purified/
The Knoxville Chamber Chorale, a small group from the Knoxville Choral Society, will perform the sacred music of Bach, Bruckner, Byrd, and more in concert at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22, at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, part of the Cathedral Concert Series. Dr. John Orr will direct. Admission is free, but seating is limited. Donations are welcome. Doors open one hour before the concert. Proceeds support the Knoxville Choral Society
and the Cathedral Concert Series. Tickets are available via the Eventbrite link at shcathedral.org/cathedralconcert-series or at www.eventbrite. com/e/cathedral-concert-knoxvillechoral-society-knoxville-chamberchorale-tickets-722872540227. The event will also be livestreamed at https://m.youtube.com/c/Sacred HeartCathedralKnoxvilleTN
Deacon Bob Hunt will speak on “Life’s Purpose through the Saints” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, at Bearden Beer Market, 4524 Old Kingston Pike in Knoxville, as part of the DioKnox Frassati Theology on Tap. All young adults in the diocese are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Lizzie Morris at lmorris@dioknox.org
An Iconography Retreat with Brenda Fox will take place at Holy Spirit Church in Soddy-Daisy from Oct. 2629. Each day will begin at 9:30 a.m. and finish at 5:30 p.m. The icon to be written is Our Lady Undoer of Knots. Cost is $395. No art experience is necessary. To register, e-mail brenda@ iconsbybrenda.com
A young-adult retreat for ages 18 to 39 hosted by Catholic Chatt is set for Friday, Oct. 27, through Sunday, Oct. 29, at Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center, 250 Locke Lane in Benton. The topic will be “Reflections on the Sacred Heart of Jesus,” and the speaker will be Father Michael Zimmerman of the Archdiocese of Boston, assistant vocation director and professor at St. John’s Seminary in Boston. The retreat will include talks, small groups, eucharistic adoration, reconciliation, Mass, meals, recreation, and opportunity for spiritual direction and for connection with other local/diocesan young-adult Catholics. Cost is $130 per person or $250 per married couple. Learn more or register (by Oct. 20) at forms.gle/ NA9T2W7H9AoSjH64A
A women’s English Cursillo weekend will be held Nov. 2-5 at Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton. For more information, contact Beth Turner at 865-776-7378 or bethturner789@ gmail.com
The St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic is holding its second annual Share the Warmth Drive through Thursday, Nov. 30. Items accepted include new or gently used items for men, women, and children of all ages and sizes, such as coats, sweaters, pajamas, gloves and mittens, scarves and hats, snow gear, new socks, and blankets. Make sure all items have been freshly washed. Donation sites are Rebecca Pipkins’ desk at the SMLC office and the reception desk at the Chancery office in Knoxville. For more details, contact Ms. Pipkins at 865-212-5570 or rpipkins@smlcares. com or visit www.smlcares.com
The Glenmary Home Missioners are hosting a daylong retreat for men ages 16-25 who are seeking to understand God’s will in their lives. The retreat will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at St. John Paul II Catholic Mission in Rutledge. Speakers from Glenmary will cover various topics ranging from following Jesus as Christian disciples to recognizing signs of religious calling to engaging in missions in rural America. For more information, call or text 513-319-9572 or e-mail vocations@glemary.org
Search for Christian Maturity retreat
170 will be held from 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, at St. John Neumann Church in Farragut. Search is a weekend retreat experience sponsored by the Office of Youth, Young Adult, and Pastoral Juvenil Ministry in collaboration with Knoxville Catholic High School. The weekends are for any high school juniors and seniors. The program is both rooted in the Catholic faith and open to young people of any denomination or creed. Search provides an opportunity to think, talk, question, and wonder about life and faith in an accepting and challenging environment. It is an opportunity to experience God and God’s family in a personal and real way. The weekend is youth- and peer-oriented; it is run by youth, to youth, and for youth, and all under the guidance of a team of
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St. Bridget Knights’ barbecue sale raises $3,100-plus for charities
Knights of Columbus Council 11424 at St. Bridget Parish in Dayton recently conducted its annual charity fundraiser selling barbecued smoked pork shoulders to benefit local Rhea County charities, including the Rhea of Hope Food Pantry. The Knights are joined by other parishioners who help with weekly and monthly food distribution managed by Rhea of Hope, an outreach organization of Dayton Church of God. The organization provides food to several hundred needy families each month. Food City provided the shoulders at a discounted price and allowed the sales to occur outside its Dayton store. Pictured are Chip Faucette (left), Holy Smokers Cooking Team chair, being assisted by Larry Dagata (center) and Chris Hill. More than $3,100 was raised to help the local charities.
Evangelizing Sisters of Mary visit retreat center in Benton
Sixteen members of the Evangelizing Sisters of Mary religious community recently visited the Diocese of Knoxville’s Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton. The sisters traveled from around the country to spend a week at the center, located along the banks of the Hiwassee River and adjacent to the Cherokee National Forest in Polk County. The Evangelizing Sisters are an African missionary congregation that has had a presence in the diocese since 2010. Five of the sisters reside in Farragut and serve at St. John Neumann Parish and School, among other assignments.
Ladies of Charity hold annual golf tourney
The annual Ladies of Charity of Knoxville Memorial Golf tournament honoring Father Albert Henkel and Joe Fuhr was held at Egwani Farms Golf Course in Rockford on Aug. 31. Twenty-two teams signed up, and proceeds benefited the Ladies of Charity’s mission of providing emergency assistance to those in need. Executive director Susan Unbehaun thanked the golfers and sponsors for their generous support. The tourney netted $16,000 for the Ladies of Charity. Deacon David Lucheon provided the opening prayer, and the weather was gorgeous for a day of fun and great golf. Top honors in the first flight went to the Vinyard Flooring team of Jim Wright Jr., Robert Wright, Brad Hall, and Herb Harrell. The second flight was won by the Covenant Health team of Rock Saracini, Bill Myers, Rudy McKinley, and Joe Sutter. There were two all-women teams from Tellico Village, and the foursome of (top photo, from left) Barb Cason, Saundra Campbell, Pam Skinner, and Linda Ballinger took second place in the second flight. There was also a special prize for the most unusually dressed team, won by (bottom photo, from left) Marty Vellas, Jason Weaver, Dave Roulier, and Gary McMillen.
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Calendar
COURTESY OF JANET
SPRAKER
COURTESY OF FATHER JERRY DANIELS
COURTESY OF JOE SUTTER (2)
Adventures in flying to and driving in Ireland
Over a 9,000-mile round trip, he doesn’t worry about who is in charge of the travelers’ safety
The last time I wrote in this space, I was commenting on the challenges and resulting stress for those who need to travel by air these days.
Though it’s probably warranted on occasion, there was no intent to finger point or lay blame, I was just pointing out the obvious. It’s a much more challenging experience than it used to be—for all concerned.
Happily, though, and I should have made this point for sure, the planes do indeed get where they’re going and usually safely. I hope there are countless prayers of thanks offered for that.
According to folks who track that sort of thing, we currently experience only one commercial crash for every 16.7 million flights. I wish I hit golf balls with that sort of success rate. I hit that many, just not that well.
I’m not superstitious at all, but when it comes to flying—which I’ve been doing more recently—I didn’t want to jinx anything either, since I was recently blessed to get to travel to Ireland with our oldest daughter.
And we flew. We could have gone by boat, but we didn’t have that kind of time, and our odds were a lot worse. (Turns out there were 6,000plus U.S. boat crashes in 2022 alone.)
So, we took to the air. And prayed we wouldn’t be that “one commercial crash” statistics are written about.
Our entire family had begun talking about making this trip several years ago. That was when the University of Notre Dame, my alma mater, released this year’s football schedule. And it included a lateAugust matchup against the team from the Navy—with the game to be played in Dublin.
What usually happens with our family is someone suggests a possible vacation destination, and all of us enthusiastically embrace the idea. For a while. Until later.
Until kids and work and finances and conflicting schedules all thud together in one big collision. And that’s usually when the trip in question joins the long list of others we’ve added to the catalog of “places we hope to go someday.”
This particular journey caught
some traction, though. And plans started to get real.
Meg and Jeremy joined with another couple and turned it into a golf and game and pub outing. Sarah and Keith had to bail since she’s expecting another little Irish fan to join our clan in December.
Katy’s husband couldn’t get off work, but she still wanted to go, so Nancy signed off on me being our oldest daughter’s escort. She would have preferred I was hers, but she had to cancel, too, due to some recent foot surgery. So—permission granted, as long as Katy promised she wouldn’t let me drive while we were over there.
So off we all went.
Ever heard of Gander, Newfoundland, in Canada? It’s remembered for hosting 7,000 air passengers for six days when 38 planes were diverted there on 9/11.
Twenty-two years later, they also gave refuge to Meg’s Dublin traveling party, which was diverted there when—just before their flight turned right to cross the Atlantic—they suddenly needed to land since the pilot had announced they had “noticed some smoke.” Smoke which as it turned out came from a fire on board. “Please prepare for landing, but you’ll likely notice some emergency vehicles on the ground chasing us when our wheels hit the ground. Please depart the plane quickly.”
It was midnight in Gander, and the flight there had been on no one’s itinerary anywhere. With all airport personnel at home and in bed, none of the 200-plus passengers could clear customs. As a result, all were required to spend the night locked in a hallway.
This particular airline does not go to Gander, ever. So, they have no extra planes, no personnel on location, no technology, no way to follow routine protocols. That’s when you get intercom messages like the one they got: “It’s a different plane, but would everyone please try to sit sorta where you were before? We cannot check anyone’s boarding passes, so please look around and let us know if anyone you were sitting by is not there. We don’t want to lose anyone.”
They arrived a day late but thankful to have gotten there.
Our experience didn’t have any smoke or flames, but it was similarly delayed. Before we ever left Atlanta, some circumstance caused a switch in aircraft. Our announcement sounded like this, “Due to some unforeseen issues, we have had to downgrade equipment.”
I think they need to find a better way to describe switching to a smaller jet.
But the downgraded equipment had 15 fewer seats requiring 15 volunteers to step forward who were willing to take a later flight to our connecting destination: Paris.
Once there, we already knew we would have but 45 minutes to catch our next plane to Dublin. It began to look doubtful since once they located the volunteers, they then had to locate their luggage.
“Attention, ladies and gentlemen, we’re sorry for the delay, but we just found the volunteers’ last bit of luggage, and we’ll be departing shortly.”
That was followed soon thereafter with, “Attention, ladies and gentlemen. We were wrong. We didn’t find the luggage, but we’re still looking. We think we’re getting closer. Hopefully, we’ll be departing shortly.”
We landed in Paris at 8:10 a.m., missing our 8 a.m. flight to Dublin. “No, I’m sorry, they just took off.”
“When’s the next one?”
“8 p.m. We can get you on that one.”
So off we went for an unexpected day trip exploring the City of Light. The Cathedral of Notre Dame, the Louvre Museum, the Eiffel Tower. Twenty thousand steps, three cabs, two train rides, and we were back and ready to move on.
Turns out not all delays are bad.
Ireland was every bit as incredible as we had always heard it would be. The city and the country. Views I have only dreamt of seeing. Wandering the land of my forefathers.
But if getting there is hard, driving there is hell.
Right-hand everything, roundabouts that go the wrong way, mixed with winding, ultra-narrow roads lined by stone walls older
Bob Hunt
than our country. We quickly learned Google Maps always sends you the most direct route, not caring at all about what or whom we might hit along the way.
Like many, my stomach doesn’t do winding very well, so after two days of touring I told Katy I just had to drive. Being 4,000 miles away from my wife, she conceded.
And it was absolutely exhausting. I haven’t focused that closely on driving a car since I was 16 and trying to convince my mom I deserved a license.
“Dad, after the last two days of me driving and not killing us, I felt I had earned the two drinks I had at dinner. It was hard.
“But today, after only one hour of riding with you, I’ve already earned those two drinks!”
It would be funny if I hadn’t hit someone—literally. I hit a pedestrian. I was trying to avoid the oncoming traffic in a small village when I veered too far left, and my passenger-side mirror clipped a woman walking along the sidewalk. If I’d been going faster than three miles per hour, it could have easily been the disaster I thought it was.
I and my heart stopped, she stared, rubbed her elbow, and then casually waved us on. As if it wasn’t the first time she’d been hit by a crazy American. My heart restarted, and off we went to find Katy that third drink she had earned.
By the time we arrived back home, we had flown 9,000 miles, in six different planes, criss-crossed an ocean twice, and ridden in three cabs, two trains, and a hotel shuttle. And I never once worried about who was guarding our safety.
Except for those moments when I had asked to be in charge.
Perhaps we should give our lives over to God a lot more than we do. He does a pretty good job!
Dear God—The planet is huge, the customs and food and words are all different—except for the laughter. It’s the same in every language. May we remember we’re all family. Amen. ■
George Valadie is a parishioner at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga.
EP IV enriches liturgical and personal prayer
The Eucharistic Prayer has an invariable Preface and a ‘fuller summary of salvation history’
In this series on the Eucharistic Prayer (EP), we have looked at Eucharistic Prayer I, the Roman Canon, which for centuries was the only Eucharistic Prayer used by the Roman Church, and EP II and EP III. In this column, I want to look at EP IV, which was inspired by a Eucharistic Prayer from the Antioch region in Syria preserved in the fourth-century Apostolic Constitutions. EP IV has two distinctive features, an invariable Preface and an expanded summary of salvation history.
The Preface always begins with the dialogue between the priest and people, “The Lord be with you/ And with your spirit/Lift up your hearts…,” and concludes with the “Holy, Holy, Holy.” EP IV has its own Preface that must always be used. Thus, EP IV cannot be used when there is a proper Preface, such as during Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and feasts of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the saints. It can only be said when there is no special preface and on Sundays in Ordinary Time, which significantly limits its use.
The Preface for EP IV, addressing God the Father, praises him, “the one God living and true, existing before all ages and abiding for all eternity, dwelling in unapproachable light.” He “made all that is, so that you might fill your creatures with
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“I had been at St. Mary for eight years, but I did not know much about St. Elizabeth, which is only 15 minutes away from St. Mary.”
“The church is beautiful inside. It’s a very traditional-looking church. The community is very welcoming. It’s been a blessing to me to be assigned to this church,” Father Guerrero added.
Like Father Guerrero, Deacon Richard Carner served at St. Mary in Johnson City. He was assigned to St. Elizabeth eight years ago.
And also like Father Guerrero, Deacon Carner is impressed by the century-old Catholic community in Carter County as they lead St. Elizabeth into its next century.
“I really like St. Elizabeth. I really do. I really like the people. It’s a small community, and you get a chance to know people, and to laugh with people, and to listen to them,” Deacon Carner said. “The parish is made up of the people, and the people here are really great.”
The city of Elizabethton would agree. How to tell?
In 1998 and 1999, St. Elizabeth parishioners celebrated the 75th anniversary of Catholicism in Carter County and the 50th anniversary of the church building. During a Homecoming Mass on Sept. 20, 1998, to commemorate the 75th anniversary, then-Bishop Anthony J. O’Connell blessed 24 new stained-
Daily readings
Sunday, Oct. 15: Isaiah 25:6-10; Psalm 23:1-6; Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20; Matthew 22:1-14
Monday, Oct. 16: Romans 1:1-7; Psalm 98:1-4; Luke 11:29-32
Tuesday, Oct. 17: Memorial of St. Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr, Romans 1:16-25; Psalm 19:25; Luke 11:37-41
Wednesday, Oct. 18: Feast of St. Luke, evangelist, 2 Timothy 4:10-17; Psalm 145:10-13, 17-18; Luke 10:1-9
Thursday, Oct. 19: Memorial of Sts. John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, priests, and companions, martyrs, Romans 3:21-30; Psalm 130:1-6; Luke 11:47-54
Friday, Oct. 20: Romans 4:1-8; Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 11; Luke 12:1-7
Saturday, Oct. 21: Romans 4:13, 16-18; Psalm 105:6-9, 42-43; Luke 12:8-12
Sunday, Oct. 22: Isaiah 45:1, 4-6;
blessings and bring joy to many of them by the glory of your light.”
This leads to the “Holy, Holy, Holy,” in which “we confess your name in exultation” and give “voice to every creature under heaven.”
The second distinctive feature is EP IV’s “fuller summary of salvation history” (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 365). Following the “Holy, Holy, Holy,” EP IV, still addressing God the Father, praises him, “for you are great and you have fashioned all your works in wisdom and in love.” He created “man in your own image and entrusted the whole world to his care,” so that in “serving you alone, the Creator, he might have dominion over all creatures.” When through disobedience “he had lost your friendship,” God “came in mercy to the aid of all,” offering them covenants and through the prophets teaching “them to look forward to salvation.”
Then, “in the fullness of time,” God “sent your only begotten Son to be our Savior.” During His earthly ministry, Jesus proclaimed salvation to the poor, freedom to prisoners, and joy to the sorrowful. He gave “himself up to death,” and through the resurrection “destroyed death and restored life.” Finally, Jesus “sent the Holy Spirit from you, Father,” to bring “to perfection His work in the world” and “sanctify creation to the full.” Then follows
the epiclesis, the invocation of the Holy Spirit on the bread and wine.
This section, from the “Holy, Holy, Holy” to the epiclesis, recounts creation; the Fall; the Old Testament prophets and covenants; the coming of Jesus and His earthly ministry, suffering, death, and resurrection; and sending of the Holy Spirit.
To appreciate this aspect of EP IV, compare it to the transition from the “Holy, Holy, Holy” to the epiclesis in EP II, which is one sentence: “You are indeed Holy, O Lord, the fount of all holiness.”
The scriptural character of EP IV is also noteworthy. Here are the quotes from EP IV with the biblical reference in parentheses. God the Father, “dwelling in unapproachable light” (1 Timothy 6:16), “formed man in your own image and entrusted the whole world to his care” (Genesis 1:26). “And you so loved the world, Father most holy” (John 3:16 and 17:11), that “in the fullness of time” (Galatians 4:4) you sent your Son, who “shared our human nature in all things but sin” (Hebrews 4:15).
“To the poor He proclaimed the good news of salvation, to prisoners, freedom, and to the sorrowful of heart, joy” (Luke 4:18). “And that we might live no longer for ourselves but for Him who died and rose again for us” (2 Corinthians 5:15), “He sent the Holy Spirit from
you, Father, as the first fruits for those who believe so that, bringing to perfection His work in the world, He might sanctify creation to the full” (Romans 8:23). “When the hour had come for him to be glorified by you, Father most holy” (John 17:1), Christ, “having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end” (John 13:1). After the consecration are petitions that all who receive the body and blood of Christ may “truly become a living sacrifice in Christ to the praise of your glory” (Romans 12:1), and that all God’s children may “enter into a heavenly inheritance” (1 Peter 1:3-4).
“The Liturgy is the school of the prayer of the Church,” wrote St. John Paul II in 1988. The new EPs were added, he continued, “so as to enrich the Church’s treasury of prayer and an understanding of the mystery of Christ.” Inspired by an ancient eastern Eucharistic Prayer, recounting the Trinity’s work in creation and redemption, and imbued with the language of the Bible, EP IV enriches not only our liturgical prayer but also our personal prayer so that we may truly become a living sacrifice in Christ to the praise of God’s glory. ■
Father Randy Stice is director of the diocesan Office of Worship and Liturgy. He can be reached at frrandy@dioknox. org.
glass windows that continue to adorn the church.
After the Mass, the
Psalm 96:1, 3-5, 7-10; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5; Matthew 22:15-21
Monday, Oct. 23: Romans 4:20-25; Luke 1:69-75; Luke 12:13-21
Tuesday, Oct. 24: Romans 5:12, 15, 17-21; Psalm 40:7-10, 17; Luke
12:35-38
Wednesday, Oct. 25: Romans 6:1218; Psalm 124:1-8; Luke 12:39-48
Thursday, Oct. 26: Romans 6:19-23; Psalm 1:1-4, 6; Luke 12:49-53
Friday, Oct. 27: Romans 7:18-25; Psalm 119:66, 68, 76-77, 93-94; Luke
12:54-59
Saturday, Oct. 28: Feasts of Sts. Simon and Jude, apostles, Ephesians
2:19-22; Psalm 19:2-5; Luke 6:12-16
Sunday, Oct. 29: Exodus 22:20-26; Psalm 18:2-4, 47, 51; 1 Thessalonians
1:5-10; Matthew 22:34-40
Monday, Oct. 30: Romans 8:1217; Psalm 68:2, 4, 6-7, 20-21; Luke
13:10-17
Tuesday, Oct. 31: Romans 8:18-25;
Psalm 126:1-6; Luke 13:18-21
Wednesday, Nov. 1: Solemnity of All Saints, Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14; Psalm 24:1-6; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12
Thursday, Nov. 2: The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls), Wisdom 3:1-9; Psalm 23:1-6; Romans 6:3-9; John 6:37-40
Friday, Nov. 3: Romans 9:1-5; Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20; Luke 14:1-6
Saturday, Nov. 4: Memorial of St. Charles Borromeo, bishop, Romans 11:1-2, 11-12, 25-29; Psalm 94:12-15, 17-18; Luke 14:1, 7-11
Sunday, Nov. 5: Malachi 1:14–2:2 and 2:8-10; Psalm 131:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 2:7-9, 13; Matthew 23:1-12
Monday, Nov. 6: Romans 11:2936; Psalm 69:30-31, 33-34, 36; Luke 14:12-14
Tuesday, Nov. 7: Romans 12:5-16; Psalm 131:1-3; Luke 14:15-24
Wednesday, Nov. 8: Romans 13:8-
10; Psalm 112:1-2, 4-5, 9; Luke 14:25-33
Thursday, Nov. 9: Feast of the Lateran Basilica in Rome, Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12; Psalm 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9; 1 Corinthians 3:9-11, 16-17; John 2:13-22
Friday, Nov. 10: Memorial of St. Leo the Great, pope and doctor of the Church, Romans 15:14-21; Psalm 98:1-4; Luke 16:1-8
Saturday, Nov. 11: Memorial of St. Martin of Tours, bishop, Romans 16:3-9, 16, 22-27; Psalm 145:2-5, 1011; Luke 16:9-15
Sunday, Nov. 12: Wisdom 6:12-16; Psalm 63:2-8; 1 Thessalonians 4:1318; Matthew 25:1-13
Monday, Nov. 13: Memorial of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, virgin, Wisdom 1:1-7; Psalm 139:1-10; Luke 17:1-6
Tuesday, Nov. 14: Wisdom 2:23–3:9; Psalm 34:2-3, 16-19; Luke 17:7-10 n
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Elizabethton
mayor at the time, Richard Sharpin, presented Bishop O’Connell with a certificate naming him an honorary
mayor of the city. Mayor Sharpin was a St. Elizabeth parishioner. ■
BILL BREWER
Priest and deacon Father Jesús Guerrero and Deacon Richard Carner stand outside St. Elizabeth Church. “I really like St. Elizabeth. I really do. I really like the people,” Deacon Carner said. “It’s a small community, and you get a chance to know people, and to laugh with people, and to listen to them.”
adult mentors. Cost for the weekend is $95, which is all-inclusive. For permission/medical forms, a code of conduct and release, and a team application, or to sponsor a retreatant, visit dioknox. org/events/search-170. Search 171 will take place Jan. 26-28, 2024, at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church in Cleveland.
Bristol-area Christians from various denominations are taking part through Nov. 5 in the 40 Days for Life vigil to end abortion. For 40 days, they will pray, fast, and have a peaceful, nonconfrontational, 12-hour/day prayer vigil on the public areas around Bristol Women’s Health, an abortion clinic at 2603 Osborne St. in Bristol, Va. Participants can learn more about the international 40 Days for Life prayer ministry. To learn more, contact Angie Bush at 40days bristoltn@gmail.com or 276-644-0340.
Catholic in Recovery is a 12-step recovery ministry that holds meetings each Monday at 7 p.m. at St. Mary Church in Johnson City. CIR provides hope and healing from addictions, compulsions, and unhealthy attachments. Family members impacted by a loved one’s addiction are also encouraged to attend. Meetings combine the spiritual principles of 12-step recovery and the sacraments of the Catholic Church.
Join others in recovery as the meetings overlap Scripture from Sunday’s Mass readings, liturgical themes, and recovery topics with honest discussion and prayer. Confidentiality is protected. For more information, visit www.catholicin recovery.com or contact Jena at cir. tricities.tn@gmail.com, Beth at 714-
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The Year of Parish Revival will take place in the parish hall at 9 a.m. on the dates listed, and a light breakfast will be served. Talks continue with “The Incredible Eucharistic Miracles” on Oct. 13;
“Our Gift from Jesus and Miracles” on Oct. 18, presented by parishioner Mary Maeder, “On the Way to Emmaus” on Nov. 10; and “Living a Eucharistic Life” on Dec. 5, presented by Dr. Mary Healy.
“The Bread of Life” was presented by Dr. Brant Pitre on Sept. 29.
The Prayer Shawl Committee met in the conference room Sept. 19.
The motto for the parish Stephen Ministers is “Christ caring for people through people.” Those going through difficult times or needing help can call Mary Vivian White at 419-618-1647, Jay Londre at 815-761-4050, or Janeene Lemieux at 931-510-0197.
The parish held a Welcome Home outdoor Mass on Oct. 1 at the Glade Square. On its feast day of Oct. 4, St. Francis of Assisi had a blessing of animals in the church parking lot in the morning and a special Mass in the afternoon. A dinner-dance followed with music by DJ and Donna Garrison.
Anniversaries: Jack and Virginia Smith (62), Lawrence and Myra Opatik (61), John and Susan Gauerke (59), Mike and Diane Treanor (59), Robert and Jane Madon (57), Ken and Kathy Bromberek (57), Steve and Pat Jennings (57), Robert and Rosemary Barth (57), Anthony and Mary Jane Gradle (56), Raymond and Carole Brzezinski (54), Donat and Terry Renaud (53), Joseph and Rita Schurger (53), James and MaryAnn Hoffman (50), Gregory and Loni Monahan (50), Kim and Jill Becker (45), Pat and Sue Flynn (45), Robert and Susan Fiebig (30), Douglas Stittleburg and Kathryn Kuhag (30), Peter and Sharon Mulee-Wendt (20), Michael and Karen Milliman (15)
St. John Neumann, Farragut
The Harvesting for Him fall festival at the church and school is set for the weekend of Oct. 21-22. The Mustang Miler (a 5K race and fun run) will take place on the first day. The second day will offer inflatables, food trucks, a cake walk, and a barbecue competition. Register for the 5K or fun run at sjnknox.org/run. To volunteer, visit sjnknox.org/volunteer
The Council of Catholic Women will hold a chili supper adult social at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21.
Trunk or Treat will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, in the church parking lot.
651-2008, or Ed at 865-599-4823.
Holy Fire Nashville, a day of talks, praise and worship, and Mass for middle-schoolers, is set for 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, with Mass at 4 p.m. The event will be hosted by the Diocese of Nashville at the Catholic Pastoral Center, 2800 McGavock Pike, Nashville. Middle-school Catholics are invited and challenged to embrace their baptismal call and the powerful, relevant Gospel of Jesus. Through talks by speakers, witnesses by peers, praise and worship, and the rich experiences of the sacraments, Holy Fire will help young people feel seen, welcomed, and invited into a life-changing commitment to Christ. Speakers include Bishop J. Mark Spalding of Nashville, PJ Anderson, Angele Baczmaga, Noelle Garcia, and DJ Staël. Participants are invited to travel together with others from the Diocese of Knoxville. Cost is $45 per person with an optional Chickfil-A lunch available for purchase. Visit dioknox.org/events/holy-fire-2023 to download a flyer and to view updates. More information on Holy Fire Nashville is also available at eqsaints.com/ holyfire-nashville
The Healing Ministry at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Alcoa offers healing prayers every third weekend of the month for anyone who has a physical, emotional, or spiritual need. Individual healing prayer will be offered in Spanish in the church immediately following the 7 p.m. Saturday Mass in Spanish, and prayer will be offered in English in the chapel immediately following the 11 a.m.
The pro-life ministry is presenting SJN Karaoke Night at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, behind Seton Hall to benefit the Ladies of Charity of Knoxville. Admission is a package of size 2, 3, or 4 diapers, and participants may also bring cash for the tip jar that will be used to buy more diapers. Connors Restaurant gift cards will be awarded as prizes for the best single and duet performances.
A new ministry is forming at St. John Neumann: the St. Luke Ministry. Its mission is to provide support and companionship to those parishioners and their caregivers who are homebound and in need of assistance. Examples of support include caring for pets, making home visits, and providing a meal. Any member of the parish is eligible to request assistance for themselves or another person who is ill, homebound, or having a life event that is impacting his or her daily living. For more information, contact Barbara O’Brien at stluke@sjnknox.org
Five Rivers Deanery
Holy Trinity, Jefferson City
The Knights of Columbus are holding their annual Tootsie Roll Drive in October to raise funds for those with intellectual disabilities. The drive began Oct. 7-8 and continues Oct. 14-15.
The fall festival will be held after the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, Nov. 5. Contact Donna Dunn at 631-495-0031 or pfl.htjctn@gmail.com to sign up or submit ideas.
The Knights’ Chili Cook-Off is set for Veterans Day, Saturday, Nov. 11. Those planning to participate who are veterans should call the church office at 865-471-0347 and give their name to the office staff.
Deacon Matt Pidgeon marked the 20th anniversary of his ordination Sept. 13.
The Knights’ annual Wives & Widows Dinner was held Sept. 16 at Perkins Restaurant.
Holy Trinity is having its parking lot repaired, sealed, and striped.
Anniversaries: Bill and Mary Lou Jenkins (65), Michael and Jaye Sulkowski (55), John and Lynn Archambault (50), Rodger and Juliet Heaberlin (20)
St. Patrick, Morristown
A College Tailgate Night for students from Morristown East and Morristown West high schools was held Sept. 27 at St. Patrick. Representatives from differ-
Sunday Mass. Call Toni Jacobs at 561315-5911 if you have any questions.
A 14-day pilgrimage to Catholic England, led by Father Joe Reed and Father Michael Maples, is set for April 17-30, 2024. Sites to be visited include Ampleforth Abbey, Rievaulx Abbey, Durham Cathedral, Whitby Abbey, English Martyrs Church, the Shrine of St. Margaret, York Minster, York Oratory, Coventry Cathedral, Oxford, Stonehenge, Salisbury Cathedral, Winchester Cathedral, London, the Stonor Park country house, London Oratory, Tyburn Tree, Tyburn Convent, Westminster Abbey, Westminster Hall within the Houses of Parliament, Canterbury Cathedral, the Friars-Aylesford Priory, Shrine of the Assumption and St. Simon Stock, Norwich Cathedral, Julian Chapel, and Walsingham Shrine. Double-occupancy price is $4,795 and single-occupancy $6,295. To register, visit stcharlespilgrimages. com/reed-maples
A Seine River pilgrimage is set for June 9-17, 2024, with an optional pre-tour to Lourdes, home of St. Bernadette, from June 5-10. Pilgrims will visit Paris, Giverny, Lisieux, Rouen, the beaches of Normandy, and more. In Paris, they will see the Eiffel Tower, des Champs-Élysées, and other city highlights during a panoramic tour. Travelers will visit the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal on Rue Du Bac, where they will celebrate Mass and have time to visit the gift shop, followed by a walk a short distance to visit St. Vincent de Paul Church. In Rouen, the travelers will retrace the footsteps of St.
ent organizations, colleges, and military branches were present.
Ashley Rojas is the new youth ministry coordinator at St. Patrick.
Anniversaries: Edward and Dolores Polick (68), Robert and Judy Himmelsbach (53), Hugo Morales-Aguilar and Maria Velazquez-Vazquez (25)
Smoky Mountain Deanery
Holy Ghost, Knoxville
Father Bill McNeeley and Father Michael Hendershott led pro-life rosary rallies Oct. 2 and Sept. 21, respectively, at Planned Parenthood in Knoxville.
The His Hands and Feet ministry held its fourth Saturday preparation and serving of food for the homeless Sept. 23. Contact Misty Weber at misty weberrn@gmail.com to donate food items or Lindy Crace at lindybelle77@ gmail.com to learn more.
Immaculate Conception, Knoxville
The parish and Knights of Columbus Council 645 are hosting a baby-bottle drive again this year to benefit Catholic Charities’ Pregnancy Help Center. Baby bottles were handed out at Masses on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. Parishioners should fill their bottles with loose change, cash, or checks and return it to IC by Sunday, Oct. 22, to help the parish reach its goal to raise $2,000. For every $500 raised, the Knights through the Aid and Support After Pregnancy program will add $100. For more information, contact Grand Knight Alex Cate at kofc645@ gmail.com or visit kofc.org/ASAP or ccetn.org/pregnancy-help
IC’s outreach program to support survivors of human trafficking began in 2018. Today, there is a need to provide fresh meals to women in transition staying at the Grow Free Tennessee Safe House in Knoxville. Volunteer for one or more Tuesdays or Thursdays at www. mealtrain.com/trains/5ygrvy. For more information, contact Theresa Miller at 732-319-0070 or trm.cpl@comcast.net
The women’s group’s annual Craft Fair will be held in the parish hall Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 18-19. Those interested in a booth should contact Beth Meyer at 865-456-8857 or meyer. beth73@gmail.com. Fees are again $20 and must be paid in advance.
Knights Council 645 recognized Connie Healy as part of its family of the month program. Ms. Healy has been a huge supporter of the council’s bicycle pro-
Joan of Arc. Rouen offers a restored medieval quarter and a Gothic cathedral of Notre Dame, often painted by Claude Monet. After disembarking in the port of Honfleur, the travelers will drive through Normandy to Omaha Beach, where they will see the American Memorial and Cemetery. In Lisieux, home of St. Thérèse, the Little Flower, the group will visit all the places associated with the life of the saint and her parents. Mass will be celebrated at the Basilica of St. Thérèse, followed by a visit to the crypt. The group will also visit the little town of Vernon and take an excursion to the Claude Monet estate in Giverny. The optional pre-tour to Lourdes includes Mass at the basilica, a walking tour of the sanctuary, including the grotto and the basilica, and a video presentation that explains Lourdes’ story in detail. Travelers will have time for private prayer and reflection and join the candlelight procession in the evening. They will celebrate Mass at the grotto, where Our Lady appeared to Bernadette, drink water from the miraculous spring that has healed many, and visit the healing baths. Contact Lisa Morris at 865-5671245 or lisam@select-intl.com
Mass in the extraordinary form (“traditional Latin”) is celebrated at noon each Sunday at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville; every Sunday at 8 a.m. at St. Mary Church in Athens; at 2 p.m. each Sunday and at 6 p.m. most Mondays at St. Mary Church in Johnson City; and at 11:30 a.m. every Sunday at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga. For more information, visit www.KnoxLatinMass.net n
gram for the last couple of years and has been able to find and donate more bikes than anyone else.
Sacred Heart, Knoxville
The Haiti Outreach Program held its annual banquet, themed “Hands Across the Sea: Supporting Haiti Outreach,” on Sept. 22. Speakers included Drew Peloubet, U.S. liaison to Bishop Desinord Jean of the Diocese of Hinche, Haiti, who offered an overview of the bishop’s strategy for Catholic operations throughout Haiti, and Loune Viaud, executive director of Zanmi Lasante, who leads a team of close to 6,000 employees in providing health care and supportive programs to more than 1.3 million people throughout the central region of Haiti.
Father Michael Drea visited Sacred Heart for weekend Masses on Sept. 1617 on behalf of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS). Father Drea serves as the national chaplain for mission development for FOCUS.
The St. Martha’s Guild annual mum sale took place after Masses on Sept. 16-17. Proceeds will benefit parish charities.
Women of the parish took part in the Parish Council of Catholic Women Potluck Social on Sept. 19 in Cathedral Hall.
St. John XXIII, Knoxville
Emma Standley is the new director of religious education at St. John XXIII. She is from Nashville and is a graduate student in the master’s of public policy and administration program at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. For more information about Sunday school classes or other topics, e-mail Ms. Standley at emma@john23rd.org. Kyle Fagin is the parish’s new campus minister.
St. Joseph the Worker, Madisonville
On the weekend of Oct. 7-8, the parish handed out baby bottles to be filled up with donations for the Full Circle Medical Center for Women in Athens.
The building and grounds committee led a fall cleanup day Oct. 7. Tasks performed included painting the new beams in front of the church, replacing the lights around the cross in the front window, painting the banisters around the church, power washing the concrete sidewalks at the back and side of the church, removing scrubs from the Marian Center and from around the granite sign, planting flowers and scrubs, and more.
Anniversary: Bill and Lenore Marquardt (60) n
THE EAST TENNESSEE CATHOLIC B8 n OCTOBER 1, 2023 www.dioknox.org
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Chesterton Academy of St. Margaret Clitherow holds its first Convocation Day
Chesterton Academy of St. Margaret Clitherow in Knox County held its inaugural Convocation Day on Sept. 28. The day began with Mass, then students donned house shirts for the first time for a series of rigorous academic and athletic challenges, each carefully designed to test students’ formation throughout the quarter. These students, on the spot, in 30 minutes or less, learned how to use and compete with an atlatl (spear thrower), translated paragraphs of Latin without the aid of a textbook or dictionary, built bridges, thwarted each other with complex sentence diagrams, composed chant from scratch, composed artwork, and committed entire new poems to heart and delivered them up to rhetorical standards.
The House of Chrysostom won the convocation. At top left, Maddie DuPont (left) and Elena Crace compete in an art challenge. At top right, Jenna Witkemper (left) and Felicity Weber compose a chant. At right, Miles Mckinney works on his art project, and students play soccer with a gigantic ball.
Annual summer God Camps held in Ocoee
Nearly 120 youngsters from parishes around the Diocese of Knoxville participated in summer God Camps at the Ocoee Retreat Center in Ocoee, Tenn., in July. The summer camps are part of the Youth, Young Adult, and Pastoral Juvenil Ministry and brought middle-school students together for activities that included rock-wall climbing, Scripture-based treasure hunts, zip-line rides, water activities, and group discussions on faith. “I think it’s so important to offer God Camps for middle-school students because they are growing so much and trying to figure out a way to fit in,” said Donna Jones, coordinator for middle-school ministry for the Diocese of Knoxville. “God Camps offer a safe space to be who God created them to be and know that they are loved, and people care about them. Another reason is that we live in East Tennessee, and there is such a small percentage of Catholics, especially for the public-school students. God Camps let them see the larger Church, and they see they are not alone in their faith. And of course, it’s fun, and they get to connect with other students from all over the diocese.” Mrs. Jones said that this was the first year that the Ocoee Retreat Center hosted the God Camps for middle-school youngsters—but that overall, the camps have been held for about 30 years.
Blessed Carlo Acutis’
eucharistic miracles exhibit comes to two diocesan churches
The International Eucharistic Miracles of the World exhibit, a traveling display designed and created by Blessed Carlo Acutis, was on display at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga (top two photos) on Sept. 16-17 and at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Lenoir City on Sept. 23-24. The exhibit includes photos, art, and stories of more than 125 Vatican-authenticated miracles associated with faith in, and worship of, the Most Blessed Sacrament. Blessed Carlo (1991-2006) was a youth who documented eucharistic miracles and Marian apparitions. A website designer, he was diagnosed with leukemia as a teenager. He offered his sufferings for Pope Benedict XVI and for the Church. He was buried in Assisi in accordance with his wishes. He was designated “venerable” in 2018 and “blessed” in 2020.
THE EAST TENNESSEE CATHOLIC OCTOBER 1, 2023 n B9 www.dioknox.org Catholic schools
JIM WOGAN (2)
SHERRY HARTZ
COURTESY OF SHERRY HARTZ
DEACON JIM BODINE
DEACON JIM BODINE
COURTESY OF CHESTERTON ACADEMY (4)
Knoxville Catholic, Notre Dame crown homecoming queens
Knoxville Catholic High School crowned its 2023 homecoming queen, Maeva Cox (top photo), during the Fighting Irish’s football game with Briarcrest Christian on Sept. 15. Maeva is pictured with her father, Shane Cox. The runner-up was Jamaylia Maxwell. Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga congratulated its homecoming queen and king, Katherine deLeon and Amare DaSilva, as they were crowned Sept. 15 when the Fighting Irish hosted Grace Christian.
