Oct. 7, 2018, ET Catholic, A section

October 7

| 2018

VOL 28 NO 1

IN THIS ISSUE

CARD A14 REPORT A5 UNCOVERING THE BASILICA Diocese of Knoxville Sts. Peter and Paul getting a makeover

Schools annual report is issued

CITY B1 SECRET PARISH

St. Mary-Oak Ridge marks 75th anniversary

He dwells among us ......................... A2 Parish news ....................................... B2 Diocesan calendar ............................ B3 Columns ............................................. B8 Catholic schools ............................. B10 La Cosecha ............................Section C

50th parish established in Diocese of Knoxville St. Michael the Archangel elevated from Catholic mission status; Bishop Stika blesses new building

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“I want to commend you for what you’ve accomplished in just seven years. Where now does St. Michael’s go? You’re no longer a mission.

Just like the angel who spreads his wings, you’re spreading your wings in the community of Erwin and in the area that surrounds us.”

–– Bishop Richard F. Stika

BILL BREWER

ishop Richard F. Stika created the Diocese of Knoxville’s 50th parish on Sept. 29 as St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Mission in Erwin became a canonically established church.

The feast of St. Michael the Archangel from now on will have deeper historic meaning for the diocese and its newest parish.

Bishop Stika presented the canonical documents to Glenmary Father Tom Charters, officially elevating St. Michael to parish status as the bishop blessed its new parish life center, which will double as a church until a permanent church is built sometime in the future.

Nearly 200 St. Michael members were in attendance as Bishop Stika celebrated Mass. Concelebrating the Mass were Father Charters, who has led St. Michael since the mission was founded on Oct. 23, 2011; Father Chet Artysiewicz, president of the Glenmary Home Missioners; Father Peter Iorio, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Johnson City; and Father Michael Cummins, pastor of St. Dominic Parish in Kingsport. Deacon Jim Fage of St. Patrick Church in Morristown served as deacon of the Gospel.

“I want to commend you for what you’ve accomplished in just seven years. Where now does St. Michael’s go? You’re no longer a mission.

Just like the angel who spreads his wings, you’re spreading your wings in the community of Erwin and in the area that surrounds us,” Bishop Stika said.

He encouraged them to continue being confident when they say, “I am a Christian, I am a Catholic, I believe in the Word of God, I believe the Gospels and the Scriptures. The

By Bill Brewer

With a little help from his friends Bishop Richard F. Stika begins the blessing for St. Michael the Archangel Parish’s new parish life center in Erwin on Sept. 29. Assisting Bishop Stika is seminarian Wojciech Sobczuk, Father Tom Charters, GHM, and young St. Michael parishioner Alonzo Murillo, who is 5. St. Michael the Archangel, which was elevated to a parish on Sept. 29, completed its new building over the summer after breaking ground on Dec. 15, 2017. letters of Paul and the Old Testament feed us and nourish us.” He also urged them to “believe in the Eucharist, the great miracle of that first Passover, and when Jesus gave

His Body and Blood, when he said take and eat, take and drink, this is my Body and this is my Blood given for you.”

“The beautiful thing is now that

after our celebrations are ended, that red candle reminds us that Jesus still is here in the most holy Eucharist,” Bishop Stika added.

In his homily, Bishop Stika said the new parish’s beginnings are reminiscent of the early Church, when the disciples met in informal locations as Jesus’ seeds of Christianity were sown.

He began by telling the congregation he missed the “basement,” referring to a basement ranch house at 1700 Jackson-Love Highway in Erwin that was home to the mission for five years. The upstairs of the home housed Father Charters’ residence, a chapel, and meeting space for the mission. Downstairs in the basement is where Mass was celebrated.

Bishop Stika continued the lighthearted references to the mission’s humble beginnings when he said he looked for the elk’s head to be hanging on the wall in the new parish life center. That was a nod to St. Michael’s first location – the Erwin Elk’s Club, which provided the mission meeting space. That temporary space included the elk’s head.

Then there was the National Guard Armory and the YMCA, which also provided meeting space.

Parish continued on page A11

V Encuentro attendees return to dioceses eager to share their gifts Delegates complete years-long national encounter stoked with a missionary flame

By Norma Montenegro Flynn/Catholic News Service

V

Diocese delegates to V Encuentro share experience

By Brittany García

PEDRO GARCIA

Encuentro participants returned to their dioceses and parishes with many challenges and hopes.

Among them, they were called to share their gifts and reach out across race and language barriers in their own parish and diocesan communities; at the same time, they also urged the rest of non-Hispanic Catholics to recognize their presence and open doors to their gifts and contributions.

Carl Anderson, supreme knight of the Knights of Columbus, stressed that call to Catholic organizations and institutions. He told participants, “One of the missions of Encuentro is to tell the other Catholics in this country: Hispanics have many gifts to give you, open the doors, and let them give these gifts and do not be ashamed of their traditions.”

Hispanics represent about 40 percent of U.S. Catholics and nearly 60 percent of millennial Catholics, according to the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. Over 3,200 diocesan delegates or representatives, bishops, and other Catholic leaders participated in the national gathering in Grapevine, Texas, in the Diocese of

Roundtable discussion Delegates take part in a discussion during the V National Encuentro held in Dallas suburb Grapevine, Texas, Sept. 20-23. Among the delegates at this table was Blanca Primm, director of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Knoxville (left center). Six delegates from the Diocese of Knoxville were among the more than 3,000 people in attendance.

Fort Worth.

While there is a more vivid awareness in recognizing the opportunities

in the gifts that Hispanics can bring to the table, part of the reality is that cirEncuentro continued on page A6

GRAPEVINE, Texas –– Well, we finally arrived at the culmination of the V Encuentro process: the national gathering of all the U.S. diocesan delegates of the V Encuentro.

And what joy it was to take part in this momentous event in the life of the U.S. Catholic Church. What hope sprung up for the future of our Church. What consolation was given by knowing that our voices from the tiniest of parishes to the biggest of archdioceses were all heard and valued.

V continued on page A6

He dwells among us

by Bishop Richard F. Stika

Defend us in battle Pray to St. Michael and our guardian angels to protect us from Satan’s evil desires “Protect them from the evil one” (John 17:15).

I

t is said the devil‘s greatest accomplishment is convincing people, and especially clergy, that he does not exist. Satan is never more powerful than when he is denied, and given his great success in this, we forget that we are part of a great mortal struggle between good and evil that calls each of us to spiritual battle.

For this reason, and because evil is where you least expect it, I decided that after every Mass we will pray the St. Michael the Archangel prayer to enlist the special help of God‘s angelic captain and his angels.

Pope Leo XIII wrote his prayer to St. Michael in 1886. Some say the impetus for writing this prayer was because of a terrible vision he was purported to have had of Satan plotting horrible attacks upon the Church and the world, the likes of which had never been seen in history.

Given the approaching century that would become known as the bloodiest in history, it would seem that the pope’s prayer was inspired

by God and meant to help the Church to receive the full measure of spiritual help that we continue to be in need of today.

Jesus calls Satan a “murderer from the beginning” and “a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).

He is a master of convincing people to “call evil good, and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20). He is the great “deceiver of the whole world” and the one who “wages war” against the children of Mary, the Church (Revelation 12:9; Genesis 3:15). To

Follow Bishop Richard Stika on Twitter @bishopstika and Facebook for news and events from the diocese. deny the existence of Satan and to fancy mention of him in Scripture as just a tool of theology-fiction to help teach moral lessons is not just a heresy, it is to make Jesus out to be a liar.

Pope Leo XIII, seeing the invisible hand of Satan in the growing storm clouds of the world, undoubtedly drew inspiration in writing his prayer from the book of Revelation describing how “Michael and his angels battled against the dragon” and defeated them (12:7-9). Because “the whole life of the Church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of angels” (Catechism, n. 334), we should always implore their help in our lives, in our family, and our work. So it is good for us to examine the prayer of Pope Leo XIII to better appreciate the help of the angels.

“Defend us in battle.”

The first petition of this prayer recognizes that by virtue of our baptism we are all summoned to a battle that, without God’s grace and his angelic helpers, we cannot hope to prevail in. Like severely outnumbered troops engaged in a fierce battle where they lack the tactical advantage that high ground affords, we must call upon air support to take away the initiative and advantage of the enemy and put them to flight. If close air support is an essential element for gaining victory in battle, it is truer in our spiritual combat.

October Prayer Intentions “That consecrated religious men and women may bestir themselves, and be present among the poor, the marginalized, and those who have no voice.”

–– Pope Francis

”October is the month of Our Lady of the Rosary. Please give consideration to praying the rosary every day this month for the Church and for our nation. The Catholic Church in the United States also observes October as Respect Life Month. Please continue to pray for the unborn and all who are vulnerable; that all of humanity will recognize that life is a special gift from God, to be respected, revered, and protected.”

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–– Bishop Stika

“Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.”

St. Paul reminds us that “Our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with evil spirits in the heavens“ (Ephesians 6:12). We need protection because we are vulnerable to an enemy who in every category is superior to us. But because of God‘s great love for us, and the sacrifice of His Son upon the cross for our salvation, the victory is not to be our enemies’, but ours in Christ our Savior.

“May God rebuke him we humbly pray.”

Satan is the great “accuser” who wants us to believe that we are undeserving of God’s love and mercy.

He is ever whispering words to discourage our heart from turning to God, saying things like, “You’re no good; you’re too sinful for God to forgive; you’ll never be a saint because you’re always falling into sin.” But with God’s grace, we say with Christ, who in expelling a demon from a possessed man, rebukes him saying —“Be quiet!

Come out of him!” (Luke 4:35).

Remember, Satan is always trying to keep you from going to the sacrament of confession, but have no anxiety about hearing those words at the end of your confession announcing God’s infinite mercy, “Your sins are forgiven. Go

in peace!”

“And do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.”

In this final petition, we seek the help of St. Michael and his angels that we might be steadfast and resolved in living our baptismal promises to “reject sin, so as to live in the freedom of God’s children,” to “reject the glamour of evil, and refuse to be mastered by sin,” and to “reject Satan, father of sin and prince of darkness.” But St. Peter warns us to be always vigilant because “the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith” (1 Peter 5:8).

It is a consoling truth of our faith that each person is blessed with a guardian angel to help us to resist the devil. And as Jesus was strengthened by an angel in his agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:43), so, too, we are blessed with heavenly helpers.

“How great the dignity of the soul,” St. Jerome says, “since each one has from his birth an angel commissioned to guard it.” As such, St. Josemaría Escrivá encourages us to “have confidence in your guardian angel. Treat him as a lifelong friend – that is what he is – and he will render you a thousand services in the ordinary affairs of each day.”

Because we are engaged in a battle, we are sure to be wounded and to suffer setbacks. So let us also be resolved to seek the medicine of God’s healing as often as we can in the confessional. ■

Bishop Stika’s calendar of events for October, November

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hese are some of Bishop Richard F. Stika’s upcoming public calendar events: n Oct. 10-12: Visit Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary n Oct. 13: 1 p.m., renewal of marriage vows Mass and celebration at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus n Oct. 13: 7 p.m., vigil Mass at St. Mary Church in Gatlinburg n Oct. 14: 11 a.m., Mass at St. Bridget Church in Dayton for 50th anniversary of the parish n Oct. 15-18: Mission Bishop’s Conference in Chicago n Oct. 20: 5 p.m., White Mass for medical profession at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus n Oct. 21: 10:30 a.m., Mass and installation of Father Ron Stone as pastor at Holy Cross Parish

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in Pigeon Forge n Oct. 21: 6 p.m., Catholic Foundation of East Tennessee annual dinner at Fox Den Country Club in Farragut n Oct. 22-25: priest retreat at Lake Junaluska, N.C. n Oct. 25: 7 p.m., Parish Council of Catholic Women social n Oct. 28: 10:30 a.m., Mass and installation of Father Joe Reed as pastor of St. John Neumann Parish in Farragut n Oct. 30-Nov. 2: visit seminarians at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis n Nov. 6: 11 a.m., Presbyteral Council meeting at the Chancery in Knoxville n Nov. 7: 9:30 a.m., St. Mary Legacy Foundation Board meeting at the Chancery n Nov. 8: visit St. Mary School in Oak Ridge

n Nov. 9: Visit St. John Neumann School in Farragut n Nov. 10: 5 p.m., Mass at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus n Nov. 11: 9:30 a.m., feast of Vietnamese Martyrs procession and Mass at the Church of Divine Mercy, Knoxville n Nov. 12-15: U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops fall meeting n Nov. 18: 10 a.m. Mass and installation of Father John Orr as pastor of St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Madisonville n Nov. 20: visit St. Dominic School in Kingsport n Nov. 26-28: Province meeting in Covington, Ky. n Nov. 29: Visit St. Mary School in Johnson City n Nov. 30: 11:30 a.m., Catholic Charities 360° of Hope Luncheon in Knoxville. ■

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OCTOBER 7, 2018 n A3

Supreme Court upholds pro-life Amendment 1 U.S. high court refuses to hear pro-abortion challenge of 2014 vote to amend state Constitution COURTESY OF ANGEL BREWER/TENNESSEE RIGHT TO LIFE

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he United States Supreme Court has refused to hear a legal challenge to Tennessee’s constitutional amendment eliminating the right to an abortion.

Pro-life supporters across the state cheered the Oct. 1 decision, which almost certainly brings to an end appeals by pro-abortion groups to overturn Amendment 1.

Amendment 1, which was ratified by 52.6 percent of Tennessee voters in the November 2014 election, added language to the Tennessee Constitution empowering the state legislature to enact, amend, or repeal state statutes on abortion.

“Today’s announcement is cause for great celebration among Tennessee’s pro-life movement,” said Brian Harris, president of Tennessee Right to Life, a statewide pro-life advocacy group that worked with legislators to get Amendment 1 on the November 2014 ballot and then led the campaign statewide for

By Bill Brewer

Pastoral support Carol Zimmerman, board president of the Knox County chapter of Tennessee Right to Life, addresses the media at the beginning of a 2014 press conference to announce a large group of Knoxville-area pastors, including Diocese of Knoxville priests, were supporting the Yes on 1 campaign to approve Amendment 1. its passage.

“This is the culmination of many years’ work, and Tennessee Right to Life is especially grateful to our state’s voters, legislators, election officials, and (Tennessee) Attorney General (Herbert) Slatery for staying the course. The people’s voices have been heard, and their votes have been counted. Now we have to continue to work for the day when every life is again protected

by the laws of our state and nation,” Mr. Harris continued.

The amendment was placed on the ballot by the Tennessee General Assembly, and as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment, Amendment 1 had to earn a majority of votes of those voting on the amendment as well as a majority of votes from those casting ballots for governor to take effect.

The amendment to Ten-

nessee’s constitution was identified as a critical moral and life issue by the dioceses of Knoxville, Nashville, and Memphis, as well as other religious denominations around the state.

Support for the measure from the Catholic Church and other churches around the state was cited by political analysts as a key reason Amendment 1 passed.

Supporters of the amendment say it neutral-

izes the extreme interpretation taken by the Tennessee Supreme Court in 2000 in which that court declared that the state constitution guarantees abortion rights above and beyond what the U.S. Constitution provides in the Roe v.

Wade decision. Supporters also maintain that passage of Amendment 1 restores to voters the “life” decisions taken from them by the state Supreme Court Life continued on page A8

Office of Immigrant Services outgrows CCETN location Move to larger quarters in Knoxville will allow assistance to more people as workload grows

EMILY BOOKER

C

atholic Charities of East Tennessee’s Office of Immigrant Services held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its new Knoxville location on Sept. 13.

With the help of a grant from the Office of Criminal Justice, the Office of Immigrant Services was able to move into larger space at 3227 Division St. in Knoxville in the same building as Columbus Home.

Lisa Healy, interim executive director of Catholic Charities, welcomed those in attendance.

“I’d like to extend a generous thank you to the Office of Criminal Justice programming for the grant that made this move possible,” she said. “We now have more space to serve more people, so we are very excited. We grew out of our space on Dameron Avenue fairly quickly.

And what an incredible blessing it is to have more space, not just for our clients, but for our community and for Catholic Charities of East Tennessee.”

She also thanked Tom and Kris Ferriter, Catholic Charities board of trustees members, and Catholic Charities’ employees whose efforts and contributions made the move possible.

“As you can see, this move was clearly a team effort, and we’re so thankful that you are all here today

Growth spurt Lisa Healy, center, interim executive director of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee, is joined by Alessandra Ceccarelli, second from left, program leader for the Office of Immigrant Services; Edith Coral Johnson, an OIS program leader, far left; Paul Ritter, second from right, programs director for CCETN; and Laura Sanchez, a program leader for Catholic Charities, in cutting the ribbon signaling the Office of Immigrant Services’ move to larger office space. to joyfully celebrate the growth of one of the biggest and most accredited programs here at Catholic Charities.”

The Office of Immigrant Services has locations in Chattanooga, Johnson City, and Knoxville and helped

more than 300 people last year.

After the ribbon-cutting, members of the community were invited to tour the office and learn more about the work done through the Office of Immigrant Services.

The office provides low-cost as-

By Emily Booker sistance for those who cannot afford an attorney and assists with immigration issues such as status adjustments, petitioning for family members, renewing permits, applying for citizenship, affidavits, replacement of immigration documents, and referrals for social services.

For more information on the Office of Immigrant Services, go to https://ccetn.org/programs-2/outreach/ office-of-immigrant-services/.

Alessandra Ceccarelli, program leader for the Office of Immigrant Services, believes the new space will allow Catholic Charities to continue its mission of helping the most vulnerable.

“The new space will allow us to do more of what we do best, which is reunite families, to allow families to remain together in the United States, to protect children and the most vulnerable among us, to help those who are facing deportation by receiving the assistance that they need through our remote access initiative, which allows individuals who live in East Tennessee to access qualified legal representation from attorneys in Memphis,” she said. “While it is incredible to believe that all of these things will happen in this very space, they do and will daily.” ■

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

Uncovering hidden gems Renovation of Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul yields unexpected (and valuable) links to the past inspecting the church, we noticed empty space behind a wall. Our curiosity got the better of us, and we decided to explore those spaces. We found two alcoves with vaulted ceilings that add considerable space to our otherwise cramped vestibule,” he said. “The restoration of the original interior of the church is what we’re going for. We’re highlighting original themes.”

Included in the scope of work are new altars made of finely carved wood instead of retrofitted marble altars installed in the 1930s. The basilica rector said the original Sts. Peter and Paul altars were carved in the High Gothic style and were taken down because they were eaten by termites.

Father Carter said termite traps have been installed, so altars eaten by pests will no longer be a problem.

A woodworking family in Kentucky is handcarving the altars based on drawings in keeping with the original church motif.

Architect James McCrery, who designed the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus provided the new drawings.

The renovation project is part of the 125th anniversary of Sts. Peter and Paul, which was celebrated in 2015. Basilica parishioners have raised the money for renovation through the Home Campaign and have been excited about the project getting underway.

Donations from outside the parish have also contributed to the fundraising effort.

Total cost of the project is $450,000.

During the six months of construction, all Masses are being celebrated in the Varallo Parish Hall downstairs from the sanctuary. Father Carter hopes the project is completed by December, but more surprises could prompt delays. Bishop Richard F. Stika will dedicate the newly refurbished basilica.

Besides inconvenience, Father Carter said there has been some frustration with scheduling delays.

“We’re in exile in Varallo Hall. But Varallo Hall has served us well. It has kind of a catacomb feel. It’s more of an intimate experience than the grandeur above.”

He pointed out that the

Basilica makeover The Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga is undergoing a sanctuary and vestibule renovation through the proceeds from its successful Home Campaign.

Work, which began in July, is expected to be completed

by December.

COURTESY OF FATHER DAVID CARTER (4)

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hen you renovate something that is 125 years old, you’re bound to have a few surprises.

Restoration work inside the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul has revealed details of original church construction that have been hidden since the 1930s – details that greatly enhance the basilica’s architectural authenticity and even help its financial value.

Construction began in July to remodel the sanctuary and vestibule, and once workers began doing initial demolition, they unexpectedly interrupted progress, according to Father David Carter, rector of the basilica.

“Just like with any old building, you have unexpected things that come up. We’ve had a few surprises that were frustrating, but also a few surprises that are exciting,” Father Carter said.

The present church building in downtown Chattanooga was dedicated in 1890, making it the second oldest in the Diocese of Knoxville, although the basilica parish is the oldest in the diocese.

Father Carter explained that some remodeling of the church took place in 1936, when part of the original church was covered up.

“When we pulled up the carpet and vinyl tile, we were curious because we saw a thin-set layer of concrete, and we noticed there was wood flooring underneath,” Father Carter said. “We found the original 1890 heart pine floor in the nave, which we have decided to refinish and restore to its original glory.”

According to Father Carter, heart pine was a commonly used material in construction back then, but now it’s considered a precious commodity that is sought out at great expense. “It is considered luxurious by some because it is nearly impossible to find in the wild now. We had it underneath our carpet and tile the entire time.”

The church’s original exterior façade was redone in 1936 because of crumbling infrastructure, and the vestibule space was created. At that point, certain spaces were covered over, according to Father Carter.

“In the course of reviewing plans from 1963 and

By Bill Brewer

“We’re now able to fulfill the promise of a new sanctuary. We believe one of our roles is to show forth the apostolate of beauty. Beauty speaks to the heart of every human being, and it often is a great opening to the Gospel message. Beauty itself is a great evangelizer.”

— Father David Carter

Fr. Carter

church’s electrical wiring had not been updated since the 1930s and that all plugs were ungrounded.

“It was supposed to be a simple project, but unexpected discoveries have added to the scope of things,” Father Carter said.

“It became a safety issue.

We’ve included fire safety equipment as part of this project.”

Father Carter, who has

served as basilica rector since 2013, believes this is the first major renovation of the church since 1936. He explained that soon after arriving at the basilica, he and parishioners held a town hall meeting to determine the hopes and dreams of parishioners and the future of the parish.

Renovation work had already occurred on the basilica’s nursery and rectory.

“The No. 1 desire among the faithful was a renovation of the church sanctuary, in particular moving the tabernacle to a central place of honor and restoring the altar rail as well as changing the flooring from

carpet to something more durable. We have been planning ever since to incorporate these changes,” Father Carter said.

“We’re now able to fulfill the promise of a new sanctuary. We believe one of our roles is to show forth the apostolate of beauty.

Beauty speaks to the heart of every human being, and it often is a great opening to the Gospel message.

Beauty itself is a great evangelizer,” he noted. ■

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OCTOBER 7, 2018 n A5

PEDRO GARCIA (2)

Encuentro continued from page A1

cumstances are different from region to region and even from parish to parish, and awareness must continue at all levels, said Bishop Daniel E. Flores of Brownsville, Texas.

“It’s really a deepening of the awareness of the whole people of God, catechists, parish secretaries, pastors, and diocesan structures, about thinking differently about what their local situation is to invite people in. That’s an attitudinal reality,” Bishop Flores said in an interview with Catholic News Service.

V Encuentro, as it also is known, is a sign of great progress, but there is still a lot of work to be done, particularly in Catholic institutions of higher education, Bishop Flores added.

The V Encuentro process has made inroads in initiating dialogues, opportunities for encounter and collaborations among Hispanics, across cultures, and across ministries in over 2,500 parish communities, and more than 150 dioceses around the country.

It also has identified and prepared over 25,000 new ministry leaders, according to organizers.

The call to include Hispanics in other ministries and positions within the Church not limited to Hispanic ministry, was voiced, particularly among young adults.

“We need more people like us, who are not afraid to meet people where they are and to bring others into the conversation,” said participant Lia Salinas, who manages Hispanic ministry for the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

Many agree that the challenge is not easy, it needs deep awareness and commitment, added Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, Texas, whose diocese is over 80 percent Hispanic.

“It’s not a matter of the dominant V continued from page A1

With more than 3,000 Catholic lay faithful present and well accompanied by more than 150 bishops, religious sisters from all different orders, and a variety of Catholic institutions and organizations, the national V Encuentro was a visible sign of the beauty and vibrancy that exists in our Church.

Blanca Primm, director of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Knoxville and one of six delegates representing the diocese at the Encuentro, said, “During this time of trial that the Catholic Church is going through, we see the V Encuentro as a refreshing oasis. At the national V Encuentro, we felt the constant and strong presence of the Holy Spirit through our bishops that reaffirmed us as a people, as their flock.”

Our group of six diocesan delegates that traveled to Grapevine, Texas, to participate in the Encuentro included Mrs. Primm; Sister Imelda Quechol, MAG, who serves the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga; Franklin Zelaya of All Saints Parish in Knoxville; Coral Getino, also an All Saints parishioner; Pedro García of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus; and me.

Although we were only six delegates, we carried the voices and realities of the thousands of individuals who participated in the V Encuentro process in our diocese. And we came home with a missionary flame ignited. In fact, Sister Imelda said that what impressed her most from participating in this process is the need for “each one of us to become missionary disciples.”

The invitation to be a missionary disciple, a true student of Christ who participates in the mission of Christ, is not just for those who work for a parish or diocese. It is not just for the priests, deacons, and religious communities. The call to be a missionary disciple is for each of us as baptized members of the Body of Christ.

“Evangelization is, in fact, the grace and vocation proper to the Church, her deepest identity. She exists in order to evangelize,” Pope

A6 n OCTOBER 7, 2018

On the panel Christina Lamas, executive director of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry and an emcee of the V National Encuentro, far right, leads a panel discussion during the Encuentro. Panelists included Brittany García, second from right, who is the coordinator of Pastoral Juvenil Hispana for the Diocese of Knoxville.

DOK delegates Diocese of Knoxville delegates to the V National Encuentro in Grapevine, Texas, were from left, Coral Getino, Sister Imelda Quechol, MAG, Franklin Zelaya, Blanca Primm, Brittany García, and Pedro García. culture just being nice and Christian and opening the doors. It’s a matter of everyone recognizing that we have in the Latino culture and the Latino

tradition of faith tremendous riches that will reinvigorate the whole Church in the United States,” Bishop Seitz said. He added that Hispanics

Paul VI said in Evangelii Nuntiandi.

As people who form the Church, we also exist to evangelize. This zeal for evangelization is a great gift the Hispanic/Latino community can bring to our diocese because that missionary flame has been ignited through participating in the V Encuentro process.

Someone might ask, “What did we do concretely at the national V Encuentro?” Every day we celebrated a bilingual Mass together.

We had time for regional breakout sessions to review the national working document, which is a collective document from all the regional Encounters and consultations gathered in Grapevine. In addition, we had breakout sessions focusing on 28 different ministerial areas of urgent need in which each delegate participated in a different ministerial area, including pastoral leadership formation, pastoral juvenil for teens, pastoral juvenil for young adults, ecumenism, immigration, and cultural competencies. We heard from a variety of panelists and speakers from all over the country on what they have seen, heard, and experienced in this V Encuentro process. There was an exhibition open every day full of Catholic resources, merchandise, formation programs, mission opportunities, and handson service projects with Catholic Relief Services. But there was also time to pray and receive grace in the sacraments. Above all, there were the wonderful moments and discussions built into the schedule.

“The memory I hope I will always cherish is that of priests and bishops sitting or kneeling in the adoration chapel both at midnight and at 6 a.m., leading by humble and quiet example,” Coral Getino said.

Of course, with so many priests and bishops present we also had plenty of opportunities to receive the sacrament of reconciliation.

And on the last night, after several days of hard work, we celebrated in gratitude all that had been accomplished and experienced.

There was live music playing songs from different countries in the Americas. We joined in traditional dances such as cumbia and salsa to take a moment to really

celebrate all the cultures present and represented through the V Encuentro process.

One evening all the young adults (ages 18-35) were invited to an exclusive dinner with the bishops. Some 130 bishops and 700 young adults filled tables that each seated 10 people. And one or two bishops were seated at each table.

At this dinner the young adults were asked: ■ “What concrete ways can we involve more young people in the life of the Church?”

■ “What ministries would really benefit by having more young people serving as leaders?”

■ “What do young people need most urgently from the Church?”

The bishops listened and responded to each of the questions.

For many of the young adults present at the national event, this was their favorite moment. Some young adults at my table mentioned that this was their first time having a conversation with a bishop, and they loved how accessible the bishops were. Pedro García of our diocese said he and the other young adults at his table told the bishop they were “hungry.”

“We don’t want to just party, have a good time. We want to learn. We’re hungry for more to keep growing in our faith, in our vocations,” Mr. Garcia said.

Franklin Zelaya, another young adult from our diocese, also commented that something he really appreciated about the national V Encuentro was that “us young people had a voice. We were able to inform others of the needs that exist in our parishes.”

And from the needs that were brought up, Mrs. Primm was encouraged to discover how “the Holy Spirit guided our own diocesan process during the consultation carried out in our communities and in the peripheries, which revealed the same needs and challenges that were reflected at a national level at the V Encuentro. The areas identified by the Hispanic community in which the Church urgently needs to respond to are Christian formation, pastoral leadership development, family ministry, youth and young adult ministry, and immigration.”

www.di o k no x .o rg

must embrace their gifts and not be timid about reaching out.

Bishop Seitz is already looking into ways of adapting new concepts learned from the gathering to further recognize the contributions of this group in his diocese, particularly from Hispanic youth and young adults.

Father Jose Eugenio Hoyos, director of the Hispanic Apostolate for the Diocese of Arlington, Va., considers that the outreach must begin in every parish and with those who make budget decisions.

“We need to be selling the V Encuentro to every pastor, especially the English-speaking ones, because they are the ones who work with and manage the budgets. And the Hispanic community has to learn how to give a little more, so that all these programs and dreams we have can be accomplished,” Father Hoyos said.

The contributions of Hispanic women serving as volunteers and leaders was also highlighted during the Encuentro. They were the backbone, assuring every stage of the multiyear process would reach completion in their parishes, dioceses, and regions. Along the way, many more rose up as new leaders, organizers reported.

Ana Sanchez, a parishioner of St. Patrick Parish in the Diocese of Providence, R.I., captured the spirit going forward of the thousands of Encuentro participants and those reached by it.

“If we don’t experience in our own feet the presence of God’s love in us and have that encounter with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, we won’t be able to bring this light to others,” she said. ■ The V Encuentro process challenges all of us on a national level and here in East Tennessee to truly live as missionary disciples, be a Church that is not afraid to leave our pews and go to the peripheries, and to recognize the gifts, talents, and beauty the Hispanic/ Latino community adds to our Catholic Church in the United States.

This process has birthed new Hispanic/Latino parish leaders, new Pastoral Juvenil parish groups for young people, and brought about a lot of needed dialogue.

Unity does not equate to uniformity. As a universal Church we are diverse and culturally rich. Let’s be open-minded and creative in our models of ministry going forward.

Let’s trust and accompany our young people and involve them in leadership in all parish ministries.

Let’s listen first and form pastoral plans second. Let’s celebrate the richness of every culture while striving to be a people that build bridges.

I will close with a quote from our Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, who was at the national V Encuentro. “This national Encuentro is an exciting moment of grace, not just for the Church in the United States, but also for the universal Church.

Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium reminds us that ‘an evangelizing community is filled with joy.’ As a Church, we are called to be witnesses of God’s love by the way we live and practice our faith as joyful missionary disciples. The Encuentro process has responded to Pope Francis’ challenge to seek out those at the peripheries. The preparation and process of the Encuentro has opened our ears to many voices and has helped to identify the inestimable contribution that Latino Catholics make to the Church, giving vitality and dynamism to the New Evangelization.”

Blessed Mother Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Star of the New Evangelization in the Americas, pray for us. ■ Brittany García is the coordinator of Pastoral Juvenil Hispana for the Diocese of Knoxville.

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

Coming through in waves Diocese of Knoxville now using its own TV studio and program, radio broadcast for New Evangelization

By Emily Booker

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

EMILY BOOKER (2)

M

aybe you’re reading while holding a newspaper. Maybe you’re online at your computer or on your phone. The Diocese of Knoxville Office of Communications and Media uses a variety of platforms to reach parishioners all across East Tennessee.

And now, with a new television studio and radio broadcast, teachings and news from the diocese can hopefully reach an even bigger audience.

Along with the construction of the new Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, other parts of the cathedral campus were renovated. One part of that renovation transformed the unused chapel in the former convent of Sacred Heart School into a media studio for the diocese.

The media studio allows the Office of Communications and Media to record shows and interviews, primarily for the monthly TV show, A Call to Discipleship.

“We are starting with simplicity,” said Jim Wogan, director of communications for the diocese. “We have a room, a couple of chairs, some lights, a few cameras, and plenty of ambition.

“We were able to afford a standard black backdrop and a green Chroma Key backdrop. The set for A Call to Discipleship is computer-generated using the Chroma Key effect. We don’t have a control room. We tape everything and edit the show later.”

The studio also includes storage for all the video, audio, and lighting equipment.

Creating a TV studio out of a chapel isn’t easy, Mr. Wogan explained.

The convent was built in 1956 for the Sisters of Mercy, who taught at Sacred Heart School.

“The room we’re using is a former chapel, and it’s configured that way.

It’s long and narrow. The ceiling is relatively low, not designed for television production. The configuration created some challenges in that we needed space for cameras to get proper depth and shooting angles.

Evangelizing via new media Cardinal Justin Rigali, left, is interviewed by Diocese of Knoxville communications director Jim Wogan in the vesting room inside the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Deacon Scott Maentz operates the video cameras and audio for an episode of the diocesan TV show “A Call to Discipleship.”

It can be pretty tight during production, but I think we do a pretty good job,” Mr. Wogan said.

A Call to Discipleship began in 2016.

Mr. Wogan hosts the show. Emily Booker, communications specialist for the diocese, and Deacon Scott Maentz, who serves at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville, help behind the camera with producing, running the cameras, and editing.

The show invites guests to discuss issues and events in the Catholic Church in East Tennessee. Bishop Richard F. Stika makes regular appearances.

“We are still a small diocese by number of parishioners, but we’re big geographically,” Bishop Stika said. “All of our communications efforts are an attempt to bring us closer together as a Catholic family. The Media continued on page A9

Answering the call Diocese of Knoxville communications director Jim Wogan, right, interviews Bishop Richard F. Stika for a recent episode of the diocesan television show “A Call To Discipleship.” The interview was recorded in front of a “green screen” in the diocese’s new television studio on the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus campus.

w ww.di o k no x .o rg

OCTOBER 7, 2018 n A7

Ladies of Charity outreach now involves education Volunteers teaching English as a second language; response to classes has been strong

By Bill Brewer

Life continued from page A4

decision.

Eight voters opposing Amendment 1, including the former board chair for Planned Parenthood of Middle and East Tennessee, filed suit in federal court on Nov. 7, 2014, to challenge the voting results. They claimed the process used by the state to tally votes was unconstitutional. The state of Tennessee then asked the federal court to dismiss the claim, arguing that the method of counting votes was consistent with the state Constitution. Attorneys representing the state argued that the method used to count signatures was based on interpretation of the Constitution, legislative intent, and longstanding practice. However, the state’s request was denied.

In a separate decision, on April 21, 2016, a Williamson County judge ruled in favor of the state, declaring that votes from voters who didn’t cast ballots in the gubernatorial race could still be counted for the amendment. A day later, federal judge Kevin Sharp ruled against the state in the original federal suit, deciding that only the votes of voters who also cast ballots for governor could be counted. This decision superseded the Williamson County decision.

Judge Sharp then ordered the state to recount the election results from 2014, raising the possibility that Amendment 1 could be invalidated.

The case was appealed to the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and in January of this year the 6th Circuit reversed the lower-court order, ruling that Amendment 1 is legally binding.

Tennessee’s pro-abortion leaders and organizers asked the U.S. Supreme Court to take up their challenge of the people’s pro-life vote on Amendment 1. By declining their request, the lower court’s decision remains in effect and affirms Amendment 1.

A8 n OCTOBER 7, 2018

BILL BREWER (2)

T

he more you know, the more you need to know. So it stands to reason that the more you learn, the more you need to learn.

Nowhere is that more apt than at the Ladies of Charity in Knoxville, where a group of area immigrants is participating in the organization’s first English as a Second Language class to overcome a host of challenges they face by living in a new country while trying to overcome a language barrier.

The ESL class is a new service offered by the Diocese of Knoxville nonprofit organization that provides goods and services to lower-income residents. It operates a thrift store, an emergency-assistance program, and services that include food packages, clothing, rent and utility assistance, career clothing and work footwear, and baby supplies including cribs and car seats.

Susan Unbehaun, Ladies of Charity executive director, explained that the ESL class was made possible by grants totaling nearly $1,000 from the Akima Club and the Juanita H. Fasola Foundation.

“The idea started back in January at the Knox County Welcome Center, an organization of the (Knox County) schools that welcome people from different countries who do not have English as their first language,” Mrs. Unbehaun said, adding that Welcome Center officials visited the Ladies of Charity facility and approved it as a classroom setting for an ESL class.

The new Ladies of Charity class and its instructors have been certified through the Knoxville International Network and began instruction June 5. Response to the class offering was better than expected.

“We received funding at the end of May, and we gave ourselves a week and a half to get students. We had a full class right away,” Mrs. Unbehaun said. “It was really a great response, and it’s going well.”

As part of the two-hour class held once a week, the Ladies of Charity offers child-care on site, with supervision by volunteer mentors who are VIRTUS-trained.

Instructors work one-on-one with the students using the curriculum of Intercambio Uniting Communities based in Boulder, Colo. The first session includes 16 lessons in level one. The class costs $30 per student for all the lessons, and financial assistance is provided for those who need it.

“Ladies of Charity has embraced this program and made it an extension of the many tasks it offers to help improve the lives of the many people that they serve, especially those in our migrant

Students of all ages High-school student Carlos Herrera is receiving added instruction in English with the Ladies of Charity English as a Second Language course. The course is appealing to a variety of students. communities,” said Chester Pun-chuen, a Sacred Heart Cathedral parishioner who worked with Mrs. Unbehaun to develop the class and is one of the volunteer class instructors.

Mr. Pun-chuen said the class currently has four volunteer teachers and nine “encouragers” who are mentors acting as coaches for the students.

There are 10 Hispanic students on level one from Holy Ghost Church, the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, All Saints Church, St. Teresa of Kolkata Church, St. Mary Church, and Columbus Home, operated by Catholic Charities of East Tennessee.

He explained that some of the volunteers who are ESL-certified teachers by the Knoxville International Network as well as the Ladies of Charity-scheduled ESL program are listed with the Knoxville International Network, Bridge Refugee Services, and Knox County Schools as an approved program for people who want to learn English.

“We have been getting student referrals from Catholic Charities and surrounding churches,” he said. “So far, our current students are showing a lot of progress, and their level of confidence in speaking English is building. They have all been regular in their attendance and have been engag-

One-on-one instruction Students in the Ladies of Charity’s English as a Second Language class find the course work very hands on, with volunteers ready and able to help them become fluent in English.

Language continued on page A12

“Although Planned Parenthood and their fellow pro-aborts poured millions of dollars into our state to defeat this life-saving amendment, it was the will of God and the work of His people that ultimately served to get the amendment passed. We were not surprised that these people who represent an abortion industry founded in evil would come to our state and lie to our voters. We were, however, saddened to see the depths to which they would go to deceive God-fearing people,” said Stacy Dunn, executive director of the Knox County chapter of Tennessee Right to Life who also served as East Tennessee regional coordinator for the 2014 Yes on 1 campaign.

Will Brewer, a Knoxville lawyer and legislative liaison with Tennessee Right to Life, said the Supreme Court decision likely means Amendment 1 is now settled law in Tennessee, and voters can feel reassured that their voices were heard without third-party interference.

Mr. Brewer said that unless the pro-abortion plaintiffs come up with another claim of action, “which is doubtful and should have been done by now, this is the end of the appeals process.”

“Amendment 1 states that there is no right to an abortion in the Tennessee Constitution. It follows the will of Tennessee voters who voted in favor of Amendment 1 in a 2014 statewide election. It also overturns a liberal Tennessee Supreme Court decision that held that there is a fundamental right to abortion implied in the Tennessee Constitution,” Mr. Brewer said.

“This victory is due in large part to the pro-life Tennessee voters who rallied and prayed and advocated for this legislative victory. It also is due in large part to the Tennessee Attorney General’s office, which defended this all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court,” Mr. Brewer added. ■ www.di o k no x .o rg

Pilgrimage to

POLAND including Budapest and Vienna

with Bishop Richard F. Stika and Deacon Sean Smith May 25-June 4, 2019

For More Information Contact:

We share your faith

Lisa Morris at 865-567-1245 lisam@select-intl.com www.selectinternationaltours.com

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

By Peter Finney Jr. Catholic News Service

T

he core vocational work of permanent deacons is to evangelize and care for others, not to perform office duties, the apostolic nuncio to the United States said July 22 to more than 1,300 deacons attending the 2018 National Diaconate Congress in New Orleans.

In his post-Communion remarks at the opening Mass of the five-day gathering, Archbishop Christophe Pierre noted that St. John Paul II had declared that the “service of diaconal ministry finds its identity in evangelization.”

“Not (in) doing office work,” but in “evangelizing,” Archbishop Pierre said.

The opening Mass was celebrated in a ballroom holding 2,200 seats. Of the 18,500 permanent deacons in the U.S. — who represent more than half the worldwide total — 1,300 permanent deacons were attending the July 22-26 conference, along with their wives and children, for a record total of 2,800 attendees.

Recalling the 50th anniversary of the restoration of the permanent diaconate in the Latin-rite Church by Pope Paul VI through Media continued from page A7

television studio and all of our media allow us to connect with each other, whether it’s a diocesan initiative or the good works of one of our parishes — we know about these things. It’s good for someone in Johnson City or Kingsport, or Mountain City to know about what’s taking place in Chattanooga, or Copperhill, or Soddy-Daisy, or Cleveland. We really are a family, and we need to stay in touch with our family members as the Body of Christ.”

A Call to Discipleship airs through Community Television on Sundays at 5 p.m. on a number of cable outlets in East Tennessee. It also can be viewed on dioknox.org and the diocesan YouTube channel, DioKnoxTV. The new studio space gives the communications team more control over the look and editing of the show.

“We’re blessed to be here,” Mr. Wogan said of the studio. “Our original plan was, and still is, to tape the show at various locations around the diocese. We started producing the show at Community Television of Knoxville. They have an excellent facility, and we still air our show on their channel.

“We’ve also produced the show at the Knoxville Catholic High School student television station. We’ve taped inside the Our Lady of the Mountains Chapel at the Chancery, and we’ve also taped in the bishop’s office. While all of these locations were good, we needed a location to call home,” Mr. Wogan said. “Frankly, we got tired of moving the furniture around bishop’s office so much. I think he did, too.”

The show still has the capability to tape on location, exploring the parishes and ministries across the diocese.

“We’ll still find reasons and places to tape outside the studio,” Mr. Wogan said. “The recent segment we taped with Cardinal Rigali inside the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and our show that originated from the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga are just two examples of what’s possible.”

Mr. Wogan led a production team that broadcast the historic March 3 dedication of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus live on the Internet. The Mass was live-streamed around the world, and a recording of the dedication Mass aired on EWTN. The Diocese of Knoxville also has a growing presence on the radio.

The 9 a.m. Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral is broadcast every Sunday at noon on WKXV (900 AM/100.7 FM) in Knoxville. WKXV has been on the air since 1953 and has traditionally aired Southern Gospel programming. It is believed the Cathedral Mass is the first Catholic program to TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C A T HO L I C

his 1968 “motu proprio” (on his own initiative) titled Sacrum Diaconatus Ordinem, Archbishop Pierre lauded the permanent deacons for their humble service of charity, proclaiming the Word, and leading the faith community in prayer.

He echoed Pope Francis’ remarks that defined permanent deacons as “pioneers of the new civilization of love.”

“This is Christ’s call, isn’t it?”

Archbishop Pierre asked. “Don’t forget, the job is Jesus’. Otherwise, it is your job, your work, right? No. The work is Christ’s.

It is one thing to serve at the altar. It is another to be an evangelizing force in the world.

“In my travels throughout the United States, I’ve seen how permanent deacons continue to serve through their hard work and generous service. Deacons have been able co-workers with their bishops, priests, and laity in many dimensions of ecclesial life, especially the apostolate works.”

Archbishop Pierre praised the deacons for their works, especially in hospital ministry. He also said the Church as a whole must do more to prepare couples for marriage and to enrich the marriages of those already married. air on WKXV in at least 40 years, possibly the first in the station’s history.

“It’s all about outreach to our Catholic family, to non-Catholics who don’t understand the beauty of our faith, and to Catholics who may have fallen away,” Bishop Stika said. “Our radio broadcast and the subsequent posting of the Sunday Mass on our website allows those who can’t be at church, or those who have stopped attending, to connect and reconnect with their faith.”

Bishop Stika appears monthly on Relevant Radio’s Morning Air program to discuss current topics.

Relevant Radio is a Catholic talk radio station with a potential listening audience of 68 million people.

Father Julian Cardona, associate pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Lenoir City, hosts the Spanish radio program “Creciendo juntos en nuestra Fe Católica” (“Growing together in our Catholic Faith”) on WKZX 93.5 FM every Sunday at 8 a.m.

“For many years the Office of Hispanic Ministry produced a radio program that used prerecorded content, including apologetics, that allowed us to have a Catholic presence in local Spanish-language radio,” said Blanca Primm, director of the diocese’s Office of Hispanic Ministry.

“One of the many fruits that the V Encuentro’s consultation process brought to our diocese was the realization that we needed to provide newer and fresher content to better connect our listeners to our own Catholic Hispanic community,” Mrs. Primm added.

The program, sponsored by the Office of Hispanic Ministry and St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, aims to evangelize and share the Catholic faith through the explanation of the sacred Scriptures, apologetic themes, music, and answering listener questions.

“Father Julian agreed to undertake this project as the host of the program, and has deeply enriched its content by providing prayer, the Sunday Gospel reading and homily, apologetics, catechesis, songs, answers to listeners’ questions, and inviting occasional guests to the show,” Mrs. Primm said.

To leave a question on the air, call 865-637-4769 and press 2.

All radio broadcasts are also available on the diocesan website, dioknox.org.

The Diocese of Knoxville Office of Communications and Media continues to look for new and inventive ways to reach people in the diocese and beyond. Increased media presence helps keep parishioners aware of what’s happening in the diocese and invites them to get involved.

The diocese also takes an ac-

PETER FINNEY JR./CLARION HERALD

Permanent diaconate celebrating 50th anniversary of restoration

In praise of permanent deacons Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States, speaks July 22 at the 2018 National Diaconate Congress in New Orleans. Archbishop Pierre praised the work of the 18,500 permanent deacons in the United States.

“We should invest more in marriage preparation,” the archbishop said.

Archbishop Pierre offered the personal greetings of Pope Francis and said the permanent diaconate has “flourished” in the last half-century, “particularly here in the United States, where nearly 18,500 permanent deacons carry out their threefold diaconal ‘munera’ of word, charity, and liturgy.”

He asked the deacons and their wives to reflect on the words of dismissal at Mass, of-

ten spoken by the deacon — “Go forth, the Mass is ended”; “Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord”; “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life”; “Go in peace.”

“Share the peace of Christ with all those you meet — your family first — your friends and even your enemies,” Archbishop Pierre said. “Be instruments of the gift of peace. Thank you and thanks be to God for you and your service to the Church and for all those who have supported you.” ■

tive role on social media through Facebook and Twitter, which allow interaction with parishioners, the Catholic community, and the public. You can follow the Diocese of Knoxville on Facebook at facebook. com/dioknox and on Twitter @ knoxdiocese.

“All of these things, the TV studio, the radio broadcast, our website and social media messages, and our East Tennessee Catholic newspaper and magazine, are evangelizing tools,” Bishop Stika said. “They combine to keep all of us aware of the mission of the diocese to spread news of how we live — and should live — as

Christians.”

“The East Tennessee Catholic newspaper and magazine really lead the way in our media presence,” Mr. Wogan said. “Both publications have had a tremendously positive impact at the diocesan level, and also nationally, and in some cases globally.

“Until a few years ago we were one of the few dioceses in the country that didn’t have a strong presence on the airwaves or on the Internet. I think we’ve been able to enhance those efforts through our new YouTube Channel, the Sunday radio broadcasts, and our website and social media platforms.” ■

In the Footsteps of St. Paul Pilgrimage to

GREECE

w ww.di o k no x .o rg

Fr. Michael Maples Pilgrimage Spiritual Director

12 Days

April 30-May 11, 2019

For More Information Contact:

We share your faith

Lisa Morris at 865-567-1245 lisam@select-intl.com www.selectinternationaltours.com

OCTOBER 7, 2018 n A9

CONGRATULATIONS to the 365 winners

JULY OCTOBER WINNERS

OF THE 2018 SCHOLARS LEADERS SAINTS CALENDAR RAFFLE

JULY 1 | Rosemary Calvert

OCT 1 | Roberto Lenarduzzi

JULY 2 | Frank Kot

OCT 2 | Kelly Norris

St. Joseph School

St. John XXIII Parish

St. John Neumann School

JULY 3 | Sister Mary Marta Abbott, RSM Knoxville Catholic High School

JULY 4 | O’Rourke Orthodontics St. John Neumann School

JULY 5 | Father Mike Creson

OCT 3 | John & Joy Mullen St. Dominic School

OCT 4 | Dave Watson

Sacred Heart Cathedral School

OCT 5 | Orvalee Foster

Notre Dame High School

St. Mary School-Oak Ridge

JULY 6 | Emilie Kayser

OCT 6 | Jean & John Assinger

All Saints Church

Knoxville Catholic High School

JULY 7 | Terry & Barbara Gill

OCT 7 | Amy Stackhouse

St. Jude School

St. John Neumann School

JULY 8 | Anne Wharton

OCT 8 | David Yonker

Knoxville Catholic High School

St. Joseph School

JULY 9 | Linda Kennedy

OCT 9 | Annabelle Laudeman

St. Mary School-Oak Ridge

St. Jude School

JULY 10 | Eric & Amanda Perry

OCT 10 | Mitchell Jostes

St. John Neumann School

All Saints Church

JULY 11 | Allison Maurer

OCT 11 | Charles Primm

Knoxville Catholic High School

St. Joseph School

JULY 12 | Mary Burkhart

OCT 12 | George Imes

Our Lady of Fatima Church

St. Mary School-Johnson City

JULY 13 | Amanda Peavyhouse

OCT 13 | Peggy Howell

Immaculate Conception Church

St. Joseph School

JULY 14 | Daniel Cavanough

OCT 14 | Carol Lougheed

St. John Neumann School

Holy Ghost Church

JULY 15 | Gary Eischeid

OCT 15 | Jerome Oidtman

St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church

St. Francis of Assisi Church-Fairfield Glade

JULY 16 | Patrice Staley

OCT 16 | James Saucier

Knoxville Catholic High School

St. Albert the Great Church

JULY 17 | Vahan Janoyan

OCT 17 | Mary Alice Crapo

Knoxville Catholic High School

Our Lady of Perpetual Help School

JULY 18 | Marie Strahan

OCT 18 | Dr. James Pickering

St. Patrick Church

Corporate Sponsor

JULY 19 | Paola Martinez

OCT 19 | Misty Reilly

St. John Neumann School

St. Dominic School

JULY 20 | Marlene Eeg

OCT 20 | Tim Carter

St. Mary School-Oak Ridge

|

Immaculate Conception Church

All Saints Church

JULY 21 | Chip Huber

OCT 21 | Gary Rominger

Knoxville Catholic High School

St. Dominic School

Knoxville Catholic High School

Knoxville Catholic High School

JULY 22 | Beth Cross

OCT 22 | Rechter Family

JULY 23 | Maria Senra

OCT 23 | Sister John Catherine Kennedy, OP

All Saints Church

Knoxville Catholic High School

JULY 24 | Adam Donahoo

OCT 24 | Sarah Fowler

St. Mary School-Oak Ridge

Knoxville Catholic High School

JULY 25 | Rose Parella

OCT 25 | Keith Homstad

St. Patrick Church

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church-LaFollette

JULY 26 | John Burnside

OCT 26 | Father Antonio Giraldo

Knoxville Catholic High School

St. Francis of Assisi Church-Townsend

JULY 27 | Anita Medlock

OCT 27 | Mary McEnery

Sacred Heart Cathedral School

St. John Neumann School

JULY 28 | Randy Burleson

OCT 28 | Ben & Erin Metz

Corporate Sponsor

Sacred Heart Cathedral School

JULY 29 | Mary Lezon

OCT 29 | Ellen Sipes

Notre Dame High School

St. Albert the Great Church

JULY 30 | Jay Carroll

OCT 30 | Theresa & Scott Maher

Knoxville Catholic High School

St. Francis of Assisi Church-Fairfield Glade

JULY 31 | Carolina Nored

OCT 31 | Heather Harris

Knoxville Catholic High School

St. John Neumann School

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

This year, calendar sales raised more than $225,000 for tuition assistance for our 10 schools.

A10 n OCTOBER 7, 2018

www.di o k no x .o rg

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

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

DAN MCWILLIAMS (3)

Parish continued from page A1

“Now, through the generosity of so many individuals, but especially yourselves, through the generosity of the Glenmary community, this day we celebrate with you that which began awhile back and that which is now part of the process,” Bishop Stika said.

“What’s the process? Of proclaiming Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

What’s the process of honoring God? What’s the process to be open to the Holy Spirit to touch our lives and to give us that special grace that allows us to preach the Word of God, both in word and in deed, in Spanish, in English, in Swahili, perhaps? There is something greater than those languages. It is the language of love. Love is that universal language because in the Scriptures it reminds us that God is love.”

Bishop Stika and Father Charters congratulated the members on reaching this milestone, and they encouraged them to continue taking up the cross, to continue the process.

The bishop reflected on a particularly fond memory of the Catholic mission, when its members offered him three potential names for the new mission soon after its founding. He reminded them that their first choice was his first choice. And so the name was given.

“St. Michael the Archangel is the great protector of the Church. I think he’s been doing his part now in Erwin for a number of years,” Bishop Stika said. “What a great joy it is for me to be with you. Today, this is no longer a mission. This is a parish, a canonical parish. I signed the documents (Sept.

28). This is a historical moment for every parish in this diocese.”

The bishop told congregants he looks forward to the day when St. Michael parishioners can worship in a permanent church building. He inspired them to think big in a way that will reflect future growth.

“But just as in the early Church, with Peter, and James, and John, and Mary, and Mary Magdalen, they had to start somewhere as they gathered together in small rooms, the Upper Room, and you gather together in this (parish life center) room. Whether Mass is celebrated in the greatest cathedral in the world or on the hood of a Jeep in Afghanistan, there Jesus is present.”

Father Artysiewicz affirmed what Father Charters and Bishop Stika told the St. Michael members — they are the missionaries who will grow the Church in Unicoi County.

“From its beginning here seven years ago, that was the constant theme. The reality of it is the laity will meet people that we will never contact. By their example, by their invitation, and by their warmth, they help to build this up. This parish is a wonderful example of that,” Father Artysiewicz said. “This is exciting and a great joy to see the energy that comes and to see what has sprung up from that little seed. This isn’t the end. This is only the end of the beginning. And there’s so much more to come.”

Kathy O’Brien agrees wholeheartedly. She should know; she’s the pastoral associate at St. Michael.

The Glenmary lay missioner, who since 1974 has assisted Glenmary priests in handing over missionsturned-parishes to dioceses, said it is remarkable that St. Michael has attained parish status in just seven years.

She pointed out that the Catholic faith is alive and well in Upper East Tennessee, with parishes in Johnson City, Elizabethton, Kingsport, Mountain City, and Greeneville thriving.

She said that although those churches are a relatively close drive, they really aren’t convenient or accessible to many St. Michael families.

“Some of those parishes are not that far. But when it comes to the families and kids, it is far. You can’t get working families to those parishes,” Ms. O’Brien said. “This has been an amazingly fast growth. Most Glenmary missions struggle for many, many years before they grow. This was ripe and ready with a big Hispanic population and retired people who were ready to become a parish.”

She praised Unicoi County for being so welcoming and generous in supporting St. Michael’s mission. She will miss the basement rancher on JacksonLove Highway and the five years it

Making it official Bishop Richard F. Stika shares with Father Tom Charters the canon document establishing St. Michael the Archangel as a parish during a Sept. 29 Mass at the Erwin church. served St. Michael, including when the congregation would spill out onto the driveway and yard during some Masses like Easter and Christmas.

But the new Mohawk Drive location represents a new beginning.

Ms. O’Brien said she and Father Charters still have a responsibility to make St. Michael self-sustaining and able to reach the point where the new parish can be turned over to the diocese.

“It may not be called a Catholic mission anymore, but it still has a mission,” she said.

Father Charters thanked Bishop Stika for his leadership in working with the Glenmary Home Missioners to form Catholic missions in Erwin, Rutledge, and Maynardville. St. Teresa of Kolkata in Maynardville was elevated to a parish in 2015 and is currently constructing a permanent church building. St. John Paul II Catholic Mission in Rutledge is working toward parish status.

Father Charters recognized the Catholic Extension Society and the Catholic Foundation of East Tennessee for their generous grants used to get St. Michael the Archangel Parish off the ground.

The Glenmary priest explained that he started the St. Michael mission in 2011 with just 33 people. Today, the new parish has 300 members.

He said through the generosity of the Diocese of Knoxville and its Catholic Foundation of East Tennessee, which purchased the property at 657 N. Mohawk Drive, St. Michael members were able to raise funds locally and from around the country to build the parish life center. Fundraisers included fish fries, tamale sales, and festivals. Donors also included Catholic Extension Society and private individuals from across the United States who read about St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Mission and wanted to help.

He said the cost of the new building is $540,000, for which the parish is in debt. The diocese acquired the land for more than $240,000 and gifted it to St. Michael.

“The people took serious what I’ve been saying since day one. The mission comes first and the church follows. When we say the mission is to go forth and baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and the construction of the church

“It’s not just the physical plant. It’s the spiritual development of the people themselves. That is what the purpose is, to call forth people to know Christ deeper and celebrate Christ around the altar of the Lord and break bread together in the holy Eucharist of the Mass.”

— Father Tom Charters

St. Michael, pray for us Bishop Stika celebrates Mass at St. Michael the Archangel Parish Sept. 29 in Erwin. Concelebrating the Mass, from right, are Father Chet Artysiewicz, Father Tom Charters, Father Michael Cummins, and Father Peter Iorio. Deacon Jim Fage, far left, served as deacon of the Gospel. comes later, that is what happened here. The people took serious that mission call and went forth and invited others to come and join them. The high school kids did the same thing.

They invited youth as well to join our youth group,” Father Charters said.

He said the youth group has been growing exponentially since the mission was founded, is active in the community, and its members are leaders within the diocese’s youth ministry.

“It’s not just the adults who have been called forth; it’s the kids. And they have taken a leadership role here,” Father Charters noted. “Next is to just keep growing in the sense of people continuing the mission that they have to reach out to others.”

He said there is a need to reach out to people not baptized as well as to Catholics who are inactive.

The new parish life center now serves as the center of St. Michael’s outreach and promises to be a spiritual magnet in the community, especially within the growing Hispanic community.

But Father Charters emphasizes that it’s not just about new buildings.

Permanent address St. Michael the Archangel Parish is now celebrating Masses in this new parish life center. www.di o k no x .o rg

“It’s not just the physical plant. It’s the spiritual development of the people themselves. That is what the purpose is, to call forth people to know Christ deeper and celebrate Christ around the altar of the Lord and break bread together in the holy Eucharist of the Mass,” he said.

Father Charters has considerable experience in building parishes. He pointed to some of his previous locations that now are thriving Catholic communities. He sees no reason for St. Michael to be any different.

In fact, he speaks with gratitude — and a little surprise — that St. Michael has reached parish status and has a dedicated facility in less than 10 years.

“I knew one day we would get to this point. But I didn’t know we would get to it in seven years. To be honest, I never dreamt that in seven years we would be where we are today,” he said. “One gentleman in town asked me if I thought we made the new parish hall big enough. I said we built what we could afford. He said, ‘I understand that.’ Now, did we build it big enough? Not really. You can see that during religious education on Wednesday nights. It’s just jam packed. We do need more space.”

As Father Charters thinks ahead toward a permanent church building and more space, Bishop Stika vocalized that thought and underlined parishioners’ role as missionaries as he concluded Mass.

“I look forward to dedicating maybe someday a thousand-seat church here. You’ve got to think big, right? You’ve got to think big — and start saving your pennies as well,” the bishop said. “Again, I just want to congratulate you. It was an easy decision to invite the Glenmarys. I’m so grateful to Father Tom and their presence here in the diocese. One of my favorite expressions is intentional discipleship. We have to intend to preach the Word of God. So continue to do that. You know, 33 to 300 is pretty good.” ■ OCTOBER 7, 2018 n A11

The pope and the martyr

New saints Paul VI and Oscar Romero offer youths a road map to holiness

By Junno Arocho Esteves/Catholic News Service

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

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he Catholic Church has its share of young saints who gave witness through their lives that holiness can be attained even at a young age.

Others, like Blesseds Paul VI and Oscar Romero, show that the path to holiness begins early. The two will be declared saints Oct. 14 during the Synod of Bishops on young people and discernment.

Although Pope Paul VI is best remembered for seeing the Second Vatican Council through to its end and helping implement its far-reaching reforms, his journey toward holiness began much earlier in life, said Father Claudio Zanardini, rector of the Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie in the northern Italian province of Brescia, where Blessed Paul VI celebrated his first Mass May 30, 1920.

“We here in Brescia are trying — at Pope Francis’ request — to make Paul VI’s younger years more known. That is, how he lived his time of vocational discernment and his formation so that he can become a model for young people who are on their own path of formation,” Father Zanardini said.

Born Giovanni Battista Montini in 1897, the future pope and his brothers would attend youth meetings organized by the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in Brescia.

Father Zanardini told Catholic News Service that those gatherings were a time of “spiritual and human formation” for Blessed Paul, where he built friendships and adopted the local priests’ charism of ministering to young people.

Blessed Paul’s relationship with his family as well as a “deep sense of prayerfulness and an acute involvement in the social issues of his time were one of the legacies of his parents and brothers,” Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila said.

“The family atmosphere centered on faith and the common good prepared him to be a discerning person: listening to God’s Word and the world; being at home in the solitude of prayer, which gave him the most profound experience of communion and the decisiveness to pursue a discerned choice,” Cardinal Tagle said.

Father Zanardini said Blessed Paul’s canonization would be “a

New to sainthood Pope Francis is canonizing Blesseds Paul VI and Oscar Romero on Sunday, Oct. 14. They are pictured in undated combination photos. beautiful sign that he truly is a pope who still has much to say” to young men and women today.

Blessed Paul VI was also remembered as a strong leader who was close to Catholics who suffered persecution, including the archbishop of San Salvador who will be declared a saint along with him: Blessed Oscar Romero.

While visiting the pope on June 21, 1978, Blessed Romero wrote in his diary that Blessed Paul encouraged him to “proceed with courage, with patience, with strength, with hope.”

Born in Ciudad Barrios, El Salvador, Blessed Romero entered a minor seminary at the age of 13.

During his years of priestly ministry, young Romero served the poor and the suffering of his country.

In 1977, Blessed Paul VI appointed him to lead the Archdiocese of San Salvador during a tumultuous time when priests and religious who stood with the poor were targeted by right-wing paramilitary groups aligned with the government.

In 1980, Archbishop Romero was

assassinated while celebrating Mass in the chapel of the Hospital of Divine Providence in San Salvador.

Italian Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, the postulator of the Salvadoran archbishop’s cause, said Blessed Romero’s canonization is a “great opportunity to rediscover the primacy of love that must characterize, energize, and excite today’s generations, today’s young people.”

Archbishop Paglia cited a letter sent by G. Mirna Garcia, a 17-yearold Salvadoran girl, to Blessed Romero in which she thanked him for fighting for her peoples’ rights and dignity.

“In reading and listening to your homilies, I recognize that you have shown the path for our salvation,” she wrote to the archbishop. “Harder days will come and faith will sustain us in those days, the certainty that God is with us and if He is with us, nothing will be against us.”

Salvadoran Mercy Sister Ana Maria Pineda, associate professor of religious studies at California’s University of Santa Clara, said her students see in Blessed Romero “the

best of what they hope for in Church leaders” and identify with his humanity as a person with both “gifts and limitations.”

It was Archbishop Romero’s determination “to overcome his limitations in order to follow God’s call that the students most identify and find encouragement for themselves in their own struggles and challenges,” she said.

Julian Filochowski, chair of the United Kingdom-based Archbishop Romero Trust, said Blessed Romero brought an authenticity to the Gospel message in words and deeds that attracted young people in El Salvador.

“He was not a populist politician dressed in a cassock. Rather a humble and self-effacing pastor seeking to love God, love the poor, and love the Church,” Filochowski said.

“People, especially young people, can sense this,” he said, “and at such a difficult time for the hierarchical church, he stands as a shining example of authenticity in his faith, a beacon of hope radiating unconditional love for his people.” ■

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ing in their participation.”

While the classes are geared to parents, not all of the ESL students are adults. Carlos Herrera is a student at West High School and a volunteer at Ladies of Charity. He is going through the class to increase his ability to speak English.

“I like the class. I can speak English a little bit, but I want to learn more,” Carlos said.

Mrs. Unbehaun and Mr. Pun-chuen said plans are to offer semester classes from September to December, with registration in August; January to May, with registration starting in December; and June to August, with registration starting in May. They noted that registrations are a way to gauge the level of proficiency for those taking the English-language classes, and there also is a test to categorize what classes to offer.

Mrs. Unbehaun said the next ESL class will have a Japanese student, and an Arabic woman is on staff to assist with instruction of anyone from the Middle East.

“The isolation from not knowing English, especially for women, is very high. If you can teach them to communicate, they then can communicate with their children’s teachers and doctors. Instead of having their child as an interpreter, now they are understanding that communication and the dialogue between the teacher and the parent, one on one, instead of being treated like the child in that relationship.

They can then do their banking, go to the post office, go to the grocery store, and ride the bus.

These are very basic goals, but they are very important,” Mrs. Unbehaun said.

She said the new ESL classes are another example of the broad base of services the Ladies of Charity offers to those in need.

The Ladies of Charity for decades has been serving communities in Tennessee, including Knoxville, Chattanooga, Nashville, and Memphis — all communities that are experiencing population growth, especially from immigrant groups. ■ A12 n OCTOBER 7, 2018

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East Tennessee Catholic Briefs

Fr. Jacques Philippe to hold pre-Lenten retreat, conferences for diocese

Funeral Mass held for Les Lougheed, Holy Ghost Council 16523 Grand Knight A funeral Mass was celebrated Oct. 13 for Leslie Glen “Les” Lougheed, a longtime member of Holy Ghost Parish who was serving as Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus Council 16523 at Holy Ghost and also had served on the parish council.

Mr. Lougheed died Oct. 2 following an illness. He was 63.

Father John Dowling, pastor of Holy Ghost Parish, celebrated the funeral Mass, with Father Joseph Christensen concelebrating. Interment was in Calvary Cemetery.

In addition to his service at Holy Ghost, Mr. Lougheed volunteered for 25 years with the Knoxville Rescue Squad, several of those years alongside his two sons, Christopher and Matthew.

He spent a career working as a locomotive engineer, Mr. Lougheed firefighter, paramedic, aircraft mechanic, and as director of maintenance for the University of Tennessee Medical Center’s Lifestar helicopters. Most recently, he was the quality assurance manager for MedTrans Corp., a national air medical transport provider.

Mr. Lougheed is preceded in death by parents Glen Harold Lougheed and Doris Agnes Montroy Lougheed, and sister-in-law Virginia.

He is survived by his loving wife, Carol; sons Christopher (fiancée Melia Baker) and Matthew (Amber); siblings Kevin Lougheed (Gina) of Ontario, Canada; Patricia Lougheed (Tom) of Orange Park, Fla.; Allan Lougheed (Karen) of Winter Garden, Fla.; Kathryn Dessert (Steve) of Howard, Ohio; Joan Campbell (Bruce) of Chattanooga; Gail McLemore (Brent) of Nashville; Debbie Nee (Bobby) of Orange Park, Fla.; Sharon Johnson (David) of Greenville, S.C.; Maureen Garcia (Juan) of Palm Coast, Fla.; Iris Jordan (fiancé Mark Feehan) of New Market, Tenn.; and mother-in-law Patricia Lougheed of Orange Park, Fla. In addition, he is survived by beloved nieces and nephews and godchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations be made to Les’ favorite charities: Holy Ghost Catholic Church Building Fund, Tennessee Right to Life, UnBound, St. Thomas West Hospital Sister Julianna Fund, or Franciscans of Mary Immaculate.

Secular Franciscans to hold ‘Come & See’ meeting Have you heard of the Secular Franciscans? They are practicing lay Catholic men and women who follow Jesus and the Gospel in the spirituality of St. Francis. The Sts. Francis & Clare Secular Fraternity will hold a “Come & See Meeting” at St. John Neumann Parish’s Seton Hall in Farragut at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 21.

Formation classes for the Secular Franciscans are on the third Sunday of each month at 1:30 p.m. The fraternity meeting is at 2:30 p.m. “Come and See” if this is for you. For more information, contact one of the following professed members: Addie Lackovic at 865-494-9282, Paul Rock at 865-671-1757, Jean Schneider at 423-442-8005, or Deborah Stevens at 865-661-7542.

Holy Family Parish seeks youth ministry coordinator Holy Family Parish in Seymour is looking for a part-time coordinator of youth ministry.

The coordinator is responsible for the development, organization, and administration of a Catholic formation program for high school youth.

Candidates must be active members of the Catholic Church and in good standing. It is preferred but not required that the individual have a degree in theology, pastoral studies, religious education, youth ministry, or a related field. Must be able to work evenings and weekends as needed.

For information, contact Holy Family Parish at 865-573-1203 or send your resume to: secretary@holyfamilyseymour.org or Holy Family Catholic Church, 307 Black Oak Ridge Road, Seymour, TN 37865.

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ather Jacques Philippe, a world-renowned Catholic author and lecturer who has sold more than 1 million books in 24 languages, will lead a pre-Lenten retreat and conferences in the Diocese of Knoxville Feb. 28-March 4.

Father Philippe will give talks on a variety of faith topics, including inner peace, personal prayer life and forming a deep relationship with God, and how to grow through trials and suffering.

Over the course of the five-day retreat, Father Philippe also will lead discussions, celebrate Mass, lead adoration and benediction as well as sign his books.

The pre-Lenten retreat will take place at cathedral hall adjacent to the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and at All Saints Church and All Saints parish hall.

Father Philippe was ordained a priest in 1985, beginning his work in spiritual direction and leading retreats. He is a member of the Community of the Beatitudes, an ecclesial family of consecrated life founded in France in 1973.

His community gathers faithful from all states of life (married

or unmarried lay people, seminarians, priests, permanent deacons, men and women consecrated in celibacy) who Fr. Philippe wish to conform as closely as possible to the model of the early Christian community through the common life, the sharing of goods, voluntary poverty and an intense sacramental and liturgical life. Members of the community (which has a contemplative vocation based on Carmelite spirituality), are actively engaged in the service of the poor and the proclamation of the Gospel.

Sister Mary Charles Mayer, RSM, facility coordinator and delegate for religious for the Diocese of Knoxville, said Father Philippe’s retreat and conferences will be a spiritually enriching way to begin Lent in 2019.

Ticket information will be made available soon at www.dioknox. org. ■

VIRTUS training sessions scheduled

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he Diocese of Knoxville’s program for the protection of children, youth and vulnerable adults is offered throughout the diocese. The seminars are required for parish and school employees and regular volunteers in contact with children and vulnerable adults.

The following training sessions are scheduled: n Sacred Heart Cathedral, Knoxville, 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16 n St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21 n St. Mary School, Johnson City, 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 22 n St. Augustine Church, Signal Mountain, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23

Sr. Regina

n Immaculate Conception Church, Knoxville, 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25 n St. Therese Church, Clinton, noon, Saturday, Oct. 27 n Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, Chattanooga, 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30 n Our Lady of Fatima Church, Alcoa, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6 n All Saints Church, Knoxville, 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7 n Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Chattanooga, 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 10 n St. Mary Church, Johnson City, 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10 n St. Dominic Church, Kingsport, 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14. ■ © 2018 Handmaids of the Precious Blood

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

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

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

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

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OCTOBER 7, 2018 n A13

Diocese of Knoxville Catholic Schools 2017-2018 Annual Report

The Most Reverend Richard F. Stika The 2017-2018 school year began with our eyes fixated on the heavens for the dazzling solar eclipse. The sun’s brilliant display cast a glimmer of the wonderful things to come in the year ahead.

Our students’ light radiated with many achievements and accomplishments. This report provides a brief summary of the 2017-2018 school year in an effort to capture and express our gratitude for the goodness of the Lord and our thankfulness for our Catholic schools, administrators, faculty, staff, students, and families.

Let your light shine before others, that they might see your good works, and glorify your heavenly Father.

Matthew 5:16

Catholic schools of the Diocese of Knoxville prepare scholars, leaders, and saints!

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MPOWERED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT AND RECOGNIZING THE VITAL MINISTRY OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION TO THE FUTURE OF THE CHURCH AND NATION, WE WILL PROVIDE A LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THAT EMPHASIZES QUALITY EDUCATION AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH FOR ALL.

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Demographic Profile

During the 2017-2018 school year, there were 3,185 total pre-K through grade 12 students enrolled in the 10 Catholic schools within the Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Tri-Cities regions. The elementary/middle school students (2,167) represented students in preschool through grade eight and consisted of 90% Caucasian, 4% Asian, 2% African American, and 4% two or more races. Thirteen percent of the elementary student population reported to be of Hispanic or Latino heritage.

Of the 3,185 total students, 1,018 attended the two high schools. Caucasian students (87%) represented the highest distribution, followed by African American (6%), Asian (5%), and two or more races (2%). Sixty-nine students, or 6%, indicated Hispanic ethnicity.

Our Catholic schools believe strongly in the dignity of all individuals and do their best to educate the children of God regardless of different learning and behavior needs, language acquisition, and/or socio-economic status. Approximately 20% of our students have exceptional learning needs, and another 14% have diverse linguistic backgrounds with a native language other than English. All students are fully included in the educational program and receive individualized interventions or academic support as needed. To assist with accommodating these diverse needs, schools use resources and services provided through federal equitable-funding grants such as Title I for academically and economically challenged students, as well as Title III for students learning English for academic fluency.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Chattanooga

Our Catholic schools serve students from various religious affiliations, yet the highest percentage of students in our elementary and secondary schools are Catholic. In the elementary/middle school (preK-8) 84% are Catholic, and 76% at the high school level.

392 professional educators, including 11 religious sisters, one deacon and four priests serve our students in our 10 schools.

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Notre Dame High School, Chattanooga

Scholars, Leaders, and Saints!

Knoxville Catholic High School

Grade

ELA

Math

S.S.

Science

Core Composite

3

78

73

73

76

75

4

79

73

71

76

74

5

72

68

69

67

68

6

80

67

70

71

71

7

86

70

72

69

77

8

86

75

78

79

80

Saint Mary, Oak Ridge

Our Students Shine Bright Students in our high schools and elementary/middle schools shined brightly this past year in so many ways. Our secondary students’ academic and co-curricular accomplishments have soared to new heights.

They have demonstrated versatility and leadership through their commitment to a variety of academic, service, and co-curricular activities.

Student performance on the college entrance exam ACT revealed some of the highest scores—with several students achieving a perfect score of 36. Each high school had students qualify as national merit scholars and national merit semi-finalists on the SAT (college entrance exam).

High school seniors in 2018 received over $31 million in scholarship offers to 139 different colleges and universities in 25 states and the country of China. Some high school seniors were commissioned with military appointments. High school students availed themselves of advanced placement course work and were eligible to receive college credit 77% of the time compared to 57% in the state and 61% in the nation. Students were recipients of awards in various academic endeavors including national foreign language exams, writing competitions, STEM and robotics, fashion design, jazz band, All-East Tennessee Band, All-East Tennessee Honor Choir, and technology. Success occurred in the classroom as well as on the playing field or the music hall. For the first time in history, both high school football teams competed for state championship titles. High school students have also given witness to their Catholic identity through over 19,000 hours of service activities and participated in numerous retreats, devotions and other acts of ministry. One of the highlights for secondary students was the special presentation by the Catholic speaker Jason Evert.

Students in grades three through eight take nationally normed Iowa Assessments every spring. The series of assessments compare student performance in English/Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science to students in over 200,000 schools across the nation. The scores reported on the left are based on national percentile ranks (NPRs) with a range of 1-99 and an average mean of 50. As evidenced in the accompanying graphic, students in our elementary/ middle schools generally performed in the highest quartile.

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

O

Saint John Neumann, Knoxville

ur Catholic school mission and core values unite us. From the Catholic Schools’ Office to the farthest corners of East Tennessee—in the classrooms, on the playing fields, in the lunch line, in the church, and on the playground, this is who we are and why we are here.

Blessed and Grateful

Saint Joseph, Knoxville

How do you capture a year of memorable moments?

Achievements and accolades can only provide a glimpse into the year. Students in our Catholic schools have the opportunity to participate in numerous curricular and cocurricular experiences and activities. These programs include service, athletics, fine arts, music, academic competitions, and experiential learning. These wonderful opportunities are made possible by the gifts of so many faithful supporters of Catholic-school education. Our schools are greatly supported and strengthened by vibrant parish communities, energetic volunteers, dedicated educators, and supportive community donors and sponsors. For each person who has given of his or her time, talent, or treasure for the benefit of our Catholic schools, we would like to say THANK YOU! This past year the diocese awarded over $4 million in tuition support for families. We are extremely grateful and recognize the generous contributions of all our parishioners, St. Mary’s Legacy Foundation of East Tennessee, Catholic Education Trust Fund, and fundraising efforts made to increase tuition support and revenue for the schools through the numerous projects conducted by the schools, including the first diocesan-wide School Raffle/Calendar initiative. In addition, $77,000 was collected during the second collection held in August 2017 to assist families with the cost of Catholic education.

Our schools also seek revenue from grants and other community sources. Listed below are some of the awards bestowed this past year for special programs. $25,000 awarded to St. Joseph Catholic School from St. Mary’s Legacy Foundation for the addition of a middle school student wing. $20,000 awarded to Notre Dame High School from St. Mary’s Legacy Foundation for a fire detection and notification system in the main school building. $10,000 awarded to Knoxville Catholic High School from St. Mary’s Legacy Foundation for classroom technology upgrades. $20,000 awarded to St. Jude Catholic School from St. Mary’s Legacy Foundation for technology digital devices for middle school students. $1,000 awarded to St. Dominic Catholic School by Eastman Chemical Co. for recycling efforts through the Good Schools Always Recycle program. $1,000 awarded to Notre Dame High School by Eastman Chemical Co. for recycling efforts through the Good Schools Always Recycle program. $500 awarded to St. Dominic Catholic School by Tennessee Society Daughters of the American Revolution for a greenhouse classroom grant.

St. Mary’s Legacy Foundation of East Tennessee

Saint Dominic, Kingsport

Service and Community Outreach It is a priority for our students to learn how to use their gifts for the welfare of others and improvement within our local and global communities. Secondary students in middle and high school tracked over 37,000 hours of service this past year. While elementary students’ service activities are not tracked for hours, many different organizations and individuals benefited from the efforts made by students in our schools. Some highlights from this past year include:

Saint Mary’s, Johnson City

St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital Food collections for Ladies of Charity, St. Vincent de Paul societies, Second Harvest Food Bank, FISH pantry, and Chattanooga Food Bank Blankets for Project Linus Collections for those impacted by hurricanes Harvey and Maria Columbus Home East Tennessee Children’s Hospital T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital Family Promise Sister parishes and schools in Haiti

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

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A word from our Superintendent

Sister Mary Marta Abbott, RSM, Superintendent of Schools, and the preschool students from St. Dominic Catholic School, Kingsport.

One of the main privileges of being superintendent of our Catholic schools in the Diocese of Knoxville is that our bishop encourages me to focus on building relationships. When I go to meetings with other superintendents from dioceses across the country, I often share how I view myself as not the typical superintendent because of my ability to frequently visit the schools. With the blessing and encouragement of Bishop Stika, and the assistance of Sedonna Prater, the Director of Curriculum and Instruction, as well as my administrative assistant, Marie Garvey, I am able to spend a large amount of my time in the schools sharing the light of Christ and being a witness of a religious sister within the school communities. Every year I am able to visit each of the schools a minimum of five times for both special events and daily happenings. During these visits, I am able to visit classrooms and talk directly with students and teachers, participate in Mass and school prayer, observe student achievements, whether in the classroom, the gym, the music room, or in the cafeteria, and simply to be present for our school leaders and the community. On a recent visit to one of the foundation schools, a student commented to me that she could not receive communion because she is not Catholic. I shared with her that although that may be true, she can always make a spiritual communion. The smile on her face radiated pure joy. I receive this joy back from my relationships with our students and school communities.

I hope you will join with me in thanksgiving for the gift of Catholic school education. In a special way, I would also ask that you pray for our school leaders, teachers, and faculty members so that they can be the vessels of His love and joy every day in this important ministry of our Church. All glory and honor is our Lord’s.

Educators Light the Way Teachers in our schools model a commitment to lifelong learning. Even though 61% hold advanced degrees, our educators continue to strive to improve their knowledge and instructional practices by embracing opportunities for increased professional learning. This past year, our schools benefited collectively from $156,000 in Title II allocations to improve professional expertise and practice. These allocations allowed for teachers to attend national conferences by respected educators in specific fields, to bring in individual consultants and instructional coaches, and to purchase books and other professional materials for use within the school. Most schools were also able to conduct a site-based curriculum audit on mathematics instructional practices to use as a foundational piece of data for future professional development needs in the area of mathematical instruction.

Visit our website for monthly highlights and other information about our Catholic schools in East Tennessee.

www.dioknox.org/schools

Sacred Heart Cathedral, Knoxville

University of Notre Dame English as a New Language Professional Development

Implementation of SuperKids Reading Program for K-2 Focusing on literacy during the early years of education in preschool through grade two led our schools to implement a phonologically based reading program known as SuperKids.

Students are taught letter and sound associations in systematic, engaging ways with the SuperKids characters. The instruction is further enhanced by multiple modalities in learning such as auditory, visual, and kinesthetic methods. Teachers in early childhood education (preschool through grade two) have been engaged in interactive workshops on the child’s brain and neural pathways for early literacy, as well as evidenced-based strategies in differentiation for diverse learning needs of students. Although phonics instruction and direct instruction do not encapsulate everything young readers need to know, these tools build a gateway to a lifetime of reading.

Sixty-seven teachers from all 10 of our schools embraced the opportunity to complete online professional training in instructional practices and cultural competency to teach English language learners through the University of Notre Dame’s ENL online professional development program.

These teachers completed modules in language acquisition, vocabulary strategies, cultural inclusion, evidenced-based strategies for English language learners, and instructional strategies in literacy. This responsive effort to increase the collective knowledge in serving students and their families from diverse linguistic backgrounds correlates to the changing demographics within our churches and parishes. Demographic studies indicate that 64% of all Catholics under the age of 18 are of Hispanic heritage. With this in mind, school leaders and pastors from four of our schools have also attended the Latino outreach intensive training workshop conducted by the University of Notre Dame through its Alliance for Catholic Education.

SuperKids Training for K-2 educators

A18 n OCTOBER 7, 2018

www.di o k no x .o rg

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