April 7, 2013, ET Catholic by Diocese of Knoxville

This issue

He dwells among us.................. 2 Diocesan calendar................... 10 Deanery news.......................... 11 La Cosecha............ center pullout

The East Tennessee

Catholic youth......................... 15 Columns............................. 18-22 Virtus workshops..................... 23

April 7, 2013 Volume 22 Number 8 Bishop Richard F. Stika

News from The Diocese of Knoxville • Visit us at dioknox.org or etcatholic.org

Holy Week Chrism Mass brings diocese together

Hometown hero Sacred Heart alum Harrison Smith gives back

Witness Parishioners respond to election of Pope Francis

Pope Francis presents Diocese of Knoxville with blessing

One of new pontiff’s first acts is to sign papal document for Cardinal Rigali as gift to Bishop Stika and the diocesan faithful By Dan McWilliams and Bill Brewer

Pope continued on page 4

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

s Pope Francis establishes the 265th pontificate since St. Peter following his March 13 ascension from the College of Cardinals, where he served as Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, the world is embracing the new pontiff and his acts of humility and compassion. The Jesuit pope’s popularity is extending beyond Vatican City, where he has upended traditional security protocol by walking into the crowds of faithful to shake hands, bless babies and comfort the disabled—acts that are resonating with people around the globe, Catholic and non-Catholic alike. And that popularity is extending to East Tennessee as Pope Francis’ reach touches the Diocese of Knoxville and its people. In the first hours of his pontificate, Pope Francis presented a special blessing to the Diocese of Knoxville in yet another example of his unexpected openness and desire to be ac-

Reaching out to the faithful Pope Francis greets people in St. Peter’s Square before celebrating his inaugural Mass at the Vatican March 19. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, archbishop of the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires, was selected the Church’s 266th pontiff on March 13 after a two-day conclave by the College of Cardinals in which Cardinal Justin Rigali of Knoxville participated.

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

He dwells among us

by Bishop Richard F. Stika

Bishop’s schedule

What we take for granted

These are some of Bishop Stika’s public appointments:

St. Joseph helps us to keep Christ close to our hearts so we too can be better protectors of God’s gifts

nce again we can sing the “Gloria” of the Mass and repeat those words so central to our faith—“Christ is Risen.” But I must say, it seemed as if Easter came a few weeks earlier this Lent with the words announcing the end of another vigil, and of prayers answered—Habemus Papam! “We have a pope!” These words of joy again were confirmed in the Mass inaugurating the pontificate of Pope Francis on March 19, the day when the Church traditionally celebrates the solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I have always had a devotion to St. Joseph, and given that his feast day is also the anniversary of my ordination and installation as bishop of this wonderful diocese four years ago, I was particularly grateful that the Holy Father recommended to us the example of St. Joseph as protector of all of God’s gifts. We have so much to be grateful for—as a Church, as a diocese, as parish families, in our individual families and lives, in our vocations, and even our crosses. And I think in a special way St. Joseph helps us to

Diocesan policy for reporting sexual abuse

Follow Bishop Richard Stika on Twitter @bishopstika and his blog for news and events from the diocese. not take for granted any of these. Though the Gospels record no words of St. Joseph, his silent witness teaches us that the key to truly being grateful and protective of all of God’s gifts begins with a listening heart. “Joseph is a protector,” Pope Francis reminds us, precisely “because he is able to hear God’s voice and be guided by his will.” And he who cared for and protected Jesus and Mary also watches over the Church, and our families and each of us. The counsel offered in the beautiful Old Testament account of another Joseph are words we should especially heed today— “Go to Joseph” (Genesis 41:55)—if we are truly to value and protect what God has entrusted to our care and stewardship. It is so easy to take for granted God’s many gifts, especially that of Christ in our lives. With St. Joseph, we protect Christ in our hearts so that we can better protect and serve

others, and also be good stewards of God’s many gifts. When we lose touch with God, we lose touch with ourselves and our neighbor, and we lose touch with nature and our responsibility to care for it. Blessed John Paul II reminds us that if there is a growing natural emergency in caring for our environment, it is because there is an even greater emergency in an “ecology of man.” In an age of “earbuds,” it is time to reclaim the silence of St. Joseph. When I think of ecology and the call to care for the physical environment, I am reminded how much it needs to be an ecology of a listening heart. You don’t have to agree with the science of climate change to see how awash we are in plastic wares such as plastic bottles. These are the visible reminders of what a “throw-away” society we have become. It is a mentality of convenience that relieves us of responsibility for caring for things. It used to be that when we ordered an ice cream shake, we sat down and enjoyed it from a sundae glass with a metal spoon that afterwards was cleaned and used again. Now, we

The East Tennessee

April 3: 9:30 a.m., Bishop’s leadership meeting April 6: 5 p.m., Confirmation at Holy Cross Church, Pigeon Forge April 7: 9 a.m., Mass with Divine Mercy Mission at Knoxville Catholic High School gym April 8-15: Papal Foundation Board of Directors meeting in Rome April 17: 9:30 a.m., Bishop’s leadership meeting April 17: 6 p.m., Confirmation at St. Augustine Church, Signal Mountain April 18: 7 p.m., Confirmation at St. Mary Church, Johnson City April 19-20: Diocesan Council of Catholic Women Convention in Nashville April 21: Noon, Confirmation at St. Mary Church, Oak Ridge April 21: 6 p.m., Confirmation at All Saints Church, Knoxville April 23: 6:30 p.m., Confirmation at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Knoxville

Bishop continued on page 17

Schedule continued on page 23

Bishop Richard F. Stika Publisher

Dan McWilliams Assistant editor

Bill Brewer

Margaret Hunt

Anyone who has actual knowlEditor Administrative assistant edge of or who has reasonable 805 Northshore Drive, S.W. • Knoxville, TN 37919 cause to suspect an incident of The Diocese of Knoxville sexual abuse should report such The East Tennessee Catholic (USPS 007211) is published monthly by The Diocese of Knoxville, 805 Northshore Drive Southwest, information to the appropriate Knoxville, TN 37919-7551. Periodicals-class postage paid at Knoxville, Tenn. Printed on recycled paper by the Knoxville News Sentinel. civil authorities first, then to the The East Tennessee Catholic is mailed to all registered Catholic families in East Tennessee. Subscription rate for others is $15 a year in bishop’s office, 865-584-3307, or the United States. Make checks payable to The Diocese of Knoxville. the diocesan victims’ assistance coordinator, Marla Lenihan, 865Postmaster: Send address changes to The East Tennessee Catholic, 805 Northshore Drive Southwest, Knoxville, TN 37919-7551 Reach us by phone: 865-584-3307 • fax: 865-584-8124 • e-mail: webmaster@dioknox.org • web: dioknox.org 482-1388. n

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April 7, 2013 3

Pope continued from page 1

cessible to the faithful. Bishop Richard F. Stika revealed that Pope Francis embraced the idea of a blessing for the diocese that originated with the bishop and Cardinal Justin Rigali, who has met several times with the pope since his election on March 13. Cardinal Rigali is in the College of Cardinals and was among the papal electors selecting Pope Francis as the successor to His Holiness Benedict XVI, who resigned on Feb. 28. Cardinal Rigali noted that a number of years ago when he was archbishop of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, he and Cardinal Bergoglio during a conversation learned they shared an interest in the American saint Rose Philippine Duchesne of St. Louis. Upon Pope Francis’ election, Cardinal Rigali and Bishop Stika recalled the St. Philippine Duchesne connection. “When he was elected pope, I talked to Cardinal Rigali and said, ‘Wasn’t he the cardinal who has the devotion to Rose Philippine Duchesne?’ Cardinal Rigali replied, ‘Yes, that’s him.’ And I said, ‘If you happen to talk to him, tell him that I would like a blessing for the Diocese of Knoxville,’” Bishop Stika said, noting that he didn’t expect his request to actually reach Pope Francis and he was surprised it came to be. Cardinal Rigali met with Pope Francis several times following the pope’s election. “Maybe by the grace of God, there were several times that Cardinal Rigali sat at the table with the pope and had lunch and dinner with him. At one particular moment, he was sitting with the pope and mentioned how we had discussed the pope’s devotion to Rose Philippine Duchesne. Cardinal Rigali said Bishop Richard Stika of the Diocese of Knoxville is asking for a blessing for his diocese. Right after that, the pope said, ‘Even better than that—get the document drawn up and bring it back to me. I’ll personally sign it,’” Bishop Stika said.

4 April 7, 2013

Papal blessing In one of his first acts as pontiff, Pope Francis signed this blessing for the Diocese of Knoxville, responding to a request by Bishop Richard F. Stika that was presented to the pope by Cardinal Justin Rigali.

Pope Francis asked Cardinal Rigali to have the blessing drawn up quickly before papal formalities took effect that would require such a blessing to go through channels. The Secretariat of State had the blessing drawn up and Cardinal Rigali presented it to Pope Francis for the pontiff’s signature. Cardinal Rigali remarked that it was one of the first special blessings the pope has presented to a diocese— if not the first. The blessing has a special characteristic that adds to its uniqueness. Cardinal Rigali said it is unusual for a pope to sign his name to a normal blessing, but if he did, it typically is in Latin. “Maybe the pope was looking

kindly on all of us. He signed it in English as simply ‘Francis,’” Bishop Stika said. Cardinal Rigali said Pope Francis’ devotion to St. Rose Philippine Duchesne speaks volumes about the person he is. “Cardinal Bergoglio told me some time ago that he prays daily to St. Rose Philippine Duchesne. She is so revered by American Indians as ‘the woman who prays always.’ Pope Francis also is a person of prayer and a person of service to people. That says a lot about who he is,” Cardinal Rigali said. His Eminence said that of Pope Francis’ first 16 meals in the days just after being elected, he shared 14 with the pontiff and sat next to him at sev-

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eral of those meals. It was at one of the meals that Cardinal Rigali and Pope Francis renewed their discussion about St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, which led to the special blessing for the diocese. “The pope sends his blessing and thought it would be nice if the blessing could be in writing. When I saw the pope at lunch, he said he would sign it and he invited me to his room and he signed it in my presence,” Cardinal Rigali said. It was one of the first documents signed by the new pontiff, and Cardinal Rigali called it a great opportunity to introduce Pope Francis to the Diocese of Knoxville. “It turned out quite providentially that he has a devotion to one of the three saints of St. Louis. I was very pleased,” Cardinal Rigali said. Bishop Stika is encouraging Diocese of Knoxville faithful to pray for Pope Francis as he begins his pontificate. The pope selected the Feast of St. Joseph, March 19, as the day he began his ministry, which also is the anniversary of the bishop’s episcopal ordination. “That’s why I’m pleased that of all the days the pope could have chosen … he chose this day to begin solemnly his ministry even though he was pope from the moment he said yes. As he begins this special moment in his ministry, we pray for him. Right now he’s a rock star … but in our eyes he’ll always be the person whom the College of Cardinals chose through the guidance of the Holy Spirit to be Peter in our midst today,” Bishop Stika said. “So he will challenge us and he will love us. I’m sure he’s going to make us smile, but also he’s going to make us think. We pray that his ministry will be long and fruitful, that he might be safe, but also that he might be strong in those moments when he might have to chastise or challenge, or invite people to reflect on our relationship with Jesus Christ, on our relationship with the Father,” he added. dioknox.org

The East Tennessee Catholic

PHOTO BY THE KNOXVILLE NEWS SENTINEL/J. MILES CARY

Describing the Church’s new leader as a man of peace and prayer, Bishop Stika spoke to the Knoxville media on March 13, soon after Pope Francis was introduced to the world. Just as Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation was surprising, so was the relatively quick election of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina as his successor. Bishop Stika had said in a March 12 TV interview that he thought the College of Cardinals would elect a new pope on Friday, March 15, after being in conclave since March 12. Bishop Stika said he was at home working on his taxes March 13 when Pope Francis was elected “because I thought there was no way a pope would be elected” that day, but then he saw on television the white smoke coming from the Sistine Chapel where the cardinals’ voting took place. The bishop then hurried to the Chancery to watch along with his staff members the introduction of the new pope. “In all my wisdom I said it would occur on Friday. It just shows that I am not infallible,” Bishop Stika said kiddingly during the March 13 press conference at the Chancery. “I, along with many people throughout the world, was surprised to hear that on the fifth ballot the cardinal electors took, they elected a cardinal from Buenos Aires in Argentina, who now has taken the name Francis. “What’s interesting about this is this is the first time in over a thousand years that a pope has been elected from an area outside of Europe; in fact, the first time a pope has been elected from what is called the New World.” The bishop asked, “What do we know about this 266th pope, the 265th successor of St. Peter?” “He’s a member of the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. He was a professor of literature and philosophy. He also has a degree in chemistry. He has lived a very simple .life in Buenos Aires. He didn’t live in

Papal elector Cardinal Justin Rigali, joined by Bishop Richard F. Stika, speaks to members of the news media Feb. 26 before departing for the papal conclave in Rome. Cardinal Rigali, who met several times with Pope Francis after the papal conclave, returned to Knoxville with a special blessing from the new pontiff for Bishop Stika and the Diocese of Knoxville.

the archbishop’s residence; he lived in an apartment and he cooked for himself, and he took the bus to work. He’s a man of prayer. He’s considered beloved in Argentina because he has this great love of the poor, and it’s known throughout his nation.” Bishop Stika said Pope Francis “is a man of peace, but especially he’s a man of prayer.” “Right after his election, right after his introduction to the whole world as he came out onto the balcony, he invited that crowd of over a hundred thousand people and in reality, the whole world, to pray for Benedict, his predecessor. So they prayed the Our Father, the common prayer that exists among all of Christianity, and then he did something very special. “He invited all the people in St. Peter’s Square, and in fact in the entire world, to pray over him, for he invited the people to give him their blessing. And so this man who now is a head of state and head of an organization of 1.2 billion—he bowed his head and invited the people to pray over him.”

That “gives a great indication of who Pope Francis will be in the years to come,” Bishop Stika said. In other instances that have ingratiated him with followers, Pope Francis was photographed in the early hours of his pontificate riding a bus with cardinals and standing at the desk of the Vatican hotel, where he had been staying with other members of the College of Cardinals, to check out of his room. “He will be a man of prayer, he will be the face of Jesus, and he will invite all of us to be a people of prayer, and he will invite all of us to be reflections of God in all that we do and all that we say. So I invite Catholics of the Diocese of Knoxville and really all people of good will to pray for this great man who now will lead the Catholic Church, but in some ways, lead Christianity as we journey into the future.” Bishop Stika said the cardinals were guided by the Holy Spirit as they chose this new successor to St. Peter. He was asked at the press conference if Pope Francis’s election

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would spark a trend of Latin Americans returning to the Church. “I think that Latinos make up a large segment of the Catholic Church,” the bishop said. “This election demonstrates that the Catholic Church is universal, that we had a pope from Poland, we had a pope from Germany, and now we have a Holy Father from Argentina in South America. The Church is not just about one nation or one culture . . . [Pope Francis] even said the cardinals elected a person from a faraway land, and he is there now in their midst, so now he becomes the bishop of Rome and the pastor of the universal Church.” The bishop noted that the new Holy Father’s papal name is meaningful. “St. Francis of Assisi talked about in his life that he had a dream to help rebuild the Church, and I think with all the difficulties and challenges that the Church faces these days, I think the reason he chose that name was pretty significant.” The bishop said the Holy Spirit “is kind of unpredictable” but led the cardinals to select “the person that they thought would be the best pastor of the Catholic Church.” “It might be unpredictable in some ways, difficult to understand for some, but for God all things are possible, as the Scriptures tell us. This is a perfect example of that.” Once Cardinal Rigali entered the Sistine Chapel for the conclave, he and the other 114 electors could not have contact with the outside world. “When he left his residence at the North American College [as the conclave began], they had to leave their telephones behind,” the bishop said. Bishop Stika said he soon will be meeting with Pope Francis. “I’m looking forward in April, two weeks after Easter, to be traveling to Rome for a week for meetings, and I’ll have a chance to see the new Holy Father, so I’ll bring with me the greetings of all the good people of East Tennessee.” n April 7, 2013 5

Chrism Mass, Easter Vigil highlight Holy Week services D Priests across diocese join as Bishop Stika consecrates sacred Chrism and faithful observe holiest time of year

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DAN MCWILLIAMS

Chrism Mass overflow crowd estimated at 850 watched diocesan priests renew their vows of service and witnessed Bishop Richard F. Stika bless the holy oils that are used in the Church throughout the year. More than 60 priests from throughout the diocese joined the bishop for the annual Holy Week Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral on March 26. As part of his opening remarks, the bishop welcomed home Cardinal Justin Rigali, who recently returned from the Vatican City, where he was one of the cardinal electors in the vote for a new pope. “Your eminence, you did a good job,” Bishop Stika said. The bishop opened his homily by congratulating military chaplain Father Patrick Brownell, who recently came back from a visit to the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea. Bishop Stika said that “we celebrate two things in reality” at the Chrism Mass. “We celebrate first of all people coming into our midst by the blessing of the oils, of the sick, and of the catechumens, and the consecrating of the holy Chrism,” he said. “It’s one way that we extend ourselves out from this night and touch the lives of so many different people in all of our parishes, the 47 plus the four missions. “But also part of this night we celebrate the priesthood of Jesus Christ, as the priests renew their commitments to be priests, to be servants, to be leaders, to be men of prayer.” The bishop asked why, during the recent papal conclave, the entire world focused on the Sistine Chapel chimney to see whether it would emit white or black smoke. The answer may have been in the Chrism Mass’s first reading, from Isaiah 61, he said.

Together in prayer Bishop Richard F. Stika leads the diocesan Chrism Mass March 26 at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Priests across the diocese joined Bishop Stika for the annual Mass, where they renewed their vows of service.

“What is it about the Catholic Church that causes in our own diocese on Holy Saturday night, give or take we’ll welcome 315 new members into our church?” the bishop asked. “Is it about the social aspect of the church? . . . Maybe, in some ways, to some degree, but it goes deeper. Maybe it’s the invitation to people to gather together to pray, all the devotional prayers, but it goes deeper. Is it about sacraments like marriage and holy orders and others? . . . But it goes deeper. “I daresay it’s about what we celebrate this evening, as we celebrate the Eucharist. It’s the summit of who we are. For ‘the Spirit of the Lord is upon us,’ as that first reading reminds us.” As it approaches its silver anniversary, the small Diocese of Knoxville “has grown and increased in fervor and vigor,” Bishop Stika said. “That’s why I said at the beginning of this Mass that from my perspective the church in East Ten-

nessee is very healthy, for we see excitement, we see a desire to study Scripture, to form Knights of Columbus councils, to welcome people into our church through RCIA, and to share the faith with others,” he said “Maybe, just maybe that’s the reason why the entire world was watching that chimney to see what was coming out. They were interested about the Catholic Church. . . . “If you inquire of those going through the RCIA, they’ll say there’s something that draws them to the church, and part of it is you. By your example of living Gospel values, for indeed the Spirit of the Lord is upon you. . . . as he invites you to build the kingdom of God in East Tennessee.” Priests who visit the diocese “tell us that something exceptional is here in the Diocese of Knoxville: the priests like each other and enjoy each other,” Bishop Stika said. “And even though we come from different nations and different cultures . . . we work together and we work for the people of God.”

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

By Dan McWilliams

The bishop mentioned the diocese’s 19 seminarians, many of whom served during the Chrism Mass. Two of them, Deacon Christopher Manning and Deacon Arthur Torres Barona, assisted at Mass and will be ordained priests later this year. Four more seminarians will be ordained deacons this year, Bishop Stika said. “So we’ll have four ordinations next year to the priesthood. Why is that? Because of you guys, you priests and deacons who I’m privileged to share ministry with in this diocese.” Two women in the diocese joined religious communities in the last year, the bishop said. He also announced that four cloistered sisters will be moving into residence at the Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton soon. “Cloistered sisters are going to be praying for you every moment of every day,” Bishop Stika said. “The church is growing because the Spirit of God is upon us.” The bishop thanked the priests, deacons, and women religious who attended the Chrism Mass for their service. “To be the face and the voice and the hands of Jesus is our challenge,” he said. “To build his kingdom in many ways is a gift.” Bishop Stika showed the assembly a papal blessing obtained by Cardinal Rigali from Pope Francis, likely the first blessing he had given as pope. “Good ol’ little Knoxville, to get the very first papal blessing,” the bishop said. “And so in a very special way we’re connected to the universal Church, to now the successor of St. Peter.” The bishop concluded his homily by saying, “if you ever feel tired, glum, sad, confused, or wonder what the Church is all about, think of that first reading: ‘the Spirit of the Lord is upon us.’” n dioknox.org

Diocese welcomes hundreds of new members at Easter

By Dan McWilliams total of 300 future Catholics took part in the annual Rite of Election ceremonies held around the diocese on the first weekend of Lent. Bishop Richard F. Stika presided at each of the four deanery rites. Accompanying him was Sister Mary Timothea Elliott, director of Christian Formation for the diocese. “I just want to welcome you to the Church,” Bishop Stika said to the newcomers Feb. 16 at St. John Neumann Church in Farragut, site of the Cumberland Mountain Deanery Rite of Election. “Those of

you who are not baptized and those who are already baptized, in the name of the Catholic Church in East Tennessee . . . I welcome you to the Diocese of Knoxville.” The event’s full name is the Rite of Election of Catechumens and the Call to Continuing Conversion of Candidates. Catechumens have never been baptized and received the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. Candidates have been baptized and were confirmed and received the Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.

Rite continued on page 20

DAN MCWILLIAMS

Rite of Election ceremonies for catechumens, candidates held

Welcome to the Church Bishop Richard F. Stika greets catechumen Alonzo

Creech during the Rite of Election at St. John Neumann Church on Feb. 16. Accompanying Alonzo is his godparent, Avelardo Mercado.

Bishop Richard F. Stika & The Diocese of Knoxville Invite You

25th AnniversAry Jubilee CelebrAtion And euChAristiC Congress september 13-14, 2013

A Faith-Filled Family Weekend

Sevierville Convention Center / Wilderness at the Smokies Waterpark Resort

Keynote Speaker TimoThy Cardinal dolan

One of Time’s “100 Most Influential People in the World,” His Eminence was also appointed to the College of Cardinals.

JoSh blaKeSley & Sarah Kroger

Dedicated to contemporary catholic music, Josh and Sarah have led teen conferences accross the nation.

JuSTin Cardinal rigali

His Eminence serves in the College of Cardinals and is a papal elector. He is Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Vallimar JanSen

ValLimar has toured the world as both a singer and speaker and currently works as a University Professor.

biShoP riChard F. STiKa

FaTher roberT barron

Bishop of the Diocese of Knoxville, one of the fastest growing dioceses in the country. He also serves in the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

FaTher raFael CaPó

As an educator and priest, Father Capo leads the Hispanic Catholic Southeast Pastoral Institute in Miami, Fla.

“One of the church’s best messengers,” he is the Founder and Executive Director of Word on Fire Ministries.

Johann ÁlVarez

Award-winning singer-songwriter who loves to share the Gospel through song and powerful reflections.

dr. SCoTT hahn

Bestselling author of the The Lamb’s Supper and founder and president of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology.

SiSTer roSa hernandez

She is a member of the Migrant Ministry team in the Diocese of Stockton and led migrant ministry in Ala.

dioKnoX.org/ec/

discounted rooms Available at Wilderness at the smokies resort

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April 7, 2013 7

DAN MCWILLIAMS

Giving back Sacred Heart Cathedral School and Knoxville Catholic High School alum Harrison Smith teams with ESPN’s Dr. Jerry Punch for an SHCS fundraiser appearance.

NFL’s Harrison Smith leads fundraiser for Sacred Heart Cathedral School

By Dan McWilliams ore than 200 people welcomed home a famous alumnus of Sacred Heart Cathedral School on Feb. 25 during “An Evening With Harrison Smith,” featuring the Minnesota Vikings safety fresh off an outstanding rookie season in the NFL. The sold-out event benefited the SHCS Annual Fund, which provides for expenses not covered by tuition, such as technology, faculty development, and building maintenance. The event was emceed by ESPN’s Dr. Jerry Punch, a Sacred Heart Cathedral parishioner. The evening included a welcome and prayer by Bishop Richard F. Stika, dinner, a video featuring SHCS students and staff talking about Mr. Smith, a 30-minute question-and-answer session with Mr. Smith and Dr. Punch, and a talk by Annual Fund chairs Chris and Melanie Pollock. Mr. Smith posed for photos and signed autographs for several minutes before dinner and well after the Q&A finished. Mr. Smith, an alum of Knoxville Catholic High School and the University of Notre Dame, called the event “very humbling and very flattering.” “I’m excited to be a part of it,” he said. “I’m glad they asked me.”

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Mr. Smith made 104 tackles as a rookie for the Vikings and returned two of his three interceptions for touchdowns. He helped the Vikings post a 10-6 record and reach the wildcard round of the playoffs, where they lost to Green Bay. He was ranked among the top NFL rookies in 2012. “It was a good year individually, and as a team we also had a good year,” Mr. Smith said. “Obviously, the goal is to win the Super Bowl, and we fell a few games short of that, but definitely the Vikings were improved this year, and that’s the goal going forward: to get better.” Mr. Smith already is eager for his second season to begin. “At first I was tired, ready to kind of slow down and take a break, but now I’m kind of getting antsy to go back and start playing again,” he said. “Once you get that first year under your belt, you kind of know what it’s like, and then next year there won’t be so many question marks. I’ll know what to expect going into it and hopefully just improve from that point.” The 2003 graduate of Sacred Heart can easily recall his days there. “I remember everything about going to school here,” Mr. Smith said. “I can go through all my teachers

The North American Forum on the Catechumenate Lenoir City, TN June 13-15, 2013

Beginnings Institute

The Beginnings Institute is a three-day intensive institute on initiation that invites participants to experience the conversion process of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults through presentations, reflection, faith sharing, and celebration of adapted liturgies of initiation

In partnership with the Diocese of Knoxville

*Learn skills and techniques critical to the implementation of the Rite *Invite participants to deepen their own faith in Jesus Christ *Challenge participants to explore the connection between good liturgy and catechesis *Gain a deeper understanding of the conversion journey

A learning opportunity for: RCIA teams Liturgists Pastoral musicians Pastors and associates Catechists Sponsors Social outreach committees

Visit the Office of Christian Formation webpage for more information, a daily schedule, and registration instructions or contact Sister Timothea Elliott, RSM at 865-584-3307. www.dioknox.org

Harrison continued on page 20

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Diocesan parishioners respond to selection of Pope Francis Hispanic community already feeling impact with the election of first Holy Father from the Americas

The East Tennessee Catholic

TONI JACOBS

he impact of Pope Francis’ election is being felt around the world, and in the Diocese of Knoxville parishioners are reacting with excitement to the new pontiff and his interaction with the faithful. Deacon Bill Jacobs, who serves at Holy Family Church in Seymour, described being in St. Peter’s Square when white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney as one of the most exciting experiences of his life. Deacon Jacobs and his wife, Toni, made Rome travel plans when His Holiness Benedict XVI announced his Feb. 28 resignation. They arrived on March 11, the first day of the conclave to elect Benedict’s successor. “I’ve never really had a bucket list, but if I had one, this would be high on the list. I always dreamed about going to the Vatican during a conclave,” said Deacon Jacobs, who admitted getting caught up in the moment. Although they were in the ancient capital of Europe, the Jacobs were never very far from the Diocese of Knoxville. While at St. Peter’s, they Lourdes Garza met Cardinal Justin Rigali, who is in the College of Cardinals and was a papal elector in the conclave, and also Knoxville seminarian Michael Hendershott, who is studying at the Pontifical North American College affiliated with the Vatican. Deacon Jacobs and his wife were waving American and University of Tennessee flags as they joined tens of thousands of people crowded into St. Peter’s square for the papal succession. They stood in the rain and cold, praying the rosary when the historical moment occurred. “Then the white smoke appeared. It was so exciting, with thousands of faithful watching and cheering. Then the rain stopped just before Pope Francis appeared,” Deacon Jacobs said. “I was

Witnessing history Deacon Bill Jacobs is photographed by his wife, Toni, while at the Vatican to witness the selection of Pope Francis. Pope Francis is seen on the large video screen. The Jacobs are parishioners at Holy Family in Seymour.

crying. It was a very emotional time for me and Toni.” The Jacobs weren’t alone in their response to Pope Francis’ Blanca Primm election. Blanca Primm, who is with the Diocese of Knoxville’s Office of Hispanic Ministry and is originally from Peru, said she was speechless when she realized the new pope is Argentinean and the first pontiff from the Americas. Mrs. Primm and Lourdes Garza, director of the diocesan Office of Hispanic Ministry, say Pope Francis has generated much excitement and hope in East Tennessee’s Latino community as followers listen to the Holy Father in their native language. Mrs. Primm said she watched on television with great anticipation as the white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney. “At that moment I was so emotional. We have a pope. I was thrilled and I

was crying. At the moment they said he was an Argentinean, I was speechless. I completely identify with my Latin American brothers and sisters that God loves us,” Mrs. Primm said. “I felt it was a sign of the times, that the Holy Spirit was speaking very loudly to us.” “Overjoyed” by the selection of Pope Francis, Ms. Garza said it is important that he is the first pontiff from the

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

By Bill Brewer

Americas, specifically Latin America, because he will be able to converse fluently with 40 percent of the Catholic Church. “The 23 Spanish-speaking countries are united by faith, language and music, so it’s very significant to have a pope who shares that with us,” Ms. Garza said. “We’re happy that the College of Cardinals is looking at the universal Church and acknowledging where growth in the Church is.” As an archbishop in Buenos Aires and an advocate for the poor, she believes Pope Francis not only talks his faith, but walks it, and his humility and compassion will spread throughout the Church. “My mother said he seems more approachable, like you can go up and talk to him,” Ms. Garza said. “It will penetrate through the Church—that he is the pope for everybody.” Mrs. Primm shares the view that Pope Francis is spreading a positive light throughout the universal Church, which could lead to a renewed interest in Catholicism from those who have grown distant from the Church. “It’s going to bring a renewal in the Church. People will be more open,” she said. “Each of us in our own roles must help the pope by being the best Catholic we can be and to be holy. Take on his example.” n

April 7, 2013 9

Diocesan calendar by Margaret Hunt Father Patrick Resen of St. Catherine Labouré Parish in Copperhill will be the spiritual director of a pilgrimage to Ireland from Sept. 25 through Oct. 4. The tour will include stops in Dublin, Knock, Ballintubber, Croagh Patrick, Cong Abbey, Galway, Limerick, and the Ring of Kerry. Father Resen will celebrate Mass at St. James Church in Carracastle, Ireland, which is the home church of his late grandmother. The cost per person is $2,695 including airfare from Atlanta. Other fees apply. Contact Faith Journeys to register at 480-894-8407 or email info@myfaithjourneys.com. Monsignor Al Humbrecht and Father Michael Nolan will be the spiritual directors of a pilgrimage to Spain and Portugal from Oct. 29 through Nov. 9. Pilgrims will visit important shrines and holy sites in Madrid, Segovia, Avila, León, Santiago, Fatima, and Lisbon. The cost per person is $3,599 from Atlanta. To obtain a brochure or register, contact Sister Albertine Paulus, RSM, at 865207-4742, 545-8270 or smaevang@ yahoo.com. The Notre Dame Club of Knoxville is recruiting new members. The local club provides scholarships to students attending Notre Dame from East Tennessee, sponsors summer intern work at Catholic Charities of East Tennessee, cosponsors the Hesburgh Lecture Series with the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Tennessee, and is involved in numerous other activities in support of Notre Dame alumni and the community. Dues are $30 per year. For more details, contact Dave Rivoira at 865-539-5301, Russ Hand at 769-8540, or Shelby Ford at 574-315-3433; or visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ notredameclubofknoxville. The next Hesburgh Lecture sponsored by the Notre Dame Club of Knoxville and the Tennessee Cancer Institute will feature Dr. Rudy Navari, clinical director

10 April 7, 2013

of the Harper Cancer Institute in South Bend, Ind. The topic will be “Adult Cancer Screening 2013” and will address current screening guidelines for various forms of cancer. The event will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, April 22, at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. For more information, contact Dave Rivoira at 865-539-5301. The fourth course in the catechetical formation program sponsored by the Diocese of Knoxville and taught by instructors from Aquinas College in Nashville will have a final session Saturday, April 27, at the Chancery in Knoxville. The session will meet from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Register online at www.eventbrite.com/org/3149767104 or contact Father Richard Armstrong at 865-584-3307 or rarmstrong@dioknox. org for more information. A Beginning Experience weekend is scheduled for the weekend of April 5-7 at the Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton. The retreat is designed for those who have suffered the death of a spouse, separation, or divorce and are seeking hope and renewal. The cost of the weekend is $175. Financial aid is available. Contact Marian Christiana for more information at mchristiana@dioknox.org. The next Cursillo for men in English is scheduled for April 11-14 at the Apison Retreat Center. For more information, contact Lois Schering at 865-681-7858 or schering4@aol.com. Divorced Catholics are invited to view an introduction of the DVD series The Catholic’s Divorce Survival Guide from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, April 14, at Noodles and Co., 405 Market St. in Chattanooga. The series will continue for 12 weeks and will cover a wide range of topics that address the common experiences of divorced Catholics and attempts to provide practical insights into how to manage the healing process. The cost is $15 per person. Contact Marian Christiana to register at mchristiana@dioknox.org, or visit the

website www.faithlifeline.com for more detailed information about the series. The 10th annual Fighting Irish Spring Classic will be held from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 19, at Smokies Park in Kodak. The baseball doubleheader will pair Fulton High School and Powell and Knoxville Catholic High School with Gibbs. Tickets for adults are $5 in advance and $6 at the gate; student tickets are $3 in advance and $4 at the gate. Proceeds from the tournament will help support Catholic Charities of East Tennessee adoption and pregnancy services. To purchase tickets in advance, visit www.ccetn.org/whats-coming-up/ fighting-irish-spring-classic/ or call KCHS at 865-560-0313. For more information, contact Sandi Davidson at sandiphc@ccetn.org or 865-251-0488. The 15th annual Kids Helping Kids Fun Walk sponsored by Catholic Charities of East Tennessee will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 21, on the Knoxville Catholic High School campus. Registration and entertainment will begin at 2 p.m. The family-friendly event includes a one-mile fun walk around the grounds of KCHS, inflatable games, complimentary refreshments, and live music. Individual tickets are $15 or $30 for a family of four. Corporate sponsorships are also available. Proceeds go to support Columbus Home Children’s Services. Contact Sherrie Shuler for more information at 865-524-9896 or sherrie@ccetn.org. Tennessee Right to Life is looking for volunteers to participate in the “Be a Life Saver” fundraiser on Saturday, April 27. Volunteers will be collecting donations at intersections around Knoxville and distributing pro-life literature. Money collected from this event will help fund the TRL pro-life billboards, booth fees for educational displays at venues around the area, the continued development of the memorial next to the Planned Parenthood clinic on Cherry Street, and the cost to purchase new educational materials. To register, contact the TRL office at 865-689-1339 or trlknox@trlknox.com.

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

The 2013 Ladies of Charity of Knoxville Golf Tournament is set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, May 3, at Egwani Farms Golf Course in Rockford. The format is four-person teams, best shot. Registration is $125 per individual and $500 per team. Prizes include first, second, third, and last place in each of two flights. A hole-in-one grand prize is a trip for two including four nights at the Lodge at Pebble Beach and rounds of golf at Pebble Beach, Spyglass, and Spanish Bay. Additional hole-in-one prizes and closest-to-the-pin and door prizes will be awarded. Sponsorships are available; sponsorships of $1,500 or more include a full team registration. For more information, contact Joe Fuhr at 865-693-1810 or jfuhr4221@aol.com. Tennessee Right to Life will be running a Mother’s Day ad in the Knoxville News Sentinel on Sunday, May 12. Individuals, families, or memorials can be listed for $10 per person or $15 per family. Contact the Tennessee Right to Life office at 865-689-1339 or trlknox@ trlknox.com to register. The 11th annual Scouting retreat hosted by the Knoxville Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting will be held June 7-9 at the Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton. The Franciscan Brothers will lead the retreat, which will focus on living the Year of Faith. Activities will include presentations by the brothers, games, eucharistic adoration, and Mass. All youth ages 13 to 18 are encouraged to attend. Scout development training will also be offered for adults. The cost is $30 per person before May 1 and $40 afterward. To register, visit www.kdccs. org/scouting-retreat or mail a check to KDCCS, 10700 Leeward Lane, Knoxville, TN 37934. For more information on the Franciscan Brothers, visit www.franciscan brothersminor.com. The 10th annual Pro-Life Women’s Day on the Hill is set for 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, in Nashville. The event gives women a chance to speak with state legislators Calendar continued on page 14 dioknox.org

Chattanooga Deanery calendar The first session of a seven-week parenting workshop based on the bestselling book How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, at Holy Spirit Church in Soddy-Daisy. The cost is $15 per person and includes a workbook and certificate. Register in advance by contacting J. J. Salts at jjsaltsrn@gmail. com or by calling 808-927-4478. There will be a Rachel’s Vineyard Healing and Recovery retreat for those suffering the aftereffects of an abortion the weekend of April 12-14 in Benton. To learn more, contact Sandi Davidson at 865-776-4510 or sandi@ccetn.org, or Catherine McHugh at 696-7720 or peace4lilith@aol.com. Complete confidentiality is honored at all times.

Parish notes: Chattanooga Deanery

a shotgun start at 8. The $85 cost per person covers the green fee, cart, door prizes, lunch, two free drinks, entry for a $10,000 hole-in-one prize, awards for first and second place, and awards for men’s and women’s longest-drive and closestto-the-pin contests. Prizes and gifts are needed for the golfers and for an auction. All levels of golfers are welcome to participate. For more information, e-mail golftournament@ststephenchattanooga.com or call the office at 423-892-1261 or John at 296-0537. Proceeds will be used to help the parish eliminate its kitchen debt.

Knights of Columbus Council 6099 in Chattanooga is having its annual golf tournament Saturday, April 20, at the Brainerd Golf Course. For more information, contact Rusty Phillips at 423-240-3143.

Catholic Charities of Chattanooga will have its 31st annual fundraising dinner from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at the Chattanooga Convention Center. Bishop Richard F. Stika and Father Ragan Schriver, executive director of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee, will be hosting the event. Monsignor Al Humbrecht will be the guest of honor. Tickets are $100 per person. To learn more or purchase tickets, contact Christine Willingham at 423267-1297 or Christine@ccetn.org.

St. Stephen Parish in Chattanooga is holding its sixth annual golf tournament Saturday, April 20, at Brainerd Golf Course. The format is four-person select shot. Sign-in is at 7:30 a.m., followed by

The St. John Bosco Classically Catholic Homeschool Co-op begins open registration Wednesday, May 1. For details about the co-op, contact Sandy Pricer at 423-619-1163 or slpricer@gmail.com. n

Holy Spirit, Soddy-Daisy The St. Vincent de Paul Society at Holy Spirit Church collected small personalcare items, notepads, games, and other trinkets to fill Easter baskets for residents at The Home Place and Soddy-Daisy Health Care Center during March.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Chattanooga OLPH is organizing a new St. Vincent de Paul chapter at the parish. Visit olphvdps.wordpress.com for more information.

St. Augustine, Signal Mountain The annual White Hot for Haiti dinner and dance will take place from 7 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at the Signal Mountain Golf and Country Club. Activities for the evening include the dinner, an auction, and door-prize drawings. Tickets are $40 per person or $75 per couple. Tickets will be sold after the Sunday Masses in advance of the event. Contact Candy Clark for more information at 423-886-4514.

St. Stephen, Chattanooga Anniversaries: Cecile and Ebon Grubb (60), Kenn and Mary Stroup (50) Newcomers: Craig Brickl; Katie Fosmoen and Joshua Jolly

St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Cleveland The “Step into Spring” fashion show, boutique, and luncheon is set for Saturday, April 20 in the parish center. Men’s, women’s, teens’, and toddler fashions by Belk of Cleveland will be showcased. Doors open at 11 a.m.; lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $8 per person or $60 for a table of eight; individual tickets are $10 after April 14 if space is still available. There will be opportunities to purchase a variety of items from local merchants and to bid on gift baskets. Call the parish office for more information at 423-476-8123.

ELIZABETH CONWAY

Senior Graduate Sunday is scheduled for May 19, at the 9:30 a.m. Mass. Graduating seniors will be honored at Mass and during a reception with light refreshments following the service. Submit a graduating senior’s name and photograph, including photos of sacramental celebrations, to the parish office by Wednesday, May 1. A form available in the office also needs to be completed for a senior to be recognized.

Holy Spirit celebrates Rite of Election for two The RCIA class at Holy Spirit Parish in Soddy-Daisy celebrated the Rite of Election of catechumen Jerry Davis and the continuing conversion of candidate Susan Brazelle on Feb. 17 at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga. Watching Mr. Davis shake hands with Bishop Richard F. Stika is his sponsor, Jimmy Tucker, and Holy Spirit RCIA director Linda Frantz. The East Tennessee Catholic

Visit St. Therese of Lisieux’s website to subscribe to receive the weekly bulletin. You also can access weekly Scripture readings, past bulletins, and more. Sign up at www.StThereseCatholicChurch.org. The 14th annual Knights of Columbus Charities Golf Tournament is being held Friday, May 3, at Chatata Valley Golf Club in Cleveland. The tournament begins with a 9 a.m. shotgun start, and proceeds will benefit the many charities supported by the local Knights council. Cost is $100 per player, and entry forms may be obtained from any Knight or from the K of C tray in the back of the church lobby. For more information, contact Barry B. Boettner at 423-476-6918 or bbb6235@ aol.com. n

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

April 7, 2013 11

Cumberland Mountain Deanery calendar

Parish notes: Cumberland Mountain Deanery

The Ulster Project of Knoxville is recruiting families of teens aged 14 to 16 to host a teen from Northern Ireland for a four-week program that includes team building, dialogue, social events, shared worship, and community service this summer. For details, contact John Hough at 865-405-5929.

Blessed Sacrament, Harriman Father Michael Sweeney was the guest speaker at Harriman United Methodist Church at the March 27 Lenten luncheon.

St. Alphonsus, Crossville The Council of Catholic Women will be hosting an indoor rummage sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, April 5, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 6, at the Knights of Columbus Hall located at 2892 Highway 70 East in Crossville. Contact Georgene Krogman at 931-484-7199 for more information.

The Ulster Project of Knoxville is hosting its annual fundraising dinner featuring the show “Late Nite Catechism Las Vegas: Sister Rolls the Dice” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18, in the St. Mary School gymnasium in Oak Ridge. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for refreshments, a silent auction, and socializing. Ticket prices range from $25 to $45 per person depending on seating and are available online at www.entertainmentevents. com/shows, at St. Mary School, or at the door. For more information, contact Lynda Vinyard at 865-556-1355.

St. Francis of Assisi, Fairfield Glade The parish May crowning will take place at the 10 a.m. Mass on Sunday, May 5. Following the Mass will be a dedication of the new Mary’s Garden outside the columbarium. St. Francis of Assisi parishioner and former Knoxville Catholic High School athletics director and head football coach Dan Schlafer was recently elected to the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association Hall of Fame. Along with 11 others from across Tennessee, he will be inducted at a Hall of Fame luncheon to be held at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Convention Center in Murfreesboro on Saturday, April 20.

St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Lenoir City will be hosting a workshop for those interested in learning how to write (paint) icons from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. May 20-25 in the family life center. The instructor will be Irene Perez-Omer. A down payment of $325 is due by April 1. The bal-

Anniversaries: Tom and Joan Edwards (61), Ray and Susan Butkus (59), Ed and Claire Sisson (58), Don and Carolyn Beck (58), Paul and Sue Brink (58), Jerry and Judy Smith (54), Frank and Pat Prejna (54), James and Lynda Tjaarda (53), Francis and Alice Radwick (52), Paul and Mary Demet (50), Blaine and Lenore Drake (50)

ance of $300 will be due no later than May 1 (nonrefundable after May 1). Put your down payment in an envelope marked “Father Christian Iconography Workshop.” Drop off at the church office or mail to St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 1580 St. Thomas Way, Lenoir City, TN 37772. Make checks payable to St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. Contact Father Christian Mathis for details at 865-816-7219 or frchristian@sthomaslc.com. More information on Ms. Perez-Omer and the workshop can be found at www.iconarts.com

The Knights of Columbus Council 8152 annual charity golf tournament will take place at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 12, at the Bear Trace at Cumberland Mountain golf course. The format will be a four-person scramble with a maximum of 36 teams. The entry donation of $75 includes green and cart fees, one mulligan, and entrance to the awards banquet at the Knights of Columbus Hall. The cost to attend the banquet only is $12. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit Cumberland County charities. For more details, contact Shelton Johnson at 931-4855587, Larry Lanzerotti at 456-9633, or John Kopmeier at 456-2597. n

St. Mary, Oak Ridge

St. Mary’s junior high group, called Challenge, is hosting a “pure fashion show.” The purpose of the Modesty Fashion Show is to show that “modest is hottest.” The theme is modesty, and the goal is to let young women know that they can still look cute and fashionable while dressing modestly. The show will be sponsored by Altar’d State and Belk and will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at Oak Ridge Country Club. A limited number of tickets is available for $20, which includes dinner and the show. Contact Margaret Merrill at mmerrill@smcor.org.

St. Therese, Clinton The Junior Legion of Mary will begin meeting at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 27 at the church. The women’s group is having a rummage sale from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 19 and 20. Items will be accepted starting after the April 8 meeting. For more information, contact Sharon Jackson. Proceeds from the sale will be used to purchase a new stove for the church hall. n

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COURTESY OF KAREN VACALIUC

The St. Mary School fourth annual family dinner and dance to benefit the school endowment fund will be held from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4, in Columbus Hall. The theme will be “Puttin’ on the Ritz” and will feature dinner, an ice cream bar, karaoke, casino games, and a silent auction. Tickets are $30 for adults, $20 for senior citizens, $10 for children, or $80 per family. Contact Kathryn Chou at 865-483-9700 to donate auction items or to learn more.

Clinic recognizes St. Mary in Oak Ridge St. Mary Parish in Oak Ridge was recently awarded the “Silver Sneaker” from Choices Resource Center for its continued support of the pro-life clinic. St. Mary was the top fundraiser for the annual Walk for Life, held by Choices Resource Center each fall. a Each year the parish priests and the Dominican Sisters from the school participate in a the walk, as well as many parishioners. Pictured from left are St. Mary associate pastorc Father Dustin Collins, Sister Andrea Marie Graham, OP, Respect Life Ministry member Mary Barker, St. Mary pastor Father Bede Aboh, Choices staff members Amber h Martin and Dutchess Jones, and Respect Life Ministry member Karen Vacaliuc. H

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Five Rivers Deanery calendar

The Glenmary Home Missioners are sponsoring an evangelization seminar titled “Gossiping the Gospel” from 9:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Saturday, April 6, at St. Mary School in Johnson City. Four workshops will be presented for eattendees. The keynote speaker will be Kathy O’Brien. The registration fee of $3 includes lunch. To register, mail Father Tom Charters at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Mission, P.O. Box 1009, Erwin, TN 37650 or e-mail him at

Parish notes: Five Rivers Deanery

tcharters@glenmary.org.

Notre Dame, Greeneville

The 28th annual St. Mary School Auction will be held at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at the school in Johnson City. Donations of trips, professional-service coupons, or other items are needed to make the auction a success. Financial donations are also welcome. For more information, contact Leslie Knapp at 423282-3397 or leslie.knapp@stmarysjc. org. n

The Knights of Columbus are hosting a dinner featuring Cincinnati-style chili and an auction starting at 6:15 p.m. Saturday, April 13. Auction items include gift certificates to local establishments, homemade baked goods, and much more. Drawings will be held for door prizes throughout the evening, including one for $200. Tickets are $10 for adults ages 13 and up and $5 for children 6 to 12. Children 5 and under are admitted free. Donations are being accepted for the auction. Contact Tom Quint at 423-787-9230 or Bud Noe at 639-1074 for pickup of large items. Tickets may be purchased after all weekend Masses or at the door.

St. Dominic, Kingsport Mary Silver, a former parishioner, will be completing her postulancy with the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist and will be entering the novitiate on Sunday, April 7 (Divine Mercy Sunday). The middle school CCD students collected $692.75 at their recent bake sale. Proceeds from the bake sale went to help New Clothes for Kids and Hope House, two local social-service agencies.

COURTESY OF MAGGIE MAY

The Knights of Columbus council honored the following Knights at their recent award banquet: Dave Gostomski, Knight of the Year; Chuck Murrell, Rookie of the Year; Heather and Don Grove, Family of the Year; Dave Huber and Chuck McCort, Distinguished Service; and Bob Roth, Extended Service.

St. Mary, Johnson City “Our Spiritual Gifts” was the theme of the Council of Catholic Women Lenten retreat March 16. Cindy Solomon was the presenter. n

Notre Dame CCW hosts baby shower On March 10 the Council of Catholic Women of Notre Dame Parish in Greeneville hosted a baby shower to benefit the Hope Center, a crisis-pregnancy resource center in Greeneville. Sharon Hodgens (right), director of the Hope Center, was the guest speaker, accompanied by Jennifer Martin (left), a part-time employee at the facility. Ms. Hodgens explained that the Hope Center provides a 24-hour “hope line,” free pregnancy tests, parenting, nutrition classes, alternatives to abortion and postabortion counseling, educational resources, adoption facilitation, and many more programs. She shared the most current newsletter, updating the installation of the ultrasound machine and room, for which Notre Dame aided with the funding.

Parish partnering with Habitat to build house

t. Mary Parish in Johnson City is partnering with Holston Habitat for Humanity to build a house for a parishioner who is a single mother with two teenage children. The three-bedroom, one-and-ahalf-bath house will be built at 1405 Holston Ave. in Johnson City for The East Tennessee Catholic

Simone Anstrid and her two children, ages 12 and 14. St. Mary’s leadership team for the Habitat project includes John and Pat Barraclough, Debbie Yobst, Ted Imes, Ed LaRocco, Bob Becker, Patricia Friedrichs, and Ray Jasniecki. Al Bentz of Habitat will serve as site supervisor. n The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

April 7, 2013 13

Smoky Mountain Deanery calendar

Parish notes: Smoky Mountain Deanery

The Catholic Charities Office of Immigrant Services is cohosting citizenship classes from 9 a.m. until noon Saturdays, April 13 through June 22, at Sacred Heart Cathedral School. The cost is $50. Teachers are being recruited. Contact Nathaly Perez at 865-971-3550 for more information.

Holy Family, Seymour The parish is having a spring bazaar, bake sale and yard sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, April 19; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, April 20; and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, April 21.

St. Albert the Great, Knoxville The Corporal Works of Mercy ministry at the parish collected items to prepare Easter baskets for the clients of Crazy Quilt Friendship Center in Newcomb on the weekend of March 9 and 10. The baskets were distributed the weekend before Easter.

Sevier County Right to Life is sponsoring its eighth annual high school oratory contest at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 18, at the Sevierville Civic Center. Contestants must research, write, and present a speech about a human life issue such as abortion, euthanasia, stem-cell research, or infanticide. The top prize at the local level is $200. The winner will be invited to compete for cash and scholarship awards at the state competition in Nashville scheduled for Saturday, May 4, at Aquinas College. The deadline for applications is Monday, April 8. For more information, contact Terry Aparicio at 865-654-7685.

St. Mary, Gatlinburg The parish prayed a rosary for life at the Cemetery for the Innocents in front of the church Feb. 25. St. Mary has a new website. Visit www.stmarygatlinburg.org. Father Michael Semana, founder of World of Hope Foundation, presented a parish mission on spiritual healing March 11-13. n

Calendar continued from page 10

The CYO at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Alcoa is hosting the 18th annual Spaghetti Dinner and Auction at 6 p.m. Friday, April 19, in the social hall. The event, which is supported by the Knights of Columbus council, helps to support youth activities, retreats, service trips, and diocesan events throughout the year. There will be a live auction as well as a “penny social.” Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 3-11. For more information, contact Beth Parsons at bparsons@ ourladyoffatima.org or 865-982-3672, extension 14. A Seekers of Silence Contemplative Saturday Morning will be held April 27 at Blessed John XXIII Catholic Center in Knoxville. Glenmary Father Steve Pawelk will speak on the topic “Contemplation as Mission: Contemplative Prayer with a Missionary Priest.” Coffee and tea will be served at 8:30 a.m.; the workshop will run from 9 a.m. to noon. Bring a bag lunch. RSVP at 865-523-7931. n

and advocate for life. Carol Tobias, president of the National Right to Life Committee, will speak at a luncheon at the Sheraton Nashville Downtown. Cost is $30 per person or $300 for a table of 10. Child care is available at $5 per child. Contact Myra Simons at myra.simons@comcast.net for more information.

Mass in the extraordinary form (“traditional Latin”) is celebrated at 1:30 p.m. each Sunday at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville; at 3 p.m. on first and third Sundays at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church in Cleveland; at 3 p.m. on second, fourth, and fifth Sundays at St. Joseph the Worker Church in Madisonville; at 11 a.m. on most Sundays at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Townsend; and at 3 p.m. on second and fourth Sundays at St. Mary Church in Johnson City. Visit www.knoxlatinmass.net for updated information. The St. Thomas the Apostle Ukrainian Catholic Mission celebrates Divine Liturgy at 9:30 a.m. Sundays in the lower level of Holy Cross Anglican Church, 515 Herron Road, Knoxville, TN 37934. Note the time change. All services are in English. Call Father Richard Armstrong at 865-584-3307 or visit www.saintthomasknoxville.org for details. Holy Resurrection Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic Mission has Divine Liturgy celebrations at 9:30 a.m. Sundays at the old Holy Ghost Church, 1031 N. Central St. in Knoxville. For times of holy-day services or for more information, visit www. knoxbyz.org or call Father Thomas O’Connell at 865-256-4880. n

14 April 7, 2013

COURTESY OF JONATHAN DRAYNA

The next Engaged Encounter will be held the weekend of April 12-14 at the Holiday Inn Express in Lenoir City. To register, contact Jason and Carmen Jeansonne at 865-377-3077 or ceeknoxville@yahoo.com. For more information, visit the website www.engagedencounter.org/community.asp.

Seminarian reads at Mass Tony Budnick, one of three seminarians for the Diocese of Knoxville at Sacred Heart School of Theology, read the Scripture at the Wednesday all-seminary Mass on Feb. 20. Mr. Budnick is on track to complete his master of divinity degree in May of 2014. Sacred Heart, in suburban Milwaukee, is North America’s largest seminary specializing in the formation of men over 30, with about 30 U.S. and Canadian dioceses and religious orders using it for the formation of their future priests.

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Catholic youth

Knoxville Catholic mock trial teams receive awards

Annual Bishop’s Gathering for Scouting held

The East Tennessee Catholic

The Knoxville Catholic High School mock trial teams recently finished up two weekends of competition against six teams from across Knox and Anderson counties. The B team came in fourth place, the A team came in third place, and the team swept the special awards for the district. Senior Libby Fortunato was given the Best Witness Award for the competition, and sophomore Nora Connelly received the Best Attorney Award. n

DAN MCWILLIAMS

By Dan McWilliams ishop Richard F. Stika was the host for the 14th annual Bishop’s Gathering & Adult Awards luncheon honoring Scouting in the diocese. The event took place March 16 at All Saints Church in Knoxville and was sponsored by the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting. DCCS lay chairman George LeCrone Sr. and religious-activity chair Giannine Morris emceed the luncheon. As part of the proceedings, Bishop Stika accepted the diocese’s ninth straight Quality Diocese Award, presented by the National Catholic Committee on Scouting. Jeffery Swanson of All Saints Parish, former longtime Scoutmaster of Troop 630 and an Eagle Scout, received the St. George Award at the luncheon. Father Charlie Burton, pastor of St. Jude Parish in Chattanooga, received the St. George Award in a Feb. 17 presentation at St. Jude. The honor goes to members of the laity or clergy “who have made significant and outstanding contributions to the spiritual development of Catholic youths through Scouting.” Linda Myers accepted the Order of the Golden Bow award, presented to Scouting families at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Mission in Maynardville. Mr. LeCrone presented a cross to Doug Armitage, Scoutmaster of Troop 630, which was the service troop for the Bishop’s Gathering. The luncheon included remarks by the bishop and three professional Scouters: Anna Dirl, site-based coordinator for the Girl Scout Council of the Southern Appalachians; Michael CasaSanta, district executive for the Boy Scouts of America Cumberland Council; and Casey Norwood, director of field service for the BSA Great Smoky Mountain Council.

Scouts honored at yearly event Bishop Richard F. Stika is shown with Scouts recognized at the Bishop’s Gathering & Adult Awards ceremony held at All Saints Church on March 16. During the gathering, Bishop Stika received the diocese’s ninth consecutive Quality Diocese Award presented by the National Catholic Committee on Scouting. The St. George Award and the Order of the Golden Bow were also presented at the event.

Bishop Stika remarked on the new pope’s choice of Francis as his papal name, honoring a famous saint. “Anybody know about St. Francis of Assisi? He had two great loves in the world. Do you know what they were? Three actually. First of all, God. Second of all, people. And third, nature,” the bishop said. “Doesn’t that kind of dovetail with Scouts and all the things you learn about Scouts? Learn how to work with people, how to love people, how to acknowledge that everyone is special and unique and every person has a different gift or talent.” The bishop mentioned St. Francis’ instruction to “preach the Gospel always, and sometimes use words.” “So what would St. Francis say? You can talk about Jesus and you can talk about heaven and you can

talk about all the different components of what it means to be a person who believes in God. You can say it, but you also have to live it,” Bishop Stika said. “Isn’t that what Scouts is all about: appreciating all the things that God’s given to us and living those commandments out—those beatitudes out?” The bishop said he wanted “to thank all of you for what you do.” “You honor us as the Church of East Tennessee. We’re grateful for all of those who have visited us today . . . and we pray that the Lord will bless all of us so that truly in our lives, we might be the face of Jesus and we might be the voice of Jesus and we might speak the words of Jesus. “If we do that, then we honor the God we talk so often about in our Scouting program.” n

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

KCHS students take part in Aquinas College forum On Feb. 15-16, the Religion Department at Knoxville Catholic High School, under the direction of Sister John Catherine Kennedy, OP, took 14 students to Nashville to participate in a forum sponsored by Aquinas College. The forum, titled “Genesis: Chance or Purpose,” was led by Aquinas College faculty members and other distinguished scholars. The students particularly enjoyed a talk titled “The Nature of Love” by Sister Jane Dominic, OP, as well as a talk titled “A Reflection on the Scientific Realities of Creation, Evolution and Redemption,” presented by Father Nicanor Austriaco, OP, a scientific adviser at the National Catholic Bioethics Center and professor at Providence College in Rhode Island. In addition to attending the two-day talks, students attended morning prayer and Mass with the Dominican Sisters at the motherhouse. n April 7, 2013 15

Second signing day at KCHS On March 6, five Knoxville Catholic High School students signed letters of intent to play college athletics. Pictured from left are Zach Cole, who signed in football and wrestling with the University of the Cumberlands; Nolan Coulter, football, Centre College; Reese Staley, sprint football, U.S. Military Academy at West Point; Ryan Kerr, gymnastics, U.S. Air Force Academy; and Preston Tucker, golf, Walters State.

The Knoxville Catholic High School combined women’s chorus recently received a rating of 1 superior at the J.B. Lyle Choral Festival at Pellissippi State Community College. The group, made of 30 women from three different choral classes, performed against 91 different ensembles from 42 schools in East Tennessee. Its rating of 1 superior from the J.B. Lyle Festival secures the group an invitation to sing at the American Choral Directors Association State Choral Festival on April 26 at Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church. n

COURTESY OF MEGAN LOCKE

Catholic youth

KCHS women’s chorus receives superior rating

Knights of Columbus Council 8576 at St. Jude Parish in Chattanooga recently held a basketball free-throw contest for area youth. The winners were Katherine Berce, Peter Berce, Emily Harleroad, and Andrew Lewis. They advanced to the Chattanooga district-level competition. n

16 April 7, 2013

COURTESY OF MICHELLE DOUGHERTY

St. Jude Knights hold free-throw competition

Engineering Day at St. John Neumann School On Jan. 30, St. John Neumann School in Farragut hosted an Engineering Day. Local engineers from Knox and Loudon counties volunteered their time and talent to speak to the students about their jobs, the training and education required to be an engineer, the types of engineering fields, tools they use, and projects they have worked on. Each engineer also had a question-and-answer session with the class. Many of the engineers who volunteered on Engineering Day were members of the Southern District of the Institute of Transportation Engineers. Above, retired Kimberly-Clark engineer and project manager Jerry Dougherty talks to Karen Carr and Jennifer Cozart’s third-grade classes about engineering, simple machines, and paper making, as well as the products made at the Loudon County Kimberly-Clark facility. Pictured with Mr. Dougherty are Nicky Molino, Raylee McKenzie, Maksym Ulmer, and Adam Osborn. The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

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Notre Dame appoints Valadie president; Sacred Heart names Trent principal

The East Tennessee Catholic otre Dame High School in Chattanooga and Sacred Heart Cathedral School in Knoxville have filled leadership positions for the 2013-14 school year. Notre Dame alumnus George Valadie will be returning to the school he attended as a youth and later taught, coached and was an assistant principal there. Mr. Valadie will serve as president of Notre Dame, a new position that includes administration and development roles. After graduating from Notre Dame in 1971, Mr. Valadie graduated from the University of Notre Dame and earned a master’s degree in secondary administration from the Bishop continued from page 2

take it “to go” in a plastic cup with a plastic spoon and a bubbled plastic cover so we can fill it even higher with whipped cream. Like many of our plastic products, they are used once and then tossed without further responsibility for what we have used. This is why we need St. Joseph. A “throw-away” mentality has a consequence not only upon the environment, but also upon the first environment, the womb. When groups like the Sierra Club advocate limiting the human footprint upon nature through population control measures (e.g., abortion, sterilization and contraception), we are not being protectors of all God’s creation. A “throw away” mentality carries over to our treatment of the poor, and of poor nations where populations can easily be exploited for cheap labor to feed our growing appetite and consumption and need for “things.” When we treat others and God’s creation as masters and not as good stewards of his gifts, dire consequences soon follow. This is why we need St. Joseph. It is easy to take for granted other The East Tennessee Catholic

University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. He returns to Notre Dame High from St. Benedict at Auburndale High School in Cordova, Tenn., where he has served as principal. Sarah Trent has been named principal at Sacred Heart. She and her husband have two children at Sacred Heart and have been active parishioners since moving to Knoxville from Florida two years ago. She has served as assistant principal at Holy Family Catholic School in Jacksonville, Fla. She also served as academic dean and director of the learning resource program at Bishop Kenny High School in Jacksonville and has classroom teaching experience. n

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Italy/Switzerland: May 4-16, May 25-Jun. 6, Jun. 1-13, Jun. 8-20, Jun. 15-27, Jun. 22-Jul 4, Jun. 29-Jul. 11, Jul. 6-18, Aug. 31-Sep. 12, Sep. 7-19 ... Italy Regular: May 4-12, May 11-19, May 18-26, May 25-Jun. 2, Jun. 1-9, Jun. 8-16, Jun. 15-23 … Holy Land: May 6-16, May 20-30, May 27-Jun. 6, Jun. 3-13, Jun. 10-20, Jun. 17-27, Jun. 24-Jul. 4 … Holy Land/Italy: May 6-19, May 13-26, May 20people, too, and here I think of those Jun. 2, May 27-Jun. 9, Jun. 3-16, Jun. 10-23 … who have served in our nation’s armed forces. After almost 12 years Italy South: May 4-16, May 18-30, Jun. 15-27, of our “War on Terror,” we have a growing number of veterans whose Aug. 31-Sep. 12, Sep. 7-19, Sep. 14-26 … transition back into society as civilFrance: May 18-30, May 25-Jun. 6, Jun. 22-Jul. 4, ians has been met with new challenges such as unemployment. With Jun. 29-Jul. 11, Sep. 7-19, Sep. 14-26 ... growing numbers becoming homeAustria/Germany/Switzerland: Jul. 6-18, Jul. 13-25, less, or left to themselves to deal with traumas and losses suffered from Jul. 20-Aug. 1, Jul. 27-Aug. 8, Aug. 31-Sep. 12 … combat, they, too, in a certain sense have become subject to a throw-away Ireland/Scotland: May 4-16, May 25-Jun. 6, mentality—they served our nation Jun. 1-13, Jun. 8-20, Jun. 15-27, Jun.22-Jul 4 ... as protectors, and now we are done Tuscany/Assisi/Cinque Terre: May 4-15, with them. This is what led a group of people May 11-22, Aug. 26-Sep. 6, Sep. 7-18, Sep. 14-25 ... to organize and create the Wounded Italy/Lourdes/Fatima: May 4-16, May 18-30, Warrior Project (www.wounded warriorproject.org), which helps the Jun. 1-13, Jun. 8-20, Jun. 15-27, Jun. 22-Jul. 4… severely wounded in their transition Medjugorje/Lourdes/Fatima: May 6-17, May 20-31, back to society. Let us not wait for the government Sep. 2-13, Sep. 9-20, Sep. 16-27, Sep. 23-Oct. 4 … to step in and create programs of asPoland: May 25-Jun. 5, Jun. 1-12, Jun. 8-19, sistance in our community. Each of us is called to be protector. So then, Jun. 16-27, Jun. 22-Jul. 3, Jun. 29-Jun. 10 ...

let us make this Easter season a special time to “Go to Joseph” and to ask his help for us to be better protectors www.proximotravel.com Carmela A. Dupuis, Executive Director of Christ so we can better protect oth- email: anthony@proximotravel.com 855-842-8001 | 508-340-9370 ers and all of God’s good creation. n The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

April 7, 2013 17

Living the readings

Weekday Readings Monday, April 1: Acts 2:14, 22-33; Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11; Matthew 28:8-15 Tuesday, April 2: Acts 2:3641; Psalm 33:4-5, 18-20, 22; John 20:11-18 Wednesday, April 3: Acts 3:110; Psalm 105:1-4, 6-9; Luke 24:13-35 Thursday, April 4: Acts 3:1126; Psalm 8:2, 5-9; Luke 24:35-48 Friday, April 5: Acts 4:1-12; Psalm 118:1-2, 4, 22-27; John 21:1-14 Saturday, April 6: Acts 4:1321; Psalm 118:1, 14-21; Mark 16:9-15 Sunday, April 7: Acts 5:12-16; Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24; Revelation 1:9-13, 17-19; John 20:19-31 Monday, April 8: Solemnity, the Annunciation of the Lord, Isaiah 7:10-14 and 8:10; Psalm 40:7-11; Hebrews 10:4-10; Luke 1:26-38 Tuesday, April 9: Acts 4:3237; Psalm 93:1-2, 5; John 3:7-15 Wednesday, April 10: Acts 5:17-26; Psalm 34:2-9; John 3:16-21 Thursday, April 11: Memorial, St. Stanislaus, bishop, martyr, Acts 5:27-33; Psalm 34:2, 9, 17-20; John 3:31-36 Friday, April 12: Acts 5:3442; Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14; John 6:1-15 Saturday, April 13: Acts 6:1-7; Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19; John 6:16-21 Sunday, April 14: Acts 5:2732, 40-41; Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 1113; Revelation 5:11-14; John 21:1-19 Monday, April 15: Acts 6:8-15; Psalm 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30; John 6:22-29 Tuesday, April 16: Acts 7:51– 8:1; Psalm 31:3-4, 6-8, 17, 21; John 6:30-35 Wednesday, April 17: Acts 8:1-8; Psalm 66:1-7; John Readings continued on page 19

18 April 7, 2013

by Father Joseph Brando

What Easter is all about

To Easter glory, the good news of Christ’s resurrection lifts us all

pril begins the day after Easter. One might, therefore, jump to the conclusion that the month would be a let-down from the 40 days of preparation for the feast and the great liturgies of Holy Week. Quite the contrary; the four Sundays of April this year form a three-dimensional work of art depicting Easter as an earthly and heavenly reality. If it is true that you may not get a clear sense of the meaning of a great event until you take time to reflect upon it, then you’ll love this Easter season’s biblical mosaic. All 12 of the Scripture readings during the four Sundays of April come from only three books of the Bible. Each Sunday has a first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, a second reading from Revelation, and a Gospel from John. Just think! Each Sunday we are presented with three different views of the resurrection of the Lord. The Gospels bring us into the upper room to see and listen to Jesus at the Last Supper and on the first two Sundays after he arose. It also brings us to the Sea of Galilee for an appearance of the risen Christ. In addition, we can hear Jesus personally telling us he is the “Good Shepherd.” The passages from the Acts of the Apostles present a different view of the Twelve than we get in the Gospels. So, we begin to understand how Jesus’ resurrection made a difference in their lives. And, as we join Paul during his first missionary journey, we can become just as excited as he undoubtedly was. Then, the Church allows us to enter into John’s vision of heaven. We get a glimpse and see what Easter truly means for us. It is a vision of life after

death, a vision that is as exciting as it is consoling. We’ll take a look at each Sunday separately, taking the Gospel first to ground ourselves with the words and actions of the risen Christ on earth. Then we join Peter and Paul in those days when people who had actually seen the Lord after his resurrection went out to proclaim to the world what they saw and heard. Finally, we will jump, each Sunday, to the level of prophecy as we scripturally enter into heaven to see what the Lord has in store for us who share in his mystical body. What a better way to begin our remarkable journey through April than with Divine Mercy Sunday! This, the second Sunday of Easter, reveals the reason why Jesus was born. God had mercy on us and wished us to share in his divine life. The Gospel takes us to the upper room on the first eight days of Easter. It begins with John telling us what happened on the evening of Easter Sunday. The disciples were initially afraid at seeing the Lord. But, soon the fear melted into rejoicing. Then the Lord calmed them down, breathed on them and gave them the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Church was born. We then find out what it was born to do. That answer comes in the story of “Doubting Thomas.” Thomas was not present on Easter; but he soon returned to be with the others and give them a hard time until the next Sunday. Christ showed himself again and convinced Thomas that the Lord is truly risen. It was the Christian community showing mercy to Thomas during the week that made this incident ef-

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

fective. We need to keep doubters like Thomas in the fold so they can see God’s mercy in action. Action is what the new Church gave the world. The preaching of the apostles was powerful and effective. Their actions were acts of mercy, curing the sick, so that “great numbers of men and women were added to them.” We get a new view of Peter after Jesus’ resurrection. People are in awe of his power, hoping that their afflicted ones would be touched by his shadow. John introduces himself in the first chapter of Revelation as a man who (significantly, on a Sunday), turned around and found himself at a heavenly liturgy. Recognizing the Lord of Mercy, he fell as if dead. But the Lord in his mercy tells him he is alive forever and that he should take notes to tell all of us what the ultimate liturgy in heaven is like. All history exists in order to give glory to God. And this truth carries on beyond the end of time into eternity. On the second Sunday of April, the third Sunday of Easter, we learn that having the Divine Lord within us changes our perception of reality. The Gospel shows us the old Peter who lived only by earthly logic. It’s less than 40 days since the resurrection and he has returned home to Galilee. He decides to revert to his previous life as a commercial fisherman and convinces his former partners to join him. Christ catches them in the act. Then, the Lord takes Peter aside and asks him three times if he loved him. What Peter was doing wasn’t an act of love. It was saying he was getting back to business as usual. Peter gets the Lord’s true message loud and clear: to love Christ means to leave everything and follow him. The reading from Acts recalls the time the apostles were ardioknox.org

rested and taken to court for spreading the Good News of the resurrection. Peter shows that he got Jesus’ message when he tells the highest court in the land, “We must obey God rather than men.” The apostles reacted with joy that they were worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name. That is not human logic. But it is a sign that they knew the presence of God was in them. The first words of the angels John reports seeing in the reading from Revelation are “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.” It’s the same logic as the apostles’ joy at suffering dishonor. It all makes sense when we realize that Christ the Lamb is alive in us. For that same Lamb is alive in heaven where he is worshiped. His worshipers far outweigh in numbers and importance the authority of the Sanhedrin. The fourth Sunday of Easter is popularly called Good Shepherd Sunday. The concept of the Lamb, begun the previous week, receives further development. The Gospel spells it out clearly. “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life.” It’s that simple and that profound. The way he gave us eternal life is by dying for us. Our shepherd has become a sacrificial lamb. He is, by the same action, the lamb who is accepted by the Father and sits at his right hand exercising full power over the living and the dead. The book of Acts takes us, this Sunday, to ancient Antioch and Paul’s first missionary journey. It’s a picture of great excitement and joy as Paul and Barnabas draw great crowds. Like lambs being shepherded, the people, including many gentiles, followed Paul. Once again, we are confronted by that strange divine logic when Luke makes the point that there was cause for joy even The East Tennessee Catholic

when a persecution was levied against them. Nothing can subdue the joy of spreading the message of eternal life. Glorifying God is most truly accomplished in a time of distress when the presence of faith is most needed and most effective. It proves that the span of your vision includes the view from heaven, which includes the sight of pure love. We can find the reason why joy prevails when we observe the universe from the point of view of heaven. Today’s reading from the Book of Revelation gives us such a view. We see a countless crowd of every race, nation and people happily appearing before the throne and the Lamb. Paul and Barnabas could have recognized that scene as reminiscent of their crowd in Antioch. What they began on earth reached its ultimate conclusion in heaven as the Lamb brings us to the end of our journey, namely to the “springs of life-giving water” where God will wipe away every tear from our eyes. Was there a time of distress? Yes. But the Lamb leads us (as he did Paul and Barnabas) from danger to eternal joy. On the last Sunday of April, the fifth Sunday of Easter, we are returned to earth and the bittersweet Last Supper in order to receive another lesson on the paradoxical logic of the spiritual life. Jesus has begun his last words to his disciples before the events of that evening and Good Friday. They all are experiencing distress—especially Jesus, who knows exactly what will soon take place. Yet, in the midst of that sorrow, Jesus tells his friends that “Now, the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him.” Glorifying God is most truly accomplished in a time of distress when the presence of faith is most needed and most effective.

It proves that the span of your vision includes the view from heaven, which includes the sight of pure love. That may be why Jesus gave us the commandment to “love one another as I have loved you.” That love comes only from God. It forces us (and enables us at the same time) to pay attention to the heavenly part of our lives as we strive to make God’s loving will done on earth. The Acts of the Apostles take us back to Paul’s first missionary journey. This time we are present at the very end. When they arrived at Antioch in Syria from whence they began, they made a report to the church that had sent them. Interestingly, the report (according to Luke, who wrote Acts) did not recount what they did, but what God had done with them. That is a good example for us—to look not on what we do but what God has done with us. It’s a more accurate point of view. Finally, we revisit the Book of Revelation. It very well sums up our April meditations. This passage presents a great transformation. Everything we depended on here on Earth has passed away. The sky and the land are gone. If that was all we depended on, we’d be in trouble. But there is more. God, since our creation, has been with the human race. That fact remains and always will. He will be with us in a new venue, the New Jerusalem. It will be utterly beautiful, like a bride. There will be no more death or pain. That is our end. It is ours if we live for it and not for this poor world that is guaranteed to pass away. The bad news is that this world will end. The Good News is that God’s love will never end. We need to choose life, not merely earthly life, but life eternal. n Father Brando is pastor of St. Mary Parish in Gatlinburg.

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

Readings continued from page 18 6:35-40 Thursday, April 18: Acts 8:2640; Psalm 66:8-9, 16-17, 20; John 6:44-51 Friday, April 19: Acts 9:1-20; Psalm 117:1-2; John 6:52-59 Saturday, April 20: Acts 9:3142; Psalm 116:12-17; John 6:60-69 Sunday, April 21: Acts 13:14, 43-52; Psalm 100:1-3, 5; Revelation 7:9, 14-17; John 10:27-30 Monday, April 22: Acts 11:118; Psalms 42:2-3 and 43:3-4; John 10:1-10 Tuesday, April 23: Acts 11:19-26; Psalm 87:1-7; John 10:22-30 Wednesday, April 24: Acts 12:24–13:5; Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8; John 12:44-50 Thursday, April 25: Feast, St. Mark, evangelist, 1 Peter 5:514; Psalm 89:2-3, 6-7, 16-17; Mark 16:15-20 Friday, April 26: Acts 13:2633; Psalm 2:6-11; John 14:1-6 Saturday, April 27: Acts 13:44-52; Psalm 98:1-4; John 14:7-14 Sunday, April 28: Acts 14:2127; Psalm 145:8-13; Revelation 21:1-5; John 13:31-35 Monday, April 29: Memorial, St. Catherine of Siena, virgin, doctor of the Church, Acts 14:5-18; Psalm 115:1-4, 15-16; John 14:21-26 Tuesday, April 30: Acts 14:1928; Psalm 145:10-13, 21; John 14:27-31 Wednesday, May 1: Acts 15:16; Psalm 122:1-5; John 15:1-8 Thursday, May 2: Memorial, St. Athanasius, bishop, doctor of the Church, Acts 15:7-21; Psalm 96:1-3, 10; John 15:9-11 Friday, May 3: Feast, Sts. Philip and James, apostles, 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Psalm 19:25; John 14:6-14 Saturday, May 4: Acts 16:110; Psalm 100:1-3, 5; John 15:18-21 n

April 7, 2013 19

Marriage enrichment Rite continued from page 7

This year’s Rites of Election began with the Five Rivers Deanery ceremony on Feb. 16 at St. Mary Church in Johnson City. On Feb. 17, St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga hosted the Chattanooga Deanery rite, and Our Lady of Fatima in Alcoa hosted the Smoky Mountain Deanery rite. At St. John Neumann, the host parish took part in the rite along with catechumens and/or candidates from All Saints Parish in Knoxville, St. Mary in Oak Ridge, St. Therese in Clinton, St. Joseph in Norris, St. Alphonsus in Crossville, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Mission in Maynardville, and Divine Mercy Catholic Mission in Knoxville. Bishop Stika told the catechumens and candidates at St. John Neumann that they will not be joining a perfect institution. “Jesus doesn’t exactly want us to be perfect,” he said. “He wants us to be holy.” Catholics around the globe prayed for the catechumens and candidates during Lent, Bishop Stika said. “Do you know that there are people in the world who are praying for you? Not just for your neighbor, not just for your spouse or your child, or your friend or your enemy, but they’re praying for you. In these next 40 days there’s a powerful sense of prayer being offered to God for you.” The bishop said his “prayer for all of you is that you will be the hands of Jesus, especially in a world that needs to hold on to something, that you’ll be the voice of Jesus in a world that sometimes needs to be challenged. I pray that you’ll be the face of Jesus, a face filled with compassion and charity and kindness and together we can build the kingdom of God.” Rite continued on page 21

20 April 7, 2013

by Marian Christiana

Savvy marital advice: celebrate humor

Laughter a key ingredient in growing a relationship; children offer top 10 tips for good spousal friendship

he 2013 Marriage Celebrations with Bishop Stika are over for the year and planning for the 2014 celebrations has begun. During his homilies at the three celebrations this year Bishop Stika shared a story from his early priesthood about a couple celebrating 70 years of marriage. He asked them the secret of their success. The husband stated that his wife always laughed at his jokes, and the man’s wife said simply that she always loved him. Bishop Stika noticed they were holding hands as they responded to his question. The couple’s response to Bishop Stika exhibited the three great qualities of love, intimacy and laughter that are so worth emulating in our own marriages. This month I want to focus on the importance of laughter in our marriages. There are numerous articles that promote laughter as a way to strengthen marriage. According to the blog “Simple Marriage, Small Changes, Lasting Relationship,” laughter is a key ingredient in bringing couples closer together.

There is scientific evidence showing that laughter improves your immune system, reduces blood pressure, relieves tension and lifts your spirits. It won’t make problems go away but it can help couples set the stage for tackling them together. Finding the humor in life is great marital advice, and is certainly advice that we can apply to all of our personal relationships. Speaking of marital advice, children from our diocesan Catholic schools, along with children from our parish schools of religion, have provided our marriage celebration luncheons with decorated tri-fold displays offering their advice on how to preserve and improve our marriages. Their advice focuses on how to maintain our friendship with our spouse and is both insightful and sometimes very funny. I wanted to share with you some of my favorites. I hope you find humor and some smiles in the students’ comments about improving married life together. The following list is my top 10

from those we have received. Feel free to implement the underlying intent of their advice to help maintain your friendship with your spouse. 10. Watch TV shows together. (This includes football!) 9. Tell each other your secrets. 8. Go to Taco Bell together. 7. Hug them when they hurt. 6. Love is when you tell your guy that you like his shirt and he wears it every day. 5. Play superheroes with each other. 4. Share your toys. 3. A friend makes you smile when you’re tired. 2. Be a good kisser. It might make your wife forget that you never take out the trash. 1. Go to church together. And always remember this advice from a wise humorist: “If you can find humor in something…you can survive it.” – Bill Cosby. n

Harrison continued from page 8

games at Notre Dame. Mr. Smith wears No. 22, and he told the Sacred Heart audience that he wore it from his Sacred Heart days through KCHS and college and on to the NFL. Joni Punch, SHCS director of development and admissions and wife of Dr. Punch, announced that a Harrison Smith Scholarship will be established at the school. “It will be a $2,500 scholarship that will go to a current Sacred Heart student who exhibits leadership, character, and academic performance,” said Pam Rhoades, Sacred Heart Cathe-

dral and School spokeswoman. Dr. Punch has been a fan of Mr. Smith for years. “I got a chance to ... watch Harrison through high school and saw that not only was he a great role model on the field, he was also a tremendous role model off,” he said. “He was a great student, and when you talk to Harrison and you get to know his family, you realize it all started by going to Catholic school. It all started by being a student at Sacred Heart Cathedral School because here he understood it’s about faith, it’s about family, and then it’s about future.” n

from kindergarten up, and I remember going to class, obviously, doing the afterschool program, recess. I even went to Boy Scouts here at one point, so I’ve been going here, going to church on Sundays, ever since I was little.” Mr. Smith was asked about his decision to go to Notre Dame, even though Tennessee and other schools were recruiting him. He said a key factor was that Notre Dame reminded him of a bigger SHCS or KCHS. Mr. Smith served as a captain for the Fighting Irish and started 47 of his 51

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Mrs. Christiana is coordinator of the diocesan Marriage Preparation and Enrichment Office.

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Understanding the sacraments

by Father Randy Stice Rite continued from page 20

‘Heal the sick’: a mystagogical catechesis

Healing was an important part of Jesus’ earthly ministry; the apostolic Church continues this ministry

ealing was an important aspect of Jesus’ earthly ministry—“his many healings of every kind of infirmity are a resplendent sign that ‘God has visited his people’ and that the Kingdom of God is close at hand” (Catechism, 1503). He sent out the 12 to preach and perform healings in his name. Mark tells us that they “anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them” (6:13). The apostolic Church continued this healing ministry, as we see in James: “Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders [presbyters] of the Church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven” (5:14-15). The Church has recognized in this one of the seven sacraments (Catechism, 1510). The sacrament is intended for the seriously ill, not just for those at the point of death. It can be repeated in the case of another grave illness. It also may be given prior to a serious operation or to the elderly who have become more frail (Catechism, 1515). It is administered by a priest (or bishop) by first laying hands on the sick in silence and then anointing them on the forehead and hands with blessed oil and saying, “Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up” (Catechism, 1513). Following Benedict XVI’s model for mystagogical catechesis, we look first at the Old Testament The East Tennessee Catholic

‘Christ himself, who is without sin, in fulfilling the words of Isaiah took on all the wounds of his passion and shared in all human pain.’ Christ is the Suffering Servant who healed us through his passion, resurrection and ascension. context for this sacrament. An important source is the Suffering Servant Song in Isaiah 53: “it was our infirmities he bore, our sufferings that he endured.” Matthew saw this prophecy fulfilled in Christ when, on one occasion, he “healed all who were sick” (8:16). “This,” explains the Evangelist, “was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, ‘He took our infirmities and bore our diseases’” (8:16-17). The General Instruction to the Pastoral Care of the Sick (GIPCS) cites this same passage: “Christ himself, who is without sin, in fulfilling the words of Isaiah took on all the wounds of his passion and shared in all human pain (see Isaiah 53:4-5)” (GIPCS, 2). Christ is the Suffering Servant who healed us through his passion, resurrection and ascension. The second element of a mystagogical catechesis looks at the signs found in the rite. Christ used a variety of signs such as spittle, mud, washing and the laying on of hands when he performed healings. One of the essential signs of this sacrament is the blessed oil that, in the words of the Catechism, “is a sign of healing, since it is soothing to bruises and wounds [Isaiah 1:6; Luke 10:34]” (1293). The prayer of blessing expresses the power of this sacramental sign: “send the power of your Holy Spirit,

the Consoler, into this precious oil, this soothing ointment, this rich gift, this fruit of the earth. Bless this oil and sanctify it for our use. Make this oil a remedy for all who are anointed with it; heal them in body, in soul, and in spirit, and deliver them in every affliction” (Rite for the Blessing of Oils). The final element of a mystagogical catechesis is to explain the significance of the sacrament for the whole of one’s life. The GIPCS explains the grace of this sacrament: “by this grace the whole person is helped and saved, sustained by trust in God, and strengthened against the temptations of the Evil One and against anxiety over death” (6). The concluding blessing for the Mass for the Conferral of the Anointing of the Sick also suggests the comprehensive effects of this sacrament: “May God the Father bless you. May the Son of God heal you. May the Holy Spirit shed light upon you. May God guard your body and save your soul. May he enlighten your heart and lead you to life on high” (Roman Missal). The Church continues to carry out Christ’s charge to heal the sick “by taking care of the sick as well as by accompanying them with her prayer of intercession. She believes in the life-giving presence of Christ, the physician of souls and bodies” (Catechism, 1509). “And so in the sacraments Christ continues to ‘touch’ us in order to heal us” (Catechism, 1504). n Father Stice directs the diocesan Office of Worship and Liturgy. He can be reached at frrandy@dioknox.org.

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At each deanery’s Rite of Election, Sister Timothea presented the catechumens to Bishop Stika and said that “they ask that . . . they be allowed to participate in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist.” Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults program leaders from deanery parishes introduced their catechumens, and the bishop asked godparents whether the catechumens had listened and responded to the Word “proclaimed by the Church” and “shared the company of their Christian sisters and brothers and joined with them in prayer.” The catechumens then pledged “to enter fully into the life of the Church” through the three sacraments of initiation. RCIA leaders brought forward their parish Book of the Elect for Bishop Stika to sign, after which the bishop greeted the catechumens and godparents. Sister Timothea then presented to the bishop “the candidates who seek to complete their Christian initiation.” RCIA leaders introduced their candidates, after which the bishop said “the Christian life and the demands that flow from the sacraments cannot be taken lightly. Therefore, before granting these candidates their request, it is important that the Church hear the testimony of their sponsors about their readiness.” Sponsors affirmed that the candidates “have come to a deeper appreciation about their baptism,” “reflected sufficiently on the tradition of the Church,” and “advanced in a life of love and service.” The candidates also echoed the catechumens’ desire “to enter fully into the life of the Church.” The bishop signed the Book of the Elect for the candidates and greeted them and their accompanying sponsors. n April 7, 2013 21

Province CCW meeting scheduled for Nashville

Once upon a time

Members of the Council of Catholic Women in the Archdiocese of Louisville province will convene April 18-20 in Nashville for a province convention. Karen Hurley, immediate past president general of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations, will be keynote speaker at the Province CCW Convention and will speak on the Year of Faith. Opening Mass for the convention will be at 4 p.m. at Holy Rosary Church, 190 Graylynn Dr. in Nashville near the Embassy Suites. The Mass celebrant will be Monsignor Xavier Mankel, spiritual adviser of the Knoxville Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. Monsignor Mankel is a vicar general with the Diocese of Knoxville and pastor of Holy Ghost Church. Masses each day will be held at Holy Rosary. Other convention activities will be held at the Airport Embassy Suites, 10 Century Blvd. in Nashville. Go to www.kdccw.org, click on Conventions on the left side of the home page, and click on the 2013 registration form link on the page. n

World is witness to new, improved papal election

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22 April 7, 2013

by Monsignor Xavier Mankel

Holy Spirit at work as selection of pontiffs for over a century has been a smooth process without controversy

ow! Habemus papam! Awesome to today’s ninth-grade student, the election of Pope Francis in March seemed quite different from that student’s experience in primary school. To that same individual’s parents and grandparents I feel sure that the papal election process, now even more “new and improved,” indicated some marked differences. The attitude of the press in Eastern and Western hemispheres is markedly improving—very little hostility is in the air. If you asked near the end of Blessed John Paul ll’s pontificate “Who will be our next Holy Father?” you probably would have joined millions of others in suggesting Cardinal Ratzinger (who did become Pope Benedict XVl). But when Pope Benedict XVl resigned not a decade later, it was a whole new ball game. Candidates from the Far East, from Africa, and the Americas joined European cardinals as being “in the running.” It’s now history that on the second day of voting white smoke came from the small chimney pipe atop the Sistine Chapel and within a few minutes Cardinal Jean-Louis Pierre Tauran announced, “Habemus papam”: Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, SJ, of Buenos-Aires in South America. Our new Holy Father chose the name Francis. This did not cause a crisis in the Mankel family, but I may note here that our family has lots of Georges: my great-uncle; my daddy; my brother; my uncle; cousins; even my sister (in Religion she was given the name Georgeanna). So with the election of Pope Francis, he becomes

my mother ’s and my twin—she’s Willia Frances and I am Francis Xavier. St Francis Xavier ’s patron was Francis of Assisi. Let me say that we are enjoying a Church today, which in spite of its problems and concerns, is headed in the right direction. If we study our faith, read the Bible, and try to live by the constitutions of recent ecumenical councils, we can rest assured that it is not just an Easter feast each year that makes us ‘grow and glow’ in the Risen Lord our God. There is no way to describe how blessed and fortunate we are to have Cardinal Justin Rigali living in semi-retirement right here in our Diocese of Knoxville. The cardinal has voted in two conclaves now, for Popes Benedict XVl and Francis. He also was a candidate as were all the cardinals. The United States had its share of great candidates: Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston (with family right here in Knoxville); Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York (so friendly to everybody and personal friend of our own dear bishop); and Cardinal Edwin O’Brien, formerly Archbishop of Baltimore and now the Cardinal Protector of the Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (and) our own Monsignor Phil Thoni’s good friend from military chaplaincy days. So many holy candidates make me feel as if our Church, The Body of Christ, is alive and well. It was not always this way, however. Our selection of popes for over a century has gone very well and it is easy to see the power of the Holy Spirit working

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

in the Church. However, as late as the 1800s when Austria held a strange veto power over the selections of candidates for the papacy, the entanglement between the Holy See and temporal states was always a problem, notwithstanding political situations that caused abnormalities to distract the spiritual leadership of Christ’s vicar on earth. With St. Peter, pope No. 1 in the series that now is 266 popes long, the selection of his replacement did not seem to be such a big deal. The priests of Rome got together and elected a successor, St. Linus. For many years a rather informal procedure provided successors to popes who had died. After the Church came “out of the catacombs” (fourth century: Constantine was the Emperor), the pope’s responsibilities as the head of the Church as well as the territories known as the “donation of Pepin” or “papal states” increased. And even though the tension abated during some centuries, the whole mess was not settled until 1929, less than a century ago. Papal elections during the middle ages deserve an entire installment. Let me say that we are enjoying a Church today, which in spite of its problems and concerns, is headed in the right direction. If we study our faith, read the Bible, and try to live by the constitutions of recent ecumenical councils, we can rest assured that it is not just an Easter feast each year that makes us “grow and glow” in the Risen Lord our God. n Monsignor Mankel is a vicar general of the diocese and the pastor of Holy Ghost parish in Knoxville. dioknox.org

Diocesan seminarian has front seat to history

For Michael Hendershott, papal succession is opportunity to study, serve

The East Tennessee Catholic

April 24: 9:30 a.m., Bishop’s leadership meeting April 25: 6:30 p.m., Catholic Charities dinner at the Chattanooga Convention Center April 26: 7 p.m., Confirmation at St. Dominic Church, Kingsport April 27: 5 p.m., Confirmation at Holy Trinity Church, Jefferson City April 28: 11:15 a.m., Confirmation at Blessed John XXIII Catholic Center, Knoxville

COURTESY OF MICHAEL HENDERSHOTT

eminarian Michael Hendershott’s studies at the Pontifical North American College in Rome are preparing him for a lifetime of service to God and the Catholic Church. Studies in theology, philosophy, and history, however, couldn’t fully prepare him for events that have reshaped the See of Peter in the last six weeks. Mr. Hendershott has had a front-row seat to history, witnessing His Holiness Benedict XVI resign as pope—something that hasn’t happened since Gregory XII in 1415—and the election of the 265th successor to St. Peter. And Mr. Hendershott’s proximity to the Vatican during the papal transition positioned him for recruitment to highlevel duty. He assisted Cardinal Justin Rigali of the Diocese of Knoxville, who serves in the College of Cardinals and was a papal elector, and he also assisted with communion during the inaugural Mass for Pope Francis on March 19. Mr. Hendershott, whose home parish is St. John Neumann in Farragut, has watched with interest those occasions when Pope Francis dispensed with formality and made himself very accessible to the faithful. The seminarian was only a few feet away when the new pontiff appeared for his inaugural Mass. He sees similarities to Benedict XVI—and differences. “It seems to me the Mass had a continuity to Pope Benedict. It was the same structure, with Latin and the Gospel in Greek. Overall, it seemed very similar,” Mr. Hendershott said. But he also observed that Pope Francis appeared 25 minutes early for his inaugural Mass to meet the people gathered in St. Peter’s Square. “We’re expecting the unexpected. Be ready for anything. He was walking down the street just to meet people. He passed right by me and he had a sense of peace about him. He was in the popemobile without the glass. He drove by as one of your neighbors would drive by. The Holy Father is becoming more familiar to people,” he said, noting he

By Bill Brewer

Schedule continued from page 2

April 28: 6 p.m., Confirmation at St. John Neumann Church, Farragut April 30: 11 a.m., Presbyteral Council meeting at the Chancery in Knoxville n Capturing the moment Diocese of Knoxville seminarian Michael Hendershott is shown in St. Peter’s Square on March 13 as white smoke ascends from the Sistine Chapel in the background, signaling the election of Pope Francis.

has seen the Holy Spirit at work and the apostolic faith present as the Church undergoes change. As he witnessed the world’s attention descend on the Holy See, the 25-year-old seminarian said he has watched Christ’s teachings come alive, as with the humility and love shown in Benedict XVI’s selfless act of stepping down, the promise of salvation as thousands of people gathered in St. Peter’s Square to pray for a new pope and their chant in unison, “Long live the pope,” and then the white smoke that rose from the Sistine Chapel signaling the selection of a new pope. “I can see the providence of God at work protecting the Church. It’s the light of the world. I’ve understood that in a way that couldn’t be better demonstrated than through the papal succession, the election of a new pope for the See of St. Peter,” Mr. Hendershott said. “There is a strong characteristic of Catholic faith emphasizing the sacramental life. Being so close to the bones of Peter and to so many martyrs; being close to the Holy Fathers Benedict and Francis is having a profound effect on me.” In addition to his intensive studies at the Pontifical North American College,

Mr. Hendershott said he will use what he has learned from His Holiness Benedict XVI and Pope Francis in his service as a priest in the Diocese of Knoxville Mr. Hendershott, who began his studies in fall 2007 at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, thanked Bishop Richard F. Stika and Diocese of Knoxville parishioners for their support. “I feel very blessed and graced by the providence of God. I’m very grateful to Bishop Stika and the people of the diocese for the opportunity to be studying in Rome,” he said. As the Catholic faith has captured the attention of the world in recent weeks, Mr. Hendershott and fellow seminarians have watched with interest how the media has covered the papal succession and how the world has reacted. The students understand the need to convey an accurate message about the Church and its divine mission. “The See of St. Peter has been the main focus, but there also is a renewed focus on the study of history and any precedent for these events. We look forward to how this might affect seminarians in the future. We are preparing ourselves for what might come,” he said. n

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

Upcoming Virtus sessions n St.

Catherine Labouré, Copperhill, 5 p.m., Thursday, April 4. n St. Mary, Oak Ridge, 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 9 (session will be conducted in Spanish). n St. Mary, Athens, 7:15 p.m., Tuesday, April 9. n St. Mary, Johnson City, 6:30 p.m., Monday, April 22. n St. Jude, Chattanooga, noon, Tuesday, May 7. n St. Thomas the Apostle, Lenoir City, 6 p.m., Tuesday, May 14. n St. Dominic, Kingsport, 6 p.m., Tuesday, May 14. n

April 7, 2013 23

Pope Francis forgoes papal apartment in favor of smaller guesthouse room By Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY—Pope Francis has decided not to move into the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace, but to live in a suite in the Vatican guesthouse where he has been since the beginning of the conclave that elected him, said Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman. “He is experimenting with this type of living arrangement, which is simple,” but allows him “to live in community with others,” both the permanent residents—priests and bishops who work at the Vatican—as well as guests coming to the Vatican for meetings and conferences, Father Lombardi said March 26. The spokesman said Pope Francis has moved from the room he drew by lot before the conclave and into a room that has slightly more elegant furnishings and a larger living room where he can receive guests.

The Domus Sanctae Marthae, the official name of the guesthouse, was built in 1996 specifically to house cardinals during a conclave. Celebrating Mass March 26 with the residents and guests, Pope Francis told them he intended to stay, Father Lombardi said. Pope Francis has been there since his election March 13, taking his meals in the common dining room downstairs and celebrating a 7 a.m. Mass with Vatican employees in the main chapel of the residence. He will be the first pope in 110 years not to live in the papal apartments on the third floor of the Apostolic Palace. In 1903, St. Pius X became the first pope to live in the apartments overlooking St. Peter’s Square. The apartments were completely remodeled by Pope Paul VI in 1964 and have undergone smaller modifications. n

A Pilgrim Journey to

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