Bishop Beckman gets to know DOK students The diocese’s shepherd visits both high schools and four elementary schools during August and September By Dan McWilliams
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ishop Mark Beckman made several school visits in August and September as he traveled to Notre Dame High School, Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, and St. Jude School, all in Chattanooga, as well as to Knoxville Catholic High School, St. Dominic School in Kingsport, and St. Mary School in Johnson City.
Bishop Beckman on Aug. 21 celebrated Mass and chatted with students at Notre Dame High School in the morning and later toured Our Lady of Perpetual Help School. The Mass took place in the Michael & Eleanor Miller Theater. Bishop Beckman recalled his seminarian days in the 1989-90 school year when he taught religion at the Chattanooga high school. “I am so glad to be with all of you here this morning at Notre Dame,” he said to begin Mass. “Some of you all may have heard that I taught here one year 35 years ago. Some of your parents may have been students of mine when I taught at Notre Dame High School. And it was in that year that I got real clarity that God was calling me to be a priest, so I’m really grateful to be back in Chattanooga.” Ten priests from the Chattanooga Deanery concelebrated the Mass, with Father Mike Nolan and Father David Carter as principal concelebrants. Father Peter Iorio, a native of the deanery who is now pastor at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in
DAN MCWILLIAMS
At Notre Dame, where as a seminarian he received clarity that God was calling him to be a priest
The bishop returns A sign during his Aug. 21 visit welcomes Bishop Mark Beckman back to Notre Dame High School, where as a seminarian in the 1989-90 school year he taught religion. Alcoa, also concelebrated. Deacon Hicks Armor was deacon of the Word and of the altar at Mass. Students proclaimed the readings, presented the gifts, and sang at the liturgy. George Valadie, interim superintendent of Catholic schools in the diocese, attended the Mass, as did Notre Dame head of school Dr. Eric Schexnaildre and an auditorium filled with faculty, staff, and students. Monsignor Al Humbrecht, pastor of Holy Spirit in Soddy-Daisy, was among the priests at Mass.
The future Bishop Beckman served summer assignments as a seminarian at two different parishes led by Monsignor Humbrecht when he was pastor of St. Augustine in Signal Mountain in 1986 and as pastor of OLPH in 1987. “Chattanooga has for me very wonderful memories, and I’m so glad now to be here as your bishop,” Knoxville’s new shepherd said. The Mass took place on the memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. “Today, we celebrate the Queen-
ship of Mary, that final moment when, after Mary having entered into the fullness of life with the Lord forever, began to reign with Christ,” Bishop Beckman said. “We today are invited by the Lord to share in that great mystery.” The bishop began his homily by recalling a significant experience. “One of the great moments of my life as a priest was when I had the opportunity to visit for the first time the Holy Land, the places where Jesus Himself was born and lived and ministered around the School visits continued on page B2
A profession of gratitude for God’s mercy By Maggie Parsons
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reat joy surrounded the congregation in the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw, Mich., on Aug. 16 to celebrate four Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich., professing their perpetual vows. Sister Mary Simone Haakansson and Sister Maria Amata Rossi, who both previously served in the Diocese of Knoxville, professed their perpetual vows. Sister Mary Simone was the executive secretary to the apostolic administrator, Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre, for a year before also assisting the bishopelect, now Bishop Mark Beckman. Sister Maria Amata also served the bishop’s office as executive secretary under Bishop Emeritus Richard F. Stika. On the day of the profession of perpetual vows in the Saginaw cathedral, friends and family attended for the Sisters, having traveled many miles, coming from Canada, Sweden, and even Australia. “As we gather this day on this joyous occasion, we lift our hearts and minds in gratitude for all the Lord has given to us, but more importantly what the Lord has done through these Sisters who have presented themselves for these final vows,” Bishop Robert D. Gruss, bishop of Saginaw, said in the opening prayer of the Mass. In attendance from the Diocese of
Knoxville were Deacon Sean Smith, chancellor and chief operating officer of the diocese; Father Mark Schuster, director of vocations for the diocese and pastor at St. Alphonsus Parish in Crossville; and Father Christopher Floersh, parochial administrator at St. Albert the Great Parish in Knoxville. The four Sisters who were to profess their vows walked down the aisle during the procession holding lit candles, symbolizing that the perpetual vows they profess are rooted in their baptismal promises. “Each in their own unique way, I think, is a specific acceptance of the mystery of Christ lived out within the Church. You always remember that these vows do not constrain or limit your freedoms in any fashion, shape, or form. These vows make true freedom and sacrificial love possible, whereby you’re able to freely give your life away for the sake of the kingdom of God,” the bishop said in his homily. As part of the vows ceremony, the bishop asked the congregation to kneel and pray for the servants whom he has called to religious life. While the congregation knelt, the four Sisters laid prostrate before the altar as the congregation chanted the Litany of the Saints. “As we laid prostrate on the floor and together with the whole congregation, we asked the saints, who
COURTESY OF THE RELIGIOUS SISTERS OF MERCY OF ALMA, MICH.
Two Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich., who served in the diocese make their perpetual vows
Professed Bishop Robert D. Gruss poses with (from left) Sister Maria Amata Rossi, Sister Maria Jose Perez, Sister Gianna Marie Savidge, and Sister Mary Simone Haakansson after they made their perpetual vows. loved God so much during their earthly life, to intercede for us so that we may follow in their footsteps and seek to grow in love of God and our neighbor each day of our lives,” Sister Mary Simone said, speaking of the love she felt while lying at the altar during the Litany of the Saints. After the litany, each Sister knelt before Mother Mary Christa Nutt, RSM, superior general of the Religious Sisters of Mercy, professing their handwritten vows. The superior general responded to each Sister saying, “I accept your vows.” The superior general gave
Sister Mary Simone permission to profess her vows in Swedish, her native language. Sister Mary Simone said that was very special to her, especially with her family in attendance. Adding to the beauty of the ceremony, the Sisters who professed their vows received a ring. Engraved on the inside of each ring was a motto chosen by the Sister. Sister Mary Simone chose “My Love Is Crucified,” while Sister Maria Amata chose “Abide in My Love.” The superior general invited each Sister to kneel in front of her one at RSM vows continued on page B3