March 20, 2011, ET Catholic

CNS/YOMIURI SHIMBUN/REUTERS

Signs of life A Japan civil defense officer holds a 4-month-old girl who was rescued along with her family from their home in northern Japan on March 14. It’s estimated that 10,000 people may have lost their lives in the March 11 earthquake and the tsunami it triggered. page 10

THE EAST TENNESSEE

Volume 20 • Number 14 • March 20, 2011

The

newspaper

of the D iocese of K noxville www.dioknox.org

VATICAN CITY (CNS)—In his new volume Jesus of Nazareth: Holy Week: From the Entrance Into Jerusalem to the Resurrection (Ignatius Press, 2011) Pope Benedict XVI presents the passion and resurrection of Christ as historychanging events that answer humanity’s unceasing need to be reconciled with God. The 384-page book was officially released March 10. The pope had worked for several years on the text, the second in his series exploring the main events of Jesus’ public ministry.

The Vatican said 1.2 million copies of the book had already been published in seven languages, and that an e-book version was also planned.

In a foreword the pope said he did not set out to write a chronological life of Jesus but instead to present the figure and message of “the real Jesus”—not a political revolutionary or a mere moralist but the son of God, who inaugurated a new path of salvation based on the power of love.

Through his sacrifice on the cross and his institution of the Church, Jesus carried out a universal mission: “leading the world away from the condition of man’s alienation from God and from himself.” It’s a mission that continues today, the pope wrote.

“Is it not the case that our need to be reconciled with God— the silent, mysterious, seemingly absent, and yet omnipresent God—is the real problem of the whole of world history?” he said.

The book analyzes the key events of Jesus’ final days on earth, including the cleansing of the temple, the Last Supper, his betrayal, his interrogations before the Sanhedrin and Pontius Pilate, his crucifixion, and his appearances to the disciples after his resurrection.

Throughout the text Pope Benedict examPope continued on page 8

The bishop outlined the strategy for St. Joseph during a meeting at the North Knoxville school. By Dan McWilliams

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ore than 140 parents and other members of the community of St. Joseph School attended a townhall meeting with Bishop Richard F. Stika on March 2 to hear more details on major changes coming to the North Knoxville institution, named a National Blue Ribbon School last fall.

Declining enrollment and increased debt were factors in Bishop Stika’s recent decision to make St. Joseph the diocese’s first regional elementary school.

The bishop, after his opening talk in the St. Joseph gym, also fielded some 20 questions for more than an hour. Joining him in speaking were Father Chris Michelson, pastor of St. Albert the Great Parish in Knoxville, and Sister Mary Elizabeth Ann McCullough, RSM, two important figures in St. Joseph’s future.

Monsignor Xavier Mankel, pastor of Holy Ghost in Knoxville, introduced the bishop. In the audience were Dr. Aurelia Montgomery, St. Joseph’s principal; Father Ron Franco, CSP, pastor of Immaculate Conception in Knoxville; and IC associate pastor Father Jerry Tully, CSP. Diocesan chancellor Deacon Sean Smith assisted the bishop during the Q&A. Holy Ghost has always been responsible for the governance of 48-year-old St. Joseph School, even with

DAN MCWILLIAMS

B Y J O H N T H A VIS

Changes will help preserve ‘gem’ of a school

Bishop Stika speaks to a gathering of St. Joseph School parents and others attending a town-hall meeting held March 2 in the school gym. St. Joseph will become a regional school June 1, also the day Sister Mary Elizabeth Ann McCullough will succeed Dr. Aurelia Montgomery as principal.

CONCERNED FAMILIES

IC and later St. Albert the Great (established in 2007) well represented in the student population.

In an interview March 8 the bishop said the decision to make St. Joseph a regional school reflects what it has already become through the enrollment of students from parishes throughout the area, including All Saints and Blessed John XXIII in Knoxville, St. Joseph in Norris, and St. Therese in Clinton.

“The reason for the sepa-

ration of St. Joseph School from the parish is first of all recognition that it’s been a regional school for a number of years,” said Bishop Stika. “Right now the enrollment is almost evenly divided between St. Albert and Holy Ghost, and then you’ve got All Saints, IC, and other parishes involved.

There’s also a large financial debt and a potential deficit because of the decline in students. The reason I separated the two is so we can

address the debt of St. Joseph School but also to assist Holy Ghost in addressing its debt, and there are different ways of fundraising to address both needs.”

Bishop Stika announced in memos Dec. 3 and Jan. 7 that he had appointed a task force to explore making St. Joseph a regional school and to review its finances (Jan. 23 ETC). Father Pat Garrity, pastor of St. John Neumann in Farragut, St. Joseph continued on page 6

No trick: students illustrate magician’s new book David Russell of St. John Neumann Parish turns real-life experiences into Bigger and Better, published with the help of many young artists.

BY DAN MCWILLIAMS

M

COURTESY OF MICHELLE DOUGHERTY

Pope’s new book depicts Jesus as a reconciler, not a revolutionary

The illustrators of Bigger and Better pose with a copy of the book. From left are (front row) Grace Ward and Cole Fuller; (second row) Megan Hurley, Lincoln Murr, Emily Latham, Katelyn Nguyen, Samantha Gaylor, Teagan Flomberg, Danielle MacWilliams, and Maria Srdoc; and (back row) Julia Rabenstein, Anna Koskey, Laura Flammang, Rebecca Dietz, Courtney French, Kamila Cieslik, Delorean Rapien, Renee Semaan, McKenna Varner, and St. John Neumann School principal Bill Derbyshire.

Rebecca is a freshman and Courtney a senior at Knoxville Catholic High School; the other students attend St. John Neumann. Not pictured are first-grader Madeline Kate Fultz and Knoxville Catholic junior Sarah Doktycz.

FIRST EDITION

agician David Russell of St. John Neumann in Farragut recently enlisted the help of several young illustrators in two Catholic schools to publish a children’s book, proceeds of which will benefit his parish school and Knoxville Catholic High School.

The author and illustrators appeared at Borders in Farragut on March 12 to sign copies of Bigger and Better (Leonine Publishers, 2010).

The book tells of a magician who searches for happiness (and fails) by trying to find “bigger and better” magic wands. He eventually learns that seeking God’s kingdom and giving his life to Christ will bring him the peace he is looking for.

The story is told in 21 pages, each with a full-page illustration from a St. John Book continued on page 3

letters to the

EDITOR

No short answers for complex questions

Thank you for Father Robert Barron’s column

“The last acceptable prejudice” (March 6 ETC).

Although I have been aware of rabid anti-Catholic feeling, I’m not a reader of the big Eastern publications he noted and thus had no idea of the virulence and fury that seem to drive some of their writers. Like Father Barron, I found the childishness of one writer’s (Mark Warren, executive editor of Esquire magazine) poorly assimilated Catholic education surprising and appalling. I worry that even now we may be failing another generation of weakened Catholic children who will someday turn against their Mother Church.

Over the years I have rarely come into personal contact with persons like Mr. Warren, and when I’ve tried to pin them down to a specific issue for discussion (or if you prefer, debate), I’ve found they are unwilling to listen to any fact that refutes their biases. Forcing them to rational consideration often results in angry, sometimes even violent, responses. Although I understand that nothing is hopeless, I believe only God’s overwhelming grace can open eyes that are so willfully blinded.

The aspect of all this that I find most singularly frustrating is their “give me the answer in five words or less” challenge. As an RCIA catechist I have learned to intensely dislike the demand for short answers to complex questions.

—Bill Laudeman Chattanooga

Komen–Planned Parenthood link criticized

This is a letter I sent to Nancy Brinker, CEO of

Susan G. Komen for the Cure: I am a breast-cancer survivor of 12 years. I was very happy to participate in the Race for the Cure in Chattanooga the first four years of my recovery. It was fun.

At the time I did not know about Komen’s donations to Planned Parenthood. Recently that information was brought to my attention, and I am terribly disappointed. Planned Parenthood is the largest abortion provider in the U.S.A. But I don’t need to tell you that; you already know. So why are you financially supporting it? There are other organizations that provide mammograms for the needy. They would gladly receive your financial support.

On another topic, please change your stance supporting embryonic-stem-cell research. Please support adult-stem-cell research, which does not involve the destruction of human life.

For the sake of the defenseless unborn at any stage, please reconsider funding these abusive practices. n —Diane J. Gallagher Signal Mountain Letters should be 350 words or less and will be edited for grammar, style, clarity, and length.

Submit them by e-mail or mail: news@dioknox. org, 805 Northshore Drive Southwest, Knoxville, TN 37919. Letters to the editor reflect the opinions of their authors and not those of the editorial staff or the publisher.

Diocese offers ongoing Virtus child-protection training sessions

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

The following training sessions have been scheduled: n All Saints Church, Knoxville, 1 p.m. Saturday, March 19 (session will be held in the parish hall) n St. Catherine Labouré Church, Copperhill, 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 22 n St. Joseph the Worker Church, Madisonville, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, March 23 n Knoxville Catholic High School, 3:45 p.m.

Thursday, March 24 n St. Ann Church, Lancing, 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 25 n St. Christopher Church, Jamestown, 1 p.m. CDT Saturday, April 9 n Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Chattanooga, 6 p.m.

Monday, April 18 n St. Mary Church, Johnson City, 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 18 (session will be held in St. Ann Hall) n St. Dominic Church, Kingsport, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, May 11 n St. Jude Church, Chattanooga, 1 p.m.

Thursday, May 19 (session will be held in the parish life center).

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

living the

READINGS

BY FATHER JOSEPH BRANDO

Rise and be not afraid Christ and St. Paul show us the often-difficult facets of leadership.

Being a leader is not easy. Most people dream of what they would do if they had power over large numbers of people. Yet those same people tend to avoid positions in which they would be subject to criticism, ridicule, or even anger. Politicians, who have spent their entire career seeking positions of power, start to speak more humbly once they attain the high office they pursued. At least the good ones do.

Jesus gave his three closest disciples a taste of that humility when he took them with him to the top of Mount Tabor.

There Peter, James, and John experienced an amazing vision

of Moses and Elijah. Peter’s first response was a desire to set up tents to turn the dynamic event into a static display.

After he failed that test, the Father spoke. All three disciples fell to the ground in fear.

Christian leadership demands more than making good decisions. One also has to lead others into the mystery of God’s awesome presence.

To experience God as Peter, James, and John did is profoundly scary and humbling.

From their prostrate position, the frightened disciples then heard Jesus both consoling them and commanding them, “Rise, and do not be afraid.”

Another facet of leadership is that leaders go first. Peter, James, and John became the first of many to enjoy a mystical experience. As awkward as it might have been for them, their vision prepared them to

The power of thirst Jesus’ living water can product a radical change.

thirsty peoW hen ple get together,

monumental changes can occur. Current events bear this out.

Thirsting for freedom, the people of Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, and other nations began to topple longestablished governments and autocrats.

Thirst is that powerful a sensation.

Sometimes thirst can lead to negative behavior. Any mother with thirsty children in the back seat of her van knows the havoc thirst can incite. Moses’ leadership over the Hebrew people was on the verge of collapsing when their water supply dried up at Meribah. Despite the memories of the plagues in Egypt, the

Passover, and the crossing of the Red Sea that were fresh in their mind, many Israelites revolted. Fortunately, God turned what could have been utter disaster into a revelation of his continued care for his people.

Jesus used mankind’s basic need for water in a unique way in today’s Gospel. He began by announcing he was thirsty. The recipient of the message was a woman with a history of multiple broken relationships. Actually, Jesus’ thirst was more than the result of his long, dry journey through Samaria.

The long-standing feud between Jews and Samaritans

To avoid spiritual catastrophe, we must live as children of light.

has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly.” She was not merely teaching us about the history of God throughout the Old Testament: she was predicting a major part of the ministry of her son. One can speculate that Jesus put a lot of what his mother taught him into practice.

Sunday’s first reading recalls one of the many examples of Mary’s thesis. Mary must have

taught her son about Samuel’s anointing of David as king because Jesus was a son of David.

David was born with the miserably low status of an eighth son. Yet by the end of Samuel’s visit, he had become the legitimate king of God’s people. That’s close to being the most important person in the world. David’s ascendency to the throne was only one incident among many role reversals. Jesus continued this divine pattern.

water powerfully enabled her reconciliation with her townspeople.

Even more, it radically changed the Samaritans’ attitude.

They invited Jesus, a Jew and even the Son of David, into their town. That water had miraculous power.

It can have an equally beneficial effect in our lives. Paul makes that point in today’s second reading. He writes that “the love of God has been poured out into our hearts.” So “living water” really is God’s love, manifested in the Lord’s crucifixion and death for us. May we all drink of it! n March 27, third Sunday of Lent Exodus 17:3-7 Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9 Romans 5:1-2, 5-8 John 4:5-42

Today’s Gospel passage is a prime example. The narrative begins with an act of compassion, in which Jesus gives the gift of sight to a man born blind. Already the man has changed roles. He had lived in darkness; now he could see light and color and truth.

That was merely the beginning. An even greater transformation occurred as the teachers of the law questioned the man born blind about the details of Jesus’ miracle. They Readings continued on page 3

April 3, fourth Sunday of Lent 1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13 Psalm 23:1-6 Ephesians 5:8-14 John 9:1-41

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

THE EAST TENNESSEE

805 Northshore Drive S.W .

March 20, second Sunday of Lent Genesis 12:1-4 Psalm 33:4-5, 18-20, 22 2 Timothy 1:8-10 Matthew 17:1-9

surely gave the Lord a colossal thirst for righteousness.

And he was sitting right on top of the symbol of the ultimate solution. Jacob’s Well was God’s gift to him upon his arrival in the land he had been promised.

Its water signaled that this was Israel’s home—the place where relationships find their source.

That’s what Jesus truly thirsted for.

By sending the woman back into what once had been the religious and political capitol of Israel, Jesus commissioned her as his ambassador to bring the good news of reconciliation to her people. She was supported in her mission by an ample supply of the “living water” Jesus said he would give her. That

Role reversals the Mother of the M ary, Lord, said of God, “He

comprehend Jesus’ death and resurrection and to explain those events to the world.

Paul warns Timothy in today’s second reading of yet another aspect of Christian leadership: hardship. God gives his leaders the antidote to loneliness and pain and any other problems we may face in living our lives for others. Whatever hardships we may incur are met with heavenly strength.

Paul assures us of this.

Then he assures us of another feature of Christian leadership. We get to receive the grace of immortality. That news is powerful enough to drop us to the ground with the same fear Peter, James, and John felt. If so, all is well, for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. From our lowly position we can more easily hear the words of Jesus, “Rise, and do not be afraid.”

And we will be leaders. n

Margaret Hunt Administrative assistant Dan Pacitti Intern

Knoxville, TN 37919-7551

The East Tennessee Catholic (USPS 007211) is published twice monthly by the Catholic Diocese of Knoxville, 805 Northshore Drive S.W., Knoxville, TN 37919-7551. Periodicals-class postage paid at Knoxville, Tenn.

Printed on recycled paper by the Knoxville News Sentinel Postmaster: Send address changes to The East Tennessee Catholic, P.O. Box 11127, Knoxville, TN 37939-1127 How to reach us:

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THE EAST TENNESSEE CATHOLIC

he dwells

AMONG US

BY BISHOP RICHARD F. STIKA

The Gospel of work Our earthly labors should be an expression of Christ’s work of redemption.

“Is this not the carpenter?” (Mark 6:3). These simple words of Scripture remind us that the Gospel was first proclaimed by a man of work. Given the current debate over worker rights and unions, which is only worsening in its lack of civility, it would be good to reflect on the value of work and the one whom the Church presents to us as the model of workers: St. Joseph.

Human work is a sharing in the unfolding of God’s work of creation and the Sabbath a sharing in God’s rest. If it is true that “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27), it is also true that work is for man, not man for work.

It is not the kind of work we do that determines its value but the fact that it is done by a person created in God’s image. When this work is done in Christ, it becomes truly redemptive.

The seed of my vocation as a priest first sprouted in the soil of manual labor. Besides working at a grocery store and mowing lawns when I was younger, I later worked in a railroad-car repair facility in the industrial area of Wood River, Ill., across the Mississippi River from St. Louis.

Part of my job included sandblasting and painting railroad

cars. This was hard and tedious work. But it was no less important in helping form me as a person than my seminary training was in forming me as a priest.

My dad belonged to a union, and I know he very much valued his membership.

Although he wasn’t much schooled in matters related to Catholic social teaching, he did know of and appreciate the Church’s long defense of workers and their right to form unions. The fact that he was laid off many times made him particularly sensitive to the rights of laborers and the importance of having their collective interests represented.

So what’s different about what has been transpiring in Wisconsin and other parts of the country regarding unions and collective bargaining?

Why, some have asked, are the bishops taking an almost neutral stand on this issue?

To put it simply, two recognized goods—worker rights and the common good—are being pitted against each other. The other important thing to understand is that not all unions are the same.

Within the private sector, unions negotiate with the employer ultimately for a greater share of corporate profits for employees. But when the negotiations involve the public sector (city, state, and government employees), the issue becomes that of securing a greater share of taxpayer

money. When city and state officials are faced with budget deficits and shortfalls, the issue becomes one of the rights of workers versus the common good of every taxpayer.

Limitations imposed by economic realities must be a part of the negotiations.

I do wonder whether the growing divisiveness and lack of civility we have been witnessing regarding this quandary aren’t telling of a much deeper crisis within our society.

As a craftsman of wood, Jesus first labored at St. Joseph’s workbench and completed his labors with the wood of the cross upon Calvary. Human work was therefore brought into the mystery of the work of redemption. Together they represent a Gospel of work.

To the degree that secular society distances itself from the divine work of God, we see a corresponding loss of respect for the dignity of human work and the sacrifices that must be made for the common good. All of us are called to labor with the wood of the cross in order to build up the Kingdom of God. The hidden life of Jesus in Nazareth before his public ministry began is an invitation for all of us to take the ordinary labors of our life and join them with Christ’s—especially in the liturgy, the work of God. St. Joseph, model of workers, pray for us. n BISHOP STIKA’S SCHEDULE These are some of Bishop Stika’s appointments: March 20—April 2: pilgrimage to the Holy Land April 7: 6:30 p.m., Catholic Charities dinner, St. Dominic Church, Kingsport n

from the bishop’s

OFFICE

Schools superintendent to retire July 1

B

ishop Richard F. Stika announced on March 2 that Dr. Sherry Morgan, superintendent of Catholic Schools, will retire on July 1.

“I wish to offer her my sincere gratitude for the four and a half years of dedicated and faithful service she has given to the diocese,” the bishop wrote in a memo to priests and staff.

“Sherry has a deep love for the Church and has generously given of herself for the benefit of our Catholic schools and the diocese as a whole.” n

Readers: you’re invited to take our online newspaper survey

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he members of the ETC staff invite you to share your thoughts and opinions about the newspaper. We’ve created a brief online survey that will take just a few minutes to complete. You can take the survey here: bit.ly/eNYHfr. n

Catechetical days continue

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he Office of Christian Formation in collaboration with Aquinas College in Nashville, continues its catechetical-formation program for adults this spring, with two additional catechetical days, both on Saturdays.

The program is intended for parish catechists, teachers in Catholic schools, ministry leaders, and other interested adults. There is no charge.

Both sessions will include hourlong modules on the sacraments, morality, prayer, and creative methods for teaching. The days will be conducted by the Nashville Dominican sisters.

Formation days, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (choose one): n April 2, St. Patrick Church, Morristown n April 16, St. Jude Parish Life Center, Chattanooga.

For details, contact Father Richard Armstrong at rarmstrong@dioknox.org or 865-584-3307.

Register online at bit.ly/faith-formation. n

Readings continued from page 2

Neumann School or KCHS student representing every grade from K through 12 except 10th. Younger students drew the pictures for the earlier stages of the magician’s life, with middle and high school students illustrating the later pages. More than 330 illustrations were submitted overall.

Mr. Russell, a religious-education teacher at St. John Neumann, said the idea of using his magician skills to work with youth—which ultimately led to the book—took off after a retreat for confirmation candidates about five years ago. A young presenter was giving a talk geared toward the candidates, but her words made an impression on him as well.

“One of the young speakers at the retreat said if you were ever wondering what Jesus wants you to do, look at your hands.

This is something she had heard from her grandmother,” he said. “I was one of the small-group leaders.

I wasn’t a candidate, but for some reason that really got my attention. I looked at my hands, and it was an ‘aha’ and a ‘duh’ experience all at one time.

“I knew what my hands were capable of because I had performed my magic act for many years, but I’d kind of put it

COURTESY OF DAVID RUSSELL

Book continued from page 1

David Russell

aside.”

Facing the loss of his job and other crises at the time, Mr. Russell said the confirmation retreat gave him a new direction and inspired him to incorporate his magic act into ministry. One of his tricks, involving the use of increasingly bigger wands—up to 12 feet—directly inspired the book.

“I sat down at the computer one morning, and the book just kind of popped out,” he said.

Mr. Russell gave the teachers the text that would be on each page, a description of the physical setting,

THE E A S T T E N N E S S E E C A T H OLIC

and what he thought the magician character was feeling.

“I asked the teachers to start each session with prayer, and the students would go about drawing it and let themselves be led by the Spirit,” he said.

One illustration in the book, by sixthgrader Laura Flammang, perfectly described a point in Mr. Russell’s life, he said.

“It’s the page where the magician is feeling very lonely and empty inside, and it shows him sitting on the stage with his magic wand in an empty auditorium.

It captures the fear I felt at that time in my

life, because this little magician is me.

“Throughout life I’d tried to find the right size ‘magic wand,’ whether it was through addictions that I’d been through or seeking a better car, a bigger house, a better job, more money or status, or any of those things.

I realized that bigger isn’t better and that an emptying of yourself and putting all that aside is really the answer.”

By way of crediting the 21 principal artists in the book, a thumbnail of each illustration appears on an autograph page next to the student’s name and grade. The other submitted images, the ones not selected to illustrate the story, are used in collages near the end of the book and on the covers.

“No kid was left out,” said Mr. Russell. “Everyone was included.”

The book’s acknowledgements page thanks several people who “said yes,” including former St. John Neumann pastor Father John Dowling and current pastor Father Pat Garrity.

“First and foremost, this book is dedicated to the Mediatrix of all Graces, Our Blessed Mother, and any success we realize is through her intercession,” said Mr. Russell.

Book continued on page 9

www.dioknox.org

unwittingly thrust him into the position of teaching the teachers. The erstwhile teachers proved themselves to be poor students to boot.

Frustrated, the Pharisees went to Jesus to verify their suspicion that they had become blind to spiritual realities. Jesus responded that if they weren’t blind that would make them sinners.

Thus the strongest role reversal of all is set up. Those who accused the former blind man of being a sinner had become blind sinners themselves.

In the second reading Paul applies these reversals to Christians. We were once in darkness, and now we live as children of light. Such a role creates imperatives for us, however. We must realize we ourselves may be subject to another role reversal. To avoid that catastrophe, we should continually strive to live as children of the light. There is no better place to do so than at the feet of our Blessed Mother. n Father Brando is the pastor of St. Mary Parish in Gatlinburg.

W E E K D AY READINGS Monday, March 21: Daniel 9:4-10; Psalm 79:8-9, 11, 13; Luke 6:36-38 Tuesday, March 22: Isaiah 1:10; 16-20; Psalm 50:8-9, 16-17, 21, 23; Matthew 23:1-12 Wednesday, March 23: Jeremiah 18:18-20; Psalm 31:5-6, 14-16; Matthew 20:17-28 Thursday, March 24: Jeremiah 17:5-10; Psalm 1:1-4, 6; Luke 16:19-31 Friday, March 25: Solemnity, the Annunciation of the Lord, Isaiah 7:10-14 and 8:10; Psalm 40:7-11; Hebrews 10:4-10; Luke 1:26-38 Saturday, March 26: Micah 7:14-15, 18-20; Psalm 103:1-4, 9-12; Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 Monday, March 28: 2 Kings 5:1-15; Psalms 42:2-3 and 43:3-4; Luke 4:24-30 Tuesday, March 29: Daniel 3:25, 34-43; Psalm 25:4-9; Matthew 18:21-35 Wednesday, March 30: Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9;

Psalm 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20; Matthew 5:17-19 Thursday, March 31: Jeremiah 7:23-28; Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9; Luke 11:14-23 Friday, April 1: Hosea 14:2-10; Psalm 81:6-11, 14, 17; Mark 12:28-34 Saturday, April 2: Hosea 6:1-6; Psalm 51:3-4, 1821; Luke 18:9-14 Monday, April 4: Isaiah 65:17-21; Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13; John 4:43-54 Tuesday, April 5: Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12; Psalm 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9; John 5:1-16 Wednesday, April 6: Isaiah 49:8-15; Psalm 145:89, 13-14, 17-18; John 5:17-30 Thursday, April 7: Exodus 32:7-14; Psalm 106:19-23; John 5:31-47 Friday, April 8: Wisdom 2:1, 12-22; Psalm 34:1721, 23; John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30 Saturday, April 9: Jeremiah 11:18-20; Psalm 7:2-3, 9-12; John 7:4053 n MARCH 20, 2011

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BY DAN PACITTI

OLPH, Chattanooga

n Fourth-grader Curtis Dearing

placed second in the regional AAU wrestling tournament. He won four matches to earn a silver medal. n Knights of Columbus Holy Family Council 6099 will present a $3,000 Notre Dame High School scholarship to an eighth-grader who is a son or daughter of a council Knight. Applications are due by Thursday, March 31. Call Moe Rivers at 423-892-8633 or Victor Williams at 899-9989 for an application or more information. n Lara Stolpmann finished second in the Chattanoogans for Life Oratory Contest on Feb. 15. Lara’s speech was on adoption and its effects on both the birth and adoptive parents.

St. Augustine, Signal Mountain

n The parish will host a Lenten mission

with the theme “Reflection for Our Journey in Faith” from Sunday through Tuesday, April 3 through 5. Father Tim O’Toole of Cross International Catholic Outreach will lead the mission. Call the parish at 423-886-3424 for more details.

St. Jude, Chattanooga

n The parish will celebrate St. Pat-

rick’s Day with a special Mass at 11:15 a.m. Thursday, March 17. Father Charlie Burton’s monthly potluck will follow in the parish life center. n Parishioner Richard W. Buhrman recently received the 2010 Ralph H. Kelley Humanitarian Award from the Chattanooga Bar Association, presented for exemplary community service through civic, professional, and other activities.

St. Mary, Athens

n Two parishioners were honored at

a recent United Way awards luncheon.

Gladys Fortsch received the Joseph T. Frye Award, and Pris Cornwall was presented the Dick M. Dyer Community Service Award.

St. Stephen, Chattanooga

n February food-drive coordinator

Joan Hall thanked those who participated in last month’s collection.

Parishioners contributed 300 bags of food to the Ladies of Charity and monetary gifts totaling more than $1,000.

Cumberland Mountain Deanery

All Saints, Knoxville

n The parish will begin a St. Joseph’s

Altar tradition on the saint’s feast day this year, Saturday, March 19. Those interested in helping with the altar or baking should contact Miriam at 865692-0980 or mangersm@knology.net. n The music ministry will perform an Easter Cantata on Friday, April 29, and Saturday, May 1, as a fundraiser for Catholic Charities. Violin, viola, harp, and double bass players are needed.

Call Walt Otey at 691-6537 for details. n The youth ministry will host a spaghetti dinner at 6 p.m. Sunday, March 20, to raise funds for its annual Catholic HEART Workcamp trip. Activities include live entertainment and a silent auction. Tickets are $15 each or $50 for four. To reserve tickets, contact Annie Nassis at 531-0770 or annieatallsaints@yahoo.com. n A Polish Night featuring Polish food and dancing will take place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 30. Call Chris Kite at 966-5160 for more information.

St. Francis of Assisi, Fairfield Glade n Anniversaries: Ted and Jean

Bowles (59), Ray and Susan Butkus (57), Ed and Claire Sisson (56), Don and Carolyn Beck (56), Lawrence and Joan Azevedo (30)

St. John Neumann, Farragut

n Father George Knab, OMI, celebrat-

ed Masses and spoke on the work of the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging during the weekend of March 5 and 6. CFCA is a lay Catholic sponsorship ministry that helps children and the elderly in 23 developing countries.

St. Joseph, Norris

n The “Senior Moments” group from

St. Therese in Clinton and St. Joseph met March 4 in the St. Joseph parish hall. Their guest speaker was Robert Goodman, who provided tips on writing and publishing short stories and memoirs. After the meeting a birthday and anniversary celebration was held.

The next meeting is set for 9:45 a.m.

4

n

MARCH 20, 2011

Friday, March 18, at St. Joseph. A guest speaker from the health department will talk about fall prevention and balance.

St. Thomas the Apostle, Lenoir City n The women’s guild hosted its an-

nual card party and luncheon on March 12. n Father Richard Armstrong, pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Ukrainian Catholic Mission in Knoxville, will speak on the traditions of the 1,500-year-old Byzantine rite at the monthly meeting of the women’s guild at 9 a.m. Monday, March 28, in the family life center. Guests are welcome, and admission is free. n The Knights of Columbus hosted their annual St. Patrick’s Dinner and Dance on March 16. All proceeds will benefit local charities.

Five Rivers Deanery

Holy Trinity, Jefferson City

COURTESY OF BOB CAPELL

Chattanooga Deanery

Blessed Sacrament Knights donate $7,000-plus to Dunn Center Knights of Columbus representatives from Father Callahan Council 8273 at Blessed Sacrament in Harriman present checks totaling $7,047 for the Michael Dunn Center in Kingston on Feb. 10. A grant of $5,000 will be used for renovations to the center’s La Croix House to make the bathrooms accessible for wheelchair-bound service recipients. The council received the grant from the Tennessee State Knights of Columbus MR Foundation, which supports intellectually challenged citizens by funding transportation, housing, educational, and recreational programs. Additional checks totaling $2,047 for the Michael Dunn Center and its Henry Center, resulting from the council’s annual Tootsie Roll Drive, were also presented. In attendance were (from left) Bill Copeland, Grand Knight; Knight Joe Cochran; Wade Creswell, Michael Dunn Center vice president and director of development; Bob Capell, Council 8273 financial secretary; and Barbara Capell of the center’s board of directors.

n A St. Patrick’s dinner sponsored by

the Knights of Columbus will be held after the 5 p.m. Mass on Saturday, March 19. Eugene McEwen will perform traditional music. Cost is $10 for adults (free for children under 10).

Notre Dame, Greeneville

n Nicholas Slemp submitted the

winning entry in the Knights of Columbus council’s recent youth poster contest. Emma Davis, Kayla Richardson, and Benjamin Slemp received runner-up honors.

St. Dominic, Kingsport

n Daniel Ekart, Mandy Morris, Matthew

Diminck, James Briest, Rosa Galvan, Isaac Ick, Christian Chavez, Maria Heiss, Ryan Ginty, Emily Briest, Westin Kaser, and Victoria Briest each finished first in his or her age group in the annual Knights of Columbus free-throw competition Feb. 6. Twenty-seven boys and girls entered the contest.

Ryan posted the best score, sinking 12 of 15 free throws. n St. Dominic Parish is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. The first Mass at the original church on Crescent Drive was celebrated April 20, 1941.

Pauline priest leading Divine Mercy missions in DOK

F

ather Simon Stefanowicz, OSPPE, of the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Poland is presenting three missions in the diocese during Lent.

He will visit Sacred Heart Cathedral from Sunday through Wednesday, March 27 through 30, for Masses focusing on the Divine Mercy of Jesus, as revealed to the world through St. Faustina Kowalska.

Father Stefanowicz will speak at 7 p.m.

Masses on the following topics: “Reconciliation as a Tribunal of God’s Mercy,” on March 28; “The Eucharist, the Presence of Mercy in the World,” on March 29; and

“Physical and Spiritual Healing That Comes Through God’s Mercy,” on March 30.

St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fairfield Glade will host Father Stefanowicz from Saturday through Wednesday, April 2 through 6. He will celebrate all regularly scheduled Masses and speak at 7 p.m. CDT April 4 through 6 on the topics listed above.

Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Alcoa will host Father Stefano­ wicz next. He will present a mission on Divine Mercy, speaking at weekend Masses on April 9 and 10 and at Mass at 7 p.m. daily Monday through Thursday, April 11

through 14 (speaking on the three topics above as well as “The Deeper Meaning of Divine Mercy: Jesus, I Trust in You”).

He will also lead a physical and spiritual healing service April 14 and deliver homilies at weekday morning Masses during his stay in Alcoa.

At all three churches Father Stefanowicz will hear individual confessions beginning one hour before each evening Mass.

Call Sacred Heart at 865-588-0249, St. Francis of Assisi at 931-484-3628, or Our Lady of Fatima at 865-982-3672 for more information on the missions. n

St. Patrick, Morristown

Scout workshop on Divine Mercy award planned

n Various groups are sponsoring

Lenten meals in the parish center at 6 p.m. Fridays, before Stations of the Cross in the church at 7. The CCW will sponsor the March 18 meal. The Knights of Columbus, parish council, Hispanic Ministry, and religious education and youth ministry, respectively, will provide the meals March 25 through April 15. n A Lenten mission with Father Alex Waraksa as the presenter will continue from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, March 22 and 29. Father Waraksa’s topics are “Getting Closer to Christ,” “Growing in Faith and Trust in God,” and “Lenten Penance and Practices.”

Smoky Mountain Deanery

Immaculate Conception, Knoxville

n DVD presentations by Father Rob-

ert Barron on the seven deadly sins (and how to counteract them) began March 13 and will continue at 7 p.m. on Lenten Wednesdays in the parish hall. Materials are provided. Visit www. wordonfire.org for more details about Father Barron and the presentation. n The Irish Fest on the Hill committee sold T-shirts after Masses on March 6 and 13. The fourth annual Irish Fest fundraiser will be held Saturday, Aug. 13. n The IC Bees will hold a quilt show after all Masses on the weekend of April 16 and 17. Parishioners will select the best of show, and a $10 prize will be awarded to the winner. To enter a quilt, call Geri Couturier at 865-9321208 by Wednesday, April 13.

St. Bridget Council of Catholic Women assists pregnancy-help clinic The Council of Catholic Women at St. Bridget Parish in Dayton held a corporate Communion Jan. 23, with Father Ray Gelineau celebrating Mass, to commemorate national Right to Life Month and the Roe v. Wade anniversary. The women filled a cradle with blankets, quilts, diapers, toys, and other items. All of the supplies were delivered to the Women’s Care Center pregnancy-help clinic in Dayton. From left are CCW president Debbie Ward, CCW member Rose Switter, and Lenita Sanders, executive director of the Women’s Care Center.

T

he Council of Catholic Women and Girl Scout leaders from St. Mary Parish in Oak Ridge will present a workshop for the Divine Mercy religious award from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 19, in the St. Mary School gym.

Cub Scouts, Boy and Girl Scouts, and American Heritage Girls are encouraged to attend. Bring a sack lunch and drink; dessert will be provided.

For more information, call Kathy Morin at 865-483-3103. n

Our Lady of Fatima, Alcoa

n The confirmation class is sell-

ing tickets after weekend Masses on March 19 and 20 for a Lenten meal and a chance to win a walnut rocking chair.

Proceeds will benefit the school of Our Lady of Fatima’s sister parish in Haiti. n The Council of Catholic Women will sponsor the parish’s Lenten meal at 6 p.m. Friday, March 18, in the social hall. Stations of the Cross will follow at 7. Call Fran Gallagher at 865681-4753 for more information.

Sacred Heart, Knoxville

n The parish’s website (www.

shcathedral.org) has been redesigned. n

COURTESY OF VIC AND CAROL WHITE

NOTES

COURTESY OF ROSA AYALA

parish

Holy Family parishioners enthrone Sacred Heart The family of Vic, Carol, Ryan, and Katelyn White of Holy Family Parish in Seymour enthroned the Sacred Heart in their home on Feb. 13. Holy Family parishioners and pastor Father Ragan Schriver joined them for the celebration. Carol White (fifth from left) is pictured with daughter Katelyn (in scarf) and husband Vic (in white shirt).

www.dioknox.org

THE EAST TENNESSEE CATHOLIC

BY DAN PACITTI

Bishop Richard F. Stika will dedicate the Ladies of Charity of Knoxville’s new thrift store and emergency-assistance pantry at 11:15 a.m. Friday, March 18. The building, formerly Royal Beauty Supply at 120 W. Baxter Ave., will be dedicated to Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta. City and county officials have been invited to join Bishop Stika and Monsignor Xavier Mankel, spiritual moderator for the Knoxville Ladies of Charity, in the ribbon-cutting ceremony. At 10 a.m. that day Bishop Stika will celebrate a Mass of thanksgiving at Holy Ghost Church at 1041 N. Central St., just behind the new thrift store. Refreshments will be served after the dedication.

Catholic Charities of East Tennessee will hold its annual fundraising dinner for the Jonesborough Region at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 7, at St. Dominic Church in Kingsport. The dinner is co-hosted by Bishop Richard F. Stika and Father Ragan Schriver, CCET’s executive director. The theme of the dinner is “In My Father’s House.” Contact Brenda Dunn at 423-753-3001 or bdunn0153@comcast.net for more information.

The annual Knights of Columbus Black and White Ball will be held from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, April 9, at the Loose Cannon Gallery, 1800 Rossville Ave. in Chattanooga. The Mailmen band will perform. Tickets are $30, and two cash bars will be available.

All proceeds from the event will support tuition assistance for Chattanooga Deanery Catholic schools. Dress is formal. For tickets, contact Ivan Patton at 423-313-8605 or at itp3@comcast.net.

The Chattanooga Deanery will host its annual God Camps this summer at Harrison Bay State Park. The “Dare to Dream” camp, for students who will be in high school this fall, will be held from June 20 through 25 and will cost $140 per child. “Reach,” for rising seventh- and eighth-graders, will take place from June 27 through 30. Cost is $95. “Discover,” for upcoming fifthand sixth-graders, will be held from June 30 through July 2. Cost is $85.

Costs cover housing, meals, a T-shirt, swimming, a dance and concert (for the two older groups), and other activities. For registration forms or more information, contact a youth minister, Notre Dame High School at 423-6244618, or Donna Jones at 267-9878 or djones6029@gmail.com.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Homeschool Group is a Catholic homeschool support group in the Knoxville area that is recognized by the diocese.

The group celebrates Mass with its spiritual director at 1 p.m. on third Fridays at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Alcoa, with the next Mass set for March 18. The group also celebrates several feast days and graduation together. For more information, e-mail Wendi Cruice at wcruice@charter.net.

An ENDOW retreat for high school girls, with the theme “True Beauty Revealed: A Weekend Adventure Exploring the Big Questions,” will be held from 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 1, through noon Sunday, April 3, at St. Mary Church in Oak Ridge. The retreat will address for participants “the foundational truths about their dignity, identity, and mission” and teach them “how to live a life rooted in Christ.” Nashville Dominican Sisters and Brigid Sweeney from the ENDOW (Educating on the Nature & Dignity of Women) office in Denver will lead the retreat. Cost is $65 and includes lodging and meals.

Download registration forms at tinyurl. com/girls-retreat-2011. Contact Margaret Merrill at 865-766-8388 or mmerrill@smcor.org for more information.

A retreat for high school boys, based on Ephesians 6:11-12 (“Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm”), will be held from 5:30 p.m. Friday, April 8, through noon Sunday, April 10, at St. Mary Church in Oak Ridge. Participants will learn about strength and courage from a Christian perspective, pray the Stations of the Cross and the rosary, attend Mass, and spend an hour in adoration. Cost is $30. Download registration forms at tinyurl.com/ArmorRetreat. Contact Deacon Dan Hosford THE E A S T T E N N E S S E E C A T H OLIC

at 865-603-9682 or djh2@comcast. net or Margaret Merrill at 766-8388 or mmerrill@smcor.org for more details.

Father John Dowling, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fairfield Glade, will be the spiritual director for a 10-day pilgrimage through Italy beginning Nov. 2. Stops will include Rome and the Vatican, Assisi, Florence, Siena, and Tuscany. A three-day extension trip to Sicily is also available. The basic tour costs $3,046 from Knoxville or $2,996 from Nashville (double occupancy) and includes airfare, motor coaches, guided sightseeing, accommodations, daily breakfast and dinner, fees, fuel surcharges, and more. For a brochure or more information, call Fran at 615-390-6104, Sandy at 390-6439, or Father Dowling at 931484-3628 or 456-0415.

A Theology on Tap discussion series for Catholic young adults (20- and 30-somethings, single or married) is being held at 7:30 p.m. Sundays at the Copper Cellar, 1807 Cumberland Ave. in Knoxville. The series began March 13 and continues with the following topics: “The Global Church and the Role of Catholic Relief Services,” presented

by Michael Trujillo on March 20; “Theology, Faith, and the Arts,” presented by Thomas A. Cervone and Terry Weber on March 27; and “Out of the Cafeteria and Into the Warehouse,” presented by Father Charlie Donahue, CSP, pastor of Blessed John XXIII Parish in Knoxville.

Notre Dame High School invites parents and high school and junior high students to hear EWTN Radio host Father Thomas Loya present “Living the Good Teen Life” from 7 to 8 p.m.

Wednesday, March 23, in the NDHS auditorium. Pizza will be served from 6:30 to 7. RSVP to Mary Anne at 423624-4618 or online at alumni.myndhs. com by noon March 23.

St. Stephen Parish in Chattanooga will hold a Lenten parish mission, “The Road to Discipleship,” from Monday through Wednesday, March 28 through 30. Father Tim O’Toole of Cross International Catholic Outreach will lead the mission. Presentations will be given at 11 a.m. and again during Mass at 6:30 p.m. on the first two days, with healing Masses scheduled at 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. March 30. Everyone in the Chattanooga Deanery is invited to attend. Download a mission poster at ststephenchattanooga.com or call the St. Stephen office at 423-892-2957 to learn more.

The Family & Parish Life Ministry at St. John Neumann in Farragut and the Diocesan Office of Marriage Preparation & Enrichment are sponsoring a Divorce & Beyond support group for Catholic men and women who have experienced or are experiencing divorce. The first meeting for the 10-week Catholicbased program will be held from 4 to 5:45 p.m. Sunday, March 20, in the St. John Neumann School library. Cost for supplies is $15. For details, contact facilitator Mary Coffey at 865-671-6107 or mchartshop@charter.net. To register, contact Marilyn Derbyshire, Family & Parish Life Ministry coordinator, at 9664540 or mderbyshire@sjnknox.org.

The Sevier County chapter of Tennessee Right to Life is holding its sixth annual Oratory Contest, which is open to all high school students in Sevier County. The contest will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 7, at the Sevierville Council Hall. Speeches must take a pro-life view on the issue of abortion, stem-cell research, infanticide, or euthanasia and must be from five to seven minutes long. The registration deadline is Monday, March 28.

Prizes are $200 for first place, $125 for second, and $75 for third. Call Terry Aparicio at 865-654-7685 to request an application or learn more.

The Sts. Francis and Clare Secular Franciscans will hold an informational meeting at Sacred Heart Cathedral at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 20. All practicing lay Catholics and diocesan clergy are invited to attend. Regular formation meetings will be held afterward on third Sundays, beginning at 1:30 p.m. April 17. For more information, call Carol Pavur at 865-458-4208, Calendar continued on page 6

COURTESY OF FATHER RICHARD ARMSTRONG

CALENDAR

Catechists attend ninth ‘Frazzled’ retreat The ninth annual “Frazzled in the Vineyard” catechetical-leadership retreat, sponsored by the diocesan Office of Christian Formation, was held Feb. 11 and 12 in Knoxville.

The retreat leader was Lee Nagel (in tie at far right), executive director of the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership. The retreat began at the Super 8 on Papermill Road on the first evening before continuing the following day at the Chancery office.

Media-savvy sister keynoting at KDCCW Convention

S

ister Helena Burns of the Daughters of St. Paul, an international congregation of women religious dedicated to spreading God’s Word through media, will be the one of the keynote speakers at the 22nd annual Knoxville Diocesan Council of Catholic Women Convention.

St. Dominic Church in Kingsport will host the meeting, from Thursday through Saturday, May 5 through 7.

Sister Helena gives workshops to teens and adults on media literacy, philosophy, and theology of the body. She has a bachelor of arts in philosophy and the theology from St. John University in New York City and is working on her mas-

COURTESY OF JUDY COLLINS

on the

Sister Helena Burns, FSP

ter’s in media literacy education. She studied screenwriting at UCLA and Act One in Hollywood and has a certificate in pastoral youth ministry.

Sister Helena is also the movie reviewer for The Catholic New World, the Archdiocese of Chicago’s newspaper. Visit her blog at hellburns. blogspot.com, or follow her on Twitter at @SrHelenaBurns.

Christi Wigle, pres-

ident of the Community Coalition Against Human Trafficking, is the convention’s other keynoter.

The Five Rivers Deanery is hosting the convention. Judy Collins of Notre Dame Parish in Greeneville, Jo Ann Preske of Good Shepherd in Newport, and Anne Wharton of Holy Trinity in Jefferson City are the co-chairs.

Catholic women of all ages are encouraged to attend the convention. High school students are especially welcome and may register at a reduced fee. The early-registration deadline is Friday, April 15. For registration forms and more information about the convention, visit www.kdccw.org/ conventions.html. n

Catholic Day on the Hill for adults, students coming up

T

he Tennessee Catholic Public Policy Commission will host the third annual Catholic Student Day on the Hill in Nashville on Tuesday, April 5, and the 14th annual Catholic Day on the Hill on Wednesday, April 13, for adults.

Bishops Richard F. Stika, J. Terry Steib, SVD, of Memphis, and David R. Choby of Nashville will join Catholics from across the state at Capitol Hill on the adult day to advocate on issues related to the dignity and life of the human person.

Check-in for adults will begin at 8 a.m.

CDT on April 13.

Adults will meet in the War Memorial Auditorium at 8:30

for prayer and a welcome, followed by legislative briefings, a grass-roots advocacy program, and a question-and-answer session on legislative issues.

Areas of focus include abortion, stemcell research, health care, immigration, predatory lending, and the death penalty.

Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary of the Seven Sorrows Church at 11 a.m., followed by lunch and additional sessions in the afternoon. Those who wish may schedule meetings with their legislators.

Registration is mandatory for both the adult and student days. Cost for adults is $30, and registra-

tion and payment must be received by Wednesday, March 30. Student or chaperone registration costs $20; payment and form must be received by Tuesday, March 22.

A student registration form is available at dioknox.org/ user files/CDOHstudent-registration. pdf. The adult form appeared in the March 6 ETC and is available at dioknox. org/userfiles/CDOHadult-registration. pdf. The tentative agenda for adults is available at dioknox. org/user files/CDOHadult-agenda.pdf.

For more details, contact Kathleen Murphy at 615-8284713 or tncppc@ bellsouth.net. n

Dates set for summer mission trip to Colombia

T

his summer’s diocesan Colombia mission-trip dates have been set. A team of youth and adults will visit the South American nation June 14 through 28.

The mission team consists of 18 individuals, including Father Antonio Giraldo of St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish in Cleveland.

www.dioknox.org

Youth and young adults on the team represent the parishes of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Chattanooga, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, All Saints in Knoxville, Sacred Heart Cathedral, St. John Neumann in Farragut, St. Thomas the Apostle in Lenoir City, Our Lady of Peace in Darien, Ill., and St. Mark in

Westminster, Colo.

Adults on the trip are from St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. Mary in Athens, and the Colorado parish. Another young adult may be added to the team.

All members of the team 18 and older must be Virtus-trained.

The group is planning several events to help raise funds for the trip. n MARCH 20, 2011

n

5

Calendar continued from page 5

St. Joseph continued from page 1

Janette Irwin at 671-7220, Nancy Singh at 482-1810, or Patricia Carrasco at 250-7566.

High school juniors and seniors in the Chattanooga Deanery are invited to attend an upcoming Search for Christian Maturity retreat at the All Saints Academy building near Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Chattanooga. Search 133 is set for the weekend of March 25 through 27. Cost is $55, and scholarships are available. To obtain a form, see a youth minister, visit the Notre Dame High School office, or contact Donna Jones at 423-718-4387 or djones6029@gmail. com.

The next “Picture of Love” engaged-couples retreat will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, June 3, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 4, at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga. This marriage-preparation retreat supplements couples’ marriage formation with their parish priest and is designed to help couples gain a better understanding of the joys and challenges of living the sacrament of matrimony. Cost is $135 per couple and includes meals. The retreat certificate, for those attending the entire event, is good for a $60 discount on a marriage license. To register or learn more, contact Marian Christiana of the diocesan Office of Marriage Preparation and Enrichment at 423-892-2310 or mchristiana@dioknox.org.

The annual diocesan Youth Leadership Institute for rising ninth- through 12th-graders will be held from June 2 through 6 at the Horn’s Creek NOC Resort in Ocoee. Youth will attend workshops on leadership styles, methods of prayer, how to lead prayer services, and more. Cost is $255 and includes meals, lodging, transportation, and course materials.

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis and will end Friday, May 27. Visit bit.ly/e2sGGV to download a form or learn more. For more information, youth may also contact Al Forsythe, diocesan director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, at aforsythe@ dioknox.org or deanery coordinators Donna Jones (Chattanooga) at djones6029@gmail.com, Deacon Jim Fage (Five Rivers) at djim5rivers@charter.net, or Deacon Dan Hosford (Cumberland Mountain and Smoky Mountain) at djh2@comcast.net.

The 12th annual Catholic Charities of East Tennessee “Kids Helping Kids” fun walk is set for Saturday, May 10, at All Saints Church in Knoxville.

Free food, games, and entertainment are provided.

Families, businesses, church groups, and others are encouraged to purchase event sponsorships for $250 or $125. For more information, call CCET at 865-524-9896.

The seventh annual Fighting Irish–Warriors Spring Classic, a baseball doubleheader featuring the Knoxville Catholic High School and Christian Academy of Knoxville teams, will be held Tuesday, April 26, at Smokies Park in Kodak. Pregame activities start at 4 p.m. For more information, call CCET at 865-2124942 or visit ccetn.org.

A series of classes on natural family planning will start in Abingdon, Va., on Sunday, April 3. Call Brian and Sarah Potter at 276-698-6244 for more information.

To register for the class or learn more about NFP, visit the Couple to Couple League website at www.ccli.org (click the red search button to find the Abingdon class).

DAN MCWILLIAMS

Rose Mortuary in Knoxville is hosting two free seminars led by author and grief counselor Dr. Alan Wolfelt as part of its annual Spring Servant Series.

The first session, “Healing Your Grieving Heart When Someone You Love Has Died,” will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Dr. Wolfelt will present “The Art of ‘Companioning’ the Mourner: The Caregiver’s Helping Role” from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, March 24, at Cherokee Country Club. Breakfast and lunch will be provided at the second seminar. Registration deadline is Thursday, March 17. To register or learn more, call 865-523-2121 or 588-8578.

St. Joseph School parent Katie Hannah asks Bishop Stika a question during the town-hall meeting. With her is St. Joseph athletics director Jeff Morgan, who handled microphone duties for the session.

QUESTION-AND-ANSWER SESSION

chairs the task force, whose members include parishioners of Holy Ghost, IC, St. Albert, and Blessed John XXIII. On Feb. 23 the bishop announced—in a letter to St. Joseph parents and faculty and parishioners of Holy Ghost, IC, and St. Albert—that he had received the final reports from four committees set up by the task force (March 6 ETC). Having received their recommendations, the bishop announced that St. Joseph would become a regional school effective June 1, also the day that assistant principal Sister Mary Elizabeth Ann will succeed Dr. Montgomery.

The regional school will be guided by an executive committee that includes pastors of Holy Ghost, IC, and St. Albert, plus a pastor representing the parishes that send fewer than 10 children to the school. One of those pastors will serve as president of the school for a five-year term, filling essentially the same role with the school that Monsignor Mankel now has as Holy Ghost pastor. Bishop Stika announced in the letter that Father Michelson would be the first president of the executive committee.

“I’m excited and humbled to be asked to take on this responsibility of working with St. Joseph School,” said Father Michelson at the meeting.

Also guiding the school will be a school advisory committee, which will have essentially the same role as the current St. Joseph school board, and a finance committee that will report regularly to the school president, principal, advisory committee, diocesan finance officer, and bishop.

Bishop Stika began the town-hall meeting by stating that the diocese has two

“gems” in St. Joseph School and Holy Ghost. Each is facing debt issues, he added, St. Joseph’s debt including the new gym that hosted the meeting and Holy Ghost’s including its new Father Henkel Hall and recent property acquisitions.

St. Joseph’s enrollment has gone from 237 and 246 students in 2003-04 and ’04-’05, respectively, to 174 this year, meaning the school could have as much as a $300,000 deficit, said Bishop Stika.

Holy Ghost has 55 of the students; St. Albert has 51, IC 41, and several other parishes have fewer than 10 each.

“When I looked at the declining numbers and the deficit and the impact it might have, I became very concerned,” said the bishop. “So I asked the task force to study this.”

The “collaborative effort” of Father Michelson, Sister Mary Elizabeth Ann, and the new committees can only benefit St. Joseph School, said Bishop Stika.

“Sister, as the principal, will be responsible for the academic, the formational, and in many ways the sacramental life of the school, working with the parish pastors who send their children here,” he said. “The school advisory committee will be looking at things that will increase enrollment. . . . They have a great task in front of them.”

The school will also reach out to and attempt to bring back families who have left St. Joseph in recent years, the bishop said, adding that the task force has made several recommendations in the areas of cost cutting and increasing enrollment.

Bishop Stika said he has asked Jim Link, the diocesan director of Stewardship and

Planned Giving, to work with Monsignor Mankel on ways to bring down Holy Ghost’s debt.

The bishop also said he has contacted foundations that could potentially make donations to St. Joseph.

One Holy Ghost parishioner asked the bishop how the parish can “get our school back.” Bishop Stika said, “You haven’t lost the school. We’re recognizing the fact that without the other parishes, St. Joseph would have 55 students.

This is a collaborative effort of the diocese and all the parishes involved.”

Action was required, the bishop told one questioner.

“If we don’t do something now, St. Joseph could close,” he said.

The bishop cited his own elementary school alma mater in St. Louis, Epiphany of Our Lord School, which closed last spring at the end of its 98th year. Its enrollment had dropped from more than 1,000 in the mid-1960s to 120 in its final year, he said.

Epiphany of Our Lord and many other Catholic schools had been “built on the backs of free labor” provided by women and men religious, but “times have changed,” he said.

One of the religious to serve at St. Joseph was the late Mercy Sister Jolita Hughes. Her sister, IC parishioner Mary Catherine Willard, told the bishop that she prays to Sister Jolita daily, asking her to help keep the school going.

Valerie Duncan, a parishioner of St. Albert and a member of the original fourthgrade class at St. Joseph, is glad that her pastor—as president of the school—will keep it a Catholic school, she told Bishop Stika.

He replied: “The bishop will too.” n

The Catholic Alumni Club International is holding a “Young Adults Fun Weekend” from June 2 through 5 in St. Louis. Ages 21 to 39 are welcome to register.

For more information, contact Steve at valksr@yahoo. com or visit www.csacstlouis.org/youngadults.html.

A Seekers of Silence Contemplative Saturday Morning will be held April 2 at Blessed John XXIII Catholic Center in Knoxville. Father Terry Ryan, CSP, will give a talk titled “Dorothee Soelle, 19292003, German Mystic.” Coffee and tea will be served at 8:30 a.m.; the workshop will run from 9 a.m. to noon. Bring a bag lunch. To RSVP or learn more, call 865-523-7931.

Mass in the extraordinary form (“traditional Latin”) is celebrated at 1:30 p.m. each Sunday at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville, at 3 p.m. on first Sundays at Calendar continued on page 7

6

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MARCH 20, 2011

DAN MCWILLIAMS

The multinational One Million Rosaries for Unborn Babies prayer event is set for the weekend of May 6 through 8. Last year people from more than 40 nations registered rosaries, although the goal of one million was not met. This year the St. Michael the Archangel Organization of Memphis is again encouraging pro-lifers to participate by praying at least one rosary for an end to the surgical and non-surgical killing of the unborn. Register online at SaintMichael TheArchangelOrganization.org.

Rites of election held around the diocese Bishop Richard F. Stika signs the Book of the Elect for Holy Ghost Parish in Knoxville during the Smoky Mountain Deanery rite of election ceremony March 12 at Immaculate Conception Church in Knoxville. Watching the bishop are Deacon Hieu Vinh of IC and Elizabeth Bunker, Holy Ghost RCIA coordinator. The bishop presided at all four deanery rites of election March 12 and 13. Look for an article and additional photos in the April 10 issue. www.dioknox.org

THE EAST TENNESSEE CATHOLIC

KCHS athlete wins state Gatorade St. Mary School students sweep top awards at Oak Ridge Science Fair Runner of the Year Award YOUTH

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K

COURTESY OF DAWN GARIBAY

tudents at St. Mary School in Oak Ridge made a clean sweep at the 2011 Oak Ridge Science Fair sponsored by the Oak Ridge Rotary Club.

Students from St. Mary received firstplace awards in all three categories: earth science, life science, and physical science.

The following students were awarded prizes after competing in the science fair: Jacob Burbar finished first in the physical-science category and was the overall grand champion. He won an all-expensepaid trip for himself and a parent to Space Camp in Huntsville, Ala., as well as a $100 savings bond.

Lindsey BurtisFuller finished first in earth science and second overall. She won

St. Mary School fifth-graders (from left) Jacob Burbar, Olivia Milloway, and Lindsay Burtis-Fuller display their Oak Ridge Science Fair awards.

THREE MEDALISTS

a laptop computer and a $100 savings bond.

Olivia Milloway took first place in life science and third overall. She won a $100 savings bond

and a Kindle.

Erin Van Berkel placed second in life science, and Nathan Kidder finished third in physical science.

Each won a $10 Walmart gift card.

St. Mary science teacher Cathy Lowden was awarded three $150 gift cards to The School Box, one for each of the first-place awards of her students. n

St. Jude School focuses on health during Catholic Schools Week

COURTESY OF JAN JOHNSSON

COURTESY OF KATHIE ETHERTON (2)

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t. Jude School in Chattanooga celebrated the recent Catholic Schools Week with a “Share the Health” focus on mind, body, and spirit.

The school sponsored a parish-wide blood-drive and mammogram mobile for adults and a car-seat check for all school and parish families. Fifth-graders hosted a fall-prevention class for parishioners after a morning Mass.

Faculty and students presented the gifts at a Mass at St. Jude Church to begin Catholic Schools Week. Bishop Richard F. Stika celebrated a Mass for students later in the week (March 6 ETC).

Students also collected hundreds of personal-hygiene items that were distributed to Catholic Charities, The Home Place, and U.S. troops headed to Kuwait.

St. Jude School has 42 staff members, eight of whom have

noxville Catholic High School senior Joanna Thompson recently received the 2010-11 Gatorade Tennessee Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year award.

Joanna joins 2009-10 winner Megan Ferowich as the second athlete from KCHS to receive the honor.

Joanna Thompson The award, presented in conjunction with ESPN RISE, recognizes not only athletic excellence but also academic achievement and character on and off the course. With the honor, Joanna became a finalist for the Gatorade National Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year award.

Joanna was named the 2010 Knoxville News Sentinel PrepXtra runner of the year and won the Class AAA individual cross-country state championship in a time of 17 minutes, 51.10 seconds. She went on to finish fourth in the Foot Locker South Regional championships and qualified for the nationals. At the Foot Locker Cross Country National Finals she finished 10th with a time of 17:46 and earned All-American honors. Joanna recently signed with North Carolina State (Feb. 20 ETC).

Joanna, who has a 3.83 GPA, is also an alto saxophonist in the Knoxville Catholic band. She is in the book club at KCHS and volunteers locally with the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Knoxville Zoo. “Joanna is self motivated, excels academically, and has a tremendous will to succeed,” said KCHS athletics director Jason Surlas. “She has a true passion for running and inspires all of us at Knoxville Catholic.” n

COURTESY OF MEGAN LOCKE

catholic

HELPING CATHOLIC CHARITIES Christina Call (center, top photo) of Catholic Chari-

ties accepted hundreds of personal-care items donated by St. Jude School students during Catholic Schools Week. With her are (from left) students Patrick Johnson, Evan Nowell, Ashlynn Dumsday, and Katie Koenig. Also during the week, former St. Jude School librarian Bev Fazio (bottom photo) made a return visit to read to kindergarten students.

graduated from the school. Together they

have 53 children who have attended or

currently attend the school. n

Ike wins geography bee at St. Joseph Ten students in grades six through eight participated in the 2011 National Geographic Bee finals at St. Joseph School in Knoxville on Jan. 20. The finalists advanced to the school-wide round after qualifying in a preliminary round. Questions for the competition are generated by the National Geographic Society and cover topics ranging from U.S. and world geography to world history and current events. The final competition was moderated by Andy Zengel, middle school social-studies teacher, and judged by Joe Aboumoussa, middle school language-arts teacher. Seventh-grader Ike Hannah correctly answered a question about the Lighthouse of Alexandria, Egypt, to win the school championship. Ike is pictured above with Mr. Zengel and Dr. Aurelia Montgomery, St. Joseph principal. Fellow seventh-grader John McAllister was runner-up. Ike earned a $50 prize donated by Cortese Tree Specialists and took a qualifying exam for the state-level competition in Nashville this spring.

Calendar continued from page 6

St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church in Cleveland, and at 3 p.m. on second and fourth Sundays at St. Joseph the Worker Church in Madisonville. There will also be a 3 p.m. traditional Latin Mass on Palm Sunday, April 17, at St. Thérèse. Visit www.knoxlatinmass.net for updated information.

COURTESY OF JONATHAN DRAYNA

Alexian Brothers Senior Ministries will host a workshop on Alzheimer’s disease from 2 to 3 p.m.

Wednesday, March 30, at Alexian Village, 437 Alexian Way in Signal Mountain. The workshop will be presented by Dr. John Standridge, a geriatrician with UT Family Practice Center in Chattanooga and medical director of the Alexian Health Care Center. Call 8860495 for more information. Visit www.AlexianBrothers.net to view the “Alexian Chat” newsletter and a calendar of events.

Diocesan seminarian installed as reader Seminarian Arthur Torres Barona (kneeling) of the Diocese of Knoxville was instituted as a reader March 2 at Sacred Heart School of Theology in suburban Milwaukee. The rite is an important milestone on the path to priestly ordination. Bishop Kevin Vann of the Diocese of Fort Worth presided at the institution Mass, and Bishop Ronald Gainer (not pictured) of the Diocese of Lexington concelebrated. Seven other seminarians were instituted as readers at the Mass. Sacred Heart is North America’s largest seminary specializing in the formation of men over 30, with 34 U.S. and Canadian dioceses, including Knoxville, Fort Worth, and Lexington, using it.

THE E A S T T E N N E S S E E C A T H OLIC

www.dioknox.org

Holy Resurrection Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic Mission has Divine Liturgy celebrations at 3:30 p.m.

Sundays at Holy Ghost Church, 1041 N. Central St. in Knoxville. Call Father Thomas O’Connell at 865-256-4880.

The St. Thomas the Apostle Ukrainian Catholic Mission celebrates Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. Sundays in the chapel at the Chancery office in Knoxville. Call Father Richard Armstrong at 865-584-3307 for more information. n MARCH 20, 2011

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Smoky Mountain Deanery diaconate information session set for March 26

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en in the Smoky Mountain Deanery who believe they may have a call to the permanent diaconate can learn more about the diocese’s formation program during an information session set for 10 a.m. Saturday, March 26, at St. Albert the Great Church in Knoxville. For details about eligibility and qualifications, see “Do you have a call to the permanent diaconate?” (Jan. 23 ETC, available online at bit.ly/huEzCc).

The two-hour session will outline diocesan admission policies, the work of the deacon in the diocese, the theology of diaconal ministry, and preparation for the diaconate.

For more information, call Deacon Tim Elliott, diocesan director of the Diaconate Office and coordinator of ongoing formation for deacons, at 865-584-3307, or e-mail telliott@dioknox.org. n

Want to try online delivery?

T

he East Tennessee Catholic offers online delivery for those who would prefer to read a digital copy and to discontinue the print edition. If you would like to try online delivery, visit bit.ly/subscribe-online to sign up.

If you decide online delivery isn’t for you, you can return to a print subscription at any time. If you have questions, e-mail mhunt@dioknox.org. n

Pope continued from page 1

ines the scriptural interpretation of early Church Fathers and contemporary scholars, rejecting some arguments and affirming or elaborating on others. Prominently cited was Rudolf Bultmann, the late 20th-century German Protestant scholar of the New Testament.

The pope said it was important to understand that the events recounted in the Scriptures are historically grounded and actually occurred and are not simply stories or ideas. For example, he said, if Jesus did not actually give his disciples bread and wine as his body and blood at the Last Supper, “the Church’s eucharistic celebration is empty—a pious fiction.”

Likewise, he said, Christ’s actual resurrection from the dead is foundational for the Church. Without it, he said, “Christian faith itself would be dead.”

At the same time, he acknowledged that the historical record about Jesus is not complete and said that “if the certainty of faith were dependent upon scientific-historical verification alone, it would always remain open to revision.” He took issue with the “historical Jesus” movement in scriptural scholarship, saying it has “focused too much on the past for it to make possible a personal relationship with Jesus.”

The pope took critical aim at scholars who have interpreted Christ’s passion in political terms and sought to portray Jesus as a “political agitator.”

On the contrary, the pope wrote, Jesus inaugurated a “nonpolitical Messianic kingdom” in a world where the political and the religious had been inseparable.

“This separation—essential to Jesus’ message—of politics from faith, of God’s people from politics, was ultimately possible only through the cross. Only through the total loss of all external power, through the radical stripping away that led to the cross, could this new world come into being,” he said.

The pope said that “violent revolution, killing others in God’s name” was not Jesus’ way. “He does not come bearing the sword of the revolutionary.

He comes with the gift of healing,” he said.

The book generally steered clear of commentary on contemporary issues, but on the issue of nonviolence, the pope added that “the cruel consequences of religiously motivated violence are only too evident to us all.”

“Vengeance does not build up the kingdom of God, the kingdom of humanity. On the contrary, it is a favorite instrument of the Antichrist, however idealistic its religious motivation may be. It serves not humanity but inhumanity,” he said.

Previously released excerpts from the book emphasized that Jesus’ condemnation and death cannot be blamed on the Jewish people. The same chapter said Jesus’ trial before the Roman authorities raised the question—which is still being asked today—of whether politics can accept “truth” as anything but a subjective reality.

The book’s final chapter examines the resurrection from the dead as “the crucial point” of Jesus’ life. Without the resurrection, the pope said, Jesus would be merely “a failed religious leader.”

The pope said some of the strongest evidence for the authenticity of the resurrection was to be found in the Scripture accounts of the disciples’ encounters with the risen Christ. Jesus is presented as being present physically, though not bound by physical laws, and is not immediately recognized. All of this is presented “clumsily” in the Gospel narratives, which makes them all the more credible, reflecting the disciples’ genuine amazement, he said.

“It is important that the encounters with the risen Lord are not just interior events or mystical experiences—they are real encounters with the living one who is now embodied in a new way,” he said.

Pope continued on page 10

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MARCH 20, 2011

life and

DIGNITY

BY PAUL SIMONEAU

Four Herods The culture of death assaults life, the conscience, and the Church.

Four tragic figures play an illuminating role in the mystery of redemption, from the birth of Christ and his passion and death to the birth of the Church and the beginning of her long passion. Each bears the name Herod and is a member of the Herodian family dynasty. Each represents in a particular way the culture of death and its assault upon the most vulnerable, upon the conscience, and upon the Church and those called to serve the common good.

Most familiar to us are Herod the Great (74–4 bc), who ruled at the time of the birth of Christ, and his son, Herod Antipas (20 bc–c. 39 ad), who governed the region of Galilee at the time of Christ’s passion and death. These two figures represent the alpha and the omega of the culture of death, with its contempt for the Church’s teaching regarding the sanctity of life, from conception to natural death.

It was Herod the Great who renovated and enlarged the Temple of Jerusalem and added to the city’s beauty. Even Peter, struck by the magnificence of those works, would later say to Jesus, “look at the huge blocks of stone and the enormous buildings” (Mark 13:1). But Herod, fearing that

building the

KINGDOM

his efforts to build a kingdom of his design would be thwarted by the newborn king of the Jews and the plan of God, ordered the slaughter of the Holy Innocents (Matthew 2:1-18). Fear is the very air the culture of death breathes.

Like Herod, the culture of death views the innocent and most vulnerable of society as disposable materials for the artisans of progress and science to use as they wish. But for those who reject God’s loving plan and insist on their own, the words of Jesus serve as an ominous warning: “Do you see these great buildings?

Not one stone will be left upon another—all will be torn down” (Mark 13:2).

It was Herod Antipas who, like his father, put to the sword not only the innocent John the Baptist but also God’s inner prophet dwelling in his conscience. Herod Antipas represents the culture of death’s quest to silence God’s voice and to give voice to the false prophets who compete for our attention within the heart’s sanctuary. It is these prophets who echo the promise of Herod Antipas: “Ask for anything you want and I will give it to you” (Mark 6:22).

When Jesus stood before Herod Antipas, bound and degraded, Herod could find nothing of value in him. So he handed Christ over to those who would crucify him (Luke 23:8-11). In Herod Antipas we find all who value human life based upon one’s usefulness to

BY JIM LINK

A Lenten commitment An Annual Catholic Appeal gift can help a variety of people diocesan-wide.

Lent is an important time of preparation for Christians.

Just as the gloom and darkness of winter yield to the warm brilliance of spring, we’re called to surrender to Christ’s power and radiance. Inclining our hearts to the Lord, we seek to be transformed by God’s love and mercy.

The Church teaches that sacrifice, repentance, and conversion lead to rebirth.

Scripture calls us to renew our faith through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Exemplified

by Jesus himself, these acts strengthen us and lead to true happiness. By performing them, we grow in holiness.

The Lenten practice of giving alms enables us to fulfill God’s command to serve the less fortunate while taking a significant step toward meriting our own salvation. The Annual Catholic Appeal provides a wonderful vehicle for following Christ’s example. The bulk of what’s raised provides food, clothing, shelter, and counseling for more than 20,000 East Tennesseans in need.

In addition, the appeal supports the education of nearly 10,000 students who are enrolled in Catholic schools and religious-education programs.

Thousands more benefit from

society.

Like Herod the Great, who sought the infant Christ in order to put him to death, his grandson, Agrippa I (c. 10 bc-44 ad), sought the infant Church in order to destroy it.

He “laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the Church” and “killed James the brother of John with the sword” (Acts 12:1, 2). In Agrippa we find all who attempt to silence the Church and its witness to the Gospel truth about man’s intrinsic value and redeemed nature.

When Agrippa had Peter arrested (Acts 12:3-11), it was through the “earnest prayer . . . made to God by the Church” that he was liberated from his shackles by the angel of the Lord. We must never stop praying for the Church to be “rescued . . . from the hand of Herod,” from the shackles of the culture of death.

Agrippa’s son, Agrippa II (27-c. 93 ad), represents all who hear the Gospel but wish to place limits on it. He responded to St. Paul’s apologia by saying, “A little more, Paul, and you will make a Christian out of me” (Acts 26:28).

Agrippa II was a trusted friend of Caesar and had great respect for Roman law. In him we find all who say, “I am personally opposed to abortion or Planned Parenthood, but . . .”

When told that Herod wished to kill him, Jesus replied, “Go and tell that fox . . . , on the third day I accomplish my purpose” (Luke 13:32).

Closing with my customary play on the words of Pope Paul VI, “If you want peace . . . , seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). n Mr. Simoneau directs the diocesan Justice and Peace Office. programs in youth ministry, marriage enrichment, faith formation, and evangelization—all funded through the Annual Catholic Appeal.

This Lent I invite you to join me in making a sacrificial commitment to the people who benefit from the Annual Catholic Appeal. Thanks to our generosity, a troubled marriage may be saved in Kingsport. A young woman whose parents can’t afford the tuition will attend one of our schools. A homeless man in Chattanooga will find shelter. Migrant workers in Morristown will learn how to become American citizens. A hungry family in Crossville will enjoy a home-cooked meal. Thousands of people will see the face of Jesus.

Giving alms enhances the lives of people across the diocese—and transforms us in the process. n Mr. Link directs the diocesan Stewardship and Planned Giving Office. He can be reached at jlink@dioknox.org.

Lenten penance services scheduled throughout the diocese

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ere is a list of remaining Lenten penance services around the Diocese of Knoxville:

Cleveland; April 17—St. Catherine Labouré, Copperhill, 5 p.m.

Cumberland Mountain Deanery

Chattanooga Deanery 7 p.m. EDT, except as noted. March 17—Sts. Peter and Paul, Chattanooga, 5:30 p.m.; March 24—Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Chattanooga; March 30—Holy Spirit, SoddyDaisy; March 31—St. Stephen, Chattanooga; April 5—Our Lady of Lourdes, South Pittsburg, 6:30 p.m.

CDT; April 6—St. Bridget, Dayton, 6:30 p.m.; St. Augustine, Signal Mountain; April 7—Notre Dame High School, Chattanooga, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; St. Jude, Chattanooga; April 8—NDHS, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; April 12—Shepherd of the Valley, Dunlap, 6:30 p.m. CDT; St. Mary, Athens; April 14—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, www.dioknox.org

7 p.m. EDT, except as noted.

March 21—St. Alphonsus, Crossville, 6 p.m. CDT; March 22—St. Francis of Assisi, Fairfield Glade, 6 p.m. CDT; March 23—St. Joseph, Norris, and St. Therese, Clinton, at St. Therese; March 28—St. John Neumann, Farragut; March 29—St. Mary, Oak Ridge; April 6— St. Ann, Lancing; April 8—St. Christopher, Jamestown, 6 p.m. CDT; April 12—Knoxville Catholic High School at All Saints, 10:30 a.m.; St. Thomas the Apostle; April 13— KCHS at All Saints, 10:30 a.m.; Christ the King, Tazewell; April 14— Our Lady of Perpetual Help, LaFollette; April 18—All Saints, Knoxville

Five Rivers Deanery 7 p.m. March 23—Holy Trinity, Jefferson City; March 24—St. Patrick, Morristown; March 28—Good Shepherd, Newport; March 29—St. Mary, Johnson City; March 31—St. Henry, Rogersville

Smoky Mountain Deanery 7 p.m., except as noted. March 22—Sacred Heart Cathedral; March 23—Holy Family, Seymour; March 28—Blessed John XXIII, Knoxville, 7:30 p.m.; March 29—St. Albert the Great, Knoxville; April 4—St. Mary, Gatlinburg; April 7—Our Lady of Fatima, Alcoa; April 12—St. Francis of Assisi, Townsend; April 13—St. Joseph the Worker, Madisonville; April 14—Immaculate Conception, Knoxville, and Holy Ghost, Knoxville, at IC n THE EAST TENNESSEE CATHOLIC

our

PRIESTS

from the

BY MARGARET HUNT

‘Prayer is the lifeblood’ for Father McGinnity Many people influenced the Ireland native’s vocation, including the priests of the Diocese of Knoxville.

ather P. J. McGinnity is the pastor of St. Joseph the Worker Church in Madisonville. He was ordained to the priesthood on July 20, 1991, at St. Patrick Church, Ballybay, County Monaghan, Ireland, by Bishop Anthony J. O’Connell, the first bishop of Knoxville. He is the third of 14 children of the late Frank and Mollie McGinnity of County Monaghan. Before entering the seminary, Father McGinnity worked as a psychiatric and general nurse in Birmingham, England, for 10 years.

Who influenced your vocation the most?

The people who most influenced my priestly vocation were my own parents, my home parish priest, and some of my professors in the seminary. But in particular the priests of this diocese, especially the priests whom I served with in Greeneville and Chattanooga from 1990 up to my diaconal ordination, as I saw in them a true icon of Christ, the Good Shepherd, leader and guide.

What does your vocation mean to you, and how do you live out your calling?

I believe Pope Benedict XVI expresses this concept best: “To become priests of the Church means to enter into the self-donation of Christ through the sacrament of holy orders and to enter with all of one’s being. Indeed, Jesus gave his life for all, but in a special way he consecrated himself

DEACON PATRICK MURPHY-RACEY

F

Father P. J. McGinnity

for those whom the Father had given to him that they may be consecrated in truth, that is, in him, and could speak and act in his name, represent him, continue his saving actions: breaking the bread of life and remitting sins” (homily at Mass for the ordination of priests, May 3, 2009).

Being consecrated in the truth calls me to be an authentic minister of the Gospel, in which I preach Christ and not myself and celebrate the sacred mysteries in the manner mediated to me by the Magisterium of the Church.

[This spills] over into my ministry to those who are attached to the Latin liturgy, the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite. [I am called to be] at all times sensitive to their needs, accepting and appreciating their profound depth of faith, sincerity, goodness, and of course, learning from them, therefore continuing Christ’s

saving action. In this way I am given the sense of ministering to all God’s holy people.

Availability is an important facet of my priestly ministry.

Being available there and then when someone asks to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation is just one such example. I feel strongly that we should not appoint this sacrament as we could be responsible for frustrating the action of the Holy Spirit in that person’s life.

What part does prayer play in your priestly ministry?

This is an essential aspect of my priestly ministry, for as my parishioners often hear me say, you can’t give what you haven’t got. The Liturgy of the Hours plays an important role in my daily homily. Eucharistic adoration each Friday is a refreshing oasis of time with the Lord, the holy rosary each evening is truly the Gospel on its knees, especially now, with the inclusion of the luminous mysteries.

For me personally, prayer is the lifeblood of my priesthood, being sure I am not unique in this! Good spiritual reading on the lives of the saints and other good sources is essential. The frequent celebration of the sacrament of penance goes without saying.

Daily meditation on sacred Scripture is the backbone of remaining in persona Christi always. n

Mrs. Hunt is administrative assistant for the diocesan Media Office.

PARACLETE

BY BETHANY MARINAC

Need help with the new Missal?

O

ver the next several months congregations will learn much more about the third edition of the Roman Missal, the ritual text that contains prayers and instructions for the celebration of the Mass. (See Father Randy Stice’s regular ETC columns on the new Missal, available online at bit.ly/ fUqqJh, or visit the U.S. bishops’ web page about the Missal: usccb.org/romanmissal/.)

The third edition of the Roman Missal is a new translation from the Latin, and it will be implemented in the United States on Nov. 27 this year, the first Sunday of Advent. The Missal includes the prayers prayed by the priest and deacon as well as the ordinary of the Mass: prayers such as the Gloria; the Creed; the Holy, Holy, Holy; and the Lamb of God. To help our customers understand the changes, we are offering several books that will help in the transition.

If you are looking for something to take to Mass with you, we offer a brochure titled “Understanding the Revised Mass Texts” by Paul Turner (Liturgy Training Publications, $1.25). It explains the revisions and gives examples of the old and new texts side by side.

If you wish to learn more about the theology involved, try Mystical Body, Mystical Voice: Encountering Christ in the Words of the Mass by Christopher Carstens and Douglas Martis (Liturgy Training Publications, $16.95). This book is recommended to all parishes for both classes and personal study that will lead readers to a deeper understanding of the third edition of the Roman Missal. The material is also offered in a DVD format ($49.95), which explores the sacramental, symbolic, and historic aspects of the Missal.

If you wish to explore the translation visually, we offer a DVD set called A New Translation for a New Roman Missal (Midwest Theological Forum, $20) and featuring Monsignor James P. Moroney, executive secretary of the Vox Clara committee, created by the Holy See to advise the Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments on the translation of Roman Catholic liturgical books into English. The set includes interviews with Cardinals Francis Arinze, George Pell, and Francis George. n Call the store at 865-588-0388 or 800-333-2097.

Visit its Facebook page at bit.ly/paracleteknoxville.

Book continued from page 3

word on

FIRE

BY FATHER ROBERT BARRON

Why go to confession?

The Church, as an extension of the Incarnation, offers Christ’s forgiveness.

I recently wrote an article on the new and somewhat controversial Confession iPhone app.

In the wake of that piece, I received a number of letters and e-mail communications about the practice of confession. Many expressed a rather deep impatience with the whole idea of confessing one’s sins to a priest.

Why, some asked, do we require a mediator when seeking divine forgiveness? Why can’t we “go directly to God”?

Others somewhat more darkly insinuated that the Catholic obsession with confession is tantamount to an abuse of power, the institutional church asserting its control over the inner lives of ordinary Catholics.

These are very old objections, going back at least as far as the 16th-century Protestant Reformation. Young Martin Luther was an Augustinian monk with a somewhat unhealthy preoccupation with confession. It is said that Luther would finish an exhaustive rehearsal of his sins and peccadilloes and then return, almost immediately, to the confessional box, convinced that he had forgotten something. He tried, over and again, to receive assurance of salvation from the practice of confessing and receiving absolution, but he never felt THE E A S T T E N N E S S E E C A T H OLIC

satisfied.

One day, after many years of anguished wrestling, Luther was in the tower of the monastery, studying the opening of Paul’s letter to the church at Rome. A particular verse hit him with the force of a revelation: “the just man shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17).

What struck him with such power was the conviction that justice or salvation came not from any external work of ours but only from God’s grace accepted in faith. And this faith, he surmised, was an act that took place in the believer’s deepest interior.

On the basis of this experience Luther sharply distinguished between what he called “the inner man” and “the outer man;” and he asserted that what is really vital in the spiritual order—the acceptance in faith of the offer of grace—is a function of the inner man, whereas the works and efforts of the outer man remain relatively derivative and secondary.

One of the major implications of this distinction is that the “external” features of religion—liturgy, vestments, rituals, pilgrimages, sacramentals, and sacraments—become marginal. Thus, Luther reduced the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church to two— baptism and the Lord’s Supper—and declared that even these are not, strictly speaking, necessary for salvation.

He directed his particular ire against the sacrament of confession, which, in his judgment, the Lord

had never commanded and which had become simply a means by which Roman authorities could exercise their power over the good people of Christ. I think it’s safe to say that the vast majority of Protestants have followed the lead of Luther in this regard, many even going beyond him in their marginalization of the sacraments and their suspicion of confession in particular.

It is fascinating to mark how thoroughly our modern secular culture has been influenced by this typically Protestant bifurcation between the inner and the outer. How blithely most of us assume that what is really important is going on “deep down inside,” and how quick most of us are to relegate the body, behavior, and action to the realm of mere “externals.” We are deeply suspicious of a person or an institution that would impose upon us any sort of behavioral conformity. Even the most cursory acquaintance with contemporary culture reveals that freedom—the sovereignty of the inner self—is our supreme value.

Why precisely did the Catholic Church find itself in opposition to Luther’s accounts of salvation, the inner man, and the sacraments? In a word, it was the abiding Catholic sense of the Incarnation.

In Jesus Christ the absolutely transcendent God came close to us, spoke to us in a human voice, reached out to us with human hands, looked upon us with human eyes, and saved us with his crucified human body. As St. John put it so pithily, “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”

Accordingly, from St. Irenaeus onward, orthodox Christian theologians and spiritual masters have consistently re-

“I wanted to give something back because after the loss of my job, I wasn’t sure whether my kids were going to be able to stay at Catholic school or not. I had one in Knoxville Catholic High School. I had another one at St. John Neumann, and Father Dowling and Catholic Charities made it possible for them to stay in school there.”

Mr. Russell’s performances illustrate seven types of illusions a magician can perform: prediction, levitation, transportation, transformation, disappearance, restoration, and appearance.

“When a magician ‘cuts a woman in half’ and ‘puts her back together’ again or you cut a rope and it comes back together again—that’s a restoration illusion. You can take that same thing and say it points to something greater: the restoration that happened in human history when Mary said yes, and it led to Jesus Christ’s restoring man to God with the New Covenant.”

Mr. Russell emphasized that his magic act has no connection with the occult.

“That could easily be misunderstood, but it depends on the person who’s performing. I’ve never made any claims of being supernatural. This is nothing but a trick. It’s nothing but creating an illusion. . . . I guess it’s whom you give the glory to.

This is all meant to give glory to God.” Mr. Russell said he hopes the book steers “one of these young minds” into a career in publishing, illustrating, or writing.

The young artists were featured on local news during the week of the signing.

Mr. Russell and his wife of 26 years, Gloria, live in Knoxville. His website is davidrussell magician.com.

Copies of the book are available for $25 from the St. John Neumann School office and the Paraclete. n

Diocese of Knoxville procedure for reporting sexual abuse Anyone who has actual knowledge of or who has reasonable cause to suspect an incident of sexual abuse should report such information to the appropriate civil authorities first, then to the bishop’s office, 865-584-3307, or the diocesan victims’ assistance coordinator, Marla Lenihan, 865-482-1388.

Barron continued on page 10 www.dioknox.org

MARCH 20, 2011

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CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING

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Pope Benedict XVI leads the Angelus from the window of his apartment overlooking St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican March 13.

COMMITMENT TO JESUS

CNS PHOTO/REUTERS/KYODO

Benedict begins Lenten retreat, encourages battle against evil B Y C I N D Y W O ODEN

VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Pope Benedict XVI asked Catholics for their prayers as he began his weeklong Lenten retreat March 13.

Before reciting the Angelus prayer at midday with visitors in St. Peter’s Square, he also prayed that Mary would intercede to help everyone have a Lent that is “rich in the fruits of conversion.”

Carmelite Father Francois-Marie Lethel, a theology professor and the secretary of the Pontifical Academy of Theology, was chosen to preach the retreat March 13 through 19 for Pope Benedict and top Vatican officials. The French priest’s topic was to be “The Light of Christ in the Heart of the Church: John Paul II and the Theology of Saints.”

In his main Angelus address Pope Benedict discussed the Gospel story of the temptation of Jesus in the desert.

The pope said the story is a reminder that evil and sin really do exist.

In modern societies in which people pretend God does not exist, it is logical that they also do not think there are such things as sin and evil, he said.

Just as shadows exist only when the sun or another light is shining, “so the eclipse of God necessarily leads to the eclipse of sin,” the pope said.

God sent his only son to take on human flesh and then to die for the salvation of all, he said, but “the devil, with all his strength, opposes this plan of definitive and universal salvation.”

Setting out on the Lenten journey of conversion, the pope said, Christians make a commitment “to take Jesus’ side against sin and, as individuals and as a Church, to engage in spiritual battle against the spirit of evil.” n Copyright 2011 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

Barron continued from page 9

sisted the temptation to drive a wedge between spirit and matter for they knew that the pure Spirit of God addressed us precisely through the body of Jesus.

The Church is nothing but the extension of the Incarnation through time and space, the vehicle by which Christ continues to touch and address the world. And this is why, in Catholic theology, externals matter very much indeed.

Color, texture, voice, liturgical gesture, light, sound, bread, wine, oil, the touch of a hand— these are the material elements through which the Incarnation continues to find expression.

To say that such things are secondary or peripheral is to say that the body of Jesus is secondary or peripheral.

One of the most powerful moves Jesus made was to offer the forgiveness of sins. To the paralyzed man he said, “my son, your sins are forgiven,” to the woman caught in adultery he said, “neither do I condemn you,” and to the good thief he said, “Today, I assure you, will be with me in Paradise.”

But in none of these cases did the Divine Spirit immediately commune with the human spirit; rather, the communication of forgiveness came through the voice, eyes, gesture, and embodied presence of the Word made flesh. As he administers the sacraments, the priest is operating, not in his own person, but in persona Christi (in the person of Christ). His voice, his gesture, and his embodied presence are a sacramental representation, a bodying forth, of Christ’s embodied presence.

Could God forgive outside of the rituals of the Catholic Church? Of course. God is held bound by nothing. But the stubbornly incarnational God, Catholics believe, has desired to convey his forgiveness through the body of the Church. And that’s why we go to a priest, an embodied alter Christus, for confession. n Father Robert Barron is the Francis Cardinal George Professor of Faith and Culture at University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Ill., and founder of the global ministry Word on Fire. He is also the creator and host of a new 10-episode documentary series called Catholicism and the host of a weekly program on WGN America, Relevant Radio, EWTN, and www.WordOnFire.org.

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Houses are struck by a tsunami in Natori, Japan, on March 11. A magnitude 9.0 earthquake hit Japan in the afternoon, triggering strong aftershocks and tsunamis along the coastline. Tsunami warnings were issued for 50 other countries.

SWEPT AWAY

World’s Catholics offer prayers, help, to Japan Aid agencies, including CRS, provide emergency services.

TOKYO (CNS)—As the magnitude of the disaster in Japan unfolded, religious and humanitarian aid organizations stepped up efforts to provide assistance.

The earthquake was followed by tsunamis that wiped out entire cities and by fears of catastrophe at nuclear power stations damaged in the quake.

Government officials estimated that at least 10,000 people lost their lives in the March 11 disasters.

The Diocese of Sendai includes the areas hardest hit, reported the Asian church news agency UCA News.

Father Peter Shiro Komatsu, diocesan chancellor, said March 14 that Bishop Martin Tetsuo Hiraga of Sendai was unharmed but had not received complete reports on the damage because telecommunications remained disrupted.

The priest said diocesan officials did not know about what had happened to several

churches along the coast. He said one church in Fukushima was destroyed and eight churches in Sendai were unaffected or only slightly damaged.

The diocese said Father Andre Lachapelle of the Quebec Foreign Mission Society had died en route from Sendai to his church about nine miles away.

There were conflicting reports of whether he suffered a heart attack or was lost in a tsunami.

Niigata Bishop Isao Kikuchi, president of Caritas Japan, said, “We have received so many e-mails from all continents, filled with words of compassion and prayer. We are very grateful for this solidarity. We believe that aid activity is needed, but prayer is also important in such a situation.”

Pope Benedict XVI was among those sending his prayers.

The U.S. bishops’ Catholic Relief Services was working with Caritas Japan.

In a statement,

Caritas Japan said it would concentrate its efforts on meeting the needs of people with no access to public services and on the rehabilitation phase of recovery.

In Manila, Philippines, the leak of radioactivity and explosions at the damaged Fukushima nuclear power station prompted renewed calls for the government to abandon plans to use nuclear energy for power in the Philippines.

Bishop Deogracias Iniguez of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines said the church has been proven right in opposing the use of nuclear power.

The Salesians, who lost 250 children and adults at one school during the January 2010 Haitian earthquake, reported that most of the order’s convents, schools, and churches were south of Tokyo and incurred only minor damage. The Salesian news agency reported

from Tokyo that there was no news from one house in Nojiri, in the quake zone.

The Sisters of Charity of Jesus reported all their sisters were safe, but the Salesian news agency said some students were missing from the nursery in Fukushima.

UCA News reported that Catholics in mainland China were among Asian Catholics who expressed solidarity with the earthquake victims in Japan and added prayers to their Masses on March 13. Jinde Charities in northern China’s Hebei province also offered an initial $10,000 to support Caritas Japan’s relief efforts.

In Seoul, South Korea, Cardinal Nicholas Cheong Jin-suk offered prayers and an initial $50,000.

Korean Protestants and Buddhists also offered prayers. n Copyright 2011 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

Pope continued from page 8

After his resurrection, Jesus was not a “ghost” or a mere “resuscitated corpse” but one who has entered a new life in the power of God, the pope said.

This comes through clearly in the Gospel accounts, he said.

The pope then asks whether modern men and women can put their faith in such testimony. “‘Enlightened’ thinking would say no,” he said. Science would seem to rule it out—but science has its limits, he said.

In fact, he said, the resurrection does not contradict science but speaks of something outside our world of experience, a further dimension. He then posed a series of questions to underline that a “new dimension of reality” should not be rejected out of hand by modern thinking.

“Is not creation actually waiting for this last and highest ‘evolutionary leap,’ for the union of the finite with the infinite, for the union of man and God, for the conquest of death?” he said.

In essence, he said, Jesus’ resurrection made that leap, ‘creating for all of us a new space of life, a new space of being in union with God.” As such, the Resurrection was an event that broke out of history www.dioknox.org

yet “left a footprint within history,” he said.

In a brief epilogue the pope looked at the ascension of Christ into heaven, a concept that may be difficult for people to understand, he said. With the ascension, Jesus’ presence with God is not “spatial” but divine.

“The departing Jesus does not make his way to some distant star,” he wrote. “Ascension does not mean departure into a remote region of the cosmos.”

In joining God his father, Jesus “has not gone away but remains close to us,” accessible throughout history and in every place, the pope said.

Christians believe that Christ will return and restore justice in a final triumph of love, he said. In the meantime, what is required of Christians is vigilance—which means, first of all, “openness to the good, to the truth, to God, in the midst of an often meaningless world and in the midst of the power of evil,” he said.

At a Vatican news conference March 10, Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet said he was convinced the pope’s book would become “a classic of theological literature.” Although a “dense” work, he said, it is one

that can be read by both experts and non-experts.

Cardinal Ouellet said it was impressive that the pope had found the time and energy to write the book during a period when the Church was experiencing some “painful experiences”—an apparent reference to clerical sex-abuse cases that have come to light over the past two years. The cardinal said it’s as though the pope, “in the middle of waves that toss the ship of the Church,” had wanted to restore confidence that the Lord will guide the Church.

Salesian Father Giuseppe Costa, head of the Vatican publishing house, said that as author, the pope will receive a percentage of the proceeds of worldwide sales of the book.

He said half of the pope’s share would go to the Joseph Ratzinger–Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation, which promotes theological studies and rewards promising scholars. The other half will be designated for the pope’s use and will probably go to charities, Father Costa said. n Copyright 2011 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops THE EAST TENNESSEE CATHOLIC