Aug. 7, 2011, ET Catholic

This issue

He dwells among us.................. 2 Diocesan calendar..................... 9 Deanery news.......................... 10 La Cosecha............ center pullout

The East Tennessee

Catholic youth......................... 14 Sports..................................... 16 Columns.................................. 17

dioknox.org August 7, 2011 Volume 20 Number 19

Bishop Richard F. Stika

News from The Diocese of Knoxville

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‘Gentle spirit’ Archbishop Sam­bi, U.S. apostolic nuncio, dies at 73

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Golden jubilee Townsend parish celebrates 50 years

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Guilty verdict Bill Casey is convicted on all counts

Cardinal Rigali plans move to Knoxville

The recently retired archbishop of Philadelphia will soon call East Tennessee home. By Mary C. Weaver

‘I have enjoyed the gracious hospitality of the people of Tennessee on several occasions.’

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, OFM Cap, will be installed as Philadelphia’s new shepherd on Sept. 8.

He had been archbishop of Denver since 1997.

Cardinal Rigali said he greatly en-

Mary C. Weaver

B

ishop Richard F. Stika of the Diocese of Knoxville loves baseball and is a big St. Louis Cardinals fan—and soon he’ll have a Cardinal living with him.

With the news July 19 of Pope Benedict XVI’s acceptance of the retirement letter of Cardinal Justin F. Rigali, submitted last year on the occasion of his 75th birthday as required by Church law, Bishop Stika has announced that the Cardinal will move from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to the Diocese of Knoxville.

Cardinal Rigali had served as Philadelphia’s archbishop since 2003.

Good friends Cardinal Justin F. Rigali is seen with then–Bishop-elect Richard F. Stika on March 18, 2009, the day before the latter was ordained as bishop of Knoxville.

joyed his years in Philadelphia but that as he closes this chapter in his life, he is deeply blessed to be able to move to the South. “I have enjoyed the gracious hospitality of the people of Tennessee on several occa-

sions when I have visited,” he said.

“I look forward to making my home in the Diocese of Knoxville.” The Archdiocese of Philadelphia will provide for all of Cardinal Rigali’s expenses as part of his retirement.

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

Bishop Stika, a native and priest of St. Louis before being named bishop of Knoxville, served as then–Archbishop Rigali’s secretary, chancellor, and vicar general for the Archdiocese of St. Louis from 1994 to 2003.

“We used to chat about the possibility of the Cardinal’s living with me when he retired,” Bishop Stika said, “but I thought it would be in a rectory where I was serving as a parish priest in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, not in the bishop’s residence in East Tennessee.”

Knoxville will be Cardinal Rigali’s principal home, but he will continue to travel frequently to Rome, where he serves on the Vatican’s Congregation for Bishops. Bishop Stika said he intends to welcome Cardinal Rigali by presenting him with a Vols ball cap. “By the end of the Cardinal’s first week here, I hope to have taught him all the words to ‘Rocky Top,’” said Bishop Stika.

Cardinal Rigali’s long and distinguished service to the Church began

Cardinal continued on page 7

R

He dwells among us

by Bishop Richard F. Stika

Bishop Stika’s schedule

‘Dog days’ of life

These are some of Bishop Stika’s appointments:

Like water that refreshes us from the heat, thankfulness refreshes the soul in its trials.

eal baseball fans know the importance of the “dog days” of summer, the 40-day period ending in August that typically marks the hottest and most sultry days of the year. It’s during this time that teams either renew their passion for the game or succumb to the fatigue of a long season intensified by the heat and humidity. But the teams that advance into the playoffs (like my St. Louis Cardinals always do) embrace the struggle and use it to strengthen and form themselves into a championship team. That’s also true in the spiritual life.

It’s said that if not for the weather, most people would have difficulty initiating a conversation. It’s the same with our trials and sufferings: without them many people might neglect their relationship with God. This isn’t to suggest God annoys us into praying—far from it. God wants us only to be filled with his love and peace and especially to share it with others, even when our crosses are heavy and we’re tempted to despair.

We would do well to reflect often upon the invitation of Christ, “Come to me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will re-

Diocesan policy for reporting sexual abuse

fresh you . . .” (Matthew 11:28).

As a priest for more than 25 years, I’ve learned that the easiest way to lose peace and joy of heart is not to be thankful, especially for our crosses. I am reminded of the words of St. Basil, who said, “Many a man curses the rain that falls upon his head and knows not that it brings abundance to drive away the hunger.” When we give thanks to God, our struggles and crosses can be a source of abundance that drives away the hunger of our soul and that of others.

I always recall this lesson when a new school year approaches, and I hear children bemoaning the end of summer vacation. Yet without the classroom and the struggle that comes with learning, we would remain limited in our capacity to receive what the future offers.

When properly observed, the Church calendar, with its seasons and its many memorials, feast days, and solemnities, can serve as a classroom of education and refreshment for the soul that helps us navigate the trials of life. During the period of time the Church calls ordinary, between the end of Easter and the beginning of Advent, we are blessed to

have a number of days dedicated to Our Blessed Mother, who especially longs to refresh our tired souls with the life-giving waters of her Son. In the upcoming weeks we will be blessed with three such days: the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Aug. 15, followed by the Memorial of her Queenship on Aug. 22, and on Sept.

8 the celebration of her birth and the 23rd birthday of our diocese. Sept.

8 is the day Archbishop Charles J. Chaput will be installed as the new shepherd of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. It also marks the beginning of a new chapter in the life of Cardinal Justin Rigali and the Diocese of Knoxville.

As many of you know, my dear friend Cardinal Rigali submitted his letter of retirement last year to the Holy Father on the occasion of his 75th birthday, as required by Church law. With the announcement on July 19 of the appointment of Archbishop Chaput as his successor, I am pleased to announce that Cardinal Rigali will reside with us in the Diocese of Knoxville, at least when he is not in Rome, working with the Congregation of

The East Tennessee

Aug. 7: 9 a.m., Mass, Sacred Heart Cathedral; 5 p.m., baseball game, Howard Johnson Field, Johnson City Aug. 11-12: provincial bishops’ meeting, Louisville, Ky. Aug. 14: 11 a.m., Mass, Sacred Heart Cathedral Aug. 16: 10:30 a.m., Mass and profession of perpetual vows of Religious Sisters of Mercy, Saginaw, Mich.

Aug. 17: 10 a.m., opening school Mass, Notre Dame High School, Chattanooga Aug. 19: 8 a.m., opening school Mass and blessing of Stations of the Cross, St. Joseph School, Knoxville; 1 p.m., meeting with Father Speratus Kamanzi, AJ, superior general of the Apostles of Jesus Aug. 21: 9 a.m., Mass, Sacred Heart Cathedral; 6 p.m., Mass with Vietnamese community, Immaculate Conception Church, Knoxville Aug. 22: 4 p.m., Mass and banquet, Morgan County Correctional Complex, Wartburg Aug. 23: 11 a.m., Presbyteral Council meeting, Chancery

Bishop continued on page 5

Bishop Richard F. Stika Publisher Mary C. Weaver Editor Dan McWilliams Assistant editor

Schedule continued on page 5

Margaret Hunt Administrative assistant Dan Pacitti Intern

Anyone who has actual knowledge of or who has reasonable 805 Northshore Drive, S.W. • Knoxville, TN 37922 cause to suspect an incident of The Diocese of Knoxville sexual abuse should report such The East Tennessee Catholic (USPS 007211) is published monthly by The Diocese of Knoxville, 805 Northshore Drive Southwest, information to the appropriate Knoxville, TN 37919-7551. Periodicals-class postage paid at Knoxville, Tenn. Printed on recycled paper by the Knoxville News Sentinel. civil authorities first, then to the The East Tennessee Catholic is mailed to all registered Catholic families in East Tennessee. Subscription rate for others is $15 a year in bishop’s office, 865-584-3307, or the United States. Make checks payable to The Diocese of Knoxville. the diocesan victims’ assistance coordinator, Marla Lenihan, 865Postmaster: Send address changes to The East Tennessee Catholic, 805 Northshore Drive Southwest, Knoxville, TN 37939-1127 Reach us by phone: 865-584-3307 • fax: 865-584-8124 • e-mail: webmaster@dioknox.org • web: dioknox.org 482-1388. n

2 August 7, 2011

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

dioknox.org

From the wire

Archbishop Sambi, U.S. nuncio since 2006, dies at 73 WASHINGTON (CNS)—Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the apostolic nuncio to the United States since early 2006, “enjoyed the highest respect and deepest affection” of the U.S. bishops and the nation’s Catholics, said New York Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Archbishop Sambi, 73, died July 27 at Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore, apparently from complications of lung surgery performed about three weeks earlier.

“Archbishop Sambi understood and loved our nation,” Archbishop Dolan said in a statement July 28.

“He traveled throughout the country, often to attend the ordination of bishops, always eager to meet the faithful and to share with them the affection the Holy Father has for them and their country.”

Bishop Richard F. Stika of the Diocese of Knoxville recalled the late nuncio with gratitude. “I will always remember the phone call I received from the nuncio informing me of my appointment as bishop of Knoxville,” he said.

Archbishop Sambi “was very warm and kind and also offered his support and prayers,” Bishop Stika said. “He shared with me the story of Jesus’ choosing Peter as an apostle and assured me that I too was chosen by the Lord and that he would give me strength and courage. I think that it was from this conversation that I began to reflect on my eventual episcopal motto: Jesus, I trust in You. May Archbishop Sambi rest in peace.”

Archbishop Dolan recalled “the indispensable role” the nuncio had during Pope Benedict XVI’s trip to the United States in 2008, saying he had “enabled our entire nation to see the wonderfully warm solicitude The East Tennessee Catholic

Deacon Patrick Murphy-Racey

The late nuncio is praised as a dedicated man of the Church who had ‘a special affection’ for this country.

‘Indispensable role’ The late Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States, is seen blessing newly ordained Bishop Richard F. Stika on March 19, 2009.

of the Holy Father for America.”

A veteran Vatican diplomat, Archbishop Sambi was named as papal nuncio to the United States by Pope Benedict XVI in December 2005. At the time of his appointment he was the Vatican’s representative to Israel and Palestine, where he helped arrange Pope John Paul II’s historic pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2000.

After he arrived in the United States on Feb. 24, 2006, he said in an interview with Catholic News Service in Washington that he was impressed by the vitality of U.S. Catholicism, the level of weekly Mass

attendance among U.S. Catholics, and their generosity toward others.

In Baltimore Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien said the impact of the late nuncio’s work “will be felt for many years to come. Both as a diplomat and a priest, Archbishop Sambi excelled through his gentle spirit and infectious goodness,” he said.

“A churchman who served us with extraordinary spiritual insights, boundless physical energy, and a compassionate generosity that reached out to all generations, Archbishop Sambi has been a great model of full-hearted love for Christ’s

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

church and dedication to the Holy See and to the vicar of Christ,” Archbishop O’Brien said.

Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington said everyone in his archdiocese felt “a particular bond” with Archbishop Sambi because of the planning that led up to the papal visit in 2008 as well as the events themselves. He added that he personally will miss his friendship.

“We all recognize his extraordinary work as the pope’s personal representative and the apostolic nuncio to the United States, his sense of humor, his friendly and open manner, and his clear love for the church and our Holy Father.”

In a statement released in Los Angeles, Archbishop José H. Gómez noted all the postings Archbishop Sambi had in his 42 years of service and said “he had a special affection for his last posting, as papal nuncio to the United States.”

“In speaking to U.S. bishops last fall, he said, ‘Here the Lord has planted me, here I must flourish.

This has become my home, this has become my people; to put all my energies at its service is my joy and my crown.’”

Monsignor Edward Arsenault, president and CEO of St. Luke Institute in Washington, said Archbishop Sambi’s “deep pastoral concern for those ministering in the church was evident when he visited” the institute.

“He treated every person he met, from psychologists to residents to the kitchen staff, with respect, joy, and prayerfulness. His devotion to the church and to his own priestly ministry was an inspiration to all who met him,” the priest said. n Copyright 2011 Catholic News Service/ U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops August 7, 2011 3

In our parishes

Townsend parish celebrates 50th birthday

Dan McWilliams

St. Francis of Assisi members fill the church for a golden-anniversary Mass. By Dan McWilliams

Giving thanks Bishop Richard F. Stika presided at St. Francis of Assisi Parish’s 50th-anniversary Mass on July 16. Above, Deacon Mike Nestor assists the bishop as parochial administrator Father Brent Shelton looks on.

I

n 1961 an abandoned Methodist church in Townsend was converted into worship space for a new community of believers.

This summer that community—St. Francis of Assisi Parish—turned 50 years old.

Bishop Richard F. Stika celebrated the parish’s golden-jubilee Mass on July 16 before some 130 who filled the church located near the banks of the Little River.

Father Brent Shelton, recently named parochial administrator of the parish, concelebrated. Assisting was Deacon Mike Nestor, who has

4 August 7, 2011

served at St. Francis of Assisi since 1990.

“We celebrate at a church, formerly a Methodist church, dedicated for service to God’s people,” said the bishop in his opening remarks.

“We remember in a very special way all those men and women who have come before us and have been a part of the establishment of this parish, the priests and the deacons who have served here, and all the many people who have been given the sacraments of Jesus Christ.”

St. Francis spent most of its first half-century as a mission of Our

Lady of Fatima Parish in Alcoa before the bishop established it canonically as a full parish in February 2010.

Bishop Stika in his homily gave thanks for the parishioners over the years who have lived up to one of their parish patron’s most famous sayings: “preach the Gospel always, and when necessary, use words.”

“Yes, Lord, we give thanks to you for the past, but we pray that we and those who follow us will give glory to you, Lord, by faithfulness to the sacraments, by celebrating the Word, and by living our faith,”

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

said the bishop.

The Townsend area was home to the Little River Lumber Co., which employed many Irish and Italian Catholic laborers, at the turn of the 20th century. John and James Shea of the company’s managerial staff were Catholics from Tioga, Pa., who were concerned that there was no Catholic church in the area. In 1904 they employed a teacher from Knoxville, Bridget Whelahan, who taught children from both non-Catholic and Catholic families in a cabin on Happy Top Hill.

East Tennessee’s circuit-riding priest of those days, Father Emmanuel F. Callahan, made Townsend part of his enormous mission field in 1905 and celebrated Mass about once a month in the John Shea family home until the Sheas moved to Knoxville in 1908.

When forest land in the area was purchased for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, dedicated in 1934, the lumber company closed and most of the workmen moved away. That made the Townsend Catholic mission unnecessary, but by 1960 many Catholics were among the tourists drawn to the area by the park. In that year Father John Baltz, pastor of Our Lady of Fatima in Alcoa, asked Dorothy E. Thompson—the only Catholic living in Townsend—to find a suitable building for celebrating Mass for the tourists.

Mrs. Thompson located an abandoned Methodist church and parsonage and led a successful fundraising drive to refurbish the badly neglected buildings. The altar was constructed by Nashville Bishop William L. Adrian and donated along with pews, a vestment case, and a confessional by St. Joseph Parish in Madison.

More donations of furnishings poured in from sisters, Catholic nurses, and parishioners in Dayton, Ohio, and from other areas of the country. dioknox.org

The East Tennessee Catholic

priestly ordination June 16.

“We’re very happy to have you here, Bishop,” he said at the end of the anniversary Mass. “I know there has been a team of parishioners working on this visit since before I came.”

Bishop Stika concluded the liturgy by thanking the St. Francis parishio-

ners “for being solid citizens of the Diocese of Knoxville.”

“In many ways you are ministers of hospitality for all the tourists who come through Tennessee, so I want to thank you for being the face of Jesus to one another in the parish but also for being the face of Jesus to those who visit this parish.” n

Bishops and other congregations.

As far as I know, Cardinal Rigali will be the first cardinal ever to reside in the southeastern United States, yet another blessing for us to be thankful for.

In my next column I hope to share with you the exciting news of the creation of a new foundation. With the pending sale of Mercy Health Partners, we have recognized the need for a foundation that will continue the spiritual and corporal works of mercy that the Sisters of Mercy have so faithfully provided for 81 years. It is these works of mercy that help refresh those impoverished in body and soul.

As we seek ways to refresh ourselves from the unrelenting heat, may we also seek the refreshment only God can give when we experience the “dog days” of life. Aided by Our Blessed Mother and the angels and saints, in a spirit of thanksgiving, may we all be able to pray with St. Paul in the final inning of life: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).

And with your prayers, perhaps the St. Louis Cardinals will go all the way to a World Series win! n

Schedule continued from page 2

Aug. 25: 10 a.m., opening school Mass, Knoxville Catholic High School; 6:30 p.m., coffee and dessert with Rosary Makers of St. Jude Church, Chattanooga

Dan McWilliams

“We give thanks to our Lord for the founders of this parish, for those around the country who donated different items and financially assisted this parish at its very beginning,” said Bishop Stika during the anniversary Mass.

On May 4, 1961, Father Baltz requested both an opening Mass and that the new mission be named for St. Francis of Assisi. The Mass was set for June 18, but before then reports came that the Ku Klux Klan was planning to burn down the church.

A local Methodist minister, the Rev. Perry Tanksley, preached a sermon against religious intolerance that is believed to have stopped the Klan’s action.

“It was a Methodist minister who came to the aid of the small Catholic population,” Bishop Stika said.

“The Church is the mystical body of Christ, as Pope Pius XII talked about, so even if they had succeeded in burning down the church [building], they could never have destroyed the Church.

“The Church is the people of God. The Church gathers together in a sacred building to celebrate what we celebrate now: the Eucharist, the holy sacrifice of the Mass. But the Church is people who have accepted the word of God into their hearts, who have allowed the seed of faith that was planted to flourish.”

John Shea was the father of two priests. Both Monsignor Harold Shea and Monsignor Francis R. Shea served the Diocese of Nashville, with the latter going on to become the bishop of Evansville, Ind. Monsignor Harold Shea was the celebrant of the first Mass at St. Francis of Assisi, and then–Father Francis Shea served as deacon.

Today St. Francis has some 65 families year-round, with tourists swelling the ranks at Mass during the summer months.

Father Shelton started his St. Francis assignment July 1, shortly after celebrating his 10th anniversary of

Bishop continued from page 2

Leading the procession Abby Rapien carries the crucifix at the start of St. Francis of Assisi’s 50th-anniversary Mass. Also seen are Father Brent Shelton (left) and Deacon Mike Nestor. Abby and sister Hailey served at Mass, and another sister, Delorean, was the cantor. All three are students at St. John Neumann School in Farragut.

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

Aug. 28: 11 a.m., Mass, Sacred Heart Cathedral Aug. 30: 2 p.m., tour of Scripps Networks, Knoxville Aug. 31: 3:30 p.m., gathering with international priests serving in the Diocese of Knoxville, bishop’s residence n

August 7, 2011 5

The 1995 Corolla that Catholic Charities of East Tennessee uses to transport elderly people to medical appointments is showing its age. With a little help from friends and supporters, the agency hopes to trade it in for a new model.

CCET’s Interfaith Senior Services has been selected as a finalist in Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good contest, and supporters can help the charity win a new Toyota by voting Aug. 14 on Facebook.

“We hope all our friends throughout East Tennessee will take a minute to cast a vote on Facebook on Sunday, Aug. 14,” said Father Ragan Schriver, CCET’s executive director.

“This vehicle would mean a great deal to our Interfaith Senior Services program, which gives our clients transportation to medical appointments and other essential errands when they can no longer drive.”

Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good program showcases five nonprofit organizations each day on Toyota’s Facebook page, facebook.com/Toyota. The finalist receiving the most votes that day will win a new Toyota.

Catholic Charities will be one of the five charities featured on Aug. 14, along with competing organizations from California, Texas, Iowa, and New York.

“Each person can vote only one time, but you can encourage your friends to vote as well,” said Father Schriver.

“If you visit the Catholic Charities website at www.ccetn.org and click the 100 Cars for Good logo, we’ll send you a reminder to vote on Aug. 14. Please join us and spread the word. Just a minute of your time will mean a lot for so many seniors.” n

6 August 7, 2011

Health care

Mercy Health Partners sold for $525 million New owner agrees not to perform abortions or euthanasia at hospitals. By Dan McWilliams

Dan McWilliams

CCET hopes to win a car to help seniors

‘A great day for us’ Britt Reynolds, Division 1 president for Health Management Associates, speaks at a press conference July 5 at Mercy St. Mary’s Medical Center in Knoxville.

H

ealth Management Associates of Naples, Fla., announced July 1 that it will buy Mercy Health Partners for $525 million, ending the Catholic Church’s oversight of the health-care system that began more than 80 years ago.

The acquisition of Mercy, a subsidiary of Catholic Health Partners that generates about $600 million in net revenue annually, is expected to close on or before Oct. 1, pending regulatory approval and approval from the Vatican. The sale includes the original hospital in the system, Mercy Medical Center St. Mary’s, founded in 1930, along with six smaller hospitals and substantially all of Mercy’s ancillary operations.

HMA assured Bishop Richard F. Stika that it would not perform

abortions or euthanasia at any of the hospitals it is acquiring from Mercy.

“We of the Catholic Diocese of Knoxville look forward to welcoming Health Management Associates to our community,” said the bishop.

“We are grateful that the system which began with a single hospital founded 81 years ago by the Sisters of Mercy to fulfill their mission here in our city will continue to exist.”

HMA operates 59 hospitals in 15 states with about 10,300 beds. With the Mercy sale, HMA will add nearly 1,300 beds, including 401 at Mercy St. Mary’s, 108 at Mercy Medical Center North, and 101 at Mercy Medical Center West, the latter two hospitals also being in Knoxville.

Also included in the acquisition are St. Mary’s Medical Center of Camp-

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

bell County in LaFollette (66 beds), St. Mary’s Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Jefferson City (58 beds), and Baptist Hospital of Cocke County in Newport (74 beds). The deal gives HMA the former Baptist Hospital of East Tennessee in downtown Knoxville, now known as Mercy Riverside, which has 293 beds. Mercy’s ancillary health-care operations in the region are licensed to operate 197 beds.

Mercy Health Partners was formed with the 2008 acquisition of Baptist Health System by St. Mary’s.

Bishop Stika said he had been worried about the possible loss of jobs if the sale were not accomplished.

“Throughout the process I have been concerned about the doctors, nurses, and employees of Mercy Health Partners and about the need for quality health care in Knoxville and the surrounding communities,” he said.

“Even though we regret the loss of a Catholic institution, we are glad that the Mercy hospitals will continue to exist as the important community resource that they have been for nearly a century. We have confidence in the leadership of Health Management Associates to continue the legacy of service to which Mercy Health Partners has been committed.”

Bishop Stika said HMA’s agreement not to perform abortions or euthanasia would allow the Sisters of Mercy to maintain a presence at the hospitals and for Catholic Masses to be offered on a periodic basis in the nondenominational chapel at Mercy St. Mary’s. The sisters’ convent is at Mercy St. Mary’s.

“This will be a wonderful way for the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—to continue to be served in the future,” said Bishop Stika.

Father David A. Boettner, a vicar dioknox.org

general and moderator of the curia for the Diocese, said the Church appreciates the cooperation received from Catholic Health Partners and Health Management Associates.

“The negotiations were handled very professionally, and we were able to reach an outcome on the sale that will benefit our community,” Father Boettner said.

Britt Reynolds, president of HMA Division 1, will oversee the newly acquired system. Mr. Reynolds and others from HMA met with physicians and associates at the seven area Mercy facilities on July 5, and the HMA official spoke at a press conference that afternoon.

“This is a great day for us,” said Mr. Reynolds. “We’re here meeting with associates and physicians and the leadership team, and we’re very excited about our opportunity to partner with these folks.”

Per canon law, the bishop has to provide the Holy See with his votum (opinion) on whether anything hinders or stands in the way (nihil obstat) of Catholic Health Partners’ selling its Mercy assets to HMA. Mr. Reynolds said that HMA, which has acquired Catholic hospitals before, expects that nothing

would “get in the way” of Vatican approval.

“I can’t speak for Mercy and Catholic Health Partners, but I believe in the end, our values, our strong Judeo-Christian–based values as an organization, fit perfectly [with Mercy] . . . and I think that will be communicated with the Vatican as well.”

HMA has “no current plans” to close any facilities, according to a July 1 release. “It would only make sense that Health Management’s goal is to expand and enhance the quality and range of services that are being provided in the communities Mercy serves,” the release stated.

With the new owner will come a new name for the Mercy system.

HMA will employ focus groups to help select a name.

“We have engaged folks both locally and nationally to help us with the naming process,” said Mr. Reynolds. “Mercy Health System retains the rights to that name.”

The change to a for-profit operator will bring an estimated $4.5 million in taxes to local revenues, said the HMA release.

HMA president and chief executive officer Gary D. Newsome said in a release that his organization “is

very pleased to have been chosen to continue Mercy Health Partners’ long-standing tradition of delivering high-quality health care to meet the growing needs of the Knoxville community and [the] region.”

“The Mercy system enjoys strong community support, with an excellent medical staff and dedicated employees,” he said. “Health Management intends to build upon this solid foundation and continue to enhance the quality of health care, increase the range of services, and improve access to needed medical services for East Tennessee. Our goal is to enable East Tennessee’s best local health care.”

Mercy president and CEO Jeffrey A. Ashin said in a release that HMA “has earned the national reputation of being a strong operator of hospitals.”

“Through HMA, our hospitals will be able to invest in their facilities and new technologies and provide the training needed to ensure Mercy continues to provide the best, most current care available in our communities. For these and many other reasons, I strongly believe HMA is the perfect match for Mercy Health Partners.” n

Cardinal continued from page 1

Paul II (1978 through 2005), and Pope Benedict XVI (2005 to the present).

In 1985 he was ordained a bishop

by Blessed Pope John Paul II. From 1985 to 1990, in addition to serving as president of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, he held a number of positions at the Vatican, serving the Secretariat of State, the Council for Public Affairs of the Church, the Congregation for Bishops, and the Pontifical Council for the Laity. In 1990 he became secretary of the College of Cardinals.

In 1994 Blessed John Paul II appointed him archbishop of St. Louis, where he served until he was named archbishop of Philadelphia in 2003. Later that year he was made a Cardinal by Blessed John Paul II.

In 2007 Pope Benedict XVI appointed the Cardinal as a member of the Vatican Congregation for Bishops. He is a member of the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, the U.S. bishops’ committees on Divine Worship and Pro-Life Activities, and Vox Clara, which advises the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments on English translations.

The Cardinal is chairman of the ad hoc subcommittee on Aid to the Catholic Church in Central and Eastern Europe and president of the board of directors of the Black and Indian Mission Office. He also serves on the board of the National Catholic Bioethics Center. n

in 1961 with his ordination to the priesthood in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Later the same year he began his graduate studies in canon law in Rome at the Pontifical Gregorian University, completing his doctorate in June 1964.

The young priest served as an usher for the first two sessions of the Second Vatican Council, which began in October 1962. In November 1964 he entered the English-language section of the Vatican’s Secretariat of State, becoming its director in 1970.

In his various roles with the Vatican, Cardinal Rigali has served three popes, beginning with Pope Paul VI (through 1978), Blessed Pope John The East Tennessee Catholic

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

Diocese offers ongoing Virtus child-protection training sessions The Diocese of Knoxville’s program for the protection of children and youth—a threehour seminar called “Protecting God’s Children”—is offered regularly throughout the diocese. The seminars are required for parish and school employees and regular volunteers in contact with children or vulnerable adults and are recommended for parents and grandparents.

The following training sessions have been scheduled: n All Saints Church, Knoxville, 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6 n Sacred Heart Cathedral, 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16 (session will be held in the Shea Room) n St. Stephen Church, Chattanooga, 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17 n Holy Ghost Church, Knoxville, 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18 n St. Mary Church, Johnson City, 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 20 (sessions will be held in St. Ann Hall) n St. Alphonsus Church, Crossville, 1 p.m. CDT, Sunday, Aug. 21; 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16 n St. Albert the Great Church, Knoxville, 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31 n St. Mary Church, Oak Ridge, 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9 (session will be held in Columbus Hall) n Holy Cross Church, Pigeon Forge, Saturday, Sept. 10 (call the parish for the time) n St. Jude Church, Chattanooga, 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22 (session will be held in the parish life center).

Participants are asked to donate $1 for session materials. To register, visit virtusonline.org. n

August 7, 2011 7

Our priests

Father Oruko: ‘I really love my priesthood’ The native of Kenya, completing his eighth year in America, also ‘loves being a missionary.’ By Margaret Hunt

F

ather William Oruko, AJ, was ordained to the priesthood on Aug. 13, 1999, at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Shrine in Nairobi, Kenya. Father Oruko is the fifth of seven children of Florence and the late Fulgence Onaga. In 2003 Father Oruko began serving as an associate pastor of Sacred Heart Cathedral.

He later became associate pastor of St. Mary Parish in Oak Ridge and has served as pastor of St. Mary Parish in Athens since July 2009. He plays golf and enjoys reading about philosophy and psychology.

What attracted you to the Apostles of Jesus?

When I was finishing my eighth year in primary [school], a group of us had wanted to become priests, and we went to our pastor, who gave us applications. Some of [us] applied to the diocesan seminary, others applied to different orders, and the pastor gave me one to apply to the Apostles of Jesus. I was the only one he gave that application to, so I applied, and he endorsed it, and that’s how I came to the Apostles of Jesus.

Who helped you most with your decision to become a priest?

I come from a very strong Catholic family background. I admired our pastor, his associates, and the sisters.

[My classmates and I] just wanted to be like our pastor.

How did you come to the United States?

When I was ordained, I was working in one of the dioceses in the northern part of Kenya, but I never dreamt in my life that I would go abroad. I did not know anybody or have any relatives in America or Europe. I was working in my first assignment, working in a seminary and also a

8 August 7, 2011

high school. I had just finished my fourth year there, and I got a letter in September 2003, telling me that I had to start preparing for a transfer to the United States. I was told I had to go to Nairobi to our generalate for more information, so I went, and they told me I was going to be transferred.

What do you enjoy most about the priesthood?

I really love my priesthood, and I really love being a missionary. I just enjoy everybody. I love being around people, and I love being able to do what I’m able to do in a simple way.

I also love celebrating Mass and praying for people. People ask you to pray for them, and I get requests from all over, so it really humbles you to pray for all these needs. The laity are very wonderful people, and they love when they are being appreciated and empowered to do their all as part of the ministry of the Church.

Who supports you most in your priesthood?

My family first, my brother priests, sisters, parishioners. Sacred Heart I consider my home in Knoxville, despite all the culture shock and being the first black priest to work there.

People are very gracious and kind to me. It made a huge difference for me.

What makes a good missionary?

My home parish was founded by missionaries. The priests of the St. Joseph Missionary Society were from England and the Netherlands, and they evangelized the whole diocese. All their activities were geared toward missionary life: missionary compassion, helping people, pastoral work, social issues, medical issues. Then there was their prayer life, visiting the sick, working with children and the disabled, so really,

Father William Oruko, AJ

that’s my image. Being a missionary, you embrace all—all holistic aspects of the human person, spiritually, physically, emotionally, and materially.

What was it like for you when you were made a pastor?

First of all I was scared. I thought the bishop was making a joke with me.

I just felt it wasn’t what I was meant for, but the priests were encouraging me, and the bishop was supportive, and everybody was saying, “You are going to do well”—the parishioners in Oak Ridge, everybody. I came to learn that it was like going to school.

The first time you are taken to kindergarten, your mom leaves you there, and you think you can’t do it, but I came to school to learn.

I didn’t know how people would receive me, but I came and they received me well. My predecessor, Father Jim Vick, did a good transition, and we met several times, and he introduced me to the place. It was really good, and from there, I got my schooling. I’m still receiving my schooling, but I’ve enjoyed it, and the people have been very, very wonderful. The aspect of teamwork,

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

of volunteering, is very good. I’ve adjusted myself to being open to what the Holy Spirit wants me to do.

There are many things involved in being a priest. You have your original assets from your family and your formal schooling and then seminary formation, but there’s another element. Priesthood is another formation altogether—in the parish, in the pastoral acts, so people tend to form you where you work. I think this is what makes a priest: the field, the people you work with. I would say after being in the diocese, in the United States for almost eight years, that there was another element of formation that has been enriching my vocation.

What has been one of the more challenging aspects of priesthood?

Our limitations and weakness require more improvement. It’s like the way we speak our English, our accent. The language is an impediment a little bit because it’s a different culture and people are not used to us, so it takes time for them to understand us, and sometimes it takes us a little longer to understand them. They still love you, and you still love them. You don’t feel offended—you just try to take correction—otherwise you’ll have trouble.

The weaknesses are always there, but they help us to be stronger and to be much better. There is always room for improvement, for learning.

What is your prayer life like?

I pray my Liturgy of the Hours.

Sometimes I have personal time where I reflect or meditate. I do my reading. Sometimes I go out and walk and enjoy Mother Nature. n Mrs. Hunt is an administrative assistant with the Media Office. dioknox.org

Diocesan calendar

by Dan Pacitti Father Randy Stice; Sister Mary Timothea Elliott, RSM; and Faerie Pabich will present workshops on the third edition of the Roman Missal at Sacred Heart Cathedral and at St. Dominic Church in Kingsport. The cathedral workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6. The St. Dominic workshop will be held in the parish life center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. Father Stice, director of the diocesan Worship and Liturgy Office, will present “Introducing the Third Edition of the Roman Missal” at each workshop. Sister Timothea, director of the Christian Formation Office, will speak on the topic “The Bible in the Mass.” Mrs. Pabich, director of music and liturgy at Sacred Heart, will present “New Music for the New Missal.” The Sacred Heart workshop is $15; register and pay online by visiting bit.ly/missal-workshop.

The St. Dominic workshop is free, but a turkey, ham, or vegetarian lunch is available for $6. To register for the St. Dominic workshop, contact the church at 423288-8101 or stdomchurch@aol.com. For more information, contact Father Stice at 865-584-3307 or frrandy@dioknox.org.

A pilgrimage to the Holy Land, “Journey with the Lord During Lent,” is set for Feb. 27 through March 11, 2012.

Pilgrims will visit holy sites in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Galilee, and elsewhere. Monsignor Al Humbrecht will be the spiritual leader of the pilgrimage, and Mercy Sister Albertine Paulus is coordinator for the trip. The group will depart from Atlanta. Cost is $3,199 (cash discount price) or $3,398, plus airport taxes, fuel surcharges, and tips. To request information, contact Sister Albertine at 865-545-8270, 207-4742, or smaevang@yahoo.com.

Father David Carter will present an overview of the annulment process in a seminar set for 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25 in the gym at St. John Neumann School in Farragut. Simultaneous Spanish translation will be available.

Contact Marian Christiana, coordinaThe East Tennessee Catholic

tor of the Office of Marriage Preparation and Enrichment, at 423-892-2310 or mchristiana@dioknox.org for more information.

Young women between the ages of 18 and 35 who are interested in exploring a possible vocation to religious life are invited to join the Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich., for a weekend retreat at the sisters’ Home of Mercy in Knoxville. Retreats begin on Friday afternoon and conclude on Sunday after lunch.

During the weekend retreatants will be able to enter into the rhythm of life of the Community of Mercy. Weekends will be offered Aug. 19 through 21 (register

by Aug. 12), Sept. 16 through 18 (register by Sept. 9), and Oct. 14 through 16 (register by Oct. 7). To register for a weekend or learn more, e-mail saint​ justin@rsmofalma.org or call Sister Mary Christine, RSM, at 865-690-9266.

Knoxville’s Our Lady of Perpetual Help Homeschool Group will have a Mass marking the opening of the school year at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19, at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Alcoa.

Monthly Masses at Our Lady of Fatima will follow at 1 p.m. on second Fridays beginning in September. For more information about the group, contact Wendi Cruice at wcruice@charter.net.

Knights of Columbus Council 610 in Chattanooga is collecting items for the white-elephant sale at its annual Labor Day picnic, scheduled for Monday, Sept. 5, at Camp Columbus.

For pick-up or drop-off information, call Scott Louisell at 423-667-6936 or John Chrnalogar at 544-1562. Proceeds support the council’s charitable activities throughout the year.

Lila Rose, president of Live Action, will be the guest speaker at this year’s Celebrate Life Banquet, sponsored by the Knox County chapter of Tennessee Right to Life. The banquet will be held Thursday, Oct. 13, at the Knoxville Convention Center. For more information, contact the TRL chapter at 865-6891339 or trlknox@knology.net.

The next Spanish Cursillo for women in the diocese is set for Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 25 through 28, at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church in Cleveland. For more information, call Nancy Kinerson at 423-476-9009, Aurora Gardner at 715-8235, or Sofía Delgado de Rocha at 790-1742.

St. Jude Parish in Chattanooga is having an evening of dancing with the Glenn Miller Orchestra from 6 to 9 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 25, in the family-life center. There will be light hors d’oeuvres and a wine and beer cash bar. Cost is $50 ($35 for seniors and students).

Proceeds will benefit the medical missions of the local Isaiah 58 chapter of the World of Hope Foundation. To make reservations or learn more, call 423-821-8088.

Church choirs are invited to be part of a “festival of choirs” at Worship in the City, to be held Aug. 26 and 27 at World’s Fair Park in Knoxville. Interested choirs should e-mail info@worshipinthe​ city.com. Tickets and more information may be obtained online at worshipinthe​ city.com.

St. Matthew Church in Charlotte, N.C., will hold a two-part Cenacle of the Divine Mercy Day of Healing titled “Healing Bread” from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8. Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. by Monsignor John McSweeney, followed by anointing of the sick, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, and singing of the chaplet of Divine Mercy.

The second part is a symposium featuring Vinny Flynn, author and president of Mercy Song; authors Fred Berretta and Jon Gauthier; Ralph Sullivan, leader of the Cenacles of the Divine Mercy at St. Matthew; and Bruce Brodowski, author and president of Carolinas Ecumenical Healing Ministries. To register, visit www. stmatthewcatholic.org.

The Benedictine Sisters Retreat Center in Cullman, Ala., is holding a free “Come & See” retreat for women ages 18 to 35 who may be discerning a call to a religious vocation. The retreat is

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

set for 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. CDT on Saturday, Oct. 15. To register, contact Sister Magdalena Craig at 256-734-2199 or vocations@shmon.org. For more information on the center’s retreats, call 256-734-8302, e-mail retreats@ shmon.org, or visit www.shmon.org.

The August calendar for Memorial Health Care System includes free abdominal aortic aneurysm screening weekdays Aug. 8 through 12 and Aug. 22 through 26 at Memorial Hospital, Memorial Hospital Hixson, and Memorial Ooltewah. The screening is for men and women 65 and older with no previous diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysm and no abdominal CT in the past five years. Registration and appointment required; call 423-495-6000. A free seminar on gastric-bypass Roux-en-Y and gastric-banding weight-loss procedures is set for 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9, in the Memorial Hospital Community Rooms. The seminar is geared toward individuals at least 100 pounds overweight. Call 495-2245 for reservations.

Cancer, heart, and diabetes patients should call 495-7778, 495-7764, or 495-7970, respectively, to learn more about Memorial’s events for them.

The next Marriage Encounter weekend in the diocese is scheduled for Aug. 12 through 14 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Knoxville. For more information, contact John or Anne Wharton at 423-581-1815 or acw193@bellsouth.net or visit www. loveinthesmokies.org or wwme.org.

The next charismatic Mass in the diocese will be celebrated at 5 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 28, at Holy Spirit Church in Soddy-Daisy. Father Dan Whitman of Holy Trinity Parish in Jefferson City will be the celebrant. Singers and instrumentalists who would like to participate should arrive at 4. Prayers for healing will follow the Mass. Call Dee Leigh at 423-842-2305 for more information.

The Community of Sant’Egidio is a Catholic lay ecclesial movement that focuses on prayer and service to the poor.

Calendar continued on page 13 August 7, 2011 9

Chattanooga Deanery calendar

Parish notes: Chattanooga Deanery

Memorial Health Care System in Chattanooga will hold a faith-community nursing/parish-nursing class in August, September, and October. The 33-hour class has three eight-hour sessions meeting from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Wednesdays, Aug. 17, 24, and 31, and three three-hour sessions meeting from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 6, Sept.

27, and Oct. 18. All six classes must be completed to fulfill course and contacthours requirements. Applicants must be registered nurses. A commissioning service (graduation) will be held Tuesday, Oct. 25.

Deadline for registering is Monday, Aug. 8. Contact Connie Blake, faith-community nursing coordinator, at 423-495-6163 or connie_blake@memorial.org for an application and for tuition information.

Holy Spirit, Soddy-Daisy Musician Kitty Cleveland gave a free concert at Holy Spirit on July 24 as part of her Be Not Afraid summer tour.

First communicants: John Blakely, Cole Brincks, Mary Buehner, Andrew Cambron, Dominic Davidson, Audrey Frische, Melanie Kral, Riley Lallier, Perla Leon, Audee Leyva, Felix Leyva, Leslie Leyva, Armstrong Maciel, Joaquin Maciel, Owen Malo, Chantal Ortiz, Jocelyn Ortiz, Kortney Restelli, Sean Tiner, Dulce Valdez, Elizabeth Warwick, Jackson Zinkann

OLPH, Chattanooga The Knights of Columbus will hold their eighth annual Summer Luau from 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Aug. 6, at the Knights Hall on Lee Highway. Proceeds benefit the mentally challenged. Tickets are $15. Call 423-899-9989 for reservations.

St. Augustine, Signal Mountain The Knights of Columbus named the Watkins Cannon family as family of the month for June.

The next “Picture of Love” engagedcouples retreat will be held Friday and Saturday, Sept. 23 and 24, at Holy Spirit Church in Soddy-Daisy. This marriage-

St. Catherine Labouré, Copperhill

preparation retreat supplements couples’ marriage formation with their parish priest and is designed to help couples gain a better understanding of the joys and challenges of living the sacrament of matrimony.

Couples will meet from 7 to 10 p.m. Sept.

23 and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 24. Cost is $135 per couple and includes meals on Saturday. The retreat certificate, for those attending the entire event, is good for a $60 discount on a marriage license.

To register or learn more, contact Marian Christiana of the diocesan Office of Marriage Preparation and Enrichment at 423892-2310 or mchristiana@dioknox.org.

The Serra Club of Greater Chattanooga meets on second and fourth Mondays in the Crystal Room at the Chattanooga Choo Choo. Meetings begin with Mass at 11:40 a.m. celebrated by club chaplain Father George Schmidt, with lunch and a speaker following. Visit www.serrachatta.org for further details. n

The Totus Tuus summer catechetical youth program, was held at St. Catherine from July 10 through 15.

St. Jude, Chattanooga Father Charlie Burton celebrated the 31st anniversary of his ordination July 11. A breakfast was held to commemorate the occasion.

Venture Scouts went white-water rafting on the Ocoee River on July 24, and the parish youth ministry held a rafting trip the following day.

Horton Hears a Who was shown at a free family-movie night in Siener Hall on July 29.

St. Mary, Athens The Knights of Columbus will host a free youth and family event at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14. Activities include building and flying rubber model planes and a radio-controlled model-airplane flight show. The Knights will provide hot dogs and drinks.

St. Stephen, Chattanooga The parish hosted a hot dog and ice cream social June 25.

Anniversaries: John and Paula Bukata (51), Jerry and Nancy Kane (50)

Sts. Peter and Paul, Chattanooga The parish is planning a Funyak trip with Hiwassee Outfitters on Sunday, Aug. 7.

No experience is required. Call Ann May at 706-935-4518 for more information. n

10 August 7, 2011

Courtesy of Paula Reiland

The St. Jude parish picnic will be held Saturday, Sept. 24. Contact Kyra Ross in the parish office at 423-870-2386 to volunteer or learn more.

First Communion celebrated at St. Stephen Twenty-one children received their first Holy Communion on May 1 at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga. With Father Augustine Idra, AJ, are (from left, front) Tess Kendall, Tara Kendall, Anna Kate Stipanov, Kinsley Simms, and Morgan Hicks; Paola Ramirez, Valeria Reza, Abby Mahoney, Katelyn Bach, Geovanna Arreola, Teresa Espinoza, and Yoana Godinez; and (back row) Jacob Hester, Anthony Sikes, Sergio Manriquez, Lucas Cato, Alfredo Espinoza, Juan Castillo, Pedro Arriaga, Jason Shelton (obscured), and Luiz De Campos.

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

dioknox.org

Cumberland Mountain Deanery calendar Mike Brock, an author and former educator, will be the featured speaker at the annual retreat sponsored by the women’s guild at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Lenoir City. The retreat will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at the St. Thomas family-life cen-

Parish notes: Cumberland Mountain Deanery

ter. The title of Mr. Brock’s presentation is “Who Am I Called to Be?” Tickets are $25 and include the program, a continental breakfast, and lunch. Non-parishioners as well as parishioners, both men and women, are invited to attend. Call Bette Purvis at 865-458-8070 for ticket information.

All Saints, Knoxville The Sisters of Mercy at Mercy St. Mary’s Medical Center in Knoxville recently thanked parishioners for contributing $3,166 for their retirement fund.

Father Ragan Schriver, executive director of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee, will present his annual update on CCET programs to the social-action committee at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8, in the parish hall.

The All Saints Military Support Group will host a brunch for military families of the parish after the 9 a.m. Mass on Saturday, Aug. 13. RSVP to JoAnn at 865-6938730 or busha_8@yahoo.com.

Father Patrick Brownell, now serving as a chaplain major in the U.S. Army with the 230th Sustainment Brigade, recently thanked the military-support group for sending 10 care packages for troops stationed in Kuwait.

Blessed Sacrament, Harriman

Edward E. Gardner

The Knights of Columbus recently sold vehicle window decals to support the seminarians of the diocese.

St. Mary in Oak Ridge bids farewell to pastor, associate St. Mary Parish celebrated both of its priests as well as the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul on June 29. Pastor Father Bill McKenzie and associate pastor Father Jorge Cano each began new assignments July 1. St. Mary parishioners gathered in Columbus Hall and the gymnasium for a meal and socializing. Above, Father Mc­ Kenzie holds a drawing that shows him smashing with a shoe a ringing mobile phone that was interrupting Mass. Parish-council chair John Flora (second from left) made the presentation. Looking on are Todd Butz (left) and Father Cano. Father McKenzie is the new pastor of Our Lady of Fatima in Alcoa, and Father Cano is now an associate at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Father Bede Aboh succeeded Father McKenzie as pastor at St. Mary, and Father Christopher Riehl became the new associate.

The East Tennessee Catholic

The parish will celebrate respect for life and Christian unity at all Masses on the weekend of Aug. 13 and 14.

On June 25 pastor Father John Dowling, accompanied by members of the Knights of Columbus, led parishioners attending the 5 p.m. Mass in a Corpus Christi procession.

Anniversaries: Jim and Helen McGonagle (65), Emery and Pat Nagy (62), Newt and Shirley Hurst (60), George and Jean McGonagle (60), Robert and Madonna Boncher (59), William and Mary Best (57), Ralph and Lois Taylor (54), Ben and Jackie Ryba (54), James and Laura Knoll (53), Russell and Edith Uboldi (53), James and Corrine Gabriel (52), Paul and Carole Forkapa (52), Jerome and Carol Scherer (51), Tom and Peg Clifford (51), Ray and Joan Nadolny (50)

St. John Neumann, Farragut Parish youth participated in an Ocoee white-water rafting trip July 25.

During Masses on the weekends of July 10, 17, and 24, the youth group collected school supplies for children at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in LaFollette, whose pastor is former St. John Neumann associate Father Joe Campbell.

The youth hosted Jordan Smoak, a religion student from Pepperdine University conducting surveys on how youth groups foster commitment to Christ, on July 24.

Courtesy of Carol Adams

Bishop confirms two from St. Francis in Fairfield Glade Bishop Richard F. Stika of Knoxville recently confirmed two religiouseducation students from St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fairfield Glade. The ceremony was held at St. Alphonsus Church in Crossville. With the bishop are Jimmy Weismuller (left) and Denny Cope.

St. Francis of Assisi, Fairfield Glade

St. Thomas the Apostle, Lenoir City The youth held a rummage sale July 22 and 23.

Parishioners participated in a blood drive July 6. n

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

August 7, 2011 11

Holy Trinity, Jefferson City The Knights of Columbus installed new officers after Mass on July 12.

The parish welcomed more than two dozen young people and adults from Liberty, Ind., who stayed in Trinity Hall while they worked with Habitat for Humanity to build a house in the area.

The parish fed about 125 volunteers of many denominations who came to the area for the annual Appalachian Outreach Week from July 25 through 29. Holy Trinity also fielded a work team.

Anniversaries: Emery and Mildred Faulkner (63), Chuck and Bernice Salley (59), Lee and Evangeline Webster (54), Philip and Mary Boggs (50), Doug and Sally Emmons (40) Louis and Beryl Hutchinson (35), Walter and Nancy Crapiz (20), Bobby and Patty Carroll (20)

COurtesy of Murvin Perry

Parish has blind reader Mary Fischer of St. Mary Parish in Johnson City has been reading at Mass, using Braille, about once a month since last fall. She is a daughter of Deacon Bob and Eileen Fischer, longtime St. Mary parishioners. Ms. Fischer and a 5-year-old sister, who were born in Seoul, were adopted by the Fischers when she was 4. They are two of the 11 children the family adopted and raised. Ms. Fischer was already sight impaired when, in her teens, she completely lost the ability to perceive light. She mastered Braille by the time she was in sixth grade.

Parish notes: Five Rivers Deanery

Notre Dame, Greeneville Knights of Columbus Council 6784 installed new officers for two-year terms July 10.

Outgoing Council of Catholic Women president Denise Michaud installed new officers for 2011-13 at the CCW’s meeting May 28. Installed were president Aimee Place, vice president Sandy Alter, secretary Bernadette Moughamer, and treasurer Nancy McCarty.

St. Dominic, Kingsport

Six students from St. Dominic School won prizes for their artwork in the recent Pentel International Art Exhibition, which drew more than 200,000 entries from around the world. Maria Simpson won a Pentel Award. Adam Cox and Dakota Savord won bronze medals and art supplies, and Annika Cleven won a gold medal and art supplies.

St. Dominic’s “Fun Fest Fireworks” family picnic was held July 23.

St. Elizabeth, Elizabethton The parish vacation Bible school will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Aug. 11 and 12, at the church and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, for a cookout.

St. Elizabeth volunteers prepared and served meals for homeless and elderly people July 23 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church as part of the community-wide Food for the Multitude program.

Anniversaries: Mike and Delores King (45), Mike and Nina Marchioni (40), Jeff and Kip Anderson (25), Ronald and Vivian Clark (20) Baptism: June Rose Jordan Newcomers: Rose Graves; Rachael Bowling and sons Jonathan, Nathaniel, and Michael; George and Thea Bratton n

12 August 7, 2011

Coleen Schneider

The Martha and Mary Guild hosted a rafting trip on the Nolichucky River on July 9.

Five confirmed at St. Elizabeth Father Dennis Kress, pastor of St. Elizabeth Parish in Elizabethton, confirmed five students June 11. They are (from left) Ben Paul, Cole Greer, Hannah Mock, Kalin Estes, and John Paul Mitra.

Good Shepherd holding Dennis Bible estate sale

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ood Shepherd Parish in Newport will hold an estate sale at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, to auction the house, property, and belongings of Dennis Bible.

Mr. Bible, the parish’s coordinator for more than 25 years, died Aug. 18, 2010. He bequeathed his house and lot and the contents of the house to Good Shepherd. The auction will be held at Mr. Bible’s house

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

at 402 Eighth St. in Newport. The house and lot will be sold first.

Mr. Bible was a licensed auctioneer and over the years amassed many collectibles and memorabilia, including some antique furniture and a collection of cut glass.

To learn more or to see pictures of some of the items, visit www. auctionzip.com. Call 423-237-6419 to request a brochure. n dioknox.org

Smoky Mountain Deanery calendar The next Seekers of Silence Contemplative Saturday gathering, set for Aug. 20, will include a “morning of recollection” and a one-day retreat at the Buckingham Community Clubhouse on

Parish notes: Smoky Mountain Deanery

Manderly Way in West Knoxville. Father Michael Woods will give the morning presentation, and the retreat will continue after lunch until 3 p.m. For more information, call 865-523-7931. n

Holy Ghost, Knoxville Father Richard Bayuk thanked the parish and Monsignor Xavier Mankel for allowing his recent presentation on the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging.

Parishioners sponsored 35 children and elderly people after Father Bayuk’s talk.

Holy Ghost has set its eighth Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University, a 13-week course to be held from Wednesday, Aug. 17, through Wednesday, Nov. 9, in the John Paul II Room. Call Carol Lougheed at 865-689-7709 for more information.

Courtesy of Barbara Tucibat

Immaculate Conception, Knoxville The parish will host its fourth annual Irish Fest on the Hill from 1 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13. The event will feature a silent auction, a dog-costume parade and contest, Irish dancers from the Drake School of Dance, and music by the Good Thymes Ceilidh Band, Red-Haired Mary, and bagpiper Andy Fox. Contact Beth Wolf at beth7137@comcast.net or 865-679-0535 to volunteer or to donate auction items.

Sacred Heart, Knoxville

More than 100 attend barbecue at Holy Cross The Council of Catholic Women at Holy Cross Parish in Pigeon Forge held a successful “Smoky Mountain Barbecue” on June 26 at the church pavilion, with more than 100 parishioners attending. Father Alberto Sescon and Louis Kahn (above) helped belt out a few songs. More than 20 CCW members worked on the barbecue along with chairpersons Denise Betoski, Barbara Tucibat, Evelyn Acosta, and Kathy Parker. The CCW is planning for its Polish International Dinner on Sept. 18.

A reception was held after Mass on July 10 to welcome Father Jorge Cano.

Father David Boettner celebrated an explanatory Mass for women and girls July 21.

St. Francis of Assisi, Townsend The parish thanked Norene O’Donnell, Diana Saterlee, Linda Sanchez, and others who helped with the parish’s 50th-anniversary celebration (see story on page 4). n

Calendar continued from page 9 Two Sant’Egidio groups regularly meet in the Diocese of Knoxville, in Knoxville and Johnson City. For more information on the Knoxville group, call Ellen Macek at 865675-5541. Call Father Michael Cummins at 423-926-7061 for details on the Johnson City group. Everyone is welcome.

Tom Bolen

Mass in the extraordinary form (“traditional Latin”) is celebrated at 1:30 p.m. each Sunday at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville, at 3 p.m. on first and third Sundays at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church in Cleveland, and at 3 p.m. on second and fourth Sundays at St. Joseph the Worker Church in Madisonville. Visit www.knoxlatinmass.net for updated information.

Annual picnic at Holy Ghost draws 200 About 200 people attended the annual parish picnic at Holy Ghost in Knoxville on June 11. The picnic, sponsored by the parish-life commission of the parish pastoral council, is a significant part of Holy Ghost’s annual celebration of its patronal feast of Pentecost. Twenty-five parishioners—some of whom are pictured above—volunteered to work the picnic.

The East Tennessee Catholic

Holy Resurrection Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic Mission has Divine Liturgy celebrations at 3:30 p.m. Sundays at the old Holy Ghost Church, 1031 N. Central St. in Knoxville. Beginning Sunday, Aug. 14, the Divine Liturgies will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. For times of holy-day services or for more information, visit www. knoxbyz.org or call Father Thomas O’Connell at 865-256-4880.

The St. Thomas the Apostle Ukrainian Catholic Mission celebrates Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. Sundays in the chapel at the Chancery office in Knoxville. Call Father Richard Armstrong at 865-584-3307 for more information. n

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

August 7, 2011 13

Catholic youth

OLPH School gives BVM Christian Living Awards

Knoxville hosts Catholic HEART Workcamp Young people spend a week performing service projects for a variety of local agencies.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Chattanooga recently presented its Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Christian Living Awards for 2010-11.

The BVM award was established in 2004 in honor of the community of sisters that founded OLPH School in 1937. The honor is presented to students who exemplify the mission and core values of the Sisters of Charity, BVM. In accordance with the mission of the sisters, students chosen to receive the award show faithfulness and love to God and to those in the school and community.

The 2010-11 recipients were Mikey Monahan, kindergarten; Edyn Webber, first grade; Francisco Palacios, second; Sloane Burgess, third; Greta Lundquist, fourth; Bentley Burgess, fifth; Kelsey Barta and Madison Ramey, sixth; Kaylee Stone, seventh; and Virginia Britto, eighth. n

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tion, and working with children and the elderly. Other projects included working with local food pantries, thrift stores, and soup kitchens.

Partnering agencies included Catholic Charities of East Tennessee, the Knoxville–Knox County CAC Office on Aging, Child and Family Tennessee, Second Harvest Food Bank, Volunteer Ministry Center, All Saints Parish in Knoxville, The Lighthouse at Austin Homes, and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley.

The participating youth worked, raised funds, and saved money all year in order to travel to Knoxville to take part in the camp. The teens were based at Knoxville Catholic

ore than 300 high school and college students came to Knoxville to participate in a Catholic HEART (Helping Everyone Attain Relief Today) Workcamp held from July 3 through 9.

This year marked the fourth time Knoxville had hosted the event. The group represented eight states and 12 Catholic churches. During the day the teens performed communityservice projects in the East Tennessee region. At night they took part in programs including music, testimonies, drama, videos, and more.

Catholic HEART Workcamp partnered with local agencies to set up projects that included painting, yard work, home repair, light construc-

High School and All Saints Church, where they ate, slept, and showered. The teens sacrificed the comforts of home to come to camp.

Participants slept on air mattresses in classrooms, showered in locker rooms, and ate cafeteria food.

“It’s amazing to see the dedication and passion these teenagers show toward helping others,” said Annie Nassis, manager for the Knoxville camp.

“It is truly a testament to the wonderful things teenagers are doing today.”

Catholic HEART Workcamp began in 1993 and is based outside Orlando. For more information, visit www.heartworkcamp.com. n

14 August 7, 2011

Courtesy of Robert Baugh

Elizabeth Morris of Sacred Heart Cathedral and Rebecca Neighbor of St. Albert the Great Parish in Knoxville were awarded scholarships from the Knoxville chapter of Executive Women International in a recent dinner ceremony at Gettysvue Golf and Country Club.

Each student is going into her senior year, Elizabeth at Knoxville Catholic High School and Rebecca at Halls High School.

EWI of Knoxville awards scholarships each year to high school students based on “scholastic achievement, leadership qualities, good citizenship, and extracurricular activities.” n

Courtesy of George LeCrone Sr.

Students receive Executive Women scholarships

Pack 630 awards Cub Scout Pack 630 recently held its Blue & Gold Banquet at All Saints Church in Knoxville. Two Scouts, Jeremy Uhl (left) and Riley Landen, received the International Awareness Award patch and pin combination. The Scouts are pictured with George LeCrone Sr., chair of the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting.

St. John Neumann parishioner earns Eagle award Ray Reinke of Boy Scout Troop 125 at St. John Neumann Parish in Farragut was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout at a ceremony April 10 at Concord Yacht Club. He is pictured with his Scoutmaster, Robert Baugh. Ray, who recently completed his sophomore year at Knoxville Catholic High School, is the son of Bill and Madeleine Reinke of St. John Neumann. For his Eagle project, Ray added supports and shelves to 50 lockers at Concord Sailing Center, which doubled the space and made it easier for the center to organize and serve its teachers and assistants, and then painted the lockers. In all the project required 166 hours of work.

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

dioknox.org

Blessed Sacrament CCW awards two scholarships

Catholic youth

KCHS student receives Gold Award Elizabeth Fortunato, then a sophomore at Knoxville Catholic High School, received her Girl Scout Gold Award on May 22.

She is pictured with U.S. Rep. Jimmy Duncan. For her Gold Award project Elizabeth worked with the East Tennessee Historical Society to update the East Tennessee Heritage Award for Boy Scouts and designed an East Tennessee Heritage Award for both older and younger Girl Scouts. Elizabeth is a daughter of Paul and Katie Fortunato of St. John Neumann Parish in Farragut.

The East Tennessee Catholic

Courtesy of Elizabeth Conway

Courtesy of Katie Fortunato

Courtesy of Dianne Dolan

Region’s youth-ministry leaders gather in Chattanooga The annual Region 5 meeting of diocesan youth-ministry directors was held May 2 through 5 in Chattanooga, hosted by the Diocese of Knoxville.

Twelve of the 18 dioceses in Region 5 were represented at the meeting, including all three of the dioceses in Tennessee. On the back row are (from left) Bill Staley of the Nashville Diocese; Karen Byrne, administrative assistant to the Diocese of Knoxville’s Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministry; Al Forsythe, diocesan director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry; Deacon Dan Hosford, coordinator of youth ministry for the Smoky Mountain and Cumberland Mountain deaneries; and Deacon Jim Fage, Five Rivers Deanery youthministry coordinator. Donna Jones, the Chattanooga Deanery coordinator, is on the front row, second from right.

‘PandaMania’ at Holy Spirit VBS Holy Spirit Parish in Soddy-Daisy held its vacation Bible school from June 20 through 24, with more than 80 children and about 50 adults attending. Parish families and Knights of Columbus Council 14079 prepared meals each night of the VBS. Speakers at sessions for adults were Father Augustine Idra, AJ, on “Our Catholic Identity,” Father Randy Stice on “The New Missal,” Holy Spirit pastor Monsignor Al Humbrecht on “Praying the Psalms,” and newly ordained Father Jeff Johnson, SJ, on “The Jesuit Spirituality.” The theme of the VBS was “PandaMania: Where God Is Wild About You.” Holy Spirit CCD director Helen Barbeauld was in charge of the program. Assisting teachers were Cheryl Cambron, Diana Frische, Kathy Landry, and Mary Gadd.

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

The Council of Catholic Women at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Harriman recently awarded $500 scholarships to Alex Roschli, a 2011 graduate of Roane County High School, and homeschool graduate Elizabeth Thew.

Alex’s 4.02 grade-point average ranked sixth out of 196 graduates. In high school he was a member of the Beta Club, was accepted into the University of Tennessee Chancellor’s Honors Program, served as president of DECA, and competed in the Scholars Bowl for three years. He plans to major in engineering at the University of Tennessee.

At Blessed Sacrament Church, Alex helped take care of the grounds and assisted in the distribution of Christmas baskets for the needy. He is the son of parishioners Christine and Brian Roschli of Kingston.

Elizabeth earned a 4.0 gradepoint average. She participated in STAR (Shangri-La Therapeutic Academy of Riding), helping handicapped children learn to groom and ride horses. She has played violin in the Knoxville Youth Symphony Orchestra and is a student of violin and voice at Music Arts in Oak Ridge.

Elizabeth has participated in community theater in musicals and other plays. She plans to attend Ave Maria University in Naples, Fla., and major in music education.

Elizabeth, who has participated in CYO activities at Blessed Sacrament and served in music ministry, is the daughter of parishioners Margaret and Robert Thew of Harriman. n

August 7, 2011 15

Sports

Following is the Notre Dame schedule for 2011. Games are at 8 p.m. unless noted. n Aug. 19: at Grace Baptist, 7:30 p.m. n Aug. 26: at McMinn Central, 7:30 p.m. n Sept. 2: Chattanooga Christian, 7 p.m. n Sept. 9: Taft Youth Center, 7 p.m. n Sept. 16: at Bledsoe County n Sept. 23: Lookout Valley (homecoming), 7:30 p.m. n Sept. 30: at Signal Mountain, 7 p.m. n Oct. 14: Sequatchie County n Oct. 21: Whitwell (senior night) n Oct. 28: at Grundy County n

16 August 7, 2011

KCHS’s 25th Shamrock Open a success Golfers raise about $40,000 to benefit classroom technology at the high school.

K

noxville Catholic High School’s 25th annual Shamrock Open golf tournament, held June 10 at Egwani Farms Golf Course in Rockford, raised approximately $40,000 that will be used to improve classroom technology.

The winning team for the morning round was Josh MacLellan, Tom Smith, Jim Hawkins, and Randy Carson. David Erpenbach was the longest-drive winner for the morning round, and Don Tarbin took closest-to-the-pin honors among the morning golfers.

The team of Bruce Knudsen, Mike Gambrell, Josh Gambrell, and Poetee Bailey won the afternoon round.

The longest-drive winner for the afternoon was Brannen Taylor, and the closest-to-the-pin winner was Ray Gaudet.

KCHS thanked tournament sponsors and players for making the event a success. n

Spring signing class at KCHS Nine student athletes from Knoxville Catholic High School signed with colleges May 18 (July 3 ETC). From left are Jonathan Pfleger, Dominic DiGiovanni, Chase Fox, Joey Bodewig, Phillip Stephens, Lucas Branch, Zach Quayle, and Drew Ferguson. Not pictured is Spencer Roth. Joey and Philip signed in basketball with Maryville College; Lucas in basketball with Union College; Dominic, Chase, and Jonathan in football with Emory & Henry College; Drew in baseball with Belmont University; Spencer in football with Baylor University; and Zach in baseball with Ave Maria University.

Courtesy of Megan Locke

The football teams at Knoxville Catholic High School and Notre Dame High School will kick off the 2011 season Friday, Aug. 19.

KCHS will open the season at Knoxville Central and Notre Dame at Grace Baptist. Central and Cleveland are new nondistrict opponents for KCHS this fall. Grace is the only non–District 7-AA opponent from 200910 that returns to the NDHS schedule. The Fighting Irish play five new non-district opponents in McMinn Central, Taft Youth Center, Lookout Valley, Signal Mountain, and Whitwell.

Below is the Knoxville Catholic schedule. All games are at 7:30 p.m. unless noted. n Aug. 19: at Knoxville Central n Aug. 26: Cleveland n Sept. 2: at Farragut n Sept. 16: William Blount n Sept. 22: at Webb, 7 p.m. n Sept. 30: at Lenoir City n Oct. 7: Maryville n Oct. 14: Knoxville West (homecoming) n Oct. 21: at Heritage n Oct. 28: Bearden (senior night)

Benefit for KCHS The foursome of (from left) Mick Connors, Rod Fields, Dr. Jerry Punch, and Chris Hayes was among those competing in the Shamrock Open.

Courtesy of Megan Locke

First game Aug. 19 for KCHS, NDHS

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

dioknox.org

The new Missal

by Father Randy Stice

From the Paraclete: the youth catechism

The heavenly banquet

O

We should not forget that ‘a gathering of the citizens from on high is present’ at every Mass on earth.

ne aspect of the Mass that has been somewhat neglected in recent years is the relationship between the liturgy celebrated here on earth and the liturgy that is eternally celebrated in heaven, as described, for example, in the Book of Revelation. In its Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy the Second Vatican Council explained this relationship: “In the earthly liturgy we take part in a foretaste of that heavenly liturgy which is celebrated in the Holy City of Jerusalem toward which we journey as pilgrims, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God, Minister of the holies and of the true tabernacle” (No. 8).

In his encyclical on the Eucharist, Blessed John Paul II noted, “This is an aspect of the Eucharist which merits greater attention: in celebrating the sacrifice of the Lamb, we are united to the heavenly ‘liturgy’ and become part of that great multitude which cries out: ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb!’” (Revelation 7:10).

The early Church Fathers were keenly aware of the presence of the angels and saints at each celebration of the Mass. Listen, for example, to St. Bede: “We are not permitted to doubt that where the mysteries of the Lord’s body and blood are being enacted, a gathering of the citizens from on high is present.”

St. John Chrysostom taught that at Mass we join the heavenly choir: “Think now of what kind of choir

you are going to enter. Although vested with a body, you have been judged worthy to join the powers of heaven in singing the praises of him who is Lord of all.” His belief in the heavenly presence was rooted in his belief in the Real Presence.

“The angels surround the priest.

The whole sanctuary and the space before the altar is filled with the heavenly powers come to honor him who is present upon the altar.

“Behold the royal table,” he wrote.

“The angels serve at it. The Lord himself is present.”

Summarizing the thought of these Church Fathers, the Second Vatican Council concluded, “When, then, we celebrate the eucharistic sacrifice, we are most closely united to the worship of the heavenly Church” (Lumen Gentium, No. 50).

This spiritual reality is more fully realized in the new translation of the “Behold the Lamb of God.” In the new Missal it reads, “Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.” This also explains why we say “blessed are those” rather than “blessed are we”: each celebration of the Eucharist includes the Church Triumphant, the great cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1), in addition to the local community.

The reference here to the “supper of the Lamb” combines two scriptural passages. The first comes from the prophet Isaiah, who foretold “a

feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines” to celebrate God’s destruction of “death forever” (Isaiah 25.6-9), anticipating the institution of the Eucharist by the One who triumphed over death.

This prophecy is fulfilled in a scene from the Book of Revelation: “Then the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.’ And he said to me, ‘These words are true; they come from God’” (Revelation 19.8).

In Sacramentum Caritatis (“The Sacrament of Charity”) Pope Benedict XVI commented on the significance of these two passages for our understanding of the Mass: “For us, the eucharistic banquet is a real foretaste of the final banquet foretold by the prophets (cf. Isaiah 25:6-9) and described in the New Testament as ‘the marriage-feast of the Lamb’ (Revelation 19:7-9) to be celebrated in the joy of the communion of saints” (No. 31).

Let me conclude with the words of his predecessor, Blessed John Paul II: “The Eucharist is truly a glimpse of heaven appearing on earth. It is a glorious ray of the heavenly Jerusalem which pierces the clouds of our history and lights up our journey” (No. 19). Blessed indeed are those called to the supper of the Lamb. n Father Stice directs the diocesan Office of Worship and Liturgy. He can be reached at frrandy@dioknox.org.

By Bethany Marinac Being a parent or teacher is a demanding occupation that requires sacrifice and dedication.

But even the best teachers are not always able to hand on all the information children need without expert resources. Fortunately for us, an excellent new resource for youth is now available: Youcat (Ignatius Press, 2011, $19.95), a youth catechism of the Catholic Church edited by Cardinal Christoph Schönborn of Vienna.

In the foreword to the book, Pope Benedict XVI wrote, “Many people say to me: The youth of today are not interested in this. I disagree, and I am certain that I am right. The youth of today are not as superficial as some think. They want to know what life is really all about. A detective story is exciting because it draws us into the destiny of other men, a destiny that could be ours. This book is exciting because it speaks of our own destiny and so deeply engages every one of us. So I invite you: Study this catechism!”

Youcat is written in a question-and-answer format and tackles subjects such as marriage and divorce, chastity, birth control, globalization, and community. It’s written in language youth can understand, and it comprehends their culture.

Youcat will be launched on Aug. 16 during World Youth Day in Madrid. But there’s no need to wait: we have copies in stock now.

We have hundreds of new books, but we are most excited about one of our newest finds: The Great Adventure faith formation series by Ascension Press.

Paraclete continued on page 21

The East Tennessee Catholic

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

August 7, 2011 17

Living the readings

Weekday Readings Sunday, Aug. 7: 1 Kings 19:9, 11-13; Psalm 85:9-14; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:22-33 Monday, Aug. 8: Memorial, Dominic, priest, Deuteronomy 10:12-22; Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20; Matthew 17:22-27 Tuesday, Aug. 9: Deuteronomy 31:18; Deuteronomy 32:3-4, 7-9, 12; Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14 Wednesday, Aug. 10: Feast, Lawrence, deacon, martyr, 2 Corinthians 9:6-10; Psalm 112:1-2, 5-9; John 12:24-26 Thursday, Aug. 11: Memorial, Clare, virgin, Joshua 3:7-11, 13-17; Psalm 114:1-6; Matthew 18:21–19:1 Friday, Aug. 12: Joshua 24:1-13; Psalm 136:1-3, 16-18, 21-22, 24; Matthew 19:3-12 Saturday, Aug. 13: Joshua 24:14-29; Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 11; Matthew 19:13-15 Sunday, Aug. 14: Isaiah 56:1, 6-7; Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8; Romans 11:1315, 29-32; Matthew 15:21-28; vigil for the Assumption, 1 Samuel 15:3-4, 1516 and 16:1-2; Psalm 132: 6-7, 9-10, 13-14; 1 Corinthians 15:54-57; Luke 11:27-28 Monday, Aug. 15: Solemnity, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Revelation 11:19 and 12:1-6, 10; Psalm 45:10-12, 16; 1 Corinthians 15:20-27; Luke 1:39-56 Tuesday, Aug. 16: Judges 6:11-24; Psalm 85:9, 11-14; Matthew 19:23-30 Wednesday, Aug. 17: Judges 9:615; Psalm 21:2-7; Matthew 20:1-16 Thursday, Aug. 18: Judges 11:2939; Psalm 40:5, 7-10; Matthew 22:1-14 Friday, Aug. 19: Ruth 1:1, 3-6, 1416, 22; Psalm 146:5-10; Matthew 22:34-40 Saturday, Aug. 20: Memorial, Bernard, abbot and doctor of the Church, Ruth 2:1-3, 8-11 and 4:13-17; Psalm 128:1-5; Matthew 23:1-12 Sunday, Aug. 21: Isaiah 22:19-23; Psalm 138:1-3, 6, 8; Romans 11:3336; Matthew 16:13-20 Monday, Aug. 22: Memorial, the

Readings continued on page 19

18 August 7, 2011

by Father Joseph Brando

A month of crises

I

Peter and Paul learned through trials that ‘God was in charge.’

t seems we’re always facing crises. Nationally, if it’s not about war, it’s the economy or natural disasters that create major problems.

In our homes crises crop up one after another. We never lack for something to worry about. We pray and ask the Lord to bring us peace.

Maybe we dream of being on the road, following Jesus. How beautiful it would be to hear the Lord speak day after day and see him cure people. We think that must have been a time of complete joy. Or perhaps we could travel with Paul as he brings the message of Christianity to scores of cities that had never heard of it. We could share in the excitement of establishing new Christian communities.

This month’s Scripture readings blow up those notions. Those times were not all peace and joy. There were problems and major decisions to be made that forced people to take sides, knowing whichever one they took, others were ready to oppose them. Yet despite this confusion, the truth won out.

God was overseeing the events.

If God was in charge then, he’s in charge now. Ultimately, this month’s liturgies of the word leave us with an assurance that we need not worry over the future of the Church.

God is in command, and his law of love will prevail.

Aug. 7: The trials of being a servant of the Lord Today the liturgy presents us with three of the greatest religious figures of the Bible: Peter, Paul, and Elijah.

God gave Elijah the task of bringing the Northern Kingdom of Israel back to the Lord after Queen Jezebel had instituted the worship of her pagan gods of Sidon as the official religion. All the priests and proph-

ets of God were gone except Elijah.

Triumphantly, Elijah challenged the priests of Baal to bring fire down on their sacrifices. After he won, Elijah slit the throats of all the pagan priests. Then he fled from the wrath of the queen down to the Sinai desert and Mount Horeb. There he was to wait for God. With a true prophet’s sensitivity, Elijah felt God’s presence in a tiny whisper. It scared him into hiding his face. He, who knew God’s power, lived in holy fear of it.

Paul, who strongly maintained that non-Jews could be baptized without first entering Judaism, admits to the Romans that he lies in constant anguish over the issue.

Jews were not entering Christianity in the numbers he had hoped for.

Yet gentiles were accepting the faith.

Paul’s practice, under the circumstances, was to baptize the gentiles.

Unfortunately, this new practice met with resistance from many Jewish Christians, including at least one Apostle and probably more. Paul’s anguish was not so much about the opposition but at the reality of his fellow Jews’ not accepting Christ.

This was an anguish Paul felt in every town he visited.

Peter had to experience grief over the same issue, but by then he had already learned the pain of living the faith. Jesus had taught him well.

Today’s Gospel presents lesson one.

Peter sees Jesus walking on the water and asks to be allowed to walk from the safety of the boat over the waves and into the arms of the Lord. Perhaps, he thought, the burden of the feat was all on Jesus.

His faith needed only to trust that Jesus had the power to keep him afloat. He was partly right. Partly right, Peter quickly found out, can still get one drowned. He had to learn the hard way that success

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

depends not only on God but also on our continuing an attitude of expectation that all will turn out right.

When Peter was distracted by the reality of the waves and doubted his ability to stand on top of a tempestuous sea, he lost his concentration on Christ and sank.

That was not the end of the story.

It did not end until Jesus carried Peter back onto the boat. There the other disciples on board began to believe as they proclaimed that Jesus was the Son of God. Peter may have thought he would lead his comrades to faith by his bravery. He ended up accomplishing the desired effect through his humiliation.

Such it is in Christian life. The tempests of life can lead us to experience Peter’s humiliation or to hide our face as Elijah did or to feel the constant anguish of Paul. True faith is humbling, but it leads us, through the difficulties of life, to make the presence of God clear to the whole world.

Aug. 14: Turning around a history of rejection One of the happiest times in the history of the Jews was their return from the Babylonian captivity. The Persians defeated Babylon, and to seal their triumph they not only allowed the Jews to return home but also gave them resources to rebuild their country, including the reconstruction of the Temple. It was a great time, with one exception.

There were people who had been moved by the Babylonians into the land they had left. These people had adopted the Judaic religion the Jews left behind. They were happy to welcome the refugees and help them with the rebuilding of the Temple.

But returning Jews had a big problem. The people they found waiting were not ethnic Jews. Prominent leaders such as the prophet Ezekiel had warned them not to accept their help or mix with them.

That’s where today’s first reading comes in. The prophetic school dioknox.org

that followed in the line of Isaiah preached a different response. The “foreigners” had joined themselves to the Lord. They had become his servants, and they held to the covenant of the Lord. Therefore it was God who had brought them to the holy mountain. So their gifts were acceptable, including their work to rebuild the Temple: “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”

Although this concept made it into the Old Testament, it was rejected. In Jesus’ day the issue was still burning, especially in regard to the Samaritans. This was a problem for the first Christians, who were all Jewish. Many of them saw the Church of the Apostles as the crown of Judaism. Their goal was to bring all Jews to see Christ as the fulfillment of Jewish history and thus to bring salvation to the world. They believed that bringing in gentiles would ruin this plan. They preferred Ezekiel to Isaiah.

The Christians in Rome heard about Paul and his practice of allowing gentiles to be baptized without first being circumcised. With plenty of time to think about the issue peacefully, Paul carefully crafted a theological treatise on the subject.

He outlined three movements. In the past, when the world was in a state of sin, God had chosen Israel as his people. In Paul’s time the Jews were rejecting the Gospel wherever he went. This response gave Paul the green light to open the revelation of Jesus Christ to the entire world. And the world is, indeed, being reconciled to God. The third stage, which is still to come, is mthe time when the Jews will receive mercy and come to the Lord. Eventually no one will be outside God’s mercy.

The Gospel demonstrates that Jesus knowingly participated in this schema. When he withdrew to pagan Tyre and Sidon (modern Southern Lebanon), he met a gentile woman with great faith. He The East Tennessee Catholic

rewarded her with the miracle of healing her daughter. Paul is merely following Jesus’ lead. God’s grace is now meant for all people. His mercy is universal.

Aug. 21: God gives the Church keys and the power to bind and loose The Old Testament reading today presents the biblical background for Jesus’ words to Simon in the Gospel.

After his profession of faith, Jesus rewarded Simon with a new name, Peter, a new job, being the foundation of the Church, and a new tool, the keys. The meaning of keys comes from this oracle of Isaiah: “I will place the key of the house of David on Eliakim’s shoulder.” We learn that God is deposing Eliakim’s predecessor, making him the new royal overseer. We also learn that such keys were large and heavy.

They were meant for changing things that needed changing.

The keys signify that Peter’s faith is strong enough to effect what needed to be done to further the kingdom of God in the world. Those duties included changing how Christians were to treat gentiles.

As good Jews, they were to avoid gentiles. As the Spirit later demonstrated, they were to invite gentiles to know Christ and baptize them into the Church. Considering the number and weight of arguments on either side of that issue, Simon had to be a rock.

Peter was strongly criticized by both sides. He was accused of jumping from one side to another. What he actually did was listen to every argument and recognize the merits of every idea he heard. Finally, he made his decision, based on a vision that came to him from God in a dream. Peter was able to make it clear to everyone that it was God’s will to admit gentiles to baptism without asking them to become Jews. Not everyone was happy. Yet they could not complain they hadn’t been listened to, nor could they

argue against Peter’s vision. He carried the keys to the kingdom.

Paul’s reaction might very well have been his prayer of praise to God: “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways!” The Lord’s judgments may be inscrutable and his ways unsearchable, but they are successfully, correctly, and clearly announced by the man holding the keys.

Aug. 28: The anguish of accepting the authority of God We can stop and reflect on what we’ve been through only after experiencing the tempests of life, when old age and the wisdom of experience teach us lessons we should have learned far sooner. It’s what the Bible calls a time of rest. During such a time, we can retire, look at our accomplishments and setbacks, and find the footprints of God right next to ours. Today’s liturgy provides three such reflections.

The Old Testament reading takes us to the latter days of the prophet Jeremiah. He was called to be a prophet during the religious renaissance that took place under King Josiah. Jeremiah originally responded to God that he was too young. God refused the excuse, and the young man agreed to accept his vocation.

After Josiah’s death in battle; the rapid decline of Judah morally, politically, and on the battlefield; the relentless military campaign of the Babylonians; and the destruction of Jerusalem, Jeremiah reflected.

He thought back on his call. He accused God of seducing him. Yet he couldn’t deny that no matter how bad the trouble he faced, a fire still burned in his heart that continued to make him proclaim the word of God. He went on. His teaching recast Judaism in the crucible of the Babylonian captivity. As much as they hurt him, God’s words to him were irresistible.

Readings continued from page 18

Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 8-10; Psalm 149:1-6, 9; Matthew 23:13-22 Tuesday, Aug. 23: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8; Psalm 139:1-6; Matthew 23:23-26 Wednesday, Aug. 24: Feast, Bartholomew, apostle, Revelation 21:914; Psalm 145:10-13, 17-18; John 1:45-51 Thursday, Aug. 25: 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13; Psalm 90:3-5, 12-14, 17; Matthew 24:42-51 Friday, Aug. 26: 1 Thessalonians 4:18; Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 10-12; Matthew 25:1-13 Saturday, Aug. 27: Memorial, Monica, 1 Thessalonians 4:9-11; Psalm 98:1, 7-9; Matthew 25:14-30 Sunday, Aug. 28: Jeremiah 20:7-9; Psalm 63:2-6, 8-9; Romans 12:1-2; Matthew 16:21-27 Monday, Aug. 29: Memorial, the Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Psalm 96:1, 3-5, 11-13; Mark 6:17-29 Tuesday, Aug. 30: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, 9-11; Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14; Luke 4:31-37 Wednesday, Aug. 31: Colossians 1:1-8; Psalm 52:10-11; Luke 4:38-44 Thursday, Sept. 1: Colossians 1:914; Psalm 98:2-6; Luke 5:1-11 Friday, Sept. 2: Colossians 1:15-20; Psalm 100:1-5; Luke 5:33-39 Saturday, Sept. 3: Memorial, Gregory the Great, pope, doctor of the Church, Colossians 1:21-23; Psalm 54:3-4, 6, 8; Luke 6:1-5 n

Follow the diocese on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ knoxdiocese

Visit the diocese on Facebook: on.fb.me/ dioceseofknoxville

Readings continued on page 22

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

August 7, 2011 19

Life and dignity

Marriage enrichment: tips for busy days

The Church Militant

By Marian Christiana School is starting, and it’s time to get organized—time to buy school supplies and start coordinating school, work, sports schedules, and parent meetings. This is the time of year when you wonder once again how everything that needs to be done will get done. How are you supposed to add one more thing to your list? How does your marriage fit into your busy schedule?

The sacrament of marriage gives spouses the grace they need to love each other generously, in imitation of Christ. The sacrament calls us to be visible signs of the sacrificial love Christ has for his Church. How can we live as a visible sign of Christ’s love for his Church and also get everyone to soccer practice on time?

If we make marriage our priority, the entire family will reap the benefits of our enriched relationship. A few minutes a day of intentional focus on our marriage can realign our priorities. Here are a few suggestions that can be worked into activities that you are already doing, and they won’t take a huge bite out of your day. n Greet your spouse with an embrace and a kiss every day, and share the same ritual at bedtime. n Instead of reading a magazine while you are waiting to pick someone up, try reading a book or article on a topic that pertains to your relationship—such as building better communication skills or improving your financial planning. n Sign up for a Daily Marriage Tip, delivered via e-mail (bit.ly/ Marriage continued on page 21

20 August 7, 2011

by Paul Simoneau

E

We are all called to be soldier saints with a spirit and intention of sacrifice.

verything I know about being a Catholic I learned in the Marine Corps. Though some might be uncomfortable with the suggestion that many parallels exist between the military life and the spiritual, there is a reason why the Catholic Church has long been called the Church Militant and confirmation described as the sacrament that enriches us with the grace to be soldiers of Christ.

The word battle is used 35 times in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) to describe what the Second Vatican Council calls the “dramatic struggle between good and evil, between light and darkness” and man’s history of “dour combat with the power of evil” (Gaudium et Spes, Nos. 13, 37). “It is this which makes man’s life a hard battle” (CCC, No. 409)—a battle of faith (No. 2592), prayer (No. 2725), and purity (No. 2520). None of us can evade this struggle, for “there is no holiness without renunciation and spiritual battle” (No. 2015).

St. Paul particularly draws upon this imagery in exhorting us to be “good soldier[s] of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3). He reminds us that “our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens.” For this reason we must “put on the armor of God” (Ephesians 6:12-13).

In the military a hierarchy is essential for proper command and control of the battle, and the same is true in the Church. If one is comfortable with this analogy, the pope is like a five-star general with cardinals, archbishops, and bishops as general officers. Priests form the officer ranks of the Church, and deacons are the warrant officers who stand between

and assist the officers and the laity who fill up the enlisted ranks. Religious who embrace the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty, and obedience help strengthen the body of Christ with specific functions that aid the Church’s battle.

Obedience is what transforms individual members into a missionfocused and cohesive team. Without respect for authority and obedience, the very soul of a military unit is harmed, its cohesion eroded and morale destroyed. Jesus marveled at the faith of the centurion who could embrace his words because he understood the importance of authority and obedience (cf. Luke 7:1-10).

Unfortunately, more people seem to find fault with the Church than with themselves. More than ever, our bishops and priests need our prayers and loyal support, not our criticism.

The Church Militant fights as it prays. Wounds are inevitable in this daily fight, and the sacrament of penance, in addition to offering us healing and reconciliation, gives us “an increase of spiritual strength for the Christian battle” (CCC, No. 1496). In our works of mercy and our prayers for the living and the dead, we bring true meaning to the entreaty, “Support our troops.”

We offer prayers as medical aid for the deceased whose wounds of soul they neglected to sufficiently treat in this life and thus need healing and purification in the hospital ward of the Church Suffering in purgatory.

Ever mindful that we are aided by the prayers of the Church Triumphant in heaven, we long to be a part of that victory procession, asking for the intercession of those whose heroism in this life has been rewarded with the crown of sainthood.

Although the role of women in combat continues to be debated,

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

there is one woman whom we should especially want with us in battle: the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Church has long associated Mary with the image of a woman in the proto-evangelium—the first Gospel, Genesis 3:15, which speaks of God’s promise of a future redeemer—who, in the Latin Vulgate translation, “will crush [the] head” of the serpent beneath her feet.

The Church particularly highlights Mary’s words of surrender to the will of God as words of victory for us to repeat: “Be it done unto me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Praying the rosary, we learn to do battle alongside the one who crushes the serpent.

Close air support is an essential component of any ground attack, and we should not neglect the help of God’s special helpers—the angels.

St. Chromatius reminds us that man “in his weakness could not be safe amid so many forceful attacks of [the] enemy if he were not strengthened by the help of the angels.”

We should continually implore the help of these servants and messengers of God, for “the whole life of the Church benefits from [their] mysterious and powerful help” (CCC, No. 334). With the Church we also pray, “St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil . . .”

With the spirit and intention of sacrifice, may we all strive to be soldier saints in the world. Ending with my traditional play upon the words of Pope Paul VI, “If you want peace . . . ,” be a soldier of Christ. n Paul Simoneau is a 28-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. Since 2006 he has served as the director of the diocesan Office of Justice and Peace. dioknox.org

Once upon a time

by Monsignor Xavier Mankel

Marriage continued from page 20

A tale of two cities

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The diocese’s entry in the Official Catholic Directory is small but informative.

he Official Catholic Directory is a veritable gold mine of information about our church.

Although our tiny diocese occupies only five of its 2,112 regular pages, it is truly amazing to me how nice a picture of the diocesan (local) church can be gleaned from our diocese’s small entry.

The directory indicates that some three of our parishes began in the 19th century, 42 more in the 20th, and one in the 21st (Knox County’s own St. Albert the Great Parish in the Halls area). The OCD lists the beginning dates for Immaculate Conception and Sts. Peter and Paul as 1852. Most of us are aware of this already. I do not think many of us remember that a third parish was launched in the nineteenth century (barely): Our Lady of Lourdes in South Pittsburg (1899).

Among the most interesting happenings in parishes in our diocese this year has been the designation of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Chattanooga as a minor basilica. There was good coverage of that event in

the June 5 ETC. Much more will be forthcoming as the special bell and umbrella exclusive to basilicas are dedicated and that venerable edifice becomes more and more a place of pilgrimage for the devout.

Immaculate Conception Parish in Knoxville is also blessed with a beautiful and venerable building.

The Paulist Fathers (the present pastor is Father Ron Franco, CSP; the associate pastor is Father Jerry Tully, CSP) have cared for the people and plant since 1973, and the tall steeple of the church can be seen for miles from the east, north, and west. Immaculate Conception was by far the tallest building in town when it was erected, but modern tall buildings south of the church make it impossible to see from that direction unless one knows precisely where to look.

One feature I like about the fourfaced tower clock is that the number four is composed of four individual Roman numerals—IIII—as outdoor clocks should have, not IV, as some clocks have on their faces. The original clockworks were placed there by

Building the kingdom

the city of Knoxville. The old Knox County Courthouse on Main Avenue also has a clock, but because the building is nearer to the river and lower in elevation it takes no rocket scientist to figure out why Immaculate Conception’s tower was chosen for a second “city” clock.

Immaculate Conception is to have a very special celebration near the end of October, and Chattanoogans will continue to rejoice in the basilica status of their mother church, Sts. Peter and Paul, well beyond 2011.

I mention these oldest East Tennessee parishes because both are still so much alive and well as they continue to be hubs of faith, as it were, for the growth of the Mystical Body of Christ as the years zoom by.

Next time: The cardinals who have visited the Diocese of Knoxville over the years and a welcome to one who is coming to live among us. n Monsignor Mankel is a diocesan vicar general and the pastor of Holy Ghost Parish in Knoxville.

by Jim Link

Ministering to those in need Good stewardship is a key component of our path to holiness.

A

s I anticipate my birthday in a few weeks, I’m reminded of Pentecost, which we celebrated on June 12 this year. Not only is it considered the “birthday” of the Church, but it also coincides with the time of year when thousands of people are confirmed in their faith. This isn’t coincidental.

The East Tennessee Catholic

Just as confirmandi are strengthened in faith, we recall the Apostles’ accepting the Holy Spirit into their lives and being transformed by the experience.

When I reflect on Pentecost, I imagine the disciples huddled in the Upper Room. Their friend and mentor had been brutally murdered.

The One in whom they placed their hope had been tortured and executed. The Apostles entered the Upper Room terrified that the people who killed their leader would come for them. Yet they emerged confident and unafraid. What happened? It’s simple: the Apostles accepted the

qpYX5a) or Facebook (www. facebook.com/foryourmarriage). n Instead of surfing the web to relax, take an online marriage quiz. Share the results with your spouse. n Say a prayer for your spouse every day, and let him or her know you are doing so.

These suggestions are quick and easy ways to make your marital relationship a priority during the busy days when school begins.

You can find quizzes, book suggestions, excellent articles, and the Daily Marriage Tip on the U.S. bishops’ website foryourmarriage.org. n Mrs. Christiana is coordinator of the diocesan Marriage Preparation and Enrichment Office.

Paraclete continued from page 17

This extensive Bible-study series consists of DVDs, books, study materials, and audio components. There are titles for children and teens, as well as offerings based on the revised translation of the Mass and an adult faithformation series intended for group study. In this series you can find information and materials for all your faith-formation needs, from personal study to large-group formation.

The Paraclete is having an end-of-summer clearance sale to make room for new products, with Super Tuesdays continuing through August. n Call the store at 865-5880388 or 800-333-2097. Visit its Facebook page at bit.ly/ paracleteknoxville.

Link continued on page 23

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August 7, 2011 21

Brando continued from page 19

Paul too had time to reminisce as he enjoyed the time given him to write to the Romans a letter free of any immediate tension. He took it as a chance to theologize and reflect.

He wrote lessons worth handing down to future generations.

His advice was awesome: “Do not conform yourselves to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.” Such was the result of years of struggling for the kingdom.

The scene in the Gospel takes place right after Peter confessed to Jesus’ divinity and Jesus presented him with the keys.

Think of Peter telling this story to crowds of people all the rest of his life.

He was sure to give us the rest of the story. He told the embarrassing news as well as the flattering. In this passage Peter related that he had the audacity of starting an argument with Jesus about how he should become the Messiah. Then he gave us Jesus’ response. He was told by the Lord, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”

That was good advice for Peter and from Peter. It is the way to maintain inner peace even when conflicts are flying, and we’re being blown about by powerful winds. We will have hard times even if we are doing the work of the Lord. But we can walk firmly on any stormy sea as long as we are willing to lose ourselves in the love of God, which is nothing less than carrying Jesus’ cross.

That is the lesson of August’s Scripture passages for us. n Father Brando is the pastor of St. Mary Parish in Gatlinburg.

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William Casey

Former priest guilty on three abuse counts A district attorney commends the diocese for its handling of the case. By Dan McWilliams

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ullivan County district attorney Barry Staubus praised the Diocese of Knoxville for its handling of the William Casey matter after the former priest was convicted on all three counts he faced for abusing an altar boy in the 1970s.

On July 14 jurors in Sullivan County Criminal Court, after about a full day of deliberations, returned guilty verdicts against Mr. Casey on one count of first-degree sexual misconduct and two counts of aggravated rape.

The verdicts came 15 months to the day after Warren Tucker of Jeffersonville, Ind., first informed the Diocese of Knoxville that Mr. Casey had abused him repeatedly during his years as a server at St. Dominic Church in Kingsport.

Diocesan chancellor Deacon Sean Smith and vicar general Father David Boettner were called as witnesses for the prosecution July 13.

On April 14, 2010, Mr. Tucker told diocesan officials that during the 1970s he had been sexually abused

by Mr. Casey, who at that time was a priest of the Diocese of Nashville serving in East Tennessee. Bishop Stika immediately began an investigation into the allegations and notified the district attorney offices and law-enforcement officials in Greene and Sullivan counties, in keeping with diocesan policy on sexual misconduct.

Bishop Stika met with Mr. Casey that afternoon, and he admitted there was credibility to the accusations. At that time the bishop issued a “suspension decree” to Mr. Casey, which permanently suspended him from priestly ministry, permanently removed his priestly faculties, and decreed that he could

not present himself as a priest—for example, could not use the clerical title “Father,” wear clerical garb, or act in any priestly capacity.

Mr. Staubus complimented the diocese for its actions, from Bishop Stika’s moves in the wake of Mr. Tucker’s accusations to the testimony of Father Boettner and Deacon Smith in court.

Mr. Tucker was the “centerpiece” of his case, but the testimony of the

‘I want to commend the diocese . . . they were cooperative throughout the whole process.’ two diocesan officials was “very instrumental in securing a conviction,” said Mr. Staubus. Mr. Tucker, Father Boettner, and Deacon Smith were the only witnesses for the prosecution.

“I want to commend diocesan officials for their role in this investigation,” said Mr. Staubus. “They were cooperative from the beginning, both Father David and Deacon Sean. They made themselves available. They traveled for the trial. Father David came for a pretrial hearing, and they were good witnesses. They told the truth.

“I want to commend the diocese for how they conducted the interview of Mr. Casey. They followed and complied with the [diocesan policy on sexual misconduct]. Warren Tucker reported abuse; immediately Mr. Casey was brought in to the residence of the bishop and was questioned, and he made his admission. That’s why I want to commend them: they then notified law enforcement and were cooperative throughout the whole process with me.”

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

Mr. Casey, 77, was taken into custody after the verdict was announced. He remained in jail after his bond was revoked at a hearing July 22. He is scheduled for sentencing Monday, Aug. 22. Potential sentences are 10 years or more on the sexual-misconduct count and 15 or more on the other two counts, and the sentences could run consecutively or concurrently, said Mr. Staubus.

“From the first day that Warren Tucker brought this horrible crime to our attention, the Diocese of Knoxville has supported his efforts to seek justice,” said Bishop Richard F. Stika in a statement after the verdict was announced.

“We are brokenhearted at the pain and tragedy Mr. Tucker has experienced over the past years, and we sincerely hope that today’s verdict will bring some healing to him.”

On the morning after Mr. Tucker made his accusations, the diocese held a press conference to publicly apologize to Mr. Tucker and to invite any other possible victims to come forward. Bishop Stika then sent a letter to all parishes that week to be read at all weekend Masses to explain to the faithful about the tragedy that had occurred to Mr. Tucker and to ask for their prayers and assistance in reaching out to anyone who may have been hurt.

The diocese has cooperated fully with civil authorities since Mr. Casey’s actions came to light and will continue to do so.

More information on the Diocese of Knoxville’s policies and procedures to safeguard children and vulnerable adults may be found online at dioknox.org (click “Child protection”). n dioknox.org

Women religious

Sisters of Mercy named ‘Health Care Heroes’ The Mercy Health sisters receive one award and are nominated for another. By Dan McWilliams

Link continued from page 21

Holy Spirit into their lives and received new strength.

There was nothing naive about their understanding of this transformation. I suspect the Apostles left the Upper Room still thinking they’d suffer the same fate as Christ.

The East Tennessee Catholic

Courtesy of Becky Dodson, Mercy Health Partners

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he Sisters of Mercy at Mercy Health Partners in Knoxville have received one community award and are in the running for another.

Sisters Margaret Turk, Marie Moore, Albertine Paulus, Janice Brink, Martha Naber, and Patricia Connolly have been named Health -Care Heroes by the Greater Knoxville Business Journal. The sisters have also been nominated for the YWCA of Knoxville’s Tribute to Women Empowerment Award.

“The Sisters of Mercy have spent over 80 years quietly ministering to a mainly non-Catholic community seeking health-care services,” said Becky Dodson, vice president for mission integration for Mercy Health Partners. “Their works of mercy have been strong examples of Christ’s love to those perhaps unfamiliar with our faith. They are loved by our own faith community and by the Knoxville community as a whole, and we are grateful that Health Management Associates, our new partner, has asked the sisters to stay and continue their special ministry at our hospitals.”

Health Care Heroes is “an annual celebration of individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the quality and availability of medical care in East Tennessee.” The sisters’ award is a “special recognition for community

‘Courageous women’ Mercy Sisters (from left) Marie Moore, Margaret Turk, Janice Brink, Martha Naber, Albertine Paulus, and Patricia Connolly are seen in front of the original St. Mary’s entrance. The sisters will be honored in August and September for their service to the Knoxville community.

service.” The honors will be presented at a luncheon Thursday, Sept.

1, at The Foundry in Knoxville.

The YWCA awards are presented in the categories of equality, empowerment, and transformation. Each category has six finalists, and two honorees for each category will be announced at the award ceremony Thursday, Aug. 18. The evening will begin with a reception at 5:30 p.m. at the First Tennessee Bank downtown,

with the awards ceremony to follow at 7 p.m. at the Bijou Theatre.

Mercy Health Partners nominated the sisters for the YWCA award.

“From their predecessors who worked to build a new hospital in Knoxville in 1930 to the community outreach and pastoral care the sisters provide today, these courageous women have been the heart and soul of this medical ministry for the last eight decades,” the nomination

stated. “Members of this order have come from many places in the nation to work in Knoxville and fulfill the Mercy mission of extending the healing ministry of Jesus by improving the health of the community with an emphasis on the poor and underserved.”

For more information on the YWCA’s Tribute to Women event, contact Danielle Benson 865-5236126 or Dbenson@ywcaknox.com. n

Indeed, all but one were martyred for bearing witness to the truth.

Yet they were given the courage to preach and heal without fear.

Two thousand years later the Church continues to preach and heal in Christ’s name. Today more than a billion Catholics—more than 60,000

of them in East Tennessee—minister to those in need.

Let’s spread Christ’s message of hope and healing, forgiveness and transformation, by supporting the Church and its vital ministries.

Good stewardship isn’t separate from our path to holiness but a key

component of it. Sharing our time, talent, and treasure liberates us from unhealthy attachment to material possessions and helps us build the kingdom of God. n

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

Mr. Link directs the diocesan Stewardship and Planned Giving Office.

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24 August 7, 2011

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

dioknox.org