Come, let us adore him Mary and Joseph worship the infant Jesus in the painting “Nativity” by Philippe de Champaigne. The Christmas season begins with the Dec. 24 vigil commemorating the birth of Christ. CNS photo/Philipp Bernard, Reunion des Musees Nationaux/Art Resource.
THE EAST TENNESSEE
Volume 20 • Number 8 • December 26, 2010
The
newspaper
of the D iocese of K noxville www.dioknox.org
Father Brownell prepares for second Iraq tour B Y M A R G A R E T HUNT
s he gets ready for his second tour of duty in Iraq, Father Patrick Brownell said serving as an Army chaplain is “one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done as a priest.” The former pastor of St. Augustine Parish in Signal Mountain, Father Brownell, 45, is now in training at Fort Campbell, Ky. In January he will be deployed to Iraq with the 230th Sustainment Brigade for a one-year term of service. His “parish” in Iraq will consist of 1,000 to 1,200 soldiers as well as civilian contractors working in the region, approximately onefourth of them Catholic. He will also have supervisory responsibilities over several battalion chaplains, most of whom are Protestant. Father Brownell was born into a military family in Frankfurt, Germany, and served in the Army Reserves as a pharmacy specialist before he entered the seminary. During his last tour in 2007-08 he was awarded the Bronze Star for his service to the 1st Battalion, 181st Field Artillery, for “distinguishing himself by exceptionally meritorious service” to his fellow soldiers under hazardous conditions. On one occasion a convoy he was in hit an IED (improvised explosive device). No one was hurt, but Father Brownell said that the odds of a violent attack on a group of soldiers traveling from camp to camp are high. Despite the danger involved in his work, Father Brownell said that his role as a pastor of a parish was often more difficult. “As a pastor I could be dealing with architects and engineers one minute and hearing confessions the next,” he said. “There were times when my day as a pastor took a radical departure from where I thought I was heading. “My ministry as a chaplain is more focused and specialized. I have moments of turmoil, but they actually follow a pattern and I can plan for them.” Chaplain continued on page 8
MARY C. WEAVER
A
Bishop Richard F. Stika presses a remote-control button to hear Sacred Heart Cathedral’s new carillon chiming during the Dec. 19 Mass celebrating his 25th anniversary as a priest. The carillon was a gift from the cathedral parish, presented by the rector, Father David Boettner (right). Concelebrating clergy included Cardinal Justin F. Rigali of Philadelphia, Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., and Bishop David R. Choby of Nashville. View a slide show from the event at dioknox.org/jubilee. HEAR THE BELLS
‘A privilege and an honor’ Bishop Stika celebrates his jubilee and reflects on the blessings of priesthood. By Dan McWilliams
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ast Tennessee Catholics, friends and family from his native St. Louis, and a visiting bishop, archbishop, and cardinal all helped Bishop Richard F. Stika celebrate the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood this month. Sacred Heart Cathedral hosted a Mass and dinner in honor of the bishop’s silver jubilee Dec. 19. Cardinal Justin F. Rigali, archbishop of Philadelphia and a longtime friend of the bishop, attended the Mass in choir. Near the end of the liturgy, diocesan chancellor Deacon Sean Smith surprised Bishop Stika by presenting an icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa to him, as a gift from the Chancery staff. The bishop had admired a similar icon during a pilgrimage to Poland and the Czech Republic this spring,
and the deacon commissioned one for the anniversary. Cardinal Rigali blessed the icon. “I don’t know what to say,” said the bishop, who wiped away a tear as Deacon Smith was making the presentation. The bishop is Polish on his mother’s side, and his father’s family came from Bohemia, now in the Czech Republic. “Our Lady of Czestochowa, Queen of Poland, is so much a part of the life of the Polish people,” said Bishop Stika. “They’ve been Christians for over a thousand years, and they’ve suffered so much over the centuries. Every time I look upon the image of Our Lady of Czestochowa, I’ll remember this day.” Principal concelebrants for the anniversary Mass were Archbishop Jo-
seph E. Kurtz, who from 1999 to 2007 served as Knoxville’s second bishop; Nashville Bishop David R. Choby; and two of Bishop Stika’s closest friends from his native St. Louis, Monsignor Kevin Callahan and Father Bill Kempf. Deacon Smith and Deacon David Lucheon assisted at the altar. More than 36 priests from throughout the diocese attended, as did 19 deacons, 14 of the diocese’s 15 seminarians, Alexian Brothers, and women religious from the Sisters of Mercy, Dominican Sisters, Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, and Evangelizing Sisters of Mary. Knights and Ladies of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem also attended, and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus provided an honor guard. Jubilee continued on page 6
Tough times increase demand for CCET’s services Catholic Charities’ housing facilities ‘are all full, with waiting lists,’ and the agency has served an all-time high of 24,000 people this year. BY DAN MCWILLIAMS
B
eing “home for the holidays” is no longer a given for many people since the economic downturn began several years ago, and often Catholic Charities of East Tennessee is the first place the newly homeless turn to. Father Ragan Schriver, CCET’s director for 11 years, said that “truly those who are the most vulnerable” are hit hardest in a bad economy. “We have a number of housing facilities that are all
full, with waiting lists,” he said. “That’s where I’m seeing the biggest jump in desperate need, in housing. We have housing for families, and the stories are often the same: a single mom with children or an intact couple with children, and there’s been a job loss.” CCET often helps those in “income poverty” or “asset poverty”—or both—said Father Schriver. “If you lose your income, you’re already under the poverty level, and you don’t have any assets to draw on
or borrow from, you end up really struggling,” he said. “People who can’t pay their rent end up homeless.” Over the years CCET has developed more services and—with 119 full- and part-time staffers—become better able to respond to need, said Father Schriver. The need in 2010 is at an all-time high for the agency, he added. “Last year we served about 20,000. This year we’re at 24,000 people served. That’s the most we’ve ever served.” Of those 24,000, relatively
few are Catholic, but CCET has no way of knowing the exact percentage because its workers don’t ask for that information. “We don’t ask, ‘Are you homeless and Catholic, and can we help you?’ but ‘Are you homeless, and can we help you?” said Father Schriver. “We estimate that about 95 percent of the people are not Catholic.” Sometimes the economic situation is a catalyst for other problems, and those situations often lead the vicCharities continued on page 2
letters to the
EDITOR
Couples need to fully trust each other
During the festive holiday season, gathering
with friends and peers is a welcome break from daily routines. Yet the merriment does not fully mask the everyday irritations we try to forget. Particularly irksome, and all too widespread, are hidden tussles that remain unresolved between husbands and wives. Why is it that husbands and wives have such difficulties getting along with each other? Among our friends, we commonly see reasons for their becoming irritated with each other: one party may make harsh remarks, and the other pouts and retreats. Or one may bring up old grievances and delight in the other’s discomfort. If such discomforting acts ceased, would tranquility follow? Or would a variant of the irritant take its place? We cannot help wonder whether the irritating act is really the problem or merely simply symbolic of the problem. One perspective that favors old age comes from the continuing and happy growth of our extended family. With an ever-widening easel, there is much more to observe, all in awe and wonder. Within my blessed extended family, I see a few couples genuinely comfortable with each other. Others, if only with body language, clearly convey the message that tilting remains a real and uncomfortable part of their lives. I believe that couples who have put tilting aside have both adopted the same transforming and foundational mindset. Unless both firmly adhere to it, the cause of strife remains. I have come to the firm belief that those who have attained a nourishing relationship have come to unreservedly accept each other. Although they do not always agree, neither ever mentally rejects the other. Mutual total acceptance is a most difficult step to take. With that move, both parties become vulnerable. We all shun the prospect of injury. How blessed are couples who reach the wholesome stage of placing full trust in each other. Neither person needs a protective stance to shield his or her sensitive and vulnerable self-image. We are created to embrace mutual acceptance—a blessing not only for Papa and Mama but also for siblings and friends. n —Angelo Miceli Norris Letters should be 350 words or less and will be edited for grammar, style, clarity, and length. Submit them by e-mail or mail: news@ dioknox.org, 805 Northshore Drive Southwest, Knoxville, TN 37919. Letters to the editor reflect the opinions of their authors and not those of the editorial staff or the publisher.
Ministries Day set for Jan. 8
M
inistries Day 2011 will be held Saturday, Jan. 8, at Sacred Heart Cathedral School in Knoxville, with more than 30 sessions to choose from. The day begins at 8:30 a.m., with an opportunity for participants to visit vendors and publishers and enjoy coffee and doughnuts—or attend an optional Mass at the cathedral at 8:05—and ends at 3:30 p.m. Titled “Answering Our Baptismal Call,” the event is open to all adults in the diocese and is tailored to the needs of parents, youth leaders, youth ministers, RCIA teams, adult educators, liturgy and ministry teams, directors of religious education, and catechists. Attendees may select two morning and two afternoon sessions from 24 offerings conducted in English and eight in Spanish—or they can register for one two-hour adult faith-formation workshop in the morning and/or one in the afternoon. Lunch will be served at noon, with a presentation by Bishop Richard F. Stika. Cost of the day is $20 (including a box lunch) for those who register by Dec. 30 and $20 (no lunch) after Dec. 30. Checks should be made payable to the Diocese of Knoxville and mailed to Diocese of Knoxville, Attention: Father Richard Armstrong, Office of Christian Formation, 805 Northshore Drive Southwest, Knoxville, TN 37919-7551. Courses cover topics such as the new Roman Missal, young-adult ministry and Scripture, devotion to Mary, Gregorian chant, the liturgy, Eastern Catholic prayer, apologetics, mission trips, Catholic social teachings, and forming teen disciples. For more information, visit bit.ly/MD2011, from which users can download a registration form, schedule, and complete course details—or contact Father Armstrong at 865-584-3307 or rarmstrong@dioknox.org. n
living the
READINGS
BY FATHER JOSEPH BRANDO
The Holy Family Their actions provide a model for all Christian parents and children.
Egypt, at the time of Jesus’ birth, did not need more political refugees entering the country. Even less would Mary have been in favor of leaving her country and extended family to immigrate to a foreign country and need to learn a new language. Yet Joseph had a dream, and he insisted it be obeyed instantly. And so the Holy Family pulled up stakes and departed. That incident becomes a model for how the ideal Christian family should live. It starts with the father. He should be constantly in prayer. Joseph’s decisions were not determined by what seemed best for himself. Presumably he did not
want to search all over Egypt looking for a Hebrew-speaking district where he could practice his trade. Nor did he want to subject himself to criticism from his wife for such a farfetched idea as leaving the country. After all, everything had been good since the birth of their son. They had the gifts of the magi. But spending it immediately would not be wise. That wealth was for the child. If Herod really wanted to kill the child, his henchmen could easily follow the trail of gold, frankincense, and myrrh being cashed in for local currency. Practically speaking, Joseph’s plan could have been debunked on many levels. Yet he had to be true to his dream. Mary, if she ever harbored any criticism of Joseph, never said a word. She packed up immediately and went with him, stayed with him, re-
turned with him, and settled in Nazareth (her home town) with him. What an example of the heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience that Paul urged for spouses in his letter to the Colossians. Jesus was in good hands. His response was to accept his parents’ traditions and follow them. He returned with them to Nazareth when he was found in the Temple, even though he thought his way to be recognized as Messiah was better. It was preferable for him to be obedient to his parents than to be right. When we put these three people together into one family, we find all the attributes that should also be found in ours. They all had strong personalities. But they placed their strengths at the service of the others and thereby made their family stronger and happier. n Dec. 26, Feast of the Holy Family Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 Psalm 128:1-5 Colossians 3:12-21 Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
The star of the show Everyone can discover the way to Jesus, the ‘light of our life.’
T
ake a look at the Christmas cards you received. You can divide them into a small number of categories. Among the religious ones you will see the Virgin Mary with her Child, shepherds,
angels, Bethlehem, the magi, and the star. All those motifs come together in the Feast of the Epiphany. Perhaps the brightest of the Epiphany concepts is the star. All these images demonstrate
ways in which human beings can come to recognize that Jesus is both God and man and that he is our Savior. If you start with the Old Testament, Mary provides an excellent way to find
Christ. She is the woman who in the third chapter of Genesis will give birth to the one who will destroy the serpent and all that is evil. If you were among Readings continued on page 3
Jan. 2, the Epiphany of the Lord Isaiah 60:1-6 Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13 Ephesians 3:1-6 Matthew 2:1-12
WEEKDAY READINGS Monday, Dec. 27: Feast, John, apostle, evangelist, 1 John 1:1-4; Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; John 20:1-8 Tuesday, Dec. 28: Feast, the Holy Innocents, martyrs, 1 John 1:5–2:2; Psalm 124:2-5, 7-8; Matthew 2:13-18 Wednesday, Dec. 29: 1 John 2:311; Psalm 96:1-3, 5-6; Luke 2:22-35 Thursday, Dec. 30: 1 John 2:12-17; Psalm 96:7-10; Luke 2:36-40
Friday, Dec. 31: 1 John 2:18-21; Psalm 96:1-2, 11-13; John 1:1-18 Saturday, Jan. 1: Solemnity, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Numbers 6:22-27; Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21 Monday, Jan. 3: 1 John 3:22–4:6; Psalm 2:7-8, 10-12; Matthew 4:1217, 23-25 Tuesday, Jan. 4: Memorial, Elizabeth Ann Seton, religious, 1 John 4:7-10; Psalm 72:1-4, 7-8; Mark 6:34-44
Wednesday, Jan. 5: Memorial, John Neumann, bishop, 1 John 4:1118; Psalm 72:1-2, 10, 12-13; Mark 6:45-52 Thursday, Jan. 6: 1 John 4:19–5:4; Psalm 72:1-2, 14-15, 17; Luke 4:14-22 Friday, Jan. 7: 1 John 5:5-13; Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20; Luke 5:12-16 Saturday, Jan. 8: 1 John 5:14-21; Psalm 149:1-6, 9; John 3:22-30 n
that and was able to get her children back.” A job loss in one household led to a terrible situation for a 5-year-old boy before Columbus Home stepped in, said Father Schriver. “This couple had a child. They lost their jobs and lost daycare possibilities, then their marriage broke down. It ended up that the child was with the dad, and the dad would leave during the day to try and sell drugs. He would tie the boy to the bed and give him enough room to get to the bathroom and back to the bed. “Columbus Home got involved, and now the child is with a caregiver who’s able to take care of him. That’s an
example of how an economic problem can ripple out and affect people in a horrible way.” Catholic Charities has caseworkers to help clients access benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) that they may not have realized they qualify for. Those clients might have come to CCET for another need altogether, Father Schriver said. He added that seven million people lost employer-based health care in the last year, and many people facing that predicament look to CCET for help. “A lot of people come who say, ‘I’m really desperate. I need somebody to help me pay my light bill.’ Then we ask them a couple of ques-
Charities continued from page 1
tims to CCET’s doors. Father Schriver cited a single mother of three who lost her job at the beginning of 2009, then turned to prostitution because part-time jobs and welfare would not provide enough to support her children. She turned to drugs to numb the effects of “what she was doing to try to make money for her children, and it was a horrible situation,” said the CCET director. “She ended up losing her children to foster care, but she went through a treatment program. She came to us without any money and no job, and we were able to put her in our Elizabeth’s Homes program, which is for families who are homeless, so she qualified for
Bishop Richard F. Stika Publisher Mary C. Weaver Editor Dan McWilliams Assistant editor
THE EAST TENNESSEE
805 Northshore Drive S.W .
Charities continued on page 8
Margaret Hunt Administrative assistant Toni Pacitti Intern
Knoxville, TN 37919-7551
The East Tennessee Catholic (USPS 007211) is published twice monthly by the Catholic Diocese of Knoxville, 805 Northshore Drive S.W., Knoxville, TN 37919-7551. Periodicals-class postage paid at Knoxville, Tenn. Printed on recycled paper by the Knoxville News Sentinel Postmaster: Send address changes to The East Tennessee Catholic, P.O. Box 11127, Knoxville, TN 37939-1127 How to reach us:
Phone: 865-584-3307 • fax: 865-584-8124 • e-mail: webmaster@dioknox.org • web: dioknox.org The East Tennessee Catholic is mailed to all registered Catholic families in East Tennessee. Subscription rate for others is $15 a year in the United States. Make checks payable to the Diocese of Knoxville. 2
n
DECEMBER 26, 2010
www.dioknox.org
THE EAST TENNESSEE CATHOLIC
he dwells
AMONG US
BY BISHOP RICHARD F. STIKA
Joseph’s gift As protector of the Holy Family, St. Joseph is a sure guide on life’s journey.
The Advent hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” has always been a favorite of mine because of the hope and anticipation it expresses so beautifully. But as Advent gives way to the joyful celebration of the Christmas season, we can once again exclaim, “He dwells among us” (cf. John 1:14). It is particularly during this season of gifts that I like to recall in a special way the figure of St. Joseph, who loved and protected God’s two most precious gifts to us: Jesus and Mary. I have always had a special devotion to St. Joseph, and now as a bishop I find myself asking for his intercession and help more than ever. He took such loving care of Mary and Jesus, and he continues to watch over and protect the Church, Christ’s mystical body. I feel especially blessed to have been ordained and installed as bishop of this wonderful diocese on St. Joseph’s solemnity, which the Church celebrates each year on March 19. But do we not all have a share in being guardians of this mystery—in our diocese, our schools, our work, and especially our marriage and family? All of us, I believe, can benefit from the gift of St. Joseph, who longs to help us live out our faith. I am reminded of this in the Old Testament account of another Joseph who had gained the trust and confidence of the Pharaoh of Egypt and was put in charge of his palace and with feeding the people in a time of great famine. As the people then were told, “Go to Joseph . . .” (Genesis 41:55), so does the the new
MISSAL
Church repeat this refrain. Although we have no recorded words of St. Joseph in the Gospels, we do have the silent testimony of his obedience and love. This is his first gift to us. In an age filled with so much noise, we desperately need the gift of a listening heart. Have you ever noticed how uncomfortable people can be with silence, especially in church? We should ask St. Joseph for this gift that was particularly his so we too might discover through sacred silence a greater appreciation for the mystery of Christ among us. As Mary bore Our Savior in her womb, St. Joseph bore in his heart the name God had entrusted to him: “you are to name him Jesus for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). St. Joseph helps us keep the name of Jesus always in our heart and to make his birth present in all our actions. The image I often have of the moment when Mary first placed the newborn Christ Child in St. Joseph’s arms takes me back to my first Mass 25 years ago, the day after my ordination on Dec. 14, 1985. As I pronounced the words of consecration, I received in my hands under the appearance of bread and wine the one whom St. Joseph once held in his hands. As Eve gave Adam the fruit that brought us death, now Mary as the new Eve gives us the blessed fruit of her womb through the hands of St. Joseph. With St. Joseph, we too should contemplate the mystery of our eucharistic Lord. Life is not short on difficulties and dangers, but St. Joseph is a sure guide and help in times of need. I can imagine St. Joseph lighting a lantern immediately upon waking from his dream after
BY FATHER RANDY STICE
The mystery of faith The Memorial Acclamation ‘expresses an essential aspect of the Eucharist.’
The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines the paschal mystery as “Christ’s work of redemption, accomplished principally by his Passion, death, Resurrection, and glorious Ascension.” It “is celebrated and made present in the liturgy of the Church, and its saving effects are communicated through the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, which renews the paschal sacrifice of Christ as the sacrifice offered by the Church.” The Memorial Acclamation of the people, which follows the institution narrative and is introduced with the words “Let us proclaim the mystery of faith,” “confesses the Church’s belief in the Paschal Mystery of Christ’s death, resurrection, and presence among his people.” According to the U.S. bishops’ document Sing to the Lord, it is one of the ways “the faithful participate in keeping the memory of Christ’s Paschal Mystery” (No. 180). The words of the invitation, Mysterium fidei (“the mystery of faith”) in Latin, were part THE E A S T T E N N E S S E E C A T H OLIC
of the consecration of the chalice as early as the seventh century. The exact meaning of the phrase is unclear, although scholars associate it with St. Paul’s exhortation to deacons to hold fast “to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience” (1 Timothy 3:9). The acclamation is a dialogue between priest and people, so the priest gives the invitation but does not join in the acclamation. The priest’s invitation in the new Missal is the simple declarative “The mystery of faith.” This formulation accomplishes two things. First, it acclaims the mystery of Christ’s sacrifice already present on the altar, in which “is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch” (CCC, No. 1324). Second, it invites the faithful to acclaim the sacramental mystery. The faithful respond with one of three options. The first is “We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again,” based on 1 Corinthians 11:26. The second is also based on that verse: “When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.” The third option is from John 4:42: “Save us, Savior of the world,
the birth of Jesus, when the angel urgently told him to “take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt” (Matthew 2:13). He illuminated the way and led Mary and the infant Jesus out of harm and then back to Israel when it was safe, and he also seeks to help us in our difficulties and dangers. He encourages us to seek refuge from our sins in the confessional and then helps lead us back to our true home within God’s plan for us. St. Joseph is a sure guide through all of life’s journeys, especially that final leg at life’s end. Because tradition tells us St. Joseph died in the arms of Jesus and Mary, he is the special patron of the dying and of a happy death. Having had my own brush with death, I hope it will be a long time before I call on him for that assistance. But it is a great comfort to know he will be there when I most need him. Space does not permit me to share everything I would like to say about this most privileged saint. But if there is one gift of counsel I can give you this Christmas that will be sure to bring many other gifts of God into your life, it is these words: “Go to Joseph.” Although the hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” is proper to Advent, its words should echo in our heart as we long for our eucharistic Lord, who comes to us during every Mass. May St. Joseph help you receive into your heart and your life him who St. Joseph held in his arms. Merry Christmas to all, and may your New Year be most blessed! n BISHOP STIKA’S SCHEDULE These are some of Bishop Stika’s appointments: Jan. 2-6: Region V bishops retreat, Covington, Ky. Jan. 7: 8:05 a.m., Mass with schoolchildren, Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Jan. 8: 9 a.m., Ministries Day, Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Jan. 9: 10:30 a.m., installation of Father Kuzhupil as pastor, St. Augustine Church, Signal Mountain n
for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.” These three options share several characteristics. First, they are all scriptural in origin. Second, they are all in the second person (“you/your”), addressing Christ directly. Third, they all include us: “we proclaim” and “save us.” Absent from the new Missal is the acclamation “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.” The request to the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments (CDWDS) for an adaptation for this acclamation was not accepted. CDWDS gave several reasons. First, it is not found in the original Latin edition, the editio typica. Furthermore, it “is not consistent with the style and signification of the other Memorial Acclamations.” In other words, it lacks the clear scriptural basis common to the other acclamations, does not address Christ directly, and does not include us. In the Memorial Acclamation the faithful address Christ the Word in words taken from his Word, proclaiming that he is alive even though he died and that we await his return. In the words of the liturgical scholar Johannes Emminghuas, it “has become the ‘spark’ for a special activity of the people, which, with its acclamation, also expresses an essential aspect of the Eucharist.” n Father Stice directs the diocesan Office of Worship and Liturgy. He can be reached at frrandy@ dioknox.org. www.dioknox.org
from the bishop’s
OFFICE
Bishop announces pastoral assignments
B
ishop Richard F. Stika announced the following priest-assignment changes in a Dec. 10 memo: n Father Jim Harvey will serve as pastor of Notre Dame Parish in Greeneville, effective Jan. 17. Father Harvey is currently pastor of St. Alphonsus Parish in Crossville. n Father Bill Keebler, who has been serving as parochial administrator of Notre Dame, is returning to the Diocese of Peoria, Ill., where he is incardinated. n Father Antony Punnackal, CMI (Carmelites of Mary Immaculate), has been appointed parochial vicar (associate pastor) for St. Alphonsus, effective Jan. 17. Father Punnackal has served as a pastor for several years in the Diocese of Amarillo, Texas. “Please join me in thanking Father Keebler for serving in the diocese for the last five and a half months. Also, join me in congratulating and offering our prayers and support for Father Jim and Father Antony as they begin their new ministry. n
Pro-life rosary set for Jan. 15
A
ll clergy, religious, and laity are invited to join Bishop Richard F. Stika in praying a pro-life rosary at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, across the street from the abortion clinic at 313 S. Concord St. in Knoxville. First held last year on Jan. 16, the event will be scheduled annually to pray for an end to the culture of death. Participants are asked to arrive no later than 9:45 a.m. Ample parking is available across from the clinic at Tyson Park. Nearly 4,000 abortions are performed each year in the Knoxville area. The Concord Street location was chosen because of its proximity to the Volunteer Women’s Health Center, where thousands of abortions have taken place over the past 30 years. For more information, call Paul Simoneau, director of the diocesan Office of Justice and Peace, at 865-862-5753. n
Diocese offers ongoing Virtus child-protection training sessions
T
he Diocese of Knoxville’s program for the protection of children and youth—a threehour seminar called “Protecting God’s Children”—is offered regularly throughout the diocese. The seminars are required for parish and school employees and regular volunteers in contact with children or vulnerable adults and are recommended for parents and grandparents. The following train-
ing sessions have been scheduled: n All Saints Church, Knoxville, 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13 n Sacred Heart Cathedral, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18 (session will be held in the Shea Room) n Notre Dame Church, Greeneville, 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13 (session will be conducted in Spanish) Participants are asked to donate $1 for session materials. To register, visit virtus online.org. n
Readings continued from page 2
the poor, as the shepherds were, you would have the benefit of God’s special help. In this case, it was a choir of angels singing the praises of God and one who told them of the miraculous that was taking place nearby. If you were a power-conscious ruler obsessed by thoughts of being ousted from his illegitimately possessed throne, you would ask where the rightful king was to come from. You would get the answer “Bethlehem” from every Jew who knew his or her history. It was the City of David. Search David’s family tree, and you find Jesus. If you were a pagan and looking for God, you might search the heavens for signs. Amazingly, you would find what you were looking for. The magi, like several ancient peoples, mapped the stars and could determine when some new phenomenon was taking place. They had to determine the meaning of that event. The magi did just that. They went even further in developing an expedition to find the meaning of the stellar event and discover the king of the universe. The star of Bethlehem indicates that there are ways for everyone to discover Jesus. We can find the light of our life if we have the right disposition. Remember, the Lord was hastened away to Egypt when Herod was getting close. We need the Christmas spirit. We need only have faith, and love and peace and the star will shine on us. n Father Brando is the pastor of St. Mary Parish in Gatlinburg. DECEMBER 26, 2010
n
3
BY TONI PACITTI
which serves Our Lady of Perpetual Help and St. Stephen parishes, hosted a “Light Up for Christ” event Dec. 7 with live entertainment, caroling, cocoa and cider, and a tree-lighting ceremony. n Volunteers are needed for the Interfaith Hospitality Network, which assists homeless families, to serve as hosts and greeters and to provide meals and activities from Sunday, Dec. 26, through Sunday, Jan. 2. Call Lisa Kosky at 423-877-5982 or Anne Wells at 706-581-0410 to volunteer. Food and monetary donations are also needed. n OLPH School eighth-grader Anthony Smith was selected for second-chair tuba in the Red Band in the Lower Southeast Tennessee Junior Clinic Band at Lee University. n The school’s recent Hats-On Day raised $1,000 for the Foundation for Children With Cancer.
St. Augustine, Signal Mountain
n The parish provided bags of sugar
and flour for Christmas baskets as part of an annual project for Signal Mountain Social Services that will help 52 families. n A 24-week Scripture study, “Adventures in Matthew: The King and His Kingdom,” will be offered from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays beginning Jan. 11. Bring $30 to the office by Monday, Jan. 3, to cover the cost for materials. Call Linda Spangler at 423886-6067 for details.
St. Jude, Chattanooga
n The parish is hosting homeless
families, through the Interfaith Hospitality Network, in the Hofstetter Family Life Center during the week ending Sunday, Dec. 26. During the week youth volunteers served meals to the families and played with the children. n Parishioner and CPA David Lowrance will again lead “Seven Steps to Becoming Financially Free,” a Catholic money-management smallgroup study, for six weeks beginning Thursday, Jan. 20. Group size is limited. Call the parish office at 423-8702386 to register.
St. Mary, Athens
n Those attending a town-hall meet-
ing Dec. 12 voted overwhelmingly in favor of moving forward with phases IIa and IIb of the parish communitycenter building project. Buildingcommittee chairman Paul Kessler reviewed the plans and finance-committee chair Tom Moran the financials at the meeting. Budget estimates are $869,700 for 6,224 square feet in Phase IIa and $242,600 for 2,280 square feet in Phase IIb. If all four parts of Phase II are completed, the community center would total 14,053 square feet and cost $1,869,000. Cumberland Mountain Deanery
St. Francis of Assisi, Fairfield Glade
n Anniversaries: Jack and Audrey Paul
(60), Edwin and Grace Johnson (57), Jack and Marilyn Alderton (56), Ed and Angela Crowley (56), Fred and Laura Reed (54), Richard and Evelyn Cote (35)
St. Mary, Oak Ridge
n The Knights of Columbus hosted a
“Santa’s Pancake Breakfast” for parish youth Dec. 11. Children watched DVDs, played board games, and played outside during the event. n The Council of Catholic Women held a baby shower Dec. 8, with donations of baby items and money going to Catholic Charities’ Pregnancy Help Center. n The school’s Gingerbread Club received first-place honors for gingerbread houses decorated by students and donated to the Fantasy of Trees event held at the Knoxville Convention Center from Nov. 24 through 28. The Fantasy of Trees benefited East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.
Five Rivers Deanery
Good Shepherd, Newport
n The parish sponsored an an-
gel tree for the Smoky Mountain Children’s Home, which is in Sevier County and serves the surrounding counties. The more than 70 children at the home are being given gift cards so they may select their own gifts and will be treated with a pizza party. n The Council of Catholic Women elected officers Dec. 5. Dorothy Necessary was re-elected president. Judy Caswell is the new vice president. Alice Wood was re-elected treasurer, and Nancy Soesbee was elected secretary.
Holy Trinity, Jefferson City
n The parish raised $2,540 for the
Life Outreach Center in Jefferson City in its annual Walk for Life held recently. n Anniversaries: William and Josephine Hyslop (53), Raymond and Helen LaShier (51), Ray and Pam Brostean (35), Daniel and Jamie Carbaugh (35) Newcomers: Victor and Barbara Tracy
n St. Elizabeth volunteers prepared
and served meals for 271 homeless and elderly people Nov. 27 at St. John Episcopal Church as part of the Food for the Multitude program. The next opportunity to help is Saturday, Jan. 15. n Parishioners contributed $1,132.25 for Food for the Multitude in a November special collection in honor of the parish’s patron, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, whose feast day was Nov. 23. n Anniversary: Joy and Jack Strickland (35)
St. Patrick, Morristown
n The youth held a “Parents’ Night
Out” fundraiser Dec. 10, hosting children ages 18 months through 10 years for an evening of crafts, movies, games, and other activities. n The Knights of Columbus will sponsor a New Year’s Eve party that will begin at 8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31. Tickets cost $30 per couple and will be available in the narthex after all Masses. Bring an appetizer. n The children’s Christmas Mass will be celebrated at 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 24. Smoky Mountain Deanery
Blessed John XXIII, Knoxville
n Lisa Elder, a University of Tennessee
senior and parishioner, in early December sold jewelry and rosaries made by women of Uganda. Ms. Elder visited Uganda last Christmas to serve the people there.
Holy Ghost, Knoxville
D
ion and Emily Frate of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fairfield Glade recently celebrated their 60th anniversary with family and friends. The Frates were married Oct. 14, 1950, at St. Rose of Lima Church in Short Hills, N.J. They have one daughter, Lorraine Rosalie Contrell, of Woodlands, Texas, and three grandchildren. A son, Michael Paul Frate, is deceased. Mr. Frate retired as Northeastern District sales manager from the Crane Co. in New Jersey. Mrs.
Dion and Emily Frate
Frate retired as media technologist from Randolph Elementary School in New Jersey. They moved to the Glade in 1986. n
Immaculate Conception, Knoxville n Adult parish volunteers will be
honored at an appreciation party from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 9, at the L & N Station. n The Knoxville Isaac T. Hecker Guild will be established at IC to promote devotion to and prayer for the canonization of the servant of God. An introductory meeting on the guild will be held at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19.
Our Lady of Fatima, Alcoa
n Rainwater Farm held its annual
sale of handmade soaps, salves, and balms after Masses on Dec. 11 and 12 to benefit the parish’s sister school in Haiti. Visit www.RainwaterFarm.com or e-mail parishioner Colette Souder at Colette@rainwaterfarm.com for more details on the products. n Father Brent Shelton spoke at the December Council of Catholic Women meeting on the topic “Priest, Pastor, and Leader of the Community.”
Scout troop. Boys ages 11 to 18 and numerous volunteers are needed. Those interested should contact Brad Croisdale at 865-805-9964 or brad@texten.com. n Parishioners contributed $3,132 during a Thanksgiving collection that will be sent with Deacon Patrick Murphy-Racey on his next mission trip to Haiti. n
DECEMBER 26, 2010
Frates of Fairfield Glade celebrate 60th anniversary
Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University course that begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5. Cost is $50 per couple. Call Carol Lougheed at 865689-7708 for more details.
sored a holiday reception Dec. 9. The event included a program on what it means to be a Knight and the various community charities that benefit from Knights’ efforts. n A beginners class on conversational Spanish will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays beginning Jan. 11. Class size is limited to eight. Registran
Good Shepherd marks deacon’s anniversary, pastor’s birthday The Church of the Good Shepherd in Newport held a triple celebration recently: Thanksgiving dinner for parishioners, the 83rd birthday of pastor Father Bob Hofstetter, and the 25th anniversary of Deacon Otto Preske’s ordination. Above, Joanne Newell (left) and Jo McCrory present a cake to the deacon and priest. Deacon Preske was ordained Nov. 30, 1985, at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Father Hofstetter, whose birthday is Nov. 19, was one of Deacon Preske’s teachers as he prepared for the diaconate.
n The parish will hold a 13-week
St. Albert the Great, Knoxville
4
Deacon Fage celebrates silver jubilee Deacon Jim Fage of St. Patrick Parish in Morristown celebrated his 25th anniversary of ordination at a Mass and potluck Nov. 20 at the church. Above, St. Patrick pastor Father Joseph Hammond, CHS, leads the congregation in a blessing of Deacon Fage, who has served at St. Patrick ever since his ordination Nov. 30, 1985.
St. Elizabeth, Elizabethton
St. Thomas the Apostle, Lenoir City n The Knights of Columbus spon-
COURTESY OF SHIRLEY COPELAND
n Knights of Columbus Council 6099,
tion is required. Call John Feddersen at 865-408-1545.
COURTESY OF NANCY SOESBEE
OLPH, Chattanooga
COURTESY OF ROSEANN STRAZINSKY
Chattanooga Deanery
COURTESY OF GAIL CAMPBELL
NOTES
Secular Franciscan fraternity welcomes four new members The Channel of Peace Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order received the profession of four members of the Sts. Francis and Clare Newly Forming Group on Nov. 20. After completing two and a half years of formation (front row, from left), Pat Johnson, Jean Schneider, Karen Paradis, and Paul Carter made their profession to the Rule of St. Francis at St. Mary Church in Athens. With them above are (back row, from left) Gail Campbell, minister of the Channel of Peace Fraternity; St. Mary pastor Father William Oruko, AJ, spiritual assistant of the Sts. Francis and Clare group; and Janette Irwin and Carol Pavur of the newly forming group.
n The parish is exploring starting a Boy
www.dioknox.org
COURTESY OF DONNA GOCELLA
parish
CCW donates $500 for Christmas baskets The Council of Catholic Women at St. Alphonsus in Crossville recently made a $500 donation to the annual St. Alphonsus Christmas Basket Project. Pictured are Donna Gocella (left), president of the CCW, and Helen Davis, co-chair of the project. More than 200 Christmas baskets are prepared each year with food for three family meals and distributed to qualifying families in Crossville.
THE EAST TENNESSEE CATHOLIC
Sacred Heart Cathedral Scout receives Eagle award
mkbattery.com or Louis Kahl at 3845441 or louis@louiskahl.com.
For those planning to travel to Washington, D.C., for the March for Life next month, a block of rooms is being held in nearby Crystal City, Va., at the Hampton Inn for Sunday, Jan. 23, and/or Monday, Jan. 24. The rate with breakfast is $121, including tax. The hotel is two blocks from a Metro stop. Contact Esther Golightly at 865310-0690 or egolightly@charter.net for more information.
The annual St. Thomas Aquinas Forum, sponsored by Aquinas College in Nashville, will be held Friday and Saturday, Feb. 4 and 5, at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Nashville. This year’s forum, titled “Pope Benedict: The Man and the Mind,” will feature author Scott Hahn and Michael Miller of the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty, among other speakers. Attendance can be counted toward hours needed for diocesan catechist-certification programs. Cost is $125 for Friday and Saturday and $75 per person for Saturday only. For more information, call 615-297-7545, extension 469; e-mail catechetics@ aquinascollege.edu; or visit www. aquinascollege.edu/community/tci.php.
Sister Mary Timothea Elliott, RSM, diocesan director of Christian Formation, will lead an evening of reflection titled “Psalms, the Prayers That Jesus Prayed” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11, at Sacred Heart Cathedral. For more information, call 865-584-4528. The Memorial Health Care System Foundation will hold its sixth annual Pink! Gala to benefit the MaryEllen Locher Breast Center on Saturday, Jan. 22, at the Chattanooga Convention Center. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Proceeds from this year’s event will be used to purchase a new Memorial Mobile Health Coach. The Party on the Moon Band will again provide the dance music for the gala. Regular tickets are $200 and patron tickets $350, and sponsorship opportunities are available. To make reservations, call 423-495-PINK (7465) or visit www. memorial.org/pink. The next diocesan Colombia youth mission trip is scheduled for the second and third weeks of June 2011 (exact dates TBA). Father Antonio Giraldo will lead the mission. Mandatory meetings for those interested are set for 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 9, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6, at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church in Cleveland. Those attending must be age 16 or older, have a written letter of reference from a youth minister and/or pastor, and write a personal essay stating their reasons for wishing to participate. Virtus-trained adults are welcome to travel with the group. Maximum group size is 22. Cost is $1,500. A $500 deposit will be due at the Feb. 6 meeting. For more information, call the St. Thérèse office at 423-476-8123. For the second year in a row, Bishop Richard F. Stika will host three bilingual celebrations to honor married couples and their commitment to the sacrament of marriage. Each event will include Mass, an opportunity to renew wedding vows, and a luncheon for couples and their family and friends following the liturgy. The first celebration will begin at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Alcoa. The second is set for 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, at St. Patrick Church in Morristown and the third for 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church in Cleveland. A commemorative certificate will be available at the luncheons for couples who registered. To attend a celebration, RSVP to Karen Byrne of the diocesan Office of Marriage Preparation and Enrichment at 865-584-3307, extension 5739, or kbyrne@dioknox.org. Couples should provide their names, number of years married, and number of guests coming to the luncheon. The Sevier County chapter of Tennessee Right to Life will hold its sixth annual march and rally, with the theme “God’s Mercy for All,” on Sunday, Jan. 9. The march will begin at 1 p.m. at the Pigeon Forge Community Center and proceed down the Parkway to the Country Tonite Theater. The rally will take place from 2 to 3 p.m. and include song and dance routines performed by For Zion’s Sake, Voice of Mercy, and Unhidden and a talk by Debbie Picarello. For more information, contact Karen Mercer at 865-908-2417 or smercer@ THE E A S T T E N N E S S E E C A T H OLIC
High school juniors and seniors in the Cumberland and Smoky Mountain deaneries are invited to attend the upcoming Search for Christian Maturity retreat at Knoxville Catholic High School. Search 91 will be held on the weekend of Feb. 11 through 13. Cost is $55, and scholarships are available. To obtain a form, see a youth minister, visit the diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry page at dioknox. org, or contact Deacon Dan Hosford at 865-603-9682 or djh2@comcast.net.
Bishop Richard F. Stika will lead a Lenten pilgrimage to the Holy Land from March 20 to April 2, 2011. Pilgrims will visit Mount Scopus, the Mount of Olives, Gethsemane, Bethlehem, the Old City of Jerusalem, Jericho, Masada, Qumran, Emmaus, Tiberias, Nazareth, Cana, the Mount of Beatitudes, Capernaum, Mount Carmel, Caesarea, and other sites. Cost is $3,199 (cash) or $3,398, plus $499 in airport taxes (from Atlanta), fuel surcharges, and $150 in tips. A $400 deposit is due as soon as possible. Sister Albertine Paulus, RSM, is the pilgrimage coordinator. To request a brochure and registration form or obtain more information, contact Sister Albertine at 865-545-8270 or 207-4742 or smaevang@yahoo.com. Registration is under way for Diocese of Knoxville young people who plan to attend World Youth Day in Madrid in August 2011. Total cost is $3,321 per person, which includes accommodations (double occupancy), daily American buffet breakfasts, WYD fees, and airline taxes and fuel charges. A second option offers simple accommodations on school-gym floors but includes everything else above, at a cost of $2,299. A deposit of $250 is needed to hold a reservation. The third payment of $500 is due by Feb. 15, with the final payment due no later than May 15, 2011. For more information, contact Al Forsythe, diocesan director of Youth and Youth Adult Ministry, at 865-584-3307 or aforsythe@ dioknox.org, or Lucille of Regina Tours at 800-CATHOLIC, extension 208. Obtain information online at bit.ly/9iuuKS.
M
atthew Daniel Dovgan of Sacred Heart Cathedral, a member of Boy Scout Troop 20, recently received his Eagle award. Matthew has earned 33 merit badges and has served as den chief, historian, instructor, and troop guide. He was inducted into the Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s honor society, in May. For his Eagle project Matthew refurbished
Matthew Dovgan
a flagstone grotto around the St. Mary statue outside the
Just Say No Club formed at St. Joseph School Fourth-grade teacher Paula Allen of St. Joseph School in Knoxville stands with members of the new Just Say No Club at the school. The fourth-grade class celebrated National Red Ribbon Week recently. In becoming members of the first Just Say No Club at SJS, the students wore crazy socks to help them remember to “sock it to drugs.” They also came to school with their shirts on backward to “turn their back on drugs” and “turned a cold shoulder to drugs” while eating freeze pops. Club members pledged to say no to drugs to stay healthy and happy, to help their friends say no to drugs, and to stand up for what they know is right.
St. John Neumann students celebrate Thanksgiving Kindergarten and first-grade students at St. John Neumann School in Farragut celebrated Thanksgiving on Nov. 22. Students in kindergarten dressed as Native Americans, and first-graders dressed as pilgrims. They ate lunch, played, sang, and prayed together. Above (from left), Josephine Kelley, Nicky Molino, and Nick Gerkins create “turkeys” from candy and cookies.
The next charismatic Mass in the diocese will be celebrated at 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23, at Holy Spirit Church in Soddy-Daisy. Father Dan Whitman of Holy Trinity Parish in Jefferson City will be the celebrant. Singers and instrumentalists who would like to participate in the choir should arrive at 4:30. Prayers for healing will follow the Mass. Call Dee Leigh at 423-842-2305 for more information. The next Engaged Encounter weekend in the diocese will be held Feb. 11 through 13 at the Magnuson Hotel in Sweetwater. To register, call Jason or Carmen Jeansonne at 865-377-3077. For more information on Engaged Encounter, e-mail Paul or Pam Schaffer at ceeknoxville@gmail.com or visit www.rc.net/knoxville/cee/. 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 Sundays at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church in Cleveland, and at 3 p.m. on second and fourth Sundays at St. Joseph the Worker Church in Madisonville. A traditional Latin Mass will also be celebrated at 1:30 p.m. Christmas Calendar continued on page 7
Sacred Heart Cathedral School library. He also replaced a bench, planted flowers around the statue, and built an additional large flagstone flower bed for the school. The project required more than 150 man-hours. Matthew is the son of Dr. Daniel and Jana Dovgan. He is an eighth-grader at Sacred Heart and plans to attend Knoxville Catholic High School next fall. n
COURTESY OF JAN JOHNSSON
The annual “It’s Cool 2B Catholic” diocesan youth rally, with a focus on Catholic social teaching, is set for Saturday, Jan. 15. Youth will meet at 10 a.m. across from the abortion clinic on Concord Street in Knoxville to pray the rosary with Bishop Richard F. Stika, then proceed to St. John Neumann Church in Farragut for games and activities, keynote talks, Mass, and a concert. Sal Solo and MashetiMoses will speak and perform. The events will conclude around 8:45 p.m. Cost is $25. For more information, call the diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry at 865862-5754 or visit dioknox.org.
COURTESY OF MICHELLE DOUGHERTY
BY TONI PACITTI
COURTESY OF JANA DOVGAN
CALENDAR
COURTESY OF WENDY SUMMITT
on the
Scouting honors presented at OLPH Several Cub Scouts at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Chattanooga recently earned awards. Tyler Corscadden, Justin Harris, Matthew Laws, Jason Oliver, and Bradley Summitt received the Light of Christ award. Hogan Walker was given the Parvuli Dei award. Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting chair George LeCrone Sr., Father Paul Valleroy, and den leader Wendy Summitt presented the awards during a Sunday Mass. With them are three of the recipients, (from left) Hogan, Bradley, and Tyler.
NDHS grad a walk-on for Bellarmine tennis team
C
hip Jabaley, a 2010 graduate of Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga, walked on and earned a place on the men’s tennis team at Bellarmine, a Catholic university in Louisville, Ky. While at Notre Dame, Mr. Jabaley helped lead his tennis team to the state finals in his senior year. He was awarded the Monsignor
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Horrigan Scholarship, an academic scholarship at Bellarmine, and has been accepted into the university’s honors program. He is majoring in mathematics with minors in international studies and sports studies. He plans to be a sports statistician. Mr. Jabaley is the son of David and Regina Jabaley of St. Jude Parish in Chattanooga. n DECEMBER 26, 2010
n
5
from the
PARACLETE
BY BETHANY MARINAC
Jubilee continued from page 1
Focusing on Christ
IC’s ‘Signs of the Season’ workshop held for 10th year B Y L E S L I E S H OLLY
L
ast month Dorothy Romines conducted her 10th annual Advent workshop at Immaculate Conception Church in Knoxville, sharing years of research about Advent customs around the world. But her interest in the subject began many decades ago. As a young woman she attended Webster College in St. Louis, where her aunt was the mother superior and her sister was in the convent. She recalls the sisters celebrating St. Lucy’s feast on Dec. 13 by bringing hot chocolate and sweet rolls to the students’ rooms early in the morning, singing as they came, “like angels floating down the halls.” Mrs. Romines shared the St. Lucy custom with her children, one boy and four girls. They had Advent calendars too, and she recalls making Nativity sets and O Antiphon decorations with them. Today her children carry on some of those customs with her 15 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. And after 28 years of teaching elementary school, Mrs. Romines now teaches the children—and adults—of Immaculate Conception Parish about Advent. Mrs. Romines had been a member of IC off and on over the years, returning for good when she retired about 15 years ago. Five years later she had the idea of beginning an Advent workshop, “Signs of the Season,” for the children of the parish. The project started small, with $100 from the adult-faith-formation team. Now it’s one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the year, with 50 or more people attending, including adults who enjoy learning about Advent and making crafts. Over the years Mrs. Romines has presented Advent customs ranging from the Mexican piñata and posada to the Polish oplatki (Christmas wafer). Participating children have made Nativity sets from a variety of materials, cornhusk angels and turnip candle holders from the Celtic tradition, a variety of Christmas tree ornaments, and always Advent wreaths. Mrs. Romines provides handouts for home celebrations, including blessings and readings for use with the Advent wreath and Jesse tree ornaments to make at home. The evening also includes dinner, singing, and some impromptu dramatic productions. Already planning for next year’s “Signs of the Season,” Mrs. Romines says she is pleased by the popularity of the workshop, which she puts on with the help of the Immaculate Conception women’s group and other helpers. Her great-niece Nora Connelly provided the music this year, and her brother George Willard documented the event with photographs. “It’s something I love to do,” she said, citing the O Antiphons and the St. Lucy custom as favorites. “I love the sense of cooperation with the parish community, and I hope families will benefit by learning some Advent customs.” n Mrs. Sholly and her family are members of Immaculate Conception Parish in Knoxville. 6
n
DECEMBER 26, 2010
At the altar for his anniversary Mass, Bishop Stika stands between Bishop David R. Choby of Nashville (left) and Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., who served as Knoxville’s second bishop. THREE BISHOPS
In the pews were the bishop’s brother Joe Calabro and longtime St. Louis friends Don and Nancy Ross and Tim Trout. Bishop Choby provided Bishop Stika’s crosier for the Mass, one that was originally a gift to Nashville Bishop Thomas S. Byrne for his installation in 1894. Bishop Stika was ordained to the diaconate by Cardinal John J. Carberry on May 1, 1985, and to the priesthood by Archbishop John L. May on Dec. 14, 1985. In his homily the bishop focused on specific moments that stood out over his quarter century as a priest, including the first Mass he celebrated and Pope John Paul II’s visit to St. Louis in 1999. “There are all these special moments that remind me of the Emmanuel, Christ, coming into my life and into the lives of those who supported me in the priesthood and into the lives of the people I’ve been privileged to serve.” The bishop recalled his parents, the late Frank and Helen Stika. Both left school early to support their families during the Depression, Mr. Stika after eighth grade and Mrs. Stika in third grade. Bishop Stika said he saw his dad cry only twice.“The second time was when I celebrated my first Mass. When I raised the chalice, I looked up at my parents who were sitting in the front row, and my dad had tears running down his cheeks. My father died seven months later. It was almost like he was waiting to see if the third son would make something of himself.” The bishop said that days before his parents’ deaths he was able to hear their final confessions and anoint them. “I know that, simple as my folks were, they’re a profound part of my life today because without them I would have no life.” Bishop Stika quoted John Paul, who said “nothing means more or gives greater joy
than to celebrate Mass every day and to serve God’s people in the church in so many ways” and that “nothing has ever changed this, including becoming pope.” “I don’t think I’ll ever become pope,” said Bishop Stika, “but to all of you, my sisters and brothers whom I’m privileged to serve in the Diocese of Knoxville, I couldn’t think of any greater words than what the Holy Father said. I believe it’s a privilege and an honor in all humility to say yes to the Lord in the priesthood.” The bishop also received a second gift at the end of Mass, from cathedral rector Father David Boettner. Sacred Heart installed a new electronic carillon system recently, and Father Boettner presented a remote control to the bishop and gave him the honor of pressing the button
that sounded the new system for the first time. Bishop Stika, who has expressed his desire for a new cathedral—complete with church bells of the old-fashioned variety—said the remote control will operate either electronic or conventional bells. “In the future, if we ever build a new cathedral and have real bells, the computer has the capacity to ring real bells too,” the bishop said in an interview during the reception. At the end of Mass the bishop thanked a number of people, including Deacon Smith, Father Boettner, executive secretary Peggy Humphreys and the rest of the Chancery staff, and Mercy Sister Mary Sarah Macht, as well as the cathedral staff for its work on the anniversary events. Bishop Stika also remembered his late executive sec-
retary, Nancy Feist, who died unexpectedly in June 2009. The bishop spoke of his August 2009 health scare in Florida, when he almost died during a visit to Maronite Archbishop Francis M. Zayek. Bishop Stika wanted to see the archbishop a final time before the latter returned to Lebanon, where he died this September. Archbishop Kurtz said after the liturgy that “this celebration is so uplifting.” “First of all, it shows the joy in the life of Bishop Stika and the way in which he values his priesthood and the people he serves, and it also was such a great expression of the whole church in East Tennessee. I saw representatives from all over East Tennessee, and obviously it was good to get back too and renew friendships.” Jubilee continued on page 7
DAN MCWILLIAMS
Call the store at 865-588-0388 or 800333-2097. Visit its Facebook page at bit.ly/ paracleteknoxville.
MARY C. WEAVER (2)
T
his frenetic season makes it harder for me to spend the time I need in prayer and reflection. Fortunately, many good books are available to keep us focused on Christ. I’ve chosen three to read between now and Epiphany (Jan. 2). The first is Covenant and Communion by Scott Hahn (Brazos Press, 2009, $21.99). It explains Pope Benedict XVI’s biblical philosophy and shows the role it plays in his vision for the Church. The second is Light of the World (Ignatius Press, 2010, $21.95) the culmination of a weeklong interview between Peter Seewald and Pope Benedict XVI. In the interview the pope candidly answers even the most difficult questions with honesty and clarity. The questions Benedict answered address some of the most controversial and important topics to the world’s Catholic population. The third book on my list is Why He Is a Saint: The Life and Faith of Pope John Paul II and the Case for Canonization (Rizzoli, 2010, $22.50) by Slawomir Oder and Saverio Gaeta. This book features more than 100 testimonies related to Pope John Paul II’s cause for canonization and showcases the late pontiff’s deep devotion and profound prayer practices. It also includes testimonies and stories that give insights into the Polish and Italian secret services and their interactions with him. The book was originally published in Italian and is translated beautifully into English. It’s now the end of a lovely season of seeing folks whom we know and getting to know new faces at the store. We thank you for your continued support and wish you a wonderful Christmas. We will be closed Dec. 30 through Jan. 1 and will reopen on Jan. 3 with an after-Christmas sale. n
Top: Cardinal Rigali blesses an icon purchased by the Chancery staff for Bishop Stika’s jubilee. Assisting are seminarians Michael Poston (left) and Scott Russell. Bottom: Bishop Stika prepares to cut the cake at the reception, sponsored by the parish Council of Catholic Women, after the Dec. 19 Mass. To his right is Carol Taylor, who coordinated the event.
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THE EAST TENNESSEE CATHOLIC
life and
DIGNITY
BY PAUL SIMONEAU
Behold the Bridegroom All baptized Christians, male and female, are brides of Christ.
Advent is the season of hope when we prepare ourselves to celebrate Christmas in anticipation of the coming of Christ, our heavenly Bridegroom. At the center of this great mystery we find Mary and the great “yes” of her fiat: “be it done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Her fiat is not only a beautiful response of the Church to her Bridegroom. It is also the response every baptized Christian as a bride of Christ is called to make. To the degree that we neglect the mystery of woman, we neglect the mystery of the Church and our own faith response as a bride of Christ. Men, for good reason, may be hesitant to reflect upon the feminine aspect of this mystery for fear that it might in some way diminish their own unique masculine gift and faith response. But we can learn much about how to respond to the gift of Christ through an examination of those women in the Gospel who upon hearing the call “Behold the bridegroom” went “out to meet him” (Matthew 25:6). The Church, as the bride of Christ, represents the mystery of our union with God. This nuptial union of Christ and the Church, St. Paul tells us, is a “great mystery” (Ephesians 5:32). Through our bap-
tism, we are incorporated into this mystery. This means that every baptized Christian, male as well as female, is a bride of Christ. Within the first page of Sacred Scripture we learn the essential truth of human dignity that is the foundation for our Christian anthropology: “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27). We realize that neither man nor woman separately represents the image of God. Indeed, humanity is incomplete until woman is created (Genesis 2:18-24). To neglect the mystery of woman, as history demonstrates, is to neglect our understanding of and respect for all humanity. Understood, though, in their complementarity, man and woman together represent God’s masterpiece and call for our deepest respect. “In Christ . . . there is neither male nor female, for you are one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). Within the Old Testament, the figure of woman and her contributions were veiled. But with the triumph of Christ’s love for his bride, the veil has been lifted and her redeemed beauty and dignity revealed. Without rejecting the patriarchal aspects of Jewish society, Jesus reveals and embraces the dignity and beauty of woman and her unique feminine gift as a bride. In the Gospels we see how Christ wipes away the tears of his bride, healing the wounds of sin, affirming
her dignity, and calling her to the heavenly wedding banquet (Revelation 19:7-9). This is the story of every baptized man and woman. We can learn much from the example of those women who responded to the Bridegroom’s call. An examination of the Gospel accounts reveals how much Christ affirmed the dignity and vocation of women. He called for the protection of their dignity against all that would harm it, particularly lust, adultery of the heart, and divorce (cf. Matthew 5:27-31). In the women he touched and healed, we find the healing of every bride wounded by the indignity of sin—their own and those sins committed against them (cf. John 8:311). In their response to the Bridegroom’s healing love, we find our own response and inspiration to follow him along the Way and to contribute to the spreading of the Gospel, using our own talents and resources (cf. Luke 8:1-3). In following Christ, we take courage in the example of those women who remained at the foot of the cross, close to the mystery of the consummation of the Bridegroom’s love for his bride, the Church (John 19:25-27). Sharing in the joy of the Resurrection, we go to those still “mourning and weeping” with the message of hope (Mark 16:10). With St. Lydia (Acts 16:11-15; 40), one of the first converts to the Gospel, of whom St. Paul speaks so highly, we too learn to give our nuptial response: “Come to my house and stay” (Acts 16:15). n Mr. Simoneau directs the diocesan Office of Justice and Peace. This column begins a series on women of the Gospels.
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Bishop Stika said during the Mass that Cardinal Rigali was like a father to him. “My dad was called home to God, next year it will be 25 years, but in all things God replaced my father with another father, and for him I have great, deep love and affection, and I consider him a blessing,” said the bishop. The two became friends when the future cardinal became archbishop of St. Louis in 1994. “Bishop Stika was my very close collaborator, and in the beginning he was my priestsecretary, then after that he was also the chancellor of the archdiocese and finally my vicar general,” said Cardinal Rigali during the reception. “So he was a tower of strength to me in all the years I was the archbishop of St. Louis, and he had a very significant role in arranging Pope John Paul II’s visit to St. Louis back in 1999. “Bishop Stika lived in the same residence with me, and he collaborated with me on so many things. He was a very faithful priest who with his wonderful qualities was able to help me in my ministry as the archbishop, so I remain always deeply grateful to him.”
Having Cardinal Rigali at an important event in his life is only appropriate, Bishop Stika said. “No celebration in my life would be complete without the cardinal,” he said. “He’s a friend and a mentor, and I just love him a lot.” Bishop Stika said he will follow John Paul’s lead with his new icon. “I’ve always had a devotion to the Blessed Mother. I was in Pope John Paul’s private chapel a number of times, and he had an image of Our Lady of Czestochowa that traveled with him throughout his priesthood,” said Bishop Stika. “Now I have something that will travel with me the rest of my life.” The bishop said he was moved by both gifts. He said he will keep the icon in the chapel at his residence. “It’ll remind me more than ever to pray for all the good people of the diocese. I was really touched. That and the bells—I love church bells.” Bishop Stika celebrated his anniversary in his hometown Dec. 12, with many of his relatives among the 200 braving snow and ice to attend. Principal concelebrants included St. Louis Auxiliary Bishop-elect
Edward M. Rice and Kenrick classmates of Bishop Stika who were also ordained priests in 1985. Also present was a longtime friend, Maronite Bishop Robert J. Shaheen, “who preached my first Mass when he was Monsignor Shaheen, 25 years ago,” said Bishop Stika. Bishop Stika’s intention for the anniversary Mass in Knoxville was for an increase in vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated religious life, and he asked those attending to pray Pope Benedict’s prayer for vocations on cards distributed at the cathedral. Since becoming East Tennessee’s shepherd, Bishop Stika has asked the faithful to pray for more vocations. He makes the request in homilies “every place I go,” no matter the event, he said. “I could be in a room by myself, and I’ll talk about vocations because I think they need to be promoted and nurtured,” said Bishop Stika. The bishop has an eye toward his next big celebration in 2035. “I’m looking forward to my 50th,” he said. “If God gives me that time, I will joyfully approach it with a spirit of gratitude.” n
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Day (Saturday, Dec. 25) at Holy Ghost. Visit www. knoxlatinmass.net for details. A Seekers of Silence Contemplative Saturday Morning will be held Jan. 22 at Blessed John XXIII Catholic Center in Knoxville. Asmaa Alaoui-Ismaili will give a talk titled “Islamic Perspective: Mary in the Quran.” 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. To RSVP or learn more, call 865-523-7931. The Community of Sant’Egidio is a Catholic lay ecclesial movement that focuses on prayer and service to the poor. Two Sant’Egidio groups regularly meet in the Diocese of Knoxville, in Knoxville and Johnson THE E A S T T E N N E S S E E C A T H OLIC
City. For more information on the Knoxville group, call Ellen Macek at 865-675-5541. Call Father Michael Cummins at 423-926-7061 for more details on the Johnson City group. Everyone is welcome to attend. Holy Resurrection Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic Mission has Divine Liturgy celebrations at 3:30 p.m. Sundays at Holy Ghost Church, 1041 N. Central St. in Knoxville. Call Father Thomas O’Connell at 865-256-4880. The St. Thomas the Apostle Ukrainian Catholic Mission celebrates Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. Sundays in the chapel at the Chancery office in Knoxville. Call Father Richard Armstrong at 865-584-3307 for more information. n www.dioknox.org
Regulations for Mass attendance Dec. 25-26 and Jan. 1-2
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hese paragraphs from the newsletter of the Committee on Divine Worship explain the obligations of the faithful on Dec. 25 and Jan. 2:
Christmas “This year the solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) falls on a Saturday. Because Christmas is a solemnity, ranked at No. 2 on the Table of Liturgical Days, Mass on Saturday evening, Dec. 25, is that of the Nativity, and Evening Prayer II of the Nativity is prayed. “The feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph follows on Sunday, Dec. 26; Evening Prayer I of the Holy Family is not prayed, and any Mass celebrated on the evening of Dec. 25 is the Mass of Christmas, not the Holy Family. “As a practical matter, the Secretariat observes that pastors and other priests should not feel obliged to schedule a Mass with the people on Christmas evening, even if a Saturday-evening Mass is usually on the parish schedule. On a night when families (and many priests themselves) gather at homes for Christmas dinner, a Christmas Mass on Saturday evening would likely not be attended by many people. Moreover, it would be difficult to find sufficient liturgical ministers (altar servers, musicians, [readers], etc.).” Note: Christmas is always a holy day of obligation regardless of the day on which it falls.
Epiphany
“Saturday, Jan. 1, 2011, marks the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, which in 2011 is not a holy day of obligation because it falls on a Saturday. The solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord follows on Sunday, Jan. 2. Although both are ranked at No. 3 in the Table of Liturgical Days, as a solemnity of the Lord, the Epiphany outranks the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (a solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary). Just as the Mother of God points the way and leads us to her Son, her solemnity gives way to the Epiphany. Therefore, Mass on the evening of Jan. 1 is the Vigil of the Epiphany, and Evening Prayer I of the Epiphany is prayed.” n From Newsletter, Committee on Divine Worship, Volume XLVI, August–September 2010, p. 35
Renew sessions on prayer scheduled in all four deaneries
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n January four Renew: Why Catholic? enrichment sessions on prayer will be offered in the diocese’s four deaneries. Everyone is invited to attend, especially those who have been part of a Renew group. Those who have not been part of a group should notify their parish Renew coordinator that they wish to attend. There is no charge. The presenter will be Anne Scanlan of Renew International’s Why Catholic? team. The sessions are scheduled as follows: n 6:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19, St. Dominic Church, Kingsport n 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, St. Jude Church, Chattanooga n 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21, St. Mary Church, Oak Ridge n 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, St. Albert the Great Church, Knoxville. For information, call the Office of Christian Formation at 865-584-3307. n
Why Catholic Appeal contributions are mailed to an Alabama address
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any people who received Bishop Richard F. Stika’s request for support of the Annual Catholic Appeal are wondering why the reply envelope has an Alabama address. Some have worried that their gifts to the Diocese of Knoxville might be used to support out-of-state ministries. Nothing could be further from the truth. The diocese banks with Regions Bank in Knoxville. Regions’ gift-processing center is headquartered in Birmingham, Ala. The bank recommended that the diocese have all charitable gifts sent to its lockbox in Birmingham, ensuring that contributions can be immediately deposited into the diocese’s account. Using a bank lockbox also ensures that donor credit-card and bankaccount numbers are protected. Gifts to the Annual Catholic Appeal benefit ministries in the 36 counties that make up the Diocese of Knoxville. Proceeds are limited to serving East Tennesseans in need. n
Want to try online delivery?
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he East Tennessee Catholic offers online delivery for those who would prefer to read a digital copy and to discontinue the print edition. If you would like to try online delivery, visit bit.ly/subscribe-online to sign up. If you decide online delivery isn’t for you, you can return to a print subscription at any time. If you have questions, e-mail mhunt@dioknox.org. n DECEMBER 26, 2010
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WIRE
DREAM Act dies in Senate
What was the star of Bethlehem? An astronomer discusses some of the theories. By Joe Towalski
WASHINGTON (CNS)—The Senate’s inability to overcome a threatened filibuster Dec. 18 scuttled passage of the DREAM Act, prompting immigrant advocates to pledge to push forward on immigration reform next year with a new Congress. The bill would have given young people brought to the United States as children by undocumented parents a path to citizenship under a strict set of requirements. Under the measure an estimated 2.1 million children of undocumented parents would have had an opportunity to go to college or join the military and legalize their status. The U.S. bishops had long been supporters of the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act, which passed the House Dec. 9. Four U.S. bishops, including Cardinal Roger M. Mahony of Los Angeles, took part in a Dec. 17 conference call with reporters to argue for passage in the Senate. The Senate needed 60 votes to break the filibuster but fell five short. “Catholic Charities USA is deeply disappointed that the Senate rejected the vote on this important piece of legislation,” said a Dec. 20 statement from Father Larry Snyder, Catholic Charities’ president and CEO. “Honor students, class presidents, athletes, and responsible community members who desire a brighter future by continuing their education came up short this past weekend. Now, having entered our country as small children, they will continue to be cast into the shadows until as a nation we can find a way to address our broken immigration system,” Father Snyder said. Republican opponents of the DREAM Act saw the measure was a back door into granting amnesty for all illegal immigrants. “Treating the symptoms of the problem might make us feel better . . . but it can allow the underlying problem to metastasize. Unfortunately, that’s what’s happening at our border,” Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz, said in a statement. The 55-41 Senate vote was largely along party lines. Five Democrats voted to support the filibuster, and three Republicans voted to block it. AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka called the filibuster “a disappointing endorsement of injustice and inequality.” n Copyright 2010 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
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Father Brownell’s daily responsibilities as a chaplain include celebrating Mass, conducting ecumenical prayer services, counseling, distributing care packages, and providing what he called a “ministry of presence.” “Most soldiers have little or no affiliation with organized religion. Many will not attend a worship service, but they will listen to you when you visit,” he said. “I like to sneak little sermons into my conversations because there are many ways to preach the Gospel, even to the unsuspecting.” Counseling soldiers on marital problems is “the toughest part” of his work as a chaplain, he said. “In an age of cell phones, texts, and tweets, so many [people] expect immediate responses,” said Father Brownell. “When spouses back home are used to instant communication and constant updates, they struggle when they are disconnected from their family in the military.” Father Brownell does not have to handle his numerous responsibilities alone. Every chaplain is assigned an assistant who performs all the duties of an administrative assistant, such as maintaining chapel supplies, producing publications, screening visitors, and accompanying the chaplain on visits to the camps staffed by his brigade. There’s one major difference: the assistant carries a gun. Chaplains are high-value targets in Iraq, but they’re not permitted to carry weapons. Father Brownell said he will miss his two dogs the most during his upcoming deployment. “I got my father a laptop computer, so we can [use] Skype [software that allows live video connections] during this deployment, and I hope I’ll be able to see my dogs just as other soldiers see their children.” The need for Catholic military chaplains is acute. During the U.S. bishops’ fall general assembly in November, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services pointed out that many soldiers never see a Catholic priest. Because Catholic chaplains are so scarce, Father Brownell said he hopes he will be able to continue serving his country as a chaplain after his tour of duty is completed. “If I remain in good health and if the needs of the diocese allow me to continue to serve as a chaplain,” he said, “I would like nothing better.” Note: To learn more about military chaplaincy, visit the websites www.goarmy.com/chaplain. html and www.catholicmil.org/. n Mrs. Hunt is administrative assistant with the diocesan Media Office. 8
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DECEMBER 26, 2010
ST. PAUL, Minn. (CNS)—If it weren’t for the Gospel of Matthew’s brief reference to a star guiding Magi from the East to the newborn Messiah, “we wouldn’t know anything about the star of Bethlehem,” said a Minnesota astronomer. The Gospel account is the only historical reference from that time correlating a celestial event with Jesus’ birth, said Terrence Flower, a professor of physics at St. Catherine University in St. Paul who has delivered an annual public lecture about the star for more than 30 years. “One thing you have to recognize is that the event [from an astronomical point of view] maybe wasn’t one that was earthshaking and likely may not have even been one that was recorded with significant detail by others,” he said. But even though the star of Bethlehem is mentioned only in a few verses of the Bible, it has become an integral part of our Christmas traditions. What exactly did the Magi see that prompted them to make the long trek across the Middle Eastern desert to bring special gifts to the Christ Child? It shouldn’t be surprising that a star was associated with the birth of the Messiah; a footnote in the New American Bible explains it was a common ancient belief that a new star appeared at the time of a ruler’s birth. People of faith can’t rule out the possibility that God temporarily placed a special star in the sky to signal Jesus’ birth,
CNS PHOTO/NANCY WIECHEC
B Y M A R K P A T TISON
The visit of the Magi is portrayed in a stained-glass window at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Toronto. The feast of the Epiphany of the Lord in the Catholic Church in the West is Jan. 2 in 2011. WISE MEN
Flower said. But science would have a tough time proving it. Could the guiding light have been a phenomenon more familiar to sky-watchers both then and now? One possibility is that the star of Bethlehem was a nova—a sudden brightening of a star that already exists—or a supernova, an extremely bright, exploding star, Flower told The Catholic Spirit, newspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. A supernova is a fairly rare occurrence and probably would have been easily visible to the naked eye. Records indicate that a supernova was seen in about 126 bc and then not again until about ad 134, Flower said. If one occurred near the time of Jesus’ birth, it likely would have been recorded elsewhere in addition to Matthew’s Gospel. A comet is another possibility, Flower
said. Halley’s comet, perhaps the bestknown short-period comet, which is visible from earth every 75 to 76 years, made an appearance in 12 bc. That was too early, however, to coincide with Jesus’ birth, which, based on the known date of King Herod’s death in 4 bc and accounting for a mistake made when the Roman calendar was re-dated in the sixth century, likely occurred sometime between 7 bc and 4 bc. A better candidate, Flower said, is a conjunction of the planets Jupiter and Saturn that occurred three times in 7 bc. “Conjunction” is a term describing when two planets are closest together in the sky, as seen from Earth. At the time of Jesus’ birth, Jupiter and Saturn were among the five planets known to astrologers and skywatchers. The word
“planet” means “wandering star”; planets are so named because they appear to move in relation to the set background of stars. The triple conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn occurred in May, October and December of 7 bc, Flower said. The Magi—believed to be Wise Men or astrologers from the East—would have viewed this as a significant event for several reasons, he noted. In ancient times, Jupiter was considered the star of kings, Saturn was the protector of Israel, and the constellation Pisces—where all three conjunctions occurred—was associated with the land of the Jews. So when the Magi saw this “star at its rising”—meaning they saw it rise in the morning sky—they may have considered a trip toward Jerusalem, where they may have thought that a significant event was about to take place. Bethlehem is only six miles from there. Reflecting on what the star of Bethlehem might have been offers insights into part of the Christmas story, Flower said. But it shouldn’t overshadow the real meaning of the feast. “A star is not what Christmas is about. The star, on one hand, is a guide to the Wise Men and on the other is an announcement of something important,” he said. Ultimately, though, it serves only to shed more light on what the main focus of Christmas is—the birth of Christ. n Copyright 2010 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
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tions, and we find out that they’re not accessing a lot of the entitlements that are there to help people in situations like this.” Elizabeth’s Homes are all full, said Father Schriver. “And Samaritan Place, which is a program for senior citizens 55 and older who have been in a housing crisis, has a waiting list. There are 34 units, and they’re all full.” Elizabeth’s Homes—named for the late Sister Elizabeth Riney, RSM—are in Jonesborough, Knoxville, and Harriman, but Samaritan Place is only in Knoxville. Forty percent of the Annual Catholic Appeal, the stewardship appeal for diocesan ministries that began this fall, benefits Catholic Charities. Last year that amounted to $388,000, and the money helps provide CCET the required amount to match federal grants it applies for, said Father Schriver. The Elizabeth’s Homes program uses federal grants, he said, adding that in the coming year ACA money will be matched with a federal grant to help CCET make repairs and upgrades to its Chattanooga Region office. www.dioknox.org
CCET’s newest ministry is Horizon Houses, five eightunit apartment buildings for people with mental disabilities. Two of the buildings are in Knoxville, with two more in Maryville and one in Madisonville. Sister Dorothy Njala serves in that ministry for Catholic Charities. “We just took that over Jan. 1,” said Father Schriver. “It’s HUD–funded, so we get a grant from the state Department of Mental Health to fund a caseworker, and that’s Sister Dorothy. She’s awesome.” Father Schriver said that CCET for now is looking at “expanding the areas we are already in” more than adding new ministries. “I’d love to replicate the Samaritan Place and expand the services in other areas because the needs of seniors are specific, so that’s a big one. We’re also looking at the idea of a daycare program for children who are low income. That’s on the docket. We’re really studying that possibility.” CCET can use help from East Tennessee Catholics any time of year—from contributions to a food drive to participation in a fundraiser
to financial donations—but especially at Christmastime, said Father Schriver. “This is a time when we think of family and think about giving thanks,” he said. “There are really a lot of people who don’t have a lot to give thanks for. A lot of people are grateful for the little amount we’re able to give, so I feel that financial gifts help astoundingly.” Parishes support CCET in many ways, including recent bake sales held in Chattanooga and Knoxville-area drives that provide toys for a Christmas party for children at the agency’s Crazy Quilt Friendship Center in Newcomb. “I don’t know what we’d do without the parishes’ support,” said Father Schriver. He said that for Catholics, CCET is “our agency.” “It’s something to really be proud of: our Catholic Church, our faith, puts in action Jesus’ command in the Gospel to bless the poor: the poor in spirit, the economic poor, or whomever,” said Father Schriver, adding that “to be there for them and to have this agency that’s doing what Jesus did — that’s just so awesome.” n THE EAST TENNESSEE CATHOLIC