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When Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Chattanooga opened its doors in August, students found a new learning experience waiting for them. That’s because OLPH has added a special kind of classroom called a “SmartLab.”

The Diocese of Knoxville will be starting a new class of permanent deacons in 2022 and is now reaching out to Catholic men interested in joining the clergy.

This synodal process begins in Rome on the weekend of Oct. 9-10, 2022, and officially starts in the Diocese of Knoxville and all dioceses around the world on Sunday, Oct. 17.

Sister María Imelda Quechol and Sister Eloísa Torralba Aquino, Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus “Ad Gentes” who serve in Chattanooga, have been selected as finalists for Catholic Extension’s Lumen Christi Award, given to people “who radiate and reveal the light of Christ present in the communities where they serve.”

As the newspaper for the Diocese of Knoxville, The East Tennessee Catholic has shared stories of diocesan celebrations, parish milestones, and the growing faith of the Catholic Church in East Tennessee for 30 years.

The Paraclete is no longer just the West Knoxville Catholic gifts and books store. Changes that have taken place on the inside reveal an expanding customer base, with sales now from coast to coast and suppliers from as far away as Italy.

Diocese of Knoxville schools are reporting a healthy 7.8 percent increase in enrollment as the 2021-22 academic year gets underway, which bucks a trend among some Catholic school systems that are seeing decreasing enrollment.

Parishes and schools within the Diocese of Knoxville are doing their best to ease the concerns of parishioners by teaming with public health officials to administer the COVID vaccine free of charge in parish facilities.

A second collection will be taken the weekend of Aug. 28-29 to assist with Haiti’s relief aid and with efforts to help rebuild the country following a devastating earthquake on Aug. 14.

Notre Dame High School has new president. NDHS, Sacred Heart, and St. Mary Oak Ridge have new principals.

Bishop Stika offers statement and prayers for people of Haiti and Afghanistan

Bishop Richard F. Stika presided at the memorial Mass and re-entombment of Servant of God Father Patrick Ryan on July 31 at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul.

Bishop Richard F. Stika offers a statement on the use of masks in diocesan Catholic schools as the school year begins.

Deacon Matthew Donahue will be ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, Aug. 7 at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Mass will be live-streamed from the cathedral's YouTube page.

As part of process toward canonization, the remains of Father Patrick Ryan will be transferred from Mount Olivet Cemetery to the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga. Bishop Richard F. Stika will celebrate Memorial Mass and Blessing of the Tomb at the basilica on Saturday, July 31, at 11 a.m.

Bishop Richard F. Stika has issued a letter regarding the Holy Father’s recent Apostolic Letter issued motu proprio Traditionis Custodes (“Guardians of the Tradition”).

Father David Carter, pastor and rector of the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga, addresses the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass in his homily on July 18 following recent restrictions imposed by a motu proprio from Pope Francis on July 16.

Obispo Richard F. Stika sobre El Pecado y la Recepción Digna de la Santa Eucaristía

Bishop Richard F. Stika has issued a pastoral letter on sin and the worthy reception of the Holy Eucharist.