Men and women religious in the diocese and members of lay orders ‘live well’ the beatitudes
By Dan McWilliams
Several inches of snow curtailed the attendance at a special Mass for vocations on Jan. 31 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, but Bishop Mark Beckman complimented the handful of consecrated women religious and members of lay orders who joined parishioners for the liturgy.
Five Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich., were present at the vigil Mass as were two members of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites.
“I think of the saying of the Marines: ‘the few, the proud, the Marines,’ so we’re the few, the proud, the Catholics who appear tonight in our cathedral church,” the bishop said in his welcoming remarks. “Tonight, we are blessed. We are celebrating a Mass aware of the consecrated religious life in our diocese and are so grateful for the many consecrated women and men who are present here in (the Diocese of) Knoxville. We invited many. Many were going to come, and of course the weather has kept them away, but we have our faithful Sisters of Mercy and some members of our lay religious communities as well. With gratitude for that gift to the Church tonight, we gather.”
The Mass was held in advance of the World Day for Consecrated Life on Feb. 2, honoring those who have answered God’s call to the priesthood, religious life, or consecrated virginity. The cathedral’s Deacon Walt Otey assisted the bishop. Also at the Mass was Beth Par-
Sisters sing Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich., attend the Mass for vocations on Jan. 31 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. From left are Sister Mary Timothea Elliott, Sister Joan Miriam Nelson, Sister Gianna Marie Savidge, Sister Marie de Paul Stokes, and Sister Claudia Marie Murray.
sons, Vocations Office manager for the diocese. Mrs. Parsons said the special liturgy dates back to one coordinated by Sister Mary Simone Haakansson, RSM.
“In December of 2023, Sister Mary Simone coordinated a Mass for religious during Advent. It was a candlelit Mass with a reception afterward,” Mrs. Parsons said. “Last December, I hosted the same on Dec. 7. When planning this year, it seemed more appropriate to have it
close to the feast of the Presentation of Our Lord, which is also World Day for Consecrated Life.
She said 70 men and women religious and religious-order priests were expected to attend the Mass before the severe winter weather arrived, including members of the Sts. Francis & Clare Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order and consecrated virgins.
The readings were proclaimed by Sister Marie de Paul Stokes, RSM, and Jackie Foster, OCDS. Bishop Beckman connected the evening’s Gospel reading from Matthew 5, where Jesus on the mountaintop gave the beatitudes to the disciples and others gathered, to the celebration of vocations.
“For the Gospel of Matthew, the mountaintop is an extraordinary place where God reveals something of great importance. Just as Moses himself went up Mount Sinai, and Vocations continued on page B2
Catholic Charities holding mental-health summit
One-day event at cathedral will focus on strengthening parish-based mental, emotional health care
By Bill Brewer
Catholic Charities of East Tennessee is reaching out to Diocese of Knoxville clergy, parish leaders, lay ministers, diocesan school personnel, and faith-based partners to address mental-health concerns that every community in the diocese is facing.
Catholic Charities and the Diocese of Knoxville are leading a one-day summit focused on strengthening parish-based mental and emotional health care that is guided by the heart of the Catholic Church’s mission: accompaniment, compassion, and healing in Christ.
The summit will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, March 20, in the parish hall at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. There is no cost to attend. RSVP to Sloane at sschneller@ ccetn.org
“We’re inviting community partners; we’re inviting our parishes; we’re inviting our clergy. We would love to see our priests and our deacons. And we want them to bring their lay ministers,” said Deacon David Duhamel, executive director of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee. “If we have 51 parishes and one Catholic mission, and if we have three or four laypeople per parish, we’re looking at around 250 or 300 people. That would be a great success for us. If nothing else, they will walk away more informed about what’s going on in their communities regarding
mental-health services that are out there.”
According to Deacon Duhamel, mental health continues to be a leading issue throughout East Tennessee, and Catholic Charities feels called on to respond by partnering with parishes.
Deacon Duhamel explained that diocesan priest Father Michael Maples served Catholic Charities for years as a licensed psychologist who provided counseling to adult individuals and couples. However, Father Maples is no longer at Catholic Charities. Last year, he accepted the positions of associate director of counseling services and assistant professor at Conception Seminary College in Conception, Mo.
“Since Father Maples’ departure, we’ve been trying to brainstorm what it is we need to do for mental-health services here in East Tennessee. Our chief operating officer, Paul Ritter, and I talked to different groups and community partners in the area to find out what services are out there. There are the Mental Health Association of East Tennessee, the Metro Drug Coalition, and counselors,” Deacon Duhamel said.
“What we’ve come to recognize is, as good of a program as what we had with Father Maples, we probably needed something different and something broader,” he added. “We can’t afford to have five or six therapists on staff, and the reality is we wouldn’t be able
to staff a clinic like that. So, we’ve started thinking about what the needs are out there.”
Deacon Duhamel said Catholic Charities’ study of the issue found that everyone struggling with a mental-health issue doesn’t necessarily need a clinical therapist. He said some individuals may just need someone to talk to, or they may need emotional support. Some may need to be part of a group of peers in grief support. Catholic Charities is turning to parishes in the diocese for assistance in meeting the challenge where it exists: in communities throughout East Tennessee. Deacon Duhamel believes each parish has staff or volunteers who want to help their neighbors.
“The problem is they may not have the training; they may not have the knowledge; they may not understand what early-childhood trauma looks like,” he said.
The deacon, who serves at St. Mary Parish in Oak Ridge, has personally experienced the uncertainty of what to do in certain situations. He described assisting the homeless as part of CCETN’s Bridge Ministry and encountering people in mental- or emotionalhealth crises.
“I started wondering how I can help this person. I don’t feel properly trained to help this person, so what do I have to do to be in that position. I was observing some of our other volunteers. We Summit continued on page B3
DAN MCWILLIAMS
the Lord God spoke to him and carved words on stone, so now the One greater than Moses begins to write words of God on the human heart,” the bishop said before stating the beatitudes.
Bishop Beckman has been to the Mount of Beatitudes and said the “mountain” where Jesus spoke is actually “a very humble hilltop over the Sea of Galilee.”
“It is not a majestic mountain. It is not Mount Everest or even a Mount Le Conte,” he said. “A gentle slope that goes down to the edge of the Sea of Galilee—the very setting itself is a setting of such humility. I could not help but think that Jesus chose such a place to speak the words of the beatitudes, that by teaching on that very lowly hilltop He was communicating something about who we are called to be as His followers and what it means to be truly humble, close to the earth, like God.
“One of my priest friends notes that the beatitudes are really a selfdescription of Jesus Himself. They are the qualities He will exhibit in the ministry that is to come. It is He who is truly clean of heart, thirsting for that which is of God. Jesus Himself, the true peacemaker who shows mercy—poor in spirit, humble, and close to the earth, and indeed by the end of the Gospel persecuted for the sake of doing what is right and good.”
The bishop also spoke of the second reading at Mass, from 1 Corinthians 1.
“Paul notes today that God didn’t choose people—us—because we were noble or well-born or have lots of power or money or wealth or privilege, but He chose the people in this world who were kind of weak and basically in the world’s status powerless, nobodies, the kinds of folks who get pushed around in the world,” he said. “And yet, it is those little ones who God has claimed— Paul makes it so clear—for Himself. Why? Because we become like Jesus Himself.”
Bishop Beckman said that “our religious men and women consecrated to the religious life” are “in some ways . . . visible symbols of the baptismal call to holiness, to live well these beatitudes. You stand out in the Church as a living sign of those who point to the mystery of Christ Himself by attempting to mirror your lives on the very beatitudes here proclaimed in the Gospel tonight. And for that, we are grateful to you. You inspire all of us, the baptized—including me, your bishop, right? There are men and women so dedicated to Christ that
they are consecrated for a particular purpose, set apart in the Church to radiate holiness.”
All of the faithful “in our own way are called by the Lord to bear witness to this new Gospel way of living,” the bishop added. “Our world is such a different place, isn’t it, than the beatitudes? If you look at the news today at what’s going on in the globe or even in our country, you see extraordinary misuses of power, and yet we have in our midst One who was crucified as Lord and sovereign over us. Our lives are patterned in a new way.
“As Jesus will tell the Apostles later in the Gospel: ‘the great ones make their authority felt. They lord it over them, but it cannot be so among you.’ The greatest among you will serve the rest. The least become in the kingdom of God the most treasured and important. The Gospel call is a whole new way of living life, grounded in God’s love, and once we say yes to that great adventure, there is no turning back. We are set on a new pathway. May the good Lord who has brought us to this moment in time, this mountaintop of encounter with Him, may those good words of the Lord Jesus penetrate our hearts tonight more and more deeply, that people when they see our faces will recognize here a reflection of the face of Jesus. Blessed are those who are poor in spirit. Theirs is the kingdom of God.”
Sister Gianna Marie Savidge, RSM, is the Knoxville convent superior for her community. She attended the Mass for vocations with other Religious Sisters of Mercy: Sister Mary Timothea Elliott, Sister Marie de Paul, Sister Joan Miriam Nelson, and Sister Claudia Marie Murray.
“It’s important to recognize the gift of religious life for the Church, which the Lord has given in imitation of His own life and the life of His Blessed Mother,” Sister Gianna Marie said. “It’s a privilege to witness to the Lord’s light as visible witnesses in the world of the power of the resurrection. It’s hopefully for others a witness to joy and a witness to the way in which the communion of persons in religious life images the communion of persons in the Trinity.”
Dorothy Curtis of the Chancery office staff and Ms. Foster are from the Community of the Transfiguration of the Secular Carmelites, which has 35 members in the Knoxville area. Mrs. Curtis presented the gifts at Mass along with Sister Claudia Marie.
The vocations Mass “helped us to come together as a community and be present as people consecrated to the Lord and His Church,” Mrs. Curtis said.
The two Secular Carmelites attended the Mass wearing the brown scapulars of the lay order.
“We call these ceremonial scapulars. We wear them only in special times: times that we are recognized as a secular order together or for
Carmelite retreats or Secular Carmelite meetings, gatherings, and funerals,” Mrs. Curtis said. With the memorial of St. Blaise coming up on Feb. 3, Bishop Beckman and Deacon Otey gave a blessing of throats after Mass. ■
Reading from 1 Corinthians Jackie Foster of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites proclaims the second reading at the Mass for vocations.
MCWILLIAMS
Responsorial psalm John Overholt served as cantor during the Mass for vocations at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
In honor of St. Blaise The memorial of St. Blaise was on Feb. 3, and after the Mass for vocations Deacon Otey and Bishop Beckman gave a blessing of throats.
Opening greeting Bishop Mark Beckman, with cathedral Deacon Walt Otey beside him, welcomes the faithful at the start of Mass.
Focus on the beatitudes Bishop Beckman’s homily at Mass tied the day’s Gospel from Matthew 5 on the beatitudes to the celebration of vocations.
Holy Communion Bishop Beckman and Deacon Otey distribute Holy Communion during the Mass for vocations.
Joining their bishop Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich., pose with Bishop Mark Beckman after the Mass for vocations. With the bishop are (from left) Sisters Marie de Paul Stokes, Joan Miriam Nelson, Gianna Marie Savidge, Mary Timothea Elliott, and Claudia Marie Murray.
would have situations where a cli ent was in line for food and would have a disagreement with another person. Their tempers were shortfused. They are suffering from real trauma. They may have PTSD from being on the streets,” he recalled.
“What I saw was, and this is no fault of anyone, but we tend to withdraw when we see conflict. People were too nervous to talk to some of these clients. When I came back to the office and shared with my social workers what I had seen, they said that is so normal for laypeople who aren’t familiar with those situations,” Deacon Duhamel said. “The social workers said the way they overcome that is through training.”
He noted that those unprepared encounters are the foundation of what Catholic Charities volunteers and staff face with people in men tal-health crises.
“That’s the baseline; that’s our foundation of what we’re looking to do in providing training on how you talk to people in crisis. How do you talk to people who are in con flict, who are agitated and upset, in a way that you can disarm them and help them and realize you may not be able to solve their problem, but maybe you can diffuse the situation and look at what the real problem is,” Deacon Duhamel said. He described another level of mental-health assistance where a teen in a youth group reaches out for assistance with a problem. This child may not have a strong support system at home. The key is to be responsive to the teen in a responsible way, such as speaking to them one-on-one in a private but visible way with proper precautions.
“It’s just being able to know how to talk to someone and provide the emotional support someone may need. They may not necessarily be in crisis, but maybe they just need to be heard, to be listened to. They may feel they’re not being seen. That’s part of it,” he said.
Deacon Duhamel believes it’s vital for parishes to be able to provide some level of service at each level of mental-health need. He noted that some diocesan parishes are affiliated with Stephen Ministries, which offers training and resources in Christ-centered care for people experiencing difficulties in life.
encounter clients in mental-health crises to be more equipped to assist.
other states, stopped operating those facilities decades ago.
“Stephen Ministries is really focused on one-on-one counseling. We are certainly going to include them, but we also are partnering with the International Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministries, and they have training programs,” Deacon Duhamel said.
He pointed out that the IACMHM executive director will be a speaker at the March 20 mentalhealth summit.
“We’re going to talk about what these different levels within the ‘hierarchy of care’ look like. Where do we feel like our Catholic parishes and lay ministers are and what level of support and care can we provide,” he said.
There will be discussions on grief support, divorce support, and other support-group networks. And there will be training on assessments and being able to refer cases that are beyond the ability of clergy, parishes, and lay ministers to handle.
“In the Catholic Church, I think we’ve expected our pastors and our parish priests to do a lot of that counseling. As a deacon, I went through training in pastoral care, but I never felt like I was equipped to do pastoral care the way it needed to be done. So, another passion of mine is how can I help our parishes be more than what they are today and equip them and walk with them,” Deacon Duhamel said. “Each parish is going to have to figure out what they want from this mental-health summit.”
He emphasized that another goal of the summit is to listen to what the parishes say they want to be. Do they want to provide group support sessions? Do they want only to provide one-on-one care? Do they want to have some entrylevel training?
As an example, the deacon said
Social-service organizations like Catholic Charities of East Tennessee often find themselves on the front lines of crises, whether it’s a weather-related disaster, a sudden rise in demand for necessities like food such as with the recent federal interruption in SNAP benefits, or crisis pregnancies.
However, Deacon Duhamel doesn’t believe Catholic Charities has risen to the level of being a front-line mental-health response agency.
“We’re not on any line right now. We’re just trying to figure out where the line is and what is it that we can do to make a difference,” he said.
And he emphasized that Catholic Charities is unable to go it alone.
“We’re not the only ones that will need to provide the support and structure within the Catholic community. The parishes have a vital role to play. We just don’t have the money or the manpower.”
In some ways, responding to the need for mental-health care is very similar to Catholic Charities’ other programs, he noted.
“I’m just trying to see how we can become a partner and a resource to our parishes to be a force multiplier in this space where if we’re not providing the services, can we enable others within our Catholic communities to provide that service,” Deacon Duhamel said.
He pointed out that Catholic Charities has no locations in communities such as Rogersville, Jamestown, or Soddy-Daisy.
“Well, if we can’t be there, what can we do? Maybe we can provide training for people who already are members of those communities, who know those communities and know the needs there,” he said.
Deacon Duhamel pointed out that governments formerly assumed the role of providing mental-health care in state-run hospitals, and he reminded that what is now Lakeshore Park in Knoxville
“There was a tremendous amount of deinstitutionalization that happened in the 1980s and ’90s across America. The patients didn’t go away. They just closed down the facilities. Part of the problems that we are now seeing out on our streets are probably a result of that,” he said. “I’m not an expert, and I couldn’t qualify that, but it doesn’t take much to add one plus one. So, what do we need to do?”
There isn’t an easy answer to the question, according to the deacon.
“We need to look at the spectrum of capabilities. And if we can get the Catholic community to get involved, then hopefully we can make a difference. Personally, I’m driven by the fact there is such a large number of teen suicides. It’s heartbreaking. My daughter lost a good friend of hers who she was in class with. That shouldn’t be, but we’ve seen this,” Deacon Duhamel shared. “We, as people of faith, have to figure out that if we can’t fix the problem are there other things we can do. Can we provide other resources that can at least stop someone from considering suicide?”
He noted that the tragedy of suicide goes beyond teens, pointing out that the incidences occur within the community of veterans.
And another factor of the mentalhealth crisis is homeless individuals getting caught out in extremely cold weather because they will not go into warming shelters.
Another aspect to mental and emotional health-care needs is what Catholic Charities sees in its other social-service ministries. Deacon Duhamel noted that young women dealing with crisis pregnancies may need counseling or just someone to talk to; women who have had an abortion may need someone to talk to; and CCETN immigration services is working with many individuals and families now under tremendous stress.
“Unfortunately, when it’s acute
figure out ways to create structure in our parishes where this is an ongoing capability. This isn’t going to be Catholic Charities telling parishes what they should be doing. It’s going to be each parish determining what is appropriate for it. Then, when it needs resources, we hope Catholic Charities can be that resource,” he said.
Deacon Duhamel is hopeful that parishes find the summit helpful in addressing some of the challenges they are facing.
“My hope is that coming out of the summit, we will have provided knowledge and training to people and we will have given them a clear understanding of what the hierarchy of care might look like for them in their communities,” he said.
An immediate outgrowth of this initiative for Catholic Charities will be retaining a licensed counselor to lead Catholic Charities’ mental health-care services.
“We are taking steps to hire a licensed counselor who will be heading up this effort. We are very excited about Casey Merrill coming on board to help us formulate what this program is going to look like longterm. She will be a contractor to our staff focused on developing this program,” Deacon Duhamel said.
Deacon Duhamel is looking forward to working with parishes, clergy, and laypeople in addressing mental-health challenges in East Tennessee.
“We’re not going to solve the problems. But we’re certainly going to look to see what we can do to mitigate some of the challenges that are out there,” he said. “I certainly don’t believe this summit will be a waste of their time. Whether or not the parishes are prepared and want to do something more in depth, that is up to them. But if they want to turn to us to help them with that decisionmaking process with resources and training they might need, then we can certainly look to partner with them and talk to them about that.” ■
Chattanooga Deanery Holy Spirit, Soddy-Daisy
Monsignor Al Humbrecht’s next book study will take place from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28, at the church. The book is A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. To register, call the church at 423-332-5300 or e-mail hscc_parish@holyspirittn.com
St. Bridget, Dayton
The Women’s Council will host “Soup and Stations” beginning Friday, Feb. 20, between the English and Spanish Stations of the Cross and will continue on Fridays through March 27. The group is also making plans for its Spring Bazaar, which will take place March 20-23.
Knights of Columbus Council 11424 sponsored a Wine & Cheese Social for adults following the 5:30 p.m. Mass on Feb. 7.
The parish held a ministry-training class for readers and eucharistic ministers following the 6:30 p.m. Mass on Feb. 4.
St. Jude, Chattanooga
A luncheon to celebrate Valentine’s Day and pastor Father Charlie Burton’s birthday is set for noon on Tuesday, Feb. 17 (his birthday), in the parish life center. A special Mass will be celebrated at 11:15 a.m. The parish will provide chicken and cake; those attending are asked to bring a side dish.
The Spiritual Adventurers group will have a Game Night with a soup and salad exchange at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 20, in the parish life center. Attendees are asked to bring a favorite soup or salad and can play board games at the event.
Fish fries will be held on Fridays in Lent from Feb. 20 through March 20. Cost for adults is $9 and $30 max for families with small children.
The Knights of Columbus Parish Potluck & Social will start at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 23, in the parish life center. A showing of the docudrama “Father Patrick Ryan: A Higher Call” will take place during the evening. DVDs of the film and copies of a book on the priest will be available after the movie.
For the fourth consecutive year, St. Jude School is coordinating one of the largest fundraisers for the Ladies of Charity of Chattanooga: the Reta Rogers Easter Basket Project. The school is collecting items to provide 300 baskets that will be distributed to those in need or sold by the Ladies of Charity. Items needed include small- and medium-sized baskets, markers, chalk, coloring and activity books, sticky notes, small and medium stuffed animals, candy, and monetary donations. For more information, e-mail prestonk@mysjs.com
St. Mary, Athens
Bishop Mark Beckman will celebrate the 9 a.m. Mass on Thursday, March 19, and dedicate St. Mary’s new columbarium afterward. Two columbaria are scheduled to be delivered and installed on Monday, Feb. 23.
The parish is awarding college scholarships for the 12th year. Applications will be accepted through Tuesday, March 31. Applications and rules may be picked up in the parish office, or they may be viewed at saintmaryathens. org. The scholarship program is open to any incoming college freshman or returning college student from Meigs, McMinn, Monroe, or Polk counties. A total of $60,000 will be awarded this year with a maximum per-student award of $10,000. The scholarship committee reviews test scores, grade-point averages, recommendation letters, and overall need to arrive at award decisions.
Parish women sponsored a Trivia Night fundraiser on Feb. 14 that included a silent auction and a meal catered by Patriot Cakes Restaurant & Bakery in Athens.
St. Stephen, Chattanooga
All women of the parish are invited to
attend the annual Ladies Recognition Tea on Tuesday, March 10. The event honors parish women for their character, courage, and commitment. Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. in the large parish hall, followed by the tea in the small parish hall. RSVP to Sherry in the parish office at 423-892-1261, extension 4. Recommended attire is party casual.
The Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary made desserts for a Super Bowl Sunday event on Feb. 8 in the Knights’ hall in Chattanooga. The group also raffled off a Super Bowl-themed basket.
The parish sewing ministry in the last two months has made more than 125 items for Ladies of Charity layette baskets as well as 20 chair cushions for first- and second-grade classrooms, walker caddies and blankets for hospice residents, and sleeping bags for the homeless.
Anniversaries: Steven and Terri Weiss (45), Deacon Gary and Kathy Brinkworth (40), Warlito and Bernadette Nicolas (20), Jackie and Linda Burns (10)
Cumberland Mountain Deanery
Blessed Sacrament, Harriman
A bereavement support group meets on first Wednesdays, with its next meeting planned for 6 to 7:30 p.m. on March 4.
Deacon Vic Landa of Blessed Sacrament led a “Digging Deeper” class on Feb. 11, presenting an overview of how the Psalms enrich the faithful’s lives and the liturgy.
St. Francis of Assisi, Fairfield Glade
A 10-session retreat on the book The Second Greatest Story Ever Told by Father Michael Gaitley, MIC, began on Feb. 5 and continues through April 9 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the parish hall.
The Knights of Columbus sponsored a wine-and-cheese social after the 5 p.m. Mass on Feb. 7 and coffee and doughnuts after the 8 and 10 a.m. Masses on Feb. 8.
The Council of Catholic Women on Wednesday, March 11, will host a talk in the parish hall about the signs and risks of dementia.
Season five episodes of “The Chosen” will be shown at 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Feb. 17 and 24, in the parish hall.
The Knights will host their annual Lenten soup supper after 5 p.m. Stations of the Cross on Friday, Feb. 20.
The St. Vincent de Paul Society will have a retreat at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, March 4.
Deacon Paul Benfanti will lead a Lenten study at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 9, in the parish hall.
Father Michael Woods announced that there will be a penance service at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, and a healing Mass at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 25.
Anniversaries: Sal and Lois D’Addona (69), Tony and Gay Moreno (57), Michael and Elizabeth Fagan (53), Larry and Joan Azevedo (45), Bud and Linda Harris (45), Thomas and Peggy Catalano (40), John and Beverly McClain (25) St. John Neumann, Farragut
A presentation for seniors on fraud prevention is set for 1 to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26, in Seton Hall. Snacks will be provided. RSVP by emailing stephenbehnke2@gmail.com or texting 865-308-3436.
The annual Off to the Races Derby Auction benefiting the school will be held Saturday, Feb. 28, in the gym.
This year’s event will feature a Mardi Gras theme and include a Cajun dinner catered by Sticky Rice Cafe and The Lovely Laotian. The Derby Auction is the premiere SJN fundraising event of the year and also includes drinks and
Parish notes continued on page B8
Fifth Appalachian Highlands Men’s Conference set Feb. 28
The fifth annual Appalachian Highlands Catholic Men’s Conference is set for 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28, at St. Dominic Church in Kingsport.
Bishop Mark Beckman will be among the speakers at the event, whose theme this year is “Weathering the Storm” (Matthew 8:27). Father John Orr, pastor of Holy Ghost Parish in Knoxville, and Steve Hemler will join the bishop in giving keynote talks at the conference, designed to help men strengthen faith, share burdens, and learn how to weather life’s difficulties with hope and courage.
The conference begins at 7 a.m. with sign-in and breakfast, followed by a welcome and opening remarks by St. Dominic pastor Father Michael Cummins at 7:30.
A question-and-answer session and Bishop Beckman’s talk will take place from 7:35 to 8:10 a.m. Father Orr will deliver the second keynote from 8:20 to 9 a.m.
From 9:15 to 10:15, time will be set aside for adoration, confession, and a rosary.
Breakout sessions will be held from 10:20 to 11:15 and from 11:25 to 12:20 p.m.
Conference attendees can choose to take part in breakouts during the first session led by Mr. Hemler on “the science and significance of eucharistic miracles—what are they and how does mother Church verify true miracles with science”; Deacon Vic Landa of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Harriman on “Holy Spirit not holy leftovers—why is honoring and worshiping the Holy Spirit not only important but necessary”; Jonathan Cardinal on “What now? How to continue fellowship
after individuals have accepted and are present in the Church”; Paul Simoneau, director of the diocesan Office of Justice and Peace, on “demonology—how and why demons manifest and influence our secular world”; and Jimmy Dee on “formal vs. informal prayers—which situations call for either type and helpful hints to further your prayer life.”
The second session of breakouts will feature Father Orr on “the importance of fasting”; Father Cummins on “the call of the wild— getting closer to God through the beauty of His creation”; Father Tom Lawrence, pastor of St. Anne Parish in Bristol, Va., on “presenting the Mass through the early Church fathers (walking from apostolic times up to the time of Justin Martyr, providing information from everyone whose writings are available”; Mr. Cardinal on “Mariology 101— why Mary is placed so high in our Catholic tradition”; and Mr. Hemler on “why would a loving God allow evil, pain, and suffering.”
A lunch break and a discussion will be held from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., and Mr. Hemler will give the third keynote from 1:30 to 2:15.
Mass at 2:15 p.m. and a social at 3:30 will conclude the conference.
Cost is $40 and includes breakfast and lunch. Register for the retreat, view its full schedule, or learn how to become a sponsor at www.ahmcretreat.org. A link to register may also be found at dioknox.org/events/appalachianhighlands-mens-conference-2026 Contact Matt Schmidt at 423-9461423-1295 or mattschmidt426@ yahoo.com to learn more about sponsorship programs. ■
Knights council’s coat drive benefits 131 children Knights of Columbus Council 8781 at St. John Neumann Parish in Farragut recently thanked parishioners who donated to a mid-November Coats for Kids drive. The council worked with administrators at St. John Neumann School, other schools in the Town of Farragut, Jellico Elementary School, and St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Erwin to identify 131 children needing coats. The coats came from the Columbia Sportswear Factory Store in Sevierville, and the total cost was $5,314. Columbia provides charities an added discount of about 60 percent off the factory-store price, so these coats averaged $40.50 each. The discount resulted in the drive having a surplus of $1,496, which will be applied to the 2027 drive. The council also thanked Romano Vlastelica, pictured above delivering coats to Farragut Primary School, for serving as the Knights’ committee chair for the project. The Knights offered the following prayer as the coats were distributed: “Our Father, please send your Holy Spirit to watch over and guide the wearer of this coat. Keep this child warm and safe; help this child grow in knowledge and experience Your love. May this coat provide many years of good wear and be passed down to others in need. We ask this in the name of your Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.” The Coats for Kids drive was started by the Knights of Columbus in 2009. Since then, more than 1 million coats have been distributed across North America.
Lenten penance service schedule
Here are the Lenten penance services received as of press time:
Chattanooga Deanery
Thursday, Feb. 26—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Cleveland, 7 p.m.; Tuesday, March 3—Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Chattanooga, 6:45 p.m.; Wednesday, March 4—Holy Spirit, Soddy-Daisy, 7 p.m.; Thursday, March 5—St. Bridget, Dayton, 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, March 10—St. Jude, Chattanooga, 7 p.m.; Thursday, March 12—St. Mary, Athens, 6:30 p.m.; Monday, March 16—St. Stephen, Chattanooga, 6 p.m. Cumberland Mountain Deanery
Wednesday, March 18—St. Francis
of Assisi, Fairfield Glade, and St. Alphonsus, Crossville, at St. Francis of Assisi, 6 p.m. CDT
Five Rivers Deanery
Tuesday, Feb. 24—St. Michael the Archangel, Erwin, 6 p.m.; Tuesday, March 3—St. Dominic, Kingsport, 7 p.m.; Thursday, March 5—Holy Trinity, Jefferson City, 7 p.m.; Tuesday, March 10—St. John Paul II Mission, Rutledge, 6 p.m.; Thursday, March 12—St. Mary, Johnson City, 6 p.m.; Wednesday, March 18—St. Anthony of Padua, Mountain City, 6 p.m.; Tuesday, March 24—St. Henry, Rogersville, 5 p.m.; Wednesday, March 25—St. Elizabeth, Elizabethton, 6 p.m.; Thursday, March 26—Notre Dame, Greeneville, 7 p.m. ■
COURTESY OF WALT HANSON
Bishop Mark Beckman will preside at the annual Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion of Candidates at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, the first Saturday of Lent, at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Catechumens and candidates from across the diocese will participate. The bishop will also celebrate the annual Chrism Mass at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, at the cathedral. At the Chrism Mass, diocesan priests renew their priestly vows. Bishop Beckman will bless the sacred chrism, the oil of catechumens, and the oil of the sick that will be used in parishes of the diocese for the next year. The Mass will be livestreamed on the cathedral’s YouTube page at www.youtube.com/@shcathedral
Bishop Mark Beckman invites young adults ages 18-35 to explore the mystery of Catholicism at meetings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on selected Tuesdays at the Diocese of Knoxville Chancery. Young adults interested in a systematic exploration of being Catholic are invited to attend. The series began Sept. 9 and continues Feb. 17, March 3, and March 10, with dates subject to change because of the bishop’s schedule. More dates will follow. Attendees are invited to bring their own beverages and snacks. Visit dioknox. org/events for more information.
The diocesan Office of Vocations is holding a Men’s Discernment Group for men interested in discerning if God is calling them to the priesthood. The group will be hosted by Father Mark Schuster from 9 a.m. to noon on fourth Saturdays in the St. John Paul II Conference Room at the Chancery office in Knoxville, with the next meeting Feb. 28. If you are interested in joining the Men’s Discernment Group, fill out the form at forms.office.com/r/ CmSwudiVnf or e-mail vocations@ dioknox.org. There will be a Zoom option for those not in the Knoxville area.
Bishop Mark Beckman will celebrate the annual Scouting Mass at 8:05 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Scouts who have earned a religiousemblem award during the last year will receive a special certificate from the bishop during the liturgy. A breakfast will follow Mass. Cost for the meal is $10, prepaid only. Visit www.knoxccs. org to prepay.
The Chattanooga Deanery Council of Catholic Women will hold its winter general meeting from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, in the parish life center at St. Jude Church in Chattanooga, with an optional rosary at 9:30 a.m. The day will include officer installation, the presentation of the deanery Golden Rose Award, and a business meeting. Lunch will be available for $10. RSVP to Kelli Drury at drurkns@bellsouth.net
St. Joseph School in Knoxville will host its annual Mardi Gras celebration from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, in the gym. Tickets range from $80 per person to $750 for a table of 10. To donate an item for the event’s live or silent auctions, e-mail Krystyn Walker at kwalker@sjsknox. org. To purchase tickets and see a preview of auction items, visit sjsknox. org/mardigras
St. Mary Parish in Johnson City is holding a Lenten parish mission from Thursday, Feb. 26, to Sunday, March 1. The theme will be “Your misery is the throne of God’s mercy” (St. Francis de Sales). Father Abraham Vettuvelil, former superior general of the Congregation of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales, will lead the mission and present on “transforming our regrets into beautiful treasures.” Inspired by the teachings of St. Francis de Sales, the parish mission “invites us to journey through Lent by encountering God’s merciful love. True holiness comes from recognizing that we are loved and accepted by God just as we are—even in our sinfulness and brokenness. Rather than self-blame or discouragement, humility and an honest acknowledgment of our weaknesses draw us closer to God and deepen our trust in His mercy.” Father Vettuvelil will speak at 6 p.m. on Feb.
26, after the 6 p.m. Stations of the Cross on Feb. 27, from 9 a.m. to noon on Feb. 28, at the 5 p.m. vigil Mass on Feb. 28, and at the 8 and 10 a.m. Masses on March 1.
A SEARCH for Christian Maturity Retreat sponsored by the diocesan Office of Youth, Young Adult, and Pastoral Juvenil Ministry will be held on the weekend of Feb. 27-March 1 at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church in Cleveland. The weekends are for any high-school juniors and seniors. The program is both rooted in the Catholic faith and open to young people of all faith traditions. SEARCH provides an opportunity to think, talk, question, and wonder about life and faith in an accepting and challenging environment. It is an opportunity to experience God and God’s family in a personal and real way. The weekend is youth- and peer-oriented: it is run by youth, to youth, and for youth, all under the guidance of a team of adult mentors. The retreat starts on Friday between 6:30 and 7 p.m. and runs through Sunday at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $100, and scholarships are available if needed. Register at dioknox.org/ events/search-feb-2026
The Five Rivers Deanery Council of Catholic Women will hold a meeting from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28, at St. Patrick Church in Morristown. The deanery Golden Rose Award will be presented at the meeting. Lunch will be available for $10, payable at the door. RSVP to Carol Baker by Monday, Feb. 23, at Carol Baker14@gmail.com. Agenda items should be submitted by Feb. 23 to scollins51@hotmail.com
A Picture of Love retreat for engaged couples is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 28, at St. Jude Church in Chattanooga (postponed from Jan. 24). The retreat will meet from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with check-in at 8:30 a.m. and Mass at 5 p.m. This marriagepreparation program is a supplement to a couple’s marriage formation with their parish priest or deacon. Picture of Love explores the joys and challenges of living out the sacrament of matrimony with special focus on the importance of inviting Jesus to be the center of marriage and family life. The program will help a couple gain insights into their relationship, as well as give them practical ideas and tools to help smooth their journey and become the “Picture of Love” to one another. Participants who complete the program will receive a certificate to present to their county clerk and receive a $60 discount on their marriage license. The marriage license is valid for 30 days from issuance and is good for ceremonies performed anywhere in Tennessee. Cost is $175 per couple. Registration is available at dioknox.org/events/picture-of-loveretreat-feb-28-2026. Late registrations are accepted if space allows (cost is $200 by credit card only). Also at the website are three exercises: a personality test, a “love language profile for couples,” and a fillable budget worksheet. Couples are asked to complete the exercises in advance and bring them to the retreat—see the website for more details. Visit www.polchattanooga.org for FAQs, messages, and more. Contact Carolyn Krings for more information at 865-584-3307 or ckrings@dioknox. org
Those experiencing emotional or spiritual difficulties from a past abortion are invited to attend a Catholic Charities Rachel’s Vineyard healing and recovery retreat on the weekend of Feb. 27-March 1 at Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton. Complete confidentiality is honored at all times. The deadline for registration is Friday, Feb. 20. For more information, contact Sandi Davidson at 865-776-4510 or sandi@ ccetn.org
Catholic speaker and author Christopher West will give a talk themed “Made for More” on Wednesday, March 4, at Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga, with music by Mike Mangione. Mr. West will discuss “where do we come from and where are we going” to help those attending understand what it means to be human and how to orient lives and actions toward authen-
Calendar continued on page B8
Cathedral organist returns to home, family in South Korea
Father David Boettner, rector of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, announced in a Jan. 22 e-mail to parishioners that cathedral organist Byong Suk Moon would leave the parish on Jan. 29 to return home to South Korea in order to be with his wife, children, and extended family.
“Mr. Moon joined our cathedral community on Ash Wednesday of 2020, just as the world was shutting down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In those uncertain and difficult months, when our church doors were closed and many felt isolated and anxious, music became a vital source of comfort and hope,” Father Boettner wrote. “Through the dedicated efforts of Mr. Moon and Mr. Glenn Kahler, our livestreamed Masses during the lockdown were filled with beautiful, prayerful music that lifted hearts, strengthened faith, and united us as a parish during an unprecedented worldwide event.”
Mr. Kahler is the cathedral’s director of music and liturgy.
“Over the past six years, Mr. Moon has served our cathedral with exceptional musical excellence, deep professionalism, and a consistently cheerful and gracious spirit. His artistry at the organ, his leadership in sacred music, and his warm smile will be greatly missed by clergy, staff, choir members, and parishioners alike,” Father Boettner continued. “We are profoundly grateful to Mr. Moon for the many sacrifices he and his family have made during these years to help lead us in beautiful and reverent worship. His contributions have left a lasting mark on the musical and spiritual life of our cathedral.”
Those wishing to share a note or a message of gratitude with Mr. Moon for his service to the parish may send it care of the parish office, and it will be forwarded to him at his home in South Korea.
“Please join me in thanking God for Mr. Moon’s generous service among us and in praying for him and his family as they begin this new chapter together,” Father Boettner concluded. ■
Serra Club of Chattanooga honors clergy and religious
The Chattanooga Serra Club held its annual Vocation Appreciation Dinner at the Walden Club on Jan. 22, with Bishop Mark Beckman among those attending. The club expressed its appreciation for the dedication of area clergy and religious and specifically recognized those who were celebrating major milestones of their ordination or profession of vows. From left are (front row) Father John Dowling, Brother Jeffrey Callander, CFA, Bishop Beckman, Father David Carter, and Father Manuel Pérez and (back) Serra chaplain Father Andrew Crabtree, club president-elect Ivonne Weidner, club president Betty Anne Neal, Deacon David Waguespack, and Deacon Gary Brinkworth.
Notre Dame CCW members pray rosary for life at courthouse Members of the Council of Catholic Women at Notre Dame Parish in
ville gathered in front of the Greene County Courthouse at noon on Jan. 23 to pray the rosary in solidarity with the 53rd annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., held the same day. The event was co-sponsored by the Social Action Committee of Notre Dame’s parish council, Council 6784 of the Knights of Columbus, and the Young Women’s Ministry. Simultaneously, at Notre Dame Church, parishioner Scott Fisher led more than a dozen in praying the rosary to give witness to the importance of protecting the right to life for the unborn. From left above are
COURTESY OF ELLEN PAUL
Greene-
Maggie Rowe, Judy Collins, Scott Loewenkamp, Lisa Loewenkamp, Christine Barker, Mary Maggert, and Janet Murphy.
COURTESY OF RALEIGH COOPER
Praying for Perspective by
George Valadie
Snow days, celebrations, and Catholic schools
‘The fullest and best opportunity to realize the…purpose of Christian education’
For some, the week ended exactly as it had begun. Battles with the weather, shortened schedules, and a whole lot of smiles at the unexpected closures.
Catholic Schools Week has again come and gone for our diocesan schools. I’m not entirely sure why— when this event was first imagined—it landed on this particular winter slot in the school calendar, but here we are.
For the 52nd consecutive year, Catholic schools around the country used the last week of January—no matter how cold—to celebrate who we are, what we do, and the many who help us do it.
The event had humble beginnings in 1974, a chance for a little rudimentary marketing so to speak. We initially treated the week as more of a “let’s-get-the-word-out” than any sort of genuine celebration. But we’ve polished things up a bit since then. Now, for weeks in advance, hours of formal committee planning precede these seven days, all aimed at ensuring a mix of celebration and appreciation focused on faith and family and fun.
You can find almost any sort of activity. We have themed dress-down days, student-teacher contests, and a number of special lunches honoring our teachers, Sisters, and priests. We host open houses, perform community service, and eat lots of pizza, ice cream, and doughnuts. There’s a lot of cheers at our spelling bees, pep rallies, and talent shows, and a lot of prayers at our Masses and eucharistic processions.
And—if the gods happen to throw in an unexpected snow day—or frozen pipe day, which is not entirely out of the question—it might end up
Tbeing the perfect week.
There’s a good reason we’ve “dressed things up a bit”: we have so much to celebrate, so much to share, and so many, many people to thank.
Here’s an abbreviated list:
n Millennials who attended Catholic school are seven to eight times more likely to attend Sunday Mass. n Catholic schools graduate 99 percent of their students (more than other religious, non-sectarian, and public schools).
n Catholic school graduates are more likely to vote, to be civically engaged, to be more tolerant of diverse views, and more likely to earn higher wages.
n 84 percent of Catholic school graduates attend a four-year college (more than other religious, nonsectarian, and public schools).
n Men who attended Catholic secondary school are six times more likely to consider a religious vocation.
n Women who attended Catholic grade school are three times more likely to consider a religious vocation.
n With attendance in any Catholic school for any period of time, students are four times more likely to be attending church at age 45, three times more likely to be confirmed, and twice as likely to be married in the Church.
n Last year alone, the Diocese of Knoxville offered $3 million-plus in tuition assistance.
And I also found this little tidbit: if Catholic schools were a state, they’d be the highest-performing state in the nation on all four subtests of the NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress.)
We’re not any better at predicting snow days than anyone else, but we do have a good thing going.
There was a day and time when the Catholic Church “required” Catholic parents to enroll their children in Catholic schools—under penalty of excommunication.
And as my old boss used to say, “Turns out being baptized doesn’t impact your IQ.”
But that requirement is why in the 1960s our faith had 13,000-plus schools that served more than 5 million students.
However, in the late ’60s and early ’70s, the Church—and thus its Catholic schools—experienced a dramatic decrease in the number of vocations in general and specifically the number of teaching priests and Sisters.
As you can imagine, among the many impacts, was the obvious increased costs associated with hiring lay teachers. Not with salaries they deserved—not even close—but those increased costs tell you how little we had paid the religious. They were our “living endowment” so to speak.
My father-in-law once told me he could recall writing a monthly check in the amount of $17.50 to cover tuition for his three daughters to attend our parish school.
That was before. The increased cost of the laity was a fact not lost on American bishops. As a result, in 1972, they released a pastoral message on education titled “To Teach as Jesus Did.” It was broad and extensive, but knowing the families in the pews faced increasing tuitions, the bishops proclaimed parents as the “primary educators of their children” and described Catholic schools as an opportunity—the “fullest and best opportunity” in their view—but no longer the mandate of the past.
In effect, they were acknowledg-
Thoughts and Prayers for the Faithful by Deacon Bob Hunt
The
ing multiple options existed for achieving what they believed was the threefold purpose of Christian education: message, community, and service.
As the dust has settled in the years since, there are now but 5,900 Catholic schools serving 1.6 million students. Our diocese is blessed with 10 such schools serving 3,500plus of our youth.
There’s a reason old pipes freeze and old air conditioners fail: they’re old. We ask them—like we do the teachers—to just keep going. Our copy machines don’t have a choice, but our teachers do. And still, our faculty retention rates exceed 85 percent.
There is much debate out in the world—and inside the bowels of the Church—about the costs of having these schools. And who should bear those costs. But I wish you could see the salaries we pay or the budgets we continually scale back.
Cost-saving efforts aside, we have to acknowledge Catholic school is pricey for our families. Some would say too much so.
But here’s the thing: if our Church can find or create a ministry that accomplishes the same high marks in those areas of message, community, and service, then we should close all our school doors and shift all our dollars to whatever does it better. If we can find it …
Dear God—Bless all who learn, all who teach, and the many unnamed saints whose generosity help make it happen. Amen. ■
George Valadie is a parishioner at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga and author of the book “We Lost Our Fifth Fork … and other moments when we need some perspective.”
lamb’s role in Judeo-Christian religion
Jesus, the Lamb of God, effected our redemption from the bondage of sin
he lamb has had a significant role in the religion of the Judeo-Christian people from time immemorial. Perhaps this was natural, given the role of sheep in providing clothing and nourishment to the people of Israel, who had been shepherds for centuries. David was a shepherd (1 Samuel 17:34-37), and Jesus described Himself as “the good shepherd” who lays down His life for the sheep (John 10:11). This was not mere hyperbole. Many shepherds lost their lives attempting to protect their sheep from hungry predators.
In his effort to convince Saul to allow him to go up against Goliath, David recounted how he killed a lion and a bear that had threatened his flock. The prophet Nathan’s parable of the man who loved his little ewe lamb like a daughter, told to convict David in his sin (2 Samuel 12:3), shows the affection the Israelites had for the lamb. The lamb, one of God’s more timid creatures, is embodied with deep religious symbolism forever tied to the Jewish and Christian faiths. The gentle lamb appears as a sacrificial saving grace from Exodus through the New Testament.
The first example of a sheep offered for sacrifice in the Scriptures is that of Abel, who offered to God the “fatty portion of the firstlings of his flock” (Genesis 4:4). From there we move to the story of Abraham sacrificing his son, Isaac, a story the Jews call the Akeidat Yitzchak, or “the Binding of Isaac.” God had promised Abraham that he would be the father of a great nation, with
as many descendants as there are stars in the sky (Genesis 15:5). Isaac was the son of that promise. Abraham must have been confused, then, when God instructed him to sacrifice Isaac (Genesis 22:1-19). How would God fulfill His promise to Abraham if Isaac were dead?
Abraham did not know, but he trusted God. As such, he obeyed, taking Isaac to Mount Moriah, where he bound him in anticipation of sacrificing him. But just before he did so, God told Abraham to stay his hand and not harm the boy. God was pleased that Abraham trusted Him and obeyed. Because of Abraham’s trust and obedience, Isaac was spared and God renewed His promise to Abraham (Genesis 22:1718). The Akeidat Yitzchak is interpreted by the Jewish people, as well as by the Church, as communicating God’s condemnation of human sacrifice, a practice common among the tribes that surrounded Israel.
After the Hebrews had been enslaved in Egypt for 400 years, Moses was called by God to go to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, with the demand that he let God’s people go into the desert to worship Him (Exodus 5:1). When Pharaoh refused, God set upon Egypt 10 plagues to demonstrate His power and authority over Pharaoh and convince him to let the Hebrews go. When all previous plagues had failed to soften Pharaoh’s heart, God let it be known that He would send the angel of death upon Egypt, killing every firstborn in the land (Exodus 11:4-7).
The Hebrews, however, would be spared if they slaughtered an un-
blemished male yearling, spread its blood on the doorposts and lintel of their homes, and shared a common meal of the roasted lamb (Exodus 12).
The next day, finding all the firstborn of Egypt dead but the Hebrews spared, Pharaoh let them go, freed from their bondage in Egypt. The Passover meal of lamb was to be celebrated annually in remembrance of this central saving act of God in the life of His people (Exodus 12:14).
By the time of Jesus, God had commanded that the Passover celebration be centralized (Deuteronomy 16:5-6). Each Jewish family would bring their lamb to the priests of the temple to be sacrificed. The altar of the temple literally poured blood from the thousands of slaughtered lambs. The lamb would then be returned to the family to be roasted and shared in a common meal. The lamb represented redemption: redemption from the bondage of slavery and redemption from death.
When St. John the Baptist saw Jesus approaching him to be baptized in the Jordan River, he cried out, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Where John was baptizing people with a baptism of repentance, he told the crowd that one would come after him who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Matthew 3:11). The Holy Spirit and fire both transform what they touch. Fire breaks down what it touches, while the Holy Spirit builds up. Just so, the baptism of Jesus will break down the old man,
and the Holy Spirit will build up the new.
As the Passover lamb represented redemption from death and from the bondage of slavery, so Jesus, the Lamb of God, effected our redemption from the bondage of sin, the wages of which is death (Romans 6:23). Jesus is the Lamb God Himself brings to the temple to be sacrificed on the altar of the cross. Only God the Father did not spare Himself the sacrifice He spared Abraham. Rather, He offered His Son fully as a sacrifice for the sake of our redemption. Covenant requires sacrifice, and sacrifice requires blood. There is no redemption without the shedding of blood (Hebrews 9:22). And just as the Passover sacrifice was not complete until the lamb was roasted and shared among the family in a common meal, so Jesus makes Himself, the Lamb of God, available to be consumed in a common meal with all the members of the Body of Christ (Luke 22:14-20 and 24:28-32, 35).
I was asked once, “Why did Jesus have to die?” I’m not a theologian, but it seems to me that Jesus’ mission on this earth was to destroy the power of sin and death over us. Adam’s disobedience introduced sin and death into our world. Jesus’ life lived in perfect obedience, even unto death, reversed that curse and made amends for the offense against God of which we, as a human community, were responsible.
Neither am I a military man, but it seems to me that the most effective way to conquer an opposing Deacon Hunt continued on page B10
EStice
Confession is an encounter with the Trinity
In the sacrament, we truly meet our heavenly Father in His beloved Son and the Holy Spirit
very celebration of a sacrament, says the Church, “is a meeting of God’s children with their Father, in Christ and the Holy Spirit,” a dialogue in liturgical signs, actions, and words.1 In previous columns, I have explored in detail how we encounter the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in the Mass. In this column, I want to discuss the sacrament of penance— confession—as an encounter with the Trinity.
The priest, by virtue of his ordination, signifies and acts in the person of Christ the Head. In the celebration of confession, “the Christ whom he makes present and who accomplishes the mystery of the forgiveness of sins is the Christ who appears as the brother of man, the merciful high priest, faithful and compassionate, the shepherd intent on finding the lost sheep, the physician who heals and comforts, the one master who teaches the truth and reveals the ways of God, the judge of the living and the dead, who judges according to the truth and not according to appearances.”2
The sacrament of penance, like the other sacraments, is a dialogue. The priest begins the celebration with the sign of the cross and welcomes
the penitent. The words of welcome suggested in The Order of Penance emphasize the sacrament as a personal encounter. “Come with trust to the Lord, who does not wish the sinner to die but to turn back to him and live” (Ezekiel 33:11); “May the Lord Jesus welcome you. He came to call sinners, not the just. Have confidence in him” (Luke 5:32); “May the grace of the Holy Spirit illumine your heart, so that with confidence you may confess your sins and come to know the mercy of God.”3
The penitent then confesses his sins to the priest. This, too, is an interaction between the penitent and God, as St. Augustine explained: “Whoever confesses his sins…is already working with God. God indicts your sins; if you also indict them, you are joined with God.”4 The priest then proposes and the penitent accepts a work of penance, also known as satisfaction. This is an interaction between the penitent and God, for it is “the sign of the personal commitment that the Christian has made to God in the sacrament to begin a new life.”5 The penitent then makes an act of contrition, expressing to God his sorrow for his sin. In doing so, the penitent is guided by his conscience, which is “the place, the sacred place where
Monday, Feb. 16: James 1:1-11; Psalm 119:67-68, 71-72, 75-76; Mark 8:11-13
Tuesday, Feb. 17: James 1:12-18; Psalm 94:12-15, 18-19; Mark 8:14-21
Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18: Joel 2:1218; Psalm 51:3-6, 12-14, 17; 2 Corinthians 5:20–6:2; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
Thursday, Feb. 19: Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Psalm 1:1-4, 6; Luke 9:2225
Friday, Feb. 20: Isaiah 58:1-9; Psalm 51:3-6, 18-19; Matthew 9:14-15
God speaks to man.”6
The priest then imposes his hand over the penitent—the sign of the invocation of the Holy Spirit—and says the formula of absolution that concludes with the sign of the cross. “At this moment the contrite and converted sinner comes into contact with the power and mercy of God. It is the moment at which, in response to the penitent, the Trinity becomes present in order to blot out sin and restore innocence. And the saving power of the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus is also imparted to the penitent as the ‘mercy stronger than sin and offense.’”7 This is in a way the work of the Holy Spirit, who “is in His person ‘the forgiveness of our sins’: where the relationship with the Father has been lacking or has even been broken, the Spirit, who is ‘the Father’s tender love,’ pours Himself out and becomes the living bond of love that unites persons.”8
The sacrament of penance is vital not only for each of us but also for the life of the Church. “We shall, through the healing of our sin, recapture the freshness proper to the Church; we shall rediscover the true face of the Lord, no longer obscured by the idols that our moral conscience and frustrated superego
erect; above all, we shall enter into the joy of the Father, as our return gladdens His angels and the communion of saints.”9
When we go to confession, we encounter the Trinity in signs, words, and actions. The liturgical language includes the priest, the sign of the cross, the imposition of hands over the penitent at the invocation of the Trinity, and words of welcome, comfort, sorrow, forgiveness, and peace. Here we truly meet our heavenly Father in His beloved Son and the Holy Spirit. ■
1 Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), 1153
2 St. John Paul II, Reconciliation and Penance (RaP), 29
3 The Order of Penance, 67, 68, 69
4 CCC, 1458
5 RaP 31.III
6 St. John Paul II, The Splendor of Truth, 58
7 RaP 31.III
8 Jean Corbon, The Wellspring of Worship, p. 169
9 Corbon, p. 170
Father Randy Stice is director of the diocesan Office of Worship and Liturgy. He can be reached at frrandy@ dioknox.org.
Jude Knights host annual Father Charlie Chili Cook-Off Knights of Columbus Council 8576 at St. Jude Parish in Chattanooga hosted the annual Father Charlie Chili Cook-Off on Feb. 2 in Siener Hall, rescheduled from Jan. 26. A total of 170 guests sampled and enjoyed chili prepared by 10 contestants. The top three cooks received trophies and cash prizes of $100, $75, and $50. Those attending also sampled toppings, hot dogs, baked potatoes, cornbread, and desserts prepared by fellow parishioners and Knights. In the top left photo are (from left) Fos Goodwin, event chairman; Mike Monteith, third place; Garrick Hall, first place; Sara Nausley, second place; and St. Jude pastor Father Charlie Burton. At bottom left are Mr. Monteith (left) and Mr. Hall. At top right are (from left) Thomas Campbell, Brock Jewell, Phil Carterette, and John Poinsatte.
Saturday, Feb. 21: Isaiah 58:9-14; Psalm 86:1-6; Luke 5:27-32
Sunday, Feb. 22: Genesis 2:7-9 and 3:1-7; Psalm 51:3-6, 12-13, 17; Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11
26:16-19; Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8; Matthew 5:43-48
Sunday, March 1: Genesis 12:1-4; Psalm 33:4-5, 18-20, 22; 2 Timothy 1:8-10; Matthew 17:1-9
Monday, March 2: Daniel 9:4-10; Psalm 79:8-9, 11, 13; Luke 6:36-38
Tuesday, March 3: Isaiah 1:10, 1620; Psalm 50:8-9, 16-17, 21, 23; Matthew 23:1-12
Wednesday, March 4: Jeremiah 18:18-20; Psalm 31:5-6, 14-16; Matthew 20:17-28
Thursday, March 5: Jeremiah 17:510; Psalm 1:1-4, 6; Luke 16:19-31 Friday, March 6: Genesis 37:3-4, 1213, 17-28; Psalm 105:16-21; Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46 Saturday, March 7: Micah 7:14-15, 18-20; Psalm 103:1-4, 9-12; Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
Sunday, March 8: Exodus 17:3-7; Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9; Romans 5:1-2, 5-8; John 4:5-42
Monday, March 9: 2 Kings 5:1-15; Psalms 42:2, 3 and 43:3, 4; Luke 4:24-30
Tuesday, March 10: Daniel 3:25, 3443; Psalm 25:4-9; Matthew 18:21-35
Wednesday, March 11: Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9; Psalm 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20; Matthew 5:17-19 Thursday, March 12: Jeremiah 7:2328; Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9; Luke 11:14-23 Friday, March 13: Hosea 14:2-10; Psalm 81:6-11, 14, 17; Mark 12:28-34 Saturday, March 14: Hosea 6:1-6; Psalm 51:3-4, 18-21; Luke 18:9-14 ■
COURTESY OF RALEIGH COOPER (4)
St.
tic fulfillment. The event will offer presentations with live music, movie clips, YouTube videos, and sacred art for “an evening of beauty and reflection on the meaning of life, love, and human destiny.” Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with the talk going from 7 to 9:30. All ages are welcome to attend. Register or learn more at tobinstitute.org/events/madefor-more-chattanooga-tn/. Contact Mary Pat Haywood for more information at mphaywood@myolph.com
The Nashville community of Retrouvaille (“retro-vi”), a Christian program that is Catholic in origin and helps struggling couples restore their marriage and rebuild a loving relationship, will have a gathering on the weekend of March 6-8 in Dickson, Tenn. Presenters are not trained marriage counselors but rather couples sharing their personal stories of marital struggles and the tools they used to rediscover their love. Cost is $350 per couple, not including meals and lodging. For more information, e-mail 3043@helpourmarriage. org, visit helpourmarriage.org, or call 931-820-2115. The address of the weekend facility will be provided when the registration is processed.
Registration is now open for parishes, ministries, and businesses to participate in the Knoxville St. Patrick’s Day Parade at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 14. The annual parade includes a festival with food, games, and more and raises money for Catholic Charities of East Tennessee. Register at knox stpatricks parade.com
A meeting for those interested in forming a new chapter of Our Lady’s Rosary Makers in the Diocese of Knoxville is set for 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, in Seton Hall at St. John Neumann Church in Farragut. The group helps place rosaries into the hands of those longing for prayer, peace, and hope, both locally and throughout the world. For more information, contact Jessica at jessibeth14@gmail.com
The Diocese of Knoxville and Catholic Charities of East Tennessee invite clergy, parish leaders, lay ministers, Catholic school counselors, and faith-based partners to “Accompani-
dancing. Purchase tickets, become a sponsor, or learn more about online bidding at sjnknox.org/derby. For more information, e-mail Patrick Wade at pwade@sjnknox.org. The event is for adults only, with cocktail attire preferred.
Tyler Rushing of St. John Neumann Parish won the 10-year-old boys state title in the Knights of Columbus Tennessee Soccer Challenge held at St. Edward Church in Nashville on Nov. 2. Boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 14 competed in the event.
Tyler won Knights Council 8781’s local Soccer Challenge on Oct. 19, then advanced to the state competition after competing in district and regional events on Oct. 26 at St. Mary Church in Oak Ridge. The SJN Knights thanked Soccer Challenge committee chair Romano Vlastelica for coordinating the council’s contest and for assisting at other contest levels.
The Knights council held its annual free-throw contest on Feb. 1 in the school gym. The five champions in boys and girls age groups are Ashleigh Kaczmarek, age 14; Mark Pagel, 12; Canden Morrison, 11; Alexa Kaczmarek, 11; and Andrik Morrison, 10. They advanced to district and regional contests hosted by St. Mary School in Oak Ridge on Feb. 15.
St. Joseph, Norris
A men’s prayer breakfast will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, in the social hall. Deacon Bill Frere will be the speaker. Sign-up sheets are available in the social hall.
The Council of Catholic Women held a Valentine Bake Sale before and after Mass on Feb. 8.
St. Thomas the Apostle, Lenoir City
The Knights of Columbus and the Council of Catholic Women will again partner
ment and Healing in Christ: Building a Culture of Care,” a one-day summit on strengthening parish-based care for mental and emotional health through the Church’s mission of accompaniment, compassion, and healing in Christ (see the story that begins on page B1). The summit will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, March 20, in Cathedral Hall at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. RSVP to Sloane at sschneller@ccetn.org
The Knoxville Diocesan Council of Catholic Women is hosting a Spring Event: Peace, Unity & Love, a day of reflection, fellowship, and spiritual renewal with guest speakers Lisa Tuggle and Danielle Rose, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, at St. Mary Church in Athens. The day will begin with a Mass of remembrance at 9 a.m., and a continental breakfast and lunch will be served. Real-time audio Spanish translation headset services will be available. View a flyer and details on hotel arrangements at dioknox.org/events/kdccw-springevent-peace-unity-and-love
A Men’s Emmaus Retreat will be held for the first time in East Tennessee on the weekend of April 24-26 at Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton. An estimated 1.4 million men and women throughout the world have completed the Catholic Emmaus Retreat. The retreat is based on Luke 24, where Jesus joins two of His disciples as they walk from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus. The walk takes the disciples from being dejected and filled with anxiety and stress to being full of life and filled with joy after Jesus joins them and their eyes are opened to recognize Him as their Lord. Men ages 18 and over are welcome to attend. Registration will begin in this month. For any questions, contact Michael Hart at 423-414-4532 or mikehartfl1987@gmail.com
St. Mary School in Oak Ridge will hold its annual Gala of Lights from 6 to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, in the school gym. The gala is the school’s signature fundraising event. The formal, sit-down affair features a curated silent and live auction, a program, and music and dancing. This year the gala will be honoring Father Michael Woods, who served at St.
this year to offer a Lenten fish fry dinner immediately following the 6 p.m. Friday English Stations of the Cross. Dinners will be served on Feb. 20 and 27 and on March 6, 13, and 20. The menu includes baked and fried fish, fried potato slices, hush puppies, mac and cheese, coleslaw, and green beans. Ticket prices are $13 for an individual and $36 for a family of four (no charge for children under 12). All proceeds will be donated to the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic.
Five Rivers Deanery
Holy Trinity, Jefferson City
The Knights of Columbus are holding their first Lenten meal at 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 20, in the parish life center. Stations of the Cross will follow. Signup sheets are in the narthex.
First Holy Communion was celebrated at the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Feb. 8.
A Valentine’s Day Dance was held on Feb. 14 in the parish life center. Couples brought wedding photos and had songs from their wedding played at the event.
Anniversary: Richard and Cynthia Johnston (52)
Notre Dame, Greeneville
The Knights of Columbus will hold Lenten fish fries from 4 to 6 p.m. on Fridays, Feb. 20, March 6, and March 20. The meals will also include coleslaw, hush puppies, french fries or baked potato, and tea or lemonade. Stations of the Cross will follow at 7 p.m.
A Lenten book study on Matthew Kelly’s The Seven Pillars of Catholic Spirituality began Feb. 15 and will continue Sundays through March 29. Parishioner Elizabeth Girton is leading small-group discussions based on the book.
The parish has set Sept. 19 as the date for its 17th annual Fall Festival of Nations fundraiser.
Mary Parish from 1994 to 2006, the last 10 years as pastor. Father Woods will celebrate his 60th anniversary in the priesthood on June 19. Learn more at dioknox.org/events/gala-of-lights. For information on sponsorship, donations, or event tickets, contact the school advancement office at advancement@ stmarysoakridge.org or 865-482-2875, extension 3138.
A Bayou Bash, celebrating “The Little Cajun Saint,” Servant of God Charlene Richard, will be held in the pavilion at Holy Spirit Church in Soddy-Daisy at 6:45 p.m. on Saturday, April 25. The event will offer Louisiana food, yard games, and a talk on Charlene Richard. Bring a nonperishable food item to donate to the parish food pantry. Register at dioknox.org/events/bayou-bash
Knoxville Catholic High School is again hosting its annual Camp Irish summer camps. In May, June, and July, the school will host camps for girls basketball, boys basketball, baseball, volleyball, soccer, dance, math, cheerleading, football, and softball. Two allsports camps are planned, as well as a junior theater camp and an Irish Arts Theatre Workshop. For individual camp dates and other information, visit knoxvillecatholic.com/camp-irish or e-mail camps@knoxvillecatholic.com
The Healing Ministry at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Alcoa offers healing prayers every third weekend of the month for anyone who has a physical, emotional, or spiritual need. Individual healing prayer will be offered in Spanish in the church immediately following the 7 p.m. Saturday Mass in Spanish, and prayer will be offered in English in the chapel immediately following the 11 a.m. Sunday Mass. Call Toni Jacobs at 561315-5911 if you have any questions.
Catholic in Recovery is a 12-step recovery ministry that holds meetings each Monday at 7 p.m. at St. Dominic Church in Kingsport and each Sunday at 4 p.m. at All Saints Church in Knoxville. CIR provides hope and healing from addictions, compulsions, and unhealthy attachments. Family members impacted by a loved one’s addiction are also encouraged to attend. Meetings combine the spiritual principles of
St. Mary, Johnson City
The parish will hold fish fries in the school gym, hosted by Knights of Columbus Council 4264, from 5 to 7 p.m. on Fridays during Lent, Feb. 20 to March 27. Costs are $12 for adults and $10 for youth ages 5 to 10. A kids meal of grilled cheese and fries is available for $4. Cash, credit cards, and checks will be accepted. Dine-in or takeout options are offered. The Knights will use proceeds to support parish activities and needs.
St. Mary will celebrate Fat Tuesday on Feb. 17 in the church basement. The event will include a kids’ box-float parade and a potluck feast.
Judges with science knowledge are needed for the annual St. Mary School Science Fair, set for 12:30 to 2:45 p.m. on Friday, March 27, in the school gym. Those interested should e-mail Teresa Bumgarner at teresa.bumgarner@ stmarysjc.org
The 40th annual St. Mary School auction, with the theme “An Evening in Nashville,” will take place at 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 11. The event is the school’s biggest fundraiser. Parishioners and local businesses may donate auction items such as services and gift cards. For more information, contact Bethany Buchanan at 815-342-7985 or Tanya Chavez Ezeadi at 423-220-6796 or tanya.chavez@stmarysjc.org. Dress code is “denim and diamonds.”
St. Patrick, Morristown
Lenten dinners will be prepared by various St. Patrick ministries and served in the parish center on Fridays from Feb. 20 through March 27.
Anniversary: John and Mary Daack (50) Smoky Mountain Deanery
Immaculate Conception, Knoxville The Women’s Group hosted a “Sweet-
12-step recovery and the sacraments of the Catholic Church. Join others in recovery as the meetings overlap Scripture from Sunday Mass readings, liturgical themes, and recovery topics with honest discussion and prayer. Confidentiality is protected. The St. Dominic gatherings are hybrid meetings, in person in the St. Thomas Aquinas Room of the parish life center or online at tinyurl.com/cir-zoom-tricitiestn. For more information, visit www. catholicinrecovery.com. For more details on the meetings at St. Dominic, contact Jena at cir.tricities.tn@gmail. com or call Oscar at 423-213-2434. For the meetings at All Saints, call Martin Ohmes at 865-438-4905 or e-mail CIR AllSaintsKnoxville@gmail.com
Father Arthur Torres and Father Miguel Vélez are serving as spiritual directors on a Guadalupe: In the Heart of Mexico pilgrimage to the nation’s sacred shrines May 25-31. Places visited will include Mexico City, Tulpetlac, Teotihuacan, Puebla, Coyoacán, and Xochimilco. Cost is $2,949 based on double occupancy and includes round-trip airfare, airport taxes and fuel surcharges, land transportation, firstclass hotels, daily Mass, breakfast and dinner, and a medical protection plan. The trip will depart from Atlanta. To see a daily itinerary and more details, or to register and purchase travel insurance, visit trip.nativitypilgrimage.com/ torres-mex-2026. For more information, call 844-400-9559 or 832-406-7050, or e-mail info@nativitypilgrimage.com
Join Glenmary Father Steve Pawelk on a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Shrines of Mexico Sept. 22Oct. 1. The group will visit the Santuario de San Toribio Romo, built in honor of the Mexican martyrs of the 1920s; Cristo Rey, the second largest statue of Christ in the world; and the church of Santa Cruz de Los Milagros, where St. Junipero Serra stayed before his journey to begin the Franciscan Missions, which the group will visit before going on to Mexico City. There the pilgrims will visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe; Tepeyac Hill, where Our Lady appeared to St. Juan Diego; and many other holy and sacred sites. For more information, contact Lisa Morris at 865-567-1245 or lisam@select-intl.com n
heart Tea” for ladies of IC and their guests on Feb. 15 in the parish hall. IC recently thanked the Women’s Group for its donations of $1,000 to the St. Nicholas List and $500 toward office technology improvements.
Associate pastor Father Tim Sullivan, CSP, hosted his third annual Homeless Initiative dinner and fundraiser on Feb. 12. The Women’s Group prepared a spaghetti and pasta meal with salad and desserts for the event.
Sacred Heart, Knoxville
The latest Movie Night with a Priest was held Feb. 13, in Cathedral Hall and featured the 2022 film “Father Stu.” Father Mark Schuster led a discussion following the movie.
A Newcomers Reception & Ministry Fair was held Feb. 8 in Cathedral Hall.
St. John XXIII, Knoxville
Daily Mass times changed from 5:05 p.m. to noon effective Jan. 20. Confession times have been changed to 2:30 to 4 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday or by appointment.
St. Joseph the Worker, Madisonville
The women’s group will play the bunco dice game at its next meeting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, in the parish hall. Novice and seasoned players are welcome to attend.
The parish’s confirmation retreat will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 14, in the religious-education building. Bishop Mark Beckman will celebrate the confirmation Mass at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 19. St. Joseph youth will receive their first Holy Communion at a Mass at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 16.
St. Mary, Gatlinburg
The Saturday vigil Mass at St. Mary will begin at 4:30 p.m. starting on April 11. n
Parish notes continued from page B4
Catholic schools
Chesterton students carry on chalk-art tradition
‘Madonnari’ drawings now seen on driveways
or sidewalks hark back to 16th-century Italian Renaissance
Since 2009, the Dogwood Arts
Chalk Walk, an annual chalk art festival, has occupied Market Square in downtown Knoxville. Jim Dodson, co-chair of Chalk Walk, states: “Beginning with humble roots, this art experience has enriched our community and shown the public the importance and the power visual arts can play in our lives.”
Few people realize the rich history and Catholic tradition of sidewalk chalk art. This tradition continues at Knoxville’s Chesterton Academy of St. Margaret Clitherow, led by art and drama teacher Sonia Summers, an award-winning professional chalk artist.
Following in the footsteps of 16thcentury pilgrims of the Italian Renaissance, itinerant artists traveling from one town to another would use bits of brick and charcoal to draw artworks on the ground, frequently including images of the Madonna, the Blessed Virgin Mary. This earned them the name “madonnari.” The madonnari tradition itself had roots in Italian votive artwork, in which the faithful commissioned artists to create art to commemorate or give thanks for miraculous healing and answered prayers.
Madonnari continued to create transient art through the centuries, but the art form nearly died out in the 20th century because of industrialization and World War II. Journalist Maria Grazia Fringuellini and
an
at
and Child
Gilberto Boschesi, a member of the Gonzaga family of Mantua, rescued the madonnari from extinction by establishing the first madonnari festival in the town of Grazie di Curtatone. Although the first madonnari festival component took place in 1972, the location today boasts of having held the original fair for more than 600 years, coinciding with the feast of the Assumption of Mary.
Chalk art has remained a popular and unique art form, bridging the innocence of children’s sidewalk chalk with the sophistication of trained professional artists. During the shutdowns of 2020, neighbors connected by decorating their driveways and sidewalks with messages of hope and humor, sharing their galleries through social media and trading ideas and techniques.
Artists now often blend pop culture with the traditional, while
Artists gather Participants in last year’s
Chalk! competition,
who helped judge the 2025 competition.
Kingsport Knights hold annual free-throw competition Knights of Columbus Aldo J. Zazzi Council 6992 in Kingsport on Jan. 28 hosted its annual Free-Throw Championship in the parish life center gym at St. Dominic Church. Students from St. Dominic School attended and cheered as fourthand fifth-graders competed in the contest. A team of 13 Knights organized and ran the event. At the end of the competition, Grand Knight Kevin Musser awarded participation certificates to all fourth-graders, who shot free throws in a practice round, and fifth-grade contestants. District 20 Deputy John Flaherty awarded medals to the overall top girls and boys winners. Above are first-place finishers Liam Stewart and Josie Ebbert with event coordinator Bill Hewitt (left) and Mr. Flaherty.
some events still promote the classical. One such event is the Chesterton Academy’s competition and fundraiser “Chesterton Chalk!” The event encourages classical recreative artwork, especially featuring Catholic imagery in the madonnari tradition. Now in its third year, Chesterton Chalk! will take place on March 28, led by Mrs. Summers, and monies raised will benefit the school’s fine-arts program. Mrs. Summers also offers summer camps that explore the techniques and practice of sidewalk chalk art for the next generation of madonnari.
A physically demanding performance art, sidewalk chalk artists spend the day on hands and knees, scrubbing their palms into the pavement to bring forth something beautiful. This temporary artwork exists for the enjoyment of strangers, rich or poor, in the public square. With humility and connectivity, sidewalk chalk art brings about communion among people. In this way, the art form has remained true to its Catholic roots throughout the centuries.
Sonia Summers contributed to this article.
St. John Neumann eighth-grader places first in state in Knights’ essay contest Dominic Radish, an eighth-grade student in Jennifer Amori’s English class at St. John Neumann School in Farragut, finished first in the state in the Tennessee Knights of Columbus Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest. The contest required students to write between 500 and 750 words to answer the question: “Out of the 267 popes who have led the Catholic Church, who are your three favorite popes and why?” As the state winner, Dominic received a $50 gift card and a crucifix. His entry will compete in an international contest. Ms Amori’s class submitted 29 essays to be judged locally. Miranda Zendejas’ essay earned her second place. Dominic and Miranda both received a $100 award from Council 8781. The Knights council thanked Ms. Amori, participating students, and volunteer judges Chris Allen, Rosemary Calvert, Rob Girardi, Jennifer Hay, Patricia Krass, William Reed, Joey Rose, Shelley Rose, John Szabat, and John Walter. Council 8781 also thanked essay committee chair Vejas Liulevicius. In the group picture are (from left) Mr. Liulevicius, St. John Neumann principal Kelly Mechelke, Knights district deputy Jim Gold, the Radish family, Ms. Amori, and St. John Neumann pastor Father Mark Schuster. At left, Mr. Gold presents Dominic his awards.
COURTESY OF DAVE AUSTIN
Cathedral artist Chesterton Academy freshman Cameryn Lawson depicts the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in her chalk art.
St. Joseph student’s pavement work Lyla Jackson, a student at St. Joseph School in Knoxville, uses her chalk-art skills on an Easter/Calvary scene.
Chesterton
including Chesterton Academy students and other local artists, pose with Chesterton fine-arts teacher Sonia Summers and Katie Schmid,
Madonna
Professional chalk artist Sarah Shorter works on
image
Chesterton Academy.
COURTESY OF SONIA SUMMERS (4)
COURTESY OF WALT HANSON
Gala time at KCHS, NDHS, and Chesterton
Knoxville Catholic High School held its 15th annual Green & Gold Gala on Jan. 23 at the University of Tennessee’s Student Union Ballroom. The event, through silent and live auctions and a raise-thepaddle, raised a record $315,000 to support KCHS’s academic programs and campus enhancement. Tom and Mindy Coulter were honored as “Irish Legends” at the event. They are pictured at top with school president Dickie Sompayrac. Bishop Mark Beckman and Mr. Sompayrac are shown in the middle photo, and Father David Boettner is in the bottom photo. School alumnus Harrison Smith of the Minnesota Vikings also attended.
Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga, in its 150th-anniversary year, held its seventh annual Green & Gold Gala on Feb. 7 at The Chattanoogan Hotel. The event raised more than $275,000 that will go toward technology upgrades and more. In the top photo are the Wolff and Maounis families and friends. Below, school president Dr. Eric Schexnaildre speaks in front of the 150-year sign, and Amanda Goodhard counts the paddles.
Six KCHS football players sign with colleges and universities
Knoxville Catholic High School held its third signing day of the school year on Feb. 4, coinciding with National Signing Day, with six football players signing with colleges and universities.
Jeremy George-El signed with the University of Tennessee, Casen Jenkins and Jacob Rice with Emory & Henry University, Dominic Daddabbo with Morehead State University, George Mancini with Lafayette College, and Kaleb Johnson with Kentucky Wesleyan College.
Jeremy, an offensive lineman, led the Fighting Irish in pancake blocks with eight. Casen is a wide receiver who caught 25 passes for 510 yards and three touchdowns. Dominic, a
kingdom is to infiltrate that kingdom and conquer it from within. That is precisely what Jesus did. He entered the kingdom of death and conquered it from within. As such,
linebacker, totaled 87 tackles in the 2025 season.
Jacob was the highest-graded offensive lineman for KCHS. George played free safety and made 65 tackles with one interception for the Irish. Kaleb, a linebacker, recorded 60 tackles and three quarterback sacks. ■
death
our
the
The fourth annual Vision Gala benefiting the Chesterton Academy of St. Margaret Clitherow in Knoxville took place on Jan. 17 at the On Broadway Event Center. The gala raised $198,000 that will be used for hiring new teachers and an advancement director and planning for a campus expansion. Bishop Mark Beckman spoke and led the opening prayer. Chuck O’Donnell emceed, and headmaster Zach Summers was among the additional speakers. Chesterton music director Mary C. Weaver (top photo) led the choir in Mozart’s “Ave Verum Corpus” and the Scottish folk song “Loch Lomond.” Danny Davis (middle photo) gave a recitation of the St. Crispin’s Day speech from Shakespeare’s Henry V. Students danced (bottom photo) to the accompaniment of violinist Natalie Kimbro and bagpiper Katie Helms. A “Chesterton Follies” portion of the gala included games and a guessing contest as to the height of a stack of textbooks from all Chesterton classes (4 3/4 feet was the measurement).
According to www.beacontn.org/our-story, the Beacon Center in Nashville is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, and independent organization dedicated to providing expert empirical research and timely freemarket solutions to public policy issues in Tennessee.
JACLYN HOLLOWAY (2)
JOHN MECKLENBORG (2)
Deacon Hunt continued from page B6
ETHAN CROOK
COURTESY OF MARY JUNGELS (3)
DAN MCWILLIAMS (3)
Going to the next level Knoxville Catholic football players (from left) Dominic Daddabbo, Jeremy George-El, Casen Jenkins, Kaleb Johnson, George Mancini, and Jacob Rice signed with colleges and universities on Feb. 4 in the school’s St. Gregory the Great Auditorium.
Beacon Center hosts listening session with lawmakers at St. Joseph Beacon Center vice president of policy and advocacy Jack Powers (top photo, left) hosted a listening session with state lawmakers on the impact of Education Freedom Scholarships on the school community on Jan. 16 at St. Joseph School in Knoxville. With Mr. Powers are (from left) Rep. Justin Lafferty, Sen. Richard Briggs, school principal Andy Zengel, former Rep. Bill Dunn, Rep. Dave Wright, and Father Chris Michelson. Also attending were Sen. Becky Duncan Massey and Rep. Michele Carringer.
