Diocese welcomes new priests Bishop Stika ordains Fathers Austin, Blatchford, and Crabtree in cathedral Mass By Dan McWilliams
Joining the presbyterate Soon-tobe Father Andrew Crabtree is greeted by Bishop Richard F. Stika after he makes his promise of respect and obedience to the bishop. Joseph Austin (left) and Neil Blatchford await their turn. Below, (from left) Deacons Crabtree, Blatchford, and Austin respond “present” when they are called forward.
The Church rejoices
“The Church of the Diocese of Knoxville, the Catholic Church of East Tennessee, rejoices in this historic moment when three of our brothers will be ordained to the sacred priesthood of Jesus Christ, according to the order of Melchizedek,” Bishop Stika said in his greet-
BILL BREWER
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he Diocese of Knoxville celebrated a triple ordination June 10 as Joseph Austin, Neil Blatchford, and Andrew Crabtree became priests of God in a Mass celebrated by Bishop Richard F. Stika at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. The front pews on both sides of the cathedral were filled with many family members of each ordinand. Cardinal Justin Rigali attended the Mass in choir. Concelebrating priests were cathedral rector Father David Boettner; diocesan deans Father Peter Iorio, Father Michael Cummins, and Father Mark Schuster; Father Denis Robinson, OSB, president-rector of St. Meinrad Seminary; and the three ordinands themselves. More than 33 priests—including Father Colin Blatchford, brother of Father Neil—and more than 15 deacons took part in the Mass, joined by women religious and a cathedral filled with the faithful from throughout the diocese. Diocesan chancellor Deacon Sean Smith was deacon of the Word. Newly ordained the Saturday before, transitional Deacon Daniel Herman was deacon of the Eucharist. Deacon Walt Otey and Deacon Hicks Armor were masters of ceremonies, and diocesan seminarian Bobby Denne assisted Bishop Stika. This year’s ordinations brought to 59 the total number of men who have been ordained to the priesthood for the diocese since its founding in 1988 and 24 who have been ordained by Bishop Stika. It marked the fifth time that three or more priests had been ordained together and the first such occasion since 2015, when four were ordained.
ing to begin the Mass. “And just last week, another three were ordained to the diaconate, joining one other. The Church is blessed with vocations in this great diocese because of you,” the bishop added to the assembly, “for the first seminary is in homes.” Before the homily, Deacon Smith called forth the ordinands. DAN MCWILLIAMS “Let those who are to be ordained priests, come forward,” he said. As each man’s name was called, he answered “present.”
Father Arthur Torres, diocesan director of vocations, then addressed Bishop Stika. “Most Reverend Father, the Holy Mother Church asks you to ordain these men, our brothPriests continued on page B2
3 priests-to-be ordained as deacons Bishop Stika celebrates the Rite of Ordination at Sacred Heart By Bill Brewer
DAN MCWILLIAMS
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eacon Bo Beaty had been ordained only a few moments when he realized he already has someone ready for the priest-to-be to bring into the Catholic Church. Deacon Beaty is one of three young men in the Diocese of Knoxville ordained to the transitional diaconate by Bishop Richard F. Stika on June 3 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. He was joined by Deacon Michael Willey and Deacon Daniel Herman. As soon as the ordination Mass concluded and as photos were being taken on the cathedral sanctuary steps, Deacon Beaty’s father, Donald, shared that he likely will become Catholic once his son is ordained a priest. Mr. Beaty, fighting back tears of joy, spoke proudly of being a resident of Jamestown in Fentress County, where his son was born and raised. He recalled that the mother of his best friend in Jamestown helped found St. Christopher Parish there. “I went to Mass with him every Saturday night. I probably went there more than I did anywhere, but I never switched to Catholic,” Mr. Beaty said. “I told Bo that
One step closer Bishop Richard F. Stika addresses ordinand Michael Willey during the Rite of Ordination for deacons on June 3 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. when he got to where he could do more that I would probably join up.” That time should come next spring, when Deacons Beaty, Willey, and Herman complete their final year at St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in St. Meinrad, Ind., and are ordained to the priesthood. Mr. Beaty also spoke proudly of his son and his accomplishments as the new deacon begins to serve God, the people of God, and the
Catholic Church. “It’s unreal. It’s something to be proud of. It is amazing what he has made himself into,” Mr. Beaty said. Was Deacon Beaty’s call to the priesthood pre-ordained by God? Certainly so, and his mother, Marsha Dillard, shared an interesting family story that provided a hint. She explained that the woman who helped found St. Christopher wanted the Beatys to have infant Bo christened in the Catholic
Church at St. Christopher. “We were like no, we aren’t Catholics. She said, ‘That won’t matter. I can make that happen.’ Now I think she is probably sitting up there on that cloud of witnesses saying, ‘I tried to tell you two,’” Ms. Dillard said, smiling. And like Deacon Beaty’s father, Ms. Dillard found the ordination to be an uplifting, emotional moment in the life of the family. “I am so proud of Bo. It has been amazing to watch his commitment and his surrender to Jesus and what He has for him on this path. My breath was taken away just watching him ordained as a deacon. I can’t wait until next year to watch him be ordained as a priest. It’s exciting,” Ms. Dillard said. Tammy Cross said June 3 was a very emotional day for her as well, with some crying. The mother of Deacon Michael Willey described her son’s ordination as awe-inspiring. “I have been crying. It’s just so humbling, and I’m so proud. It was an absolutely beautiful Mass,” she said. Deacon Willey’s father shared those sentiments. “It’s just a very proud day. It’s been a long road for him, and Deacons continued on page B4