CNS PHOTO/BOB ROLLER
Bishops meet in Baltimore Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, gives Communion to U.S. bishops during Mass at the opening of the bishops’ annual fall meeting in Baltimore Nov. 16. The meeting runs through Nov. 19. page 2
THE EAST TENNESSEE
Volume 19 • Number 6 • November 22, 2009
The
N E W S PA P E R
of the D I O C E S E of K N O X V I L L E www.d ioces eof kn ox ville.or g
DEACON PATRICK MURPHY-RACEY
Planning for Advent Experience Advent fully so you can truly celebrate Christmas. By Bishop Richard F. Stika ear friends: As we approach December, I am ever mindful of Dec. 15 last year, when I received the phone call from the nuncio informing me that the Holy Father had appointed me the bishop of Knoxville. What a gift! The challenge of that gift, however, was the fact that I could not share this information until it was made public by the Holy See. A result of this challenge developed as a key prayer request, which rose to the heavens from my lips: patience! In just a few days the church concludes her liturgical year with the celebration of the Feast of Christ the King. Thus, the following weekend a new liturgical year begins as well as a special season that many ignore because Christmas is so near—the season of Advent! A favorite Advent song of mine is “Patience, People” by Father John Foley, SJ.
Monsignor Al Humbrecht
Sacred Heart pastor elevated to monsignor B Y DA N MCWI LLIAMS
he pastor of Sacred Heart Cathedral has a new title that will take some getting used to, especially since a few thousand East Tennessee Catholics have addressed him the same way since his priestly ordination in 1972. Father Al Humbrecht is now Monsignor Al Humbrecht. Bishop Richard F. Stika told the priest Nov. 3 that he had been named a Prelate of Honor to His Holiness by Pope Benedict XVI. The honoree said he will have a hard time adjusting to the new form of address “after 37 years of just being Father Al.” A ceremony to confer the honor will take place at Sacred Heart on a date to be an-
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CNS PHOTO/OCTAVIO DURAN
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Advent, a season of joyful expectation before Christmas, begins Nov. 29 this year. The Advent wreath, with a candle marking each week of the season, is a traditional symbol of the period.
A TIME FOR PATIENCE
Not only does it provide a setting for daily life throughout the year, but it also offers a reminder to all Catholics to be patient and reflective during this time. Prepare for Christmas so you might see the Christmas season with a sense of awe
and gratitude! You might already have your gift list prepared. Planning is good. But how does your Advent planning list look? Advent possibilities might include daily Mass, daily prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, reading
Scripture, receiving the sacrament of reconciliation, and doing additional spiritual reading. Be creative! There are few guarantees in life but one to me is evident: Advent is to be lived so that Christmas can be truly celebrated. Patience, people!
Sincerely in Christ, Most Reverend Richard F. Stika Bishop of Knoxville
Conference room named after Holy Ghost pastor
Monsignor continued on page 3
Please pray for our priests Dear Lord: We pray that the Blessed Mother will wrap her mantle around your priests and through her intercession strengthen them for their ministry. We pray that Mary will guide your priests to follow her own words, “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5). May your priests have the heart of St. Joseph, Mary’s most chaste spouse. May the Blessed Mother’s own pierced heart inspire them to embrace all who suffer at the foot of the cross. May your priests be holy and filled with the fire of your love, seeking nothing but your greater glory and the salvation of souls. Amen. St. John Vianney, pray for us. ■
The bishop announces the honor for Monsignor Mankel. B Y MA RY C. WE AV E R
began as an ordinary Presbyteral W hat Council meeting Nov. 10 became an occasion to honor Monsignor Xavier Mankel, two days after his 74th birthday. Shortly before noon Bishop Richard F. Stika got the presbyterate’s attention and announced that the major conference room in the Chancery offices would “forever be known as the Monsignor Mankel room.” “Bishops come and go, but monsignors just stay around,” the bishop said. A bronze plaque being prepared for the conference room will read MONSIGNOR FRANCIS XAVIER MANKEL, VG, CONFERENCE ROOM, DEDICATED ON NOV. 10, 2009, IN RECOGNITION FOR HIS FAITHFUL
MARY C. WEAVER
SERVICE TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN TENNESSEE AND IN PARTICULAR THE DIOCESE OF KNOXVILLE.
Monsignor Xavier Mankel (left) is seen with Bishop Richard F. Stika a few moments after the bishop announced on Nov. 10 that the main conference room in the Chancery was being named after the monsignor. The framed photo now hangs on the room’s south wall.
MANKEL MEETING ROOM
Download prayers and a rosary booklet: bit.ly/priestprayers.
Christmas will come, but Advent is knocking at the door! I wish you a blessed Advent!
Monsignor Mankel was ordained a priest in 1961 and has served as diocesan vicar general since 1988, under all three bishops of the Diocese of Knoxville. He has been principal of Knoxville Catholic High School and diocesan superintendent of Catholic Schools. He spent 10 years as pastor of Sacred Heart Cathedral and since 1997 has been pastor of Holy Ghost Parish in Knoxville. See the next edition of the ETC for coverage of an honor bestowed on another Holy Ghost pastor—Father Albert J. Henkel—after whom the Knoxville church’s renovated fellowship hall has been named (see page 6). ■