July | 2026 VOL 35 NO 11
IN THIS ISSUE
BRIGHTLY NIGHT A15 MOVIE A4 BURNING The fire of Jesus' love Father Martin Gladysz and abounds in consecration to His Sacred Heart
Father Danny Herman are entertaining in 'Silence' review
MASS FOR B1 AVENEZUELA
Faith community gathers to support quake victims
Catholic commentary ....................... A3 Parish news ....................................... B4 Diocesan calendar ............................ B5 Columns ..........................................B6-7 Catholic youth ..............................B9-10 La Cosecha ............................Section C
Diocese advances operations Parishes moving to MinistryPlatform; To better safeguard assets of the diocese new system to strengthen parish record- canonically and legally, DOK forms keeping and parishioner engagement ETCCIL Inc. for Deposit and Loan Fund The East Tennessee Catholic
By Christine Lucheon
years to track parishioners, sacraments, and donations. The move was made with direction from the diocese's priests and is backed by Bishop Mark Fr. Royal Beckman. “This decision grew out of real listening to our priests, our parish staff, and the daily work of ministry across East Tennessee,”
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he Diocese of Knoxville is preparing to move all 51 parishes to MinistryPlatform, a new parish management software system that diocesan leaders say will modernize how parishes manage parish records, donations, and communications. The decision, finalized in May after more than a year of planning and listening sessions with priests and parish staff, will replace Parish Data System Church Office and PDS Formation Office, software many parishes have relied on for
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he Diocese of Knoxville has taken a key step in strengthening financial stewardship and aligning parish and diocesan assets more in accord with Church canon law. A new corporation called East Tennessee Catholic Community Investment and Loan Inc. (ETCCIL) will oversee and be responsible for the diocese’s long-standing Deposit and Loan Fund. Since the founding of the diocese in 1988, the Deposit and
Platform continued on page A15
Loan Fund has served as a valuable resource for parishes by providing a secure place to deposit funds while offering access to loans Mrs. Lucheon at favorable interest rates. The fund has allowed parishes to earn interest on deposits while supporting the growth and development ETCCIL continued on page A27
The miracle of priesthood Father Michael Woods celebrates 60th anniversary as a priest By Dan McWilliams
A simple chalice Left: Father Michael Woods, during his 60th-anniversary Mass on June 19 at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Fairfield Glade, shows a chalice that he designed at the time of his ordination to the priesthood in 1966. Below: Bishop Mark Beckman, as Deacon Hicks Armor assists, blesses a stole that was presented to Father Woods by Grand Knight Mike Spitler of the parish Knights of Columbus.
EMILY BOOKER
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for the Archdiocese of Atlanta before coming to the Diocese of Knoxville in 1994, has been pastor of three thriving parishes during his time serving East Tennessee Catholics. Faithful from his current community as well as those from his former parishes of All Saints in Knoxville and St. Mary in Oak Ridge also helped fill the Fairfield Glade church for the anniversary Mass.
‘We are the body of Christ’
“This priesthood—it is a miracle, but as we heard in the second reading at today’s Mass: there are many gifts. Sure, I stand in front of you as an example of one of those, but we are the body of Christ,” Father Woods said. “We are not a whole lot of little Jesuses running around trying to get to heaven. We are one body, and when Jesus asks us to love one another, it wasn’t because Anniversary continued on page A16
DAN MCWILLIAMS
f Father Michael Woods is around, there is sure to be a great measure of laughter and song—and of the love he has for the Church and the love the people he serves have for him. All of that was present in full on June 19 as Father Woods celebrated his 60th anniversary in the priesthood in a Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Fairfield Glade, where has served as pastor since 2018. Bishop Mark Beckman presided at a liturgy whose concelebrants also included Father John Matejek and Father Daniel Cooper of the host parish, Father Peter Iorio, and Father Michael Nolan. More than 15 additional priests from around the diocese attended as well as women religious and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, who provided an honor guard. Also present was Father Glenn Meaux of the Kobonal Haiti Mission that St. Francis of Assisi Parish has long supported, and he made a special presentation to Father Woods at the end of Mass. “There is nothing more important in a priest: that he reveal the heart of Jesus, and Father Mike, you reveal the heart of Jesus in your priesthood. We are so grateful to the Lord for you and your yes to the Lord,” Bishop Beckman said. Deacon Gary Brinkworth was deacon of the Word, and Deacon Paul Benfanti was deacon of the altar. Deacon Hicks Armor served as master of ceremonies. The St. Francis of Assisi choir, directed by Eric Wheeler, was in full voice. A reception at the Fairfield Glade Center followed the Mass. Father Woods, a native of Carlingford in Ireland who was ordained