CNS/MOHAMMED AMEEN, REUTERS
Attack on Iraqi Catholics A woman mourns outside the Syrian Catholic cathedral in Baghdad, Iraq, Nov. 1. Dozens of hostages and police were killed the day before when security forces raided the cathedral to free worshipers being held by gunmen wearing explosives. page 10
THE EAST TENNESSEE
Volume 20 • Number 5 • November 7, 2010
The
newspaper
of the D iocese of K noxville www.dioknox.org
The Annual Catholic Appeal launches E
veryone knows the expression “no one is an island.” It emphasizes the need for community if we are to properly grow and mature. It’s a reciprocal relationship. As the community is essential to individual growth, so the community’s health is determined by its individual members. The individual thrives in the community, and the community grows with its individual members. So it is with each parish. It has its rightful autonomy but cannot be an island. Every parish is called to be a builder of communion between the local Church, diocesan Church, and universal Church. This relationship binds the parish with the diocesan community and the bishop with the successor of St. Peter, ensuring each parish’s membership in the universal Church. In praying for the grace to be active and responsible Catholics, we realize we have simultaneous obligations to our parish, diocese, and the worldwide Church. This realization is similar to understanding the mystery of the Holy Trinity. There are three
Persons in one God. They are unique yet inseparable. Just as the Holy Trinity is at the same time unique and inseparable, so is the Church. It’s important for each of our parishes to function uniquely, as vibrant communities of faith and worship. At the same time, no parish can separate itself from the diocese or the greater universal Church. In much the same way that St. Paul speaks of us as unique, inseparable members of the body of Christ, so too are our parishes and dioceses unique and inseparable parts of the Catholic Church. Indeed, the word catholic means “universal.” Unlike religious communities that exist as separate and independent congregations, our faith embraces a theology of unity and responsibility. We must take care of one another— especially those in greatest need. Instead of erecting walls around us, we build bridges—bridges from parish to diocese and diocese to parish. Many Catholics may not realize it, but the bonds between parish and diocese are financial as well. Bishops rely on parishes to help fund
DEACON PATRICK MURPHY-RACEY
Bishop Stika encourages the faithful to be generous.
God gives himself to us through the sacraments. In return, he asks us to give to and care for one another, as Christ explains in Matthew 25:34-46. GOD’S GIFTS
diocesan operations, and dioceses provide financial assistance to new or struggling parishes. Throughout the United States, each of 18,900 parishes contributes to the operations of its respective diocese, of which there are 195. Here in East Tennessee, contributions to the diocese are based on each parish’s size and ability. Parish contributions fund a range of priorities, including diaconate
formation; seminarian education; priestly medical benefits and retirement; support for parishes, schools, and ministries in need of assistance; and administration and communication, such as The East Tennessee Catholic newspaper (ETC) and the diocesan website, dioknox.org. Although gifts made by generous members of the Catholic Foundation of East Tennessee supplement essential
investments such as priestly formation, the diocese relies on parishes to cover a majority of the $675,000 annual cost of seminarian tuition, room, board, and health insurance. In addition to gifts made by East Tennessee Catholics, the diocese has received generous donations during the past year from out-of-state sources, primarily friends and former parishioners of Bishop Richard F. Stika.
These gifts enabled the diocese to avoid asking parishes to increase the amounts they contribute for diocesan operations, but they haven’t permitted the diocese to reduce parish assessments, nor have gifts from outside the diocese kept pace with the growing needs of those in East Tennessee. “When people face rising poverty and unemployment, they rightly turn to the Appeal continued on page 8
East Tennessee Catholics grateful for programs supported by appeal B Y D A N M CWILLIAMS
T
he 2011 Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) will help fund all of the ministries and offices of the Diocese of Knoxville that serve both its parishioners and those of all faiths who may turn to the Church for assistance times of need. Along with Catholic Charities, university ministry, Priestly Life and Ministry, and many others, the ACA supports the offices of Christian Formation, Marriage Preparation and Enrichment, and Youth and Young Adult Ministry. For the Christian Formation Office, the ACA makes possible its catechetical-formation program, begun in 2008. Catechists, Catholic school teachers, and others have learned more about the sacraments, teaching methods, and other topics through the program, held in conjunction with Aquinas College in Nashville and conduct-
ed by the Nashville Dominican sisters. Sister Mary Timothea Elliott, RSM, directs the Office of Christian Formation, and Father Richard Armstrong is the assistant director. “When Father Richard sent the informational booklet introducing the new catechetical-formation program, I said, ‘Wow!’ It not only gave me an easy-to-follow blueprint for catechetical certification and provided answers to many of my questions, its highly polished and professional quality indicated a top-rate program,” said one parish director of religious education. “I knew this was going to be a great opportunity for all of us who work in ministry for children and adult faith formation to grow in understanding of our rich faith and learn effective catechetical methods. The catechists who attended the orientation and first session are very pleased with the program and eager to work toward com-
pleting their certification.” A Chattanooga catechist said the formation program “is presented with passion and excitement.” “The materials are very well organized, and the information provided at the sessions is helpful to anyone trying to better understand and pass on our faith to others. Participants will become more appreciative of the beauty of the Catholic faith and the need to preserve and teach it. As a parent and father, I recommend this program to every adult in the diocese as a great help to our vocation as first and primary educators of our children.” The Marriage Preparation and Enrichment Office has sponsored free introductory sessions on the Creighton Model System of monitoring a couple’s fertility, as well as programs such as “Six Dates for Catholic Couples” and “Picture of Love” engaged-couple retreats.
A couple married in June 2009 said, “we appreciated the opportunity to attend a free session” on the Creighton system “to learn more about this specific method of natural family planning.” “The presentation was clear and simple yet included a thorough explanation of the scientific basis of the method,” they said. “After attending the session, we decided to use the Creighton method of NFP in our upcoming marriage. NFP helped us begin our marriage with an openness of heart to God’s leadership in the formation of our family, and it has improved our communication skills and increased our respect and understanding for each other, which benefit all areas of our relationship.” After presenting marriageenrichment programs at their parish, one couple recently thanked Programs continued on page 8