February | 2026 VOL 35 NO 6
IN THIS ISSUE
THE A6 CRUNCHING NUMBERS
Diocese audited financial statement is issued
STUFF A13 KID Kairos Kids page is a fun
activity for younger readers of The East Tennessee Catholic
B1 CELEBRATING VOCATIONS
Bishop Beckman leads Mass for clergy, religious
Catholic commentary ....................... A4 Parish news ....................................... B4 Diocesan calendar ............................ B5 Columns ..........................................B6-7 Catholic schools ..........................B9-10 La Cosecha ............................Section C
New superintendent of schools named Bishop Beckman appoints Martha Mundine of New Orleans Archdiocese The East Tennessee Catholic
to advancing the mission of Catholic education, combined with her wealth of experience in classrooms, deep Catholic faith, and proven educational leadership, will strengthen our schools and support our students, families, teachers, and administrators. Additionally, I would like to extend my Martha Mundine deep gratitude to our dedicated search committee for its hard work and effort in helping find the best candidate.” Bishop Beckman said the diocese extends its
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artha Mundine, who currently serves as the deputy schools superintendent for the Archdiocese of New Orleans, has been named superintendent of Diocese of Knoxville schools. Bishop Mark Beckman made the announcement on Feb. 11 following a comprehensive, nationwide search to fill the position. Mrs. Mundine’s appointment is effective April 13. She succeeds longtime diocesan educator George Valadie, who has been serving as interim superintendent since 2024. “We are blessed to welcome Martha Mundine to this important ministry,” Bishop Beckman said. “Catholic schools are essential to our diocese’s mission of forming young disciples of Christ. Mrs. Mundine’s deep commitment
heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Valadie for his many years of dedicated service to Catholic education in East Tennessee. Mrs. Mundine has more than 30 years of experience in Catholic education, from classroom teaching and school leadership to senior executive administration. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of South Alabama in 1992 and received a master's degree in educational leadership from the Mobile, Ala., university in 2002. She is currently working on a doctorate in executive leadership at the University of Holy Cross in New Orleans. She expects to receive her Ph.D. in 2027. As superintendent, Mrs. Mundine will oversee 10 schools that serve approximately 3,400 students in Chattanooga, Oak Ridge, Farragut, Knoxville, Kingsport, and Johnson City. ■
KCHS parent detained in ICE enforcement Diocese’s immigrant community assessing impact of federal actions The East Tennessee Catholic
OSV NEWS PHOTO/ICE VIA REUTERS
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n the morning of Jan. 28, the father of a Knoxville Catholic High School student, whose family has asked to remain anonymous, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents near The Home Depot in East Knoxville. The father of three was leaving the store in his work van when he was pulled over by several unmarked cars at a nearby gas station. His daughter, who spoke with him via video call at the Knox County jail on Jan. 29, said the immigration agents asked him to show identification. The father produced his driver's license and a current work permit when asked for further documentation. The agents asked if he would step out of the car so they could take his picture. Upon exiting the vehicle, he was taken into custody. The man is working with his immigration attorney to assess next steps. The family was told that not much can be determined until he is relocated and processed at a federal immigration detention facility in Louisiana. “The officer [at the Knoxville detention center]
Texas enforcement action A file photo shows U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations officers executing search warrants on federal immigration violations in Sumner, Texas. wasn’t able to provide information,” the daughter said. “We won’t be informed of him being moved. We just have to wait for him to call us.”
The daughter said her father is originally from Mexico and has lived in Tennessee since he was 15. The family has lived in the same home in East Tennessee for nearly 20 years. “I have lived here all my life,” the daughter said. She and her siblings are U.S. citizens. She said her mother is a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient and her father has been working with immigration lawyers since 2021 to continually update his status as he owns a framing company. DACA is a U.S. immigration program that provides renewable protection from deportation and legal work authorization for eligible undocumented immigrants who were brought to the country as children.
Parish responds
Father Samuel Mungai, GHM, pastor of St. Teresa of Kolkata Parish in Maynardville, has been in contact with the family, but the Knox County jail is not allowing clergy to make ministerial visits to ICE detainees. Immigration continued on page A21
Catholic Schools Week: Celebrating faith-based education in the Diocese of Knoxville
Bishop Beckman visits with students at St. Joseph School By Bee Goodman
St. Joseph continued on page A16
BEE GOODMAN
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ishop Mark Beckman had planned to spend Catholic Schools Week traveling throughout the diocese, visiting classrooms and celebrating the educators and students who make Catholic education a defining part of parish life. Winter weather, however, forced changes to many of those plans. Despite the disruptions, Bishop Beckman concluded the week with a visit to St. Joseph School in Knoxville on Jan. 30, bringing encouragement, prayer, and a sense of joy to the pre-K-through-eighth-grade school community. The visit began with Mass celebrated by Bishop Beckman, attended by students, parents, teachers, and staff. Students took part in the liturgy as readers and musicians, leading
Head of the class Bishop Mark Beckman visits Jackie Delaney's first-grade class at St. Joseph School on Jan. 30 during Catholic Schools Week. The students and Bishop Beckman were having an engaging dialogue.