NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE OF KNOXVILLE
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Permanent-deacon candidates now acolytes 12 men in the diocese’s 2027 class take the last major step before their ordination next June By Dan McWilliams
DAN MCWILLIAMS
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he Diocese of Knoxville had its own version of the Sending of the Twelve on Oct. 1 as a dozen candidates for the permanent diaconate became acolytes, the last major step before their ordination next June. Bishop Mark Beckman presided at the acolyte Mass at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. During the liturgy, many of the diocese’s permanent deacons made their annual renewal of their ordination vows. “This evening is a cause of great joy. Our 12 deacon candidates will become acolytes tonight, the ministry of acolyte. It’s also a night we celebrate our deacons having the opportunity to renew the promises that you made when you were ordained,” Bishop Beckman said in his opening remarks. “So, great causes for joy, and I find it very fitting that we celebrate this today, the Church universal is celebrating the feast of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the Little Flower. She is a model for all of us.” Diocesan vicar general Father Peter Iorio, Father Ray Powell, Father Andrew Crabtree, and Father Adam Royal concelebrated the Mass. Deacon Bob Denne was deacon of the Word and Deacon Vic Landa was deacon of the altar. Deacon Jim Bello, diocesan director of the diaconate and deacon formation, introduced the acolytes and the permanent deacons to the bishop before each part of the rite. The 12 deacon candidates and their parishes are:
‘A cause of great joy’ Bishop Mark Beckman poses with the permanent-deacon candidates who became acolytes on Oct. 1. From left are Pedro Palacios, David Morais, Conor Martin, Jim MacDougall, Paul Heuton, Hugo Linares, David Quinn, Rigoberto Gonzalez, Brendan Foley, Antonio Da Silva, Mark Calvert, and John Gensheimer. n Mark Calvert, St. John Neumann, Farragut; n Antonio Da Silva, Sacred Heart; n Brendan Foley, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Cleveland; n John Gensheimer, Sacred Heart; n Rigoberto Gonzalez, Holy Cross, Pigeon Forge; n Paul Heuton, Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, Chattanooga; n Hugo Linares, All Saints, Knoxville; n Jim MacDougall, St. Dominic,
Kingsport; n Conor Martin, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Chattanooga; n David Morais, St. Stephen, Chattanooga; n Pedro Palacios, St. Mary, Oak Ridge; and n David Quinn, St. Francis of Assisi, Townsend. Before the first reading, Bishop Beckman prayed: “O God, who opened your kingdom to those who are humble and to little ones, lead
us to follow trustingly in the way of St. Thérèse so that through her intercession we may see your eternal glory revealed.” The Gospel reading came from Luke 10. “I find it very wonderful today that the Gospel is the sending of the 72, six dozen followers of Jesus who are to go in His name before Him to the towns and villages that He intends to visit,” the bishop said Acolytes continued on page B2
Bishop Beckman celebrates Mass for young adults He says the Lord wants everyone to respond to His call, and that all of us have a part to play By Bee Goodman
A parable that seems unfair
The Gospel that Sunday was Jesus’ parable of the laborers in the vineyard, from Matthew 20. A landowner goes out at dawn to hire workers, agrees on the usual daily wage, and sends them into his fields. He returns every few hours, each time finding people standing idle and sending them in. When evening comes, he pays the last workers first, and every one of them, even those who worked a single hour, receives the same wage as those who labored all day. The workers hired first grumble.
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nyone who has ever split a dessert with a sibling knows the feeling. Somebody’s slice is a little bigger, and everybody at the table sees it at once. It was that instinct, the human talent for spotting what’s unfair, that Bishop Mark Beckman reached for on Sept. 20 when he preached to an assembly of young adults that filled the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville. The Mass drew young adults from across East Tennessee, including students from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and East Tennessee State University, along with young adults from numerous parishes around the diocese.
Generosity Maria Gonzalez kneels to receive the Eucharist from Bishop Mark Beckman at the Mass for young adults celebrated by the bishop on Sept. 20 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Also pictured is cathedral rector Father Michael Cummins The landowner’s reply is short. “Are you envious because I am generous?” The second reading, from St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, set the tone. St. Paul says he is torn between departing to be with Christ and staying on for the sake of the people he serves, and he urges them
to lead a life worthy of the Gospel. Bishop Beckman began his homily by admitting the parable can sting. “It seems a bit unfair, doesn’t it?” he asked. Human beings, he said, have a very keen sense of what is fair and what isn’t, especially when we feel like someone is getting more than
we do. The bishop told of a couple he knew who had two children and a dessert to divide. Their solution was to let one child cut the dessert in half and the other choose first. The portions, he said, always came out remarkably close to even. Anyone with siblings can share the Young-adult Mass continued on page B3
to begin his homily. “It’s interesting because we have, of course, the Sending of the Twelve”—which drew laughter from his listeners— “the Apostles, but today it’s the 72. And in some ways, the Lord foresaw that not only the Apostles, but that every follower, in some ways, as Pope Francis put it beautifully, would be a missionary disciple. “But all of us are called to bring the good news of the kingdom of God to the world. And the role of the deacon in service of that kingdom is closely bound up with that proclamation of the kingdom of God. … The healing work of Jesus that the 72 participated in is also important in the role of the diaconate. You all have been called by the Lord not to be served, as the Lord puts it, but to serve. And because of that, because of that service to the people of God, you will be a healing presence.” The 12 deacon candidates “will handle the greatest of mysteries, the vessels that hold the body and blood of the Lord,” Bishop Beckman said. “You will be ministers of the gift of Himself to God’s people in the eucharistic liturgy, a profound mystery which you are closely connected with. And tonight, as you enter that ministry of acolyte, you are drawn more closely to that great mystery that we celebrate around the altar of the Lord.” St. Thérèse provides an answer in “her little way” as to the spirit in which the deacon candidates should carry out their ministry, the bishop said. “When she was pondering what God wanted her to do, she thought about things like becoming a martyr or a prophet or a priest. And she wondered why she couldn’t do any of those so-called ‘great things,’” he said. “The Lord revealed to her that her vocation was to be love in the heart of the Church. When she became aware of that, she was filled with great joy.” Bishop Beckman added that for the candidates “there is no greater call than the call to love as God has loved us. We must mirror in our lives the love of the Lord. And I suspect the 72 who were sent forth bore that love of God with them wherever they went. I also like the fact that if they’re not accepted, they bring peace no matter what. In a sense, they shake the dust off and they move on. They don’t strike back—no vengeance, no negativity, it’s simply, ‘OK, I will shake the dust and I will walk forward.’ “So, the kingdom of God is at hand. God’s great work is unfolding in our universe. And you all will participate in that proclamation in a very particular way. It is good that we have 12 of you, a very symbolic number. We pray that the Lord who has begun these many good things in you will bring it to fulfillment through Christ our Lord.” After the homily, Deacon Bello asked that “those to be instituted in the Ministry of Acolyte” to “come forward as your name is called. Each of the 12 replied “present” as Deacon Bello called them in alphabetical order. Bishop Beckman asked the assembly to “pray to the Lord for these chosen by Him to serve in the ministry of acolyte. Let us ask Him to fill them with His blessing and strengthen them for faithful service in His Church.”
The bishop then prayed: “O God of mercy, through your only Son you entrusted the bread of life to your Church. Bless our brothers who have been chosen for the ministry of acolyte. Grant that they may be faithful in the service of your altar and in giving to others the bread of life. May they grow always in faith and love and so build up your Church. Through Christ our Lord.” Bishop Beckman then presented a paten with unconsecrated bread to each candidate and said, “Take this vessel with bread for the celebration of the Eucharist. Make your life worthy of your service at the table of the Lord and of His Church.” The 12 men answered the bishop with an “amen.” The bishop led a round of applause for them. “I think it most appropriate that we express our support for these new acolytes. Congratulations to them,” he said. Deacon Bello spoke again, asking the permanent deacons to stand. Bishop Beckman asked them a series of questions, to which each deacon answered “I do”: “Do you resolve to remain consecrated for the ministry of the Church you received through the laying on of hands and the gift of the Holy Spirit? Do you resolve to continue to discharge with humble charity the office of the diaconate, and so to assist the priestly order and to benefit the Christian people? Do you resolve to continue to hold fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience, as the Apostle says, and to proclaim the faith by word and deed according to the Gospel and the Church’s tradition? “Do you resolve to continue to guard and increase the spirit of prayer proper to your way of life and in keeping with this spirit and the circumstances of your life to celebrate faithfully the liturgy of the hours with and for the people of God and indeed for the whole world? Do you promise respect and obedience to me and my successors? Do you resolve to continue to conform your manner of life always to the example of Christ whose body and blood you will handle at the altar?” After the renewal of vows, the bishop prayed: “Attend to our petitions, O Lord, and in your kindness be pleased to bless these your sons, who desire to devote themselves in sacred ministry to your service and to the service of your people, so that they may persevere in their vocation and clinging to Christ the priest with sincere charity may be able to take up apostolic office worthily through Christ our Lord.” A reception in Cathedral Hall followed the Mass. Mr. Gonzalez said that the ministry of acolyte was “another step, very important for us. It’s not easy. We’re still on the road, but there’s a lot of work. We’re happy and nervous.” Mr. Da Silva, his remarks translated from Spanish by Mr. Gonzalez, added that “the Church, our tradition” requires the process “to be step by step to get there to be ordained as a deacon.” Mr. Foley said the acolyte Mass was “awe-inspiring.” “It’s also very humbling. Just the feeling, the emotions of taking this step, are just overwhelming,” he said.
DAN MCWILLIAMS (4)
Acolytes continued from page B1
‘Take this vessel with bread’ As part of the acolyte Mass, Bishop Mark Beckman handed a paten with unconsecrated bread to Antonio Da Silva (above) and the other 11 candidates for the permanent diaconate. He looks forward to his ordination day next year. “The next ceremony is ordination on June 12. So, between now and then, we will go away one weekend a month to continue our formation,” Mr. Foley said. The candidates for the permanent diaconate have to read a massive amount of material in their studies over the years of their formation. “Reading, writing, but no arithmetic,” Mr. Foley said. Bishop Beckman said after Mass that the acolyte rite “is the last great step” for the men. “You know, I love the fact that there’s 12 of them. That reminds me of the Apostolic College. And this is just a beautiful moment in their lives and also in the lives of their families,” he said. The Mass was also “a beautiful opportunity for our permanent deacons to renew those promises that they once made to serve the Church as deacons,” the bishop said. Deacon Bello explained the earlier rites that the diaconal candidates took part in on their way to ordination. “The first rite is when they transition from an aspirant in the program to an actual candidate in the program. And that is kind of when the diocese first says these are our candidates. And that’s the rite of candidacy,” he said. “Following that is the rite of lector, at which point they become a permanent catechist of the Church. And then tonight, praise God, is the rite of acolyte, where they will now be more visible in serving at the altar. They will set the altar with the deacons or priests. They will purify vessels and develop an even deeper love for Christ and His eucharistic self.”
The deacon candidates are entering the final stage of their formation as the Church in East Tennessee is growing by leaps and bounds. “It seems very, very beautiful to me that as the Church grows right now, as we’re seeing so many come to the Church, that there is something very symbolic about ending up with 12 men who are this dedicated to serving the Church in the person of Christ the servant,” Deacon Bello said. The dozen men will be “muchneeded,” he continued. “I have requests all the time from our parishes: ‘Do you have another deacon in the works that we could have here?’” Deacon Bello said. “We are a robust diocese for deacons, but there is still a lot of demand because there are so many (new Catholics) coming in. And when we look at that, we can say the laborers are indeed few. And so we share so many responsibilities with the laity and also have our holy orders that allow us to serve in a different way. And hopefully, God will multiply our time, talent, and treasures as we do it.” Deacon Bello said about 50 permanent deacons registered for the Mass to renew their vows but that a traffic delay may have reduced the number attending somewhat. “The permanent deacons, this was a big night for them, too. It’s their annual renewal of vows,” he said. “This is the night where we recommit ourselves with our ordination vows, our ordination promises to serve God’s people, to do it with clean consciences, and to be faithful to the Church. It’s Scripture and tradition.” Regarding the 12 candidates’ ordination to the permanent diaconate, Bishop Beckman said he is “looking forward to it very much.” ■
Ministry of acolyte Taking part in the acolyte Mass are (from left) Hugo Linares, Jim MacDougall, Conor Martin, David Morais, Pedro Palacios, and David Quinn.
‘These chosen by Him’ Before they are called forward, deacon candidates (from left) Paul Heuton, Rigoberto Gonzalez, John Gensheimer, Brendan Foley, Antonio Da Silva, and Mark Calvert wait to hear their name. B2 n OCTOBER 2026
‘Congratulations to them’ Bishop Beckman and Deacon Jim Bello lead a round of applause for the deacon candidates during the acolyte Mass.
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experience of seeing their sibling make an uneven split and take the larger share for themselves, a lesson that fairness is usually chosen by the person making the split. The bishop also recalled his highschool days, when a complaint of “that’s not fair” drew a dry reply from the teacher: “The fair comes in September.” The parable, the bishop said, points to a mystery much greater than we can imagine. The heart of God, Bishop Beckman said, so desires every person to say yes to His call that He will not stop inviting humanity until the very last moment. Those who hear that call in the early hours of life and respond, he said, have the joy of working in the vineyard of the Lord throughout their lives. They discover that God is about something good in this world and wants all of us to be part of it. Then he turned to the people in front of him. “Somehow the Lord has called each one of you, or you would not be here in this cathedral church today,” the bishop said. They had heard that call, he told them, and had said yes to it. If the day of the parable is the span of a life, he said, the young adults in the pews were still fairly early in the morning. Not daybreak exactly, he allowed, but maybe 9 o’clock.
The noonday demon
The great challenge, the bishop said, comes when a person who starts out with a lot of energy in youth reaches the midafternoon, when “the noonday demon” comes along. People get tired and worn out, he said, and buried under the burdens of life, its anxieties and concerns. It is sometimes an easy thing to forget why you’re here, and to stop working. His question for the congregation was a simple one: What do you think the landowner will do in that case? He will come out, the bishop said, and ask what happened. He will call the worker back to the vineyard. “It’s time again to say yes to the call of God,” Bishop Beckman said, adding that the Lord wants every single person to respond, and that all of us have a part to play.
BEE GOODMAN (5)
Young-adult Mass continued from page B1
Young Church Young adults aged 18-35 across the diocese were invited to celebrate Mass with Bishop Mark Beckman, whose homily focused on a passage from Philippians about the generosity of God’s love.
‘Our young Church’
Bishop Beckman closed by addressing the congregation as “our young Church,” and he encouraged them to be active in the vineyard. “Say yes to God over and over again,” he told them, urging them to labor together in what he called the beautiful vineyard, the world of God in which we are living. The Lord, he said, is doing beautiful things in the world today and wants all of us to be part of “that beauty, that goodness, and that truth.” He asked the young adults to pray that the Holy Spirit would inspire them to continue to say yes to God, and to invite others to join them in the vineyard. He ended with a blessing drawn from St. Paul: “May God who has begun this good and beautiful work in you bring it to fulfillment through Christ’s love.” For those who know Bishop Beckman, the message was not a new one. The bishop has a particular fondness for young adults, and he has put it into practice in the classroom. He is currently teaching “Encountering Jesus in the Gospels,” a class for young adults that follows last year’s well-received “Mysteries of Catholicism” series. The class does not meet on a regular schedule,
From the ambo Maggie Parsons, a University of Tennessee-Chattanooga student, leads the intercessory prayers during the Mass for young adults. with sessions varying from one to the next. (See the first calendar announcement on page B5 for details.)
From the pews to the pavilion
When Mass ended, the gathering moved outside to the cathedral’s pavilion, where food trucks were waiting. There the bishop spent time conversing with the young adults. It was a fitting second half to the homily. The students from UTK, UTC, and ETSU, and the young adults who came from parishes across the diocese, had just been told that the Lord keeps coming out to find His workers. Now they
were standing face to face with their bishop, talking over a meal. The Gospel’s landowner doesn’t wait at the vineyard gate to be asked. He goes out to the marketplace, to the people standing idle because no one has hired them, and tells them there is work for them, too. That was the invitation Bishop Beckman extended on Sept. 20 to a room of young adults who had, in his words, heard the call of God and said yes to it. The day, by his account, is still early. The vineyard is waiting, and the Lord, he told them, will keep inviting until the very last moment. ■
Far and wide College students from the East Tennessee State University Catholic Center in Johnson City, St. John XXIII Parish at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Catholic Center traveled to celebrate Mass with Bishop Mark Beckman.
TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C AT HO L I C
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Parish notes Chattanooga Deanery Holy Spirit, Soddy-Daisy Monsignor Al Humbrecht’s next book study will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, at the church. The book is Animal Farm by George Orwell. To register, call the church at 423-332-5300 or e-mail hscc_parish@holyspirittn.com. St. Bridget, Dayton The parish held a free flu-shot event on Oct. 4 after the 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Masses. Volunteers from Walgreens pharmacy in Dayton were on hand to give the flu vaccine. The Women’s Council continues its monthly free bingo event on fourth Fridays and have started offering a “Game Day” on second Fridays. Both events are held in the parish hall at 1 p.m. The ladies’ annual fall bazaar is set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21, in the parish hall. A “sneak peek” for early-bird buyers will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20. Crafts and baked goods will be offered along with a few silent-auction items. The Knights of Columbus will sponsor the annual picnic for all parishioners on Saturday, Oct. 17, at Fox Lookout Farm, home of parishioners Pat and Barbara Bisson, in Decatur. The picnic will follow the 5:30 p.m. vigil “Mass in the Barn.” The Knights will provide hamburgers and hot dogs with the Women’s Council assisting with serving. Everyone is asked to bring a side dish or dessert. The Knights recently purchased the smoker they rented for several years, raising the purchase cost of $6,000 from member donations. They are planning their next “Holy Smokers” fundraiser for later this fall. St. Jude, Chattanooga The Knights of Columbus are collecting Coats for Christmas during October. Jackets, sweaters, hoodies, toiletries, and new socks and underwear, especially in adult sizes, are needed and may be placed in boxes in the vestibule. Remaining collection weekends are Oct. 17-18 and Oct. 24-25. Donations will be distributed to a homeless center and the Ladies of Charity. The annual Literati Book Fair to support the St. Jude School library will be held from 8:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. (during Mass times) on Sunday, Nov. 8, on the walking track of the family life center. The school will hold a kindergarten open house from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10, and a school visitation day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11. To RSVP or learn more, contact Kathleen Preston at 423-877-6022, extension 118, or prestonk@mysjs.com. The parish is planning for its 13th annual Craft Fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21, in the Hofstetter Gym. More than 45 local crafters and artisans will take part, offering items that include stained glass, jewelry, art, pottery, homemade breads, canned goods, and more. The Knights will provide lunch. Vendor registration forms may be found in the outer vestibule or at stjudechattanooga.org. The Legion of Mary and the Knights sponsored the 20th annual international rosary on Oct. 8. St. Stephen, Chattanooga Mike Hammond has joined the parish pastoral council as its communications representative. St. Stephen’s annual picnic, sponsored by the parish council, will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24. Knights of Columbus Council 6099 will cook hamburgers and hot dogs. Volunteers are needed and may either sign up in the vestibule or call the parish office at 423-892-1261. The Knights held a Coats for Christmas collection on Oct. 11 in the vestibule. The Knights’ Fall Harvest Dinner & Dance is set for 6 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17. The council will also host a half-day mini-retreat from 8 a.m. to B4 n OCTOBER 2026
noon on Saturday, Oct. 31. Call or text Brendan Jennings at 423-304-4633 for more information. Anniversaries: Robert and Karen Adney (61), Bill and Fran Balsis (52)
Cumberland Mountain Deanery All Saints, Knoxville The annual All Saints Pumpkin Patch pumpkin sale to benefit parish youth ministry is underway and will continue through Saturday, Oct. 31. Youth, including children in fourth through eighth grade and high-school students, as well as adults may volunteer to staff the sale; visit allsaintsknoxville.org/ ym-event-registrations and click on “Pumpkin Patch sales shifts.” Multiple times are available, and those registering may sign up for more than one shift. High-school and younger youth must have a parent with them when they volunteer. Teens may donate their time or use their hours as a fundraiser for summer-camp trips to Catholic HEART Workcamp, Camp Hidden Lake, or Camp Covecrest.
COURTESY OF JENNIFER NEWMAN
Father Abuh of St. Joseph the Worker Parish meets Pope Leo XIV Father Julius Abuh, pastor of St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Madisonville, met Pope Leo XIV during a papal audience on Aug. 26 at the Vatican. Father Abuh shared a handshake with the Holy Father and presented him with photographs of Father Abuh’s family and several parishioners from St. Joseph the Worker. The Holy Father blessed those represented in the photos. Father Abuh also asked Pope Leo XIV to pray for the parishioners of St. Joseph the Worker and for the Diocese of Knoxville.
A Trivia Night will be held in the parish hall on Friday, Oct. 16. Doors open at 7 p.m., with the game starting at 7:30. Those attending may bring friends, food, and beverages. Ages 21 and over only. The Prime-Timers group will go on a fall-colors cruise on the Star of Knoxville from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Snacks and beverages may be purchased onboard. Cost is $25. For more information, contact Donna by Friday, Oct. 16, at 865531-3839 or penguin7@prodigy.net. The Dominican Sisters who teach at St. Mary School in Oak Ridge will give a presentation on the school at the end of all weekend Masses on Oct. 24-25. The parish’s annual Harvest of Blessings, held after all weekend Masses on Nov. 14-15, will include a Santa’s Gift Shop, where children can shop for $2 items for their siblings, parents, and grandparents. Donate items such as small toys, stuffed animals, mugs, tools, gift bags, and tissue paper and deliver them to the office by Friday, Nov. 13. For more information, e-mail tina.amick@gmail.com.
JENNIFER TEKSTAR
Knights Cup lacrosse tourney check presented to Catholic Charities Knights of Columbus Council 5207 of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on Sept. 17 presented a $15,000 check to Catholic Charities of East Tennessee’s Pregnancy Help Center from the proceeds of the eighth annual Knights Cup Lacrosse Tournament held April 18 at Knoxville Catholic High School. Pictured from left are Paul Ritter, chief operation officer of Catholic Charities; Ivett Lambert, lead program coordinator at Catholic Charities; Jay Coatney, Grand Knight of Council 5207; Sandi Davidson, CCETN Pregnancy Services program leader; and Seth Smith and Rob Sanders of the Sacred Heart Knights. Mr. Smith served as coordinator of the Knights Cup.
Blessed Sacrament, Harriman Parishioners placed “Flags of Friendship” on Oct. 5-6 at Oak Grove Cemetery in Rockwood, in conjunction with the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, to honor the victims of the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks in Israel. St. Francis of Assisi, Fairfield Glade
COURTESY OF FATHER PETER IORIO
The parish held a Transitus liturgy on Oct. 3, the 800th anniversary of the passing into eternal life of St. Francis of Assisi. The Mass was sponsored by the Sts. Francis and Clare Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order. A blessing of pets was held on Oct. 5 in the church parking lot, a rosary in Mary’s Garden on Oct. 6, and a healing Mass on Oct. 7. A Catholicism Enrichment class is meeting on first and third Tuesdays, led by Therese Brennan. The Young Singers of the Plateau children’s chorus will give a recital at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 16, in the parish hall. The 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory group invites parishioners to join members on a spiritual pilgrimage on Tuesdays, Oct. 20 and 27 and Nov. 3, 10, and 17. Consecration will be held at the 10 a.m. Mass on Sunday, Nov. 22. Youth from St. Alphonsus Parish in Crossville will sell luminaries for remembering deceased loved ones at the vigil Mass at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31. Luminaries are $8 apiece. The parish recently celebrated a Care of Creation Mass. The Faith Formation Ministry held a Parish notes continued on page B8
Diocese represented at Catholic Committee of Appalachia gathering Father Peter Iorio (left), Emily Booker, Kayla Jacobs, and Luis Ramos represented the Diocese of Knoxville at the Catholic Committee of Appalachia annual gathering Sept. 25-27 in Black Mountain, N.C. The theme of this year’s gathering is “Signs of the Times in Today’s Appalachia.” Representatives came from seven states across the region and discussed topics such as immigration, food insecurity, the synodal process, and Pope Leo XIV’s exhortation Dilexi Te on poverty. Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv, of Charlotte and Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv, of Lexington celebrated Mass with the attendees on Sept. 27.
Holy Trinity Knights of Columbus receive Four-Star Council Award
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nights of Columbus Council 12838 at Holy Trinity Parish in Jefferson City recently earned the prestigious Four-Star Council Award. District Deputy Joe Fromme presented Grand Knight Randy LaBauve with the award. To earn the honor, a council must meet specific goals in membership, insurance promotions, and programming. It must also show volunteering time through service-oriented activities. Over the last several months, the Knights have held a cleanup of the grounds at both Holy Trinity Church and Good Shepherd Church in Newport. Members also cooked lunch for the Special Olympics of Jefferson County and repaired four homes in Jefferson County in conjunction with Appalachian Ministries of the Smokies. The council also awarded four
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scholarships to students and this fall will collect for its annual Tootsie Roll Drive to benefit people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Knights will finish off the year assisting the Christmas in Jefferson County program by assembling, filling, and distributing food boxes to several hundred lowincome families and senior citizens. The Holy Trinity Knights also serve the parish in OCIA and religious education, and as readers and ushers. They have donated to several food banks as well as the St. Jude and Shriners hospitals, Life Outreach Center in Jefferson City, SafeSpace, and Isaiah 117. Over the last two years, the Knights have supported more than 25 organizations that help people in need. For more information on Council 12838, call Mr. LaBauve at 561-3104897. ■ TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C ATH OLI C
Calendar
The annual All Souls rosary will be prayed at Calvary Cemetery, 1916 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. in Knoxville, at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1. As part of the Implementation Phase of the Synod on Synodality, the Diocese of Knoxville will host a diocesan synodal gathering from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. The event will focus on helping guide the ongoing synodal journey within the diocese. More information can be found at dioknox.org/synod. Knights of Columbus Council 16523 at Holy Ghost Parish in Knoxville is sponsoring a Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest, open to all Catholic students in grades eight through 12. This year’s theme is “The rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God.” In 500 to 750 words, students should explain what that quote from former President and Knights of Columbus member John F. Kennedy means and its importance for the flourishing of a nation. Essays must be typed and reflect the student’s original work and be submitted with an entry form. Certificates and cash prizes will be awarded to the winner in each grade, and winners can advance to district and state competitions. To learn more or obtain an entry form, contact Kurt Scheuler, the council’s family activities director, at 423-438-5641 or KurtScheuler@ reagan.com or William Johnson, community activities director, at 301-3779632 or WillJJohnson@hotmail.com. Entry deadline is Tuesday, Oct. 20. The Diocese of Knoxville’s new Special Friends ministry is sponsoring a sensory-friendly Mass on the last Saturday of each month. The next liturgy is at 4 p.m. on Oct. 31 in the chapel at Knoxville Catholic High School. The ministry provides support and resources to those with special needs and their caregivers. An additional sensoryfriendly Mass is set for 4 p.m. on Nov. 28 at KCHS. For more information, email DKSF@dioknox.org. “Lead in His Image,” a diocesan retreat for all men, is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24, in Cathedral Hall at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville. Deacon Bob Hunt will speak on “The Role of Men as Fathers & Spiritual Leaders.” The day will begin with Mass at 8:05 a.m. followed by a continental breakfast at 8:30 and an opening prayer at 9. The first presentation, on “The Fatherhood of God,” will start at 9:10 a.m., and the second presentation on “The Fatherhood of the Saints” will begin at 9:55. Lunch will be at 11 a.m. Additional presentations will be on “The Domestic Church” at 12:30 p.m. and “Practical Ideas for the Catholic Family” at 12:45. Small-group discussion will follow all four presentations. A session on a Catholic Charities of East Tennessee Pregnancy Help Center project is planned for 1:30 p.m., with a closing prayer at 2:20 and dismissal at 2:30. To see a detailed schedule and learn how to register, visit dioknox.org/events/lead-in-hisimage. Learn more about Deacon Hunt at deaconbobretreats.com. Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Alcoa will host a presentation on the Shroud of Turin by Jim Bertrand at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 16. Mr. Bertrand has given his presentation to tens of thousands of people in 55 dioceses in the past 10 years. An actual-size repTH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C AT HO L I C
The 35th annual Oktoberfest sponsored by Knights of Columbus Council 2892 of St. Alphonsus Parish in Crossville is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Central Time on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 16-17, at 2892 Highway 70 E. in Crossville. Full dinners are $17 and include a choice of one meat: pork schnitzel (breaded pork loin), chicken schnitzel (breaded chicken breast), knackwurst (pork, veal, and fresh garlic sausage), smoked bratwurst (pork and beef sausage), or weisswurst (Bavarian veal and pork sausage). Dinners also include red cabbage, sauerkraut and applesauce, spaetzle with gravy, bread and butter, and German chocolate cake or cupcake (while they last). A hot dog dinner with chips and dessert is $5. An extensive selection of adult beverages will be available. Music will be provided by the Frank Moravcik Band, the Olde Time German Band, and the Radio Incorporated Band. Single-day admission is $9 in advance and $11 at the gate. Kids 12 and under are admitted free, as are active-duty members of the military and retired veterans with ID. Purchase advance tickets online, download this year’s flyer, or learn more at crossville oktoberfest.com. Call 423-799-0229 or e-mail info@CrossvilleOktoberfest. com for more information. The annual Mustang Miler 5K and fun run at St. John Neumann Church and School in Farragut will be held on Saturday, Oct. 17. The 5K begins at the school, then goes along the greenway in Farragut. The 5K is a professionally timed race with various prize categories. The one-mile fun run will be a shorter route on the same course. There will be awards for various age and gender categories for the 5K. Packet pick-up is set for noon to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15, at the school. Register or learn more at sjnknox.org/ run. The parish’s fall festival will be held from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 18. The day offers inflatables, a petting zoo, balloon animals, face painting, a cake walk, Kona Ice, food trucks, and beer and wine. The Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus will host the University of Notre Dame Glee Club at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23, as part of the Cathedral Concert Series. The men will perform as part of their 2026 Mississippi Valley-Gulf Coast Fall Tour, and they are under the direction of Daniel Stowe. The program at the cathedral will feature sacred music; German Lieder; songs from Africa, India, and the Caribbean; barbershop arrangements of Southern classics; traditional shanties; and songs of Notre Dame. Admission to the concert is free, but seating is limited. Doors open one hour before the concerts. Tickets are available via the Eventbrite link at shcathedral.org/cathedral-concert-series. The events will also be livestreamed, recorded, and archived with access available at youtube.com/c/ SacredHeartCathedralKnoxvilleTN.
COURTESY OF LORENA REYNOSO (2)
Bishop Mark Beckman will celebrate an All Souls Day Mass at 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2, at the diocese’s Holy Cross Cemetery, 14301 Northshore Drive near Lenoir City.
lica of the shroud will be available to see as well. The event is being hosted by Fatima Families, a ministry focused on support and formation for families of all ages and stages. All are welcome to attend, and families are especially encouraged to come. Child care will be available in the parish nursery for children ages 1-10. Parents can visit the parish website at www.ourladyof fatima.org for a link to RSVP for child care.
Father Charters blesses memorial stone to honor Helene flooding victims Glenmary Father Tom Charters, pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Erwin, blessed a memorial stone on Sept. 27 to honor those who lost their lives in the flooding following Hurricane Helene in 2024. During the Sunday Mass, parishioners prayed for victims of the flood and those who continue to suffer from the tragedy. Several of the victims’ family members attended the Mass and blessing. In addition to the memorial stone, individual stones hand-painted by local artist and parishioner Bobbie Campbell were placed under a memorial tree.
COURTESY OF MIKE SWEENEY
St. Mary-Gatlinburg burns parish life center mortgage a decade early St. Mary Parish in Gatlinburg burned the mortgage on its parish life center on Sept. 27. St. Mary’s 15-year loan with the diocese was due in October 2036, but the parish paid it off more than 10 years early. The mortgage burning took place during the parish picnic. Burning the mortgage are (from left) Stacy Champagne, former St. Mary director of religious education; Steve Champagne, former parish council chair; and Paula Barreras, parish life and social action committee chair. St. Mary pastor Father Pontian Kiyimba, AJ, is among those watching on the steps.
St. Mary Parish in Oak Ridge is holding its 76th annual Fall Festival on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23-24. A spaghetti dinner is set for 5 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 23, with a silent auction going from 5 p.m. on Oct. 23 to 3 p.m. on Oct. 24. The festival will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 24. Visit stmarysoakridge.org/our-parishlife/2026-fall-festival for event details plus vendor applications and dinner tickets. Pre-orders for a tamale sale may also be made at the website, and volunteers can register there as well. St. Jude Parish in Chattanooga will hold its Fall Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24. The event will feature food, games, and activities for all ages. Admission is free. Calendar continued on page B8 w ww.di o k no x .o rg
COURTESY OF RALEIGH COOPER (2)
Bishop Mark Beckman invites young adults ages 18-35 to explore “Encountering Jesus in the Gospels” at meetings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on selected Tuesdays at the Diocese of Knoxville Chancery. The series began Sept. 8 and continues Oct. 20 and Nov. 3 and 10, with dates subject to change because of the bishop’s schedule. More dates will follow. Attendees are invited to bring their own beverages and snacks. Register at dioknox.org/ encountering-jesus-updates.
Fourth Degree Knights donate flag to Camp Columbus Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Assembly 1084 in Chattanooga recently donated a new 5-by-8-foot flag to Camp Columbus, a nonprofit campground operated in partnership with Knights of Columbus Council 610 in Chattanooga for families, Scouts, church groups, and community organizations. Knights were assisted at the flag raising by Scouts from Troop 172 at St. Jude Parish in Chattanooga. Father Alex Hernandez blessed the flag before it was raised.
OCTOBER 2026 n B5
Praying for Perspective
by George Valadie
‘Did ya’ll see?’ and ‘Can you believe?’ Bad laws and bad processes still require a willing participant
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remember it was a Friday when Christa Pike was finally able to get my full attention. She’d been in the news here and there since 1995 but especially of late. Mostly a Tennessee story but one that exploded across the nation when folks awoke the morning before. I had been on the road visiting some Catholic schools when the national media fire spread like it can often do. And it first crossed my path when my Thursday-morning routine got around to checking my phone for any late-Wednesday texts from my wife and daughters. It was early but they were already at it. “Did ya’ll see… ?” “Can you believe… ?” “It’s insane that… !” So, I dug in, scanned the headlines, felt exactly what they were feeling but quickly moved on since work awaited. She and her story had to take a back seat. It was the next day—a Friday— when I finally had time to ponder her and her story. If you’ve missed it by chance, she and two others murdered a schoolmate in 1995. Brutally so. Torturously so. Even talked about doing it the day before. A Tennessee jury did what the law allows them to do and sentenced her to death. On a Wednesday night, 31 years later, the state put her to death. Or should I say they tried. By Thursday morning, the media reported of a lengthy struggle to find a vein. And two injections later, she lay there, still among the living. She has since been discharged from a local hospital and has returned
to the women’s prison in Nashville while the governor has suspended all future executions until an investigation of the Tennessee procedures can be conducted. An execution gone wrong and a story gone viral. And it wasn’t even the first time. The irony of medical care after a failed execution is a story of its own. But not for today. First and foremost, I am anti-capital punishment. Always have been. Hoping I always will be. I abhor the law that allows it; I question the people who passed it. No matter how brutal, no matter how torturous. I also cannot fathom what the victim’s family has endured and is now forced to relive. Nor can I say with any certainty—can any of us really?—that I wouldn’t change my stance if such evil had befallen one of my own family. I don’t think so and I hope not, but justice can and often does feel different for loved ones in grief. Since the federal Supreme Court invalidated all existing deathpenalty statutes in 1972, the states who were bound and determined to have it found their way back. Tennessee is one of those and enacted a constitutional replacement in 1978. Since then, 17 individuals have been executed. No. 18 was botched. According to state law, the execution IV team is to consist of at least two people who must undergo annual training at a four-hour workshop. Four. And while a doctor must also be present, he/she is not expected to participate unless something goes awry. I cringed when I read there are monthly practice sessions. And
Thoughts and Prayers for the Faithful
commencing two weeks before an execution, extra rehearsal times are scheduled. It was a Friday when the most famous of all executions took place, so my mind drifted back to Jesus. Though 2,000 years separated them, how different was this person’s task from the man who nailed Christ to the cross? How long had that soldier known he’d been the chosen one to kill the Chosen One? How much training did he get and how exactly do you think they prepared for such a task? Soldiers of all ages have been selected from among the ranks to do other things besides go to war. And sometimes death is involved. Luckily, their involvement has changed over the years. Now, some are selected to serve as Honor Guard while others play “Taps.” Some fly overhead in the “Missing Man” formation and some fire their 21-gun salute. But there was a time when someone was chosen to pull the trigger or swing the ax. And for the soldiers of Caesar’s long-ago Rome, someone got picked to nail the nails. Was he the strongest? The meanest? Was this considered a punishment detail or would it have been considered a reward, a privilege for being at the top of his class? Was it just his turn? His day in the rotation? Or his hour? There were several others that day, you know. Would someone have nailed him to the cross if he hadn’t done it well? Did he volunteer? Did several? Did he get a promotion for a job well done? For current-day executions, the identities of these team members are protected. And no one is required to
serve. But according to Tennessee law, those who do must have a “willingness to serve.” I wish I didn’t know that. I understand the outrage at what she did. I can’t imagine how that family is coping, even now these many years later. I can even understand how some of them might want to be the one. But I’m not sure how one unrelated, uninvolved “soldier” volunteers for that duty. There was a time when criminals were shot to death by multiple shooters, most with blanks so no one really knew. But here, there’s only one injector and he or she will have 14 days to think about it in advance and a lifetime to think about it after that. Comparing the execution of Christ to Christa Pike can get a person in trouble. Not the point. It’s not about the victim, it’s more about the fact that someone has to get the job … or wants to get the job. Some Roman soldier awoke that day, went to work on a Friday, likely thinking about the weekend, and executed the Son of Man. Pilate and Herod strike me as two demanding bosses. I choose to believe he simply had no choice. As for Christa Pike and all scheduled to follow her, I’m forced to hope no one will make that choice. Dear God—Your commandment seems clear, but some of us are not. Are there any other messages you can send? 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.”
by Deacon Bob Hunt
Fathers are essential to the wellness of children A father can lead activities to help his family live the Catholic faith more fully
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t’s well past the time that our society started recognizing the importance of fathers in the lives of their children. Every page of social research on the question affirms that fathers are essential to the wellness of their children and their proper development from childhood to adulthood. There is no research on the question that demonstrates otherwise. Yet, our society still seems unconvinced. Single motherhood has become almost the norm in some communities. According to Rev. Corey Brooks, the “Rooftop Pastor” and CEO of Project H.O.O.D. (Helping Others Obtain Destiny) in Chicago, 56 percent of Black children do not have a father living in the home. That number is 31 percent for Hispanic children and 21 percent for white children. In post-war America, 89 percent of children lived at home with their mother and father. That figure has dropped to 68 percent today. Almost half of fathers in the United States (46 percent) have sired at least one child out of wedlock. But these men are not spending time with their children. A father who is not living in the same household as his child spends an average of only 36 minutes a week with his child. After the age of 2 years, even that small amount of time declines dramatically. Why is that so significant? Because children who have close relationships with their fathers tend to do better academically and are more invested in society. Those who have poor relationships with their fathers, or none at all, tend to not do as well academically, are not as invested in the larger community, suffer higher
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rates of poverty, and are more likely to engage in negative behaviors such as drug and alcohol consumption, sexually promiscuous activity, and crime. This is not for lack of single mothers trying to keep their children on the right track. It is simply a matter of human growth and development. Children need both a mother and a father because each contributes in their own way to the proper development of a child into adulthood. Many of us have read the statistics about children from fatherless homes: n 85 percent of men in prison today grew up in fatherless homes. n 63 percent of youth suicides are from fatherless homes. n 71 percent of high-school dropouts come from fatherless homes. n 90 percent of homeless and runaway kids are from fatherless homes. n 80 percent of rapists motivated by displaced anger grew up in fatherless homes. n 75 percent of adolescents in drugabuse rehab centers are from fatherless homes. n 70 percent of juveniles in state institutions come from fatherless homes. n 72 percent of adolescent murderers come from fatherless homes. As with social development, the same is true for the proper development of religious faith: children raised in families where both parents attend church services weekly are far more likely to become adults who attend church services weekly, and the practice of the father is particularly formative in the develop-
ment of a child’s church attendance as an adult. Dr. Ray Guarendi, a Catholic clinical psychologist and father of 10 adopted children, shares some interesting statistics from studies on the relationship between parents’ attendance and childto-adult attendance at religious services: n If neither parent attends church services regularly, only 15-20 percent of their children will grow up to become adults who attend church services regularly. n If the mother alone attends church services regularly with her children, 50 percent of her children will grow up to be adults who attend church services regularly. n If both parents attend church services regularly with their children, 70-80 percent of their children will grow up to be adults who attend church services regularly. n If the father alone attends church services regularly with his children, again 70-80 percent of his children will grow up to be adults who attend church services regularly. Different studies report different numbers, but all studies affirm the essential role of the father in the development of a child’s religious faith and practices. The critical questions for Catholic fathers, then, are these: Do I want my children to be Catholic? Do I want my children to have a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church? If so, what am I doing to increase the likeliness of that happening? I have long championed the essential role of the father in the life of what the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council called “the domes-
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tic Church.” The domestic Church is the Church in the home. Every Catholic home is a part of the Church, as much as is every Catholic parish. What is more, the Council Fathers insisted that the parents— not the parish, not the Catholic school, not the CCD program, not the youth ministry—but the parents are the first and primary educators of their children in the faith. All those other institutions are there to support the Catholic parents in their responsibility to raise their children in the faith. How can a Catholic father do this? First, by answering the questions from above. If a father doesn’t care much that his children be Catholic, then there’s no point in reading on from here. But if it is the desire of a Catholic father’s heart that his children embrace the faith and come to love our Lord Jesus and be members of His body, the Church, then there are some practical steps he can take. Here are four actions I recommend for living the Catholic faith more fully at home: n Participate in the sacramental life of the Church. n Pray at home. n Study the faith of the Church and teach your children. n Find some way to serve others as a family. The father of the family should be taking the lead in all these activities. Catholic fathers are called to be the spiritual heads of their families. This call is one of servant leadership, in imitation of Christ. This is not the leadership of a king but the leadership of one who is willing to give Deacon Hunt continued on page B10 TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C ATH OLI C
Encountering God in the Liturgy
by Father Randy Stice
Bishop Beckman’s pastoral vision and the Eucharist The sacrament contributes to the five key areas of the Diocese of Knoxville’s strategic plan
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ishop Mark Beckman has begun implementing his pastoral vision for our diocese, “Bearing the Light of Christ in East Tennessee.” One of the chief ways that the light of Christ is communicated to each of us is through the Eucharist. “The Eucharist is a mystery of light!” exclaimed St. John Paul II.1 In the Eucharist, we receive Christ who is “the light of the world” (John 8:12). “Bearing the Light of Christ” is rooted in the diocesan strategic plan. In this column I want to discuss how the Eucharist contributes to the five key areas of our strategic plan: vocations to the priesthood, youth and young adult engagement, neighbors in need, discipleship formation, and the mission of Catholic schools. The first priority is vocations to the priesthood. In an oft-quoted essay, Father John Hardon made three assertions about the Eucharist and vocations.2 First, the Eucharist “is the best way to foster vocations” because when we receive Christ in Communion we “obtain light and strength that no one else has a claim to.” Second, “the Eucharist is also the best way to recognize vocations,” because a man devoted to the Eucharist “is an apt subject for the priesthood.” Recent statistics bear this out. Over 80 percent of diocesan priests ordained in the last two years regularly participated in eucharistic adoration prior to entering the seminary. And third, the Eucharist is “the infallible way of preserving one’s vocation.” Christ calls men to the priesthood, and He will sustain them. The second priority, youth and young adult engagement, is also enlivened by the Eucharist. Pope Francis, in his letter to young people, Christ is Alive, emphasized the power of the Eucharist to draw and engage
young people. “Despite the changing times and sensibilities of young people, there are gifts of God that never grow old, for they contain a power transcending all times and places. There is the Word of the Lord, ever living and effective, the nourishing presence of Christ in the Eucharist, and the sacrament of reconciliation, which brings us freedom and strength.”3 God is always offering us more: “more of His friendship, more fervor in prayer, more hunger for His word, more longing to receive Christ in the Eucharist, more desire to live by His Gospel, more inner strength, more peace and spiritual joy.”4 Just like the grain of mustard seed (Matthew 13:31-32), a small seed planted by young people can bear abundant fruit because it “has its living source in the Eucharist, in which our bread and wine are transformed to grant us eternal life.”5 The third priority is reaching out to neighbors in need. In this regard, St. John Paul II called the Eucharist “the school of active love for neighbor.”6 Pope Benedict XVI elaborated on this in The Sacrament of Charity: “In the Eucharist Jesus also makes us witnesses of God’s compassion towards all our brothers and sisters. The eucharistic mystery thus gives rise to a service of charity towards neighbor… the Eucharist thus compels all who believe in Him to become ‘bread that is broken’ for others, and to work for the building of a more just and fraternal world.” Just as He once fed the 5,000, “Christ continues today to exhort His disciples to become personally engaged: ‘You yourselves, give them something to eat’ (Matthew 14:16). Each of us is truly called, together with Jesus, to be bread broken for the life of the world.”7 So vital is this aspect of the Eucharist that St. John
Paul II said that “our concern for those in need … will be the criterion by which the authenticity of our eucharistic celebrations is judged.”8 The fourth priority is discipleship formation. Pope Francis wrote of “formation by the liturgy.”9 The Eucharist forms us in many ways. In the Liturgy of the Word, we hear and respond to the Word God speaks to His people today. The Mass is a school of prayer: confession (“I have greatly sinned”), petition (“only say the word and my soul shall be healed”), intercession for the Church and the world (“Grant us peace”), praise (“You are indeed holy, O Lord”), thanksgiving (“always and everywhere to give you thanks”), and the Lord’s Prayer, “the most perfect of prayers.”10 The common postures of kneeling, standing, sitting, and genuflecting form us by fostering attitudes of prayer, listening, humility, adoration, and worship. Finally, St. John Paul II called the Eucharist “a great school of peace, forming men and women who, at various levels of responsibility in social, cultural, and political life, can become promoters of dialogue and communion.”11 The fifth priority is the mission of our Catholic schools. The Eucharist is essential to all instruction and catechesis, since “it is in the sacraments, especially in the Eucharist, that Christ Jesus works in fullness for the transformation of human beings.”12 The purpose of the Catholic school is centered on “constant reference to the Gospel and a frequent encounter with Christ.”13 In this regard, the Congregation of Catholic Education emphasized the importance of our encounter with Christ in the Eucharist. “The moment of closest encounter with the Lord Jesus occurs in the Eucharist, which is both Sacrifice and Sacrament. In the Eucharist,
two supreme acts of love are united: Our Lord renews his sacrifice of salvation for us, and He truly gives Himself to us.”14 In the Eucharist we receive Christ, “the true light, which enlightens everyone” (John 1:9). The enlightening light of Christ draws men to the priesthood, invites young people to Christ and His Church, leads disciples to serve those in need, conforms disciples more deeply to Christ, and is the heart of the transforming power of Catholic schools to transform lives. The Eucharist illuminates us and sends us out to bear the light of Christ to East Tennessee. ■ St. John Paul II, Stay With Us Lord, 11 2 Father John Hardon, “The Eucharist and Vocations,” religiouslife.com/fr-hardon-sj/ the-eucharist-and-vocations 3 Pope Francis, Christ is Alive, 229 4 Christ is Alive, 161 5 Christ is Alive, 173 6 St. John Paul II, Dominicae Cenae, 6 7 Pope Benedict XVI, The Sacrament of Charity, 88 8 Stay With Us Lord, 28 9 Pope Francis, Desiderio Desideravi, 34 10 St. Thomas Aquinas, quoted in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2774 11 Stay With Us Lord, 27 12 Catechesi Trandendae, 23; italics added 13 The Catholic School, Congregation for Catholic Education, 55 14 The Religious Dimension of Education in a Catholic School, Congregation for Catholic Education, 78 1
Father Randy Stice is director of the diocesan Office of Worship and Liturgy. He can be reached at frrandy@ dioknox.org.
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embers of Knights of Columbus Aldo J. Zazzi Council 6992, serving St. Dominic Parish in Kingsport, gathered on Oct. 1 for a peaceful pro-life prayer vigil outside the Bristol Women’s Health facility in Bristol, Va. The Knights joined fellow Catholics and pro-life supporters from the parishes of St. Mary in Johnson City, St. Anne in Bristol, Va., and Christ the King in Abingdon, Va., in prayer and public witness for the protection and dignity of human life. Participants offered prayers for unborn children, expectant mothers and fathers, families facing difficult circumstances, and all those affected by abortion. “We are incredibly grateful to Mike Miller and all of our brother Knights who continue to give their
Daily readings Thursday, Oct. 15: Memorial of St. Teresa of Jesus, virgin and doctor of the Church, Ephesians 1:1-10; Psalm 98:1-6; Luke 11:47-54 Friday, Oct. 16: Ephesians 1:11-14; Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 12-13; Luke 12:1-7 Saturday, Oct. 17: Memorial of St. Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr, Ephesians 1:15-23; Psalm 8:2-7; Luke 12:8-12 Sunday, Oct. 18: Isaiah 45:1, 4-6; Psalm 96:1, 3-5, 7-10; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5; Matthew 22:15-21 Monday, Oct. 19: Memorial of Sts. John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, priests, and companions, martyrs, Ephesians 2:1-10; Psalm 100:1-5; Luke 12:13-21 Tuesday, Oct. 20: Ephesians 2:12-22; Psalm 85:9-14; Luke 12:35-38 Wednesday, Oct. 21: Ephesians 3:212; Isaiah 12:2-6; Luke 12:39-48 TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C AT HO L I C
time to stand together in prayer for the protection and dignity of life,” said Mark Pendley, Grand Knight of Council 6992. “It is especially encouraging to see Catholics from parishes throughout our region coming together in prayer and solidarity for the unborn, their mothers, fathers, and families.” Mr. Miller has helped coordinate Council 6992’s participation in the vigils, organizing Knights to maintain a peaceful and prayerful presence throughout the campaign. The Bristol vigils are part of Knights Council 6992’s continuing commitment to building a culture of life through prayer, charitable service, and support for women, children, and families throughout Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. ■
Thursday, Oct. 22: Ephesians 3:1421; Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 11-12, 18-19; Luke 12:49-53 Friday, Oct. 23: Ephesians 4:1-6; Psalm 24:1-6; Luke 12:54-59 Saturday, Oct. 24: Ephesians 4:7-16; Psalm 122:1-5; Luke 13:1-9 Sunday, Oct. 25: Exodus 22:20-26; Psalm 18:2-4, 47, 51; 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Matthew 22:34-40 Monday, Oct. 26: Ephesians 4:32– 5:8; Psalm 1:1-4, 6; Luke 13:10-17 Tuesday, Oct. 27: Ephesians 5:21-33; Psalm 128:1-5; Luke 13:18-21 Wednesday, Oct. 28: Feasts of Sts. Simon and Jude, Apostles, Ephesians 2:19-22; Psalm 19:2-5; Luke 6:12-16 Thursday, Oct. 29: Ephesians 6:10-20; Psalm 144:1-2, 9-10; Luke 13:31-35 Friday, Oct. 30: Philippians 1:1-11; Psalm 111:1-6; Luke 14:1-6
COURTESY OF MARK PENDLEY (2)
Kingsport Knights of Columbus take part in pro-life vigil in Bristol
In support of life The Knights of Columbus from St. Dominic and supporters from area parishes gather for a vigil at the Bristol Women’s Health clinic.
Saturday, Oct. 31: Philippians 1:1826; Psalm 42:2-3, 5; Luke 14:1, 7-11 Sunday, Nov. 1: Solemnity of All Saints, Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14; Psalm 24:1-6; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12 Monday, Nov. 2: The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls), Wisdom 3:1-9; Psalm 23:1-6; Romans 5:5-11; John 6:37-40 Tuesday, Nov. 3: Philippians 2:5-11; Psalm 22:26-32; Luke 14:15-24 Wednesday, Nov. 4: Memorial of St. Charles Borromeo, bishop, Philippians 2:12-18; Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14; Luke 14:25-33 Thursday, Nov. 5: Philippians 3:3-8; Psalm 105:2-7; Luke 15:1-10 Friday, Nov. 6: Philippians 3:17–4:1; Psalm 122:1-5; Luke 16:1-8 Saturday, Nov. 7: Philippians 4:10-19; Psalm 112:1-2, 5-6, 8-9; Luke 16:9-15 Sunday, Nov. 8: Wisdom 6:12-16; Psalm 63:2-8; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-
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18; Matthew 25:1-13 Monday, Nov. 9: Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome, Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12; Psalm 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9; 1 Corinthians 3:9-11, 16-17; John 2:13-22 Tuesday, Nov. 10: Memorial of St. Leo the Great, pope and doctor of the Church, Titus 2:1-8, 11-14; Psalm 37:3-4, 18, 23, 27, 29; Luke 17:7-10 Wednesday, Nov. 11: Memorial of St. Martin of Tours, bishop, Titus 3:1-7; Psalm 23:1-6; Luke 17:11-19 Thursday, Nov. 12: Memorial of St. Josaphat, bishop and martyr, Philemon 7-20; Psalm 146:7-10; Luke 17:20-25 Friday, Nov. 13: Memorial of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, virgin, 2 John 4-9; Psalm 119:1-2, 10-11, 17-18; Luke 17:26-37 Saturday, Nov. 14: 3 John 5-8; Psalm 112:1-6; Luke 18:1-8 ■ OCTOBER 2026 n B7
Calendar continued from page B5 Young adults ages 18-35 are invited to Theology on Tap at Printshop Beer Co., 1532 Island Home Ave. in Knoxville at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6. Father Danny Herman will explain the difference between God’s will and His permissive will. Contact Mary Iverson with any questions at maryiver1@gmail.com. Holy Spirit Church in Soddy-Daisy will hold an Arts & Crafts Festival from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, The festival will have guided church tours, items available from local crafters and artisans, live music, and food. Admission is free. Visit holyspiritsoddy daisy.com/community-donation to learn more. All women are invited to the Smoky Mountain Deanery Council of Catholic Women general meeting on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Alcoa. A rosary will start the day at 9:30 a.m. followed by the meeting at 10 and lunch. Ilene Rainwater of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Townsend will speak about the One Heart Colombia Mission trip that her CCW helps sponsor. Call Margarita Audette at 941-962-2220 by Monday, Nov. 2, to reserve a seat and indicate whether you will be having lunch. Seating is limited.
Parish notes continued from page B4 “Come and See” event on Labor Day weekend that included a Catholic book swap. The Knights of Columbus sponsored a cornhole tournament fundraiser on Sept. 13 to benefit Hilltoppers Inc. in Crossville.
The Pope St. John Paul II Creative Workshop Series will host its inaugural event, a Poetry of Prayer Writing Workshop, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13, at the Chancery office in Knoxville. In his Letter to Artists, St. John Paul II wrote that God calls the artist to share in His creative power, contemplate creation, give thanks, and raise to God a hymn of praise. Materials and refreshments will be provided at the workshop. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Register or learn more at dioknox.org/ events/the-poetry-of-prayer-writingworkshop. A free information session on “A Natural Approach to Family Planning,” presented by the St. Elizabeth’s Holistic Facility center for reproductive health, will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville. The session will provide an introduction to the Creighton Model FertilityCare System. The Creighton Model offers women looking to monitor their hormonal health, achieve pregnancy, or space births naturally a path forward that honors the teachings of the Church. E-mail Ashley Searle, fertility care practitioner intern, at ashley@stelizabeths fertility.com for more information.
Sister Colette Walter, OSF, who has been a Franciscan Sister for more than 72 years, spoke after the 8 a.m. Mass on Sept. 17. The Social Action Ministry is sponsoring an 11-year-old boy in Mexico through Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos, helping him with food, shelter, clothing, health care, and an education. Anniversaries: Jack and Virginia Smith (64), Larry and Myra Opatik (63), Robert and Jane Madon (59), Ken and Kathy Bromberek (59), Steve and Pat Jennings (59), Anthony and Mary Jane Grandle (58), Raymond and Carole Brzezinski (56), Donald and Terry Renaud (55), Joseph and Rita Schurger (55), Greg and Loni Monahan (52), Charles and Kathryn Randall (51), John and Rosemary Kessberger (50), Mark and Diane LaSance (50), Michael and Elizabeth Puhl (40), John and Geraldine Gendoll (40), Charles and Jami Briede (35), Danny and Kay McGarvey (35), James and Stephanie McMadon (30) St. John Neumann, Farragut The parish will honor Veterans Day with an event on Wednesday, Nov. 11. Coffee and doughnuts will be served in the school cafeteria followed by a program in the gym to recognize veterans. Submit photos for the day’s program of loved ones who have served or are currently serving in the armed forces. Include their name, connection to SJN, and branch of the military. Those who submitted photos last year do not have to resubmit them. E-mail photos to mdougherty@sjncs-knox.org. RSVP by Friday, Nov. 6, to admissions@sjncsknox.org. St. John Neumann will hold a Vocations, Marriage, and Holy Orders Appreciation Dinner on Sunday, Nov. 8, sponsored by Knights of Columbus Council 8781. Gift cards will be awarded to the most recently married and the longest-married couples. St. Joseph, Norris Bishop Mark Beckman has approved St. Joseph’s building proposal and loan (if needed) for a new parish life center. Pastor Father Dennis Kress announced the news at Mass on Sept. 27. The parish is hoping to break ground in December. The fourth annual Trunk or Treat is planned for 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25. Call Kelly at 865-805-9458 to reserve a spot. B8 n OCTOBER 2026
at St. John Neumann Church in Farragut, with the next meeting set for 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 25 in Seton Hall. The group also meets from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on first and third Wednesdays in the art room at Sacred Heart Cathedral School. The guild works to place rosaries into the hands of those longing for prayer, peace, and hope—both locally and throughout the world. For more information, contact the guild at olmrg knoxvilletn@gmail.com or visit www. olmrgknoxvilletn.org.
A Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend retreat will be held from Jan. 22-24 in Knoxville. Marriage Encounter allows couples to create a dialogue with each other and with God, and to create a higher and broader understanding of what it means to be married. For more information, call Doug or Maureen Newlands at 678-242-9963.
The Healing Ministry at Our Lady of 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 561315-5911 if you have any questions. n
Our Lady of the Mountains Rosary Guild meets one Sunday each month
A SEARCH for Christian Maturity
The Council of Catholic Women is taking part in Cross Catholic Outreach’s Boxes of Joy project, which allows parishioners to give a Christmas gift to children in developing countries. CCW members played bingo with residents at the Ben Atchley Tennessee State Veterans’ Home in Knoxville on Sept. 30. Anniversary: John and Bev Froning (60)
The Council of Catholic Women held a charity sale on Sept. 17-19.
weekend retreat, sponsored by the diocesan Office of Youth, Young Adult, and Pastoral Juvenil Ministry, will be held Friday through Sunday, Nov. 13-15, at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church in Cleveland. The weekends are open to high-school juniors and seniors of any denomination or creed. The SEARCH program is rooted in the Catholic faith and provides an opportunity to think, talk, question, and wonder about life and faith in an accepting and challenging environment. It is an opportunity to experience God and God’s family in a personal and real way. The weekend is youth- and peer-oriented: it is run by youth, to youth, and for youth, all under the guidance of a team of adult mentors. Register by Wednesday, Oct. 28, at dioknox.org/events/searchnov-2026. Cost is $100, and scholarships are available if needed.
Five Rivers Deanery
Mary Church on Dec. 2. During the annual 40 Days for Life observance, Knights of Columbus and parishioners will be praying a rosary at the abortion clinic at 3176 Linden Drive in Bristol, Va. Rosaries are set for 11 a.m. on Thursdays, Oct. 15, Oct. 22, and Oct. 29, and 11 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 18. A closing prayer gathering will take place at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1. For more information, contact Tom at 415305-6293 or thomas@lucasvalley.net.
Holy Trinity, Jefferson City The Knights of Columbus and the Council of Catholic Women will recognize veterans after the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, Nov. 8, at an event in the parish life center. The Knights held their annual Tootsie Roll Drive Oct. 2-3 in front of Food City in Jefferson City and Dandridge and Walmart in Morristown. Anniversaries: John and Donna Pusateri (30), Kevin and Linda Bates (5) Notre Dame, Greeneville Families are invited to the Myers Farm corn maze in Mosheim on Wednesday, Oct. 14. Mass will be celebrated at the farm at 6 p.m. Hot dogs and marshmallows will be served afterward, followed by a hay ride to the corn maze. Youth are admitted free, and the cost for adults is $8. A Ministry Fair will follow all Masses on the weekend of Oct. 24-25. Parishioners can learn about the many ministry opportunities offered at Notre Dame, including Mass ministries such as altar server, reader, usher, sacristan, greeter, and cantor.
A 40 Days for Life prayer gathering is set for 9:30 a.m., with coffee at 9, on Saturday, Oct. 17, at the River of TriCities Church, 1276 Volunteer Parkway in Bristol, Tenn. A brunch will follow the prayer service. St. Patrick, Morristown A Tuesday-morning Bible study, on Tim Gray’s Prayer: Finding Intimacy with God book, will run from Oct. 27 to Dec. 8, meeting from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the Haggard Conference Room. The study will have six video sessions and will address the lectio divina method of reading Scripture. Cost is $25. Contact Renee McGarel at rmcgarel22@gmail. com to learn more or sign up. The Council of Catholic Women will begin a Cross Catholic Outreach Boxes of Joy service project after weekend Masses on Oct. 17-18. The CCW will have its Breakfast with St. Nicholas and Christmas Resale Shop on Saturday, Dec. 5. Anniversary: Rudilino Ortiz Perez and Floricelda Velasquez Mejia (5)
Smoky Mountain Deanery Holy Ghost, Knoxville
The annual Trunk or Treat will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Parishioners can decorate their vehicles and pass out treats to children. A Communion service will start at 6 p.m. in the church. Hot dogs and nachos will be served at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Trunk or Treat at 7:15.
The Council of Catholic Women will meet on Monday, Oct. 19, in Henkel Hall. Members will sign cards for homebound parishioners and friends from 5:30 to 6 p.m., with the meeting to follow from 6 to 8. Drocella Mugorewera, a parishioner and a former Rwandan refugee, will be the guest speaker.
Anniversaries: Larry and Valerie Dolese (62), Phil and Fran Carter (51), Joseph and Sylvia McBride (51), Jerry and Judy Collins (35)
Immaculate Conception, Knoxville
St. Dominic, Kingsport Bethlehem Christian Families thanked parishioners for welcoming them back to St. Dominic on the weekend of Sept. 26-27. Sales of olive-wood carvings that weekend to benefit the organization totaled $14,430. St. Mary, Johnson City Dolores Fredericks is retiring after more than 50 years as the parish director of music and liturgy, although she will continue to volunteer with the music ministry. Mrs. Fredericks will be honored at an event marking the anniversary of the dedication of the current St.
The Women’s Group will hold its annual Craft Fair Nov. 14-15 in the parish hall. Those interested in a booth should contact Beth Meyer at 865-456-8857 or meyer.beth73@gmail.com. To donate a theme basket for the fair, e-mail Pat Ryan at 4065patryan@gmail.com. Sacred Heart, Knoxville As the parish searches for a full-time replacement for Christian Ratterman, who served as the director of youth and young adult ministry, Sacred Heart has announced that James McBrayer will become the interim director. For more details about the full-time position, see the job description at www.shcathedral. org/about/job-announcements. The next Movie Night with a Priest is set
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High-school students are invited to “Called to Be Great,” a youth conference centered on a personal call to holiness, at Camp Ba Yo Ca in Sevierville on Dec. 4-6. The event will feature guest speakers and musicians. Contact your parish youth director to register.
for 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6, in Cathedral Hall featuring the 2006 film “Nacho Libre.” Father Michael Cummins, Father Danny Herman, and Father Vinod Joseph Kanattu will lead a discussion following the film. Doors open at 5 p.m. Ages 18 and over only. The event is free, but seating is limited. RSVP and select your food preference at moviewithapriest.org. Bishop Mark Beckman celebrated the annual Blue Mass at the cathedral on Sept. 20 to pray for first responders and their safety, and Father Cummins celebrated the annual Red Mass on Oct. 4, invoking the blessing of the Holy Spirit on those serving in the judiciary and legal profession. Father Cummins will celebrate the annual White Mass at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25, to ask for God’s blessings upon those serving in the health-care profession. The parish’s semi-annual Baby Shower, sponsored by the St. Thérèse Women’s Ministry, took place Sept. 27 in Cathedral Hall. The event supports Catholic Charities of East Tennessee and its Walking with Moms program. The St. John of God Guild and the Hispanic community will sell homemade chicken and pork tamales on Sunday, Oct. 18, in the school cafeteria. Send a text to 404-437-1402 or 865-724-7708 by Saturday, Oct. 17, to place an order. Tamales may be purchased and pre-ordered tamales may be picked up from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 18 in the cafeteria. Sacred Heart Cathedral School will hold an “Eagle for a Day” event, giving prospective students an opportunity to shadow a current student, on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Sign up by Thursday, Oct. 29, at tinyurl.com/29kunysh. Contact director of admissions Natalie Fei at 865-558-4136 or nfei@shcknox.org for more details. St. John XXIII, Knoxville The parish recently welcomed Teresa Underwood as its first development director, a newly created position focused on building relationships with supporters, strengthening donor stewardship, and helping grow the financial resources needed to support the parish’s mission and the young people and parishioners it serves. Baby bottles to collect spare change and cash were handed out at weekend Masses on Oct. 10-11 as the parish marks Respect Life Month. Proceeds will support Catholic Charities of East Tennessee’s Pregnancy Help Center. St. Joseph the Worker, Madisonville The Diocesan Finance Council recently approved St. Joseph the Worker’s application to build a family life center. Pastor Father Joseph Abuh announced the news at weekend Masses on Oct. 3-4. The parish picnic is scheduled for 3 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25, at Hidden Lake Campground in Tellico Plains. n TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C ATH OLI C
News from around the diocese
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n a beautiful sunny Friday morning in September, 11 hikers joined Bishop Mark Beckman on a Smoky Mountain adventure organized by the Diocese of Knoxville’s Care of Creation Ministry. The group gathered at the Middle Prong trailhead near Townsend and began with a reflection from Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ encyclical—“A Prayer For Our Earth”— and a blessing from the bishop before beginning a four-mile walk to Indian Flats Falls. The trail, being wide and moderate, allowed for conversation and
fellowship as most hikers attempted to keep up with the bishop and enjoy blessings of mind, body, and spirit. The hike was a special event to celebrate the Season of Creation, time set aside in the ecumenical calendar (Sept. 1 through Oct. 4) to emphasize both gratitude and concern for God’s created earth and all its creatures. Look for future Season of Creation and other events on the diocese’s Care of Creation website, dioknox.org/care-of-creation, and consider starting or joining a Creation Care Team. ■
COURTESY OF BRETT MCLAUGHLIN (3)
Care of Creation Ministry organizes hike with bishop
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ishop Mark Beckman was invested with the Knight Commander Cross of the Order of the Fleur de Lis on Aug. 22 at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga. A Mass celebrated by Bishop Beckman preceded the investiture ceremony, with Bishop J. Mark Spalding of the Diocese of Nashville, St. Stephen pastor Father Manuel Pérez, and Father A.J. Houston, St. Stephen associate pastor, serving as concelebrants. Deacon Hicks Armor, who is at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga, served as master of ceremonies. St. Stephen’s Deacon Gary Brinkworth and Deacon Dave Waguespack served as deacons of the Word and Eucharist. Bishop Beckman, who was ordained as the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Knoxville on July 26, 2024, after previously serving as a priest in the Diocese of Nashville, joins about a dozen East Tennessee men who have been installed in the Order of the Fleur de Lis. “I had the joy of joining the gathering of the Fleur de Lis at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Chattanooga. It was a blessing to gather in fellowship and celebrate the faith that unites us across Tennessee. May God continue to strengthen our Catholic communities and draw each of us closer to Christ,” Bishop Spalding said following the investiture. The Order of the Fleur de Lis is an organization of Catholic men incorporated under the laws of Louisiana as a not-for-profit organization. The order’s domain is a five-state region consisting of Ala-
bama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. The objectives of the order include supporting and defending the Catholic Church and its teachings; promoting patriotism and good citizenship; encouraging public morality and unselfish service to God and country; assisting and publicizing the activities of other organizations that also promote the above; and memorializing and popularizing the memories and achievements of Catholic leaders in religion, the arts and sciences, philanthropy education, exploration and archeology, government and international relations, medicine and jurisprudence, and other established professions. The Order of the Fleur de Lis encourages and recognizes leadership in living the values and principles of the Catholic faith by presenting the Monsignor Joseph Susi Award of Honor to an individual who has excelled as a Catholic leader in any one of the following: religion, family values, youth, aging, politics, patriotism, the arts and sciences, education, philanthropy, public morality, management-labor, the media, or medicine and jurisprudence. Other Knight Commanders in the Diocese of Knoxville include Father John Orr, Deacon Sean Smith, Deacon Paul Nelson, Deacon David Duhamel, Raleigh E. Cooper III, Ronnie Holmes, C. Michael Horten, Eric J. Pelton, Paul Simoneau, Victor Williams, and Michael Wills. During the ceremony, Father Houston received a memorial chalice given to a recently ordained priest. ■
COURTESY OF MIKE HORTEN (2)
Bishop Beckman invested in Order of the Fleur de Lis
Honors for bishop and Father Houston Bishop Mark Beckman (top photo) is invested with the Knight Commander Cross of the Order of the Fleur de Lis by Grand Chancellor Stephen Koach. Below, Father A.J. Houston receives a memorial chalice presented to recently ordained priests from Commander Pete Parrish as Mr. Koach applauds at right. Sister María del Pilar Hinojosa, MAG, leads retreat at St. Bridget Church Sister María del Pilar Hinojosa, MAG, director of Hispanic ministry at St. Bridget Parish in Dayton, led a retreat for more than 60 parishioners on Aug. 29-30. The participants are shown with their retreat certificates at far left. The photo at right shows the “Equipo de Servidores” (“organizing team”), who attended classes before the retreat to serve as helpers. From left are (front row) Rubelsy Velazquez, José López, Sofía Sanchez, and Lorenza Ramírez; (middle row) Verónica López, Alma Sánchez, Floricelda Pérez, Enedina Sánchez, Sister María del Pilar, and Maria Eloína Sanchez; and (back row) Keyler Velazquez, guest speaker Erwin, Norma Chacón, Aaron Aquilar, Emidia Pérez, José Carlos Márquez, and Luis Fernando Chacón.
TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C AT HO L I C
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OCTOBER 2026 n B9
Catholic schools
KCHS, Baylor football teams to meet at baseball park
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he Knoxville Smokies and Boyd Sports announced on Sept. 22 the inaugural Covenant Health Classic, a high-school football showcase that will feature a matchup between Knoxville Catholic High School and Baylor School of Chattanooga at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30, at Covenant Health Park. Tickets for the game were made available on Sept. 24 and sold out in less than 12 hours. Knoxville Catholic agreed to move the home game to the Smokies’ baseball stadium. The contest will be the season finale for the Fighting Irish. “We’re thrilled to host the inaugural Covenant Health Classic and welcome football to Covenant Health Park for the first time,” said Chris Allen, president and CEO of Boyd Sports. “This is an idea we’ve been working toward for a long time, and we’re excited to finally bring it to life.” The game will be streamed live on WBIR+ and the Rivalry Thursday YouTube channel.
“Our Catholic High community is so excited to be a part of this historic event in Knoxville,” said Dickie Sompayrac, KCHS president. “We are grateful to Chris Allen of Boyd Sports and Randy Boyd for their vision in making this happen. Our students are so thrilled for this opportunity.” Baylor has started the season 7-0 and is currently ranked No. 1 in Division II, Class AAA. The Red Raiders are led by five-star running back and 2027 Tennessee football commit David Gabriel Georges, a two-time reigning Division II-AAA Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Award winner. Baylor’s roster also features Marshall Manning, son of legendary Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning. Marshall serves as the team’s backup quarterback behind senior starter Keegan Croucher, who is committed to Ole Miss. Knoxville Catholic is off to a 6-1 start and is currently ranked fifth statewide in II-AAA. The Irish feature a strong secondary headlined by 2028 Alabama commit Braylen
Head coach speaks to media Mark Packer (right), host of the Rivalry Thursday and Rivalry Friday high-school football broadcasts, interviews Knoxville Catholic head coach Philip Shadowens during the Sept. 22 press conference.
JACLYN HOLLOWAY (3)
Two of the state’s top squads will square off Oct. 30 in the first Covenant Health Classic, which sold out quickly
Football comes to baseball stadium The Covenant Health Park scoreboard bears the Knoxville Catholic and Baylor logos during a Sept. 22 press conference for the Covenant Health Classic. Gibbs, while three-star quarterback Mack Bartholomew, who is committed to East Tennessee State, leads the Knoxville Catholic offense. After the game was announced for
the Smokies’ stadium, KCHS moved its Senior Night recognition for football, cheerleading, dance teams, and band from Oct. 30 to Oct. 2, when the Irish defeated Ensworth 20-14. ■
Listening in Knoxville Catholic senior players Mack Bartholomew (left) and Liam Patterson and (from left) head coach Philip Shadowens, school president Dickie Sompayrac, and athletics director Jason Surlas take part in the press conference.
KCHS remaining in Division II-AAA after seven others opt to go independent
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even schools in the TSSAA’s Division II-AAA classification have recently chosen to play an independent football schedule for the 2027-28 seasons, although Knoxville Catholic High School is one of eight choosing to remain in the top D-II class. Christ Presbyterian Academy and Father Ryan in Nashville, Memphis University School and Christian Brothers in Memphis, Chattanooga Christian, Mount Juliet Christian, and Clarksville Academy are going independent and cannot compete in the TSSAA playoffs. KCHS, Baylor in Chattanooga, Brentwood Academy, Briarcrest
Christian near Memphis, Ensworth in Nashville, Lipscomb Academy in Nashville, McCallie in Chattanooga, and Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville will remain in Division II-AAA. The TSSAA previously said it would freeze II-AAA classification at 12 teams for 2027-28 and 202829. The organization announced it will not move up the next four largest schools from II-AA, including Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga, to AAA. Schools opting for an independent schedule have cited “super teams” that in recent years have been dominating competition. ■
KATHY RANKIN
St. Joseph students make pinwheels for peace The student body of St. Joseph School in Knoxville celebrated the International Day of Peace on Sept. 21. Suzanna Pickering’s art classes created pinwheels with each student’s wish for peace written on the inside. Students gathered by the flagpole for a ceremony to pray with their pinwheels turning in the breeze. Fourth-grader Aubrey Becker shared her poem about peace and all joined in singing “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace.” The school thanked Ms. Pickering for directing the art project and Mary Margaret Howell and Dr. Jim Pickering for helping to assemble all of the pinwheels. St. Mary School and Parish in Oak Ridge announce rebranding St. Mary Parish and School in Oak Ridge announced new logos recently. The decision to rebrand “reflects our commitment to strengthening our shared identity and presenting a unified vision for the future. While the church and school previously operated under separate logos, both have always been rooted in the same mission, faith, and community. By introducing one cohesive visual identity, we hope to strengthen recognition, create consistency across our communications, and better reflect the connection between our parish and school. This rebrand is not about changing who we are, but rather honoring our history while embracing the future of St. Mary’s,” the school announced on Oct. 9.
Deacon Hunt continued from page B6
his life for his Church. Christ is king, to be sure. But recall that Christ did not assume His throne until He hung on His cross. Christ did not begin His throne time until He was done with His cross time. And when Christ was done with His cross time, He was dead. So, I would recommend to all the fathers and grandfathers reading this: If you ain’t dead, you ain’t done with your cross time! B10 n OCTOBER 2026
This is not the time to claim your crown. This is the time to take up your cross and work out the salvation of your wife and children. When you get to the kingdom, you can ask the Lord, “Lord, where is my crown?” And the Lord will point to your wife and your children in the midst of the kingdom and say, “There is your crown. Your wife and your children in the midst of the kingdom. Their salvation will be your crown!”
Be Christ for all. Bring Christ to all. See Christ in all. n And in an additional note, I will be offering a retreat for all men called “Lead in His Image” to reflect on the role of men as fathers and spiritual leaders. The retreat will be held in Cathedral Hall at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on Saturday, Oct. 24. Mass will begin at 8:05 a.m. followed by breakfast. Opening prayer is at 9 a.m. and
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the retreat continues until 2:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided. Lecture topics are: “The Fatherhood of God,” “The Fatherhood of the Saints,” “The Vital Role of Fathers in the Domestic Church,” and “Practical Ideas for Catholic Families.” You can register at www.dioknox.org/events. ■ Deacon Bob Hunt is a husband, father, grandfather, and parishioner at All Saints Church in Knoxville. TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C ATH OLI C