Oct6 2013 b by Diocese of Knoxville

The East Tennessee Bishop Richard F. Stika

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

Remains moved Sisters will now rest in ET.

Knight elected Mike Wills is on KofC board

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Irish Bowl KCHS captures football trophy

St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic dedicated, ready to serve

needed relief to many medically underserved families living in rural areas of the diocese. Medical care will be free of charge and available to anyone regardless of age, gender, or religious affiliation. “I look upon our clinic as a familyphysician practice on wheels,” said Sister Mariana. “This mobile clinic will allow us to provide non-emergency primary medical care to those who are most in need. And this will be provided free of charge through the financial support of the St. Mary’s Legacy Foundation.” Bishop Stika praised the mobile clinic and its mission of providing medical care to the underserved areas of the diocese. Reminding those gathered for the dedication of his prayer that we all become the face and hands of Jesus Christ, he said the clinic is an example of this selfless act of love and service to our neighbors. “We are all aware that there are parts of East Tennessee, which

Ribbon-cutting for new clinic Bishop Richard F. Stika and Sister Mariana Koonce, RSM, MD, have scissors at the ready for the ribbon-cutting on the new St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic. On the bishop’s left is Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero. They are surrounded by Sisters of Mercy and Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich., who attended the dedication along with some 100 others. ville, stretching from the Cumberland Plateau to the North Carolina border and from the Kentucky border to the Georgia state line. The 24 counties make up a medically underserved area, according to the federal Health Resources and Services Administration and in-

underserved desperately need,” said John Deinhart, staff officer for the St. Mary’s Legacy Foundation of East Tennessee, which will fund the mobile clinic. Sister Mariana emphasized that those who will be able to receive care at no charge through the mobile

‘This is an extension, the only extension, of that hospital that served so faithfully for so many years. This shows the Catholic Church is still about health care,’ Bishop Stika said. the Diocese of Knoxville covers, where there is very limited health care. This is one of the ways that the Catholic Church and the St. Mary’s Legacy Foundation can reach out to those people who are in need of health care and can help them with some of the basic services,” Bishop Stika said. The clinic will focus on 24 of the 36 counties in the Diocese of Knox-

clude Bledsoe, Campbell, Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Cumberland, Fentress, Grainger, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Loudon, McMinn, Marion, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Pickett, Rhea, Roane, Scott, Sequatchie, Unicoi and Union. “The legacy of St. Mary’s can now extend into communities that don’t have the resources to provide the care that the medically

clinic are those who can’t access health care now because they don’t have insurance, or the ability to pay or may not have transportation or access to physicians. “The Legacy of St. Mary’s is a legacy of faith, of faith in Jesus Christ, and of expressing that faith through the care that we give to others — our brothers and sisters in Christ no matter what faith or religion they have.

DAN MCWILLIAMS

fter more than a year of planning and anticipation, the Diocese of Knoxville dedicated the region’s newest mobile medical clinic Sept. 11 during a ceremony attended by diocesan partners and community supporters. Bishop Richard F. Stika blessed the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic, a 40-foot-long family doctor’s office on wheels, which was dedicated as the ceremonial ribbon was cut. Bishop Stika led the ribbon-cutting and was joined by Sister Mariana Koonce, RSM, MD, Sister Mary Martha Naber, RSM, other Religious Sisters of Mercy and Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero. Sister Mariana, director of the diocese’s Health Services Office, will be the mobile clinic’s medical director and family-practice physician. The mobile clinic will be owned and operated by the Diocese of Knoxville and will extend the healing ministry of Jesus to East Tennessee, continuing the work of the Religious Sisters of Mercy, who opened St. Mary’s Hospital in 1930. The mobile clinic, built by LifeLine Mobile of Columbus, Ohio, was built under the direction of Sister Mariana and was made financially possible through a grant provided by the St. Mary’s Legacy Foundation of East Tennessee. Dee Management Consulting provided exterior graphics and consulting on the clinic project. The clinic will travel to remote communities across East Tennessee, providing much-

By Bill Brewer

DAN MCWILLIAMS

Bishop Stika blesses the doctor’s office on wheels, which will provide relief to the medically underserved

Sister Mariana Koonce, RSM, MD, prays during the dedication service for the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic. The clinic was built under Sister Mariana’s direction and made financially possible through a grant provided by the St. Mary’s Legacy Foundation of East Tennessee.

It’s a legacy of working together with the whole community. And it’s also a legacy of good, physical, quality, compassionate care to whomever walks in the door to receive it,” said Sister Mariana. Sister Mariana is continuing to identify community collaborators throughout the diocese to work with in providing health care through the mobile clinic. The clinic will offer two examination rooms, a nurse station, laboratory area and an undercarriage wheel chair lift. The 40-footlong doctor’s office on wheels will be able to travel to almost any rural location within the diocese. Initially, the clinic will offer primary-care services, including urgent-care needs like acute illnesses and minor injuries as well as chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Patient education and disease prevention will be a strong focus for the staff of the clinic, which will not be able to provide narcotics, dental care, vision care, pregnancy-related or emergency services. “What we’re looking for are existing organizations or groups of people who want us to come into their community. They would provide a building, a place for patients to wait while receiving care, a place for us to park, and maybe some local volunteers who know the area,” she said. “It will be out to the rural areas where we will be going.” Sister Mariana said she has been collaborating with Remote Area Medical and the

Free Medical Clinic of America on how to best serve as many East Tennesseans as possible. She said the St. Mary’s mobile medical clinic will not be offering dental or vision care, which is offered by other free clinics. “We are all aware that there are parts of East Tennessee, which the Diocese of Knoxville covers, where there is very limited health care. This is one of the ways that the Catholic Church and the St. Mary’s Legacy Foundation can reach out to those people who are in need of health care and can help them with some of the basic services,” Bishop Stika said. Bishop Stika emphasized that the mobile clinic is an extension of St. Mary’s Hospital that the Sisters of Mercy started with the help of Catholic community leaders during the Great Depression. Now, instead of patients seeking medical care at the hospital, the Catholic Church and the diocese’s new mobile clinic will be bringing health care to their communities. “This is an extension, the only extension, of that hospital that served so faithfully for so many years. This shows the Catholic Church is still about health care,” Bishop Stika said. The clinic is expected to begin serving rural communities in the diocese by December. Communities or organizations wanting to invite the mobile clinic to their area should contact Sister Mariana at the Diocese of Knoxville, 865-584-3307. n

Sisters’ remains transferred to East Tennessee home The deceased Handmaids of the Precious Blood will now rest at Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center ligious orders in the diocese. To bring the Handmaids from New Mexico to Tennessee was not easy. The present prioress of the Handmaids, Mother Marietta, explained that the amount of paperwork to move the remains was “tremendous.” “We had to produce death certificates for each person to get the permits to move them across state lines,” she said. “In one case, the records did not have a sister’s former name, before she took her vows, and all of that had to be verified.” Fortunately for the Handmaids, help came from Bridges Funeral Home in Knoxville. A member of its staff, Martin Bartling, who is a parishioner at Holy Ghost Church, was contacted by the Diocese of Knoxville Chancery. “We met with the diocese and agreed to assist with everything,” said Dennis Bridges, owner of the funeral home. “We were amazed at the whole story of the sisters and their relocation here and becoming part of

Remembering those who came before Bishop Richard F. Stika presides at the funeral Mass for the Handmaids of the Precious Blood on Sept. 21 at St. Mary Church in Athens.

STEPHANIE RICHER

the Precious Blood, at her funeral Mass that he celebrated. The Bishop drew smiles when he added, “Well, the community that we celebrate with today must have such good friends in Heaven because I think every angel in heaven is crying.” The laughter was not inappropriate because joy marked the services at St. Mary Church in Athens. Three white caskets rested in the church sanctuary—one containing the remains of the first Handmaid, Sister Elizabeth of the Trinity; one with Mother David Marie; and the third with the ashes of 39 other Handmaids. About two dozen members of the Knights of Columbus from several local parishes provided an honor guard for the caskets and also kept watch at the entrances to the sanctuary so that the Handmaids could conduct a private prayer service for themselves before the public viewing and funeral. A number of people came to pay their respects, including sisters from other re-

STEPHANIE RICHER

he Handmaids of the Precious Blood, who are making their way across country from New Mexico to their new home at the Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton, are not alone on their journey. They are being accompanied by nuns from the order who preceded them and have passed away. The Handmaids were not leaving their sisters who have died behind. Now, the deceased nuns will rest on the grounds of the retreat center, in the shadows of their sisters who are continuing on. Bishop Richard F. Stika has taken an active role in relocating all the nuns to East Tennessee and led a funeral Mass for them Sept. 21. “There is an old Irish proverb – the Irish always like it when it rains on the day of a funeral, because it’s like the angels are crying,” Bishop Stika told those who braved a steady rain to honor Mother David Marie of Our Mother of Sorrows, a former prioress of the Handmaids of

BILL BREWER

Knights of Columbus provide an honor guard at the funeral Mass. Pictured are Handmaids of the Precious Blood (from left) Rev. Mother Marietta, Sister Rose Philomena, Sister Marie Joséph, Sister Anunziata, and Sister Mary Genevieve. Also pictured are Sister Mary Christine Cremin, RSM, and Sister Sean Marie Striby, RSM.

the Knoxville Diocese, fore the Eucharist, he and not wanting to felt God wanted him leave their sisters beto make the trip and hind. We are honored bring them home.” to provide this service Mr. Simoneau is to the diocese.” vice chancellor of the But the logistics diocese and director of of moving all of the its Office of Justice and Handmaids still were Peace. daunting. The body of “It was a sort of mini Sister Elizabeth was retreat,” Bishop Stika flown to Knoxville, and said. “And I wanted Bridges Funeral Home to see their monastery arranged for the transanyway.” port of Mother David Two weeks before Marie from Illinois, the Eucharistic Conwhere she had been in gress Sept. 13-14, the a hospice operated by bishop flew alone to the Little Sisters of the New Mexico. Once Poor. there, he rented a large However, the quesSUV and packed 33 tion remained how boxes into the back of to get the ashes of the it, each containing the other Handmaids to cremated remains of a Tennessee. Remains of deceased sister. six of the deceased sis In his homily durters were transported ing the funeral, Bishop via the U.S. Postal Stika said as he drove Service. he felt that behind his Although tracking seat was “a sense of of the remains was lost holiness, a sense of for four of them, the prayerfulness.” ashes were safely deliv- He related how he ered. But it raised seriused his time—four ous concerns as to how days on the road the remaining sisters along Interstate 40—to would make the trip. watch the landscape “There was a lot and weather change, of discussion,” said to listen to CDs with Mother Marietta. talks by Bishop Fulton “Bridges said they J. Sheen and Gregowould handle it, then rian chant, to pray, Paul Simoneau said and keep a sort of he would drive out running conversation to New Mexico and with his 33 passenbring them back. And gers, “especially Sister suddenly the bishop Augustine.” announced that dur “She sat right behind ing his holy hour be- Farms the 2x3 driver’s he 032813 Westside bw seat,” 3/26/13

Vigil brings awareness to immigration reform

OCTOBER 6, 2013

said. Mother Marietta laughed as she recalled that every night the bishop would call her to let her know “the girls were OK and having a good time.” “I even took them for their first trip through the drive-thru at a White Castle,” he said smiling. At the funeral, Bishop Stika reminded those in attendance that we should feel “gratitude to God for those in the religious life … for the gift of prayer that they give to us.” “Prayer is not just the Our Father, or the Hail Mary, or the great act of prayer of the Eucharist. Prayer is giving oneself to a greater purpose. For those who are people of faith, it is the purpose of God Himself.” After the funeral, a procession traveled from St. Mary Church to the diocesan retreat center in Benton, where a special area has been designated at the center for the Handmaids of the Precious Blood to bury their dead. There are plans to eventually build a formal monastery for the Handmaids next to the cemetery. 12:15 PM n Page 1

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Justice for Immigrants Campaign Members of the Spanish Mass community at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville pray for immigration reform Aug. 23.

arishioners across the Diocese of Knoxville took part in a 40-day vigil on immigration reform. The vigil, which is part of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Justice for Immigrants Campaign, began Aug. 15 and ended Sept. 23. The diocese asked parishes, organizations and individuals to dedicate one hour to bring awareness to the need for a comprehensive immigration-reform plan. “We chose to begin this vigil while our U.S. representatives are in their home offices while Congress is on break,” said Lourdes Garza, director of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Knoxville. As part of the 40-day vigil, Sept. 8 was designated Immigration Sunday by U.S. bishops. Activities held in a one-hour vigil

By Stephanie Richer

could include special Masses; praying the rosary; participating in a holy hour or adoration; reviewing Church documents on social teaching and migration; sharing stories of migration with family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and fellow parishioners; sharing family history stories with family members; or viewing films with migration themes. Resources are available at www. justiceforimmigrants.org under the Parish Kit tab. An attachment also is available that is a scriptural rosary from the USCCB that is available in English and Spanish at www.justiceforimmigrants.org/documents/ Scriptural-Rosary-Span.pdf. The English version of the attachment can be accessed by changing Span to Eng in the url. For more information, e-mail Lourdes@dioknox.org. n www.dioknox.org

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Knoxvillian elected to Knights’ board of directors

he Knights of Columbus will have a supreme director from the Diocese of Knoxville for the first time in the diocese’s history. Mike Wills, a member of All Saints Council 15076 in Knoxville, was elected to the organization’s board of directors Aug. 7 at the Knights of Columbus Supreme Convention in San Antonio, Texas. He is only the second Knight in recent memory from Tennessee to serve on the board. In his newly elected position, Mr. Wills will be one of 24 directors worldwide who advise the international Catholic organization and help govern its fraternal, charitable and insurance operations. The Knights of Columbus was formed in 1882 to render financial aid to members and their families. While mutual aid and assistance are offered to sick, disabled and needy members and their families, social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social-welfare, war-relief and public-relief works. Mr. Wills noted that the five supreme officers who manage the Knights of Columbus are named from the board of directors. The Knights of Columbus has 1.8 million members around the world. In Tennessee, there are 11,250 Knights of Columbus, and Mr. Wills credited fellow Diocese of Knoxville Knights Bill Wicke and Tracy Staller, who have served as state

deputies. According to Mr. Wills, insurance is one of three legs of the Knights of Columbus tripod. The other two are providing opportunities for men to work as Catholics in their parishes, and to support parish priests, bishops and the pope. The Knights of Columbus offers a wide range of insurance plans such as life, long-term care, and annuities. Mr. Wills pointed out that this Knights of Columbus division, which has more than $90 billion in insurance in force, has among the highest ratings of any insurance company in the country and is ranked on the Fortune list of top 1,000 U.S. companies. Despite the high-ranking position and responsibility that goes with it, Mr. Wills isn’t intimidated by his new role. “I don’t think it’s daunting. Because of my work and experience as an attorney for TVA and my experience with the Knights of Columbus I am prepared for this. I see what I’m going to be doing as similar to what I did with the Tennessee Valley Authority. I think that experience is one of the reasons I was selected to the Knights of Columbus board,” he said. Mr. Wills will serve a three-year term on the board and can be reelected three times; however, he can’t serve more than nine years. The board will meet four to six times a year in locations around the world to make decisions on matters like making emergency contribu-

By Bill Brewer

BILL BREWER

Mike Wills of All Saints Council 15076 will serve as one of the organization’s 24 directors worldwide

Member of the board Mike Wills is the first Knights of Columbus supreme director from the Diocese of Knoxville. tions following natural disasters. He said the Knights provided more than $100,000 in relief to Nashville after the 2010 flood and to Oklahoma after recent tornados. Mr. Wills, who has been a Knight since 1983, is encouraged by growth in Knights of Columbus membership and believes the expansion of membership rolls is part of a strategy where Knights councils are becoming parish-based as opposed to stand-alone groups with ties to parishes.

He believes the new council model resonates with potential members. “I think there is an emphasis where men are dealing with questions of faith and the Church. These men want to serve their church and parish,” he said, adding that access to good insurance is another draw. “Being in the Knights has given me the opportunity to meet other Catholic men, share my faith, and serve others beyond my family — my parish.” n

Deacon Smith knighted in Order of the Fleur de Lis

eacon Sean Smith, chancellor of the Diocese of Knoxville, has been knighted as a Commander in the Order of the Fleur de Lis. Deacon Smith is one of four new members accepted into the order this year, and he is one of four members from the Diocese of Knoxville. Joining him in the order from the diocese are Bishop Richard F. Stika, Deacon Paul Nelson of St. Jude Parish in Chattanooga, and Order of the Fleur De Lis Grand Chancellor and Board of Governors member Michael Horten, who is a member of St. Stephen Parish in Chattanooga. Other members of the order from Tennessee are Diocese of Nashville Bishop David Choby, Diocese of Memphis Bishop Terry Steib, SVD, William Gunter of St. Stephen Parish in Mount Juliet, John King of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Cordova, Ernest Plus of St. Rose of Lima Church in Murfreesboro, Michael Porter of St. Stephen Church in Old Hickory, John Prudhomme of Germantown, and Robert Rounsefell of Cordova. The Order of the Fleur De

THE E A S T T E N N E S S E E C A T H OLIC

Lis is an nonprofit organization of Catholic men incorporated under the laws of Louisiana. The order’s domain consists Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. It’s objectives are to support and defend the Catholic Church and its teachings; promote patriotism and good citizenship; encourage public morality and unselfish service to God and country; assist and publicize the activities of other organizations that also promote these tenets. The order’s objectives also are to memorialize and popularize the memories and achievements of Catholic leaders in religion, the arts and sciences, philanthropy education, exploration and archeology, government and international relations, medicine and jurisprudence and other established professions. It commends individuals and organizations for outstanding public service; decorates with its highest honor—the Knight Commander’s Cross, those outstanding Catholic men who have contributed in a distin-

SCOTT MAENTZ

He is one of four new members accepted into the order this year and one of four from the Diocese of Knoxville

New member Deacon Sean Smith joins Bishop Richard F. Stika, Deacon Paul Nelson, and Michael Horten as diocesan members of the Order of the Fleur De Lis. guished way to the service to God and country. “In order to be a member of the Fleur de Lis, you must be a Catholic male who has contributed significantly to the Catholic faith through his actions or accomplishments,”

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said Grand Chancellor Walter J. Laborde. “No more than four new members are presently accepted every other year.” Membership is limited to 30 men from the five-state area. All bishops in those

Staff reports

states who request membership are automatically accepted. Membership is open to all laymen, priests, and deacons, but they must be nominated by a current member and go through the selection process by a membership committee, then are approved by the board of governors. Deacon Smith, who also served as chairman of the Eucharistic Congress, also is a knight in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. The Equestrian Order is the only lay institution of the Vatican State charged with providing for the needs of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and of all the activities and initiatives to support the Christian presence in the Holy Land. The Order of the Fleur de Lis’ Mr. Laborde said in some years the organization only accepts one person. “We want to keep the numbers small so that it maintains an honorary level of membership, but also because we feel a smaller group facilitates better communication and we can accomplish more.” n

OCTOBER 6, 2013

Parish notes Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Chattanooga The OLPH Oktoberfest Ram Run is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 19, in front of the First Tennessee Pavilion. The 5K begins at 8 a.m. and the one-mile family fun run/walk begins at 8:05 a.m. See the course and register online at www. oktoberfestramrun.com. After the races, enjoy special treats and handcrafted goods at the Chattanooga Market. OLPH School will have a brat booth at the market. To volunteer at the brat booth, contact Cissy West at cwest@ catholicweb.com or 423-622-1481. Shepherd of the Valley, Dunlap The parish Christmas bazaar and bake sale, featuring handmade crafts, is set for noon to 7 p.m. CDT Friday, Nov. 1, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, on Highway 28 next to the Dollar Store. Half of all receipts will go to a local food bank. For more information, call Sophia Gabalski at 423-949-4927.

Immigration Services at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church on Saturday mornings from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. through Dec. 7. Call the parish office for more information at 423-476-8123. The Catholic Men’s Association meets at 8 a.m. Oct. 12 and 26 in room 3 at Breen Hall. All Catholic men are welcome to participate in these gatherings, held on second and fourth Saturdays. The New Hope Pregnancy Care Center “Walk for Life” is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 26, part of Respect Life Month events at St. Thérèse. Registration starts at Cleveland High School at 8:30 a.m.; the walk begins at 9. Cumberland Mountain Deanery Blessed Sacrament, Harriman

COURTESY OF JEANNIE LUCE

Chattanooga Deanery

CCW at Cleveland parish elects new officers The Council of Catholic Women at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish in Cleveland recently elected new officers. Pictured with Father Tom Moser are (from left) Norma Martin, secretary; Amanda Scheafer, vice president, membership; Kathy Quinnett, past vice president, administration; Pam Wilcoxon, vice president, administration; Terry Peters, past spiritual chair; Kelli Drury, spiritual co-chair and past president; Robin Russell, president and past treasurer; and Mary Beck, treasurer. Not pictured is Polly Whitsitt, spiritual co-chair.

The Council of Catholic Women will be having its annual bazaar Saturday, Oct. 12, in the parish hall. Call the parish office for more information at 865-882-9838.

St. Augustine, Signal Mountain

St. Jude, Chattanooga Father Charlie Burton will bless pets at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, in observance of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. Pets must be appropriately restrained. A prayer chain for life will take place from 4-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, in front of the church. A session for youth titled “What it Means to Be Pro-life in the Church Today” is scheduled prior to the prayer chain from 2:30-3:45 p.m. in the parish life center. Contact the parish office for more information at 423-870-2386. The Council of Catholic Women will sponsor a Fair Trade sale the weekend of Nov. 16-17 after the Masses. Support poor workers around the world by purchasing products via Fair Trade by Catholic Relief Services. For more information, contact Cathy Palisoc at 423322-6482 or cathy.palisoc@comcast. net or Jennifer Huinker at 486-8150 or overtheriverdesigns@gmail.com. There will be a holy hour for life, marriage, and religious liberty at St. Jude Church at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, and Sunday, Nov. 24. All are invited to participate.

The parish had a blessing of all volunteer firefighters and ambulance personnel at the weekend Masses on Sept. 7 and 8 in honor of Patriot Day on Sept. 11. Anniversaries: Chuck and Mary Russella (65), Guy and Victoria Bretl (65), Les and Marjorie Cavell (65), Darwin and Margaret Reiley (64), Ralph and Patty Hargraves (63), Lloyd and Ann Tripp (61), Harold and Eileen Metzger (57), Eugene and Elaine Riggleman (56), Nick and Pat Santore (56), Bob and Dorothy Connor (56), Ken and Carol Kaczkowski (55), Robert and Evelyn Tomaszewski (55), Roy and Jackie Richardson (54), Tom and Pauline Higgins (54), Rudy and Denise Difazio (53), Mark and Karin Salsbury (52), Pat and Sara Tripiciano (51) St. John Neumann, Farragut St. John Neumann Church is celebrating its first parish homecoming after the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, Oct. 6. All present and past parishioners are welcome to enjoy an afternoon of food, fun, and fellowship. For more information, call Walter Hanson at 865-803-5842. St. Mary, Oak Ridge The 63rd annual St. Mary Fall Festival is set for Friday and Saturday, Oct 4-5. For more information about the festival, contact Lenna Aird at 865-0216-5625 or lennaaird1@comcast.net or visit www. stmarysoakridge.org/Parish/fallfest.html. St. Therese, Clinton Father Bill Kiel, a retired priest from the Diocese of Greensburg, Pa., who offers healing Masses, will present a two-day mission Oct. 8-9 at St. Therese Church. Call the parish office for more information at 865-457-4073. Five Rivers Deanery

St. Stephen, Chattanooga

Holy Trinity, Jefferson City

The annual St. Stephen Church picnic will take place following the 11 a.m. Mass on Sunday, Oct. 13. Contact the parish office for more details at 423-892-1261.

Father Dan Whitman will bless pets in honor of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, at the church.

Anniversaries: Sandy and Laurence Schnur (50), Leslie and Ray Fox (35). Newcomers: Sammy, Beth, and Amanda Bahnam; Susan, Bailey, Tanner, and Taylor Mayfield; Tram, Duyhai, Victoria, and Hailey Le; Margarita, Luis, Margot, Rebecca, and Luis Toro; Paula, Brian, Marci, Carli, and Darci Zeh; Maribel Ayala, Juan Mendez and Jacob Mendez; Melissa Heron, John Paul Nerbun; the Tommy Mack family; the Michael Mack family. St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Cleveland Tennessee Immigrant Empowerment Solutions Inc. is sponsoring weekly classes to prepare those seeking U.S. citizenship for the naturalization interview and test with the U.S. Citizenship and B4

OCTOBER 6, 2013

COURTESY OF JOHN VANNUCCI

A Kidz Painting Party for Haiti is scheduled from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, at the St. Augustine parish life center. Children ages 6-14 are welcome to come and make a painting of a hightop sneaker. The cost per child is $25, which covers the cost of art materials and a donation to St. Antoine School in rural Haiti. Register and pay at www. brushpaintandsip.com.

St. Francis of Assisi, Fairfield Glade

Council 6099 donates more than $13,000 to charities Knights of Columbus Holy Family Council 6099 in Chattanooga, which supports St. Stephen and Our Lady of Perpetual Help parishes and various charities, collected more than $22,000 in 2012-13 for charity. Sixty percent of the collected money is donated to council charities in Chattanooga. Above, council member Kenn Stroop (second from left) presents donations for more than $13,000 to five charities. The charities are AZUWER, Special Olympics, the Dream League, Signal Center, and Orange Grove Center.

Glade couple marks 50th wedding anniversary

atty and Shelton Johnson of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fairfield Glade celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary June 1.

The Johnsons were married at Christ the King Church in Nashville with Monsignor Thomas P. Duffy officiating. Their four sons are Dan and Andrew of Brentwood, David of Greenbrier, and Steve of Bellevue, and they have nine grandchildren. Mr. Johnson retired from the Tennessee Valley Authority. Mrs. Johnson worked in health-care nursing as an RN. They moved to the Glade in 2002. Mr. Johnson is a member of the

COURTESY OF ROSEANN STRAZINSKY

The youth group raised $1,447 from its car wash to support a trip to the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis in November.

The parish will pray the rosary starting at 4:35 p.m. Saturdays before the 5 p.m. vigil Mass and on Sundays at 10:10 a.m. before the 11 a.m. Mass during October.

Patty and Shelton Johnson Knights of Columbus and a reader at Mass. Mrs. Johnson is an altar server and a member of the parish council. She has been a member of the Council of Catholic Women for 50 years and served as national president for two years. n

Thomas and Anne Marano celebrate 50th

homas and Anne Marano of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fairfield Glade celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary June 22. The Maranos were married at St. Suzanne Church in Detroit. Their children are Lisa of Dearborn Heights, Mich., and Christopher of Laurel, Md., and they have six grandchildren and

one great-grandchild. They retired from Tower Automotive Co. in Livonia, Mich., and moved to the Glade in 2007. They planned to celebrate their anniversary in Maui. Mr. Marano is an usher at St. Francis; they are both greeters, ministers of care, and members of the parish council. n

Father Bill Kiel, a retired priest from the Diocese of Greensburg, Pa., will celebrate healing Masses at 9 a.m. and again at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10. Anyone in need of physical, spiritual, or emotional healing is encouraged to attend. For more information, call Marlene Yurick at 865-212-4333 or 399-0314. The parish is having a candlelight vigil for life at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, at the church. Paul Simoneau, from the diocesan Office of Justice and Peace, and Lisa Morris, one of the coordinators of the local 40 Days for Life, will present brief talks at the vigil. Call the parish office for more information at 865-471-0347. Holy Trinity is hosting a parish mission at 7 p.m. each night Nov. 4-7. There Parish notes continued on page B5

COURTESY OF FATHER PETER IORIO

The Hot as Haiti Yard Sale that was held in conjunction with the World’s Largest Yard Sale the first weekend in August raised $38,010, which will support the schoolchildren in the Haitian village of Petite Riviere.

Men’s retreat at St. Mary Parish in Johnson City St. Mary Parish in Johnson City hosted a Christ Renews His Parish retreat for men Aug. 31 and Sept. 1. Above, associate pastor Father Manuel Pérez joins retreat participants for a photo.

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THE EAST TENNESSEE CATHOLIC

Calendar Chattanooga Deanery calendar

Five Rivers Deanery calendar

On Nov. 1-3, St. Augustine Parish in Signal Mountain will celebrate the 75th anniversary of its founding. The celebration will begin with the All Saints Day Mass at 6 p.m., followed by a talk by Sister Mary Timothea Elliott, RSM, on the topic of “Called to be Saints: The Universal Call to Holiness.” On Nov. 2, the parish will have an All Souls Day Mass at 8 a.m., followed by a prayer service at the parish’s columbarium. At 9:30 a.m., Sister Mary Timothea will lead a discussion on “Intentional Discipleship: The Work of the Parish.” The celebration will conclude Sunday, Nov. 3, with the 10:30 a.m. Mass being celebrated by Bishop Richard F. Stika, pastor Father Joseph Kuzhupil, and several of the former pastors of the parish. Following Mass, Bishop Stika will dedicate the parish’s new multipurpose building and its recently completed outdoor Stations of the Cross. A lunch and program celebrating the 75th anniversary will immediately follow the dedication.

Catholic Charities will be offering citizenship-preparation classes in the Tri-Cities area in fall 2013. Classes will aid lawful, permanent residents to prepare for the naturalization civics/history exam. The cost is $50. To register or learn more, call 423-631-0356 or e-mail tiesknoxville@gmail.com.

Tennessee Immigrant Empowerment Solutions, Inc. is sponsoring weekly classes to prepare those seeking U.S. citizenship for the naturalization interview and test with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on Saturday mornings from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 5-Dec. 14. Call the parish office for more information at 423-622-7232. A Rachel’s Vineyard retreat for women who have suffered the spiritual and emotional aftereffects of abortion will take place Oct. 11-13 at the Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton. For more information, contact Sandi Davidson at 865-776-4510 or sandi@ ccetn.org, or Catherine McHugh at 6967720 or peace4lilith@aol.com. Complete confidentiality is honored at all times. Chattanoogans for Life will host its annual pro-life banquet at the Chattanooga River Boat, Pier 2, at the Landing from 6-9:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17. Gianna Jenson, an abortion survivor, will be the keynote speaker for the event. Tickets are $50. Sponsorships are available. Contact Donna Jones for more information at djones6029@gmail.com or 423-718-4387. To learn more, visit chattanoogansforlife.org. The Sant’Egidio Community meets every Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the University of Tennessee Catholic Student Center in Chattanooga. For more information, contact Father Michael Cummins at 423-624-4618. For further information on the community in general, visit www. santegidio.org. Cumberland Mountain Deanery calendar There will be a public Rosary for America on the lawn of the Cumberland County Courthouse at noon CDT Saturday, Oct. 12. For more information, call Dick Rideout at 931-484-3034. Jared and Monica Kimutis, certified instructors in the sympto-thermal method of Natural Family Planning, will present a three-part workshop on the method from 2-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, Jan. 12, 2014, and Feb. 9, 2014, in the B building at All Saints Church in Knoxville. Cost for materials is $140. Register online at www.live-the-love.org. For more information, contact Jared or Monica at 970-980-5009. Knights of Columbus Council 8152 in Crossville will be holding its 23rd annual Oktoberfest on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 11 and 12. Festivities kick off at 11:30 a.m. on Friday and run through 9:30 p.m. On Saturday, the day begins at 11 a.m. and continues through 9:30 p.m. Enjoy German food, music, dancing, and games. Advance tickets are $6 or $7.50 at the gate. Admission for children under 14 is free. Tickets can be purchased by calling 931-707-7291 or by visiting www.crossvilleoktoberfest. com. THE E A S T T E N N E S S E E C A T H OLIC

Smoky Mountain Deanery calendar Roch Monnig will present the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University class starting at 6:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, in the Blessed John XXIII Catholic Center parish library. The 10-week class will continue through Dec. 5. Cost is $100. Call the parish office for more information at 865-523-7931.

ELIZABETH CONWAY

Holy Spirit Knights council supports Habitat for Humanity Grand Knight Steve DeRight of Knights of Columbus Council 14079 at Holy Spirit Church in Soddy-Daisy presents a gift card to Nichole and Caiden on the porch of their new home built by Habitat for Humanity. Mr. DeRight also presented a check to Habitat director of volunteers Dominique Brandt (right). The Knights and First Baptist Church of Soddy-Daisy hold roasted pork butt sales several times a year to raise money for Habitat for Humanity of Chattanooga.

An overview of the annulment process will be presented by Father David Carter, JCL, from 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Chancery office in Knoxvillle. Simultaneous Spanish translation will be available. Contact Marian Christiana for more information at 423892-2310 or mchristiana@dioknox.org.

COURTESY OF MECHTILD BOLES

An overview of the annulment process will be presented by Father David Carter, JCL, from 6:30-8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, in the St. Jude Church Harwood Room. Simultaneous Spanish translation will be available. Contact Marian Christiana for more information at 423-8922310 or mchristiana@dioknox.org.

An overview of the annulment process will be presented by Father David Carter, JCL, from 6:45-8:15 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, at St. Patrick Church in Morristown. Simultaneous Spanish translation will be available. Contact Marian Christiana for more information at 423892-2310 or mchristiana@dioknox.org.

Diocesan calendar A Beginning Experience weekend for separated, divorced, or widowed Catholics is scheduled for Oct. 4-6 at the Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton. The weekend is intended for individuals who wish to find peace and renewed hope with the support of the Catholic Church. The cost is $175. For more information, contact Lisa Moore at 423-892-2310 or tn_eastern_tennessee@beginningexperience.org. The all-school in-service for the faculty and staff of diocesan schools is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11. For more information, contact Marie Garvey at 865-584-3307 or mgarvey@dioknox.org. A catechetical in-service, course 3, for Catholic school faculty and staff in the Knoxville and Tri-Cities area has been scheduled at St. John Neumann School in Farragut from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25. For more information, contact Marie Garvey at 865-584-3307 or mgarvey@dioknox.org. A catechetical in-service, course 3, for Catholic school faculty and staff in the Chattanooga area is scheduled at St. Jude School from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15. For more information, contact Marie Garvey at 865-584-3307 or mgarvey@dioknox.org. The rite of candidacy for Holy Orders for deacon aspirants will take place at the 5 p.m. Mass on Saturday, Oct. 12, at All Saints Church in Knoxville. Contact Deacon Tim Elliott for more information at 865-584-3307 or telliott@dioknox.org. A Seekers of Silence Contemplative Saturday Morning will be held Oct. 12 at Blessed John XXIII Catholic Center in Knoxville. A video featuring David Frenette, a disciple of Fr. Thomas Keating, OCSO, will be on the topic “The Path of Centering Prayer: Deepening Your Experience of God.” 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 the John XXIII parish office at 865-523-7931. Immaculate Conception Church has been designated the first of 11 pilgrimage stops in the Smoky Mountain Deanery in observance of the 25th anniversary of the diocese. Bishop Richard F. Stika will preside at the 11:30 a.m. Mass at IC on Sunday, Oct. 6. The faithful attending the Masses will receive a plenary indulgence. Pilgrims are encouraged to bring donations for the parish FISH pantry. Following the Mass, there will be a historical program and poetry reading by Dr. Thomas Haddox, an English professor from the University of Tennessee, titled “Father Abram Calendar continued on page B11

Secular Franciscan Order celebrates new members The Secular Franciscan Order’s Channel of Peace Fraternity in Chattanooga recently celebrated the entry of two new members into the order. Karen Ferraraccio (left) and Ann Hammers were professed during a Sunday Mass at St. Jude Church in Chattanooga. The main celebrant was Father Mark Scholz of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in South Pittsburg, who is the spiritual assistant for the fraternity.

Parish notes continued from page B4 will also be a morning session at 10 a.m. Nov. 6. The theme, “The Road to Emmaus”, will be presented by Deacon Glenn and Linda Harmon and include talks on Catholic community and Catholic identity as well as faith, love, and forgiveness. For additional information, call Dave or Linda Budde at 865-850-5205 or 937-657-4923.

dalgo at 423-748-0782 or Justin Cook at 865-789-8911.

The parish youth group raised $680 at a hot dog and hamburger dinner at the parish to help defray costs for its trip to the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis in November.

Smoky Mountain Deanery

Anniversaries: Leo and Rita Savard (62), Gerald and Marie Jennings (58), Bill and Mary Lou Jenkins (55), Ed and Peggy Kertis (54), Darryl and Judy Hall (51), John and Lynn Archambault (40), Doug and Donna Ibbetson (40), William and Mary Schmitt (40), Tim and Julaine Hammond (30), Bobby and Anna Davidson (30), Thomas and Patti Osucha (30), John and Patricia Herling (20), Rodger and Juliet Heaberlin (10), Earl and Elizabeth Smith (10) Baptism: Destiny Michelle James, niece of Mike and Tina Sexton Notre Dame, Greeneville Trunk-or-Treat Family Night begins with a hot dog dinner at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, in the parish hall. A costume contest, hay ride, bonfire with marshmallow roast, haunted house by middle school students, and trick-or-treating trunk-to-trunk in the parish parking lot begin at 7 p.m. Parishioners are encouraged to decorate their car trunk and pass out treats to the youth.

The Council of Catholic Women will hold its 12th annual holiday bazaar from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9. There are still some spaces available if you would like to be a vendor. Call the church office at 423586-9174 or Helen at 312-6950.

Immaculate Conception, Knoxville Baptisms: Vivian Elsie Leventhal, daughter of David and Amanda Leventhal; Kaitlyn Grace McDermott, daughter of Sean and Ashley McDermott Our Lady of Fatima, Alcoa There will be a free showing of the movie October Baby on Friday, Oct. 11, in the Family Life Center. Pizza will be served at 6 p.m., and the movie will start at 7. RSVP to Deb Maupin at 865-9777052 or dmop4@etherion.com. Twenty-five volunteers are needed to help build a Habitat for Humanity house in Alcoa on Saturday, Nov. 9. Volunteers are also needed to provide lunch for the workers that day. Call Sister Yvette Gillen, RSM, at the parish office at 865982-3672 or Dr. Drew Dirmeyer at 6813650 to learn more or to volunteer. Sacred Heart, Knoxville The parish donated $8,600 to its twin parish in Boucan-Carré, Haiti. The area recently experienced devastating flooding that damaged or destroyed several homes and businesses in the area.

The annual Notre Dame Madrigal Dinner will take place Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings Dec. 5-7 at the parish life center. Participants are encouraged to attend in Renaissance dress, which was the style when madrigals were first sung in the 16th century. Advance tickets will go on sale in late October for $30 each. Call the parish office for more information at 423-639-9381.

Joyce Shoudy, executive director of Faith Promise of Knoxville, thanked Sacred Heart Cathedral for hosting the pasta cook-off event. The organization, which assists the homeless, is close to reaching its yearly fundraising goal of $55,000 for the year as a result of the success of the cook-off.

Baptisms: Tyson David and Kaden James Ranly, Sophia Rose Thomas.

St. Francis of Assisi Church is having a fall festival from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4. The event will feature a barbecue dinner, bake sale, silent auction, and games for the children. There will also be a pie- and cake-baking competition during the festival. Entries are due by 3:30 p.m. Oct. 4. E-mail Suzy Smith at suzygsmith@charter.net for rules and an entry form. Call the parish for more information at 865-448-6070. n

St. Patrick, Morristown A Christ Renews His Parish weekend for men is scheduled for Oct. 26-27 at St. Patrick Church. Participants share the ways they have found meaning, hope, peace, and love in their lives. For more information, call Richard Hi-

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St. Francis of Assisi, Townsend

OCTOBER 6, 2013

Living the readings by Father Joseph Brando

Remaining faithful to God

Persevere in faith to receive the mercy of the Lord

nce again, the basic theme of the Sunday liturgies this October is plain to see. Every single reading calls us to persevere in our faith under all circumstances. To hammer home this message the Church takes all of its second readings this month from Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy and all of its Gospel readings from the 17th and 18th chapters of Luke’s Gospel. However, the Old Testament readings could not be more scattered. The object is to instruct us, throughout the month, about what we should do when following God’s ways does not seem productive or effective. Too many times we find ourselves in situations where we are tempted to detach ourselves from God’s control and either take command of our own lives or let the influence of the outside world determine the outcome of the situations in which we find ourselves. Reading and practicing the message of October’s readings will help us overcome those temptations. Each of the 12 readings makes a distinct statement admonishing us to remain faithful to God. But, beware. There is an October surprise in the final passage that sums up the basic theme, crowning it with an entirely new concept. So, to give due impact to this prize at the bottom of our package, we’ll begin with the Old Testament readings in order and then the readings from 2 Timothy and finally the readings from Luke. The Old Testament reading for the first Sunday of October is from the prophet Habakkuk who lived at the turn of the sixth and seventh centuries B.C. Experts are not exactly sure when Habakkuk wrote or who was the oppressor responsible for the impending destruction of Jerusalem. Still, Habakkuk saw that bad things were about to happen and he needed to talk to God. He had questions. How would God explain what Habakkuk was prophetically seeing? Was everything coming to a disastrous end? So, Habakkuk asked the Lord, “Why do you let me see ruin?” Throughout the Old Covenant God always sent good on his people. Is that all over? God answers the prophet and all who would listen to him. The answer begins with the admonition that there was much more to the vision than what Habakkuk had seen so far. One of the main enemies of faithfulness is rashness. We tend to come to a quick interpretation of what’s going on. In the process we may very well miss the reasons why a given calamity is about to take place. We need to look deeper to find out that the real problem was that we have sinned. Then, we can look into the future to see how God will redeem us from our just punishment and renew his love in us. Habakkuk was a bit rash (by about half a century). God tells him it is

Weekday readings Sunday, Oct. 6: Hebrews 1:23 and 2:2-4; Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9; 2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14; Luke 17:5-10 Monday, Oct. 7: Memorial, Our Lady of the Rosary, Jonah 1:1–2:2, 11; Jonah 2:3-5, 8; Luke 10:25-37 Tuesday, Oct. 8: Jonah 3:1-10; Psalm 130:1-4, 7-8; Luke 10:38-42 Wednesday, Oct. 9: Jonah 4:1-11; Psalm 86:3-6, 9-10; Luke 11:1-4 Thursday, Oct. 10: Malachi 3:1320; Psalm 1:1-4, 6; Luke 11:5-13 Friday, Oct. 11: Joel 1:13-25 and 2:1-2; Psalm 9:2-3, 6, 16, 8-9; Luke 11:15-26 Saturday, Oct. 12: Joel 4:12-21; Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Luke 11:27-28 Sunday, Oct. 13: 2 Kings 5:14-17; Psalm 98:1-4; 2 Timothy 2:8-13; Luke 17:11-19 Monday, Oct. 14: Romans 1:1-7; Psalm 98:1-4; Luke 11:29-32 Tuesday, Oct. 15: Memorial, St. B6

OCTOBER 6, 2013

faith that will overcome a rash attitude and lead us back to life in God. For the second Sunday of the month we go back in time to the ninth century B.C. The general of the Syrian forces occupying Israel has leprosy. His “little maid” tells him to visit the prophet Elisha. Elisha tells him to bathe seven times in the Jordan. Naaman refuses to do such a menial deed. Later, he relents, bathes in the Jordan, is healed and begins to believe in the God of Israel. The lesson is that knowing God can be simple. We tend to seek God in power and complexity when he can more easily be found in simplicity. Expecting to find God only in grandeur is another way to lose faith. Our search for God needs to be humble. On the third Sunday of October, we continue traveling backwards historically until we reach the 13th century B.C. Israel is at war with the Amalekites and fighting a seesaw battle. The real advantage Joshua’s men have is the prayer of Moses on the hill overlooking the contest. As long as Moses kept his arms upraised to God in prayer the Israelis win; but whenever he put them down, the enemy had the upper hand. This taught the people of God a vital lesson about life. Only as long as they persevered in prayer would the power of God remain with them. Becoming tired in our prayer is a danger to our faith. To persevere we need to depend on others and pray together. On the last Sunday of the month we jump forward a millennium to about 180 years before Jesus’ birth. The old man, ben Sira, is writing down for us what wisdom he had learned. He tells us, “The God of Justice . . . hears the cry of the oppressed. The Lord is not deaf to the wail of the orphan, nor to the widow when she pours forth her complaint. . . . The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds. . . . nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds.” Thus, the scholar has discovered that persistence is an important asset to our faith. In addition, it is an advantage to realize our lowliness and dependence on God. Having a lofty attitude can harm the effectiveness of our faith. It creates clouds between God and us that only admitting our poverty can pierce. Leaving the Old Testament, realize that we have learned four basic rules about persevering in faith. Don’t be hasty; God may have a lot more ahead for us than our short vision sees now. Don’t let the simplicity of the task God gives us keep us from responding to God’s Will. Keep praying steadfastly until the problem is totally defeated and allow people to help us. Finally, our faith works best when we are humble. Entering the New Testament, we focus on Paul’s second letter to Timothy. Timothy is a young convert from Lystra whose mother and grandmother also were baptized Teresa of Jesus, virgin, doctor of the Church, Romans 1:16-25; Psalm 19:2-5; Luke 11:37-41 Wednesday, Oct. 16: Romans 2:1-11; Psalm 62:2-3, 6-7, 9; Luke 11:42-46 Thursday, Oct. 17: Memorial, St. Ignatius of Antioch, bishop, martyr, Romans 3:21-30; Psalm 130:1-6; Luke 11:47-54 Friday, Oct. 18: Feast, St. Luke, evangelist, 2 Timothy 4:10-17; Psalm 145:10-13, 17-18; Luke 10:1-9 Saturday, Oct. 19: Memorial, Sts. John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, priests, and companions, martyrs, Romans 4:13, 16-18; Psalm 105:69, 42-43; Luke 12:8-12 Sunday, Oct. 20: Exodus 17:8-13; Psalm 121:1-8; 2 Timothy 3:14– 4:2; Luke 18:1-8 Monday, Oct. 21: Romans 4:2025; Luke 1:69-75; Luke 12:13-21 Tuesday, Oct. 22: Romans 5:12, 15, 17-19, 20-21; Psalm 40:7-10, 17; Luke 12:35-38 Wednesday, Oct. 23: Romans

during Paul’s first missionary journey about 47 A.D. Timothy stayed with Paul for 15 years and was then sent by him to the big city of Ephesus to take a leadership role under Paul’s authority. Timothy had a problem, it seems. He was timid. Hence, he needs a pep talk from Paul. On the 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Paul exhorts Timothy to remember that Paul, himself, had laid hands on him and conferred the power of ordination on him. Paul, pointedly, reminds Timothy he did not receive a spirit of cowardice. Don’t be ashamed of your testimony to the Lord. Thereby, Paul teaches us that to truly persevere in the faith we need to be courageous and will-

Gospel, which are used as the Gospels of October. In the first Sunday, Jesus’ disciples ask him to “Increase our faith.” In response the Lord brings up the job of farm hands. These folks are told to work in the fields and, afterwards, are told to get dinner ready. Our response to God should be “we are unprofitable servants; we have only done what we were obliged to do.” That is, we are faithful when we do not expect special gifts. We simply and completely live for the sake of our relationship with God. Everything else is extra. On the second Sunday of the month we encounter the story of the 10 lepers cured by Jesus. Only one comes back to thank him. This de-

Reading and practicing the message of October’s readings will help us overcome the temptations to detach ourselves from God’s control and take command of our own lives. ing to speak out. No matter how imposing our audience may be, we should speak out the Gospel message with all our strength. Timothy is also reminded to use Paul as a model who, at that moment, was fearlessly preaching in prison. On the 28th Sunday, Paul continues his letter of encouragement to Timothy. He proudly points out that, although he’s writing this letter in chains, there is no chaining the Word of God. We must learn that the message of Christ is passed on by the Word of God and is not dependent on the power of our voice or our earthly status. We become unfaithful when we preach ourselves. Rather, we must persevere in Christ so that others may hear the words Jesus wanted them to hear. Our reason for being is that Christ may raise people to eternal glory. On the 29th Sunday, Timothy reads that he should remain faithful and believe what he has heard from Paul. He is presented two good reasons for believing. First, he has Paul, himself, who taught him. Second, he has known the Sacred Scriptures. (That means our Old Testament, since the Gospels were just being written at this time.) Then, Paul tells Timothy to be persistent. Persistence is an attitude that keeps us going and never stopping. If we are to persevere in the faith and if we want to transmit the faith to others, then we have to so love the message that it sets our hearts on fire and continues to fan that fire until it catches on in other people’s hearts. On the last Sunday of October, Paul gets personal with us. He reveals what is deep inside him as he comes near to the end of his life. He sees himself as a libation. He has been liquefied and poured out on the ground as a sacrifice. He has finished the race, and through it all he has kept the faith. He makes this point to arouse in Timothy the bravery to teach with all his heart and soul. At the same time, he lets us know there is a goal he is trying to reach. It is symbolized by a crown of righteousness. To be righteous is to be with God for all eternity. That should be our goal. Persevering in the Faith is also the main thrust in the passages from the 17th and 18th chapters of Luke’s

spised Samaritan provides us with a sign of faith. His thankfulness was stronger than his happiness at regaining health, stronger than his need to become legally free to visit his family and friends, stronger than his dislike of being vilified by the Jews standing around Jesus. His appreciation of Jesus was the most important element in his life at this point. That deep love should be an attribute of our faith as well. The third Sunday’s Gospel presents the woman who badgered a crooked judge until he finally gave a judgment in her favor. If the crooked judge was led to find in her favor because of her persistence, so God would, of course, smile on her requests. God would see how important the matter was to her and how earnestly she was beseeching him. It is with that much persistence, sincerity, and deep emotion we should have in our faith relationship with God. We come now to the last reading of the entire month. So far we have learned a lot about what it takes to persevere in our faith. From the Old Testament we found out that our faith must not be rash nor must it involve us in heroic deeds. Rather, we need to be humble using the help of others and knowing the prayers of the lowly pierce the clouds to reach the throne of God. From the second letter of Paul to Timothy we learned we must stir the gift of God into flame and that it is not us but the Word of God that will prevail. We must trust what we read in Scripture and hear from inspired teachers until we come to the end of our race having earned the crown of righteousness. Now, at the end of the Gospels we come to the final passage. Surprisingly, after 11 straight passages about faith we reach a grand conclusion that takes us not to another insight into perseverance, but rather to the next step. Jesus’ story of the publican and the Pharisee who went to the temple to pray teaches us the reward of staunch faith. It is mercy. The ultimate reason for persevering in faith is to receive the mercy of God. May you find it this October. n

6:12-18; Psalm 124:1-8; Luke 12:39-48 Thursday, Oct. 24: Romans 6:1923; Psalm 1:1-4, 6; Luke 12:49-53 Friday, Oct. 25: Romans 7:18-25; Psalm 119:66, 68, 76-77, 93-94; Luke 12:54-59 Saturday, Oct. 26: Romans 8:111; Psalm 24:1-6; Luke 13:1-9 Sunday, Oct. 27: Sirach 35:1214, 16-18; Psalm 34:2-3, 17-19, 23; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14 Monday, Oct. 28: Feast, Sts. Simon and Jude, apostles, Ephesians 2:19-22; Psalm 19:2-5; Luke 6:12-16

Tuesday, Oct. 29: Romans 8:1825; Psalm 126:1-6; Luke 13:18-21 Wednesday, Oct. 30: Romans 8:26-30; Psalm 13:4-6; Luke 13:22-30 Thursday, Oct. 31: Romans 8:3139; Psalm 109:21-22, 26-27, 3031; Luke 13:31-35 Friday, Nov. 1: Solemnity of All Saints, Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14; Psalm 24:1-6; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12 Saturday, Nov. 2: The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls), Wisdom 3:1-9; Psalm 23:1-6; Romans 5:5-11; John 6:37-40 n

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Father Brando is the pastor of St. Mary Parish in Gatlinburg

THE EAST TENNESSEE CATHOLIC

Marriage enrichment

by Marian Christiana

Couples should have their own prayer

Marriages would be enriched if couples prayed their special prayer together

ave you ever been sitting in church when the homilist started speaking directly to you? Well, one weekend this summer I was attending Mass in Asheville, N.C., and it felt like the homily was meant just for me. On Sunday, July 28, the Gospel was Luke 11:113; Jesus teaching us how to pray. The priest made three points in his homily. Let me present his three points and then explain why I felt the homily was directed at me personally. Father’s first point stressed that when Jesus taught the disciples the Lord’s Prayer, He was giving all of us a framework that would help us with our own personal prayers to

God. We begin the Lord’s Prayer by remembering that we are addressing the Creator of the Universe and we must come to Him with the reverence He deserves. After we have given glory to God we can then start listing our petitions as long as asking for forgiveness and offering others forgiveness are always at the top of our priorities. The homilist’s second point was that there is a community aspect to prayer. Jesus was teaching a group of disciples how to pray. He then reminded us that wherever two or more are gathered in Jesus’ name He will be present. The community aspect of prayer brought him to his third point. It is this third point that

Understanding the sacraments

had me sinking in my seat. The third point is that all married couples should have their own prayer. He stressed the importance of couple prayer and how marriages would be enriched by couples’ praying their special prayer together. No standard prayer could fully address each couple’s individual needs. I was sitting there thinking, “I have been married 33 years, am the coordinator of the Diocese of Knoxville Office of Marriage Preparation and Enrichment, and my husband and I do not have a prayer.” Don’t get me wrong, we do pray together but not a prayer that we have created together specifically to petition God for help with our per-

by Father Randy Stice

What is a cathedral?

The building is ‘a symbol of the spiritual temple that is built up in souls’

ow is a cathedral different from all of the other church buildings in a diocese? The most authoritative answer to this question is provided by the Ceremonial of Bishops (chapter 3), a text promulgated by the Vatican that describes how the Mass and other liturgical rites are celebrated when the bishop is the presider. In this article I would like to present what the Ceremonial says about the cathedral. The name “cathedral” comes from the Latin word cathedra, which is the bishop’s chair. The bishop’s cathedra is “the sign of his teaching office and pastoral power” in his diocese “and a sign also of the unity of believers in the faith that the bishop proclaims as shepherd of the Lord’s flock.” Only the diocesan bishop (or a bishop he permits to use it) occupies this chair. When a priest celebrates Mass or other liturgies at the cathedral, he uses a chair in a place separate from the bishop’s chair. The cathedral, then, is a church building that manifests the bishop’s role as shepherd of his diocese. The cathedral, according to the

Once upon a time

Ceremonial, is “a symbol of the spiritual temple that is built up in souls and is resplendent with the glory of divine grace.” As St. Paul says, “We are the temple of the living God” (2 Corinthians 6:16). Furthermore, it “should be regarded as the express image of Christ’s visible Church, praying, singing, and worshiping on earth. . . . the image of Christ’s Mystical Body, whose members are joined together in an organism of charity that is sustained by the outpouring of God’s gifts.” For these reasons, concludes the Ceremonial, “the cathedral church should be regarded as the center of the liturgical life of that diocese.” This means that “the cathedral church should be a model for the other churches of the diocese in its conformity to the directives laid down in liturgical documents and books with regard to the arrangement and adornment of churches.” The Second Vatican Council taught that “all things set apart for use in divine worship should be truly worthy, becoming, and beautiful, signs and symbols of the supernatural world” (Constitution on the Sa-

cred Liturgy, n. 122). The church building as a sign and symbol of supernatural realities should be supremely evident in the cathedral church. The cathedral church is the preferred place for the celebration of the most important diocesan liturgical celebrations. “In this church, on the more solemn liturgical days, the bishop presides at the liturgy. There also . . . he consecrates the sacred chrism and confers the sacrament of holy orders.” For this reason, the sanctuary, where the bishop, priests, and ministers carry out their ministries, “should be sufficiently spacious for the rites to be carried out without obstruction to movement or to the view of the assembly.” To give just one example, at the Chrism Mass, the priests of the diocese renew their commitment to priestly service. (A cathedral should be able to have space in the sanctuary for the priests of the diocese to gather to renew their priestly promises), which our present cathedral cannot do. The Ceremonial recommends a number of specific features to facilitate beautiful and prayer-

by Monsignor Xavier Mankel

Events have ‘wonderful effect on our lives’

A 1913 expo and the Eucharistic Congress both celebrated the past while looking ahead to the future

once-in-a-lifetime experience is usually good for us. Our recent Eucharistic Congress is an example of a quite rare event that can have a wonderful effect on our lives. Such exhibitions help us to expand our appreciation of God’s gifts to us. The overwhelming success of our Eucharistic Congress, marking the Diocese of Knoxville’s 25th anniversary, brings to mind other major events that have attracted thousands of people to our fair region of the world. The Congress, and its impressive lineup of speakers led by his eminence, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, drew people from as far as California, Oregon, the Midwest, Northeast, throughout the South and even Canada. It isn’t too difficult to remember another much larger event only six years before we became a diocese that also drew visitors to East Tennessee from around the country and other countries. The 1982 International Energy Exposition held in downtown Knoxville was a major undertaking that required the cooperation of many people working for a common goal, similar in some ways to the Eucharistic Congress. The ’82 World’s Fair, held in

THE E A S T T E N N E S S E E C A T H OLIC

downtown Knoxville where World’s Fair Park is now, recorded more than 11 million visitors during its six-month run. World’s Fairs weren’t new, and Knoxville’s was modeled after one in Spokane, Wash., in 1974. In fact, there had been more than 300 world’s fairs prior to the Knoxville event, beginning in 1756. And there have been 25 since. Nashville even got in on the act, holding the Tennessee Centennial and International Exposition in 1897. This fair celebrated the 100th

cause of environmentalism.” This grand exposition was held at Chilhowee Park on Knoxville’s east side. In autumn 1913, Knoxville proudly set out to show off its modernism and at the same time champion the cause of protecting and carefully using our natural resources. The National Conservation Exposition attracted quite a few people of notoriety, including Helen Keller, Booker T. Washington, Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan and Cardinal James Gibbons, the arch-

The overwhelming success of our Eucharistic Congress, marking the diocese’s 25th anniversary, brings to mind other major events that have attracted thousands of people to our fair region of the world. anniversary of Tennessee’s entry into the union in 1796, although it was a year late. But many people may not realize that the 1982 World’s Fair wasn’t Knoxville’s first international exposition. The city made world’s fair history early in the 20th century by holding the National Conservation Exposition of 1913. According to a 2009 report by noted Knoxville historian Jack Neely, the National Conservation Exposition of 1913 drew more than 1 million visitors to “the new

bishop of Baltimore, who also was a noted author, labor advocate and reportedly the most famous Catholic priest in America. The Conservation Expo at the time was touted to be the first event of its kind in the history of the world and was noted for being the first big fair to celebrate the future instead of the past, according to Mr. Neely. Cardinal Gibbons, who served as archbishop of Baltimore from 1877 until his death in 1921, was elevated to the cardinalate in 1886 and was

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sonal concerns. Looking back on our 33 years, I can see moments when praying our own personal prayer would have definitely elevated a stressful situation into a marriageenrichment moment. I came home from my weekend in Asheville and asked my husband to help me create our prayer. So, now I want to challenge all married couples to set aside some time together to create your own prayer. Certainly petitions will change over the years, but the important point is to pray together for the needs weighing on both of your hearts. Doing this will have two immediate benefits: Sharing burdens with each other immediately lightens their load, and whenever two or more are gathered in Jesus’ name, He will be there with them. n Mrs. Christiana is coordinator of the diocesan Marriage Preparation and Enrichment Office. ful liturgies. It should have a spacious “gathering place . . . where the blessings of candles, of palms, and of fire, as well as other preparatory celebrations, may take place and from which processions to the cathedral church may begin.” It also recommends a vesting room near the church “from which the entrance procession can begin.” Finally, it should have a separate room where vestments and other liturgical materials are kept. Our current cathedral church lacks all of these elements. The bishop is the teacher, sanctifier, and pastor of his diocese, and liturgical celebrations led by him “manifest the mystery of the Church as that mystery involves Christ’s presence.” For this reason, “all should hold in great esteem the liturgical life of the diocese centered around the bishop, especially in his cathedral church.” Christ’s Church is manifested “especially in the same Eucharist, in a single prayer, at one altar at which the bishop presides, surrounded by his college of presbyters [priests] and by his ministers.” This is our goal: a cathedral church that is a sign and symbol of heavenly realities and that manifests the beauty and majesty of Christ’s Church in East Tennessee. n Father Stice directs the diocesan Office of Worship and Liturgy. He can be reached at frrandy@dioknox.org. the second American to receive the honor. Cardinal Gibbons advocated the establishment of The Catholic University of America and served as its first chancellor in 1887. Upon his golden jubilee in 1911, Cardinal Gibbons was honored by President William Taft, and President Theodore Roosevelt also honored the cardinal as “the most venerated, respected and useful citizen in America.” Expositions that promoted ecology were very rare then and into the 21st century, but a notable exception was the 1982 World’s Fair. And the federal government comes to mind with two key events in the 20th century that affected East Tennessee. The federal project known as Tennessee Valley Authority became a model for harnessing water and electricity throughout the Tennessee Valley. Then less than a decade later a major part in the development of the atomic bomb occurred in Anderson County with the creation of Oak Ridge, the Secret City. So, one can see how difficult it might be to pinpoint a religious and secular event in East Tennessee that does not have broader ramifications. Just as the Conservation Expo of 1913 highlighted the future while marking the past, the Diocese of Knoxville’s 25th anniversary and Eucharistic Congress also celebrated the past while looking ahead to the future. n Monsignor Mankel is a vicar general of the diocese and the pastor of Holy Ghost Parish in Knoxville. OCTOBER 6, 2013

SPECIAL

2012 - 2013

ANNUAL REPORT PROVIDING HELP

Crazy Quilt Benefits from a “Host of Volunteers”!

olunteers are the life-blood of Crazy Quilt Friendship Center, near Jellico and the Tennessee/Kentucky border. An oasis to the isolated Appalachian community of Newcomb, Tenn., Crazy Quilt provides the only social services and emergency assistance available in the immediate area, where poverty and unemployment rates are significantly higher than in the rest of the state. Volunteers and donors ensure that Crazy Quilt’s food pantry and thrift store stay stocked and that area families can continue to turn to Crazy Quilt for help with Christmas gifts, summer camp and needed school supplies for their children. Ted Denning, of Knoxville, leads a team of volunteers who collect donated items, from furniture to clothing, load a 12-by-6-foot enclosed trailer and make regular trips to Newcomb. Having done this for more than 20 years, Ted has learned to always have candy on-hand in case there are children onsite while he is delivering. In what is approaching a 30-year tradition, the 8th graders at St. Mary’s School in Oak Ridge always pitch in to make Christmas wishes come true for the children who might not have a happy holiday if not for Crazy Quilt. The students create ornaments to cover “angel trees” in both the school and St. Mary’s Catholic Church while also campaigning throughout the

school and church to encourage donations. Once collected, they personally deliver the items – several vehicles full – to Crazy Quilt in time for the annual Christmas party in early December. This June, Catholic Heart WorkCamp teens from all over the United States helped with Crazy Quilt’s Mountain Arts Program (MAP), a one-week day camp that provides arts and crafts, sports and other activities to children who would otherwise not have access to any type of summer camp experience. The camp is free to families, and each child who participates in MAP also receives clothing, shoes, backpacks and other essentials for the coming school year.

CREATING HOPE www.ccetn.org

OUR MISSION Empowered by the grace of Jesus Christ, Catholic Charities of East Tennessee addresses the unmet needs of the most vulnerable of our region by providing shelter, nourishment, counseling and education, in order to foster human dignity.

OUR CLIENTS Frequently assumed to “serve only Catholics,” the fact is that CCETN serves those in our community with demonstrated need, regardless of race, religious affiliation or ability to pay. Clients are not asked about religious preference, but based on our region’s demographics we estimate that fewer than 5 percent are Catholic. Our clients include:

These great volunteers are among many whose in-kind and financial contributions make possible Crazy Quilt’s important outreach to rural and impoverished children and families. For more information on Crazy Quilt Friendship Center or how to help, visit www.ccetn.org or contact Program Manager Ed Bryant at (423) 784-6022 or ed@ccetn.org. Photo: M.A.P. kids get help from Catholic Heart WorkCamp volunteers at Crazy Quilt Friendship Center in Newcomb.

. . . .

Children who are victims of abuse, neglect or other endangerment. Vulnerable adults, including those living with HIV/AIDS or mental illness, and homebound and homeless seniors. Families in hardship, including immigrants, refugees, the rural poor and those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Those facing the challenges of unplanned pregnancy and families wishing to adopt.

For volunteer opportunities or to donate to any program, visit www.ccetn.org

Preserving and Strengthening Families

even-year-old Mary makes a face and giggles at her older sister, Grace, who has just been scolded by their mother. Said mom, Allison, is helping Grace wrangle her hair into a particularly tricky new updo while pretending shock at her 13-year-old’s latest declaration about boys. All three faces are relaxed and happy, and Allison’s love for her daughters is so obvious that even a stranger looking on senses her hunger for every smile, every nuance, every second she spends with them. There is no question that Allison has always loved her children, but there was a time when Allison did not love herself. As a result, the scene described here did not take place in the family home but at Parent Place, Catholic Charities’ supervised visitation program and the only such service available to all of central East Tennessee.

Though she seemed to “have it all,” Allison’s internal struggles led to addiction, divorce and loss of custody. After completing a rehabilitation program, Allison was able to see the girls on a frequent and regular basis. Unfortunately, Allison’s sobriety did not last; her relapse led the court to order supervised visitation only, and she was referred to Parent Place. It is only through Parent Place that Allison has been able to maintain and nurture her relationship with her children, a relationship that has motivated and helped sustain her over the past several years. Realizing that she needed to remove herself from the environment and influences that

OCTOBER 6, 2013

were undermining her sobriety, Allison made an extremely difficult decision. She moved back to Connecticut, where, she says, she was lucky enough to have parents who would still support her in her fight to regain stability in her life.

Place supervised 2,067 visits for 536 families, including 851 children. Fees are on a sliding scale based on the income of the noncustodial parent and cover only about 32 percent of the total program cost. For more information on Parent Place, go to www.ccetn.org and visit the Columbus Home Children’s Services page.

Now more than two years clean and sober, Allison is working and saving toward the future, and is more determined than ever to maintain her ties with her children. Once a month she flies five hours round-trip to spend two short, precious hours with Mary and Grace. Allison says: I would probably not be able to see my girls at all, if it weren’t for Parent Place. The staff is very supportive and accommodating – and very “real.” People who get clean and sober want to mend relationships, and I am so grateful to Parent Place for giving me that opportunity with my children. Allison is optimistic about an eventual lifting of the court order for supervised visitation, as she continues to maintain her sobriety and rebuild her life. Catholic Charities is grateful to Allison for her willingness to share her story, which underscores the importance and strength of the parent-child bond and the redemptive power of grace and forgiveness. Parent Place works every day to keep children safe while helping to preserve and strengthen appropriate relationships with their noncustodial parents. Last year alone, Parent

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Parent Place visitation rooms accommodate children of all ages from babies to teens

THE EAST TENNESSEE CATHOLIC

Save the Date 2013 - 2014 April 3, 2014 CHATTANOOGA’S 32ND ANNUAL DINNER The Chattanoogan Hotel

November 9 & 10, 2013 CHATTANOOGA BAKE SALE to benefit The Home Place Chattanooga-area Catholic Churches

May 4, 2014 KNOXVILLE’S 16TH ANNUAL KIDS HELPING KIDS FUN WALK Knoxville Catholic High School

November 16 - December 7, 2013 CHRISTMAS ANGEL TREE Chattanooga-area Catholic Churches March 7, 2014 TRI-CITIES ANNUAL DINNER St. Dominic’s Church, Kingsport

June 9, 2014 KNOXVILLE’S 5TH ANNUAL COMMON GOOD CLASSIC GOLF TOURNAMENT Cherokee Country Club

March 13, 2014 KNOXVILLE’S 29TH ANNUAL DINNER: “An Emerald O'ccasion” Knoxville Marriott Hotel

Oﬃces: Knoxville/Administrative - (865) 524-9896

CCETN Programs Work Together to Help Expectant Mother with Big Decision

CHATTANOOGA ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT Date TBA

Chattanooga - (423) 267-1297

Financials - 2012 2013

Tri-Cities (423) 328-0070

•

Revenues

Donations Diocese of Knoxville

30.8% 9.5%

Generated Income*

15.7%

Government Private Foundations United Way

27.3% 9.3% 7.4%

* Sliding scale fees, thrift store sales, interest income

Expenditures

Administration

10.6%

Fundraising & Development Low Income Disabled Adults Children’s Services

6.4% 11.1% 24.6%

Families & Youth Immigrant Services Pregnancy & Adoption Seniors

19.6% 3.4% 2.7% 21.7%

Individuals Served in FY 2012-2013 Children’s Services 2,739 Counseling and Education 4,337 Shelter and Housing 322

Outreach Information & Client Advocacy Total Individuals Served

4,997 4,293 16,688

hattanooga-based therapist Kathy Hotton first met Theresa when she sought counseling for chronic depression. Theresa was making great progress in her treatment plan when she experienced an unplanned pregnancy. Panicked and fearful, Theresa felt that she had no acceptable options. Kathy helped Theresa realize that she had the time to think through her options, and, ultimately, Theresa decided to have and keep her baby. In addition to continued counseling, Kathy provided Theresa with maternity clothes and other resources through our Pregnancy and Adoption Services. Completing her therapeutic treatment plan during her pregnancy, Theresa recently phoned Kathy to report on the progress of her healthy, happy 1-year-old. In describing her baby as “the joy of my life,” Theresa added, “I don’t know if I could say that, if it hadn’t been for Catholic Charities.” Catholic Charities currently offers therapeutic counseling in both the Chattanooga and Knoxville areas, with a fee schedule based on the client’s income. Pregnancy and Adoption Services are available throughout East Tennessee. Availability and contact information for both programs is available at www.ccetn.org.

Living Independently with Assistance from Interfaith

t 93, Ruth is still able to live independently, thanks to Interfaith Senior Services. Interfaith’s transportation and case management services, for Chattanooga area seniors 65 and older, are provided by a team of client advocates that includes the program’s case coordinator, Jamie Gavlenski, a social work intern and a dedicated group of volunteers. Client needs assessment and coordination of services are important components of Interfaith’s new focus on case management; this was launched to help clients who, like Ruth, need more than simply a ride to the doctor’s office in order to remain safely in their homes. They are often unable to find and access services on their own, have few family members to help them and lack the desire or resources to move into an assisted living facility. A client for more than nine years, Ruth depends on Interfaith for visits to her dentist, primary care doctor and various specialists. A team member drives Ruth to each appointment, helps her complete necessary medical forms and, at her request, accompanies Ruth into the exam room. Acting as “extra eyes and ears,” her advocate can catch important details Ruth might miss, pick up any needed prescriptions, and review physician and pharmacy instructions at the conclusion of the trip.

Coordination of services has ensured Ruth’s continued access to meal and homemaker services, and telephone safety checks are made between visits. Whether the phone call is just to say hello, to remind her to fast before lab work, or to follow up on an expected visit by the handyman, Ruth knows there are caring people in her life looking out for her. During a recent telephone check-in Ruth confided that, since she now relies on Meals on Wheels, she was badly missing fresh corn on the cob. On her next transportation visit, Ruth’s advocate arrived bearing the gift of four ears of corn; throughout the drive that day, Ruth talked about nothing but the corn and how much she was looking forward to enjoying it. It is through such small acts of grace and caring that Interfaith staff and volunteers bring joy into the lives of isolated seniors. And it is through the support of caring hearts like yours that Interfaith was able to provide nearly 1,100 services to its clients last year, helping each age in place in their own homes and community. For more information on how you can volunteer your time or resources to homebound and isolated seniors in the Chattanooga area, contact Jamie Gavlenski, (423) 265-2397, or go to www.ccetn.org/programs/outreach and click on Interfaith.

Parties with a Purpose

elebrating an anniversary, birthday or other milestone and don't need any more platters, plaques or stick blenders? Why not "party with a purpose" and help support those served by Catholic Charities? Diana and Joey Seaver did just that as part of their recent 25th wedding anniversary celebration where, in lieu of gifts, guests were invited to make a donation to Samaritan Place. The response was tremendous, generating more than $4,000 toward shelter, housing and case management for homeless seniors in the Greater Knoxville area!

Thanks to Diana and Joey, and to all the "Party with a Purpose" hosts who have helped generate funds and awareness for Catholic Charities' important work! Of course, any excuse will work for a party, so if you are ready to "party with a purpose," contact Freddi Birdwell, freddi@ccetn.org or 865-684-1881 for information and ideas.

THE E A S T T E N N E S S E E C A T H OLIC

www.dioknox.org

OCTOBER 6, 2013

Catholic schools

Knoxville Catholic wins Irish Bowl trophy, 22-13 Bishop Stika attends and roots for the Irish as KCHS takes on Notre Dame in the renewal of a rivalry

STEPHANIE RICHER

Bowl trophy, winning 22-13 before a capacity crowd. The Irish Bowl was a tradition last seen in 2004, but Bishop Richard F. Stika decided it was one that needed to be brought back. “I’m rooting for the Irish,” he joked when asked which was his favored team. “We’re just trying to build a sense of diocese, and try to connect the TriCities with Knoxville, and Knoxville with Chattanooga,” Bishop Stika said, referring to the Diocese of Knoxville’s geographic expanse. “It gives an op-

To the victors Bishop Richard F. Stika presents the Irish Bowl trophy to Knoxville Catholic players as Sister Mary Marta Abbott, RSM, looks on. Sompayrac asked, teasing his brother. Howie Sompayrac described how he and his brother, along with their two sisters, grew up in a traditional Catholic family in Chattanooga. “Our parents were so involved. Mom was an alumna of Notre Dame High School and our dad was so supportive, folks thought he went to Notre Dame too,” he said. “My parents [Howard and Betty Sompayrac] were so involved that an award was established in their name there.” Howie Sompayrac said the Irish Bowl was “like a homecoming.” “My wife has family here [Knoxville], and she taught at St. Joseph School, so she enjoys coming up, and now when I come with her,

COURTESY OF MICHELLE DOUGHERTY

Brothers Howie (left) and Dickie Sompayrac unite at the Irish Bowl.

portunity for parents … to get together. It’s a great way to kick off the 25th [anniversary of the diocese]; it’s a great way to root for the Irish!” Bishop Stika said the teams will alternate home fields, with the game to be played in Chattanooga next year. Cardinal Justin Rigali also was in the stands cheering for the Irish. “It’s wonderful to see all this enthusiasm, it’s wonderful to see this commitment to the higher ideals of athletics, and the wonderful camaraderie among the Catholic schools and the Catholic people,” he said, noting the game was truly blessed because “Jesus said, ‘Where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there.’ Well, we’ve got a few more than that here tonight!” The friendly rivalry between the two diocesan schools also is a family affair for two key people. Dickie Sompayrac is Knoxville Catholic High School’s principal, and his brother, Howie Sompayrac, is the athletics director for Notre Dame High School. “Hey, can you get a picture of us with the scoreboard in the background?” Dickie

STEPHANIE RICHER

ccording to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the New Evangelization proposed by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in this Year of Faith calls us to “to be evangelized and then go forth to evangelize.” Who knew a game of football could do that? On Aug. 23, the Fighting Irish of Knoxville Catholic High School hosted the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame High School in the return of the Irish Bowl. Knoxville Catholic High School captured the Irish

Safety Patrol members installed at St. John Neumann School On Sept. 12, 24 fourth- and fifth-grade students at St. John Neumann School in Farragut were installed as members of the AAA Safety Patrol. The patrol members were trained by AAA Representative Don Lindsey, who attended the installation ceremony and led the Safety Patrol in reciting the Safety Patrol Pledge. St. John Neumann traffic officer Anne Page was also on hand to present each student with his or her badge. Above are (from left, first row Katelyn Nguyen, Sam Sompayrac, Lauren Stouffer, Alexa Peck, Gabriela Sweet, Daniel Latorre, David Schmidt, Nicholas Renfree, Cash Wagers, and Chase Fuller; (second row) Sarah Schmand, Gracie Brown, Ella Renfree, Jennifer Goddard, Emma Acord, Ella Myers, Vincenzo Montanari, and Masen Hooper; and (third row) Don Lindsey, Officer Anne Page, Emma Keough, Megan Hurley, Isabella Ramos, Ian Peterson, Phoebe Smith, and St. John Neumann principal Bill Derbyshire.

Knoxville Catholic grad completes basic training

adet James Reese Staley Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. James Reese Staley Sr. of Knoxville, completed Cadet Basic Training at the U.S.

Military Academy on Aug. 17. Cadet Staley successfully completed six weeks of CBT. He graduated from Knoxville Catholic

High School on May 18. He plans to graduate from West Point in 2017 and be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. n

I make new friends.” Howie Sompayrac’s wife, Cathy Rainwater Sompayrac, is a St. Joseph and Knoxville Catholic graduate. “[The Irish Bowl] is more than just sportsmanship. It’s about the community of our diocese. Dickie and I both said it feels kind of weird, because you want your team to win, but that’s not as important. I see my kids getting together with their cousins and it’s all good,” Howie Sompayrac said. One student said, “I saw Mr. [Dickie] Sompayrac driving around with his brother in a golf cart, and I yelled out, ‘Hey, Mr. Sompayrac!’ and both turned and waved hello.” “I think it is terrific,”

OCTOBER 6, 2013

said Notre Dame High School parent Mary Pat Haywood. Despite not having a son on the team, Haywood said she and her family drove from Chattanooga because they are “crazy football fans.” She looks forward to future games and had this message to Knoxville Catholic High School and its supporters: “Next year … we will welcome you!” At the end of the game, Bishop Stika and Sister Mary Marta Abbott, RSM, the diocese’s superintendent of schools, presented Knoxville Catholic High School’s team with the Irish Bowl trophy. But regardless of who won, one statement was certain: “Go Irish!” n

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B10

By Stephanie Richer

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Carmela A. Manago, Executive Director 855-842-8001 | 508-340-9370 THE EAST TENNESSEE CATHOLIC

Catholic schools

Notre Dame High School celebrates Alumni Weekend

otre Dame High School in Chattanooga celebrated Alumni Weekend July 25-28 and welcomed home hundreds of alums from around the country. The weekend began with an awards ceremony honoring Sister Mary Evelyn Potts of the class of 1959, as the Distinguished Alumna for 2013 and Jean Payne, ’78, as the recipient of the Jim Phifer Service Award. The Irish Classic Golf Tournament was held at Bear Trace Golf Course. First place was awarded to the team of Mike Hennen ’72; Richard Keene, ’76; Tom McKenna, ’75; and David McKenna, ’76. Second place was awarded to the team of Rick Eberle, ’78; Richard Eberle, ’05; Bill Eberle, ’81; and Greg Howard. Following the golf tournament, hundreds of graduates from every

class year gathered on campus for the Every-Class Bash. More than 160 alums attended this year’s Golden Graduates Brunch, which was held at The Mill Event Center. Two 75-year graduates, Jim and Brick Graham Burkart, ’38, were recognized as diamond graduates. Forty-four members of the class of 1963 were also recognized as 50year graduates. George Valadie, president of Notre Dame High School, presented the 50-year and 75-year graduates with a golden or diamond pin to commemorate their anniversary. Three additional 1963 graduates received their 50-year pin at their individual class reunion, which was held at the Marriott. The weekend concluded with the Alumni Mass, celebrated at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga. n

By Stephanie Richer

COURTESY OF GAYLE SCHOENBORN

Bishop Stika attends and roots for the Irish as KCHS takes on Notre Dame in the renewal of a rivalry

75-year graduates Seated at the Golden Graduates Brunch are diamond grads Brick Graham Burkart and husband Jim of the Notre Dame High School class of 1938. Standing are their son Foster Goodwin, ’63, a golden grad, and his wife, Carol Cowan Goodwin, ’65.

Calendar continued from page B5 Ryan: Priest/Poet of the U.S. South.” Father Ryan was pastor at Immaculate Conception Church from 1865-1867. The pilgrimage Masses will be held on the first Sunday of each month during the diocesan anniversary celebration. For more information, call the parish office at 865-522-1508. The 2013 Celebrate Life Banquet is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, at the Knoxville Convention Center. Shari Rigby, the actress who played the birth mother who reconsidered her decision to abort her child in the pro-life film October Baby, will be the keynote speaker. Tickets are $50 per person. Corporate sponsorships also are available. To learn more or purchase tickets, call the Tennessee Right to Life office at 865-689-1339. Monsignor Al Humbrecht and Father Michael Nolan will be the spiritual directors of a pilgrimage to Spain and Portugal from Oct. 29 through Nov. 9. Pilgrims will visit important shrines and holy sites in Madrid, Segovia, Avila, León, Santiago, Fatima, and Lisbon. The cost per person is $3,599 from Atlanta. To obtain a brochure or register, contact Sister Albertine Paulus, RSM, at 865-207-4742, 5458270 or smaevang@yahoo.com. The next Engaged Encounter weekend will take place Oct. 11-13 at the Holiday Inn Express in Lenoir City. To register, contact Jason and Carmen Jeansonne at 865-377-3077 or ceeknoxville@yahoo.com. For other information, contact Jerry or Mary Dougherty at 865458-4117 or ceeknoxville@gmail.com. For information on other weekends, visit www.engagedencounter.org. The diocesan Office of Marriage Preparation and Enrichment will present three Surviving the Holidays workshops during November for those who are separated, divorced, or widowed. Separate

classes are available at each workshop to address the specific needs of each group. The first workshop will meet at St. Mary School in Johnson City from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 2; the second is scheduled from 8:15-11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at the St. Jude Church parish life center in Chattanooga; and the third will meet in Seton Hall at St. John Neumann Church in Farragut from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10. The cost for materials is $10. Light refreshments will be served, and baby-sitting is available for an additional cost. To register, contact Marian Christiana at 423-892-2310 or mchristiana@dioknox.org. There will be an open house for families of eighth-grade students who plan on attending Knoxville Catholic High School in 2014 at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, in the KCHS gymnasium. Placement tests will be given from 8 a.m. until noon Saturday, Dec. 7, at the school. To set up a tour or to obtain further information, contact Nichole Pfohl, dean of admissions, at 865560-0502 or npfohl@knoxvillecatholic.com. The next Picture of Love engagedcouples retreat will take place Nov. 15 and 16 at the Holy Spirit Church parish life center in Soddy-Daisy. The retreat will meet from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday and continue from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. The program is designed to help couples gain a better understanding of the joys and challenges of being married in their day-to-day lives. The cost is $135 per couple, which includes a certificate good for a $60 discount on a marriage license. Couples must attend the entire retreat to receive the certificate. For more information, contact Marian Christiana, director of the Office of Marriage Preparation and Enrichment, at 423-892-2310 or mchristiana@dioknox.org. A Crash Course in Catholic Bioethics presented by the National Catholic Bioethics Center and hosted by the Diocese

of Knoxville Office of Health Services and the St. Luke Guild of East Tennessee will be held at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Lenoir City from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16. Speakers include Dr. Marie Hilliard, the director of Bioethics and Public Policy at the NCBC and Father Tadeusz Pacholczyk, a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, Mass., and director of education at the NCBC. Bishop Richard F. Stika will celebrate a White Mass with conference attendees. Registration is $65 for physicians, $45 for other health professionals, and $20 for the general public. CMEs will be offered as part of the cost for the doctors and health professionals. Register online by Nov. 9 at catholic_bioethics.eventbrite. com/. For more information, contact Emily Jacobssen at 865-584-3307 or ejacobssen@dioknox.org. Father Charlie Burton and Deacon Gaspar DeGaetano will be the spiritual directors of a pilgrimage to Italy from March 16-28, 2014. The group will visit Rome, Pompeii, Sorrento, Sicily, and many other places during the trip. The all-inclusive cost is $4,199. For more details, call Proximo Travel at 855-842-8001 or visit www.proximotravel.com. Father John Dowling will be the spiritual director for a 10-day pilgrimage to France June 30–July 9, 2014. The group will visit several shrines and holy sites around France, including the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal and Sainte-Chapelle, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Amiens, the tomb of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the American Military Cemetery at Omaha Beach, Chartres Cathedral, the Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Paray-le-Monial, and the basilica in Ars that houses the incorrupt body of St. John Vianney. The final day will feature a drive through the French Alps. Mass will be celebrated daily. The price for the pilgrimage including airfare from either

Nashville or Knoxville is $3,945, which includes U.S. government taxes, fees, and airline fuel surcharges up to $665; economy-class round-trip airfare, three- and four-star hotel accommodations (based on double occupancy), eight breakfasts and dinners, a professional tour manager, local English-speaking guides, all scheduled sightseeing and entrance fees, a modern motor coach, and group tips. Interested pilgrims can also arrange their own airfare and pay $2,849 (if 30 pilgrims register). Register early and make a deposit by Aug. 25, 2013, and receive a $50 discount. For more information, contact Father Dowling at 931-484-3628 or frjohndowling@gmail.com. Mass in the extraordinary form (“traditional Latin”) is celebrated at 1:30 p.m. each Sunday at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville; at 3 p.m. on first and third Sundays at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church in Cleveland; at 3 p.m. on second and fourth Sundays at St. Joseph the Worker Church in Madisonville; at 11 a.m. on most Sundays at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Townsend; and at 3 p.m. on second and fourth Sundays at St. Mary Church in Johnson City. Visit www.knoxlatinmass.net for updated information. The St. Thomas the Apostle Ukrainian Catholic Mission celebrates Divine Liturgy at 9:30 a.m. Sundays in the lower level of Holy Cross Anglican Church, 515 Herron Road, Knoxville, TN 37934. Note the time change. All services are in English. Call Father Richard Armstrong at 865-584-3307 or visit www.saint thomas-knoxville.org for details. Holy Resurrection Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic Mission has Divine Liturgy celebrations at 9:30 a.m. Sundays at the old Holy Ghost Church, 1031 N. Central St. in Knoxville. For times of holy-day services or for more information, visit www.knoxbyz.org or call Father Thomas O’Connell at 865-256-4880. n

With Scripture in the Holy Land

An Ecumenical Journey Under the Spiritual Direction of:

Msgr. Al Humbrecht & Dr. Jerry Askew

February 16 to March 1, 2014 $3,399 from Atlanta (ATL)

Plus $715 in airport taxes, security fees, current fuel surcharges, and $145 in tips. Travel Arrangements by:

THE E A S T T E N N E S S E E C A T H OLIC

• • • • • •

Highlights Include:

Jerusalem - Mt. of Olives & Mt. Zion Bethlehem - birthplace of Jesus Mt. Tabor - site of Transfiguration Tiberias - Mount of Beatitudes Boat Ride on Sea of Galilee Plus much, much, more! www.dioknox.org

For more information and a FREE color brochure... Contact: Sr. Albertine Paulus, RSM Email: smaevang@yahoo.com or Call (865) 207-4742 or (865) 545-8270

CST: 2018667

OCTOBER 6, 2013

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Father Andrews elected Paulist president

he Paulist Fathers have announced that Father Eric Andrews, CSP, former pastor of Blessed John XXIII Catholic Center on the University of Tennessee campus, has been elected the next president of the New York–based priest community. The Paulists are a Society of Apostolic Life and elect a president

Father Eric Andrews, CSP

who serves a fouryear term. The Pau-

lists serve in parishes across the country and around the world. Father Andrews, who will take office in May 2014, was at Blessed John XXIII from 20002009, first serving as an associate pastor and then as pastor. In 2009 he was selected to become the third president of Paulist Productions in the organization’s 50-year history. Paulist

Productions, based in Los Angeles, creates films and television programs. Blessed John XXIII is planning a dinner party reception welcoming president-elect Father Andrews back to the university in January. Father Andrews said he is thankful for all the well-wishes and is asking for prayers and support and also for his brother Paulists. n

Pope to canonize John XXIII, John Paul II By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Recognizing that Blessed John XXIII and John Paul II have widespread reputations for holiness and that years of studying their lives and actions have proven their exceptional virtue, Pope Francis announced he would declare his two predecessors saints at a single ceremony April 27. The pope made the announcement Sept. 30 at the end of an “ordinary public consistory,” a gathering of cardinals and promoters of the sainthood causes of the two late popes. The consistory took place in the context of a prayer service in Latin and included the reading of brief biographies of the two sainthood candidates. Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes, read the biographies and highlighted the “service to peace” and the impact both popes had “inside and outside the Christian community” at times of great cultural, political and religious transformation. The testimonies of their lives, “completely dedicated to proclaiming the Gospel, shine in the church and reverberate in the history of the world as examples of hope and light,” the cardinal said. Blessed John Paul, known as a globetrotter who made 104 trips outside Italy, served as pope from 1978 to 2005 and was beati-

fied by Pope Benedict XVI on Divine Mercy Sunday, May 1, 2011. Blessed John XXIII, known particularly for convoking the Second Vatican Council, was pope from 1958 to 1963; Blessed John Paul beatified him in 2000. Asked by reporters if retired Pope Benedict would participate in the canonization ceremony, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, told reporters it was possible, but given the retired pope’s preference for staying out of the public eye, he could not say for sure. The choice of April 27, which will be Divine Mercy Sunday in 2014, was not a complete surprise. Speaking to reporters traveling with him from Brazil to Rome on July 28, Pope Francis said he had been considering Dec. 8, but the possibility of icy roads could make it difficult for Polish pilgrims who would travel by bus to Rome for the ceremony. The other option, he said, was Divine Mercy Sunday, a celebration instituted worldwide by Pope John Paul. Since the beginning of his pontificate in March, Pope Francis has emphasized God’s mercy and readiness to forgive those who recognize their need for pardon. He told reporters on the flight from Brazil that Pope John Paul’s promotion of Divine Mercy Sunday showed his intuition that a new

Pilgrimage to canonizations for John Paul II, John XXIII planned

ishop Richard F. Stika and Cardinal Justin Rigali will be featured on a pilgrimage to Rome scheduled April 21-29 for the canonizations of Blessed John Paul II and Blessed John XXIII. The pilgrimage, sponsored by Select International Tours, will depart Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson Airport on April 21, and connect with a direct flight from Charlotte, N.C., to

Rome on USAir. Registration is under way at www.select internationaltours.com or 800-842-4842. Pope Francis announced Sept. 30 that he will declare his predecessors saints during a papal ceremony scheduled for April 27 at the Vatican. Select International has sponsored other pilgrimages led by Bishop Stika and Cardinal Rigali. n

Several attend conference for Hispanics on Respect Life

n Aug. 16-17, several diocesan parishioners attended a conference for Hispanics on Catholic Respect Life teachings. It is now their intent to integrate into existing pro-life pro-

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OCTOBER 6, 2013

grams and concerns in parishes and to be the link to the Spanishspeakers helping them to participate more actively. For additional information, call the Hispanic Ministry office at 865-637-4769. n

“age of mercy” was needed in the Church and the world. Asked on the plane to describe the two late popes, Pope Francis said Blessed John was “a bit of the ‘country priest,’ a priest who loves each of the faithful and knows how to care for them; he did this as a bishop and as a nuncio.” He was holy, patient, had a good sense of humor and, especially by calling the Second Vatican Council, was a man of courage, Pope Francis said. “He was a man who let himself be guided by the Lord.” As for Blessed John Paul, Pope Francis told the reporters on the plane, “I think of him as ‘the great missionary of the church,’” because he was “a man

who proclaimed the Gospel everywhere.” Pope Francis signed a decree recognizing the miracle needed for Blessed John Paul’s canonization July 5; the same day, the Vatican announced that the pope had agreed with members of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes that the canonization of Blessed John should go forward even without a second miracle attributed to his intercession. Except in the case of martyrdom, Vatican rules require one miracle for a candidate’s beatification and a second for his or her canonization as confirmations that the candidate really is in heaven with God. However, the pope may set aside the rule. n

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

Father Charlie Burton

Father Peter Iorio

Bishop Stika appoints two diocesan deans

ishop Richard F. Stika announced Sept. 19 that he has appointed two new deans for the Diocese of Knoxville. “Father Charlie Burton has accepted my request to serve as dean of the Chattanooga Deanery, and Father Peter Iorio has accepted my request to serve as dean of the Five Rivers Deanery,” Bishop Stika said. “Both appointments are for three years with the option of an additional term. Both appointments are effective Oct. 1, 2013. “I am very grateful to both Charlie and Peter for accepting this

additional work in the diocese. “Both Monsignor Bob Hofstetter [Five Rivers] and Monsignor George Schmidt [Chattanooga] have served with distinction in their capacity as deans, and I wish again to thank them for their leadership. Both continue to give so much to the good people of the Diocese of Knoxville, and both have a great love of the priesthood! “I am also grateful to Monsignor Pat Garrity and Father Ron Franco, CSP, in their capacity as the other two deans of the Diocese of Knoxville.” n

Catholics asked to pray for Syria

atholics across East Tennessee and around the country joined a “Day of Fasting and Prayer for Peace in Syria, the

OF THE

DIOCESE

Middle East and the World” on Sept. 7. The prayers were in response to Pope Francis’ request for peace in Syria. n

KNOXVILLE

“…he must open his arms to protect all of God’s people and embrace with tender affection the whole of humanity, especially the poorest, the weakest, the least important…” -Pope Francis, March 2013

Last year, our Catholic school students contributed more than 50,000 hours in service to our Church, our community, and our world! American Cancer Society American Red Cross Angel Tree Catholic Charities Columbus Home Crazy Quilt East TN Children’s Hospital Fantasy of Trees Give Haiti Hope Goodwill Mentoring Program Habitat for Humanity KARM Ladies of Charity Pregnancy Help Center Read Across America Ronald McDonald House Salvation Army Second Harvest Food Bank Special Olympics St. Jude’s Hospital Toys for Tots Volunteer Ministry Center Haiti Photo by Patrick Murphy-Racey

www.dioknox.org

THE EAST TENNESSEE CATHOLIC