Sept. 6, 2009, East Tennessee Catholic by Diocese of Knoxville

CNS PHOTO/MIKE SEGAR, REUTERS

Prayers for Senator Kennedy Members of the Kennedy family kneel by the side of the casket of Sen. Edward Kennedy inside the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum in Boston on Aug. 27. Kennedy died Aug. 25 at the age of 77 after a yearlong battle with brain cancer. page 10

THE EAST TENNESSEE

Volume 19 • Number 1 • September 6, 2009

The

N E W S PA P E R

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

‘A spirit of gratitude’ COURTESY OF PATTY JOHNSON

Bishop Stika says his recent health scare ‘will make me a better bishop and a better priest.’ By Mary C. Weaver ollowing a midAugust health crisis, Bishop Richard F. Stika is back on the job in Knoxville with a new pair of glasses, a somewhat reduced schedule, and a new commitment to honoring his health. He’s hoping his experience can serve as a wakeup call to the rest of his flock as well. The bishop returned home Saturday, Aug. 22, less than one week after suffering a mild heart attack in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. As Bishop Stika explained during an Aug. 24 press conference at the Chancery, he had been in Florida to visit a sick friend. There he was “admitted to the emergency room . . . in cardiogenic shock after falling ill from flulike symptoms and diabetic ketoacidosis, also known as DKA,” he said. “DKA is a lifethreatening condition that can occur in people with diabetes, and as you may know, I have been a diabetic for almost 30 years now. When

RUNNING FOR OFFICE

Patty Johnson of Fairfield Glade is one of three presidential candidates for the National Council of Catholic Women.

Glade resident seeking NCCW presidency B Y DA N MCWI LLIAMS

atty Johnson— with more than four decades of service to the Council of Catholic Women at the parish, deanery, diocesan, and national levels—is taking a huge step this fall. The parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi in Fairfield Glade is one of three candidates in the running for the presidency of the National Council of Catholic Women. Elections will be held during the NCCW’s annual convention Sept. 23 through 27 in Jacksonville. Mrs. Johnson is currently the vice president for Region III of

Johnson continued on page 3

DAN MCWILLIAMS

BACK AT WORK After an Aug. 24 press conference at the Chancery, Bishop Richard F. Stika speaks with WATETV reporter Tearsa Smith. The bishop expressed his gratitude for all the prayers he’d received while hospitalized and discussed his recovery from a mild heart attack.

someone is diabetic, even a simple illness can rapidly become very serious.” Although he was “near death,” he said, “God’s goodness and the prayer and compassion of health professionals and the thousands who prayed for him” pulled him through.

“One person told me, ‘God went fishing, and he caught me and decided to throw me back,’ so here I am with all of you today.” The bishop said he’s “doing much better now except for the vision in my right eye, which has been impaired a little bit,

and a significant fatigue that I’ve been experiencing.” Two days later Bishop Stika visited a couple of renowned eye specialists in Nashville and soon after had a new prescription for glasses. In anticipation of the appointments, he said, “I have some

partial vision, but the doctors tell me that if my eye doesn’t come back 100 percent, the other eye will make some adjustments.” “It’s remarkable what the human body and the human brain can do—so we’ll just take it as it is and see what happens.” Bishop continued on page 2

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

DEACON PATRICK MURPHY-RACEY

Please pray for our priests

Bishop Stika dedicates St. Albert the Great’s parish center Hundreds of members and friends of the diocese’s newest Catholic community took part in the dedication of St. Albert the Great’s parish center on Aug. 29. The 10,000-square-foot structure was built on a 32-acre lot in Halls Crossroads, north of Knoxville. Shot just a few minutes before the 11 a.m. ceremony began, the photo shows Bishop Richard F. Stika approaching the doors of the facility. The story and more photos will be published in the Sept. 20 edition.

letters to the

EDITOR

Reader grateful for column on Komen

Thank you so much for your column on the Komen Foundation (“Komen again,” Aug. 9 ETC). For the past few years I have felt for women with cancer, but something about all the “pushed” sales of everything from ribbons to rubber bands in orthodontics has given me a distaste or suspicion toward the foundation. I have never donated to them, and I do a good bit of giving. Somehow I did not feel good about them. I will pass your article on, as I am sure there are plenty of people who do not know the facts. Thanks again for the information. God bless. ■ —Peggy Barnett Athens We welcome letters to the editor and carefully consider all submissions. Letters should be 350 words or less and will be edited for grammar, style, clarity, and length. Submit them by e-mail, mail, or fax: mary@dioceseofknoxville.org, P.O. Box 11127, Knoxville, TN 37939-1127, 865-5848124. Letters to the editor reflect the opinions of their authors and not those of the editorial staff or the publisher.

Want to try online delivery? he East Tennessee Catholic is now offering online delivery for those who would prefer to read a digital copy and to discontinue the print edition. If you would rather read the ETC online, visit snipr.com/onlineETC to sign up. If you decide online delivery isn’t for you, you can return to a print subscription at any time. If you have questions, e-mail mary@dioceseof knoxville.org. ■

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

Faith-formation classes continue he 2009 series of adult faith-formation classes began in February, with additional classes scheduled throughout the year and in locations around the diocese. The adult faith-formation program is one of the educational initiatives funded through the Growing in Faith Together capital-stewardship campaign. Classes are offered at no charge to adults in the diocese. All sessions begin at 7 p.m. and end at 9.

Personal Morality, taught by Father Michael Sweeney. Explores the foundations of how we are to live as Catholics. The class will examine the concepts of human dignity, freedom, law, sin, virtue, and conscience as well as current moral issues. Sessions take place on Tuesdays. ■ Sept. 15, Sacred Heart Cathedral ■ Oct. 27 (new date), Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Chattanooga The Sacraments, taught by Amy Roberts. Explores the foundations of what we celebrate as Catholics. The class will examine how we encounter the living Christ through each of the church’s seven sacraments. ■ Thursday, Sept. 24, St. Stephen Church, Chattanooga ■ Tuesday, Nov. 10, St. Dominic Church, Kingsport What We Believe, taught by Deacon David Lucheon. Explores the foundations of what we profess as Catholics. The class will examine the principal truths of the faith as expressed in the creeds of the church. ■ Thursday, Oct. 8, Notre Dame Church, Greeneville ■ Tuesday, Nov. 17, Sacred Heart Cathedral

living the

READINGS

BY FATHER JOSEPH BRANDO

Healing frustration The Holy Spirit can work a miracle on us as we reach out to the poor.

Losing the sense of hearing is one of life’s most frustrating experiences. You cannot fully comprehend what friends and loved ones are saying. Most often, when you make an educated guess, you’re wrong. The result is even more frustration, as both parties realize their attempt to communicate has been a failure. The man Jesus cured in today’s Gospel is a prime example of this syndrome. He could not even hear himself so he gradually lost the ability to speak clearly. His frustration level had reached maximum, and his sense of isolation had risen just as

high. Jesus’ healing, therefore, was more than a physical action. It was a psychological miracle as well. Nor was it easy. Mark relates that Jesus spit, touched the man’s tongue, looked up to heaven, and groaned. If the Lord communicated anything to the deaf man, he got across the message that he cared. And of course, the man was cured. James makes us realize, in the second reading, that as Christians we are called to continue the ministry of Christ. Not many of us can heal the deaf. Yet there are thousands of people who are just as frustrated by a lack of communication. It hasn’t changed much from the time of James. The poor are still around us in great numbers. I was recently told that in India there are two popula-

A two-part lesson James remembers something Peter learned from Jesus.

s with the readings of last week’s liturgy, this Sunday we have a wonderful case of an apostle’s applying a lesson he learned on

the road with Jesus to a situation that developed during his time as a leader of the church. The problem the Apostle James no-

To register, visit dioceseofknoxville.org, click Resources/ETC, then click Event registration in the left frame. For further details, contact Rich Armstrong at rarmstrong@dioceseofknoxville.org or 865-584-3307. ■ 2

■

SEPTEMBER 6, 2009

Sept. 6, 23rd Sunday in ordinary time Isaiah 35:4-7 Psalm 146:7-10 James 2:1-5 Mark 7:31-37

ticed during his watch over the early church was a nonchalant attitude when it came to helping fellow Christians in need. James diagnosed the problem as one of faith. It was not that they did not believe in Christ. It was not that they had

no compassion for the less fortunate. It seems they did not understand what Readings continued on page 3

Sept. 13, 24th Sunday in ordinary time Isaiah 50:5-9 Psalm 116:1-6, 8-9 James 2:14-18 Mark 8:27-35

W E E KDAY RE ADINGS Monday, Sept. 7: Colossians 1:24– 2:3; Psalm 62:6-7, 9; Luke 6:6-11 Tuesday, Sept. 8: Feast, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Micah 5:1-4; Psalm 13:6; Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23 Wednesday, Sept. 9: Memorial, Peter Claver, priest, Colossians 3:1-11; Psalm 145:2-3, 10-13; Luke 6:20-26 Thursday, Sept. 10: Colossians 3:12-17; Psalm 150:1-6; Luke 6:2738

Friday, Sept. 11: 1 Timothy 1:1-2, 12-14; Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 11; Luke 6:39-42 Saturday, Sept. 12: 1 Timothy 1:1517; Psalm 113:1-7; Luke 6:43-49 Monday, Sept. 14: Feast, Exultation of the Holy Cross, Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 78:1-2, 34-38; Philippians 2:611; John 3:13-17 Tuesday, Sept. 15: Memorial, Our Lady of Sorrows, 1 Timothy 3:1-13;

Psalm 101:1-3, 5-6; John 19:25-27 Wednesday, Sept. 16: Memorial, Cornelius, pope, martyr, and Cyprian, bishop, martyr, 1 Timothy 3:14-16; Psalm 111:1-6; Luke 7:31-35 Thursday, Sept. 17: 1 Timothy 4:1216; Psalm 111:7-10; Luke 7:36-50 Friday, Sept. 18: 1 Timothy 6:2-12; Psalm 49:6-10, 17-20; Luke 8:1-3 Saturday, Sept. 19: 1 Timothy 6:1316; Psalm 100:1-5; Luke 8:4-15 ■

As he makes these lifestyle adjustments, the bishop has a little help, in the person of Sister Mary Sarah Macht, a registered nurse. “I have a good friend, Mother Mary Quentin, the superior general of the Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich. She sent down one of her nurses, Sister Mary Sarah, who is working with my diet and diabetes training, and I’m reacquiring the knowledge that I’d forgotten about. “She’s been a godsend. I think my recovery time will be shorter just because of her,” he said in an Aug. 30 interview with the ETC. Even though he learned long ago how to manage his diabetes, he noted that as his life became busier as a new diocesan bishop, “it’s possible to start cutting corners.” “I cut a lot of corners, and it caught up to me.”

Living with a dramatically increased schedule, getting a little run-down, going through the tragic death of his executive secretary, Nancy Feist, on June 19, and possibly having an infection created what the bishop called “the perfect storm.” As part of his recovery, he said, he will be going back to a more structured plan of eating at specific times, “and I will have to do some cardiac rehab.” After the initial months of rehab, the bishop said, his cardiologist in East Tennessee wants him to perform vigorous daily exercise. “Fortunately, there wasn’t too much damage done to my heart, so it’s all repairable.” Bishop Stika said he had just spoken to the doctor who performed his bypass surgery five years ago, “and they

Bishop continued from page 1

On doctors’ orders, the bishop’s public schedule has been lightened a bit, and an improved diabetic food plan and cardiovascular exercise have been added to his daily activities. “I was fairly faithful to exercise until I got to Knoxville,” he said at the press conference. “But these last several months [since his March 19 ordination] my schedule has changed so radically. I’m going to recommit myself to daily exercise. “I’m going to watch what I eat and just recommit myself to those values I learned almost 30 years ago when I learned from the doctors that I was a type 1 diabetic. “Everyone [in the diocese] knows what I’ve been through and what I’m supposed to do, so the challenge for me is to make sure I live up to their expectations.”

805 Northshore Drive S.W.

Bishop continued on page 8

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

THE EAST TENNESSEE

Catechetical formation sessions, presented in collaboration with Aquinas College in Nashville, will also be held this fall for catechists, teachers in Catholic schools, ministry leaders, and other interested adults. Each session takes place on a Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes hourlong modules on the Creed, the sacraments, morality, prayer, and methods. Choose one session: ■ Oct. 17, St. John Neumann Church, Farragut ■ Nov. 7, St. Elizabeth Church, Elizabethton ■ Nov. 14, St. Jude Church, Chattanooga.

tions, the rich and the poor. Yet they are invisible to each other. There is no communication. On the part of the poor, there is only frustration—the frustration of the deaf man in the Gospel. It is a frustration we need to end through a miracle we are able to perform. James tells us how. We must look for the poor in our parishes. They are coming to the same Masses we are. Recognize them. Talk to them. Let them feel at home and not invisible. It will overcome the discomfort they are unable to voice. But the greatest miracle that takes place when we make contact with the poor is the one the Holy Spirit will have worked on us. We will have been given the gift of sight to see them, the gift of speech to talk to them, and the gift of love to change the world. ■

Margaret Hunt Administrative assistant Toni Pacitti Intern

Knoxville, TN 37919-7551

The East Tennessee Catholic (USPS 007211) is published twice monthly by the Catholic Diocese of Knoxville, 805 Northshore Drive S.W., Knoxville, TN 37919-7551. Periodicals-class postage paid at Knoxville, Tenn. Printed on recycled paper by the Knoxville News Sentinel Postmaster: Send address changes to The East Tennessee Catholic, P.O. Box 11127, Knoxville, TN 37939-1127 How to reach us:

Phone: 865-584-3307 • fax: 865-584-8124 • e-mail: webmaster@dioceseofknoxville.org • web: dioceseofknoxville.org The East Tennessee Catholic is mailed to all registered Catholic families in East Tennessee. Subscription rate for others is $15 a year in the United States. Make checks payable to the Diocese of Knoxville. www.dioceseofk noxville.org

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

he dwells

AMONG US

BY BISHOP RICHARD F. STIKA

Sustaining prayers The bishop thanks those who have prayed for him during his illness.

Greetings, friends in Christ: Over the last few days during my holy hour, I have been reflecting on my motto, “Jesus, I trust in you.” Part of this prayer time includes a Litany of Divine Mercy, in which I pray for all the priests of the diocese—Jesus, I trust in you; for an increase in vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated religious life—Jesus I trust in you—and so on. My spiritual mentor is Pope

my mind

WANDERS

John Paul II of blessed memory. Some of you may recall that the first words he uttered as pope were, “Be not afraid.” Not long ago, during my hour of adoration, these two phrases came together in a new way for me. “Be not afraid; Jesus, I trust in you.” Not only was I saying this to Our Lord, but he also said it back to me. Through all of my recent difficulties I’ve learned that we all have limitations. We are one body, spirit, and flesh. We are limited by sin, we are limited by illness—but we can triumph over these. It makes us more keenly aware of the gift of life that God has given us. I personally have been re-

BY DAN MCWILLIAMS

Ten years of Dan The assistant editor looks back on his first decade at the ETC.

This issue of the ETC is going to press on the 10th anniversary of my first day with the newspaper. I recently talked with our founding editor, Ed Miller. He said I’ve topped his record of eight years with the ETC. Ed hired me as the new assistant editor so that he could retire. Assistant editor April Partin became the editor and stayed until she started a career in schoolteaching in 2001. Mary Weaver succeeded April that summer and has now

bumped Ed to third place. I was the sports editor of The Courier News in Clinton throughout the 1990s. My mother, a longtime parishioner of Holy Ghost in Knoxville, knew I was looking for another job and showed me Ed’s request for an assistant editor in his column from the July 25, 1999, issue. (Incidentally, around Holy Ghost I’m known as “Lorraine’s son,” which is fine with me.) I interviewed with Ed one day in August and began working here Sept. 1. There’s no way in one column to list all of my most memorable moments here, but I’ll share a few. My early months at the Chancery have something in common with

minded never to take things for granted. I have been to more checkups in the past week than you can probably imagine. The news is good. Although I have lost some vision in my right eye, the body, such an amazing gift from God, will adapt. With some new glasses and some common sense, I’ll be able to lead the normal life of a bishop. Although over the next month I will have a limited schedule as I continue to recuperate, I will be able to drive and read as before. Your prayers have sustained me through this difficulty. Thank you for your prayers, your care, and your concern. Please know that I am with you in your joy and in your sufferings. St. Paul tells us, “God takes the weak and makes them strong.” Jesus, I trust in you; be not afraid. ■ the most recent ones: we welcomed a new bishop each time. I’ll never forget the October 1999 day when I came to work, only to find the ETC door closed. April and Ed, summoned from retirement to lend a hand, were inside typing away at press releases after hearing the news that Monsignor Joseph E. Kurtz had been named our new bishop. Thinking of now–Archbishop Kurtz always brings to mind his late brother, Georgie, who lived with Down syndrome until his death in 2002 at age 60. Georgie loved his New York Yankees. If you said, “How about those Mets?” to him, you had to be ready for a friendly punch in the arm. At least once I risked my life for the newspaper, when I nearly fell in the Tennessee River trying to take a photo of a peace lantern as it was launched at the shoreline. Truth be told, I’m exaggeratMcWilliams continued on page 7

Johnson continued from page 1

the NCCW, serving a territory that comprises Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, Alabama, Ohio, Indiana, and all other states to the east of those, from New England to Florida. Her decision to run for president arose from her “love for the council and the fact that it has nourished me through all my adult life, both spiritually and as a leader and one who’s not afraid to be involved in service to the church and the community,” she said. Longtime former parishioners of St. Bridget in Dayton, Mrs. Johnson and her husband of 46 years, Shelton, also once belonged to St. Jude in Chattanooga and Sacred Heart Cathedral as Mr. Johnson’s TVA job moved him around the state. Mrs. Johnson said that as president she would hope “to see our organization grow.” “We would like to see more women join as members of the national organization and have the full benefit of membership. In her candidate flyer Mrs. Johnson states that “as your leader, I will influence women to use their strengths and gifts as we energize the Council of Catholic Women. We must continue to ‘build the city of God’ through faith-filled, decisive programs, using clear communications. Let’s have the joy of fulfilling this vision.” For her candidate statement in Catholic Woman magazine, she wrote that “women bring many strengths and gifts to the church. They are powerful instruments for taking the way of Christ into the world. Every THE E A S T TE NNE S S E E CATHOLIC

Catholic woman has the opportunity to participate in building God’s kingdom through the apostolate provided by NCCW.” Mrs. Johnson was the first president of the Knoxville Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, serving from 1989 to 1991 in that role, and has been a members of the DCCW board of directors since 1989. She has served as the Chattanooga Deanery CCW president, as president of parish CCWs at St. Jude and St. Bridget, and as a chairwoman or a member of numerous committees at the parish, deanery, and diocesan levels. Her many NCCW roles include directing the Louisville Province for two years and being a member of the board of directors for the last four years. “Parishes are all invited to be affiliate members of the national organization, and that’s a very important role because affiliates are what unite us—that’s where the action really takes place: in the parishes,” said Mrs. Johnson. “We feel like the parishes are the most important place for us to act out the mission statement of the council because that’s where the ladies are. “The national organization is more like a board, a voice on a national level. We have observer status with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and we are invited to national events. Many things come to us nationally that we are able to speak and act on in the name of our membership.” Nearly all Diocese of Knoxville parishes are affiliated with

the NCCW, said Mrs. Johnson. “I work on the national level, but I’m very active in my parish also. We want people to know that the parish affiliation with NCCW or the parish CCW is a very important link. That’s where the mission statement is accomplished.” The NCCW was founded by U.S. bishops in 1920 in part “to unite individual Catholic women of the United States, to develop their spiritual growth and leadership potential, and to motivate and to assist them to act upon current issues in the church and society.” The candidate for president invites all East Tennessee Catholic women to attend the national convention. “Everyone is invited to attend, and people can register up until the convention date,” said Mrs. Johnson. The convention theme this year is “NCCW—Moving Forward With Faith and Joy.” Registration forms and details are available at www.nccw.org. Mrs. Johnson has been involved in the CCW for 45 years, ever since a long-ago invitation from a fellow parishioner. “I was a young married woman. We had moved to Chattanooga for my husband’s job, and a woman in St. Jude Parish invited me to my first CCW meeting,” she said. Her love of the CCW has not abated. “It has given me a place and an opportunity to answer my baptismal call to be of service, and it has created wonderful friendships and relationships with women who share our faith.” ■

www.dioceseofk noxville.org

Child-protection training sessions he Diocese of Knoxville’s program for the protection of children and youth is based on training developed by Virtus and is offered regularly throughout the diocese. A three-hour seminar for adults, “Protecting God’s Children,” is required for parish and school employees and regular volunteers in contact with children or vulnerable adults and is recommended for parents and grandparents. The following training sessions have been scheduled: ■ St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Lenoir City, 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9 ■ St. Dominic Church, Kingsport, 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12 ■ Our Lady of Perpet-

ual Help Church, Chattanooga, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15 ■ St. Mary Church, Johnson City, 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16; 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19 (sessions will be held in St. Anne hall) ■ St. Mary School, Oak Ridge, 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18 (session will be held in Columbus Hall) ■ Sacred Heart Cathedral, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22; 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20; 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19 (sessions will be held in the Shea Room) ■ St. Alphonsus Church, Crossville, 1 p.m. CDT Sunday, Oct. 18 To register for a session, visit virtusonline. org. ■

Readings continued from page 2

faith actually was. Having a relationship with Christ is more than having lofty thoughts. It’s more than being pleasant to one another and experiencing great fellowship. Faith includes doing what Christ would do. Because James was present at Caesarea Philippi when Peter made his great profession of faith, he must have had an indelible impression of Jesus’ teaching vividly on the subject. First off, Jesus asked the Twelve whether anyone knew who he was. After various answers, he asked them who he was. Peter responded with an insight that could not be explained as having originated in a normal human thought process. Jesus commented that his intuition had been inspired by God the Father. This was Jesus’ first lesson on faith. Like most students learning things for the first time, however, Peter had a piece missing. Immediately after hearing Peter’s words of faith, Jesus informed the Twelve that he was starting a journey that would end in Jerusalem with his ignominious death and glorious resurrection. Peter’s faith hadn’t reached that far yet. More than knowing Christ deeply, faith also includes doing what Jesus does. It is a total relationship with the Lord that involves every aspect of our lives being integrated into Christ’s life. So when James noticed that the new Christians were missing this point, he must have vividly flashed back to that day on the Golan Heights when Jesus began to teach him and the other 11 about true faith. He couldn’t wait to tell us the second lesson Peter learned about faith. It involves more than merely our insight that Jesus is God. It also means following Christ in his actions and doing the will of God by loving one another. ■ Father Brando is a retired priest of the diocese.

Calendar continued from page 5

The St. Thomas the Apostle Ukrainian Catholic Mission celebrates the Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. Sundays in the chapel at the Chancery in Knoxville and Vespers at 6 p.m. Saturdays at the Chancery. For details, call Father Richard Armstrong at 865-584-3307. Mass in the extraordinary form (“traditional Latin”) is celebrated at 1:30 p.m. each Sunday at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville and at 3 p.m. on first and third Sundays at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church in Cleveland. Visit www.knoxlatinmass.net for details. Upcoming events for Catholic Singles of Greater Knoxville (40 and over) include the following: ■ Wednesday, Sept. 9: Coffee and conversation at Panera Bread on North Peters Road, 6:30 p.m. Call Randy S. at 865-556-3781. ■ Saturday, Sept. 12: Art in Public Places exhibition, downtown Knoxville. Meet host Sandra J. at noon in the Sacred Heart Cathedral parking lot to carpool. RSVP to her at 865-602-6773 or 504-913-1610. ■ Sunday, Sept. 13: Planning cookout for Halloween party for the children of All Saints Parish, 5 p.m. RSVP for the planning meeting to Mary at 865-5914710 or mmix@absconsulting.com. ■ Wednesday, Sept. 16: Knoxville Greenways walk at Turkey Creek, 6:30 p.m. Meet at Wild Wing Café off Campbell Station Road in the parking lot at the entrance to the walk. Call Randy at 556-3781. ■ Friday, Sept. 18: September birthday celebration at La Rumba, 4900 Chambliss Ave., 6:15 pm. RSVP to Alan S. at 982-4208 or gasieve@hotmail.com. ■ Saturday, Sept. 19: Watch the Tennessee-Florida football game. Hosted by Rich S. Meet at 3:15 p.m.; kickoff is at 3:30. Bring a favorite beverage and finger food. Call Rich at 966-3024 to RSVP. ■ SEPTEMBER 6, 2009

■

OLPH, Chattanooga ■ Eighth-graders at Our Lady of Per-

petual Help School sold Coca-Cola products from Aug. 6 through 20 to earn money for their annual trip to Washington, D.C., in the spring. ■ Claydough’s Pizza in Chattanooga is sponsoring a “Back to School Spirit Night” to benefit OLPH School. The restaurant will donate 10 percent of receipts from OLPH School families and parishioners who eat there Thursday, Sept. 3.

St. Augustine, Signal Mountain ■ An adult “prom” will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at the church to benefit the senior high youth trip to the National Catholic Youth Conference in Kansas City, Mo., in November. Cost is $25 for the prom. ■ The recent Hot as Haiti Yard Sale raised $41,443 to benefit the American Haitian Foundation. An appreciation dinner was held Aug. 16 for those who worked on the yard sale.

St. Catherine Labouré, Copperhill ■ The Knights of Columbus are sponsoring a Soccer Challenge at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at Fannin County (Ga.) Soccer Park. Registration starts at 9 a.m. The event is open to boys and girls ages 10 to 14. Parental permission and proof of age are required. Call Doc at 706-455-2265 or Jack at 851-7623 for more information.

St. Jude, Chattanooga ■ A rite of acceptance and welcoming will take place at the 7 p.m. Mass on Wednesday, Sept. 9, for the new RCIA class. ■ St. Jude School has won $21,500 over the last two years in the My School’s Cool program at Northgate Mall. Receipts from the mall dated Aug. 31 through Dec. 11, for the program’s first-semester competition, may be dropped off in the parish life center or sent to the school office.

St. Stephen, Chattanooga ■ The annual Taster’s Luncheon and women’s day out will begin with a Chinese auction at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m., and a fashion show will be presented at 12:30 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Walter E. Boehm Birth Defects Center. Call 423-855-0237 for tickets. ■ Anniversary: Jim and Ann Simms (40) Cumberland Mountain Deanery

All Saints, Knoxville ■ Dr. Ruth Queen Smith, pastoral associate at John XXIII Parish in Knoxville, will speak on the Beatitudes to the First Friday Faith and Friends group after the 9 a.m. Mass on Sept. 4. ■ Meetings for “The Light Weigh,” a 12-week spiritual growth weightloss program, will begin Tuesday, Sept. 8. Afternoon meetings will be held from 12:45 to 2:15 p.m. in the lounge and evening meetings from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the education building. Call Jennie at 865-705-4451 or Michelle at 705-4455 for orientation and membership information. ■ College Moms meet from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on first Tuesdays in the lounge to offer prayers and prepare care packages for their college-age children. E-mail Regina at ramhouse 2000@yahoo.com for details.

Christ the King, Tazewell ■ Unwrapped baby items are being accepted for Catholic Charities’ new Pregnancy Help Center in LaFollette. Suggested items are preemie diapers and outfits, newborn onesies and outfits, and boys outfits for ages 3 to 6 months and 18 to 24 months. Bring items to the church Sundays, Sept. 6 and 13.

OLPH, LaFollette ■ Bishop Richard F. Stika will dedi-

cate the new church at the 11 a.m. Mass on Sunday, Sept. 6. Final tasks to be completed include the building of an altar, ambo, and presider’s chair and landscaping work. ■ The parish picnic is set for Saturday, Sept. 19, at Cove Lake State Park in Caryville. ■ Items for the Council of Catholic Women yard sale Saturday, Oct. 3, are being accepted at the parish house ■

SEPTEMBER 6, 2009

Thursdays and Fridays. Do not leave items on the porch.

St. Francis of Assisi, Fairfield Glade ■ Jane Carter, president of the

Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, will speak at the next parish CCW meeting after the 8 a.m. Mass on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Ms. Carter will address the functions of the CCW and how they relate to the state and national organizations. ■ Anniversaries: Andrew and Helen Laurino (67), Darwin and Margaret Reiley (60), Vincent and Rosalie Premuda (58), John and Ronnie Flanagan (53), Bill and Alice Lawless (53), Eugene and Elaine Riggleman (52), Ken and Carol Kaczkowski (51), Tom and Pauline Higgins (50), Jerry and Diane Barbeau (45), Bill and Judy Sundstrom (40), Joseph and Betty Zarnitz (40)

ather Donald Miniscalco, a Redemptorist priest stationed at the shrine of St. John Neumann at St. Peter Church in Philadelphia, will present a parish mission with services at 7 p.m. daily from Sunday, Sept. 13, through Thursday, Sept. 17, at St. John Neumann Church in Farragut. Father Miniscalco received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice honor

from Pope John Paul II in 2003. He has conducted parish missions full time since 1980, mainly in the Philadelphia area but also in Ireland, Canada, and the Caribbean. He has directed retreats for priests, sisters, and laypeople in the United States and abroad. Father Miniscalco defines a mission as a “time to solidify the essentials of faith in Jesus.” Also at St. John

Neumann during the mission will be earlymorning Bible talks at 6 a.m., followed by Mass at 6:30. Midmorning Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m., with a Bible talk afterward at 9:30. An hour of prayer with a rosary and quiet time before the Blessed Sacrament will begin at 2 p.m. daily. Call Anita Gouge at 865-966-4540 for more information. No RSVP is required. ■

St. John Neumann, Farragut ■ The Knights of Columbus will prepare and serve a pancake breakfast from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6. Cost is $6 per person 13 and over, $25 per family, or $4 for children ages 4 through 12. Children ages 3 and under eat free. ■ The Back-to-School Saturday Night Social will be held at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 12 in the cafeteria. Hamburgers, hot dogs, potato and pasta salads, beans, and chips will be served. Cost is $5 per person or $25 for families. RSVP to Phyllis Denning at 865-966-4540. ■ Anniversary: Frank and Shirley Ward (60)

St. Joseph, Norris ■ Parishioners cleaned flower beds

Aug. 29 and reworked the entrance to Mary’s garden.

St. Mary, Oak Ridge

COURTESY OF KATHERINE ANGULO

Chattanooga Deanery

Redemptorist priest leading St. John Neumann mission

BY TONI PACITTI

Twenty-seven juniors confirmed at St. Mary in Johnson City Bishop Richard F. Stika conferred the sacrament of confirmation upon 27 high school juniors recently at St. Mary Church in Johnson City. Students confirmed were Estefany Aguirre Ramirez, Josue Madian Arroyo Carreño, Martin Absalon Barquero, Alexandra Elizabeth Burley, Ryan Christopher Cannon, Katherine Elizabeth Cunningham, Donald DeBastiani Garcia, Tyler Martin Eason, Robert Scott Forney Jr., Daniel Chase Foster, John Christian Hansen IV, Carleigh Elizabeth Hewa, Luis Antonio Jauregui, Vanessa Carolina Jauregui, Sean Mackenzie Kirvin, Thomas Edward Klug, Kirin Jacob Malikayil, Laura Elizabeth Manhard, Luis Alfredo Mejia Sierra, Marie Elise Moulton, Sarah Lucia Nimrichter, Anthony Joseph Pepe, Jessica Lynn Paulson, Jeremy Matthew Robinson, Katherine Rose Ryals, Diego Torres, and Andrew Jia-Long Wang. Pictured with Bishop Stika are St. Mary pastor Father Anietie Akata, associate pastor Father Randy Stice, Deacon Mike Jacobs, and the confirmation team: Terry Drone, Anne Walters, Mary Jo Davenport, Patrick Brown, and Katherine Angulo.

■ The parish is offering the inquiry

phase in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). Anyone interested in learning more about the Catholic faith or who has questions regarding the church is invited to attend. Sessions will run from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. each Wednesday and will be held in the parish meeting room adjacent to the cafeteria in the lower level of the church. The first class will be held Wednesday, Sept. 16. To learn more, or to be placed on the class list, call the parish office at 865-482-2875. ■ The youth group needs cooks for its Oak Ridge High School lunch program. The group provides lunch for interested ORHS students on Mondays. Call Diane Dykas at 382-2111 or e-mail wdnjj@comcast.net for more information. ■ The parish’s week of prayer ended with a bilingual Mass on Aug. 30.

SARA CAREY

NOTES

‘Croc Dock’ at St. Alphonsus St. Alphonsus Parish in Crossville recently held a “Crocodile Dock”–themed vacation Bible school. About 40 children and youth attended during the five-day event. Pictured are several students during the closing night’s “Firefly Finale.”

St. Thomas the Apostle, Lenoir City ■ The annual Fall Festival and International Food Fest will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26. The food court will offer six international foods. Baked goods, entertainment, and jewelry and craft vendors will be featured. A “Kids’ World” will include a petting zoo, carnival games, and face painting. Tickets are $10 in advance ($12 at the door) or $4 for children. ■ The Knights of Columbus hosted a pancake breakfast Aug. 16. ■ Beginning Spanish classes start at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, in Room 109 of the parish life center. Call Nan Hebets at 865-986-3801. ■ Newcomers: Mary Banach and son Andrew; Eric and Ruth Dion and son William; Rick and Carrie Hessick and children Ben, Maya, and Leo; Ken and Melanie Naumann; Paul and Margaret Neuzil and daughter Laurel Five Rivers Deanery

Holy Trinity, Jefferson City ■ Parishioners donated 1,029 book

bags to the Appalachian Outreach School Supply Drive. ■ The Parish/Family Life Committee is collecting Campbell’s Soup labels in the narthex to benefit the St. Jude Boys Ranch. ■ The Knights of Columbus will host a spaghetti dinner after the 5 p.m. Mass on Saturday, Sept. 12. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 10.

Notre Dame, Greeneville ■ The St. Catherine’s Guild created

“one of a kind” ornaments Sept. 3 to Parish notes continued on page 5

COURTESY OF JOANN TUSINSKI

parish

Holy Family children receive first Holy Communion Holy Family Parish in Seymour recently celebrated first Communion, with pastor Father Thomas O’Connell officiating. The children received instruction from Karen Burry. The communicants are (from left, front) Angelo DeLucia, Garrison Holliday, Amanda Granados, Brianna Cotter, and Jessica Crozier and (back) Farryn Owens and Alexis Dennis. Not pictured are David and Michael Bragwell.

St. Alphonsus Parish collecting rosaries for Uganda t. Alphonsus Parish in Crossville is collecting unwanted rosaries for the parish of Katodsa in the Diocese of Fort Portal, Uganda. As stated in the Aug. 23 ETC, the rosaries may be dropped off in a box at St. Alphonsus. Those who wish to mail rosaries, however, should send them to Rosaries

www.dioceseofk noxville.org

for Uganda, c/o St. Anne’s Cottage, 63 Cow Pen Road, Crossville, TN 38571. There the rosaries will be sorted, repaired, and packaged by the parish Renew: Why Catholic? group before being forwarded to Father Adolf Busobozi in Uganda. Since the group repairs rosaries, broken ones are also welcome. ■ THE E A S T TE NNE S S E E CATHOLI C

The diocesan Office of Marriage Preparation and Enrichment and the Family Life Office at St. Jude Parish in Chattanooga will sponsor a “Great Date Night” of dinner and dancing Sunday, Oct. 4. The evening will begin Mass at 5:30 p.m. at St. Jude Church, followed by dinner and dance instruction at 6:30 in Siener Hall. Cost is $20 per couple. The evening will end by 8:30 p.m. Music and instruction will be provided by Ken and Yvonne Hughes of Calhoun, Ga. To register, contact Marian Christiana at 423-892-2310 or mchristiana@dioceseofknoxville.org by Sept. 30. Baby-sitting is available for an additional cost. Call Marilyn Derbyshire at St. Jude Church at 423-870-2386 by Sept. 25 to sign up for child care. The next “Picture of Love” engaged couples retreat will begin with a light breakfast at 8 a.m. and end with dinner at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at St. Jude Church in Chattanooga. Mass will be included. This one-day retreat is a supplement to a couple’s marriage formation with their parish priest. Cost is $135 per couple. The retreat certificate is good for a $60 discount on a marriage license. Couples must attend the entire retreat to receive the certificate. Contact Marian Christiana of the diocesan Office of Marriage Preparation and Enrichment at 423-892-2310 or mchristiana@dioceseofknoxville.org to register. A Silent Prayer Chain is set for 4 to 5 p.m. on Respect Life Sunday, Oct. 4, in front of Sacred Heart Cathedral, 711 Northshore Drive in Knoxville. Participants will be joined in prayer with churches across the country for a culture of life. The theme for this year’s event is “Every Child Brings Us God’s Smile,” taken from a homily given by Pope Benedict XVI on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord in 2007. Respect Life Program packets are available through the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops at usccb.org. The prayer chain will be held rain or shine. For more information, call Lisa Morris at 865-567-1245. The 21st annual diocesan Youth Mass and Evening Extravaganza is scheduled for 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, at Sacred Heart Cathedral. This year’s theme is “He has done all things well.” The event is open to high school youth. The Mass at 4 p.m., which includes the commissioning of the new Diocesan Youth Ministry Advisory Council members, will be followed by a pizza dinner. The “extravaganza” includes inflatable games, a dance, karaoke, and numerous other activities. Youth should register through their parish youth minister, including those who register at the door. Cost is $20, including a T-shirt. Knights of Columbus Council 610 in Chattanooga is sponsoring its 67th annual Labor Day picnic and family outing from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7, at Camp Columbus’s Bork Pavilion. The event will feature a whiteelephant yard sale at 9 a.m. and charity bingo at 3 p.m. The picnic also offers live entertainment and booths with cakes, games, and activities for all ages. Barbecue will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The menu features a choice of beef, pork, chicken, or ribs. Costs are $6 per adult and $3 for children. Beef and pork barbecue may be purchased at $8 a pound and ribs at $15 a slab. Drawings will be held for a grand prize of a $1,000 savings bond as well as a $250 savings bond and $75 cash. Tickets for the raffle are $2 each or 12 for $20. The picnic is Council 610’s most important fundraiser of the year. Proceeds will support the Knights’ charitable activities throughout the year. Call Chris Snellgrove at 423-892-5695 for more information. The 59th annual St. Mary Fall Festival is set for Oct. 8 through 10 at St. Mary Church in Oak Ridge. The festival will kick off with its third annual golf tournament Thursday, Oct. 8, at Centennial Golf Course, with registration beginning at 11:30 a.m., lunch at noon, and a shotgun start at 1 p.m. A “free mulligan package” is offered to those registered before Sept. 17. For more information on the tourney, call Tony Wright at 865-384-3753 or Nancy Howard at 966-7042. The Knights of THE E A S T TE NNE S S E E CATHOLI C

Holy Trinity feeds Appalachian Outreach volunteers

BY TONI PACITTI

Columbus Spaghetti Supper will start at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, in the parish life center. Silent and live auctions and youth activities will also be held that evening. The festival on the parish grounds will follow 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10. Featured will be a craft and gift shop, inflatable rides, a bake shop, many kinds of food, and entertainment. To learn more about the festival, how to contribute to its “used car lot,” or how to become a sponsor, call Michaela or Bernie Martin at 7710014 or visit www.stmarysoakridge. org/Parish/fallfest.html. The 29th annual St. Joseph School Fall Festival will be hosted Friday and Saturday, Oct. 16 and 17, by St. Albert the Great Parish in Knoxville because of construction at the school. Barbecue chicken and ribs will be served from 3 to 9 p.m. Friday, and games and entertainment will take place from 5 to 9. Games and rides, a country store, a cake wheel, a dessert shop, and a white-elephant sale will be featured from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. Call the school at 865689-3424 for more details.

olunteers from Holy Trinity Parish in Jefferson City joined four visiting church groups in July for a week of missions work for Appalachian Outreach. Churches from Roswell, Ga.; Memphis; Mansfield, Ohio; and Elmhurst, Ill., came together to repair homes during the week of July 20 through 24. Holy Trinity also had workers led and coordinated by Jackie Castle who volunteered their time. Mission teams completed work on houses in Morristown, New Market, Jefferson City, and Dandridge. Holy Trinity was the site for breakfast and dinner each day during the week. Pat

Duda coordinated the efforts to feed the workers. The kitchen team showed up at Holy Trinity at 5 a.m. each day to prepare eggs, biscuits, gravy, sausage, pancakes, homemade breads, fresh fruit salad, and breakfast casseroles. The workers arrived at 7 to eat. A cleanup crew followed the departure of the last workers and readied the dining-hall tables for dinner. Dinner preparations began as soon as breakfast was cleaned up. At 3 p.m., the kitchen crew returned to get dinner ready to be served at 5. On Monday night, the Council of Catholic Women pre-

pared an Italian feast. Tuesday and Wednesday nights featured a baked-potato bar, Petros, barbecue chicken, white bean chicken chili, and an extensive salad bar. The Knights of Columbus prepared a cookout Thursday. Homemade desserts and an ice cream bar were nightly features. This is the sixth year Holy Trinity has fed the church groups for the week. The group from Roswell came for a fifth year and plans to return in 2010. Ms. Duda received donations from businesses in Jefferson County, Morristown, and Knoxville to make preparing the meals possible. ■

The Secular Franciscans will hold an information meeting at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, in the office building at Sacred Heart Cathedral. The order is open to practicing lay Catholics and diocesan clergy who seek to follow Christ in the spirit of St. Francis and Franciscan spirituality. Orientation classes will follow on third Sundays at 1:30 p.m. (on the first Sunday in December). Call Secular Franciscans Carol Paul Pavur at 865-458-4208, Janette Irwin at 671-7220, Mary Ramsey at 247-6815, or Nancy Singh at 482-1810. Tryouts for Catholic middle school varsity and junior varsity baseball teams for the spring 2010 season will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at Knoxville Catholic High School’s field. Eighth-, seventh- and sixth-grade boys from all Catholic grade schools are encouraged to attend. Rain date is Saturday, Sept. 26. For more information, call Eric Nelson at 865-207-6317 or John Ceriotti at 776-4030. A Rachel’s Vineyard retreat, for those suffering because of an abortion, is set for the weekend of Oct. 30 through Nov. 1 in Maggie Valley, N.C. For more information, contact Shelley at 828670-8192, 230-4940, or sglan1234@ aol.com. For a listings of retreat dates and locations and other information on the ministry, visit www.rachelsvineyard. org or call 1-877-Hope-4-Me. Confidentiality is honored at all times. The ninth annual Sacred Heart Cathedral School Fall Golf Classic will be held Tuesday, Oct. 20, at Egwani Farms Golf Course in Rockford. Individuals as well as teams are welcome. The event will begin with breakfast at 9 a.m. and a shotgun start at 10. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, call Rick Davis at 865-8059343, pick up a brochure at the school office, or visit www.shcschool.org/ support-fundraisers.asp. The fifth annual diocesan Blue Mass, sponsored by Knights of Columbus Council 645, will be celebrated at 6:45 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville. The Mass honors police officers, firefighters, and emergency workers and this year will also serve as a memorial to those who lost their lives on 9/11. The next Engaged Encounter weekend in the diocese will be held Oct. 16 through 18 at the Magnuson Hotel in Sweetwater. Weekend cost is $239, including meals, rooms, and materials, and couples completing the entire weekend will receive a $60 discount on their marriage license. To register, call Mike or Charla Haley at 865-220-0120. For more information on Engaged Encounter, e-mail Paul or Pam Schaffer at ceeknoxville@gmail.com or visit www. rc.net/knoxville/cee. Holy Resurrection Byzantine Catholic Mission holds Divine Liturgy celebrations at 5:30 p.m. Sundays at Holy Family Church in Seymour. All are welcome to attend, and explanations of the ceremony will be given. Call 865609-1081 to learn more. Calendar continued on page 3

COURTESY OF CHARLES PRIMM

CALENDAR

Engaged couples attend retreat in Sweetwater Fifteen engaged couples from throughout the Diocese of Knoxville and as far away as Seattle attended a diocesan Catholic Engaged Encounter retreat July 17 through 19 at the Magnuson Hotel in Sweetwater. The couples acquired better communication skills and learned more about the sacrament of marriage and the importance of making God a central part of their future life together. See the calendar item on this page for details on the next Engaged Encounter weekend.

COURTESY OF FRED LAUFENBERG

on the

Parish notes continued from page 4

be sold at the craft fair at St. Patrick Church in Morristown in November.

St. Dominic, Kingsport ■ The Lunch Bunch met Aug. 28 to

celebrate the new school year. Discussions were held regarding flu vaccines, shingles vaccines, and more. ■ A new playgroup for parents with young children will meet at 9:30 a.m. on second and fourth Wednesdays in the parish life center. For further details contact Gayle Bates at 423-578-6868 or gayleholt@yahoo.com.

St. Elizabeth, Elizabethton ■ Volunteers prepared and served

meals for 295 homeless and elderly people Aug. 22 at St. John Episcopal Church as part of the Food for the Multitude program. ■ The annual parish picnic will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, at the Riverside Pavilion behind the Elizabethton Twins’ stadium. The Knights of Columbus will cook hamburgers and hot dogs. ■ Anniversary: Daniel and Regina Rose (10)

St. Patrick, Morristown ■ The Social Action Committee col-

lected donations for the Daily Bread Community Kitchen during August. ■ The Knights of Columbus sponsored a Medic blood drive Aug. 25.

www.dioceseofk noxville.org

State recognition Knights of Columbus Council 8152 in Crossville recently received an award from the state Knights for the most dollars collected by any council in Tennessee during its last MR Tootsie Roll drive to benefit the mentally challenged. Project co-chairs Rollie Wicker (left) and Bob Diller display the state honor. Cumberland County citizens gave $18,000 to the cause.

Smoky Mountain Deanery

Holy Ghost, Knoxville ■ Jeff Emitt, son of Hal Sr. and Gloria

Emitt, has been accepted as a firstyear candidate for priesthood for the Diocese of Knoxville. He recently began his studies at Sacred Heart Seminary in Hales Corner, Wis. ■ Father Al Kirk of the Diocese of Memphis, who was baptized at Holy Ghost, was recently elevated to monsignor. His 99-year-old father, Al, is a longtime parishioner of Holy Ghost.

Immaculate Conception, Knoxville ■ A Paulist Bible Study, “John, the

Beloved Disciple,” will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, in the parish hall. Participants will read the Gospel of John and related materials, view a lecture by Paulist Father Lawrence Boadt, and take part in discussions. For more information, call Marian at 865-5221508. ■ The women’s group sold no-longerneeded items from the parish kitchen after Masses on Aug. 29 and 30 to benefit the kitchen project at IC. ■ The parish team earned third place in the Volunteer Ministry Center’s 12th annual 5K Run and Fun Walk on Aug. 8. IC’s team captain was Ginny Wood. ■ Father Tom Kirk of the Diocese of Memphis, who was baptized at IC, was recently elevated to monsignor. ■ SEPTEMBER 6, 2009

■

Where do we go from here?

Deaths Gertrude Ann Pittinger, 98, most recently of Farragut and formerly of Nashville, died Saturday, Aug. 15. She was born to Anthony and Veronica (Bechtel) Cramer in North Auburn, Ohio. Mrs. Pittinger received her RN, public health certificate, and bachelor of science degree from Case Western and pursued a graduate degree at Western Reserve University and Columbia University. She worked as a public-health nurse in Harlem, N.Y. She also served as a head nurse at University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio; as a public-health nurse in Crawford County, Ohio; as an instructor and a staff nurse for the National Red Cross for Massachusetts during World War II, where she organized nurse aide and home-nursing programs, was responsible for nurse recruitment for the Armed Forces, and administered 13 Public Health Nursing Agencies; as an instructor at the Field Training Center for Public Health Nurses at Western Reserve University; as director of nursing services for the Cincinnati and Hamilton County chapter of the American Red Cross; and as instructor at the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Iowa City, Iowa. While living in Cincinnati she met her husband of 41 years, Dr. Charles Bernard Pittinger, who died in 1990. Mrs. Pittinger was active in the Catholic Women’s Council in Iowa City and then in St. Henry Parish in Nashville. She served as a deanery president and twice as diocesan president of the Nashville Diocesan Council of Catholic Women; served as the National Council of Catholic Women Province of Louisville director; was on the local board and the first vice president for Tennessee of Church Women United; served as chair of various committees for the Diocesan Council of the Laity; served on the board of the Tennessee Association of Churches; was a bishop’s delegate on the Roman Catholic–Southern Baptist Dialogue Council; and was a representative on the National Advisory Council of the National Council of Catholic Bishops and the U.S. Catholic Conference. She received many honors and awards for her dedication to the Catholic Church, including the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Award from Pope Paul VI and the Thomas More Award from the National Council of Catholic Laity. Mrs. Pittinger was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and two sisters. She is survived by her children, Suzanne Erpenbach and hus6

■

SEPTEMBER 6, 2009

band Jerry of Knoxville; Charles A. Pittinger and wife Adelia of Cincinnati; and Catherine Helms and husband Mac of Chattanooga; and eight grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Sister Regina Marie, a Sister of the Holy Ghost, of Garfield Heights, Ohio. A funeral Mass was celebrated at All Saints Church in Knoxville on Tuesday, August 18, with Father Michael Woods as celebrant. Burial followed in Calvary Cemetery, Nashville. Memorial donations may be made to the Diocese of Knoxville Priest Retirement Fund, P.O. Box 11127, Knoxville, TN 37939 and to the National Council of Catholic Women Leadership Training Development Program, 200 N. Glebe Road, Suite 703, Arlington, VA 22203. HOWARD SOMPAYRAC JR.

Howard Page Sompayrac Jr., 81, of Hixson died peacefully at the Chattanooga home of his son Howie Sompayrac on Saturday, July 11. Mr. Sompayrac grew up in North Carolina and moved to Chattanooga as a teenager. He graduated from Chattanooga Central High where he was a star basketball player, an Eagle Scout, and “Mr. Central.” He went on to serve in the U.S. Army for two years, after which he returned to Chattanooga and enrolled in the University of Chattanooga. While at UC he was captain of the basketball team, junior- and senior-class president, student-body president, and Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity president. Since his graduation from the university, he had served as alumnicouncil president, organizer of the Chattanooga Quarterback Club, a member of the athletic board, a UC Foundation trustee, and Blue & Gold Club president. He was voted into both the UTC Hall of Fame and the Greater Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame for basketball. Mr. Sompayrac worked at DuPont for 40 years as an industrial-relations specialist. During his career at DuPont and after his retirement in 1990, he was extremely involved in the community. His civic service included work with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Chattanooga, the Orange Grove Center, Senior Neighbors, and Habitat for Humanity. He was active in local and regional politics for more than 25 years. He served as chairman of the Hamilton County Democratic Party and was elected the first county commissioner from District 3, holding the position for 12 years. He was elected chair of the county commission Deaths continued on page 8

It’s our challenge to build a culture of life. By Cardinal Justin F. Rigali he effort to restore legal protection for unborn children faces new challenges as we deal with a new administration and a new Congress that support “abortion rights.” Many are asking “Where do we go from here?” We first need to recall why we are here, why we Catholics became involved in these tough battles. We begin with the dignity of each human person. Each and every one of us has intrinsic and immeasurable worth. That is because God created each of us in his image by the outpouring of his infinite and unconditional love. In return, he asks only that we share that love with others, beginning with those most in need—the poor, vulnerable, and despised of this world. This intrinsic God-given human dignity is the basis for all inalienable human rights, beginning with the most basic right, the right to life. It is most basic because it is the condition for all the others. First we must live, then we can talk about living well. The right to life is the core element of other rights. All other earthly rights involve something more than life itself—but without life, they are nothing. That “something more” is vitally important. The defense of life reaches its fullness when it expands to defend the entire range of human flourishing. This is all one vision and ultimately one issue—the dignity of the human person. In the words of St. Irenaeus, “Gloria Dei vivens homo,” “The glory of God is man fully alive.” To keep that vision constantly before our eyes, to remember why we are here and to gain the strength to move forward, we need to begin all our efforts with prayer. In defending the right to life, our first duty is to oppose the

direct taking of innocent human life—any human life, at any stage. As Pope John Paul II confirmed in his 1995 encyclical Evangelium Vitae

Respect life (“The Gospel of Life”), “the direct and voluntary killing of an innocent human being is always gravely immoral” (No. 57). Abortion and euthanasia are preeminent concerns of the church for reasons that are intrinsic to these issues as well as reasons that are situational. Intrinsically, these acts al-

ways constitute the direct taking of a human life when it is most innocent and defenseless. And they are willed and carried out by those most called to defend human life— members of the healing professions and of one’s own family. To undermine these two havens of life is to make a culture of life impossible. Situationally, these issues are the ground where those committed to a conditional and selective vision of human rights have planted their flag in our time. They wish to draw lines between the important and Rigali continued on page 7

CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING

GERTRUDE PITTINGER

PRO-LIFE PACKAGES Theresa Bock prepares to ship boxes of pro-life literature and postcards at the office of the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment in Washington on Jan. 26. Staff were sending boxes of literature and postcards as part of a national campaign against the so-called Freedom of Choice Act.

Who, what, when, where, and why: the new translation of the Roman Missal BY FATHE R R A NDY S TI CE

he Lord be with you.” In about a year and half, instead of responding, “And also with you,” the assembly will respond to the priest’s greeting by saying, “And with your spirit.” This is the first change you will encounter at Mass when we begin using the new English translation of the Roman Missal (the Sacramentary, the ritual text used for the celebration of the Mass). This is the “what”: not a revision of the Mass but a new translation from the Latin text from which all translations into modern languages are made. In this first of a series of monthly articles, I will address some basic questions about the new translation. Who is preparing the new translation? The new translation is being prepared by the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL), which is chartered to prepare English translations of liturgical texts on behalf of the conferences of bishops of English-speaking countries. The Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments (CDWDS) in Rome examines the texts and offers authoritative approval (recognitio). The Congregation is aided by Vox Clara, a special commission of bishops and consultants from Englishspeaking countries. The result will be “a text for the entire

English-speaking world” (USCCB). Where will the new translation be used? At present 11 conferences of bishops are full members of ICEL: the United States, Australia, Canada, England and Wales, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Scotland, and South Africa. The translation will also be used in countries which are associate members: the Antilles; Bangladesh; the Episcopal Conference of the Pacific; Gambia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone; Ghana; Kenya; Malaysia-Singapore; Malawi; Nigeria; Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands; Sri Lanka; Tanzania; Uganda; Zambia; and Zimbabwe. Member conferences can offer comments and suggestions on ICEL’s drafts. When will the new translation be finished? The CDWDS hopes to grant the recognitio by the end of 2009. It will take publishers about one year from the reception of the recognitio to produce the liturgical book of the Roman Missal. So we expect publication by the end of 2010. Why the new translation? This new translation is the culmination of “a gradual process of evaluation, completion, and consolidation of the liturgical renewal” (CDWDS) initiated by the Second Vatican Council and called for by Pope John Paul II in his apos-

www.d ioceseofknoxville.or g

tolic letter of 1988 on the 25th anniversary of Sacrosanctum Concilium, the “Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy.” The new translation will incorporate new material from the third edition of the Latin Missale Romanum (editio typica tertia) promulgated in 2000: prayers for the celebration of recently canonized saints, additional Mass texts, and some updated and revised instructions (rubrics) for the celebration of the Mass. In addition, it will be a more exact translation of the Latin original (e.g., “And with your spirit” instead of “And also with you”). The translation is guided by the CDWDS’s document Liturgiam Authenticam, the fifth instruction “On the use of vernacular languages in the publication of the books of the Roman liturgy,” published in 2001. Next month this column will present a brief history of translating the Mass into the vernacular. To learn more, see the following links: ■ “Frequently asked questions” on the new translation: usccb. org/romanmissal/faqs.shtml ■ “Changes in the Parts of the People”: usccb.org/roman missal/assembly.shtml or usccb.org/romanmissal/ peoplesparts.pdf. ■ Father Stice is director of the diocesan Worship and Liturgy Office. THE E A S T TE NNE S S E E CATHOL I C

catholic

YOUTH

McWilliams continued from page 3

ing the risk factor a bit. OK, a lot. I’ve learned some bitter lessons along the way. Chief among them: not everyone at the Chancery is as fascinated with old traffic signals, The $20,000 Pyramid, spit takes, and pinball games as I am. On the positive side, having a mezzo-soprano as one’s editor means there’s music all the time in the office. Mary sings with the Harmonia Vocal Quartet. I’ve asked her if I could join the group as a basso-rotundo, but she just walks away, shaking her head. When I talked with Ed a couple of weeks ago, I thanked him for hiring me. I’d say few people have left a sportswriting job to work for a Catholic newspaper, but I’m glad I did. I needed a new job in 1999, and I thank the Lord that he led me to this one. I wasn’t a Catholic when I started here, but I think my co-workers’ love of and devotion to their faith (and the prayers of one Lorraine McWilliams) helped win me over in 2003. ■

PAM RHOADES

Rigali continued from page 6

COURTESY OF KATHIE ETHERTON (2)

School days begin anew at Sacred Heart Sacred Heart Cathedral School mascot Earnest the Eagle greeted students on their first day back to school Aug. 19. Above, Earnest greets first-graders (from left) Audrey Domitrovic, Cesar Avalos, and Connor Brunson. Eighthgrader Owen Hughes is inside the costume.

CAPS CAPTAINS A “Celebration of Accomplishment” for the CAPS effort and a tour of the renewed St. Jude campus were held Aug. 2. Shown above at the celebration are some of the project captains and CAPS coordinator Doug Martin. From left are Rick Botto, Mr. Martin, Joe Sawyer, Patti Champion, Allison Gorman, Nancy Howard, Amber Reeves, and Dana Barasha. In the photo at right, Lisa Vanderloo preps the walls for painting in the sixth-grade classroom.

Classroom Adoption Program makes St. Jude School shine for ’09-’10 ore than 100 families representing almost 50 percent of the enrollment participated in a Classroom Adoption Program (CAPS) to spruce up St. Jude School in Chat-

science lab, making improvements to 18 classrooms from kindergarten through eighth grade, and making enhancements to the computer lab and library. Teachers returned

Aug. 3 to rooms and buildings that shined like new. The project was funded with proceeds from the annual St. Jude School Golf Classic and parent donations. ■

COURTESY OF JOANN TUSINSKI

COURTESY OF GEORGE LECRONE SR.

tanooga for the 200910 school year. CAPS was a summer-long endeavor that resulted in painting and refurbishing, installing smart boards and whiteboards, updating the

Sisters receive Spirit Alive awards Sara (left) and sister Anne Hendershott received Spirit Alive awards at the recent diocesan Scouting Retreat at Camp Pellissippi on Norris Lake. Sara and Anne are members of American Heritage Girls Troop 0215. With them above are (from left) George LeCrone Sr., lay chair for the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting; Deacon Otto Preske, diocesan Scouting chaplain; and Father Michael Maples. Fifteen youth and 10 adults attended this year’s retreat.

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

Cardinal Justin F. Rigali is archbishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities. COURTESY OF GEORGE LECRONE SR.

Scouts honored at St. John Neumann Several Scouts received religious awards on June 7 at St. John Neumann Church in Farragut. Receiving Light of Christ awards were (from left, front) Webelo Scout Paul Carter and Bear Scouts Jeffrey McFarland and Nickolas McFarland. Ad Altare Dei awards were presented to Boy Scouts (from left) Christian Lonnecker, Matthew Donahue, Ryan Thally, and Joshua Lonnecker. With the boys are George LeCrone Sr., lay chair of the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting, and St. John Neumann pastor Father John Dowling.

Scholarship for Holy Family parishioner The Council of Catholic Women at Holy Family Church in Seymour, along with the parish’s Young at Heart group, recently awarded a scholarship to Amanda Ensing. Amanda is a 2009 graduate of Sevier County High School. She entered the University of Tennessee at Knoxville this fall and is majoring in political science. With Amanda (from left) are Holy Family pastor Father Thomas O’Connell, parents Steve and Alicia Ensing, and CCW representative Marie Flanagan.

unimportant members of society, between persons and “nonpersons.” In a different time or place the issue in question might be slavery, racism, or anti-Semitism. Today abortion and related issues force us to decide whether we mean what we say in speaking of inalienable human rights, inherent in simply being human. In particular, the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision has made abortion the battleground over our tradition of inherent human rights and polarized our society as nothing else has. Later efforts to use law as a weapon against other innocent human lives—against newborn children with disabilities, for example, or against the sick and elderly through a “right” to assisted suicide—have cited Roe as their inspiration and precedent. Thus, in promoting a culture of life we must give priority to defending innocent unborn boys and girls from direct attack. We must also make clear how this effort stands for the dignity and well-being of everyone, before and after birth. In defending conscience rights in health care, for example, we stand with the unborn child and also with the women and men of our healing professions whose freedom of conscience is at risk—and with women who will lose access to basic life-affirming health care if those who truly care about them and their children are forced out of medicine. In sending tens of millions of postcards to Congress against the radical “Freedom of Choice Act,” we have helped stop extreme legislation that would treat ready access to abortion as a goal overriding respect for unborn children or for the well-being of pregnant women. By insisting that the federal government promote only morally sound stem-cell research, we defend the life of embryonic children, patients endangered by the many risks of attempted embryonic-stem-cell treatments, and women whom some want to exploit as “egg factories” for attempts at cloning human embryos for stem cells. The “Pregnant Women Support Act” will provide a wide range of assistance so women can bring their children to live birth and receive a helping hand as they parent the child or make an adoption plan. Of course, helping those in need is not only the task of government. The dedicated efforts of Catholics at pro-life pregnancy centers, maternity homes, hospitals, retirement homes, and parish-based support networks for pregnant women and children—as well as prayer and assistance efforts outside of abortion facilities—are needed now more than ever. Our task is to change hearts and minds, including our own. All our good works in the areas of public policy, education, and pastoral care must be undergirded by our prayers and sacrifices offered up to the Lord of life. Through his saving power, and with the prayerful intercession of our Blessed Mother, we can build a culture of life. The defense of human life at its most vulnerable stages is an essential duty of those inspired by the Gospel. Our prayers and efforts in this cause should open us up to defending the rights and meeting the needs of human beings all along life’s spectrum. Having said “no” to attacks on innocent human life, we need to affirm a great “yes” to the full range of human living and flourishing. ■

www.dioceseofk noxville.org

SEPTEMBER 6, 2009

■

Deaths continued from page 6

several times. Mr. Sompayrac was honored over the years by the Jaycees, Kiwanis, and Sertoma clubs and received the Jim Phifer Service Award from Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga and a distinguished-service award from UTC. An avid sports fan, he coached countless youth in football, baseball, softball, and basketball at all age levels. He led fund drives to build several high school football stadiums in Chattanooga and was instrumental in getting the funding to help develop the Middle Valley Recreation Complex. He was the athletics booster club president at Notre Dame High School for five years and led the fund drive to bring the state softball tournament to Chattanooga. After his retirement, Mr. Sompayrac became an active participant in the Senior Olympics. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Sompayrac; parents, Howard Sr. and Sarah Ellen Sompayrac; and stepmother, Iva Battle Sompayrac. He is survived by his daughters, Joanie Sompayrac and husband Tony Grossi of Chattanooga and Jeanie Crotts and husband Neal of Sumter, S.C.; sons, Howie Sompayrac and wife Cathy of Chattanooga and Dickie Sompayrac and wife Jeni of Knoxville; seven grandchildren; and one brother. Memorials may be made to the UC Foundation, Howard and Betty Sompayrac Honors Scholarship Fund, c/o UTC Development Office, 615 McCallie Ave., UTC Department 6806, Chattanooga, TN 37403. A memorial Mass was held Wednesday, July 15, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Chattanooga with Father Mike Nolan officiating. GLENN MARQUART

Glenn Douglas Marquart of Knoxville, 57, died Sunday, July 12, as a result of leiomyosarcoma. He was born Oct. 9, 1951, grew up in Ramona, Calif., and graduated from high school in Denver. He attended Western State College in Gunnison, Colo., graduated with a bachelor of science in psychology/sociology with a minor in drama and business. He followed his mother and stepfather to Knoxville and completed his teaching certificate at the University of Tennessee. Mr. Marquart began his teaching career at Karns High School and coached girls track for several years. He also announced Karns High football games for a number of years. After obtaining his master’s degree in school administration, he became an assistant principal at Bearden Middle School. He re8

■

SEPTEMBER 6, 2009

mained there for eight years and was principal at Powell Middle School for another five years. He retired from Knox County Schools in 2007 and returned to the classroom at Sacred Heart Cathedral School that same year, teaching middle school students. Mr. Marquart loved gardening and NASCAR and eagerly awaited his annual trip to Daytona. Survivors include his wife, Cindy; daughters, Christina Akins and Natalie Marquart; mother and stepfather, Juanita and J. B. Gore; father and stepmother, Gene and Judy Marquart; and one brother. Contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Cathedral School or the University of Tennessee Medical Center. ALLAN LOUGHEED

Allan B. Lougheed, 79, of Fleming Island, Fla., died Saturday, Aug. 8. He was born May 13, 1930, in Wadena, Saskatchewan, Canada, to parents Leslie and Alice Lougheed. Mr. Lougheed was a Korean War veteran, serving in the Canadian Army Medical Corps. He had worked in the medical-equipment service industry and had lived in Florida since 1987, moving from Cleveland, Tenn. Mr. Lougheed was a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Fleming Island and a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus as well as a founding member of the Knights council at Sacred Heart in Fleming Island. He handbuilt three homes for his family. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Patricia Lougheed; son, Ronald Allan Lougheed and wife Karen of Winter Garden, Fla.; daughters, Patricia Lougheed and husband Thomas Barkalow of Glendale Heights, Ill.; Carol Lougheed and husband Les of Knoxville; Kathryn Dessert and husband Steve of Howard, Ohio; Joan Campbell and husband Bruce of Chattanooga; Teresa Ackerman of Orange Park, Fla; Deborah Nee and husband Robert of Orange Park, Fla.; Sharon Johnson and husband David of Greenville, S.C.; Virginia Lougheed of Atlanta; Maureen Garcia and husband Juan of Palm Coast, Fla.; and Iris Jordan of Knoxville; two sisters; 22 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The funeral Mass was held Thursday, Aug. 13, at Sacred Heart Church with Father Donal Sullivan celebrating. Afterward Mr. Lougheed was inurned in the Sacred Heart Columbarium. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sacred Heart Church Outreach Program or the Knights of Columbus. ■

obsessions

BY GINGER HUTTON

Spiritual novelties Catholics have a treasure trove of riches and need not seek them elsewhere.

In conversation a friend drew my attention to the intriguing phenomenon of spiritual novelty-seeking among Catholics. The restless quest for new spiritualities and unusual devotions is understandably widespread in the spiritually rootless secular world, but my friend wondered why that would appeal to Catholics, who have full access to the church’s inexhaustible spiritual, devotional, and liturgical riches. It seems to me the root problem is not a desire for new things per se. After all, the church has recognized plenty of relatively new things—for example, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, the theology of the body, and the Luminous Mysteries of the rosary—as valuable and added them to her store of treasures. Rather, an inordinate desire for the extraordinary drives people to seek novelty and sensation even when this leads to devotions and practices of questionable origin. Whether the “new thing” is Eastern mysticism, Protestant enthusiasm, New Age ritual, or dubious apparitions, the object is almost always some extraordinary supernatural experience, something that intimates it has something beyond what the church can offer, as though what God has given us in and through the

called to

church is not enough. This is hardly a modern phenomenon. In the 1580s St. John of the Cross had this to say about it: [H]e that now desires to receive anything in a supernatural manner, as we have said, is, as it were, finding fault with God for not having given us a complete sufficiency in His Son. For, although such a person may be assuming the faith, and believing it, nevertheless he is showing a curiosity which belongs to faithlessness. We must not expect, then, to receive instruction, or aught else, in a supernatural manner. . . . We must now be guided in all things by the law of Christ made man, and by that of His Church, and of His ministers, in a human and a visible manner, and by these means we must remedy our spiritual weaknesses and ignorances, since in these means we shall find abundant medicine for them all. If we leave this path, we are guilty not only of curiosity, but of great audacity: nothing is to be believed in a supernatural way, save only that which is the teaching of Christ made man, as I say, and of His ministers, who are men.

The great irony is that in seeking illumination outside the church, one is turning away from the place where it can be found. As the 2000 declaration Dominus Iesus reminds us, truth in its fullness is to be found only within the Catholic Church. Although

BY SUZANNE ERPENBACH

The arrival of autumn September offers several opportunities to appreciate God’s gifts.

“I’m your windowsill angel, your reminder to pray. Have you thanked God for his love today?” I keep daily reflection booklets, prayers, and other thoughtprovoking reminders in various places in my home. Part of my daily ritual is reading these and others to keep my focus on my significant relationships. One flip booklet is dedicated to marriage en-

hancement. Another is dedicated to parenting. All are also directly linked to my relationship with God. Life can get so hectic that it helps to find ways to focus on our priorities. Without reminders, we may not fully appreciate the love and gifts we receive. God’s love is so immense that we cannot fully comprehend it. It helps to stop, even for a moment, and concentrate on God’s presence, love, and generosity. A photo frame notes, “Happiness lives in hearts that love.” Isn’t this so true? People experience joy in knowing

there are elements of truth in other faith traditions, those truths are present in the church free from the grave errors that are also found in other traditions. For those who seek within the church, there are liturgies whose beauty and ability to move the emotions surpass any New Age ritual; there are visions given to the saints that far excel the trite drivel of so many alleged visionaries of today; there are myriad effective techniques of prayer and forms of preparation for union with God; there is even, as Benedict XVI has pointed out, within the rich tradition of Marian devotion, a place for nature spirituality. Whatever one’s spirituality, if it is truly good, it can find its nourishment and its fulfillment within the confines of the church. The corollary is that any spirituality that cannot find its nourishment and fulfillment in the church is not truly good. So many of the things that we think we want—license to do whatever we please, unlimited emotional stimulation, special private revelations that only feed our pride, assurance that we don’t need conversion, the illusion that we can control God and relate to him on our own terms—these things must be sought outside the church because they are not good for us and have no place within the church. The many styles and varieties of truly Catholic spirituality can look very different, but they share a willingness to receive truth from the church, to be formed after her heart and mind, and to submit completely and generously to her authority. ■ Miss Hutton is a parishioner of St. Mary Church in Oak Ridge and a full-time godmother. love, feeling loved, and giving love. There’s just a special sparkle in the eyes, a smile, and a spirit in those who know love, especially God’s love. Calendars remind us of days that honor people and special events. Some are celebrated publicly, others privately. The latter may include birthdays, anniversaries, and dates of discoveries or accomplishments—such as an infant’s first step. Coming up in September are a number of days for special attention and celebration. On Labor Day we might review the talents, skills, and abilities we have received through God’s love and generosity. We discover, develop, and express these through our efforts and contributions. Consider the educational and personal interests, career path, and vocation you have Erpenbach continued on page 9

Bishop continued from page 2

know that the bypass grafts are in great shape.” “My heart is in good shape as well as the arteries leading to it.” Bishop Stika recognized that it’s difficult for many people—not only bishops and others in leadership roles but also busy mothers and fathers—to keep life in balance. Sometimes the result is compromising one’s own health in order to take care of others. At the beginning of every flight on an airplane, he said, flight attendants explain that in the event of a loss of cabin pressure, oxygen masks will drop from the ceiling. Parents are asked to put the masks on themselves first so that they can then take care of their children.

Taking care of our own health isn’t selfish, Bishop Stika said. “God has given us a body that’s very sacred. You know, we always talk about pro-life, but the pro-life attitude also includes taking care of what God has given us—the precious gift of life.” He urged those who have chronic illnesses not to take them for granted but to “respect what they can do” and also to make the lifestyle changes necessary to protect their God-given health. “Folks want to change: ‘I’m going to quit smoking next year’ or ‘I’m going to quit eating so much on New Year’s Day.’ Don’t wait until tomorrow. Start today.” In order to be a good bishop, he said, “I’m going to

www.dioceseofk noxville.org

have to take care of myself too.” “I’m approaching this with a spirit of gratitude, and I know it will have a profound influence on my spiritual life. It will make me a better bishop and a better priest.” He reiterated his deep thanks for all those who prayed for him during his recent illness—people not just from East Tennessee and St. Louis but from around the world. “I could feel their prayers,” the bishop said. “When I was in intensive care and now day in and day out, I read people’s cards and very kind, wonderful notes. I know I’m very much among friends in Knoxville, and I’m grateful to God. Together we’re going to do great things in the future.” ■ THE E A S T TE NNE S S E E CATHOLI C

our

PRIESTS

from the

BY MARGARET HUNT

An ‘exciting, fascinating, rewarding life’ Father David Boettner reflects on the satisfactions of serving God’s people as a priest. n this, the second installment of our new series of conversations with priests, we present a questionand-answer interview with Father David Boettner, named moderator of the curia in early 2008. A cradle Catholic, Father Boettner attended St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church in Cleveland while growing up. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 28, 1994. Currently pastoral administrator for St. Mary Parish in Gatlinburg, Father Boettner served as pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Lenoir City from 2002 till August this year.

around being around other people. My family lives in Cleveland still for the most part, so it’s easy for me to get home and visit. I have three brothers and one sister.

Who influenced your vocation to the priesthood? One of the most influential people in my life was our high school youth minister, Sandy. After we were confirmed [in the eighth grade], she used the newly confirmed teenagers to help put on retreats for others who were preparing for confirmation. As we helped lead retreats for other parishes’ confirmation programs, I first began to get a sense that ministry was something I was attracted to. It was on a retreat our youth group did—which was focused on what we were going to do after high school— when I first started thinking about priesthood. I was 19 years old when I went into the seminary. I did my first year after high school at the University of Tennessee and then transferred to St. Meinrad [in Indiana] to finish my degree. Were you pretty sure what you wanted to do? No, that’s the funny part. I felt God was asking me to consider priesthood, but I was not sure priesthood was right for me. There were three questions I had to answer pretty clearly in order to be able to be ordained. One was “Is God calling me to be a priest?”, one was “Can I do it—is this something I can see myself doing well?”, and “Can I be joyful in it?” I had known enough unhappy priests to know I did not want to be that. It’s a two-way call. I felt I was being called, but the church has to affirm that call. The church had its questions that needed to be answered, but those were the questions I needed to reflect on [as well], and that’s why I switched from the University of Tennessee to St. Meinrad. When I got to the end of my time at St. Meinrad, I still felt that call, but at that point it was a call to go on to theology and continue discerning. Two years later when I was in seminary in Chicago, I did a pastoral internship at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Chattanooga. During that internship—where I experienced hands-on ministry, living in a rectory, being in a parish environment—I was able to say “Yes, this is what I want to do.” Father Al Humbrecht was my pastor there, and when I was ordained a priest, I went back for my first assignment with Father Al. Then Father Al and I moved to Sacred Heart at the same time, and now I’m living there again. What qualities make a good priest? Sometimes people will say, “Oh, it’s a shame you’re a THE E A S T TE NNE S S E E CATHOLIC

DEACON PATRICK MURPHY-RACEY

Father David Boettner

priest, you would have made a good father or a good husband.” Those are exactly the qualities you want in a priest. If someone wouldn’t make a good father or a good husband, he wouldn’t make a good priest. To be a good priest, you have to be able to care for people as a good husband would care for his family or as a good father would care for his children. You need to have those qualities to be willing to serve the needs of others first, being willing to make sacrifices for the greater good of others. You need to have a love of people to be a good priest because a priest is supposed to be another Christ, an alter Christus. When I read the Gospels, I don’t ever see a time when Jesus said, “Ugh, I can’t stand these people.” He always was hungry to be with people and to lead people closer to God. A priest needs to have that desire and I think a priest needs to be about service. When I look at Jesus washing the feet of his disciples at the Last Supper, that also has to be the image of the priest. What do you do all day? I would love to find a way to encapsulate what a priest does each day into a shortenough video clip so that someone could actually watch it. I have to say I have never had a boring day in my life since I’ve been ordained—not a single day I’ve been bored. I think being a priest is one of the most exciting lives anyone can live, and I think it’s a great shame that we don’t share that enough. People think being a priest is either dull or boring or sad or unhappy, and in my life, that is absolutely not true. The very beginning of every day is prayer. I describe going to Mass as breathing—you wouldn’t think about not doing it. Prayer is the same way, you wouldn’t think of not praying. No matter how busy you get, if you don’t pray, you’ve already started off on the wrong foot, your focus is not right. If you’re not rooted in a relationship with God, you’re doing things, but you’re not being faithful to your call. Every day starts in prayer and then is kind of a variety of ministering the sacraments, teaching, helping people to connect with God’s presence in their life. Every day is fascinating because people are a mystery. If you’re encountering people, you’re encountering the mystery of God. What do you do to relax? I like to be with people. Getting together with friends is relaxing. I’m a backpacker, and I’ve been section-hiking the Appalachian Trail. I’ve got 1,500 miles to go. I’m OK fishing. Occasionally I might play golf. Pretty much all of those activities revolve

What gives you the greatest joy as a priest? Celebrating the Eucharist. I find that to be very joy-filled. I love being with people, I love seeing the Holy Spirit move through people’s lives. As a parish priest especially, you’re in a privileged position because if you’re there long enough, you see the thread moving through people’s lives that is the Holy Spirit. You are a stabilizing influence in others’ lives, and the community is a stabilizing influence in your life. What is the biggest misconception is about priesthood? People think priests aren’t really happy, but every survey that’s been done nationally about priests shows that priests have greater satisfaction in their lives than any other profession. Even in the midst of the clergy-sex-abuse scandal, priests’ satisfaction in their lives and their jobs was higher than any other profession. Why should a young man consider priesthood? It is the most exciting, fascinating, and rewarding life I could imagine living. If a young man believes and feels God is calling him to consider it, he should take that seriously. What a gift, what a great joy it is to be called by God to serve other people. We need talented, loving young men who are willing to serve others and respond to the call so that the church has the ability to continue to minister to the needs of people. Talk to your parish priest, talk to your parents; parents, talk to your children. One of the biggest obstacles to vocations is lack of parental support. I’m sure there’s a lot of valid reasons why parents are hesitant to encourage their children, but if you’ve ever sat back in the pews and thought that you didn’t like the pastor you had or weren’t happy with the priest who ministered to you, have you ever encouraged someone with the qualities you think would make a good priest? People should identify the qualities they think a priest ought to have, then start watching in their own parish community. When you see young men with those gifts and talents, encourage them. Tell them, “You’d make a great priest.” Definitely if anyone is thinking about being a priest, he could call the vocations director, he could talk to any priest he feels comfortable talking to just to get more information. The diocese has a number of discernment opportunities and ways for guys to start exploring the possibility. I guess one of the misconceptions is that if you think about being a priest, you have to go into the seminary immediately. There’s a lot that happens before someone makes the decision to go to the seminary. The best thing for a young man in discernment is for him to at least take the first step of telling someone he’s thinking about it. It doesn’t mean we’re going to ordain you tomorrow. There’s no signing bonus. Just allow God to work with you and lead you in that discernment. ■

www.d ioceseofknoxville.or g

PARACLETE

BY DOROTHY CURTIS

Student spiritual life ust as there no atheists in foxholes, neither are there atheists before an important exam. A student today needs a strong spiritual life, partly to sustain him or her through the rigors of school work and partly to avoid going astray through association with classmates who are a bad influence. The law may have moved God out of public schools, but it can’t move him out of your child’s life. Again, St. Mary’s Press comes to the rescue. The last thing you would want said about your children is that they “haven’t got a prayer.” With the ban on prayer in most schools, it will be up to you to see that prayer remains a part of their life as they go through school. Students today need that “invisible means of support” Bishop Fulton Sheen spoke of on his television shows. This is easily accomplished by giving them their very own prayer book, such as the popular Catholic Youth Prayer Book (2006, $14.95). One of our best-selling prayer books for teens, this book helps youth develop the habit of daily prayer—contemporary, traditional, and devotional. Ninth grade. Remember how it was for you? Or would you just as soon forget all about it? Make your child’s ninth-grade experience memorable with the 9th Grade Survival Guide (St. Mary’s Press, 2007, $14.95). The book deals with such topics as hazing, getting lost, dealing with disappointment, meeting new people, and understanding teachers, parents, and peers.

A similar title is What I Wish I Had Known About Becoming a Teenager (St. Mary’s Press, 2007, $12.95). This book presents advice from other teenagers about the lessons they’ve learned along the way. It’s a real gem. The Paraclete would like to introduce our new employee, Mary Rose. She loves to read and do needlework. We look forward to sharing our ministry with her. Robert Curtis, my husband, has had to resign from the Paraclete for health reasons. His biggest regret is “leaving the many delightful friends I have made here.” We thank him for his five years of dedicated service.

Para nuestros amigos de habla española: Casi no hay situación humana ni emoción alguna que no se encuentre en los Salmos. El libro publicado en inglés Prayers Before An Awesome God: The Psalms for Teenagers [Oraciones ante un Dios Maravilloso: Los Salmos para Adolescentes] (1998, $8.95) hace vida la alegría y la riqueza de los salmos en un idioma que los jóvenes pueden entender. No sólo ayuda a los jóvenes a encontrar un sentido rico y profundo en ellos, sino también a incorporar la sabiduría de los Salmos en la vida cotidiana, manteniendo a Dios como centro de sus vidas en todo lo que hacen. ■ The Paraclete is a fullservice Catholic book and supply store. Visit 417 Erin Drive in Knoxville, near Sacred Heart Cathedral, or call 865-588-0388 or 800-333-2097.

Erpenbach continued from page 8

experienced. Whatever our age, we can be certain that God is present at all stages, and we can dedicate each to him. Sept. 8 is the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her love of God inspires our own feelings for him. She can also nurture our stewardship formation and practices. The same date marks the 21st anniversary of the establishment of the Diocese of Knoxville. Over the years the Catholic population of our diocese has about doubled, spurring the foundation of new parishes, construction of churches, and outreach of ministries and services. These could not have been realized without the participation and support of many individuals and their contributions of time, talent, and treasure. As members of the diocese, we are individually called to reflect our relationship with God, beyond our personal and parish associations. Photo albums and mementos remind us of special family relationships. Grandparents’ Day (Sept. 13) is an opportunity to honor this generation. Their experiences, insight, and wisdom can help us better understand and appreciate our journey toward eternity. As the seasons change, we are reminded of God’s awesome gifts of creation and time. I hope we will all make an effort to value the arrival of autumn 2009. Prayer, booklets, people, photos, calendars, and reflections can all serve as guides to enhance our relationships and stewardship expressions. As one little reflection booklet notes, “Find Jesus, and you will find peace.” May God bless you. ■ Mrs. Erpenbach is the director of the Stewardship and Development Office. SEPTEMBER 6, 2009

■

from the

WIRE

Vatican highlights Pope Pius XII’s peace efforts

PRAYING FOR VOCATIONS Pope Benedict XVI gives a blessing as he recites the Angelus from the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, Italy, on Aug. 30.

Pope says families should create ‘spiritual terrain’ for vocations CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS)—Pope Benedict XVI said Catholic parents should make sure to create a “fertile spiritual terrain” for priestly vocations as they educate their children in the faith. The pope, speaking at a Sunday blessing at his summer residence outside Rome Aug. 30, said he hoped for a vocations revival in the Year for Priests, which began in June. The year marks the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests. “When couples dedicate themselves generously to the education of their children, guiding and orienting them toward the discovery of God’s design of love, they prepare that fertile spiritual terrain where vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life arise and mature,” the pope said. He offered a prayer that in the Year for Priests, “Christian families may become small churches in which all the vocations and charisms given by the Holy Spirit will be welcomed and valued.” The pope said the history of Christianity features innumerable examples of saintly parents and families, including Blessed Luigi and Maria Beltrame Quattrocchi, who were beatified in 2001. The couple had four children, including two sons who became priests. The pope appeared relaxed as he greeted pilgrims in the packed courtyard of his villa in Castel Gandolfo. He returns to his Vatican residence at the end of September. ■ Copyright 2009 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

Kennedy laid to rest at Arlington cemetery after Boston funeral BOSTON (CNS)—Sen. Edward M. Kennedy was mourned at a Boston church and laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery Aug. 29, amid words of comfort from the Book of Wisdom, Paul’s Letter to the Romans, and the Gospel of Matthew as well as recollections of his life by his sons, his pastor, President Barack Obama, and Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick. During the funeral Mass for the senator at Boston’s Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Father Mark Hession, pastor of Our Lady of Victory Parish in Centerville, Mass., linked the Scripture readings—chosen by Kennedy, his wife, Vicki, and their family—with elements of the senator’s own life and faith. “St. Paul states our case with his usual confidence,” Father Hession noted of the reading that opens: “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him?” Father Hession said “that confidence [that] the triumph of life over death is rooted in the central belief of Christian faith” is the conviction on which all Christian faith is built—“that Christ who passed through death to new life will, as he promised, lead us through death to new life as well.” “We hold the life of Senator Kennedy with reverence and respect,” Father Hession continued. “We also recognize that like all of us his life has a destiny beyond history, [a] destiny of risen life in the kingdom of God.” Later, during the burial service at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, Cardinal McCarrick, Washington’s retired archbishop, read excerpts of letters exchanged by Kennedy and Pope Benedict XVI in the last few weeks. ■ Copyright 2009 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops 10

■

SEPTEMBER 6, 2009

VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Like much of Europe and the world, the Vatican was marking the 70th anniversary of the start of World War II with an act of remembrance. In the Vatican’s case, though, the remembering has focused largely on the dramatic and unheeded warnings issued by Pope Pius XII to world leaders in the weeks and days leading up to the war’s outbreak. The late pope’s sense of alarm came through loud and clear in the radio message he delivered Aug. 24, 1939, as German troops were massing on the Polish border. His voice full of urgency, the pontiff told the world’s powerful that “empires not founded on justice are not blessed by God.” “Today, when the tension of spirits has reached a level that makes the unleashing of the tremendous whirlwind of war appear imminent, in a spirit of paternity we make a new and heartfelt appeal to governments and peoples,” the pope said. “To governments so that, laying aside accusations, threats, and the reasons for reciprocal mistrust, they try to resolve present differences through the only suitable means, that is, sincere joint agreements; and to peoples so that in calm and serenity, and without unbecoming agitation, they will encourage efforts for peace on the part of their leaders,” he said. The pope added, “Along with us, the whole of humanity hopes for justice, bread, and freedom, not the iron that kills and destroys.” Parts of the audio recording were replayed in late August

CNS FILE PHOTO

CNS PHOTO/ALESSIA PIERDOMENICO, REUTERS

Seventy years ago the Holy Father pleaded with world leaders not to wage war. By John Thavis

WARTIME PONTIFF Pope Pius XII gives a blessing at the end of a radio message Sept. 1, 1943. The pope made several calls for peace over the radio during World War II.

on Vatican Radio, which called the message “a milestone in the church’s service to peace.” Likewise, the Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, printed the text of this and other papal warnings against war, depicting Pope Pius as a prophetic figure who was ignored by those in power. A week after the pope issued his appeal, German troops invaded Poland, setting off six years of unprecedented warfare. When it was over, an estimated 60 million people—most of them civilians, including more than five million European Jews—were dead, cities lay in ruins, and millions were homeless or displaced. The role of Pope Pius during the war has been much debated in recent years. Against accusations of indifference to the plight of Jews and inaction on other fronts, the Vatican has stepped up its defense of the wartime pontiff. In early August the Vatican newspaper published a sharply worded critique of Allied governments for failing to help European Jews despite having detailed information about the Holocaust. It said U.S. and British inaction contrasted with

the quiet efforts undertaken by Pope Pius to save as many Jews as possible. More recently the Vatican has spotlighted Pope Pius’ public and private moves to dissuade key countries from crossing the line into war. An able diplomat, he followed the international turn of events carefully, and in May 1939 made a quiet push for negotiations through apostolic nuncios in Germany, Italy, France, Britain, and Poland. Speaking to the world’s cardinals in June that year, the pope briefed them on his diplomatic offensive and expressed optimism at the response it had generated. In subsequent weeks, however, those hopes slowly vanished and the pope’s disappointment was palpable. As he said in a talk two months later, “we have tried and done what was in our power to stave off the danger of war,” a war that he predicted would be unprecedented in its “physical and spiritual destruction.” In a front-page article Aug. 24 the Vatican newspaper recalled all this and argued that Pope Pius and his aides never stopped working for peace throughout the

conflict. The article, signed by the newspaper’s editor, Giovanni Maria Vian, said Pope Pius “helped the persecuted, without distinction,” in Rome and inside the Vatican, throughout Italy and in other European countries. Vian said the church had symbolically closed a chapter of reconciliation over the war with the elections of the Polish Pope John Paul II in 1978 and the German Pope Benedict XVI in 2005—two figures who suffered the war’s effects personally, “sons of nations which were then opposed,” and who have both strongly praised Pope Pius. What was interesting about the Vatican’s latest, forceful defense of Pope Pius’s record was that there was no mention whatsoever of his pending sainthood cause. Faced with a unanimous recommendation in favor of Pope Pius’s beatification last year, Pope Benedict put the cause on hold and put out the word that both critics and supporters should stop pressing the issue— something Vatican officials seem to be taking seriously. ■ Copyright 2009 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

You’re invited to season three of Renew: Why Catholic? BY S I S TE R A L B ER TI NE PA UL US

enew: Why Catholic? is a comprehensive adult-faithformation program that is solidly based on Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It offers a concrete approach that helps adults deepen their faith and connect its teachings to everyday life. In the program’s journey through the Catechism, a facilitator leads a small group of three to 12 members in discussion for 12 weeks a year— six before Advent and six during Lent. The discussion focuses on one book each year. The book for this year, season three, is Life in Christ: Walking With God. Long ago many of us learned that “God made me to know him, to love him, and to serve him in this world and to be happy with him forever in the next.” That’s why this season of Renew is important for us all: we so often forget this foundational truth.

You will find in these sessions reflections on the Beatitudes, those startling statements Jesus made in contrast to worldly values. You will reflect and share on freedom and responsibility; the voice of conscience and its role in our life; and the virtues Jesus offers for our imitation. You will reflect on sin and its consequences; the loving mercy of God; and the call to moral solidarity. You will learn about the role of the church and the sacramental helps God has given to help us. Deep in each human heart God has planted an unquenchable thirst for his love. Many of us spend our whole lives struggling to believe he really loves us. This Renew season is an answer to that desire. Everyone is welcome to attend one of the following sessions with Father Abraham Orapankal, who is returning to the diocese to help us prepare for Renew’s third season:

www.d ioceseofknoxville.or g

Thursday, Sept. 10, 6:30 to 9 p.m., Holy Spirit Church, Soddy-Daisy ■ Friday, Sept. 11, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Notre Dame Church, Greeneville ■ Saturday, Sept. 12, 9 a.m. to noon, St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Lenoir City ■ Sunday, Sept. 13, 2 to 4:30 p.m., St. Francis of Assisi Church, Fairfield Glade ■ Monday, Sept. 14, 6 to 9 p.m., St. Mary’s Medical Center North, Knoxville (take I-75 to exit 112, drive east on Emory Road, and enter by the main door). ■

I believe you will find Father Orapankal’s insights and comments enjoyable and helpful. May the Holy Spirit lead us ever closer to the God who so loves us! ■ Sister Albertine Paulus, RSM, is the director of the diocesan Evangelization Office and the diocesan coordinator for Renew. THE E A S T TE NNE S S E E CATHOL I C