Sept. 20 East Tennessee Catholic

CNS PHOTO/NANCY WIECHEC

Eucharistic congress begins Women religious and others attend the opening Mass of the eucharistic congress sponsored by the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington Sept. 11.

THE EAST TENNESSEE

Volume 19 • Number 2 • September 20, 2009

The

of the D I O C E S E of K N O X V I L L E

N E W S PA P E R

www.d ioces eof kn ox ville.or g

St. Albert ‘blossoms and grows’

Knox Chaldeans gather for Mass of thanksgiving B Y DA N MCWI LLIAMS

of KnoxM embers ville’s Chaldean Catholic community came together for a Mass of thanksgiving at Sacred Heart Cathedral on Aug. 29.

Some of those in attendance were newly arrived in the United States from Iraq, where persecution of Christians by Islamic extremists runs unchecked. Priests and children have been decapitated by the extremists because of their faith, and Christian women and girls have been raped. Christians have also had their businesses bombed and their property confiscated. The majority of the world’s Chaldean Iraq 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. ■

ess than 26 months after its creation as a parish, St. Albert the Great celebrated a major milestone: the Aug. 29 dedication of its parish center by Bishop Richard F. Stika.

The Halls Catholic community is on a fast track, having gone from formal establishment on July 1, 2007, with Father Chris Michelson as pastor; to a groundbreaking Nov. 15, 2008; and now the dedication of a 10,000-square-foot center that provides ample space for Mass and parish activities.

The dedication Mass was Bishop Stika’s first major public activity after the medical crisis he suffered in mid-August, and he began his homily by saying, “I’ve got to tell you folks, this is the best medicine I could have asked for. It’s a real joy and pleasure to be with you this day.”

He noted that after receiving the word from papal nuncio Archbishop Pietro Sambi that he was to become bishop of Knoxville, he began exploring the diocesan website. In the then-current online

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Bishop Richard F. Stika shakes hands with architect Thom Haeuptle of Knoxville’s Johnson Architecture a few minutes before the Aug. 29 dedication Mass for St. Albert the Great’s parish center in Halls. At the bishop’s left is Deacon Chris Riehl. Behind Mr. Haeuptle is Daryl Johnson, president of Johnson Architecture.

PLANS IN HAND

issue of the ETC, he said he saw a photograph “taken on a beautiful, calm, warm November day—a day with a gentle breeze,” generating laughs from parishioners who had been present for the parish groundbreaking and who remembered the day as brisk, with a chilly wind.

“So often we think of church as a building, but when you gathered on that day, you gathered as the church of St. Albert

without a building— just a hole in the ground,” the bishop said.

“But that shows what church is about. The church of St. Albert began to blossom and grow under the guidance of Father Chris and the parish leadership, coming together and formed by Gospel values, centered on the Eucharist and a belief in Jesus Christ as the one who can free us from our sin . . .”

The center was full for the dedication Mass, with temporary seating to accommodate 650. The parish roster lists a current membership of more than 1,000 individuals in about 350 households—up from the 286 individuals and 109 families listed in the parish’s first-ever bulletin.

Bishop Stika commented that although the newly constructed center “doesn’t exactly look temporary,” it would

enable the congregation to grow stronger “until finally we build a larger church and then this will again be a parish center.”

The $1.95 million facility was designed

by Daryl Johnson and Thom Haeuptle of Johnson Architecture and built by Evans Contracting Co. Until the dedication the community celebrated Sunday Masses at the Sister Elizabeth Assembly St. Albert continued on page 6

Bishop dedicates LaFollette church built by parishioners Our Lady of Perpetual Help members perform virtually all of the construction tasks for a project that more than triples the size of their building.

B Y DA N MCWI L L I A MS

ot often do the builders of a church fill the nave when the bishop dedicates it, but that was the case at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in LaFollette on Sept.

6.

The Campbell County Catholics, with little outside help, constructed their own $945,000 addition to their 15year-old church building.

Parishioners ages 56 to 83 laid brick, poured concrete, painted, and performed myriad other tasks in a project that expanded the OLPH nave and provided additional space elsewhere for meetings, youth events, and more.

Bishop Richard F. Stika dedicated his second building in eight days, following his Aug. 29 blessing of the new parish center at St. Albert the Great in Knoxville. Joining him in LaFollette were OLPH pastor

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Bishop Richard F. Stika pours chrism on the altar during the dedication Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in LaFollette. Looking on are diocesan master of ceremonies Father Tony Dickerson (left) and OLPH pastor Father Joe Campbell. View more photos from the dedication at dioceseofknoxville.org.

HOLY CHRISM

Download prayers and a rosary booklet: bit.ly/priestprayers.

MARY C. WEAVER

Susan Dakak (left) shares information at a reception following the Mass for Knoxville’s Chaldean Catholics. With her is refugee Sabrin Kanon.

‘LIVING MARTYRS’

DAN MCWILLIAMS

DAN MCWILLIAMS

Bishop Stika dedicates a worship space in Halls, just over two years from the parish’s founding. By Mary C. Weaver

LaFollette continued on page 7

letters to the

EDITOR

Christians ‘too often love the spectacular’

Many thanks for Ginger Hutton’s excellent essay in the Sept. 6 ETC (“Spiritual novelties”). As usual, Miss Hutton hits the nail right on the head.

Like those of Christ’s time, we too often love the spectacular but forget that we are called to obey his commandments and follow him.

Kudos too to Dan McWilliams on his 10 years of excellent work as assistant editor. Ad multos annos! ■ —Father W. Patrick Resen, JD, pastor, St. Catherine Labouré Parish, Copperhill We welcome letters and carefully consider all submissions. Letters should be 350 words or less and will be edited for grammar, style, clarity, and length. Submit them by e-mail or mail: mary@dioceseofknoxville.org, P.O. Box 11127, Knoxville, TN 37939-1127. Letters to the editor reflect the opinions of their authors and not those of the editorial staff or the publisher.

Faith-formation classes continue he 2009 series of adult faith-formation classes began in February, with additional classes scheduled throughout the year and in locations around the diocese. The adult faith-formation program is one of the educational initiatives funded through the Growing in Faith Together capitalstewardship campaign. Classes are offered at no charge. Sessions begin at 7 p.m. and end at 9.

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Personal Morality, taught by Father Michael Sweeney. Explores what we believe as Catholics and why. How do we know the church’s position on moral issues is correct? How do we live as faithful Catholics in a world that rejects the church’s teachings? This session will examine the concepts of human dignity, freedom, law, sin, virtue, and conscience as well as current moral issues. It will also provide insight into how we may explain the church’s position to those who are searching for answers in a confusing world.

■ Tuesday, Oct. 27 (new date), Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Chattanooga The Sacraments, taught by Amy Roberts. Explores the foundations of what we celebrate as Catholics. The class will examine how we encounter the living Christ through each of the church’s seven sacraments.

■ Thursday, Sept. 24, St. Stephen Church, Chattanooga ■ Tuesday, Nov. 10, St. Dominic Church, Kingsport What We Believe, taught by Deacon David Lucheon. Explores the foundations of what we profess as Catholics. The class will examine the principal truths of the faith as expressed in the creeds of the church.

■ Thursday, Oct. 8, Notre Dame Church, Greeneville ■ Tuesday, Nov. 17, Sacred Heart Cathedral Catechetical formation sessions, presented in collaboration with Aquinas College in Nashville, will also be held this fall for catechists, teachers in Catholic schools, ministry leaders, and other interested adults. Each session takes place on a Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes modules on the Creed, the sacraments, morality, prayer, and methods.

Choose one session: ■ Oct. 17, St. John Neumann Church, Farragut ■ Nov. 7, St. Elizabeth Church, Elizabethton ■ Nov. 14, St. Jude Church, Chattanooga.

To register, visit dioceseofknoxville.org, click Resources/ETC, then click Event registration in the left frame. For further details, contact Rich Armstrong at rarmstrong@dioceseofknoxville.org or 865-584-3307. ■

Child-protection training sessions he Diocese of Knoxville’s program for the protection of children and youth is based on training developed by Virtus and is offered regularly throughout the diocese. A three-hour seminar for adults, “Protecting God’s Children,” is required for parish and school employees and regular volunteers in contact with children or vulnerable adults and is recommended for parents and grandparents.

The following training sessions have been scheduled: ■ St. Mary School, Oak Ridge, 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18 (session

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SEPTEMBER 20, 2009

will be held in Columbus Hall) ■ Sacred Heart Cathedral, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22; 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20; 7 p.m. (sessions will be held in the Shea Room) ■ John XXIII Catholic Center, Knoxville, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24 ■ St. Alphonsus Church, Crossville, 1 p.m. CDT, Sunday, Oct. 18 ■ St. Mary Church, Johnson City, 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19 (session will be held in St. Anne hall).

To register for a session, visit virtusonline. org. ■

living the

READINGS

BY FATHER JOSEPH BRANDO

The child in your midst The powerless, suffering person is a manifestation of Christ.

Mark tells us in today’s Gospel that the disciples did not understand what Jesus meant when he announced to them that he would be handed over to men, be killed, and rise on the third day. Jesus’ statement is hard to understand even for his present-day disciples. But today’s first two readings shed a light on what Jesus said that might surprise some of us with its real meaning.

Strangely, in the Book of Wisdom, we are advised to put the just one to the test, to torture him, and to condemn him to death. We should do that to prove whether God is with him.

With that as background,

we can begin to perceive Jesus’ plan. He was putting himself before the High Priests, the Sanhedrin, Pilate, and especially the crowd to see whether they could recognize his gentleness and patience. Jesus was the just man in their midst.

In that light, when the disciples argued over who was the greatest, our Lord placed a child in their midst. That child was Jesus, the just one. Children have no power that is not gratuitously bestowed on them by their parents or other adults. Those condemned have absolutely no power unless a judge or jury grants a reprieve.

The just man and the child are manifestations of Christ.

He is also the homeless person and the poor migrant. His presence demands a decision.

Either we empower him and give him glory by our kindness or condemn him by our

silence. Will Christ have to die yet again?

James notes some virtues necessary for Christians.

Among them are purity, gentleness, and mercy. These are powers we need when we encounter Christ as the child in our midst. James warns that if we do not possess those virtues, we condemn ourselves to wars and other conflicts, the natural consequences of pride.

Today I visited Mother Teresa’s Home for the Destitute Dying. She saw, as many volunteers now see, the face of Christ on those unfortunate people. They die with peace in their hearts because peaceable people empowered them.

That’s what Jesus meant in today’s Gospel.

If we want to live the Gospel perfectly, we should not only see the child in our midst but also become that child. Then we will understand. ■ Sept. 20, 25th Sunday in ordinary time Wisdom 2:12, 17-20 Psalm 54:3-6, 8 James 3:16–4:3 Mark 9:30-37

Unfairness in the kingdom of God Fraternal charity demands that we counsel Christians who are guilty of injustice.

wo of the truly great people in Scripture, albeit as young men, protest to Moses and Jesus, respectively, that God is perpetrating an injustice. In the first case, Joshua noted that two men were uttering prophecies although they had not been present at the ceremony in which 70 men were invested with a share of Moses’ power.

That wasn’t fair.

Moses should stop them. Moses probably laughed when he replied, “Would that all the people of the Lord were prophets.”

John, in a similar manner, went to Jesus, complaining about someone who was driving out

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demons in Jesus’ name even though he did not follow the Lord. Jesus answered, “Whoever is not against us is for us.”

The common note in Jesus’ and Moses’ responses is joy that positive action is taking place. In fact, one sign that the kingdom of God is at hand is the multiplication of goodness in the lives of those who are not outwardly identified with Christ.

When atheists work hard for peace and charitable causes, it’s not a time to act like the naive Joshua and John. They learned better. We should rejoice with Moses and Jesus, knowing the phe-

Not good to be alone Marriage is a gift God keeps on giving.

he first reading from Genesis concludes one of the great sagas of all time. There the story of creation is taught in seven sections.

The first five sections end with God saying, “It is good.” At the end of the sixth day, God surprises us. After creating Adam, God says, “It is not good for the man to be alone.”

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If any doubt exists about the divine will of God concerning marriage, this passage should resolve it. Sacred Scripture’s very first lesson about life had two parts: the goodness of God’s creation and the sanctity of marriage.

These are two gifts God keeps on giving us even after the Fall.

In today’s Gospel this good news gets

nomenon is a function of the Spirit of God, who spreads the power of Christ beyond all boundaries.

There are injustices that must be reported and eliminated, however. One example James puts forward is living in luxury provided by money accumulated by unjustly withholding wages from workers. We know such sins are being reported to the Lord of hosts because God hears the cries of the poor. Unfortunately, such injustice is not confined to unbelievers. Fraternal charity leads us to counsel those who are guilty. They are probably unaware of their culpability. Hence, James is right in poweven better. When the Pharisees confronted Jesus to seek his opinion on a disputed point of Judaism, he surprised even his own disciples. Everyone expected Jesus to present his list of grounds for divorce.

Rather, Jesus told them there should be no divorce at all. No doubt the disciples in the house educated Jesus with a series of real but regrettable stories of failed marriages. Jesus stuck to his original teaching.

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

THE EAST TENNESSEE

805 Northshore Drive S.W.

erfully condemning such activities.

The indictment James brings against those who gain wealth by cheating the poor is telling. He writes, “You have condemned; you have murdered the righteous one.”

Christ is still among us in the poor. Pride and avarice render us blind to his existence—just as the rich man did not see Lazarus.

But that does not excuse us. We must rid ourselves of these sins, open our eyes, recognize Jesus in our midst, and ask him to lead us to eternal life. That’s what’s fair. ■ Sept. 27, 26th Sunday in ordinary time Numbers 11:25-29 Psalm 19:8, 10, 12-14 James 5:1-6 Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

Then Mark takes an unexpected turn.

He recalls what Jesus said to the disciples on another occasion when they were wrong. It involved children. Jesus reprimanded his followers for not allowing children to approach him. Jesus’ statement then applies to both Readings continued on page 6

Oct. 4, 27th Sunday in ordinary time Genesis 2:18-24 Psalm 128:1-6 Hebrews 2:9-11 Mark 10:2-16

Margaret Hunt Administrative assistant Toni Pacitti Intern

Knoxville, TN 37919-7551

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

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Phone: 865-584-3307 • fax: 865-584-8124 • e-mail: webmaster@dioceseofknoxville.org • web: dioceseofknoxville.org The East Tennessee Catholic is mailed to all registered Catholic families in East Tennessee. Subscription rate for others is $15 a year in the United States. Make checks payable to the Diocese of Knoxville. www.dioceseofk noxville.org

THE E A S T TE NNE S SE E CATHOL I C

he dwells

AMONG US

BY BISHOP RICHARD F. STIKA

Building the kingdom As the diocese turns 21, all of us are needed to be about the Lord’s work.

I feel great! I must admit that I am a bit embarrassed by all the attention I have received over these last several weeks. One friend commented that I should have been satisfied with all the attention I received at my ordination on March 19 instead of looking for another way to “get attention”!

Although I joke about the situation, I do realize that I hovered near death for a day or so, but in three short days, I was able to take a walk around the intensive-care unit and two days later check out of the hospital. The question I have reflected on in my own prayer time is “Why?” With all the discussion about health care these days, I can easily testify to the wonderful care I received at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. I know that with-

out the skill of the entire health team, my life might have evolved into the one termed “eternal life.”

I also have no doubt that the power of prayer was instrumental in my rapid recovery. I have literally received hundreds of messages of offerings of prayer on my behalf.

This gift of prayer, along with the skill of medical professionals, has brought me to this day.

I am slowly resuming a full schedule with a true spirit of common sense. As you can see from this edition of our paper, I am moving about the diocese.

I also am aware of the fact that most people in the diocese are now aware of my health challenges and will understand that a few changes need to occur in my life.

As many of my close friends will testify, I was addicted to fast foods. I recently became dismayed to learn that throughout this area there are signs with my photograph, accompanied by the plea

“Please don’t feed the bishop!” (just kidding).

Please keep up the prayers, as I still have some challenges with my right eye. We all need prayer, so don’t forget to pray for those in need, especially for those who have lost their focus on faith.

As I continue to recover, I do hope I will no longer be the center of attention. We all need to be about the work of the Lord, for it is God who should have our complete attention. Just this past week, on Sept. 8, the diocese celebrated 21 years of existence.

Much has been accomplished, but much needs to be done.

Let us move forward, building his kingdom.

Until next time, God bless you! ■ BISHOP STIKA’ S SCHE DUL E These are some of Bishop Stika’s appointments: Sept. 25: 11 a.m., Mercy Day celebration, St. Mary’s Medical Center; 5:30 p.m., cookout for potential seminarian candidates, bishop’s residence Sept. 27: 11 a.m., Mass, Good Shepherd Church, Newport Sept. 30: 8:30 a.m. all-school Mass, Notre Dame High School, Chattanooga Oct. 1: 6:30 p.m. Serra Club Shepherd’s Supper, Copper Cellar, Knoxville ■

Iraq continued from page 1

Catholics live in Iraq.

Twenty other Chaldean families wanted to attend the Mass but were unable to find transportation—and that’s one of the issues the Mass was intended to highlight, said Susan Dakak of St. John Neumann Parish in Farragut.

“People need to know about these Catholic refugees and see if there’s any way they can help them out,” she said. “It’s the occasional ride to church or invitation to dinner or whatever would make them feel at home—that’s what we’re hoping for these families.”

Mrs. Dakak and her father, Fuad Mishu of St. John Neumann, left Iraq safely in 1979 before Saddam Hussein became president.

“I’m blessed to have been in this country 30 years,” said Mrs. Dakak. “We were blessed to have come here. It was an act of God. I truly believe that God protected our family and brought us here before the downturn in Iraq.”

In a reception after Mass Mrs. Dakak introduced refugee Sabrin Kanon, whose family left everything behind to flee Iraq after gunmen came to their home and kidnapped her 21year-old brother. Miss Kanon and her family spent two years in a refugee camp in Syria. Her brother, who has recently arrived safely in Turkey, was persecuted because he was a Christian and a barber, said Mrs. Dakak. Barbers are targeted by some extremists because they touch the hair of those of other religions, she said.

Diocesan moderator of the curia Father David Boettner concelebrated the Mass in Bishop Richard F. Stika’s stead.

The bishop was recovering from his heart attack the weekend before. Father Boettner greeted worshipers with “Allah maak” (“the Lord be with you”).

Father Bill Casey of Greeneville concelebrated, and Deacon Mick Spencer of St. Mary in Athens assisted. Deacon Spencer formerly lived in Lebanon.

Prayers at the liturgy came from the Mass for Refugees and Exiles. The second reading from James 1 concluded with verse 27: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself THE E A S T TE NNE S S E E CATHOLIC

unstained by the world.”

“When we use terms like ‘refugees’ and ‘exiles,’ there’s always a caution,” said Father Boettner. “‘Widows and orphans’ in the Old Testament and in the New Testament were words always used together, and it didn’t just mean ‘widows and orphans.’ It meant anyone who was vulnerable, anyone who was in need, and the people of God were always judged

by God on their faithfulness to taking care of those in need.

“That was a true measure of their relationship with God: that if we simply praise God and forget to take care of those who are in need, those who are vulnerable, then our praise of God and our claims of a relationship to God are really hypocritical.”

Paul Simoneau, diocesan director of the Justice and Peace Office, coordinated the Mass in conjunction with Bridge Refugee Services of Knoxville.

He said the diocese hopes to have Chaldean Bishop Ibrahim N. Ibrahim of the Eparchy of St. Thomas the Apostle of Detroit celebrate a Mass with Bishop Stika for Chaldean Catholics, possibly next spring.

Another Mass of thanksgiving will be scheduled later this year, said Mr. Simoneau.

“We would like to do this again, probably on a Sunday afternoon when it’s more convenient for many of the families,” he said.

Some 120 Chaldean families live in the Knoxville area and are members of St. John Neumann, Sacred Heart, Holy Ghost, Immaculate Conception, and All Saints parishes, said Mr. Simoneau.

Mr. Mishu, 87, is a retired engineer and was a founding member of the Iraqi national symphony in 1936. He played violin in a quartet at the Mass of thanksgiving. Mr. Mishu, who formerly served as a consulting engineer for foreign companies, said he had a smooth passage to the United States in 1979.

“They welcomed me. It was very easy,” he said.

Mr. Mishu, who was invited to a meeting at the White House by President George W. Bush in 2005 and played in a concert with Iraqi and Washington national symphony members in 2003, remains loyal to his native land.

“I owe Iraq because they ed-

ucated me in music and engineering,” he said.

IC parishioner Paul Schmidt attended the Mass of thanksgiving. He and wife Judy have helped Salwan Hanna, wife Jandark Faraj, and their children since May. Mr. Hanna, a former bodyguard for a Chaldean bishop in Iraq, arrived in Knoxville with his family Jan. 9.

“Some of the stories they have told us are just horrific,” said Mr. Schmidt. “Jandark told us that one of the main reasons they fled Iraq to Turkey was that the Muslim police came to his wife and told her, ‘You’re a very beautiful woman. You must leave your husband, marry a Muslim, and become Islam. If you don’t, we will kill your children tomorrow.”

The family’s original local sponsors were Richard and Vicki Pinyon of Holy Resurrection Byzantine Catholic Mission in Seymour.

“My wife has identified these people, the Chaldean Catholics, as living martyrs, and that’s exactly what they are,” said Mr. Schmidt. “If this family had stayed in Iraq, they’d be dead today.”

Mr. Hanna and his family left virtually all their possessions behind them in Iraq.

“When this family arrived in the United States, they had three suitcases. Those were their total possessions,” said Mr. Schmidt. “In one of the suitcases was a wall hanging of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and in another was a wall hanging of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.”

Mrs. Dakak said that another hope for Chaldean families is to have their children attend U.S. Catholic schools.

“Unfortunately, funds have not been available to do that.

And the funding for the few who are going is just coming from one or two families, so the pressure has really been overloading then. We would like for that to be spread around to a larger audience so we can have more good-hearted people who can help these kids.”

To learn how to assist Knoxville’s Chaldean Catholics, contact Mr. Simoneau at 865-584-3307 or psimoneau @dioceseofknoxville.org or Bridge Refugee Services at 540-1311 or info@bridge refugees.org. ■

www.dioceseofk noxville.org

staff

ASSIGNMENTS

Bishop announces new convent, staff changes n Sept. 14 Bishop Richard F. Stika announced several staff changes for the Diocese of Knoxville and the creation of a new convent of religious sisters who will serve in East Tennessee.

His memo follows:

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One of my dreams since coming to the Diocese of Knoxville has been to invite a contemplative order of nuns, as well as other religious communities, into our diocese. I had been in conversation with several communities of women religious about this possibility before my recent illness. As a result of my illness, Mother Mary Quentin Sheridan, the superior general of the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich., contacted me to offer one of her sisters to help me get my health back on track. This led to a further discussion of how the sisters might establish a foundation in the Diocese of Knoxville.

In consultation with the Presbyteral Council, I extended an invitation to Mother Mary Quentin, which she accepted. Through private donations outside the diocese, we have been able to buy a convent in Knoxville to welcome three sisters to begin ministry in East Tennessee in October.

The Religious Sisters of Mercy are an amazing group of women who have been sought out by many other dioceses in the United States and abroad. An essential characteristic of the charism of the Religious Sisters of Mercy is the way in which they are called to integrate the demands inherent in their call to higher education and professional excellence with the fullness of their vowed life lived in community. Following the charism of their foundress, Venerable Catherine McAuley, they offer witness in the service of the “poor, sick, and ignorant,” predominantly in the areas of health care and education.

Sister Mary Timothea Elliott (the sister of Deacon Tim Elliott of All Saints Parish in Knoxville) will direct the new diocesan Office of Christian Formation, which will replace the Religious Education and Evangelization offices. Sister Mary Albertine Paulus, RSM, will retire on Oct. 19. I want to personally thank Sister Albertine for the pioneering work she has done in evangelization and faith formation. Father Richard Armstrong (director of Religious Education) will transition to be the assistant director of the new Office of Christian Formation.

This new Office of Christian Formation will direct and be a resource for all diocesan ministries focused on evangelization and religious formation, from early childhood through adult faith formation.

Sister Mary Timothea will work with parish directors and coordinators of religious education to train and support them in their role on the parish level. This will encompass responsibility for all catechists in the diocese, including religious-education teachers in Catholic schools. This office will assist with training and coordination of parish teams for the Rite of Christian Initiation.

Other programs and areas of responsibility will include Renew: Why Catholic?, adult faith formation, catechist certification, men’s and women’s spirituality groups, and outreach to inactive Catholics and the unchurched.

Sister Mary Timothea will also be involved in vocation promotion of religious life for women. As the Diocese of Knoxville begins preparation for a future deacon-formation class, Sister Mary Timothea will lead the program and serve as a resource for the education of deacon candidates.

Sister Mary Christine Cremin will serve at Catholic Charities as a family therapist and will be the convent’s superior (she is currently the superior of their convent in Rome). Sister Mary Christine has a doctorate in anthropology, a master’s degree in social work, and a nursing degree.

Catholic Charities of East Tennessee has a family counseling service provided in Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Johnson City, for which participants are charged on a sliding scale based on income. Because Catholics are a minority in East Tennessee, Catholic therapists are not readily available to work in this program. Sister Mary Christine, a trained family therapist, will help provide a solid Catholic foundation for this critical service of Catholic Charities. Sister Mary Christine will travel to Chattanooga and Johnson City in addition to her work in Knoxville.

Sister Mary Sarah Macht will work in the bishop’s residence to help me continue to focus on my health as well as provide me with the opportunity to extend hospitality to others at my home.

I hope to begin inviting priests, deacons, and many of the Christian faithful over to my house on a regular basis so we can have discussions in a more informal setting. In addition to her work coordinating the bishop’s residence, Sister Mary Sarah will be available to support me in other areas as needed.

As we continue to grow and mature as a diocese, the Religious Sisters of Mercy will be for us a spiritual and intellectual resource who will bring many blessings to the church of East Tennessee.

Please join me in thanking Sister Albertine for her dedicated service to the Diocese of Knoxville and in welcoming Sister Mary Timothea, Sister Mary Christine, and Sister Mary Sarah.

Fraternally, Bishop Richard F. Stika ■ SEPTEMBER 20, 2009

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BY TONI PACITTI

Chattanooga Deanery

OLPH, Chattanooga ■ The 2009 OLPH School Outback Bowl and Fall Carnival will be held Saturday, Sept. 26. The day will include football games, lunch from Outback Steakhouse, and carnival games and will end with a barbecue dinner after the 5:30 p.m. Mass. Proceeds will benefit the football team, school repairs, and field trips.

■ The OLPH Home & School Association needs items for the silent auction and raffle during the carnival.

Donated items are tax deductible.

Contact Colleen Teal at 423-605-6006 or c_c_teal@yahoo.com.

St. Augustine, Signal Mountain ■ Signal Mountain Social Services thanked parishioners who contributed to its Back to School program, which collected more than $7,500 to provide 90 Signal Mountain children with supplies for the new year.

■ A coupon swap will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, in the parish life center. Information will be provided on organizing coupons and where to find the best coupons. Bring an appetizer and/or a two-liter drink.

Call Stephanie Sawyer at 423-886-5338 or Shelly Mitchell at 517-8732.

Schulte, food committee team leader, at 931-456-4149 or Sharon Henkel, assistant team leader, at 456-4368.

■ All active and retired firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical personnel were invited to attend the 10 a.m. Mass in uniform Sept. 13 to honor those who died on 9/11.

■ Anniversaries: Guy and Victoria Bretl (61), Les and Marjorie Cavell (61), Ralph and Patty Hargraves (58), Lloyd and Ann Tripp (57), William and Arlene McShane (56), Marvin and Patti LaPrese (54), Nick and Pat Santore (52), Bob and Dorothy Connor (52), Fred and Jean Sacci (51), Robert and Evelyn Tomaszewski (51), Raoul and Adoracion Sabatini (35), Myron and Marcie Hornyak (35)

St. John Neumann, Farragut ■ Knoxville Comprehensive Breast

Center’s mobile unit will be at the church from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2. To make an appointment, call 865-584-0291, extension 2935.

St. Mary, Oak Ridge ■ The school recently received a

check for $584 from the parish’s participation in the Kroger Earning Plus Learning program.

■ An altar server party was held Sept. 13.

St. Catherine Labouré, Copperhill

St. Therese, Clinton

■ The annual parish picnic, which in-

■ The Council of Catholic Women served a potluck dinner Sept. 16 to begin the new year.

■ An adult Bible study on Genesis will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29.

■ The CCW will hold a rummage sale Friday and Saturday, Oct. 2 and 3.

■ Altar servers, ushers, and musicians are needed, especially on Sunday mornings. Call Sister Yvette Gillen, RSM, at 865-457-4073.

cluded a white-elephant gift exchange, was held Sept. 13 at Ron Henry Horseshoe Bend Park in McCaysville, Ga. ■ Father Patrick Resen will be in Washington, D.C., from Sept. 20 through 26 for the CAPP (Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice) Catholic social teaching certificate program at The Catholic University of America. Father Resen was asked to participate by Bishop Richard F. Stika and Paul Simoneau, director of the diocesan Justice and Peace Office.

St. Jude, Chattanooga ■ The school hosted a Back-to-School Deanery Dance on Sept. 18 for sixththrough eighth-grade students from throughout the Chattanooga Deanery.

St. Thomas the Apostle, Lenoir City ■ Volunteers are needed to help pro-

vide meals for the aged and homebound. Contact Curt Sheldon at 865-458-8510 or curt_sheldon@ bellsouth.net or Bill Twohig at 6072248 or bombero@charter.net.

Five Rivers Deanery

St. Stephen, Chattanooga

Holy Trinity, Jefferson City

■ The parish picnic will be held from

■ Little Bethlehem will sell carved

noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, on the church grounds. All parishioners are invited. The event offers food as well as activities for all ages, including large inflatable games for children. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be cooked by the Knights of Columbus of Council 6099, and parishioners are asked to bring a dish.

■ Religious-education classes kicked off the new year Sept. 9 with a family Mass, followed by an open house.

olive-wood religious articles on the weekend of Sept. 26 and 27 in the narthex.

■ Father Bill Casey will speak on the Beatitudes on Wednesday, Sept. 23, in the parish life center. A potluck dinner will be provided by members of the spiritual-life committee. The meal will be served at 6 p.m., with Father Casey’s talk following at 7.

■ Anniversaries: Christopher and Stacy Mynak (15), Tom and Brandy Arnold (5) ■ Baptisms: Mia Alexis Keating Hicks, Tucker Rave Larrance ■ Newcomers: Thomas and Joan Hawkins and children Sarah and Laura; Ronald Jr. and Andrea Henry and children Nicklaus and Sarah; Seth and Bridget Jolley and children Logan, Sean, and Erin

Cumberland Mountain Deanery

All Saints, Knoxville ■ The Senior Kids met for a potluck

dinner and movie Sept.18 in the parish hall.

■ All Saints now offers a vigil Mass in Spanish at 7 p.m. Saturdays.

■ Baptism: Charlotte Ann, daughter of Micah and Jennifer Flynt; Kelly Ann, daughter of Kevin and Kathleen Steele

Blessed Sacrament, Harriman ■ The parish homecoming picnic will begin with the rosary at 10:10 a.m., followed by Mass at 10:30 on the grounds of the annex. Bring lawn chairs.

■ Shirley Valdivia is teaching classes on making sourdough bread. Call 865-376-5041.

■ Father Sweeney will conduct a tour of the church to explain the meaning of sacramentals, the sacristy, church doors, and more at 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 14.

■ The Council of Catholic Women will hold its annual fall bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, in the church hall. The event will feature attic treasures, baked goods, holiday crafts, and live plants. A lunch of hot dogs, chips, and “O’Toole’s famous chili” will be provided.

St. Francis of Assisi, Fairfield Glade ■ In honor of its patron saint, the parish will have a blessing of animals at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3.

■ Tender Loving Care is a ministry providing meal assistance for parishioners who are ill or recuperating from a hospital stay. Meals are provided every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for up to three weeks. To help, call Sue

4

■

SEPTEMBER 20, 2009

Notre Dame, Greeneville ■ JB and the Honey Beans and The Threetles will perform a free concert at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26. Barbecue-chicken dinners will be available with advance tickets only. Costs are $8 for adults and children 10 and over and $4 for younger children. Call Loretta DeRuvo at 423-639-0071.

■ Parishioners will visit the Myers Farm corn maze at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7. Cost is $5 for adults and free for youth.

■ The Knights of Columbus recently welcomed new members Phil Galic, Charles Higdon, David Kenney, Bob May, and Angel Vargas.

GARY MCKENNA

NOTES

Father Patrick Garrity dedicated the new columbarium at St. Patrick Church in Morristown on Aug. 19.

WALLS OF REMEMBRANCE

Columbarium dedicated at St. Patrick in Morristown he Walls of Remembrance columbarium at St. Patrick Church in Morristown was recently completed, and 42 parishioners have purchased niches.

The dedication and blessing took place Aug. 19 during an outdoor Mass celebrated by pastor Father Pat Garrity, with near-

T

ly 100 in attendance.

The columbarium is located in front of the Grotto of Our Lady of Fatima and is surrounded by landscaping that bears biblical meaning. The facade is East Tennessee fieldstone.

Members of the columbarium committee are Jim Beelaert, Gene Bednarzyk, Maryann Brownson,

Richard Hidalgo, Valerie Hidalgo, John Karwowski, Doug McDonald, Mary McDonald, and Susan Vrba.

Fifty-six niches are currently available in the columbarium.

Each niche can contain two urns; e.g., a husband and wife.

When the current niches are sold, additional walls will be added. ■

Charismatic Life in the Spirit Seminar set in October he Holy Family Prayer Group at St. John Neumann Parish in Farragut is sponsoring a free Catholic Charismatic Renewal Life in the Spirit Seminar next month, featuring a DVD presentation by Father Larry Hess.

The seminar will be held in the music room of St. John Neumann School at 625 St. John Neumann Court, next door to the church.

Sessions are scheduled from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturdays, Oct. 10, 17, 24, and 31. Mass will be celebrated at 8 a.m. each day at the church.

Those who are interested in learning more about the Charismatic Renewal are encouraged to attend.

The first week’s theme is “God’s Love,” followed by “New Life,” “Receiving God’s Gifts,” and “Transformation in Christ.”

Father Hess is the liaison for the Charismatic Renewal for the Dio-

T

cese of Allentown, Pa. He has been involved in the renewal since 1970 and is currently pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Bangor, Pa. Raised in a Catholic home and educated in Catholic schools, Father Hess became an agnostic by the time he graduated from high school in 1968. After his days as a “full fledged hippie,” a powerful experience at a weekend retreat in 1970 brought him back into the church.

He then became a lay evangelist while he was finishing college and working full time. He began discerning his call to the priesthood in 1975 and was ordained four years later.

Organizers would like to know how many plan to come to the Life in the Spirit Seminar. If you are planning to attend, call Crystal Simoneaux at 865-584-1746. ■

CCW, guild officers installed at Notre Dame Parish he installation of officers and guild chairs of the Council of Catholic Women at Notre Dame Parish in Greeneville was held during a recent Mass.

Father John Appiah, spiritual moderator for the CCW and pastor of Notre

T

Dame, officiated.

CCW officers installed were Denise Michaud as president, Aimee Place as vice president, Marie Tocci as treasurer, Judy Miniat Collins as secretary, and Maggie May as public-relations chair.

Guild leaders in-

stalled were Wendy Hankins and Mary Lou Lamb, co-chairs of the St. Catherine Guild, and chairs Sue Pearson of the St. Elizabeth Guild, Barbara Price of the St. Martha Guild, and Barbara Violette of the St. Veronica Guild. ■

St. Dominic, Kingsport ■ A Catholic Scripture study on the

COURTESY OF ANNE DEVEAUX

parish

Gospel of John is being held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Mondays at the home of Shirley and Rhett Austin. Call Mrs. Austin at 423-239-0551 or Sandy McAdams at 247-6809 for details.

St. Elizabeth, Elizabethton ■ The Knights of Columbus continue

to accept donations for a garage sale to be held Saturday, Oct. 3. To donate an item, call Brian Paley at 423-768-1330, Pat Bundy at 828-2604532, Dean Batchelder at 423-5431986, or Ed Yarwood at 423-743-6188.

Parish notes continued on page 5

Record number receive first Holy Communion in Johnson City St. Mary Parish in Johnson City recently celebrated a bilingual first Holy Communion Mass. Eighty-five children and youth (not all pictured) received their first Eucharist. This was the largest class in the history of the parish. The Mass was celebrated by St. Mary pastor Father Anietie Akata and associate pastor Father Randy Stice, with Deacon Michael Jacobs assisting. The children and youth were prepared by Tamila Combs of St. Mary School; Don and Pattie Griffith and Tammy Kota of the parish CCD; and Jana Flynn, Pat Berg, and members of the Children– Teen Catechumenate. Evelyn Tripodi coordinated the planning for the Mass.

www.dioceseofk noxville.org

THE E A S T TE NNE S S E E CATHOLI C

CALENDAR

BY TONI PACITTI

Knights of Columbus Council 8152 in Crossville is holding its 19th annual Oktoberfest on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 9 and 10, at the Knights Activity Park, 2892 Highway 70 East, three miles east of Crossville. The event will begin at 11:30 a.m. CDT Friday with the traditional tapping of the keg. Music will continue until 9:30 p.m. Saturday’s events will begin at 11 a.m. and end at 9:30 p.m. Visitors can choose one German entree or two sausages from the dinner menu. Featured musicians are the Just 4 Fun Band, Rheingold Band, and Bavarian Echo. Tickets are $7.50 at the gate and $6 in advance. To purchase advance tickets, call 931-707-7291 or visit Cancun Mexican restaurants, The Lace Place, or Artist Corner Espresso Café in Crossville; the Fairfield Glade Recreation Center; or Star Realty in Lake Tansi. Admission for children under 14 is free. Visit www.crossvilleoktober fest.com for more information.

Father Brendan McAnerney, OP, an iconographer with faculties to serve as a Melkite Greek priest, will present a free slide lecture at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension parish hall at 800 Northshore Drive in Knoxville (across from the Chancery). The lecture will define and explore the cultural, spiritual, and theological background of Eastern Christian icons. Call Leona at 865-5253835 or Ann at 856-6108. Father Brendan’s website is www.DominICON.com.

Knights of Columbus Council 3832 at Our Lady of Fatima in Alcoa is sponsoring its 11th annual Community Golf Outing on Friday, Sept. 25, at Lambert Acres Golf Club in Maryville. The event, the council’s biggest fundraiser of the year, will begin with check-in from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by a shotgun start at 1. The tournament format is a four-person swat. Entry fee is $75. Trophies will be awarded to the top three teams and the winning corporate team. Rain date is Oct. 2. Call Doug Hill at 865-856-9292 or 2560172, Jim Reggio at 983-9276, or Frank Carballo at 980-6164.

The Knoxville Catholic High School baseball team will host a seasonal flu-shot fundraiser to benefit Catholic Charities, available for those age 12 and older, after all Masses the weekend of Oct. 24 and 25 at the churches listed below. This shot is not for the H1N1 (swine) flu. Cost is $25. The shot will be offered at All Saints, Holy Ghost, Immaculate Conception, and Sacred Heart parishes in Knoxville; St. John Neumann in Farragut; St. Thomas the Apostle in Lenoir City; St. Mary in Oak Ridge; and Our Lady of Fatima in Alcoa. E-mail Dr. James Harrison at info@ohseast.com with questions.

The Secular Franciscans will hold an information meeting at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, in the office building at Sacred Heart Cathedral. The order is open to practicing lay Catholics and diocesan clergy who seek to follow Christ in the spirit of St. Francis and Franciscan spirituality. Orientation classes will follow on third Sundays at 1:30 p.m. (on the first Sunday in December). Call Secular Franciscans Carol Paul Pavur at 865-458-4208, Janette Irwin at 671-7220, Mary Ramsey at 247-6815, or Nancy Singh at 482-1810.

The Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi, a celebration of the death of St. Francis and his transition from earthly to heavenly life, will be celebrated after the 5:30 p.m. Mass on Saturday, Oct. 3, at St. Jude Church in Chattanooga.

The event is sponsored by the Channel of Peace Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order. Refreshments will be served in the library of the parish life center. Call Marlene Dickshinski at 423-238-6909 or Gail Campbell at 843-1858 for more information.

The diocesan Office of Marriage Preparation and Enrichment and the Family Life Office at St. Jude Parish in Chattanooga will sponsor a “Great Date Night” of dinner and dancing Sunday, Oct. 4. The evening will begin Mass at 5:30 p.m. at St. Jude Church, followed by dinner and dance instruction at 6:30 in Siener Hall. Cost is $20 per couple. The evening will end by 8:30 p.m.

THE E A S T TE NNE S S E E CATHOLI C

Music and instruction will be provided

by Ken and Yvonne Hughes of Calhoun, Ga. To register, contact Marian Christiana at 423-892-2310 or mchristiana @dioceseofknoxville.org by Sept. 30.

Baby-sitting is available for an additional fee. Call Marilyn Derbyshire at St. Jude Church at 423-870-2386 by Sept.

25 to sign up for child care.

The next “Picture of Love” engaged couples retreat will begin with a light breakfast at 8 a.m. and end with dinner at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at St. Jude Church in Chattanooga. Mass is included. This one-day retreat is a supplement to a couple’s marriage preparation with their parish priest.

Cost is $135 per couple. The retreat certificate is good for a $60 discount on a marriage license. Couples must attend the entire retreat to receive the certificate. Contact Marian Christiana of the diocesan Office of Marriage Preparation and Enrichment at 423892-2310 or mchristiana@dioceseof knoxville.org to register.

The St. Mary’s Sewanee Center for Spiritual Development is sponsoring its 2009 Nouwen retreat, themed “Living the Day With the Heart,” from 6 p.m.

CDT Friday, Sept. 25, through 11 a.m.

Sunday, Sept. 27. Cost is $225 for residents or $115 for commuters, with a $50 deposit. The presenter will be Sister Kathleen Flood, OP. Registration forms and additional details are available at www.stmaryssewanee.org.

Tryouts for Catholic middle school varsity and junior varsity baseball teams for the spring 2010 season will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, at Knoxville Catholic High School’s field.

Eighth-, seventh- and sixth-grade boys from all Catholic grade schools are encouraged to attend. Rain dates are Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26 and 27, with the same start times. For more information, call Eric Nelson at 865-2076317 or John Ceriotti at 776-4030.

A Rachel’s Vineyard retreat for those suffering because of abortion is set for the weekend of Oct. 30 through Nov. 1 in Maggie Valley, N.C. For more information, contact Shelley at 828-6708192, 230-4940, or sglan1234@ aol.com. For a listing of retreat dates and locations and other information on the ministry, visit www.rachelsvineyard. org or call 1-877-Hope-4-Me. Confidentiality is honored at all times.

St. Stephen Parish in Chattanooga will host its second annual golf tournament Saturday, Oct. 3, at Eagle Bluff Golf Club in Chattanooga. The tourney will begin at 8 a.m. with a shotgun start. The fee is $75, payable by cash or check. Proceeds will benefit parish-hall kitchen renovations. Door prizes, hole-in-one prize, lunch, and a blessing from Father Gilbert will be offered. Call Gloria at 423-892-1261 or Mike at 322-4546 for more information.

The ninth annual Sacred Heart Cathedral School Fall Golf Classic will be held Tuesday, Oct. 20, at Egwani Farms Golf Course in Rockford. Individuals as well as teams are welcome. The event will begin with breakfast at 9 a.m. and a shotgun start at 10. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, call Rick Davis at 865-805-9343, pick up a brochure at the school office, or visit www.shc school.org/support-fundraisers.asp.

The annual meeting of the Catholic Committee of Appalachia, which has as its theme “Nourishing Relationships,” will be held the weekend of Sept. 25 through 27 at Norris Dam State Park. Former CCA board member Bob Choiniere, now director of Pastoral Planning for the Diocese of Brooklyn, will keynote. Breakout-session facilitators include Bishop R. Daniel Conlon of Steubenville, Ohio.

Registration fee is $25 for CCA members and $35 for nonmembers. Partial scholarships are available. Call 304927-5798 or e-mail ccapal@citynet.net for details on accommodations and meals.

The Serra Club of Knoxville meets on second and fourth Thursdays in the Shea Room at Sacred Heart CatheCalendar continued on page 7

COURTESY OF CINDY KEDROWSKI

on the

Students and chaperones pose with Father Frank Pavone, director of Priests for Life, at the National Right to Life Convention. Chaperones are Cindy Kedrowski (left) and Kristi Hopwood (second from right).

‘WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE’

Students attend National Right to Life convention tudents from Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga and Knoxville Catholic High School were among those attending the recent National Right to Life convention in Charlotte, N.C. Traveling from the Diocese of Knoxville were Notre Dame juniors Caitlyn Clifford and Mimi Haywood, NDHS freshmen Bridget Haywood and Vail Ponitz, junior Nathan Bird of the McCallie School in Chattanooga, and KCHS juniors Sarah Connors, Madie Iman, and Mari Deuschle.

Their adult chaperones were Cindy Kedrowski, president of Chattanoogans for Life, and Knoxville Catholic teacher Kristie Hopwood.

“It was such a pleasure and a wonderful

S

experience to take these pro-life students to the convention this year,” said Mrs. Kedrowski. “NRL offers teen sessions simultaneously with the adult sessions. It is a wonderful opportunity for the students to meet other teens, share their pro-life experiences, and learn new information about how they can be involved in the pro-life movement.

“We arrived during the middle of the second day, but there were plenty of workshops for the students to attend. On the drive home we reviewed each of the sessions, what information they had gathered, and what they can do with it in their schools and communities.”

The students’ favorite session, said Mrs. Kedrowski, was

“When They Say . . .

You Say,” led by Olivia Gans and Mary Spaulding Balch. The session taught students how to handle discussions with abortion defenders. Additional sessions covered youth lobbying, stem cells, organ transplants, and euthanasia.

The students also met photographer Michael Clancy, whose image of a baby grasping a surgeon’s finger as he was undergoing spina bifida surgery in utero has become widely known, and Father Frank Pavone, director of Priests for Life.

On the ride home the chaperones discussed with the students how they can put the information they received into action, including in projects where NDHS and KCHS students work together. ■

Parishes, school hosting annual fall festivals ere is a look at upcoming fall festivals around the Diocese of Knoxville: ■ The 59th annual St. Mary Fall Festival is set for Oct. 8 through 10 at St. Mary Church in Oak Ridge. More than 4,500 attended last year’s festival.

The festival will kick off with its third annual golf tournament Thursday, Oct. 8, at Centennial Golf Course, with registration beginning at 11:30 a.m., lunch at

H

noon, and a shotgun start at 1 p.m.

For more information on the tourney, call Tony Wright at 865384-3753 or Nancy Howard at 966-7042.

The Knights of Columbus Spaghetti Supper will start at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, in the parish life center. Silent and live auctions and youth activities will also be held that evening.

Fall festivals continued on page 7

Parish notes continued from page 4

■ Completed pledge forms for Back-

pack Buddies may be dropped in the designated box in the vestibule. A pledge of $15 per month for 10 months will benefit needy children at Harold McCormick School in Elizabethton with backpacks full of food. Make checks payable to St. Elizabeth Church with “Backpack Buddies” on the memo line and place in the weekend collection.

■ Baptism: Issac Bien-Aime ■ Newcomers: Debbie, Leann, and Christopher Eaton; Rachel and Joshua Gouge; Denise Dufina-Baltaji; Mrs. Jaime Clifton; Linda Sanders; Irmina Hoyt; Lil Byerly; Rebecca DePonti; Larry and Mary Foy, Chuck and Candy Stieler; Donna Horowitz-Pruitt; Martha Wolff; Cathy Danks; Keldon Clapp

St. Patrick, Morristown ■ Parish youth served their annual

pancake breakfast at Applebee’s on Sept. 12.

■ New choir members are needed for the 9 a.m. Sunday Mass.

■ The social-action committee is collecting items for CEASE, a local battered women’s shelter, through the weekend of Sept. 25 and 26. Donated items may be placed in a container in the narthex.

Smoky Mountain Deanery

Holy Family, Seymour ■ Bishop Richard F. Stika will dedi-

cate the new family life center at

www.dioceseofk noxville.org

5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18. A dinner–dance will be held afterward.

Holy Ghost, Knoxville ■ A Healthy Living Kitchen meal will

be prepared by chef Mark McKinney for parishioners at noon Friday, Oct. 9, at the University of Tennessee Medical Center Healthy Living Kitchen. A minimum of 20 people is required. Registration deadline is Thursday, Oct. 1, and the fee is $10. Mail checks to Melissa Mills, 111 Hinton Ave., Knoxville, TN 37917. Call parish nurse Letha R. Lehman at 865-556-6280 for more information.

Immaculate Conception, Knoxville ■ The second annual Irish Fest on the

Hill on Aug. 8 raised more than $3,500 for special church projects. The third Irish Fest is scheduled for Aug. 14, 2010.

Our Lady of Fatima, Alcoa ■ A patriotic rosary was prayed Sept.

11 for conversion, healing, and peace for the nation and world.

St. Albert the Great, Knoxville ■ Grandparents were blessed at

Masses on Sept. 13.

■ Baptisms: Vivien Amidie Marie, daughter of Danielle and Kevin Quintanar; Brooke Nichole, daughter of Tara and Aaron Seagle; Addison Marie, daughter of Amy and Kevin Smith ■ SEPTEMBER 20, 2009

■

5

Flu continued from page 9

St. Albert continued from page 1

the church done in localities where the outbreak of influenza is most significant?

In those localities where the outbreak of the disease has been the most significant, bishops have introduced several liturgical adaptations in regard to such practices as the distribution of Holy Communion and the exchange of the sign of peace in order to limit the spread of contagion.

What measures should be taken in U.S. Roman Catholic liturgies now?

Priests, deacons, and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion should be especially reminded of the need to practice good hygiene. Ministers of Holy Communion should be encouraged to wash their hands before Mass begins, or even to use an alcohol based anti-bacterial solution before and after distributing Holy Communion. They should instruct people who feel ill not to receive from the cup.

The diocesan bishop should always be consulted regarding any changes or restriction of options in the celebration of Roman Catholic liturgy. However, the need for the introduction of widespread liturgical adaptations for the prevention of the transmission of influenza in the dioceses of the United States of America is not evident at this time.

What is the Secretariat of Divine Worship doing to address this question?

The secretariat will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide the best advice possible to diocesan bishops and their Offices for Worship. The secretariat likewise appreciates whatever information diocesan Offices for Worship are able to provide concerning local conditions and the pastoral responses developed by diocesan bishops. Continuously updated information is available from the CDC at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu. ■ Copyright 2009, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Readings continued from page 2

this incident and the dispute about divorce: “Whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.”

Marriage was established before the Fall. Jesus is saying that it is to be entered into by people whose lives maintain the innocence of mankind before original sin. If you think that’s impossible, think again.

This time add the factor of Christ’s resurrection and his grace in our lives. Christ’s grace transforms us into children of God. The innocence, trust, purity, and joy of a child are expected of us.

If two committed Christians bring these attributes into their marriage, all the usual grounds for divorce disappear. In addition, their marriage becomes a powerful sign of the kingdom of God, influencing others to make their marriages just as effective.

Certainly their children would be affected.

They would be born and raised in the new garden of Eden we know as the kingdom of God. ■ Father Brando is a retired priest of the diocese.

W EEKDAY READINGS Monday, Sept. 21: Feast, Matthew, apostle, evangelist, Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13; Psalm 19:2-5; Matthew 9:9-13 Tuesday, Sept. 22: Ezra 6:7-8, 12, 14-20; Psalm 122:1-5; Luke 8:19-21 Wednesday, Sept. 23: Memorial, Pio of Pietrelcina, priest, Ezra 9:5-9; Tobit 13:2-4, 6-8; Luke 9:1-6 Thursday, Sept. 24: Haggai 1:1-8; Psalm 149:1-6, 9; Luke 9:7-9 Friday, Sept. 25: Haggai 2:1-9; Psalm 43:1-4; Luke 9:1822 Saturday, Sept. 26: Zechariah 2:5-9, 14-15; Jeremiah 31:10-13; Luke 9:43-45 Monday, Sept. 28: Zechariah 8:1-8; Psalm 102:2, 16-21, 29, 22-23; Luke 9:46-50 Tuesday, Sept. 29: Feast, Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels, Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14; Psalm 138:1-5; John 1:47-51 Wednesday, Sept. 30: Memorial, Jerome, priest, doctor of the church, Nehemiah 2:1-8; Psalm 137:1-6; Luke 9:5762 Thursday, Oct. 1: Memorial, Thérèse of the Child Jesus, virgin, doctor of the church, Nehemiah 8:1-12; Psalm 19:8-11; Luke 10:1-12 Friday, Oct. 2: Memorial, the Guardian Angels, Baruch 1:15-22; Psalm 79:1-5, 8-9; Matthew 18:1-5, 10 Saturday, Oct. 3: Baruch 4:5-12, 27-29; Psalm 69:33-37; Luke 10:17-24 Monday, Oct. 5: Jonah 1:1–2:2 and 2:11; Jonah 2:3-5, 8; Luke 10:25-37 Tuesday, Oct. 6: Jonah 3:1-10; Psalm 130:1-4, 7-8; Luke 10:38-42 Wednesday, Oct. 7: Memorial, Our Lady of the Rosary, Jonah 4:1-11; Psalm 86:3-6, 9-10; Luke 11:1-4 Thursday, Oct. 8: Malachi 3:13-20; Psalm 1:1-4, 6; Luke 11:5-13 Friday, Oct. 9: Joel 1:13-15 and 2:1-2; Psalm 9:2-3, 6, 16, 8-9; Luke 11:15-26 Saturday, Oct. 10: Joel 4:12-21; Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 1112; Luke 11:27-28 ■ 6

■

SEPTEMBER 20, 2009

MARY C. WEAVER (3)

What about further adaptations or the restriction of options at Mass?

Father Chris Michelson addresses the congregation shortly before Bishop Richard Stika dedicated St. Albert the Great’s new parish center on Aug. 29. From the vantage point of a cherry picker, Deacon Patrick Murphy-Racey took pictures of the assembly.

A HOME OF THEIR OWN

Center at St. Mary’s Medical Center North, about three miles from the new worship space. Daily Masses were held in the basement of the rectory at 7200 Brickey Lane. In a letter written for the dedication program, Father Michelson said, “While I will not miss getting up early each Sunday morning to help transform [the center] into a worship space, I will remember the great liturgies we shared there.”

Thanking all those who had a hand in building the new parish center, Father Michelson also expressed gratitude to the Sisters of Mercy for their hospitality to the community.

He mentioned by name all those who served with him on the initial steering committee to determine the feasibility of establishing a new parish in North Knoxville: Monsignor Xavier Mankel, vicar general, who chaired the committee; Bob and Renee O’Connor; Mike and Valerie Duncan; Deacon Mike and Joan Eiffe; and Chip and Hilda Widener. Deacon Eiffe served as chairman of the building committee.

The pastor then thanked the parishioners, architect, builders, and artisans who played any part in preparing for the

dedication.

“I recently served in a parish that was well known for having a lot of volunteers, and I thought I’d seen it all until the last couple of months here,” he said.

Before being named to St. Albert the Great, Father Michelson was pastor of All Saints Church in

West Knoxville, another new parish with a reputation for rapid growth and parishioner involvement.

Near the end of Mass, Bishop Stika offered his congratulations to the parish community. “See what happens when a bunch of people get together and dig a hole in the ground?” he said.

Sculptor Timothy Schmalz of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, created St. Albert the Great’s bronze crucifix.

He also took the opportunity to make a pitch for vocations to priesthood, religious life, and the diaconate. Pointing out the dozen priests present for the Mass, he said, “You see that group of men over there in the front?

“One of the things I prayed for as I was in intensive care—besides getting out of intensive care—was for those men, but also I prayed that that group may continue to grow.”

He said the community was “blessed to have Father Chris’s mom and dad right there” and encouraged parents to look to such families as an example.

“It’s up to you, folks,” the bishop said. “If you want the Diocese of Knoxville to grow, it’s up to you to pray for vocations. Every moment that you pray before the Blessed Sacrament, every moment that you pray the rosary, every moment that you reflect on the Scriptures, you’d better pray for vocations.”

He added that “a vocation to the religious life, a vocation to the priesthood, a vocation to the diaconate is a wonderful life of service.”

“It’s not always easy, but it’s a beautiful response to God when he says, ‘Hey, you—come and follow me.’” ■

Kim Neighbor directs a children’s choir during the Aug. 29 dedication Mass for the St. Albert the Great parish center in Halls Crossroads. www.d ioceseofknoxville.or g

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

Calendar continued from page 5

DAN MCWILLIAMS (2)

Father Joe Campbell, former pastor Father Mike Creson, diocesan vicar general Monsignor Xavier Mankel, diocesan master of ceremonies Father Tony Dickerson, and chancellor Deacon Sean Smith. Father Creson was pastor in 1994 when OLPH moved to its current location from a then–89-year-old building.

Bishop Stika greeted more than 130 parishioners and visitors at the dedication by mentioning the number of volunteer hours that went into the building.

“It is a great pleasure to be with you this day,” he said.

“I’ve been following the construction, the 20,000 hours it took to bring you to this moment, and it’s a great credit to your dedication, love of the church, love of this parish, and love of your pastor who led the construction.”

The Mass program for the dedication included portraits of former pastors Father Greg Neuzil and Father Mike Sweeney, Presentation Sister Anne Hablas, and Mercy Sister Evelyn Hillebrand. Sister Anne, who lived in Campbell County throughout her 22 years of service in Tennessee and for many years in OLPH Parish, attended the dedication. Sister Anne retired to the Presentation Sisters’ motherhouse in Fargo, N.D., in 2006. Sister Evelyn, also retired, was the parish coordinator from 1986 to 1995.

Also saluted in the dedication program were building general contractor Don Boaz and John Anderson, a parishioner who donated much time, manpower, and equipment from his excavating company toward the project.

The family of parishioner Ken Bruce attended the ceremony. Inside the nave is a pietà that was recently dedicated in his honor. Mr. Bruce was an assistant principal at Campbell County High School who was killed by a student in 2005.

The addition gives OLPH three times the space, as the church went from 3,700 square feet to 12,800. Parishioners built a new kitchen, with appliances chosen by women of OLPH, and an office, a classroom, and youth and conference rooms downstairs.

Mr. Boaz began the dedication outside the front doors by presenting the occupancy permit and keys to Bishop Stika. Architect Thom Haeuptle of Johnson Architecture in Knoxville gave the blueprints to the bishop.

Building-committee chair LaQuita Ingle and committee

dral’s office building. Meetings begin with Mass at 11:30 a.m., followed by lunch at noon and a speaker at 12:30 p.m.

The Mass at OLPH in LaFollette concluded with a signing of the certificate of church dedication. Bishop Stika and OLPH pastor Father Joe Campbell put their names on the document, as did (from left) diocesan chancellor Deacon Sean Smith, project contractor Don Boaz, and Edward Kenik, who started the parish building fund about nine years ago.

PEN TO PAPER

member Jim Holtslag spoke before the bishop knocked on the door with his crosier and led the procession inside.

“The first church was built in 1905 by volunteer labor, and this church has been built by volunteer labor,” Ms. Ingle told the bishop. “We want to thank you for coming and being a part of this. We hope that you will feel the love and the kinship that have gone into this building.”

Mr. Holtslag said the building project was meant to fulfill two needs. One was simply space; the parish has about 85 permanent families but draws upwards of 350 to 400 people for its Easter and July 4 services. Tourists who visit the Norris Lake area or who own homes in the area more than double the ranks every summer.

“Our summertime attendance swells to two or three times of our normal winter attendance,” said Mr. Holtslag.

“The second [need] was a desire on our part to have a social area that was an improvement over the windowless basement in the rectory house that we have been using. We designed it around a large multipurpose room that can be expanded for worship when needed.”

The new worship area seats 400 and includes a new stained-glass window behind the altar that “is an abstract depiction of the light of heaven coming down on this pastoral mountain setting,” said Mr. Holtslag.

“The second [stained-glass window] you see as you go directly into the church brings the same architectural curve, but allows us to see out through it, to the mountains and the trees beyond.”

Mr. Holtslag built the church’s new altar and ambo, using wood from oaks that grew in his yard.

In his homily Bishop Stika said he has often been asked about his vision for the diocese. “When I entered the church this morning, I had one of those visions: ‘Our Lady of Perpetual Help Construction Co., Church Builders. Father Campbell, president.’”

The bishop congratulated all who supported the project with labor and prayer.

He also pointed out the statue of the Blessed Mother, the pietà, the tabernacle behind the altar, and the mosaics during his homily.

“You know why I really like this church? It looks like a church,” he said. “So often, especially in our modern times, we think of the church as a community center. In some ways it is, but it’s also sacred space. We should always be reminded what is present in this church, for at the conclusion of this Mass the Eucharist will be placed in the tabernacle. The body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus will always be here, as that candle reminds us.

“So I remind all of you as you enter this church from now on that you genuflect with a sense of respect and reverence for the Blessed Sacrament. As you come in this church to pray, remember this as Jesus reminded us so long ago: this is the Father’s house. This is a house of prayer.”

The bishop prayed a prayer of consecration and anointed the altar and walls of the church with chrism. Parishioners covered the altar, LaFollette continued on page 8

The dedication Mass at OLPH began outdoors with the formal handing over of the building to Bishop Stika. Above, building-committee chair LaQuita Ingle gives a brief parish history to the bishop. With them are parishioner Marge Conroy and (from left) parishioner Tom Fahy, building-committee member Jim Holtslag, and Marcus Keyes, former co-director of the diocesan Justice–Peace–Integrity of Creation Office.

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www.dioceseofk noxville.org

The next Engaged Encounter weekend in the diocese will be held Oct. 16 through 18 at the Magnuson Hotel in Sweetwater. Weekend cost is $239, including meals, rooms, and materials, and couples completing the entire weekend will receive a $60 discount on their marriage license. To register, call Mike or Charla Haley at 865-220-0120. For more information on Engaged Encounter, e-mail Paul or Pam Schaffer at cee knoxville@gmail.com or visit www.rc.net/knoxville/cee.

Holy Resurrection Byzantine Catholic Mission holds Divine Liturgy celebrations at 5:30 p.m. Sundays at Holy Family Church in Seymour. All are welcome to attend, and explanations of the ceremony will be given. Call 865-609-1081 to learn more.

The St. Thomas the Apostle Ukrainian Catholic Mission celebrates the Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. Sundays in the chapel at the Chancery in Knoxville and Vespers at 6 p.m. Saturdays at the Chancery. For more information, call Father Richard Armstrong at 865-584-3307.

Mass in the extraordinary form (“traditional Latin”) is celebrated at 1:30 p.m. each Sunday at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville and at 3 p.m. on first and third Sundays at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church in Cleveland. Visit www.knoxlatinmass.net for details.

Upcoming events for Catholic Singles of Greater Knoxville (40 and over) include the following: ■ Sunday, Sept. 20: Easy to moderate hike. Meet in the All Saints Church parking lot near the pavilion at 9:30 a.m. Call Keith at 865-719-2832.

■ Sunday, Sept. 27: “Brunch and banter” at Mulligan’s, 8923 Linksvue Drive, 1:15 p.m. RSVP by Sept.

26 to Janlyn M. at 660-6272.

■ Wednesday, Sept. 30: Planning meeting for November and December activities and midweek dinner social at Silver Spoon, 7240 Kingston Pike, 6:15 p.m.

RSVP or offer activity suggestions to Gail B. at 9668205.

■ Wednesday, Sept. 30: Service project, Ronald McDonald House dinner. Prepare a casserole, soup or chili, a side dish, or a favorite main dish, or bring fresh fruit or 2 percent milk and deliver it to the house before 6:30 p.m. Call Donna T. at 531-3839.

■ Sunday, Oct. 4: Hike Mount LeConte (not a hike for beginners). Meet in the All Saints parking lot near the pavilion at 7 a.m. Bring water and snacks. Call Randy S. at 556-3781.

■ Thursday, Oct. 8: Coffee at Panera Bread on North Peters Road, 6:30 p.m. Call Sybil C. at 693-4229. ■

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The festival on the parish grounds will follow from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10.

Featured will be a craft and gift shop, inflatable rides, a rock-climbing wall, a silent auction, a bake shop, many kinds of food, and entertainment. Festival food and drink will include hot wings, Mexican fare, and German beer and brats. Entertainers include The Magnetos and the Faith Promise Puppeteers.

To learn more about the festival, how to contribute to its “used car lot,” or how to become a sponsor, call Michaela or Bernie Martin at 771-0014 or visit www.stmarysoakridge.org/ Parish/fallfest.html.

■ The 29th annual St. Joseph School Fall Festival will be hosted Friday and Saturday, Oct. 16 and 17, by St. Albert the Great Parish in Knoxville because of construction at the school.

Barbecue chicken and ribs will be served from 3 to 9 p.m. Friday. Games and entertainment— including face painting, a children’s parade, and pie and carved-pumpkin contests—will take place from 5 to 9.

Games and rides, a country store, a cake wheel, crafts, a dessert shop, and a white-elephant sale will be featured from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, along with more barbecue. Call the school at 865-689-3424 for more details.

■ The 19th annual Fun Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at St. Therese Church in Clinton.

The fair will feature an auction, games, a country store, a Christmas store, and food.

More than 100 items will be included in the auction.

Proceeds from the fun fair will benefit the parish. Call Sister Yvette Gillen, RSM, at 865457-4073 to learn more or to donate auction items. ■ SEPTEMBER 20, 2009

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Position open in Hispanic Ministry he diocesan Hispanic Ministry Office seeks a temporary part-time administrative assistant.

Two years’ experience is required. Interested individuals must be proficient in Microsoft Office software; experience with Microsoft Publisher is a plus. Must be able to multitask and work independently and have strong organizational skills.

Must be proficient in English and Spanish and have knowledge of the Catholic faith. Please submit resume and cover letter in English and Spanish to Hispanic Ministry, P.O. Box 11127, Knoxville, TN 37939-1127. Deadline for applications is Sept. 25. ■

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Want to try online delivery? he East Tennessee Catholic is now offering online delivery for those who would prefer to read a digital copy and to discontinue the print edition. If you would rather read the ETC online, visit snipr.com/onlineETC to sign up.

If you decide online delivery isn’t for you, you can return to a print subscription at any time. If you have questions, e-mail mary@dioceseof knoxville.org. ■

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brought candles for it, and placed flowers at the altar and ambo. The bishop handed a lighted candle to Deacon Smith, who lighted the sanctuary candles before the church’s electric lights were turned on for the first time.

Father Campbell thanked Ms. Ingle, Jim Gaudy, Mr. Boaz, and Mr. Anderson during his closing remarks. Mr. Gaudy had fallen off scaffolding while working on the building and been hospitalized for three months. The bishop then led a round of applause for Father Campbell and gave what is quickly becoming a tradition during his visits to parishes: a request to pray for vocations.

Ms. Ingle said that it was hard for her not to become emotional as she looked around the assembly at the start of the dedication.

“It was everybody working together, I think, that’s been the greatest part. We ended up friends at the end. We didn’t have anybody mad at somebody else.

Ms. Ingle and Mr. Boaz worked closely not only to keep costs in check but also to make sure the project still maintained the look of a country church.

“We’ve tried to keep it simple because we are a country church, but we also wanted it to be beautiful in an economical way,” said Ms. Ingle.

Mr. Boaz said he was confident the parishioners could pull off the building project themselves.

“We knew we could do it,” he said. “The question was, how long is it going to take us to do it?”

That turned out to be a year almost to the day “we actually started moving dirt,” he said.

The parish can grow into its new church for many years to come.

“We made a lot of changes here, but I hope we didn’t change it from the small countrychurch atmosphere,” said Mr. Boaz. “I hope we’ve still got that.”

The spirit of the injured Mr. Gaudy was typical of the parishioners’ attitude toward the project, said Father Campbell.

“He was upset because he wasn’t able to come back and work, that he had to stay in the hospital for three months. He’s been out for quite a while, and since he’s been out, he’s been working on the rosary garden to get it back in shape.”

Many parish women worked on the project, including Mr. Holtslag’s wife, Gail.

“The women did a lot of the painting, the woodwork even, and Jim’s wife would be up on top of the scaffolding painting the ceiling and stuff like that, so everybody really participated,” said Father Campbell.

“Gail was also the artist who picked out all the colors and the paint, which is really a tough job because everybody has an opinion on stuff like that. But we trusted her judgment, and it came out really well.” ■

The good we do lives after us— when we remember to make a will.

Only you can divide your own property as you want it divided. A bequest to your church can be a living memorial to the nobility of your life.

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SEPTEMBER 20, 2009

DIGNITY

life and

BY PAUL SIMONEAU

Health care and suffering Reverence for the mystery of suffering is the key to true health-care reform.

The famous injunction of the Hippocratic Oath, credited to the ancient Greek physician, Hippocrates (c.

460 to 370 BC), has for millennia guided the conscience of those involved in health care: Primum non nocere, “Above all, do no harm!”

The Roman philosopher and statesman Seneca (c. 4 BC to 65 AD), would later offer another timeless expression: Res est sacra miser, “the person in affliction is sacred.” In these expressions of the natural law we hear the prophetic voice of truth. For if the sacredness and dignity of human life is most evident in the extreme vulnerability of weakness and suffering, with what great reverence and care must we approach the gift of every human life from conception to natural death?

As we must correctly understand and diagnose an illness in order to prescribe the proper cure, it is even more imperative that we correctly appreciate the mystery of suffering in order to promote a vision of health care that truly respects the “whole person”— not only in his or her physical, psychological, and social nature but also the spiritual.

In today’s heavily secularized society, the salvific meaning of suffering has become lost and thus has itself become a source of further suffering and loss of hope. In this vacuum the culture of death thrives and promotes its agenda, even in health care.

Beginning in 1992 Pope John Paul II began a yearly

the catholic

tradition, which Pope Benedict XVI has continued, of addressing those experiencing one of the most common yet misunderstood human experiences: suffering. The pontiffs’ messages for “World Day of the Sick” (WDS) speak not only of the illnesses and sufferings of the body but also of the soul, for “the ‘pathology’ of the spirit is no less dangerous than physical ‘pathology,’ and they influence each other” (WDS, Nov. 21, 1994, No. 1). These messages, as well as John Paul II’s apostolic letter Salvifici Doloris (SD), “On the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering,” are invaluable for helping us appreciate anew the mystery of suffering, which is particularly important for guiding the conscience of health care and its reform.

With the symbol of the crucifix we are reminded that in our earthly life we do not so much share in the resurrection of Christ as in his sufferings, which culminated upon the cross. John Paul II states that “In the cross of Christ not only has redemption been fulfilled through suffering, but suffering itself has been redeemed” (SD, No. 19).

Christ “opened his suffering to man” and as a result our sufferings are “enriched with a new content and a new meaning” (SD, No. 20).

Through our baptismal share in Christ’s priestly mission, our sufferings become like sacred vestments when offered in union with those of Christ, the High Priest (cf. Hebrews 9:11-15) in the sacrifice of the Mass.

God’s health-care program for redeeming fallen man consists of two particular commands given to the church by

DIFFERENCE

BY GEORGE WEIGEL

The remarkable Rose Hawthorne She devoted her life to the suffering and is now up for possible beatification.

In 2001, when chairman Leon Kass was organizing the President’s Council on Bioethics (which was recently and foolishly disbanded by President Obama), he sent the council members some interesting homework to read before their first discussion in 2001: Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story “The Birthmark,” which doesn’t figure in too many high school American literature anthologies these days. Dr. Kass knew precisely what he was doing, however: he was asking those charged with advising the president of the United States about the management of humanity’s new genetic knowledge to think about today’s challenges through the prism of a story about beauty, hubris, and the lethal dangers of the Promethean quest for human perfection.

In Hawthorne’s tale, Aylmer, a scientist, has married an exceptionally beautiful woman named Georgiana, whose face is marred (in Aylmer’s view) by a birthmark. Eventually convinced by Aylmer that the birthmark should be removed, Georgiana submits to a procedure, designed by Aylmer,

that is supposed to eliminate what her husband regards as a blemish on her beauty. The birthmark disappears, but Georgiana dies. Aylmer’s quest to make his wife perfect, as he understands perfection, has killed the woman he sought to perfect.

I’d known about Kass’s striking assignment to the Bioethics Council for years. But it was only recently that his effort to get America thinking seriously about the moral and human costs of striving for physical perfection brought to mind another member of the Hawthorne clan—Rose Hawthorne, the author’s youngest child, whose cause for beatification is now underway.

Born in Lenox, Mass., in 1851, Rose Hawthorne spent her childhood years in Liverpool, England (where her father was U.S. consul), and Italy before coming home to Concord, Mass., in 1860. At age 20 Rose married George Parsons Lathrop, and the couple eventually settled in Boston, where Lathrop worked at the Atlantic Monthly and Rose established her own reputation as a writer, publishing short stories and poems. After five years of marriage, a son, Francis Hawthorne Lathrop, was born, but the lad succumbed to diphtheria when just 5 years old. Rose and George Lathrop were both

www.dioceseofk noxville.org

Christ, the Great Physician of both body and soul: “Heal the sick” (Matthew 10:8) and “forgive men’s sins” (John 20:23). With “power and authority to overcome all demons and to cure diseases” (Luke 9:1) the church, through her teachings, saints, and the heroic works of the faithful, has never ceased to be a tireless advocate and help to the countless numbers of those wounded in body and soul.

Unfortunately, as John Paul II reminds us, “serious social inequalities in access to health-care resources” exist that must be corrected (WDS, Aug. 6, 1999, No. 4). Likewise, he laments that a serious neglect exists in recourse to the sacrament for the healing of the soul from sin, stating bluntly that “the sacrament of penance is in crisis” (Reconciliatio et Paenitentia, “Reconciliation and Penance,” No. 28).

Legal acceptance of the culture of death’s agenda of abortion, contraception, sterilization, human embryonic-stem-cell therapy, euthanasia, and assisted suicide—and the attempts to categorize these as health care—is evidence that above all, our society is spiritually sick (cf. Letter to Families, No. 20).

Pope Paul VI’s 1973 warning to medical institutions and ethicists concerning the abandonment of the principles of the Hippocratic Oath seems to have been prophetic: “A pollution of this cardinal principle would involve a fatal step backwards which would have disastrous consequences.”

Closing with my traditional play on the words of Pope Paul VI, “if you want peace . . . ,” do no harm! ■ For information on the U.S. bishops’ position on health-care reform, visit www.usccb.org/ healthcare. Mr. Simoneau directs the diocesan Justice and Peace Office. received into the Catholic Church in 1891, 10 years after their son’s death. But their marriage became impossible.

George Lathrop had problems with “intemperance” (as the New Catholic Encyclopedia delicately puts it), which led to his inability to keep a job.

With her confessor’s permission, Rose began to live alone and after taking appropriate training, started work with patients suffering from incurable cancer—a heartbreaking ministry of charity to which she devoted the rest of her life.

After George Lathrop’s death in 1898, Rose Hawthorne became a Dominican sister, establishing the Dominican Congregation of St. Rose of Lima, also known as the Servants of Relief for Incurable Cancer. A center for cancer patients was established in Hawthorne, N.Y., where Mother Mary Alphonsa, OP, as Rose was known in religion, spent her years, dying there in 1926.

As Father Gabriel O’Donnell, OP, the postulator for her beatification, once wrote, “service to Christ’s poor did not simply mean that this lady of culture, education, and social status would put on an apron and offer gifts from her abundance. She decided to live among the poor, to beg for them as they did for themselves, and to establish a home where they could live in dignity, cleanliness, and ease as they faced their final days on earth. . . . There was to be no class system, no ‘upstairs/downstairs’ for her residents. She and her reliWeigel continued on page 9

THE E A S T TE NNE S S E E CATHOLI C

around the

DIOCESE

from the

BY MARY C. WEAVER

Respect Life, 40 Days events scheduled Pro-life prayer vigils are set for Chattanooga, Knoxville, Elizabethton, and Nashville. ct. 4 is Respect Life Sunday, and in observation of the day, silent prayer chains will take place in Chattanooga and Knoxville.

The Chattanoogans for Life prayer chain will begin at 3:15 p.m. in front of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church at 501 S. Moore Road. “We hope that our prayer chain will stretch for a mile along Moore Road,” said the organization’s president, Cindy Kedrowski.

The event will last about an hour.

“Please join us as we storm the gates of heaven with prayer and make a positive statement to the community regarding our belief that all life is a precious gift from God.” For details, call 423-290-7314 or visit www.chattanoogans forlife.org.

In Knoxville the prayer chain is set for 4 to 5 p.m. and will take place in front of Sacred Heart Cathedral, 711 Northshore Drive. The theme for this year’s event is “Every Child Brings Us God’s Smile,” taken from a homily given by Pope Benedict XVI on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord in 2007.

The prayer chain will be held rain or shine. For information, call Lisa Morris at 865-567-1245.

40 Days for Life The 40 Days for Life campaign is set to begin Sept. 23 in 45 states as well as Canada and Denmark. Four Ten-

MARY C. WEAVER

O

PRO-LIFE KICKOFF Participants

in last year’s 40 Days for Life vigil in Knoxville hold signs during the campaign’s first day. Knoxville’s 2009 campaign will begin Sept.

23 in the same location, across from a Concord Street abortion clinic.

nessee campaigns are listed on the 40daysforlife.com website: Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville, and Tri-Cities.

The campaign, with its three pillars of prayer and fasting, vigil, and community outreach, “will take a determined but peaceful and lawabiding approach to promoting a culture of life in Knoxville,” said Paul Simoneau, director of the diocesan Justice and Peace Office.

The Knoxville campaign will kick off with a 45-minute prayer service beginning at 8 a.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 23, at Tyson Park, across from the abortion clinic at 313 S. Concord St. That will be the primary vigil location, although periodic vigils will be coordinated at Knoxville’s two other abortion providers, said Mr. Simoneau. The campaign will continue till Nov. 1.

He noted that a recent expansion effort

by Planned Parenthood had been blocked and said that the 40 Days campaign “is prepared to shift focus if Planned Parenthood again attempts to move to a new location.”

Mr. Simoneau said he expects to see more people participating in Knoxville’s 40 Days for Life vigil this year. The pro-life movement in the Knoxville area has recently benefited from the creation of the Pro-Life Coalition of East Tennessee, he said.

Members include both Catholics and Protestants representing a number of organizations, including area pregnancy-help centers.

Prayer volunteers for the 40 Days campaign are needed. To sign up for a twohour block of prayer and vigil, visit www.40daysforlife. com/Knoxville. For details, contact co-directors Paul Simoneau at 865-862-5753 or Lisa Morris at 865-

567-1245 or e-mail information@40days knoxville.com.

Other 40 Days locations A 40 Days for Life vigil will also take place in Elizabethton, outside the Abortion Choice Clinic at 401 Hudson Dr. To sign up, contact Linda Edwards at 423-4770774 or edwards724 @earthlink.net. For more details, visit www.40daysforlife. com/tri-cities/.

A 40 Days orientation session for vigil leaders and participants is scheduled for 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept.

20, at Hosanna Fellowship, 715 Sunset Dr., Johnson City 37604.

The Nashville 40 Days vigil site is The Women’s Center, 419 Welshwood Dr., 37211, three doors down from Grace Pregnancy Resource and the Tennessee Right to Life office.

For more information, visit www.40 daysforlife.com/ nashville. ■

Ten questions on influenza/swine flu and the liturgy hroughout the years the Committee on Divine Worship’s Newsletter has addressed the liturgical implications of the transmission of pathogens on numerous occasions. With the H1N1 flu virus appearing in the United States, the Secretariat of Divine Worship, having consulted with experts, offers the following brief reflections.

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the flu virus?

The CDC suggests that, “as with other infectious illnesses, one of the most important and appropriate preventive practices is careful and frequent hand hygiene. Cleaning your hands often using either soap and water or waterless alcoholbased hand sanitizers removes potentially infectious materials from your skin and helps prevent disease transmission.”

What is H1N1 (“swine flu”)?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), H1N1 “is a disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person to person, but in the past this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.”

Why is there particular concern for the spread of H1N1 at this moment?

Numerous cases of H1N1 were recently confirmed in the United States. The CDC is presently monitoring this health issue and will give further guidance as the situation warrants.

What is the best way to prevent the transmission of THE E A S T TE NNE S S E E CATHOLIC

How is the influenza virus transmitted?

According to the CDC, “influenza viruses are spread when a person who has the flu coughs, sneezes, or speaks and spreads virus into the air, and other people inhale the virus.

When these viruses enter the nose, throat, or lungs of a person, they begin to multiply, causing symptoms of the flu.”

Does transmission of the flu require direct contact between persons?

The viruses can also be spread when a person touches a surface with flu viruses on it (for example, a door handle) and then touches his or her nose or mouth. A person who is sick with the flu can spread viruses—that means [he or she is] contagious. Adults may be contagious from one day before developing symptoms to

up to seven days after getting sick. Children can be contagious for longer than seven days.”

How can the spread of the virus be prevented?

While the single best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated, the CDC does not know [whether] the seasonal flu vaccine will protect against the swine flu virus. The CDC recommends these other ways to prevent the flu: “Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too; stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness; cover your mouth and nose. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick; clean your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.”

PARACLETE

BY DOROTHY CURTIS

Remember Christ egend has it that the Romans, in their cruelty, crucified St. Peter’s wife first and made him look on as she was transfixed to her cross. The most encouraging, meaningful words that St. Peter could call out to her were these: “Remember Christ!” As we bear our crosses, it is good to “remember Christ,” as our pain unites us with Christ crucified.

Remembering that truth gives meaning to our suffering, making it redemptive.

Enter Raniero Cantalamessa, OFMCap, preacher for the papal household, and his book, Remember Jesus Christ: Responding to the Challenges of Faith in Our Time (Word Among Us Press, 2007, $11.95). It seems that today’s culture is set up so as to prevent us from doing just that: remembering Jesus Christ. Unlike other culture vs. Christ books that focus pessimistically on cultural woes, this book is optimistically Christocentric and scripturally based. If you preach to the pope, you’d better know your stuff, and Father Cantalamessa does. This is a book to live by.

His book The Mystery of the Transfiguration (Servant Books, 2008, $13.99) does not seem like a companion to the above title, yet it is. It was at the Transfiguration that Jesus showed Sts. Peter, James, and John what Paul later proclaimed to the world in his letter to the Philippians, that Jesus Christ is Lord.

It is proper to worship Jesus in his humanity, but Father Cantalamessa reminds us that he is God whom we remember, with all of the powers inherent therein.

Therefore, to paraphrase St. Thérèse of Lisieux, “we can count on him” to have the power we need to operate in our lives. Now we can say with St. Peter, “Lord, it is good that we are here.”

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Everywhere we remember him, he is there.

In Father Cantalamessa’s Contemplating the Trinity: The Path to the Abundant Christian Life (Word Among Us Press, 2007,$10.95) he admits that, at least where the Trinity is concerned, “a picture is worth a thousand words” as he includes for our contemplation a color plate of Rublev’s icon of the Trinity icon.

Words cannot describe the Trinity, yet Father Cantalamessa’s words help us prepare for the revelation of God as Trinity, which will ever remain pure grace and pure gift.

Para nuestros amigos de habla española Nos estamos convirtiendo en una diócesis multilingüe, siendo dos los idiomas principales en este momento, el español y el inglés. Es más fácil para los jóvenes aprender un idioma nuevo, que para la mayoría de sus padres, quienes no tienen el tiempo necesario para aprender un nuevo idioma, ya sea español o inglés. Sin embargo, hay algunas pocas palabras importantes que se pueden reconocer e incluso hablar fácilmente cuando se presentan lado a lado. Estas son las palabras que usamos para adorar a nuestro Dios. Tenemos un libro muy útil que fue escrito con este propósito: Oracional Bilingüe: A Prayer Book for Spanish-English Communities [Oracional Bilingüe: Un libro de oraciones para comunidades que hablan español e inglés] (Liturgical Press, 1994, $8.95). ¡Tal vez el que ora en dos idiomas, ora dos veces! ■ The Paraclete is a fullservice Catholic book and supply store. Visit 417 Erin Drive in Knoxville, near Sacred Heart Cathedral, or call 865-588-0388 or 800-333-2097.

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gious sisters would be the servants. The residents would be the object of all their care and concern.”

Rose Hawthorne saw in disfigured men and women suffering from horrible cancers what Aylmer could not see in the near-perfection of the beautiful Georgiana in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s story: the face of Christ.

The Rose Hawthorne Guild (600 Linda Ave., Hawthorne, NY 10532) promotes the cause of Rose Hawthorne. A prayer asking cures and other favors through her intercession is available online at bit.ly/4U44x.

It would not be misplaced to add a prayer for any future President’s Council on Bioethics to such intercessions. ■ George Weigel is Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C.

In previous years, what has Flu continued on page 6

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USCCB, CHA officials encouraged by speech

POP ARTIST Singer Bono of U2 performs during a concert in Barcelona, Spain, in this July 2 file photo.

The rock star and philanthropist is among hundreds of artists Pope Benedict XVI has invited to the Vatican for a dialogue on faith and art in November 2009.

Pope to meet artists in Sistine Chapel to rekindle faith–art dialogue B Y S A R A H DELANEY

VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Pope Benedict XVI has invited hundreds of artists to meet with him in the Vatican in an attempt to rekindle the special historical relationship between faith and art.

More than 500 personalities from the worlds of art, theater, literature, and music have been asked to gather with the pope under the legendary Michelangelo frescoes in the Sistine Chapel Nov. 21.

Archbishop Gianfranco Ravasi, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, said the meeting was to be the first of many initiatives aimed at bridging the gap that has developed between spirituality and artistic expression over the last century or so.

At a news conference at the Vatican Sept. 10 Archbishop Ravasi said that separation could best be seen in the art and architecture of many modern churches, which he said “do not offer beauty but rather ugliness.”

He said the church hoped that dialogue could help artists regain the “transcendence” that once inspired the 16th-century painter and sculptor Michelangelo, his contemporaries, and countless other artists of religious works over the centuries.

The guest list for the papal encounter is made up of people who have made their mark in visual arts, architecture, literature, poetry, music, and performing arts, including theater, dance, cinema, and television.

Most of the list will be disclosed shortly before the event, but a few names of the invited were mentioned at the news conference: Italian film score composer Ennio Morricone, avant-garde theater director Bob Wilson, architect Daniel Libeskind, and Bono, the lead singer of the group U2. American video artist Bill Viola was asked but has already said he won’t be able to attend.

Archbishop Ravasi said the meeting was conceived as a continuation of earlier papal rapprochements with contemporary culture.

Forty-five years ago Pope Paul VI had a similar encounter with artists in the Sistine Chapel and some years later opened the Collection of Modern Religious Art within the Vatican Museums complex.

And 10 years ago Pope John Paul II wrote his “Letter to Artists,” in which he complimented their work and urged a greater cooperation between the church and the arts.

Antonio Paolucci, director of the Vatican Museums, said at the news conference that contemporary religious art has been diminished by “bad taste.” In medieval times, he said, the faithful lived poor and colorless lives but found brilliant colors and “a glimpse of heaven” by going to churches filled with wonderful works of art.

“Nowadays,” he said, “many people live in the dreary outskirts of cities, in ugly houses. They go to church and it’s uglier still.“ Paolucci said that throughout history the Catholic Church had taken great risks in its patronage of new forms of art and that the art inspired by the Christian faith had produced much of the world’s greatest art.

Over the last century, however, artistic excellence and faith have separated, and it’s the job of people of culture to try to mend the rift, he said.

The church, he said, must show the courage it showed in the past in confronting contemporary art.

Archbishop Ravasi said that choosing the artists for the Vatican event was the most difficult part but that they were selected on the basis of their reputation and awards they had received.

The day before meeting with the pope in the Sistine Chapel, the artists will get a special tour of the contemporary art collection at the Vatican Museums. ■ Copyright 2009 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops 10

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WASHINGTON (CNS)—President Barack Obama’s pledge to continue the ban on the use of federal funds for abortion and to maintain conscience protections for health care workers in any health reform legislation was welcomed by two officials of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the president of the Catholic Health Association.

Speaking with Catholic News Service Sept. 10, hours after Obama addressed a joint session of Congress and a nationwide television audience, Kathy Saile, director of domestic social development in the USCCB Department of Justice, Peace, and Human Development, said the president’s address offered an encouraging sign that the administration has been listening to concerns raised by the bishops and pro-life organizations about abortion funding in any reform legislation.

Citing the bishops’ long-standing belief that all Americans must have access to high-quality, affordable health care, Saile said the president’s speech must be followed up with the appropriate changes in legislation currently pending in both houses of Congress.

As currently written, the leading piece of legislation in the House, America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, H.R. 3200, allows for federal funding of abortion. Language continues to be worked on in Senate reform measures.

Acknowledging that “serious significant details need to be ironed out,” Saile said “we need to look at actual language that

CNS PHOTO/BOB ROLLER

CNS PHOTO/ALBERT GEA, REUTERS

Spokesmen approve of Obama’s pledge not to use federal funds for abortion. By Dennis Sadowski

David Bereit, director of the nationwide 40 Days for Life campaign, speaks during a Sept. 10 news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington against the inclusion of abortion in any health-care-reform proposal.

‘NO MANDATES’ FOR ABORTION

fixes provisions that are in existing bills.”

“We look forward to working with [Obama] to ensure that what is in the final bill, that there is no federal funding [of abortion], no mandates [to pay for abortion], and no requirement of people to pay for other people’s abortions,” Saile said.

Richard Doerflinger, associate director of the bishops’ Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, echoed Saile in a statement released Sept. 10.

“We believe that incorporating essential and long-standing federal laws on these issues into any new proposal will strengthen support for healthcare reform,” Doerflinger said, pledging to work with Congress and the White House to ensure that current legislation is amended.

Sister Carol Keehan, a Daughter of Charity who is president and CEO of the Catholic Health Association, told CNS that

although much work remains on amending the legislation, she was pleased by Obama’s stance.

“We were gratified to hear that federal funds would not be used for abortions and that conscience protections would be maintained,” she said.

Meanwhile, a group of pro-life legislators and organizations, led

by Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., challenged the president’s promise that health-care-reform legislation would not include abortion funding.

Calling Obama’s statements to Congress misleading, Smith said during a Sept. 10 Capitol Hill news conference that an analysis of H.R. 3200 shows that funding for abortion remains in place.

“Despite what Obama said, the House bill would allow abortions to be covered by a federal plan and by federally subsidized private [insurance] plans,” Smith said.

“President Obama

must be held accountable for his words,” Smith added.

“If he intends to support the pro-life amendments that have thus far been deleted by pro-abortion members of his party, we will welcome that. But the truth is that he seeks to cover up his intention to use the government-run public plan to send checks from the U.S. Treasury to abortionists around the country.”

Joining Smith was Rep. Joe Pitts, R-Pa., one of the authors of an amendment that would have ensured the federal ban on abortion funding would remain in place. The amendment was defeated in committee, however.

“Such an explicit exclusion is missing from this bill,” Pitts said, pledging to reintroduce his amendment when the bill comes up for debate in the House.

“This is not about the legality or illegality of abortion. It is about keeping the government out of the business of promoting abortion as health care,” Pitts said.

Joining the press conference were representatives of the National Right to Life Committee, Democrats for Life, Students for Life of America, 40 Days for Life, and the Susan B. Anthony List, which promotes pro-life women for elective office.

Part of a coalition called Stop the Abortion Mandate, the organizations pledged to undertake a massive lobbying effort of members of Congress to prevent the expansion of federal funding for abortion. ■ Copyright 2009 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

Pro-life leaders deplore murder of Michigan activist OWOSSO, Mich. (CNS)—Prolife leaders condemned the Sept. 11 murder of a Michigan man who was protesting abortion outside a public high school in Owosso. The suspect, arrested by police, said he targeted the man for his activism.

The dead man, James Pouillon, 63, was shot about 7 a.m. while protesting outside Owosso High School. Owosso, a town of about 15,000, is located 10 miles west of Flint.

A 33-year-old Owosso Township long-haul truck driver, Harlan James “Hal” Drake, was arrested later that morning. Police said Drake, once in custody, confessed to having killed a second man. The body of James Fuoss, 61, was found on the property of the gravel business he owned an hour after the Pouillon murder.

Prosecutors in Shiawassee County said Drake singled out Pouillon because of his protests outside the school. It was not disclosed why Drake killed Fuoss. Police said Drake intended to kill a third man but was arrested before he could carry it out.

“Mr. Pouillon was known as

the ‘sign guy’ because he had the courage to show people what abortion really is,” said Priests for Life executive director Janet Morana in a Sept. 11 statement.

Sara Edwards, chief assistant prosecutor for Shiawassee County, told The New York Times, “He tended to carry big signs with very graphic pictures of fetuses.”

“This brutal murder will not deter pro-lifers from continuing to expose the horror of what abortion does, not just to the baby who loses his life but also to the mother who lives with the truth of abortion the rest of her life,” Morana said.

Father Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, said in a Sept. 11 statement, “James Pouillon today joined the approximately 4,000 other victims who will be killed today because of abortion. The taking of all innocent lives must stop.”

“While the motive behind the shooting is unknown, we know that Mr. Pouillon was known for his stand against abortion,” said a Sept. 11 statement by David N. O’Steen, executive di-

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rector of the National Right to Life Committee.

“The pro-life movement works to protect the right to life and increase respect for human life,” O’Steen added. “Any unlawful use of violence is directly contrary to that goal.”

Pouillon’s pastor, Father John Fain of St. Paul Parish in Owosso, said in a separate statement, “While many . . . strongly disagreed with his approach, they admired his passion, zeal, and determination to protect and preserve human life, at every stage.”

President Barack Obama, in a two-sentence statement Sept. 13, called Pouillon’s murder “deplorable,” adding, “Whichever side of a public debate you’re on, violence is never the right answer.”

About 200 people, including Pouillon’s widow and adult daughter, gathered outside Owosso High School Sept. 13 to mourn his death and celebrate his life. ■ Copyright 2009 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops THE E A S T TE NNE S S E E CATHOL I C