April 2025 ET Catholic, B section

‘Not

head knowledge: a personal encounter’

Father Randy Stice encourages devotion to the Eucharist, ‘the wonder of the Mass,’ in his latest book

By Gabrielle Nolan

Initially drawn to the Catholic Church in the 1990s because of the Church’s teachings on the Holy Eucharist, Father Randy Stice decades later has written a book on cultivating a deeper relationship with the Eucharist.

Father Stice, a priest of the Diocese of Knoxville who serves as the director of worship and liturgy, released Eucharistic Amazement: Experience the Wonder of the Mass in January. The book is published by Pauline Books & Media, which is the publishing house of the Daughters of St. Paul.

The priest’s previous three books on the sacraments were made with an academic lens, being used in some seminaries for formation. However, that was not the audience for his recent release.

“Eucharistic amazement is not just head knowledge. It’s also experiential,” Father Stice said. “And the saints talk about experiences of Christ in the Eucharist, not just academic knowledge… They not only understood the Eucharist, they had good theology of the Eucharist, but they also had a personal experience of encountering Christ in the Eucharist. We have to have a good understanding and think with the Church on our belief in the Eucharist, but it’s intended to be a personal encounter.”

The book-writing process took about two and a half years, resulting in nine chapters. The book also

includes reflection questions for each chapter and suggested further reading material.

“I wasn’t trying to come up with an idea for a book to write. I was actually just preparing a weekday homily,” Father Stice explained.

“There was a phrase in one of the prayers—it was St. John Neu-

mann—for the Mass that talked about the power of this sacrament. And for some reason that phrase really struck me, and it brought together a lot of different elements that are now chapters of the book. So, in some ways the book is very personal.”

Eucharistic Amazement contains

chapters featuring Sts. Teresa of Avila, Faustina Kowalska, and John Chrysostom, all of whom Father Stice has studied and has devotions to. Father Stice, who has a licentiate in sacred theology, completed his thesis on St. Teresa of Avila.

Although the topics of the book Father Stice continued on page B2

St. Dominic hosts fourth men’s conference

This year’s event draws 112 men from around the diocese and beyond for a day of talks, breakouts, and Mass

By Dan McWilliams

The fourth annual Appalachian Highlands Men’s Conference hosted by St. Dominic Parish in Kingsport on March 8 underwent a name change this year to reflect the wider area the event draws from.

A total of 112 men from 17 parishes in East Tennessee, southwestern Virginia, and western North Carolina attended the Saturday conference, which began with breakfast and sign-in at 7 a.m. and concluded with Mass at 2:15 p.m. followed by a group picture and a social at 3:30. The theme of the day was “No Man Left Behind.”

Keynote speakers were David Rinaldi, Deacon Vic Landa of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Harriman, and Father Chuck Dornquast, a priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Fla., and chaplain for the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Breakout sessions were led by Father John Orr, parochial administrator of Holy Ghost Parish in Knoxville; Father Andrew Crabtree, associate pastor of St. Dominic; Deacon Bob Lange, who also serves at St. Dominic; Jimmy Dee; Jonathan Cardinal; and Ron Henry.

Father Michael Cummins, pastor of St. Dominic, presided at the afternoon Mass. Concelebrating were Father Orr and Father Dornquast, with Deacon Lange and Deacon Landa assisting.

In his homily, Father Cummins mentioned the day’s Gospel from Luke 5, where Jesus calls Levi the tax collector, the future St. Matthew,

to “follow me.” Christ is also saying that to the men’s conference participants, Father Cummins said.

“That’s truly appropriate as we prepare to go forth. Now that you have been strengthened through prayer and fraternity, Jesus says to you, ‘Follow me,’” he said. “Now that you have received insight and teaching and instruction and the testimony of others, Jesus says to you, ‘Follow me.’ Now that you have been strengthened by the grace of the sacraments, Jesus says to you, ‘Follow me.’

“Whenever Jesus asks us to follow Him, He asks us to go where He Himself has gone. He never asks us to go somewhere where He Himself has not been, and this is the truth of our faith.”

The Lord “doesn’t send us out by ourselves,” Father Cummins said.

“We hear elsewhere in the Gospels that Jesus says, ‘Go forth and proclaim the Good News,’ but He also says, ‘I am with you to the end of the ages,’” he said. “In essence as we look at this day of reflection and for you, who have experi-

enced the grace of this day, Jesus is saying to you, ‘Follow me back to your homes, follow me back to your family, follow me back to your place of work, follow me back to your parish, follow me back to your community because I am there for you, and I will strengthen you as you live your faith wherever you might be and in whatever situation because I am there. I am there for you.’”

In his prayer and reflection on the men’s conference, Father

conference continued on page B2

were very familiar to Father Stice, some of his research did lead to a deepening of his devotion.

“In chapter four, where I talk about the Mass as the renewal of the covenant, the research for that chapter really deepened my understanding of the Mass as the renewal of the covenant. Jesus says, ‘This is the chalice of my blood of the new and eternal covenant,’ how the whole Mass itself is a renewal of the covenant. And then I think in chapter five, I talk about the unique graces of each Mass.”

As a priest, Father Stice said the experience of reciting the prayers of consecration and giving the faithful the Eucharist is “very profound.”

“It’d be hard to put into words,” he said. “I like John Paul II’s explanation of what happens when the priest says the words of consecration, because at that point Jesus is basically speaking through the mouth of the priest. So, basically there are three different ways in which the priest prays during Mass. There are the prayers that he proclaims on behalf of the whole assembly; and then there are several points during the Mass where the priest says prayers—the rubric says he says them softly, quietly, so the idea is that they’re his personal prayers for holiness, so the idea is that the people should see that he is saying something but not necessarily hear what he’s saying; and then the words of consecration are the third way, the third kind of prayer,

said he asked, “What does it mean to be a Christian man in our world today?”

“And this is just my own thought, but I think a Christian man is a man who lives his commitments, whatever those commitments might be, whether it’s a commitment to be a husband, a father, a grandfather, maybe it’s a commitment to be a priest or a deacon,” he continued. “A Christian man is a man who seeks and who strives, even though he may stumble sometimes, to live his commitments. What the Gospel reminds us today is, we don’t have to live those commitments on our own. We’re not meant to.

“Jesus is there with us, even in our commitments, and He asks us to welcome Him so that He might strengthen us in all aspects of our life. So, He proclaims to us, as He proclaimed to Levi, ‘Follow me, follow me into your commitments,’ and know that it’s in those commitments . . . in faith and in hope and in charity that we will know the fullness of life, that we will receive the fullness of Him, and that we are called to be who we are meant to be, just as Jesus called Levi, Matthew, and called him to be the truth of who he is meant to be: an Apostle, someone who proclaimed the Good News.”

The Lord is saying “follow me” to “each and every one of us,” Father Cummins concluded.

“In a special way today, He says to each and every one of you, in your lives, ‘Follow me, follow me and be strengthened and know that I am with you until the end of the ages.’”

The keynote talks were by Mr. Rinaldi on “Take Your Stand: Equip Yourself to Stand Strong Against the Devil’s Schemes,” Deacon Landa on “The Enemy’s Ammunition: The Seven Deadly Sins Explained,” and Father Dornquast on “Fuel for the Fight: How the Eucharist Feeds Mind, Body, and Soul.”

Breakout sessions were led by Mr. Dee on “Why?” and “31 Words: The Foundation of Our Discipleship,” Father Orr on “Bandaging the Wounds of Battle: Healing through the Sacrament of Reconciliation,” Mr. Cardinal on “How to Be the Spiritual Leader of Your Family Following St. Joseph’s Example” and “Why Are Individuals Leaving the Church?,” Father Crabtree on “Detaching Ourselves from the Social Media Trap,” Deacon Lange on “Swimming Upstream: Basic Catholic Questions Answered through Apologetics,” and Mr. Henry on “How to Balance Material

and that is completely different from the other two in that Christ Himself is speaking through the mouth of the priest.”

Father Stice believes there is always a need for ongoing catechesis for Catholics.

“I’ve never met a Catholic who didn’t want to learn more about the Mass because if there’s anything a Catholic’s going to do—they may not go to faith formation and special events—if there’s one thing a Catholic will do, they will go to Mass,” he shared. “I think a lot of Catholics know that after the consecration the bread and the wine become the body and the blood of Christ, but I don’t know that they always understand and believe that it’s a personal presence, that it’s the person Himself. There may be holy, divine things, but the fact that it’s

a personal encounter, I think that could be better understood and experienced.”

Within the culture, there are obstacles to cultivating eucharistic amazement.

“Our culture today really has lost its sense that God acts in the world today,” Father Stice remarked. “We believe that God exists, but He’s like in this far beyond, He doesn’t really touch our lives. And if we have that general view of God and how He is in the world, we’re going to bring that view to the Mass, and so we may come with low expectations of what God wants to do.”

He mentioned that often in the Gospels Jesus touches others, and those who experience miracles are persistent with great faith.

“The woman who pushes through the crowd to touch the hem of His garment, or the paralytic man and his four friends move the roof and lower him down through the roof. Jesus looked and saw their faith. So, I think faith in Jesus’ presence and power are very important, and Pope Francis has said that that’s not really what the culture believes, and we can be affected by that,” Father Stice continued.

Eucharistic Amazement may be a good resource for those who struggle to believe in the Real Presence of the Eucharist.

“We have four accounts of the Last Supper where [Jesus] instituted the Eucharist,” Father Stice explained. “He doesn’t say, and He could have, this is to remind you

of my body, or this is to remind you of me. But He doesn’t; He says this is my body, this is my blood. And when that was questioned in the early Church, the Church Fathers said if that’s not what He meant, He could have said what He meant. He could have said, this is just a sign, this is just something to remind you. But it’s not what He said. And we have multiple accounts of it.”

“[Jesus] also says He’s the truth,” Father Stice continued. “And so for us truth is not just a set of propositions. For us truth is in a person. We believe in the person, and because we believe in the person, we believe in what He teaches.”

To purchase a copy of the book, visit paulinestore.com ■

Needs with Emotional and Spiritual Needs.”

The conference also offered time for confession and adoration. The printed program for the day included not only the schedule and speakers but also messages from Bishop Mark Beckman and Father Cummins and pages on a Catholic examination of conscience, the Ten Commandments, a “how-to” guide to confession, and the five joyful mysteries of the rosary. A gift bag for each man attending contained items that included a “No Man Left Behind” book, published by the National Fellowship of Catholic Men, as well as a notepad, a pen, and a copy of “Catholic Daily Prayer for Men.”

Deacon Lange said the men’s conference gets bigger each year.

“It gets better, and we’re able to bring in better speakers to do the keynotes, and this year the three keynotes just knocked it out of the park,” he said. “Then the breakout sessions, that’s a smaller group, more intimate, and people can have a little more interaction, and I think that’s the best of both worlds. Plus, the opportunity to have reconciliation, adoration, Mass—everything just crammed into one short day, and I think that’s the benefit of this conference.”

Deacon Lange talked about his breakout session on apologetics.

“In this environment in East Tennessee, being a Catholic and trying to talk to anybody about anything, we’re swimming upstream,” he said. “There’s just not many of us, and some of the folks feel intimidated because we’ve got some folks who are a little forceful in pushing their agenda, their religion. We’ve got to say, now wait a minute, let’s build the relationship. Let’s talk— we don’t have to beat each other

over the head. We’re Christians for the most part. We have some nonChristians here but not many. We have a whole lot of Christians in East Tennessee, and we just have to remember that we’re brothers, we’re brothers and sisters in Christ, and we’re not at war with each other.”

Father Orr’s breakout session drew the biggest attendance, Deacon Lange said.

“What we did was limit the number of attendees in each breakout to 35. I think Father John Orr, obviously because he’s so good, his was the most full, and the rest of us had in the vicinity of 20 to 25,” he said. “So, that spread out everybody, and everybody seemed to be able to attend the breakouts that they wanted to.”

Kevin Musser, Grand Knight of Council 6992 of the Knights of Columbus at St. Dominic, served again as conference coordinator.

“I was so thankful for the guys who came here with great hearts and came in greater numbers than ever, and it’s becoming a family here now, it really is,” Mr. Musser said.

“This year we have men from 17 different parishes. It was the first time we had invested some energy by going out to these parishes and inviting them, speaking at their Masses, sending out announcements, and it was received very well.”

The conference has a family atmosphere because it draws many repeat attendees, Mr. Musser said.

“We have many repeats,” he said. “Typically, if someone comes the first year, they’ll continue to come back. In addition to that, however, we are receiving a number of young men. I think this was the highest numbers that we’ve seen. We don’t have all the data together yet, but it looks very promising.”

The attendance of 112 was about a

20 percent increase over last year’s number, Mr. Musser noted.

“We’re thankful for that. We believe that with strategies that we’re laying out to reach out to more parishes, we’ll have men from 30 or more parishes next year,” he said.

Having confession was again an important part of the day, Mr. Musser said. Father Cummins, Father Crabtree, and Father Bede Aboh of St. Dominic, Father Orr, and Father Dornquast heard confessions.

“We were so thankful for the number of men who attended confession this year. It had to be almost 100 percent who went,” Mr. Musser said. “That’s an area that we really wanted to provide for. We had a nice selection of priests, and the men took advantage of that. It was beautiful.”

Mr. Musser already has a date for next year’s conference: Feb. 28.

“We’re going to take a break here for a couple of weeks, and it’s a full year that it takes for us to make it happen,” he said.

St. Dominic parishioner Ray Vachon said he enjoyed attending the conference this year, his third time coming overall.

“I think the speakers were special,” he said. “The whole idea was to emphasize that we’re not passive, we’re not just Christians who go to church, we have an active role and a vocation to share what we have with others.”

Father Dornquast and Mr. Rinaldi were his favorite speakers of the day, Mr. Vachon said. Father Dornquast, the NFL chaplain, used some salty language in his talk.

“He hangs around with football players,” Mr. Vachon said. Sean Fernandez of the St. Dominic Knights helped secure the speakers for the men’s conference.

“Not to knock the other speakers

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Care Team from All Saints Parish in Knoxville joined in the 36th annual Ijams River Rescue on March 8, picking up trash along the Ten Mile Greenway.

St. Bridget women celebrate birthdays

COURTESY OF JANET SPRAKER

Twenty ladies from St. Bridget Parish in Dayton enjoyed lunch April 1 celebrating March and April birthdays at Winstead’s American Grill in Spring City.

Men’s conference continued from page B2

we had in years past, but these guys were just so much better, so good,” he said. “Father Orr and Deacon Vic are just amazing people. Father Chuck came from St. Pete. He grew up with me. Him and my brotherin-law and my sister, we all kind of grew up together in the Church in Florida.”

Mr. Rinaldi is the president of NET Ministries. Mr. Cardinal, a repeat speaker at the St. Dominic conference, is a regional director for the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS). Father Dornquast is director of vocations for the Diocese of St. Petersburg.

“Jonathan Cardinal has been one of our regulars,” Mr. Fernandez said. “Father Chuck: He’s always been straightforward, a punchyou-in-the-mouth kind of guy to a point.”

Mark Pendley is deputy Grand Knight of Council 6992 and a member of the men’s conference committee. This year’s event was “awesome as always, very pleased with the turnout,” he said.

“One of the things we did more so this year than previously—the feedback, the surveys, the information shared from the previous years—we were very sensitive of that with the guys this year,” Mr. Pendley said. “We wanted to make sure the con-

tent was very appropriate for all ages.”

Mr. Dee was his favorite speaker of the day, Mr. Pendley said. Mr. Dee is a parishioner of Holy Ghost in Knoxville and serves as director of faith formation and evangelization for the Tennessee Knights of Columbus. He has attended previous St. Dominic men’s conferences but had not served as a speaker before this year.

“Jimmy Dee was one I watched and listened to this morning,” Mr. Pendley said. “This was the first time I heard him speak—very impressed, great presentation, great content.”

Having five priests to hear confessions was a “nice thing” about the conference, Mr. Pendley said.

“The line was long before every one of them. I was very grateful that all the guys got to say their confessions to the fathers,” he said.

Father Cummins said that “this year’s event was a very faith-filled event for the men.”

“Each year it keeps getting stronger and stronger,” he said. “It keeps attracting men from a wider area with the hope of being strengthened in their relationship with Christ, to take that back to their parishes, back to their communities, and to live out of that. I think it was very faithfilled.” ■

Legion of Mary members renew commitment to the Blessed Mother

The East Tennessee Legion of Mary held its annual Acies ceremony on March 22 at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville. Thirty-four members from across East Tennessee assembled to renew their commitment to the Blessed Mother. During the ceremony, Philomene Musabyeyezu (standing to the right of the Vexillum Legionis standard) of Our Lady of Kiehbo Praesidium of Holy Ghost Parish took the Legion of Mary Promise, bringing her as a full member into the legion.

Fourth Degree Knights provide flag detail for Special Olympics event Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Assembly 1840 provided a flag detail for the Special Olympics Upper East Region Track and Field event held March 31-April 1 at the Mini-Dome at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City. The assembly coordinated with Area 3 Special Olympics director Chris Sontag. More than 200 athletes with special needs participated. The Knights color guard led athletes, prepared for the national anthem, and participated in the closing ceremony. Pictured from left are Ron Carbone, the assembly’s faithful navigator, John Flarherty, and commander Paul Ochs.

Chattanooga Deanery Holy Spirit, Soddy-Daisy

Monsignor Al Humbrecht’s next book study will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at the church. The book is The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates. To register, call the church at 423-332-5300 or e-mail hscc_parish@holyspirittn.com

St. Bridget, Dayton

The Women’s Council spring bake sale and bazaar held March 22-23 raised nearly $2,000 for its various charitable efforts. Baked goods and starter plants were big hits.

The Harry “Bunky” Jones Golf Tournament, sponsored by Knights of Columbus Council 11424, was held April 3 at Dayton Golf & Country Club. At least 80 golfers participated in the major fundraiser for the Knights.

Applications were accepted through Palm Sunday weekend for the annual service award available to eligible high school seniors who are members of St. Bridget.

St. Jude, Chattanooga

A new group for parishioners ages 40 and over, Spiritual Adventurers, will have its first potluck dinner and fellowship from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 25, in the parish life center. RSVP to spiritualadventurers@yahoo.com or 423-503-4394 (text).

A Mass for deceased members of the Knights of Columbus is set for 6 p.m. Monday, April 28, with a potluck social to follow.

An Ignatius Book Fair held April 6 on the walking track at the parish life center benefited the St. Jude School library.

St. Mary, Athens

The Ladies Group recently held its first Trivia Night, which raised more than $4,000 for the parish.

St. Stephen, Chattanooga

The American Heritage Girls will have a picnic on the grounds of St. Stephen at 5 p.m. Sunday, April 27. To get involved in AHG or learn more, e-mail ahgchattanooga@gmail.com or call Lynette Cabeen at 423-580-2877.

The Ladies Auxiliary held a baby shower in the small hall April 10 to benefit the Ladies of Charity layette program. Items collected included pajamas and onesies, baby bottles, blankets, diapers, bath towels, pacifiers, and bibs.

Anniversaries: Kenn and Mary Stroop (62), Clarence and Pat Bodnar (61), Brendan and Belva Jennings (35)

Cumberland Mountain Deanery

All Saints, Knoxville

Deacon Tim Elliott’s Theology Uncorked series continues from 6 to 8 p.m. in the parish hall on Thursday, June 19, with the topic “We’ve Got to Get Back to the Garden,” on care for God’s creation. Deacon Elliott will start a new series later in the year.

Deacon David Lucheon started a fiveweek study March 31 on the book St. John Paul the Great: His Five Loves by Jason Evert.

Blessed Sacrament, Harriman

The “Walking with Purpose” women’s Bible study sponsored a Ladies Lenten Retreat on April 3, with an earlier program held April 1, for all women of the parish. The event included a study of the Beatitudes and a rosary.

St. Francis of Assisi, Fairfield Glade

In March, the parish had adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Tuesdays through Fridays with Benediction on Fridays.

A patriotic rosary is prayed at 4 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday in the church for the intercession of the Blessed Mother for the country. Every

state’s name is mentioned and becomes a rosary bead.

With the parish soon having a conference of the Knoxville council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, those interested should call Mary Lampugnano at 504-371-2479.

A day of prayer for the unborn was held on March 13. Speakers were Father Michael Woods, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi; Deacon David Duhamel, executive director of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee; Sheri Nichols, director of Plateau Pregnancy Services in Crossville; and Sandi Davidson, program leader for Pregnancy Services, CCETN. A rosary for life and Benediction, hosted by the Knights of Columbus, followed the program.

A St. Patrick’s Day meal was served March 16 with entertainment by pastor Father “O’Woods.”

The Muffins with Mary ministry had as its special guests at a March 25 meeting Deacon Paul Benfanti, the parish’s newest deacon, and his wife, Cindy.

Father Woods presided at a healing Mass on April 2.

The Fairfield Glade Council of Churches will take part in National Day of Prayer events at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 1, in the pavilion behind Fairfield Glade United Methodist Church. St. Francis of Assisi Parish is responsible for the music, setup, and takedown after the event. This year’s national theme for the day is “Pour out to the God of hope and be filled.” For more information, call Carol Lamb at 931-335-1429 or Jack Smith at 931-248-0142.

The Knights of Columbus conducted a Drive-Up Day on April 5 so that parishioners could bring cans of food or monetary donations to drop off under the church portico, to benefit the less fortunate in the community.

Parishioners are taking a trip to Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos and visiting the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City from June 17-23. While there, they will meet a child sponsored by the NPH ministry, Esme, along with her sister. The group going there will also bring clothing for others. For more details, call Richard or Kathy Jordan at 763-568-5958.

St. Francis of Assisi offers a traveling Blessed Mother statue for parishioners’ homes. Call Reene Petro at 614-352-4997 or Christina Seaman at 707-267-5078.

Anniversaries: Paul and Mary Eva Demet (62), John and Charleen McMahan (54), Michael and Rebecca Countess (52), Gerry and Mary Ann Konrek (40), John and Shellie Hendricks (40), Eric and Christine Cote (20), Don and Linda Kuehnie (10)

St. John Neumann, Farragut

A Morning Tea for Moms to Be, benefiting Catholic Charities of East Tennessee’s Pregnancy Help Center, is set for 11 a.m. Saturday, May 10, in the school gym. All women and girls of the parish are invited and are asked to bring an unwrapped item for the pregnancy center. These items may include diapers sizes 4-6, pull-ups, wipes, baby shampoo, towels, clothes for ages 12 to 24 months, and toys. A light tea-party menu will be provided, and those attending may bring a teacup for a teacup exchange. RSVP to Mary Iverson by text at 865-385-8853 or by e-mail to maryiver1@gmail.com

A welcome reception for new pastor Father Mark Schuster was held April 6.

St. Joseph, Norris

Parishioner Mike Carberry was the honoree at the city of Norris’ 46th annual Arbor Day celebration held March 28 at Norris Elementary School. Mr. Carberry was honored for his many years of service to Norris, including leading the effort to have Norris Freeway designated as a National Scenic Byway, securing the grant for a tree planting at the junction of Norris

Parish notes continued on page B8

Funeral Mass celebrated for Mary Catherine Willard

Bishop Mark Beckman presides at the funeral of Mary Catherine Willard on April 5 at Immaculate Conception Church in Knoxville. Mrs. Willard, a longtime lay leader in the diocese who died Feb. 16 at age 90, founded Catholic Day on the Hill. She received the Benemerenti Medal in 2006 for her service to the Church. Father Jim Haley, CSP (second from right) concelebrated the Mass. Assisting are Deacon Joe Stackhouse (left) and Deacon Hicks Armor. Also concelebrating were Father Tim Sullivan, CSP, of IC, Father Chris Michelson, Father Peter Iorio, and Monsignor Pat Garrity. For more on Mrs. Willard’s life, visit etcatholic.org/2025/03/ mary-catherine-willard-godmother-of-diocese-dies/

New icon of Mary installed at St. Francis of Assisi in

An icon of Mary was installed on Feb. 18 next to the crucifix in the sanctuary at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Fairfield Glade. The artist, Sabiha Mujtaba, delivered and installed the icon after working on it for a year and a half. The parish honored the Blessed Mother at all Masses on Feb. 22-23 with special prayers, white vestments, and Marian hymns.

COURTESY OF ST. JOSEPH PARISH (TOP) AND P. EVELAND

Parishes have St. Joseph’s tables for his feast day

St. Joseph’s tables were found in several parishes around the feast of St. Joseph on March 19. The St. Joseph’s table is a tradition that comes from Sicily. The threetiered table and items on it are rich in symbolism. After a blessing, people share in the meal. Baked goods and decorations are sold, with the proceeds going to help the poor. In the top photo, Bishop Mark Beckman blesses the table at St. Joseph Church in Norris on March 23. All donations were distributed to Catholic Charities of East Tennessee’s Crazy Quilt Friendship Center in Newcomb. Above is the St. Joseph’s table at Holy Spirit Church in Soddy-Daisy on March 16. Ingredients were donated by parishioners and volunteers who baked during the month led by Kathy Landry. Leftover food and ingredients went to the Community Kitchen in Chattanooga, and $250 was raised for the parish St. Vincent de Paul ministry that provides food boxes to the needy in the community.

The annual Chrism Mass will be celebrated at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. At the Chrism Mass, diocesan priests renew their priestly vows. Bishop Mark Beckman will bless the sacred chrism, the oil of catechumens, and the oil of the sick that will be used in parishes of the diocese for the next year. The Mass will be livestreamed on the cathedral’s YouTube page at www. youtube.com/@shcathedral

The diocesan Office of Vocations is holding a Men’s Discernment Group for men interested in discerning if God is calling them to the priesthood. The group will be hosted by Father Mark Schuster from 9 a.m. to noon on fourth Saturdays in the St. John Paul II Conference Room at the Chancery office in Knoxville, with the next meeting April 26. There will be a Zoom option for those not in the Knoxville area. Register at forms.office.com/r/CmSwudiVnf

The Fulton Sheen Society invites families to an evening of reflection and fellowship from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at All Saints Church in Knoxville. The meeting will be in the parish hall, with the talk running 45 minutes to an hour, followed by food and fellowship. Free child care will be provided in the nursery during the talk and pizza after the talk. A side item or drink is requested for families to bring to help round out the meal. The Fulton Sheen Society is a ministry focused on strengthening marriages and families. The society is named after Venerable Fulton Sheen, who encouraged families to grow in faith using modern technology. To learn more about the Fulton Sheen Society, contact Christine Blair at christine.h.blair@gmail.com

The Knoxville Diocesan Council of Catholic Women will hold its 34th biennial convention Thursday through Saturday, April 24-26, at St. Mary Church in Johnson City. The theme is “Jubilee Pilgrimage of Hope: Where Meaning Meets Purpose.” Guest speakers are Anne DeSantis, executive director of the St. Raymond Nonnatus Foundation; Evelyn Garcia, pilgrimage coordinator for Dynamic Catholic; and Michele Marquis, senior executive coach at Floyd Consulting. Full registration is $140. Thursday-only registration for the Mass of remembrance and banquet is $40. Friday-only registration for workshops, a business meeting, lunch, dinner, and a concert is $85. Saturday-only registration (speaker and installation of officers) is $30. Full registration for a priest, religious, or spouse is $75. Visit dioknox.org/events/ kdccw-convention-2025 or kdccw. org/convention

The Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul will be having a memorial Mass at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 26, for babies lost to abortion. The Mass is not just for women who have had abortions but also for fathers, grandparents, siblings, or any family member grieving the loss of a loved one because of an abortion. The purpose of the Mass is peace, healing, reconciliation, and closure. Mass-goers have the option afterward to travel to the National Memorial for the Unborn at 6230 Vance Road in Chattanooga for a ceremony honoring these children, led by basilica rector Father David Carter. Many visitors to the memorial wish to honor their children with a plaque on the Wall of Names. To honor an unborn family member with a plaque, visit memorialfortheunborn. org. To have a baby remembered at the Mass (first name is sufficient) or to say a few words at the service on the theme of repentance and hope, call the basilica at 423-266-1618. For more information about the National Memorial for the Unborn and the memorial plaques, call 423-899-1677. To learn more about the Mass and see resources for healing, visit www. stspeterandpaulbasilica.com/events/ mass-for-the-unborn

The Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus will feature “Byongsuk Moon in Concert” at 6 p.m. Sunday, April 27, part of the Cathedral Concert Series. The organ recital features the cathedral’s organist performing on Sacred Heart’s pipe organ, Casavant Frères Opus 3927. Mr. Moon will perform Charles Tournemire’s

Choral Improvisation sur le “Victimae Paschali,” Bach-Busoni: Chaconne in D Minor, Jean-François Dandrieu’s Variations on the Theme “O Filii et Filiae,” and Alexandre Guilmant’s Organ Sonata No. 1 in D Minor, also featuring Sacred Heart Deacon Walt Otey on timpani. Admission is free, but seating is limited. Tickets are available online via the Eventbrite link at shcathedral. org/cathedral-concert-series. Donations are welcome and will support the Cathedral Concert Series.

The 17th annual St. Stephen Golf Tournament will be held Saturday, May 3, at Brainerd Golf Course in Chattanooga. Registration for the parish’s tourney will start at 7:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 8. The format is a fourperson scramble. Registration includes doughnuts and coffee, greens fee and a cart, hot dogs at the turn, lunch, two mulligans, prizes for men and women for longest drive and closest to the pin, first- and second-place awards, a drawing for door prizes, and a grab bag. The tourney features a $10,000 hole-in-one prize. Costs are $100 per person and $400 per four-person team. Tournament sponsorships are available at levels from $50 to $300. All players are welcome, including singles and couples, male or female, and any level of golfer. Forms and fees are due by Monday, April 28. See the poster and brochures in the narthex. To volunteer, donate prizes, sponsor a cart or hole, or learn more, contact the St. Stephen office at 423-892-1261 or info@ ststephenchatt.org or event chairman John Vannucci at 423-309-5133 or jvannucci@epbfi.com

Knoxville Catholic High School will hold its annual Golden Grad Brunch from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 10, at the St. Gregory the Great Auditorium. This year, graduates from 1975 and before will be honored. The Irish Arts Theatre Co. will perform at the event. Cost is $15 per person. RSVP to Megan Erpenbach at 865-560-0509 or megan. erpenbach@knoxvillecatholic.com Visit knoxvillecatholic.com/goldengrads to register for the brunch or make a donation to the school.

A Picture of Love retreat for engaged couples is scheduled for 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, May 16, and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at the Chancery in Knoxville. A second Picture of Love retreat is planned for 6:45 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, and 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga. This marriage-preparation program is a supplement to a couple’s marriage formation with their parish priest or deacon. Picture of Love explores the joys and challenges of living out the sacrament of matrimony with special focus on the importance of inviting Jesus to be the center of marriage and family life. The program will help a couple gain insights into their relationship, as well as give them practical ideas and tools to help smooth their journey and become the “Picture of Love” to one another. Participants who complete the program will receive a certificate to present to their county clerk and receive a $60 discount on their marriage license. The marriage license is valid for 30 days from issuance and is good for ceremonies performed anywhere in Tennessee. Cost is $175 per couple for each retreat. Registration is available for each weekend at dioknox.org/events/ picture-of-love-retreat-may-2025 or dioknox.org/events/picture-of-loveretreat-sept-2025. Registration deadlines are Thursday, May 1, for the first retreat and Monday, Sept. 1, for the second one. Late registrations are accepted if space allows (cost is $200 by credit card only). Also at the websites are three exercises: a personality test, a “love language profile for couples,” and a fillable budget worksheet. Couples are asked to complete the exercises in advance and bring them to the retreat—see the website for more details. Contact Carolyn Krings at 865584-3307 or ckrings@dioknox.org for more information.

This year’s Camp Irish spring and summer camps begin Tuesday, May 27, at Knoxville Catholic High School. A girls basketball camp is set for May 27-29; all-sports camps will be held

Calendar continued on page B8

Bishop Beckman to celebrate Mass for Notre Dame Church’s 70th anniversary

Acelebration of the 70th anniversary of the dedication of Notre Dame Church in Greeneville is set for Sunday, April 27, with Bishop Mark Beckman presiding at a bilingual Mass at 4 p.m., followed by a dinner and dance at the Eastview Recreation Center near Notre Dame.

The parish will not have its 11 a.m. Mass in English or its 3 p.m. Mass in Spanish that day.

Tickets for the catered dinner are $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under, which includes a buffet meal, a trivia game, and country music by The Flying J’s. Greeneville Catholics first met at St. Patrick Church on College Street, which was dedicated on

Oct. 16, 1870. Irish Catholic railroad workers made up many of the early parishioners. Circuit-riding priest Father Emmanuel Callahan served area Catholics in the early years of the 20th century. When the railroads were completed and the Irish residents began to move away, the number of Catholics in the area dwindled to about 15 in 1934. The old church was torn down in 1950, after which Father Albert Siener began celebrating Mass in the balcony of the Capitol Theater on Main Street. Notre Dame Church’s current building on Mount Bethel Road was dedicated April 26, 1955, with Father Siener serving as the new parish’s first pastor. ■

Bishop confirms youth at St. Joseph the Worker Church in Madisonville Bishop Mark Beckman visited St. Joseph the Worker Church in Madisonville on March 19 to celebrate the feast of St. Joseph. Bishop Beckman also confirmed eight young people at Mass that day. Above, with St. Joseph the Worker pastor Father Julius Abuh, Bishop Beckman stands with (from left) Li Azaneth, Suanni Gonzalez, Jackie Rodriguez, Steven Aguilar, Alex Aguilar, Alicia Cabanillas, Lesly Cabanillas, and Brianna Bolton. At left is Joanne Estep, a St. Joseph the Worker parishioner who came from Georgia to meet Bishop Beckman.

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St. Joseph Parish CCW hosts Family Game Night

The Council of Catholic Women of St. Joseph Parish in Norris hosted a Family Game Night recently, providing a number of card and board games and allowing guests to bring their own games. Hot dogs and macaroni and cheese were served, and there was a puzzle swap at the event.

Praying

for Perspective by

Holy

Week

George Valadie

wasn’t so ‘holy’ for

everyone

But the torture and betrayal of those days call us to live a life that is

Ican’t know for sure, but I’m thinking it will likely be Holy Week when this column arrives at your home. At the risk of being scandalous, and possibly excommunicated, I’ve never really cared for the term Holy Week. To me it just feels like we humans misnamed it. And it was in fact us humans who named it.

God certainly didn’t. Neither did Jesus nor Mary nor the Apostles left standing in the wake.

As early as the second century, the Greeks and Romans had instead begun to refer to it as the “Great Week,” as they sought to commemorate the “great” things God had done.

It is believed it was St. Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria, who later (fourth century) termed it “Holy Week” in an effort to signify the sacredness of what we do during these days.

It stuck. And yes, what we do is in fact holy and should be treated that way. But that seems to make the whole thing all about us. And what we do. Rather, shouldn’t we consider what that week was like for Jesus—and his Dad?

Can you imagine?

It’s not an uncommon question; you may have even considered it yourself at one time or another. “If you knew your time on earth was coming to an end, how would you spend the last of your earthly moments?”

His divinity certainly knew the end was coming. In fact, He knew exactly where it would happen and when and how and who would do

Wit. He knew who would betray Him and who would deny Him, who would spit at Him and who would pierce His side. He knew who would cry and who would mock and who would ask for mercy in their own final moments reaching out from the cross next to His.

After all, His divinity knew everything about everything. And though unable to be as sure, His human side had to have sensed it, too.

As we all know, it’s one thing to know something but quite another to be face-to-face with imagining it, dreaming about it, having to live with it, and feeling it in your gut.

Human and divine—both parts surely suffered.

Especially since He knew the end would come painfully. Extremely so.

For Him and His Father, I’m guessing they’d have considered it to be more of a Horrible Week. Perhaps a Horrific Week. A Week from Hell. Anything but Holy.

With two natures in His one person, I imagine Jesus was simultaneously both drawn to and wished to avoid Jerusalem. On the way there for sure but looking to delay the inevitable.

In the week before the week, Jesus and His disciples made side stops in Bethany where Lazarus had died, then the town of Ephraim, followed by a brief layover in Jericho where He dined with Zacchaeus, a Roman tax collector. The same Romans whom He knew would be waiting for Him at the end of His next—and final—week. How does one do that exactly? Dine with the enemy. The

one who will kill you.

“Zacchaeus, get down out of that tree. I’m coming to your house for dinner tonight.”

“What? Is he serious? Zacchaeus? Doesn’t he know who that guy is?” Everybody else in Jericho knew him. Guessing everybody hated him, too. Though short in physical stature, he had no shortage of money. His wealth, which they also knew about, had resulted from a career in which he had perfected cheating, swindling, and extorting the Jewish citizens in his region.

And everyone knew that, too.

With His death getting ever closer, Jesus did what Jesus always did. He took time to save yet one more soul. And Zacchaeus promised to make amends. “Today salvation has come to this house because this man, too, is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.”

Seek the lost and save them. Isn’t that how you’d spend your final days?

I think I’d have chosen to spend the time with those closest to me. And hope they’d protect me. Empathize with me. Pray with me. Encourage me.

He did that, too. And that’s when the bad week He knew was coming … well, it got worse. Yet another reason the week couldn’t have felt all that holy. He sweat blood while they slept in the garden. His moment of betrayal came during a moment of prayer. Peter lost his cool, and a soldier lost part of his ear.

“I’m down to a few hours … have

Thoughts and Prayers for the Faithful by Deacon Bob Hunt

these guys not learned anything?”

Loyal? Most hid in a room, and that was before Peter’s whole “who him? never saw the guy before” thing, uttered in cowardice. Uttered by the same man Christ had declared best suited to be the foundation of His Church and to whom He had given the keys to the kingdom. Peter would have locked himself out if the Father hadn’t been as forgiving as Jesus said He would be.

Speaking of the Father, He had sacrificed His son for this very reason. To suffer. And die. And be treated in every inhuman manner created by humans.

He hadn’t created the gift of free will so that people would use it this way. It had to have been hard enough to stand by and watch as they mistreated one another for centuries … but watching your own Son have to endure it? Is there anything worse? No, it wasn’t a very holy week— dreadful or sickening, maybe—but not all that holy. We probably deserved another flood. Instead, He just keeps calling us to do better. To be better.

To be holy.

Dear God—We’d like to say we would have done better had we been there. But is anyone really sure? We haven’t always been that good at being here. Amen. ■

George Valadie is a parishioner at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga and author of the book “We Lost Our Fifth Fork … and other moments when we need some perspective.”

A prayer for everyone this Easter season St. Paul: ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing’

e are an Easter people,” St. Augustine of Hippo proclaimed, “and ‘Alleluia’ is our song!” As we approach Easter Sunday and the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord, our hearts are lifted with joy. Joy is the irrepressible character of the Christian. Joy is the fruit of hope. We live in joy because we possess the hope of those whose faith is in the resurrection. Hope is the fruit of truth. We possess the truth of Christ Jesus, which sets us free (John 8:32), not only from sin but also from the chains of the madness and absurdity that holds captive those who live in this world without the truth of the resurrection. The truth of Christ gives us hope, and that hope allows us to live in Gospel joy.

At the Transfiguration, a precursor of the resurrection, where Christ revealed His glory to Peter, James, and John, Jesus was joined by Moses and Elijah. Moses represents the law and Elijah the prophets. Jesus is the fulfillment of both. Jesus, Moses, and Elijah were discussing the exodus Jesus would accomplish in Jerusalem (Luke 9:31).

When we think of exodus, of course, we think of the Exodus, when God freed the Hebrews from the chains of slavery in Egypt. Every year, per God’s instructions, the Jews would celebrate the Passover to remember this central saving act of God in the history of His people. To remember, according to ancient Jewish understanding, is to take an event from the past and make it present today so those gathered over the ages can participate in that event. That is why at every Passover meal, the youngest boy asks the patriarch of the family, “Why is this night like no other night?” Notice, he doesn’t ask, “Why was that night so long ago like no other night?” No, he asks, “Why is this night like no other night?” This

cues the patriarch to tell the story of the Exodus. The Exodus is made present so those gathered today may participate in that event.

Just so, Jesus’ exodus, His offering of Himself even to death on a cross (Philippians 2:8) for the sake of our salvation from the chains of slavery to sin, is made present on the altar at every Mass so that we gathered today may participate in that sacrifice. This is the New Covenant established by Jesus. Covenant requires sacrifice, and sacrifice requires blood. Christ was willing to shed His blood for our salvation, and now we participate in that sacrifice at every Mass.

The glory of Christ revealed at the Transfiguration is a foretaste, a foretelling of His resurrection, demonstrating that those who participate in His sacrifice will share in His glory.

The Last Supper Jesus celebrated with His Apostles was a Passover meal. Only at this Passover, Jesus did something extraordinary. For centuries the Jews had been celebrating the Passover in remembrance of what God had done for them at the Exodus. Now, Jesus removes the celebration of the Exodus, the central saving act of God in the history of His people, from the meal and replaces it with Himself! “Do this in remembrance of ME!” Jesus created the New Covenant with His own body and His own blood, and we participate in that sacrifice by eating His body and drinking His blood, as He commanded us to do. God desires to be this close with us, this intimate with us. You don’t get more intimate than “Eat my body; drink my blood.”

St. Peter is overjoyed at this experience, so much so that he wants to keep it going. He wants to build tents so that they can all hang out on the mountaintop and enjoy the revelation of Christ’s glory. But that’s not the point of going to the

mountaintop. The point of going to the mountaintop and of experiencing Christ’s glory is to then go down from the mountaintop and do the work of sacrifice for the sake of our salvation. Experiencing Christ’s glory will fill us with confidence in His mission and in the truth He teaches us. That truth gives birth to hope, and that hope gives birth to joy. Because we know the truth of Christ, we can live lives of hope, and living lives of hope will empower us to live lives of Gospel joy.

Living a life of Gospel joy in this crazy and messed-up world will cause others to be curious about us, to wonder about us. They will be inspired by our life of joy, so inspired that they will want to ask about it. And the question they will ask us is, “What is wrong with you?” “Why are you always so happy?” “Why are you always smiling?” “Why do you never get out of sorts when something goes awry?” In other words: “What is the reason for your hope?” When they ask us, we get to tell them about Jesus.

1 Peter 3:15 reads: “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.” St. Peter expected the followers of Jesus to live lives of such Gospel joy that others would notice and inquire about the cause for our joy. The cause of our joy, of course, is the hope we have in Jesus. This hope can strengthen us to live in joy, even in the difficult circumstances of our lives: ill health, ill fortune, challenges in our relationships, challenges at work, and even in the face of persecution and death.

St. Paul prays for the Christians in Rome: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13). St. Paul had encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, so he

knew that the Lord had risen from the dead. He knew, then, that death does not have the last word, the final say in our lives. Death is not the end but merely the transition to life everlasting in the bosom of the Father. This truth gave him hope. He believed the promise of Jesus that those who place their faith in Him will not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). That hope became real for St. Paul when he encountered Jesus, and from that point on he lived in that hope, which then empowered him to live a life of Gospel joy, even in the face of persecution, in the face of threats to his life, and in the face of martyrdom, desiring nothing more than to proclaim the truth about Jesus and His promise of new life with God. St. Paul’s prayer is my prayer for us all this Easter season: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Be Christ for all. Bring Christ to all. See Christ in all.

Update: My March column on immigration inspired consternation among some readers. My claim that immigrants who entered the United States illegally merit being treated with respect and dignity, as Church teaching demands, and my thoughts on what that might mean in terms of policy, was taken by some as support for open borders. It was not. Nothing in my column indicated support for open borders, and neither would it have, since it’s my column and I don’t support open borders. But we live in a politically polarized culture that encourages the notion that, if one supports this, one must oppose that, and vice-versa. We’ve lost a sense of nuance and precision in our political discussion and would do well to get that back. I try carefully to be precise in what I write. I don’t have hidden agendas. And, while I appreciate even critical feedback, it’s only helpful if that feedback speaks to what I actually wrote. Thank you. ■

Examining the special graces of Easter

The Catechism of the Catholic Church calls it ‘the Feast of feasts, the Solemnity of solemnities’

In every celebration of Mass, wrote Pope Pius XII, Christ “continues that journey of immense mercy that He lovingly began in His mortal life.” In His journey with us in the liturgy, the celebration of each of His mysteries “brings its own special grace for our salvation.”1 The Second Vatican Council spoke of the special graces of each celebration: “the Church opens to the faithful the riches of her Lord’s powers and merits, so that these are in some way made present for all time, and the faithful are enabled to lay hold upon them and become filled with saving grace.”2 It is the Holy Spirit, says the Catechism of the Catholic Church, who makes present the special graces of Christ’s mysteries: “in each celebration there is an outpouring of the Holy Spirit that makes the unique mystery present.”3

The saints taught and experienced the unique graces of each Mass. In his preaching on the different feasts, St. Bernard of Clairvaux “tried to show the particular graces each feast had for the Brothers, and how they could make them their own” because “it is in the Church and through her liturgical feasts and sacraments that we enter into the mysteries of Christ’s earthly life, and share in their redemptive power.”4 St. Thérèse of Lisieux described how her sister Pauline introduced her to the graces of each feast: “How I loved the feasts! You knew how to explain all the mysteries hidden under each, and you did it so well that

they were truly heavenly days for me.”5 And St. Faustina, the Apostle of Mercy, wrote in her diary, “Almost every feast of the Church gives me a deeper knowledge of God and a special grace.”6

Since we are entering the Easter season, I’d like to look at the special graces of Easter, the liturgical celebration of Christ’s resurrection. Easter, says the Catechism, is “the ‘Feast of feasts,’ the ‘Solemnity of solemnities…‘the Great Sunday.’”7 Chronologically, Easter comes near the middle of the liturgical year, but it is its source and center. “Starting on Easter as from its light-filled center, the new time of the resurrection first sweeps through the year…. moving out to both sides from this center, the year is progressively transfigured by the liturgy.”8 The unique graces of each liturgy are an important part of this progressive transfiguration.

St. Faustina carefully recorded the graces she received during Mass throughout the liturgical year, including accounts of Easter in 1937 and 1938, the last two years of her earthly life. In 1937, she wrote, “During the Mass of the resurrection, I saw the Lord in beauty and splendor, and He said to me, My daughter, peace be with you. He blessed me and disappeared, and my soul was filled with gladness and joy beyond words. My heart was fortified for struggle and sufferings.”9 The following year, just months before her death, she received a special experience of the

Blessed Sacrament parishioners go on pilgrimage to D.C. Parishioners of Blessed Sacrament in Harriman took part in a pilgrimage to the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., from March 26-31. Deacon Vic Landa of Blessed Sacrament coordinated the trip, and Father John Orr served as spiritual director. Above, Father Orr, Deacon Landa, and the group stand in front of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. At top right, Father Orr gives a presentation on the life and ministry of St. John Paul II in the café at the St. John Paul II National Shrine. At bottom right, Terry Utsey of Blessed Sacrament proclaims the first reading at Mass in the Miraculous Medal Chapel at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The group posed for a photo in front of the statue of St. John Paul II at his shrine and celebrated Mass in the Luminous Mysteries Chapel there. The pilgrims also attended Mass in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel of the Commissariat of the Holy Land Franciscans and toured its main church. They visited the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle as well as the White House on the trip.

Daily readings

Tuesday, April 15: Isaiah 49:1-6; Psalm 71:1-6, 15, 17; John 13:21-33, 36-38; Chrism Mass, Isaiah 61:1-3, 6, 8-9; Psalm 89:21-22, 25, 27; Revelation 1:5-8; Luke 4:16-21

Wednesday, April 16: Isaiah 50:4-9; Psalm 69:8-10, 21-22, 31, 33-34; Matthew 26:14-25

Holy Thursday, April 17: Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14; Psalm 116:12-13, 15-18; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-15 Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion, April 18: Isaiah 52:13–53:12; Psalm 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-17, 25; Hebrews 4:14-16 and 5:7-9; John 18:1–19:42 Holy Saturday, April 19: Easter Vigil, Genesis 1:1–2:2; Psalm 104:12, 5-6, 10, 12-14, 24, 35; Genesis 22:1-18; Psalm 16:5, 8-11; Exodus 14:15–15:1; Exodus 15:1-6, 17-18; Isaiah 54:5-14; Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13;

Trinity. She wrote, “During Mass, I thanked the Lord Jesus for having deigned to redeem us and for having given us that greatest of all gifts; namely, His love in Holy Communion; that is, His very own Self. At that moment, I was drawn into the bosom of the Most Holy Trinity, and I was immersed in the love of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These moments are hard to describe.”10

The prayers of the Easter liturgies indicate some of the special graces of this solemnity. The collect (opening prayer) for the Easter Vigil asks God to “stir up a spirit of adoption.” St. Faustina experienced this when Jesus addressed her as “my daughter.” This collect also asks that we might be “renewed in body and mind.” The collect for Mass during the day includes a similar petition, that we may, “through the renewal brought by your Spirit, rise up in the light of life.”

Two other prayers for the Easter Vigil indicate additional graces. The prayer over the gifts asks for “the healing of eternity,” and the prayer after Communion asks that God may make us “one in mind and heart.” Where do we need renewal, healing, unity, and renewal in our lives? Pope Francis reminds us that because of the power of the resurrection now present in the world, “in the midst of darkness something new always springs to life.”11

Christ’s resurrection “permeates with its powerful energy our old

time.”12 It is, says Pope Francis, “a vital power” and “an irresistible force” by which “goodness always re-emerges,” “beauty is born anew,” and we “have arisen time after time from situations that seemed doomed.”13 This Easter may we encounter Christ in His journey of immense mercy with us in the power of His resurrection and experience the unique graces of His transforming mysteries.

1 Mediator Dei, 165

2 Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 102

3 Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), 1104

4 Love Without Measure: Extracts from the Writings of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Cistercian Publications, 1990, p. 69

5 Thérèse of Lisieux, Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, third edition, ICS Publications, 1996, p. 41

6 Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul, 481

7 CCC, 1169

8 The Wellspring of Worship, second edition, Jean Corbon, Ignatius Press, 2005, p. 181

9 Diary, 1067

10 Diary, 1670

11 The Joy of the Gospel, 276

12 CCC, 1169

13 The Joy of the Gospel, 276 ■

Father Randy Stice is director of the diocesan Office of Worship and Liturgy. He can be reached at frrandy@dioknox. org.

Isaiah 55:1-11; Isaiah 12:2-6; Baruch 3:9-15 and 3:32–4:4; Psalm 19:8-11; Ezekiel 36:16-28; (when baptism is celebrated) Psalms 42:3, 5 and 43:3-4 or (when baptism is not celebrated) Isaiah 12:2-6 or Psalm 51:12-15, 1819; Romans 6:3-11; Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23; Luke 24:1-12 Easter Sunday, April 20: Acts 10:34, 37-43; Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23; Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-9

Monday, April 21: Acts 2:14, 2233; Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11; Matthew 28:8-15 Tuesday, April 22: Acts 2:36-41; Psalm 33:4-5, 18-20, 22; John 20:11-18 Wednesday, April 23: Acts 3:1-10; Psalm 105:1-4, 6-9; Luke 24:13-35 Thursday, April 24: Acts 3:11-26; Psalm 8:2, 5-9; Luke 24:35-48

Friday, April 25: Acts 4:1-12; Psalm 118:1-2, 4, 22-27; John 21:1-14 Saturday, April 26: Acts 4:13-21; Psalm 118:1, 14-21; Mark 16:9-15

Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27: Acts 5:12-16; Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24; Revelation 1:9-13, 17-19; John 20:19-31

Monday, April 28: Acts 4:23-31; Psalm 2:1-9; John 3:1-8

Tuesday, April 29: Memorial of St. Catherine of Siena, virgin and doctor of the Church, Acts 4:32-37; Psalm 93:1-2, 5; John 3:7-15

Wednesday, April 30: Acts 5:17-26; Psalm 34:2-9; John 3:16-21

Thursday, May 1: Acts 5:27-33; Psalm 34:2, 9, 17-20; John 3:31-36

Friday, May 2: Memorial of St. Athanasius, bishop and doctor of the Church, Acts 5:34-42; Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14; John 6:1-15 Saturday, May 3: Feasts of Sts. Philip and James, Apostles, 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Psalm 19:2-5; John 14:6-14

Sunday, May 4: Acts 5:27-32, 40-41; Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13; Revelation

5:11-14; John 21:1-19

Monday, May 5: Acts 6:8-15; Psalm 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30; John 6:22-29

Tuesday, May 6: Acts 7:51–8:1; Psalm 31:3-4, 6-8, 17, 21; John 6:30-35

Wednesday, May 7: Acts 8:1-8; Psalm 66:1-7; John 6:35-40

Thursday, May 8: Acts 8:26-40; Psalm 66:8-9, 16-17, 20; John 6:44-51

Friday, May 9: Acts 9:1-20; Psalm 117:1-2; John 6:52-59 Saturday, May 10: Acts 9:31-42; Psalm 116:12-17; John 6:60-69 Sunday, May 11: Acts 13:14, 43-52; Psalm 100:1-3, 5; Revelation 7:9, 1417; John 10:27-30

Monday, May 12: Acts 11:1-18; Psalms 42:2-3 and 43:3-4; John 10:1-10

Tuesday, May 13: Acts 11:19-26; Psalm 87:1-7; John 10:22-30 Wednesday, May 14: Feast of St. Matthias, Apostle, Acts 1:15-17, 2026; Psalm 113:1-8; John 15:9-17 ■

June 2-6 and June 16-20; the Fighting Irish Boys Basketball Camp is June 2-4; a baseball camp is June 9-11; a softball camp is June 10-12; a volleyball camp is July 7-9, with another July 10-11; the Ralph Lundy Soccer Camp is July 7-10; and the Irish Soccer Camp is July 2124. There are also a robotics camp May 27-30, a cheerleading camp June 1213, and a dance camp July 23-25. To learn more about the camps and skills covered and costs and age groups eligible for each camp, or to register, visit knoxvillecatholic.com/camp-irish/ For more information, e-mail camps@ knoxvillecatholic.com

Spring and summer camps at Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga begin Tuesday, May 27. A volleyball camp is scheduled for May 27-30, a girls basketball camp and a wrestling camp for June 2-6, a dance and cheerleading camp for June 9-13, a boys basketball camp for June 16-20, a golf camp for June 16-19, and a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) camp for June 16-20. For more details on each camp, for meeting times and grades eligible, and for registration information and costs, visit www.myndhs.com/athletics/ summercamps

A men’s Cursillo weekend will be held June 5-8 at Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton. Through Cursillo, participants can gain a better understanding of themselves, experience the presence and love of Jesus, and see how personal and spiritual growth can be enhanced through a caring Christian community. An application and pamphlet may be found at knoxvillecursillo.org. E-mail Gary Gabor at garygabor@hotmail.com for details on the weekend.

The annual God Camps offered by the diocesan Youth Ministry Office will take place at Adventure Ocoee in Ocoee, Tenn. The Reach Camp for incoming seventh- and eighth-graders is set for 7 p.m. Friday, June 20, to 5 p.m. Monday, June 23. The Discover Camp for incoming fifth- and sixth-graders will run from 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 24, to 11 a.m. Friday, June 27. Campers will be staying in air-conditioned bunkhouses. God Camp activities include lake day inflatables; a water park with a wave pool, a lazy river, and a water slide; a low ropes course; outdoor sports; bonfires with s’mores; prayer services; skits; crafts; the celebration of Mass; team-building activities; group interaction; and time to enjoy the retreat center. Some highlights include games of four square, gaga ball, basketball, volleyball, and capture the flag, along with some surprise activities planned by the leaders. Camps are designed to help the youth make new friendships, grow in their relationship with God, and be who God created them to be. Costs are $295 for the Reach Camp and $275 for the Discover Camp and include

Freeway and Highway 61, and serving on the planning commission for many years.

St. Joseph parishioners CJ Cozart, Kyla Kutrzepa, Roman Ferguson, and Maja Williams competed in the recent Tennessee Science Bowl.

The parish thanked all of the volunteers who participated in an exterior work day March 22. More than 25 men and women cleaned and trimmed the gardens, adding mulch, and pressurewashed the exterior of the church and cleaned windows. Volunteers also put in new mulch at the religious-education building and cleaned its rear deck.

Five Rivers Deanery

Holy Trinity, Jefferson City

Life Outreach Center Resources in Jefferson City will hold its annual Partners for Life fundraising event at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 24, at First Baptist Church in Dandridge. The speaker will be former abortionist Dr. Anthony Levatino. Call Holy Trinity Deacon Jim Prosak at 865-397-8110 or wife Cheryl Prosak at 865-368-9435 to reserve seating.

Father Jim Harvey thanked an anonymous donor of two paintings of Jesus that were left in the sacristy. One has

lodging, meals, a T-shirt, and activities. Register for a camp at dioknox. org/events/reach-2025 or dioknox. org/events/discover-2025. For more information, contact Donna Jones at 423-718-4387 or djones@dioknox.org

Carolyn Krings at ckrings@dioknox. org, or Noah Grinstead at ngrinstead@ dioknox.org

The diocesan Office of Christian Formation will hold Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level 1 at St. Jude Church in Chattanooga from Monday through Friday, July 7-11. The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Montessori-based religiousformation program for children that teaches the faith through a prepared environment called an “atrium” and hands-on materials rooted in Scripture and liturgy. This training is offered free to registered members of the Diocese of Knoxville. For registrants from outside the diocese, cost is $450. Register at dioknox.org/events/ catechesis-of-the-good-shepherd

The Diocese of Knoxville is taking a group of teens to Steubenville Atlanta, hosted by the Archdiocese of Atlanta on the weekend of July 11-13. The Steubenville youth conferences exist to bring high-schoolers into a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ. The theme for 2025 is “Consumed: ‘For the Lord, your God, is a consuming fire...’” (Deuteronomy 4:24). Download a flyer, learn about costs and how to register, and find medical-release and code-ofconduct forms at dioknox.org/events/ steubenville-atlanta-2025. Those needing help booking transportation through the Diocese of Knoxville should contact Noah Grinstead at ngrinstead@ dioknox.org or 386-274-8137.

The Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is holding a Theatre Summer Camp for rising fourth- to rising eighth-graders in two sessions from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, July 21-25 and July 28-Aug. 1, in the school gym. Each session concludes with a 3 p.m. Friday performance. Participants will embark on a journey of creativity, self-expression, and performance. Campers will develop confidence, teamwork, and storytelling skills in a supportive and encouraging environment through engaging workshops in acting, improvisation, dance, and stage presence. Daily activities will inspire imagination, enhance physical and vocal expression, and foster a love for the performing arts. With a focus on fun and fellowship, the camp ensures a safe space for learning, exploration, and personal growth, culminating in a final showcase where participants can shine on stage. Cost is $175 per session, and campers can register for both sessions if space permits. Visit www. shcathedral.org/cathedral-academyof-music/ to register or learn more.

The Healing Ministry at Our Lady of

been hung in the hallway of the parish life center, and the other will go downstairs where CCD students meet.

Anniversary: Tom and Pat Karpick (45)

Notre Dame, Greeneville

Graduating high school seniors will be recognized at the 11 a.m. Mass on Sunday, May 18. Call Susan Collins at 423-470-2560 to be included in the recognition.

St. Patrick, Morristown

Parishioner Tom Clemmons gave a presentation on the Shroud of Turin on April 10 at the Spiritual Life Committee’s Lunch & Learn gathering.

A Lenten Rosary Retreat took place April 5. The retreat began with the Stations of the Cross and included exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and the praying of the sorrowful mysteries of the rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

The Council of Catholic Women thanked all who helped make its bake sale March 1-2 a huge success. The sale raised close to $700.

Anniversaries: Michael and Marjorie Sandlock (53), Billy and Amelia Murphy (35), Michael and Annamaria Tan (30), Gurjot and Debbie Marie Singh (15), Os-

COURTESY OF WALT HANSON (2)

Regional winners Top-two finishers in the Knights’ regional free-throw contest are pictured with their trophies. Knights assisting in the contest are (back, from left) John Saucier, Steve Patrick, Tex Shellhart, Morgan Paul, Chip Dooley, and Walt Hanson.

District medal-winners The Knights’ district-level free-throw contest preceded the regional event. Winners are wearing their blue-ribbon medallions. Knights who assisted are (from left) Morgan Paul, Chip Dooley, John Scott, and Walt Hanson.

Knights host regional free-throw contest at St. Mary-Oak Ridge

The Knights of Columbus held their East Tennessee Regional Basketball Free Throw Contest on Feb. 25, hosted by Father McRedmond Council 3175 at St. Mary Parish in Oak Ridge.

The participants were winners of local contests held by Council 3175, Ted Denning Jr. Council 8781 at St. John Neumann Parish in Farragut, and Holy Ghost Council 16523 at Holy Ghost Parish in Knoxville. The participants also had recently won their respective district contests. As regional winners, they were eligible to compete in the Knights’ state contest hosted by Holy Rosary Parish in Nashville on March 2.

Top-two finishers in the regional contest were: Holy Ghost Parish—London

Fatima Parish in Alcoa offers healing prayers every third weekend of the month for anyone who has a physical, emotional, or spiritual need. Individual healing prayer will be offered in Spanish in the church immediately following the 7 p.m. Saturday Mass in Spanish, and prayer will be offered in English in the chapel immediately following the 11 a.m. Sunday Mass. Call Toni Jacobs at 561-315-5911 if you have any

car and Aura Morales-Cardenas (10)

Smoky Mountain Deanery

Holy Ghost, Knoxville

The parish this spring is starting a yearlong celebration of the 100th anniversary of the dedication of its current church, which took place April 25, 1926. Holy Ghost is encouraging parishioners to have photos taken for a new parish directory in honor of the anniversary. A drawing will be held to present 10 copies of the book The First Century of Holy Ghost Parish, a history of the parish with photos and explanations of the church’s stained-glass-window artwork. Volunteers are needed for parish directory, 100-year anniversary planning, parish Pentecost planning, and emergency-fund committees. Call the office at 865-522-2205 or e-mail office@holyghostknoxville.org to help.

Immaculate Conception, Knoxville

A Ladies of Charity Easter basket fundraiser was held in the parish hall after all Masses on April 12-13.

Parishioner John Michael Fox and Pam Robertson gave a violin and piano recital March 27 at Sherrill Hills Retirement Resort in Knoxville.

Confirmandi: Ramsey Cummings, Dani

Mains, age 9 girls champion; Collin Theriault, age 10 boys runner-up; Emmaline Maeser, age 10 girls runner-up; Danielle Downs, age 11 girls runner-up; Savannah Jarvis, age 12 girls champion; Nathan Allen, age 13 boys champion; and Caleb Bales, age 14 boys champion; St. John Neumann Parish—Andrik Morrison, age 9 boys champion; Canden Morrison, age 10 boys champion; Cate Heller, age 10 girls champion; Mark Pagel, age 11 boys champion; Joah Morrison, age 13 boys runner-up; Ashleigh Kaczmarek, age 13 girls champion; St. Mary Parish, Oak Ridge— Geordie Schmidt, age 9 boys runner-up; Heidi Smith, age 9 girls runner-up; Shane Smith, age 11 boys runner-up; Josephine Shanahan, age 11 girls champion. n

questions.

Mass in the extraordinary form (“traditional Latin”) is celebrated at noon each Sunday at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville, at 2 p.m. each Sunday and at 6 p.m. most Mondays at St. Mary Church in Johnson City, and at 11:30 a.m. every Sunday at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga. For more information, visit www.KnoxLatinMass.net n

Downs, Evelyn Rose Swindeman, Johnny Zengel

Sacred Heart, Knoxville

The cathedral held a “Desert to Harvest” young-adult Lenten retreat April 5.

The St. Thérèse Guild held its semiannual baby shower April 6 to support Catholic Charities of East Tennessee and its Walking with Moms program.

St. John XXIII, Knoxville

Parishioner Dr. Suzanne Lenhart, Chancellor’s Professor and James R. Cox Professor of Mathematics at the University of Tennessee, has been named the university’s 2025 Macebearer. The Macebearer designation, UT’s highest faculty honor, recognizes a distinguished career and exemplary service to students, scholarship, and society.

St. Joseph the Worker, Madisonville

The Knights of Columbus will conduct their Spring Flower Sale after Mass on Saturday and Sunday, April 26-27, at the church pavilion. Knights will take orders after Mass on the weekend of April 19-20 for pickup the following weekend.

Parish-council members presented a Ministry Fair after Masses on the weekend of March 8-9. n

Seventh Knights Cup lacrosse tourney set

This year’s event at Knoxville Catholic High features all youth teams in two days of competition

By Dan McWilliams

The annual Knights Cup Lacrosse Tournament features all youth teams from around East Tennessee in its seventh rendition this year.

The two-day event is set for Friday and Saturday, April 25-26, at Blaine Stadium on the campus of Knoxville Catholic High School.

Four youth lacrosse teams will play on the first day in roundrobin action starting at 6 p.m. and 12 more the following day beginning at 9 a.m. Teams will play two games each on Saturday, and both Blaine Stadium and an auxiliary field will be used. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Friday and 8:30 a.m. Saturday.

The Knights Cup has raised more than $65,000 in its previous six lacrosse tourneys held from 2016 to 2024 to benefit Catholic Charities of East Tennessee’s Pregnancy Help Center in Knoxville, again the beneficiary this year. Previous tourneys have showcased high school and college teams along with youth players.

“The benefit to youth lacrosse is continuing to promote youth athletics and provide an opportunity for teams to play out-of-market competition in front of the large crowds at Blaine Stadium,” event coordinator Seth Smith said of the 2025 Knights Cup.

Knights of Columbus Council 5207 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is the main sponsor of the event. More than 40 Knights, including district deputy John Saucier, will be volunteering

for the Cup this year, Mr. Smith said.

The outlook for the latest Knights Cup is “increased attendance as parents and families support youth lacrosse and promoting the sport with youth teams playing under the big lights of Blaine Stadium,” Mr. Smith said.

The event coordinator encouraged fans to come out and support the Knights Cup.

“The popularity of lacrosse continues to grow nationwide, and fans continue to fill stadiums,” he said. “Individuals and businesses can contribute by becoming sponsors and advertisers for the event.”

Sponsors can visit knightscup. org to learn how they can help. Different levels of sponsorship are available from $750 to $1,500 that can include sponsors’ names and logos on all promotional materials and corporate logos on the event website, corporate logos on the game program cover, ads in the game program, and “brought to you by” public-address announcements. Ads in the program range from $50 for an eighth-page ad to $200 for a full-page ad.

A total of 100 tickets will be provided to sponsored teams.

Sponsors and advertisers may also contact Mr. Smith at 301-7872965 or ssmith765@hotmail.com

Tickets are good for all games on both days. Adult tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the gate, and tickets for children 13 and older are $4 in advance and $6 at the gate. Children under 13 are admitted free. Family packages are $20 in advance and $25 at the gate. The

Action from last year A Tennessee Wesleyan player fires a pass in a 20-5 loss to William Penn of Iowa in the 2024 Knights Cup at Blaine Stadium at Knoxville Catholic High School. This year’s Cup will be held April 25-26. Visit knightscup.org to become a sponsor of the 2025 event or purchase tickets.

game program will be sold at the stadium for $7. Tickets may be purchased at the website.

Mr. Smith this year succeeds longtime Knights Cup coordinator Tom Ciaccia, who began leading sports events in 2004 for the Sacred Heart council, beginning with a single-day baseball tournament at the Knoxville Smokies’ stadium in Kodak.

“Tom conceived the idea over 20 years ago of creating an event to bring together two things he values: youth athletics and Catholic charity,” Mr. Smith said, adding that special thanks should go to

Valerie Hanks is new principal at

Mr. Ciaccia for those years of “dedication to make the Knights Cup a success for Catholic Charities and the athletes.”

Mr. Smith also expressed gratitude to Jason Surlas, athletics director at Knoxville Catholic, “for continuing to be a supporter of the Knights Cup and [KCHS physicalplant manager] Kelly Tillery for making the use of Blaine Stadium and Faris Field available for this event,” as well as Rob Saunders of Council 5207, Knights Cup sponsors and advertisers, and individual Knights “for giving their time to make the event a success.” n

Sacred Heart

Mary Sue Kosky steps down in order to care for her parents, and Mrs. Hanks will succeed her

Father David Boettner, rector of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, announced March 12 that Sacred Heart Cathedral School principal Mary Sue Kosky has decided to step down in order to care for her parents, who are in greater need of support and assistance.

“Mrs. Kosky has done an exceptional job with our school. She has a tenderness and love for our parents, staff, and students of Sacred Heart Cathedral School. During her tenure, we have increased enrollment, maintained a balanced budget, renovated our gym, and built a new turf field. More importantly, she has worked tirelessly to allow our Catholic identity to shine forth and continued our vision of ‘making disciples through worship, formation, and service.’

“Guided in her decisions by the Holy Spirit, she has built a strong leadership team with our assistant principals, Mr. Mark Amrein and Mrs. Valerie Hanks, our development director, Elisa Crawford, and our admissions team with Emily Widmer and Clarissa Rojas. She has recruited excellent teachers and staff. I am truly grateful for Mrs. Kosky’s sacrifices to lead our school community; we are stronger because of her leadership,” Father Boettner said.

Mrs. Hanks will succeed Mrs. Kosky this summer.

“I have invited Mrs. Valerie Hanks to step into the role of principal of Sacred Heart Cathedral School, and I am excited that she has accepted my invitation,” Father Boettner said. “Mrs. Hanks has been an active leader in the school as a teacher, academic dean, and assistant principal. This is possible because of the succession planning and leadership development that has been a part of our strategic planning. It allows us to develop strong leadership now and for the future. Please join me in welcom-

ing Mrs. Valerie Hanks as our new principal of Sacred Heart Cathedral School beginning July 1, 2025.”

Mr. Amrein “will continue in his role as assistant principal, and we will begin a search for a new assistant principal to replace the position formerly held by Mrs. Hanks,” Father Boettner said.

The search committee includes Father Boettner, cathedral chief operating officer Mary Mac Wilson, Mrs. Hanks and Mr. Amrein, school-board members Jason Wakley and Bruce Hartmann, and faculty member Michelle Coffman.

Mrs. Kosky’s father is 94, and her mother is 90.

“It is with a heart full of gratitude and mixed emotions that I write to inform you of an upcoming and significant change in my life. At the end of this school year, I will be stepping down as principal of Sacred Heart Cathedral School in order to help care for my elderly parents in Florida,” Mrs. Kosky wrote in a letter to the parish community.

“I took on the role of principal at Sacred Heart Cathedral School as a response to a deep, unmistakable call to serve this incredible community, and I have been honored to lead and serve alongside you.

I have cherished every moment working with our beloved pastor, parish leadership/staff, preschool administration/staff, school administration, faculty, staff, students, and families that make this school community so special. Though leaving at the end of this school year was not in my original plan, I am blessed and honored to answer the call to be present to my parents in their time of need.”

Mrs. Kosky added that “I want to express my deep appreciation to each of you for your unwavering support during my time here. Sacred Heart Cathedral School is a vibrant, compassionate, and faithfilled community, and I will always carry the memories of the beautiful relationships I have made and the good work we have accomplished together. I know that the school will continue to thrive as it remains a beacon of faith and excellence for the children and families who are fortunate to be part of it. Thank you for allowing me to serve as your principal. It has truly been a privilege.”

Mrs. Hanks also wrote a letter to the Sacred Heart community.

“As I step into the role of principal of Sacred Heart Cathedral School, my heart is filled with

immense gratitude and humility. Over the past 13 years, I have been blessed to serve this wonderful school in various roles—teacher, academic dean, and assistant principal,” she said. “Each experience has deepened my love for our school and strengthened my commitment to its mission of educating the whole child in a Catholic, Christ-centered environment.

“I am profoundly grateful for God’s guidance in leading me to this moment. His hand has been ever present in my journey, shaping me through the wisdom and example of those who have supported me throughout the years. I want to express my sincere appreciation to Mary Sue Kosky, Father David Boettner, and Mary Mac Wilson for their unwavering leadership, mentorship, and support. Their dedication to SHCS is a true inspiration, and I am honored to continue the work they have so faithfully begun.

“As I embrace this new role, I do so with great excitement and a deep sense of purpose. Our mission at SHCS is more than academic excellence; it is about nurturing the hearts and minds of our students so that they may become the best versions of themselves, rooted in faith, knowledge, and service. Ultimately, our greatest goal is to form disciples of Christ—young men and women who will go out into the world as beacons of His love and truth. I am grateful to be part of such a vibrant, faith-filled community, and I look forward to walking this path together with you—our students, parents, faculty, and staff. With God’s grace and your support, I am confident that Sacred Heart will continue to thrive as a place where faith and learning flourish side by side.

“Thank you for your trust, your prayers, and your partnership. May God bless our school and all who call it home!” n

St. John Neumann holds 14th Ponytail Drive

Students and adults donate hair to help children who have lost theirs due to cancer or other reasons

St. John Neumann School in Farragut held its 14th annual Ponytail Drive on Feb. 28 as students, faculty members, and family donors supported children who have lost hair because of cancer, alopecia, or other reasons.

The Student Leadership Council led an assembly where the donors’ hair was cut. The assembly opened and closed with prayer.

“This is always such a special day at our school, and today we come together to show love, generosity, and support for children who are experiencing hair loss,” the council announced during the event. “What an incredible gift it is to be able to make a real difference in someone’s life, just by sharing something so personal as our hair! As a Catholic school, we’re called to serve others and live out Christ’s love in tangible ways.

“Today, we have the privilege of doing just that by contributing to the Children with Hair Loss organization. This wonderful nonprofit provides free wigs made from real human hair to children who have lost their hair due to medical reasons. Children with Hair Loss not only helps restore the physical appearance of these children but also helps restore their confidence, selfesteem, and sense of belonging. Their mission is to ensure that no child ever has to go without a wig because of their financial situation, and that’s why your donations today mean so much.”

Stylists from Belleza Salon and Spa’s Bearden and Turkey Creek locations volunteered their time and talent to help put the donors’ hair in ponytails before the event and cleaned up the cut afterward.

‘A special day at our school’ Belleza Salon and Spa stylist Amber Collier cuts the hair of thirdgrader Nadia Gentile. Students and adults donated hair in the Ponytail Drive to the Children with Hair Loss organization, a nonprofit that provides free wigs to children who have lost their hair because of medical reasons.

Fourth-grader Alexa Sikora and her mother, Dr. Stephanie Cohrac Sikora, donated their hair this year.

“I’m donating my hair because my mom and I donate our hair every two years,” Alexa said during the event. “I also want anyone with hair loss to feel confident, happy, and beautiful.”

Another donor, kindergartner Nora Riker, donated her hair because she thinks everyone should have red hair just like her.

The school had 17 total donors this year, consisting of 11 students, two teachers, three moms, and one aunt. n

and Maggie Fra-

Defending champion Lady Irish basketball team falls in state semis

The Knoxville Catholic High School girls basketball team made the state tournament for the fifth consecutive year. The two-time defending champion Lady Irish fell in this year’s Division II, Class AA semifinals 50-47 to Christ Presbyterian Academy of Nashville on March 7 at the Hooper Eblen Center on the campus of Tennessee Tech in Cookeville. CPA went on the next day to lose in the title game 61-47 to KCHS rival Knoxville Webb.

Amaya Redd of Knoxville Catholic (19-16), who has committed to Tennessee Tech, led all scorers in the semifinal game with 26 points and recorded a team-high seven rebounds. Amaya and Maggie Frana paced the Lady Irish in assists with three each, with Maggie also making a team-best three steals. Ensley Perry scored seven points and joined Sydney English in pulling down five rebounds each for KCHS.

CPA, which finished the season 23-7, was led in scoring against the Lady Irish by Lily Morrow with 16 points.

Knoxville Catholic led the game 15-8 after the first quarter. Amaya

Girls basketball coach Travis Mains named new leader of KCHS boys

Knoxville Catholic High School announced March 12 that Travis Mains will take the reins as the next head basketball coach of the Fighting Irish boys basketball program.

Mr. Mains has been the head varsity girls basketball coach at Knoxville Catholic since 2020 and has taken the Lady Irish to the state tournament five years straight, winning the state title in 2023 and 2024.

KCHS has begun a search for a new coach for the Lady Irish.

Mr. Mains hails from Gray, Tenn. He coached at his alma mater, Daniel Boone High School, from 201318, where he led the girls varsity team to its first-ever Class AAA state-tournament appearance. He compiled an overall record of 13363. In his last season, the Blazers finished with a record of 30-5.

national tournament in 1998. He finished his playing career at King ranking 11th all-time in scoring and amassed more than 500 rebounds. He was also an honorable-mention All-American in his final season with the Tornados.

scored twice and Ensley once to give the Lady Irish a quick 6-1 advantage. Amaya added a 3-pointer and three other field goals to score the remaining points in the opening period for KCHS.

The Lions cut the Lady Irish lead to 24-23 at the halftime break. The Nashville team went up 23-22 on a free throw with 6 seconds left before Amaya made a driving layup at the horn to give Knoxville Catholic the lead.

The Lady Irish still led 35-33 after three quarters. Ariana Swain sank two free throws and Amaya one to give KCHS a 31-23 lead at the 5:37 mark of the third period. CPA tied the game at 33-33 with 2:39 to go before Maggie made a pair of foul shots with 1:27 left for a two-point Lady Irish lead.

Ensley made two free throws to give Knoxville Catholic a 39-33 lead with 6:26 remaining in the contest. The Lady Irish held a narrow lead until Lily converted two free throws with 1:17 on the clock to give the Lions a 46-45 lead. Lily made four more foul shots in the final 26 seconds, offsetting a layup by Amaya with 7 seconds to go, for the final margin. n

He then stepped away to coach his daughter Sydney’s travel basketball team. Mr. Mains’ experience also includes time as an assistant for the boys programs at Sullivan South and Daniel Boone high schools.

Mr. Mains and wife Missey both played basketball at King University in Bristol, Tenn., where Mr. Mains led his team to the NAIA

At KCHS, Mr. Mains has compiled an overall record of 102-59, also including a state-runner-up finish in 2021 and state-semifinal appearances in 2022 and 2025. His overall coaching record is 235-112.

Mr. Mains teaches business and leadership classes at Knoxville Catholic. He has extensive experience in the corporate world in the areas of banking and logistics and has served as CFO in the commercial-trucking industry. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration at King. n