November | 2025 VOL 35 NO 3
IN THIS ISSUE
IN PRAYER CORRESPONDENCE A6 THRIVEANOOGA! B1 PAPAL B1 UNITED Diocesan rosary service National youth-ministry Notre Dame High School conference returns to Chattanooga
student makes a connection with Pope Leo XIV
celebrates faith in many languages
Catholic commentary ....................... A3 Parish news ....................................... B4 Diocesan calendar ............................ B5 Columns ..........................................B6-7 Catholic schools ............................. B10 La Cosecha ............................Section C
Results are in!
DMI survey findings assess the Church in East Tennessee
T
his past Lent, parishioners across the Diocese of Knoxville opened their hearts through the Disciple Maker Index— the largest survey in the diocese’s history. This survey, through its 75-plus questions, invited thousands of East Tennessee Catholics to reflect on their faith, community, and spiritual growth. Your honest responses paint a
picture of who we are as a faith community and illuminate a path forward. The survey results reveal both inspiring strengths and exciting opportunities as we grow together in Christ. Inside this section on pages A6-7, discover what your fellow parishioners shared about their spiritual journey and our collective mission in serving Christ. ■
Healing in multiple ways St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic introduces directors and new medical van By Dan McWilliams
Clinic continued on page A26
DAN MCWILLIAMS
A
Mass and volunteer luncheon on Oct. 29 at All Saints Church in Knoxville allowed the community to meet the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic’s new leaders and see the ministry’s new mobile clinic van. Bishop Mark Beckman celebrated Mass, cut the ribbon on the new van, and blessed the vehicle following the luncheon. “The healing power of Christ touches us all—the body, mind, soul, and spirit. The beautiful dimension of what you’re doing here, I believe, also touches the whole person,” the bishop told those gathered for the ribbon-cutting. “Those who come to you who are in need of healing are healed in multiple ways. Let’s just simply thank the Lord for that.” This summer, the Legacy Clinic welcomed a new medical director in Sister Gianna Marie Savidge of the Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich.; a new executive director in Jessica Wenzlaff; and a new pediatric nurse practitioner and patient navigator in Sister Claudia Marie Murray, RSM.
Team health Bishop Mark Beckman is accompanied by the new medical director (Sister Gianna Marie Savidge, RSM) and executive director (Jessica Wenzlaff) of the St. Mary's Legacy Clinic in front of the new Legacy Clinic van on Oct. 29 at All Saints Church in Knoxville. Joining them for the Mass and van ribbon-cutting are Legacy Clinic staff and volunteers.
By Dan McWilliams
B
ishop Mark Beckman said he wanted his listeners at All Saints Church in Knoxville on Oct. 29 “to know how grateful I am for the work that you do for our St. Mary’s mobile Legacy Clinic and the great work of reaching out with the healing help of Jesus by your presence and your work with that clinic.” The bishop cut the ribbon and blessed the new Legacy Clinic van after Mass, then joined the ministry’s staff and volunteers for its annual volunteer luncheon in the parish hall. Deacon Hicks Armor assisted Bishop Beckman at Mass and at the blessing. The new van “will be a joy to see—great to see the outside and the inside as well,” the bishop said
before the liturgy. In his homily at Mass, the bishop referred to the day’s Gospel reading from Luke 13, where Jesus was asked, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” Jesus replied, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.” “The question addressed to Jesus today, ‘Lord, are there only a few who will be saved?’ It’s an interesting way that Jesus replies to that question,” Bishop Beckman said. “Sometimes I’ve wondered when a question like that is asked, is the person thinking . . . ‘are there going to be a few people who are with me or many?’ Because the reply of Jesus is very interesting—He doesn’t begin by saying ‘many or few,’ He begins by saying, ‘strive to enter Mass continued on page A22
DAN MCWILLIAMS
Bishop Beckman leads SMLC Mass
Bless this clinic Bishop Mark Beckman gives a blessing and prepares to sprinkle holy water on the new St. Mary's Legacy Clinic van on Oct. 29 at All Saints Church. Among those present are, from left, Jessica Wenzlaff, Sister Gianna Marie Savidge, RSM, Sarah Grimes, Sister Claudia Marie Murray, RSM, and Deacon Hicks Armor.