CNS PHOTO/DEBBIE HILL
Advent in Bethlehem A young man swings a censer during the procession on the first Sunday of Advent in St. Catherine Church in Bethlehem on Nov. 29, the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is a joyful period during which Christians prepare for the commemoration of Christ’s birth.
THE EAST TENNESSEE
Volume 19 • Number 7 • December 6, 2009
The
N E W S PA P E R
of the D I O C E S E of K N O X V I L L E www.d ioces eof kn ox ville.or g
CNS PHOTO/ALESSIA PIERDOMENICO, REUTERS
‘The fulfillment of my vocation’ Bishop Stika ordains Father Christopher Riehl to the priesthood at Sacred Heart Cathedral. By Dan McWilliams ishop Richard F. Stika encouraged Father Christopher Riehl to “be the face of Jesus” in every situation he encounters as he embarks upon life in the priesthood. The bishop ordained Father Riehl on Nov. 14 at Sacred Heart Cathedral. He became the 37th priest ordained for the Diocese of Knoxville and the second by Bishop Stika. One of the assisting deacons at Father Riehl’s priestly ordination was his own father, Deacon John Riehl. The two were ordained to the diaconate together by Bishop Joseph E. Kurtz in May 2007. In administering the sacraments, Father Riehl should show Christ’s face to the believer, said Bishop Stika. In facing his own challenges, the new priest should always trust in Jesus, the bishop added. “When you baptize a child, or when you witness the love in the eyes of a man and a woman who are making those solemn commitments until death do them part, be the face of Jesus,” said Bishop Stika. “In those moments of
Pope Benedict XVI waves while holding his new pastoral staff after celebrating evening prayer Nov. 28 in St. Peter’s Basilica to mark the beginning of Advent.
Pope: Keep track of blessings during Advent B Y CI NDY WOODE N
VATICAN CITY (CNS)—During Advent Christians should keep track of the little blessings they receive each day, blessings that are signs of God’s love, Pope Benedict XVI suggested. “To keep a kind of ‘inner diary’ of this love would be a beautiful and healthy task,” the pope said Nov. 28 as he celebrated evening prayer to mark the beginning of Advent. God enters the life of each and every person, Pope Benedict said. But in daily life, most people seem “to have little time for the Advent continued on page 7
Please pray for our priests Dear Lord: We pray that the Blessed Mother will wrap her mantle around your priests and through her intercession strengthen them for their ministry. We pray that Mary will guide your priests to follow her own words, “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5). May your priests have the heart of St. Joseph, Mary’s most chaste spouse. May the Blessed Mother’s own pierced heart inspire them to embrace all who suffer at the foot of the cross. May your priests be holy and filled with the fire of your love, seeking nothing but your greater glory and the salvation of souls. Amen. St. John Vianney, pray for us. ■ Download prayers and a rosary booklet: bit.ly/priestprayers.
MOMENT OF ORDINATION Bishop Richard F. Stika says the prayer of ordination over Father Christopher Riehl during the Mass on Nov. 14 at Sacred Heart. Looking on are diocesan master of ceremonies Father Tony Dickerson (foreground) and seminarian Jeff Emitt.
doubt, trust in him. In those moments of questioning, trust in him. In those moments when maybe your personality gets ahead of yourself, ask him for help. “In those moments when you wonder why—like the illness of a child or the death of an innocent or the confusion of one who is searching for God and seems not to have the ability to be at peace—again, be the face of Jesus for that person.” Father Riehl, 32, called his ordination “the fulfillment of my vocation.” Moments after the bishop laid his hands on him and prayed the prayer of ordination, Father Riehl was assisting his ordinary at the altar. “Being able to offer the sacrifice with the bishop is very profound,” he said. The new priest’s first assignment is at Immaculate Conception in downtown Knoxville, where he will assist during Advent. In January Father Riehl will leave for Bolivia to spend six weeks studying Spanish. The Riehls were ordained to the diaconate at their home church of Holy TriniOrdination continued on page 3
Bishop blesses Father Henkel Hall at Holy Ghost The newly remodeled basement gathering place allows the parish to ‘continue the praise’ begun decades ago when the church was dedicated. BY DAN MCWILLIAMS
Xavier Mankel and M onsignor Bishop Richard F. Stika recalled the long history of Holy Ghost Parish during the dedication of the church’s newly remodeled basement Nov. 12. The bishop blessed the Father Albert J. Henkel Parish Hall, named for the pastor of the North Knoxville parish from 1958 until his death in 1996. The renovations kept the basement gathering place closed for six months in the 83-year-old building. “This is, as Monsignor said, a part of history,” said the bishop. “Who would have thought years ago when this church went up to the greater glory of God that we would gather together on this November day and continue that work and continue that praise?” The $350,000 project, funded by the Growing in Faith Together capital stewardship campaign and a special building fund, considerably upgraded every area of the basement. The kitchen received a complete overhaul Holy Ghost continued on page 2
DAN MCWILLIAMS
NEW CHURCH YEAR
MARY C. WEAVER
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Carol Lougheed, assisted by Will Hunse, reads a psalm at the Holy Ghost dedication. Bishop Stika blessed the newly remodeled basement at the North Knoxville church Nov. 12. With him above are diocesan chancellor Deacon Sean Smith (left) and master of ceremonies Father Tony Dickerson.
‘WE PRAISE YOUR GLORIOUS NAME’