July 4, 2021, ET Catholic, B section

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NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE OF KNOXVILLE

B section

Father Bertin Glennon—50 years a priest Friends and family join in at Holy Spirit Church in Soddy-Daisy as he celebrates his golden jubilee

DAN MCWILLIAMS (2)

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ather Bertin Glennon, ST, of Chattanooga celebrated 50 years in the priesthood on the anniversary date itself, May 15. Holy Spirit Church in Soddy-Daisy hosted Father Glennon’s goldenanniversary Mass and dinner. Father Glennon, ordained May 15, 1971, in Washington, D.C., is a priest of the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity. He was the principal celebrant for his anniversary Mass. Bishop Richard F. Stika attended in choir. The superior general of the Missionary Servants, Father Mike Barth, ST, delivered the homily and concelebrated. Also present were area priests Father Jim Vick, Father Alex Waraksa, Father Charlie Burton, Father Mike Creson, Father David Carter, and host pastor Monsignor Al Humbrecht. Father Glennon frequently joins Monsignor Humbrecht and the Holy Spirit community for Sunday Mass. Father Glennon, a counselor who has a psychology degree, is clinical director and founder of the Center for Individual and Family Effectiveness, where he has served for 20 years. He formerly lived at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga for about 28 years. “I was just thinking this morning when I got out of bed that 50 years ago, I was going over in a car to the church where we were being ordained. I remember I was sweating so hard,” Father Glennon said. “Now 50 years, I’ve made it. That’s what I can say.” Many friends and family, including his sister, Eibhlin Glennon, attended the anniversary Mass. “I can’t tell you what it means,” Father Glennon said of their presence. “It’s wonderful. These are the

‘Now 50 years, I’ve made it’ Father Bertin Glennon, ST, celebrates his 50th-anniversary Mass on May 15 at Holy Spirit Church in Soddy-Daisy. Father Glennon was ordained a priest 50 years ago to the day, May 15, 1971. people who made my ministry. I get all the glory, but they do all the work.” Father Barth in his homily said that “Father Bertin Glennon, in the footsteps of a Peter and a Paul and powered by faith, has been a missionary priest for 50 years. It’s a long time. He is a Missionary Servant priest, a congregation that has as its heart, powered by the charism given us by our founder, Father Thomas Augustine Judge, over 100 years ago. It is that charism that is a missionary call to develop and empower and energize laity. And to go out in service to those most in need: the poor, the abandoned, the marginalized, the often-aimless youth, the used and abused of our society, the neglected and rejected; these we consider our treasures. “Our founder charged us to go to what he referred to as the tangled portion of the vineyard and there

to be a light to those in darkness,” Father Barth continued. “Father Bertin, throughout his 50 years, has

By Dan McWilliams

faithfully followed this path. From a ministry in the hills of coal-mining Appalachia in Manchester, Ky., to the rural south in Kiln, Miss., later in Hohenwald, Tenn., and now the past 35 years here in Chattanooga, founding and working at the Center for Individual and Family Effectiveness, ministering to and with some of the most marginalized and abandoned of our society.” Father Barth asked, “What, we might wonder, fuels this kind of missionary life? Well, there are many things and many people. Friends, like many of you, who have traveled with him in the good times and in the bad. Colleagues with whom he has found professional support, intellectual stimulation, and challenge. Fellow priests like Monsignor Al and the other presbyters gathered here, his Missionary Servant brothers who pray for him, and all who share in his unique life Father Glennon continued on page B6

‘To be a light to those in darkness’ Father Mike Barth, ST, delivers the homily at Father Glennon’s golden-jubilee Mass.

Proms offer a night to remember in COVID year

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DR. KELLY KEARSE

rom. The end-of-year formal that high school rom-coms are made of. For many students, it is a highlight of high school, a night of fancy clothes, music, and friends, celebrating their journey together as a class—a last hoorah before graduation. Like so many events and traditions, prom was affected by COVID-19 in 2020, turned into mini-virtual events or canceled completely. After last year’s proms were canceled, students at Notre Dame High

‘I was thrilled we got to have a prom this year’ Sydney Mesmer enjoys the Knoxville Catholic High School prom.

School and Knoxville Catholic High School were eager for this year’s prom and a night to dress up, gather, and return to some normalcy. For many seniors, this year was full of unpredictability. Learning that they were able to have prom and celebrate together was a highlight of the year. “I understand why we couldn’t have it [last year]. There was a good reason why we couldn’t have it, but this year, I’m just glad we get one prom so we can do it before we leave,” Marissa Krukowski of Notre Dame said. “I was upset when I heard prom and other events would be canceled, but I was thankful that it was my junior prom rather than senior. I had also gotten a dress that I was super excited to wear, so that made me even more sad,” Cecelia Kirk of KCHS said. “I was super excited to finally wear my dress that had sat in my closet for over a year and spend quality time with my friends.” “I was thrilled we got to have a prom this year. Many of my friends and I joked that it was our first, best, and last prom. It felt great to return to some kind of normalcy after all the chaos that the pandemic has thrown upon our senior year,” Amelia Rechter of KCHS said. NDHS’s prom was held May 14 with the theme “Casino Royale.” KCHS’ prom was held May 15 with the theme “Night Under the Stars.”

Students shared what they enjoyed most about prom. “I’m excited to get ready with my friends and spend time with them, just celebrate getting to the end of senior year, because this time is so stressful with preparing for exams. This time is a nice night just to get a break and have fun,” Marissa said. “I enjoyed dancing and singing along to songs with my close friends and peers,” Cecelia said. “We got to choose the songs this year, and they created a huge playlist this year,” Carson Chepul of NDHS said. “It’s one last gathering, one last shebang,” said Adam Desai of NDHS. “The thing I enjoyed most about prom was just seeing everyone all dressed up. We never really get to see each other that way, and it was cool to see it for once,” said Perla Ortega of KCHS. Both schools had some COVID-19 restrictions at prom. NDHS required masks in indoor spaces, but students could remove masks outside. KCHS held the prom on the football field so that masks would not be necessary. “I believe that we were able to have such few restrictions at prom because of how well Catholic has handled the pandemic in previous months. Most of my friends, including myself, have been vaccinated, and since the prom was outside, we chose not to wear masks,” Amelia said. For those who did choose to wear

By Emily Booker

COURTESY OF NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL

Notre Dame and Knoxville Catholic high school events give seniors a chance to dress up and celebrate

‘One last gathering’ Notre Dame’s George Fillauer attends the prom with Riley McCormick. masks, they provided an extra fashion opportunity. “I sent some fabric somewhere and got a mask made. So, some of us were definitely trying to color coordinate,” Morgan Hicks of NDHS said. Because of COVID-19 restrictions and online learning, students missed out on lots of events and large gatherings over the past year. “Even football or events that are normally large, we haven’t had, like prep rallies or things like that,” Fran Palacios of NDHS explained. Proms continued on page B8


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July 4, 2021, ET Catholic, B section by Diocese of Knoxville - Issuu