Dec. 3, 2017, ET Catholic, A section

December 3

| 2017

VOL 27 NO 2

IN THIS ISSUE ANNIVERSARY ASSIGNMENT B1 BIG B1 BISHOP-TO-BE A4 NEW The Paraclete is Sr. Mary Christine Louisville priest will Cremin is leaving Catholic Charities

celebrating 30 years of serving the diocese

lead the Diocese of Nashville

He dwells among us ......................... A2 Parish news ....................................... B4 Diocesan calendar ............................ B5 Catholic schools ............................... B8 Columns ............................................. B9 La Cosecha ............................Section C

V Encuentro takes center stage Bishop Stika convenes diocesan session as part of national effort

By Bill Brewer

JIM WOGAN

A

Fifth Encounter Diocese of Knoxville members gather at Knoxville Catholic High School on Oct. 21 for the diocesan-wide V Encuentro led by Bishop Richard F. Stika.

United States into national guidelines that will be presented at the national Encuentro in September.

V Encuentro began in 2014 with preliminary planning and continued in 2015 with formation and training of episcopal regional teams and leadership. In 2016, the formation and training got underway with a focus on diocesan and parish teams. Then, in 2017, parish and diocesan Encuentros were held. In 2018, the movement will crescendo with regional Encuentros around the country and then the national Encuentro in Grapevine, Texas.

Do you love Jesus?

Bishop Stika opened the daylong diocesan V Encuentro on Oct. 21 by applauding those in attendance for their participation, encouraging them to continue their encounter

BILL BREWER

yearlong effort to bring Diocese of Knoxville parishioners to intense missionary activity as part of the V Encuentro movement culminated in a diocesanwide convocation Oct. 21 at Knoxville Catholic High School attended by nearly 400 people.

Bishop Richard F. Stika convened the diocesanwide V Encuentro and headlined a list of speakers whose talks inspired those in attendance, mostly from the diocese’s Hispanic community, to fulfill the goals of St. John Paul II’s New Evangelization.

V Encuentro is a priority activity of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ strategic plan. Fifth Encounter started at the grassroots level and calls for the development of resources and initiatives to better serve the fast-growing Hispanic population in dioceses, parishes, ecclesial movements, and other Catholic organizations and institutions.

V Encuentro, a four-year process of ecclesial reflection and action that invites all Catholics in the United States to intense missionary activity, consultation, leadership development, and identification of best ministerial practices in the spirit of the New Evangelization, entered the parish-orientation and facilitator-training phase earlier this year.

The movement is taking place in every diocese across the country and will build toward regional Encuentros that will incorporate lessons learned at the parish level around the

Symbol of hope V Encuentro participants celebrate the Oct. 21 encounter with Jesus with a ceremonial balloon drop. The balloons contained seeds to spread the Word. with Jesus, and to share Jesus with anyone they come in contact with. He asked them if they loved Jesus, and he challenged them to look for Jesus in every encounter they have. He also encouraged them to be courageous in the face of cultural and political pressures and to continue

being the face, hands, and feet of Jesus.

The bishop celebrated the closing Mass and again addressed the participants.

Father Julian Cardona, associate pastor at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Lenoir City, was the concelebrant, with Father

Preparations underway for Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus dedication Mass A Mass of dedication for the new Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus will be celebrated on Saturday, March 3, 2018, at noon.

Prelates from around the country and the world will join Bishop Richard F. Stika and Cardinal Justin Rigali in celebrating the historic dedication Mass.

Among those scheduled to attend are Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Cardinal William Levada, Papal Nuncio Archbishop Christophe Pierre, and Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz.

Cardinal Dziwisz (pronounced GEEvish) is a longtime Vatican official and the loyal secretary and dear friend to Pope St. John Paul II from 1966 until the pontiff’s death in 2005.

Cardinal Dziwisz also will take part in the second “Conversation with the Cardinals” to be held the following night in the new cathedral.

The first “Conversation with the Cardinals” took place April 18, 2015, in conjuncCathedral continued on page A12

Encuentro continued on page A10

Stewards of life “God did not make death, and he does not delight in the death of the living.

For he created all things that they might exist.” — Wisdom 1:13-14

E

van is a good kid — decent grades, never in trouble. He plays baseball. He has a group of friends. He’s planning on going to college the year after next. He wants to be a stockbroker.

But Evan starts avoiding his friends. They ask what’s wrong, and he says “nothing.” He doesn’t always show when they invite him over. He ignores their texts, then gets mad when they make plans without him.

His A’s and B’s become C’s and D’s. When his parents ask why his grades slipped, he says that grades

don’t matter. Nothing matters.

School is too boring. School is too stressful. He’s no longer sure he’s going to go to college.

In the locker room, Evan worries his teammates will notice the small series of scars on his thighs.

It would be embarrassing to admit that he cuts. But part of him hopes someone will notice. They don’t.

The last thing he says to his parents as he heads up to his room is that he loves them. And it’s true.

But he can’t shake the feelings and thoughts overwhelming him: You’re worthless. You’re a screw-up. Nobody likes you. You can’t fix this. You ruin everything. It’d be better if you were dead. No one would even care. It’s too much.

Suicide continued on page A7

By Emily Booker

EMILY BOOKER

Catholic Church offers caring solutions to stem the rising tide of teen suicide

Open dialogue Kat Coy, a guidance counselor at Knoxville Catholic High School, encourages open discussion with teens about their thoughts and concerns.

He dwells among us

by Bishop Richard F. Stika

Silent heart, holy heart Silence is not noiselessness but the condition for receiving what God wishes to give us Follow Bishop Richard Stika on Twitter @bishopstika and Facebook for news and events from the diocese.

“Mary treasured all these things and reflected on them in her heart.”

— Luke 2:19

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he season of Advent is a special time of preparation to reflect upon the mysteries of our faith so that they may truly become the treasures of our heart.

Like the beautiful hymn Silent Night that celebrates God’s greatest gift to us, Christ Jesus, these mysteries are best received in a heart that is quiet and still.

The greatest mysteries of life unfold in silence — in the beauty of each day’s sunrise and sunset; in the embrace of a husband and wife in their intimate love for each other; in the wonder of a mother and father beholding their newborn infant; or in the solemn presence of a family gathered around the bedside of a dying parent. Before such moments as these, silence is what opens the heart to the mystery.

But greater still than all these mysteries of life is the mystery we encounter upon entering a Catholic church where Christ is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament and upon the altar in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Shouldn’t this mystery of God’s presence be met with an even greater reverential si-

lence than the earthly mysteries that give our hearts pause?

Sadly, our churches and even our sacristies are becoming increasingly filled with the noise and distractions that people fail to leave behind them when they enter through the church doors. Our churches and sacristies are not the parish hall but sacred space. For this reason Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect for the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, laments that “Catholics no longer know that silence is sacred,” that silence is the very dwelling of God in our hearts.

Silence is not noiselessness but the condition for receiving what God wishes to give us — His very self, His grace. But ours is an age that does not foster recollection, and so saturated are people with the constant noise of our modern technological age that many become visibly uncomfortable with the experience of silence, particularly in our churches.

Where noise is present, mystery disappears. Noise closes our heart.

And this loss of the sense of mystery is a most terrible poverty of

Bishop Stika’s calendar of events

December Prayer Intentions

These are some of Bishop Stika’s upcoming public appointments for the month of December:

“That the elderly, sustained by families and Christian communities, may apply their wisdom and experience to spreading the faith and forming the new generations.”

–– Pope Francis

”During the month of December, when we celebrate the

birth of our Savior and prepare for the entrance into a new year, let us pray that we might always give glory to God as the angels did at his birth.”

A2 n DECEMBER 3, 2017

soul, for without the mystery of God we are left with only the dullness and staleness of the earthly and material. These can never satisfy what the inner sanctuary of the human heart truly aches and thirsts for — the encounter with the mystery of God. Because of this, Cardinal Sarah is warning the faithful of the dire effects noise has upon our spiritual health and our worship. In his book, The Power of Silence – Against the Dictatorship of Noise, he reflects upon sacred silence as the “indispensable doorway to the divine.” If time is not given daily to allow for silence and prayer, he warns, noise can easily lead to a “desecration of the soul.”

Cardinal Sarah’s book challenges all of us, particularly the clergy, to recover the meaning of sacred silence and its place within the Mass, saying, “Let us not be afraid of liturgical silence!” This is a subject I spoke about with all our priests during our fall retreat.

Cardinal Sarah also speaks about the noise in our churches, not only before and after Mass, but also during Mass itself. Electronic am-

plification has made it easier for us to hear in one sense. But unfortunately, it can also easily overwhelm our heart’s ability to be receptive and to pray. As even a little too much salt can spoil a wonderful recipe instead of making it better, amplification can easily kill the prayer of our heart instead of lifting it up.

Each of us needs to make efforts to quiet our heart and embrace silence in our lives. In this season of holy expectation, I invite you then to make silence and prayer a part of each day so as to better “prepare the way of the Lord” in your hearts.

Set aside quiet time each day with your phone, television, and music muted, and sit with the Scriptures or daily Mass readings and invite the Holy Spirit into your heart as you read and ponder. Silence may prove difficult at first, for the echo of the noises of our heart take time to fade.

But these times of sacred silence alone with God will bring about great blessings and will open the door to even greater graces in your life.

On behalf of Cardinal Rigali, I pray your Advent season is most blessed and that you have a wonderful Christmas! ■

–– Bishop Stika

n Dec. 1: 9:45 a.m., monthly guest interview on the Morning Air show on Relevant Radio n Dec. 3: 11 a.m., Mass for the first Sunday of Advent at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus n Dec. 4: noon, Mass and luncheon with the Serra Club of Chattanooga at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul n Dec. 6: noon, Catholic Public Policy Commission board meeting in Nashville with the Memphis and Nashville dioceses n Dec. 7: 11:30 a.m., Catholic Charities of East Tennessee 360

Degrees of Hope luncheon at the Park Pavilion in Knoxville n Dec. 8: the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary n Dec. 9: 9 a.m., Mass for the diocesan men’s retreat at All Saints Church in Knoxville n Dec. 15: 9:30 a.m., diocesan Finance Council meeting at the Chancery n Dec. 21: 10:30 a.m., taping “A Call to Discipleship” diocesan television show n Dec. 22: 3 p.m., Snack ‘n’ Chat with the Diocesan Youth Ministry Advisory Council (DYMAC) at the bishop’s residence n Dec. 24: Midnight Mass at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus ■

Upcoming Virtus training sessions set

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he Diocese of Knoxville’s program for the protection of children, youth, and vulnerable adults is offered throughout the diocese.

The seminars are required for parish and school employees and regular volunteers

www.di o k no x .o rg

in contact with children and vulnerable adults. The following training sessions are scheduled: n Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, Chattanooga, 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7. n St. Mary School, Johnson City, 5:30 p.m. Monday, Dec.

11; 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27; 1 p.m. Saturday, April 14. n Sacred Heart Cathedral, Knoxville, 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 28; 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25; 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22; 6 p.m.

Thursday, March 22; 6 p.m. Thursday, April 26. ■

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DECEMBER 3, 2017 n A3

Catholic Charities director accepts Washington assignment Sister Mary Christine Cremin to lead D.C. Religious Sisters of Mercy community

S

ister Mary Christine Cremin, RSM, has served as executive director of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee for the past four years. But now she is stepping down from that position to take a new assignment in Washington, D.C. Sister Mary Christine first came to CCETN as a counselor in 2009. On July 1, 2013, she became the executive director, succeeding Father Ragan Schriver, who held the position from 1999-2013.

“She’s done a beautiful job,” Bishop Richard F. Stika said. “When she came into it we had some challenges at Catholic Charities, which is true for all not-for-profits at times. She came in at my invitation and the assignment of her superior to this position. … She’s just done a marvelous job, just a wonderful job. She was truly the face of Jesus in so many different ways.”

Sister Mary Christine’s goal as executive director has always been to uphold the mission of CCETN in each of its programs.

“That first year, I think, was really trying to get a handle on what, because we are the charitable outreach of the diocese, what did that look like in our diocese,” she said.

By working with other agencies, CCETN was able to look at its programs to see if they were better resourced or being duplicated by other local agencies.

“In an effort to really identify our mission and to be putting our resources into the mission, we discovered that we were spread too thin in some places, and so we were able to transfer some programs. We didn’t cut any program out. We were able to transfer every single program that we no longer have because we transferred it to somebody else. And the reason we transferred them is because either another agency in town was already doing the same thing and doing it better than we could or it did not exactly fit our mission and there was another agency in town who was doing something similar,” Sister Mary Christine said.

She was happy that they were able to transfer the programs so that vital services to CCETN clients did not get cut.

“There was not any instance where we had to drop services to clients,” she said.

Other programs have been expanded. Under Sister Mary Christine’s leadership, the Pregnancy Help Center in Chattanooga reopened, and two new centers opened in Johnson City and Newcomb. There also are centers in LaFollette and Knoxville.

“That really hits our mission so well, not only because it’s pregnancy, but because we can sup-

By Emily Booker

An Open Letter of Gratitude to the People of East Tennessee Having celebrated Thanksgiving just a few short weeks ago, I am reminded in a special way of my gratitude for the past eight years at Catholic Charities of East Tennessee.

My gratitude is heightened this year because I have recently received a new assignment from my religious Superior and will be moving to my Community in Washington, D.C., shortly after Christmas. I am deeply grateful for the wonderful people I have been privileged to know and work with in East Tennessee and for the steadfast support of the work of Catholic Charities in our Diocese.

Over the past four years, I have been particularly humbled and grateful to have served as Catholic Charities’ Executive Director. With your generous support and partnership, we have been able to build on the legacy left by Father Ragan Schriver and continue to provide vital programs and expanded services to some of our most vulnerable neighbors right here in East Tennessee.

Our mission is clear – to be the hands, feet, face, and heart of Jesus to others – offering help and providing hope to so many in need. With your help, we reach out to the poor and the vulnerable, to those on the margins. As Pope Francis says, to those on the periphery. With kindness and love, I have seen so many lives changed, as we have walked with our brothers and sisters in their times of need.

I want to thank our wonderful staff, which touches countless lives each day in the work they selflessly provide. I want to thank our parishes, priests, and pastors who partner with us to connect with those who are hurting and those in need. I want to thank our Bishop for the support and leadership he provides, uniting us in service to others.

And most importantly I want to thank you, the people of East Tennessee, who have shown yourselves to be a caring, compassionate, and loving community. Your support makes the work of Catholic Charities possible. Your desire to make this community one of love and compassion propels us in our ministry. Without you, so many would be left behind – left on the periphery.

Thank you for your continued support of Catholic Charities. You will be in my prayers and I ask for a remembrance in yours as well.

With Gratitude, Sister Mary Christine Cremin, R.S.M. Executive Director, Catholic Charities of East Tennessee

P.S.

If you would like to support the work of Catholic Charities here in East Tennessee, there is an envelope enclosed in this newspaper.

port families for two years, essentially mentoring them for a period of two years to help them become good parents,” Sister Mary Christine said.

“It really does give them confidence as parents, and in my mind that’s a real building block for establishing an individual family unit,” she added.

Catholic Charities’ Office of Immigrant Services also has expanded. Most recently, it received a

grant to hire an attorney that can work with immigration clients who are victims of crime in the Chattanooga, Johnson City, and Knoxville offices.

And Samaritan Place, which provides shelter for seniors in crisis, is currently planning an expansion project to admit 10 more residents.

“I think streamlining our mission allows us to CCETN continued on page A14

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Guards of honor Knoxville Police Department officers file in as part of the processional for the Blue Mass celebrated Oct. 15 at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Police and sheriff’s officers, firefighters, and first responders took part.

Diocese holds Masses for legal, medical, first-responder, military communities

By Dan McWilliams

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he Diocese of Knoxville once again recognized the importance of the legal, medical, law enforcement-first-responder, and military professions in East Tennessee by celebrating Masses for their members.

Members of the health-care professions were the focus of a special Mass at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on Oct. 14.

Bishop Richard F. Stika celebrated the annual White Mass before an assembly that included many involved in the healing ministries.

“Today we celebrate a very special

A4 n DECEMBER 3, 2017

Mass,” the bishop said. “Last week I celebrated the Red Mass, which is for those involved in the legal community. Tomorrow I have the Blue Mass, which honors those involved in law enforcement, firefighting, EMTs, and those who serve our communities.

“We pray today for our sisters and brothers who are part of the healing ministry of the world and of the Church, that they may continue to do that with compassionate love as they do now.”

Cathedral rector Father David Boettner concelebrated the White Mass, and Deacon Walt Otey assist-

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Masses continued on page A13 www.di o k no x .o rg

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DECEMBER 3, 2017 n A5

St. Henry unity program marks Reformation anniversary Father Bart Okere joined by Rogersville-area Protestant ministers in ecumenical prayer service

By Bill Jones/The Rogersville Review

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BILL JONES/THE ROGERSVILLE REVIEW

BILL JONES/THE ROGERSVILLE REVIEW

ct. 31 marked the 500th anniversary of

the Protestant Reformation that fractured the Catholic Church and saw the rise of numerous Protestant denominations.

On Oct. 30, representatives of several Protestant churches in the Rogersville area joined Father Bart Okere at St. Henry Catholic Church for a unity service designed to show that, though separated by doctrine, Catholic and Protestant churches share many matters of common ground when it comes to the Christian faith.

The service, which was sponsored by the Area Church Council of Rogersville, featured the reading of Scripture passages by the ministers and the offering of prayers for unity.

The service began with a greeting from Ellen H. McCoy of St. Henry, who, during her remarks, noted that 2,017 years ago, Jesus was born and 1,987 years ago Jesus died and rose from the dead.

“Then, 500 years ago, we kind of started splitting up,” she said. “Now we need to get back together. We are all His children and we need to remember that. Because He said He was never going to leave us alone. He sent His Spirit here to keep us on track and we would like to stay that way. Let us reflect on why we are here and sing together ‘Amazing Grace,’ which is what He gives us.”

The first three verses of the hymn were then sung by the congregation.

Thoughts on the Reformation Father Bart Okere, pastor of St. Henry Parish in Rogersville, ad Rev. Sheldon Livesay was the first minister to dresses congregants during the Oct. 30 unity service at St. Henry Church. Seated is Lutheran Deaspeak to the congregation. He read Ephesians, con Tom Kyner, who gave a reading from Scripture and offered a prayer. chapter 2, verses 11-18, and offered a prayer in which he noted that since the Reformation, the gyman, read Psalm 133 and also offered a prayer.

Members of the congregation were then invited Christian Church has “divided, divided and During the prayer, he said “Father, you have to offer their own prayers. Several congregation divided.” provided blessings to us, many of which we don’t members and several of the ministers did so.

In his prayer, Rev. Livesay pointed out that even recognize.” He also noted that God had sent “Lord, hear our prayer,” the congregation said in though different in many ways, various churches his Son so that “we might have life through Him.” unison after each prayer request. can work together.

Rev. Billy Ray Courtney of Faith Assembly read In his last prayer, Father Okere said the con “We can come together, work together, and 1 Peter, chapter 3, verses 8-12, and also offered a gregation now has a “road map” to use to work make a difference in our state, nation, and the prayer. During his prayer, he said, “Father, you toward greater unity in the Rogersville faith world,” he said during his prayer. “We pray that love unity. On the day of Pentecost, when the community. you (God) will bring us together in unity.”

Church was born, those 120 believers in the upper Rev. Courtney, meanwhile, prayed for “families Also reading Scripture and offering prayers room in the city of Jerusalem were in one place that are broken, families that are hurting, and childuring the service was Rev. Carol Woody, a and one mind and one accord.” dren that have no mom and dad.”

United Methodist minister, who read Colossians, Father Okere, pastor of St. Henry, read Mat At the end of the service, Rev. Livesay returned chapter 1, verses 24-28, before offering a prayer in thew, chapter 25, verses 31-40, and also offered to the lectern at the request of Father Okere and which she thanked God for sending His son, Jesus a prayer, in which he said God encourages us to thanked those in attendance for coming.

Christ, to save us and for the knowledge that Je“express our joy, express our love, and express “This is an important and strategic time in hissus is coming back. our unity to one another.” He then sang “one tory,” he said, noting that it had been 100 years “We pray that we please you in all that we bread, one body, one Lord of all … .” this month since the Jews were allowed to resettle do as we wait for the return of our their nation, 70 years since Israel king,” she prayed in part. became a nation again, and 50 years Pastor Steven Kimery, an Assemsince Jerusalem was retaken by the blies of God minister, read EpheJews in the Six Day War. sians, chapter 4, verses 1-6, before

“Tonight, we are celebrating the offering a prayer. In part, he prayed, 500th anniversary of the Reforma“kind and precious heavenly Father, tion,” Rev. Livesay said. “As we look we stand here in unity.” He also back on the Reformation, we see that prayed that “we might be men and we began to see the division and women of unity” and noted that splintering of the Church. Tonight we “when a challenge arises, we must are making a declaration from this rise to the challenge.” place … that in the days to come we Pastor Ricky Brotherton, another will do our part to bring unity back to Assemblies of God minister, read the body of Christ. We will join arm Corinthians, chapter 12, verses 12in arm and hand in hand … to feed 14, and offered a prayer. In part, he the hungry, cloth the naked, and visit thanked God for those who came to those that are in prison and sick. the service and asked that God’s will

“But we can do more than that. be done on earth. “Father, we pray We can stand together for the things and ask for your guidance,” he said. that need to be stood for. Those things “We ask for your direction. We asthat God says are important to our semble together to form one body. nation. We can stand together as his Praying for unity Father Bart Okere is joined by Rogersville-area clergy But God we need direction. We people, as his body and look to him need help, Father. We look to you for it who participated in the unity service, including Rev. Sheldon Livesay, as the head. So tonight, as we leave this Rev. Carol Woody, Pastor Steven Kimery, Pastor Ricky Brotherton, Dea- place, we make a commitment that ‘I tonight.”

Deacon Tom Kyner, a Lutheran cler- con Tom Kyner, and Rev. Billy Ray Courtney. will do my part.’” ■

Catholic Charities gains lawyer to direct immigration legal affairs Chelsea Markham Lyle using law degree, passion for helping others to assist immigrants

COURTESY OF CHELSEA MARKHAM LYLE

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Oath of office Catholic Charities of East Tennessee lawyer Chelsea Markham Lyle is sworn in as a Tennessee lawyer.

A6 n DECEMBER 3, 2017

helsea Markham Lyle, who is a program leader for Catholic Charities of East Tennessee’s Office of Immigrant Services in Chattanooga, has a passion for helping individuals and families through the immigration process.

And now she can help them in a new way: as a lawyer.

Ms. Markham Lyle had the opportunity to travel to Central and South America as a teenager, and those experiences first opened her eyes to other cultures.

“The first time I traveled, for me, it was just very eye-opening, and I fell in love with people,” she said. “And I also got to see the hardships they faced. And so that’s always stuck with me.”

She had a full immersion experience in another culture at 16 when she spent a year studying in Spain. After college, in which she majored in Spanish and minored in criminal justice, Ms. Markham Lyle returned to Spain to teach and work on her master’s degree. It was there that she decided to pursue a career in law.

She attended Regent University School of Law in Virginia. Once in law school, she realized she was feeling pulled toward immigration law and helping families through the hurdles of immigration policies.

“Since I had the language skill and I had spent so much time in the Hispanic culture, www.di o k no x .o rg

By Emily Booker

it was something that just pulled at me. And that’s why I went into it.”

She interned at Valverde & Rowell, a legal firm in Virginia that works with immigration law, and at Catholic Charities of East Tennessee. After finishing law school, she returned to Catholic Charities to work in the Office of Immigrant Services in Chattanooga.

“I was really excited to at least get my foot in the door and also be in a place that I knew fostered the environment that I wanted to be in as well,” she said.

Ms. Markham Lyle is passionate about helping people through the immigration process.

“The thing I guess that keeps me in immigration is knowing what people are facing and seeing people wanting to make a difference in their own lives and in the lives of their families and not really having another option or not knowing how to do that. They seek a life out here.

It’s very rewarding to see them grow as an individual and to help them be able to accomplish the goals that they had set for themselves.

That’s what drives me,” she said.

Earlier this year, she passed the Tennessee bar. On Nov. 7, Ms. Markham Lyle was sworn in as a lawyer at a ceremony in Knoxville. Family and friends were in attendance.

She is happy to have the stress of law school Lawyer continued on page A9 TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C A TH OLI C

devices.

“Not saying that everything is bad, but they’re so attached to this electronic, online self that they don’t measure up — they don’t measure up to their friends,” Father Hendershott said. “They feel so empty and depressed. And they say, ‘Father, we’re trapped. How do we get out?’

That’s the kind of words that they’re using when it comes to this slavery of their devices.”

This pressure to be perfect and live up to unrealistic expectations can destroy one’s self-esteem and contribute to feelings of worthlessness or depression.

Suicide continued from page A1

On the frontline

Counselors and teachers at the Diocese of Knoxville’s two high schools are on the frontline of this crisis as students struggle to find help for their own issues or worry about their friends.

According to the Centers for Disease Control’s latest data, suicide is the third leading cause of death among those ages 10-14 and the second leading cause of death among those 15-24. Suicide rates have increased over the past few years among all age groups, and teens are no exception. Between 2007 and 2015, suicide rates increased by more than 30 percent among teen boys and doubled among teen girls.

In 2015, the suicide rate was 14.2 per 100,000 teen boys and 5.1 per 100,000 teen girls.

This increase has not gone unnoticed. The conversation around teen suicide arose recently after the Netflix show 13 Reasons Why gained popularity among young viewers.

The series depicts graphic incidents of bullying, drug use, and rape that led high schooler Hannah Baker to suicide. Her character leaves behind tapes for her classmates that explain their roles in her decision. Worried responses to the series led Netflix to add a tag after each episode that included mental health resources.

13 Reasons Why conveys dark subject matter that some parents might not want their children to watch.

Others might choose to watch it with their children so they can discuss the topics the show addresses.

Media such as this aimed at teens — and even pre-teens — continues to push the envelope, exposing them to topics that they are not ready to fully process.

At the same time, the issues brought up in the show are real problems that teens face every day.

Bullying, isolation, drugs, harassment, sexual assault, mental health problems, and suicidal thoughts are all very real in the lives of many teenagers. For some, they turn to drastic, fatal acts to escape the suffering.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “Everyone is responsible for his life before God who has given it to him. It is God who remains the sovereign Master of life.

We are obliged to accept life gratefully and preserve it for his honor and the salvation of our souls. We are stewards, not owners, of the life God has entrusted to us. It is not ours to dispose of” (CCC 2280).

Yet circumstance, stress, and illness can lead to despair, in which preserving one’s life becomes a challenge. Teens are in a period of life where they are experiencing stressful social situations for the first time, where they are placing more pressure on themselves, and where their hormones are fluctuating and brains still forming.

It can be difficult to see the worthiness and beauty of life in a society that often measures worth by material success or popularity.

‘There is no break from the bullying’

Bullying has not changed much over the years. Teens still face cliques, ridicule, and isolation.

They still struggle to find their individual voice while fitting in with the crowd. But the ways in which teens interact have changed. Technology and social media dominate TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C A T HO L I C

The depression factor

COURTESY OF KNOXVILLE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

The next day, the entire school is in shock. Evan was a good kid. He had so much potential. What happened?

His parents are heartbroken. His friends are anguished: he had been kind of distant lately, but they had no idea it was this bad, they try to explain. Why did he take his own life? What could they have done?

Evan isn’t real, but his situation is playing out over and over in high schools across the country. The loss of any life is tragic, but the loss of a young life, one wrecked by despair and desperation, hits even harder.

Why do some teenagers, with lives full of potential and endless possibilities, succumb to suicide?

And how do we, as a community, respond?

Spiritual guidance Father Michael Hendershott, who teaches religion at Knoxville Catholic High School, is among the many resources KCHS students can go to for assistance in personal, social, and academic issues. their communication. Cyberbullying means the bully no longer has to confront his victim. He can hide behind a screen and strike at any time.

Smartphones mean constant conversation and updates. A tweet at 8 p.m. A snap at 1 a.m. A text during the middle of class. Little bits of information are in the palm of your hand at every moment, an opportunity for connection or validation or rejection or mockery.

Kat Coy, a counselor at Knoxville Catholic High School, said that technology has changed how teens talk to friends . . . and enemies.

“The thing with bullying — you used to have a break from bullying, right? So if bullying’s happening here [at school], you would go home. And you’d have from four until the next morning a break.

Now, you don’t have a break. They can bully you during the day, anyway they want. They can do it all night long,” she said.

“It can be unbelievable. It’s fatigue-inducing. Trauma happens, absolutely, as a result. But it is that access — they can access you at any time. And there is no downtime.

There is no break from the bullying. …In fact, some things can go viral, just overnight.”

Cyberbullying cannot be identified as a sole cause of suicide, but it can increase feelings of humiliation, isolation, and hopelessness among its young victims.

Even when not battling cyberbullies, teens can suffer from their constant texting, personal messages, and use of social media. While technology makes many everyday tasks easier, it also masks key components of communication like tone and facial expression. Emojis cannot adequately replace face-to-face conversation.

Mrs. Coy said that she’s observed the way technology has changed how teens communicate with their friends. They tend to communicate more often, but that communication takes place over texts and PMs. “They rely so much more on technology and are losing some of that personal touch. So kids will misread a text and think they meant one thing when they meant something else,” she said.

“It’s just so easy to text, and we’ve really moved away from those conversations where you can really see things in someone’s eyes…you miss the nuances of face or whatever.”

And while this is a hazard for adults as well, most teens have grown up surrounded by social media and texting. They don’t always realize how impersonal their communication style can be.

“I think that parents need to be aware that it’s normal for teens.

That’s normal — they Snapchat, Instagram,” Mrs. Coy said.

Social media also can paint a distorted picture of others’ lives. People want to show the best of themselves online: pictures of smiling friends,

travel adventures, successes, and awards. Many teens compare their lives to the sanitized, perfected versions of others’ lives.

Rocco Mansueto, a guidance counselor and head wrestling coach at Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga, has seen the stress teens put themselves under by comparing themselves on social media.

“The problem with social media is we often depict a perfect world,” he said. “So social media is the best of the best. Everybody puts their best foot forward via social media.

And often social media is the culprit behind our thought process that we are not sufficient enough, because everything we’re seeing is the best of everybody else.

“Social media often depicts a perfect world, and I think that’s very difficult for our kids, because it’s constantly relaying the message that what they’re doing is not good enough or that they’re not good enough, which is totally inaccurate.”

Teens compare themselves to these unrealistic representations.

They also attach their self-worth to how they measure up to these representations or to how popular they are on social media.

“They’re constantly comparing themselves to other people,” Mr. Mansueto said. “Social media often depicts the best of that person.

And it makes us feel bad when things aren’t perfect in our lives, and the reality is it never will be perfect. Perfection is a dangerous pill because it’s unattainable and it’s unrealistic. We have to be OK with flaws, and we have to be OK with failure.”

Father Michael Hendershott, associate pastor at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville and a religion teacher at KCHS, has seen students obsessed with how they are perceived online.

When they don’t sense their own value in real life, they search for it in snaps and tweets and chats.

“A lot of it seems to be tied up in the question of identity: who am I? Am I worthy? Am I valued? Do I have a value? Oftentimes people don’t know their loveable-ness until they experience it. Many people seem to have a hole there that infinite, unconditional love can fill, that no human can do.

“We have to apply this to our understanding of who God is. That, therefore, can give us a cause for hope that when He looks on us, He loves us unconditionally — not if you have a good snap stream, not if you have a lot of likes on an Instagram post, which seems to be the root of a lot of these suicidal thoughts: that they’re not good enough as this other person.”

While technology and social media can serve as valuable tools for education, networking, and staying in touch, they can also be misused, especially by teens who put too much emphasis on likes and comments or become addicted to their

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A large factor in teen suicide is mental health. Depression is a condition that can be caused by stress, life transitions, or chemical imbalances that affect thought and mood.

It is much more than simply feeling sad. It is overwhelming.

A person with depression might feel emotionally numb, physically exhausted, attacked, and defeated.

Activities and people that normally bring him joy feel empty. He feels guilty that he can’t feel “normal.”

He worries that he’s a burden to those he loves. He’s afraid it will only get worse.

An estimated 12.5 percent of youth age 12-17 experienced at least one major depressive episode in 2015, according the National Institute of Mental Health. Mental disorders are found in a vast majority of people who have died by suicide.

It is important to address mental health and to encourage teens to feel comfortable coming forward for help. Counseling, medication, or a combination of the two can greatly help.

Some still hold a stigma against mental health. Those who suffer don’t want to been seen as weak.

But treating a chemical imbalance in the brain is the same as treating any other medical ailment. Ignoring it does not help, according to mental health professionals.

Some signs that a teenager is suffering from depression and/or suicidal thoughts are withdrawal and isolation. Grades slip. They no longer find interest in activities they used to enjoy or they stop hanging out with friends. They don’t identify with any peer group. Their sleep patterns change. They are more angry or irritable. These types of changes are sudden and more extreme than the typical changes that come with growing up.

If a teen says he or she is going to harm or kill themselves, it’s essential to get immediate help. Listen.

Help them find crisis intervention and follow-up counseling. If you are a peer, tell an adult.

The sad fact is that it’s impossible to prevent every suicide. Some suicidal teens are good at hiding the warning signs. That’s why it is important to be pre-emptive — know the situations and risks that can lead to suicidal thoughts, recognize the warning signs, and let teens know that it is OK to speak up about their fears and feelings.

Mental Health 101 is a curriculum developed by the Mental Health Association of East Tennessee to provide mental health information and suicide prevention resources to middle and high school students across the state.

After an East Tennessee high school saw three of its students die from suicide last year, the Mental Health Association of East Tennessee presented a program for the school’s parents on noticing signs of mental health issues and how to react.

A response to suffering

Deacon Joe Stackhouse teaches ethics and philosophy at Knoxville Catholic High School. He also provides ethics counseling in the diocese, particularly in regard to biomedical ethics.

“I think suicide is really always a response to suffering of one kind or another,” he said.

Suicide, he explained, is a choice made when people think that they are better off dead than alive. This Suicide continued on page A8 DECEMBER 3, 2017 n A7

Community support Left: Deacon Joe Stackhouse hands out doughnuts to students prior to class. Deacon Stackhouse, who serves at Immaculate Conception Church in Knoxville, also teaches ethics and philosophy at Knoxville Catholic High School.

A8 n DECEMBER 3, 2017

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Suicide continued from page A7

Below: Notre Dame High School guidance counselor Rocco Mansueto engages with students in a classroom setting. Mr. Mansueto believes in an open-door policy for students as part of his counseling.

The need for community

Each teen is different, and they react to situations and stressors differently; that’s why it is important to ask them how they feel and what they think about what they are going through.

“We’ve got to talk to our kids a lot.” Mrs. Coy said. “Sometimes I think we get scared of talking about the tough subjects. And we need to do that and do it often, so that doesn’t get to a place where they just condition themselves not to talk about it. I mean, some teens get to high school and they’re pushing their parents farther and farther away, and they want that space, and parents want to be respectful of that, but at the end of the day, we’ve got to remember that we’re chartered to raise these kids to be saints.”

For parents, it also is good to monitor their teen’s use and time on social media. It is an integral part of teenage social structure these days, but parents have a right to know who their teens are talking to and to limit time spent online.

“The resolution is not, I don’t think, saying that technology is evil or social media is evil,” Father Hendershott said. “There are a lot of risks, certainly, and they should be made aware of.

“But the solution, I think, is supernatural hope. The solution is the theological virtue of hope. The answer is not saying, this is bad, this is bad. No, the answer is you are loved, unconditionally, by God the Father. You are made in his image.

By baptism you are restored to that likeness. He delights in you. He delights in all these students.”

While limiting time spent online and monitoring for bullying are good, instilling teens with hope and love will go much further in helping them grow into healthy, confident adults.

Just starting a conversation, or establishing the space for teens to feel comfortable talking about their problems, is often the biggest hurdle. Mrs. Coy said KCHS works to create an environment of open communication. Being a Catholic school helps with that.

“At our school, since we talk about faith so much, talking about our feelings or our emotions tends to be a little bit easier because we already do that as a faith community.

We talk about doubt. We talk about sin. We talk about our struggles and our journeys,” she said.

KCHS also has the Student Assistance Program (SAP). A licensed clinical social worker is on campus four days a week providing free, confidential counseling during the school day.

Mr. Mansueto said the NDHS community also works to connect to every student and make them feel welcome to approach a counselor or teacher with their problems. He said he tries to get to know each student and has an open-door policy.

“If you have an open-door policy, if you are working hard to connect with the kids, if you are visible, if you are somebody who they connect with, I don’t think it’s hard,” he said. He added that students often will come in on their own and that it’s always a good sign when students are actively choosing to come

COURTESY OF NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL

faulty assumption leads them to reject the life they have been given.

When they hold no hope that life will improve or they doubt that their life has any worth, then they begin to see suicide as an option.

Another faulty assumption suicidal people often hold, Deacon Stackhouse said, is that what actions we take in this life have no bearing on the next.

“We don’t know that. As a matter of fact, our faith tells us the very opposite,” he said.

Suicide is never anyone’s first option. It is a decision made out of suffering and despair. Society tells us that life should always fulfill every want. But suffering is a part of life.

Everyone experiences stress, loss, loneliness, and sadness.

Suffering, in any form, can feel like a black pit — overwhelming, unbearable. But our faith teaches us that suffering can be transformed into something good.

Pope St. John Paul II wrote about the power of redemptive suffering, pointing out that suffering is not pointless. Jesus suffered. When we suffer, He understands how we feel.

Those suffering can unite their trials with the suffering of Jesus.

In his apostolic letter Salvifici Doloris, Pope St. John Paul II said, “… the Church is continually being built up spiritually as the Body of Christ.

In this Body, Christ wishes to be united with every individual, and in a special way he is united with those who suffer.”

Jesus sought out the suffering, the sick, and the lonely. He suffers with them, and they suffer with Him. “But if at the same time in this weakness there is accomplished his lifting up, confirmed by the power of the resurrection, then this means that the weaknesses of all human sufferings are capable of being infused with the same power of God manifested in Christ’s Cross.

In such a concept, to suffer means to become particularly susceptible, particularly open to the working of the salvific powers of God, offered to humanity in Christ,” Pope St. John Paul II said.

It is through Christ’s suffering that the world was redeemed. As Christians we are called to share in that suffering. There is a purpose.

The Church teachings on suffering offer hope, even in dark times.

Suffering is deeper than pain; it carries the weight of an injustice — that things should not be this way.

In that way, suffering itself expresses some form of hope. The person who is suffering recognizes that the ways things are is contrary to the way things should be.

“In suffering there is a built-in hope,” Deacon Stackhouse said.

“They see the possibility of things being different and better than the way they are now. It’s when they no longer see that things can be better is when they despair.”

It is that point of despair — when hope is gone — that people turn to suicide.

While we can’t fix every problem in a person’s life, we can show them support and compassion. By being open and listening, friends and family can help a teen who is struggling from total despair.

“The primary tool that patients used to cope with suffering is a strong support system, and I think that would be true for teens, too,” Deacon Stackhouse said. “If they have a strong support system, they can endure their suffering. You can’t spare them suffering, but help them.

If they have a strong support system, they can endure their suffering and find their way through it.”

Talking seems like a simple act, but it can make a big difference. Just by listening, you can demonstrate to someone else that they have value and that you care about them.

Mrs. Coy said it is important for people, especially parents, to create an environment of dialogue so that if a crisis arises, teens already will feel comfortable coming forward and sharing how they feel.

“It’s OK for parents to say, ‘I don’t know how to have this conversation with you, but I feel like I should,’” she said.

in and ask for help.

Mr. Mansueto also works to make students aware of the warning signs of suicide so that they can potentially spot and reach out to peers who need help. In September, as part of Suicide Awareness Month, NDHS rang a bell over the intercom every 12-13 minutes to demonstrate the rate of suicide: one life every 12-and-a-half minutes.

“We try to find subtle ways of creating awareness within our students, but the most important thing, too, is once you have that awareness and what those warning signs are, what are the action steps needed,” he said.

He added that listening to someone and letting them share what they’re feeling and experiencing is crucial.

“What they feel might not make sense to you — you may want to say things like, ‘It’s not that bad.

You’re overreacting.’ But it’s important to validate others’ experiences.

What may not seem like a big deal to you can be destroying another,” Mr. Mansueto pointed out.

“Minimizing somebody’s experience or thought process, devaluing it, shaming them, judging them, minimizing them, is probably the worst thing that we could do,” he said.

Mrs. Coy agreed.

“The biggest thing is not to judge and understand that if they could feel better, they would,” she said.

“Sometimes people will say, ‘Well, just quit thinking about what makes you unhappy and snap out of it.’

Kind of that ‘buck up and pull yourself up by the bootstraps’ mentality. … Rather, be really empathic and just be there for them. Offering, ‘Do you want to go for a walk? Who do you want to talk to? Can you make some arrangements to try to seek somebody out? I’ll go with you, or I’ll find somebody.’”

Defending life

Those who are suffering need the comfort that they are not alone.

They also need to be reassured that they are loved and have worth. You love them. God loves them. They are part of something greater.

Suicide is a social act. It hurts more people than the victim. It hurts those left behind who often wonder, “Why did she do that?” “Why wasn’t I enough?” and “What could I have done to stop it?”

Processing the death of a loved one also requires attention and compassion. Those grieving need the space to ask those tough questions that may not have answers.

Mrs. Coy recalled a time when a KCHS student died. The faculty and staff all supported one another and made sure they were available to the

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students who needed extra support during that time.

“I think that’s why we all work here, and that’s why people send their kids here,” she said. “Community is really our important piece.

We’re going to be a community; we’re going to celebrate our good times together, and we’ll be there in the hard times, too. We have a network of counselors that we can reach out to if we need extra counselors, and we can provide those to the kids.”

Another concern friends and family have when a loved one dies by suicide is if that person is in hell.

In his encyclical Evangelium Vitae, Pope St. John Paul II affirmed the Church teaching that suicide, like any other taking of a life, is a gravely immoral act: “Even though a certain psychological, cultural, and social conditioning may induce a person to carry out an action which so radically contradicts the innate inclination to life, thus lessening or removing subjective responsibility, suicide, when viewed objectively, is a gravely immoral act. In fact, it involves the rejection of love of self and the renunciation of the obligation of justice and charity towards one’s neighbor, towards the communities to which one belongs, and towards society as a whole.”

While suicide is a grave act that rejects life, the Church teaches that we cannot know if someone is in hell or not.

“It’s not up to us to make that judgment on where a person goes, whether they kill themselves or not,” Deacon Stackhouse said. “The Church just says it’s not up to us to judge. It’s up to us to pray for those who take their own lives.”

As Christians, we are obligated to defend life. We must see the dignity and worth in ourselves and in others, and to help others recognize their own dignity and worth.

Pope St. John Paul II said, “Everyone who stops beside the suffering of another person, whatever form it may take, is a Good Samaritan.”

This task can be challenging, especially regarding teens. They don’t always know how to ask for help. The conversations are not always easy.

But they could save a life.

It may be helpful for teens to keep emergency numbers saved in their phones. The ability to get immediate help during a crisis can make a difference. These can be the numbers of adults they trust, the local non-emergency police number, or a crisis hotline. n National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255; n TN Crisis Line: 855-274-7471; n Crisis Text Line: 741741. ■ TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C A TH OLI C

Book signings held for diocesan authors

Father William Oruko, AJ, receives transfer to Archdiocese of Portland

By Bill Brewer

Father William Oruko, AJ, who has served in the Diocese of Knoxville since 2003, has been reassigned by his order, the Apostles of Jesus, to serve in Oregon.

Father Oruko, who is from Kenya, has served at Sacred Heart Cathedral, St. Mary Parish in Oak Ridge, St. Mary Parish in Athens, and lastly at St. Dominic in Kingsport.

Bishop Richard F. Stika said he was informed of the Father Oruko transfer in early September

by Father Augustine Idra, AJ, who is the regional superior of the Apostles of Jesus.

Father Oruko’s transfer was effective Oct. 1.

“Our dear friend Father Augustine Idra informed me that he was transferring Father William from the Diocese of Knoxville to serve in the Archdiocese of Portland. Father William has provided excellent priestly ministry within our diocese since 2003. His contagious smile and love of the faithful has enriched all of us who have been privileged to know him. I will miss Father William and ask you Father Massawe to please join me in praying for him as he begins this new journey and assignment,” Bishop Stika said in a letter to members of the diocese.

With the transfer of Father Oruko, the Apostles of Jesus have assigned Father Emmanuel Massawe, AJ, to serve in the Diocese of Knoxville.

“I will be appointing Father Emmanuel as parochial vicar to St. Dominic Church in Kingsport, effective Oct. 2. Father Emmanuel was born in Tanzania and will be coming to us from Cleveland, Ohio, where he just finished obtaining a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from John Carroll University,” Bishop Stika added. “As we say good bye to our faithful friend Father William, let us offer an East Tennessee welcome to Father Emmanuel.”

BILL BREWER

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wo Diocese of Knoxville parishioners who are active in the faith have recently published books that examine community within the Catholic Church.

The authors, Monica Kimutis and Dr. Tricia Bruce, and their books were on display Sept. 30 at the Paraclete Catholic Book and Gift Store at 417 Erin Drive in Knoxville on Sept. 30, where they discussed their projects and signed their books for customers.

Dr. Bruce, associate professor of sociology at Maryville College, has developed years of research about social diversification within the Church into her book, Parish and Place: Making Room for Diversity in the American Catholic Church.

Dr. Bruce’s book, published by Oxford University Press, is the third one she has had published or been involved in that takes an in-depth look at the Church. The others are Faithful Revolution: How Voice of the Faithful is Changing the Church (Oxford University Press, 2014) and, a book which she co-edited, Polarization in the U.S. Catholic Church: Naming the Wounds, Beginning to Heal (Liturgical Press, 2016).

Dr. Bruce recently has worked with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in researching Asian and Pacific Island Catholics. The USCCB asked Dr. Bruce and fellow researchers to give a presentation at a recent USCCB general assembly on that research.

Mrs. Kimutis, who is active in youth and young adult ministry with her husband, Jared Kimutis, decided to detail what she and her husband have learned in a book, Cultivating Your Catholic Community, that she hopes will serve as

Author! Author! Writers Monica Kimutis, left, and Dr. Tricia Bruce, center, discuss their books during a book signing at the Paraclete store. a guide in helping young couples and families find their place in a parish.

The Kimutises, who were active in the diocese’s Frasatti Fellowship for young adults, recently began a ministry for couples and young families called the Jesus Mary Joseph group. ■

Diocese of Knoxville churches and schools will be selling 2018 calendars during the month of December to benefit the diocesan Tuition Assistance Fund in each deanery and all parishes.

The calendars are on sale for $36.50, which is equal to 10 cents a day, with $15 from each calendar sold going to the school or parish that sold the calendar. The remaining dollars will go to tuition assistance.

Also as part of the calendar sales, each person who registers to buy a calendar will be eligible to take part in a diocesan-wide raffle for $50,000 in cash prizes.

The Catholic school calendars will highlight Catholic education and each month will feature a diocesan school and show how each of the diocese’s 10 schools and the main schools office are preparing scholars, leaders, and saints.

Anyone interested in purchasing a calendar for themselves or as a gift can contact any church, parish office, or Diocese of Knoxville school. You also can buy a calendar online at https://dioknox.org/calendar-fund/

Diocesan teens, youth ministers attend NCYC in Indianapolis More than 130 teens, chaperones, and youth ministers from the Diocese of Knoxville attended the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis last month.

The conference, held every other year, gathers young Catholics for prayer, worship, and lessons on topics relevant to living as a Catholic in today’s world.

This year’s conference was held from Nov. 15-18 at Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indianapolis Convention Center. More than 20,000 attendees were expected take part in sessions addressing a variety of subjects including forgiveness, Catholic spirituality and prayer, global issues, sexuality, and leadership.

Featured speakers and performers were Chris Stefanick, Sister Miriam Heidland, Roy Petitfils, Brian Greenfield, Father Joseph A. Espaillat II, TobyMac, and Matt Maher.

Fr. Cleveland is featured speaker at Office of Consecrated Life dinner Father Greg Cleveland, OMV, will be the keynote speaker at the Office of Consecrated Life appreciation dinner Dec. 15 from 6-8 p.m.

Father Cleveland, a noted retreat master and author, will lead a half-day retreat Dec. 16 from 9:30 a.m.- 2 p.m. at All Saints Parish in Knoxville. Mass will be celebrated, and reconciliation will be available.

Tickets for Friday’s dinner are $20. Tickets for Saturday’s retreat, including lunch, are $10.

Tickets can be purchased by contacting Sister Mary Charles Mayer, RSM, director of the Office of Consecrated Life, at 865-862-5760 or by e-mail at srmarycharles@dioknox.org. ■

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BILL BREWER

Churches, schools selling 2018 calendars to aid students, parishes

In praise of fallen soldiers Bishop Richard F. Stika gives remarks and the benediction during the opening ceremony for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial replica that was on display Oct. 4-8 at Lynnhurst Cemetery in Knoxville.

Lawyer continued from page A6

and studying for the bar behind her, but she recognizes the challenges that now come with being a lawyer.

“It’s such a rewarding feeling for your accomplishments to be recognized. On the other hand, it’s a whole new type of burden. It’s a whole new level

of responsibility that doesn’t really hit you until you’re given that title,” she said.

“The law is not stagnant; it’s constantly changing. And so as a legal practitioner, you have to stay on top of that.” She works to stay up-to-date on changing laws and new court decisions that might affect her clients at

Catholic Charities.

She likes the warm, supportive environment Catholic Charities has for its staff and clients.

“I am excited to see this organization grow. I am excited to see how we are going to continue to reach the community in ways we couldn’t before.” ■

Our Lady of Grace Catholic School Seeking Elementary/Middle School Principal n Our Lady of Grace (OLG) Catholic School is lo-

cated in Greensboro, North Carolina. The Parish is seeking a loyal and participating Catholic for the position of School Principal beginning July 1, 2018. Our Lady of Grace has a student population of 230 students and a faculty of 25. n OLG administers student programs for children from age 3 through 8th grade. We also serve a special community of children through differentiated learning with our PACE and Quest programs. n Academic/Professional Requirements: Master’s degree in educational administration/supervision or a Master’s degree in education with a willingness to obtain administrative certification. Experience in a Catholic school and special education programs is preferred. n The candidate must be: strongly committed to educating our children in the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church in both word and example; enthusiastic about Catholic Schools and their mission; able to work collaboratively with parish administration, faculty, staff, parents and parish organizations; and able to articulate and implement a vision for the school in areas of curriculum, outreach and technology.

Please send a resumé and cover letter to: Annette Bagnoli, School Administrative Assistant 201 S. Chapman Street, Greensboro, NC 27403 abagnoli@olgsch.org Applications accepted through January 15, 2018.

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DECEMBER 3, 2017 n A9

‘Do you love Jesus?’

Bishop Stika addresses participants during the diocesanwide V Encuentro Oct. 21 at Knoxville Catholic High School.

Joining Bishop Stika is Blanca Primm, diocesan director of Hispanic Ministry.

Prioritizing concerns

Mrs. Primm and Brittany Koepke, who coordinates the diocese’s Pastoral Juvenil Hispana (Hispanic Youth and Young Adult Ministry), said another aspect of the Oct. 21 V Encuentro was to discuss best practices among parishes to minister to Hispanic adults, young adults, and youth as well as to come up with diocesan priorities for supporting what already is happening at the parish level.

As the participants met in small groups, they were charged with discussing priorities in Hispanic outreach and also with making priority recommendations. Supporting families in crisis was a top priority recommendation. Transportation was another one, as was how to effectively minister to Hispanic youth and young adults, especially those who are not active in the Church, and get them engaged in the Church. Still another one was the importance of parish priests to be present in the lives of their Hispanic parishioners and better understand their cultural expressions.

“The Hispanic community understands that all priests don’t speak Spanish, but their presence and understanding of the culture and faith needs are important. Even if they don’t know Spanish, they can be present and involved. This says they care,” Miss Koepke said.

Sedonna Prater, a Sacred Heart Cathedral parishioner and director of curriculum and instruction for the Diocese of Knoxville school system, who has been working primarily with Hispanic youth in A10 n DECEMBER 3, 2017

the diocesan Encuentro program, said five primary areas of concern covered in the Encuentro were faith formation, ministry of family, ministry of youth, immigration, and leadership. With youth outreach a major thrust, she cited statistics to justify the emphasis.

She said 63 percent of all Catholics in the United States under age 18 are Hispanic, and 95 percent of that group is second-generation Hispanic.

Mrs. Primm emphasized that V Encuentro is encouraging participants to leave their “comfort zone” by going out and talking to people who might be lonely or estranged from the Church, whether they are youth, young adults, adults, or seniors.

“They are discovering that they can be disciples,” Mrs. Primm said. “They want opportunities to serve. It is important for parishes to recognize these talents and their willingness to serve their parishes.”

In addition to concelebrating Mass, Father Cardona was among the speakers at the diocesan Encuentro. He spoke about what missionary disciples are and how they can continue to serve as those missionary disciples. Miss Koepke said many participants spoke about how meaningful it was for them to have a priest like Father Cardona who can speak to them in their primary language.

“Pope Francis talks about going out and meeting the faithful where they are in the circumstances they are facing. It’s not only talking about theology, it’s talking about the things they are dealing with in their daily struggles,” Father Cardona said.

Also among those taking part in V Encuentro is Chester Pun-chuen, a Sacred Heart parishioner and diocesan volunteer.

Mr. Pun-chuen said he has been touched by how the Hispanic community is so engaged in the Encuentro process, noting he is struck by the community’s “cry for help.”

Mrs. Primm, Miss Koepke, Mrs. Prater, and Mr. Pun-chuen talked of the Hispanic community’s desire for more opportunities to learn English as a second language, to celebrate Mass in Spanish, to be fully engaged in the diocesan community, to be more included in parish life, and the need for more Christian formation.

“They would love to see the entire diocesan community supporting them. They would like to see more English-speaking parishioners taking part in the Encuentro,” Mr. Pun-chuen said, noting that V Encuentro has borne fruit, not the least of which is identifying leaders to keep the process going.

“We’re all on this salvation journey, but we must tend to their corporal needs as well as their spiritual needs,” Mrs. Prater said. “I have great hope that the issues that arose in our diocese and were discussed here will emerge across the country, and I hope this will unify us. My prayer is that this process won’t stop, that it will keep going.”

Mrs. Primm described the task in front of V Encuentro leaders as “huge,” which means they must

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Encuentro from page A1

Rafael Capó, director of the Southeast Pastoral Institute in Miami, also concelebrating.

After Mass, Bishop Stika told the congregants that one of his favorite Scripture verses is the story of Jesus on the road to Emmaus and His encounter with disciples who did not recognize Him. “Remember when I asked earlier how are you going to recognize Jesus; in the breaking of the bread, the Eucharist, and the sharing of the Word, the teaching of Jesus? Jesus is here, and we’re on a journey.

We’re going to be walking with Jesus. You know, the word Mass means to be sent forth. We want to follow the example of the apostles in the Diocese of Knoxville,” Bishop Stika said.

Telling them there will be times when he will lead them, and then there will be times when he will push them, Bishop Stika said that likewise there will be times when they will lead and push him.

“But we’re all going in the same direction. We’re going to Jesus, enflamed by the Holy Spirit, under the protection of the Blessed Mother. You see, God does not want us to fail. He doesn’t. He wants to strengthen us through the sacraments, by the Scriptures, by our prayer, and by our love,” he said.

Blanca Primm, director of the Diocese of Knoxville’s Office of Hispanic Ministry who has coordinated the diocese’s V Encuentro process, said she was pleased with the turnout, which consisted of representatives from 20 of the diocese’s 51 parishes and mission churches.

Twenty-five parishes with Hispanic ministries and one parish with no Hispanic ministry have been taking part in V Encuentro.

She said more than 3,000 people have been impacted by the V Encuentro process.

“This was a time to share our missionary experience, our encounter with Jesus, in our small-group sessions. We also shared how we discovered our talents and our call to be missionary disciples,” Mrs. Primm said. “Bishop Stika urged us to love Jesus and make Him known. If we love Jesus, we have to share Jesus with others. We have to tell others about Jesus.”

Celebrating V Encuentro Father Julian Cardona, associate pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Lenoir City, gives the homily during the closing Mass for the diocesan-wide V Encuentro. prioritize the concerns as they prepare for the regional and national Encuentros.

“We can’t answer everything at once. But we can work toward that,” she said.

Father Cardona said building community is critical to the success of V Encuentro. He added that growth of the Hispanic community across the Diocese of Knoxville is occurring, but there is a need to unify that community with the greater diocesan community despite the cultural differences.

“The Holy Spirit is leading us in

this direction, and He is making it happen earlier rather than later,” he said. “This is the kind of love Jesus offered to everyone, not just the believers. Being able to be concerned about the Hispanic community in these matters is a connection with Jesus. This is a very real encounter with God.” The Encuentro leaders agreed they would like to see all diocesan priests take active roles in the Hispanic community and be welcoming, whether they have large, small, or no Hispanic congregations.

Encuentro continued on page A11

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TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C A TH OLI C

Blessed Solanus Casey beatified during Detroit Mass

B

lessed Solanus Casey always said that “as long as there is a spark of faith,” there can be no discouragement or sorrow, said Cardinal Angelo Amato, head of the Vatican’s Congregation for Saints’ Causes.

His words were accompanied by “the concrete practice of faith, hope, and charity in his everyday life,” said the cardinal in his homily during the Nov. 18 beatification Mass for the beloved Capuchin Franciscan friar from Detroit who was known for his cures and wise counsel.

“He came from an Irish family of profound Catholic convictions.

Faith for him was a very precious inheritance for facing the difficulties of life,” Cardinal Amato said.

“When the young Bernard (his given name) Casey entered the Capuchins, he passed from one community of faith to another.”

Blessed Solanus “focused on the poor, the sick, the marginated and the hopeless,” Cardinal Amato said. “He always fasted in order to

give others their lunch. For hours upon hours, he patiently received, listened, and counseled the evergrowing number of people who came to him.”

The friar saw people “as human beings, images of God. He didn’t pay attention to race, color, or religious creed,” the cardinal said.

A congregation of 66,000 people filled Ford Field, home of the NFL’s Detroit Lions, which was transformed for the Mass. The altar, placed at midfield, was created originally for St. John Paul II’s visit to the Pontiac Silverdome in 1987.

To the right of the altar was a large painting of Blessed Solanus. It was unveiled after the beatification rite, which took place at the beginning of the Mass.

Dozens of bishops, priests, and deacons processed into the stadium for the start of the liturgy. The music was provided by a 25-member orchestra and a choir of 300 directed by Capuchin Franciscan Father Ed Foley. The singers were members of parish choirs from

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

Beloved Capuchin Franciscan friar was revered for his cures and wise counsel

Detroit beatification Blessed Solanus Casey was beatified during a Mass Nov. 18 at Ford Field in Detroit. The Capuchin Franciscan friar is pictured in an undated photo. across the Detroit metro area.

Cardinal Amato was the main celebrant, joined at the altar by Detroit Archbishop Allen H. Vigner-

The fruits of our labor

The Encuentros are bearing fruit.

Since this grassroots Encuentro effort began at the local parish level in January, more than 250,000 missionary disciples have so far gotten involved, and more than 40,000 leaders have been selected as delegates to represent their parishes and Catholic organizations in diocesan Encuentros such as the one in Knoxville on Oct. 21.

As of Nov. 11, 88 dioceses had completed their consultation process and diocesan Encuentros to develop a working document for Hispanic ministry in each diocese.

These working documents will aid in drafting reports for the regional phase and will culminate at the V Encuentro national event to be celebrated Sept. 20-23 in Grapevine, with approximately 3,000 delegates from dioceses across the country participating.

After that, a time for reflection on the findings, identification of good ministerial practices, and implementation strategies at the local level will follow.

Bishop Nelson Pérez, bishop of Cleveland and chairman of the USCCB Subcommittee on Hispanic Affairs, provided a report on V Encuentro to the Fall General Assembly of Catholic Bishops in Baltimore on Nov. 14. He noted that initial results counted 250,000 missionary disciples participating across the country, but that number will increase as more reports are submitted.

Bishop Pérez informed the U.S. bishops that more than 288 parishes have started Hispanic ministries as a direct result of V Encuentro, and participants now recognize their baptismal call to missionary discipleship, evangelizing beyond the parish grounds, and serving the whole Church. Many are no longer afraid to invite, give witness, and share their faith with others.

Diocesan Encuentros across the nation have expressed gratitude that bishops are becoming more engaged in the Hispanic commuTH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C A T HO L I C

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According to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, 163 U.S. dioceses have engaged in the fifth National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry. While this initiative is a process of evangelization, consultation, and mission that was officially launched last year to discern ways for the U.S. Catholic Church to better respond to the growing Hispanic presence and to help Hispanic Catholics strengthen their Christian identity and their response as missionary disciples, four other Encuentros have preceded it through the years dealing with other Church concerns.

In fact, III Encuentro recommended that each diocese implement Hispanic Ministry programs, a move that is spotlighted in V Encuentro.

Selfie Encounter Father Rafael Capó of the Southeast Pastoral Institute, takes a selfie of V Encuentro participants Oct. 21 at Knoxville Catholic High School. nity. Dioceses also have reported changes to staffing, with 35 dioceses hiring pastoral staff for Hispanic ministry, 52 dedicating more time to Hispanic ministry, and 21 hiring support staff. Dioceses reported a total of more than 300 volunteers — an average of about two per diocese — enlisted to help with communications and social media. Parishes also have benefited from the process, with 30 pastoral positions for Hispanic ministry created in parishes as a result of V Encuentro.

Bishop Pérez thanked his fellow bishops for the ways they have embraced and implemented V Encuentro in their dioceses.

“There is no doubt that the Holy Spirit has been quite busy and feeling very much at home in these diocesan Encuentros,” said Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller of San Antonio, who is chairman of the USCCB Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church, which is responsible for the V Encuentro initiative on behalf of the USCCB. “There are plenty of stories and visible signs that the personal and pastoral conversion that our Holy Father speaks of in The Joy of the Gospel has been taking place in these gatherings in dioceses across the United States.”

Diocese of Knoxville parish teams first held V Encuentro training in December 2016. At that time, the parish teams organized V Encuentro parish orientation and facilitator training in preparation for the V Encuentro sessions that are the heart of this four-year process. Parishes held their own Encuentros to share the findings and results of their training sessions.

Every person who participated in the five training sessions at his or her parish was invited to attend the diocesan Encuentro at Knoxville Catholic High School on Oct. 21, leading to the strong turnout.

“Everyone was engaged and participated. Everyone was more than eager to go at it,” Miss Koepke said about the diocesan Encuentro.

Also as part of V Encuentro efforts in the diocese, the Office of Hispanic Ministry and the Office

of Christian Formation organized a presentation by Father David Boettner, rector of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, on Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel). This presentation was held at St. Thomas the Apostle Church on March 11, and the funds raised were applied to V Encuentro expenses.

Spreading seeds of hope

Just before he concluded the diocesan V Encuentro with a symbolic balloon drop, Bishop Stika related a story about St. Teresa of Kolkata.

He said Mother Teresa once encountered a woman lying on the side of the road. As she reached out to the woman to lift her out of the gutter and take her to a home

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By Catholic News Service on, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States, and Boston Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley, himself a Capuchin Franciscan.

In the congregation were 240 Capuchin friars and at least 300 members of the Casey family from across America and their ancestral country of Ireland. The Casey family’s Irish roots were reflected in the Irish hymns chosen as part of the music for the liturgy.

“What a witness was our beloved Solanus,” said Father Michael Sullivan, provincial minister of the Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Joseph in Detroit, as the ceremony began. “He opened his heart to all people who came to him. He prayed with them, he appreciated them, and through him, God loved them powerfully again and again.”

“For decades countless faithful have awaited this moment,” said Archbishop Vigneron before asking Cardinal Amato to read the Blessed continued on page A14

for the dying, the woman began screaming, “Leave me alone.” The woman was Hindu and was afraid Mother Teresa was going to proselytize her to Christianity.

Mother Teresa responded by saying “my” God wanted her to help this woman. As a Hindu who worships several gods, the woman looked at Mother Teresa and asked her what the name of her God was.

“Mother Teresa told her, ‘my God’s name is love,’” Bishop Stika said. “We live in a scary world, especially in the United States right now.

There are a lot of people who are nervous. And if you are one of those people who are nervous, trust Jesus.

Trust good Americans and bishops and priests, and sisters and brothers.

Because we do together what we can’t do by ourselves. What we do together, we do with Jesus.”

Bishop Stika’s participation in V Encuentro was an inspiration to the diocese’s Hispanic community, which was uplifted by his remarks at a time of great uncertainty. He ended the diocesan Encuentro by starting the balloon drop. The balloons were yellow to symbolize hope, and seeds inside the balloons represented the Gospel to be spread.

“His presence and his words gave a lot of comfort to those in attendance. His words brought tears to some of the people and moved them. He told them to not be in fear, don’t be afraid. The diocese is with them,” Miss Koepke said.

For more information on V Encuentro, visit vencuentro.org or contact Blanca Primm at bprimm@ dioknox.org. ■

DECEMBER 3, 2017 n A11

New museum tells story of the Bible — every chapter, verse

By Mark Pattison/Catholic News Service

Museum continued on page A13

Cathedral continued from page A1

tion with the official groundbreaking of the cathedral and featured Bishop Stika, Cardinal Rigali, Cardinal Dolan, and Cardinal Levada.

A schedule of Masses and services are planned for the new cathedral, which has been under construction since April 2015.

While the dedication Mass and the “Conversation with the Cardinals” will require tickets to attend, all other Masses and services will be open to the public.

Bishop Stika, who will celebrate the Dedication Mass, said the Mass and Rite of Dedication of a church and its altar is one of the most solemn liturgical celebrations in the Catholic Church.

The rite is sacred and dates back to the early years of the Church.

The bishop has noted that the Mass and the rite will elevate “this beautiful structure into holiness.”

“The Mass and Rite of Dedication of the cathedral will be a truly historic event in the history of our young diocese. It is a beautiful and elaborate ceremony in which the walls will be anointed, the baptistery, ambo, and tabernacle will be blessed as well as so many other items that play an important role in the liturgical space of a building,” he said.

“Special emphasis will be given to the altar of sacrifice, which will be anointed with the Holy Chrism that will indeed set it apart from just serving as a marble table. It will be in a very sacramental way Jesus himself. Also, the blessing of the cathedra (chair of the bishop) will be a focal point, for it is from this word in Latin that the name cathedral is drawn. The cathedral is the mother church of the diocese from which the bishop presides from his chair,” the bishop added.

“From the dedication on, March 3 will be a day of celebration in the Diocese of Knoxville and will be remembered in a special way

DAN MCWILLIAMS

H

ey, Smithsonian, there’s a new kid on the block.

It’s the Museum of the Bible, just a few blocks from the National Mall in Washington.

With its opening to the public Nov. 18, it tells visitors how the Bible—both Old Testament and New Testament—has intersected society and at times even transformed it.

The people behind the museum say that if visitors were to read the card behind every artwork, saw every video, heard every song, and took part in every interactive experience—including a Broadway-style musical called “Amazing Grace” about the song’s writer, John Newton, and the biblical inspiration behind the abolitionist movement—it would take them 72 hours to do it all.

But visitors can take their time, because there is no admission charge to the museum.

The museum was the brainchild of Steve Green, chairman of the museum’s board of directors and president of the Hobby Lobby chain of arts and crafts stores. It was Hobby Lobby that successfully argued before the Supreme Court in 2014 that, as a closely held company, its owners based on their religious beliefs should not have to comply with a federal mandate to cover all forms of contraceptives because some act as abortifacients.

“It’s exciting to share the Bible with the world,” Green said at a Nov. 15 press preview of the museum, which is just one block from a subway stop serving three of the Washington-area subway system’s six lines.

The $500 million museum had its coming-out party in 2011 at the Vatican Embassy in Washing-

Diocese of Knoxville priests make cathedral donation Bishop Richard F. Stika accepts a check Oct. 17 for $178,000 from Monsignor Bob Hofstetter, pastor of Good Shepherd Parish in Newport, that will be used “for the altar of sacrifice, cathedra, and sanctuary appointments” in the new Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus “in gratitude from the priests of the Diocese of Knoxville.”

Catholic Charities raising awareness for area programs

C

atholic Charities of East Tennessee is raising awareness about its critical programs through luncheons in Chattanooga and Knoxville.

The 360 Degrees of Hope Luncheon in Chattanooga was held Nov. 17 at the Westin Chattanooga Hotel and featured Tom Ferriter, president and CEO of food products maker

at all of our parishes in years to come. Bishops from around the country and even in other parts of the world will be invited to attend.

But truly it will be a celebration for all the faithful of the Catholic Church in East Tennessee.”

Prior to the dedication Mass, a Final Vespers service in the original Sacred Heart Cathedral will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 25. Following this service, Cardinal Rigali and the Knights of Columbus will lead a transfer of relics and the dedication stone that toured the diocese in solemn procession to the new cathedral, where Bishop Stika will receive them. The Final Vespers and solemn procession for the transfer of relics are open to the public.

For the week beginning on Monday, Feb. 26, leading to the cathedral dedication, weekday school Masses at Sacred Heart will be held in the school gymnasium, and noon Mass will be celebrated in the Our Lady of the Mountains Chapel at the Chancery.

On Friday, March 2, Sacred Heart Cathedral School will be in session for a half-day and First Vespers in the new Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus will be held at 7 p.m. This service will also be open to the public.

On Saturday, March 3, doors to the new cathedral open to invitees at 10:30 a.m., and from 10:30 a.m. to noon individual cultural choirs and a diocesan choir will provide music until Mass begins at noon.

At 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 3, a vigil Mass will be celebrated in the new cathedral that is open to everyone.

Then on March 4, regularly scheduled Sunday Masses at 7:30, 9, and 11 a.m. and (in Spanish) at 1 p.m. will begin.

Also on Sunday, March 4, at 7 p.m., a Conversation with the Cardinals will be held in the cathedral, led by Bishop Stika and

Bush Brothers & Co., as keynote speaker.

The 360 Degrees of Hope Luncheon in Knoxville is being held Dec. 7 at Park Pavilion, featuring keynote speaker Lt. Gov. Randy McNally.

The events are fundraisers for all CCETN programs with services supporting children who are victims of abuse, neglect, or endangerment; vulnerable

featuring Cardinal Dziwisz, who is expected to share his many experiences with Pope St. John Paul II, including the moments when the pope was shot in St. Peter’s Square. Upon being shot, Pope John Paul II slumped into Cardinal Dziwisz’s arms.

Other dates of interest for the new Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus as it becomes the mother church for the Diocese of Knoxville: n Monday, March 19, 7 p.m. — blessing of the St. Joseph altar; n Tuesday, March 27, 7 p.m. — Chrism Mass; n Monday, April 9, 7 p.m. — blessing of the Blessed Virgin Mary altar and an ecumenical prayer service; n Thursday, April 19, 7 p.m. — interfaith prayer service; n Thursday, April 26, 6 p.m. — Mass for the Knoxville Diocesan Council of Catholic Women; n Sunday, June 3, 4 p.m. — Mass with the Knights of Columbus for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi; n And at a date and time to be determined, a prayer service with construction workers who have been involved in the construction of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The following confirmation Masses also are scheduled for the new cathedral: n Saturday, April 7, 10 a.m. — Sacred Heart, Immaculate Conception, St. John XXIII, St. Albert the Great;

adults, including those living with mental illness or HIV/ AIDS; families in hardship, including immigrants, refugees, the rural poor, and those who are homeless or at risk for being homeless; and those facing the challenges of an unplanned pregnancy.

Catholic Charities provides more than a dozen programs in East Tennessee. ■

n Saturday, April 7, 2 p.m. — All Saints, St. Bridget, Holy Spirit, Shepherd of the Valley, Our Lady of Lourdes; n Saturday, April 14, 10 a.m. — St. John Neumann, St. Alphonsus, St. Francis of Assisi in Fairfield Glade, Blessed Sacrament; n Sunday, April 15, 4 p.m. — Our Lady of Fatima, St. Augustine, St. Teresa of Kolkata, St. John Paul II, Our Lady of Perpetual Help in LaFollette, St. Jude in Helenwood, St. Christopher, St. Ann; n Saturday, April 21, 10 a.m. — St. Mary in Oak Ridge, Divine Mercy, St. Mary in Gatlinburg, Holy Cross, St. Francis of Assisi in Townsend, Holy Family, St. Therese in Clinton, St. Joseph in Norris; n Sunday, April 22, 4 p.m. — St. Patrick, St. Dominic, St. Henry, St. James the Apostle, Christ the King, Holy Trinity, Good Shepherd; n Sunday, April 29, 4 p.m. — Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Chattanooga; n Saturday, May 5, 2 p.m. — St. Jude in Chattanooga, St. Stephen, the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul; n Sunday, May 6, 4 p.m. — St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. Catherine Labouré, St. Mary in Athens, St. Joseph the Worker in Madisonville; n Saturday, May 12, 10 a.m. — St. Mary in Johnson City, St. Michael the Archangel, Notre Dame in Greeneville; St. Elizabeth, St. Anthony of Padua; n Sunday, May 20, 6 p.m. — Diocesan-wide adult confirmation. ■

Father. Mother.

Brother. Sister.

Man. Woman.

...Really?

Diocese of Knoxville Men’s Retreat When: Dec. 9th.

Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: All Saints Catholic Church, Knoxville The retreat is free. Join Bishop Richard Stika and national Catholic speaker Nic Davidson.

Register at www.dioknox.org OR Email srannamarie@dioknox.org

Sponsored by the Office of Christian Formation.

The culture has a message about what it means to be a man: Nothing.

We disagree.

Catholic male identity: Claim it. Live it.

A12 n DECEMBER 3, 2017

www.di o k no x .o rg

TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C A TH OLI C

sary, use the designations “B.C.” and “A.D.” — Before Christ and Anno Domini, Latin for “year of the Lord” — to refer to the timeline of civilization marked by Jesus’ birth.

The Israeli Association for Antiquities has a 20-year deal with the museum to supply artifacts in a fifth-floor exhibit space.

There are a number of items on loan to the museum from the Vatican Museums and the Vatican Library. They’re in a tiny space on the museum’s ground floor — relatively speaking, since the museum totals 430,000 square feet. What

Museum continued from page A12

ton before a gathering of business, government, academic, and religious leaders.

Museum backers found a circa-1923 refrigeration warehouse that had been repurposed for other uses, bought the building, and set about expanding it, adding two stories and a skylight to the top of the structure and a sub-basement for storage space.

The result: six floors of exhibits, not to mention the theater, gift shop, and restaurants.

Most of the exhibits, when neces-

can’t be seen in person can be accessed by two dedicated computers in the exhibit area, one for the museums and one for the library.

Brian Hyland, an associate curator for medieval manuscripts at the museum, said the Vatican donations will be around for six months, then replaced by other artifacts.

Despite the Bible’s status as the best-selling and most-read book in history, one exhibit speaks of “Bible poverty” and the fact that roughly 1 billion people have never read the Bible in their native tongue.

An organization called IllumiNa-

tions, a collaborative effort by Bible translation agencies, is trying to change that.

The aim is to have, by 2033, 95 percent of the world’s people with access to the full Bible, 99.9 percent with at least the New Testament, and 100 percent with at least some parts of the Bible translated into what museum docent William Lazenby called “their heart languages.”

The exhibit space touting this endeavor is stocked with Bibles and New Testaments in various languages. ■ A Mass in blue Police officers, sheriff’s deputies, firefighters, and first responders took part in the annual Blue Mass Oct. 15 at Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Bishop Richard F. Stika celebrated the Mass, which was concelebrated by cathedral rector Father David Boettner.

Masses continued from page A4

TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C A T HO L I C

Stika said.

Sister Mariana and Diana Seaver, a registered nurse with the Legacy Clinic, spoke of what the White Mass means to them.

“The White Mass is a special Mass for those in the healing professions, because it acknowledges our role in continuing the healing ministry of Jesus and grants us extra grace and strength to perform our works of mercy,” Sister Mariana said.

Mrs. Seaver called the White Mass “pretty special, because I think there are so many people out there who need our healing, not just physical but emotional — just that hug and bright smile. Sister Mariana brings that to us, and then it’s just wonderful. To be able to share that in the parish community and just to feel validated.”

Bishop Stika celebrated the Blue Mass at the cathedral on Oct. 15 for firefighters, police officers, and emergency first responders and praised them for their service to the community. Father Boettner concelebrated the Mass.

A Knoxville Police Department honor guard led the Mass processional, accompanied by a Knights of Columbus honor guard.

In his homily, Bishop Stika looked at the police officers in attendance and described a recent encounter he had with one of East Tennessee’s finest.

As he was driving to Chattanooga last Christmas Day to visit Monsignor George Schmidt, who was ill and who died Dec. 29 at the age of 72 after an extended illness, Bishop Stika said he noticed blue lights in his rear view mirror.

Smiling at the officers, including Chief David Rausch of the Knoxville Police Department, Chief James Akagi of the Oak Ridge Police Department, and Chief Stan Sharp of the Knoxville Fire Department, the

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A Mass in green Military veterans in the diocese participated in the annual Veterans Mass Nov. 12 at Sacred Heart Cathedral that was celebrated by cathedral rector Father David Boettner and concelebrated by Father Joe Brando. bishop asked, “How often do you get a police escort?”

After the officer admonished Bishop Stika for a minor traffic infraction, the officer explained, “Reverend, if I give you a ticket today, it’s like giving Joseph a ticket on his way to Bethlehem.”

“I wanted to give him a hug,” Bishop Stika said as he praised the police officers, firefighters, and first responders for running toward danger when others are running away from it.

The bishop prayed for those in emergency services that they may always be safe and always be appreciated by the community.

Father Boettner celebrated a Veterans Mass for members of the military, active duty and retired, at the cathedral on Nov. 12 to commemorate Veterans Day. Concelebrating the Mass was Father Joe Brando, a retired Army lieutenant colonel, who served in the military for 21 years and was chief of chaplains for the Tennessee Army National Guard.

DAN MCWILLIAMS

ed. Readings were proclaimed by Sister Mariana Koonce, RSM, MD, medical director of the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic, and Dr. Dana Martin, a Sacred Heart parishioner and orthodontist.

In his homily, the bishop spoke of suffering, and he recalled the life of former diocesan seminarian Jeff Emitt, who died of cancer before he completed his studies. In the midst of his sufferings, Mr. Emitt asked to see Bishop Stika.

“He said, ‘Bishop, I want you to know this.’ He said, ‘Some days I just feel miserable because of the chemo and the drugs and the pain. But I want you to know this: whenever I am feeling bad, or if I have to have chemo or a shot, I’m offering it up for you as the bishop.’ For two reasons, he said, ‘First of all, you need all the help you can get.’ I don’t know if that was good or not. But he said, ‘You took a chance on me by accepting me into the seminary.’

And then he died.”

A member of Mr. Emitt’s cancer support group wrote Bishop Stika and said he would offer his illness up for the bishop, and a third person from the group did likewise, the bishop said.

“We don’t like to suffer. But what I’ve learned from dealing with cancer patients and people who are near the end of their journey here on earth, they said combining their sufferings with the sufferings of Jesus gives that suffering a purpose,” Bishop Stika said. “It’s not like ‘God is striking me down’ or ‘I should be miserable,’ but it gives them a purpose. We all need a purpose in life.”

Healing was high on Jesus’ priorities whenever he came to a new place, the bishop said.

“When Jesus entered a town, where was the first place he went? White Castle? The temple? Not usually,” Bishop Stika said. “Usually when he entered a town or a village, the first thing Jesus did was to teach and to heal.”

Jesus invites us to be His healing presence, the bishop said.

“It’s one of the basic beliefs, to reach out to the sick: a work of mercy.”

Bishop Stika said he prays for more than just those who are sick in the body.

“At Mass we pray for the sick. I always like to pray for the sick of the mind, of the body, and of the spirit, because there are people who have cancer and heart disease — and diabetes, like me — but there are other people who have great difficulty in life. Chemical reasons in the brain or they were confronted with something in their past, and they struggled, and so we pray for them. The mind and the spirit — there are some people who forgot about God, and they’re lost as well.”

Of those in the health-care world, the bishop said, “Let’s just give thanks to God for those people.”

“To all of you who are involved in health care, I just want to say thank you. So often it’s a thankless position because you’re dealing with ‘sick people.’ Let’s give thanks for those people who surround us in health care and in all these other positions in life, that make our days just a bit easier, just a bit better, so that we can accept.”

In his closing remarks, Bishop Stika told of a bishop who visited an ailing Pope John Paul II near the end of the Holy Father’s life and how the visiting bishop was saddened over the fact that it was likely the last time he would see the pontiff. The future saint then said to the visiting bishop, “Why, are you sick or something?”

“That’s a positive attitude,” Bishop

A Mass in white Bishop Richard F. Stika accepts the gifts for the White Mass Oct. 14 from health care professionals Marie Labbe (center) of St. Alphonsus Church, Diana Seaver (left) of All Saints Church, and Ruth Pavelchik of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Fairfield Glade. www.di o k no x .o rg

In his homily, Father Boettner’s remarks centered on doing what is difficult and doing things that should be shared.

“Sometimes the hardest things we do are the ordinary things of every single day. And doing hard things isn’t something we do because we have no fear or no anxiety. In fact, it’s the exact opposite. Doing hard things often is what we do in spite of fear and anxiety,” Father Boettner said.

“Being in the armed services is a wonderful calling, a wonderful thing that we honor today. But it’s not that we honor our people in the armed services because they have no fear.

We honor them because they do what is difficult in spite of what is scary.

They’re often placed in situations that are difficult, often placed in situations where they have to put themselves in harm’s way for the sake of others.

Often, we forget about the sacrifices that they and their families make,” he added.

Father Boettner reminded the congregation that the United States still is engaged in wars around the world and often our lives go on as if nothing is happening.

“We need to stop and pause and remember that there are many people every single day who do what is difficult. They do it in spite of fear and anxiety. They do it at great personal cost, and they do it most often out of love, they do it because they care about their fellow countrymen, many of whom they will never meet and never know,” he added.

He praised veterans for leading by example, leading by courage to go into the world and show Christian fortitude.

Among the veterans attending the Mass were retired Army Maj. Dan McCabe and retired Coast Guard Capt. Walt Hanson. A Knights of Columbus honor guard, several of them veterans, led the military representatives into Mass. ■ DECEMBER 3, 2017 n A13

Closer to sainthood Blessed Solanus Casey, who was beatified during a Mass Nov. 18 at Ford Field in Detroit, records a note from a woman who visited him at St. Bonaventure Monastery in Detroit in 1941. The Capuchin Franciscan friar kept dozens of notebooks filled with prayer requests and favors from the thousands who visited him each year.

Father Casey’s tomb to pray for others’ intentions. After her prayers, she felt the strong urging to ask for the friar’s intercession for herself, too, and received an instant and visible healing.

The miraculous nature of her cure

in 2012 was verified by doctors in her home country, in Detroit, and in Rome, all of whom confirmed there was no scientific explanation. Father Casey himself died of a skin disease July 31, 1957.

Born Nov. 25, 1870, in Oak Grove,

Wis., Bernard Francis Casey was the sixth of 16 children born to Irish immigrants Bernard James Casey and Ellen Elizabeth Murphy.

He enrolled at St. Francis High School Seminary near Milwaukee in 1891 to study for the diocesan priesthood. But because of academic limitations, he was advised to consider joining a religious order instead.

He went to Detroit to join the Capuchin order in 1897. He was given the religious name Solanus.

He continued to struggle academically but was finally ordained in 1904 as a “simplex priest,” meaning he could celebrate Mass but could not preach doctrinal sermons or hear confessions. He went to New York and served for two decades in friaries and churches there and was transferred back to Detroit in 1924, where he began working as the porter, or doorkeeper, of St. Bonaventure Monastery.

Father Casey co-founded the Capuchin Soup Kitchen in 1929, and today it serves the Detroit metro area by providing food, clothing and human development programs to the people of the community. ■

make a difference. I think that for a lot of those people, that may well be the only experience they have of the Catholic Church, or of the person of Jesus Christ in their lives.”

It is keeping that in mind that keeps her focused through the day-today activities of running a nonprofit organization, she said.

She’s most grateful for the people she has worked with during her time here, from Bishop Stika to the CCETN board of trustees to the social services agency’s staff.

“A note of tremendous gratitude, really, to everybody that I have worked with here,” she said. “The Taking on a new assignment Sister Mary Christine Cremin, RSM, is leaving Catholic Charities of East Tennessee to accept a new assignment in Washington, D.C., for the staff here has been wonReligious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich. derful. People have been very responsive. It’s just been a really good four years; a lot of challenges, but a lot of wonderful things that have happened.”

Bishop Stika said he hopes to have Sister Mary Christine’s successor in place by mid-2018.

Catholic Charities of East Tennessee’s mission is to foster human dignity of the vulnerable in the region through shelter, counseling, education, advocacy, and reverence for life. Fewer than 5 percent of its clients are Catholic. The nonprofit social services agency offers 13 programs across East Tennessee. ■

Pope observes first World Day of the Poor with lunch for 1,500 people in need

By Catholic News Service

P

eople have a basic choice in the way they live: either striving to build up treasures on earth or giving to others in order to gain heaven, Pope Francis said.

“What we invest in love remains, the rest vanishes,” the pope said in his homily Nov. 19, the first World Day of the Poor.

Between 6,000 and 7,000 poor people attended the Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica as special guests, the Vatican said. While almost all of them live in Europe, they include migrants and refugees from all over the world.

Among the altar servers were young men who are either poor, migrants, or homeless. The first reader at the Mass, Tony Battah, is a refugee from Syria. Those presenting the gifts at the offertory were led by the Zambardi family from Turin, whom the Vatican described as living in a “precarious condition” and whose 1-year-old daughter has cystic fibrosis.

In addition to the bread and wine that were consecrated at the Mass, the offertory included a large basket of bread and rolls that were blessed to be shared at the lunch the pope was offering after Mass. Some 1,500 poor people joined the pope in the

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Vatican’s audience hall for the meal, while the other special guests were served at the Pontifical North American College — the U.S. seminary in Rome — and other seminaries and Catholic-run soup kitchens nearby.

Preaching about the Gospel “parable of the talents” (Matthew 25:1430), Pope Francis said the servant in the story who buried his master’s money was rebuked not because he did something wrong, but because he failed to do something good with what he was given.

“All too often, we have the idea that we haven’t done anything wrong, and so we rest content, presuming that we are good and just,” the pope said. “But to do no wrong is not enough. God is not an inspector looking for unstamped tickets; he is a Father looking for children to whom he can entrust his property and his plans.”

If in the eyes of the world, the poor have little value, he said, “they are the ones who open to us the way to heaven; they are our ‘passport to paradise.’” Where the poor are concerned, the pope said, too many people are often guilty of a sin of omission or indifference, thinking it is “society’s problem” to solve or looking the other way when the issue of poverty confronts them. ■ www.di o k no x .o rg

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EMILY BOOKER

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strengthen those programs that are really key to us. And the other ones that we haven’t expanded, they’re still very stable — programs for mentally ill adults, for people with HIV/AIDS down in Chattanooga, emergency shelter for children, and the boys’ home,” Sister Mary Christine said.

“The services we have now, programs we have now, really are, I think, what we would say are essential to our identity as Catholic Charities. We talk about this 360 degrees of hope, but they really are services — particularly in this day and age — to very vulnerable populations.”

As a Religious Sister of Mercy of Alma, Mich., Sister Mary Christine is called where her order sends her.

And now, that place is Washington, D.C., where she will be serving as the superior of a community of sisters there.

“I’m really looking forward to it.

I’ve loved being here, and it really has been an enormous privilege to do this, but I’m also so excited about going, so it’s kind of like the best of both worlds.”

What advice does Sister Mary Christine have for her successor at CCETN? “Enjoy,” she said. “Also, I think to really understand the privilege that is ours at Catholic Charities. To be — I know it’s a term that the bishop uses very often, you know — to be the hands and face of Jesus. That really is what we are to people. … Just by being there, we are His presence in those people’s lives. And we do

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decree from Pope Francis declaring Father Solanus “Blessed.”

He is the second American-born male to be beatified, after Blessed Stanley Rother, a North American priest from Oklahoma, who in 1981 was martyred while serving the people of a Guatemalan village. He was beatified Sept. 23 in Oklahoma City.

Among the hundreds, if not thousands, of healings attributed to Blessed Solanus during and after his lifetime, Pope Francis recognized the authenticity of a miracle necessary for the friar to be elevated from venerable to blessed after a review by the Vatican’s Congregation for Saints’ Causes was completed earlier this year.

The miracle involved the healing — unexplained by medicine or science — of a woman with an incurable genetic skin disease, Paula Medina Zarate of Panama. She was only recently identified publicly, and she was at the Mass. As it began, she walked up to the altar with a reliquary holding a relic of Blessed Solanus. Ms. Zarate was visiting friends in Detroit and stopped at

Diocese of Knoxville Annual Financial Report

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we look forward to 2018, with the dedication of our Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on March 3 and then the 30th anniversary of the Diocese of Knoxville on Sept. 8, I am grateful to you more than ever for your support and generosity in helping to make these historic events possible.

It is my hope that all of you will worship in our new cathedral, which is the mother church of our diocese. There will be many opportunities for you to do so once the cathedral is dedicated.

Much work has been done to get us to this point in the life of the diocese, and your efforts continue to make an important difference in our East Tennessee Catholic community.

And as we look to the future, let’s also reflect on important 2017 accomplishments that illustrate this difference you make, not only in East Tennessee, but around our country and the world.

We began the year with heavy hearts because of the lives and property lost from the Sevier County wildfires and a prayerful resolve to help those impacted. Immediately after the fires, you donated thousands of dollars in food, beverages, and clothing for the victims and first responders. And you answered again when called on this year. Through generous donations from our 51 parishes and mission churches totaling nearly $369,000, we were able to help parishioners affected by the fires put their lives back together.

That generosity did not stop there. When hurricanes struck Texas, Florida, and the Caribbean and an earthquake hit Mexico earlier this year, I asked you to again consider giving to assist those in need. And you did, contributing more than $400,000 for disaster relief.

Our mission diocese of 68,000 Catholics is accomplishing great things. In addition to helping those in need, your support for Catholic education and the mission of teaching our children in the ways of our faith has resulted in the diocesan school system achieving national accreditation. Your support is leading to the growth of our faith across East Tennessee. We recently broke ground on a new church for St. Teresa of Kolkata Parish in Union County, and plans are in place for new churches in Grainger County and Unicoi County.

These works and many others show the strength, vitality, and diversity of our diocese. To give you a more detailed look, I offer you this report in The East Tennessee Catholic on the financial health of our great diocese.

As your bishop, I want you to know that the resources you have entrusted to us — whether through time, talent, or treasure — are being administered with wisdom, and respect, with the sole purpose being able to continue the mission of Jesus.

I offer my thanks and blessings for the sacrifices you have made to strengthen the Diocese of Knoxville in 2017. I am honored to be your bishop, and I offer my love and prayers as we move forward as good stewards, working to build His kingdom.

Knoxville, Tennessee

November 6, 2017

Sincerely in Christ,

Most Reverend Richard F. Stika Bishop of Knoxville

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Lung Cancer AWARENESS MONTH

#1

CANCER KILLER in the United States for both men and women.

Sources: Cancer.org & Lung.org

FIVE - YEAR SURVIVAL RATE

47%

30.5%

9.5%

1%

STAGE 1

STAGE 2

STAGE 3

STAGE 4

Only 15% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage.

Sources: Cancer.org & Lung.org

Benefits of treating lung cancer with

PROTON THERAPY Lung cancer is the most common cancer in East Tennessee, and proton therapy can be the best treatment for stages with Stage I, II, and III lung cancer.

Local patients can usually be immediately scheduled for consult without a referral.

Medicare covers proton therapy for most lung cancer cases, and because the number of treatments required for lung cancer is typically lower, self-pay rates are more affordable for patients whose insurance will not cover treatment.

73%

INCREASE IN median life expectancy

77%

REDUCTION IN likelihood of pneumonitis

50%

REDUCTION IN likelihood of esophagitis

Source: ProvisionProton.com

CANCERS TREATED* with Proton Therapy

BREAST TUMORS

BRAIN TUMORS

PROSTATE CANCER

BASE-OF-SKULL TUMORS

SARCOMAS AND OTHER CONNECTIVE AND SOFT TISSUE TUMORS

HEAD AND NECK TUMORS

TUMORS NEAR THE SPINE

ORBITAL AND EYE TUMORS

LUNG TUMORS

GASTROINTESTINAL TUMORS, INCLUDING RECTAL, PANCREATIC, ESOPHAGEAL AND COLON

RECURRENT CANCERS

PEDIATRIC TUMORS

*This is not a complete list of all cancers that can benefit from proton therapy.

Please call to speak with a Care Coordinator to find out if you’re a candidate for proton therapy.

CANCER CENTER

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featuring Proton Therapy

www.di o k no x .o rg

Source: ProvisionProton.com

ProvisionCancerCenter.com (844) 455-8600

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