Sept. 4, 2011, ET Catholic

This issue

He dwells among us.................. 2 Diocesan calendar..................... 9 Deanery news.......................... 10 La Cosecha............ center pullout

The East Tennessee

Catholic youth......................... 14 Catholic schools...................... 16 Columns.................................. 17

dioknox.org September 4, 2011 Volume 21 Number 1

Bishop Richard F. Stika

News from The Diocese of Knoxville

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Parish Stewardship Weekend Support parishes Sept. 17 and 18

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Glenmary returns The missioners are back in ET

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40 Days for Life Diocese again takes a leading role in campaign

Three longtime priests elevated to monsignor

Monsignor Garrity, Monsignor Schmidt, and Monsignor Hofstetter receive the papal honors. By Dan McWilliams

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hree Diocese of Knoxville priests with more than a century’s worth of combined service to the Church have been named monsignors, Bishop Richard F. Stika announced Aug. 22.

Receiving the papal honors are Monsignor Pat Garrity, diocesan vicar for priests and pastor of St. John Neumann Parish in Farragut; Monsignor George Schmidt, rector of the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga; and Monsignor Bob Hofstetter, pastor of Good Shepherd Parish in Newport.

The three priests will be invested with the papal honors at a Vespers service at 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Bishop Stika will preside.

DAN MCWILLIAMS

‘[A]ll of our priests are most deserving . . . [the honors are a] simple way to say thankyou to these men of faith.’

Special recognition Bishop Stika stands in the Chancery chapel with (from left) Monsignor Bob Hofstetter, Monsignor George Schmidt, and Monsignor Pat Garrity.

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The bishop said he chose the three men for the honor, even though “all of our priests are most deserving.”

“Father George is the rector of the new basilica and is greatly respected by the priests of the diocese, and he chairs the committee that looks out after their welfare,” said Bishop Stika. “And he has a great love for the church. Father Garrity—last year when I polled the priests about who should be the vicar for priests, it was almost a unanimous choice, so he’s well respected. He’s president of the priests council, he’s a new dean, and so I wanted to recognize his service to the church.

“Father Bob to me is a legend.

He has done a variety of work in the Church throughout Tennessee, and he continues to be well thought of and well respected by both the priests and the laity of this diocese.”

The latest honors bring to six the number of priests elevated to monsignor in the 23-year history of the diocese. Monsignors Xavier Mankel

Monsignors continued on page 7

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He dwells among us

by Bishop Richard F. Stika

Bishop Stika’s schedule

God’s living photograph

These are some of Bishop Stika’s appointments:

Our Lady of Guadalupe helps us to recognize our brothers and sisters in need.

he science of photography, even before it went digital, has always intrigued me. But nearly 300 years before the first photograph was taken and developed in 1826, we have record of an image of rich color and great detail that developed upon the unlikely photographic film of a poor Mexican peasant’s cloak woven of coarse plant fibers.

Capturing the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe to St. Juan Diego in 1531, this miraculous image is not so much a photograph as it is a presence. In contemplating God’s living photograph of their Heavenly Mother, a people of great diversity and culture came to recognize themselves as brothers and sisters and in unity to call God their Father. More than ever, with such growing division in our country today, we should have recourse to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Far too many think that devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe is but for the Hispanic community alone; however, nothing could be further from the truth. It seems no coincidence that Guadalupe marks the geographical center of the Americas. For good reason then did the Church declare her the Patroness

Diocesan policy for reporting sexual abuse

of the Americas and offer to us her feast day to be celebrated as a continent on Dec. 12.

So I was particularly encouraged by the news last month that the Knights of Columbus, during their annual convention in Denver, had announced a new nationwide Marian prayer program dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Knights also reflected upon their fraternal mission that from their founding in 1882 has helped to serve the needs of migrant people wherever they may be. And so I commend the Knights for the courage to take up a subject that sadly divides so many Catholics today: immigration.

Of particular note during their convention was the address of Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gómez on immigration. His talk and the one he delivered a week later to the Napa Institute are very helpful in better understanding the consistent teaching of the U.S. bishops on this difficult subject. I highly encourage you to reflect on his words, available at http://bit.ly/ABGomez-Knights and http://bit.ly/ABGomez-Napa.

As Archbishop Gomez points out, we are a nation of immigrants and

above all a Church of immigrants.

But, the Church also teaches that a nation has the right to control its borders and to consider various concerns such as the economy in its decisions. However, the Church also reminds us that we mustn’t exaggerate these concerns. Though we certainly do not condone breaking the law or circumventing the proper procedures for documenting one’s legal entry into the country, there are reasons why people enter illegally.

“Very few people ‘choose’ to leave their homelands,” Archbishop Gómez pointed out. “Emigration is almost always forced upon people by the dire conditions they face in their lives.” His question to all of us calls for honesty in answering, “What wouldn’t you do to provide for your loved ones? To feed hungry mouths? To give your children a better future?” Those we call “illegal,” he reminds us, “are mothers and fathers, sons and daughters—not much different from [ourselves].”

There is room for legitimate debate on comprehensive immigration reform—on how to fix a broken system and on how the undocu-

The East Tennessee

Sept. 8: 11 a.m., Priest Advisory Committee meeting, Chancery Sept. 10: 5 p.m., Youth Mass and Evening Extravaganza, Sacred Heart Cathedral Sept. 11: 10 a.m., Blue Mass, Holy Ghost Church; 5 p.m., Mass, Northeast Tennessee Correctional Complex, Mountain City Sept. 13: 11 a.m., general priest meeting, Chancery Sept. 15: 11 a.m., Mercy Day at Mercy Medical Center Sept. 16-18: deacon retreat, Carson Springs retreat center, Newport Sept. 20: 11 a.m., pastor workshop for first-time pastors, Chancery Sept. 23-30: Representing the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Russia for the 100th anniversary of the consecration of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Oct. 1: 5 p.m., Mass celebrating 50th anniversary of Knights of Columbus Council 5207, All Saints Church Oct. 2: 8 a.m., second annual Hispanic community Mass, Unicoi County n

Bishop continued on page 5

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

Margaret Hunt Administrative assistant Dan Pacitti Intern

Anyone who has actual knowledge of or who has reasonable 805 Northshore Drive, S.W. • Knoxville, TN 37922 cause to suspect an incident of The Diocese of Knoxville sexual abuse should report such The East Tennessee Catholic (USPS 007211) is published monthly by The Diocese of Knoxville, 805 Northshore Drive Southwest, information to the appropriate Knoxville, TN 37919-7551. Periodicals-class postage paid at Knoxville, Tenn. Printed on recycled paper by the Knoxville News Sentinel. civil authorities first, then to the The East Tennessee Catholic is mailed to all registered Catholic families in East Tennessee. Subscription rate for others is $15 a year in bishop’s office, 865-584-3307, or the United States. Make checks payable to The Diocese of Knoxville. the diocesan victims’ assistance coordinator, Marla Lenihan, 865Postmaster: Send address changes to The East Tennessee Catholic, 805 Northshore Drive Southwest, Knoxville, TN 37939-1127 Reach us by phone: 865-584-3307 • fax: 865-584-8124 • e-mail: webmaster@dioknox.org • web: dioknox.org 482-1388. n

2 September 4, 2011

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

dioknox.org

Stewardship

Parish Stewardship Weekend coming up Sept. 17 and 18 The two days provide an opportunity both ‘to renew one’s commitment to the Church’ and strengthen parishes. By Jim Link

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The East Tennessee Catholic

parishes for help.”

With heightened demand for charitable services and sharp increases in utility and insurance costs, parishes need to raise as much as they can.

“Conducting separate appeals for our parishes and diocese enables us to raise more for the Church and her ministries,” said Jim Link, diocesan director of stewardship.

“Not only did our parishes raise almost $320,000 more, but the Annual

‘Strong parishes are the lifeblood of our diocese. Their vitality depends on the investments we make to keep them healthy.’

COURTESY OF CAROL RUMBOLT

n the weekend of Sept. 17 and 18, Catholics across East Tennessee will be encouraged to support the work of 47 parishes with gifts of time, talent, treasure, and prayer. Many parishes will host ministry fairs, during which parishioners will be invited to volunteer as readers, catechists, and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion.

“Stewardship Weekend offers a wonderful opportunity to renew one’s commitment to the Church,” said Deacon Sean Smith, chancellor and chief operating officer of the diocese. “Sharing what we have pleases God and helps build the Kingdom.”

In addition to being asked to pray for the Church and volunteer for a variety of parish ministries, people will be asked to make a pledge of financial support to their parish.

“Strong parishes are the lifeblood of our diocese,” said Bishop Richard F. Stika. “Their vitality depends on the investments we make to keep them healthy.”

“Ours is one of the fastest-growing dioceses in America,” he added.

“We need to fuel that growth by actively supporting our parishes.”

Ralph Christiana, business manager at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Chattanooga, said that Stewardship Weekend helps parishes anticipate revenues and budget accordingly.

“Since the majority of our operating budget comes from offertory, it’s important that parishioners let us know what they intend to give— and make stretch commitments.”

On average, parishes reported increases of 2 percent in offertory income during the first half of 2011.

“That’s good news,” said Shannon Hepp, diocesan controller, “since people in need often turn to their

‘Sharing what we have’ The annual Parish Stewardship Weekend supports the work of all 47 parishes in the Diocese of Knoxville. Parishioners may pledge gifts of time, talent, treasure, and/or prayer. This is the second consecutive year in which the parish collection and diocesan collection have been split. The diocesan collection, the Annual Catholic Appeal, will be launched with a letter from Bishop Richard F. Stika between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

Catholic Appeal is on track to have its best year ever,” he added. “Most charities have been experiencing significant declines in giving, but we’re blessed with loyal, generous donors.”

Building on the success of separate appeals during the 2010-11 academic year, the diocesan fundraising effort for 2012 will be launched several months after Parish Stewardship Weekend. Dubbed the Annual Catholic Appeal, it will benefit people in need throughout East Tennessee. Funds pledged during Parish Stewardship Weekend will remain in the parishes to support local ministries. Registered parishioners will receive a pledge form and letter from their pastor and be asked to place the completed form in the offertory basket on Sept. 17 or 18.

The diocesan appeal will be launched with a letter from Bishop Stika between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The faithful are encouraged to generously support both appeals. n September 4, 2011 3

In our parishes

Glenmary assigns priests, brothers to ET The society is bringing the Church’s presence to three counties with no parish. By Dan McWilliams

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DAN MCWILLIAMS

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lenmary Home Missioners has assigned two priests and three brothers to the Diocese of Knoxville who will bring the Catholic Church to three counties that currently have no parish.

Father Tom Charters and Brother Tom Sheehy were scheduled to arrive in Unicoi County in September.

Already at home in Union County are Father Steve Pawelk and Brother Craig Digmann, with Brother Joe Steen set to join them in September.

Father Pawelk and the two brothers will also serve adjoining Grainger County.

Glenmary is returning to East Tennessee for the first time since 2003, when it turned over a parish it had established—the Catholic Community of Monroe County, now St. Joseph the Worker Parish—to the diocese.

Bishop Richard F. Stika paved the way for the return in an April 8 letter to then–Glenmary president Father Dan Dorsey, in which he granted his approval of the society’s plans for Union, Grainger, and Unicoi counties.

Father Charters will be living about two miles outside of Erwin, while Brother Tom will have his residence in the Unicoi County seat.

Both of their assignments began Sept. 1. Among the first tasks for Father Charters will be to speak to parishioners of St. Mary in Johnson City and Notre Dame in Greeneville, each of which has several registered parishioners in Unicoi County.

“I hope to write a letter to the people of Unicoi to let them know that I am present there,” said Father Charters, “that our hope is to eventually establish a Catholic church there, and see if we can’t gather the people to just talk about what it is to establish a parish, what it is to be mission in an area, what it is to be Catholic in these areas, and reach

Newly arrived Brother Craig Digmann and Father Steve Pawelk have made their home in Maynardville as Glenmary Home Missioners returns to the Diocese of Knoxville.

out to others and invite them.

“I hope to meet the other ministers in the area. As a matter of fact, one Methodist minister already contacted me. He called me here in Cincinnati and said if you need a place to gather the Catholics to meet for the initial formation of your church, you’re more than welcome to use our facilities. I haven’t even met this man. He heard that I’d been in town, and he got the number and called to Cincinnati.”

Father Charters, a priest of 36 years, comes to the Diocese of Knoxville after having turned over St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Logan, W.Va., to the Diocese of Wheeling–Charleston.

Father Charters’s goal for his first year in Unicoi “is to get to be known in the area and be seen, to be a Catholic presence there—a Catholic priest—to get to know the parishioners of the area. The initial trust, you might say.”

Weekly Masses may not be celebrated right away, he said.

“I would say that’s probably a few

months off, unless someone locally, especially a Catholic here, would say, ‘Yes, we have a place available, if you can gather the people here and have them come.’ Sometimes that happens. If need be we would use one of the other churches if they were offered and then go from there.”

Brother Tom’s background is in social work and construction, said Father Charters.

“In fact, he oversaw Habitat for Humanity in Eastman, Ga., for nine years, and he also served in the same county I served in in Logan, W.Va. He was very much involved in ecumenical ministry with the Methodist church in that town.”

The Glenmary brother could be in the same kind of ministry in Unicoi, said Father Charters.

“He is looking around where his gifts and talents could be best used in the county.”

Father Pawelk and Brother Craig arrived in Maynardville on Aug. 12, with Brother Joe set to come in midSeptember. Father Pawelk has been

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serving the last 12 years as a vocation director and living in Grayson, Ky. Brother Craig comes to East Tennessee from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Mission in Houston, Miss.

Brother Joe is finishing up his assignment at the Glenmary House of Studies in Hartford, Ky. Father Pawelk, ordained a priest in 1989, said he “feels like St. Paul, getting everything started” as he moves into a new area. Father Pawelk in Union and Grainger counties, like Father Charters in Unicoi, has early duties of contacting local Catholics and speaking in the parishes they attend. In the case of Union and Grainger Catholics, they are attending some seven to 10 parishes, traveling many miles into adjoining counties for Mass.

“Each weekend we’ll be visiting those churches, explaining the hope of starting a new mission, a Catholic worshiping community, in Maynardville and in Rutledge,” said Father Pawelk. “We’re going to tell them to keep an eye out for organizational information, talk to people after Mass, and answer questions.

“Also, because the initial Catholics will be coming from established parishes, we’re telling them to accept the idea that these parishes are sending forth members of their community to start a new community. Very much as the apostles went out two by two, so they’re part of launching a new mission for Christ.”

Father Pawelk is working with the Maynardville and Rutledge mayors to have “introductory sessions at a community area where people can gather—Catholics and non-Catholics alike—to discuss what it means to start a new church, to see who is interested, to see what questions they have. After these first two sessions, I hope we’ll have a place not for worship but for another gathering space to meet as many times as it takes to get us organized.

He added that “our hope is within two to three months to have the first dioknox.org

COURTESY OF JEAN BACH (3)

Bishop continued from page 2

Father Tom Charters

Brother Tom Sheehy

Brother Joe Steen

Sunday Mass.”

Father Pawelk hopes to get the entire community involved in every aspect of finding a building and readying it for Mass.

“When we have the first Sunday Mass, it can be a community event.

We can invite the entire community and do a beautiful Mass with an open house. It’ll be that we’re launching the church not just for the worshiping Catholics, but we’re mounting a presence of service, a presence of help, for the entire county, that we are here to witness to Jesus Christ.

“When I met with the mayors, I said we are not here to do sheep stealing. We are not here to do anything majorly different. We are just here to offer the Catholics in the area a place to worship and be of service to the community in any way we can to make life better for all Christians and all non-Christians in this area.”

Before taking a trip to Brother Craig’s residence in Mississippi, Father Charters and the Glenmary brother may have made Union County history early on the morning of Aug. 15.

“We had Mass in my house, and as far as I know, unless there’s evidence different, it was the first Mass in Union County. To think that the Eucharist is present in Union County, even though there’s just two of us at a 6 a.m. Mass, that’s what it’s

all about. It’s offering the Eucharist and transforming the community through the grace of God in the power of the sacraments.”

Father Pawelk made important contacts within his first two days in Union County. “Just in getting my license tag and my utilities turned on, I met two inactive Catholics who are interested,” he said.

Brother Craig said he is looking forward to the teamwork he will have with Father Steve and Brother Joe. “Not all priests and brothers live together, but all three of us will be living together and working together. My main thing will be doing outreach ministry in the community.

The big thing is that we’ll be doing a lot of listening. I’ll have my eyes and ears open for what the needs are and to be able to respond to some of those needs.”

Brother Craig also attracted attention from a potential churchgoer.

After he wore his Glenmary shirt on a trip to a Maynardville hardware store to buy fuses, the counter man queried him about Catholics, leading to a 15-minute talk.

“The conversation started, and I mentioned that we were missioners and that we were coming to Union County and Maynardville to start a Catholic faith community, and he had a few questions about the Catholics,” said Brother Craig. “He had

simple questions like so many people do, and I absolutely love answering the questions of our Catholic faith.

Brother Craig said that “God has blessed me with kind of a gentle personality, and it seems that people learn to trust me quickly.” He said he hopes that he can “build relationships and work together,” and that the Catholic faith “can gain a good reputation in the county because there definitely will be questions.”

When his team speaks to Catholics in Union and Grainger counties, Brother Craig said that “we will be really listening to them to see what their hopes and dreams are, and then also share what we can offer.

We definitely want the people to collaborate because they’re the church.”

Brother Craig was on the Glenmary Mission Planning Committee that came to the diocese earlier this year and looked at starting churches in Union, Unicoi, Grainger, Bledsoe, and Meigs counties, the latter two also not having a parish. He said he is “tickled pink” about serving in two of the counties where he helped do the research and planning.

Monthly Saturday vigils are currently celebrated in Grainger County at the University of Tennessee Agricultural Pavilion on Bryan Road in Rutledge. The next two Masses are at 7 p.m. Sept. 24 and Oct. 29. n

The East Tennessee Catholic

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

mented can make restitution and legalize their status. But as Archbishop Gómez emphasizes, it is time to approach these questions not as Republicans or Democrats, conservative or liberal, but as Catholics. It is time for Catholics to cease “privatizing” their faith and to be witnesses of the fullness of the Gospel truth.

I am not a politician, but as a pastor I must emphasize that we have but one true homeland whose citizenship we should seek residency and but one language that we should all strive to be fluent in: the language of faith.

Because Our Lady of Guadalupe appears to us as both an expectant mother as well as a person of mixed race—a mestiza, an outcast—we see in her an image also of those that Sacred Scripture call us to be particularly mindful of: the widow, the orphan, and the foreigner (cf. Exodus 20-22).

The new widows and orphans of our day are those pregnant women whose boyfriends or husbands have abandoned them and their responsibility to the life they helped to conceive.

And the foreigners roofing our storm-damaged houses, working our fields, are they not like the mestizos of that time who were ostracized as a stranger to both the indigenous people and colonial population alike?

As St. Juan Diego stood before the Church in the person of Friar Juan de Zumárraga, concealing within his cloak the gift of a mother’s love, so I believe the foreigner stands before all of us concealing this same mother’s love behind a shirt stained with the sweat and soil of his labors for a family he left behind to support. We need to remember that the citizenship

Bishop continued on page 6 September 4, 2011 5

we seek in heaven requires a particular visa stamp in this life: “For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you made me welcome . . . as often as you did it for one of my least brothers, you did it for me” (Matthew 25:35-40).

I can think of no better book to recommend to gain a greater appreciation for the significance of this apparition than Our Lady of Guadalupe—Mother of the Civilization of Love (Doubleday, 2009)

by Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, and Monsignor Eduardo Chávez, postulator for the cause of St. Juan Diego. I pray you can read this book as well as the talks of Archbishop Gómez.

In closing I would ask that everyone consider placing in their home an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe as well as the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to reflect well upon their message of love and mercy. n

Catholic schools’ non-discrimination policy statement The Diocese of Knoxville Catholic schools admit students of any race, color, or national and ethnic origin to all the rights privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. The Diocese of Knoxville Catholic Schools do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national or ethnic origin in administration of their educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other schooladministered programs. n

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Right to life

Diocese again on board for 40 Days for Life A record number of cities will take part in this fall’s campaign. By Dan McWilliams

MARY C. WEAVER

Bishop continued from page 5

‘Peaceful and quiet witness’ Paul Simoneau speaks during the 2010 fall 40 Days for Life campaign kickoff event in Knoxville. At left is Lisa Morris, who with Mr. Simoneau co-directs the campaign for the diocese.

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he fifth annual 40 Days for Life prayer campaign will take place this fall, and—as it did in the previous four—the Diocese of Knoxville will once again have a leading role.

A record total of nearly 300 cities, including Knoxville and the Tri-Cities, will hold prayer vigils outside abortion clinics and other events in support of the right to life. The cities represent 48 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and several Canadian provinces and foreign countries, with some 46 first-time cities participating. The 40-day campaign will run from Wednesday, Sept. 28, to Sunday, Nov. 6.

More than 400,000 people nationwide have taken part in 40 Days for Life prayer and fasting, according to

the national 40 Days website. A total of 13,000 church congregations have participated, and 4,313 lives have been reported as spared from abortion, the website stated. Fifty-three abortion workers have quit their jobs and 14 abortion facilities have completely shut down after local 40 Days campaigns, according to the website.

In Knoxville, the vigils are set for 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. throughout the 40day period at a location that will soon be determined. A kickoff event is planned for 8 a.m. Sept. 28.

Paul Simoneau, director of the diocesan Office of Justice and Peace, is co-director of the diocese’s 40 Days campaign with Lisa Morris of Sacred Heart Cathedral. He has advice for someone who may be thinking of participating in an abortion-clinic

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

vigil for the first time.

“The first thing I would say is don’t be afraid,” he said. “Many people are intimidated that this is about pushing limits and maybe think back to the 1980s when Operation Rescue was gearing up, but this is completely law-abiding and non-confrontational. This isn’t about yelling or being provocative in our manners, nor about pushing limits.

This is about being prayerful and peaceful and being a quiet witness to the gospel of life.”

The diocese, which also participates in a spring 40 Days campaign on the Fridays of Lent, was part of a much smaller 40 Days roster of cities when the fall campaign began nationwide in 2007.

“There were approximately 80 cities in the United States in I think 37 states” in 2007, said Mr. Simoneau.

Parishes can sign up for an entire day’s vigil in Knoxville. As of press time, St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Lenoir City had reserved Sept. 29 and Nov. 4. Mr. Simoneau encouraged individual volunteers to sign up for a vigil slot, including toughto-fill times such as the early-morning hours or midday, even if it’s just for an hour or two.

“It’s the presence, it’s the witness, it’s our prayers that are so helpful, and the sacrifice of being out there when it’s hot and rainy and when it starts getting colder toward the end of October and the beginning of November.”

Those not taking part in a vigil may become involved either by fasting or by praying for those at the vigils, according to the 40 Days website.

“We realize that not everybody is able to participate in standing vigil outside the clinic, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have a part in this,” said Mr. Simoneau. “Certainly the dioknox.org

acts of mortification, the prayers and sacrifices for the unborn and for those scared young women, unwed or married, who are fearful— these prayers and sacrifices are not wasted. In fact they’re tremendously beneficial and certainly to be lauded and commended.

“As Bishop Richard F. Stika reminds us, we have that biblical mandate to look after the widow, the orphan, and the foreigner, and who are the new widows and orphans of our time but those unwed mothers or single women whose boyfriends have abandoned their responsibilities both to the child they helped to conceive and to the woman who’s bearing that child? They are our new widows and our new orphans.”

Conspicuously absent from diocesan 40 Days observations is Chattanooga, which has no abortion clinics at which to hold vigils. The site of the last Chattanooga abortion clinic to close is now home to the National Memorial for the Unborn.

“Chattanooga is the largest city in the nation that is without a Planned Parenthood clinic or abortion clinic,” said Mr. Simoneau. “That’s a legacy that they’ve been a guardian of for nearly 20 years, since they closed

down the last clinic there, and that certainly represents for us a city of hope. Of course, their victory is one that continues to fuel our hope here in Knoxville and the Tri-Cities area.”

Catholics and Protestants alike have been praying for the closure of the Bristol (Tenn.) Regional Women’s Center at 2901 W. State St.

Mr. Simoneau encourages Catholics “from all our churches throughout the diocese” to assist with the Bristol vigils “if not with your presence, then with your prayers, your mortifications, and your sacrifices on behalf of the unborn and those women—whether they be married or unwed—who are dealing with the fear of untimely or unwanted pregnancy and are tempted to give into that fear.”

To sign up for a vigil or learn more, visit www.40daysknoxville. com. To volunteer to assist with the Knoxville vigils, contact Mr. Simoneau at 865-584-3307 or

psimoneau@dioknox.org or Mrs. Morris at 567-1245. The coordinator for the Bristol vigils is Linda Edwards, who may be contacted at 423477-0774 or edwards724@earthlink. net. Vigil spots may also be reserved at www.40daysforlife.com/tri-cities.

“I need volunteers. I need people who will help with the set-up and the tear-down of the vigil site every day,” said Mr. Simoneau. “People who can be there before 7 o’clock in the morning to help set up every day, and the same in the evening.

We need a new cadre of people who want to become involved and want to take a more pronounced role in assisting us in this campaign.”

All of the volunteers can help the vigil participants reach their goal, said Mr. Simoneau.

“Who’s to say whether in the future a chapel of the Holy Innocents will be built in Knoxville on one of the three sites where abortions are conducted, or that we will have another national memorial for the unborn like they have in Chattanooga, where women can seek healing and closure from the abortions they’ve had? It can be truly a place of healing rather than a place for the taking of life.” n

Monsignors continued from page 1

gnors for a long time and have done a particular service to the Church.”

Monsignor Garrity is a native of Wichita, Kan., who celebrated his 35th anniversary as a priest this spring. He has served both diocesan high schools, leading Knoxville Catholic High School as principal from 1985 to 1997. He then went on to serve more than 12 years as pastor of St. Patrick in Morristown before coming to St. John Neumann in 2010, the same year he was named vicar for priests.

Monsignor Schmidt was born in Palmer, Tenn., and ordained a priest in 1970 at Sts. Peter and Paul. Earlier this year he was honored upon his 25th anniversary as pastor of the downtown Chattanooga parish,

which was elevated to a basilica this spring. He also serves as chaplain of the Serra Club of Chattanooga.

Monsignor Hofstetter is a Nashville native ordained a priest in 1954. He first served in East Tennessee in 1974, when he became pastor of St. Mary in Oak Ridge. He was pastor of Sacred Heart Cathedral from 1981 to 1987. In 1990 he became pastor of St. Jude in Chattanooga, where he celebrated his golden jubilee of priestly ordination in 2004. He was St. Jude’s longestserving pastor when he left for Good Shepherd in 2005.

Bishop Stika called the monsignor honors “just one simple way in which I can say thank you to these three men of faith.” n

and Philip Thoni received the honor in 2006 and Monsignor Al Hum­ brecht in 2009.

Monsignor Garrity was named a Chaplain to His Holiness, and Monsignors Schmidt and Hofstetter were named Prelates of Honor to His Holiness. Those are two of the three grades of monsignor.

“A Chaplain to His Holiness can wear a black cassock with red buttons,” said Bishop Stika. “Prelate of Honor is the medium level, and they are allowed to wear the black cassock with the red buttons, but also the red cassock. Then finally there’s one that’s rarely given, and that’s the Protonotary Apostolics, who are monsignors who have been monsiThe East Tennessee Catholic

‘This is about being prayerful and peaceful and being a quiet witness to the gospel of life.’

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

Diocese offers ongoing Virtus child-protection training sessions The Diocese of Knoxville’s program for the protection of children and youth—a threehour seminar called “Protecting God’s Children”—is offered regularly throughout the diocese.

The seminars are required for parish and school employees and regular volunteers in contact with children or vulnerable adults and are recommended for parents and grandparents.

The following training sessions have been scheduled: n St. Mary Church, Oak Ridge,

7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9 (session will be held in Columbus Hall) n Holy Cross Church, Pigeon Forge, Saturday, Sept. 10 (call the parish for the time); 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 5 n St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Lenoir City, 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept.

13 (session will be held in the Deacon José Rivera Room) n Notre Dame Church, Greeneville, 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13 n Sacred Heart Cathedral, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 13; 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18 (sessions will be held in the Shea Room) n St. Mary Church, Johnson City, 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14; 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17 (sessions will be held in the gathering area). n Our Lady of Fatima Church, Alcoa, 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17 (session will be held in room 206) n St. Jude Church, Chattanooga, 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22; 6 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 17 n St. Alphonsus Church, Crossville, 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16 n St. Dominic Church, Kingsport, 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 10

Participants are asked to donate $1 for session materials. To register, visit virtusonline.org. n September 4, 2011 7

Religious life

Dominican’s dream comes true with final profession She was overcome with emotion ‘thinking of the great mercy and love God has shown me.’ By Andy Telli

8 September 4, 2011

RICK MUSACCHIO/TENNESSEE REGISTER

W

hen Sister Emma Calvo, OP, read her final profession of vows before her family, her Dominican sisters, and a full Cathedral of the Incarnation, her voice choked with emotion and she paused for a moment before continuing.

“I was thinking of the great mercy and love God has shown me,” said Sister Emma, who was one of seven Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation in Nashville making her final profession of vows on July 25. “I’ve been waiting for this for 17 years, since I was 8 years old.”

Sister Felicity Hendershott of Farragut was among the sisters making their first profession of vows on July 28.

Sister Emma, who grew up in Hendersonville and graduated from St. Joseph School in Madison and St. Cecilia Academy, was the only one of the seven sisters from the Diocese of Nashville. Joining her on the altar to make their final profession were Sister Marie Bernadette Thompson, OP, Sister Marie Therese Pitlyk, OP, Sister Marie Isaac Staub, OP, Sister Elizabeth Marie Kalscheur, OP, Sister Maria Caeli Parmeter, OP, and Sister Maris Stella Vaughan, OP Sister Emma told her parents, Mandy and Bill Calvo, that she wanted to be a religious sister when she was in the second grade at St. Joseph.

Her teacher was Sister Bernadette Mathiesen, OP, and Sister Emma was inspired by her teacher’s witness and joy, she said.

Sister Bernadette let her students dress in a habit and a priest’s collar one day. Sister Emma’s family still have the picture of their young daughter in a sister’s habit.

Watching her daughter, the oldest of five children in the Calvo family,

Witnessing the final vows Bishop John LeVoir of New Ulm, Minn. (foreground), watches as Mother Ann Marie Karlovic, OP, receives the vows of one of seven Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation who made her final profession of vows July 25 at the Cathedral of the Incarnation. Later that week, Sister Felicity Hendershott of Farragut was among the sisters making their first profession of vows.

make her final profession, Mrs. Calvo said, she was thinking about “all she went through to get to this point and see her fulfill her dreams.”

As parents, Mr. Calvo said, they’ve tried to support not only Sister Emma in her interest in a religious life but all their children’s interests. “You’ve got to be supportive of their dreams.”

It was her parents’ example that helped lead Sister Emma to her vocation, she said. “All religious vocations stem from the witness of the parents,” she said. Her parents’ fidelity to married life “taught me how to be faithful to Christ.”

After learning from the Dominican Sisters at St. Joseph, she moved on to St. Cecilia Academy, which is owned by the sisters. It was there that her childhood interest in becoming a sister became more serious.

While still in high school, she attended a retreat at the Dominican

Motherhouse. Five of the sisters who made their final profession on July 25 attended that same retreat, she said.

After graduating from St. Cecilia Academy, Sister Emma joined the congregation. She earned her teaching degree from Aquinas College in Nashville, also owned by the Dominicans.

Last year she taught second grade at St. Mary School in Jackson, Tenn., and will return to St. Mary this fall.

Several of her students from last year and their families were able to attend her final profession, Sister Emma said.

Your call is a grace In his homily at the Mass, Father Carol Azpiroz-Costa, OP, the former master of the Dominican Order told the sisters, “Your call is a grace.”

Their choice of religious life is “not a career,” he added. “It’s a

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

profession of faith, a profession of religious life. You are the fruit of the contemplative life of Jesus Christ.”

The final profession of vows was the start of a busy week for the Dominicans. Fifteen sisters made their first profession of vows on Thursday, July 28. They were Sister Mary Helen Hill, Sister Paula Marie Koffi, Sister Joan of Arc Wicks, Sister Cecilia Rose Pham, Sister Mara Rose McDonnell, Sister Marie Dominique Mullen, Sister Anna Joseph Van Acker, Sister Victoria Marie Liederbach, Sister Angela Marie Russell, Sister John Vianney Streacker, Sister Agnes Schreck, Sister Bernadette Marie Donze, Sister Imelda Grace Lee, Sister Felicity Hendershott, and Sister Immaculata Marie Policare.

Twenty-four sisters received the habit: Sister Anastasia Reeves, Sister Elizabeth Grace Power, Sister Regina Mary Rzeppa, Sister Rose Miriam Collins, Sister Mary Frances Basanese, Sister Josemaría Pence, Sister Hannah Barnes, Sister Mary Agatha Hester, Sister Malia Grace Reed, Sister Ann Dominic Mahowald, Sister Maria Thuan Nguyen, Sister Susanna Edmunds, Sister Mary Eileen Manion, Sister Rose Catherine Grass, Sister Chiara Malone, Sister Anne Timmons, Sister Jacinta Man, Sister Anna Karol Braun, Sister Christopher Marie Felix, Sister Mary Leo Nordmark, Sister Giorgianna Montoya, Sister Anne Thérèse Wilder, Sister Helena Pasztetnik, and Sister Anna Sophia Nguyen.

Sixteen women, ages 19 to 30, will enter the congregation as postulants on Aug. 15, including four women from Australia and one from Ireland. n Mr. Telli writes for the Tennessee Register, published by the Diocese of Nashville. dioknox.org

Diocesan calendar

by Dan Pacitti Knights of Columbus Council 645 in Knoxville will sponsor its eighth annual Blue Mass on Sunday, Sept. 11. The Mass will begin at 10 a.m. at Holy Ghost Church, with Bishop Richard F. Stika celebrating. Knox County Sheriff Jimmy Jones will also be in attendance. Contact Greg McGinnis at 865-705-9635 for more information.

Knights of Columbus Council 5207 in Knoxville will celebrate its 50th anniversary Saturday, Oct. 1. The celebration will be held at Rothchild’s Catering & Conference Center in Knoxville.

Contact Jim Bruun at 865-705-7526 for tickets.

The Knoxville chapter of Tennessee Right to Life is offering opportunities to volunteer and support the rightto-life cause. TRL will host a booth at the Tennessee Valley Fair from Friday, Sept. 9, through Sunday, Sept. 18. Volunteers are needed to man the booth.

TRL will also host a Bowl for Life event from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, at the Strike and Spare bowling lanes on Western Avenue. Contact the chapter’s office at 865-689-1339 or trlknox@ knology.net for more information.

Father Randy Stice; Sister Mary Timothea Elliott, RSM; and Faerie Pabich will present a workshop on the third edition of the Roman Missal from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, in the parish life center at St. Dominic Church in Kingsport. Father Stice, director of the diocesan Worship and Liturgy Office, will present “Introducing the Third Edition of the Roman Missal.”

Sister Timothea, director of the Christian Formation Office, will speak on the topic “The Bible in the Mass.” Mrs. Pabich, director of music and liturgy at Sacred Heart, will present “New Music for the New Missal.” The workshop is free, but a turkey, ham, or vegetarian lunch is available for $6. To register, contact St. Dominic Church at 423-288-8101 or stdomchurch@aol.com. For more The East Tennessee Catholic

information, contact Father Stice at 865584-3307 or frrandy@dioknox.org.

A pilgrimage to the Holy Land, “Journey with the Lord During Lent,” is set for Feb. 27 through March 11, 2012.

Pilgrims will visit holy sites in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Galilee, and elsewhere. Monsignor Al Humbrecht will be the spiritual leader of the pilgrimage, and Mercy Sister Albertine Paulus is coordinator for the trip. The group will depart from Atlanta. Cost is $3,199 (cash discount price) or $3,398, plus airport taxes, fuel surcharges, and tips.

To request information, contact Sister Albertine at 865-545-8270, 207-4742, or smaevang@yahoo.com.

Father David Carter will present an overview of the annulment process in a seminar set for 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept.

25 in the gym at St. John Neumann School in Farragut. Simultaneous Spanish translation will be available. Contact Marian Christiana, coordinator of the Office of Marriage Preparation and Enrichment, at 423-892-2310 or mchristiana@ dioknox.org for more information.

The Sacred Heart Cathedral School Fall Golf Classic is set for Thursday, Sept. 22, at Egwani Farms Golf Course in Rockford. Breakfast will be served at 9 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at 10. Sponsorships are available. For more information, contact Jodi Punch at 865765-5377 or jpunch@shcknox.org.

Young women between the ages of 18 and 35 who are interested in exploring a possible vocation to religious life are invited to join the Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich., for a weekend retreat at the sisters’ Home of Mercy in Knoxville.

Retreats begin on Friday afternoon and conclude on Sunday after lunch. During the weekend retreatants will be able to enter into the rhythm of life of the Community of Mercy. Two weekends remain: Sept. 16 through 18 (register by Sept.

9) and Oct. 14 through 16 (register by Oct. 7). To register or learn more, e-mail saintjustin@rsmofalma.org or call Sister Mary Christine, RSM, at 865-690-9266.

Lila Rose, president of Live Action, will be the guest speaker at this year’s Celebrate Life Banquet, sponsored by the Knox County chapter of Tennessee Right to Life. The banquet will be held Tuesday, Oct. 18 (note new date), at the Knoxville Convention Center. Cost is $50. For more information, contact the TRL chapter at 865-689-1339 or trlknox@knology.net.

St. Matthew Church in Charlotte, N.C., will hold a two-part Cenacle of the Divine Mercy Day of Healing titled “Healing Bread” from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 8. Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. by Monsignor John McSweeney, followed by anointing of the sick, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, and singing of the chaplet of Divine Mercy.

The second part is a symposium featuring Vinny Flynn, author and president of Mercy Song; authors Fred Berretta and Jon Gauthier; Ralph Sullivan, leader of the Cenacles of the Divine Mercy at St. Matthew; and Bruce Brodowski, author and president of Carolinas Ecumenical Healing Ministries. To register, visit www. stmatthewcatholic.org.

The Benedictine Sisters Retreat Center in Cullman, Ala., is holding a free “Come & See” retreat for women ages 18 to 35 who may be discerning a call to a religious vocation. The retreat is set for 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. CDT on Saturday, Oct. 15. To register, contact Sister Magdalena Craig at 256-734-2199 or vocations@shmon.org. For more information on the center’s retreats, call 256734-8302, e-mail retreats@shmon.org, or visit www.shmon.org.

The next Marriage Encounter weekend in the diocese is scheduled for Nov. 18 through 20 at the Americourt Hotel & Conference Center in Kingsport. For more information, contact John or Anne Wharton at 423-581-1815 or acw193@ bellsouth.net or visit www.loveinthe smokies.org or wwme.org.

The next Engaged Encounter weekend in the diocese will be held Oct. 14 through 16 at the Magnuson Hotel in

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

Sweetwater. To register, call Jason or Carmen Jeansonne at 865-377-3077.

For more information on Engaged Encounter, e-mail Paul or Pam Schaffer at ceeknoxville@gmail.com or visit www. rc.net/knoxville/cee/.

The next charismatic Mass in the diocese will be celebrated at 5 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 23, at Holy Spirit Church in Soddy-Daisy. Father Dan Whitman of Holy Trinity Parish in Jefferson City will be the celebrant. Singers and instrumentalists who would like to participate should arrive at 4. Prayers for healing will follow the Mass. Call Dee Leigh at 423-842-2305 for more information.

The Community of Sant’Egidio is a Catholic lay ecclesial movement that focuses on prayer and service to the poor.

Two Sant’Egidio groups regularly meet in the Diocese of Knoxville, in Knoxville and Johnson City. For more information on the Knoxville group, call Ellen Macek at 865675-5541. Call Father Michael Cummins at 423-926-7061 for details on the Johnson City group. Everyone is welcome.

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

Holy Resurrection Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic Mission has Divine Liturgy celebrations at 9:30 a.m. Sundays at the old Holy Ghost Church, 1031 N. Central St. in Knoxville. For times of holy-day services or for more information, visit www.knoxbyz.org or call Father Thomas O’Connell at 865-256-4880.

The St. Thomas the Apostle Ukrainian Catholic Mission celebrates Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. Sundays in the chapel at the Chancery office in Knoxville. Call Father Richard Armstrong at 865-5843307 for more information. n September 4, 2011 9

Chattanooga Deanery calendar

Parish notes: Chattanooga Deanery

Knights of Columbus Council 610 in Chattanooga will hold its 69th annual Labor Day Picnic and Family Outing from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 5 at the Camp Columbus Bork Pavilion. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children.

The menu offers a choice of barbecue beef, pork, chicken, or ribs. Food will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A white-elephant yard sale will start at 9 a.m., and charity bingo will follow at 3 p.m. All proceeds will support the council’s charitable activities throughout the year. For more information, call Chris Snellgrove at 423-892-5695. To donate baked goods for the cake booth, call Gloria Deml at 877-9303.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Chattanooga Our Lady of Perpetual Help School second-grader Ian Agbannaoag won a national dance competition this summer with a jazz and tap routine.

St. Augustine, Signal Mountain The parish celebrated the feast of its patron, St. Augustine of Hippo, on Aug. 28 with vespers and benediction, followed by a potluck.

St. Catherine Labouré, Copperhill The parish held a fundraiser for a new church organ after Masses on July 30 and 31.

The Divine Mercy Yard and Bake Sale is set for Friday and Saturday, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. To donate an item or learn more, call sale chairwoman Marie Traylor at 706-492-9683.

The next “Picture of Love” engagedcouples retreat will be held Friday and Saturday, Sept. 23 and 24, at Holy Spirit Church in Soddy-Daisy. This marriagepreparation retreat supplements couples’

St. Jude, Chattanooga The parish hosted the Glenn Miller Orchestra for a dance on the night of Aug. 25 in the family-life center. Proceeds benefited the medical missions of the local Isaiah 58 chapter of the World of Hope Foundation.

marriage formation with their parish priest and is designed to help couples gain a better understanding of the joys and challenges of living the sacrament of matrimony.

Couples will meet from 7 to 10 p.m. Sept.

23 and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 24. Cost is $135 per couple and includes meals on Saturday. The retreat certificate, for those attending the entire event, is good for a $60 discount on a marriage license.

To register or learn more, contact Marian Christiana of the diocesan Office of Marriage Preparation and Enrichment at 423892-2310 or mchristiana@dioknox.org.

The Serra Club of Greater Chattanooga meets on second and fourth Mondays in the Crystal Room at the Chattanooga Choo Choo. Meetings begin with Mass at 11:40 a.m. celebrated by club chaplain Monsignor George Schmidt, with lunch and a speaker following. Visit www.serrachatta.org for further details. n

The annual parish picnic will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24. A new feature of this year’s picnic is a nine-hole mini-golf course in the family-life center designed by St. Jude School teachers. Call Kyra Ross at 423-870-2386 to volunteer to assist with the picnic.

The school is having an Innisbrook Wraps fall fundraiser that will allow it to purchase classroom supplies and teacher’s wish-list items not covered in the budget. For a catalog, contact Mary Arnold at 843-0507 or mla3197@comcast.net or Andy Jungels at 475-7616 or andyjungels@yahoo.com

Sts. Peter and Paul, Chattanooga

10 September 4, 2011

COURTESY OF PAULA REILAND

The parish thanked Chris Wesson, Alex Coze, and Ann May for designing and starting a parish website. The site will be launched soon. n

St. Stephen youth confirmed Bishop Richard F. Stika visited St. Stephen Parish in Chattanooga on May 22 to confirm 11 youths. With the bishop and St. Stephen pastor Father Gilbert Diaz are (from left, front) Alyssa Shriver, Stephanie Bouchard, Andrew Lewis, Catherine Delaney, Jesica Acosta, and Katherine Yolitz and (second row) Dominique Lee, Amanda Robles, Carly Baker, Mary Olivia Lynskey, and Aimee Walsh.

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

dioknox.org

Cumberland Mountain Deanery calendar Mike Brock, an author and former educator, will be the featured speaker at the annual retreat sponsored by the women’s guild at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Lenoir City. The retreat will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at the St. Thomas family-life cen-

Parish notes: Cumberland Mountain Deanery

ter. The title of Mr. Brock’s presentation is “Who Am I Called to Be?” Tickets are $25 and include the program, a continental breakfast, and lunch. Non-parishioners as well as parishioners, both men and women, are invited to attend. Call Bette Purvis at 865-458-8070 for ticket information.

All Saints, Knoxville The Knights of Columbus recently welcomed new member Josh Inwood.

The superior general of the Apostles of Jesus celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving with Father Michael Woods and Father Augustine Idra, AJ, on Aug. 20.

Blessed Sacrament, Harriman The parish held a special collection for the Church in Africa on July 30 and 31.

The Council of Catholic Women will host a bazaar on Saturday, Oct. 22. Books, decorating items, small appliances, and framed pictures are among the items needed. Call the parish at 865-882-9838 for more information.

St. Francis of Assisi, Fairfield Glade A special blessing will take place for all active and retired police officers, medics, and firefighters at the 10 a.m. Mass on Sunday, Sept. 11.

The Council of Catholic Women will have its first meeting of the new season after the 8 a.m. Mass on Wednesday, Sept. 14. Monsignor Al Humbrecht will speak on Scripture. Breakfast will be provided.

The parish golf outing and dinner will be held Sunday, Sept. 18. An 18-hole shotgun scramble will take place on the Brae course at Heatherhurst Golf Course in Crossville at 1 p.m. Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. The event is open to all parishioners.

EDWARD E. GARDNER

A special blessing will be offered for teachers of religious education at the 10 a.m.

Mass on Sunday, Sept. 25.

Oak Ridge parish welcomes new priests St. Mary Parish in Oak Ridge held a “Meet & Greet” event July 10 for its new priests, Father Bede Aboh (above) and Father Christopher Riehl, who started their assignments in Oak Ridge on July 1. After each Mass, Father Aboh and Father Riehl met with parishioners in the courtyard for introductions. Father Aboh was previously the pastor at Our Lady of Fatima in Alcoa, and Father Riehl’s last assignment was as an associate pastor at Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Partlows celebrate 50th wedding anniversary

J

oseph and Mary Partlow of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fairfield Glade celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary June 19.

The Partlows were married at St. Mary Church in Oxford, Ohio, with Father Paul R. Kappas officiating.

Their four children are Laura Jones of Crossville, James Partlow The East Tennessee Catholic

of Nashville, and Diane Burrows and Brenda Newman, both of Eaton, Ohio. They have 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

The couple retired from Miami University Co. in Oxford and moved to Crossville in 2002. The Partlows planned an anniversary celebration with family and friends. n

Anniversaries: Guy and Victoria Bretl (63), Les and Marjorie Cavell (63), Charles and Mary Russella (63), Darwin and Margaret Reiley (62), Ralph and Patty Hargraves (60), Lloyd and Ann Tripp (59), Bill and Alice Lawless (55), Bob and Dorothy Connor (54), Eugene an Elaine Riggleman (54), Nick and Pat Santore (54), Ken and Carol Kaczkowski (53), Robert and Evelyn Tomaszewski (53), Roy and Jackie Richardson (52), Tom and Pauline Higgins (52), Rudy and Denise Difazio (51), Mark and Karin Salsbury (50)

St. John Neumann, Farragut Father Ralph Da Costa spoke at St. John Neumann School on June 27 concerning his studies, teaching background, and experiences as dean of studies, superior of a Jesuit community, rector of two colleges, a retreat director, and (his current assignment) as under secretary.

St. Mary, Oak Ridge The youth ministry held a potluck dinner night for all senior citizens and high school youth Aug. 29. The senior citizens brought the main courses, and the youth brought desserts.

Music director Francine Britto and choir leaders Kathy Mesmer and Mary Tuskan were among the thousands attending the recent National Association of Pastoral Musicians Convention in Louisville, Ky. Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz celebrated Mass for the religious, clergy, and musicians attending. n

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

September 4, 2011 11

St. Henry Parish honors service of DeWittes

t. Henry Parish in Rogersville held a covered-dish brunch June 12 to honor Mory and Rita DeWitte, who have retired after 25 years of bookkeeping and financial service to the parish.

The DeWittes have been active as extraordinary ministers, parishcouncil members, and coordinators of many church events. Mr. DeWitte is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, holding several offices, and his wife is a song leader and cantor.

The DeWittes also recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. They were married June 30, 1956, at St. Matthew Church in South Bend, Ind., and moved to Rogersville in 1970. They have two

Good Shepherd, Newport The parish auctioned off the estate of Dennis Bible on Aug. 27. Mr. Bible served as the parish coordinator for 25 years before his death last year. He bequeathed his house and its contents to Good Shepherd.

Holy Trinity, Jefferson City Father Jay Flaherty celebrated Masses for the parish Aug. 13 and 14.

The parish donated a total of $2,253 for July to its sister parish in Bainet, Haiti.

The parish thanked Tom Williams, Karen Pattarozzi, Bette Zyla, Pat Duda, Elaine Morris, Kathleen Caplan, Barbara Tracy, Trish and Hal Morrill, and Paulette Beckner for assisting with the parish picnic.

Anniversaries: Leo and Rita Savard (60), Gerald and Marie Jennings (56), Ed and Peggy Kertis (52) Marriage: Robert Lord Jr. and Tanya Gant Baptism: Cora Quinn Eash, daughter of Dustin and Mary Eash

COURTESY OF CAROL DEGROFF

S

Parish notes: Five Rivers Deanery

Rita and Mory DeWitte sons, Mark of Rogersville and Larry of Bradenton, Fla. n

Notre Dame, Greeneville The parish will host a free orientation session for all Five Rivers Deanery catechists Wednesday, Sept. 7. Sister Mary Michael, OP, of the St. Cecilia Dominican Sisters in Nashville will lead the session. A light meal will be served at 6 p.m., followed by the session at 6:30.

St. Dominic, Kingsport

The parish held a rummage sale Aug. 20.

Women of the parish joined the Council of Catholic Women of St. Anne Parish in Bristol, Va., at a wine-and-cheese reception on Aug. 14 to celebrate the third year of the council.

St. Henry, Rogersville The women of St. Henry held their monthly luncheon July 20 at the Hale Springs Inn. Anniversaries: Andrew and Margaret Palko (35), Bob and Maureen McDaniel (30) Newcomers: William and Dolores Blocher, George and Cindi Furse, Luke Logan, Gary and Paula Mitchell, Albert and Margaret Widhalm.

St. Patrick, Morristown The Knights of Columbus held their annual Wives’ Appreciation Dinner on Aug. 21 at Angelo’s Tavern on the Green. n

12 September 4, 2011

COURTESY OF SUSAN COLLINS

The St. Dominic family barbeque was held July 30. Briskets and whole pork loins were sold before the event. All proceeds supported Knights of Columbus charities.

Notre Dame youth receive first Communion, confirmation Notre Dame Parish in Greeneville celebrated two sacraments this spring. The sacrament of first Holy Communion was celebrated April 30. Twenty-three children (above) received the sacrament. Notre Dame pastor Father Jim Harvey was the celebrant. Catechists for the class were Sandy Alter, Alicin Sahr and Irma Vazquez. Susan Collins is the parish’s director of religious education. A reception coordinated by the Council of Catholic Women was held after Mass in the parish hall. The sacrament of confirmation was held during the 11 a.m. Mass on Sunday, May 29. Eight students received the sacrament. Bishop Richard F. Stika was the celebrant for Mass, with Father Harvey concelebrating and Deacon John Riehl assisting. Catechists for the youth were Mrs. Collins, Dianna Thompson, Chuck Alter, and Karen DiBella. A luncheon was held after Mass prepared by the CCW.

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

dioknox.org

Smoky Mountain Deanery calendar Paulist mission preacher Father John Collins will be conducting a parish mission at Immaculate Conception Church in Knoxville at 7:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, Oct. 17 through 19. The mission theme is “Give God a Second Thought.” Nightly topics are “What Good Is God?,” “Why Prayers Don’t Work,” and “Ten Kinds of People We Don’t Have to Love.” For more information, call IC at 865-522-1508 or visit www.icknoxville.org.

Knights of Columbus Council 3832 at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Alcoa will hold its 13th annual Community Golf Outing on Friday, Sept. 9, at Lambert Acres Golf Club in Maryville. A shotgun start is set

Parish notes: Smoky Mountain Deanery

for 1 p.m.; the format is four-person swat.

Cost is $75. Sponsorship opportunities and mulligan packages are available. For more information, call Doug Hill at 865856-8907 or 256-0172, Jim Reggio at 983-9276, or Pat Flanagan at 388-3409.

Holy Ghost, Knoxville Anointing of the sick and elderly was celebrated Aug. 7, followed by benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and a reception in Father Henkel Hall.

A Seekers of Silence Contemplative Saturday Morning will be held Sept.

17 at Blessed John XXIII Catholic Center in Knoxville. Dr. Joan Harrigan will give a talk titled “The Holy Spirit, Shakti, and the Spiritual Experience.” Coffee and tea will be served at 8:30 a.m.; the workshop will run from 9 a.m. to noon. Bring a bag lunch. To RSVP or learn more, call 865523-7931. n

Immaculate Conception, Knoxville Immaculate Conception will celebrate the 125th anniversary of the dedication of the church at 10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 23 with a pontifical Mass of thanksgiving.

The parish congratulated parishioner Eamon Hosey, who graduated cum laude from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga on Aug. 13.

The Friday Evening Book Club met for a movie, The Milagro Beanfield War, on Aug. 12.

Our Lady of Fatima, Alcoa The 55-Plus group celebrated the season Aug. 19 with an “In the Good Ol’ Summertime” potluck and bingo.

Dottie Berry received the Madeline Woodman Award from the Council of Catholic Women.

Sacred Heart, Knoxville The parish picnic is set for 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11. The afternoon will include an inflatable obstacle course, a giant slide, a dunking tank, a three-horse carousel, volleyball, a ring toss, a cake walk, a bake sale, and more. Bring a favorite ethnic dish. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided. For more information, contact Polly Burch at 865-804-1544 or pebbur28@gmail.com.

GiveHaitiHope.org offered spectator tickets to the Knoxville News Sentinel Open, held Aug. 25 through 28 at Fox Den Country Club. The full amount of tickets purchased online went toward Sacred Heart’s Haiti Outreach Program, benefiting the cathedral’s twin parish in Boucan-Carré, Haiti.

COURTESY OF DEB PEACHEY

St. Albert the Great, Knoxville The parish-life committee hosted a Silver Generation Hawaiian Luau on Aug. 14 for all parishioners age 60 and older.

St. Albert the Great’s annual Ministries Sunday will take place Sept. 11.

An addition to the rectory was scheduled for completion by Sept. 1. n

Gatlinburg CCW helping build wells in India diocese The Council of Catholic Women at St. Mary Parish in Gatlinburg held a “linger longer” event after the 11 a.m. Mass on July 10. Parishioners were invited to the parish hall for a cookie or two, coffee, and/or punch. Donations were taken that will be used toward building a second well in the Diocese of Chingleput, India.

From left are Mary Williams, St. Mary pastor Father Joe Brando, and event chair Kathleen Moon. The council has raised more than $3,500 toward a goal of $5,000.

The CCW is partnering with Love and Care Mission Inc. of Little Neck, N.Y., to build the wells.

The East Tennessee Catholic

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

September 4, 2011 13

Catholic youth

St. Alphonsus CCW announces 2011 scholarships

Diocesan Youth Mass scheduled Sept. 10 The 23rd annual event includes an “evening extravaganza” of games, dancing, and more.

The scholarship committee of the Council of Catholic Women at St. Alphonsus Parish in Crossville recently announced two recent graduates of Cumberland County high schools as its 2011 recipients.

Judith Charlotte Tuohy, daughter of Dora Post and a graduate of Cumberland County High School, and Hannah Apple, daughter of Stella and Max Apple and a graduate of Stone Memorial High School, are this year’s honorees. Miss Tuohy will attend Roane State College and major in nursing/oncology, and Miss Apple will attend Tennessee Technological University and major in the biology/pre-veterinarian programs.

Each of the young women will receive $500 per year, renewable for four years for a scholarship award of $2,000.

Mitzi Wolak is the scholarshipcommittee chair, and Donna K. Gocella is the CCW president. n

14 September 4, 2011

youth ministry with unwavering commitment and dedication.” The Companions on the Journey Award is presented to one adult from each deanery who has been “extraordinary in his or her service to youth through youth ministry.”

To attend, youth should contact their parish youth coordinators for forms. For more information, contact Deacon Dan Hosford at 865603-9682 or djh2@comcast.net. n

COURTESY OF KATHY SUMRELL

Three alumni of St. Joseph school in Knoxville, Michael Ballew Jr., Karen Wolf, and Will Brewer II, graduated summa cum laude from the University of Tennessee on May 13.

Laura Cook and Maggie Sullivan also graduated from UT on the same date. All five students are parishioners of Holy Ghost in Knoxville. n

ing youth and adults involved in parish ministry. The Youth Ministry Recognition Awards will be presented at the Mass, and the 2011-12 Diocesan Youth Ministry Advisory Council will be commissioned.

Two additional awards will be conferred. The Timothy Award, which is the highest recognition for one high school youth in each deanery, acknowledges those who “selflessly serve their peers through

COURTESY OF MONA BOMBASSI

St. Joseph alums top UT graduates

T

he 23rd annual diocesan Youth Mass and “Evening Extravaganza” is set for Saturday, Sept. 10, at Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Bishop Richard F. Stika will preside. Registration will open at 4 p.m., and the Mass will begin at 5, followed by the “extravaganza” of dance, music, food, inflatable games, and entertainment.

This year’s Youth Mass will again include the recognition of outstand-

Eagle Scout’s project benefits alma mater Former St. Jude School student Nic Bombassi’s Eagle Scout project was to “give back” to the school that prepared him for high school at Notre Dame in Chattanooga. Nic, his family, and dozens of volunteers spent last summer painting the family-life center at St. Jude Church. In addition, Nic constructed standing gardens for the residents of an assisted-living facility. Nic and his volunteers spent more than 200 hours working on his Eagle Scout projects. During a Court of Honor on May 22, Nic received his Eagle award. At the ceremony, he was presented with a certificate of congratulations from Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger for his service to the community. Nic is the son of Tony and Mona Bombassi of Hixson and is a senior at Notre Dame High School. He is a member of Troop 172, which meets at St. Jude Church. His troop leader is Greg Kniedler.

OLPH students volunteer for craniofacial camp Seventh-grade students from Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Chattanooga recently volunteered a weekend for the Craniofacial Foundation’s “Dreams Can Come True” Camp, which started 11 years ago as a Gold Award project of Heather Henderson, a graduate of OLPH and Notre Dame High School. From left are (front) Mary Margaret Haywood, Hannah Davis, Jennifer Johnson, and Andie Dorris and (back) Aileen Lanzar, Sarah Thomas, Chris Boettner, and Nuri Omolara. All of the children who attend the camp have had some type of facial reconstructive surgery. The camp gives parents the opportunity to share and learn from each other while their children play without any stares or restrictions. The students pictured above helped unload and unpack cars, helped families around camp, served meals, cleaned up, and assisted with camp activities.

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

dioknox.org

OLPH School launches new pre-K program for 2011-12

Catholic youth

Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Chattanooga recently announced that it is opening a pre-kindergarten (4-year-olds) program for the 2011-12 school year.

Jessica Heffern will be teaching the pre-K class, and Charity Mroz will be the teacher aide.

Ms. Heffern is a graduate of East Tennessee State University with a degree in early-childhood education. She has been a teacher in Hamilton County in grades kindergarten through second. She is a 1999 graduate of OLPH School and graduated from Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga in 2003.

The OLPH pre-K program is designed to prepare students for kindergarten “through hands-on learning approaches as well as student centered learning. The children will learn important developmental skills in a fun, educational, faith-filled environment.�

For more information about the program, contact Teresa Hennen, director of admissions, at 423-622-1481 or teresa hennen@catholicweb.com. n

ANNA MARIE LECRONE

COURTESY OF GEORGE LECRONE SR.

Scout awards at St. Mary in Athens Several Scouts at St. Mary Parish in Athens were recognized at the 10 a.m.

Mass on June 26. Pictured at right are (from left, front row), Hunter Merriott, Shelbi Powers, Haley Powers, and Dillon Powers; (second row) Christina Powers, Scouting coordinator at St. Mary for the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting; Matthew Merriott; Trevor Merriott; and Nicole Merriott; and (back row) George LeCrone Sr., chair of the diocesan Scouting committee, and St. Mary pastor Father William Oruko, AJ. Shelbi and Haley received the Family of God Award, and Matthew, Trevor, and Dillon all received the Light of Christ and Parvuli Dei awards.

Another Scout, Heather Tremblay, also received the Family of God award.

All Saints parishioner receives Gold Award Angeline Morris, a parishioner of All Saints in Knoxville, received her Girl Scout Gold Award on June 10. She is a member of Troop 20388, which is sponsored by Sacred Heart Cathedral School. She is pictured with her parents, Michael and Giannine Morris, and Father David Carter, an associate pastor of All Saints. Angeline is holding her Gold Award pin. The Gold Award ceremony was held in the All Saints parish hall.

The East Tennessee Catholic

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

September 4, 2011 15

Catholic schools

The Knoxville Catholic High School and Notre Dame High School football teams opened the season with victories Aug. 19.

KCHS held off host Knoxville Central 21-14, while Notre Dame won a 61-48 shootout at Grace Baptist.

Below is the Knoxville Catholic schedule for 2011. All games are at 7:30 p.m. unless noted. n Aug. 19: Knoxville Catholic 21, Central 14 n Aug. 26: Cleveland n Sept. 2: at Farragut n Sept. 16: William Blount n Sept. 22: at Webb, 7 p.m. n Sept. 30: at Lenoir City n Oct. 7: Maryville n Oct. 14: Knoxville West (homecoming) n Oct. 21: at Heritage n Oct. 28: Bearden (senior night) Following is the remaining Notre Dame schedule for 2011.

Games are at 8 p.m. unless noted. n Aug. 19: NDHS 61, Grace Baptist 48 n Aug. 26: at McMinn Central, 7:30 p.m. n Sept. 2: Chattanooga Christian, 7 p.m. n Sept. 9: Taft Youth Center, 7 p.m. n Sept. 16: at Bledsoe County n Sept. 23: Lookout Valley (homecoming), 7:30 p.m. n Sept. 30: at Signal Mountain, 7 p.m. n Oct. 14: Sequatchie County n Oct. 21: Whitwell (senior night) n Oct. 28: at Grundy County n

16 September 4, 2011

Notre Dame presents annual Alumni Awards John Foy and the Eberle family are recognized during the 2011 Alumni Weekend activities.

N

otre Dame High School in Chattanooga hosted its annual Alumni Awards Reception on July 28.

The reception kicked off the beginning of the school’s 135th year of operation and its annual Alumni Weekend activities that include a golf tournament, an Every Class Bash, individual class reunions, a Golden Grads Brunch, and an Alumni Mass at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul. Honored at this year’s awards reception were John Foy and the Eberle family.

Mr. Foy is the 2011 recipient of the Notre Dame Distinguished Alumnus Award. The award is given to a graduate of Notre Dame who displays citizenship and community service in his or her respective community, exhibits strong leadership skills, has attained notable personal or professional achievement, and reflects and supports the mission of Notre Dame High School.

Mr. Foy is a 1961 Notre Dame graduate. Currently he serves as the chief financial officer of CBL Properties, as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Tennessee, and as a member of the board of directors of the Electric Power Board of Chattanooga. Mr. Foy played a key role in the development and construction of Notre Dame’s Varallo Athletic & Fine Arts Center. He was also honored at the Golden Grads Brunch as he became a member of the Society of Golden Grads, a group of alums who have reached their 50th reunion year.

The Eberle family was honored with the Jim Phifer Service Award.

This award is given to an alumnus/ alumna, parent, or friend of Notre Dame who seeks to uphold the characteristics of the late James D. “Coach” Phifer (’49), principal from

COURTESY OF GAYLE SCHOENBORN (2)

KCHS, NDHS open season with wins

Notre Dame honorees The Eberle family of NDHS received the Jim Phifer Service Award. From left are (front) Tommy Phifer, son of the late Mr. Phifer; Veronica Seaman, NDHS director of advancement and alumni affairs; Helen Phifer, wife of the late Mr. Phifer; Pauline Eberle; Tom Eberle; Nancy Eberle Howard; and Perry Storey, NDHS principal; and (back) Jim Eberle Jr., Bill Eberle, and Rick Eberle.

John Foy received the NDHS Distinguished Alumnus Award. From left are Mr. Storey, Janette Foy Brown, Zach Morris, JoAnn Foy Morris, Mr. Foy, Trisha Foy, Ms. Seaman, and Mike St. Charles.

1974 to 1993, and who has provided extraordinary service to Notre Dame High School.

This year the award was given to an entire family for their dedication and service to Notre Dame that spans more than four decades. The late Jim Eberle and his wife, Pauline, were the force behind the building of Notre Dame’s football stadium, and “Jim Eberle Field” still stands as a symbol of the love and dedication

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

the Eberle family has for the school.

The Eberle siblings, Jim Eberle (’73), Tom Eberle (’75), Rick Eberle (’78), Bill Eberle (’81), and Nancy Eberle Howard (’82) have continued their parents’ tradition of service, giving of their time and treasure.

Their children are also recent graduates and current students of Notre Dame. Tommy Phifer (’76), who presented the award, said that “the Eberles never say no.” n dioknox.org

The new Missal

by Father Randy Stice

From the Paraclete: Wee Believers arrive

‘My sacrifice and yours’

I

By Bethany Marinac

A depth of meaning is contained in only four words.

n “The Mystery and Worship of the Eucharist,” Blessed John Paul II wrote, “The Eucharist is above all else a sacrifice. It is the sacrifice of the Redemption and also the sacrifice of the New Covenant” (9).

In this sacrifice Christ both offers and is offered: “It is Christ himself, the eternal high priest of the New Covenant who, acting through the ministry of the priests, offers the Eucharistic sacrifice. And it is the same Christ, really present under the species of bread and wine, who is the offering of the Eucharistic sacrifice” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1410). For this reason, the Church prays that Christ “showed himself the Priest, the Altar, and the Lamb of sacrifice” (Preface for Easter V).

Furthermore, the Church—Triumphant in heaven and Militant on earth—joins with Christ in offering this holy sacrifice. “To the offering of Christ are united not only the members still here on earth, but also those already in the glory of heaven.

In communion with and commemorating the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints, the Church offers the Eucharistic sacrifice. In the Eucharist the Church is as it were at the foot of the cross with Mary, united with the offering and intercession of Christ” (CCC, 1370). In union with Christ she offers herself: “With him, she herself is offered whole and entire” (CCC, 1368).

Christ’s saving sacrifice is offered by the priest and the faithful in distinct yet complementary ways. The

Second Vatican Council described the role of the faithful thus: “Offering the immaculate victim, not only through the hands of the priest but also together with him, they should learn to offer themselves.” In his letter Dies Domini, Blessed John Paul II elaborated on the offering of Christ by the priest and the faithful: “Yet the faithful must realize that, because of the common priesthood received in Baptism, ‘they participate in the offering of the Eucharist’. Although there is a distinction of roles, they still ‘offer to God the divine victim and themselves with him’” (n. 51). Thus, the ordained priesthood and the common priesthood of the baptized are two distinct yet complementary participations in the one priesthood of Christ.

Following the principle of lex orandi, lex credendi (the law of prayer is the law of faith—the Church believes as she prays), we find this truth expressed in the prayers of the Mass.

Pope Pius XII made this point in his 1947 encyclical on the liturgy, Mediator Dei: “the prayers by which the divine Victim is offered to God are generally expressed in the plural number: and in these it is indicated more than once that the people also participate in this august sacrifice inasmuch as they offer the same.” As one example, he cited the following prayer from the Roman Canon: “we, your servants and your holy people, offer to your glorious majesty, from the gifts that you have given us, this pure victim, this holy victim, this spotless victim.”

This complementary reality is

brought out more clearly in the third edition of the Missal. The current “Pray, brethren, that our sacrifice may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father” is more accurately translated in the new Missal as, “Pray, brethren, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.”

In addition to being more faithful to the Latin, this translation acknowledges the two distinct yet complementary participations in the one priesthood of Christ.

The Catechism brings out a final dimension to the Eucharistic offering—the joining of our sufferings and sacrifice to those of Christ: “In the Eucharist the sacrifice of Christ becomes also the sacrifice of the members of his Body. The lives of the faithful, their praise, sufferings, prayer, and work, are united with those of Christ and with his total offering, and so acquire a new value. Christ’s sacrifice present on the altar makes it possible for all generations of Christians to be united with his offering.”

In this brief invitation we see again the depth of meaning contained in just four words: “my sacrifice and yours.” As we enter more fully and actively into this reality and learn to offer ourselves, we are “day by day . . . consummated, through Christ the Mediator, into unity with God and with each other, so that at last God may be all in all” (GIRM, 79f). n Father Stice directs the diocesan Office of Worship and Liturgy. He can be reached at frrandy@dioknox.org.

“Wee” are getting very excited about a new product line that we are carrying in the store! We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Wee Believers shipment.

Have you seen the “My Mass Kit” (Wee Believers, $69.99) and “Sister” and “Father” vocation dolls (Wee Believers $29.99) on our shelves? These plush toys are fantastic ways to keep a squirmywormy worshiper occupied during Mass and in the car. The Mass kit is a plush suitcase just the right size for little hands. Inside the kit you will find plush examples of all the items needed for a proper Mass. This kit contains replicas of the chalice, paten, crucifix, candles, hosts, cruets, corporal, purificator, finger bowl, and thurible with an instruction booklet explaining the Mass by the Wee Believer characters.

These educational toys are durable and inspirational reminders of a child’s connection to the faith. The vocation dolls come with a companion booklet that helps a child understand the life of Sister Mary Clara of the Little Sisters of the Poor and the work that they do in their community with the elderly.

The story speaks directly to the child of devotion and happiness in vocations. The vocation doll named Father Juan Pablo includes a story by Father Benedict Groeschel, CFR. These dolls are certified “quiet” by Wee Believers, so that they are appropriate in reverent and low-noise situations.

Wee Believers isn’t the only new thing in the store. Our children’s reading section is bursting with new titles, too many to count. From board books to

Paraclete continued on page 21

The East Tennessee Catholic

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

September 4, 2011 17

Living the readings

Weekday Readings Sunday, Sept. 4: Ezekiel 33:7-9; Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9; Romans 13:8-10; Matthew 18:15-20 Monday, Sept. 5: Colossians 1:24– 2:3; Psalm 62:6-7, 9; Luke 6:6-11 Tuesday, Sept. 6: Colossians 2:6-15; Psalm 145:1-2, 8-11; Luke 6:12-19 Wednesday, Sept. 7: Colossians 3:1-11; Psalm 145:2-3, 10-13; Luke 6:20-26 Thursday, Sept. 8: Feast, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Micah 5:14; Psalm 13:6; Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23 Friday, Sept. 9: Memorial, Peter Claver, priest, 1 Timothy 1:1-2, 1214; Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 11; Luke 6:39-42 Saturday, Sept. 10: 1 Timothy 1:1517; Psalm 113:1-7; Luke 6:43-49 Sunday, Sept. 11: Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sirach 27:30–28:7; Psalm 103:1-4, 9-12; Romans 14:7-9; Matthew 18:21-35 Monday, Sept. 12: 1 Timothy 2:1-8; Psalm 28:2, 7-9; Luke 7:1-10 Tuesday, Sept. 13: Memorial, John Chrysostom, bishop, doctor of the Church, 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Psalm 101:1-3, 5-6; Luke 7:11-17 Wednesday, Sept. 14: Feast, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 78:1-2, 34-38; Philippians 2:6-11; John 3:13-17 Thursday, Sept. 15: Memorial, Our Lady of Sorrows, 1 Timothy 4:12-16; Psalm 111:7-10; John 19:25-27 Friday, Sept. 16: Memorial, Cornelius, pope, martyr, and Cyprian, bishop, martyr, 1 Timothy 6:2-12; Psalm 49:610, 17-20; Luke 8:1-3 Saturday, Sept. 17: 1 Timothy 6:1316; Psalm 100:1-5; Luke 8:4-15 Sunday, Sept. 18: Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Isaiah 55:6-9; Psalm 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18; Philippians 1:20-24, 27; Matthew 20:1-16 Monday, Sept. 19: Ezra 1:1-16; Psalm 126:1-6; Luke 8:16-18 Tuesday, Sept. 20: Memorial, Andrew Kim Taegon, priest, martyr, Paul Chong Hasang, martyr, and their companions, martyrs, Ezra 6:7-8, 12, 14-

Readings continued on page 19

18 September 4, 2011

by Father Joseph Brando

The problem of evil

T

We can confront it if we accept certain demands.

he most pernicious question that good people have to face is the problem of evil. Sin is a fact of life. It not only surrounds us in our environment. Sin, unfortunately, can be found within us.

There are many permutations of the question of evil. Some have to do with the essence of evil. How did evil come to be? How can a gracious God coexist with evil? Why does God not destroy evil from our world? Then there are questions that deal with evil existentially. How does God deal with evil? How should good people respond to both the evil people do and to the people who do evil? What can and should the Church do when its own people sin?

It is the second category of questions that this month’s Liturgy of the Word addresses. The scriptures selected for the Sunday readings for September recognize that we have no choice but to recognize the presence of evil all around us and even within us. We must be clear about our enemy, know the weapons we should use against it, and be prudent in our struggle. Above all, we need to know God’s attitude toward evil and make that our attitude as well.

Rather than look at the readings one Sunday at a time, this month we will explore the scriptures by their biblical source. That is, we will look at the evidence from the Old Testament readings first. Then we will look at the second readings. All four of these are from Paul’s epistles, specifically Romans and Philippians. Finally, we will explore this month’s Gospel readings, which are all taken from the Gospel According to Matthew.

The Prophetic view on how to deal with evil September’s Old Testament read-

ings begin and end with the prophet Ezekiel. In his lifetime, Ezekiel experienced the destruction of Jerusalem, the Babylonian captivity, and the beginning of the restoration of the Jews back to their land. Some consider him the “Father of Judaism.”

Surely he had a bird’s-eye view of the problem of evil. He grew up with the gnawing question, ‘Why did this happen to us?’ The answer came back, “because of our sins.”

Then God revealed his goodness by rescuing his people from captivity.

The sinners were freed and safely returned to their own God-given land.

One lesson we can learn from the history Ezekiel lived through is that God’s people need watchmen.

Their function is to warn people of the presence of evil. If evil is committed by individuals who have not been warned, then the watchman is responsible for the evil actions and will be punished as well as the perpetrator. That is to say, one response to the presence of evil and our inclination toward it is the establishment of moral leadership. Evil has to be named and publicly avoided.

The second Sunday’s Old Testament reading comes from Sirach. He presents us with wisdom gleaned from the Prophets. In one sense, he is giving us a model of the role of a watchman. He warns us that a combination of wrath, anger, vengeance, and hatred can arise in our hearts, making us sources of evil. Then, he turns that insight around and reveals that the opposites of those sinful attitudes, namely forgiveness and mercy, are of God. They are powerful enough to eliminate evil from society as well as from our own hearts.

The third Sunday’s reading from the Old Testament is from the 55th chapter of Isaiah. This also is a prophetic message coming from Israel’s

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

experience in captivity. The passage explains that the defeat and exile Israel was experiencing was caused by their sin. But, there is good news also. We can rise above sin. Evil can be conquered. Isaiah writes that raising our thoughts to God is the key ingredient of that conquest. If we found God, we would experience mercy and forgiveness and be able to become merciful and forgiving ourselves. It may seem strange from a human standpoint that mercy destroys evil. Yet, that is God’s way and we would do well to follow it.

On the fourth Sunday of September we come back to Ezekiel. There, he answers a question one might ask after reading the previous Sunday’s first reading. Mercy may work; but it’s not fair. Folks who felt the pleasures of sin would have the best of both worlds. They would, presumably, enjoy committing the sin and then be in God’s good grace after receiving forgiveness. Wouldn’t that be better than never having sinned?

Ezekiel responds that God’s way is superior to man’s way. Whoever turns away from sin will surely live. That is God’s way. Those who desire to live forever will strive to eliminate all sin from their lives. If everyone had such a desire, evil would be vanquished.

The problem is that people still look at things from a human perspective and not as God sees them. So, we have another job for the watchmen. They need to show us God’s way.

Paul’s answer to the problem of evil The second readings for September come from Paul’s letters to the Romans and Philippians. They both were written with much love and thought. Paul took time and patience to compose a thoughtful exposition of his thoughts on the law of Christ in relationship to Mosaic Law to the Church in Rome. Conversely, scholars think he was incarcerated in Rome when he wrote his letter to the Christians in Philippi.

The shadow under which both were dioknox.org

written was the problem of evil— the evil of division and the injustice of Paul’s own imprisonment.

In the first Sunday’s passage from Romans, Paul points out that all the evils the Mosaic Law prohibits us from committing can be effectively eliminated by practicing one Christian law: “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another.” “Love,” he continues, “is the fulfillment of the Law for “love does no evil to the neighbor.”

Paul is fulfilling his role as a “watchman” and tells us how to defeat evil once and for all. Simply, yet profoundly, love one another. If keveryone followed that commandment, there would be no theft, no killing, no sexual immorality, and no evil.

In the very next chapter, from which the following Sunday’s reading comes, Paul gives us an insight into how Christ’s law of love works.

In Christ none of us lives for him or herself. “We live for the Lord.” If we live for and in the risen Christ, then sall motivation toward evil deeds would be gone. We would possess the eternal life of Christ. Nothing could satisfy us any more than that.

The key to personal as well as communal happiness, the key to elimitnating evil is to “live for the Lord.”

If we live in the spirit of Christ, the problem of evil is over.

That leads us to the third Sunday of September and the first chapter of the Letter to the Philippians. Paul writes about his own psychology as a Christian. He knows he lives in the spirit. As a result he longs to be forever in the spirit in heaven. Yet, it is only in the flesh that Paul can continue working to end the problem of evil. Either option for Paul, to live or to die, is acceptable. The same is true for us. We can continue fighting evil, or we can spend eternity with God free from all evil. In either event, good has overcome evil.

The last passage from Paul contains what may very well be the most beautiful answer to the problem of The East Tennessee Catholic

evil ever. Paul answers the problem with one word, humility. It is the antidote to pride, the source of all sin. Yet, he expands that thought poetically. He shows us a Christ who emptied himself of divinity to share in our humanity in the ultimate act of humility. That’s how much God loves us. The nature of God is shown in his compassion. Our response should be to bend our knees and proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord.

When all of us do and say that, the problem of evil will be solved.

Matthew confronts evil in the church If the Old Testament prophets attacked the problem of evil in a generic manner basing their insights on the history of Israel, and Paul looked at it from the point of view of his personal relationship with the risen Christ, St. Matthew has a more practical frame of reference. Many experts think Matthew wrote his Gospel in the context of a Jewish–gentile Christian community in Syria. If so, his community would suffer many of the problems that we can read about in the Acts of the Apostles and in many of Paul’s epistles. The urgency of non-Jews to become Christians without becoming Jewish created a painful situation for the Christian communities that were entirely Jewish. This problem caused painful divisions within the churches.

The problem of evil was becoming a real struggle among Christians.

Christian leaders were eager to know if Jesus said anything about the issue.

Matthew was in a position both to feel the pain of this difficulty and to have heard what Jesus said in reference to it. The September Sundays give us four such teachings of Jesus.

On the first Sunday, Matthew presents Jesus’ method for fraternal correction. It comes immediately after the parable of the lost sheep. This passage is meant to be an example of how to bring a ‘lost sheep’ back to the Christian fold. The presumption is that someone in the community has been involved with something

evil. The method of correction was first to talk with the subject discretely and respectfully one on one, just like a shepherd trying to recover a lost lamb. If that doesn’t work, then bring some witnesses with you. If that doesn’t work, gather the whole church community to bring him or her back. If that doesn’t work, then the sinner is no longer to be a part of the community.

This last option seems harsh and not in congruence with the general tone of the Gospels. Yet, it supports the concept that Christianity is meant to eradicate sin, and it cannot do so when sin is found within it.

The other three Sundays present us with parables that are unique to Matthew’s Gospel. They are all found in sections where Matthew is relating Jesus’ instructions for his Church.

The first of these parables is that of the unmerciful servant. Jesus tells this in response to Peter’s question asking “How many times ought I to forgive my brother?” One man owed his king 10,000 talents. This was indeed a huge amount at least in the billions of dollars. He was unable to pay it, so the king forgave it.

We should be that forgiving. Right after that experience, the forgiven servant puts someone who owed him money into debtors’ prison.

When word of this action gets to the king, he delivers the unmerciful debtor to the torturers, where he will be punished without end.

The point is that God’s forgiveness is contingent on our forgiving others. Thus, God’s method for obliterating evil is to forgive it. God needs his people not only to be free of sin but to free others from sin.

The parable for the third Sunday of September is that of the workers in the vineyard in which those who worked for a much longer time complained because those who worked less hours got the same pay. One explanation of the parable is that Matthew would have applied this as

Readings continued from page 18

20; Psalm 122:1-5; Luke 8:19-21 Wednesday, Sept. 21: Feast, Matthew, apostle, evangelist, Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13; Psalm 19:2-5; Matthew 9:9-13 Thursday, Sept. 22: Haggai 1:1-8; Psalm 149:1-6, 9; Luke 9:7-9 Friday, Sept. 23: Memorial, Pio of Pietrelcina, priest, Haggai 2:1-9; Psalm 43:1-4; Luke 9:18-22 Saturday, Sept. 24: Zechariah 2:59, 14-15; Jeremiah 31:10-13; Luke 9:43-45 Sunday, Sept. 25: Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Ezekiel 18:2528; Psalm 25:4-9; Philippians 2:1-11; Matthew 21:28-32 Monday, Sept. 26: Zechariah 8:1-8; Psalm 102:16-21, 29, 22-23; Luke 9:46-50 Tuesday, Sept. 27: Memorial, Vincent de Paul, priest, Zechariah 8:20-23; Psalm 87:1-7; Luke 9:51-56 Wednesday, Sept. 28: Nehemiah 2:1-8; Psalm 137:1-6; Luke 9:57-62 Thursday, Sept. 29: Feast, Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels, Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14; Psalm 138:1-5; John 1:47-51 Friday, Sept. 30: Memorial, Jerome, priest, doctor of the Church, Baruch 1:15-22; Psalm 79:1-5, 8-9; Luke 10:13-16 Saturday, Oct. 1: Memorial, Thérèse of the Child Jesus, virgin, doctor of the Church, Baruch 4:5-12; 27-29; Psalm 69:33-37; Luke 10:17-24 n

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Readings continued on page 22

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

September 4, 2011 19

Life and dignity

Marriage enrichment: family wall calendars

God’s navy

By Marian Christiana A few years ago, Gus and Donna Gocella facilitated a marriage enrichment program at St. Alphonsus Parish in Crossville. During the program Gus suggested that the participants start keeping a calendar of their married life. Gus shared the calendar of his and Donna’s 40-year-plus marriage.

It chronicled all of the important moments of their lives. I loved this idea and wished that I had thought of doing it myself. As it turned out, I did.

Right before my husband and I celebrated our 31st wedding anniversary, we had one of those arguments only people who have been married a while can have.

We were discussing exactly what year our friend, Karen, came to visit us in Chattanooga. Was it 1987 or 1988? I said it was 1987; he said it had to be 1988. To my husband’s surprise, I pulled out 31 years of our wall calendars.

These calendars have decorated our kitchen our entire married life, listing our comings and goings at a glance. While we were looking for the correct year to settle our argument, we reminisced about our life together that was documented on these simple wall calendars. They listed crazy things our children said when they were first learning to talk, their first steps, first tooth, and every other milestone of their lives.

Today people keep their calendars and schedules in their phones. While this is very convenient for the phone owner, it does not help a family know in a glance where everyone is at any given time of the day. This month’s marriage-enrichment suggestion is to go “old school”

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by Paul Simoneau

W

The Church, the Bark of Peter, helps us to navigate life’s dangerous waters.

e continue our previous reflection on the Church Militant, reminded as we are in the Catechism of the Catholic Church of how sin and its effects “make man’s life a hard battle” (No. 409).

Recalling Christ’s invitation, “Let us cross to the other side” (Mark 4:35), our journey in life can often resemble the Apostles’ experience: “a violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up” (Mark 4:37). And who in recounting their life’s journey cannot in some way identify with St. Paul’s description of his experiences at sea? “Three times I was shipwrecked, I passed a night and a day on the deep; on frequent journeys, in… dangers at sea (2 Corinthians 11:25-26).

In 1571 the largest navy in the world belonged to the Ottoman Empire, intent on dominating the Mediterranean Sea and conquering Europe. With an armada of more than 500 ships and galleys and 32,000 soldiers they appeared unstoppable. But on Oct. 7 of that year, a much smaller fleet of ships representing a coalition formed by Pope St. Pius V and commanded

by Austrian Don Juan decisively defeated the numerically superior Ottomans off the coast of Greece.

This stunning victory at the Battle of Lepanto, which included the liberation of more than 12,000 Christian prisoners enslaved as rowers aboard Ottoman ships, was attributed to the Blessed Mother and the praying of the Rosary. Even today, the Church continues to commemorate the anniversary of this great victory with the memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary.

Almost 300 years later in 1862, St. John Bosco would experience in one of his mystical dreams a scene much reminiscent of the Battle of Lepanto.

He described seeing the pope at the helm of an embattled ship, which he struggled to navigate through a gauntlet of enemy vessels that raked the flagship with cannon fire and incendiary bombs, some in the form of false ideologies and heresies.

With great effort, the Pope steered between two pillars representing the Eucharist and Our Blessed Mother, which he secured the flagship between. Stabilized between these two pillars, the enemy was thrown into such disarray as to sink themselves in trying to escape. Then the ships that had fought bravely alongside the flagship secured themselves to the same pillars and with the danger gone, other ships that had fearfully evaded defending the flagship also drew near. With the Church united, a great calm then fell upon the waters.

Recalling again the account of Christ calming the stormy sea, the Gospel of Mark makes specific mention of the presence of other boats that accompanied Jesus and the Apostles (4:6). In naval terms, then, we might draw an analogy, albeit imperfect, of the pope as the admiral of God’s navy who is given the mission of “strengthening his brothers” (Luke 22:32) for the battle. Cardinals and bishops, much like commodores, command groups of ships that are captained by priests with deacons who help to serve the needs of the crew and keep them trained.

The fourth-century Constitution of the Holy Apostles speaks to this analogy, stating, “When thou callest an assembly of the Church as one that is the commander of a great ship, appoint the assemblies to be made with all possible skill, charging the deacons as mariners to prepare places for the brethren as for passengers, with all due care and decency.”

This maritime image is even

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preserved in traditional church architecture. From the vantage of the pew in the church’s nave, from the Latin navis, meaning “ship,” one can see in the arrangement of columns and ceiling supports a resemblance to the wood ribbing of a ship’s hull, albeit from an inverted perspective.

As in any battle, unity of effort and the obedience of those being led into battle are essential for victory.

As “Jesus got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon . . . and taught the crowds from [it]” (Luke 5:3), so he continues to teach us from his flagship, the bark (or barque) of Peter. And our Blessed Mother’s command echoes still: “Do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5).

Because the sea upon which we sail in life is filled with many dangers, we need to frequent the Eucharist, the sacraments, and Our Lady of the Rosary. They are our sure defense against the marauding pirates of sin and addictions that enslave and destroy, as well as against the larger and well-organized armadas of the culture of death, such as Planned Parenthood.

The Church “is that bark which ‘in the full sail of the Lord’s cross, by the breath of the Holy Spirit, navigates in this world’” (CCC, No. 845).

And though, as Pope Benedict XVI notes, it “is forever being buffeted by the wind of ideologies that penetrate it with their waters, seemingly condemning it to sink . . . in the Church’s suffering, Christ is victorious (homily, June 29, 2006).

With my traditional play upon the words of Pope Paul VI, “If you want peace . . .,” sail in God’s navy. n Paul Simoneau is a 28-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. Since 2006 he has served as the director of the diocesan Office of Justice and Peace. dioknox.org

Once upon a time

by Monsignor Xavier Mankel

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One on every corner

I

Sisters were seemingly everywhere at St. Mary School in Knoxville.

t was September 1941. America was just beginning to pull out of the two depressions of the 1930s. The 1941 model automobiles boasted of mechanical and aesthetic features like the world had never seen. Europe was at war, but Europe was so far, far away.

The 12 or 13 books (half of them 8 1/2-by-11 workbooks) had cost a total of nearly $3! “Your sister will have to use these same books next year,” exclaimed our mother while anticipating what a set of secondgrade books would cost for me for the school year, 1942-43.

Our fully equipped St. Mary School classroom at 414 W. Vine Ave., Knoxville 2, Tenn. (the fivedigit zips were not in use then) included slate chalkboards (dark gray), three electric light fixtures that hung in a row from front to back, perhaps containing a 200- or even 300-watt bulb each. The five tall windows, two at the back and three up one side, helped with the lighting.

Sister’s desk sat on a platform

not unlike that of the platform the thrones of kings and queens sat upon in their royal reception halls.

There were 60 single student desks screwed to the hard pine floor (perfect symmetry); ink wells were provided, but most primary-grade students used pencils or every once in a while that very messy new device: the ballpoint pen! (The ink was everywhere except on the paper.)

A few years later the desks were removed from the floor and screwed to pine runners. It raised the desks nearly an inch, and it probably made cleaning the room easier.

Additional furnishings included a crucifix (Latin style), a statue of our Blessed Lady, an American flag, a holy-water font, and chalk and erasers poised to fall from the chalk rail.

This produced, when they actually fell, a cloud of white dust that was sufficient to set the asthmatics in the room into fits of labored breathing and wheezing.

At least one of the boards was decorated very tastefully with an aspiration. Ours read, “My Jesus,

Building the kingdom

have mercy.” It was done in colored chalk, and I think it was still there when I finished grade eight in the other classroom on that first floor (a half-flight up from the play yard between the school and the parish church, Immaculate Conception, some 30 feet away).

My mother says that I left for the first day of the first grade (we had no kindergartens back then) in good spirits. I had no trouble with the 8 a.m. Mass, although it was an hour later than when I had come yesterday with my father and his two sisters. Mother stayed home during the 7 a.m. Mass and came to the 9 a.m. Mass with my sister.

After my little brother was “pew broken” about 1943 or ’44, we worshiped as a family for a year or so, and then I served the 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. or the 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., and sister sang in the choir however many times a choir was needed.

Father Murray had worn green vestments on Sunday, but he wore black ones today. Requiem Masses were the

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by Jim Link

A key component of our journey The Bible tells us ‘to honor God with our time, talent, and treasure.’

S

cripture includes more than 800 references to money, possessions, and what to do with them. Indeed, if you were to complete a word search, you’d find that Jesus talked about money more than he did love or grace.

The Bible implores us to honor God with our time, talent, and treasure.

The East Tennessee Catholic

Stewardship shouldn’t be detached from our spiritual journey but a key component of it. Being good stewards helps us grow in holiness. Sharing what we have liberates us from unhealthy attachments to material possessions and helps us build the Kingdom of God. Matthew’s Gospel reminds us that

our wallet is connected to our heart, and that God seeks to transform us.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasure on earth,” Jesus said, “where moths and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where moths and rust do not

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and start a family wall calendar: n Pick a calendar that has squares big enough to write in. n Agree to write all commitments on the family calendar. n On the extra space write anything that you’d like to remember. n Make the new calendar a standard Christmas present for the family. n Save your calendars.

This simple wall calendar can help you and your family stay connected while going about the business of life.

By the way, I was right: it was 1987 when Karen came to visit.

I’m not gloating, though, since gloating would be bad for our marriage! n Mrs. Christiana is coordinator of the diocesan Marriage Preparation and Enrichment Office.

Paraclete continued from page 17

paperbacks and all the Bibles in between, you will find just the right one for that special little reader on your gift list.

The Paraclete also has an extensive selection of products to guide you through the upcoming revisions to the Mass text.

Another great idea for families to start a new tradition is to use All Saints Day (Nov. 1) to start a family reading from the lives of the saints in A Catholic Child’s Lives of the Saints (Regina Press, 2005, $12.95) or Saints for Young Readers for Every Day Vol. 1 and 2 (Pauline Books, 2005, $15.95).

God bless you all from the staff of The Paraclete. n Call the store at 865-5880388 or 800-333-2097. Visit its Facebook page at bit.ly/ paracleteknoxville.

September 4, 2011 21

Brando continued from page 19

a warning for the Jewish Christians not to complain about the gentiles who were enjoying the faith without having the obligation of following Jewish practices. It may seem unfair, but it is God’s call, not ours, that counts.

What is needed to avoid sin is a common reliance on the merciful judgment of God. The readings for the month conclude with Matthew’s parable of the two sons. One son told his father he would work but did not. The other refused to work but thought better of it and went to the field. The parable deals with one question regarding the problem of evil: Is morality a matter of what we say or what we do?

The parable succeeds in winning Jesus’ listeners over to the principle that action is the acid test for obedience. Christ wants us to work in order to further the Kingdom. We have to do more than talk a good game if we want to overcome evil. Jesus points to the tax collectors and prostitutes who have changed their lives because of his preaching. However, many chief priests and elders refused to join Jesus because ‘sinners’ were following him. Were the Jewish Christians not guilty of the same sin if they left the faith because gentiles were becoming Christian?

To fight evil means we have to change our ways to eliminate every vestige of sin from our lives.

We must become merciful so we can forgive it away to oblivion.

We should become humble as Christ was. We need to be welcoming to all who would join us. We should be eager to do our Father’s will. If we are ready to accept these demands, then we become part of the answer to the problem of evil. n Father Brando is the pastor of St. Mary Parish in Gatlinburg

22 September 4, 2011

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daily fare, unless the liturgical calendar called for a duplex (feast). Then Father wore white or red, and in Advent and Lent violet was the hue.

We processed from the church to the school—first and second grade on one side of the first floor; eighth grade on the other side. A long staircase ascended to two classrooms on the second floor: the third and fourth grades were on the west side, above the first-floor first-grade room, and the fifth- and sixth-grade classroom was next to it, stacked above the eighth-grade room. Atop it was the beautiful music room. A parlor grand piano was in the center of the large studio, and several bookcases containing sheet music lined the walls.

There was a small table with a closed violin case upon it. The floor was covered with ivory-colored linoleum.

Sister Mary Aloysius, RSM, taught individual students all day and after school, either piano or violin. Being a bit more mechanically inclined than artistic, I didn’t begin studying piano until a few years later.

By then Sister Aloysius had gone, and I took lessons from a lady in the neighborhood. She was my first non-sister teacher. At school we had a non-sister laywoman teacher for a few weeks one year, but it was made very clear that she was a temporary

substitute.

First-grade classes ended at 11:30 a.m., and waiting on the sidewalk in front of the church were Mother, 4-year-old sister, and 2-year-old brother. They had walked the nearly one-mile distance to accompany me home. We got some of our exercise just commuting.

In inclement or cold weather we took the electric street car or the also electric “trackless trolley,” a bus-like vehicle whose electric motor received its power from two trolley arms that were long enough for the bus to come all the way over to the curb; or rarely, we rode in an automobile, like the Presleys’ ’34 Graham, the Elders’ ’37 Packard, the Prichetts’ 1941 or Sheas’ 1940 convertible Chevrolet, or even in the family’s 1935 Oldsmobile.

Our whole world consisted of Mother Church, St. Mary School, our home, and the distance between.

Although things had apparently gone well, I had even learned the names of the beautiful eighth-grade girls who sold “supplies” (pencils, erasers, notebook paper, etc.): Julia Driscoll (Father Ragan Schriver’s mom) and “Chickie” Mary (now Mrs. Andrew Gettelfinger).

Mother recalls that I entered the kitchen in a sour mood. When

asked, “What’s the matter?,” I am to have said, “You told me that when I went to school I would learn to read!” “Well, you will.” “Well, I didn’t!” All we did in that old school was take our seats and then stand back up and say, “Good morning, Father,” if the priest entered or “Good morning, Sister,” if a sister came in. Oh, yes, we had “to be excused” practice too. We lined up outside the restrooms and entered one or two at a time.

That’s when it seemed like the sisters were New York cops: one on every corner. Our Catholic family began forming that day.

Some of the people whom I remember from that very first day of Catholic school were Jimmy Moore, Doug Ayres, John Sevier King, Gene Griffin, Anna Rose Simpson (Payne), Jackie Connelly, Carolyn Bush, Bill May, Mary Catherine Hughes (Willard), Judy Disney, Sara Elder (Clem), Bob Lewis, Joseph Long, Jean Brady, Edmund Fitzgerald, Betty McCain (Tinker), Joe Ann Hughes, and Bernard Hartman. What a wonderful group with which to begin life’s journey of formal study. n

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parishes, and strive to witness and serve.

Strong parishes are the lifeblood of our diocese. There, young and old, rich and poor, strong and weak gather around the altar to celebrate God’s love and be transformed by it.

Our parishes educate children, console the grieving, comfort the afflicted, and inspire us to grow in holiness. Their vitality depends on us.

We can help spread Christ’s message of hope and healing by supporting our parishes during Stewardship Weekend.

On Sept. 17 and 18 parishes across East Tennessee will invite

people to give of their time, talent, and treasure by pledging their support for the coming year. Whether by praying for religious leaders, volunteering to bring Holy Communion to the sick, or making a financial pledge to support the parish’s operations, our gifts of time, talent, and treasure will enrich the lives of others and build the Kingdom of God. Let’s support our parishes during Stewardship Weekend this Sept. 17 and 18. n

destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be.”

Transformation lies at the heart of Christianity. Sinners are encouraged to repent, people who’ve been hurt are required to forgive, and those who’ve been blessed are challenged to share what they have with others.

Transformation also lies at the heart of a small missionary diocese like ours. Just as Christ sent forth disciples to preach and heal, almost 65,000 East Tennesseans embrace the Catholic faith, are nourished in 47

The Diocese of Knoxville Living our Roman Catholic faith in East Tennessee

Monsignor Mankel is a diocesan vicar general and the pastor of Holy Ghost Parish in Knoxville.

Mr. Link directs the diocesan Stewardship and Planned Giving Office dioknox.org

From the wire

Pope Benedict grateful for World Youth Day experience

-MADRID (CNS)—Pope Benedict XVI said he was leaving Madrid filled with gratitude to the Spanish people, the World Youth Day organizers and volunteers, and the million-plus pilgrims who prayed with him.

“Spain is a great nation whose soundly open, pluralistic, and respectful society is capable of moving forward without surrendering its profoundly religious and Catholic soul,” the pope told King Juan Carlos and other dignitaries Aug. 21 before boarding a plane to return to Rome.

Spain has a reputation as a country where the overwhelming majority of residents are baptized, but faith has little resonance in public policy.

But Pope Benedict said the way Spanish society handled World Youth Day showed it could rally for ,a great cause: “helping young people to become more deeply rooted in Jesus Christ, our savior.”

The pope thanked the young pilgrims who came to Madrid for World Youth Day with their “joyful, enthusiastic, and intense presence. To them I say thank you, and I congratulate you for the witness which you gave.

“I leave Spain very happy and grateful to everyone. But above all, I am grateful to God, our Lord, who allowed me to celebrate these days so filled with enthusiasm and grace, so charged with dynamism and hope,” the 84-year-old pope said at Madrid’s Barajas airport.

Many of the young pilgrims were at the airport, waving mostly Spanish flags and cheering for the Holy Father as he reached his final destination of the four-day whirlwind tour.

World Youth Day lets the church look toward the future with greater hope and trust in God, he said. That is why the church “continues to be young and full of life,” even as it The East Tennessee Catholic

CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING

The Holy Father thanked the pilgrims who helped him celebrate ‘days filled with enthusiasm and grace.’ By Cindy Wooden

End of the celebration A priest distributes Holy Communion to pilgrims during the closing Mass of World Youth Day celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI at Cuatro Vientos airfield in Madrid on Aug. 21.

confronts challenging situations.

The grace of Christ, the pope said, “tears down the walls and overcomes the barriers which sin erects between people and generations.”

The pope said the celebration also proved that young people will respond happily and massively “when one proposes to them, in sincerity and truth, an encounter with Jesus Christ.” He asked bishops, priests, and lay leaders to make sure that their young pilgrims are supported as they return home, so the experience could transform their lives.

Before going to the airport, Pope

Benedict took time to thank about 12,000 of the 30,000 volunteers from around the world who ensured— as much as possible—the smooth functioning of the Aug. 16-21 World Youth Day events.

Crowds waving banners and throwing confetti bid the pope farewell as he traveled through the streets of Madrid on the way to the fairgrounds adjacent to the airport.

Upon entry, a crowd of green-shirtclad volunteers clapped and waved, cheering for the man whose visit they had worked nonstop all week to coordinate. Baby after baby was lifted through the window of the pope-

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mobile for a papal kiss as he circled the crowd, smiling and waving.

After greeting a handful of volunteers personally, Pope Benedict addressed the entire group, acknowledging “all the effort that went into preparing for these days, all the sacrifices, all the love. Everybody did his or her best, by work and prayer, to weave, stitch by stitch, the magnificent, colorful tapestry of this World Youth Day.” n

Contributing to this story was Gretchen R. Crowe. Copyright 2011 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops September 4, 2011 23

24 September 4, 2011

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