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He dwells among us
by Bishop Richard F. Stika
Bishop’s schedule
Doing more
These are some of Bishop Stika’s public appointments:
We mustn’t be satisfied with our charitable efforts, but like St. Vincent de Paul, always strive to do more
hen I think back upon the many people who made a lasting impression upon me growing up in St. Louis, there is one in particular who stands out in his “testimony of charity.” Such was his influence upon me that I credit the very awakening and answering of my calling to the priesthood to him. What makes this individual especially unique in my life is that I never met him in person, though I did many times through those in his very large family. In fact, I began my seminary formation 400 years after he was born. The person I’m speaking of is St. Vincent de Paul, and his family members are those we call Vincentians—a family whose presence I hope can be a part of our parish communities. That St. Louis would become the U.S. headquarters for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP), which is represented in over 140 countries worldwide, owes in good part to St. Louis’ first bishop—Bishop Joseph Rosati. He was of the Congregation of the Mission (CM), an order of priests and religious brothers founded by St. Vincent of which my dear friend, Father Jim Swift, is a priest. Other Vincentians include the order of the Daugh-
Diocesan policy for reporting sexual abuse
Follow Bishop Richard Stika on Twitter @bishopstika as he tweets about news and events from the diocese. ters of Charity, as well as the Ladies of Charity, and the many parish SVdP conferences made up of men and women volunteers. And what has so deeply impressed me is how all of them, like St. Vincent, aspire to holiness through their person-to-person contact with the poor—with the “least of these” (Matthew 25:40). As a youth, I was especially inspired by the stories of the Sisters/ Daughters of Charity, whose heroic work during the terrible cholera epidemics of the early 1800s is legendary. In a time when tens of thousands died, including many of their own, the sisters remained steadfast in their tender care of the sick and dying. The distinct religious habits of the sisters that were often the object of ridicule because of strong anti-Catholic prejudices instead soon became the revered symbols of heroic and selfless love, a great lesson for us to remember today. As St. Vincent is one of the few
saints that the Church gives the title “Apostle of Charity” to, I am reminded of a quote of his that I learned in Catholic grade school that speaks to the Vincentian spirituality: “Let us love God, but let it be with the strength of our arms and the sweat of our brow.” With our 25th Jubilee as a diocese a year away, it is my hope that we can celebrate by growing the presence of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in our diocese. Mindful that this would not represent a duplication of existing charitable activities, much less that of Catholic Charities’ important work, I have asked Father Jim Vick, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Chattanooga, and assisted by diocesan Office of Justice and Peace Director Paul Simoneau, to work with our priests to see how we might best accomplish this. In the 1947 movie, “Monsieur Vincent,” there is a scene where St. Vincent is speaking with the Queen of France. She is shocked when he says that he has done nothing for the poor. “What, could you have done for them then?” she asks. And his simple answer is that which must be ours: “More.” We need to do more. n
The East Tennessee
Sept. 6: 1 p.m., Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People Sept. 8: 5 p.m., Diocesan Youth Mass and Evening Extravaganza at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Sept. 9: 9 a.m., Mass at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Sept. 15: 5 p.m., dinner in Chattanooga with Chattigras Auction winners Sept. 16: 4 p.m., confirmation and anointing of the altar at Blessed John Paul II Catholic Mission Sept. 17: 6 p.m., Mass and picnic with Chattanooga Serrans at Camp Columbus Sept. 18: 11 a.m., Presbyteral Council Meeting at the Chancery Sept. 22: 11 a.m., Mass with permanent deacons and wives at Carson Springs conference center Sept. 23-26: Catholic Extension Mission Bishops Conference in Illinois Sept. 27: 9 a.m., Mass for diocesan teacher’s in-service at All Saints Church Sept. 30: 11 a.m., Mass at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus n
Bishop Richard F. Stika Publisher
Dan McWilliams Assistant editor
Bill Brewer
Margaret Hunt
Anyone who has actual knowlEditor Administrative assistant edge of or who has reasonable 805 Northshore Drive, S.W. • Knoxville, TN 37919 cause to suspect an incident of The Diocese of Knoxville sexual abuse should report such The East Tennessee Catholic (USPS 007211) is published monthly by The Diocese of Knoxville, 805 Northshore Drive Southwest, information to the appropriate Knoxville, TN 37919-7551. Periodicals-class postage paid at Knoxville, Tenn. Printed on recycled paper by the Knoxville News Sentinel. civil authorities first, then to the The East Tennessee Catholic is mailed to all registered Catholic families in East Tennessee. Subscription rate for others is $15 a year in bishop’s office, 865-584-3307, or the United States. Make checks payable to The Diocese of Knoxville. the diocesan victims’ assistance coordinator, Marla Lenihan, 865Postmaster: Send address changes to The East Tennessee Catholic, 805 Northshore Drive Southwest, Knoxville, TN 37919-7551 Reach us by phone: 865-584-3307 • fax: 865-584-8124 • e-mail: webmaster@dioknox.org • web: dioknox.org 482-1388. n
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