CNS PHOTO/DEBBIE HILL
Greeting Baby Jesus Israeli Arab Rena Mourra watches her 1-year-old son Kasses touch the Baby Jesus figurine at the Church of St. Catherine in the West Bank town of Bethlehem on Dec. 25. In his Christmas message, Pope Benedict prayed for Christians in the Middle East.
THE EAST TENNESSEE
Volume 20 • Number 9 • January 9, 2011
The
newspaper
of the D iocese of K noxville www.dioknox.org
Benedict offers Christmas urbi et orbi blessing
Plaza promotes ‘our faith, nation’ A new memorial at the Chancery honors veterans, Knights, and the ‘holy innocents.’ By Dan McWilliams
BY JOHN THAVIS
Christmas continued on page 3
nights of Columbus from throughout the diocese contributed time, talent, treasure, and prayer to a new memorial plaza at the Chancery that honors veterans, deceased Knights, and aborted children. Bishop Richard F. Stika dedicated the plaza Dec. 21. Fourth Degree Knights took part in the ceremony before an audience that included vicar general Monsignor Xavier Mankel, Dominican Sisters and Sisters of Mercy, and Chancery staffers. The plaza includes a U.S. flag, a Tennessee state flag, and a papal flag, with a bronze marker in front of each. The markers and flags are illuminated at night. The bishop suggested the idea of a memorial to Bill Twohig, financial secretary and past Grand Knight of Father John Savoca Council 12633 at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Lenoir City, in a January 2010 meeting. “We’re a small Catholic community in this part of Tennessee,” said Bishop Stika at the dedication, “and I think that anything we do in terms of promoting our faith and promoting our nation just reminds all of us of our commitment to God, to our nation, and to the community we call the Church.” Mr. Twohig “took [the
DAN MCWILLIAMS
K
Bishop Richard F. Stika delivers remarks Dec. 21 at the dedication and blessing of a new memorial plaza at the Chancery. Behind him is diocesan chancellor Deacon Sean Smith. Knights of Columbus Council 12633 at St. Thomas the Apostle in Lenoir City led the effort to build the plaza, and all other diocesan Knights councils and assemblies contributed money to the project. ‘ULTIMATE GIFTS AND SACRIFICE’
idea] to the council, and it’s been running ever since,” said diocesan chancellor Deacon Sean Smith, also a Knight of Council 12633. Each of the 37 other Knights councils and assemblies in the diocese contributed money to the project, said a press release from the Savoca Council. Bishop Stika said the flags can serve as strong reminders of freedom and of the organizations they represent. “That’s why I’m so pleased
the Knights of Columbus have taken it upon themselves to assist us in remembering those who have given their lives in service for our nation,” he said. The occasion also “reminds us of the great work of the Knights of Columbus and their families, who do so much in front of and behind the scenes in promoting Jesus Christ, building community, and reminding us of the beauty of the . . . body of Christ,” said Bishop Stika.
The memorial “reminds us that we should never tire of, forget, or back away from promoting life from conception until natural death,” he said. “Our nation will never prosper as it has in the past if it carries with it the weight of all the aborted children [who were] not allowed to live,” he said. In his prayer of dedication Bishop Stika said that “we’re reminded of ultimate gifts and sacrifice, the ultimate Plaza continued on page 6
Pope calls for religious freedom, end to violence Benedict schedules a meeting of religious leaders in Assisi, encouraging all believers to ‘live their religious faith as a service to the cause of peace.’ BY CAROL GLATZ
VATICAN CITY (CNS)— Opening 2011 with a strong call for religious liberty, Pope Benedict XVI condemned deadly attacks against Christians and announced a new interfaith meeting next fall in Assisi, Italy. At a Mass Jan. 1 marking the World Day of Peace and during a blessing the next day, the pope voiced his concern about fresh episodes of violence and discrimination against Christian minorities in the Middle East. In particular, the pope condemned an attack Jan. 1 against Orthodox Christians in Egypt, calling it a “despicable gesture of death.” A bomb that exploded as parishioners were leaving a church in Alexandria, Egypt, left 25 people dead and dozens more injured. The pope said the attack was part of a “strategy of violence that targets Christians” and has negative
repercussions on the entire population. He offered prayers for the victims and their families. The pope also denounced the recent practice of “planting bombs close to the homes of Christians in Iraq to force them to leave.” At least seven Christian homes in Baghdad were targeted in bombings Dec. 30, leaving at least 13 people wounded. The pope said the latest attacks in Egypt and Iraq “offend God and all humanity.” Addressing pilgrims at his noon blessing Jan. 1, the pope said he planned to invite religious leaders from the world’s major faiths to gather in Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis, in order to “solemnly renew the commitment by believers of every religion to live their religious faith as a service to the cause of peace.” “Whoever is making his way toward God cannot fail Benedict continued on page 2
CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING
VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Celebrating Christmas at the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI appealed for peace in global trouble spots and for the protection of persecuted Christian minorities in places such as China. At his Midnight Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica and in his Christmas Day blessing to the world, the pope called the birth of Christ the “culmination of creation” and an event that overcame the “infinite distance between God and man.” The basilica was packed for the Mass, and an overflow crowd braved intermittent rain and wind to watch the liturgy on giant screens in St. Peter’s Square. Thousands stood under umbrellas for the traditional papal blessing the next day. Security was tight for both events, in the wake of two package bombings at two Rome embassies. In 2008 and 2009 a mentally disturbed woman sprang at the pope inside the basilica and last year pulled him to the ground briefly, but this year there were no incidents. The pope stood on the central balcony of the basilica to deliver his blessing urbi et orbi to the city of Rome and the world. He said Christmas had revealed a truth about the relationship between God and human history. But it is a truth that must be understood by faith, he said. “If the truth were a mere mathematical formula, in some sense it would impose itself by its own power. But if truth is love, it calls for faith, for the ‘yes’ of our hearts.” The birth of Christ is a source of hope for everyone whose dignity is offended and violated, because Jesus came to “set every man and woman free from the source of all enslavement,” he said. The pope prayed for peace in the land of Christ’s birth, urging Israelis and Palestinians to work for a just and peaceful coexistence. He expressed the hope that Christmas would ease
Pope Benedict XVI is seen at Mass on the feast of Mary Mother of God in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Jan. 1. ‘PROMOTE PEACE’
Renew sessions on prayer scheduled in all four deaneries
I
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
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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
Diocese offers ongoing Virtus child-protection training sessions
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he Diocese of Knoxville’s program for the protection of children and youth—a three-hour 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 training
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 St. Albert the Great Church, Knoxville, 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 27. Participants are asked to donate $1 for session materials. To register, visit virtus online.org. n
Pro-life rosary set for Jan. 15
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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
‘Frazzled’ retreat begins Feb. 11
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he ninth annual “Frazzled in the Vineyard” catechetical-leadership retreat will be held Friday and Saturday, Feb. 11 and 12, in Knoxville. The retreat is sponsored by the diocesan Office of Christian Formation. The retreat master is Lee Nagel, executive director of the National Conference of Catechetical Leadership. The event begins at 7 p.m. Friday in the conference room of the Super 8 hotel, 6200 Papermill Road, with a wine and cheese social after the opening reflection. The retreat will continue from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Chancery. For hotel reservations, call 865-584-8511 and mention “Diocese of Knoxville” to receive the conference rate of $39.99 for a room with one king-sized bed or $49.99 for two queen-sized beds. The deadline for hotel reservations and conference registration is Tuesday, Feb. 1. To register for the conference, see a parish director of religious education or download a form at bit.ly/frazzled2011. For more information, contact Father Richard Armstrong at 865-584-3307 or rarmstrong@dioknox.org. n 2
n
JANUARY 9, 2011
living the
READINGS
BY FATHER JOSEPH BRANDO
as the Songs of the Suffering Servant. Accordingly, Jesus considered them as describing the way he would be the Messiah. What delighted the God’s words at Jesus’ baptism are among ‘the most essential in all Scripture.’ Father was sacrificial giving of oneself for God. It is rare, loved, and delighted. As we The Genesis quote recalls even in the search for meaning, the best Abraham’s willingness to slay Bible, to disreference we have is the rest his only son, Isaac, at God’s cover record- of Sacred Scripture. There we word. Again we see salvation ed words of find these words in three priby means of sacrifice. Now we God the Famary places. The first is Isacan even feel the attachment ther. Today’s iah 42, from which our first the word son communicates. Gospel presreading comes. The second As Abraham loved and was ents us with is Psalm 2:7, and the third is delighted by his only son, so such a direct Genesis 22:2. Let’s see what even more is Jesus close to revelation: light they shed on our quest. the Father. The final piece is a message from the Father to Today’s first reading begins Psalm 2, in which the king of the Son. In Matthew’s original with three terms that deIsrael is called a son of God. Greek it’s only 10 words that scribe a very special person: In sum, what Jesus heard translate as, “This is my son, servant, chosen one, and in while being baptized was an the Beloved, in whom I am whom I am delighted. They are affirmation of his oneness with delighted.” These are among close enough to the words in God the Father, a call to sacrithe most essential words in Matthew that we must take fice himself for mankind, and all the Scriptures. They reveal notice. a reminder that he rules the the fashion of Christ’s mission These words begin a series kingdom of the redeemed. n on earth as well as his relaof four poems embedded in tionship with the Father. this section of Isaiah. Jesus Jan. 9, the baptism of the Lord The first thing we need to knew them well, attributing Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 do to determine what this them to himself and designing Psalm 29:1-4, 3, 9-10 communication means is to his public ministry around Acts 10:34-38 define three words: son, bethem. We know these poems Matthew 3:13-17
A matter of definition
Dueling riddles John the Baptist and Jesus use an unusual method ‘to get people to think about God.’
T
oday’s Gospel once again depicts the mission of John the Baptist. Here he introduces Jesus to the world in a quite unusual way. He employs a riddle. He describes Jesus as “A man coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.” One has to think at least twice to figure that one out. But that’s not all we have to figure out. In the Gospel we heard on the third Sunday of Advent, Jesus said of John, “Among those born of woman there has been none greater than John, the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom
of heaven is greater than he” (Matthew 11:11). In effect, Jesus fired a riddle back to John. Perhaps both enjoyed using riddles in their efforts to get people to think about God. Riddles have often been used to help people think of heaven in terms not influenced by worldly realities. In this case, we have a double riddle we must grapple with to get a glimpse of the ways of God. Let’s take Jesus’ riddle first. It is much easier for us to grasp than it was for those who first heard it. For we know now Jesus came to make
it possible for us to enter heaven. That was not possible before Christ. So those of us in a state of grace have a status that was not possible for those who died before Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection. Therefore, the least of us now enjoy a privilege John did not initially have, as good as he was. John’s riddle identifies Jesus as more than he seemed. Jesus was younger and at the time less well known than John. John does not say that Jesus will be greater than himself but that he is greater. John’s riddle makes sense
only if Jesus is God. So when we put both these riddles together, we get an interesting picture. Jesus is calling John the Baptist the greatest man the world has produced to date. Yet something is about to happen that will allow humans to be raised to a higher dignity. John, in turn, indicates Jesus is the person who can make that happen. Let’s spread the word about this— even if we have to use riddles. n Father Brando is pastor of St. Mary Parish in Gatlinburg. Jan. 16, second Sunday of ordinary time Isaiah 49:3, 5-6 Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-10 1 Corinthians 1:1-3 John 1:29-34
WEEKDAY READINGS Monday, Jan. 10: Hebrews 1:1-6; Psalm 97:1-2, 6-7, 9; Mark 1:14-20 Tuesday, Jan. 11: Hebrews 2:5-12; Psalm 8:2, 5-9; Mark 1:21-28 Wednesday, Jan. 12: Hebrews 2:14-18; Psalm 105:1-4, 6-9; Mark 1:29-39 Thursday, Jan. 13: Hebrews 3:7-14; Psalm 95:6-11; Mark 1:40-45 Friday, Jan. 14: Hebrews 4:1-5, 11;
Psalm 78:3-4, 6-8; Mark 2:1-12 Saturday, Jan. 15: Hebrews 4:1216; Psalm 19:8-10, 15; Mark 2:13-17 Monday, Jan. 17: Memorial, Anthony, abbot, Hebrews 5:1-10; Psalm 110:1-4; Mark 2:18-22 Tuesday, Jan. 18: Hebrews 6:1020; Psalm 111:1-2, 4-5, 9-10; Mark 2:23-28 Wednesday, Jan. 19: Hebrews 7:1-
3, 15-17; Psalm 110:1-4; Mark 3:1-6 Thursday, Jan. 20: Hebrews 7:25– 8:6; Psalm 40:7-10, 17; Mark 3:7-12 Friday, Jan. 21: Memorial, Agnes, virgin, martyr, Hebrews 8:6-13; Psalm 85:8, 10-14; Mark 3:13-19 Saturday, Jan. 22: Hebrews 9:23, 11-14; Psalm 47:2-3, 6-9; Mark 3:20-21 n
morning Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica Jan. 1, the pope spoke about the theme he chose for World Peace Day 2011: “Religious Freedom, the Path to Peace.” He said religious freedom was challenged today by two extremes at work in the world: secularism that banishes religion to the private
sphere and fundamentalism that seeks to forcefully impose religion on everyone. He said religious freedom is the best path for building peace because wherever religious freedom is guaranteed, human dignity is also respected. Pope Benedict called on po-
Benedict continued from page 1
to transmit peace, and whoever builds peace cannot fail to draw nearer to God,” he said. The pope said the gathering, planned for October, is meant to recall “the historic gesture” made by the late Pope John Paul II when he convoked the first World Day of Prayer for Peace in Assisi in 1986. In his homily during the
Bishop Richard F. Stika Publisher Mary C. Weaver Editor Dan McWilliams Assistant editor
THE EAST TENNESSEE
805 Northshore Drive S.W .
Benedict continued on page 8
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THE EAST TENNESSEE CATHOLIC
AMONG US
BY BISHOP RICHARD F. STIKA
Herod among us Under the guise of Planned Parenthood, he has gained access to schools.
What does the new year hold for us? Although we hope for peace and happiness and make resolutions to accomplish what we hope for, the future remains a mystery. Given the many problems in our world, we don’t find it easy to be free of anxieties and fears about what lies ahead. I admit, I have my share of worries and concerns. Yet the image the Church gives us at the beginning of every new year is that of a child in the arms of its mother. With the celebration of the solemnity of the Mother of God, we understand that it is through Mary, our Mother, that “peace on earth” comes to us. Though we celebrate the “tidings of great joy” heard in Bethlehem, the words of Herod continue to echo in our world: “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage” (Matthew 2:8). Under varied names and in the guise of different causes and ideologies throughout the ages, Herod continues to seek out innocence in order to destroy it, and with it, peace. While we recently reflected on the words of the angel announcing, “Peace on earth,” Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in the nation, was promoting its fundraising campaign under the banner of “Choice on earth.” One can only imagine
once upon
A TIME
the reaction and outrage we’d see in the media if the sacred words of another religion were perverted in such a way. Herod is indeed among us, and like him, Planned Parenthood goes in search of the child, feigning compassion and concern, with the ultimate purpose of destroying life. Now Planned Parenthood seeks to gain access to our youth in their classrooms— and has been given approval to do so in our Knox County Schools. In Hardin Valley Academy in Knoxville, Planned Parenthood staff have been welcomed as “wellness educators.” In an effort to legitimize their deadly trade, they pass themselves off as health-service providers, all the while advancing their deadly agenda. But one discovers the true content of Planned Parenthood’s “educational outreach” by visiting their websites for youth. An examination of these sites (including “Teen Wire” and “Take Care Down There”) reveals an agenda that should be of grave concern to every parent and educator. Why would any parent want an organization that promotes sexual promiscuity, abortion, and the usurping of parental rights to speak to his or her children about sex? How our school officials can justify giving Planned Parenthood access to classrooms is beyond me. It is a travesty, and I urge you to call upon school officials and city and state leaders, as I have done, to demand that our schools be made off limits to Planned Parenthood. Contact information is available online at
BY MONSIGNOR XAVIER MANKEL
A challenge for 2011 Before the new missal is implemented, study the Mass and ‘know it well.’
Of all the feasts of the year—liturgical, civil, national, and devotional— perhaps the most changed in the way the pew (average) Catholic celebrates it is Easter. Old-timers remember beginning with Septuagesima, two and a half weeks before Ash Wednesday, and ending with the last day of the octave of Pentecost. Now we do it in nearly a month’s less time and employ new terminology (Passiontide I, Passiontide II, the Easter Vigil, and perhaps the most striking improvement: weeks “of” Easter rather than time “after” Easter). Christmas, on the other hand, remains very much the same as it has been since the Reformation. We still have our four Sundays of Advent and the option of rose-colored vesture for the third Sunday (albeit that option disappeared for the Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday of that same week). Although a vigil Mass is a
20th-century restoration, and whereas the church no longer requires some kind of fast on Christmas Eve or the day before—what an interesting experiment that was—still we have the special individual liturgies for midnight Mass, Mass at dawn, and Mass later on Christmas Day. Every priest is still allowed the privilege of celebrating Mass three times on Christmas, whether people’s schedules demand such or not (All Souls’ Day, Nov. 2, is the only other day in the whole year with such special privileges). The Christmas crèche is still a major feature in our churches, and many parishes see the shepherds removed and the magi figures take their place by the colossal solemnity of Epiphany, traditionally observed on Jan. 6 but now held in most places on the first Sunday following New Year’s Day. It will be interesting to see whether the way we observe Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany remains pretty much the way “we’ve always done it” or whether someday other things enter into the equation.
www.knoxschools.org and www.board.knoxschools.org. In this anniversary month when we recall the fateful Roe v. Wade decision, I make another special request and invite you to join me in praying a rosary for life at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, in front of the abortion clinic at 313 S. Concord St. in Knoxville. I pray that every parish in the diocese will be represented. In addition, please pray for all who will travel to Washington, D.C., for the National Prayer Vigil for Life and the March for Life on Jan. 24 and 25. Please be generous with your prayers and sacrifices, especially for our students from Notre Dame and Knoxville Catholic High Schools who will travel to the capital to give witness to the Gospel of life. May these words of Our Savior be ever in your hearts this new year: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27). With Mary, let us embrace the one who is our peace: Christ Jesus. God bless you all, and may you have a blessed new year! n BISHOP STIKA’S SCHEDULE These are some of Bishop Stika’s appointments: Jan. 9: 10:30 a.m., installation of Father Joseph Kuzhupil, MSFS, as pastor, St. Augustine Church, Signal Mountain Jan. 15: 10 a.m., rosary for life, Concord Street entrance to Tyson Park, Knoxville; 11:30 a.m., Mass for the celebration of marriage, Our Lady of Fatima Church, Alcoa Jan. 16: 10 a.m., Mass, Dominican convent, Chattanooga; 6 p.m., Mass with Vietnamese community, Immaculate Conception Church, Knoxville Jan. 20: 8:05 a.m., Mass with schoolchildren, Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus; 6 p.m., clergy and religious appreciation dinner, St. John Neumann Church, Farragut n
The reason I place these thoughts before you is that I recommend you journal some thoughts as you continue to celebrate life in the Church. It is from the reflections of holy writers of the past that we have documented the way the Church continues to mature. Call it your holy diary, if you will. A model for what to include could be gleaned from the image of a child climbing onto a grandparent’s lap after Christmas dinner and saying, “Granddaddy, was Christmas done this way in ancient times when you were young?” The challenge to all of us as we enter this final year of preparation in order to begin using the new Roman Missal in English for the first Sunday of Advent 2011 is to study the structure of the holy sacrifice of the Mass so that we shall know it so very, very well that the use of more authentic translations will be very comfortable for everyone, especially for us priests who are responsible for the implementation by the time Nov. 27 arrives. To wish you a happy, holy, and blessed new year is perhaps more of a challenge than a greeting; nonetheless, we do beg God’s choicest blessings upon us as we enter the year of Our Lord 2011. n
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. Both take effect on Jan. 17. n Father Moises Moreno has been appointed parochial vicar (associate pastor) of St. Jude Parish in Chattanooga. Father Moreno was ordained to the priesthood on Nov. 13. n Father Miguel Vélez has been appointed parochial vicar of All Saints Parish in Knoxville. n
Christmas continued from page 1
the pain of the Christian communities in Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East, and inspire world leaders to show them support. “May the birth of the savior strengthen the spirit of faith, patience and courage of the faithful of the church in mainland China, that they may not lose heart through the limitations imposed on their freedom of religion and conscience but, persevering in fidelity to Christ and his church, may keep alive the flame of hope,” he said. The pope’s words reflected increasing Vatican concern over a deterioration of church-state relations in China, where an illegitimate bishop was recently elected head of the bishops’ conference and bishops loyal to the pope were forced to participate in a state-backed “official” congress of Catholic leaders. The pope asked that the spirit of Christmas would “grant perseverance to all those Christian communities enduring discrimination and persecution, and inspire political and religious leaders to be committed to full respect for the religious freedom of all.” He also prayed for relief of beleaguered populations in Latin America: in Haiti, which is still suffering from the devastating earthquake and a recent cholera epidemic, and in Colombia, Venezuela, Guatemala, and Costa Rica, where natural disasters have struck. The pope urged continued efforts for peace and political stability in Somalia, Darfur, Ivory Coast and Madagascar; reconciliation between North and South Korea; security and respect for human rights in Afghanistan and Pakistan; and dialogue between Nicaragua and Costa Rica, which are engaged in a simmering border dispute. Pope Benedict then offered Christmas greetings in 65 languages, including Chinese, Russian and Arabic. Speaking in English, he said: “May the birth of the Prince of Peace remind the world where its true happiness lies; and may your hearts be filled with hope and joy, for the savior has been born for us.” At his Mass the night before, which began at 10 p.m. and ended shortly after midnight, the pope said the birth of Christ ushered in a new kingdom on earth, one that contrasts with the “self asserting powers of this world.” He said the event in Bethlehem brought “the grace of true brotherhood.” He offered this prayer to Jesus: “Help us to recognize your face in others who need our assistance, in those who are suffering or forsaken, in all people, and help us to live together with you as brothers and sisters, so as to become one family, your family.” Christ came to bring people joy, the pope said, but also to give them strength to “overcome the tyranny of might.” Earlier in the evening the pope lit a candle at his apartment window and looked down on St. Peter’s Square for the official unveiling of the Vatican’s Nativity scene. On the morning of Christmas Eve, a spiritual reflection prepared by the pope was featured on British radio. In the brief talk, aired on BBC’s Thought for the Day, the pope recalled his September trip to England and Scotland. “I am glad to have the opportunity to greet you again and indeed to greet listeners everywhere as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ,” he said. “I pray for your families, for your children, for those who are sick, and for those who are going through any form of hardship at this time. I pray especially for the elderly and for those who are approaching the end of their days.” n Copyright 2010 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Monsignor Mankel is a vicar general of the diocese and the pastor of Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville. CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING
he dwells
Diocese of Knoxville procedure for reporting sexual abuse Anyone who has actual knowledge of or who has reasonable cause to suspect an incident of sexual abuse should report such information to the appropriate civil authorities first, then to the bishop’s office, 865-584-3307, or the diocesan victims’ assistance coordinator, Marla Lenihan, 865-482-1388. n
THE E A S T T E N N E S S E E C A T H OLIC
www.dioknox.org
Pope Benedict XVI delivers his Christmas urbi et orbi blessing from St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Dec. 25. ‘TO THE CITY AND TO THE WORLD’
JANUARY 9, 2011 n 3
St. Dominic School 65th-anniversary events planned
BY DAN PACITTI
Chattanooga Deanery
St. Augustine, Signal Mountain
n St. Augustine is looking for a volun-
teer co-coordinator for its Interfaith Homeless Network ministry. Call Susan Veal at 423-240-9095 or Evelyn Davis at 886-5054 for more information.
St. Jude, Chattanooga
n Senior-high youth participated in
Chattanooga Endeavor’s “Basket Brigade” on Dec. 23, delivering Christmas food baskets to the families of inmates. n The students of St. Jude School will install crosses in front of the church at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19, to commemorate the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. n The Knights of Columbus will sell Adventures Dining and Entertainment coupon books after all Masses on Jan. 8 and 9 to fund their charitable works. Cost is $35 per book. For more information, call Raleigh Cooper at 423-580-6829.
St. Mary, Athens
n The youth have been selling jewel-
ry and gift cards after Masses to fund their trip to the National Catholic Youth Conference this year. n Women of the parish held a Christmas party Jan. 3 at Joan Moran’s house, with donations going toward CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates).
St. Stephen, Chattanooga
n Anniversary: Bettye and Hugh Cot-
the 8 a.m. Mass on Wednesday, Jan. 12. The speaker will be Suzanne Erpenbach. Her topic is “Living a Legacy of Faith and Life.” n The parish book club will have its monthly meeting at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 19, in the parish-hall conference room. The book to be discussed is Pudd’nhead Wilson by Mark Twain. All parishioners are invited. n Anniversaries: Mike and Ethy Wilhelmi (63), John and Lois Chilenko (59), Ed and Angela Crowley (56), Tom and Carol Hayden (55)
St. John Neumann, Farragut
n About 25 carolers from St. John
Neumann sang Christmas songs Dec. 11 at houses in the neighborhoods around the church. Afterward the group ate a meal of chili and hot dogs prepared by parishioner John Bathe.
St. Mary, Oak Ridge
n The St. Gertrude Garden Guild is
looking for volunteers to “adopt” and help maintain the parish gardens. Supplies and training are provided. Call Joan at 865-483-7880 or Betty at 4832009 for more details. n The parish will hold an Epiphany party after the vigil Mass at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8. For more information, call the parish office at 482-2875. Five Rivers Deanery
Holy Trinity, Jefferson City
n Baptisms: Selena Marie, Angelina
ter (62)
Marie, and Pedro Bryson, children of Warren and Laura Hager
Sts. Peter and Paul, Chattanooga
Notre Dame, Greeneville
make its first Christmas dinner in its new Emma Strahle “Bootie” Varallo Parish Hall, held Dec. 12, a success. Receiving thank-yous were George and Nickie McReynolds for the meal; Debbie Williams for the table settings, beverages, and decorations; and Annette Falk for the children’s activities. n Chattanoogans for Life thanked parishioners for supporting its Christmas-card sale. Sts. Peter and Paul parishioners purchased $193 in cards, leading all parishes.
cards, gift wrap, and other items made by the monks of Abbey Press Printing at St. Meinrad, Ind. Proceeds will help the young people attend the National Catholic Youth Conference. n Newcomers: Billy Briggs, Donald McCarthy, James Crum, Richard Ingram
n The parish thanked all who helped
Cumberland Mountain Deanery
All Saints, Knoxville
n The men’s ministry will hold its
annual Father–Daughter Dance at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15. For more information, call the parish office at 865-531-0770.
St. Alphonsus, Crossville
n Knights of Columbus St. Bernard
Council 8152, which serves St. Alphonsus and St. Francis of Assisi in Fairfield Glade, conducted its annual Tootsie Roll MR Drive in November to benefit the mentally challenged. Donations will benefit local organizations Kids Inc., The Arc of Cumberland County, and Hilltoppers Inc. as well as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Cochairs for the fundraiser were Walt Petersen, Dick Kuligowski, and Vince D’Allissandra. Volunteers worked a total of 250 hours during the drive.
St. Francis of Assisi, Fairfield Glade n The Council of Catholic Women
will have its monthly meeting after
n The youth are selling greeting
S
t. Dominic School in Kingsport is celebrating its 65th anniversary this school year and has two celebrations planned. Bishop Richard F. Stika will celebrate Mass at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 30, at St. Dominic Church, 2517 John B. Dennis Highway. After Mass the bishop and school families will go to the school at 1474 E. Center St. for a short tour, program, and lunch. The day is also the kickoff of Catholic Schools Week. A dinner-dance is set for Saturday, Feb. 19. St. Dominic pastor Father Mike Nolan will celebrate Mass at 5:30 p.m., with dinner, a short program, and dancing to follow in the parish life center. Giuseppe’s restaurant will cater the dinner, and The Has Beens band will perform. The event is for adults only. St. Dominic School began in 1945 in the basement of the original church on Crescent Drive. The current school was built in 1950 on Center Street next to the church. St. Dominic now enrolls students in kindergarten through fifth grade; the school also has a program for 3- and 4-year-olds and for pre-kindergarten children. St. Dominic was slated to close at the end of the 2009-10 academic year because of low enrollment and a high subsidy being paid by the parish, but the school received an extension. “Bishop Stika has generously given us a chance to improve these two areas,” said Joanie Hrivnak of the school’s anniversa-
ry committee. “The current school year began with many changes toward meeting these goals.” The school already has more students walking the hallways this year. “Publicity about the values of a St. Dominic education has ignited our enrollment in the K-5 program, with a gain of more than 10 percent from where we were last year,” said Mrs. Hrivnak. “To reduce the subsidy, Catholic Charities is now helping our Catholic families determine better financial contributions toward tuition; nonparishioners who were previously helped by the church are now being helped by donations outside of the church; energy costs are being lowered; and ideas for fundraising are being discussed.” The school is also receiving a boost from outside St. Dominic Parish. “Not only has our church family shown us their undying support this year, but we’ve also been supported by the Kingsport community,” said Mrs. Hrivnak. “We have received many contacts of encouragement from local publicschool administrators, city leaders, and businesses.” Adults inside and outside the parish are welcome to attend the dinner-dance. Cost is $25 per couple. Tickets are being sold after all Masses, and they may be purchased at the church office. Call 423-2888101 or e-mail hrivnak@chartertn. net for more information. n
St. Dominic, Kingsport
n The parish thanked Wellmont CVA
Heart Institute for its recent donation of 15 computers to St. Dominic School. n The Knights of Columbus will hold their annual awards night and clergy-appreciation dinner at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, at Giuseppe’s restaurant. Dinner entrées will range from $9.99 to $13.99. Reservations are required. RSVP to Bob Carter at 423571-6093 by Monday, Jan. 17.
St. Patrick, Morristown
n The parish’s newly redesigned
website at stpatrickmorristown.net launched Dec. 29. Parishioner Patrick O’Brien is the new webmaster. Smoky Mountain Deanery
Holy Ghost, Knoxville
n The parish will host a meeting of
Church Women United on Friday, Jan. 7. Members of the ecumenical group will tour the church as part of the program.
St. Albert the Great, Knoxville
n High school youth went ice-skat-
ing on Market Square downtown Dec. 29. n
SHIRLEY COPELAND
NOTES
St. Patrick CCW members bake pies, raise $1,200 for soup kitchen The Council of Catholic Women at St. Patrick Parish in Morristown raised $1,200 for the Daily Bread Soup Kitchen in Morristown with its first “ThanksGIVING Pies” fundraiser. Members worked during Thanksgiving week, baking apple, pumpkin, and pecan pies to fill orders placed during the previous several weeks by parishioners and others in the community. Making pies Nov. 22 are (above, from left) CCW president Allison McKenna, Mary Henrichs, Susan Shafer, Renee McGarel, Amy Steisslinger, Donna Thoraval, and Mary Greene. Mrs. McKenna presented a $1,200 check to Daily Bread director Hobe Williams on Dec. 6.
Pauls of Fairfield Glade celebrate 60-year anniversary
J
ack and Audrey Paul of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fairfield Glade celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary Dec. 16 with family and friends in Louisville, Ky. They were married at St. Mary Church in Janesville, Wis., on Dec. 30, 1950. The Pauls have
COURTESY OF ROSEANN STRAZINSKY
parish
Audrey and Jack Paul
five children, Jerry Paul of Blanchester,
Ohio; Don Paul and Karen Bonham, both of Louisville, Ky.; Diane Haywood of Flat Rock, Mich.; and Nancy Shadan of Ypsilanti, Mich.; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. The couple retired from Ford Motor Co. in Dearborn, Mich., and moved to the Glade in 1985. n
Rwanda native speaking at Holy Trinity CCW’s dinner
COURTESY OF MARILYN DERBYSHIRE
T St. John Neumann deacons celebrate silver jubilee A reception was held Dec. 5 at St. John Neumann Church in Farragut for Deacon Donald Amelse (left) and Deacon Marquis Syler in honor of the 25th anniversary of their ordination. The two were ordained Nov. 30, 1985, along with 10 other deacon candidates, when East Tennessee was still part of the Diocese of Nashville. Deacon Amelse and Deacon Syler assisted at their first Mass together at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Lenoir City. They assisted at Mass again Dec. 5 in honor of their anniversary. 4
n
JANUARY 9, 2011
he Council of Catholic Women at Holy Trinity Parish in Jefferson City will host its annual International Dinner after the 5 p.m. Mass on Saturday, Jan. 29. The dinner, which is free, features cuisine from around the world and focuses on the needs of developing countries. This year’s theme is “Water for Life.” The guest speaker will be Drocella Mugorewera, formerly of Rwanda and now living in Knoxville. Mrs.
www.dioknox.org
Mugorewera and her family are parishioners of Holy Ghost. Mrs. Mugorewera has a master’s degree in agronomy and is a member of the Gender and Water Alliance, a global network whose mission is to “promote women’s and men’s equitable access to and management of safe and adequate water for domestic supply, sanitation, food security, and environmental sustainability.” She served as minister of lands, envi-
ronment, forestry, water, and mines in the Rwandan government from 2003 to 2006. Mrs. Mugorewera also championed a tree-planting program in Rwanda and initiated the creation of environmental clubs in schools. In 200001 she served as a member of the Rwandan parliament. For more information on the dinner, call Marlene Holt at 865-712-0959 or the Holy Trinity parish office at 471-0347. n
THE EAST TENNESSEE CATHOLIC
BY DAN PACITTI
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 865-862-5754 or visit dioknox.org. Chattanoogans for Life will hold its annual Respect Life Banquet at the Chattanoogan hotel at 7 p.m. Friday, May 6. The speaker will be Tony Melendez. Banquet tickets are $50 per person or $400 per table. Proceeds will go toward educating the community and implementing pro-life activities in the region. Before the dinner, a prayer service at the National Memorial for the Unborn will be held at 3 p.m., and a Mass at Sts. Peter and Paul Church will take place at 5:30 p.m. To reserve tickets, call Sue Shramko at 423-8255912 or Kitty Cross at 322-8356. Parishioner and CPA David Lowrance of St. Jude in Chattanooga will again lead a “7 Steps to Becoming Financially Free” Catholic money-management small-group study, which will run for six weeks beginning Thursday, Jan. 20, in the Harwood Room of the family-life center. Topics include budgeting, avoiding debt, building savings, and strengthening families through tough economic times. Cost is $34.95 for singles or $46.95 for couples and includes a book, workbooks, and other materials. Group size is limited. Call Kyra Ross at the parish office at 423-870-2386 by Friday, Jan. 14, to reserve a spot. 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. Jay Robinson of Robinson Real Estate will lead a workshop on the topic “How to Sell Your Home in Today’s Real Estate Market” at noon Tuesday, Jan. 11, in the Alexian Village Gold Room at 437 Alexian Way, Signal Mountain. Lunch and a tour of the Alexian Village campus will be held in conjunction with the workshop. Call 423-886-0542 to attend. 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, THE E A S T T E N N E S S E E C A T H OLIC
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. Virtustrained 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.
COURTESY OF DAWN GARIBAY
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.
St. Mary School in Oak Ridge celebrates Blue Ribbon honor Sister Andrea Marie Graham, OP, principal of St. Mary School in Oak Ridge, holds the National Blue Ribbon Schools award from the U.S. Department of Education during the school’s celebration of the honor Nov. 19. With her, from left, are Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan; state Sen. Randy McNally of Oak Ridge; Father Bill McKenzie, pastor of St. Mary Parish; Dr. Sherry Morgan, diocesan superintendent of Catholic Schools; and Parker Hardy, president of the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce. Both St. Mary and St. Joseph School in Knoxville received Blue Ribbon honors and held celebrations Nov. 19. See the Dec. 12 ETC for more details.
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@ mkbattery.com or Louis Kahl at 3845441 or louis@louiskahl.com. A Search for Christian Maturity retreat for high school juniors and seniors has been scheduled for Cumberland Mountain and Smoky Mountain deanery youth, and another is scheduled for the Five Rivers Deanery. For the Cumberland Mountain and Smoky Mountain deaneries, Search 91 will be held at Knoxville Catholic High School on the weekend of Feb. 11 through 13. Cost is $55, and scholarships are available. For Five Rivers, Search 41 will take place at Notre Dame Church in Greeneville from Feb. 4 through 6. To obtain a form for the KCHS retreat, 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. For more information on the Five Rivers retreat, call Susan Collins at 423-639-9382.
COURTESY OF GEORGE LECRONE SR.
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 register. 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.
St. Jude Scout earns Eagle award Sean Ryan (center) of St. Jude Parish in Chattanooga recently earned his Eagle Scout award. He received his certificate from Bernard Coombes of the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting. Mr. Ryan is a freshman attending the University of Michigan on a swimming scholarship. With him are his parents, Margret and Eugene Ryan, brother Brendan, and Scoutmaster Greg Kniedler. Brendan Ryan is also an Eagle Scout.
High school juniors and seniors in the Chattanooga Deanery are invited to attend upcoming Search for Christian Maturity retreats at the All Saints Academy building near Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Chattanooga. Search 132 is set for Feb. 25 through 27 and Search 133 for March 25 through 27. Cost is $55, and scholarships are available. To obtain a form, see a youth minister, visit the Notre Dame High School office, or contact Donna Jones at 423-718-4387 or djones6029@gmail.com. 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. The next “Picture of Love” engagedcouples retreat will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18, and 9 a.m. to Calendar continued on page 6
Parvuli Dei for Lucas Lucas Lackey of St. Jude in Helenwood received his Parvuli Dei award during a recent Mass. The presentation was made by Father Tom O’Connell, pictured at left with Lucas and his Scoutmaster, Scott Choroba (left), and George LeCrone Sr., chair of the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting.
COURTESY OF MEGAN LOCKE
CALENDAR
COURTESY OF GEORGE LECRONE SR.
on the
KCHS senior becomes first at school to earn lacrosse scholarship Knoxville Catholic High School senior Morgan Stiles became the first Fighting Irish athlete to receive a lacrosse scholarship Dec. 9 when he signed a letter of intent to play for Tennessee Wesleyan College. Morgan is pictured with (from left) parents Lisa Hurtt and Doug Stiles and Tennessee Wesleyan coach Kevin Parker. The 2009-10 season was the inaugural one for the Irish lacrosse team, which posted a 7-5 record and beat five varsity-level teams. As the goalie, Morgan saved nearly 70 percent of shots against the Irish and was named the team’s defensive MVP. He was also selected co-captain by his fellow players. “Morgan’s athleticism enabled Catholic to have about 10-15 more possessions every game because of his hustle and determination,” said Irish lacrosse coach Ed McGinley.
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JANUARY 9, 2011 n 5
Calendar continued from page 5
Plaza continued from page 1
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 schoolgym 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. Memorial Health Care System in Chattanooga is holding a class for registered nurses who wish to participate in its Faith Community Nursing program. The class is divided into six sessions, all of which must be completed in order to participate in the program. Three eight-hour days are scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 2, 9, and 16. Sessions also will be held from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, March 1, 15, and 29. Registration deadline is Thursday, Jan. 20. For more information about the program or tuition costs, contact FCN coordinator Connie Blake at 423-495-6163 or connie_blake@memorial.org. 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 423842-2305 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. 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 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 details. n 6
n
JANUARY 9, 2011
DAN MCWILLIAMS
7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, in the parish life center at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Chattanooga. This marriage-preparation retreat supplements couples’ marriage formation with their parish priest and is designed to help couples gain a better understanding of the joys and challenges of living the sacrament of matrimony. Cost is $135 per couple and includes meals. The retreat certificate, for those attending the entire event, is good for a $60 discount on a marriage license. To register or learn more, contact Marian Christiana of the diocesan Office of Marriage Preparation and Enrichment at 423-892-2310 or mchristiana@ dioknox.org. Another Picture of Love retreat will be held at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga on June 3 and 4.
Fourth Degree Knights salute the flag as “The Star Spangled Banner” plays during the dedication of the memorial plaza at the Chancery on Dec. 21. FLAG-RAISING CEREMONY
gift of men and women who throughout our history gave their lives so our nation might be free, especially free to worship our God. “We’re reminded of the countless contributions of the men and women involved in the Knights of Columbus, from their first days in caring for immigrants and ensuring that the families of those who have died will be taken care of, to now, when in so many different ways the Knights and those involved do so much to care for the needy, take care of the handicapped, and remind us of the precious gift of life.” The bishop added that “we commend to [God’s] care all the souls of [those] who were not given a chance for life on
obsessions
this earth. [We] know they are with you in eternal life, the holy innocents. We pray for our nation, that it might truly discover once again those beautiful precepts and those teachings that remind us of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Deacon Smith acknowledged Johnson Architecture and Sturgill Construction; Council 12633 Grand Knight Dan Hanley; and past Grand Knight Jerry Dougherty, Wes Becker, and other members of the council who worked on the project. “We need to recognize every single Knight within the Diocese of Knoxville because they all contributed in very special ways, not only monetarily but also through prayer,” said
Deacon Smith. A plaque on one of the markers memorializes “Diocese of Knoxville veterans who gave their lives fighting for American freedom.” A second plaque is dedicated to “all the unborn children of God” and quotes Jeremiah 1:5 (“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you . . .”). The third plaque acknowledges diocesan Knights assemblies and councils, the state Knights council and insurance general agent, and individual Knights. The plaza displaced a small tree, which was moved to a new location behind the front wing of the Chancery. The plaza’s American flag is one that recently flew over the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., and was
BY GINGER HUTTON
Space for reflection Liturgical silence and truly sacred music both point to God.
For the past several years I have had the privilege of being able to go to churches where there is no choir, no cantor, no “music ministry” at daily Mass. We sing the Mass parts and sometimes the antiphons. The Scripture readings and the spoken and sung prayers of the Mass are the jewels whose beauty is more apparent because they are set in a profound and fruitful liturgical silence. The words spoken have a chance to penetrate more deeply and form the soul because the silence provides space for reflection and few distractions. As someone who works 60-plus hours a week, is discerning her vocation, and is still processing the almost total destruction of her life last year, I cannot imagine living without that restorative silence, that pause to collect myself and reconnect interiorly with the One who gives this life its hope and meaning. Given the beauty and spiritual benefits of silence—and that the General Instruction of the Roman Missal calls for it to be observed at various points in the liturgy—why is it so hard to find in many American parishes? Part of the answer is fallen www.dioknox.org
human nature. God unsettles us. We fear silence for the very reason that it is so conducive to genuine contact between the self and God. That encounter tends to strip away our inner defenses and opens us to truth and all too often— at least at first—we prefer our illusions, mainly the illusion that we are the self-sufficient center of the universe. Likewise, liturgical silence reveals that we are not the center of the liturgy and that our insistence on being so has greatly impoverished us. Gregorian chant and truly sacred music have no fear of silence. They and silence are comple-
We are realizing more and
more clearly that silence is part of the liturgy. We respond, by singing and praying, to the God who addresses us, but the greater mystery, surpassing all words, summons us to silence. It must, of course, be a silence with content, not just the absence of speech and action. We should expect the liturgy to give us a positive stillness that will restore us. Such stillness will not be just a pause, in which a thousand thoughts and desires assault us, but a time of recollection, giving us an inward peace, allowing us to draw breath and rediscover the one thing necessary, which
given to the diocese by U.S. Rep. John J. “Jimmy” Duncan Jr. A recording of the bugle call “To the Colors” played as the Fourth Degree Knights carried the U.S. flag to its pole, and “The Star-Spangled Banner” played during the raising of the flag. Bishop Stika said he had a fourth flagpole at his residence but decided not to add it to the other three at the plaza. “I had to discern and prayerfully reflect over this because I didn’t know if it was appropriate to have the St. Louis baseball Cardinals pennant flying at the Chancery,” he said, adding that he might raise the flag on one of the plaza poles to mark Opening Day or a World Series title by the Cards. n
mentary, pointing as they both do to God. In contrast, the vacuous “praise” music that has infested the liturgy cannot endure silence. Why must those who favor shallow us-centered music fill every nanosecond of potential silence with St. Louis Jesuit ditties or rambling mood music? Perhaps because allowing fruitful liturgical silence to intrude would make apparent that such music is perceptibly inferior both to silence and to authentic sacred music in directing the listener to God. The only hope the praise band has, liturgically speaking, is to make sure that people never learn to love anything deeper. One must marvel at the thoroughness with which so many music programs have managed to deprive the faithful of those opportunities. Hutton continued on page 7
we have forgotten. That is why silence cannot be simply “made,” organized as if it were one activity among many. It is no accident that on all sides people are seeking techniques of meditation, a spirituality for emptying the mind. One of man’s deepest needs is making its presence felt, a need that is manifestly not being met in our present form of the liturgy. For silence to be fruitful, as we have already said, it must not be just a pause in the action of the liturgy. No, it must be an integral part of the liturgical event. —Benedict XVI, The Spirit of the Liturgy (Ignatius Press, 2000)
THE EAST TENNESSEE CATHOLIC
our
PRIESTS
marriage
BY MARGARET HUNT
ENRICHMENT
Campus ministry both ‘difficult’ and ‘beautiful’ Cultivate commitment in 2011 Father Donahue finds sharing life with UT people ‘quite an undeserved honor.’
F
ather Charlie Donahue, CSP, is the pastor of Blessed John XXIII Catholic Center on the University of Tennessee at Knoxville campus. He credits his parents, Kathleen and Edward Donahue, and his grandparents, Charles and Anne O’Shea and May and Edwin Donahue, with fostering his early interest in a priestly vocation. Father Donahue was born on Long Island, N.Y., and is the youngest of three children. He attended Catholic school all the way through college. He was ordained at St. Paul the Apostle Church in New York City in 2005 after leaving a marketing and publishing career with Thomas Publishing Co. Who was the most influential person in your decision to consider the priesthood? By far the biggest influence to consider the priesthood was my mentoring friendship since youth with the priest in my home parish, Father Bob Guglielmone. His approachability, candor, humor, rigor, and help made the priesthood at once seem both powerful and doable. It does my heart good to know that he was recently named bishop of Charleston, S.C. The people there are very lucky and blessed to have him. Did anyone ever say that you might make a good priest? Quite a lot in my youth, actually. So much so, though, that I forcefully pushed it aside as “the dreams of others” for a long time. But in the years following my dad’s death and my success at work, I had to admit that it was the fondest desire of my heart and soul. I am certain that the prayers of others had an effect, but in freedom. What attracted you to the Paulist Fathers? I was discerning how to best embrace the priesthood, and lo and behold while I was at the Frankfurt Book Fair, the Buchmesse, the world’s largest publishing-industry event, just down the trade-show aisle from me was Paulist Press. There were priests, religious, and laypeople using their tal-
greatly thankful because I feel much at home here in East Tennessee. What has brought you the greatest joy in your vocation? By far the sacrament of reconciliation: being both on the receiving end and the “unworthy minister” end. Some kind yet rigorous confessors have tried to “shepherd me rightly.” And I have tried to pass along that grace. Father Charlie Donahue, CSP
ents and skills in publishing for the greater glory of God and in service to his people. That moved me deeply, and I was hooked. The Paulist missionary and reconciliation spirituality animates my prayer life and identity still and with the help of God will grow throughout however long I have on this planet. How would you describe a campus minister’s life? Difficult, wonderful, deep, fun, consistently unpredictable, and beautiful. Walking with and being with the people of God during the time of their life as college students, faculty, staff, and supportive parishioners is quite an undeserved honor. The depth of thoughtfulness and soul searching is beautiful to share in and witness. How do you cope with knowing you might have to move across country on short notice? Father Bob Moran, CSP, who was at John XXIII in the late 1990s and early 2000s, was on the faculty when I was in seminary, and he warned us about growing “hard candy shells around our hearts.” Borrowing from the old M&M’s commercial tagline, he spoke about the ways we can protect ourselves too much from the lives and adventures and friendships of our parishioners, while thinking that is part of missionary spirituality. My mom has a plaque in her garden that I try to live by: bloom where you’re planted. The Church, the Paulists, and the Holy Spirit send us out. I hope to dive in and settle wherever I am sent. I am
What kind of challenges do you face as a priest, and how do you handle them? One of the Second Vatican Council documents was titled The Church in the Modern World. We are in now what some call the “post-modern world.” In my opinion, this has tremendous impact. Although priests and the Church can be wary of relativism, at the same time we must remember that our unity is not a fruit of uniformity but of faith and fidelity to the vision and Great Commission: “Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.” This season and every season we should heed the angels who declare it: the Gospel is “tidings of great joy!” The Church has always been a community of communities; Scripture and tradition bear that out. Alternating faithful viewpoints enrich the Church as a whole. Our distinctions do not divide us; they enrich us. They give the various members of the Church different pegs upon which to hang their hats as they settle home. What would you tell someone who believes he might have a priestly vocation? Live it out! With St. Paul I would say, “always be prepared to give a reason for your hope.” And know that there are many priests and many laypeople who can be mentoring friends and guides, ready to provide an honest listening ear. Everyone has a vocation, maybe even a couple of them. And they are not made in a vacuum, alone. Seek counsel, and offer it in turn. n
Mrs. Hunt is administrative assistant for the Media Office.
BY MARIAN CHRISTIANA
W
e have spent the last year “dating our spouse.” This year, let’s make a new year’s resolution to have an “intentional” marriage. What exactly does that mean? Having an intentional marriage means your marital relationship is your priority. Spouses in an intentional marriage are conscious of maintaining their connection through all of life’s other commitments and distractions. Simply stated, the intentional couple thinks about and plans for their relationship, carefully nurturing their marital commitment with small, everyday expressions of love—and occasional big, splashy ones. Speaking of splashy expressions, Bishop Richard F. Stika will preside at three bilingual marriage-celebration Masses around the diocese, giving all married couples a chance to renew their vows. A luncheon will follow each Mass, and couples are welcome to bring family members. The schedule for the marriage celebrations is as follows: n 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, Our Lady of Fatima Church, Alcoa n 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, St. Patrick Church, Morristown n 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church, Cleveland. To make reservations to attend a celebration, contact Karen Byrne at 865-584-3307 or kbyrne @dioknox.org. Remember, the main way to resist the forces that pull couples apart is to carefully cultivate commitment and create ways to stay connected to your spouse. I hope to see you at a marriage celebration this year. n Mrs. Christiana is coordinator of the diocesan Marriage Preparation and Enrichment Office.
from the
PARACLETE
BY BETHANY MARINAC
Carrying out your resolutions
A
t this time of year all sorts of volunteers come in and help the Paraclete staff take inventory and clean the store. Some of the volunteers have come since they were kids, and now that they are grown, they still make time to help us. It makes me think about all the resolutions people make in January—such as plans to lose weight or quit smoking. Maybe it’s time to do what our volunteers are doing: give some time to someone else. Some ideas include spending an hour in adoration, volunteering for Catholic Charities, or signing up to serve as a singer in your church choir or a reader at Mass. Such resolutions enlist your time and talent to help others. If your resolutions include some of these actions, we can help. We have a section devoted to eucharistic adoration, and we carry the very popular book Praying in the Presence of Our Lord: Prayers for Eucharistic Adoration (Our Sunday Visitor, 1999). If your resolution includes being a reader, we carry the Workbook for Lectors, Gospel Readers, and Proclaimers of the Word 2011 in English and Spanish (Liturgical Training Publications, 2010). If your resolution is to spend time in reflection every day, I recommend Benedictus: Day by Day With Pope Benedict XVI (Ignatius Press, 2006). This little gem offers daily meditations by the Holy Father from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 and contains 732 beautiful examples of artwork to inspire meditation. As always, our resolution is to be here for you. The entire staff wishes you a happy new year. n Call the store at 865-588-0388 or 800333-2097. Visit its Facebook page at bit.ly/ paracleteknoxville.
Hutton continued from page 6
“The essential point,” Pope Benedict writes
in Light of the World (Ignatius Press, 2010) “is that the Word of God and the reality of the Sacrament really occupy center stage; that we don’t bury God underneath our words and our ideas and that the liturgy doesn’t turn into an occasion to display ourselves.” Too many parish music programs are missing the point. Restoring sacred silence would be a step in the right direction. n COURTESY OF GAYLE SCHOENBORN
Miss Hutton is a member of Holy Ghost Parish in Knoxville.
Sacred Heart enthronement service held at Notre Dame High School On Dec. 8, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga held a prayer service to enthrone images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in every classroom and near the school’s entrance. Before the enthronement the Notre Dame community prayed a novena to the Sacred Heart. Above, school spiritual director Father Augustine Idra, AJ, incenses the images. Holding them are students (from left) Grayson Hargett, Jack Boone, Amy Malo, Meghan Lamsey, Clayton Runge, Hunter McGowan, Joe McGuire, and Lara Stolpmann. THE E A S T T E N N E S S E E C A T H OLIC
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JANUARY 9, 2011 n 7
WIRE
President signs repeal of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy BY CHAZ MUTH
WASHINGTON (CNS)—With the repeal of the policy that banned gays from serving openly in the armed forces, an auxiliary bishop of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services said Dec. 23 that “there are no changes” to the archdiocese’s ministry “and our response” to “don’t ask, don’t tell.” Bishop F. Richard Spencer, who is currently in Iraq, told Catholic News Service in an e-mail: “I have not read what the ‘new’ law requires nor the timeline for implementation and the elements of implementation. I know of no restrictions nor hindrances or challenges to the ministry that we already are providing to all members and their families within the jurisdictional boundaries” of the military archdiocese. He added that “any additional policy statements will be shared” through the office of Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, who heads the archdiocese. President Barack Obama signed the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010 into law Dec. 22. It passed the Senate Dec. 18 in a 65 to 31 vote. The House approved it in late May. There was no immediate reaction to the repeal from the military archdiocese in Washington. Its offices were closed for the holidays and did not reopen until Jan. 3. As of Dec. 23 the archdiocese’s website referred visitors to a June statement from Archbishop Broglio, who had urged Congress not to repeal the 17-year-old policy, saying it had “the potential of being enormous and overwhelming,” and that “nothing should be changed until there is certainty that morale will not suffer.” The archbishop reiterated church teaching on homosexuality as defined by the Catechism of the Catholic Church. According to the catechism, “homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered” but homosexuals must be “accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided.” “Sacrificing the moral beliefs of individuals” in response to “merely political considerations is neither just nor prudent especially for the armed forces at a time of war,” he said. He also said Catholic military chaplains had expressed concern about the policy’s possible repeal and requested guidance about what to do if it were lifted. Archbishop Broglio also said that “unions between individuals of the same gender resembling marriage will not be accepted or blessed by Catholic chaplains.” He noted that in the event of a repeal, “no restrictions or limitations on the teaching of Catholic morality can be accepted” and that “First Amendment rights regarding the free exercise of religion must be respected.” Obama called repealing the policy a civil-rights triumph and said implementation should take place within a matter of months. The Associated Press reported Dec. 23 that Defense Secretary Robert Gates sent a memo to the heads of the military branches telling them the new law was not in effect yet. It will not be fully implemented until the Pentagon can show Congress various conditions have been met, including training programs for troops. n Copyright 2010 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Benedict continued from page 2
litical leaders and all people of goodwill not to give up when faced with “the negative force of egoism and violence” and not to become jaded into thinking that conflict, which puts lives and the future at risk, is inevitable. War, he said, reflects “the most horrendous and violent face of history.” He called on everyone to promote and build peace, reminding people that “words aren’t enough for this difficult task.” He said “a concrete and constant commitment is needed by heads of nations, but above all what’s needed is that every person be inspired by an authentic spirit of peace,” which is fostered by prayer and lived out in one’s day-today activities. Peace does not come because of “weapons, nor economic, political, cultural, and media power,” he said. Peace is both a gift from God and the result of a change in the human conscience, which becomes open to truth and love, he said. The pope presided over an evening prayer service with eucharistic adoration and the singing of a special hymn of thanksgiving to God on Dec. 31 in St. Peter’s Basilica. After the prayer service the pope went by popemobile into St. Peter’s Square, where he visited the Vatican’s Nativity scene. While choristers sang, the pope entered the grotto housing the larger-than-life-size figures of the Holy Family and knelt in prayer. n Copyright 2011 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops 8
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JANUARY 9, 2011
Back-to-basics education in Sudan With pencils, paper, and dictionaries, sisters teach the country’s poor children. By Paul Jeffrey BY P A U L J E F F R E Y
MALAKAL, Southern Sudan (CNS)—Sister Ninet D’Costa served in a variety of educational posts in her native India. And then, thankful for recovering from a serious illness, she told God she wanted to be a missionary. Her congregation sent her to Rome for immigration studies, and there she heard an appeal for help from the church in Sudan. Sister Ninet, a member of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, ended up heading for Malakal, a muddy town along the contested border between the North and South of Sudan. Ahead of her proposed departure, she and others planning the new mission received discouraging information. “They told us there was no security in Malakal, no food, no health facilities. But in Malakal, they did have one thing, the poor, and because of them we were committed to go,” she told Catholic News Service. Sister Ninet arrived in Malakal in 2008 as a pioneer member of Solidarity with Southern Sudan, an international network of religious orders and congregations supporting the church in what may become Africa’s newest country following a referendum on independence scheduled for January. Solidarity has 22 full-time members and two short-term volunteers living in Southern Sudan. They come from 16 congregations and 18 countries. Solidarity’s work is supported by 170 congregations or orders. The group has its roots in a 2004 visit to Rome by a Sudanese bishop who met with the justice and peace coordinators of several congregations. With his country’s long civil war about to end, the bishop invited the church workers to come to Southern Sudan to help rebuild the church and wartorn society. Sudan’s episcopal conference soon followed up with an official invitation to the superiors general of religious congregations. A delegation of six representatives traveled to Southern Sudan in 2006, visiting every diocese to listen to what the church needed. “We returned with a list of needs from car batteries and shock absorbers to schools and clinics,” said Sister Cathy Arata, a School Sister of Notre Dame from New Jersey. As
CNS PHOTO/PAUL JEFFREY (2)
from the
Sister Ninet D’Costa climbs out of a boat in Detang, Southern Sudan, with the help of teacher Michael Lam, one of her students. Sister Ninet, a sister from India who is a teacher trainer and member of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, came to the war-torn African country under the auspices of Solidarity With Southern Sudan, an international network of dozens of religious communities and other organizations. ‘A SIGN OF HOPE’
religious leaders in Rome reflected on the delegation’s report, they decided to focus on providing training in education, health, and pastoral services. When Sister Ninet arrived in Malakal, three religious brothers came with her, but conditions were so harsh that none of them lasted long. Sister Ninet stayed with a group of Comboni sisters, which she said made adjustment easier. The Indian sister has since been joined by others. Sister Elizabeth Ryan, a member of the Faithful Companions of Jesus, had never encountered a pit latrine before she came to Malakal late in 2008. She admits any romantic ideas about mission were quickly eroded by the differences from her native Ireland. “When I got out of the plane, the barrage of heat hit me. Then they took me to the house, and I was shellshocked. There was no glass in the windows, and the place was full of dust. The door was hard to open. Dirt and cobwebs were all over the place. I sat on the side of a bed and was totally paralyzed. Margaret [Sheehan, a fellow Irish sister] said, ‘We’ll sweep up and then have a cup of tea.’ They swept around me as I sat on the side of the bed, staring into space. Then we had the cup of tea, and that improved matters slightly,” Sister Elizabeth said. By the time she had spent two months
in Malakal, fighting broke out. The sisters’ living quarters were right in the middle of the firefight. “When the fighting started, people here were surprised that we stayed. But we did. And we still intend to stay,” she said. “It can still be difficult here, but our presence has become a sign of hope for the Sudanese,” she said. The Solidarity team in Malakal is helping to jump-start the area’s educational system. The team is building a modern teacher-training facility with four classrooms, a lecture hall, computer and science labs, a library, preparation rooms and offices. In the meantime, however, they have little with which to work. “We came here with lots of plans, but we quickly forgot about those. We had prepared PowerPoint presentations, but here there’s no power. There are no books, let alone science or computer labs. We’ve had to provide our teachers with pencils and paper and dictionaries,” Sister Ninet said. Malakal’s schools had taught in English, but the government in Khartoum decreed that all education must take place in Arabic. Since then, the semi-autonomous southern government has ordered all education to take place in English, but switching back will take a while. Few people in Upper Nile State speak English. Few English books are available,
Children study in a Catholic Church–sponsored school Nov. 16 in the Makpandu refugee camp near Yambio, Southern Sudan. More than 4,000 people took refuge in late 2008 when the Lord’s Resistance Army attacked their communities inside Congo.
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although church officials hid some away when the northern government was burning English texts. “There is no bookshop here, and so when I asked where I could find some English books, they opened the church storeroom and I found these lovely books, all dumped in sacks. The church had protected the books,” Sister Ninet said. Teacher pay is low and sporadic, which Sister Ninet acknowledges does not help motivate teachers to teach. “And if they learn English from us, they can often get a better job for an NGO, and they’ll abandon teaching. Then we have to find someone else,” she said. “At first that bothered me a lot, but then we decided we’d just keep teaching English until everyone knows it, and there will be enough trained people for both the schools and the NGOs. And in the meantime we’re lobbying the government to pay higher salaries to help retain good teachers,” she said. Solidarity has made a 15-year commitment to accompany the people of Southern Sudan, and Sister Ninet said she considers it a privilege to be an integral part of the church’s mission during the excitement and pain of a new country’s birth. “The church was a credible sign of hope for the people throughout the times of war. During the time of peace, where is the church? We came here to be a sign of hope, to help the church in its mission. I love this work. I’m teaching teachers who are teaching the whole country. Behind each teacher are hundreds of students. Think about the difference that one good teacher can make,” Sister Ninet said. n Copyright 2010 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
THE EAST TENNESSEE CATHOLIC