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Bishop Richard F. Stika has lifted mask mandates for all Masses in the Diocese of Knoxville beginning this weekend, May 22-23, which includes Pentecost Sunday.

Bishop Richard F. Stika is restoring the general obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days, beginning on Pentecost weekend, May 22-23. Some safety protocols will remain in place.

His Eminence, Cardinal Justin Rigali celebrates Mass at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville Sunday, April 25, on the 60th anniversary of his ordination as a priest of the Catholic Church.

Father Brent Shelton is both a student and a teacher, which explains his love for education. Catholic education in particular.

After a February meeting with Bishop Richard F. Stika, representatives of St. Alphonsus Parish in Crossville received impetus to continue the final phase of fundraising for a new church building.

The Diocese of Knoxville and Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga are excited to announce that Kyle Schmitt has been hired as the new president of NDHS. He will begin his duties in July. 

Bishop Richard F. Stika has issued updated COVID-19 safety procedures for parishes with an eye toward restoring the Sunday Mass obligation on Pentecost weekend. 

April 1, 2021

Bishop Richard F. Stika has issued the following statement regarding the recent violence in our nation

Diocese of Knoxville is home to diverse groups of faithful who share and demonstrate a love for Christ. Mass is celebrated throughout East Tennessee in Spanish, Tagalog (Filipino), Korean, Polish, and Vietnamese, and there are extraordinary form/ Latin and Byzantine rites being celebrated as well.

On the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Bishop Stika reflects on his personal connections and devotion to St. Joseph.

If Ash Wednesday is any indication, parishioners in the Diocese of Knoxville are welcoming the Lenten season and their walk of faith to Easter. Parishes around the diocese reported strong, if not high, attendance at Masses on Feb. 17, the first day of Lent.

The annual Chrism Mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on Tuesday, March 30 at noon. Due to social distancing precautions, this Mass will not be open to the public. A live stream will be available.

Bishop Richard F. Stika is echoing concerns raised by the USCCB that the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is morally questionable, but like the USCCB, Bishop Stika has also reassured Catholics that accepting the vaccine in certain circumstances may be acceptable.

Bishop Stika will celebrate Mass today at noon at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in celebration of the cathedral's third anniversary.

Lent, the 40 days of fasting and prayer in preparation for Easter, begins with Ash Wednesday. The Church asks us to surrender ourselves to prayer and to the reading of Scripture, to fasting, and to giving alms during this season.

The Diocese of Knoxville organized a day of rosaries for the sanctity of life on Jan. 22 with several parishes participating. The 40 Days for Life campaign will begin on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, and conclude just before Easter.

Of the many magnificent feats of construction in the history of human endeavors, none compare with that which St. Joseph, a humble carpenter, labored to build.