NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE OF KNOXVILLE
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Silver anniversaries abound at Holy Trinity Parish
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served as deacon of the Word and Eucharist. “Today, we celebrate two significant things, no, maybe three. One, I think I’ll have a short homily,” Bishop Stika told the Holy Trinity congregation, drawing laughs. “We’re going to celebrate the official appointment of Father Harvey with his installation as pastor. And 25 years as a parish community. That’s pretty significant. There are so many good things here, many good things. We also welcome back Father Dan Whitman as well.” And Dec. 5 also was important for Holy Trinity members, who celebrated the silver anniversary with Bishop Stika and recalled the efforts that went into building a church and starting a parish. The bishop prayed for the invocation of the Holy Spirit on the Jefferson County Catholic community. “For 25 years, this church, this parish has existed, identifying the faith of the Catholic community up
COURTESY OF HOLY TRINITY PARISH
he number 25 was especially meaningful for Father Jim Harvey on Dec. 5, when Holy Trinity’s new pastor helped the Jefferson County parish celebrate its 25th anniversary. Father Harvey also is in his 25th year as a diocesan priest, two milestones that weren’t lost on him as he was officially installed Dec. 5 as Holy Trinity’s pastor by Bishop Richard F. Stika. Bishop Stika assigned Father Harvey to Holy Trinity on July 1 after he had served as pastor of St. Alphonsus Parish in Crossville since 2014. He also served as the St. Alphonsus pastor from December 2006 to 2011. Father Andrés Cano is Holy Trinity’s associate pastor and leads the parish’s Hispanic ministry. Bishop Stika celebrated the parish anniversary Mass, with Father Harvey and Father Dan Whitman, a former Holy Trinity pastor, concelebrating. Deacon Jim Prosak
There from the beginning Patricia and Dr. Hal Morrill, standing with pastor Father Jim Harvey, are charter parishioners of Holy Trinity.
By Bill Brewer
BILL BREWER
The Jefferson City community and newly installed pastor Father Jim Harvey each celebrate 25 years
Formally installed Bishop Richard F. Stika signs the document that installed Father Jim Harvey (left) as pastor of Holy Trinity Parish as server Andy Ladner and Deacon Jim Prosak witness at right. on a hill. In the names of my predecessors, I just want to say to all of you, thank you. Thank you for everything that you do as a parish community—all the organizations, but also all the acts of charity and kindness that maybe nobody else knows, or the contemplative prayer in this church, or coming together in the sacraments, baptisms, weddings, and funerals, all the different sacraments, because this is the home for that,” the bishop said. “This is your homeplace. For here you gather together to build community, whether it’s here in the church or in the parish hall, here you gather together to witness to Jesus and to see Jesus present not only in the sacraments but also in each other, because God is with us,” he added. This Jefferson City homeplace began as a small Catholic community in the late 1980s-early 1990s to serve Jefferson and Grainger counties. The first organized services were held in the George Street
Methodist Church in Jefferson City, with about 100 families attending Mass there for six years. Father Michael Sweeney, who was the pastor of St. Patrick Parish in nearby Morristown, was also named pastor of the new Holy Trinity Parish, a name chosen by the Diocese of Knoxville’s first shepherd, Bishop Anthony J. O’Connell. Father Sweeney now serves as pastor of diocesan parishes Blessed Sacrament in Harriman, St. Ann in Lancing, and St. Christopher in Jamestown. Ground was broken for a new Holy Trinity Church on Oct. 29, 1994, on 40 acres along Highway 92 about three miles from Interstate 40. Highway 92 is a connector between Dandridge and the interstate and Jefferson City. The new church was dedicated on June 15, 1996, and the first Mass was celebrated on Dec. 7, 1996. By the time the church building was dedicated, Holy Trinity had grown to 140 families from Jefferson and Holy Trinity continued on page B2
Sister shares love of woodworking with students
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he first time Sister Maria Kolbe Rossi, OP, worked with wood, she was in the sixth grade. “It was a woodworking class in school that you took during the day, and it was once a week for a semester, and I just absolutely loved it,” said the religious sister, a member of the Nashville Dominicans of St. Cecilia who teaches at St. Mary School in Oak Ridge. Although nearly 20 years had passed since her middle school class, Sister Maria Kolbe’s passion for woodworking was reignited when she was trained in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd about five years ago. “There are different figurines that you have to cut out in order to make the different works for CGS. So, I needed some lambs to be cut out, and I used a scroll saw, which is a power tool that cuts wood,” Sister Maria Kolbe explained. “After using it to cut out simple shapes, I wanted to do more with it and found out that there was a whole world of scroll sawing and so then became interested in woodworking because of that experience.” At St. Mary School, Sister Maria Kolbe teaches religion and math to sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-graders. When she arrived at the school in fall 2019, she had the opportunity
to bring all of her woodworking machinery. With the permission of Sister Marie Blanchette Cummings, OP, the former principal, Sister Maria Kolbe began an after-school woodworking club. The club, which costs $30, can hold 10 students per semester, ranging in grades from second to fifth. For the younger students, a couple of seventh-grade students provide extra supervision and helping hands to assist. There are about 12 classes throughout the semester, and projects can range from coasters and magnets to wall plaques and benches, and so much more. “They’ve made candle holders, stools, picture frames, I’m trying to think of everything . . . boxes, huge variety of things that they’ve made. And the children love doing it,” Sister Maria Kolbe said. “For all the things that they bring home, it’s a pretty good deal. I like to keep the cost low so that they can get a lot out of it and not worry about it being super expensive,” she said. However, financial assistance is offered to families who need it. “Their children can do it for free because I just love the idea of boys and girls at a young age to start working with wood and being comfortable with using different tools to make something on their own,” she
By Gabrielle Nolan
GABRIELLE NOLAN
Dominican Sister Maria Kolbe’s pupils have made candle holders, stools, plaques, and more
Connecting faith to woodworking Sister Maria Kolbe, OP, watches as her students apply wood conditioner to pieces of a Nativity scene. said. For project material, Sister Maria Kolbe normally uses pine, poplar, and birch plywood. Although wood prices have increased throughout the coronavirus pandemic, Sister Maria Kolbe has received donations of money or supplies to help continue the club’s success. “A lot of wood that I have is donated to me. I have some parents from the school who are very generous in giving me wood that they don’t need, or they’ll ask me, do you need any wood?” she said.
In addition to donations, Sister will occasionally make the trip to Home Depot to purchase necessary items, such as wood glue or stain, using the money from the club fees. “Giving the students an opportunity to work with the medium of wood and allowing them to have the experience of creating things on their own and seeing there’s just an enormous amount of possibilities of fun, useful, and beautiful things that they can do using, you know, God’s simple creation from trees,” she said. Woodworking continued on page B6
Praying for Perspective
by George Valadie
Maybe that’s what 2022 is all about: getting home To Christ’s home, where His Father has many rooms
Holy Trinity continued from page B1
Grainger counties. Dr. Hal and Patricia Morrill were among the group of Catholics from Jefferson and Grainger counties who participated in the first meetings to start a new parish. “We were members of St. Patrick in Morristown. Father (Philip) Thoni thought early on there were enough Catholics in Jefferson and Grainger counties to get a parish off the ground. Father Thoni was pastor of St. Patrick. This was in the late 1980s. Father Thoni asked if we would be involved in establishing a church in Jefferson City,” Mrs. Morrill recalled. Dr. Morrill noted that the land for Holy Trinity was purchased on March 2, 1990, with construction beginning in May 1995. He pointed out that a capital campaign was held between 1990 and 1995 to raise money to build the church. “The first parish council meeting was in November 1990. Trish and I and one other person are the only ones left from that first meeting,” said Dr. Morrill, who chaired the Holy Trinity building committee at the time. “The capital campaign was the hard part. We had to have
back to our normal routines, our typical décor, our low-carb diets. That realization got me to thinking about Mary and Joseph and what it must have been like for the three of them to “move on.” Almost a month out from their big day, little one in tow, what was their everyday looking like? No way their daily lives as a threesome could have been as auspicious as the beginning. We had a few family members come visit the hospital, but how do you come down from the sort of awe that results when angels and kings come to see your new arrival? Later, back at home, we can all recall that moment we realized it was just us: mom and dad and baby. And not a one of us had a clue. Surely this teenager and her carpenter felt the same. It feels like eons since we had a little one in our house. And most of it was a blur when it happened so I googled “what to expect from a newborn.” My thanks to two experts who reminded me how little ones most commonly progress. “After nine months of anticipating, that sweet-smelling bundle of cuteness is in your arms.” Sweet smelling unless you give birth in a barn surrounded by pigs and cows and poop and whatever manner of creature sought refuge there from the winter’s night. “Perhaps you didn’t expect him to be half the money raised before construction could get started. It took about four years to raise the money. But, overall, establishing the parish went well.” The Morrills have been Jefferson City residents since 1979, where they began an optometry practice. Dr. Morrill still practices optometry in Jefferson City. The Morrills recall that Father Thoni was Holy Trinity’s first pastor, followed by Father Sweeney, then Father Whitman, who was followed by Father Patrick Resen, who retired from active ministry last year. Father Harvey succeeded Father Resen. The Morrills say they are blessed to have been part of Holy Trinity since its beginning. “It was so quaint. Everyone got to know each other,” Mrs. Morrill said, adding that the tight-knit community that has been there from the beginning still continues. “The parishioners are such good people. Everybody cares for one another, and we love one another. It’s like family. Everyone gives so much of themselves in time, talent, and treasure.” The Morrills have pleasant mem-
The new pastor Bishop Stika congratulates Father Jim Harvey after the documents naming him pastor of Holy Trinity had been signed. Looking on are Deacon Jim Prosak and server Andy Ladner. B2 n JANUARY 2, 2022
puffy-eyed and wrinkled with a bit of a conehead, but it makes sense considering his nine-month stay (afloat) and the tight squeeze . . .” Yeah, and throw in the fact Joseph made me ride a donkey for 90 miles right at the end there. It’s a wonder our boy looks human at all. “During the first week, your baby will seem very sleepy. Long stretches of pronounced drowsiness are to be expected.” Probably true except for the carol singing and all the visitors—shepherds and wise men and the kid with the drum. I appreciate your coming, I really do, but we’re tired. “If you’re having trouble keeping up with his insatiable appetite, check in with your pediatrician.” You nailed that right. Well, except for the doctor part. Turns out there aren’t any available when you take an unexpected seven-day donkey ride to Egypt. Bouncing and bumping apparently makes a kid hungry . . . because he sure couldn’t sleep any. I once described Mary on her journey to Bethlehem as likely being “glowing but grouchy.” Imagine when her husband told her they had another trip to make. Normal new moms are “exhausted and exasperated” on a good day. A donkey ride of any distance likely didn’t make it any better. “It may not seem like your baby is doing much of anything these days . . . but he’s using his brain plenty, intently watching his surroundings . . . your baby is ready for more complex shapes as the ability to focus improves.” Well, he is Jesus after all. The Son of God. I’m still not at all sure what that means. As I recall, not much explanation came with the news. What does He see? What can He see?
I once described Mary on her journey to Bethlehem as . . . “glowing but grouchy.” Imagine when her husband told her they had another trip to make. Normal new moms are “exhausted and exasperated” on a good day. A donkey ride . . . likely didn’t make it any better.
We’re in flight for our very lives; is it possible He already understands that evil exists in the world? Or is he just my little boy? “Of course when he’s not in the mood to play, he might be in the mood to cry (and cry).” Well, we’ve had no shortage of that. I’m hoping it’s just the typical baby kind of tears . . . not the “I-canalready-see-how-my-life-will-end” kind. “When taking note of your little one’s weight, stop yourself from comparing it to your BFF’s or your cousin’s baby.” My cousin. Oh, yeah, I wonder how they’re doing. Would have been nice to have family around. I wonder if my son will meet her son. I wonder if he’ll have a normal life. I wonder if we’ll ever get to go home again. Dearest Mary—Yes, he will meet him. No, his life won’t be at all normal. And isn’t that the question we all ask ourselves . . . I wonder if we’ll ever get to go home again. It occurs to me that maybe that’s what 2022 is supposed to be about. Getting home. His home. Your home. Our home. The home where His Father has many rooms. His cousin may have said it best. Or at least he said it simplest: “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” Happy New Year! May 2022 be better, different, safer, and a step toward finding our way home. Dear God—It’s not like there aren’t plenty of resolutions we might consider. May we choose wisely. Amen. ■ George Valadie resides in Chattanooga and is a parishioner at St. Stephen Church.
BILL BREWER (2)
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ishing you a belated Happy New Year! Depending on printing and publication schedules, this newspaper is likely hitting your coffee table in mid-January with 2022 well on its way to wherever it will take us. To better places, I pray. Not even a month ago, supplyshortage frustrations aside, we were all aglow celebrating with family and friends, remembering the birth of the King for whom so many had waited so long. Nancy had our home decorated to perfection. Through the years, she’s accumulated some really distinctive pieces of holiday décor. Some recall Santa and the magical; others honor the Christ Child and the miraculous. We looked good. It’s gone now—most of it anyway. We’re still fighting over how long the tree gets to stay up. But the rest has returned to their respective crates, banished to the garage for their 11-month hibernation while we resume life’s everyday. We’re both vaccinated and boostered, and I actually had COVID sometime in there, so we threw caution to the wind, attended some holiday parties, and even opened our home to host multiple gatherings. Dear friends and family coming together to do what we hadn’t done in much too long. And now, as we hunker down for the short days and long nights of winter, I realized the obvious: when we packed up Christmas, out with it went all the anticipation and the aromas that had been wafting through our house. It’s inevitable. As we generally do this time of year, we’ve moved on to a new year but an old life. We’re
Greetings from the bishop At the start of the 25th-anniversary Mass at Holy Trinity, Bishop Richard F. Stika welcomes the assembly to the liturgy. With him are (from left) Deacon Jim Prosak, Father Jim Harvey, and Father Dan Whitman. ories of the George Street Methodist community in Jefferson City and its support for the budding Catholic community more than 25 years ago. The Morrills and the rest of the Holy Trinity congregation expressed gratitude for Bishop Stika’s presence and support for the silveranniversary celebration. “We were so glad that Bishop Stika could celebrate with us and take part in our children’s Christmas program,” Mrs. Morrill said. Bishop Stika urged the congregation to remember the word “Emmanuel’’ when they are facing challenges, “for God is with us.” Emmanuel was the central theme of the bishop’s homily, a timely subject for its seasonal appeal and as guidance for a world that continues to live in an uncertain time. “It’s Advent. And if you look at the history of the Jewish people, of the Israelites, and what was going
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on in the time of Jesus, the world looked pretty messed up. Broken. Especially if you were Jewish and living in an area occupied by the Romans, and especially if you were among proud people, tough people, and you had all these promises from so many centuries and all of a sudden you are in occupied territory and the world is broken,” Bishop Stika said. “We see that in the Scriptures. The world was broken. Sometimes it seems like that is the world today. It’s kind of a broken world, right? Politics and the virus. There are 110,000 Russian troops on the border with the Ukraine, famine throughout the world. It can be very, very broken.” But the bishop pointed out that in readings from the Book of Jeremiah, the Scriptures talk of having a solid relationship with God, which can help the faithful deal with any of life’s uncertainties, whether poliHoly Trinity continued on page B6 TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C ATH OLI C
Guest Column
by Lila Rose
Science proves Roe v. Wade is wrong Why should the Supreme Court rule that life at 15 weeks is not worth saving, but life at 20 weeks is?
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wo little boys celebrated their first birthdays last summer, one in Minnesota and one in Alabama—miles apart but with similar stories. Both born at 21 weeks, Richard Hutchinson and Curtis Means were 131 and 132 days premature, respectively. These tiny but resilient babies weighed just ounces when born, fitting into the palms of their mothers’ hands. They both surpassed all medical expectations and were recognized by Guinness World Records as the most premature babies to survive; Curtis now holds the title. Their stories, although recordworthy, are becoming more common as advancements in medicine move back the age at which a child can survive outside his or her mother’s womb. Similarly, advancements in technology confirm that a preborn child is a human being at the point of conception– not magically at 21 weeks—a fact discussed Dec. 1 at the Supreme Court. On Dec. 1, the court heard Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The law under scrutiny, passed by Mississippi in 2018, limits abortion after 15 weeks, except in cases of medical necessity or severe fetal abnormality. Today, the state allows abortion up to 20 weeks—just one week before Richard and Curtis were born.
[H]uman infants, born or in-utero, should be entitled to protection by the same laws that protect the rest of us. After five decades and 62 million babies killed, it’s far past time for the Supreme Court to admit that the so-called viability standard established by Roe v. Wade—which prohibits states from banning abortions before the preborn child can survive outside the womb—is unscientific, unconstitutional, and morally wrong. Abortion activists argue that a baby’s humanity begins with her ability to survive outside the womb; yet science and reason tell us her humanity is present at the moment of fertilization. This case is making headlines—alongside Texas’ SB 8 Heartbeat Act—as it finally brings into question Roe’s viability standard. A decision in favor of Mississippi would likely allow states to pass legislation protecting the preborn in a way that has been impossible since Roe. My organization, Live Action, one of the nation’s leading human rights nonprofits, alongside leading Ob/ Gyns and medical professionals, has released a state-of-the-art animation of a baby’s development within the womb. “Baby Olivia” depicts the moment life begins and beyond to
Thoughts and Prayers for the Faithful
show the humanity of the preborn throughout each stage of development, complete with beating heart, brainwaves, fingers, and toes. This glimpse of early human life demonstrates its true beginning at fertilization when Olivia becomes a unique individual with her gender, ethnicity, hair and eye color— among other traits—immediately determined. By nine weeks, Olivia can suck her thumb and swallow. Olivia’s continuous growth over time makes it clear that Roe’s “viability” precedent is arbitrary and unscientific. Even pro-Roe former Justice Sandra Day O’Connor acknowledged that “viability” is a wavering, contingent line: “As medical science becomes better able to provide for the separate existence of the fetus, the point of viability is moved further back toward conception.” Not only is it logically inconsistent and unscientific, but it is also immoral to use the arbitrary standard of viability to determine a child’s legal status and, ultimately, worth. As children, we were each dependent on others for our existence, our nourishment, and our survival. Why should a preborn child’s physical dependency on his mother determine whether he is protected by law from the lethal violence of abortion? Why should the court rule that
life at 15 weeks is not a life worth saving, but that life at 20 weeks is? There is nothing “potential” about Richard’s humanity at 21 weeks, which existed since conception. Curtis’ life was no less valuable a few weeks before he was born. He was no less human just days before he took his first breath. And he is no more important now, on his first birthday, than he was the first moment he spent in his mother’s womb. Richard, Curtis, and others like them force abortion advocates to acknowledge an inconvenient truth: There is no difference between a 21-week-old baby born prematurely and one that remains inside his or her mother’s womb. The degree of a child’s dependency does not determine his humanity. If anything, the more vulnerable a child is, the more legal protection he or she needs and deserves. So regardless of prematurity or “pre-viability” status, human infants, born or in-utero, should be entitled to protection by the same laws that protect the rest of us. It’s time to trust the science and embrace life. ■ Lila Rose is the founder and president of Live Action and author of Fighting for Life. Follow her on Twitter @ LilaGraceRose.
by Bob Hunt
Transforming society according to the Gospel As Christians, it is our duty to do so—as Americans, it is our right to try
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’ve never ventured into politics in this column. I save that for my blog. I mostly try to offer words of encouragement here on living the faith in what can sometimes be a turbulent world. But there are times when politics can make living the faith more challenging, especially if our government is led by people who don’t have much respect for faith traditions or who disparage the principles of Catholic faith and morals because such are opposed to a secular agenda in which they’re invested. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what’s happening. Shortly after becoming president, Joe Biden issued an executive order declaring that his administration’s Health and Human Services Department would apply the 2020 decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in Bostock v. Clay County that discrimination based on sex as outlawed by Section 1557 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to gay and transgender people. President Biden’s interpretation of this is that Catholic hospitals and health-care workers must provide gender transition surgery and other therapies to any patient, regardless of any moral or medical objections, and despite the Religious Freedom and Restoration Act that protects churches and religious believers from being forced to act contrary to the principles of their faith. Hospi-
tals and health-care workers who refuse to comply could face charges of discrimination. HHS is also interpreting Bostock as requiring Catholic hospitals to perform abortions. Suits have been filed in district courts in Tennessee, North Dakota, and Texas by Catholic health-care entities and others challenging this mandate, and the courts have ruled in favor of Catholic hospitals. The Biden administration is not giving up, however. HHS has informed the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia of its intention to adopt new regulations that would require hospitals and health-care workers to provide for transgender therapies and abortions, as well as fertility treatments and end-of-life therapies inconsistent with Catholic teaching. A coalition of organizations coordinated by the Leadership Conference of Civil and Human Rights is working with HHS to develop the new regulations. The Leadership Conference wrote a June 8, 2021, memorandum detailing how HHS should revise the regulations so to negate religious exemptions and permanent injunctions won through litigation by Catholic entities. The Leadership Conference memorandum states: “Religious exemptions have serious and harmful implications. They were thought of as a way to
preserve religious freedom and independence. However, they often come at a societal cost that can impact other community members. Impacts of a religious exemption cannot be siloed from other areas of society.” In other words, if your religious liberty gets in the way of someone else’s desire for a particular medical procedure, regardless of its nature or morality, your religious liberty must be sacrificed. Doug Wilson, CEO of the Catholic Benefits Association, said that if these proposed regulations were implemented, “it would effectively remove all religious considerations from issues around life, family, marriage, the very nature of men and women. . . . There’s no hiding from this.” Mr. Wilson said that the proposed regulations “would place Catholic health-care providers in an untenable position.” Catholic hospitals would be forced to choose between staying open or violating their integrity as Catholic institutions. If the government can mandate how people are to act in society even to the point where they are required by law to act counter to their most deeply held principles and beliefs, then the government is violating religious freedom and is in the business of establishing religion, contrary to the First Amendment. In this world, Catholics must work
to transform our society according to the vision of the Gospel. As Christians, it is our duty to do so. As Americans, it is our right to try. So, let’s try. Contact your senators and representatives and communicate your concerns and find out where they stand. Contact the HHS secretary, Xavier Becerra, and communicate your opposition. Contact your bishop and communicate your support. Pray for President Biden. Pray that judges make the right decisions, and that those on the front lines representing religious liberty in the courts are granted wisdom and insight to argue well and successfully. But if we lose—and we may—we must not surrender the faith. Regardless of the consequences, we must not abandon what is right, or try to turn wrong into right by moral machinations. We must remain faithful to what is true and holy. Jesus told us straightforwardly, “In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world” (John 16:33). The promise is not that Christ will be victorious. The promise is that Christ already is. Be Christ for all. Bring Christ to all. See Christ in all. ■
Daily readings
Thursday, Jan. 6: 1 John 4:19–5:4; Psalm 72:1-2, 14-15, 17; Luke 4:14-22 Friday, Jan. 7: 1 John 5:5-13; Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20; Luke 5:12-16 Saturday, Jan. 8: 1 John 5:14-21; Psalm 149:1-6, 9; John 3:22-30 Sunday, Jan. 9: The Baptism of the Lord, Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7; Psalm 29:14, 9-10; Acts 10:34-38; Luke 3:15-16, 21-22 Monday, Jan. 10: 1 Samuel 1:1-8; Psalm 116:12-19; Mark 1:14-20 Tuesday, Jan. 11: 1 Samuel 1:9-20; 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-8; Mark 1:21-28 Wednesday, Jan. 12: 1 Samuel 3:110, 19-20; Psalm 40:2, 5, 7-10; Mark 1:29-39 Thursday, Jan. 13: 1 Samuel 4:1-11; Psalm 44:10-11, 14-15, 24-25; Mark 1:40-45 Friday, Jan. 14: 1 Samuel 8:4-7, 10-
22; Psalm 89:16-19; Mark 2:1-12 Saturday, Jan. 15: 1 Samuel 9:1-4, 17-19 and 10:1; Psalm 21:2-7; Mark 2:13-17 Sunday, Jan. 16: Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 96:1-3, 7-10; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; John 2:1-11 Monday, Jan. 17: Memorial of St. Anthony, abbot, 1 Samuel 15:16-23; Psalm 50:8-9, 16-17, 21, 23; Mark 2:18-22 Tuesday, Jan. 18: 1 Samuel 16:1-13; Psalm 89:20-22, 27-28; Mark 2:23-28 Wednesday, Jan. 19: 1 Samuel 17:3233, 37, 40-51; Psalm 144:1-2, 9-10; Mark 3:1-6 Thursday, Jan. 20: 1 Samuel 18:6-9 and 19:1-7; Psalm 56:2-3, 9-13; Mark 3:7-12 Friday, Jan. 21: Memorial of St. Agnes, virgin and martyr, 1 Samuel
24:3-21; Psalm 57:2-4, 6, 11; Mark 3:13-19 Saturday, Jan. 22: Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children, 2 Samuel 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 2327; Psalm 80:2-3, 5-7; Mark 3:20-21 Sunday, Jan. 23: Nehemiah 8:2-6, 8-10; Psalm 19:8-10, 15; 1 Corinthians 12:12-30; Luke 1:1-4 and 4:14-21 Monday, Jan. 24: Memorial of St. Francis de Sales, bishop and doctor of the Church, 2 Samuel 5:1-7, 10; Psalm 89:20-22, 25-26; Mark 3:22-30 Tuesday, Jan. 25: Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, Apostle, Acts 22:3-16; Psalm 117:1-2; Mark 16:15-18 Wednesday, Jan. 26: Memorial of Sts. Timothy and Titus, bishops, 2 Timothy 1:1-8; Psalm 96:1-3, 7-8, 10;
Saturday, Jan. 1: Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, Numbers 6:22-27; Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21 Sunday, Jan. 2: The Epiphany of the Lord, Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13; Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12 Monday, Jan. 3: 1 John 3:22–4:6; Psalm 2:7-8, 10-12; Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25 Tuesday, Jan. 4: Memorial of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, religious, 1 John 4:7-10; Psalm 72:1-4, 7-8; Mark 6:34-44 Wednesday, Jan. 5: Memorial of St. John Neumann, bishop, 1 John 4:1118; Psalm 72:1-2, 10, 12-13; Mark 6:45-52 TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C AT HO L I C
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Bob Hunt is a husband, father, grandfather, and parishioner at All Saints Church in Knoxville and is a candidate for the permanent diaconate.
Readings continued on page B8 JANUARY 2, 2022 n B3
Parish notes St. Jude, Chattanooga The parish held a “Men Sharpening Men” morning retreat Dec. 4. Monsignor Al Humbrecht, pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Soddy-Daisy, spoke about preparing for Advent and the New Year. St. Jude thanked everyone who made its eighth annual craft fair a success, with special appreciation to the Knights of Columbus and Council of Catholic Women, creative vendors, and all of the shoppers. The door-prize winner was Ann Hartman. Gale Bolton, executive administrative assistant and volunteer coordinator for Bethel Bible Village in Hixson, thanked St. Jude parishioners for their “huge food and paper goods drive” to benefit the children’s home. The Chattanooga Community Kitchen thanked St. Jude parishioners for their recent donation of food and pantry items. St. Mary, Athens The grand total raised from the fall festival was $28,285. St. Mary thanked all of its parish families for their donations and efforts. The money will go toward repair of the lighting system at the church.
at St. Francis Church; she started the CCW bake sale every Holy Saturday at the Village Green Mall for local residents and Time Share visitors so they could have an Easter bakery. Then she bought an artificial Christmas tree that was placed in the parish hall for items like wool hats, scarves, shoes, underwear and socks, and more for Cumberland County schoolchildren for Christmas. One day, while going out for the mail, she experienced a sudden onset of pain and was paralyzed. Her hands were crippled, and she needed a wheelchair. But she still smiled and tried to help the best she could. She was on the parish prayer list in 2004 and died in 2010 at 92. Ethel’s Tree has become an annual tradition at St. Francis and appears in the back narthex, and the children are ever grateful to Ethel.
COURTESY OF BILL HEWITT (3)
Chattanooga Deanery
Anniversaries: Bob and Linda Fardig (56), John and Barbara Wick (56), Tom and Nancy Ficht (45), Michael and Candace Ulmer (40) St. John Neumann, Farragut The parish concluded the Year of St. Joseph on Dec. 15 with a presentation in the church on the person and mission of St. Joseph in preparation for Christmas.
Christmas for the Kids at St. Henry St. Henry Parish in Rogersville celebrated Christmas for the Kids on the evening of Dec. 7. Santa (a.k.a. Jay Barry) arrived and greeted children of all ages as Pat Wilkosz and her “merry elves” loaded cars of seven families with food, gifts, gift certificates for Pizza Hut meals (donated by Pizza Hut in Rogersville), and coats for each child (donated by the Knights of Columbus). At left, Suzie Horner, general manager of the Pizza Hut in Rogersville, holds a certificate of appreciation presented to her by Knights Council 8860 at St. Henry.
Five Rivers Deanery Holy Trinity, Jefferson City
St. Stephen, Chattanooga The St. Nicholas party Dec. 5 was a success. The parish thanked Deacon Jack and Sandy Raymond and volunteers for their hard work on the event.
Anniversaries: Gary and Lea Calkins (59), Bill and Patricia Wood (54), Jan and Linda Rodriguez (50), Steve and Karen Underwood (40), George and Maggi Bercaw (35)
Anniversaries: Arthur and Donna King (35), Roger and Kristine Mynatt (30)
Cumberland Mountain Deanery
Notre Dame, Greeneville
Blessed Sacrament, Harriman
While pastor Father Joseph Kuzhupil, MSFS, was attending his mother’s funeral in India, Father Dan Whitman celebrated Christmas Masses at Notre Dame.
Blessed Sacrament parishioners joined carolers at Bowers Elementary School in South Harriman on Dec. 17 to sing Christmas carols for the children. St. Francis of Assisi, Fairfield Glade The women’s Bible study continues at 9:30 a.m. every Monday in the parish hall. Seventy-six members of the parish attended a 33 Days to Morning Glory Retreat, following the companion workbook and videos by author Father Michael Gaitley, MIC, and 14 more consecrated themselves on the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 8. For more information about future retreats, call Cherie Trapp at 931-287-8296 or Kathy Donley at 707321-9563. These sessions are held on Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m. in the parish hall. The Prayer Warriors meet at 9 a.m. every Tuesday in the parish library. The Divine Mercy Chaplet is prayed every first Friday in the church at 7:30 a.m. Former parishioner Ethel Wagner’s love for helping the unfortunate elementary school children of Cumberland County’s seven schools lasted for 25 years. She was the Easter Bunny for them and Santa Claus. When the school baseball team was embarrassed because they played with their regular clothes since they couldn’t afford uniforms like other schools, Ethel mentioned this at a Council of Catholic Women meeting, and the women took up a collection for them so they could also have uniforms. While speaking with the teachers in these schools, Ethel learned how many of the children came to school without personal clothing, no shoes, or a winter coat, or how some siblings had to take turns wearing things every day. Ethel was in charge of the religious-articles stand B4 n JANUARY 2, 2022
The winners of the Chili Cookoff were: best table decoration, Erin Turner; most personal chef, Dani Honeycutt; most unique chili, Jean HagenBurger for vegetarian chili with cashews; and most favorite chili, Linda Johnson for her chicken chili. The amount raised from the event along with donations totaled $4,708. The Council of Catholic Women thanked Sister Angelica López Rodriguez, MAG, and Lorenzo Munoz and Carmen Espinoza for their presentation on Hispanic religious traditions at a recent CCW meeting.
COURTESY OF MARIA WHISTON
Ann Pio, who served as Blessed Sacrament’s secretary and bookkeeper for 26 years before her retirement May 29, 2020, passed away Nov. 30.
Newcomers: Robert and Carol Bricker, Taylor and Colleen Neuharth
Priest leads Advent mission at St. Mary-Johnson City Father Noel Mueller, OSB, from St. Meinrad Archabbey in St. Meinrad, Ind., recently gave a three-day parish Advent mission to parishioners of St. Mary in Johnson City. Father Mueller gave talks in both English and Spanish.
The St. Agnes Guild’s Project: Playground has raised $38,479.91. The parish’s old playground was a wooden structure that was deteriorating and becoming unsafe for the children. It was removed, and some of the women of the parish started the fundraising and research for a new structure. St. Agnes Guild is part of the CCW, and its focus involves children and their families. The effort stopped during COVID; however, a parishioner kept it active with a matching $100 donation each month for 2021. The guild has a monthly challenge of $100 with a goal of $45,000. Anniversaries: Angelo and Pam Botta (45), Russell and Kristen Girton (15) St. Dominic, Kingsport The parish’s “Bring Back the Bells” fundraising effort has been extremely successful. St. Dominic exceeded its goal of $11,000 even before Giving Tuesday. The bell system has been ordered, and with the extra funds the parish is planning to remove the old flooring in the church bathrooms and replace it with polished concrete and to remove the glass window in the old bookstore vestibule and replace it with a countertop and pass-through window. The bells of St. Dominic have been silent for a number of years. The old bell system is broken and cannot Parish notes continued on page B8
COURTESY OF SHERRY FERGUSON
The Ladies Auxiliary Christmas cookie sale was held after all Masses on the weekend of Dec. 11-12.
St. Stephen Parish celebrates Our Lady of Guadalupe Father Manuel Pérez, pastor of St. Stephen in Chattanooga, celebrated the parish’s annual Mass for Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12.
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TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C ATH OLI C
A “Pray Without Ceasing” youngadult retreat is set for the weekend of Feb. 5-6 at Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton. All young adults (aged 18-35) are invited to an overnight retreat designed to explore how to pray without ceasing during the hustle and bustle of the everyday. “Pray Without Ceasing” will focus on finding new, different ways to integrate prayer into a young adult’s busy schedule. Cost is $45. Register at https://dioknox.org/events/praywithout-ceasing-young-adult-retreat. For more information, contact Paola Wolaver at pwolaver@dioknox.org or 865-584-3307, extension 5768. The annual March for Life in Knoxville is set for 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23. For details on the site or more information, contact the Knoxville chapter of Tennessee Right to Life at 865-6891339 or trlknox@prolifeknox.com. The next Picture of Love engagedcouples retreat is scheduled for 6:45 to 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18, and 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga. This marriage-preparation program for engaged couples explores the joys and challenges of living out life together as a married couple with special focus on the importance of inviting Jesus to be the center of marriage and family life. The retreat is to supplement couples’ marriage formation process with their parish priest or deacon. The cost is $135 per couple, and the experience will qualify couples for a $60 discount on a Tennessee marriage license. Snacks, a continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included. Participants are responsible for their own overnight accommodations if needed. For more information, e-mail kbyrne@dioknox.org or call Karen Byrne at 865-584-3307 or visit https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/picture-of-loveprogram-for-engaged-couples-registration-177346356727. Search for Christian Maturity retreat No. 164 in the Chattanooga Deanery is set for the weekend of Feb. 25-27 at Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton. The weekend begins between 7 and 7:30 p.m. Friday and concludes at 5 p.m. Sunday. Search helps Catholic high school juniors and TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C AT HO L I C
St. Michael the Archangel Parish celebrates Our Lady of Guadalupe Parishioners at St. Michael the Archangel in Erwin held a Mass and celebration afterward for the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) Homeschool Support Group is a Catholic homeschool support group in Knoxville and surrounding areas that is recognized by the diocese as a Private Association of the Faithful. The group supports one another as families who choose to educate their children at home in order to live, teach, and preserve their Catholic Christianity. The group celebrates Mass together and has a monthly holy hour; has regular park gatherings, field trips, and feast day celebrations; offers faith-based small groups for children, teens, and adults, as well as many other activities. For more information, contact Lenore Pacitti at lmgouge@gmail.com or 865-684-6358 or Sarah Bryant at jsbry412@gmail.com or 865-742-3534.
JIM WOGAN
Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga is currently accepting applications for the 2022-23 academic year. Visit www.myndhs.com to apply online. Call Laura Goodhard at 423624-4618, extension 1004, for more information.
Bishop joins Chattanooga Serra Club for Mass and luncheon After he celebrated the noon Mass at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga on Dec. 6, Bishop Richard F. Stika was a guest of the Serra Club of Chattanooga at its monthly luncheon. Pictured from left are Father Christopher Manning; Serra Club officers Ralph Christiana, Eric Pelton, and Larry Skelly; and Bishop Stika.
Catholic Charities is hosting a Rachel’s Vineyard healing and recovery retreat the weekend of May 6-8, at Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center, 250 Locke Lane in Benton, for those experiencing emotional or spiritual difficulties from a past abortion or abortions. Complete confidentiality is honored at all times. If you are unable to attend a weekend retreat, oneon-one counseling is available with counselors who have been trained in this area. For more information, contact Sandi Davidson at 865-776-4510 or sandi@ccetn.org. All COVID-19 restrictions will be followed during the retreat. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend is set for Feb. 25-27 in Johns Creek, Ga. Apply online at GATN-wwme.org, call 678242-WWME, or e-mail applications@ GATN-wwme.org. Also, WWME has a focused program for couples with a spouse in the military. Information can be found at www.foryourmilitary marriage.com. Join Father Jerry Daniels and Deacon Al Forsythe on a pilgrimage to Italy from May 2-13, including Rome, Assisi, San Giovanni, Pompeii, and Sorrento. Pilgrims will have the opportunity to be present at the Wednesday papal audience in St. Peter’s Square and visit St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Paul Outside the Walls, the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel, the Holy Stairs, Gesu church, where they will see the relics of St. Francis Xavier, to name just a few of the many sites they will visit in Rome. The travelers will go on to Assisi, with a stop along the way to visit the Miracle of the Eucharist of Bolsena. They will stay two nights in Assisi, where they will have the opportunity to visit the tomb of St. Francis, the Basilica of St. Clare, and the Chapel of San Damiano, where St. Francis received his call to rebuild the Church. The pilgrims will go on to San Giovanni Rotondo, the home of St. Padre Pio, and visit Manopello, the old Capuchin Monastery. The pilgrimage includes Monte Sant’Angelo and Capri. For a more detailed itinerary and registration information, contact Lisa Morris at 865-567-1245 or lisam@ select-intl.com. Father Arthur Torres of Our Lady of Calendar continued on page B8
COURTESY OF BILL HEWITT
The RCIA Winter Conference for coordinators and team members is set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, at All Saints Church in Knoxville. Father David Carter, JCL, will be speaking on canon law. Father Carter serves as judicial vicar for the Tribunal of the Diocese of Knoxville as well as rector of the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga and vice chancellor for Canonical Affairs for the Diocese of Knoxville. To learn more, see a timetable, register, or download a flyer, visit dioknox.org/events/rcia-winterconference. Cost is $20, to be paid at the door on the day of the conference. For more information, contact Sister Peter Miriam, RSM, at srpetermiriam@ dioknox.org.
seniors take a fresh look at their own faith journey, reflecting on their place within their families, schools, parishes, and community as a disciple of Christ. This is accomplished through activities and experiences that lead participants to a renewed understanding of Christ at work in their lives. Search is facilitated by teens for teens with the guidance of adult Search coordinators. The main focus of the retreat is threefold: motivating the youth to seek a personal relationship with Christ, getting young people involved with their respective parishes, and promoting leadership. Cost is $85, and the registration deadline is Monday, Feb. 14. To learn more, contact Donna Jones at djones@dioknox.org or (to register) visit dioknox.org/events/search-164. Search 165 is April 22-24.
Middle schoolers from Franklin, Tenn., visit St. James the Apostle St. James the Apostle Parish in Sneedville received a gift of kindness from Middle Tennessee on Nov. 21 when 25 people showed up for Mass. Students, teachers, and chaperons from St. Matthew School in Franklin visited the smallest church in the Diocese of Knoxville. The group joined pastor Father Bart Okere and parishioners of St. James the Apostle. The small church was packed to the rafters, and students participated in Mass by reading or serving at the altar. Father Okere was at a loss for words watching the young teens interact with the parishioners and describe their evangelization work in Sneedville. St. Matthew School is part of St. Matthew Parish in Franklin, where Father Mark Sappenfield is the pastor. The middle schoolers worked with the needy in the Sneedville community, and their visit to St. James was a culmination of a weeklong mission for their school before they traveled back to Middle Tennessee.
COURTESY OF BILL HEWITT
The International Eucharistic Miracles of the World exhibit, a traveling display designed and created by Blessed Carlo Acutis, will be at St. Jude Church in Chattanooga from Jan. 15-17. The exhibit features 153 beautiful panels that highlight some of the most powerful eucharistic miracles in the world. It was completed by Blessed Carlo Acutis one year before his death from leukemia, at the age of 15, in 2006. Exhibit times are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 17. With an extensive assortment of photographs and historical descriptions, the exhibition presents most of the principal eucharistic miracles that have taken place throughout the ages in various countries of the world and which have been recognized by the Church. By means of the panels, one can “virtually visit” the places where the miracles took place. The exhibition has already visited well over 3,000 parishes in Italy, the Unites States, Canada, and many other countries and has been translated into numerous languages. St. Jude Parish will host this exhibition in Siener Hall. For more information on the exhibit, call 423-544-4445.
COURTESY OF MARIA WHISTON
Calendar
Knights hold Silver Rose ceremony at St. Henry On Oct. 13, Knights of Columbus Council 8860 held a Silver Rose ceremony at St. Henry Church in Rogersville. Coordinating the event was council warden Stephen Derosia, with district deputy Michael Opiela and Ron Campbell participating in the ceremony. Following the event, Mass was held with Father Bart Okere, Tennessee Knights of Columbus state chaplain and St. Henry pastor, presiding. The Silver Rose takes its name from the miracle of the roses St. Juan Diego experienced with Our Lady of Guadalupe in 1531. Each year, from early March through mid-December, Silver Roses are stewarded by Knights of Columbus councils along routes from Canada to Mexico. Every stop the Silver Rose makes throughout the pilgrimage is a rosary-centered occasion for Knights, parishioners, and community members to pray for respect for life, for the spiritual renewal of each nation, and for the advancement of the message of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
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tics, viruses, aging, family issues, or something else. “If we just have that right disposition interiorly, and that’s what the Scriptures have always talked about, then we can become, not invincible, but we can be reminded of that special message, which comes to us in the celebration of Advent,” Bishop Stika said. The bishop shared that one of his favorite Advent songs is “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” and he explained that the word “Emmanuel” means “God is with us.” “That is the message of Advent and Christmas and Ordinary Time, in moments of great celebration, and in moments of great challenge. Emmanuel. God is with us. And that is the invitation of Jesus to say to you and me, do you actually believe that God is with us? Sometimes it’s pretty easy. Other times, it’s like ‘I don’t know, Jesus. I’m kind of wondering a little bit. . . .’ Then, He zaps us with something, not like a lightning bolt, but maybe it’s another person reminding us what it means to be a person of faith. Maybe we see an action, someone going way out of their way to help out another person. It’s those constant reminders that seem so simple, yet they’re powerful,” he said. He urged the congregation to remember the word “Emmanuel” when they are facing challenges. “O come, o come, Emmanuel. For God is with us.” As the bishop installed Father Harvey as Holy Trinity pastor, he asked the diocesan priest a series of questions to secure the mutual commitment between the new pastor and his congregation. “Father Harvey, I ask you: “Are you willing to continue to proclaim the Word of God in the tradition of the Apostles with compassion and faithfulness to the people now entrusted to your care?” To which Father Harvey responded to that query and all subsequent ones, “I am, Bishop.” “Are you willing to continue to celebrate the sacraments of the Church, and thus nourish and sustain your sisters and brothers in body and in spirit?” “Are you willing to guide, counsel, and cooperate with the people of this parish in the work of building up the Church and in the work of service to all who are in need?” Bishop Stika then turned to the Holy Trinity congregation and asked them: “Are you willing to hear with open ears and open hearts the Word of God as it is proclaimed to you on this day?” “Are you willing to encourage and support Father Harvey in his responsibility to lead you in prayer, B6 n JANUARY 2, 2022
Crafting like Jesus and St. Joseph Sister Maria Kolbe, OP, shows her woodworking students different types of wood stains. “I talk to them throughout the club that Jesus was a carpenter and Joseph was a carpenter, and this was the type of work that they chose to do,” she said. “Jesus chose to nourish you in your faith, and especially to celebrate with you the Lord’s sacrifice, the Eucharist?” “And are you willing to cooperate with him as he exercises the service of pastor, enabling this community to grow in the light of the Gospel?” The Holy Trinity community responded “yes” to the bishop’s questions. Father Harvey then recited the Order of Installation: “I, Father Jim Harvey, on assuming the office of pastor, promise that in my words and in my actions, I shall always preserve communion with the holy Catholic Church. With great care and fidelity, I shall carry out the duties incumbent on me toward the Church, both the universal Church and to the particular church, which according to the provisions of Church law, I have been called to exercise in pastoral service. In fulfilling the charge entrusted to me in the name of the Church, I shall hold fast to the deposit of faith in its entirety. I shall faithfully hand it on and explain it. I shall avoid any teachings contrary to it. I shall follow and foster the common discipline of the entire Church. I shall maintain the observance of all ecclesiastical laws, especially those contained in the Code of Canon Law. With Christian obedience, I will follow what the bishops, as authentic doctors and teachers of our faith, declare, or what they, as those who govern the Church, establish. I shall also faithfully assist the diocesan bishop so that the apostolic activity exercised in the name and mandate of the Church may be carried out in communion with the Church. So help me God, and God’s holy Gospels, on which I place my hand.” Bishop Stika, Father Harvey, and two witnesses (Deacon Jim Prosak and adult altar server Andy Ladner) signed the formal installation documents. Father Harvey received a round of applause when Bishop Stika officially proclaimed him Holy Trinity’s pastor. It was the first time Father Harvey, who just marked his silver anniversary in the priesthood, was officially installed as a pastor. “I just celebrated the 25th anniversary on June 1, so I’m 25 years a priest. This parish and I are the same age,” he said following the anniversary Mass. He has watched the Holy Trinity Parish grow over the past 25 years while serving in Greeneville at Notre Dame, in Newport at Good Shepherd, and in Rogersville at St. Henry. “I used to come over here when Father Whitman was here, when Father Sweeney was here. I never dreamed I would get to serve as
to come into a family of carpenters, and this is the work that He did.” “I remind them of that and tell them if they, you know, if they’re having trouble, getting frustrated,
just say a prayer to St. Joseph or ask Jesus the carpenter to help them figure something out or to calm them down or whatever assistance they’ll Woodworking continued on page B8
BILL BREWER
This past summer, Sister Maria Kolbe held a one-week woodworking camp at the school that was a little more intensive than the typical day in her after-school club. “We did a lot more with power tools and drills and power sanders, a drill press,” she said. “That was a little bit more heavy work than what we do during the school year.” “I’ve allowed them to use power tools, power drills, but… we’re not doing that this year, but in the past the students have,” Sister Maria Kolbe explained. If a project requires pre-cuts, Sister Maria Kolbe will do that work with her saw before the club meets, and her students will do activities such as sanding, wood conditioning, staining, gluing, and assembling pieces. Not only is woodworking a beloved hobby for Sister Maria Kolbe, but her creations can also benefit St. Mary School. “I’ve been able to use the woodworking for a lot of charitable functions, auction off different things that I’ve made at school auctions and at our fall festival,” she explained. For Sister Maria Kolbe, connecting faith to the craft of woodworking is another important element to teach her students.
GABRIELLE NOLAN
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‘The people here are grateful for this historic mark’ Twenty-fifth-anniversary displays at Holy Trinity Church included scrapbooks and clippings from The East Tennessee Catholic newspaper showing important events in the history of the parish. The people of Holy Trinity “will look forward to 50 years, and then 100 years. It’s just a joy,” Bishop Stika said. pastor here. I’m very, very grateful to be here. It’s a nice community. People have been wonderful to me. God has given me this extra special gift. And Bishop Stika was gracious about letting me serve here,” Father Harvey said. While 25 years is a remarkable anniversary, Bishop Stika said Holy Trinity can look forward to many more. “Twenty-five years is very significant. But every day this parish stands on this hill, and with all the different activities of the Holy Trinity community, the prayer, celebrations, and sometimes sadness, is a blessing. The people here are grateful for this historic mark, and they’ll look forward to 50 years, and then 100 years. It’s just a joy,” Bishop Stika said. “It’s also significant to officially install Father Harvey as pastor here. In all the years he’s been a pastor, he’s never officially been installed. It’s good.” The Morrills agree with Bishop Stika. “We’re celebrating God’s faithful-
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ness. God is good. God has been nothing but good and faithful to our parish. We’ve been so blessed,” Mrs. Morrill said. “We’re growing. We’ve been blessed with wonderful priests. It’s been a wonderful experience. We wouldn’t have missed it for the world. It’s a great parish.” Dr. Morrill noted that Father Whitman also left his mark on the 25-year-old parish, having served as pastor when Holy Trinity’s parish life center was dedicated. The facility serves the parish community and the larger Jefferson County community, too. And Dr. Morrill also pointed out that Holy Trinity’s pastors have led the parish forward and to a point where the parish is debt-free. “It’s a wonderful celebration of 25 years of ministry and presence in Jefferson County. It’s great to see the parish growing like it is with young families and children. It’s a vibrant parish,” said Father Whitman, who served as Holy Trinity pastor for 13 years, from 2001-14. n TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C ATH OLI C
DR. KELLY KEARSE (3)
COURTESY OF STEPHANIE GREINER
Catholic schools
Sophie Meyer and Father Joe Reed
St. John Neumann School presents St. Joseph award to Sophie Meyer
S
thought it a great opportunity to highlight one student who shares some of the traits of St. Joseph in their own way. “The image we’ve chosen for this award represents the heart of St. Joseph. In Catholic devotional art we often see three hearts together, the Sacred Heart of Jesus accompanied by the hearts of Mary and Joseph. Each of these three hearts is represented with a flame on top—these flames represent charity, or love, because, as Scripture tells us, ‘God is love.’ The lily is one of the symbols of St. Joseph. He is known for his charity, his simplicity, and his gentle fatherly care. “In his letter about St. Joseph, Pope Francis reminds us of many of St. Joseph’s characteristics: St. Joseph is accepting, creatively courageous, hardworking, and self-giving. This student has shown herself to be accepting of others, and it seems as though she has been here for years. She is able to problem solve and adapt quickly. On the court and in the classroom, she has proven herself a hard worker. And she is generous in the amount of effort she puts into her teamwork and in gently coaching others. It is our honor to present this award in honor of St. Joseph to Sophie Meyer.” n
COURTESY OF DIOCESE OF KNOXVILLE SCHOOLS
600 for Hutch Knoxville Catholic High School president Dickie Sompayrac on Nov. 30 presents a commemorative basketball to Fighting Irish boys head coach Michael Hutchens in honor of the latter’s 600th career win, which came Nov. 23 at Cookeville. The Irish stand 8-2 after an 82-75 win at Concord Christian on Dec. 20. In the bottom photo, Mr. Hutchens coaches the Irish to a 64-55 home win over Bearden.
t. John Neumann School in Farragut celebrated a special votive Mass on Dec. 10 to commemorate the conclusion of the Year of St. Joseph. The school thought it would be a good opportunity to celebrate a student who has consistently demonstrated the qualities of St. Joseph throughout the last year. “We were delighted to choose a student who joined our school as a new seventh-grader in 2020. She has been an incredible addition to our community; she is a quiet leader, humble, but at the same time strong and courageous. In addition to being an excellent student, she is in large part responsible for the success of our varsity volleyball team, where she served as captain,” the school stated in a press release. St. John Neumann pastor Father Joe Reed presented the award to eighth-grader Sophie Meyer with the following words: “A little over a year ago, Pope Francis called for a year to honor St. Joseph and to remember him as an example. Such holy years are a common, if irregular, occurrence in the Church. We celebrate a saint or a virtue for a year—not so that we are done with the celebration, but in order to call to mind the diversity of gifts and calls in the Christian life. For this year of St. Joseph, we
Notre Dame student wins Christmas card design contest The Diocese of Knoxville Catholic Schools Office announced that Ayden Dant, Notre Dame High School sophomore and son of Meagan and Jonathon Redner, is the winner of the Christmas card design contest. Ayden’s original design of the three wise men pointing to the magnificent Star of Bethlehem vividly captured the theme by conveying the sense of wonder and amazement that speaks to the miracle of Christmas. The design also illustrated the theme of accompaniment that has been an overarching theme for DOK Catholic schools this year. Ayden’s design was featured on the 2021 Catholic Schools Office Christmas card. In addition to congratulating Ayden, the Catholic Schools Office would like to thank all of the artists who submitted their designs. With more than 100 beautiful designs, it was truly a difficult decision. It is the Schools Office’s hope that the students will continue their quest to create beauty. In the words of St. Pope John Paul II in his Letter to Artists (1999), “May the beauty which you pass on to generations still to come be such that it will stir them to wonder!” TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C AT HO L I C
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and meeting new people. My old school didn’t have a woodworking club, and I wanted to try something new.” Maybe the students won’t touch woodworking again for several years, like in Sister’s own experience, or maybe some of them will pursue woodshop in high school. Perhaps Sister Maria Kolbe’s club will inspire a greater interest in the arts and handmade craftmanship. While the impact remains unseen for now, the experience opens a unique door to creativity for many young students. “Hopefully for some of them it might be a hobby that they’ll have for the rest of their life, or it will make an impression on them,” Sister Maria Kolbe said. “It’s just great to be able to pass it on to children and for them to see that they can make something that looks pretty intricate that you wouldn’t think that a little 8-yearold, you know, could make a shelf or a Nativity scene. It’s a lot of fun. I really enjoy it.” n
GABRIELLE NOLAN (3)
need,” she said. Each semester, Sister Maria Kolbe assigns a couple of projects with a religious theme. This semester, students crafted wall plaques with saints’ pictures and quotes and Nativity scenes. “It’s great to see how they use their own creativity, even though we’re all making a shelf, or we’re all making some type of wall art, that they like to throw in their different types of artistic-ness and their creativity in order to make something beautiful that they love. So, I love giving them the opportunity at a young age to do woodworking,” she said. And the elementary students seem to be loving it, too. Second-grader Austyn Sanders shared, “I like woodworking club because it is fun to work with wood and paint. It’s my first time making stuff with wood, and I like to do new things.” And fifth-grader Morgan Thompson said, “I love coming to this club because I like doing arts and crafts
Smooth sailing A student in Sister Maria Kolbe’s woodworking club sands part of a Nativity scene using low-grit sandpaper to smooth out the pieces.
Teacher shows the way Sister Maria Kolbe, OP, helps a student properly sand his Nativity set.
Seventh-grade students help Middle school assistants provide a little extra supervision and a helping hand to the elementary students in Sister Maria Kolbe’s woodworking club.
Parish notes continued from page B4 be repaired.
St. Patrick, Morristown
St. John XXIII, Knoxville
in the third quarter of 2021.
An ad hoc committee has been formed to explore the idea of whether the best location for St. Dominic School is at the current site or the church site. The committee is developing ways to gather information and receive input from all stakeholders (school and parish) through spring 2022. No decision has been made.
The Council of Catholic Women held a bake sale Dec. 18-19.
The parish sponsored an Advent tree to benefit adults with developmental disabilities and a few residents of Serene Manor nursing home.
St. Joseph the Worker, Madisonville
The parish has begun discussions with Little Flower Parish in Browning, Mont., about becoming sister parishes with one another. Little Flower is the main parish in a cluster of two parishes, four missions, and a small school that serve the Blackfeet Native American reservation in northwest Montana. It is a very impoverished area lacking in many basic resources. St. Dominic also has a sister parish of St. Kizito in Malawi. St. Dominic thanked Ron and Rose Lamont, who gave a “Mary, the Sign” icon to the parish. The icon was given in memory of their parents, William and Ethel Henderson and Oliver and Martha Lamont. The icon depicts Mary carrying Christ in her heart and womb. The youth group held its Christmas party Dec. 15 at the Fizzy Fairway Putt Putt indoor golf course in Kingsport. Dave Gostomski thanked all of the volunteers who helped maintain Mary’s Rosary Garden in 2021. B8 n JANUARY 2, 2022
A College Tailgate Night, featuring representatives from different organizations, colleges, and military branches, was held at St. Patrick on Dec. 15. Anniversaries: James and Ann Mach (50), Roland and Rhonda Dykes (45), Mark and Renee McGarel (30), Eleazar Ramirez-Velez and Adriana PantojaTorres (15)
Smoky Mountain Deanery Holy Ghost, Knoxville The parish held an Epiphany Gala on Jan. 8 at St. Joseph School. The event featured a silent auction, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and live music. Immaculate Conception, Knoxville An Empty Manger Christmas Caroling event was held in front of Planned Parenthood on Dec. 17. Father Tim Sullivan, CSP, led the rosary, and Katie Helms played the bagpipes. Participants could bring a gift for a baby; donations were given to moms in need. Immaculate Conception held a Christmas Carol Festival on Dec. 16. The women’s group provided treats for the event.
Knox Area Rescue Ministries thanked parishioners for 45 donations received
The parish made Christmas baskets for needy families with hams provided by the Knights of Columbus. Overstock was donated to the Good Shepherd Center in Madisonville. n
Readings continued from page B3
Mark 4:1-20 Thursday, Jan. 27: 2 Samuel 7:18-19, 24-29; Psalm 132:1-5, 11-14; Mark 4:21-25 Friday, Jan. 28: Memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas, priest and doctor of the Church, 2 Samuel 11:1-10, 13-17; Psalm 51:3-7, 10-11; Mark 4:26-34
Saturday, Jan. 29: 2 Samuel 12:1-7, 10-17; Psalm 51:12-17; Mark 4:35-41 Sunday, Jan. 30: Jeremiah 1:4-5, 1719; Psalm 71:1-6, 15-17; 1 Corinthians 12:31–13:13; Luke 4:21-30 Monday, Jan. 31: Memorial of St. John Bosco, priest, 2 Samuel 15:1314, 30 and 16:5-13; Psalm 3:2-7; Mark 5:1-20 n
Calendar continued from page B5 Perpetual Help Parish in Chattanooga, Father Miguel Velez of St. Patrick in Morristown, and Father Fredy Bonilla of Shepherd of the Valley in Central Point, Ore., are leading an 11-day pilgrimage to the Holy Land from July 4-14, 2022. Cost from Atlanta is $3,790 per person. For more information, call 832-406-7050 or e-mail info@nativitypilgrimage.com. Mass in the extraordinary form (“traditional Latin”) is celebrated at noon each Sunday at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville; every Sunday at 8 a.m. at St. Mary Church in Athens; at 2 p.m. each Sunday at St. Mary Church in John-
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son City; at 6 p.m. most Thursdays at St. Mary Church in Oak Ridge; and at 11:30 a.m. every Sunday at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga. For more information, visit www.KnoxLatinMass.net. The St. Thomas the Apostle Eastern (Byzantine) Catholic Mission located at 2304 Ault Road, Knoxville, TN 37914, meets for Divine Liturgy every first, second, and fourth Sunday at 3 p.m. All services are in English. Call Father Richard Armstrong at 865-621-8499 or visit www.facebook.com/SaintThomasKnoxville/ for more information. n TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C ATH OLI C
For Communications Office, 2021 #iGiveCatholic Results as of 12/7/2021
Celebrated annually on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, #iGiveCatholic is the U.S. Catholic Church’s Giving Day that kicks off the charitable season and brings the Catholic community together to give thanks and give back. As the first-ever giving day created to celebrate our unique Catholic heritage, #iGiveCatholic inspires faithful stewards to "Give Catholic" on #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving. #iGiveCatholic is a bishop-led initiative in partnership with lay leaders in Catholic philanthropy. Declared “the most successful Catholic crowdfunding event to date” by the National Catholic Register, the goal of the #iGiveCatholic Giving Day is to rally our Catholic community in support of the organizations that shape our souls: Our parishes, schools, and nonprofit ministries.
National 2021 #iGiveCatholic results:
• $16,517,947 Was Raised in 2021 • 44,123 Donors Made a Gift • 1,620 Ministries Supported by the Giving Day
Overall Results in DOK Since 2017:
The Diocese of Knoxville has hosted the #iGiveCatholic giving day since 2017. Over the last five years, participating parishes, schools and Catholic ministries across East Tennessee have collectively raised $365,822.69 in support of projects and services that support the local community.
Diocese of Knoxville Results for #iGiveCatholic 2021:
(Visit knoxville.igivecatholic.org for full results) • $117,195 Total Dollars Raised • 450 Donors Participated • 501 Gifts Were Given • 16 Catholic Ministries in East Tennessee Were Supported Through For Communications 2021Day #iGiveCatholic Results as of 12/7/2021 this Year’sOffice, Giving
The 2021 Giving Day exceeded all expectations:
• Dollars Raised more than doubled from the previous year (2020 raised $60,835 compared to $117,195 in 2021) • More donors giving than any other year since 2017 • Highest Number of gifts given since 2017
Two DOK ministries Made T0p 100 in the Nation! Across the entire nation, the following Diocese of Knoxville ministries were in the top 100 leaderboard for the 2021 #iGiveCatholic giving day. Thank you for your leadership and congratulations on reaching the top! • # 71 in the Nation: Catholic Charities of East Tennessee (Knoxville, TN) $39,125.00 raised and 74 donors • # 94 in the Nation: St. Joseph Catholic School, Knoxville (Knoxville, Tennessee) $30,900.00 raised and 131 donors
Local East Tennessee Leaderboards: A complete list of the #iGiveCatholic leaderboards for our diocese can be found at: https://knoxville.igivecatholic.org/leaderboards. 2021 Top 5 Ministries by Most Dollars Raised: Amount Name Raised ▼ 1. Catholic Charities of East Tennessee $39,125.00 2. St. Joseph Catholic School, Knoxville $30,900.00 3. St. Jude School $18,045.00 4. St. Dominic Catholic Church $11,500.00 5. Sacred Heart Cathedral School, $5,520.00 Knoxville 2021 Top 5 Ministries with Most Donors: Amount Name Raised 1. St. Joseph Catholic School, Knoxville $30,900.00 2. St. Jude School $18,045.00 3. Catholic Charities of East Tennessee $39,125.00 4. St. Dominic Catholic Church $11,500.00 5. Sacred Heart Cathedral School, $5,520.00 Knoxville
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Donors 74 131 87 64 34
Donors ▼ 131 87 74 64 34
JANUARY 2, 2022 n B9
KATHY RANKIN (3)
COURTESY OF ALLISON HATTON (3)
Catholic schools
St. Joseph students celebrate the Immaculate Conception Father Charlie Donahue, CSP (top photo), pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in downtown Knoxville, celebrated a Mass at St. Joseph School on Dec. 8 on the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Catholic and Orthodox meet Father Brent Shelton (top photo) and Father Daniel Greeson field questions from a St. Mary School seventh-grade religion class. In the center photo, Sister Maria Kolbe Rossi, OP (left), and St. Mary principal Sister Mary John Slonkosky, OP, stand with Father Shelton and Father Greeson. At bottom, Sister Emma Calvo, OP, and Father Greeson speak to younger students. “Today’s visit gave us an opportunity to increase our understanding of one another and to grow in the virtue of reverence by respecting how God is loved and worshiped,” Sister Mary John said.
Father Shelton, Orthodox rector speak to St. Mary-Oak Ridge class
COURTESY OF LAURA GOODHARD (2)
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Notre Dame students take part in bed build Seniors at Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga recently donated $3,900 to purchase and build 50 beds for Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Sleep in Heavenly Peace is an organization that collects donations and supplies, gathers volunteers, and uses “build days” to construct twin-sized beds to help keep children in need from sleeping on the floor. The newly constructed beds were delivered over the course of a month. In the top photo, Brooks Brownlee, Jacob Eargle, Anthony Britto, and Augustine Britto work with a Sleep in Heavenly Peace volunteer to build a footboard. At bottom, Samantha Crisp and Lindsay Burns work alongside senior theology teacher Conor Martin to build a headboard. B10 n JANUARY 2, 2022
he seventh-graders at St. Mary School in Oak Ridge received two guest speakers for a unique religion class Nov. 18. Promoted as a day to discover different faiths during the National Catholic Educational Association’s Discovering Catholic Schools Week, students had questions ready to go for two local clergy: Father Brent Shelton, pastor of St. Mary Church, and Father Daniel Greeson, rector of St. Anne Orthodox Church, located just minutes away from the school. Father Greeson and St. Anne Orthodox Church are a part of the OCA, the Orthodox Church in America. Catholicism and Orthodoxy are historically intimately related as in the first millennia they composed one Church. A metaphor is used to liken it to two different people under the same umbrella. Being one faith in the beginning, differences in beliefs caused a split in 1054 called the Great Schism. Sister Maria Kolbe Rossi, OP, St. Mary’s middle school religion teacher, prepared her students for the visit by asking each one of them to come up with several questions regarding similarities and differences between the two belief systems. The depth of questions ranged from “In order to be Orthodox, do you have to have a long beard?” to “Do you use leavened or unleavened bread for your communion?” Of course, being surrounded by the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia, one student asked, “Do the Orthodox have sisters?” Sister Mary John Slonkosky, OP, principal of St. Mary School, welcomed the visit, saying, “We share so much in common in our faith in Our Lord Jesus Christ. Today’s visit gave us an opportunity to increase our understanding of one another and to grow in the virtue of reverence by respecting how
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God is loved and worshiped. At the end of the visit, we prayed the Our Father together. I hope we can continue to pray together and learn from each other.” All students asked at least one question, and both priests knew their history, citing where the beliefs originated, why/if they had changed, and what the religious relationship is today between the two faiths. Father Greeson stated that both religions are on good terms with each other, mentioning that Archbishop Alexander of the Diocese of the South (OCA) recently was a guest of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ November General Assembly. Putting it on terms that students could relate to, he compared it with a familial relationship like a cousin, once removed. The students laughed and then together said the Lord’s Prayer. On his way out, Father Greeson was stopped in the hallway by a student parishioner from St. Anne who also happened to be in Sister Emma Calvo’s second-grade class. While the students were patiently waiting for their science class, Father Greeson was able to do a quick question-and-answer session that included his favorite saint and his favorite Bible verse. Still able to understand the small differences in beliefs, the second-graders were excited to talk with him and loved his large wooden, three-bar cross which he wore over his cassock. Both Father Shelton and Father Greeson mentioned that they had a good time and would like to have more conversations about the two faiths. The visit was arranged by Allison Hatton, the director of admissions at St. Mary School. For information regarding St. Mary Church and/or School, visit www.stmarysoakridge.org. For more information regarding St. Anne Orthodox Church, visit www. stanneorthodoxchurch.com. n TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C ATH OLI C