April 2 | 2023 VOL 31 NO 8
IN THIS ISSUE CHAMP HOPE YEARS ALREADY B1 FIRST-TIME A13 NEW A6 5Bishop Knoxville Catholic High Moms-to-be in good Stika marks cathedral's fifth anniversary
hands with help from pregnancy care centers
Schools girls win state basketball championship
He dwells among us ......................... A3 Parish news ....................................... B4 Diocesan calendar ............................ B5 Columns ..........................................B6-7 Catholic schools ..........................B9-10 La Cosecha ............................Section C
Welcome to the Church in East Tennessee Bishop Stika greets catechumens, candidates during Rite of Election ceremonies By Bill Brewer
BILL BREWER (2)
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ishop Richard F. Stika welcomed more than 200 catechumens and candidates into the Catholic Church during Rite of Election services Feb. 25-26 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. It was a robust congregation of women and men from around the Diocese of Knoxville who expressed excitement to be entering the Catholic faith. They were joined by their sponsors, godparents, family members, parish directors of religious education, and RCIA leaders. None were more excited than Carl and Crystal Koch from Hancock County. The Kochs are members of St. James the Apostle Parish in Sneedville and entered the Church at Easter Vigil as candidates, converting from the Baptist faith. The Kochs, who joined the Catholic Church along with two others at St. James, represent a remarkable growth spurt for St. James and illustrate the Catholic Church’s continued expansion in East Tennessee, especially in outlying areas like Hancock County where Catholics are a very small community compared with other Protestant faiths. Bishop Stika presided at both ceremonies, known fully as the Rite of Election of Catechumens and Call to Continuing Conversion of Candidates. The first service on Feb. 25 was for the Chattanooga and Five Rivers deaneries, and the second service on Feb. 26 was for the Cumberland Mountain and Smoky Mountain deaneries. “Welcome to the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, the mother church of the entire Catholic Church in East Tennessee,” Bishop Stika said in his greeting. “This is one of my favorite ceremonies throughout the liturgical year. You’ve all been working hard. You’ve all had your own journeys that brought you to this season of Lent and to Easter Vigil. So, I have great, great respect for you all in this journey of faith.” Deacon Jim Bello, director of Christian Formation for the Diocese of Knoxville who also serves at Holy Spirit Church in Soddy-Daisy, introduced the churches of the Chattanooga, Five Rivers, Cumberland Mountain, and
Joyful greetings Bishop Richard F. Stika shakes hands with the Catholic Church's newest East Tennessee members during the Rite of Election at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Bishop Stika presided at Rite of Election ceremonies Feb. 25-26.
“This is one of my favorite ceremonies throughout the liturgical year. You've all been working hard. You've all had your own journeys that brought you to this season of Lent and to Easter Vigil. So, I have great, great respect for you all in this journey of faith.” faith –– Bishop Richard F. Stika Smoky Mountain deaneries and recognized their candidates, catechumens, sponsors, and parish directors of religious education or RCIA leaders. Bishop Stika introduced the congregation of new Catholics to the cathedral and showed them the various images in the nave and dome as well as the baldachino that encompasses the sanctuary. He pointed to the images of Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and the Apostles, as well as saints such as Josephine Bakhita, Maximilian Kolbe, and Francis of Assisi. Rite of Election continued on page A21
Young Adult Conference explores authentic faith By Emily Booker
Accepting God’s love
Throughout the day on Feb. 18, Mrs. McGrady gave a series of talks on accepting God’s love and finding the courage to live a faithful life. Young adults often struggle
EMILY BOOKER
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hat does an authentic faith look like in a world that is terrified of authenticity and faith? The Diocesan Young Adult Conference, “Bold Faith in the Modern World,” was held at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on Feb. 18 aiming to address that question. Author, speaker, and radio host Katie Prejean McGrady was the featured speaker. She hosts a daily radio show, “The Katie McGrady Show,” on The Catholic Channel, Sirius XM 129.
Bold in their faith Parishioners take part in the Diocese of Knoxville's Young Adult Conference at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on Feb. 18. with finding their place, both in the world and in the Church. Mrs. McGrady pointed out that the term “young adult” covers a wide
range of ages, vocations, career paths, and milestones. Some are college students, some are professionals, some are sin-
gle, and some are married. But they often feel like they are put into one box and underestimated. Further, the world tells them that their worth is determined by how successful they are in school, in work, in finding a spouse, in owning a home. It can be difficult for young adults to feel like they belong or have anything of value to offer. “We are so underestimated, so little is assumed of us, so little is expected of us, but you have so much to give, especially in the heart of the Church, especially in a moment when revival is demanded,” Mrs. McGrady said. The Lord doesn’t want anything from you—He just wants you, she told the participants. Their worth doesn’t come from their productivity but from being created and loved by God. They have to learn to stop asking, “What do you Conference continued on page A8