Dec. 6, 2020, ET Catholic, A section

December 6

| 2020

VOL 30 NO 2

IN THIS ISSUE DOING HIS JOB A8 A6 JUST Officer Kyle Botica saluted for his lifesaving heroics

IN FOCUS College missionaries evangelizing in a COVID world

B1

END OF AN ERA Last Sisters of Mercy of the Americas retire from East Tennessee

He dwells among us ......................... A3 Parish news ....................................... B4 Diocesan calendar ............................ B5 Columns ..........................................B8-9 Catholic schools .......................... B3,10 La Cosecha ............................Section C

Letters of Hope connect seniors to pen pals Knoxville Catholic High School students turn COVID outreach idea into global group

By Emily Booker

COURTESY OF PAM RHOADES/KNOXVILLE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

T

he pandemic has kept many people apart and homebound for much of the year. For seniors it can be an incredibly lonely time as family and friends can’t visit in order to keep them safe and healthy.

But a group of high school students is making sure the senior citizens in their commuBe a pen pal nity know they are not forgotten.

If you’d like to Knoxville Catholic take part in Letters High School seniors of Hope, you can Marisa McMichael, Fatifollow the project ma Arias-Santiago, and on Twitter @letterAn Doan found a way sofhope2 and on to bring hope and joy Instagram @knox. to those feeling isolated lettersofhope. and alone.

You can also sign “We were in the same up to be a pen pal religion class last year, or volunteer by eand we were brainstorming before the mailing the group pandemic some ideas at knox.lettersofon how to help our comhope@gmail.com. munity,” Marisa said.

“Then, when COVID-19 happened, we wanted to do something with that, and elderly residents came to mind.”

They reached out to several Knoxville-area assisted-living and dementia-care facilities and began writing letters to the senior residents.

Thus began Letters of Hope, a program that started with three students and has now grown to participants all over the world.

They became pen pals with the senior residents, writing about life as a young person and asking about their lives as seniors. They also encouraged the elderly through a very lonely time of lockdown.

Pen pals Letters of Hope participants from Knoxville Catholic High School include (front row) Molly Brinkmann, Teresa Cao, Emma Kollie, Minh Cao, Gracie Guess, and (back row) Andy Moyer, Matthew Phan, Cyrah Weddle, Marisa McMichael, An Doan, Fatima Arias-Santiago, Lisé Badeaux, Karina Dale, and Ilse Dale.

“I also told them that they were not alone. I always tried to let them know that I was here for them even though I didn’t know them,” Fatima said.

The goal of every interaction is to spread a bit of positivity and connection while the pandemic keeps people apart. And do that while following coronavirus protocols like social distancing and wearing masks.

“Initially it was just us trying to help the community, but it seemed like a lot of our friends

wanted to do it, too, which expanded it,” An said.

“We started with writing letters in March and April,” Fatima said. “We decided letters would be the best possible way to help them not feel isolated because we couldn’t see them in person or anything like that during the pandemic.”

“Then we started making Google forms for people to sign up. People started signing up, and we started sending out names. It was surprising Letters continued on page A12

St. Mary Parish breaks ground on parish life center Gatlinburg church will have more room for CCD classes, other youth and adult programs

S

Site preparation Bishop Richard F. Stika on Oct. 19 blessed the site with holy water where St. Mary Church in Gatlinburg is building a parish life center.

St. Mary has seen its parish activities grow significantly, prompting the need for more space. Accompanying Bishop Stika is St. Mary pastor Father Antony Punnackal, CMI. The project is expected to be completed by late 2021.

DAN MCWILLIAMS

t. Mary Church in Gatlinburg is bursting at the seams, and the 85-year-old community just recently broke ground on a new parish life center that will help provide space for a growing number of CCD students and for parish meetings, office space, and other needs.

Bishop Richard F. Stika presided Oct. 19 at the groundbreaking and blessings of the site and cornerstone for the new facility. St. Mary pastor Father Antony Punnackal, CMI, was present, as were diocesan chancellor Deacon Sean Smith, Gatlinburg mayor Mike Werner, city manager Cindy Ogle, and many parishioners.

The parish’s CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) program was dormant, with some youth receiving instruction in other parishes, until Father Punnackal and director of religious education Stacy Champagne restarted it in recent years. Two small basement classrooms and the daily chapel are currently being used for meeting space, with the St. Mary’s Grotto outdoors as a warm-weather meeting site.

“We’re a unique place up here.

There are not a lot of local people living up here, so the majority of our parishioners are tourists,” said parish council chair Steve Champagne. “But we realized that there was a need for CCD programs and Catholic faith formation and different classes for our youth. Under Father Antony’s lead

By Dan McWilliams

along with my wife, Stacy, they started the CCD program back up. They went from having 20 kids the first year to having over 90 the next year.

With that kind of explosive growth, we had nowhere to put these kids. We were using wall dividers to put them on one side of the church or the other.

“The CCD program is thriving.

It’s doing very well, even in spite of COVID,” he added.

That situation helped lead to 2016

conversations within the parish as to what to do, Mr. Champagne said.

The parish rolls had grown to 125 permanent families, with tremendous growth in Hispanic family numbers, for a Catholic community that welcomes hundreds of tourists every spring and summer. The parish office is currently housed in the rectory, which is not a suitable location.

“Our CCD program was growing rapidly. Through the success of many

volunteers, Father Antony did a great job of really pushing the youth in our programs,” Mr. Champagne said.

“We realized we were running out of space. We needed a parish office. We needed a larger gathering space for church functions. It was decided by the parish council way back in 2016 to explore available options for the parish to obtain the additional space that was needed. After looking at posSt. Mary continued on page A10

Funeral Mass held for longtime priest Fr. Paul Valleroy Mass celebrant Bishop Stika eulogizes pastor who served East Tennessee parishes for 46 years

By Bill Brewer

December Prayer Intentions “We pray that our personal relationship with Jesus Christ be nourished by the Word of God and a life of prayer.”

–– Pope Francis “Father, in this season of Advent in which we contemplate the great gift of Emmanuel, God with us, we thank you for all of the ways you provide for our needs and ask you to increase our faith, hope, and joy that come only through a life united to your Son, Jesus Christ. May we draw near to you so that we may have the strength to be light in the world and lead others to you. Amen.”

A2 n DECEMBER 6, 2020

–– Bishop Stika

BILL BREWER

F

ather Paul Joseph Valleroy saw a lot of East Tennessee during the 46 years he served as a priest, first for the Diocese of Nashville and then for the Diocese of Knoxville.

The St. Louis native began his ministry in Kingsport before priest assignments took him to Chattanooga, Johnson City, Greeneville, Newport, Cleveland, Signal Mountain, Alcoa, Oak Ridge, and Copperhill.

His priesthood ended Nov. 4 in Soddy-Daisy, where he died at the Soddy-Daisy Healthcare Center following health complications from a 2017 stroke.

A funeral Mass for Father Valleroy was held on Nov. 11 at St. Jude Church in Chattanooga, where he had spent time in residence. He was 83. Bishop Richard F. Stika was the Mass celebrant.

After his ordination to the priesthood in July 1974 in Kingsport, with Bishop Joseph A. Durick of the Diocese of Nashville presiding, Father Valleroy was pastor, associate pastor, chaplain, administrator, or teacher at St. Dominic Parish in Kingsport; St. Stephen, Sts. Peter and Paul, and Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga; St. Augustine in Signal Mountain; St. Bridget in Dayton; East Tennessee State University in Johnson City; Notre Dame Parish in Greeneville; Good Shepherd in Newport; St. Thérèse of Lisieux in Cleveland; Our Lady of Fatima in Alcoa; St. Mary in Oak Ridge; and St. Catherine Labouré in Copperhill. He retired in residence at St. Jude in 2010.

In eulogizing Father Valleroy, Bishop Stika began his homily by saying he had been reading Father Valleroy’s history of service in the Diocese of Knoxville and his journey to the priesthood before that.

“One of the things that Paul and I shared is he was born in St. Louis. He was a Cardinals fan. He was one of the beloved. He was born in St. Louis north city; I was born in south city. He was baptized at St. Rose of Lima, a parish now closed. A small church, it was very beautiful. He went to McBride High School.

At one time in St. Louis, there were two large high schools. One was called South Side because it was in south city, and the other was called North Side because it was in the north part of the city, an area where the Catholic population rapidly declined in the 1950s and ’60s. Urban flight, I guess,” Bishop Stika said.

“He had an interesting life. Eventually he joined the Navy and was schooled in electronics and served on a ship. Before the Vietnam War, he went into the workforce, and that eventually led to the seminary. In 1974, he was ordained a priest. So often when I look at the file of a priest, the file is thick. I don’t know if that is good or bad. Other times it is very small.

Paul’s was small. He was assigned to a parish in Oak

Rest in heaven, good and faithful servant Bishop Richard F. Stika leads a prayer during the funeral Mass for Father Paul Valleroy, a longtime Diocese of Knoxville priest who died Nov. 4. The funeral Mass was held at St. Jude Church in Chattanooga.

“All those many moments, from his birth in St. Louis, in parish grade school and in high school, and in the military service, and in the workforce, and studying to be a teacher, it all brought him to a point where he knelt before the bishop and hands were laid on his head, and he became a priest of Jesus Christ in 1974 and then a priest of the Diocese of Knoxville in 1988.”

— Bishop Stika Father Valleroy

Ridge, at St. Mary’s; he was a longtime pastor at St. Augustine; he was involved in the Haiti outreach; he eventually went to the community of Copperhill; he lived with Father Charlie (Burton) at St. Dominic and eventually here (St. Jude); he was involved in youth ministry at one time and also Marriage Encounter.

“But I also take the fact that his file was smaller because he was a dutiful priest who worked hard, a bit of a curmudgeon. And I could always find Father Paul at priest gatherings because I would follow the cigarette smoke. I always enjoyed talking to him. He was one of those examples of a good and faithful priest,” he added.

Some 20 of Father Valleroy’s brother priests were concelebrants at his funeral Mass. Several deacons and women religious also attended. The Mass was livestreamed on the Internet so Father Valleroy’s relatives out of state could take part.

When he was serving at St. Augustine, Father Valleroy was featured in the Chattanooga Times Free Press newspaper as he celebrated his 25th anniversary in the priesthood.

Father Valleroy recounted in the article how he had a very high military draft classification in the 1960s, which made it difficult for him to land a job he Father Valleroy continued on page A14

Bishop Stika re-emphasizes COVID precautions

A

s 2020 draws to a close and the coronavirus continues to be an important point of concern, Bishop Richard F. Stika has reissued guidance to remind Diocese of Knoxville churches of the proper protocols to remain safe from COVID-19.

Bishop Stika issued a revised decree effective the weekend of Nov. 28-29, the first Masses of Advent, based on directives, recommendations, and guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as state and local health departments to ensure that all diocesan parishes are responding appropriately to the spread of the virus.

According to the bishop’s decree, access to divine worship and to the sacraments “is of high importance for the spiritual good and the overall wellbeing of the faithful” as is acting responsibly to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Bishop Stika mandates the following procedures based on the seating capacity of each church and other unique, site-specific

www.di o k no x .o rg

challenges: n Pastors must routinely remind the faithful that their obligation to attend Sunday Mass is currently dispensed. Livestreamed Masses are available, and people must quarantine if possibly exposed to the virus. n Mass attendance will be limited to 50 percent of church capacity, with social distancing guidelines remaining in place. Pastors are encouraged to increase the number of Masses if needed and offer livestreamed viewing on site during Mass. n Holy water fonts are to remain dry. Hymnals and daily Missals should still be removed. n Continue to refrain from passing collection baskets from person to person, instead using a fixed collection basket. n Do not hold hands during the Our Father. n Omit the sign of peace or exchange it without physical contact. n Established guidelines on distribution of Communion in place since the initial coronaviDecree continued on page A8

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

He dwells among us

by Bishop Richard F. Stika

What you must know about the Mass Too few understand the true meaning of eucharistic sacrifice and what is meant by ‘active participation’ I will come to the altar of God, to God, my joy and gladness.

— Psalm 43:4

W

hen I began a yearlong reflection upon the Mass and the Eucharist in my columns beginning last January, I did so because of the incredibly sad statistic reported by Pew Research in its 2019 survey: only 31 percent of practicing Catholics believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

In other words, two-thirds of those likely to attend Mass each Sunday are essentially Protestant in their understanding of the “source and summit” of our Catholic faith. Though the reasons for this are many, my intent here is to stress the importance of certain basic truths that are critical if someone is to correctly understand the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and to truly participate in it.

Why the Mass? Why do we celebrate the Mass? The answer is quite simple—because Christ commanded us to do so. Father Clifford Howell, SJ, (1902-1981) asked, “Why did Christ entrust [the Mass] to His Church? So that it might become the sacrifice of the Church.” The Mass is the sacrament of Christ’s sacrifice upon Calvary—offered once in time, but eternally offered in the heavenly liturgy of which our earthly Mass is a participation (cf. Hebrews 12:22-24).

The Mass is a sacrifice—its fourfold purpose. As baptized Catholics, our greatest and most supreme dignity is that of participating in the eucharistic sacrifice of Christ to the Father.

What a spiritual and terrible poverty it is that more Catholics do not know what the purpose or ends of the Mass are. The Mass is not a worship service, but a sacrifice—the highest and most supreme form of worship we can offer to God. And when we truly participate in the Mass, Christ unites the offering we make of ourselves to His eternal offering to the Father in a perfect sacrifice of adoration, thanksgiving, atonement, and petition—the fourfold purpose of the Mass.

The Gloria that the angels lead us in proclaiming reminds us of these four ends—to unite with Christ’s perfect sacrifice of praise, adoration, and blessing to the Father, and to offer Him thanks for His “great glory”; to offer with Christ the one and only sacrifice that “takes away the sins of the world”; and to petition the Father to “receive our prayer” with Christ, our great High Priest who “lives forever to make intercession for [us]” (Hebrews 7:25).

One sacrifice, one Mass. Here it is important to understand that there is only one Mass that is celebrated—the sacrifice of the cross and the sacrifice of the Eucharist are one and the same sacrifice! Though thousands of Masses are offered each day throughout the world, there is still but one Priest who offers, one and the same Victim that is offered—one Mass. “Only the manner of offering is different,” as explained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC). Because Jesus is true God and true Man, “the same Christ who offered himself once in a bloody manner on the altar of the Cross… is offered in an unbloody manner” upon the altar of the Mass (n. 1367).

Liturgy – work of God. When we speak of the Mass, we speak of the “liturgy,” which means a “public work” or “work for the people.” While some interpret it as the “people’s work,” this has led to many misunderstandings and errors about the true purpose and meaning of the Mass. Correctly understood, though, liturgy is the “work of God,” the work of our salvation in which the “people of God” participate as “God’s co-workers” (1 Corinthians 3:9). Although Christ accomplished for us what we could not possibly have done for ourselves—our redemption— that does not mean we have no share in His saving work. Our baptismal dignity calls for us to share in Christ’s sacrifice, for as King David said, “I cannot offer to the Lord my God holocausts that cost nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24).

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

n Note: Though the Eucharist is “the supreme celebration of the liturgy, properly speaking, liturgy also includes the other sacraments as well, through which Jesus communicates His grace for our sanctification. It also includes the “Liturgy of the Hours,” the public prayer of the Church, as it is Christ’s prayer to the Father that we join our heart and voice to, which serves as “an extension of the Eucharistic celebration” (CCC, 1178).

Christ’s co-worker. Liturgy is written into the very fabric of our nature, for what God spoke of man and woman in creating us is repeated in a far more glorious way in our re-creation. For what God said of the first man, Adam, is true also of the new Adam: “It is not good for the man to be alone,” and “I will make a helper suited to him” (Genesis 2:18). So as Jesus slept the deep sleep of death upon the cross, God formed from His pierced side the new Eve, the Church, as His Bride and helper. And at every baptism, Christ cries out as Adam did, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23). So every Mass is a divine-human work of Christ the Head together with His Mystical Body, each of us, as His helper for the life and salvation of the world. To be Jesus’ “coworker,” though, means we must also be His “co-offerer” and “co-victim.”

Baptismal dignity. Many Catholics are sadly unaware of the great dignity of their baptism in sharing in Christ’s threefold mission as priest, prophet, and king. Because Christ is “a priest forever” (Hebrews 7:17, 21), our baptism unites us to Him and to His sacrifice as both the One who offers and is offered. Since the sacrifice of the Mass “is an exercise of the priestly office of Christ,” we, too, must exercise our baptismal priesthood in union with Him, otherwise we are but spectators at Mass. We must also exercise it throughout our week in the Mass that we live in the series of offertories we make of ourselves for love of God and neighbor. It is the exercise of our baptismal dignity that helps us to be the saints we are called to be, “to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5). n Note: There is a distinct difference between the “baptismal” or “common” priesthood of the laity and the “ministerial” priesthood of the ordained. For while there is but one priesthood of Christ that we all share in, there are different ways of participating in it. Baptism enables us to participate in the sacred liturgy as members of the Mystical Body of Christ. But through the sacrament of Holy Orders, the priest is configured to Christ the Head and enabled to act in the person of Christ and to serve and help the faithful to live out their priestly, prophetic, and kingly office.

Importance of the offertory. God’s command to the Israelites is a requirement we, too, must heed: “No one shall appear before the Lord emptyhanded, but each with his own gift” (Deuteronomy 16:16-17). The offertory is that very important part of our “active participation” in the Mass where we offer our gifts and our very life and place them upon the altar with the gifts of bread and wine to be consecrated.

We offer all that we are and have, all our crosses and sufferings, joys and sadness, our vocation and work.

In every Mass we are like St. Joseph, poor and unable to afford the sacrificial lamb “who takes away the sin of the world” (cf. Luke 2:24). We are only able to bring our poor substitute of two turtledoves—our body and soul. Insufficient as our offering is, something incredible will occur during the consecration. Christ takes what we offer, as unworthy as it is in the sight of God, and sprinkles His Precious Blood upon it and joins it to His perfect sacrifice as the “Lamb of God.” And the Father, in seeing the Son’s perfect offering and ours united together, receives it as a sacrifice truly “pleasing and acceptable.”

This is why during the Mass when incense is used, the priest and all the faithful are also incensed along with the gifts and the altar. For each of us is a holy temple and our heart is a spiritual altar that is mystically united with the altar of the Mass in the offering we make of ourselves. This is why the priest says, “Pray, brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.” And in responding, we express the purpose of our offering, “May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of His name, for our good and the good of all His holy Church.”

Sacrifice and sacrament. If we are invited to receive Jesus in the most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar in holy Communion, it is because we have first been invited to participate in His sacrificial offering. Father Clifford Howell reminded us that “in a sacrifice something (a victim) is given by man to God, while in a sacrament something (a grace) is given by God to man.”

We must first participate as Christ’s co-offerers and co-victims if we are to rightly approach to receive Him sacramentally and be intimately united with Him. But sadly, too many Catholics think of the Mass as but a ritual preparation of sorts for receiving holy Communion.

Think of what occurs in the Great Doxology of the Mass following the consecration: “Through Him, with Him and in Him, O God, Almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, for ever and ever.” It is at this time when, as Father Joseph Putz, SJ, describes in his book, My Mass, that “the gates of Heaven are thrown open, our gifts are transformed into the heavenly Victim, and our offering goes up to God in union with our Savior’s sacrifice.”

Could anything be more glorious?

A beautiful quote from a French priest, Father Raoul Plus, SJ (18821958), expresses this: Christ, the High Priest, we as subordinate priests; Christ, the Chief Victim, we as co-victims!

But, Christ and we—total Priest, and total Victim!

Holy Communion. Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen reminded us of the law of nature “that nothing lives unless it consumes.” But because we are a composite of both body and soul, we not only need bodily food but even more importantly spiritual nourishment. For as Christ tells us, “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you do not have life within you” (John 6:53).

Archbishop Sheen further explained that “in the natural order, a

Follow Bishop Richard Stika on Twitter @bishopstika and Facebook for news and events from the diocese. w ww.di o k no x .o rg

living thing assimilates its food and incorporates it into its own substance.

However, in the Eucharist the roles are reversed…. It is not Christ who is changed into us, as is the food we eat; it is we who are incorporated in Him.” So one of the first effects of holy Communion, he tells us, is that “we receive from Christ what we gave to Him.” What might that be? “We gave Him our human nature—when, in the name of all humanity, Mary gave Him manhood, like us in all things except sin. Christ divinized that human nature because it was made substantially one with His Divine Person. In Communion, Jesus gives it back to us, purified, regenerated, and ennobled, a promise and a pledge of what our nature is to be on the Last Day in the Resurrection of the just!” If that does not make you say, “Wow,” I don’t know what will.

Regular confession. Briefly, I wish to remind everyone of the great need to frequent the sacrament of reconciliation, particularly if one has unconfessed mortal (deadly) sins. For just “as a corpse cannot receive nourishment,” Archbishop Sheen reminded us, “so neither may one without the divine life in his soul receive the divine nourishment.” To approach Communion without sacramentally being cleansed in the confessional of serious sin is to “eat and drink a condemnation upon yourself” (1 Corinthians 11:29).

Something beautifully nuptial.

St. John Paul II beautifully describes the Eucharist as “the Sacrament of the Bridegroom and of the Bride.”

Because by virtue of our baptism, we are brides in the Church, we “are called to respond—as a bride—with the gift of our lives to the inexpressible gift of the love of Christ..., the Church’s Bridegroom.”

When we hear the words of Christ Our Bridegroom, who says for love of us, “This is my Body…, This is the Chalice of my Blood,” what other reciprocal response can we possibly give but to say, “This too is my body…, this too is my blood!” The measure with which Christ has given Himself to you is the measure you must strive to give to Him! “Holiness,” then, as St. John Paul II reminds us, “is measured according to the ‘great mystery’ in which the Bride responds with the gift of love to the gift of the Bridegroom.”

As God commanded the first man and woman in the garden to “Be fruitful and multiply!” (Genesis 1:28), so, too, must we be fruitful in our relationship with Our Heavenly Bridegroom. But a contracepted heart can bear no fruit, so we must always strive to be a fruitful bride of Christ.

Real presence. The Church speaks of the Eucharist as Christ’s “real presence” for that is what it is— Christ is truly present in His flesh as true Man and in His divinity as true God. It is true that He is present to us in other ways, but in the Eucharist Jesus is present in a way that surpasses all other ways, a presence “par excellence” in the reality of His Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity.

Jesus is truly present in the tabernacle of our church as He was in the Garden of Gethsemane, praying and offering Himself to the Father for us, longing for us to join Him, and to “watch and pray” with Him (Mark 14:38). Although He is shrouded in darkness to our body’s eye as He was to His disciples in the Garden, the more time we spend with Him, the more our heart sees Him, the more “real” His presence and friendship becomes. He awaits us to join Him in His offering for the salvation of the world.

Living the Mass. With the final blessing and dismissal, the Mass does not end—we must now go and “live the Mass”—to be God’s “little liturgy” in the world about us. We do so in the series of offertories we continue to make throughout our day and week, in the sacrifices we make for love of God and neighbor. And as we do, the heavenly hymn of praise resounds in our lives: “You made them a kingdom and priests for our God, and they will reign on earth” (Revelation 5:10). ■ DECEMBER 6, 2020 n A3

Cancer won’t wait.

And neither should you.

Speak to our Cancer Care Experts today to learn about one of the world’s most advanced cancer treatments,

Proton Therapy.

865-290-1158 KnoxvilleProton.com

PROTON THERAPY

TRADITIONAL X-RAY RADIATION

TUMOR

PROTON THERAPY KNOXVILLE

A4 n DECEMBER 6, 2020

Proton therapy is more precise than traditional x-ray radiation.

By avoiding unnecessary radiation to healthy cells and vital organs, patients experience fewer side effects during and after treatment.

www.di o k no x .o rg

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

Joe Biden becomes nation’s 46th president in win over Trump

POTUS No. 46 President of the United States-elect Joe Biden stands with his nominees for his national security team at his transition headquarters in the Queen Theater in Wilmington, Del., on Nov. 24.

CNS PHOTO/ANDREW HARNIK-POOL VIA REUTERS

P

ope Francis called Presidentelect Joe Biden early Nov. 12 to congratulate him on winning the U.S. presidential election as leaders from around the country and the world began reaching out to the nation’s 46th president in congratulations.

“The president-elect thanked His Holiness for extending blessings and congratulations and noted his appreciation for His Holiness’ leadership in promoting peace, reconciliation, and the common bonds of humanity around the world,” according to a readout on the call released by Mr. Biden’s transition team.

Mr. Biden, the readout said, “expressed his desire to work together on the basis of a shared belief in the dignity and equality of all humankind on issues such as caring for the marginalized and the poor, addressing the crisis of climate change, and welcoming and integrating immigrants and refugees into our communities.”

With the election of Presidentelect Biden, it is “time for our leaders to come together in a spirit of national unity,” said Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

They also must “commit themselves to dialogue and compromise for the common good,” he said in a statement issued Nov. 7.

Four days after Election Day, news organizations such as The Associated Press, The New York Times and Fox News announced Mr. Biden and running mate Kamala Harris had won the race. The projection came following the announcement from Pennsylvania officials that Mr. Biden had won the state’s cache of 20 electoral votes, putting him over the 270 electoralvote threshold needed to secure a victory.

Mr. Biden is the second Catholic in U.S. history to be elected to the nation’s highest office, following the late President John F. Kennedy, who was elected 60 years ago. Sen. Harris becomes the country’s first female vice president-elect.

“We thank God for the blessings of liberty. The American people have spoken in this election,” Archbishop Gomez said, congratulating the president-elect and vice president-elect on behalf of the USCCB. As of Dec. 4, President Donald Trump had not conceded the race and had leveled charges of voter fraud without providing proof. He has filed lawsuits that have been rejected and has promised more suits.

President Trump indicated he would concede the election if the Electoral College results are for the Biden-Harris ticket.

“Now is the time for our leaders to come together in a spirit of national unity and to commit themselves to dialogue and compromise for the common good. As Catholics

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE PHOTO/JOSHUA ROBERTS-REUTERS

Reactions from Church community greet United States’ second Catholic commander in chief

VPOTUS No. 49 Vice president of the United States-elect Kamala Harris speaks to supporters at a rally in Wilmington, Del., on Nov. 7 after the news media declared her and Joe Biden winners of the 2020 presidential election. She will become the nation’s 49th vice president. and Americans, our priorities and mission are clear. We are here to follow Jesus Christ, to bear witness to His love in our lives, and to build His kingdom on earth. I believe that at this moment in American history Catholics have a special duty to be peacemakers, to promote fraternity and mutual trust, and to pray for a renewed spirit of true patriotism in our country,” Archbishop Gomez continued.

“Democracy requires that all of us conduct ourselves as people of virtue and selfdiscipline. It requires that we respect the free expression of opinions and Abp. Gomez that we treat one another with charity and civility, even as we might disagree deeply in our debates on matters of law and public policy. As we do this, we recognize that Joseph R. Biden Jr. has received enough votes to be elected the 46th president of the United States.

We congratulate Mr. Biden and acknowledge that he joins the late

President John F. Kennedy as the second U.S. president to profess the Catholic faith. We also congratulate Sen. Kamala D. Harris of California, who becomes the first woman ever elected as vice president,” he said.

“We ask the Blessed Virgin Mary, patroness of this great nation, to intercede for us. May she help us to work together to fulfill the beautiful vision of America’s missionaries and founders — one nation under God, where the sanctity of every human life is defended and freedom of conscience and religion are guaranteed.”

Many U.S. Church leaders issued statements when Mr. Biden was projected the winner. n Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley of the Archdiocese of Boston: “Today our country, one of the oldest democracies and most diverse societies in the world, should take pride in the success of the electoral process. We thank all the candidates who have participated in the elections and commend the historic voter turnout, a tribute to the citizens who voted in such striking numbers, in stark contrast to earlier elections.

“That encouraging sign has

By Catholic News Service opened the way to begin a process of participation among all citizens however they voted. As Catholics we are committed to the common good, social justice, and the Gospel of life. Participation in the political process is a sacred duty. In a country facing the threefold challenge of addressing a global pandemic, repairing a fractured economy, and renewing a national commitment to the goals of racial justice and equality, the broad participation of citizens in the election should be a foundation for rebuilding our unity as a people.

“The president and those who will serve with him have both the opportunity and the challenge of rebuilding civic trust, of providing a sense of hope in a time of social crisis, and of calling us all to share our best talents and energies in a common task. Our prayers should be with all those called to lead the country.

“The task we face is not fully captured in the data; the numbers, charts, and graphs. The task is also a spiritual challenge. As Pope Francis shared in the recent encyclical letter Fratelli Tutti, we are called to promote “friendship and an acknowledgment of the worth of every human person, always and everywhere.” Each citizen, each person, across lines of color, ethnicity, of faith and philosophy, can and should be asked to place solidarity over inequality, compassion over revenge, generosity over self-interest.

“An election is never only about who wins and loses. It is always about a moment in time when a new beginning is possible. Such a beginning relies upon our best traditions and aspirations: belief in our common humanity and the unique dignity Cardinal O’Malley of each person in the land; beliefs which can bind us together, rich and poor, black and white, citizens and Dreamers, women and men.

“We are now at a moment when a new beginning is not only possible but urgently necessary. The work at hand calls us to respect the opinions of others, to dialogue about differing perspectives, to seek reconciliation where there has been estrangement, to work for healing among the people of our country. I confidently believe that as a nation we can achieve these goals, to rise above our differences, to embrace our unity as brothers and sisters whose lives are a gift from God and who share a mission to build a just society.

“We must not succumb to resentments based in divergent politiPresident continued on page A17

Supreme Court: N.Y. COVID limits restrict religious freedom

By Carol Zimmermann Catholic News Service

I

n a 5-4 decision issued just before midnight Nov. 25, the Supreme Court lifted the pandemic restrictions on congregation sizes at houses of worship imposed by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

The Diocese of Brooklyn, N.Y., and two Orthodox Jewish synagogues in separate filings appealed to the nation’s high court, claiming the governor’s executive order violated their free exercise of religion and was particularly unwarranted during a time when area businesses were open.

Chief Justice John Roberts dissented, along with Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan.

This summer, the court, in another 5-4 decision with a different bench, one that included Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, upheld Nevada’s limits on congregation sizes, denying a request by a Nevada church for permission to have larger gatherings, like those permitted in the state’s casinos, restaurants, and other businesses.

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

“I am gratified by the decision of the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court who have recognized the clear First Amendment violation and urgent need for relief in this case. I am proud to be leading the Diocese of Brooklyn and fighting for our sacred and constitutional right to worship,” said Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio in a Nov. 26 statement.

The bishop noted the governor’s restrictions “were an overreach that did not take into account the size of our churches or the safety protocols that have kept parishioners safe.

Catholics in Brooklyn and Queens have adhered to all COVID-19 safety protocols to attend Mass and receive the Eucharist. Our churches have not been the cause of any outbreaks.”

Bishop DiMarzio stressed that the diocese took its plea to the nation’s highest court “because we should be considered essential, for what could be more essential than safely gathering in prayer in a time of pandemic.”

“Now, with the benefit of the Supreme Court’s ruling,” he said, “we look forward to continuing the fight in the lower courts to ensure that

these unconstitutional restrictions are permanently enjoined once and for all.”

The New York State Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the state’s bishops, tweeted Nov. 26 that the court’s decision was “an important one for religious liberty.”

“While we believe, and the court agreed, that the ‘hot zone’ restrictions on religious gatherings were unduly harsh, our churches have been otherwise eager partners with the state in protecting the health of our parishioners, clergy, staff, and surrounding communities during this devastating pandemic.,” the tweet said. “That will continue, as protecting the vulnerable is a pro-life principle.”

“We are proud of the success we have had in keeping our people safe,” it added.

New York Catholic bishops also separately praised the ruling.

Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger, who heads the Diocese of Albany and also is apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Buffalo, similarly welcomed the ruling and the view that worship is essential.

w ww.di o k no x .o rg

“We have an obligation to do everything we can to protect one another from the threat that the coronavirus poses. At the same time, we welcome this decision that upholds the First Amendment’s free exercise clause.

Food and drink for the soul are as essential as food and drink for the stomach,” he said in a statement.

New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan on Nov. 26 tweeted his congratulations to Bishop DiMarzio and the Brooklyn Diocese “on their victory for religious freedom in the U.S. Supreme Court. Our churches are essential.”

“While we have been and will continue to adhere to all safety protocols to protect our communities, it is also important to protect that fundamental constitutional right: religious liberty,” he added.

The Diocese of Brooklyn filed an emergency application with the U.S. Supreme Court on Nov. 12 for an injunction against the governor’s executive order limiting in-person congregations at houses of worship to 10 or 25 people but allowing “numerous Court continued on page A13 DECEMBER 6, 2020 n A5

St. John Neumann parishioner hailed as a first-responder hero

S

ometimes the road less traveled really does make all the difference. Just ask Kyle Botica.

The University of Tennessee Police Department officer has been saluted as a hero for saving a man who collapsed in the emergency lane of Interstate 40 as the fifth-wheel camper trailer he was tending burned out of control.

But to hear him tell it, Officer Botica shouldn’t have even been on I-40 driving by the vehicle fire.

The emergency situation unfolded on Oct. 21 as Officer Botica was running errands in West Knoxville on his day off.

As he drove westbound on Kingston Pike, Officer Botica decided on a spur of the moment to take the interstate instead. As he approached the Pellissippi Parkway interchange with I-40 west, he noticed thick black smoke ahead. When he neared the overpass, he could see a large camper being pulled by a truck was on fire.

He immediately pulled in near the rig to lend assistance.

“I didn’t see any emergency vehicles in front of me or behind me, so I knew nobody (first responders) had responded yet,” said Officer Botica, a corporal who has been with UTPD for eight years. “As I got close I could tell it was the back end of a tow-behind camper trailer that was on fire.”

Officer Botica’s training quickly kicked in once he saw the smoke.

“I had to stop to make sure no one was hurt and everyone was out of the trailer,” he said. “As I approached, one guy was trying to use a fire extinguisher, but it was way too engulfed. I convinced him he needed to get farther away.”

The 30-year-old corporal explained that a couple of other people were attempting to separate the pickup truck from the camper trailer while belongings were being pulled from the burning camper. But it was a rapidly deteriorating situation that was increasingly dangerous.

“Fortunately, the men got it unhooked and the owner moved the truck from the trailer,” he said.

COURTESY OF LOLA ALAPO/UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT

Officer Kyle Botica’s fast action saves man’s life, helps prevent traffic incident from being a tragedy

First to respond University of Tennessee Police Department Officer Kyle Botica believes divine intervention placed him in position to save a man’s life on Oct. 21 during a traffic incident on Interstate 40.

But that’s just when the emergency escalated, and all of Officer Botica’s first-responder skills were summoned.

“While we were moving away from the trailer, one of the men in front of me just collapsed. We picked him up and moved him away from the trailer.

He was about 20 feet from the trailer when he collapsed,” he recalled.

Although contained to the camper trailer, flames from the fire could be seen lapping upward against the bottom of the overpass. Passersby took video of the incident from their smart phones and shared it on social media.

“Once we moved him to a safer spot, a woman who identified herself as a nurse had stopped to assist, and neither she nor I could find a pulse on the man. So we started CPR. My training kicked in at that point. We get so much training and we must renew our certification every two to three years. When it’s ingrained that much, it becomes reflexive,” explained Officer Botica, who noted that he worked as a lifeguard as a youth and has maintained his CPR certification, but he never thought he would have to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

He applied chest compressions, and the unidentified nurse used a portable mask to apply oxygen.

Officer Botica believed the man suffered a cardiac event after inhaling smoke. He said there was so much of it that many, if not most, of those assisting inhaled smoke from the fire.

By this time, bystanders who the corporal instructed to call 911 had phoned for help. He and the nurse continued CPR until firefighters and emergency medical services arrived to take over. The Knoxville Police Department, Knoxville Fire Department, and an AMR ambulance responded to the scene.

The camper trailer was a charred husk by the time the Knoxville Fire Department extinguished it. The fire blocked most lanes of I-40 in both directions during the emergency.

“When he (the man who collapsed) left in an ambulance, he had a pulse and made it to the hospital. He did not die at the scene,” Officer Botica said.

Officer Botica, who attended Sacred Heart Cathedral School and graduated from Knoxville Catholic High School in 2008, believes his presence at the scene was divine intervention.

By Bill Brewer

He has no other explanation for being at that location at that time when his normal route was Kingston Pike.

“That change of route on a whim that put me on I-40 as that fire was going on was miraculous. You could definitely see God’s hand in this. There was no real specific reason for me to change from Kingston Pike to the interstate,” he said.

Officer Botica described the scene as “chaotic” when he first arrived.

That’s when his training—and adrenaline—took over.

“I was in a position where I could help, and the last thing I would ever want was to know I could have done something but I did nothing. And it was the right thing to do,” he said, adding that he believes he would have stopped had he not been a police officer but he would not have had the training.

Officer Botica wasn’t sure how the man fared after he arrived at the hospital, but he was hopeful everything turned out OK. He also didn’t have the identity of the nurse who also stopped to help, but he is grateful that she responded and took quick action, too.

“It’s so encouraging to see people put themselves in harm’s way to help a neighbor,” he said. “You’re wired to go toward things that are not going well. You never know how you’re going to react in a situation like that.

A person does unique things under the effects of adrenaline.”

Officer Botica credited the University of Tennessee Police Department for preparing him to respond to just such an incident where lives are at stake.

And since it happened, the Knoxville Fire Department wanted to make sure his superiors were aware of the feat.

An assistant fire chief wrote a letter to Officer Botica’s chief crediting Officer Botica for saving the man’s life.

Since joining the department, he spent three and a half years on the night shift before moving into the investigations unit for nearly four years.

First responder continued on page A8

Strengthen Your Faith Support Your Church Protect Your Family Join today

“In 2015 my son Michael McGivney was born after continual prayers to Fr. Michael J. McGivney to cure a condition that would have taken his life before birth. I would like to personally ask you honor Fr. McGivney by joining the Knights of Columbus!”– Daniel E. Schachle Council 8421 Dickson, TN. Photo Credit: Rick Musacchio/Tennessee Register

LIFE INSURANCE • DISABILITY INCOME INSURANCE • LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE • RETIREMENT ANNUITIES

www.kofc.org/joinus Tennessee Insurance Agency 615-441-8588

A6 n DECEMBER 6, 2020

www.di o k no x .o rg

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

BILL BREWER BILL BREWER

Remembering on All Souls Day Top: Father Ronald Franco, CSP, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, leads the All Souls Day rosary at Calvary Cemetery in Knoxville on Nov. 1.

Right: The graves of loved ones buried in the St. Boniface Church cemetery in Jellico are decorated with flowers on All Souls Day. Far right: Bagpiper Katie Helms plays before and after the All Souls Day rosary at Calvary Cemetery.

DAN MCWILLIAMS

Stuff Your Stocking!

Give the gift of a Catholic School Education with the purchase of a raffle ticket !

Purchase Online: http://dokschools.org/raffle

Your $10 purchase helps support Catholic schools in the Diocese of Knoxville as well as the Tuition Assistance Fund in each deanery.

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

w ww.di o k no x .o rg

DECEMBER 6, 2020 n A7

Fellowship amid COVID-19 FOCUS missionaries at UT-Chattanooga are working to evangelize in socially distanced ways

By Bill Brewer

A

COURTESY OF FATHER VALENTIN IUROCHKIN, IVE

COURTESY OF FELLOWSHIP OF CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

s the University of Tennesseeoperations, FOCUS temporarily shifted Chattanooga watches 2020 end just its mission and outreach from in-person as it began, with the coronavirus Bible studies and discipleship to online pandemic wreaking havoc on students outreach like its FOCUS Digital Campus. and their course work, a small group of Bishop Richard F. Stika worked with Catholic missionaries is fervently working Denver-based FOCUS to start a chapter at to keep open lines of faith communication. the University of Tennessee-Knoxville in Four young adults are assigned to UTC the fall of 2012 at St. John XXIII University as FOCUS missionaries, working out of Parish and Catholic Center, where the the Newman Center on campus, and their organization began its eighth year on the ministry is to bring the light of Christ to UT-Knoxville campus in August. as many students as possible through FOCUS, founded in 1998, has about 800 evangelization and good old friendship. missionaries serving 171 campuses and nine This is the second year the Fellowship parishes across the United States and Europe. of Catholic University Students has been Bishop Stika wanted to replicate the ministering on the UTC campus. success of FOCUS at UT-Knoxville with a For Amanda Tuck, Dominic Castlen, chapter at UT-Chattanooga.

Julia Rabensteine, and Shannon Douglas, While the UTC chapter has been only a spreading the Gospel among those in their year-and-a-half on campus, Bishop Stika age group—among the most vulnerable likes what he is seeing there despite the demographics in the Catholic Church—is effects of COVID-19. a fulfilling ministry, even when COVID-19 “The Diocese of Knoxville is greatly blessstrikes a heavy blow against evangelization. FOCUS on evangelization The team of FOCUS missionaries ed to have FOCUS ministers both in Knox “Our goal is to reach all 11,000 students at at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga is, clockwise from ville and now in Chattanooga. This group UTC with the message of the Gospel. But we upper left, Amanda Tuck, Dominic Castlen, Julia Rabensteine, at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga start by reaching a few, sending them out to and Shannon Douglas. The Fellowship of Catholic University is from different parts of the country and teach others about the faith. So we, as misStudents chapter is in its second year at UTC. went to different universities. We have FOsionaries, encounter students on campus, we CUS missionaries who are engaged to each invite them into formation about Jesus. We they (missionaries) have now, so many people are other. They bring great joy. One of the things invite them into community and to the sacraments, attending Mass. Their dedication and their work I emphasize is intentional discipleship. After they and ultimately to the life of the Church. Our goal is are resulting in visible fruit, there are lots of stugraduate from college, they give a certain amount to teach them how to do that. Eventually, by us indents. Sometimes we don’t have room for all the of years of service to do as they did in the Acts of vesting in a few and teaching them to go invest in students at meals, so we must have additional the Apostles: one-on-one ministry; inviting people a few more, we can reach the whole campus,” said chairs, additional tables,” Father Iurochkin noted. to have a deeper relationship with Jesus. A number Ms. Tuck, who leads the FOCUS team on campus.

The UTC Newman Center offers Mass on Wednesof them, that’s how they wound up in FOCUS. One During a normal year, members of FOCUS day evening and Sunday evening and Saturday told me he wasn’t actively involved in the Church, have ample opportunity to reach those students. morning. Different Knights of Columbus councils in but through a FOCUS minister he became involved.

But during the 2020 school year, FOCUS has had the Chattanooga area, along with families, provide Another minister was a nurse who worked for a to borrow a strategy from the Marines: impromeals for the students after the Sunday Masses. couple of years and then volunteered for FOCUS. vise, adapt, and overcome.

Deacon Brian Gabor, who serves as co-director It’s just a great program,” Bishop Stika said.

“It’s day by day. This year, we have 45 stuof the UTC Newman Center with his wife, “It’s very effective. One of our Sisters, Sister dents currently in six Bible studies. Our goal is Donna, described the FOCUS missionaries as a Maria Juan Anderson, RSM, was a FOCUS misto commission a few students in the spring to “pretty dynamic team.” sionary. Many, many vocations have come out of begin leading their own Bible studies. Our goal “There’s no telling what they would be doing FOCUS through a discernment they’re involved by the end of the (school) year is to reach at least if it wasn’t for the coronavirus. Students would with,” he added, pointing out that he believes 80 students in Bible studies,” Ms. Tuck said. be busting down the door,” Deacon Gabor said. the FOCUS chapter at UT-Chattanooga to be as “Right now, the challenge is meeting students Last spring when the coronavirus was spreadeffective in ministering to students as the one at because we have had several students who have to ing across the country and prompting many the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. “I’m real take a week or two off campus because they need organizations—including churches—to suspend pleased that we have them present there.” to quarantine or go home. Getting time with Deacon Gabor said it is nothing short of students can be an obstacle. Normally, you “amazing” that the missionaries are carcan walk out on campus and meet a sturying out six Bible studies through the dent in the library, in the cafeteria, on the Newman Center in the current campus field, wherever. But the reality with COVenvironment. While Deacon Gabor is ID is that not many students are present on amazed, Bishop Stika was confident FOcampus, so we’ve had to be really creative CUS would be a good fit in Chattanooga. in our outreach and getting into spaces “The bishop saw the good things that they where students are and asking students were doing in Knoxville and in his other who we do know to invite their friends. It’s past experiences with them. He told me a a lot of networking as well,” she added. few years ago that he would like to see them Despite the challenges, Father Valentin at UTC one day. Last year was our first year Iurochkin, IVE, who serves as the Newwith them. We had four missionaries last man Center chaplain on the UTC camyear and three went on to other things. One pus, has been impressed by the FOCUS remained, and we got three new missionarmissionaries’ tireless efforts to evangelize. ies this year. My experience now has been Father Iurochkin, who also serves as with seven missionaries, and all seven have associate pastor of the Basilica of Sts. Pejust so impressed me with their love of God ter and Paul, has watched the Newman and the joy they have in their mission, in Center swell with Catholic collegians their ministry, and the joy they help spread.

In the presence The FOCUS team from the University of Tenseeking fellowship.

To me, their joy is contagious, and they nessee-Chattanooga meets with Cardinal Justin Rigali and Bish- bring a specialness to the Newman Center, “So many people are attending Mass. I op Richard F. Stika at the Chancery in Knoxville in October. can’t believe it. Even with the challenge FOCUS continued on page A11 Decree continued from page A2

rus outbreak last spring remain in place. However, distribution of the Sacred Host on the tongue can take place in a separate line dedicated only to those receiving Communion on the tongue. Priests, deacons, or extraordinary ministers must disinfect their hands in between each communicant. n With facemasks and social distancing in place, singing can resume during Mass. n Following Mass, ushers will direct Mass-goers to exit the church in single file and distanced. n Cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces after each Mass will continue. n Churches should consider posting a link to frequently asked COVFirst responder continued from page A6

Now he works on day-shift patrol.

“The UT Police Department is a really good place to work. They have a lot of really good people there, and they give us excellent training. We’re fortunate the University of Tennessee provides funding for us to get training to handle traumatic events like injuries as well as CPR,” he pointed out.

Officer Botica and his fiancée, Cathy Varga, are parishioners at St. John Neumann in Farragut. He has been active in the Diocese of Knoxville Frassati Fellowship for Young Adults, A8 n DECEMBER 6, 2020

ID-19 questions on their websites. n Churches may need temporary markings directing foot traffic in and out of their buildings. Only one entrance and exit is recommended to regulate capacity. n Doors should be propped open if possible to allow entry and exit without touching them. In the alternative, someone should be designated to open and close each door. n First parishioners should be directed to the front of the church for Mass. At the end of Mass, back pews should exit first. n Hand sanitizer should be provided at each church entrance for parishioners. Suggest that parishioners bring their own sanitizer. ■ and he and Miss Varga are co-leaders of the young-adult group at St. John Neumann, where she has been a lifelong member.

Miss Varga is a fifth-grade teacher at Farragut Intermediate School.

The couple plans to get married in 2021.

Officer Botica is confident he would react the same way again. Experience in similar situations is invaluable.

“Moving forward, I think it would be much easier. It’s the kind of practice you don’t want to make perfect, but it has the same effect when you do it.” ■

CLEVELAND, TN EXIT 20

NOW HIRING CASE SELECTORS • • • • •

Day & Night Shift 10 HR. Shifts Great Starting Pay POTENTIAL TO EARN OVER $20.00 HR. OPPORTUNITY FOR A GENEROUS BONUS

APPLY ONLINE TODAY! JOBS.KROGER.COM

If you are looking for a stable long-term career, we have an immediate opportunity for full-time positions with advancement opportunities available.

www.di o k no x .o rg

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer Peyton’s Southeastern Distribution Center 153 Refreshment Lane SW Cleveland, TN 37312

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

D.C.’s Wilton Gregory among 13 cardinals created by Pope Francis

O

ne by one 11 senior churchmen, including two U.S. citizens — Cardinals Wilton D. Gregory of Washington, D.C., and Silvano M. Tomasi, a former Vatican diplomat — knelt before Pope Francis to receive their red hats, a cardinal’s ring, and a scroll formally declaring their new status and assigning them a “titular” church in Rome.

But with the consistory Nov. 28 occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic, Pope Francis actually created 13 new cardinals.

Cardinals Jose F. Advincula of Capiz, Philippines, and Cornelius Sim, apostolic vicar of Brunei, did not attend the consistory because of COVID-19 travel restrictions; however, they are officially cardinals and will receive their birettas and rings at a later date, the Vatican said.

In his homily at the prayer service, Pope Francis told the new cardinals that “the scarlet of a cardinal’s robes, which is the color of blood, can, for a worldly spirit, become the color of a secular ’eminence,’” the traditional title of respect for a cardinal.

If that happens, he said, “you will no longer be a pastor close to your people. You will think of yourself only as ‘His Eminence.’

If you feel that, you are off the path.”

For the cardinals, the pope said, the red must symbolize a wholehearted following of Jesus, who willingly gave his life on the cross to save humanity.

The Gospel reading at the service, Mark 10:32-45, included the account of James and John asking Jesus for special honors. “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left,” they said. But Jesus reproaches them.

“We, too, pope and cardinals, must always see ourselves reflected in this word of truth,” Pope Francis said. “It is a sharpened sword; it cuts, it proves painful, but it also heals, liberates, and converts us.”

According to canon law, cardinals are created when their names are made public “in the presence of the College of Cardinals.” While many Rome-based cardinals attended the consistory, more members of the college were “present” online.

The pandemic also meant the gathering was unusually small;

New cardinal Pope Francis places the red biretta on new Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory of Washington during a consistory in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on Nov. 28. each cardinal was accompanied by a priest-secretary and could invite a handful of guests, so there were only about 100 people in the congregation at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Also missing were the “courtesy visits,” a reception lasting several hours in the early evening when the general public was invited into the Vatican to greet the new cardinals.

In addition to some Rome-based cardinals, the congregation at the consistory included the pastors or rectors of the 13 Rome churches to which the new cardinals were associated. Cardinals are given a “titular” church in Rome, formally making them members of the Rome diocesan clergy, which is what the Church’s first cardinals

Cardinal Gregory

were.

In fact, the formula for the creation of cardinals, recited in Latin

by Pope Francis, says, “It chiefly concerns the church of Rome, but it also affects the entire ecclesial community: We will call certain of our brethren to enter the College of Cardinals, so that they may

PHOTO COURTESY OF BISHOP RICHARD F. STIKA

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE PHOTO/FABIO FRUSTACI-REUTERS POOL

Pandemic affects Vatican consistory, with two receiving red hats unable to attend, others like Cardinal Rigali joining remotely

Attending remotely Cardinal Justin Rigali, who is in residence in Knoxville, attends the Nov. 28 Ordinary Consistory for new cardinals via Zoom link. Travel restrictions due to COVID-19 prevented a number of cardinals from attending the consistory at the Vatican in person.

be united to the Chair of Peter by a closer bond to our apostolic ministry.”

Cardinal Gregory’s titular church is Immaculate Conception parish on the ancient Via Flaminia in the Grottarossa neighborhood of northern Rome. The church was built in 1935 and became a titular church for cardinals in 1985.

Cardinal Tomasi’s titular church is the Basilica of St. Nicholas in Prison, a 12th-century church with a 16th-century facade built on the site of an earlier church that was constructed over the ruins of an ancient temple.

Mexican Cardinal Felipe Arizmendi Esquivel, retired bishop of San Cristobal de Las Casas, Mexico, told Vatican News Nov. 27 that the new cardinals are called to reconfirm their commitment to making Christ the center of their lives and “to collaborate with the pope in his ministry as bishop of Rome, and so we are assigned a parish in this city, as a sign of communion between that community and the one who presides over this local church, which is the pope.”

Maltese Cardinal Mario Grech, secretary-general of the Synod of Bishops, was the first mentioned by the pope Oct. 25 when he announced he was creating new cardinals. As such, it fell to Cardinal Grech to address the pope on behalf of the new cardinals.

“Convoked in consistory at such a serious time for all humanity because of the pandemic, we want to turn our thoughts to all our brothers and sisters enduring hardship,” the cardinal said. He prayed that people would react to the pandemic as an “opportunity to rethink our lifestyles, our relationships, the organization of our societies and, especially, the meaning of our lives.”

Cardinal Grech also led the others in the recitation of the Creed and of an oath of fidelity and obedience to Christ and his Church and to Pope Francis and his successors.

The new cardinals came from eight countries: Italy, Malta, the United States, Brunei, the Philippines, Mexico, Rwanda, and Chile.

Cardinal Gregory, like the other new cardinals coming from outside Europe, was tested for COVID-19 before flying to Rome and again upon arrival. Even after testing negative, he and the others were required to quarantine for 10 days and were tested again immediately before the consistory. Cardinal Gregory stayed at the Domus SancCardinals continued on page A15

Pope: Church teaching on gay unions is not changing Secretariat of State sends clarification to nuncios that Church doctrine remains the same

By Cindy Wooden/Catholic News Service

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

CNS SCREENSHOT/NOTICIEROS TELEVISA VIA YOUTUBE

T

he Vatican Secretariat of State has sent an explanatory note to nuncios around the world insisting that when Pope Francis spoke about civil unions, he was not changing or challenging “the doctrine of the Church, which he has reaffirmed numerous times over the years.”

The note, which was not signed, explained that the pope’s remarks about gay people in the recent film, “Francesco,” come from his responses to two separate questions in a 2019 interview for Mexico’s Televisa network.

The pope’s comments were “edited and published as a single answer without the necessary contextualization,” the note said.

As Catholic News Service reported Oct. 26, when Pope Francis said gay people have a right to be in a family and that gay couples needed some form of civil law to protect their rights, he was not advocating any form of “marriage” or marriage rights for gay couples.

Yet, in his documentary “Francesco,” director Evgeny Afineevsky presented the statements as if Pope Francis had been talking about the right of gay couples to form a family, including with children.

Mr. Afineevsky, who a Vatican

Making it clear Pope Francis speaks with Valentina Alazraki of the Mexican television station Televisa during an interview that aired in May 2019.

The Vatican Secretariat of State has sent a note to nuncios around the world explaining the pope’s comments about civil unions in the documentary “Francesco” by Evgeny Afineevsky. official said was never granted an on-camera interview with the pope, pulled the quotes about families and the quote about civil unions from the interview by Valentina Alazraki, a correspondent at Televisa, CNS had reported.

The clips used in Afineevsky’s film put together quotes from three separate moments of the Televisa interview, so the pope appears to

say: “They are children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out or be made miserable over it. What we have to create is a civil union law. That way they are legally covered.”

The note from the Secretariat of State also stated that Pope Francis repeatedly has insisted that gay unions cannot be equated to marriage, pointing to a 2014 interview with

w ww.di o k no x .o rg

the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.

In the interview six years ago, Pope Francis was asked about moves across Europe to legalize gay marriage or adopt civil union laws.

“Marriage is between a man and a woman,” he said. “Secular states want to validate civil unions to regulate different situations of cohabitation, driven by the need to regulate economic aspects between people, such as ensuring health care. These are cohabitation pacts of various kinds, of which I could not list the different forms.”

“It is necessary to see the different cases and evaluate them in their variety,” he said, implying that some forms of civil unions would be acceptable.

From the unedited interview with Televisa, the pope’s remarks to Corriere della Sera and similar distinctions he has made on other occasions, the Secretariat of State’s note said, “It is clear that Pope Francis was referring to particular state regulations, certainly not the doctrine of the Church, which he has reaffirmed numerous times over the years.”

While there is no doubt that Pope continued on page A19 DECEMBER 6, 2020 n A9

Rep. Dunn receives Tennessee Right to Life award Veteran legislator, longtime Holy Ghost Parish member honored for his service to the state and pro-life movement

BILL BREWER

R

ep. Bill Dunn, a state legislator whose 26 years in the House helped swing Tennessee from a pro-abortion General Assembly to one that has become decidedly pro-life, received the 2020 Lifetime Advocate Award from Tennessee Right to Life at an annual banquet Oct. 27.

More than 300 East and Middle Tennessee prolife supporters gathered at the West Knoxville event venue Bridgewater Place for the Celebration of Life dinner.

Brian Harris, president of Tennessee Right to Life, presented the award to Rep. Dunn as the longtime state lawmaker ends his legislative tenure. Rep. Dunn, who also briefly served as speaker of the House of Representatives during a tumultuous time last summer, announced earlier this year that he was retiring from the General Assembly and would not seek another two-year term.

Rep. Dunn and his family are lifelong members of Holy Ghost Church. Father Bill McNeeley, pastor of Holy Ghost Parish, gave the banquet invocation.

Mr. Harris said he first met Bill Dunn in 1993 at a Tennessee Right to Life state board meeting when Mr. Dunn was still president of TRL’s Knox County chapter, just before his election to the House. The TRL president remarked that as he has worked closely with Rep. Dunn through the years on important sanctity-of-life issues, he has come to admire Rep. Dunn’s “servant leadership. His courage, humor, and his humility.”

“Bill has proven to be a man of few words. He doesn’t raise his voice. He does not pontificate.

But those of us who have watched over the decades know to listen carefully when he speaks,” Mr. Harris said. “The writer of Proverbs tells us that pride will ruin people, but those who are humble will be honored. That’s why we are here, and I am pleased to present to Bill, on behalf of

Lifetime advocate Tennessee Right to Life president Brian Harris, left, presents Rep. Bill Dunn with the organization’s 2020 Lifetime Advocate Award during TRL’s annual Celebration of Life dinner on Oct. 27. the board, the staff, and members and voters of Tennessee Right to Life, with the 2020 Lifetime Advocate Award to our friend, mentor, and servant leader, the Honorable Bill Dunn.”

In addition to Rep. Dunn, Mr. Harris recognized the pro-life contributions of a number of Tennessee lawmakers, several of whom paid tribute to Rep. Dunn during the dinner. Mr. Harris singled out Lt. Gov. Randy McNally and for-

mer Congresswoman Diane Black, who also is a former state representative and state senator, for their work on behalf of the sanctity of life.

“We’ve talked about warriors, and many of these legislators are warriors. But there have been some generals. And I would be remiss not to acknowledge the longtime work and leadership of Congresswoman Diane Black and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally for the unborn,” Mr. Harris said.

He also recognized the Dunn family, who have defended the sanctity of life since the earliest days after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision in 1973 that gave women in every state the right to an abortion, superseding local, state, or federal laws.

“It’s a tremendous honor to join with all of you in paying tribute to one of our state’s most committed and effective pro-life heroes; not only to Honorable Bill Dunn, but also to his entire family, especially his wife, Stacy, his parents, Paul and Mary Dunn, and his brother, Paul Dunn III, who have devoted their lives to paving the road toward victory,” Mr. Harris said.

Several current and former lawmakers paid tribute to Rep. Dunn, not only for his support of the sanctity of life but also for his efforts on state fiscal matters, education, and other legislative initiatives.

Lt. Gov. McNally, who is a member of St. Mary Parish in Oak Ridge and a longtime colleague of Rep. Dunn, presented the retiring House member with a state of Tennessee proclamation signed by him and House Speaker Cameron Sexton.

“The proclamation read, in part, “Whereas Bill Dunn has wholly committed to the noble precepts of public service that have earned Tennessee recognition as the Volunteer State and should be honored in this special occasion. Therefore I,

A10 n DECEMBER 6, 2020

DAN MCWILLIAMS (2)

St. Mary continued from page A1

sibilities, it was placed on hold due to the devastating fires that reached our community [in November 2016].

“On May 10, 2017, the parish received the bishop’s approval to form the building committee. From there we determined feasibility studies to decide what was best and could we move forward.

Later that summer in July of ’17, the very first town-hall meetings were held to inform parishioners and garner their opinions and ideas, and overwhelming approval was given to the parish council to have the building committee proceed.

Later we received the bishop’s approval to hire an architect in September of 2017.

“The architect did a great job, helped us put all of our ideas on paper, and get us to where we are today. Bishop Stika traveled here in October of 2018 for the Saturday vigil Mass to address the congregation and express his support for the new parish life center. Now, a little over three years later, and after many town-hall meetings, the results of this intense and complex procedure are provided here today, and we’re glad you’re here to celebrate with us,” he added.

The parish life center’s architect is Dan Brewer of Knoxville, and the contractors are Jenkins & Stiles, also of Knoxville.

“St. Mary’s has played a very important role in the community itself as well as in welcoming visitors. It’s a real parish of hospitality, but the parish is continually seeing growth,” Bishop Stika said. “Father Antony has done a great job. He has built upon the foundation of previous pastors—I’m remembering Monsignor Phil Thoni, who just loved this place. It’s a mark of the growth of the Catholic Church in East Tennessee but especially in this Gatlinburg area.

Just like the church was built a number of years ago, this is another component that reflects growth and beauty. And I look forward to coming back—hopefully we won’t have to wear masks— when we dedicate it, maybe the end of next year sometime.”

Under Monsignor Thoni’s leadership, with the help of its large tourist base and the financial support the tourists provide, St. Mary Parish became known for its generous contributions to diocesan parishes and schools.

Mr. Champagne stood at the microphone in front of the parish life center site, where the St. Mary’s Grotto now stands, to the left of the church.

“Today is a very important day in the history of St. Mary’s here in Gatlinburg.

As Bishop Stika explained, this has been years in the making,” Mr. Champagne said. “What you will see behind me is a single-story, 3,200-square-foot center that will consist of a large meeting area, capable of supporting three

A cornerstone of faith Bishop Richard F. Stika blesses the cornerstone for the new parish life center for St. Mary Church in Gatlinburg on Oct. 19. Also taking part were, from left, Deacon Sean Smith, Joe Barthol, and Father Antony Punnackal, CMI, pastor of St. Mary.

Busting sod Bishop Richard F. Stika, center, and project leaders break ground on the new parish life center for St. Mary Church in Gatlinburg on Oct. 19. enclosed classroom spaces, a business office, and a separate pastor’s office, along with additional conference rooms and a much larger improved kitchen space for parishioners.

“An important aspect of this plan is the fact that the new center will be where St. Mary’s Grotto now sits.

Therefore, as the project begins, St. Mary’s Grotto will be moving. It will be moving to the front-right side of the church, if you’re looking at it from the street. We’ll be building a new rosary garden and moving Mary to the front. The cost of the project is expected to be $1.3 million.”

Bishop Stika spoke of an interview he held with Father Punnackal.

“He has energy and commitment and a sense of holiness, and he comes to serve his people,” the bishop said.

Following the bishop’s turn at the podium, he blessed the ground for the site of the parish life center as well as the cornerstone for the new building.

“Father, we ask your blessing upon

this cornerstone, for it reminds us that Jesus is the cornerstone, and upon him and the foundation we build this building,” Bishop Stika prayed.

Father Punnackal said the parish life center is “for St. Mary’s parishioners and visiting parishioners.”

“We didn’t have a parish life center, so this is going to be a multipurpose center with a parish hall and dividers for the classrooms, a parish office, a larger kitchen, meeting room, restrooms, and everything,” he said.

“That’s going to fulfill the needs of the parish. We were lacking these. We are fortunate, with the help of so many parishioners and visiting parishioners and well-wishers. Still we are collecting money for the completion of the work.”

The sources of funds for the project are not only contributions from parishioners and visitors but also matching grants and the parish’s Home Campaign. Two well-wishers contributed five-figure amounts, Father Punnackal said.

www.di o k no x .o rg

By Bill Brewer

Award continued on page A15

Mayor Werner spoke at the groundbreaking and offered a prayer.

“Bishop Stika, Father Antony, congratulations. This is a great day for Gatlinburg, a great day for the parishioners of St. Mary’s,” he said. “Just think of the thousands of different people who come here every year—this is part of their Gatlinburg experience: going to Mass at St. Mary’s. And a new parish life center—this is amazing. This is great.”

Mr. Champagne said there are several people to thank.

“We’d like to thank our architect, Dan Brewer, and the Jenkins & Stiles team, for working with us. We’d also like to thank our bishop for your guidance and support, your blessings— we’ve received more than one phone call,” he said. “Two people who we’d especially like to thank: Bob Bentz and Joe Lelonek. Their expertise is unfounded. They’re great. These guys are amazing. They’re the backbone of this project. They’ve put so much sweat-equity into this and personal knowledge and experience. It’s been amazing.

“People say to me, ‘When will it be ready?’ Six months, seven months, eight months—we’ve heard all different things, but as you know it’s a building project, and things under construction seem to take time, but we’re estimating seven to eight months as of now, depending on the severity of the weather. With God’s blessing and your continued support and generosity, we will have our new parish life center completed and ready for the 2021-2022 school year.”

Mr. Bentz, the building committee chair, and his business partner, Mr. Lelonek, are “two people who really put a ton of tremendous work in this,” Mr. Champagne said. “They do a lot of projects here in town. They’re parishioners. They also do some work with [theme park] Anakeesta in Gatlinburg, but they’ve really been a backbone of working with our architects and working with people. They have a tremendous construction background. They’re also assisting us with the new rosary garden, as the St. Mary’s Grotto gets moved from its current location right behind where the groundbreaking took place. It’ll be moved up to the frontright side of the church, and that’ll be the rosary garden and grotto.”

Mr. Lelonek and building committee member Steve Reilly were among those joining the bishop in wielding shovels at the groundbreaking.

“The building committee was formed in 2016, and they’ve been working on this all this time,” Mr. Champagne said.

“Of course, we had tremendous delays with the fires in Gatlinburg and some other things that came through.” ■ TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C ATH OLI C

Blessed Michael McGivney beatified during Conn. Mass Pope Francis: Knights of Columbus founder was a model priest with a ‘zeal’ for the Gospel, serving faithful

Relic bearer Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin of Newark, N.J., accepts a relic from Michael “Mikey” McGivney Schachle, during the Oct. 31 beatification Mass of Blessed Michael McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford, Conn. Mikey is escorted by his parents, Daniel and Michelle.

Looking on are the Schachles’ other children.

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE PHOTO COURTESY OF THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

B

keep families united in dignity and security; we are in the presence of an apostle who cared for victims of an epidemic before he himself died of the disease.

“We praise God for (the) timeliness of this celebration because 130 years after his death, the brief life of this holy man speaks eloquently to our own path to holiness.”

Jesus asks “each one of us to become a saint,” and “each one of us can certainly find encouragement in the life of Father McGivney, but none more than those of us who are called to become saints as parish priests,” Cardinal Tobin said.

The founding of the Knights of Columbus “grew out of his ministry as a parish priest,” he noted.

And “long before his exhausted body surrendered to disease, he died daily to his own desires,” the cardinal added, and “he laid down his life for his friends.”

God is good for giving the Church Blessed McGivney “at this moment of our common pilgrimage,” Cardinal Tobin said. “In a time of suffering and division, we glimpse his face among the ‘cloud of witnesses’ that urge us on. In Blessed Michael, we are reminded that life is not transactional, but a gift to be shared.

“We appreciate that true worship is centered on a right relationship with God and others, particularly those on the margin of society, and that Christian unity is more than simply adherence to a common belief,” the cardinal said. “We accept that like him, God calls each of us — in our own day and our own way — to be vessels of mercy and so enter into our heavenly inheritance.”

The beatification rite came shortly after the beginning of the Mass. After Cardinal Tobin read the

rite in Latin, Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, the Knights’ supreme chaplain, read the English translation of the letter. A giant tapestry of Blessed McGivney’s portrait was unveiled in the cathedral sanctuary.

Michael “Mikey” McGivney Schachle, together with his parents, Daniel and Michelle, and several of his 12 brothers and sisters, carried a relic of Blessed McGivney and presented it to Cardinal Tobin. The relic was placed in the sanctuary and censed.

The Schachles live in the Diocese of Nashville, and Daniel is the lead agent for the Tennessee Knights of Columbus financial services.

Mikey, now 5, is the child whose in-utero healing from a life-threatening condition that, under most circumstances, could have led to an abortion, was confirmed by Pope Blessed continued on page A13

COURTESY OF FATHER VALENTIN IUROCHKIN, IVE, (2)

lessed Michael J. McGivney was “an outstanding witness of Christian solidarity and fraternal assistance” because of his “zeal” for proclaiming the Gospel and his “generous concern for his brothers and sisters,” Pope Francis said in his apostolic letter of beatification of the founder of the Knights of Columbus.

Representing the pope, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin of Newark, N.J., read the letter in Latin during the Oct. 31 Mass of beatification for Father McGivney at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford, Conn. Beatification is a step toward sainthood.

In his homily, Cardinal Tobin elaborated on Blessed McGivney’s attributes as a parish priest.

“Father McGivney’s life is an illustration of how a holy priest can provide that necessary and intimate connection so crucial in the life and mission of a parish,” the cardinal said.

Blessed McGivney “knew the simple, indispensable requirement for a pastor: to love his people. He was with them in their sorrows, in times of death and bereavement.

He was sanctified by doing what parish priests still do, day in and day out.”

His parish was not bound by names on his church’s registration rolls, Cardinal Tobin said. “He was not a stranger to jails and hospitals.

He fostered respectful relationships with other Christian churches and civil authorities. He was a bridgebuilder who shunned walls.”

In Blessed McGivney, “we see the face of a son of immigrants who gave his life in pastoral service of those most recently arrived in this country,” he said. “We meet the eldest of 13 children, who worked to

Julie Asher/Catholic News Service

Breaking bread via pizza University of Tennessee-Chattanooga FOCUS missionaries are joined by Father Valentin Iurochkin for a team meal.

FOCUS continued from page A8

where they’re bringing in more students than we’ve had in the past, and those who are there are just joyfilled. It’s beautiful to see,” Deacon Gabor said.

Ms. Tuck, 27, is a third-year FOCUS missionary from Marietta, Ga., who attended the University of Georgia and Kennesaw State University and graduated with a degree in nursing.

She worked as a nurse in an Atlanta pediatric hospital for about three years before joining FOCUS. Before arriving at UTC, she was a missionary at the University of Maine and team director at Florida Atlantic University.

“I encountered FOCUS my junior year of college through a Google search. I looked up Catholic mission trips and found FOCUS. I went on a three-week mission trip with FOCUS to the Amazon in Brazil. It also was a World Youth Day trip when World Youth Day was in Rio (de Janeiro).

That was my first encounter with FOCUS missionaries,” Ms. Tuck said.

“They, for the first time in my life, told me the message of the Gospel and invited me into Bible study with them during the three weeks. I fell in love with the Church, with missions specifically. When I got back from that mission trip I became really involved in my campus Newman Center. We didn’t have FOCUS, but I did what’s called the digital FOCUS campus where somebody from the Denver office mentors you every week. They teach you the skills of how to lead a Bible study, how to lead other women.

I did that throughout my college time.

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

Sharing a meal University of Tennessee-Chattanooga students gather for fellowship and a meal at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Newman Center.

When I graduated, I worked as a nurse. It was during my time working as a nurse that I felt that urgency of our culture to know Christ Jesus because of all the brokenness I saw in the hospital setting, specifically the brokenness of the family,” she added.

Mr. Castlen is a 23-year-old Western Kentucky University graduate with an accounting degree. He is originally from Lexington, Ky., and in his first year on the FOCUS staff.

“I joined the FOCUS staff because I met a missionary my senior year named Quinn. He was living a Christlike life. It was the first time I had seen a young person actually do that, actually live out their faith. It was a very attractive lifestyle. Previously, I had completely left the faith and was not involved with it whatsoever. Through this friendship with Quinn, I came back to it,” Mr. Castlen said.

“Gradually he kept pushing me more and more to go deeper in my faith, to take up daily prayer, community service, lead my own Bible study, start to lead other people in discipleship relationships. And I saw a great need and urgency for evangelization because there are so many students just like me who have fallen away from the faith or just don’t have it who are living very sad lives with no fulfillment. So when I had the opportunity to join staff, I was excited to do so. It’s my first year in Chattanooga.

It’s amazing. I love it; lots of hiking, lots of stuff to do,” Mr. Castlen added.

Ms. Rabensteine is a 23-year-old lifelong Catholic who was raised in Knoxville and moved to Texas when she

was in high school. She attended the University of Texas in Austin and is in her second year with FOCUS at UTC. “I had an encounter with Christ in high school, and it made me come to college seeking to know Him more.

But I really didn’t know how to live out that relationship, how to make daily prayer part of my life. I signed up for a FOCUS Bible study not knowing what FOCUS was at all. The missionaries I met, the students who were involved with it, they taught me so much about how to make Christ the center of my life. Through their guidance, I started attending daily Mass and praying a daily holy hour.

Through that encounter with Jesus, He transformed my life and made me want to make Him known and loved by others. FOCUS, as well, taught me how to do that. They taught me that as a baptized Catholic, I am commissioned to fulfill what Christ came to do, which is to save the whole world. I fell in love with the beauty of their mission because it is focused on doing that in such a personal way, in a way where every single person is known, loved, cared for, and invited to be known, loved, and cared for by Christ and His Church,” Ms. Rabensteine said.

Mr. Douglas, 25, is from St. Louis and is a graduate of Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo. The lifelong Catholic graduated with a degree in music. Last year, he served as a missionary at the University of Mississippi in Oxford.

“FOCUS wasn’t really on my radar until my last semester of college.

I met FOCUS missionaries on my

www.di o k no x .o rg

campus. It was their very first semester at Lindenwood. They invited me to apply for staff,” Mr. Douglas recalled, saying that at first he thought he would give it a try, but then during his interview weekend he “fell in love” with the apostolate, specifically with the mission of the apostolate.

“FOCUS doesn’t just exist to be a campus ministry. What it really seeks to do is make lifelong, faithful disciples of Jesus. We just do that by going and meeting students where they are on the college campus. I really admired that. I recognize there is an urgency to reach the whole world for Christ. Stats will show that record numbers of people by college age—20, 22, 23 years old—are leaving the Church. FOCUS is a response to that urgency, and that’s why I fell in love with it,” Mr. Douglas added.

The UTC FOCUS missionaries share that sense of urgency, as do most all of their FOCUS peers, who typically are recent college graduates who devote two or more years of their post-collegiate lives to reach out to students on campus. And over the past 20 years, nearly 1,000 people have entered seminary or a religious house of formation after their involvement in FOCUS. People are encouraged to make donations to the University of TennesseeChattanooga Newman Center and the FOCUS missionaries ministering there or St. John XXIII University Parish and Catholic Center on the University of Tennessee-Knoxville campus and the FOCUS missionaries ministering there. Go to www.newmanconnection.com or to volcatholic.org/focus. ■ DECEMBER 6, 2020 n A11

COURTESY OF PAM RHOADES/KNOXVILLE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL(7)

Say it with balloons Cyrah Weddle uses balloons to brighten up the Knoxville Catholic High School students’ visit to residents at the Morning Pointe Assisted Living and Memory Care facility in Knoxville.

Special delivery Knoxville Catholic High School students Fatima Arias-Santiago, An Doan, and Marisa McMichael deliver letters of hope to senior residents at the Morning Pointe Assisted Living and Memory Care facility in Knoxville.

We bring you hope and joy Knoxville Catholic High School students An Doan, Fatima Arias-Santiago, and Marisa McMichael are ready to deliver goodwill to seniors isolated during the coronavirus pandemic.

Bridging the distance Marisa McMichael joins her Knoxville Catholic High School classmates in letting assisted-living residents know how much they are loved and thought of. The students got as close as they could to the residents without violating COVID-19 protocols.

Strength in numbers Knoxville Catholic High School students taking part in Letters of Hope for senior citizens arrive at the Morning Pointe Assisted Living and Memory Care facility, where they have been reaching out to isolated residents.

Signed with love Knoxville Catholic High School student Marisa McMichael signs her letter of hope to assisted-living residents. The students’ Letters of Hope outreach is growing in popularity.

Brightening someone’s day Fatima Arias-Santiago, Matthew Phan, and Marisa McMichael deliver balloons to residents at Island Home Park Health and Rehab center in Knoxville as a way to help residents overcome pandemic isolation.

“I really feel like I’m actually helping the community right now. I live with my grandparents, so I have daily contact and daily interaction with them. But a lot of elders in our community, they’re living alone. So it really brings me joy when I see them being happy. And I know there’s hope for all of us to stand together and navigate through this trying time.” — An Doan Letters continued from page A1

because people from other states and even other countries started signing up as well,” she added.

Word also spread online. The group created Twitter and Instagram accounts to promote the project and share its positivity. That attracted people from all over the world who wanted to write Knoxville seniors. There are now participants from as far away as Australia and the Philippines.

But the students wanted to do even more. They thought of a safe, distanced way of visiting the elderly residents, by placing posters A12 n DECEMBER 6, 2020

and balloons on the outside of their windows.

“The first time we [visited] was in the summer. And it was just us three the first couple of times. Then some of our friends started joining. Then we opened it up for people who wanted to volunteer to come, too,” Marisa said.

They have made visits to Morning Pointe Assisted Living and Memory Care and Island Home Park Health and Rehab, where they share their handmade posters with positive messages as well as smile and wave to the residents.

“Sometimes we talk to the seniors

and they really appreciate our signs, and they said that that actually made their day. It made them really happy because we had them in our thoughts and are just spreading positivity during this time,” An said.

“I really feel like I’m actually helping the community right now.

I live with my grandparents, so I have daily contact and daily interaction with them. But a lot of elders in our community, they’re living alone.

So it really brings me joy when I see them being happy. And I know there’s hope for all of us to stand together and navigate through this trying time,” he noted.

www.di o k no x .o rg

Marisa, Fatima, and An want Letters of Hope to continue after they graduate. They would like to see another group of students take it over and reach out to seniors, even when the COVID-19 restrictions have passed.

“It’s still a great way to keep our elders in mind and keep everyone happy,” Marisa said.

If you’d like to take part in Letters of Hope, you can follow the project on Twitter @lettersofhope2 and on Instagram @knox.lettersofhope. You also can sign up to be a pen pal or volunteer by e-mailing the group at knox.lettersofhope@gmail.com. ■ TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C ATH OLI C

Story of Mikey’s miracle belongs to God, Blessed McGivney As Knights of Columbus founder is beatified, Schachle family says inspirational account doesn’t rest with them

S

Praying for a miracle On Dec. 31, 2014, doctors delivered the news that Mikey had Down syndrome. “We were not upset by this,” Daniel said during a Vespers service for priests the night before the beatification Mass.

“Although we knew it would bring additional hardships, we knew it was a huge blessing to our family as well.”

But shortly after that, doctors had more devastating news. Mikey was diagnosed with fetal hydrops and Blessed continued from page A11

Francis; it was announced in May as a miracle that occurred through Father McGivney’s intercession.

This miracle paved the way for the priest’s beatification. In general a second miracle is needed for canonization.

Before asking Cardinal Tobin that the beatification proceed, Hartford Archbishop Leonard P. Blair welcomed those in attendance — and all watching from afar — to “the joyful celebration of the beatification.”

The number inside was limited

by COVID-19 restrictions, and those in the cathedral wore face masks and practiced social distancing.

Thousands more people, in the United States and around the Court continued from page A5

secular businesses to operate without any capacity restrictions.”

The Brooklyn Diocese first went to federal District Court in October to seek emergency relief from Gov. Cuomo’s new restrictions, announced Oct. 6, on houses of worship in response to a spike in COVID-19 cases in densely populated ZIP codes he identified as “hot zones.” He said the state was creating three zones — red, orange, and yellow — each with different restrictions, including on the size of congregations.

Some Catholic parishes in the Brooklyn Diocese were in the red zone, meaning their churches were forced to reduce capacity to a maximum of 10 people inside at one time, TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C AT HO L I C

humbling.”

was given no chance to survive.

Daniel prayed to Father McGivney, promising to name his son after him if he would intercede to save his son.

The Schachles asked all their friends to pray for Blessed McGivney’s intercession to save their son. After returning from a pilgrimage to Fatima with other Knights of Columbus insurance agents and their families, where they also prayed for the intercession of Blessed McGivney, doctors discovered the fetal hydrops had disappeared. Mikey was born on May 15, 2015, the same date that the first Knights of Columbus Council at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Conn., was founded 133 years before.

“Everybody keeps asking what it’s like to live with a miracle,” Michelle Schachle said. “It’s no different than a year ago” before Mikey’s cure was officially proclaimed by Pope Francis to be a miracle. For Michelle and the rest of the Schachle family, Mikey has always been a miracle.

“Ever since he’s been born, it’s like he’s a little relic,” Daniel Schachle said.

During a press conference after the beatification Mass, someone asked Daniel if there was any jealousy among his other children about all the attention focused on Mikey.

There is no envy among his siblings, Mikey’s sister, Mary, said.

“We recognized it was a miracle,” she said. “It was just kind of the way it was.”

“We looked at how our parents

loved him, and we loved him that way, too,” she added.

The weekend was a whirlwind of activity for the Schachles, including the priests’ Vesper service on Friday; the beatification Mass on Saturday morning; and on Saturday a candlelight procession through New Haven with a family rosary and testimony from the Schachle family about the miracle; the ribbon-cutting for the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center, formerly known as the Knights of Columbus Museum, and a Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Mary’s Church on Sunday.

Everything was happening so fast, the import of it all was just settling on the family as they began their drive home to Dickson, Tenn., from Connecticut, said Daniel’s and Michelle’s son, Leo. “The people of Connecticut have all been so wonderful to us,” Daniel Schachle said. And the Schachle family was able to meet some of Blessed McGivney’s living relatives.

During the weekend and before, the Schachles have received numerous calls, letters, and e-mails from people who have heard or read the story of the miracle that saved Mikey.

“It’s unbelievable,” Michelle Schachle said of all the people who have reached out to them. “They’re asking us to join them in praying for a miracle.”

For the candlelight procession, one gentleman handed Michelle a candle and asked her to have her family light it and pray for him, which they did, she said. “It’s very

Spreading the word The Schachles have been asked to share their story before a variety of audiences. Daniel, the general agent for the Knights of Columbus insurance program in Tennessee, Kentucky, and the eastern half of Arkansas, was invited by two councils to come to their parishes in Louisville, Ky., in November to share the story.

He and his family want to spread the word about how God has blessed them, Daniel said.

The family’s devotion to Blessed McGivney started long before Mikey’s miraculous cure.

Daniel decided to become an insurance agent for the Knights of Columbus after reading Parish Priest, a biography of Blessed McGivney. As the associate pastor of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Father McGivney, the son of Irish immigrants, founded the Knights of Columbus in 1882 to provide financial support for widows and orphans and to keep Catholic men and their families close to their faith at a time of widespread antiCatholic bigotry.

Since its founding, the Knights of Columbus has become the largest Catholic lay organization in the world with more than 2 million members.

By establishing the Knights of Columbus, Blessed McGivney “presented to the Church a paradigm” for an active and engaged laity, Supreme Knight Carl Anderson said at the beatification Mass.

The priest embodied the order’s core principles of charity, unity, and fraternity, he said. His holiness directed him toward parish life, “not away from it,” and did not separate him from others but “drew him to their lives,” because he knew his people’s hardships firsthand, Mr. Anderson added.

Daniel Schachle considers his work with the Knights of Columbus as a vocation rather than merely a job. “I’ve felt that way the whole time,” he said. After reading Parish Priest and understanding why Blessed McGivney founded the order, “I latched on to that,” Daniel said.

“Since the miracle, I’m not more serious about the mission, but I’m more keenly aware of the weight my actions carry because of Father McGivney actually doing this for our family,” he said. ■

world, participated by watching the EWTN broadcast of the Mass or a livestream of it on the Internet at www.kofc.org.

Supreme Knight Carl Anderson read a biography of the Knights’ founder, saying that by establishing the fraternal order he “presented to the Church a paradigm” for an active and engaged laity.

The priest embodied the order’s core principles of charity, unity, and fraternity, he said. His holiness directed him toward parish life, “not away from it,” and did not separate him from others but “drew him to their lives,” because he knew his people’s hardships firsthand, Mr. Anderson added.

Blessed McGivney (1852-1890),

the son of Irish immigrants, was born in Waterbury, Conn., and was ordained a priest in 1877 for what is now the Archdiocese of Hartford.

As a parish priest , he worked to improve the condition of his 19thcentury Irish immigrant community in Connecticut.

In 1882, while he was pastor at St. Mary’s Parish in New Haven, Conn., he founded the Knights of Columbus to provide financial support for widows and orphans and to keep Catholic men and their families close to their faith at a time of widespread anti-Catholic bigotry.

He died of pneumonia complications at age 38 in 1890, during an outbreak of influenza known as the Russian flu in Thomaston, Conn.

Some recent evidence, according to the Knights, indicates the outbreak may have been the result of a coronavirus.

The apostolic letter of beatification also announced Aug. 13 as the feast day for Blessed McGivney — the day between Aug. 12, the day he was born, and the date of his death, Aug. 14.

It will be observed annually in the Hartford Archdiocese. Votive Masses in honor of Blessed McGivney also can be celebrated by priests for Knights of Columbus gatherings “with the permission of the local bishop on any day when not superseded by another observance on the liturgical calendar,” according to the letter. ■

and some were in the orange zone, where only 25 people at one time can attend Mass. A yellow zone designation meant a 50 percent capacity.

The Orthodox Jewish synagogues in New York took their appeal to the Supreme Court on Nov. 16, stressing they had complied with previous restrictions, but the newer limits would not allow them to conduct services for all of their members.

On Nov. 20, Gov. Cuomo urged the Supreme Court not to get involved in the state’s battle with two synagogues, saying that because of “continued progress in containing COVID-19 spread,” the restrictions no longer applied.

He also said his order was not focused on gatherings because they

were religious but because they could potentially be “superspreader” events.

He also stressed the order could even be seen as treating religious gatherings more favorably than plays and concerts, which have similar risks.

The court’s unsigned opinion blocks the state from enforcing these limits on attendance while the Brooklyn Diocese and the synagogues continue their battle with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit. The case could potentially return to the Supreme Court for a final decision on its merits.

The justices in the majority said the governor’s order did not appear neutral and seemed to single out “houses of worship for especially harsh treatment.”

Because of this, they said the order was subject to strict scrutiny, which it failed, because there was no evidence that synagogues and churches contributed to COVID-19 outbreaks and less restrictive rules could have been used.

In a separate opinion, Justice Neil Gorsuch said: “It may be unsafe to go to church, but it is always fine to pick up another bottle of wine, shop for a new bike,” referring to the lack of restrictions on businesses in the same areas as the churches and synagogues.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh also filed his own opinion, noting the court’s ruling was only a temporary fix until the 2nd Circuit can rule on it. The appeals court is scheduled to hear arguments in the case this month. ■

CNS PHOTO COURTESY OF THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

ince Pope Francis declared in May that the cure of Dan and Michelle Schachle’s son, Mikey, was a miracle attributed to the intercession of Father Michael McGivney, the founder of the Knights of Columbus, people have been reaching out to them and asking them to share their story.

“It’s not our story, we don’t own it,” said Daniel Schachle, a parishioner at St. Christopher Church in Dickson, Tenn., in the Diocese of Nashville. “It’s God’s story. It’s Father McGivney’s story.

“We didn’t deserve any of this stuff,” he added. “We owe it to God and to Father McGivney to tell the story. We’ve just been given a big gift.”

That gift, the miraculous cure of their son, who was given no hope of surviving after doctors discovered what was considered a fatal case of fetal hydrops while still in the womb, opened the door to the beatification of Blessed Michael McGivney.

The Schachles and nine of their 13 children were on hand for the beatification Mass Oct. 31 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford, Conn. Blessed McGivney was a priest for what is now the Archdiocese of Hartford, where the cause for his sainthood was opened in 1997.

Typically, a second miracle attributed to his intercession is required for canonization. After the beatification rite during the Mass, the Schachle family processed to the altar carrying a relic of Blessed McGivney. Once on the altar, Daniel Schachle gave the relic, encased in a cross, to his son, Mikey, 5, who then presented it to Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark, N.J., who was representing the pope at the beatification.

“It’s hard to believe this is all going on,” Daniel Schachle said. “It’s surreal.”

By Andy Telli/Tennessee Register

Making the cut Michael “Mikey” McGivney Schachle cuts the ribbon at the newly renamed Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center in New Haven, Conn., on Nov. 1 as his parents, Daniel and Michelle, lend helping hands. Assisting to the left is Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Carl Anderson.

www.di o k no x .o rg

DECEMBER 6, 2020 n A13

Amy Coney Barrett confirmed for Supreme Court seat Catholic justice fills bench vacancy from the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

By Carol Zimmermann/Catholic News Service

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE PHOTO/TOM BRENNER-REUTERS

A

divided U.S. Senate, in a 52-48 vote, confirmed Amy Coney Barrett as a justice for the Supreme Court on the evening of Oct. 26, and soon afterward she was sworn in by Justice Clarence Thomas at a White House ceremony.

“The oath that I’ve solemnly taken tonight, means at its core that I will do my job without any fear or favor and that I will do so independently of both the political branches and of my own preferences. I love the Constitution and the democratic republic that it establishes, and I will devote myself to preserving it,” Justice Barrett said after the outdoor ceremony.

The 48-year old, who has been on the Chicago-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit since 2017, said it was a privilege to be asked to serve on the Supreme Court. She said she was “truly honored and humbled” to be stepping into this role, which is a lifetime appointment.

Justice Barrett is now the 115th justice for the court, replacing Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died Sept. 18. She is the sixth

Judge to justice Judge Amy Coney Barrett holds her hand on the Bible as she is sworn in as an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 26.

Catholic justice on the current bench.

Justice Thomas administered the constitutional oath to Justice Barrett, who took the judicial oath in a private ceremony at the Supreme Court on Oct. 27.

Reaction to the confirmation was

swift and just as divided as it has been since she was first announced as President Donald Trump’s nominee just weeks before the presidential election. Congressional Democrats took to Twitter to criticize the Senate for acting so swiftly on this vote but not pass-

A14 n DECEMBER 6, 2020

DAN MCWILLIAMS

Father Valleroy continued from page A2

Family connection Father Paul Valleroy’s casket rests in St. Jude Church as video equipment captures the Nov. 11 funeral Mass for relatives and friends who were unable to attend in person. Bishop Richard F. Stika was the Mass celebrant, and some 20 priests were concelebrants.

COURTESY OF THE AMERICAN HAITIAN FOUNDATION

wanted. Few businesses were interested in hiring a young man who was about to be drafted.

Father Valleroy decided to take matters into his own hands. When an Air Force recruiter was late for an interview with him, the young Mr. Valleroy signed up with the Navy instead.

The Navy trained him as an electronics technician, and he served at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach and aboard the USS Laffey. After his stint in the Navy ended, Mr. Valleroy went back to school and received undergraduate and graduate degrees from Southeast Missouri State University and George Peabody College in Nashville.

He attended seminary at St. Paul’s College in Washington, D.C., before he was ordained in the Kingsport civic center by Bishop Durick.

Bishop Stika noted that when Father Valleroy was in grade school, he was called to religious life and entered the Society of Mary, where he served for a short time.

“All those many moments, from his birth in St. Louis, in parish grade school and in high school, and in the military service, and in the workforce, and studying to be a teacher, it all brought him to a point where he knelt before the bishop and hands were laid on his head, and he became a priest of Jesus Christ in 1974 and then a priest of the Diocese of Knoxville in 1988,” Bishop Stika said.

“He was one of those men you were attracted to because he seemed so authentic. He said what he thought, and he kind of lived that out. There’s a certain goodness in that because people can see authenticity. They can accept the quirks and personality of any priest or any person when they see that authenticity. When you study about St. Paul and if you read the Epistles, he was pretty cantankerous sometimes.

And yet he was St. Paul, chosen by God, chosen by Jesus from a varied background—one who actually persecuted the early Church—to be the great teacher that touched lives,” he continued. “Father Paul was a bit cantankerous at times. Chosen by God to preach the Word, to celebrate the sacraments, to be present to his people. That is why on this day we give thanks to almighty God for 45 years of priesthood, and various ministries, collaborating with his brothers. I think he had a great love for the priests, and a love for people.”

Father Valleroy also was remembered for his ministry to Haiti. While serving at St. Augustine, Father Valleroy and parishioner Jack Davidson visited Haiti and then created a partnership with a Catholic parish, St. Antoine Parish, which was known for its high-quality Catholic school. The partnership led to the founding of the American Haitian Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to working with Haitians to improve their future through quality education and the eradication of malnutrition. The foundation operates

Love for Papi Paul Young students at Complex Educatif St. Antoine School in Petite Riviere de Nippes, Haiti, are shown in front of their school building, which is inscribed with Father Paul Valleroy’s name.

Priest and educator Father Paul Valleroy teaches class at Notre Dame High School in the 1970s. Teacher was among the various roles in which Father Valleroy served during his 46 years of ministry in East Tennessee.

Complex Educatif St. Antoine School in Petite Riviere de Nippes.

Mr. Davidson, who is director of the board for the American Haitian Foundation, credited Father Valleroy for his vision and dedication in helping the children of Haiti.

Father Burton, pastor of St. Jude Parish, said Father Valleroy shared his love

of dogs. The two priests first worked together at St. Dominic Parish. That friendship continued at St. Jude, where Father Valleroy was embraced by parishioners. Father Burton singled out the Soddy-Daisy Healthcare Center and its caregivers who cared for Father Valleroy and called him Father Paul.

“A devoted group of St. Jude pa-

www.di o k no x .o rg

ing a COVID-19 relief package.

The Associated Press reported that no other Supreme Court justice has been confirmed on a recorded vote with no support from the minority party in at least 150 years, according to information provided by the Senate Historical Office.

During her nomination hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Justice Barrett did not give direct answers on how she would vote on top issues but assured the senators that she would follow the rule of law.

“My policy preferences are irrelevant,” she said Oct. 13 when asked if she had intended to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. She reiterated this same view when asked about abortion and same-sex marriage.

On the opening day of the hearings, Republican senators adamantly emphasized that Justice Barrett’s Catholic faith should not be a factor in questioning. And although it did not become a topic of questioning, it was mentioned even in opening remarks by SenJustice continued on page A15

rishioners visited him every day and lovingly brought his laundry home to wash because Father Paul was allergic to the facility’s detergent. It was a true ministry and service to our friend,” Father Burton said.

“Around the rectory, he was known as ‘Uncle Paul’ because from the very first day he came to live with me he took charge of feeding the dogs, Honey and Happy. They became a little stout because of one of his habits—smoking.

It was the custom to give them a Milk Bone cookie every time they went out and came back in. However, it became every time Paul went out to smoke they sat by the door waiting for him to come in so they could get a cookie. He went in and out more than they did,” he remembered.

Bishop Stika said Father Valleroy had all the signs of a good and faithful priest, noting that while he wasn’t a perfect priest—no priest is—he was very authentic and was one with the people of God. “My definition of a saint is somebody who recognizes that he or she is a sinner. Paul knew his own deficiencies.”

Bishop Stika pointed out what a blessing Father Valleroy was at the healthcare center where he stayed until his death.

“These last months have been very difficult, especially for people in retirement homes. Being separated by barriers because of the virus. But I have no doubt whatsoever as long as Father Paul was healthy, when he was in that retirement home, it was like he was the priest among many who would minister to the staff and to the people of God. We give thanks for that, for all the lives he touched in that retirement home and all of the lives he touched through his 45 years of priesthood. Now we commend him to almighty God. We pray in thanksgiving for his willingness to be of service, for his willingness to discern ministry and priesthood from his earliest days at St. Rose and at McBride, and in that time of military service, and of desiring to teach and work with the young, to work with those involved in Marriage Encounter.

“We give thanks to almighty God for his witness, his presence, his personality, his weaknesses, and his strengths.

We pray this day that Paul might celebrate with God forever, that the Lord will reward him for his many acts of kindness, priestly endeavors, that his sins might be forgiven, that he might be in peace. Paul Valleroy, my brother, my brother priest, my relative, and my friend, we commend you to almighty God,” Bishop Stika concluded.

Father Valleroy, who was buried on Priests Mound in Chattanooga’s Mount Olivet Cemetery, was preceded in death by his parents, Sylvester and Vella Valleroy. He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Carmela Valleroy of St. Louis, and a number of nieces and nephews.

Donations in Father Valleroy’s name may be made to St. Jude Catholic Church, 930 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, TN 37415. ■ TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C ATH OLI C

Randy McNally, speaker of the 111th General Assembly of the state of Tennessee, in conjunction with Cameron Sexton, speaker of the House of Representatives of the 111th General Assembly of the state of Tennessee, do hereby proclaim that we honor and commend Rep. Dunn for his meritorious service to the state of Tennessee and extend to him best wishes for continued success and happiness.”

“It’s been a pleasure serving with you. For a while, the Knoxville area had the speaker of the Senate, the speaker of the House, and the governor, Gov. Bill Haslam. It was just a pleasure, over the years, that I’ve had the privilege of working with Bill. He has not only been a leader in the legislature in pro-life issues but also in fiscal matters. I really do appreciate his leadership and what he has done at a very tumultuous time when he stepped in and took the reins of the House of Representatives, which was a difficult thing to do. It was three times as hard as in the Senate, and he did a great job.

Thank you, Bill, for all your efforts,” the Senate speaker told Rep. Dunn and the audience.

Congresswoman Black presented Rep. Dunn with a 26-year-old photo of the freshman House member, pointing out how a few things have changed since he first took office in January 1994, notably his gray hair and eyeglasses he now wears.

“However, there are a lot of things that have not changed about Bill, and that is the basic person that he is. What an honor it was for me to serve the 12 years that I was there in the state General Assembly, six of it in the House with Bill and six of it in the Senate, where we still worked together,” she said. “He did Cardinals continued from page A9

tae Marthae, where Pope Francis lives, and his meals were left outside his door.

Cardinal Gregory said he hopes Pope Francis will find him to be “supportive, encouraging, and trustworthy” in his role as a cardinal, but his primary ministry is still to be the archbishop of Washington, D.C. Of course, he said, he regrets that “my two sisters are not here, and the many people I know and love from Chicago and Belleville (Illinois) and Atlanta and Washington,” who were watching the livestream instead.

Cardinal Gregory is the first African-American cardinal from the United States.

One of Cardinal Tomasi’s guests was the pastor of his boyhood parish, San Rocco in Casoni di Mussolente, a town of fewer than 8,000 people in northern Italy. In the past 80 years, the cardinal told CNS, the parish has produced more than 100 priests and religious sisters, “and now also a cardinal. I hope it will help to continue the flourishing of vocations from the parish.”

With the consistory, the College Justice continued from page A14

ate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina.

He asked if Justice Barrett would be able to set aside her religious beliefs to fairly decide legal cases, which she said she could.

“I can. I have done that in my time on the 7th Circuit,” she said.

“If I stay on the 7th Circuit, I’ll continue to do that. If I’m confirmed to the Supreme Court, I will do that.”

Justice Barrett is now the first Notre Dame Law School graduate on the Supreme Court and the only sitting justice with a law degree not from Harvard or Yale. She graduated summa cum laude in 1997 and also met her husband, Jesse, there.

The Barrett family lives in Indiana.

The oldest child of the couple’s seven children is a current student at the University of Notre Dame.

Amy Coney Barrett began working at the law school in 2002 as a law professor focused on federal courts, constitutional law, and statutory interpretation.

“On behalf of the University of Notre Dame, I congratulate Amy TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C AT HO L I C

BILL BREWER

Award continued from page A10

Collegial testimony Rep. Bill Dunn, center, and his wife, Stacy, right center, listen to peers of Rep. Dunn talk about his public service. Sitting to the left of Rep. Dunn are Lt. Gov. Randy McNally and former Congresswoman Diane Black. a lot for this state; he did a lot for education and children, and making sure that families and teachers had the decision to make what was best for the children. He fought for them.

He fought for fiscal responsibility. I remember us fighting to make sure we didn’t have a state income tax in this state. He fought for the business community, making sure that we kept taxes low so that we would have a vibrant business community in our state.”

“But the thing we all remember him for is his fight for life. It is the thing I will remember him the most for,” added the 2018 candidate for governor. “Bill, you and Stacy are two of the most important people I’ve ever met in my entire life.”

A video clip of Gov. Lee congratulating Tennessee Right to Life for its work and Rep. Dunn for his of Cardinals now has 229 members, 128 of whom are under age 80 and eligible to enter a conclave to elect a new pope. Pope Francis has given the red hat to 57 percent of electors.

With Cardinals Gregory and Tomasi, who was born in Italy but is a U.S. citizen, the number of U.S. cardinals rose to 16; nine of them are cardinal electors.

Entering the college on Nov. 28 were Cardinals: n Mario Grech, 63. n Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes, 72. n Antoine Kambanda of Kigali, Rwanda, 62. n Wilton Gregory, 72. n Jose Advincula, 68. n Celestino Aos Braco of Chile, 75. n Cornelius Sim, 69. n Paolo Lojudice of Siena, Italy, 56. n Mauro Gambetti, custos of the Sacred Convent of Assisi in Assisi, 55. n Felipe Arizmendi Esquivel, 80. n Silvano Tomasi, 80. n Raniero Cantalamessa, preacher of the papal household, 86. n Enrico Feroci, 80, former director of Rome’s Caritas. ■ Coney Barrett on her confirmation today by the United States Senate as a justice of the United States Supreme Court,” said Holy Cross Father John Jenkins, university president, in an Oct. 26 statement.

G. Marcus Cole, the Joseph A. Matson dean at Notre Dame Law School, said the school is “immensely proud of our alumna, colleague, and friend,” adding that for more than two decades the school has experienced Justice Barrett’s “brilliant scholarship, her devoted teaching, and her thoughtful, open-minded approach to legal questions.”

He also praised Justice Barrett’s “exemplary kindness and generosity toward everyone she encounters” and said that while the school community would miss her presence they would “look forward to witnessing these qualities as she serves on our nation’s highest court.”

During the Senate Judiciary hearing, an open letter to then-Judge Barrett signed by 100 Notre Dame professors was published online urging her to put a “halt” to the

years of service was played, as were similar videos from former Gov. Bill Haslam, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Congressman Tim Burchett, and House Speaker Sexton.

“Rep. Dunn, thank you for your unending advocacy for the pro-life cause. Throughout your tenure in the state legislature, your efforts have made all the difference. It has been my pleasure to serve with you these last two years. I wish you well, sir, in your retirement,” Gov. Lee said.

“Tennessee Right to Life, while I can’t be with you in person, I want to applaud the work that you’re doing on behalf of unborn children and their families all across our state. I am committed to protecting the lives of the unborn because every human life is precious, and we have a responsibility to stand up for

our most vulnerable. This year alone in the General Assembly, we passed the most sweeping piece of prolife legislation in the entire nation.

Today, it’s a pleasure to join you in honoring Rep. Bill Dunn, who has played a critical role in emphasizing the importance of unborn life during his time in the House of Representatives,” the governor continued.

Gov. Haslam offered a very personal video tribute to Rep. Dunn, emphasizing the number of years they worked together on legislation.

Prior to the two four-year terms he served as governor (2011-2019), he served two four-year terms as mayor of the city of Knoxville (2003-2011).

“Bill, it is an honor to be a part of this celebration for everything you’ve done for Tennessee Right to Life, and really on behalf of the state of Tennessee. We met each other a long time ago, and, fortunately, our relationship that began in Knoxville had a chance to bear a lot of fruit in Nashville on things that we worked together on. I don’t think many Tennesseans will ever appreciate everything you’ve done for this state.

Your mature, seasoned, thoughtful, selfless leadership—and I mean every one of those.

“You’re, to me, a picture of what a selfless leader looks like. It never felt like it was about you; it was always about better outcomes for kids, better outcomes for the state, and better outcomes for everyone. I think what that stems from is your true belief that we are all created in the image of God. And that includes unborn children. Your passionate commitment to that truth that we’re all image-bearers here has been to me what has set you apart as a great leader and a great legislator, and, Award continued on page A16

A Diocesan First Bishop Richard F. Stika reported that Cardinal Justin Rigali made Diocese of Knoxville history on Nov. 28 by participating in the Ordinary Consistory for new cardinals from Knoxville.

Cardinal Rigali, who is in residence in Knoxville, took part in the Consistory via Zoom, the Internet-based meeting link that has become a staple during the socially distanced year of 2020.

Bishop Stika captured the moment and shared it on Facebook, writing: “History is made for the Diocese of Knoxville as our own Cardinal, His Eminence Justin Cardinal Rigali, is participating in the Ordinary Consistory for the new Cardinals. The Holy See has instructed all Cardinals to be vested in their choir robes and to participate via Zoom. Who would’ve ever thought the small Diocese of Knoxville in East Tennessee would be involved in this significant moment!”

Bishop Stika offered his best wishes to Cardinal Wilton Gregory, saying: “I have known Cardinal Gregory since his days as bishop of the Diocese of Belleville, Ill. Throughout my life I have spent a great deal of time in that diocese since many of my family lived in an area around Nashville, Posen, and Radom, Ill. Along with so many other bishops, I have had a profound respect for him as has been exemplified in his movement from Belleville to Atlanta and now to the nation’s capital. He is so highly esteemed because at one point he was elected to be the president of the USCCB during the very difficult time of the Dallas Charter. The last time I saw Cardinal Gregory was in December of last year at our Ad Limina visit with Pope Francis. Again to him, I express my admiration.” ■

nomination process until after election. The letter emphasized this would allow “voters to have a choice” in the next judge on the nation’s high court.

An editorial published online on Oct. 21 by the National Catholic Reporter, an independent Catholic newspaper that is based in Kansas City, Mo., similarly urged the Senate to reject Justice Barrett’s nomination.

“We at NCR do not like the prospect of five of the six conservative justices being Catholic and worry what that says about our Church.

In America, however, there are no religious tests for office, and no senator should oppose Barrett on account of her religion.” It went on to say it was Justice Barrett’s “bad faith in discussing the law that warrants disqualifying her.”

After the Senate vote, some Catholic bishops congratulated Justice Barrett on Twitter.

Bishop Joseph E. Strickland of Tyler, Texas, said in an Oct. 26 tweet: “Thanks be to God that Amy Coney Barrett was approved as our newest Supreme Court Justice.

www.di o k no x .o rg

Let us pray that she serves always guided by the truth God has revealed to His people. Immaculate Virgin Mary intercede for her.”

Similarly, Bishop Richard F. Stika of Knoxville tweeted his congratulations and added: “Note to the Democrats. Justice Ginsburg was against packing the SC!” He was referring to a plan by President Franklin D. Roosevelt that has recently been touted by progressive Democrats to increase the number of justices on the court.

New Orleans Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond issued a more personal statement, pointing out that Justice Barrett is from Metairie in Louisiana, and that her parents: Deacon Michael Coney and his wife, Linda, are members of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Metairie.

“One of our own, Judge Amy Coney Barrett, has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as an associate justice of the Supreme Court,” Archbishop Aymond said. “We pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to lead her and guide her in her service to our country.” ■ DECEMBER 6, 2020 n A15

quite frankly, as a great friend,” Gov. Haslam said.

“I’ve truly, truly appreciated the chance to work with you. I’ve appreciated your thoughtful leadership. And I was sad when you decided that you weren’t going to run again, because it is a big loss for the state. On behalf of all of us who care about life, who care about life in all of its forms, I want to thank you.

You have been a passionate advocate for all, in particular for those who are unborn who didn’t have anyone else to speak for them. So thank you.

I’m grateful for your friendship, and I’m grateful for what you’ve done for Tennessee. There are literally thousands of people who have benefited from your service who may or may not know that, but I know that. And I appreciate what you did.

Thanks,” he added.

Rep. Dunn witnessed as much or more controversy in the legislature during his last year than he possibly did in the first 25 years. Elected by his colleagues as speaker pro tempore, which is the deputy House speaker, Rep. Dunn was thrust into the seat of House speaker when thenHouse Speaker Glen Casada was forced to resign that post in August.

Rep. Dunn served as House speaker from Aug. 2 until Speaker Sexton was elected and sworn in to the post on Aug. 23. The House speaker is the ranking House member and is second in line for succession to the governorship in the event the governor leaves office prematurely. Rep. Dunn had already announced his decision to not seek re-election to the House.

“Thank you all for honoring Bill Dunn for the tremendous work he has done for our state. He’s been the most successful speaker we’ve ever had in the state of Tennessee. He has really laid the foundation that has led our state to where we are now.

We owe him a debt of gratitude for his service and for the honor and integrity in which he served. Bill, thank you for everything you’ve done. We will always call you a friend, and we will still call you and ask for your help. Thank you and God bless you,” House Speaker Sexton said via video message.

Congressman Burchett also delivered a video tribute to Rep. Dunn, apologizing for not being at the dinner in person to salute the lawmaker with whom he first entered public office. Reps. Dunn and Burchett were elected to the Tennessee House in 1993 and took office together in January 1994.

“I’m sorry I can’t be at the pro-life dinner. I am very glad that you are honoring my good friend, Bill Dunn, for his years of work. We both came to the state House together, and Bill stayed and advanced his career. Of course, mine took an ugly turn. I went to Congress as you all well know,” Congressman Burchett said jokingly. “It’s a pleasure for me to honor my good friend, Bill Dunn. I can’t imagine how many little babies’ lives have been saved because of the great work he and Stacy and their great family have done. I want to thank you all so much, and I want to thank the pro-life community for what you’ve done to save all those little babies. There’s nothing more important that we do in the United States Congress than to defend the right to life. You are honoring the best of the best.”

Congressman Burchett said he was unable to attend because of a campaign commitment he had in Claiborne County that night. The congressman was in a contested race for the 2nd Congressional District and won re-election on Nov. 3.

Sen. Blackburn gave a video tribute as well, issuing her regret because she was in Washington, D.C., taking up Senate matters, including the confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett as the newest U.S. Supreme Court justice.

Like nearly all of those paying tribute to Rep. Dunn, Sen. Blackburn first served with Rep. Dunn in the state General Assembly.

“I regret that I could not join you all at the annual Tennessee Right to Life dinner this year and be there to honor my good friend, Bill Dunn.

A16 n DECEMBER 6, 2020

BILL BREWER (2)

Award continued from page A14

We pledge allegiance Grandchildren of Rep. Bill and Stacy Dunn, right, lead the Pledge of Allegiance during the Tennessee Right to Life Celebration of Life dinner Oct. 27, where Rep. Dunn was honored for his 26 years of service in the Tennessee General Assembly. The children, from left, are Peter Dunn, Anna Hargett, Samuel Dunn, and John William Hargett.

But as you know, times are interesting in D.C., and one of the most important things that we, as Judiciary Committee members in the Senate, do is to fill out the federal bench.

So far, we have appointed 216 federal judges, constitutionalists, to the bench. And we have a Supreme Court nominee that we are focused on right now and we will soon move through committee and to the floor for a confirmation vote,” Sen. Blackburn said just before the Senate confirmation vote on Justice Barrett on Oct. 26.

“I have to tell you Rep. Bill Dunn is someone I enjoyed every minute of service with, working alongside him when I was there in the state Senate. After I went to the Senate, I learned there is no stronger, more forceful, quiet, and calm advocate for life than Rep. Bill Dunn. The legislation he has shepherded, the explanations he has provided for Tennesseans and for his colleagues, has been appreciated as has his depth of understanding, his wisdom, and commitment. We applaud those efforts. He will be missed.

Thank you, Bill Dunn,” Sen. Blackburn added.

During a question-and-answer segment of the dinner program, emceed by Tennessee Right to Life lobbyist Will Brewer, Rep. Dunn recalled his years of service, going back to the beginning when he entered the legislature with then-Rep. Burchett and first working alongside then-Rep. Black, then-Sen. Blackburn, and Sen. McNally.

Rep. Dunn recalled nominating Rep. Black to be Speaker of the House more than 20 years ago in a bid to unseat powerful Democrat House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh.

The floor speech he remembers giving in nominating Rep. Black “was very short, and it ended with, ‘The best man for the job is a woman.’”

Rep. Dunn and Congresswoman Black laughed as they reminisced about that losing effort, but the congresswoman said, in a serious tone, how much she appreciated Rep. Dunn’s courage in nominating her amid considerable opposition.

Mr. Brewer asked Rep. Dunn what led a young 4-H agent for the U.S. Agricultural Extension Service in Grainger County to run for a House seat representing the North Knox-

ville-North Knox County district in which he grew up.

Rep. Dunn said he and wife Stacy prayed about the decision, weighing the fact that they often had to drive to Knoxville to attend Tennessee Right to Life meetings. “We said, ‘Lord, please open the doors we’re supposed to walk through or close them.’”

He said events began to fall into place, including moving into the house in which he grew up in Fountain City. Also, the state representative for that district had decided not to run for re-election. When he and Stacy returned to Knoxville, he became president of Tennessee Right to Life’s Knox County chapter.

Rep. Dunn and his wife made the decision that he would run for the 16th District House seat. His family of eight brothers and sisters plus mother and father Paul and Mary Dunn joined in the effort to get him elected.

“We didn’t know any better, so we decided to run for it. Mom and Dad said you can’t come to Sunday dinner unless you help with the campaign. So we were able to get out there and make things happen,” Rep. Dunn said, noting that one of the local newspapers announced his candidacy by saying, “Bill Dunn, the skinny guy nobody’s ever heard from.”

“Without a doubt, the individuals who I had met through Tennessee Right to Life and family got out and outworked everybody. They were passionate about what we were doing. So it wasn’t a ‘me campaign,’ it was a ‘we campaign,’” he added.

Rep. Dunn thanked Mr. Harris of Tennessee Right to Life for introducing initiatives for TRL to track legislation affecting the right to life and also to track legislators’ support for pro-life legislation. Those efforts, Rep. Dunn said, prompted legislators to start taking notice of Tennessee Right to Life and its efforts.

Rep. Dunn pointed out that as Mr. Harris was leading TRL’s new initiatives years ago, a benefactor donated a house in Nashville to TRL, “but the only catch was you have to move it. Brian had the wherewithal and thoughtfulness, so he bought a lot right next to an abortion clinic and moved the house right next to the clinic so there was a pro-life presence right next to it. Brian,

Legislative Q&A Rep. Bill Dunn, right, responding to questions from Tennessee Right to Life lobbyist and Knoxville lawyer Will Brewer, discusses his 26 years in the state legislature and shares insight into how Tennessee converted from a pro-abortion General Assembly to a pro-life legislature during his tenure. Rep. Dunn, who is retiring from the legislature, did not seek re-election in the November election. www.di o k no x .o rg

thank you for your leadership.”

Mr. Brewer then noted that the Nashville abortion facility has since closed and the Tennessee Right to Life offices are still open.

In a lighter moment, Rep. Dunn remembered how he had joined a group of pro-life supporters during a prayer vigil at an abortion facility on Concord Street in Knoxville.

He said he noticed while he was holding a sign that a church group of young pro-life supporters across the street kept pointing to him and then talking among themselves before one young man began walking across the street toward him.

“Being a politician with an ego, I thought they’ve recognized that I’m Bill Dunn. They’re over there asking each other ‘is that really a state representative who’s here?’ I just knew what they were talking about. Suddenly this young man started crossing the road, and I was thinking he was coming over to verify who I am. He came over to me and said, ‘Mister, your sign is upside down.’

So, we stay humble,” he recalled.

As a footnote to that anecdote, Rep. Dunn pointed out that the Concord Street abortion facility also has since closed.

Mr. Brewer asked Rep. Dunn about the Tennessee Supreme Court inserting into the state Constitution an amendment allowing for a fundamental right to abortion.

Rep. Dunn said in the Tennessee lawsuit Sundquist v. Planned Parenthood, the Tennessee Supreme Court expanded provisions for abortion even more than the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade did.

“Then it was up to Tennessee Right to Life to undo this damage,” he added.

Rep. Dunn mounted a challenge to the powerful Speaker Naifeh and successfully led a House floor vote to get on the 2014 state election ballot language undoing the state Supreme Court amendment into the state Constitution supporting abortion.

The Yes on 1 ballot initiative passed in 2014, with most of the state’s metropolitan areas voting to retain the Supreme Court proabortion amendment and most all of Tennessee’s rural counties voting to replace it with the pro-life language.

“It may be the first and only time in state history that a challenge to the chair of the Speaker of the House was successful because in a bipartisan way that General Assembly stood up for the babies,” Rep. Dunn said. “Tennessee is about the only state, and you all are about the only people who have changed your Constitution to put in a pro-life provision. Thank you.”

According to media reports, the House floor vote was 46 to back Speaker Naifeh and disallow the Yes on 1 ballot initiative and 47 to overrule him and allow the ballot initiative.

Rep. Dunn said that in 2011, Gov. Bill Haslam took office, and the legislature had a pro-life majority. “It’s very good that both the House and Senate and the governor had the votes to pass pro-life legislation. It’s always good to have the governor on your side. With Gov. Haslam, we were very fortunate.”

Rep. Dunn worked with Gov. Haslam and Tennessee Right to Life to defund Planned Parenthood, putting into law a provision that state tax dollars can’t be used to fund Planned Parenthood.

Rep. Dunn also credited Gov. Haslam for getting legislation passed making it illegal in Tennessee for individuals or groups to profit from the sale of aborted babies or their body parts. This was in response to the 2015 videos that showed Planned Parenthood officials discussing the harvesting of aborted baby body parts and selling them as a revenue stream for the organization.

Rep. Dunn said the victory of the Yes on 1 vote in 2014 opened the floodgates for pro-life legislation in Nashville, such as the 48-hour waiting period for women and girls seeking an abortion, and informed consent, which requires abortion Award continued on page A19 TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C ATH OLI C

President continued from page A5

cal views and divisions that have emerged from the stress of recent months. The challenge is always to transform a crowd into a community, a people who share a commitment to building a civilization of love and a culture that can sustain democracy, freedom, and respect for human rights.

“Let us remember the unity and charity we are called to at the celebration of the Eucharist and in the proclamation of the Scriptures. Let us witness to the ideals of the Gospel, striving to have a positive impact on our families, communities, and the nation in these crucial days. Let us follow Jesus’ call to love one another as He has loved us.” n Archbishop William E. Lori of the Archdiocese of Baltimore: “Although we still await a final determination of the presidential election, I wish to offer my congratulations and prayers to all the elected officials who were chosen Archbishop Lori to serve our country, state, and city on (Nov. 3). I thank God that our country came together peacefully to observe one of the most cherished privileges of our democracy, our right to vote, and that so many Americans demonstrated determination and commitment to exercising this right in spite of the many challenges and complications we faced due to the pandemic.

“At a time when we have witnessed so much upheaval and division, I pray earnestly that we will continue to move forward in unity to address the important work before us of healing our country. Let us renew our commitment to meeting the challenge of the pandemic with the spirit of innovation, charity, and sacrifice that is needed to keep one another safe until a vaccine is available.

“Let us hold on to this moment of unprecedented interest in racial harmony that offers so much promise for a genuine conversion of heart in our homes and communities. Let us continue to reach out to those most in need who have lost jobs, loved ones, and the simple comfort of the company of family and friends during the pandemic.

“The election may be behind us, but our work together is just beginning, and it is only through working together that we will be able to meet the challenges before us. Let us pray that we will recognize this time as an extraordinary opportunity to become a nation that is stronger, more unified, and in possession of a clearer vision of who we are called to be by the God who loves us.” n Bishop Richard F. Stika of the Diocese of Knoxville.

“During the months that led up to the election, many people knew I had issues with Mr. Biden, Ms. Harris, and also President Trump. Once Mr. Biden began to Bishop Stika speak about issues that are so imbedded in our Catholic faith—namely the right to life, from conception until natural death, I thought that, as a bishop, I had to speak out. Mr. Biden was using his Catholic faith as a platform, yet he has publically disagreed with many of the core values and beliefs that we, as Catholics, abide by and uphold. Now that Mr. Biden is president-elect, it is my hope that he may have a conversion of heart and realize that all life is sacred and must be protected.

“I have often compared abortion to slavery because in both instances they speak about the ownership of a human being. During slavery, one person was able to legally own another person, according to a ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court. Since 1973, some have claimed that the Roe v. Wade decision deals with the right of privacy, but to me it seems to be about ownership: that a mother TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C AT HO L I C

owns a child and can decide, for whatever reason, to terminate that child’s existence before birth. How is this issue any different?

“Pope St. John Paul often spoke about human dignity. I believe, as do millions of other people, that not only is abortion a violation of the human rights of a baby in the womb, it is also the ultimate act of child abuse.

There are many other issues that Mr. Biden has spoken about: the repeal of the Hyde Amendment, issues regarding freedom of worship, and parental choice for the education of their children. And so, as he begins a new administration, I will watch to see what Mr. Biden’s first acts will be as president of the United States and if he will continue to flaunt his Catholic faith and yet promote violations of human rights, of conscience, and the freedom of parents to choose an education for their children.

“If so, I will not hesitate to continue to speak out. My own personal conscience demands it.” n Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv., bishop president of Pax Christi USA and bishop of the Diocese of Lexington: “I doubt that any of us expected to wake up on Nov. 4 ready to hold hands and sing ‘Kumbaya’ with the neighbors whose yard signs offended us for the last several weeks. But I, for one, was hoping for a resounding Bishop Stowe vote for participatory democracy as we know it, for a measured and scientific approach to the current global pandemic, for humanitarian and life-affirming policies at our southern border, for affirmation of human rights and dignity, for confirming the importance of three separate but equal branches of government in our Constitution, for civility and decency, for facts and the truth, for progress in dismantling systematic racism … for normalcy.

“Instead, even with final results hours, days, or weeks away, I feel like I woke up on Christmas morning with coal in my stocking. Not only a letdown, but an occasion to ask, What did I do wrong? or What did I get wrong?

“Was it misplaced to think that our American values and ideals, never fully realized but always a solid point of reference, would drive the majority of voters? Was I naïve in trusting that people know better than to accept as fact that which is clear and obvious fabrication? I hope not, but I still find myself questioning.

“As a person of faith, I look toward God for answers, knowing full well that God is pretty mysterious when it comes to methods of revelation.

Still, God speaks. And the words that came to me so clearly in prayer this morning are from 1 Thessalonians 5:18 —words I am much more comfortable recommending to others than putting into practice myself — ‘in all circumstances give thanks.’

“Gratitude is an attitude changer for sure. When I began to figure out how to give thanks, I thought of our Black sisters and brothers joined by hundreds and thousands of others on the streets of our cities and rural communities to affirm that Black Lives Matter.

“I thought of the Parkland High School students who worked so hard to remind the nation that we are to be self-governing and want so badly to spare others the horror that they experienced.

“I thought of Dreamers who continue to work hard and study hard and embody all of the values, effort, and energy of my immigrant grandparents and those who came to this land in previous generations.

“I thought of the outcry that this nation made so loudly that the separation of children from parents at the border had to stop — at least temporarily. I thought of groups of people all over the nation who joined in prayer and with an eager desire to reconcile their highest Catholic morals with the choices in front of them on the ballot.

“And I thought of the women who

first took to the streets to demonstrate that in a democracy all voices have to be heard.

“I thought of Pope Francis in his latest encyclical asking aloud why we didn’t allow the global threat of a pandemic to solidify our global solidarity. I also thought about the wisdom, if not the impracticality, of the path forward that he indicates, of the recognition that we are all brothers and sisters needing to work for the common good.

“I am grateful to be associated with Pax Christi and ever more appreciative of the threefold process employed by our members: prayer, study, and action. While my first instinct this morning was to act, I realized it was better to start with prayer — and what could I do anyway?

Prayer will lead to study as I realize the need not just to complain about the way things are and what didn’t happen, but to ponder and discern a way forward. The time for action will come soon enough.

“Whoever attains the magic 270 electoral votes will need to be held accountable. Whoever leads us forward will need help in uniting a bitterly divided nation. Whoever emerges as president will need to be reminded that our democracy is fragile, to be cherished, and needs serious repair.

“Waiting is never easy as we enter into our annual liturgical waiting as the world around us rushes to celebrate the commerce of Christmas.

When we wait in Advent, we are told it is not merely a passive waiting — we are to wait and watch and discover the signs of the Messiah’s nearness even as we wait. I hope we can transfer that lesson to our present political circumstances.

“We pray for a just and peaceful conclusion to these elections and for all who will be affected by the outcome. We study the story of our democracy, the teachings of our faith and how they work together to promote the dignity of the human person and progress for the common good. And we will work to make that vision become real and to be instruments of healing for all who have been excluded and do not have the luxury of waiting.” n Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City: “Many people are calling this election one of the most consequential in recent history, given the very different visions for America being espoused by the candidates and major political parties.

“If the disturbing events of 2020 are predictive, we unfortunately can expect that no matter who wins the hotly contested presidential race there will be a continuation of the massive protests that have been so characteristic of this pandemic year.

God forbid that any frustration over the outcomes results in violence.

www.di o k no x .o rg

“As Catholics we take our civic responsibilities seriously. Voting is a precious right. We recognize that an important element in exercising that right responsibly is Abp. Coakley to be sure that we do not compartmentalize .our faith by putting it in a box and leaving it outside the voting booth.

“Rather, in order to truly become light to the world and salt for the earth, we ought to seek to exercise our faith and our civic responsibility in ways that give public witness to the vision for human dignity, human destiny, a just society, and human flourishing that our faith offers, rooted in the revelation that we have received in Jesus Christ, the savior of the world.

“In a society that is increasingly secular and characterized by unbelief, even believers run the risk of falling under the influence of a ‘practical’ atheism. Historically, Americans have been a religious people. While many Americans no longer go to church with the same frequency as was common a generation or two ago, a growing number of those who do consider themselves churchgoing Christians and even Catholics today regard faith and religion as a strictly private affair.

Practical atheism does not deny the existence of God. It simply acts as if God does not exist. It excludes faith from public life, considering it only something for individual believers to be concerned with in their private affairs.

“Too often today, Christianity is appreciated as little more than a set of rules and rituals to be followed, or an organization to belong to or a set of doctrinal statements to which we assent. That is a caricature of a truly robust Christian faith. Christian faith, rooted in a saving encounter with the person of Jesus and animated by his indwelling Spirit, enables Christians not only to see some things differently but rather to see everything differently! It is to see with new eyes. When that overarching Christian vision is lacking other things take its place.

“Given the intensity of the political discourse that we have witnessed recently, it is clear that politics has become one of those things. Political fervor has taken on a quasi-religious intensity. It has become a source of division and discord. Political decisions are consequential. But, in the end, they cannot account for everything. We already have a Savior.

“Nearly half of our country is going to be disappointed with the outcome of these elections. Let us pray that our nation may turn again to Jesus Christ and, aided by the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, find healing and reconciliation to bind up the wounds that have been suffered during this difficult time. May God bless America.” ■

DECEMBER 6, 2020 n A17

Celebrating Thanksgiving with a Ladies of Charity turkey toss

In Brief Diocese of Knoxville churches schedule penance services Here are the Advent penance services received as of press time: Cumberland Mountain Deanery n Tuesday, Dec. 15—Our Lady of Perpetual Help, LaFollette, 6 p.m.; St. Christopher, Jamestown, sacrament of penance available after every vigil Mass through Saturday, Dec. 19 Five Rivers Deanery n Thursday, Dec. 17—St. Henry, Rogersville, 7 p.m.; other deanery parishes are offering more times for the sacrament of reconciliation in lieu of a penance service Smoky Mountain Deanery n Tuesday, Dec. 15—Our Lady of Fatima, Alcoa, 7 p.m.

Stanley H. Pickering Sr., 94, passed away Oct. 6 at his Fountain City home surrounded by his family.

A funeral Mass was held for Mr. Pickering on Oct. 10 at Holy Ghost Church, with Father John Dowling as the celebrant and Father Bill McNeeley, Father Dan Whitman, and Father Jim Harvey concelebrating the Mass. Deacon Gordy Lowery assisted. Interment was at Calvary Cemetery in Knoxville.

Mr. Pickering was the loving husband to the light of his life, wife Ellen Anna Clancy, and father to eight children who brought him great joy.

Mr. Pickering He was known for sharing that joy to help children from around the Knoxville community, whether it was as a lead fundraiser to build Catholic Charities of East Tennessee’s Columbus Home for children or supporting Fountain City ballpark and the many children it served.

Mr. Pickering was named Samaritan of the Year by St. Mary’s Medical Center for his devotion to youth. Mr. Pickering also was recognized by the National Conference of Christians and Jews with its annual award for service to his fellow men and women.

As a diocesan lay leader, Mr. Pickering was active in the formation of the Diocese of Knoxville in 1988, serving as a financial adviser on the committee of clergy and lay advisers overseeing the division from the Diocese of Nashville. He and his CPA firm then served as the Diocese of Knoxville’s first financial officers and accountants.

Mr. Pickering was involved in many other community organizations, including Catholic Social Services, St. Joseph School, Knoxville Catholic High School, the Knights of Columbus, Boy Scouts of America, Helen Ross McNabb Center, The Hope Resource Center, Fountain City Recreation Commission, Tennessee Right to Life, and the YMCA. He graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1950 with a degree in accounting and enjoyed a 70-year career as a certified public accountant.

After first meeting his wife as co-workers in the accounting department of St. Mary’s Hospital, Mr. Pickering opened his own CPA firm in Knoxville in 1957, serving clients from all walks of life.

He proudly served the United States as a sailor aboard the U.S.S. Talladega during World War II, and from aboard his ship he witnessed the U.S. flag-raising atop Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima and the Japanese surrender in 1945 in Tokyo Bay. Mr. Pickering is preceded in death by his sons, John Clancy and Frank.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Ellen Anna Clancy Pickering; sons Stanley H. II (Kathy) and Jim (Stephanie); daughters Ellen Hunter (Bob), Judy, Angel Brewer (Bill), and Regina Lovelace (William); daughter-inlaw Leticia Pickering; grandchildren Natalie Pickering, Patrick Pickering, Thomas Pickering, Stanley H. Pickering III, Clancy Clementi (Craig), Rob Hunter, Caroline Hunter, Stan Pickering Hunter, Jim Hunter, Leticia Marie Natour (Joey), Frank Pickering Jr. (Jenny), John Pickering, Will Brewer (Becca), William Edward Lovelace, Suzanna Pickering, Walter Pickering; and great-grandchildren Gigi and Sadie Clementi, Penelope Claire Brewer, and Frank Pickering III. Donations in Mr. Pickering’s memory can be made to St. Joseph School, 1810 Howard Dr., Knoxville, TN 37918, or the East Tennessee Veterans Honor Guard, P.O. Box 22802, Knoxville, TN 37933.

Appeal assists elderly order priests, sisters, brothers The Diocese of Knoxville will hold the Retirement Fund for Religious collection Dec. 12-13. The National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) coordinates this annual appeal and distributes the proceeds to assist eligible U.S. religious communities with their retirement needs.

Nearly 30,000 senior sisters, brothers, and religious order priests benefit.

Last year, the Diocese of Knoxville donated $49,220.43 to the collection. Visit retiredreligious.org to learn more.

Historically, Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests served for little to no pay. Today, many religious communities lack sufficient retirement savings. Of 531 communities providing data to the NRRO, only 29 are adequately funded for retirement.

COURTESY OF CHESTER PUN-CHUEN/LADIES OF CHARITY (3)

Funeral Mass held for Stanley H. Pickering Sr.

Sharing and caring The Ladies of Charity had their annual Sharing and Caring Thanksgiving basket handout on Nov. 20. More than 200 turkeys and assorted groceries were distributed to the community. “The distribution was such a blessing to a lot of people faced with hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic. Reaching out to our neighbors also was a fulfilling work of charity. The Ladies of Charity Hispanic Ministry and Access Cultural Diversity ELL program also assisted in the distribution as did many dedicated volunteers. Ladies of Charity generously extended the gifts to the migrant community, and to some it was the first time to experience a Thanksgiving celebration,” said volunteer leader Chester Pun-Chuen.

Kernersville, N.C., parish seeking faith formation director Holy Cross Catholic Church in Kernersville, N.C., is seeking a full-time director of faith formation.

This person is responsible for the coordination of educational activities that help parishioners grow in their knowledge and understanding of God, the Church, and their faith.

To find out more about joining the dynamic team in a diverse and growing parish, please visit holycrossnc.org and click on “Job Opportunities.” ■

Sr. Regina

© 2020 Handmaids of the Precious Blood

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

A18 n DECEMBER 6, 2020

w ww.di o k no x .o rg

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

Pope continued from page A9

Pope Francis said civil laws should protect the rights of gay couples, some mystery shrouds the context in which he said it and the way it is used in a new film.

The film, “Francesco,” which was released Oct. 21, presents the pope saying: “Homosexual people have a right to be in a family. They are children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out or be made miserable over it.

What we have to create is a civil union law. That way they are legally covered.”

When the documentary by Mr. Afineevsky debuted at the Rome Film Festival and some news outlets focused on the 20-second clip referring to civil unions, a Vatican official dismissed it as old news, pointing out that the comments were from a 2019 interview with Ms. Alazraki of Televisa.

But the reference to civil unions Award continued from page A16

facilities to provide to women and girls seeking abortions accurate information about the abortion procedure.

Rep. Dunn noted that Gov. Bill Lee, who succeeded Gov. Haslam, also is pro-life and has been working with Rep. Dunn and other supportive lawmakers on pro-life legislation. Rep. Dunn credited Lt. Gov. McNally and Gov. Lee for their leadership in getting key pro-life legislation passed into law during the COVID-19 interrupted General Assembly.

“I think that’s what we’re going to miss, the sure-fire voice for the unborn in the legislature who can get it done,” Mr. Brewer said about Rep. Dunn.

As he leaves office, Rep. Dunn said items still on the legislative agenda that are important to him include a monument to the victims of abortion on the state capitol grounds. The measure already has been approved by the legislature.

Rep. Dunn said there already are monuments to the victims of slavery and the Holocaust.

The plan is to place the monument to abortion victims between the other two monuments, with a path connecting all three.

“Won’t it be great when schoolchildren come to the capital and hear about the horrors of slavery, the horrors of the Holocaust, and the horrors of abortion,” Rep. Dunn said.

Mr. Brewer noted that several pro-life laws, such as the 48-hour waiting period, that the state leg-

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

does not appear in the one-hour, 17-minute interview broadcast by Televisa and available on YouTube, nor does it appear in the Vatican’s Spanish or Italian transcripts of the pope’s conversation with Ms. Alazraki.

And, in fact, the whole 20-second clip in “Francesco” appears to be a re-edit, placing phrases the pope did say in the interview together in an order not found in the original.

In statements to the Associated Press, The Washington Post, and The New York Times, Televisa confirmed that the pope’s comment about civil unions was part of the interview he gave to Ms. Alazraki, which was filmed by the Vatican television center. When Televisa was given the footage, the station said, the civil unions passage had been removed.

Televisa spokesman Ruben Acosta Montoya told The Washington Post in an e-mail, “Someone at the

Vatican gave us the part that we did broadcast, and later they gave the rest of the material to someone else,” specifically, Mr. Afineevsky.

Pope Francis has made similar references in the past to the need to provide legal protections for the rights of nonmarried people living together in a stable way — rights, for example, involving inheritance, health-care decisions, and visitation when one is ill.

And reporters are not the only ones he has discussed it with; Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone of San Francisco issued a statement Oct. 21 saying the pope talked about such protections with the bishops of California when they made their Ad Limina visits in January.

In an article on the conversation Jan. 27, Catholic News Service wrote, “The pastoral care of LGBT Catholics was another topic Pope Francis spoke about, Archbishop Cordileone said. ‘He spoke about

the pastoral care that we have to give’ and the need to understand the suffering many of them have endured, including being shunned by their families.” “‘He made important distinctions between the (sexual) orientation and the question of marriage,’ for example saying it was important to ensure gay couples have access to public benefits, but insisting gay couples cannot marry, the archbishop said. ‘Marriage is unique; marriage, by its nature, is complementarity between man and woman. And he spoke about the danger of the gender ideology and how it denies difference,’ the diversity with which God created human beings male and female.”

Pope Francis also is on the record supporting some form of civil union legal protections during his tenure as archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and in interviews published in 2014 and 2017. ■

islature has passed are currently being challenged in court by proabortion supporters like Planned Parenthood.

“It is not rainbows and butterflies all around. There is work to be done every day,” Mr. Brewer said.

Rep. Dunn shared an idea of his going forward. It would be language codified by state law for public school instruction that says: “A unit on the right to life shall be taught at the appropriate grade level as determined by the state school board. The curriculum shall be designed with input from state right to life organizations and shall include: 1. The Declaration of Independence and its statement that humans are created with inalienable rights, including the right to life; 2. The Constitution’s 14th Amendment that protects the taking of an innocent person’s life; 3. Times in our nation’s history when groups of human beings were denied the right to life, including African Americans and pre-born children; 4. Without life, no other rights are possible.

“We could pass a law that makes our school systems teach this as a unit because it’s part of our history, it’s part of the truth,” Rep. Dunn said.

Mr. Brewer emphasized for the audience the importance of Rep. Dunn filling a very important role during his last term in the legislature. After controversy embroiled House Speaker Casada, prompting him to step down as the ranking member in the House in August, the state legislature

was in turmoil. Rep. Dunn stepped up to fill the House Speaker seat and end the turmoil that surrounded Rep. Casada’s term.

Rep. Dunn’s colleagues credited him with steering the legislature back on a steady path.

Rep. Dunn concluded his remarks at the Celebration of Life dinner by joking, “This is like going to your own funeral, but better.”

Angel Brewer, with the Knox County chapter of Tennessee Right to Life, presented Bill and Stacy Dunn with an American flag and pole that will be erected in Tennessee Right to Life’s Choose Life garden on Cherry Street in Knoxville, adjacent to a Planned Parenthood abortion facility.

The Dunns also were presented with a book of memories created by Carol Zimmerman, Tennessee Right to Life Knox County chapter president.

Mrs. Brewer told the audience how Rep. Dunn would go to the General Assembly each week during the legislative sessions, 26 in all, leaving his family behind while he spent the week in Nashville.

“When he used to leave on Monday morning, leaving his wife and five children behind like a man going to war, Stacy would say to him, ‘go slay the dragon.’ And slay the dragon he did,” said Mrs. Brewer, who appealed to those in the audience to help identify volunteers for the prolife effort, especially young adults to volunteer or serve in public office representing the right to life like Rep. Dunn has done.

She also appealed to young parents to teach their children about the sanc-

tity of life and pro-life issues, educating them at an early age so they will grow to respect life at all ages and stages.

And she appealed to pastors to preach from the pulpit about the sanctity of life.

“If your pastor does not speak from the pulpit about this issue, if your pastor does not welcome his congregation to discuss this very hard issue, please invite him to do so. We have some very good pastors in this audience who have put on the armor of God and tell their congregations the truth. If your pastor is not one of those, please ask him to join you,” she said. “We need volunteers. We need all of your help.”

While Rep. Dunn is leaving the legislature, he isn’t leaving state government service.

Gov. Lee announced on Nov. 9 that Rep. Dunn has joined the Tennessee Department of Education as a senior adviser to Commissioner Penny Schwinn.

“Bill Dunn is one of the most experienced and thoughtful advocates for education in our state who has dedicated his career in state government to improving outcomes for Tennessee’s students,” Gov. Lee said.

“Bill is a man of impeccable integrity, and his counsel will be critical to our success as we navigate one of the most challenging school years in our state’s history. We’re incredibly grateful for Bill’s willingness to continue his public service at the Department of Education, and I look forward to working with him on behalf of all Tennessee students.” ■

www.di o k no x .o rg

DECEMBER 6, 2020 n A19

Where do we find God? Advent is a good time to look

By Catholic News Agency

T

he people of Israel waited generations for the promised Messiah to arrive. Their poetry, their songs and stories, and their religious worship focused on an awaited savior, whom God had promised, over and over, would come to them to set them free from captivity, and to lead them to the fulfillment of all that God had chosen for them.

Israel longed for a Messiah, and John the Baptist, who came before Jesus, promised that the Messiah was coming, and could be found in Jesus Christ, God’s son, the “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.”

Advent is a season in the Church’s life intended to renew the experience of waiting, and longing, for the Mes-

siah. Though Christ has already come into the world, the Church invites us to renew our desire for the Lord more deeply into our lives, and to renew our desire for Christ’s triumphant second coming into the world.

Advent is the time in which we prepare for Christmas, the memorial of Jesus Christ being born into the world.

Preparations are practical, like decorating a tree or stringing lights, but they’re also intended to be spiritual.

During Advent, we’re invited to enter more frequently into silence, into prayer and reflection, into Scripture, and into the sacramental life of the Church, all to prepare for celebrating Christmas.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says the goal of Advent is to make present for ourselves and our families the

“ancient expectancy of the Messiah... by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior’s first coming.”

Advent comes from the Latin advenire, which means, essentially “To come to,” or “to come toward.” Advenire is the root of the Latin Adventus, which means “arrival.” So Advent is the season of arrival: The arrival of Christ in our hearts, in the world, and into God’s extraordinary plan for our salvation.

There are four candles on the Advent wreath. Three are purple, and they are first lit on the first, second, and fourth Sundays of Advent. The pink candle is lit on the third Sunday of Advent, which we call Gaudete Sunday. On that Sunday, in addition to the pink candle, the priest wears a pink vestment, which he might refer

to as rose.

Gaudete is a word that means “Rejoice!” and we rejoice on Gaudete Sunday, because we are halfway through Advent. The three purple candles are sometimes said to represent prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, the three spiritual disciplines that are key to a fruitful Advent.

The Church’s feasts and celebrations run on a yearlong cycle, which we call the “liturgical year.” The “liturgical year” starts on the first Sunday of Advent. So it’s a new liturgical year when Advent starts.

If 2020 has been a hard year for you, and there’s a good chance it has been, you can take some consolation in knowing that, for the Church, we’re already in a new year. Goodbye 2020; Welcome 2021!

C AT H E D R A L CONCERT SERIES PRESENTS

WILLIAM SHAUB DAVID KOVÁČ

NO. 12 IN F MAJOR, OP. 96 "AMERICAN"

NO. 2 IN G MAJOR, OP. 18, NO. 2

S t r I n g SEAN HAWTHORNE

JESSICA RYOU

ADMISSION IS FREE, SEATING IS LIMITED.

Q u a r t e t s

S U N DAY, D E C E M B E R 2 0

7:00PM

TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE VIA EVENTBRITE LINK AT:

SHCATHEDRAL.ORG/CATHEDRAL-CONCERT-SERIES 711 S. NORTHSHORE DRIVE | KNOXVILLE, TN 37919 | 865.588.0249

A20 n DECEMBER 6, 2020

w ww.di o k no x .o rg

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