Category Archives: Catholic

Carmen Declaration

The priest in one of the later scenes of Knoxville Opera’s production of Carmen looked especially authentic. There’s a reason for that. The supernumerary part was played by Fr. Rich Andre of St. John XXIII University Parish. The music was wonderfully familiar, … Continue reading

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The Work of Our Hands and of Our Minds

Bishop Richard Stika blessed the new offices of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee on Thursday. The agency moved its administrative offices to Dameron Avenue, across the street from the Knox County Health Department. It is a return to the space … Continue reading

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Turin Cycle

Dr. Kelly Kearse inspired my son to continue studying chemistry after high school. Dr. Kearse is one of the best teachers at Knoxville Catholic High School. I’m disappointed that I didn’t make it to Dr. Kearse’s presentation to the Nicodemus Club at … Continue reading

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Car Pray Diem

Fr. Michael Woods delivered a presentation about the Home Campaign before each of the Masses at All Saints on Sunday. He chose to speak about the fundraising effort before Mass instead of talking about it during his homily. To stay on … Continue reading

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Speak in Remembrance of the Deceased

Here are the remarks I delivered before the final commendation at my mother-in-law’s funeral today: Good morning and merry Christmas! Mary was a great mother and a great mother-in-law. There are countless examples but you only have to look to … Continue reading

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Funeral Directed

On Friday morning, my wife and her sisters gathered at the funeral home to make the arrangements for their mother’s wake and burial. I went along, as did another sister’s husband. Two of the women had been through the process … Continue reading

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According to Matthew

Matthew Kelly spoke to a full house at All Saints Catholic Parish on Friday night. Fr. Michael Woods decided that his parishioners would get the opportunity to purchase tickets before Kelly’s appearance was announced to the general public. The overwhelming majority of … Continue reading

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Showtime at the Apologetics

The amount of anti-Catholic comments on a single Facebook post astounded me. Most of the comments show ignorance about the Church. Some comments are actually hateful. Heather Burian, a recently-hired reporter for WVLT-TV, filed a story about the Diocese of Knoxville’s first … Continue reading

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Emcee You in September

Photographers Scott Maentz and Stephanie Richer took hundreds of photos at the Diocese of Knoxville Homecoming Celebration on Saturday. My wife and I are in several of their pictures. I was the emcee during the day’s family-oriented activities. My wife … Continue reading

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Dodgeball

The Chancellor of the diocese yelled, “watch out” as he pulled me out of the way of the Bishop rolling toward us in a giant hamster ball. That’s a sentence I couldn’t have predicted I would write. That's the adventurous … Continue reading

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Home Improvement

The Diocese of Knoxville unveiled its plans for a new cathedral on Sunday. Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish hosted a picnic on the lawn and parking lot where the new cathedral will be built. Different tents housed artists’ renderings of the … Continue reading

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His Dad Elroy

The Providence High School magazine had some sad news that my wife and I had somehow missed. While reading the In Memoriam section, we learned that our friend Michael Hastings lost his father to cancer. Michael was mayor of Burbank when … Continue reading

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Men of Faith

The high school football season started this week both on the field and in the movie theater. When the Game Stands Tall stars Jim Caviezel as Coach Bob Ladouceur of De La Salle High School in Concord, California. The De … Continue reading

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Dominus Tecum

The new Marian Chapel at All Saints Catholic Church was dedicated on Thursday evening. It features a beautiful wooden triptych. Scott DeWaard, who made the wooden altar furniture and the doors of the church, made the frame. He suggested artist … Continue reading

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