Feb2 2014

This issue

He dwells among us.................. 2 Diocesan calendar................... 10 Deanery news.......................... 11 La Cosecha............ center pullout

The East Tennessee

Catholic youth......................... 15 Columns.................................. 22 Virtus training...........................25

Feb. 2, 2014 Volume 23 Number 3 Bishop Richard F. Stika

News from The Diocese of Knoxville • Visit us at dioknox.org or etcatholic.org

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Fellowship Bishop Stika leads 2014 Men’s Conference

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A good read Diocese of Knoxville history book now available

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At the basilica Msgr. George Schmidt named pastor emeritus

Hundreds on hand at 4th annual Rosary For Life People from across the diocese gather near Planned Parenthood clinic in prayer to offer peaceful witness

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By Bill Brewer

BILL BREWER

hat looked to be a soggy Rosary For Life instead became a powerful witness for God and the sanctity of life Jan. 11 as a persistent downpour ended when Cardinal Justin Rigali began prayer in front of Planned Parenthood’s East Knoxville clinic.

Some 250 people from across the Diocese of Knoxville braved the early morning rain to gather in peaceful solidarity and say the rosary in front of the Planned Parenthood facility at 710 N. Cherry St.

Pro-life support“But through the light of ers lined sidewalks on your witness and prayers, both sides of the street a witness of hope and in front of the clinic, love, this site across the listening to Cardinal street where innocent Rigali pray in English blood is spilled and so and Spanish and say the many lives are forever wounded will someday joyful mysteries.

“Dear friends instead become a place of light and healing.” — in Christ, thank you for joining me on this Cardinal Justin Rigali wintry morning. How grateful Bishop [Richard F.] Stika and I are for your generosity in gathering together to offer this witness of hope and love. Bishop Stika offers his prayers for all of you and joins with you spiritually,” Cardinal Rigali said.

Bishop Stika could not be attendance because he Sanctity of life Cardinal Justin Rigali uses a microphone to pray the rosary with some 250 pro-life supporters at was the keynote speaker at the 2014 Diocesan Men’s the Rosary For Life Jan. 11 near Planned Parenthood’s East Knoxville facility. Deacon Sean Smith (far left) and Paul Rosary continued on page 18 Simoneau (left center) assisted Cardinal Rigali during the event.

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He dwells among us

by Bishop Richard F. Stika

Bishop’s schedule

With the help of the saints

These are some of Bishop Stika’s public appointments:

Holiness is answer to question of what it means to be truly human; saints are special friends to help us

hortly after his election as pope in 1958, the world was introduced to the quick wit and humor of Blessed John XXIII. “Anybody can be Pope,” he exclaimed, and “the proof of this is that I have become one.”

But with his approaching canonization and that of Blessed John Paul II on April 27, the Feast of the Divine Mercy, we are reminded it is even more true that anyone can and should be a saint—proof of this are the very saints themselves representing people of every walk of life, age, and time.

It is said that the saddest thing in life is to not be a saint. And among the reasons for this is that holiness answers the question of what it means to be fully human. The saints help to answer the universal question, “Who am I and what must I do?” As such, the Church holds the saints up to us as a mirror that helps us to see ourselves in their journey and their struggles, and to ask their help.

The saints also remind us that we are not alone, that none of us lives a life independent of others, for to live in Christ is to live in the company

Diocesan policy for reporting sexual abuse

Follow Bishop Richard Stika on Twitter @bishopstika and his blog for news and events from the diocese. of all of his friends, living and dead, in a true communion as the body of Christ.

Because there are not two bodies of Christ, as if there were one for the living and one for the dead, but only one body of Christ, our friendships should not be limited to just those of this earthly realm. Just as we have close and trusted friends in this life that we stay in regular touch with and who can be counted on in times of need, so even more so should we have saint friends.

I always have had a strong devotion to St. Joseph, but he certainly is not jealous that I have other saint friends who I call upon frequently for help. Though our diocese is entrusted to the care of our Blessed Mother, I do not think she minds that we have as our secondary patron Blessed John Paul II. Many of our parishes are named after these close friends of Christ and are entrusted to their special care

and intercession. Soon, two of our Catholic communities will reflect the new title of their patron with their canonization: St. John XXIII Parish and Catholic Center in Knoxville, and St. John Paul II Catholic Mission in Rutledge.

In anticipation of this joint canonization, I have been watching a number of excellent movies and documentaries on their lives that are not only entertaining, but very informative and inspiring.

The three-hour movie dramatizing the life of Blessed John XXIII, titled The Pope of Peace, is very well done.

One scene I found particularly moving was when Blessed John XXIII visited a prison in Rome, telling the inmates, “You could not come to me, so I came to you.” That is what a saint does—he brings Christ to others no matter where they are, no matter what they have done.

The movies and documentaries on Blessed John Paul II are far more numerous and those dramatizing his life are particularly well done.

A four-disc documentary titled John Paul II: the Man, the Pope, and His Message is an excellent catechetical

The East Tennessee

Feb. 6: noon, Ordination and Installation Mass for Bishop-elect Joseph R. Kopacz, Diocese of Jackson Feb. 7: 10 a.m. CST, Catholic Public Policy Commission meeting in Nashville Feb. 9: 9 a.m., Confirmation at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga Feb. 9: 4 p.m., Vespers for the Consecrated Religious at the Cathedral Feb. 11: 11 a.m., Presbyteral Council at the Chancery Feb. 13: 10 a.m., annual winter tea at the bishop’s residence Feb. 13: 6:15 p.m., annual Knights of Columbus Clergy Appreciation Dinner at St. John Neumann Church Feb. 15: 7 p.m., Chatti Gras at the Chattanooga Convention Center Feb. 16: 9 a.m., confirmation at St. Catherine Labouré in Copperhill Feb. 18: Catholic Day on the Hill in Nashville

Bishop continued on page 8

Schedule continued on page 24

Bishop Richard F. Stika Publisher

Dan McWilliams Assistant editor

Bill Brewer

Margaret Hunt

Anyone who has actual knowlEditor Administrative assistant edge of or who has reasonable 805 S. Northshore Drive • Knoxville, TN 37919 cause to suspect an incident of The Diocese of Knoxville sexual abuse should report such The East Tennessee Catholic (USPS 007211) is published bi-monthly by The Diocese of Knoxville, 805 S. Northshore Drive, 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 S. Northshore Drive, Knoxville, TN 37919-7551 Reach us by phone: 865-584-3307 • fax: 865-584-8124 • e-mail: webmaster@dioknox.org • web: dioknox.org 482-1388. n

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

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Where Every Child Matters

Established: 1950 Principal: Sister Marie Blanchette, O.P.

St. Mary’s School—Pre-K through 8th Grade National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence (2010 U.S. Dept. of Education) Now accepting applications for the 2014-2015 school year For more information: (865) 483-9700 * http://www.stmarysoakridge.org/ The East Tennessee Catholic

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February 2, 2014 3

Bishop Stika leads 2014 diocesan Men’s Conference More than 160 men assemble for daylong fellowship as bishop delivers address, answers questions

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SCOTT MAENTZ

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ishop Richard F. Stika was the keynote speaker for some 165 participants at “A Diocesan Men’s Conference: A Dialogue With Our Shepherd” that was held Jan. 11 at All Saints Church.

The conference was presented by the All Saints Peter and Paul Society and by Sacred Heart Parish’s St. Joseph Society.

Bishop Stika addressed a variety of topics in three talks and a questionand-answer session.

Deceased St. Louis Cardinals baseball announcer Jack Buck late in life said he would ask God, “Why have you been so good to me?” the bishop said, then added that he could ask the same question himself now.

Bishop Stika also told the men at the conference, “If you want to make God laugh, tell him what your plans are.”

God allowed him to survive bypass surgery, the bishop said.

Referencing the Robert Frost poem “The Road Not Taken,” the bishop said, “sometimes we as men like to take the road that’s more worn because it’s not as difficult.”

“That’s the challenge of our faith—so many people would like the Church to be perfect,” he said.

“When I talk to people who are first joining the Church, I ask them, ‘Are you looking to join the perfect Church?’ I said, ‘As soon as you join it, it’s no longer perfect.’ As soon as anyone joins the Church, myself included, it’s no longer perfect.”

Bishop Stika recalled the Knoxville press conference in 2009 announcing his arrival as bishop. When asked at that time what his guiding principle would be as bishop of Knoxville, he said, “to teach Jesus.”

The unforgivable sin, “as I see it, is pessimism,” Bishop Stika said.

“Pessimism gives away the sense of hope. Pessimism takes away the sense of the future. Pessimism takes away our sense of gratitude,” he

By Dan McWilliams

A round of applause Bishop Richard F. Stika receives a warm response from some 165 men attending “A Diocesan Men’s Conference: A Dialogue With Our Shepherd” that was held Jan. 11 at All Saints Church. Bishop Stika was the event’s speaker.

said.

The bishop also shared stories of St. Louis Cardinals baseball great Stan Musial, Cardinal Justin Rigali, Pope Francis, and Cardinal Timothy Dolan.

On Pope Francis, “two of the words you hear a lot [from him] are joy and mercy,” the bishop said. The pope said that “goodness has a desire to spread,” the bishop quoted.

“I think we relate to the pope because we relate to him as we would relate to a brother or sister or somebody you’re sitting next to today. I think that’s the appeal of Pope Francis,” Bishop Stika said.

“The reason why I think Pope Francis is so appealing to people?

He’s not changing dogma. . . . what he is saying is God is love, God is merciful, and this is my favorite line:

he tells people if you’re a Catholic, if you’re a Christian, don’t be a sourpuss. That’s his word, not mine. . . .

You know if we really believe in the faith and the gift of Jesus in our life,

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

it’s redeeming and life-giving.”

The Church is “not something far away,” the bishop said.

“The Church is where we assem-

Conference continued on page 20

dioknox.org

Bishop Richard F. Stika recently received two checks totaling more than $10,000 from the Knights of Columbus to benefit diocesan programs.

The first check presented totaled $2,610.11 and will benefit Diocese of Knoxville seminarians. The funds came from a charity golf outing at the Knights’ state convention last spring. The golf event supports seminarians in Tennessee’s three dioceses.

The second check, for $7,500, also came from funds collected at the state convention and will go toward the bishop’s personal charities.

Representing the Knights of Columbus at the check presentation were Mike Wills, supreme director; Tracy Staller, state treasurer; and Ron Henry and Hank McCormick, Knights of Columbus field agents for Knoxville.

The Knights of Columbus was founded in 1882 by 29-year-old parish priest and venerable servant of God Father Michael J. McGivney at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Conn. It is widely known for its support of the Church, programs of evangelization and Catholic education, civic involvement, and aid to those in need.

The Knights have more than 1.8 million members and is the largest lay organization in the Catholic Church. n

DAN MCWILLIAMS

Knights of Columbus raise more than $10,000 for diocese programs

Checks in hand Making the presentation of checks to Bishop Richard F. Stika are Knights of Columbus representatives (from left) Mike Wills, Hank McCormick, Tracy Staller, and Ron Henry. The checks were presented Nov. 1 in the Our Lady of the Mountains Chapel at the Chancery office in Knoxville and will benefit seminarian education and other diocesan programs.

Smoky Mountain Deanery pilgrimages are continuing in 2014 at several churches As the Smoky Mountain Deanery continues to mark the 25th anniversary of the Diocese of Knoxville, a yearlong pilgrimage combining historical, devotional, and charitable components will still be under way this year.

Parishioners throughout the deanery have been invited to go on pilgrimage on the first Sunday of each month, visiting each of the deanery’s 11 parish churches in the order of their founding.

By a decree issued June 6, 2013, Bishop Richard F. Stika has designated each of the churches as a “Station Church,” entitling those who visit the church on its assigned day to receive an indulgence under the usual conditions.

The pilgrimages began Oct. 6 at Immaculate Conception Church, followed by Holy Ghost Church on Nov. 3 and St. Mary Church in Gatlinburg on Dec. 1.

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The new year began with a pilgrimage Jan. 5 at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Alcoa.

Then on Feb. 2, the pilgrimage will make its way to the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

They will continue through August as the diocese’s 25th year concludes in September.

The pilgrimage stops will be at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Townsend on March 2, Blessed John XXIII University Parish on the University of Tennessee campus on April 6, Holy Family Church in Seymour on May 4, St. Joseph the Worker Church in Madisonville on June 1, Holy Cross Church in Pigeon Forge on July 6, and St. Albert the Great Church in Knoxville on Aug. 3.

To conclude the diocese’s Silver Jubilee Year, a diocesan-wide outdoor Mass is planned at Smokies Stadium in Sevier County in September. n

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February 2, 2014 5

Cardinal Rigali reflects on popes as canonizations near N

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s sainthood nears for two of the most beloved popes in recent memory, a contemporary of Blessed John XXIII and Blessed John Paul II remembers them as being particularly effective in spreading the Gospel around the world.

Catholics from every country will be witness to a rare event when the double canonization occurs April 27 at the Vatican, according to Cardinal Justin Rigali, who was a young priest in Rome when the Second Vatican Council was convened by John XXIII on Oct. 11, 1962.

Cardinal Rigali served in two of the four sessions of Vatican II, which officially concluded in December 1965, assisting the bishops attending the convocation.

While Blessed John XXIII opened Vatican II, it was closed by Pope

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Paul VI, who succeeded John XXIII after his death in 1963.

Among the future popes attending Vatican II as bishops were Paul VI, John Paul I and John Paul II. Pope Benedict XVI was a young theologian at the council.

Cardinal Rigali later served as a close assistant to Pope John Paul II, accompanying him in an official capacity on many of the apostolic visits John Paul II made to other countries during his papacy. The pope ordained Cardinal Rigali a bishop and later appointed him archbishop of St. Louis and then archbishop of Philadelphia. He also appointed Cardinal Rigali to the College of Cardinals.

While Cardinal Rigali’s service to the Church is steeped in history, he believes the upcoming dual canonization may not be repeated for

STEPHANIE RICHER

Historic ceremony highlights legacies of Blessed John XXIII and Blessed John Paul II; pilgrimage planned

Cardinal Justin Rigali

generations, if ever.

“It’s such an extraordinary event to have two recent popes beloved by people everywhere canonized together,” he said. “This single ceremony in Rome will see the coming

By Bill Brewer

together of people from all over the world. It will be a huge, huge gathering.”

In Rome, Cardinal Rigali and Bishop Richard F. Stika will take part in a Diocese of Knoxville pilgrimage to the canonizations April 21-29. The nine-day tour will be centered in Rome and will include a visit to Assisi.

Cardinal Rigali and Bishop Stika will celebrate Mass with parishioners from the diocese. Registration for the pilgrimage, which is being organized by Select International Tours, can be made through Feb. 15 at www.selectinternational tours.com.

The last pope to be canonized was Pius X. He died in 1914 and was canonized in 1954 by Pope Pius XII. Cardinal Rigali said Blessed John

Rigali continued on page 26

Blessed John XXIII, Blessed John Paul II

April 21-29, 2014 / 9 dAys to Rome And Assisi $3,795.00 all inclusive per person, air, land, taxes from Knoxville on Us Air space extremely limited, so register by Feb. 15 to be a part of this historic event!

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susan prendergast, select international tours & cruises (800) 842-4842 | e-mail: susan@select-intl.com | www.selectinternationaltours.com The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

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dioknox.org

New book on Diocese of Knoxville history now available

Hardback illustrating Church in East Tennessee from earliest days on sale at parishes

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book chronicling the history of the Diocese of Knoxville, published on the occasion of the diocese’s 25th anniversary, is now available to East Tennessee Catholics.

The illustrated History of the Diocese of Knoxville, a 160-page hardcover, tabletop book, was published by Éditions du Signe of Strasbourg, France.

The book contains a history of each parish, chapters on the history of the diocese, biographies of all three Diocese of Knoxville bishops, chapters on Catholic Charities of East Tennessee and on the diocese’s 25th-anniversary Eucharistic Congress, and a history of both diocesan high schools. Vintage photos and/or modern-day images appear on virtually every page.

Copies of the book are available

New

from most parishes. For more information, contact your parish office.

The text in the book was principally written by Dan McWilliams, assistant editor of The East Tennessee Catholic, with assistance from W. Pat Gang and Mary C. Weaver.

The book opens with an introduction from Bishop Richard F. Stika and a photo of Pope Francis.

Then Chapter 1, “From de Soto to Bishop Byrne (1540-1890s),” opens the history of the Church in East Tennessee.

The early history concludes in Chapter 2, “From Father Callahan to the Dawn of the Diocese (18991988).” Included in both chapters are a number of more than 100-year-old photos.

Chapter 3, “From Baltimore to Knoxville,” traces the parent dioceses of Knoxville dating back to the

! k Bo o

original Diocese of Baltimore. Chapter 4, “Papal Decree Establishing the Diocese of Knoxville in Tennessee (1988),” quotes and contains an image of the document from Pope John Paul II. Photos of all three Diocese of Knoxville bishops follow Chapter 4.

Chapter 5 explains the diocesan coat of arms.

Chapters 6 through 8 focus on each bishop, with photos from their ordinations and other historical images. Chapter 9 contains a history of the Chancery office in Knoxville.

Chapter 10, “Founding Fathers and Other Notable Priests,” covers the efforts of Monsignor Xavier Mankel and other priests in the founding of the diocese and highlights the other priests elevated to monsignor as well as Bishop James Vann Johnston of Springfield–Cape Girardeau, Mo., a native of the Dio-

By Dan McWilliams cese of Knoxville who served as a priest and chancellor in the diocese.

Chapter 11 recounts the history of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee.

Chapter 12, “Eucharistic Congress Kicks Off Diocese’s 25th Anniversary,” describes the event that began the diocese’s silver-jubilee celebration.

Then more than 100 pages focus on the history of each diocesan parish and mission, with one or more photos on nearly every page. The last section of the book contains a history of each diocesan high school.

The book publisher, Éditions du Signe, is a publishing house founded in Strasbourg in 1987 by Christian Riehl.

The publishing house specializes in religious and history books as well as printed material for children. n

Share in the Diocese of Knoxville’s 25th anniversary with a new book illustrating the Diocese’s history.

The 160-page book is the perfect addition to every home’s hardback collection and includes many photos, from the earliest days of the Catholic Church in East Tennessee to present-day parishes.

The cost per book is $31.80 and they are available at any Diocese of Knoxville church. Go online to www.DioKnox.org or call (865) 584-3307 for more information.

The East Tennessee Catholic

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

February 2, 2014 7

St. Joseph School holding fundraiser for building addition

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t. Joseph School in North Knoxville has announced plans for a new wing that will serve as a library and technology center and is raising money to fund the addition.

Sister Mary Elizabeth Ann McCullough, RSM, principal of St. Joseph, said the school hopes to break ground on the expansion at the end of the 2013-14 school year.

“With the rate that technology is changing, the importance in this day and age for students to be technologically literate and the wealth of resources available for teaching the content areas through technology, we knew we needed to upgrade that area of our school in order to better prepare our students,” Sister Mary Elizabeth Ann said.

To promote the project and raise money, too, St. Joseph faculty and staff will take part in a parish walk. On Feb. 8, the faculty and staff will work together to complete an almost 23-mile relay, matching the distance between each of the parishes that have families at St. Joseph.

Sister Mary Elizabeth Ann is asking school supporters to consider sponsoring the teachers on their parish walk. Pledges

and donations also can be made directly to the school at 865-689-3424 or 1810 Howard Drive, Knoxville, TN 37918.

“Over 50 percent of our students receive some form of tuition assistance. We are trying to raise money from within our school but our families, though very generous, do not have the means to support a project like this without outside help,” Sister Mary Elizabeth Ann said.

“Under the leadership of Father Chris Michelson, we have been trying to raise the funds necessary to give the students of St. Joseph School the best educational resources possible. We have a generous donor who has pledged a $100,000 matching gift. It would be a great loss if we did not meet this single donation.”

St. Joseph is a regional school, this year drawing students from six different parishes—Holy Ghost, Immaculate Conception, St. Albert the Great, Blessed John XXIII, All Saints and Sacred Heart. The distance to all parishes from St. Joseph is nearly 23 miles.

“I asked the faculty and staff if they would be willing to join me in a walk to raise money to help meet this matching

Bishop continued from page 2

be a “caretaker pope” who would make few changes. But only three months into his pontificate, he announced his intention to convene an ecumenical (world-wide) council of the Church “to throw open the windows of the Church so that we can see out and the people can see in.”

Only two weeks before the Council was to open on Oct. 11, 1962, Blessed John XXIII was diagnosed with stomach cancer, dying nine months later on June 3, 1963.

Shortly before his death, the “Pope of Peace” would leave the world an encyclical, Pacem in Terris—Peace on Earth. Like his episcopal motto, Obedientia et Pax—“Obedience and Peace,” Blessed John XXIII never tired of reminding the world that Christ is our true peace, and that his saints help to make the world more human.

aid. These movies and others on the lives of many other saints are available at the Paraclete Bookstore in Knoxville next to the Cathedral.

If Blessed John XXIII and Blessed John Paul II are known for their heroic virtue and deep love of God and neighbor, it is because they also sought the help of the saints.

Known for his outgoing pastoral style, Blessed John XXIII drew particular inspiration and help from two great saints of the Church—St. Charles Borromeo and St. Francis de Sales.

Given the important part that St. Charles Borromeo played during the Council of Trent, we can understand why Blessed John XXIII was so close to him. As he was 77 years old when he became pope, many expected Blessed John XXIII to simply

8 February 2, 2014

By Bill Brewer

COURTESY OF ST. JOSEPH SCHOOL

Faculty taking part in parish walk to raise awareness of planned wing, money toward matching grant

Getting the message out St. Joseph School kindergartners display a banner earlier this school year promoting the school’s 50th year. St. Joseph has announced plans to build an addition to the North Knoxville school.

gift. Everyone was willing to participate in whatever capacity they are able. I knew we had an exceptional staff, and this event seems to capture their dedication and their love for their students,” Sister Mary Elizabeth Ann said.

On the relay, mileage will be divided and walked on the grounds of each of the six parishes or around their blocks.

Prayers for the students, their families, and the priests and parishioners will be offered as the walkers arrive at each parish. n

Blessed John Paul II also was deeply devoted to many saints. It was St. Faustina’s message of Divine Mercy that helped form an image of his pontificate as “the Great Mercy Pope.” Blessed John Paul II died on the vigil of the feast of the Divine Mercy in 2005, a feast he established to be celebrated on the second Sunday of Easter.

Six years later, he was beatified on this feast day and will again be canonized on this special day. Indeed, without the Divine Mercy, there can be no saints, and so we must trust in God’s merciful love, repeating those words that St. Faustina gave to pray that I have taken as my own episcopal motto—“Jesus, I trust in you.”

Another saint that had a profound effect upon Blessed John Paul II was the French priest St. Louis de Mont-

fort, whom Blessed John Paul II credits with helping to develop his strong love and devotion to Mary. It was from St. Louis’ spiritual classic, True Devotion to Mary, that John Paul II took two words —Totus Tuus—as his episcopal motto as an expression of his total consecration to Christ through Mary: Totus Tuus ego sum, et omnia mea tua sunt—“I am all Yours, and all that I have is Yours.”

During his long pontificate, Blessed John Paul II would beatify 1,338 men and women, and canonize 482 saints—more than in the previous 500 years of the Church.

But the Church does not “make saints,” as some refer to it, only God does, and with God’s grace and the help of the saints, we will add to their numbers and be the face, the voice and the hands of Jesus to all we meet. n

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dioknox.org

Father Waraksa named to national post with U.S. Cursillo Movement

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ather Alex Waraksa, associate pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Morristown, has been named National Spiritual Advisor for the Cursillo Movement in the United States.

The National Secretariat and National Staff welcomed Father Waraksa to the post in January. Father Waraksa has served as the Cursillo Region 4 spiritual adviser since 2009.

Father Waraksa grew up in Oak Ridge and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Knoxville in 1990. He also serves as the Five Rivers Deanery coordinator of Hispanic Ministry. He also has served as the diocesan youth director, director of the

The East Tennessee Catholic

Office of Worship and Liturgy and as a teacher at Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga.

He made his first Cursillo weekend in 1997 and has served in many Cursillo weekends since. Father Alex Waraksa “I am humbled by the confidence others have placed in me for a three-year term as the National Spiritual Advisor. I will work with the national leadership in helping the movement un-

derstand and be faithful to its foundational charism that has been recognized and approved by the Church,” Father Waraksa said.

He noted that Cursillo, a Spanish word meaning short course, was developed in Spain by lay persons with the assistance of a bishop and a number of priests. It is a lay-led movement that has focused on helping lay people to live fully their faith, encouraging growth in prayer, the study of their faith, and living their faith especially in leading others to Christ.

“Its method of being lay or peer-led has been adopted by many other movements and retreats in the Church, including youth retreats such as Search, which had a big

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

influence on me and helped me to begin to discern my vocation. Having heard of the connection between Search and Cursillo I decided to make the retreat when it was beginning in our diocese in 1997.

“The example of those involved has challenged me to improve in my own prayer life, to study to better present Church teaching and an understanding of the Scriptures, and to continue to invite others to spiritual growth and evangelization. It has a simple method that can be lived by anyone according to their own personality, abilities and talents: ‘Make a friend, be a friend, bring a friend to Christ’.

Father Waraksa succeeds Father Peter M. Jaramillo, SSA, of Kansas City, Kan. n

February 2, 2014 9

Diocesan calendar

by Margaret Hunt Knoxville Catholic High School is accepting applications for the 2014-15 school year. Visit www.knoxvillecatholic. com/admissions/apply to access the online application. All applications and supporting documents are due by Friday, Feb. 14.

Sister Mary Timothea Elliott, RSM, director of the diocesan Office of Christian Formation, will present the third of three conferences for RCIA participants in the Diocese of Knoxville at Holy Trinity Church in Jefferson City on Saturday, Feb. 8. The conference will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, contact Sister Timothea at 865-584-3307 or srmarytimothea@dioknox.org.

The Vespers service for the World Day for Consecrated Life will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. Bishop Richard F. Stika will preside. All priests, religious, and laypeople are invited to unite their prayers at this event. A reception will follow the Vespers in the front lobby of the school.

For more information, contact Sister Mary Christine Cremin, RSM, at 865-243-7708.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Chattanooga is hosting a program presented by Family Honor Inc. for seventh- and eighth-grade students and their families on God’s gift of sexuality and chastity from 7 to 9:15 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8. The program is free, but donations will be accepted. Register online at family​ honor.org. For more information, contact Marian Christiana at 423-892-2310 or mchristiana@dioknox.org.

Several Search weekends for high school juniors and seniors are scheduled in the diocese during winter 2014.

Search is a retreat program intended to assist young people with developing their faith lives and to discern how they can use their gifts to build the Church. The first Search is planned for the weekend of Feb. 7-9 at Knoxville Catholic High

10 February 2, 2014

School. For more information, contact Deacon Dan Hosford at 865-603-9682.

The second is scheduled for Feb. 14-16 at St. Dominic Church in Kingsport. Contact Deacon Jim Fage at 423-748-2836 for more information. The third Search will take place the weekend of Feb. 21-23 at All Saints Academy next door to the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga. Contact Donna Jones for more information at 423-718-4387. The cost to attend any of the Search weekends is $55.

which includes a certificate good for a $60 discount on a marriage license. For more information, contact Marian Christiana, director of the Office of Marriage Preparation and Enrichment, at 423-8922310 or mchristiana@dioknox.org.

The annual Catholic Day on the Hill and Catholic Schools Day on the Hill are scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18. Meet with state representatives to discuss and lobby issues impacting the dignity and life of the human person, including abortion, stem cell research, health care, immigration, predatory lending, and the death penalty. Registration deadline is Tuesday, Feb. 4. Fees include lunch and are $20 per adult and $10 per student, teacher, or chaperone.

Visit tncppc.org for registration forms.

For more information, contact Kathleen Murphy at 615-828-4713 or tncppc@ bellsouth.net.

A Retrouvaille weekend for couples who struggle with their marriages or are separated or divorced and want to reconcile is planned for the weekend of March 7-9 in Nashville. For confidential information about the weekend or to register, call 800-470-2230 or visit the website www. helpourmarriage.com. More information about Retrouvaille can be found at www. retrouvaille.org.

The 15th annual Bishop’s Gathering in support of the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, in the gym at St. John Neumann School in Farragut. The day will include lunch, a dessert cook-off, and a living display showdown. The cost is $30 per family or $15 per person. Register online at www. kdccs.org/wscd or mail checks to Joann Preske, 535 Buckhorn Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. Proceeds from the gathering will fund need-based religious-emblem awards, the annual Scouting retreat, and other activities. For more information, call George LeCrone at 865-719-1548.

The next Picture of Love engagedcouples retreat will take place the weekend of Feb. 28-March 1 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Chattanooga.

The retreat will meet from 7 to 10 p.m.

Friday and continue from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday. The cost is $135 per couple,

Two Engaged Encounter weekends are scheduled for Feb. 21-24 and April 11-13, at the Holiday Inn Express in Lenoir City. For more information, contact Jason or Carmen Jeansonne at 865-3773077 or ceeknoxville@yahoo.com.

Course 6 of the Catechetical Formation Program co-sponsored by the diocesan Office of Christian Formation and Aquinas College is scheduled for three locations this spring: St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga on Saturday, March 15; The Chancery on Saturday, March 29; and St. Dominic Church in Kingsport on Saturday, April 12. All of the sessions will meet from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. There is no charge for the class. Register for one of the three classes on the Eventbrite page, http://www.eventbrite.com/o/diocese-of-knoxville-office-ofchristian-formation-3149767104. For more information, contact Father Richard Armstrong at 865-584-3307 or rarmstrong@ dioknox.org.

The National Association of Catholic Nurses USA annual conference, “The Art of Nursing: Beyond Technology,” will take place March 21-23 at the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel in Nashville. Registration is $250 for members and $300 for non-members. A $325 registration fee includes membership to the NACN. A $125 student rate is available. The registration deadline for the conference is Friday, March 7. Hotel reservations can be made through Wednesday, Feb. 19, by call-

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

ing 800-457-4460 or visiting the website www.maxwellhousehotel.com. Mention group code 1040CATHOL to receive the $103-per-night rate. For more information, visit www.nacn-usa.org.

Father Mitch Pacwa, SJ, founder and president of Ignatius Productions, Scripture scholar, lecturer, and EWTN television and radio host, will hold “A Day of Lenten Reflection with Father Mitch Pacwa, SJ” from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday, March 22, at St. Jude Church in Chattanooga. The event is sponsored by the Isaiah 58/World of Hope Ministries.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., followed

by Mass at 9:30. Father Pacwa will lead the Divine Mercy Chaplet after the close of the retreat. The cost of registration before March 8 is $20. A boxed lunch is $5 extra. After March 8, registration will be $25 per person/$30 with a boxed lunch.

Register online at fathermitchellpacwa. eventbrite.com.Proceeds from the event will support medical missions for the poor. For tickets or more information, contact Sandra Leffew at 423-544-4445 or Terri Ward at 423-987-3315.

The Emerald O’ccasion dinner benefiting the Knoxville-area Catholic Charities programs is scheduled for 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, March 13, at the Knoxville Marriott Hotel. A cocktail hour will precede the event from 5:30 to 6:30. The master of ceremonies will be Knoxville radio and television personality Hallerin Hilton Hill. Special recognition will be given to Father Ragan Schriver for his many years of service as executive director of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee. Tickets are $125. Contact Sherrie Shuler at 865-524-9896, extension 1005, or sherrie@ccetn.org.

The Knoxville Diocesan Council of Catholic Women Convention will take place April 10-12 at the Doubletree Hotel in Chattanooga. Registration begins at 11 a.m. at the hotel. The opening Mass will be at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul at 5:30 p.m. Susan Conroy, author of Mother Therese’s Lessons of Love and Secrets of Sanctity, will be the keynote Calendar continued on page 13 dioknox.org

Chattanooga Deanery calendar The Sant’Egidio Community meets every Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the University of Tennessee Catholic Student Center in Chattanooga. For more information, contact Father Michael Cummins at 423-6244618. For further information on the community in general, visit www.santegidio.org.

The third annual ChattiGras, the fundraiser for Chattanooga-area Catholic schools, is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Chattanooga Trade and Convention Center. Tickets are $75 per person. More than $100,000 has been raised over the last two years at this event for the Chattanooga Deanery Operating Fund, which supplies tuition assistance for eligible families. For more information, contact Cissy West at 423-622-1481 or cwest@catholic web.com or Kathie Etherton at 877-6022.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Chattanooga is accepting applications for grades pre-kindergarten through eighth for 2014-15. To learn

Parish notes: Chattanooga Deanery

more or to tour the school, contact Teresa Hennen at 423-698-3274 or Teresa​ hennen@catholicweb.com.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Chattanooga Anniversary: Dick and Hilda Schults (60)

A retreat for young men in high school is set for March 21-23 at St. Mary Church in Athens. The weekend will begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday and end at 11:30 a.m. Sunday. The weekend will include talks by lay faithful as well as professional and collegiate athletes, along with numerous opportunities for prayer and fun. The cost of the retreat is $30. For more information, contact Dan Pacitti at 423-531-0823 or Deacon Dan Hosford at 865-603-9682 or djh2@comcast.net.

St. Jude, Chattanooga St. Jude parishioners participated in the Homeless Project sponsored by Family Promise of Greater Chattanooga. The parish donated 511 hours during the holiday season.

St. Mary, Athens The series Catholicism by Father Robert Barron was featured as part of a new adult study program that began Wednesday, Jan. 29, and continues through Lent. Two groups will be meeting for 12 consecutive Wednesdays: one at 3 p.m. and the other at 7:30 p.m. in the parish hall youth room. Study guides are available. Call the parish office for more information at 423-745-4277.

The annual Catholic Charities dinner in Chattanooga is scheduled for 6-9 p.m.

Thursday, April 3, at The Chattanoogan hotel. Tickets are $100 per person.

Corporate sponsorships are available.

Contact Christine Willingham for more information at 865-267-1297 or Christine@ ccetn.org. n

The women’s club met Jan. 4 for a potluck and presentation by Father Randy Stice on Pope Francis’ list of New Year’s resolutions. Diapers were collected for the Full Circle Crisis Pregnancy Center.

St. Stephen, Chattanooga Newcomers: Pat Bolton, Debbie Cliché, Joanne Kramer, Charles St. Pierre n

COURTESY OF HEATHER WALDRAFF

Cliff and Rosamaria Perez mark 50th anniversary

Little Flowers members learn about virtues, earn badges The Little Flowers Girls Club in Hixson is associated with St. Jude School and Church. The club is a group of girls in kindergarten and first grade who meet on a biweekly basis to learn about virtues and character development. For each virtue they learn about (faith, love, obedience, love of neighbor, etc.), they earn a badge to be worn on their sash, which is their uniform for the meetings. Additionally, they learn songs and make crafts. As part of their Love of Neighbor badge, they went caroling Dec. 10 for the residents at Life Care Center of Hixson. They distributed 100 Christmas tree ornaments to the residents that they made personally themselves at their last meeting. Above is a photo of the girls caroling. From left are Acadiana Martin, Kadi Collins, Lilly Zeller, Charlotte Waldraff, Cailey Jo Martin, and Emma Ford.

The East Tennessee Catholic

C

liff and Rosamaria Perez celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a Mass at Holy Cross Church in Pigeon Forge, with Father Andres Cano officiating, on Dec. 28.

Following the Mass, a reception was held at Big Bear Lodge with family and friends attending and participating in the celebration.

Rosamaria and Cliff have been active members at Holy Cross Parish since their retirement in 1999, Rosa from Adrian (Mich.) Public Schools as a high school counselor and Cliff from Tecumseh Products International Division as the international sales manager in Tecumseh, Mich.

Cliff and Rosa were married at Holy Family Church in Corpus Christi, Texas, on Dec. 28, 1963.

Rosa and Cliff have four sons,

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

Rosamaria and Cliff Perez

Cliff III of Ludington, Mich.; Michael of Adrian; Gregg of Tecumseh; and Albert of Adrian; and seven grandchildren. n February 2, 2014 11

Cumberland Mountain Deanery calendar

Parish notes: Cumberland Mountain Deanery

“A More Beautiful You,” a retreat for high school girls, will be presented by the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia at St. Mary Church in Oak Ridge on the weekend of Feb. 28–March 2. The retreat will begin at 6 p.m. Friday and end after the 10 a.m.

Mass on March 2. The weekend will focus

All Saints, Knoxville Sister Mary Timothea Elliott, RSM will lead the first Friday fellowship after the 9 a.m. Mass in the All Saints parish hall Friday, Feb. 7. The topic will be “Psalms of Thanksgiving, Wisdom, and Pilgrim Psalms.” For more information, call Patty at 865-670-8903.

on self-reflection and encouraging spiritual growth through prayer, Eucharistic adoration, and the Mass. The cost is $40. To learn more or to register, contact Deacon Dan Hosford at 865-603-9682 or djh2@ comcast.net or Margaret Merrill at 7668388. n

St. Francis of Assisi, Fairfield Glade The Council of Catholic Women will have a game day at its meeting Wednesday, Feb. 12.

The worship and liturgy committee donated 41 roses for the altar in remembrance of the lives lost as a result of the Roe v. Wade decision 41 years ago.

St. John Neumann, Farragut Sister Elizabeth Wanyoike, parish adult faith formation coordinator, and Sister Angela Nikwobazeirwe, a teacher at St. John Neumann School, renewed their vows in celebration of the 25th anniversaries of profession in their order, the Evangelizing Sisters of Mary, at the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Jan. 5. A reception in their honor was held after the Mass. A collection was also taken to help build their order’s new general headquarters in Kenya.

Sister Elizabeth Wanyoike will facilitate a class on Christology from 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Mondays beginning Jan. 27 and Tuesdays from 7-8 p.m. beginning Jan. 28 in Seton Hall. The class will focus on the historical Christ and will deepen participants’ understanding of his mission. Call Sister Elizabeth for more information at 865-966-4540.

St. John Neumann is hosting a dinner-dance titled “SJN Goes Hollywood” at 6 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 22, at Fox Den Country Club. The event will feature hors d’oeuvres, dinner, a cash bar, dancing, and a silent auction. To obtain tickets, call Becky Brown at 865-278-7053.

St. Mary, Oak Ridge The parish thanked Joe Fahy, the manager of a local Food City store, for the donation of $2,500 to the St. Joseph Food Pantry. The Oak Ridge Food City is the only grocery store that supports both the food pantry and St. Mary School.

The parish fall festival held Oct. 4-5 netted $23,370 to support St. Mary School. The parish thanked those who volunteered and donated items for the live auction.

St. Thomas the Apostle, Lenoir City An informational meeting about Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos, the orphanage in El Salvador sponsored by many parishioners at St. Thomas the Apostle, will take place at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, in the family-life center. Bring a potluck dish; meat will be provided. RSVP by Feb. 16 to Jan McFadden at 865-458-3911 or Theresa Beyer at 865-458-1519. n

12 February 2, 2014

COURTESY OF PAULA REILAND

Anniversaries: Mike and Ethy Wilhelmi (67), Peter and Betty Staff (63), Anthony and Rosemary Stocco (62), Ed and Angela Crowley (59), Tom and Carol Hayden (58), Tom and Nancy Flagg (57), Paul and Barbara Thrower (57), Ronald and Janice Cashner (55), Charles and Carol Fisher (55), Robert and Marie Price (55), Dick and Helen Gerlach (54), Joseph and Shirley King (52), Gerald and Barbara Phillips (52), Herman and Frances Eichner (51), Robert and Joanne Jansen (51), Joseph and Loretta Kreskowiak (50)

St. Stephen Parish recognizes two for service Two people at St. Stephen in Chattanooga were recently recognized for their service to the parish: Bill Reynolds and Pat Wright. Pictured are (from left, seated) Deacon Dan Alexander, pastoral administrator; Carolyn Alexander, Deacon Alexander’s wife; and Mrs. Wright; and (standing) Anna Anthony, director of parish ministries; Father Mathew Thelly, associate pastor; Father Barth Okere; and Mr. Reynolds and wife Carolee. Mr. Reynolds is a convert who came into the Church on April 11, 2009.

He co-chairs the PrimeTimers with Patti Crownover and is a eucharistic minister, usher, and Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus. Mrs. Wright is a retired nurse. In 2011 she was nominated in the National Service Award Category for the annual Volunteer United Awards Banquet. She is a parish nurse and coordinates CPR classes with Steve Underwood, monthly blood-pressure checks after Masses, annual flu shots, and health fairs. She has volunteered at the Ladies of Charity for more than 25 years and serves as the Ladies’ layette program coordinator. She is a eucharistic minister and daily Mass attendee.

Mosiors of Fairfield Glade celebrate anniversary

J

ohn and Elizabeth Mosior of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fairfield Glade celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Nov. 30.

They were married at St. Anne Church in New York City.

The Mosiors’ children are John Jr. and Lisa Bowen, both of New

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

York City, and they have two grandchildren.

They retired from the Nassau Custom Fabrications Co. in Mineola, N.Y., and moved to the Glade in 2008. They celebrated their anniversary with a cruise and visited family in Coral Springs, Fla. n dioknox.org

Five Rivers Deanery calendar The parish mission at St. Mary Church in Johnson City, “Igniting the Light of Christ Within You,” will take place Feb. 9-12 at the church. Paul Koleske, a Catholic inspirational speaker, musician, and recording artist from Racine, Wis., will present “Connecting with the Light of Christ” on Sunday, Feb. 9; “Experiencing the Light of Christ” on Monday, Feb. 10; and “Living the Light of Christ” on Tuesday, Feb. 11; and will speak to the youth

Parish notes: Five Rivers Deanery

of the parish on Wednesday, Feb. 12. All presentations will begin at 7 p.m. For more information, contact Sue Hinderlider at 423-282-6367.

Holy Trinity, Jefferson City Father Patrick Brownell, pastor of St. Patrick Church in Morristown, will present a day of reflection beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, in the Holy Trinity parish life center. Snacks and lunch will be provided. Call the parish office for more information at 865-471-0347.

The Tri-Cities Catholic Charities dinner is scheduled for 6-9 p.m. Thursday, March 6, at St. Dominic Church in Kingsport. Tickets are $50. Contact Lisa Ingle for more information at 865-524-9896 or lingle@ccetn.org. n

The parish is collecting donations to support its twin parish in Bainet, Haiti. As of Jan. 19, the parish had collected 79 percent or $1,980 toward its goal of $2,500.

Holy Trinity collected $2,070.15 to help relief efforts in the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan.

Anniversaries: Darryl and Judy Hall (52), Paul and Dianne Bartnik (30), Eric and Kirsten Perry (25), Ron and Andrea Henry (20)

McCartens celebrate 50th Beverly and Kenneth McCarten of St. Mary Parish in Johnson City celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a party of more than 50 fellow parishioners on Jan. 11.

St. Mary, Johnson City Father Dustin Collins will preside at the bimonthly Masses in the Extraordinary Form (Latin Mass) in the Tri-Cities area at St. Mary Church at 3 p.m. on first and third Sundays preceded by a rosary at 2:30 p.m.

TODD PERRY

St. Mary Parish is offering the opportunity for rising ninth- through 12th-grade students to attend a summer youth conference at Steubenville University July 11-13.

Space is limited, and the event sells out quickly. Contact Tricia Klug for more information at klug7@embarqmail.com or 423-929-1253.

St. Patrick, Morristown The Christ Renews His Parish weekend for women is scheduled for March 8-9 at St. Patrick Church. The program is intended to strengthen the parish community and encourage the active practice of the Catholic faith. For more information, call Susan Shafer at 423-312-4161. n

COURTESY OF PAUL SCHULZ

Calendar continued from page 10

A blessing from the pope Kelly Schulz Feiler, an alum of St. Jude School and Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga, and her son, William Joseph Feiler, born July 11, 2013, were blessed by Pope Francis during a Vatican audience Oct. 10. They were part of a small Knights of Columbus audience during which Pope Francis greeted KOC board members.

Mrs. Feiler and William were not scheduled to greet the pope. They were surprised to be summoned to the front after official greetings concluded. Mrs. Feiler’s husband is Stephen Feiler, an assistant to KOC Supreme Knight Carl Anderson.

The East Tennessee Catholic

speaker at the banquet following the Mass. Other speakers during the weekend will include Mary Jo Peyton, who will speak on the Mary, Mother of God Society’s work to re-establish the Catholic faith in Eastern Russia, and Jim Bello, who will speak about pro-life ministry. The registration fee is $89. Hotel accommodations are $115 per night plus tax and can be made by calling 800-222-TREE. The registration deadline for the hotel is March 13 to receive the discounted rate. The group code is KDC. Registration forms are available at www.kdccw.org or by contacting Emily Knoch at Emily@livingstoncompany.com.

Two upcoming Catholic Charities fundraising events are set. The Kids Helping Kids Fun Walk will take place on May 4 at Knoxville Catholic High School, and the Common Good Golf Classic is planned for June 9. Visit www.ccetn.org for details.

Father John Dowling will be the spiritual director for a 10-day pilgrimage to France June 30–July 9, 2014. The group will visit several shrines and holy sites around France, including the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal and Sainte-Chapelle, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Calendar continued on page 14

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

February 2, 2014 13

Smoky Mountain Deanery calendar

Parish notes: Smoky Mountain Deanery

The fifth annual Fierce and Fancy Formals Fashion Show and Dress Sale to support the Haiti Outreach Program at Sacred Heart Cathedral is scheduled for 6:309:30 p.m. Saturday, March 1, at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. Dresses for the sale may be dropped off at any Knoxville-area Prestige Cleaners through Feb. 21. General admission is $25 ($15 for students). Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ fierce-fancy-formals-tickets-5435561912 to

Sacred Heart, Knoxville The cathedral is participating in Souper Bowl Sunday, sponsored by the local FISH Hospitality Pantries, on Sunday, Feb. 2. Parishioners are asked to bring six cans of condensed soup, which will be collected at each of the weekend Masses.

TIES Citizenship Preparation classes are being held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays through March 29 at Sacred Heart Cathedral School. These classes are designed to assist those who are preparing for the naturalization and English/ civics tests. For more information, visit www.ccetn.org or contact Nathaly Perez at 865-971-3550 or nathaly@ccetn.org.

purchase tickets. Contact Jennifer Neil for more information at 865-329-3294 or jenniferneil@givehaitihope.org.

The sixth annual Father Albert J. Henkel Memorial Golf Tournament supporting the Ladies of Charity of Knoxville is set for Friday, May 2, at Egwani Farms Golf Course in Rockford. Visit the website www. ladiesofcharitygolf.com for more details or contact Jim Fuhr at jfuhr4221@aol.com. n

Our Lady of Fatima, Alcoa Jimmy Mitchell, Catholic musician and recording artist and recent presenter at the Diocese of Knoxville Eucharistic Congress, will present a concert at 7 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 9, at Our Lady of Fatima. The cost is $5. For more information, call the parish office at 865-982-3672. n

Amiens, the tomb of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the American Military Cemetery at Omaha Beach, Chartres Cathedral, the Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Paray-le-Monial, and the basilica in Ars that houses the incorrupt body of St. John Vianney. The final day will feature a drive through the French Alps. Mass will be celebrated daily. The price including airfare from either Nashville or Knoxville is $3,945, which includes U.S. government taxes, fees, and airline fuel surcharges up to $665; economy-class roundtrip airfare, three- and four-star hotel accommodations (based on double occupancy), eight breakfasts and dinners, a professional tour manager, local English-speaking guides, all scheduled sightseeing and entrance fees, a modern motor coach, and group tips. Interested pilgrims can also arrange their own airfare and pay $2,849 (if 30 pilgrims register). Register early and receive a $50 discount. For more information, contact Father Dowling at 931-484-3628 or frjohndowling@gmail.com.

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; at 3 p.m. on second and fourth Sundays at St. Joseph the Worker Church in Madisonville; at 11 a.m. on most Sundays at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Townsend; and at 3 p.m. on the first and third Sundays at St. Mary Church in Johnson City. Visit www.knoxlatinmass. net for updated information.

The St. Thomas the Apostle Eastern (Byzantine) Catholic Mission celebrates Divine Liturgy at 9:30 a.m. Sundays in the lower level of Holy Cross Anglican Church, 515 Herron Road, Knoxville, TN 37934. Note the time change. All services are in English. Call Father Richard Armstrong at 865-584-3307 or visit www. saintthomas-knoxville.org for details.

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

14 February 2, 2014

BILL BREWER

Calendar continued from page 13

Two bishops and Father Abuh Bishop Richard F. Stika is flanked by Archbishop Dr. Augustine Obiora Akubeze and Father Julius Abuh during a gathering in Bishop Stika’s office.

St. Therese Parish hosts visiting archbishop

S

t. Therese Church in Clinton has served as host to a visiting archbishop of the Church, who celebrated Mass with Father Julius Abuh and the parishioners of St. Therese.

The Most Rev. Dr. Augustine Obiora Akubeze, metropolitan archbishop of Benin Diocese and vice president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, was ordained a priest Oct. 3, 1987, at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Issele-Uku in Nigeria. He served in the chancery as chancellor and secretary of the diocese while doing his priestly work in several diocesan parishes.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI appointed him as the first bishop of

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

Uromi Diocese and he was installed as archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Benin City in April 2011.

Archbishop Akubeze visited St. Therese in October at the request of Father Abuh, who also is from Nigeria.

“Father Julius invited me … and I said I would come and see. I’ve come and I’ve seen your warmness.

I looked at the bulletin and saw how you really welcomed me to your parish. I’m very grateful. I ask God to bless all of you. We have been friends, Father Julius and myself, for quite some time and when he says you are warm people I think so,” Archbishop Akubeze said. n dioknox.org

Catholic youth

BILL BREWER

Elizabeth Geist of KCHS selected for All-State Chorus

Scouting honors presented at Holy Ghost Three youth, Andrew Hendershott, John Hendershott, and Thomas Morris, received the Pope Pius XII and Pillar of Faith (Duty to God) awards Nov. 3 after the extraordinary-form Mass at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville. The Pope Pius XII award is the highest award that a Catholic youth can receive from the Church, and the Pillar of Faith award is given by the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting for completing all four of the youth church awards (Light of Christ, Parvuli Dei, Ad Altare Dei, and Pope Pius XII). There is a certificate and pin given with this award. Also honored was Giannine Morris, who received her certificate of completion as a trainer.

From left are Scouting committee chairman George LeCrone Sr., Howard Hendershott, lead instructor Susan Hendershott, Andrew, John, Thomas, Mrs. Morris, Mike Morris, and Father John Orr. The East Tennessee Catholic

COURTESY OF GEORGE LECRONE SR.

Blessed John XXIII parishioners attend Tennessee Right to Life banquet Blessed John XXIII Parish on the University of Tennessee campus was well-represented at the recent Tennessee Right to Life banquet held at the Knoxville Convention Center. With pastor Father Charlie Donahue, CSP, above are Maemie Donnelly, Kendall Cioccia, Grace Stepanek, Dani Bernhoft, Maria De Lucia, Will Brewer, Chris Cooley, Greg Hartman, Jay Quayle, Evan Lutomski, Andy Christiansen, Bill McClintic, Gracie McGuire, and Conlon Griesmer.

Knoxville Catholic High School junior Elizabeth Geist was recently selected to perform in the All-State Chorus.

Each year several thousand high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors audition to be a part of the Tennessee AllState Honor Choir. Students are chosen by competitive audition in which they must sing their vocal part in two choral selections before a panel of judges.

Students must also pass a sight-reading audition in which they attempt to sing a passage of music without rehearsing it beforehand. Students receive a score for their audition, and the best in each region are selected to perform in the All-East, -Middle, and -West honor choirs, which take place in November.

Elizabeth performed in the AllEast Honor Choir in Greeneville on Nov. 23. The best from each region are selected to perform in the All-State Choir. This year only 18 girls from East Tennessee were chosen to sing in the All-State Chorus. This distinguishes Elizabeth as one of the best high school choral singers in the state.

The choir will perform April 12 at the Cannon Performing Arts Center in Memphis.

Elizabeth is the first KCHS student to make the All-State Chorus since the 2010-11 school year, when Roxanne Cabrera and Paul Shipp were both selected. n

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

February 2, 2014 15

Knoxville Catholic footballers receive All-District honors Several Knoxville Catholic High School football players recently received postseason District 4-AAA honors.

Wyatt Price was named Special Teams Player of the Year.

Cory Patton was named to the All-Academic Team. All-District honors went to Elijah Brown, David Hamilton, Logan Irwin, Zak Jancek, Logan Lacey, Will Martinez, and Josh Silvey. n

Light of Christ award presented at All Saints Church Alex Eshleman received the Light of Christ award at the 10Â a.m. Mass on Nov. 24 at All Saints Church in Knoxville.

Making the presentation were Father Michael Woods, All Saints pastor, and George LeCrone Sr., chairman of the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting. With Alex were his father and mother, Troy and Regina Eshleman. n

16 February 2, 2014

KCHS students visit Dominican motherhouse in Nashville On Nov. 8-9, 11 Knoxville Catholic High School students traveled to the motherhouse of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation in Nashville.

The trip was designed to give young women a chance to grow in faith, experience religious life firsthand, and to pray and play with the sisters. While at the motherhouse, the girls participated in traditional night prayer in the chapel, slept in the original boarders’ cells, participated in morning prayer, attended Mass, and played various games with the sisters on the spacious convent grounds. Pictured from left are (bottom row) Komile Nosoinenskwi, Sister Joan of Arc, OP, Lindsay Remeta, Abigail Price, Madison Andre, and Sister Patrick Stephen, OP; (middle row) Francesca Mallia, Megan Flora, Catherine Kirkpatrick, and Alison Hans; and (top row) Olivia Floursh, Mary Merrill, and Madelyn Rose Fahhoum.

Samuel receives Pope Pius XII award Father Christopher Manning presented the highest award a Scout can receive in the Catholic Church, the Pope Pius XII award, to Samuel Melhorn at the 8:30 a.m. Mass on Dec. 8 at St. John Neumann Church in Farragut. Samuel also received the Pillar of Faith (Duty to God) award for completing all four Catholic Scouting awards. Only .006 percent of the youth receive the Pillar of Faith in the Diocese of Knoxville. Samuel is pictured with (from left) his parents, Christopher and Susan, Father Manning, and George LeCrone Sr., chairman of the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting.

COURTESY OF GEORGE LECRONE SR.

A number of Knoxville Catholic High School student athletes were recently recognized as AllState in their respective sports.

The 2013 All-State athletes for fall sports are cross country: Annie Batcheller, Camille Baker, and Joe Binder; football: Logan Irwin, David Hamilton, Will Martinez, and Josh Silvey; girls soccer: Molly Dwyer, Ashley Hickman, Charlotte Sauter, and Abby Bower; and volleyball: Rachel Kozemco, Sarah McCarty, and Kamilla Cieslik. n

Catholic youth

COURTESY OF MEGAN LOCKE ERPENBACH

KCHS athletes make All-State teams in fall sports

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Msgr. George Schmidt named basilica pastor emeritus Fathers Schriver, Manning, Cano, Torres Barona, Sister Mary Christine Cremin take on new diocesan roles

B

ishop Richard F. Stika has announced several assignment changes for the Diocese of Knoxville.

Due to health concerns with Monsi- Msgr. Schmidt gnor George Schmidt, pastor of the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga since 1986, Bishop Stika has appointed Father David Carter parochial administrator of the basilica effective Nov. 26.

Monsignor Schmidt—who had been the longest-serving pastor at the same assignment in the diocese—is now the pastor emeritus of the basilica.

“I am grateful for all the many years of service Monsignor George has shared with the faithful of the basilica and the Chattanooga community as a whole,” Bishop Stika wrote. “I am also grateful for Monsignor George’s great dedication and fidelity to the priesthood.”

Father Carter completed his service as chaplain of Knoxville Catholic High School effective Dec. 20.

Father Ragan Schriver, “after prayerful discernment and reflection,” the bishop said, “has requested to offi-

By Dan McWilliams

Father Carter

Sr. M. Christine Cremin

cially complete his service as the executive director of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee, effective Nov. 30.”

Father Schriver will serve on an ongoing basis as an assistant professor in the College of Social Work at the University of Tennessee and as director, Programs and Services, at Catholic Charities USA. He also will continue to serve on the Tennessee Catholic Public Policy Commission.

Effective July 1, 2014, Father Schriver will be assigned to be in residence and assist as needed at St. Albert the Great Parish in Knoxville.

“I want say a special thanks to Father Ragan for 15 years of service as executive director of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee,” Bishop Stika said. “I also appreciate his love, compassion, and energetic dedication to the poor and underprivileged of East Tennessee.”

Father Schriver

Father Manning

Sister Mary Christine Cremin, RSM, who has been serving as acting executive director of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee since July 1, was appointed as the executive director of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee, effective Nov. 30.

Father Christopher Manning has been appointed chaplain of KCHS effective Jan. 1 and will continue as part-time associate pastor at St. John Neumann Parish. He will remain in residence at the St. John Neumann rectory in Farragut.

Father Andres Cano has been appointed associate pastor of St. Mary in Gatlinburg and Holy Cross in Pigeon Forge, effective Dec. 2. Father Joe Brando remains as pastor of St. Mary and parochial administrator of Holy Cross.

Father Cano’s assignment as parochial vicar at Sacred Heart Cathedral

Father Cano

Fr. Torres Barona

ended Dec. 1.

And the diocese’s newest priest, Father Arthur Torres Barona, has been named an associate pastor at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville.

Bishop Stika ordained Father Torres Barona on Dec. 14 at St. Anne Church in the ordinand’s native Cali, Colombia.

Father Torres Barona becomes the 42nd priest ordained for the Diocese of Knoxville and the seventh ordained

by Bishop Stika. He is also the second priest ordained by Bishop Stika in Colombia, following Father Cano’s ordination in 2009 in the city of Pereira.

“Please join me in praying for all the priests mentioned above and for Sister Mary Christine as well,” the bishop stated. “May God bless all of them as they begin their new ministries.” n

Lexington’s Bishop Gainer named to Diocese of Harrisburg, Pa.

By Catholic News Service LEXINGTON, Ky. — Bishop Ronald W. Gainer of Lexington has been named to head the Diocese of Harrisburg, Pa., and the vicar general of the Diocese of Fresno, Calif., has been named auxiliary bishop of Sacramento, Calif., the first for the diocese.

Pope Francis made the appointments Jan. 24. They were announced in Washington by Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

Bishop Gainer, 66, was named the second bishop of Lexington on Dec. 13, 2002, and ordained a bishop on Feb. 22, 2003. He is a native of PottsThe East Tennessee Catholic

ville, Pa., in the Diocese of Allentown, and served there as a parish priest, campus minister and judicial vicar until his appointment as the second bishop of Lexington. The Diocese of Lexington, like the Diocese of Knoxville, is part of the Archdiocese of Louisville province.

Bishop Gainer succeeds Bishop Joseph P. McFadden, who died May 2, 2013. Bishop Gainer will be installed on March 19.

Bishop Gainer was born Aug. 24, 1947, in Pottsville and studied at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Pennsylvania, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1969 and master of divinity

degree in 1973. He received a licentiate degree in Canon Law from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in 1986. He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Allentown on May 19, 1973. He was named a prelate of honor (monsignor) to Pope John Paul II on Aug. 20, 1991.

The Diocese of Harrisburg includes 7,660 square miles in Pennsylvania and has a population of 2,236,085 of whom 234,822, or 11 percent, are Catholic.

Msgr. Myron J. Cotta, 60, will become the first auxiliary bishop of the Sacramento Diocese. He is a native of Dos Palos, Calif., in the Fresno Diocese, and has been a priest since 1987. n

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Bishop Ronald W. Gainer February 2, 2014 17

Conference, a daylong event at another diocesan site.

“We assemble to search for that light of which St. Paul speaks in his letter to the Ephesians: ‘to bring light … the plan of the mystery hidden from ages past in God, who created all things …’ The light and the plan of God is Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh,” Cardinal Rigali continued.

“In the Church’s calendar, our Christmas celebration of the coming of this light into our world is followed only three days later by the feast of the Holy Innocents. On this day we remember in a special way the innocent victims of King Herod— and we continue to remember the innocent victims of the Herods of every generation.

“But through the light of your witness and prayers, a witness of hope and love, this site across the street where innocent blood is spilled and so many lives are forever wounded will someday instead become a place of light and healing.

“The brilliance of the light of Christ is reflected in every human life, and in a most magnificent way from the womb. Painfully and tragically, the law of the land has failed to recognize the light of this truth for the past 41 years. But on this street corner across from where so much darkness lies behind closed doors, the light of Christ has gathered. How resplendent is the radiance of the light of Jesus Christ!”

Catholics from across the diocese joined in the Rosary For Life, traveling from Chattanooga, the Tri-Cities, and other towns to show support.

Several churches sent groups of parishioners to join in the rosary.

“We are extremely pleased with the turnout and the number of people who braved the rainy weather to travel to the Rosary For Life. I asked the Handmaids of the Precious Blood to pray for a break in the weather.

They offered a special intention and

18 February 2, 2014

STEPHANIE RICHER

Rosary continued from page 1

Prayers for life Catholics from around the Diocese of Knoxville gather across from the Planned Parenthood facility on Cherry Street in Knoxville on Jan. 11 during the fourth annual Rosary For Life led by Cardinal Justin Rigali.

kept a prayer vigil through the night.

The weather broke at 10 o’clock, just as the rosary started,” said Paul Simoneau, diocesan vice chancellor and director of the Office of Justice and Peace who organized the fourth annual Rosary For Life.

Mr. Simoneau said he was particularly grateful to the Handmaids, an order of cloistered nuns who offer their lives for the sanctification of priests in eucharistic adoration and reside at the diocese’s Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton, for their prayers. The Rosary For Life also was supported by the prayerful presence of other religious communities, including the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich., the Dominican Sisters of Nashville, the Missionary Congregation of the Evangelizing Sisters of Mary, and the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George. He also was heartened by the show of support of Catholics keeping vigil amid inclement weather.

“With the media there, it shows how committed Catholics are to giving a witness to the sanctity of life no matter the weather or political climate,” Mr. Simoneau said.

One of the parishioners in atten-

dance, Lisa Morris of Sacred Heart Parish in Knoxville, also was impressed with the turnout, given the threatening weather.

“Just the fact that people know the power of prayer, that it changes hearts and changes lives and changes the world around us, is so very important,” she said. “With the rain, all I could think about were tears from heaven and how all of us gathered together to pray for an end to abortion.

It’s as if they were tears from heaven as we gathered and then the rain stopped, which was a blessing.”

Recent pro-life gains are giving hope to supporters that a culture of life is overtaking a culture of death.

Kym McCormick, who attends St. Mary Church in Athens with her husband, Michael, and their eight children, watched as her 8-year-old son, Sean, recited prayers before the 250 in attendance during the Rosary For Life.

“This is very positive. This is hope.

The tide is turning with this generation,” she said. “All the abortion clinics that have closed shows the power of prayer. We’ve been strengthened by the Catholic community and the Christian community. Our children

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have been saying they hope to be the generation that ends abortion.”

Lydia Donahue, a parishioner at St. John Neumann Church in Farragut who attended the Rosary For Life with her four daughters, said she has been active in the pro-life movement since its early grassroots days following the Roe v. Wade decision.

“I was so inspired by the turnout, especially given the weather. It makes you appreciate how everyone understands how important life is,” Mrs. Donahue said. “It’s sad we’re still here, but it inspires me to see how many others know how important it is.”

January is the beginning of an important year for the pro-life cause in Tennessee. Following the Rosary For Life, the annual March For Life, sponsored by Tennessee Right to Life, will be held Jan. 26 at 2 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church on Kingston Pike, and the national March For Life rally in Washington, D.C., will be held Jan. 22.

Then the diocese’s 40 Days For Life prayer vigil begins on March 5, Ash Wednesday, and concludes April 13, Palm Sunday, at Planned Parenthood’s East Knoxville location.

A critical pro-life vote on the state Constitution will be held in November, when Tennesseans will be asked to vote “Yes” on Amendment 1, which would allow passage and enforcement of common-sense policies designed to protect the health and safety of women and girls considering abortion.

Mrs. Morris and Mr. Simoneau agreed that the success of the fourth annual Rosary For Life creates an inspirational segue to the 40 Days For Life vigil.

“The Rosary For Life gave people a chance to see it, feel it, and become familiar with it as we pray that Planned Parenthood comes full circle and stands with us for the sanctity of life,” Mrs. Morris said. n dioknox.org

d e v l o v n I t e G Resolve to in Your Parish N

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February 2, 2014 19

ble together.”

On the liturgy, “the whole idea of Mass is not to be centering on us, but it’s to be directed at God ... honoring the God who created us in the breaking of the bread and the sharing of the cup,” Bishop Stika said.

Cardinal Dolan, referencing the conclave that elected Pope Francis, said the cardinals “didn’t elect a pope. Our vote only validated the person the Holy Spirit had chosen,” the bishop quoted.

Offering a lesson from Pope John Paul II, the bishop said that “if we’re joy-filled and faithful, we might not be perfect, but we’ll be holy.”

A young man once told John Paul during one of his visits to America, “Holy Father, you don’t realize the impact you’ve had on young people in America when you visited Denver,” then was devastated when the pope walked away without replying and began greeting other people, Bishop Stika said.

“Then John Paul stops, and he turns around and walks all the way back to the young man and puts his hand on his shoulder and said, ‘And you don’t realize the impact that all the young people had on the pope.’”

In the Q-and-A session, Bishop Stika fielded questions on the Common Core curriculum, bi-ritual faculties, and capital punishment, among many others. He was asked to give a financial snapshot of the diocese and asked what’s the biggest challenge for the Church in today’s society (“to be faithful to who we are as the Catholic Church,” he said).

On the Common Core curriculum, the bishop said that “in the Catholic Church, we don’t have to adopt it.

We’re going to participate in what’s helpful to us. We’re not mandated to use any textbooks that we don’t want to use. . . . Sister Mary Marta [Abbott, RSM], who is our superintendent of education, is very vigilant about textbooks and such.

“I have to admit that one of the

20 February 2, 2014

DAN MCWILLIAMS

Conference continued from page 4

Engaging the audience Bishop Richard F. Stika interacts with the more than 160 men who attended the diocese’s 2014 Men’s Conference at All Saints Parish on Jan. 11.

concerns is if there is an undue cultural influence in the publishing of books . . .it could be that all the publishing companies determine that ‘this is the only book we’re going to publish,’ so then it might be that the Catholic Church, like we’ve done in the past, will have to publish our own books. . . . But we’re not mandated to do what they tell us to do, as long as we’re doing that which is acceptable with math, science, and such.”

The bishop received bi-ritual faculties after his priestly ordination to celebrate Mass in the Maronite Church, the Catholic Church of Lebanon.

Talking about capital punishment brought to Bishop Stika’s mind Pope John Paul II’s involvement in a capital case in Missouri during the pope’s 1999 visit to St. Louis.

“When John Paul came to St. Louis, two weeks prior the Missouri Supreme Court set a day of execution [for Darrell Mease] for the day the pope was going to arrive in St. Louis,” the bishop recalled. “Then the pope got involved. . . . The Cardinal Secretary of State asked if the governor would commute the sentence, so the governor said he would

think about it.”

During a prayer service attended by the governor, “as the pope walked by Gov. [Mel] Carnahan, he put his hand on the governor’s arm and he said, ‘Mercy for [Darrell Mease].’ And the governor within a couple of days commuted the sentence,” Bishop Stika said. “[The governor] said, ‘I remember watching the pope on TV forgive the man who tried to kill him. When I saw him I saw a holy man. When he said, “Mercy for [Mease],” I could not say no.’ And he took a lot of political flak for it because Missouri is a very pro-capital punishment state. But he did it, and the guy’s in prison forever, which I think is actually probably worse—that’s my own opinion,” the bishop said.

Regarding the financial state of the diocese, the bishop said “when I came five years ago, we were really limited as to what we could do.”

“The Annual Stewardship Appeal raised between $925,000 and $950,000 . . . but it wasn’t allowing us to grow where we needed to grow. . . . We took a chance and we changed it around one year and changed it around a little bit more the other year, but as a result of that

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now we’ve been able to bring parish assessments down. . . . I would say our diocese is very stable and in good financial health because of Deacon David [Lucheon] and the Finance Council that advises me.”

Financially, “we’re fine,” Bishop Stika said.

“We can always do better,” he said. “The Bishop’s Appeal this year will hit $2 million because we’ve implemented new things, but it allows us to do things that we weren’t able to do before. . . . Again, goodness wants to spread, and so wherever I go I always thank people for being generous to all the different collections as well as the Bishop’s Appeal.”

One conference participant asked the bishop what occupation he might have if he weren’t a man of the cloth. The bishop joked that he would probably own White Castle restaurants, whose burgers are his favorite food, then said that law enforcement might have been his chosen path.

“I have a brother who’s a cop,” he said. “I was the chaplain for the police department in St. Louis. Probably among the saddest moments in my life, in three different situations, I anointed a dying police officer and was involved with the family and the police department when they died. . . . I have great admiration for the police and people in law enforcement in general.”

Surprised at not being asked about the new building plans for Sacred Heart Cathedral, the bishop took time out of the Q-and-A to address that topic.

“Sacred Heart Cathedral as a parish doesn’t have something like this [All Saints’ parish hall],” Bishop Stika said. “They have a gym, they have a cafeteria, and they have the Shea Room, and yet we as a diocese ask them for assistance when we want to gather as a family. They’re outgrowing their own parish church.” dioknox.org

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Feasibility studies are being conducted on a new cathedral, and its final design and cost are still question marks.

“What I’m hoping is that we’ll build this, and 100 years from now people will say that church has served well,” Bishop Stika said.

“I want to build a church that’s magnificent, that’s historic, that’s practical, that will hold up, but not The East Tennessee Catholic

be ostentatious. But I don’t want to say, ‘Let’s build a barn.’ I want to build something that’s magnificent, but ‘magnificent’ is a subjective word.”

The bishop was asked, “How does such a normal everyman’s man become a bishop, and how does it feel to go from being Rick to a bishop?”

“Every day it amazes me,” he

said. “My parents ... never lived to see me be a monsignor or work for the archbishop. They would be totally amazed that I am a bishop. . . .

The only time we saw the cardinal in St. Louis or the bishop was at confirmation or on TV. And here I am running around with the funny hat and I’m on TV and telling you all stories about popes and being at the White House. They would just

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be amazed about that.”

The bishop’s friends still call him “Rick,” he said.

“In my first parish assignment, the kids called me ‘Frick’—Fr. Rick.”

Another question of the bishop was, how many times a day do you pray.

“I think every moment of every day,” he said. n February 2, 2014 21

Living the readings

Weekday readings Saturday, Feb. 1: 2 Samuel 12:1-7, 10-17; Psalm 51:1217; Mark 4:35-41 Sunday, Feb. 2: Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 24:710; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40 Monday, Feb. 3: 2 Samuel 15:13-14, 30 and 16:5-13; Psalm 3:2-7; Mark 5:1-20 Tuesday, Feb. 4: 2 Samuel 18:9-10, 14, 24-25, and 18:30–19:3; Psalm 86:1-6; Mark 5:21-43 Wednesday, Feb. 5: Memorial, St. Agatha, virgin, martyr, 2 Samuel 24:2, 9-17; Psalm 32:1-2, 5-7; Mark 6:1-6 Thursday, Feb. 6: Memorial, St. Paul Miki and companions, martyrs, 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12; 1 Chronicles 29:10-12; Mark 6:7-13 Friday, Feb. 7: Sirach 47:211; Psalm 18:31, 47, 50-51; Mark 6:14-29 Saturday, Feb. 8: 1 Kings 3:4-13; Psalm 119:9-14; Mark 6:30-34 Sunday, Feb. 9: Isaiah 58:7-10; Psalm 112:4-9; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Matthew 5:13-16 Monday, Feb. 10: Memorial, St. Scholastica, virgin, 1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13; Psalm 132:6-10; Mark 6:53-56 Tuesday, Feb. 11: 1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30; Psalm 84:35, 10-11; Mark 7:1-13 Wednesday, Feb. 12: 1 Kings 10:1-10; Psalm 37:56, 30-31, 39-40; Mark 7:14-23 Thursday, Feb. 13: 1 Kings 11:4-13; Psalm 106:3-4, 3537, 40; Mark 7:24-30 Friday, Feb. 14: Memorial Sts. Cyril, monk, and Methodius, bishop, 1 Kings 11:2932 and 12:19; Psalm 81:1015; Mark 7:31-37 Saturday, Feb. 15: 1 Kings 12:26-32 and 13:33-34; Readings continued on page 23

22 February 2, 2014

by Father Joseph Brando

Being cute

A

A child’s description of the Christ Child becomes an epiphany

s I was preparing my homilies for the Christmas Masses, I found myself trying to come up with a word that would explain the reaction Jesus received from the shepherds and the Magi.

They were enthralled by the Christ Child and gladly gave him gifts indicating their wonder and praise. What was it that this newborn had that so quickly won over wise men who studied stars as well as hardened shepherds who were used to being treated harshly?

I never came up with the word I was looking for and ended up with a couple of paragraphs to describe my idea. The first of the Christmas Masses was the Children’s Mass. At the homily I invited the youngsters to come around the manger scene that had been set up by our parishioners.

In fact, it was a brand new nativity set open to view for the first time. I started off by asking the children if they would describe the baby Jesus. I received some thoughtful answers. Finally, a three year old girl shouted out, “Jesus is cute!”

My heart fluttered with joy.

She made my Christmas. All the words that flashed through my mind for the last two weeks were all to be found in learned theology books. I had never seen the word “cute” in a book on the Incarnation of the Second Person of the Trinity.

But, it fits.

God sent his only son into the world to be His Word to humanity. And, that word was “cute.”

Think about it. Cute is not what you would expect from the Creator of heaven and earth. Cute is not what you would expect from the judge of the living and the

dead.

Yet, once confronted by a God who became cute for us, you can see why people opened their coffers to give him every bit of human wealth they had. The scene melts the heart of anyone who looks. They begin to see the world in a different light. They begin to see beauty and joy and meaning. The dictionary informs us that cuteness has the ability to make the beholder more life-giving.

If so, then “cute” is the word I was searching for. It is what the whole world is seeking.

That’s what I told the people at the next three Christmas Masses.

This insight, conveyed by a 3-year-old to a person with a doctorate on the subject, makes every passage in sacred Scripture come to life.

In the four Sundays of February we have 12 passages from the Bible. Let’s look at each of them from the perspective of the concept of being cute.

The first Sunday of February is the feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Traditionally, it is the feast of Jesus meeting his people.

The first reading is from the Book of Malachi. The prophet asks the question, “Who will endure the day of his coming?” He’s really telling us that if you see him, you will be changed. You will become like silver and gold. “Cute” changes the beholder. It produces a heat that purifies. To see the true Jesus is to be made cute.

The second reading is from the Letter to the Hebrews. Here, we learn how Jesus got his cuteness.

“He had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way, that he might be a merciful and faith-

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ful high priest.” Getting to be a merciful priest may very well demand a previous stage of being cute like his brothers and sisters.

The Gospel for the Presentation is from Luke and is so obvious. Luke tells us about two grandparent-like characters. Both had relationships with the Holy Spirit. They were visionaries.

Simeon claims that, in the baby Jesus, he has seen salvation. To be cute is also to be capable of lighting up the world with saving power. Anna is introduced as a prophetess. She sees the promise of redemption in the child. Cuteness makes visible the potential of giving ourselves for the sake of others.

The Fifth Sunday of the year starts with the magnificent 58th chapter of Isaiah. We are told of what becomes of a person who develops his or her cuteness.

Such a person shares food with the hungry and clothes the naked.

He or she can call on God and God will appear. But first one must get rid of that which destroys cuteness, namely oppression, bad speech and lies.

The second reading is from Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. The next two Sundays have continuations of the same passage. Here, Paul admits that when he arrived in Corinth his speech was not sublime. Rather, he was fearful and weak. Perhaps, his attraction to the Corinthians was that he appeared shy which is a function of being cute.

This Sunday’s Gospel is from the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. The next two Sundays will continue from the same source. Here, Jesus calls his followers the salt of the earth and the light of the world. In effect, we are to put a smile on all our friends and neighbors. Being cute can accomplish this desired effect quite efficiently. dioknox.org

Pope nominates 19 for College of Cardinals

VATICAN CITY (Catholic News Agency/EWTN News)—The 19 men chosen to be named cardinals in this month stress Pope Francis’ attention on the peripheries of the Church, and that appointment to a major diocese no longer automatically comes with a “red hat.”

The 19 will be elevated to cardinal at a consistory held Feb. 22; three will be over the age of 80, and thus ineligible to vote in the election of the next Pope.

Of the 16 voting cardinals, nine come from South America, Africa, and Asia, thus increasing the weight of the “Global South” in the college of cardinals.

There are only three cardinals from

the “north of the world” who administer dioceses, while four officials of the Roman Curia are being appointed by virtue.

Archbishops Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State; Beniamino Stella, Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy; and Gerhard Müller, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, all receive the cardinalate by virtue of their office, according to “Pastor bonus,” the document governing the Curia.

Archbishop Lorenzo Baldisseri, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, will also be appointed a cardinal. Upon his election as Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis had given his own red biretta to Archbishop

Baldisseri.

Archbishop Baldisseri’s name was read second in the list of new cardinals, a seemingly important signal.

The list customarily follows strict rules of precedence: curial cardinals are listed first, by order of importance. That Archbishop Baldisseri was named second, behind only the Secretary of State, may be a signal of Pope Francis’ increasing focus on synodality.

In choosing his first round of cardinals, Pope Francis wanted to highlight the pastoral experience, it seems.

Archbishop Gerald Lacroix of Quebec was for ten years a missionary

On the third Sunday of February, which is the Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time, the Old Testament reading is taken from the Book of Sirach. Here we get into .the subject of the commandments. Sirach, the wise man, calls the commandments choices.

If we choose to follow them, we can receive life and good things as well as wisdom, might and power. Or else we may choose death and evil. Looked at in this way, the commandments are not burdens that an arbitrary God imposes. They are really the way we would want to live if we want to be like God. They may be disparaged as doing things the “cute” way. They also lead to eternal life.

Returning to the second chapter of First Corinthians, Paul tells us that his words are mysterious and hidden. His wisdom is not that of his age. It didn’t impress those who are world leaders. Paul’s words were taken to be juvenile by the smart men of his day. Just before coming to Corinth, Paul had been dismissed by the learned men at the Areopagu in Athens. He was too

simple and cute for them.

Next, we go back to Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is teaching us about the commandments. The key is to obey them.

That’s what a good child does.

He or she listens to his or her parents. To obey is to hear and respond. Such a child may be considered cute. So cuteness becomes superior to wisdom if one is looking at the commandments as a wise guy. The better way is the “little way” as St. Thérèse has taught us. That may lead some to call us “cute.”

The last Sunday of the month’s first reading is from Leviticus.

Moses is told to say to the Israelites, “Be holy for I, the Lord your God, am holy.” A holy person is later observed as one who does not hate or take revenge or bear a grudge. It’s getting to sound a lot like a cute man or woman.

In the second reading, Paul tells the Corinthians that they are the Temple of God. Once again, he warns them against the wisdom of this world. They should, on the other hand, be willing to be considered fools.

Isn’t that the problem cute people have? They are looked down upon as not being wise or popular. Truly, they are innocent, loving people who are nourishing, caring, and life-giving.

The Gospel this Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time presents Jesus’ take on retribution and hatred. He tells us to offer no resistance to one who is evil.

And besides, we are to love our enemies. These sayings may be criticized for being unrealistic or unmanly, but they demand that we genuinely love one another.

That’s what Jesus wants us to do.

The Lord, by means of his birth, his public ministry, and his death and resurrection has shown his deep love for us.

That little girl looking at the Christmas crèche saw what Jesus wanted the entire world to see.

He became cute for us.

And in his cuteness he shows his divine love for us, his respect for us and his desire for us to become like him. n

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Cardinals continued on page 27

Readings continued from page 22 Psalm 106:6-7, 19-22; Mark 8:1-10 Sunday, Feb. 16: Sirach 15:15-20; Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34; 1 Corinthians 2:6-10; Matthew 5:17-37 Monday, Feb. 17: James 1:1-11; Psalm 119:67-68, 71-72, 75-76; Mark 8:11-13 Tuesday, Feb. 18: James 1:12-18; Psalm 94:12-15, 18-19; Mark 8:14-21 Wednesday, Feb. 19: James 1:19-27; Psalm 15:25; Mark 8:22-26 Thursday, Feb. 20: James 2:1-9; Psalm 34:2-7; Mark 8:27-33 Friday, Feb. 21: James 2:14-24, 26; Psalm 112:1-6; Mark 8:34–9:1 Saturday, Feb. 22: Feast, the Chair of St. Peter the Apostle, 1 Peter 5:1-4; Psalm 23:1-6; Matthew 16:13-19 Sunday, Feb. 23: Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18; Psalm 103:14, 8, 10, 12-13; 1 Corinthians 3:16-23; Matthew 5:38-48 Monday, Feb. 24: James 3:13-18; Psalm 19:8-10, 15; Mark 9:14-29 Tuesday, Feb. 25: James 4:1-10; Psalm 55:7-11, 23; Mark 9:30-37 Wednesday, Feb. 26: James 4:13-17; Psalm 49:23, 6-11; Mark 9:38-40 Thursday, Feb. 27: James 5:1-6; Psalm 49:14-20; Mark 9:41-50 Friday, Feb. 28: James 5:912; Psalm 103:1-4, 8-9, 1112; Mark 10:1-12 Saturday, March 1: James 5:13-20; Psalm 141:1-3, 8; Mark 10:13-16 n

Father Brando is pastor of St. Mary Parish in Gatlinburg.

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February 2, 2014 23

Marriage enrichment

Marriage Be-Attitudes

Schedule continued from page 2

Feb. 22: 11 a.m., annual Scouts Gathering at St. John Neumann School.

Feb. 23: 5:30 p.m., confirmation at St. Jude in Chattanooga Feb. 25-26: Province meeting in Louisville March 1: 5:30 p.m., Mass in celebration of Monsignor George Schmidt at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul

Funeral Mass held for Mark Fredrick, St. Francis deacon FAIRFIELD GLADE — A funeral Mass for Deacon Mark Fredrick of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fairfield Glade was held Jan. 27 at the church.

Deacon Fredrick, 89, of Crossville, passed away Jan. 18 at Standing Stone Care and Rehab Center in Monterey, Tenn.

Bishop Richard F. Stika celebrated the Mass.

Born July 8, 1924, in Minneapolis as the son of the late Oscar Charles and Anna (Smoika) Fredrick, Deacon Fredrick was retired from Northern States Power. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and had served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War. He is survived by his wife, Mary Fredrick of Crossville; sons John Fredrick of Branson, Mich., Ken Fredrick and wife Kim of Las Vegas, Nev.; grandchildren, Leanna, Melissa, Mark William, Laura and Michelle; 10 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Chuck Fredrick; and sister, Mary Fodstad. n

24 February 2, 2014

by Marian Christiana

Strengthening marriages by strengthening our ‘domestic church’ is possible by modeling sacrificial love

T

his past Christmas we were discussing New Year ’s resolutions with our adult children. Our daughter-in-law shared that she and our son weren’t going to be making resolutions this year.

She told us they were going to have themes for the year.

Our son said his theme was going to be to live a healthier lifestyle. Our daughter-in-law’s theme was to create more independence in her work life.

I liked the idea of a theme, focus or attitude for the year and decided to apply it to my articles for 2014.

My theme this year is going to be strengthening our marriages by strengthening our “domestic churches.”

I have mentioned in previous articles that the Catholic Church considers the family to be the “domestic church,” literally the community that is our home life.

As domestic churches, we have the ability to lead our families toward faith by intentionally making God a daily part of our lives.

Children learn their behavior by modeling the behavior of the adults closest to them.

A husband and wife can model the Christian life for their children by simply treating each other with love.

Our behavior toward our spouse should first and foremost reflect Christ’s sacrificial love for

Our behavior toward our spouse should first and foremost reflect Christ’s sacrificial love for his Church. Modeling sacrificial love is not always easy, but in this new year you might be able to find a theme, focus or new attitude in these “Be” steps: Be prayerful; Be kind; Be proactive; Be involved; Be playful. his Church. Modeling sacrificial love is not always easy, but in this new year you might be able to find a theme, focus or new attitude in the “Be” steps listed below.

Check out these Be-Attitudes: 1. Be prayerful.

Let your children see you praying together. Share insights with your spouse and/or children from any spiritual material that you are reading.

Discuss with your children what they think they may have learned about their faith that day.

Make learning about your faith a family affair.

2. Be kind.

Treat each other with love and respect. Sometimes we treat strangers better than we do our spouses. Show your children that you are each other ’s best friend.

Your example will help your children ultimately become good marriage partners themselves.

3. B e proactive.

Design a plan to handle prob-

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lems before they arise. There are many resources that discuss crisis resolution strategies.

After you and your spouse have researched various strategies, develop a conflict resolution plan for your family. Share it with the entire family.

Begin your research with this article from Strong Marriages: http://strongermarriage.org/htm/married/ managing-conflict-successfully.

4. Be involved.

Find an outreach program through your church or community where you can share your gifts of time, talent or treasure. Teach your children that the world will be a better place through their service to others.

5. Be playful.

Your children should see you enjoying each other ’s company.

Laughter is good for everyone’s spirit. Also, set aside special time for just the two of you. Lovingly taking care of your marital relationship is the best thing you can do for your family.

These are just five Be-Attitudes that might help you create that theme for the New Year within your unique “domestic church.”

Give one or more of them a try or develop one of your own. Good luck. n Mrs. Christiana is coordinator of the diocesan Marriage Preparation and Enrichment Office.

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Understanding the sacraments

Upcoming Virtus sessions

by Father Randy Stice

The liturgical year

I

Introducing the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy and the mystery of Christ unfolding

n this column I have been looking at the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, which laid the foundation for the reform of the liturgy. So far we have looked at the principles that guided the liturgical reform, the chapter on the Eucharist and the chapter on Sacred Art and Sacred Furnishings. This month I would like to survey the chapter on the liturgical year.

This chapter begins by presenting the theology of the liturgical year. The liturgical year is the unfolding of “the whole mystery of Christ, from the incarnation and birth until the ascension, the day of Pentecost, and the expectation of blessed hope and of the coming of the Lord” (102).

In recalling the mystery of Christ, the mysteries of our redemption, “the Church opens to the faithful the riches of her Lord’s powers and merits, so that these are in some way made present for all time” (102). Liturgical remembrance makes present the mysteries of our redemption, so that Christ is once again in our midst, healing, forgiving, inviting, transforming.

Through this liturgical remembering, “the faithful are enabled to lay hold upon them and become filled with saving grace” (102).

The Church has a responsibility to present to the faithful and the world the mysteries of our redemption: “she must celebrate the saving work of her divine Spouse by devoutly recalling it on certain days throughout the course of the year” (102). The Constitution then enumerates what these “certain days” are, beginning with Sunday.

“Every week, on the day which she has called the Lord’s day, she keeps the memory of the Lord’s resurrection, which she also celThe East Tennessee Catholic

ebrates once in the year, together with His blessed passion, in the most solemn festival of Easter” (102).

These “certain days” next include those of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom “holy Church honors with especial love, Mother of God, who is joined by an inseparable bond to the saving work of her Son” (103). In the liturgical celebrations honoring the Blessed Virgin, “the Church holds up and admires the most excellent fruit of the redemption, and joyfully contemplates, as in a faultless image, that which she herself desires and hopes wholly to be” (103).

Next in importance are those “days devoted to the memory of the martyrs and the other saints” (104). The saints are resplendent examples of “the manifold grace of God…they sing God’s perfect praise in heaven and offer prayers for us” (104). In these celebrations the Church “proclaims the paschal mystery achieved in them,” “proposes them to the faithful as examples,” “and through their merits she pleads for God’s favors” (104).

The final component are “the various seasons of the year” by which “the Church completes the formation of the faithful by means of pious practices for soul and body, by instruction, prayer, and works of penance and of mercy” (105).

After discussing these essential elements of the liturgical year, the Constitution proposed principals for its reform. It began by affirming the importance of the Sunday Eucharist. “The Lord’s day is the original feast day, and it should be proposed to the piety of the faithful and taught to them so that it may become in fact a day of joy

and of freedom from work. Other celebrations, unless they be truly of greatest importance, shall not have precedence over the Sunday, which is the foundation and kernel of the whole liturgical year” (106).

For this reason “the minds of the faithful must be directed primarily toward the feasts of the Lord whereby the mysteries of salvation are celebrated in the course of the year” (108). As a result, the proper time takes precedence over the feasts of the saints, “so that the entire cycle of the mysteries of salvation may be suitably recalled” (108).

To preserve the proper order between the feasts of the Lord and the feasts of the saints, the Constitution authorized a reform of the feasts of the saints lest they “should take precedence over the feasts which commemorate the very mysteries of salvation” (111).

The feasts of many of the saints “should be left to be celebrated by a particular Church or nation or family of religious.” Only those saints “who are truly of universal importance” should be “extended to the universal Church” (111).

The liturgical year unfolds the various aspects of the one paschal mystery of Christ—his passion, death, resurrection and ascension. “Beginning with the Easter Triduum as its source of light, the new age of the Resurrection fills the whole liturgical year with its brilliance” (Catechism, 1168). In this way, “the kingdom of God enters our time” (Catechism, 1168). The liturgical year truly is “a year of favor from the Lord” (Isaiah 61:2). n Father Stice directs the diocesan Office of Worship and Liturgy. He can be reached at frrandy@dioknox.org.

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

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

The seminars are required for parish and school employees and regular volunteers in contact with children and vulnerable adults.

The following training sessions are scheduled: n Immaculate Conception Church, Knoxville, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4; 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 8 n St. Dominic Church, Kingsport, 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6; 6 p.m.

Tuesday, April 8 n St. Jude School, Chattanooga, 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11; 4 p.m.

Tuesday, March 11; 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 8 n St. Mary Church, Johnson City, 6 p.m. Monday, March 3 n St. Jude Church, Chattanooga, noon Thursday, March 6; noon Thursday, May 1 n

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Several developments looming large at Vatican in 2014 Canonization ceremony, new cardinals, papal trip to Holy Land, Synod of Bishops chief among them

By Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — After a year that included the historic resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and a series of celebrated innovations by Pope Francis, it is hard to imagine 2014 at the Vatican could be nearly as eventful.

Of course, the biggest stories are likely to be those that come by surprise, but in the meantime, here are developments bound to loom large in Vatican news over the coming year: n Canonization of two popes: The double canonization ceremony of Blessed John XXIII and Blessed John Paul II, scheduled for April 27 at the Vatican, is almost certain to draw crowds larger than the more than 1 million who attended the latter’s beatification in May 2011.

By choosing to declare the sanctity of both men on the same day, Pope Francis may be trying to emphasize fundamental continuities between two popes, especially with regard to reforms ushered in by the Second Vatican Council. Blessed John opened the council in 1962, and Blessed John Paul attended all four sessions as a bishop.

The ceremony could thus serve as an occasion for Pope Francis to expound on his own understanding of Vatican II and its legacy for the church. n New cardinals: Pope Francis will

create new cardinals Feb. 22. By that time, no more than 106 members of the College of Cardinals will be under the age of 80 and thus eligible to vote in a conclave to elect a new pope.

Pope Francis named 19 new cardinal electors in January. Under rules established by Pope Paul VI, the college should not have more than 120 members, though subsequent popes have occasionally exceeded that number.

The election of the first Latin American pope has raised expectations of greater geographical diversity among cardinal electors, so the new slate might prove relatively heavy on names from statistically underrepresented regions, especially Latin America and Africa. n Vatican reform: The eight-member Council of Cardinals that Pope Francis formed to advise him on governance of the universal church and reform of the Vatican bureaucracy has already joined him for two rounds of meetings at the Vatican and will do so again in February.

The body is working on the first major overhaul of the Roman Curia, the church’s central administration at the Vatican, since 1988.

Although the council has not announced a timeline for its work, Pope Francis has established a record of acting fast; in December, he

approved an idea for an international commission on the sexual abuse of children just one day after the council proposed it. So few will be surprised if the council gives him a draft of an apostolic constitution reorganizing the curia before the end of 2014. n Papal trip to the Holy Land: The Vatican has announced that a papal visit to the Holy Land will take place May 24-26, with stops set for Amman, Bethlehem and Jerusalem.

Pope Francis has said a Holy Land visit would include a meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, who is considered first among equals by Orthodox bishops.

The trip would be Pope Francis’ second outside of Italy, following his visit to Brazil in July 2013, and the first planned during his pontificate.

The destination would be fitting for a pope whose relations with Jews

have been exceptionally warm and who has made peace in the Middle East a priority of his geopolitical agenda.

While a three-day papal visit would be unusually brief for such a prominent destination, it would be appropriate for Pope Francis, who has a heavy agenda of reform at home and the media flair to reach the world without leaving the Vatican. n Divorced and remarried Catholics: An extraordinary session of the Synod of Bishops will meet at the Vatican for two weeks in October to discuss the “pastoral challenges of the family in the context of evangelization.”

Pope Francis has indicated topics of discussion at the synod will include church law governing marriage annulments and the eligibility of divorced and remarried Catholics to receive Communion—problems he has said exemplify a general need for mercy in the Church today.

In addition to speculation about possible changes in Church practice in those areas, the synod has drawn attention with a preparatory questionnaire sent to the world’s bishops, which asks about the promotion and acceptance of Catholic teachings on such controversial topics as premarital cohabitation, same-sex unions and contraception. n

Rigali continued from page 6

of John XXIII and Paul VI. He personally preached the Gospel throughout world,” Cardinal Rigali said.

“John XXIII wanted all the dynamism of the Gospel to be brought to the whole world. While faithfully proclaiming the Church’s teaching, he gave a great impetus to ecumenical relations among different religions. And he made many magnificent gestures that are

so common now, like going to the prisons,” he added.

Cardinal Rigali noted various similarities between John XXIII and John Paul II that will result in sainthood for two popes separated by only 15 years. John XXIII was succeeded by Paul VI, who was succeeded by John Paul I, who was followed by John Paul II. And people in the world have followed both beatified popes,

finding inspiration and hope in their outstanding service to the Church.

Numerous pilgrims will attend the upcoming canonizations out of reverence and to witness a profoundly historic ceremony.

“Huge crowds are expected, but what an extraordinary occasion it is that the canonizations of two popes are being held at the same time,” Cardinal Rigali said. n

XXIII and Blessed John Paul II were known as “pastoral popes.” While they reached priesthood from differing backgrounds and ascended to the papacy by different paths, Cardinal Rigali said they shared a common enthusiasm for the works of Vatican II and the importance of the Church spreading the Gospel around the world.

“John Paul II continued the work

26 February 2, 2014

By choosing to declare the sanctity of both men on the same day, Pope Francis may be trying to emphasize fundamental continuities between two popes, especially with regard to reforms ushered in by the Second Vatican Council. Blessed John opened the council in 1962, and Blessed John Paul attended all four sessions as a bishop.

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Once upon a time

Cardinals continued from page 23

by Monsignor Xavier Mankel

Giving is so much a part of Church teaching Stewardship of financial resources and support of Bishop’s Appeal critical to a healthy diocese

A

s I look back on nearly 75 years of formal education in the Catholic faith, I have many things for which to be grateful.

My parents taught me the basic prayers, how to pray the rosary, and how to use the prayer book or Missal (a novelty in those days as English translations of the missal had not been allowed very long).

The Sisters of Mercy (and I was blessed to have them as teachers and friends all 12 years) were master educators and took the teaching of the faith as seriously as they did the living of the faith.

When I entered college (a Catholic one with a very organized religion department and lots of courses—after all, it was a seminary, too), I discovered what a wonderful foundation the Sisters had given us.

I am no memorizer, but they managed somehow to get the basic truths of the faith into my consciousness, much of which I use every day of my life.

There were two areas of education, however, that were not explored in depth: the birds and the bees (theology of the body) and contributing money to the Church (tithing, stewardship).

So yes, we were not only taught that a commandment of the Church is to “contribute to the support of the pastor and the parish,” but also the who (donors), what (how much), why (not because the Church needs it but because I need to give), and when (budgeting salary, allowance, savings, etc. on a schedule).

The Sisters taught us that our parents and other adults took The East Tennessee Catholic

To say that our beautiful churches were built with nickels and dimes is very true, but it is not true today. Stewardship of our money resources is so very necessary if we are to have not only balanced budgets but also balanced lives in the Lord. care of the finances. We children were to contribute to the support of the Church by serving at Mass, singing in the choir, helping with the St. Monica baby-sitting society, running errands for the Sisters and priests (we had no lay teachers then) and not misusing furniture or supplies.

In defense of the void caused by the lack of specification, many of the Sisters came from homes where virtue abounded but money didn’t.

Many of them had entered the convent during the years of the Great Depression and talking about money during those years was tantamount to talking about catastrophic illness.

I know of one parish in Tennessee (not in Knoxville) where the highest gift to the church all year was $26.50. Many were able to contribute only a dime a week.

That parish had no bills or folding money in the collection, ever.

Fifty years later the young people in that parish had to be taught to tithe (giving 10 percent back to God) and some gave more in one week than their great-grandparents or grandparents gave in a year!

To say that our beautiful churches were built with nickels and dimes is very true, but it is not true today. Stewardship of our money resources is so very neces-

sary if we are to have not only balanced budgets but also balanced lives in the Lord.

The annual Bishop’s Appeal is a genuine blessing because it curtails some of our parochialism and expands our stewardship to very worthwhile areas beyond our parish, which are essential for the Body of Christ, His Church, to remain healthy.

Those areas are Catholic Charities; clergy and seminarian formation; peace and justice efforts; health services (a whole new area of ministry); youth, young adult and campus ministry; and perhaps among the most important of all—continuing Christian Formation.

For several years our East Tennessee area of the vineyard yielded nearly $1 million each year.

Every cent was used for good things but there was not enough money in that diocesan portion (the Bishop’s Fund) to do the kind of things that need to be done to keep the Church alive and well in East Tennessee.

The Bishop’s Appeal goal in 2013 was $1.72 million, and you surpassed that to raise $2.15 million.

For 2014, our Shepherd’s goal is to raise $2 million.

I saw a sign in a sacristy of a church in Maryland that said, “Although the Lord prefers cheerful givers, we’re so desperate around here that we even receive money from grouches!”

I enjoy tithing and hope that you will, too. n Monsignor Mankel is a vicar general of the diocese and the pastor of Holy Ghost Parish in Knoxville.

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in Colombia as part of the Pius X Secular Institute; Archbishop Orani Tempesta of Rio de Janeiro is known for his tireless presence in parishes; Archbishop Andrew Yeom Soo-jung of Seoul was a parish priest in his diocese for 28 years; and Archbishop Philippe Ouedraogo of Ouagadougou, in Burkina Faso, served as a priest for 23 years before being consecrated a bishop.

Archbishop Ricardo Ezzati Andrello of Santiago de Chile, a Salesian, worked in many of the pastoral and educational structures linked to his congregation.

Pope Francis granted the Philippines a second cardinal of voting age, choosing Archbishop Orlando Quevedo of Cotabato, one of the poorest regions of the country.

Three countries received their first cardinal: from Haiti, Bishop Chibly Langlois of Les Cayes, who is only 55; from Nicaragua, Archbishop Leopoldo Brenes Solorzano of Managua; and from Ivory Coast, Archbishop Jean-Pierre Kutwa of Abidjan.

Among the non-voting cardinals, honored were Archbishop Loris Capovilla, Prelate Emeritus of Loreto, 98, who was secretary to Blessed John XXIII; Archbishop Emeritus Kelvin Felix of Castries, in the Antilles; and Archbishop Emeritus Fernando Sebastian Aguilar of Pamplona and Tudela.

Of the cardinals-to-be, five are from Latin America; two are from Asia; two are from Africa; one is North American, and six are European.

While the number of voting cardinals was set by Paul VI at 120, Pope Francis’ appointments will have surpassed the limit by two; but by the end of the year, 20 cardinals will have reached their 80th birthday. Since the election of Pope Francis, nine have already passed 80. n

February 2, 2014 27

WASHINGTON (Catholic News Service/Catholic News Agency)— The polar vortex couldn’t chill the ardor of thousands of participants who demonstrated their determination to continue speaking out against abortion at the annual March for Life and rally Jan. 22 in Washington.

Temperatures went briefly into double digits but hovered around 8 degrees.

At the rally, speakers highlighted the tenacious determination of the crowd — dressed in coats, scarves, hats and gloves — huddled together on the snow-covered National Mall.

They likened the crowd’s bravery to the firm resolve they have shown in their efforts to change abortion laws and promote a culture of life in the United States.

The rally began at noon, prior to the crowd’s march to the U.S. Supreme Court to protest the court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing

28 February 2, 2014

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

Pro-life supporters ‘freeze for best cause in the world’

Defending life Young people hold signs outside the U.S. Supreme Court during the March for Life in Washington Jan. 22. Thousands took part in the annual event, which this year marked the 41st anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision.

abortion, and it had a different feel this year, not simply because of the

cold but in the variety of speakers.

Catholics stand up for their un-

born brothers and sisters “because the Son of God became one of them,” a priest said at a D.C. pro-life youth Mass ahead of the March for Life.

“God knows us before we were in the womb,” said Father Michael Paris. God “loves each baby in the womb and has a plan for their life, no matter how hard a situation they might come from.”

“We are not accidents, Amen!” the priest said in his homily to thousands of youth at a Jan. 22 Mass at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. The Mass, organized by the Archdiocese of Washington, followed an early morning pro-life rally.

The rally and Mass preceded the March for Life, which draws hundreds of thousands of pro-life advocates each year to mark the anniversary of the ‘73 Supreme Court decision. n

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