NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE OF KNOXVILLE
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Bishop celebrates ‘profound’ Chrism Mass More than 60 of the diocesan presbyterate join Bishop Beckman as he presides at the Holy Week liturgy By Dan McWilliams
GABRIELLE NOLAN
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ishop Mark Beckman participated in many Chrism Masses as a priest of the Diocese of Nashville, hearing his bishops receive the annual renewal of promises made by the presbyterate and seeing his bishops consecrate the holy oils used in the Church throughout the year. On April 15 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Bishop Beckman heard those promises—also asking for the people of God to pray for him— and consecrated those sacred oils as he presided at his first Chrism Mass as shepherd of the Diocese of Knoxville. “It was profoundly moving to me, this first time, and I felt a bond with the priests of the diocese in a very profound way tonight,” Bishop Beckman said after Mass. “I’m so grateful to be part of this presbyterate and this diocese.” The bishop recalled the Chrism Masses in Nashville that he took part in. “With the promises of the priesthood—you know, annually of course I renewed them as a priest, but it was also very moving for me both to ask for promises tonight and to make them, so very profound,” he said. “Then the blessing of the oils, of course, I’ve observed at every Chrism Mass I’ve been to, but to actually be part of praying over the chrism and the oils and blessing them—very, very
Consecrating the chrism Bishop Mark Beckman breathes over the sacred chrism, praying that the Holy Spirit would be present in it before saying a consecratory prayer over the chrism. Sacred chrism is consecrated for use in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and holy orders and in the dedication of churches. profound.” Bishop Beckman primarily faced the priests seated around the altar at the cathedral as he delivered his homily, appropriate considering the annual Tuesday-of-Holy-Week liturgy. “It’s nice to celebrate the priesthood, it really is, because of course
we’re called to be of service to all of God’s people, but I think that the lay faithful who gather tonight are so supportive of our priests, and they like to support them, so that’s the beauty of it,” the bishop said. Cathedral rector Father David Boettner, Father Doug Owens, Father David Carter, Father Mike
Nolan, and Father Mark Schuster concelebrated the Mass. More than 60 additional priests took part, and 25 deacons and more than 20 men and women religious attended. Deacon A.J. Houston served as deacon of the Word and Deacon Renzo Alvarado Suarez as deacon Chrism Mass continued on page B2
‘Our birth into Christ’ Bishop Beckman celebrates first Easter Vigil at cathedral, welcomes 69 into Church By Gabrielle Nolan and Dan McWilliams
GABRIELLE NOLAN
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he Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus welcomed new catechumens and candidates from ages 8 to 80 at the Easter Vigil Mass on April 19. Bishop Mark Beckman celebrated the Mass, which began after lighting the Paschal Candle from the Easter fire outside the steps of the Knoxville cathedral. Concelebrating priests from the cathedral were Father David Boettner, rector, and Father Martin Gladysz, Father Jhon Mario Garcia, and Father Danny Herman, associate pastors. Joining them was Father Elijah John Joseph, from the Benedictines of Divine Will. Deacons of the Mass were Deacon Walt Otey, master of ceremonies; Deacon Mike Mescall, deacon of the altar; and Deacon Fredy Vargas, deacon of the Word. As the bishop and priests entered the cathedral, members of the congregation began to light their hand-held candles, illuminating the darkened church. Pews quickly filled, and there was standing-room only for the three-hour-long liturgy. Bishop Beckman preached the homily after the chronology of Old Testament readings, epistle, and Gospel readings. “I have noticed when families gather, one of the significant things that happens is that they begin to tell stories,” he said. “‘Remember when…’ And the story begins. In my own family, those stories get repeated over and over again. We
‘You will find a new beginning’ Bishop Mark Beckman baptizes catechumen Ploy Wong during the Easter Vigil Mass on April 19 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus as Deacon Walt Otey assists. know what the story will be before it finishes, remember when. And I’ve often wondered, why do we tell the stories over and over again? Because they speak to us about who we are. It is the story of our family and the things that have shaped and formed us and made us who we are today.” “Tonight, as we gather on this most holy night, we have just listened to the great stories of our faith,” the bishop continued. “We,
tonight, gathered here are the family of God who have been shaped by these stories and formed by them, the very Word of God spoken to us, which gives us our identity and tells us what we are about tonight.” Bishop Beckman turned and spoke directly to the 27 catechumens who were to be baptized. “These great narratives proclaimed here in this cathedral church tonight are to become now your stories in a very intimate and
personal way,” he remarked. “The Lord, who created this whole universe in its beauty and mystery and majesty, calling light out of darkness, separating waters, bringing forth vegetation, creating humans in the divine image, and then the great Sabbath rest, claims you tonight as His beloved daughters and sons. Just as God claimed His beloved people, so long living in slavery, so God will open a way tonight Holy Week continued on page B3