July 2025 ET Catholic, B section

‘The

gift of Father Michael’s priesthood’

Bishop Beckman helps Father Cummins celebrate his 30th ordination anniversary on Pentecost Sunday

By Dan McWilliams

The St. Dominic community and friends and family of Father Michael Cummins filled the Kingsport church June 8 for a celebration of the pastor’s 30th anniversary of priestly ordination.

Bishop Mark Beckman presided at the Pentecost Sunday Mass. Both the Mass in the church and the dinner that followed in the parish life center were standing-room only. The honoree’s humble, quiet personality and his love of nature were evidenced in the speakers’ comments at each event.

“It is good to be together and celebrate the great feast of Pentecost, the day on which the gift of the Holy Spirit gave birth to the Church. Today, I know we’ve gathered folks from all over the diocese to in a special way celebrate the gift of Father Michael’s priesthood, for which we are so grateful,” the bishop said in his opening remarks at Mass. “We have many reasons this evening to be full of joy.”

The 30th-anniversary celebration was delayed five years, as the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 canceled Father Cummins’ silver-jubilee events.

Father Cummins delivered the homily at Mass. Twelve priests and 12 deacons also took part, including St. Dominic associate pastor Father Andrew Crabtree; Father Mike Creson, who as chaplain of the East Tennessee State University Catholic Center helped influence a young

Vocations: Strengthening the Call

Michael Cummins’ vocation; and Glenmary Father Francois Pellissier of Kingsport. Deacon Steve Helmbrecht was deacon of the Word, and Deacon Frank Fischer was deacon of the Eucharist.

A native of Johnson City, Father

Cummins has been pastor of St. Dominic Parish and its 1,300 families since 2014. He says he is a little partial to the Tri-Cities area, where he went to school at St. Mary in Johnson City and grew up in St. Mary Parish. Father Cummins is

the third of four boys, born to the late Jack and Betty Cummins, and his brother John was among the family present for his anniversary Mass.

“I love this area. I’m a little biFather Cummins continued on page B2

NFL vet gives back to Notre Dame with free camp

Fighting Irish alum Patrick Johnson of the Eagles helps 70 youngsters polish their football skills

By Dan McWilliams

NFL veteran Patrick Johnson, a 2017 graduate of Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga, gave back to his alma mater June 20 by hosting a free football camp attended by 70 boys and girls from around the city.

Mr. Johnson, also an alum of St. Jude School in Chattanooga, is a 6-foot-3, 248-pound outside linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles, who drafted him in the seventh round out of Tulane University in 2021. He played for the Eagles through September 2024, then appeared in 12 games for the New York Giants for the remainder of the season. On March 14, he signed a one-year contract with the Eagles, who are the defending Super Bowl champions. He was enthusiastic about his first youth camp at Notre Dame, held on the school’s Hunter Field and Jim Eberle Field.

“It’s been so much fun. We have kids from all around the city coming, kids who we weren’t expecting to show up, which I just love even more, that they feel comfortable enough and their parents feel comfortable enough to bring them out here and trusting me with the kids,” Mr. Johnson said. “It’s huge—I can finally give back to the teachers, the coaches, the kids who helped build me and made me throughout my life. The chance to come out here has just been great.” He said he “expects to do more camps in the years to come.”

Campers at Notre Dame during a break gathered around Mr. Johnson

and asked him a number of questions, including how long he has played football (since age 6), how he handles distractions, who he found most challenging to defend in the NFL (Tom Brady), how much he bench-presses (365 pounds), who his least-favorite NFL team is (Dallas), and which was the best high-school team he faced while at Notre Dame (Alcoa).

He was also asked about NFL standout running back Saquon Barkley and the toughest teams he played against in college, which included Oklahoma with Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Baker Mayfield in 2017, Ohio State in 2018, and Auburn in 2019.

a question-and-answer

Mr. Johnson, 27, is the fourth Notre Dame graduate to play in the NFL. Pat McHugh played for the Eagles from 1947-51. Reggie Mathis played for the New Orleans Saints from 1979-81 before going to the New Jersey Generals (1983) and the San Antonio Gunslingers (1985), both of the USFL. He later played in the Canadian Football League with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1985) before finishing his career in the Arena Football League with the Detroit Drive (1988-90).

Kareem Orr of Notre Dame played for the Tennessee Titans from 2019-20 and the Los Angeles Rams in 2021, winning a Super Bowl ring with the latter team. He was briefly

a member of the XFL’s Seattle Sea Dragons in 2023. Notre Dame alum Adarius Bowman played in the CFL from 2008-18 and again in 2022, winning a Grey Cup with the Edmonton Eskimos in 2015.

Mr. Johnson said he remembered “every single teacher who I’ve had here at Notre Dame and St. Jude,” including his high school head coach, Charles Fant, who led the Fighting Irish from 2012-23 and was an assistant at Mr. Johnson’s camp last month. He also mentioned camp helpers Bo Campbell, a Notre Dame football assistant coach, and Jason Campbell.

“The list can go on and on and Football camp continued on page B3

Three decades in the priesthood Bishop Mark Beckman and Father Michael Cummins share a laugh at the latter’s 30th-anniversary Mass held on Pentecost Sunday, June 8, at St. Dominic Church in Kingsport.

DAN MCWILLIAMS

Hands raised Patrick Johnson (standing, left) calls on a camper during

session at the camp the NFL player held at Notre Dame High School on June 20.

ased,” Father Cummins said, “but I think it’s the prettiest part of the diocese,” he added with a laugh.

The Diocese of Knoxville had just been formed in 1988 when Father Cummins entered Conception Seminary in Missouri.

“It was right after the split from Nashville, so I’d always been a Knoxville seminarian,” he recalled. “The enthusiasm, the excitement of starting something new, and the energy of the young Church in East Tennessee was wonderful.”

His first thoughts of being a priest came early in his life, Father Cummins said.

“I remember first thinking about it when I was in elementary school, and then thought some even in high school,” he said. “I even visited our parish priest at St. Mary’s in Johnson City, a Dominican priest.”

That was Father Richard Archer, OP, one of many Dominican Fathers who served at St. Mary when the order had the parish under its care from 1916 to 1995. Father Cummins grew up in the old St. Mary Church located downtown, which served the parish from 1931 to 1990, when Masses moved to a new multipurpose center on East Lakeview Drive. St. Mary School also moved to that location at that time, ahead of the new church’s dedication on the site in 2000.

Father Cummins remembered the old St. Mary Church on East Market Street.

“It was a beautiful little church on top of a hill, and I went to school there, which was even further up the hill,” he said. “I remember walking down the hill to go to the church twice a week, just the beauty of a simple little church with a deep wood and the smells and the colors of it all.”

The flame of Father Cummins’ vocation kept burning through what could have been a dry period for his faith, as he moved from St. Mary School after fifth grade to public school, then to Science Hill High School and ETSU, both in Johnson City.

“I’ll be honest—at that time my family wasn’t practicing very regularly, and I wasn’t coming to church often,” he said. “I still thought of priesthood, even though I wasn’t going to church. In my third year of college at ETSU, it was in fall semester that I felt a pull on my heart to go to the Catholic Center on campus. I met Father Mike Creson there, and I got involved in the Catholic

Center, and once I got re-involved in church and the community of church, the thought of priesthood just came forth full-force.”

Father Cummins said his love of nature “has always been there, but

I think it’s grown even more the past few years. I love getting out in creation. I love going on hikes, and I love watching wildlife and learning about nature. I’m a certified volunteer naturalist for the state—I went through that program. I just keep learning, and wonder keeps growing in everything I learn.”

The Kingsport pastor volunteers at the city’s Bays Mountain Park, where he has worked with the park’s gray wolves.

“It was being involved there that led me to Yellowstone and the times

that I’ve led retreats in Yellowstone. I’ve led four retreats in Yellowstone now,” he said.

Bishop Beckman and Father Cummins both love hiking.

“I haven’t had a chance to hike with him yet, but I know he loves nature, too, and getting out in creation,” Father Cummins said.

Father Cummins, 57, has served in numerous assignments for the Diocese of Knoxville in three decades, including his current role as vicar for priests. He has served as pas-

Father Cummins

Inspiration for vocation Father Cummins (left) poses with Father Mike Creson, who formerly served as chaplain at the ETSU Catholic Center and helped inspire a priestly vocation in a young Michael Cummins.

Glasses raised Bishop Beckman, Father Creson (right), and the entire gathering at the anniversary dinner raise a toast to Father Cummins.

Gift bearers Father Cummins’ friends Brad and Hannah Burgett and daughter Ramona of All Saints Parish in Knoxville bring forth the gifts at the anniversary Mass. Mr. Burgett spoke at the dinner following Mass.

Father Cummins continued on page B3

Youth bell choir performs The Angelic Ringers Youth Bell Choir helped provide music for Father Cummins’ 30th-anniversary Mass. From left are Patrick Reinhardt, Addisen Fain, Hannah White, Anneliese Barnette, Liz Lee, and Kaleb Mai.

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Saluting 30 years Father Cummins smiles as Bishop Beckman and the priests and deacons gathered give the 30th-anniversary priest a round of applause after Mass on June 8.

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St. Dominic watching over them Bishop Beckman, Father Cummins, and priests, deacons, and servers who took part in Father Cummins’ 30th-anniversary Mass gather for a photo outside St. Dominic Church following the liturgy, with an image of the parish patron behind them.

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DAN MCWILLIAMS

on. Bo Campbell and Coach Fant here, Jason Campbell, all of them— for them to come out here and help me out and set all this up, even the new coaches here, has been great. I’m really blessed to have them in my life,” said Mr. Johnson, who also wrestled and played baseball, basketball, and golf at Notre Dame.

He said he was thankful for his Catholic education, which spanned from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade at St. Jude to all four years at Notre Dame.

“They really taught me how I want to live my life, living by my faith, putting God first, and making sure I’m doing things that He would want me to do in my life, just to touch others,” Mr. Johnson said. “Any way I can touch others, especially with stuff like this camp, seeing smiles on kids makes it good for me.”

Mr. Johnson is back with the Eagles this season.

“I’m going into year five with them now. It’s been great. I love the organization. They’ve always treated me with respect. It’s another reason why I came back,” he said. “We have a really good team, coming off a Super Bowl win. I think we’re all done talking about it now, moving forward, because it’s one thing to win a championship. It’s hard to repeat, so we’re going to try and do it twice. We say, ‘Let’s not be the hunted. Let’s be the hunters.’ That’s the approach we’re going to take for this year, and that’s what we’re looking forward to.”

The Notre Dame grad set the career record for quarterback sacks with 24.5 at Tulane, where he played from 2017-20.

“I had a pretty nice career, I would say, and got drafted in the seventh round by the Philadelphia Eagles. And now I’m going on to year five with them,” Mr. Johnson said.

The NDHS alum played at Tulane with Chase Kuerschen, a safety who graduated from Knoxville Catholic High School in 2017. Both played in the Toyota East-West All-Star Classic held at Tennessee Tech in Cookeville on Dec. 9, 2016.

“My boy Chase—we came in together” at Tulane, Mr. Johnson said. “Chase was like the very first person I knew when we hit campus. We played in the All-Star game together at Tennessee Tech. I got the chance

tor of St. Mary in Athens, diocesan director of vocations, diocesan coordinator of vocation promotion, parttime associate pastor at St. MaryJohnson City, diocesan coordinator of youth ministry, and chaplain at ETSU, Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga, Knoxville Catholic High School, and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

“My assignments have been blessings,” he said. “I’ve been assigned in parishes, both as associate and pastor. I’ve been assigned at our high schools. I’ve been assigned at two of our Newman Catholic Centers. I’ve done vocation ministry, youth ministry, even deaf ministry for our small deaf community. I’ve done other roles in the diocese, so it’s been a lot of different things and blessings in all of them.”

Father Creson and the late Monsignor Bill Gahagan, the first diocesan priest to pastor St. Mary after the Dominicans’ departure, were among those who influenced Father Cummins’ vocation.

“Those are the two priests who have had the most influence on me,” he said.

Father Cummins was among three priests ordained at Sacred Heart Cathedral on June 3, 1995, by Bishop Anthony J. O’Connell.

“It was amazing, just being there with family and friends. It was just a wonderful celebration,” the 30th-anniversary priest said. “I do remember lying on the floor and just praying.

“Talking about nature—I remember the night before (ordination) I went out to a place in Johnson City that overlooked some hills. I remember just sitting there for a few hours that night reflecting on the priesthood and the possibility of

‘Very proud’ of her son Patrick Johnson’s mother, Leah, attended his football camp at Notre Dame along with his “Papaw,” Jerry Fitzgerald. Mrs. Johnson and Mr. Fitzgerald are parishioners of St. Jude in Chattanooga.

to sit down and talk with him and have lunch with him, so that was pretty cool. He had committed to Tulane at the time. We were kind of committed at the same time, so obviously we hit each other up, and so when we got to campus we hit it off, great guy.

“If I’m not wrong, (the All-Star Game) is actually how my coaches at Tulane found me. They were actually watching Chase’s film, and I caught their eye. Being at Notre Dame, it’s not a huge school. Obviously, we have good football around here, but it’s hard to get eyes on you by all the coaches around the country.”

Mr. Johnson’s mother, Leah, had mentioned Tulane to him, he said.

“She said, ‘Are you going to look at Tulane?’ I’m like, ‘I don’t really even know where Tulane is. I don’t think so, Mom,’ because I’m having all these other offers. And sure enough, when she said that, Mom always gets what she wants. Once she said you’re going there, I said all right,” Mr. Johnson said.

Patrick Johnson is the son of Leah and the late Kevin Johnson, whom he called a “huge role model” in life. Mrs. Johnson and Patrick’s grandfather, “Papaw” Jerry Fitzgerald, parishioners of St. Jude in Chattanooga, also attended the football camp at Notre Dame.

Having a grandson in the NFL “feels great,” Mr. Fitzgerald said.

this vocation.”

Father Cummins’ Mass of thanksgiving on June 4, the day after his ordination, also fell on Pentecost.

“The first Mass I celebrated as a priest was Pentecost,” he said.

COVID “knocked out” his 25thanniversary celebration, he noted.

“I had things planned, both the celebration and a sabbatical, but everything had to be canceled, so I figured 25 plus five—that works,” he said.

Father Cummins enjoys serving at St. Dominic, a large parish with a school and numerous ministries.

“There’s a lot of life here. It’s a growing community, an energetic community,” he said. “We have all sorts of age ranges, interests, people with skills and talents that they give. Our school brings a lot of life to the parish. It’s just a wonderful parish.”

Father Cummins began his homily by thanking Bishop Beckman for his presence.

“It means a lot that our shepherd is here to celebrate this beautiful feast day with us,” he said. “And to my brother priests, thank you. Thank you for being here, and thank you for the ministry that we share together. To my brother deacons, thank you. I was told by a professor in seminary, ‘Remember, you’ll always be a deacon longer than you’ll be a priest.’ There’s some wisdom to that. For my family, thank you. Thank you for being here. It means a lot.”

His parishioners and others present are his “family by grace,” he said. “I believe it. Thank you for being here, so many beautiful faces.”

Father Cummins’ voice broke as he began his next sentence.

“I love being a priest, and I love the Holy Spirit, and the two for me

Able assistants Patrick Johnson (center) had plenty of help leading his football camp at Notre Dame. With him are (from left) Fighting Irish assistant coach and defensive coordinator Bo Campbell, assistant coach Rob Walters, assistant coach TJ Ashley, head coach Brent Hill, assistant coach and strength and conditioning coach Abe Cates, assistant coach Nate Middlebrooks, former Notre Dame head coach Charles Fant, and assistant coach Todd Daniels.

Going deep A receiver goes out for a pass with a defender nearby in this drill held on Jim Eberle Field at Notre Dame during the Patrick Johnson football camp.

“I’m proud of him. He works really hard.”

The grandfather said Mr. Johnson’s time at Notre Dame helped him prepare for professional football “without a doubt, quite a bit. Coach Fant and the whole coaching staff played a big role in that,” he said.

Mrs. Johnson said she is “very proud” of her son.

“His hard work has definitely paid off,” she said.

Patrick Johnson is Mrs. Johnson’s middle child, coming between two daughters. His being in the NFL is “very surreal” but “wonderful, getting to see any of my kids be able to fulfill childhood dreams,” Mrs. Johnson said.

She said her son’s years at NDHS “definitely prepared him for college.

are connected,” he said.

At Conception, Father Cummins said he “learned to see the wind.”

“Conception Seminary College is in northwest Missouri. It’s in the middle of nowhere, sort of a flat area, maybe some rolling hills and just a few trees,” he said. “The seminary and monastery are surrounded by these hills with tall-standing, rich, green grass. One of the things I learned that I truly enjoy to do is that when the wind would begin to blow, and it blew a lot there in northwest Missouri, I would go to an elevated spot, and I would watch as the wind moved through the grass.

“I remember sometimes it was almost like ocean waves coming into a beach, just one wave after another, but then there were other times it was almost like the wind just sort of jumped around. It would start over here, but then all of a sudden it would stop, and all of a sudden it would start on another part of the hill, circling sometimes even in on itself. I learned to see the wind.”

He said that the faithful “come to know the Spirit” in a similar way.

“Jesus tells us that the Spirit is like the wind. It blows where it wills,” Father Cummins said. “And the way that we know the wind is by experiencing the wind. We feel it. We feel the coolness of the breeze. We experience the grass being blown around. Sometimes we see the power of the wind. The way we come to know the wind, the way we see the wind, is by experiencing the wind.

“I think that’s the way we come to know the Spirit. The Spirit has been given to us, given to us as Church, given to us each individually in our lives. The Spirit is given to strengthen us. It’s given to inspire

When he went away to Tulane, I remember him calling me up shortly after he started and thanking us for sending him here (Notre Dame). He saw how much more prepared he was for that level of education compared with some of his classmates and teammates.”

Brian Gill, director of athletics at Notre Dame, said the Patrick Johnson camp “is great for our school, great for our football program, just to have him come in here and do a free clinic. This is all free, for anybody in the public who could come out to it. It’s great for our school, and we thank him for doing that and giving back.”

The turnout was also great, Mr. Gill said, “just a great day for Notre Dame and Notre Dame football.” ■

us. It’s given to lead us forth, to give us the courage and the wisdom that we need, and I think the Spirit is also given to lead us home, to lead us home to the Father.”

The theme of being led home brought to mind Father Cummins’ favorite song, 1977’s “Solsbury Hill” by British artist Peter Gabriel.

“It’s my favorite pop song, to clarify,” he said to laughter. “I was in elementary school, and this song has stayed with me, and every time I hear it, it livens my heart.

“Listen to these words—they’re kind of apocalyptic. They’re almost scriptural in their imagery: ‘Climbing up on Solsbury Hill, I could see the city light. Wind was blowing, time stood still. Eagle flew out of the night. He was something to observe. Came in close I heard a voice, standing, stretching every nerve. I had to listen. I had no choice. I did not believe the information, just had to trust imagination. My heart going boom-boom-boom. “Son,” he said, “grab your things. I’ve come to take you home.”’

“Grab your things. I’ve come to take you home. The second chorus: ‘I was feeling part of the scenery. I walked right out of the machinery. My heart going boom-boom-boom. “Hey,” he said, “grab your things. I’ve come to take you home.”’ And the final chorus: ‘Today I don’t need a replacement. I’ll tell them what the smile on my face meant. My heart going boom-boom-boom. “Hey,” I said, “you can keep my things. They’ve come to take me home.”’ You can keep my things. In my interpretation, they, the Son and the Spirit, have come to take me home. The Spirit is given to us. The Spirit comes to take us home to the Father.” Priests “have a privileged spot, to

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Father Cummins continued on page B10

Father Cummins continued from page B2

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Chattanooga Deanery

St. Bridget, Dayton

The Women’s Council will gather to celebrate July and August birthdays on Tuesday, Aug. 5, at the home of parishioner Fran Durham on Watts Bar Lake. Knights of Columbus Council 11424 members continue their monthly visits to the Life Care Center in Dayton on first Thursdays. They have recently begun visiting Spring City Care & Rehabilitation Center on third Thursdays. Members and spouses are encouraged to participate in this ministry.

More than 70 parishioners enjoyed good food, friendship, and camaraderie as they celebrated pastor Father Jim Vick’s 26th ordination anniversary and Father’s Day on June 14 following the 5:30 p.m. vigil Mass. All men present received a bamboo pen with an inscribed Scripture verse as a gift, courtesy of the Women’s Council. Father Vick was ordained a priest June 10, 1999.

St. Jude, Chattanooga

The youth will wash cars for free, but will take donations, after the 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 12:15 p.m. Masses on Sunday, Aug. 3. Funds raised will help the youth attend the National Catholic Youth Conference and other conferences.

A bake sale June 28-29 supported Max Solis’ Eagle Scout project to build a storage unit for Notre Dame High School’s marching band.

The parish celebrated pastor Father Charlie Burton’s 45th anniversary of priestly ordination with a Mass and a potluck luncheon on July 10. Father Burton was ordained July 11, 1980.

A Mass for vocations was celebrated July 14 followed by a rosary.

A hike and rosary took place July 19 on a two-mile loop at Greenway Farms in Hixson.

Nancy Hoover, church relations director for Bethel Bible Village in Hixson, thanked parishioners for a recent food drive that raised more than $4,400 in food and paper donations.

The Respecting Life Ministry hosted a coffee and doughnuts event June 29 as members welcomed Catholic Charities of East Tennessee’s mobile ultrasound van to the church.

St. Mary, Athens

The Knights of Columbus will present the Silver Rose in a bilingual prayer service at 11:20 a.m., between the 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Masses, on Sunday, Aug. 3. The Silver Rose commemorates the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and it travels the United States before coming to Monterrey, Mexico. The Knights are looking for at least two Spanish-speaking parishioners to participate in the prayer service. For more information, call Orville Fisher at 707-501-7625.

The parish potluck family picnic will follow the 5 p.m. Mass on Saturday, Aug. 9, and run from about 6 to 9 p.m. Hamburgers, hot dogs, tea, and cake will be provided. There will be music as well as games and activities for all ages. Sign up in the narthex to bring a potluck dish.

St. Stephen, Chattanooga

A Women’s Welcome Weekend retreat to help participants “discover what’s missing in their lives and what to do about it” is set for Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 20-21, at the church. RSVP by visiting the information table in the vestibule after Masses or by calling formation leader Lindsey Smith at 417415-2177, retreat leader Vanessa Lara at 423-803-7203, or the parish office at 423-892-1261.

Anniversaries: Joseph and Anita D’Andrea (62), Don and Betty Manes (45) Cumberland Mountain Deanery

Blessed Sacrament, Harriman

The Ladies Guild is sending notes of

encouragement and appreciation, as well as small gift boxes, to members of the military, especially those who are deployed. Those with family members or friends serving who would like them included in the ministry should send their name and address to the church office, attention Ladies Guild, or give the information to any guild member at Mass. For more information, call Diane Poling at 727-420-0336.

The Building Committee is looking toward installing much-needed navelevel handicap bathrooms and handicap access to the church hall.

Blessed Sacrament thanked parishioners for donations that will allow the parish to completely cover the cost of a new HVAC system.

St. Francis of Assisi, Fairfield Glade

A rosary for the United States is prayed on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4 p.m. The Divine Mercy Chaplet is prayed on Mondays at 7:35 a.m.

The Fatima Adoration and Reparation Chaplet is prayed on Wednesdays at 7:25 a.m. Many prayers are being said for the 55 parishioners on the prayerrequest list and 14 in nursing homes.

The Council of Catholic Women’s annual rummage sale will be held Sept. 11-13 in the parish hall.

The parish has many new ministries, including a St. Vincent de Paul conference and faith-formation, pastoralcare, and safety-team ministries.

Anniversaries: Paul and Barbara Dahar (61), William and Gail Boland (57), Luke and Andrea Herbert (57), Robert and Marion Cope (56), James and Jacqueline Bronson (56), Jim and Kathy Veen (56), James and Margaret Snyder (56), David and Maralee Rivard (55), Roger and Suzette Hulgan (55), Vince and Sandy D’Alessandro (54), Arthur and Linda Meyer (54), Kenneth and Christine Kuczka (53), Raymond and Kathleen Pilon (53), Robert and Mary Terraforte (53), Mark and Maribeth Osmundsen (45), Edward and Judy Ostrowski (45), Joseph and Nancy Rhodes (25), Joseph and Patricia Mooney (20) St. John Neumann, Farragut

Knights of Columbus Council 8781 will hold a Back from Summer BBQ at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, in Seton Hall. The event includes a rosary, with a business meeting beginning at 7 p.m.

The Knights have raised $10,000 from the public and are hoping parishioners can help them reach a $15,000 goal in a fundraiser through July to benefit those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The funds will be split between the Shangri-la Therapeutic Academy of Riding (STAR) in Lenoir City and The Arc of Knox County/Sunshine Services.

A Newcomers Adult Social Barbecue

Buffet is scheduled for 5:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at 12000 Grigsby Chapel Road in Farragut. The event is hosted by the SJN Welcome Committee. Dress is casual. RSVP by Monday, Aug. 4, to welcometosjn@gmail.com For more information, call Jane at 865-675-3930.

The annual Trivia Night Adult Social with potluck will take place Saturday, Aug. 23, in the school gym. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Those attending may bring a table of eight for a team or RSVP as a single or smaller group. E-mail sjnccwomensclub@gmail.com to RSVP. For the potluck, those with last names starting with A-F should bring a side dish, G-L a dessert, M-S an appetizer, and T-Z a main dish. The event is for adults only and BYOB. Prizes will be awarded to the winners.

She Shall Be Called Woman will resume this fall with the theme “Love Unveiled.” The nine-week program begins Saturday, Sept. 6, in Seton Hall from 6:30 to 7:45 a.m. The program explores what it means to embody the identity of Christ’s Bride in the world.

On June 29, a farewell Mass for Father Michael Maples and a reception to

Parish notes continued on page B8

Bishop Beckman blesses an icon of Mary at St. Francis-Fairfield Glade

Bishop Mark Beckman blessed an icon of Mary on June 23 at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Fairfield Glade.

The icon was installed Feb. 18 on the sanctuary wall next to the crucifix. The artist, Sabiha Mujtaba, delivered and installed the icon, which she worked on for a year and a half.

On the weekend of Feb. 22-23, the parish celebrated special liturgies honoring the Blessed Mother. The events included special prayers, white vestments, and Marian hymns, with refreshments following in Sheehan Hall. All parish ministries that pray the rosary before their meetings were present for the liturgies.

“I am humbly convinced that placing a very prominent icon of Mary glorified beside her Son into our sanctuary is a message for our time, so much are we in need of a message of hope,” St. Francis of Assisi pastor Father Michael Woods wrote to parishioners. “Calling Mary forward from her solitary place and placing her prominently beside Jesus, pointing to Him on the cross as the way, is a graphic reminder of the intention of God from the beginning. We need to call this to mind again and again and again. God does not want us separated, isolated, and left to ourselves. It’s why God the Father sent Jesus, born of Mary, to save and unite us.”

The icon “is not just Mary’s story of union with Jesus, profound in itself. It is also our story with Mary, our Mother,” Father Woods continued, “inviting us to believe in her Son. However, if you are like me, a sinner in need of God’s grace, we

need to be reminded and encouraged constantly, outwardly and inwardly, in all kinds of ways, to live this life of faith in Jesus, our Lord and merciful savior.

“Nobody, but nobody, lived this life of heroic faith as did our Blessed Mother Mary, God’s uniquely created one. She is God’s masterpiece and messenger who allowed God to work in her as He willed. ‘Let whatever you say be done to me,’ she said. And Mary, ‘full of grace’ proclaimed and acknowledged the source of her gift. ‘He that is mighty has done great things for me. Holy is His name.’

“We here at St. Francis of Assisi . . . call Mary forward into our sanctuary beside her Son because she has so much to teach us about trust in God. As St. John Paul II said, ‘Mary is a kind of “key” that unlocks the innermost mystery of God’s relationship with us.’ In fact, Mary’s cousin, Elizabeth, identified that ‘key’ when she said, ‘Blessed is she who believed that the Lord’s words to her would be fulfilled.’ The key? Mary believed! She believed when everything around her seemed to be ‘a contradiction,’ especially at the foot of the cross. So, let us humbly welcome this timely, simple gesture of faith and veneration, which we have been preparing for some time. It is our hope that this visible icon of Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, placed next to her Son in resurrection and intercession, will be a source of hope and inspiration for all who come to pray. Thank you for supporting this holy endeavor.” ■

‘Our story with Mary, our Mother’ Bishop Mark Beckman on June 23 blesses an icon of Mary placed next to the crucifix at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Fairfield Glade.

COURTESY OF MAGGIE SCHROEDER

DAN MCWILLIAMS

Kitchen crew assists at Kingsport men’s conference

The kitchen crew of (from left) Janet Evans, Betty MacDougall, Patty Evans, and Madeline Egan kept the attendees well-fed at the recent fourth annual Appalachian Highlands Men’s Conference hosted by St. Dominic Parish in Kingsport. A total of 112 men from 17 parishes took part in the event.

COURTESY OF RALEIGH COOPER

Knights save diocese money by mowing grass at retreat center

Members of Knights of Columbus Council 8576 at St. Jude Parish in Chattanooga recently mowed the grass at Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton. Knights maintaining the grass at the retreat center save the diocese at least $5,000 a year. From left are Lee Norris, Raleigh Cooper, Fos Goodwin, Bob Bomar, Tom Carpenter, and Dave Cowan.

A Very Special Day with the Bishop, a faith-filled day of fun for specialneeds individuals and their families, will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, at St. John Neumann Church in Farragut (note new site). Bishop Mark Beckman will celebrate Mass at 10 a.m. Following Mass will be activities and skits, and the day will end with lunch. Students from the Chesterton Academy of St. Margaret Clitherow in Knoxville will be leading the activities. RSVP by Saturday, July 26, at dioknox.org/events/ the-bishops-very-special-day-2025

St. Jude Parish in Chattanooga is hosting a deanery-wide multiweekend Fanning the Flame event in August. The experience is inspired by the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress. Each weekend will include a mix of praise music, personal testimonies, moments of reflection, and video messages from the Congress. Saturday mornings will begin with a rosary, and Mass will be celebrated to conclude the final gathering Sunday, Aug. 17. Adoration and opportunities for prayer will also be a part of the event. Middle and high school students are invited to breakout sessions featuring praise music, activities, and messages geared for teens. Weekend one will feature the themes “From the Four Corners” from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, and “The Greatest Love Story” from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2. The second weekend offers “Into the Gethsemane” from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9. The final weekend will have sessions on “This Is My Body” from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, and “To the Ends of the Earth” from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17. Costs are $12 per weekend or $30 for all three weekends for adults, $10 per weekend or $25 for all three weekends for children 17 and under (first two children in family are paid, additional children free), and free for clergy and religious. Register or learn more at stjudechattanooga.org/ fanning-the-flame/

Singers, choir directors, organists, clergy, and others interested in sacred music are invited to the 10th Southeastern Summer Sacred Music Workshop, to be held midday Friday, July 25, through Saturday, July 26, at Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Baton Rouge, La. The workshop is an ideal opportunity for participants to learn Gregorian chant or improve their chant skills and to prepare and sing polyphonic music for Mass Saturday afternoon. Presentations will include the history and purpose of Gregorian chant, what the Church teaches about sacred music, improving parish music programs on a limited budget, free online sources of liturgical music, and more. Cost of the workshop, including all materials, is $135 per person. Online registration is available now. Southeastern Sacred Music is a chapter of the Church Music Association of America. For more information, visit southeasternsacredmusic.com

The second Knoxville Polish Festival is set for 6:15 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, following the 5 p.m. vigil Mass. The event will include live performances, a raffle, traditional Polish dishes, and authentic Polish beer. The Mazury Folk Dance Ensemble from Atlanta will perform at 6:15 and 7:30 p.m. The Taste of Poland plate for $10 will be filled with a variety of delicious traditional favorites. An entry fee of $1 will help support the event. See the link to the event’s Facebook page at dioknox.org/events/ knoxville-polish-festival-2025

The 16th annual Irish Fest on the Hill, hosted by Immaculate Conception Parish in downtown Knoxville, is set for 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9. Those attending may enjoy Irish food, drinks, dessert, and music, and take part in a silent auction. A Gaelic games demonstration will be held. Music will be performed on two stages and feature Red-Haired Mary, Knoxville Pipes & Drums, Jeff Nelson, Nancy Brennan Strange and Friends, Four Leaf Peat, the Tennessee Irish Dancers, Tim and Cherry on the Strings, The Missing Goats, and Tracy Jenkins & Will MacMorran. There will also be tours of Immaculate Conception Church, one of the oldest Catholic

churches in the Diocese of Knoxville. Supporters of the event can become a sponsor at various levels: Luck o’ the Irish, $2,000 (includes 12 tickets); Shamrock, $1,000 (includes eight tickets); Celtic, $500 (includes six tickets); Claddagh, $250 (includes four tickets); or Leprechaun, $100 (includes two tickets).

To donate items for the silent auction or become a sponsor, contact Becky Birdwell at birdwellent@bellsouth.net

Volunteers are needed for food and Tshirt sales, setup, and cleanup. Call Beth Wolf at 865-679-0535 to help. Admission to the fest is $15 (kids free).

A Picture of Love retreat for engaged couples is scheduled for 6:45 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12 (including Mass celebrated by Father David Carter), and 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga. This marriage-preparation 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-sept-2025. Registration deadline is Monday, Sept. 1. Late registrations are accepted if space allows (cost is $200 by credit card only). Also at the websites 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. Contact Carolyn Krings at 865584-3307 or ckrings@dioknox.org for more information.

A Hundredfold Vocation Workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at All Saints Church in Knoxville. The event offers a dynamic day of inspiration and practical tools to help promote vocations in your parish or to reignite your current efforts. The event has a goal of working together to build up the Church through holy priests, Sisters, and marriages. The day includes Mass with Bishop Mark Beckman. Lunch is provided. Register at dioknox.org/events/ vocation-parish-workshop

Notre Dame Parish in Greeneville will hold its annual Fall Festival of Nations from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20. Those attending may sample food from around the world, with more than a dozen countries represented in the International Food Court along with a USA Tent and a Mexico Tent. Free entertainment will take place all day, and there will also be a silent auction, a bake sale, a yard sale, vendors and crafters, displays, an art show, a quilt show, a raffle, games, activities, and more. Vendor applications, sponsor forms, and T-shirt order forms can be found at www.notredamechurchtn. org/festival-of-nations-1

St. Mary Parish in Oak Ridge will celebrate its 75th annual Fall Festival on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 1718. The festivities begin Friday with a spaghetti dinner hosted by the Knights of Columbus that also features a live auction. On Saturday, the festival will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. rain or shine with live entertainment all day; a hayride to a pumpkin patch; regional vendors offering handmade goods, crafts, and seasonal treats; the White Elephant Sale; tamales and more at the Cantina Booth; classic carnival games, inflatable attractions, and more; face painting; and a silent auction. For more information, contact the parish office at 865-482-2875 or follow St. Mary on Facebook at SaintMary OakRidge and on Instagram.

The National Catholic Youth Con-

Calendar continued on page B8

St. Stephen golf tournament raises more than $8,500 After it was rained out in early May, the 17th annual St. Stephen Golf Tournament was held May 31 at Brainerd Golf Course in Chattanooga. Seventy-one players braved swamp-like conditions in the Chattanooga parish’s most successful golf tourney ever, with 18 volunteers and 40 sponsors contributing. More than $8,500 was raised for community activities at St. Stephen, of which the largest is a fall family picnic. The winning team (pictured above) scored 15 under par. From left are John “JP” Pruitt, Chris Adams, Andy Lane, and Sean Kennedy. At left is Elaine Williams, who baked cookies for the golfers as they made the turn. Harry Mackey provided a barbecue lunch.

At a recent meeting, the Serra Club of Chattanooga inducted new members and installed officers for the upcoming year. New members are

at top with their sponsors. From left are Raleigh Cooper, Glenn Garvett, Matt Wilert, Betty Anne Neal, Kelly McEntire, Father Alex Hernandez, Fos Goodwin, Ivonne Weidner, Priscilla McLean, Sandra Royal, Matt Lubaway, Cathy Rymer, Christina Colona, Elaine Holland, and Mike St. Charles. New officers are pictured at bottom. From left are (front row) Betty Anne Neal, incoming president; Raleigh Cooper, outgoing president; and Ivonne Weidner, president-elect; and (back row) Fos Goodwin, treasurer; Liz Hutenburg, vice president for vocations; Priscilla McLean, trustee; Judy Speck, secretary; Marylynn Casula, vice president for programs; and Glenn Garvett, vice president for membership.

COURTESY OF JOHN VANNUCCI (2)

COURTESY OF RALEIGH COOPER (2)

Chattanooga Serrans induct new members, install officers

pictured

COURTESY OF MARGARITA AUDETTE

Our Lady of Fatima CCW elects new officers

The Council of Catholic Women at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Alcoa elected new officers on May 12. They were installed on Pentecost Sunday, June 8. From left are Our Lady of Fatima pastor Father Peter Iorio, spiritual adviser to the CCW; Margarita Audette, president; Val Doolittle, vice president; Pat Livingston, recording secretary; Diane Flynn, treasurer; and Cheryl Land, conductor of ceremonies and a past CCW president.

Praying for Perspective by George Valadie

Dads and daughters and a day at the pool

Exhilaration and exasperation are common themes with family vacations

She was all of 3. Maybe. He was 33. At least. But she was winning. By a lot.

“Come on, you can do it. Just jump,” he said. Her brain was all about it. Her legs? Not so much.

“I’m right here. I’ll catch you,” he encouraged.

She had a different plan. “Hold my hands.”

“No, you can do this. I’m right here. You know I won’t let anything happen to you,” he reassured.

This oft-seen drama was unfolding anew right in front of us as we laid back in our pool chairs, pretending to read but silently cheering for the little lady. All the while remembering when our now-adult girls had been that age.

And hoping—as her dad was— and just as I had those many years ago—that she would work up the courage to do what we all knew she so badly wanted to do. Just leap.

Though “leap” might be stretching it. Dad was in the pool; she was on the steps. Not up on the side, nor even on the top step; rather, she was there on the first step.

She leaned his way a time or two then tried bending her knees to coil up before springing out into his arms. Ready! Set! Almost go! Fear had paralyzed her, though they couldn’t have been more than 6 inches apart. Still, he felt the need to get louder. “Are you gonna jump or not? You did yesterday. Now come on, jump,” he exhorted. Maybe hollered. Maybe frustrated. “Or I’m taking you back to your mother.”

She wore the cutest little pink one-

Ipiece with what felt like a matching swimmies vest. Arms and chest wrapped, she wouldn’t have gone under if she’d launched herself from a 30-foot platform.

You could tell she wanted so badly to let go, to let herself fall into his arms. But she couldn’t.

Not yet. No matter what he said or how loud he said it.

Across the way, on the other side of the pool, was a family of four. Mom was stretched out in the sun, their 12-year-old son in the pool, diving left and right for the mini-football his father was passing with him.

But Dad was also multitasking.

While throwing his best spiral, he and their 14-year-old daughter were also dancing on the pool’s edge, rocking out to the disc jockey’s tunes wafting across the deck.

Rolling his hips and keeping rhythm to the beat—sorta—he was all in as the father-daughter duo performed some sort of synchronized line dance. And they were pretty good, too. This wasn’t their first time to dance together.

Lost in wherever they were, both were oblivious to—or didn’t care— that our resort pool was packed on this holiday weekend. Her every move was graceful; he was just trying to keep up.

Not every step was synchronized, but both did flash big, broad, matching smiles. I could almost remember those days, too, the ones before I seemed to so easily embarrass our girls.

“Dad! Stop!” And then they’d disappear underwater, only to resurface 20 feet away with “Mom, make him stop!”

Thoughts and Prayers for the Faithful by

An hour later, Nancy and I were floating in the pool ourselves. (She had successfully coaxed me into jumping in.)

And that’s when we caught sight of a different scenario. Twelve chairs down from ours sat a teenage girl in tears. And beside her sat her dad.

We couldn’t hear a thing, but it wasn’t hard to imagine every word.

“Honey, I’m so sorry.”

Tears.

“I hate that he broke up with you. I know that has to hurt.”

Tears.

“I know it might not seem that way right this minute, but you will meet another guy. You’ll like him more. And he will be the sort who appreciates the awesome girl that I know you are.”

A hug. A kiss on the forehead.

“Why don’t you come get in the pool with me?”

I think she wanted to, but she wouldn’t jump either.

Through the years, we’ve stayed at this particular hotel more than once. Perfectly manicured, right on the ocean, and free towels everywhere. There are multiple restrooms nearby, which is more important than it used to be. With food and drinks closer than that.

There’s also an adults-only pool across the way. But we’ve never set foot in it. We love people-watching, especially the families with kids. And especially since they’re not ours to worry with.

I couldn’t help wondering what life might be like for these same three families if they happen to return here in a year or two or 20.

Three dads who—at the moment

Deacon Bob Hunt

anyway—could have no idea what lies ahead.

I imagined one father who will someday swap places with his daughter and shed tears of his own as he walks her down the aisle because he was right—and she did indeed find the boy of her dreams.

Another who’s not likely to get that many more chances to dance with his daughter—at least not in front of other people. We dads have been known to humiliate our teens now and again. Sometimes it’s when we dance; sometimes basic breathing is all it takes. (Though there is that wedding dance coming their way.)

And one last dad who can’t fully appreciate just how successful he will be in raising a fearless young lady who won’t hesitate to leap— into learning, into love, into life.

“I’m right here. You know I won’t let anything happen to you.” Words that matter … words that stick.

Before the day was over, his patience and her bravery won the day. And she did indeed jump. And as often happens, she jumped again. And again. And again. And again. And …

She smiled, he smiled, and so did a nearby mom and dad who kind of wished they could do those days all over again.

Dear God—They are your greatest gifts. May we enjoy their every day— even the trying ones. 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.”

Why will there be a Last Judgment?

The reasons include revealing for all to see the fullness of God’s justice and glory

n the Book of Revelation 5:1-5, John describes a vision of a new heaven and new earth that represents the culmination of God’s kingdom. The old order has passed away. The sea is no more. The sea here represents the dwelling place of the beast, the place of darkness and chaos. It will be gone, for in this new heaven and new earth there will be no chaos and no darkness, and the forces of evil will have no sway. In John’s vision, the holy city, Jerusalem, comes down from heaven. This is where God dwells among His people in the temple. God will dwell in that city with His people, in the new heaven and new earth that will be a part of God’s redemptive plan. When we die, we will come before Jesus our judge for the particular judgment. This is where we stand before Christ, and He judges us as righteous or unrighteous. If we follow Christ and remain faithful to Him, take up our cross and follow Him, unite our sufferings with His, and put our hope in the joy of the resurrection, then Christ will judge us as righteous and bring us into His heavenly abode where, along with the Blessed Virgin, the saints, and angels, we will await the consummation of God’s plan of redemption. We will see God face-to-face in what is called the beatific vision At the end of time, there will be the Last Judgment. Of the Last Judgment, the Catechism of the Catholic Church says in paragraph 1038: “The resurrection of the dead, ‘of both the just and the unjust’ (Acts 24:15), will precede the Last Judgment. This will be ‘the hour when all who are in the tombs will hear [the Son of Man’s] voice and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection

of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment’ (John 5:28-29).” Christ will come in glory at this time, with all His angels, and He will separate the righteous from the unrighteous. The unrighteous will go to eternal punishment, and the righteous to eternal life (Matthew 25:31, 32, 46).

Why, if there is a particular judgment when the eternal destiny of each is revealed, will there be a Last Judgment? Three reasons: First, to reveal for all to see the fullness of God’s justice and glory. At the Last Judgment, the Catechism says in paragraph 1040: “We shall know the ultimate meaning of the whole work of creation and of the entire economy of salvation and understand the marvelous ways by which [God’s] Providence led everything toward its final end. The Last Judgment will reveal that God’s justice triumphs over all the injustices committed by His creatures and that God’s love is stronger than death.”

Second, at the Last Judgment, the full implications and consequences of the good and evil we have done will be realized. The impact of our good deeds, as well as our evil acts, on our children, our spouses, our friends and loved ones, the Church, and the larger community down through the years will be fully revealed to us. Finally, at the particular judgment, our souls alone will stand before Christ in judgment. But we are body and soul. At the Last Judgment, our bodies will have been resurrected, united once more with our souls. It is fitting that as body and soul, as full persons, we be judged at the Last Judgment. John’s Gospel tells us that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14a). God was present in

Jesus of Nazareth as the Incarnation of the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. He came among us as one of us, like us in all things except sin. When He ascended into heaven, He promised that He would send the Holy Spirit to guide us in all things necessary for our salvation and gave us the promise, “I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20b).

Just so, at the end of the age, God will dwell among us: “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will always be with them [as their God]” (Revelation 21:3). In God’s dwelling with His people, in the new Jerusalem come down from heaven, God “will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, [for] the old order has passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

Christ speaks of His glory. “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him” (John 13:31). In the Scriptures, the Lord’s glory is a manifestation of His presence, and Jesus as Son of Man refers to Himself as the one who comes down from heaven to reveal the Father, and the one who is sacrificed for the world’s salvation. So, here we have again the promise of God’s presence. God the Father is glorified in Christ’s act of loving obedience and sacrifice, and the Father will glorify Christ by raising Him from the dead and sitting Him in glory at His right hand.

But before all of this, Christ must prepare His disciples, to prepare us, for the time when He will be physically absent, from the time of His death on the cross until His resurrection, and then again from the time

of His ascension into heaven until His second coming. To prepare His disciples, Jesus gives us a new commandment: love one another (John 13:34). As Jesus loves us, we are to love one another. This radical love is manifested in obedience to the will of the Father out of love for God, and in imitation of Jesus’ self-giving sacrifice on the cross out of love for others. This radical love is to be the defining characteristic of a disciple of Jesus. How can we love as Jesus loved? By participating in His sacrifice. At every Mass, the one sacrifice of Christ is made present on the altar, so that those gathered may participate in that sacrifice. We come to the altar bringing our sins and our failures but also our renewed dedication to the life of Gospel joy. We place that on the altar of Christ as we remember His sacrifice and receive Him into ourselves, becoming more like Christ as we do so. We then take the Christ we have become out into this world so sorely in need of Him. We are the presence of Christ in this place, in this time.

This is what it means to love one another: to be the presence of Christ in this world. If we are conscious of who we are in this world, conscious of our mission to be Christ in this world, then the glory of God will be revealed through us. We can then have confidence that, when Christ comes again and we stand before Him in judgment, He will have prepared for us our place in that new heaven and new earth.

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

Deacon Bob Hunt is a husband, father, grandfather, and parishioner at All Saints Church in Knoxville.

The Eucharist and the sacrament of holy orders

The interplay between them goes back to the Upper Room, where they were instituted

All the sacraments are bound up with the Eucharist and are directed toward it. For in the most blessed Eucharist is contained the entire spiritual wealth of the Church, namely Christ himself.”1 In my May column, I looked at the relationship between the Eucharist and the sacrament of reconciliation/penance. On June 7, Bishop Mark Beckman ordained two men to the priesthood, Father A.J. Houston and Father Renzo Alvarado Suarez, so in this column I want to discuss the relationship between the Eucharist and the sacrament of holy orders, specifically the priesthood.2

The Eucharist and the priesthood were both instituted at the Last Supper. “On the night before he died, Jesus instituted the Eucharist and at the same time established the priesthood of the New Covenant.”3 He instituted the Eucharist when He gave the disciples the bread and chalice and said, “This is my body” and “This is my blood,” and He instituted the priesthood when He commanded them, “Do this in remembrance of me.” St. John Paul II, reflecting on this command, wrote to priests, “As He pronounced the words ‘Do this...,’ Jesus’ thoughts extended to the successors of the Apostles, to those who would continue their mission by distributing the food of life to the very ends of the earth. In some way, then, dear brother priests, in the Upper Room we, too, were called personally, each one of us, ‘with brotherly love.’”4 Like the Eucharist, the priesthood is a mystery of faith. “The same mystery of sanctification and love, the work of the Holy Spirit, which makes the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ, is at work in the person of the minister at the moment of priestly ordination. There is a particular inter-

play between the Eucharist and the priesthood, an interplay which goes back to the Upper Room: these two sacraments were born together, and their destiny is indissolubly linked until the end of the world.”5

The integral relationship between the Eucharist and the priesthood is emphasized in the formation program preparing men for the priesthood. Because ordination brings about a unique conformation to Christ, “‘candidates for ordination must, above all, be formed in a truly living faith in the Eucharist,’ in view of what they shall live after priestly ordination. Participation in the daily celebration of the Eucharist, which naturally flows into eucharistic adoration, should permeate the life of the seminarian in such a way that a constant union with the Lord may mature.”6 St. John Paul II wrote that seminarians “should be trained to consider the eucharistic celebration as the essential moment of their day, in which they will take an active part and at which they will never be satisfied with a merely habitual attendance.” They should also “be trained to share in the intimate dispositions which the Eucharist fosters: gratitude for heavenly benefits received, because the Eucharist is thanksgiving; an attitude of self-offering, which will impel them to unite the offering of themselves to the eucharistic offering of Christ; charity nourished by a sacrament, which is a sign of unity and sharing; the yearning to contemplate and bow in adoration before Christ, who is really present under the eucharistic species.”7

The rite of ordination to the priesthood, which is always celebrated within Mass, highlights the newly ordained priest’s relationship to the Eucharist. At the conclusion of the rite of ordination, the bishop presents the new priest with a paten holding

the bread and a chalice containing the wine mixed with water for the celebration of the Mass. The new priest kneels before the bishop, who places them in the hands of the newly ordained and says, “Receive the oblation of the holy people to be offered to God. Understand what you do, imitate what you celebrate, and conform your life to the mystery of the Lord’s cross.”8 This signifies the priest’s “duty of presiding at the celebration of the Eucharist and of following Christ crucified.”9 St. John Paul II, in an address to priests, noted the intrinsic relationship between ordination and the Eucharist: “Through our ordination—the celebration of which is linked to the holy Mass from the very first liturgical evidence—we are united in a singular and exceptional way to the Eucharist. In a certain way we derive from it and exist for it.”10

The hallmark of the priestly ministry is pastoral charity, and this “finds its full expression and its supreme nourishment in the Eucharist.”11 The pastoral charity of every priest “flows out in a very special way from the eucharistic sacrifice. This stands as the root and center of the whole life of a priest. What takes place on the altar of sacrifice, the priestly heart must make his own. This cannot be done unless priests through prayer continue to penetrate more deeply into the mystery of Christ.”12 In addition, the priest receives from the Eucharist “the grace and obligation to give his whole life a ‘sacrificial’ dimension.”13

At the Last Supper, Jesus called the Apostles “friends” (John 15:16). In a letter to priests, St. John Paul II offered a beautiful description of Christ’s friendship with priests in the Eucharist: “Could Jesus have expressed his friendship for us [priests] in a more eloquent way than by allowing us, priests of the New Cove-

Daily readings

Tuesday, July 15: Memorial of St. Bonaventure, bishop and doctor of the Church, Exodus 2:1-15; Psalm 69:3, 14, 30-31, 33-34; Matthew 11:20-24

Wednesday, July 16: Exodus 3:1-6, 9-12; Psalm 103:1-4, 6-7; Matthew 11:25-27

Thursday, July 17: Exodus 3:13-20; Psalm 105:1, 5, 8-9, 24-27; Matthew 11:28-30

Friday, July 18: Exodus 11:10–12:14; Psalm 116:12-13, 15-18; Matthew 12:1-8

Saturday, July 19: Exodus 12:37-42; Psalm 136:1, 23-24, 10-15; Matthew 12:14-21

Sunday, July 20: Genesis 18:1-10; Psalm 15:2-5; Colossians 1:24-28; Luke 10:38-42

Monday, July 21: Exodus 14:5-18; Exodus 15:1-6; Matthew 12:38-42

Tuesday, July 22: Feast of St. Mary Magdalene, Song of Songs 3:1-4;

Psalm 63:2-6, 8-9; John 20:1-2, 11-18

Wednesday, July 23: Exodus 16:1-5, 9-15; Psalm 78:18-19, 23-28; Matthew 13:1-9

Thursday, July 24: Exodus 19:1-2, 9-11, 16-20; Daniel 3:52-56; Matthew 13:10-17

Friday, July 25: Feast of St. James, Apostle, 2 Corinthians 4:7-15; Psalm 126:1-6; Matthew 20:20-28

Saturday, July 26: Memorial of Sts. Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Exodus 24:3-8; Psalm 50:1-2, 5-6, 14-15; Matthew 13:24-30

Sunday, July 27: Genesis 18:20-32; Psalm 138:1-3, 6-8; Colossians 2:1214; Luke 11:1-13

Monday, July 28: Exodus 32:15-24, 30-34; Psalm 106:19-23; Matthew 13:31-35

Tuesday, July 29: Memorial of Sts. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, Exodus 33:7-11 and 34:5-9, 28; Psalm 103:613; John 11:19-27 Wednesday, July 30: Exodus 34:29-

nant, to act in His name? This is what happens in all our priestly service… especially when we celebrate the holy Eucharist. We repeat the words spoken by Him over the bread and wine, and, through our ministry we effect the same consecration as effected by Christ. Can there be a more complete expression of friendship than this? This is what is at the very core of our priestly ministry.”14 ■

1 Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests, 5

2 The sacrament of holy orders comprises three degrees, two degrees of ministerial participation in the priesthood of Christ—bishops and priests—and the diaconate, intended to help and serve them (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1554).

3 The Sacrament of Charity, 23

4 Letter to Priests for Holy Thursday, 2004

5 Letter to Priests for Holy Thursday, 2004

6 The Gift of the Priestly Vocation, The Congregation for Clergy, 104

7 I Will Give You Shepherds, St. John Paul II, 48

8 Ordination of a Bishop, of Priests, and of Deacons, 163

9 Ordination of a Bishop, of Priests, and of Deacons, 113 10 Dominicae Cenae, 2. “The Church teaches that priestly ordination is the indispensable condition for the valid celebration of the Eucharist,” The Sacrament of Charity, 23

11 I Will Give You Shepherds, 23

12 Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests, 14

13 I Will Give You Shepherds, 23

14 Letter to Priests for Holy Thursday 1997

Father Randy Stice is director of the diocesan Office of Worship and Liturgy. He can be reached at frrandy@dioknox.org.

Basilica holds Corpus Christi procession Parishioners of the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga participated in an outdoor procession on Corpus Christi Sunday, June 22, as did many of the faithful throughout the diocese. The celebrant at the basilica was associate pastor Father Michael Hendershott (left photo), with Deacon Hicks Armor serving as master of ceremonies, assisted by seminarian Eli Holt. Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus from Father Patrick Ryan Assembly 1084 provided an honor guard (above).

35; Psalm 99:5-7, 9; Matthew 13:44-46

Thursday, July 31: Memorial of St. Ignatius of Loyola, priest, Exodus 40:16-21, 34-38; Psalm 84:3-6, 8, 11; Matthew 13:47-53

Friday, Aug. 1: Memorial of St. Alphonsus Liguori, bishop and doctor of the Church, Leviticus 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34-37; Psalm 81:3-6, 10-11; Matthew 13:54-58

Saturday, Aug. 2: Leviticus 25:1, 8-17; Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 7-8; Matthew 14:1-12

Sunday, Aug. 3: Ecclesiastes 1:2 and 2:21-23; Psalm 90:3-6, 12-14, 17; Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11; Luke 12:13-21

Monday, Aug. 4: Memorial of St. John Vianney, priest, Numbers 11:4-15; Psalm 81:12-17; Matthew 14:13-21

Tuesday, Aug. 5: Numbers 12:1-13; Psalm 51:3-7, 12-13; Matthew 14:22-36

Wednesday, Aug. 6: Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14; Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 9; 2 Peter 1:16-19; Luke 9:28-36

Thursday, Aug. 7: Numbers 20:1-13; Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9; Matthew 16:13-23

Friday, Aug. 8: Memorial of St. Dominic, priest, Deuteronomy 4:3240; Psalm 77:12-16, 21; Matthew 16:24-28

Saturday, Aug. 9: Deuteronomy 6:4-13; Psalm 18:2-4, 47, 51; Matthew 17:14-20

Sunday, Aug. 10: Wisdom 18:6-9; Psalm 33:1, 12, 18-22; Hebrews 1:1-2, 8-19; Luke 12:32-48

Monday, Aug. 11: Memorial of St. Clare, virgin, Deuteronomy 10:1222; Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20; Matthew 17:22-27

Tuesday, Aug. 12: Deuteronomy 31:1-8; Deuteronomy 32:3-4, 7-9, 12; Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14 Wednesday, Aug. 13: Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Psalm 66:1-3, 5, 8, 16-17; Matthew 18:15-20

Thursday, Aug. 14: Memorial of St. Maximilian Kolbe, priest and martyr, Joshua 3:7-11, 13-17; Psalm 114:1-6; Matthew 18:21–19:1 ■

COURTESY

ference (NCYC) is set for Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 20-22, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. There will be two to three buses heading to NCYC from different points around the Diocese of Knoxville. The group will be staying at a hotel in downtown Indianapolis within walking distance from the convention center. NCYC is a powerfully unique three-day experience of prayer, community, evangelization, catechesis, service, and empowerment for Catholic teenagers (of high-school age) and their adult chaperones. NCYC is the premiere Catholic youth event on a national scale that gathers people from all across America for a life-changing encounter with Christ. The theme is “I AM.” Register a child or group at dioknox.org/ events/2025-national-catholic-youthconference

Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Alcoa will celebrate its 75th anniversary on Saturday, Nov. 22. Bishop Mark Beckman will celebrate a bilingual Mass, followed by a dinner celebration. More details to come.

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 Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Chattanooga and each Sunday at 6 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 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-tricities-tn. 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-

honor his 20th anniversary of priestly ordination took place. Father Maples, parochial vicar at St. John Neumann since May 2014, recently accepted the positions of associate director of counseling services and assistant professor at Conception Seminary College in Missouri.

St. Joseph, Norris

The parish held a July 4 bake sale at Norris Commons featuring homemade breads, cookies, pies, cakes, and more.

Men of St. Joseph attended a Crawfish Boil and Cookout on July 10. The men brought items to grill at the event, which featured games and door prizes.

Parish teenagers attended a pool party at the home of Bob and Nikki Kapolka on June 29.

St. Mary, Oak Ridge

The parish welcomed new associate pastor Father Jhon Mario Garcia in the social hall following the 10:30 a.m. Mass on July 13.

A retirement party honoring Cyndi Panter, who served for 24 years as St. Mary director of religious education, is set for 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 29.

Diocesan seminarian Gerald Stults, assigned to St. Mary this summer, is leading youth events after the 6 p.m. Masses on Wednesdays, July 23 and 30.

A Volunteer Appreciation Dinner will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, in the school gym. RSVP at we@ stmarysoakridge.org before Tuesday, July 29.

Five Rivers Deanery

Holy Trinity, Jefferson City

The yearly school-supply drive for Appalachian Ministries of the Smokies will take place at Holy Trinity through

4905 or e-mail CIRAllSaintsKnoxville@

gmail.com. Contact Deacon Wade Eckler about the meetings at OLPH at 423322-3493 or weckler@myolph.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 561-315-5911 if you have any questions.

Join Father Mike Nolan on a pilgrimage April 13-23, 2026, to France and Spain. The group will visit Lourdes, exploring the birthplace of St. Bernadette and experience the healing waters from the springs of Lourdes, Stations of the Cross, a candlelight rosary procession, and a blessing of the sick. Pilgrims will visit the tomb of St. Thomas Aquinas at the Jacobins Church as well as Pamplona, the birthplace and childhood home of St. Francis Xavier, the 16thcentury evangelist, and will visit Xavier (Navarre), where they will tour the castle where St. Francis Xavier was born. The group will go on to Zaragoza, home to the Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, and Montserrat, site of the Benedictine monastery and the Black Madonna. Pilgrims will visit the small town of Verdu, the birthplace of St. Peter Claver, and go on to Barcelona, visiting the Cathedral of Barcelona, the Basilica of the Holy Family, La Sagrada Familia, the almost-finished masterpiece by Antoni Gaudi, and the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar, the Cathedral by the Sea. For more information, contact Lisa Morris at lisam@select-intl.com or 865-567-1245.

Mass in the extraordinary form (“traditional Latin”) is celebrated at noon each Sunday at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville, at 2 p.m. each Sunday and at 6 p.m. most Mondays at St. Mary Church in Johnson City, and at 11:30 a.m. every Sunday at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga. For more information, visit www.Knox LatinMass.net n

Friday, July 25. AMOS needs binders, three-prong folders with pockets, glue, composition books, colored pencils, highlighters, Kleenex, safety scissors, crayons, wide-rule paper, pens and pencils, and backpacks. Place supplies in the box in the narthex.

The annual July Ice Cream Extravaganza will follow the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, July 20. To help, call Donna Dunn at 631-495-0031.

The parish Hispanic ministry sold meals after Mass on June 21, July 6, and July 19 to raise money for its Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration in December.

Anniversaries: John and Anne Wharton (55), Charles and Shari Nash (30), Jeff and Stephanie Pardue (20), Ian and Lani O’Connor (15), Dale and Theresa Grant (10), Raj and Catherine Singh (10), Kevin and Tammy Thornton (10)

Notre Dame, Greeneville

“Christmas in July” silent-auction items are in the narthex. They will be awarded to the highest bidders after the 1:30 p.m. Mass in Spanish on Sunday, July 27. Funds will support the youth’s attendance at the National Catholic Youth Conference this fall.

A parish Ministry Fair will follow weekend Masses on Aug. 9-10. Parishioners can see how they can get involved in the many opportunities offered at Notre Dame. Refreshments will be served.

Notre Dame held a parish family night at the Greeneville Flyboys baseball game on July 19 that began with a tailgate party at Property Advisors.

Anniversaries: Kenneth and Patricia Fay (50), Danny and Susan Collins (45)

St. Dominic, Kingsport

St. Dominic School, founded in 1945, is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year. A Mass and Memories event is set

for Saturday, Sept. 27, with a vigil Mass at 5:30 p.m. followed by a light reception with memorabilia-viewing and tours of the school.

St. Patrick, Morristown

The annual Knights of Columbus yard sale is set for 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 26. Items may be dropped off at the parish center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, July 23-25 (no clothing). To have items picked up, call Dan Pellegrin at 504441-8177 or James Mach at 865-4751999 on July 23-25. Proceeds will benefit local charities.

Anniversaries: Jose and Carole Amador (52), Jonathan Lopez and Claudia Barajas (10)

Smoky Mountain Deanery Holy Ghost, Knoxville

The Brotherhood of Fraternus and the Troops of St. George are having their fourth annual Tubing the Hiwassee float trip on Saturday, Aug. 16. Men and boys of the parish are invited to join the groups on the trip and learn more about them. Cost of the trip is approximately $40. Learn more or RSVP by contacting Sean Metz by Wednesday, Aug. 6, at spmetz6@gmail.com or 865-466-6779.

Immaculate Conception, Knoxville

Parishioners are taking part in Ascension Press’ “A Biblical Walk through the Mass” every other Monday through Aug. 4.

Anniversary: Ed and Annette Bellinghausen (60)

Sacred Heart, Knoxville

Summer Movie Nights with a Priest continue in Cathedral Hall at 5:30 p.m. Friday, July 25, with the 2018 film Paul, Apostle of Christ. Admission is free, and the event is for ages 18 and over.

St. Jude ministry welcomes CCETN ultrasound van The Respecting Life Ministry at St. Jude Parish in Chattanooga hosted Catholic Charities of East Tennessee’s mobile ultrasound van June 28-29. Knights of Columbus Council 8576 donated $500 to support the van. This will also allow the Knights’ Supreme Council to donate another $100 under its Aid and Support after Pregnancy Program. Above are Melissa Coldiron (left), CCETN mobile ultrasound coordinator; Gary Gabor, Council 8576 Grand Knight; and Sandi Davidson, CCETN program leader for Pregnancy Services. At left, Steve Chardos, Council 8576 deputy Grand Knight, presents a $500 check to Mrs. Davidson. COURTESY OF RALEIGH COOPER (2)

Pizza and soda will be available.

The prayer-blanket ministry met July 8 at The Empty Cup coffee shop in Knoxville. Those who knit or crochet are invited to join the group in making prayer shawls as well as hats and scarves for Family Promise. Those in need of a prayer shawl for themselves or someone else should call Aggie at 618-334-3302.

Young adults attended a BBQ Party on July 12 at the pavilion featuring music, hot dogs and hamburgers, and games.

St. John XXIII, Knoxville

The parish recently welcomed aboard its newest staff member, facilities manager Robert Edenfield. Mr. Edenfield has a wealth of experience in construction and contracting and has already started addressing St. John XXIII’s facility-repair needs.

St. John XXIII’s annual picnic day was held June 21 at St. Albert the Great Church in Knoxville.

St. Joseph the Worker, Madisonville

The Family Life Center Fundraising Committee thanked its members, ticket holders, and all those who donated to a Wine and Chocolate Tasting on June 12. The committee sold 49 of the 50 tickets for the event. With door prizes, a wine pull, and a gift-basket raffle, the event made $4,331.53 for FLC funds.

The Knights of Columbus’ annual yard sale is coming up. Needed items include books; clean clothing; furniture; pictures and decorative items; clean bedding; large and small appliances; power and hand tools; lawn and garden equipment and tools; kitchen pots, pans, dishes, and utensils; auto parts; sporting goods; camping gear and equipment; boats and boating equipment; Christmas decorations; electronics; musical instruments and supplies; crafts; and toys. To donate items or learn more, call Ed Harless at 423-494-4761. n

Parish notes continued from page B4

Each year a new theme comes alive at Notre Dame Church in Greeneville for the annual vacation Bible school.

This year the theme was “True North—Trusting Jesus in a Wild World.” Participants gathered each Wednesday evening in June to attend Mass, share a simple meal of Tundra Treats, and participate in Sing & Play Peak that included videos of animals native to Canada such as the sea otter, king crab, bear, eagle, and moose. Then they divided in groups as they traveled to different stations: Wild Bible Adventures, Glacier Games, Sticky Scripture, and Imagination Station, which included science experiments.

The main point for day one of VBS was “when we wonder, we can trust Jesus,” and the Bible story for the day was from Matthew 3, where John the Baptist prepares the way and baptizes Jesus. For day two, the theme was “when we feel alone, we can trust Jesus,” and the Bible story was from Matthew 6:25-33, where Jesus teaches about God’s love for us.

Day three’s main point was “when we feel powerless, we can trust Jesus,” and the Bible story was from Matthew 8:5-13, where a Roman officer trusts Jesus. Day four’s theme was “when we need

First quinceañera celebrated at St. Joseph in Norris Alexa Gonzalez of St. Joseph Parish in Norris on June 21 celebrated her quinceañera, a traditional Latin American celebration marking a girl’s 15th birthday, symbolizing her transition from childhood to womanhood. The quinceañera was the first one celebrated at St. Joseph. The significant cultural event often includes a religious ceremony followed by a reception with dancing, food, and other festivities. St. Joseph pastor Father Dennis Kress celebrated a Mass, assisted by Deacon Dan Hosford. Alexa’s parents are Francisco Gonzalez and Akira Salazar, and she has a sister, Nataly. Alexa’s godparents, Mr. and Mrs. Mandi Gonzalez, presented traditional gifts at the quinceañera. Following the Mass, a reception for family and guests was held.

Assembly installs officers

District marshal Raleigh Cooper (left) recently installed officers for the upcoming fraternal year for Knights of Columbus Father Patrick Ryan Fourth Degree Assembly 1084 in Chattanooga. Outgoing faithful navigator Al Salatka (middle) presents the gavel to new faithful navigator Brandon Panganiban.

hope, we can trust Jesus,” and the Bible story was from Matthew 26:47–28:8, where Jesus dies and rises again.

Each year the students attending the Notre Dame VBS participate in a service project, and this year

COURTESY OF SALLY JACKSON

Diocese represented at rededication of Mary’s Garden in D.C. Diocese of Knoxville ladies attended the 25th-anniversary celebration of Mary’s Garden on June 7 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., as the garden was rededicated and a new statue of Mary was blessed. In 2000, the National Council of Catholic Women raised funds to purchase a statue of the Blessed Mother and build Mary’s Garden on the basilica grounds. Through the years, the area has been a favorite of visitors. Recently, the statue was vandalized and needed to be replaced. The NCCW again raised funds to replace the statue and refurbish the gardens. Several affiliates of the Knoxville Diocesan CCW contributed. Representing the Diocese of Knoxville were (from left) Karen Joubert, Amelia Sweeney (NCCW board member), Carol Hanish, Janice Mickel, and Sally Jackson. They took part in a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services in the basilica Crypt Church and the dedication service on the grounds.

it was for the Roby Fitzgerald Adult Center in Greeneville. They collected nonperishable items for the new “Miracle Market,” a food pantry for the community’s senior adults located at the center to assist seniors in supplementing basic

food items.

The event concluded on the first Wednesday night in July with a potluck meal for families and plenty of water fun with wading pools, water balloons, water squirters, and a sprinkler. ■

Pawelk leads pilgrimage

Glenmary Father Steve Pawelk, who formerly served in the Diocese of Knoxville, led a pilgrimage to Lourdes and Fatima from June 16-27. The group of 31 travelers hailed from various dioceses around the country. In the top photo is the grotto in Lourdes, France, where Our Lady appeared to St. Bernadette in the ninth apparition on Feb. 25, 1858, asking her to drink from the water. St. Bernadette, not seeing any water, dug in the dirt, and a spring of water bubbled up that has been a source of miracles and healing both physically and spiritually ever since. Father Pawelk concelebrated a Mass at the grotto. In the bottom photo, the group is at the fourth apparition site where Our Lady appeared to the three children of Fatima, asking for penance and prayers for the conversion of sinners. The group visited the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Paris, where Mother Mary appeared to St. Catherine Labouré. Father Pawelk celebrated Mass in the chapel. The group’s itinerary also included a visit to the Our Lady of Fatima Basilica and the church of the eucharistic miracle in Santarém, Portugal.

VBS service project benefits senior citizens Notre Dame vacation Bible school students hold items they collected for a service project to help seniors at Roby Fitzgerald Adult Center in Greeneville.

COURTESY OF SUSAN COLLINS

PATRICK SHARP

COURTESY OF LISA MORRIS (2)

Father

to Lourdes and Fatima

COURTESY OF RALEIGH COOPER

KCHS names new wrestling coach

Stephen Jackson was named the new head coach for the boys and girls wrestling programs at Knoxville Catholic High School, it was announced May 6. Mr. Jackson, who succeeds Jason Hughes in the role, has been a member of the Tennessee wrestling community since 2008. An alumnus of Gibbs High School in Corryton, he competed under coaches Tim Pittman and Bill Smith. Following high school, he continued his wrestling career at Cumberland University, where he trained under coaches Todd Allen and Andrew Nicola. He began his coaching career at Stratford STEM Magnet School in

be able to see the wind and to learn to see the wind,” Father Cummins said. “And I’ve learned. I’ve seen that these 30 years. I’ve seen it when families gather together in joy. I’ve seen it when families gather together in loss, in sorrow. I’ve seen it in communities of faith, a parish, a school, a Catholic student center. I’ve seen it when a sinner receives forgiveness. I’ve seen it in the Eucharist. I’ve seen it in my own life of quiet prayer.” He also saw it the day before the 30th-anniversary Mass, when Bishop Beckman ordained Father Renzo Alvarado Suarez and Father A.J. Houston to the priesthood.

“I saw the wind yesterday at our cathedral when two men were ordained,” Father Cummins said. “We learn to see the wind, to see the Spirit. It’s so beautiful, and I’ve seen it in each and every one of your faces. Thank you. Thank you for that. I love being a priest, and I love the Holy Spirit. Thirty years down, 30 years to go,” he added to laughter. “I’ll clarify that because there’s a bishop here (laughs).

“I love God wholly. I’ll always live the life of a priest, and to be able to know in my own heart those words of the song, ‘I’ve come to take you home,’ and to help others hear those words in their lives. I’ve come to

Nashville, where he led the Spartans to a berth in the team state championship and coached two state-meet wrestlers. After earning his college degree, Mr. Jackson returned to Gibbs, joining the coaching staff as an assistant. He helped the Eagles win their first-ever team and tournament state championships. In 2023, Mr. Jackson became a volunteer coach at Knoxville Catholic, and in 2024 he was named an assistant coach.

Mr. Jackson and wife Brooke, who is the head volleyball coach at Christian Academy of Knoxville, have twin children, Hadley and Hayes. ■

take you home. The Spirit is given, and the Spirit is given to take us home. And whenever that final day comes, hopefully not for a while, I hope I can make the words of that last chorus my own: ‘Today I don’t need a replacement. I’ll tell them what the smile on my face meant. My heart going boom-boom-boom. Hey, I said, you can keep my things. They’ve come to take me home.’

Thank you.”

A round of applause followed the homily.

In his closing remarks at Mass, Bishop Beckman said, “it really is a joy to be back here at St. Dominic to celebrate this day with you. Father Michael is a unique pastor in the Church universal because most of the time a shepherd will protect the sheep from the wolves, but Father Michael loves the wolves.

“But he also does a magnificent job watching over the sheep of God’s people. I will tell you, too, he has been an extraordinary gift to the whole diocese. As our vicar for priests, he helps us to care for the priests of this diocese in a remarkable way. I’m very grateful, and I’ve been so deeply grateful for your wisdom and your help and assistance since I have been here as the new shepherd of this diocesan church.”

Knoxville Catholic students and athletes sign with colleges, universities Knoxville Catholic High School hosted three signing days recently. On April 16 in the St. Gregory the Great Auditorium, seven student-athletes signed with colleges and universities. From left (top left photo) are TJ Tipton, who signed with CarsonNewman University in football; Tyler Dorn, Murray State University, football; Maggie Frana, Wofford College, track and field; Ensley Perry, William Pace College, basketball; Will Matthews, Tusculum University, men’s volleyball; Aliyah Whaley, Midway University, women’s wrestling; and Jayden Neal, Maryville College, football. On May 12, KCHS hosted an Academic Signing Day ceremony, honoring students who have been offered academic scholarships covering all tuition at the college that they plan to attend in the fall. From left (top right photo) are Melina Avalos, East Tennessee State University; Aidan Cahill, Army ROTC three-year scholarship to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; Sophia Garza, University of Tennessee at Knoxville; Carter Harris, Belmont University; Ben Hebert, UTK; Tolleigh Hilliard, East Tennessee State University; Harrison Jones, Navy ROTC four-year scholarship to Auburn University; Thomas Murphy, UTK; and Margaret (Greta) Whitt, University of Arkansas. In the middle photos, Maggie and Jayden signed with family and friends alongside. Aidan and Greta are pictured in the bottom photos. On May 28, three more student-athletes signed: Stephen Bertucci with Tennessee Wesleyan University in lacrosse, Jaevien “Juice” Eleam with Columbia State Community College in basketball, and Alex Ditmore with Motlow State Community College in baseball.

Father Creson recalled after Mass when a 20-year-old Michael Cummins came to the ETSU Catholic Center.

“He came by one day and stuck around and eventually made his way the next year to Conception Seminary,” he said. “He’s always been quiet, very reflective, and very prayerful. That’s always been a part of who he is. The student center in those days was kind of a loud place, but he kind of brought this peace to it. He was always a person trying to go deeper with his prayer life. I remember just how special he was.”

Father Creson, a chaplain at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga who also assists at weekend Masses at St. Thérèse of Lisieux in Cleveland, said the packed St. Dominic Church and parish life center were no surprise that day.

“This is exciting. It’s such a wonderful turnout because people love him so much,” he said. “I don’t think they expected this many people, but I can understand—people care so much for him. I wouldn’t miss it for anything.”

The dinner was emceed by St. Dominic parishioner Tony Venzon. Speakers included David Moody, Father Creson, Andy and wife Robin Barré of All Saints Parish in Knoxville, and Brad Burgett of All

Saints. The Barrés, who along with Mr. Moody offered a toast to Father Cummins, have known the honoree for 29 years and Mr. Burgett for 31. Deacon Humberto Collazo of St. Dominic presented a gift to Father Cummins, and Mr. Venzon saluted the priest at the end of the dinner, leading to a long round of applause.

Bishop Beckman spoke before giving the last word to Father Cummins.

“It is such an honor to be here tonight to celebrate Father Michael’s 30th,” the bishop said. “It is so clear to me how well, Father Michael, you have taken care of the people whom the Lord has entrusted to you, and that you are deeply loved by them. That’s because you love them deeply. That’s the kind of priest we need in the Church, and I’m grateful to be serving in this diocese with you. God bless you. I’m looking forward to the next 30 years.”

Father Cummins thanked the dinner gathering for their attendance.

“I’ve seen the face of Christ in each and every one of you. I truly appreciate that,” he said. “You’ve been a blessing to me. You inspire me in so many ways, so I’m very grateful. That’s the word I have tonight: gratitude, gratitude for the 30 years and gratitude for all of God’s blessings.” ■

Father Cummins continued from page B3