Nov. 22, 2009, East Tennessee Catholic by Diocese of Knoxville

CNS PHOTO/BOB ROLLER

Bishops meet in Baltimore Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, gives Communion to U.S. bishops during Mass at the opening of the bishops’ annual fall meeting in Baltimore Nov. 16. The meeting runs through Nov. 19. page 2

THE EAST TENNESSEE

Volume 19 • Number 6 • November 22, 2009

The

N E W S PA P E R

of the D I O C E S E of K N O X V I L L E www.d ioces eof kn ox ville.or g

DEACON PATRICK MURPHY-RACEY

Planning for Advent Experience Advent fully so you can truly celebrate Christmas. By Bishop Richard F. Stika ear friends: As we approach December, I am ever mindful of Dec. 15 last year, when I received the phone call from the nuncio informing me that the Holy Father had appointed me the bishop of Knoxville. What a gift! The challenge of that gift, however, was the fact that I could not share this information until it was made public by the Holy See. A result of this challenge developed as a key prayer request, which rose to the heavens from my lips: patience! In just a few days the church concludes her liturgical year with the celebration of the Feast of Christ the King. Thus, the following weekend a new liturgical year begins as well as a special season that many ignore because Christmas is so near—the season of Advent! A favorite Advent song of mine is “Patience, People” by Father John Foley, SJ.

Monsignor Al Humbrecht

Sacred Heart pastor elevated to monsignor B Y DA N MCWI LLIAMS

he pastor of Sacred Heart Cathedral has a new title that will take some getting used to, especially since a few thousand East Tennessee Catholics have addressed him the same way since his priestly ordination in 1972. Father Al Humbrecht is now Monsignor Al Humbrecht. Bishop Richard F. Stika told the priest Nov. 3 that he had been named a Prelate of Honor to His Holiness by Pope Benedict XVI. The honoree said he will have a hard time adjusting to the new form of address “after 37 years of just being Father Al.” A ceremony to confer the honor will take place at Sacred Heart on a date to be an-

CNS PHOTO/OCTAVIO DURAN

Advent, a season of joyful expectation before Christmas, begins Nov. 29 this year. The Advent wreath, with a candle marking each week of the season, is a traditional symbol of the period.

A TIME FOR PATIENCE

Not only does it provide a setting for daily life throughout the year, but it also offers a reminder to all Catholics to be patient and reflective during this time. Prepare for Christmas so you might see the Christmas season with a sense of awe

and gratitude! You might already have your gift list prepared. Planning is good. But how does your Advent planning list look? Advent possibilities might include daily Mass, daily prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, reading

Scripture, receiving the sacrament of reconciliation, and doing additional spiritual reading. Be creative! There are few guarantees in life but one to me is evident: Advent is to be lived so that Christmas can be truly celebrated. Patience, people!

Sincerely in Christ, Most Reverend Richard F. Stika Bishop of Knoxville

Conference room named after Holy Ghost pastor

Monsignor continued on page 3

Please pray for our priests Dear Lord: We pray that the Blessed Mother will wrap her mantle around your priests and through her intercession strengthen them for their ministry. We pray that Mary will guide your priests to follow her own words, “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5). May your priests have the heart of St. Joseph, Mary’s most chaste spouse. May the Blessed Mother’s own pierced heart inspire them to embrace all who suffer at the foot of the cross. May your priests be holy and filled with the fire of your love, seeking nothing but your greater glory and the salvation of souls. Amen. St. John Vianney, pray for us. ■

The bishop announces the honor for Monsignor Mankel. B Y MA RY C. WE AV E R

began as an ordinary Presbyteral W hat Council meeting Nov. 10 became an occasion to honor Monsignor Xavier Mankel, two days after his 74th birthday. Shortly before noon Bishop Richard F. Stika got the presbyterate’s attention and announced that the major conference room in the Chancery offices would “forever be known as the Monsignor Mankel room.” “Bishops come and go, but monsignors just stay around,” the bishop said. A bronze plaque being prepared for the conference room will read MONSIGNOR FRANCIS XAVIER MANKEL, VG, CONFERENCE ROOM, DEDICATED ON NOV. 10, 2009, IN RECOGNITION FOR HIS FAITHFUL

MARY C. WEAVER

SERVICE TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN TENNESSEE AND IN PARTICULAR THE DIOCESE OF KNOXVILLE.

Monsignor Xavier Mankel (left) is seen with Bishop Richard F. Stika a few moments after the bishop announced on Nov. 10 that the main conference room in the Chancery was being named after the monsignor. The framed photo now hangs on the room’s south wall.

MANKEL MEETING ROOM

Download prayers and a rosary booklet: bit.ly/priestprayers.

Christmas will come, but Advent is knocking at the door! I wish you a blessed Advent!

Monsignor Mankel was ordained a priest in 1961 and has served as diocesan vicar general since 1988, under all three bishops of the Diocese of Knoxville. He has been principal of Knoxville Catholic High School and diocesan superintendent of Catholic Schools. He spent 10 years as pastor of Sacred Heart Cathedral and since 1997 has been pastor of Holy Ghost Parish in Knoxville. See the next edition of the ETC for coverage of an honor bestowed on another Holy Ghost pastor—Father Albert J. Henkel—after whom the Knoxville church’s renovated fellowship hall has been named (see page 6). ■

Want to try online delivery? he East Tennessee Catholic is now offering online delivery for those who would prefer to read a digital copy and to discontinue the print edition. If you would rather read the ETC online, visit snipr.com/onlineETC 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 mary@dioceseof knoxville.org. ■

Ministries Day set for Jan. 9 inistries Day will be held Saturday, Jan. 9, at Sacred Heart Cathedral School in Knoxville, with more than 20 sessions to choose from. The day begins at 8 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—and ends at 3 p.m., with a closing prayer and the awarding of door prizes. Titled “Sharing Gifts in Faith,” the event is open to all adults in the diocese and is especially tailored to the needs of parents, student 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 among more than 20 offerings. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m., with a presentation by Catholic Mutual Insurance Group. Cost of the day is $15 (including a box lunch) for those who register by Nov. 30; cost is $20 afterward. Those who register after Dec. 30 will not receive lunch. Course selections will cover topics such as Scripture for young people; fostering priestly vocations; helping children with special needs; insurance, legalities, safety, and paperwork for parishes; the theology of the body; beginningand end-of-life issues; apologetics; vacation Bible school on a shoestring; and Eastern Catholic spirituality. For more information, visit bit.ly/2t2Iii—from which users can download a registration form, schedule, and complete course details—or contact directors of religious education Kathy DeAngelis of St. Patrick Parish in Morristown at 423-586-4091, 277-6296, or krdeangelis@ yahoo.com or Susan Collins of Notre Dame in Greeneville at 639-9382, 329-9173, or scollins51@hotmail.com. ■

living the

READINGS

BY FATHER JOSEPH BRANDO

Back to the beginning The Son of Man will ‘bring creation back to its intended plan.’

As we continue to contemplate the end of the world on this, the last Sunday of the church year, it may be beneficial to compare and contrast today’s Scripture readings with those that tell us about the beginning of the world. Genesis presents a vision of God’s creating out of love and a sense of beauty. In the beginning God was in control, spectacularly taming the chaos and void until it became a garden fit for the height of creation: mankind. In that garden God converses with Adam and Eve in the coolness of the early evening. Today’s passage from the

Book of Daniel shows us God re-establishing divine dominion and glory out of the chaos into which the world had returned. For this task, God sent the Son of Man. The Son possesses a kingship that cannot be taken away or destroyed, unlike that of human rulers. For Daniel, the end takes us back to what God intended the beginning to be. What God handed to humanity to care for had become a mess. But now creation will be given to the Son. His dominion will accomplish what God intended for us. We will be back in the garden. Our second reading identifies the Son of Man as Jesus Christ. He is the ruler who brings creation back to its intended plan by loving us, freeing us from our sins, and shedding his blood for us. He

A joyful new year The church in India ‘is experiencing a new Advent.’

his Sunday should bring joy to all our hearts and souls as the church begins its new year. If last year was pretty dismal, all the more reason to look for God’s majestic presence in the coming year. The liturgical readings the last few

weeks have led us to look more carefully at the end of the world. Today completes that process, as we phase into our preparation for celebrating Christ’s birth. So we take one last look at the end of the material world, with the attitude of living for and in the king-

is Lord now, and his work is still going on. The evil causing the present chaos is being wiped away by the Son’s blood, which is still being shed. But one day the job will be finished, and the Son will come again amid the clouds to take final possession of his restored kingdom. The Gospel describes a crucial moment of the first coming of the Son. Having just begun to shed his blood for us, Jesus spoke to Pilate, who represented the rulers who had created the present chaos. Pilate didn’t and couldn’t recognize the true King, even though he stood right before his eyes. This is the present condition of the world. The risen Lord is here right now, bringing God’s loving dominion to earth, and most of us can’t see what’s going on. ■ Nov. 22, the Solemnity of Christ the King Daniel 7:13-14 Psalm 93:1-2, 5 Revelation 1:5-8 John 18:33-37

dom of God. For the last two months I have been receiving reports on the behavior of a group of Catholics who are living the paradox we’ve meditated on for the last few Sundays. They are the Catholics of the Indian State of Orissa. A year ago a movement of fundamentalist Hindus began a persecution against Christians, the vast

majority of whom are Catholics. They refused to leave and subsequently were rounded up. Some were killed, everyone’s houses and belongings were burned, their identiReadings continued on page 9

Nov. 29, first Sunday of Advent Jeremiah 33:14-16 Psalm 25:4-5, 8-10, 14 1 Thessalonians 3:12— 4:2 Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

W E E KDAY RE ADINGS

Child-protection training sessions he Diocese of Knoxville’s program for the protection of children and youth is based on training developed by Virtus and is offered regularly throughout the diocese. A three-hour seminar for adults, “Protecting God’s Children,” is required for parish and school employees and regular volunteers in contact

with children or vulnerable adults and is recommended for parents and grandparents. The following training session has been scheduled: ■ Sacred Heart Cathedral, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19 (session will be held in the Shea Room). To register for a session, visit virtusonline. org. ■

Take note of ETC deadlines e welcome submissions about parish and community events. Send notices by e-mail (mary@dioceseofknoxville.org), fax (865584-8124), or mail (P.O. Box 11127, Knoxville, TN 37939). To make sure we receive information about upcoming events in time for publication, please submit it by the following deadlines: ■ Monday, Nov. 23, for the Dec. 6 issue ■ Monday, Dec. 7, for the Dec. 20 issue ■ Monday, Dec. 28, for the Jan. 10 issue ■ Monday, Jan. 11, for the Jan. 24 issue ■ Monday, Jan. 25, for the Feb. 7 issue ■ Monday, Feb. 8, for the Feb. 21 issue ■ Monday, Feb. 22, for the March 7 issue ■ Monday, March 8, for the March 21 issue ■ Monday, March 29, for the April 11 issue. When submitting photos or information about past events, please keep in mind that we have a backlog of submissions. ■

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.

■

NOVEMBER 22, 2009

Monday, Nov. 23: Daniel 1:1-6, 820; Daniel 3:52-56; Luke 21:1-4 Tuesday, Nov. 24: Memorial, Andrew Dung-Lac, priest, martyr, and his companions, martyrs, Daniel 2:31-45; Daniel 3:57-61; Luke 21:5-11 Wednesday, Nov. 25: Daniel 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28; Daniel 3:62-67; Luke 21:12-19 Thursday, Nov. 26: Daniel 6:12-28; Daniel 3:68-74; Luke 21:20-28; optional readings for Thanksgiving Day,

Sirach 50:22-24; Psalm 138:1-5; Luke 17:11-19 Friday, Nov. 27: Daniel 7:2-14; Daniel 3:75-81; Luke 21:29-33 Saturday, Nov. 28: Daniel 7:15-27; Daniel 3:82-87; Luke 21:34-36 Monday, Nov. 30: Feast, Andrew, apostle, Romans 10:9-18; Psalm 19:8-11; Matthew 4:18-22 Tuesday, Dec. 1: Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Luke 10:21-24

Wednesday, Dec. 2: Isaiah 25:6-10; Psalm 23:1-6; Matthew 15:29-37 Thursday, Dec. 3: Memorial, Francis Xavier, priest, Isaiah 26:1-6; Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27; Matthew 7:21, 24-27 Friday, Dec. 4: Isaiah 29:17-24; Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14; Matthew 9:2731 Saturday, Dec. 5: Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26; Psalm 147:1-6; Matthew 9:35–10:1 and 10:5-8 ■

Bishops’ meeting opens; cardinal discusses role of priests BALTIMORE (CNS)—Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago contemplated a scenario of what the church would look like without priests in his presidential address on the first day of the U.S. bishops’ annual fall general assembly in Baltimore Nov. 16 through 19. He framed his remarks in the context of the Year for Priests, being celebrated in the church through next June. Without a priestly ministry rooted in holy orders, he said, the ministry of teaching about the faith would fall primarily to professors, “whose obligation is first to seek the truth in

the framework of their own academic discipline and whose authority to teach derives from their professional expertise.” On their first day the bishops also heard a report on health-care reform and reaffirmed as a body the statement that Cardinal George had made soon after the House approved its version of reform legislation Nov. 7, expressing the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ commitment to keep health reform legislation in the Senate abortion-neutral. Also on their first day the bishops heard a preliminary presentation on the last sever-

Bishops continued on page 3

Bishop Richard F. Stika Publisher Mary C. Weaver Editor Dan McWilliams Assistant editor

THE EAST TENNESSEE

805 Northshore Drive S.W.

al items pertaining to a new translation of the Roman Missal. All are part of a yearslong process of updating English translations of the liturgical texts. In his remarks Cardinal George said that without ordained priests the “only instance of real governance in any society would be that of civil and political leaders,” he said, adding, “A civil government has no right to deprive the church of freedom to govern herself by her own laws and under her own leaders.” Without ordained priests, he added, the role of spiritual

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@dioceseofknoxville.org • web: dioceseofknoxville.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. www.dioceseofk noxville.org

THE E A S T TE NNE S SE E CATHOL I C

he dwells

AMONG US

BY BISHOP RICHARD F. STIKA

Promoting vocations The faithful can team up with the bishop to help him achieve that goal.

There are many moments in my life as bishop that cause me to step back and just say “Wow.” This seems to occur more frequently as I travel the diocese and witness the wonderful faith commitment of the good people of East Tennessee. On Saturday, Nov. 14, I experienced one such moment with the ordination of Father Chris Riehl. What a tremendous day to share with so many this special gift given to the church by Our Lord. It was truly a touching moment for me as I witnessed the love of his family and friends together with so many from the diocese who joined together with a multitude of priests and deacons to witness the ordination. At the conclusion of the ordination, I shared with those present my past experiences of ordinations. In years past, as I sat in the pew as a layman, I often thought the ceremony was long. The same was true during my early years as a priest. It seemed long . . . but don’t get me wrong, it was a truly spiritual event! But now as a bishop, it is

different. To have the ability to share with a man of faith the priesthood of Jesus Christ is without doubt awe-inspiring, so much so that I informed the people present that I would enjoy doing this all day long! I also informed my brothers and sisters present if that dream was possible, it would be up to them to assist me in promoting vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. And so again I turn to you, my faithful readers, and pose these questions: Are you willing to help me promote vocations to the priesthood so that someday I will spend all day in the cathedral, presiding at the ordinations of men who will serve the people of God? Will you help me promote vocations to the consecrated life so that I will spend a day at a convent or religious house, witnessing a faithful woman entering a religious community? Are you willing to help me promote vocations so that I may celebrate a religious brother’s entrance into a community? Can you imagine the blessings for all the faithful of the Diocese of Knoxville were this dream to become a reality? In days to come I will announce some activities that can help you help me. In the meantime, please encourage

vocations. And pray for those already in formation as well as for those who soon will begin their studies. The great celebration of Thanksgiving will soon be upon us. It is good to enjoy the feast and share a few days off with family and friends. But it is also a moment, long in our tradition, to accept the invitation of the president of the United States to give thanks to God. It is a time to reflect on how we respond to those around us who are in need. Gratitude should not be just a word we speak but also a concept we live. Finally, when you offer thanks to God, don’t forget to pray for those involved in military service who are so far from home. May they be safe, and may the world soon know peace—as well as leaders of government and heads of state who are peacemakers! Happy Thanksgiving! ■ BISHOP STIKA’ S SCHE DUL E These are some of Bishop Stika’s appointments: Nov. 23: 6 p.m., attend basketball games, Notre Dame High School, Chattanooga Nov. 30–Dec. 2: provincial bishops’ meeting, Louisville, Ky. Dec. 3: 10 a.m., vocations summit with Father Michael Cummins, St. Mary Church, Athens Dec. 4: 8:05 a.m., first Friday Mass with schoolchildren, Sacred Heart Cathedral Dec. 5: 8 a.m., men’s Communion prayer breakfast, St. Anne Church, Bristol, Va. Dec. 6: 1 p.m., Ladies of Charity annual Bishop’s Tea, Chancery ■

Advent penance services scheduled in all deaneries ere is a list of upcoming Advent penance services around the Diocese of Knoxville:

Five Rivers Deanery 7 p.m. Dec. 3—St. Patrick, Morristown; Dec. 7—Good Shepherd, Newport; Dec. 9— Holy Trinity, Jefferson City; Dec. 10—St. Dominic, Kingsport; Dec. 14—St. Elizabeth, Elizabethton; Dec. 15—St. Mary, Johnson City; Dec. 16—Notre Dame, Greeneville; Dec. 17— St. Henry, Rogersville; Dec. 18—St. Anthony of Padua, Mountain City Chattanooga Deanery 7 p.m. EST, except as noted. Nov. 30—Holy Spirit, SoddyDaisy; Dec. 1—St. Augustine, Signal Mountain; Dec. 3—Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Chattanooga; Dec.6—St. Catherine Labouré, Copperhill, 6 p.m.;

Dec. 9—Sts. Peter and Paul, Chattanooga, 5:30 p.m.; Our Lady of Lourdes, South Pittsburg, 6:30 p.m. CST; St. Bridget, Dayton, 6:30 p.m.; Dec. 10—St. Jude, Chattanooga; Dec.14—Shepherd of the Valley, Dunlap, 6:30 p.m. CST; St. Mary, Athens; Dec. 15—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Cleveland; Dec. 17—St. Stephen, Chattanooga

at St. Joseph; Dec. 10—Our Lady of Perpetual Help, LaFollette; Dec. 13—Christ the King, Tazewell, 1 p.m.; Dec. 14—All Saints, Knoxville; Dec. 15—St. Francis of Assisi, Fairfield Glade, 6 p.m. CST; Dec. 16— St. Christopher, Jamestown, 6 p.m. CST; Dec. 21—St. Ann, Lancing

Cumberland Mountain Deanery 7 p.m. EST, except as noted. Nov. 30—St. John Neumann, Farragut; Dec. 1—Knoxville Catholic High School, 10:30 a.m.; St. Alphonsus, Crossville, 6 p.m. CST; Dec. 2—KCHS, 10:30 a.m.; St. Thomas the Apostle, Lenoir City; Dec. 3—St. Mary, Oak Ridge; Dec. 9—Blessed Sacrament, Harriman; St. Therese, Clinton, and St. Joseph, Norris,

Smoky Mountain Deanery 7 p.m. Dec. 2—Holy Cross, Pigeon Forge; Dec. 7—John XXIII, Knoxville; Dec. 10—Our Lady of Fatima, Alcoa, and St. Francis of Assisi, Townsend, at Our Lady of Fatima; Dec. 13— Holy Ghost, Knoxville, and Immaculate Conception, Knoxville, at St. Joseph School; Dec. 14—St. Albert the Great, Knoxville; Dec. 15—Sacred Heart Cathedral, Knoxville; Dec. 16—Holy Family, Seymour, and St. Joseph the Worker, Madisonville ■

Bishops continued from page 2

counseling would fall to therapists—“dedicated to their clients and skilled in examining the dynamics of human personality but without consideration of the influence of God’s grace.” Also, without ordained priests “the church would be deprived of the Eucharist, and her worship would be centered only on praise and thanksgiving.” Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli of Paterson, N.J., chairman of the Committee on Divine Worship, introduced five liturgical-translation items for formal consideration. The translations of the Proper of the Saints, the Roman Missal Supplement, commons, U.S. propers, and U.S. adaptations to the Roman Missal were to be put to a vote Nov. 17. The bishops also heard preliminary presentations on a pastoral letter on marriage, a statement on reproductive technology, and revisions to ethical and religious directives for Catholic health-care faciliTHE E A S T TE NNE S S E E CATHOLIC

ties that would clarify that patients with chronic conditions who are not imminently dying should receive food and water by “medically assisted” means if they cannot take them normally. Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York delivered a report on the activities of Catholic Relief Services. He praised CRS, the U.S. bishops’ overseas relief and development agency, for its “lifesaving work.” The bishops voted on members of the board of directors of both CRS and the Catholic Legal Immigration Network; the results were not immediately available. On the second day of their meeting the bishops were to vote on the Roman Missal items as well as the marriage pastoral, revisions to the ethical and religious directives, and the document on reproductive technology, “Life-Giving Love in an Age of Technology.” They were also scheduled to

vote on a plan titled “Deepen Faith, Nurture Hope, Celebrate Life,” a series of “strategy and operational plans” for its offices and departments for the next two years, a proposed budget for 2010, and the diocesan assessment for 2011. The bishops also were slated to hear a report on the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, a preliminary report from the bishops’ Committee for Protection of Children and Young People on the causes and context study on clergy sexual abuse of minors conducted by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and a report by the National Religious Vocation Conference on a recent study of religious vocations. ■

bishop’s

CORNER

Father David Boettner named episcopal vicar by Bishop Stika ishop Richard F. Stika announced that he has named Father David Boettner episcopal vicar for the diocese. An episcopal vicar has the faculties to administer the sacrament of confirmation and to sign marriage dispensation and permission forms. The appointment was effective Nov. 15. ■

Father David Boettner

Monsignor continued from page 1

nounced. His parishioners reacted “with a real sense of joy” to his honor, said Monsignor Humbrecht, who twice has served as diocesan administrator and is the third priest to become a Prelate of Honor in the 21-year history of the diocese. Bishops submit to the Vatican the names of priests they wish to nominate as monsignors. Monsignor Humbrecht said he has “a sense of gratitude to the bishop just for thinking about that and a hope that I can live up to the image of the monsignors that I have known in my life.” Those include Monsignors Joseph A. Siener of Holy Name Parish in Nashville, George W. Rohling, and Leo C. Siener. “Monsignor Joe Siener, who gave me my first Communion, was pastor in the parish grade school when I was growing up and then vested me at my ordination,” said Monsignor Humbrecht. “Monsignor George Rohling knew me from the time I was a baby. He flew to the seminary in D.C. to vest me for my deacon ordination. “Monsignor Leo Siener hired me seven of the summers I was a seminarian to work at Catholic Charities because I had an interest in social work, and he really gave me an opportunity to see all of that firsthand and to see how he carried out social justice through his work at Catholic Charities.” The Sacred Heart pastor joins Monsignor Xavier Mankel of Holy Ghost in Knoxville and retired priest Monsignor Philip Thoni as a Prelate of Honor in the diocese. He called his fellow monsignors “two very exceptional priests.” The vestments that go with his honor should arrive by Dec. 15, said Monsignor Humbrecht. “It’s a distinctive cassock,” he said. “There are two different ones. One is referred to as the house cassock, and the other’s a choir cassock.” Monsignor Humbrecht was born in Nashville to Thomas Allen Humbrecht Sr. and Effie Marie Frensley Humbrecht. He attended Holy Name School and Father Ryan High School. He studied at St. Pius X Seminary in Erlanger, Ky., and at Theological College at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he was ordained a deacon by Bishop John S. Spence on April 2, 1971. Bishop Joseph A. Durick of Nashville ordained him to the priesthood on May 6, 1972, at St. Henry Church in Nashville. His first assignment as a priest was at Sacred Heart Church in 1972, 16 years before it became the cathedral parish upon the creation of the Diocese of Knoxville. In the mid-1970s he became campus minister at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, a role he served in for more than two decades. From 1973 to 1981 he also served as associate pastor at St. Jude in Chattanooga and as administrator at St. Augustine in Signal Mountain and St. Bridget in Dayton. By the early 1980s he had also served at both Knoxville Catholic High School and Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga. At NDHS he was a teacher and by 1979 was an assistant principal. He became a pastor for the first time at St. Augustine in 1981 and remained there six years. Monsignor Humbrecht has served two of the diocese’s biggest parishes for the last 22 years. He was pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Chattanooga from 1987 to 1997. In his final year at OLPH, the parish honored him on his silver jubilee as a priest. He became the fifth pastor of Sacred Heart Cathedral in 1997. He served as dean of the Chattanooga Deanery while at OLPH and has served since 2000 as dean of the Smoky Mountain Deanery. The College of Consultors elected him diocesan administrator in January 1999, and he led the church in East Tennessee for most of that calendar year before the installation of Bishop Joseph E. Kurtz in December. When Bishop Kurtz became archbishop of Louisville, the consultors met in August 2007 and again chose Monsignor Humbrecht to be administrator. In second turn at that post, he served 19 months until the installation of Bishop Stika this March. ■

www.dioceseofk noxville.org

NOVEMBER 22, 2009

■

BY TONI PACITTI

■ Catholic Charities will sponsor a bake sale after all Masses on the weekend of Nov. 21 and 22 to provide emergency assistance for families in financial difficulty. For more information, call 423-267-1297. ■ The Interfaith Hospitality Network needs OLPH volunteers to host, provide meals, greet, and sponsor activities for families Sunday, Dec. 27, through Sunday, Jan. 3. Call Lisa Kosky at 877-5982 or Anne Wells at 706-937-6953 to volunteer, or sign up on the poster in Holy Family Hall.

St. Augustine, Signal Mountain ■ Knights of Columbus Council 14521 is selling Adventures in Dining books to benefit various charities. Cost is $30 per book. Call Larry Chapman at 423-886-6972 or Jim Shaughnessy at 886-3865. ■ A bake sale to benefit Catholic Charities will be held after weekend Masses on Nov. 21 and Nov. 22. Call Betty Fassnacht at 886-3183 for more information. ■ The parish, as part of its partnership with Signal Mountain Social Services, is donating canned fruit each month to The Food Pantry. Cans may be placed in the grocery cart near the fellowship hall. Call Mary Lee at 8865982 or Leslie Culp at 886-0019.

St. Catherine Labouré, Copperhill ■ The parish will sponsor its first

Christkindl Market on Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 4 and 5, to support the Divine Mercy Society. Christmas crafts handmade by women of the parish, as well as hot dogs, sausages, meat pies, cookies, cake, and dessert, will be available. Volunteers are needed. ■ Newcomers: Norman and Mary Frances Arman; Margaret Mary Meyers

St. Jude, Chattanooga ■ A parish Advent ham dinner will begin at 6 p.m. with a ceremony of light Thursday, Dec. 3, in Siener Hall. Tickets will be sold after weekend Masses on Nov. 21 and 22 and Nov. 28 and 29. Cost is $5 per adult and $2.50 for children 3 to 12 (free for children under 3), with a $15 family maximum. Tickets will not be sold at the door. Call Gail Campbell at 423-8431858, Barbara DeGaetano at 8428589, or Judy Smith at 842-1483. ■ Wesley Blanton and Chris Muzyn achieved the rank of Eagle Scout from Troop 172.

St. Stephen, Chattanooga ■ The St. Joseph Family Guild, a new parish ministry, will host a potluck supper from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. Families are asked to bring a side dish. Advent crafts will be available for children. Call Paty Lozano at 423-892-2957 or Anna Anthony at 648-4535. ■ The parish Christmas dinner will take place after the 5:30 p.m. Mass on Saturday, Dec. 12, in the church hall. All parishioners are invited to attend. Members of Knights of Columbus Council 6099 will cook the meal, and Santa Claus will visit. RSVP to the parish office at 892-1261.

Sts. Peter and Paul, Chattanooga ■ Catholic Charities’ annual bake sale will follow weekend Masses on Nov. 21 and 22. ■ The parish Christmas dinner will be held at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. Cumberland Mountain Deanery

All Saints, Knoxville ■ The Senior Kids are sponsoring a Thanksgiving dinner at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, in the parish hall. All those 55 and older are welcome to attend. Choir member Jim Bonomo’s barbershop quartet will provide entertainment. Call Carol Henke at 865-6904057 by Nov. 18 to make reservations. ■ Coupons for Papa John’s Pizza and Bruster’s Ice Cream will be sold at the Harvest of Blessings on Nov. 21 and 22 to benefit the Columbus Home Kids Walk next year. Individuals, families, groups, and businesses are needed as sponsors. Cost of sponsorship is $250. The 2010 Kids Walk will be held May 16. ■ Dec. 5 and 6 will be a farewell weekend for Father Ragan Schriver, Catholic Charities’ executive director, who has been in residence at All

■

NOVEMBER 22, 2009

COURTESY OF LANA JO SMITH

OLPH, Chattanooga

Saints for many years. A reception will be held for him after the 11:45 a.m. Mass on Dec. 6. Father Schriver was recently appointed pastor of Holy Family in Seymour.

Blessed Sacrament, Harriman ■ The Council of Catholic Women is

seeking donations of travel-sized toiletries and other items for parishioners who are in nursing homes or homebound. Leave donations on the pew in the library. ■ A healing Mass will be celebrated, with anointing of the sick, at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4. Adoration will follow and conclude with benediction at 7:30. ■ The CCW will sell memorial poinsettias for $10 to decorate the altar during the Christmas season. Place donations in the collection basket with the name or names of those to be remembered.

St. Dominic parishioners support Life Chain The annual Life Chain to honor Pro-Life Sunday was held Oct. 4 at Hope House Center for Women in Kingsport. Ten churches participated, with 68 people taking part, including 28 from St. Dominic Parish in Kingsport. Two pastors were present as well. Father Mike Nolan (standing, sixth from right), pastor of St. Dominic, led the opening prayer.

St. Francis of Assisi, Fairfield Glade ■ A welcoming breakfast for new

parishioners will be served after the 10 a.m. Mass on Sunday, Nov. 22, in the social hall. Call Mary Lou Wiskow at 931-456-8486 to make reservations. ■ The next men’s prayer breakfast will be held at 8:45 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, in the conference room. Call Charlie Baumbusch at 484-1794. ■ The annual Council of Catholic Women Christmas luncheon will take place at noon Wednesday, Dec. 9, at the Legends at Druid Hills. Doors open at 11 a.m. Sign-ups will be held after weekend Masses on Nov. 21 and 22 and Nov. 28 and 29. Cost is $13. Paid reservations must be submitted by Saturday, Dec. 12. Bring a mediumsized stuffed animal for the Knights of Columbus to distribute at the Hilltoppers Christmas party. ■ Anniversaries: Darius and JoAnn Bielicki (50), Eugene and Janet Standaert (45), Dave and Mary Ann Golden (40), David and Elizabeth Hixson (30)

COURTESY OF IRV HARMON

Chattanooga Deanery

Father Harvey blesses pets at St. Alphonsus St. Alphonsus Parish in Crossville held its annual pet blessing Oct. 3. A large number of people and their pets—including dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, and gerbils—participated in the rite, conducted by Father Jim Harvey, the pastor. After the blessing the Knights of Columbus served refreshments.

St. John Neumann, Farragut ■ Terra-cotta memory tiles bearing

the image of the new church are available for a donation of $125 to cover the cost of production and help reduce the building debt. A tax-deductible gift credit of $100 is included. Call the parish office at 865-966-4540 or e-mail sjnmemorytile@tds.net.

COURTESY OF ROSEANN STRAZINSKY

NOTES

St. Mary, Oak Ridge ■ The necrology of deceased

Knights of Columbus and family members was read at a memorial Mass on Nov. 12. ■ The Girl Scouts of St. Mary School sponsored a father–daughter costume ball Nov. 7.

St. Thomas the Apostle, Lenoir City ■ The Knights of Columbus will sell

Christmas cards after all weekend Masses on Nov. 21 and 22 and Nov. 28 and 29 in the family-life center. English and Spanish cards will be available. Proceeds will benefit Loudon County charities. ■ Baptisms: Yeily Dayami Saucedo Cano, daughter of Arnoldo and Vidalia; Rihanna Amelia Carrillo Cifuentes, daughter of Elder and Amelia; Karla Tinoco Frutos, daughter of Sergio and Maria; Omar Garcia, son of Rodolfo and Maria; Alina Michele Lewis, daughter of Michael and Lucero; Jazmine Salinas Lozano, daughter of Lorenzo and Vianey; Alex Muñoz Mejia, son of Juan and Hortencia; Lillian Grace Mincey, daughter of Tim and Mary Kathleen; Yessica Joana Cano Velasquez, daughter of Ovidio and Reyna; Brian Villegas, son of Jose and Veronica ■ Newcomers: Agustin and Mayra Aranda and son Matthew; Brian and Linda Riley

Prayer group for men meets at Fairfield Glade parish The men’s prayer group of St. Francis of Assisi in Fairfield Glade meets on first and third Saturdays for prayer, breakfast, and fellowship. From left are group members Frank Zingheim, Frank Petelle, Larry Peterson, John Emery, Deacon Mark Fredrick, Jim Marentette, Bill O’Brien, John Flanagan, Nick Herrick, Steve Strazinsky, and Charles Baumbusch. The meetings are not a scholarly Bible study but a series of lessons focused on issues of concern to men in their everyday lives. Scripture and various church documents are drawn upon to help clarify the issues. Lesson plans are covered in a one-hour session, and in the closing prayers participants present their needs. Meetings are held at 7:30 a.m. in the meditation room in the Sheehan parish hall, or at 8:45 if there is morning Mass. The meetings are free, and materials will be provided. For more information, call Charles Baumbusch at 931-484-1794.

COURTESY OF FATHER PETER IORIO

parish

A farewell to Ana Parishioners of St. Thérèse of Lisieux in Cleveland celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving and blessing recently for Ana Giraldo, the parish bookkeeper, who is moving to Kentucky. The pastor, Father Peter Iorio (right), celebrated with former pastor Father P. J. McGinnity (left) and former associate pastor Father Antonio Giraldo. Pictured with Ana and the priests is her nephew and godson, David Giraldo.

Five Rivers Deanery

Holy Trinity, Jefferson City

Notre Dame Parish hosting annual Madrigal Dinner

■ Parishioners are invited to choose

from a list of selected gifts in the narthex to place in the box next to the empty manger during Advent. ■ A rosary for veterans was led by Lee Webster and David Cornell on Nov. 7 and by Dick Zyla and Jack Elsaesser on Nov. 8. ■ Baptism: Connor Michael Sexton, son of Stephen and Carla Sexton ■ Newcomers: Edward and Marie Milkovich

Notre Dame, Greeneville ■ The parish will host a holiday dinner Parish notes continued on page 7

he annual Madrigal Dinner at Notre Dame Church in Greeneville will have three performances this year, nightly from Thursday, Dec. 3, through Saturday, Dec. 5. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and dinner will be served at 7. The event benefits the parish building fund. Visitors can welcome the madrigal’s king and queen, along with their 16-member court in period costume, before a traditional wassail toast, and listen to songs ac-

www.dioceseofk noxville.org

companied by a harpsichord, flute, and hand cymbals. A fivecourse meal will be served by the “wench staff.” Jugglers, dancers, and a magician and his assistant will perform. Tickets are now on sale for $25 each at Notre Dame, and they may also be purchased by calling Susan Collins at the parish office at 423-639-9382. Ages are 12 and up only. Seating is limited each night, and no tickets will be sold at the door. ■ THE E A S T TE NNE S S E E CATHOLI C

An Advent Day of Reflection for the Chattanooga Deanery will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga. Father Bob Hofstetter will be the principal celebrant and retreat director, and Deacon Gary Brinkworth will be the co-leader of the retreat. The theme for the day is “Every Day Is an Advent Day: The Gift Given Is the Gift Received.” Activities will include Mass, breakfast, a lecture, group discussion, individual reflection, and reconciliation. Registration is required by Wednesday, Dec. 2. Call 423-892-1261 or e-mail catholicstephen@comcast.net to register. Contact Anna Anthony at 6484535, 892-1261, or acanthony@ comcast.net for more information. Father John Orr, associate pastor at Holy Ghost in Knoxville, will present a talk on St. Louis Marie de Montfort’s True Devotion to Our Lady at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, in Father Henkel Hall at Holy Ghost after the 6 p.m. holy-day Mass. Refreshments will be served. The talk is sponsored by the Holy Ghost Legion of Mary. The Ladies of Charity of Knoxville will host the annual Bishop’s Tea from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at the Chancery. Proceeds will buy kerosene for those in need. Admission is a donation to the fund; no minimum donation is required. Last year’s event raised more than $9,000 and provided kerosene to almost 400 people. The Ladies of Charity of Chattanooga Christmas Angel Project is seeking financial support for its annual ministry, which helped more than 200 people last year. Mail donations to Ladies of Charity, Christmas Fund, 2821 Rossville Blvd., Chattanooga, TN 37407 by Sunday, Dec. 6. A Knoxville Catholic High School admissions placement test for incoming freshmen (current eighth-graders) will be given at 8 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12. Cost is $25, payable at the time of the test. Contact Barrie Smith at 865-5600502 or bsmith@knoxvillecatholic.com to reserve a place. St. Jude School in Chattanooga has application packets for the 2010-11 school year available. Call admissions director Nancy Byrne at 423-877-6022 for more information. Sacred Heart Cathedral School will host an information night for prospective parents and students at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, in the library. Parents may tour classrooms, meet teachers and principal Sedonna Prater, and learn about the admissions process. Free child care for ages 2 and older will be provided. Contact admissions director Jere Doherty at 865558-4136 or dohertyj@shcschool.org, or visit shcschool.org. The Rosary Ministry at St. Alphonsus Parish in Crossville is collecting surplus, unwanted, or broken rosaries for the Diocese of Fort Portal, Uganda, where there is a great need and an even greater shortage of rosaries (Sept. 6 ETC). In December Father Adolf Busobozi, a priest currently studying in the United States, will be visiting his family in Uganda and will take donated rosaries. Send rosaries to Rosary Ministry, c/o Katie McLaird, 63 Cow Pen Road, Crossville, TN 38571, or place them in the box in the entrance to St. Alphonsus. The Society of Friendly Fellows was re-established Oct. 25, 2008, and recently held its one-year anniversary party in Knoxville. Proceeds from the society’s book, Daily Thoughts for Friendly Fellows, have provided $1,111.41 for the National Parkinson Foundation. The society has recently added “Seek the Good” awareness wristbands, sales of which will also benefit the foundation. Author Ellen Hubrig will be signing Daily Thoughts books at Coldwell Banker’s open house on Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, and at LifeWay Christian Bookstores in Farragut from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. The diocesan Office of Marriage Preparation and Enrichment is starting THE E A S T TE NNE S S E E CATHOLI C

an East Tennessee Retrouvaille CORE (Continuing Our Retrouvaille Experience) community. Those who have attended a Retrouvaille program in the past and would like to join a CORE group should contact Kelly or Heather Neuner at 423-839-1408 or help4marriage@gmail.com. The first CORE meeting will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, in the parish center at St. Patrick Church in Morristown. Future CORE meetings will be held on third Saturdays. The Retrouvaille program offers tools needed to rediscover a loving marriage relationship. For more information, visit help ourmarriage.com. Married couples are invited to attend a free introductory session for the Creighton Model System, a method of monitoring a couple’s fertility, following the noon Mass on Sunday, Dec. 6, at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church in Cleveland. The natural-family-planning method assists couples in achieving or avoiding pregnancy, assists couples who have previously experienced infertility, and helps identify underlying health issues. To RSVP or learn more, contact Judi Phillips at 423-892-4668 or jphillips-nfp@hotmail.com. A “Community for Discernment” meets monthly at the Lakeview Center for Spiritual Formation in Knoxville and will accept new members in January. Through small-group sharing, participants, assisted by an experienced facilitator, focus on discerning and articulating God’s presence in their daily life. Call Barbara Haning at 865-6710766 or 588-9194 for more information. Knights of Columbus Council 3175 will host the James Rogers Christmas show, with a “Salute to Our Heroes” theme, at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, at the High Places Church at the Grove (formerly the Grove Theater) at 123 Randolph Road in Oak Ridge. Tickets are $20, and all proceeds support Knights’ group homes in Tennessee and local agencies that aid the mentally challenged in Anderson and Roane counties. To buy tickets, send a check made out to “Knights of Columbus” and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Bill Olka, 114 Parsons Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. For more information, call 865-483-1564. Any Knights council in the diocese that wishes to participate in the fundraiser and earn money toward its donation to the MR Foundation should call Mr. Olka for information. Holy Ghost Parish in Knoxville is asking for donations of toys for an annual collection benefiting the Crazy Quilt Friendship Center, a ministry of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee. Crazy Quilt provides food and offers a number of services to low-income families in Newcomb, which is near Jellico in northern Campbell County. New and good-condition used toys are needed, especially toys for boys and girls ages 10 through 12. Toys may be dropped off at the Holy Ghost Church rectory or St. Joseph School in Knoxville. The deadline is Friday, Dec. 4. Call Merilee Kerwin at 865-297-2558. The Serra Club of Knoxville is sponsoring an essay contest for grade school children, offered in memory of Serrans Paul and Katherine Murphy. The theme is “A Year for Priests.” Winning essays will be selected from two divisions: one for third, fourth, and fifth grades, with a maximum length of 150 words, and one for sixth- through eighth-graders, with a maximum length of 300 words. Winners will be announced during vocations week in January. Prizes will be awarded at the January Serra Club meeting. First-place finishers in each division will receive $50 and a plaque, and runners-up will be awarded $25 and a plaque. Submit essays to Catholic school teachers or CCD teachers. A parent must sign the entries of homeschooled students. Essays, with the entrant’s name, grade, address, and telephone number on the first page, should be mailed to Colette Seitz, 3630 S. Creek Road, Knoxville, TN 37920. Deadline for entries is Monday, Nov. 30. The Serra Club of Knoxville meets on second and fourth Thursdays in the Calendar continued on page 9

COURTESY OF GAYLE SCHOENBORN

BY TONI PACITTI

Notre Dame students with the Life Care award pose with Jenny Rittgers (right), the school’s 2008-09 service coordinator. From left are (front) Jill Stone, Kelly Brown, Cay Hendrickson, and Dylan San Miguel and (back) Tony Schmidt, Sarah Anderson, Alexie McIntyre, Christopher DeBarge, and Sean Sullivan. HONORED FOR SERVICE

NDHS receives Life Care Center national award otre Dame High School in Chattanooga received Life Care Centers of America’s Group Volunteer Award on Sept. 21 for its students’ service at Life Care Center of East Ridge, a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility. The presentation was made during the company’s annual management meeting awards dinner in Cleveland. Students from Notre Dame have been involved with the facility for several years, helping with everything from passing

tionally,” said Christian McDonald, activities director at Life Care Center of East Ridge. “They help our residents realize their own potential by helping them see they still have a lot to contribute to society and that people love and depend on them.” The students not only help with established programs as needed at the center but have also taken the initiative to talk to their English teachers about starting a new project—writing life stories of local nursing-home residents. ■

out snacks and pushing residents’ wheelchairs on outings to spending one-on-one time getting to know the residents. The high-schoolers have taught residents to play handheld versions of favorite games such as Monopoly, Jeopardy, and Wheel of Fortune. Many continue their visits with residents after finishing school; one recently returned to the facility to share pictures from his graduation trip. “The students help support our residents mentally, physically, spiritually, and emo-

Ladies of Charity gift boutique set for Nov. 20-21 he Ladies of Charity of Knoxville will hold their 10th annual Holiday Gift Boutique from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, in the Sacred Heart Cathedral School gymnasium. Twenty-six local vendors and artisans will sell crafts, pottery, jewelry, gourmet foods, stationery, fine art, and other gifts. The event will benefit the Ladies’ Thrift Shop and emergencyassistance fund. For more information, call 865-5240538. ■

Knights donate $1,384 to center Knights of Columbus Holy Spirit Council 14079 in Soddy-Daisy recently awarded the Orange Grove Center of Chattanooga a check for $1,384 to be used in its work with the mentally challenged. The money was raised through the council’s work with the MR (Tootsie Roll) Drive for the mentally challenged. Pictured are (from left) Kyle Hauth, executive director of the Orange Grove Center; Ed Szelengiewicz, council Grand Knight; and Jerry Young, past Grand Knight. Not pictured is MR Drive chairman John Helton.

COURTESY OF CLAUDE HARDISON

CALENDAR

COURTESY OF JERRY YOUNG

on the

Cleveland Knights complete $50,000 GIFT contribution Knights of Columbus Council 4572 at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish in Cleveland recently made a $10,000 donation to the diocesan Growing in Faith Together capital campaign, which represented the council’s final contribution in fulfillment of its pledge of $50,000 over five years. Funds were raised through various activities supported by the parish and the Cleveland and Bradley County communities, including the Knights’ annual golf tournament in the spring, Labor Day and Super Bowl weekend barbecue roasts, and parking and valet services. Over the past 10 years the council has contributed $100,000 to St. Thérèse and to the diocese. Above (from left), Grand Knight Lenny Peterson makes the presentation to associate pastor Father Michael Maples and pastor Father Peter Iorio.

www.dioceseofk noxville.org

NOVEMBER 22, 2009

■

CARMELA BRANDO

Carmela “Millie” Brando of Roscoe, N.Y., mother of retired priest Father Joe Brando of the Diocese of Knoxville, died Sunday, Nov. 8, at Achieve Rehab and Nursing Facility in Liberty, N.Y. She was 89. Mrs. Brando was the daughter of the late Ercole and Immaculata Santurro. She was born Nov. 17, 1919, in Brooklyn, N.Y. After moving to Buck Brook, she became an employee of Sullivan’s of Liberty, retiring at age 75. In her retirement, Mrs. Brando enjoyed traveling to foreign destinations and visiting her children. She was an accomplished seamstress, and wherever she went, her knitting was by her side.

She was the widow of Joseph Brando and was also preceded in death by two sons, John and Thomas; a daughter, Camille; and a sister, Lee Santurro. Additional survivors include son Peter Brando of Woodbourne, N.Y., and daughter Mary and husband Mark Mahoney of Hamburg, N.Y.; two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a sister, Anna Moretti, of New York; a brother, John Santurro, of Staten Island, N.Y.; and a sister, Viola Isabella, of Brooklyn. The funeral Mass was held Monday, Nov. 16, at St. Mary Church in Obernburg, N.Y., with Father Brando officiating. Interment followed in St. Mary Cemetery, Obernburg. ■

MARY C. WEAVER

Deaths

Bless me, Father Newly ordained Father Christopher Riehl (right) gives Bishop Richard F. Stika a blessing during the former’s ordination Mass, held Nov. 14 at Sacred Heart Cathedral. At left is master of ceremonies Father Tony Dickerson. Father Riehl’s first assignment will be assisting at Immaculate Conception Church in Knoxville, which is currently minus an associate pastor. Full coverage of the ordination will appear in the next edition.

■

NOVEMBER 22, 2009

MARY C. WEAVER

A gift from St. Louis Bishop Richard F. Stika blesses a statue of St. Joseph holding the Christ Child on Nov. 3. The statue, installed behind the Chancery office, was a gift from the Archdiocese of St. Louis to commemorate Bishop Stika’s episcopal ordination. Also seen above are (from left) Deacon Sean Smith, diocesan chancellor; Shelby McMillan, longtime Chancery receptionist; Brian Niebrugge, director of the Annual Catholic Appeal for the Archdiocese of St. Louis; and Father David Boettner, moderator of the curia for the Knoxville Diocese.

Studying for the priesthood Bishop Richard F. Stika poses with Diocese of Knoxville seminarians (from left) Christopher Manning, Scott Russell, Michael Hendershott, Michael Poston, Jeff Emitt, Adam Kane, Anthony Budnick, Dustin Collins, and Doug Owens. The men were photographed after Father Christopher Riehl’s ordination Mass on Nov. 14 at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Mr. Budnick and Mr. Emitt are students at Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wis.; Mr. Collins, Mr. Kane, and Mr. Russell are studying at St. Meinrad School of Theology in St. Meinrad, Ind.; Mr. Hendershott, Mr. Owens, and Mr. Poston attend St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pa.; and Mr. Manning is a student at Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Ill.

DAN MCWILLIAMS

sociation, called the bill historic and said it “brings our nation closer to ensuring quality, affordable health care for everyone and to reversing the injustice of millions of un- and underinsured women, men and children.” Her statement said the CHA believes the legislation “is consistent with the values and principles set forth nearly two years ago in ‘Our Vision for U.S. Health Care’—principles that define the essentials in the critical areas of respect for the life and dignity of all persons; quality, fair financing; and patient-centered care that is available and accessible to all.” “There is no perfect bill, nor will there be, but the leaders in the House of Representatives have crafted a good health-reform bill that gets this nation a step closer to the health-care system the American people deserve and can be proud of,” Sister Carol said. Among those lauding the role of Stupak and his coalition in passing a bill with the abortion exclusion was Kristen Day, executive director of Democrats for Life. “The House of Representatives answered the call of history today when they passed healthcare reform,” Day said. She applauded Pelosi for clearing the way for the amendment and called Stupak and Rep. Brad Ellsworth, D-Ind., “heroic.” Victoria Kovari, interim executive director of Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, hailed the bill as “a victory for all people who believe in the fundamental dignity of every human life.” “Catholics across the political spectrum speak with one voice in supporting health-care reform that promotes the common good and protects the sanctity of all human life by providing families and children with quality, affordable health care,” her statement said. Patrick Whelan, president of Catholic Democrats, said the vote signaled “a day for celebration among Catholics and all Americans who believe that life’s greatest test is how deeply we care for one another.” He encouraged other Catholics who didn’t support the bill to follow Cao’s example. “This reform represents progress in helping our nation to realize the Gospel imperative of making health and healing available to all Americans.” Whelan said: “Catholics have an innate understanding of the role universal health-care coverage will play in promoting the common good. Now is the time to build on the success of the House bill and pass legislation that codifies our belief that health care is a fundamental human right.” The National Council of La Raza, a Latino civil rights and advocacy organization, said the bill brings millions of people closer to obtaining health care coverage. Proportionally, more Latinos are uninsured than other groups of Americans, it noted, and the House legislation would make health care more affordable and accessible. However, the organization’s president, Janet Murguia, noted in a statement that the House bill “is still too tough on legal immigrants and their access to public health care.” She said the House legislation would continue a mandatory five-year bar on legal immigrants receiving publicly funded care if they need it. “To promote an equitable system for all, restrictions on legal immigrants’ access to federal aid such as Medicaid, Medicare, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program must be removed,” it said. “Furthermore, roadblocks to insurance must be eliminated by removing excessive verification requirements that raise costs, increase barriers to health care, and have been proven to harm many U.S. citizens.” ■

DAN MCWILLIAMS

Health bill continued from page 10

Benediction follows dedication of newly renovated Holy Ghost basement Bishop Richard F. Stika incenses the Blessed Sacrament during Benediction at Holy Ghost Church on Nov. 12. The bishop visited the North Knoxville church to dedicate its newly renovated basement parish hall, now named for Father Albert J. Henkel, Holy Ghost pastor from 1958 to 1996. With Bishop Stika are (from left) server Will Hunse, diocesan master of ceremonies Father Tony Dickerson, chancellor Deacon Sean Smith, and associate pastor Father John Orr. www.d ioceseofknoxville.or g

THE E A S T TE NNE S S E E CATHOL I C

catholic

FOUNDATION

BY DAN MCWILLIAMS

CFET members have ‘so much to celebrate’ The group’s annual dinner recognizes church dedications, priestly ordinations, and more. he Catholic Foundation of East Tennessee has contributed more than $2 million toward property purchases for the Diocese of Knoxville, and at the organization’s annual celebration dinner Bishop Richard F. Stika saw firsthand how CFET supports seminarians to fulfill the other half of its mission. Sophia Bridger of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Chattanooga, one of the newest CFET members, presented Bishop Stika with a $20,000 check from the foundation for the education of the diocese’s future priests. “It’s signed, it’s got lots of zeroes, and it doesn’t bounce. Thank you,” said the bishop, attending his first foundation dinner as Knoxville’s shepherd. Since the founding of the diocese in 1988, the foundation has contributed $2,028,916.20 for property purchases and $317,500 for seminarian education. This year CFET made a $65,000 property-loan payment. The 2009 dinner, held Nov. 8 at Fox Den Country Club in Farragut, celebrated the dedications of new churches at St. John Neumann in Farragut and St. Christopher in Jamestown, a parish center at St. Albert the Great in Knoxville, and the newly expanded Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in LaFollette. Properties for the latter three projects were purchased with CFET assistance. The CFET program also highlighted special events in the diocese during the Year for Priests, including the episcopal ordination of Bishop Stika and the priestly ordinations of Father Jorge Andres Cano and Father Christopher Riehl. “We have so much to celebrate here tonight,” said

THE E A S T TE NNE S S E E CATHOLI C

ec. 12 is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Masses or receptions acknowledging the feast have been scheduled throughout the diocese. They are listed in order of time, date, and location. Note that those taking place after 4 p.m. Saturday are vigil Masses for the second Sunday of Advent, not for the feast day.

DAN MCWILLIAMS

Friday, Dec. 11: 7 p.m. Athens, St. Mary Church; Dayton, St. Bridget Church; Oak Ridge, St. Mary Church; Soddy-Daisy, Holy Spirit Church; 7:30 p.m. Pigeon Forge, Holy Cross Church; 10 p.m. Chattanooga, Sts. Peter and Paul Church, St. Jude Church; 11 p.m. Farragut, St. John Neumann Church; Johnson City, St. Mary Church; Knoxville, Holy Ghost Church, Sacred Heart Cathedral

FOR FUTURE PRIESTS Sophia Bridger presents a $20,000 check on behalf of the Catholic Foundation of East Tennessee to Bishop Richard F. Stika. The money will be used for seminarian education.

Suzanne Erpenbach, diocesan director of the Stewardship and Development Office and director of the foundation. Thirteen priests, three deacons, and three Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich., were among some 80 people attending the dinner. One of the priests, Monsignor Xavier Mankel, was celebrating his birthday that day. Bishop Stika led a chorus of “Happy Birthday to You” and gave the diocese’s vicar general a piece of cake alight with three candles. Several original CFET members came as well. “We have Hazel Brimi, George and Shirley Haggard, Dr. David and Phyllis Rueff, and Bill and Tommie Lee Swain,” said Mrs. Erpenbach. “We appreciate your dedication over all these years, and you inspire us all.” Mrs. Erpenbach said the foundation supports parishes and seminarians “with a vision of the future of the church in our Diocese of

Knoxville,” even though CFET members may not personally know the people of those parishes or the future priests. “We know that our spirit and contributions enable the development of the church here in East Tennessee,” said Mrs. Erpenbach. Diocesan vocation director Father Peter Iorio was the keynote speaker at the dinner. He dedicated his remarks to the memory of Nancy Feist, who died unexpectedly in June after serving more than four years as the secretary to Bishop Joseph E. Kurtz and Bishop Stika. Father Iorio likened his position as vocation director to that of a dad. “Why? Because men starting out in the seminary are often like young children experiencing something new, and for some it’s a total change of life,” he said. Father Iorio said that “one of the most gratifying aspects Foundation continued on page 8

Retirement Fund for Religious collection set for mid-December atholic parishes in the Diocese of Knoxville will conduct the 22nd annual appeal for the Retirement Fund for Religious on Dec. 13. The collection’s theme is “Share in the Care.” In 2008 the Diocese of Knoxville contributed $52,809.20 to the collection. Many women and men religious who serve or have served in the diocese but whose institutes are headquartered elsewhere may benefit from this fund. The collection is coordinated by the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) in Washington, D.C., and assists thousands of elderly women and men religious whose communities lack adequate funding for retirement. “The collection has been the most successful campaign in the history of the church in the United States, which is testimony to the gratitude many feel for the services they have received from religious orders,” said Sister Janice Bader, a Sister of the Most Precious Blood of O’Fallon, Mo., and the executive director of NRRO. “I am continually heartened by the overwhelming generosity of Catholics to this fund each year,” she said. “Even in these difficult financial times, Catholics across the nation find a way to give back to the women and men religious who sacrificed so much for our church and our world.”

Parishes celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

The 2008 collection drew over $28.2 million. Since 1988 Catholics have donated nearly $589 million to the annual appeal. Approximately 95 percent of these donations are distributed almost immediately to support the care of senior religious. The 2008 appeal, for example, enabled the National Religious Retirement Office to distribute more than $23 million to 483 religious institutes.

These funds supplemented the day-to-day care of elder religious and helped religious institutes implement long-range retirement strategies. The NRRO also distributed close to $3 million in targeted financial assistance to support self-help projects such as collaborative health-care facilities initiated by religious institutes. ■ For more information, visit www.retiredreligious.org.

Saturday, Dec. 12: midnight Copperhill, St. Catherine Labouré Church; 5 a.m. Lenoir City, St. Thomas the Apostle Church; 5:30 a.m. Morristown, St. Patrick Church; 9 a.m. Chattanooga, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church; noon Kingsport, St. Dominic Church; 2 p.m. Mountain City, St. Anthony of Padua Church; 5 p.m. Alcoa, Our Lady Of Fatima Church; 7 p.m. Greeneville, Notre Dame Church; Knoxville, All Saints Church; Madisonville, St. Joseph the Worker Church; Morristown, St. Patrick Church; 8 p.m. Cleveland, St. Théresè Church; Dunlap, Shepherd of the Valley Church Sunday, Dec. 13: 6 p.m. Crossville, St. Alphonsus Church ■

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to honor the Army Reserve 773 Engineer Company and their families from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12. Contact Sarah Kenney at 423-623-7420 or sarak235@gmail.com to help. ■ The Knights of Columbus will sponsor a family night at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, in the parish hall. Guests are asked to bring a dessert. Prizes will be awarded for game winners. ■ The Council of Catholic Women will sponsor a craft sale following all weekend Masses on Nov. 21 and 22. ■ The CCW is taking orders for homemade apple, pecan, and pumpkin pies. All proceeds will benefit the kitchen fund for the multipurpose addition.

St. Dominic, Kingsport ■ Paperback books and magazines are being col-

lected for donation to area prisons. Categories are limited to war, westerns, mysteries, biographies, science fiction, history, inspirational, self-improvement, and devotional material. Magazines are limited to Guideposts, Reader’s Digest, and Prevention. Contact Billye Whitaker at 423-239-3199 or billyann@charter.net to make a donation. ■ Volunteers are needed to help prepare and serve meals, clean up, and donate food and money for the Kitchen of Hope on first, second, third, and fifth Tuesdays. Call Jean Helfrick at 343-7542.

St. Patrick, Morristown ■ The deadline to order a smoked turkey is Saturday, Nov. 20. Cost is $30 for an 11- to 13-pound turkey or $50 for two. See Deacon Bob Smearing for details. Smoky Mountain Deanery

Holy Cross, Pigeon Forge ■ Holy Cross finished third in the “best church”

category in The (Sevierville) Mountain Press 2009 Reader’s Choice Awards for Sevier County.

Immaculate Conception, Knoxville ■ Advent Workshop IX, in which participants will ex-

plore stories from Jesus’ genealogy through drama and crafts, will be held from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, in the parish hall. A light supper will be served from 5:30 to 6:30. Cost is $2 for adults and $1 for children. Bring a can of food for FISH, an item for the Ladies of Charity’s baby layette, or a toy for Toys for Tots. ■ The women’s group needs parishioners to ring the bells for the Salvation Army’s Kettle Program at the Earth Fare store on Kingston Pike across from Mayo Garden Center from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, and 14. Call Pat Wade at 865-539-5314 for more information.

Our Lady of Fatima, Alcoa ■ Effective Dec. 5 and 6, the parish’s weekend Mass schedule will change. The vigil Mass has been moved from 6 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and the Mass in Spanish has been moved from 1 p.m. Sundays to 7:30 p.m. Saturdays. Sunday Masses remain at 8:30 and 11 a.m.

St. Albert the Great, Knoxville ■ Christmas Giving Tree tags are available in the narthex. Parishioners may use tags to purchase a gift for a child a Columbus Home, adopt a child through the Mountain Arts Project, or adopt a senior adult at Samaritan Place. Return gifts and tags on the weekends of Dec. 5 and 6 and Dec. 12 and 13.

St. Joseph the Worker, Madisonville ■ The parish needs a full-time youth-group leader. Call Sue Mangiaracina at 423-442-7273. ■

www.dioceseofk noxville.org

NOVEMBER 22, 2009

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Vacancy open at KOC group home he Knights of Columbus have announced a vacancy in their Sutherland-Metz Group Home in Morristown. The home was established 25 years ago by Tom Sutherland and Chuck Metz of Knights’ Council 6730 in Morristown and is one of several sponsored by the MR Foundation of Tennessee Inc., the charitable arm of the Knights of Columbus. The facility is licensed by the state of Tennessee as a boarding home for 10 mildly developmentally disadvantaged adult men who require a secure, supervised home environment. Current clients range in age from 28 to 79, and two have lived at the home since it was opened. Clients are all employed by the Lakeway Achievement Center in Morristown, a sheltered workshop, and earn a biweekly paycheck. Transportation to the workshop is provided at no charge. Room and board charges are all-inclusive and based on a sliding scale, taking into consideration client income from all sources. The home is actively managed by a local board of directors, whose members are also members of Council 6730. Two residential managers live at the home and provide cooking, cleaning, and overall supervision. Applications for the current vacancy are being accepted. For more information, call Andy Vrba, board chairman, at 423-5811152 or Steve Taylor at 587-4363. ■

Scouting committee needs volunteers he Knoxville Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting (KDCCS) seeks motivated adult volunteers to work on a religious-emblems subcommittee. Volunteers are needed in the Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Johnson City areas. Volunteers must be registered Boy Scout, Girl Scout, or American Heritage Girls adult volunteers who are interested in promoting the religious-emblems program, organizing and attending the bishop’s annual awards presentations, and attending monthly KDCCS meetings as travel/distance permits. The committee also seeks volunteers for additional positions. Contact George LeCrone at lecroneg@charter.net or 865719-1548. ■

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of vocation ministry is seeing a man grow and change.” He said that CFET contributions do more than “just send someone off to college or graduate school to earn degrees.” “These men are being formed into priests to serve you, the people of God. They are becoming a new man in Christ, to live in persona Christi. As vocation director for the last seven years, I have been privileged to accompany about 20 men on their journey to priesthood. Not all have ended up getting ordained, but they have all grown in their dedication and service to Christ.” Bishop Stika followed Father Iorio to the microphone and talked about “how proud I am to be associated with the Diocese of Knoxville.” “I see the goodness in people as I travel throughout the diocese,” he said, citing church dedications, visits to Catholic schools, and other events he has taken part in throughout East Tennessee. “Doing all these different things, I just see the beauty of this diocese, which I hope you never take for granted.” The bishop urged his listeners not to be complacent. “We also want to make sure we don’t get caught in the mentality that we’re just a little diocese in East Tennessee, brand spanking new, a mission diocese. You’re not. You’re important in the church in the United States and throughout the world.” Even Pope Benedict XVI knows a little about East Tennessee, said Bishop Stika. “In February I had the opportunity to greet the Holy Father in Rome—it’s one of the perks of being a bishop—and I said, ‘Holy Father, thank you for making me the bishop in Knoxville in Tennessee.’ You know what the pope said? He said, ‘Smoky Mountains.’ He knew.” Bishop Stika challenged CFET members to continue supporting seminarians, especially since he expects to have five new seminarians annually. “I have no doubt that that can happen. I believe we can get those five seminarians every year because God doesn’t abandon his people. He would never abandon us as a new church, but if we get five more seminarians, that means five more tuitions and five more ways to support them.” The bishop encouraged foundation members to “do your role in this church.” “You can’t say it’s up to somebody else. After all, Jesus Christ calls each and every one of us to be his disciples—to be the ones who would preach in his name in a variety of different ways. “Each and every one of you is important to me in my role as the bishop—but even more than that, you are important to God as you live your Catholic faith so others will be attracted to it.” ■ 8

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NOVEMBER 22, 2009

life and

DIGNITY

BY PAUL SIMONEAU

The great evangelizer Beauty often conquers where preachers fail.

The Russian writer and philosopher Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1821-1881) once declared, “Beauty will save the world.” The question the skeptic might pose—”What is beauty?”—is hauntingly similar to Pilate’s question to Jesus—”What is truth?” (John 18:38). As St. Francis de Sales observed, “Beauty is never without truth, nor truth without beauty.” Both questions find their answer within the mystery of the Incarnation, which Pope John Paul II calls “the source of a new beauty in the history of humanity” (“Letter to Families,” No. 20). The more we learn to disappear, the more Christ can become visible— and the more his beauty radiates. It is this beauty that is the great evangelizer. G. K. Chesterton saw within the mystery of beauty “a road from the eye to the heart that does not go through the intellect.” Writing as Cardinal Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI describes this experience as being “struck by the arrow of beauty” (On the Way to Jesus Christ [Ignatius, 2005], p. 36). In wounding the soul, beauty leads us out of ourselves and “into the ecstasy of starting off toward the heights” of the transcendent (ibid, p. 40). It was this encounter with beauty that caused St. Augustine to lament, “Too late have I loved You, O Beauty so ancient, O Beauty so new: too

late have I loved You! (Confessions, Book 10, Chapter 27). But without continual reference to God’s unchanging truth, of which the church is the guardian, one can easily be persuaded instead to covet that which inflicts a mortal wound. Satan tempted Eve with the promise, “Your eyes will be opened . . . ” (Genesis 3:5). Having shaded her eyes from the light of God’s truth with Satan’s lie, Eve then saw the fruit as “good for food” and “pleasing to the eyes” (verse 6). Benedict XVI describes how easily we can turn in upon ourselves, as Eve did, when encountering the “dazzling beauty” of the “deceptive and false” unless we learn to look to Christ who “purifies our vision and helps us to see correctly” (On the Way to Jesus Christ, pp. 40, 84). With their creative talents, artists and artisans throughout the ages have mirrored the image of God as Creator and in sharing their epiphanies of beauty have helped many to ascend heights they might otherwise never have reached. But it has especially been the encounter with the beauty within the church’s rich treasury that the hearts of many converts have been won. These converts have been wounded through an encounter with the beauty of sacred architecture or art, the church’s liturgy, or by Gregorian chant, which Pope John Paul II describes as “the music of the church’s faith,” in which the beautiful is “wedded to the ‘true‘“ (“Letter to Artists,” No. 7). Sacred

icons—the Gospel in line and color—help those who contemplate their images, through a purification of vision, to a new level of seeing. But no matter one’s calling in life or one’s talents, all are “entrusted with the task of crafting their own life” and of making it “a work of art, a masterpiece” (ibid, No. 2). In calling us to holiness (cf. Leviticus 19:2; 1 Thessalonians 4:3), God calls us to be beautiful—morally and spiritually. This is the greatest blessing of the church’s rich treasury: her faithful servants and saints. When sinners, the afflicted, and the destitute encounter such disciples, they encounter the face of Christ and are wounded by the arrows of his beauty, through the saints’ loving words and actions. Justice without beauty is not justice. As prefect for the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, then-Cardinal Ratzinger shared an interesting thought on the trustworthiness of theologians who are indifferent to the transcendent beauty found in the various expressions of culture: “A theologian who does not love art, poetry, music, and nature can be dangerous. Blindness and deafness toward the beautiful are not incidental: they necessarily are reflected in his theology” (The Ratzinger Report [Ignatius, 1985], p. 130). John the Baptist, herald of the mystery of the redemption of man’s lost beauty, spoke the words that we must all make our own if beauty is to save the world: “He must increase; I must decrease” (John 3:30). Ending with my customary play on the words of Pope Paul VI, “If you want peace . . . ,” seek beauty in truth. ■ Mr. Simoneau directs the diocesan Justice and Peace Office.

God meets with his children: the nature of the liturgy BY FATHE R R ANDY S TI CE

n last month’s column (“A historical survey of the Mass in the vernacular,” Oct. 11 ETC), I introduced the two documents that are guiding the translation of the third edition of the Roman Missal: Legitimate Differences (1994) and Authentic Liturgy (2001). These documents consolidate the church’s experience and reflection on 40 years of translating the Mass into the vernacular, a brief span when viewed against the 2000 years of the church’s existence. These documents not only spell out the principles for translating liturgical texts into the vernacular but also talk about the nature of the liturgy—the Mass in particular. By listening to what they tell us about the profound meaning and mystery of the Mass, we can understand better why the church has devoted considerable time and resources to its translation into the vernacular. In short, the more we understand what is being done, the more we can appreciate how it is done and why it is important. First of all, Legiti-

mate Differences reminds us that the liturgy includes not only the Eucharist but also the other sacraments: “The whole life of the liturgy gravitates in the first place around the Eucharistic sacrifice and the other sacraments given by Christ to his church” (No. 25). The Mass is the source and summit of the liturgical life of the church, but when we speak about “the liturgy,” we are talking about more than just the Mass. Legitimate Differences also gives us a concise summary of the liturgy: “the liturgy is always the celebration of the paschal mystery of Christ, the glorification of God the Father and the sanctification of mankind by the power of the Holy Spirit” (No. 24). This summary teaches us four things. First, the liturgy always celebrates and draws its power from the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ. Second, in the liturgy we praise and glorify God for his goodness to us in Christ. Third, in the liturgy the Holy Spirit changes us, causing us to grow in holiness. And fourth, the liturgy is always Trini-

www.dioceseofk noxville.org

tarian—the Father communicating to us the fruits of Christ’s sacrifice through the Holy Spirit. This summary also emphasizes the twofold movement of the liturgy: it is a dialogue, an exchange, between the Trinity and the people of God. In the liturgy, especially in the Mass, “God speaks continually with the Spouse of his beloved Son, [and] the Holy Spirit leads the Christian faithful into all truth and causes the word of Christ to dwell abundantly within them.” In response to the voice and action of the Trinity, the Church as the bride of Christ “offers the prayers of all the faithful to God, through Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit.” As she does this, “the Church perpetuates and transmits all that she herself is and all that she believes” (Authentic Liturgy, No. 19). Each time we participate in the Mass, we enter into profound and intimate communion with the Trinity. Therefore, the language of the liturgy “must always express, along with the truths of the faith, the grandeur and ho-

liness of the mysteries which are being celebrated” (Legitimate Differences, No. 39): the majesty and holiness of God, and the mystery of our salvation and sanctification. This is why Legitimate Differences says that “the church has the duty to transmit” these mysteries “carefully and faithfully to every generation” (No. 25). In the Mass “worthy worship is offered to God the Most High” (Authentic Liturgy, No. 3). At the same time, it is “an abundant source of graces and a means for [our] own continual formation in the Christian mystery” (Authentic Liturgy, No. 1). With so much at stake, we can understand why the church is taking such care in translating the Mass into English. In my next column I’ll discuss the relationship between the “rule of prayer” (lex orandi) and the “rule of faith” (lex credendi) as it applies to the new missal. ■ Read Legitimate Differences online at bit.ly/1qSFxa. Read Authentic Liturgy online at bit.ly/4cuyRb. Father Stice is director of the diocesan Worship and Liturgy Office.

THE E A S T TE NNE S S E E CATHOLI C

in our

PARISHES

from the

BY DAN MCWILLIAMS

Notre Dame breaks ground on expansion Bishop Stika visits Greeneville to help the parish launch phase one of a building project. arishioners who attended the groundbreaking of Notre Dame Church in 1955 joined Bishop Richard F. Stika for a similar ceremony Oct. 30 as the Greeneville parish begins a multiphase expansion project. The bishop and Notre Dame pastor Father John Appiah helped break ground for a new extension to the church that will provide much more space for religious education, as well as an expanded narthex. Construction workers had already begun preparing the front lawn of the church for the project. “We’re going to help you guys out now,” the bishop shouted to the workers, who turned off their equipment until the groundbreaking ended. Bishop Stika noted the work in progress as he drove in to Notre Dame for a Mass before the ceremony outdoors. “We’ve gathered here for a groundbreaking, but it seems like the ground is already broken,” he said. Also at the Mass and groundbreaking were retired priest Father Bill Casey of Greeneville, Deacon Chris Riehl, and diocesan chancellor Deacon Sean Smith. Project architect Colleen Riordan and Thom Haueptle represented Johnson Architecture of Knoxville. Ron Ailey of Burke-Ailey Construction in Morristown and building-committee

DAN MCWILLIAMS (2)

Singing at the Mass before Notre Dame’s groundbreaking are (from left) Deacon Sean Smith, Bishop Richard F. Stika, Notre Dame pastor Father John Appiah, and Father Bill Casey. CLERGY QUARTET

chair Bud Noe also grabbed a hard hat and a shovel for the ceremony. In his homily, speaking seven months after his episcopal ordination, Bishop Stika said that “having to wear this hat” is not what he likes most about being a bishop. “It’s doing something like this: celebrating with a parish community its past but especially its future, and it’s a good way to celebrate,” he said. The bishop compared Notre Dame’s dream with that of Blessed André Bessette, CSC, whose devotion to St. Joseph led him to build what became the largest church in the world dedicated to him: St. Joseph Oratory in Montreal. “Today we celebrate that for this parish. We celebrate the dream of moving forward . . . Think about how this building, the extension of this sacred space, will touch the lives of

your children and your children’s children and all those people who will be privileged and lucky enough to move to this fine community. “I congratulate you, and I’m glad I’m here on this day to celebrate this very special moment. This parish for a number of years now has dreamed about the moment in which we begin to dig a hole and then allow that hole to blossom and grow because of the nurturing of your prayers and of the destiny of this parish.” Before the groundbreaking, the bishop said that “we ask the Lord’s blessing on this project and upon those who will work here, that they might be safe, and upon those who will come in these doors, that they might know hospitality through the intercession of the Blessed Mother.” The first phase of the project will cost $1.26 million, said Father Appiah. Even-

Bishop Stika speaks to Notre Dame parishioners during the groundbreaking ceremony Oct. 30. In the foreground at right is server Anikka Michaud. Behind the bishop are (from left) Father Casey, Thom Haueptle and Colleen Riordan of Johnson Architecture, and Father Appiah.

tually, Notre Dame— which has some 440 families—plans to build a parish hall and to expand the church, he said. Parishioners through the Growing in Faith Together capital campaign and “generous benefactors” are providing the funds, said Father Appiah. Even a few people outside the parish have helped, he said. “Some people have come in and said, ‘We hear what you are doing. Here is $500 or [here is] $1,000.” The new narthex and religious-education space will add about 8,000 square feet to the church. Six classrooms, which can be partitioned into 10, will considerably expand Notre Dame’s religious-education space. Currently the parish is making do with a single large room for CCD. Bathrooms, showers, and greater fire safety will also come with the expansion, Father Appiah said. An adult can cross the current narthex at Notre Dame in just a few strides, which makes for crowded gatherings before or after Mass. “[The expansion] will be amazing,” said Father Appiah. “We’ll be able to socialize and to greet one another. That will make a tremendous difference. If you look at the narthex there, it’s like six feet, so when people welcome you, you can hear echoes on the altar.” ■

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Shea Room at Sacred Heart Cathedral’s office building. Meetings begin with Mass at 11:30 a.m., followed by lunch at noon and a speaker at 12:30 p.m. No meeting will be held on Thanksgiving; the next meeting is set for Dec. 10. A Seekers of Silence Contemplative Saturday Morning will be held Dec. 5 at John XXIII Catholic Center in Knoxville. Mary Kedl will give a talk titled “Chanting Across the Ages.” Coffee and tea will be served at 8:30 a.m.; the workshop will run from 9 a.m. to noon. Bring a bag lunch. RSVP to 865-5237931. THE E A S T TE NNE S S E E CATHOLIC

The St. Thomas the Apostle Ukrainian Catholic Mission celebrates Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. Sundays in the chapel at the Chancery office. Call Father Richard Armstrong at 865-584-3307. Mass in the extraordinary form (“traditional Latin”) is celebrated at 1:30 p.m. each Sunday at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville and at 3 p.m. on first and third Sundays at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church in Cleveland. Visit www.knoxlatin mass.net for details. Upcoming events for Catholic Singles of Greater Knoxville (40

and over) include the following: ■ Sunday, Nov. 22: Reservations due for the annual Thanksgiving dinner. Donna T. will host a traditional Thanksgiving dinner at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 26. Turkey will be furnished. Bring a dish. RSVP to Donna at 865-531-3839 or penguin7@prodigy.net. ■ Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 24 and 25: Thanksgiving-dinner service project for the Ronald McDonald House. Contact Donna (see above) to help. ■ Wednesday, Dec. 2: Planning meeting for January-February events and dinner social at El Mezcal, 6:15 p.m. ■

www.d ioceseofknoxville.or g

PARACLETE

BY VONNIE SPICER

A people in darkness dvent and its candles remind us of the light incarnated, the light we must rekindle and reflect. The Paraclete offers a variety of Advent wreaths for individual and family celebration. Simple wire wreaths (starting at $10) are available in various sizes, to which your own greenery may be added: evergreens, symbolizing new and everlasting life; ivy, the clinging of the spirit to God; holly, Jesus’ crown of thorns. More elaborate circular wreaths resemble wrought iron, with frosted glass votive cups. A resin wreath shows a border of children in traditional dress; another bears a Celtic design—all by Abbey Press ($40). The Journey to Bethlehem wreath, in goldwashed purple resin, depicts events of the first Holy Night (Abbey Press, $35). Abbey Press also makes Advent candleholders appropriate for mantelpieces. One is made of resin, with the look of sandstone ($50); another reflects multiple images of tea lights while illuminating Scripture verses from Isaiah. Other candleholders show the Nativity or a hovering angel or spell out the word joy. New this year is an off-white Advent can-

dle decorated with fir branches and ornaments. The candle is marked with half-hour segments for each day in December, ending with Merry Christmas at its base. Another means of celebrating the season is an Advent calendar (starting at $3.95). These paper calendars are designed with doors corresponding to the December days preceding Christmas. The doors open to reveal Scripture verses or nativity pictures. Pockets of Learning offers an Advent calendar of individual soft sculptured animals and shepherds from the Christmas nativity that can be grouped to create a manger scene ($49.95). Yet another Advent tradition is the Jesse tree. The Jesse tree can be used to teach salvation history—how God continued to work for 4,000 years to prepare for the birth of Jesus. Each symbol added to this family tree represents an Old Testament or a New Testament story to be told. If circumstances prevent the use of flames, the Paraclete also has battery-operated Advent votive lights and tea lights. ■ Call the store at 865588-0388 or 800-3332097.

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fication was destroyed, and priests were executed or publicly ridiculed by such humiliations as being paraded through the streets naked. For the last year these people had no access to help because without IDs they could not even show they were citizens. My guess is they had a tougher year than any of us did. This world did its worst to them. But the way they are reacting is astounding. They hold no grudges toward their tormentors. Rather, they practice an ancient tradition followed by elder Indians. When all their obligations to the world are completed and their grandchildren are secure, many go out into the forest, where they will finish their life with satisfaction and without burdening anyone. That’s what the Catholics are doing even now. They accepted the pogrom as their witness to Christ. Their function in this world done, they can go to the forest. I am told by people I met at a national Catholic shrine that the church of India is experiencing a new Advent. Its members are more alive in the faith than ever. More priests have joined them. They have escaped the tribulations and are standing before the Son of Man. They have found a greater joy on earth by living only for the kingdom. May we have as joyful a new year. ■ Father Brando is a retired priest of the diocese.

The good we do lives after us— when we remember to make a will.

Only you can divide your own property as you want it divided. A bequest to your church can be a living memorial to the nobility of your life.

NOVEMBER 22, 2009

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Pope: luxury, waste are unacceptable

WIRE

Successful inclusion of abortion ban spells success for health-reform bill B Y PATR I CIA ZAPOR

WASHINGTON (CNS)—In the end the successful battle to include strict language prohibiting funding for abortions, led by pro-life congressional Democrats with the strong support of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, is what made the difference in the Nov. 7 House vote to pass a sweeping health-care reform bill. In a rare Saturday night vote the House approved the Affordable Health Care for America Act, 220-215, moving the legislation on to the Senate, which was expected to take up debate on its own health-care bill later in November. Assuming the Senate passes a version of the legislation, differences between the two bills will have to be reconciled separately. That legislation would go back to both houses of Congress for final approval. Key to passing the House bill was the approval of an amendment by Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., to prohibit the use of federal funds to pay for abortion, including barring abortion coverage from insurance plans consumers purchase using government subsidies. The USCCB and other pro-life organizations had threatened to oppose any final bill that did not include such provisions. The final bill fell short of another element pushed strongly by the church in recent weeks. It would bar people who are in the country illegally from receiving any government assistance to get health coverage. The U.S. bishops also had urged that the legislation allow all immigrants access to the health-care system, regardless of legal status. What the bill does do is expand health insurance to an estimated 30 million people who currently lack coverage, meaning an estimated 96 percent of Americans would have access to more affordable health care. Various news sources as well as people involved on the Hill reported on the critical role of last-minute, behind-the-scenes negotiations among House leaders, White House staff, Catholic bishops and their staff. Also essential were talks with Stupak and others who were holding firm on withholding their votes pending acceptance of his amendment. Chicago Cardinal Francis E. George, president of the USCCB, spoke with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nov. 6, encouraging her to let Stupak’s amendment come for a vote. Other bishops also weighed in by phone with various members of Congress, including by encouraging Republican leaders not to try to block progress that was being made in getting the abortion amendment passed. When Stupak’s amendment was allowed to come to the floor, it was approved by a vote of 240-194, with the support of many Republicans who did not ultimately vote for the legislation itself. Only one Republican voted for the overall bill, Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao of Louisiana, a Catholic and former Jesuit seminarian who was elected in December 2008 to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Democratic Rep. William Jefferson, who was forced out of office in a bribery scandal. In a statement, Stupak, a Catholic who has spoken many times of his often lonely role as a pro-life Democrat in Congress, focused not on his successful abortion amendment but on the overall bill, which he called the most significant reform to government and private health-insurance programs since Medicare and Medicaid were created in 1965. His statement noted that the bill includes reforms for both the uninsured and those who already have insurance. Medicare recipients will receive additional prescription drug coverage and be entitled to full coverage for preventative care. Other elements of the bill include the following: ■ Insurance companies would be prohibited from discriminating against people with pre-existing medical conditions. They also would no longer be able to impose lifetime caps on benefits or cancel coverage for any excuse when policyholders become ill. ■ It would give tax subsidies to small employers to help them provide insurance for their workers. ■ It would create a health-insurance exchange through which people who are not currently covered through an employer-purchased plan, Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Affairs, or other government insurance could get coverage through private or federal providers. In a press event in the White House Rose Garden Nov. 8, President Barack Obama said the legislation would “provide stability and security for Americans who have insurance [and] quality, affordable options for those who don’t; and bring down the cost of health care for families, businesses, and our government, while strengthening the financial health of Medicare. It is legislation that is fully paid for, and it will reduce our longterm federal deficit.” He voiced his gratitude, “given the heated and often misleading rhetoric surrounding this legislation,” for the “courageous vote” of many members of Congress. Sister Carol Keehan, a Daughter of Charity who is president and CEO of the Catholic Health AsHealth bill continued on page 6

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NOVEMBER 22, 2009

‘Hunger is the most cruel . . . sign of poverty,’ Benedict tells world leaders. By Carol Glatz ROME (CNS)—Opulence and waste are unacceptable, especially when hunger— the cruelest form of poverty—continues to rise, Pope Benedict XVI told world leaders at a summit on food security. The pope condemned the greed that fuels speculation on food prices, aid that debilitates agricultural production, and excessive exploitation of the earth’s resources. Pope Benedict spoke Nov. 16 during the opening session of the United Nations’ World Summit on Food Security. The Nov. 16 through 18 conference, hosted by the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome, brought together leaders and delegates from countries around the world to find concrete solutions to end the scourge of hunger and malnutrition and find ways to stabilize food prices. According to the FAO, more than one billion people are undernourished, and one child dies every six seconds because of malnutrition. “Hunger is the most cruel and concrete sign of poverty,” the pope said in his address to summit leaders. “Opulence and waste are no longer acceptable when the tragedy of hunger is assuming evergreater proportions.” “Norms, legislation, development plans, and investments are not enough, however;

CNS PHOTO/ALESSIA GIULIANI, CATHOLIC PRESS PHOTO

from the

‘THEIR DAILY BREAD’ Pope Benedict XVI addresses the U.N. World Summit on Food Security Nov. 16 in Rome. Opulence and waste are unacceptable when hunger—the cruelest form of poverty—continues to rise, Pope Benedict XVI told world leaders at the summit.

what is needed is a change in the lifestyles of individuals and communities, in habits of consumption, and in perceptions of what is genuinely needed,” Pope Benedict said. The transcendental worth of every human being must be recognized if there is to be “the conversion of heart that underpins the commitment to eradicate deprivation, hunger, and poverty in all their forms,” he said. The pope said the growing number of hungry people in the world is not directly linked to an increase in world population. There is enough food to feed the world, he said, adding that food shortages are caused by the rising price of foodstuffs, “the reduction in economic resources available to the poorest peoples, and their limited access to markets and to food.” “The lamentable destruction of food-

stuffs for economic gain” is more proof that “there is no cause-and-effect relationship between population growth and hunger,” he said. Pope Benedict called for greater action in creating “a network of economic institutions capable of guaranteeing regular access to sufficient food and water.” Countries must “oppose those forms of aid that do grave damage to the agricultural sector, those approaches to food production that are geared solely towards consumption and lack a wider perspective, and especially greed, which causes speculation to rear its head even in the marketing of cereals, as if food were to be treated just like any other commodity,” he said. Not enough is being done to lift people out of poverty because some people exhibit “resigned regret, if not downright indifference” to the

plight of others and tend to believe hunger is just part and parcel of life in certain countries, he said. Everyone has a moral responsibility to show solidarity toward the rest of the human family and concretely meet the needs of others “so as to favor the genuine sharing of goods, founded on love.” The fundamental right to life depends on the right to sufficient, healthy, and nutritious food and safe drinking water, he said. At the end of his address, the pope— speaking in Arabic, Chinese, Russia, English, French, and Spanish—thanked the FAO and its member states for their efforts “to ensure that all people are given their daily bread.” ■ Copyright 2009 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

Primate hopes for quick action from Traditional Anglican Communion BY DE B OR A H GYA P ONG

OTTAWA (CNS)—The primate of the Traditional Anglican Communion said he hopes churches take action to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church before Easter. Archbishop John Hepworth said he reacted “with overwhelming joy” to the apostolic constitution published Nov. 9 establishing the structure for Anglicans to be in full communion with the Catholic Church. The archbishop described the constitution as “generous at every turn” in its description of the Anglican heritage, its dogmatic provisions and its pastoral language. “We’ve been asked to show the rich heritage to the whole church, not just to ourselves,” he said in an interview from Australia. The Traditional Anglican Communion includes Anglican churches that have left the much larger Anglican Communion over the ordination of women and sexually active homosexuals as priests. The Traditional Anglican Communion is among the largest group of Anglicans likely to embrace the Vatican’s action to welcome them into full communion with the church. Archbishop Hepworth expects a positive response from Traditional Anglican Com-

munion member churches around the world. Already, the United Kingdom’s Traditional Anglican Communion synod voted to accept the document prior to its publication. He said he has heard from churches around the world, describing their comments as “powerful messages that ‘we want it and we want it as soon as we can get it.’” Archbishop Hepworth has delivered a timetable to Traditional Anglican Communion bishops involving a series of regional and national synods starting early in 2010. “I want all the votes in by Lent,” Archbishop Hepworth said. “Then I’m hoping in fact our bishops can meet in Rome after Easter and present the ‘yes’ votes and take advice on what to do next.” While Archbishop Hepworth wants to move fast, he said the structure outlined in the apostolic constitution does not require anyone to rush headlong into it. “There’s no deadline; it’s available way into the future,” he said. “If (the pope) deals with other groups as creatively and as warmly and pastorally as he has dealt with us, he is the pope of (Christian) unity,” Archbishop Hepworth said. The primate described the personal ordinariate structure established in the apostolic constitution — which offers

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the jurisdiction of a diocese without being tied to a geographical area — as “radical.” “It’s a modern church structure that the rest of the church in fact will have to consider,” he said. It also paves the way for other groups to come into communion corporately. The two issues likely to draw the most media attention in the document are the provisions for married priests and for married bishops to potentially serve in the new structure. The norm is clerical celibacy, he said, but there is a provision for married men to be ordained on a case-by-case basis approved by the Holy See, Archbishop Hepworth said. “It will be done according to the norms developed by the ordinariate and the bishops’ conferences and submitted to the Holy See for approval,” he said. “Without married priesthood into the future, it would be very difficult at this stage to sustain the Anglican ordinariate into the future,” he added. “We Anglicans going into communion with the Holy See are going to have to deepen our understanding of the celibate priesthood.” ■ Copyright 2009 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops THE E A S T TE NNE S S E E CATHOL I C