Dec. 1, 2019, ET Catholic, B section

NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE OF KNOXVILLE

B section

CCETN luncheon benefits children’s shelter University of Tennessee athletics director Phillip Fulmer keynotes the 365 Days of Hope event letic director. It’s been a lot of fun being back around that place, being back around people who compete at the highest level, recruit at the highest level, and kind of help our university in a lot of ways. I like to see teams work well together,” he said.

He reflected on how coaching has taught him the importance of caring for and supporting children.

“Being a coach for 40 years, I have certainly seen what caring for young people, being in their lives, and helping them can do—sometimes when they don’t even know it. In the case here, you probably won’t know the particular individual that you’re making a difference in their life—it’s something that’s real.

We deal with it in our community and our businesses or whatever.

There’s so many diverse kinds of backgrounds that our children are coming from. Oftentimes we just want to be able to give them a good chance to have success.”

Proceeds from this year’s luncheon benefited Knoxville’s Children’s Emergency Shelter, a safe haven for children removed from the home and awaiting longer-term placement. The Children’s Emergency Shelter assists in keeping children out of the state’s custody and, if possible, places them with appropriate relatives and provides them with needed support services.

Judge Tim Irwin of Knox County

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eamwork, community, and children’s safety were on the minds of everyone attending Catholic Charities of East Tennessee’s 365 Days of Hope Luncheon on Nov. 24 at The Press Room in Knoxville.

The annual luncheon offers networking opportunities to business leaders in the Knoxville area and supports Catholic Charities’ programs. This year’s luncheon featured guest speaker Phillip Fulmer, director of athletics at the University of Tennessee. Stowers Machinery Corp. was the presenting sponsor.

“Today’s networking and fellowship is all to benefit Knoxville’s Children’s Emergency Shelter, where we care for children who are facing unimaginable situations 365 days a year. Simply by joining us today you’re helping to change so many of their lives, and I thank you for that,” said Lisa Healy, executive director of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee.

Mr. Fulmer gave the keynote speech. In addition to being the University of Tennessee’s athletics director since 2017, he served as head coach of the Tennessee football team from 1992-2008. He led the team to a national championship in 1998. He was out of collegiate athletics and working in the business sector from 2009 until he was named to his current post.

“I’m thrilled to be back as our ath-

By Emily Booker

Guest speaker Lisa Healy of Catholic Charities stands with Phillip Fulmer, keynote speaker at the 365 Days of Hope Luncheon.

Juvenile Court spoke via video about the challenges he sees with children who are suddenly separated from their parents and face being placed in state custody.

Judge Irwin, who played for then-Tennessee assistant football coach Fulmer in 1980, explained how the Children’s Emergency Shelter gives children a safe space to process what is happening while giving the courts time to find the best possible living situation for the children.

“The Children’s Emergency Shelter is truly a transformative beacon

of hope in our Knoxville community. Children come to us separated from their parents because of abuse, neglect, and countless other heartbreaking situations that they live through each and every day, situations that are completely outside of their control,” said Christine White, development director for Catholic Charities.

“We serve hundreds of children each year because they don’t all live in stable, healthy, and loving homes. This year alone at Children’s Emergency Shelter, we have served Luncheon continued on page B3

New youth ministries focus on instilling virtue Fraternus for boys and Fidelis for girls meet weekly at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

DAN MCWILLIAMS

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wo new ministries in the Diocese of Knoxville have been started for boys and girls in grades six through 12, and each is designed to form the young people into virtuous men and women through the mentorship of adults Fraternus (“brotherhood”) is the program for boys, and Fidelis (“loyalty”) is the program for girls.

Both Catholic groups meet from 6:15 to 8 p.m. Sundays at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, the boys in the youth room and the girls in the Shea Room.

On Nov. 17, the youth in the programs took part in an initiation ceremony at the cathedral. Boys held a sword as they officially committed to the Fraternus program, while girls were given a bracelet with a Miraculous Medal. All of the youth received a blessing from Father Martin Gladysz, who presided.

Priscilla McKinney, the national director of Fidelis, is a parishioner of Sacred Heart.

“Both Fraternus and Fidelis are brother-and-sister programs,” she said. “We work together as a team with each of the programs to fulfill this mission of raising young women to be the holy women that God’s calling them to be and young men to be the holy men that God’s calling them to be.”

Mrs. McKinney spoke of what makes each program different from others.

“The Fraternus program really works with men and showing men what it really looks like to be the owner of their faith and what it means to be a real Catholic and how that in itself is a challenge in the world today, and what that looks like in the eyes of God and how to really fulfill their vocations to be leaders of their households, to be leaders of our society,” she said.

“The girls program speaks more to the feminine heart. It speaks more

By Dan McWilliams

Fidelis group gathers Members of Fidelis and their adult mentors are all smiles after the initiation ceremony Nov. 17 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. to women understanding the beauty of their femininity and how that relates to the role that’s going to play in society and how they themselves are a huge influence in our world.

Both programs are meant to build up the youth as a whole. We can’t really have one program without the other program to complete each other.”

Mrs. McKinney has a son, Shannon, in the Fraternus program.

“He’s in seventh grade, so he’s 12 years old. He loves it,” she said.

“We’re new to this area. We had a program at our last parish in Washington state. My biggest motivation for trying to bring the program here was yes, to impact the youth in the Knoxville Diocese as well, but really it’s because my son was begging for it. He was exposed to it. He saw that authentic manhood and how you can only really express that and only really live that and learn that in the brotherhood that Fraternus provides for him. That’s attractive to him.

“I believe it’s attractive to all boys to be able to learn about their faith and be who they are without having to worry about girls. And vice versa, the girls are able then to be themselves, without that pressure of boys present they can really open up. My son is involved and he absolutely loves the program. He is a huge fan of The Ranch, the summer program that Fraternus has each year. It’s a summer camp essentially. It’s just the boys. They hear motivational talks. They go to adoration. They do really manly, adventurous things.

It’s something that he absolutely loves. He loves getting together with his other friends, friends who are male.”

Each meeting at Sacred Heart follows a similar structure, Mrs. McKinney said.

“They start out with social time, and that’s essential to the program as well,” she said. “The program has three pillars: the mentorship, the brotherhood and sisterhood aspect of it, and the virtues. The first

portion is the social time. After that we bring everyone together with a prayer.”

A game follows the prayer.

“It’s more of a structured game,” Mrs. McKinney said. “For the boys, they call it comp time, competition time. The boys play dodge ball or what they call Bosco ball from the patron of the programs, St. John Bosco. The boys play this competition or do something very active and get them in their element and get them to let loose and be wild and crazy, and then the girls something as well to get them to let loose and to have fun and break down those walls and barriers. Mentorship is a huge part of the program.

Whatever the girls are doing, the mentors who are there, the adult women and the adult men, they are just as involved. They’re not sitting back and watching; they’re in it and are playing the games with the youth. That’s a very important aspect of it.”

Ministries continued on page B2

NDHS students take part in benefit bake sale Some 20 young people volunteer for a two-day ‘bake off’ to help Catholic Charities of East Tennessee

By Emily Booker

EMILY BOOKER

JESSICA ALLEN

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f you were to walk the hallways of Notre Dame High School after school Nov. 5 and 6, you might have noted the sweet scent of baking cookies and jolly sounds of Christmas music wafting from the cafeteria.

About 20 Notre Dame students volunteered for the two-day “bake off” to provide goodies for the annual Chattanooga-area bake sale to benefit Catholic Charities of East Tennessee.

“We are helping to bake cookies and pies for the Catholic Charities bake sale, to help raise money for Catholic Charities,” sophomore Anna Young explained.

Participating parishes included the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, St. Jude, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Chattanooga, St. Augustine in Signal Mountain, St. Thérèse of Lisieux in Cleveland, Holy Spirit in Soddy-Daisy, and St. Gerard in Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. Previously, area parishes have had volunteers in their parish supply the baked items for each bake sale. This year, Catholic Charities wanted to try a different approach.

Renee Nevil-Webster, CCETN events and outreach coordinator for Chattanooga, said that by having students bake and bag the cookies and pies, the parishes could focus their energy on the

Mixing it up These four NDHS students were among some 20 who volunteered to help Catholic Charities in its annual Chattanooga-area bake sale. sale itself, without having to worry about supplying the goodies as

well.

“Due to capacity reasons, we decided to bake at Notre Dame. Patti Dungan and I approached [NDHS president] George Valadie about baking at the high school, and he eagerly accepted the idea, allowing the students to earn service hours,” she said.

“We had a wonderful turnout, and the kids Cookie sheets By baking and bagging the cookies and other treats, Notre Dame students alare really lowed parishes to focus on the bake sale itself without having to worry about supplying the food. energetic and

came to work, and it’s been a wonderful experience.”

The students donned pumpkinpie hats and played Christmas music to get them in a holiday spirit as they baked chocolate chip, peanut butter, and sugar cookies and fudge pies.

Rehgan Lovelace, a senior, was helping in the kitchen.

“I put some labels on the pies, and now I am putting cookies on the trays and putting them in the oven,” she said.

Mackenzie Sims, a senior, was in the cafeteria, bagging and boxing the goodies.

“We have to bag them eight in a bag and put a little sticker on it and put them in boxes,” she explained.

“I volunteered to help because I love cookies, and I thought it would be fun.”

Parish sales exceeded last year’s sale, totaling more than $7,500, proving that a little teamwork and holiday spirit can pay off. n

Ministries continued from page B1

The boys and girls then watch a movie clip.

“It’s typically from a secular movie. The movie demonstrates the virtue we are studying for the week,” Mrs. McKinney said. “The reason that we try to pick mostly secular movies is because we want the youth to recognize these virtues we are talking about and learning about that apply to our faith, but we want them to recognize it in the secular world. We want them to be able to see it and be able to identify that that is someone living virtue or not living virtue and to be able to know what that looks like and apply it to their faith so they can know how to apply it to their life as well.”

A “King’s message” follows the two- to three-minute movie clip.

“It’s what Our King, Christ, wants us to gather from this clip,” Mrs. McKinney said. “In this King’s message, a mentor will get up and talk to the boys or girls about what that virtue was in the clip and connect it to their lives and essentially commission them to live out this virtue in their lives and give them a concrete example of how that can be done.”

The meetings then break into small groups divided by age.

“This is when they’re really going to get into the meat and heart of the lesson,” Mrs. McKinney said. “This is where the discussion will have a different effect on age groups.

Each group has its own book. When they’re in the small groups, the book goes through a verse from the readings from Mass that week and has small-group questions for them to discuss. It has quotes from saints referring to that virtue and then a challenge for the boys to live B2 n DECEMBER 1, 2019

out that virtue in the coming week.

For the girls it’s called an invitation; they’re invited to live out this virtue in a very particular way. Then at the end of the night we close with compline. We pray that together, either in a group separately or as one with the boys and the girls.”

Each group has a mission.

“The mission of Fidelis is forming girls—heart, mind, body, and soul—into a sisterhood of disciples through the witness of Catholic women,” Mrs. McKinney said. “For the boys it’s mentoring boys into virtuous Catholic men. We want to raise the future generation to be a generation that lives out Christian virtue. They’re going to be influenced by society—that’s just the nature of the world that we live in—but which voice is going to be louder? Which one is going to have the most impact on them? It’s a necessary force; it’s a necessary battle that we’re waging here. It takes on a different level when they are being challenged throughout their week to live a virtuous life. It’s going to have a more lasting impact.”

The brotherhood and sisterhood they are experiencing on a weekly basis—“that’s going to be the group of people that holds them accountable to live a virtuous life. That’s going to be the group of people that as they grow and as they mature and as they are no longer in these programs, that’s going to be the people that they call on when they’re having trouble and they’re facing temptations and they need that support in prayer or in guidance: other boys, other men, other girls who are going through the same troubles,” Mrs. McKinney said.

“They can hold each other ac-

Knighting ceremony Each Fraternus boy held a sword as Father Martin Gladysz blessed them during the initiation ceremony. countable, and they can lift each other up. They can be that strong foundation. These girls ideally and essentially will have been with each other for six years, if they go through the program from sixth through 12th grade. They will have a good, solid, firm friendship. That friendship isn’t going to just dissipate once they’re out of the program. That’s something that’s going to last with them for quite a while.”

The girls also have a national summer camp: Inspire.

“It’s a weeklong camp,” Mrs. McKinney said. “We have sisters from Nashville, the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia, they’ll come and they’ll join us. We have a chaplain.

We have Mass every single day. We have adoration. We have confession.

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It’s just a way that they can see that there are other youth around the country who are all living and striving to live a life of virtue just like they are.”

The Fraternus program places a major emphasis on fatherhood.

“It’s an epidemic in our world today. There is this lack of fatherhood, essentially,” Mrs. McKinney said. “This is where the differences come into play with the programs.

With boys, they need fathers. They need someone to show them how to live their life. They need someone to show them what it means to be a man. [Fraternus] really gives the opportunity for the men to see what it’s like to live a Catholic life as a man.

Ministries continued on page B6

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Luncheon continued from page B1

included Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, Judge Charles Susano, Chelsea Ivens, who represented Sen. Marsha Blackburn, and Jane Jolley, who represented Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs. Kristin Farley, news anchor at WATE-TV 6, emceed the event. n

EMILY BOOKER (2)

children as young as 4 days old and those just shy of their 18th birthday,” Mrs. White said. “Children in our community need the Children’s Emergency Shelter for every single day, 365 days a year.”

Special guests at the luncheon

BILL BREWER

Representing CCETN Christine White speaks at the 365 Days of Hope Luncheon at The Press Room.

Public Square Rosary Rally held in Knoxville America Needs Fatima sponsored the 2019 Public Square Rosary Crusade. In Knoxville, a Public Square Rosary Rally took place at the corner of Baxter Avenue and Central Street near Holy Ghost Church, organized by Ron Kopp. More than a dozen of the faithful took part in the Knoxville rally. The crusade began in 2007 and was scheduled for the Saturday in October closest to the anniversary of the feast of the last apparition of Our Lady of Fatima and the Miracle of the Sun, reported Jill Ragar Esfeld of The Leaven. From 2,000 rosary rallies in 2007, the movement has grown to the point that 21,145 rallies were held in the United States in 2018 and 23,081 in nations around the world.

COURTESY OF NANCY POWELL

BILL BREWER

Keynote address Phillip Fulmer addresses the luncheon gathering from the podium.

Rosary takes place at Calvary Cemetery Diocese of Knoxville parishioners remember loved ones who have died during a rosary at Calvary Cemetery in Knoxville on Nov. 3. Father Ron Franco, CSP, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Knoxville, leads the rosary above.

COURTESY OF MICHELLE FECTEAU-HOLMES

St. Stephen holds an annual picnic that includes a children’s parade St. Stephen Parish in Chattanooga held its annual Fall Family Picnic after the 11 a.m. Mass on Oct. 13. Entertainment included bouncy rides, a petting zoo, a local fire truck, volleyball, kickball, cornhole, a cake walk, face painting, a balloon artist, and a free spinning wheel with prizes. All were fed with hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn, snow cones, and an array of parishioner dishes. A highlight of the event was a children’s USA Marching Parade. Pictured are pastor Father Manuel Pérez, John Vannucci, and the children who participated in the parade. More than 350 attended the picnic. The parish thanked the many volunteers who participated and members of Knight of Columbus Council 6099 who cooked.

Fairfield Glade parishioners celebrate All Souls Day with luminaries After the 5 p.m. Mass on Nov. 2, parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi in Fairfield Glade celebrated All Souls Day with luminaries set up in the parish columbarium. The luminaries were a fundraiser for the youth of St. Alphonsus Parish in Crossville. Glade parishioners purchased the luminaries for a person or persons they wished to remember. The students came and set up everything and lighted the candles before Mass. After Mass, parishioners went out to the columbarium, where Father Michael Woods led a short prayer service and blessed everyone.

There were 570 luminaries.

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Parish notes

The Knights of Columbus will have “Breakfast With Santa” after the 8 and 10:30 a.m. Masses on Sunday, Dec. 8.

The Council of Catholic Women and the Knights held their annual afterThanksgiving potato-bar social Dec. 2 in the parish life center. The event is a fundraiser for both groups.

The Knights congratulated November Knight of the month John Feurer and family of the month Teri and Gary Gabor. The October Knight of the month was Nino Leo, and the family of the month was Deacon Brian and Donna Gabor.

The 13th annual International Day of the Rosary and potluck dinner took place Oct. 24. Those of all cultures and nationalities were invited to join their voices in their native language to pray the rosary.

St. Mary, Athens The parish family Advent party will follow the 5 p.m. Mass on Saturday, Dec. 7.

The second annual Christmas Cookie Bake Sale will take place after weekend Masses on Dec. 14 and 15.

The parish and the Knights of Columbus are sponsoring a Winter Community Sharing Coat Drive through the end of January. New or gently used cleaned winter coats, sweaters, hats, gloves, and scarfs will be collected and given to Athens-area community needs.

All St. Mary seniors ages 60 and older were invited to a Thanksgiving Appreciation Luncheon on Nov. 19.

A family All Saints party followed the 6 p.m. Mass on Oct. 30.

Newcomers: Quinto Burchi, Arnold Domestico, Veronica McClure St. Stephen, Chattanooga The Prime Timers (parishioners age 50 and above) saw the Chattanooga Mocs play the Citadel Bulldogs on Nov. 16 at Finley Stadium.

A benefit concert for a new audio system was held Nov. 10.

The Knights of Columbus hosted a spaghetti dinner Nov. 16, with live acoustic music by Costello & Costello.

Proceeds benefited organizations supporting the mentally challenged.

The Knights collected “Coats for Christmas” in October. Donations were distributed to the Chattanooga Homeless Center, the Ladies of Charity, the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

A charity bingo fundraiser benefiting the Walter E. Boehm Birth Defects Center was held at St. Stephen on Oct. 26.

The parish family picnic, including a craft fair, games, and activities, took place Oct. 13.

Anniversaries: Jim and Theresia Costello (54), William and Fran Balsis (45), John and Rosemary Wensel (40), Tom and Marilyn Langmann (30)

COURTESY OF MARLENE YURICK

St. Jude, Chattanooga

prayers in the church. There will be a procession around the city block with an image of Our Lady at 7 p.m., followed by the vigil Mass in Spanish and a reception and play in Varallo Parish Hall. All are invited to join in the festivities in honor of the patron saint of the Americas.

Cumberland Mountain Deanery Blessed Sacrament, Harriman The first Friday Mass at 6 p.m. Dec. 6 will be a celebration petitioning for physical, emotional, or spiritual healing for those in attendance. Following Mass will be adoration concluding with Benediction at 7:30 p.m.

The Knights of Columbus will sell “Keep Christ in Christmas” cards after Mass on Saturday, Dec. 14.

The Knights held their annual Tootsie Roll Drive for the intellectually challenged Nov. 2 in Kingston at the intersection of highways 70 and 58.

The Council of Catholic Women’s annual 2019 bazaar was held Oct. 5.

A Blue Mass for those in law enforcement and for first responders was celebrated Sept. 29 at Blessed Sacrament.

Anniversary: Charles and JoAnne Barncord (50) St. Francis of Assisi, Fairfield Glade Sister Anna Marie McGuan, RSM, of the Diocese of Knoxville is assisting the parish in its efforts to renew and renovate. Sister Anna Marie conducted a workshop for the leaders of the parish highlighting the need to become disciples and have a personal relationship with Jesus. Sister returned in November to offer a morning of reflection to a larger audience of those involved in various ministries in the parish.

Holy Trinity pastor, parishioners take part in Prayer Chain for Life Father Patrick Resen and parishioners of Holy Trinity Church on Highway 92 in Jefferson City participated in a Prayer Chain for Life on Oct. 6. The Prayer Chain is one of the events planned in conjunction with the 40 Days for Life international campaign to end abortion.

Glade couples mark major anniversaries

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t. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fairfield Glade congratulates two couples who are celebrating major anniversaries this fall. n Vincent and Phyllis Fodera celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary Nov. 14. They were married at St. Finbar Church in Brooklyn, N.Y. Their children are Lori Ann Nicely of Manville, Ohio; Lisa Ann Apear of Murfreesboro; and Vincent Jr., deceased. The Foderas have seven grandchildren. They moved to the Glade on Nov. 1, 2014. They celebrated their special day with a family dinner. n John (Jack) and Twyla J.

O’Kane celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Nov. 8.

They were married at St. James Church in McConnellsville, Ohio, with Father James Pickard officiating.

Their son, John, and wife Valentina are from Houghton, Mich., and their grandchildren are Liam and Aviana.

Mr. O’Kane retired from Master Barber (self-employed), and Mrs. O’Kane retired from Pan American Airways and United Airlines, both in Chicago. They moved to the Glade in 2013 and are enjoying retirement. They celebrated their anniversary with family and friends. n

The small group faith-formation program using Discovering Christ was conducted in September and October.

The designed maximum of 40 parishioners participated in the weekly sessions and a retreat.

COURTESY OF SISTER IMELDA QUECHOL, MAG

Chattanooga Deanery

A Mass for healing was offered Oct. 15 especially for those with needs for physical or spiritual healing.

The parish remembers those who have passed away in the current year with a Mass on All Souls Day. A candle is lighted as the name is read for special remembrance. This year at the vigil Mass on Nov. 2, luminaria were lighted as a remembrance for all deceased loved ones. See the photo on page B3.

St. John Neumann, Farragut Sister Patricia Soete, RSM, of St. Jude Parish in Helenwood again asked St. John Neumann parishioners for their help in providing Christmas gifts for children in Appalachia. Clothing items for ages 1 to 17 are needed; however, the greatest need is for toys/games for these children, including the teens.

Unwrapped gifts may be left in the narthex after Mass or dropped off at the parish office during the week until Sunday, Dec. 15. St. Jude members will be picking up the gifts early Monday, Dec. 16.

Basilica youth take part in All Saints Day Mass, procession, party On Nov. 1, children of the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga dressed as saints for the multilingual All Saints Day Mass. At the conclusion of Mass, rector Father David Carter led them in a procession, singing the Litany of Saints.

The procession returned to the church for the annual All Saints Party, the parish’s biggest annual social event uniting its Spanish- and English-speaking communities.

The Knights of Columbus held its second annual Coats for Kids drive, providing 90 coats to needy children in Farragut and Appalachia.

Father David Carter, rector of the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, is in his 15th year of priestly ministry. He will be taking his first short sabbatical in January 2020, retreating to Benedictine monastic life in Christ in the Desert Monastery in New Mexico. Father Carter will return to Chattanooga in March to resume serving as rector of the basilica and to begin leading the new Tribunal of Knoxville, which officially begins July 1, 2020.

On Wednesday, Dec. 11, the basilica will celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The celebration, led by the Hispanic community, will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the rosary and other B4 n DECEMBER 1, 2019

A free Estate Planning & Tax-Savvy Giving seminar will be presented from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, in Seton Hall by St. John Neumann staff, an estate-planning attorney, and a financial professional adviser. Topics to be covered include wills and trusts, power of attorney, IRAs and qualified charitable distributions, and more.

RSVP is required; RSVP to Patrick Wade, SJN director of development, at pwade@sjnknox.org.

A Christmas Cookie Exchange & Brunch is set for 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, in Seton Hall. All women of the parish are invited. RSVP by Dec. 9 to kathyperry6749@gmail.com.

Parish notes continued on page B5

ELIZABETH CONWAY

Sts. Peter and Paul, Chattanooga

Soddy-Daisy Knights raise more than $6,000 for charities Knights of Columbus Council 14079 held a silent auction at Holy Spirit Church in Soddy-Daisy on Sept. 13 to raise money for the Orange Grove Center and the MR Foundation. Before the auction, guests treated themselves to a home-cooked meal prepared by the Knights’ cooks. After purchasing dinner, guests looked at and chose the items they were hoping to win. A drawing for door prizes followed the auction. The evening raised more than $6,000. Above, Orange Grove director Kyle Hauth looks on as little Aidan Van Thiel, grandson of Eula and John Purvis, draws a ticket so announcer Daniel Ferrere can call another winner. Grand Knight Kevin Perry checks the prizes.

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Parish notes continued from page B4

Calendar Diocese of Knoxville Catholic schools are holding their 2019 raffle. For $10, entrants will have 12 chances to win a cash prize ranging from $750 to $10,000. A total of $3 of each ticket sold goes directly back to the school from which it was purchased, with the remaining proceeds after expenses going toward the regional Catholic Schools Tuition Assistance Fund. Tickets are on sale through Saturday, Dec. 22.

The drawing is Jan. 7. For tickets, visit a diocesan school or log on to www. dokraffle.com.

The Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus will present its first Cathedral Christmas Festival at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20, featuring the cathedral choir, the O’Connor Center Singing Seniors, and instrumental ensembles and musicians of the Diocese of Knoxville. Admission is free: Seating is limited. Tickets are available at www. eventbrite.com/o/cathedral-concertseries-18243571278, at the cathedral parish office, or at the door (doors open one hour before the concert).

The 20th annual Chattanooga Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols will be hosted by the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Dec. 12 and 13. The program is free. Music will be presented by The Roueché Chorale & Symphony Orchestra. Special guest soloist will be the world-renowned Indra Thomas, former singer of the Metropolitan Opera. Prelude music will be provided by Atlanta harpist Maggie Lovell. Jeff Roueché, a member of St. Stephen Parish in Chattanooga, is the founder and artistic director of The Roueché Chorale. He has been an instrumentalist and cantor at St. Stephen, St. Gerard in Fort Oglethorpe Ga., and the basilica. Many members from Our Lady of Perpetual Help and St. Jude in Chattanooga, St. Gerard, and Sts. Peter and Paul will be participating in the service. The congregation will play an active part in the singing of many traditional carols and will hear sacred favorites such as “Joy to the World” and “Silent Night.” For more information, call the chorale office at 423-855-2981 or visit www.therouechechorale.org. You may also like the chorale on Facebook.

The Chattanooga Deanery Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry will again coordinate a youth pilgrimage to the March for Life in Washington, D.C., from Jan. 23-26, 2020. Departure is Thursday evening on a coach bus with pickups from various locations around the diocese, and the bus will travel through the night. On Friday, the participants will attend the Youth Rally and celebrate Mass at the Capital One Arena, eat lunch, and then join the March for Life, listen to the Silent No More awareness speakers, and tour Washington, D.C. They will then take the Metro to meet the buses and travel to the Holiday Inn Express in Manassas, Va., go to dinner and then back to the hotel to spend the night. On Saturday, the group will travel to Washington, D.C., to do some touring, have lunch, and travel to Catholic University to either tour the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land or the John Paul II Shrine. Travelers will then eat dinner and go to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception for evening Mass and an evening tour of some of Washington’s monuments on the Mall. On Sunday morning, the journey home will begin with arrival in the evening. Registration is now open, and when all spaces are full a waiting list will be started. Space is limited to 112 people. Those with questions should contact Donna Jones at 423-622-7232 or djones@dioknox.org.

The Ladies of Charity are looking for dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, and optometrists for its Remote Area Medical (RAM) Clinic on April 25, 2020.

For more information, call Dave Roulier at 865-607-6330.

The newly formed Monsignor Xavier Mankel Schola seeks singers of all voice parts and of any faith. The schola was created to sing the great works of the Church’s musical tradition, particularly the polyphonic music of the Renaissance and Gregorian and English chant. The schola sings for the 7:30 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on the first and TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C AT HO L I C

third Sunday of each month and will also occasionally put on concerts and support other events and liturgical functions. The group rehearses every Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. To learn more, visit https://dokmusic.org/audition/ or contact Mary Weaver, the schola’s director: 865-437-8620 or mary@b16schola.org.

A Rachel’s Vineyard healing and recovery retreat for those who have experienced emotional or spiritual difficulties from an abortion is scheduled for the weekend of Feb. 28-March 1, 2020, at Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton. Complete confidentiality is honored at all times. One-on-one counseling is available with a trained counselor for those who cannot attend a weekend retreat. For more information, contact Sandi Davidson at 865-7764510 or sandi@ccetn.org, or visit https:// dioknox.org/event/rachels-vineyard/.

Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga is currently accepting applications for the 2020-21 academic year.

Visit www.myndhs.com/apps/pages/ AdmissionsProcess to apply online and view important upcoming events. Call Laura Goodhard at 423-624-4618 with any questions.

St. Jude School in Chattanooga is currently accepting applications for grades PK3 through eight for the 202021 school year. The school will host a kindergarten open house Tuesday, Jan. 28. To learn more or schedule a tour, contact admissions director Kathie Preston at 423-877-6022 or prestonk@ mysjs.com.

The next Retrouvaille program in Nashville, designed to help couples rebuild their marriages, is scheduled for March 6-8, 2020. Call 800-470-2230 or 615-523-0631, e-mail nrv3043@ gmail.com, or visit www.HelpOurMarriage.com.

The next Picture of Love engaged couples retreat is scheduled for 7-10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga. The retreat is to supplement couples’ marriage formation process with their parish priest or deacon. The cost is $135 per couple, which includes a certificate good for $60 off a marriage license. To receive a $60 discount, couples must attend the entire program and attend the program within one year of purchasing the license. Mass will be celebrated during the event. For more information, e-mail kbyrne@dioknox.org or visit dioknox. org/event/picture-of-love-engagedcouple-retreat-2-2-2/.

The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekends are set for Feb. 28-March 1 and April 17-19. Apply online at GATN-wwme.org or call 678-242-WWME. Also, WWME has a focused program for couples with a spouse in the military. Information can be found at www.foryourmilitarymarriage.com.

Search for Christian Maturity weekend retreat No. 159 for high school juniors and seniors is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, through 5 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 8, at Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center, 300 Locke Lane in Benton. Search is a retreat program that tries to help high school juniors and seniors see how they can be faith leaders in their schools and parishes. This is done by having the participants come to know God, themselves, and others in a more loving, personal way. Cost is $80.

For more information, contact Donna Jones at 423-718-4387 or djones@ dioknox.org or visit dioknox.org/event/ chattanooga-search-weekend-159/.

Search 160 is set for Feb. 21-23.

Father Mike Nolan will lead a pilgrimage to Cuba from Feb. 10-18, 2020.

The travel ban on cruise ships to Cuba will not affect this pilgrimage since it is with a religious group. Participants will visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Old Havana and walk the cobblestone streets, learning of 500 years of history and culture. Pilgrims will next go on to Trinidad, known as “the city time forgot” and a UNESCO World Heritage site, and hear about Catholic social teaching as they visit Valle de los Ingenios, the valleys of the sugar cane plantations, also Calendar continued on page B6

The parish Children’s Christmas Liturgy will be celebrated at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24, with a youth choir and Christmas pageant.

Anniversary: Doug and Mary McConnell (60)

The St. Vincent de Paul Society thanked parishioners for their generosity in the recent SJN food drive benefiting the Ladies of Charity. The society was able to donate 1,706 pounds of food, baby supplies, and toiletries to the Ladies of Charity food pantry as well as $2,410 in monetary donations.

The Knights of Columbus in October again held their smoked pork sale to benefit the MR Foundation of Tennessee.

American Heritage Girls Troop TN0413 hosted a Wreaths Across America fundraiser after Masses on the weekends of Nov. 9-10 and 16-17. The troop will place wreaths at the East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery on Saturday, Dec. 14.

St. Dominic, Kingsport

The Knights hosted a board-game night for young adults Oct. 29.

A White Mass to recognize those serving in the health-care profession was celebrated Oct. 20 at St. Dominic.

A Craft-a-Palooza event benefiting the Providence Clinic, which serves the poor in the community who otherwise could not afford medical care, was held Oct. 19 in the parish life center.

St. Therese, Clinton St. Elizabeth, Elizabethton The Council of Catholic Women held a bake sale after Masses on the weekend of Nov. 23 and 24. Proceeds will be used to support the parish.

The social-action committee collected “Coats for the Cold” and food for Thanksgiving in November.

Parishioners were invited to a Thanksgiving meal on Nov. 28.

The Ladies Guild held its annual craft and bake sale Nov. 2. Proceeds went toward purchasing items for the church.

St. Mary, Johnson City A Trivia Night fundraiser took place Nov. 9 in the St. Mary School gym.

St. Patrick, Morristown

The CCW held a wine-and-cheese gettogether Nov. 19.

Anniversary: Bill and Betty Stephens (54)

Five Rivers Deanery Good Shepherd, Newport Pastor Monsignor Bob Hofstetter celebrated his 92nd birthday Nov. 19.

Good Shepherd hosted the Five Rivers Deanery Council of Catholic Women fall meeting Oct. 12.

Meeting room 1 at St. Patrick has been renamed the Garrity Conference Room after former longtime pastor Monsignor Pat Garrity.

The Knights of Columbus sponsored a Vets Winter Coat & Toiletries Drive from Oct. 19 through Nov. 30 to benefit the homeless veterans living outside the VA hospital in Johnson City.

The Council of Catholic Women’s 18th annual Holiday Bazaar took place Nov. 9 and featured more than 45 vendors of jewelry, toys, woodcarvings, and more.

Holy Trinity, Jefferson City The Council of Catholic Women’s annual Advent gathering is set for Monday, Dec. 9, at Owens Restaurant in Dandridge. Wine will be served from 6:15 to 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner and a game with prizes.

The social-action committee collected items for the CEASE women’s shelter in November.

A parish Ministries and Activities Fair was held after each Mass on the weekend of Oct. 26-27.

Father Patrick Resen and parishioners made a day pilgrimage to the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga on Dec. 2. The trip included a Mass, a tour, and lunch.

Anniversary: Frank and Kathy Dubey (61)

Holy Trinity’s annual fall festival followed Mass on Nov. 3.

Knights of Columbus Council 645 sponsored a memorial at IC in memory of all innocent victims of abortion. The memorial was blessed after the 11:30 a.m. Mass on Nov. 17 by Father Jim Haley, CSP.

The parish in October thanked six parishioners who painted the parish life center hallway.

The Knights of Columbus held their Italian dinner following the 5 p.m. Mass on Oct. 19.

Newcomers: Irvin and Emilia Gaubert; Shirley Hively; Kathleen Leahy; Juan and Geyla Colet Mancilla and their children, Grecia, Gael, and Carlos; Martin O’Connell III; Thomas O’Connell; Kevin and Tammy Thornton Notre Dame, Greeneville The Knights of Columbus are sponsoring a Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest for grades eight through 12. A cash prize will be awarded to the winner in each grade, and an overall winner will have his or her essay sent to another division to compete for additional cash prizes. The theme is “Discuss the meaning of virtue and how you live and embody the virtue of charity.” Entries must be typed and between 500 and 750 words. Deadline is Sunday, Dec. 15. Applications are on the narthex table and are available from director of religious education/youth minister Susan Collins.

Smoky Mountain Deanery Immaculate Conception, Knoxville

The parish celebrated the 10-year anniversary of Karl Jacob as music director Nov. 3 and at the same time honored Mary Catherine Willard for her lifelong dedication to IC and her more than 50 years as organist. A Choral Evensong was followed by a dinner at The Foundry. A Mary Catherine Willard Immaculate Conception Music Fund has been established in her honor, with all donations going toward printed music for the choir, additional singers to enhance the choir, and organ and piano maintenance.

The women’s group craft fair, featuring vendors with gifts for the holidays, was held after all Masses on Nov. 9 and 10.

Oct. 28 marked the 24th anniversary of ordination of pastor Father Ron Franco, CSP. The Knights held a family picnic Oct. 20 at St. Joseph School.

Our Lady of Fatima, Alcoa

The Knights’ annual Fatz Christmas Breakfast is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 7. The fundraiser helps the Knights with their Coats for Kids and Global Wheelchair Mission programs.

Christmas luminaries, benefiting scholarships for students in middle school ministry to attend retreats or events, are on sale in the church office until Friday, Dec. 20. Cost is $5 each, and luminaries may be in memory or in honor of someone.

The St. Agnes Guild collected hundreds of pairs of pajamas for the Gifts for Kids program of Greeneville and Greene County. See the photo on page B8.

The Council of Catholic Women held its annual luncheon to benefit the Pregnancy Resource Center on Dec. 4.

Parish notes continued on page B6

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DECEMBER 1, 2019 n B5

“For the girls, we as women are not able to see what motherhood is really supposed to look like. We have the beautiful example of Our Lady, of course, but as a culture we’ve shifted from the stay-at-home mom type of situation, and moms are kind of forced into the workplace, and that’s OK, there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s just a matter that they are not necessarily able to spend that time with their daughters to show them what it is really like to be a mother and to raise them in that faith and to help their daughters see the value of being a woman, the value of their femininity, the value of what God has gifted them, which is the power to be a mother.”

Father David Boettner, rector of the cathedral, is “very supportive” of the two programs, Mrs. McKinney said.

“He and Deacon Walt [Otey] have given us space to meet. They’ve allowed us to run ads in the bulletin and to get it going,” she said.

Mrs. McKinney has been married to John McKinney for 14 years. They have four sons and a daughter.

“My husband has actually taken on the role of leading the Fraternus program here, without any prompting on my part,” Mrs. McKinney said. “He volunteered to that because it was always his dream to be involved in a boys program with our children. With our oldest son being Fraternus age, he felt called to make sure that there was a strong leader to keep these programs going because we have four sons coming up the line, and we want this for our children. More than anything, we want holy children for ourselves and for the community.”

The programs have a certain last-

Membership symbol Each girl in Fidelis received a bracelet at the initiation ceremony.

DAN MCWILLIAMS (3)

Ministries continued from page B2

Fidelis national director Priscilla McKinney, a parishioner of Sacred Heart, addresses members of the ministry before the initiation ceremony. ing impact for many of the youth once they reach adult age.

“There has been a huge witness to these programs through the amount of vocations that come out of these programs,” Mrs. McKinney said.

“From the Nashville Diocese alone, there are about 20 seminarians currently who have come through the Fraternus programs, and they attribute much of the reason they’re in seminary and the fact that they would even discern being a priest to the influence that Fraternus has had on them. On the Fidelis side of things, there have been several girls from different chapters who have gone on to seek consecrated life.”

Beth Parsons, office manager for

the diocesan Office of Vocations and Smoky Mountain Deanery coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, has a daughter, Maggie, 12, in the Fidelis program and a son, Riley, 14, in the Fraternus program.

“I think it’s really fantastic,” Mrs. Parsons said. “I’ve already seen just in the short time we’ve been meeting how it’s building some relationships with them and the mentorship with the older women and the men who are mentoring. It’s been an awesome experience for both of them. They both really look forward to coming back each week.”

More information for both groups may be found at: www.fidelisonline. org and fraternus.net. n

The officiant speaks Father Martin Gladysz of Sacred Heart presided at the Fraternus and Fidelis ceremony.

Parish notes continued from page B5 Pastor Father Pete Iorio hosted a potluck and meeting on the spirituality of communion of the Focolare Movement on Nov. 19 in the rectory.

Cardinal Justin Rigali shared his memories of the Church.

The Knights of Columbus sponsored a buffet-style breakfast Nov. 3, with donations helping to support the less fortunate during the Christmas season.

Paulist seminarian Rich Whitney hosted a half-day discernment retreat Nov. 23 for those considering a vocation to the priesthood, diaconate, or religious life.

St. Francis of Assisi, Townsend

The parish recognized all who serve on the faculty and staff at the University of Tennessee and other area colleges at weekend Masses on Nov. 16-17. At the Masses on Nov. 23-24, the par-

The parish hosted the Smoky Mountain Deanery Council of Catholic Women fall general meeting Nov. 7. Special guest

St. John XXIII, Knoxville

ish recognized those who serve in law enforcement as well as first responders and those in the legal and health-care professions, veterans, and those currently in the Armed Forces.

Program began with Mass on Nov. 11 followed by a blessing at the Veterans Memorial in front of the church. Guest Col. Tom J. Kelly, USAF retired, spoke on the U-2 spy program.

St. Joseph the Worker, Madisonville

The Knights sold Christmas magnets after weekend Masses on Nov. 9-10.

The Knights of Columbus will host their seventh annual Christmas concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. Tickets are $10, and all revenue will be allocated to charitable programs.

The parish’s Veterans Day Memorial

The annual White Mass honoring those serving in the health-care profession took place Oct. 20 at St. Joseph the Worker. A Red Mass recognizing those serving in the legal profession was held Oct. 6. n

Calendar continued from page B5 a UNESCO World Heritage site. Mass will be celebrated each day, including at Parraquial Mayor, the oldest church on the island, built in 1522. The group will visit Sancti Spiritus, the oldest Cuban European settlement.

For more information, contact Lisa Morris at 865-5671245 or lisam@select-intl.com.

tablished by St. Junipero Serra founded in the Sierra Gorda region of Mexico, and the Guanajuato statue of “Cristo Rey,” which is the world’s second largest statue of Christ the King. The group will visit more sites as well. For more information, contact Lisa Morris at 865-567-1245 or lisam@select-intl.com.

Join Father Alex Waraksa on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje, Dubrovnik, and the seaside village of Cavtat from June 15-24, 2020. Pope Francis recently approved pilgrimages to Medjugorje. This pilgrimage will be an opportunity for prayer and reflection in the midst of the beauty of Croatia. Land and air, all-inclusive price is $3,295 per person based on double occupancy. For more information contact Lisa Morris at 865567-1245 or lisam@select-intl.com.

The Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga is now normally open weekdays from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturdays, with extended hours on some weeknights. The weekday schedule includes daily Mass at 7 a.m. Monday (ancient form), Wednesday, and Friday, and noon Monday through Friday. Confessions are offered at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. Morning prayer is offered after the 7 a.m. Mass on Monday/Wednesday/Friday. Adoration is offered on first Fridays following the noon Mass, concluding with Benediction at 5:30 p.m. Adoration continues from 9 p.m. until 7 a.m. Saturday.

Cardinal Justin Rigali will be the spiritual leader on a historic pilgrimage to the 52nd Eucharistic Congress in Budapest from Sept. 17-27, 2020, including highlights of central Europe, Vienna, Salzburg, and Munich.

Visit dioknox.org/cardinal-rigali-to-represent-u-scatholic-church-at-2020-eucharistic-congress for more information or contact Lisa Morris at 865-567-1245 or lisam@select-intl.com.

Glenmary Father Steve Pawelk will lead another pilgrimage to Mexico from Nov. 2-12, 2020, visiting the shrines of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Sanctuario de Santo Toribio Romo, built for one of the 25 Mexicans who were martyred during the persecution of the church in the 1920s. Pilgrims will explore San Juan de los Lagos, which is famous for its Basilica of the Virgin of San Juan de Los Lagos, the mission churches esB6 n DECEMBER 1, 2019

A Missa Cantata (sung Mass) in the ancient form of the Roman Rite is normally celebrated at 5 p.m. on the fourth Sunday of each month at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul. The next Missa Cantata celebrations will be Dec. 22 and Jan. 26 at 5 p.m., followed by the fourth Sunday basilica potluck at 6:30 p.m.

Mass in the extraordinary form (“traditional Latin”) is celebrated at noon each Sunday at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville; every Sunday at 8 a.m. at St. Mary Church in Athens; at 2 p.m. each Sunday at St. Mary Church in Johnson City; and at 7 a.m. Mondays and 5 p.m. each fourth Sunday at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga. For more information, w ww.di o k no x .o rg

visit www.KnoxLatinMass.net.

A Rorate Caeli candlelight Latin Mass will be offered at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville at 6:30 a.m.

Saturday, Dec. 14. This is a traditional Advent devotion in which the Votive Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary for Advent is offered just before dawn, with no lighting other than candles on the altar. The name Rorate Caeli comes from the initial Latin words of the Introit of this Mass (“Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above”). The interplay of light and darkness speak to the meaning of Advent and the coming of the Light of the World.

The traditional Latin Mass of Christmas will be offered at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville at noon on Christmas Day. At 11:30 a.m. preceding the Mass, the Knoxville Latin Mass Schola will present a program of traditional Christmas music. The Mass itself will be accompanied by the variable proper parts sung in Gregorian chant and the fixed ordinary parts (Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, etc.) in a special polyphonic setting, together with offertory and Communion motets in chant and sacred polyphony. All area Catholics and their friends are invited to share this festive celebration of the Nativity of Our Lord. Further details about the Mass and musical program will be posted at www.knoxlatinmass.net.

The St. Thomas the Apostle Eastern (Byzantine) Catholic Mission located at 2304 Ault Road, Knoxville, TN 37914 meets for Divine Liturgy every first, second, and fourth Sunday at 3 p.m. All services are in English.

Call Father Richard Armstrong at 865-584-3307 or visit www.saintthomasknoxville.org/ for details. n TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C ATH OLI C

COURTESY OF CECILIA APARICIO-RASCON

Parish and community news

COURTESY OF WOODY GEISLER

Father Orr receives MBA St. Mary-Athens pastor Father John Orr, pictured with his mother, Victoria, and sister, Genevieve, received his Master of Business Administration degree Oct. 12 from Western Governors University Tennessee. The commencement ceremony took place at the University of Texas at Austin.

COURTESY OF MARLENE YURICK,

Longtime CCW member Patty Johnson is the recipient of the Our Lady of Good Counsel Award. Mrs. Johnson is a former National Council of Catholic Women president.

Patty Johnson receives NCCW award parish, the Cumberland Mountain Deanery, the Knoxville Diocese, and nationally.

Based on Mrs. Johnson’s extensive work with council and in the Church, Pope Francis designated her a recipient of the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifica medal in 2015.

“By order of the Holy Father himself, for service to the Church and the diocese and for all of us who just appreciate her sense of leadership…in the name of the Diocese of Knoxville and all the people of the diocese that you have served, I want to say thank you,” said Bishop Richard F. Stika in presenting the papal award.

Recently Bishop Stika invited Mrs. Johnson to serve as a diocesan member on the Tennessee Catholic Public Policy Commission. Her nursing background is continually shared as a volunteer to the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic.

Julie Bomar, 2019-21 KDCCW president, presented the OLGC award to Mrs. Johnson following the Mass at St. Francis celebrated

by Father Michael Woods, Cumberland Mountain Deanery CCW spiritual adviser. Attending were former NCCW province directors, Knoxville DCCW presidents, deanery and parish members, many friends, parishioners, and family members.

St. Francis of Assisi Parish hosted a reception following the Mass in Mrs. Johnson’s honor organized by the parish CCW. Mrs. Johnson will appear on the cover of the December issue of NCCW’s Catholic Woman magazine with a feature article about her many accomplishments with council. n

COURTESY OF LANA J. SMITH

Holy Trinity honors senior parishioners with birthday party Senior parishioners of Holy Trinity in Jefferson City were honored at an annual birthday celebration Oct. 13. They were appreciated for their faithful witness and many years of loving service. Pictured are (clockwise from bottom left) Gloria Bohrer, Sarah Cole, George Morin, Joyce Haigh, Kay McBride, Elaine Morris, Ed Kertis, Mike Colicchio, and Evangeline Webster.

COURTESY OF LILLIAN ISAAC

Sanctity of Life Sunday in Kingsport The Greater Kingsport Pro-Life Volunteers and St. Dominic Knights of Columbus Council 6992 held their Life Chain on Oct. 6 at the corner of Eastman Road and Center Street. Five churches participated in the Life Chain. Thirty-eight people were present, 28 of whom attend St. Dominic Church in Kingsport.

St. Mary-Johnson City has blessing of pets and pet show To celebrate the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, St. Mary Parish in Johnson City offered a pet blessing Oct. 5. Father Dustin Collins presided. After the blessing, the St. Mary Mom Ministry and the Knights of Columbus hosted their first pet show. The events were blessed with beautiful weather, great attendance, and wellbehaved pets.

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

COURTESY OF BILL HEWITT

T

he National Council of Catholic Women (NCCW) announced that the 2019 Our Lady of Good Counsel (OLGC) Award winner is Patty Johnson.

The award was presented Oct. 6 at her home parish of St. Francis of Assisi in Fairfield Glade following Mass.

The Knoxville Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (KDCCW) nominated Mrs. Johnson for the award. The national OLGC award is presented annually to a woman in recognition of her service and spirit through dedicated efforts and contributions to council, church, and community over time.

NCCW looks for a woman who is committed to spirituality, leadership, and service; welcomes everyone; mentors new members; and shares generously with a servant’s heart; a member who uses the NCCW programs and resources to initiate activities and projects that live out the mission of NCCW and act on its resolutions; and a woman who is making a significant difference through her leadership in council, a remarkable woman who exemplifies what is best about the NCCW. Mrs. Johnson’s service has been exemplary in working on the parish, deanery, diocesan, provincial, and national levels of council for more than 50 years. She was active as a member of the Nashville DCCW before becoming the first president of the KDCCW in 1989.

She served a term as an NCCW Province of Louisville Director and as NCCW’s president from 2009-11, plus in many other positions at the national level. She maintains active participation in council in her

Knights’ state deputy visits St. Henry council in Rogersville Tennessee Knights of Columbus State Deputy Michael McCusker visited St. Henry Council 8860 in Rogersville on Oct. 20. Council officers ate with the state deputy at Sagebrush Steakhouse, with St. Henry pastor Father Bart Okere leading the group in prayer. Father Okere is also the state associate Knights chaplain and St. Henry council chaplain. Others attending were Bill Hewitt, district deputy and deputy Grand Knight; Grand Knight Bob McDaniel; Michael Opiela, financial secretary; Ron Campbell, treasurer; Forrest Wylie, recorder; Beverly Carmack, warden; Jim Egbert, advocate; Tony Wilkosz, past district deputy 20; and Stephen Derosia and Melvin Braun, trustees. The evening culminated with the Star Council Award being presented to Mr. McDaniel by Mr. McCusker (pictured).

w ww.di o k no x .o rg

DECEMBER 1, 2019 n B7

Praying for Perspective

by George Valadie

Are miracles the key to sainthood?

The human factor can go a long way toward determining who’s included in the book

P

erhaps this would have been a better topic for November’s issue, but I ask you to think back to your favorite saint. The one you most admire from having read that book. You know the one: Lives of the Saints.

To be honest, I never did read all that book.

I know I should have kept reading more, but I didn’t.

I know I should still be reading more, but I don’t.

I did “google” the title recently but came up with 52 million possible entries. So I guess when I finally do decide to jump back in, picking out a good “Saints” book might prove to be a whole lot harder than it used to be when Sister kept a few copies on the shelf behind her desk.

I racked up a lot of extra credit reports from that book.

This column actually began writing itself the other day at our lunch table.

Sitting there in the cafeteria, with kids all around, we teachers typically gather to squeeze in a meal as quickly as we can while pretending we can’t hear them.

And we talk about almost anything that doesn’t involve them … weekends, Weight Watchers, the weather [mostly snow days.]

That day we broke the rule. We should never break the rule.

Apparently, as part of having written an essay about a saint of their choosing, a student had shared in class what was to her some surprising research she had unearthed about Mother Teresa.

This student’s digging had led her to discover not everyone was a

Can you see them with friends gathered for dinner, telling a good joke?

The life of the party? Blessed with the ability to laugh at themselves as well?

For most in that old book, I didn’t see it. I can’t. I never have. fan. That instead, Mother was often criticized—by Catholics and nonCatholics alike—for such offenses as “claiming virtue in suffering rather than trying to alleviate it,” and for “offering substandard medical care.”

Some at our table chimed in with a nodding knowledge of these controversies; but me, I didn’t have a clue.

Really? Where had I been? Was this true? Was she guilty? She did talk a lot about the value of suffering. But here we were in the month of the saints getting on my favorite.

We were simultaneously ruining my image of the woman and my lunch.

Puzzled, I knew for a fact Pope John Paul II and the Church sped up the process for her.

I was glad they did.

According to those keeping count, she had but one of two required miracles to her credit when he set the wheels in motion.

But I didn’t really care about that either. Miracles or not, they could have let her in the day she died as far as I was concerned.

Miracles aren’t the keys to a saintly life if you ask me. The stories I know are of a woman who loved God and life and people. And some of those were people whom society

had deemed unlovable.

That’s enough for me.

But I turn back to you and your own personal favorite. Which saint do you admire most?

Now, tell me this: do you ever envision that person with a big old grin on their face?

Do you ever picture that holy man or woman having a good belly laugh with their best friends? One of those tears-down-your-cheeks, snorting-milk-out-your-nose, can’tcatch-your-breath kind of laughs?

Can you see them with friends gathered for dinner, telling a good joke? The life of the party? Blessed with the ability to laugh at themselves as well?

For most in that old book, I didn’t see it. I can’t. I never have.

The majority of saints I used to read about became saints after they died a terrible death. Some became saints because they actually chose to die that way.

Some were beheaded. Some were crucified. A few even burned at the stake. Or worse.

I’ve always admired them certainly but never really felt all that inclined to be like them, certainly not if that’s what awaited me.

And though it may be true and probably was, the stories I’ve read about those folks just didn’t seem to be about fun people. Another reason I put off having sainthood as a personal goal.

Of course it’s not that they weren’t lovers of joy; they very well could have been. Probably were. I know that now. But that aspect of their personalities and their lives was just never included in the con-

densed versions I read as a child.

And when I stopped reading, I stopped learning.

But with Mother Teresa, I had actually seen her laugh. And I’d seen others laugh because of her.

Real-life television footage exists of the woman, and not a single frame of it shows her doing anything miraculous. She was, however, seen demonstrating an unmatched, maybe even inhuman, love of mankind, at least the sort of love I’ve never been able to match.

And a sense of humor.

The woman seemed normal. And that’s my kind of saint.

John Paul is a favorite, too. In his 25-year tenure, he canonized almost 500 saints, more than his predecessors of the last 500 years combined.

He also beatified another 1,300-plus.

Good for him.

Just like the rules he broke for her, I loved that he could see that special lives exist in not-so-special circumstances. Like him, I believe there are saints among us. I’m just sure of it.

I once read, “Saints can be hard to live with. Their message is uncomfortable; ... compromise is not enough; you can go higher, you must go higher.”

I know people like that. And so do you. And though I doubt they ever make the book, they definitely make this a better place to be.

Dear God—She’s already there. Making the rest of them laugh. Making the rest of us think. Thank you for the saints among us. Amen. ■ George Valadie is president of Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga.

COURTESY OF ANGIE BUSH

COURTESY OF NANCY POWELL

Parish and community news

St. Stephen Christian formation classes begin with music St. Stephen Parish in Chattanooga began Christian formation classes Sept. 4 with “Music in the Hall.” The classes gather together as one group to sing praises to God. The singing has been a big hit with the children and parents. St. Stephen pastor Father Manuel Pérez (shown above) likes to visit the classrooms often on Wednesday nights and encourage the teachers and students.

MARIA RIST

COURTESY OF ERIN TURNER

Bristol area holds 40 Days for Life vigil Sue Thayer (center), outreach director for 40 Days for Life, visited the Tri-Cities area Oct. 3, the first day of the area’s 40 Days vigil. She is pictured with Sandy Hermann (left) and Angie Bush, who is of St. Anne Parish and the local 40 Days leader for Bristol.

Notre Dame Parish CCW, St. Agnes Guild collect pajamas for kids The Council of Catholic Women at Notre Dame Parish in Greeneville has had another busy year. Each year the CCW hosts a baby shower to stock the local pregnancy center’s shelves. On Nov. 17, the CCW invited the chair of Gifts for Kids in Greeneville to its meeting and presented her with more than 500 pairs of pajamas for kids who are currently considered homeless in Greene County. She had 650 kids apply for gifts and pajamas this year, and the CCW’s goal was to have the remaining 100 or so pairs for her before the month of November was up. From left are Erin Turner, Notre Dame CCW president; Fran Gregory of Gifts for Kids; and Susan Collins, director of religious education and St. Agnes Guild chair.

B8 n DECEMBER 1, 2019

Advanced youth semi-chorus joins in Requiem Choral Concert The Gloria Dei Schola, with organists Andrea Tierney and Dr. Sarah Harr, gave a Requiem Choral Concert at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul on Nov. 10. The advanced “Golds” semi-chorus (pictured) of the Jubilate Deo Youth Schola joined in the concert.

The program included motets and selections from Faure’s Requiem with themes of death, mercy, and eternal life. Donations to Food for the Poor were collected to benefit the needy in Guatemala. The basilica’s American Heritage Girls and Trail Life troops greeted the concert guests and assisted the basilica’s reception coordinator, Florence Porter, in hosting a reception following the concert. This concert is the second in the Basilica’s 2019-20 Sacred Music Concert Series, with the aim of sharing the basilica’s apostolate of beauty with the community.

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

Scripture and the Spiritual Life

by Sister Anna Marie McGuan, RSM

Goal of becoming a ‘good’ person falls short of sainthood God became man so that men might become gods, which goes far beyond just doing the right thing

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ne objection to Christianity (and it seems religion in general) is the statement: “I don’t need religion to be a good person.” The implication in such a statement is that religion does not really add anything to developing character, let alone supernatural virtue and holiness.

It would be helpful, however, to clarify what exactly is meant by the this “good person” statement. Being a “good person” is a vague notion.

Perhaps it means that the speaker is not a perpetrator of violent crimes, or any crimes at all. He may be a volunteer at a local homeless shelter or soup kitchen. He may simply mean that he is not hurting anyone else by his actions.

Those are acceptable qualities, even admirable ones. It is unconvincing, however, as a definition of a good person. The real meaning of what a good person is made of is more profound and much more challenging than that.

Boethius wrote that a person is an individual substance of a rational nature. This means that personhood is not reducible to the body alone, nor to the soul alone, nor simply to consciousness. Whether one is awake or asleep, he is a person. Nor is personhood equated with cognitive function. A child is just as much a person as an adult. A mentally handicapped adult is just as much a person as the CEO of a Fortune 500 company.

If personhood is reduced to con-

Hear more from Sister Anna Marie on her podcast, Scripture and the Spiritual Life. sciousness or cognition, the complexity of being human is reduced to one facet of the human reality.

Ask a mother if her infant is a person. It is doubtful that she will say no, even though he can’t speak yet.

What will be a man is a man already—this is intuited by a mother, and it is correct.

Adding “good” to that understanding of person also teaches something. The “good” is a perfection of being, something that makes it desirable. Health, for example, is a desired good by most people. A healthy animal is more perfect and more desirable than a sick animal. A good person is more desirable and more perfect than a bad one.

Not only that, the good person communicates the good he possesses to others. Knowledge, for example, is communicated to others through the art of teaching. A good teacher communicates effectively in order to share knowledge with his students. Goodness, in the context of human people, is what makes a person take what is good in the self and use it to will the good of the other.

Parenting is a great example of this—how often does the parent have to rise above selfishness in order to do good to the child,

Thoughts and Prayers for the Faithful

even when the child is incapable of understanding the sacrifice? If the parent does not learn this selfgiving love, the child is hurt, and the relationship suffers. The motive for such selfless actions is pure; the parents love the child and do things simply for the child’s well-being.

There is no ulterior motive, no selfaggrandizement, no payback.

Theoretically, “good people,” i.e. generous, self-giving, virtuous people, could exist without Christianity. They might have self-mastery, all the while understanding personhood and living according to right reason in action.

However, there is more to religion than churning out nice people.

Here is what C. S. Lewis had to say about it: “And what the first bit of good [Christianity] will do to you is to hammer into your head (you won’t enjoy that!) the fact that what you have hitherto called ‘good’—all that about ‘leading a decent life’ and ‘being kind’—isn’t quite the magnificent and allimportant affair you supposed.

It will teach you that in fact you can’t be ‘good’ (not for 24 hours) on your own moral efforts. And then it will teach you that even if you were, you still wouldn’t have achieved the purpose for which you were created. Mere morality is not the end of life. You were made for something quite different from that…”

In other words, a man may, by

becoming a Christian, become a good person; and he may not. Making good people in a vague, generic way, however, is not the purpose of Christianity. Christianity is about saints. The fathers of the Church would ask: Why did God become man? That is, what was the purpose of the Incarnation, the fact that Jesus Christ, the second Person of the Blessed Trinity, was born a man in time?

The answer they gave was full of depth and transforming power: God became man so that men might become gods. He “leapt down” to dwell among us and teach us to live and be like Himself. What they were talking about was and is the deification of the human person—God shows us and empowers us to live like He does, and so to live with meaning, integrity, and profound peace. As St. Peter wrote, “we become partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4).

That goes far beyond being a “good person.” The life of faith and grace bursts open the definition of “good person” into what it is meant to be: godlike, holy, and truth lived out through charity. ■ Sister Anna Marie McGuan, RSM, is the director of the Office of Christian Formation for the Diocese of Knoxville.

She also writes for SimplyCatholic.com, a ministry of Our Sunday Visitor.

This column originally appeared at SimplyCatholic.com.

by Bob Hunt

The season of reflection Advent, Christmas are the times of the year to think about the presence of Christ among us, especially in the Eucharist

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dvent and Christmas seasons are times for reflecting on the presence of Christ among us.

During Advent, we prepare for the solemnity of the Incarnation by penance and adopting a joyful, expectant attitude. Jesus is coming! During Christmas, we celebrate Emmanuel, “God with us” (Matthew 1:23), in the birth of our Lord into history.

It’s a good time to reflect on the presence of Christ among us in the Eucharist. Each day, and especially each Sunday, Catholics are called to gather for the celebration of the Eucharist, a Greek word meaning “thanksgiving.” Eucharist describes both the liturgy that celebrates the sacrifice of Christ and the presence among us of Christ under the appearance of bread and wine.

This is the mystery of the Real Presence: that Jesus Christ is really present, body, blood, soul, and divinity, under the appearance of bread and wine.

At the Last Supper, Jesus told His disciples, “This is my body. This is my blood” (Mark 14:22-25). We take Him at His word. When Christ was confronted over His claim to be the bread from heaven, He firmly declared that whoever ate His body and drank His blood would have new life.

Daily readings Sunday, Dec. 1: First Sunday of Advent, Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122:1-9; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:37-44 Monday, Dec. 2: Isaiah 4:2-6; Psalm 122:1-9; Matthew 8:5-11 Tuesday, Dec. 3: Memorial of St. Francis Xavier, priest, Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Luke 10:21-24 Wednesday, Dec. 4: Isaiah 25:6-10; Psalm 23:1-6; Matthew 15:29-37 Thursday, Dec. 5: Isaiah 26:1-6; Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27; Matthew 7:21, 24-27 Friday, Dec. 6: Isaiah 29:17-24; Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14; Matthew 9:27-31 Saturday, Dec. 7: Memorial of St. TH E EAST T E N N E S S E E C AT HO L I C

When so many walked away because of this hard teaching, Jesus didn’t call them back so He could explain Himself, insisting that He only meant a symbolic eating and drinking of His Body and Blood.

Rather, He let them walk away. He then turned to His disciples and asked, “Will you also go away?”

It was St. Peter who answered: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:41-69).

St. Justin Martyr, a second century philosopher and convert to Christ, explained in his First Apology, completed around AD 155, the faith of the early Church in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist: “We call this food Eucharist; and no one else is permitted to partake of it, except one who believes our teaching to be true and who has been washed in the washing which is for the remission of sins and for regeneration, and is thereby living as Christ has

enjoined.

“For not as common bread nor common drink do we receive these; but since Jesus Christ our Savior made incarnate by the word of God and had both flesh and blood for our salvation, so too, as we have been taught, the food which has been made into the Eucharist by the Eucharistic Prayer set down by Him, and by the change of which our blood and flesh is nourished, is both the flesh and the blood of that incarnated Jesus.”

St. Thomas Aquinas, writing in the 13th century, gave us the language of transubstantiation. It’s a big word with a big meaning. It means that the bread and wine, the substance of the Eucharist, are transformed into the Body and Blood of our Lord. Hence, trans – substance or transubstantiation. The elements of the Eucharist continue to appear as bread and wine, but they are no longer bread and wine. They are the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

Because God is eternal and does not exist in time, every moment for Him is now. As such, at every Mass the one perfect sacrifice of Christ on the cross (Hebrews 10:1-18) that took place so long ago is made present before us so that we today and every generation that has been or is

to come may be present at and participate in the one sacrifice of Christ.

To celebrate and pray the Divine Liturgy every Sunday is a responsibility each Christian has for his or her own salvation, for the Church, and even for the entire world.

The word liturgy, also from Greek, means “the public work of the people done on behalf of the people.” It is a work of service for all that defines what a person is.

The liturgy of a mail carrier is to deliver mail. The liturgy of a fire fighter is to fight fires. The liturgy of a police officer is to police the community. It is a service for all that defines what they are. Just so, the liturgy of the Christian is to “do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19). It is a service for all that defines what we are.

The real presence of Christ in the Eucharist is our Catholic faith. It has been the faith of Catholics since the beginning. It will be the faith that continues to sustain us until Christ comes again.

Be Christ for all. Bring Christ to all. See Christ in all. ■

Ambrose, bishop and doctor of the Church, Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26; Psalm 147:1-6; Matthew 9:35-10:1 and 10:5-8 Sunday, Dec. 8: Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Romans 15:4-9; Matthew 3:1-12 Monday, Dec. 9: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Genesis 3:9-15, 20; Psalm 98:1-4; Ephesians 1:3-6, 1112; Luke 1:26-38 Tuesday, Dec. 10: Isaiah 40:111; Psalm 96:1-3, 10-13; Matthew 18:12-14 Wednesday, Dec. 11: Isaiah 40:2531; Psalm 103:1-4, 8, 10; Matthew 11:28-30 Thursday, Dec. 12: Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Zechariah 2:14-

17; Judith 13:18-19; Luke 1:26-38 Friday, Dec. 13: Memorial of St. Lucy, virgin and martyr, Isaiah 48:17-19; Psalm 1:1-4, 6; Matthew 11:16-19 Saturday, Dec. 14: Memorial of St. John of the Cross, priest and doctor of the Church, Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11; Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19; Matthew 17:9-13 Sunday, Dec. 15: Isaiah 35:1-6, 10; Psalm 146:6-10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11 Monday, Dec. 16: Numbers 24:27, 15-17; Psalm 25:4-9; Matthew 21:23-27 Tuesday, Dec. 17: Genesis 49:2, 8-10; Psalm 72:1-4, 7-8, 17; Matthew 1:1-17 Wednesday, Dec. 18: Jeremiah 23:58; Psalm 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19; Mat-

thew 1:18-25 Thursday, Dec. 19: Judges 13:2-7, 2425; Psalm 71:3-6, 16-17; Luke 1:5-25 Friday, Dec. 20: Isaiah 7:10-14; Psalm 24:1-6; Luke 1:26-38 Saturday, Dec. 21: Song of Songs 2:8-14; Psalm 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21; Luke 1:39-45 Sunday, Dec. 22: Isaiah 7:10-14; Psalm 24:1-6; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-24 Monday, Dec. 23: Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24; Psalm 25:4-5, 8-10, 14; Luke 1:57-66 Tuesday, Dec. 24: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16; Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29; Luke 1:67-79; vigil for Christmas, Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Matthew

The real presence of Christ in the Eucharist is our Catholic faith. It has been the faith of Catholics since the beginning. It will be the faith that continues to sustain us until Christ comes again.

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Bob Hunt is a husband, father, and parishioner at All Saints Church in Knoxville and is a candidate for the permanent diaconate.

Readings continued on page B10 DECEMBER 1, 2019 n B9

COURTESY OF PAM RHOADES

DAN MCWILLIAMS

Catholic schools

Outstanding foursome Knoxville Catholic’s All-State cross country runners are (from left) state champion Callie Tucker, Riley Smith, Kaylee Estridge, and Spencer Stovall.

COURTESY OF LAURA GOODHARD

Knoxville Catholic girl wins state cross country title; KCHS, NDHS runners shine

By Dan McWilliams noxville Catholic High School offensive lineman Bryn Tucker has been selected as one of more than 90 players nationwide to participate in the Under Armour All-America Game, set for 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, in Orlando, Fla. “Bryn has been a great representative of Knoxville Catholic High School both on the field and off the field, just an outstanding human being, two great parents, and we’re very fortunate to have him as part of our family,” said Fighting Irish head coach Steve Matthews on Nov. 7 at a ceremony in the school gym during which Bryn was presented his commemorative Under Armour game jersey.

Bryn, a Clemson commitment and the son of Mike and Shay Tucker, is the second KCHS player to receive the Under Armour honor.

“I want to thank God for the blessing and the opportunity. Secondly, I want to thank my mom and dad and all my family for always being there every step of the way,” Bryn said after receiving the jersey. “I also want to thank the entire Knoxville Catholic football staff for helping me every step of the way. I would like to send a special thank-you to [KCHS offensive line] coach [Justin] Anderson for everything he taught me.

“I also want to thank my teammates for pushing me during practice and always sticking by my side. Thank you to Under Armour for recognizing me with this great honor. Lastly, thank you to the Knoxville Catholic family. You have made me who I am, and I will never forget that. Thank you, and Go Irish.”

Former Irish standout Amari Rodgers, now with Clemson, was selected for the game in 2017. Cade Mays of KCHS, now with Georgia,

Nov. 2 in a time of 16:57.63, and teammate Spencer Stovall took 15th place in 17:18.56. Both earned AllState recognition.

The KCHS boys finished seventh in the team standings. Also scoring for the Irish were Alonso Vela in 36th, Evan Deichert in 60th, and Dominic Spezia in 66th. Other KCHS finishers were Nick Gerkins in 68th and Parker Slough in 77th.

In the Division II, Class A girls state meet Nov. 2, Notre Dame’s Sophie Welch took 10th place out of 69 runners with a time of 21:04.53. Teammate Elisa Alvarado placed 18th in 22:00.94.

The Lady Irish finished sixth as a team in the state meet. Also scoring for Notre Dame were Sophia Huelscamp in 42nd place, Anna Young in 46th, and Annamarie Todd in 68th. Annamarie finished one spot ahead of teammate Maia Delaney.

Joseph Shramko posted a teambest 18:20.26 time for the Notre Dame boys in the state meet Nov. 2, good for 26th place out of 68 runners.

Others scoring for the Irish were Colton Sanborn in 37th place, Jack Dimisa in 47th, Charlie Menham in 58th, and Max Flash in 61st. Zachary Varga finished 63rd and Kyle Parker 66th for Notre Dame. n

played in the Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio in 2018.

“We’ve been extremely fortunate to have some really good players, some of the top players in the country, come through these halls,” Mr. Matthews said.

Alumni of the Under Armour game include NFL players Julio Jones, A.J. Green, Amari Cooper, Jameis Winston, and Leonard Fournette as well as college standouts Jerry Jeudy of Alabama, Grant Delpit of LSU, and Justin Fields of Ohio State. Fifty NFL first-round draft picks have come from Under Armour rosters.

Bryn, who plays offensive tackle and offensive guard, had one word to describe his selection to the 2020 Under Armour game.

“It was awesome. Letting Under Armour pick me out of all the best players in the country to come into one town, Orlando, it’s awesome.

I appreciate Under Armour for picking me, and I can’t wait to get down there,” he said.

His honor is likewise one for the KCHS team, too, he said.

“I couldn’t do it without my teammates. Every Friday night, every practice—they’re always pushing me and picking up my game when I’m down. For them being at my side all these four years, it’s awesome. I appreciate them very much,” Bryn said.

Head coach Matthews has known Shay Tucker, Bryn’s mother, since their days together as Tullahoma High School students.

“We knew each other in high school and stayed in touch via Facebook. It took off from there.

Bryn was looking to go to a private school and was looking around and ended up choosing Knoxville Catholic. We’re extremely glad. Great young man, great family, and we’re excited about his future.”

The Under Armour All-America Game can be seen on ESPN2. n

COURTESY OF PAM RHOADES

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KCHS’s Bryn Tucker selected to play in Under Armour All-America Game

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Regional hardware Notre Dame’s girls cross country team members hold their regional meet runner-up plaque, while the boys hoist their region thirdplace award.

here was little suspense in the TSSAA Division II, Class AA girls cross country statechampionship meet Nov.2 at the Percy Warner Park Steeplechase Course in Nashville.

Knoxville Catholic High School senior Callie Tucker won the state title on the 5K course in 18 minutes, 56.00 seconds, and by a margin of 22.04 seconds over the runner-up. It was the girls team’s first state championship since Joanna Thompson won the Division I, Class AAA crown in 2010.

Runners from the KCHS boys and Notre Dame High School girls and boys teams stood out, too, at the state meet.

Callie finished first out of 110 runners. Lady Irish freshman Kaylee Estridge placed 12th in the state with a time of 20:46.85. Both Callie and Kaylee earned All-State honors.

The Lady Irish placed eighth in the state as a team, helped by Elaina Daddabbo in 35th place, Maggie Trent in 62nd, and Tiffany Vo in 66th. Also finishing for KCHS were Ellen Vo in 71st and Eleni Christopoulos in 83rd.

For the Knoxville Catholic boys, junior Riley Smith finished sixth in the state meet out of 95 runners

‘A great representative’ Bryn Tucker displays his Under Armour All-America game jersey during a Nov. 7 ceremony in the KCHS gym. At left is Fighting Irish head coach Steve Matthews, and at right is Shay Tucker, Bryn’s mother.

Lady Irish volleyball team finishes second in state The Knoxville Catholic High School volleyball team finished as the state runner-up in Division II, Class AA, on Oct. 24. The Lady Irish (27-8) defeated Harpeth Hall 2025, 25-15, 27-25, 25-13 in round one Oct. 22 at Siegel High School in Murfreesboro.

KCHS fell the next day to Briarcrest 17-25, 22-25, 25-20, 24-26 in the winners’ bracket final at Middle Tennessee State University. The Lady Irish battled their way out of the losers’ bracket with a 23-25, 25-15, 25-23, 29-27 win over Baylor later on Oct. 23 but fell to Briarcrest 18-25, 25-17, 23-25, 22-25 in the state championship game.

COURTESY OF LAURA GOODHARD

Readings continued from page B9

Notre Dame theater students perform Clue: On Stage Notre Dame High School recently presented its fall theater production of Clue: On Stage. From left are Stella Malecky, Gabe Davis, Connor Hayes, Levi Brown, Liam Kerr, and Emma Pace.

B10 n DECEMBER 1, 2019

1:1-25 Wednesday, Dec. 25: The Nativity of the Lord—Christmas, Mass during the night, Isaiah 9:1-6; Psalm 96:1-3, 11-13; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14; Mass at dawn, Isaiah 62:1112; Psalm 97:1, 6, 11-12; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:15-20; Mass during the day, Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98:1-6; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-18 Thursday, Dec. 26: Feast of St. Stephen, first martyr, Acts 6:8-10 and 7:54-59; Psalm 31:3-4, 6, 8, 16-17; Matthew 10:17-22 Friday, Dec. 27: Feast of St. John, Apostle and evangelist, 1 John 1:1-4; Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; John 20:1-8

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Saturday, Dec. 28: Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs, 1 John 1:5-2:2; Psalm 124:2-5, 7-8; Matthew 2:13-18 Sunday, Dec. 29: Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14; Psalm 128:1-5; Colossians 3:12-21; Matthew 2:1315, 19-23 Monday, Dec. 30: 1 John 2:12-17; Psalm 96:7-10; Luke 2:36-40 Tuesday, Dec. 31: 1 John 2:18-21; Psalm 96:1-2, 11-13; John 1:1-18 Wednesday, Jan. 1: Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, Numbers 6:22-27; Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21 n TH E EA S T TEN N ES S EE C ATH OLI C