June 4 | 2023 VOL 31 NO 10
IN THIS ISSUE 100TH! 'I DO' AGAIN CLASS OF 2023 B1 HAPPY A10 SAYING A4 THE Fr. Paul Hostettler's Bishop Stika presides at Notre Dame, Knoxville Catholic high schools hold graduations
diocesan marriage vows renewal ceremony
centenary is cause for celebration
He dwells among us ......................... A3 Parish news ....................................... B4 Diocesan calendar ............................ B5 Columns ..........................................B6-7 Catholic schools ..........................B9-10 La Cosecha ............................Section C
Diocese names new schools superintendent By Jim Wogan
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ishop Richard F. Stika has announced that Mary Ann Deschaine, Ed.S., a veteran educator with nearly three decades of experience as a teacher, principal, and most recently as superintendent of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, W. Va., has accepted the position of superintendent of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Knoxville.
Mrs. Deschaine will begin her new position in July. “I look forward to building upon the strong history and tremendous success of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Knoxville,” Mrs. Deschaine said. “My decision was well thought out and prayerfully considered, and I am grateful for the opportunity to lead schools that are strong in faith and have displayed a commitment to their Catholic mission and identity.”
Prior to her time as superintendent of schools in WheelingCharleston, Mrs. Deschaine was superintendent Mrs. Deschaine of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Saginaw, Mich., from 2011-18. She served as a teacher and
principal at various schools in Michigan from 1998 until her appointment as superintendent in Saginaw. Mrs. Deschaine earned an undergraduate degree from Central Michigan University in 1985, a master’s degree in education from Michigan State University in 2004, and an advanced degree as an education specialist from Saginaw Valley State University in 2010. “I have spoken with the current Schools continued on page A7
Bishop Stika announces priest assignments Good Shepherd, St. Therese, and St. Joseph among parishes getting new pastors By Bill Brewer
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ishop Richard F. Stika has announced new assignments for several priests serving in the Diocese of Knoxville, including three who were ordained to the priesthood in early June. Bishop Stika announced the assignments publicly on May 7 soon after the priests informed their current parishioners. “It’s always a difficult thing to uproot people and move them to different parts of the diocese. I consult with our vicar for priests, Father Michael Cummins, our vicars general, Father David Boettner and Father Doug Owens, and our chancellor, Deacon Sean Smith. We consider the needs of the parishes and the needs of the diocese. We have four parishes that don’t have a pastor, and we will have three newly ordained priests in June. We will also ordain three new transitional deacons in June, which will help give us four new priests in 2024,” Bishop Stika said. “All of this means we need to address the movement of clergy and how it can benefit our parishes. I also consider language needs in parishes, which is always a big Assignments continued on page A23
Fr. Powell
Fr. Cardona
Fr. Kress
Fr. Guerrero
Fr. Kiyimba
Fr. Royal
Fr. Giraldo
Fr. Moreno
Fr. Massawe
Fr. Wandera
Fr. Charters
Fr. Nguyen
Fr. Austin
Fr. Blatchford
Fr. Crabtree
Thinking about religious life? By Gabrielle Nolan
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new discernment opportunity is available to young women of the diocese who are interested in learning more about a vocation to religious life. “It’s a women’s discernment program that is put out through Vianney Vocations to help young women walk through a series of 14 small-group experiences that help them discern if the religious life is something for them,” said Beth Parsons, who is the diocesan vocations office manager and facilitator for the Avow discernment program. The program was created by Mother Clare Matthiass of the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal and Vianney Vocations. According to its website, Vian-
ney Vocations is a “team of communications experts, committed to Jesus and His Church, who help vocation offices to effectively reach young Catholics and inspire them to open their hearts to God’s call.” The mission of Vianney Vocations is to “renew the Church by inspiring a new generation of priestly and religious vocations.” Mother Clare Matthiass wrote a book titled Discerning Religious Life, which is the basis for all Avow group meetings. “Each week there’s a list of questions that we focus on that helps them dive deeper for their discernment, and then we read a section of the book,” Mrs. Parsons explained. “There are 14 weeks in the program, and it kind of gets Avow continued on page A21
GABRIELLE NOLAN
Avow discernment program aids young women considering a vocation
Sisters in faith Sister Joan Miriam Nelson, RSM, center, and Sister Mary Simone Haakansson, RSM, right, are joined by Avow participants Megan Donahue, left, Allie Leavitt, and Diana Ramirez.