More than 60 of the diocesan presbyterate join Bishop Beckman as he presides at the Holy Week liturgy
By Dan McWilliams
Bishop Mark Beckman participated in many Chrism Masses as a priest of the Diocese of Nashville, hearing his bishops receive the annual renewal of promises made by the presbyterate and seeing his bishops consecrate the holy oils used in the Church throughout the year.
On April 15 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Bishop Beckman heard those promises—also asking for the people of God to pray for him— and consecrated those sacred oils as he presided at his first Chrism Mass as shepherd of the Diocese of Knoxville.
“It was profoundly moving to me, this first time, and I felt a bond with the priests of the diocese in a very profound way tonight,” Bishop Beckman said after Mass. “I’m so grateful to be part of this presbyterate and this diocese.”
The bishop recalled the Chrism Masses in Nashville that he took part in.
Consecrating the chrism Bishop Mark Beckman breathes over the sacred chrism, praying that the Holy Spirit would be present in it before saying a consecratory prayer over the chrism. Sacred chrism is consecrated for use in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and holy orders and in the dedication of churches.
“With the promises of the priesthood—you know, annually of course I renewed them as a priest, but it was also very moving for me both to ask for promises tonight and to make them, so very profound,” he said. “Then the blessing of the oils, of course, I’ve observed at every Chrism Mass I’ve been to, but to actually be part of praying over the chrism and the oils and blessing them—very, very profound.”
Bishop Beckman primarily faced the priests seated around the altar at the cathedral as he delivered his homily, appropriate considering the annual Tuesday-of-Holy-Week liturgy.
“It’s nice to celebrate the priesthood, it really is, because of course
we’re called to be of service to all of God’s people, but I think that the lay faithful who gather tonight are so supportive of our priests, and they like to support them, so that’s the beauty of it,” the bishop said.
Cathedral rector Father David Boettner, Father Doug Owens, Father David Carter, Father Mike
‘Our birth into Christ’
Nolan, and Father Mark Schuster concelebrated the Mass. More than 60 additional priests took part, and 25 deacons and more than 20 men and women religious attended. Deacon A.J. Houston served as deacon of the Word and Deacon Renzo Alvarado Suarez as deacon Chrism Mass continued on page B2
Bishop Beckman celebrates first Easter Vigil at cathedral, welcomes 69 into Church
By Gabrielle Nolan and Dan McWilliams
The Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus welcomed new catechumens and candidates from ages 8 to 80 at the Easter Vigil Mass on April 19.
Bishop Mark Beckman celebrated the Mass, which began after lighting the Paschal Candle from the Easter fire outside the steps of the Knoxville cathedral.
Concelebrating priests from the cathedral were Father David Boettner, rector, and Father Martin Gladysz, Father Jhon Mario Garcia, and Father Danny Herman, associate pastors. Joining them was Father Elijah John Joseph, from the Benedictines of Divine Will.
Deacons of the Mass were Deacon Walt Otey, master of ceremonies; Deacon Mike Mescall, deacon of the altar; and Deacon Fredy Vargas, deacon of the Word.
As the bishop and priests entered the cathedral, members of the congregation began to light their hand-held candles, illuminating the darkened church. Pews quickly filled, and there was standing-room only for the three-hour-long liturgy.
Bishop Beckman preached the homily after the chronology of Old Testament readings, epistle, and Gospel readings.
“I have noticed when families gather, one of the significant things that happens is that they begin to tell stories,” he said. “‘Remember when…’ And the story begins. In my own family, those stories get repeated over and over again. We
‘You will find a new beginning’ Bishop Mark Beckman baptizes catechumen Ploy Wong during the Easter Vigil Mass on April 19 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus as Deacon Walt Otey assists.
know what the story will be before it finishes, remember when. And I’ve often wondered, why do we tell the stories over and over again? Because they speak to us about who we are. It is the story of our family and the things that have shaped and formed us and made us who we are today.”
“Tonight, as we gather on this most holy night, we have just listened to the great stories of our faith,” the bishop continued. “We,
tonight, gathered here are the family of God who have been shaped by these stories and formed by them, the very Word of God spoken to us, which gives us our identity and tells us what we are about tonight.”
Bishop Beckman turned and spoke directly to the 27 catechumens who were to be baptized.
“These great narratives proclaimed here in this cathedral church tonight are to become now your stories in a very intimate and
personal way,” he remarked. “The Lord, who created this whole universe in its beauty and mystery and majesty, calling light out of darkness, separating waters, bringing forth vegetation, creating humans in the divine image, and then the great Sabbath rest, claims you tonight as His beloved daughters and sons. Just as God claimed His beloved people, so long living in slavery, so God will open a way tonight Holy Week continued on page B3
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of the altar at the Chrism Mass. They will be ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Beckman on June 7.
Deacons Hicks Armor and Walt Otey were masters of ceremonies at the Mass. James Meadows, a parishioner of Good Shepherd in Newport, held the bishop’s miter during the liturgy. Pat Stapleton of All Saints Parish in Knoxville coordinated the team that filled up each individual parish’s stocks of holy oils.
Father Michael Woods, representing the diocese’s senior priests, brought forward the balsam for the chrism. The oil of the catechumens was presented by Sara Lindsay and Luca McGhee and the oil of the sick by Mark and Rosemary Calvert. The diocese’s three newest priests, Father Bo Beaty, Father Danny Herman, and Father Michael Willey, brought forward the oil for the chrism.
The gifts were presented by Kim Smith, John Mecklenborg, Rachael Counselman, and Beverly Benoit, representing the newest employees at the Chancery office. Ms. Counselman joined the Church at this year’s Easter Vigil.
Bishop Beckman welcomed those who filled the cathedral to the Chrism Mass.
“It is so good to be together tonight in this cathedral church as we celebrate the Mass of the Holy Chrism, especially to have our entire presbyterate gathered together as we renew our priestly promises tonight, but also all of you, the people of God, gathered here in prayer. It is good that we are together,” he said.
The bishop recalled as he began his homily the generous use of chrism by Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre when he consecrated the Knoxville Diocese’s new leader last July 26.
“This evening, we celebrate the Mass of the Holy Chrism, a substance that has acquired in my life a deeper significance since last summer, when I was ordained a bishop. Most of the priests who were there were close enough to see that Archbishop Fabre likes to use an abundance of sacred chrism. I was warned about that beforehand,” Bishop Beckman remembered.
“Someone said to me, ‘It might get in your eyes. It burns—be careful.’ I have contact lenses, and I thought, ‘I better hold my head up very tall then. I don’t want the chrism going into my eyes.’ But he did—he poured an abundance of chrism all over my head and rubbed it in, and I felt it trickling down behind my ears during the consecration. And that
moment in time has stayed with me as I have gone about the diocese confirming young people with that same beautiful gift of sacred chrism.”
The bishop said, “There’s something about the fragrance [of the chrism] that stays with you. Those of you who have confirmed a lot of children or adults at the Vigil of Easter probably are aware when you get home in the evening you still smell the fragrance of chrism with you as you go. That sense of that fragrance filling the air takes me back to that moment when Mary, as we heard just yesterday in the Gospel, anoints the feet of Jesus with oil, with aromatic nard, and the fragrance, the Gospel tells us, filled the whole house. It was her love that moved her to anoint the feet of Jesus, and her love filled that room on that day.”
Chrism was used to ordain the priests of the diocese, whether they were ordained recently or not, Bishop Beckman said.
“My brother priests about to renew your promises, some of you from last summer and some of you many decades ago—your hands were anointed with that same chrism. The fragrance touched your palms and your fingers,” he said. “I’ve been thinking lately about the importance of our hands as priests in serving the people of God.
“How many persons in your years as a priest have you been able to comfort with your hands? Sometimes a hand on a shoulder, sometimes a grasp around the shoulder, sometimes the shaking of a hand—so many moments of life we are privileged to enter because of who the Lord has chosen us to be as His priests, configured to Christ. We serve in persona Christi as Bishop [James D.] Niedergeses would always say, caput ecclesiae, as head of the Church.
“We make Christ present in the lives of our people. That’s what we are called to do and be, to in a sense be the very fragrance of God touching the lives of our people. And that sense of touching them extends to so many profound moments: baptizing babies and using our hands to anoint the crown of the head with sacred chrism. The moments of reconciliation, when persons are seeking the mercy of God, and we hold hands over them in absolution. Moments of sickness, when we anoint the foreheads and hands of those who need the healing power of Christ the Lord.”
One action with their hands is “the most profound of all,” Bishop
Beckman said.
“When our hands touch the very bread that will become the body of the Lord. We bless, we break, and we give that body of the Lord to the people of God as nourishment on the pilgrimage of life after we ourselves are fed by the Lord, that very bread of life that sustains us on the great journey,” he said. “This evening, brothers, I’d like to invite you to make a generous response to the Lord tonight. Remember the moment when the Lord called you to sacred orders, the first promises that you made, and the joy you undoubtedly felt as you began your priestly ministry in the Church.
“Tonight, as you renew those promises, let that joy come back to you. And as the sacred chrism was poured so abundantly on my head, let God’s love flow upon you abundantly tonight. Allow that love to flow through you to all
those to whom God would send you. Indeed, may the whole human family be touched by the way you allow the generosity of God to flow through you. Let the fragrance of the dawning of God’s kingdom flow through your ministry to touch the people of God. And as you continue forth on your priestly journey, may that fragrance remain with you as you continue the ministry to which the Lord has called you.”
The bishop thanked the priests “for your original yes to the Lord, and thank you for your presence here tonight to renew those sacred promises. And may the Lord bless all of our brothers who cannot be with us, that in them, too, there may be an abundance of the fragrance of the mystery of Christ this night. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.”
The renewal of commitment to
Kneeling in prayer Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation pray before the Chrism Mass as a Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus honor guard stands ready for the opening procession. Behind the Dominicans are Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus “Ad Gentes.”
Getting ready Diocesan priests, including (center, from left) Father Jesús Guerrero and Father Moises Moreno, vest in Cathedral Hall before the Chrism Mass.
On their way Priests leave Cathedral Hall after vesting as they make their way to the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus for the Chrism Mass.
Important cargo Carrying cases for the holy oils to be taken home by priests after the Chrism Mass were grouped by deanery beforehand on tables in Cathedral Hall.
Deacons take part Some 25 deacons from throughout the diocese attended the Chrism Mass.
Chrism Mass continued on page B8
Thank you, Father Bishop Mark Beckman receives the balsam for the chrism from Father Michael Woods, representing the senior priests of the diocese, during the Chrism Mass. Deacon Walt Otey is at left.
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through the waters for you. Those Egyptians, which I see as the sins that afflict us and oppress us in life, will be left behind in those waters. You will find a new beginning with God’s grace tonight.”
“Abraham trusted the Lord’s goodness to him, and though Abraham did not have to sacrifice Isaac, we know tonight that the beloved Son of God gave Himself for each one of us,” Bishop Beckman continued. “And because of that tonight, as Paul puts it so eloquently, you die with Christ in the waters of baptism to share in the resurrection of the Lord. And perhaps the most important story of all is our great journey to the place where we thought death had won. And what we discover there is the stone has been rolled back, and the tomb is empty. God the Lord has delivered us from the bondage of death, and we need no longer be afraid. Peter was overwhelmed with amazement. My prayer for each of you tonight is that that amazement of the power of God may touch you tonight in the waters of baptism.”
Bishop Beckman then addressed the whole group, 69 in total, who would receive the sacrament of confirmation.
“To those of you to be confirmed tonight, as you are touched once more by the power of God’s Spirit, may you, too, know the power of God who will free you by the grace of Christ even more, to know your status as a beloved daughter or son of God most high,” he shared.
At the conclusion of his homily, the bishop invited all of those present who were already fully initiated into the Catholic Church to think of this day as a birthday.
“We remember our birth into Christ and the waters of baptism. And for all of that, we give praise and thanks to God through Christ the Risen Lord. Amen,” he said. After the homily, the catechumens processed around the baptismal font, joined by their sponsors. One by one, Bishop Beckman poured a pitcher of holy water over the heads of those being baptized. After each baptism, the choir sang “alleluia, alleluia.”
The sacrament of confirmation began after the baptisms. The individuals approached the bishop with their sponsor’s hand on their shoulder. As the bishop placed sacred chrism on the foreheads of those being confirmed, he sealed them with the Holy Spirit.
Bishop Beckman invited a hearty round of applause to welcome the newest members of the Catholic
Church after the sacraments were completed.
Madison Sewell, who received the sacrament of confirmation, was inspired to become Catholic after the first time she stepped into the Knoxville cathedral.
“I just couldn’t take my eyes away from the altar. I wanted to be a part of everything,” she said.
She had been attending RCIA classes with her sponsor since last fall and had a positive relationship with her sponsor.
“I love her very much. The second that I decided I wanted to go on this faith journey, I already knew who I wanted as my sponsor, and I couldn’t ask for anyone better,” she remarked.
Ms. Sewell chose St. Gianna Molla as her confirmation patron because she could relate to her.
“She’s one of the patron saints of mothers, and she herself had a difficult pregnancy where she ended up passing after, and she’s also patron saint of miscarriages,” she shared.
Moving into the Easter season and beyond, Ms. Sewell said that she is looking forward to “just finally being fully a part of the liturgy in every sense of it.”
Natalie Sexton received all three sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and first Holy Communion.
“I’m 52 years old, and I was raised in the Catholic Church but had never been baptized, and so my daughter and I both were baptized and had our first Communion tonight together,” she shared. “We have just been on this faith journey through the process of learning more about the Catholic Church and mostly just confirming our faith. We just landed here today—it’s been beautiful.”
She described the Easter Vigil liturgy as “overwhelming.”
“It’s just such a beautiful service and such an inspirational place. You feel the Spirit here with you when this is happening because it’s such an impactful Mass. For someone like me who has been on the spiritual journey, it just kind of comes full circle. It’s beautiful,” she said.
Ms. Sexton chose St. Teresa of Calcutta as her confirmation patron.
“She was alive when I was a teenager, so she was not kind of an ethereal figure for me; she was tangible,” she remarked. “I remember her, I remember her work, I remember seeing news articles and seeing her in the newspaper, watching things on television about her. There was no one like her in the world at that time to me, and so she was such an inspiration. She tended to the casted-off people in the world, and people that society saw as having
no value, and she gave herself, she gave her whole life to those people. It was just beautiful.”
As she continues on her faith journey as a new Catholic, Ms. Sexton is looking forward to her future.
“Just having more communion with Jesus Christ and more closeness, more understanding, more clarity of how His sacrifice will guide and lead me in my future, and how I will be able to understand my place based on His guidance in my life now that I am officially a member of the Church,” she commented.
The youngest catechumen to receive all three of the sacraments was Penelope Freeman, an 8-year-old in second grade at Sacred Heart Cathedral School.
Her mother, Karina Carbajal, said that her daughter’s experience at school led her to be baptized.
When asked about what she thinks about Catholic school, Penelope said, “I love it.”
She commented that she was “happy” to be baptized by the bishop, and that it was “amazing”
to be confirmed at such a young age, for which she received special permission.
Although Penelope said it was “scary” to receive Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time, her mother said it was what she wanted to do.
In a family affair, Ms. Carbajal received the sacrament of confirmation, while all three of her children received the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and first Communion.
“They asked, especially my 16-year-old,” Ms. Carbajal said. “It was such a calling in her heart that she was destined to do this, and she had the desire to do it. And that says to me, I’m doing something right.”
Palm Sunday
The faithful at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus gathered outside for the start of the Palm Sunday Mass on April 13 as Bishop Mark Beckman blessed the palms carried into the church by the priests and people.
All four cathedral priests—rector
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Light of our faith Bishop Mark Beckman prepares to light the Paschal Candle from the Easter fire outside the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on April 19 as Deacon Fredy Vargas (left), Deacon Walt Otey, server Jay Coatney, and parishioners look on.
Celebrating the risen Christ Cece (left) and Maggie Parsons hold candles to proclaim the light of Christ at the Easter Vigil Mass at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on April 19.
Newcomer to the faith Bishop Mark Beckman baptizes catechumen Carla Grigsby at the cathedral as Deacon Walt Otey assists.
Joining the body of Christ Confirmandi stand with candles lit beside their sponsors as they await to receive the sacrament of confirmation. Each confirmand wears a name tag of his or her patron saint.
Be sealed Bishop Beckman confirms Cade Mullins during the Easter Vigil Mass at the cathedral.
Faith of our fathers Bishop Mark Beckman is joined by cathedral priests in praying over the candidates who are about to receive the sacrament of confirmation at the Easter Vigil.
Holy Week continued on page B9
Holy Week in the Diocese of Knoxville
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Palm Sunday services take place with (clockwise from top left) Father Jim Haley, CSP, presiding at Immaculate Conception Church in Knoxville, Father Julius Abuh at St. Joseph the Worker in Madisonville, Father Moises Moreno at St. Mary in Johnson City, Father Tom Charters, GHM, at St. Michael the Archangel in Erwin, and Father John Orr at Holy Ghost in Knoxville.
COURTESY OF ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL PARISH
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A Good Friday Ecumenical Stations of the Cross service (top two photos) took place in downtown Knoxville, sponsored by Immaculate Conception Church along with First Baptist, First Presbyterian, and Church Street United Methodist churches. Paulist Father Charlie Donahue, pastor of IC, is pictured at top left. Living Stations of the Cross were held the same day at St. Patrick in Morristown (center left) and St. Thomas the Apostle in Lenoir City (above two photos). At bottom left is a Stations of the Cross service held on Good Friday at Calvary Cemetery in Knoxville with IC associate pastor Father Tim Sullivan, CSP, presiding.
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COURTESY OF ST. JUDE SCHOOL
COURTESY OF ST. JOHN NEUMANN SCHOOL
COURTESY OF HOLY CROSS PARISH
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COURTESY OF KNOXVILLE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
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Living Stations of the Cross services were held around the diocese, including (clockwise from top left) at All Saints Church in Knoxville, Knoxville Catholic High School, Sacred Heart Cathedral School in Knoxville, Notre Dame Church in Greeneville, Holy Cross Church in Pigeon Forge, St. Joseph the Worker Church in Madisonville, St. Joseph School in Knoxville, St. John Neumann School in Farragut, and St. Jude School in Chattanooga.
COURTESY OF NOTRE DAME PARISH
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Holy Week in the Diocese of Knoxville
Bishop Mark Beckman celebrated the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, April 17, at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Concelebrating were cathedral priests Father David Boettner, Father Martin Gladysz, Father Jhon Mario Garcia, and Father Danny Herman and Father Elijah John Joseph of the Benedictines of Divine Will. The Mass also included the ceremonial washing of the feet and ended with the Blessed Sacrament being placed in the altar of repose in Cathedral Hall.
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COURTESY OF ST. ALPHONSUS PARISH
The ceremonial washing of the feet was part of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper celebrated around the diocese on Holy Thursday, April 17. Father Adam Royal (left) of St. Alphonsus Parish in Crossville and Glenmary Father Tom Charters (right) of St. Michael the Archangel in Erwin perform the ceremony.
COURTESY OF ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL PARISH
The Good Friday service at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga, including veneration of the cross, was held April 18. Rector Father David Carter (right photo) and parochial vicar Father Alex Hernandez presided.
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Holy Week in the Diocese of Knoxville
Martin Gladysz, an associate pastor at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, blessed Easter baskets on Holy Saturday, April 19. The blessing of Easter baskets is an enduring and beloved Polish tradition. Father Gladysz offered the blessing in English and Polish.
The Ladies of Charity of Knoxville held an Easter basket fundraiser at Immaculate Conception Church in Knoxville (left), St. John Neumann Church in Farragut, and Mast General Store on Palm Sunday weekend. Connie Healy, a Ladies of Charity lifetime member and an Immaculate Conception parishioner, coordinated the assembly of 150 Easter baskets. Nancy Lofaro helped with the basket collection and candy donations as well. Mrs. Healy has been involved in the Easter basket fundraiser since 1997. This year, there were so many donations of food, books, and trinkets for the baskets that the Ladies of Charity were able to make many of them. According to Mrs. Healy, the Easter basket sale started when the thrift store was at Holy Ghost Church, and they had many baskets donated to the store. The organization made a bit of money that first year and has been doing it for 28 years. The Easter bunny showed up at St. John Neumann for photos. The sale helps support the mission of Ladies of Charity Knoxville: to serve those in need.
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Pastor Father Adam Royal of St. Alphonsus Parish in Crossville presides at the Easter Vigil on April 19 as the Mass begins outside the church, and later he baptizes a catechumen into the faith. Deacon Peter Minneci (seen in both photos) assists.
Father Julius Abuh, pastor of St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Madisonville, celebrated the Easter Vigil on April 19, lighting the Paschal Candle outside the church and confirming and baptizing newcomers to the faith during the Mass.
COURTESY OF ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER PARISH (3)
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Holy Week in the Diocese of Knoxville
priestly service followed the homily.
Bishop Beckman asked the priests “are you resolved to renew, in the presence of your bishop and God’s holy people, the promises you once made? Are you resolved to be more united with the Lord Jesus and more closely conformed to Him, denying yourselves and confirming those promises about sacred duties toward Christ’s Church, which, prompted by love of Him, you willingly and joyfully pledged on the day of your priestly ordination? Are you resolved to be faithful stewards of the mysteries of God in the Holy Eucharist and other liturgical rites and to discharge faithfully the sacred office of teaching, following Christ the Head and Shepherd, not seeking any gain, but moved only by zeal for souls?” The priests responded “I am” to each question.
The bishop then addressed the assembly, asking them to “pray for
your priests, that the Lord may pour out His gifts abundantly upon them and keep them faithful as ministers of Christ, the High Priest, so that they may lead you to Him, who is the source of salvation.”
Bishop Beckman asked those in the pews to “pray also for me, that I may be faithful to the apostolic office entrusted to me in my lowliness and that in your midst I may be made day by day a living and more perfect image of Christ, the Priest, the Good Shepherd, the Teacher, and the Servant of all.”
After the balsam for the chrism and the oils were brought forward, the bishop blessed the oil of the sick and the oil of the catechumens. He mixed the balsam and oil of the chrism, then breathed over the chrism, praying that the Holy Spirit be present, and he said the consecratory prayer over the chrism.
In his closing remarks at Mass, Bishop Beckman said, “It is so good that the people of God are so beauti-
fully present here tonight: our deacons, our religious women and men, our Chancery staff and leaders, and the people of God from the four corners of the diocese.”
“Thank you for your presence tonight, especially my brother priests: thank you,” he added. “May the Lord bless our celebration of Holy Week.
Father Woods brought forward the oil for the chrism for the third year in a row.
“It’s even more humbling because I’m representing the other priests. I see so many new men coming up, and it’s beautiful to be part of that,” he said.
Father Carter, rector of the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga, spoke of the Chrism Mass as being the time for the renewal of priestly promises and “the Mass where the instruments of our ministry are confected: the oils that we use every day. I keep the oil of the sick in a pouch in my pocket right
here, and it’s the oil from last year’s Chrism Mass, so this is a work trip. We came to get the instruments of our ministry from the hands of our chief shepherd, the bishop, and around him to renew and rededicate ourselves to that ministry through our renewal of promises.”
The priests of the diocese meet multiple times during the year, but the gathering at the Chrism Mass is special, Father Carter said.
“We meet together with the bishop all the time for business reasons. This is the primary gathering of the presbyterate with our chief priest, with the bishop. It’s the source of our unity,” he said. “When we get together and concelebrate with him, this is the highest Mass that we can do every year together as a presbyterate. Now, we do the same thing when we get together for ordinations, but not everybody can usually make it, but this is kind of the allcall, everybody on deck, and what a joy it is.” ■
Chrism Mass continued from page B2
Annual tradition The diocese’s newest priests traditionally bring forward the oil for the chrism at the Chrism Mass. From left are Father Michael Willey, Father Danny Herman, and Father Bo Beaty.
Ovation for the bishop Priests of the diocese applaud Bishop Mark Beckman as he enters the vestibule from the nave of the cathedral following the Chrism Mass.
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‘Let that joy come back to you’ Bishop Mark Beckman turns toward the priests of the diocese seated around the altar at the cathedral as he preaches his Chrism Mass homily.
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Oil of blessing At the Chrism Mass, Bishop Mark Beckman pours the balsam into the chrism before mixing them.
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‘This is my body’ Bishop Mark Beckman celebrates the Liturgy of the Eucharist at the Chrism Mass as Deacon A.J. Houston (left) and Father Mark Schuster pray alongside him.
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‘A reading from the Holy Gospel’ Deacon A.J. Houston incenses the Gospel before proclaiming the passage from Luke 4 at the Chrism Mass. Diocesan seminarian Daniel Cooper stands at right.
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Greetings after Mass Bishop Mark Beckman spoke to a number of the faithful attending the Chrism Mass after the annual liturgy ended.
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Father David Boettner and associate pastors Father Martin Gladysz, Father Jhon Mario Garcia, and Father Danny Herman—concelebrated the Mass. Deacon Walt Otey assisted. Bishop Beckman, Deacon Otey, Jerry Bodie, and the assembly read the parts in the Passion narrative from the Gospel of Luke 22-23.
In his homily, the bishop recalled his seminarian days in Belgium and a distinctive feature of the artwork he saw there.
“As some of you may know, I had the opportunity in my studies for the priesthood to study in Belgium at the Catholic University of Louvain. And one of the things that I discovered when I went to Europe was the great works of art that have characterized much of our western history,” Bishop Beckman said.
“And many of those great works of art, as you might well imagine, are depicting various scenes from the Gospels.
One of the things that I found fascinating in Belgium, the
great Flemish masters painted those biblical scenes with great beauty and vividness, but when they painted the scenes of the New Testament, they painted their own buildings and villages in the background, and they painted the people of their villages as members of the Gospel scenes, including things like dogs lying around. They depicted the events of the Gospel unfolding, using their imagination in the settings in which they lived and breathed and worked.”
In some ways, “that is so fitting,” the bishop said.
“And the Gospel that we proclaimed today, which all of us participated in on this Palm Sunday, we all took our parts, didn’t we? And in some real way, the invitation today is not to see these events as something that only took place 2,000 years ago but to recognize that we all play our part in the unfolding of the great story of salvation,” he said.
“So, where do I find myself today in the Gospel? Am I like Peter, who
at times does not want to admit that I follow the Lord? Am I like Judas, who betrayed him? Am I like Pilate, condemning the innocent to death? Or am I like the women, who followed Jesus and watched where he laid? Am I like Joseph, who wrapped His body in the cloak and performed an act of mercy for someone who had been killed?”
Bishop Beckman reminded his listeners that “every act of kindness, of goodness, and of gentleness done for the least of our brothers and sisters is done for the Lord.”
“I think most importantly of all, we are invited today to identify with Jesus Himself,” he continued. “Am I becoming more and more profoundly united to Him? Is it His love that shapes my life? Do I allow the power of His cross and resurrection to make of me a new creation? Am I willing to walk my own path of Calvary in order to enter more deeply into the mystery of His risen life?
“We’re a living portrait of the Gospel today, aren’t we? Our faces,
our lives, are woven into the story of God’s salvation today. May the Lord who brought us to this place continue to bring it to fulfillment through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.”
The bishop spoke of his many travels throughout East Tennessee and his first visits to many parishes.
“I have been traveling all over the diocese confirming young children and seeing all of our parishes. I’ve been to about 35 of our 50 parishes so far,” he said. “It is such a joy now to be back with you here at the cathedral for Holy Week. I will be here throughout the week celebrating these great mysteries with you. What an important and wonderful week it is to celebrate the mysteries. I pray that it will be blessed for all of you this week. It’s wonderful having all of the cathedral priests at this liturgy and their presence here in shepherding you. Also, the gift of our beautiful ministry of music always moves me to tears, so thank you all for all that you’re doing to help us well celebrate today.”
■
Holy Week continued from page B3
‘Happy and amazing’ Eight-year-old Penelope Freeman stands with her family after the Easter Vigil Mass at the cathedral. Penelope, a secondgrader at Sacred Heart Cathedral School, was the youngest catechumen to receive all three sacraments of initiation at the Mass.
Sprinkling of holy water Bishop Mark Beckman blesses the palm branches outside the cathedral before the Palm Sunday Mass as Deacon Walt Otey assists.
Easter blessings Father David Boettner (left), assisted by Deacon Fredy Vargas, sprinkles holy water on the congregation at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus during the Easter Vigil Mass on April 19. Bishop Mark Beckman also blessed the faithful with holy water on the opposite side of the cathedral.
Journey to Jerusalem A number of youngsters attended the Palm Sunday procession and Mass with their families on April 13 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
GABRIELLE NOLAN (2)
Bishop’s blessing Bishop Mark Beckman gives a blessing to two of the Mass-goers after the Palm Sunday liturgy at the cathedral.
Before Mass Bishop Mark Beckman comes down the steps of the cathedral as parishioners gather for the start of the Palm Sunday Mass.
DAN MCWILLIAMS (4)
Chattanooga Deanery
St. Bridget, Dayton
The Women’s Council will take a hiatus from meeting over the summer months, with its next meeting being Sept. 6. They will gather on May 20 to celebrate May and June birthdays at Ayala’s Mexican Restaurant in Dayton.
Several members of the Knights of Columbus participated in a church property clean-up on May 1.
Thirteen youth from St. Bridget and six from Shepherd of the Valley Parish in Dunlap were confirmed on May 4 by Bishop Mark Beckman at St. Bridget. In addition, RCIA candidate Masen Cheeks was received into the church at that Mass.
Eight children received their first Holy Communion at the 5:30 p.m. vigil Mass on May 10.
St. Jude, Chattanooga
Bishop Mark Beckman confirmed 59 students on May 3, and 58 students received their first Holy Communion on April 26 and May 3.
The parish thanked artist Jorge Arribasplata for donating a painting he made of St. Jude’s patron saint.
Donations to a Youth Travel Sponsorship fundraiser totaled $14,979.10.
A hike and rosary took place May 10 at Greenway Farms in Hixson, where participants walked a 2-mile loop.
Recent Knights of Columbus families of the month were Lee and Charlotte Norris for January, Mike and Nora Monteith for February, and Deacon Brian and Donna Gabor for March. The 2024-25 family of the year is David and Mary Jo Densmore.
St. Mary, Athens
The Knights of Columbus will host a dinner-dance after the 5 p.m. Mass on Saturday, June 7. Tickets are $35 per couple or $20 per person. All adult parishioners and friends may attend.
Trevor Currier earned his Eagle Scout award after completing his Board of Review on March 27. His Eagle ceremony was held April 27 at St. Mary.
The parish congratulated the recipients of the 2025 St. Mary Education Scholarship: Christian Casey, Reagan Locke, and Natalie McCutcheon, Middle Tennessee State University; Stacy Mora, Lee University; Nathaniel Curtis, University of Dallas; John Domzalski, Allie Sewell, Martin Rodriguez-Castellanos, and Braelyn Mora, University of Tennessee at Knoxville; Gabriela Hernandez Zavala, UT-Chattanooga; Sean McCormick and Monserat Rincon, Tennessee Wesleyan University; and Itzel Rayala-Renteria and Mitzy RayalaRenteria, Carson-Newman University.
St. Mary honored graduating high school seniors with a special blessing at Mass on May 18 and at cake-andpunch receptions after Mass that day.
St. Stephen, Chattanooga
Joanne Kramer was honored at the annual Ladies Recognition Tea on April 8 for her volunteer service to St. Stephen and the community.
Anniversaries: William and Mary Apps (56), Fran and Lyn Grillo (54), Julian and Danielle Coutu (25)
Sts. Peter and Paul, Chattanooga
The basilica hosted the Copenhagen Boys Choir and Copenhagen Royal Chapel Choir of Denmark in a free concert April 27. The concert was part of their 100th-anniversary tour. The concert tour group consisted of 30 boys and 16 male singers, including Torsten Nielsen, baritone, and Carsten Seyer-Hansen, conductor.
Cumberland Mountain Deanery
Blessed Sacrament, Harriman
The parish is creating a social, spiritu-
al, and service group for young adults. An information meeting is planned for Sunday, May 25, in Blessed Sacrament Hall after Mass. Those ages 18 to 40 are the targeted group, but anyone may attend the meeting.
Pastor Father Michael Sweeney answered questions on the Catholic faith in an event held in Blessed Sacrament Hall on April 30.
The donations for a new HVAC system have reached $33,775 out of $34,802, or 97 percent of the total cost.
Anniversary: David and Mary Ann Wesolowski (50)
Baptism: Matthew Michael Garcia, son of Sarah Garcia
St. Francis of Assisi, Fairfield Glade
New instructor Pat Jennings is helping walk parishioners through the biblical roots of the liturgy in a five-week series that began May 1 in the parish hall on Thursdays at 1 p.m. For more information, call Pat at 425-760-9484.
The Parish Life Stewardship committee serves St. Francis of Assisi through its welcome ministry, social life, prayer blankets and shawls, grandparents room, and funeral luncheon ministries.
On the first weekend of the month, the committee serves wine and cheese after the Saturday vigil Mass and coffee and doughnuts after Sunday Masses.
Cherie Trapp (931-287-8296) and Kathy Donley (707-321-9563) are leading a 33 Days to Morning Glory consecration to Jesus through Mary, following the book by Father Michael Gaitley, MIC, through June 10 in the parish hall.
Catholicism 101 workshops are being held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on first and third Tuesdays in the parish hall.
Parishioners are taking part in a Celebration of Life Butterfly Release that will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 21, at the Cumberland County Courthouse gazebo. Donations are $25 per butterfly to remember each person. Proceeds assist the local nonprofit Hospice of Cumberland County. Forms are available in the parish hall and must be returned by Thursday, May 22.
Anniversaries: Norm and Judy Charest (65), Richard and Susanne Gross (65), John and Anna Moyer (65), Ramon and Barbara Clark (63), Terry and Nancy Allen (61), Jim and Anita Renick (61), Norman and Carol Adams (60), Bob and Kathy McCone (60), David and Sally Kowalski (58), David and Corinne Bain (56), Dennis and Rosemarie Robak (55), Phil and Lyn Rogers (54), Victor and Deborah LaPorte (52), Steve and Mary Christine Nagy (52), Richard and Susan Dickinson (51), Michael and Mary Hood (51), Samuel and Ann Hall (50), Stephen and Becky Raabe (50), Charles and Patty Easton (45), Carl and Marcia Johnson (45), Thomas and Amanda Bullen (10)
St. John Neumann, Farragut
The Women’s Club’s annual adult social Casino and Bingo Night with a potluck buffet was held May 3 in the gym. The night featured bingo, blackjack, Texas hold ’em poker, roulette, and board games.
The pilgrim icon “Sacred Heart of Jesus” came to SJN for veneration April 21-26. Ted Denning Jr. Council 8781 of the Knights of Columbus hosted the icon. This year’s program coincides with the Church’s commemoration of the 350th anniversary of the visions of the Sacred Heart received by the French nun St. Margaret Mary Alacoque.
Council 8781 hosted a social May 15 at Dos Agaves Mexican Grill in Farragut.
A fundraiser for the school was held April 30 at Blaze Pizza in Farragut.
St. Joseph, Norris
The parish congratulated its graduates: Roman Ferguson, Anderson County High School; Morgan Perry, Oak Ridge High School; Landon Rainey, homeschool; and Allie Perry, Tennessee
Parish notes continued on page B14
St. Stephen Knights give confirmandi a special gift
Every year, Knights of Columbus Holy Family Council 6099 and the Ladies Auxiliary give each confirmandi at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga a sacramental gift. As per the council’s name, its gift to each youth is a statuette of the Holy Family. Forty-two young people were confirmed April 12 at St. Stephen. In the top photo are (from left) Fourth Degree Knights Steve Horten, Chris Humkey, Terry Duffy, John Chenkus, Brendan Jennings, and Victor Williams. Confirmandi in the middle are Landon Clark and Charli Horn. At left are Sara Olivia Millbank with her gift and proxy sponsor Esther Gutierrez.
Recognizing Father Brando Parishioners of St. Mary in Gatlinburg, including pastor Father Pontian Kiyimba, AJ, stand on the steps of the parish hall with staff from the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic as Diann Simonis holds a plaque honoring Father Joe Brando’s bequest of funds to the clinic. Father Brando, a priest for 49 years at the time of his death in 2021, was involved in numerous ministries in his life, including Marriage Encounter and Cursillo, and wrote a “Living the Readings” column for The East Tennessee Catholic
Plaque at St. Mary-Gatlinburg honors Father Brando’s bequest to Legacy Clinic
St. Mary Parish in Gatlinburg placed a plaque in honor of former pastor Father Joe Brando in its family life center to recognize the late priest’s bequest of funds to the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic, whose mobile medical van now visits St. Mary monthly.
“We certainly appreciate Father Brando’s leadership and example in serving others, and we appreciate the opportunity to place this plaque in our family life center in recognition of Father Brando’s charitable donation,” parishioner Carol Pullium announced during the clinic’s visit to St. Mary on
April 24.
Father Brando, a priest for 49 years who passed away in December 2021, was pastor of St. Mary from 2010 to 2014.
“When the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic was established in 2013, Father Brando started an initiative for St. Mary Parish to be on its route,” Mrs. Pullium said.
Father Brando retired as pastor in July 2014 but was well aware of the clinic’s inclusion of St. Mary as a monthly host site beginning in 2017 for convenient access for patients from Sevier and Cocke counties, Mrs. Pullium said. ■
COURTESY OF JOHN VANNUCCI (2)
COURTESY OF MARIA RICHARDSON (2)
Bishop Mark Beckman will ordain Deacon A.J. Houston and Deacon Renzo Alvarado Suarez to the priesthood for the Diocese of Knoxville in a Mass at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 7, at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. All are welcome to attend. For more information, contact the diocesan Office of Vocations at bparsons@ dioknox.org. The ordination Mass will also be livestreamed on the cathedral’s YouTube page at www.youtube. com/@shcathedral. Deacon Houston will have his Mass of thanksgiving as a new priest at 10:30 a.m. on Pentecost Sunday, June 8, at St. John Neumann Church in Farragut. Deacon Suarez will celebrate Masses of thanksgiving at 7 p.m. on June 7 at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Alcoa, at 7 a.m. on June 8 at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga, and at noon on June 8 at St. Patrick Church in Morristown.
Bishop Mark Beckman will preside at a Mass in celebration of the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical “On Care for Our Common Home” or Laudato Si’ (Praise Be to You). Mass will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Alcoa at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 27. Non-perishable food items will be collected for the Community Food Connection. Children are invited to create a symbol of “Care of Creation”—an art project, an original prayer, or something that reminds them of the beauty of God’s creation. These items will be blessed at the Mass. Light refreshments in the social hall will follow Mass, hosted by the Diocese of Knoxville’s Care for Creation ministries.
The Bishop’s Very Special Day, a faith-filled day of fun for specialneeds individuals and their families, will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Bishop Mark Beckman will celebrate Mass at the cathedral at 10 a.m. Following Mass will be activities and skits, and the day will end with lunch. Students from the Chesterton Academy of St. Margaret Clitherow in Knoxville will be leading the activities. RSVP at dioknox.org/events/ the-bishops-very-special-day-2025
The diocesan Office of Vocations is holding a Men’s Discernment Group for men interested in discerning if God is calling them to the priesthood. The group will be hosted by Father Mark Schuster from 9 a.m. to noon on fourth Saturdays in the St. John Paul II Conference Room at the Chancery office in Knoxville, with the next meeting May 24. There will be a Zoom option for those not in the Knoxville area. Register at forms.office.com/r/CmSwudiVnf
The Fulton Sheen Society invites families to an evening of reflection and fellowship from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 31, at All Saints Church in Knoxville. The meeting will be in the parish hall, with the talk running 45 minutes to an hour, followed by food and fellowship. Free child care will be provided in the nursery during the talk and pizza after the talk. A side item or drink is requested for families to bring to help round out the meal. The Fulton Sheen Society is a ministry focused on strengthening marriages and families. The society is named after Venerable Fulton Sheen, who encouraged families to grow in faith using modern technology. To learn more about the Fulton Sheen Society, contact Christine Blair at christine.h.blair@gmail.com
The annual outdoor Memorial Day Mass at Calvary Cemetery, 1916 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. in Knoxville, is set for 9 a.m. Monday, May 26, to honor those who fought and died for the country. For more information, call Beth Wolf at 865-679-0535.
This year’s Camp Irish spring and summer camps begin Tuesday, May 27, at Knoxville Catholic High School. A girls basketball camp is set for May 27-29; all-sports camps will be held June 2-6 and June 16-20; the Fighting Irish Boys Basketball Camp is June 2-4; a baseball camp is June 9-11; a softball camp is June 10-12; a volleyball camp is July 7-9, with another July 10-11; the Ralph Lundy Soccer Camp is July 7-10; and the Irish Soccer Camp is July 21-24. There are also
a robotics camp May 27-30, a cheerleading camp June 12-13, and a dance camp July 23-25. To learn more about the camps and skills covered and costs and age groups eligible for each camp, or to register, visit knoxville catholic.com/camp-irish/. For more information, e-mail camps@knoxville catholic.com
Spring and summer camps at Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga begin Tuesday, May 27. A volleyball camp is scheduled for May 27-30, a girls basketball camp and a wrestling camp for June 2-6, a dance and cheerleading camp for June 9-13, a boys basketball camp for June 16-20, a golf camp for June 16-19, and a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) camp for June 16-20. For more details on each camp, for meeting times and grades eligible, and for registration information and costs, visit www.myndhs.com/athletics/ summercamps
Young adults are invited to a free diocesan mini-retreat with Deacon Bob Hunt discussing “The Eucharist: Jewish Roots & Catholic Sacrifice,” set for 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 30, in the basement of Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville. The free event will include a dinner, the talk, and discussion. The event is free. RSVP at dioknox.org/ events/young-adult-mini-retreat
The 17th annual St. Stephen Parish Golf Tournament will be held Saturday, May 31, rescheduled from May 3, at Brainerd Golf Course in Chattanooga. Registration will start at 7:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 8. The format is a four-person select shot. Registration includes doughnuts and coffee, greens fee and a cart, hot dogs at the turn, lunch, two mulligans, prizes for men and women for longest drive and closest to the pin, first- and second-place awards, a drawing for door prizes, and a grab bag. The tourney features a $10,000 hole-in-one prize. Costs are $100 per person and $400 per fourperson team. Tournament sponsorships are available at levels from $50 to $300. All players are welcome, including singles and couples, male or female, and any level of golfer. Forms and fees are due by Wednesday, May 28. See the poster and brochures in the narthex. To volunteer, donate prizes, sponsor a cart or hole, or learn more, contact the St. Stephen office at 423-892-1261 or info@ststephenchatt.org or event chairman John Vannucci at 423-3095133 or jvannucci@epbfi.com
A men’s Cursillo weekend will be held June 5-8 at Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton. Through Cursillo, participants can gain a better understanding of themselves, experience the presence and love of Jesus, and see how personal and spiritual growth can be enhanced through a caring Christian community. An application and pamphlet may be found at knoxvillecursillo.org. E-mail Gary Gabor at garygabor@hotmail.com for details on the weekend.
The Knox County chapter of Tennessee Right to Life will hold its annual rummage sale from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, June 6, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 7, at St. Joseph School in Knoxville. Donations of household items, furniture, appliances, tools, dishes, toys, books, clothes, etc., will be accepted from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, through Wednesday, June 4 (except Sunday) at the school. Bring items to the old gym entrance at the front of the building. Old TVs, car seats, and mattresses will not be accepted. Proceeds benefit the outreach and educational efforts of TRL. For more information, contact the chapter at trlknox@ prolifeknox.com or 865-689-1339.
The annual God Camps offered by the diocesan Youth Ministry Office will take place at Adventure Ocoee in Ocoee, Tenn. The Reach Camp for incoming seventh- and eighth-graders is set for 7 p.m. Friday, June 20, to 5 p.m. Monday, June 23. The Discover Camp for incoming fifth- and sixth-graders will run from 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 24, to 11 a.m. Friday, June 27. Campers will be staying in air-conditioned bunkhouses. God Camp activities include
Calendar continued on page B14
St. Therese in Clinton creates prayer walk St. Therese Parish in Clinton is creating a prayer walk and meditation area. The prayer walk includes 14 Stations of the Cross along the main entrance walkway and continues through the meditation area. Trees and flowers have been planted and two benches placed near a statue of St. Therese to help create a quiet, peaceful spot for prayer. Pastor Father Dennis Kress is pictured at left with the work crew above.
Knights donate $5,000 to St. Dominic School Students at St. Dominic School in Kingsport watched on April 29 as a check for $5,000 was presented to their principal, Bonnie Saleh, by Kevin Musser (right), Grand Knight of Council 6992 of the Knights of Columbus. Also present were St. Dominic pastor Father Michael Cummins; Dave Austin (left), District 20 deputy and financial secretary for Council 6992; and Dr. Bill Hewitt, community chair for the council. Mr. Austin said this was the third year the council has provided this funding, raised through fish fries at St. Dominic Church during Lent. Ms. Saleh told the students that some of the funds would be used for the school’s landscaping needs.
Notre Dame Parish celebrates May Crowning May Crowning of Blessed Mother Mary was held by religious-education students at Notre Dame Church in Greeneville before the 11 a.m. Mass on May 3. Students who received their first Holy Communion at the Mass led the procession, and all students and catechists provided flowers. Melanie Jardinez was chosen to crown the Blessed Mother from the students who had perfect attendance for the 2024-25 religious-education year.
COURTESY OF DR. BILL HEWITT
COURTESY OF LISA BAUER (2)
COURTESY OF SUSAN COLLINS
COURTESY OF RALEIGH COOPER
St. Jude Knights receive Bishops Award at state convention
At the Tennessee Knights of Columbus convention held in Franklin from May 2-4, Council 8576 at St. Jude Parish in Chattanooga received the Bishops Award. This is the highest award a council can receive, and only 10 percent of the state councils were selected for the honor. From left are Father Gervan Menezes, State Chaplain; Bishop J. Mark Spalding of Nashville; Gary Gabor, Council 8576 Grand Knight; Eric Pelton, State Deputy; Tex Shellhart, State Warden; and Bill Markiewicz, Immediate Past State Deputy.
Praying for Perspective by George
Valadie
A dog and a daughter for a seat in the room
And trusting the Holy Spirit will touch the men who are called to be there
On occasion you’ve heard someone toss out the question, “If you could share a meal with anyone, past or present, with whom would you choose to dine?”
Sometimes this query is posed as part of a unique job interview, or possibly as an icebreaker in a gathering of new employees, and sometimes it’s the last bullet you’ve got at a boring party with boring people. But regardless of the setting, the answers can be diverse and amazing. Some seek a glimpse into the mind of genius—DaVinci or Curie, Socrates or Einstein. Others want to walk through the psyche of the courageous—Churchill or Lincoln, Rosa Parks or Joan of Arc.
Still others have a curiosity to discern the motivation underlying evil—Hitler, Manson, Jack the Ripper.
And, of course, for many—they just want a glimpse of the Christ. I may be weird, but I’ve always preferred to imagine unique “situations” in the world where I would have loved to have been present, no matter the personalities there. Sitting “up close and personal” in the front row of history.
And sometimes, when I’m thinking way too highly of myself, I’ve even imagined being a participant, perhaps contributing some microbe of insight that might have impacted, or perhaps reshaped, what we read in the history books of today.
(You’d think I don’t have enough to do, wouldn’t you?)
SFor example, I’ve always wanted to be in the Situation Room of the White House when the air is tense and the decisions are critical. How does it work? Who speaks? Who dares not?
Morbid as it sounds, I would have wanted to have been in the operating room at Parkland Hospital in 1963 Dallas when President Kennedy was wheeled in. To see the chaos unfold and the trauma unit battle back. Some trying to save their leader; others already trying to save their job.
Imagine those days when Pilate pondered Christ’s fate with his wife and advisers. I wish I could have peeked at his spiral notebook—one a list of “pros,” another of “cons.” Did anyone dare offer advice or question his decision? And what would I have said if he had turned and asked, “So, what do you think?”
On the more joyous end of life, who wouldn’t want to have been standing right beside Dr. Christiaan Barnard when that first-ever transplanted heart lit up the EKG—on its own. Talk about joy!
But most of all, I would trade our dog and a daughter to get to close the door of the Sistine Chapel— from the inside—just after the papal conclave was called to order. “OK, folks, everyone else needs to go! We’ve got some work to do here.”
I’d have wanted to stay. To sit in the corner. Wouldn’t have taken a selfie or a keepsake photo. Wouldn’t have whispered a word. They could have taken my iPad, iPhone, and
laptop. Forever. I’d just love to have been there.
I don’t think it’s a sacrilegious desire. In fact, I imagine I’m hardly in the minority.
There are the mysteries in our faith we shall never know. And then there are the secrets few of us get to know. And this one has long intrigued me.
Let me be clear: I wish we didn’t have to have another one. I will miss Pope Francis. Not everyone’s favorite, I know, but he was mine.
He was but hours into the job, and I knew I would love him.
With the votes tallied, white smoke in the skies, and all the participants headed back to their lodging, he declined the papal limousine and instead hopped on the minibus with those who had changed his life. “No thanks, I’m going back with the guys.”
Those same voting cardinals were headed to the Vatican guesthouse set aside for them, but Francis had opted to stay instead at a nearby Sisters-run hotel for regular clergy. On the morning after, he showed up at the front desk to check out, “I need to settle up for my room.” And as the clerk turned to look for his paperwork, he offered, “Oh, yeah, I may have checked in under a different name.”
No, humor and humility do not qualify one to be the spiritual leader of the world’s Catholics, but I somehow felt like they had elected a regular person who would look after the 1.4 billion of us other regular people. And that’s who we are
Thoughts and Prayers for the Faithful by Deacon Bob Hunt
mostly.
When I heard he’d said, “You can’t shepherd the poor if you don’t smell like the sheep,” he demonstrated the only qualifications for which many had prayed. Yet, here we were once again, praying the cardinals might somehow again find the next right “guy,” though all 1.4 billion of us have different opinions of who and what that might be.
Francis had been elected on the second day and the fifth ballot. Some past conclaves have been a bit more arduous. The worst? Upon the death of Pope Clement IV, they couldn’t agree—for three years.
When finally elected, Pope Gregory X’s first order of business was to reform the conclave process. Smart man.
In a more recent gathering, reputable sources tell of Cardinal Carlo Martini who—in a pre-conclave discussion about favorites and likelies—was being seriously considered by many voters as a possible option to the other most-discussed name, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. However, in the days just prior to the start of the conclave, Cardinal Martini is said to have confided to friends, “The next pope is already chosen. I have seen the white light around him.”
Though unwilling to share a name, he declined to campaign (as some very much do), nor would he allow his name to gain traction. And when Cardinal Ratzinger
Valadie continued on page B13
The reasons why Jesus kept His wounds
The disciples recognized the risen Lord from the signs of His suffering
t. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), the great Carmelite reformer and mystic, was praying in the chapel of her community’s monastery when she received a vision of Jesus. After contemplating the vision for some time, she finally shouted, “Begone Satan!” Immediately, the vision of Jesus dissipated and before her stood Satan himself. Satan asked her, “How did you know it wasn’t really Jesus?” Teresa replied, “No wounds! No wounds!” You see, the father of lies had appeared before her as the image of Jesus, but without the wounds in His hands, feet, or side. So, Teresa knew it wasn’t really Jesus. Why did Satan appear as Jesus without wounds? Because that is the Jesus Satan wants us to worship and adore. That is the Jesus Satan wants us to follow: the Jesus with no wounds; the Jesus who did not suffer for us and, consequently, does not demand anything of us, does not require our obedience, does not expect our adoration. Satan wants us to follow the Jesus who promises that we will not have to suffer in our lives dedicated to him, because he did not suffer in his life dedicated to us. The Jesus without wounds says, “Sure, be a Christian, but don’t get weird about it! Don’t make commitments in my name, and don’t make sacrifices for my sake, because I didn’t make any for you. Look! No wounds!” But Jesus did suffer. He did make sacrifices, especially the sacrifice of Himself. That is why the Jesus without wounds is a lie, and the promise that we will not have to suffer if we follow Him is also a lie. The Jesus without wounds expects nothing from us. The Jesus with wounds expects everything, all that we have, all that we are.
Why did Jesus keep His wounds after the resurrection? St. Bede the
Venerable, an early eighth-century English monk and historian, says that Jesus kept His wounds, first and foremost, as a trophy of His victory over sin and death, so they were no longer a deformity but a dignity. Also, it is clear from the Gospel accounts that, after the resurrection, Jesus possessed a glorified body, so that His disciples initially did not recognize Him. Jesus kept His wounds, St. Bede says, to confirm in the hearts and minds of His disciples that it was Him, and that He had truly risen from the dead. Because Jesus kept His wounds, like St. Teresa of Avila, the disciples were able to recognize Him risen from the dead. When St. Thomas saw Jesus for himself and Jesus showed him His wounds, St. Thomas proclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28).
A third reason Jesus kept His wounds was so that when He goes before the Father to intercede for us, and the Scriptures tell us that Jesus is always interceding for us (Hebrews 7:25), He can display His wounds to the Father as testimony of the great sacrifice He made on our behalf.
St. Bede tells us that Jesus kept His wounds to “convince those redeemed by His blood how mercifully [we] have been helped, as He exposes before [us] the traces of [His] death.” Jesus’ wounds are a reminder to us of God’s great mercy toward us and of our mission to take up our crosses and unite them with His. Finally, Jesus kept His wounds as testimony against those who reject Him. Jesus’ heart was torn open for all, though there are some who choose not to enter that open heart. Jesus’ wounds are a testimony against the damned who reject Him. Here is an explanation of how we were saved by Jesus, what theologians call soteriology, according to
the great theologian and doctor of the Church, St. Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109). Because of the disobedience of Adam, we became alienated from God. God desired to be reconciled with us because He loves us. But there is also justice, and justice demanded that we make amends for the offense against God caused by our disobedience. God, however, is an infinite, immutable Being, so the offense against Him was an infinite offense. Because we humans were the ones who offended God, we were obliged to make amends. No others could make amends in our stead. But because the offense against God was an infinite offense, the amends we made must itself be infinite. How could we, finite and stained with sin, make amends for our offense against an infinite, immutable God? We could not.
So, God, in His mercy, sent His Son to redeem us. The Second Person of the Holy Trinity became incarnate, took on flesh, and became man, became one of us in all things but sin. Because Jesus is infinite God, His sacrifice made amends for an infinite offense. Because Jesus is human, His sacrifice of perfect obedience even unto death counts against Adam’s disobedience.
We, too, are called to live a life of perfect obedience to the will of the Father in imitation of Jesus and to offer that life to the Father in union with that of Jesus for the salvation of the world. But obedience means sacrifice, and sacrifice means suffering. That is what it means to “Take up your cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).
We live in a culture that is largely antithetical to the values of the Gospel. As such, if we live the Gospel faithfully, we may suffer for our faith. We may lose a job or an op-
portunity to work a particular job. We may lose friendships. We may even lose family members who will not tolerate our zeal for the faith. But it is not only obvious suffering for the faith that can be redeemed. Any sufferings we endure, whatever they may be—ill health, physical aging, natural disasters, etc.—can be redeemed, can be given purpose. By uniting our sufferings with those of Jesus, we can participate in the redemptive work of Jesus. Our crosses, united with His, can be instruments by which we, our loved ones, and even the whole world are redeemed.
What does it mean to be redeemed? It means to share in the very nature of God (2 Peter 1:3-4). Jesus “humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name” (Philippians 2:8-9). Just as Jesus was raised to glory because of His life lived in perfect obedience, even to death on a cross, so we will be raised to glory to share in the very nature of God, if we unite our sufferings with those of Jesus (Romans 8:17). St. Athanasius of Alexandria wrote way back in the fourth century that “God became man so that man might become God.” This process of divinization, where we come to share in the nature of God, is called theosis, literally “becoming divine.” Just like Jesus, we will be raised to glory. Just like Jesus, our bodies will be glorified. If we share in His sufferings, we will share in His glory. That is the promise of Jesus. And Jesus keeps His promises. ■
Deacon Bob Hunt is a husband, father, grandfather, and parishioner at All Saints Church in Knoxville.
Encountering God in the Liturgy by Father Randy Stice
The connection between Eucharist and penance
‘A love for
the
Eucharist
leads to a growing appreciation of the sacrament of reconciliation’
All the sacraments,” said the Second Vatican Council, “are bound up with the Eucharist and are directed towards it. For in the most blessed Eucharist is contained the entire spiritual wealth of the Church, namely Christ Himself.”1 For this reason, the Eucharist is called the “sacrament of sacraments”2 and is “the perfection of the spiritual life and the end to which all the sacraments tend.”3 In this and subsequent columns, I want to look at the relationship between the Eucharist and individual sacraments, beginning with the sacrament of reconciliation/penance.
“A love for the Eucharist,” wrote Pope Benedict XVI, “leads to a growing appreciation of the sacrament of reconciliation.”4 This connection is rooted first in Christ’s initial announcement of the Gospel, as St. John Paul II explained: “Indeed, if the first word of Christ’s teaching, the first phrase of the Gospel Good News, was ‘Repent, and believe in the Gospel’ (Mark 1:15), the sacrament of the Passion, cross, and resurrection seems to strengthen and consolidate in an altogether special way this call in our souls. The Eucharist and penance thus become in a sense two closely connected dimensions of authentic life in accordance with the spirit of the Gospel, of truly Christian life. The Christ who calls to the eucharistic banquet is always the same Christ who exhorts us to penance and repeats His ‘Repent.’ Without this constant, ever-renewed endeavor for conver-
sion, partaking of the Eucharist would lack its full redeeming effectiveness, and there would be a loss or at least a weakening of the special readiness to offer God the spiritual sacrifice in which our sharing in the priesthood of Christ is expressed in an essential and universal manner.”5
A second link between penance and Eucharist is found in Paul’s exhortation to the Corinthians. St. John Paul II wrote, “Nor can we, on the other hand, ever forget the following words of St. Paul: ‘Let a man examine himself and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup’ (1 Corinthians 11:28).” The Apostle Paul’s exhortation “indicates at least indirectly the close link between the Eucharist and penance.”6 Citing this same passage, Pope Benedict urged that “an authentic catechesis on the meaning of the Eucharist must include the call to pursue the path of penance.”7 (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:27-29).
Pope Benedict also observed that we “are surrounded by a culture that tends to eliminate the sense of sin” In “Reconciliation and Penance,” St. John Paul II noted the loss of the sense of sin and identified several contributing factors/discussed various factors that have contributed to this crisis. These include the influence of secularism, explanations that shift blame from the individual to societal or environmental influences, a rejection that certain attitudes and actions are always sinful, identifying sin as “a morbid feeling of guilt or with the mere transgression of legal
norms and precepts,” and “preaching a love of God that excludes any punishment deserved by sin.”8 Losing a sense of sin, wrote Benedict, “always entails a certain superficiality in the understanding of God’s love.”9
Pope Benedict suggested an effective way to counteract the loss of a sense of sin. “Bringing out the elements within the rite of Mass that express consciousness of personal sin and, at the same time, of God’s mercy, can prove most helpful to the faithful.”10 First, there are elements that we all say together. In the “Confiteor/I confess,” each of us acknowledges, “I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, through my fault.” And just before receiving Communion, we pray together, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.”
The pope also noted the beautiful prayers said quietly by the priest. When the priest proclaims the Gospel, he first prays, “Cleanse my heart and my lips, almighty God, that I may worthily proclaim your holy Gospel.” At the conclusion of the Gospel, the priest or deacon kisses the book and says, “Through the words of the Gospel may our sins be wiped away.” When the priest washes his hands he prays, “Wash me, O Lord, from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” Finally, before inviting the assembly to Communion the priest quietly prays, “By
St. Bridget Knights sponsor annual Harry ‘Bunky’ Jones Golf Tournament
The annual Harry “Bunky” Jones Golf Tournament, sponsored by Knights of Columbus Council 11424 of St. Bridget Parish in Dayton, was held April 3 at Dayton Golf & Country Club. Nineteen teams participated, raising $5,000 for charities. Many of the Knights along with their wives worked hard to make the event a success. Bill Ward and Pat Bisson (left photo) man the putting contest. St. Bridget pastor Father Jim Vick came to support the Knights and was treated to a golf cart ride by Grand Knight Jeff Templin. The Samples team (right photo) from St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish in Cleveland won second place in the second flight. From left in the front row are team members Rob Samples, Debbie Patterson, Pam Samples, and Bob Samples. In the back (from left) are Pat Bisson, state membership director; district deputy Karl Naismith; and Mr. Templin.
Daily readings
Thursday, May 15: Acts 13:13-25; Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25, 27; John 13:16-20
Friday, May 16: Acts 13:26-33; Psalm 2:6-11; John 14:1-6
Saturday, May 17: Acts 13:44-52; Psalm 98:1-4; John 14:7-14
Sunday, May 18: Acts 14:21-27; Psalm 145:8-13; Revelation 21:1-5; John 13:31-35
Monday, May 19: Acts 14:5-18; Psalm 115:1-4, 15-16; John 14:21-26
Tuesday, May 20: Acts 14:19-28; Psalm 145:10-13, 21; John 14:27-31
Wednesday, May 21: Acts 15:1-6; Psalm 122:1-5; John 15:1-8
Thursday, May 22: Acts 15:7-21; Psalm 96:1-3, 10; John 15:9-11
Friday, May 23: Acts 15:22-31; Psalm 57:8-10, 12; John 15:12-17
Saturday, May 24: Acts 16:1-10; Psalm 100:1-3, 5; John 15:18-21
(Benedict XVI) was elected, Martini said, “This is as it should be.” And it was. Needless to say, not all of them experience the Holy Spirit in the same way.
On a Sunday before this year’s conclave, a priest we know offered something similar, “… the Holy Spirit has already chosen the next pope. It’s just the cardinals don’t know it yet. But they will.”
Sunday, May 25: Acts 15:1-2, 2229; Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8; Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23; John 14:23-29
Monday, May 26: Memorial of St. Philip Neri, priest, Acts 16:11-15; Psalm 149:1-6, 9; John 15:26–16:4
Tuesday, May 27: Acts 16:22-34; Psalm 138:1-3, 7-8; John 16:5-11
Wednesday, May 28: Acts 17:15 and 17:22–18:1; Psalm 148:1-2, 11-14; John 16:12-15
Thursday, May 29: Acts 18:1-8; Psalm 98:1-4; John 16:16-20
Friday, May 30: Acts 18:9-18; Psalm 47:2-7; John 16:20-23
Saturday, May 31: Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Zephaniah 3:14-18; Isaiah 12:2-6; Luke 1:39-56
Sunday, June 1: Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47:2-3, 6-9; Ephesians 1:17-23; Luke 24:46-53
And there. Right there. That’s what I’ve been wanting to see for so long. To watch the Holy Spirit at work in a room of 100-plus men charged with getting it right for the world. I’ve wanted to see the grace of God at work. And to see if His inspiration among our Church leaders looks different than when He chats with me. Because honestly, I’ve never been able to tell when He’s speak-
your most holy body and blood, free me from all my sins and from every evil; keep me always faithful to your commandments, and never let me be parted from you.”
The intimate connection between penance and the Eucharist deepens our understanding of the Eucharist, that here we encounter Christ Himself, the entire good of the Church. Realizing “who it is that we receive in eucharistic Communion” impels us to pursue holiness through penance and confession, which “are essential for sustaining in us and continually deepening that spirit of veneration which man owes to God Himself and to His love so marvelously revealed.”11 ■
1 Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests, 5
2 Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), 1211
3 CCC, 1374
4 The Sacrament of Charity (Charity), 20
5 The Redeemer of Man, (Redeemer), 20
6 Redeemer, 20
7 Charity, 20
8 “Reconciliation and Penance” (1984), 18
9 Charity, 20
10 Charity, 20. Examples taken from The Order of Mass, Roman Missal, third edition 11 Charity, 20
Father Randy Stice is director of the diocesan Office of Worship and Liturgy. He can be reached at frrandy@dioknox. org.
Monday, June 2: Acts 19:1-8; Psalm 68:2-7; John 16:29-33
Tuesday, June 3: Memorial of St. Charles Lwanga and companions, martyrs, Acts 20:17-27; Psalm 68:1011, 20-21; John 17:1-11 Wednesday, June 4: Acts 20:28-38; Psalm 68:29-30, 33-36; John 17:11-19
Thursday, June 5: Memorial of St. Boniface, bishop and martyr, Acts 22:30 and 23:6-11; Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11; John 17:20-26 Friday, June 6 : Acts 25:13-21; Psalm 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20; John 21:15-19
Saturday, June 7: Acts 28:16-20, 3031; Psalm 11:4-5, 7; John 21:20-25; vigil for Pentecost, Genesis 11:1-9; Psalm 104:1-2, 24, 35, 27-30; Romans 8:22-27; John 7:37-39 Pentecost Sunday, June 8 : Acts 2:1-11; Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-31, 34; 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13; John
ing to me or when I’m just talking to myself. Imagining it’s Him. Hoping it’s Him. Praying it’s Him.
All these people and events of our history were put in their place and their time for a reason. But none included us.
Thus, it only seems reasonable— or my personal faith tells me—He must need us here for this place and this time. But it’s just so hard to know why and what and the will of
20:19-23
Monday, June 9: Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, Genesis 3:9-15, 20; Psalm 87:1-3, 5-7; John 19:25-34
Tuesday, June 10: 2 Corinthians 1:18-22; Psalm 119:129-133, 135; Matthew 5:13-16
Wednesday, June 11: Memorial of St. Barnabas, Apostle, Acts 11:21-26 and 13:1-3; Psalm 98:1-6; Matthew 5:17-19
Thursday, June 12: 2 Corinthians 3:15–4:1 and 4:3-6; Psalm 85:9-14; Matthew 5:20-26
Friday, June 13: Memorial of St. Anthony of Padua, priest and doctor of the Church, 2 Corinthians 4:715; Psalm 116:1-11, 15-18; Matthew 5:27-32
Saturday, June 14: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; Psalm 103:1-4, 9-12; Matthew 5:33-37 ■
God. Here’s hoping they hear Him more clearly than I do. Dear God—You put us in this time and place for a reason. What is it? Amen. ■
George Valadie is a parishioner at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga and author of the book “We Lost Our Fifth Fork … and other moments when we need some perspective.”
JIM BLANTON
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Valadie continued from page B12
JANET SPRAKER
lake-day inflatables; a water park with a wave pool, a lazy river, and a water slide; a low ropes course; outdoor sports; bonfires with s’mores; prayer services; skits; crafts; the celebration of Mass; team-building activities; group interaction; and time to enjoy the retreat center. Some highlights include games of four square, gaga ball, basketball, volleyball, and capture the flag, along with some surprise activities planned by the leaders. Camps are designed to help the youth make new friendships, grow in their relationship with God, and be who God created them to be. Costs are $295 for the Reach Camp and $275 for the Discover Camp and include lodging, meals, a T-shirt, and activities. Register for a camp at dioknox.org/events/ reach-2025 or dioknox.org/events/ discover-2025. For more information, contact Donna Jones at 423-718-4387 or djones@dioknox.org, Carolyn Krings at ckrings@dioknox.org, or Noah Grinstead at ngrinstead@dioknox.org
The diocesan Office of Christian Formation will hold Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level 1 at St. Jude Church in Chattanooga from Monday through Friday, July 7-11. The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Montessori-based religiousformation program for children that teaches the faith through a prepared environment called an “atrium” and hands-on materials rooted in Scripture and liturgy. This training is offered free to registered members of the Diocese of Knoxville. For registrants from outside the diocese, cost is $450. Register at dioknox.org/events/ catechesis-of-the-good-shepherd
The Diocese of Knoxville is taking a group of teens to Steubenville Atlanta, hosted by the Archdiocese of Atlanta on the weekend of July 11-13. The Steubenville youth conferences exist to bring high-schoolers into a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ. The theme for 2025 is “Consumed: ‘For the Lord, your God, is a consuming fire...’” (Deuteronomy 4:24). Download a flyer,
notes continued from page B10
Tech with a bachelor of science degree in finance and international business.
The Council of Catholic Women sponsored a pizza party and game night May 4 in the parish hall for youth in grades seven to 12.
Those who desire a Catholic education for their children from kindergarten through college are asked to contact Sally Jackson or Ginny Miceli to receive an application for funds awarded to the parish by the late Angelo and Vera Miceli. Scholarships are not awarded based on financial need, but families must be an active member of the parish. The money can be used for tuition, fees, or a Catholic homeschool curriculum.
Baptism: Oliver Matthew Cain, son of Matthew and Sarah Cain
First communicants: Eli Cain, Jackson Dake, Abby Donovan, Michele Kolar
Five Rivers Deanery
Holy Trinity, Jefferson City
The parish picnic is set for Sunday, June 8, after the 10:30 a.m. Mass. Sign up in the narthex. The event is free.
The parish celebrated May Crowning on May 11.
Holy Trinity’s Lenten meals raised $2,420 to benefit Life Outreach Center in Jefferson City.
Anniversaries: Gordon and Kathy Marshall (60), Tom and Jessica Richards (35)
Baptism: Veronica Rose Mastellone, daughter of Michael and Casey Mastellone Notre Dame, Greeneville
Thirty-seven perfect-attendance awards were presented on the last day of religious-education classes. Students received a small ice cream from Scoop Dog’s Creamery in Greeneville.
The youth group’s end-of-the-year picnic took place after the 6 p.m. Mass on
learn about costs and how to register, and find medical-release and code-ofconduct forms at dioknox.org/events/ steubenville-atlanta-2025. Those needing help booking transportation through the Diocese of Knoxville should contact Noah Grinstead at ngrinstead@ dioknox.org or 386-274-8137.
The Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is holding a Theatre Summer Camp for rising fourth- to rising eighth-graders in two sessions from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, July 21-25 and July 28-Aug. 1, in the school gym. Each session concludes with a 3 p.m. Friday performance. Participants will embark on a journey of creativity, self-expression, and performance. Campers will develop confidence, teamwork, and storytelling skills in a supportive and encouraging environment through engaging workshops in acting, improvisation, dance, and stage presence. Daily activities will inspire imagination, enhance physical and vocal expression, and foster a love for the performing arts. With a focus on fun and fellowship, the camp ensures a safe space for learning, exploration, and personal growth, culminating in a final showcase where participants can shine on stage. Cost is $175 per session, and campers can register for both sessions if space permits. Visit www. shcathedral.org/cathedral-academyof-music/ to register or learn more.
A Picture of Love retreat for engaged couples is scheduled for 6:45 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, and 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga. This marriage-preparation program is a supplement to a couple’s marriage formation with their parish priest or deacon. Picture of Love explores the joys and challenges of living out the sacrament of matrimony with special focus on the importance of inviting Jesus to be the center of marriage and family life. The program will help a couple gain insights into their relationship, as well as give them practical ideas and tools to help smooth their journey and become the
May 14. Middle school students, including rising sixth-graders, and high school religious-education students took part.
Items are being collected in the Ganz Youth Center for a June yard sale to benefit an NCYC trip for students. A buffet meal set for 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, at Pizza Inn in Greeneville will also raise funds for the trip. Cost is $12 a ticket for a buffet and drink, including tax.
The Hispanic community at Notre Dame hosted a Cinco de Mayo celebration on May 3 to benefit the parish building fund.
Anniversary: Deacon Wil and Linda Johnson (40)
St. Patrick, Morristown
The parish hosted a free community health clinic May 18, sponsored by the Helping Hands Clinic of Hamblen County, for uninsured individuals who live and work in the county and met other criteria.
The Lunch and Learn group heard from Maria Richardson, community outreach coordinator for the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic, on May 15.
Dave Howells, Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus Council 6730 at St. Patrick, along with Thomas Simerly and Roy MacBay, entered the Fourth Degree in an exemplification ceremony on April 5 at St. Stephen Catholic Community in Old Hickory.
The young adults group sponsored an angel tree in April and May to raise donations for women of the parish facing a crisis pregnancy. Gifts were presented to the new mothers on Mother’s Day weekend.
Anniversaries: Luis and Carmen Crespo (66), Dan and Marion Byron (60), Jose and Teresa Romero (45), Frank and Rosy Raimondi (30), Neemias Enriques-Martinez and Lucinda Vasquez-Perez (10)
Smoky Mountain Deanery
Holy Family, Seymour
The current Holy Family Church build-
“Picture of Love” to one another. Participants who complete the program will receive a certificate to present to their county clerk and receive a $60 discount on their marriage license. The marriage license is valid for 30 days from issuance and is good for ceremonies performed anywhere in Tennessee. Cost is $175 per couple. Registration is available at dioknox.org/events/pictureof-love-retreat-sept-2025. Registration deadline is Monday, Sept. 1. Late registrations are accepted if space allows (cost is $200 by credit card only). Also at the websites are three exercises: a personality test, a “love language profile for couples,” and a fillable budget worksheet. Couples are asked to complete the exercises in advance and bring them to the retreat—see the website for more details. Contact Carolyn Krings at 865-584-3307 or ckrings@ dioknox.org for more information.
Catholic in Recovery is a 12-step recovery ministry that holds meetings each Monday at 7 p.m. at St. Dominic Church in Kingsport and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Chattanooga and each Sunday at 6 p.m. at All Saints Church in Knoxville. CIR provides hope and healing from addictions, compulsions, and unhealthy attachments. Family members impacted by a loved one’s addiction are also encouraged to attend. Meetings combine the spiritual principles of 12-step recovery and the sacraments of the Catholic Church. Join others in recovery as the meetings overlap Scripture from Sunday Mass readings, liturgical themes, and recovery topics with honest discussion and prayer. Confidentiality is protected. The St. Dominic gatherings are hybrid meetings, in person in the St. Thomas Aquinas Room of the parish life center or online at tinyurl.com/cirzoom-tricities-tn. For more information, visit www.catholicinrecovery.com For more details on the meetings at St. Dominic, contact Jena at cir.tricities. tn@gmail.com or call Oscar at 423-2132434. For the meetings at All Saints, call Martin Ohmes at 865-438-4905 or e-mail CIRAllSaintsKnoxville@gmail. com. Contact Deacon Wade Eckler
ing turned 40 years old May 4. The first Mass was celebrated in the building May 4, 1985, a first Holy Communion Mass.
Holy Ghost, Knoxville
The parish welcomed Miguel Mireles, director of the Shrine of Blessed Stanley Rother, on May 13. He gave a special talk in Spanish about the life, missionary vocation, and heroic martyrdom of Blessed Stanley, the first U.S.-born priest to be beatified by the Catholic Church.
Immaculate Conception, Knoxville
Associate pastor Father Tim Sullivan, CSP, is having a Homeless Initiative dinner and fundraiser from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 22. An Italian meal of spaghetti or pasta with marinara sauce, bread, salad, and dessert will be served. Costs are $10 per person or $35 per family. Sign up in the parish hall or call the IC office at 865-522-1508.
The Women’s Group will hold a Christ the Child Baby Shower in the parish hall Saturday and Sunday, June 7-8. All gifts will be donated to the Ladies of Charity of Knoxville’s Mary’s Cradle baby layette ministry. Clothing for newborns to 3 months, towels, and blankets, as well as financial donations, are needed. Treats will be available for shower guests.
A Women’s Group plant sale April 26-27 resulted in a $500 donation the ICWG was able to make to the parish.
First communicants: Isaac Austin, Henry Cate, Elias Harman, Corbin Place, Lionel Sulaiman
Sacred Heart, Knoxville
Associate pastor Father Danny Herman will lead a Mass on the Mountain hiking trip Saturday, May 24, at Charlies Bunion, a mountain crossed by the Appalachian Trail, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The Eagle’s Nest playground at Sacred Heart Cathedral School has been in use for 30 years. The cathedral is now launching a campaign to build a fun, safe, and inclusive playground that
about the meetings at OLPH at 423322-3493 or weckler@myolph.com
The Healing Ministry at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Alcoa offers healing prayers every third weekend of the month for anyone who has a physical, emotional, or spiritual need. Individual healing prayer will be offered in Spanish in the church immediately following the 7 p.m. Saturday Mass in Spanish, and prayer will be offered in English in the chapel immediately following the 11 a.m. Sunday Mass. Call Toni Jacobs at 561315-5911 if you have any questions.
Join Father Mike Nolan on a pilgrimage April 13-23, 2026, to France and Spain. The group will visit Lourdes, exploring the birthplace of St. Bernadette and experience the healing waters from the springs of Lourdes, Stations of the Cross, a candlelight rosary procession, and a blessing of the sick. Pilgrims will visit the tomb of St. Thomas Aquinas at the Jacobins Church as well as Pamplona, the birthplace and childhood home of St. Francis Xavier, the 16th-century evangelist, and will visit Xavier (Navarre), where they will tour the castle where Francis Xavier was born. The group will go on to Zaragoza, home to the Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, and Montserrat, site of the Benedictine monastery and the Black Madonna. Pilgrims will visit the small town of Verdu, the birthplace of St. Peter Claver, and go on to Barcelona, visiting the Cathedral of Barcelona, the Basilica of the Holy Family, La Sagrada Familia, the almostfinished masterpiece by Antoni Gaudi, and the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar, the Cathedral by the Sea. For more information, contact Lisa Morris at lisam@ select-intl.com or 865-567-1245.
Mass in the extraordinary form (“traditional Latin”) is celebrated at noon each Sunday at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville, at 2 p.m. each Sunday and at 6 p.m. most Mondays at St. Mary Church in Johnson City, and at 11:30 a.m. every Sunday at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga. For more information, visit www.KnoxLatinMass.net n
will serve not only the school but also parish families for years to come. To learn more about the project or discuss a financial contribution, contact Elisa Crawford, the school’s director of development, at ecrawford@shcknox. org or 865-558-4140. Visit tinyurl.com/ SHCplayground to donate.
Catholic Singles of Knoxville held a Swing Dancing Night on April 25 in Cathedral Hall. Sophie Holt provided swing dancing lessons.
St. John XXIII, Knoxville
The Justice Knox team from the parish recently received the Spirit of Hecker Award from the Paulist Fathers for its work that promotes and exemplifies the charism and mission of the Paulist Fathers.
The parish’s summer hours began May 18. Confessions are set for 4 to 4:45 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays. Daily Mass is at 5:05 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. Saturday Mass is at 5:30 p.m., and Sunday Masses are at 9 and 11:15 a.m. The 5:30 and 9 p.m. Sunday Masses will return Aug. 17.
St. John XXIII thanked all who helped make the Spring Swing on April 25 a success, including donors of and winners of auction items.
St. Joseph the Worker, Madisonville
The Welcome Committee held a meetand-greet for new parishioners May 16, followed by a Game Night Social for adults featuring bingo with prizes, cornhole, and dessert. The parish thanked Juan López of St. Joseph the Worker, owner of Señor López Mexican Restaurant in Tellico Plains, for catering a chicken-and-fajitas meal for the Love Thy Neighbor Fellowship Luncheon hosted by the Welcome Committee on April 8.
The Women’s Group hosted a Mother’s Day brunch May 17 and a movie night featuring the docudrama “Faustina: Love and Mercy” on April 25.
The youth held a car wash May 17 at Advance Auto Parts in Madisonville. n
Parish
Bishop Beckman leads Lenten retreat at OLPH
He tells those attending the event that ‘we have to have a vibrant, living connection with Jesus’
By Claire Collins
Bishop Mark Beckman traveled to Chattanooga on March 26 to give a Lenten retreat at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, welcoming both OLPH and Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul parishioners. The topics covered included prayer and meditation, the Paschal mystery, and following Christ.
“As we speak about the Paschal mystery” Bishop Beckman said, “we are really speaking about dying and rising with Christ.”
Many people gathered at OLPH, including clergy, parishioners, and even the catechumens at the parish. Father Arthur Torres, pastor of OLPH, hosted the event in conjunction with associate pastor Father Matthew Donahue. Also attending were Father Mike Creson, Deacon A.J. Houston, and Deacon Wade Eckler.
Bishop Beckman led attendees through a night full of prayer and meditation and shared many stories about his own prayer experiences connected with a multitude of significant life events on his journey of faith.
Speaking about Ash Wednesday, Bishop Beckman said, “Catholics are drawn to the liturgies where we ‘get something,’ but I think we have a visceral connection with the beginning of Lent—there’s something in our spirits that knows that we need Lent.”
He recounted the experiences of giving ashes over many years and the stark juxtaposition of giving them both to the aged and near death and mothers with their newborn babies. He recalled the ancient phrase memento mori, that we should remember that we’re all going to die and to remember our lives in the context of eternity.
He recalled one year when Ash Wednesday coincided with Valentine’s Day while he was serving at a school. A reflection he read in preparation for that Mass said, “Is there a more important sign of love than the cross? That is the moment when God fully revealed His love for us.” The reflection mentioned that, in conjunction with the phrase, “remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” a Valentine’s Day Ash Wednesday could also remind us of the love of God. “We should also remember the words, ‘Remember that you are loved and to Love you will return.’” That memory was in his mind with each person he gave ashes to, the bishop said.
Bishop Beckman then guided retreat participants on a journey of remembering that love in each of their hearts.
“We have to go back to the beginning,” he said, “and the beginning is God created each one of us out of infinite love. That’s the only reason God created the universe. God did not need the universe for Himself, He didn’t need us, but out of pure love, selfless love, we were each created in the image and likeness of God.”
He described the very breath of God being breathed into Adam to give him life in the garden, and then recounted how often in prayer
he likes to pray with his breath.
“The very act of breathing is a pure gift,” Bishop Beckman said. “Every breath is a gift from God—an act of remembrance of the tender love of God for each one of us.”
He recalled his retreat with the 30 Day Spiritual Exercises in Gloucester, Mass., and the many eight-day silent retreats he has attended, and how, “on those retreats, you always start your meditations with being loved by God and stay there in prayer until you receive that love.”
During the evening, Bishop Beckman led the group through two prayer meditations. In the first, he invited participants to be still with God in silence and to see what came up in their minds and hearts. After two minutes of silence, he invited a few people to share their experiences. He spoke into the distractions that come to our minds in prayer, the emotions we experience, and how we can become fidgety from the sounds and interruptions around us.
Bishop Beckman even spoke to his own thoughts during the meditation. “Tonight, I was like, ‘Do they think this is crazy?’” But his vulnerability opened the door for participants to feel the freedom of sharing their honest thoughts and prayers.
“Years ago, sounds used to distract me in stillness,” he said. “And now they are just part of the symphony of the sounds around me—they don’t distract me; they’re woven into the stillness. Just like my thoughts and feelings are no longer distractions, but I let them become like clouds moving across the sky.”
He then invited attendees to, during the Lenten season, “Pray more intimately than we normally pray—do something differently than we normally do.”
Bishop Beckman spoke about what it looked like for him to begin to fall in love with God. He said that, when we have an earthly experience of falling in love, we have, “…a lot of conversation. I want to tell you all about myself. I want to hear about you. Let’s tell each other the stories of our lives, the things that matter. I want to know you; I want to hear your story.”
This, he said, is analogous to our relationship with God.
He recounted his first experiences of conversations with God.
“I would walk alone at night down the road in front of the house,” he said, “and I would talk to God. I wanted to tell God what was happening in my life. Tell Him the story of my life. I don’t know that I was as good at listening when I was that age, but I did want to tell God about what was going on in my life.”
He then asked what conversation was like for a couple married for 50 years. “What’s different?” he asked. “Less conversation,” he responded, accompanied by laughter throughout the crowd.
“My parents can be driving down the road in the car together totally silent for 30 minutes or an hour,” Bishop Beckman recounted,
“and my dad will say, ‘you know?’ and Mom goes, ‘yes.’ As we mature in our relationship with God, there is a call to a deeper being with God in stillness and in quiet, and in my mind, a healthy sign of maturity. There’s something fun as we get closer to God, that yearning for being with the One we love.”
When experiencing distractions in prayer, Bishop Beckman gave attendees a different viewpoint than normally considered.
“Distractions can be the enemy,” he said, “or it could be that we are so unaccustomed to experiencing deep inner peace and joy that I don’t know what to do when I’m feeling that peaceful and joyful. To be still with God’s love for me, sometimes we’re allergic to it. To be so purely loved by the God who created us, that we cannot simply be with God and allow God to communicate His infinite love to us. Allowing God to love us is so important—so sometimes it’s important for me to become aware of what are the obstacles in my heart that are keeping me from allowing that to happen.”
Bishop Beckman then led the group through a prayer awareness exercise of their whole body, noticing the felt experience from the top of their heads to the tips of their toes. He invited retreatants to ponder a time when they felt deeply loved, considering where they were, what happened, and what it was like.
Bishop Beckman then recounted the experience of giving ashes to his dying grandmother in the hospital just before she passed—ashes from his own forehead, because he realized he did not have any with him. After she passed away, he went on a retreat, and the fullness of his grief was finally able to wash over him. Seeing an oak tree, he asked God why that tree can live for years and years and his grandmother cannot.
His wise retreat director sent him straight to Jesus for his retreat, and in his meditation, he was taken back to his grandmother’s hospital bed.
“I began to cry and looked, and on the other side of the bed, Jesus was standing there looking at me with love. He was loving me as He took my grandmother, and it was a profoundly healing moment.”
He then asked his retreat direc-
tor, “Is that my imagination, or is that God speaking to me? And he said, ‘yes.’ And I realized God does speak to us in and through all the gifts he’s given to us, including our imagination. And what Jesus did was He took me, while He brought Himself right into my story, and showed me that He was loving me through my grandmother, and that He loved her.” Part of journeying with God, Bishop Beckman said, is seeing what God has allowed in our lives, seeing where God was in it all, and believing He chose it all for us, letting go of anything that gets in the way of letting God love us.
Bishop Beckman then spent the last portion of the retreat touching on the other two aspects of Lent, fasting and almsgiving, and how one could approach those more fully during Lent.
Fasting, he said, is simply giving up stuff. He recounted giving up television as a kid and how it was life-changing because he never wanted to go back again. It opened up a space in him that he was able to start to let God fill.
“(Fasting) creates an empty space in our hearts that is meant to be filled with something more important, which is God.” Fasting is a letting-go of those things in our hearts that prevent us from being open to God and His love for us, Bishop Beckman said, and who God wants us to be.
“Sins clog our hearts up… what could I ask God to help me let go of?”
He then went on to share a comic, humble, and all-too-relatable story about anger and the Holy Land. In a long line to place his hand in the long-held site of the crucifixion, he encountered a woman angry about having to wait in line. He noticed the presence of this anger as he went to encounter this holy place in such a sacred moment, and the invitation from Jesus to forgive his sister in Christ as he touched the spot where Jesus’s cross stood.
Afterward, he was able to experience Mass in the tomb of the Holy Sepulcher and a special grace from God. When he knelt down at the stone where Jesus’ body laid, he thought, “Wow, I could never be any closer to the resurrection than I am right now,” to which God re-
continued on page B16
‘Dying and rising with Christ’ Bishop Mark Beckman speaks at a Lenten retreat at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Chattanooga. Below, he blesses a rosary and poses for a selfie.
CLAIRE COLLINS (3)
Retreat
Seventh Knights Cup raises more than $11,000
Ten
youth teams from around the area play in the daylong lacrosse tournament at Knoxville Catholic
By Dan McWilliams
Catholic Charities of East Ten-
nessee’s Pregnancy Help Center in Knoxville again benefited from the Knights Cup Lacrosse Tournament.
The seventh annual event, held April 26 at Knoxville Catholic High School’s Blaine Stadium and two auxiliary fields, featured youth and middle school teams this year and raised more than $11,000 for the pregnancy center. Knights of Columbus Council 5207 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is the main sponsor of the Cup.
“The 2025 Knights Cup was our most successful event thus far,” said event coordinator Seth Smith. “Ten teams attended and participated in 14 games. Throughout the day, we had around 400 fans show
up to watch the event.”
The Knights Cup was changed from a two-day tournament to a Saturday-only affair in the lead-up to the event. Teams playing were Blount County, Farragut, Knoxville Youth Sports, Hardin Valley, Christian Academy of Knoxville, Irish Lacrosse Club of Knoxville, Webb, and Gibbs, with some programs sending multiple teams.
“The youngest lacrosse players had tremendous fun playing lacrosse in front of their families at Catholic High, and JV teams competed intensely in each game at Blaine Stadium,” Mr. Smith said.
More than 30 Knights volunteered for the tournament, Mr. Smith added.
The Knights Cup has now raised more than $75,000 in seven tourneys held since 2016. n
Micah Scheetz named new head coach of KCHS girls basketball program
Knoxville Catholic High School announced May 8 that Micah Scheetz will be the new head coach of the Lady Irish basketball team, a program with two state championships to its name.
A decorated former player, Ms. Scheetz brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for the game. Most recently, she served as assistant girls basketball coach and physical-education instructor at Lenoir City High School. In 2023, she founded the Orange Crush AAU program, which has since supported more than 30 middleschool athletes in their basketball development.
Ms. Scheetz began her collegiate career at the University of Alabama-Birmingham before transferring to East Tennessee State University, where she was named to the All-Southern Conference second team and earned a degree in communications. She continued her academic and athletic journey at Butler University, earning a master’s degree in management while competing for the Lady Bulldogs and earning Big East All-Academic Team honors in 2020–21.
A graduate of Webb School of Knoxville, Ms. Scheetz was a twotime Tennessee Miss Basketball (2014, 2016) and was honored as the 2016 Tennessee Female Athlete
Retreat continued from page B15
sponded, “No, Mark, every single time you celebrate the Eucharist, that’s when you are the closest to the resurrection, right there at the altar. That’s where my dying and rising are represented. That’s where it takes place. This was just another experience of God speaking to us.” Bishop Beckman then reminded those attending that almsgiving comes from love of God that allows for loving our neighbor as ourselves, but that it can become hard to fully understand this when we don’t love ourselves very well. This is why we must remember who and whose we are: the beloved sons and daughters of God.
of the Year by the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame.
The opening filled by Ms. Scheetz arose when the school announced on March 12 that Travis Mains, who had coached the Lady Irish since 2020 and led them to state titles in 2023 and 2024, would become the next head coach of the Fighting Irish boys basketball team. Mr. Mains led the Knoxville Catholic girls to five consecutive state-tournament appearances, compiling an overall record of 102-59 that also included a staterunner-up finish in 2021.
For more information, contact Jason Surlas, KCHS athletics director, at 865-560-0506 or jason.surlas@ knoxvillecatholic.com ■
He then recounted another prayer experience he had received while praying with the baptism of Jesus. Jesus, at the Jordan River, had pointed to him and invited him to come and be plunged into the water. When he surfaced, he heard God the Father say, “‘YOU are my beloved son, and I delight in you…’ That is the deepest truth of who we are. We are the beloved daughters and sons of God. He delights in us. And if we remember that, and we know who we are, and we know who God is, then we know who we’re called to be for each other.”
This also reminded Bishop Beckman of a baptism he had performed for a baby of Arabian descent at an
and
the top
Beth Mitchell, Andrew Calloway, Joseph
Easter Vigil. The parents desired for him to be baptized in their traditional manner, naked and fully immersed three times. When reflecting on holding the vulnerable baby and plunging him into the water, God said to him, “That was me holding you.”
As the retreat concluded with questions, one attendee mentioned that all the prayers that had been prayed for a good bishop for the Diocese of Knoxville had been answered. Bishop Beckman said he had actually prayed for the new bishop of Knoxville while hiking in the Smokies with a friend, not knowing it would be him.
In response to a question about
how Catholics can better live out their personal relationships with Jesus, Bishop Beckman responded, “I think that it’s so important in this time in human history that we do have a living relationship with Jesus. It can’t simply be the externals. We moved into a time of what the Catholic Leadership Institute calls a time of Christendom to a time of apostolic era. We have to have a vibrant, living connection with Jesus, and we have to invite others to share in the graces we have received.
“People see that we have joy, and they’ll want what we have. Pope Francis is right about that—the joy of the Gospel.” n
Drawing a penalty A Roane County player fouls his opposite number from CAK in a Knights Cup game at Connor Family Field.
CAK in action A Christian Academy of Knoxville player charges toward the goal against Roane County in a Knights Cup junior-varsity middle school game played at Connor Family Field at KCHS.
Rebels win A Blount County Bulldogs player reaches for the ball in a game against the West Rebels, who won 5-0 in a Knights Cup varsity middle school contest played at Blaine Stadium at Knoxville Catholic High School.
Micah Scheetz
KATHY RANKIN (2)
St. Joseph School celebrates May Crowning
Father Tim Sullivan, CSP, associate pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Knoxville, celebrated a Mass
May Crowning on May 4 at St. Joseph School in Knoxville. In
photo, Marissa Rodriguez crowns the Blessed Mother as Saw Htoo stands nearby. Above, processing with flowers, are (from left) Harper Widener,
